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Luwingu in pictures
MPs Cardinal in Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals – Speaker Matibini
Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, The Right Honourable Justice Dr. Patrick Matibini, SC, says Members of Parliament are in vantage position to contribute to the shaping, advancement and implementation of sustainable development agenda. This is contained in a press release by Zambia’s First Secretary for Press and Public Relations
at the United Nations, Mr Chibabula Silwamba.
Addressing the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament convened by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in cooperation with the United Nations at the UN Headquarters, Dr. Matibini said Members of Parliament could crucially contribute to achieving sustainable development by enacting relevant legislation and closely monitoring the implementation of the various programmes and initiatives.
He urged parliamentarians, as direct representatives of the people, to make their voices heard and define the fiscal and budgetary trajectory of their nations.
“However, it is a matter of regret that currently, Parliaments tend to be left behind in critical developmental conversations and processes. Yet Parliaments are the central and cardinal institutions of democracy which embody the will and aspirations of the people,” Speaker Matibini said. Speaker Matibini told the global meeting of leaders of Parliaments, which takes place once every five years, that Zambia had made significant parliamentary reforms.
He said that since 2002, an ambitious process of enhancing the core functions of Parliament has been implemented through the parliamentary reform programme.
“These parliamentary reforms have in particular enhanced parliamentary oversight in the following ways: alignment of parliamentary committees to Government Ministries to enhance policy development and implementation. This ensures that all Government ministries are effectively covered and scrutinised; the opening of doors of the committees to the public to enable the public participate in committee proceedings through making submissions on various Government programmes and initiatives,” the head of the Legislature said. “Field visits undertaken by parliamentary committees to oversee Government activities and projects; and through various in-house mechanisms, these include questions for oral and written answer to Ministers and the Vice President’s Question Time.”
Speaker Matibini said various stakeholders and interested groups were provided a platform to submit and contribute to the legislative process.
“When considering the budget estimates, we have provided for an Expanded Committee of Estimates which includes chairpersons of portfolio committees to scrutinise the proposed estimates on behalf of Parliament. This dispensation allows for diverse perspectives during the discussion of the estimates at committee level,” he said. “Through engagement with civil society organizations, the business community and other stakeholders, Parliament promotes peace and the practice of democracy, thereby fostering sustainable development.”
The Speaker said Zambia had established constituency offices in all the 150 constituencies, and that these offices were strategically deployed as centres of democracy and development.
“No development agenda can be championed, and no peace effort can be sustained without the people’s representatives. Therefore, no effort should be spared in the integration of the people’s representatives in the formulation and implementation of the international development agenda,” said Speaker Matibini.
The Conference, attended by at least over 180 parliamentary Speakers, several deputy Speakers and other parliamentary leaders, closed today after three days of deliberations focused on Sustainable Development.
Heads of State and Government will launch the “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” outcome document of the UN Summit for the adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda to be held from 25 to 27 September, 2015 during the Seventieth (70th) Session of the General Assembly.
There was no any strike Action at UTH-Deputy Minister of Health
Deputy Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya clarified that there was only a misunderstanding between post-graduate students and Government as a sponsor.
Dr Chilufya said in an interview yesterday that students were not negotiating for any conditions of service and that the issue bordered on routine sponsorship by Government for training of the students.
“At no time was there any strike action at UTH.
“It was only a misunderstanding between post graduate students and the sponsor [Government] on allowances and this has been resolved,” Dr Chilufya said.
Yesterday Junior Doctors at the University of Teaching Hospital joined the sit in at UTH according to a memorandum dated 01 September 2015 signed by Resident Doctors Association UTH branch Secretary Dr Mtonga Matolase and UTH President Dr Cyrus Phiri addressed to UTH Senior Medical Superintendent.
Doctors at UTH resolved to join the sit in protest by the Registrar at the institution after a meeting with Health Permanent Secretary General Davy Chikamata Tuesday afternoon.
Dr Matolase said the junior doctors at the highest referral health institution in the country are aggrieved by the unpaid settling-in allowances.
