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Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya has appointed a new Board of Directors at the National Food and Nutrition Commission.
This is in accordance with the provisions of the National Food and Nutrition Commission act, section four, Chapter 308 of the Laws of Zambia.
The newly appointed Members are:
a)Dr Jabbin Mulwanda-Permanent Secretary in charge of Health Services in the Ministry of Health.
b)Mr Stephen Mwansa-Permanent Secretary in the Officer of the Vice President;
c) Mr Julius Shawa-Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture;
d) Ms Monica Musonda-Chief Executive Office, Java Foods and
e) Mrs Nsama K Mayowe-Principal State Advocate, Ministry of Health
Dr Chilufya has further appointed Dr. Jabbin Mulwanda as board chairperson and Ms. Monica Musonda as Deputy Board Chairperson .
Ministry of Health Spokesperson Dr Maximillian Bweupe, said the calibre and diversity of the new members reflects the grave importance that Government has attached to nutrition in Zambia.
The board will, in the spirit of the 7th National Development Plan and National Health Strategic Plan, have the onerous task to drive policy reform in food and nutrition, which is a key tenet of a healthy and productive nation.
Dr Chilufya has exhorted the board to craft policies that will promote good nutrition and curtail micronutrient deficiency and Non Communicable Diseases.
Roan Patriotic Front Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili has reiterated his call on government to reverse the ban on night travel for public transport.
Commenting on the latest road traffic accident involving a Power Tools Bus in Mkushi which has claimed four lives, Mr Kambwili said the law banning night travel is retrogressive.
“Drivers are under a lot of pressure to make up for lost time, this means that they are more likely to increase their speed so that they can get to their destination before the stipulated time,” Mr Kambwili said.
“Can the Government reverse the statutory instrument banning night travel. Accidents statistically happen during the day and not the night so this particular law is not yielding any results,” he stressed.
“Reverse the statutory instrument and save lives. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
Meanwhile, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has expressed concern with the poor road safety record for Power Tools bus services company following this mornings’ fatal accident on Great North road.
The Agency is concerned with the safety record of Power Tools as the same company recorded a fatal crash in September 2016 were 22 people died in Serenje.
In March this year another bus was involved in a crash on Lusaka – Kabwe road but this time there were no fatalities recorded.
RTSA Head of Public Relations Fredrick Mubanga has told QTV News in a statement that the Agency is concerned with the deteriorating safety record of the bus service company following this morning’s accident in Mkushi.
Mr. Mubanga says the accident happened around 06:30 hours along Great North road about 25 kilometres east of Mkushi, when Alex Chapel driving a Power Tools Scania bus ABM 6626 collided with a Tanzanian truck registration number T236BTC.
He says both drivers died on the spot and two passengers from the bus, a male and female.
He adds that all bodies are in Mkushi hospital mortuary whilst 67 passengers who sustained various injuries are being attended to at Mkushi and Kapiri district hospitals.
Mr. Mubanga explains that the accident happened after the driver of the bus which was coming from the eastern direction decided to drive on the opposite lane after finding out that vehicles had stopped following a broken down bus belonging to CV Transport company had closed one lane.
The RTSA Head of Public Relations furthermore explains that the driver of the Power Tools bus carelessly overtook the other vehicles and as a result the bus collided with the truck which was coming from the Western direction.
He has appealed to Power Tools bus services management to come up with proactive strategies to ensure their fleet abides to all road rules and regulations.
Mr. Mubanga has also called on all motorists to exercise maximum patience on the road to avoid such accidents.
Zambia has a long history of mining and a large known resource base of copper and other metal deposits. It also has good potential for further discoveries and prosperity in the mining sector. Mining accounts for 12% of Zambia´s GDP and 70% of total export value. The sector is also a significant source of government revenue and formal employment, both directly and indirectly. Continuing to attract investment in the sector is crucial to the country’s economic growth. On 4th September, 2017, copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) hit US$6920.25 per tonne for the first time in three years. Copper, had been trading below U$S5, 000 per tonne for a long period, which resulted in massive job losses in the mining sector, particularly in November 2015.
Rise in copper prices should put a smile on people’s faces because it ought to translate in improved living standards for Zambians due to increased foreign exchange earnings and potential job creation. Increase in foreign exchanges will sustain the appreciation of the kwacha against the dollar and will reduce inflation due to the fact that imports will become cheaper, this however might have a negative impact on the export sector. In line with the high copper prices mining companies should be able to recall employees who lost their jobs due to low copper prices, this will help mining companies to increase their levels of productivity and earn more.
