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President Michael Sata today met MMD members of parliament currently serving in Government. This is according to a media statemet released by State house. According to the statement , the rationale behind the meeting held at State House this morning was to discuss issues of development in their constituencies and how best they can collaborate with Government on such and other related matters.
The statement went on to say that it was President Sata’s considered view and passion that there must be serious joint efforts across party lines to consolidate the nation’s new developmental path and as such his doors remained open to all parliamentarians wishing to engage Government on issues concerning the areas and people they represent.
The Head of State reiterated his appreciation of the progressive and patriotic attitude exhibited by the MMD parliamentarians currently serving in Government.
” President Sata regards the parliamentarians as forward-thinking allies in the struggle to achieve the development goals set by the Patriotic Front (PF), such as unlimited access to education and health for all, sustained economic growth, job creation, equal distribution of resources and rural development.”
“During the meeting, the parliamentarians pledged their loyalty and support to the PF Government under the guidance of President Sata in working towards developing the country”, read the statement.
The MMD members of parliament who attended the meeting were Hon. Keith Mukata [Chilanga], Hon. Richard Taima [Solwezi East], Hon. Josephine Limata [Luampa], Hon. Dr. Patrick Chikusu [Katuba], Hon. David Phiri [Mkaika], Hon. Nicholas Banda [Kapoche], Hon. Elijah Muchima [Mwinilunga West], Hon. Patrick Ngoma [Feira] and Hon. Forrie Tembo [Nyimba].
The meeting was also attended by newly elected Mufumbwe PF member of parliament Hon. Stephen Masumba who was accompanied his campaign manager, and Mandevu PF member of parliament Hon. Jean Kapata.
A suspected mentally ill patient of Kitwe was on yesterday afternoon stoned to death by angry residents after he stabbed three people with a knife one of whom died.
Police Spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela in a statement released to QFM News says the incident happened around 15:00 hours at the market area in Wusakile township.
Ms Kanjela says Joe Buka attacked a woman and started beating her with a plank, and when some people tried to stop him, he pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed three of them.
She says Lenard Banda aged 28 of house No.C5-233 Wusakile was stabbed in the stomach forcing his intestines to come out.
Ms Kanjela says the victim was later rushed to Kitwe Central Hospital where he died upon arrival.
She says also stabbed was Victor Kalombo of house No.D35 Wusakile who sustained cuts on his back and Sai Mwansa of unknown address who sustained deep cuts on both hands and are both admitted to Kitwe Central Hospital.
Ms Kanjela explains that the mob later stoned Joe to death and that his body is in Kitwe Central hospital.
An identified Driver for a truck Registration Number ABV2596 being bundled in a Police van for ferrying cadres who wanted to disturb the PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba official opening of the Party Provincial Indaba
THE seven people arrested in Kasama during Patriotic Front (PF) PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba’s visit to Northern Province have been fined and released.
Of the seven believed to be supporters of Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba, five were picked up at Kasama Airport and two at Kasama Lodge after they clashed with PF cadres that were on hand to welcome Mr Kabimba.
Northern Province police chief Mary Chikwanda said the group was released from custody after paying an admission of guilt fine of K50,000 each.
On Saturday,quick action by police officers rescued a driver of a truck that ferried Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba’s supporters from lynching by Patriotic Front (PF) members that went to welcome PF secretary general Wynter Kabimbaat Kasama Lodge.
Mr Kabimba’s visit was marked by a heavy police presence with some officers carrying assault rifles and clad in bullet proof vests.
The driver of an army-green Saurer truck registration number ABV 2596 that ferried supporters carrying a banner proclaiming support for Mr Mwamba commonly known as GBM attracted the ire of PF members that were on hand to welcome Mr Kabimba.
However, PF party members that were getting ready to proceed to the provincial consultative forum venue where Mr Kabimba delivered his keynote speech got angry and confronted the driver of truck asking who had sent him.
Before the confrontation could get physical, police officers whisked him away from Kasama lodge where Mr Kabimba had stopped briefly upon arrival before proceeding for his scheduled meeting with PF party officials.
