Namaacha — The General Secretary of Mozambique's ruling Frelimo Party, Filipe Paunde, is touring Maputo province to assess the degree of compliance with the government's Economic and Social Plan (PES) for 2008, and to urge citizens to increase production, particularly of foodstuffs.

Speaking to AIM on Tuesday in the town of Namaacha, on the border with Swaziland, Paunde said it was only by increasing production that Mozambique would be able to overcome the present international food crisis.

Paunde said he intended to meet with Frelimo and government bodies, with businesses and with social organisations in Namaacha, Boane, Manhica and Matola. "We will be assessing the degree of compliance with the PES and urging the public and all those involved in the struggle against poverty to increase production", he declared. "This is a task not just for the government, but for everybody".

He insisted that Mozambique must make use of its good soil, its water resources and its human potential to produce the food it needs for domestic consumption, rather than relying on ever more expensive imports Paunde was pleased with the reports he has received from Maputo province, which suggest considerable economic growth.

In the political area, Paunde said that Frelimo is in good health in the province, as seen by the recruitment of 16,000 new members in less than a year. "Our members are preparing for victory (in the forthcoming elections)", he said. "We have always been and remain committed to hard work, because we are committed to raising living standards and guaranteeing the welfare of the public".

Paunde added that he will be informing people at the rallies he plans to address that, in order to vote for the municipal elections scheduled for 19 November, they must be registered. A further phase of voter registration will be held across the country between 6 July and 4 August.