Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Subscribe
Advertisement Banner
Home Blog Page 1317

EAZ officially launches Zambia Citizen Entrepreneurs Development Programme

Chief Editor
-
4
EAZ officially launches Zambia Citizen Entrepreneurs Development Programme

The Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ) has officially launched a programme called ‘Zambia Citizen Entrepreneurs Development Programme’ aimed at enhancing wealth creation through the promotion of entrepreneurship.

EAZ president Dr. Lubinda Haabazoka told journalists in Lusaka on Wednesday that the initiative was born out of consultations with various government departments at the highest level.

Dr. Haabazoka said the consultations were also made with the private sector and the response is very overwhelming.

He said the initiative brings together the public and private sector in supporting business creation through the provision of funds, business skills, capacity building, input support on commercial terms and provision of market for goods produced.

“This initiative is designed especially for women and youth groups and takes advantage of the President’s directive to enhance local participation in the retail sector. We call upon all stakeholders including various funders to come on board to realise this grandiose project. The Project will be private sector led,” he said.

“Citizens wishing to participate can contact the Economics Association of Zambia. We shall soon be giving further guidance on the implementation on modalities with regards to participation in this guide. We would like to thank government and the private sector for the positive feedback over this initiative.”

Dr. Haabazoka stated that the project focuses on key sectors such as agri-business, mining and Urban Development Modules.

The EAZ President said the association will not tolerate any politics when implementing this programme as it is aimed at helping the people of Zambia.

“This initiative is commercial in nature and open to all Zambians regardless of tribe, race, political affiliation or religious affiliation. The Association will not tolerate the politicizing of this initiative. The programme will be implemented by the private sector with the support of state and nonstate actors,” he added.

He further stated that this is a baby of the Economic Summit that was held in 2018.

And Mahogany Air Chief Executive Officer Jim Belemu said the country needs home grown solutions to deal with some of the challenges faced by the people.

He said such an initiative is good as it is aimed at changing the face of the country.

Brothers Macky 2 and Chef187 collaborate on “Bring It Back Again”

Entertainment Editor
-
3
Brothers Macky 2 and Chef187 collaborate on “Bring It Back Again”

Macky 2 and Chef 187 released the video for the song “Bring it back again”. The song is off Macky 2’s latest album “Ghetto President”.

 

Inspectors urged to ensure that there is no illegal entry of any GMO products into Zambia

Chief Editor
-
4
Inspectors urged to ensure that there is no illegal entry of any GMO products into Zambia

National Biosafety Authority Chief Executive Officer Lackson Tonga has urged inspectors to ensure that there is no illegal entry of any GMO products into the country.

Mr Tonga says the role of the inspectors at the ports of entry is critical in executing the NBA mandate and to monitor the inflow of products that may contain GMOs at ports of entry.

He has urged the inspectors to ensure that such products coming in the country
have prior authorisation by the NBA before they enter the country to guarantee the
safety of the humans, animals and the environment.

He was speaking during the training of 14 Inspectors to help execute the Authority’s mandate and monitor the inflow of products that may contain GMOs at ports of entry.

The training was held to equip the officers with the Authority’s mandate and matters related to GMOs.

The Inspectors, who are from the Ministry of Health, will enforce the provisions of the
Biosafety Act together with the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act and the Public Health Act.

The Inspectors based at the critical ports of entry will help beef up the inspectorate wing of the NBA.

The Health Inspectors came from Kazungula, Katima Mulilo, Kasumbalesa, Nakonde, Chanida, Mwami, Harry Mwanga Nkumbula, Victoria Falls, Simon Mwansa
Kapwepwe and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport

Mr Tonga said all the products that must enter the country must have a permit to import.

He said whilst inland products must have permits to place on the market, for transiting products there is need for the entry and exit ports to communicate effectively and ensure that such products have indeed left the country.

And Ministry of Health Chief Environmental Health Officer, Doreen Sakala, said it was important that the ports
of entry Health Inspectors understood their role and adhered to the provisions of the Biosafety Act number 10 of 2007.

Mrs Sakala said the training was key for the Inspectors as it provided knowledge for them to critically understand how they will operate.

Sex and street kids!

editor
-
14
Sex and street kids!

