AMBASSADOR'S SPEECHES

Remarks by Ambassador Martinez at the Launch Ceremony for the Ministry of Lands Web Site and Computer Training Center

Honorable Minister of Lands, Bradford Machila, MP

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ms. Carol Thompson,

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Bernard Namachila

Distinguished guests,

Friends from the media,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am delighted to be here today as the Ministry of Lands embarks upon an ambitious, but achievable course of reform.  The launching of its web site, opening of its computer training center and introduction of an employee core values statement will transform the way land transactions will take place in Zambia in the future.

Such success does not happen randomly.  It takes visionary, action-oriented, results-based leadership.

Within days of taking office in March, the Honorable Minister Bradford Machila and his senior staff demonstrated such leadership.

They established a set of discrete objectives and mapped a deliberate and clear course to achieve those objectives.  The United States, through the Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Program, stood ready to help realize this vision.

As a nation, the United States embraces reform and reformers.  We design our development assistance programs to capitalize on such targets of opportunity, to bolster champions of change.

With the Ministry’s leadership and our technical and financial support, we are guaranteed quick and substantive progress, as shown here today.

Honorable Minister, I pledge to you that the United States will continue to collaborate and support your vigorous reform agenda.  Much remains to be done, but together, we can realize your vision of a time when land ownership is done transparently and honestly for all Zambians.

Congratulations on this important first step.