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Government, in collaboration with the Global Fund, has procured three vehicles and 20 motorbikes for the Ministry of Health in Chienge district in Luapula province.
District Director of Health, Lwara Musa said the three Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles and the 20 Motorbikes were bought at a cost of K3 million.
Dr. Musa said the motorbikes and the vehicles will be delivered to the area early next year
He said this in Chienge when he presented a report during a management meeting for all ministries whose functions have been devolved to the local government.
He has since paid tribute to government and the Global Fund for the gesture, adding that the move will greatly improve his department’s efforts of delivering quality health services to people in the area.
Dr. Musa said the motorbikes will be distributed to all the health centres in the district to boost their curative and preventive health services.
Health authorities in Kabompo district in Northwestern province have concluded the 10-day door to door mass drug administration (MDA) exercise for the lymphatic filariasis disease, popularly known as elephantiasis.
Kabompo Acting District Health Director Michael Musonda said the health office had concluded the exercise but those that still needed to take the preventive drug may visit the nearest health centre to get it.
Mr. Musonda told ZANIS in an interview that the preventive drug was being administered to everyone above the age of two years except for expectant women and those that are chronically ill.
He has since assured the residents that there was no outbreak of the disease in the district adding that government just wanted to protect its citizens from the ailment.
He further said the disease, which is caused by a parasite and transmitted from one individual to another through a mosquito bite, takes about 20 years to manifest itself.
Mr. Musonda said the lymphatic filariasis disease was difficult to reverse hence government undertook the preventive exercise.
He also said the preventive treatment kills worms to prevent the progression of the disease while preventing other people who are not infected from getting it.
Opposition National Democratic Congress has charged that the firing of former minister of national planning development Lucky Mulusa is a clear indication that President Edgar lungu does not want and will not tolerate anyone with different views to be part of his cabinet.
President Edgar Lungu on Wednesday fired Minister of National Development and Planning Lucky Mulusa and also revoked the nomination of Mr. Mulusa as a nominated Member of Parliament.
NDC Spokesperson Eric Chanda has alleged that the fact that the reasons behind the firing of Mr. Mulusa clearly indicates that he was fired for speaking the truth about the electricity situation in the country and the procurement of the fire tenders.
Mr Chanda has wondered how a well performing minister could be fired for unknown reasons while the corrupt and underperforming ministers in cabinet are being left to continue with their corrupt acts and underperformance.
Meanwhile, Zambian DNA Spokesperson Spuki Mulemwa says his organization is appalled that some section of society is condemning President Lungu’s move to fire National Planning Development Minister Lucky Mulusa.
Mr. Mulemwa says President Lungu’s critics are offside to insinuate that the Head of State‘s move to fire Mr. Mulusa was wrong or in bad faith.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Jean Kapata has said all illegal cargoes of Mukula logs that have been seized by the state will be forfeited to the state and sold off.
Ms. Kapata said the Zambia Forestry and Forestry Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) Limited will auction off the contraband. She was speaking when she addressed ministerial staff in Ndola today.
The Minister expressed concern about the illegal trade and indiscriminate cutting of the trees whose botanical name is Pterocarpus chrysothrix that is growing and threatening Zambian forests. The tree takes about 80 years to reach full growth and maturity.
Government to date has suspended export of wood or logs of any Timber Tree Species including logs of the famous Mukula Tree.
Ms Kapata who earlier this year spoke after the ban said Timber export permits will only be issued for processed or sawn timber.
She explained that the move is in accordance with Statutory Instrument number 94 of 2015.
Meanwhile, some traders have complained that the origin of their cargoes is actually the Democratic Republic of Congo and are upset that the Zambian authorities are seizing their cargoes that are in transit to other destinations.
China as well as Thailand in particular where the demand is almost insatiable has fuelled the illegal trade and smuggling.
Smugglers have devised methods of exporting the timber, through neighboring countries such as Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Prior to the surge in demand for the tree species in 2014, Zambians showed general disinterest as villagers used it in constructing their mud houses, farmers used it to cure their tobacco, and railway companies used it as slippers.
The rampant growth in the Mukula trade awoke interest in monitoring how the timber industry has been operating and how the country’s precious timber is being exported. This sudden increase in demand forced government to suspend the issuance of licences for harvesting the species and now being found with a piece of the tree has became a serious crime.
Minister of Energy David MabumbaThe Ministry of Energy will add more than 1 400 Megawatts of electricity to the national grid to improve electricity supply by 2020.