A couple of weeks ago, Youth and Sports Minister Emmanuel Mulenga revealed that hundreds of street kids who were recently removed from the streets and taken to shelter homes and orphanages across the country had ‘escaped’ and found their way back to the streets. He went to town sensationalizing things a bit further and claimed that street kids were resorting back to the streets in search of sex and drug-related materials.

As expected, this received wide media coverage from both electronic and print media. “Hundreds of recently-removed street kids escape orphanages for sex and drugs,” declared a screaming banner headline in the widely circulating Times of Zambia newspaper. Having interacted and worked with street kids throughout Zambia and beyond our borders for quite a while, I’ve strong reservations about the unsubstantiated claims that street kids are running away from the supposedly safe homes in hot pursuit of sex! There must be better excuses than this.

According to our experience, when a child just arrives on the streets, they immediately get initiated into the ‘family’ by being introduced to illicit substances. “Here, take this……it will help you stay stronger…..” they’d often encourage each other. From then onwards, they’d sniff the glue repeatedly until they become addicts per excellence. You don’t expect such individuals to simply kiss, the small bottles which have been their constant companions, good bye without first working on their problem of addiction. They’ll sneak out to find drugs!

Additionally, the Zambia National Service facilities and indeed some orphanages where some of these children were taken to, things are organized as if it’s a typical military camp. Now wait a minute……..you’re dealing with individuals that are not accustomed to any rules and regulations and you expect them to adjust overnight? Once they feel they’re being pushed against the wall, they’ll simply walk away and gladly trek back where they feel they belong – on the streets! Of course the street kids are fully aware they won’t find the streets glittering with gold and decorated with fresh roses. They’d still be as rough as they left them. Every sentence is punctuated with insults, and one has to be ever on guard as screw drivers or knives are likely to come flying your direction at the slightest provocation. Worse still, enduring blistering cold nights on bare floors in open air places is the order of day and meals often have to be scavenged from dump sites. For as long as they can enjoy their freedom, they don’t care. This is their oyster!

In order to survive the harsh life on the streets, kids have to be tough even if it means pretending to put up a strong posture. This is the reason why many of the street kids seem to be in a permanent state of insobriety – to hide their shame and come out as these macho characters! But who are these street kids? Why are they on the streets in first place? What are they doing on the streets? Where did they come from? Do they have parents or any surviving relatives? Once we start interrogating and finding answers to such questions, then we’ll begin configuring a less obscure picture of the plight of street kids – vital information essential in arriving at tangible solutions to this conundrum. Attempting to provide answers to the problem of street kids devoid of first understanding who they really are is as good as offloading a rapid succession of bullets into the darkness hoping you’d somehow hit the target! In this write up we endeavor to identify and categorize the street kids accordingly.

According to a UNICEF research, there are basically two types of street kids: children on the streets and children of the streets.
Children on the streets: These may have a home and even one or two surviving parents. Mostly likely their parents can’t provide bread and butter for them on the table. Owing to this, they are compelled or even encouraged to take a long walk to town to ask for alms from some good Samaritans or undertake odd jobs such as hauling goods on their backs and cleaning cars. Once they manage to pocket one or two coins, you’ll see them proudly walking back home in high spirits rest assured that they won’t to go bed on empty stomachs that night.

Children of the streets: Having lost both their parents mainly due to HIV/AIDS or probably ran away from the custody of their relatives due to mental and physical abuse, they’ve cut off ties with their relatives. Obviously feeling neglected by society, they consider themselves as having nowhere else to run to – thus begins the arduous journey of practically living on the streets. Quite understandably, children of the streets tend to sniff copious amounts of glue to keep warm at night; they actually euphemistically refer to glue as a blanket!

Given the above, it would be totally illogical and irresponsible to apply similar interventions to either case scenario. The problem of street kids deserves to be tackled on a case by case basis. Suppose you’re a medical practitioner and two patients come calling on you; one is complaining of a severe headache while the other has a running stomach, would you prescribe the same medication? This is the most common mistake those in leadership tend to repeat time and again – prescribing similar remedies to the cancerous ailment eating up our street kids as if they’re all affected the same way. In our next offering, we amplify our calls for a national INDABA on street kids.

By Prince B.M. Kapinga
Street kids advocate

Micho Takes Positives From 2022 AFCON Annoucement

sports
-
1

Chipolopolo coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic says it is business as usual for his bench despite the rescheduling of the 2021 AFCON tournament to 2022.

