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HH is scared of 50%+1 and Presidential Running Mate Clause-Sunday Chanda

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HH is scared of 50%+1 and Presidential Running Mate Clause-Sunday Chanda
Sunday Chanda
Sunday Chanda

HAKAINDE HICHILEMA SCARED OF 50+1 AND PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE – STATEMENT BY SUNDAY CHANDA, VICE CHAIRPERSON, PF MEDIA AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

We commend His Excellency President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu fulfilling a promise that has alluded Zambians from 24th October 1964 to do with a people-driven constitution. Zambians recall that Constitution Review Commissions came and went but they never crystallized into law. This is a promise President Lungu is steadily fulfilling.

Zambians can trust that President Lungu means well on the Constitution and they will not be making a mistake in trusting him on the Bill of Rights and the Referendum alongside the 2016 General Elections.

In this regard, it is befitting to commend Her Honour the Vice President Madam Inonge Wina in her capacity as leader of Government business in the House for the commendable work she did. We also commend the Members of Parliament from both the Patriotic Front (PF) and the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) who debated all night long into today, clause by clause the constitution amendment bill number 17 of 2015 before passing the bill with amendments. That is dedication to national duty.

Zambians must be wondering why the United Party for National Development (UPND) its Members of Parliament (MPs) to vote against the Constitution Amendment Bill of 2015. The reason is that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema knows the 50+1 clause will disadvantage any leader like him who leads a political regional sect. Further, the tribal factor in the UPND will not allow either of Mr. Hichilema’s two Deputy Presidents to be a running mate.

This is because they would never allow UPND to be led by any other person but a Southerner. Mr. Hichilema may not admit it but he is scared of his two deputy Presidents for the running mate. Zambians also look forward to the day when Mazabuka UPND MP Garry Nkombo will be eat a humble pie over his remarks that Tongas will change Government next year because in his wisdom he pitched one tribal grouping against the rest in an election that must be won by 50+1.

It will be interesting to watch Mr. Hichilema’s desperation in the days that lie ahead considering that even on other fronts, he has exhibited very poor judgement. He has taken to using the global commodity decline and slump as a blunt political instrument to criticize President Lungu despite his efforts to act and save jobs. Mr. Hichilema did not know that the miners he went to tell lies on the Copperbelt Province where more intelligent than he is.

He prescribed Anglo American as the Saviour for the Copperbelt and Mines in general because Glencore retrenched 4000 workers but his medicine, Anglo American plc, the world’s 5th largest mining company has taken harsh measures that will 85,000 workers lose their jobs instantaneously. We shudder to imagine Mr. Hichilema’s judgment had this happened on his “watch” because this could have meant retrenching everyone on the Copperbelt. Indeed it is by God’s providence that some people will never become Presidents.

There is No rift between Me and Nevers Mumba, says Mutati

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There is No rift between Me and Nevers Mumba, says Mutati

mutati-nevers

THERE is no rift between me and MMD president Nevers Mumba, says MMD Lunte Member of Parliament, Felix Mutati.

He said the MMD needed to remain united, adding that at the moment there was no vacancy in the office of the MMD party presidency.

“At the moment there is no vacancy for president in the MMD. Dr. Mumba is still our duly elected president,” he said.

He said there was no need for any fighting between himself and Dr. Mumba and instead all MMD members should fight to strengthen the former ruling party ahead of next year’s elections.

“What we should fight for is the rebuilding of the party which we all love so much. What members should understand is that there are no Mutati or Nevers people in the MMD but MMD family members,” Mr. Mutati said.

He said there was no need to allow for another fragmentation which the party endured during the January 20 Presidential elections.

Mr Mutati warned that any attempt by party leaders and members to fragment the former ruling party would break the party ahead of the Presidential and parliamentary elections next year.

“The fragmentation in the party will break the MMD and therefore dilute its relevance in the political landscape of the nation,” he said.

Mr Mutati said as guided by the ideals and values that underpin the democratic dispensation of the MMD, the issue of the convention would be dealt with by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

He explained that the MMD was a party of rules and the issues of holding of the convention would be dealt with by the NEC at an opportune time in accordance with rules and regulations of the party constitution.

