. Lungu

By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
PF  president Edgar Lungu has promised to reduce the cost of mealie-meal once elected into office in order to improve the lives of all Zambians.
Mr Lungu said at a rally attended by multitudes of Lusaka residents in Mandevu yesterday that he will put in place mechanisms to ensure that the cost of the staple food was reduced so as to benefit many poor Zambians.
Mr Lungu said he would put in place mechanisms such as investments in milling plants and support ways that will help in the growing of more maize.
Mr Lungu who is Defence and Justice Minister said that there was no need for farmers to grow maize in Chipata when they could only take it to a milling plant in Mazabuka.
He said he would also reduce the cost of fuel and that since electricity had already been rolled out by the PF Government to all parts of the country, there would be no reason he would fail to reduce the cost of living for many Zambians.
Mr Lungu told the people that once voted into power on January 20, 2015, he would revise the Statutory Instrument on the retirement age which has been increased to 65 years against the wishes of the people.
He also promised to deliver a people – driven Constitution by 2016 because he was a man who lived by his words.
“I picked the draft Constitution from the Ministry of Justice with dust and took it to Parliament. Father Chiti can tell you that I assured him when I was appointed secretary general that I would improve things during a short time and I did it,” Mr Lungu said.
He said he would deliver all his promises because he was a servant of the people and would continue humbling himself even when elected President of Zambia.
Mr Lungu said he was a God-fearing person who would continue listening to the electorate who would have put him into power.
“I am your worker and you are my masters because you employed me so I will continue listening and working for you,” Mr Lungu said.
Mr Lungu who was accompanied by his wife Esther, appealed to Zambians to continue praying for him and his family so that God can use him according to his plan.
He said that while some people were pulling him down, God was lifting him up because he was a humble and God-fearing man.
He would also continue recognising all traditional leaders, including Chitimukulu of the Bemba people.
The process of rectifying the recognition of the Chitimukulu had started even before President Sata died and all he would do once elected President was to sign a Statutory Instrument to recognise him.
Mr Lungu warned that once elected President he would make certain that all those evading tax would be followed to recover the money which belongs to Zambians.
This would be done by empowering the Zambia Revenue Authority to ensure it had the capacity to recover tax from defaulters.
Mandevu Member of Parliament (MP) Jean Kapata promised Mr Lungu that the people of her constituency would give him 100 per cent of votes.
UPND Itezhi Tezhi MP Greyford Monde said the PF was an all inclusive party as evidenced by his appointment by Mr Sata into Government.
Several MPs, ministers and party officials who spoke at the rally urged the people of Mandevu and other parts of the country to vote for Mr Lungu.
The rally which started at about 16:00 hours was spiced up by musicians Jordan Katembule (JK), Mozegator, Dandy Crazy and various PF choirs.
The rally was attended by PF youth chairperson Chishimba Kambwili, PF national chairperson Inonge Wina, Kabwata MP Given Lubinda, PF chairperson for transport Willie Nsanda and other PF officials.