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MORE than 500 defectors from the United Party for National Development (UPND) to the Patriotic Front (PF) in Central Province have accused their former party leaders of betraying them thus leaving them with no option but to leave.
UPND Chibefwa Ward chairperson Kabinda Foloko said in Mkushi yesterday when he led the 520 defectors that there was hope in the PF.
Mr Foloko, however, said he would not give further reasons as to why he and his fellow defectors had left the opposition party.
He said exposing the defects in the opposition camp at this point would only make the UPND work out modalities of enticing those that wanted to leave.
“I have decided to leave the UPND with 520 members of the Chibefwe Ward after seeing a number of challenges in our former party, but I cannot disclose for now the main reason, because if I do the opposition party will find strategies of beating us,” he said.
According to him, women and youths in the UPND had been complaining for a long time of poor leadership and accusing position holders of being selfish.
Mr Foloko said he was still in talks with youths from the opposition party who equally felt betrayed by their leaders and wanted to join the PF.
He said about 1,200 UPND members from Itawa Ward had also indicated that they would join the PF.
“We are still having talks with about 1,200 UPND members who may join the party soon, along with us. We just have to wind up some talks with them,” he said.
Mkushi PF district chairperson Kunda Ngosa said it was clear that the youth and women from the opposition had realised the true leadership of President Edgar Lungu hence their decision to join the ruling party.
Mr Ngosa said it was worth pointing out that the PF had widened its catch and remained on course for another electoral victory in August.
He called on the youth in the district and around the country to embrace the leadership of President Lungu and support him to victory.
ZESCO spokesperson Henry Kapata (right) talks to a client at his firm’s pavilion yesterday during the ongoing eighth Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS) in Livingstone
THE World Bank and European Investment Bank financed US$100 million upgrade of the Zesco transmission line from Kafue to Livingstone is expected to commence today.
This is in a bid to help cushion the current power deficit.
Zesco spokesperson, Henry Kapata said the project would see the power transmission line upgraded from the current 220 to 330 kilovolts to enable it carry about 665 megawatts of power, which would be generated from the thermal plant in Maamba, Southern Province.
Mr Kapata said the project would be completed in 21 days and assured that by June, there would be stable power supply and reduced power shortages in various parts of Zambia.
He said in an interview yesterday that the current 220-kilovolt transmission line would not be able to accommodate the power to be generated from the Maamba thermal plant until it had been upgraded.
“Zesco will today commence the upgrading of the 220-kilovolt transmission line from Kafue to Livingstone. This is a $100 million project funded by the World Bank, European investment Bank and Government.
Once the project is completed, it will help reduce load-shedding countrywide,” Mr Kapata said.
He said the other idea behind the project was to provide reliability of power supply and quality services to customers.
Mr Kapata said the project would not only benefit the people in Southern Province, but would cater for the whole country.
“This project is important to us as a power utility company, because once completed, it will benefit people in all the provinces. As you are aware, Maamba thermal plant has plans to generate up to 600 megawatts of power. With the current 220-kilovolt power line transmission it cannot be accommodated. So we thought of upgrading it to 330 kilovolts,” Mr Kapata said.
He said Zesco was dedicated to ensuring a stable supply of power amidst the power deficit, which had rippled through most of the sub-Saharan region.
Ambassador Schultz
US Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz has said his country is not interfering in Zambia’s politics ahead of general elections in August, but will support a credible electoral process.
Mr Schultz said the US did not have a preferred candidate in the forthcoming elections.
This is according to a report posted on the US Embassy of Zambia Facebook page depicting an interview Mr Schultz gave the Bulletin and Record.
“We have no preference for one candidate or one party. We support the (electoral) process,” he said.
Mr Schultz said he was interested to see an election process that was credible, because credibility was one way of avoiding disputes over election results.
He said he believed in talking to all stakeholders in the country for him to understand Zambia better.
Mr Schultz said the new provision in the Constitution to get 50 per cent plus one vote increased the legitimacy of the outcome of an election.
He encouraged political groups to engage in meaningful dialogue.
The US envoy also said that violence had no place in a democracy, hence political parties should encourage tolerance among their members.
Mr Schultz further said it was easy to be optimistic about the future of the country’s economy.