The August 2017 JCTR Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for a family of five living in Lusaka stood at K4,928.37 which was K69.02 more than the July BNB which stood at K4,859.35. The increase in BNB was caused by increased prices of food commodities like; Kapenta which increased from K174.17 per Kg to K202.8 per Kg, Fish increased from K113.74 per KG to K134.83 per Kg and Charcoal increased from K143.75 per Kg to K154.17 per Kg. Prices of Mealie Meal reduced from K65.57 per 25kg breakfast bag to K62.33 per 25kg breakfast bag and Beans also reduced from K34.5 per Kg to K26.87 per kg. The drastic reduction in mealie meal and beans prices was attributed to the increased availability of maize grain and beans after a good farming season which the country experienced. Prices of Fish and Kapenta increased due to the scarcity of the two commodities. During cold seasons aquatic species opt to stay under water which makes it difficult to catch fish and kapenta hence the increase in prices.
The high cost of living continues to be a great challenge for many residents in Lusaka and many are lacking the required basic needs which a person is supposed to have as such it is preventing them from living a dignified life. In order to address these issues the JCTR advises government to take advantage of the increased copper prices by introducing a tax system that is responsive to increase in copper prices. This is important as it will help to keep operations open and prevent further job cuts when copper prices are low. For instance, the maximum tax band should be raised to 10% during a copper price boom so as to collect sufficient revenue when copper prices are high. In addition government should introduce a standard 15% (WHT) on dividends paid by a company holding a large scale mining license and carrying on the mining of base metals.
The JCTR strongly urges Government to enact the EITI bill backed by a policy that clearly spells out how transparency from the reports will amount into the much needed accountability. We ask Government to strengthen the Transfer Pricing Unit of the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to enable ZRA to effectively and efficiently curb the outflow of financial resources from the country perpetrated through aggressive tax planning practices by some mining companies in Zambia. We advocate for increased flow of information and transparency between mining companies and government to avoid any form of corruption. The increase in copper prices is a positive development but it must be used to diversify the economy particularly the agriculture sector as the increase might not be sustainable. This is because the sector is Labour intensive and will secure employment for many especially those in rural areas and those without skills.
Police in Lusaka have received a report in which a male juvenile aged eight years was found in his mother ‘s house tied to a Television stand with a lock and a chain by his mother who was not present at the time .
Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo said this occurred between 7th September, 2017 at unknown time and 8th September, 2017 in makeni villa .
Ms. Katongo states that the boy was rescued by neighbours who reported the matter to police.
And ms. Katongo has said the mother who has been identified as Eunice Kapya aged 28 years is held in police custody for the offence of cruelty to juvenile under the juvenile act cap 53 section 46 of the juvenile act.
The police spokesperson says when the woman was interrogated she said she decided to tie her son with a chain because he moves a lot.
“We have received a report in which a male juvenile aged eight years was found in his mother ‘s house tied to a Television stand with a lock and a chain by his mother who was not present at the time ” Katongo said
anzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has received four new diesel-electric mainline locomotives and 18 new passenger coaches valued at US$22.4 million.
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bombardier Transportation, the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm Bombardier Inc., to explore possibilities of investment cooperation.
In a statement, TAZARA Head of public Relations, Conrad Simuchile said with access to possible international funding options to support the revitalization of TAZARA, Bombardier Transportation has offered a preliminary turnkey solution for TAZARA to increase efficiency and capacity in the areas of track, rolling stock, signaling and telecommunications.
“Following the signing of the MoU, we shall now create a joint team to undertake a feasibility study that will define and agree on the scope of the partnership, after which Bombardier Transportation will submit a full technical and financial proposal for our consideration,” said Mr. Simuchile.
Bruno Ching’andu, TAZARA Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Bombardier Transportation, an acclaimed global leader in rail and aircraft technology, as one of the key partners in our quest to attain medium to long-term aspirations that include investing in rolling stock and infrastructure.”
He added: “On our part, we remain very open to all possibilities for introducing investments in rolling stock and infrastructure, which is essential for uplifting our capacity and instilling confidence in our customers.”
Nazif Tasci, Bombardier Transportation Director for Sales and Business Development, who signed the MoU on behalf of Bombardier, assured TAZARA that it was very possible to arrange a turnkey solution, including a very attractive funding arrangement via Sweden.
“In the past, we have successfully closed transactions based on support from the European-based export credit agencies to extend financing to our customers and we strongly believe this is also possible in the case of TAZARA,” said Mr. Tasci.
