The Zambia Water and Sanitation Alliance, ZWASA, has urged government to speed up the re-introduction of the NGO Bill with a few amendments in the current sitting of parliament for subsequent enactment into law.
Executive Director Derick Mushitu says ZWASA has carefully studied the NGO Bill that was temporarily withdrawn from parliament in the last sitting to allow for further consultation.
He said the organisation has no problem with government having some regulatory function in the operations of NGOs as proposed in the Bill.
In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mushitu further said the law should regulate the NGOs as they cannot do so in a manner that would make them contribute positively to the living standards of the people.
Mushitu said NGOS are there to complement government efforts in service delivery to the people.
He observed with regret however at the moment only international NGOS were truly adding value
to the lives of the people of Zambia.
Mushitu also appealed to religious organisations registered in the country to work towards the improvement of living standards of the local communities in the areas where they operate.
He also disclosed that ZWASA will soon meet borehle drilling companies operating in Zambia to discuss how they can contribute to the alleviation of water problems especially in Lusaka.
Mushitu said this is one way the companies can plough back something for the benefit of local communities.
The organisation has also appealed to Mps and councillors to ensure that a large percentage of the Constituency Development is devoted to community projects aimed at improving water supply and sanitation in the communities.
It is not possible to have a new constitution this year, says AVAP
It is not possible to have a new constitution this year, says AVAP. Lusaka, February 8, ZANIS – The Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has called on the opposition parties to desist from advocating for a new constitution before the 2006 tripartite elections.Derick Mushitu has applauded the government for agreeing to adopt the new constitution through a Constituent Assembly
Any organisation that is not funded by tax payers money could be called an NGO. Hence I find this attempt for the govt to control every organisation as a sheer waste of time and resources.
NGOs are set up for a purpose and time line. They are not here indefinitely. Why set up laws to regulate an NGO campaigning for a new school? They will not be there after the school has been built.
I think there is need for a law to control and audit these NGOs. Looks like every ***** that has failed to earn a living in a dignified way just cook up some crisis or take advantage of one form an NGO and get money from the Donors and live a lavish life. Why do NGOs need IPODs and 3G cell phones for? And talk about all those expensive 4X4. They just seem to pretend to help the poor and yet suck all the cash intended fro the poor. I fully support this bill and the sooner it some the better.
Zambia has lost it again. Dr. Patrick Nyendwa is no more. He past away on Monday in WORCESTER— Massachusetts. Sudden death just as he was beginning a new chapter in his life after he was recently issued his license to practice medicine in Massachusetts and was scheduled to begin work at the Worcester Internal Medicine Center. He had returned here last year after 13 years in Zambia to be with his family.
He died Monday after a brief illness. He was a 1968 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross. He received his medical degree from the Type University of Zambia and completed his internal medicine and cardiology training and fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he worked from 1979 until 1992. A new beginning is cut short
Dr. Nyendwa, 64, leaves his wife, Cecilia, a son, Chisenga, a student at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and three daughters, Musonda and Chanda, who both graduated from Holy Cross in 2005, and Anita, a student at Clark University.
Dr. Nyendwa served as a personal physician to three presidents of Zambia, including current President Levy P. Mwanawasa and his predecessor, Fredrick Chiluba.
“He led a life of giving,†said Dr. Boniface Kawimbe, a childhood friend. “He gave a lot more than received.â€
“He was a shining example in our country,†said Newstead L. Zimba, acting ambassador from the Republic of Zambia. “To be a doctor takes a lot of time to train — most developing countries do not have doctors in his specialty.â€
In addition to caring for the presidents, Dr. Nyendwa served in several Zambian hospitals from 1992 until 2006, including the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, where he was named managing director in 1998.
Dr. Nyendwa also served on the National Sports Council of Zambia, the Medical Council of Zambia and the Zambia National Formulary Committee. He was chairman of the board of directors for Our Lady’s Hospice for AIDS patients.
Dr. Nyendwa had many students at both the University Teaching Hospital and at UMass, and he made sure that they all learned what was expected. On a personal level, Dr. Nyendwa was described as a very patient man, who made time for his patients and for his family. “I never met anybody as patient as Patrick,†Dr. Kawimbe recalled. “He must have had tremendous self-control. I never remember him losing his temper.â€
As a country and friends, we have all lost it again.
Sad news fact MHSRIP. We will remember him and his services to the nation and the wrold.
What a great teacher we have lost!! The ugly hands of death have again robbed us of a rare, talented medic species. My heartfelt sympathy to the family.
Rest in peace Doc.
From colleague-loyola university medical center, chicago.
What can we say?, pafwa bantu pashala bantu MHSRIP. Lets move on debating the topic at hand.
It seems wrong to me for the government to meddle in the affairs of NGOs when they (NGOs) are funded by foreign donors and NOT government. Anyone operating in Zambia is already regulated by the existing laws. Jealousy is a bad thing. If someone has managed to convince the Norwegians that his organisation deserves their support then I say good luck to them. NGOs do valuable work. If they did not attract that money into Zambia, it would only be spent in other countries.
Well said #15, but they need be regulated.A very good cause they serve at the sametime being abused by a few, hence a law is needed.Some are losing valuable income coz of the few who abuse NGOs for siphoning forex for personal purposes.
Iwe ka Fact, this is not the fora for natubalondole,imbila yabulanda iya mushita shimoshimo tulaponenua namasanso or ifyapano nsonde.What kind of erosion is taking place in your head?Stick to the topic walaba shani? Coming to the NGOs, they are supposed to work hand in hand with the govt and reach a hand where govt can’t reach but these NGOs are all in Lusaka behaving like political parties.They them go to Shangombo and teach pipo how to use a computer.