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THE Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) has ordered that construction works being carried out by a private developer on a plot at the junction of Kabwe road and Dag Hammaskjoeld drive in Ndola’s Itawa be immediately halted. ZEMA regional coordinator for the Copperbelt, Patson Zulu told the Times in an interview yesterday that the developer was working on the land without consent from the authority.
He said that ZEMA was supposed to be consulted so that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) could be conducted in order to establish the suitability of the place for the intended development. Mr Zulu said before any development of any area could be commenced, ZEMA had to assess the impact it would have in relation to the environment and had authority to allow or not allow developers depending on its findings.[pullquote]the proprietor of the land, a Mr Magaba Nyirenda said he had even been given title to the land by the ministry of lands and planned to set up a hotel, restaurant and offices at the area which he claimed had previously been a dungeon for criminals. “They should promote local investors instead of victimizing us about land which we are helping to add value to. I have spent a lot of millions on transforming this place into a more habitable place[/pullquote]
“We have not received anyone at out Copperbelt offices to tell us that they are interested in developing the place. So we have ordered that any development of the place should be stopped,” he said.
Mr Zulu further said that the area was close to the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (Zesco) pylons which posed a great risk to the area and also the presence of the stream on the land in question should be taken into consideration.
But the proprietor of the land, a Mr Magaba Nyirenda insisted that he got approval from the Ndola City Council to develop the land adding that officials from the local authority had toured the land several times before approving it.
He said he had even been given title to the land by the ministry of lands and planned to set up a hotel, restaurant and offices at the area which he claimed had previously been a dungeon for criminals. “They should promote local investors instead of victimizing us about land which we are helping to add value to. I have spent a lot of millions on transforming this place into a more habitable place,” he said.
Another concerned Ndola resident, William Wilima complained that the place would loose its scenic beauty unless the local authorities considered turning it into a park to preserve the environment.
He said that the local authorities should preserve some places in the city for people to be able to appreciate nature instead of offering it to developers who would turn it into an industrial area. Mr Wilima appealed to the minister of local government, housing, early education and environmental protection to put a stop to the intended development of the place into an industry.
File:Peasant farmers wait for the Food Reserve Agency to buy their maize
GOVERNMENT has said it will investigate contracts the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) issued for the construction of 98 storage sheds countrywide.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said yesterday that the Government was disappointed with FRA over its failure to engage the ministry in the project. Mr. Mukanga said in Kitwe yesterday that it was sad that FRA decided to involve the ministry, which is the Government’s principal engineer, at a later stage.
“This is a culture we don’t want to adopt as a new Government of not following procedures. We are not happy about what transpired,” he said. FRA awarded contracts to various companies for the construction of 98 storage sheds countrywide but allegedly did not involve the then ministry of Works and Supply.
The time frame for the completion of the projects had elapsed with only a few companies meeting their contractual obligations. Mr. Mukanga said there was need to follow procedure in order for the country to derive maximum benefits from the projects being implemented using tax payers’ money.
He said he was still studying the contracts in order to determine the way forward. But FRA public relations officer Mwamba Siame said FRA had involved the ministry from the time of inception of the projects.
Ms. Siame said in response to a Press query that FRA was carrying out the construction of slabs with technical assistance from the ministry of Works and Supply. She said the ministry engineers also provided the design for the slabs.
The engineers were involved in the monitoring of construction works and would be involved in certifying quality of work done upon completion.
She said the project delayed initially as approval of financing was only received in May 2011. “A lot of efforts were put in to ensure that the project remained on course as permission to shorten the floatation period for the tender was even sought from the Zambia Public Procurement Authority,” Ms. Siame said.
She said only a few contractors had not started works because the 50 per cent advance payment had not been released. However, some FRA insiders said the ministry of Works and Supply was not involved in the project.
The insiders claim that the biding documents were done before surveyors from the principal consultant, the ministry of Works and Supply surveyed the sites to come up with contractual details. They said 50 per cent advance payment was paid to some contractors some of whom had not moved on site to date.
[Times of Zambia]
Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism Given Lubinda
Government has advised members of the former ruling MMD to be remorseful and apologise to the Zambian people for allegedly engaging disgraced freelance journalist, Chimba Chimba the third, to discredit others on their behalf.
This follows revelations that Government will have to pay K500 million in legal fees incurred by the fugitive journalist, who produced hate-speech-laced documentaries sponsored by the previous government.
