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Kalabo district commissioner Irene Mate has expressed disappointment with the manner in which the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) was disposing game meat confiscated from poachers in the Liuwa Plain National Park in Kalabo.
Speaking during a District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) meeting in Kalabo last weekend Mrs. Mate observed that ZAWA police officers shared the game meat after confiscating it from poachers instead of burning the contraband.
Mrs. Mate said that the sharing of confiscated poached game meat among the wildlife police officers was sending a very wrong signal to the community.
And in the same DDCC meeting, a report that was submitted by the Natural Resources Sub-Committee revealed that poaching in the Liuwa Plain National Park was on the increase this time of the year when the area was flooded coupled with inadequate police.
Zanaco are 90 inuytes away from glory or faliure when they face Orlando Pirates on Satuday in Johannesburg.
Pirates lead zanaco 1-0 from the first leg tie of the CAF Champions League played on March 16 in Lusaka.
Zanaco must beat Pirates 2-0 to be certain of advancing to the second round of the competition on April 20.
It hasnt helped that Zanaco’s form since that first leg meeting continues to be the leats patchy after two defeats and a draw inbetween for the 2012 league champions.
Goals too have been hard to come from their strikers and the burden has been heaped on midfielder Roderick Kabwe and Henry Banda.
However, Zanaco will feel they still have a shot at upsetting Pirates at FNB Stadium going by tgeir hosts form.
Pirates have failed to muster a win since their victory over Zanaco.
The South African side has picked up two draws in the league giving.
However, void in class between Pirates and Zanaco was stark for all to see.
The onus will be on Keagan Mumba’s side to cnvinvce us that they have overcome the stage fright of facing brand Pirates.
‘Homeless’ Mighty Mufulira Wanderers have announced that they will be playing their home matches at Central Sports Grounds in Mufulira after leaving John Kachofa Stadium the home of their thorn-rivals Mufulira Blackpool.
Wanderers secretary Fernando Bwalya say the collapsing of a section of the wall fence at Kachofa Stadium forced Mighty, whose original home Shinde Stadium is receiving a facelift, to seek refuge at Central Sports.
Bwalya revealed that Wanderers begins life at Central Sports on Saturday when they face Chindwin Sentries in a FAZ Division North Week Three match.
“We will now be playing our home matches at Central Sports, as you may know part of the wall fence at Kachofa Stadium has collapsed,” he said on Friday.
Wanderers have collected one point from two matches so far in the new Division One North campaign.
Kalulushi Modern Stars and Nkana battle for the FAZ Super Division leadership on Saturday at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Kalulushi this season make their first return to the Super Division since 2001.
A win for either Kalulushi or Nkana will see the former stay top or the latter go top to nine points from three games played this weekend.
Saturday’s meeting will be the first time these old rivals square off since the 2009 season when they were both campaigning in Division One North.
Nkana then won their home game 2-0 but lost 1-0 away at Independence Stadium in Kalulushi.
Overall the stakes favour Nkana who have yet to lose at home against Kalulushi in recent memory with the visitors best result in Kitwe being a 0-0 draw in 2005 in the 11-times champions debut season in Division One North.
Kalulushi will be banking on the scoring form of ex- Nkana and Kitwe United winger William Chinse who has three goals in two games.
Reynold Kampamba is fit for Nkana and is expected to lead in attack as the host look to maintain their 100 per cent start to the new campaign.
In the earlier kickoff of the Nkana Stadium doubleheader, winless and promoted Lime Hotspurs will be seeking their first points of the season when they face Patrick Phiri’s Green Buffaloes.
Buffaloes have four points and in fifth place looking good under Phiri since taking charge in March.
Elsewhere, fourth placed Red Arrows visit eighth positioned Kabwe Warriors at Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe while Nkwazi hosts Power Dynamos at Edwin Emboela Stadium in Lusaka.
Napsa Stars entertain Konkola Mine Police in Lusaka who have yet to win or draw under new coach Linos Makwaza and his assistant Rotson Kilambe.
And on Sunday, their will be a doubleheader at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola where second placed Konkola Blades host Zesco United in a lunchtime kickoff.
The late kickoff will see Nchanga Rangers face Roan United.
Meanwhile, Forest Rangers are off this weekend due to opponents Zanaco’s CAF Champions League away assignment at Orlando Pirates on Saturday night in Johannesburg.
