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File:A Patriotic Front cadre hovering around ballot papers at Lusaka international airport
Government has said that the K50 billion allocated to Government printers for recapitalization will speed up efforts for Zambia to start printing ballot papers locally.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communication deputy minister Andrew Mwali said ballot papers would soon be printed locally following Governments decision to pump in K50 billion into government printers to address shortfalls.
Debating the 2013 budget in Parliament yesterday, Dr Mwali said the move would also promote democracy in Zambia and create confidence in the electoral process.
“The K50 billion allocated in the budget for the recapitalisation of Government Printers will enable us start printing ballots locally,” he said.
On the allocation of funds to the road sector, Dr Mwali said the sector had for the first time received huge funding for the rehabilitation and construction of roads.
He said K4.3 trillion had been budgeted for the road sector and that the newly launched K27 trillion road project dubbed “Link Zambia-8000” would greatly contribute to an improved national road network.
He said in the past, little effort was done to open up new roads and that the PF government would do so through the Link Zambia-8000 project.
He said the Link Zambia-8000 project had also taken into account the maintenance aspect which was critical to the sustainability of road infrastructure.
Parliament also heard that 907, 653 small scale farmers benefited from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) during the 2011/2012 farming season.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Luxon Kazabu said government intended to revise the programme to improve its effectiveness.
Mr Kazabu was responding to an oral question by UPND Gwembe MP Brian Ntundu.
And Agriculture and Livestock minister Emmanuel Chenda in follow up questions from the MPS said Government would consider increasing on the numbers of beneficiaries as the country grew economically stronger to support the FISP.
Mr Chenda said currently more than one million farmers had expressed interest in the programme but that the resource base by the government was unable to support all of them.
The House heard that Government was committed to enhancing the independence of the office of the Auditor General in accordance with the internationally signed protocols.
Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Harry Kalaba reaffirmed government’s commitment to upholding tenets of good governance which included accountability.
Mr Kalaba was responding to a question by MMD Chipangali MP Vincent Mwale who wanted to know what measures the Government had taken to enhance the independence of the office of the Auditor General in accordance with the Lima Declaration of 1977 and the Mexico Declaration of 2007 which had since been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN resolution No. A/66/209.
He said the PF Government in its party manifesto was keen to ensuring that operations of the Auditor General were independent.
He said Government believed in a strong and independent office of the Auditor General so that Parliaments’ oversight role was strengthened.
Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has counseled Members of Parliament (MPs) against using un parliamentary language when debating in the House.
Dr Matibini says it is inappropriate for MPs to ‘label’ others names, adding that no parliamentarian should judge others because they are all members in good standing.
Dr Matibini said judgement of MPs does not fall in the jurisdiction of parliamentarians but his office.
The Speaker’s guidance comes in the wake of MMD Kasanengwa MP Victoria Kalima who raised a point of order against Chongwe Patriotic Front (PF) MP Sylvia Masebo who is also Tourism and Arts Minister whether she was in order to label other MPs as ‘in good standing with the PF government’ whilst some were labelled ‘not in good standing.
“It is not your task to judge other MPs in fact it is in appropriate to label other MPs on how perceived they are. Every member of this House is of good standing,” the Speaker said.
Meanwhile, parliament heard yesterday that government is in the process of reviewing the Wildlife Policy to make it more responsive and address the needs of the people.
Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo said animal/human conflict and encroachment issues in national parks and game management areas are top of the agenda to be addressed by the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA).
Ms Masebo disclosed that she will soon have a meeting with stakeholders as well as those from the hospitality industry on how best to resolve the animal/human conflict along the major rivers such as the Zambezi.
She further disclosed that Government has got a programme to restock animals in national parks that are depleted with wild animals.
And, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Harry Kalaba said the PF government in line with the party manifesto is determined to make the Office of the Auditor-General autonomy.
Mr Kalaba, who is also PF Bahati Member of Parliament said once the Office of the Auditor General works independently, there will be accountability in parliament as well as other public institutions.
He said government wants to strengthen the institution to ensure that good governance practices are adhered too.
Mr Kalaba further said government is on course in accordance with the Lima Declaration of 1977 and the Mexico Declaration of 2007 which have since been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN Resolution Number A/66/209.