He said the doctors are also not happy with the incomplete payment of settling-in allowances.
Dr Matolase said Government owes junior doctors in unpaid arrears.
Dr Matolase also disclosed that the junior doctors are aggrieved due to delayed placement of new doctors.
He said the sit-in protest will continue in conjunction with the one by the Registrars until all issues are resolved.
Below is the memorandum released by the Doctors
Police Officer shoots himself with an AK47 after marital dispute
A POLICE officer of Kabwata Police Station in Lusaka has died after shooting himself in the chest with an AK47 rifle.
Inspector Steven Banda is alleged to have committed suicide after a marital dispute.
Lusaka Province commissioner of police Charity Katanga said in an interview yesterday that Mr Banda shot himself in the chest at his house in Nyumba Yanga around 15:00 hours on Sunday.
Ms Katanga said Mr Banda was taken to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“The officer shot himself whilst at home using an AK47 gun which was in his custody,” Ms Katanga said.
She said police have recovered the firearm with 26 rounds of ammunition.
And police in Lusaka have arrested 93 political cadres for allegedly harassing people in markets.
Ms Katanga said the cadres were arrested between August 25 and August 31 from various markets in Lusaka.
She said of the 93, seven were charged with conduct likely to cause breach of peace and they will appear in court soon while the rest were released after paying admission of guilt fines.
“We conducted operations in Lusaka district after we received reports of harassment from members of the public by suspected political cadres in markets,” Ms Katanga said.
She also said police have arrested six people for allegedly destroying PF materials and a presidential portrait worth K70,000 at Lusaka’s Soweto Market.
She said a PF member Emmanuel Mwape, who operates from Soweto Market, reported the matter to the police.
“These suspects have been charged with malicious damage to property and will appear in court soon,” Ms Katanga said.
She warned that police will continue conducting similar operations to ensure that innocent people are not harassed.
“I wish to warn that we will not relent and will apply the law fairly to all offenders regardless of their political affiliation,” she said.
NRCs issuance moves to Eastern, Lusaka, Southern and Western Provinces
MINISTRY of Home Affairs permanent secretary Mulenga Chileshe says phase two of the mobile issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs) will be simultaneously launched tomorrow in four provinces.
And Government has suspended the police report fee of K50 paid for loss of NRCs in the provinces where the exercise will start tomorrow.
Dr Chileshe said phase two of the exercise will cover Eastern, Lusaka, Southern and Western Provinces.
This is according to a statement issued by Ministry of Home Affairs head of public relations Moses Suwali in Lusaka yesterday.
Dr Chileshe said the programme will run for 90 days and that the launch will be undertaken simultaneously in all the four targeted provinces.
He said Minister of Home Affairs Davies Mwila is scheduled to launch the programme in Lusaka’s Mandevu township while Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Colonel Gerry Chanda will launch the programme in Eastern Province at Chipata town centre.
In Western Province, Dr Chileshe said the programme will be launched by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Colonel Panji Kaunda in Nalolo while Dr Peter Mwaba will launch the programme in Southern Province in Choma.
“We, therefore, appeal to members of Parliament, traditional and civic leaders, the media and all well-meaning members of the society to help disseminate information regarding the mobile registration exercise so that we register as many people as possible,” Dr Chileshe said.
And Dr Chileshe said the Ministry of Home Affairs has suspended the police report fee of K50 for loss of NRCs in all the four provinces where the exercise will be active for the duration of the exercise.
He said this is to facilitate and ease the registration process.
Solar Powered Hammer Mills starts arriving in the country
THE Presidential Milling Initiative rolled out yesterday with the Zambia Cooperative Federation (ZCF) unveiling the first three of 2,000 solar-powered hammer mills being introduced to help reduce-mealie meal prices.
The three hammer mills bought and delivered at a cost of US$100,000 will be distributed to North-Western, Northern and Lusaka provinces.
Recently, President Lungu said Government is working with ZCF to set up solar-powered hammer mills to help reduce the price of mealie-meal and that the initiative will create over 3,000 jobs for Zambians.
