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CopperbeltProvince Minister Mwenya Musenge has directed all hospitals in the province to do blood tests on all persons intoxicated with alcohol in order for the police to come up with strong cases on offenders.
Mr Musenge gave the directive at a press briefing in Ndola yesterday after the police could not take blood tests to determine alcohol content of two men because the police were supposed to pay at the hospital for the exercise to be carried out.
The Copperbelt minister has since called for stiffer punishment on reckless drivers saying the KR270 charge given to those found wanting was too minimal.
He said according to the Road Traffic Act those found intoxicated were to be fined, imprisoned or both but pointed out that offenders should be imprisoned to deter others from committing such offences.
Mr Musenge said government would not tolerate reckless as it was barely three weeks when over 50 people had died in a road traffic accident.
Mr Musenge has since urged the police to find a way of withdrawing driving licences to reckless drivers if road carnage was to reduce.
The Minister explained that on Sunday around 17:00 hours, Chapuswike Mukobe an employee of Worker’s Compensation Fund and Emmanuel Sichula a worker at Wood Processing Company almost caused a head on collision with two separate trucks.
Mr Musenge said upon noticing that the car was not being driven well, he stopped Mukobe and Sichula whose car had bottles of alcohol and that the driver could not stand when he came out of the car as he was drunk.
He said Sichula started insulting the minister for being stopped until police were called and detained the two at Ndola central police.
Sichula and Mukobe pleaded for forgiveness from the minister during the press briefing but Mr Musenge said that the duo should be examples to would be offenders.
Two farmers cooperatives in Nchelenge district have not yet received D-Compound fertilizer under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
Nchelenge District Agricultural Co-ordinator (DACO), Davis Mwansasu and Nyiombo Nchelenge Depot Clerk, Getrude Mfune both confirmed the development to ZANIS in an interview today.
Mr Mwansasu named the affected cooperatives as Muchelenge and Mukwakwa.
He said the cooperatives have each not yet received a balance of 137 x50 kilograms and 70 x50 kilograms bags of D-Compound fertilizer respectively.
The DACO explained that the delay in the farmers receiving the input has been caused by Nyiombo, which delivered about 300 bags of Urea and 300 bags of D-Compound Fertilizer to the district, which were later condemned as damaged.
And Nyiombo Nchelenge Depot Clerk, Getrude Mfune has said the Company has started loading the Fertilizer in question at its Mpika Depot destined for delivery to Nchelenge.
She said an additional 150 packs of fertilizer which has not also been delivered to the District is among the Fertilizer that is being loaded.
Ms Mfune said the contraband is scheduled to arrive in the District early week.
Meanwhile, The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) in Nchelenge has advised Farmers not use the D-Compound they will receive and has instead advised that it be kept for the 2013/2014 Farming Season.
Zambia National Farmers Union Field Facilitator for Nchelenge District, Mabvuto Nkhuwa says D-Compound is a basal dressing which is supposed to be applied when the maize is about knee level.
He explained that the Fertilizer is rich in elements that promote growth of plant and applying it after the crops have tussled will be wasting the soil enriching commodity.
Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili says he is happy with the overwhelming response from companies bidding for the construction of the Mongu stadium.
Kambwili has also disclosed that government through the relevant channel will soon advertise tenders for the construction of another ultra modern stadium in Livingstone.
The bidding process for the construction of the Mongu stadium which comes to a close on the first of March has attracted several companies.
In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Kambwili said government will give first priority to the use of locally produced materials for the construction of the two stadiums.
He said government will seriously monitor the construction of the two stadiums so that it does not delay the country’s hopes of bidding to host the 2019 Africa cup of nation’s tournament.
Kambwili said government is keen in ensuring that compliance from contractors is upheld so that the projects can be completed within the agreed contractual period.
Government has embarked on a project to build a 20 thousand capacity stadium in Mongu and another ultra modern stadium in Livingstone a move that will enhance Zambia’s chances of hosting the Africa cup of nation’s tournament in 2019.
