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AN senior accountant from the Provincial Health Office in Chipata has died in a fatal road accident on the Chipata-Lundazi road.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Eugene Sibote confirmed yesterday the death of Benson Ngoma of Chipata who died on Friday along 10:00 hours along the Chipata-Lundazi road.
Mr Sibote said that the accident happened when the vehicle from Ministry of Health in Lusaka had a rear left tire burst.
He said that this caused the driver to lose control and the vehicle veered off the road and overturned three times.
Mr Sibote said that the vehicle was carrying three other health officers, Joseph Bwalya 44, SibongoMatakala, 48, and the driver Mukupo Donald Ngosa 48, all from Lusaka.
He said that Ngoma died on the way to hospital after sustaining fatal head injuries.
And Provincial Medical Officer Dr Abel Kabalo described the death of Mr Ngoma as a tragedy to his office.
Dr Kabalo said Mr Ngoma and others had gone for work in Chama and Lundazi districts.
He said Mr Ngoma was expected to be put to rest yesterday in Lundazi District.
Chilufya Tayali talks to Journalist after he was acquitted
Evangelical Youth Alliance reverend Moses Lungu says Zambian Voice executive director Chilufya Tayali should not celebrate his acquittal for rape charges because his behaviour allegedly exhibits immorality.
Reverend Lungu said in an interview yesterday, that there is no freedom when Mr Tayali is aware of the wrongs he did with the woman he had an affair with.
He said Zambia is a conservative society and that it is unfortunate that Mr Tayali was proud to state that he moves around with a condom.
“There is nothing to celebrate about his issue. there is no freedom when he admitted that he had an affair with the young lady. Where is morality in the things he said and did?” he said.
Rev Lungu said Mr Tayali’s behaviour exhibits disrespect to women and that he should be condemned instead of being described as a free man as there is no freedom in what he did.
Mr Tayali was last week acquitted of rape charges by the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court.
And Rev Lungu is disappointed that Rainbow Party president Wynter Kabimba has been attacking the judiciary when he is part of the legal fraternity and is also a former minister of Justice.
He said Mr Kabimba should not attack the judiciary now because he had the opportunity to correct any perceived problems when he was minister of Justice.
Reverend Lungu alleged that Mr Kabimba made a lot of wrong decisions when he was in office.
Wynter Kabimba speaking at the launch of the Rainbow Party
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri says Zambians must dismiss as “hogwash” Rainbow Party president Wynter Kabimba’s insinuation that the Judicial Service Commission was secretly sworn in by Chief Justice Ireen Mabilima.
Ms Phiri, in a statement yesterday, said there is nothing irregular about holding matters in camera.
“What would be the rationale behind any secrecy for a commission whose business will interface the general public?” she asked.
Ms Phiri also said there is no justification on questioning former chief justice Mathew Ngulube’s standing and track record.
“Justice Ngulube has chaired several commissions with honour since he left office as Chief Justice, such as the tribunal that investigated Judge [Timothy]Katanekwa and was a member of the Judge Sunkutu tribunal,” she said.
Ms Mumbi also said Justice Ngulube is an expert on the constitutional review commission and the technical committee on drafting the constitution.
She said it should be emphasised that while all the previous tribunals involving these judges were held in camera, including the Esau Chulu tribunal, also known as the Mukelabai Mukelabai tribunal set up to probe alleged misconduct of the former Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito, some people want to crucify the Annel Silungwe tribunal for electing to also be held in camera.
Ms Phiri said Zambians must ask why the Annel Silungwe tribunal should be treated differently from the Mukelabai Mukelabai tribunal, for example.
Ms Phiri was reacting to media reports alleging that the commission comprising Mr Ngulube, acting deputy chief justice Marvin Mwanamwambwa, Attorney General Likando Kalaluka, Solicitor General Abraham Mwansa, dean of law school at the University of Zambia Frederick Mudenda, Dr Brian Chituwo and chief resident magistrate Astridah Chulu was sworn in secretly by Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima
ECZ Public Relations Manager Chris Akufuna
THE MMD says there is nothing wrong with the Electoral Commission of Zambia rescheduling dates for the commencement of the voter registration exercise.
And the Patriotic Front (PF) is not worried about the rescheduling of dates for starting the registration exercise.
