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Patriotic Front Central Committee Chairman for Transport Willie Nsanda
Chairman of the Road Development Agency Willie Nsanda is happy that the Link Zambia road project has now gained momentum and that works have picked up.
Mr. Nsanda who toured the Leopards Hill Lot 1 road project which is part of the Link Zambia 8,000 in the company of RDA senior officials said he is pleased that the project is on schedule.
He said significant progress has been recorded on the project since President Michael Sata toured the project site last month.
President Sata last month threatened to cancel the contract awarded to China Geo to work on the Leopards Hill road as part of the Link Zambia 8,000 due to delays to commence construction work.
But Mr. Nsanda today found that over 20 Km of earth works have been done which he said was within schedule.
He said the contractor has also managed to mobilise necessary equipment on site to speed up the project.
“What is important is that we are on schedule, we may get a bit of delays because of the rains but we are essentially on schedule,” Mr. Nsanda told Reporters on site.
“This project is close to the Boss’s heart and he will be back here again soon to check on progress but what I have seen is impressive so far,” he said.
The RDA Chairman also denied assertions that State House is exerting unnecessary pressure on the contractor to finish off the project.
“Pressure is good. We all need pressure to move. This project is very important and it has to move so pressure is good,” he said.
The Link Zambia 8000 Project would result in the construction of about 2,290 kilometres of roads at an estimated cost of K7.9 trillion in the first phase.
The second phase would cover 3,049km of road network at an estimated cost of K11.25 trillion while the third phase would involve upgrading 2, 862km of road network with an estimated cost of K9 trillion.
All projects under the Link Zambia 8000 programme are expected to be carried out over a five-year period.
The road would also go over Chongwe River and connect Feira through to Luangwa Bridge.
He stated that on the other side, the road would provide a link to Kasisi, Chipembi, Chalimbana and Palabana, among other areas.
South Africa coach Gordon Igesund says Bafana Bafana is targeting a win against Zambia in the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
Igesund told Kickoff.Com that Bafana wants to beat Zambia.
“Yes we want to win and do well and I think we will. We are in a better situation now than we were on our trip to Poland and Kenya. We will be getting better all the time,” he said.
He added Bafana was not under any pressure to win the Mandela Challenge contrary to Chipolopolo captain Christopher Katongo earlier statement that South Africa was under pressure to beat Zambia.
“Well, there is no pressure on Bafana to win a friendly match… The pressure is on Bafana to get to the semi-finals and win the Africa Cup of Nations,” Igesund said.
“We are doing the preparation right now, so there is no pressure on the players. They have to go out there and perform. They are professionals and they will do their job, that’s the bottom line.”
File:President Sata and wife Dr Christine Kaseba at the Awards Dinner in the US
The decision by Parliament to approve a budgetary allocation for an unconstitutional Office of the First Lady is greatly regrettable and shocking to proponents of constitutionalism in the country.
It is extremely disappointing that a watchdog institution like Parliament that is supposed to provide effective checks and balances on the dealings of the Executive could conveniently overlook such a misnomer.
It is the first time in the history of this country that the Office of First Lady has been allocated public funds without being constitutionalised, a precedent Zambia will live to regret.
Government should have first tabled a bill to constitutionalise the Office before rushing to parliament to seek budgetary approval.
It is in this vein that the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP)demands for the above procedure to be followed before allocating and approving and consequently implementing the First Lady’s Office budget by the state. The approval must be rescinded immediately.
Nonetheless, one is left to wonder where the gallant men and women in the Parliament preceding the current one that acted in the interest of this country have gone. It is indeed a sad development for the Zambian legislature to go to sleep on such an important matter concerning the tax payers’ money.
Herve Renard says he is looking to get a win against Bafana-Bafana on Wednesday in the Nelson Mandela Challenge.
Zambia and South Africa meet in the friendly at Soccer City in a 20:00hours kickoff.
Renard told Faz’s official website that he hoped Zambia will shine at Soccer City.
“We are going to play for a win. We want to win this Mandela Challenge and we are looking forward to it,” Renard said.
“It’s a platform for us to continue carrying forward the pride of our great country Zambia.
