Government is set to erect a second rural printing press in Kasama to facilitate the printing of both vernacular and Daily newspapers.
Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Nyirenda disclosed the development in Kasama when he called on Northern Province Minister Charles Shawa at his office.[quote]
Mr Nyirenda said the printing press which will be under the Zambia News and Information Services was part of government’s programme to take printing facilities closer to the people.
The PS expressed confidence that the setting up of the printing press in the province will encourage local production of newspapers to enhance information dissemination.
He said his office has already started the procurement process of the equipment and appealed to the Provincial administration to assist by ensuring that the plans and bill of quantity for the building are prepared with minimum delays.
And Northern Province Minister Charles Shawa has commended the Government for the initiative saying it will empower the local people with the necessary information.
Mr Shawa said access to timely information was cardinal for people to make informed decisions.
He observed that although there was a lot happening in the province, very little was being captured by the national press.
The Minister has also appealed to the public to change their reading culture if the new facility to be set up by government was to be of any benefit.
He said it worried him a lot to see people using newspapers which contain a lot of useful information as wrapping paper.
Mr Shawa has also urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting services to provide ZANIS with suitable water transport for their Chilubi and Mpulungu offices.
The Minister said Government was concerned with the increasing number of people who are perishing on lake Bangweulu.
He noted that the two water bodies in the province were volatile which required suitable water transport to safeguard lives.
The Permanent Secretary was in the province to lay ground work for the setting up of the second printing press.
ZANIS
Ukulanda calyanguka. Action is something else.
Yapping is all they know. We will see, they talk too much these I.D.I.O.T.S.
Where is Kasma? Sounds moslem.
It is a good idea. And there should be newspaper in brail so that the first item in whatever paper is going to be produced should be on educating these northerners from having children they cannot support so that we decongest streets. Mwewo abemba mwatola misewo niyezamwapanga man’nanda, shyaa.
#3 Splaka, LOL. I like that observation. I took for granted it was my mbuyaz place Kasama yet it is a different place.
But why Kasama?
How many people are going to use the facility if I may ask?
This is just a waste of public resources.
You chaps should give the people proper development which will benefit all and not just a few people.
Oooh! Now I get it- You are preparing for 2011 so that the MMD campaign posters and other literature can be printed locally. We know your tricks.
That PS Emmanuel Nyirenda is day dreaming and has to explain something. Firstly those printing machines for production of provicial dailies will be white elephants. Secondly currently the Ministry has failed to procure printing presses for both Zambia Daily & Times of Zambia, the process has been going for sometime. Thirdly ZNBC is in dire need of modern equipment. Fourthly domestic cameras instead of commercial ones were procured for ZNBC and these wre intiated by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Approval of increased seating allowances for the Board of Directors ZNBC were done by the PS who is part of the Board. It appears this man never learns, he has forgotten what he went through over the procurement of vehicles for media houses in 2001. Lets is be alert at events at MIB.
The first place to receive so called printing machines is Chipata and reliably informed that its non functional. Zambia Printing Company is in dire need of equipment/recapitalization. We do not need those non priority projects coz printing those monthly local language newpapers could be done by either Times Printpak or Zambia Daily Mail or GRZ Printers. Lets us be alert these are some of the projects being initiated to abuse public resources. The other Ronnie was talking of media houses going digital by 2015 or so how can this be achieved when his officials are doing the opposite. Point of correction the domestic cameras were bought for ZANIS an d are not serving their intended purposes. Lets be alert so that our taxes are not abused by a few guys in so called GRZ senior positions. ALERT
Bringing facilities closer to the people, is long overdue. But how close is Kasama to Shangombo or Namushakende? You should set up printing presses in each province not just in our town alone.
GRZ is a joke to me. Its a different way of looting donors’ money. Check their pace.
NeeyUn