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FILE: HH Speaking to Journalist after pearing for mention
United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has urged Zambians to replicate the 1991 political revolution in 2016.
Mr Hichilema has since encouraged Zambian not to ignore calls for unity of purpose ahead of 2016 in order to usher in a new government.
He says the power to change the country still remains in the hands of the Zambia people themselves.
Mr. Hichilema says people Zambians across political parties have no option but to unite and ensure that they usher in a government that will address all their concerns.
He says it is possible that Zambians can unite the same way they did in 1991.
Mr Hichilema adds that people cannot pretend that everything is okay in the country.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga (left) addresses new Zambia Railways Board members at his office as the new Board Chairperson Davies Chama looks on in Lusaka
MINISTER of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Yamfwa Mukanga has dismissed assertions of corruption at State House over the supervision of the Road Development Agency (RDA).
Reacting to Lubansenshi member of Parliament Patrick Mucheleka who said that corruption has allegedly been taken to State House in the supervision of RDA, Mr Mukanga said on Friday that President Sata has powers to over-supervise Government projects.
“This perception is wrong because RDA does not operate from State House, it is still and will remain within my ministry but the Head of State has powers to over-supervise any Government entity and this is what is happening at the moment with the road projects because President Sata intends to link up the entire country through a good road network.
“If some people think there is corruption involved in the manner the RDA is working, let them come forward and provide proof of wrong doing.”
On Friday, Mr Mucheleka said President Sata would find it difficult to dissociate himself from possible corruption in the road projects being undertaken by RDA.
And giving an update on the Link Zambia 8000 road project, Mr Mukanga said Government is on course to transform Zambia from being landlocked to a land linked country in southern Africa.
“We have engaged a number of contractors to carry out rehabilitation and upgrading works on our road networks, so far 1,900 kilometers of roads out of the 8,000 have been worked on with a total cost of K7.1 billion,” Mr Mukanga said.
He said the road tolling programme which started in November last year has continued to provide additional revenue for road maintenance.
“From the programme inception to date, a total of K180 million has been collected from the toll points located at the weighbridge stations and ports of entry.
“The government within the month of September 2014 will commence construction of toll plazas at nine designated locations on the road network out of the approved 26. This development will lead to even more revenue for road maintenance,” Mr Mukanga said.
MMD president Nevers Mumba arrives at St Ignatius Parish for the way of the Cross service
MMD president Nevers Mumba says it is immoral for members of Parliament (MPs) to demand a pay rise when the majority of Zambians are languishing in poverty.
Dr Mumba said MPs, who are national leaders, should strive to improve the living standards of the majority before advocating better conditions of service.
“My advice to MPs is that unless we improve and better the lives of the majority of Zambians, it is immoral to demand for a pay rise,” Dr Mumba said.
He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that although MPs, like every worker in Zambia, deserve a pay rise due to the high cost of living, there is need to protect the interests of the majority citizens.
Dr Mumba was responding to calls by some MPs, including those of the MMD, for better perks to ensure that they do not become destitute.
He, however, said it is wrong for some sections of society to create an impression that it is only opposition MPs who debated a pay hike as the report of the parliamentary reforms and modernisation committee was unanimously adopted by the House.
Dr Mumba also implored Government to consider lifting the wage-freeze due to the prevailing high cost of living.
“Government should consider revising that decision [wage-freeze] because the cost of living has gone up. The cost of travel, fuel and food has escalated too,” Dr Mumba said.
And United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema said the party will soon state its position on the MPs’ demands for a pay rise.
Mr Hichilema said in a separate interview yesterday that the UPND will make it clear on the matter on what needs to be done.
Alliance for Democracy and Development president Charles Milupi said it will be unfortunate if President Sata authorises a pay rise for MPs.
Mr Milupi said a hike in the pay for MPs will have an impact on the economy.
“In 2011, we had a similar situation where MPs voted for a pay rise but the then President Rupiah Banda did not authorise and that is how it was shot down,” Mr Milupi said.
He said it is wrong for MPs to demand for a pay rise when the majority of Zambians are suffering and unemployment still remains a challenge.
On Friday, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions condemned the demand by some MPs to have their salaries increased saying it was wrong.
