The North-Western Province holds the key to the future of Zambia as it has more than enough natural resources to improve the lives of Zambians, acting President, Rupiah Banda, has said.

Mr Banda said at Zambezi airstrip yesterday on arrival for a five-day tour of the province that North-Western Province was the future for Zambia and once elected, he intended to continue with its development, following the policies of the late president Mwanawasa.

"North-Western has large quantities of copper, uranium and gold. North-Western Province has more resources than we need to improve the lives of our people. When you elect me as president I intend to follow the policies of the late president," he said.

Mr Banda was accompanied by Provincial Minister, Kenneth Chipungu, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Mike Mulongoti, Community Development and Social Services Minister, Catherine Namugala and Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister, Benny Tetamashimba.

Thanking the province for making the difference in the 2006 elections when it seemed like the opposition had taken the vote, he commended the people of North-Western Province for not being gullible.

Appealing to the people of North Western Province to continue working hard, he said there was need to educate the children as they would be needed in future for the development of Zambia.

Mr Chipungu said people of North Western Province had already resolved to vote for Mr Banda as he was the only democratically elected presidential candidate.

MMD provincial chairman, James Katoka said the North-Western Province would do it again on October 30 after giving Dr Mwanawasa more than 95 per cent votes during the 2006 general elections.

Mr Banda, who today attends the Likumbi Lya Mize ceremony of the Luvale people, is on a five-day tour of the province, which would take him to all seven districts.

On Monday, he will launch the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund in Solwezi.