File:ZESCO Limited officials inspect the Kariba North Bank Power Station extension programme, which is expected to increase the power generation capacity for Zambia
Government is impressed with the on-going expansion works at the Kariba North Bank Expansion power project.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Yamfya Mukanga who toured the project yesterday called for the speedy completion of the project.
Mr. Mukanga said people are in a hurry to see improved and consistent power supply as they are tired of the rationing of power which they have being subjected to for a long time.
He urged the contractor to work tirelessly to see to it that the project was completed within schedule in order for people in the country to enjoy reliable and uninterrupted power supply.
Mr. Mukanga said Government has a lot of other projects it wants to embark on and the timely completion of existing projects gives the state the opportunity to start implementing other projects.
He noted that more jobs will also be created through such projects, adding that Government is committed to creating sustainable employment for its people.
He said Government is on course to create the much needed employment as it has put in place measures and programmes to ensure this is achieved.
The Minister further stated that Government is committed to executing projects which speak for themselves and that Government is ready to provide additional finances to help the Zambia Electricity and Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to execute power projects.
And ZESCO Managing Director Cyprian Chitundu said his Company was undertaking several projects to overcome the challenge of load shedding.
Mr. Chitundu said the Kariba North Bank extension project which is expected to be completed by November will boost another 100 mega watt of power to the national grid.
He said the power utility Company was looking to a day when it would supply uninterrupted power to the citizenry consistently.
Mr. Chitundu urged Zambians to join hands with ZESCO to overcome challenges the Company was facing in supplying power to the citizenry instead of just being arm chair critics.
And Mr. Chitundu said the Company was saving the country huge sums of money through the implementation of rehabilitation and extension projects instead of building new power projects.
Kasama District Commissioner Kalanga Bwalya has pounced on officers who report late for government activities by sending them away from a meeting.
Mr. Bwalya exercised his power as the head of district government officials in Kasama during a district development coordinating committee (DDCC) meeting held at the council Chambers yesterday.
He noted that some public workers have continued the trend of reporting late for work and other important development meetings a tendency he says must come to an end.
“I am not going to compromise with civil servants who want to create their own time to do things. if it s work time , its work , if its meeting time let it be so,” stated Mr Bwalya.
The district commissioner said public servants ought to change their mindset and get to know what they are supposed to do and lead by example.
Mr Bwalya noted that it is high time civil servants worked for the money they are paid for and not do personal businesses and wait to get paid.
He lamented that he will make sure workers in his district feel his weight if they do not wake up and abide by government regulations.
Mr Bwalya urged all district heads to take the DDCC meetings seriously and not as child’s play because they are key people in developing the district.
The District Commissioner also appealed to civil servants to desist from corrupt activities but instead serve the people diligently.
He said corruption is a cancer and its time workers changed their attitudes of fattening their pockets at the expense of a rural Zambian.
The District Commissioner yesterday sent away 6 districts heads of departments who reported late for a district development coordinating committee (DDCC) meeting.
The working group on Devolved Governance and Traditional Leadership at the ongoing Sector Groups Convention has agreed to delete a provision that provides for parliament to annually appropriate a percentage of the annual revenues of the country to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
This means that the Constituency Development Fund which constituencies receive annually as grant from government for developmental projects will be abolished if the clause is allowed to stand in the Zambian constitution.
Delegates at the convention observed that CDF has in the past been abused and not accounted for by the local authorities as the Council has had no opportunity to audit the funds.
Chairperson of the group, Chief Chipepo said Members of Parliament have been using the funds for their own programs to gain popularity instead of using the funds for the intended purposes.
The Traditional Leader noted that unlike the CDF which were being abused by MP, the Local Government Equalization Fund which will be introduced will be given to the council where the District Council will decide to utilize funds.
Article 224, clause 3, of the Draft Constitution which a panel of experts and professional have abolished states that Parliament shall annually appropriate a percent of a total annual revenues of the Republic to a Constituency Development Fund in addition to the money paid into the Local Government Equalization Fund.
Meanwhile the working group has amended article 207 of the FDC to provide for the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly to be recruited from outside the house as opposed to the provision of the FDC that the Speaker and his Vice shall be elected by the Members of the Provincial Assembly from amongst themselves.
