Pilate Ngoma and Julius Phiri
17 December 2008
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has called on opposition political party leaders not to politicise mealie meal prices.
Speaking on a special programme on Breeze FM Radio in Chipata yesterday, Mr Banda said the current global financial crisis had impacted negatively on Zambia and other countries worldwide.
Mr Banda said the Government had put measures in place by importing maize and offloading more stocks on the market from Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to stabilise the price of the staple food.
He called on Zambians to reject any opposition political leader who wanted to incite violence and anarchy in the country in the name of peaceful demonstrations.
Mr Banda reiterated that Government would not allow people to demonstrate over the mealie meal prices as allowing that could compromise peace and security of the nation.
The president also said the impact of the global financial crisis would be felt by Zambians because the Zambian economy was dependent on the mines and mineral prices on the world market have plummetted.
He said the presidential election was over and urged all Zambians to work together in harmony and peace so as to develop the country.
Mr Banda called on Zambians to brace for difficult times ahead but assured that the Government would do everything possible to cushion the impact.
He regretted the problems at Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) but assured that Government would find ways to keep the jobs of the affected miners.
Mr Banda said the Government, as a matter of urgency, would manage LCM to keep production going while looking for another partner who would run the mine.
"Government has to find ways to keep the jobs of the people. Government will ensure that it keeps the company going for the time being as it looks for a strategic permanent partner who will keep the production going," he said.
He said one of the solutions to the problem was for Zambia to diversify its economy to tourism and agriculture.
Mr Banda said Northern Province had great potential for tourism and the Government would do everything possible to open it up for tourism activities.
Mr Banda also commended the people of Eastern Province for giving him a massive vote in the just ended presidential election.
He also urged the media to report responsibly and fairly by publishing the truth all the time.
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