Police then bundled Mr Mwamba’s supporters and some other PF cadres into another parked truck registration number ALB 4328 and drove them to the police station.
However, only the drivers were detained while the occupants went scot free.
Some of the banner carrying youths who escaped the haul by the police said in an interview that the truck went to their township and they told “to go and welcome GBM and his opponent Mr Kabimba”.
One of the youths James Banda said they were told to sing solidarity songs and that they would be given a K100,000 each afterwards.
Earlier, other pro-GBM supporters had anchored at a bar called Ichibwato on the road leading to the airport waving an assortment of banners all declaring support for GBM.
Some of the banners read: “Thank You President Michael Chilufya Sata for Giving Us GBM as MP” another read “Kasama Residents for GBM” while others praised the Kasama Central Member of Parliament for fostering development in the town.
A car drives past a village towards the Zambia-Mozambique border in Milanzi
I recently visited the Zambia Revenue Authority website to try and find out how much it will cost me to land a vehicle in Zambia. I was also interested in knowing something about Property Transfer Tax.
To my surprise, the statements that ZRA have put on their website are too tentative for business. The policy does not come across as reliable as one would expect of it to be. For example, why should the quoted figures for specific data that a prospective customer enters to import goods in Zambia be for guidance only?
That kind of principle is no principle. One needs to work with concrete figures when it comes to paying for services received. This “guidance only” statement often can lead to distress on the part of a customer, who has probably prepared only so much to clear the goods, and only to be charged more than one prepared to pay.
Consequently, because one does not want to forfeit their property,they are forced to plead with a government officer at ZRA to reduce the tax, or one will be forced to enter into negotiation with an officer so that one can pay only what they can afford. This should not be allowed. One must not go to an office not knowing how much they have to pay. Nor should anyone be made to negotiate because they have been quoted too much tax.
This policy at ZRA leaves too much room for a member of the public to get entangled with an officer in a corrupt way.
I would like to appeal to the Zambian government and ZRA in particular to issue statements that have certainty. Put things in black and white, and make the policies reliable and user friendly.
In countries where government departments are fighting corruption,they give you exact details, so that you know exactly what you should pay or expect to get from them. Then they say, if there is anything else we can do for you let us know.
I urge ZRA to address this concern. It is the only source of information upon which some people, particularly those abroad will ever base their spending decisions in exporting good or property to Zambia. If the information is for guidance only, what are the correct details people should use to make their decisions?
Faz Super Division Champions Zanaco coach Keagan Mumba has recounted that winning the 2012 league title was tough.
Mumba’s Zanaco on Saturday won the league in grand style beating favourites and defending champions Power Dynamos to the title on the final day of the competition.
Mumba acknowledged that runners-up Power gave his side a good run.
“It was a hard fought battle, Power deserve to be congratulated as defending champions ,” Mumba said.
“For us it was going to be painful after leading the league for so many weeks and lose it. We have been consistent this season,” he said.
Mumba added that he was overwhelmed with various congratulatory massages he has received from his fellow coaches.
“I am deeply humbled that coaches are phoning me and congratulating me, among them Beston Chambeshi the coach for Power,
Wedson Nyirenda, Masautso Mwale and Mukuka Musonda just to mention a few”.
He also hailed his players for the achievement and saluted his technical bench plus the club management
MMD youths have attributed their loss in the recent Mufumbwe bye election to the dishonest manner in which its alliance partner, the UPND conduct itself in the run up to the election.
MMD Diehard Youths National Coordinator Bowman Lusambo charged that the UPND abandoned the MMD campaign team and did not mobilise its supporters to vote for MMD candidate Stanford Mulusa.
“The UPND put butter on the faces of Zambians saying they are working with the MMD, there was no alliance on the ground. It was just butter on the faces of Zambians,” Lusambo said.
He revealed that only one UPND councilor from Mapushi Ward worked tirelessly with the MMD camp until the results were announced.
