Minister of National Development Planning Lucky Mulusa says the goal of the 7NDP is to attain inclusive wealth for all which can be achieved through creation of a diversified and resilient economy.

And Lusaka Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe says the 7NDP signifies another road map towards actualization of the vision 2030 which seeks to transform Zambia into a prosperous middle income state.

Speaking at the launch of the provincial dissemination exercise of the Seventh National Development Plan, which has been formulated around the theme ‘accelerating development efforts towards vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind’, Mulusa said the 7NDP was an important milestone towards the attainment of Zambia’s vision 2030.

“The theme clearly reflects government’s commitment to the attainment of inclusive wealth for all. We believe that attaining inclusive wealth for all can be best achieved through the creation of a diversified and resilient economy which is vital for sustained higher growth and socio-economic development. This has been crafted as the goal of the 7NDP. The 7NDP is an important milestone towards the attainment of Zambia’s vision 2030 in which we aspire to become a prosperous middle-income nation by that year,” Mulusa said.

“In order to realize resilience and economic diversification, it is necessary to identify the country’s economic potential, competitiveness and comparative advantages. This can only be achieved my recognizing the potential regions like Lusaka province possess, harnessing this potential and integrating its contributions towards achieving collective wealth creation. We aim to identify national development strategic areas within Lusaka and surrounding regions.”

Mulusa noted that the 7NDP would only fail if it did not receive support.

“Further government has developed a national performance framework which will assist implementing institutions to logically link development programs in a manner that will lead to the realisation of the vision 2030. Cluster sector ministries as well as respective provinces are cardinal in implementing the plan. It must be noted that if we are fragmented in approach or lack appreciation for the 7NDP and its tenets, then we will achieve minimal results or fail altogether,” said Mulusa who refused to have side interviews with journalists after the event.

And Mwakalombe said the 7NDP must not remain a dream but a vehicle for changing lives.

“I am informed that the formulation of the 7NDP involved wide consultation of various stakeholders at district, provincial and national levels. This occasion is special because it signifies the beginning of yet another road map towards the actualization of the 2030 which seeks to transform Zambia into a prosperous middle income state. The focus pillars in the 7NDP is reducing poverty and vulnerability in the country, it is important that we do all we can to make this a reality,” said Mwakalombe.

“Good governance entails inclusiveness and facilitating the participation of citizens in national building. I therefore urge technocrats to take responsibility and ensure that this plan does not simply remain a dream but a vehicle for changing lives.”