Information Minister Dr Joseph Katema with Dr Cristopher Kalila
ZAMBIANS will not be hoodwinked by people who want to sow seeds of disunity and hate using social media, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Joseph Katema has said.
Dr Katema said in an interview on Saturday that social media cannot divide Zambians.
Dr Katema, who is also Chief Government spokesperson, said Zambia has remained peaceful and united because of the values and culture that citizens adhere to.
“Zambians have got an identity and I do not think they can be hoodwinked by individuals or groups of individuals who want to sow a seed of disunity and hate using any form of information dissemination.
“The message is that I do not think technology and social media in particular can manage to disunite Zambians,” Dr Katema said
The minister said people may read about the rumours and gossip being peddled in some sections of the media but citizens disregard such messages the moment they depart from the core values of unity and peace.
“These people should not take Zambians for granted because Zambians will not depart from their culture. If someone is going to preach acrimony and disunity, they will be looked down upon,” Dr Katema said.
A local think tank, the Policy Monitoring and Research Centre has recommended that the Constituency Development Fund in its current form be phased out
In its latest research report, PMRC says it believes that through the phasing out and readjustment of CDF as it currently stands, as well as the implementation of additional key recommendations to support a revised approach to decentralised, community development, audit queries can be reduced.
It recommends that community development needs should be addressed through existing systems of Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and Area Development Committees (ADCs).
The PMRC is also proposing the introduction of a longer-term development approach which it says would also reduce issues of uncompleted projects.
The organisation says issues of ‘unspent funds’ would be removed, as projects would be developed according to medium-term frameworks rather than following stringent one-year implementation rules.
“Grassroots issues can be channelled through these systems to the District Council for implementation. Funds would be distributed to District Councils and managed by Councils and sub-District structures without the involvement of MPs. The focus would be on strengthening decentralisation processes and ensuring that the national development agenda incorporates sub-level development priorities,” the report states.
It added, “It would be necessary to undertake a review of CDF guidelines and propose amendments to ensure more effective guidance, tighter controls and oversight in the use of CDF. Changes in communication strategies would need to be implemented to ensure communities are aware of CDF and their role.”
PMRC says key benefits of such a system would include resources will be pooled at Council level to allow for effective distribution and implementation of projects.
“This way, projects can be developed based on a medium-term framework to allow for long-term, sustainable development rather than a series of short-term, uncompleted projects. The Council can liaise with relevant government departments (such as Education and Health) to ensure integration in planning approaches. There will be one administrative system overseeing development projects, rather than two parallel structures of CDF and Grants, allowing for the effective utilisation of resources,” it said.
It continued, “Responsibility for projects will lie with the Council meaning they are in control of how funds are utilised, are accountable for all funds, and have the ability to change aspects to improve the situation. Political involvement in development projects will be removed, allowing funds to target real needs rather than be used as a campaigning tool.”
The report states that projects will be sourced and managed by representatives who live within constituencies on a full time basis and do not have other pressing commitments in Central Government.
“MPs will be able to focus more effectively on their responsibilities in Parliament and other Committees without needing to attend to administrative matters of CDF and more effective monitoring systems can be developed at a Council level with the aim for a dedicated team to monitor and evaluate all Council projects.
President Sata with First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba flanked by Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Muyeba Chikonde on arrival at Lanseria International Airport en route to Netcare Milpark Hospital in South Africa where they visited Kazimu Sata on July 19,2014 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
President of the National Restoration Party Elias Chipimo has appealed to President Michael Sata to consider going on medical leave to help him recuperate.
Mr Chipimo said President Sata needs some time away from the pressures of State House to allow him get back his normal health.
He said latest pictures from State House confirm that President Sata is not enjoying the best of his health hence the need to take some time off to rest and heal.
Mr Chipimo was speaking Sunday morning when he featured on a live Tikambilane radio programme on Joy FM.
“As NAREP, we are saying this without any malice. We would like to see the President back to his best healthwise and this is why we are suggesting that he takes some time off to fully rest and recover,” Mr Chipimo said.
He added that the constitution provides for the Head of State to momentarily vacate office and appint someone else to act in his absence.
“Mr Sata could use these same provisions in the constitution and apply for leave. Let him appoint someone from his cabinet to start discharging the full functions of the Office of the President until such a time when he is fully fit to work. The stress of that office is also not helping his health,” he said.
