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Information and Broadcasting Minister Kennedy Sakeni
Government has refuted claims by the Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) that it has neglected hospices in the country.
Chief Government spokesperson, Kennedy Sakeni, said contrary to the ZDDM assertions, government has set aside KR 1 million to assist hospices country wide in the provision of quality health care to the people.
In a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Sakeni said the move has been taken because government, through the Ministry of Health, values the important contribution hospices are making in the provision of health care services in the country.
Mr Sakeni stated that arrangements have been made to disburse the money through the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) to the hospices.
He noted that it is, therefore, misleading for Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) vice president Charles Kafumbo to accuse government of neglecting hospices.
Mr Sakeni said government reaffirms its commitment to working with all stake holders in taking quality health care as close to the people as possible.
The Bank of Zambia (BOZ) has called on the members of the public to desist from subjecting the new bank notes to harsh handling or any other form of experiment.
BoZ Head of Public Relations Kanguya Mayondi said told ZANIS in Lusaka today people must know that all banknotes have a limited lifespan which can be determined by how the citizens handle them.
Mr. Mayondi reacting to public concerns that the new rebased Kwacha notes, especially the K5, were fading easily.
He said the Bank of Zambia would appreciate to see the new fading notes so that an appropriate assessment is done.
The Central Bank Head of Public Relations said it was difficult for the bank to take corrective measures without any tangible evidence of the fading notes.
Mr. Mayondi said the Bank of Zambia’s clean banknotes policy encourages proper and safe handling of the banknotes.
He said the Central bank expected members of the public, with encouragement from commercial banks, to ensure that banknotes were handled in a proper manner.
He said the Bank of Zambia was ready to cooperate with all stakeholders in order to find effective ways of educating members of the public on how to handle the country’s currency.
Mr. Mayondi said BoZ will continue to sensitise the public on the bank’s clean note policy.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mayondi has expressed satisfaction and happiness with the overwhelming acceptance of the rebased Kwacha by Zambians ever since the new notes were introduced into circulation almost a month ago.
Local Government and Housing Minister Emerine Kabanshi has directed local authorities in the country to start enforcing the solid waste management regulations in order to rid Zambia of garbage.
Ms. Kabanshi said the keep Zambia clean and health programme was a legal requirement as provided for in the local government statutory instrument Number 100 of 2011.The statutory instrument compels producers of waste to comply.
Ms. Kabanshi said councils that have not yet established solid waste management units should immediately do so in order to help beautify surroundings in their respective districts.She made this directive during a consultative stakeholders’ meeting attended by various companies and institutions in Lusaka today.
She said it is unacceptable that some institutions and individuals who know very well what was required of them to keep their surrounding dirty did not do so.Ms. Kabanshi has since called for increase public awareness on matters of personal hygiene and public health among council, government officials and the general public.
[pullquote]Mr.Namachila said it was unfair to entirely blame the councils for not providing effective garbage collection services.[/pullquote]
She observed that most towns, townships, cities and other public places were dirty and unhealthy hence posing a health hazard to the residents and visitors.She said Zambia was generally indiscriminately littered with all sorts of solid waste such as plastic papers and plastics, glass bottles, empty sacks, opaque beer packets and used mobile scratch cards.
The minister further said uncollected heaps of garbage were increasing both in height and size due to increased generation of refuse and indiscriminate dumping of it.Ms. Kabanshi however reiterated government’s commitment to engaging its partners in solid waste management and investment in areas that promote cleanliness and health.
And speaking earlier, Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary (PS) Bernard Namachila said his ministry was convinced that a good number of companies in the country were responsible for generating garbage.Mr. Namachila said his ministry was taking stock of companies in order to punish the indiscriminate garbage dumping culprits.He added that a few companies in Zambia were facilitating the collection of garbage.He also said it was unfair to entirely blame the councils for not providing effective garbage collection services.
Zambia National Soccer team Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene
Kennedy Mweene, the talismanic goalkeeper whose heroics in saving one penalty and scoring another have kept Zambia on course for the knock-out stages, has said that the team has hope of qualifying to the quarter finals.
Speaking yesterday to jopurnalists, Kennedy Mweene said that the tam can still qualify.
“Look, we still have hope. We’ll work hard in training, we can’t give up. We have to fight, we are the champions after all.
