REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

SPEECH BY

HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT

OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

MR. RUPIAH B. BANDA

DURING PRESS CONFERENCE

ON WEDNESDAY

24TH JUNE, 2009

AT STATE HOUSE
CABINET MINISTERS PRESENT

SECRETARY TO CABINET

PERMANENT SECRETARIES

MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS

DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

INTRODUCTION

IT IS NOW JUST ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS SINCE I TOOK OVER

AS PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA. IT HAS BEEN AN EVENTFUL EIGHT

MONTHS DURING WHICH AMONG OTHERS I:

• CONSTITUTED A NEW CABINET;

• PRESIDED OVER THE BUDGET PREPARATION;

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 • BEGAN TO DEAL WITH THE EFFECTS OF A DEEPENING

GLOBAL RECESSION, WHICH HAS INTRODUCED SERIOUS

CHALLENGES; AND

• DEALT WITH THE RECENT STRIKES WHICH ROCKED THE

COUNTRY.

THE PERIOD HAS ALSO BEEN CHARACTERISED BY EXPOSURE

OF ALLEGED MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS. ALL THESE EVENTS

HAVE PROMPTED SOME IN OUR SOCIETY TO SEE THIS AS AN

OPPORTUNITY TO RELENTLESSLY AND VICIOUSLY ATTACK

MY LEADERSHIP AND MY GOVERNMENT AND

CHARACTERISED IT AS BEING PASSIVE.

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IN REALITY, HOWEVER, MY GOVERNMENT HAS RESPONDED

AND TAKEN MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE VARIOUS

CHALLENGES FACING THE COUNTRY RESOLUTELY. I HAVE,

THEREFORE, CALLED THIS PRESS CONFERENCE TO BRIEF THE

NATION ON MY GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THESE

DEVELOPMENTS.

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

DESPITE THE MANY CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE, AND

CONTINUE TO FACE, THIS COUNTRY HAS SINCE

INDEPENDENCE ENJOYED PEACE AND STABILITY, WHICH ARE

NECESSARY FOR DEVELOPMENT. IT IS IMPORTANT,

THEREFORE, THAT WE MUST ALL DESIST FROM MAKING

COMMENTS OR TAKING ACTIONS THAT MIGHT JEOPARDISE

PEACE.

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THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES AROUND THE WORLD THAT

SHOULD PROVIDE ZAMBIANS WITH LESSONS OF WHAT

HAPPENS TO A COUNTRY IN THE ABSENCE OF PEACE AND

POLITICAL STABILITY. LET US GUARD WHAT WE HAVE

JEALOUSLY AND NOT ALLOW A FEW DISGRUNTLED AND

POWER HUNGRY ELEMENTS IN OUR SOCIETY TO DESTROY IT.

THE 2011 GENERAL ELECTIONS

REGARDING THE 2011 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, I NOTE

THAT THERE HAS BEEN MUCH SPECULATION ABOUT MY

CANDIDATURE FOR PRESIDENCY.

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I WANT TO PUT IT ON RECORD THAT AT NO TIME, UP TO

NOW, HAVE I SOLICITED FOR SUPPORT AS MMD’S

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN THE 2011 ELECTIONS. WHAT I

HAVE SAID, AND THIS, ONLY IN RESPONSE TO MEMBERS’

REPEATED ENDORSEMENTS OF MY CANDIDATURE, IS THAT I

AM WILLING TO CONSIDER THEIR DEMAND. I AM, HOWEVER,

GRATEFUL THAT THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(NEC) OF THE MMD HAS ALSO ENDORSED MY CANDIDATURE.

WHAT I WANT THE NATION TO KNOW IS THAT THE TASK AT

HAND, AND MY MAJOR PRIORITY, IS TO DELIVER TO THE

ZAMBIAN PEOPLE ON THE OCTOBER ELECTION PROMISES. I

EXPECT LEADERS IN BOTH THE MMD PARTY AND THE

GOVERNMENT TO STAY FOCUSED ON THIS TASK. I DO NOT

WANT MMD PARTY LEADERS, MINISTERS, AND MEMBERS OF

PARLIAMENT TO BE PRE-OCCUPIED WITH THE 2011

ELECTIONS.

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LET US WORK TO DELIVER THE NECESSARY SERVICES TO OUR

PEOPLE. IT IS CLEAR THAT THOSE WHO HAVE CONTINUED

TO BRING UP THIS SUBJECT OF 2011 ARE OUR ENEMIES WHO

WANT US TO BE PREOCCUPIED WITH MY CANDIDATURE SO

THAT WE FAIL TO DELIVER. WHY IS THE FOCUS ON THE MMD

CANDIDATE AND NOT THE OTHER PARTIES WHICH ARE ALSO

VYING FOR 2011?

THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE

THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CONFERENCE HAS BEEN

REVIEWING THE CONSTITUTION FOR JUST OVER A YEAR. I

HAVE OBSERVED THAT THE CONFERENCE HAS MADE

REASONABLE PROGRESS THUS FAR. HOWEVER, THERE ARE

SOME CONCERNS IN THE NATION AT THE PACE AT WHICH

THE NCC IS MOVING.

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I, THEREFORE, URGE THE NCC TO COMPLETE ITS MANDATE

WITHIN THE TWELVE MONTHS STIPULATED BY THE ACT. THIS

WILL REQUIRE THE NCC TO WORK EXPEDITIOUSLY. I AM ALSO

CALLING ON THE DELEGATES TO CONSIDER SACRIFICING IN

ORDER TO MEET THE DEADLINE. WE HAVE ALL HEARD THE

CALLS BY STAKEHOLDERS FOR US TO BE PRUDENT IN THE

USE OF OUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND THE NCC SHOULD

BE SENSITIVE TO THIS AND ENSURE THE PROCESS IS

CONCLUDED TIMELY.

