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Deputy secretary to cabinet Ambassador Peter Kasanda
Government has advised Permanent Secretaries to adhere to President Edgar Lungu’s call for professionalism and embrace a transformational culture for a smart Zambia.
Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Ambassador Peter Kasanda says all Permanent Secretaries in the country should adhere to President Edgar Lungu’s call for them to be adaptive, innovative and determined to embrace a transformational culture for smart Zambia.
He said this is because Permanent Secretaries have a huge responsibility for providing leadership, managing resources and ensuring effective implementation of Government programmes.
There is need to embrace principles such as innovation and entrepreneurship, adopting a new paradigm to resolving the current and future challenges, promoting long term planning and creating smart budgeting that promote a whole-of-government approach to public service delivery among other issues, he said.
Ambassador Kasanda was speaking at the Leadership Seminar for Permanent Secretaries held at Protea Safari Hotel in Chisamba, today.
He further urged all participants to actively participate in sharing their various experiences during the workshop and remain committed during the two days programme.
And US Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz stated at the same event that such a leadership workshop is an important part of a smart economy and a smart bureaucracy.
He noted that the Zambia government can only be smarter and more efficient as President Lungu has called for if Secretaries realise the key role they play.
He challenged the participants to genuinely represent their institutional memory of the ministry, pass on lessons learnt to others.
He urged them to share success and good motives, keeping morale and productivity high.
Meanwhile, Director, Creative Development Laboratory and Former Chief of Staff in the Obama Administration Sean Carroll says leadership requires team work.
Mr. Carroll says it is good that government through President Lungu in his Parliamentary speech called on the nation to embrace a transformational culture for a smart Zambia.
Among other items discussed on communication skills for executives included Audience Analysis, content and, organisation delivery skills, one on one, meetings, informal conversations, visuals as well as question and answers.
Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Kiyoshi Koinuma with NCCL Varun Mahajan at the inauguration ceremony of the shipping of the coffee beans to Japan produced by Olam Limited today. The event was also attended by Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda
Government has called for popularisation of judo among other sports in the rural areas.
And Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Kiyoshi Koinuma pledged to support the Zambia Judo Association (ZJA) with material and other logistics through a new initiative dubbed ‘sports for Tomorrow’.
And ZJA president Alfred Foloko says three judokas namely Matthews Punza, Abigal Chindele and Boas Munyonga are currently representing Zambia at a high profile tournament in a named country.
Sports and Youth development minister Vincent Mwale says Judo is one such sport that need to be revived in the rural area as it is almost defunct in the areas.
The Minister said this in Lusaka today during the Japanese ambassador’s judo tournament held at Olympic Youth Development Centre.
This was in a speech ready for him by Chief Sports Development Officer, Gibson Muyaule.
He commended the Japanese government for the continued sponsorship towards judo which he described growing sport and could be an indispensable factor especially in children.
The minister said Zambia and Japan has continued to exchange cultural programmes through sport besides cementing the bilateral relations that exists between the two countries.
And Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Kiyoshi Koinuma pledged to support the Zambia Judo Association (ZJA) with material and other logistics through a new initiative dubbed ‘sports for Tomorrow’.
Koinuma disclosed that his country has been selected to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic games and expressed gratitude that Zambian judokas would reap medals in 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
“I would like to continue to promote interactions of people between our two countries not only in economic fields but also in culture, arts and sport fields,” he said.
The Japanese envoy added that judo has been adopted as a discipline at the Olympic games hence supporting vigorous training among Zambian judokas participating at different platforms.
And ZJA president Alfred Foloko says three judokas namely Matthews Punza, Abigal Chindele and Boas Munyonga are currently representing Zambia at a high profile tournament in a named country.
Foloko challenged judokas in the country to build their life skills through practicing judo by being assertive, self-defence and disciplined.
ZEC National Pastoral Coordinator Fr. Justin Matepa welcomes His excellency Mgrs.Poul Richard Gallgher (L) flanked by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Reyford Mbulu (r) at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday 07-11-2015. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANIS
Pope Francis Secretary of Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher has arrived in the country for a four days’ working visit.
Archbishop Gallagher’s visit to Zambia is also part of the establishment’s fiftieth anniversary celebrations of diplomatic ties between the Holy See and the Republic of Zambia.
Speaking upon arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday afternoon, Archbishop Gallagher praised Zambia for being an oasis of peace both in the region and the world over.
