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“…God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”
(Acts 10:34-35, NIV)
Free for All
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom—and God’s freedom is free for everyone! It doesn’t matter what your nationality or heritage is, or who your family is. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or don’t have; God wants you free from everything that would hold you back from your relationship with Him!
God wants to pour out His abundant blessing on all who honor Him and do what is right. In fact, the Bible says in Galatians that in Christ, there is no Jew or Greek or even male or female. That means God’s not judging you based on physical conditions. He’s looking at your heart. He’s looking at the gifts He’s placed inside of you.
Don’t let the enemy lie to you and tell you that God is blessing everyone else but you. Look for the ways He is pouring out blessing in your life. Thank Him for His acceptance, love and freedom. Focus on honoring Him and doing what is right, and you’ll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for loving and accepting me today. I choose to do what is right and honor You with my attitude, words and actions. Holy Spirit, show me if there is any area that isn’t pleasing to You and help me live as an example of Your goodness all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
A Zambian medical expert based in the United Kingdom has attempted to dampen the celebrations across the country that has followed the successful separation of conjoined twins at UTH on Friday.
Larry Mweetwa, a Doctoral Expert in Pharmacy and a well known UPND cadre charged that conducting such operations has now become so easy with the advancement in medical technology.
Mr Mweetwa wondered why the entire nation is ecstatic about the operation when it is now very simple to separate conjoined twins.
He said the level of excitement that has followed the successful operation on the twins, Bupe and Mapalo goes to show the level of under development currently present in Zambia.
Mr Mweetwa said separating conjoined twins is now as simple as performing circumcision.
Below is Mr Mweeta’s full statement posted on his Facebook page
CONJOINED TWINS SURGERY NO LONGER ROCKET SCIENCE, WHATS THERE TO CELEBRATE ABOUT?
Yesterday I was bombarded with inbox texts asking me to explain in detail about the miracle that took place at UTH because ZNBC didn’t cover much detail.
Well it was the operation of babies who were joined at the tummy from birth! First congratulations to our doctors who carried the operation but success will only be judged by recovery of both twins. Well first and foremost may I put a disclaimer here that i am not a surgeon and may I also state here that this is not the first time this operation has taken place on an African soil. Luka and Joseph Banda were probably the first Siamese to be operated in 1998.
The thing I want to address though is the hype and excitement this caused and it made me have a reflection on our health system and made me feel sad. It just shows how backward our healthcare system is.
Not to take away from the surgeons who carried out the operation, kudos and job well done. But to be honest, conjoined twins surgery is no longer rocket science to cause this hype and jubilation.
A number of shithole countries have performed these surgical procedures. South Africa, Malawi, even apa pa Zaire or Congo.
The Zambian case was actually a simpler one or less complicated because it wasn’t a craniopagus (joined at the skull) which is more complex.
COMPLICATIONS OF THE PROCEDURE
1. Anaesthesia to make both twins sleep can be complicated.
2. Needs good judgement by surgeons.
3. Post surgical intervention and recovery rate is what determines success.
For you to understand the UTH case, I will first of all explain the complexity of craniopagus surgical operation.
SINGLE STAGE OPERATION APPROACH
Please allow me to use simple vernacular not ci medical so that nabakabova bali pa Facebook can understand. Kudaala iyi operation benze ku icita mu one stage operation or mitu nizogwilana. But problem iyalipo na approach iyi is that kambili nangu ntile ilingi ama twins aba bala cita share tuma veins. So because of this, during operation one of the twins will have to sacrifice draining the brain blood supply mechanism by giving one twin.
It a complex conservation mechanism which prevents blood flowing away from the parts of the brain deprived of their venous drainage, which in turn causes an increase in pressure in the brain, which eventually leads to brain damage or death.
So Iyi single stage operation especially kuno kubuzungu we have stopped using it. Because it has been proved to be quite fatal or have caused significant brain damage.
MULTI STAGE OPERATION APPROACH
Iyi iliko best, Multi-stage surgery separates the twins in stages. So ngati tuma twins batu cita operate muma stages so It has the effect of reducing the rise in venous pressure seen to a level that does not cause brain damage. So that vija brain gradually icita recover from the partial venous separation and so kukapita ce tuma days tun’gono, tu ma new venous channels open and the venous pressure returns to normal as blood flows away through these new channels. Once utu tuma venous pressure twabwelela ku normal, basi futi mwaba bweza for the next stage-operation can be undertaken and the process repeated. In this way, the brains are gradually and safely separated.
So based on the above explanation you can see the complexity of the operation, because in certain instances procedure will mean sacrificing one twin’s life to save another.
HOW DO THEY DO IT
OK apa peve sini nga name, technology ya cita improve, but the classic one I know is
the virtual toolbox, called BrainBench, which was developed by CieMed,a joint project between Hopkins and the National University of Singapore established in 1994. BrainBench combines many two-dimensional images of a patient’s brain obtained by CT or MRI into a single, three-dimensional virtual brain. The effect is like recombining slices of bread back into the original loaf. So vi ja Mu 3D ngati Ba cita operate it’s like in real brain wa igwila ku manja so.
