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Government has shut down three Hungry lion outlets in Lusaka namely Hungry lion at Levy Mall, Hungry Lion Cairo road and Hungry Lion Kulima Tower.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya announced that the three outlets were shut down Thursday morning after Vibro Cholera was found in the food samples taken at the three outlets.
Dr. Chilufya has since directed that all food outlets at all shopping malls in Lusaka be inspected for Cholera.
And a fresh case of Cholera has been recorded in Lusaka.
Ndola City Council Spokesperson Tilyenji Mwanza confirmed that a 28 year old male of Chifubu is being treated for Cholera at Main Masala clinic which is a Cholera Treatment Centre.
Ms Mwanza said the patient is currently receiving treatment and is in a stable condition.
“We are told by the District Director Health Dr. Gideon Zulu that there is no history of him travelling to Cholera prone areas and he is believed to be a resident of Chifubu. Dr. Zulu has henceforth informed us that Ndola has now been placed on a Cholera alert,” she said.
“However, as a Local Authority we would like to announce that we are currently mobilising ourselves to put in stronger measures as directed by His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu that will see a cleaner Ndola. The Local Authority’s Department of Public Health will also be carrying out inspections of restaurants and any other food handling businesses to ensure they are trading in healthy environments,” Ms Mwanza said.
She also announced that the Local Authority has further banned the sale of ready food on the streets and anyone found selling will have their goods confiscated.
“Ndola City Council would like to announce that it has also called for a round table discussion with representatives from the Street Vendor Association to chat the way forward for the city of Ndola with regard to street vending. The discussion will be chaired by His Worship the Mayor Mr. Amon Chisenga,” she said.
“And, Ndola City Council would like to appeal to out counterparts Kafubu Water and Sewerage to ensure that we have sufficient water in the city. We have received complaints of dry pipes in areas such as Masala of which the Local Authority has taken it upon themselves to deliver water to the residents using the fire trucks.”
Cholera victim being buried this morning in Shimabala by Council officials.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church has announced that it has cancelled all Church gatherings including Sabbath worship at its Lusaka Central Church.
The Church’s Communications Department said to the prevailing health situation in Lusaka and the Government’s directive restricting public gatherings to contain the situation, Church members are advised that there will be no church services taking place including Sabbath worship.
It said the church will give further updates on worship services once any changes/developments occur.
“Members are advised to obey the health guidelines given by government during this period. Members are all encouraged to worship at home and observe the day of Fasting and Prayer. Let us also pray for the situation to return to normal and pray for the bereaved families,” a statement read.
And Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has postponed the Zambia Police Service 2017 National Annual Ball which was scheduled to take place on 12th January, 2018 as a result of the outbreak of Cholera.
Mr Kanganja said the cancelation is in line with the Public Health Regulation number 8 of the Statutory Instrument number 79 of 2017which restricts public ceremonies or gatherings of more than five persons.
“The annual ball will only be held when the situation normalizes and this will be after relevant authorities review the Cholera situation in the country,” he said.
Zambia airforce Commander Gen Eric Chimense with Mr Amos Chanda tours Kamwala Lumbama Market tour Keep Lusaka Clean up has started
Zambia Air Force Commander Lt General Eric Chimense says anything that claims lives is a threat to National Security and needs to be combated.
And Lt General Chimense has pledged continued military presence in Lusaka until the Cholera epidemic is contained.
He said Cholera has become a security threat because of the number of lives that have so far been lost.
Lt. Gen Chimense said according to the National Constitutionand the Defence code, the military is tasked to respond to any threat of National security threat saying the presence of the military in the city of Lusaka is justified.
“If you remember at one time we responded swiftly to a threat on food security when some unscrupulous people were smuggling maize out of Zambia, that is our role and a threat to national security may be economic, political , or an epidemic such as Cholera.”, Lt General Chimense said.
The Army commander also said that the military will not abandon the cleaning programme in town until the local authority and the general public find a way of sustaining the exercise.
He called on the general public to own the clean up campaign and ensure that they avoid indiscriminate disposal of garbage.
Lt Gen Chimense has since commended the troops for the good work they have done in collecting garbage and unblocking drainages.
He was speaking In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he is attending a Specialised Technical Committee meeting on Defence, Safety and Security.
And Lt Gen Chimense said Zambia remains committed in its role of fostering regional and continental peace.
He said the STC will mainly look at modalities of funding and sustaining an African Stand by force.