This was because Zambia was stable, had rich democratic credentials and vibrant young entrepreneurs.
Mr Schultz said Zambia should invest in a well-managed education sector to attain a bright future for the economy.
He said Zambia was well-positioned to emerge as one of Africa’s growing economies if it successfully diversified to agriculture and tourism.
Energy Regulations Board (ERB) offices
Board (ERB) has taken stern measures to guarantee smooth supply of fuel in various parts of the country.
One of these measures is a warning to filling stations that are hoarding fuel and only serving account holders.
The board has also assured the nation that measures are currently in place to normalise fuel supply in the country.
ERB public relations manager, Kwali Mfuni said in a statement yesterday that filling stations that were in the habit of hoarding products and only serving account holders were doing so contrary to their licence conditions.
“During periods of scarcity, ERB is cautioning filling stations that are in the habit of hoarding products and only serving account holders, that this is a violation of their licence conditions,” Ms Mfuni said.
The licence conditions state that the licensee shall not hoard petroleum products, nor show undue preference to, or exercise undue discrimination against any particular persons or people of any class or description as regards any aspect of the provision of petroleum products or any service under the licence.
Ms Mfuni also said the ERB had received reports that some fuel attendants were taking advantage of perceived fuel shortages by refusing to sell to motorists in preference for vendors from whom they were soliciting payment.
“The ERB is aware of an incident in Mazabuka where an attendant refused to refuel vehicles of motorists, but instead sold to consumers with containers at K10,” she said.
Illegal fuel vendors were allegedly selling a five-litre container at K100, which is double the normal price.
The ERB will take enforcement action against Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) whose employees are involved in the practice.
Ms Mfuni urged the public to be vigilant and report such malpractices to the ERB or call on toll free line 8080.
The ERB assured the nation that measures to normalise the national fuel supply had also been put in place.
The board is, therefore, appealing for an end to the unnecessary speculation of fuel shortages, which could create anxiety and consequently result in panic-buying.
Ms Mfuni said the ERB had continued to monitor the fuel supply situation as stocks rolled into the country.
She said the stock levels had shown a steady improvement mainly owing to the Government authorising OMCs to import refined products and the recent availability of feedstock at Indeni Petroleum Refinery.
This would complement the importation of petroleum products which has always been done by the Government.
The Government has also suspended customs duty on diesel and petrol.
Chingola residents awaiting for their turn to buy mealie meal
Opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has insisted that Zambia is currently facing a mealie meal shortage crisis even if Government keeps denying it.
Mr Hichilema says the mealie meal crisis is the complete responsibility of the Government for making no provisions to plan for this when they had the chance.
“When we talk about our colleagues in the PF running a chipantepante type of Government taking our people for granted and risking our lives for their own benefit, it’s not out of hatred but simply because we care for our fellow Zambians and see the suffering across the country because of a lack of serious planning to make the appropriate provisions available,” Mr Hichilema said in a statement.
“We started sounding warnings bells as early as July 2015 that the country risked facing severe mealie meal shortages due to massive exports they embarked on, but as usual their response was to ridicule us and claim we were criticising their lack of planning and vision simply because we were bitter,” he said.
He added, “Yet, because our party leadership as well as our senior party members come from an agricultural background we knew the hole the PF were driving us into and we have our plan now to make sure this never happens again.”
Mr Hichilema said at the time the PF had no shame in telling lies inside Parliament that the nation had a bumper harvest and that exports were good business for farmers, despite the rules of the house being very clear that this is a punishable offence to lie on oath.
“But, because the PF feel protected by the system inside the Parliament to look after them, they have had no qualms about breaking any such laws. We have been consistent and clear with our message that we needed to take our national food consumption requirement levels seriously before embarking of massive exports like they did,” he said.
The UPND leader stated that his party was also very clear that even if the nation had excess maize grain for exports, Zambia would earn more if the country did value addition by selling finished products such as actual mealie meal, feedstock, and other by-products than raw grain, thereby created jobs in the value chain and distribution process.