“It won’t be easy, but we can still qualify for the quarter-finals.”
Captain Christopher Katongo admitted they face a must-win game.
“Everybody knows the importance of the last game — Nigeria and Zambia have to win their last group games,” he stressed.
Zambia’s Southampton striker Emmanuel Mayuka added: “I believe we will get the result we need against Burkina Faso — we just have to win.”
Algeria were the last title-holders to go out in the first round, following up their 1990 title win by picking up just one point from two matches two years later in Senegal.
Zambia hold the upper hand in previous Nations Cup meetings with the Burkinabe, winning two and drawing the other, but the side from west Africa that ended an 18-match winless run in spectacular style with a 4-0 rout of Ethiopia last Friday represent stiff opposition.
They are missing first-choice goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama, banned for two matches after being sent off against Ethiopia. Soulama suffered a personal tragedy the same day when his father was killed in a car crash.
Burkina, guided by Belgian coach Paul Put, have surprisingly emerged as one of the teams of the first round, largely helped by the deadly left foot of Alain Traore.
The France-based midfielder saved the day in stoppage time against Nigeria, and produced two superb goals in the demolition of Ethiopia.
“The Ethiopia win will give us the confidence to face defending champions Zambia in our last group game,” noted Put.
“We will be ready for Zambia and we are committed and united in our cause to qualify.
“We are closer to qualifying, but we have to keep our feet on the ground.”
Burkina have succeeded in extricating themselves from the first round only once in eight appearances, when they finished fourth under French coach Philippe Troussier as hosts of the 1998 edition.
They will be deeply disappointed if they don’t double that tally in Nelspruit.
Rufunsa MP Kenneth Chipungu, Kanyama MP Gerry Chanda and Kabwata MP Given Lubinda follow the proceedings of the Constitution meeting at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka
Chieftainess Nkomesha Mukamambo II of the Busoli people in Chongwe district has said a referendum is a must if the current Constitution making process is to stand the test of time.
Speaking at the on-going Lusaka province constitution convention on Monday, Chieftainess Nkhomesha said that the current constitution making process, like many others, would be in vain if it did not go to the referendum.
The Lusaka provincial constitution convention is part of the 3rd and last round of constitution conventions currently taking place, with the other two being southern and eastern provinces.
“The referendum is a must. Experience is the best teacher. We have had so many Constitution making processes but they have not yielded anything so this current process is the only hope for the Zambian people,” Chieftainess Nkomesha said.
She said it was good that this time around there was no Government white paper which required the Constitution committee to hand over the draft constitution to the President for him to make changes before presenting it to the people.
Chieftainess Nkomesha said the people of Zambia had declined the Government white paper in preference for a referendum as the way forward.
“We must set a precedent and ensure that we contribute to a constitution that will stand the test of time,” she said.
Earlier Non Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) executive director Emily Sikazwe, who is the newly elected deputy chairperson of the Lusaka constitution, said the content of the draft Constitution must be protected.
“The content must be protected but we are not sure if the referendum will be respected. Zambians need a Constitution. Let us give a legacy to the Zambians,” she said.
Meanwhile Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection executive director Father Leonard Chiti has been elected chairperson of the Lusaka province constitution convention.
Father Chiti won the election after beating Emily Sikazwe and Father Gabriel Mwanamwalye in the election that took place on Monday.
Dr Sikazwe was however later elected deputy chairperson of the convention.
In his inaugural speech, Father Chiti urged the delegates to do their best and ensure a good constitution as a lot of resources had been put in place for Zambia to have a good constitution.
Prisoners sleeping.Picture from foreignprisoners.com
By J.Musonda
It may sound like a crazy idea to some readers but I am convinced it will be original and helpful to Zambians. After reflection on hospital services and the arrest of some politicians who have asked for special treatment when are locked up, I thought it will be helpful, to build Fee Paying Police cells.
These cells will be kept clean and will be self contained rooms. I am fully aware some will find it weird because it is very new and they have never heard about it. My argument is,if hospitals have special Fee Paying wards why not police cells?
In fact if we have different treatment for patients depending on wealth why can we not do it to Police cells also.
The money raised from these Fee Paying Police cells will:
Help improve other ordinary cells
Decongest the ordinary cells
Will be a way to take money from the rich and use to the benefit of society
And is good income for the police service.
