By MICHELO HIMAAMBO –

VICE-PRESIDENT Inonge Wina has said the newly-created ministry of National Development Planning is now operational and has embarked on a new focus to diversify the economy under a transformative agenda.
Ms Wina said Zambia’s socio-economic growth was dependent on the diversification process across all sectors given the current global trends, which were highly competitive.
The Vice-President said this yesterday at a Press briefing to inform the public on the progress made following the creation of the ministry.
Ms Wina, who outlined a number of development activities the country would undertake, said the Government would carry forward the consultative process before coming up with development priorities for the Seventh National Development Plan.
“Given the current global trends, national development planning will not be easy because the world today has become more competitive while recent global economic developments have made future global economic prospects less inspiring,” she said.
Ms Wina said it was important that a new paradigm was embarked upon with a focus on diversifying the economy under a transformative agenda.
“The ministry will galvanise the support of diverse players to benefit from their expertise on how we will diversify our economy.
“Therefore, national planning progress will attract a variety of experts in various fields to help in re-engineering the country’s development process with a view to be more dynamic and reap dividends from the much-talked-about potential that Zambia has in agriculture,” the Vice-President said.
She said working with stakeholders would help to effectively unlock the country’s resource potential, adding that land was a critical factor that could help accelerate economic development if put to good use.
Ms Wina said the ministry would work closely with chiefs in enhancing land management so that land use could be done in a systematic and well-structured manner to reinforce economic and social development.
“The ministry will bring in key partners in ensuring that ICT is effectively utilised in ensuring that good fiduciary standards are upheld by spending agencies and minimise on abuse of resources,” she said.
Ms Wina also said combating climate change would be one of the priority areas of focus in the planning process of the ministry.
She called on all citizens to have a change of mindset in order to achieve meaningful development.
Ms Wina said President Edgar Lungu had underscored the need for everyone to embrace a smart Zambia approach, which was only feasible if everyone transformed in the way everyone perceived the environment, cultural traits and behaviours.