Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
VICE President Inonge Wina shakes hands with a 6 year old Emmanuel Mfula after receiving flowers from at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone on Wednesday. The Vice President was in Livingstone to officiate at African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) governing council meeting
Vice President Inonge Wina has urged contractors working on public infrastructure projects to do their job with a sense of urgency so that the needy communities can start benefiting.
Speaking when she commissioned Menga Health Post in Luwingu today, Mrs. Wina said government is constructing the 650 health post in hard to reach places to ensure people get free primary health care services.
ZNBC’s Gershom Musonda reports that the Vice President praised Angelica Construction company for the timely completion of Menga Health Post at a cost of 73 thousand US Dollars, a facility that will serve over 7-thousand local people.
Luwingu has been allocated nine new health posts of which 5 have been completed.
Northern Province has been allocated 69 health posts, with 40 having been completed and 10 nearing completion.
And the Vice President says upgrading of health facilities will continue, while distribution of essential drugs is being streamlined through the introduction of medical hubs serving health centres.
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde, provincial minister FREEDOM SIKAZWE, Deputy Minister in the Vice President’s Office BWALYA CHUNGU, other government officials attended the event.
SPECIAL Assistant to the President for Project implementation Luck Mulusa
State House Special Assistant for projects Monitoring and Implementation Lucky Mulusa says Southern province has more developmental projects taking place compared to other provinces in the country.
Speaking when he addressed government heads in Choma, Mr Mulusa said Southern province was leading other provinces in various infrastructure developments being spearheaded by the government.
He stressed that Southern province is the most advanced rural province in infrastructure development.
However, Mr Mulusa expressed concern with the slow pace at which some development projects are being executed in the province.
And speaking earlier at the meeting Southern Province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba implored government to intervene in the delayed opening of a modern market and international bus station in Livingstone.
Mr Simuchoba said the opening of the two facilities will greatly benefit the people of Livingstone and the country as a whole.
Mopani Smelter in Mufulira
Mopani Coppers mines is to create more than four thousand jobs once the sinking of three shafts at a cost of one point one billion United States dollars are completed.
Meanwhile, Mopani Chief Executive Officer Johan Jensen says the mining firm has designed the WAY strategy to enhance efficiency and profitability.
ZNBC’s Musenge Mulimba reports that the one point one billion United States dollars shafts are being built in Kitwe at Mindola, Synclinorium and Mufulira deep.
Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says the one point one billion united states dollars project is a clear demonstration of the confidence that Glencore has in the Zambian economy under the leadership of president Edgar Lungu.
Mr. Kambwili was speaking in Kitwe during the launch of the Mopani way industrial theatre presentation at the little theater.
And Mopani has invested about seventy thousand US Dollars in renovating the Kitwe little theatre.
Mr. Kambwili urged all stakeholders mainly the employees, union leaders and contractors to support Mopani Copper mines.
Meanwhile, Mopani Copper Mine Chief Executive Officer Johan Jensen said the Mopani Ways is the strategy the company intends to employ to overcome the current challenges being faced.
Chief Government Spokesman Chishimba KambwiliCHIEF Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says Mopani Copper Mine’s decision to invest US$1.1 billion into expansion projects in Zambia is a sign that not all is lost for the mining industry.
Speaking to journalists after he toured the synclinorium shaft and Mindola deep projects in Kitwe yesterday, Mr Kambwili said MCM would not have invested colossal sums of money into the Zambian economy if they had no confidence in it.
“As Government, we are excited and we want to thank MCM for injecting so much money into our economy. This simply shows that Government has provided an enabling environment for the private sector to flourish and on our part as Government, we will give you all the support because we have seen that you mean well,” Mr Kambwili said.
He said opposition political party leaders busy telling people that investors have lost confidence in the Zambian economy should think again because the massive investments by MCM, for example, are a sign of confidence.