The Deputy Minister was responding to a question raised by MMD Chipangali MP Vincent Mwale who wanted to find out what measures the government has taken to enhance the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General in accordance with the Lima Declaration of 1977 and the Mexico Declaration of 2007 which have since been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN Resolution No. A/66/209.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Emmanuel Chenda said there are over 1.5 million small scale farmers country-wide who have applied to his office to access the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
Mr Chenda said with the availability of resources, those farmers who would have improved and fought poverty at their households would be weaned off from the FISP scheme.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Luxon Kazabu told the House that 907, 657 farmers country-wide benefited from the programme during the 2011/2012 farming season.
Food Reserve Agency (FRA) officials in Livingstone were yesterday morning, at pains to explain why some farmers due to be paid were not appearing on bank confirmation lists submitted by the agency.
The officials claimed they had submitted all names for farmers who supplied maize to the agency but could not clarify why details of eligible farmers were not on the lists submitted to Finance and Investrust banks respectively.
This has resulted in eligible farmers being turned away from the banks without receiving their payments.
Livingstone District Commissioner Paul Sensele visited the FRA offices in a bid to intervene and ensure all farmers were paid, assured the farmers that the situation would be corrected and that the payment schedule will be normalized to cater for all farmers that have not yet been paid.
He said a senior FRA official from Choma had been called to Livingstone to ensure the agency reconciled its records with the banks to include the farmers whose details are still missing.
However, FRA officials who opted to remain anonymous confirmed that funds for payment of farmers and loaders was already in place and that loaders of the maize would be paid this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Charles Sialombwe, a farmer from Kauwe expressed disappointment on how the FRA were handling payment of Kazungula based farmers.
Mr Sialombe said he had supplied 153 by 50 kilograms bags of maize and was given a Produce Receipt and Certification Note (PRCN) but his name was not on the Bank Confirmation list resulting in him not being paid despite being in Livingstone for the past three days.
He accused the FRA of being corrupt as some farmers were being included on the bank confirmation lists through dubious means and at the expense of eligible farmers.
Recently, Vice President Dr Guy Scott re-assured farmers that delays in payment would not be entertained because government had done its part by securing more money to pay them.
yesterday was the last day for the crop marketing season and FRA had a target of purchasing one million metric tones of maize.
The Bank of Zambia’s Monetary Policy Committee has raised the Policy rate by 25 basis points to 9.25% for November 2012.
Head of Public Relations Kanguya Mayondi in a statement released to the media yesterday said the committee at its October 2012 meeting noted upward risks to overall inflation for month of November.
Mr Mayondi says these include the excess liquidity in the market, which may exert upward pressure on inflation going forward and the rising stock feed prices that may contribute to higher meat prices.
He says the global grain deficit that may induce higher domestic and imported grain prices is also another risk factor.
He however, says the Committee noted downward risks to inflation, which may arise from mainly the stability in the prices of vegetables and fish, reflecting an improvement in seasonal supply.
Mr Mayondi explains that the Committee weighed the risks and was of the opinion that inflationary pressures during the policy-relevant period may pose a threat to the end-year inflation target of 7.0%.
He says to curb inflationary pressures, the Committee therefore, decided to raise the Policy Rate to 9.25% from 9.0%.
A Deputy head teacher of Kasunga basic school in Luwingu district of the Northern Province has been arrested by Zambia police for being in possession of unauthorized 2012 Grade seven (7) examination papers.
Northern Province Police Commissioner Mary Chikwanda and Luwingu station police officer in charge Assistant Superintendent Sampa Mwelwa confirmed the arrest of Britain Moonga Nkolola to Zambia News and Information Service in Luwingu yesterday.
Ms Chikwanda said Nkolola was arrested yesterday after the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Alfred Muonga 54 reported the matter to the police that Nkolola has stolen 15 copies of examination question papers for 2012 Grade 7 final exams.
She said Nkolola stole the examination papers on 25th October 2012 after Education Standard Officer (ESO) a Mr Simusokwe delivered the examination question papers to Kasunga basic school and Nkolola who was at the time of delivering the papers was in charge at the school as the head teacher away in Kasama.
Ms Chikwanda said that Mr Simusokwe issued valid instructions to Mr Nkolola to surrender one key of the main door to Mr Friday Banda so that nobody could access to the room where the papers were stored before the supervisor comes for verification of the same materials.