Mr. Mutati said the culture of addressing party issues in the media should not be permitted and that the party should sort them out on their own.

“As MMD we must not permit the culture of addressing our internal challenges through the media. Regardless of the difficulties and disappointments we may have, we need to resolve these issues in our traditional manner, which is a family way,” he said.

Mr. Mutati appealed to the general membership to take note that he would be issuing statements on matters of the party when necessary and would continue to support the party.

“For the sake of decency and order I would like to tell party members that I will be issuing statements on matters relating to the party when appropriate,” he said.

Debate on Article 116: Appointment of Ministers Outside Parliament

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Debate on Article 116: Appointment of Ministers Outside Parliament

Return all Post property and records, High Court orders ZRA

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Return all Post property and records, High Court orders ZRA

ZRA
The Lusaka High Court has ordered the Zambia Revenue Authority to return all property and records it seized from the Post in Thursday raid.

This is contained in an order issued by Hon Mr Justice Sikazwe in Lusaka on hearing from the Post’s counsel from Nchinto & Nchito and Fynold Mufwaafwi.

The order also stops the ZRA levying any distress before the court case on the matter is disposed off in the Supreme Court.

ZRA officers on Thursday again raided Post Newspapers Limited searching for concealed tax evasion information.

But Post Newspapers general manager-finance Rowena Zulu said it was clear that the authority was not looking for any tax evasion documents, but was trying to stop the newspaper from publishing.

HH stinks of Corruption-Bowman Lusambo

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HH stinks of Corruption-Bowman Lusambo

 

Lusambo
Lusambo

HH STINKS OF CORRUPTION

On Wednesday, December 9th 2015, Zambia joined the rest of the global community in commemorating the International Anti Corruption Day.

His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu attended the commemoration in Lusaka and made some bold statements reaffirming his administration’s resolve to fight corruption.

President Lungu emphasised that his administration will not shield any public officials found to be corrupt. He also pledged his administration’s commitment to the full independence and autonomy of governance institutions such as the Anti Corruption Commission.

It was therefore shocking that leader of the UPND Hakainde Hichilema elected to downplay the significance of President Lungu’s statements on this occasion by alleging that the PF administration is not fighting corruption.
In his usual bitter outburst, Mr Hichilema deliberately decided to ignore President Lungu’s timely reminder that his administration will not spare anyone found engaging in corruption.

As much as we wish to respect Mr Hichilema’s freedom of speech, we feel his unwarranted attacks on President Lungu cannot go without comment.

As MMD youths, we find Mr Hichilema’s statements questioning President Lungu’s resolve to fighting corruption as the highest levels of hypocrisy.

Everybody who knows Mr Hichilema knows that he stinks of corruption. Everybody who has dealt with Mr Hichilema knows that the man never engages in straight forward deals.

His way of doing things is and has always been under cutting and making deals below the table.

It is our firm conviction that Mr Hichilema should be the last person to lecture anyone about fighting corruption.
We say this because this is the man who has on several occasions, publicly and privately failed to account for the source of his wealth.

Recently in an interview with Zach Chavula of Hot FM, Mr Hichilema again failed to give a detailed account of how he acquired his wealth.

On June 2 2015, Mr Hichilema again failed to explain how he became wealth when appeared on Question Time programme on SABC.

As MMD youths, we know why Mr Hichilema fails to give satisfactory answers each time he is asked about his source of wealth.

He fails to account for his wealth because it was obtained fraudulently.

Mr Hichilema personally and illegally benefitted from the plunder of our national resources using the privatisation process as a conduit.

Him and his associates looted public resources by undervaluing state assets and selling them to their friends and receiving kick backs.

In the case of Sun International Hotels, Mr Hichilema who was the lead negotiator in the privatisation of the hotel deliberately undervalued the asset and went ahead to recommend that it is sold to his friends.

Mr Hichilema later on became a minority shareholder in the hotel and served as Board Chairman.

If this does not amount to fraudulent and immoral dealings, let we would like to ask Mr Hichilema to kindly provide a new meaning for this word.

For the purposes of emphasis, we again ask Mr Hichilema to answer the following easy questions.