File: An American student from Seattle University participates in dances at the Lwiindi traditional ceremony in Monze . He was on attachment with the Mukanzubo cultural centre .
By Mazala Zulu
I live and work in a rich international environment and the effort to understand others cultural backgrounds, beliefs and attitudes are very important for me to excel.
One will assume that this issue should not arise here in Zambia because of our vast knowledge of different cultures. Unfortunately or fortunately enough this is not the case. Cultural intelligence is not being an expert in every culture; rather, the observation, empathy, and intelligence to read people and situations and to make informed decisions about why others are acting as they are makes one a far richer person.Cultural intelligence is someone’s ability to adapt successfully to a new cultural setting.
People with high cultural intelligence are attuned to the values, beliefs, and attitudes of people from different cultures; and they use this knowledge to interact with empathy and understanding.Building cultural intelligence helps you work effectively with people who are different from you. Whether you are working in a town or province that is not of your origin or leading a cultural diverse team, it can mean the difference between success and failure, and the difference between solving problems and creating them.
Failure to work with other people based on their cultural background is a hindrance on positive development. When you include and integrate different cultures in your team, you can be assured of a predictor of strong job performance and effective results.Culturally intelligent people use this knowledge they gain to communicate, collaborate, and negotiate with people from diverse backgrounds.
[pullquote]Building cultural intelligence helps you work effectively with people who are different from you[/pullquote]
· To accomplish this you need to have a drive– Drive is your motivation to learn about and adapt to a different culture. People who aren’t interested in what shapes a particular culture are unlikely to adapt well to it. Think of what happens when you make an effort to learn about this new culture. Your mind is open, and, instead of seeing difference as a difficulty, you see it as something that you want to learn about.
· Knowledge – cultural knowledge isn’t about learning a new culture inside out. Rather, it means learning about how culture in general shapes someone’s behaviors, values, and beliefs. It’s important to learn about how a culture’s history affects people’s values and actions. Even a basic understanding of past events can give you more of an insight into people’s values and behaviors, and it will help you avoid obvious faux pas.
· Strategy – This involves taking what you have learned from being aware of cultural differences, and making robust, culturally sensitive plans as a result. Once in a while you will need to question your assumptions about why things happen differently in different cultures. This is part of their cultural heritage.
· Action – Cultural intelligence relates to how you behave, and, in particular, how well you adapt when things don’t go according to plan. Cross-cultural interactions won’t always go smoothly, so it’s helpful to be able to think on your feet, and to stay in control of your emotions.
I spend time paying close attention to what people say and do. For example, explore their voice intonations, body language, and conversation style. This gives me a deeper understanding of them, and help me interact with them in a better way. One simple way I connect with people is simply greeting them in their own language.
By Forestry Department Staff
It is so disappointing that Government has been so selective in making efforts to enhance operations and functions of some of its departments in an effort to deliver services to the general public.While it is appreciated that some departments are given priority because of the critical role they play in running affairs of Government, some other important ones have still been neglected to the extent of even neglecting officers in those departments.
Forestry Department is one such a Government department that has been neglected so much,not only by the current Patriotic Front Government but also other previous Governments that were in power before.The most critical issues contributing to non effectiveness of the department include erratic and inadequate funding to the department for its operations.This has affected mostly District Offices in all the provinces of the Country where the office of the Forestry exist.
However, the Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection has tried to support the department by promoting tree planting after a very long time of about over 20 years,though with bad timing and lack of proper advise from forest professionals at Forestry Headquarters.
[pullquote]Deforestation is increasing at an alarming rate with over 300,000 hectares been degraded annually in Zambia.[/pullquote]
Secondly the non restructuring of the department cannot pass without any comment. Officers are still under old conditions of services making them among Government officers that are paid very low salaries.Why should a situation where under the same Government but in different ministries, some officers are paid higher salaries while others are paid very low salaries yet they hold the same qualifications for the jobs they do.
The Government must show some seriousness in addressing some of these serious anomalies which have made certain ministries become non effective with demotivated officers.Government cannot fail to secure funds for restructuring such smaller departments if it managed to restructure bigger ones like health.
