Chief Chikanta of Kalomo district in Southern Province says President Edgar Lungu deserves commendation for honoring the pledges he made to the people of Dundumwezi when he visited the area last year.

Chief Chikanta said President Lungu has delivered on his promise to erect communication towers and electrify Dundumwezi area, which he says is commendable.

He said the only thing remaining now is to work on the roads which are in a deplorable state.

The traditional leader said the chiefs asked for three things namely communication towers, electricity and roads from the head of state which he said are currently being worked on.

And the traditional leader has expressed happiness over works being carried out on the electricity grid extension project, which has since been commissioned saying the project will improve the economic status of the area.

He noted that people are anxious to see the project take off saying he has been receiving numerous calls from his subjects regarding the project.

Chief Chikanta stated that the people of Dundumwezi appreciate President Edgar Lungu’s developmental agenda.

The traditional leader was speaking when Minister of Energy Matthew Nkhuwa and the delegation from the Rural Electrification Authority called on him at the palace during their tour of the grid extension power project site after the handover of the project to the contractor for implementation.

The chief asked the Minister to consider extending the power line 11 more kilometers to reach the only secondary schools in the area, Jonathan Sim-Chikanta School which was initially not in the plan for electrification.

The Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa assured the chief that the request would be taken into consideration.

Mr. Nkhuwa said government had in the past borrowed money to do projects that would benefit its people across the country adding that the people of Dundumwezi were not an exception.

He said the people of Dundumwezi will not only benefit from the use of electricity but will also gain employment during project implementation.

Government has reaffirmed its commitment in the fight against corruption through its implementation of support programmes aimed at preventing and combating corruption at various levels in the Public Service.

Copperbelt Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe said this in a speech read on his behalf by Ndola District Commissioner Canon George Chisulo during the commemoration of the Public Service Day in the district.

Mr Mwakalombe revealed that government is further promoting the participation of all stakeholders to combat corruption in the public service.

He also revealed that some erring public service officers have since been punished for engaging in corrupt practices.

Mr Mwakalombe added that government has continued to implement the national anti-corruption policy which among other things, was encouraging the participation and networking of public and private institutions in the fight against corruption.

And speaking earlier Ndola Mayor Amon Chisenga said all civil servants should ensure that they participate in the commemoration of the day, in order for them to appreciate their duty to service.

Mr Chisenga noted that it was unfortunate for notable institutions such as the Zambia Police (ZP), the Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS) and the Zambian National Service (ZNS) among others missed from this years’ commemoration, in the district.

This year’s Public Service Day was commemorated under the theme “Combating corruption in the Public Service through stakeholder participation and promotion of ethical leadership to realize the objectives of the African agenda 2063 and the united nations sustainable development goals”.

Mr Nundwe said the private sector is the biggest anchor to building the country’s economy adding that there are a number of private companies that can contribute to the national treasure, in order to grow the economy.

He noted that the Copperbelt Province has rich natural resources which can support the agriculture, mining, tourism and food processing industries among others, hence the call on investors in the region to take advantage of the conducive investment environment.

Mr Nundwe however noted that the region has a number of developmental projects which investors can consider and partner with the local business community in order to broaden the investment profile of the province.

Mr. Nundwe further urged both the local and private investors to participate in the forthcoming International trade fair which runs from June 27 to July 3rd 2018.

Meanwhile the PS has thanked President Edgar Lungu for creating an enabling environment on the Copperbelt for investors to explore.

This year’s International Trade Fair will be held under the theme “Private Sector, Key to Industrialization”.

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Christopher Yaluma said this when he officiated at the CAMCO group of companies 20th anniversary held in Lusaka yesterday.

Mr Yaluma said that government is keen towards promoting private sector participation to help develop the country economically.

The Minister noted that government has put in place polices to support businesses that intend to add value to their products, adding that the authority has recently approved the Zambia trade policy, which is aimed at promoting value addition for products being produced in the country.

And Mr. Yaluma has urged companies planning to invest in the country to produce and export finished products, in order to take advantage of the conducive trade environment being provided in the country,

Meanwhile Mr. Yaluma thanked CAMCO for their contribution in the distribution of equipment in the agriculture and other sectors since their inception twenty years ago.

He later revealed that government plans on mechanising the agricultural sector in order to attain its vision 2030 hence the need for stakeholders like CAMCO.

Speaking at the same event CAMCO Managing Director Lee Tia thanked government for the favorable business environment his company was currently experiencing.

He said that his company was willing to work with government in its efforts to diversify the agricultural sector through various mechanisms.

He said that his company was able to supply various farming equipment, technology and expertise in the sector.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo has expressed disappointment with the working culture of health personnel at Chipata Central Hospital.

Speaking in an interview with journalists yesterday in Chipata, Mr Kasolo said he has continued to receive verbal and written complaints from the members of the public over the mistreatment of patients at the hospital.

He said some health personnel are purported to be in-efficient in their execution of duty, at the expense of patients.

Mr Kasolo revealed that following the report, he decided to pay the health facility a visit on Wednesday and was not pleased with what he saw.

He charged that the surrounding and the toilets were very dirty, which is not suitable for a Central Hospital that receives complicated cases from various localities across the province.

Mr Kasolo warned that he will soon take action and correct the situation in order to for people to benefit good health services at the hospital.

President Edgar Lungu says Zambia is committed to carrying out the mandate of the African Union(AU) and what it stands for.

President Lungu said the country remains resolved to implementing the Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) and Single African Air Transport Market (SATAAM) among other agreements.

The Head of State said it was encouraging to learn that 23 member states declared their commitment to implement the SATAAM decision during the January 2018 AU summit.

President Lungu said this at State House when Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Mahamat paid a courtesy call on him today.

Meanwhile, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Mahamat has hailed President Lungu for his relentless efforts in fighting early marriages which is a major problem on the African Continent.

Mr. Mahamat said Zambia has for a long time been a key player in liberating many countries on the African Continent.

He further expressed his displeasure with conflicts going on in some African countries saying that there was urgent need to restore peace and security as it is cardinal for social and economic development of any given country.