Copperbelt University (CBU) acting Vice Chancellor, Paul Chisale, has counseled students at the institution to responsibly use their meal allowances.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe, Professor Chisale said the reinstated meal allowances should be used to improve the well being of the students for them to concentrate on education.

He said students should not use the allowances to stir riots when they delay to receive them in future.

“The reinstatement of meal allowances by the government is a welcome move because it takes away the worry of where a student will find a meal, let alone a decent meal. If their meals are secured, then they are able to concentrate on studies and so that anxiety which normally spills into disturbing their academic calendars will no longer be there because they will no longer go to Jambo Drive to protest against meal allowances,” he said.

Prof. Chisale said the students should remain focused and take responsibility for the money they receive, stating that spending the money on beer will not help them in any way.

He further urged the students to remain calm in future even when allowances are paid late as there are can be challenges in every system.

“It pays to stay calm in the midst of some challenges, in every system there are challenges but overally, I do not expect students to start rioting over meal allowances because the money has not reflected in their accounts,” he said.

Prof. Chisale however noted that the UPND government has so far not faltered in fulfilling its promises, but noted that some few things may go wrong in the process of processing the money, but students should not agitate confusion.

He further urged the students to use rightful channels to air their grievances if aggrieved, unlike resorting to rioting.

And some students talked to by ZANIS thanked the government for releasing the meal allowances as promised.

Hempel Matongo, a student in the School of Engineering, confirmed receiving the money in his account.

Mr. Matongo said he has already used part of the money to buy food.

“We would like to thank President Hakainde Hichilema for reinstating the meal allowance. We will now be able to concentrate in class because we are able to buy food, we can also use the money to attend to other needs that support our studies and wellbeing,” he said.

The students loans board has credited the accounts of students under its sponsorship with meal allowances as promised by the government last year.

Under the Patriotic Front (PF) regime, the government abolished the meal allowance saying it contributed to the rampant student riots that the public universities used to experience.

MINISTRY of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Mambo Hamaundu says government is almost finished with the consultations regarding street vending.

Last month, Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gary Nkombo rescinded his earlier directive to local authorities to clear out street vendors trading in undesignated areas, to allow for further consultations with stakeholders.

He said that the consultations were aimed at finding a solution to the challenges faced by street vendors and to come up with a comprehensive street vending policy that would benefit both the vendors and the public. The policy is also expected to promote cleanliness, safety and order in the streets, and to prevent the vendors from blocking sidewalks and obstructing traffic.

Hamaundu stated that the government had received positive feedback from stakeholders, including street vendors, local authorities and members of the public, and that the consultations were almost done. He added that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development was working on a proposal that would be presented to the cabinet for approval.

He said Street vending has been a contentious issue in Zambia, with vendors often being forced to operate in informal, unregulated areas. This has led to a number of challenges, including lack of access to basic services such as water and sanitation, exposure to inclement weather, and increased risk of crime and violence.

In order to address these challenges, the government has been working to establish a regulatory framework for street vending that would provide vendors with access to basic services and ensure their safety. The policy is also expected to provide a more structured and organized system for street vending, which would improve the vendors’ livelihoods and contribute to the development of the informal economy.

Hamaundu stated that the government was committed to finding a solution that would benefit both street vendors and the public. He emphasized that the policy would provide vendors with the necessary support to grow their businesses, while also ensuring that the public was protected from the negative impacts of street vending.

In addition to the consultations, the government has also been working to educate street vendors on the importance of maintaining cleanliness and order in the streets. This includes training on waste management and proper food handling, as well as educating vendors on the dangers of blocking sidewalks and obstructing traffic.

The proposed policy is expected to include provisions for the creation of designated vending areas, where vendors would be able to operate legally and safely. The policy would also include provisions for the provision of basic services, such as water and sanitation, to vendors in these designated areas.

Hamaundu stated that the policy would also include measures to prevent the abuse of vending areas by unscrupulous individuals, who often take advantage of vendors and exploit them for their own gain. He added that the government would work closely with local authorities and other stakeholders to enforce the policy and ensure that it was implemented effectively.

He further said that the government’s consultations on street vending are almost done, and a comprehensive policy is expected to be presented to the cabinet for approval soon. The policy is expected to provide street vendors with the support they need to grow their businesses, while also ensuring that the public is protected from the negative impacts of street vending. The government’s commitment to finding a solution that benefits both street vendors and the public is a positive step towards improving the livelihoods of Zambia’s informal sector workers and promoting the development of the informal economy.

Lands and Natural Resources Minister ELIJAH MUCHIMA has halted all forms of development in Itimpi Forest in Kitwe District on the Copperbelt Province

Mr. MUCHIMA’s directive is based on the fact that the council did not follow procedure in allocating the plots prior to the 2021 General election.

He says government follows laws and will not allow any illegality to take place.

