Zambians today November 2, 2010reflect on the two year reign of the fourth President Rupiah Banda.
Banda took over presidency after the death of the third president Levy Mwanawasa who died on August 19, 2008 won the historic Presidential by election of the southern African nation.
It has been observed that the president has had no clear ‘direct ambition’ linked to him despite claiming continuity from President Mwanawasa’s reign.
Of late, President Rupiah Banda has been criticized for his enormous trips abroad while critics have called President Banda names, accusing him of being the most traveled president of the Africa region.
The state has defended the President’s trips suggesting that the trips have brought about foreign investment while concerns have been that the cost of moving a president was too high and that the President should be able to delegate his ministers at less important meetings.
On the other hand, the MMD government under President Banda has also been criticized for abolishing the Task Force on corruption and further removing the “Abuse of Office” clause from the revised Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Act.
The state has nonetheless praised itself for reducing inflation down to below 8 per cent, and boosted annual export earnings to more than 5.6 billion United States dollars.
Currently the inflation stands at 7.3 percent and has fluctuated between 7 and 10 percent.
Some Economists and civil society organizations’ have also cried foul over government’s stance on the re-introduction of windfall tax on the mines. The President himself has come out public stating that the windfall tax will not be introduced.
In its continued self praise, Jere has said that government through President Banda has successfully guided Zambia through the global recession, and helped the country achieve steady economic growth.
In a statement, Mr. Jere says “President Banda’s passion and drive has resulted in the largest ever maize bumper harvest and steadily decreasing food prices. Zambia recorded a 2.8 million tones maize harvest the largest ever.
On the education front, President Banda in the two year reign outlines government’s training of 12,500 teachers with 87 new schools constructed and 12 new districts Hospitals commissioned.
It is being awaited to see results of whether people are pleased with his reign as the country goes to the polls next year for both presidential and parliamentary positions.
Ends……DRY

---