The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has observed that despite Zambia having the mineral resources that can be used for cobblestone technology in the road construction sector, the country is not utilizing the minerals.

UNDP country director Colleen Zamba has attributed this to the fact that the technology has not been fully embraced in the country, and the absence of skills in this area.

Ms. Zamba said that the cobblestone paving is a viable and cost effective way of road paving using the development mineral materials.

Speaking during the Cobblestone technology training course organised by the National Council for Construction, Ms Zamba said that the training in cobblestone paving comes at a critical stage when Zambia is implementing the Pave Zambia 2000 initiative, and meets the programme objective of promoting the use and management of development minerals.

Ms. Zamba said that the training programme in cobblestone paving has been deliberately tailored to target young people and women to enhance gender equality and address the challenges faced by women in the industry.

And National Council for Construction Executive Director Mathew Ngulube has said that the development minerals play a very critical role in the development of the country and construction industry.

Mr. Ngulube also stressed the importance of development minerals in job creation through value-addition, adding that it is for this reason that the NCC organized the training to help participants tap into the existing business potential.

One hundred and forty-seven participants have participated in the country training programs in mine and quarry management and entrepreneurship skills training under the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme since it was introduced.

Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa says all the Democratic Republic of Congo refugees entering the country through various border points in Luapula province should abide by the laws of this country.

Mr. Chilangwa says although Zambia will continue to be a safe haven for refugees , it was important for them to abide by the laws of the country.

He said the country is ready for the refugees adding that this is not the first time that the country has received refugees from the DR. Congo.

ZANIS reports the provincial Minister said this over the weekend when he checked on works for the preparation of a transit site at Kenani in Nchelenge were the refugees are supposed to be moved from Ponde Secondary School where they are currently accommodated.

The Minister has since called on the refugees to also respect the values and cultures of the host community.

And Zambia Red Cross Society Nchelenge District Vice Chairperson Grandwell Chilukuta disclosed that the transit site for the refugees almost ready.

Mr Chilukuta disclosed that over 1200 refugees have been received in Chienge district and are expected to be transferred to the transit camp.

He disclosed that the Red Cross Society working with the United Nation Commissioner High for Refugees will move the refugees from Chienge to the transit center and move the refugees to Maheba Refugee camp later.

Alert Forestry Department officers in Kasempa district in Northwestern province have intercepted a truck carrying 136 logs of suspected mukula tree logs from Kikonge area in Mufumbwe district destined for Lusaka.

The truck registration number ALM 2324 and trailer number ACP 64T which was being driven by Lawrence Sinyangwe of Luangwa township in Kitwe was intercepted around 22:00 hour on Friday night.

ZANIS reports that Northwestern province commissioner of police Auxensio Daka confirmed the incident in a statement today adding that the owner of the truck, Errol Rosen, 36, of Chisamba is in police custody charged with illegal possession of forest produce.

And North-western province minister, Richard Kapita has since implored people in the area to be very vigilant and quickly report any suspicious activities because some people are taking advantage of the vastness of the area, especially in the national park.

Mr. Kapita says the forest in the province is being decimated and therefore, there is need for communities around the forests to be vigilant in order to curb the illegal cutting of trees.

Recently, a combined team of security officers in Kasempa intercepted four trucks transporting mukula logs from Mufumbwe to Lusaka, two of which were carrying 140 logs apiece while the other two were carrying 130 logs each.

16 people including a Chinese national who was alleged to be the buyer of the mukula logs on three trucks were detained in police custody then.

And in March, this year police in the same district impounded and detained four truck containers laden with over 400 mukula logs.

Meanwhile, The forestry department in Lusaka has today impounded three for carrying suspected mukula tree logs without valid documents.

ZAINS reports that Lusaka District Forestry Officer Yobe Nyirenda who disclosed this during a press briefing at his office today said the impounded all had no valid papers as required by the forestry act.

Mr. Nyirenda said that the trucks were impounded at check points during the department’s routine patrols.

“What they were supposed to pay to the government is about three hundred and seventy five kwacha per cubic meter for production and twenty seven kwacha for conveyance, so multiplying the 20 cubic meters of timber in a truck is about nine thousand in total, ” he said.

Mr. Nyirenda indicated that the timber is supposed to be properly processed before it can be transported.

And Lusaka District Commissioner Captain Davison Mulenga says there is need for continued sensitization on what the law says on the forestry business.

“Lusaka is a no go area for such illegal business, we don’t want what is happening in other districts to be replicated here, no” Captain Mulenga said.

And one of the owners of the impounded timber Evelyn Puuka indicated that she has all the valid documentation but was not aware that she needed to have her papers stamped by the forestry department.

Ms. Puuka pleaded with government to be lenient with her since it’s her first time dealing in this business of which she did not know about the hammer stamp.

She lamented that her truck was impounded last week Tuesday without being charged adding that the development has greatly affected her business and family welfare.

Former ZNBC journalist, Margaret Chimanse, is the new Electoral Commission of Zambia public relations manager.

Ms Chimanse takes over from Chris Akufuna.

Before her latest appointment, Chimanse was Communications and Public Relations Manager at Zambia Development Agency.

She also worked at the Zambia Export Processing Zones Authority as Marketing Communications Manager.

Chimanse is holder of a Mass Communication degree from UNZA.