“We agree with what UPND Vice President Kapita said that the UPND can never work with the MMD, its true and we saw it in Mufumbwe. UPND is dishonest and untrustworthy.”
Mr. Lusambo also advised the UPND to change its way of politics and embrace people from other regions if it is to make meaningful contribution to national development.
The UPND and MMD failed to grab the Mufumbwe seat even after fielding in a joint candidate in the bye election which was retained by Steven Masumba on the PF ticket.
Meanwhile, UPND deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo said that the UPND was not in a political pact with MMD and that what existed was a mere working relationship on issues of national interest such as the National Budget in Parliament.
“MMD should not cry over spilt milk because they will never win. And I wish to state that there has never been any pact with the UPND. This message must be very clear and the loss of the Mufumbwe seat by MMD is the beginning of a serious defeat and downfall,” Mr Lifwekelo said.
[pullquote]“The UPND put butter on the faces of Zambians saying they are working with the MMD, there was no alliance on the ground. It was just butter on the faces of Zambians,” Lusambo said.[/pullquote]
He said the Mufumbwe loss signalled that the MMD was sinking and if its leader Nevers Mumba was not careful, the former ruling party would never bounce back to power.
Mr Lifwekelo said before they went to Mufumbwe, MMD vice president Micheal Kaingu made it clear that his party was popular in that area and was confident of scooping the seat because of its popularity.
He said UPND gave an opportunity for MMD to contest the Mufumbwe seat and could not see concrete reasons why Dr Kaingu could owe his party’s loss to UPND when there was no political pact formed.
“If it wasn’t for our president Hakainde Hichilema who campaigned for MMD in Mufumbwe on four rallies, MMD wouldn’t have managed to get their 5,000 votes or evening emerging second after PF’s Steven Masumba emerged winner in the by-election,” he said
Mr Lifwekelo said, out of the 5,000 votes MMD managed to get, about 3,000 came as a result of Mr Hichilema and his UPND leadership to help campaign for MMD which could appreciate that fact.
He said MMD should not shift the blame on its loss by alleging that Mr Hichilema campaigned for himself in Mufumbwe for 2016 general elections in view of sentiments issued by Dr Kaingu.
[pullquote]Mr Lifwekelo said, out of the 5,000 votes MMD managed to get, about 3,000 came as a result of Mr Hichilema and his UPND leadership to help campaign for MMD which could appreciate that fact.[/pullquote]
He said MMD should instead thank UPND for its efforts to help with Mufumbwe campaigns though the two parties had never formed a pact but were merely on a working relationship that could break.
During the recent by-election in Livingstone, he said, MMD’s Dr Mumba only campaigned for UPND for one rally in a few minutes but UPND was not grieved but continued campaigning till it won the seat.
He said MMD’ leadership skills was not impressive and should not blame UPND for its failures adding that UPND would not drag itself to allow MMD rode on its back during the 2016 elections.
“As UPND, we say no to MMD to ride on our back. We shall not even allow ourselves to be rode on our back by MMD.MMD is now a finished party and its loss of Mufumbwe seat is the beginning of defeat and if not careful will not even bounce in power again,” he said
He said MMD was headed for doom and it was the reason that most of the MMD Members of Parliament (MPs) were being appointed into Cabinet due to lack of proper leadership in the party
University Teaching Hospital-UTH- Managing Director, Dr. Lackson Kasonka, says the case in which a one year old baby died due to alleged negligence of medical personnel is now a closed chapter.
Baby Francis Bwalya junior who was admitted at the UTH intensive care unit died on October 8th 2012.
This followed the rotting of his right hand after a named medical officer at the country’s highest referral health institution tightened the infant’s right hand with a plaster with a view of locating a vein and inserting a carnula.
The infant was left tied overnight leading to the hand turning black and brittle.
Following the baby’s death Dr. Kasonka could not release the report to establish the cause of death stating that he was still studying it.
However, the baby’s mother has denied ever having settled the matter with UTH management and has since threatened to take legal action.
