Friday, March 29, 2024

Levy pledges more focus on achieving national economic independence

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Go to fullsize imagePresident Mwanawasa says government will remain focused at implementing policies aimed at boosting further growth in the country’s economy.

President Mwanawasa said government’s determination to implementing policies for economic growth is based on the need to enable Zambia achieve economic independence and improve the overall living standards for the people.

Dr. Mwanawasa said this in his independence message to the nation delivered on the
Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, ZNBC, Television on the eve of the 43rd
Independence Day celebrations.

“We have sustained political independence for the last 43 years and we must continue
to do so. It is now time to docus on a level of eceonomic independence that will
benefit all the citizens for the betterment of theirs lives,” President Mwanawasa
said.

This year’s independence day is being commemorated under the theme, ‘Forging a
common future anchored on national pride and sustainable development through
citizen’s participation’.

Dr. Mwanawasa, however, said government has embarked on various economic empowerment
programmes aimed at enhancing people’s participation in national economic
activities.

He cited the enactment of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act that established the
Economic Empowerment Fund as among practical measures taken to encourage people’s
participation in the production of goods and services.

“In an effort to empower our people to effectively and fully participate in economic
activities, the New Deal Government has enacted the Citizens Economic Empowerment
Act of 2006, ” he said.

“This Act, among other things, has established the Citizens Economic Empowerment
Fund and promotes the economic empowerment of targeted citizens to participate in
the ownership of production of goods and services,” he added.

He said, in view of this government has appointed the Citizens Economic Empowerment
Commission to facilitate the citizens’ effective participation in economic
activities.

Dr. Mwanawasa also said government has posted a number of economic achievements that
include the improvement of the national Growth Domestic Product, GDP, which
currently stands at 5.8 per cent and the reduction in Statutory Reserve Ration from
14 per cent to Eight per cent.

He said the reduction in statutory reserve ratio is expected to translate into
reduced lending rates in commercial banks and increase citizens’ access to capital
for engagement in various economic activities.

The president also observed that prudent fiscal management and economic stability
have helped reduce inflation, which currently stands at 9.3 per cent and increased
investment inflow in the country, that now stands at US$693 million.

“The maintenance of macro economic stability coupled with prudent fiscal management
has led to the reduction of inflation to a single digit of 9.3 per cent as of
September 2007. There has been a significant increase in investment inflows in the
first six months of this year, totalling US $693 million.

Dr. Mwanawasa also indicated that the ongoing exploration for oil and mineral
deposits in northwestern province is evident of increased developments in the mining
sector that are as a result of the prudent economic policies being implemented by
government.

As regards the impending establishment of the Multi Facility Economic Zones, in
Chambishi and Lusaka, President Mwanawasa is confident that more jobs would be
created for the people.

In the area of agriculture, Dr. Mwanawasa said good policies and strategies have
helped achieve improved performance but he, however, acknowleged the challenges of
livestock diseases that continue to threaten development of the sector.

He nevertheless, said government would not relent in efforts of implementing
measures that will ensiure the realisation of the full potential of the agriculture
sector to national economic development.

And Dr. Mwanawasa called upon Zambians to embrace HIV/AIDS sensitisation programmes
in order to help reduce the spread of the virus and create a healthier environment
for economic growth.

He said government is working out deliberate measures to increase access of people
living with HIV to Antiretroviral treatment in an effort to enhance their
contribution to national economic programmes.

He said the HIV/AIDS disease still remains one of the serious challenges affecting
national economic development. He said government was concerned with the rate of
Mother-to-Child Transmission, MTCT, which currently stands at between 30 to 40 per
cent.

In the area of education, President Mwanawasa reiterated government’s commitment to
sustaining the free primary education policy and improve infrstructure in an effort
to achieve high quality education in the country.

He said government intends to build 125 primary school and 88 high schools and 12
new technical high schools in the next five years.

“In addition, my government has continued to expand and refurbish basic schools to
accommodate more pupils. We intend to build 125 primary schools, 88 new high schools
and 12 new technical high schools in the next five year,” he said.

He said priority has also been placed on the recruitment of teachers and provision
of teaching and learning materials in a bis to improve the quality of tuition in
public schools.

37 COMMENTS

  1. Everybody knows that Zambian voters are hopelessly crazy especially when it comes to rationality. When reason and emotion laced with tribal bigotry collide, they legg-off with their gut—wholly ten out of ten times. One does not need to be an expert in political psychologist to prove this, voting patterns are a clear proof to the sad situation. The likes of Sata and Scott have excelled at this by appealing directly to ba Kabokes’ prejudices and hearts instead of their brains (very deficient in th

  2. Shaka Zulu #1, Don’t be so foolish. You are the people who mislead others and make the LT blog to appear unworthy of contributions. Learn to look at the topic at hand and contribute accordingly. You are taking the country backward by talking about things that are not part of the discussion. Talk about ‘ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE’. Are you still waiting for someone from abroad to come and correct you thinking?