Lt General Chisense said Zambia supports initiatives by the African Union that states that Africa should find a way of resolving its own problems.
He says Zambia which has a record of being peaceful and will ensure that it supports these programmes through pledges from both the Zambia Army and the Air force.
And Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Ms. Susan Sikaneta commended the defence forces for the drive against Cholera in Lusaka.
“Defence forces defend the people not only against aggression, conflict situation and war but go beyond by defending the people against diseases, poverty as well as enhancing the quality of life of the people by promoting industries and construction of infrastructure such as cities within cities that the defence forces has embarked on in Zambia,” Ms Sikaneta said.
Ms Sikaneta who is also Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the African Union also commended the Commander in Chief, His Excellency President Edgar LUNGU for directing the defence forces to help clean up the city.
She said every peace loving Zambian should rally behind President Lungu, the Defence forces and the local authorities in maintain cleanliness and hygiene in Zambia.
“As a Christian Nation, we should all know from the teaching of the word that cleanliness is next to godliness”.
Before the Clean UP
Lumumba drainage along City Market bus station before the Army clean upLumumba drainage along City Market bus station before and after.
After the Clean UP
Lumumba drainage along City Market bus station after the Army clean upLumumba drainage along City Market bus station after the Army clean upLumumba drainage along City Market bus station after the Army clean up
Piles of Destroyed Stands
Piles of Destroyed Make Shift Market StoresPiles of Destroyed Make Shift Market StoresPiles of Destroyed Make Shift Market StoresPiles of Destroyed Make Shift Market Stores
Here is a bonus 2018 CHAN Group B update on Zambia’s opponents’ build-up for the Morocco tournament.
UGANDA
Four Under-20 players from Uganda’s 2017 COSAFA U20 Cup campaign last month in Zambia have travelled to Morocco hoping to impress in two pre-2018 CHAN friendly’s and make the final cut for the tournament that kicks-off on January 12.
2017 COSAFA U20 Golden Boot winner Mohammed Shaban, who scored four goals at the tournament, goalkeeper Saidi Keni and defender Mustapa Kiiza are all in the provisional team.
Midfielder Milton Karisa who also featured prominently during the Kitwe tournament is in the 25-mameber team.
The quartet is hoping to impress new Uganda coach Sebastien Desabre in Rabat where The Cranes will face Congo-Brazzaville on January 6 and Cameroon on January 9 before the Frenchman names his final 23-member team.
Uganda faces Zambia in both sides opening Group B match on January 14 in Marrakesh.
COTE D’IVOIRE
Cote d’Ivoire have arrived in Tunisia for their two-week-long transit training camp and held their first practice session in Tunis on Thursday.
The 2016 CHAN bronze medal winners will face Sudan in a friendly on January 8 in Tunis.
Coach Kamara Ibrahim named his final 23 prior to departure on Monday.
The Elephants face Zambia in both sides penultimate Group B match on January 18 in Marrakesh.
NAMIBIA
Namibia are entering their first full week of training camp in Tunisia while in transit to Morocco after arriving there on December 27.
The CHAN tournament debutants have one friendly already confirmed for January 6 in Tunis when they face Rwanda.
Coach Ricardo Mannetti has already named his final 23 for the tournament.
Namibia will depart for Morocco on January 11 and will play Zambia in their final Group B match on January 22 in Casablanca.
Minister of Local government Vincent Mwale and Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations to the President Amos Chanda addressing street vendors at City Market on the cleaning of the Market during the tour of City Market
Local government Minister Vincent Mwale has revealed that three outlets belonging to popular fast food joint Hungry Lion in Lusaka have been found with germs that cause Cholera.
Mr Mwale said the contamination of the food could have been due to food handlers.
In a tweet, Mr Mwale said some food handlers may be coming from some parts of the City which is the epicenter of Cholera.
He said the food was found with vibro Cholera and the samples confirmed the contamination after the tests were done.
Mr Mwale said a statement will be issued on the course of action to take against Hungry Lion and other food outlets later today.
He said in the last 24 Hours, 91 new cases of Cholera have been recorded bringing the total cumulative number to 2091.
Mr Mwale said three new deaths have been recorded bringing the cumulative number of deaths to 51 deaths countrywide with 48 recorded in Lusaka
Hakainde Hichilema
Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says the party stands with the nation over the outbreak of Cholera which has so far claimed 50 lives.
