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Given Lubinda
Government has launched a consultative process which will lead to Zambia coming up with a position on whether to leave or remain a member of the International Criminal Court(ICC).
Minister of Justice Given Lubinda has said that 2 million Kwacha has been allocated to the process which will be conducted in 30 districts across the country.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka today, Mr Lubinda said citizens will be required to make their submissions to a team from the Ministry of justice.
Mr Lubinda said that President Edgar Lungu respected the constitution and that sovereign authority vests in the people of Zambia.
Mr. Lubinda has further appealed to the media to help sensitise people on the consultative process which starts next week Monday.
He said the consultative process will culminate in a report for cabinet to make a decision.
And Government has assured the nation that it will not influence the countrywide consultations on whether Zambia should leave the International Criminal Court or not.
Mr Lubinda said that was the reason why Cabinet has not come up with a position on whether Zambia should leave the ICC or not.
Mr. Lubinda said that government does not want the consultations to be a partisan issue, but a process which reflects the wishes of the Zambian people.
Mr. Lubinda also said that the ruling Patriotic Front equally does not have a position on the matter and will not engage in any campaigns for or against Zambia’s membership of the ICC.
Asked whether government has reflected on the consequences of Zambia leaving the ICC, Mr. Lubinda told journalists that government does not want to get involved in discussing the matter, before adding that government desires that Zambian citizens discuss this matter on their own.
Photo moment opportunity: ZANACO FC former player Desmond Mungawa posing with FAZ President Andrew Kamanga.
FAZ has finalized the revised draft constitution to be tabled for approval at its ordinary Annual General Meeting in Lusaka on Saturday.
The revised document shows marked improvement to the one that was tabled at the Emergency Council Meeting last February.
Contentious issues such as the express recognition of gay rights, the dissolution of lower league teams and national representation of the executive committee have all been adequately taken care of virtually putting to rest the many arguments that arose in the process.
Article 3 which tackles discrimination in sport had in the earlier draft constitution expressly displayed support for homosexuality stating “…no one will be discriminated on account of sexual orientation…”
Sexual orientation is defined as a person’s identity in so far as their attraction for gender is concerned. It’s basically the subtle reference for homosexuality which is a criminal offence in Zambia.
That clause raised a firestorm in Zambian football circles and drew the attention of ordinary members of the public prompting Mofya Chisala, a Lusaka-based football administrator, to raise an objection at the ECM.
Chisala proposed that the clause be modified.
And in the revised draft constitution, Article 3 titled Neutrality and Non Discrimination has been modified to conform to Zambian values and laws.
In 3.1, it reads “FAZ is neutral in matters of politics and religion.”
In 3.2, the revised draft constitution states,
“Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.”
Another contentious article which had set to dissolve lower league teams is now provided for in Article 21. The first draft had effectively striped Division 2 and 3s their voting rights rendering them amateur sides without giving clarity on the status of affiliation to provincial leagues.
The revised draft has, however, provided for the recognition of lower league teams. Article 21.1 states, “The Council is composed of 130 delegates and 90 votes…”
Subsequent parts of Article 21 distribute the voting allocation to all members of FAZ members with division 2 and 3 teams now represented by respective regions and are allocated 40 out of the total 90 votes available in the new Electoral College.
As well as Super Divisions teams, Division One teams will have 20 votes while the remaining 10 will be shared among the women’s league, referees, coaches, higher education, schools, futsal and beach soccer and the association representing players.
Election of the president will now be determined through a 50 plus one system with an option of second round where more than two candidates aspire for office and none meets the threshold.
Article 32 has increased the number of elected executive committee members to 13 from the current 9. Only three positions – president, vice-president & female member – will be contested at national level with the other 10 decided at regional level giving the FAZ ExCO a national character as each province will elect one official to sit on the board.
For the first time, the FAZ executive will be represented by individuals outside the line of rail. History shows that majority of ExCo members have been drawn from Lusaka and Copperbelt when the country has 10 provinces.
All aspiring committee members will need a minimum of five years as FAZ members at club level to qualify for election. FAZ has since increased the number of judicial bodies to four and are distributed as Disciplinary, Ethics, Arbitration and Appeals Committee.
The FAZ Council will meet in Lusaka on Saturday to adopt the new constitution failure to which Zambia risks a ban from international football.
PF MPS HEARTLESSLY OPPOSE A MOTION THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE STUDENT BURSARIES TO VULNERABLE STUDENTS.
