Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says the country must now draw on the strength it finds in God to confront the challenges being face head on, without fear or reservation.
Mr Hichilema says there is need to return attention to the important issues, from which the country cannot allow itself to be distracted.
He says there is need to find renewed vigour to address those problems facing the most vulnerable in the country.
Mr Hichilema notes the need to embrace the spirit of cooperation and working together to determine the best
solutions, sharing wisdom and experience wherever possible.
He however, states that people should not be afraid to call those out who are not doing their bit, or those whose actions do not match their words, stressing that all this is the spirit of frank talk and sincerity that is talked about in the bible.
Mr Hichilema says the reality today is that aside from fasting, there are a growing number of Zambians who face the prospect of hunger on a daily basis, citing the 2015 Global Hunger Index which has ranked Zambia as the third hungriest country in the world, well below Southern and East African neighbours to whom the country exports maize.
He says this is a shocking finding, particularly in a country that has not suffered from conflict and has been boasting bumper harvests from 2004.
The UPND leader notes that recent pressures from millers to raise the mealie meal price are just one part of the story, and that with fertiliser prices also up; prices of the commodity will rise further.
Mr Hichilema says it is clear that what is needed is reform of the sector and an overhaul of the support available to farmers, millers and businesses operating in the sector so they can deliver more output at a lower price.
He adds that as the economy struggles and jobs are lost, there must be an additional drive from Government to relieve the burden on businesses and incentivise start-ups and investment that will create jobs.
He says the direct contribution of these activities to Government revenues may be modest in the short-run, but that by employing and paying staff they can increase the circulation of money in the economy.
Mr Hichilem has also bemoaned the slow pace of delivering improvements in the water and sanitation sector, noting water shortages and sanitation concerns, particularly in urban areas which heightened the risk of disease and sickness.
He says a UPND Government will have a re-ordering of priorities to invest more in these areas of critical importance.