The working group which is being chaired by Chief Chipepo has however proposed for provision to provide for the life of the Provincial Assemblies which has been suggested to stand at 5 years.
And the working group has further recommended that Civil Society organizations and Senior Citizens be included in the composition of the Provincial Assembly.
MWAMBA Bridge which is earmarked to be constructed by the Disaster Mitigation Management Unit (DMMU) that will link people of Senior Chief Mwamba and the other side of the Luombe river to the main Kasama-Luwingu road
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KASAMA District Commissioner (DC) crossing Chikosho Bridge in Kasama which is being constructed by the utilisation of Constituency Development Funds (CDFs) in Bululu ward in Kasama Central Constituency in which members of the Community have shown full participation
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KASAMA District Commissioner (DC) (left) and Kasama May Francis Kombe in blue T/shirt at Chanda Mwamba Bridge during the inspection of Bridges in Kasama yesterday under full participation of community in the area
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Bags of mealie meal at the Police Station which where confiscated from a Mansa business woman who admitted to smuggling
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The truck registration number ADC 2284 was carrying meali Meal belonging to a Mansa Business woman and was destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo
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The truck registration number ADC 2284 was carrying meali Meal belonging to a Mansa Business woman and was destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo
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PIRATE taxi operators in Kitwe have heeded Government’s call to paint their vehicles blue
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A tree which fell as a result of a strong rains on Independence Avenue road blocked itfor over seven hours and disturbed the movements of motorists in Kasama forcing them to take long diversions
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A Tree which fell as a result of a strong rains caused unexpected Independence Avenue road block for over seven hours that disturbed the movements of motorists in Kasama to take long diversions
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THE construction of Zambia Wildlife Authority offices at the entrance of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park has started
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Workers grading Nehru Way in Nottie Broadies
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Tarring of selected Township roads in Livingstone has gained momentum ahead of the general conference.Above, Inyatsi Zambia Limited workers working on Balewa Sambona (RD 1) Dambwa Site and Service in readiness for covering the road with bitumen
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National Airport Corporation Limited (NACL) managing director Robinson Misitala (right) lead members of the local and national organising committee for the UNWTO during the tour of the new terminal building under construction at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone
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MOTHERS waiting to have their under five children weighed at Kaoma District Hospital last week
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MOTHERS waiting to have their under five children weighed at Kaoma District Hospital last week
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The Embassy of Zambia in Italy held an investment promotion forum in Rome, Italy. Above participants at the Forum
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The Embassy of Zambia in Italy held an investment promotion forum in Rome, Italy. Above participants at the Forum
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Livingstone City Council administrator Alex Bwalya shows Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Charity Mwansa additional infrastructure under construction at world heritage site around Victoria Falls border
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Ethiopian Airline Director – Advertising & Promotions Mengistu Adelahu (right) with Ndola DC Rabby Chanda, cuts a ribbon to mark the official launch of an Ethiopian Airline flight to Ndola.
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THE two fire engines at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport spilling water over the Ethiopian Airlines aircraft in a picturesque arc of mist that glowed in bright sunshine during the inaugural flight to Ndola
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THE two fire engines at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport spilling water over the Ethiopian Airlines aircraft in a picturesque arc of mist that glowed in bright sunshine during the inaugural flight to Ndola
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Musician Saboi Imboela (second from left) signs her particulars on hands of Livingstone girls at Mukuni Park
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Musicians Saboi Imboela (left) and Tasila Mwale (right) at Mukuni Park in Livingstone
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Music Concert at Mukuni Park in Livingstone
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Music Concert at Mukuni Park in Livingstone
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FORMER Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation 1991 Chess Champion Dr. Chitalu Chilufya who is also Mansa’s Henry Courtyard Lodge proprietor and Tournament sponsor makes a move against Malembeka Chumfwa during the National Team Chess Trials Tournament in Mansa
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Lusaka’s Mandevu township residents salvage clothes from burnt debris of second hand clothes and shoes. The warehouse in which the clothes were stored caught fire last night from a suspected candle flame
