Acting President Rupiah Banda has reiterated government’s commitment to continue with the late President Mwanawasa’s vision of national development, planning and economic management.
Mr. Banda said the late President’s administration reintroduced national development planning which has refocused on economic management.
He said this has so far led to the country recording tremendous economic progress.
Mr. Banda was speaking speaking during his national address on the state of the nation Tuesday evening on Zambia national Broadcasting Services radio and television after the death of Dr. Mwanawasa.
This was the first national address by an Acting President in the history of Zambia since attaining independence in 1964.
On the economy, Mr Banda said government would continue with the prudent fiscal and monetary policies for macro economic stability which have made the economy to register growth rates averaging five per cent and six per cent in the last two years.
“Low inflation has also been recorded with single digit levels attained for the first time in 30 years in 2006,” he said.
Mr. Banda added that government would continue to increase exports, which, together with the debt relief, have led to a substantial build up of foreign currency reserves which now stand at US$1.4 billion.
“This position has also contributed to a stable exchange rate thereby enhancing business and economic planning,” he said.
He said Zambia’s economic strides have been appreciated in the international financial circles to an extent that the country was now poised to have a sovereign credit rating for the first time ever.
On agriculture, Mr. Banda said government would continue to maintain adequate strategic food reserves to ensure national food security.
He noted that government has already increased supplementary funding to the fertilizer support programme (FSP) amounting to K 307 billion from the budgeted K 185 billion 2008.
He explained that this would allow for an increase in the number of targeted small scale farmers from 125,000 to 200,000, with an applicable subsidy increased to 75 per cent from 60 per cent.
“This measure is intended to cushion the impact of high fertilizer prices on targeted small scale farmers,” he said.
Mr. Banda further said government would continue development irrigation in the country while farming blocks for commercial agriculture would continue to be opened up.
On the mining sector, Mr. Banda said government would carry on with the same pace of developing the sector because it still remained to be the driver of the Zambian economy.
“I want, in this regard to assure both local and foreign investors that there will be no departure from the current policies and focus in the mining sector,” he said.
He said the mining companies have also reiterated commitment to continue their operations in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Mr. Banda has directed the Ministries of Finance and National Planning and that of Energy and Water Development to sit together and examine the possibilities of reducing the prices of fuel in Zambia.
He said oil prices on the international market were reducing hence the need to consider doing so at national level.
On Commerce and Trade, Mr. Banda said government would continue with all economic programmes that the late Dr. Mwanawasa’s administration had set.
He said tourism and public service management would continue being pursued as before.
“Following the tenet of collective responsibility, we shall continue to pursue all the policies and development programmes initiated by our late President,” he said.
He said Zambia’s development agenda would continue to be guided by the fifth National Development Plan within the context of the vision to become a prosperous middle income country by the year 2030.
“Let us all in unity and fortitude preserve the peace and stability that our country has continued to enjoy since independence. Let us together make our country a prosperous nation,” he said.
ZANIS /KSH /ENDS/MM
Good news – government has increased supplementary funding to the fertilizer support programme (FSP) amounting to K 307 billion from the budgeted K 185 billion 2008.
The farmers will be happy with this news, way to go government.
What about EDUCATION…UNZA CBU etc
What about Ganja…when dem go legalise it? We tired of playing “hide and smoke”.
#3, u are really funny. one doesnt even know what to comment about yo idea….. hope the economic growth will start showing in “reality” not only on paper. zambians’ life isnt changing that much yet we hear about the economy boost. lets be more practicle pls
RB you speak well. I hope your address is not just a way of launching your campaign.
How can RB say that he will continue with Levy’s vision even when he has failed to honour Levy’s wish for Magande to take over. RB is increasing salaries for ministers contrary to what Levy wanted as explained by Sata that during their meeting Levy had said he was under pressure because his ministers were pushing for salary increaments. He has already sorrounded himself with corrupt leaders from Chiluba camp. This man will be a disastor.
RB & Policies
1) On agriculture, Mr. Banda said government would continue to maintain adequate strategic food reserves to ensure national food security.
