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THE Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) says it will select final bidders for the procurement of crude oil and finished products next month. Zambia in February invited tenders for the supply of 1.4 million tonnes of oil after the expiry of a contract with Glencore under a two-year arrangement from March 2010.
ZPPA director-general Danies Chisenga says currently evaluations are in process for the firms that expressed interest to procure oil. Mr Chisenga said in an interview in Lusaka last week that the Ministry of Mines is evaluating the bids and is in the process of selecting the companies that will win the tender for crude oil and finished products.
“We expect the final bidders to be announced next month as soon as the ministry finishes the evaluations, the technical committee will report to us for the final report,” he said. Recently, ZPPA said 10foreign companies, including Glencore Energy UK Limited, tendered to supply oil to Zambia for a period of two years starting this year.
others are Mercury Energy Trading (SA), Agipol Africa Limited, Gunvor (SA) and Crown Hill Investments Limited.
The rest are KenolKobil Limited, Trafigura PTE Limited, Vitol SA, Independent Petroleum Group Company of Kuwait and Addax Energy SA.
ZPPA also said 12 companies had tendered for a separate contract to supply oil products, 217 million litres of diesel and 21 million litres of petrol to Zambia.
FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba has paid tribute to her predecessor Thandiwe Banda, being first among First Ladies of Zambia to anchor ‘The First Lady for a Day Mentorship’ programme with young people.
‘The First Lady for a Day of Mentorship’ event is meant to provide an opportunity for the First Lady to mingle with young people drawn from the country’s provinces and share their experiences as well as offer guidance towards their career choices in life.
Dr Kaseba said this at State House grounds in Lusaka yesterday when she hosted girls and boys aged between 14 and 18 during a luncheon.
She relayed a message of hope through the group to other young people in the country to remain focused.She was happy to have spent time with young people hence her tribute to former First Lady, Mrs Banda for having tailored the programme.
“I am honoured to warmly welcome you to State House on another historic moment when we certify girls and boys from 10 provinces of Zambia who have participated in the 2012 ‘First Lady for a Day Mentorship programme.’
“I would like to pay special tribute to the former First Lady Mrs Banda, for being first among the First Ladies of Zambia to anchor such a wonderful programme which has benefited young people in the rural areas of this great country,” Dr Kaseba said.
She thanked Junior Achievement Zambia, Stanbic Bank Zambia and the Forum for African Women Educationalists of Zambia (FAWEZA) for supporting the programme.
In motivating the group, she called on them to have positive attitudes backed by a purpose and that the only way to achieve their purpose was by taking small actions which would add up to something great in future.
Ministry of Education, Science and Vocational Training and Early Childhood, Permanent Secretary, Miriam Chinyama hailed Dr Kaseba for playing an inspirational role in inspiring the young.
Ms Chinyama said the programme was critical towards providing quality entrepreneurship skills among young people especially those in rural areas.
Stanbic Bank managing director Dennis Kennedy donated K100 million to the group and pledged continued assistance through the bank’s corporate social responsibility programme.
Mr Kennedy said education was a right for every child and it was the only way to raise them into responsible citizens that could actively participate in national development.
Junior Achievement Zambia board chairperson David Chakonta thanked Dr Kaseba for accepting to continue anchoring the programme and to personally mentor the young people.
THREE gunmen stormed a lodge in Livingstone and shot dead an expatriate pilot and a security guard before turning the barrel on a French woman whom they wounded.
The bandits who drove to the lodge in a hired vehicle got away with K4 million cash from the groaning woman and also made off with an assortment of goods as frightened patrons lay on the floor in the tourist capital known for a long time to be peaceful and serene.
Sergio Valle, 48, and a security guard identified as Jacob Chirwa aged 30, were shot dead at point-blank range and died on the spot.
Mr Valle is a Spanish working as a pilot at Batoka Sky in Livingstone.
The French woman, Marie Noelle Carre, was seriously wounded in the shooting and was rushed to a Lusaka hospital for treatment.
Southern Province Commissioner of police Brenda Muntemba confirmed the deadly attack on unsuspecting patrons around 21:00 hours on Monday.