State House has cautioned mining firms on the Copperbelt Province to be wary of the unscrupulous persons that are obtaining money whilst masquerading as representatives of President Michael Sata.
The warning is contained in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah.
Mr Chellah said this follows numerous, reports and complaints reaching the presidency that there are fraudsters who are obtaining money or some benefits by circulating deception from emerald mines amid claims of being sent by the PF and the Head of State in particular.
He said State House firmly states that President Sata can never send an individual to undertake such a deceitful task, and does not intend to do so in future.
He said, therefore, State House wishes to warn the general public that those dealing with such cheats must realise that they are engaging them in their personal capacity and State House will not take responsibility of any such transactions.
Mr Chellah further said the word of caution to those behind this disgraceful, crooked and irresponsible behaviour is for them to stop at once before they meet the penalty for their deeds.
He has since urged the police and other law enforcement agencies to take keen interest in the matter and ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has insisted that there is no power struggles within the ruling party.
Mr. Kabimba who described Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba as a colleague in the party and not an enemy said the reported power struggle in the PF is imaginary.
“There is no such a thing as power struggle in our party, what we have is a mere difference of opinion which is healthy in any given organisation,” Mr. Kabimba said.
Mr. Kabimba who is also Justice Minister said the perceived differences with Mr. Mwamba are purely based on principle.
“The only difference I see here is that some people are in government for different reasons. For us the PF is a vehicle we used to get into government to serve the poor Zambians but some of our friends want to use the same vehicle to enrich themselves. That is the difference we see,” said Mr. Kabimba.
Mr. Kabimba was speaking yesterday when he featured on a live radio programme on Radio Mano in Kasama.
He was in Kasama to officially open a one day PF regional indaba which was called to chart the development path for the province.
He there is no member of the PF who is more important than the other as every member of the party is equally important.
“Nobody should be allowed to think they played a bigger role than any other person, even Villager in Kaputa who supported PF, a youth in Chimbamilonga who spent a night at a polling station on the voting so that the MMD does not steal our votes played the same role as I did myself as Secretary General.”
“I don’t subscribe to the theory that there is this relativity in terms of played a bigger role and who played a lessor role in the revolution, the aggregate of what we played in what gave us the results, these are not shares in a company, it was a revolution,” he said.
“We are all important, there is no member who is bigger than the party, maybe in Kg’s yes,” he said.
An A380 Emirates jet bound for Dubai was forced to return to Australia on Sunday night when one of its engines caught fire soon after take-off.
The flight, with 380 passengers on board, was just 20 minutes into its flight from Sydney to Dubai and climbing at an altitude of 10,000 feet when it experienced a problem with one of its engines.
“Emirates flight EK413 from Sydney to Dubai on 11 November turned back shortly after take-off due to an engine fault. Passengers are being re-booked on alternative flights,” the airline said in a statement on Monday.
A mid-air engine blowout in November 2010 on an A380 using Rolls Royce Trent engines prompted Australia’s Qantas Airlines to ground its entire fleet of Airbus superjumbos for nearly a month.
Emirates, the world’s biggest user of A380s, uses rival GP7200 engines built by Engine Alliance, a joint venture between engine manufacturers General Electric and Pratt & Whitney.
Passengers on the giant double-deck aircraft, manufactured by Airbus parent EADS, said the superjumbo experienced a “judder” and then they saw flames shooting several metres out of one of the engines.
“I saw a flash. I thought it could have been lightning, but then we saw flames come out of the engine. The whole interior of the A380 lit up,” passenger John Fothergill, 49, from New Zealand told Australia’s Daily Telegraph newspaper.
Emirates apologised for the inconvenience to its passengers and said their safety was “of the highest priority and will not be compromised.”
Superjumbos, worth $375 million apiece, typically carry around 525 passengers.
A380 aircraft, manufactured in Toulouse from parts sourced across Europe, have also been affected by cracks in the wings of a small number of planes.
There are eighteen airlines currently using the aircraft with total orders outstanding for 262.
