Bennet Simbeye
10 October 2008
GOVERNMENT intends to exploit the vast mineral deposits in Luapula and turn the province into another mining giant.
Addressing a rally in Mwansabombwe yesterday, acting President, Rupiah Banda said the Government was determined to ensure that Luapula also became a large producer of minerals like North-Western Province.
He said the copper that was mined elsewhere was also present in Luapula and that he could not understand why the mineral had not been exploited.
If elected, he would work hard to open up the province and bring in investors in both mining and tourism.
Mr Banda said every generation had a challenge and that his vision and that of other Government leaders was to make Zambia grow and reduce poverty.
"Luapula Province has great potential because of the abundant minerals, water and many other natural resources," he said.
He said it was important to fully exploit the resources to reduce poverty.
Mr Banda said the MMD was the only democratic party as seen in the manner in which he and other party members contested for the presidential candidacy.
He said people should not be cheated by opposition leaders that they would form a better government when they did not even have the majority members of Parliament.
He said he was best suited for the presidency especially that many people had endorsed his candidature, among them traditional rulers and Church organisations.
Mr Banda said the electorate should not waste their votes but instead vote for a person who would provide answers to the numerous problems the country was facing.
At the same rally, United Liberal Party president Sakwiba Sikota, National Democratic Front leader, Ben Mwila and former vice-president, Nevers Mumba urged the people of Luapula Province to vote for Mr Banda.
They said Mr Banda was the only one capable of providing the necessary governance because of the MMD has majority MPs in Parliament.
Earlier, Mr Banda called on Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe and held a closed-door meeting before addressing a well-attended rally at Kabumbu Basic School grounds in Mwansabombwe.
During the same rally, Mr Banda introduced Mable Kamangala as the candidate for the Mwansabombwe parliamentary by-election.
Provincial Minister Chrispine Musosha urged Mr Banda to be bold and not to be threatened by detractors.
Mr Musosha said Mr Banda shared late president Levy Mwanawasa's vision in ensuring development for Luapula Province.
He was speaking at the airport when he welcomed Mr Banda on his campaign tour of the province.
He cited the Levy Mwanawasa Bridge and the palm oil scheme as some of the projects that had inspired support for Dr Mwanawasa and Mr Banda in the region.
"We are happy that the Government has supported the province in the tourism development programme as evidenced by the holding of the World Tourism Day commemoration in Samfya," he said.
Mr Musosha also commended the acting President for refusing to endorse salary increments for constitutional office holders and the reduction in fuel prices.
Today, Mr Banda is expected to attend the Kwanga traditional ceremony of the Ng'umbo people and later address a rally in Nchelenge.
Tomorrow, he will officially commission the Levy Mwanawasa Bridge at Chembe.
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