She said when Mr Simusokwe left the place, Mr Nkolola retrieved the other key from Mr Banda claiming that he was the custodian of the keys.
Ms Chikwanda also said efforts of Mr Banda refusing to hand over keys failed as Mr Nkolola insisted and grabbed the keys and opened the room where exam papers were kept and stole 10 copies of Intergraded Science and 5 copies of Special Paper two (2) for 2012 Grade 7 final exams.
Commissioner Chikwanda said on Monday (29th October 2012), when the supervising teacher for Grade 7 exams for Kasunga basic school came to make sitting arrangements and also to verify the examinations materials for the Grade 7 at the school, discovered that some papers were missing.
The supervisor later called on the DEBS (Mr Muonga) who rushed to the area, and interviewed Mr Nkolola who later produced 15 copies which were missing.
Mr Muonga reported the matter to police and Mr Nkolola was arrested for offence of being in possession of unauthorized examination material.
And the people who tipped off the supervisor of Kasunga basic school said Mr Nkolola wanted to exchange the examinations papers with the local brew called Katata and illicit beer (wine).
Mr Nkolola will appear before Luwingu magistrate Davy Simfukwe on Friday 2nd October 2012.
And when contacted for comment, District Education Board Secretary Alfred Muonga confirmed the development to ZANIS and warned the other teachers to refrain from examination malpractices or risks to be dismissed from the teaching service.
Meanwhile, the police last week arrested Kasunga basic school Head teacher Thomas Kabwe for allegedly stealing K8, 520, 000, money meant for vulnerable people under Social Cash Transfer implemented by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare.
Mr Kabwe was released on police bold and will appear before Luwingu magistrate Davy Simfukwe on 5th November 2012.
Konkola Blades moved into fourth place on the Faz Super Division table on Wednesday after beating their arch-rivals Nchanga Rangers 1-0 in a rescheduled Week 24 match at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
Captain Robert Tembo converted a 19th minute penalty awarded to Blades by Kapiri-Mposhi referee Jani Sikazwe following a handball in the Rangers backline.
Both Blades and Rangers ended with 10-men after Sikazwe flashed a red card on either team.
Rangers defender Louis Musonda was sent off in the 54th minute for a second bookable foul while Blades’ Chewe Mukuka received a straight red for a two legged crude tackle on striker Alex Ng’onga after 59 minutes.
Ng’onga later in the game missed from close range with only Bladers keeper Beckie Bizangi to beat he shot wide.
Blades revenged the 1-0 defeat they suffered in the reverse fixture at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola.
The Chililabombwe side has 44 points displacing Red Arrows who drew 0-0 against Zesco United on the fourth spot.
Old rivals Mighty Mufulira Wanderers and Mufulira Blackpool on Wednesday battled to a 1-1 draw in a midweek derby played at John Kachofa Stadium in Kamuchanga Township.
The rescheduled Faz Division North week 27 fixture was a battle for pride as the two sides cannot bounce back to the Super Division this season after Kalulushi Modern Stars and Lime Hotspurs secured promotion from the northern region.
Laston Katuta gave Blackpool a first half lead in the 32nd minute scoring against the run off play.
Late in the game, regular Wanderers scorer Patience Muteba equalised for Mighty 20 minutes to full time.
This usually violent Mufulira derby is reported to have been played under a rare peaceful atmosphere.
Wanderers have increased their tally to 48 points while Blackpool are still 10 points behind their rivals.
Southampton manager Nigel Adkins handed Chipolopolo striker Emmanuel Mayuka his first start in his side’s 3-0 League Cup quarterfinal loss to Leeds United on Tuesday night.
Mayuka was on Tuesday named by coach Herve Renard in the 24-member Chipolopolo squad to face South Africa in Nelson Mandela Challenge on November 14 in Johannesburg.
Since joining Southampton last August from Swiss side Young Boys, Mayuka has been playing for the Saints as a regular second half substitute.
Mayuka was isolated upfront in the game against Leeds and made few attempts at goal.
He benefited from Adkins’ selection of a completely changed team following defeat by Tottenham on Sunday, but the decision backfired and his side’s poor form continued as they slipped to a third consecutive defeat.