It was the usual peaceful atmosphere which the gun-totting men disturbed when they ordered all the patrons to lie face-down while the owner of the lodge tried in vain to rescue the traumatised visitors.
The gunmen fled soon after the incident and police indicated they were hard on their heels to track them down.
Sources said Ms Carre flew into the country recently and was trying to settle down in Livingstone.
“Those who operate taxis should be the first to alert the police when suspicious-looking people try to hire their cars. We are, however, making headway to catch these criminals. We are also appealing to members of the public to help us arrest these criminals,” Ms Muntemba said.
Zig Zag Lodge co-owner Lynne Silawa said her husband Vasco, had managed to warn tourists who were in the area during the shooting to run away.
By 10:30 hours yesterday, Zig Zag Lodge management posted a notice on the entrance indicating: “Sorry, we are closed”.
Ms Silawa said in an interview that all workers at the lodge were devastated at the shooting.
She said Livingstone was a peaceful place adding that with the shooting, it would be difficult to attract tourists and other guests.
Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) Chairperson Kingsley Lilamono said it was unfortunate that such an incident occurred when stakeholders were engaging the police to beef up security ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly next year.
Home Affairs Minister, Kennedy Sakeni has since directed police to ensure appropriate security measures for local and international visitors in the tourist capital.
Mr Sakeni said at a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that President Michael Sata and Zambians were saddened about the shooting of the victims and described it as a barbaric act.
“The criminal act of shooting at and killing innocent people cannot in any way be justified and this Government through its law enforcement agencies will ensure the culprits are traced and brought to justice,” he said.
He said the Government attached great importance to tourism and criminal acts directed at tourists and any foreign nationals in Zambia could impact negatively on the economy.
United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has charged that the PF Government’s inconsistencies are getting out of hand. Mr. Hichilema has wondered whether consultations are made in the Patriotic Front Government before any decision is made.
Mr Hichilema cited the latest development were Energy Minister Christopher Yaluma was quoted as saying that his ministry is not aware of the US$2.5 billion agreement signed between the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and Basali Ba Liseli Resources of Angola for the construction of a petroleum pipeline, and that deal was null and void.
He said that there is need for the PF government to be consistent in its policies statements and spell out its clear vision for the country. Mr. Hichilema told QFM News that such inconsistencies in government pronouncements have the potential to compromise the fight against corruption.
He said that if there were no consultations and correct procedure was not followed, the construction of the pipeline might be linked to corruption.
Earlier this week, Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Christopher Yaluma said that his ministry is not aware of the he US$2.5 billion agreement signed between the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and Basali Ba Liseli Resources of Angola for the construction of a petroleum pipeline and declared it null and void.
The agreement, which was witnessed by Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry permanent secretary Stephen Mwansa and some diplomats from Namibia, Angola and Botswana, was signed by ZDA acting chief executive officer Glyne Michelo and Basali Ba Liseli Resources executive director Walumelo Kalabo on Friday.
At the signing ceremony, officials revealed that the project would be executed under the public private partnership under the name Angola Zambia Refined Petroleum Multi-Product Pipeline, expected to create 6,000 jobs during its two-year construction phase.
But Mr Yaluma, in an interview said the ZDA went ‘a little bit too far’ in signing and announcing the agreement and should not commit Government to deals such as the US$2.5 billion for the construction of a petroleum pipeline.
“The ZDA is not a custodian of the energy sector or the Ministry of Commerce and it is not responsible for such agreements, someone jumped the gun and as far as I am concerned, the agreement is null and void,” he said.
The ZDA falls under the Ministry of Commerce and Mr Yaluma stressed that it is his ministry that should have handled the deal in question. The project involves construction of a 1,400-kilometre pipeline for refined products from Lobito in Angola to Lusaka.
Mr Yaluma said his ministry makes plans for the energy sector and it is still engaged in consultations with various energy sector players on the best way to handle matters relating to fuel.
Mr Yaluma said Government will make sure that proper channels are followed when engaging companies in the supply of fuel. He said he has the mandate from the President to preside over matters concerning petroleum and to give Zambians the right information.
Mr Yaluma said every project concerning supply of petroleum has to be evaluated by his ministry.
