Speech by His Excellency, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia On the occasion of the ground-breaking ceremony for the Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort  Friday, 3rd July, 2020

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Republic of Zambia Speech by His Excellency, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia On the occasion of the ground-breaking ceremony for the Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort  Friday, 3^rd July, 2020

 

State house

Lusaka 

The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Joyce Nonde Simukoko;

The minister of tourism and arts, hon. Ronald Chitotela;

The Southern Province Minister, Hon. Edify Hamukale;

Your royal highnesses present;

His worship, the mayor of Livingstone city;

All senior government officials present;

 

Chairperson of the NAPSA Board of Trustees;

NAPSA Director General and Management and Staff;

All project staff present;

Members of the press;

Ladies and gentlemen:

 

I am delighted to officiate at the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort.

The investment by the national pension scheme authority is great news for the travel and tourism industry.

 

Ladies and gentlemen:

 

The national pension scheme authority has continued to play a key role in the country’s social-economic development by investing workers’ contributions into critical sectors of the country’s economy and creating the much-needed jobs.

The NAPSA’s investments are in line with the country’s development agenda as espoused in the seventh national development plan where we have positioned tourism as one of our key growth sectors of the economy.

My government believes in the diversification of the economy and the utilisation of our abundant natural resources that this country is endowed with.

In this regard, NAPSA has shown commitment to contribute to the development of the tourism industry by investing in three modern hotels namely; Stay Easy, Hilton Garden Inn in Lusaka and the Garden Court Hotel at the Edgar Chagwa Lungu Business Park in Kitwe.

 

Honourable minister;

Ladies and gentlemen:

This hotel investment project would not have come at a better time than now when the country is experiencing the negative impact of the covid-19 pandemic.

Our country has witnessed business disruptions and job losses, particularly in the hospitality industry due to covid 19.

I am glad that this project will help to resuscitate the economy in Livingstone through job creation. Livingstone will also profit from revenue as a result of procurement of goods and services during construction.

The investment will create business and job opportunities for the residents of Livingstone.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to urge the developer to ensure transparency and merit in the recruitment of construction workers. Priority should be given to Livingstone residents who are in need of employment.

 

Furthermore, ensure strict compliance with the ministry of health guidelines to mitigate any potential spread of covid-19 among workers and the local community.

I also expect full compliance with environmental, labour and all statutory requirements by closely liaising with all the relevant stakeholders.

As you are undertaking this project in the national park, you must work in close collaboration with the department of national parks and wildlife to prevent animal-human conflict and preserve human life.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

My government will continue to provide an enabling environment aimed at fostering accelerated economic development across all sectors of the economy and in all parts of the country without leaving anyone behind.

Once again, I wish to commend the board and management at NAPSA, under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, for supporting the government’s development agenda. An investment of this magnitude creates economic value and long-term social-economic benefits for the people of Zambia.

It is my sincere hope and trust that this project will promote local tourism and business development as it will plough all the resources back in the local economy.

I am confident that the hotel will embrace affordable pricing to enable more local tourists make use of this investment built with their own money.

It is now my singular honour and privilege to officially launch the construction of the Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort.

 God bless you all.

I thank you.