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An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study to upgrade Kampumba and Kabanga manganese mines to large scale mines in Kapiri Mposhi district has been concluded.
The study was conducted to upgrade the two mines to large scale which have been operating for over ten years now as small scale mines.
This is in line with the current Mines and Minerals Development Act Regulations of 2015 requiring all small scale mines in the country above 400 hectares to convert to large scale mines.
SANHE Mining Investment Company Limited the owner of the two mines was compelled to apply for conversion of their mining license to upgrade the two mines seating on 540 and 420 hectares from small to large scale mines.
This came to light during an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) disclosure meeting for the proposed development of large scale manganese mines in the two areas.
The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) engaged Greenline Environmental Solutions to conduct an independent assessment of the impending impact of large scale mining activities in the area.
During the meeting attended by various stakeholders including the local traditional leadership and line government ministries, Greenline Environmental Solutions Director, Mubanga Mwansa said ESIA study had taken into account the plight of inhabitants of the area and recommended mitigation measures such as progressive rehabilitation of the environment as a result of mining activities.
Mr Mubanga said the ESIA study and findings will be submitted to ZEMA for consideration in line with provisions of the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011 as part of the EIA regulation requirement.
“The conversion from small scale to large scale was not necessitated by the investor (SANHE), this came from the new regulations under the Mines and Mineral Development Act that for any mining activity to qualify to be small scale it must be below 400 hectares therefore any mine seating on more than 400 hectares should be reclassified and converted to large scale,” Mr Mwansa said.
He said the study would also compel the investor to adequately compensate all the people who would be displaced from the mine license areas as a result of the mining activities.
SANHE has advanced five million United States Dollars in the large scale manganese mining investment on the two mines.
SANHE Mining General Manager, Lily Tan said the conversion to large scale mining would see raised manganese production of up to 3000 tonnes per month at Kampumba mine, which has a 30-year mining lifespan.
Ms Tan said the two mines will provide more than 200 direct jobs to the locals.
“We will be committed to commitments towards implementing these recommendations to ensure safety and wellbeing of the local inhabitants found in the mine license,” Ms Tan said.
Zambia Police and Council Workers Demolishing the Houses of retired Munali Secondary School teachers
The retired Munali Secondary School teachers who were last week evicted from government houses by council police have demanded for payment of their dues by the government.
The evicted teachers have also accused Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo of being behind the demolition of their structures leaving them in the cold.
The visibly angry retirees of whom some have continued to spend nights in the cold said Mr Lusambo is a ruthless and heartless leader who does not care about the plight of the poor.
They said they are ready to leave once paid their money as stipulated in the laws of Zambia.
“We are ready to vacate these premises, it’s not like we want to be here. All we are waiting for is our money”, they said.
Others talked to expressed disappointment that two weeks after being given the eviction letters, the council police appeared in drunken state midnight forcing them out of the houses.
They said they are agrieved because they are not there illegally as they are waiting for their dues which government has faiked to pay on time.
Recently, government issued an eviction notice to over 20 retirees living in teachers houses at Munali Secondary school.
The eviction notices also stated that the structures such as shops, boarding houses, chicken runs and garages within the premises should be demolished within a week.
Zambian High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga
ZAMBIA’S High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga says a number of top Indian investors have shown interest to meet President Edgar Lungu during his State Visit to India this week.
Mrs. Kapijimpanga says the reasons for meeting the Head of State will be to cement their investment pledges in Zambia.
She says her team will countinue encouraging more investors to invest in Zambia.
The High commissioner said this when she addressed a team of Zambian entrepreneurs who are in India to attend the Zambia- India Busines Forum.
Mrs. Kapijimpanga says most investors want to invest in sectors such as agriculture and technology .
Speaking at the same meeting, Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Acting Director General Matongo Matamwandi says 50 private business men from Zambia will form part of the business delegation for the India -Zambia Business Forum on Wednesday.
Mr. Matamwandi says the business delegation will help in attracting investment in the Multi Facility Economic Zones (MFEZ) doted across the country .
President Edgar Lungu is on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, expected in New Delhi, India, on a three day State Visit.
The reciprocal visit follows his Indian counterpart Shri Ram Nath Kovind’s three day State Visit to Zambia in April 2018, first time an Indian President visited Zambia in 30 years.
This is contained in a statement made available by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in India Bangwe Naviley.
OPPOSITION Socialist Party in Western Province says it is concerned about the hunger situation in the region.