The ECZ has postponed the start of the exercise from August 17, to September 14, 2015 due to delay in buying equipment and materials needed for the task.
MMD national secretary Mwansa Mbulakulima said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that people should not panic over the postponement because ECZ is doing everything possible within its mandate to ensure that the exercise is conducted as planned.
“What the Commission has done has given the Zambian people who have no national registration cards (NRCs) more time to ensure that they obtain the documents.
“We are advising our people to ensure that they obtain NRCs so that when the voter registration exercise starts they register,” Mr Mbulakulima said.
PF secretary general Davies Chama said the ruling party is not worried about the changed dates.
“We have no problems as PF when it comes to the postponement of the dates because we know that ECZ still has more time to conduct the exercise, even the voter verification exercise,” Mr Chama said in an interview.
UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said in a separate interview that the party is disappointed that the ECZ has rescheduled the dates.
Mr Mweetwa said the rescheduling of the exercise could result in the ECZ rushing the exercise and deny potential voters the opportunity to register.
Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) executive director MacDonald Chipenzi said it is sad that ECZ decided to announce the voter registration dates before it had all logistics in place.
Meanwhile, Government has appealed to all political parties participating in the forthcoming parliamentary by-elections in Petauke Central, Malambo and Mulobezi to conduct peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
Chief government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that peaceful campaigns will provide an opportunity for the electorate in the three constituencies to exercise their democratic right of choosing a member of Parliament (MP) of their choice.
“We are asking all political parties that are participating in the three parliamentary by-elections to embrace peace and not to fight during the campaigns.
“We want to have free and fair elections in the three by-elections and we don’t want political parties that are participating in the by-elections to ferry cadres from Lusaka to the constituencies where the by-elections will be held. This creates confusion and leads to violence,” he said.
Mr Kambwili, who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said all political parties should observe the provisions of the Public Order Act as they conduct political activities.
He also advised youths not to incite violence or allow themselves to be used as tools of political violence by selfish political leaders.
“We are urging our youths not to accept to be used as tools of violence because they are our future leaders.
“They must condemn political leaders that incite young people to engage in violence because Zambia has always been known for as a peaceful nation and this is what we want to continue,” Mr Kambwili said.
He appealed to all registered voters in the three constituencies to turn out in large numbers and vote for their preferred candidates who will bring meaningful development to their areas and uplift living standards.
Mr Kambwili also advised all political parties participating in the elections to adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct.
CHIEFTAINESS Mwenda (left) of Chikankanta gives a presentation to other traditional leaders during a Safe Motherhood orientation workshop in Choma
MORE THAN 25 gazetted traditional leaders from various parts of Southern Province are today scheduled to meet President Edgar Lungu at State House.
Provincial Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba, who confirmed the development in an interview yesterday, said that a total of 28 gazatted traditional leaders would meet the Head of State.
Mr Simuchoba said that President Lungu had invited the traditional leaders and that a luncheon was expected to be hosted for them by the Head of State.
“I can confirm that 28 gazetted chiefs from Southern Province have been invited by His Excellency President Lungu on June 1, 2015 (today) at State House,” he said.
Mr Simuchoba said some of the chiefs left for Lusaka at the weekend in readiness to meet President Lungu.
In a separate interview, Chief Chkanta of the Tonga speaking people in Kalomo district, who is also the chairperson of the Southern Province Royal Foundation of Chiefs, described the invitation as marvelous.
He said the invitation by President Lungu showed that the Head of State was ready o dialogue and work traditional leaders in the country in his quest to develop the country.
“I am one of the chiefs who have been invited by President Lungu, this is a very good decision and we are all looking forward to meet him,” he said.
Chief Chikanta said the occasion by chiefs to meet with Mr Lungu would avail them an opportunity to dialogue on many issues.
Chief Nyawa (right) of Kalomo with other traditional leaders attending a two-day Safe Motherhood orientation workshop in ChomaCHIEFTAINESS Mwenda (right) of Chikankanta, Chief Nalubamba of Namwala and Chief Monze among other traditional leaders attending a two-day Safe Motherhood orientation workshop in Choma
Dr Mumba chats with marketeers at Chilenje Market flanked by supporters and MMD Acting National Secretary Mwansa Mbulakulima
MMD National Secretary Mwansa Mbulakulima said the former ruling had not lifted the suspension of MMD officials who were suspended for various offences.