Archbishop Gallagher also reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to strengthening the existing bilateral relations with Zambia.
The Holy See remains committed to double its collaborative efforts with Zambia in key economic sectors such as health and education, he said.
Archbishop Gallagher was welcomed at the airport by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Rayford Mbulu, Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi, His Excellency Archbishop Julio Murat Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) President and Archbishop of Lusaka Telesphore Mpundu.
Archbishop of Kasama Ignatius Chama, Bishop of Solwezi Charles Kasonde, ZEC Secretary General Fr. Cleophas Lungu, and Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate Zambia Delegation Superior Fr. Freeborn Kibombwe , were also among the local clergy that received the Archbishop.
Several priests, religious and members of the Catholic Church were also at hand to welcome Archbishop Gallagher.
While in the country, the Pope’s representative is expected to pay a courtesy call on President Edgar Lungu at State House, hold bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba and meet First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda among other lined up activities.
-His excellency Mgrs.Poul Richard Gallgher (L) flanked by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Reyford Mbulu (r) being welcomed by Chipego Banda 9 years old and Lubuto Chitupila at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday 07-11-2015. Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE/ZANISHis excellency Mgrs.Poul Richard Gallgher (L) flanked by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Reyford Mbulu (2nl) being welcomed at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by Ridgment Parish chair yesterday
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.”
(Proverbs 16:24, AMP)
Pleasant Words
Do you need healing in your body—physically? Spiritually? Emotionally? Your words can bring that healing. Start speaking pleasant words—words of life, encouragement and thanksgiving. Guard your heart by making sure you are only listening to pleasant, life-giving words. If there’s something on the TV or radio that isn’t bringing life to your soul, turn it off. If someone’s having a conversation that’s not uplifting or productive, don’t be a part of it.
Choose to meditate on God’s Word which is living and active and full of life. Let His strength and peace rise in your soul. Keep your heart and mind focused on Him and always choose pleasant words!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for Your Word which is truth that sets me free. I repent today for any words that have brought destruction into my life or the lives of those around me. I ask that You uproot every negative seed and help me to always choose words of life in Jesus’ name! Amen.”
Zambia finished fourth at the four-nations invitational Torneio 40 anos de Independência in Angola on Saturday.
Chipolopolo lost Namibia 4-3 on post-match penalties after a 0-0 full-time result in Luanda on Saturday to finish last
The result came 24 hours after Zambia lost 3-0 to DR Congo in their opening game of the two-day tournament in Luanda.
Mwila Phiri,Spencer Sautu and Mwape Mwelwa converted their post-match penalty shootout.
Jack Chirwa and Buchizya Mfune missed their spot kicks.
Zambia head back home late Saturday for a brief stop back in Lusaka on Sunday en route to Khartoum and will be joined by the nine foreign-based players in Zambia ahead of next Wednesday’s first leg qualifying clash against Sudan.
Chipolopolo will host Sudan in the final leg decider at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on November 15.
Winner will advance to the final group stage qualifying stage.
Solwezi outfit Lumwana Radiants on Saturday secured promotion to the FAZ Super Division after beating Zesco Solwezi 1-0 to win the Division One North league with 66 points.
Striker Rodgers Mukenge scored a late second half goal as Lumwana were confirmed champions of Division One North on the final weekend of the campaign.
The Allan Kamwanga coached side are now six points above joint second placed Kalulushi Modern Stars and Mufulira Blackpool who play their respective final games on Sunday.
Both Kalulushi and Blackpool sit on 60 points while third placed FQMO Mining who are also in the race for promotion have 59 points.
Kabwe Warriors and Lusaka Tigers were promoted as champions and runners-up from the Division One South.
Meanwhile, Lumwana becomes the first team from North Western Province to be promoted to the top flight league.
Earlier this season, Lumwana scored another milestone by becoming the first club from province to compete in the Barclays Cup.
In games played on Saturday, Roan United drew goalless with Kansanshi Dynamos in Luanshya with Zesco Luapula beating Indeni 3-2 in Mansa.