The behavior of PF MPs in Parliament yesterday Wednesday 22nd March was deplorable beyond belief and left much to be desired. The conduct by the PF law makers lacked seriousness and purpose and shocked many Zambians who have been left wondering at the directionless leadership, the PF are subjecting the citizens to.
Our MPs presented what we considered was a non partisan and non contentious motion that sought to offer bursary or loan financial assistance to vulnerable university students who have been accepted and are already in class.
While we value their freedom of expression both inside and outside the house, for us in the UPND, that motion had nothing to do with whether we recognise the PF Government or not, as these are matters that are yet to be determined by the courts of laws. What we expected was a bipartisan resolve to the motion as it affects the most vulnerable of our community.
For us, the motion was genuinely intended to assist our people through the provision of affordable educational opportunities to our youths regardless of their political affiliations, especially in view of the harsh economic difficulties our people are going through.
Even when we may have political differences, there must be issues of common interest where we can come to some form of agreement, especially on issues of national interest such as the education of the youth who hold the future of this Nation.
Our MPs are so far on record of having supported progressive motions in the house which have been passed without any acrimony and we expected our PF colleagues to also rise above board and reciprocate by supporting our progressive motions that are meant to benefit our people, especially the vulnerable youth.
What was even more shameful and absolutely appalling on the part of the PF law makers, was to completely trivialise the whole debate and narrow it into personal attacks and partisanship as opposed to addressing real issues that affect our citizens, with the seriousness it deserves.
Even more sad was the demeaning of our citizens currently trading in the markets, bus stops and the streets who the PF leadership refered to as ‘mere hooligans’ where any student who is considered as ‘indisciplined’ will be sent to join fellow hooligans selling in the markets and streets. Such kind of deragotory remarks, arrogant language and assertions by the PF should leave no doubt in the minds of Zambians, that the PF are a retrogressive lot who have no interest of Zambians at heart.
For us in the UPND, we would never regard our mothers, youths and other citizens trading in these areas as hooligans, but as citizens who need government support through the provision of affordable loan facilities, which they can use to grow their businesses and send their children to schools, colleges and universities.
We have been vindicated when we say Edgar Lungu and his PF leadership have misplaced priorities when it comes to the development of our country.
These are leaders who would rather charter luxury private jets, globetrotting at a huge expense to the treasury, instead of allocating resources to such needy and critical areas such as education, health and agriculture, that benefit the majority of our people.
In our time, when such none partisan and none contentious motions meant to benefit our people will be brought to the house, our approach will be to sit down and find common ground that would be beneficial to the country, as opposed to looking at the face of who brought the motion on the floor.
We are so far impressed with the robust and passionate manner with which our MPs have debated on behalf of the suffering masses whose children have failed to access school, college and university education which have become unaffordable under the PF leadership.
We are now happy that the Zambian people will now be afforded an opportunity to judge for themselves, as to who has the integrity and credibility to stand on platforms and preach about morality in the country.
The Industrial Development Corporation has announced that it would restructure and recapitalize ZSIC General Insurance Ltd and ZSIC Life Ltd.
The announcement was made during the 45th Annual General Meeting of ZSIC Holdings Limited recently.
During the AGM, the IDC also announced that the shares in ZSIC General Insurance Ltd and ZSIC Life Ltd would be transferred from the current holding company, ZSIC Holdings Limited to the IDC, which would now directly hold the shares in the two insurance companies.
Speaking after the AGM, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the IDC, Mr Mateyo Kaluba said “We are very confident in the future of ZSIC General Insurance Ltd and ZSIC Life Ltd. These are companies with a rich heritage and we are confident they will be restored to being market leaders in both the General Insurance and Life Assurance insurance segments. This is the reason the IDC Board of Directors has decided to take direct control over the shareholding in the two insurance companies.”
“We will take all measures necessary to make the two insurance companies competitive and profitable including balance sheet restructuring, resolving legacy issues such as the statutory liabilities and injecting fresh capital,” said Mr. Kaluba
Explaining the decision by IDC to take direct control of ZSIC General Insurance Ltd and ZSIC Life Ltd, Mr Kaluba said “The current ZSIC group structure resulted in a cost structure that places an unsustainable burden on the two insurance companies.”
