FODEP CONDEMNS THE USE OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.

The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) is concerned with the huge delegations accompanying senior government officials pretexting to be inspecting developmental projects in areas where by-elections are due.

The incident in point is in Siavonga District where almost the entire government system at provincial and district level accompanied Vice-President Dr. Guy Scott in his campaign tour of Mulimya ward ahead of local government by-election in the area.

This is extremely uncalled-for and sheer waste of government resources for personal gain by those involved when the same resources would have been used to resolve water blues and abject poverty affecting the people in the area.

FODEP wonders how Dr. Guy Scott who over the weekend used a helicopter to inspect the Bottom Road works could still be accompanied by convoys of vehicles to Chaanga area where he held a campaign meeting. Senior government officials in the area including District Commissioners, police officers and provincial team led by provincial minister among others were in attendance.

In as much as the electoral laws allows republican Vice-President to use government resources and facilities during election campaigns, a huge government delegation to such meetings is a huge cost to the country which yearns for development.

There is, therefore, need for Dr. Scott to exercise responsibility and prudence in the utilization of such public resources and facilities ahead of the Mangango parliamentary and other local government by-elections schedule for August 2014 to avoid further wastage of public resources.

To other government officials, FODEP would like to remind them that they will be contravening the electoral laws by using government resources such as vehicles for political party activities ahead of the by-elections.

FODEP is instructing all its members staying in by-election areas to report any abuse and misuse of government facilities and resources by those not entitled by law.

McDonald Chipenzi
Executive Director

A former Copperbelt University Union representative Nicholas Sibalwa has welcomed government’s decision to increase additional four thousand bed spaces at the University in Kitwe.

Mr Sibalwa said the move is welcome as it has been the cry of Copperbelt University students for a long time now.

He was speaking to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the issue of bed spaces in most public Universities and colleges is one which needs to be looked into seriously.

Mr Sibalwa hinted that construction of additional hostels in public Universities and colleges will reduce congestion which currently has engulfed most higher learning Institutions.

Recently, Copperbelt University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Naison Ngoma, said the university will soon receive additional student accommodation; initially about 4,000 bed spaces and later up to 10,000.

Professor Ngoma also revealed that other government initiatives, including the Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) on hostel accommodation are firmly on track.

He,however said these were unlikely to meet increasing demand for hostel accommodation.

Vice President Guy Scott says Public Service workers play an important role in the economic development of the country.

Dr Scott said without the contribution of Civil Servants, it would be difficult for the nation to grow economically for the betterment of its citizens.

The Vice President said this today when he officiated at the African Public Service Day cerebration at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

Dr Scott praised public service workers for their dedicated attitude to duty He also urged the public service workers to continue exhibiting hard work for the benefit of the nation.

He said government is investing heavily in the education sector in order to have literate citizens.
The Vice President stated that the nation needs to have educated civil servants who will be able to steer the country to economic prosperity.

He added that government is on track in its bid to revamp the agricultural sector.

Dr Scott said government has put in place a deliberate policy aimed at increasing the number of farmers that will benefit from the fertilize support Input programme (FISP).

And speaking at the same occasion, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Leonard Hikaumba said public service workers deserve a pat on the back for their dedicated service to the nation.

Mr Hikaumba stated that civil servants are the engine of economic development in any given country.

He said it is for this reason that public service workers need to be remunerated handsomely if they are to put in their best in service delivery.

Mr Hikaumba further called on government to rescind its decision to impose a wage freeze on public service workers for the year 2014 and 2015.

He said the wage freeze will only create more problems on most public service workers thereby contributing to high poverty levels.

Mr Hikaumba advised government to find other means of raising funds as opposed to imposing a wage free on public workers.

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has deferred the approval of eleven proposed construction projects around the country.

ZEMA Principal Communications Officer Ireen Chipili said the Agency needs to carry out further verification and provision of more information over the projects.

She said ZEMA has deferred its decision on the 11 projects in accordance with the Environmental Management Act (EMA) No. 12 of 2011 as read with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations Statutory Instrument No. 28 of 2007.

This is contained in a Press Statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Ms Chipili stated that the Agency’s decision can be withdrawn without notice if a developer fails to comply with the laid down conditions and commitments.

She said some of the projects which have been deffered for approval include a proposed cement and lime plant project in Lusaka, a lead-Zinc Recovery and Copper Processing Project in Kabwe, electrification of Mushindano and surrounding areas in Solwezi, a Service Station in Kalomo and construction of a cigarette manufacturing plant in Lusaka’s new Kasama area among others.

Last week, ZEMA approved 53 projects and rejected one project from across the country after conducted site verification inspections and reviewed the submitted Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAs).

Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a task force aimed at curbing rampant illegal land allocation and acquisition in the country.

Speaking during the launch of the taskforce in Lusaka this morning, Home Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula warned those defying regulations in land allocation of stern action.

Dr Simbyakula says government is greatly concerned with the manner in which some individuals are ignoring the law and laid down procedures in the acquisition of land.

He adds that it is against this background that his ministry in collaboration with the Zambia Police service, Ministries of Lands and Local Government and Housing has constituted an inter- ministerial taskforce on illegal land allocation and acquisition in the country.

Dr. Simbyakula says the task force becomes operational with immediate effect.

And Chairperson of the Taskforce Steven Kampyongo says his team will start working today without wasting time.

Mr. Kampyongo who is also deputy minister of home affairs says the task force will curb the allocation of land without following the laid down procedure.