President Edgar Lungu has returned home after concluding his five days official visit to Israel.

The President Challenger carrying the Head of State touched Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at exactly 19:05 hours local time.

President Lungu was received by acting President Inonge Wina, cabinet ministers, service chiefs, senior government and party officials.

And President Lungu said he was worried that the tripartite agreement entered by the Food Reserve Agency, the Millers Association of Zambia and Grain Traders of Association of Zambia has failed to yield the intended purpose.

Addressing Journalist shortly upon his arrival, President Lungu said it was sad that a will intended initiative as failed to result in the lowing of mealie meal prices.

Mr Lungu told journalists that he will soon revisit the tripartite agreement entered by the Food Reserve Agency, the Millers Association of Zambia and Grain Traders of Association of Zambia and find out why the programme failed to work.

The President said government will part company with people who care more about their pockets and not the ordinary Zambian people.

President Lungu reiterated that he is not afraid to revisit the decision made concerning the tripartite agreement.

He explained that revisiting the agreement will enable government identify why a well-intended initiative failed to yield its goal.

Mr Lungu disclosed that tomorrow Saturday the 4th of March he will follow up the issue.

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has said that the decisions of the associations are made collectively by the Council of LAZ on behalf of the Association and not by the LAZ President in her personal capacity.

In a statement released to the media, the council said that it was deeply saddened by the protests against LAZ at the LAZ Secretariat by unknown cadres this afternoon.

Below is the full statement

LAZ PRESS STATEMENT DATED 3RD MARCH 2017 ON THE ATTACK ON THE LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) is deeply saddened by the protests against LAZ at the LAZ Secretariat by unknown cadres this afternoon. The attack appears to be an attempt to intimidate LAZ from performing its statutory mandate. Fortunately, no property was damaged and no one was injured and we applaud the Zambia Police for their quick intervention to secure the safety of our members of staff.

Whilst LAZ would like to thank the police for swiftly coming to our aid, we hope that the matter will be thoroughly investigated to determine whether this was a legal demonstration. Whilst LAZ celebrates the right to freedom of expression and association and the right to peaceful demonstrations by all Zambians, that right should not infringe upon the right by LAZ to exercise its mandate freely in line with the tenets of democracy.

LAZ has noted that personal attacks have been made against the LAZ President during the protests. It must be noted that decisions of the Association are made collectively by the Council of LAZ on behalf of the Association and not by the LAZ President in her personal capacity. LAZ hopes that all well-meaning Zambians will stand in solidarity with LAZ as we seek to uphold the rule of law, constitutionalism, good governance and social justice in the country as mandated by section four of the Law Association of Zambia Act. LAZ would like to reiterate that it will continue to stand firm in executing its statutory mandate in an independent manner without fear or favour.

COUNCIL OF THE LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA

The cadres carrying placards denouncing LAZ President Linda Kasonde for her alleged pro opposition stance demanded that she leaves the Secretariat.

It was not immediately clear of Ms. Kasonde was in the building at the time of the protest.

Police had to move in quickly to disperse the cadres and security the premises.

By the time of publishing, armed police were still manning the building.

A notice via SMS from LAZ advised its members and the public from entering the premises.

“Good afternoon all. Cadres have attacked secretariat. Please do not go there until further notice. I have spoken to Commissioner of Police Lusaka who says he is sending officers. I am also trying to get hold of the AG. Please do not go to the Secretariat,” the text read.

Some of the cadres were carrying weapons such as pangas and advanced directly to Ms. Kasonde’s office but she could not be found.

The cadres said they have been angered by LAZ’s decision to represent Post lawyer Nchima Nchito over the arrest warrant of instituted by former Post workers.

Cadres are demanding the dismantling of LAZ accusing it to be pro-UPND and champion the agenda of Fred M’membe.

In an interview later, Ms. Kasonde confirmed that she is safe and that the cadres have all dispersed.

