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KCM refutes allegations that it has fired all employees aligned to opposition political parties

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Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has said that it has become aware of an unfounded report circulating in some sections of the media alleging that the company’s Provisional Liquidator (PL) Milingo Lungu has fired all employees aligned to opposition political parties.

The said report also cites some employees as victims and claims that, “several Patriotic Front (PF) leaders and councilors have been left to cross over to the restructured KCM.”

In a statement released to the media the Company said that it refutes these allegations with the contempt it deserves and wishes to put on record that there is no political inclination in the restructuring and reorganisation of KCM. The objective of the process is to increase efficiency and optimize operations, and not to target any individuals for whatever reason may be perceived elsewhere.

The ongoing re-organization exercise is aimed at leveraging the available human resources for maximum productivity. Like in any industrial restructuring, the re-engagements of the employees is labor requirement driven. Management respects the principles of freedom to contract and offer employment to the best required skilled individuals.

Some employees have voluntarily opted not to continue with employment in the new subsidiary companies namely KCM SmelterCo Limited and Konkola Mineral Resources Limited to pursue other interests, and management cannot force them to accept the offer of employment.

“Therefore, the allegations are both unfounded and misleading to all stakeholders, and are intended to discredit the Provisional Liquidator and the management, “the statement concluded.

Fr. Laston Lupupa should unreservedly apologize to Zambians for abusing the pulpit-Kangwa Chileshe

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Catholic Priest, Fr. Laston Lupupa should unreservedly apologize to Zambians for abusing the pulpit to propagate the agenda of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), says UPND Religious Affairs Committee Deputy Chairperson for Politics, Pastor Kangwa Chileshe.

In a recent video that has drawn widespread condemnation from the Church, academia and the general public, Fr. Lupupa is heard telling a church gathering that “it is better to rig elections (12th August, 2021) than to allow someone (HH) to form government”.

And Pastor Kangwa, who says he has great respect for the Catholic Church, lambasted Fr. Lupupa for desecrating the Word of God and for failing to stick to his fatherly role of preaching peace, love, unity and co-existence

“As a Priest; as a clergy man…his is supposed to be a fatherly role…one of uniting the country; one of preaching love, unity and one of preaching dialogue and reconciliation. It is sad that Fr. Lupupa has chosen to abuse the pulpit to preach words that are inflamable,” stated Pst. Kangwa.

Meanwhile, Kangwa, a who wondered whether Fr. Lupupa’s insinuations and attacks on the Constitution was a result of the excitement euphoria that usually characterise sermons from congregants, asked him to retract his statement and apologize to Zambians.

“Sometimes, preaching and people apllauding creates euphoria but we are hoping that the Father will retract his statement and not cause divisions as Zambia belongs to all of us. Therefore, we pray that the Father will retract his statement, ” he said.

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo jumps on the PF wagon defending Fr. Lupupa

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Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has defended Catholic Priest Fr. Lastone Lupupa after many condemned his recent sermon which has gone viral.

In a brief video, Fr. Lupupa of Matero Parish is heard saying; “it’s better for us to rig an election than allow some people to govern”.

Fr. Lupupa’s sermon was apparently about love and forgiveness.

But in a Facebook post, Mr Lusambo said it is hypocritical for some UPND members to stage online protests about a 45 second clip showing Fr. Lupupa, addressing his flock about a leader he feels should rule the country.

Mr Lusambo has since likened some United Party for National Development (UPND) condemning Father Lastone Lupupa to the Romans who crucified Jesus at Golgotha.

He said the same right that UPND members seek to enjoy to freely condemn another person’s opinion is the same one they should allow Father Lupupa to enjoy and freely hold an opinion and freely express it.

Mr Lusambo, who is also Kabushi Member of Parliament said no matter how one feels about the remarks, Father Lupupa, just like 18 million Zambians should be allowed to hold his opinion and be free to share it.

“If UPND members choose to condemn Father Lupupa, they should also condemn their leader Hakainde Hichilema for his role in privatization which has claimed people’s lives and almost turned Copperbelt into a ghost region.”

“By calling for Father Lupupa’s head, the UPND members are behaving like the Romans who crucified Jesus Christ at Golgotha,” reads the post in parts.