IN THIS REGARD, I WILL BE MEETING THE NCC LEADERSHIP

TO EXPLORE WAYS OF ACCELERATING AND CONCLUDING

THE ON -GOING CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW PROCESS.

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THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY

THE STATE OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY HAS BEEN LARGELY

INFLUENCED BY THE IMPACT OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC

CRISIS.

THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD ECONOMY THAT WERE

EXPERIENCED LAST YEAR MUST STILL BE FRESH IN OUR

MINDS. THE SHARP INCREASES IN THE FOOD AND OIL

PRICES, THE COLLAPSE IN THE PRICE OF COPPER AND OTHER

COMMODITIES, COMPOUNDED BY THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL

CRISIS, PLACED ENORMOUS PRESSURE ON MANY

HOUSEHOLDS, ESPECIALLY ON THE LOW-INCOME GROUPS.

THIS HAS RESULTED IN, AMONG OTHERS, THE CLOSURE OF

SOME MINES, THE SCALING BACK OF OPERATIONS AND

INVESTMENTS, AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF JOBS IN OTHER.

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AS A CONSEQUENCE, THIS YEAR, OUR GROWTH PROSPECTS

HAVE DIMINISHED, SUCH THAT THE PROJECTED GROSS

DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAS BEEN REVISED DOWNWARDS TO 4.0

PERCENT OR BELOW. THIS REDUCTION HAS IMPLICATIONS

FOR THE DOMESTIC REVENUES, WITH BOTH COOPERATE AND

INCOME TAXES LIKELY TO REDUCE.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE HAS BEEN VOLATILITY IN THE

EXCHANGE RATE OVER THE RECENT MONTHS AND AN

INCREASE IN INFLATION, WHICH, THOUGH, HAS SOMEWHAT

STABILISED OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

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RESPONSE TO THE GLOBAL CRISIS

MY GOVERNMENT’S INITIAL RESPONSE TO THESE

DEVELOPMENTS WAS TO STABILISE THE FUEL AND FOOD

PRICES, AS PROMISED, IN ORDER TO CUSHION THE

VULNERABLE FROM THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE CRISIS.

FURTHER, TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF THE GLOBAL

ECONOMIC MELTDOWN, WHICH HAS DRAWN THE WORLD

ECONOMY INTO A RECESSION, MY GOVERNMENT IS

IMPLEMENTING THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:

1. CONSOLIDATING THE MACRO-ECONOMIC STABILITY

GAINS THROUGH MINIMISING EXCHANGE RATE

VOLATILITY AND MODERATING INFLATION. THIS CALLS

FOR FISCAL AND MONETARY DISCIPLINE AT ALL LEVELS;

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2. REALIGNING RESOURCE ALLOCATION TOWARDS

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN ENERGY,

AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM SECTORS.

3. INTENSIFYING EFFORTS TO ATTRACT FOREIGN AND

DOMESTIC INVESTMENT WHICH HAS SIGNIFICANTLY

REDUCED GLOBALLY;

4. ENHANCING BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION;

5. MONITORING BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH

THE CABINET, WHICH I PERSONALLY OVERSEE; AND

6. STEPPING UP THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PUBLIC

EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL

ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAMME, INCLUDING THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED FINANCIAL

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM;

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BUDGET PERFORMANCE

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

GOVERNMENT IS FACING A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES IN

IMPLEMENTING THE BUDGET. THE CHALLENGES BEING

FACED ARE:

1. DOMESTIC REVENUE COLLECTION HAS FALLEN BELOW

THE PROJECTED LEVELS. THIS IS NEGATIVELY

IMPACTING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIORITY

PROGRAMMES;;

2. PRESSURE TO PAY WAGES ABOVE THE BUDGETED

AMOUNTS, WHICH I WILL EXPLAIN IN GREATER DETAIL

LATER;

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 3. PAYMENTS FOR THE PURCHASE AND IMPORT OF MAIZE

TO ENSURE ADEQUATE SUPPLIES OF MAIZE MEAL;

4. PAYMENTS TO STABILIZE THE PRICES OF FOOD AND

PETROLEUM SUPPLIES ; AND

5. DELAY AND IN SOME CASES WITHDRAWAL OF

FINANCIAL SUPPORT BY OUR COOPERATING PARTNERS.

IN PART TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE UNCALLED FOR

EXPENSES WE HAVE INCURRED, I DIRECT THE FOLLOWING:

1. ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ENTITLED TO PERSONAL-

TO-HOLDER VEHICLES SHOULD BEGIN USING THE

VEHICLES FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSES INSTEAD OF

PARKING THEM AT HOME;

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2. WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, THERE SHOULD BE NO

PURCHASE OF EXPENSIVE LUXURY VEHICLES AS UTILITY

AND DUTY VEHICLES;

3. TRIPS ABROAD BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD

ONLY BE UNDERTAKEN WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

AND DELEGATIONS SHOULD BE REDUCED IN NUMBER;

AND

4. THE NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS BE DRASTICALLY

REDUCED AND BY ALL MEANS POSSIBLE HELD IN

WITHIN GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES AND BOARD ROOMS

TO CUT DOWN ON COSTS.

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THESE MEASURES ARE NOT MEANT TO PUNISH MY

COLLEAGUES IN GOVERNMENT. THE CURRENT CRISIS

REQUIRES THAT WE ALL SACRIFICE. I HOPE ALL OF US

UNDERSTAND.

THE CHALLENGES REQUIRE ALL OF US TO SACRIFICE. AIM

THEREFORE DIRECTING THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND

NATIONAL PLANNING, THE SECRETARY TO THE CABINET

AND MINISTRY OF WORKS AND SUPPLY TO IMMEDIATELY

PUT IN PLACE MEASURES TO CUT DOWN ON PUBLIC

EXPENDITURE.