“We were very clear that the chaotic PF agriculture and economic policies would lead to higher costs of fertilisers and other input costs which had the impact of strangling productivity to dangerously low levels. Yet, despite this crisis staring us in the face, rather than putting their attention into finding a solution for the problem, the PF spend their time criticising us for telling the truth and trying to convince the country that there are sufficient stock levels to deal with the crisis which you only have to look around our starving population to see is untrue.”
He said even President Edgar Lungu and some of his ministers have now started to realise the extent of the crisis and were later publicly contradicting each other by claiming they needed to import, which would not have been necessary if there had been proper leadership and planning in the first place.
“The PF has always tried to blame all the economic and social problems our country faces on anyone else apart from themselves, when it is no one else apart from themselves and their lack of vision and leadership which is responsible for these problems. They refuse to admit any of their own mistakes or take advice from people with the experience necessary to turn our country around,” he said.
Mr Hichilema said with the favourable climatic conditions and unused arable vast land in various parts of the country, Zambia should be one of Africa’s leading producers of maize and other agriculture produce and that Zambians should never be hungry and queuing for mealie meal currently at very high prices when available.
“We need a government with strong leadership, vision and experience to fix our country’s agricultural and other economic sectors because we as Zambians can no longer afford the chaotic alternative.”
FILE; Deputy Minister in the office of the vice President Davis Mwango gives a warning to parents who like marring off the doughter like Dainess Chulu a grade 9 pupil during the handover of the 4 school built in Chibombo District at Namayani Primary School
Lands, Natural Resources and Environment protection Deputy Minister Davies Mwango says government has simplified the land acquisition process for Zambians living in the Diaspora.
Mr. Mwango says the simplified process will enable Zambians who are living abroad to easily access land at home.
He says government is in the process of revising Land policy adding that government is currently receiving inputs from different stakeholders including government ministries.
Mr. Mwango was speaking on arrival at Bole International airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from Kinshasa Congo where he was attending a climate change meeting.
He adds that a Land task force was established to deal with challenges currently being faced in Land administration in the country.
Mr. Mwango has since encouraged Zambians in Diaspora to apply for Land back home in order to invest in the country
Meanwhile Ambassador Susan Sikaneta says the African Union is grateful to the Zambian government for the 10 acres plot land given for the construction of the new headquarters of the ECOSSOC Secretariat and another piece of land for the construction of the new COMESA headquarters in Lusaka.
She says this will be valuable use of land whose benefits will remain forever and add to the beauty of the city of Lusaka.
This is contained in a statement released to qfm by first secretary for press and tourism at the Zambian embassy in Ethiopia Naomi Chulu.
MMD Acting spokesperson Reuben Sambo
The opposition MMD has called on Zambians to ignore the statement that the MMD will support all MMD members who have applied to be adopted on the PF ticket for various positions.
MMD Acting Spokesperson Reverend Reuben Sambo says the party is not yet in an alliance with the PF saying talks are not yet concluded.
Reverend Sambo tells QTV News that the party is appealing to the general public to ignore a statement issued by Amos Nyirenda who he says is masquerading as MMD Provincial Secretary that the party will support MMD candidates who have applied on the PF ticket.
He says the former ruling party has not endorsed or supported anyone standing on any ticket and any such assertions are by devious individuals doing so in their individual capacities wishing further their own personal advantage in the selection process of aspiring candidates on various parties.
Reverend Sambo has since appealed to the media fraternity to observe that the current period is potentially volatile and are therefore urged to abide by professional ethics in order to help avoid confusion, political violence and possible litigation.
VICE-PRESIDENT Inonge Wina
VICE President Inonge Wina is tomorrow expected in Luapula Province on a four days working visit.
Ms. Wina is expected to touch down at Mansa Airstrip at around 09: 00 hours tomorrow morning to start her expedition of the province.
This is according to the programme made available to ZANIS in Nchelenge by the District Administration, today.
Ms. Wina will then connect direct to Chienge District where she is scheduled to officially commission the Chipungu Immigration border post office building after which she will hold a series of meetings between government and party officials.
The VEEP will then fly back to Nchelenge and will be met by senior party officials and heads of departments at the airstrip around 14: 00 hours.
Whilst in Nchelenge Ms. Wina will meet traditional leaders and public service workers at Saint Pauls’ Mission Hospital and commission the solar energized geysers given to the health facility by the government.