Chief Government Spokesperson, Given Lubinda is saddened that MMD’s insatiable appetite to remain in power will cost Zambians tax payers colossal sums of money.
He says some distraught MMD members should therefore apologize for wasting tax payers’ money, which should have been channeled towards poverty reduction programmes.
Mr. Lubinda, who is also Information Minister, is optimistic that his predecessor at the Ministry, Ronnie Shikapwasha’s refusal that he was never involved with Chanda Chimba will not backfire once investigations are completed.
Mark Wahlberg stared in the Oscar nominated movie “The fighter”. He underwent intense training to prepare for the role of boxer Micky Ward. Wahlberg had this to say ” Boxing is the ultimate workout ,your constantly moving , your alert and afterward you feel amazing”
THE WORKOUT
Do this circuit three times, resting 90 seconds between each run through, for abs that look as good as they perform.
PRESS UP
Works on the shoulders , triceps ,chest ,abs
Do 25 reps.
To play Ward, Wahlberg needed to develop real punching power and this move is an old friend to all those who get their dukes up.
Support your body with the balls of your feet and put your hands shoulder-width apart.
Lower yourself slowly. Take your time and you’ll come away with a bigger chest.
Bend your elbows, keeping them tucked in to your sides, to lower yourself to the floor.
When your chest touches the floor straighten your elbows to push back upto the starting position.
This exercise demands a fairly long-winded 15 reps, so stop to rest if you find that you need to.
those who go hard for a brief time look good for a long time.
MCGILL CURL UP
works abs
Do 15 reps each leg
Lie face up: right leg straight, left leg bent, so your foot is flat on the floor.
Stick your palms under the arch of your lower back.
Lift your head and shoulders off the ground without bending your lower back.
Pause, then lower yourself to the start position.
SIDE CRUNCH
works on core muscles
Do 15 reps on each side
Are you prepared to be punched? Its one thing to maximize your hitting power , but stepping into the ring means you’ve got to be ready to suffer pain as well as hand it out. An iron-solid set of abs will buttress your core confidence and help you absorb your opponent’s spirit-crushing body blows.
Lie straight on your right side and brace your feet against a wall or a heavy object.
Rest your right hand on your chest and place your left hand behind your head.
Crunch your torso toward your hip. Pause and then return to the starting position to carve out a V-shape bed of muscle that sits above your Calvin Kleins.
HIP UP
works on your core muscles.
Do 10 on each side
Strong punches and powerful abs are all in the hips.
lie on your left side, propping your upper body up with your left elbow and forearm and keeping your knees straight.
Raise your hips so that your torso is beyond parallel to the floor and your body is in a straight line from your head to ankles.
Pause for 2-3 seconds, then slowly lower back down to the start.
A few of these and you’ll feel a satisfying burning sensation across your torso.
And the benefits go beyond boxing. If you play team sports, the added snap will make your turns quicker.
MEDICINE BALL TWIST
works the core muscles
Do 15 reps
Hold a medicine ball at chest level with your arms straight out.
Keep your back straight.
Without moving your torso, rotate your arms far to the left, then far to the right. That’s one rep.
Information, Broadcasting and Tourism Minister GIVEN LUBINDA
HOTELS and lodges operating below par and are in a pathetic condition risk being closed. Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism Given Lubinda says Government will not compromise standards of hotels and lodges and will close those doing so even if they are run by a government official.
And Government says it will re-launch the national tourism policy act that has been lying idle at Cabinet Office and ensure that all necessary stakeholders have input.
“We will ensure that even if we have few inspectors, they will be going round to inspect hotels and lodges to help uplift standards. The Patriotic Front (PF) government wants to see a vibrant tourism sector that will not compromise on standards,” he said.
Mr Lubinda was speaking at the Hotels and Catering Association of Zambia (HCAZ) breakfast at Lusaka’s Golden Bridge Hotel yesterday. He said the tourism sector is facing a lot of challenges such as poor road network and poor marketing outside the country.
Mr Lubinda said Government has realised the challenges, hence focusing on developing human resource and creating an environment that would allow Zambians to do profitable business.
The PF wants hoteliers to run and operate viable businesses. He said the tourism sector has potential to contribute to economic growth hence the ministry’s decision to recall the policy from Cabinet because players in the tourism sector were not consulted.
All stakeholders will soon be called for consultation, he said, urging participants to actively contribute and come up with a tourism act that will stand the test of time.