He added, “To address this challenge, it was found prudent to bring the two companies directly within the IDC Group of Companies. This will also allow us to recapitalize the Insurance companies as they are now directly accountable to the IDC unlike previously when they needed to go through another structure. It will also enable us to actively seek new strategic partnerships which can bring critically needed resources, expertise and technology into the two insurance companies”.
The AGM discussed various matters pertaining to the future of the ZSIC Group.
The Gross premiums had increased by 5.4% whereas the net premiums had increased by 21%.
Other positive developments included increase in investment income of 18% and a general improvement on the bottom line.
The Auditors, Grant Thornton, issued a clean opinion on the consolidated financial statements for the year 31st December, 2015.
President Rupiah Banda sharing the platform with Civil Rights Activist Jesse Jackson at the Crans Montana ConferenceMMD Youths in Lusaka have castigated opposition UPND president for his continued attacks on former Republican President Rupiah Banda.
In a statement issued by the MMD media team Prince Ndoyi who is a youth in the party said the youths in the Party are shocked and disappointed that a person aspiring to lead the nation has continued to orchestrate insults against the man who occupied the very office he wishes to occupy.
He said Mr Hichilema should be contributing to rebuilding the nation after the divisions of the last general elections as opposed to issuing derogatory statements against the former Head Of State thereby opening more wounds.
He said it is such behavior by leaders that continues to make young people fight as powerful individuals continue to incite their followers while others try to defend their leaders.
He said the UPND leader should know that the MMD is aware of the fact that prior to the 2015 elections him and his UPND were lobbying for the endorsement of the former president and that his vengeful behavior was bad for the country.
“HH is bitter with the loss of 11th August and that’s why he can’t come to terms with reality that the MMD under the leadership of Hon. Felix Mutati and Mr Rupiah Banda’s endorsements were the most valuable and priceless endorsement any politician worth his sort was supposed to fight for. HH and his UPND must not blame individuals like Mr Rupiah Banda for their loss, it’s neither RB nor MMD that blocked HH from entering State House but it’s ultimately the Zambian people,” he said.
Mr Ndoyi further said Mr Hichilema appears not to know who to attack or surround himself with for him to convince Zambians that he is the right person to occupy plot 1.
“HH appears not to know who to attack and who not to attack, its no wonder he loses elections, it’s quite surprising that even after losing twice against President Edgar LUNGU who was heavily endorsed by the same person he despises, he does not realise the many people he injures when he attacks Mr Rupiah Banda and his family. Let him remove his hate and bitterness and begin to respect those that have served in the office he aspires to occupy.
“It beats logic that HH expects to win elections when he continues to insult the same people that possess and carry a winning image and brand. Mr Rupiah Banda is totally no match for HH and it’s the more reason he must concentrate on his peers.
“HH and his party are still learning politics and it’s no wonder they can’t differentiate between politicians who can win them elections, rather those who only want to use them against those who can add value, that’s why instead of striving to gain the support of the former Republican President he gathered and surrounded himself with a bunch of proven losers and betrayers who ditched their party PF that made them who they are today, the likes of Guy Scott, GBM, Miles Sampa, Obvious Mwaliteta etc. He gathered valueless politicians and celebrated their endorsements without critically seeing what value he could gain for his political campaigns,” he said.
He also said Mr Hichilema was injuring the country’s international relations with his continued wild outbursts.
“Zambia enjoys sound relations with other nations and he must appreciate this rich history and our unique position on the globe and continent, because he will not lead Zambia in isolation if he became President. He must embrace wisdom by staying and acting carefully because in less than a fortnight he has issued two degrading and careless statements about countries that enjoy unique mutually cordial relations with our country. We don’t see how HH and his UPND will stand to benefit if and as at when our country develops hostile relationships with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Morocco, instead he should know that he will stand to blame if his utterances plunge us into chaos. HH must coordinate his actions and behavior both locally or internationally.”
Uber-consistent rap talent ,Chanda Mbao ,has officially announced the title of his upcoming project, the mixtape ‘The Patriot’ and has released the artwork to the project with us. The project is sponsored by NeoNova Technologies who earlier this year signed Chanda to an endorsement deal.
When Chanda shared the artwork with us, he took the time to explain the title and symbolism behind the project:
“As a person who’s spent a lot of time outside of my home, I got in touch with my identity and roots in a very interesting way. When I was living in Spain, I did a lot of reading about identity as an African through the works of authors such as Ngugi wa Thiongo’o and it shaped me in a deep way. I fully embraced my role as a Zambian ambassador and that’s when I started using ‘Chanda Mbao’ as my artist name. I dropped the one Anglo name I have for my art.”