Mr Hichilema said this is not the time for politicking.
He has since called on Zambians regardless of political affiliations, to take responsibility to help in combating this epidemic and save lives.
“This will be tough for all of us and will affect our livelihoods, but we must eradicate this disease at all costs,” he said.
He added, “In September last year, we warned the nation, especially our colleagues in the PF leadership, on the need for robust measures and preparedness for the anticipated rise in cholera cases.”
“Back then a few cases had already been recorded in some of our high density areas such as Kanyama Compound. We even obeyed the health professionals’ warning not to hold our planned political gatherings in form rallies as a means to save lives. The government’s late, inadequate and slow response has led to a panic situation where cholera cases have increased rapidly, resulting in the avoidable deaths of our citizens,” he said.
“We convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones while wishing those affected a quick recovery. We also fully sympathise with majority of our citizens who have abruptly been made to vacate their trading places without being given alternative sites with suitable hygienic conditions for them to earn a living in these harsh economic conditions. The entire nation has now been affected by the deadly epidemic which has now forced the closures of schools nationwide.”
Mr Hichilema said those charged with managing the affairs of the country must use this period for deep reflection in terms of priorities in the application of the meager resources and timely decision making.
“Was it really prudent to corruptly acquire 42 fire engines at US $1 million each when documentary evidence shows these are just basic machines that can be bought at US $ 250,000 each? We could have saved a huge chunk of money that is desperately needed in public health and education. Our citizens must always connect the inherent corruption of our PF colleagues, which is even being admitted by fellow senior PF leadership colleagues, to how it affects our everyday lives.”
“To our brave armed forces who are working tirelessly in some unbelievably challenging conditions, we would like to say ‘thank you’. Please know that we are very proud of you. We urge everyone to heed the advice of health professionals. Let’s endeavour to keep our surroundings clean, avoid unnecessary travels and contacts, and ensure we rush any suspected cholera cases to the nearest centres on time.”
The mobile money revolution in Zambia by Mwatula Chiti
As a new year beckons, it would be prudent to remind ourselves about one of the most precious blessings which we have at our disposal: time. For both individuals and organisations – time is arguably the most valuable resource at our disposal. It is possible for a person to make more money and recover that which was lost in the past but it is nearly impossible to recover lost time.
Recent research by the Harvard Business Review revealed that this generation is busier than any generation preceding it. The younger demographics of this generation in particular, the millennials; are said to be less patient and more inclined towards quicker or faster solutions. It is this ‘microwave-quick’ generation that forms the majority of prospective clients for financial service providers.
When it comes to choosing a bank or branch in which to transact, the average client’s main priority usually comes down to “which bank or branch is quicker, I would like to transact and leave as soon as possible.”
On the contrary, a number of banks in Zambia have a slow turn-around time. How often have we stepped into a branch to make a cash or cheque deposit or over the counter withdrawal and ended up spending at least half an hour in a queue. However, we cannot be too hard on our banks, they have endavoured to provide alternative pragmatic solutions such as 24 hours ATM Services. A few of our Zambian banks have introduced direct deposit service ATMs in urban areas and at major malls.
In 2017 alone, 3 of our major banks launched mobile banking applications which allow their clients to have 24 hour access to cashless money transfer services. In total 12 out of our 19 commercial banks have fully functional mobile banking applications, which is quite commendable. One can only wonder what the other 7 are still waiting for.
Having a mobile banking application is one thing, having one that works efficiently and effectively is another story. Discussions, blogs and social media comments by clients of certain banks leave much to be desired. Commentators argue that applications only work during “office hours” which almost defeats their purpose of existence. Other mobile applications are inconsistent and cause account reconciliation problems such as miss-posted transactions, miss-matching transaction reference details, erroneous debits/credits, duplicate bank charges and bouncing back of transfers. In a nutshell, some of our banks’ mobile applications make clients feel like each transaction is a gamble, leaving you guessing what will happen each time you transact. I personally remember banking with a certain bank whose mobile app could not even efficiently show me my correct account balance. Of course this is not the case with all banks, it’s just a reminder of how vast the gasp spans in terms of quality service provision depending on whom one decides to bank with.
With the advent of online scams growing rapidly, this is the last thing that any financial service provider would want; a situation where your clients settle with the notion that using your mobile app is unpredictable and at one’s own risk. Such a bad precedence has forced some people to ‘swear’ that they will never do any transaction online.
