President Lungu halts Illegal Daily Bar and Nightclub Operations
Wednesday 6th January 202 issued by Isaac Chipampe
Special Assistant to the President for
(Press and Public Relations)
LUSAKA, (Wednesday. 6th January. 2021)— His Excellency, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, says at no time did he announce the daily opening of bars and night clubs and is surprised that owners of outlets have extended days of operation on their own.
President Lungu has since asked council authorities to “up their game” and ensure these outlets are only opened from Friday to Sunday as announced last year when he relaxed the guidelines to save business as the Covid-19 number of cases slowed down.
The President was speaking when he hosted the Reformed Church in Zambia leadership at State House this morning.
President Lungu said, while vaccines have been produced in various countries, the health measures such as wearing masks, social distancing, and washing hands with soap, remain the primary prevention methods at the moment.
President Lungu has urged transport operators to ensure passengers on their buses wore masks and observed social distancing.
“We must ll be advocates of prevention of covid-19, it is not just for the Head of State to advocate, it is for all of us, covid-19 is a real killer,” the President said
And President Lungu has said dialogue is of utmost importance amongst political players provided that dialogue is issue based. President Lungu said he has always been willing to meet stakeholders to discuss substantive issues such as covid-19 or elections.
“You should pray for me. Also pray for my friends who want to assume this office. I am ready to talk to the opposition. I am ready for dialogue as long as it is issue based,” President Lungu said.
President Lungu said there is nothing wrong with politicians talking to the clergy about their political ambitions but there is everything wrong with politicians dividing the clergy.
The President implored the clergy to work with the Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rev. Godfridah Sumaili in inculcating into the minds of cifizens values of hard work rather than begging.
President Lungu says only hard work can bring back self-esteem amongst citizens.
“We need to all work hard because begging is not in our culture, it cannot be the norm,” the President said.
And Reformed Church in Zambia Synod Moderator Reverend Ackson Banda says the church and Government are partners because they draw their members from the same constituents.
Rev. Banda said the Reformed Church in Zambia appreciated the President’s love for the church as he has been meeting various clergy.
The delegation also praised President Lungu’s timely efforts where disasters are happening across the country.
Rev. Sumaili, Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr Simon Miti and Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs acting Permanent Secretary, Mr Tobias Chomba, accompanied the President to the meeting.
General Secretary, Dr William Zulu, Dr Clement Mwanza, Rev. John Phiri, Rev. Daniel Banda, and Rev. Eneless Chabinga, among others, accompanied Reverend Banda to the meeting.