He said, “The Acting President could be given some hand over notes of the priority areas or issues that he really wants to work on. Even these delays in swearing in officials would be dealt with and Government will continue functioning as the President recuperates.”
Mr Chipimo also lashed out some Government and PF party officials for suggesting that discussing the health of the President could land people in trouble with the law.
“I find that kind of a statement unfortunate and the people making such statements really need to get their heads examined. There is nothing criminal about a citizen demanding to know the whereabouts of a President who has not been seen or heard in public for close to a month,” he said.
He added, “Every household in Zambia discusses the health of the President at least once each week especially if they have not seen or heard him in public. You cannot arrest everyone who talks about the President. Everybody falls ill and there is nothing different about President Sata except the nature of the office he occupies.”
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) says most African countries have remained under-developed due to un- exploited women’s potential in economic development.
ILO Africa Director Aeneas Chuma says there is documented evidence that women’s active participation in the country’s economy leads to national development.
He say that there is need for countries to take advantage of significant role played by women through empowerment programmes.
ZANIS reports that the ILO Africa Director said this in an interview upon his arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport for the on-going National Women’s Empowerment Jubilee Expo held at the Mulungushi international conference centre in Lusaka.
Mr Chuma said there is evidence to the effect that when women are employed, their work valued and remunerated, economic development takes place.
He also said stakeholders should address impediments that hinder women from accessing financing for their businesses.
Mr Chuma who is also said ILO is promoting equality of women through promoting development programmes of women.
Majority of women in most parts of the continent have continued being discriminated and pushed to the edges of society through stereotype practices and discrimination.
In most African societies, women have from infancy been denied opportunities to contribute to their respective households and countries as a whole socially and economically as they are treated as wives for bearing children, only.
And Ministry of Gender Permanent Secretary Daisy Ng’ambi expressed happiness that the need to empower women economically is receiving international recognition.
Ms Ng’ambi also revealed that her Ministry wants the make the National Women’s Empowerment Expo an annual event.
She said there are plans to hold provincial women’s empowerment expo in all the provinces as a way of reaching out to more women.
Alliance for Better Zambia president Father Frank Bwalya blows a whistle against the government’s refusal to release the Zambian draft constitution
The opposition Alliance for a Better Zambia (ABZ) has advised the leaders of congregations of Catholic nuns in Zambia to immediately put in place measures to protect their members from violent members of society and other social misfits.
The ABZ’s call follows the recent ‘barbaric behaviour of a named teacher at Roma Girls Secondary School in Lusaka who savagely beat up a Catholic nun who is head teacher of the same school.
ABZ Leader Father Frank Bwalya has told QFM News in a telephone interview that the violent behaviour of the teacher should be strongly condemned by all peace loving Zambians.
Father Bwalya says the barbaric behaviour has no place in the civilized society.
He has called for the immediate arrest of the teacher and justice on behalf of the innocent Catholic nun whose beating represents notorious gender based violence.
He adds that it is very shameful and disheartening for a school teacher who should teach pupils civilized ways of solving differences to resort to violence over an issue that could easily be settled through dialogue.
Father Bwalya says his party is very disappointed with the violent school teacher whose behaviour has potential to tarnish the image of the teaching fraternity in our country.
He has since advised the leadership of the Catholic nuns to ensure that they come up with measures that will see to it that nuns in the country are protected from any form of violence.
The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) has urged parliamentarians to ensure that there is adequate legislation with current challenges in the mining sector.
CTPD Executive Director Isabel Mukelabai has told Qfm news in an interview that there is need to have adequate laws to deal with aggressive tax planning by mining companies and curb practices such as transfer mispricing and general illicit financial outflows.
Ms. Mukelebai notes that Zambia’s current legislation does not effectively deal with aggressive tax planning by multinational companies operating in the country.
Ms. Mukelabai adds that currently the Zambia revenue authority (ZRA) has inadequate capacity to monitor production and quality of mineral being produced.
She stresses that this is the reason why the Zambia Revenue Authority cannot effectively collect mineral royalty from the mines.
Ms. Mukelabai notes that comparing revenue collection from the mining sector under the income tax with personal income tax collected from payee, they see that ordinary citizens are paying more than mining companies which raises issues of equity.