He went on to say “The reason I picked this title for the project is because my patriotism is one of the most important things to me in my life and every single person who’s ever met me knows I come from Zambia. Ironically, due to the way I talk and dress etc. some people have preconceived notions about me but they don’t realize things like the fact that I left a lucrative job in finance in the US to come back home and generate value in my home economy. Many people don’t know I’ve invested my own money in producing pro-Zambian products like the Zed Polo and I Love LSK t-shirts.
With patriotism, people seem to believe there is a certain way it should look but I want to show that it comes in different shapes and forms.”
We also wanted to know more about the music. Chanda said there are 13 tracks on the project right now after a few recent additions with a couple of potential additions and/or bonus tracks as well. Production on the mixtape has been handled by Shinko Beats, Chase Iyan, Greezy Beatz, #PSYBaby, LMJ (from the USA) and Shom-C.
Lusaka Times also wanted to know the scoop on featured acts and Chanda was willing to share a few names. He mentioned that he focused on working with young talents including Hip-Hop act Jedi, R&B singer Malz, rising vocal talent Scott and Bahamian rapper D. Tucker, among many others.
The last thing we wanted to know was why he was releasing a mixtape and not an album. Chanda responded: “Though I’m calling it a mixtape, it’s all original material unlike how Hip-Hop acts (including myself) would structure a mixtape 5 year ago, for example. The only reason it’s a mixtape is because it’s merely a warm-up for my upcoming album which is already nearly finished. I am confident that it will be one of the best Hip-Hop projects the country has ever seen.”
We’re very intrigued to see what Chanda Mbao has in store for us.
If you’re interested in checking out the mixtape when it drops, follow Chanda Mbao on social media:
The average human being is living longer than ever before. Nearly every country on the planet has seen an increase in life expectancy since the beginning of the 21st century.
But though we are living longer, not all of us are living healthier.
Health Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE), or healthy life expectancy, is a metric used by the World Health Organization to measure the number of years a person can expect to live in good health, taking social and economic factors into account alongside disease and disability rates.
When we deduct healthy life expectancy from actual life expectancy, we see the average amount of years someone can expect to live in bad health – or ‘Bad Health Years‘.
This infographic takes a country-by-country look at the change in bad health years since 2000 to see where people are living a longer, healthier life.
Europe
Despite having some of the highest life expectancy in the world, the people of Europe live the most years in bad health. The majority of European nations have become even more unhealthy since 2000.
Africa
It is in Africa where the biggest reductions in bad health years have occurred, with great progress in health and development since the turn of the century.
Middle East and Asia
While bad health years in most nations in the Middle East have increased since 2000, outcomes across the rest of Asia are slightly better.
South East Asia and Oceania
Indonesia and the South-East Asian nations are getting healthier, but in Australia and New Zealand bad health years are on the rise.
North and Central America
Mixed outcomes in North and Central America reflect the diverse range of economic and social conditions across the region, with the United States seeing one of the biggest increases in bad health years in the world. ”
South America
Similarly, South America displays a varied set of outcomes. Nations like Bolivia and Ecuador, traditionally considered to be among the continent’s least developed, have achieved the biggest reduction in bad health years.
Life Expectancy changes since 2000
Besides Bad Health Years, we also made some interesting findings regarding life expectancy.
The Price of Conflict
Only two nations did not register an improvement in life expectancy: Iraq and Syria.
Life expectancy in Iraq stagnated, while in Syria it has decreased by 3 years.
Healthier, longer lives
A number of countries have witnessed a startling increase in life expectancy since the year 2000. The top 10 can all be found in Africa.
Sanga Tembo is a Zambian Radio Personality, Publicist (NXTSolutionz), Voice-over Artist, Events DJ and Audio Producer born January, 28th, 1989 in Ndola City on the Copperbelt.
Growing up in Ndola’s Masala Township around Hiphop and other genres, sharing music and his opinion of it with people on notable platforms, was always a dream he had, which came to fruition on January 28th, 2012 when he met Steve ‘So Sick’ N’cube then DJ and Producer at Chishala ‘Geshgroove’ Chitoshi Jr’s Radio Station Flava FM in Kitwe on the Copperbelt.