The workbench ili na station ya computer na Ka monitor suspended so it projects brain images olo kulangana pa bongo down onto the work area. So then doctor usama ma gilazi ali special and looks down through a chest-high glassscreen at the image of the patient’s brain. The glasses let the surgeon see the brain in three dimensions na mu mpanzu mpazu zyotatwe and BrainBench’scomputer program lets the operator manipulate the image of the3-D brain image as in a real operation. This makes it easy kwandaanya boongo atumizipe tunyamuna bulowa.
Coming back to the UTH case conducted yesterday, the demand or level of risk is not as severe as the skull joined twins as it was a simple stomach organ sharing, it was not even a ribcage shared kind. Here is a little background. In about 30% of cases, conjoined twins are joined at the chest, the most common form encountered. What would be shared between the twins?
In most cases conjoined twins will have tuma shared;
1. Inter connected Intestines
2. Liver
3. Pericardium
4. Hepatic vein crossover etc.
So, separating these organs is not rocket science. This then opens a discussion that we need to advance our level of practising medicine if in 2018 conducting a conjoined twins surgery still makes huge headline news in a country then our level of practising medicine is still a shithole. It just demonstrates how backward we are at practicing medicine.
Let me put this into perspective, what we are cerebrating now is nothing, 20 years ago in 1999 on 7 July, Ghana made their first Siamese operation. Congo 15 years ago, Malawi another shithole country did it 5 years ago, surely as for me I see no sense to celebrate this but it just breaks my heart and makes me do an introspective analysis of our level of practising medicine and conclude to say we are still at a shithole level and PF must allocate more resources in cutting age medical technology training more Medical Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Radiographers, Biomedical scientists and Physiotherapist.
Here are the unsung heroes whom you rarely hear about but are behind the success of any operation.
-Without an anaesthetist contributing their skills to sedate the patient, the Surgeon conducting the operation is nothing but a shithole Medical Practitioner.
-Without a MRI/CT Radiographer taking images of the patient, the Surgeon conducting the operation is nothing but a shithole Medical Practitioner.
-Without a Biomedical Scientist to carry out diagnosis and analysis of blood samples the patient, the Surgeon conducting the operation is nothing but a shithole Medical Practitioner.
-Without a theatre nurse who arranges the operating table and puts instruments, sutures etc in place, the Surgeon conducting the operation is nothing but a shithole Medical Practitioner.
-Without a physiotherapist contribution to help in the recovery process of the patient after surgery, the Surgeon conducting the operation is nothing but a shithole Medical practitioner.
– Without Pharmacists participating in multi disciplinary surgical patient management, the Surgeon conducting the operation is nothing but a shithole medical practitioner.
In civilised countries establishment of OR (Theatre) pharmacists has had a huge significance in patient recovery and adverse event reactions, teams in the preoperative area can reduce the incidence of adverse drug effects because the pharmacist can review orders prior to administration.
OR pharmacists can have a significant effect on hospital compliance with Surgical Care Improvement Project measures. Several regulatory compliance processes can be monitored and addressed daily by OR pharmacists. Initiating new processes and standardizing anaesthesia drug trays can decrease medication errors, improve organization of anaesthesia medications, and encourage safe injection practices. Another key role of the OR pharmacist is to manage narcotic dispensing and reconciliation processes that inhibit drug diversion. Inclusion of a pharmacist on the multidisciplinary OR team should be standard practice in all hospitals.
Larry L Mweetwa A Doctoral Expert in Designing Antibiotics and ARVS
Tourism and Arts Minister Charles Banda (left) talking to Zimbabwe´s Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi at Melia Castilla Hotel in Madrid, Spain. The two are representing their countries at the various high-level meetings with the UNWTO Secretariat and the Spanish government.-Picture by: SAKABILO KALEMBWETourism and Arts Minister Charles Banda says Zambia looks at America as a baby that need to be well natured in order to grow tourism.
Speaking when new American Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote paid a courtesy call on him at Kwacha House yesterday, the Minister said America is one of Zambia’s biggest tourism source markets only second to France.
He said there is great need to grow the bond of partnership between the two countries such as the reduction of illegal wildlife trade and poaching.
Mr. Banda said in line with these, it is important to have a multi-sectorial approach work with other cooperating partners considering that poachers and illegal wildlife are getting sophisticated by the day.
And Mr. Foote said his country is keen in assisting Zambia achieve economic diversification through tourism.
The diplomat said since coming to Zambia he has identified the sector as a more natural one and that he would like to take a lot of interest in learning what the country offers so that he finds ways America can help.
Ambassador Foote said he has mass experience in conservation efforts in his country and appreciates that there is need for him to visit different places to appreciate the landscapes and other incentives.
He said Zambia offers beautiful attractions that are better than many other places he visited.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday by Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer Sakabilo Kalembwe.