Minister of Energy David Mabumba says this is part of Government’s robust investment plan in the electricity sector to connect power to all parts of the country.
Mr. Mabumba has told Journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka today that government is committed to ensure Zambia does not experience the power deficit that recently hit the country.
He however states that the power deficit was not because of the inefficiency by ZESCO but due to climate change.
Meanwhile Mr. Mabumba has dismissed media reports suggesting that Indeni oil refinery has been sold.
He said Government is looking for a partner to revamp the oil refinery at a cost of 8 hundred million dollars.
Special Assistant to the President for Project Implementations and Monitoring Andrew Chellah (l) with RDA member during the site visitation of the ongoing rehabilitation of Lumumba Road in Lusaka
State House Special Assistant to the President for project implementation Andrew Chellah has described the state of the six-point six Kilometer stretch on Lumumba road as an emergency that needs to be worked on immediately.
And the Road Development Agency -RDA Regional Manager for Lusaka Pandeki Chabala says works on the portion will commence within 14 days.
Mr. Chabala said this after Mr. Chellah and RDA managers inspected the road this morning.
Mr. Chellah said he is concerned that motorists are losing working hours driving through Lumumba road.
He has told ZNBC news in an interview that he will ensure the works are monitored and completed as soon as possible.
Mr. Chellah added that the year 2018, will be action oriented
Special Assistant to the President for Project Implementations and Monitoring Andrew Chellah (c) with RDA member during the site visitation of the ongoing rehabilitation of Lumumba Road in Lusaka
Minister of Religious and National Guidance Godfridah SumailiMinister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili has challenged parents to educate their children on the significance of the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation.
Reverend Sumailai says it is imperative for parents to educate the current generation on the declaration for them to educate future generations.
She explains that the declaration has brought divine peace that Zambia has continued to enjoy.
Reverend Sumaili was speaking at the 26th Commemoration of the Declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation in Lusaka.
She said President Edgar Lungu has taken the declaration to a deeper level by putting measures to actualise it when he set October 18th as National Day of Prayer
And National House of Prayer Chairperson Bishop Joshua Banda has challenged political players questioning the declaration using their ideologies to explain their stance.
Bishop Banda said it is important for the political players to explain where they intend to take the nation in the future.
Local government and Housing Minister Vincent Mwale, Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, President Special assistant Amos Chanda , Water and Energy ministry PS Bishop Edward Chomba and Health Minister PS -administration Dr Kennedy Malama during a joint press conference at the Ndeke House boardroom
President Edgar Lungu has directed all the three wings of the Defence Force to join the Ministry of Health and Lusaka City Council in escalated efforts to contain the spread of cholera in the city.
This morning the President reviewed the ongoing interventions led by the Ministry of Health and Lusaka City Council and came to the conclusion that emergency steps needed to be taken to stem the tide of the epidemic which has now spread to new areas outside the zones where the deadly waterborne disease broke out in October this year.
Government declared an outbreak of cholera in Lusaka district on 6th October, 2017 after confirming two cases that were presented to Chipata First Level Hospital, in Lusaka.
The outbreak has so far affected over 80 residential areas of Lusaka district with most cases from coming Chipata, Garden, Kanyama, Chawama, Matero, Kabanana, Garden house, Mazyopa, Chazanga, Misisi, Bauleni, Mandevu, N’gombe, Mtendere and John Laing.
More recently the outbreak has spread to low-density areas including Rhodespark, Woodlands, Balastone, Chelstone, Silverest, Chamba Valley and Ibex Meanwood among others.
Local government and Housing Minister Vincent Mwale, Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, President Special assistant Amos Chanda , Water and Energy ministry PS Bishop Edward Chomba and Health Minister PS -administration Dr Kennedy Malama during a joint press conference at the Ndeke House boardroom
Despite the commendable efforts and interventions instituted by multisectoral teams at all levels, the outbreak has continued with 1,550 cases recorded cumulatively with 168 undergoing treatment as at 06:00AM on 29th December 2017.
Lusaka has been recording an average of 60 new cases every day. The President notes with great sadness that a total of 41 people have died of the disease since its outbreak.
The outbreak was initially linked to contaminated water from shallow wells and unsanitary conditions in the residential and public areas affected. But we now note that the spread of cholera is being propagated through contaminated food as evidenced by the recent analysis of food samples such as mangoes, apples, fish, meats, and chicken obtained from various markets and street.