2) On the mining sector, Mr. Banda said government would carry on with the same pace of developing the sector because it still remained to be the driver of the Zambian economy.
3)On Commerce and Trade, Mr. Banda said government would continue with all economic programmes that the late Dr. Mwanawasa’s administration had set.
4)On the economy, Mr Banda said government would continue with the prudent fiscal and monetary policies for macro economic stability which have made the economy to register growth rates averaging five per
RB says the inflation rate has dropped to its lowest in 30 years in 2006 to a single digit. So what?
Zambians continue to feel the increase in the price of fuel and food. While ministers propose to increase their salaries Zambians at large are struggling to survive.
Can RB deliver on what PLM left? i dont think so, this man cannot even write his own speech. he’s as crook as the rest of MMD why reduce fuel prices last minute? this is a trick to buy votes what a joke.
#8 is right. Inflation is a text book rate. It can be manipulated over night. This is the mediocrity am talking about. Any economist knows that the real econmic indicator is the real value of people’s well being. America today owes the world bank $9 trillion but is okay because it citizens have food, shelter, healthy and education facilities. So ba RB tells that there is no Zambian sleeping without food then we shall listen to you. Text book policies will not win you an election. What is your personal position on salaries increments for ministers ba RB? You are in the office tell us what you gonna now. Do not behave like opposition who promising. live the act
smart cow.. his campaigning..
1.A tribute to zabians ok. check
2. continue on levy’s vision. check
3. continue stealing young men’s wives? PRICELESS!!!!!
which plans?
The campaigning has just begun, RB has fired the first salvo.Sata and HH must seize the moment, coz if the don’t, MMD will carry the day.
Levy left no legacy. Which legacy? Oh, the one where it is okey to steal because the courts will take 3 hundred years to dispose of a case with a nolle prosequi? Okey, let’s continue with that one. Kulibe kantu.
Levy as an individual tried his best despite his poor health but the health characters surrounding him where just interested in their pockets.
Its just another way of campaigning.
If its a way of campaigning, like # 15 has observed, then it is unfortunate. He cannot continue a vision he himself never believed in. The man is original UNIP material. RB represents the old and even odd generation!!!!!! The majority of the population in Zambia is youthful. A youthful president will reprent us better.
i think this is resumption of “kumulu lesa panshi RB” lame attempt at campaigning economic indicators are just that. economic improvement should trickle down to the people. RB are the people you are looking at the ones getting new salary increments?
zambian politics are now making Obama and them seem like kids playing in the sad! Go Sata Go
Only HH, as Zambian President, has the capacity to carry on with Levy’s programmes with Magande as his minister and probably Maureen as Vice President – since that position will be free for now. the rest of the ministers can be keep but those who will not cooperate can leave before 2011. RB’s MP nomination can end if HH assumes power.
Go Zambia, gooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
abash mmd they have failed us.UNZA is closed Kabwata chileje etc have bad roads when u get sick u cant even go to UTH coz u have to use corruption for the doctor to see u
ABAH MMD GO PF
R & B BY R.KELLY IS WHAT RB IS TRYING TO DO NOW.WE ARE TIRED OF MEANINGLESS SONGS. MAYBE WE TRY CHILUBA ON ANOTHER TICKET OR KAUNDA AGAIN NOT MMD.
I might have been sleeping and have no idea what levy’s vission is. RB Kindly try to go into details. As far as understand Levy never published is Vission. The only implied Vission is to drag Chilu to Court in the name of fighting corruption.
Ba Zambia, please dont allow RB to start using the Late President’s vision for his campaign. Let the guy come up with his own vision. Do you know why the Government has only realized that Levy had a vision and that they want to continue where he had ended. Its because the ruling party wants to continue ruling (its called greed). You don’t need a party president for the Zambians you a National President who will be a leader for every Zambian. one that can withstand all weathers. Rest in Peace ba Levy people only give praise when you are no longer there. Those that critisized big Ken are now missing him. Chinamuntu na vision ma guys