Minister of Home Affairs, Stephen Kampyongo says the Zambia Police Service will soon launch a clean-up campaign to collect fire arms from those that will not surrender within the stipulated African Union(AU)Amnesty month of September.

Mr. Kampyongo said Zambia is committed to ensuring that there was voluntary surrender of arms.

The Minister noted that Zambia Police has attached a monetary gain for those who are willingly surrendering arms as a sign of commitment.

He said the Zambia Police will engage the public in the campaign to ensure that it is successful.

The Minister was speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last evening before transiting to Geneva to attend an annual Executive Committee meeting of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva.

He said the meeting was important to Zambia as the country was host to many refugees from around Africa.

The Minister said President Edgar Lungu as Chair of the Defense and Security on the SADC Organ TRIOKA was closely monitoring the situation in Democratic Republic of Congo and hoping for a peaceful election.

‘’Although Zambia is working hard in its capacity as SADC Chair for Peace and Security, to ensure a conducive and peaceful atmosphere, we cannot rule out the anticipation of an increase of refugees from Congo DR, if this is not certain,’’ he said.

Mr. Kampyongo said while in Geneva, he will hold several meetings, including a bilateral meeting with the UNHCR High Commissioner to consider the issue of providing social amenities in refugee areas.

The Minister has also congratulated the Zambia Embassy in Ethiopia for the role it is playing in strengthening the voice of Zambia at the African Union.

He expressed happiness that media and military personnel were enlightened on the importance of the Amnesty month following an AU sponsored workshop that took place in Lusaka on the Amnesty month of September on the surrender of illegal weapons.

And Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Susan Sikaneta said Zambia had been recognized as one of the first African Countries that were taking the surrender of arms seriously.

Ms. Sikaneta thanked President Edgar Lungu and the Zambian Government for all the guidance and efforts made that have resulted in Zambia being recognized for its prominent role in the AU flagship programme of silencing the Guns in Africa.

Ms. Sikaneta said the AU found it necessary to sponsor a workshop in Zambia owing to the work that Zambia was doing with regards the programme of silencing the Guns in Africa.

The Roadmap for the AU Flagship programme of silencing the Guns was crafted in Lusaka in 2016 during a meeting of the Peace and Security Council.

This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS by First Secretary for Press at the Zambia Embassy in Ethiopia Inutu Mwanza.

President Edgar Lungu says in line with the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), Government has prioritized the agriculture sector as one of the economic drivers of the nation by establishing the agricultural services and training centres in Luapula and Muchinga Provinces of Zambia.

At its 17th Cabinet meeting held at State House Chaired by President Edgar Lungu today, Government has approved phase one of Luena Agricultural services and Manshya training centres in the implementation of the project to help small scale and emergent farmers transform into commercial farmers.

Cabinet feels Government emphasises that the only way the small scale farmers can improve their productivity is by way of empowering them with the necessary farming skills and knowledge by engaging in high value crops so as to increase their incomes.

The services to be provided includes mechanization and modernisation of irrigation, increased storage facilities, capacity building in order for Zambia to export to neighboring countries.

Cabinet feels these are important elements and key in boosting productivity, minimizing post-harvest losses and wealth creation leading to poverty reduction among Zambia’s farming communities.

During the same Meeting, Cabinet approved Zambia’s hosting of the International Development Association (IDA) 18 High-Level Mid-Term Review Meeting to take place in Livingstone from 13th to 15th November, 2018.

The IDA 18 High-Level Mid-Term Review Meeting to more than 400 delegates, follows Zambia’s request to the World Bank Group to host the 2018 meeting.

Further, Cabinet also approved Zambia’s hosting of the 2019 East and Southern Africa Association of Accountants – General Annual Conference in February, 2019 in Livingstone, Southern Province.

Zambia last hosted such a Conference in 2009 and a decade has now passed to host such an event next year.

Other important items approved by Cabinet is the National Legal Aid Policy that provides a framework for broadening and increasing accessibility to legal assistance by the poor while, enhancing the capacity and accountability of legal aid service providers.

The Head of State said Government aims to promote human rights, which is considered very cardinal to the people of Zambia.

In winding up the meeting, Cabinet expressed happiness with regard to attaining Sustainable Development Goals, Zambia will host the Sustainable Development Goals Centre for Africa-Sub Centre in Lusaka which will coordinate the Southern African countries in the implementation of the SDGs in collaboration with the main centre in Rwanda.

The meeting also learnt that the construction of the Bombay drain is 73.5 percent complete and the Mazyopa drain on the other hand is 99 percent complete with the outstanding works scheduled to be completed immediately after the 2017/2018 rainy season.

This is according to a press statement issued to ZANIS this evening by Chief Government Spokesperson, Dora Siliya.

The case in which Party president for the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP), Sean E. Tembo is jointly charged with Civil Activist Laura Miti, Musician Fumba Chama commonly known as Pilato and others for disobeying lawful orders has fallen a seat back.

The accused were arrested for allegedly protesting against the procurement of 42 fire trucks which were procured at a total cost of 42,million US Dollars.

The Matter which was coming up for continued trial before Principal Resident Mwaka Mikalile has been adjourned to November 19 because the state have failed to avail their remaining two witnesses.

This came to light after state prosecutor Denis Manda made an application for an adjournment to enable him bring his witnesses before the court

Magistrate Mikalile has granted the state their application and adjourned the matter to November 19 for continuation of trial

Minister of Home Affairs, Stephen Kampyongo said in his statement to the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commission for Refugee that the acquisition of permanent resident by former refugees has stalled due to financial constraints and legal technicalities among other challenges.

