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Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia Dr Patrick Matibini, his executive assistant Roy Ngulube and Zambia UN Mission Counsellor (Political and Administration) Silvester Mwanza at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of the Parliament at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday 31stAugust 2015. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | ZAMBIA UN MISSION
Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, The Right Honourable Justice Dr. Patrick Matibini, SC, has joined about 180 other parliamentary leaders at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament at United Nations Headquarters.
This is according to a statement released to the media by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations Mr chibaula Silwamba.
The three-day conference, with participation from Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliaments from across the world was opened today (Monday) by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Mr. Saber Chowdhury, United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki Moon and the President of the UN General Assembly Mr. Sam Kutesa.
The Conference will focus on peace, democracy, and development under the General Debate titled: “Placing democracy at the service of peace and sustainable development: Building the world the people want.”
The Conference will focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are due to be launched by Heads of State and Government during the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda, between 25th and 27th September, 2015 during the Seventieth (70th) Session of the UN General Assembly.
SDGs are a proposed set of goals relating to future international development with wide-ranging targets expected to be met by 2030, including ending extreme poverty and hunger, promoting peace and ensuring sustainable patterns of development and consumption.
The Conference, convened by the IPU every five years in close cooperation with the UN, will adopt a declaration that will feed into the Summit on Post-2015 Development Agenda.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments and works to safeguard peace and drives positive democratic change through political dialogue and concrete action.
Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia Dr Patrick Matibini, his executive assistant Roy Ngulube and Zambia UN Mission Counsellor (Political and Administration) Silvester Mwanza at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of the Parliament at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday 31stAugust 2015. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | ZAMBIA UN MISSIONSpeaker of the National Assembly of Zambia Dr Patrick Matibini at the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of the Parliament at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday 31stAugust 2015. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | ZAMBIA UN MISSIONThe Fourth World Conference of Speakers of the Parliament at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday 31stAugust 2015. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | ZAMBIA UN MISSION
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma (right) and his Deputy George Zulu (centre) inspect the Lusaka fuel storage depot with Lusaka Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta before commissioning of the plant
Government has threatened to repossess Munali Nickel Mine if its new owner keeps delaying to reopen the mine
Mines minister Christopher Yaluma says the government has written to the new owner Consolidated Nickel Mining and Investments Limited of Britain regarding the issue.
Mr Yaluma was speaking in an interview with ZNBC’s Bright Mukwasa in Perth Australia after touring Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations .
The Minister said Jinchuan of China, the previous owner entered into an agreement with the British firm whose date to reopen the mine has elapsed.
Operations at Munali which is Zambia’s sole nickel mine were paralysed in 2011 due to the plummeting base metal prices on the global market.
The mine was previously run by Albidon Limited of Australia.
Hakainde Hichilema with supporters in the Lusaka Business District
Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has challenged the PF Government to stop crying about the record Kwacha depreciation but to start providing viable solutions.
The breached the K 9 to a US dollar mark, falling to an all time low and becoming the worst performing currency in te world.
In his Facebook posting, Mr Hichilema said those in authority must show leadership and put in place measures to arrest the situation.
He said addressing the rising cost of living due to the ever falling Kwacha is what should preoccupy the country and not fixing political opponents.
Mr Hichilema Zambians should by now be having serious policy announcements on tackling economic issues and ongoing job losses in various sectors.
“We can no longer remain an import dependant country when we have vast resources that just need even minimal value additions for export and earn foreign exchange to stabilise the Kwacha,” he said.
“We can’t continue crying and complaining without viable solutions being put in place by those in authority.”
Captain Rainford Kalaba and eight other foreign based players have joined the Chipolopolo squad that has camped in Lusaka to prepare for Sunday’s crucial 2017 Africa Cup qualifier match against Kenya in Nairobi.
Kalaba’s arrival on Monday evening brought the number of foreign based players in camp to nine.
He arrived in camp together with his TP Mazembe team mates Nathan Sinkala and Kabaso Chongo.
Other players in camp are midfielder Chisamba Lungu (Ural FC, Russia), defender Stoppila Sunzu (Lille, France), defender Aaron Katebe (Maghreb Atlantic), striker Collins Mbesuma (Mpumalanga Black Aces), Kondwani Mtonga (North East, India) and goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene of Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa.
All these players took part in the Tuesday morning training at National Heroes Stadium.
Those being awaited are, Lubambo Musonda (Gandzasar Kapan, Armenia), Emmanuel Mbola and Evans Kangwa (Hapoel Ranana, Israel).
