President Hichilema Opens Eastern Province Campaign

President Hakainde Hichilema has completed the first day of his campaign tour in Eastern Province, with residents of Chama, Chasefu and Lundazi voicing support for the government's development agenda in education, agriculture, infrastructure and service delivery.

Across the three districts, communities welcomed the continued rollout of free education, which has returned more than 2.5 million children to school since the New Dawn administration took office in 2021.

In Lundazi, the President said free education had grown beyond a social intervention into an important economic investment for current and future generations. The government, he said, would keep recruiting teachers to improve the teacher-pupil ratio and raise the quality of education.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to spreading development to every part of the country without discrimination, outlining plans for the Chama-Lundazi-Chipata Road, completion of the Lundazi bus station and modern market, construction of chiefs' palaces, and development of the Lundazi Airstrip to boost economic activity.

In Chama District, the President announced increased support under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to help more farmers raise productivity and strengthen food security.

He also announced plans for more schools to give children a better learning environment, and noted the district's improved peace and public order since 2021, with the violence that once disrupted public gatherings now behind it.

The decision to raise Chama's constituencies from two to three was highlighted as a step towards better representation, service delivery and development.

In Chasefu, residents welcomed the government's focus on ensuring development reaches communities across the province.

The first day underlined the government's commitment to inclusive development and improved livelihoods for the people of Eastern Province.