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Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) in North-Western Province is happy that most people living with disabilities in the region have benefited from government empowerment programmes.
ZAPD Provincial Coordinator, Osco Moondoma told ZANIS in an interview today that government has made headways in improving the lives of people living with disabilities in the province through various initiatives which are yielding positive results.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Moondoma cited the Social Cash Transfer Scheme as one of the initiatives that is helping beneficiaries with severe disabilities sustain their lives.
He stated that empowerment funds from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) which people living with disabilities have accessed over the years have enabled them to start up business ventures.
“On average, beneficiaries of these funds have put them to good use. For example, Holland Disabled Association got a loan in 2011 and constructed a shopping complex in Solwezi which is helping its members to earn a living,” said Mr. Moondoma.
Mr. Moondoma said the beneficiaries of the loans from CEEC are making progress in paying back the money to the organization.
He stated that other empowerment programmes which have benefited persons with disabilities in the province include funds disbursed to them through the national trust fund for persons with disabilities.
Mr. Moondoma said 80 people with disabilities in Solwezi and Mwinilunga districts have so far benefited from funds from the trust.
He encouraged people with disabilities to make efforts in accessing government empowerment programmes adding that, these opportunities are for everyone regardless of their physical abilities.
President Edgar Lungu cutting the ribbon to officially commission the NFCA mining project in Chambishi
President Edgar Lungu says Zambia has an attractive business environment which is key to social and economic development.
President Lungu says the country’s favourable business environment has led to huge investments from foreign companies to the mining sector.
He said the people of Kalulushi district on the Copperbelt province will continue yielding massive benefits from the newly opened Non-Ferrous Cooperation Africa mining limited (NFCA) that has so far created 4000 jobs.
The Head of State has since directed all mining companies to emulate NFCA by prioritising the safety of miners, during their execution of duty.
President Lungu said this today in Kalulushi district when he commissioned the South -East Ore body project, under NFCA mining Africa.
He said the commencement of the mining activities is a manifestation of job and wealth creation to the people of Kalulushi district.
President Lungu further expressed optimism that the 24 years life span of NFCA mine will translate into 5000 jobs for the local people.
And, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie said China has atleast 600 enterprises in Zambia due to the country’s attractive business investment opportunities.
Ambassador Li explained that his country is ready to partner with Zambia in other areas of development such as agriculture.
He stated that China is keen to invest in Zambia due to the country’s stable political environment and mutual cooperation, adding that 1.18 billion United States dollars has so far been ejected into NFCA mine.
Ambassador Li also commended President Lungu for the relentless support and favourable environment he gives to Chinese enterprises in Zambia.
And Kalulushi Area Member of Parliament Kampamba Mulenga commended NFCA mining company for donating 270,000 United States dollars, towards the procurement of 616 houses for the sitting tenants of ZAFFICO houses.
Ms. Mulenga said time has come for the people of Kalulushi district to receive massive development and job creation.
Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has arrived back to Lusaka from his two day working visit on the Copperbelt Province.
The Plain carrying the Head of State touched down at ZAF’s City Airport at exactly 17:55 hours.
He was received by the Vice President, Inonge Wina, Lusaka Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, Lusaka Mayor, Miles Sampa, Defense Chiefs and other Senior Government and Patriotic Front officials.
While on the Copperbelt, the President commissioned the 800 million United States Dollars NFC Africa Mining Plc in Chambeshi, the South East Ore Body in Chingola.
President Lungu also inspected the Chingola-Solwezi Road and Township Roads in Chingola and Kitwe.
The Head of State also held public rally in Kitwe’s Chimwemwe Township where he stated that the PF is not buying people to defect to the ruling party but that, people are being attracted by the massive developmental projects going on country wide.
Pictures Courtesy of Charles Banda
President Edgar Lungu looking at Copperbelt Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe dance during the commissioning of NFCA mining project in ChambishiPresident Edgar Lungu receives a cheque on behalf of Kalulushi Constituency from NFCA during the commissioning of NFCA mining project in ChambishiPresident Edgar Lungu cutting the ribbon to officially commission the NFCA mining project in ChambishiPresident Edgar Lungu unveiling the plaque to officially commission the NFCA mining project in ChambishiPresident Edgar Lungu reading words on the plaque after officially commission the NFCA mining project in Chambishi
Green Eagles have officially complained to FAZ over the manner in which Football House selected teams participating in the controversial 2018 Barclays Cup
Eagles and several stakeholders have argued that FAZ made a mistake when picking Lusaka Dynamos at the expense of the ZNS club.