This is where the “New kids on the block” emerged and changed Zambia’s money transfer business for good. The first to join the marketplace were the mobile service providers and telecommunication companies. In 2002 Celpay, a subsidiary of Celtel, was incorporated and began offering mobile banking services. The company was later acquired by Zain and became its subsidiary. In 2010 Zain was subsequently bought by Bharti Airtel which finally rebranded to “Airtel” as we know it today.
In December 2013, then Airtel Money director Brenda Thole disclosed that the mobile money service had 1.2 million subscribers. MTN Zambia also launched mobile money services, with Zamtel only joining the bandwagon in 2017, launching a service dubbed “Zamtel Kwacha.” Next in line was the Zambia Postal Services Corporation (Zampost) which developed a new payment system called Swift cash. The newly developed payment system targeted clients in unbanked remote parts of the country and endavoured to help reduce the risk of moving large sums of money.
In my personal opinion, the real game changer was a seemingly small start up called “Zoona”; a modern day David going up against all the aforementioned more experienced and financially muscular industry giants.
Zoona was founded in Zambia in 2009 by two entrepreneurial brothers from Kitwe, Brad and Brett Magrath. The Magrath brothers wanted to address a problem major problem in the Zambian economy; providing financial services to the unbanked population.
A survey on Access and Usage of ICT in Zambia was conducted in 2015 by the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) in collaboration with the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The findings revealed that 86% of Zambians did not have bank accounts! Almost a year later, in June 2016, Lusakatimes reported then Minister of Finance, Honourable Chikwanda stating that the unbanked population had reduced to 42% due to newly enacted policies.
It is against this backdrop and startling statistics that Zoona joined the ultra-competitive mobile money market. Their target was mainly adults with limited or no access to formal financial services. They created a simple but highly efficient business model which only requires a customer’s national Identification card, mobile number and a security pin which they personally send to the beneficiary. Within a few minutes, the transaction is done and the beneficiary can collect their money from any Zoona both. The sender of the money pays a small commission which ranges from K5 to K250 or more, depending on the amount of money being sent.
By the end of 2016, approximately 1 million customers were using Zoona every 60 days, with over 1600 Zoona outlets dotted all over Zambia. Zoona reports that more than $1 billion dollars worth of mobile money transactions had been processed.
This simple looking business model has taken Zambia by storm. Bank branches are slowly getting decongested. Zoona’s clientele range from the Upper/middle class urban citizens to the part time employed low income earners.
The earlier mentioned ZICTA survey also revealed a significant increase in the number of mobile phone subscribers from 2.6 million in 2007 to 10.9 million in 2015 due to increased investment in the sub-sector by mobile service providers. Times are changing; 10.9 million potential clients now have mobile phones and access to the internet. However, not all of them are literate enough to easily navigate a complex mobile banking app, not all of them are willing to spend time filling forms and attaching the numerous mandatory KYC compliance documents. Some of them just want to urgently send money to a parent, child, relative,friend, worker, supplier and so on.
Time is money. This “fast” generation is too sophisticated for the conventional banking strategies of the yesteryears. We are too busy to spend time in a queue and yet we spend more time than ever before online. We can buy and sell online, we pay for bills online, and we send and receive money online.
The rules of engagement have changed. As an old adage says; “you cannot beat a river into submission, you must surrender to its current and use its power as your own.”
Mwa pya baisa! Aluta Continua dear banks !
By Mwatula Chiti
The author is a former Corporate Banker and currently working as a Finance Officer at the African Union Commission. He is also a Financial Analyst, Satirical Blogger and an Activist for Youth Financial Inclusion in Zambia.
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it..”
By Economic. Governance
Mr. Chishala is right. My own advice is that the Government should spend the money intended for Zambia Airways revival on economic diversification. The airline will contribute almost nothing to economic diversification. The larger part of use will be free tickets and transportation of personal effects by the Ministers and their relatives. This is what history tells us happened with Zambia Airways, the cow that produced the milk for all public servants until it ran dry and could not produce anymore. Like an impure spirit that comes out of a person, we tried and concluded that it was not useful, so we got rid of it. But now we think we made a mistake and must go back to where we were. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. In the end, it finds no rest at all. We are likely to regret if we implement the decision to revive Zambia Airways. It will heighten political and economic divisions rather than narrow them. It is far from a selling point. It is not a priority.