CAF has rescheduled the AFCON from January next year to January 2022 after match day 3, 4 and 5 were postponed over the last three months due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Micho said there is no time to moan about the extend period of the campaign and they were just focused on their mandate to end Zambia’s two AFCON tournament absence.

“When someone asks us what it means to us, I will just say that it means we are fighting for competitive advantage we have no right to be reactive, we have to be proactive,” Micho said.

“We have no right to let things happen but we have to happen to things, it means getting individual training programs, get these (coaches) courses running and it means getting back to competitiveness where all players will be assessed from all possible angles where we believe that once this is concluded we shall have much of our players are competitive and able to serve the nation in the best competitive way.”

Chipolopolo, who are bottom of Group H on zero points, have outstanding dates against Botswana that they were due to play March 26 at home and March 28 away.

Zambia was then set to host Group H leaders and AFCON defending champion Algeria in their penultimate qualifying fixture in June.

Algeria lead Group H on maximum 6 points, Zimbabwe has 4 points while Botswana is third on 2 points.

Electoral Commission of Zambia Sets July 30 as date for 11 Ward By-Elections

Chief Editor
-
18
Electoral Commission of Zambia Sets July 30 as date for 11 Ward By-Elections

The Electoral Commission of Zambia ECZ) has set Thursday, July 30, 2020 as the date for the various Local Government by-elections in the eleven wards and town councils in Central, North – Western, Luapula and Western Provinces.

The local government by-elections will be held in Serenje, Chavuma, Chienge, Kasempa, Limulunga, Mongu, Sesheke and Sioma.

The elections in the eleven wards have been necessitated by the resignations and deaths of the incumbent councilors.

ECZ Public Relations Manager, MARGARET CHIMANSE explained that aspiring candidates in the by-elections are expected to lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate and Local Court Magistrate.

She said the aspirants in the Local government ward by-elections should also take along with them nine supporters who must be registered voters in the affected wards.

Ms CHIMANSE noted that the contenders’ are also required to pay non-refundable nomination fees of 750 Kwacha for City and Municipal Councils and 400 Kwacha for district councils respectively.

And Ms CHIMANSE said the Commission has also put in place measures to prevent the transmission of COVID- 19 and Political Parties and other Stakeholders are encouraged to use appropriate campaign strategies such as mobile Public Address System, distribution
of flyers and other political party materials with minimal or no contact with a crowd.

She said Political Parties should desist from ferrying cadres from one district or ward to the other for campaigns in Districts where by-elections are taking place.

The ward by- elections will be held in Central province in Serenje, Muchinga in Chibale, North-Western in Chavuma, Nyoka and Lubofu in Kasempa.

In Western province the by-elections will be held in Nalikwanda’s Nakanyaa, Sesheke’s Silumbu, Imusho and Nangweshi in Sioma district as well as Luena Sitoya in Limulunga district.

Freedom of Expression must be exercised in a respectful and peaceful manner-US Chargè d’ Affaire

Chief Editor
-
20
Freedom of Expression must be exercised in a respectful and peaceful manner-US Chargè d’ Affaire

Chargè d’ Affaire ad interim at the United States Embassy in Zambia David Young says his Government, like Zambia, shares in the value of freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Expression as critical rights in a democracy.

He, however, said these freedoms must be exercised in a respectful and peaceful manner.

Mr. Young said it is unacceptable to use such freedoms to incite violence and spread hate speech.

Mr. Young was speaking during a meeting with Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Prof. Nkandu Luo and General Education Permanent Secretary for Administration Jabbin Mulwanda.

Mr. Young who was accompanied by officials from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), said it is possible for one to express their disagreement through television, radio or social media with respect and in a peaceful manner.

“The key issue is for people to express themselves peacefully and respectfully. The problem is when they go on social media, television and radio to incite violence and hate speech,” he said.

And Mr. Young has appealed to members of the Public to heed President Edgar Lungu’s call for strict observance of coronavirus preventative measures.

Mr. Young said measures such as wearing of masks in public places, observing social distance as well as regular washing of hands with soap are effective ways of protecting oneself especially people with underlining health conditions and the aged.

He also commended President Lungu’s cautious approach in reopening different sectors of the economy such as airports, schools among others.

