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Kambwili displays his birthday cake
ROAN Patriotic Front (PF) member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili has pledged loyalty to President Lungu and called for unity in the PF.
Dr Kambwili, who said he would never leave the PF for any other party, asked ruling party members to work towards strengthening the party to “put its enemies to shame”.
“We should not destroy PF and allow our enemies to win. We should work together and put our enemies to shame. I do not fight the President [President Lungu], I am a loyal member of the PF,” he said.
Dr Kambwili said yesterday that he cannot betray the vision founders of PF had when forming the party.
“I appreciate calls by some PF cadres on the Copperbelt and Lusaka that I should form a political party, but I am PF and I will remain loyal to the ruling party and President Lungu,” he said.
“Pamyenu ni pamyenu nangu pabipe shani (home is home no matter the challenges). Frustrations come and go but what is important is how you handle the situation you find yourself in,” he said.
Dr Kambwili said one needs a personal reflection of their life when faced with frustrations.
He said no one is immune to problems and challenges and that people should endeavour to sort out their problems amicably.
He also urged members of the ruling party to work together and find lasting solutions to some challenges in the party.
Dr Kambwili said PF has a vision of helping the poor to come out of poverty.
He regretted that some people are allegedly peddling falsehoods about him.
The former Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services appeared before the party’s disciplinary committee for misconduct.
Zanaco first 2017 preseason friendly match ended on losing note on Sunday at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
The defending champions lost 2-1 to CAPS United of Zimbabwe with 16 days before they play their first competitive game of the year when they host APR of Rwanda in a 2017 CAF Champions League preliminary round, first leg match in Lusaka.
Brian Amidu and Jorum Kamhapa were on target in the 26th and 65th minutes respectively for the Zimbabwean champions.
The hosts were then awarded two late penalties by referee Wisdom Chewe with the first, in the 80th minute from Augustine Mulenga, hitting the post.
Saith Sakala then made no mistake with the second spot-kick four minutes later.
GOVERNMENT PLANS TO RECRUIT STREET KIDS FOR SKILLS-TRAINING UNDER ZAMBIA NATIONAL SERVICE (ZNS) BOUND TO FAIL AND LIKELY TO INCREASE ARMED BANDITS
Minister of Youth, Sports and Child Development Moses Mawere is reported in Sunday Times of January 29, 2017 to have said Government plans to recruit street kids above 18 years to be taught life skills under Zambian National Service (ZNS). The Minister informed the nation that government’s intention was to create a platform under ZNS to teach street-kids in skills such as plumbing, tailoring, mechanics, carpentry and other relevant courses so that they become self-reliant.
As the Green Party, we believe it is delusional for government to think that street-kids can become “self-reliant” through such a programme. If anything, we believe the programme is likely to backfire in that it may give rise to armed banditry in the country.
It goes without saying that before the streets kids receive training in the so-called life skills, it will be imperative that they undergo basic military training so as to orient them to military discipline. Knowing the notorious character of street kids, if such persons are off-loaded back onto streets after receiving military training, in the event of capital provided getting squandered (if start-up capital will be provided as part of package), then we should expect them resorting to armed banditry.
While we applaud the desire by Government to groom the street-kids into responsible citizens, our advice is that the street kids should be recruited and employed on full-time- pensionable basis so that they are kept off the streets permanently. Furthermore, the programme should not only be restricted to street kids but extended all other unemployed youths who voluntarily wish to join the programme. In addition, the programme should be oriented towards production of high-value crops on large-scale basis rather than plumbing, mechanics, brick-laying, carpentry and others. These skills should only be complimentary trades in the big picture of high-value agriculture.
Government should draw lessons from previous programmes of street-kids recruitment under ZNS. Under the UNIP Government, street-kids were recruited under ZNS and deployed to Kambilombilo on the Copperbelt and Kanakantampa in Lusaka, now Chongwe. That programme was successful except that the type of agriculture that they ventured into (maize), is a low value crop which does not yield reasonable profit. Maize is a high-labour low value crop which by and large has impoverished small-scale farmers in rural areas.
Life-skills training programmes by successive governments conducted at ZNS Kitwe Skills Centre have all been disastrous. It will therefore be folly and a waste of public resources for Government to go back to failed programmes. Such a programme may compromise State Security in the long-run.
Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. Brian Mushimba makes the first call to launch the second phase of the Universal Access Programme, paving the way for every citizen in the country to have access to a mobile phone signal.
GOVERNMENT is studying the possibility of having a national airline and the ministry has prepared the necessary documents pertaining to its feasibility which are before Cabinet, says Transport and Communication Minister Brian Mushimba.
Mr Mushimba said that the national airline undertaking was put on halt last year following the economic difficulties the country experienced due to external shocks such as low copper prices on the international market as well as unstable local currency and the general election.
He said the economic indicators were now positive and stated that the ministry had finalised documentation in terms of what could be done on the planned national airline, saying it was still on schedule.
The minister said that the direction to be taken on whether or not to have a national flag carrier could not be decided by one person and would instead be decided by Cabinet.
“We started the groundwork but we postponed the programme last year due to economic external shocks such as low copper prices, instability of the Kwacha and we were going into an election period, so we thought it was not good to be planning such an undertaking but now the economy is looking up.
‘‘So as a ministry we have finalised documentation in terms of what could be done and it remains for Cabinet to give the direction to be taken,” he said.
Mr Mushimba, who is Kankoyo Member of Parliament, said that the Government was determined to open up all modes of transportation and had continued to invest and expressed hope that with the construction of airport infrastructure the country would benefit in various sectors such as tourism, among others.
Former Zesco Limited Managing Director Cyprian Chitundu delivers a speech during the launch of the 330 KV power line transmission Kasama yesterday
THE managing director of ZESCO is not a public official to hold shares on behalf of Zambians, says Energy Forum Zambia (EFZ) chairperson Johnstone Chikwanda
Mr Chikwanda said the shares must therefore be transferred to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) which was the patent company.
He said the forum had learnt with shock that 10,000 shares in ZESCO’s subsidiary company -Kafue Gorge Lower Power Development (KGLPDC) were allotted to then ZESCO managing director Cyprian Chitundu while 990,000 shares were allotted to ZESCO.
Mr Chitundu has been dragged to court for failure to surrender 10 000 shares of Kafue Gorge Lower Power Development Corporation Limited he held in his name as managing director at the power utility firm.
This is contained in a statement of claim filed before the Lusaka High Court accusing the former ZESCO chief of holding on to 10. 000 shares of Kafue Gorge when he was no longer the MD as prescribed by the company Articles.
The company has pleaded with the court to compel Mr Chitundu to surrender the shares to the current ZESCO chief Victor Mundende to allow him perform functions of a shareholder as required.
In 2013, the plaintiff incorporated Kafue Gorge Lower Power Development Corporation as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the development of the 750 MW Hydro Power project situated in Chikankata district.
Mr Chikwanda noted that a similar situation was anticipated to happen in the future, saying the forum’s view was that those 10,000 shares must be held by the new owners of ZESCO which in this case was Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) or at a minimum an appropriate government official on behalf of the Zambian people.
“These companies are owned by the people of Zambia and therefore no person who is not a public or government official must hold shares on behalf of Zambians,” he said
And Mr Chikwanda said whether the shares were allotted to the then ZESCO MD in his capacity as the company chef or in his personal capacity with or no monetary value, the forum was of the opinion that this was not best practice in terms of good corporate governance.
“There is a debatable connection in this matter and it is not ‘immoral’ to feel that this is not perhaps the best practice in terms of good corporate governance. This is very strange,
“At the time of the transaction, it is likely that ZESCO was owned by the Minister of Finance and Secretary to the Treasury on behalf of government just like other parastatals unless ZESCO was a special case,” he said.
Mr Chikwanda explained that Zambia was experiencing terrible “energy poverty” leading to colossal loss of business worth millions of dollars per month, saying it was therefore in a hurry to develop power generation facilities.
“To this end, the High Court will do good justice to the people of Zambia to determine this matter urgently as Kafue Gorge Lower Power Development represents not just the hope of Zambia but the hope of the region.”
He further said the forum would monitor the case closely not just because it was in public interest but also for its objective to lobby for best practice in the energy sector.
ZESCO managing director can still attend meetings of KGLPDC because he is a member of the board of directors which virtually owns KGLPDC.