FAZ DIVISION 1 NORTH WEEK 34
Copperbelt Buffalos Vs. Chambishi
Kalulushi Modern star Vs. Ndola United
Kitwe United Vs. Konkola Mine Police
Mufulira BlackPool Vs. Chindwin Sentries
FQMO Mining Vs. Real Nakonde( Sunday) Gomes Wanderers Vs. Mining Rangers
‘Zed Me Free’ Concert to End HIV—Nov 28th—Lusaka Showgrounds
On Saturday the 28th November 2015 at 13h00, the Muchimba Music Foundation in association with AIDS Healthcare Foundation will be presenting Zed Me Free, A Concert to End HIV! This spectacular show, with Headline Act, Thomas Buttenschøn, will be featuring some of Africa’s top talent including Macky 2, Mampi, Afunka, Chef 187 and B Flow to name a few.
All you have to do to participate in this event, is to get tested for HIV, and even this has been MADE simpler as there will be testing “roadshows” every weekend leading up to the main event. The first testing roadshow takes place on Saturday the 7th November at Kalingalinga, followed by one at Matero on the 14th November and finally at Chawama on the 21st November.
The roadshows themselves will be an event, with DJ’s spinning music and some of the artists from the show event stopping by to meet fans. So come on by, get tested, get condoms, get the t-shirt and get access to Zed Me Free, A Concert to End HIV!
MMD Vice Presidential aspiring candidate Bowman Lusambo on Friday spent time interacting with vulnerable households in Ndola’s Kabushi constituency as part of his familiarisation tours in the area.
Mr Lusambo who is also MMD National Youth Secretary donated various items to 22 selected households drawn from Kabushi’s eight wards.
Some of the items donated include a wheelchair for a 75 year old resident of Masala who is unable to walk, food items for a family that recently lost their property due to fire, made a cash donation to a lady suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease in Lubuto area.
A number of food packs containing sugar, cooking oil, Mealie meal, washing paste and other essential items were also handed out to elderly women in Kabushi constituency.
The recipients were identified after a through two week screening process that was conducted in partnership local NGO’s, the Church and local political leaders.
The donations took over nine hours to be distributed to all the deserving recipients.
In interviews with local media, Mr Lusambo explained that he was compelled to extend a helping hand to the suffering masses in Kabushi in order to lighten their burdens.
‘We are not saying we are here to solve all their problems. These people are suffering but we know there is joy in giving and we would rather share the little we have with our people here when they are still alive than coming to mobilise transport for the burials,’ Mr Lusambo declared.
He also clarified that he is not making the donations to woo voters ahead of the 2016 elections after declaring his intentions to contest the Kabushi parliamentary seat.
‘I grew up here, I got moved by what I saw and I decided to help. There is nothing political about giving although our leaders that are elected to serve our people should do more to help them,’ he said.
He added, ‘What we have in the area is pure lack of leadership. You find elderly women over 80 years of age who have been neglected to fend for themselves. How do you expect a woman that old to fend for herself? The local leadership should help link her up to some social protection programme for the elderly run by the Government, now that link is missing in Kabushi and that is why i say there is no leadership here. We would like to change that.’
Mr Lusambo also used the visitations to mingle and interact with local people and engaged them about ways of developing the constituency.
Over the weekend, Mr Lusambo will officiate at the inaugural Bowman Lusambo football tournament to played at Milemu grounds in Kabushi constituency where 12 teams drawn from the eight wards will battle it out for the K40, 000 rich tournament.
Bowman Lusambo in KabushiBowman Lusambo in KabushiAnd Elder in KabushiBowman Lusambo in Kabushi
United Party for National Development(UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has said that the latest revelation by the PF Government that the will be used to finance the 2016 budget is absurd. In a statement released to the media, the UPND leader said that what the PF Government was telling the nation was that henceforth country will borrow to finance consumption.
Below is the full statement
This week the PF have once again shown their lack of understanding in managing the economy, revealing how the latest Eurobond will be used to finance the 2016 budget. This is absurd, what the PF is telling us is that henceforth we will borrow to finance consumption.
As we have stated before such loans are only sustainable if and when they are invested wisely and not merely used to cover general expenditures. In fact, these funds must be invested into areas that will deliver returns if Government is going to be able to meet repayment obligations, which have now spiraled to take up 7.1 billion kwacha of the 2016 national budget. This is 2.8 billion kwacha more than our healthcare budget! PF must and should invest the Eurobond in productive sectors. A productive sector is a sector that has capacity to grow and pay taxes to Government. This is what is logical.
