President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged that his government will complete the construction of Mpongwe–Machiya Road, upgrade the Luansobe–Mpongwe Road, and improve township roads in Mpongwe District if re-elected.
President Hichilema notes that his administration remains committed to improving the lives of Zambians and has promised to enhance access to essential public services by upgrading roads and constructing a district hospital.
Addressing a public rally at Mpongwe School Grounds this afternoon, the Head of State cited the construction of a bridge across the Machiya Stream as another key infrastructure project earmarked for the district.
“Your vote will allow us to do the Mpongwe–Machiya Road, the Luansobe–Mpongwe Road and the upgrading of township roads. Your vote will also allow us to deliver a district hospital here in Mpongwe,” said President Hichilema.
President Hichilema also pledged to increase the number of beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to boost agricultural productivity and food security.
He said the government wants every eligible farmer to receive a full package of farming inputs instead of sharing packs.
“We don’t want you to share a pack into medas; we want each person to have his or her own pack,” said President Hichilema.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema directed the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to expedite payments to transporters engaged in the distribution of maize across the country.
The Head of State further said Mpongwe District, like many others, will begin receiving K80 million under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) following the delimitation exercise, which created Mpongwe East and Mpongwe West constituencies.
“The delimitation was intended to enhance development under the CDF,” he said.
President Hichilema also highlighted the recruitment of public service workers and the reintroduction of free education, which is now backed by law, as some of the major achievements of his administration.
President Hichilema further called for unity within the ruling UPND, urging members to embrace new members and support all candidates adopted by the party in the forthcoming General Election.
“There can only be one MP, one Council Chairperson or one councilor. We need to support whoever has been fielded by the party,” he said.
President Hichilema also clarified that he would not support any independent parliamentary or local government candidate in areas where the UPND has adopted its own candidates.
“There is no way I can support an independent candidate when we already have our own candidate,” said President Hichilema.
Earlier, Copperbelt Province UPND Chairperson, Elisha Matambo, appealed to the people of Mpongwe to support President Hichilema and all UPND candidates contesting parliamentary and local government positions in the August General Election.
Mpongwe East Aspiring Parliamentary Candidate, Emmanuel Masanga, and Mpongwe West Aspiring Parliamentary Candidate, Emmanuel Kasambo, also appealed to residents to give President Hichilema another mandate.
Mr Kasambo cited the recruitment of 568 teachers and the delivery of more than 700 desks to schools in the district as some of the achievements recorded under the UPND administration, saying the party should be given another term to consolidate the gains made.