1. How much was the true value of Luanshya Copper Mines?
2. How much did Zambia treasury raise from the privatisation of the entire mine assets?
3. How much did he personally benefit from this particular transaction?
4. Why did he go ahead and acquire shares in Sun Hotels, the same company he recommended for the sale of the property?
5. How much did he personally pocket from this particular transaction?
6. What moral authority does he have to question President Lungu’s fight against corruption when his fingers are dripping with corruption?

Since Mr Hichilema has failed to account for his wealth, we make a clarion call on all Zambians to yet again reject his desperate bid to become Republican President in 2016.

He has proven that he is not trustworthy. He is a greed man whose main focus is growing his business empire. Zambians should reject Mr Hichilema’s ambitions of turning Zambia into an extension of his ranching business.

Issued by: Bowman C. Lusambo
MMD Vice President-Aspirant
MMD National Youth Secretary

UPND takes Government to court over the party mobilisation program

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UPND takes Government to court over the party mobilisation program

Supreme Court Dark

The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has taken a court action against government for allegedly continuing denying them their constitutional right of mobilizing the party across the country.

UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka has told QFM News in a statement that the police have so far refused the party leadership across the country permits to hold meetings using the Public Order Act and citing flimsy grounds such as security concerns when there are none.

Mr. Katuka is hopeful that the courts of law will expeditiously make judgment, order, decision or other proceeding in respect of which relief is sought.

He says his party has submitted specific cases where the notifications for meetings have been denied and now seeking relief that a declaration be made that the decision of the police officers in cases cited be made illegal as they are ‘ultra vires’ to section 5 of the Public Order Act, Chapter 113 of the Laws of Zambia and are therefore null and void ab initio.

He adds that the party is further contending that the decision by the Zambia Police to stop them from holding branch verification and monitoring meetings was ‘ultra vires’ Articles 20 and 21 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, as well as Section 5 of the Public Order Act, Chapter 113 of the Laws of Zambia.

The UPND Chief Executive Officer says the decision of the Police has adversely affected interests of the political party as it has been denied a chance to mobilise its members, which is a core function of any political party.

Enacted Constitution has excluded women, youths and other marginalized groups-Nawakwi

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Enacted Constitution has excluded women, youths and other marginalized groups-Nawakwi
Headman Mulando laments to FDD President Edith Nawakwi that his subjects have no idea on how to use the E- Voucher system.
Headman Mulando laments to FDD President Edith Nawakwi that his subjects have no idea on how to use the E- Voucher system.

FDD President Edith Nawakwi says the PF has embarrassed and betrayed everyone who wanted to give them a chance to enact the constitution using their method as they did nothing but hoodwink people so that they could use the arrogance of numbers in Parliament to exclude women, youths and other marginalized groups in our society from going to Parliament.

Commenting on the throwing out of the mixed member proportional representation clause in the draft constitution by Parliament, Ms Nawakwi said the move by MPs to shelve the clause was retrogressive as it excluded the most important and productive members of the society especially the youths.

She noted that it was extremely sad that hardly two days after the adoption of the Gender Equality Bill, Parliament has decided to shelve the proposal from the people whose objective was to increase the number of women representation in Parliament among other marginalised groups.

“They have embarrassed and betrayed everyone who gave them a chance to adopt the Draft Constitution using their proposed parliamentary route. I am one of those who said if they have no money let’s see what they can do with their formula but they went out to hoodwink people and use the arrogance of numbers to exclude women and youths from participating in the governance of the country through representation in Parliament.

“It is extremely sad that after Parliament adopted the Gender Equality Bill hardly two days later they have decided to shelve the proposal from the people on proportional representation whose objective was to increase the number of half of the population who have been excluded from the governance of the country and those are specifically the mothers of Zambia and the youths of this country,” she said.

“If you look at Parliaments where there are more women and youths in places like Tanzania, Rwanda or South Africa it has been by way of affirmative action through careful and deliberate legislation. Yet our men in that parliament have decided yet again to inhibit rather than enhance the representation of women in Parliament. This development makes a sad reading. If the PF are serious with reducing their excessive and wasteful public expenditure then let them scrap off the position of Deputy Minister and the position of District Commissioner and reduce the number of Ministers.” she noted.