Among the cases recorded so far, the majority of those affected are traders, street vendors and people who have consumed raw and ready-to-eat food from the streets and some markets.
Analysis of food samples from restaurants and food handlers in Soweto market and some street vendors revealed contamination with feacal matter and vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera.
In the last two weeks, three traders from Soweto market have died from cholera and 18 are currently under admission in Cholera Treatment Centers.
In view of the aforementioned, the President is deeply concerned at the rampaging advance of the outbreak and he has therefore called in the Defense Forces to join other stakeholders to work with MoH and thoroughly clean up Lusaka.
Affected areas such as Soweto market will be closed from tomorrow to allow for thorough cleaning. In order to facilitate the escalation of the response, all ministries are directed to work closely under the leadership of the Ministry of Health to bring the situation under control.
The measures to be prescribed by the Minister of Health from time to time may include the suspension of street vending in identified areas in order to allow for thorough cleaning, garbage collection and unblocking of drainages widespread decontamination.
There will be broad restrictions in the sale of raw and ready-to-eat foods including fruits, vegetables, meats, chicken, and fish on the streets and trading areas with unsanitary conditions.
Local government and Housing Minister Vincent Mwale, Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, President Special assistant Amos Chanda , Water and Energy ministry PS Bishop Edward Chomba and Health Minister PS -administration Dr Kennedy Malama during a joint press conference at the Ndeke House boardroom
The President expects the Defense Forces to work with Ministry of Health, Line ministries to report to him on daily basis on the progress they must make in the coming hours and days.
The President expects traders and the general public to cooperate fully with authorities when the order the closure of Soweto and other markets identified as the epicentre of the epidemic.
The Ministry of Health is also directed to immediately mobilize and deploy health staff to all affected and at-risk areas, to ensure adequate numbers are available to enhance our response and avert any more deaths.
All markets, bars, restaurants and other public places that do not meet the required public health standards and sanitary conditions and pose a risk to further cholera transmission will be closed until they satisfy the required hygiene standards.
The public is strongly urged to avoid and stop buying raw and ready to eat foods from the street and markets in affected areas.
The community deaths recorded since the outbreak was declared is very worrisome and therefore everyone is urged to ensure that those who develop diarrhea, vomiting or indeed not feeling well report to the nearest health facility immediately.
Citizens are further urged to adhere and comply with all the measures as stipulated in the Statutory Instrument Number 79 of 2017 on the control measures designed to arrest the spread of cholera.
The President has this afternoon communicated all these measures and other control interventions to the leadership of the Zambian Military accordingly.
Local government and Housing Minister Vincent Mwale, Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, President Special assistant Amos Chanda , Water and Energy ministry PS Bishop Edward Chomba and Health Minister PS -administration Dr Kennedy Malama during a joint press conference at the Ndeke House boardroom
Alfred Muwowo this weekend makes his first defence of the Africa Boxing Union flyweight title.
The knockout specialist enters the ring on December 30 at Government Complex in Lusaka to face veteran Dalisizwe Komani of South Africa just six months after winning the continental title.
This will be Muwowo’s first defence of the ABU title he won on July 2 in Ndola where he beat Tanzanian Haji Juma via a 5th Round TKO.
Unbeaten Muwowo will be entering the ring for his eighth fight seeking his seventh successive knockout.
“The belt is like a baby to me, so I will defend it with all my might,” Muwowo said.
“Komani should be ready for a tough fight.
“I will definitely want a knockout.”
But the experienced Komani who has 23 fights with 14 wins, seven defeats and one draw says he has come to Zambia to ensure Muwowo’s reign is a very brief one.
“I have prepared well for Muwowo and I am here for one thing. To grab the belt. That’s all,” Komani said.
However, questions abound over the opponents’ rustiness and who returns to the ring after a one- year hiatus for the first time since December 11, 2016.
And Komani comes into the fight the slightly heavier of the two weighing 51.4 Kg while Muwowo came in at 50.8 Kg.
Meanwhile, female boxer Catherine Phiri is on the undercard with a non-title Super Bantamweight, six round bout against Rukia Nasirite of Kenya.
Catherine returns to the right 25 days after losing her WBC title to Kenyan Fatuma Zarika in Nairobi on December 2.
Some Nansenga residents in Chikankata district have called on the Ministry of Lands to quickly conduct a post-mortem on how the local authority sold out land estates to developers between 2014 and 2015.