The right to face Zambia in a 2015 Africa Cup Group F qualifier this September kicked off on a dramatic note with Tanzania and Mozambique drawing in Dar-es-Salaam.
Tanzania and Mozambique drew 2-2 at the National Stadium on Sunday.
But it was Tanzania who fell behind in the 47th minute when Domingues put Mozambique ahead from the penalty spot.
The Taifa Stars hit back with a brace from Khamis Mcha in the 66th minute and 72nd from the penalty spot.
However,Mozambique stunned their hosts when Isac Carvalho scored a 90th minute equaliser to give The Mambas a crucial away draw to take into the final leg on August 2.
Winner over both legs will travel away face Zambia in a Group F opener on September 6
Striker Allan Mulemena scored a first half lone goal as ten-men Kitwe United beat FAZ Division One North leaders Mufulira Wanderers 1-0 in a Week 18 match played at Garden Park Stadium in Kitwe on Sunday.
This is a sweet revenge for the Buchi Boys who lost the reserve fixture by 2-1 at Shinde Stadium.
Mulemena beat keeper Erick Chinyimba with a low shot after benefiting from a failed offside trap erected by the Wanderers backline.
Six minutes earlier Mighty had missed a chance to lead when Brian Ambungeni saw his header fly over the goal-mouth.
Eight minutes after the restart Kitwe were reduced to ten men with defender Andrew Tembo receiving a straight red card from referee Milton Mweemba for an off the ball incident.
Mighty almost equalised in the 90th minute when Progress Kalenga’s shot on target was saved by Amon Nyirenda.
Despite this loss Wanderers maintain their lead on the table with 32 points after their closest rivals Kalulushi Modern Stars drew goalless with Chambishi.
Zambia Under-17 team beat Botswana 1-0 this afternoon in a 2015 CAF Under-17 Cup qualifier at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
The first half ended scoreless in a period had Patson Daka and Pumulo Siwanga not wasted chances.
The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute through Enock Mwepu.
The final leg is set for August 2 in Gaborone with the winner advancing to the final qualifying round in September to fave winner of the Uganda versus Rwanda tie for a place at next years finals in Niger.
Power Dynamos on Sunday rallied to end Kabwe Warriors two-match unbeaten run after a 3-2 away win at Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
The result sees Power leapfrog over their stuttering Kitwe archrivals Nkana whom they relegate from fourth to fifth.
Napsa Stars drop from third to fourth thanks to a rare away victory this season by Power.
However, it almost didn’t go according to script thanks to some near-disaster goalkeeping by Joshua Titima.
Jacob Phiri’s 5th minute curler deceived Titima, hitting the the far post before going in.
Power equalised in the 12th minutes when an unmarked Jimmy Ndhlovu planted ball into the back of the net off a Lubambo Musonda cross.
Warriors restored their lead in the 33rd minute when Lameck Kamfwaya’s free kick took a bounce and over a diving Titima who was having a forgettable opening 45 minutes.
Five minutes later, Richard Kasonde hit back of the net after whipping in the ball from a tight angle on the near post to see the two sides go 2-2 into the break.
The goal was Kasonde’s first against his former club whom he left this season.
Kennedy Mudenda then put the result beyond doubt in the 60th minute to beat Warriors’ promising goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga after a neat build up involving Lubambo and Emmanuel Chimpinde.
Power’s second away win of the season sees them move within five points of leaders Zanaco on 31 and 36 points from sixteen games played.
We underrated Green Eagles says Nkana coach Zeddy Saileti.
Promoted Eagles stunned hosts Nkana 3-2 on Saturday to dispatch the defending FAZ Super Division champions to their second successive home defeat of the season.
“The defence and the goalkeeper I think allowed silly goals,” Saileti said.
“I think maybe they underrated Green Eagles and they punished us.In football you cant afford to underrate any team.”
Goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga was at the centre of the first and third goal’s scored Mathews Tembo from a poor clearance in the 6th minute and by Hashed Mwale in the 57th minute.
Poor communication between defender’s Derrick Mwansa and Amos Simwanza aided in Eagles second goal scored by Brian mwila in the 11th minute.
Nkana drop from third to fourth after the defeat while Eagles stay put in eighth place after completing a memorable unbeaten run against the defending champions this season.