We all also heard that then it was the IMF and World Bank that put the last nail into the coffin by instructing the Government to finally sell the airline. Today, the IMF has a problem of debt with the Government and is refusing to grant the loan. Certainly, the rebirth of Zambia Airways cannot be a decision or support by the IMF. It is locally-made. As usual, every time we make our own decisions, they tend to be aptly unwise. As anyone else, I seriously suspect hot pressure coming from families of former Zambia Airways employees who lost jobs and benefits of flying all over the world and doing business. They have been lobbying since it was defunct. We all lobby but this one is meant to ground the whole economy including proponents of the airline’s rebirth finally to its knees. That’s how we are. We lobby for wrong things.
AS NUMBERS SHOW, ZAMBIA’S DIVERSIFICATION PROBLEM IS ALARMINGLY HUGE
Zambia’s diversification problem is more than we all think. Let us use numbers to understand. Thanks to efforts by Government to diversify but numbers show that we are still very far therefore need to use almost every penny on this important economic decision.
First, Zambia’s exports are dominated by copper, accounting for almost 70% and this is non-manufactured (Table 1 below). The top non-copper exports in the name of precious and semi-precious stones are also easy-come-easy-go. So, the top serious non-mineral or non-traditional export product is tobacco which, in 2016 accounted for only $163 million exports or 3% of total exports of $5.8 billion. The shares of the top 3-4 non-traditional products (tobacco, precious, maize and sugar are simply too low to make any significant contribution to economic development especially that they are not manufactured products. There is a potential factor here that may lead to future reduction of exports of especially tobacco – the Zimbabwe political landscape may mean some of that country’s farmers based in our country may inevitably go back.
Table 1: Zambia’s Exports of Non-Copper Products in $ Millions: 2016
2016
Share in %
Total all products
5,804
Copper
3,960
68
Tobacco, unmanufactured; tobacco refuse
163
3
Pearls, precious & semi-precious stones
153
3
Maize (not including sweet corn), unmilled
114
2
Sugar, molasses and honey
113
2
Inorganic chemical elements, oxides & halogen salts
97
Gold, non-monetary (excluding gold ores and concentrates)
Miscellaneous no-ferrous base metals for metallur.
53
Source: Unctadstat
In terms of trend over the last twenty years, exports of tobacco in absolute values have enjoyed rapid rises as can be seen by the image in Figure 1 below although declines became visible in the last 2-3 years due to global price fluctuations of commodities. But this rise is nothing when export values are so low. However, chances are that in the next twenty years, if production is expanded, exports would start to grow significantly.
Second, Zambia’s efforts to diversify exports can be understand by looking at international measurements such as the diversification index, which, shows that the more numbers are close to 1, the less diversified a country is; and that the closer they are to zero, the more they are diversified. So, in Table 2, we see that in 1995, Zambia’s export diversification index was 0.9, which is almost 1, meaning it was very far from diversifying, that is why it is one of the top four countries with less diversification. In 2016, Zambia is joined by many African countries with an index of 0.8 which is not far from the number it had twenty years ago, suggesting that by international standards, the country is still very far from integrating in diversification or the global value chains and networks. In other words, we can say what we want and make public pronouncements that the country is diversifying but we cannot hide from numbers.
Table 2: Zambia’s Export Diversification Index: 1995 and 2016
1995
Uganda
0.9
Nigeria
0.9
Lesotho
0.9
Zambia
0.9
2016
Botswana
0.9
Equatorial Guinea
0.9
Mali
0.9
Sierra Leone
0.9
Burkina Faso
0.9
Gabon
0.9
Congo
0.9
Sudan
0.9
Chad
0.9
Zimbabwe
0.9
Guinea
0.8
Nigeria
0.8
Mauritania
0.8
Libya
0.8
DRC
0.8
Burundi
0.8
Central African Republic
0.8
Lesotho
0.8
Zambia
0.8
Source: Unctadstat
Third, the country’s industry value added in the economy is too low in absolute values. In the last 45 years, industry value added has only grown from $ 585 million in 1970 to $ 6 billion in 2015 compared to $11 billion for Kenya and Tanzania respectively. In 1995 Tanzania’s industry was $443 million, less than Zambia’s but it is now about twofold more than ours. As a share of GDP, industry is currently about 30% (Figure 2), at least in 2015. More importantly, the trend shows that in the last almost five decades, it has been declining, from almost 50% in 1970. Obviously, much of this is the copper story, further confirmation of lack of diversification. In relation to the Zambia Airways story, clearly, here is the challenge to invest more in industry to take it back to the level of the 1985 when the share was 51%. Expanded industry will create more jobs than Zambia Airways. It will create more manufacturing and regional and global competitiveness than the airline. The airline will be more luxurious and contribute almost nothing to regional and global competitiveness.