Zambia must beat Kenya to revive their chances of qualifying to the 2017 AFCON in Gabon
Reforming Zambia’s Agriculture Part II is a documentary produced by IAPRI and takes a critical look at the marketing activities of the Food Reserve Agency. Should the FRA be restricted to purchase of strategic reserves or should it be actively involved in the marketing of crops? These and more questions are answered.
Dambisa ” Kaduka Chain ” singer says we are no longer in the old stone age where everything is a taboo. This followed after she posted her photos on Facebook showing off her bikini body.Below is what she wrote on Facebook yesterday: “The bible teaches us never to Judge others, So, before you judge me, first judge yourself.The same bible has NO verse that talks about pix.Yessss, Iam a proud mother of two and so what ??.Like any other person who was once in marriage, It all ended and I moved on with someone who understands me. My fellow Zambians, Friends & Fans, Please Note: We are nolonger in the Old Stone Age Where Everything is a taboo. Let’s stop the HATE give priority to LOVING one another if we want motherland to develop. And to whoever is offended with my style, Kindly FOLLOW me on Instagram @DambisaZambia or Twitter @DambisaZambia & drop your negative comments there”
A peasant farmer Chileshe Binwell has delivered 80 bags at the Food Reserve Agency Lwimbo depot in Kasama. Here, Mr Chileshe (left) confers with FRA chief Chola Kafwabulula (right) with whom he shared some of the challanges that include inadequate scales
THE FOOD Reserve Agency(FRA) has pooled massive funds into building more grain storage facilities in Northern Province to match the areas increased production which has been the highest in Zambia for the past two years.
FRA chief Chola Kafwabulula said the extra storage facilities which include a 25,000 tonne silo in Kasama will help minimise wastage of grain and provide much needed space.
“What will see here is huge investment for storing grain. We do not want to see a repeat of wasted grain because of poor storage facilities.
“As at now, crop wastage is below one per cent which in itself is an incredible achievement as industry standards put acceptable wastage levels at about two to three per cent” he said.
Just two weeks into the maize marketing period, FRA sheds in Kasama are bursting at the seams with the amount of maize being delivered at strategic collection points.
To meet storage requirements to match the output, the agency will in the next few months through a Chinese contractor begin working on the silo in Kasama.
Another firm, Advanced African Solutions has been awarded a K73 million contract to build storage sheds across the province in the next two to three months.
As at yesterday, 39,141 tonnes of maize had been bought worth more than K58.7 million.
In Mbala, which is the highest producer among the districts, 194,000 bags of maize had been purchased. Three 5000 tonne capacity storage sheds will be built in the town.
Luwingi and Kaputa will each have one new three tonne shed while Mporokos and Mungwi will each have one extra five tonne shed.
And Northern Province permanent secretary Hlobota Nkunika said teh province had teh potential to further increase yield with the introduction of mechanised farming.
He said he was hopeful that assistance from co-operating partners that were spearheading iirigation in the province would further push up production.
Mr Kafwabulula is in the area to monitor the marketing exercise and attend to issues that have been cropping up.
I’ve always been a fan of Southern Fried Chicken but like many, I have often found it easier to purchase as a takeaway from restaurants than to make it at home.
However, over the years I have developed a delicious and easy fried chicken recipe that will make you choose homemade over takeaway. It is a great light meal, ideal for a quick and easy lunch; and is a healthier way to get your fast food fix.
Preparation and cooking time – 45 minutes
Serves – 2 people
Ingredients
For the Chicken
4 chicken wings with the skin on and the bone in.
2 teaspoons of paprika
2 teaspoons of pepper
5 teaspoons of salt
1 cup of self raising flour
1 egg
3 cups of vegetable oil.
For the Coleslaw
Half a head of cabbage
¼ of an onion
1 carrot
1 cup of mayonnaise
2 tablespoons of vinegar
2 tablespoons of sugar
Method
Finely chop up cabbage, onion and carrot. Place them in a bowl and wash with water. Pour out the water and leave the mixture on the side.
Place the cup of mayonnaise into a separate bowl and add the vinegar and sugar – always make sure that you add equal amounts of vinegar and sugar to the mayonnaise. Mix them together thoroughly using a spoon.
Add the mayonnaise mixture to the cabbage, onion and carrot; making sure you mix together well. Now place the finished coleslaw into the fridge and leave to cool.