Below is the full statement issued by Hon. Lusambo

THE CRUCIFIXION OF FR. LUPUPA, SJ

Over the recent years, we have seen a rise in cultic behavior from members of the UPND. These cultic tendencies were introduced by Hakainde Hichilema just when he ascended to the helm of the party in 2006. Cultism in the UPND has now become so entrenched that even its own Members of Parliament do not have minds of their own. UPND MPs have been reduced to dunderheads whose job is to parrot Mr Hichilema’s thoughts.

Further, the coming in of Mr Hichilema in Zambian politics saw the rearing of the ugly head of tribal politics. Mr Hichilema and his supporters publicly declared that the great Anderson Kambela Mazoka could only be succeeded by a Tonga and with Mr Hichilema’s stay in politics, we have seen the despicable regional voting become almost acceptable, case in point; Dundumwezi 2016.

With Mr Hichilema heading the UPND, the party has become bloodthirsty. The proclamation of Mapatizya Formula has never been undone by Mr Hichilema and has since been adopted as the official UPND policy position and we have seen it implemented fully during several by elections.

It is therefore hypocritical for some UPND members to stage online protests about a 45 second clip showing Fr Lastone Lupupa, SJ addressing his flock about a leader he feels should rule his beloved country, Zambia. The same right that UPND members seek to enjoy to freely condemn another person’s opinion is the same one they should allow Fr. Lupupa to enjoy and freely hold an opinion and freely express it.

No matter how one feels about the remarks, Fr. Lupupa, just like 18 million Zambians should be allowed to hold his opinion and be free to share it.

However, what I find nauseating is that the same UPND members who openly support characters like Seer 1 to degrade the image of Zambia, freely insult the Head of State and wish death and calamity on the Republic are the ones throwing tantrums over Fr. Lupupa’s words.

To the UPND, when Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu declares that there will be bloodshed after August elections and when Bishop Mambo openly insults national leaders, you refer to them as men of God who love Zambia but when Fr. Lupupa declares that a Zambian President ought to humble oneself, love God’s people more and preach love and denounce violence, then he has committed a crime and should be crucified. That is the highest level of hypocrisy and double standards shamelessly at play.

Between Seer 1 and Fr. Lupupa, I believe Fr. Lupupa has a well-defined Locus Standi to openly discuss merits and demerits of a Zambian President. The other one is an imposter, a fraud, a fugitive who should stay away from all things Zambian.

The Holy Book in John 8 v 7 instructs us that, “The one sinless among you, let him cast the first stone at her.” It is clear that the UPND wants to take issue with Fr. Lupupa because he served them their medicine and they have discovered that it is actually bitter.

If UPND members choose to condemn Fr. Lupupa, they should also condemn Mr Hichilema for his role in privatization which has claimed people’s lives and almost turned Copperbelt into a ghost region. They should also start online petitions condemning their use of violence in politics and their open practice of tribalism.

By calling for Fr. Lupupa’s head, the UPND members are behaving like the Romans who crucified Jesus Christ at Golgotha.

HH’s aides charged over alleged NRC fraud

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UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema’s special assistants Anthony Bwalya and Mubita Nawa have been jointly arrested for Forgery, Uttering false document and for being in possession of property believed to have been stolen or feloniously obtained.

Also jointly charged and arrested is Dorothy Mukutusha, former Luapula Provincial registrar, Edger Maluba, stores officer and Graham Halumamba accountant for one count of theft by public servant in which they are alleged to have stolen 1500 NRCs valued at K3, 840.

This is alleged to have occured between 10th January, 2019 and 07th May, 2019 between Lusaka and Mansa.

“Whereas Mubita Nawa, a motivation speaker and Anthony Bwalya, a business man have been jointly jointly charged with offences of
1. Forgery
2. Uttering a false document and
3. Found in possession of property believed to have been stolen or feloniously obtained. This is suspected to have occurred between
10th January, 2019 and 18th October, 2020,” a statement from Police Spokeswoman Esther Katongo read.

All the accused persons have been granted police bond and are scheduled to appear before court on 15th February, 2021 in Mansa where they have been charged from.

Nkana Jump Four Places After Beating Nkwazi

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Nkana on Thursday jumped four places up the FAZ Super Division log following a 2-0 away win at Nkwazi in Lusaka.

The defending FAZ Super Division champions victory was their second on the trot following last Sundays 4-0 home win over struggling promoted side Young Green Eagles in Kitwe.