This is not a new concept even police bond “bail” is determined by the wealth and influence of the person. The truth is no-matter what we will decide even in crime,people are treated according to their status – wealthy, authority and power they have in society. I appeal to people responsible for making decisions to think on this idea.
Private planes for white farmers and other organisations parked at the Livingstone airport
The European Union may soon lift the ban on Zambian registered airplanes from flying into European airspace following the successful resolution of significant safety concerns.
The development now means that the Zambian government can engage the EU over the possible removal of the EU ban.
Transport, Communications and Works Minister Christopher Yaluma made the revelations during a media briefing this afternoon.
“This is good news for us as a country. For the past three years, no Zambian planes have been flying to the European airspace but this is a crucial step towards lifting that ban,” Mr. Yaluma said.
In 2009, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had conducted an audit on the Zambian civil aviation sector which revealed 98 findings including one significant safety concern.
The significant safety concern was a result of non-compliance to the five phase air operator certification process which ICAO had introduced to ensure that operators applying for air service permits complied with international safety requirements.
Mr. Yaluma said the development is a crucial step towards the removal of Zambia from the ICAO safety watch list and subsequently from the EU ban list.
He expressed optimism that the department of civil aviation will be able to maintain standards and recommended practices demanded by the Convention on Civil Aviation and the European Aviation Safety Agency.
“The Zambian department of Civil Aviation has been engaged with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, through mutually developed corrective action plans detailing how the findings and the significant safety concerns were being addressed step by step through correspondence and exchanging electronic data.”
He added, “Prior to the validation mission, both parties were satisfied that the issues leading to the significant safety concern and other safety related findings were adequately addressed.”
The government has dismissed accusations leveled against it by United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema that it has illegally paid First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba K1.5 billion while the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) is in a crisis.
In a press statement made available to ZANIS yesterday by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Kennedy Sakeni said the accusations by Mr Hichilema are cheap and baseless as no such money has illegally been given to the first lady by the government.
Mr Sakeni said the oxygen plant at the children’s wing is intact and operations are normal and therefore it is untrue that premature babies in incubators are dying due to lack of oxygen as stated by Mr Hichilema.
The information minister who is also the Chief Government Spokesperson has since advised Mr Hichilema to tame his growing and insatiable appetite for exaggerations and falsehoods which he (Mr Hichilema) cannot substantiate.
Mr Sakeni has further urged the people of Zambia to ignore unconstructive and unsubstantiated criticism from people like Mr Hichilema, adding that the Patriotic Front Government is on a serious mission to improve people’s living standards.
The opposition Movement for Multi party Democracy (MMD) believes its party is still in good form and intact because it has been undergoing a cleansing process through its rebranding exercise.
In an interview with ZANIS yesterday, MMD Vice President for Political Affairs Michael Kaingu stated that MMD is intact as can be seen by the rebranding exercise which has taken center stage in the party.
Commenting on assertions by suspended MMD Copperbelt Youth Chairperson Joseph Chilambwe that the former ruling party has lost out its democratic values, Mr Kaingu said MMD has a leadership system which embraces unity, principles and values of democratic tenets.
Mr Kaingu added that the sentiments by Mr Chilambwe are his viewpoints and that he did not want to engage into verbal attacks with him saying there are a lot more of significant issues to talk about than to be politicking over Mr Chilambwe.
The MMD Vice President further disclosed that the party president would be going round provinces to update people on how the party is transforming itself for the betterment of the Zambians.
He observed that citizens should be aware of the important role the opposition plays in creating all necessary checks and balances towards the party in government.
Mr Kaingu said this is why Zambians should be strategically focused and positioned to give proper analytical views on different political parties for they equally have the responsibility to do so if they are to realize tangible changes to the country’s social and economic frontier.
And Mr Kaingu bubbled with confidence that the MMD would pull through in the fourth coming Parliamentary by-elections in the Mpongwe and Livingstone seat slated for February 28 next month.
He has since urged the media practitioners across the country to be sober and objective as they cover stories of any election nature.
Meanwhile, Veteran politician and opposition MMD founding member Mathias Mbirintengerenji has called on MMD founding party members to mediate the political wrangles that has rocked the party.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mbirintengerenji said mediation is the only tool to reconcile both new and old members so that they embrace each other.