We say that if we can eliminate waste at the heart of Government then there really is no need to use this money to cover recurrent expenditures like the ones that are going to be for the newly created Ministries. If we can reduce the size of Government, limit the heavy Presidential travel schedule and minimise or completely do away with by elections then a great deal of money can be saved. One by elections costs us a minimum K10 million kwacha that can supply water to over 2.5 million people. So just one by-election denies 2.5 million people clean drinking water.
The savings from this wonton wasteful expenditure is the money that we in the UPND would use to then re-invest in education and healthcare and other critical social services. At this time, as a nation, we need to be investing in strategic areas that will create jobs, such as programmes that provide business start-ups with access to finance, or training of community healthcare workers. Such initiatives will both create jobs and deliver an additional return for us, through improved service delivery or economic growth. Why can’t PF reorganize Development Bank of Zambia and make it the conduit of industrial development. An amount of US$1.25 billion is a lot of money by any standards.
Regrettably this is not the first point on which the 2016 national budget has come under criticism. Analysts, both local and international, have already expressed concern that targets such as to halve the budget deficit in 2016 are unattainable and lack credibility. Barely a month has passed from the day Hon Alexander Chikwanda read the speech in parliament where he announced that his Government was targeting single digit inflation; we have hit double digits at 14.4%. In addressing the current economic challenges it is of fundamental importance that our plans have credibility or we will not be able to win back confidence.
Without confidence it will only become more and more expensive for us to borrow, and investors will more and more take their money elsewhere. Remember, Government has a responsibility to us, the citizens, to spend the money it has borrowed on our behalf wisely and with great care!
Slap D recently had an interview on 99.7 POWER FM . Talked about an upcoming collaboration with Macky 2 , his beef with Ruff Kaida , his upcoming album” Black na White 2″ ,among other things .
Musicians B Flow and Kachanana last Saturday left Mongu residents begging for more when they performed at the Triple V Concert at Mulambwa Ground.
The day which started on a rather good note, however, ended with bad scenes as excited fans smashed the screen of B Flow’s vehicle when he tried to make his way out, around 17:00 hours.
This was after the musician’s vehicle, which was mobbed by fans, mainly teenagers, got stuck in sand.
In no time, the security team which was helping police to keep order at the venue came to his aid, but as soon as he got on an alternative vehicle, some fans started stoning the stuck car.
B-Flow posted this on his Facebook page:
“Here’s what really happened in Mongu…I did not go for a political rally. I went to teach. Some of you may be aware that we are doing countrywide concerts dubbed “Triple V” (My Vote, My Voice, My Victory) under the go out and vote project. So I went to do my civic duties as a conscious artist/Activist in Mongu on Saturday, and thousands of people came to watch as we performed(as you can see in the pucture). However, at the end of the show, it was difficult for security to get me to where my car was parked because there were too many people that wanted to take pictures with me. After a lot of effort, I got in the car but it got stuck in the Mongu sand, so I was taken into a different car and I left. My manager and some bouncers remained to get the car out of the sand, then some malicious people appeared and began stopping them from moving the car, because they wanted money and t-shirts from B Flow. My team got the car out and tried to escape the “bad gang” but they were stoned and the rear windscreen was damaged. Thank God the gang leader and two others were arrested. Don’t worry about me, am very fine and now in Lusaka. Don’t even worry about the car; material things come and go but the love of Christ stays with us forever brothers and sisters. Thanks to the fans that came to support us. Chant it on!”
The organisations include the Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL), Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP), Operation Young Vote (OYV) and Young Women in Action (YWA).
So far, four concerts have been held in Chipata, Lusaka, Kabwe and Mongu by artistes Macky 2, Slap D, Mampi, Kachanana, B Flow and Chef.
The establishment of the “House of Prayer for All Nations Tabernacle” by President Edgar Lungu using taxpayers’ money is not an indication that he loves and appreciates God. We all love and appreciate God, but it would not be acceptable for us to openly ‘steal’ the people’s resources for use in demonstrating how much we love and appreciate Him.
If he loves and appreciates God more than anyone else, he should have established the Tabernacle using his personal resources before his ascendance to the presidency or after his term or terms of office as Republican president.
Religious establishments are essentially non-governmental institutions and, therefore, I do not believe the President has the constitutional right or mandate to create any such institutions at taxpayer expense.
And the name of the Tabernacle implies that countries (or ‘Nations’) worldwide will be congregating in Zambia for prayers. Is that one of the President’s intentions for establishing the Tabernacle?
