Acting President Rupiah Banda says that Britain’s support to Zambia has contributed significantly to stimulating economic growth in the country.
Mr. Banda said the support from the British government, which Zambia receives through the European Union (EU) and the Department for International Development (DFID), has also contributed in improving the living standards of the people in the country.
He said this when he received credentials from the new joint British High Commissioners to Zambia, Carolyn Davidson and Thomas Carter and Netherlands’ Ambassador to Zambia, Harry Molenaar.
Mr. Banda said the accrediting of the two British High Commissioners to the country was an indication of the importance that the United Kingdom attached to Zambia.
He said Zambia appreciated Britain’s steadfast commitment towards developing the country in the fight against corruption, public service reform, good governance, health delivery and budget support among other developmental areas.
Mr. Banda has since assured the British government that Zambia would continue to uphold the tenets of good governance and ensuring free and fair elections in the forthcoming presidential by-election.
And speaking after receiving credentials from Netherlands’ Ambassador to Zambia, Mr. Banda noted that the partnership between Zambia National Commercial Bank and Dutch Rabo Bank has rendered credence to government’s policy of investment partnerships.
Mr. Banda said the relations between Zambia and Netherlands were founded on development cooperation in sectors of education, agriculture, health and private sector development.
He said government hoped more Dutch investors could enter into business partnerships with Zambians in order to exploit the many business opportunities the two countries offered for the benefit of their peoples.
Mr. Banda said it was gratifying that Netherlands played an active role in conflict resolution and peace building in Africa.
He added that Zambia was also looking forward to Netherlands’ support for Africa’s inclusion on the United Nations Security Council as a permanent member.
And Mr. Banda has also hailed the Dutch government for hosting the International Criminal Court of Justice, adding that the institution has greatly helped in the promotion of human rights and good governance in the world.
He also said government attached great importance to the forthcoming presidential by-elections because they gave credence to the democratic wishes of the people.
Mr. Banda said government was further committed to ensuring that a level playing field was guaranteed for all political players in order to ensure free and fair elections.
He added that the election process and outcome would be evidence of the people’s resolve to entrench democracy in the country.
Meanwhile the newly appointed joint British High Commissioners to Zambia, Carolyn Davidson and Thomas Carter, have conveyed a message of condolences to the government of Zambia and Zambians on the death of President Mwanawasa.
In a joint speech the duo said the late President Mwanawasa spent much of his energy in ensuring that democratic processes were increasingly well embedded in Zambian politics and society.
They said Zambia has now got a challenge to ensure that people benefit from the economic growth the country has experienced in the recent years and ensure that the fight against corruption continues under the new leadership that will assume office after the polls.
And the two High Commissioners have said the eminent presidential by-election is an opportunity for the country to show its democratic maturity and deliver free and fair elections.
The duo said their mission would work with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the civil society organizations to help support the October 30th presidential elections.
And new Netherlands Ambassador to Zambia, Harry Molenaar, said Zambia’s dependency on development cooperation was rapidly reducing.
He said the Netherlands would continue supporting Zambian government’s developmental programmes.
Mr. Molenaar said the growth of the economy in the country should be supported by good governance in order to generate the necessary resources for poverty reduction, fighting HIV/AIDS and improving education among others.
ZANIS/CM/KSH/ENDS
Trying to source campaigning funds. What a shame!
Shame indeed!
Double shame comrades…wats wrong with grandpa…//
nothing shameful with what RB said. He is just ackowledging the fact that britain has been very helpful to zambia. By the way they are the major contributors to budget support to Zambia including funds for this election
And we say Zambian is an independent country
I wonder why we just dont sing God save the Queen just after “Stand and singo……” at this rate of a*# kissing!!
realist – stop misinforming the nation! where are you getting those statistics??? The Brits aren’t the biggest contributor to our budget…please go and do your research, MoFNP is wide open! tah!!
I think Zambia should be closed for renovations and all residents repartriated to other countries until all the infrustructure is rebuilt and Tony Blair put in as president.We have really failed to run the country…
Someone told me they saw Rupia Banda trying in suits London..
#8- YA CRAZY,BUT I LIKE THE WAY U THINK…I WONDER WHICH gOD FORSAKEN COUNTRY I’D CHUZZZZZZ.