Meanwhile, when contacted for comment, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Bob Sichinga said he was not ready to speak. “We have to wait until I study the full report of the agreement before I can make any comments,” Mr Sichinga said.
Young Forest to the Faz Division One North League is giving us sleepless nights, says club Secretary Louis Musonda.
The Kasama-based Young Forest has made history by becoming the first team in Norther Province to play in Division One.
The Kasama side was formed in 2005 as a community team and competed in the district,provincial, Faz Division One,Two and Three leagues before winning promotion at the end of last season.
Musonda described his side’s promotion as a challenge because the team lacks sponsorship to enable the team fufil fixtures.
“We are just a community team and lacks sponsorship, so it will be a huge challenge for us to be travelling to Norther Western,Central and Copperbelt provinces to play games,” he said.
Musonda said his executive committee has written to a number of corporate entities in a bid to secure sponsorship for Young Forest.
“We are on our knees appealing to well-wishers to come to our aid. We need to sustain this team,” he added.
File: Ban Ki Moon, Former Vice President George Kunda and President Michael Sata share a light moment at State House while Given Lubinda looks on
President Michael Sata has declared three days of national mourning in honour of the late former Republican Vice-President Mr Kunda. This is contained in a press release from State House. The President said that is deeply saddened at the passing of Muchinga MMD Member of Parliament and former Republican Vice-President Mr George Kunda SC, who died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) on Monday.
In his letter of condolences to Mrs Irene Kunda, President Sata described Mr Kunda’s death as heartbreaking. “It is with deep sorrow and grief that I learnt of the death of your dear husband Mr George Kunda SC, the former Republican Vice-President of Zambia,” read President Sata’s letter to Mrs Kunda in part.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Zambia and indeed on my own behalf, I extend my highest and sincere condolences to you, the children and the Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) for this painful loss.”
The Head of State stated that it was indeed tragic that the nation has lost yet another leader who served the country in various distinguished portfolios.
“Mr Kunda’s works as a lawyer for Luanshya District Council, as President of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and as Member of Parliament for Muchinga Constituency and Republican Vice-President have undeniably helped in strengthening our country’s political and economic capabilities,” President Sata stated.
“No doubt, the Zambian populace feel deeply sorry for the loss of a national leader of Mr Kunda’s stature and public service credentials, and share your family’s grief.”
[pullquote]“Therefore, in recognition of Mr Kunda’s contribution to this country, I have declared three days of national mourning with effect from Wednesday 18th April to 20th April, 2012, so that we can come together as a people in prayerful reflection and mourn our dear departed colleague with honour and dignity.”[/pullquote]
President Sata described the late former Vice-President as a resolved politician.
“I remember Mr Kunda from the early days of his career as a determined young lawyer at Luanshya District Council as well as his later days as a resolved politician who was never shy or afraid to exercise his democratic right to debate and devotedly defend his stance on many key national issues. Thereby enhancing and safeguarding our country’s democracy, which we all cherish dearly,” the President stated.
“And more recently, I last met Mr Kunda at State House when he accorded me the respect of accepting my invitation to join us for a luncheon hosted in honour of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General Mr Ban Ki Moon when he visited the country in February this year.
“Therefore, in recognition of Mr Kunda’s contribution to this country, I have declared three days of national mourning with effect from Wednesday 18th April to 20th April, 2012, so that we can come together as a people in prayerful reflection and mourn our dear departed colleague with honour and dignity.”
President Sata prayed that the Kunda family takes comfort and solace in the understanding that the entire nation’s thoughts and prayers are with them during this devastating and excruciating period.
The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has joined the MMD in announcing the boycott of the Africa freedom day celebrations slated for 25th May, in protest against the harassment of its leader Hakainde Hichilema by PF cadres recently
UPND Secretary General Winston Chibwe says the party is not willing to be part of the confusion at state functions as witnessed during the funeral service of late Princess Nakatindi Wina.
Mr. Chibwe says the party is disappointed with the behavior of the PF cadres who misbehaved in front of senior party leaders.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Chibwe says the party would rather shun the celebrations than being objects of confusion at state functions.
Patriotic Front Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has advised President Michael Sata not to pay attention to people like Dr. Nevers Mumba who have been trying to attack him, but instead focus on leading the country to greater prosperity.