Emmanuel Mwiinde scored the opener in the 17th minute to record his second goal in as many games as after getting one on his debut against Young Eagles.

Ackim Mumba sealed the three points in stoppage time of the 90 minutes to send Nkana from 12th to 8th on 20 points, five points behind leaders Zanaco.

Nkwazi, on the other hand, stay put at number ten with 19 points.

Nkana are on the road again this Sunday but make a very short trip to Ndola to play 6th placed Buildcon who are two points ahead of them.

Fr. Lupupa’s sermon was on governance, it’s not targeted at any individual or Political Party-Sunday Chanda

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The Ruling Patriotic Front has expressed shock that the UPND is agitated by Fr. Lupupa’s sermon on governance when his message was general and not targeted at any individual or political party.

Featuring on 5 FM Radio’s ‘Burning Issue’ program Thursday Morning, Mr. Chanda said Fr. Lupupa’s message should not be trivialized by UPND but should be understood in its broad context. He said what the priest implied was that Zambia did not require a divisive leader but one who preaches unity and peace.

“Father Lupupa’s core message as I understand it was him speaking to the heart of a leader and what type of leader, what type of person should be in Statehouse, and he qualifies it by saying that a person who is aspiring for leadership and a person who aspires to be President should not be driven by bitterness and should not be driven by vengeance,” he stated.

He wondered why UPND was attacking the innocent priest when they have in the recent past cheered whenever Archbishop Telesphor Mpundu and Chief Mukuni on several platforms engaged in active politics attacking and insulting the government and the Ruling Party.

“He didn’t mention anyone’s name, where I come from “batila Imbila yamushi tabayasukila” (you don’t respond to a message that is not targeted at you.) So why are our colleagues in UPND up in arms about father Lupupa’s message?” said. Mr. Chanda.

He said God will never allow a divisive person to lead the nation unless his sore purpose is punishment.

“God will never allow a dangerous person to become President unless he wants to punish the nation, what wrong have we done to deserve a dangerous leader who is going to divide and bring confusion to set the nation ablaze ?” He questioned.

He said PF will not engage in the politics of INSULTS especially those targeted at traditional leaders and the church. He said the party will always respect divergent views even those that it does not agree with.

He said that is the reason why President Edgar Lungu has always been tolerant.

Asked on whether he will contest the KANCHIBIYA Parliamentary seat in the forthcoming elections in August, Mr. Chanda said he was working and seeking counsel from the incumbent MP Dr. Martin Malama, but was quick to mention that adoptions were a preserve of the Central Committee.

He has since commended Zambians for entrusting President Edgar Lungu with the mandate to lead and transform the nation as evidenced by several developmental projects .

Constitutional Court rules councillors who tender in notice of resignation cannot retract their notice of resignation

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The Constitutional Court has this morning ruled that councillors who tender in notice of resignation cannot retract their notice of resignation.

This is in a matter in which Governance Activist, Isaac Mwanza, had sued the Electoral Commission of Zambia and the Attorney General over the failure to conduct by-elections inwards were councillors had resigned but later retracted their resignation.

Mr Mwanza had argued that the ECZ had engaged in double standards in the implementation of the Constitutional provision by conducting a by election in Sinda District when a UPND councillor had resigned but retracted the resignation while refusing to conduct a by election in other areas.

Delivering the Judgement on behalf the Court, Judge Palan Mulonda said the rescission of a councillor’s decision to resign is a substantive issue.

The Court said the absence of express provision being made in the Constitution to that effect entails that a councillor has no option to rescind the decision to resigns with the notice period.

The Court has however determined that the resignation of a councillor takes effect at the end of the notice period of 30 days.

“In concluding, as Article 157(2)(b) of the Constitution does not provide for rescission of a councillor’s notice of resignation before the lapse of the notice period of 30 days, the second and third question put to us become otiose,” said the Court.

And Mr. Mwanza has welcomed the decision by the Court as sound.

“We shall now engage the Attorney General to ensure that those councillors who had resigned but purported to have withdrawn their resignations vacate their seats forthwith and repay any monies they could have collected from Councils and Government,” he said.

Local authorities failed to remit statutory obligations including taxes to ZRA-Auditor General

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LOCAL authorities failed to remit statutory obligations including taxes to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and membership contributions to NAPSA amounting to a combined K1.7 billion over the two financial years of 2018 and 2019, says the Auditor General.

