By Isaac Zulu
Serving people is not a joke, says President Hakainde Hichilema.
Speaking when a delegation from the Millennium Challenge Corporation of the United States of America paid a visit at State House on Tuesday, President Hichilema said serving people was a serious obligation.
“We are grateful to the Millennium Challenge Corporation for appreciating and acknowledging our coming into public office. We take that with the seriousness it deserves. Serving people is not a joke, it’s a serious obligation. We are grateful for the sound relationship we have had for many years. Our relationship is anchored on shared values of democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights, liberties and freedoms and, indeed, strengthening our institutions. Our institutions need to be strengthened so that we can deliver to the people,” explained President Hichilema. “In terms of democratic space coming into an election it was a very difficult time. But the people of Zambia held fort. And here we are. We want to entrench the rule of law and democratic change of government so that democracy on the African continent, which has gotten stronger from the early 1990s can be sustained so that we deliver social and economic benefits for the people. I think it is worthwhile pursuing a democratic path.”
President Hichilema thanked the Millennium Challenge Corporation for implementing programmes aimed at addressing the challenges facing the Zambian people.
“We thank you for the support we have received through the compact from MCC. We would have never seen the progress that we are seeing with the MCC’s support. So we appreciate that,” he said. “We are also conscious that there are some fingerlings under compact one under the Lusaka Water and Sanitation. We are committed, as a government, to clean up those areas so that we go in the second compact with strength and knowing that we have learnt lessons from the first compact. We would like to thank you Your Excellency for selecting Zambia. We know that these are competitive processes and there are competing needs, but you have chosen us to be part of the second compact.”
The Head of State explained that the big challenge that Zambia is currently facing in restructuring the economy is the debt situation.
“Compact one and compact two cannot be implemented in isolation. I would like to mention to you that our 8th National Development Plan, which is focused on economic transformation and job creation and development of human capital, is something we are planning paying particular attention to as government to be able to create an environment that will assist achieve greater results under compact two. And sustainability is important for us,” said President Hichilema. “One of our big challenges in restructuring the economy is the debt situation. You don’t need to be given figures, you know the figures because your colleagues in the World Bank and IMF obviously chat with you. And your colleagues are in contact with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning here. We are very much aware that without managing the debt burden it will basically constrain our abilities to reorganise the economy, which is fundamental thrust when we went into office.”
President Hichilema further appealed to the Millennium Challenge Corporation to continue supporting Zambia in its debt restructuring programme.
“As you know, our country defualted. So one of the things we did was to reach out for some debt sustainability initiatives and programmes to stem any further default. I am pleased to inform you that all the material creditors have been brought on the table. We are confident that nothing will stand in the way of us reaching some resolutions on debt restructuring. We want to ask you to continue supporting us on the debt discussions that are going on because we don’t want to risk create a huge challenge for us in resolving certain issues.”
And Millennium Challenge Corporation Chief Executive Officer Alice Albright pointed out that what was holding back Zambia’s agriculture and other sectors of the economy was lack of reliable access to electric power, insufficient irrigation and inadequate policies.
*As you know, MCC has enjoyed a long relationship with Zambia, starting from the threshold programme in 2006 followed by a US$355 million compact in 2018. I am looking forward to deepening our relationship through the potential second compact. I am eagerly waiting to hear from you how potential projects can best improve the lives of Zambians. As you know, MCC is committed to country ownership as we work together to determine where MCC should invest,” Albright explained. “What is holding back inclusive growth in the agriculture sector, including other sectors has been impacted by lack of reliable access to electric power, insufficient irrigation systems, inadequate policies and transportation.”
She also reaffirmed the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s support to the government’s resolve to rebuilding a sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
“This is just one step of our journey as we work together on compact two. During our first compact MCC invested US$355 million to improve Zambia’s water, sanitation and drainage infrastructure, which was complimented by millions of dollars from your government. These investments continue to impact million of families and businesses. MCC’s investments and that of the government of Zambia are expected to benefit more than one million people over the next 20 years. Let me conclude by reaffirming our commitment to supporting your government to rebuilding a sustainable and inclusive economic growth through our second compact,” said Albright.
