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Every Zambian is entitled to development-President Lungu

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Every Zambian is entitled to development-President Lungu

President Edgar Lungu has stated that every Zambian is entitled to development. President Lungu has assured traditional leaders of Chitambo district that government stands committed to improving people’s livelihood across the country without leaving anyone behind.

The Head of State was speaking in Chitambo district today during a meeting with Chief Mailo and Chief Chitambo.

Speaking in response to the challenges that were presented before him by the Chiefs, President Lungu commended the traditional leaders for advocating on behalf of their subjects.

“I have heard all your challenges and I can assure you that we won’t stop to bring development to the district,” President Lungu said.

“Each person needs to be developed, so do not be ashamed to request for development. I appreciate for letting me know about the challenges,” he assured

And President Lungu has assured traditional that communication challenges will be resolved as he will engage with Minister of Transport and Communications Mutotwe Kafwaya on switching on Radio Zambia.

“On Radio Zambia, I’ll take it very seriously with the Minister of Communications. We need to be communicating with our people. After so many years we can’t be failing to communicate to our people,” the President charged.

Meanwhile president Lungu says Bill 10 has nothing bad except that solutions to most problems lie in the Bill.

He wondered why some Members of Parliament decided to vote against or not to vote for Bill 10 when they are a representative of the people.

“Bill 10 had a lot of good things. Let’s make sure that our people register as voters in numbers to vote for people who will consider their desires. I don’t see anything wrong with Bill 10, the solution to Bill 10 is that we vote in numbers come 2021,” he noted.

At the same meeting Chief Chitambo cited poor road network and shortage of secondary schools in the area as some of the challenges presented before the President.

From the meeting with chiefs in Chitambo district, President Lungu also met with Headmen in the district and proceeded to Serenje where he held similar meetings.

Richard Kapita launches a talent identification spree in North Western province

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Richard Kapita launches a talent identification spree in North Western province

Western Province Minister Richard Kapita has come up with a football tournament aimed at identifying talent among youths in Mwinilunga district Of North Western Province.

Speaking during a football tournament final match, Mr Kapita said leaders have the responsibility to help youths in identifying and harnessing their talents.

Mr. Kapita said youths in the district have nothing much to do and end up engaging in vices that may negatively affect their future.

“I adapted this from my late uncle Paul Kapita who started these tournaments in the district way back where he used to identify talent and take them to big clubs in Lusaka some of them become international players like Watiyakeni, Kajiya and Muke ” Mr. Kapita said.

He said apart from talent identification, the football tournament will keep the youths busy by doing something productive thereby preparing them to be responsible in future.

And Mwinilunga District Commissioner Arnot Mapulanga said such initiatives by national leaders to empower youths, supplement government’s desire to have a productive youths.

He said the initiative is evidence of President Edgar Lungu’s constant call on the need for citizens to keep fit.

Meanwhile Senior Chief Kanong’esha of the Lunda speaking people who was present to watch the final match, thanked Mr Kapita for the initiative which he said will help address many challenges faced by youths in the area.

The Richard Kapita 2020 football tournament was played in Kanong’esha and Mulumbi wards as part of the preparation of the Edgar Chagwa Lungu football tournament that will come early next year.

Politicians urged to sign peace treaty ahead of 2021 elections

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Politicians urged to sign peace treaty ahead of 2021 elections

The Trust Emergency Response Organization (TERO) has hailed President Edgar Lungu for preaching peace and national unity ahead of the 2021 general elections.

TERO Organization Coordinator Chipasha Chisha has called on all political leaders to emulate President Lungu by signing a special peace accord ahead of the elections.

“We are in support of the agenda of our Republican President who is always preaching peace and unity,” said Mr. Chisha.

“Because without peace we cannot enjoy the freedom we are enjoying in this mother Zambia,” he said.

He, however, said it is important for political leaders in Zambia to come up with a peace agreement that must be signed by all Presidents ahead of the 2021 general elections.

“Am here to encourage the political parties or political players to come up with a peace agreement as one way of imparting confidence in the Zambian people or electorates who will participate in the 2021 general elections,” he added.

Mr. Chisha added that issues of political violence will not arise if there is a peace accord signed by all political party leaders.

He noted that the peace accord will instill confidence in the country’s electoral process.

