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Year-end message from the National Restoration Party (NAREP) Looking beyond 2011: What the PF administration can start to do in its next 90 days in office Zambia faces many challenges ranging from poor healthcare, dilapidated and inadequate infrastructure, limited access to quality education and an economy that is still not meeting the development needs of the majority of the people in spite of its strong performance over the last few years. Tackling these problems will no doubt require long-term focus, energy and vision. There are, however, 3 pressing issues that require a clear, committed and immediate response: (1) unemployment; (2) corruption; and (3) excessive presidential and executive power. Although the fight against corruption has been boosted by the PF administration, there has been a lamentable failure to find a formula for addressing each of these issues in a sustainable manner. But let us first consider how the major event of the last year affected Zambia.

GOOD MORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE MEDIA. IN DECEMBER 2010, A 26 YEAR OLD FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SELLER BY THE NAME OF MOHAMED BOUAZIZI SET HIMSELF ON FIRE IN THE RURAL TOWN OF SIDI BOUZID IN TUNISIA AFTER BEING PUBLICLY HUMILIATED BY A POLICE OFFICER. THIS SEEMINGLY RANDOM ACT OF SELF-INFLICTED VIOLENCE TRIGGERED AN UPRISING THROUGHOUT NORTH AFRICA AND SOME MIDDLE EASTERN NATIONS, THE REPERCUSSIONS OF WHICH ARE BEING FELT EVEN AS WE MEET TODAY. SINCE THAT TIME, GOVERNMENTS IN TUNISIA, LIBYA, YEMEN AND EGYPT HAVE FALLEN IN WHAT HAS COME TO BE KNOWN AS THE ARAB SPRING.

Introduction and Welcome Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the press. I welcome you all to the National Restoration Party (NAREP) press briefing on important issues affecting the nation. Constitution-Making Process

As President of National Restoration Party (NAREP) I am delighted to invite you all to join me in celebrating the anniversary of our launch as a dynamic new political movement in Zambia with a radical vision and people-centred development plans. NAREP was launched on 2 March 2010 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre. One year on we have taken part in 2 by elections and are fielding a candidate with the strongest credentials in the Mporokoso by-election that is scheduled to take place tomorrow 3 March 2011.

Introduction The chairman of today’s proceedings; representatives of foreign missions accredited to Zambia; representatives of political parties in Zambia; distinguished invited guests; the women of Zambia, my fellow youth: welcome.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the National Restoration Party first press briefing by the new democratically elected National Executive Committee after our inaugural convention since NAREP was born on the 2nd of March 2010.