• President Lungu arrives at Chanida Zambia/Mozambique border yesterday. Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA/State House

By CHILA NAMAIKO  in Vubwi –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has called on the Patriotic Front (PF) members to start identifying potential candidates with preference for women to contest parliamentary and local government seats in the August 11 general elections.
Mr Lungu said his desire was to see more women contest as members of Parliament and councillors on the ruling party ticket in various constituencies across the country.
The Head of State observed that if more women could contest the elections as MPs and councillors, the move would accelerate his vision to appoint more women in decision-making positions.
“We have the general elections coming and I want to call upon party members to start identifying potential candidates to contest the elections. We need more women to stand as MPs and councillors,” he said.
Mr Lungu was speaking here yesterday when he addressed a public rally attended by scores of residents who turned up in huge numbers to welcome him.
The Head of State was accompanied by PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri, State House Deputy Minister Mulenga Sata and Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone.
Ms Phiri called on the people of Zambia to rally behind President Lungu’s leadership, saying the country had witnessed massive development owing to the hard work of Mr Lungu.
Earlier, the Head of State commissioned the Zanaco Chadiza branch and praised the private sector for continuing to partner with the Government to accelerate economic development.
Zanaco chairperson Charity Lumpa said the banking institution remained committed to improving money circulation and economic activities in Chadiza District, as well as empowering the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs.
Zanaco managing director Bruce Dick said the institution supported the entire value chain, from the smallholder farmer to the agro-processor by assisting more than 20,000 smallholder, emergent and commercial farmers.