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THE BUDGET CYCLE

SINCE INDEPENDENCE, IT IS CLEAR THAT ONE OF THE

IMPEDIMENTS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION AND

MANAGEMENT OF THE BUDGET HAS BEEN THE BUDGET

CYCLE WHICH IS NOT SYNCHRONISED WITH THE CALENDAR

YEAR.

I WANT TO INFORM THE NATION THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS

CONSIDERING RE-ALIGNING THE BUDGET CYCLE TO THE

CALENDAR YEAR WHICH WILL ENTAIL THAT GOVERNMENT

FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE COMMENCING JANUARY OF EACH

YEAR. THIS WILL HELP SPEED UP IMPLEMENTATION OF

PROGRAMMES.

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LABOUR RELATIONS

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST WEEKS A SERIES OF

STRIKES. I AM AWARE THAT CIVIL SERVANTS NEED TO EARN

A LIVING WAGE. HOWEVER, WE MUST ALSO BE AWARE THAT

THE GOVERNMENT IS OPERATING A TIGHT BUDGET.

CLEARLY ,GOVERNMENT CANNOT AFFORD TO GIVE THE

SALARIES BEING ASKED FOR, GIVEN THE CURRENT

ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT, DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL. WE

MUST UNDERSTAND THAT ZAMBIA IS A POOR COUNTRY.

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TO ILLUSTRATE THIS POINT, THE NATION MAY WANT TO

KNOW THAT THE CURRENT BUDGET, OUT OF THE

PROGRAMMED REVENUES OF K10.6 TRILLION, K5.1 TRILLION

OR 47.6 PERCENT, WHICH INCLUDED A SALARY INCREMENT

OF 11 PERCENT, WAS SET ASIDE FOR PERSONAL

EMOLUMENTS. THE UNIONS REJECTED THE PROGRAMMED

SALARY INCREMENT OF 11 PERCENT AND SETTLED FOR A

MINIMUM OF 15 PERCENT INCREMENT WHICH TRANSLATES

TO 48. 9 PERCENT OF THE K10.6 MILLION DOMESTIC

REVENUES.

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THIS INCREMENT MEANS THAT THE EXPENDITURE ON

PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS WILL NOW BE K5.2 TRILLION,

RESULTING IN AN INCREASE OF K145.3 BILLION OVER THE

BUDGETED AMOUNT. THIS ADDITIONAL AMOUNT WILL

HAVE TO BE SOURCED BY REDUCING EXPENDITURE OR

SUSPENDING OTHER PROGRAMMES. THIS WILL NEGATIVELY

AFFECT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OTHER GOVERNMENT

PROGRAMMES.

THE CURRENT PUBLIC WAGE BILL MEANS THAT 50 PERCENT

OF GOVERNMENT DOMESTIC REVENUES ARE SPENT ON 1

PERCENT OF THE POPULATION OR 170,000 PEOPLE, WHICH

INCLUDES MINISTERS, POLICE AND SOLDIERS. AS ZAMBIANS,

WE MUST TAKE THE DECISION AS TO WHETHER SPENDING

HALF OF THE BUDGET ON THIS SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE IS

RIGHT OR JUSTIFIED.

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IF 50 PERCENT OF THE DOMESTIC REVENUES IS SPENT ON

PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS, HOW THEN DO WE PROVIDE

OTHER NECESSITIES - THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC

INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING ROADS, HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS

AND ENERGY, DEFENCE AND SECURITY, WHICH ARE CRITICAL

TO ECONOMIC GROWTH AND POVERTY REDUCTION?

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MAY I APPEAL TO OUR WORKERS TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE

ECONOMIC REALITY THAT THIS COUNTRY IS FACING. YOU

MAY WANT TO LEARN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, SUCH AS

IRELAND, WHERE WORKERS ARE TAKING SALARY CUTS AS A

RESULT OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS. ANOTHER

EXAMPLE IS THE BRITISH AIRWAYS EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE

AGREED TO GO WITHOUT A MONTH’S SALARY TO HELP THE

COMPANY. THAT IS THE KIND OF ATTITUDE WE NEED TO

INCULCATE IN OUR PEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF AS

PRESIDENT AND MINISTERS.

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THE SALARIES COMMISSION

IN VIEW OF THE LARGE PROPORTION OF EXPENDITURE IN

THE BUDGET GOING TO PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS, I BELIEVE

IT IS TIME THAT WE RATIONALISED THE SALARIES IN THE

CIVIL SERVICE. IN THIS REGARD, I HAVE DECIDED TO

CONSTITUTE A SALARIES AND WAGES COMMISSION TO

LOOK INTO THE CURRENT STRUCTURE OF WAGES AND

SALARIES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

I, THEREFORE, APPOINT PROF. MUYUNDA MWANALUSHI, THE

CHANCELLOR OF THE COPPER UNIVERSITY, TO BE CHAIRMAN

OF THE COMMISSION. THE NAMES OF OTHER COMMISSION

MEMBERS AND THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE WILL BE

ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE. THE COMMISSION SHOULD

RECONCILE DISPARITIES IN THE SALARY STRUCTURES IN THE

PUBLIC SECTOR.

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ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

IN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS, A NUMBER OF ALLEGED

CORRUPTION CASES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED. DESPITE THE

ERRONEOUS AND DELIBERATE IMPRESSION THAT HAS BEEN

CREATED, THAT CORRUPTION HAS ESCALATED DURING MY

PRESIDENCY, IT IS CLEAR THAT THESE CASES PREDATE MY

ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE. TO A LARGE EXTENT, THESE

REVELATIONS HAVE EMERGED BECAUSE I HAVE ALLOWED

THE INVESTIGATIVE WINGS OF GOVERNMENT TO EXERCISE

THEIR MANDATES WITHOUT INTERFERENCE.

