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JAPAN has pledged financial assistance to Zambia in the exploration of oil and gas.
Mines and Natural Resources Minister Wylbur Simuusa disclosed this today in Cape Town, South Africa where he is attending a Mining Indaba conference.
Mr Simuusa said Japan has assured Zambia that the funds were already available to do the exploration.
The Mines Minister was confident that the project once successful would help improve the country’s economy.
Mr Simuusa who has also taken the opportunity to meet several mining companies that are attending the same conference said new technology was required to tap into the minerals that have remained idle for many years.
He said North-western province had a lot of iron deposits but remained under utilised mainly due to lack of power in that part of the country.
Mr Simuusa observed that government had a huge challenge of translating the rich mineral resource that the country has into tangible benefits for the people.
He said it was only the proper management of the mineral resource base that would turn around the economic status of the country.
Mr Simuusa however said with the new technology, government would follow the iron wherever it was.
The minister was speaking when he met a Ghanaian investor of Jonah Capital in Cape Town today.
And Sam Jonah of Jonah Capital said his company had the equipment that was capable of getting the finished product from the iron ore.
Mr Jonah who is also chairman of Jonah Capital said he was the only one who had equipment that was capable of extracting the finished product from the iron deposits.
Mr Simuusa is accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Dr Victor Mutambo and the Chief Mining Engineer Fred Banda.
President Michael Sata has said that he is deeply saddened over the death of Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Oswell Munyenyembe. Mr. Munyenyembe, 59, died in a car crash on the Kitwe-Ndola dual carriageway on Tuesday afternoon.
President Sata described the late Munyenyembe as a rare breed and highly valuable and respectable trade unionist.
“Oswell was someone with exemplary trade union skills and it was always a joy to see him doing what he knew best – presiding over negotiations and always accomplishing what his members expected of him,” President Sata said.
“Therefore, I have no doubt in my mind that the effect of this sudden loss is already being felt by both the employees and the management in our robust mining sector. His bravely, courage and maturity even on crucial moments is simply peerless or first-class.”
The President said Munyenyembe has been a beckon of hope, courage and bravery for the labour movement since the commencement of his trade union career in 1983.
“During his many years in the trade union movement, his dedication and selfless nature was always something that many passionately admired and esteemed. Even outside his work, Oswell carried himself as a kind, honest and a man of great honor and strength,” the Head of State said.
President Sata said genuine patriots of mother Zambia will never forget Munyenyembe’s great strides, efforts and contributions to the labour movement.
“Indeed, he will be greatly missed and we are all saddened by his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with the Munyenyembe family,” the President said.
“We pray that the Almighty God gives them comfort and fortitude as they face these immense difficulties.”
A member of the Emirates cabin crew watches plane ground handling personnel attend to the airline's first direct flight from Dubai to Lusaka
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The innaugural flight for Emirates Airlines touches down at Kenneth Kaunda international airport
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Former Mines and Minerals Development Deputy Minister Boniface Nkhata leaves Woodlands police station after he was arrested and later released on police bond in Lusaka
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Fans following the Africa Cup Quarter final match between Zambia and Sudan closely at the Zone Plaza in Lusaka.
Soccer fans go crazy on Lumumba road after Zambia scored the first goal in the match against Sudan
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Donchi Kubeba Zambians go wild after the third goal
6.Fans celebrate on the streets after Zambia's 3-0 victory.
7.Donchi KUBEBA
8.A youth celebrates Zambia’s victory pants down on Commonwealth road in Lusaka.
9.Mama Zambia; a woman takes to the dance floor at Eastpoint to celebrate Zambia’s victory
10.Mozegator and the Mimbulu boys performing Chipolopolo songs at Eastpoint in Lusaka.
11.A Japanese national joins Zambian soccer fans into celebrating the the Chipolopolo win at Smugglers Inn in Lusaka
12.Some Lusaka residents take to the dance floor at Hollywood night Club after Zambia's victory
13.An intoxicated woman joins Shimba Boyd on the dance floor during the Go Zambia Go show at Hollywood city nightclub in Lusaka
14.Some Lusaka residents celebrating Zambia's victory along Lumumba road
Zambia will get K400 million from Zambian Breweries PLC if they win the Africa Cup.
In a statement, ZB corporate affairs specialist Japhet Banda said the incentive came after the company paid a K250 million bonus to the team for qualifying to their Africa Cup.
“We enhanced our support to FAZ and the National Team in the past three years and we are looking forward to continuing our support especially that we are beginning to realize the positive results from the National Team,” Banda said.
“It is our hope that the Chipolopolo will deliver on the expectations of the nation.
“We are close to bringing the trophy home and we at Zambian Breweries are pleased to be associated with the team’s achievement at the AFCON. Zambian Breweries PLC is the official sponsor of the Chipolopolo through our leading brand Mosi Larger.”
