By Mubanga Mubanga
President Hakainde Hichilema says he is going to expand the economy.
Speaking during a rally in Mansa, President Hichilema promised the people of Mansa an international airport.
“We are expanding the economy so that we create more jobs, more than teachers, more than nurses. When we promise we deliver. I promised the people of Northern Province to upgrade Kasama International Airport to international standard. It is done and we are going to upgrade Mansa Airport to international standard. And we are working on it there. Very soon you will be flying from here to Johannesburg straight from here. Mansa to Johannesburg.”
President Hichilema said the previous government borrowed a lot of money which they even failed to pay back. He urged the people of Mansa not to go back to the previous government.
“Do not go back there where we are coming from. Our friends borrowed a lot of money. They failed to pay back. When UPND and Bally came they solved the debt problem,” President Hichilema said.
“Uwaba bwino ninani, uwa kongwela olo uwa solva?(who better between the one who borrowed or the one who solved the debt)?” President Hichilema asked.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema said in the 2026 maize marketing season, farmers will be paid by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) using digital platforms, after two to three days after they deliver maize to the FRA.
“Anyone who will deliver their maize will be paid through a digital platform, within two to three days,” said President Hichilema.