Steve saw potential in him and would then facilitate for Sanga to co-present on a Weekend Youth Radio Show called the Barometer hosted by Mulenga ‘Sunshine’ Chapewa, this opportunity gave him confidence to take up Radio Presenting as a career.
Sanga co-presented on Flava FM’s “The Barometer Show” for a month before moving back to Ndola where he learnt of an audition advertised by Radio Phoenix, who took him on professionally on October 4th, 2012, where he created a Hiphop Show called EarDrum. He hosted the show until March 2014, when he took a break to go to school. He went on to pitched the show to ZNBC RADIO 4 (88.1MHz) where he currently hosts it on THURSDAY NIGHTS at 22:00HRS.
music video director Lawdak(nxt solutionz) (left) Rapper Slap Dee (center) Sanga Tembo (right)
KAPA187: Tell us about yourself.
SANGA TEMBO: I’m from a family of 3 grew up in Ndola’s Masala Township. I went to Dzikomo primary school and later Chifubu high school currently at Cavendish university studying mass communication.I’m not a sporty person,so growing up i gravitated towards non sporting activities that were still as entertaining, case in point hiphop a genre of music I’ve been listening to since 1999 with some favorite tracks being Nas’ “you won’t see me tonight”, Camron’s “hey ma” ,Jay Z’s “Song Cry”, and Mase’s “same people”.. all soulful records so hiphop soul is what I listen to most.
KAPA187:What made you fall in love with HipHop?
SANGA TEMBO: Hip hop’s ability to tell stories in a creative way that almost all dedicated youths can learn, master and in the end possibly reap benefits, is why I fell in love with the genre. It is unifying and relatable plus has many faces to it , hiphop is from the heart, and in that raw emotion rappers tell stories which are instantly captivating to interested listeners. Not forgetting the good beats the rhymes are laid on.
KAPA187:Who are some of the radio personalities that inspire you , both locally and internationally ?
SANGA TEMBO: Personally I’m inspired by Linzie, Luchi, Scratch, Steve So Sick, Faith Chitulangoma. Internationally ;PJ Butta, Ray Mcdonald, Sway, The Breakfast Club ,etc.
KAPA187:For those who are unfamiliar , tell us what your Hiphop show ,EarDrum , is all about ?
SANGA TEMBO: Hiphop Eardrum is a weekly hiphop radio show airing Thursdays 22hrs on Radio 4FM the show shines light on new and old rap artists poets and youths as passionate about the genre as I am. You can listen to the show online as well at mixcloud.com/sangatembo .
KAPA187:How has been the response from the public from the inception of EarDrum upto now?
SANGA TEMBO: 2012 to 2014 was when I laid the foundation for this show on Radio phoenix it’s growth has been gradual and right now with the move to radio 4fm thanks to Dj dazzle and linzie’s faith in the programme, I can safely say the response is good both on social media and from people I meet which is truly humbling I’m grateful.
KAPA187:On the show you play both local and international Hiphop . Do you feel the local rappers have originality or are they carbon copies of American rappers ?
SANGA TEMBO: Some local rappers have originality some are carbon copies ,but you need to understand that hiphop came from USAand so we cannot run away from its influence . Even Canadian rapper ,Drake ,who is on top of the hiphop game right now had to move to the USA to make an impact under lil Wayne before he could go back home ,so there’s no harm in getting inspired by them,just find your own sound while you at it.
KAPA187:EarDrum also showcases some spoken word poetry which is rarely heard on local radio stations. What was your inspiration to add it ?
SANGA TEMBO: Depth of content in poetry was the inspiration plus rap and poetry go hand in hand, R.A.P in itself is rhythm and poetry…so the mere fact that well recited poetry comes from the heart inspired me to add it to the radio show.
KAPA187:HipHop is arguably the dominant genre of music in Zambia .What is it , in your opinion ,that our artistes are doing right , and what do they have to do to take the genre to higher heights ?
SANGA TEMBO: Artists in Zambia right now are telling real relatable stories on these rap beats that cannot be told by other traditional genres because of boundaries, lack of subject matter and lyrical limitations. what’s needed to take local hiphop to higher heights is unity among the artists themselves locally.
KAPA187:Apart from hosting your HipHop show , you are also a publicist , voice-over artist ,events DJ and Audio producer . How do you manage to balance time and make sure you are putting maximum effort in all activities ?