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GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THIS AND I AM

CERTAIN THAT THESE INVESTIGATIONS WILL PROVE ME

RIGHT. I REPEAT NONE OF THESE CASES HAVE OCCURRED

DURING THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS. MY GOVERNMENT

BELIEVES IN TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THESE

ARE CRITICAL TO MAKING PROGRESS IN GOOD

GOVERNANCE.

TO THIS EFFECT, MY GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED THE

PREPARATION OF THE ANTI CORRUPTION POLICY WHICH I

WILL SOON BE LAUNCHING. THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS

POLICY IS TO MAKE THE ANTI CORRUPTION COMMISSION

THE LEAD LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN THE FIGHT

AGAINST CORRUPTION.

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IN THIS REGARD, I AM DIRECTING THAT:

(1) A SERIOUS FRAUDS UNIT BE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE

STRENGTHENED ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION TO

SPECIFICALLY INVESTIGATE COMPLEX CORRUPTION

CASES; AND

(2) THE FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT, WHICH WILL BE AN

INDEPENDENT INSTITUTION TO MONITOR ALL

SUSPICIOUS FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS BE SET UP

IMMEDIATELY.

FURTHER, I HAVE DIRECTED THAT:

• FORENSIC SYSTEMS AND PROCUREMENT AUDITS BE

UNDERTAKEN IN ALL THE MAJOR SPENDING

MINISTRIES, PROVINCES AND SPENDING AGENCIES TO

ENSURE THAT WEAKNESSES ARE IDENTIFIED AND

ADDRESSED;

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 • THE FUNDING TO THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR

GENERAL AND THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION BE

INCREASED; AND,

• THE PROCUREMENT SYSTEMS BE STRENGTHENED SO

THAT THE LOOPHOLES CAN BE CLOSED THROUGH THE

ENACTMENT OF THE NEW PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS.

I EXPECT THAT THE MEASURES I HAVE ANNOUNCED WILL

STRENGTHEN THE INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT

AGAINST CORRUPTION.

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INFRASTRUCTURE

FELLOW CITIZENS

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

MY GOVERNMENT IS WORKING TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS

ADEQUATE OPERATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE – OF WHICH

THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENTS ARE TRANSPORT

(ESPECIALLY ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE), ENERGY AND

COMMUNICATIONS.

IN THE CASE OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE, WE HAVE SECURED

ENOUGH EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE THAT SOME OF THE FEEDER

ROADS IN THE COUNTRY ARE GRADED IN THE NEXT FEW

MONTHS.

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO EMBARKED ON A PROGRAMME

TO REHABILITATE THE ROAD NETWORK IN LUSAKA. I CALL

UPON ALL OF YOU TO GO AND SEE WHAT WE ARE DOING

WITH THE LUSAKA ROAD NETWORK. THIS PROGRAMME WILL

BE EXTENDED TO OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS.

ENERGY

I AM AWARE THAT THE ISSUE OF INCREASING ZESCO TARIFFS

IS EMOTIVE. AS A COUNTRY, IF WE RESIST THE PROPOSED

INCREASE IN TARIFFS NOW, WE WILL HAVE TO ACCEPT THE

ENERGY SHORTAGES IN THE FUTURE. OR ALTERNATIVELY,

WE CAN ALLOW FOR TARIFF ADJUSTMENTS NOW, AND

ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT IN THE SECTOR. THIS WILL

ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF ENERGY IN

FUTURE TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH. THESE ARE THE

HARD CHOICES BEFORE US.

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ZAMTEL

TO RESOLVE THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES REGARDING

ZAMTEL, I HAVE APPOINTED A COMMITTEE OF CABINET

MINISTERS CHAIRED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND

NATIONAL PLANNING TO MANAGE THE PROCESS OF

FINDING A STRATEGIC EQUITY PARTNER AND NEGOTIATING

THE CONDITIONS FOR THE PARTNERSHIP. THE MINISTER OF

FINANCE WILL CHAIR THIS COMMITTEE BY VIRTUE OF HIS

BEING A SHAREHOLDER ON BEHALF OF GOVERNMENT IN

ZAMTEL.

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I FOUND IT NECESSARY TO APPOINT THIS COMMITTEE AFTER

LOOKING AT THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUES FACING

ZAMTEL, WHICH ARE QUITE CLEARLY APPARENT. RELATIVE

TO IT PEERS, ZAMTEL IS EXTREMELY INEFFICIENT. THE POOR

OPERATING EFFICIENCY CAN BE SHOWN FROM THE

FOLLOWING:

• ZAMTEL HAS LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF 90 MILLION

UNITED STATES DOLLARS, WHICH HAVE TO BE SORTED

OUT BEFORE WE INVITE A STRATEGIC INVESTOR;

• STAFF COSTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF REVENUES COME TO

58 PERCENT COMPARED TO 1 PERCENT FOR ZAIN

ZAMBIA, AND 4.5 PERCENT FOR THE MTN GROUP;

• MOBILE PHONE SUBSCRIBERS PER EMPLOYEE IS 108 FOR

ZAMTEL, 3,158 FOR ZAIN AND 5,382 FRO THE MTN GROUP;

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 • ZAMTEL STAFF NUMBERS ARE 3 TIMES HIGHER THAN

ZAIN STAFF LEVELS, 2,505 AGAINST 855 FOR ZAIN; AND

• ZAIN HAS 2.7 MILLION ZAMBIAN SUBSCRIBERS, WHILE

ZAMTEL HAS ABOUT 271,900 SUBSCRIBERS BOTH FOR

MOBILE AND FIXED LINE.