“However, due to possible legal impediments, we hope this matter will be expeditiously determined by the court so that the board of KGLPDC can have smooth unquestionable engagements with all shareholders,” said Mr Chikwanda.
Here are some briefs on Zambia’s and their Group A opponents preparations for the 2017 U20 AFCON that Zambia will host from February 26 to March 12.
ZAMBIA
Hosts Zambia are currently away in Spain on a two-week camp where they will play three friendly matches starting on Tuesday against Tenerife U20, Las Palmas on February 2 and Real Madrid Under-20 on February 6 before heading back home on February 7.
Egypt, Mali and Guinea are the teams they will face in Group A.
Zambia will face Guinea in their opening Group A match on February 26 at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
EGYPT
Egypt have won two friendly games as they step-up preparations for the 2017 Under-20 AFCON.
The four-time champions beat Morocco in two friendlies played last week in Cairo.
Egypt beat Morocco 2-0 on January 17 at the Cairo International Stadium and three days later defeated the visitors 1-0 at the same venue.
Egypt have broken camp for their players to take care of league obligations and regroup on February 10 in Cairo for the final leg of preps.
Zambia will face egypt in the two sides final Group A match on March 4 at Heroes Stadium.
It has been clarified that Nkana winger Guly Manziba is the player on trials at South Africa PSL club Baroka FC.
Baroka confirmed on Sunday that DR Congo-born Manziba, and not his compatriot Djunes Kanda, is the player the South African club is looking at.
Baroka’s CEO Morgan Mammila told kickoff that the club is eager to sign the Nkana crowd favourite whom the 12-time Zambian champions signed in 2016 but had decided put on the list of players to be loaned out in the 2017 season.
“The only thing that will delay his signing is a work permit but we’ll try to get it as soon as possible,” Mammila said.
Manziba scored three goals for nkana in the 2016 season.
Zambia defender Stoppila Sunzu played his first game in 2017 for his French Ligue 1 club Lille on Saturday.
Sunzu came on in the 49th minute in Lille’s 2-1 away win over 7-time Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyon.
The defender has just returned from injury spell that sidelined from early December before returning to the first team on January 21 when he was an unused substitute in Lille’s 0-0 away draw at Dijon.
This was Sunzu’s first taste of action since October 28 in a 1-0 home loss to defending Ligue 1 champions PSG.
Lille are 11th after the away win over 4th place Lyon.
Chief Naluama of Mazabuka district has appealed to Government to bring to book a contractor who has abandoned the construction of a health centre after being paid by government to undertake the project.
The chief says the contractor has only put up a foundation and disappeared leaving behind building materials that are now going to waste.
He says all efforts to trace the contractor have proved futile and that abandoned building materials risky also being stolen.
Chief Naluama was speaking at his palace when southern province minister Edify Hamukale paid a courtesy call on him.
He said government decided to construct a health facility in the area to resolve the challenge of distance his subjects are facing in accessing health services.
Chief Naluama said the disappearance of the contractor has affected government’s positive response to the cries of his subjects on the need for a health facility.
The chief also told the minister to help the chiefdom resolve a standoff between the chiefdom and ZESCO who had promised to construct three dams in the area as part of corporate social responsibility since the Kafue gorge lower power station project is being constructed in his chiefdom.
He said ZESCO has reneged on various promises and agreements on the provision of some development infrastructure.
“I am so disappointed with ZESCO officials who have failed to honour the various agreements entered into with us. I am appealing to the provincial administration to intervene,” the said complained.
He said the power utility had also promised to electrify pubic institutions such as schools but nothing has been done.
“Each time we query them we don’t get any positive response yet we had agreed on a time frame for the construction of the dams and electrification of the public institutions.”
But southern province minister Edify Hamukale assured the tranditional leader that he will follow up the matter with relevant authorities.
He assured the chief that the Patriotic Front Government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu remains committed to developing the whole country through the provision of support infrastructure that will being about socio economic development.
A land wrangle between senior chief Shimumbi of Luwingu District and Chief Chiwanagala of Chilubi in Northern Province has escalated.
The two traditional leaders have strongly differed over the boundaries separating their two chiefdoms.
Luwingu District Commissioner Patrick Chanda has confirmed the development to ZANIS in Kasama today.