PF Secretary General, Davis Mwila (right) and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Kampamba Mulenga, address party members at the PF Mobilization meeting in Lufwanyama District
Copperbelt Patriotic Front (PF) Chairperson Steven Kainga said President Edgar Lungu is next week expected in the province.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Kainga noted that President Lungu is expected in the province on the 10th of February 2018 to grace the fundraising dinner for the construction of the new PF offices.
Mr. Kainga who added that the party currently has no office of its own also stated that the Head of State will in the morning Grace the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the new offices and later in the evening officiate at the fundraising dinner.
Copperbelt Province P atriotic Front Youth Chairperson, Nathan Chanda (left) confers with PF Media Deputy Director, Antonio Mwanza during the PF Copperbelt Mobilization meeting in Lufwanyama District
And the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has today officially launched its 2018 Party mobilisation program for the Copperbelt province at a colourful ceremony held in Lufwanyama District at Lufwanyama Secondary School.
Speaking at the launch, were he was accompanied by several PF Copperbelt Members of Parliament, Mayors, Council Chairpersons, Councillors and senior Party officials from all the 22 constituencies on the Copperbelt, Party Secretary General, Hon Davies Mwila said that the PF has launched its mobilisation program because it strongly believes that the strength of the party is dependent upon the strength of its grassroots structures adding that a party that does not increase its grassroot base cannot survive the current competitive political landscape.
Earlier, the PF chief paid a courtesy call on Chieftainess Shimukunani of the Lamba speaking people of the Copperbelt Province who expressed gratitude to the PF Government on the numerous developmental projects the PF Government has undertaken in the district such as the construction of civil servants houses, a district hospital, police stations and the Local Authority Adminstrative block among many others.
Mr. Mwila has since directed all PF Ministers, MPs, Mayors, Councillors and their compatriots to listen to and respect the party structures because they owe their ascendence to power to the party structures who elected them into office. “You my colleagues in Cabinet and Parliament and the Council cannot be in office without the party structures voting for you. So your allegiance must be to these ordinary men and women who have put you in office. You must have the humility to listen to them and continue to serve these people with vigour and courage. Today’s politics are extremely competitive and parties that do not have a robust program of mobilising their members risks extinction”, Mr Mwila said.
The Secretary General made a clarion call to the leadership of the party to work hard in recruiting new members to ensure the continued growth of the Party. “This party will only grow when we bring in new members. If we keep the party just amongst ourselves then it will not grow,” said Hon Mwila.
Patriotic Front Secretary General, Davis Mwila (middle), PF Copperbelt Province Chairman, Stephen Kainga (right) and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Kampamba Mulenga, at the PF Mobilization meeting in Lufwanyama District
The Secretary General further took a swipe at non-performing party leaders saying that leadership is not about the position one holds but that leadership is about the ability to deliver. He asked those who have failed to deliver to step down and allow others to take up the responsibility of serving the Party. Hon Davies Mwila has further called upon the PF leadership to unite and embrace everyone saying that those political parties that are regional and tribal can not win national elections. He said the PF managed to form government because it is a party with a national character. The Party decisively won 7 out of the 10 provinces in the country’s 2016 general elections.
Patriotic Front Secretary General, Davis Mwila (right) introduces PF Media Deputy Director, Antonio Mwanza, to party members during the PF Mobilization meeting in Lufwanyama District
The Secretary General said that 2018 was a year of party mobilisation. “As I stated when we launched the same exercise in Chongwe District on behalf of Lusaka Province, 2018 is a significant year for the Patriotic Front. We are duty – bound to regroup, re-energise and re-launch ourselves for greater service delivery, party programing and membership recruitment. We have a duty to ensure that all Party structures are healthy and in possession of basic tools needed if we have to consolidate the gains we have made to this day,” Mr Mwila assured the officials.
Meanwhile the Secretary General on behalf of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the Party gave out 2,640 PF branded bicycles to the PF Party Officials in a bid to ease the challenge of transport. He further promised to give Chingola Constituency Committee a vehicle for mobilisation.
And speaking at the same event, Hon Kampamba Mulenga who is Information Minister and Member of Parliament for Kalulushi Constituency assured the Secretary General that contrary to rumours and speculations mostly circulating on social media, the PF was intact in the province as evidenced by the complete structures from Ward up to the Provincial level who were present at the official launch.
Other senior PF leaders present at the launch included Hon Micheal Katambo of Masaiti, Hon Bowman Lusambo of Kabushi, Hon Matthews Nkhuwa of Chingola, Hon Frank Ng’ambi of Chifubu, Hon Chilombo Chali of Nchanga constituencies among others.
Hon Davies Mwila is expected to be in Kapiri tomorrow to officially flag off the mobilisation exercise in Central Province.