Mr. Young said his Government together with Center for Disease Control and (USAID) is determined to work with the Zambian Government to promote the health the sector.

Chargè d’ Affaire ad interim at the United States Embassy in Zambia David Young at a media Briefing with Information Minister Dora Siliya
Chargè d’ Affaire ad interim at the United States Embassy in Zambia David Young at a media Briefing with Information Minister Dora Siliya

Meanwhile, Ms. Siliya who is also Chief Government Spokesperson said while people have the right to be heard, this should not be done in a manner that is disrespectful and can incite violence against others.

Ms. Siliya said Government has a responsibility to ensure public peace and protect all citizens regardless of their political or religious views.

“I know that our partners think that we are out to get the youths because they have freely expressed themselves. But is important that we appreciate that we live in a country with real politics, social context and Christian values,” she said.

Ms. Siliya assured that Government will continue to values and protect citizens rights of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.

And Ms. Siliya says the perception among citizens that the coronavirus is not real is worrying.

Ms. Siliya says Government still has a lot of work to do to convince members of the public that the disease is real so as to save lives.

She says most citizens have abandoned COVID-19 preventive measures prescribed by the Ministry of Health claiming that the virus does not exist in the country.

Ms. Siliya who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said there is need for government to re-strategise the COVID-19 public campaign messages in order to yield desired results.

“His Excellency the President of Zambia said his last address to the nation re-emphasized that the disease is real l. a lot of people have dropped their guard they think it’s been here since March and that Zambia has been spared of the worst but clearly we are not an island and we are seeing what is happening in countries around us,” she said.

Removing article 52(4) is not meant to advance President Edgar Lungu’s interest

Chief Editor
-
24
Removing article 52(4) is not meant to advance President Edgar Lungu’s interest

PF chairperson for legal affairs Hon Brian Mundubile says removing article 52(4) is not meant to advance President Edgar Lungu’s interest but to avoid electoral confusion or conflicts in regards to nomination petitions.

He said Article 52(4) which states that a person may challenge, before a court or tribunal, as prescribed, the nomination of a candidate within seven days of the close of nomination and the court shall hear the case within twenty-one days of its lodgement is retrogressive and can disadvantage any candidate across the spectrum whether ruling or opposition and is likely to be abused by those who feel disadvantaged for not being adopted.

Speaking to Smart Eagles in an interview, Hon Mundubile notes that maintaining article 52 cannot even affect President Lungu because the matter concerning his eligibility has already been settled in the courts of law saying those that still want to petition can go ahead now if they still seek clarity on the matter.

“You can’t tailor a constitution around an individual. We know that beyond 2026 President Lungu will not be eligible but you want to return article 52(4) for purposes of petitioning President Lungu’s nomination in 2021 when the article will be in the constitution for a long time to come and will disadvantage others councilors, MP’s and future presidents. So we are saying no because that’s not how you frame a constitution” Hon Mundubile further explained.

Hon Mundubile said maintaining article 52 will breed mischief because anyone can wake up and petition any candidate of frivolous grounds.

“Why should we have a law that generates confusion, you have a situation where aspirants are competing and one has been picked and adopted and all the other one has to do is to spoil for them through a petition on frivolous grounds such that he loses 21 days because the matter has to be determined with 21 days coupled with the earlier 7 days given within which to petition” he explained.

He says constitutional amendments are not meant to create conflicts but to provide a level playing field and to settle cases as opposed to raising new ones.

And Hon Mundubile has challenged those opposing Bill 10 to substantiate their arguments through issue-based debates as opposed to shunning debate platforms such as parliament by walking out adding that a constitution is a national document that requires everyone’s participation regardless of political affiliations and interests.

British Government to help Zambia to move towards a sustainable debt trajectory

Chief Editor
-
11
British Government to help Zambia to move towards a sustainable debt trajectory

THE British Government says it will help Zambia to move towards a sustainable debt trajectory and access emergency international financing support.

British High Commissioner Nicholas Woolley says this will be achieved by working with the international community, other partners, and the Zambian Government.

Mr. Woolley said this at a meeting held with President Edgar Lungu today.

He said the two discussed a number of issues including the UK Support against COVID-19 in Zambia and globally.