Mr Mbulakulima said yesterday that reports emanating from suspended leaders in Eastern Province claiming that their suspensions have been lifted by the top leadership as untrue.
He said the reports were baseless stating that the former ruling party was still handling different disciplinary cases.
“The reports coming from suspended officials in Eastern Province claiming that their suspensions have been lifted in Eastern Province is not true because the party is still handling the suspension issues,”Mr Mbulakulima said.
He explained that Jacob Mwanza was still acting provincial chairperson saying party members should instil discipline in the party.
He stated that discipline should be instilled in the former ruling party as it was going the healing process.
And Mr Mwanza said MMD Provincial Executive Committee (PEC)would be meeting this week to discuss the way forward after it withdrew from the parliamentary by-elections.
Meanwhile Mr Mwanza defended his decision to attempt to file in his nomination papers for the Petauke Central parliamentary by-election despite MMD President, Nevers Mumba having instructed him to withdraw.
He explained that MMD leaders in Eastern Province were last week forced to visit Dr Mumba in Lusaka to seek clarification on the party’s participation in the elections.
Mr Mwanza stated that Dr Mumba agreed that MMD participates in the elections and even issued adoption certificates on Monday last week.
He said that he was shocked that while on his way to Petauke from Lusaka, Dr Mumba called around 21:30 hours asking him to withdraw from the race.
Mr Mwanza said that he however, decided to go ahead after consulting his provincial team because a lot of preparations including that of financial support for campaigns had already been done.
HH in Kanyama.
A LAND wrangle has erupted area in Namwala district after opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema allegedly acquired about 1,500 hectares of land belonging to the community in Chief Mukobela’s area.
The fertile land in question which was said to be five kilometers in width and six kilometers in length was being used for cattle grazing by residents of Ngabo area within the district.
The move by Chief Mukobela, who however, said he only gave out the same land and not sold it to Mr Hichilema, has angered about 40 families to be displaced and the families have called for Government to intervene.
Acting District Commissioner Martin Sikainga confirmed the development and availed minutes to the media at the weekend pertaining to meetings held to discuss the land saga.
He said the land was allegedly sold to Mr Hichilema by headman Moola of Ngabo area, a situation which had deprived about 40 families of ploughing fields and grazing land for cattle.
“When I came into office as acting DC, I found a report of a case of land allegedly sold to Mr Hichilema and we have minute’s pertaining to complaints from the affected local community,” he said.
He said, one of the affected villagers who lodged the complaint on the acquisition of land by Mr Hichilema, was headman Moola’s son, who feared that the locals would be displaced.
He said when the land saga was reported to the district administration, a team comprising security personnel visited the area and observed that, in accordance with the chief’s authority, a traditional leader could only give out about 250 hectares of land.
“According to the law, a chief can only give out 250 hectares of land, when we investigated, its about 1,500 hectares of land Mr Hichilema has allegedly acquired and because of its vastness, its only the Head of State who is supposed to give it out,” he said.
He said, since the land given to Mr Hichilema was beyond the jurisdiction of the district administration, the matter was referred to provincial administration and was awaiting response.
He said the district administration could not summon Mr Hichilema because it was now a matter which should be handled by the provincial administration due to the vastness of land in question.
After visiting the land in question, Mr Sikainga said the team issued a directive that no infrastructural should be constructed until the matter was resolved.
At the time the team went to check on the land a few months ago, only a dipping tank was found being constructed.
But in his submission, according to minutes of a meeting held on July 29, 2014, attended by former DC Gavia Nsanzya, headman Moola stated that he gave Mr Hichilema the land because the opposition leader allegedly promised to sink boreholes, build a clinic and a school in the area.
He submitted that Chief Mukobela also consented it but when the team from the district visited the traditional leader, the chief refuted claims of selling the land and only give it out.
One of the complainants, Godfrey Lucheya stated that the land acquired by Mr Hichilema was not even in headman Moola’s area and wondered how the headman could allegedly give it out.
The complaints have since appealed to Government to intervene in the matter before they are deprived of the land belonging to the community.
Mr Hichilema and headman were unreachable for comments by press time.
The Research in Mental Health in the University of Zambia (UNZA) school of medicine at Ridgeway Campus says there some factors that contribute to relapses in mentally ill patients such as the ones at Chainama Hills Hospital in Lusaka.