Patriotic Front Copperbelt Province Chairman, Stephen Kainga, addresses party members at the PF Mobilization meeting in Lufwanyama DistrictPatriotic Front Secretary General, Davis Mwila ( right) and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Kampamba Mulenga, at the PF Mobilization meeting in Lufwanyama DistrictPatriotic Front Secretary General, Davis Mwila (right) introduces PF Media Deputy Director, Antonio Mwanza, to party members during the PF Mobilization meeting in Lufwanyama DistrictPatriotic Front Media Deputy Director addresses party members at the PF Mobilization meeting in Lufwanyama DistrictPatriotic Front Media Deputy Director addresses party members at the PF Mobilization meeting in Lufwanyama District
Surgeons performing the operation on conjoined twins
University Teaching Hospital has said that the condition of the twins who were separated yesterday is stable. University Teaching Hospital Public Relations Officer Natalie Mashikolo said that the twins who were separated yesterday by a team of doctors at the university teaching hospital are recovering.
Ms. Mashikolo said that the twins; Bupe and Mapalo are currently admitted to main intensive care unit. She said that their condition is closely being monitored by doctors and that the public will be informed on their progress.
Meanwhile, Vice President Inonge Wina has expressed delight at the successful operation of the Siamese twins, Bupe and Mapalo by Zambian doctors at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Yesterday.
The Vice President noted that the joy is shared not only by the parents but all Zambians and extended families because it is a sign of confidence that government’s investment in human resource development of medical doctors, nurses and support staff including the country-wide construction of healthcare delivery infrastructure such as hospitals and clinics is now paying dividends to the nation.
Ms. Wina added that this is so because the capacity to successfully undertake such operations is saving the country millions of Kwacha compared to performing the same exercise abroad.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Permanent Secretary for Administration at Cabinet, Stephen Mwansa, the Vice President further stated that the restructuring of the UTH early last year into specialized hospitals such as the hospital for newborn babies and women is to place special focus on saving lives in the best way possible which is proving to be a successful model.
She indicated that as a mother and parent herself, she can feel the joy in the hearts of the parents to Bupe and Mapalo in that their patience and hope in government’s healthcare system irrespective of the complications that arose out of the birth has paid off.
The Vice President stated that, as the recuperation for the twins is being waited, the operation proves the fact that a child is priceless, despite the deformities that come along.
She said in Lozi, the name Munukayumbwa is given to a child in such situations in order to strengthen parents that even with any form of deformity or complication, a child remains a priceless gift from God and hence, cannot be thrown away.
The Vice President has since congratulated the Ministry of Health management and staff at UTH for the concerted efforts and wonderful works being undertaken even under challenging conditions given and the limited resources to operate at optimum levels.
Ms. Wina also stated that Zambians can be the best in the world if they believed in themselves as the team that operated the twins did, which has now made them a medical asset not just to Zambia but to the rest of the world.
She further noted that the achievements by the Zambian medical personnel and other experts brings pride to the nation and has put Zambia on the world map as a place where top quality healthcare delivery is guaranteed.
Ms. Wina further indicated that she is proud that complicated surgical operations such as the separation of Siamese twins gives more confidence to the public that hospitals in Zambia are the first point of call for all citizens because the country has what it takes to become a Centre of excellence for quality and cost effective healthcare delivery in the region.
Nkana began their two-week pre-season tour of Zimbabwe with a draw against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
The match ended in a 0-0 in a game that saw stand-in coach Manfred Chabinga start three new signings.
Chabinga is standing in for Beston Chambeshi who recently returned from Chipololopolo duty at 2018 CHAN in Morocco.
Ghana-born goalkeeper Stephen Adams, defender Gift Zulu who joined from Forest Rangers and striker Festus Mbewe who has rejoined Nkana on a season-long loan from Red Arrows all started.
Mbewe also opened his Nkana account in the 42nd minute but hesitated in front of goal before the danger was averted by Platinum defender Kelvin Moyo.
Platinum had two great chances with the first coming in the 53rd minute when Platinum midfielder Never Tigere saw his goal-bound shot come off Nkana defender.
Then midfielder Rodwell Chinyengetere saw his 65th effort came off Nkana’s post.
Nkana return to action on Monday when they visit chicken Inn in Bulawayo
OTHER PRE SEASON FRIENDLY RESULTS
01/02/2018
South Africa
Rand Stadium, Johannesburg
Orlando Pirates 3- Zesco United 3
02/02/2018
Zimbabwe
Luveve Stadium, Bulawayo
Chicken Inn 2- Zanaco 1
Opposition leader Raila Odinga holds a bible aloft after swearing an oath during a mock “swearing-in” ceremony at Uhuru Park in downtown Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. Odinga was sworn-in as “the people’s president” during a mock “inauguration”, in protest of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s new term following the divisive 2017 election, and despite the government’s warning that the event would be considered treason. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
By Prince Ndoyi
We want to thank the overwhelming support we have gotten from institutions and individuals that have welcomed our noble call to limit the number of times one appears on the presidential ballot. These include LAZ, NGOCC, YALI among other stakeholders.
