16 November 2009
LUAPULA Member of Parliament Peter Machungwa has described President Banda's rule for the past one year as successful.
Dr Machungwa said yesterday that President Banda took over the country during difficult times, which involved the funeral of the late president Levy Mwanawasa, the Presidential by-election and the world economic meltdown.
He said President Banda managed to bring the country back on track in the midst of the global economic recession which also affected Zambia.
He said it was under President Banda's reign that the country maintained the fuel prices which were reduced a year ago.
The various development projects in the country which include the construction of schools, health sector, improved agriculture system and roads, coupled with the unity that the president had managed to promote in the country, were testimony that he had managed to deliver on the promise.
He said there was need to give appreciation where it was due and that undue criticism would not help take this country anywhere.
"President Banda deserves a pat on the back for having managed to drive the country back on track after taking over during a difficult period," Dr Machungwa said.
He said Zambians should also be reminded that President Banda took it upon himself to lead a delegation of other ministers and other Government officials to negotiate for the re-opening of the Luanshya Mine by engaging new investors.
Dr Machungwa said when the mine was closed due to the economic recession, several miners were left in the cold but President Banda's Government managed to secure a new investor, resulting in the reinstatement of the miners in Luanshya.
"Some people even decided to politicise the issue of Luanshya Mine but President Banda called for calm among Luanshya residents until a new investor was found. Now the miners in Luanshya are back at work. Those are some of the issues people should appreciate," Dr Machungwa said.
Dr Machungwa also called for responsible reporting by the media and avoid weakening the Presidency by criticising the president's trips abroad where he was representing the country.
He was disappointed with the kind of language being used against the president in some sections of the media and wondered which president in the world did not attend assignments abroad.
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