MINEWORKERS Union of Zambia (MUZ) president, Oswell Munyenyembe, yesterday died in a car crash on the Kitwe-Ndola dual carriageway.
He was 59. His driver, Dave Chibuta sustained injuries and is admitted to Wusakile Mine Hospital.
Copperbelt Police Chief, Mary Tembo confirmed the accident in an interview in Kitwe yesterday.
The Toyota Prado registration number ACP 873 overturned at Maposa area as Mr Munyenyembe and his driver were on their way to Kitwe.
“Mr Munyenyembe and his driver Chibuta aged 35, were travelling from Ndola to Kitwe when the vehicle overturned due to over-speeding,” Ms Tembo said.
The accident happened around 13:10 hours and Mr Munyenyembe died on arrival at Wusakile Mine Hospital. Funeral gathering is at 22 Funda Avenue in Mufulira.
Mr Munyenyembe ascended to the MUZ presidency on November 4, last year when he went through unopposed. The elections were conducted after his predecessor, Rayford Mbulu, left the union.
He served as MUZ general secretary prior to his election as president.
MUZ general treasurer Terry Simbeye said it was a tragedy that the union had lost a vibrant leader. He said Mr Munyenyembe served the union for 25 years and had risen through the ranks to become a pillar that he was.
The Government has described Mr Munyenyembe as a good negotiator and a man of great humility. Information, Broadcasting and Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda said he had worked with Mr Munyenyembe and was shocked when he heard of his death.
“It is very sad that the labour fraternity has lost a good trade unionist. He was level headed and a man of humility,” he said.
ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba said the mother-body had received the death of Mr Munyenyembe with great shock. He said the increasing number of strikes in the mines would have required his services.
“It is a great loss to MUZ, ZCTU and the entire labour movement,” said Mr Hikaumba.
[Times of Zambia]
Everything is set for today’s crucial encounter with the Black Stars of Ghana. The stakes are high ,if Zambia wins we will go to the finals . This will definitely be our biggest test yet in the AFCON .
If this match were being played on paper Ghana, would already be victorious ,having the big name players who play all over Europe . But football is played on the pitch and in 90 minutes anything can happen . Zambia has a strong , determined and dedicated team , that wants to show the world what they are made of .
It is a David vs Goliath match , and we all know who won that battle….
Some pictures from the training session
Training with Kalu
Renard and Kalusha Bwalya
Felix, Isaa and Chansa enjoy a light moment at the end of training ahead of semi final against Ghana
File:Former Minister of Finance & National Planning N'gandu Magande
National Movement for Progress president Ngandu Magande has urged the opposition in the country to constantly remind the PF Government of the promises it made to the Zambian people during the campaigns.
Mr. Magande says the Patriotic Front made a number of promises to the Zambian people while in opposition which they should be reminded to fulfill.
Mr. Magande said to QFM radio that he is of the view that the PF should deliver on the promises it made to the people of Zambia.
He says any government in power should remain answerable to the people of Zambia because they are the ones who put it in power.
And Mr. Magande says he has no problem with any person who appointed to serve in the Patriotic Front Government.
He says any person who is duly qualified to hold a particular position in government has a right to work for the people of Zambia.
Mr Magande says the only issue that the government should address to is to appoint credible people to serve in government.
File:Pupils from Lusaka schools follow proceedings during the junior achievers programme at Kabulonga Boys secondary school
Vice President Guy Scott said the PF Government is committed to providing free education up to grade 12 level.He was speaking at Mawanda Basic School in Msanzala, where he was trumping up support for the Patriotic Front candidate Colonel Joseph Lungu in the race for the Msanzala parliamentary by-election.
Colonel Joseph Lungu who faces opposition from MMD’s Peter Daka and independent Usman Maumba.
The Vice-President, said he cannot thank his country Zambia enough for educating him for free up to university.He said President Sata’s government would modestly start extending a free education package to Zambian children from the first grade all the way to grade 12, in a bid to reduce poverty and enhance the economy.
“The government will ensure that every child is given an opportunity to be educated free of charge up to grade 12,” Dr Scott said, children with a better education are more likely to get better quality jobs.”
Dr Scott did not say when his government would implement the free education policy, nor did he state how much it would cost to roll out the crucial plan as public education teeters on the brink of collapse, according to various studies.
A recent UNICEF study for instance shows that Zambian teachers work under extreme pressure with a teacher pupil ratio of one teacher per 70 pupils or even more. This statistic is close to a 2007 Ministry of Education data which states that in rural areas such as Msanzala, the situation is worse.
The World Bank study shows that the low teacher to student ratio has remained the same for more than 10 years.
The study shows that accommodation and other services such as access to clean water and reliable basic health care need to be addressed in rural areas to attract teachers.