Eagles were ahead of Lusaka Dynamos – placed sixth on the FAZ Super Division table as at Week 19 when Barclays Cup participants are supposed to be picked.
“Green Eagles have officially following a complaint lodged by Green Eagles Football Club over the list of selected teams to participate in the 2018 Barclays Cup draws,” FAZ spokesperson Desmond Katongo said in a statement released on Wednesday.
“An Emergency Executive Committee meeting was convened and to:To notify all parties of the official complaint filed by Green Eagles. The matter will be dealt with by the relevant bodies,” Katongo said.
Despite Eagles’ complaint FAZ on Wednesday went ahead to conduct the Barclays Cup draws.
“FAZ has taken note of the various contributions surrounding the controversy and will address the matter as soon as possible,” Katongo stated.
Bank of Zambia Governor, Dr Denny Kalyalya addressing the media and the Monetary Policy Committee members on the quarterly monetary report at BOZ office.
The Bank of Zambia (BOZ) Governor Deny Kalyalya has disclosed that it has decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 9.75 percent.
ZANIS reports that Dr. Kalyalya said this in Lusaka today during the Monetary Policy press briefing held in Lusaka today.
Dr. Kalyalya said despite edging up further in the second quarter, inflation remained within the target range of 6-8 percent.
He explained that the annual inflation at 7.4 percent in June 2018 was higher than the 7.1 percent recorded in March 2-18, on account of the reduction in supply of selected food items, general increase in transportation costs, and the depreciation of the Kwacha against the United States dollar.
Dr. Kalyalya said the inflation is projected to remain above 7.5 percent in the second half of 2018 and to be anchored around 7 percent the midpoint of the 6-8 percent target range.
He said in line with the monetary policy stance, the overnight interbank rate was contained within the Policy Rate corridor.
Dr. Kalyalya further said the rate averaged 9.67 percent in the second quarter, just below the Policy rate 9.75 percent, saying this was achieved through the conduct of appropriate open market operations.
Meanwhile Dr. Kalyalya said there was a reduction in demand for government securities in the second quarter, mainly due to low liquidity levels in the money market and adverse sentiments relating to the protracted fiscal challenges.
Dr. Kalyalya stressed that the subscription rates for treasury bills and government bond fell to 43.3 percent and 94.9 from 92.5 and 154.5 percent in the first quarter, respectively.
He said despite the fall in demand for government securities ,the stock of outstanding government securities, at K51.8 billion at the end of June 2018 was 2.0 percent higher than the K50.9 billion recorded at the end of March 2018.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has refuted claims circulating on social media suggesting that the authority is recruiting field staff.
The firm revealed in a statement made available by CSO Acting Director for Census and Statistics Goodson Sinyanga, that they are not conducting the alleged survey, or recruiting any personnel, as being suggested by reports circulating on social media.
Mr Sinyanga further says that the authority is not in recognition of a Research and Enumeration department, and neither is a Kolala Chomba part of the firm’s staff.
He cautioned the public to treat the advert circulating on social media offering employment to field staff as fake.
Mr. Sinyenga said that CSO has its own formal way of advertising for survey recruitment, which is usually communicated in the right.
Recently people have been purporting to be who they are not on internet social media sites.
And the police are currently on the ground working to catch these culprits.
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat Representative Faka Nsadisa says meteorological Information is important for an effective and efficient tactical and strategic planning.
Dr. Nsadisa said the provision of information on climate change is vital for the country’s climate sensitive socio- economic sectors, in order to prevent and minimise loss of investment resulting from the impact of adverse conditions.
Dr. Nsadisa said this during the official opening of the 22nd Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum in Lusaka today.
He explained that the use of the meteorological information sustainably increases productivity, enhances resilience, and reduces on greenhouse emissions, while enhancing the achievement of national and regional development goals.
Dr Nsadisa further added that cognizant of the importance of meteorological information to the attainment development goals, the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Strategy (RISDP) 2015-2020 has identified meteorology and climate change amongst the key priority areas for sustainable development.
And speaking at the same event, Ministry of Transport and Communications Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu said it is important for the different stakeholders in the region to remain alert on impending weather and climate hazards.