This cannot go on without mentioning that it is very much possible that some money meant to commence the restructuring of Forestry Department could have been released by Government but might have been diverted by unscrupulous leaders within the Government system. I therefore wish to call upon His Excellency, President Michael Chilufya Sata to develop interest in the matter and follow it up critically because Forestry Department is an important department which plays a vital role in conserving the country’s environment.Deforestation is increasing at an alarming rate with over 300,000 hectares been degraded annually in Zambia. It’s up to the Government to ensure that the department is fully funded as well as officers are paid accordingly especially that the Government recently conducted Job valuations in all ministries. I only hope that there will be a good report out of it and that as they start negotiating for good conditions of service for public workers, a positive result shall come forth.
The other area to be looked at is the issue of having district offices run by officers with different qualifications whereby at one district,its run by a degree holder while at another district, it’s run by a Classified Daily Employee even when there is someone with better qualifications. I hear that the Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection will be presenting the Bill for restructuring the department in Parliament and only hope that every meaningful Member of Parliament will be able to support it.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) has urged the church in the country not to relent in providing advice to the government of the day.
EFZ executive Director Pukuta Mwanza said the welfare of the country is a responsibility of every Zambian citizen.Reverend Mwanza said EFZ will always call on government to address issues it feels are not being handled properly.
He said Zambians must be duty bound to hold office bearers accountable for their actions adding that a better Zambia for all should be the preoccupation of every peace loving Zambian.
Reverend Mwanza has further called on the church to pray for the country to ensure that peace and tranquility prevails.He was speaking in an interview with Qfm news.
Over $130 million (about KR 650 million) is required to recapitalise the Tanzania-Zambia Raliway Authority (TAZARA) into a self sustainable railway line.
At a TAZARA Board of Directors and Council of Ministers meeting in Lusaka recently, management revealed that the bi-national railway system faced a huge challenge of working capital and sustainable capacity.
TAZARA Managing Director, Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, said the company has since identified a three phase strategy comprising of an immediate injection of $32 million (about KR 160 million) working capital, a Medium Term Investment capital of $100 million (about KR500 million) and long term capital whose exact cost is yet to be determined.
Mr Mbikusita-Lewanika said the immediate injection of $32 million would positively impact on TAZARA to attain self sustainable operations of about 700, 000 tonnes per annum within seven months.Mr Mbikusita-Lewanika said this in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.He stated that the medium term investment of $100 million would provide TAZARA with a self sustainable capacity of over one (1) million tonnes per annum within two (2) to three (3) years.
He stressed the need for determination, preparation and implementation of long term capitalisation, adding that the cost for the third phase of the investment should be taken up by the shareholding governments.
Mr Mbikusita-Lewanika disclosed that the company has outsourced experts to work on business and strategic plans to position TAZARA as a good investment venture.
Meanwhile, Mr Mbikusita-Lewanika’s contract as Managing Director for TAZARA came to an end on 20th February and has since written to President Michael Sata to thank him for the opportunity to serve the people of Zambia.
In his letter dated February 22, 2013 and headlined “Completion of Contract: Gratitude and Appreciation for Opportunity and Support to Serve as TAZARA Managing Director,” Mr Lewanika said he was grateful to President Sata and the government of Zambia for the public service opportunity given to him and the financial and political support accorded to TAZARA during his tenure.
He explained that he had completed his three years contract of service as Managing Director of TAZARA as well as the one month extension period given up to the 20th February 2013 meeting of the council of ministers.
Mr Mbikusita-Lewanika also informed the Head of State that TAZARA’s biggest constraint was poor availability and reliability of locomotives and wagons which he said triggered a vicious cycle from a shortage of operations and reinvestment to inadequate and untimely provision of fuel, spares, and other materials.
Defence Minister Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba says he is a happy man after the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) found no case of corruption against him.
The ACC instituted corruption investigations late last year against Mr Mwamba, who is commonly known as GBM, and his Justice counterpart Wynter Kabimba.