Banda is just a problem, he will praise everybody and everthing just to get support. How can the brit commissioners say they want to see free and fair elections when clearly we won’t have free and fair elections because the acting President is also the candidate for the ruling party. I don’t think the platform is equal. This banda guy has access to public resources that opposition don’t and he is already meeting key players plus he is controlling gov’t media on top of bribing broke chiefs and just about anybody. How can some even expect free and fair elections in such an environment. Banda should have stepped down as acting President if he was running so that the political field is equal.
Iwe #1 & 2 you are Kaponyas. Go back to school u tribalists from small useless tribes. ba stupit imwe. comment properly
M’ngoni @Plot 1
RB
no. nine check your facts. Last year 2007 UK govt. gave disbursed aid of about USD75 million with 61 million of that given directly to the Government. Note they are also contributors to EU. Sweden was secobnd to UK and then the Norway and the Irish. Argue with facts and not just ignorance
I really do not understand how one can be so myopic as to choose sata or HH above RB who has shown great composure and leadership during this most traumatic time in the history of Zambia. Why change course now? someone give me a clear answer and not about age or tribe.
Please lets talk about real issues,Britain owes Zambia more than they can ever pay back,the slavery,our copper they got to develop their country.Mayb u can praise other countries but us who where there at that time say they are just paying back.
The media please correct this misconception, the constitution is very clear We do not have acting prsident but the vice president can carry-out the function of the prsident. he is still the vice president carry-out the functions of the president. Part IV of the constitution, section 39 subsection 1, 2-a, b and subsection 3 please do not confuse people, Mr Ruphia Banda is a vice president who is caary-out functions of the president.
that is why he is called acting President
The British indeed owe us lot’s, i wonder why u worship them.They should do like what the French do to their former colonies
From 26 billion 2 years ago. The man does not play.
I don’t follow…37 Billion..wat r u talkin bout?Who doesen’t play??fill me in on that..
LT, why arent you posting my comments?
RB should be in a netter position to understand that the British mentality has always been and is still about plundering Africa’s wealth and biulding their economy on our people’s sweat and tears. We still have not been compensated for colonialism and slavery. We don’t need their so called support, it’s time to show them that we can stand on our own!
BJnada, get Big man Moyo so you can have access to post news. If u r new in Beijing ask anyone so u can know about HH and how much he is worth; I mean 40.1 billion.
What taxes does HH pay on his K37billion?? Are ZRA on the case?
Thnx BJ LSK…but i do have access 2 the post & i do read em articles only i prolly missed that 1..no i’m not new in beijing been here 4 years..thnx 4 the concern tho..Cheers!!
LT, please check who validates the certificates from the universities you are advertising on your portal. There are currently scandals in the USA regarding some of the so called ‘Universities’ which do not offer acredited cerficates. Do not let someone from Zambia loose a lot of money if you can avoid it.
*accredited
*certificates
Thanks Britain and Netherlands.
I have been reading some of the comments, correct me if am wrong but sometimes we comment on things that we do not understand or have very little facts about. The donors are putting up alot of money for this compaign. I have facts and figures e.g the Americans have put up slightly over $1.m and the British govt is putting up slightly more, UNDP is also putting in some money. I noted someone said shame on RB for lobby for campaign funds/Election funds. I’d advise that we should think thru what we write, and how it will impact the other readings. I believe we should you this very important tool as a way to advise and also offer constructive criticism.
Exactly #29 thanks for some facts
#satas real friend and #12 realist, you guys are right please do keep up this is not about tribe,RB is a good man, but in the tiny minds of small minded tribalists, every good thing he does is wrong to them.Bear in mind a tribe can only have a tiny percentage of voters…RB is winning come rain or shine,they can insult till they turn blue..november bazalila
You wums are happy that our sorry country keeps getting donations right? How fickle?
NO wonder the sugar daddy is busy donating as well-Sugar, tu motor bike (tu Honda), Ifitenge, Chibuku blimey!
To some extent #8 is right. Look at the state of the roads. Power cuts anyone?
Maybe Gordon and George need to review their donations! lol!
I think we should objective when we contribute. What would have Chilufya or HH said if they were in RB’s shoes? You know it’s disappointing that we use this forum for no sense. Can we get pipo who are interested in seeing objective posted rather than get pipo who have nothing to say. Remember guys we have only one Zambia period.