(LUSAKATIMES) Govt. sets aside K7.5 billion for creation of tourism zone

Govt. sets aside K7.5 billion for creation of tourism zone
February 6, 2009

Government has set aside K7.5 billion for the creation of the new tourism zone in Livingstone in Southern province.

Vice President George Kunda disclosed this in Livingstone today saying this is in an effort to diversify the country’s economy in the wake of the global financial crisis.

Mr. Kunda said this shortly after his arrival in Livingstone where he is to officiate at the Africa Mining Congress today.

He noted that the creation of the tourism zone in the tourism capital will help diversify the economy in the country.

He also said once the Zimba-Livingstone road is completely rehabilitated, tourism activities would be enhanced in the city.

Government has since set aside K99 billion in this year’s budget for the same road.

And Mr. Kunda has restated President Rupiah Banda’s call on Zambians to produce more food in order to promote domestic food security and encourage exports of the Zambian produced agricultural products.

He said it was important for Zambia to strengthen its agriculture sector, adding that it is government’s policy to diversify this sector.

He said government was confident that the people of Southern province will rise to the challenge of growing more food.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kunda said civil servants were critical in promoting good governance in the country and has since urged them to continue maintaining discipline in order to help implement government’s developmental agenda.

He urged the civil servants in the province to cut down on unnecessary expenditure and warned that government will not tolerate any wastage of public funds.

He said Zambia has continued with its good governance records which have continued to attract donor and investor confidence.

The Vice President said government, under President Banda’s leadership, will continue fighting corruption, which he said is one way through which Zambia can counter effects of the global financial crisis.

Furthermore, Mr. Kunda has urged the MMD in Southern province to unite and recruit more members to make the party even stronger.

He said there is need to further strengthen the party in the province despite the challenges that the province is dominated by an opposition political party.

He however commended the people of Livingstone for voting for President Banda in the October 30th 2008 election.

He urged them not to be complacent because the party needed to be more organised for the 2011 presidential and parliamentary election.

And speaking earlier, Southern province MMD chairperson, Solomon Muzyamba appealed to government to provide more agriculture extension services in the province.

Mr. Muzyamba said agriculture extension services will help people of Southern province to grow more food and contribute to the nation’s food basket.

He has since assured Mr. Kunda that the party in the province and Livingstone has remained stable.

He is accompanied by the Tourism Minister Catherine Namugala and Commerce deputy Minister, Richard Taima.

The Vice President was welcomed at Livingstone International Airport by Mines Minister Maxwell Mwale, Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Darius Hakayobe and senior MMD party officials.

ZANIS/CM/KSH/ENDS