Mr Mwamba said in an interview that he and his family have grown up as business people and claims suggesting that he had solicited business from ZESCO were nonsense.
He said yesterday that he has been quite during the ACC corruption investigations against him because he knew he had nothing to hide about his business activities.
“I have been quite throughout the corruption investigations against me and I am very happy that my name has been cleared by the law enforcement agent,” he said.
Mr Mwamba said some Zambians who know him well from far could easily testify that he has long been a successful and genuine businessman throughout his life.
“People who know me well will tell you that I have been a faithful honest servant. The findings from ACC are a right step and I expected that outcome because I have nothing to hide about my business engagements,” he said.
He said when the press approached him for a response on accusations that he was engaged in corrupt business activities, he had responded that the whole scheme to accuse him of corruption was mere nonsense.
The ACC investigated Mr Mwamba on corruption allegations that he had solicited for a contract to supply and deliver ZESCO wooden poles on a one year contract.
“When the press approached me to react about corruption allegations, I responded that there allegations were nonsense because I knew very well that I have never been corrupt in my life. I never solicited business from ZESCO,” he said.
He said Zambians would have become even more suspicious about his business activities if he had acquired his wealth after being appointed Cabinet minister in the PF administration.
He said it was the first time he had been involved in politics as a Cabinet minister and was not worried about perceptions of some people about his business engagements because he it was public that he was innocent.
He said he has always been a businessman and that he comes from a corruption-free family business background, adding that it was regrettable and unfortunate to be accused of wrong-doing.
President Sata expressing disappointment at the state of the road to St Theresa Catholic Church
President Michael Sata has directed Copperbelt Province, Minister Mwenya Musenge, to ensure that the road branching from Mpongwe turn off to Ibenga Mission is tarred.
President Sata told the Copperbelt Minister that he would like to see the roads connecting to Mpongwe district tarred within a short period of time.
Mr Sata was not impressed yesterday with the current poor state of the road which leads to the Parish, the Secondary School and Ibenga Mission hospital.
He said Mr Musenga should ensure the road infrastructure was upgraded to modern standard and that the next time he would visit the parish, he should find the road properly tarred.
President Sata was speaking in Mpongwe today when he attended a church mass at St Theresa Catholic Parish which was also attended by Vice President Guy Scott and hundreds of other parishers.
“The next time I come here, I should find this road properly tarred,” Mr Sata said
President Sata was not happy that the tarred road around the Parish was severely damaged and he directed Mr Mwenya to immediately find ways to tar the road.
And Mr Sata has bemoaned lack of active participation by men in church-related matters.
The Head of state said there was need for men to emulate the women in taking part in church activities so that the country can be guided by those principles.
Mr Sata further urged Deputy and Cabinet Ministers and various Members of Parliament (MPs) present during the mass to ensure that they regularly visit the people who ushered them into office.
Meanwhile, St Theresa Catholic Church Priest, Fr Bonaventure Mpasa, said there was need for leaders to unite with Christ so that they can govern the country based on his principles.
During the same mass the head of state made the PF candidate for the Mpongwe constituency by-election Gabriel Namulambe to kneel down in front of the congregants to apologies and pledge to work with the church.
Immediately after the mass the President and his entourage paid a courtesy call on Chieftainess Malembeka of the Lamba people at her palace which is a few meters from the main road.
President Michael Sata is in Mpongwe District on the Copperbelt Province to drum up support for the Patriotic Front candidate, Gabriel Namulambe, in the forthcoming Parliamentary by-election.
The President arrived in Mpongwe district aboard a Presidential Chopper and touched down at Ibenga Girls’ Secondary School grounds at exactly 09:50 hours to a thunderous welcome by Ministers, Members of Parliament and hundreds of Patriotic Front cadres.
The President, who was accompanied by Defence Minister, Geoffrey Mwamba, Commerce Minister, Emmanuel Chenda, and his Press Assistance George Chellah, and was received at Ibenga Secondary school grounds by Vice President ,Guy Scott, Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili, Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge and PF campaign Manager for Mpongwe by-election, Jean Kapata and other Ministers, Members of Parliament and PF cadres.
