THE Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections (JCTR) has saluted the Government on the installation of first ever sewer line in Zambezi sawmills Township in Livingstone as a way of improving the welfare of citizens.

Southern Water and Sewerage Company (SWASCO) Limited is currently laying sewer pipes in Livingstone Zambezi Sawmills area and the exercise will be completed by September this year.

About 302 households in Zambezi Sawmills have had no sanitation facilities since the country’s independence in 1964.

Recently, Livingstone Member of Parliament Lawrence Evans mobilised K603,000 for sanitation facilities in the area and SWASCO is currently laying sewer pipes to connect the households for a stretch of three kilometres.

JCTR Media and information officer Mwiinga Shimilimo said the move to put up a sewer line in the area showed Government and the community’s commitment to have proper sanitation in the heavily populated compound.

Speaking in Livingstone when JCTR conducted sanitation and delivery of social services survey in in the area, Ms Shimilimo said it was Government’s responsibility and elected leaders to ensure that people lived in habitable conditions by providing social amenities that could improve life.

“As JCTR, we believe that government and elected leaders have the responsibility of improving people’s lives by providing social amenities like good sanitation. So this project here in Zambezi sawmills compound shows governments commitment and we want to commend them,” Ms Shimilimo said.

Ms Shimilimo was however disappointed that Libuyu and Ngwenya compounds still had sanitation problems with no flushable toilets 50 years after independence.

“ Its disheartening to note that there are still houses fifty years after independence without flushable toilets. We would like law makers to see how best they can lobby for funds in order to improve sanitation in these areas,” Ms Shimilimo said.

And a senior citizen in Zambezi Sawmills Township, Mate Mulonda, thanked the Government and Mr Evans for installing a sewer line in the area.

Mr Mulonda, who is also one of the supervisors for the ongoing works, said the project was progressing well and was hopeful that they would complete within three months.

Mr Mulonda said it was good that President Edger Lungu took keen interest to ensure that the people of Zambezi sawmills had a sewer line.
He said the project had seen a number of youths in the being employed and that so far 70 percent of the works were done.

“We are very grateful to President Lungu for listening to our plight and making sure that we have a sewer line fifty years after independence. We wish him good health and ask him to continue with his development agenda for the country,” Mr Mulonda said.

And JCTR Livingstone coordinator George Makaha said there was still a problem in the delivery of social services especially in the area of sanitation in most Townships.

Mr Makaha said there was need for Government, through the local authorities and communities, to strike a balance to see how best people could live in better sanitation facilities.

“Government through the local authorities must strike a balance to see how sanitation can be improved in most of these compounds.

“So what needs to be done is more sensitization to the local leadership and communities to ensure that there is improved life in these compounds,” Mr Makaha said.

GOVERNMENT is looking for land for in Chipata District for the construction of state of the art fuel depot in Eastern Province.

Mines, Energy and Water Development Deputy Minister Charles Zulu said the move was aimed at ensuring that the country attains a uniform fuel pricing.

Mr Zulu requested the Chipata Municipal Council to assist the Government with the land for the construction of a fuel depot in the province.

“We are looking for the land for the construction of a fuel depot in Chipata District and you the Chipata Municipal Council provide us with the land so that the project can take place,” he said.

He said the Government was intending to constructs the similar depots in all the provincial centres as part of cushion the fuel shortage in the country.

The deputy minister was speaking when he graced the “Energy Week” in Chipata yesterday.
Mr Zulu also took a swipe at politicians who were politicising the current power deficit in the country.

He said Government was not sitting idle in the power shortage which was facing the country.

He said politicians should not politicise the power deficit because the problem had affected almost the entire region apart from Mozambique.

Mr Zulu said the similar problems were being faced in other countries stating that Government would import power from Mozambique in order to cushion the problem.

“The low water levels at Kariba North Bank are the biggest challenged. Politicians should not politicise the current low water levels,” he said.

Speaking earlier,Zesco regional manager Joseph Chilongo said it was critical for consumers to embrace the culture of energy affecting in the face of reduced power generation due to below natural rainfall received in the last rainy season.

Mr Chilongo said Zesco has constituted a crisis management team to educate and inform the customers on the power imbalance being experienced in the country.

CENTRAL Province Patriotic Front (PF) Party Chairperson Benson Chali has ordered genuine party members to stop using the regalia written Edgar 100 percent following a clash between those who were in green and those who were in orange attires.

Mr Chali said the continued wearing of the regalia by some members who feel that they were more PF than others was dividing members.

Speaking to journalists who sought clarification following the clash Mr Chali regretted the incident saying as long as he holds the position he would not allow lawlessness and appealed to genuine members to work towards bringing order at both structures.

He said he was saddened with continued attacks on each other and warned that those found involved in causing confusions would be dealt with.

Mr Chali said it has since instituted investigations to establish people who were behind the confusions which saw party member’s harassed at Kalonga Milling plant.

He said it was saddening that some people used President Lungu’s visit to harass others adding that he would not allow such to continue.

Mr Chali said continued squabbles based on colour of the regalia should not be tolerated and appealed to party members to learn to show respect to one another.

