PATRIOTIC Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata, has said he will not be distracted from his vision to lead and improve the lives of Zambians by former president, Kenneth Kaunda's support for MMD candidate, Rupiah Banda.

Reacting to Dr Kaunda's support for Mr Banda, and comments that Mr Sata could not make a good president, the PF leader said the statement was expected as the two were related.

"Mr Rupiah Banda is Dr Kenneth Kaunda's brother-in-law. He is the cousin of Mama Betty Kaunda. They are one family and you don't expect Dr Kaunda to support anybody else in this race," he said.

Formally receiving a six bedroomed house that the Government had built for him, Dr Kaunda said in Lusaka on Saturday that Mr Sata could have made a good minister but lacked the qualities of a president.

But Mr Sata said he would, in fact, make a better president than Dr Kaunda because of his background. He said Dr Kaunda did not have enough experience to lead the country when he assumed power in 1964.

"I have massive experience having served the Government at various levels," said Mr Sata who worked as Lusaka district governor under Dr Kaunda before he was appointed as a Cabinet minister under Dr Frederick Chiluba.

Mr Sata expressed confidence that despite Dr Kaunda campaigning against him less than a month before the elections, he would win and form the next government.

He said if elected President of Zambia, his first task would be to reverse the poverty levels in the country and open up rural areas by improving the road network and provide other vital infrastructure.

"This country has a lot of resources but most of the money is being misapplied. We shall use the abundant resources available to change the face of our rural areas and reduce the poverty levels among Zambians," he said.

Mr Sata said Zambians should not continue wallowing in poverty when the country was endowed with massive natural resources.

And addressing a public rally in Kawambwa, Mr Sata pledged to reduce maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS by improving the conditions of service for health workers and making the fight against poverty a priority.

Mr Sata said at the rally aired live on Hot FM Radio in Lusaka yesterday, that poverty and unemployment were a driving force for HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

He also pledged to fully finance Church-run health institutions to ensure that they adequately serviced the people.

Mr Sata said that he would use the local youth to work on the roads while foreign contractors, like those from China, would only provide the expertise through supervision.

He said he would also restore dignity to the traditional rulers, some of whom he said had no accommodation and other facilities. He said that he would re-introduce the system of sub-chiefs so that the chiefs were not overwhelmed with the responsibility.