We also appreciate the insights and actionable efforts by the Chifubu Member of Parliament Dr Frank Ngambi. Especially for the selfless initiative to commit in moving the said motion after our petition to Parliament in the next session of Parliament which opens on 20th February. We call upon more parliamentarians to support this milestone constitutional provision. Great thanks to those few isolated voices like Edwin Lifwekelo and those from parliament and some opposition figures. We must unite all these voices, organise them and move with everyone.
Would like to express disappointment in those that see this with their partisan blindfolds. UPND deputy SG Patrick Mucheleka has been on radio ignorantly speculating that this law targets Hakainde Hichilema, and vows to use their numbers in Parliament to shoot it down. Sadly he has opted for a very simplistic approach to analysing the current political imbroglio in Zambia’s democracy. This is laughable.
Mucheleka will tell a lie and repeat it so many times and so loudly and dramatically hoping that in time, it will resemble the truth. It is because of people like Mucheleka that we fail to unite behind national issues like this one.
Zambians who love peace and security must see the dangers of having perpetual losing presidential candidates over contesting elections as lessons are glaring to see in the Kenyan Saga through Raila Odinga who after losing too many times unconstitutionally swore himself as president. Do we honestly think Raila at his age and with his numerous election losses and political track record could just accept a loss and move on?
This superficial interpretation of the Zambian political narrative by the UPND is what has even led Kenya into this crisis. It is common knowledge that losing is very painful not only to the party, but more severely to the individual Presidential candidate. And it would be unfair for any party to continue subjecting its leader to this humiliation election after election, it is inhuman. That is why in Africa electoral losses by the opposition are characterised by claims of illegality and irregularity and dramatic episodes. Because our laws in a traditional fashion, have neglected the possibilities of a dishonourable abuse of democratic rights and privileges. As a sensible society in the interest of protecting democratic rights and liberties we must ensure to preserve peace because without which the same rights are not guaranteed their full enjoyment.
For us we saw it coming and the situation in Kenya has vindicated us. The onus is upon us Zambians. We have watched a handful of MPs running to the press and expressing their differing opinion and so have many people in isolation talked about it.
Kenya has lost a lot of lives due to political disputes and as a country we must learn to prevent any bloodshed of innocent people in our country either by limiting the number of times an individual can attempt the presidency not just for the Republican President. Instead we espouse for peace and prosperity.
We know politicians that when their personal interests are threatened and what they do to protect themselves from being brought to account – they rush to courts and sing the democratic hymn. But we want to make an honest appeal to the conscious of our Parliament to interrogate this proposal premised on the interests of peace and creating political space for youths and women within our political folds as opposed to a perpetual hold on to power by the same individuals in perpetuity.
We find leaders who don’t support this as being
simply selfish and more interested in only what is important to themselves. To feel in charge.To feel the honor of the names and references, the reverence associated with POWER.
Raila Odinga’s self-imposed presidency in Kenya should concern all of us that believe in global peace. There is no legality, justification or common sense for such conduct other than an attempt to fuel confusion and anarchy in Kenya because of his perpetual losses. And its for Zambians to draw lessons while there is still time to do so.
Finally, underestimating the need to regulate politicians in Zambia has far reaching consequences on the lives of many men, women and children who value peace over selfish leaders whose only interest is to fulfil their political ambitions at whatever cost. Zambia is indirectly creating anarchists, one election at a time.
The Non-Governmental Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) says government should address the short comings of the 2016 amended constitution as parliament resumes sittings on February 20th.
NGOCC Executive Director Engwasa Mwale said the lacunas of the 2016 constitution should be addressed and a clear road map of how government will solve challenges shown to the people of Zambia.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS today, Mrs. Mwale said parliament should make sure it comes up with a successful referendum that will allow the bill of rights.
The second session of the 12th National Assembly, which adjourned in December 2017, will resume sitting on 20th February 2018.
The executive director said as parliament resumes, it is expected to ensure that it puts more focus on ensuring gender equality and equity.
NGOCC urged parliament to address the issues of men and women equally.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Mwale has commended the President for appointinh Mumbi Phiri as Member of Parliament.
She observedthat Mumbi phiri’s nomination is a push in the right direction and putting women in decision making position should be encouraged by all well-meaning Zambians.
Former Finance Minister and now UPND Liuwa Member of Parliament Situmbeko Musokotwane
By Situmbeko Musokotwane
When canvasing for power, the Patriotic Front party (PF) declared to the electorates that it was going to be a party for poor people. Sadly, it has abandoned poor people.
This is in spite of the fact that few governments since independence have had so much money to spend in a short period of time as the PF; thanks to their appetite for borrowing big.
The other week I pointed out that Zambia’s public debt could be anywhere between US$17 billion to US$20 billion. If the loan funds had been allocated evenly across the country, anything between US$113 million to US$133 million would have been invested in each constituency.
By now most rural problems to do with school infrastructure, teachers’ houses, health centres, water boreholes, simple irrigation systems, etc. would have been history.
Of course not all borrowed money can be “shared” to constituencies since some national projects not directly linked to any constituency must also be funded. That not withstanding, we have under the PF witnessed an extreme situation whereby most rural constituencies can hardly point to any development which has been financed by Zambia’s ballooned debt.