Far right is chief Chikanta next is Vice president Guy Scott dancing next to him is chief of party Dr MuKa Chikuba Mcleod USAD funed SHARE II project next is the provincial minister John Kufuna at Chuungu palace, chief Chikanta in Kalomo during the launch of the strategic plan
United Party for National Development (UPND) Dundumwezi Member of Parliament, Edgar Sing’ombe, has accused the previous MMD government of neglecting the area.
And Vice President, Guy Scott, has assured Zambians that the Patriotic Front (PF) government will extend the benefit of economic growth to all parts of the country without discrimination.
Mr Sing’ombe appealed to the government to seriously consider connecting the area to the National Power Grid in order to enhance socio-economic development in the area.
The UPND parliamentarian said unlike the previous MMD government that neglected the area, the PF government has an opportunity to do things right by developing the area.
He was speaking during the launch of the 2012-2016 Chikanta Chiefdom Development Strategic Plan in Kalomo District of Southern Province yesterday.
Mr Sing’ombe observed that connecting the constituency to the National Power Grid would help many youth in the area to engage in economic ventures such as the manufacturing of ox-carts which fetches good money on the market.
The UPND parliamentarian further observed that this venture would also assist government in creating employment for most young people and improve their economic status in the area.
He also appealed to government to bring mobile phone services to the area, saying the chiefdom is the only one which has no connectivity in Southern Province.
Mr Sing’ombe explained that the only mobile network is stray signals from nearby areas which have telecommunications service.
He alleged that the previous MMD government lamentably failed the people in the area to the extent of not responding and acknowledging receiving letters from Chief Chikanta.
And response, Dr Scott assured Chief Chikanta that the government is working very hard in addressing some of the challenges such as poor road network, telecommunication and other infrastructural projects.
The Vice President, however, observed that infrastructural development should go hand in hand with other economic activities in order to have sustainable development in the country.
Dr Scott urged people to work with government and ensure that infrastructure that government puts in place is utilized to the fullest.
He commended Chief Chikanta for providing land where government resettled internally displaced people from the Sichifulo Game Management Area (GMA).
Dr. Scott further commended Chief Chikanta and his subjects for joining other three chiefdoms in formulating a Development Strategic Plan as a vehicle of supplementing government’s efforts in developing rural areas.
On the request to government to bring telecommunication services to the area, Dr Scott disclosed that government, through the Zambia Information Technology Communications Authority (ZICTA), is currently carrying out feasibility studies in various chiefdoms with the view of installing telecommunications masts.
Host Chief Chikanta explained the 2012-2016 Chikanta Chiefdom Development Strategic Plan was formulated in line with Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP).
The traditional leader said the plan would be used as guide in supplementing government’s efforts in developing rural areas.
And visiting Senior Chief Mwamba of the Bemba people of Northern Province, predicted that the successful implementation of the plan would see a reverse in rural-urban migration, especially among the youths in the country.
Senior Chief Mwamba, whose chiefdom is also a beneficiary of the USAID SHARe II project, noted that in the next coming years, most youth will leave urban areas for rural areas in search of agricultural related jobs.
In his vote thanks, the traditional leader said time has come for locals to get involved developing their areas.
Various traditional leaders, including Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamabo II of the Soli people in Lusaka Province, attended the launch.
Others are Senior Chief Puta of Chiengi district, Chieftainess Mwape of Nyimba district, Chief Macha, Chief Singani, Chief Muchila, Chief Monze, and Chief Sinanzongwe all from Southern Province.
PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba,Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe and Provincial Treasurer Chomba Chipili shows a party symbol to the delegates after he officiate at the Party Provincial Indaba in Kasama
Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba has said the rumoured conflicts were not real as the provincial party structures were sound and still intact.
He however, said there was a camp based in Kasama that wanted to hijack the PF led by outsiders who are not functionaries of the party.
Using a proverb in his native language Sala, Mr Kabimba likened the faction trying to hijack the PF to a small dog following an elephant which despite persistent barks could never attract the attention of the elephant.
