PRESIDENT Banda says the US$2.5 billion (about K12trillion) in national reserves is a sign that Zambia’s economy is growing.

Mr Banda said Government will remain committed to ensuring that Zambia becomes a middle-income country by 2014.

“This country’s macro economy is growing so fast.
Believe me, we are headed to be a developed country by 2030 and all this is anchored on the Vision 2030,” Mr Banda said.

The President said this in a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati during a dinner for exhibitors at this year’s Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) at Savoy Hotel in Ndola on Friday.

Mr Banda said the private sector has continued to register growth because of the strong economy.

He said jobs are not best created by Government but by the private sector.

“When I was touring stands at the fair, Chilanga Cement announced to me that they are increasing their production by almost 50 percent and I ran out of words because something serious must be happening in this country,” Mr Banda said.

The President has since urged Zambians to ensure that this year’s general elections are held in a peaceful manner for the country to continue registering growth in the economy.

Mr Banda said because of economic growth, Zambia has been rated as one of the top 10 performers globally.
He said Government has embarked on infrastructure development because of the good economic performance.

“In my inauguration speech in 2008, I affirmed my commitment to infrastructure development and before the end of the year, we will be witnessing the opening of the first international standard stadium just here in Ndola,” Mr Banda said.

He said he was informed by Minister of Works and Supply Gabriel Namulambe that another stadium is soon to be constructed in Lusaka.

“Maybe the reason why the Chipolopolo have not been qualifying for the World Cup is because of lack of a proper stadium but now they will have no excuse,” he said, jokingly.

Mr Banda said it is not fair for people to think that the development projects that Government has embarked on are campaign strategies when everyone is benefitting.

The President said Government does not want anyone to suffer and that is why it is empowering people with loans and houses.

“Just today, I almost shed tears at ZAFFICCO when a Mr Musonda told me that he will die a happy man because he will actually be a landlord and not a tenant,” he said.

Mr Banda urged Zambian exhibitors at the Trade Fair, especially small and medium entrepreneurs, to dream big.

Meanwhile, President Banda says Government is committed to alleviating poverty in the country.

Mr Banda said Government is ready to fight poverty through many programmes it is running countrywide.

“We need to have confidence in ourselves, do not listen to doom speakers saying we have failed to address poverty in the country when we are doing our level best to fight poverty,” Mr Banda said.

The President was speaking in Ndola yesterday during a luncheon hosted by Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) at Mukuba Hotel.

Mr Banda said he noticed that every Zambian has a desire to get out of poverty and Government will continue to put measures in place to eradicate poverty.

“Our desire is to see to it that every Zambian is out of poverty, we need to have good roads, modern airports and stadiums,” Mr Banda said.

And the President urged Zambians to use their votes ‘wisely’ during this year’s general elections.

Mr Banda said Zambians should also prove wrong people wishing violence in the country during the elections.

“Let’s prove them wrong by ensuring that we have peaceful elections, let Zambians decide who should be their leader,” Mr Banda said.

The President said elections should not divide the country and that the elections should be anchored on peace and unity.

And speaking earlier, PACRA board chairman William Nyirenda commended Government for introducing policies aimed at lowering the cost of doing business.

Mr Nyirenda said there is need for business people to be innovative and competitive.

He also said that PACRA has reduced the period in which it issues certificates. Mr Nyirenda said it now takes two days for a certificate to be issued.

He also said that PACRA will soon decentralise operations throughout the country.

Mr Nyirenda said the agency will work with councils to take the services closer to the people.

“Our goal is to have our services online so that things can be done easily and quickly,” Mr Nyirenda said.

Meanwhile, President Banda has urged local business entities to be innovative and partner with foreign investors in joint ventures.

Mr Banda said Government will also remain open to go into joint ventures with foreign investors looking for business in the country.

“Our support to the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs does not end with policy, we have gone a further step and put in place a preferential procurement scheme for companies which also makes joint ventures attractive,” Mr Banda said.

The President was speaking in Ndola yesterday during the official opening of this year’s 47th Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF).

Mr Banda said the progress Zambia is making in all the sectors is as a result of hard work underpinned by the prudent economic and social policies implemented by Government.

