MINISTER of Information, Broadcasting and Labour Fackson Shamenda has appealed to public service workers to remain patient and allow for the smooth conclusion of negotiations for improved salaries and conditions of service.

Mr Shamenda said workers in the public service should not rush into an illegal strike but wait for Government and public service unions to conclude the bargaining process for new conditions of service.

He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Government is doing everything possible to ensure that negotiations are completed before the existing collective agreement expires this monthend.

“I want to assure our workers that we are doing everything possible to ensure that negotiations for improved conditions of service are concluded on time.

“I am also appealing to workers in the public service to remain patient and allow for the smooth conclusion of negotiations for a salary raise and improved conditions of service,” Mr Shamenda said.
He expressed confidence that the negotiations will be completed amicably and on schedule.

Mr Shamenda also warned the workers against going on an illegal strike, reiterating President Sata’s statement that all public service workers who would go on an illegal strike will be dismissed from the service.

“I want to state that any worker who will go on an illegal strike will be fired and any trade union which will allow its members to go on an illegal strike will be held accountable.
“We have to make sure that we conclude the negotiations so that we can prevent industrial unrest in the country,” Mr Shamenda said.

The minister also said he will soon meet trade union leaders to discuss the impasse surrounding negotiations for improved conditions of service for civil servants.

Meanwhile, THE Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) has urged Government to create more employment opportunities for young people around the country. ZFE executive director Harrington Chibanda said young people should have access to jobs for them to contribute to the country’s economic development.

Mr Chibanda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Zambia has high unemployment levels which he said is an unfortunate development especially for young people.

He said in his inaugural speech to Zambians after winning the September 20 elections, President Sata made it clear that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government would address the high unemployment levels among the youth in the country.

Mr Chibanda also called on all stakeholders in the country to work closely with Government in creating more job opportunities for young people. He said it is important for Government to partner with various stakeholders in the development process of the country and in improving young people’s living standards.

Meanwhile, Mr Chibanda has urged youths to engage in various entrepreneurship skills for them to earn a living. He said it is important for young people to gain entrepreneurship skills as this will enable them become self-employed.

Zambia today commemorates Youth Day under the theme: “Accelerating youth empowerment for sustainable national development”.

ZANIS

FORMER Minister of Finance Situmbeko Musokotwane says he will support the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause when it is tabled in Parliament.

The clause was removed by the MMD government in which he served. Dr Musokotwane, who is Liuwa member of Parliament, told Radio Phoenix yesterday that he supports the decision, if it is meant to enhance the fight against corruption.

“I have no problem with the re-introduction of the clause. Yes, I will support it if it will assist the country to fight against corruption. I have no problem with that,” he said.

And Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Emmanuel Chenda says the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause through the Anti-Corruption Bill will enhance the fight against corruption in the country.

Mr Chenda said the Patriotic Front (PF) Government will remain committed to fighting corruption because the vice deprives Zambians of better living standards.

“The PF government is allergic to corruption and as Cabinet ministers, we will ensure that we fight corruption which our colleagues, the MMD, entertained when they were in Government,” Mr Chenda said.

The minister was speaking in Ndola yesterday when he officiated at the farewell church service for Reverend Milton Mulenga at United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Mushili Bethel congregation.

Mr Chenda said the government is determined to improve living conditions through dedication to serving people, as opposed to plundering public resources.

He said the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause is an indication that the government is committed to fighting corruption in the country.

Mr Chenda, who is also PF Bwana Mkubwa member of Parliament, said corruption slows down development and worsens poverty.

And Mr Chenda has assured former employees of Ndola Copper Refinery that outstanding payments will be resolved by Government. Mr Chenda also commended Rev Mulenga for the job well done at UCZ Mushili Bethel congregation. The reverend helped to implement many projects for the church.

“Your contribution to this church was outstanding. The congregation here in Mushili will miss your services as you go to Kitwe,” Mr Chenda said.

And speaking earlier, Rev Mulenga appealed to Government to ensure that suspected corrupt leaders are investigated. Rev Mulenga said theft of public resources retards development, hence the need for culprits in the MMD government to face the law.

