Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Namani Monze has disclosed that government intends to increase the number of beneficiaries under the 1000 Most Critical Days Programme, currently being implemented in Choma and Monze districts in the Province.

The program which is implemented by the government through the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) II multisectoral approach seeks to end malnutrition in children from conception to the age of two. This is ultimately expected to reduce stunting levels which currently stand at 29 per cent for Southern Province according to the Zambia Demographic study.

Dr Monze has explained that the scaling up of beneficiaries under the program will ensure that more children grow up into productive citizens as good nutrition plays a major role in improving mental capabilities.

The Permanent Secretary was speaking when the German Parliamentary Committee on Food and Agriculture paid a courtesy call on him at the provincial administration in Choma.

The committee, consisting of nine members of parliament and some technocrats is in the province to check on projects, that the Zambian government is implementing with support from the German government. These include the 1000 Most Critical Days Program, and some climate change mitigation initiatives among others.

Dr Monze further thanked the German government for supporting various technologies in the province such as climate-smart agriculture and food processing, adding that these will help promote food security.

Meanwhile, the German Parliamentary Committee on Food and Agriculture is impressed with the government’s implementation of the 1000 Most Critical Days Program and other projects supported by the German Government in Southern Province So far.

Committee Chairperson, Farbor Hermann who also led the delegation stated that his team attaches great importance to ensuring that children are given a good start in life so as to secure their future.

He further assured the Zambian government of continued support towards the 1000 Most Critical Days program and other projects.

The Lusaka City Council – LCC has disbursed 24 million Kwacha Constituency Development Funds – CDF to Seven Constituency in Lusaka, the Local Authority will also embark on a cleaning exercise of drainages and spraying of ponds as a way of curbing the infestation of mosquitoes in the City.

About 24 million Kwacha has been disbursed to all the seven (7) constituencies in Lusaka by the Lusaka City Council – LCC for the implementation of community projects from the Constituency Development Fund – CDF 2022 allocation.

The funds disbursed were assigned to the four (4) categories namely: Secondary School Bursaries, Skills Training, Empowerment and Community Projects for Kabwata, Mandevu, Munali, Lusaka Central, Chawama, Matero and Kanyama Constituencies respectively.

Lusaka City Council Public Relations Manager Chola Mwamba explained in press statement that the public should note that K477, 290.00 has been handed out for Boarding School Bursaries, K9, 435, 168.84 for Skills Training, and K13, 363,400.00.00 has been disbursed for youth and women empowerment and K1, 653,474.62 out of K97, 579,698.00 for approved community projects.

Ms Mwamba stated that the Local Authority would like to take cognizant that the selection, approval and handing out of the funds follow the laid down processes for ensuring transparency and accountability of the CDF, adding that the Local Authority, therefore, seeks public patience as it continues to undertake the necessary procedures to disburse the remaining funds mainly for the implementation of community projects.

Ms Mwamba has since urged eligible individuals, cooperatives, groups and clubs to come up with competitive business proposals and apply for possible funding, these proposals should have the potential to help in transforming the economic status of the City and the Country as a whole.

“CDF can create reliable money-spinning businesses if well utilized by beneficiaries. Therefore, we encourage Lusaka residents in various Constituencies to look out for opportunities for them to have a stake in the CDF,” Ms Mwamba said

Meanwhile, in another development, the Mayor of the Greater City of Lusaka Ms Chilando Chitangala today spearheaded the Larviciding of ponds in Lusaka’s Garden Compound, adding that it is time to take action to reduce the infestation of mosquitoes in the City as they are a health hazard to the residents.

“There is need to spray all ponds in Lusaka and we’ll begin with Kaunda Square on Monday,” Ms Chitangala said

Ms Chitangala noted that all the ponds in the Seven (7) Constituencies shall be sprayed to help reduce the breeding grounds of mosquitoes.

And the Mother of the City added that there is a need to clean some of the ponds which have accumulated some weeds and grass to enable the medicine that will be sprayed to kill lava inside the ponds.

“There is need for a dredger to be brought from Kabwe to Lusaka to help us clear all the weeds and grass that has overgrown in the ponds,” she said

She said that the Local Authority will work in collaboration with Zambia National Service – ZNS to dredge and clear the garbage.

She has since called on residents to stay away from dumping garbage in the ponds.