The President said Zambia has made a lot of progress in economic and social welfare in the past years and that more work must be done in order to meet basic requirements.

He also said in order for Zambia to become an investment hub for the region, there is need not to neglect local investors.

“I would like to see the trade fair become an event where the Zambian entrepreneurs showcase their innovation in value addition,” Mr Banda said.

The President said government has since prioritised value addition with a focus on developing the micro, small and medium enterprises.

And Mr Banda said there is need for Zambian goods to become competitive in both quality and pricing.
He said Government is aware of the challenges faced by the private sector, which has constrained innovation and competitiveness.

The President said the current global economic environment demands for innovation and competitiveness, which can help to sustain economic growth of the country.

“My government is addressing some of the challenges by implementing policies and reforms aimed at reducing the cost of doing business and creating an enabling environment for competitiveness,” Mr Banda said.

The President also said the enactment of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act was meant to create an environment where competitiveness is guaranteed while protecting the welfare and rights of the consumer.

And Mr Banda said Government will continue to improve key infrastructure in the country.

He said in the next five years Government will invest heavily in the education sector.

Mr Banda also commended both local and foreign exhibitors at this year’s fair.

And speaking earlier, ZITF board chairman Phesto Musonda said this year’s fair attracted more foreign and local exhibitors compared to last year.

Mr Musonda said there is need for business people to be innovative and competitive if their businesses are to be successful.

He also urged both local and foreign exhibitors to consider joint ventures in order for their business to grow.

“The fair must help to establish joint ventures that can help to expand the business,” Mr Musonda said.

He also called for modernising of the trade fair stands through Private Public Partnership.

And Zesco Limited won the best overall exhibitor at the fair with Kenya also winning the international exhibitors ward.

Other companies that won awards include Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company, Ndola Lime, Necor, Zambeef and Silvia Catering Services, which won two awards Zanaco won the Best Exhibitor Award in the banking sector.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha has refuted the Law Association of Zambia ( LAZ )’s claims that the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC ) is biased in the manner the national broadcaster disseminates news and general information to the general public.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said LAZ president Musa Mwenya has merely been against President Rupiah Banda and his administration for some time now.

He advised peace loving Zambians to stop listening to Mr Mwenya’s false claims.

The Government spokesperson said this yesterday when he responded to LAZ President on ZNBC who insinuated that the broadcasting station has become unbalanced and skewed towards only covering opinions and activities of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy ( MMD ).

The Association stated that other political players are not given equal coverage adding that at times , ZNBC has also broadcasted libel and slander against MMD political foes.

Mr. Mwenye also alleged that ZNBC is in complete conflict with the law and contrary to the provision of the ZNBC act Chapter 154 of the laws of Zambia.

He has further accused ZNBC that it is currently operating without a board of directors, a thing he said compromises the entire operations of the institution.

[ ZANIS ]

The Evangelical fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) has called on all political stakeholders in the country to take an active role in ensuring that the forthcoming tripartite elections are free and fair.

EFZ Executive Director Rev. Pukuta Mwanza has also described the adherence levels of political parties to the electoral code of conduct as weak.

Rev. Mwanza says it is surprising that despite the electoral code of conduct streamlining how political stakeholders should conduct themselves in the run up to the polls, political players tend to ignore the provisions.

He noted that for the country to conduct free and transparent tripartite elections this year, stakeholders in the electoral system must show commitments in upholding provisions of the electoral code of conduct.

The religious leader pointed out that breach of the code of conduct is a recipe for the discontent that exists amongst political players when election results are announced.

He has since urged political players to make a difference by preaching peace and reconciliation as the general elections draw near.
[ QFM ]

President Banda has reduced by 50 percent the prices for the sale of RAMCOZ houses. Similary, the Presidential decree has affected all Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) houses.

” I wish to inform the people of Luanshya that with immeadiate effect, the price of RAMCOZ shall be sold to sitting tenants at 50 percent of the 2006 price,” he said.

The President said this follows sitting tenants’ petition for him to consider revising the asking price of the said housing units. The move will affect 2000 families.

