Thursday, March 28, 2024

President Lungu’s Economic Diplomacy Reaping Dividends

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By Marvin Chanda Mberi

After his election as transition President to complete the residue of the unfinished tenure of President Sata, President Lungu has brought about some reforms towards foreign policy.

His Government has embarked on what was known as “economic diplomacy” which basically meant that international relations were to be used as the means tor mutual economic benefits.

Partnerships were to be established between Zambia and its allies and how the ripple effect can benefit the Zambian citizens. The Lusaka decongestion project is among the projects that were initiated out of economic diplomacy.

Within the last 1 year, President Lungu has commissioned 4 fly-over bridges which have been constructed through a joint venture with the Indian Government.

The recent addition is the Long Acres fly-over bridge which has not only added beauty to the city but will foster a number of economic opportunities.

President Edgar Chagwa Lungu does not want to leave anything to chance, his resounding resolution is to ensure that every vow he made on the podium in the run-up to the previous elections became a reality.

This is at the height of when he is required to give attention to the winding up of affairs of cabinet and Parliament whose automatic dissolution is expected in less than two weeks’ time.

The fly-over Bridge that has been constructed by AFCON constructing firm
The fly-over Bridge that has been constructed by AFCON constructing firm

Ahead of the historical modernization of Lusaka, with all the reservoir of average intellect imbued in us, we took up it ourselves to interrogate the notable benefits of this mammoth PF signature project which is an access route to and from the central business district.

We have emphasized the economic benefits arising from decongestion projects and we will do so to remind those who might have forgotten.

The four flyover bridges that sit in the heart of Lusaka are not ordinary monuments but are a symbol of catalysts that will aid the various human aspects.

To mention but a few; the Makeni, Arcades, Munali and now the Long Acres fly over bridges will stimulate the various human activity and it will among other things lead to;

  1. Reduction of road traffic accidents:
  2. lessen fuel consumption;
  3. it will save the time that is spent on the road to access town;
  4. They will promote local tourism as they will stimulate traveling.
  5. they will lead to job creation owing to the skills which have been acquired by local contractors who participated in the construction of this facility.
  6. They will modernize Lusaka city.
  7. They will promote Foreign Direct Investment as this will reduce the cost of doing business.
  8. They will make Lusaka accessible during the rainy season.
  9. They will increase productivity.

We, therefore, wish to thank the PF for improving our quality and standard of living through the ambitious infrastructure developmental projects.
We also acknowledge the role that was played by the Indian Government in ensuring that this project came to pass.

This is evident that President Lungu’s Administration is winning trust owing to their exemplary and unmatched prudent and accountable financial management.

With the campaign promises which have been fulfilled, we should collectively unite and ensure that we renew President Lungu’s mandate for another five years.

To the opposition politicians, the unprecedented economic activities of this nature are depleting your campaign messages. There is no politician who will put cogent arguments to convince Zambians that they are going to build roads. When they take their usual muddling, we understand their pain.

This is why some rational and discerning minds are defecting to the ruling party. We can only assure them that in the boat, there are so many seats.

In conclusion, we warmly acknowledge and congratulate President Lungu and the PF for giving us Lusaka fly over road, the promise fulfilled.
These represents collective efforts of Economic diplomacy under the tenure of President Lungu.

30 COMMENTS

  1. REAPING DIVIDENDS ??
    WHAT ABOUT INCREASING THE NATIONAL DEBT ???
    DOES ANYTHING HE DOES ACTUALLY BELONG TO US ???

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  2. Why are we stopping turning right on major city roads if the decongestion project is working. We are trying to patch up Lusaka instead if proper city planning

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  3. Build roads in rural areas where they are desperately needed. These huge humps do not add significant value to economic development.

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  4. Thank you so much for your positive comments and appreciation of pf hardwork. We have spent sleepless nights with the president ensuring these developmental changes. If any upnd f00l tells you otherwise, simply say to those smelly bab00ns, ati SONTAPO

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  5. People don’t eat flyovers,roads and bridges. They want Food on the Plate. Food prices have skyrocketed and they have no money. ECL in 2016 promised Money in People’s pockets,jobs, Good Governance etc. The opposite has happened. To live in Zambia is hell except for the well connected in PF. Corruption is Rampant, the Economy is being mismanaged and there is PF lawlessness around us. People don’t want another 5 years of suffering. On August 12 vote wisely. Vote for Team HH to turnaround this Economy and our lives. ECL and PF ku wire chabe.

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  6. “Everyone is getting their numbers from the fact sheet the White House published on Biden’s ‘American Jobs Plan.’ It’s important to keep in mind that this is a proposal — meaning it’s not even a bill introduced to Congress yet and could be changed between now and potentially becoming law.”-WUSA9

    PF time out. We are tired with your propaganda’s. Why are you scared? to come and join the rest of us so you can enjoy you so called development.

    “The Flynn Effect is the tendency of IQ scores to change over time, and specifically, the apparent increase in intelligence in the general population evidenced by a steady increase in IQ scores. It was first noticed by James Flynn.” PF You making us look bad. Give credit where credit is due. “Freeman said transportation infrastructure is typically…

  7. “Everyone is getting their numbers from the fact sheet the White House published on Biden’s ‘American Jobs Plan.’ It’s important to keep in mind that this is a proposal — meaning it’s not even a bill introduced to Congress yet and could be changed between now and potentially becoming law.”-WUSA9

    PF time out.

    “The Flynn Effect is the tendency of IQ scores to change over time, and specifically, the apparent increase in intelligence in the general population evidenced by a steady increase in IQ scores. It was first noticed by James Flynn.” PF You making us look bad. Give credit where credit is due. “Freeman said transportation infrastructure is typically funded through a recurring program that has existed since the 1950s.”