ZCF director-general James Chirwa said yesterday that Government with support of China will buy about 2,000 hammer mills at a cost of US$200 million and that these will be managed by ZCF.
Mr Chirwa said the small milling plants to be located across the country will help reduce poverty.
Speaking during the inspection of the three hammer mills in Lusaka, Mr Chirwa said all the 2,000 hammer mills are expected to be in the country by June next year.
“When the whole batch comes, will cost about US$200 million for the 2,000 hammer mills and by the end of October we expect to have another 200 plus these three making it 203 hammer mills.
“Then come December we should at least have 400 hammer mills and this is a very big development but, let us not concentrate much on the money but, the level of development that will be brought due to this Presidential Milling Initiative,” Mr Chirwa said.
He said the hammer mills will only be given to active, deserving primary co-operative societies especially, in high maize producing districts.
Earlier, Shandong Dejian Group Company Limited general manager Huang Meng said the high-tech equipment uses solar power on a 24-hour basis and can be installed in five days.
Mr Huang said the company will construct five training schools for building capacity, especially in the youth so that they can operate the equipment and help reduce poverty at individual and household levels.
ERB calls on mining companies to free up power
Board (ERB) offices
THE Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has called on mining companies to implement the Demand Side Management (DSM) initiative to help free up power in the wake of the reduced power generation by Zesco.
The DMS system is an efficient use of power which when practiced on a large scale in sectors such as mining and commercial farms can significantly free up power which could be used by others.
ERB public relations manager, Kwali Mfuni said there was need for all consumers to make tangible efforts to minimise pressure on the national grid following the warning by Zesco.
Zesco warned on Monday that the country should brace itself for increased power outages following the reduction of power generation at Kariba North Bank Power Station from 500 to 305 megawatts.
But Ms Mfuni said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the implementation of the DMS system which focuses on the efficient use of power by the consumer could reduce load shedding.
“The regulator (ERB) is aware that the power system has been unstable as a result of increased reactive power use by large power users.
“As an industry practice, large power users are required to install reactive power compensating equipment in order to be energy efficient and avoid low power factor which has an adverse impact on the system,” she said.
The ERB last year allowed Zesco to introduce a lower power factor surcharge which was aimed at large scale consumers to use energy more efficiently.
The surcharge was introduced based on the average power factor metered during billing period and Zesco would be allowed to surcharge any power factor below the limit of 0.92 effective January next year.
The grace period before the surcharge takes effect is meant to allow affected customers to install the necessary equipment to improve the power factor at the consumers’ premises.
Ms Mfuni revealed that Zesco was currently sending large power customers dummy bills as a way of preparing for the actual implementation next year.
She also urged business houses and offices in the country to consistently switch off lights at the close of business as a way of conserving energy.
“Regrettably, at household level, the regulator has also observed that security lights are left on during the day when consumers should be conserving the limited power available,” she said.
She reiterated that appliances such as geysers, pressing irons and electric stoves should be used sparingly when power is restored after load shedding.
From Streets to Social Worker: Yama Kambole’s Story of Commitment
Yama Kambole was picked up by a Mthunzi social worker from the streets of Lusaka in 2001, aged five. Three years ago, after completing his high school, Yama decided to pursue a Diploma in Social Work, and now he is doing his first work experience in the same place where he grew up. His love and passion to work with the children, plus his winning smile, are making him a popular big brother. Catch a glimpse.
Some Technocrats in Government are failing to perform-Kambwili
ROAN member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili says some technocrats in the civil service are making Government unpopular by failing to perform to people’s expectations.
Mr Kambwili also warned civil servants in Luanshya to change their attitude towards work.
Mr Kambwili, who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said some technocrats are making Government unpopular because they were failing to perform.
“Why should it take a minister or a Member of Parliament to come and tell you what to do? You are letting us down. As a council, can you do what you are supposed to do, people are insulting the President because of you technocrats,” Mr Kambwili said.