SANGA TEMBO: Audio production fits into my daily programme nicely because I have to produce the radio show every week and I’m currently studying mass communications and public relations which falls in line with my work at nxt solutionz , my side business which is events djaying is also music based so that’s easy for me to fuse in too, as they say do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life .
KAPA187:If you were not in the music/entertainment industry ,what would you be doing ?
SANGA TEMBO: I would’ve been a mechanic ,thank God I got kicked out of engineering college due to lack of funds. I feel that was God’s way of telling me to go back to my roots ie hiphop music.
KAPA187: Any last words…
SANGA TEMBO: You love something, do it and be consistent at it there’s no time we only live once.
If you’re serious about jogging regularly, you’ll know better than anyone the challenges of running in the commotion and pollution of Lusaka traffic. Now imagine yourself taking that same run in a community where your jogging route follows the shores of a lake, in a natural environment, with wildlife present. Sounds more like a holiday than every day living?
Yet this exactly the lifestyle that is being developed at Chaminuka Wildlife Estates, a housing development just a short drive from the Airport and Great East Road. Your local bar overlooks the lake, your neighbour’s home is unobtrusive and not in your immediate line of sight, and nature surrounds you.
But imagine if you lived in a parkland, yet still within the ever-expanding city and with easy access to all the services you need?
In Lusaka, a premium housing development has created a true balance between outdoor living and tranquility. Chaminuka Wildlife Estates balances lifestyle needs with nature, creating a truly unique living experience. Home designs that take their surroundings into account, minimizing the environmental impact, and facilities that include a gym, spa and deli, all anchored around the Estate’s lake. It sits within the vast parkland that is Chaminuka Nature Reserve, a carefully managed eco-system of over forty years in the making, home to more than 7,000 animals across more than 70 species, as well as 300 different species of birds. A place where the sounds of nature, and not the sounds of traffic, will envelope your morning run.
You might imagine that you need to go deep into the bush to get this sort of lifestyle experience. Instead, Chaminuka Wildlife Estates sits right on Lusaka’s Great East Road – Great North Road bypass link (from the Airport to Chisamba), and is due to be tarred and fully upgraded shortly, with a short drive to a golf course, as well as the shopping malls at Garden City and Waterfalls. And, meanwhile, on-site, the road network is in place, water systems, and it is already connected to the national ZESCO grid.
As well as being the only one of it’s kind in Zambia, this Estate is one of only a handful of this kind around the world, making it an excellent investment opportunity, as well as a lifestyle choice.
Take the time to visit the Estates – and imagine where you could be taking your morning jog in six month’s time. This lifestyle is real, it’s ready, and it’s waiting for you.
To learn more about property in Chaminuka Wildlife Estates, visit CHAMINUKA ESTATES
Lucky Mulusa speaking at the ‘Invest in Zambia’ business forum held at Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg, South Africa on 3rd November, 2016Minister of National Development Planning Lucky Mulusa has announced that cabinet have unanimously adopted the countries seventh national development plan, which has been decomposed into provincial GDP. .
Announcing the development at a briefing yesterday Mr Mulusa said the plan which is now awaiting implementation has a frame work enhancing the decentralisation policy.
Mr Mulusa noted that this framework was in line with the Head of States vision to create synergies and use of an integrated Multi-sectoral development approach.
Mr Mulusa announced that all the ten provinces will now know their levels of GDP contribution and thus all provinces will now need to exploit their full potential.
He said all provinces will now work hard to help contribute to the countries economic growth.
Mr Mulusa noted that the Copperbelt is still the countries highest GDP contributor followed by Lusaka and North Western province respectively.
He sited Muchinga, Western and Luapula as the least contributors.
He noted that the decentralisation would require a fundamental shift towards enhancing fiscal decentralisation as devolution of powers to lower organs.
Mr Mulusa emphasised that the seventh national development plan was in line with the Patriotic Front’s mandate to promote a bottom up approach in development planning.
Speaking at Press briefing earlier today, Minister of Development Planning Hon. Lucky Mulusa, announced that the 7NDP has been contextualised in the framework of the decentralisation policy and to this effect, the national GDP (GDP) has been decomposed into provincial GDP.
“In view of this development approach, the focus is on high level development outcomes through such all ministries, provinces and spending agencies, private sector, cooperating partners and other stakeholders will work towards achieving the 7NDP’s objectives,” said Mr Mulusa.
Provinces will now know their levels of GDP contribution based on the provinvcial comparative advantages.