“We should all come up with a tourism act that will benefit stakeholders now and in future without collision. I am hoping the tourism policy act focusing on tourism development and viable to attract tourists will be launched by June 2012,” he said.
Mr Lubinda urged Zambians to be pro-active and help in marketing Zambia whenever they are out of the country. He commended Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda for increasing funds to infrastructure development and the tourism sector in the 2012 budget.
Mr Lubinda said this was a positive move, especially that the country would be hosting the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly. And HCAZ president Felix Mulenga appealed to the government to speed up the giving operating licences as the process takes too long, sometimes as long as four years.
This, he said, creates fertile ground for corruption. He said the PF government, which is committed to the fight against corruption, should look into the matter to enable more people operate hotels legally and contribute to the tourism sector.
He said the tourism sector has potential to grow. Mr Mulenga commended Government for committing itself to promoting tourism and the recapitalising of the Zambia Wildlife Authority.
Linos Makwaza has described Nkana’s defeat in their season closing game as painful.
Nkana lost 1-0 away to Green Buffaloes on Saturday at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka thanks to a 53rd minute goal scored by midfielder Nathan Sinkala.
The loss dashed all hopes of a top 5 finish for the first time since winning the league in 2001.
“I think this ia painful loss we played a good game in my own opinion,” Makwaza said.
Makwaza said overall Nkana held their own throughout the season with a shoestring budget.
“The boys have played their part. If we had sponsors Nkana could have done much better than this,” he said.
Nkana finished the season in 7th place on 46 points, 13 points behind champions and archrivals Power Dynamos.
The Kitwe giants have just completed their second successive season in the Super Division under Makwaza since ending a six-year exile in Division 1 North following their first-ever demotion in 2004.
Power Dynamos have said they still don’t know how much they will get for winning the Faz Super Division title.
Power finished their season in grand style after crushing demoted Nkwazi 5-0 in their final game of the season on Saturday at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
A senior Power official said they were shocked that they had received their trophy without a cheque.
“Up to now we do not know how much they are going to give us. It is very surprising,” the Power official said.
“I mean we were shocked to receive the trophy without even a dummy cheque. It is very unusual.”
However, Faz vice president Bonny Mwamelo said the prize money will be disclosed in the coming week after consultations.
He said Faz was still working on how much they will also give in other categories from player to referee of the year.
Faz last year sign a US$1.6 million three-year league sponsorship deal with mobile phone service giant MTN.
Chansa Mulila AKA “C. Chuwi” is a 15years grade 10 student at st marys secondary school , she is an evangelist,mostly ministering through music .
KAPA187: Firstly I think the people would like to know , since you are still in school , is music something you take seriously or is it just a hobby?
C.Chuwi: It being a hobby was when I was writing and before I accepted Christ as my Lord and personal Savior, but I now take it seriously because its more than rap ,its way more than it being hip hop ,it’s a ministry ,a command instructed by God that I have to obey
KAPA187: When did you get interested in doing music and why did you choose to rap as opposed to sing?
C.Chuwi: I started having an interest in music ,hip-hop to be specific ,at a tender age ,I got so much exposed to the culture thanks to technology…..why rap? because I got to relate to it, that’s how I got to heal ,we just “clicked” to say, especially when am having a really rough time ,but I can sing as well haven’t taken it serious though
KAPA187: Who motivated you to get started in music?
C.Chuwi: my motivation was 50cent & lauryn Hill can safely say thank you to them because a part of me today is because of them, enough respect for those who really know what hip hop is.
KAPA187: How did it feel the first time you heard a song that you had recorded ?
C.Chuwi: feeling was electrifying thanks to Tio ,His a good big bro’ and very talented we thank God for him, as well as magnus mando for producing the song ,it was my first “sensible” song immediately after getting saved
KAPA187: Who inspires you both locally and internationally?
