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Minister of Higher Education Nkandu LuoMinister of Higher Education Nkandu Luo has called for an end to students riots in all institutions of higher learning in the country.
And Professor Luo has assured retirees in public universities that their huge debt of packages will be dismantled in a period of three years.
Professor Luo says lessons should be learnt from the negative impact that riots and student unrests have caused and should be avoided at ALL costs.
The Minister of Higher Education was speaking when she separately addressed Copperbelt University-CBU students and members of staff at the Jambo Drive Campus this morning.
Meanwhile, Professor Luo disclosed that university councils which where dissolved in public universities in 2015 and replaced with caretaker committees will only be changed when the Higher Education Act goes through parliament.
Government has expressed concern over the low participation of Local Contractors in the execution of high value infrastructure projects in the country.
In a speech read for him by the Assistant Secretary Sineva Kambenja, Northern Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Jobbicks Kalumba said government is working tirelessly to provide an avenue through the National Council for Construction (NCC) to build capacity for local contractors.
Dr. Kalumba added that government values the contribution of foreign contractors in the construction industry, stressing however, that
foreign contractors will not always be available hence, the need for local contractors to spearhead the development agenda of the nation.
And Dr. Kalumba has since, commended the NCC for equipping 34 individuals with skills in cobalt stone paving in the province.
He said the training of these individuals will go a long way in improving the competency and skills of the contractors in the paving industry.
Meanwhile, Principal for NCC School, Architect. Chance Kaonga said there is need to nurture local contractors so they can compete on the international scene.
Architect. Kaonga has also urged the grandaunts to show diligence in the execution of their duties as a way of remaining relevant in the industry.
He has also sent a stern warning to graduates against involving themselves in illegal activities, stressing that the law will catch up with them once they are found wanting.
The National Council for Construction in collaboration with the Road Development Agency (RDA) has trained 34 people in Northern Province in cobalt Stone Paving.
US Ambassador to Zambia Daniel L. Foote and his counterpart, Zambia’s Ambassador to the U.S Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula at the event in Washington
The United States Government has pledged to continue its strong partnership in helping Zambia address the many challenges it faces, particularly in the area of health through the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR/Emergency Plan).
U.S Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon has also reiterated President Donald Trump’s reaffirmation at this year’s United Nations General Assembly to the fight against HIV/AIDS where he singled out Zambia as one of the countries that have made strides in fighting the disease. Mr. Shannon says, for this reason, the U.S is committed to continuing its robust partnership with Zambia in its efforts of fostering peace and mitigating the refugee crisis in the region.
He said this at the Department of State in the Treaty Room on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. The meeting was attended by US Ambassador to Zambia Daniel L. Foote and his counterpart, Zambia’s Ambassador to the U.S Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula together with other senior officials from Department of State among others.
“Under Daniel’s leadership, Zambia and the United States will continue our strong partnership in helping Zambia address the many challenges it faces, particularly in the area of health. At this year’s United Nations General Assembly, President Trump reaffirmed our commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS and singled out Zambia as one of the countries closest to achieving epidemic control.
“Daniel’s impressive experience and achievements make him more than ready to lead our relationship with the government and people of Zambia as we work together to promote regional peace, security, and good governance,” he said.
Mr. Shannon further noted that Mr. Foote will also be responsible for advancing a Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact that provides $355 million to improve the lives of over 1.2 million Zambians by enhancing the country’s water and sanitation systems in Lusaka.
On December 14, 2017 Mr. Foote who presented his credentials to His Excellency President Edgar Lungu as part of an official ceremony at State House, gave an overview of U.S. Mission goals which include partnering with the government and people of Zambia to strengthen democracy and good governance, increase economic prosperity, improve health and education, and partner for improved security and peace in the region.
Mr. Foote also echoed U.S Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s stance of increasing trade and investment with African countries, improving governance, and securing peace in Africa.
“You’ve already shown your enthusiasm for the job by hurrying out from Lusaka soon after your confirmation to present your credentials to the President of Zambia. Well done. As you assume the mantle of ambassadorial leadership, please know we are always here to support you and your team. I wish you and your loved ones all the best and safe travels,” Mr. Shannon added.