First Lady warns parents giving children in marriage

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First Lady warns parents giving children in marriage

First Lady Esther Lungu has advised parents to stop the habit of consenting to early marriages for material gain.

The First Lady says there is no material gain that is worth compromising the future of the girl child by marrying her off.

Mrs Lungu said that early marriages and pregnancies can be curbed if parents were at the centre of the fight and not being perpetrators.

ZANIS reports that the First Lady was speaking at Matambazi primary school in Sinda district where she was disturbed to learn that 16 girls aged between 12 and 15 years were impregnated this year out of which only five have been successfully re-admitted into school.

The First Lady who is the chairperson of the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust (ELFT) said the Foundation, with support from its cooperating partners, was doing its best to address the problem of early marriages but the fight calls for concerted efforts.

“Early marriages and unintended pregnancies continue to ravage our country, especially in rural areas. And shamelessly, parents even encourage this by separating the two children from their families to live as husband and wife, especially when a girl falls pregnant all in the name of damage,” she said.

She said parents should realize that first pregnancies by minors are high risk therefore needing an all-inclusive-family support.

The First Lady said the government is improving school infrastructure, an indication that it prioritizes education something that should compel guardians to ensure children are kept in school.

“I have been reliably informed that Sinda is one of the districts in the province with high teenage pregnancies and early marriages. This is an indication that we need to partner and ensure that we take advantage of the re-entry policy,” she added.

She further empowered women groups through the Area Women Association with K20 thousand and made donations of medical supplies and school requirements to the health center and school respectively.

The donated items included solar sets, digital thermometers, suction canisters, bicycles, surgical gloves, books, and computers among others.

The first lady also donated similar resources to the Chimunsi community, as well as the special education unit at Tiritonse primary school.

Meanwhile, Provincial Permanent Secretary Veronica Mwiche has commended the First Lady for speaking strongly against unwanted pregnancies and early marriages which continue to obstruct the girl child from attaining their potential.

Ms Mwiche noted that the works of the First Lady’s foundation trust resonate with the goals of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).

“Your work coverage speaks directly to some key pillars of the 7NDP in ensuring women and girls access equal opportunities to excel,” the PS said.

And speaking when the first Lady called on her at her palace, Chieftainess Nyanje called on the first lady to continue empowering women as her chiefdom has a lot of viable women who only lack adequate empowerment to boost them.

The Chief also thanked the government for the numerous projects has been completed and still embarking on in the area.

“We are happy with the development government is extending to its people. For instance, my palace was completed a long time ago, the road has been worked on, farming inputs have been delivered in good time, to name just a few,” she explained.

The ELFT focuses on the empowerment of women and girls through economic and education programs, maternal, neonatal and child health issues, water and sanitation as well as persons with disabilities.

The First Lady is in Eastern Province on an 8-day out outreach programme in Mambwe, Chipata, Sinda and Petauke districts which is expected to end on November 11, 2020.

Voter registration is slow, it’s taking more than 30 minutes, Chavuma residents complain

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Voter registration is slow, it’s taking more than 30 minutes, Chavuma residents complain

The Voter Registration which started yesterday countrywide began on a slow note in Chavuma District of North Western Province.

A check by ZANIS yesterday, found some people complaining of the process taking more than 30 minutes before obtaining a voter’s card.

Elijah Sapindalo, Deputy Village Headman of Maseka complained that the process was taking too long to register one person.

“I’m complaining about the system of registration because it is taking 30 to 50 minutes to register one person, now how many people are going to register in a day, so we are asking the government to increase the number of days. I think 30 days is not enough to register all the people, people are willing to register but the period is too short, so please were are asking the government and ECZ to give us more days so that all of us can register,” lamented Sapindalo.

And District Electoral Officer Kennedy Bwalya said by close of the day yesterday, 356 were recorded from 10 centers while 56 were registered at the central station.

Eng. Bwalya also noted that ECZ is targeting to register 30,000 eligible voters within the District.

“As of yesterday, we registered 365 people and we will keep on updating you on the numbers from time to time. For the station here at the town centre yesterday we registered 56 meaning on average registration time it’s taking 10 to 12 minutes. We expect an improvement in the time as we progress in the exercise,” he said.

Eng. Bwalya encouraged the people of Chavuma to pay attention to all announcements being disseminated in the district.