Mr. Lungu stated that this could be achieved through the improvement and integration of the SADC early warning system in order for the communities to become weather ready and climate smart.
He added that the early warning is an element of disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
The twenty second Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum is being held under the theme” improving regional climate early warning system for sustainable regional integration development in the SADC region” and runs from August 22-24, 2018.
Lusaka Apex Medical University Deputy Vice Chancellor Proffessor Tackson Lambert handsover a counter stool to Godfrey Miyanda Police Post Officer in Charge Mr Adrian Namachila during the handover ceremony of furniture in Chalala
An academician from Lusaka Apex Medical University, Prof Tuckson Lambert has welcomed government’s move to come up with a policy requiring higher learning institutions to improve service delivery in the country.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the validation meeting for the draft higher education policy at Mulungushi University in Kapiri Mposhi District yesterday, Prof Lambert said with the new policy, institutions of higher learning will achieve quality in graduates who are churned out on the market.
“The validation meeting is an opportunity for institutions of higher learning to share knowledge with a view of expanding their horizon an effort to absorb more school leavers, “ he said.
Prof Lambert also said a skilled and knowledgeable human resource is critical for the development of the nation adding that to achieve this feat institutions of higher learning should strive to ensure quality.
“Apex University is already buying into the draft policy and has embarked on a staff development fellowship program and has employed highly specialized expatriates especially in basic sciences, “ said the Academician.
He has expressed confidence that the staff development fellowship programme at Lusaka Apex Medical University will improve the quality of graduates passing through the institution.
The academician has implored institutions of higher learning in the country to embrace staff development programs because it is the only sure way of producing quality graduates.
Nkana CEO Charles Chakatazya is confident the five players Kalampa acquired in the mid-season transfer window will excel in Wusakile.
Nkana acquired keeper Allan Chibwe from Power Dynamos, midfielder Kasonde Bwalya from Nchanga Rangers and Hassan Ramadhani from Young Africans of Tanzania.
Others are winger Kelvin Kampamba and Kenya defender Musa Mohammed
Chakatazya said the five players have vast experience.
“These are experienced players who have played so many times in the league,” he said.
Nkana are pushing for a top-four finish in the FAZ Super Division to enable them compete in Africa next season.
“We expect them to add value to the team,” Chakatazya said.
Nkana were the busiest club in the ended transfer window.
file:Road construction works along the 78 kilometre stretch of the pedicle road in the DRC.
A team of engineers from Lualaba province in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo has arrived in the country to carry out inspection of the proposed routes for a a road construction to connect the two the two countries from Northwestern province.
The joint team of engineers is today scheduled to inspection Kambimba border route in Mwinilunga district and continue with Kalengelenge border route in Kalumbila district tomorrow. Kambimba border route in Mwinilunga is about 266 kilometres and Kalengelenge border route in Kalumbila is about 140 kilometres, respectively from Solwezi town, the provincial capital for Northwestern.
The team led by Lualaba manager in charge of studies for road, port and airports, Eric Ngilo arrived in Solwezi last evening and immediately paid a courtesy on provincial permanent secretary, Ephraim Mateyo who outlined their scope of inspection in collaboration with local engineers.
Mr. Mateyo said equally a government team of engineers from Northwestern province will equally travel to Lualaba province at a later time to inspect the routes from the Congolese side.The visit of the Congolese engineers follows the signing of a bilateral cooperation framework on the proposed road connectivity project between Lualaba province and Northwestern province.
Lualaba province vice governor, Fifi Saini and Northwestern province minister, Nathaniel Mubukwanu each signed the agreement on behalf of their respective provinces.Within the framework of the bilateral trade relations between the Northwestern province and Lualaba province, the two parties have agreed to construct a road from Kolwezi to Solwezi to connect the two provinces.
The two parties have also agreed that the proposed road project be constructed through the Public Private Partnership singularly financed despite the two provinces having the discretion to procure their preferred contractors and consultants within the set terms of reference in consultation with the financier.
The two parties further agreed that the financier identified by the Lualaba provincial administration be allowed to finance the road construction and one stop border post infrastructure on both the DRC and Zambian sides.It was further agreed that a team from Lualaba be sent to Northwestern province to conduct a combined assessment of the road on the Zambian side with the Road Development Agency.
