The government will today hold a Youth Forum at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka aimed at coming up with a road map on how to address challenges facing the Youth across the country.

Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary AMOS MALUPENGA has disclosed to ZNBC News in an interview that the Forum will be carried live on ZNBC Television .

Mr. MALUPENGA explained that only One hundred youths will attend the forum because of Covid-19 but stated that Six Million have been targeted across the country.

He further explained that Minister of Information and Broadcasting Minister DORA SILIYA will chair the meeting which will be attended by various ministries.

Mr. MALUPENGA said among the ministries will be that of Livestock and Fisheries to talk about how Youths can access aquaculture empowerment.

He said others will be the Ministry of Youths, Community Development, Agriculture among others.

Mr. MALUPENGA pointed out that Government has had a good response from the meetings that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services together with other Ministers have had with the Youths.

The Lusaka City Council Liquor Licensing Committee has resolved that Chicago’s Reloaded at East Park Mall will remain closed pending determination of the matter by the Council.

This follows a routine inspection that revealed that the restaurant disregarded warnings and guidelines given to them by the local authority on 4th June, 2020.

LCC Liquor Licensing Committee Chairperson Councillor Jonas Phiri disclosed that the committee has given Chicago’s 30 days in which to exculpate themselves and show cause why Council should not revoke their licence.

Mr. Phiri said this after the special Liquor Licensing Committee sitting which was held in the Council Chamber.

Meanwhile, Mr Phiri said the committee has given Granddaddy’s a final warning for obstructing authorized officers from entering their premises while MS Liquor and Drill Beat Liquor Wholesale have been warned for going against provisions of the Liquor Licensing Act by operating like a bar.

He said the findings at Chicago’s Reloaded, Granddaddy’s, MS Liquor and Drill Beat Liquor Wholesale contravenes the provisions of the Liquor License Act No. 20 of 2011, and Statutory Instrument Number 21 and 22 of 2020 of Public Health Act Cap 295 of the Laws of Zambia.

The Committee Chairperson added that when it comes to following the President’s directive, his committee is not going to side with anyone regardless of their nationality or race but will strictly enforce the law.

Mr Phiri charged that all bars should remain closed until the president directs otherwise.

He said Council officers shall continue to monitor compliance on all premises that have been given permits to operate.

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.

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.

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.