In a statement, Western Province party spokeperson Preston Chinyama said it was criminal for the Patriotic Front government to down play the hunger situation in Western, Southern and Lusaka provinces owing to the poor rain pattern for the 2018-2019 agriculture season.
“The harvests were very poor and it was not the people’s fault. The people in Western Province areas of Mbume, Natukoma, Nalwashi and the surrounding areas have cried out and under normal circumstances, government should have quickly responded to the call but the only response they have received from the government is mockery of the highest order. It’s heart breaking, inhuman and barbaric to treat citizens of a country in such a way. Wild fruits, tubers and natural gathering were means of sustaining life in the Primitive Communalism society but the same can’t be practiced in today’s world because nature is depleted and provision for the nation is now a critical government responsibility,” said Chinyama
He said the people have spoken and the situation is real and the PF government must take responsibility.
“Why is government not taking responsibility for the situation? The vice president as controller of government business in Parliament and the head of state are playing hide and seek with the people of Western Province,” he said
Professor Muna Ndulo has observed that there is a serious break in the rule of law in the country and has appealed to President Edgar Lungu to appoint people in public institutions on merit.
The US-based law professor, who has been in the country the last two weeks, said there was a strong disrespect for the rule of law in Zambia, especially from those who are supposed to uphold it.
Speaking in an interview Prof Ndulo said the situation made his heart bleed, especially that the country had for a long time been viewed as a strong democracy in the region.
“I must admit that I’m troubled by what’s happening in the country; my heart bleeds. For example, I do not really understand why we do not respect freedom of expression and freedom of assembly,” Prof Ndulo said
“These are fundamental rights that are enshrined, not only in our Constitution, but even in the covenants and international conventions that we have joined, including the African Charter. Based on this, people should be free to organise politically and otherwise. There’s no need to stop others from organising. So for me I must admit that I’m very concerned.”
He said every institution in the country was created by the Constitution and therefore subscribed to it.
Prof Ndulo called for constitutionalism in the country.
“The rule of law is fundamental because that means constitutionalism. But here I find it strange that today in Zambia we have people who argue that Parliament, for example, can do whatever it likes. The concept of the rule of law is about the supremacy of the Constitution; that’s what it’s about – that the Constitution is supreme to all institutions, including Parliament because Parliament is created by the Constitution, so is the Judiciary, so is the Presidency,” he said.
“Everybody is created by the Constitution. That means anything that doesn’t abide by the Constitution is invalid. Otherwise, what is the source of its legitimacy? It has no legitimacy. If your actions have no constitutional power, where are you getting that power from?”
Prof Ndulo said in a normal society there could be no development without good governance.
He said any country in the world that had developed did so because of respect for the rule of law.
“And I think we also need to realise that there’s a direct relationship between good governance and development. You cannot develop if your institutions of governance are not run properly. And that’s the evidence worldwide,” Prof Ndulo said. “Look at countries that are doing well in Africa. They are those that have no problems with human rights and good governance because good governance ensures that there’s adequate consultation in policies, in everything. Which means you minimise the chance of a wrong policy being passed because you encourage debate among citizens.”
And Prof Ndulo said in a country where deserving people were not appointed to public positions, service delivery collapses.
“And the other thing that really concerns me in this country is that when I compare to other countries such as Kenya and of course developed states, is that we don’t respect merit; we have to. People must be rewarded for their achievements and people must be selected on merit. For government institutions to run properly, they must be led by people who are competent,” said Prof Ndulo.
“This also requires clear processes of appointment to particular positions. This is critical, going forward. If we want to develop, we must respect merit in the civil service, universities and everywhere. If people who merit appreciation do not get it, they get discouraged and demotivated. In the end you have a serious collapse in public service delivery because the system is awarding wrong people.”
Huawei Technologies sent a letter to The Wall Street Journal on Friday, denying the publication’s bombshell report describing how it allegedly helped the governments of two African nations spy on their political opponents.
Uganda and Zambia, the two governments mentioned in the article, also denied that Huawei employees had helped them conduct espionage.
The Journal’s article on Wednesday said that Huawei employees in the two African countries were involved with government cybersecurity forces in helping intercept communications and tracking opponents’ social media activity and physical movements.
In the letter, Huawei lawyer Steven Friedman said “the article is neither a fair nor a responsible representation of Huawei’s legitimate business activities in these countries.”