“In fact money will not be available as long as women continue to be excluded in governing this country. One would have thought that a variation would have been provided for where political parties are compelled by legislation to provide a checkered list for election to the office of the Councillor and of Member of parliament. This checkered list would be that out of the 150 Candidates it is expected that every political party must attempt to find female candidates for each male candidate and this is not tokenism but the reality that the first past the post system excludes extremely productive and useful members of our society especially the women and the youths.The youths don’t have money to flush around and buy chibuku, chitenge T-shirts for voters, the women don’t have money to buy votes in the field so we should as a people provide some form of decent representation of these members of our communities who are systematically excluded.”

“I think that what has happened is a clear indictment on what we have been talking about both as the grand coalition and as a political party that the PF is up to no good because these are some of the issues we could have discussed. When we were asking to discuss the constitution we wanted to discuss issues of their concern and issues of our concern. We could have have come to an arrangement were we say OK we can pass this legislation in this seating of parliament and let the implementation pend to a time when we have money, maybe after two or three sessions.

The legislation can be passed but its implementation can wait because there are a number of clauses in the Constitution which always from time to time require subsidiary legislation to be implemented. If PF was truly of good will they could have passed the law and pleaded with the house to defer its implementation, that is were you see if they are your friends and are acting in good faith.

The country is bankrupt which we agree but who bankrupted it? It is the same PF. You can’t buy satellite phones and pretend that creating 30 seats for women in the house is expensive. It is more expensive to continue to exclude mothers from that house because when you go to UTH it is mothers who are sleeping on the flow. When you go in the field it is the mothers who don’t have seed to plant. When you look at the children who are excluded from education it is the mothers sitted on the roadside selling tomatoes, busala and chikanda who have to hustle to feed them. To continue to exclude them from decision making I think is the death nail on the future and development of our country.

I personally, as a female politician in this country was looking forward to some form of arrangment were it becomes easier for my sisters to go to Parliament.”

Ms. Nawakwi also said the constitution making process will need to be revisited as the PF have removed some of the most important clauses in the draft constitution hence the Draft does not represent the people’s wishes.

CAF announces draws for Zesco United and Zanaco

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CAF announces draws for Zesco United and Zanaco
CAF
CAF

Zesco United are set to be the first Zambian club to make a continental football trip to South Sudan next season.

The FAZ Super Division champions will face a yet to be known South Sudan team in the preliminary round of the 2016 CAF Champions League.

Zesco will be home on in the first leg on February 13 before traveling to Juba during the weekend of February 27-28

Winner will face AS Douanes of Senegal or Guinea giants Horoya AC at home on March 13 and away March 19-20.

Victor from that first round tie will play either Coton Sport of Cameroon who await preliminary round result between Racing Club Bobo of Burkina Faso and Stade Malien of Mali for a place in the group stage.

Meanwhile, in the Confederation Cup, Zanaco enjoy a preliminary round bye and will enter the fry in March.

Zanaco await the winner of the first round tie between Harare City of Zimbabwe and AS Adema of Madagascar.

Esperance are their likely opponent in the second round who await Chad’s representative or New Stars de Douala of Cameroon.

PF mourns passing away of UPND’s Deputy secretary general -Kuchunga Simusamba

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PF mourns passing away of UPND’s Deputy secretary general -Kuchunga Simusamba
Kuchuunga Simusamba
Kuchuunga Simusamba

PF deputy secretary general has expressed sadness on behalf of the Patriotic Front at the passing of Mr.Kuchunga Simusamba.She said despite holdning different political views it was an undeniable fact was that Mr.Simusamba gave the best as a citizen to the country he loved.

Below is the full press statement

Lusaka, Zambia, 11th December 2015 – On behalf of the Patriotic Front (PF) leadership and the general membership, I wish to express the sadness we share with firstly the Simusamba Family which feels the greatest pain of this loss than any of us.

It is also befitting that on behalf of PF, I pass our deepest condolences to the United Party for National Development (UPND) on the loss of a dedicated comrade and fellow citizen. While the late Kuchunga Simusamba lived we could have held different political views but one undeniable fact is that he gave the best as a Citizen to a country he so loved.