According to the latest Auditor General’s Report on the Audit of Accounts of Local Authorities for the financial years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, all 60 local authorities countrywide failed to remit statutory obligations, including taxes to the ZRA and membership contributions to NAPSA, amounting to a combined K1.7 billion over the two financial years of 2018 and 2019.

“The Report has revealed failure to remit statutory obligations as the highest irregularity at K1,693,684,384; failure to settle staff obligations at K276,689,804 and failure to collect revenue at K108,885,954. The implication for failure to remit statutory obligations is that this may disadvantage employees of their benefits at the time of leaving service, while the implication for failure to settle staff obligations may result in low staff morale, ultimately affecting service delivery negatively and possible litigation. In the case of failure to collect revenue, this deprives government and respective institutions of the much-needed revenue for provision of social services for improved service delivery and operations,” Ellen Chikale, the AG’s head of public relations, stated in a press release, Wednesday.

She added that the report also exposed unusually high unsupported payments found at over K20.7 million, while missing payment vouchers were at nearly K19.3 million.
“The report also revealed unsupported payments which stood at K20,762,409, whilst missing payment vouchers were at K19,265,971. The implication of the unsupported payments and missing payment vouchers is that, they promote concealment of wrong doing due to lack of audit trail and supporting documents. other findings raised in the report are failure to develop integrated development plans, poor management of solid waste, failure to update valuation rolls, failure to control markets by the councils, weaknesses in procurement and contract management. The audit also revealed weaknesses in the management of Local Government Equalisation and Constituency Development Funds,” stated Chikale.

“The implications of the above findings range from, the country having Unplanned Settlements, Poor Management of Waste to Poor Service Delivery among others. The Auditor General is concerned that Local Authorities that are expected to provide service at local level have continued to exhibit poor governance in the management of public resources.”

The audit scope covered the accounts and records of Local Authorities for the financial years ended December 31, 2018, and 2019 and in some cases, observations that required updating were reported as at October 31, 2020.

Under the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016, a local authority is competent to levy, impose, recover and retain local taxes.

A local authority may make bylaws to impose a levy on leviable persons owning or occupying property or premises situated within the area of the local authority, leviable persons carrying on a business, trade or occupation within the area of the local authority or the purchase or sale of a commodity within the area of the local authority.
The Council also receives funding through national support in form of the much-sought-after Local Government Equalisation Fund (LGEF), Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and any other grants as government may issue.

Sebastian Zulu has died

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Former Justice Minister Sebastian Saizi Zulu SC has died.

He died last evening at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital in Lusaka.

Mr. Zulu served as Justice Minister under President Michael Sata between 2011-2012.

Mr Zulu also served as UNIP Secretary-General after UNIP lost elections.

UPND castigates Fr Lupupa over hate speech

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The UPND says it is unfortunate that Catholic Priest Fr. Lastone Lupupa could issue divisive and careless statements regarding the August elections.

UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka says the remarks made by Fr. Lupupa are insensitive and divisive and are likely to undermine the credibility of the forthcoming general election.

Mr Katuka says Fr. Lupupa should be in the forefront preaching peace and love and not hate speech.

He said it is foolish and sad that a man of God is now a fully fledged party cadre belonging to the PF.

In a video that has gone viral, Fr. Lupupa is heard suggesting that it is better to rig elections than to allow an opposition political party to win the forthcoming general polls.

He could be further heard stating that some politicians do not deserve to be elected to the presidency because there are too selfish and have potential to cause turmoil in the country.

Several people have taken to social medial to condemn Fr. Lupupa for his statement calling it careless.

There is a risk of the public being misled by false information peddled on social media as country heads to the polls

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Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga has said that there is a need for media institutions to reposition themselves to provide accurate information as the country heads to the polls in August, adding that there is a risk of the public being misled by false information peddled on social media.

Mr. Malupenga said that there is a need for the country to invest more in proper journalism so that journalists provide well-processed information to the public and that it is worrying that social media has taken center stage and that people are being misled by half-baked information and lies on social media.