Mr. Banda stated that prices for the sale of RAMCOZ houses should be sold to sitting tenants at 50 percent of the 2006 evaluation.

He said he had accepted the recommendation from the Vice President George Kunda, as Justice minister and supervisor of the Administrator General, that the houses of be reduced by 50 percent.

He disclosed this during a public rally at Dola Hill in Ndola today.

President Banda announced that the Ministry of Lands has already started processing offer letters to all sitting tenants.

He urged the Ministry of Lands to promptly issue all offers and certificates of title.

President stated that he was not prepared to have delays in the issuance of certificates of title as has been the case with the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) houses.

Meanwhile, the President has handed over five letters of offer to sitting tenants of ZAFFICO to purchase their houses at prices ranging from K4 million to K1.5 million.

The beneficiaries include a Mr Bornface Kasote who will pay K3.5 million, Maxwell Kalyamato K4 million and Moleon Muthali who will pay a paltry K1.9 million.

Others are Wisdom Musonda K1,9 Million and Davies Ngulube will pay K 1.5 million for his house.

He said having shelter gives dignity to the family and hence his government was committed to empowering the citizenry with accommodation for them to be economically empowered.

And President Banda has promised to find a person that provide funds to purchase a house for a widow of an ex ZAFFICO employee.

President Banda stated that he was touched when he saw the woman and her children when he inspected the housing units and felt duty bound to find someone who will buy her the house.

About 2, 000 Zambians will benefit from the sale of ZAFFICO and RAMCOZ houses.

ZANIS

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) says it might have to institute public interest proceedings over the breach of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Act.

This is in the advent of the association citing the national broadcaster, ZNBC for gross abuse of the respective piece of legislation.

LAZ President, Musa Mwenye says ZNBC has on several occasions in its news, broadcast libel and slander with no regard for rights of persons.

Mr Mwenye has further explained that LAZ is exploring means of redress of the situation in the interest of the public.

He has added that ZNBC’s news broadcast is unbalanced and mostly inclined to the MMD, a situation which has been compounded by the absence of a board of directors at the media institution.
[ MUVI ]

Movement for Multiparty Democracy MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga has said that the party is relieved now that Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo has left the party.

Mr. Mabenga said that the MMD did not like the behavior of Ms. Masebo and that it was therefore a relief that she has left the party.

In an interview with QFM in Lusaka, Mr. Mabenga said the MMD was still intact despite the departure of the former local government and housing minister.

He said the party does not regret that Ms Masebo has left the party because it will even become much stronger.

He has expressed confidence that the party will still retain the votes in Chongwe constituency because of the developmental initiatives that the MMD government has taken to the area.

Mr Mabenga further states that the party will remain focused and ensure that victory is guaranteed the coming elections.

And Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Deputy National Secretary Chembe Nyangu has said the process of adopting candidates to stand on the ruling party’s Parliamentary and Local government seats in this year’s elections was going on well in all the constituencies across the country.

Mr. Nyangu said the party was so far satisfied with the manner in which interviews were being conducted throughout the country.

He urged all Provincial MMD panels involved in the process to do a good job so that the party would be able to choose winning candidates in this year’s elections.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that all interviews were currently being conducted at provincial level adding that they were going on smoothly in all the nine provinces of Zambia.

The deputy National Secretary said that the process was halted following the demise of the Second Republican President Dr Frederick Chiluba who died on Saturday, June 18, 2011.

Mr. Nyangu stated that the party was optimistic that by today,(Saturday), the National Executive Committee (NEC) would be in a position to receive a list of adopted candidates for both Parliamentary and local government elections.

He further explained that the MMD would ensure that it selects candidates who would be easy to pitch to the electorate ahead of this year’s elections.

He added that the party had never experienced any adoption problems from the time the exercise started early last month adding that this was an indication that the ruling party was the most democratic party in the country.

Mr. Nyangu also said that the opposition would wake up in a rude shock after this year’s polls because the ruling party under President Rupiah Banda‘s leadership was going to win the elections with a resounding victory.

He appealed to all Zambians to vote for President Banda and all MMD cadidates for continued development in the country.