Add the 3 cups of vegetable oil to a deep set pan; place it on the stove, turn the stove to the highest heat. (On my electric stove the highest number is 6 or 375 degrees F or 190 degrees C.)
Cut each chicken wing in half and marinade with paprika, pepper and 4 teaspoons of salt, making sure each piece of chicken is fully covered with seasoning.
Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with flour.
In a separate bowl beat the egg.
Place one chicken wing at a time inside the egg making sure that the wing is completely covered with egg; then place the wing in the flour, making sure that it is completely covered with flour. Repeat this process again, to form a double coat of egg and flour. Do this for all the pieces of chicken.
Once the oil is very hot and begins to bubble, gently place the chicken pieces into the pan. After about 5 minutes turn the chicken pieces over, so that all sides start to brown.
After about 5 minutes, reduce the heat mark to 4 or 305 degrees F or 150 degrees C. This will ensure that the chicken cooks on the inside and doesn’t burn on the outside. Cover the pan and allow the chicken to cook. Leave to fry for about 20minutes to 30minutes. Making sure that you check and turn them regularly, so that they do not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan.
After about 30 minutes use a knife to check if there is any blood in the middle.
Once the chicken wings are finished place paper towels onto a plate and put the chicken on top of the paper towels to allow excess oil to drain.
Serving
Place a few tablespoons of coleslaw on a plate and dress with chicken as you wish.
Now this meal is ready to eat.
Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.
You can find her work onwww.kantakakes.com. Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.
Regrettably, the Patriotic Front government has failed to show leadership and character in governance and economic affairs of this nation. The recent collapse of the stock markets in China cannot be the reason for the crashing Zambian economy. Much as we appreciate and understand the diverse effect it has added to our economy, just as the rest of the world, it is total madness and acute stupidity for the PF government to use that as an excuse for their failed leadership.
We have noticed as the Movement for Multiparty Democracy with great concern the PF government’s manoeuvres in the recent past in their desperate efforts to hoodwink the Zambian citizenry with their political rhetoric and politicization of government policy on a number of subjects. For instance, the recently launched Youth Empowerment Policy and Action Plan is nothing but a mere political tool that the PF government intends to use for their political mileage. The Zambian youths are waiting to see just how far that policy frame work will go and if that action plan will be actualised within its stipulated time or it will be another “90 Days” saga as we have all come to know the PF.
The Defence Force recruitment is another classic example of the PF government’s desperate attemps to fool us the youths of Zambia. The whole process, including this year when the Zambia Police Service was recruiting, was marred with corruption, nepotism and lack of professionalism. This Stone Age governance style is synonymous with the PF government. It is who you know and as MMD, we want to state categorically that these schemes will not make us lose focus in eliminating the PF off the Zambian political scene in 2016.
The hurried roads and other infrastructure developments, the continued creation of new districts and the pronouncements of huge public service salary increments to mention but a few are been done all on borrowed money. We cannot continue to live on “kaloba” (borrowed money), rather we should be nuturing ingenuity, creativity and seeking tangible solutions to our present economic woes and that is what the MMD is offering in 2016 and beyond under the leadership of Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba. It is not magic nor is it a fallacy that we as MMD have done it before. The Zambian people remember that we liberalized the economy and brought about economic emancipation to this nation.
It is evident that the PF government does not only lack direction in their governance policy but also lack experience. No wonder President Edgar Lungu’s government is full of opposition members of parliament. Zambians can see what is at play in the PF government. The President is out there seeking our guidance as the opposition because his own are consistently incompetent.
I therefore take this opportunity to urge all peace loving, true patriots of the mother land to carefully study the PF government as we go to the polls come 2016. I most emphatically call on the Zambian youths to rise in numbers and do a “Donchi Kubeba” on the PF by getting whatever they will give you in their desperation but make sure you remove them from government come 2016 because they have proven that leading Zambia is too much of a challenge for them.
We cannot go on like this as a nation being constantly derailed by the PF government. It is time for the New Hope MMD to be given a chance to lead Zambia again in 2016.
ActionAid Zambia has questioned the motive behind the creation of new districts on Solwezi district by President Edgar Lungu.
It said the creation of new districts is a form of decentralization, with potential to enhance service delivery at the local level but stated that the manner in which this is done is questionable for a number of reasons.
It pointed out that there seems to be no proper analysis of the social and economic environment when creating new districts.
It said on the economic front, government did not budget for the creation of new districts in the 2015 budget.
ActionAid said the creation of new districts should be accompanied with improved investment in infrastructure development, which requires sufficient resources.