Ambassador Foote will return to Zambia in January 2018
The school feeding program in Mumbwa District has increased enrollment levels and drastically reduced absenteeism amongst learners in all the schools where the programme is being implemented.
Mumbwa District Education Board Secretary Office focal person for the school feeding programme, Clarence Mutiti told ZANIS that the program which is being implemented in 166 schools in the district has improved both the enrollment and performance of pupils in schools.
Mr. Mutiti said the World Food Program (WFP) which supports the school feeding program has further helped to train teachers in seven schools to pilot the gardening projects which also supplements the already existing school feeding program.
A check at one of the schools in the district revealed that indeed enrollment in the year 2016 and 2017 increased from 435 to 475 at Moono Primary School which is located about 8 kilometers from Mumbwa town.
School Head Teacher, Samson Sakala explained that the school feeding program has attracted more pupils and has helped them to stay alert in class.
Mr. Sakala said Moono School which is one of the seven schools piloting the gardening project has seen the school pass rate go up but however could not give statistics for the previous year.
The World Food Program supports the school feeding program and also implements the Scale- Up Nutrition (SUN) pilot projects which has been funded by SUN fund.
WFP Program Associate, Christine M’hango disclosed that over US$393,000 has been spent on the SUN project which is being implemented in the four wards of Mumbwa District namely Nambala, Naluvwi, Nalubanda and Choma.
She noted that under the pilot project her organization works with the government line ministries to implement nutrition-related activities through the District Nutrition Coordinating Committees and its members.
She said the project which has about 1,600 beneficiaries employs community based approaches that include community mobilization, mother, infant and young child nutrition, nutrition education, school gardens and promotes production of nutritious foods and market access for farmers.
Batoka gorge hydro – electricity power station is scheduled to be constructed on this proposed site as can be seen in the picture above. The proposed site is situated in the Zambezi river 26 kilometres from Livingstone town. The project will be financed by both the Zambian Government and Zimbabwe.The Zambezi river authority (ZRA) says the proposed building of the Batoka Hydro-electric Scheme across the boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe has been met with anger from white water rafters operating in the area.
River authority chief executive, Munyaradzi Munodawafa says those operating on the water rapids have to that effect built websites to fight the project which he says will cost an estimated 294 million dollars.
He told a media briefing at Livingstone’s protea hotel on Wednesday that his firm will find a better way of dealing with those opposing the project.
Engineer Munodawafa emphasized that this was the third time the project was being stopped since 1993 and has urged those opposing it to consider the benefits.
Meanwhile, Eng. Munodawafa says the Zambezi water authority will not disturb the water rafter’s activities on the river.
Eng. Munodawafa notes that water rafting companies usually have an operational peak season on the river, which the river authority will not disturb.
He explained that Zambia and Zimbabwe ministers of energy, who are directors on the project, have since been informed of the report but said better mitigation measures must be found for everyone’s benefit.
Zambezi river authority says it its facing challenges with the Batoka Hydro scheme.
Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) Lecturer Doris Mwiinga presents the post-graduate diploma in legislative drafting to Annie Chisanga during the graduation ceremony
Attorney-General Likando Kalaluka says Zambia and other countries in the region still require more expertise in legislative drafting as it is key to the socio-economic development of the country.
Mr. Kalaluka says the legal profession plays a major role in drafting sound legislation especially when different practitioners with a wide range of knowledge, skills and experience are involved in all stages of the drafting process.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by former clerk of the National Assembly Doris Mwiinga during the graduation ceremony of students in Post-Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting at Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE).
Mr. Kalaluka stated that there is need for sufficient legal expertise to meet the legislative interpretation needs of Non-governmental actors such as business, professionals, trade associations and individual clients.
Meanwhile, one of the graduates Nachalwe Nkusuwiya, said the graduation ceremony was a fulfilment of their ambitions of being among the 2017 legislative drafting intake at ZIALE.
15 students graduated with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting Course.
Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) Lecturer Doris Mwiinga congratulates Sandra Wamulume during the post-graduate diploma in legislative drafting at ZIALEZambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) Lecturer Doris Mwiinga presents the post-graduate diploma in legislative drafting to Nachalwe Nkusuwila during the graduation ceremonyZambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) Lecturer Doris Mwiinga presents the post-graduate diploma in legislative drafting to Saviour Nsomboshi during the graduation ceremonyZambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) Lecturer Doris Mwiinga presents the post-graduate diploma in legislative drafting to Moses Lupiya during the graduation ceremony
Cholera Patients in a tent
The Ministry of Health has disclosed that cholera cases in Lusaka have risen to 1045.
Ministry of Health Head of Communications and External Relations Stanslous Ngosa said in a statement that the number of cholera cases have now increased to 1045 cholera since the disease broke out on 6th October 2017.
Mr. Ngosa said a total of 96 patients are currently receiving treatment at various cholera centres in Lusaka district.
He has meanwhile said K34 million has been released by the Ministry of Finance towards the cholera response.
He said the funds are being utilised to improve the availability of clean and safe water, improving sanitation including solid waste management, health promotion and education, supporting and enforcement of the public Health Act.
Mr. Ngosa added that community interventions have been intensified through increasing the number of volunteers and environmental staff.
He has since appealed to the public to observe basic rules of hygiene, boil water for drinking or add chlorine to it.
He strongly discouraged residents from using water from shallow wells.
Mr. Ngosa has instead advised the residents in affected areas to use the toilet to answer the call of nature and to cooperate with health workers and all those working in the community to prevent cholera.
He further advised the public to take anyone having diarrhoea and vomiting to the nearest health facility without delay.
The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has observed that Zambia’s economic growth usually benefits the richer urban population.
CSPR in Luapula province has therefore expressed concern that despite the 3.8 percent projected growth in the Zambian economy next year, such gains have in the past mostly benefited the urban populations.
Civil Society for Poverty Reduction Luapula Province Coordinator Hope Mwelaisha said while it was commendable that government has increased the allocation of funds for agriculture and food security, it should also ensure that every Zambian has access to safe, nutritious and affordable food supply as a matter of a right.
Ms. Mwelaisha said in a statement released to ZANIS today that government should that devote sufficient funds to agricultural security, which she said was one component of its obligation with regard to the human right to food.
She further said although poverty and vulnerability reduction pillar has also received a fair attention from the 2018 budget, her organization was concerned by what she termed lack of coordination in the implementation of social protection programmes in the country.
She said the issue of wrong targeting where people who are not in real need are given social cash transfer should also be addressed if Zambians, who are really suffering, are to be removed out of poverty.
Ms. Mwelaisha observed that the social cash transfer programme should be targeted at the very poor class of the Zambian society saying it was unfortunate that few people who do not deserve it benefit.
She added that there was need for government to dedicate funds and ensure that vulnerable Zambians such as individuals struggling with HIV and AIDS and female-headed households are specifically provided for in the country’s food policy.
Police in Chama district in Muchinga province have arrested two key suspects and re-arrested another in the case of attempted murder of a 19-year-old albino. Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Chola Katanga said on 18th December 2017, apprehended two key suspects who have been on the run.
Mr. Katanga said the duo was mentioned by the victim Mirriam Kumwenda of Uyoyo village in chief Chikwa’s area as having been among the four criminals who attempted committed the heinous crime. He said the suspects namely Mabvuto Nkowane aged 31 and Frank Mvula aged 40 years were arrested near Madede area of Malawi on the Zambia -Malawi border in Chama district.
He said Perthias Nyirenda, a teacher at Chilumba primary school in Chama district was re-arrested after investigations yielded strong evidence linking him to the crime. Mr. Katanga explained that all the three suspects were arrested in connection with the attempted murder of a teenage albino.
During the attempted murder, the victim had her right hand chopped off and she sustained two big cuts on the left hand and the head. The attempted murder occurred on 5th November, 2017.
Mr. Katanga said the fourth suspect, identified as James Mtonga and the teacher who has since been re-arrested had earlier on appeared in court and were both released because of insufficient evidence at that time.
The Muchinga Province Commissioner of Police said the three suspects will appear in court soon.
The Provincial Health Office in Luapula Province has called on health centers to consider Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision as an important service like any other service that is provided at health centers.
Luapula Province Health Director Dr Peter Bwalya says there is need for all those that are entrusted to head health centers to treat Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision as an important service which also boarders on people’s health.
