ACTING President, Rupiah Banda has said the Government is determined to adhere to prudent economic policies to mitigate poverty levels among the people.

Mr Banda said in his national address yesterday that the hard-earned economic strides made under late president Levy Mwanawasa's administration had been appreciated by the international community.

"Agriculture remains one of the key priority sectors of the economy. We shall continue to implement the policies and programmes of our departed president, Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa," he said.

He said the Government would continue with the fertiliser support programme.

To increase land for commercial agriculture, Mr Banda said the Government would maintain the current programme of opening up farm blocs while irrigation would be enhanced.

He assured the foreign mining investors in the country that there would be no

departure from the current policies and said the investors on their part had reiterated their commitment to their investments in Zambia.

On oil explorations, Mr Banda said the Government would continue investigating the possibility of oil and gas in various parts of the country.

He noted that fuel prices in Zambia were higher than in other countries in the region and directed Finance Minister, Ng'andu Magande and Energy and Water Development Minister, Kenneth Konga to examine the matter with a view to reducing the prices of fuel.

Mr Banda, who is the MMD candidate for the forthcoming presidential by-election, said Dr Mwanawasa wanted to see the majority of Zambians participate in the economy and the Government would remain committed to various projects initiated in that vein.

In tourism, Mr Banda said that the sector would continue occupying the central stage and developments would continue being pursued through public and private investments to transform Zambia into a unique tourist destination.

He said the Government would continue implementing policies that would enhance the public service management.

"Following the tenet of collective responsibility, we shall continue to pursue all policies and development programmes initiated by our late president.

"Let us all together in unity and with fortitude preserve the peace and stability that our country has continued to enjoy since independence," he said.

Mr Banda said the Government would continue upholding the principles of good governance and the rule of law to enhance freedoms and rights of citizens.

He said the Government would continue providing conducive policy, legal and institutional frameworks for the development of the media and that the media law reforms would continue.

Mr Banda said the Constitution-making process would continue to its logical conclusion as espoused in the National Constitutional Conference Act.