Elijah Muchima, has recently taken a bold step in halting all forms of development in the Itimpi Forest located in Kitwe District on the Copperbelt Province. This decision was made due to the fact that the council did not follow the proper procedure in allocating plots within the forest prior to the 2021 General Election.

The Itimpi Forest is a vast and lush green area that covers thousands of hectares of land in Kitwe District. It is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many endangered species. The forest is also considered a major source of livelihood for the local communities, who rely on its resources for their daily needs, such as food, water, and firewood.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in demand for land in the Itimpi Forest, leading to a rush of developers seeking to build settlements and other structures within the area. This, in turn, has raised concerns about the potential loss of the forest’s natural resources and the impact it could have on the local communities.

This is where Elijah Muchima’s decision to halt all forms of development in the Itimpi Forest comes into play. He believes that the council did not follow the proper procedure in allocating plots within the forest prior to the 2021 General Election, which is a clear violation of the law. As the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, he is committed to ensuring that government follows the laws and will not allow any illegal activities to take place.

In a statement, Mr. Muchima said, “The government of Zambia is committed to protecting the natural resources of our country and preserving our environment for future generations. The Itimpi Forest is a vital part of our heritage and it is our duty to protect it. We cannot allow anyone to flout the laws and exploit this precious resource for their own gain. All forms of development in the Itimpi Forest will be stopped until a proper and thorough investigation has been conducted.”

The Minister’s decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some local communities welcoming it, while others feel that it could impact their livelihoods negatively. However, Mr. Muchima has assured them that the government will work with them to find alternative sources of livelihood, and that the protection of the forest is in their best interest.

The Itimpi Forest is a valuable resource for Zambia and must be protected for future generations. The government’s decision to halt all forms of development in the forest will allow for a proper investigation to be conducted and ensure that the laws are followed. This will help to protect the environment, the flora and fauna, and the local communities who rely on the forest for their daily needs.

In added that the Lands and Natural Resources Minister’s decision to halt all forms of development in the Itimpi Forest is a commendable step towards preserving Zambia’s natural resources and ensuring that they are protected for future generations. This decision shows the government’s commitment to the environment and its determination to uphold the law.

Dr Fred M’membe, the President of the Socialist Party, has issued a statement addressing the growing concern over junkie attacks in the city of Mongu. In his statement, Dr M’membe emphasizes the urgency of the issue, calling on the government and police to pay close attention to the situation.

“The cries of Mongu residents over increasing attacks by Junkies are getting louder and louder but no one seems to be responding,” said Dr M’membe. “Over the past two weeks, I have been asked to say or do something about it by some journalists, church leaders, and other concerned residents of Mongu.”

Dr M’membe goes on to explain that he is usually very reluctant to respond or say something about issues or processes that he is not very clear about. However, he is now convinced that there is a very serious problem of Junkies attacking innocent Mongu residents that requires urgent attention.

“Today, a journalist friend of mine in Mongu sent me this message accompanied by the video below: ‘We should not wait until when a child or close relative of those in security wings or authority are affected to act. The situation has been watched to reach this far, now that it’s country-wide, it might be a mountain to climb to deal with it,'” Dr M’membe said.

The brazen increase in the number of attacks of Mongu residents by Junkies means that the government and police must urgently pay a lot of attention to this. Dr M’membe explains that the spate of junkie attacks in broad daylight has definitely alarmed Mongu residents.

“And it is not only the count which is climbing recently but the brutality and violence quotient involved in each incident. Clearly, there is no fear of the law,” he said.

In the discussions about rising crime levels in the country, there is an immovable fact, according to Dr M’membe. “Politicians, in times of increased criminal activity, must be seen to have a stamp on the situation,” he said. “Leaders must lead. Should a leader stay silent when various elements of the society, to include also the clergy, are expressing alarm at rising crime levels?”

Dr M’membe believes that in times of great national challenge, leaders must speak and give reassurance that they are making all moves to calm unsettled nerves. “Should a society unnerved by rising crime levels have to wonder where do their leaders stand on the criminal elements now more prevalent within the country?” he asked.

Working in tandem – the church, police, and all other elements of society have to come together and fashion an approach towards combating this rising crime, according to Dr M’membe. “The church, police, and all other elements of society must come together and fashion an approach that will effectively address the issue,” he said.

The statement by Dr M’membe comes as a response to the growing concern among Mongu residents over the rising number of junkie attacks in their city. The increasing violence and brutality involved in these attacks has raised alarm bells among the residents and the broader community.

Dr M’membe’s statement highlights the importance of addressing the rising crime levels in Zambia and the need for a collaborative effort by all elements of society to combat the issue. “In times of great national challenge, leaders must lead, the church, police, and all other elements of society must come together, and we must all work towards combating this rising crime,” he said.