TAZARA is a bi-national railway jointly owned by the governments of Tanzania and Zambia on a 50-50 shareholding basis.
The 1,860km-railway connects landlocked Zambia to the seaport of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and further provides road and railway inter-connectivity to other parts of southern Africa.
Accident Scene for Power Tools bus crash
Four people among them two drivers and two passengers have died on the spot while 67 others have sustained injuries in a road traffic accident in Mkushi after a truck and a Scania bus belonging to Power Tools collided head- on.
The accident happened this morning around 06:30 Hours along the Great North road, 25 km east of Mkushi.
Central Province Police Commissioner Lillian Lombe Kamukoshi has confirmed this in a statement.
Ms Kamukoshi said the accident involved a Power Tools Bus Scania Registration number ABM 6626 which was being driven by Alex Chapel and an unknown driver of a Tanzanian truck Registration number T236BTC ,T939BYB horse.
She added that both motor vehicles were extensively damaged
Ms Kamukoshi said all bodies are in the Mkushi Hospital Mortuary while the 67 passengers who sustained various injuries are being attended to at the same hospital.
Accident Scene for Power Tools bus crashAccident Scene for Power Tools bus crashAccident Scene for Power Tools bus crashAccident Scene for Power Tools bus crashAccident Scene for Power Tools bus crash
Secretary General Stephen KatukaThe opposition united party for national development (UPND) says they will only take the 40 days prayer and fasting period seriously when they are officially communicated to.
The National House of Prayer board has announced a 40-day period of prayer and fasting starting Saturday September 9 to October 18 which is a National Day of Prayer and Fasting.
Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the National House of Prayer Dr. Bishop Joshua Banda says the 40-day Period will be dedicated to praying and fasting for the promotion of peace and reconciliation in the country.
But UPND Secretary General Steven Katuka has said in an interview that the party was not officially communicated top on this, and therefore it will not take it seriously.
And when asked whether they will join in the prayer and fasting program when officially communicated to by the organizers, Mr. Katuka says the party will have to make a decision on that aspect.
Government has threatened to reposes a house along Lake Road in Woodlands which was used in a wild sex party involving over 70 pupils between the ages of 13 and 18.
Gender Minister Victoria Kalima says government has a right to withdraw leasehold agreement when the owners of the residence that fail to uphold the leasehold agreement entered into by allowing their residential properties to be used for such illicit acts that violate the rights of the Children.
The house is allegedly owed by Jesuit Development Fund.
Ms. Kalima has since implored parents to be vigilant and show concern about the welfare of their children.
Speaking when she visited the woodland house , Ms. Kalima says it is important that parents inculcate good moral values in their children at all times do not only respect themselves but also appreciate worth as god fearing children.
And Ms. Kalima has revealed that her Ministry is considering to introducing sexual offences cases such as defilement, rape and gender based violence in general.
Ms. Kalima says this will help further ensure the optimal operations of the fast track courts that government launched around the country to deal with Gender Based Violence.
And Acting Spokesperson Danny Mwale has called on parents to be more vigilant in monitoring the events they allow their children to attend.
Mumba Yachi consoling his wife after the court appearance.
The Lusaka Magistrate Court has reserved ruling in a bail application in a matter in which popular musician Mumba Yachi is facing immigration related charges.
Magistrate Ruth Kapulo said Mumba will remain in jail until he acquires a temporal permit to stay in Zambia.
She reserved her ruling this morning saying the first count he faces of unlawful stay in Zambia will be breached should she grant him bail in the absence of permit from the immigration department.
The matter has been adjourned to 18th September for mention and 22 October for the commencement of trial, for now you will remain remanded.
Mumba on Thursday denied three charges which include unlawful stay in Zambia contrary to section 11(3) read together with 56 (1) of the immigration and deportation act number 18 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia in count one while in count two, he is accused of giving information false in a material particular contrary to section 13 (1) (1) of the National Registration Act cap 126 of the Laws of Zambia.
In the third count, Mumba is accused of making the false representation for purposes of obtaining a passport contrary to section 23 (1) (a) a) of the Passport Act No 28 of 2016 of the laws of Zambia.
FAZ President Andrew kamanga at a media briefing at Football HouseFAZ President Andrew Kamanga says the Chipolopolo boys may camp in Europe ahead of the must win October 7 Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup encounter against Nigeria.
Kamanga told Fazfootball.com that 2017 had so far been an exciting year on the soccer calendar with national teams across the stream delivering results.