Mr Kambwili said all hope is not lost for the mining sector and that with expansion projects such as the ones MCM had embarked on, he is confident that most, if not all, of the retrenched miners may be recalled for work once the new projects begin producing at full capacity.
“Some people think the future is bleak but I have every hope that things will get better. MCM has taken time to inject in a lot of money into expansion projects despite the low copper prices and this is how it should be. Mining companies should be forward-looking,” he said.
Mr Kambwili urged other mining companies to emulate MCM by investing into the future.
He said copper mining is important to Zambia’s economy as evidenced by Cabinet’s approval of a sliding mineral royalty tax that would be based on prevailing copper prices.
Mr Kambwili hopes mining companies will reciprocate Government’s approval of a sliding mineral royalty tax by avoiding retrenchments in times of low copper prices.
MCM chief productivity and efficiency officer Barry Hodgkinson said the expanded shafts will enable deeper mining at an efficient cost.
He said the mining company had invested a lot into technology, especially at their training centre in Mufulira, to allow students to learn practical mining skills without necessarily going underground.
Mr Hodgkinson said 3D technology is being used.
Mine manager in charge of the South Ore Body, synclinorium shaft and open pit Jonathan Sikana said the synclinorium shaft has been sunk to extend the life of the mine by another 25 years.
He said the project will be handed over by the end of the year.
It is projected that at least four million tonnes of ore will be hoisted per annum at full production.
Newly built Mufulira’s Kantanshi constituency clinic
MINISTER of Information and Broadcasting Services Chishimba Kambwili says the Patriotic Front (PF) government has completed the construction of 34 hospitals country-wide since forming government in 2011
.
Mr Kambwili also said government has attracted K20 billion worth of investments and still remains attractive to investors, with Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) injecting K1.1 billion in the sinking of mining shafts.
Speaking at a rally in Masala in Ndola to celebrate President Lungu’s one year stay in power yesterday, Mr Kambwili said government has prioritised the construction of health facilities across the country.
“At the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, there are new structures aimed at extending the facility, the Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, we have expanded that hospital,” he said, also mentioning the Masaiti, Mkushi, Luangwa, Kalomo, Chiengi and Chavuma district hospitals as the other health institutions that have been built.
With this development, Mr Kambwili, who also doubles as chief government spokesman, said Zambians should vote for President Lungu to foster development in the nation.
He cautioned Zambians against voting for opposition political parties because doing so could discourage further investments.
“For continued development, it is Mr Lungu for he has shown his desire to develop the nation and has handled the transition of power from our late president Michael Sata very well,” Mr Kambwili said, adding that the PF still has an ambitious programme to improve power generation for the country.
At the same rally, Mr Kambwili welcomed 400 opposition UPND members who defected to the PF.
The defectors were led by provincial chairperson Victoria Chikamba.
Mr Kambwili urged PF members to embrace and welcome members from other political parties because politics is about numbers.
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde
MALARIA prevalence and deaths from the disease in Zambia have steadily decreased culminating in a massive 55 percent reduction in all cases of child mortality, Minister of Health Joseph Kasonde has said.
Dr Kasonde said the Ministry of Health has identified a stepwise approach to establishing malaria-free zones and progressively expanding these areas until the disease has been eliminated nationally.
“Zambia is committed to the ultimate goal of eliminating malaria transmission and ending the burden of the disease in the country once and for all of which an elimination strategy has been developed,” he said.
He was speaking at Isdell: Flowers Cross Border malaria initiative fourth annual round table meeting in Livingstone recently
Dr Kasonde said the elimination strategy goals aim to eliminate local malaria infection and disease in Zambia by 2020 and to maintain a malaria free-status and prevent its reintroduction.
He said at regional level, Zambia intends to eliminate malaria border areas with neighbouring countries namely Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
Dr Kasonde also said that his ministry would advocate a reduction in transmission within the bordering countries.
He, however, said the scores made so far indicate that good malaria case-management practices and the use of insecticide-treated nets are key to eradicating malaria.