Spokesperson for the residents Japhet Banda said about 30 indigenous people who were allocated plots to buy from the council have discovered that their properties belong to two or three people.
Mr. Banda said about 30 families are faced with eviction following the discovery that their pieces of land on which they are settled were sold to other people by the local authority.
He said efforts to resolve the matter with Chikankata district council for the past three years have yielded negative results hence the need for the Ministry of Lands to investigate the matter.
Mr. Banda said there was no way the local people of Nasenga estates can be denied an opportunity to buy land when they have been in the area for a long time.
He said people strongly suspect that there was corruption involved during the sale of Nasenga land by the local authority noting that there was no way their pieces of land could belong to more than one person.
Mr. Banda said it was high time government brought to book all those suspected to have enriched themselves through the sale of land belonging to the local people.
But when contacted for a comment, Chikankata District Council Secretary, Milly Muluti, said the over 30 families settled on Nasenga land illegally.
Ms. Muluti said the claims were baseless because the said land belongs to government and it is gazetted.
She explained that the Nasenga land has been a government property for many years adding that after Chikankata was declared a district in 2013, the local authority advertised plots for sale to all those who were interested to build in the residential area.
Ms. Muluti further said the local authority in the area will not condone illegal settlers who invade people’s land.
Henry KapokoMedical Doctors at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka say former Ministry of Health Chief Human Resource Officer Henry Kapoko is fit to stand trial.
The Lusaka Magistrate court has been informed that much as Mr. Kapoko experienced excessive pumping of blood to the heart, the case was not serious to stop him from standing trial.
On Thursday, Mr. Kapoko refused to stand trial demanding to be taken to the hospital because he had High blood pressure.
Mr. Kapoko informed the court that the high blood pressure was triggered by the courts decision to revoke his bail after he was accused of selling a property that is an exhibit in
Meanwhile, Mr. Kapoko has admitted getting a loan using a house that is part of the exhibit in court.
He has told Lusaka Magistrate Exnobert Zulu that in his foolish thinking he thought it was not an offence because he had title deeds to the property.
He pleaded with Magistrate Zulu to exercise leniency because he had financial pressures that led him to breach his bail conditions.
But Magistrate Zulu wondered why Mr. Kapoko took that action despite the court having told him that the house he is living in will be managed by the Anti-Corruption Commission and not him.
In the main matter Mr. Kapoko and nine others are accused of having involved themselves in corruption, money laundering, and theft of over 6 million kwacha from the Ministry of Health.
When the matter come up today, Mr. Kapoko’s Lawyer Kelvin Bwalya asked Magistrate Zulu to consider hearing him in the chambers and not an open court.
Before this application was made Mr. Bwalya also read out the content of the medical record from UTH.
The magistrate has since revoked Mr. Kapoko’s bail
Katete district in Eastern province has had about 42 boreholes drilled in different parts during the 2017 third and fourth quarters.
The boreholes are meant to enhance residents’ access to clean water.
Katete District Council Rural Water Sanitation Coordinator Maggie Mvula said out of the 42 boreholes, 20 have been drilled by government at a cost of K 740, 000.
Ms. Mvula was speaking during a presentation on the D-WASHE programme at the District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) meeting in Katete.
“Each borehole was costing K 37,000 and were drilled in different parts of the district but currently, we are waiting for pump testing and installation of hand pumps,” she said.
Ms. Mvula also said 11 other boreholes were drilled through the District Commissioner’s office and the council chairperson’s office.
She further said an additional of 11 more boreholes were drilled by World Vision in the different parts of the district.
She said the boreholes where meant to increase sanitation, access to clean water and reducing the distance which people cover to water points.
Meanwhile, Ms. Mvula has said the district has accrued a high water debt from the Eastern Water and Sewerage Company (EWSC).
She disclosed that the debt had been accumulating over the years due to none payment of bills by water users especially the domestic customers.
“Katete has accrued a high outstanding debt amounting to above K 300, 000 which is as a result of non-payment of bills by some customers,” she said.
Ms. Mvula said the institution has since employed bailiffs to collect some items on its behalf in order to recover the loss.
She also said the company was embarking on a programme of service withdrawal for all the accounts which where inactive for more than six months.
GOVERNMENT says it has developed a three-year financial strategy that will liquidate all the statutory debt that the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University owe.
Currently, the University of Zambia has a staggering debt amounting to around K2.5 billion in statutory obligations and other arrears.
And Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary Mabvuto Sakala said once the financial strategy is implemented it would help the institutions channel their resources to other developmental areas.