The biggest beneficiaries of the loans have been urban areas.
Yet in repaying the country’s loans, the victims are the rural dwellers who see funding for development in their areas reduced or stopped so that the government can save money to repay debts. To illustrate my statement, lets look at the case of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the fight against poverty.
CDF was introduced in the mid 1990s. It refers to the pot of money that Parliament appropriates to each constituency to finance development needs that the residents identify through their CDF Committee.
It is a noble idea intended to empower local people with financial resources to attend to issues that higher levels of government may not easily appreciate. The legal status of CDF has now been strengthened because it is a constitutional requirement to make it available.
The CDF is a critical tool in the development process, especially for rural constituencies. Here is why this is so.
Firstly, CDF is the only Treasury pot that is intended to ensure that each and every constituency does receive some funding for development every year. Of course development funding in a constituency can also come from line ministries. For example, the Ministry of Health may establish a rural health centre. Another example is when the Ministry of Education builds a teacher’s house in a constituency.
Secondly, CDF is a development equiliser. There is no guarantee that in a given financial year, line ministries will undertake any development in every constituency. In fact, especially in the recent years, people in constituencies have almost forgotten about any developments from line ministries because district offices are not adequately funded.
Further, many ministers when asked in Parliament as to when a particular development issue in a given constituency will be attended to by that relevant ministry, have often replied that the concerned Member of Parliament must utilise CDF.
That is because that ministry has no money. In this regard, CDF becomes useful because if no line ministry does anything in the constituency, then at least there will be CDF to fall back on every year. Since every constituency is meant to receive some funding, it follows that CDF plays the role of a development equiliser.
Thirdly and lastly, CDF often finances projects that ordinarily cannot be managed by the central government. Examples include construction of latrines for schools, repairing blown up classroom roofs, funding womens’ clubs, etc.
Indeed all MPs, both from the rulling party and from the opposition will readily confirm that CDF has undertaken many useful community projects. CDF funds have been used to construct classroom blocks, teachers’ houses, rural health centers, boreholes for water.
The CDF has also been used to repair rural public infrastructure, especially blown up roofs of classrooms and health centres. In many constituencies, CDF is the main driver of development without which very little or nothing happens in that constituency.
Further, District Councils, which are the administors of CDF, become busy undertaking development work only upon CDF being released. In the absence of CDF, District Councils staff have little to do.
I have respect for the sincerity of the Minister of Local Government. Sadly, however, the PF government has not appreciated the importance of CDF.
For two consecutive years namely 2015 and 2016 they never released CDF. For the financial year 2017, they released only half of the appropriated K1, 400, 000 per constituency, with the promise that the remaining half would be released before end of 2017. This has not happened although a few constituencies are understood to have received the full amount of K1, 400, 000.
In the absence of the full 2017 CDF, the backlog of development programs accumulated over the past three years will not be fully attended to. Rural teachers will continue to sleep in makeshift structures unfit for human habitation. Rural children will continue to learn in classrooms without roofs over their heads such as at Kalumbu School in Liuwa.
Rural communities will continue to drink water unfit for human consumption. In Liuwa CDF, we had budged more than K50, 000 in counter part funding to an African Development Fund loan to sink more than 40 boreholes. By not releasing the 2017 CDF, the government is perpetuating rural poverty because not all projects we had budgeted for on the assumption that the full amount will be released in accordance with government’s promise.
This is true for other constituencies except the few that got full funding.
In the first week of January 2018 an announcement was made by the government to the effect that the second half of the 2017 CDF would not be released at all because the funds have been diverted to fighting cholera which was ravaging Lusaka. This is unfortunate and unacceptable.
In the first instance, it is hard to accept the government explanation for not releasing 2017 CDF in full; i.e. that the money has been diverted to fighting cholera. The fight against cholera only intensified in December 2017 and January 2018.
The government had plenty of time between January 2017 and December 2017 to release CDF in full after Parliament appropriated the money way back in December 2016. Why didn’t they release it over all this long time period? Was the money mearnt for CDF used to service the expensive debts instead?
Under the circumstances, we are more inclined to believe that the cholera story is just a convenient excuse. Bear in mind that this government already showed no commitment to CDF since 2015.
Having skipped CDF since 2015, one would have expected that in 2017 the government could have diverted money from other budget lines other than CDF to fight cholera.
This would have opened the way for pending issues under CDF to be attended to also. This could have eased the burden on poor rural folks in terms of being neglected.
More painfull still is that rural constituencies have nothing to do with the Lusaka cholera. They did not cause it. Unfortunately, through the diversion of CDF, they are being made to suffer for urban areas.
We urge the government to take steps to reimburse the 2017 CDF in full. Further, all MPs and in particular the rural ones and irespective of party affiliation should push for this on behalf of their electorates.
The government must bring forth a supplementary budget in 2018 so that constituencies that did not receive the full CDF in 2017 will receive the half that remained plus the full amount of 2018.
