EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU:

Zambia’s No.1 Envoy  and Development Agent for Trade, Inter-Governmental Cooperation, Infrastructure Development, Resource Mobilisation, and People to People Exchanges.

By Sunday Chilufya Chanda

Very recently, millions in Zambia and around the globe, had their eyes fixed to the heavens  for close to two hours as they beheld a rare phenomenon; a “Blood Moon”. The century's longest lunar eclipse thrilled many sky gazers and had them “over the moon”.

However, as spectacular as this particular night may have been, the reality is if this were to become a nightly occurrence, its spectacular wonder would be taken for granted, and its significance would be lost in the routine humdrum of our existence.

18^th Century American Philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson held that people’s attitude toward the stars would be more appreciative if the heavenly bodies appeared only once every thousand years. He asserted that because humankind sees the heavenly bodies so often, people have grown accustomed to their splendour thereby taking them for granted.

During the last seven years of the Patriotic Front Government’s administration under the late President Michael Sata and his successor President Edgar Chagwa Lungu,  a galaxy of  multi-sectoral stellar performances have unfolded for all to behold, and like the philosopher of old observed, it is easy to become so familiar with them taken for granted. 

In this series entitled: “Edgar Chagwa Lungu – Zambia’s No.1 Envoy and Development Agent  for Trade, Inter-Governmental Cooperation, Infrastructure Development, resource Mobilisation, and People to People Exchanges”, the author discusses the conscientious commitment of the Zambian Head of State’s Development Agenda and Economic Diplomacy.

There has been much false commentary and hypocritical analysis vis-à-vis the current efforts by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to forge regional and international partnerships to benefit all Zambians. 

Unfortunately, these false commentaries and hypocritical analyses have to a larger extent received a muted response. However, this silence has to be broken- but not just for the sake of breaking it. As Jorge Luis Borges famously said “Do not talk unless you can improve the silence”. Therefore, for the Patriotic Front, this is the opportune time to pass the Jorge Luis Borges test, and “improve the silence” regarding current efforts to build strong partnerships for Zambia’s inclusive development.

Undoubtedly, in the relatively short period from 2016 to present under the leadership of the PF, both the Government and the fundamentals of the Zambian economy have strengthened their capacity to be efficient, effective, resilient, agile, forward-looking and focused with the view to attaining the targets set out in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), Vision 2030 and African Union (AU) Agenda 2063. This intervening period has also witnessed unprecedented levels of infrastructure development in Zambia in a very short period of time. To the objective observer, the face of Zambia is quickly and positively changing through infrastructure development – the precursor of inclusive economic growth. 

 

The afore-mentioned infrastructure development and the strengthening of the core sectors of Government and the economy have not happened by accident, but by design. It has been as a result of wise, sober, resilient and deliberate leadership by His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and his predecessor, the late President, Michael Chilufya Sata; May His Soul Rest In Peace.

In addition to the 7NDP, Vision 2030 and AU Agenda 2063; the PF Government is guided by its Manifesto, whose intended end result is to: “significantly uplift the standard of living of all Zambians.”

The battle against poverty and underdevelopment in Zambia is being won, but the war is certainly far from over. As a result, the PF Government, under the able leadership of President Lungu, has set out as its task to build beneficial and long-term domestic, regional and international partnerships to bring about robust and inclusive economic development in Zambia.

Overall, the strategic partnerships being developed at national, regional and international level by the PF Government under President Lungu are centered on some of the following:

1. Achieving national progress while maintaining peace and stability.
2. Formulating and adhering to sound development policies, relevant in a Zambian context.
3. Promoting balanced economic, political, cultural, social and ecological progress.
4. Coordinating the implementation of national strategic policy documents and the PF Manifesto towards the attainment of 7NDP, Vision 2030 and AU Agenda 2063 targets.
5. Stimulating and maintaining the momentum for stable and sound economic development.
6. Significantly improving the living standards of Zambians.
7. Fending off risks to inclusive, stable and appreciable economic growth.

Ends…//…

The Author is the PF Media Director

At the Patriotic Front Secretariat

In Lusaka

In the next article, Sunday Chilufya Chanda will continue discussing some of the measures the Patriotic Front Government of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is taking in order to significantly improve the living standards of all Zambians.