Dr Kasonde added that indoor residual spraying, strong community engagement and robust surveillance system can have a positive impact in the quest for malaria incidence and eventual eradication.
Earlier, Isdell:Flowers Cross Border malaria initiative co-founder Neville Isdell said the global drive to eliminate malaria within the next few decades requires effective coordination and communication across borders.
FILE: President Edgar Lungu and his Vice President Inonge Wina at State House yesterday 02-02-2016.Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
PRESIDENT Lungu is today expected in North-Western Province for a two-day working visit.
According to a programme released to ZANIS by the provincial permanent secretary, Ephraim Mateyo, President Lungu is expected to visit Solwezi and Mwinilunga districts.
“In Solwezi, President Lungu is expected to attend a church service at the New Apostolic Church in Kyawama. In the afternoon, he will hold meetings with the council of elders, chiefs and party officials at Kansanshi Hotel,” Mr Mateyo said.
Mr Mateyo said President Lungu will in the evening officiate at a fundraising dinner organised by the United Church of Zambia at Kansanshi Hotel.
On Monday, the President will be in Mwinilunga for a ground-breaking ceremony of the Manyinga-Jimbe road construction works.
“While in Mwinilunga, the President will also inspect the connecting of the North-Western Province to the national grid before proceeding to the Kyawama livestock breeding centre.
President Lungu will end his tour on Monday after commissioning the solar at Kambanzhi in Solwezi,” he said.
President Edgar Lungu chats with Vice President Inonge Wina whilst PF Secretary General Davies Chama looks at the women Sensitization and Funderising Breakfast Programme at Intercontinetal Hotel in Lusaka
And Vice President Inonge Wina is today expected in Northern Province where she will tour some developmental projects.
Northern Province Permanent Secretary Hlobotha Nkunika who confirmed Mrs Wina’s visit to the Province said the vice president will be in Chilubi and Luwingu districts.
Mr Nkunika said while in Luwingu the Vice President will officially hand over Menga Health Post which is part of the 650 health posts government is constructing countrywide.
He said in Chilubi, Mrs Wina is expected to tour Kambashi Fish Farm which a Catholic Church-run project involving women in fish farming.
“…choose for yourselves this day whom will you serve…”
(Joshua 24:15, NIV)
Choose This Day
Everyday, we make thousands of choices. Some choices have more impact on our lives than others. Some require more thought. Some may even require the input of others. Making Jesus the Lord of your life is the best choice you could ever make! However, once you do, you have the opportunity each day to make choices that support that choice.
For example, are you choosing to serve the Lord with your attitude? Are you choosing to serve Him with your finances? Are you choosing to serve the Lord by what you say? What you watch on TV? What you listen to?
Today, take time to examine your thoughts and actions. Choose this day to honor Him in everything you do. As you submit your ways to Him, He promises to direct your steps and lead you in the abundant life here on earth and in eternity!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, today I choose You. Search my heart and mind and show me anything in my life that is displeasing to You. Help me to serve You with my whole heart, mind, will and emotions in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Nkana on Saturday reached the final of the inaugural Mafro Sports bankrolled four-club pre-season tournament after struggling to beat Lumwana Radiants 1-0 in Wusakile.
Singaporean kit manufacturer Mafro Sports is staging the two-day tournament at Nkana Stadium as a launch pad for its brand in Zambia.
In this second semi-final, Congolese forward Guily Manziba tapped in the lone goal from close range after 60 minutes as Nkana overcame a determined Lumwana side.
Aggrey Chiyangi’s Nkana will now face Forest Rangers in Sunday’s final at Nkana Stadium.
Forest advanced to the final after beating DR Congo side Don Bosco 1-0 in the 13h00 kick off match.
Experienced Fores striker Graven Chitalu scored the goal after 51 minutes.
Meanwhile, Don Bosco and Lumwana will clash in the third and fourth play-off at 13h00 before Nkana and Forest face off in the final two hours later.