Peaking when he conducted a tour of Zambia Institute of Mass Communication Education Trust (ZAMCOM) and Zamcom Lodge in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Malupenga called on Zamcom NOT to lose sight of its initial mandate to provide in-house training to media practitioners, saying there have been lots of complaints on the falling standards in the practice of journalism.

Mr. Malupenga said there is a need for training institutions such as Zamcom to intensify interactions with the industry to identify where the gaps are and further called for revisiting the curriculum to meet the needs of the time.

And Zamcom Board Chairperson Robert Makola said the Institution has developed capacity to up skill practicing media practitioners in any area of interest.

Mr. Makola said with the support of the Ministry of Information through a capital grant of one million leach in December 2018, Zamcom has acquired basic broadcasting equipment which is helping the institution execute its mandate of training in media through hands-on.

Transport planning should be more inclusive and responsive to impacts of climate change

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The Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST) has engaged various stakeholders in the transport and planning sector on Inclusive Climate Resilient Transport in Africa study aimed at strengthening the transport sector in Zambia.

This is in a bid to meeting the mobility needs of disadvantaged groups in a changing climate that are perceived to vulnerable when it comes to accessing transportation.

The ZRST, a leading local NGO for road safety in Zambia, The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), University of York (UK) together with the UN Environment’s (UNEP) Share the Road Programme, is undertaking a 24-month project to strengthen the technical capacity in African low-income counties to develop and implement inclusive climate-resilient transport infrastructure.

The ZRST chairman Mr. Daniel Mwamba chaired a focus group meeting that involved planners, decision-makers, engineers, and the disadvantaged groups in the communities, who are regarded as vulnerable when it comes to accessing public transport.

The focus group team discussed how best the voice of disadvantaged groups could be incorporated in decision making and transport planning. This includes persons living with disabilities, children, and women in society. This is in order to develop climate-resilient transport infrastructure and ensure all the disadvantaged groups are included. The project aims at enhancing the capacity of transport planners to assess the mobility needs of disadvantaged groups in Zambia and other African countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Mr. Daniel Mwamba said:

“Following the focus group, there is a need to develop a capacity-building program in the area of public transportation in the country, especially where the disadvantaged groups are concerned.

“In order to make transport planning more inclusive and responsive to impacts of climate change, it may be concluded that the disadvantaged are not well included in the entire process and practice. A transport policy review urgently is required to ensure that salient needs of the disadvantaged are included in the policy. Decentralization may play a big role in engaging more stakeholders and the disadvantaged in the entire process. However, roles of partners and key stakeholders should be made not to collide as this has caused confusion in the past”.

 

The planners and engineers were drawn from various institutions, that includes the Ministry of Transport and Communication, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), Zambia Road Safety Trust, Lusaka City Council, Chinkakata Town Council, Chongwe Town Council, Commuters Rights Association of Zambia, Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia and representatives of the disadvantaged groups, including Youth Disability Inclusion of Zambia, Good Will ambassador for the blind, Albinism Foundation of Zambia, Zambia Down Syndrome Network, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Mental Health Users Network of Zambia, among others.

In the meantime, the organizations representing the disadvantaged in the country should up their game in terms of voicing out what affects them and may impact their livelihoods negatively.

Paramount to inclusiveness is the creation of awareness among stakeholders, including the disadvantaged on the planning and implementation process and needs of the disadvantaged in infrastructure development. The meeting recommended for a holistic approach in the manner in which issues were dealt with among transport players so that no-one is left behind. The Focus group team demanded a strengthened technical capacity to the transport sectors as part of climate resilience in the planning process.

Kapiri Mposhi youths who received farming inputs impress Government

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Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner Smart Mwila is impressed with the positive response exhibited by the 20 youth cooperatives who received farming inputs under the Ministry of Youth, sport and child development.

Mr Mwila was delighted that all the youths that received the farming inputs have initiated soya beans production accordingly.

The Ministry of Youth, sport and Child Development distributed 8 Bags of soya beans seed, 12 by 50 Kilogram bags of fertilizer and crop inoculants for each youth group to venture into Soya Bean production in the 2020/2021 farming season.

Mr Mwila says all the beneficiary youth cooperatives have managed to cultivate and plant between four and five hectares of farmland for Soya bean production.

Mr Mwila said this when he inspected some youth cooperative farms.

“This is very impressive, if more youths can be part of this then we shall not be talking about the high youth unemployment because agriculture is now a game changer to the problem of youth employment,” Mr Mwila said.