On Wednesday last week, Minister of Justice Sebastian Zulu presented the Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament to repeal and replace the Anti-Corruption Act of 2010 and allow for the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Opposition UPND youths have boycotted tomorrow’s national youth day celebrations in all parts of the country.

National Youth Chairman Likando Mufalali announced the boycott at a media briefing held at the party secretariat in Lusaka on today.

Mr. Mufalali said that UPND youths will instead concentrate their energies in doing community work.

And MMD Copperbelt Provincial youth Chairman Chiko Chibale has instructed all the youth organs of the party in the province not to take part in youth day celebrations on Monday.

Mr. Chibale said that the MMD youths will not take part in tomorrow’s celebrations in protest of the alleged persecutions of its party leaders by the PF government.

He said that the party in the province has observed that the fight against corruption is selective and only target former MMD leaders.

Mr. Chibale has told ZNBC News that Monday’s boycott is just the beginning of many actions.

He says MMD members will continue boycotting national events if the alleged harassment continues.

But Patriotic Front Lusaka District Youth Secretary, Jeff Chiyenge said that it is unfortunate that youths from the opposition MMD have boycotted the youth day celebrations.

Mr Chiyenge said that this is promoting anarchy. He said that the PF has information that some MMD youths are being ferried to the southern province for the planned demonstrations over the re-alignment of districts.

Mr Chiyenge has since called on the law enforcement agencies to move in and arrest all those championing confusion. Mr Chiyenge was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka on today .

And Mr Chiyenge has wondered why the MMD youths are so bitter about Former President Rupiah Banda’s immunity issue. He said that if Mr Banda is innocent let him prove it in court.

Mr Chiyenge has since called on Parliament to remove Mr Banda’s immunity so that he can defend himself in Court.

[ZNBC]

IN the wake of reports that youths in Southern Province are planning to protest the realignment of districts, over 100 police officers have been deployed to the province to maintain order during Youth Day celebrations tomorrow.

Inspector- General of Police Stella Libongani said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the officers will ensure that peace and harmony prevail during the celebrations.

President Sata recently annexed Chirundu to Lusaka and Itezhi-tezhi to Central Province as part of the Patriotic Front government’s decentralisation policy.

But some sectors of communities in Southern Province have viciously opposed the move, which they feel is intended to disadvantage them economically and politically.

The authorities have, however, insisted that the re-alignment is intended to enhance development and devolution of power.

It is believed that some people want to take advantage of Youth Day celebrations to mount a demonstration against the government.

Ms Libongani urged officers to be professional in their operations, adding that the police condemn any form of violence which can cause instability in the country.

She warned that anyone found wanting will be dealt with by the law.

Meanwhile, Ms Libongani has encouraged women to work hard and occupy their rightful places in their communities.

She said this during a working breakfast hosted by Standard Chartered Bank at Lusaka’s Southern Sun Hotel. She said women must be focused and become exactly who they want to be.
“Women should not be afraid to work with men, but persevere all the time,” Ms Libongani said.

And Standard Chartered Bank chief executive officer Mizinga Melu advised women to interact with people who will help them to build their lives. Ms Melu said women should aspire for higher position the same way men day

[Zambia Daily Mail]

MINISTER of Sport, Youth and Child Development Chishimba Kambwili has said that Government will not allow marketeers to leave designated trading places to sell their merchandise on the streets.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Kitwe mayor Chileshe Bweupe on Thursday, Mr Kambwili said street vending is a worldwide problem which needs to be controlled.

“We can come up with Saturday markets or any other market day but not every day trading on the streets. Shoprite is one company whose business is being negatively affected and yet it contributes a lot of money to Government in taxes,” he said.

Mr Kambwili said there is need for traders to make use of designated trading facilities instead of selling their commodities on the streets.

He was also shocked that the Formular One road rehabilitation project in Kitwe is not doing well, saying the project is working well in Luanshya where he is member of Parliament for Roan.

And Mr Bweupe said developmental projects are on course in Kitwe but expressed disappointment on poor road infrastructure, street vending and illegal taxi operators.

Mr Bweupe said there is need to work on township roads and other infrastructure in Kitwe.

He told the minister that he had received reports that Shoprite management has complained of loss of business due to street vendors who are selling their merchandise on the door-steps of the supermarket.

[Zambia Daily Mail]