“The publication of these false statements has and will continue to damage Huawei’s reputation and business interests across the globe,” he wrote.
Dora Siliya, a Zambian government spokeswoman, criticised the news report in a tweet on Friday.
“The WSJ article on government spying on political opponents is malicious, we refute it with the contempt it deserves,” she wrote.
Uganda also denied the allegations, other news outlets reported on Friday.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Huawei employees helped Ugandan authorities use spyware to disrupt the concerts of Bobi Wine, a popular musician who is now a member of parliament.
Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba has described Saturday’s Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield final victory over Zesco United as a positive sign of things to hopefully come into the 2019/2020 campaign.
The Bankers produced a convincing display that kept Zesco at bay to win 1-0 in the Charity Shield final played at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka on August 18.
A 39th minute goal by captain and defender Ziyo Tembo sealed Zanaco’s victory that saw The Bankers particularly looking solid in defence where they were woeful last term despite technically finishing in the top four of the 2019 transitional season.
“It is a good for us to start with a Trophy before the season begins and it is a good motivation on our part and the players are very happy with it,” Numba said.
“I must say in this game, we showed that we have got the defence, they withstood against a determined Zesco. I think Zesco is one of the most lethal teams in the league and if we can stand against Zesco, keeping a clean sheet, it tells us that we have a good defence this coming season.”
But Zanaco will again be tested by Zesco on the opening day of this 2019/2020 FAZ Super Division season when they travel to Ndola on August 31 to play a Week One fixture at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Austin Muwowo is humbled to have won the 2019 Zambia Footballer of the Year Award.
The Chipolopolo striker enjoyed great form at Forest Rangers in the 2019 transitional season, where he was on loan from Nkana, scoring 10 goals to also share the 2019 Golden Boot Award with two other players.
Muwowo, who made a permanent move to Orlando Pirates from Nkana in the off-season, beat off competition from Kaizer Chiefs and ex Zesco United striker Lazarus Kambole and Red Arrows midfielder Bruce Musakanya.
“I feel so excited right now, I cannot express myself and I thank God for this. It is really a great feeling and a great honour to get this award,” Muwowo said on Saturday night at the 2019 FAZ Awards Gala in Lusaka.
“To all my teammates at Forest, I want to say thank you and I want to thank them for the support from the push that came from them,” Muwowo said.
“And I want to say thank you to all the fans. I kind of dreamt about this, it is a dream come true.”
Muwowo also shared the Golden Boot award with Laudit Mavugo of Napsa Stars and his former Forest striker partner Adams Zikiru.
Meanwhile, Kambole won the Fans Player of the Year Award and also took home the Most Disciplined Player Award.
The Young Player of the Year went to midfielder Kings Kangwa who recently moved from Buildcon to Russian club Arsenal Tula.
Other recipients on the night were Green Eagles coach Aggrey Chiyangi who won the Coach of the Year for a second successive season.
Audrick Nkole won the Referee of the Year Award while Diana Chikotesha collected the Best Assistant Referee Award.
The late Zambia captain and coach Dickson Makwaza who skippered the KK XI to their debut AFCON final where they finished second in 1974 was post-humously honoured with the FAZ Presidents Award.
File:Minister of State for Diaspora and International Development and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland Ciaran Cannon (L) showing Sefula Secondary School Pupils where Ireland is found on the World Map
General Education Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba says the country’s current education curriculum is rigid and not favorable to the career needs of Zambians.
Dr. Kalumba said most subjects offered are not compatible with what the pupils want to do in future.He said there is urgent need to transform the curriculum to ensure it becomes relevant to career paths of children.
Dr. Kalumba said the educational reforms being implemented are meant to improve education standards and that the PF government has pro poor policies. He stated that reduction in school fees will ensure all Zambians have access to education.
And Dr. Kalumba has challenged school managers who think the reduction in school fees will negatively impact the quality of education to leave and pave way for educationists who are willing to develop the sector.
He was speaking when he addressed teachers from various schools in Eastern province who gathered at Chipata Day Secondary school.
Paramount chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people commended government for paying attention to salaries for teachers.The traditional leader said this when Dr. Kalumba paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Chipata.He said the move will motivate more Zambians to pursue teaching as a career.
“Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.”
(2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV)
The Great Exchange
If you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are the righteousness of God. That means you are one with Him and an extension of His virtue. You are approved by Him. You are in right standing with Him. You belong to Him.”