Mr. Chanda said both Senior Chief Shimumbi and Chief Chiwanagala were not agreeable on the existing boundaries thereby creating a rift between them.
He said recently the District Administrations in Chilubi and Luwingu organized separate meetings with the two affected chiefs although not much progress was made.
Mr. Chanda has since appealed to the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs to urgently intervene in the land dispute between Senior Chief Shimumbi and Chief Chiwanagala before the situation worsens.
He observed that the demarcation of the boundaries in the affected chiefdoms requires technical experts to re-do boundaries lines to foster co-existence among the local people in the two chiefdoms.
For a long time now, senior Chief Shimumbi of Luwingu and Chief Chiwanagala of Chilubi have been engaged in a silent but bitter land dispute owing to the unclear demarcation of boundaries separating their two chiefdoms.
President Edgar Lungu being Welcomed by Mr Anthony Wade General Manger of Sheraton AddisPresident Edgar Lungu received applause when he presented a report on Zambia, on the implementation of the National Plan of Action from several African leaders at the 26th session of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Addis Ababa Ethiopia yesterday.
The Heads of State and Government are gathered in Addis Ababa Ethiopia at the on-going 28th ordinary session of the African Union summit which started on January 22 and ends on January 31, 2017.
Namibian President Hage Geingob, Senegalese President Macky Saul and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who the Chairperson of the APRM were among the notable leaders that appreciated President Lungu and Zambia for continued improvements and reforms in good governance.
Mr Kenyatta recognised Zambia and other African countries for the peaceful elections that were held in August, 2016.
President Saul recalled and appreciated Zambia’s long history of hospitality and peace.
Speaking when he presented the progress report yesterday, President Lungu outlined the highlights of the APRM report, congratulated and welcomed Zambia’s neighbour Namibia to the APRM after joining the forum on the same day.
President Lungu also highlighted a number of issues on the report which include economic governance and management, democracy and political governance, gender parity, decentralisation, job creation, economic diversification among others.
Mr Lungu said government has made progress on gender parity since the last peer review which also culminated in the creation of the Ministry of Gender to spearhead the attainment of female representation.
“In 2011, Zambia’s cabinet had 14 percent of female cabinet Ministers. By 2016, the cabinet had 28 percent of female cabinet ministers,” he said as the assembly erupted into loud applause.
On decentralisation, President Lungu said the creation of 33 new districts in Zambia once fully established will result into the creation of 2,300 jobs.
Under Democracy and political governance, President Lungu said Zambia has embarked on the process of consequential legislation to the amended constitution to operationlise the constitution.
He expressed sadness that the referendum to enhance the bill of rights was not successful because it did not meet the required threshold.
President Lungu told the forum that he has commissioned an inquiry in voting patterns, to among others establish the reasons for the low voter turnout during elections since 2006.
On economic governance and management, the President said economic growth averaged 5.3 percent per annum and attributed the growth to the development in the construction sector.
Mr Lungu said the impressive growth was however reduced by the poor performance in agriculture in 2013 and 2015 and mining sectors in 2014.
He said Zambia recorded its lowest economic growth as it was hit by a devastating external shocks.
“Zambia’s over dependence on the mining sector has been a major concern. We now have in place an enhanced programme to drive our private sector development, industrialisation and job creation,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Chairperson of the APRM Uhuru Kenyatta who is also Kenyan President among other issues said Africa has recorded a reduction in the mortality rate by 49 percent.
And Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Erastus Mwecha urged APRM member countries to work towards meaningful contributions in areas surrounding finance and other issues if the mechanism is to bear fruits.
Ex-Nkana striker Djunes Kanda has reportedly resurfaced in South Africa.
According to media speculation in South Africa, Kanda could be on trial at PSL side Baroka FC.
“Yes, he is a striker, but I don’t know his full name, we only know him as Julies. We got him from Mpumalanga (province). Some say he previously played for Zambian side Nkana FC,” Kickoff.com quoted a source at Baroka.
Kanda joined Nkana in 2015 following his move from Indeni in 2014 where he scored 7 goals after joining them from Tanzanian club Azam.
However his stay at Nkana was a flop where he managed only a goal in 2015 before dropping off the radar.