I HAVE FOUND THAT THE USE OF SMALL CABINET

COMMITTEES IS PROVING USEFUL AND EFFECTIVE IN

RESOLVING MATTERS OF THIS NATURE, AS THE CASE OF

LUSANSHYA COPPER MINES SHOWS.

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LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

MINING

IN RESPONSE TO THE FALLING PRICE OF COPPER, MINING

COMPANIES REACTED BY SHEDDING LABOUR, REDUCING

OPERATIONS, SUSPENDING FURTHER INVESTMENTS AND

OTHERS THREATENED TO CLOSE DOWN THEIR OPERATIONS

ALL TOGETHER.

THE OPPOSITION, CIVIL SOCIETY AND MEMBERS OF THE

PUBLIC CALLED UPON GOVERNMENT TO NATIONALISE

THESE MINING ASSETS, BUT GOVERNMENT RESISTED AND

INSTEAD OPTED TO NEGOTIATE. WE OPTED TO NEGOTIATE

BECAUSE THIS IS A BETTER WAY OF HANDLING SUCH ISSUES

IN A LIBERAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT.

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MY GOVERNMENT HAS WORKED AND IS WORKING TO

ENSURE THAT THE MINING COMPANIES SUSTAIN THEIR

OPERATIONS AND KEEP JOB LOSSES TO A MINIMUM.

• LUANSHYA COPPER MINES

IN DECEMBER 2008, ENYA HOLDINGS, THE 85 PERCENT

SHAREHOLDER IN LUANSHYA COPPER MINES (LCM) ADVISED

THE GOVERNMENT OF THEIR INTENTION TO PULL OUT OF

LCM AND AS A RESULT, PUT THE MINE UNDER CARE AND

MAINTENANCE. THIS IMPLIED JOB LOSSES.

TO PRESERVE JOBS AND THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE OF

LUANSHYA, AFTER VISITING THE MINE IN DECEMBER LAST

YEAR I APPOINTED A COMMITTEE OF CABINET MINISTERS

CHAIRED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL

PLANNING TO ENSURE THE ORDERLY EXIT OF ENYA AND

OVERSEE THE NEGOTIATIONS TO FIND AN EQUITY PARTNER.

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I AM HAPPY TO REPORT TO THE NATION THAT THE

COMMITTEE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED ITS TWO MAJOR

TASKS - THAT IS, AN ORDERLY EXIT, WITH EVERY SINGLE

EMPLOYEE RECEIVING THEIR FULL TERMINAL BENEFITS, AND

SECONDLY, AN EQUITY PARTNER HAS BEEN FOUND – CHINA

NON-FERROUS METALS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

I AM HAPPY TO INFORM THE NATION THAT TODAY THE NEW

OWNERS WILL FORMALLY TAKE OVER LUANSHYA MINE.

HOWEVER, I AM SHOCKED THAT THE SO-CALLED

OPPOSITION LEADERS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR THE

BLOCKING OF THIS TRANSACTION THROUGH A COURT

PROCESS.

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IF THIS MATTER GOES TO COURT AND WE ALL KNOW HOW

LONG COURT PROCESSES TAKE, WHO IS GOING TO SUFFER?

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT IT IS THE WORKERS AND THEIR

FAMILIES IN LUSANSHYA WHO WILL SUFFER. IT IS HIGH TIME

THAT ZAMBIANS INVEST IN PATRIOTIC, CREDIBLE AND

GENUINE LEADERSHIP. I HOPE THE PEOPLE OF LUANSHYA

KNOW WHO IS ON THEIR SIDE.

LEARNING FROM OUR SUCCESS IN LUANSHYA,

GOVERNMENT WILL PURSUE THE SAME STRATEGY IN THE

CASE OF OTHER MINES THAT HAVE CLOSED DOWN, LIKE

ALBIDON, OR THREATENING TO CLOSE DOWN. I AM HAPPY

THAT OTHER MINING INVESTORS WHO WERE CONSIDERING

CLOSING DOWN ARE NOW RE-THINKING THAT APPROACH.

36
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE MINES AND MINERALS

ACT, A NUMBER OF ISSUES HAVE BEEN RAISED BY THE

MINING COMPANIES. IT IS THE INTENTION OF MY

GOVERNMENT TO RE-ENGAGE MINING COMPANIES

THROUGH DIALOGUE IN RESOLVING ANY OF THE

OUTSTANDING ISSUES WHICH MAY HAVE ARISEN.

CURRENTLY, WE ARE NEGOTIATING WITH FIRST QUANTUM

MINERALS OVER THE SAME ISSUES. I HOPE THIS IS THE SPIRIT

WHICH MINING COMPANIES WILL EMBRACE.

37
AGRICULTURE

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

AGRICULTURE CONTINUES TO BE A PRIORITY SECTOR FOR

MY GOVERNMENT. GOVERNMENT WILL THEREFORE WORK

TO ENSURE THAT WE ACHIEVE OUR GOAL OF PROMOTING

INCREASED AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL

PRODUCTION, PRODUCTIVITY AND COMPETITIVENESS.

I AM, HOWEVER, AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS FACING OUR

FARMERS IN MARKETING THEIR MAIZE, WHEAT, TOBACCO

AND CASSAVA.

38
IN ORDER TO ENSURE IMPROVED MARKET ACCESS FOR

MAIZE, GOVERNMENT HAS DIRECTED THE FOOD RESERVE

AGENCY (FRA) TO INTENSIFY THE CROP MARKETING SYSTEM

THIS YEAR BY CONCENTRATING ON BUYING CROPS FROM

THE REMOTEST PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, WHILE THE PRIVATE

SECTOR CONCENTRATES IN DISTRICT CENTRES AND URBAN

AREAS. I HAVE ALSO TASKED THE MINISTER OF

AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATIVES AND THE MINISTER OF

FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING TO STUDY THE

PROBLEM OF CROP MARKETING CAREFULLY WITH A VIEW TO

FINDING A LASTING SOLUTION.