According to a recent research done by Doctor Lonia Mwape, mental health challenges affecting most patients could be attributed lack of knowledge and attitude by some nurses in hospital.
Dr. Mwape also revealed that some family care givers especially in Lusaka, discriminate their relatives suffering from mental illness by failing to accept or to cope with the situation due to lack of knowledge.
She further observed that attitude from the community perceptions towards people with mental challenge was also a major concern
Dr. Mwape however suggested that there four priority areas which needed to be worked on in view to end discrimination and mistreating of person suffering from mental health challenges in Zambia.
She mentioned that among the four priory areas is the wellbeing of the patients in workplaces , mental health in prison , safe motherhood and HIV/ AIDS.
The mental health technocrat who presented her findings at the five day Technical Working Group on Mental Health in Chilanga which ended last Friday, , has since called for intensified efforts towards conducting mental health research in Zambia which can only be archived through creating an environmental that motivates people to undertake research.
She said by involving relevant stakeholders in planning for mental health research will yield fruits.
The Mental Health Research health in Zambia is a UNZA project sponsered by Leeds Beckett and the aim of the project is to strengthen mental health research in Zambia which will run up for three years.
And Mental health specialist Joseph Mayeya has noted that mental disorders carry a substantially increased mortality from suicide which is similar in magnitude to those from accidents and also with infectious, respiratory , cardiovascular disease and malignancy problems.
Mr. Mayeya said mental disorders also impact on the survival of the off spring such as depression among mothers markedly increases the risk for malnutrition in children , impacting both mother and child mortality.
He observed that people with mental illness or epilepsy , especially women are more vulnerable to abuse such as sexual abuse, putting them at higher risk for contracting and spreading HIV.
He however said , in Zambia mental health services has since undergone a process of reforming the current operational environment such as mental health policy which was approved in 2005, the National Health Services strategic plan (2011- 2016) and the sixth national development plan (2011- 2016) which as also been integrated in all the clinical technical guidelines ..
Cant wait to see how this comes out !!! mini morris on the mend
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PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu greets party members using the Patriotic Front (PF) symbol upon arrival at the 58th Copperbelt Mining, Agriculture and Commercial Show in Kitwe.
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Some ambitious Garage in Lusaka trying to bring back the Mini Morris to its feet or rather wheels
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu takes time to greet school children at the Copperbelt Mining, Agriculture and Commercial Show in Kitwe.
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NGONI warriors dancers entertain show goers in the main arena at the Copperbelt Mining, Agriculture and Commercial Show in Kitwe.
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MMD Sinda MP Levy Ngoma (left), HH and Mkaika MP Peter Phiri and HH at chief Kathumbi ‘ s palace
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First Lady Esther Lungu during the Church service at Nakonde Central UCZ Congregation on May 31,205 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Esther Lungu during the Church service at Nakonde Central UCZ Congregation on May 31,205 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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First Lady Esther Lungu during the Church service at Nakonde Central UCZ Congregation on May 31,205 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
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PART of the crowd that thronged the just-ended 57th Copperbelt Mining, Agriculture and Commercial Show in Kitwe. Picture by MOFFAT CHAZINGWA.
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PART of the crowd that thronged the just-ended 57th Copperbelt Mining, Agriculture and Commercial Show in Kitwe. Picture by MOFFAT CHAZINGWA.
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On the move, some PF, MMD and NAREP members moving to UPND over the weekend
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Brussels, 31st May 2015 – Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Miles Sampa says Zambia will not follow blindly when signing agreements with international partners. Click on Picture to read story.
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Driving Down Siavonga, some village before N’gombe ilede
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Our Beautiful Zambia, Lake Kariba
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The Victoria Falls, a bit worried that the water is drying up even before October low water fall
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The Victoria Falls, a bit worried that the water is drying up even before october low water fall
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Chisekesi Town even after 50 years of independence, this southern Province Town still looks the same
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Church in Chisekesi along the Livingstone Road
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Chisekesi Town even after 50 years of independence, this southern Province Town still looks the same
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Kariba Dam
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The Mighty Zambezi River Flowing down to the Indian Ocean
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The Mighty Zambezi River Flowing down to the Indian Ocean
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The Mighty Zambezi River Flowing down to the Indian Ocean
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Clean Livingstone Town
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Well is it my eyes, i seem to see water leaks on the wall of the Kariba Dam
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Livingstone Town, How i wish this place could be called something like Mosi-O-Tunya Town….
