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(DAILY MAIL) New Deal doing fine - Levy

New Deal doing fine - Levy
From Emmerson Muchangwe in Seattle

PRESIDENT Mwanawasa says he is proud of the resounding achievements that the New Deal government has scored during the last five years it has been in office. Dr Mwanawasa told Zambians living in Seattle that he was happy that under his leadership, the economy had achieved a 6.2 per cent annual growth rate and that poverty levels have dropped considerably. He said although a lot more needed to be done in the economy, he felt encouraged that even the inflation rate had dropped to a single digit level.

''We found the economy on its knees but because of our prudent management, we have even managed to drastically reduce the international debt from a frightening US$7 billion to only K500 million,” Dr Mwanawasa said.

He assured the people that he was determined to continue working hard with his Cabinet ministers to do much better during the remaining years of his leadership.

On the constitution-making process, Dr Mwanawasa said his prime interest is to leave a legacy of having given the nation a very good constitution. He has appealed to Zambians to trust him when he says he wants to give the nation a constitution which many people will be happy with and accept it as their own document. ''People should not doubt my credentials to produce a good constitution because I have no more political interest since I am serving my last term as republican President,'' Dr Mwanawasa said.

And speaking during a question and answer session, Dr Mwanawasa described second republican President Frederick Chiluba as a dear colleague who has assisted him in several ways in the past. The President, who was answering a question on how long it would take to dispose of Dr Chiluba's case, said it was not for him to determine when the case would come to an end. He also said it was not even for him to forgive the former President as he is deemed to be innocent until proved guilt.

Earlier, Health minister, Brian Chituwo, said Government was working hard to fight malaria which is still the number one cause of death in Zambia. He said in an effort to reduce malaria cases, a total of 1,500,000 insecticide-treated bed nets had been distributed to families in 15 districts.

The Minister also said more doctors were being attracted to work in rural areas because of the retention scheme introduced by Government.

And Education Minister, Geofrey Lungwangwa, said more high schools were being built across the country as a way of improving the standards of education. Professor Lungwangwa said Zambia is determined to reclaim its position as a centre of educational excellence in the sub-Sahara.

First Lady Maureen and other senior Government officials also accompanied the President who arrived here in Seattle from New York to attend business meetings with renowned business houses such as Microsoft. – ZANIS.

Labels: NEOLIBERALISM

posted by MrK @ 8:43 PM