Urging the PF party leaders to ignore the said camp, Mr Kabimba said the party would not be rocked by individuals with self-interest and attempting do so would be at their own peril.
“No one is bigger than anyone in the PF. We are all equal. If anyone is bigger…maybe in kilogrammes because on the political stage we are all equal,” he said.
At the forum, Mr Kabimba thanked delegates and party members for their self-sacrifice which had ushered the PF into office. He said others were now considering PF as “sweet” party because of their hard work.
Asking them to remain united, he warned party members who were encouraging the creation of parallel structures to desist from the habit.
[pullquote]“No one is bigger than anyone in the PF. We are all equal. If anyone is bigger…maybe in kilogrammes because on the political stage we are all equal,” he said.[/pullquote]
“We will not entertain individuals trying to usurp elected party officials as it is against party policy. We will only deal with recognised party functionaries,” he said.
Though the party was on an aggressive recruitment drive, it did not mean the displacement duly elected officials.
Laying the tone for his expectations on the operations of the party, Mr Kabimba said since the PF was now in power it faced great challenges and relied on the unwavering support of party members in Northern Province.
He expected outstanding discipline and sacrifice because it was the culture of indiscipline that made MMD lose the last general elections.
“We need to insulate the party against auctioneers. PF is not attending an auction of positions to the highest bidder,” Mr Kabimba said.
Basking in the elation of the PF’s victory in Mufumbwe, the PF secretary general said the MMD was still struggling to re-organise itself while the PF continued to grow because of eth discipline among its ranks.
He also prodded the forums’ delegates to look for fresh blood for the party’s upcoming leadership that exhibited the qualities shown by President Sata.
“Mr Sata embraces everyone and puts people first. So look for another Sata. I have known Mr Sata for 30 years from the time I was Town Clerk in kitwe and later Lusaka. I know the values he stands for and handed down. Very few people know him like I do.
“And even though you (delegates) speak the same language as him, he trusts me more than you,” Mr Kabimba said.
He told the delegates to continue mobilising and recruiting leaders for the next generation that believed in the same things as the president.
He however, said he was happy to see the good attendance at the forum which showed that the party was solid and doing well.
The consultative forum was also attended by Northern Province PF MPs all of whom were present with the exclusion of Alfredah Kansembe and Mr Mwamba.
FILE: Vice president Guy Scott following proceedings during the Chakwela Makumbi traditional ceremony
The vice president Guy Scot has urged Zambians to give the PF government chance so that it can finish the job.
He said that if the people in the country are confident then they would be development in the country.
The vice president was speaking on Saturday at the launch of Chikanta strategic plan at the Chuungu royal palace, Chikanta chiefdom in Kalomo, he said that added that the connecting of the chiefdom to national power grid would be done soon as the contract had been signed.
“Zambian should have more confidence to give the PF government so that it can keep the infrastructure developing coming to the people in the country,” he said.
The vice president said that infrastructure development should be linked to economic development as without economic activities it would be useless.
“Infrastructure is useless until it is part of the economy, and that infrastructure is key to national development,” he said
Dr Scott called on the people in the country to ensure that the infrastructure that the Government would give to them works for them.
“People should play their role in ensuring that the infrastructure that the government has in place is put to good use, if the Government puts a dip tank in your area, you should dip your animals,” he advised.
He said if the Government gives the people electricity then they should engage in irrigation.
Dr Scott said that the Government t great importance top infrastructure development and that is the reason it got money at a lower interest to work on it.
He said most of the sectors that offer loans charge high interest rates and that the PF Government does not want run a country that survives on borrowing.
He thanked the people of Mufumbwe for the parliamentary seat and other twelve wards in the country where people voted for the PF in the just ended bye elections.
He said that the first thing that he dealt with when he took over officer was to resettle the people in the Sichifulo game management area.
The vice president said that the Government was addressing the concerns of the people that they are faced with in the rural areas.
Dr Scot praised the people of chief Chikanta for their input in the strategic plan and hoped that the aspect of the strategic plan would spread to other chiefdom in the country.