39
IN THE LONG-TERM, GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN

EFFECTIVE CROP MARKETING INSTITUTION. AMONG THE

PROPOSALS BEING CONSIDERED WOULD BE THE

ESTABLISHMENT OF A PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP

MARKETING INSTITUTION IN WHICH THE ZAMBIA

NATIONAL FARMERS UNION, THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT

AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WORK TOGETHER.

TO STABILISE THE MARKET FOR WHEAT, I GAVE A DIRECTIVE

FEW MONTHS AGO TO THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND

COOPERATIVES THAT NO MORE IMPORTS ARE ALLOWED

AND TO CANCEL ALL IMPORT PERMITS ALREADY ISSUED. I

WISH TO REITERATE MY STANCE ON THIS MATTER THAT NO

MORE PERMITS SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR WHEAT IMPORTS.

40
I AM ALSO AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTIES WHICH TOBACCO

FARMERS IN THE COUNTRY ARE FACING IN THE MARKETING

OF THEIR CROP. THE GOVERNMENT HAS NEGOTIATED WITH

THE SISTER GOVERNMENT OF MALAWI FOR TOBACCO TO BE

PROCESSED IN THAT COUNTRY, AS AN INTERIM MEASURE,

WHILE WE ARE WORKING TO ESTABLISH BURLEY TOBACCO

PROCESSING PLANT IN THE COUNTRY.

IN OUR CONTINUED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY,

CASSAVA PRODUCTION IS BEING PROMOTED. TO FURTHER

ENCOURAGE PRODUCTION OF THIS CROP GOVERNMENT IS

TO COMMERCIALISE ITS MARKETING AND PROCESSING.

41
LIVESTOCK DISEASE CONTROL

GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO BOOST THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE

LIVESTOCK SECTOR. TO ACHIEVE THIS, GOVERNMENT IS

WORKING TO CONTROL THE PREVALENCE OF LIVESTOCK

DISEASES, ESPECIALLY CATTLE, WHOSE POPULATION HAS

SIGNIFICANTLY DECLINED.

GOVERNMENT HAS, THEREFORE, CREATED THE LIVESTOCK

AND FISHERIES MINISTRY, INDEPENDENT OF AGRICULTURE

AND COOPERATIVES TO CONCENTRATE ON THIS SECTOR.

FUNDING TO THE LIVESTOCK SECTOR HAS ALSO INCREASED.

42
SOCIAL WELFARE

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

MY GOVERNMENT IS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE

PLIGHT OF SOME OF OUR WOMEN, CHILDREN, YOUTH, THE

AGED, AND THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED. DESPITE THE

BLEAK OUTLOOK FOR GOVERNMENT REVENUES, MY

GOVERNMENT HAS ENDEAVOURED TO SUSTAIN THE

PROVISION OF BASIC HEALTHCARE, SOCIAL SERVICES AND

EDUCATION, INCLUDING THE EXPANSION OF TECHNICAL

TRAINING.

MY GOVERNMENT IS ALSO CONSIDERING EXPANDING THE

CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMME UNDER THE MINISTRY OF

COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO ENABLE THE

VULNERABLE MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS.

43
HEARSES

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

I WISH TO BRIEFLY TOUCH ON THE GOVERNMENT

PROCUREMENT OF HEARSES FOR OUR VULNERABLE PEOPLE

IN SOCIETY. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT OUR PEOPLE NEED TO

BURY THEIR DEAD WITH DIGNITY, THUS THE NEED FOR

THESE HEARSES. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN DRAWN INTO THE

DEBATE THAT I PLAYED A ROLE IN THE PROCUREMENT OF

THESE HEARSES. THIS IS ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO DRAG MY

NAME UNDER THE MUD. FOR THE RECORD, I WISH TO

CATEGORICALLY STATE THAT I WAS NOT PRIVY TO THE

PROCUREMENT OF THESE HEARSES.

44
FURTHER, THIS TRANSACTION WAS NEVER BROUGHT TO

CABINET DURING MY TIME AS PRESIDENT. THE

TRANSACTION WAS PURELY DONE BY THE MINISTRY OF

LOCAL AND HOUSING WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. IF THERE

IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THIS PROCUREMENT, I ALSO

WISH TO KNOW WHAT TRANSPIRED JUST LIKE ANY OTHER

CITIZEN. AND ALSO FOR THE RECORD, I HAVE NOT STOPPED

ANYBODY, INCLUDING SYLVIA MASEBO, FROM SPEAKING ON

THIS MATTER BECAUSE I AM INNOCENT AND I KNOW

NOTHING ABOUT IT.

DEFENCE AND SECURITY FORCES

GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE NEED TO GUARANTEE

ORDER AND PEACE IN THE COUNTRY AND THE NEED TO

UPHOLD THE RULE OF LAW.

45
TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE NEED OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN THE

ZAMBIA ARMY, ZAMBIA AIR FORCE, ZAMBIA NATIONAL

SERVICE, ZAMBIA POLICE, AND THE OTHER SECURITY WINGS,

INCLUDING THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION, DRUG

ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION AND THE ZAMBIA

INTELLIGENCE SECURITY SERVICE. THEY HAVE ALL

PERFORMED THEIR DUTIES DILIGENTLY AND EXEMPLARY

DURING THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS THAT I HAVE BEEN THE

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

I, THEREFORE, COMMEND THEM ALL FOR THE DISCIPLINE,

LOYALTY AND THE DEVOTION TO DUTY THAT THEY HAVE

SHOWN AND CONTINUE TO SHOW UNDER VERY DIFFICULT

CONDITIONS.