President Michael Sata talks to Zulu Burrow Consultant Engineer Levy Zulu, when the President inspected the Chiawa-Chirundu road construction
NATIONAL Restoration Party (NAREP) president Elias Chipimo has questioned the capacity of the Willie Sanda led RDA to execute the ambitious Link 8, 000 Project. In a statement made available to the media Mr Chipimo wondered if RDA will be able to build over 160 kilometres of road every month at an annual cost of K2 billion in order to complete the project in 4 years.
Below is the full statement.
INCOMPETENCE ON FULL DISPLAY – THE FIASCO WITH THE HEAD OF RDA
Two days ago the nation witnessed televised scenes of the Republican President reprimanding civil engineering consultant Mr. Levy Zulu of Zulu Burrow for “delays” in implementing the Chirundu phase of the Patriotic Front’s “Link 8,000 Project”. He was in the company of, among others, his former campaign manager and appointee to the Roads Development Agency Board, Willie Nsanda.
It was clear from the President’s outburst that one of 3 things is happening:
(a) Mr. Nsanda as RDA chairperson is completely out of his depth in this sector; or
(b) the President is playing politics due to the severe pressure on him to show progress on his numerous unfulfilled campaign promises; or
(c) both factors are at play. My conclusion is that while the first explanation seems undisputable, the President is feeling the weight of his Party’s rather lethargic first year in office and wants the Link 8,000 Project to be one of his flagship achievements.
If this is really his goal then he is going about it the wrong way. Link 8,000 is a rather ambitious programme to connect the country internally (and also externally) by constructing 8,000 kilometres of road during the next 4 years of the PF administration. To give you some idea of how impossible this task is, when you break down the numbers, you would have to construct over 160 kilometres of road every month: a programme that would cost 2 billion kwacha per annum and probably gobble up all the bitumen production capacity of the entire Southern African region!
The MMD version of Link 8,000 (the so-called Formula 1) involved less than 500 kilometres of road construction and was barely able to be completed within 2 years in spite of the fast pace at which construction took place. But this is really only the beginning of the problem with the PF’s Link 8,000.
The Chirundu road project that the Republican President went to inspect was based on a contract that was awarded only a month ago. The road project itself is a noble and commercially sensible idea. It will provide the fastest route to the Chirundu border and could save up to 40 per cent of the travel time that is currently being experienced between Lusaka and the border. This will drive commercial traffic onto this route because:
(a) time will be saved;
(b) savings in fuel will be very significant; and
(c) there will be reduced wear and tear.
The cost and time implications make this project one that would have been ripe for private sector investment rather than commitment of massive government resources. But let us stick for a moment with the on-screen annoyance of the President who accused the contractor of causing unnecessary delays, threatening to terminate the contract if they did not increase the pace of construction. The normal terms of contract in road projects stipulate that construction should commence one month after the initial deposit has been paid (which is normally 30 days after the contract has been signed). It can take up to 3 months from this initial payment for a contractor to mobilise equipment, secure supplies of crushed stone and import materials like bitumen for the road surface.
In addition, a contractor has to establish camps along the route and prepare a diversion road which may include displacement of existing residents in the affected areas. With mobilisation time expected to take 3 months and with the onset of the rains (when very little road construction can take place) real progress on the new Chirundu road will only begin in April. But this does not highlight a potentially bigger problem – what the road will eventually cost the Zambian taxpayer and the nation at large.
Let us start with how the contract was awarded. It is important to remember that this particular contract was single-sourced. There are 3 types of tenders that are generally issued when it comes to road construction: single source; selective tender; and open tender. It is only in cases of emergency (like the collapse of a vital road for commerce and trade) or in cases where unique specialised services are necessary, that you would opt for single sourcing road construction. Even the last MMD administration with all the allegations of corruption surrounding it, never opted to single-source road construction. Two problems arise with single-sourcing:
(a) lack of transparency; and
(b) lack of competition.
These factors only increase the cost of the construction. What makes matters even worse in this case is that the road has not been costed and was awarded on a presumed unit cost (approximately one million dollars a kilometre).
Awarding a single-source road contract without costing the project presents a possible financial disaster. The road conditions could be so bad (swamps, rocks and stones, steep hills) that the K250 billion budget so far will escalate to twice that sum if not more.
