Government says shoddy road works, particularly by local contractors, is a great source of concern.

Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Friday Malwa says it was disheartening to see that some local contractors are derailing government efforts to develop and provide better services to the Zambian people by doing shoddy works.

Mr. Malwa says the construction industry in the country should improve in order to avoid complaints from the public about the shoddy works the road sector has continued to record.

The Deputy Minister was speaking in an interview with ZANIS shortly after touring the washed away Lusitu Bridge in Siavonga district.

He said government would like to see a situation where Zambia’s meager resources were put to good use for the country to have a good road network, which could in turn help to reduce poverty and improve transportation of agricultural yields especially in rural areas.

Mr. Malwa further said that there was need for road contractors to regain their reputation by providing quality road works.

He pointed out that some local contractors fail to do satisfactory jobs especially in the road construction saying its time they worked hard to do their best if they are not to be sidelined by government.

Mr. Malwa stated that some local contractors working on most roads were frustrating government’s efforts to develop rural areas and need not feel sidelined if government left them out.

He warned of punitive measures to all road contractors who are doing shoddy works adding that road contractors who will not be finishing the works on the agreeable time would be surcharged.

The Deputy Minister has since directed the National Council for Construction (NCC) to help government address issues of shoddy works in the road construction sector.

He further appealed to road engineers and inspectors to provide government with accurate information in order to avoid shoddy works being carried out on the Zambian roads.

Government says there is need to hear the views of church organizations from within the National Constitution Conference (NCC) and not from outside.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande, said church organizations should not express anger but learn to reconcile when they differ over issues.

Mr. Pande, who is also Kasempa area Member of Parliament, said when the church organizations take a stance of not taking part in the NCC, they are expressing anger which is not supposed to be done by people of God.

He said the country needed to hear the views of those who boycotted the NCC, particularly the church organizations, from within and not outside the NCC.

He pointed out that the most significant occurrence that the country experienced in 2006 was the establishment of the NCC.

Mr. Pande proudly noted that the current constitution making process has been the most consultative in the history of the country.

Mr. Pande said this last evening in Kasempa Constituency end of year party in Kasempa district.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pande said Zambians should reflect on how much they have contributed towards the growth of the economy in 2007.

He advised Zambians not to leave the efforts to better the economy of the country to government alone.

He said government is determined to ensure that the economy growth rate moves from a single digit to a double digit, saying only then will the people on the grassroot feel the impact.

Mr.Pande advised Zambians not to give up but to work hard in 2008 to ensure Zambia’s economy further improves.

And in his vote of thanks, a Kasempa resident, Peter Moyo said people of Kasempa Constituency feel humbled and happy to end 2007 on a good note with their area member of parliament.

Mr. Moyo said the come-together end-of-year party organized by Mr. Pande gives the people of Kasempa an opportunity to make their challenges a stepping stone into 2008 and the successes in 2007 as a building stone.

President Mwanawasa has said government will continue implementing prudent macro-economic policies aimed at sustaining economic gains while ensuring that the gains benefit the people.

And President Mwanawasa has reiterated governments resolve to ensuring the successful enactment of a people driven constitution.

The President said this today during his annual address to the nation on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Television on New Years Eve.

Dr Mwanawasa stressed that the focus for 2008 is to achieve a higher economic growth rate of at least seven percent.

He noted that the country’s economic growth rate in the last three years has averaged 5.6 percent, while the inflation rate has been declining, reaching 8.9 percent in 2007.

This performance, he said, has translated into stable prices of goods and services for the people.

“Fair minded and objective people will agree that so far, our economic, political and social programmes are on the right track. This is evidenced by the positive economic developments,” he said.

Dr. Mwanawasa also noted that the exchange rate of the Kwacha against major currencies remained stable and that the lower interest rates offered by banks, have given an opportunity to the people to borrow money and to invest in productive ventures.

The President, however, said the energy sector, which is the engine that drives the economy, has continued to face a number of challenges.

He said government has worked hard to overcome most of the challenges.

In 2007, the nation experienced intermittent disruptions in the supply of petroleum products.

He said, therefore, government has now opted to introduce long term supply measures, unlike in the past when crude oil was procured in intermittent consignments.

He said the long term measure will help insulate the country from the unpredictable international prices which have now hit an all time high of US$100 per barrel.

On petroleum exploration, the President said he was pleased to note that in the past year, government engaged stakeholders in order to finalise proposed amendments to the petroleum exploration Act of 1985.

“As soon as the amendments to the Act are effected, we should be able to see exploration activities in Nort-Western province and in other provinces with potential oil and gas reserves. The selected blocks in North-western province have already been demarcated in readiness for exploration,” he said.

In this regard, Dr. Mwanawasa urged all Zambian private sector to actively participate in the procurement and exploration for petroleum.

He also said in order for Zambians to participate in the global economy, government will increase their access to private sector investment through the programmes of Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission.

He pointed out that this is one way of ensuring that all Zambians including women and youth are given an opportunity to exploit their entrepreneurial capabilities to the fullest.

On mining, the President said the mining sector continues to make tremendous strides and attract huge investments, resulting in increased mineral production.

“It now remains for us to ensure that we derive commensurate benefits from these developments,” he said.

He said government has, therefore, engaged the mining companies in the re-negotiations of the mining development agreements, which should be concluded soon.

Dr. Mwanawasa also stressed that the country has continued to ensure sustainable food security.

He said this is a sign that farmers have responded to the progressive government policies and to the call for hard work.

President Mwanawasa however, said the issue of climate change and the environment is a matter of great concern to the nation.

He said most developing countries including Zambia, are already experiencing effects of climate change such as floods and drought with severe consequences on agriculture, a climate sensitive sector.

The President also said Education and Health are equally important for the social economic development of the country and will continue to receive the priority attention of the government.

Dr. Mwanawasa also bemoaned the high levels of HIV/AIDS and the increased incidences of child abuse and defilement cases in the country.

He said government will in 2008 step up efforts aimed at reducing HIV/AIDS infections, expnading Ant-retroviral treatment and mitigating mother to child transmission.

The President said he was however happy to note that the judiciary has continued to impose stiff and appropriate punishment on offenders as a deterrent measure to the high incidences of child abuse and defilements.

As regard corruption, President Mwanawasa said government in the past year, through the task force on corruption, followed up a number of cases of plunder and recovered several properties and monies.

He said the proceeds from the sales of these properties will be used for the various programmes in needy social sectors.

He also commended the media for the role it is playing in exposing such vices and in helping to consolidate the country’s democracy.

Dr. Mwanawasa said in this vein, Zambia’s governance record has earned the country recognition by the international community as a favourable investment destination.

Turning to the constitution making process, the President said the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has been constituted to drive the process.

He urged all stakeholders to show unity of purpose and commitment to the whole process.

Dr. Mwanawasa said Zambians should exhibit the maturity and magnanimity that the citizenry have always demonstrated and prove that they can be unity in diversity.

“Let us bury our differences, deliberate issues objectively, and bequeath ourselves a constitution which posterity shall cherish. Zambians let us unite to enact a new constitution in peace and tranquility,” he said.

President Mwanawasa urged Zambians to preserve the peace that the country has enjoyed for many years.