He said that issue of chiefdom being not being connected to the mobile telecommunication network was being addressed by ZICTA as it was doing a study.
The vice president added that the Kalomo to Chikanta road was part of the link Zambia project and that the road would be worked on.
He said that it is sad that people like teachers had no ability to borrow as a result it was very difficult for them to build houses.
Dr Scott said that Government was responding do the concerns of the farmers in the districts and was trying to open up more pay points for the farmers.
And Chief of party, USAID-funded share II project Dr Muka Chikuba Mcleod said that
And Chief Mwamba of the Bemba speaking people of Northern Province, he said that by 2016 they would be people running to the rural areas for employment.
He said that there is no excuse for people to be poor in the country.
And Dundumwezi Member of Parliament Edgar Sing’ombe has called on the government to connect his constituency to the national power grid as it would help create employment for the people.
He also urged government to ensure that the chiefdom is connected to the telecommunication services in the area.
The Mp said that the government should also seriously consider the aspect of improving security by putting in place three police stations.
He revealed that the previous regime never considered the plight of his constituency despite numerous requests to them by the chief.
Chief Chikanta called on the government to ensure that the aspect of strategic planning is rolled out to all the chiefdom in the country.
He thanked the government for the sixth national development plan as his chiefdom has managed to buy into the SNDP.
He said if the traditional leaders are empowered the people of their chiefdom would benefit.
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph…”
(2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
When you think about your past, what events do you remember? What memories do you allow to play over and over in your mind? In the Old Testament, they had what they called memorial stones. These were used to remind the people about the good things God did in their lives — their victories.
Today, we need to remind ourselves to focus on our victories, too. Sure, we’ve all had setbacks, but when you meditate on your disappointments and failures, it only drains you of valuable energy. It steals your confidence and joy. But when you focus on your victories, it builds your strength and confidence. It feeds your faith. It gives you a reason to give God praise.
I encourage you today to get into the habit of focusing on your victories. Remember, every good and perfect gift comes from Him. As you praise and thank Him for His favor and victory in your life, He’ll pour out His blessing on you. He’ll open up supernatural doors for you to move forward in strength to fulfill the dreams and desires He has placed in your heart!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. I choose to focus on my victories and let go of any negative experiences in my past. I bless and praise You today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
File: Peasant farmers sifting through their maize before selling the crop to the Food Reserve Agency
The Small Scale Farmers Development Agency (SAFADA) says the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) given to farmers across the country has successfully helped many small scale farmers in the past three years.
SAFADA Executive Director, Boyd Moobwe, said the programme of providing poor but viable farmers with farming inputs should continue in order to alleviate the suffering of small scale farmers in rural areas.
Speaking to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, Mr Moobwe said farmers appreciate the gesture being extended to them by the Patriotic Front administration.
Mr Moobwe, however, said Government should increase the number of beneficiaries in the Farmer Input Support Programme.
He said although many farmers have benefited from the scheme, there is a general understanding from concerned stakeholders that some of the farmers intended to benefit from this programmes are left out in preference for those who have enough income.
Mr Moobwe said the move is retrogressive and there is need to be reversed if the country’s agricultural industry is to continue to grow for the benefit of citizens as well as the nation.
And Mr Moobwe has called on the private sector, Government and the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) to start discussions for the 2013-2014 farming season in order to have adequate preparations.
Mr Moobwe said the syndrome of hurried preparations in the agricultural industry hampers the growth of the sector and urged Government and other concerned stakeholders to make early plans in order to reduce many challenges farmers face in the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Moobwe has called on the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to quickly finish paying off the remaining farmers across the country who supplied maize during the 2011-12 farming season.
Mr Moobwe said thousands of farmers are spending nights at some FRA depots waiting to be paid their dues.
He said now that Government has released the money to pay all the farmers who have not yet been paid, it is up to the agency to expedite the process.
He added that the FRA needed to be strengthened in the way it is currently operating.
Mr Moobwe said delays to pay farmers on time contribute greatly to poor harvest because farmers fail to purchase farming inputs on time.