  3. Shaka zulu #1, No doubt i think you are part of the family tree. If you have nothing to contribute on the blog, just shut up and let people with sound mind contribute. Uli chipumbu sana iwe shetani, here we are talking about economic independence and you ***** brings something else

  4. Shaka you a shame you cant read between the lines or understand the topic. You are full of hatred like poisonous snake (Black Mamba)that bites without any provocation.Learn to contribute in a positive and sensible way. we are feed up with you political cadres. Pipo like you are a danger to the peace and harmony we enjoy by living side by side regardless of any discriminatory factors.We need men of pipo who can reach out and unite Zed. Zed is for everyone and no tribe is bigger that the unite/luv

  5. The Catholic Church has distanced it self from the NCC, this must be a serious set back for ba levy. How can the prez talk about ‘economic independence’ when his admin and MMD party has sold the mines amongst other strategic companies, which are meant to bring the same ‘economic independence’ he is politicising about.

    75% unemployment rate is unacceptable. The President must step down on moral grounds and call for early elections.

  6. # 2 and 3 you have not contributed anything relevant to the topic. You have instead just criticised Shaka Zulu,What is your contribution? Ba kolwe basekana ifi pato.Now back to the topic, LPM should be ashamed to even talk about CEE,this organ is toothless and has no real meaning.If you want to learn about empowerment take a leaf from BEE which is being implemented by the South African Government.I challenge MMD & LPM to tell the nation which citizen has been empowered thru CEE

  7. I am of the belief that we live in a free world and we all have the freedom to express ourselves, i therefore find it strange that # 2,3,4 can imagine that Shaka Zulu cant express his opinion.His contribution for independence is like that and he is rightly entitled just like you are entitled to yours. We are 43 years old today please dont take us back 100 years back when rights of pipo were not recognised.

  8. Selling the wealth of the nation to foreigners will not bring economic independence. The government should put up infrastructure that will enhance job creation for the lowest of the lowest of our people(the unemployed.)Do not call on chiefs to do this, they too are looking to you.

  9. Lerato jets into Zambia
    By SHUPE SILILO

    BIG Brother Africa House fifth evictee, Lerato Sengadi, says she is set to tour African countries that were represented in the house.

    Ms Sengadi who was representing South Africa was speaking on arrival at the Lusaka International Airport yesterday.

    She said visiting the eleven countries would be meaningful to her after interacting with representatives in the reality show.

    “This is just the beginning of my vacation and I am really excited to

  10. Easy Economy independence what is monster? I dont know any trade that is independent. Sure if the finance Minister is borrowing $35Million to enhance projects. How can you be independent like that. I wonder if Zambia has 35 Million the kind of chaos could be. Look Botswana a country with 1.5 million pipo as an example of economical freedom. They export beef to the EU. What is Zambia selling to these nations in the west. The president should talk about jobs creation. The labour ministry has be…

  11. ctd.. very docile the minister be questioned and made to sit up he ís dominant. What has he contributed to this development Zero. The president has over looked this minísters performance for too long. You dont hear a single word from the labor ministry. Its not the duty of the president to create jobs but his labour minister. He must negoiate with investors over employment. Job creation is done by companies not the president. So its time to show the statistics on employment.

  12. Easy, labour minister keeps a regulatory framework for just labour practices in the country. Jobs as you say are to be created by private cos. and all various govt depts. You can get employment stats at CSO.

  13. It can never be said better than in the appropriate words of the Zambian post editorial. Sata is a narrow minded “hired gun”. Not long ago, home affairs minister Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha described Michael Sata a Mercenary today the General has been vindicated.But in all these Zambians must know that mercenaries shall not live beyond their fantasy. Sata’s time out is 11:45 AM before noon.

  14. International politics has all sides of the story: big Gold, mafias of fortune, and summary settlements. Besides Sata’s protruding ignorance and fragrance for attention, the opportunist has no skills to read the flattery and the set web therein. I petty the poor soul.

  15. Here is a quote that I thought I could share with you all on this our Independce Anniversary. “Power does not corrupt man; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power” George Bernard Shaw 1925 Nobel Prize for Literature, 1856-1950. I am not given to using strong language or calling people fools, however, I see the relevance of this quote in our country today, if not since independence 43 years ago.

    I wish you all a happy 43rd Independence Anniversary!!

  16. I am not a politician. But whatever u guys say, i hate Chinese, Somalians and Indians for being the worst payers in the country. Fine, we did get our independence, but for as long as the influx of these terrible racists, sardists and opportunists continues, and for as long as they don’t stop doing whatever they want as aliens, celebrating independence will be worthless for we are still ‘slaves’.
    And thats my message for the 24th.