DMMU warns communities along Kafue River as filling of Kafue Gorge Dam starts

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DMMU warns communities along Kafue River as filling of Kafue Gorge Dam starts

Kafue Gorge lower hydro power station has started filling its dam in readiness for commissioning of the first 150 megawatts for power generation.

As a result normal water flow of the Kafue River will be disturbed with reduction in water levels and a sudden increase.

The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in collaboration with other stakeholders has sent early warning to communities along the Kafue River to suspend all activities for a period of one week.

Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit DMMU Chief Planner Dominic Kangongo encouraged the communities during a sensitization meeting at Chisakila area of Chiawa in Kafue district to ensure that they heed to advice on the need to stay away from the riverbed.

Mr Kangongo further advised community members to ensure that they spread the word to other people who did not attend the meeting to prevent loss of lives and property.

Kafue gorge lower Principal Environmental Specialist Jack Munthali explained that there will be low water levels during the storing of water at the dam.

“You may experience low water levels as the dam is being filled but there will be a sudden increase”, he stated.

He advised the communities to stay away from the riverbed to prevent any tragedies from happening during the test transmissions.

“Remove all properties of value like water pumps to prevent damage to property”, Mr Munthali warned.

And members of the community have commended the team for warning the communities in advance as this will help prevent tragedies.

Fanny Mainga of Chiwena village in Chirundu District however expressed concern that farmers who planted along the river will have their crops washed away.

The 750 mw Kafue gorge lower project is expected to significantly mitigate the power deficit that the country is experiencing once the project is fully commissioned.

The 750 mw Kafue gorge lower project is expected to be fully commissioned during the first quarter of 2021.

Zambia On Brink of Default With Creditors Set to Refuse Relief

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Zambia On Brink of Default With Creditors Set to Refuse Relief

Bloomberg media reports that a key bondholder group is set to reject Zambia’s request for an interest-payment holiday, putting the country on course to become the first African sovereign defaulter since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

There is consensus among the so-called Zambia External Bondholder Committee to reject the proposal, with a voting deadline of Wednesday ahead of meetings with creditors on Friday, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak publicly.

The committee’s members hold about 40% of the southern African nation’s $3 billion of outstanding dollar bonds, and at least 25% of each, enough to vote down the proposal.

Bondholders abstained from previous votes that had been set for Oct. 20, prompting the adjournment to Nov. 13 to allow the government more time to convince them to accept the proposed six-month payment freeze.

Zambia said it is seeking equal relief from all external creditors, and the government’s approach to private lenders and mainly state-owned Chinese lenders could set a precedent for a growing number of countries seeking to reprofile debts they can’t afford to service as the pandemic ravages their economies.

The world’s largest economies will on Friday decide on a common framework to co-ordinate future debt restructuring among private and official lenders.

But the finance ministry has failed to provide transparency on its debts to Chinese lenders or inform bondholders of any progress in reaching a deal with the International Monetary Fund on an economic program, one of the people said.

There has also been no direct talks between the government and bondholders, the person said.

Zambia’s finance ministry didn’t respond to four calls and text messages seeking comment.

The government of Africa’s second-biggest copper producer has already missed a $42.5 million coupon payment scheduled for Oct. 14 on its $1 billion bonds due 2024, and a 30-day grace period ends on Friday.

Zambia’s already said it won’t pay if it isn’t granted a standstill, which would trigger a default giving bondholders the right to demand immediate repayment of the capital.

S&P Global Ratings Services last month cut its assessment of Zambia’s debt to “selective default”.

While Zambia has said it’s seeking the relief from private creditors as part of the G-20’s Debt Servicing Suspension Initiative for low-income countries struggling from the economic fallout of the pandemic, the southern African nation’s debt troubles have been building for years.

The IMF already warned in 2018 that Zambia was at high risk of debt distress, and the government continued adding billions of dollars more in external debt, which has climbed to about $12 billion.

Forest and Napsa Reaction to Continental Draws

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Forest Rangers and Napsa Stars have described their continental draws as fair.

Forest will be making their CAF Champions League debut and so too will be Napsa in the CAF Confederation Cup.

AS Bouenguidi of Gabon will visit Forest at the month-end.

Forest coach Tennant Chilumba is familiar with Gabonese football after facing CS Mounana in the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup when he was Power Dynamos boss.

Power won 3-0 at home but lost 4-0 away in a second round tie in Libreville.