Not only did Jesus pay for the punishment for your sins, the Scripture says He actually became sin. He took sin upon Himself and into His being so that you could take God’s righteousness upon yourself and into your being. It’s the great exchange.
Today, don’t let the enemy hold you back by making you feel guilty or condemned. You are not who you used to be; you are the righteousness of God in Christ! First John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If there is anything in your life that is holding you back today, confess it to God. Let Him cleanse you and make you new. Remember, He paid a precious price so that you could be His righteousness. Meditate on this truth and let Him set you free!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for cleansing me and making me new. Thank You for making me the righteousness of God in Christ. Help me to fully understand this so I can walk in the fullness of the blessing You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
HH and President Lungu meet at late Munkombwe’s burial in Choma
By Chimwemwe Mwanza
Vicious, vindictive and vengeful aptly describes the Zambian political arena. Former Presidents, Kenneth Kaunda, Rupiah Banda and the late Frederick Chiluba all have scars to prove this. In the 80’s, Kaunda locked up Chiluba on flimsy charges that failed to hold in a court of law. After he became Head of State, Chiluba retaliated by sending Kaunda to Mukobeko maximum prison.
The irony for Chiluba is that his handpicked successor, Levy Mwanawasa motivated Parliament to waive off the latter’s immunity thereby exposing Chiluba to several graft charges formulated by the now defunct Task Force on Corruption. With his legacy tainted by a skewed narrative, only death saved Chiluba from possible jail time. To erase his predecessor’s legacy and ensure his humiliation, the late Sata’s PF re-created this trend by consigning Rupiah to a life of court appearances.
Off significance to this conversation, UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema (HH) served time in Lilayi prison on a laughable treason charge – this at the hands of the current PF regime. For a fact, HH has never hidden his disdain for President Edgar Lungu and his stint in a tiny Lilayi prison cell has probably served to reinforce the UPND leader’s contempt for the President.
Just why such vindictiveness and blatant abuse of power seems to gratify incumbents is hard to understand. In the absence of reason, one might well speculate that this show of brutality is all about a naked flexing of political muscle – a bit more like, ‘can I show you who is the boss’. Whatever the reason, the difficulty is that this trend erodes the very democratic tenets and political maturity that Zambia is renowned for in the rest of Africa and the world over.
Which makes 2021 an interesting contest. Other than bread and butter issues, the fore mentioned factors will weigh heavily on the minds of both President Lungu and HH heading closer to the polls.
Who is likely to win?
The tiny but seismic shift in fundamentals on the ground seem to suggest that this will be a closely fought contest. Besides, recent electoral predictions across the globe – even by the most experienced pundits have gone against the grain making it even more difficult to provide an accurate outcome.
For example, in 2012, several analysts predicted an outright victory for Rupiah’s MMD only for the PF to spring a surprise. Suffice to acknowledge that, while characteristics of the Zambian electoral landscape may differ in comparison to mature democracies, there are similarities to draw from – especially in elections where the voter’s desire for change outweighs any other considerations.
Unaware of a groundswell desire for change, an over-confident former British Premier, David Cameroon called a snap referendum to determine Britain’s future in the European Union (EU). He was stunned at the outcome. Against odds, the British electorate voted for Brexit thus paving the way for what has now become Britain’s messy divorce from the EU trade block.
Humiliated by a razor thin loss to Brexit supporters, Cameroon was forced to call his time as leader of the conservative party. In yet one of the biggest election upsets of the 21st century, Donald Trump steam-rolled establishment candidate, Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President of the US. Therefore, the notion that either the PF or UPND might have an edge over the other heading towards 2021 is fallacious. Truth is, this is an election that could swing either way.
Why ECL will be desperate to win
Despite the PF’s public show of confidence, their determined focus on HH and constant whip-lashing of his perceived tribal inclinations, best illustrates their genuine fears and by extention their desperation. Rightly so, they can’t afford to be complacent. 2021 will be a referendum on their ten years in power. Be rest assured that this is one election where the PF’s well – oiled propaganda machinery will likely throw both the sink and kitchen at the UPND bearing in mind what is at stake. In fact, the proposed amendment to the constitution is intended to disadvantage the opposition ahead of the polls.
What troubles the mind is that the current constitution which the PF is attempting to discard was signed into law by the sitting President amid a jam-packed Independence stadium. Three years later, it’s tempting to ask. What has changed to warrant an amendment to this sacred document? By now, PF knows too well that the much-punted humility of their candidate might be a hard-sale more so to an electorate that appears too desperate for change. They can’t afford lethargic arguments such as they being the only party with a manifesto. Need they be reminded that having a manifesto is one thing and delivering on its content is another.
