HH renews rule of law pledge
By Adrian Mwanza
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says his Government remains committed to ensuring that justice is within the reach of every citizen, regardless of income, status or location.
Speaking during the official opening of the First Session of the 14th National Assembly yesterday, President Hichilema said Government would continue to strengthen people-centred justice by bringing legal services closer to communities, expanding legal aid, promoting alternative dispute resolution, and making justice timelier, more affordable and more responsive.
“We will continue to strengthen people-centred justice by bringing legal services closer to communities, expanding legal aid, promoting alternative dispute resolution and making justice more timely, affordable and responsive,” he said.
Hichilema said Government was resolute in its pursuit of accountability, transparency and zero tolerance to corruption.
“We have restored the autonomy of oversight institutions and strengthened the capacity of law-enforcement and oversight agencies. We have also made significant progress in combating corruption, economic crimes and financial misconduct,” he said.
Hichilema said going forward, his government renewed its commitment to intensifying the fight against corruption and all forms of economic and financial crimes.
“We call upon every citizen to join the Government in this fight because corruption undermined development, weakens public institutions and deprives people of essential services. We reiterate our position, that there will be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption. As we have stated before, if you engage in corruption, you are on your own,” he said.
On democracy and the rule of law, Hichilema said since assuming office in 2021, his government had worked to restore confidence in democratic institutions and strengthen respect for the rule of law.
He said the United Party for National Development (UPND) had significantly curtailed negative cadreism and reclaimed public spaces, including markets and bus stations, making them safer, orderly and accessible to all citizens.
“Our commitment is clear we will continue to protect our democracy, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard the peace and stability that Zambia has worked so hard to preserve. This is necessary for Zambia to prosper. We must never take our peace for granted and no lawlessness shall be tolerated, regardless of political or other affiliation,” he said.
Hichilema said he wanted a peaceful and stable Zambia that could attract local and foreign investment, create jobs, grow its economy and secure a better future for all.
He also said the Government will continue to accelerate investment in the energy sector and expand the country’s electricity generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts.
Hichilema said national energy sufficiency and surplus could not be achieved by Government investment alone.
“We will therefore continue to facilitate private sector and citizen-led investment in the energy sector to create jobs, business opportunities and Treasury revenue,” he said.
Hichilema said his administration will upgrade and expand the national transmission network to improve efficiency, reliability and regional interconnectivity of the power supply system.
Hichilema said connecting the national grid to regional power pools was now critical as this was the time for enhanced public-private participation in transmission and distribution of electricity.
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