Separation of Religion and the State:
Freedom of worship, as well as the choice of one’s religion, is one of the basic individual rights which every government leader in Zambia needs to formally recognize and safeguard. However, there is an apparent need for our beloved country to introduce laws designed to keep religion out of political and public affairs, laws which should ban religious activities and programs which have the potential to indoctrinate credulous members of society.
Obviously, this does not imply that religious denominations in Zambia should not freely advocate their values, beliefs, and causes as interest groups. In a truly democratic society, any and all societal groups should have a right to seek to be heard in governmental decision-making, and to articulate their demands on the government and society’s other groups and institutions.
The rationale for pieces of legislation designed to keep religion out of politics, education, and other public spheres of society that wholly or partly fall under the auspices of the government is to forestall the potential disruption of public order and socioeconomic activities by cliques of fanatics from any of our beloved country’s religious denominations.
Such legislation is particularly critical for our country, where efforts by the government to break the bondage of the majority of citizens to misery, want, and destitution is likely to be thwarted partly by violent clashes among religious sects.
We could, therefore, do well to pick a leaf from a 1947 United States Supreme Court dicta, which expanded the scope of the First Amendment clause pertaining to “The Establishment of Religion” to include the doctrine of “Separation of Church and State.”
According to the dictates of the doctrine, a local or the Federal government cannot do any of the following, which are cited in a book by J. M. Burns and J. W. Peltason:
(a) Set up a church, pass laws that aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another;
(b) Force or influence a person to go or not to go to church, or force him or her to profess a belief or a disbelief in any religion;
(c) Levy taxes to support any religious activities or institutions, whatever form they may adopt to teach or practice religion; or
(d) Openly or secretly participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups and vice versa.
And, to reiterate, we need to consider prohibiting the formation of religious-based political parties. Also, we need to prohibit religious groups from making contemptuous remarks about the beliefs and/or practices of other religious denominations. If not prevented, there is no doubt that altercations among our country’s religious groups concerning the truthfulness of their different faiths will eventually trigger very serious conflicts in the country.
In all, I am confident that religious institutions in Zambia will continue to provide the moral and spiritual direction to our nation in an era that has been high-jacked by unprecedented violence and moral decay, and to articulate the people’s demands on the government for a more democratic, more peaceful, more prosperous, and more egalitarian society.
Zambia Should Be a “Secular State”:
What Zambia needs, therefore, is a secular state that genuinely recognizes and safeguards each and every individual’s freedom of worship and the freedom to choose one’s religion. At the same time, we should actively DISCOURAGE or PROSCRIBE the following in a deliberate effort to forestall the potential disruption of public order and socioeconomic activities by cliques of fanatics from any of our country’s religious denominations:
(a) The use of public funds by a local or the national government to set up a Church, Mosque, a Synagogue, or any other house of worship, and/or to provide any form of support to any given religious group, institution or activity;
(b) Official participation by government leaders in the affairs of any given religious group or institution, or official participation by any given religious leader or group in political or governmental affairs;
(c) The use of a religious platform by any individual or group of individuals to form a political party;
(d) The use of a religious platform by any individual to seek a leadership position in any of the three branches of government – that is, the legislature, the judiciary or the executive;
(e) Inclusion of denominational religious subjects in the curricula of schools funded by the government, except studies relating to world religions without delving into the content of their sacred books;
(f) Subjection of candidates for election or appointment to public office to a religious test expressly or otherwise requiring them to declare their religious affiliations;
(g) Desecration of any religious symbols or objects by any member or members of Zambian society;
(h) Religious sermons or statements by any individual or group of individuals belonging to any given religious grouping or denomination which are contemptuous to, or are designed to slight, other religious groupings or denominations; and
(i) Conducting of religious sermons or ceremonies involving ten or more people in non-religious public arenas without a police permit, or conducting such activities on public modes of transportation that are not chartered by groups involved.
Some of these safeguards would, of course, need Parliament to prescribe the nature or kinds of punishment that would be meted out to convicted violators.
With the foregoing kinds of safeguards, a government does not need to place any restrictions on the construction of Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, Temples, or any other houses of worship, or have restraints on the expansion of any religious denomination.
If we fail to enact pieces of legislation designed to protect government institutions and the political arena from the influences of religion, we could actually be sowing the seeds of deadly religion-based conflicts.