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Lusaka’s Mandevu township residents salvage clothes from burnt debris of second hand clothes and shoes. The warehouse in which the clothes were stored caught fire last night from a suspected candle flame
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Lusaka’s Mandevu township residents salvage clothes from burnt debris of second hand clothes and shoes. The warehouse in which the clothes were stored caught fire last night from a suspected candle flame
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CONTRACTOR about to start digging the foundation for additional lavatories at the Victoria Falls border on the Zambian side
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STREET Kids in Solwezi do fend for themselves by looking after vehicles as a way of preventing some people from stealing, the motorists do appreciate by parting away with money ranging from KR 10 to KR 20. Above the children guarding one of the vehicles parked outside Stanbic bank in Solwezi
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Caterpillars ready for harvesting
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Bad method of harvesting the local delicacy: Villagers who stay along Kasempa / Kalulushi road are cutting down trees in order to harvest caterpillars,the wrong method might result in deforestation and consequently,there will be no caterpillars
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EASTERN Province Minister, Malozo Sichone, charts with Commercial Agribusiness for Sustainable Horticulture (CASH) Chief of Party, Dr. Petrus Langenhoven during the tour of tomato demonstration plots in Chipata
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UNITED States Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Mission Director, Ryan Washburn, speaking during the official launch of the Commercial Agribusiness for Sustainable Agriculture (CASH) project in Chipata yesterday. On his right are Eastern Province Minister, Malozo Sichone, Chipata District Commissioner, Kalunga Zulu and regional Assistant Secretary, Agness Chinyama
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EASTERN Province Minister, Malozo Sichone, charts with USAID Deputy Mission Director, Ryan Washburn (middle) and Commercial Agribusiness Sustainable Horticulture (CASH) Chief of party, Dr. Petrus Langenhoven during the tour of horticultural demonstration plots in Chipata
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From right to left: Eastern Province Minister, Malozo Sichone, Commercial Agribusiness Sustainable Horticulture (CASH) Chief of party, Dr. Petrus Langenhoven and Petauke District Commissioner, Elijah Mwale during the tour of horticultural fields in Chipata
Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili at the Soccer Match
A preparatory camp for the Zambia national soccer team has been identified should the Chipolopolo boys qualify to the 2014 world cup tournament in Brazil.
Youth and Sport minister Chishimba Kambwili said the national soccer team will camp in Cuba before going to Brazil should it qualify for the world cup championships next year.
Kambwili said this in Havana, Cuba yesterday when he visited the Mario Lopez Alfonso national football school on his continued bilateral visit to that country.
Kambwili described the Mario Lopez Alfonso national football school as the best place for the Chipolopolo team to camp at.
This is because the football school is designed to offer expertise in sport psychology, technical and physical preparation to players in readiness for competitive tournaments such as the world cup.
“Should we qualify to the world cup next year, we will send our national team to come and camp here and interact with football scientists and psychologists. Cuba is near to Brazil so they will camp here to acclimatize,” he said.
Kambwili disclosed that his visit to Cuba was an eye-opener to government in terms of sports management and development.
He observed that Zambia’s dismal performance at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) championships in South Africa was largely due to lack of psychological fitness on the part of players and not the lack of talent.
The minister noted that Zambia has a lot of talent in football hence making it a great foot-balling nation.
Kambwili however said there was need to combine talent with academic knowledge of football in order for the country to match European and South America standards .
He further said football should be integrated as a subject in Zambia’s education system so as to produce great footballers in the country.
Kambwili said there was also need for the national teams to start preparing well before a tournament, a strategy adopted by Cuba.
Kambwili, his Permanent Secretary Agnes Musunga, National sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) chairman Chifumu Banda, parliamentary committee on youth affairs and sport chairperson Levy Ngoma and other senior government officials are in Cuba to visit sport training schools and learn about its management.
They were invited by the Cuba Institute of Sports and Recreation to revitalize the sport cooperation agreement which Zambia and Cuba signed in 2007.
And NSCZ chairman, Chifumu Banda was impressed that Cuba has schools offering professional education in football, basketball, volleyball and many other sports disciplines.
Mr. Banda said this was an important approach towards sports development in a country.
Meanwhile, Director of the Mario Lopez Alfonso national football school, Riamundo Hernandez said his institution was ready to offer assistance to Zambia.
Hernandez said Cuba and Zambia were ‘sister’ countries because they have a lot in common hence his institution would be willing to render any assistance the country would ask for.
ZANIS
The Zambia Police Service has warned that homosexuality is a very serious offence in Zambia.
The warning comes following an article that appeared in today’s Zambia Daily Mail, edition number 080 concerning gay marriages.