“If people can start fighting each other because of the uniforms then that will bring about confusions and it should not be allowed “, Mr Chali said.

On Thursday before President Lungu toured Kalonga Prison Milling Plant some PF Members where almost engaged in a physical fight after some suspected PF members who were in green attire stopped those in blue and orange on a basis that they did not belong to the party.

The two camps were only separated by state security. Some members sustained bruises.

PRESS ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA (PAZA) STATEMENT ON THE ARREST OF FRED M’MEMBE AND JOURNALIST MUKOSHA FUNGA

The arrest of Post Proprietor Fred M’membe and journalist Mukosha Funga again brings to the fore the urgent need to repeal or amend most of the draconian laws that still lie on our statute books.

At the moment there are more than 10 pieces of legislation that hinder m edia freedom and THE STATE SECURITY Act which has been used to charge Mr M’membe and Ms Funga is just one of them.

This law is vague and all encompassing to an extent that any government document can be classified as secret without clear standards or terms of classification.

For example, the nation will remember that not long ago, the draft constitution was classified as a secret document and government warned of prosecuting anyone who might have had the draft constitution at that time.

It is hard to imagine how a draft constitution can be classified as a top secret document but that is how absurd the secrecy law is . It can be used in a wide and sweeping form and citizens are generally in danger of prosecution for possessing any government document.

The manner in which this law can applied or is applied is a travesty of media freedom, free expression, access to information and transparency and accountability in management of public affairs.

The State security act is contradictory to the law protecting whistle blowers and therefore militates against the much talked about fight against corruption.

This law also suffocates investigative journalism and consequently the media’s role as a watchdog of society is watered down.

For as long as this law and other outdated pieces of law remain as they are currently crafted in the penal code, journalists and other citizens’ rights will continue to be violated by governments.

These laws have been used and will likely to be used in future to suppress a free press, freedom of expression and throttle investigative jounralism.

These laws are also a hinderance free flow of information which is vital for transparency and accountability in a democracy

PAZA therefore calls on government, members of parliament, the church, civil society and othet other stakehoklders to ensure that media law reforms should implemented with urgency.
In this regard, the minstry of information and broadcasting and the ministry of justice should lead in the process of media law reforms.

PAZA also calls OF LAW DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION which is resposible for continous revision and updating of laws to take keen interest in the revision or amendment of these laws.

The Patriotic Front (PF) government has an historic opportunity to strengthen and move Zambia’s democratic process forward by revising laws that are clearly anti-democracy.

PAZA hopes that the PF government will not miss this opportunity like the MMD administration did.

Andrew Sakala
July 17, 2015.

Energy and Water Development Deputy Minister Charles Zulu has maintained that the power outage being experienced in the country is not a political issue but due to climate change.

Speaking when he officiated at the launch of the Energy week exhibitions in Chipata this morning, Mr Zulu said climate change has affected the rainfall pattern which has led to low water levels at Kariba dam and the supply of hydro power in the country.

He stated that the power crisis is beyond ZESCO and the Government saying the blame game being played by some sectors will not help improve the situation.

Mr Zulu stated that power outages have affected most countries in the southern region and noted that government has come up with short and long term measures.

He revealed that government has authorized ZESCO to import power from Mozambique and that an additional 150 Megawatts from Maamba Coal powered station would improve power supply in the country.

He noted that government intends to accelerate the completion of Itezhi-Tezhi station which will supply 120 megwatts in 2016.

Mr Zulu also stated that the promotion of generation mixes from alternative and renewable energy technologies such as solar, geothermal, wind and liquid petroleum gas for cooking is also top on government agenda.

He urged the people of Chipata not to be wasteful in the utilization of electricity in order to compliment government efforts in development and rehabilitation of energy generation infrastructure to meet the growing demand.

And speaking at the same occasion, ZESCO Regional Manager Joseph Chilongo said the power utility company has constituted a crisis management team to educate and inform customers on the power imbalance being experienced in the province.

Minister of Education Science, Vocational Training and Early Child Education Michael Kaingu has called on former University of Zambia Students and Members of Parliament to assist government alleviate the accommodation challenges which has besieged the highest learning institution.

Dr Kaingu said there are many former UNZA students including Members of Parliament who are doing fine but have fail to plough back into the institution.

Dr Kaingu was speaking in parliament this morning when he was answering a question for oral answer from Kalabo Central Member of Parliament Chinga Miyutu who wanted to know how many students at UNZA were accommodated as of April, 2015.

Mr Miyutu also wanted to know how many students were not accommodated as at April 2015 and what measures have been taken to address the shortage of bed space at the institution.

He also wanted to know when the university would provide adequate accommodation to the students.

Dr Kaingu told parliament that 3,654 students were currently accommodated at UNZA while 20, 746 were not accommodated.

He explained that government is currently building more hostels not only at UNZA but even in other public universities and colleges to easy accommodation crisis which has besieged high institutions of learning.

He stated that the UNZA management has however, made arrangements to ensure that students not accommodated are provided with boarding houses in Kalingalinga and the surrounding areas within the jurisdiction of the campus.

He said this arrangement has facilitated students to be in school instead of being denied access to education due to lack of accommodation.