Mr Mbirintengerenji who is also former MMD Eastern Provincial Information and Publicity Secretary, said Mr Vernon Mwaanga, Mr Newstead Zimba, himself and other founding members should not pretend that there are no serious leadership wrangles in the former ruling party.
“It’s very unfortunate that there is a defacto party within our party, MMD and the only solution to resolve the impasse in our party is for senior members like VJ, me and others to advocate, mediate and make sure that the break-away party members are reconciled by bringing the two factions together,” Mr Mbirintengerenji said.
Mr Mbirintengerenji, a former trade unionist said in a multi-party dispensation like Zambia, there is need for the opposition to be strong and united in giving checks and balances to the party in government.
The immediate past ruling party (MMD) is divided with the Nevers Mumba led executive and the breakaway faction led by Richard Kachingwe daring each other, claiming legitimacy and expelling members who also do not accept decisions past against them.
The Southern Africa Centre for Constructive Resolutions of Dispute (SACCORD) has called on government to open up clear channels where matters of national interest can be addressed.
Speaking to ZANIS in an interview yesterday, SACCORD Information Officer Obby Chibuluma said the media has been one of the major platforms that stakeholders have been using to dialogue with government on matters of national interest.
Mr Chibuluma was reacting to a statement by government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni that government will not dialogue with the church through the media as it holds them in high esteem.
He noted that the reason the Catholic Bishops had made their concerns known through the media is because it is the major dialogue platform currently in existence.
Mr Chibuluma stated that it is important for government to clearly make known the channels of communication they want to use with stakeholders.
He however said it is important to bear in mind that no matter what platform is used people still need to know that the issues affecting them are being addressed.
And Mr Chibuluma described the violence that erupted at the United Party for National Development (UPND) Kabwata rally yesterday as unfortunate.
He said that it is unfair for anyone to cause confusion at an event that took time to organize.
Confusion characterized the beginning of the much awaited UPND public rally in Lusaka’s Kabwata yesterday when some suspected Patriotic Front cadres attempted to disrupt the gathering.
FARMERS in Kapiri Mponshi district are owed over 10 thousand bags of Urea Fertiliser by Nyiombo Investment for the 2012-2013 farming season.
Kapiri Mponshi district commissioner Beatrice Sikazwe disclosed that of the 10 thousand bags that are owned to the farmers in the district only 1200 bags were delivered to the farmers yesterday.
Ms Sikazwe explained that the district received 1200 bags of Urea of which 150 bags were damaged and couldn’t be given to the farmers.
She added that it was unfair for the farmers who have been spending nights at the bus stations as it had become expensive for them to travel each and every day to check on their fertiliser.
Ms Sikazwe said it was unfair that farmers had to wait this long for their fertiliser and Nyiombo had decided to be distributing the fertiliser in smaller bits.
She has since advised the farmers that stormed her office to wait till Wednesday as Nyiombo investment had assured her that the fertiliser would be delivered to the district.
Meanwhile in Kabwe district farmers are still waiting for their fertiliser despite been promised that they would receive the input by last week.
Kabwe district commissioner Patrick Chishala however said Nyiombo Investment had promised him that the fertiliser would be in by Wednesday as the trucks were on their way.
Mr Chishala added that the Government was aware of the farmers predicament and measures were been put in place to address the matter.
Last week farmers in Kabwe gathered at Nyiombo Investment warehouse demanding their fertiliser.
The farmers have since threatened to match to state house should Nyiombo Investment fail to deliver the fertiliser to the district.
Our Africa Cup destiny is in our hands says Herve Renard.
Zambia on Tuesday play face their biggest Africa Cup test when they take Burkina Faso in a must win Group C match at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Renard side must beat Burkina Faso while a draw will spell doom for the defending champions who could end a 20-year record that saw Algeria fail at the same stage in 1992.
“Of course we have more pressure than Burkina Faso meaning that they only need a draw,” Renard said.
“We are strong enough because we know this situation.”
Renard said the team could repeat its 2010 feat of qualifying with one draw, a defeat and a win.
“In 2010 we drew 1-1 against Tunisia, we lost to Cameroon and we beat Gabon and we learnt a lesson,” Renard said.