Power Dynamos got sweet revenge over Zesco United on Saturday when they eliminated the defending champions 4-2 on post-match penalties from the 2016 Charity Shield semifinals played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Hero on the day was Power goalkeeper Joshua Titima who saved two post-match penalties after the match had ended 1-1 at fulltime.
This was Titima’s first competitive game back for Power after missing the second half of the 2015 season through injury and his place was taken by Alln Chibwe who joined them from Zanaco in July.
Titima denied Idriss Mbombo and Misheck Chaila in the shootout while Ben Banh was fortunate to slot-in his after it took a deflection off the Power goalkeeper.
Ayo Oluwafemi converted the other spot-kick for Zesco.
Power converted through Kelvin Mubanga, Govender Simwala, Julius Situmbeko and Francis Kasonde who beat Jacob Banda but Larry Bwalya skied his attempt.
However, it took until the 83rd minute for Power to force the match into penalties when Conlyde Luchanga equalized after Mbombo had given Zesco a 54st minute lead.
Power’s win came after they losing in their last three competitive games against Zesco in the 2015 season that began with a 3-1 defeat in last years Charity Shield final.
Power will face Green Buffaloes on March 5 in the final in Kitwe after the army side beat Zanaco 1-0 in the other semifinal thanks to a 4st minute goal by Friday Samu who headed in a Christopher Katongo corner.
President Lungu during the PF Women Fundraising Breakfast at InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka on Saturday, February 2016 -Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA
President Edgar Lungu says his running mate in the August 11th General Elections will be a woman.
President Lungu says men will have no chance to be his running mate if he is still president citing that even the constitution has principles talking about gender balance.
He has assured that he will not end what has been achieved so far in terms of appointing women to various leadership positions.
The head of state has since urged women to rise up now and make use of him as he stands ready to support them in the country.
President Lungu has also advised women to do away with the pull her down syndrome but encourage each other.
President Lungu said this when he officiated at the patriotic front women sensitization fundraising breakfast in Lusaka this morning.
And speaking earlier, Vice President Inonge Wina has urged women to use the opportunity that has been given to them by President Lungu to actualize their dreams of being present at the decision making table.
Ms. Wina however points out that the women cannot make decisions alone but need men around thus it is important that they work together equally.
And PF Chairperson for Elections Jean Kapata explained that the women sensitization programme is aimed at enticing women to contest the coming elections on the PF ticket.
She has further warned that women should watch out for the women in the coming elections as they are preparing themselves to take part at various levels.
President Lungu during the PF Women Fundraising Breakfast at InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka on Saturday, February 2016 -Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZAPresident Lungu with Vice-President Inonge Wina arrive during the PF Women Fundraising Breakfast at InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka on Saturday, February 2016 -Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZAPF Women Fundraising Breakfast at InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka on Saturday, February 2016 -Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZAPF Women Fundraising Breakfast at InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka on Saturday, February 2016 -Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZAPF Women Fundraising Breakfast at InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka on Saturday, February 2016 -Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZAPF Women Fundraising Breakfast at InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka on Saturday, February 2016 -Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA
VICE President Inonge Wina gives her speech during the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) governing council meeting at Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone on Wednesday. Listening are ARLAC Vice Chairperson Dr. Chris Ngige (l) and Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda.
THE clause demanding candidates aspiring for political office to possess a Grade 12 school certificate in the new Constitution, will not be taken to Parliament for amendment, Vice-President Inonge Wina has said.
Meanwhile, Ms Wina has said the country is financially prepared to host the August 11, general elections simultaneously with the Referendum on the Bill of Rights.
The Vice-President has also disclosed that the Government is spending on average, US$25 million per month on importing electricity from Mozambique.
Ms Wina said all the clauses in the new Constitution, which was signed by President Edgar Lungu in Lusaka last month, contained the aspirations of the Zambian people as such; any amendment would be against the wishes of the people.
