Fellow citizens;
Last evening, we featured on Prime TV’s Oxygen of Democracy program where we discussed a number of governance issues among them the following:
✅ We commended staff working in the Ministry of Information and Media for their professionalism, competence and hard work.This has made our work much easier.
✅ We reiterated our call to media owners to adhere to the set rules and regulations governing the operations of media houses.The UPND New Dawn Government will not close any media house.
✅ The UPND New Dawn Government has performed well from the the time it assumed office. On a scale of 10, we have already scored 8 and by the time we finalize all the country’s debt issues, we shall be on a scale of 10.
✅ The UPND New Dawn Government under President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has restored the rule of law. Insinuations that the country’s democratic space is shrinking are untrue. Infact, there was no democracy to talk about under the previous regime.
✅ Government embarked on a mammoth task of delivering the Access to Information Bill (ATI) and this was done because the UPND New Dawn Administration has nothing to hide from the people. The bill was initially taken to Parliament in 2002 by Livingstone Member of Parliament, Hon. Sakwiba Sikota but was never enacted as it kept being withdrawn until 2023 when President Hichilema assented to it.
✅ Further, the bill was subjected to wide consultations and its successful enactment is as a result of the contributions of various stakeholders having agreed to have the bill as law. Government is satisfied with the consultations undertaken.
✅ Previously, the country was characterized by partying and very little work was being done due to the character of the leadership at that time. The country’s work culture diminished. President Hichilema is doing his best to shepherd the country and lead by example through his hard work, honesty and integrity.
✅ The collection of over 100 billion kwacha by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) is not by chance but a demonstration by the President that as a public servant, one has to serve the people and not steal from them. Institutions in the country are beginning to thrive and the economy is picking up too.
✅ The money that people were embezzling is now entering into the coffers of government and being used to provide social services such as free education.
✅ Government welcomes criticism as it gives a new perspective and opens government’s eyes to things it may have overlooked or never considered. However, inciting people to rise against a legally elected government is illegal and will not be tolerated.
✅ The Zambian economy is already on the rebounding trajectory. As a country, we need to work hard and produce more hence the President declaring 2024 as a year of hard work.
✅ Government calls for unity in the country. People should not tolerate some few selfish individuals who want to divide the country on tribal lines as we are one nation and one people.
Thabo Kawana
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Information and Media