C.Chuwi: Inspiration locally is d’nEL because ,I mean c’mon you know a whole alot bout him looking at the interview lol ,his a good funny guy ,loving brother ,his all about God basically ,K.star is another guy who inspires me locally cause his also the reason why I started taking the rap seriously(before I got saved).I heard his song on radio on a hip-hop show and I was blown away, so I decided to join facebook and search for him and that’s how the story goes on ,basically he understands Good music
KAPA187:I like your song “Shut it down” . So do you write your own song , if so where do you get the inspiration? C.Chuwi: Yes I do write my own songs, with the help of the Holy Spirit of course, I understand rap very well so thanks to the people I grew up with and all so its kinda like ” run’s” in my blood, Inspiration? Its Jesus, am so inspired by him cause his the reason why am justified, God’s grace through faith, it’s because of his son , the Cross….. as well as Paul because of how he defended his ministry ,would love to take up in his steps KAPA187:Tell us something about you that not many know. C.Chuwi: i love SpongeBob lol, very much
KAPA187: There are more and more people doing “holy hip hop , what do you say to those who say you can’t worship God through hip hop?
C.Chuwi: I learnt something on New Generation, thanks to Pastor Musuka ,Worship is not only slow songs but can be any genre e.g jazz, house, hip-hop or whatever so I believe they should get their facts right about it because at the end of it all, God will always be worshipped regardless of genre.
KAPA187: What have been the best and worst moments in your music career?
C.Chuwi: I can’t really call it a career but a ministry…..best moment is when a 6year old boy came to hug me & tell me that he was encouraged by the song I ministered at some concert ,worst moment is when I needed so much help but no one could come through ,but those are trials to make me stronger….
KAPA187: 10 years from now do you still see yourself doing music.
C.Chuwi: Yes I do see myself doing music because as I said it’s a ministry so I don’t plan on stopping unless God provides something better but I love to make music so I don’t think so:)
THE MUSIC
Shut it down
All about God
Listening to her music you wouldnt know she is only 15 years old. If She stays focused and keeps getting better ,she has a bright future ahead of her.
Zambia’s fifth republican President His Excellence Mr Michael Chilufya Sata deserves a pat on the back for his gesture of overwhelming benevolence for appointing this able commission of inquiry to look into the matter of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 and indeed the disturbances that occurred in Mongu/Limulunga on 14th January 2011.
INTRODUCTION:
The events of January 14, 2011should not be viewed as an isolated occurrence on that particular day or indeed over the months around that day. It must be understood from the background of the systematic negligence by successive regimes in Zambia to tackle the issues surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964. It must also be understood that as long as the Barotseland Agreement shall continue to be neglected and ignored by the powers that be in Zambia issues like the Mongu Fracas shall continue to threaten the peace and security of this Nation.
This commission is therefore challenged to consider its mandate seriously so as to once and for all propose viable solutions to issues surrounding the Barotseland Agreement 1964. I say this with the hind knowledge that Commissions have come and gone without really making an impact over the issue irrespective of the vigorous participation of the Barotse people in such commissions pleading with the powers that be to resolve the impasse of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 ie Mvunga, Mwanakatwe and Mung’omba Commissions.
THE UNITARY STATUS OF ZAMBIA
Zambia became a unitary state in 1964 thanks to the Barotseland Agreement 1964 which paved way for Barotseland with the rest of Northern Rhodesia to proceed to Independency as one country and its peoples as one nation. It is often said that Barotseland or Western Province as the oppressors prefer to call it is an integral part of Zambia. The intention of this statement is usually to imply that Barotseland is just like any other province which is definitely not the case. The Barotseland Agreement 1964 had to be signed, simply because Barotseland was not just another province and unless we get to understand that basic fact we will never get the answer right to the Barotseland Agreement 1964 issue.
ABROGATION
The unilateral abrogation of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 in October 1969 by the Kaunda led regime clearly means that Barotseland is free to stand alone as a fully autonomous Monarch (Constitutional Monarch for that matter). According to the Vienna convention on the Law of Treaties if one part of an agreement breaches the terms of the treaty that breach sets the other party free of any obligations under the treaty.
SECESSION
Barotse self-determination activists are often referred to as secessionist in order to intentionally and maliciously victimize them. In truth the word secession does not apply in as far as the issue of Barotseland is concerned. In my humble understanding to secede is to subdivide a single object into more than one unit. A unitary state to me means a combination of more than one ‘state’ to make a unit. When two parts are glued together, depending on how tough the ‘tuff Stuff’ used is, there is always a chance of the two parts falling apart like Chinua Achebe seems to suggest by the title of one of his novels ‘Things Fall Apart’. If indeed the term secession does apply in this case, then it is the government of Zambia which is guilty of secession and has ceded Barotseland from the rest of Zambia by way of the unilateral abrogation of the unity treaty, Barotseland Agreement 1964.
