Lungu concerned with developmental inequalities
DEVELOPMENTAL inequalities can lead to breakdown in social fabric of society, President Edgar Lungu has observed.
President Lungu said this can result in vices such as crime, gender-based violence, early child marriages, neglect of children and the elderly.
He also noted that developmental inequalities between rural and urban areas had persisted from the time of the country’s independence.
Mr Lungu said this yesterday at State House when he received the cluster report on the implementation programmes contained in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
He said that his government had a duty to take development to all parts of the country.
President Lungu said the PF government was elected on a pro-poor platform adding it was his desire to fight developmental inequalities.
Anong the ministries in the cluster is National Development Planning, Finance, Gender, Local government, Community Development, Health, Energy, General Education, Chiefs, Lands and Natural Resources as well as the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development.
“As government, we have a duty to take development to all parts of the country, and to offer opportunities to all our citizens equitably,” President Lungu said.
And addressing the media at State House after the presentation of the cluster report, Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale disclosed that the performance under this year’s cluster was at 44 percent due to lack of adequate funding as government had more competing needs.
Meanwhile President Lungu has challenged the private sector to take advantage of the prevailing conducive business environment his administration has created for them to set up businesses and help propel the country's economy.
Mr Lungu said this yesterday in Lusaka at State House when four of the five Pricewaterhouse Coopers limited partners led by Nasir Ali paid a courtesy call on him.
He said it was his government’s desire to ensure the environment for doing for the private sectors was conducive.