The Nature of a “Secular State”:
In the ensuing paragraphs, I wish to briefly discuss the nature of what is referred to as a “secular state,” much of which I have excerpted and adapted from Wikipedia.
Essentially, a “secular state” is a nation-state or a country that purports to be officially neutral in matters of religion, supporting neither religion nor irreligion. It also claims to treat all its citizens equally regardless of the nature of their religious beliefs, and it does not have an official religion.
In other words, the term “secular state” refers to a nation-state or a country that honors individuals’ freedom of worship, prevents religion from interfering with governmental decision-making, and excludes it from the realms of governance and/or the exercise of political power.
And laws in such a nation-state or country protect each and every individual (including religious minorities) from discrimination on the basis of one’s religious affiliation.
Basically, a “secular state” is not an atheistic nation-state or country that officially denies the existence of God. In some “secular states” (such as Thailand and Turkey), there can be a dominant religion, while in others (such as India and Lebanon), there can be great religious diversity.
Some “secular states” may even have de facto official religions (such as Indonesia and Peru), where some government officials have to belong to certain religious denominations even though the country and its government does not officially support any religious denomination.
The author, Mr. Henry Kyambalesa, is a Zambian academician currently living in the City and County of Denver in the State of Colorado, USA. He is the Interim President of the Agenda for Change (AfC) Party.
NAPSA Director General Charles Mpundu has retired from his role as the head of the country’s largest public pension’s fund.
The reasons for Mr Mpundu’s retirement have not been stated.
According to a notice from the Lusaka Stock Exchange on behalf of ZAMBEEF, Mr Mpundu has resigned as a Non-Executive Director of the Company and will step down from the Board with immediate effect following his retirement from his role as Director General of NAPSA.
Mr Mpundu joined the NAPSA Board on 1st February 2014 as a Non-Executive Director representing local Zambian institutional shareholders.
Zambeef Chairman, Dr Jacob Mwanza said Mr Mpundu’s expertise and knowledge of the Zambian market has been greatly valued over his nearly two years on the Board.
‘We are very grateful to him for his significant contribution to Zambeef’s growth and expansion in the period and we wish him well for the future.’
Late President Michael Sata appointed Mr Mpundu as Director General of NAPSA in April 2012.
FDD President Edith Nawakwi during the Launch of the start up Programme for farmers
GOVERNMENT has not allowed the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) to conduct a farming input distribution programme similar to the one that Government is executing.
Agriculture minister Given Lubinda said in Parliament yesterday that Government had not allowed FDD president Edith Nawakwi to conduct a farming distribution exercise to farmers which is similar to the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP).
Ms Nawakwi, last week, launched a farming input distribution programme valued at K500, 000 to benefit 300 farmers in various parts of the country.
The programme is similar to FISP that Government through the ministry of agriculture was undertaking benefiting over one million farmers.
“Government is not aware of the programme, its objective, coverage and this is an irregularity which the FDD president should correct by registering this exercise with the Registrar of societies,” Mr Lubinda said.
Mr Lubinda said this in response to the question raised by Patriotic Front (PF) Kapiri Mposhi Member of Parliament (MP) Eddie Musonda who wanted to know whether the FDD a political party was allowed to conduct a programme similar to the FISP by Government.
He said for any person who wished to conduct such a programme should register with the Registrar of Societies and inform the ministry of agriculture to avoid duplication of the programme.
A search at the Registrar of society revealed that there was no Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) registered to conduct such a programme.
Mr Lubinda clarified that the programme would not interfere with the nationwide FISP benefiting one million people while the programme by FDD only benefits 300.
He said if the programme was being done in good faith, the FDD should inform the ministry, just like other organisations were doing to ensure there was no duplication of beneficiaries.
MMD Kasempa Member of Parliament (MP) Kabinga Pande questioned the minister if Government would allow the FDD to continue with the programme if it informed Government.
Mr Lubinda said Government could not stop the FDD depending on the objective behind the programme.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs deputy minister Panji Kaunda said the riots in Roan and Mpatamatu townships last week were caused by the miners who were demanding payments of the dues and improved condition of service from the Chinese mining company.
Col Kaunda dismissed ascertains that the riots were politically motivated.
He told the House that three people were arrested and charged with conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.
Col Kaunda said this in response to the question raised by MMD Mpongwe MP Gabriel Namulambe who wanted to know what caused the riot in the two townships and the measures that Government was undertaking to ensure that similar incidents do not reoccur.