In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday , Police Spokesperson, Elizabeth Kanjela, noted that the offence attracts a sentence of not less than five years imprisonment once one is convicted under Unnatural Offences of Section 155, 156 and 158 CAP 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Ms Kanjela, therefore, indicated that anyone who will be found wanting will face the wrath of the law as the police will be vigilant on perpetrators of such a crime.
Ms Kanjela has since appealed to members of the public to report anyone found committing such a crime to any nearest police station in order to maintain sanity in communities.
In another development, police in Central Province have arrested one man out of the four who raped a girl of 18 years old.
The remaining three are reported to be on the run after committing the offence.
Police Spokesperson, Elizabeth Kanjela, said the incident occurred between 10:00hrs and 22:00hrs on April 2, 2013, at Mpongwe turnoff area.
Ms Kanjela identified the arrested man as Mike Manyongo.
She explained that the victim was dragged into the bush by the culprits who then tied her legs and hands and started having carnal knowledge of her several times.
The victim has since sustained bruises on her private parts and general body pains.
Ms Kanjela said the suspect has been charged with rape contrary to Section 132 Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia and will appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, police in Katete District in Eastern Province have arrested 288 rioters of which 144 are males, 117 are females while the rest are children under 18 years old.
This follows the riot that erupted in the district this morning.
Police Spokesperson, Elizabeth Kanjela, has told ZANIS in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the screening of the culprits is still going on.
Ms Kanjela said the police have also recovered assorted goods ranging from food stuffs, groceries, generators, and farming implements among others.
She has urged members of the public not to take the law in their hands but to report any problem they may be faced with to the nearest police station.
Ms Kanjela has also thanked the Ministry of Defence and other security wings for working with the police in bringing the situation back to sanity.
Police in Katete district yesterday arrested more than 280 people who went on rampage looting shops, damaging properties and vehicles as they protested against the recent brutal murder of a grade 12 school pupil of Katete Day Secondary School.
The residents who were protesting against the murder of Naomi Daka 19 went wild in the process looting some shops.
Police say from the 288 rioters arrested, 144 were males, 117 females and the rest were juveniles under 18 years.
“However screening is still going on. We have also recovered assorted goods ranging from food stuffs, groceries, generators, farming implements and many more.
“we would like urge members of the public not to take the law in their hands but report any problems they may face to the nearest police station,” Police service spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said.
Faindani Phiri, 24 of Gundula Village of Chief Kawaza’s area who is a ‘key’ suspect of the murder was arrested and charged with murder about two weeks ago.
According to sources, the people connected the brutal murder to business executives who were running some shops at the busy business centre.
People believed to be from a nearby township, Chibolya looted about nine shops including Kessons, Kavulamungu, Isusyas, Ligo Boutique and a shop belonging Paris.
A Rosa minibus registration number ABH 7970 and two Scania trucks registration numbers ALC 4126 and another one ALD 3626 were extensively damaged during the riot.
Business came to a standstill along the Chanida and Great East Roads as the unruly people ran amok from 08:00 hours to 11:30 hours.
Police from Chipata Police Station were deployed in Katete to beef up manpower.
Both Eastern Province Police Commissioner Grace Chipalila and Katete District police chief Peter Kaisa confirmed the development in Katete yesterday in separate interviews.
Ms Chipalila, however, denied allegations that the business persons were behind the death of Naomi.
“As I am speaking now, I am on the ground trying to trace people behind the breaking of the law,” she said.
Colonel Kaisa also said he was surprised that people started rioting instead of waiting for the investigations to be concluded.
Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone condemned the barbaric behaviour exhibited by the unruly residents.
Experts at the ongoing sector groups convention have unanimously resolved to maintain the dual citizenship article in the First Draft Constitution.
The experts mandated to analyse the citizen’s clause said dual citizenship was progressive as it would allow Zambians in the Diaspora who had acquired wealth to invest in Zambia.
It was emphasized that a number of Zambians in the Diaspora were unable to invest in Zambia because the current Constitution had no provision of dual citizenship.
The sector groups also adopted Article 20(1) which states that a Citizen’s Board shall be established.
Article 20 (2) which states that Parliament shall enact legislation which provides for the composition of, appointment of members to, tenure of office of members of, and procedures to be followed by the Citizenship Board of Zambia.