The study further reveals that in rural areas such as Msanzala, there’s only one house available to three teachers, a situation that further affects the public education sector and must be addressed side by side with extending free education up to grade 12.
Teachers, despite being over stretched, appear to be “grossly” underpaid compared to those in private schools.
Zambian teachers in the public sector earn about K1 million, with the highest university graduate earning about K2.5million—much less than their colleagues in the private sector who can gross up to K12 million per month.
A Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) study states that “free” education at a public school in Lusaka costs about K300, 000 per year at between grades eight and nine and about K1.2 million at high school or secondary school level.
Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister, Given Lubinda has said the PF government is working towards creating career service diplomats as opposed to political cadres serving as envoys.
He said Government has already started doing this adding that the realignment of missions abroad would continue.
Mr Lubinda also warned civil servants working in Zambia’s missions abroad to desist from all forms of corruption.
Mr Lubinda said the fight against corruption, which the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has intensified, would sweep across all sectors and institutions including missions abroad.
He said the Government was in a hurry to instil honesty and responsibility in Zambians to restore the economic dignity the country had a few decades ago.
The minister was speaking at the Zambian Embassy in Washington yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on Ambassador to the United States (US), Sheila Siwela and embassy staff in Washington DC.
“It is sad that even people in our missions abroad are caught up in corruption. We will fight it now and we will fight it in future because we want to clean up Zambia,” he said.
He said dishonesty among civil servants retarded development and distorted the country’s image at home and abroad.
Mr Lubinda reiterated that the fight against corruption was not targeted at certain individuals but at everyone who was perpetuating the scourge.
“I want to assure you that the fight against corruption is not against any individual. So we are not starting by asking the question ‘who is involved but we are asking where corruption is,” he said.
The minister said those that have engaged in corruption and had decided to hide in foreign countries would be caught by the long arm of the law.
“Those that stay away in foreign countries to avoid facing justice should know that it is temporary. Hiding in the spider holes will not help them,” he said.
Mr Lubinda said President Michael Sata and his cabinet were in a hurry to restore pride among the Zambian people in terms of development.
He urged Zambians working in missions abroad to work extra hard because it was only through hard work and honest that the country would develop.
He challenged civil servants to account themselves every day of their work by asking themselves what they have done for the country.
Mr Lubinda urged them to vigorously market Zambia and attract investors and tourists that would help develop the country.
Foreigners, he said, must be convinced that Zambia was a peaceful country in which enterprises could thrive.
The minister said the peaceful handover of power by former president Rupiah Banda to President Sata after the September 20, 2011 elections was testimony of Zambia’s peaceful nature and co-existence.
Meanwhile, Mr Lubinda said United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will on February 24, this year pay a three day visit which would be followed by the visit of the President of Germany.
“It is our desire to capitalise on our peace, immense resources and good environment to attract high profile personalities and market tourism. Had we messed up on September 20, 2011, this could not happen,” he explained.
And Mr Lubinda has said the PF government was working towards creating career service diplomats as opposed to political cadres serving as envoys.
Earlier, Ms Siwela said Zambia’s relationship with the US has grown following peace and aggressive fight against corruption.
Ms Siwela said the move by the Government to give Zambians a constitution of their choice was also a recipe for improved relations between the two countries.
She said workers at the embassy were committed to marketing Zambia to the US and would work according to the policies of the PF Government.
President Michael Sata has called on civil servants to be patient with government over improved conditions of service. President Sata said that the government wants to ensure the hospitals and health centres are well equipped to prevent the needless loss of life.
The president said this in Lusaka Tuesday at a funeral service for Humphrey Jangulo, customer care manager at City Advertisers.
City advertisers is President Sata’s company.
Mr Sata said Jangulo’s death would not have happened if the hospital was well equipped. Jangulo 28, died of liver complications and malaria which a public hospital was unable to detect.
And family representative, Morris Jangulo thanked President Sata for sparing his time to attend Humphrey’s funeral. He described Humphrey as caring and hard working young man.
Meanwhile President SATA and Paramount Chief Chitimukulu who openly opposed the Patriotic Front ahead of the 2011 General Elections have reconciled. During a meeting at State House today, President SATA asked Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba speaking people to forget about the past. President SATA said Chief Chitimukulu should be free to advise the Patriotic Front government when it goes wrong.
President Sata has also noted that the government still remains committed to addressing the challenges that are being faced by the traditional leaders as a way of restoring the integrity of the traditional leadership in the country.
The President who spoke in Bemba has since urged paramount Chief Chitimukulu not to hesitate to call on the government whenever is in need of help.
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu who is unwell, called on President SATA in the company of paramount Chief Mpezeni and Chief Luchembe. Paramount Chief Chitimukulu was in LUSAKA for medical attention. Later President SATA wheeled Chief Chitimukulu out of state house on a wheel chair after a media photo session.