To achieve this, each province will be required to exploit its full potential and contribute to Economic growth and development on the basis of their resource endowment.
Below is how the ten provinces across the country are currently fairing in terms of GDP contribution from highest GDP contributor to the lowest:
1. Copperbelt Province
2. Lusaka Province
3. Southern Province
4. Northwestern Province
5. Central Province
6. Eastern Province
7. Northen Province
8. Muchinga Province
9. Luapula Province
10. Western Province
The above actually tallies with the outcome of the poverty census that was recently carried out.
The decomposing of the national GDP has implications on the program and project implementation and it supports the principle of subsidiarity in national development planning.
It further requires a fundamental shift towards enhancing fiscal decentralisation as devolution of powers to lower organs. This also promotes the bottom up approach in development planning.
Frank BwalyaPatriotic Front (PF) Deputy Spokesperson Frank Bwalya has called upon the Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini and the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges to handle the case of the UPND MPs boycotting Parliament during President Edgar Lungu’s address to Parliament seriously especially that the entire UPND leadership declared that nothing will force them to recognize Mr. Lungu as Republican President.
Pan African Radio Journalist Hermit Hachilonde reports that Bwalya said in statement unveiled to the media yesterday that the quick and seemingly sincere apology that the same MPs rendered after shunning President Lungu’s official opening of Parliament last year was a mockery.
He has however stated that the future apologies from UPND MPs should be taken as another gimmick to get off the hook and then continue with the same illegal conduct going by their own declaration they will never recognize President Lungu.
Bwalya has since described the action of United Party for National Development (UPND) members of parliament to shun the address of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to Parliament on March 17, 2017 as unique and grave action.
He said it is in the public domain that the UPND leader Mr Hakainde Hichilema was declared winner of the August 11, 2016 presidential election by their party national chairperson Ms. Mutale Nalumango.
Bwalya noted that the declaration through their party Chairperson Mutale Nalumango was done before the announcement of the final presidential results by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), a body with the legal mandate to declare the winner of a presidential election.
The PF Deputy spokesperson also noted that the boycott of UPND members of parliament with the exception of Chilanga lawmaker Mr Keith Mukata was within the context of the words of Katuba UPND MP Patricia Mwashingwele published in the Mast Newspaper of Wednesday, March 22, 2017 on page 3 where she said no one will force the UPND to recognize Edgar Lungu as President until the UPND presidential (petition) election is heard.
“We called upon the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon Dr Patrick Matibini SC and the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges to handle the case of the UPND MPs boycotting Parliament during President Edgar Chagwa Lung’s address to Parliament seriously” Father Bwalya said
Mike MulongotiPeople’s Party (PP) President Mike Mulongoti has charged President Edgar Lungu is reluctant to hold another referendum on the bill of rights because he is afraid of exposing the incompetence of his Government once it meets the thresholds.
Speaking during the Pan African Radio Programme dubbed “Business in Parliament” anchored by Isaac Nsoneka recently, Mulongoti said the bill of rights which many Zambians are demanding compels Government to do various things for its citizens and once Government fails to meet the required standard by its citizens as enshrined in the bill of rights the people can easily sue the Government.
He stated that the excuse given by President Lungu during his second address to parliament concerning the referendum that it will delay due to Zambia’s financial constraints are baseless because the commonwealth stated already that they will fund the process.
During his second address to parliament on the 17th March, 2017, President Edgar Lungu encouraged dialogue with the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) leaders and Government to alternatively find cheaper ways and means of giving Zambians the Bill of rights as opposed to go for another referendum because Government has no money at the moment.
The Pan African Radio Journalist Jessie Zimba reports that Mulongoti stated if President Lungu really wanted the Bill of rights as he portrays to the community, he would have reduced on the traveling expenditures by cancelling some of his international trips and also reducing the number of people on his entourage whenever he travels to save money for a referendum.
Mulongoti wondered why it is always the Zambian visiting other countries, yet none of the visited countries come to Zambia in return to show companionship.
“He is afraid of exposing the ineffectiveness of his Government once it meets the thresholds” Mr. Mulongoti said
Muunyumabisi Health Post Sister –In-Charge Mambo Hacheenyu(left) leads Deputy Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya(right) during the inspection of the health facility which the Minister commissioned yesterday in Monze District.
The Ministry of Health has failed to put over 2,000 health workers on government payroll, six months after a much publicised recruitment exercise.