Mr. Kabimba said that Dr. Mumba is on record of betraying his own party the defunct National Christian Coalition after he was offered a job by the then president Levy Mwanawasa.
Mr. Kabimba has also urged PF members at all party levels to ensure that they defend the good cause of the party in the country.
Mr. Kabimba told a media briefing that PF members should assert their authority and not allow any one to intimidate them on the basis of their party affiliation.
And Mr. Kabimba has again reminded Henry Banda’s lawyer Robert Amsterdam that evil will never prevail over good adding that what the people of Zambia want from Henry’s alleged corruption cases is for justice to prevail.
He has wondered what kind of a lawyer Mr. Amsterdam who he said takes pride in defending people who have allegedly caused crimes against their states is.
Mr. Kabimba has further wondered why Henry Banda son of the former president Rupiah Banda is running away from mere investigations.
He added that the threats by the Mr. Amsterdam that he will finish the PF will not change the status of Henry as a wanted person and has since reminded the international lawyer that PF was voted into government by majority Zambians.
Patriotic Front Secertary General Wynter Kabimba has said that Former vice-president George Kunda will be greatly missed.
“As a colleague, the State Counsel will be greatly missed. He was excellent as a professional without any doubt and his contribution to the development of the law cannot be understated because he really did contribute to the development of law in Zambia hence the reason he will be missed within the law society and I believe beyond.”
Mr Kabimba said the party and the government would stand by Mr Kunda’s widow and family during this trying period and help them in any way they can as burial arrangements are awaited albeit a State funeral is likely to be declared.
Mr Kunda, 56, who had been admitted to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka from March 27 this year died yesterday around 16:00 hours.
UTH public relations manager Pauline Mbangwata confirmed the death of Mr Kunda in an interview last evening.
“Yes I can confirm that Mr Kunda has died, but details should be obtained from the party (MMD). He passed on this afternoon at 16:00 hours,” Ms Mbangweta said.
The details leading to his death remain unknown as family members have not disclosed that but the accomplished lawyer had been unwell for sometime even though his illness never at any time appeared to slow him down as he continued to work with the same zeal.
And Prominent Lusaka lawyer Patrick Mvunga has paid tribute to Mr Kunda’s contribution to the nation as a politician and a lawyer. Professor Mvunga said Mr Kunda performed exceedingly well as LAZ president.
“He was hard working and inspired a lot of upcoming lawyers in the legal fraternity. I convey my sincere condolences to the Kunda family, the wife and children for the loss of such a distinguished man,” Prof Mvunga said.
And Sakwiba Sikota,also paid tribute saying that Goerge Kunda made his work as LAZ president easy. “Mr Kunda made my work as LAZ president easy when he was my vice-president until 1996 when he took over as president because of the extra hours he was always willing to put in. He was very very hard-working.”
Another Lusaka lawyer Hobday Kabwe said he received the news of the death of Mr Kunda with a sense of sadness and shock considering that the former Republican vice-president was an inspirational figure in the legal circles.
“Mr Kunda had a lot of encouraging jurisprudence during his tenure as LAZ president and will be remembered for his outstanding performance in the legal profession. This is a sad moment for the legal fraternity.
“I ask the nation and the Kunda family to draw strength from God in this trying moment,” Mr Kabwe said.
Michael Mundashi, SC, who saved as LAZ secretary under Mr Kunda remarked: “The State Counsel was such a hard-working man and a very worthy adversary for many because he took his law very seriously. Therefore, he was not a man you would face with little research. You had to put in extra work if you were to argue a legal point with him.”
And Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Labour Fackson Shamenda said the death of Mr Kunda is a great loss to the entire nation and Zambia’s flourishing democracy.
Mr Shamenda expressed Government’s deepest condolences to Mrs Irene Kunda, the family and the MMD. Mr Shamenda said the ruling party needs political parties to offer checks and balances and said Mr Kunda was such a leader, who attempted to strengthen democracy in the country.
He said his death has come at a time when the MMD needs his contribution more than ever before. “In the absence of Mr Kunda, MMD’s effectiveness in offering checks and balances is greatly affected,” he said.
