SIMON MUNTEMBA writes
@SunZambian
THERE is need to walk the talk if Private Public Partnership (PPP) ventures are to bear fruit, President Edgar Lungu has said.
And President Lungu said his government would continue transforming the entertainment industry through partnerships such as the one with Multi-Choice.
The Head of State said this when a delegation from Multi-Choice Zambia and Southern Region paid a courtesy call on him recently in Lusaka at State House.
He said Multi-Choice has performed very well through creation of jobs for many Zambians.
President Lungu further reiterated his government’s commitment to enhancing PPP in an effort to strengthen economic development.
“Let me reiterate what I said five years ago at the Multi-Choice 20th anniversary, I assured the industry that I am going to transform this sector, it will not be business as usual, I promised jobs, reconfiguring the sector among others. And today we are witnessing it, let us continue walking the talk, together we can go far,” President Lungu said.
Mr Lungu said the partnership with Multi-Choice was worth emulating by other organizations to enhance economic development in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Multi-Choice Zambia Board chairperson, Juliana Mwila, disclosed that the company appreciates President Lungu’s vision in the Seventh National Development plan (7NDP) of transforming the country into a middle-income industrial nation through decent employment opportunities.
Ms Mwila explained that her company did not only provide Zambians with entertainment but also contributes to the sustainable economic growth of the country through significant job creation.
She said Multi-Choice Zambia was committed to supporting Zambia’s development agenda through various interventions.
“In understanding the government’s desire to create employment, Multi-Choice has employed 188 people, resulting in a multiplier effect,” Ms Mwil said.
She further said Multi-Choice has continued to use its influence to play a positive role in helping to grow the local creative industries into vibrant economic powerhouses.
Ms Mwila told President Lungu that the company has also invested in local production infrastructure such as studios and production equipment.
The delegation also handed over a free “Show Max bouquet” from Multi-choice as his belated birthday gift.
Multi-choice Southern region director, Fhulufelo Baduagela said she was pleased with the infrastructure development that Zambia has scored.
The delegation was accompanied by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga, and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Director General, Malolela Lusambo.
