PRESIDENT Banda yesterday re-affirmed his decision to stand for the republican presidency in the 2011 general elections and has called on the people of Southern Province to work with the ruling MMD.
“I am going to stand for the presidency in 2011. I am going to fight and am going to ask the conscious of the people of Zambia to give me another mandate so that I can fulfil the development programme of the country,” he said.
Mr Banda was speaking on arrival at Mazabuka’s Munali Nickel Mine.
He said during the last presidential election, he came second from United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema while Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata was relegated to the bottom in all the constituencies in Southern Province.
Mr Banda wondered why the people of Southern Province have allowed themselves, through Mr Hichilema, to join hands with the PF in a pact when it offers nothing.
“In the last election, I was number two to UPND in the province, and I beat Mr Sata. Why should UPND go into a pact with Mr Sata, a person who was rejected?” he asked.
Mr Banda said Southern Province, like Central and Eastern provinces, should also one day work towards producing a president instead of being duped.
“You are being duped by Mr Sata to participate in blocking me from completing my tenure as President. Mr Sata is telling your president (Hakainde) to work with him, is that fair? No,” he said.
Mr Banda said it is unfortunate to see hatred and insults being introduced in the political arena.
The President took a swipe at Change Life Zambia executive director Frank Bwalya, whom he accused of abusing Radio Icengelo and advocating a red card to be flashed against him.
Mr Banda advised Fr Bwalya to flash the red card against people who have broken rules of politics and those who are fond of abusive language.
He said every game has rules to be followed, and anyone who breaks them should be shown a red card.
Mr Banda said he has not done anything wrong to warrant the raising of a red card against him.
The President said he understands the anger and frustration that is being exhibited by the two opposition leaders as it comes from their experience of having lost previous elections.
Mr Sata has lost elections in three previous presidential elections while Mr Hakainde has lost in two.
Mr Banda called on Zambians to reject any leader and politics of individual ambitions and bitterness as they are not productive to the nation.
He assured the people of Southern Province that from his recent trip to China, and the discussions he had with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, he is hopeful that Zambia will also develop.
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“This province has as many rich minerals as any other provinces in the country. My government will not rest until we re-open the Maamba Coal mine also.
I will come to commission it. Please, give us a chance; no-one can be a magician that they can do everything at once. They are busy telling lies that when they come to power they would bring development in 100 days, it is not true,” he said.
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President Banda said there is need to explore the rich minerals in Southern Province to develop the industry for the benefit of the people.
Mr Banda said the re-opening of the Munali Nickle mine will provide employment for the people in the province, who had to travel all the way to the Copperbelt Province in search of employment.
“This province has as many rich minerals as any other provinces in the country. My government will not rest until we re-open the Maamba Coal mine also.
I will come to commission it. Please, give us a chance; no-one can be a magician that they can do everything at once. They are busy telling lies that when they come to power they would bring development in 100 days, it is not true,” he said.
He urged Zambians to commit themselves to hard work and emulate the Chinese.
“Please, work well with the Chinese investors. Welcome them with both hands. I know their dedication towards work. I was there recently and saw how serious they are at work,” he said.
Mr Banda criticised opposition political leaders who are fond of claiming that the Chinese are not good investors, saying great nations like Britain and the United States of America are all rushing to China to attract investment.
He said he attached great importance to national development, and urged the people to rally behind his administration.
“I am the kind of President who focuses on national development,” he said.
And Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe called on President Banda to speed up elections at all MMD party levels before the convention.
“You, as chairman of the MMD national executive committee, please, quicken the process of elections in the party because some people are scandalising others for nothing,” Mr Munkombwe said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