“We have only got four weeks before the Nigeria game, so we are looking at options in terms of where we can camp the team and get the best value. As you know some of the players are already in Europe, they did not come with us they have gone back. We may see it fit to camp the team in Europe so that it is easier to prepare the team adequately and it is actually shorter to go into Europe from Nigeria,” Kamanga said.
The FAZ boss said that Zambia could draw motivation from being the only team in Group B that had never been to the World Cup.
“We are putting in every effort to make sure that this team is adequately prepared as we face Nigeria, which for me is the do or die game whoever wins that game will be assured of going to Russia 2018,” he said.
“But most interestingly in this group, we are the only ones who have never been to the World Cup, but with the favour we continue to draw on we should be able to qualify, come November because we have the advantage of playing Cameroun in the final round.”
He added: “So the must win game is Nigeria, and I think the team has demonstrated the capacity to win away from home. It was not an easy game, Algeria is a highly rated team, they have got a lot of skillful players and I think our team was up to the task and I think they put in a marvellous performance.”
He hailed the blend of experienced players from the 2012 Africa Cup winning side, local players that campaigned at the Cosafa and also the CHAN group and under-20 stars that gelled to see off Algeria over two legs.
“Hats off to the technical bench, we have had issues around player selection but now I think the coach was really spoilt for selection and I think we have now raised the level of competition for the senior national team because the players from the under-20 are also knocking,” he said.
“We have blended the team with players from the CHAN, Cosafa as well as those playing in Europe so it is a very good mix. There are players who are still there I think Stoppilla Sunzu, Chisamba Lungu and Kennedy Mweene who has done a fantastic job to take the younger ones under his wing.”
Kamanga said that 2017 was proving a successful year on the football calendar.
“This year has been a very exciting year looking at the results that we have achieved, starting with the U-20 who won the Africa Cup and went to compete at the World Cup where they finished in the quarter final. The senior team also finished second in the Cosafa, qualified to the CHAN and we had the U-17 finishing as Cosafa champions,” he said.
“The senior team in earnest has done very well in this stage of the World Cup qualifiers, we are just three points behind Nigeria with two games to go.
The Chipolopolo will be away in Uyo to table toppers Nigeria in a Group B encounter.
Nigeria has 10 points while second placed Zambia has seven points with Cameroun lying third with three points while Algeria are rock bottom with a point.
A senior citizen Professor Elijah Ngwale has described the Anti-Mutati protests as a shameless endeavour which should not be allowed to continue.
Speaking when he called in on the Thursday edition of UNZA radio’s the Lusaka Star radio program, Mr Ngwale said the actions of the PF cadres were tantamount to economic sabotage.
He said he was one of the people who was intiatialy against the appointment Felix Mutati as Finance Minister but that he had no issue with the minister now because he has performed beyond expectations and turned around the country’s economy.
“These acts are tantamount to and in conformity with espionage and economic sabotage, it is political savagery of its worst kind.
“I was against the decision made by President Edgar Lungu to appoint MMD president Felix Mutati, I even wrote a letter to President Lungu at State House elaborating why I opposed it. Not because Felix Mutati was my enemy, actually he is my very good friend instead,” he said
Mr Ngwale added that President Lungu should be proud that he appointed Felix Mutati because he has delivered.
He urged the President to instead fire Davis Mwila and send him in diplomatic service preferably Cambodia.
“President Lungu should be proud he appointed this guy, Felix Mutati has proven me wrong on all counts, the guy has delivered, the guy has changed the face of our economy in less than a year.
“The one who must be fired is the Secretary General Davies Mwila himself, in fact let him be shown the exit door ,reorient him and post him into diplomatic service, throw him as far as Cambodia,” he said.
Other callers who included Mr Kazia from Kanyama Compund a known UPND sympathiser agreed with Mr Ngwale that the country’s economy was doing fine under the stewardship of Felix Mutati hence should be left in his position.
Featuring on the program was MMD Die Hard Youths National Coordinator Gerald Chiluba and Prince Ndoyi who noted that the reasons the PF cadres were giving for Mutati to be dropped were too petty and should be ignored with the contempt they deserve.
Mr Chiluba said how can the nshima cooked at the MMD Secretariat be an issue that should take mature people to the streets to protest against a national leader.
He noted that the reasons such as the one some PF youths are crying over that Mr Mutati doesn’t give them audience did not hold water because Mr Mutati was a minister for Zambia and not a PF treasurer.
Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo says the period of state of threatened public emergency has achieved its intended purpose.
