Zambia needs value out of infrastructure projects - Lungu

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu said Government want to get value for money in all infrastructure projects being undertaken across the country.

Mr Lungu said Government had spent huge sums of money on infrastructure to improve lives of citizens.

He said Zambians expected good quality on all infrastructure projects being undertaken.

He was speaking when he swore in the newly appointed Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development Permanent Secretary, Danny Mfune, whom he urged to work closely with the private sector to implement the infrastructure projects.

President Lungu said:” I don’t expect you to let me and the people of Zambia down. I expect you to work according to the expectations of Zambians.

Mr Lungu said he expected Mr Mfune to help Government to deliver according to its promises.

Meanwhile, President Lungu urged newly appointed Deputy Secretary to Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development Dr Mike Masiye to work closely with Secretary to the Cabinet.

He urged Dr Masiye to give proper advice on economic policies and ensure policies implementation was not delayed. “This is very important now because Government wants to explore prudent ways as means to restore the economy which has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

Speaking to journalists immediately after being sworn in, Mr Mfune said infrastructure development was cardinal to economic growth.

“Like the President has said, getting value for money is what will be done. We shall ensure that as we roll out this infrastructure we need to put up that which will stand the test of time,” he said.

And Dr Masiye said the priority for now was to bring the economy on track.

“Our efforts will be concentrated to bringing the economy on track. We need to bring the economic fundamentals on track so that we can stabilise for us to go forward,” Dr Masiye said.