Dr Bwalya says though Luapula province is currently leading in meeting the targets for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision, there is still need to do more in order to sustain the performance and capture more people.
The Province Health Director said this through Provincial Planner Alex Mbulo during a Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision stakeholders meeting held at Mansa Lodge yesterday for the December Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision mass campaign.
He said there is need to integrate Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision if the 32,000 target given to the province for the December campaign is to be met.
The Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision December campaign is a mass circumcision campaign which runs from 20 November, to 31 January each year.
The UN General Assembly emergency session at the request of Arab and Muslim states with the results of the vote on Jerusalem are seen on display boards at the General Assembly
The Zambian representatives to the United Nations (UN) were today absent at a controversial General Assembly emergency session called at the request of Arab and Muslim states to vote on the condemnation of the decision by the United States of America to recognize Jerusalem as the future capital of Israel.
The voting took place after threats by the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, that Washington would remember which countries “disrespected” America by voting against it.
The United Nations General Assembly defied warnings from the United States and overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and calling on countries not to move their diplomatic missions to the city.
A total of 128 countries voted in favor of the motion, defying the threats — that were forcefully reiterated in an address before the vote by US envoy Nikki Haley — to cut aid to countries that opposed the motion.
9 countries — the US, Israel, Togo, Micronesia, Guatemala, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands and Honduras — voted against the resolution.
There were 35 abstentions, including a number of countries that had been widely expected to support the move, such as Colombia, Mexico, Malawi and Rwanda.
Another 21 delegations, including Zambia and Kenya, were absent from the vote.
Yesterday, US president Donald Trump supported his Ambassador’s position to cut aid to countries that would vote against the US position.
“I like the message that Nikki sent yesterday at the United Nations for all of these nations that take our money and then they vote against us at the Security Council, or they vote against us potentially at the assembly,” the president told members of his cabinet in the White House.
“They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars, and then they vote against us,” he said. “Well, we’re watching those votes. Let them vote against us, we’ll save a lot. We don’t care.”
After the vote the US ambassador to the UN, Haley, defended the administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying the US had the sovereign right to place its embassies where it wished, and warned that America — the biggest funder of the UN — did not take kindly to being disrespected and paying for the “dubious privilege.”
“The decision does not prejudge any final status issues, including Jerusalem’s boundaries. The decision does not preclude a two-state solution, if the parties agree to that,” she said. “The decision does nothing to harm peace efforts. Rather, the president’s decision reflects the will of the American people and our right as a nation to choose the location of our embassy.”
“America will put our embassy to Jerusalem,” Haley stressed. “That’s what the American people want us to do. And it’s the right thing to do.” No vote at the UN will make any difference on the American decision, she declared. But this vote will be remembered, she vowed, when America is being asked once again to make the single-largest contribution to the UN budget or when “so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit.”
The resolution, co-sponsored by Turkey and Yemen, called Trump’s recognition “null and void” and reaffirmed 10 security council resolutions on Jerusalem, dating back to 1967, including requirements that the city’s final status must be decided in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
It also “demands that all states comply with security council resolutions regarding the holy city of Jerusalem, and not to recognise any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions”.
The National Road Fund Agency has said that it spent 5.3 billion Kwacha on the construction of roads in 2017. Agency Board Chairperson Christabel Banda said that the money was well spent because roads are key to the Country’s economy.
Mrs. Banda said that her agency is expected to fund the construction of more roads in 2018 and that the Road Development agency will continue to construct toll gates in order to find the money to finance the rehabilitation and construction works.
She said this during a cocktail organized by the NRFA, Road Development Agency and the Road Transport and Safety Agency.
Speaking at the same function Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Permanent Secretary Charles Mushota said government will continue building roads across the country. Mr Mushota said the construction of the Great North and other roads is a sign that government means business.
Speaking earlier RDA Board chairman Samuel Mukupa thanked the workers at RDA for their hard work in ensuring that government’s agenda to build roads is realized. Mr. Mukupa said in a speech read for him by RDA Board member Matthews Ngulube that government will ensure that the roads that are under construction are completed.
RTSA board Chairman Webster Nonde said his agency will continue reducing the number of accidents on the roads.