The political arena will surely miss his critical voice on many national matters. As we mourn our departed Comrade Simusamba, I would urge that put aside our political differences and give him a well-deserved send off. May his Departed Soul Rest in Peace.

Issued by:

Mrs. Mumbi Phiri
PF Deputy Secretary General
Lusaka, Zambia

Munthali named Power Dynamos best player

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Munthali named Power Dynamos best player

Chipolopolo defender Christopher Munthali was on Friday night named 2015 Power Dynamos Football Club Player of the Year at a gala and awards night held at Arthur Davies Stadium.

Munthali featured in 32 matches for Power this year and scored some crucial goals for the Kitwe giants.

Defender Govenda Simwala bagged the Most Disciplined and the Player’s Player awards.

Wing back Lawrence Chungu won the Most Consistent Player having featured in 33 matches for the club in 2015.

Striker Martin Phiri won the Chairman’s Most Improved Player award.

Power finished third in the ended FAZ Super Division season.

UPND Deputy Secretary General Kuchunga Simusamba has died

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UPND Deputy Secretary General Kuchunga Simusamba has died
FILE: UPND deputy secretary general Kuchunga Simusamba protesting against the Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda outside the Supreme Court
FILE: UPND deputy secretary general Kuchunga Simusamba protesting against the Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda outside the Supreme Court

Kuchunga Simusamba, aged 44 who served as UPND deputy Secretary General, died yesterday evening at UTH where he was admitted for a heart condition.

He was hospitalized for some time and on Wednesday police officers almost prevented UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema from visiting him at the hospital.

Simusamba will be remembered as one of the brilliant minds in the opposition. He was an avid and prolific speaker and also a brilliant chess player. Kuchunga Simusamba was the winner of the 2014 Golden Jubilee Veterans Chess Gala.

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema posted the following statement to announce the top official’s death

My fellow citizens, it’s with grief and sorrow that I announce the passing of Edwin Kuchunga Simusamba, our Deputy Secretary General until his death.

This is a tragedy colleagues because Simusamba was one of our prolific politicians in UPND. He was fearless and very intelligent. He was a strategist that will be missed by us all.

We have been left in awe again, as you recall we lost Mr Chibwe a few months ago and now Simusamba.

To his family, we pass our heartfelt condolences and wish them God’s grace as they go through this difficult time. We are feeling helpless at this moment, but knowing that God is with us during this trying time, is comfort enough to face what is coming ahead.

Go well comrade, till we meet again. May Your Soul Rest In Peace.

Traditional Leaders in Southern Province have welcomed me with open arms-Chama

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Traditional Leaders in Southern Province have welcomed me with open arms-Chama

Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Chama
Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Chama

PATRIOTIC Front secretary-general Davies Chama says traditional leaders in Southern Province have welcomed him with open arms, an indication that there is no rift between him and them.

Mr Chama also said he did not insult the people of Southern Province because it is not his nature to insult people, and that if he had, the traditional leaders would not have welcomed him.

In an interview with journalists here yesterday, he said Chieftainess Choongo and Chief Sinazongwe welcomed him like their own child and he had a cordial conversation with them.

The PF secretary-general is on a tour of Southern Province and is accompanied by party officials Paul Moonga, Syacheye Madyenkuku and provincial chairperson Charles Hamududu.

“I had an opportunity to see my mother Her Royal Highness Chieftainess Choongo and we had a good chat. She gave me words of encouragement and motherly talk. This was humbling to me and my entourage. I also met His Royal Highness Chief Sinazongwe and we had a very good chat; a fatherly chat and I was amazed,” Mr Chama said.

He said the reception accorded to him by the two traditional leaders was amazing and indicated that there was no rift between him and Southern Province chiefs.

Mr Chama said some sections of the media sensationalised and misrepresented his statement resulting in a misunderstanding that he had insulted the people of Southern Province.

“I never insulted the people of Southern Province because it is never my nature to insult. I have never insulted anyone in my life and why should I start today?” he said.

Efforts to get comments from chiefs Choongo and Sinazongwe proved futile by press time, but chiefs Singani and Chipepo said Mr Chama is welcome to the province because he is on a mission to explain party policies.