“It’s memories again playing in Gabon. I am quite familiar with the Gabonese territory and I believe the players will do the job. They have done well so far but they should not become big headed because the big challenge is ahead now. We just need to get to the next round,” Chilumba said.

Meanwhile, Napsa will be on the road away to FC Ngazi in Comoros.

“I think it is a fair draw and we just need to focus because they are no easy games at CAF level but I am confident we will reach the group stage,” Napsa coach Mohamed Fathi said.

“But there is nothing like a walkover game, we have to work very hard in every game we play either local or continental to achieve what we want.”

The first legs will be played November 27-29 and return leg during the week of December 4-6.

PF of Confident of Victory in 2021, even without Bill 10-Sunday Chanda

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PF of Confident of Victory in 2021, even without Bill 10-Sunday Chanda

THE RULING Patriotic Front (PF) Media Director Mr. Sunday Chanda has challenged the opposition political parties to tell the Zambian people what they will do for the country if elected into Office.

Speaking on Tuesday morning on Kwithu FM’s ‘Nkani Yatu’ program where he was discussing issues of governance, Mr Chanda expressed sadness over the tendency exhibited by some members of opposition parties to politicizing everything.

He said the opposition should put the interest of the people first as opposed to opposing matters which are aimed at taking the nation forward.
Mr Chanda cited Bill number 10 which some members of the opposition campaigned against but shunned from voting.

“What we wanted as the PF is for the youth, women and differently-abled persons to have guaranteed seats in parliament so that they can advance their own agenda,” said Mr Chanda.

He emphasized that issues affecting the marginalized groups of Zambians can be best addressed by the affected persons and further said that is the more reason why PF wanted such people have their own representation in Parliament.

“As the PF, we wanted young people to advance their agenda, we wanted differently-abled persons advance their own agenda and the women too because we understand their challenge.”

However, Mr Chanda said even in the absence of Bill 10 which the opposition claimed the PF wanted to use to its benefit that the ruling party was confident of another victory in the forthcoming general elections slated for August 12, 2021.

He said Zambians have seen what the ruling party had done and further challenged the country’s largest opposition party, UPND, what it would do for the people.

And the PF Media Director further said lawyer John Sangwa’s discourse with regards President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s eligibility was nothing but mare politics, adding that President Lungu would be on the ballot next year as the constitutional court had ruled in its judgement that he was eligible to stand as President.

Meanwhile, Mr Chanda said the PF remained confident that the voter registration exercise which commenced on Monday would be a success despite the process facing challenges on the first day.

“Unfortunately, our colleagues in the opposition and some CSOs opposed the online pre-registration voter exercise which would have made things easier when doing the actual exercise as most of the things would have been done and we feel that had MPs gone earlier in their constituencies to tell the electorates about it, it would have helped but again, they chose to play politics.”

Mr Chanda however said that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) should consider allocating more man power in high density areas so that it is able to capture the intended targets of registered voters ahead of the crucial elections.

Freedom of Association and Assembly Should Top the List ahead of Next Year’s Elections

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Freedom of Association and Assembly Should Top the List ahead of Next Year’s Elections

The Human Rights Commission has placed a higher premium on the promotion and protection of the freedoms of association and assembly as the country heads towards the 2021 general elections.

The Commission Spokesperson Mweelwa Muleya said today that the path to 2021 elections will be critical period when the rights to freedoms of association and assembly will be at risk.

As such Mr Muleya stated that the Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned and calls for the need to start addressing the issue of rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression as well as movement as the country counts down to 2021 presidential and general elections.

He said going forward the Commission wants to see a balanced maintenance of law and order regards the freedoms of association and assembly because they are critical to popular participation of all stakeholders in the electoral process.

“So, we expect a balanced act of maintaining law and order as well as promoting and protecting the freedoms of association and assembly because they are critical to popular participation of all stakeholders in the electoral process. We cannot maintain law and order by suppressing the rights and freedoms of other groupings of society,” he said.

Mr Muleya was speaking when he opened a two day workshop for stakeholder engagement on freedom of assembly in relation to the provisions and implementation of the Public Order Act.

He urged for fair application of the Public Order Act on interest groups and political parties.

He added that suppressing the freedoms of people to assemble and associate can have an adverse effect because naturally when people struggle to claim their civic and political space and that brings conflict.