  17. The only significance of an independence day is that it is time alloted to reflect on past national achievements and failure. Successes are celebrated and failures highlighted and future plans and aspirations made.The same holds true for birthdays !! Other than that…..these days mean very little to the general populace !!

  18. I think we should have one policy against ALL foreigners not where you start finger pointing to a crowd of foreigners in a biased way selecting who you should support and criticize. The people who are making profits on our mines are Europeans (westerners), Chinese, Indians and Jews amongst others, all of them foreigners. Why then should some pick out certain foreigners and leave others out for criticism or support?

  19. #22 I agree with your concept. But having said that I still fail to see why we are blaming Foreigners…surely it is the governments duty to protect Zambia’s assets from corrupt organisations..be them foreign or local..ALL companies are there to make profits..It should be up to Gov to see that these profits are obtained properly and taxed accordingly…Do you not agree???

  20. #21

    Iwe ka pragmaFI leka ifyakunya apa pa blog. Iwe lyonse ni nyoo nyoo nyoo! Kashi fishi walwala? Up to now you dont know that Temba Chito na Dr Chuchu have shares mulici Post Paper te? Just go and take a shower ulenuka icibe nolukupa. When are you going to learn to start giving respect to Snr citizens like ba Sata?

  21. #16&17

    Iwe ka pragmaFI leka ifyakunya apa pa blog. Iwe lyonse ni nyoo nyoo nyoo! Kashi fishi walwala? Up to now you dont know that Temba Chito na Dr Chuchu have shares mulici Post Paper te? Just go and take a shower ulenuka icibe nolukupa. When are you going to learn to start giving respect to Snr citizens like ba Sata?

  22. Dr Chuchu has sold this nation to the Chinese. In the near future we will have a chinese related presdo in this country. Mark my words!!!

  23. just for the info.

    I saw a fax from JCCI-AND i QUOTE.

    WHILE CHINESE GOODS ARE FLOODING AFRICAN MARKETS,POTENTIALLY ENDANGERING THEIR TEXTILE AND OTHER CONSUMER PRODUCT INDUSTRIES,CHINA IS NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE ITS EXPORT POLICIES.

    FELLOW COUNTRY MEN,LETS LIVE IN REALITY,HATE THEM AND YOU GET HURT AND YOU WILL WALLOW IN POVERTY.

  24. STATE MONITORS SATA’S ANTI-CHINA CAMPAIGN
    GOVERNMENT is closely monitoring Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata’s campaign against China and will take appropriate action should his actions threaten Zambia’s security.Home Affairs Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha in an interview yesterday advised Mr Sata not to discredit China for the sake of getting money from Taiwan because the nation was aware of his motives.

  25. Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said the monitoring aimed at ensuring that the security of Zambia was not compromised by individuals who wanted to destroy the peaceful relationship Zambia had with China.The minister said it was surprising that Mr Sata wanted to lead the campaign to discredit China today when he had made several trips to the same country and spoke highly of it as a Government official.

  26. Gen Shikapwasha said Mr Sata should not sacrifice Zambia’s security by making unwarranted attacks on China.”Mr Sata should find better and cleaner ways of seeking financial assistance from Taiwan than discrediting China. We are watching the situation steadily and will act if need arises.

  27. “Mr Sata understands the law better, so as he makes comments concerning the country’s peace and security he should just be careful and must not complain if the law visits him as the country needs protection,” he said.Mr Sata recently said he was on a mission to discredit China in favour of Taiwan because the Chinese were not investors but invaders who were out to create jobs for themselves.

  28. Fellow Kaponyaks,
    As seemingly the elimination of my boss is, i have started preparing for a take over of our party Presidency in a code Zero style without elections too. I’m the only one who understands my fellow kaponyaks and could fit into my boss’s shoes of insanity. I prepare to take over the cigar too upon his clearance should mafias prevail.

  29. #32 FACT/Pragmatist/Veteran, Dont forget to prepare taking over chipumputu/Ngunyu from your boss, Dr Chuchu Muwelewele.

  30. The last time i felt pride in Police was the khaki uniform,who the hell makes that shit for them armcor guards are better dressed that cops,there is no imagination look in the region which police force is well geared i think the botswana and the hell they are not corrupt the look smart one other thing why do the Police chiefs take photos with ill fitting caps on? bloody funny they look like muppets CHANG THE DAMN UNIFORMS TO CONFORM WITH OUR NEW OBJECTIVES!!!!!!!!!!

  31. does anyone remember onetime KK said if Zambians did not stop drinling you would resign well the drunks got him out.look at the US most of the companies have shipped out.WALMART the largest employer in the WORLD get 99% of it’s merchendise from China,we zambians are small fry we need to work with the chinese by modifying regulations of doing business in Zambia,why don’t we only allow companies that are going to invest 80% of their profits in the local economy by the way who needs COPPER? YEAH

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