Both parties have also agreed to cooperate in areas of mining, agriculture, fisheries and tourism development.
File:Construction Workers digging a drainage for one of the Serenje district township roads being upgraded to bituminous standards.
President Edgar Lungu has urged foreign contractors to follow the 20 percent policy directive of subcontracting local contractors.
President Lungu emphasized that the 20% subcontracting policy is there to empower local contractors as well as create jobs and wealth in the country.The Head of State directed his Special Assistant for Project implementation Andrew Chellah to conduct a countrywide check on the 20 percent subcontracting compliance levels by foreign contractors.
He said this yesterday when he addressed party officials and members in Chingola district.
President Lungu also directed Mr.Chellah to check on water and sanitation projects in Chingola district, in order for the district to bring back it’s old glory of the cleanest district on the Copperbelt province.
He further called on everyone to take part in the keep Zambia green and clean exercise, which is conducted every last Saturday of the month, in order for the country to maintain a clean environment.
Earlier, Chingola District Patriotic Front Chairman Charles Musonda bemoaned the lack of adherence to the 20% subcontracting policy by foreign contractors in the district.
President Lungu is expected to conclude his two day working visit to the province today, before returning back to Lusaka .
File:Representatives of the Three Church Mother bodies
Insistence to have ZCID lead the dialogue process is misplaced
The continued insistence that the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) should be the one to lead the dialogue by some sections of society especially those sympathetic with the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party, including the Republican President is not only sad and unfortunate but also a mere scheme to denounce and frustrate all efforts by the Church to take Zambia and Zambians out of the political impasse to the ‘promised land’ where dialogue is concerned.
It is quite shocking that some people want the incapacitated ZCID to invite the Church to the dialogue table when the opposite should be the proper and acceptable way. The explanation to this is nothing but selfish agendas.
Operation Young Vote (OYV) stands with the Church (the 3 Church Mother Bodies) on its wise stance and God guided move to initiate a transparent, impartial, genuine, all embracing and result yielding dialogue that benefits the whole nation and not a smoke screen aimed at hoodwinking citizens and world as a whole.
The move by the Church is long overdue. In any case it was clear that the invitation of the Church and coercing it to work under the ZCID initiated dream was meant to paint a picture that the process was genuine when in fact not. It is inconceivable to compel the Church to work under some unclear terms and expect it to be impartial as its outcome.
Since it is inarguable that the Church is not only bigger than all of us as individuals and stakeholders but also our shepherd towards justice and love it only just that it be allowed to initiate and take charge of the dialogue process.
It must be emphasized that the Church has the capacity that cannot be questioned as by nature dialogue and reconciliation are its day to day mandate and obligation bestowed on it the God Almighty. It is also a fact that such magnitude of dialogue and engagement was handled before by the Church.
OYV will support every genuine dialogue endevour by the Church and would like to appeal to the Church to remain steadfast and repel all manner and scheme to be dragged into temptation by those bent to procrastinate the dialogue and reconciliation meant to heal the nation and benefit the citizens.
For and on behalf of OPERATION YOUNG VOTE
Guess Nyirenda (Mr.)
Executive Director
Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili
National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister Godfridah Sumaili has cautioned women and girls to honour and respect their bodies with an act of responsibility.
Mrs. Sumaili said women and ladies should not be lured into acts that disgrace their dignity, corrupt and lead them into conflict with the law.
She said perpetrators of the vice will be charged with a criminal offence in accordance with the penal code Act 87 Section 177 of the Laws of Zambia.
She said in a statement that her Ministry is gravely disturbed and concerned by nude pictures of ladies circulating on social media platforms for monetary gains.
“This is immoral and a criminal offence as this act is likely to corrupt morals of people and erodes fibers of the nation,” she sounded.
The Minister said any one found guilty of this offence is liable to imprisonment of five years in jail.
This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS from her Ministry.
Former Luwingu District Commissioner Mambwe Katontoka has denied all the signatures appearing on the payment vouchers issued to Costaver Malitati and chisungusho contractors a company owned by her husband.
This is in a case in which Mrs Katontoka, is facing eight counts of abuse of authority of office contrary to section 21 of (1) (a) of the anti-corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
Particulars offence are that on dates unknown but between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2013 in luwingu, Mrs katontoka during her tenure of office as Luwingu District Commissioner allegedly abused the authority of her office in the manner she awarded eight contracts worth K91, 685.00 for the supply of various goods and services to her husband Mr. Costaver Malitati.