According to Mr Muleya it becomes very important for law enforcement officers to realise that promotion and protection of human rights and freedoms is a prerequisite for maintenance of law and order.

The HRC Spokesperson stated that political parties together with human rights defenders must appreciate the fact that they cannot enjoy the rights and freedoms without taking maximum responsibility to maintain law and order.

He has since advised political parties to always remember that the rights of freedom to association and assembly demand to be exercised with responsibility.

“Similarly political parties, human rights defenders must appreciate the fact that you cannot enjoy the rights and freedoms without taking maximum responsibility to maintain law and order. It can’t just work, so you have a responsibility to maintain law and order as much as you want to exercise your rights and freedoms because these rights are not absolute,” Mr Muleya said.

He added that there deregulations or restrictions in the enjoyment or exercise of rights in the interest of public order, public safety and public health.

“If there is coronavirus, it is a public health concern and those rights can be legitimately restricted. But what is fundamental is fairness in the application of the law that, if I cannot hold a meeting because of coronavirus, [another] should not also be allowed to do the same thing because there is coronavirus,” he said.

He stated that the principle of equality and non-discrimination in the application of the law regards public association and assembly is a fundamental human rights principle and should be respected.

Measures in place stop the further escalation of theft of farming inputs-Agriculture Minister

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Measures in place stop the further escalation of theft of farming inputs-Agriculture Minister

The government says it has put in place strategies that will avert the further escalation of theft of farming inputs in the country ahead of the forthcoming agricultural season.

Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo said his ministry received reports of a farming inputs scandal in Kanchibiya district of Muchinga Province Mr Katambo made the remarks in parliament today when responding to a question from Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Martin Malama.

Dr Malama wanted to know the total quantity of farming inputs, under the Farmer Input Support Programme, for the 2020/2021 farming season and when the farming inputs which was reported missing will be replaced and distributed to farmers in Kachibiya.

Dr Malama further asked what measure government was putting in place to prevent the missing of farming inputs from recurring.

Mr Katambo explained that 154 by 10 kilogramme bags of Maize seed and about 32 by 10 kilogramme bags of soya beans went missing.

“We are in receipt of the report of theft of farming inputs in Kanchibiya district and we are following up the matter closely that has implicated the warehouse manager whose issue has been taken to court. At least 154 by 10 KG maize seeds and 32 by 10 KG soya beans seed were stolen but we have enhanced security and have engaged farmers to report any suspicion of farming inputs handling,” Mr Katambo said.

Mr Katambo pointed out that 75 by 10KG bags of maize seeds that went missing in Kanchibiya have been recovered and the matter is before the courts of law.

He cited enhanced security around the warehouses and awareness of farmers to report any suspicions as among the measures that the government has put in place.

Mr Katambo pointed out that once verification is done in other districts, Kanchibiya will be allocated some inputs to make amends for the stolen potion.

And Kafue Member of Parliament Mirriam Chonya asked whether the government has received similar reports from other parts of the country.

Without hesitation. The Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo answered in affirmation that from the cross section of the country similar reports have come through.

“We have received similar reports of theft of farming inputs in some parts of the country and we are seriously handling such matters administratively. We are also contemplating on putting some surplus farming inputs so that they help in times of unforeseen calamities but we are seriously warning people to desist from theft of farming inputs as they will face the full wrath of the law,” he cautioned.

He further warned people who are in the habit of stealing farming inputs to refrain from doing so as they will meet the full fury of the law.

Government flagged off the distribution of the 2020/2021 Farmer Input Support Programme in September this year.

President Lungu impressed with cassava plantation

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President Lungu impressed with cassava plantation

President Edgar Lungu has described the Agriculture, Productivity and Enhancement project that is underway in Chitambo district is an integrated approach to value addition.

President Lungu says the cassava processing plant project will help in adding value to cassava.

He said government is encouraging value addition to a variety of crops so as to enable the huge trickle-down effect of job creation.

The Head of State who is on a working visit of Central Province toured the Agriculture, Productivity and Enhancement Project in Chitambo district.

“This is good. Value addition is what we want as government. It is a way to go,” the President said.

President Lungu further advised that farmers should be assisted with good cassava seed as not all seed that can be used for value addition.

And District Agriculture Coordinating Officer, Katumwa Mutandi said farmers producing cassava have been identified to benefit from the project.