Mr. Woolley was accompanied by Wilf Mwamba, the High Commission’s Head of Governance and Human Development and Head of COVID Health Response Dr. Sarah Goldsmith.

Mr. Woolley told the President that the UK has committed over 16 Million Kwacha of support via the World Health Organisation -WHO- to the Ministry of Health and other organisations in Zambia for preparedness in the face of COVID-19.

He said this includes the provision of expert training to over 2-hundred health workers, strengthening health surveillance systems at 16 points of entry, provision of essential medical supplies, and preparation of a range of communication materials to support awareness among health professionals and the general public.

Mr. Woolley said the UK has further provided four vehicles to the Zambian National Public Health Institute through DFID to help surveillance teams in monitoring and transporting of COVID-19 tests.

He said the British government has also committed about 10 million Kwacha to an initiative aimed at improving water supply and sanitation in high-density urban areas in Lusaka as well as six other districts in the country.

Mr. Woolley said the UK has also contributed about 60 million Kwacha to the Ministry of Health to support the country’s National Action Plan in tackling anti-microbial resistance through reinforcing existing surveillance systems and strengthening laboratory infrastructure.

Doubleheaders Sanctioned for July 18 League Restart

sports
-
0

Doubleheaders will be played when the FAZ league resumes on July 18.

FAZ spokesperson Sydney Mungala emphasized that the doubleheaders will be played behind closed doors and under strict Ministry of Health Covid-19 guidelines.
“Some games will be played behind closed doors according to the schedule,” Mungala said.

Mungala added that this is due to contractual obligations between FAZ’s and the satellite TV broadcaster of its FAZ Super Division games.

He said adjustments to kickoff time will be made due to social distancing measures with lunchtime kickoff expected to begin an hour earlier at 12h00.

Nine rounds of FAZ Super Division matches remain when the league resumes in a fortnight after the season was halted after 25 games were played on March 8.

Statement on the allegations of fraud and theft made against me by Mr. Lewis Mosho

Chief Editor
-
10
Statement on the allegations of fraud and theft made against me by Mr. Lewis Mosho

By Dr. Fred M’membe

It is very sad that wild and malicious allegations have once again been made against me.

I was last week summoned by the Police in Chinsali, Muchinga, made to believe that my house was taken, with no evidence of wrongdoing by myself, in my village in Chinsali over a year ago was going to be returned.

However, I was today charged with two counts of theft of proceeds of the sale of Post Newspapers Limited property located in Lusaka, sold by the company prior to it going into liquidation.

Those that have brought these charges against me, know very well that I was never involved in the sale of Post Newspapers Limited property and never used proceeds from the same for my personal benefit. These transactions were conducted through banks, thus, records relating to this sale and use of the proceeds are easily available.

These allegations are being brought by people who are stuck in their criminal activities and have thus opted to concoct lies. They have found nothing against me since the liquidation of Post Newspapers Limited and the illegal occupation of my house in Chinsali over a year ago. It is well known that they will not be able to prove these lies. But all this is being done, as the masses of this country are looking for alternative leadership and our party is growing very fast.

With our rising political fortunes, my being smeared with the filth of fraud and theft doesn’t come as a surprise. It was expected. Post Newspapers Limited wasn’t a Kantemba, a briefcase company, it was a big company with professional accounting staff.

It wasn’t possible for any individual person to take that amount of money, let alone for a property sale, without being noticed or traced.

Although I owned almost all the shares in the company, I never treated the assets and liabilities of the company as mine. The finances and assets of Post Newspapers Limited were handled and managed by its accounting staff. And I did not handle the sale of the said property. It was handled by the accounting staff and other responsible managers – and all are still alive.

The payment was made through the bank and so were the disbursements – which I am told were mainly to the Zambia Revenue Authority. All these transactions can be traced from the bank records.

If the police were professional in their dealing with Mr. Mosho’s complaint, they would have gone to the bank to check how the money moved from the buyer to Post Newspapers Limited’s bank accounts. And it could also reveal how it was disbursed from that account. But because of clear political pressure that has surrounded the whole liquidation of Post Newspapers Limited police professionalism, objectivity and fairness have been lost.

They know very well that this case is going nowhere but that does not bother them because their intention is not punish wrongdoing but to politically, morally and otherwise humiliate me.

Will they succeed? No. The Zambian people know very well what is going on and cannot be swayed by such malice, lies and calumny.