She said this in Parliament yesterday during the Vice-President’s question time while responding to Sinda MMD Member of Parliament (MP) Levy Ngoma who asked if the Grade 12 clause was up for amendment.
“Mr Speaker; the people of Zambia requested for that clause to be included in the Constitution and the President Mr Lungu, assented to that Constitution on the basis of what the people of Zambia wanted.
“So the issue of bringing a motion to Parliament; I do not think from this side (the executive), we will do that,” Ms Wina said.
She said the country was financially prepared to hold the August 11 polls alongside the Referendum on the Bill of Rights.
Responding to a question from Ikeleng’i MMD MP Elijah Muchima on the country’s preparedness for the polls, Ms Wina said funding for the two events was allocated in the National Budget.
“Mr Speaker; holding elections every five years is a mandate that the Constitution of Zambia has given to Government and we are ready to hold the elections as Government.
“Yes, we have also engaged cooperating partners to support Zambia in this very serious endeavour, after all; we have to participate in elections because Zambia’s democratic credentials will be judged on how free and fair the elections will be held,” Ms Wina said.
The Vice-President also told the House that the Government was spending an average of $25 million monthly on electricity imports from Mozambique.
This, Ms Wina said, was to keep the country’s economy wheels on track in the wake of the energy deficit perpetuated by drought.
She was responding to Katuba United Party for National Development (UPND) MP Jonas Shakafuswa who wanted an outline of how the country was coping with the negative effects of the El-Nino weather pattern.
Nevers Mumba reading The Post newspaper
MMD President Nevers Mumba says part of the reason why Lunte Member of Parliament Felix Mutati was expelled from party borders on criminality.
Dr. Mumba says the National Executive Committee has enough evidence to prove that Mr. Mutati was behind recent clashes at the party secretariat which resulted in the damage to private property.
Asked whether the MMD will drag Mr. Mutati to court on the issues bordering on criminality given the available evidence, Dr. Mumba says the party is waiting for the Police to conclude its investigations on the matter.
And Dr. Mumba has described as disrespectful Mr. Mutati’s suggestion that the decision to expel him from the party is inconsequential.
He Mr. Mutati is exaggerating his importance to party if he thinks that he is more powerful than the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) which expelled him.
THE Kabushi Local Court has heard how a Ndola man, when drunk, urinates in pots in the kitchen.
The man’s wife, 34-year-old Catherine Chilufya complained that each time Joseph Chelo goes home drunk; he defecates in their cooking pots in the kitchen.
“This man loses his senses when he drinks alcohol. Instead of relieving himself in the toilet, he opts to use our pots in the kitchen to defecate and urinate because he can’t find his potty,” Chilufya said.
Presiding magistrate Serah Bwalya and senior local court magistrates Besa Mushibwe and Mildred Nammwizye also heard how Chelo stuffs his wife’s mouth with his dirty underwear when she is sleeping.
“In a drunken stupor, Chelo defecates and urinates in my pot in the kitchen because he failed to find his potty, then he pours his urine on me. Sometimes, he to stuffs his dirty underwear in my mouth hoping to suffocate me,” she said.
Chilufya of Kantolomba township was narrating in a case in which she sued Chelo for divorce after 11 years of marriage and three children.
“His behaviour is indicative of how much he does not respect me and wants me to die. I want a divorce,” Chilufya said.
She said Chelo’s behaviour took a turn for worse when he got his retirement package in 2009.
“He started drinking heavily and failed to provide for his family. The only thing he could buy was a bag of mealie, a bottle of cooking oil and a bag of charcoal,” she said.
But Chelo begged the court not to grant divorce because he stills loves his wife.
“Chilufya is just a talkative woman. She has misappropriated part of my pension package on pretext she wanted to buy roofing sheets for the house but never did,” he said.
The court granted divorce with no compensation but ordered the couple to sell the plot which they had acquired and share proceeds equally.