CHANGE OF NAME
In the same year that the Barotseland Agreement 1964 was abrogated the then president of Zambia also invoked his power to change the name of Barotseland to Western Province without consultation with the Barotse people or Authorities. To the people of Barotseland the name ‘Western Province’ is a slave name. That is what slave owners used to do upon acquiring a new slave they would give that slave a new name like it or not. In similar style after KK broke the unity treaty Barotseland came under servitude to Zambian Authorities so he gave his new slave a new name! We resist the slave name with all the contempt it deserves and discard it henceforth. After all Barotseland is not a province but a sister state with the rest of Zambia!
CONCLUSION
There is only one remedy to this ailment, let Barotseland go so that it does not have anyone else to blame for the underdevelopment, unemployment and poverty that is so prevalent. This demand is not new, strange or unique. Just like when marriages fail there is separation and finally divorce. In the same way when unions between states fail they breakup. USSR, Yugoslavia, Eretria, and most recently Southern Sudan are just a few examples. In any case Barotseland will be a good neighbor to Zambia (or whatever that county would be called after Barotseland is not part of it) like it would be to all its other neighbours.
May I thank this honourable commission and each of you commissioners for listening to my simple but realistic submissions, I presume.
Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province has appealed to government to draw up a programme of constructing and rehabilitating roads in all parts of the country.
Paramount chief Mpezeni said road infrastructure was the driving force toward economic development because they connect productive areas to markets.
He told the media at his Ependukeni palace during the week that all sectors of the economy depend on a good road network hence the need to improve
road infrastructure.
Meanwhile, paramount chief Mpezeni has commended government for rehabilitating roads in his area.
He noted that the Patriotic Front government had already started showing its commitment to improving the road sector.
And a senior citizen, Webster Shawa, urged the Patriotic Front (PF) government to diversify crop production by moving away from promoting maize production only.
Mr. Shawa noted that until research for alternative crops was done and markets found for these crops, the agricultural sector will continue to face challenges.
He said the province required positive agricultural policies for economic growth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled”
(Matthew 5:6, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Sometimes, it’s easy to get wrapped up in taking care of the people around us. You may find that you’re always giving, taking care of the children, working overtime at the office, or helping that friend who is struggling. And that’s all good. But if you’re not careful, you can end up feeling rundown. That’s why you have to take time every day to get filled back up. Your first priority should be taking care of yourself and making time to get into the presence of Jesus.
Throughout scripture, we see that in God’s presence there is fullness of joy, fullness of peace, and fullness of victory. In His presence, you’re refreshed and restored. That’s why it’s so important to take time every day to read your Bible and meditate on His promises. We have to be diligent to have that quiet time with Him.
Today, take time to get alone with God and just say, “God, I love You today. Thank You for my life, for my family, for the opportunities You’ve given me. Lord, I know every good thing comes from You.” When you live like that, with your heart connected to His, you’ll be refreshed, restored, reenergized and filled up for the journey of life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, I love You so much today. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus so that I can have a personal relationship with You. Draw me to You. Keep me close to You always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
President Sata has directed newly appointed Attorney-General Mumba Malila to investigate the legality of the many small newspapers and on-line publications operating in Zambia that are bent at spreading falsehoods about him and the Government.
Speaking when he swore in Mr Malila and Ms Rosewin Wandi as Attorney-General and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) director general at State House, respectively President Sata said there was too much corruption at ZNBS which needed to be addressed.
“Two of you have been once victims of witch- hunt, you have come back because you deserve to be what you are. There is too much corruption at ZNBS. ZNBS is not doing business and I can not see how the board can appoint a woman and pay her K56 million, now K56 million per month by an organisation which is not making money! “ This is the same organisation where somebody irregularly pumped U$98 million. I have with immediate effect dissolved the board of ZNBS and I have appointed a commission which will be headed by Mr Mwila Lumbwe,” President Sata said.
He said the commission would also have representation from the ACC and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and other members. On the mushroomed internet and newspaper publications, Mr Sata tasked Mr Malila to authenticate the legality of such publications in line with the law which required that they are registered. “Last year when we were preparing for elections, these so called unregistered internet (publications) and newspapers said Mr Sata had collapsed, Mr Sata is very sick, Mr Sata has died and yesterday the whole Eastern Province (was made to believe) that Mr Sata was dead.