LAZ President James Banda has described the death of Mr Kunda as a tragedy not only to his family and the nation but the region as a whole. Mr Banda, who extended his sympathy to Mrs Kunda, said the former Vice-President contributed immensely to the development of good laws at the association and in Government.
He said Mr Kunda will be remembered at LAZ for his thorough research and constructive debates.
MMD presidential aspirant Nevers Mumba said the party will miss Mr Kunda’s hard-working spirit. He said Mr Kunda exhibited rare leadership qualities and the MMD still needed his guidance.
Dr Mumba, who is also a former Vice-President in MMD administration, urged party members to emulate Mr Kunda’s leadership skills. “Our hearts are broken and we are in mourning. We will definitely miss him a lot as MMD,” he said.
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema described the death of Mr Kunda as a loss to the family, the MMD and the country.
“We send our sincere condolences to the family. Mr Kunda had proved to be a resilient opposition leader after the MMD lost power,” Mr Hichilema said.
He said the Mr Kunda was providing the necessary checks and balances to the PF Government on issues of governance.
People waiting to be attended to at a Mobile Hospital in Shangombo : Picture Courtesy of ZANIS
MORE than 30,000 patients from different parts of Zambia have received treatment in the first quarter of 2012 through the mobile hospitals which have been going round in all the provinces.
Health Permanent Secretary, Peter Mwaba said in an interview that health workers in the moving clinics had also conducted about 2,000 operations involving various ailments.
The mobile hospitals were procurement under the MMD administration and some people feared the Patriotic Front Government would discard them.
However, the Government has embraced the hospitals, that have been allocated to each of the provinces, with remarkable impact on the community being felt.
“They (mobile hospitals) are moving and they have made a significant impact on the people. Since January this year, more than 30,000 people have been attended to with about 2,000 operations.
“As we are talking today, the Copperbelt one should be in Lufwanyama. There is no fear of running expensive mobile hospitals because Medicare is generally expensive.”
He said the composition of the facilities, which included CD4 count machine, X-ray and dental unit, made it possible for health personnel on mobile hospitals to attend to as many patients as possible.
Resident Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ) president Whyson Munga has hailed the Government decision to embrace the mobile hospitals as they are important in health service delivery in rural areas.
Dr Munga said mobile hospitals consisted of health experts who were rare to find in many district hospitals.
“While it is easy to put a hospital in a district, it is not easy to bring a doctor in that particular district and the mobile hospitals have been able to bring such experts, who may be lacking at many referral hospitals,” he said.
Dr Munga said the mobile hospitals were one of the cost-effective ways of providing health services.
FORMER president Rupiah Banda’s son, Henry, has broken his silence indicating that he will not step his foot in Zambia because he has ‘legitimate doubts’ about whether he would receive fair treatment from investigative wings.
Henry said he had reliable information that he was a ‘marked’ man.
Henry told the Mail & Guardian in South Africa at the weekend that he could not return to Zambia because he felt that he had already been judged.
He confirmed that he was living in South Africa and added that it would be unwise for him to return home because of the rejection by the Zambian authorities to specify the charges against him.
He said he had held permanent residence status for several years by virtue of being married to a South African.
Henry said his lawyers had contacted both the Zambian and the South African authorities to establish the facts about his case.
The son of the former head of State is wanted in Zambia in connection with his alleged involvement in corrupt government deals at the time his father was Republican president.
According to Henry, the Zambian authorities had ignored his legal representatives’ requests for information, which supported the view that the charges were fabricated.
South African High Commissioner to Zambia Moses Chikane said recently that his country would cooperate in Henry’s case as long as all procedures were followed.
Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister, Given Lubinda, recently said the Zambian Government was engaging South Africa over the matter.
Meanwhile, Henry’s lawyer Robert Amsterdam has said comments from Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general, Wynter Kabimba and Chief Government spokesperson, Fackson Shamenda, towards him are defamatory in nature and a violation of Henry’s right to a defence lawyer.
In a statement from Amsterdam & Peroff LLP on Sunday, Mr Amsterdam who is reported to be in Washington DC said:
“The regrettable choice on behalf of the ruling Patriotic Front party and officials of the Zambian Government to threaten and harass defence counsel should stand as a defining illustration of how the Henry Banda case is being handled: arbitrary, without grounds, in violation of due process and international norms, and driven by political motivation.”