“I’m sure you are aware that the public universities had a lot of statutory and other financial challenges in terms of what they are owing. As government, we have developed a financial strategy hoping to liquidate the public universities’ debt,” Mr. Sakala said.
Mr. Sakala revealed in an interview with Millenium Radio that UNZA and CBU owe huge sums in tax obligations, staff pensions and other public debts.
He however, said the government has committed to liquidate the debt in a three-year period once the plan was initiated in January.
Mr. Sakala said once Government offsets the debt the universities owe, resources would be channeled to other areas, especially research which is not adequately funded, as well as infrastructure.
“Currently we do have a huge public debt in terms of what these institutions are owing their members of staff in pension, NAPSA, ZRA and other statutory debt. In January we are putting up a financing strategy where we are beginning to liquidate this debt,” Mr. Sakala said
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda chats with Patriotic Front Media Director Sunday Chanda at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday 17-08 2017. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
The ruling PF has moved to quash reports that President Edgar Lungu has appointed Copperbelt Minister has been appointed Sports Minister to replace Moses Mawere who was said to have been moved to the Ministry of National Planning in the same portfolio.
A statement apparently attributed to State House Spokesman Amos Chanda was circulating on social media stating that President Lungu had made a mini reshuffle which also saw Nkana Member of Parliament Alexander Chitemene appointed to replace Mr Lusambo as Copperbelt Minister.
It has since emerged that the statement was fake and State House has not issued any statement in that regard.
When contacted for a response, Mr Lusambo who was in the company of Mr Mawere at his Ndola office expressed shock over the development.
“As far as we are aware, nothing of that sort has happened. We are not aware because we have not been communicated to,” said Mr Lusambo.
And PF Media Director Sunday Chanda said the statement is fake and should be dismissed with the contempt it deserved.
Mr Chanda said “please be informed that a statement circulating and purporting that there have been new appointments and transfers at ministerial level is nothing but fake news. You’re advised to dismiss it with the deserved contempt,” said Mr Chanda.
Below is the fake statement allegedly issued by State House
PRESIDENT LUNGU PROMOTES BOWMAN TO MINISTER OF SPORT
LUSAKA, (Friday, 29th December, 2017)
His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu President of the Republic of Zambia has appointed Bowman Lusambo Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development. He replaces Moses Mawere who has been appointed Minister of Planning.
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 92 (1) of the Constitution of Zambia, the President has also promoted Alexander Chiteme to Copperbelt Province Minister
The President expects the appointed individuals to respect collective responsibility.
Issued by:
AMOS CHANDA SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT (PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS) STATE HOUSE)
World Bank Country Manager Ina Ruthenberg explains on the book called Zambia Economic Brief to Minister of Finance Felix Mutati shortly before the World Bank Launches of the tenth of Zambia Economic Brief at Pamondzi Hotel
GOVERNMENT is determined to set up a sinking fund to refinance the Eurobonds despite concerns from the World Bank that the approach will not work following Zambia’s large fiscal deficits.
Government announced that it has set aside US$20 million for the refinancing of its three Eurobonds – the US$750 million, US$1 billion and US$1.25 billion – all falling due between 2022 and 2027 respectively.
But the World Bank said the sinking fund method to refinance Eurobonds will not work for Zambia due to its persistent large fiscal deficits which makes saving impossible.
Minister of Finance, Felix Mutati, however, said the sinking fund, to be established by law, would be set up as a sub account of control 99 where all Government revenue was kept.
“Government will still set up the sinking fund because it is by law and you cannot argue with the law. We will establish it because it is by law to keep the deficit neutral,
“It is a transit account that is used for repayment, it does not necessarily mean that funds will be locked in that account, it will be for the purposes of maintaining within our deficit parameters,” he said.
Mr. Mutati said in an interview that Government would be prudent to the extent that it did not keep money unutilised while incurring interest generated by the deficit. He disclosed that Government would next month establish a broad strategy which would assess the market for the Eurobonds.
Mr. Mutati emphasised that Government had multiple options to refinance the Eurobonds.
“Buying back is just one of the mechanism that we can do another mechanism will be to roll over so there are several options we have to address the Eurobonds, including finding money to pay,
“So there is no singular option to address the matter, there are multiple including domestic revenue enhancement. We do not have a bullet option, we have a combination of options to deal with the problem,” Mr. Mutati said.
Mr. Mutati said while considering all these options, Government would ensure prudent management.