In separate interviews, the two traditional leaders yesterday said people should not hold grudges but learn to forgive because Zambia is a Christian nation.

Meanwhile, Mr Chama has urged Zambians to continue supporting President Lungu’s development agenda because it is meant to benefit the whole country.

Mr Chama said during a meeting with party officials here on Thursday that President Lungu is a hardworking and visionary leader who needs the support of everyone to develop the country.

“President Lungu wants us to reconcile and unite so that we develop the country. Regardless of our tribe, religious or political affiliation, it is President Lungu’s wish that all Zambians are united and work as one,” he said.

Mr Chama said President Lungu has a vision for Zambia and that citizens should support his development drive.

He said a better Zambia will only be achieved through love, forgiveness, unity and support for one another.

The PF secretary general further said President Lungu ascended to the office of President because God anointed him to be the head of State.

“God’s time is the best, and there is no need to fight or antagonise one another. These are politics but everything must be left in God’s hands for he is the only one who knows who will be the President at what time and when,” he said.

Mr Chama said President Lungu is a strong and most hardworking head of State Zambia has ever produced, but if he is not supported, his works will not be appreciated.

He said Zambia under President Lungu has started seeing transformation in many sectors such as health, roads, education and agriculture.

Mr Chama urged party officials in Choma to work hard and produce members of Parliament (MP) and councillors during the 2016 general elections.

He urged party officials to welcome and embrace former Rainbow Party provincial chairperson Simalonga Siachona and other opposition members who have rejoined the ruling party.

Mr Chama also said he is impressed with the organisation, growth and stability of the party in the province.

Mr Madyenkuku said it is possible to produce MPs in Choma if the party works hard.

At the same meeting, party officials and ordinary members pledged to buy 63 bicycles for mobilisation aimed at winning the 2016 general elections.

Bishop Joshua Banda to head Advisory Board for House of Prayer construction

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Bishop Joshua Banda to head Advisory Board for House of Prayer construction
Northmead Assembly of God Church Bishop Joshua Banda
Northmead Assembly of God Church Bishop Joshua Banda

Bishop Joshua Banda of the Northmead Assemblies of God has been appointed Chairperson of the Advisory Board spearheading the Construction of the National House of Prayer.

Dr Banda will be deputized by Reverend Pukuta Mwanza, the Executive Director of the Evangelical Fellowship in Zambia while Brigadier General Bishop Vinicent Mwenya from the Defence Forces will be the Secretary and member of the Executive.

The appointments were made during the first meeting of the Advisory Board which was held on 8 th December 2015.

This is according to a statement made available to ZNBC News in Lusaka by Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska.

Zambia still attracting FDIs despite misguided views by HH-President Lungu

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Zambia still attracting FDIs despite misguided views by HH-President Lungu
President Lungu in Masaiti
President Lungu in Masaiti

PRESIDENT Lungu says Zambia still remains an attractive investment destination despite some misguided sentiments by some people to discourage foreign direct investment (FDI).

Mr Lungu is happy that investors are unperturbed by what detractors are peddling.

He was speaking when he commissioned the US$70 million quicklime and limestone quarry plant by Handyman’s Paradise in Masaiti district yesterday.

About 500 jobs were created during construction phase, with another 200 expected to be created during production phase.

“My administration is happy to witness this timely investment worth US$70 million. This plant will create new jobs and enhance competition that will help bring down cement prices in the country.

“If the investment environment was poor as someone alleged at a conference in London, there is no way investors would be putting more money in our economy,” he said.

Mr Lungu said times are hard, particularly on the Copperbelt, but people believe in Government’s ability to rise to the challenge.

“If the investment environment was poor as someone alleged at a conference in London, there is no way investors would be putting more money in our economy,” he said.

He told people on the Copperbelt that Government would not let them down.
Mr Lungu said the project integrates well with Government’s vision of transforming the industrial sector, with the aim of creating more than one million jobs in five years.

He also commended the two foreign development banks, DEG and FMO from Germany and Netherlands, respectively, for pumping US$30 million into the project, saying this demonstrated investors’ confidence in the local economy.