We wish to remind the government that if they do not take this course, then they will have discriminated against those constituencies that did not receive the full amount in 2017 when others received.
This unfair treatment implies that in the eyes of the PF some constituencies and therefore some citizens are more important than others.
The Author is a Former Finance Minister during the reign of the MMD Government and is now opposition UPND Liuwa Member of Parliament
Vice President Inonge Wina has expressed happiness at the work done by the Defence and Security wings in support of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in the office of the Vice President.
Mrs. Wina said this is following the mobilisation of the defence and security wings in December 2017 by President Edgar Lungu to join the multi-sectoral emergency response team to fight the cholera outbreak in Lusaka.
Mrs. Wina has observed that since 30th December 2017, the defence wings have provided medical personnel and services, clean-up of solid waste in public places and drainages.
She said in addition, the defence forces have also mounted water tanks and delivery of portable water to cholera prone areas, burying of contaminated shallow wells as a safety measure and maintenance of law and order in Lusaka city.
Mrs. Wina further stated that because of these efforts Lusaka’s Central Business District (CBD) is now very clean and conducive for conducting legalised businesses as compared to the time before the emergency response.
She said the cholera outbreak is almost contained in most affected areas and many lives have been saved through the services offered by defence and security medical personnel.
Mrs. Wina said many residents in cholera affected areas now have access to clean and safe drinking water, a prerequisite for preventing epidemics such as cholera.
She said the city of Lusaka is once again gaining the status of a clean city as it was designed to be.
Mrs. Wina has since called on citizens to value the services offered by men and women in uniform and other stakeholders, noting that cholera and other water borne diseases will continue to draw away funds meant for developmental projects into fighting epidemics which can easily be prevented.
“I have observed that so far the general public is happy about the cleanliness and safety experienced in corridors of Cairo, Cha Cha Cha and Lumumba Roads as well as markets which were an eyesore not too long ago. I am appealing for calm in view of the public and private schools, marketeers, farmers and suppliers of tradable goods and services who may be inconvenienced by measures undertaken by government in search of a long-lasting solution,” said Mrs. Wina.
Mrs. Wina has also thanked all stakeholders for the generous support and goodwill expressed towards the emergency in view of the positive response from residents of Lusaka, cooperating partners, the business community, faith based and religious organisations.
She has called upon political leaders across parties as well as traditional, religious and community leaders to work closely with government in maintaining the clean and safe environment in Lusaka city and across the country.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Permanent Secretary for Administration in the Office of the Vice President Stephen Mwansa.
Namibia defender Teberius Lombard has joined Lusaka Dynamos on a permanent move.
Lombard won the man of the match award in Namibia’s 1-1 draw against Zambia at the 2018 CHAN tournament in the two sides final Group B match on January 22 in Casablanca.
His move was confirmed by his Namibian club Tura Magic.
“He has been a loyal player to Tura Magic, we cannot stand in his way as the Zambian team has offered him more than what he is getting here,” Tura Magic boss Peter Nakurua told Namibian newspaper New Era.
Lombard, who spent the 2009/2010season on loan at Orlando Pirates, will be the first Namibian player to play in the FAZ Super Division.
‘Rap Guru’ Stevo released the video for his single “Sandals off” that features Flexville Marley. The song was produced by DJ Mzenga Man , video directed by Chichi Ice.
Three pupils died on the spot yesterday after being hit by a motor vehicle along the Mpongwe-Luanshya road in the Copperbelt province.
Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga disclosed that the accident occurred yesterday around 17:20 hours at Chintala area along the Mpongwe-Luanshya road.
Ms. Katanga said the driver Andrew Chikonde 28, a lecturer at the Copperbelt University lost control of the Toyota Chaser registration number ALH 3209, and consequently hit the three children, killing all of them on the spot.
She said Chikonde lost control of the vehicle due to excessive speed.
The three deceased children have been identified as Dainess Kawanga 11, Francis Chintala and Cecilia Chintala, who were twins aged 9.
She explained that Dainess sustained head injuries which Francis and Cecilia sustained general body injuries.
Ms. Katanga said a mob later descended on the motor vehicle burning it to ashes.
She said no arrest has been made in connection with the incident.
She noted that due to security concerns, the driver of the motor vehicle, who sustained a cut on the head, has been relocated to a Kitwe health facility along with his two passengers who also sustained minor injuries.
FILE: Late President Sata greets then Defence minister Edgar Lungu
Dear Mr. President
REF: The Cake is Rotten Mr. President
Your people are uncertain about the future of this country Mr. President. There is a common feeling that the cake is now rotten. The smell is too much that am sure even our neighbours are getting it. The tension in people’s hearts is massive but yet can not be seen. The country is not the same way President Sata left it.
I write this letter with a heavy heart my president. The people who so much believed in you are not getting what they believed they would get from your government.
Our country is in a bad shape your excellence. Until this day some of the schools have not been opened due to the outbreak of cholera which should have been avoided in the first. Sir the vendors whom your government kicked out of the streets without finding an alternative trading place for them are now suffering. They are not able to feed their families and pay school fees for their children.