46
GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES WHICH OUR

DEFENCE AND SECURITY FORCES ARE FACING. BUT WE WANT

TO ASSURE YOU THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE

TO ADDRESS BOTH YOUR PERSONAL CONCERNS AND THOSE

RELATED TO YOUR WORK.

NEW LEGISLATION

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

I WISH TO INFORM THE NATION THAT IN THE FORTH

COMING JULY SESSION OF PARLIAMENT, THE GOVERNMENT

INTENDS TO TABLE BEFORE PARLIAMENT A NUMBER OF

CRUCIAL BILLS TO CONSOLIDATE OUR GAINS AND DRIVE

OUR DEVELOPMENT AGENDA FORWARD.

47
THE NEW BILLS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

(a) THE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BILL

TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROMOTION, FACILITATION

AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIVATELY FINANCED

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT FOR SOCIAL SERVICES

BY REMOVING UNDESIRABLE RESTRICTIONS ON

PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN THE

DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF PUBLIC

INFRASTRUCTURE. THE BILL WILL ALSO PROVIDE

FOR PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

48
(B) THE INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC

TECHNOLOGY BILL

TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE CURRENT LEGAL REGIME

THAT REGULATES THE INFORMATION AND

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR AND

MAKE ZAMBIA COMPETITIVE IN TERMS OF

INVESTMENT, CITIZENSHIP EMPOWERMENT AND

REGULATION OF THE INFORMATION AND

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

(C) LANDS TRIBUNAL AMENDMENT ACT

TO INCREASE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR INDIGENT

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO CANNOT AFFORD

LEGAL REPRESENTATION. AS THE PUBLIC IS AWARE,

TRIBUNALS ARE MORE USER FRIENDLY THAN THE

HIGH COURT.

49
NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTION

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

IN MOVING FORWARD, I WANT TO EMPHASISE WHAT I SAID

DURING MY INAUGURATION SPEECH, NEW YEAR’S DAY

SPEECH AND MY SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT – AND THAT IS, MY

DOOR IS OPEN TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE SERIOUS ABOUT

PARTNERING WITH GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS THE

CHALLENGES FACING OUR COUNTRY.

50
TO CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING WOMEN

AND YOUTH, TO THE CHURCH AND OTHER RELIGIOUS

ORGANISATIONS, MY GOVERNMENT SEEKS A NEW WAY

FORWARD WHERE WE CAN, TOGETHER, BUILD A ZAMBIA

BASED ON STRONG MORAL VALUES.

MAY I NOW TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THOSE

ORGANISATIONS THAT HAVE POSITIVELY RESPONDED TO

MY CALL FOR DIALOGUE.

AMONG OTHERS, THESE INCLUDE:

• THE ZAMBIA CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS (ZCTU);

• FEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS (FFTUZ)

• THE SEVEN UNIONS REPRESENTING PUBLIC SECTOR

WORKERS;

• COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA (CCZ);

51
 • EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP OF ZAMBIA(EFZ); AND

• NON GOVERNMENTAL CO-ORDINATING COUNCIL.

I HAVE LEARNT A LOT FROM THE MEETINGS THAT I HAVE

HELD WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THESE ORGANISATIONS. I

AM PARTICULARLY TOUCHED BY THE MEETING THAT I HAD

WITH THE WOMEN’S MOVEMENT WHOSE LEADERS CAME

OUT IN FULL FORCE TO MEET ME. THEY RAISED MANY

FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES IN AN OPEN AND FRANK MANNER.

ONE CRITICAL ISSUE THAT CAME UP IN MY DISCUSSION

WITH THE WOMEN IS THAT OF THE FALLING MORAL VALUES

IN OUR SOCIETY. I FULLY AGREE WITH THE WOMEN’S

MOVEMENT THAT WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN

AND YOUTH FROM CERTAIN PRACTICES AND ACTIVITIES

THAT ARE ERODING OUR CULTURAL VALUES.

52
FOR EXAMPLE, BARS AND TAVERNS IN THIS COUNTRY OPEN

VERY EARLY AND YOU FIND CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

PATRONISING THESE PREMISES. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT

REQUIRES A NEW LAW TO DEAL WITH. I AM DIRECTING THE

MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING TO

IMMEDIATELY ENFORCE EXISTING BY-LAWS ON BARS AND

TAVERNS IN ORDER TO PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM

FREQUENTING THESE PLACES.

I AM CITING THE EXAMPLE OF THE ISSUE RAISED WITH THE

WOMEN MOVEMENT TO SHOW THAT DIALOGUE PAYS. IN

THIS REGARD, I AM CALLING UPON OTHER GROUPS OR

ORGANISATIONS IN SOCIETY TO EMBRACE DIALOGUE.

53
TO THE MEDIA, MY GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THE

CRITICAL ROLE THAT A FREE MEDIA PLAYS IN A

DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. IN THIS REGARD, WE SHALL

CONTINUE TO UPHOLD MEDIA FREEDOM SO THAT OUR

JOURNALISTS CAN CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN A FREE AND

SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.

HOWEVER, I MUST STRESS THAT THE FREEDOM WHICH THE

MEDIA CURRENTLY ENJOYS IN THIS COUNTRY SHOULD BE

EQUALLY MATCHED WITH RESPONSIBILITY. I CHALLENGE

OUR JOURNALISTS AND OTHER MEDIA PRACTITIONERS TO

EXAMINE THEIR CONSCIENCE, SEEK THE TRUTH AND WORK

TOWARDS PROMOTING HARMONY IN OUR COUNTRY.

54
REGARDING THE ROLE OF THE TRADITIONAL LEADERS, MY

GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEIR ROYAL

HIGHNESSES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO OFFER GOOD LEADERSHIP

TO THEIR SUBJECTS AND CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT.