He said by seeking to intimidate lawyers with patently absurd claims, the Zambian Government was unlawfully violating Henry’s right to a defence counsel.
National Restoration Party Ppresident Elias Chipimo Jr
The National Restoration Party (NAREP) has advised the Patriotic Front government to take a holistic approach in addressing the problem of alcohol consumption in the country.
NAREP President Elias Chipimo said that while the move by government to ban the manufacturing and consumption of the famous spirits popularly known as Tujilijili is commendable, it should not be done in isolation of other projects for the young people.
Mr. Chipimo said that action needed to be taken because it impacted on social morality of young people but states that banning the product will not be the most effective way to address the problem.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Chipimo said that government must ensure that as it embarks on such a move, it should come up with plans for the young people that will give them an opportunity to be in gainful employment.
On Sunday, in recognition of the ‘social upheaval’ caused by tujilijili, Government banned the manufacturing, importation, distribution, stocking, selling and consumption of the sachets.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Nkandu Luo signed a statutory instrument banning the flourishing trade in tujilijili. Since they were introduced on the market, the spirits, packed in minute sachets, have caused a public outcry due to the destruction they have caused to families and human life.
Professor Luo said at a press briefing that any licence issued in respect of manufacturing, importing, exporting, selling or supply of the intoxicating liquor, has been revoked from the date of publication of the regulations.
She said the move is meant to prohibit the packing of liquor in small quantities, which youths in particular have abused, because the sachets are easily accessible and affordable.
“The main objective of these regulations made under a statutory instrument which I have signed today, is to prohibit the packing of liquor popularly known as tujilijili and any other names that they may be known by,” she said.
She said anyone who contravenes the regulations will be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding 2,500 penalty units, two years imprisonment or both.
Prof Luo said continued offences will attract an additional fine not exceeding 25 penalty units in respect of each day on which the offence continues.
She said the court may also order the forfeiture to the state of the intoxicating liquor which was used in the commission of the offence.
“Anyone who contravenes these regulations commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding 2,500 penalty units or to imprisonment not exceeding two years, or to both and in the case of continued offence, to an additional fine not exceeding 25 penalty units in respect of each day on which the offence continues,” Prof Luo said.
Lands, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma.
Baseli Ba Liseli Resources Limited says Energy Minister Christopher Yaluma is not being sincere by stating that his ministry is not aware about the project to set up an oil pipeline from Lobito Bay in Angola into Zambia.
BBRL executive director Wamulume Kalabo notes that the minister’s reaction could be as a result of misplaced facts in one daily newspaper that a deal has been signed between Zambia and Angola.
He adds that negotiations to sign a deal between the two countries will commence now that an MoU has been signed.
Mr. Kalabo notes that there has never been a time when the government has been overlooked in the planning for the Project and has maintained that the process of project implementation will continue.
Last Friday, ZDA and BBRL signed an agreement to facilitate for the construction of the oil pipeline at a cost of $US2.5 billion.
The signing ceremony was attended by the ministry of commerce, trade and industry permanent secretary Steven Mwansa.
Mr. Yaluma has since expressed ignorance about the project and declared it null and void saying his ministry was not consulted by ZDA.
Zesco United coach Wedson Nyirenda says he was excited to see a huge turnout of fans at Konkola Stadium on Sunday during their Week 4 game away to Konkola Blades.
Konkola was two-thirds full as the home fans roared on the Chililabombwe club against the current league leaders despite Blades losing 2-1.
“I liked that crowd if you had a crowd like that shows the results of us winning the Africa Cup,” Nyirenda said.
“The fans again have rediscovered their heart for the game. They want to see our local stars before they see them at the national level.
“It is now up to FAZ to take advantage of this and market the game.”
Nyirenda also hoped that the enthusiasm to watch local football will be constant this season.
“We have started well this year and I hope we will stop bickering. People will differ on opinions but we move on,” Nyirenda said.
“You can see that everyone has big expectations for Zambian football. You can see how Power Dynamos were humiliated in Congo, the whole nation was humiliated and the same thing with Red Arrows we were humiliated.”