She will thereafter proceed and tour the New Kashikishi Market while her last task in Nchelenge will be a meeting with party officials that has been slated for Nchelenge Secondary School.
The programme says the VEEP is expected to have a night stop in Kawambwa tomorrow.
Ms. Wina on Tuesday will visit the Chishinga Farming Block before winding up her schedule in the area with a series of meetings with government and party officials.
The VEEP who is expected to visit all the eleven districts in the province is also expected to tour the newly built housing units and the ongoing construction of the office block in Mwansabombwe, the construction of the District Hospital as well as the Trades Training Institute in Mwense among other projects.
Zesco United coach George Lwandamina has hailed his side’s winning start to the FAZ Super Division title defence.
Zesco on Saturday launched their title defence with a 2-1 win over Power Dynamos in the big Copperbelt derby played at Arthur Davies Stadium.
In a post-match interview, Lwandamina described the win as important.
“It is a good step in the right direction. Our objective is to defend the title,” he said.
“It is important that we start the league with a win. But this is just a win,” Lwandamina said.
This was Zesco’s first game of the Super Division having missed the opening two rounds of the three-game-old campaign due to their 2016 Caf Champions League engagements in March.
Nkana coach Aggrey Chiyangi is urging his team to remain focused after winning their opening three matches of the 2016 FAZ Super Division season.
Nkana on Saturday continued to cause a storm and dominate after three rounds played in the Super Division season after coming from behind to flatten Mufulira Blackpool 3-1 in Kitwe.
“It was a very good and interesting game. Playing teams like Blackpool they will always come at you and they are motivated because every player wants to join Nkana,” Chiyangi said.
“We have to keep the focus. We don’t have to underrate any team going forward,” he said.
The Wusakile side had beaten Nkwazi (2-1) and Green Eagles (3-1) prior to overcoming promoted Blackpool at Arthur Davies Stadium.
Chiyangi added:”It feels very good to win three out of three games. Any coach would be very happy.”
Nkana are now preparing to host Kabwe Warriors in a Week 4 match on Wednesday.
Zanaco on Sunday eased past Nchanga Rangers with a 2-0 win to record their second straight victory in the 2016 FAZ Super Division campaign.
Forward Davy Daka scored for the Bankers before Nchanga defender Kamuzati Kabwe registered a classical own goal in this Week 3 match at Nchanga Stadium.
Daka gave Zanaco a 1-0 lead into the half time break after 42 minutes.
Nchanga’s attempts to equalise hit a snag in the 66th minute when veteran Kamuzati beat his own keeper Pascal Kasonde with a classic long range header.
Bruce Mwape’s Nchanga failed to replicate the display that saw them beat Power Dynamos 2-1 last week.
Meanwhile, this was Zanaco’s second game of the season having missed Week 2 matches due to CAF Confederation Cup engagement
President Edgar Lungu today joined congregants at Lubwa United Church of Zambia mission in worshiping God, with a call on the church to pray for the political leaders in the country. The President was accompanied at the service by first Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Muchinga provincial minister Mwimba Malama, cabinet ministers, senior government and party official.
Speaking after the homily, President Lungu implored the church to continue praying for the political leaders in the country. He explained that the devil has invaded the political area, hence his call to the church to pray for the nation. He encouraged the congregants to embracing the love of God in their hearts. Mr Lungu explained that Christianity is not about going to church or carrying the bible but living the life of Christy.
Meanwhile President Lungu has today declared Lubwa mission a national monument. Mr Lungu said he decided to declare Lubwa Mission as a national monument cause of the rich historical back ground the place holds. He further explained that many children will learn a lot about Zambia’s struggle for independence from the site when they visit the place. President Lungu said he will ensure that a Gazette notice is issued to formalize the declaration of Lubwa national monument.
The United Church of Zambia in Chinsali district of Muchinga province have commended government for continuing implementing developmental projects initiated by the late Republican President Michael Sata. Lubwa mission United Church of Zambia Reverend in charge Joseph Kabaso said the church was delighted with government for continuing with developmental projects started by Mr Sata.