An equally troubling aspect of the Chirundu project is that the road is being paid for entirely by the Zambian government, meaning the PF administration has full say on who gets awarded the contract.
Yet in spite of the many statements that they are concerned about Zambianisation, it is clear that they are not interested in promoting Zambian enterprise. The contract was awarded to China Geo.
This is not to say we should not award contracts to the Chinese or any other nationality for that matter but where there are clear opportunities to promote the emergence of Zambian enterprises, the Government should seize those opportunities.
Awarding a 50 million dollar contract to a foreign entity means that profits will go to that foreign operator. If the contract had been divided in such a way as to involve local enterprises, the profits will be spent right here in Zambia, improving the prospects of new jobs creation.
NAREP is championing an empowerment and employment plan precisely to address this lack of focus and we intend to collect over a million signatures to support our cause. All of this seems to be beyond Mr. Nsanda who has allowed the president to shower threats on a process that cannot go any faster than it already is.
Terminating a contract without proper cause (and there is no proper cause in this case) will result in huge penalties and progress being even slower than it is already. But can we really expect RDA Board Chairman Willie Nsanda to know this?
Being the president’s campaign manager is not a qualification for heading such an important entity responsible for developing our most critical infrastructure. We all expect politicians to reward their cadres but not at the expense of destroying the few clear chances Zambia has to make a major difference in the lives of the people that are facing the constant challenge of load-shedding, lack of access to clean water, poor education, poor or non-existent access to quality healthcare.
Mr. Nsanda is well beyond his depth and must either resign or be fired. As principal advisor to the President he should have advised that the pace of construction is in line with normal construction of a matter of this nature.
A competent board chairman should be appointed (even if this is from the ranks of the PF) and RDA should not be managed by state house. It is impractical (and quite frankly hard to justify) to expect the Republican President or indeed his staff at state house to inspect performance of all the roads in the country to the professional level required to ensure quality and timely delivery.
Once a matter is being handled by state house, few officials will be able to robustly challenge erroneous decision and actions they make – like the tirade we witnessed two nights ago.
Let us for once do the right thing and appoint competent and capable teams to official positions.
Elias C. Chipimo
President, National Restoration Party
31 October 2012
Zambian rap artist Ruff Kid has become the 2nd artist from Zambia to be awarded with the prestigious BEFFTA Award. Ruff Kid was
nominated under the category for Best international Act at this year’s BEFFTA awards were other nominees in the same category
included Camp Mula, D’Banj, Cover Drive, Grace Galaxy and Zahara. It was later announced on the 27th of October during the award
ceremony that he was the winner of his category beating out stiff competition. Ruff Kid says: “This is all down to my fans and supporters, my management and I have been working tirelessly asking people to support and vote, and this is proof that every vote counts, and I am just grateful that people took the time to vote and support me, Iam grateful to God for providing me with such an amazing opportunity and the BEFFTA Awards for recognising mywork. This one is a dedication to my country Zambia; I hope I have made you proud.”
The BEFFTA Awards whichstand for Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts Awards are in their fourth year and where
founded by Pauline Long, and aims at recognising the known and unknown within the black and ethnic minority communities in the UK and worldwide.
The prestigious awards were held in Golders Green London at the Hippodrum, were VIP guests included Sir Trevor McDonald OBE, who was awarded the Male Lifetime Achievement Award, DJ Abrantee of Choice FMs Afrobeats received the BEFFTA honorary Excellence Award. Also in attendance were, Lemar, Footballer Fabrice Muamba, Starboy Nathan and many more. The night was filled with glamour and inspirational individuals and great entertainment. With award winning comedian as host alongside BEFFTA founder Pauline Long the guests were kept entertained throughout the evening as the winners were unfolded.
This award is a benchmark for Ruff Kid as he has gained the recognition he deserves on an international scale for his hard work in the 10 years he has been in the music industry. With 2 national awards already under his belt, an international award is the perfect stepping stone to take Ruff Kid’s music to the next level. His presence in the UK has not gone unnoticed as he was later invited to attend the GAB Awards (Gathering of Africa’s Best) the very next day after receiving his BEFFTA Award. Ruff Kid attended as a special guest and performer at the GAB Awards held at the London Hilton hotel in Paddington, were Zambia was the theme of the awards.