Figure 2: Zambia’s Industry Value Added in GDP in Percentages: 1970-2015
Conclusion
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it..” It then says, ‘I will return to the house I left’ hoping to find better things but instead it finds worse things. It is like African countries and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Before, it was called General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and developing countries thought it was a rich man’s club. So, they thought it would benefit them if it became WTO, or for all countries instead of a few rich ones. So, they created WTO in 1995. Today, Africa is only told by other members, the rich countries that what they are proposing will benefit the continent. But when Africa makes its own proposal (if any?), it is never accepted. The only gain it has obtained is that its voice has strengthened. But a strong voice without accompanying economic benefits is nothing. Africa is now wondering if it can go back to GATT.
Former Zambia and Roan United legendary defender Ken Banda has charged that huge wages are making the current crop of players indiscipline.
Some players in the FAZ Super Division get up to K20, 000 as monthly package.
Former Zambia and Roan United legendary defender Ken Banda
Banda, 75, believes heft wages contributes to high levels of indiscipline among players.
“During our days as players in the 1960s and 1970s we used to play just for passion but now it is good to note that there is a lot of money involved in football,” the former KK 11 star noted.
“Players getting a lot of money these days tend to lose their mind. If you are not mentally strong and start getting a lot of money it’s difficult to be disciplined,” Banda said.
He cautioned players against being indiscipline.
“You can only succeed in football if you have discipline,” he said.
Banda is said to have been the first Zambian to attend trials in England when he spent several weeks training at Leeds United in 1963.
He was also voted the best central defender on the Copperbelt just after 1960.
The Central Province epidemic preparedness and prevention committee has resolved that travellers entering the cosmopolitan town of Kabwe must be screened and disinfected from cholera.
The resolution was arrived at during the first 2018 provincial epidemic preparedness and prevention committee meeting held yesterday.
Central Province Acting Permanent Secretary (PS) Felix Mang’wato, said the meeting was convened in the wake of sporadic cases of cholera that have been reported in the province.
Mr. Mang’wato said the cholera preventive measures should not be politicised.
He has therefore called for support from all well-meaning Zambians to ensure that the disease does not escalate.
The provincial epidemic preparedness and prevention committee meeting heard that some cases of cholera have been reported in Chisamba, Chibombo, Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi although both the health authorities and the provincial administration remained mute on statistics.
The provincial epidemic preparedness and prevention committee meeting also endorsed President Edgar Lungu’s directive and resolved to remove the vendors from the streets of Kabwe with immediate effect.
The committee further proposed that subject to confirmation with education authorities, the schools should remain closed to avoid abetting the spreading of the disease.
And Central Province Director of Health, Rosemary Mwanza, said the people in the province can either allow cholera to mess them up or end it.
Dr. Mwanza has since called for pro-activeness as opposed to being reactive to contain the disease.
The meeting was attended by provincial heads of government departments, cooperating partners, District Commissioners, Council Secretaries, public health experts and members of the provincial joint operation committee (PJOC).
Solwezi residents have rejected the move to re-locate big bus operators to city mall.
This follows Solwezi Municipal Council’s resolution to approve an application from Solwezi City Mall to allocate part of its parking space as a temporal bus station in order to decongest the central business area.
Solwezi Municipal Council, Assistant Public Relations Manager, Esther Chirwa said the residents have rejected the decision by the council which was made during a consultative meeting held on December 26, 2017.
Ms Chirwa said the residents are concerned that re-locating the bus station to city mall would compromise security, lower standards of toilets and increase street vending.
She stated that City mall Management also outlined measures to address the public health and safety concerns raised by members of the public but they were still rejected.
Ms Chirwa disclosed that city mall management had applied to the local authority to have big buses operate from the mall in order to attract more people because many of the shops at the mall have closed due to lack of business.
she added that the mall management have an option of either withdrawing their request or preparing a written submission with minutes of the full council and the stakeholders’ meeting for the Minister of Local Government’s consideration and determination.