What about the promise that they would lower taxes and put more money in the pockets of the working class? Did they deliver on such including creation of job opportunities? You be the judge. The President is aware that he will be facing an electorate that is weary of rising food costs. A persistent drought over the last two seasons has only compounded the hunger situation – more so in outlying areas of the country. In addition, the policy uncertainty in mining taxation and the stand – off between government and sections of the mining community is taking its toll on economic growth. Perceptions around inaction on corruption might not help his cause either. While some of these challenges might not be, the PF’s making, the electorate always tend to punish a sitting government for their suffering – sometimes unfairly so.
Never mind whether HH has genuine or has yet to formulate charges against the PF, he has consistently warned that the PF leadership will be called to account for wrong doing once he becomes President. The tacit implication of this threat is that, HH is already extending bed spaces at Chimbokaila, Kamwala Remand and possibly Lilayi prisons for use by the PF leadership. And knowing fully well what is at stake, a possible loss is too ghastly for the PF to contemplate. For President Lungu, there will be no better motivation to win the polls than lose to a sworn rival.
Its State House or bust for HH
PF has over-exposed the country to a mountain of debt that will outlive generations to come. It is precisely why the 2021 polls will boil down to the economy. As a businessman, HH knows too well the implications of our foreign debt on the fiscus. Zambia can’t afford to keep borrowing to fund consumption and expenditure on non-productive sectors of the economy.
This is the message he has been selling the grassroots. For a fact, he has the support of the broader investment community, including some global mining giants. Most important though, the International Monetary Fund appears to have factored in his possible victory in 2021 hence their reluctance to engage the current government on a possible economic rescue package.
The question is, has the UPND leader’s message of change found resonance with the electorate? While he appeals to the affluent and middle class in Parklands, Kansenshi and Kabulonga, the grassroots in Mandevu, kwa Nagoli and Chamboli seem to be struggling to grasp his vision for the country. Be reminded that he desperately needs this voting block to win the elections.
Against the backdrop of challenges, this looks like HH’s election to lose. Fact is, he can’t afford a record of 4 election loses on the trot. Such a scenario will certainly cast him into political wilderness and the glue that’s bound the UPND together over the years will finally loosen. Is this what he wants?
It’s entirely up to him and how he manages his campaign otherwise it might just well be that he will once again fall short of expectation and hand the PF another 5 years in power. And him being such a vexatious litigant, our Supreme and Constitutional courts will likely be kept busy. Watch this space.
The author is an avid reader of political history and philosophy. He loves Nshima with game meat. For feedback contact him on kwachaoneATgmailDOTcom
Zanaco are the 2019/2020 Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield champions following a 1-0 victory over Zesco United at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka today.
The contest was settled in the first half thanks to a goal from captain and defender Ziyo Tembo in his first match back at Zanaco after a one year stint at Saudi Arabian club Al Shollah.
But it was Zesco who made a bright start dominating the first ten minutes before Zanaco found their rhythm.
Zanaco’s first warning shot came from winger Charles Zulu who saw his 22nd minute free kick land on the roof of Zesco’s net.
Zanaco got it right on the next set-piece in the 39th minute when Lawrence Chungu floated the ball into the box and Ziyo was there to meet it and turn it past Zesco goalkeeper Dieudonne Ntibahezwa.
But Zanaco were fortunate to have gone into the break leading after Jesse Were’s 43rd minute shot from a fine through ball from John Chingandu was flapped-out by Zanaco goalkeeper Mangani Banda.
The second half then saw a flurry of changes on both sides but Zanaco again still looked the most likely to score.
Ziyo was denied the opportunity of a brace in the 66th minute when he headed Tafadzwa Rusike’s free kick onto the post while Moussa Souleymanou saw his 69th minute long-range effort take a bounce and go wide.
Meanwhile, the victory was sweet revenge for Zanaco after Zesco beat them 4-1 in the 2019 ABSA Cup final on June 22 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
But the two sides meet again in a fortnight, this time in league action, when Zesco hosts Zanaco in a Week One fixture on August 31 at Levy Stadium.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini says the House will proceed to table the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 10 of 2019 despite the matter being before the Constitutional Court.