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  8. “Everyone is getting their numbers from the fact sheet the White House published on Biden’s ‘American Jobs Plan.’ It’s important to keep in mind that this is a proposal — meaning it’s not even a bill introduced to Congress yet and could be changed between now and potentially becoming law.”-WUSA9

    “The Flynn Effect is the tendency of IQ scores to change over time, and specifically, the apparent increase in intelligence in the general population evidenced by a steady increase in IQ scores. It was first noticed by James Flynn.” PF You making us look bad. Give credit where credit is due. “Freeman said transportation infrastructure is typically funded through a recurring program that has existed since the 1950s.”

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  9. misleading campaign at its best. That’s not how a political party supposed to treat (Government)GRZ.

    PF you making us look bad. Time out.

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  10. Hh has surely intoxicated his followers, especially the diasporans. Only right for KZ to call them smelly bab00ns. Hateful and evil cretins who would fan a vengeful backlash against their opponents if we make a mistake of voting for hh into power.

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  11. Lusaka will only be decongested by a major ring road touching Silverest on Great East road, Chilanga on great north road, Ten miles on Great north road and Nampundwe on Mumbwa road, the rest of these tuma internal roads including these fly over bridges do not bring a permanent solution. I will offer some solutions and totally ignore the fulls insulting others

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  12. Driving into and out of the CBD during peak hours is a nightmare. Typical examples are Mumbwa Road/ Lumumba Road junctions upto freedom way at Radian stores unrully small boys have blocked the raod and charging K5 per vehicle to have access passage. Ben Bella up to Kafue roundabout and from Kabwe Round about up to Levy Junction is so annoying that one has to think twice. Even independence road needs extra lanes. I am wondering if the LCC and the Ministry of Defence are on top things to widen the road at the main entrance to Maina Soko Medical Centre, if nothing is done that spot will claim a lot of lives when officially commissioned.

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  13. Those horribly looking flyover bridges don’t do anything for road safety, because there are NO provisions for pedestrians and bicycles. KZ and his incompetent boss don’t realize that more than 90% of the Zambian population do NOT own a car, and are severely disadvantaged by these bridges. However, they don’t own cars but they DO have voting rights, and on August 12 the verdict will surely be: PF OUT!

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  14. The huge debt repayments have crippled the Zambian economy.
    The PF is failing to pay retiree, local contractors, teacher salaries etc.
    What dividends are you talking about?

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  15. How can you reap dividends when you can’t repay the loans…does this man mean political dividends?

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  16. Then why is Zambia’s GDP only growing at 1% rate ,there’s high inflation and Kwacha is in freefall? Mr Chanda all these are dividends of Lungu’s mismanagement.

  17. The intentions of infrastructural projects like the Road decongestion projects must be seen in their proper sense and appreciating the contribution to economic and social sectors You decongest roads but doing what is being done hoping that you create access to economic hubs and locations of trade like the Lusaka CBD You then Decongest the HUB or CITY to locations around 50 kilometers or so and link them for easy flow f various forms of transit

    These nice infrastructures and solid critical projects being done like Airports and roads must be seen as a useful tool on which to create commerce inn trades and logistics to those centers and cities away…

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  18. Mr Chanda Mberi all these tu ma flyover bridges you cite as economic benefits = winning the battle but losing the wider war.Zambia’s GDP is doing worse and GRZ has defaulted on Eurobond repayments.

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  19. Not everything should be criticized. That is why people stop taking you serious because you become a Mr. Fault finder.

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  20. You can not urge with someone who thinks buying and driving the latest Mercedes whilst renting a house….is smart thinking and a sign of success.

  21. Musonda if think government will ufa na ndiyo ku nyumba yako then it is high time time useguke mutu.

  22. That flyover Bridge looks cheaply done. The surface looks like it has been in operation for 20 years.

    I wonder how many drunk drivers will indeed fly off that flyover bridge.

  23. Look how jealous and hateful these upnd diasporans are. Hahahahahaha chikonko hahahahaha. Why are you complaining when you don’t even live in Zambia? If you are that bothered then go climb a tall building there abroad and jump, and die you bab00ns!!

  24. This road development exercise has revealed the incompetence of our engineer and their (RDA) incapacity to supervise major projects. In addition, to the major funds wasted and stolen. 1. The roads are so narrow they’ve no or not enough provision for pedestrians and cyclists as per design and contract documents. (We know what you signed for). The flyovers are even more dangerously narrow with the Longacres flyover being the most dangerous. The barriers are too close to moving cars. 2. They’ve made staggered pavement. Where has the Money for the missing pavement gone? The outer lane pavements are so dangerous that if you hit into them, the damage to vehicles and other road users will be much worse. If you hit the edges, the steering will swing violently to the left and is a danger to…

  25. Now that we have dual and three lane carriage ways, We need to develop driver skills and know how to use these roadways properly. Eg. If you are driving slowly, PLEASE DRIVE ON THE LEFT (OUTER LANE) SIDE of the road to allow faster moving cars to pass you. Also, trucks over 2 tons should by law only drive on the left lane except when turning right or passing another vehicle. Huge trucks create too many blind spots for other motorists. The inner lane is a passing (overtaking) lane not a casual drive lane to chat up your girlfriend while obstructing other traffic. Instead of traffic police always looking for money at toad blocks, they can do something more useful and direct traffic. Also SINCE WE HAVE 4 WAYSTOPS IN ZAMBIA, FAULTY TRAFFIC LIGHTS REVERT TO FOURWAY STOPS. THERE’S NO MAIN…

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