Meanwhile, Solwezi Municipal Council Town Clerk, Mbulo Seke said the Zambia National Service (ZNS) land which is next to the Solwezi City Mall has been earmarked for a modern Inter-city bus terminal.
Mr. Mbulo said this can be the lasting solution but the project can only kick off after ZNS has been re-located to an alternative land.
This was contained in a statement availed to ZANIS in Solwezi yesterday.
Deputy Minister in the office of the vice President Davis Mwango and Chibombo District Commissioner Felix Mangwato joining Namayani pupils in celebrating the handover of the classroom and the house during the handover of the 4 school built in Chibombo District at Namayani Primary School
Central Province Acting Permanent Secretary Felix Mang’wato, has called for information and resources sharing so as to contribute towards a better health for all in the province.
Mr Mang’wato says the sharing of information and resources will ultimately contribute to a better health for all and create a preventable disease free environment.
ZANIS in Kabwe reports that Mr Mang’wato made the call when he opened the first 2018 Central Province Epidemic Preparedness Committee Meeting held at the Ball Hall today.
Mr. Mangwato says the PF government stands ready to support all districts in the country in delivering valuable services to the citizens.
He called for unity of purpose among heads of government departments and cooperating partners in fulfilling their obligations to the people.
He said the purpose of the meeting is to help consolidate and strengthen preparedness, prevention and control of disease outbreaks in the province in the wake of cholera cases recorded In Lusaka.
Mr Mangwato advised the team to come up with different kinds of interventions to avert the escalation of cholera and other water borne diseases.
The PS commended the United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) for partnering with the provincial medical office in controlling diseases.
Mr Mang’wato stated that the procuring of a boat and Land Cruiser vehicle by UNICEF as well as support to the infectious disease and research in Zambia has helped the provincial medical office vaccinate the fishing communities in the Lukanga swamps.
He noted with satisfaction that to this effect no cases of cholera have been reported from Lukanga where the disease has been a perennial problem.
Mr Mang’wato further urged all the districts in the province to improve on their reporting system on all diseases using necessary and appropriate tools.
And Central Province Health Director, Rosemary Mwanza, said the meeting was important aimed at revising the current control and preventive measures.
The meeting was attended by provincial heads of government departments, District Commissioners, members of the Provincial Joint Operation Committee, cooperating partners and health experts.
NORTH-WESTERN Province permanent secretary Ephraim Mateyo
Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary Ephraim Mateyo has said 2017 will be remembered as a landmark year when the Patriotic Front (PF) government delivered its campaign promises to the people in the region.
Mr. Mateyo said the connection of many towns in the province to the national electricity grid and the construction of the first ever five kilometres dual carriage way in Solwezi are some of the developmental activities that have been realised under President Edgar Lungu’s rule.
He further said the upgrading of Luwi mission hospital in Mwinilunga to a first and second level hospital and subsequent deployment of six doctors to the same institution was a clear indication of the developmental activities the PF government is undertaking in Northwestern province.
And Mr. Mateyo has told ZANIS that works on the Chingola-Solwezi road have advanced thereby leading to a reduction in travel time between the two towns.
He revealed that Lot one, which is about 43 kilometres running from Kifubwa bridge, has been completed and opened to the public.
He said this development was proof that President Lungu is a leader for all Zambians.
The Permanent Secretary further stated that immediately after the rains, government would embark of the construction of township roads in the province.
He has since implored the people of Northwestern province to look forward to this year as government was committed to accelerate development in the region.
Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe
Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe has called on government departments in the region to be prudent in the use of public resources in order to facilitate the delivery of quality development services to the people.
Mr. Nundwe said Copperbelt Province is the economic hub of the country as it has great potential to contribute more to the national gross domestic product (GDP) than it does currently.
He was speaking in Ndola yesterday during his first address to civil servants since his transfer from Muchinga Province in the same capacity.
“Copperbelt is a delicate and sophisticated province. We need to be prudent and exercise good behaviour in the manner we utilise public resources. I want to see order in the province,” he said.
Mr. Nundwe further said he will not tolerate civil servants who will exhibit negative attitude towards work noting that this is what has been affecting service delivery to the people in the province.
He stated that he would like to see civil servants exercising dedication to their work and the provincial administration hierarch.
The Copperbelt Province PS said this will enhance unity of purpose in the province.
Mr. Nundwe added that there was need to clean up all districts in the province in order to prevent outbreaks of water borne diseases such as cholera.