While you and your ministers are enjoying life in air conditioned vehicles and big mansions, the police officers who provide security to you did not receive full pay for the month of January 2018. Sad enough your government has not taken responsibility but only lay the blame on technology.
The gap between the rich and the poor has become wider. It is extremely difficult for the majority of your people to afford three meals a day. There is a strange absence of liquid cash in circulation your excellence.
Forget it Mr. President! those who are close to you don’t tell you the truth. They are doing everything possible to keep their positions by telling you what they think you want to hear.
Sir, those who supported you in 2015 believed that you are a humble and listening President. They are now disappointed as it seems as though their judgment was not on point. In 2016 you opened Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe just as a way of getting votes from the residents. You gave hope to thousands of people only to disappoint them in the end. A humble leader could have gone back to Kabwe and apologise. Mr. President I bring your attention to this and many issues that boarder on your integrity. You owe your people an apology for lying to them.
The moment you became president you promised that you would deal with the post newspaper and true to your word hundreds of the former workers of the post are no longer in employment. What kind of a good leader fails to negotiate in the interest of his people?
Your party cadres attacked those who went to give solidarity to the NDC president in full view of police. Not even a single comment has come from your office to condemn the act. Sir this can only mean that you are not aware of this or you too support the violence.
Mr. President this country is losing millions of dollars through corruption. You know the individuals who are corrupt within your government but for some special reason you have decided to keep them despite making a public announcement that you would fire those you knew where depositing huge amounts in their accounts.
My dear President, allegations have emerged that you are now one of the richest individuals in Zambia. How so your excellence when at the time you become president you were just a simple Zambian who lived a humble life in Chawama? Others suggest that you are also involved in the sale of mukula among many other allegations. These allegations you have not denied Mr. President.
It is highly debauched that when your people don’t have access to clean drinking water with most of them living under K5 per day, you and your government officials would be using tax payers money to fund your insecurities. Mr. President pregnant mother in the rural areas give birth in their homes due to lack of transport and yet the ministers you sent to Luapula are using ambulances to ferry cadres for party activities. It is abuse of authority your excellence. Where is your conscious when the country’s economy is so troubled despite God blessing us with so much wealth as a nation.
Mr. President, how can your government accept to lease the toll gates for 17 years to foreigners? How does your government see the sale of ZNBC a national broadcaster? How did we give away NRDC? Is this all done in the interest of the Zambian people who gave you the mandate to rule this country?
Mr. President, how did we find ourselves with so much debt that our grandchildren will continue paying when we are gone and yet we can’t really see where the money went?
How did a Christian nation find ourselves at a point where we are not able to forgive one another. The hatred in this country is too much that not even your own political party has been spared. There is no intra-party democracy within the PF. All those with presidential ambitions are perceived to be your enemies and kicked out of your party.
Your party members don’t even know what they want. The time you mocking said you won’t stand in 2021 they supported you. One that you have shown serious intentions to contest 2021 they are supporting you again. Sir, it’s like your government is perpetuating the poverty among the citizens so that the PF can continue controlling the minds of our people.
While all this is happening Mr. President, I want to remind you that 2021 is far and near. You may cement your stay in power beyond 2021 but a time shall surely come when you will have to go.
But the question is; what legacy will you leave behind? What name are you building for the generations coming after you.
I end here my ‘Humble’ President.
Your faithfully
David N Kapoma
Governance Activist
President Edgar Lungu addressing the marketers at Chisamba Market during his two day working visit in Chisamba Central Province
President Edgar Lungu has called on other councils in the country to emulate civic leaders in various councils in Central Province who are working together to foster development.
Mr. Lungu said councils are the immediate structures that are used to deliver development hence, the need for them to cooperate because without cooperation they will fail to deliver services to the people.
The President was speaking in Chibombo yesterday when he met civic leaders from various councils across the province as well as the clergy from Chibombo district.
Meanwhile, President Lungu announced at the same meeting that Shibuyunji district which was part of Lusaka province will now be part of Central Province.
And speaking at the same meeting, Mumbwa District Council Chairman Glacious Hamatala said President Lungu had demonstrated leadership across the country.
He assured President Lungu that councils in Central Province will support government’s agenda and ensure that government programmes are delivered.
Mr. Hamatala said Central Province will act as an example to other councils to show what unity of purpose can do in terms of fostering development.
The President who later met the clergy and assured them of government’s support also appealed to the church to bring sanity to the political arena.
”Tell us to forget about 2016, it’s gone. Let us begin preparing for 2021. As a Church, you are charged with the idea of bringing normalcy to the political arena,”he said.
The President also observed that government is working closely with the Church and the Traditional leadership to bring early marriages to an end.
Earlier, Pastor James Manda, a Representative from the Chibombo Minister’s Fellowship said the district faced a number of challenges such as high poverty levels, lack of banking facilities and nearby health infrastructure.
The President was in Central Province on a two-day working visit.