Mr. Kampyongo disclosed that the exercise started in 2014 and is expected to be completed in 2016 with the integration of about 14,000 Angolans and 4,000 Rwandans.

The Minister noted that despite the challenges, over 3,000 former refugees now holds Residence Permits or Temporal Permits while, the social economic pillars are being supported by development partners led by the UNDP.

He stated that in order to successfully conclude the legal pillar of the programme, the Government of Zambia requires financial assistance in order to ensure that permits are issued to the remaining over 11,000 Angolans and Rwandans.

And High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi commended Zambia and other countries that have embraced the refugee response.

Mr. Grandi said Zambia needs support to address the influx of Congolese asylum seekers who have entered the country.

Meanwhile, World Bank Chief Executive, Kristalina Georgieva who also presented her organization’s statement reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to working with the UNHCR and the host countries in addressing issues of refugee crisis world over.

Minister of Home Affairs, Stephen Kampyongo is leading the Zambia delegation attending the 69th Session of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR comprising of Permanent Secretary, Pamela Kabamba and Commissioner for Refugees, Abdon Mawere.

Government says the development of the World Class Barca Academy Sports Complex in Lusaka will help nurture and develop sporting talents of young people in Lusaka and the country at large.

Minister in the Office of the Vice President Sylvia Chalikosa said government remains committed to creating an enabling environment to attract the private sector to participate in the development of sports infrastructure.

Speaking when she launched the Barcelona Academy in Lusaka today, Ms Chalikosa said development of world class sports facilities will help improve sporting standards especially soccer in the country.

The Barcelona Academy in Lusaka is the third of such a facility in Africa and plans are underway to set up another academy on the Copperbelt Province.

ZANIS reports that the Minister said government appreciates the efforts and investment that has been put into the development of the sports facility.

Ms Chalikosa appealed to the investors to consider setting up similar sports facilities around the country in order to help tap the vast potential of talent in the country.

She urged other corporate bodies to come on board and work with government to help set up similar sports facilities for the benefit of communities.

Ms Chalikosa said with such facilities it was possible for the next Lionel Messi and Serena Williams to come from Zambia and also for Chipolopolo to beat World defending champions France at the Qatar 2022 next World Cup.

ZULAWU president Kingsley Zulu says the union is displeased that some principle officers are buying expensive vehicles at the expense of service provision.

Zulu said it was disapointing to note that instead of concentrating on the provision of the much needed services to the residents some managers in about three quarters of the council’s across the country were buying latest vehicle.

Speaking at a media briefing in Ndola, Zulu said that the 20 per cent component of the local government equalization fund for capital projects had been deviated to the procurement of personal to holder vehicles for luxury purposes.

He said the vehicles purchased at a huge cost which funds if properly utilised would improve service provision as opposed to benefiting a few individuals.

“ZULAWU wishes to register its displeasure in the manner some principle officers in local authorities are administering the affairs of both the members and the council,”he said.

Zulu said while Government had put in place austerity measures, some principle officers were all over spending more on trips which had adversely affected service provision and payment of salaries.

He said while the union appreciated and commended the permanent Secretary in the ministry of Local Government and Housing for providing guidelines on the types of vehicles to buy, some managers have with impunity and deliberately overlooked the well intended guidelines.

He said they had received reports of council chairpersons and mayor’s driving themselves and terminal benefits as they exit employment.

Zulu said the union would not Condon abrogation of the conditions of service and threatened to expose managers infringing the rights of members.

He also said that while Government was addressing the matter to release the funds, councils were expected to do their by mobilising local resources to avoid late payment of salaries to the workers.

Zulu said the union however,resolved that councils should on monthly basis set aside resources for payment of wages and salaries and not depend on equalisation fund.

He also said that no mayor’s or council chairperson should drive official vehicles as the union would have no option but impound them.

Zulu appealed to Local Government minister Vincent Mwape to closely monitor the utilisation of the 20 percent component of the equalisation fund by councils and ensure it was used to the intended purpose.

It is barely a week that workers in almost all the council’s across the country threatened to down tools demanding to have their salary arrears paid.

Last week Ndola City Council workers protested after its Public Relations Manager said the local authority had started paying its three months salary arrears.

The Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport (HMNIA) in Livingstone, Southern Province has been awarded the best Africa airport in 2018, by the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa.

The International Airport which is operated by Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) was chosen, following an extensive evaluation process from a number of entries received by ACI Africa.

Despite fierce competition, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport’s infrastructure and processes were rated as the best in Africa within its category.

The award will be presented at the prestigious ACI Africa Conference and Annual General Assembly, to take place from October 14th-17, 2018 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Zambia Airports Corporation Limited was established in 1989 through the amendment of the Aviation Act, Chapter 444 of the Laws of Zambia, which has been repealed and replaced by the Aviation Act No. 5 of 2016.

It is also incorporated under the Companies Act Chapter 388 of the Laws of Zambia.

The Corporation’s mandate is to develop, maintain and manage the four designated international airports, namely Kenneth Kaunda in Lusaka, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe in Ndola, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula in Livingstone, including Mfuwe in Eastern Province.

The development also includes three strategic and seven provincial aerodromes, with the provision of air navigation services throughout the Zambian Airspace.

This is according to a press statement made available to ZANIS by Zambia Airports Communications and Brand Manager Mweembe Sikaulu in Lusaka today.