Zambia on Sunday progressed to the final round of the 2015 CAF Under-23 Cup qualifiers after thumping Botswana 2-0 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka to advance via a 3-1 aggregate score-line.
Second half goals from forwards Ronald Kampamba and Kelvin Mubanga helped Zambia to see-off the Young Zebras at the first round stage.
Kampamba of Egyptian club Wadi Degla put Fighton Simukonga’s side in the lead in the first minute of the second half that followed a goalless 45 minutes.
Power Dynamos winger Mubanga doubled Zambia’s lead in the 53rd minute to excite the crowd at Nkoloma Stadium.
The two teams drew 1-all in the first leg qualifier in Lobatse, Botswana over a week ago.
Meanwhile, Zambia will now face Cote d’Ivoire in the final round qualifier in July for a place at the Senegal finals from December 5-19.
Three teams from that tournament will qualify to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The FAZ division 1 North league is proving to be the most competitive for the year 2015. It has a table topper but no assurance of staying there. After 12weeks of Football there has been a number of changes.
Most recently Lumwana Radiants, after Kalulushi Modern Stars lost their game last Saturday against Chindwin Sentries, were on top. Lumwana Radiants went to the top on Sunday after coming from behind; at home upsetting Ndola united second half lead to win the game 2-1. They enjoyed a two-day table supremacy before the head to head clash scheduled for Wednesday, 20th May. Kalulushi, playing at home, reclaimed the top when they beat Lumwana Radiant’s 1-0, albeit a bad first half performance.
This Sunday, the Modern Stars travel to play one of the leagues stragglers, Mining Rangers while Lumwana Radiant’s host Kitwe united who are sitting in 11th place but only 4 points below. The surprise league entrant is Real Nakonde who in the last few weeks leap frogged the table to sit in 4th place with 20 points and the only other team to have only lost one game so far as have Mufulira Blackpool. Lumwana Radiants, with 22 points, have a game in hand scheduled for Wednesday 3rd June against the team that got a second attempt after demotion last season. ZESCO Luapula came back to division 1 after Premium sports of Kabwe didn’t show for 3 games. All the teams, Radiants included, that got free points off of Premium sports were stripped but got a game in hand against the Mansa outfit. They are still catching up with the rest of the teams in the league and are at 9 games already after 12 week days of soccer.
Vice President Inonge Wina has called on Zambians based in Nigeria to work hard and consider investing back home.
The Vice President says Zambians living in Nigeria should take a leaf from Nigerians living and working in other countries who have not only invested in foreign countries they are based but also in their own country.
Mrs. Wina encouraged Zambians to be entrepreneurial and find ways of making money to invest in the diaspora and in their own country Zambia.
The Vice President was speaking at Zambia’s High Commissioner’s residence today in Abuja when she addressed Zambians living in Nigeria at a luncheon hosted in her honour.
Mrs. Wina told Zambians here that President Lungu is running the affairs of the country properly and that he is determined to deliver the constitution to the people of Zambia in quickest possible time in a cost effective way.
She further explained that President Lungu has continued with the infrastructure development programmes, women empowerment and industrialization programs aimed at uplifting the lives of all citizens.
She said Zambians leaving in Nigeria will be welcome to invest in any sector in their country.
And a representing of Zambians leaving in Nigeria Dennis Zulu thanked the Vice President for taking time to give them firsthand information on what was happening back home.
Mr. Zulu said Zambians leaving in Nigeria are delighted with the developments taking place back home.
Meanwhile Vice President Inonge Wina has left Nigeria for Zambia after witnessing the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as President of that country.
Zambia’s Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria Maynard Misapa, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Embassy staff saw off the vice president at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 19:00 hours Nigerian time.
The Vice President who was accompanied by Minister in her office, Lazarus Chungu Bwalya is expected back home in Lusaka, Zambia today (Sunday).
Renowned urologist Dr Francis Manda has advised Zambians against buying medicines with the hope of enlarging male organs.
Dr Manda said there is no medicine whether herbal or conventional that could enlarge the male organs
He said all these medicines advertised in the newspapers are a scam aimed at conning people of their hard earned money.
Dr Manda has since commended the Kitwe City Council for banning the sticking of posters bearing advertisement for male enlargement creams.