The call by the Minister has been supported by United Party for National Development (UPND) MP Jonas Shakafuswa who urged members of parliament to contribute generously to the University of Zambia.

Mr Shakafuswa said this idea of supporting the University of Zambia would go a long way in alleviating some of the problems the University of Zambia is facing not only on lack of accommodation but other problems as well.

President Edgar Lungu has disclosed that government will soon call a caucus meeting with opposition political parties to discuss clauses in the draft constitution to be tabled before Parliament for amendment.

And the Head of State has directed the Deputy Inspector of Police to ensure perpetrators of violence in Kitwe were UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema attacked are brought to book.

President Lungu says the caucus meeting is aimed at identifying non contentious clauses so that they are enshrined in the current constitution right away, such as the fixed date of the next general election.

He says cabinet approved certain clauses to be taken to Parliament during its meeting last week and that some clauses will be taken to parliament for approval next week.

President Lungu says government has made headway in the constitution making process and is hopeful of delivering a constitution that will reflect the will and wishes of the people.

The President has further challenged Zambian to submit their proposals on how best the Public Order Act can be amended.

And President Lungu says PF Secretary General Davies Chama yesterday condemned the violent attack on UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema in Kitwe, but that some people only want the condemnation to come from him.

He says he has been condemning violence for some time now and that people are aware that he will not support any violence.

President Lungu said this when the visiting United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark paid a curtsey call on him at State House this afternoon.

Speaking earlier, visiting UNDP Administrator Helen Clark says the UN agency will be delighted to help and support the government during the ongoing constitution making process.

Ms Clark says Zambia should view them as a friendly partner in development and engage them as they also have experience in such matters.

And UNDP Resident Coordinator Janet Rogan says there are about 25 UN agencies in Zambia some of which are not resident, but that all of them are making various contributions to the development of the country.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NON GOVERNMANTAL ORGANISATIONS CORDINATING COUNCIL (NGOCC) MS. SARA H. LONGWE DURING A MEDIA BRIEFING ON THE DECSION BY PRESIDENT EDGAR LUNGU TO PARDON GENERAL KANENE

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,

NGOCC NETWORK MEMBER ORGANISATIONS PRESENT,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

On Thursday, July 16th 2015, President Edgar Lungu pardoned a convicted girl child defiler, Clifford Dimba aka General Kanene who was serving an 18-year-jail sentence. General Kanene was convicted by a competent court of law that he molested and abused a girl child below the age of 16.

Clearly, President Lungu is increasingly becoming a danger not only to the nation but more specifically to the welfare of the girl child in Zambia. While well meaning Zambians are busy fighting gender based violence (GBV), and more specifically child defilement, President Pungu seems to be comfortable with the increased cases of child abuse as demonstrated in his release of general kanene. President Lungu must be reminded that he was elected to secure and safeguard the interests of all Zambians, including girl children.

President Lungu’s appetite to keep himself in power at any cost, even if it means embracing girl child defilers, is appalling and disgusting to say the least. The recent presidential pardons of criminals for political expedience by the pf government is now threatening the safety of this country especially the vulnerable girl children.

The decision by the president to pardon a convicted child defiler, is not only an insult to the women of Zambia, but a serious draw back in the fight against child defilement and GBV.

What the president is saying in his pardon is that as long as anyone is in good books with him or his party, they can abuse and defile children and they will not face the wrath of the law. It is unfortunate that at the time Zambia needs leadership in the fight against defilement the head of state is in the forefront abetting and encouraging people to abuse girl children.

While we appreciate that kanene may have reformed and is now championing the fight against gbv, the reality is so have many other prisoners who have committed various crimes who will serve their full sentence .

We call upon President Lungu to seriously introspect and reflect on his decision to release a convicted defiler. President lungu is seriously undermining the judicial system by selectively releasing convicts who he has a personal interest in. While, the law gives the president power to pardon convicts, we sincerely believe that president Lungu is abusing his power, for political expedience. Surely what is so special with general kanene to be released after committing such a heinous crime against a girl child? Did president lungu think about the victim when he decided to pardon General Kanene?

The girl child that was defiled by Mr Dimba will not receive any justice now that the president has decided to pardon him.

As long as President Lungu remains the head of state, the fight against gbv will remain a pipe dream. We challenge all the women in the Patriotic Front (PF) government to voice against this injustice against the girl child. If President Lungu and the pf want the support of the women, this decision must be reversed immediately.

It is for this reason that the women’s movement continues to advocate for a new people driven republican constitution that will regulate the powers of the president. The current constitution gives too much power to the president which is not good for the country.

NGOCC will remain consistent in demanding for the enactment of the new constitution through a national referendum. We primarily demand for the enactment of the new constitution through a national referendum because an expanded bill of right will enhance and advance the rights and status of women and children.

The only solution to the many problems that the country is facing is to enact the new constitution before 2016 tripartity elections. Otherswise, individuals will continue to abuse the presidential office.

As an organization we will be left with no option but to go to the public and explain what kind of danger Edgar Lungu is to the women and girl children of this country.

For/NGOCC
Issued;

Sara h. Longwe
Chairperson