ECL READY TO DIALOGUE
By Sharon Kunda
President Edgar Lungu says he is ready to dialogue with the church and his opponents on matters of national importance.
President Lungu has reiterated the importance of dialogue but that this should not be merely for politicking and must be issue based.
The Head of State said this when he met a delegation from the Reformed Church in Zambia who paid a courtesy call on him at State House in Lusaka.
President Lungu said he is always pleased to receive religious leaders and that the church and the state are one.
He has urged the church leaders to use the teachings of God to unite their flock as the country transitions into the August general election.
President Lungu said there is nothing wrong with politicians talking to church members about their political ambitions.
He however said what is wrong is to incite them to engage in political violence.
The Head of State has requested the church to continue praying for his leadership as the country goes to the polls and said it is the will of God that will prevail over the election outcome.
President Lungu said Government will support the church in its various service delivery projects in the health and education sectors among others.
The President said Government appreciates the services that the Reformed Church in Zambia is rendering to the people in various communities in the country in the education and health sectors and has urged other churches to emulate this.
He said Government alone cannot manage to offer such services but needs the support of other stakeholders in offering quality services to the citizens.
And President Lungu has expressed concern over the non-adherence to stipulated Covid-19 guidelines by Zambians and urged the church leaders to remind their members to follow the preventive measures.
He has noted with concern the lack of adherence to operating hours by bars and said the police and other agencies will move in to ensure compliance.
President Lungu said Transport operators must ensure commuters wear masks and observe social distance on the buses.
He has also appealed to marketeers to equally observe the Covid-19 regulations as the new strain of Covid-19 is deadly.
Meanwhile, Reformed Church in Zambia Synod Moderator Ackson Banda said the church will always work and support the Government of the day.
Reverend Banda said the church has worked well with Government and has thanked President Lungu for the good leadership.
He has called on all politicians and citizens to place the interests of the country above self.
Reverend Banda has further appealed for peace in the country before, during and after the August polls.
He said the Church appreciates President Lungu’s commitment to the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation and the Day of national prayers and reconciliation.
Reverend Banda informed the Head of State of the various projects that his church is engaged in and appealed for Government’s support to the church in its education and health projects among others.
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