With an extremely tight schedule ahead of him, the Effycom Productions signed artist promises not to disappoint his supporters as he works on new material and prepares to release two videos and a number of great collaborations, making his exit to the year 2012 an explosive one.
For more information and bookings contact management:
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema addresses journalists after attending the meeting
United Party for National Development (UPND) Leader Hikainde Hichilema has accused President Michael Sata of beginning the construction of his retirement home at a cost of K1.4 billion while he is a sitting president. According to the statement, this action is a violation of the republic constitution which only provides such privilege to a former head of state.
Below is the full statement
Press Statement 31st October, 2012
CONSTRUCTION OF FIFTH REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT’S HOUSE
Early this year, we alerted the nation that Mr. Sata had begun constructing his retirement home near state lodge illegally using government resources.
Government spokesperson Hon Kennedy Sakeni refuted our assertion and alleged that we were bitter and chocking with envy after the 2011 electoral defeat.
Lies have a very short life span and we have been vindicated.
Mr. Sata sent his uncle Hon Alexander Bwalya Chikwanda as a bearer of a message to Parliament to solicit for K1.4 billion for the construction of his house. Page 911 of the yellow book attest to this.
Our contention is that our laws do not provide for such type of expenditure. This is a clear violation of our statutes. Act number 21 of 1998, chapter 15 section 4a states as follows:
“assigned to a former President within a period of not more than two years from the date of ceasing to hold office, a furnished executive house built or bought in Zambia by the State at a place of the former President’s choice”.
Clearly, this is a benefit given to a former President not a sitting one. Is Mr. Sata a retired, sitting President? We are concerned that Mr. Sata has continued raping our constitution with impunity. If Mr. Sata had any sense of morality, he would have concentrated on paying retirees who have already worked for their money than paying himself a retirement prematurely.
We call on all Honourable Members of Parliament across political divide to do the honourable thing by stopping this reckless, proposed spending.
This level of self aggrandizement is unacceptable especially that houses for the second, third and fourth former Republican Presidents are not completed. If this reckless expenditure is not stopped in Parliament, UPND shall explore other democratic options available.
A critical fuel shortage in Tunduma has put undue pressure on the three filling stations in Nakonde as Tanzanian motorists have flooded the border town to buy the commodity.
ZANIS reports that long ques of combined Zambian and Tanzanian vehicles have been formed at two ZACKS and SGC filling stations in Nakonde as the fuel shortage hits Tundama.
some motorists are reported to have spent their night in vehicles as they waited to refuel.
Oil marketing companies as well as filling station owners in Tanzania are reportedly holding on to the commodity in a bid to increase the price resulting in the high demand of the commodity on the Zambian side for two weeks now.
The oil marketing companies and filling station owners have proposed a uniform pump price (UPP) as obtaining in Zambia but Tanzanian authorities are reportedly reluctant to implement the new changes.
A check at the two filling stations located in Nakonde town centre last night and this morning found a number of vehicles waiting to refuel.
Amos Chisha, a Lusaka resident who has just cleared his vehicle in Dar-es-salaam told ZANIS in an interview that he is stranded because of the fuel shortage which is available on the black market at a high price.
Another motorist, Simon Banda said he has failed to refuel his vehicle so that he can proceed to Lusaka.
Meanwhile, taxi operators in Nakonde have also taken advantage of the shortage of petrol to hike the fares by 100 percent with the shortest local route being charged at K20,000.00 from K10,000.00.
Nakonde only has three filling stations ZACKS , SGC and Chaula which are currently under pressure to supply fuel to motorists from Zambia and Tanzania following the shortage in Tunduma.
President Michael Sata has directed newly appointed Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Ambassador Peter Kasanda to straighten government.
The President observed that they are some people within government who want to cause confusion and frustrate the operations of government.
He said the same government employees don’t want the PF government to succeed therefore they end up frustrating the Zambian people.
“Ambassador Kasanda ‘I decided to remove you from Foreign Service because there is a big vacuum, we are on a big MMD volcano, so I want you to straighten government. There is so much confusion they don’t want us to succeed; people who are being frustrated are common people.” Mr Sata said.
