Commerce Minister Robert Sichinga says he will not hesitate to recommend the dissolution of non-performing Board of Directors of Parastatal companies. Mr Sichinga has given parastatal companies that fall under his Ministry three months to create sector codes, saying Government will impose sector codes if they fail to do so.

He said parastatal companies have a critical role to play in realising the Patriotic Front’s dream of putting more money in people’s pockets through the creation of employment.

Mr Sichinga said this dream cannot be realised if the country fails to create employment for people in the country. The minister was speaking in Lusaka yesterday after conducting a familiarisation tour of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and the Consumer Competition and Protection Commission (CCPC).

He noted that CEEC has not been discharging its mandate to the expectation of the Zambian people saying only 40 percent of its loans were being paid back.

He urged management to ensure that loans it disburses to the people are paid back to service others.

The Minister also urged CEEC to ensure it comes up with a minimum amount of loan for disbursement to public to avoid giving huge sums to one individual.

Mr Sichinga said the PF Government would demand for transparency in the manner empowerment funds were disbursed to the public to ensure equitable distribution of funds among citizens.

He also promised to ensure there was no political interference in the operations of the Commission.

And Mr Sichinga has given parastatal companies that fall under his ministry three months to create sector codes, saying Government would impose sector codes if they failed to do so.

He stated that sector codes were important because they gauged the performance of institutions hence the need for every sector in the country to develop these..

Speaking earlier, CEEC Board Chairperson Overs Banda bemoaned the erratic release of funds to CEEC for its empowerment programmes.

Mr Banda disclosed that Government had this year only released K18 billion of its K40 billion budget saying the K22 billion balance had not yet been released until now.

He said CEEC was ready to support Government in realising its dream of empowering citizens to enable their contribution to the country’s economic development.

Mr Banda said the Commission was fully committed to ensuring that it addressed the economic imbalance existing among people in the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Sichinga has urged the Consumer Competition and Protection Commission (CCPC) to be professional, impartial and to stick to the law in the execution of its mandate.

Mr Sichinga said Government wants zero tolerance to corruption in an effort to ensure that public resources were prudently utilised.

He further urged the Commission to remain steadfast in protecting consumers against counterfeit products that were being imported into the country.

And CCPC Board Chairperson Benard Chiwala said the Commission had set four objectives that it would endeavour to implement in the next five years in a bid to contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Mr Chiwala said the Commission would ensure that there was consumer protection, and that its effectiveness was strengthened.

He said the Commission would further enhance its visibility and ensure that companies complied with the law on competition.

ZANIS

Former Minister of Finance and National Planning Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane and MMD Liuwa Member of Parliament has advised the Patriotic Front Government to cool down and get to work as it was elected to carrying on where MMD left. Dr Musokotwane was speaking yesterday in Parliament when he contributed to the debate on the president’s speech.

Dr Musokotwane further said that the MMD will support the PF government because its successes will benefit all Zambians. Dr Musokotwane said the PF should take up the development projects the MMD has left and ensure the country maintains its status of being one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.

Mafinga MMD member of Parliament (MP) Catherine Namugala urged the Patriotic Front (PF) government not apologise to anyone for creating a 10th province to be called Muchinga.

Ms Namugala said when she contributed to the President’s speech in Parliament yesterday that Northern Province is a big province, and President Sata’s decision to divide it into two is right.

“The PF government has my full support in creating a 10th province because Northern Province is too big to remain one province. My appeal to Government is not to apologise to anyone for making such an important decision,” she said.

Ms Namugala said there are 13 districts in Northern Province, but the region receives budgetary allocations similar to provinces with less than seven districts.
She said dividing the province will accelerate development in the area.

Ms Namugala also urged Government to maintain law and order because it is a prerequisite for tourism attraction. She said Government should concentrate on maintaining the peace the country has enjoyed over the years.

And Mwembeshi MP Austin Milambo (UPND) said the Constituency Development Fund allocation should be increased to K5 billion from K720 million so that parliamentarians can implement development projects in their areas.
Mwandi MP Michael Kaingu (MMD) said PF leaders should heed President Sata’s advice to concentrate on work and not finger-point to develop the country.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Kalulushi residents have looted and destroyed property worth millions of Kwacha belonging to an expatriate man. The residents have been angered by allegations that the man has been using his dogs to have carnal knowledge with young girls.

According to the Zambian law, the act of human beings and animals having carnal knowledge is a crime called bestiality. Police sealed off the house belonging to the expatriate on Chilengwalesa road, and fired tear gas to disperse the irate crowds.

Kalulushi police had to call for reinforcements from Kitwe to help restore calm in the district. Kitwe Police Commanding Officer Nelson Phiri who was at the scene, refused to comment on the matter.

A ZNBC News crew interviewed a grade nine pupil who alleged that she was drugged before being forced into the act. She claimed that she was promised two million Kwacha by the expatriate if she did not report the matter to police.

[ZNBC]

Government has terminated contracts of Zambia Daily Mail Managing Editor Evans Milimo and Times of Zambia Editor John Phiri. Information, Broadcasting and Tourism minister Given Lubinda has appointed former Daily Mail Managing Editor Godfrey Malama to take over as Managing Editor at the Times of Zambia.

Speaking to members of the this morning, Mr Lubinda announced that the position of Managing Editor for the Daily Mail will be taken up by Acting News Editor Isaac Chipampe, while the position of Deputy Managing Editor has been taken by Anthony Mukwita.

Mr Lubinda also terminated the contract of Deputy Managing Editor Davies Mataka with immediate effect. Mr Lubinda has advised newly appointed media Heads to be professional, write accurately and not become praise singers for government.

He also said that the new media heads should ensure they do not go out and attack other people to appease government but should work professionally to inform and educate members of the public on various issues.

Mr Lubinda said that Government will not allow ZNBC, Times of Zambia and the Daily Mail to abuse their positions as public media institutions by flouting the laws of the land.

Mr Lubinda also said that government is not going to bail out any of the public media institutions if they are not profitable as they have been reckless in their operations.

Meanwhile, Mr Lubinda has asked Times of Zambia Deputy Managing Editor Mirriam Zimba who applied for early retirement to meet with Information Permanent Secretary and explain the circumstances under which she opted for early retirement and why it was not granted.

And Mr Lubinda has also abolished the position of Deputy Editor-in-chief of production and distribution, a position which was held by Mr Hicks Sikazwe and was created in July this year by Times Managing Editor John Phiri.

ZNBC

Mwila Musonda ,commonly known as Slap D is one of the most popular Zambian rappers . One can argue that he was the first to make it big whilst rapping in his local language as opposed to english. The fact that he raps in his local languge makes him more popular because it makes him original .He has very good song writing skills

RISE TO FAME

He releases his first album” Asembe Isebenza” in 2006 . But it was his second album “So che” that catapulted him to national level . His songs “solola” and “takwaba” were very popular.  He continued to show growth both in his rapping and song writing skills , continuing to push himself to new levels and always bringing something fresh for his fans.

In 2009 he released his third album “Black na white” . It was received very well by his fans and people who were only casual listeners of his became loyal supporters . Songs such as “Gold digger” and  “Chishinka” were on heavy rotation on radio stations.

FUTURE

He is currently working on his fourth album under his label “XYZ entertainment” . He continues to grow in popularity both within and outside Zambia .  The quality of his music , beat wise and content wise are always improving as is the quality of his music videos .

His latest video “Looking for love” is evidence of his growth. He enlists the help of Samba on a contagious chorus which adds that extra something to this great track.

Another of his recent hits is “Nomba Ninshi”

There is no limit , he will continue to grow from strength to strength.

BY KAPA187