4 Views President Hakainde Hichilema on Monday urged residents of Kasenengwa to embrace a culture of saving, telling a packed rally that putting money in the bank would cushion families when times get hard. His sentiments “urging hungry people to save” comes at the time the country is battling high cost of living, which is […]

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President Hakainde Hichilema on Monday urged residents of Kasenengwa to embrace a culture of saving, telling a packed rally that putting money in the bank would cushion families when times get hard.

His sentiments “urging hungry people to save” comes at the time the country is battling high cost of living, which is eating into citizens’ disposable incomes.

President Hichilema himself, is on record confessing that citizens are indeed finding it hard to make ends meet due to high cost of living, noting that his administration is doing everything in its power to reverse the tide.

Speaking in Eastern Province, Hichilema compared household finances to farming, saying a wise farmer does not sell all the crop but keeps some for home consumption.

The President, who said he spent many years studying financial management, also defended the government’s push to grow national reserves as a buffer against economic shocks.

His call for restraint comes 10 days to the general elections, with voters in Kasenengwa and across the country grappling with high prices of mealie meal, fuel and other basics.

Hichilema also took the opportunity to thank citizens for coming to his rally in their numbers and promised more developmental projects.

“We love you so much our people in Kasenengwa, Eastern Province.

“This is why we increased CDF so that feeder roads, water challenges, dams and many others can be worked on.

“Thank you very much for coming to our meeting today. Be assured that the journey we started together in 2021 will see this beautiful land continue having its fair share of the National cake.

“We are also happy to hear you publicly indicate that free education has been a game changer. This is why you elected us into public office.

“This August, vote for us balimi banzatu. Kasenengwa must keep moving forward together with us,” he said.

From Kasenengwa, President Hichilema’s port of call is Chipangali where is expected to continue with his developmental promises.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Province is being reimagined as the centerpiece of Zambia’s growth story, with President Hakainde Hichilema recently unveiling a sweeping agenda that blends infrastructure renewal, social protection expansion, and agricultural empowerment.

At rallies in Katete, Chadiza, Vubwi and Chipata yesterday, the head of State said the era of neglected roads and stalled projects is over.

He confirmed that the Great East Road will be widened into a dual carriageway to ease congestion, while the long‑awaited Chipata–Lundazi Road is finally set for construction.

In Chadiza, the route popularly known as the “HH Road” Hichilema said will be tarred for the first time since independence, alongside upgrades to the Chadiza–Chanida and Chadiza–Vubwi roads.

He also said Katete’s transport network will also be modernised, with works on the Katete–Chanida stretch already scheduled.

Hichilema highlighted the Chipata West Solar Power Project, now halfway complete, which will add 100 megawatts to the national grid.

He announced that Chipata Hospital is being expanded into a fully‑fledged general facility, while Katete will receive a new district hospital to meet rising demand.

He pointed to the expansion of the Social Cash Transfer programme, with payments raised to K1,000 per beneficiary, as evidence of his government’s commitment to vulnerable households.

Hichilema reaffirmed ongoing recruitment of civil servants and promised more opportunities for young people through skills training and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Agriculture remains central to the agenda, with Hichilema pledging to broaden the number of beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to strengthen productivity and secure viable markets for crops such as tobacco and soya beans.

He urged residents to resist opposition promises, warning that reversing course would undo the progress achieved over the past four years.

“Going back means undoing every good thing we have built together,” he told supporters in Chipata, citing free education, expanded bursaries, and decentralisation through the Constituency Development Fund as proof of his administration’s resolve.

He concluded by stressing that continuity is essential for Eastern Province’s transformation, urging voters to deliver a decisive mandate for the UPND to expand infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social protection across the province.

Other alliance figures, including Miles Sampa, joined parliamentary candidates in Katete in calling for overwhelming support for the ruling party to sustain development momentum.