“We also have a good opportunity to start our preparations for the Africa Cup next year.
“Our target for now is to be ready for the 21st of January 2013 and the work starts now. We are starting the work on Wednesday and when January 21 comes, we will be ready.”
Meanwhile, the game is expected to mark the return of Dutch-based striker Jacob Mulenga’s one-year hiatus following his recent recovery from a long term injury.
I was rather startled by a recent video report by Muvi TV. Their reporter, Mwaka Namfukwe was in Kantolomba Township in Ndola covering a story she titled, Some Civic Leaders in Ndola’s Kantolomba Township have resolved to start arresting women they find patronizing bars.
Here is her opening statement; Kantolomba is one township in Ndola where you find children playing all over the place, doesn’t matter what games or whatever the time, most of them are reportedly malnourished because their mothers spent much time patronizing bars so cannot cook proper food for their children.
After hearing Namfukwe’s statement I was left with the belief that Kantolomba is populated by reckless, beer guzzling, self inseminating women who have single handedly let their children go unfed and uneducated.[pullquote]I bet an ideal Zambian marriage is one in which the wife has a job outside the home, contributes financially to the home and comes home at the end of the day to engineer development in the home, community and the nation in general while the husband hangs out at a bar eating imichopo and entertaining girlfriends[/pullquote]
In concluding her report,there was a shot taken of women of Kantolomba dancing and holding plates of food,(WAIT, I thought she had reported earlier that these women don’t cook!), Namfukwe triumphantly stated that, women are engineers of development in the home, community and the nation in general. If indeed, Namfukwe believes that women are solely in charge of this gargantuan task, why didn’t she stand up in Kantolomba and challenge the actions of the men there? How do you expect women to solely carry the burdens of society without responsible, supportive men to work with?
Four women appeared on camera and testified that they were driven to drinking to drown the sorrows of poverty and abusive, philandering husbands. There were no men interviewed in the report which compounded my belief that Kantolomba is the first Zambian all women township. The only man in the report was the sexist civic leader (his name was not disclosed in the report) who has instructed bar owners in the area to refuse admittance to women. Essentially, he has declared that it is a constitutional right for men to drink and neglect their children but God forbid if women emulate them. Most disturbing in this report was the inability of the Kantolomba women to give any responsibility to their husbands. None of them stated that their husbands should be
banned from the bars as well.
Coming back to the reporter, I was left with the opinion that either Namfukwe doesn’t have a handle on women’s advancement or she is not a good investigative reporter. Reporters should not just chant catchy phrases, they ought to understand what they are reporting and give viewers or listeners clear and balanced news.
In hindsight, I don’t blame Namfukwe, after all she works for a station whose most popular show is Ready For Marriage, a spectacle that endeavors to mold ‘wayward’ women into wives. This show is developed and produced by a man who obviously doesn’t have very high expectations of women. Among other domestic chores that supposedly make a good wife, contestants of the show are tested on bed-making and dish-washing. The last time I checked, marriage constituted two people. So why is Muvi TV only schooling one half of the union? The sad part of this show is that the contestants are very happy to be on it and don’t seem to have any foresight on whether whomever they are getting ready to marry will be equally ready[pullquote]I was left with the belief that Kantolomba is populated by reckless, beer guzzling, self inseminating women who have single handedly let their children go unfed and uneducated.[/pullquote]
It seems Muvi TV has blinded itself to the fact that more and more husbands are becoming dependent on a second income, the wife’s! I bet an ideal Zambian marriage is one in which the wife has a job outside the home, contributes financially to the home and comes home at the end of the day to engineer development in the home, community and the nation in general while the husband hangs out at a bar eating imichopo and entertaining girlfriends
Heck, we are a nation that flaunts the notion that ubuchende bwamwaume tabutoba inganda (a man’s infidelity does not break a home). How steadfast will a home be when infidelity brings in AIDS, emotional and financial distress not to mention malnourished children?
