Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Jean Kapata disclosed this when she visited Nyawa Chiefdom in Kazungula district in Southern Province to secure land for the project.

Ms Kapata said her ministry earmarked Nyawa for the pilot project because of the high levels of deforestation in the area and the passion shown by the Chief in protecting the environment.

She added that once land is secured in Nyawa, the project will commence before the end of the 2017-2018 rainy season.

Ms Kapata said the project will be rolled out to all the other nine provinces in the country.

The Minister further explained that the solid bamboo plant which takes 4 years to mature can be used for several purposes which include charcoal, timber and stock feed.

She added that the plant can thereafter be harvested for 15 years.

“We are aware that some people earn their livelihoods through charcoal burning and therefore want to provide an alternative. It is only then that we can ban and stiffen laws against the cutting of trees for charcoal,” Ms Kapata stated.

Earlier, the minister led some officers from the Forestry Department and other government officials in planting trees as part of the implementation of the 2017/18 tree planting season under the theme ‘Plant Trees To Grow the Economy Sustainably.’

And Chief Nyawa of the Tonga people in Kazungula has pledged 200 hectares of land in each of the 500 villages of his chiefdom for the bamboo project.

The traditional leader said he is troubled with the levels of deforestation in his chiefdom hence has urged his subjects to embrace the development as it will bring several benefits.

“Let’s ensure we participate in this project, as we heard, we’ll be able to sell the seedlings to other districts thereby earning some income,” he advised.

Meanwhile, Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Mwangala Liomba has expressed happiness with the efforts by men in uniform to implement the Timber ban.

He was speaking earlier when Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Jean Kapata called on him at his office in Choma.

He disclosed that two trucks carrying Mukula logs were recently impounded and have since been handed over to the relevant Provincial Joint Operations Committee in Kazungula district.

Zambia Police has disclosed that it has made steady progress in investigating the murder case in Paradise area in Matero township which occurred in the early hours of yesterday.

Public relations officer, Esther Katongo has since called on members of the public to remain calm as police officers are working round the clock to ensure that the case is concluded without delay.

She further appealed to those with missing relatives to go to Matero Police station or the University Teaching Hospital mortuary to help in identifying the body of the deceased.

Ms. Katongo stated that an update on the progress made in the investigations will soon be given as doing so now may jeopardise the whole process.

She said Zambia Police remains indebted to the members of the public in Lusaka’s Matero Township who have been working hard and in collaboration with the service in crime detection and prevention.

Earlier, Police picked up a body of unidentified male person in Paradise area of Matero Township which was discovered by members of the public without private parts. The male adult had his ears missing and stomach ripped off. The body was found at about 04 30 hours.

Mrs. Katongo further said that a suspect, a male adult aged 29 of the same area who was found washing some blood off his hands has been apprehended and is detained in Police custody.

She says upon searching his home, police found two pairs of trousers and shoes all stained with blood and also found other items yet to be subjected to a forensic investigation to ascertain if they are human parts or tissue.

After word went round, irate members of the public burnt down the house of the suspect and Police officers have been deployed in the area to restore order.

Mrs. Katongo said the body of the deceased is in UTH mortuary awaiting postmortem. She has appealed to members of the public to remain calm and continue being vigilant as Police Command has deployed more officers to police the area.

The Zambia South Africa Business Forum has appointed a new Board of Non-Executive Members following the end of tenure of office for the out-going members.

The names of the new board members were unveiled by Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba at a ceremony held at the Zambian Chancery in Pretoria.

Mr. Mwamba urged the new board members to work towards promoting trade partnerships between the two countries adding that there was need to strike trade balance in which both countries had a win-win situation.

He observed that Zambia’s exports of goods and services to South Africa were less saying it was that country that dominated the trade between the two countries.

Mr. Mwamba further appealed to the new board to ensure that the establishment of the proposed export zone on the Copperbelt Province by the Gauteng province of South Africa was actualised as it would reduce on costs of doing business.

He thanked the out-going board for their dedication and commitment to the promotion of trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

This was contained in a press statement issued to ZANIS by the First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambia’s High Commission in South Africa Naomi Nyawali.

The new board which will run for two years, will be headed by Dr. Chiara Chiumya, a former Assistant Director at Bank of Zambia and an accomplished international financial consultant.

The new board comprises of Laurence Chibwe, Managing Director and Principal Architect of Afritects based in South Africa and Dr. Maboreng Managka Agnes Maharaswa a renowned Strategic Management and Policy Development expert while Lewis Mosho the Managing Partner at Lewis Nathan Advocates, a Zambian Law firm was also appointed board member.

While others include Dr. Pule Mutati a Specialist Cardiologist and Head of Clinical and Intervention Cardiology together with Chiboni Evans, Chief Executive Officer at South African Electro-Technical Export Council.

Others are John Kayula, Augustine Chisembele, Ferdinand Simanya, Beauty Mtonga and Dirk Hanecome.

[dropcap]L[/dropcap] usaka Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo says he is committed to delivering quality services to the people in the region.

Mr. Lusambo said he has not come as a boss but to work and contribute his experience to developing Lusaka Province.

The Provincial Minister was speaking when he met senior management team at Lusaka Provincial Administration.

Mr. Lusambo called on civil servants in the province to ensure that they work as a team in delivering services to the people.

He urged the officers to be patriotic in their work and not to sabotage the leadership of President Edgar Lungu.

Mr. Lusambo noted that there is need to develop the province with modern infrastructure stating that districts such as Chirundu need to be opened up because it is an entry point between Zambia and neighboring Zimbabwe.

He reiterated that the issue of cholera is a resolvable issue adding that there is need for people to change their mindset over the epidemic.

And Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary (PS) Charles Sipanje said government will soon procure seven vehicles for all the District Commissioners in the province.

Mr. Sipanje said this will help to cushion the transportation challenges in the districts.

He has also assured that all the on-going development projects will be completed in due course.

President Edgar Lungu yesterday morning led hundreds of congregants from Kamwala Reformed Church in a fundraising walk towards the completion of a multi-purpose hall under construction.

President Lungu walked with the congregants from the freedom statue up to the premises of the Reformed Church in Zambia in Kamwala area to raise funds to complete the construction of the K15 million church project.

Business came to a standstill in Kamwala business centre as the President approached shop owners and motorists for donations.

Many residents jousted to catch a glance of President Lungu collecting donations from motorists and shop owners.

The Head of State was accompanied by the First Lady Esther Lungu, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo, Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance Godfridah Sumaili, Minister of Justice Given Lubinda, Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya, Senior government and party officials.

And President Edgar Lungu has called for closer collaboration between the church and government.

President Lungu said working closely with church is cardinal in fostering national unity and development in the country.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to engaging the church on matters that pertain to governance.

President Lungu said the church’s role is to pray for the nation and offer guidance to political leaders.

The Head of State said this when he graced the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) fundraising walk for the construction of the Multi-purpose hall.

He implored RCZ not to relent in praying for leaders in government and those in the opposition arena.

President Lungu saluted the RCZ leadership for their efforts and dedication towards the construction project.

He noted that the magnitude of the project calls for personal sacrifice from both leaders in RCZ and ordinary members.

President Lungu assured the congregants of government’s continued support as the church endeavors to advance the work of God.

The Head of State expressed optimism that the completion of the Multi-purpose hall will provide enough worship space for congregants.

And RCZ Resident Minister, Daniel Daka thanked President Lungu for accepting to officiate at the event.

Rev. Daka said the presence of the Head of State was humbling before the children of God.

The Clegyman urged President Lungu to continue looking to God as he governs the country.