Responding to a letter from Simeza Sangwa and Associates, who asked the House to halt proceedings given that the matter had been petitioned before the Constitutional Court, Clerk of the National Assembly Doris Kapumba stated that the debates would continue on account of the doctrine of exclusive cognizance which provided that the House enjoyed exclusive and unfettered jurisdiction in the conduct of its internal proceedings.
Mrs Kapumba stated that the Speaker had elected to exercise his discretion to allow consideration of Bill 10 by the House.
File:President Edgar Chagwa Lungu Plants a Tree at The Grove of the Nation in the Jerusalem Forest on Tuesday 28-02-2017pg
Dear Editor,
Ref: Forest 27
President Lungu signed SI No 62 of 2017 degazetting of the Forest number 27.
Now, why would a President sign such a destructive SI, knowing very well that forest reserve 27 is the only forest remaining in Lusaka and a recharge area for chalimbana and Chongwe rivers?
All the Zambian Presidents, from Kenneth Kaunda, FTJ Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, Rupiah Banda, to Sata, resisted and protected this forest from land scavengers. Why is it that only President Lungu has seen it fit to degazatte the forest and have it shared as plots, disregarding the danger and risks involved in this careless decision?
The Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) wrote a letter to Lusaka Province Planning Authority and expressed serious concerns regarding this development since Forest Number 27 is a ground water recharge area and also feeds the river systems in the Chalimbana sub-catchment: “degazetting this forest for residential plots will threaten water resource availability as this may result in some water sources drying up. As such, WARMA is considering declaring Forest 27 as a Water Resource Protection Area as provided in section 29(1) and 93(1) of the WRM Act. We write to your office seeking confirmation if indeed Forest Number 27 is degazatted and if there are plans from your Planning Authority to develop this area as depicted in the attached map from Murray Anderson”.
If President Lungu has nothing to benefit from forest 27 and was misled by his minister of Lands, let him quickly rescind his decision to degazatte forest 27. It’s not too late.
Zambians let’s get our forest back. What these greed people are doing is unacceptable. Let’s demand that all the developments done so far in that forest reserve be stopped and start the process of getting that land back into a forest. All those who own plots in this forest must pay for the cost of restoring that land back into a forest reserve.
We have had enough with these people and their greedy ways! Just few years in power, they have turned our country into a crime scene.
Government has transformed Kabwe Mine Hospital in Central Province into a specialised institution for women and children.
The health facility will now be called Kabwe Women, New Born and Children’s Hospital.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, who officiated at the ceremony in Kabwe, said the move is in line with President Edgar Lungu’s agenda to ensure that women and children’s health is given priority.
President Lungu recently declared maternal deaths as a public health emergency.
He said President Lungu was concerned with the number of women dying while giving life hence the declaration.
Dr. Chilufya said the new facility will contribute to reducing maternal deaths in Central province.
He said the ministry will work hard to ensure that maternal deaths are reduced to zero.
To bring health care services as close to the people as possible, the Minister broke ground to commerce construction of Mini hospitals in Namukulu and Katondo townships.
He reiterated that government will continue investing massively in the health sector in order to equal the country’s growing population with service provision.
Meanwhile, Dr Chilufya has implored nurses and midwives to be professional and ethical as they attend to patients.
Dr. Chilufya says government is always saddened with reports of some nurses mistreating and shouting at patients while on duty.
He says government will not tolerate such personnel because they are retrogressive to the sector.
Dr. Chilufya said this during the central province 3rd combined graduation ceremony of 296 nurses and midwives in Kabwe today.
The minister, who is Mansa central MP and PF member of the Central Committee announced that soon government will open three nursing schools and midwifery in Serenje, Mkushi and Kabwe respectively.
He also said that government is happy with the continued contribution of human resource to the sector trained by private nursing schools.
Dr. Chilufya has since assured all graduates that government will employ them in order to bridge the gap that has been created as a result of massive infrastructure development especially in the health sector.
Dr Chilufya was accompanied by provincial Minister Mr Sydney Mushanga,
Kabwe Central Member of Parliament, who is deputy chief whip Tutwa Ngulube, Central Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Chomba among others.
Meanwhile, general nursing council of Zambia registrar and chief executive officer Dr. Aaron Banda in a speach read for him by council spokesperson Thom Yung’ana called on the graduates to add value to the professional by upholding ethics.
The theme for the graduation was: To train a highly competent, committed nurse and midwife who possesses scientific knowledge and acts of caring.