He explained that with the available raw material for the project, farmers will find an already existing market once the project is implemented

Chipolopolo Gather Momentum Ahead of Botswana Date

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Chipolopolo are at full strength ahead of Thursdays return to international competitive action in the 2022 AFCON qualifier doubleheader against Botswana.

Midfielder Klings Kangwa of Arsenal-Tula in Russia and striker Fashion Sakala of Belgium club KV Oostende arrived on Tuesday afternoon.

But FAZ is keeping its fingers crossed on the availability of midfielder Enock Mwepu of RB Salzburg after another Covid-19 lockdown at the club.

“We will do everything we possibly can to end the current restrictions [isolation measures and team quarantine] to allow all our international players to report for duty. We hope that the travel ban imposed on them by the authorities can be lifted as soon as possible,” RB Salzburg said in a statement posted on its official website.

Meanwhile, Botswana arrived on Sunday ahead of the AFCON qualifiers restart.
Chipolopolo are chasing their first Group H win in Thursday evenings kickoff at national Heroes Stadium in Lusaka following two successive defeats in their opening games.

The match will also mark coach Micho’s competitive debut after six friendlies in charge in which he has won five and lost one.

Government to enhance skills development

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Government to enhance skills development

The government says it remains committed to supporting and ensuring that the internship and apprenticeships programmes are up scaled to enhance skills development in the country.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Child Development, Emmanuel Mulenga said internship and apprenticeships is targeted at empowering people especially youths to improve their skills in different fields.

Mr Mulenga was speaking during the launch of a three days training of trainers workshop on planning and implementation of quality apprenticeships, upgrade of informal apprenticeships and internship programmes funded by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Chongwe today.

He said government plans to roll out the project at national level hence the introduction of the national internship and apprenticeship programme which targets to reach out to nine thousand youths at an estimated cost of K117milion.

“The internship is aimed at providing tertiary institution graduates with the much -needed work experience to enhance their capability while the apprenticeship part is meant to facilitate practical vocational skills acquisition for sustainable livelihoods and development.

“The youth lead project and the national internship and apprenticeship programme are guided by two policy documents, the 2019 work based learning framework and the National internship guidelines under the Ministry of Higher Education,” he said.

And ILO Director, Brian Chipili said it is encouraging that government recognises apprenticeships and internship as one of the strategies of enhancing skills development in the country.

“ Innovative Public-Private Partnerships help young people make transition of good jobs ,apprenticeship and internships provide practical training as well as equip young people with critical core skills and better understanding of the world of work that improves their chances for success in the labour market,” Mr Chipli said.

In August this year, President Edgar Lungu launched the Youth and Empowerment Fund amounting to K470 targeting 150,000 youths as beneficiaries.

And 9,000 out of the 150,000 youths have been earmarked as beneficiaries of the national internship and apprenticeship programme.

Kasama residents urge ECZ to deploy more registration centres

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Kasama residents urge ECZ to deploy more registration centres

Kasama residents have called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to deploy more officers at voter registration centres to quicken the process.

One of the residents, Morris Mwale expressed concern at the slow pace, the registration of voters is being done.

Mr Mwale attributed the delays in the issuance of voters’ cards to having one officer at each registration centre.

Mr Mwale said this when Northern Province Minister, Chungu Bwalya visited selected registration centres to check how the exercise is progressing.

He noted that if manpower is not boosted, people will shun away from the process because standing in queues for a long time will demotivate them.

“The work is too much for one person, this is making the process take long and this needs to be addressed as soon as possible,” he noted.

“People have work and other activities to engage in and they have little time to spare to get a voters’ card,” he stated.

And Mr Bwalya said he will engage ECZ officials in the district in order to address the challenges faced by people.

“We want to make the process as fast as possible therefore we will work hard to ensure that everyone is able to get a voters’ card,” he said.

Mr Chungu noted that it is the role of every citizen who has attained the required age of 18 to exercise their right to vote hence the need for people to turn up in numbers and get their voters’ cards.

Meanwhile, Kasama District Electoral Officer, Zakeyo Mbao has appealed to people to remain patient as challenges they are facing in being registered are being addressed.

Mr Mbao stated that the mobile voter registration exercise is being done in stages with each centre given a week, while the permanent station has been created at the civic centre where a team will be stationed for the whole period.

He has since called on members of the public to make use of the voter registration schedule in order for them to know when the registration will take place in their respective communities.

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