In a statement, ActionAid said with the current high fiscal deficit Zambia is already experiencing, it is unlikely that government will be able to support infrastructure development in these new districts.
It said the creation of new districts is further widening the fiscal deficit.
“The creation of new districts should be accompanied with improved investment in infrastructure development, which requires sufficient resources. With the current high fiscal deficit the country is already experiencing, it is unlikely that government will be able to support infrastructure development in these new districts which will disadvantage the people
of these districts as structures, systems and services to support them will be none existent. This creation of new districts is further widening the fiscal deficit,” it said.
It also said the expectation that investors should lead and spearhead development in the newly created districts is misplaced.
“We should remember that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is voluntary and largely depends on the goodwill of investors. The President in his statement when declaring Kalumbila and Mushindano as districts argued that he expects Mushindano district to have modern facilities like Kalumbila where First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has developed modern infrastructure. While it is accepted that investors could undertake CSR, it is the responsibility of government to provide modern facilities to its people and not to rely on investors.”
“ActionAid is concerned that the declaration of new districts is being undertaken with little consultation of affected communities and stakeholders. ActionAid notes that on many occasions, the President just declares an area a new district when attending a political rally or when visiting traditional leaders in that area.”
It said often such pronouncements are made at political rallies to win votes and there is no proper consultation with the local people.
“Although government has been talking about participatory governance this is against the principle of participation and could breed conflict if not well handled,” it said.
The organization is further concerned that the pronouncement of these two new districts comes in the wake of an impending by-election in the district and maybe misconstrued as a political gimmick by the ruling Patriotic Front government.
“ActionAid is further concerned that new districts that have so far been created have not been adequately resourced and that these have now become a burden on national treasury as in some cases employees recruited in the districts have no infrastructure to operate from with a number of districts.”
It added, “In the last three years, over 25 districts have been created. However, there has been no comprehensive information given by government regarding the establishment of key infrastructure in the new districts. Information on the ground is that there is little going on in terms of infrastructure development in the newly created districts.”
President Lungu over the weekend announced the creation of Mushindano and Kalumbila districts in Solwezi.
PF has so far brought the total number of districts to 105 from 74 since taking over in 2011.
President Lungu
President Edgar Lungu has directed the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) to accelerate the connection of electricity to the newly created Mushindamo District near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
REA Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Musonda told ZANIS in an interview that the Head of State wants the new district which is 130 kilometre from Solwezi District to also benefit from the country’s ambitious rural electrification programme.
Mr. Musonda said REA will spend about K30 million on the project to connect the area to the national electricity grid so that they can have access to reliable energy source.
He said among the facilities to be connected is the Kipushi border post housing the Immigration and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA offices, Kilumba and Mushindamo rural health centres, over 10 primary schools including Mushindamo Girls Technical School, government departments and some residencies.
Mr. Musonda said about 50 kilometres of overhead power lines have already been constructed out of a stretch of about 130 kilometres and all the materials have since been moved to the site.
He added that REA has also constructed a substation from which it will tap power from ZESCO to feed the grid extension that will take power to Mushindamo district and Kipushi border post.
Mr. Musonda further explained that the remaining works have since been segmented into four lots and will soon be awarded to contractors to expedite the completion of construction works before the commencement of the rain season.
And North-western Province Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga said government was happy with the progress made to electrify rural areas such as Kipushi border post.
Mr. Malupenga pointed out that President Lungu is desirous of developing Mushindamo district and Kipushi border post by ensuring that power is connected and a good road linking the area is constructed.
He said President Lungu further wants the vast economic potential of the area to be exploited in order to improve the livelihood of the people and contribute to the national economic development.
Mr. Malupenga said road works have already commenced adding that government will by 2016 upgrade the Solwezi-Mushindano road to bituminous standards under the link Zambia 8000 project.
First Lady Esther Lungu holds one of the twins during a tour of Sioma Mission Rural Health Centre on Tuesday, August 25,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
The Non Governmental Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) is deeply concerned at the lack of a clearly defined role for the office of the First Lady.
NGOCC Board Secretary Patricia Mubanga said in a statement that the office of the First Lady is not a Constitutional Office.
Ms. Mubanga said there is urgent need for Parliament to immediately enact laws to guide the operations and define the role of the First Lady’s office.
“As the law stands, the office of the First Lady remains shrouded in controversies and yet we continue to see our successive First Ladies sometimes overlapping and undertaking functions, which ordinarily, are supposed to be done by relevant line Ministries and other entities,” Ms Mubanga said.