[pullquote]There is too much corruption at ZNBS. ZNBS is not doing business and I can not see how the board can appoint a woman and pay her K56 million, now K56 million per month by an organisation which is not making money! “[/pullquote]
“So, I am not asking for a witch- hunt, but you as Attorney-General, let us enforce the laws of this country because all these internets are all orchestrated by the UPND,” Mr Sata said. The President said that last year the on-line publication, Watchdog, which he said was UPND peddled lies that he was dead, he was too sick, when in fact not. “It is all UPND and I am not going to start a witch-hunt and as they are saying now, yesterday I was dead, today I am standing here, maybe I have so many lives because even before elections I was dead, in 2009 our brothers got some fake doctor who told them Mr Sata would die before 2009 and came into a pact, come 2009, I did not die, come 2010, I did not die.
“They pull out of the pact and now they are still peddling lies, what type of politicians are these that want to survive on other people’s blood? He urged Mr Malila to re-enforce the law and assist the police and all investigative agencies in that regard.
President Sata also noted that his administration would not rush into taking people to court without gathering enough evidence to warrant convictions. “Only when we are ready shall we take people for prosecution, we don’t want to rush. You remember Mr Malila and Ms Wandi, the so-called Task Force, people were going to court for seven years, and the so-called prosecutors were getting K100 million per month for three convictions.
[pullquote]“Only when we are ready shall we take people for prosecution, we don’t want to rush. You remember Mr Malila and Ms Wandi, the so-called Task Force, people were going to court for seven years, and the so-called prosecutors were getting K100 million per month for three convictions.[/pullquote]
“Three convictions for seven years, I think these are things we need to improve, let us only go to court when we are ready, to say we have a case to go and present to the courts, let us not use courts or use the police for politics,” Mr Sata said.
He noted that there was so much injustice in Zambia and wondered how a person sent on forced leave for more than three years could continue drawing a salary. “Who is cheating who? If you send a person on leave, and then you continue paying them a Permanent Secretary’s salary, they are still getting all the benefits? In my opinion this is corruption,” Mr Sata noted.
He congratulated Mr Malila for bouncing back as Attorney-General and Ms Wandi on her new appointment as ACC boss. Mr Sata said he had trust that the two appointees would discharge their duties diligently and urged them to show Zambians that they were better than those that were there. The President also took a swipe at Secretary to Cabinet Joshua Kanganja and his team for keeping him waiting at the office.
“I don’t believe in the Secretary to Cabinet because he is always misleading me. I was here waiting for the Secretary to the Cabinet, he is taking his time with his staff and I had to go back to my office. This is the Government you are running,” Mr Sata said.
And Mr Malila welcomed his appointment and stressed that he understood the challenges that lay ahead in the job but that he was equal to the task. “We shall review areas of bad administration, let me also state here that online publications and newspapers are supposed to be registered and so we shall countercheck the many on the market to see if they followed the law,” Mr Malila said.
[pullquote]“We shall review areas of bad administration, let me also state here that online publications and newspapers are supposed to be registered and so we shall countercheck the many on the market to see if they followed the law,” Mr Malila said.[/pullquote]
Ms Wandi said she felt honoured and humbled with the confidence President Sata had placed in her and as such she would not let the nation down. Earlier, the President also hailed the cordial ties that Zambia had continued enjoying with Sweden and hoped the two countries would solidify such ties. He said this when he received letters of credence from the new Swedish ambassador to Zambia Lena Nordstrom.
Ms Nordstrom reiterated her country’s continued support to Zambia’s various sectors of the economy and the fight against HIV/AIDS programmes. She congratulated President Sata on his election as head of state and commended the peaceful transition of power process.
File:Stand up for Zambia producer Chanda Chimba (III) captured when collecting footage for his series that launched scathing attacks in PF leader Michael Sata
The civil society is incensed by revelations of the government that it has no option but to pay the K500 million legal fees incurred by Chanda Chimba III.
Chimba faces several libel suits in the High Court of Zambia following his pre-election MMD campaign television program Stand Up for Zambia that was sponsored by the previous government.
Featuring on the Radio Phoenix talk show, let the people talk, Transparence International Zambia president Reuben Lifuka and SACCORD executive Director Lee Habasonda urged the government to find a way of making the previous government to foot the bill.
Habasonda said Chimba’s program was immoral and that it was insensitive to shift his legal fees to the general public.
“Those who were in charge of the program should pay the bills. Why did they consent to such fees? They must pay the bill. We (civil society) demand that government passes on this bill to those who contracted the program,” Habasonda said.