He was speaking on his popular Radio 4 programme Manzi Therapy on Saturday.
‘These things they are sticking all over Cairo road about enlarging male organs don’t work. You will lose your money on those products but your manhood will not stretch an inch,’ Dr Manda stressed.
‘Men should get be content with the size of their manhood. It is not about how long or how big it is, it is how it is able to perform,’ Dr Manda said.
He said conventional medicine is only able to help fix problems of early ejaculation and erectile dysfunction and not male enlargements.
Dr Manda has since called for an end to the advertising of male enlargement products on street poles and all over the cities.
Brussels, 31st May 2015 – Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Miles Sampa says Zambia will not follow blindly when signing agreements with international partners.
Giving Zambia’s position on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) on the sideline of the just-ended Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP-EU) Council of Ministers in Brussels, Belgium, Mr Sampa said Zambia is still in the process of negotiating an EPA that was development friendly to its economy and flexible enough to accommodate the European counterparts.
Mr Sampa said his Ministry which is responsible for coordinating EPA position, is aware of the guidance from Parliament, to carry out urgent consultations amongst stakeholders with a view to coming up with a more inclusive and informed position.
He said it will not help Zambia to rush into concluding and signing an EPA that is not friendly to the country’s small-scale farmers, family owned businesses and those companies that have and continue to invest in the country. He said government is interested in seeing an EPA that will support its efforts to lift people out of poverty and not to worsen their current conditions.
“If the position we get after the consultations guides us to open the market to the EU (European Union), we will make sure that it’s something beneficial to the Zambian people not only today but for the future. We are making sure that all these agreements we sign, we are not seen to be mortgaging the country,” Mr Sampa said. “Our policy is that any arrangement we go into should be through consultations and a thorough consideration of our national interest. That’s the guidance from the President His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.”
Mr Sampa said any deviation from that guidance would not be allowed because government is aware of the fact that the country’s interest always come first.
“We will not follow blindly; we will make decisions that are beneficial to the Zambian people. Until we are satisfied that the ordinary Zambians will benefit from these agreements, not only today but also in the next 20; 50 years…,” he said.
Mr Sampa further explained that Zambia is now focusing on value addition as opposed to exporting raw materials.
He said Zambia’s relationship with Europe was a historical as well as economic one and thus the need to consider these factors in devising a way forward in the EPAs.
He noted that Zambia’s fledgling industry cannot compete with that of Europe which had evolved over centuries. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of the EPA to build capacity in host economies not only in Zambia but across the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions.
“We need to bit the bullet and be more forward looking as we engage so that our farmers, traders and investors make gains out of the EPAs. We need to develop capacity to add value to our raw materials as that is the only way we can create jobs in our countries; that’s the only way we will get foreign exchange. It’s only through such exports that the Kwacha can be supported and also gain value,” said Mr Sampa.
Going forward, the East and Southern Africa (ESA) group has resolved to meet again in the margins of the Summit in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt with a view to resolving the sticky issues and coming up with a more definitive position. It is noted that these negotiations have been going on for a long time and there is need to conclude. However, the need to conclude should not erode the benefits earlier intended in the EPA. Issued by:Lambwe Kachali [Mr] First Secretary (Press & Public Relations)
Mr Lubinda said in Kitwe that the agricultural sector is key to the creation of decent jobs and acceleration of national economic development.
He said Government has identified agriculture as one of the key productive sectors that can contribute significantly to the transformation and sustainability of a strong economy.
He said the delivery of over 14,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser under Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP) to all parts of the country demonstrates Government’s commitment towards the development of the agricultural sector.
He said Government has taken steps to diversify the economy in order to reduce dependence on mining, which is currently the mainstay of the country’s economy.
“The agricultural sector is one sector that can contribute significantly to economic growth of the country and reduce poverty, especially in rural areas,” Mr Lubinda said.
He also encouraged farmers to not only concentrate on growing maize but ensure they grow a variety of drought -resistant crops in view of the unpredictable rainfall pattern.
He said Government will do its part in overcoming challenges that hinder the agricultural sector from achieving its full potential.
He said young people should also venture into farming rather than just looking for jobs in the formal sector.
Government increased the budgetary allocation to agriculture from K3.5 billion in the 2014 national budget to more than K4 billion in 2015.