Patriotic Front Secretary General Mr. Davies MwilaThe Patriotic Front has reaffirmed its commitment to national dialogue saying the Zambia Center for Inter Party Dialogue(ZCID) must be given space to spearhead the process.
PF Secretary General Davies Mwila said that the Patriotic Front has not set any conditions for the dialogue except to demand for the recognition of President Edgar Lungu as republican President.
Mr. Mwila told ZNBC News that ZCID has since written to political parties to suggest dates for a summit of political party leaders which will take place next year.
Mr. Mwila also announced that no PF officials apart from President Edgar Lungu and Vice President Inonge Wina have been allowed to comment on the dialogue process so as to allow the ZCID conduct its work diligently. Mr. Mwila said commenting on the dialogue by anyone below him might jeopardize the efforts of ZCID. Mr Mwila also praised the efforts of the office of the Commonwealth for helping to facilitate dialogue.
Yesterday, the United Party for National Development (UPND) rejected PF’s demand that the recognition of President Edgar Lungu as the Head of State is non-negotiable by and for those who may wish to participate in the pending dialogue process.
UPND secretary-general, Stephen Katuka said that PF could set the rules of engagement in the proposed dialogue because they were just a participant in the process like any other stakeholder.
Mr Katuka said that the conditions to the proposed dialogue could not be set by one political party as all were mere participants, adding that it was those who were charged with the mandate to arbitrate through the process who could set the rules of engagement for the proposed dialogue.
Mr Katuka challenged other players to think about what would happen if the UPND also decided to set its own conditions for the dialogue to take place.
“This dialogue is not about Hakainde or Edgar Lungu, it is about the future of this country not individuals. The conditions must not be set by one party, it is those chosen to arbitrate who should tell us what to do and what not to do. Who is PF to tell us what to do?
“The rules of engagement must be set by those who are arbitrating, those who are calling for this dialogue. I don’t know what PF thinks, it’s like us saying first there must be this,” Mr Katuka said.
Zambia’s Ambassador to France Humphrey Chibanda has advised Zambian tourism businesses to participate in the fourth coming Spanish International Tourism and Trade Fair to be held on 17th January 2018, in Madrid, Spain.
Mr. Chibanda said Zambians Should put up a competitive stand at the event to attract more European Tourists.
The Zambian Envoy encouraged Zambian business entities in a press release issued to ZANIS by Zambia’s First Secretary for Press and Public Relations in France, Yande Musonda.
Mr. Chibanda stated that the Zambian mission in France working with the Zambian Tourism Agency (ZTA), will be exhibiting at this year’s Spain International Tourism Trade Fair.
Mr. Chibanda noted that Spanish tourists traveling to Zambia were minimal hence the need to invest more in marketing and promoting Zambia to the Spanish speaking tourists.
He further said that while at the Trade Fair, Zambia would hold a Zambia- Spanish Investment Forum on January 16th in Madrid.
Zambian government would be signing a memorandum of understanding with the Madrid Chambers of Commerce and the Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry during the Forum
The Cross Border Malaria Initiative in Western Province has injected more than $500,000 towards the fight against malaria in the province.
Speaking to ZANIS in Mongu today, Cross Border Malaria Initiative Programme Coordinator Monica Mvula said her organization has trained 550 community volunteers in six (6) districts to spearhead the malaria STEP D programme.
Mrs. Mvula named the districts as Kalabo, Sesheke, Sioma and Shango’mbo.
She further named the other districts as Mitete and Sikongo where community health workers were conducting the ‘test’ and ‘treat’ of malaria cases upon identification of an index case from a health facility.
The Cross Border Malaria Initiative Coordinator also visited TAPO Clinic in Kalabo and expressed happines with the activities being done by the community volunteers there.
And Kalabo District Medical Director, Kamwi Mundia pledged the department’s total commitment in the promotion of good health seeking behaviours among the people in the district.
Meanwhile Western Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba has commended the organization for supporting Government in reducing the malaria cases in the region.
The PS said Government cherishes the support it was receiving from various cooperating partners in the fight against major communicable diseases in the country.
Mr. Liomba noted that malaria has continued to be one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the nation hence the need to double the efforts towards the elimination of the disease by 2021.
The PS said this when the organization paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Mongu.