In response, Information Minister Given Lubinda, who was also featuring on the program, explained that it was not possible for the government to pass on the bills incurred by Chimba to former government officials.
“Unfortunately, the citizens will have to pay the cost. The law as it stands protects individuals who make decisions in office. It’s only corporations that can be charged. We cannot do something against the law,” Lubinda said.
Speaking earlier, Lifuka urged the government to insure that they strengthened institutions mandated to fight corruption.
He said the Patriotic Front government should clearly state to the nation its corruption strategy.
Lifuka also advised the government to come up with a constitution that did not tolerate corruption if the fight against the vice was to succeed.
Lusaka Province Minister Miles Sampa has ordered health personnel at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) to stop making patients sleep on chairs and that they should change their mind set and work culture despite the many challenges at the institution.
Speaking after he toured some of the wards at UTH today, Mr. Sampa said he is aware of the problems that health personnel are going through but assured that government is working hard to address the situation.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Sampa stressed the need for health personnel to improve on their etiquette in their operations as it is key to the provision of quality health care.
Mr. Sampa who described the situation at the University Teaching Hospital, Filter Clinic Department as desperate urged health personnel to treat every patient equally and with respect.
Mr. Sampa said it is unfortunate that the current government has inherited the challenges that have been left unchecked by the previous administration.
Mr. Sampa said government was doing everything possible to beef up the numbers of the existing staff in the health sector to enhance health care service delivery.
Mr. Sampa has further urged all medical personnel to make a difference and maintain cleanliness in their wards.
And UTH Customer Relations Officer Mwenya Mulenga told ZANIS in an interview that the institution was doing everything possible to deliver services to the people despite the many difficulties and challenges it was faced with.
Newly appointed Anti-Corruption Commission Director General Rosewin Mutinta Wandi has pledged to restore Zambia’s good image in as far as corruption is concerned.
Mrs. Wandi says she will make a difference to the Commission by ridding the country of corruption and bringing its perpetrators to book.
She says the Commission will strengthen the corruption fight and follow the stance taken by President Sata on the vice.
Mrs. Wandi was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today shortly after being sworn-in as ACC Director General.
The ACC boss said the Commission will identify loop holes and make recommendations to the Head of State and other relevant law enforcement wings like the Police in its quest to stamp out the vice in both public and private institutions.
She thanked President Michael Sata for his confidence in her to run the Commission.
“I’m humbled by this appointment by His Excellency Mr. Sata. It shows that he has confidence in me and l will work with him in ridding the country of corruption,” Mrs. Wandi said.
And newly appointed Attorney General Mumba Malilia said his appointment demonstrates President Sata’s resolve to strengthen the rule of law in the country.
Mr. Malila, a learned State Counsel pledged to re-new the legacy of the late third republican president Dr. Levy Mwanawasa where laws were enforced and adhered too.
Former immediate past republican president Rupiah Banda prematurely terminated Malila’s contract and replaced him with Abyudi Shonga.
And Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili has said President Sata is on track in following and implementing the law.
Mr. Kambwili said President Sata believes in the rule of law and that at no time did the Head of State breach the Republican Constitution.
Commenting on the appointments of ACC Director General Mrs. Rosewin Wandi and Mumba Malilia as new Attorney General, the Minister said the duo have credible credentials to deliver to the aspirations of the Zambian people.
He accused the former MMD Government of having errorred when president Rupiah Banda fired Mr. Malila because the Attorney General is a legal advisor of the Government.
“The MMD, prior to the September 20 General Elections told the nation lies about President Sata but today, Mr. Sata is proving his critics wrong because he truly believes in the rule of law and he has not abrogated any law,” he said.
The Minister further disclosed that the Patriotic Front Government has confidence in National Assembly Speaker Dr. Patrick Matibini.
Mr. Kambwili said Zambia shall not be run and governed by political cadres because it is endowed with productive human resource.
“The current Speaker is the man but look what the opposition gave us, Kapita a cadre, Zambia will not be run and governed by political cadres,” the Minister said.
THE Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) has ordered that construction works being carried out by a private developer on a plot at the junction of Kabwe road and Dag Hammaskjoeld drive in Ndola’s Itawa be immediately halted. ZEMA regional coordinator for the Copperbelt, Patson Zulu told the Times in an interview yesterday that the developer was working on the land without consent from the authority.