They are the thieves, not me.

I challenge Mr Mosho to render an audited account of the assets of Post Newspapers Limited he has collected and sold.

However, this will not deter us from fighting the injustice and inequity that is growing in our country. We will continue to mobilise Zambians to fight corruption, greed and injustice.

Dr Chitalu Chilufya is Innocent until proven otherwise by the courts of law-State House

Chief Editor
-
40
Dr Chitalu Chilufya is Innocent until proven otherwise by the courts of law-State House

State House has issued a statement in support of embattled Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya after criticism from some quarters questioning why the Health Minister has continued to serve despite having been charged with corruption.

“Despite being charged with criminal offenses, in this case, corruption allegations, Hon. Chilufya is currently innocent until proven otherwise by the courts of law, ” read the statement before adding that the assumption is predicated on the principle of Presumption of Innocence which is enshrined in the Constitution of Zambia and is consistent with according an accused Fair Trial.

The statement went on: “According to Article 18 (2) of the Zambian Constitution, every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he or she is proved or pleads guilty. And since the Zambia Constitution, as stated in Article 1 (1) overrides any other written law, or customary law, or customary practice, everyone must respect the Presumption of Innocence Law.”

“Therefore, a mere allegation is not a conviction and it is not the duty of the accused to prove his innocence. The principle of Presumption of Innocence until proven guilty by the courts of law is also enshrined in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights.”

Accordingly, the statement read: “His Excellency, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia will, therefore, presume the innocence of Hon. Chilufya and leave it to the prosecution and the courts to prove the minister, otherwise.”

The statement concluded by saying the President respects the Independence of the Judiciary and other Organs such as the Police, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Drug Enforcement Commission, among others, and will do nothing to interfere in the operations of these entities as long as he remains President.

Government, Cooperating Partners and other stakeholders review 7NDP performance

Chief Editor
-
4
Government, Cooperating Partners and other stakeholders review 7NDP performance

The Government of Zambia, cooperating partners and other stakeholders have reviewed the performance of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) as at Mid-Term.

Officiating at the validation meeting of the 7NDP Mid-Term Review Report at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Finance and Economic Development), Mr. Christopher Mvunga said the undertaking of the mid-term and terminal evaluation of the 7NDP are cardinal in assessing the extent to which implementation of planned projects and programmes have contributed to the attainment of desired development results in the National Vision 2030.

He said the Government is gratified by the strong partnership that exists between Government and its partners in the national development planning coordination mechanism, which is based on principles of participatory and integrated development without leaving anyone behind.

“Since the 7NDP has a five-year implementation period from 2017- 2021, it was planned that midway through its implementation, a mid-term review would be undertaken,” Mr. Mvunga said. “The 7NDP Monitoring and Evaluation framework also stipulates that ‘plan implementation and impact will be evaluated at mid-term and at end-term. This mid-term evaluation involved an analysis of both process and impact of the plan, to generate evidence to inform the implementation during the remaining period of the Plan and also guide strategic focus and implementation of future development plans. The evaluation was commissioned by the Government, supported by the United Nations and was conducted by independent entities with competencies in evaluation of national development plans’.”

Mr. Mvunga said the lessons learned from the review will inform Government and stakeholders on what has worked well, the shortcoming encountered and what needs to be done to improve the implementation in the remaining period. He said the review will also provide input into the design of future national development plans.

“The Government was confident that the findings of the 7NDP Mid-Term Review will give even more impetus to push implementation, provide an opportunity to learn from what works and improve on the shortcomings, if any, through the key recommendations that will be made by the independent review. This will help the country to optimise the possibility of achieving the set targets in our development plan,” said Mr. Mvunga. “As the 7NDP is nearing its end, the findings in the Mid-Term Review will also form the basis for the development of the successor plan or the eight National Development Plan (8NDP).”

And Ministry of National Development Planning Permanent Secretary (Development Cooperation Monitoring and Evaluation) Mr. Danies Chisenda said the Mid-Term Review is intended to bring out lessons that can help policy makers and implementers to make necessary changes that could lead to improvements in plan implementation.