And president Sata has also hinted that he may be sending eastern province minister Solomon Zulu into the foreign mission and replace him with PF Chairperson for Mobilization Charles Banda.
Finance Minister, ALEXANDER CHIKWANDA has said that he is not aware of any fake three trillion Kwacha allegedly printed by the MMD ahead of the general elections in September last year.
Mr CHIKWANDA who was answering questions from journalists at state house initially refused to be drawn into making a statement but later asked the press if they had seen any fake kwacha in circulation.
Commerce Minister, BOB SICHINGA issued a statement last week alledging that the MMD printed three trillion kwacha to buy votes. But Mr CHIKWANDA asked Journalists to investigate the matter and establish if their are fake Kwacha notes in circulation either in the city or in rural areas.
Mr CHIKWANDA also announced that the Bank of Zambia has alert printers about Zambia’s intentions to print new notes. He said the printers will have to bid for the exercise adding that unlike the previous regime the PF government will go through the Zambia Public Procurement Authority.
Mr CHIKWANDA also dispelled fears that the creation of new districts will derail budget planning. He said that the realignment of the ministries will not affect budget execution for the affected ministries.
Mr Chikwanda has told journalists that funding to the ministries will be done in line with the already approved budget and that the ministry of finance will not release any supplementary funding to the realigned ministries.
Mr. Chikwanda has also clarified that the printing of the new currency will be funded by the Central bank and not the government saying Bank of Zambia has its on resources for such an exercise.
The minister was reacting to concerns raised about failure by the government to include in the budget an allocation for the printing of the rebased kwacha.
Herve Renard has declared his team ready for Wednesdays semifinal showdown against Ghana in Bata.
And Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari says they respect Zambia but were also focused on reaching the finals on Sunday.
Renard said he was feeling no pressure and his players were looking forward to a very good game against Ghana.
“We know that 12 million Zambians will be watching us on the screens back home and waiting for us to beat Ghana and go to Libreville,” Renard said.
“This is the most important thing.”
Renard has no injury worries going into this game with unused defender Kampamba Chintu back in training this week after missing the whole of last week due to a tendon problem.
This will be the two sides first clash since August 12, 2009 when Ghana won 4-1 in a friendly in London.
Their last Africa Cup meeting was in 1996 in Johannesburg when Zambia beat Ghana 1-0 in a 3rd and 4th place playoff.
Meanwhile, Muntari said Ghana had a lot of respect for Zambia but that would not stand in their way to reach the Libreville finals.
“We want to play good football with them but we know it won’t be easy they play as a team but we will try our best and make our nation proud,” Muntari said.
Commerce Minister BOB SICHINGA has been sued over revelations he made that the MMD printed three trillion KWACHA fake money in CHINA prior to the SEPTEMBER 2011 tripartite elections.
The suit has been filed by MMD National Secretary RICHARD KACHINGWE.
Mr KACHINGWE has also sued the attorney general as second defendant in the matter.
He has demanded tangible evidence and proof to that his party printed fake notes in CHINA.
Mr KACHINGWE has contended that the allegations are defamatory as they have an inference that the MMD engaged in criminal activities with CHINA to print the alleged fake notes.
He also says the allegations are capable of turnishing the cordial relations between his party and CHINA.
This is according to the statement of claim filed in the LUSAKA High Court.
Bank of Zambia has refuted media claims that there is fake money in circulation and advised anybody with this knowledge to make it available to them. In a statement made available to the media, Bank of Zambia further said that as of January 31st 2012, the total amount of Kwacha in circulation was K 3, 029.1 Billion.
Recently Commerce Minister Bob Sichinga has maintained that the MMD government printed illegal notes prior to the elections. Mr. Sichinga further claimed that commercial banks have since withdrawn some of the notes from circulation.
With just over 24 hours before the semi final clash against the Black Stars, Chipolopolo trainer Herve Renard says his copper bullets have the ability and skill to beat Ghana when the two teams clash at the Bata Stadium at 17:00hours local time, 18:00hours Zambia and Central African Time (CAT).
Addressing a packed press conference at the Chipolopolo Melik Hotel in Bata this morning, Renard added, “The most important thing is that we believe in ourselves. Some people may have laughed at us before the start of the tournament but we remained confident and worked hard to achieve the target of doing better than we did in Angola in 2010. Now we have the chance to go to the final. We have the confidence, the maturity and got it all.”
Skipper Chris Katongo said while the match would be tough because of the two teams similar patterns of play, Zambia was ready for the challenge and would fight to win.
“We know their names but when we get to the pitch, we want to beat them. Its eleven against eleven and time to make a name for ourselves and for the young players in the team to move up,” Katongo said.
Influential midfielder Rainford Kalaba and defender Francis Kasonde said they were ready and will not be bothered by the so called big names in the Ghana team.