He, however, urged local commercial banks to participate in lending to the private sector as it is an engine for economic growth.

The President assured the nation that Government is committed to maintaining a liberalised economy, where economic players are free to do business within the confines of the law.

He also extended an invitation to entrepreneurs in Zambia and across the globe to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities existing in the country.

Earlier, company founder Michael Pasquini thanked Government and the community in Masaiti for the support rendered to the project.

And senior chief Chiwala of the Lamba people assured the firm of continued support after the massive investment put up in the area.

And President Lungu promised that Government would accelerate the construction of the Chiwala road, which is an economic hub of Ndola.

Chiwala road, which borders Ndola and Masaiti districts, leads to Ndola Lime Company, Lafarge Zambia, Zambezi Portland Cement, Neelkanth Lime Company, Dangote Cement Industries and now Handyman’s Lime and Astro Quarries plant.

The President made the assurance when he paid a courtesy call on senior chief Chiwala at his palace in Masaiti district, saying the road is part of the Link Zambia 8000 project.

“It is part of Zambia’s bigger road network project,” he said.

President Lungu commends Parliament on Constitutional bill vote

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President Lungu commends Parliament on Constitutional bill vote
President Edgar Lungu held meeting with An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Tsidi Tsikata who is division chief African department in Washingston at State house. Picture By Eddie Mwanaleza/State house.20-11-2015.
President Edgar Lungu

PRESIDENT Lungu has commended National Assembly for voting for the Constitution of Zambia bills, saying the constitution is an important document that should have national consensus.

President Lungu has also promised that should there be sufficient consensus for progression on the Bill of Rights, he will call for a referendum.

Special assistant to the President for press and public relations Amos Chanda told journalists at the Presidential guesthouse in Kitwe yesterday that President Lungu applauded Parliament for the vote because the constitution is an important document which should be driven by national consensus.

“The President wishes to place on record that the constitution is an extremely important document upon, which the country is governed and in recognition of that, the President continues to assure the promises he has been making regarding giving the Zambian people a people-driven constitution,” he said.

“The President had promised that the people of Zambia would get what they want.”

Of significant note in the constitution, he said, was the passing of the majoritarian principle of the 50 percent-plus-one winning threshold for the winning presidential candidate, the running-mate clause, which he said would create stability and also assure continuity in the event one President does not continue.

Mr Chanda said President Lungu continues to promise and assure the nation that when there is sufficient and progressive consensus on the Bill of Rights, he will deliver a referendum because that part of the constitution cannot change without a referendum.

“So the President wishes to congratulate the members, [including] those who voted against, that parliament has passed a constitution therefore the President wishes to congratulate the National Assembly for this remarkable development that has happened, it will ensure stability and unity of the nation,” he said.

And Local Government Minister Stephen Kampyongo has said that the PF government has finally honored its promise of delivering a people driven constitution to the masses.

Mr. Kampyongo said that the adoption of clauses such as the 50 plus 1 percent clause, running mate and dual citizenship is critical for the country’s good governance.

He has told ZNBC News that while the process faced a lot of challenges including doubts and suspicions on government and the President, the PF remained steadfast and engaged MPs from the opposition MMD and some from UPND as it does not meet the two-thirds majority votes required.

Mr. Kampyongo thanked the MMD MPs and leadership for having looked at the document beyond partisan lines.

He also thanked the opposition UPND for having stayed throughout the night from 14hrs yesterday to almost 10hrs today when parliament adjourned.

The Minister said that while the UPND was not in favour, their participation throughout the night is also a sign of being a part of the process.

And MMD National Secretary Mwansa Mbulakulima said that his party is not ashamed to have supported the move taken by parliament contrary to what some people may think.

Mr Mbulakulima said that the MMD has been consistent on the constitution making process.

He said the adoption of the 50 plus 1 percent clause will bring a totally different landscape to politics in the country.

Meanwhile, a Lusaka Clergyman Jevan Kamanga has hailed government for supporting the constitution making process to its logical conclusion.

Reverend Kamanga has also thanked MMD parliamentarians for supporting the process in Parliament.

He has appealed to citizens to remain calm as they await Presidential assent.

Parliament has since adjourned sine die.

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