Since the first Women’s Suffrage Movement in the 19th century, women around the world have continued to progress and get their men to respect them, except in Zambia where women still accept to be second class citizens. As the saying goes, you will be treated the way you allow to be treated. Clearly, some of our mothers and sisters do not know any better and they are teaching their daughters what they know;to be ill-treated and disrespected by their men and consider it perfectly normal. The one responsibility I would give to Zambian women is to strive to empower themselves and allow to be treated with respect and love and ultimately will we move forward as a people.
If our minds are stuck in the 12th Century, the country’s development will remain superficial. It is the third world mentality in Zambian minds that relegate the country to that status and not the country’s geographical location. We ought to be aware of what that means.
Muvi TV is in a powerful position of reaching Zambians all across the country and as such must help Zambia grow by truly empowering women not beheading them. Their show, Ready for Marriage, must include men who should be readied for marriage as well. Otherwise they should rename their show, Ready for Disaster.
FILE: Steven Masumba showing his diploma to the media that is said to have been irregularly issued because the minister did not successfully complete his training programme.
President Sata has appointed newly-elected Mufumbwe PF Member of Parliament Stephen Masumba as provincial minister for North-Western Province.
Masumba replaces Josephine Limataa, who has been transferred to Southern Province in the same capacity. This is contained in a statement issued to the media by George chellah ,Special assistant to the President for press and public relations.
President Sata has also transferred John Kufuna from Southern Province to the Ministry of Local Government in the same capacity as deputy minister.
The President said he was confident that the three deputy ministers will satisfactorily discharge the functions of their respective offices both to his satisfaction and that of the Zambian people.
“As you execute your functions;be reminded that our people are the most important resource. Therefore, as leaders we should all strive and commit to meeting their essential needs, expanding the economy and creating jobs, curbing crime and corruption, and eventually transforming the state with fulfillment,” President Sata said.
“Transparency, national unity, equality before the law and placing the interests of the masses in the forefront should be our guiding principle if we are to achieve the total transformation of the country we fervently desire. I urge you all to work towards the attainment of these noble objectives.”
Meanwhile, the Head of State has appointed Mr. Trevor Kaunda as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
Napsa Stars striker Harry Milanzi has declared himself fit and ready to feature in Saturday’s Barclays Cup final against Power Dynamos at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Milanzi, who is Napsa’s leading goal scorer with seven goals for this season, missed Sunday’s final Faz Super Division match against Forest Rangers which ended 0-0 in Lusaka due to an ankle injury.
“I am ready for the final of the Barclays Cup on Saturday 17th November,” Milanzi posted on his Facebook page.
The ex-Chipolopolo striker suffered the ankle injury nine days ago in Napsa’s 2-1 loss away to Power in a Week 29 league fixture at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Milanzi propelled Napsa to their debut Barclays Cup final after scoring the lone goal in their 1-0 semifinal win over Zesco United on October 27 at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Power reached the final after also beating Zanaco 1-0 at Woodlands on the same date via a Thomas Nyirenda goal.
MMD vice president for administration Brian Chituwo
The opposition MMD says it has decided to uphold the republican constitution and allow its members of parliament to serve in the Patriotic Front government.
MMD Vice President for administration Brian Chituwo has told QFM News in an exclusive interview that MMD is aware that the current constitution has a provision which allows the President to appoint any of the members of parliament to ministerial positions irrespective of their political affiliation.
Dr. Chituwo has however challenged the MMD parliamentarians currently holding ministerial position in the PF government to explain where their allegiance lies.
He adds that MMD as a party has its own principles and constitution by which all its members are governed and are expected to abide by.
Dr. Chituwo has noted that the MMD will however not hesitate to take disciplinary action against any of its parliamentarians serving in the PF government who goes against the party rules and regulations.
Over 50 timber employees and merchants today marched to the office of the District Commissioner, Joster Manjolo to express their displeasure with government on the abrupt suspension of timber harvesting in the country.
A group representative, Peter Yuvwenu from Han Tang Timber Company in Kaoma district complained that the sudden suspension of timber in the district will throw out many youths in the streets.
Mr Yuvwenu said that over 2,000 families are affected by the abrupt closure and requested the Patriotic Front government to consider lifting the suspension so that those who have already finished cutting should be allowed to transport their timber to various markets.