Upon arrival, the President proceeded to St Theresa’s Ibenga Mission where he attended a two-hour mass with the Vice President Guy Scott and several MPs and the rest of the entourage.
In his short speech to congregants, Mr Sata called for togetherness and hard work among government leaders.
The President noted that the Catholic Church was doing a lot in helping vulnerable and orphan children, hence the need for government leaders to work with the church to ensure that they continue helping many more children.
The President cited St Theresa’s Ibenga Mission of the Catholic Church in Mpongwe as one of the partners of government in helping children and called on ministers and Members of Parliament to always ensure that they work closely with such all churches.
MMD president Nevers Mumba has said that President Michael Sata must acknowledge that the Presidency demands truth and civility.
Speaking in an interview with Qfm news, Dr. Mumba said that the President must also acknowledge the fact that his government has failed to fulfill the promises made to Zambians in the run up to the 2011 general elections.
Dr. Mumba said that regardless of how political President Sata and his government wish to be, they should recognize the opposition as partners in development.
He said that the opposition will not relent in holding the government accountable for their actions in the interest of poor Zambians.
Dr. Mumba has reiterated that government has to respect Zambians by seeking forgiveness for failing to honour his promises.
Meanwhile, Republican President Michael Sata is in Mpongwe constituency where he is scheduled to hold a political rally to drum up support for Patriotic Front candidate Gabriel Namulambe in the forthcoming by elections on this Thursday 28th February 2013.
President Sata this morning attended a mass at Saint Theresa Catholic Church at Ibenga Mission.
The president who is in the company of Vice President Guy Scott and senior Patriotic Front officials later paid a courtesy call at Chieftainess Malembeka’s palace of the Lamba people.
He is expected to return to Lusaka soon after the the rally.
Yesterday, the President was in Livingstone to campaign for PF candidate Lawrence Evans.
Mike Mulongoti addressing the media at the conference
Former Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti said it is unfortunate how the matter of clearing Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba and his Defense counterpart Geoffrey Mwamba of allegations of corruption can be treated so casually in the country.
Mr. Mulongoti has observed that people in the country are not satisfied with the way the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)has remained silent on revealing the reasons for not finding any evidence of allegations of corruption against the two Cabinet Ministers.
Mr. Mulongoti has told Qfm in an interview that there is no way people in the country will allow a matter that has been in public domain to be cleared in an unexplained manner as it involved Cabinet Ministers who had been allegedly accusing each other of alleged involvement in corrupt activities.
He has charged that no matter how long it takes, people in the country should be availed with the truth on how the two Cabinet Minister have been cleared of allegations of corruption they were facing.
Zanaco coach Keagan Mumba slams his defence and goalkeeping after conceding easy goals in their Charity Shield semifinal win over Napsa Stars at Nkoloma Stadium on Saturday.
Mumba was especially upset with goalkeeper Racha Kola’s howler that led to Napsa’s equaliser in the 59 after his a poor clearance fell in front of Spencer Ngalande to poke in the ball.
Zanaco eventually won with two late goals to advance 4-2 to this year’s Charity Shield final on March 9 to book a date with Power Dynamos.
Mumba said the team could not afford such errors heading into their CAF Champions League away game away to Swazi side Mbabane Swallows this weekend in which they lead 3-2 from the first leg.
“Coaching is alike a technician working on the sewer line,” Mumba said.
“Now we have started scoring now we have started conceding goals.
“You saw the goal we conceded; very silly goal and at this level you can’t allow this situation.
“Just when you think you have worked on the midfield and attack you have a problem with the defence.”
Zanaco, who had a stingy defence last season that served them well to lift the 2012 FAZ Super Division title, has so far conceded four goals in two games from seven goals scored.
“I think it has gone into their heads they will need some strong ballocking so at least they should understand that when we play in Swaziland we can’t make such kindergarten mistakes,” Mumba said.
“Overall we are happy at Zanaco since we have been scoring.”