The group also unanimously adopted article 19 under the citizen’s clause which states that a citizen may renounce citizenship or shall be deprived of citizenship only if that person acquired citizenship by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of material fact.
The current Constitution states that a person shall cease to be a citizen of Zambia if that person acquired the citizenship of a country other than Zambia by a voluntary act, other than marriage and does any act indicating that person’s intention to adopt or make use of any other citizenship.
National organisations, institutions and interest groups have submitted to the Sector Group Convention that foreigners should not own land except through leasing from Zambian citizens for the purpose of investment.
And the Sector Group on Land, Environment and Natural Resources struggled to scrutinize comments from organizations and interest groups especially on land which has attracted overwhelming comments and submissions from stakeholders.
The Sector Group on Land, Environment and Natural Resources, which is being chaired by Lennette Kambole Chiti, an Environmental lawyer, spent the whole morning and part of the afternoon session without making clear resolutions especially on land alienation and ownership.
Comments from various institutions and organizations have largely suggested differently on how land should be alienated and managed which led to the house of experts and professionals misunderstand each other as they had two documents, the First Draft Constitution and the copies of comments from organizations, in their hand to refer to before
making their resolutions.
The confusion arose as to whom between the President, Chiefs and the Lands Commission Board should alienate land.
Others agreed with the Article (1) which states that Land in Zambia is vested in the President and held by the President in trust for, and on behalf of, the people of Zambia while others wanted it amended to compel the President to consult the chief, Lands Commission Board and the citizens before alienating land.
For instance, Jubilee Zambia submitted that the clause be amended to provide for the vesting of land in the people of Zambia and not in the President while the Cabinet Office noted that the clause should be amended to provide the Lands Commission to have authority to alienate and administer all land on behalf of the President.
These varying submissions sparked debate among delegates.
Chairperson of the group admitted that the process was a tedious one but urged the experts to endure as they are called to provide solutions to issue that affect the public.
Convention coordinator, Reuben Lifuka, provided guidance after he discovered that the group of experts were spending more time to draft and correct wording in the articles instead of addressing what was required of them according to the terms of reference.
Mr Lifuka advised the group to provide a framework which the Technical Committee would use to draft the Final Draft Constitution and not concentrate on responding to comments from various organizations on the articles.
He said the comments should be quickly gone through and see if they are responding to what the FDC had provided, adding that doing so should be in response to what the terms of reference are requesting them to do.
After the guidance, the group proceeded and began to move at a considerable speed which, if maintained would allow them to conclude their tasks on schedule today.
President Michael Sata with Zambia’s Ambassador to China Eva Fundafunda and Saboi Sitwala (r) on arrival at Beijing International Airport
President Michael Sata has arrived in Beijing for a seven-day official State visit and economic summit with a call for Africa to learn from China’s road to economic prosperity.
The president who is accompanied by three Cabinet members touched down at 21:45 hours at Beijing International Airport where he was met by Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Zhang Ming, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao and Secretary to the Cabinet Rowland Msiska.
Others on hand to welcome him were Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Margaret Miyoba, Zambia’s Ambassador to China Eva Fundafunda and Southern African Development Community (SADC) envoys accredited to China.
Mr Sata said Zambia was currently relying on Chinese expertise to pursue its infrastructural development agenda.
And Mozambique’s Ambassador to China Antonio Inacio on behalf of the SADC envoys who were at the airport to welcome Mr Sata said his visit was important for the enhancement of their agenda of regional integration through infrastructure development.
The other SADC envoys present were from Tanzania, Madagascar and Malawi.
The president who is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on the island Boao at the Asian regional economic summit Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) on April 7, would today fly into Sanya, a resort town south of Beijing for closed door talks before signing of bilateral agreements at the Sheraton Hotel on April 6 with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jingping.
He would then proceed to deliver his speech at the Sub-forum Africa: Rise of an Ancient Continent.
He would on the same day leave Boao for Sanya and for his flight to Shenzen where he is lined up to hold more bilateral talks with regional authorities and visit special economic zones.
President Sata is expected to end his visit after more bilateral discussions with Chinese Prime Minister Li Kequiang and chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Yu Zhengsheng before later meeting with the Zambian community in China.
The president is among a select group of the prime speakers that will make presentations at the BFA which the Asia’s most prestigious economic forums.