And Kaoma district Timber Association Chairperson Evans Muzala said that the suspension of timber operations has not come at a right time adding that in a democratic state like Zambia timber players were supposed to be consulted.
Mr Muzala said the PF government should serve the interests of all Zambians as it promised during the just ended tripartite elections as it was given the mandated to serve the majority poor Zambians.
He complained that considering the high unemployment rates in the country many people that were employed by timber companies would be injected in the streets with nothing to do as the closure is not intended at putting money in people’s pockets.
Mr Muzala said ways and means should be sought in order to have a permanent solution to the matter.
And addressing the timber employees and merchants from Sikale wood and Han Tang companies, Kaoma District Administrative Officer Siachibuye Mwanangombe requested them to remain calm as government was still seriously looking into their plight.
Mr Mwanangombe said government will come up with an amicable solution in order to resolve and protect them.
Last week government through the Minister of Lands and Natural resources suspended the cutting of timber in the country.
Rainford Kalaba will on Tuesday know whether he can to play in Wednesdays friendly against South Africa in Johannesburg.
The TP Mazembe midfielder was expected in camp today in Johannesburg but they are still fitness concerns following his recent return from a month-long injury layoff.
“The team Doctor will examine him on Tuesday morning and thereafter make a decision whether he is fit enough to play on Wednesday,” Faz communications officer Erick Mwanza said.
Kalaba sustained a groin injury in Lubumbashi on October 7 in a Caf Champions League semifinal first leg tie against Tunisian club Esperance.
The midfielder went on to miss Zambia’s 2013 Africa cup return leg qualifier away to Uganda on October 13 in Kampala.
Meanwhile, the team on Monday was boosted by the arrival of Jacob Mulenga of Dutch club FC Utrecht and Southampton striker Emmanuel Mayuka.
And Chisamba Lungu of Russian second division club FC Ural is the last player expected in camp on Tuesday after attending to a league commitment today Monday.
In related news, SuperSport will beam the friendly live on SuperSport Four.
The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has urged the government to consider settling the over 200 billion kwacha debt it owes the power utility company through unpaid bills.
ZESCO managing director Cyprian Chitundu says the outstanding debt owed by the government once paid would enable the company also fulfill the tax obligations that it is supposed to meet.
Mr. Chitundu says there is also need for the long term supply contracts that ZESCO has with the mining companies in the country to be relooked at adding that the current tariffs being offered to the mines are not cost reflective.
The mines consume 50% of the total power that ZESCO generates.
Mr. Chitundu was speaking during a presentation at a workshop for Members of Parliament in Lusaka today.
And Mr. Chitundu has further told parliamentarians that the introduction of the prepaid meters has led to a reduction in power distribution losses from 30 to about 13 %.
He added that up rating of the selected hydro-power station was also progressing well and that a contractor has also moved on site at Lunzuwa hydro-power station in Mbala district.
Mr. Chitundu further stated that ZESCO has also advertised for a contract to up rate Musonda Falls hydro-power station adding that other hydro-power stations to be up rated include Lusiwasi lower and upper Hydro-power stations, as well as Chishimba Falls.
And speaking during the question and answer session Gwembe Member of Parliament Brian Ntundu urged ZESCO to engage government and ensure that the bad contracts that ZESCO has are terminated.
The parliamentarian noted that the government should therefore move in as did on the concession agreement of Zambia Railway and terminate the long term supply agreement which ZESCO has with the mining companies and come up with cost reflective supply contracts.
Government has reversed the deportation of the Rwandese Catholic priest, Viateura Banyangandora and declared that he is free to come back to Zambia if the Church still needs him.
Home Affairs Minister, Edgar Lungu said at a press briefing in his office today that the revocation of the deportation order followed consultations with various members of the Catholic Church and was in line with “the Bible teachings to forgive one another in the love of Christ.”
Mr Lungu was, however, quick to warn members of the public regardless of their political affiliation that matters of the church should not be mixed with politics.
“I further warn those who want to intervene with the running of Government while hiding behind religion that the law will catch up with them. I will not take kindly to anyone who uses the name of the church to gain political mileage at the expense of serving the Zambian people,” he said.