The minister was speaking shortly after touring health institutions and roads in Luanshya.
Why should it take a minister or a Member of Parliament to come and tell you what to do? You are letting us down.
Mr Kambwili directed Luanshya district community medical officer Peter Mulenga and Luanshya Municipal Council director of engineering Freddie Mukuka to improve service delivery to the people.
Mr Kambwili, who is also Chief Government spokesperson, made the warning after learning that the ambulances he donated to two clinics in Roan Constituency two years ago are not being utilised.
“I buy ambulances for two clinics from my own resources. The ambulances have been parked for two years without being registered. I want to warn the medical officer for Luanshya district, otherwise, heads will roll,” Mr Kambwili warned.
He said it is sad that the ambulances have been parked for slightly over two years while people in his constituency are forced to hire taxis to ferry patients to the hospital.
Mr Kambwili also said he is disappointed that the generators he bought in 2012 for the section nine and section 26 clinics in Mpatamatu have not been connected and the health centres are now affected by load shedding.
“I donated generator sets from my own resources for sections nine clinic and 26 clinic but those gensets are gathering dust,” he said.
Mr Kambwili directed Luanshya district commissioner Harold Mbaulu to ensure that the generator sets are put to use within four days.
PF is now feeling my weight and scared of me – GBM
UPND Vice President for Administration Geoffrey Mwamba has charged that his summoning by Police in Kasama for merely buying fishing attests to how scared the ruling Patriotic Front is of him.
Mr. Mwamba says the PF who have been claiming that he is a political nonentity are now feeling his weight the reason why the Police are now following every move that he makes.
He has told Qfm News by telephone that he however does not mind because he is fully aware that the Police are merely being controlled by political forces in Lusaka.
Mr. Mwamba who on Tuesday was cleared of wrong doing by the Police after being suspected of holding public political meetings in Kasama, has however described the conduct of acting Northern Province Police Commissioner Lackson Sakala as unprofessional.
He says by suggesting that he went into hiding after being summoned to appear for questioning, Mr. Sakala might have used it as opportunity to earn confirmation as the Northern Province Police Commissioner.
Mr. Mwamba has wondered how possibly he can go into hiding when his House in Kasama is only about a kilometer away from where the Police confronted him.
He says as a former Defence Minister he understands perfectly well the implication of not turning up when one is summoned for questioning by the Police.
He explains that he opted not to go for questioning on Monday because he knew the Police were only up to harass him, his family and his supporters.
Mr Mwamba states that he has never gone into hiding nor has he been afraid of the Police, as history itself can confirm how he conducted himself during the struggle that led to the PF forming government.
Post Newspaper and JCN Holdings raise preliminary issues in the DBZ loan case
JCN Holdings, Post Newspaper Limited and suspended Director of Public Prosecution(DPP) Mutembo Nchito have raised preliminary issues in which they want the court to determine whether it is lawful to join parties to an action by amending pleadings in such a manner that the effect is to commence actions on issues that are statute barred.
This was after three companies applied for a joinder in a matter in which the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) has sued JCN Holdings, Post Newspapers Limited and Mutembo Nchito over a K14 million debt. Mine Air Services and two other companies asked Lusaka High Court judge Justin Chashi to allow them to be joined as defendants in the matter.
The Lusaka High Court has reserved ruling on preliminary issues raised by Post Newspaper, JCN Holdings and Mr Nchito, in the ZMK 14 billion Kwacha debt case. Mr Justice Chashi has since set September 23 2015 as a date for hearing of the application.
The matter which came up today was held in chambers where DBZ and the defendants argued on a preliminary issue which has been raised by the defendants.
According to the notice of intentions to raise preliminary issue filed by Messrs Nchito & Nchito the defendants want the court to determine whether it is lawful to amend a writ and statement of claim by adding new claims which have passed the statutory limitation period.
They further want to find out from the court whether there is property in a witness and whether it is lawful to seek to expunge a witness statement.
JCN Holdings, Post Newspaper Limited and Mr Nchito additionally want to find out whether there is legal basis for expunging the legal due diligence report when it was supplied by DBZ.