Mrs. Katontoka allegedly awarded three contracts in the name of Mr. Costaver Malitati’s and five to Chisungusho Contractors a company owned by her husband.
Appearing before Principle Resident Magistrate, Vincent Siloka, Mrs. Katontoka 45 of Maiteneke Township was yesterday 21st August 2018, found with the case to answer on all the eight counts of abuse of authority.
In her defence, the former DC explained that at the time her husband showed interest in the projects awarded by the DC’s office, she wrote an internal memo dated 15th May 2013, where she decided to abstain and officially declared interest since her spouse bided for the works.
‘’I have decided to abstain and officially declare interest since my spouse’s company has submitted a bid for the workers,’’ read the later in parts.
She further stated that, the memo was addressed to the District Administrative Officer, Deodetus Musungwe, who was the Finance Committee Chairperson at that particular time.
Mrs. Katontoka said the signature which appeared on the payment voucher and internal memos approving the payment for costaver Malitati and chisungusho contractors a company owned by husband were not hers.
But when asked by the Anti-Corruption State Advocate, Don Chiwala if she reported the matter to any police station that there was someone masquerading as District Commissioner signing financial transaction on her behalf, she responded that she did not do so.
She was later issued with a plain paper to append her signature which looked similar to the signatures she was refusing on some financial documents.
The matter has been adjourned to October 08, 2018 for continued defence as she is likely to produce two witnesses.
FILE: Late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa pictured here with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in December 2007 led the charge for opposition to Genetically Modified Food (GMO)
“The problem Mr Hichilema is having now is the fact that he wants to cheat, to mislead, to show that he is what he is not.”- MWANAWASA MEMOIRS
By Sunday Chanda
Listening to Mr. Hakainde Hichilema’s attempts to eulogise the memory of late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa on Prime TV’S Oxygen of Democracy was shocking and ridiculously pathetic. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Hichilema went all the way to whine and groan about what he considers to be our failures as the Patriotic Front. At this point we can tell his vibe line by line even before he opens his mouth because he has nothing new to say except that bitter script he has mastered over the years.
Mr. Hichilema despised and abused President Mwanawasa while he was alive. How then can he today sing the praises of the same person after his death? This just goes to show the extent to which the Opportunistic Hichilema will go to try and salvage his relevance as he sinks in the mire of oblivion. Mr. Hakainde Hichilema is where desperation and opportunism meet. Zambia has no space for cold characters with a seared conscience; chancing scavengers with no scruples. When did Hichilema ever say anything good about Mwanawasa while he was alive? Did the departed President ever hear anything good said about him by Hichilema?
The following excerpt from the late President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa shows how “Levy” as he was fondly called perceived Hichilema as a cheat with questionable ethics and a person that could not be trusted. The following excerpt is from the book “Levy Patrick Mwanawasa: An incentive for posterity”. The Book was written by Amos Malupenga and edited by Professor Fackson Banda. The book on pages 211-212 gives some candid insight on Hichilema’s duplicity:
As part of his overall theme of non-partisan politics, Mwanawasa recalled an incident in which he first met Mr Hakainde Hichilema at State house before he became president of the United Party for National Development (UPND). He was brought to him by Mr Costain Chilala, the prominent Mkushi farmer. This was sometime in February, 2006, the year in which Anderson Mazoka died. Hakainde, as a member of the business community, had a specific business issue to raise with Mwanawasa.
Mwanawasa recounted the incident:
He said he had been disadvantaged from government contracts because people were saying that he was a member of the opposition UPND. He said he was not a politician, he was a businessman. He asked me to treat him that way. I told him, ‘My Government does not discriminate on political or tribal lines.’ I said, ‘We will give you a job because you are capable of doing it.’
Hakainde said, ‘When I decide to join politics, I will come and join you in MMD because I am quite happy with the way you are leading this nation.’ He said this over lunch at Nkwazi House.
I said ‘Thank you very much for that show of confidence, but I want you to feel that whether you are with us or not, to me you are a Zambian entitled to anything you want which the government is able to give you. But I am glad at your show of confidence that if you should want to come into politics, you will think of joining me.’
