Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Nicholas Phiri says cities  in Zambia are grappling with lack of facilities  such as pedestrian walks and cycling tracks to enable walking and cycling easy for citizens.

Mr Phiri said this is why there is an urgent need to improve the road infrastructure to incorporate these facilities.

He said walking and cycling is not only important to facilitate the mobility of people but is critical for creating linkages between settlement and markets for both urban and rural areas.

Mr Phiri stated that despite its health benefits, walking and cycling provides easy mobility, affordable transport and a convenient way of accessing public services.

Mr Phiri was speaking during the official launch of the Walking the Un-walkable publication by Charter Cities Institute.

He added that the government’s goal is to facilitate convenience and safety for pedestrians while reducing demand for travel by motor vehicles.

 Mr Phiri said the Ministry will work with other stakeholders in the built environment, including planners, architects, engineers and the private sector to shape the walking experience of pedestrians.

He commended the effort by Charter Cities Institute in bringing to light more urban challenges and making recommendations for better cities.

And Charter Cities Institute Africa Lead Mwanda Phiri said Walking the Un-Walkable in urban October is a month dedicated to raising awareness, promoting participation, generating knowledge and engaging the community in creating and promoting a better urban future.

Ms Phiri said that pedestrians account for 60 percent of road traffic accidents which emphasizes the need for better infrastructure.

“The publication we present today on walking the Un-Walkable is far more than a compilation of data, it is a key step towards enhancing pedestrian experiences in Lusaka.”] She stated that this initiative aligns with her intuition’s objective of building inclusive cities that are well planned, financed, built and effectively governed.

 “Our work focuses on providing Technical Assistance to new city projects, advising and convening key stakeholders and influencing the global agenda through research, engagements, and strategic partnerships,” said Ms Phiri.

President Hakainde Hichilema has with immediate effect appointed Peter Mumba as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy pursuant to article 184 (1) of the constitution of Zambia.

The President has since transferred the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Himba Cheelo to the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in the same capacity.

The Head of State has also in exercise of the powers vested in him transferred the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Isabelle Lemba to Cabinet office.

This was contained in a press release issued to ZANIS by State House Chief Communications specialist Clayson Hamasaka.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested a Copperbelt University (CBU) lecturer for corrupt practices involving sexual gratification from a named female student.

ACC Head of Corporate Communications, Timothy Moono said Webby Mulyata Mwaka 43, a Lecturer in the School of Engineering, at CBU has been charged for sexual gratification.

Mr Moono notes that Dr Mwaka of Jambo Drive Campus, has been charged with one (1) count of abuse of authority of office contrary to Section 21(c) of the Anti-Corruption Act Number 3 of 2012.

“Details are that Dr. Mwaka on dates unknown but between 1^st January 2023 and 3rd October 2023 in Kitwe, did abuse the authority of his office to corruptly solicit sexual gratification from a named female Copperbelt University student as an inducement or reward for himself to help her pass her course, a matter or transaction that concerns the Copperbelt University, a Public Body,” he said.

Mr Moono said Dr. Mwaka has since been released on bond and will appear in court soon.

He added that a month ago, the Commission arrested two other CBU Lecturers on similar charges.

Mr Moono further said the Commission is concerned with the rise in offences of this nature and has appealed to all victims of such immoral and criminal acts not to shy away from reporting such incidents.

He said the incidences of sexual gratification should be reported to the ACC so that corruption in all its forms is eliminated.

This is contained in a statement availed to today.

A 28 year old teacher of Stela –Malis private school in Kitwe district has drowned during the teachers day celebration at sunset pleasure resort.

Copperbelt province Police commanding Officer Peacewell Mweemba said Pathious Mulenga 29 who was in the company of 18 teachers from the same school went to commemorate teacher’s day where he drowned in a swimming pool.

“ Brief facts of the matter are that on 5 October 10 2023  around 09.00hrs, the deceased in the company of other eighteen (18) teachers left their school located in Twatasha township for the Teacher’s Day celebration at Sunset Pleasure Resort, Zamtan area off Kitwe-Ndola dual carriageway.

In the course of their celebration around 15.30hrs, they all went for a swim in the pool at the same resort,” Mr Mweemba said.

He added that unfortunately, the deceased was only noticed to be at the bottom of the pool and unable to come out.

He said fellow teachers pulled Mulenga out and tried to give him first Aid.

“When they saw that the condition was not improving, they immediately rushed him to Wusakile Mine Hospital where he was unfortunately pronounced dead,” he stated.

Mr Mweemba said a report was then made by Fred Chilufya 28 on behalf of the school.

 He added that Police have since opened up an Inquiry file and the body has been inspected but no physical injuries have been observed.

He further added the body was taken to Kitwe Teaching Hospital mortuary.

President Hakainde Hichilema is on Saturday October 7^th  2023, expected to attend the inauguration of the upgraded Nacala Port in Nampula Province, in the Republic of Mozambique

Host President Filipe Nyusi and Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera will also attend the inauguration ceremony.

As the deepest port in southern Africa, the Port of Nacala has the capacity to handle 30 million tons of coal per year and the potential to become a transport corridor for Zambia, Malawi and South Africa.

Since 2014, the port of Nacala has undergone repair works of port berths, installation of new equipment to modernize fuel operations, construction of a new railway terminal, upgrading the liquid bulk terminal and upgrading container operations with rubber-tired gantry cranes.

All these upgrades are aimed at improving operations at the port.

And speaking in an interview in Nacala district, Zambian High Commissioner to Mozambique Mary Chirwa disclosed that  while in Mozambique President Hakainde Hichilema, President Filipe Nyusi and President Lazarus Chakwera are expected to sign the tripartite institutional agreement on the Nacala Development Corridor agreement, while Ministers responsible for transport in the three countries will sign agreements in the areas of road and rail.

Ms. Chirwa stated that these agreements will result in enhanced cross-border coordination in the planning and development of physical infrastructure, lower operating costs and reducing travel times by transporters which will ultimately improve and stimulate regional connectivity and integration through the implementation of harmonized trade facilitation instruments, transport policies, laws, regulation and standards for efficient cross-border transport, easing the movements of goods and services, boost private sector investments, create jobs and foster economic growth in the three countries.

The Zambian envoy further stressed that the agreements will also result in unlocking the business potential along the corridor through effective participation of small and medium enterprises in economic value chains

The Nacala Development corridor is a Multi-Model Transport and logistics infrastructure network traversing 1, 710 Kilometers within and through the republics of Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique.

In Zambia, the corridor passes through Nyimba, Petauke, Katete, sinda, Chadiza, Chipata, Mambwe, Lundazi and Chama in the Eastern Part of Zambia and Luangwa, Rufunsa, Chongwe and Lusaka in Lusaka province as well as Chama district in Muchinga Province