Friday, March 29, 2024

President heads Eastern Province, Expected to Meet Bishop who rejected Empowerment Funds

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President Edgar Lungu is expected in Eastern Province today, for a one-day working visit. President Lungu is expected to arrive in Chipata in the morning and later proceed to congregate with Christians at the Anglican Diocese of Chipata St. Pauls Congregation.

The President is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata George Lungu at St. Anne’s Cathedral in the afternoon.

Catholic Diocese of Chipata George Lungu had directed all Catholic Churches in the province not to receive Government empowerment funds in the light of Zambia’s debt and poverty levels.

The Head of State will later in the day pay a courtesy call on Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people at his Ephindukeni palace.

According to a programme made available to the media by Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Veronica Mwiche, President Lungu is expected to depart for Lusaka later in the afternoon.

Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Rev. Godfridah Sumaili
Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Rev. Godfridah Sumaili with Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Veronica Mwiche

Meanwhile, Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Rev. Godfridah Sumaili has thanked the church, Religious and Faith-Based Organisations for the massive response towards the Empowerment scheme being implemented by her Ministry.

Speaking when she paid a courtesy call on Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Rev. Sumaili said her Ministry was in receipt of over 1500 applications across the country.

She said the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs technical team and other stakeholders were currently sitting to scrutinize applications and is hopeful that successful applicants will be announced soon.

She stated that Government is ready to work with the church and continue uplifting their welfare through the empowerment scheme and other initiatives to enable the church continue running it’s mandate without fail.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Veronica Mwiche has applauded governments relations with the church in the Province.

Ms. Mwiche said her office is delighted to see the Churches eagerness to work with government whenever they are called upon.

She said the church are critical partners in development and deserves to be supported.

She said her office had received hundreds of applications towards the Church, Religious and Faith-Based Organisations empowerment scheme.

She said the Church is a meeting place for people from all walks of life, and that church leaders are influential in speaking messages of peace, love and unity.

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22 COMMENTS

  1. Don’t try to intimidate a Bishop who is holding fast to his good moral ,social and ethical principles.This meeting is shameful and has the vibes of a dictator.

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  2. Come on Mr. President you’re being a bully by going to see that priest, you’re taking things too personally. Okay you see him then what?

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  3. LT

    why are you not publishing the video of the hatembos that other media houses have shown ?????

    LT

    Incase you plead ignorance , it is the one where the hatembos say they are not abducted , but on the run from nawakwi

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  4. Why should it be an issue if a gift is declined, especially whn there’s no shortage of those willing to accept it?

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  5. I hope the Bishop stays strong. Remember the Lords Prayer: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
    Have a blessed Sunday yall, Amen!!!

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  6. My boss is very hardworking. From DRC straight out to eastern province. Meanwhile hh is in coma while his handlers abuse his faycebook.

    Kyle don’t be a f00l. Our president is a listening leader. Had he not sought audience with this bought bishop, you would have said he doesn’t care. Nothing can please your tribal cows. To you only your fellow tribesman hh can do the right thing.

    @ akaps does this article talk about hatembos? Do not bring your watchdog propaganda here you little shlt

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  7. YOUR /OUR BOSS NEEDS TO VACATE HIS SEAT
    NO PERSONALITY, NO CHRISMA, HIS HANDLING OF THE CORONA VIRUS IS SHOCKING
    AND ABOVE ALL HE HAS TO TAKE RESONSIBILTY FOR WHAT HIS PARTY HAS DONE TO THE COUNTRY
    AS EVERYBODY IS SAYING PF TIME OUT
    ALSO THE F00L keep saying someone is Comatose has he got the right one ????????????

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  8. Just on the usual bully business, instead of addressing issues raised by Bishop Lungu. In his statement, Bishop Lungu said in the principles of social justice and preferential options for the poor, the Church prefers to see the same money being channeled to other needy areas such as debt servicing, paying retirees and workers at Chipata City Council who have stayed for nine months without salaries.
    He explained that it would also be prudent for government to channel the resources to the health sector to procure personal protective equipment, essential drugs and deploying more staff.

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  9. From flown from Kinshasa last night he is now flying out this morning to Chipata…why didnt this lazy man just fly straight to Chipata OP would have taken his suitcase to Chipata airport. You look at all his trips all absolutely irrelevant …DRC one was do to with his arms dealer friend Zingaman and Chipata to do with bribing Priests.

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  10. From flown from Kinshasa last night he is now flying out this morning to Chipata…why didnt this l azy man just fly straight to Chipata OP would have taken his suitcase to Chipata airport. You look at all his trips all absolutely irrelevant …DRC one was do to with his arms dealer friend Zingaman and Chipata to do with bribing Priests.

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  11. KYLE – That’s because its a bribe…a crook always believes everyone has a price, they can not understand people who refuse money…how can you call it empowerment when they is no paying back.
    ZWD was right that this man is panicking.

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  12. My humble appeal to the bishop, please to do not intimidated or pressured to do what you know is not right in the sight of God. The president come and go, but the word of God will stand forever. Also, please put on the armour of righteousness as you meet the man coming to see you, we don’t know what plan he has for this country and he is not humble as most of his follower proclaim. Oh yes, we are still waiting for the answer to chishimba kambwili`s question ” Mwelesa mwebakale mukulu bashimukotkota insona imibange mise, bushe uyu Lungu Mwamufumya Kwisa?”

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  13. The bishop should tell this convict straight up. This empowerment is about bribing and buying votes. PF is the most corrupt government.

    The Hatembos have released a live recording, they have nor been abducted rather thier lives are in danger from that evil cow nawakwi.

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  14. You should be differing on idiology not this petty issues. Show some love and respect to one another. We are human

  15. Tarino and et al.. look i have now changed my country flag again because i can use different IP addresses. continue thinking am an imposter hahaha. which country do you want me to try next?

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