Two months later, Mr Mazoka died. There was talk that Hakainde Hichilema was being considered to take over from Mazoka. Initially, he was refusing, then he eventually agreed. He didn’t even have the audacity to come and explain himself to me. He didn’t have to, but I don’t know why he gave me the assurance that if the time came for him to join politics, he would rather be with me.
I regret the fact that we are opponents. I have a lot of respect for that young man. He could have played a very pivotal role in the governance of this country. But he has to be trained. I would have been happy to provide counsel so that he is moulded into a true leader. His understanding of politics is that it doesn’t matter; you can cheat, provided you get your goals.
The problem Mr Hichilema is having now is the fact that he wants to cheat, to mislead, to show that he is what he is not.
When some people alleged that he could not assume the UPND leadership because he was a newcomer, he said it was not true because he was one of the pioneers of UPND, that he started UPND with Mazoka and other people…But when he came to me with Chilala to Nkwazi House, he said people were saying he was UPND.
So those rumours that I tried to court him as my successor were not true because I was meeting him for the very first time. I didn’t know him before. Of course, I was impressed talking to him. I made enquiries about what he had been and I was impressed that I needed such young people to work with.
But I accepted that he was in business and didn’t want to come into politics. That’s why I never even thought of enticing him. But the moment he decided to succeed Mazoka, if at that stage he had come to me to say. ‘I no longer want to remain just a businessman, I want to go into politics’, I would have received him. Not that I would have made him my successor but I would have received him. If he wanted to succeed me, he could have competed with everybody else.
And in my view, he is wasting his talent in opposition politics. It’s too late for him to join me. I am going out in the next three years and I don’t want to decide which people the party should work with at the top level. It will be up to the incoming to lead us to consider that position.
But I consider Hichilema’s case to be a very unfortunate one…
Hichilema and his shrinking supporters called the late President all sorts of names and refused to work with him when he was alive. He abused the late President Mwanawasa when he was alive by constantly attacking his performance and personality.
There is nothing good a bitter man who grouches for a living can say about anybody except when they are departed and he will only do so for his own political aggrandizement. There is also nothing good Hichilema can say about the PF-driven development even when he drives on it and Zambians across the nation benefit from the massive development across all sectors. He arrogantly believes he is wiser than the collective wisdom of the Zambian people.
The late President Mwanawasa was a discerning man and he candidly called out Hichilema’s selfishness and opportunism.
President Mwanawasa regretted that Hichilema held so much promise but was not truthful and he felt that he missed a great opportunity to work with him. Why then should Hichilema seek to work with the legacy of a man he despised while he was alive?
The legacy and memory of the third President of the Republic of Zambia Levy Patrick Mwanawasa must be honoured and respected. Scavenging opportunists must keep away. They sully everything they touch; even sacred things.
While he calls PF, since the days of the Michael Sata Presidency to date as Chimbwi-no-plan, truth be said, Mr. Hichilema was a cheat ten years ago he is a cheat today and will continue to be cheat tomorrow.
The author is the PF Media Director At the Patriotic Front Secretariat In Lusaka
Former Chibombo distict commissioner Barnabas Musopelo tries to talk to his supporters after he was removed at Chobombo district commissioner.
Sable Transport and Consolidated Farming Limited is set to establish a large scale Sugar Cane, Wheat and Soya plantation in Chibombo district.
Chibombo District Commissioner (DC), Barnabas Musopelo said Sable Company has decided to set up an agricultural plantation in the district because the area has comparative advantage in the land suitable for sugar cane, wheat and soya beans farming.
Mr. Musopelo told ZANIS in an interview today, that the company has since acquired over 19,000 hectres of land near the Lukanga Swamps where the plantation will be established.
He said once fully operational, the plantation is expected to stimulate massive employment opportunities, and other social and economic developments in the district.
Mr. Musopelo said over 2,500 employment opportunities are expected to be created for the youths in the district and the surrounding areas once the project commences.
He said livestock farmers in the district are also expected to benefit from the molasses that will be extracted during the production process of sugar cane, which he said can be utilized as food supplement for the cattle.
And Mr. Musopelo said extensive consultations have been conducted with community members who graze their cattle near the project site to ensure that none is disadvantaged in any manner by the development.
He said community members and the traditional leaders have therefore, pledged to support the project because of the many economic benefits it is expected to yield.
