UPDATE 17:00 HOURS
President Edgar Lungu says he will maintain law and order in the country in order for businesses to flourish.

“I will maintain law and order whatever it takes, because business does not prosper in a country where there is no law and order,” President Lungu said.

He also highlighted some of the benefits of manufacturing drugs locally.

“The manufacturing of drugs locally will make a difference for people not only in Zambia but also in the neighboring countries and the continent at large. Such modern facilities will also provide an opportunity for students to do their practicals using modern facilities,” said President Lungu.

UPDATE 16:00 HOURS
NRB Group chairman Narayan Rajaram Bandekar says the company has decided to get involved in pharmaceuticals in order to supplement government’s efforts to improve delivery of health services.

“We have been involved in farming activities for the last five decades but we decided to also diversify into the pharmaceutical industry so as to supplement on governments efforts to improve delivery of health services,” said Bandekar.

Bandekar also disclosed that the facility had been constructed at a total cost of $200 million.

And Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya said President Lungu has been an architect of good health because he has ensured that access to good health services is not too far from the people.

“We have witnessed from your robust embarkation on infrastructure development from the time you assumed office your excellence. We have witnessed a total of 9000 workers being employed under two years of your leadership, You have have really been an architect in shaping good health for the people of this country your excellence,” said Dr Chilufya before inviting the Head of State to speak.

UPDATE 15:30 HOURS
President Edgar Lungu has called on traditional leaders to be engaging political leaders whenever they see that there is a problem.

He told Chieftainess Nkomensha during the tour of the NRB Pharmaceutical facility that “traditional leaders are government’s partners in national development and so you should feel free to engage politicians to dialogue. “Politicians do go astray at times, please feel free to engage us whenever you see us going astray. I am personally available for dialogue.”

President Lungu stressed that he was always open to dialogue at any time and that his doors were open to traditional leaders who he regarded in high esteem.

But, Nkomensha said politicians were difficult to get hold of, which she said made it hard for traditional leaders to call on them.

President Edgar Lungu arrived around 15:00 hours at the Lusaka Multi Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) for the launch of the NRB Pharmaceutical Zambia Limited. key among those present at the event were NRB Group Chairman, Narayan Rajaram Bandekar, who was expected to give a brief statement on the operations of NRB immediately after a tour of the facility.
Others were Jacob Thorup Cohn, who is the General Manager for Missionpharma Zambia Limited and health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya.