PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says the PF government misappropriated almost $33 million meant for the construction of FTJ University, stating that they’ll squander more money if citizens re-elect them.

And President Hichilema has urged citizens not to go back to the PF government where people were being beaten, adding that there was a lot of fighting under PF.

The Head of State adds that citizens have seen what the UPND government has achieved in the last four years, and will achieve bigger things if re-elected in August.

Speaking during a series of rallies in Luapula Province, Sunday, President Hichilema said the UPND government will build a university in Luapula Province if re-elected.

“Your vote will allow us to increase people on social cash transfer here in Mansa. Your vote will allow us to increase the Cash for Work [beneficiaries]. Our friends squandered money meant for the construction of Luapula University. They misappropriated almost $33 million. Where is FTJ University? They squandered the money and now they want to come back so that they can squander more money, are you going to allow them? So, if you vote for them, they’ll come back, they’ll eat more of your money. Bally and the UPND government will build a national university here in Luapula. The rehabilitation of the Tuta Road, Mansa Road, Chembe Road is on our priority list. We found a lot of debt, now we have fixed the debt, the economy is growing, we’ll invest in the Tuta Road, we’ll invest in the Chembe Road,” he said.

“People of Lunga, do not go backwards, don’t go back to the PF government. They are the same people who brought us suffering, they used to cause fights, have you forgotten? Under PF, there was a lot of fighting, people were being beaten but now we have peace. What’s better, fighting or peace? Don’t go back to violence, don’t go back to the gentlemen who used to beat us, who used to bring us suffering, that’s why there’s no development here, let’s move with the UPND. Don’t go backwards, don’t you dare, you will suffer again, let’s just move forward. Let us work together, let’s advance love towards each other, care for each other. I can tell you, for me, I love you the people of Bangweulu, the people of Samfya, do you love HH yourselves? You have already seen what we are able to do in four years and 10 months, when you allow us to continue serving you, we’ll do bigger things here for Bangweulu, for Samfya, and the people, especially creating jobs here”.

President Hichilema urged the people of Luapula Province to re-elect the UPND government so that it can complete the infrastructure projects in the province.

“Give us your vote to complete this important project, this road, Musaila-Kasaba Road. Since God created this land, since independence, no government has ever worked on this road, to improve to bituminous standard. This is the first government that is going to improve the Chifunabuli Road infrastructure and for the first time, to have a tarred road coming here. If you voted for another government, they’ll discontinue this road, we will finish this road, that’s why we need your vote. One of the most important things we want to do is to make sure that we have a district hospital here [Lunga] that has all the amenities required, including land transport vehicles and water ambulance here. Your job is just to vote us in office so we can continue working on these projects,” President Hichilema said.

President Hichilema said he needed to “win big” in the August polls.

“In 2021, you didn’t vote for me because they were lying to you that if you elect HH as President, he will divide the country, he will sell the country, they were telling lies about me. These gentlemen are not good people. No, HH is in a wheelchair, he’s a satanist, he segregates, now HH has btought CDF here, K40 million, isn’t that love? Where is the segregation? HH has brought free education in Chifunabuli, where is the segregation? HH has built a road. They were in government for 10 years, they failed to build a road. This was their stronghold, you want to vote for them again? Why? We need to win with a big vote on the 13th. So I would like you to campaign very hard. Campaign in the house, campaign in the market, campaign on the waters, everything you are doing, when you are on the water, you gentlemen, you are driving your boat, keep saying, forward, forward, forward, forward,” said President Hichilema.