Mumba added that the arrival of Aubrey Zulu and Roderick Kabwe who have scored two goals each in as many games played has added quality to their attacking alternatives.
Government, in partnership with the German Development Co-operation, has launched the Good Practices Guidelines to improve performance of councils in the country.
Areas covered in the documents include revenue collection, development and use of cadastre database and human resource management.
Others are development of service standards and charters, stakeholder communication and participation strategies, and strategic planning and management.
Minister of Local Government and Housing, Emerine Kabanshi, says the good practices guidelines were in line with the Patriotic Front (PF) government’s agenda to reach out to citizens in all parts of the country through the provision of good services.
Ms Kabanshi said government understood and appreciated the challenges that local authorities faced and as such the guidelines would not only aid in decentralisation but also provide councils with tools to confront the complex situation they operated in.
She said this in Lusaka yesterday at the launch for the Good Practice Guidelines for councils in Zambia.
The minister said the launch was timely following the Ministry of Finance’s training of additional councils last year in preparation for the Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks and Activity Based Budgets (MTEF/ABB) to align local authorities’ budgets to the central government budget format.
She added that the manuals, particularly those on strategic planning and revenue collection, would provide the councils with the new procedures that the budget format required.
Ms Kabanshi said she was aware that all Provincial Local Government Officers (PLGOs) had familiarised themselves with the manuals and thus urged the officers to share the guidelines with the councils in their respective provinces not only in hardcopy form but also in content.
She emphasised that the decentralisation process was not an end in itself but a reform process that would contribute to a more equitable distribution of wealth, improved service provision and stronger political participation by all Zambians.
And German Ambassador to Zambia Bernd Finke has said more could have been achieved when it came to the implementation of various decentralisation programmes that have been embarked on in the country during the last ten years.
Ambassador Finke said his government followed with interest the decision of the Zambian government to create additional districts stating a need for coherent implementation strategy to mainstream decentralisation in all government activities.
He said decentralisation was a multi-sectorial cross cutting issue affecting everyone and therefore a road map clearly outlining steps to be taken within a specified timeframe would go a long way in securing future support for the process.
File:Senior chief Kanongesha being carried on his traditional chair during the Chisemwa cha Lunda traditional ceremony in Mwinilunga 2010
Three Lunda Chiefs in Luapula Province are planning to make a formal protest to the Provincial Permanent Secretary’s office over what they have termed as “insulting remarks” by a Magistrate who presided over a case that involved some Lunda subjects who were cultivating in a forest reserve area.
Chief Lukwesa of the Lunda people in Mwense District disclosed this when Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Mbololwa Muyaba, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace.
He said Lunda Chiefs, who included Mulundu, Lubunda and himself were incensed with the remarks made by a Judicial Officer who was handling the case.
He said the magistrate alleged that Lunda Chiefs were corrupt and were thieves, resulting into a rift between Government and the traditional rulers.
Chief Lunda said the development had upset the traditional rulers including Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe and the three were planning to make a formal protest to the Permanent Secretary’s Office because the remarks were serious and the Magistrate needed to apologise to the chiefs for the remarks he made.
Chief Lukwesa added that Chiefs and Government should work together in order to bring development to the people instead of trading insults.
He said the forest reserve area was a huge track of land from which Chiefs were asking for de-gazetting only 10 or 20 per cent of it in order to let their subjects make a living from farming.
He affirmed that the Chiefs are still annoyed with the remarks made by the magistrate though the case has been referred to the High Court and would soon be launching a formal protest at her office over the matter.
And Mwense District Forest Officer, James Chanda, confirmed that there was a rift between the Forest Department and the traditional leaders in the district because of the illegal use of part of the forest reserve area by some Lunda subjects for farming purposes.
Mr Chanda said law is the law and must be followed by everybody and in enforcing the provisions of law sometimes there were inherent challenges of such a nature which were inevitable.
He said the Lunda subjects were cultivating in the forest area and were arrested and were currently on bail as the case was referred to the High Court.
The forestry officer, however, agreed that there was need to de-gazette part of the land for the subjects to live on.