President Sata said he decided to move Ambassador Kasanda from Foreign Service because of the big vacuum in government adding that the PF government is seating on a big MMD volcano.
And President Micheal Sata today praised the Zambia Police Service for maintaining peace in Mufumbwe province ahead of the by elections slated for 8 November.
Speaking at State House this morning when he swore in Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr Solomon Jere, President Sata said the Police have done a commendable job in ensuring peace prevails in Mufumbwe.
He said he was impressed in the manner the entire Police service was working hence his decision to promote Dr Jere as Police Deputy Inspector General.
“Dr Jere am very impressed with you that’s why I have promoted you, am impressed with the entire Police force. We politicians can mislead you. You have done a commendable job we politicians can derail you. If you know that we are going to incite problems just say no, no need to explain full stop. And I want you to go to Mufumbwe, so far you have done very well there is peace in Mufumbwe.” He noted.
However President Sata cautioned Dr Jere not to be derailed by politicians as politicians were in a habit of misleading the Police.
He further advised Dr Jere not to entertain politicians who want to incite problems.
And President Sata urged newly appointed Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Permanent Secretary Dr Muyenga Hatanga to desist from single souring contractors.
He advised Dr Hatanga to follow stipulated procedures when awarding contracts to would be contractors.
“Where you are going there is too much temptation. Temptation of single sourcing for contracts, follow the tender procedure don’t single source. We expect that with your qualification and experience you be able to assist people who did not have an opportunity of attaining what you have attained.” He advised.
Zambian musicians Romaria performing at Club Zone Cafe in Lusaka
Zambian Breweries Plc in partnership with the National Arts Council has launched the K1 billion Mosi Lager Zambian Music Awards aimed at recognising excellence in the Zambian music industry.
The first awards show slated for February 22 2013 will see the best of Zambian music talent awarded after public nominations which opens on December 14 2012.
Some of the Zambian Music Awards (ZAMA) categories include Afro beat, Zed beats, Kalindula, Dance hall, Rhythm and Blues, Praise and Worship, Jazz and Rhumba, Song of the Year and Produce of the Year.
Music fans will be given a chance to vote for their favourite artistes by sending an SMS to 6767 or by voting online at www.zambianmusicawards.com
The Mosi Lager Zambian Music awards were launched in Lusaka last evening at a glittering event at Intercontinental Hotel attended by some of the country’s finest musicians.
At the event, National Arts Council of Zambia Director Victor Makashi paid tribute to Zambian Breweries Plc for partnering with the council in launching the awards which are the first single discipline awards.
Mr. Makashi observed that the newly launched awards will lessen the pressure on the Ngoma awards which are multi discipline awards as most Musicians will go for the Mosi Lager Zambian music awards.
He also advised musicians to take their music seriously and refrain from using unpalatable lyrics in their songs.
The NAC Director warned the musicians that unpalatable language in their music will only win them airplay in bars and minibuses.
Mr. Makashi further commended government for creating a Ministry responsible for the development of the arts sector in the country.
And Zambian Breweries Plc Managing Director Anele Malumo said Zambian Breweries continues to make a difference through beer by investing in communities.
Mr. Malumo also appealed to all musicians countrywide to be the social and cultural conscious of the Zambian society and be role models of the youth through responsible lifestyles.
Officiating at the event, Arts and Tourism Deputy Minister Keith Mukata said arts and culture if nurtured well has the potential to create millions of jobs especially for the young people.
Mr. Mukata implored musicians to use their talents well and not fall prey to vices such as drugs and alcohol abuse because of fame.
He also advised all the parties that will be involved in the Mosi Lager Zambian Music awards to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process.
The Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services has commended Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) management for resuming sign language interpretation after suspending the exercise due to a technical problem.
Information Deputy Minister Mwansa Kapeya said government was happy with the development as it is in line with its policy of ensuring access to information for all regardless of one’s physical status.
Mr. Kapeya said the Ministry was happy because it had been receiving many queries from people over the absence of sign language interpretation on ZNBC television.
He said this in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr. Kapeya explained that it was standard practice worldwide that sign language interpretation is provided on television so that the hearing-impaired are not left behind in the informational needs of society.
He has since encouraged other television stations in the country to emulate ZNBC in as far as sign language interpretation was concerned.