“Recently, just like in the past, we have witnessed the First Lady Madam Esther Lungu undertaking activities which are, sometimes, misconstrued by members of the public to be advancing partisan politics. Currently, the First Lady is in the Western Province on an outreach programme, which other stakeholders believe are campaigns for the party in office.”
She said in the absence of a clear legal framework, we advise the First Lady to desist from engaging in partisan activities that will bring misunderstanding by other players.
Ms Mubanga said the First Lady is the figurehead ‘Mother of the Nation’ who must not be dragged in divisive partisan political activities.
“It is unclear where the First Lady is drawing the resources she is using especially with the much publicized donations. We also note that the First Lady’s entourage includes public service workers, who, essentially, pose a cost implication on government coffers.”
She said Cabinet Office must come out clear and inform the Zambian people which budgetary allocation Madam Lungu is using in terms of the donations she is making as well as logistical support for the trips.
Ms Mubanga said this will not only enhance transparency and accountability but will also protect the First Lady.
HIP-HOP and dancehall artiste Mic Burner’s video of his song Thought of You, which he says was shot at a cost of US$50,000 in South Africa and Namibia, is next month set to premiere on international music channels like Trace, Channel O, BET, MTV and MTV Base.
Having recently signed to Transblasts Entertainment, Mic Burner is elated about the premiere of his video on international channels.
“Zambians should really invest in their music… the time has come to take our music out there,” he says.
There has been a noticeable improvement in video productions recently, thanks to such initiatives as the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Born ‘n’ Bred Music Video Awards.
Since the production of the Beatles music video of Hard Day’s Night in 1964, music videos have come to be a vital part of the musician’s career and the industry itself.
And in this digital era, it is even more important as it can help launch a musician’s career.
That is why when you see Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift feuding over MTV Video Music Awards nominations, it should not surprise you.
Behind the scenes of Thought of you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se7PZS89Ipk
File:ZESCO Limited officials inspect the waters at Lake Kariba where the utility firm generates power
ZESCO has further reduced electricity generation at Kariba north bank power station to 300 Mega Watts (MW),blaming this on it’s customers who they say consume too much electricity after load shedding hours.
The country now only has 1,158 Giga Watt hours (GWh) of electricity accessible for generation at Kariba from the 4,996 GWh which was available for the period June 1, to December this year.
Zesco senior manager for marketing and public relations Bessie Banda said at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the Kariba power station could be shut prematurely due to the impending lack of water for electricity generation.Zesco previously generated 800 MW from Kariba before the figure trickled down to 560 MW after the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) rationed water supplied for generation owing to poor rainfall.Ms Banda said the current pattern of consumption after the 8-hour daily load shedding programme was not helping the rationing exercise which is intended at conserving water for electricity generation in the months ahead.She said the trend of consumers maximising the usage of electricity while the commodity was available could lead to Zesco prematurely shutting Kariba power station as early as next month.
The Plan
To urge Consumers to stop maximising usage of electricity
Zesco is appealing to it’s esteemed customers to continue to conserve and use electricity energy responsibly when power supply is restored to avoid shutting down the power station prematurely next month.
Buy solar panels, etc ..just in case
Government has fast tracked the process of finding alternative sources of energy to replace hydro-electricity.Mines, Energy and Water Development Permanent Secretary Emelda Chola said a number of companies had been identified to supply alternative sources of energy in case the country’s existing stock from hydro deleted completely.
Import emergency power for the mines
ZESCO will import an additional 140 MW as emergency power from an independent gas producing firm based in Mozambique.ZESCO senior manager for system operations and trading Changala Nswana said the bulk of the consignment would be targeted at servicing the mines.This brings electricity imports from Mozambique to more than 400 MW after Zesco earlier contracted 300 MW from Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM).
60MW expected from Itezhi-tezhi in December
ZESCO has made headway on medium and long term projects to improve distribution with the 120 MW Itezhi-tezhi hydro power project which is 87 percent complete.The first 60 MW of the project will be commissioned in December this year while the other 60 MW would be commissioned in January, 2016.
300MW from Maamba Collieries next year
The 300 MW coal fired power plant by Maamba Collieries will be commissioned in two phases in the first quarter of next year.
Install 300MW solar plants
Zesco would install 300 MW of power in distributed solar plants starting next year
Buy 2million fluoresent lamps
Two million compact fluorescent lamps have been procured for distribution countrywide.