NOW ALLOW ME TO COMMENT ON THE CONDUCT OF

POLITICS IN THIS COUNTRY. RECENTLY, SOME POLITICAL

LEADERS HAVE EMBRACED POLITICS OF INSULTS, WHICH IS

AGAINST OUR CHERISHED AFRICAN CULTURE. I OPPOSE

POLITICS OF DISRESPECT, VIOLENCE, AND HOOLIGANISM.

55
IT IS SAD THAT MY YOUNG COLLEAGUE, MR. HAKAINDE

HICHILEMA, HAS EMBARKED ON A MISSION TO INSULT ME

EVERY TIME HE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. MORE OR

LESS EVERYDAY, HE HAS INSULTED AND CALLED ME NAMES

FOR NO REASON AT ALL. HE MAY HAVE SOME WESTERN

EDUCATION, BUT I WANT TO REMIND HIM THAT WE LIVE IN

AN AFRICAN SOCIETY WHERE INSULTING ELDERLY PEOPLE IS

CONSIDERED WRONG. I AM NOT SAYING HE SHOULD STOP

CRITISING ME. HE CAN CRITICISE ME, BUT HE DOES NOT

NEED TO USE UNPALATABLE LANGUAGE.

56
MR. HAKAINDE IS AS GOOD AS MY SON AND I WONDER

WHAT SORT OF CULTURE HE WANTS TO BRING TO THIS

COUNTRY WHERE YOU INSULT ELDERS WITHOUT SHAME! I

HAVE ALSO NOTED FROM YESTERDAY’S NEWSPAPERS THAT

THEY ARE NOW CALLING HIM ‘PRINCE COBRA’ WHICH IS BAD

FOR A YOUNG MAN LIKE HIM TO CARRY A NAME THAT IS

FULL OF INSULTS.

AS FOR PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF) LEADER, MR. MICHAEL SATA, I

ALWAYS IGNORE HIS INSULTS FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, I

USUALLY TAKE HIS ATTACKS AND INSULTS AS PART OF THE

USUAL TRADITIONAL COUSINSHIP JOKES BETWEEN THE

BEMBA AND THE NGONI. SECONDLY, HE IS MY AGE-MATE

AND SO I DON’T USUALLY TAKE ISSUE WITH HIS UTTERINGS.

IN FACT, I HAVE KNOWN MR. SATA FOR A LONG-TIME AND

WE ARE TRADITIONAL COUSINS.

57
MY GENERAL APPEAL TO ALL POLITICAL LEADERS IS THAT

LET US LEAVE THE VIOLENT POLITICS OF PERSONAL

ATTACKS, THE POLITICS OF PRIDE AND ARROGANCE AND

THE POLITICS OF SECTARIANISM, EGOTISM, TRIBALISM AND

REGIONALISM BEHIND US. MY LEADERSHIP BUILDS UPON A

LEGACY OF PROGRESSIVE AND PEACEFUL NATIONAL UNITY.

LET ME EMPHASISE THAT MY GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR

MAKING PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS ARE BASED ON MERIT AND

FAIRNESS WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF

TRIBE. YOU CAN LOOK AT THE COMPOSITION OF MY CABINET

AND SEE FOR YOURSELF HOW BALANCED IT IS. SINCE MY

YOUTH, I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN THE MOTTO OF ‘ONE

ZAMBIA, ONE NATION’.

58
CONCLUSION

AS I CONCLUDE, I WANT TO ADDRESS MY COLLEAGUES IN

CABINET, THE DEPUTY MINISTERS, PERMANENT SECRETARIES

AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

IT IS CLEAR THAT MOST OF US HAVE BEEN PUTTING IN OUR

BEST DESPITE THE UNFAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER

WHICH WE ARE OPERATING. I URGE ALL OF YOU TO

CONTINUE WORKING EXTRA HARD SO THAT WE CAN

IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY TO OUR

PEOPLE.

59
HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, APPEALS AND

PETITIONS REACHING ME AND STATE HOUSE ARE AN

INDICATION THAT IN SOME CASES OUR PEOPLE ARE NOT

BEING SERVED OR SERVICED ADEQUATELY. MATTERS THAT

SHOULD BE EASILY RESOLVED IN THE DISTRICTS, OR AT

LEAST AT PROVINCIAL LEVEL, AND, INDEED, IN THE

MINISTRIES, ARE ALL BEING BROUGHT TO THE PRESIDENT.

THIS IS NOT HOW IT SHOULD BE. STATE HOUSE HAS NO

EXPERTS TO ADDRESS THE DIVERSITY OF ISSUES THAT COME

HERE. THE EXPERTS ARE IN THE MINISTRIES.

MY OCTOBER 2008 ELECTION MANDATE IS TO IMPROVE THE

QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY TO ZAMBIANS. I AM

EXPECTING ALL OF YOU TO WORK EXTRA HARD IN ORDER TO

DELIVER ON THIS MANDATE.

60
THOSE NOT WILLING TO SERVE THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE IN A

HUMBLE AND SELFLESS MANNER ARE ENCOURAGED TO

RESIGN. I WILL HAPPILY ACCEPT THEIR RESIGNATIONS.

THOSE WHO DO NOT RESIGN BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO

WORK ACCORDING TO MY AGENDA I WILL LET GO.

ONCE AGAIN, I REPEAT, I WILL LET GO OF THOSE NOT

WILLING TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA HUMBLY AND

DILIGENTLY, ACCORDING TO MY AGENDA.

61
WITH THESE REMARKS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MAY I

TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ANNOUNCE SOME CHANGES I

HAVE TO MY GOVERNMENT.

THANK YOU

GOD BLESS YOU ALL, AND GOD BLESS ZAMBIA

62