“The Planning and Budgeting and the National Monitoring and Evaluation policies prescribe the necessity to undertake monitoring and evaluation of national development plans in order to ensure that the plans deliver the intended outcomes and that the coordination and implementation mechanisms are robust enough to ensure attainment of envisaged outcomes and impacts at the end of the plan period,” Mr. Chisenda said. “The 7NDP Mid-Term Review process was, therefore, necessary and it was coordinated by the Ministry of National Development Planning in collaboration with a multi-sectoral reference group consisting of experts from the various line ministries, academia, research institutions and civil society. The multi-sectoral reference group was appointed by the Secretary to the Cabinet.”

The 7NDP is the blueprint for Zambia’s development agenda for the period 2017 to 2021.

Higher Education Minister hands over K500,000 emergency research grants

Chief Editor
-
11
Higher Education Minister hands over K500,000 emergency research grants

Higher Education Minister Dr. Brian Mushimba has handed over K500,000 emergency research grants towards 5 proposals for the immediate funding of the county’s Scientific Community to make a contribution towards combating the covid – 19 pandemic.

Dr. Mushimba said the Government constituted a team of experts drawn from various discplines that includes epidemiology, bio-statistics, bio-analytical chemistry to produce a strategic paper on appropriate mitigation interventions against COVID – 19 in Zambia now finalised and being reviewed in the Ministry.

Dr. Mushimba was elated and called upon multidisciplinary eminent scientists and researchers to occupy a critical role to the generation of knowledge and solutions that will help in the prevention and containment of the current outbreak of the COVID – 19 in Zambia.

The Minister urged the teams to ensure that the undertaken proposed research will yield the desires outcomes.

“My advise to Research and Development players is not to go to sleep, as scientists hold the key,” he said.

Dr Mushimba also called on researchers and academicians in the Institutions of higher learning to use academia – brilliance pedagogy atmosphere as right platforms to recognise own local solutions.

He encouraged the key players to also embark on innovations of food security, climate change and other important economic issues.

He recalled that the Copperbelt Univeristy embarking on partnerships developed enhanced information management systems for the Zambia Revenue Authority e-tax online, and Zambia Qualifications Authority E-Certification a clear testimony of local solutions that must be supported.

The proposals by research teams are under thematic areas that comprise diseases transmission dynamics and prevention and control.

Dr. Mushimba said the event (proposed Covid – 19 research) emanates from the earlier combination of discussions and efforts of the Ministry, scientists and researchers to generate knowlegde that will create local solutions for not only the COVID pandemic but cutting accross.

He desclosed that the Ministry has a strategic research fund – of K10 million to support projects that can uplift relevance of research. He further disclosed that Ministry supports the JETS with K2 million funding towards junior scientists.

And out of 57 recieved applications of the solutions to COVID – 19 pandemic research proposals screened by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), 14 emerged successful and 5 approved for immediate funding whilst 9 approved on conditional funding.

The funds were awarded to the University of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University and Eden University.

TIZ says integrity Pacts in Public Service Delivery are a key component for meaningful development

Chief Editor
-
1
TIZ says integrity Pacts in Public Service Delivery are a key component for meaningful development

Transparency International Zambia Executive Director Maurice Nyambe says integrity Pacts in Public Service Delivery are a key component for meaningful development to take place.

Speaking during a dual courtesy call made to the Mayor and Town Clerk of Chinsali District in Muchinga Province, Mr Nyambe said for sustainable development to take place, it needs people to own the processes.

Mr. Nyambe explained that integrity pacts are not meant to undermine service providers, but rather to strengthen the relationship between the service users who are in this case the people and service providers who could be a public entity or private entity.

And speaking during the brief meeting, the Mayor of Chinsali Thomas Mutale said his office welcomes progressive ideas that are aimed at supplementing government efforts of providing unprecedented development without leaving anyone behind.

Mr. Mutale disclosed that Chinsali is growing as a provincial capital of Muchinga and hence it needs it’s people to participate in the development process and eventually it’s achievements.

He further disclosed that his office is aware of the pipe water project that is laid down in Chanda Mali and Kabuta communities being implemented Chambeshi water and sewerage company and monitored by the Transparency Action Group.

He charged that this triangulation method of working is the best approach because at the end of the all stakeholders will benefit from the clean water that his town needs more than ever, now that the town to expanding to acclaim its status as the provincial capital of Muchinga Province.

1...1,3161,3171,318...5,641Page 1,317 of 5,641

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times