Reverend Kabaso cited the construction of the Paul Mushindo university being constructed in honour of Reverend Mushindo as one of the projects initiated by President Sata. He said once the structure is completed it will up lift the face of Lubwa mission to its former glory. Reverend Kabaso also pointed out that the tarring of the Lubwa road once completed will open up the area for development.
Meanwhile the United Church of Zambia Lubwa mission says there is urgent need to rehabilitate the Lubwa clinic which is in a deplorable State. Reverend Kabaso disclosed that one block at the clinic has been closed because of the poor state of the infrastructure.
And Dr Kenneth Kaunda has thanked President Lungu for his humility in congregating with locals in Lubwa. He urged the President to continue his predecessor Mr Sata‘s zeal in developing Zambia. Dr Kaunda said it pleasing that the construction of the university is progressing well. He urged the people in Chinsali to work together with the President in developing the country.
Meanwhile President Lungu in accompany with the former president Dr Kenneth Kaunda visited the burial site Of Dr Kaunda’s parents at Lubwa.
And Nyampande Secondary School and Orphanage President John Mambo says President Lungu’s call on the Church to pray for political leaders in the country is long overdue.
Bishop Mambo in an interview in Lusaka today said President Lungu’s call on the church to pray for leaders is long overdue as that is what is expected.
The clergyman said it was the role of the church in the country to pray for political leaders so that God guides them in the running of the affairs of the country for the benefit of especially people at grassroots level.
He added that the church in the country should take the frontal role as a peace maker by continually praying for politicians
President Lungu and former President Dr Kenneth Kaunda visiting the Lubwa MissionPresident Lungu and former President Dr Kenneth Kaunda visiting the Lubwa MissionPresident Lungu in accompany with the former president Dr Kenneth Kaunda visited the burial site Of Dr Kaunda’s parents at Lubwa.President Lungu and former President Dr Kenneth Kaunda visiting the Lubwa Mission
A year ago during the 25th Annual World Economic Forum on Africa Summit in Cape Town South Africa, 80 young Africans were exclusively selected to have a seat at the big table alongside Africa’s Presidents and top business leaders. During this prestigious gathering, these 80 young Africans from the Global Shapers Community came together to co-author a book which symbolizes the transformative ability that collaboration amongst Africans can be achieved. Three Zambian Global shapers Mweshi Ngandu, Patience Chisanga and Sekai FundaFunda are among the 80 Young Africans that have Co-Authored the Book.
We are excited to inform you of the launching of our book, which was once an idea and has since manifested into the tangible, we believe that this is history in making. This project is the very first of its kind on the African continent, never before has there been a book co-authored by 80 young African leaders working and serving in different spheres from over 30 countries, not for profit but for the building of our continent. We believe that this book will not only command attention across the continent but most importantly, provoke the spirit of unity & of working together for the benefit of Africa’s current & future inhabitants.
During this gathering, we will not only be launching the book, but also the Africa80 foundation which will be spoken about in detail on the day. We are set on creating a networking platform for our attendees to identify partners for future collaboration beyond the launch event.
We have thus released a call for applications, inviting 100 other young African leaders outside of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community across the continent to apply and stand in line to be selected as a guest.
We, as the team leaders of this project invite you to partner with us for this historic event. Furthermore, we kindly request that you confirm (dis)interest on or before the 14th April 2016.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Details of Event
Date of Launch: 25th May, 2016 Theme: Transformation through Collaboration Place: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa (Precise venue will be announced closer to the launch) Time: 17:30 for 18:00CAT – 22:00CAT
Helium Prime Media is yet again proud to present a new hit single ’Soundtrack’ from one of its signed Artistes Eddie Black. Eddie Black has grown to be popular among the majority of the Zambian followers who are avid followers of the Hip Hop culture. The energy he exudes on the microphone and his ability to beautifully contort rhymes, punchlines and metaphors on tracks are some of his admirable qualities.
Soundtrack is a sweet love song where he is telling a girl that she is the beat to his heart and whenever she touches him, he does the ‘skelewu’.The catchy beats on this song are just crazy good accompanied with eloquent vocals from Badman Shapi, a member of Zambia’s biggest pop crew Urban Hype.
We here at Helium Prime hope you enjoy the jam as much as we have.