They further want the court to determine whether it is lawful to seek to piece the corporate veil when its cause of action against the alleged principal debtor is statute barred.
In 2012, the Lusaka High Court ordered Post Newspaper and JCN Holdings to pay DBZ ZMK 14 billion Kwacha debt.
Dissatisfied with the verdict Post Newspaper and JCN Holdings appealed to the Supreme Court.
But in 2013 the Supreme Court sent back the matter to the High Court.
The Highest Court of Appeal ruled that there was irregularity in the manner the 14 million Kwacha debt case was transferred from Judge Albert Wood to Judge Nigel Mutuna.
High rate of early Marriages in North-Western province alarming
Acting Kasempa District Commissioner Mercy Kambita has expressed concern over the alarming rates of early marriages in North-Western province.
Ms Kambita noted that reports reaching the district indicates that north-western province in rated the highest in Zambia in early marriages.
She said during an administrative meeting with heads of government departments in Kasempa that the situation is disheartening because the province is rated the highest in the whole country.
“It is really sad that the province is top of the list in all the country and as heads of department, we need to find a solution to the problem,” she said.
Ms Kambita called for all in authority to find the causes for such trends and thereafter find a solution to end the problem.
Members of the house further claimed that distances to secondary schools has resulted in many girls renting houses in nearby compounds in order to attend classes daily.
The members said such an arrangement has caused many girls to fall prey to illicit practices ending up in dropping out of school.
During the same meeting Mukinge Mission Hospital has appealed for funds to repair the refrigerator at the mortuary which has broken down for the past four days.
Senior Hospital Administrator Kingsly Kuwema announced during the meeting that mortuary has not been working and the hospital has no funds to repair the refrigerator at the moment.
President Lungu makes changes at Permanent Secretary level
President Edgar Lungu President of the Republic of Zambia has made changes at Permanent Secretary level with immediate effect. This is contained in a statement released to the media by his special Assistant for Press and Public relations, Amos Chanda
According to the statement, President Lungu has transferred the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Dr. Peter Mwaba to the Ministry of Health in the same capacity, taking over from Dr. Davy Chikamata who moves to the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health in the same capacity.
Other changes the Head of State has made include the transfer of Professor Elwyn Chomba from the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health to the Ministry of Home Affairs in the same capacity as Permanent Secretary.
” The President takes this opportunity to urge all Permanent Secretaries to be more diligent, prudent and resource management and work expeditiously to deliver public services to the people,” concluded the statement.
Mbola and Kangwa in no-show
Defender Emmanuel Mbola and striker Evans Kangwa have left Zambia coach George Lwandamina in the dark over their availability to face Kenya.
The duo from Israeli club hapoel Ra’anana were no-show by Wednesday camp deadline for foreign-based players to turn up in Lusaka.
“That one will be dealt with administratively. That is not my area,” Lwandamina said.
“(But) so far so good the professionals have gelled in so well. Their fitness levels are OK which is good for the team.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Lubambo Musonda of Gandzasar FC in Armenia has arrived and part of training Wednesday following his arrival on Tuesday.
Lubambo’s arrival brings to ten the number of foreign-based call-ups in camp ahead of the Kenya clash this Sunday, September 6 in Nairobi
Lwandamina slams Zambia striker critics
George Lwandamina insists that he does not have a scoring problema in the Zambia national team heading into Sunday’s 2017 Africa Cup Group E qualifier away to Kenya.
Zambia head to Nairobi this weekend looking for their opening Group E win after misfiring in the first game on June 13 when they were held 0-0 at home by lowly Guinea Bissau in what was the two sides debut meeting.
“I never knew we are not scoring goals,” Lwandamina said after Wednesday morning training at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
“In training people are scoring goals, in the league people are scoring I don’t know where they are not scoring, maybe your home.”
Zambia must win this weekend to top or tie at the top of Group E after Kenya also drew 1-1 in their opening game away to Congo-Brazzaville on June 14.