Mr. Kampyongo says the police and all other security wings must be commended for ensuring that Zambia continues to enjoy the peace.
He says the security situation in the country is now stable but that Police and other security wings will not relent in ensuring that all trouble makers are brought to book.
The Minister has told ZNBC News in an interview that Police will not allow politics where people want to sow seeds of discord as the practice will not help anyone.
HH with UPND Leadership at the meeting with Commonwealth Special Envoy Gambari
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema on Friday afternoon met with Commonwealth Special Envoy Professor Ibrahim Gambari who is in the country as a mediator in the dialogue process.
The meeting took place after Professor Gambari called on Mr Hichilema in Lusaka.
During the closed door meeting, the UPND President reaffirmed his commitment to the process of dialogue.
He also stated that he is ready for dialogue and that Professor Gambari was welcome to Zambia.
Mr. Hichilema also used the opportunity to once again thank the church, civil society organizations and the Commonwealth for their efforts in fostering for dialogue, peace, stability and unity for national development.
And Professor Gambari expressed happiness at the willingness by the UPND President to begin the dialogue process.
Mr. Hichilema was accompanied to the meeting by party Vice President Dr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, Secretary General, Mr. Stephen Katuka, Party National Chairperson, Ms. Mutale Nalumango and Party Information Chairperson Mr Charles Kakoma, Party International Relations Chairperson Mr Mulondwe Muzungu and senior citizen Ambassador Joe Mwale.
Others who accompanied Mr. Hichilema included the current and former UPND members of Parliaments among them Levy Ngoma, Douglas Syakalima, Ms. Rose Sakala, Gary Nkombo and Ms. Mary Chibwa.
UPND Leadership at the meeting with Commonwealth Special Envoy GambariUPND Leadership at the meeting with Commonwealth Special Envoy GambariUPND Leadership at the meeting with Commonwealth Special Envoy GambariUPND Leadership at the meeting with Commonwealth Special Envoy Gambari
FAZ has issued a plea to Power Dynamos to rescind its decision to withdraw from the 2017 Barclays Cup.
Power issued a stunning declaration in the press on Friday stating that they had withdrawn from the Barclays Cup because it was not economically viable to participate in the tournament anymore.
“Power Dynamos has the obligation to comply fully with the statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA, CAF and FAZ at all times and to ensure that these are also respected by its members,” FAZ spokesperson Desmond Katongo said.
“Furthermore, Power Dynamos like any other member of FAZ is obliged to take part in competitions if applicable and other football activities, including futsal and beach soccer, organised by FAZ.
“The Association wishes to inform Power Dynamos football club that by the virtue of having finished in the top 6 position in the FAZ/MTN Super League, the club is expected to participate in the competition.
“FAZ wishes to further inform Power Dynamos football club that failure to meet these obligations will lead to sanctions against the club.”
Two-time Barclays champions Power have been drawn to play record tournament campaigners and 2016 runners-up Zanaco on September 23 at Nkoloma Stadium.
But record 5-time holders Zesco United will defend their title when they face Kitwe United in the quarterfinals on September 27 in Ndola.
FILE: Zesco’s Winston Kalengo (center) fights for the ball against Zanaco’s Morgan Kanjolo (left) as Charles Singwa looks on during yesterday’s game played at Sunset Stadium in LusakaChampions and leaders Zanaco on Saturday faces Zesco United in Lusaka as the FAZ Super Division enters round 27.
Zanaco host fourth placed Zesco at National Heroes Stadium seeking to consolidate their stay at the pinnacle of the table.
The Bankers shot to the table of the table with 47 points after edging visitors Power Dynamos 2-1 on Wednesday.
Despite occupying fourth place, Zesco are just one point behind Zanaco.
“This year the league is competitive and tough. The race for the league is very open but we just need to win as many games as possible,” Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba said.
This will be Zesco’s first game in two weeks following the postponement of last Sunday’s fixture against City of Lusaka.
In other Week 24 matches, Lumwana Radiants and Nkana clash in a seemingly emotional match for both sets of coaches in Lumwana.
Nkana’s Beston Chambeshi and his Lumwana counterpart Zeddy Saileti earlier in the season swapped teams.
Chambeshi re-joined Nkana after leaving Lumwana and Saileti did the opposite.
Nkana are fifth on the table with 44 points while Lumwana are two places behind Kalampa and sits on 38 points.
At Arthur Davies Stadium, Power Dynamos and relegation contenders Mufulira Wanderers renew their old rivalry on Saturday.