Father Banyangadora, 40, who was based at Lundazi Catholic Parish, was deported early this year for allegedly violating the Laws of Zambia.
In his deportation order, Mr Lungu stated that Fr Banyangandora’s conduct was found to be a danger to peace and good order in Zambia contrary to Section 39(2) of the Immigration and Deportation Act, No. 18 of 2010.
FILE: MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka.
Opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president Nevers Mumba has denied being aware of any cracks in his party’s working relations with the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Dr. Mumba said his party has a very good working relationship with the UPND as could be seen from the last elections in Mufumbwe where the two opposition parties supported each other.
He told journalists in Solwezi today that the two parties were committed to building on the strength of the working pact.
He said the MMD has continued to relate very well with the UPND insisting that nothing has changed in the two opposition political parties’ working relationship.
“I am not aware of any cracks in our civility to work together for national development,” he said.
Dr. Mumba stated that there was no official distabalisation in the MMD/UPND working relationship.
“We worked together in Chongwe, Livingstone, Mufumbwe and we will continue working together on many issues of national development,” he said.
But when asked to comment on his vice president Michael Kaingu’s and UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma’s statements that suggested that two parties were no longer working together, Dr. Mumba said that was not the official position of MMD.
He said he has not sat with Mr. Kaingu to find out what statement he issued to the media.
Dr. Mumba said he has been away from Lusaka to campaign for MMD candidate in Mufumbwe and was thus not privy to statements his colleagues made in his absence.
He said the position of the former ruling party is to continue to relate well with other opposition parties.
Douglous Mwila 24, had his ear sliced by his supervisor
A 24 year’s man of Lusaka’s Kanyama compound, who had his ear sliced by his Chinese employer in October this year at Twin Palm Zambia Air Force Base, has withdrawn the case.
Douglas Mwila, who sustained a deep cut on his left ear after being hit with an iron bar by his employer Guo Haisheng of China Jiangxi Corporation limited following a dispute over works on drainages, today appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Aridah Chuulu.
When the matter came up for trial, Mwila told court that he was ready but expressed his intention of withdrawing the matter adding that he thanked God for serving his life.
He told Magistrate Chuulu that he has learnt of God’s mercy and the importance of forgiveness.
He told court that Haisheng has shown remorse for his actions adding that the accused had taken care of all travel, medical and food expenses since he was assaulted.
He stated that the two parties have agreed to have the matter withdrawn before court.
Mwila stated that he has since recovered and will be reporting for work on Monday next week as his sick leave ends this Friday.
However, magistrate Chuulu wondered if Mwila was well informed about his decision and consequences that may come with the withdrawal.
Magistrate Chuulu asked if he truly wanted to withdraw the matter.
In response, Mwila told the court that his forgiveness was coming from his heart and was sure of what he was doing.
“Your honour, I have not been induced to withdraw the matter. I just want to forgive him,” he said.
In passing ruling on the matter, magistrate Chuulu said since the complaint had insisted that he had made a decision to withdraw the matter, the law does not stop people from doing so.
He said the law allows a person to be acquitted according to section 204 of the criminal procedure code of conduct.
Meanwhile, magistrate Chuulu warned Haisheng to restrain himself next time he picks an argument with anyone adding that if he commits another case, the courts will not allow the complaint to withdraw the matter.
She warned that the Chinese should not take advantage of the Zambian workers in any way saying the law in Zambia will not defend anyone found wanting.
Kabwe Warriors skipper Roderick Kabwe has hailed his team’s promotion to the Faz Super Division.
Kabwe said it was not easy for Warriors to bounce back to the top flight league just a year after suffering demotion.
“For us as players it is a very big achievement. It was our target to bounce back into premier league, so we are very happy,” he said.
“Football in division one is very tough. It is not easy, you know with bad pitches,” Kabwe added.
The midfielder hoped that Warriors would excel in the Super Division next season.
“We are hoping that we can continue with the same form even in the Super League. We thank God we managed to bounce back within a year. We fought as a team we won as a team,” Kabwe stated.