He said government is committed to empowering more youths through co-operatives for them to create employment opportunities for fellow youths.

He has since urged youths in the district to form or join cooperatives in their respective areas for them to benefit from various government empowerment programmes targeting them.

And one of the beneficiaries, Ignicious Mainza, commended government for empowering them with soya bean farming inputs which has enabled creation of 15 jobs for the local youths.

“We anticipate to engage more youths as we go on especially next year when we cultivate more land for Soya but we want to thank the government for empowering us with farming inputs,” he said.

President Lungu should be lauded for his timely and decisive action to clean up the Ministry of Health

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By Tobias T. Banda

President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has proven to be a real statesman in the fight against corruption and should be lauded for his timely and decisive action to clean up the Ministry of Health which had become an embodiment of the evil vice as exumed by the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) and the recently exposed Procurement scandals resulting in the recalling of various medicines and medical utilities.

In the past few weeks the Nation has witnessed the firing of the Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Permanent Secretary for Administration Ms. Kakulubelwa Mulalelo, the Managing Director of Medical Stores Limited Mr. Chikuta Mbewe and many others who were directly responsible of handling health care services on behalf of the Zambian people in the Ministry of Health.

These firings have come as a result of the revelations of mismanagement of procurement processes which saw the Ministry of Health Procure alleged expired medicines, unfit medical kits, torn condoms, flawed pregnancy test kits and many other medical utensils which are essential for treatment and other health care services owed to Zambians.
The unwarranted mismanagement of these important services and processes caused a lot of fear, anxiety & uncertainty among many Zambians who ended up calling on President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to make changes in the management team of this Important Ministry in order to save the many lives of Zambians who are dependant on Government for proper health care services.

Being a responsible and listening leader, H.E President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has heeded the genuine cries of the masses and has since taken stern action to fire everyone that was involved in the eminent mismanagement of such important public services which border on human life.
By so doing President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has demonstrated once again that he is a leader who detests corruption & wrong doing and is ready to defend the plight of the Zambian people who elected him into office with fear or favour.

It if for this reason that I am saying His Excellency’s timely action to clean up the Ministry of Health should be lauded by all well meaning Zambians. Truly when a good deed is done it is important and logical to give applause and credit where it is due. And in this instance President Edgar Chagwa Lungu deserves our applause for standing with us and puting the plight of Zambians first.

Government working hurriedly to increase the supply of oxygen in health facilities

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The government has said that it is working hurriedly to increase the supply of oxygen in health facilities to address the high demand for the commodity in the wake of a surge of COVID-19 pandemic in its second wave.

Health Minister Dr. Jonas Chanda has explained that the government is intensifying the supply of the commodity which over 70% of COVID-19 patients desperately need in the management of the virus.

Speaking when he gave a ministerial statement to parliament this afternoon, Dr. Chanda said that as of yesterday, oxygen cylinders have been transported to the Copperbelt which has now become the new epicenter.

He said with further support from cooperating partners, Zambia is ensuring that more oxygen is supplied to as many health facilities as possible apart from working on modalities to prepare adequately for eventualities such as the third wage.

“Zambia can cut the transmission rate by over 80% of all health guidelines are adhered to” he said and called for personal responsibility in the prevention of new infections which is key in pandemic control.

And Dr. Chanda reiterated that Zambia will not have its economy locked down because the economy still needs to run even in the midst of the pandemic and emphasized that the pandemic is not only a healthy but also a socioeconomic issue.

“For how long can you lock down a country. What if the pandemic takes ten years, can you have the country locked down for ten years?” Dr Chanda questioned and emphasized the need to emulate other countries such as Japan that have managed the pandemic without necessarily locking down their economies.

He assured, however, that with strict adherence to the set health guidelines, the country will overcome the pandemic which is not peculiar to Zambia alone but has posed global health challenges and overwhelmed even the most developed countries whose health systems are comparatively stronger.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chanda said measures are being put in place to restore confidence in the country’s health sector and assured that necessary measures are also being implemented to safeguard citizen’s interests by providing quality and efficacious health services through the provision of quality medicines.

Concerning the much talked about COVID-19 vaccine, Dr Chanda told parliament that the vaccine will not be given to the public before tabling the matter before cabinet and without it meeting the required health standards.