“Let us clean our districts so that we prevent cholera and also reduce on the burden of the President in addressing this problem. It is therefore necessary that we get back to cleaning the districts,” he emphasised.
And Copperbelt Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has urged civil servants to support Mr. Nundwe so that his office can deliver to the expectation of the people and the appointing authority.
Mr. Lusambo said government was implementing a lot of projects in the Copperbelt Province.
He said government departments should therefore work together and ensure desired development is achieved.
Lusaka lawyer Kelvin Bwalya Fube (KBF) has dismissed the resignation of Former Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba as meaningless and inconsequential.
Responding to those that wanted him to support the decision of Mr. Kalaba because he has been critical of the happenings in the party, Mr Fube said party members should stand with President Edgar Lungu and not to be swayed by those forming political parties.
“How do you want me to think objectively,you mean l must agree with you. I am sorry l can’t.”
“If you guys are not Happy with EL go and join NDC and leave us with our poverty. Bawishi, we have come a long way with PF before it was even fashionable,I suffered under Mwanawasa, I was one of the few bussinessmen that was constantly funding the party.”
He added, “I have enough experience to know a fraud when I see one. EL is our man unless the court says otherwise then we can consider others,definitely not Harry Kalaba.”
His comments follows on after political analysts suspected the move is an attempt to pressure President Edgar Lungu, who is considering seeking a third term. Mr Kalaba is said to be a possible candidate for the 2021 presidential election, should Mr Lungu step aside,
Speaking to Reuters, Lee Habasonda said: “People have started realising that they will not get nominated as long as Lungu insists on standing.”
However, Mr Kalaba did not refer to his presidential ambitions in the Facebook post, instead focusing on what he says is growing corruption at the highest level, as well as his desire to serve his “country and its people” over “a position, party or person”.
Meanwhile, PF Luapula Province women have told Harry Kalaba to consider quitting as Bahati Member of Parliament citing underdevelopment in the constituency.
Provincial Women’s Chairlady Mary Nkandu, the longest serving Provincial women leader in Zambia and resident of Bahati Constituency said Mr. Kalaba’s resignation as Foreign Affairs Minister was not enough since he was still MP.
Ms. Nkandu, a former journalist said being a resident of Bahati herself she had always received complaints from people about lack of development in the constituency.
“Since ba Kalaba has resigned as Minister, let him also consider quitting as MP because we are as good as not having a representative. He is not regularly visiting the people. I am a resident of Bahati, I don’t see him. People have no access to him because he doesn’t even pick up people’s calls. Ask anyone in Bahati, they will tell you the same,” Ms. Nkandu said.
Ms. Nkandu said Mr. Kalaba had neglected the people who voted for him by not developing the constituency because he was not regularly visiting them.
She said township roads in Bahati were impassable because Mr. Kalaba was spending time on petty issues instead of developing his constituency.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nkandu who was elected to his current position in 2006 has assured the PF Central Committee that the party in the Province was intact and in full support of President Edgar Lungu.
Ms. Nkandu explained that Mr. Kalaba’s resignation had not in any way shaken the party in the Province because he (Kalaba) wielded no influence.
She said the party in the area had resolved to rally behind President Lungu’s leadership ahead of the party convention.
“We are 100% behind President Lungu. He has done a lot for Luapula and even our women here are so happy. We are unshaken by Kalaba’s resignation. It’s nothing and has no impact on anybody including Bahati,
Zambia coach Wedson Nyirenda has declared the team’s five-day pre-2018CHAN training in Mongu a massive success.
Chipolopolo held a closed-door training camp in Mongu from December 27 to January 2 in their third week of preparations for the CHAN Tournament Morocco will host from January 12 to February 4.
A provisional 29-member team was part of the camp as Nyirenda prepares to name his final 23 by Friday before departing for Morocco over the weekend.
The team included Zanaco midfielder Augustine Mulenga and his club mate and goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata who have been strongly linked with foreign moves before the tournament that would render them ineligible for the finals.
CHAN is a second tier AFCON tournament exclusively for domestic-based players.
“Looking at the short time we have, we could not take risk training locally in Lusaka we had to take them to a different place and result-oriented place,” Nyirenda said.
“We had a good time with five days of training and everyone is looking good.
“I can say we are now 85- 90 percent ready.”
Meanwhile, Zambia were back in training on Wednesday afternoon at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka just 24 hours after returning from Western Province.