Speaking in Lusaka after signing a Financing Agreement with the African Development Bank (ADB) to be disbursed by DBZ, Mr. Mutati said government will not manage any funds because people think the cash is their entitlement. He has called on the private sector to access the money and use it to grow the economy.

The Minister said government is now working on tightening levels of dispatch because some clients do not use the funds on approved projects. He has also revealed that government has in the last four weeks secured $ 237 million investments from the ADB.

Mr. Mutati said that the money includes the $ 50 million funds for aqua culture to develop the sector and reduce on importation of fish especially that Zambia is home to 40 percent of the waters in Southern Africa.

The Minister also signed a $ 1.7 million Education for Sustainable Development in Mineral Resource Management for Capacity Building in Mineral Resource at the University of Zambia.

And ADB Country Representative Damoni Kitabire said the DBZ financing facility will have a 10 year lifeline. Mr. Kitabire said his institution is aware of challenges faced by SMEs in accessing finance, even though they contribute 90 percent of jobs for the working population.

Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Felix Mutati has said that the economy has started showing signs of recovery following various interventions government has put in place. Mr Mutati noted that the local currency has stabilised while the inflation rate is on a downward trend.

Mr Mutati further said that the enhanced flow of Foreign Direct Investments-FDI- was another key indicator that the recovery plan is bearing fruit. The Minister was addressing a Private Sector and GRZ Consultative Seminar on the Economic Stabilisation and Growth Program in Lusaka.

Mr. Mutati disclosed that government is taking a situational analysis on parastatals that are draining the treasury.

And Mr. Mutati said has said that government will continue dealing with debts and increase revenue with or without the IMF coming on board. The Minister has however advised Zambians not to be scared of the IMF because key reforms such as the removal of subsidies and introduction of cost reflective tariffs for fuel have been made.

Meanwhile, Zambia Revenue Authority -ZRA- Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda said the authority has extended the deadline for complying with the new law for all account holders to have TPINs from 31st March to December 31st.

Mr Chanda said the decision was arrived at by a technical committee formed with the Bank of Zambia which decided to give banks ample time to change machines and upgrade their date.

Urban Hype released their latest music video for the song “One Touch” that features Silvastone.

BY KAPA187

Kabwata councillor Longa Chiboboka says education should instil a sense of pride in women as more than 35 Kabwata marketeers completed a 10 day business and finance training organised by The Stella Project.

He was speaking on Tuesday when he officiated at the closing ceremony of the training at Kabwata community hall where he handed out certificates of attendance.

“The training has been a success and I am hopeful that what they have learned they will put in practice as they better manage their businesses. “

He said he was proud to be associated with The Stella Project.

“ I am glad that it has started in Kabwata. I am especially happy that they have gotten these certificates to show that they indeed they were trained and I am sure it is a sign of achievement even for them.”

One of the training participants, grocery shop owner Violet Gondwe said the training had helped her know how to manage her business better.

“Before this I was just in business for the sake of getting by but now I know the steps I need to make my business become big. I have learned how to account for the money that my business makes.” She said.

Another marketeer, Suwilanji Nachilongo said she felt privileged to attend the training.

“I am happy to have been chosen to learn with The Stella Project because this business knowledge I  have acquired not everyone has a chance get. This training will improve my business and I also want to share it with my friends who were not able to come because they missed out. “

The Stella Project co-founder and director Stella Sata says her expectations of the training were exceeded.

“ We were not sure if the marketers would follow through with the whole program. We enrolled 40 people and out of these 38 showed up and attended the training up-to the last day. The marketeers were very eager to learn and showed enthusiasm every day. We have gotten so much positive feedback we feel it was worth it to start in Kabwata.”

The training, which focussed on topics ranging from marketing, stock management to costing and financial planning, was partly funded by the United Stated Embassy in Zambia while PlanStore Zambia printed the training materials and Twaala restaurant provided break and lunch for the participants.