The workers who include Nurses, Pharmacists and Environmental Health Technicians have been placed in various stations but have not received any salaries or allowances for over six months.
Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya confirmed that none of the recently recruited civil servants under the Ministry of Health has started getting paid.
Dr Chilufya however blamed the failure to pay the new workers on what he called administrative glitches.
“Yes we have not placed our new cadre of health workers on payroll yet, this is due to some administrative issues glitches,” he said.
He added, “The issue at the moment is merely administrative. The good part is that at policy level, we have agreed that we recruit these new health workers. Very soon all shall be sorted.”
Government announced in January that it is targeting to recruit 7,900 health workers in 2017.
But some affected health workers have since abandoned their new work stations, a situation which has paralysed health delivery systems in most parts of the country.
Some interviewed said they cannot continue working for free for over six months especially that they were posted to areas where they had no relatives.
“The expectation for most of us was that we will start getting something at least even after three months but we have gone for six months without receiving anything, even our settling in allowances have not come. So how do you expect me to survive in Kalabo for over six months without pay when my family is still in Lusaka?”, asked one of the affected Nurses who has since returned to Lusaka.
Other interviewed revealed that corruption and theft of drugs has now increased due to failure by Government to pay the new workers.
“It’s so frustrating because most of us are young people and these are our fist appointments and to be subjected to this by our own government is depressing,” they lamented.
Three Ministry of Health employees and two businessmen are appearing in the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court for stealing HIV test kits valued at K5,000, the property of the Government.
President Edgar Lungu touring Government Printers in Lusaka
PRESIDENT Lungu has instructed the Government Printing Department to ensure ballot papers and other materials for the 2021 presidential and general elections are printed at its plant in Lusaka to save costs.
President Lungu said Government is going to put its neck on the block and ensure that the 2021 poll ballot papers are printed locally.
“We must print ballot papers locally at Zambia Printing,” he said.
President Lungu was speaking after a conducted tour of the Government Printing Department’s plant in Lusaka yesterday.
“Whether the opposition parties like it or not, we are going to print ballot papers locally and I am inviting everyone to visit and see the preparations Government is making to ensure that the 2021 ballot papers are printed at the Government Printing Department,” President Lungu said.
“We can’t develop this country if we continue taking money outside the country to do things we can do locally,” he said.
He said Government should take charge of securing the printing plant and ensure it is fully operational by 2021.
“We can’t develop this country if we continue taking money outside the country to do things we can do locally,” he said.
And President Lungu said the way forward to ensure that Zambia Printing is ready for the 2021 elections is to continue working on the department and that those who are opposed to printing ballot papers locally should explain why.
“We don’t want people to petition that we are stealing votes because despite being told that I have stolen votes in the last elections, they have never told me how many votes I allegedly stole and from where,” he said.
President Lungu said United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema, who was claiming the President stole his votes could not even say the number of votes he allegedly had stolen from him and where.
“If I stole votes to become President of Zambia, Mr Hichilema must show me the votes I stole in Chawama, Matero, Dundumwezi and elsewhere, add them and show me that this is what I have stolen,” President Lungu said.
And President Lungu says the impression of his tour was that the Government Printing Department had been neglected at the expense of the Zambian taxpayers’ money.
“If I stole votes to become President of Zambia, Mr Hichilema must show me the votes I stole in Chawama, Matero, Dundumwezi and elsewhere, add them and show me that this is what I have stolen,” President Lungu said.
“We have ballot papers printed in South Africa at one time then Dubai recently. If we support this department we will save a lot of money,” he said.
The President said what is needed to reinforce security at the plant is installation of CCTV and that this has been done.
United Party for National Development (UPND) says the printing plant should be empowered with resources for it to perform such a feat in 2021.
Party spokesperson Charles Kakoma said it does not matter where ballots papers are printed for as long as this is done transparently.
President Edgar Lungu with Government Printer Mr Charles Zimba duringthe tour of Government Printers in Lusaka on wednesday 22-03-2017President Edgar Lungu with Government Printer Mr Charles Zimba duringthe tour of Government Printers in Lusaka on wednesday 22-03-2017- Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/Statehouseresident Edgar Lungu touring Government Printers in LusakaPresident Edgar Lungu touring Government Printers in LusakaPresident Edgar Lungu touring Government Printers in LusakaPresident Edgar Lungu touring Government Printers in Lusaka 4346