“As you are aware, the throwing of garbage in the ponds stops the flow of water from one pond to the other hence causing blockages, and blocked drainages are also one of sources of breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” she noted

Ms Chitangala further called on stakeholders to come on board to help in eliminating mosquitoes in Lusaka as a way of safeguarding public health.

Her Worship the Mayor concluded by saying, non-performing contractors that were assigned to clean the drainages shall have their contracts terminated as this is a guidance from the Ministry.

The Former and Current Rwandan Refugees Association in Zambia has strongly condemned the killing Rwandan refugees who have sought asylum in the SADAC countries including Zambia.

Association National Coordinator Rukundo Innocent said the killing by gun of Nshuti Vedaste, a Rwandan refugee and businessman in Chibombo district on 27th October 2022 is shockingly outrageous as it happens barely a few weeks after another refugee was killed in similar circumstances in Chongwe.

“For a long time Rwandan refugees in SADC countries, particularly Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa, have been subjected to extra-judicial killings such as the case of Patrick Karegeya in South Africa, Hakizimana Alphonse, Abdala Mukobi, Francis Nzayigira and Jean de la Croix Mundere In Malawi, Robert Hategekimana, Paul Kanyamanza, Clement Nshimiyumukiza and Vincent Bagirishema in Zambia, Abdallah Seif Bamporiki and Revocat Karemangingo in Mozambique,” said Rukondo.

“Sad to note however, most of these cases have gone without proper investigations and eventual arrests of the perpetrators despite the important pieces of information pointing to assassination coups staged by the foreign agents operating in the region,” he said.

He added, “We know as a matter of fact that members of the Rwandan refugee community such as businessmen, intellectuals and many others who may be perceived to be opposed to the Rwandan government have been targets of violent attacks by fanatics and members of the ruling class in Rwanda. For the information of the public, different officials of the Rwandan government have been heard on a number of platforms venting and calling on the Tutsi youths in Rwanda to voluntarily engage in the sponsored hunt for Hutu refugees abroad because they know the later are economically flourishing and education-wise progressing, which in their view, poses a threat to their domination of the country’s governance and resources.”

“We are aware of the tactics and campaigns the government of Rwanda employs either to influence countries hosting refugees to remove their protection and care, or instil a climate of hate between local citizens and refugees so as to create a ripe environment for reprisals and violence against vulnerable refugees,” he said.

“Examples of these evil machinations have been experienced during the election times particularly in Zambia and Malawi as often times the respective countries would be in electoral turbulences and criminals would take advantage of the situation.”

He continued, “As people who have suffered physical and psychological torture instituted by the leadership in Rwandan from the 1990’s to date; and having been victims of numerous attempts to destabilize our lives in exile, we are perplexed and are desperate for more protection by hosting countries.”

“We thank the Zambian leadership and the Zambian people at large, for the maturity, care and love they have always exhibited towards refugees not only from Rwanda, but from all over the continent despite the circumstances being so strenuous.”

He said the Rwandan refugees in Zambia and other countries call on SADC governments to be more compassionate and resolute in offering protection to the vulnerable refugees.

“We believe the number of years of hosting Hutu refugees in these countries and the peaceful co-existence with local people have demonstrated the potential for development of these communities.“

Government says it is concerned over an increased number of mining accidents reported to be on an average of about sixteen (16) fatal accidents per annum.

As at 31st August 2022, the mining industry recorded 14 fatalities and 35 mines reportable or dangerous accidents adding that the increased number of accidents this year compared to the same period in 2021 that the industry recorded is of great concern to the government.

Mines and Minerals Minister Paul Kabuswe says it is government’s desires to have a growing mining industry using technology that generates benefits with zero negative impact on communities.

Mr. Kabuswe says it is for this reason his ministry is advising mining companies to employ mining methods and Technologies that guarantee sustainability.

The minister said this in a speech read on his behalf by Director Mines Development Malfred Molela during the 6th National Conference on Occupational Health, Safety and Environment which was held in Ndola under the theme “Achieving Excellence in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Systems through Institutional Linkages and Networking.”

” Depending on how it is done, mining can impact the environment either positively or negatively adding that there can be no sustainable mining and subsequent development where there is no safety and care for the employees and the environment.

” My ministry has in the recent past expressed serious concern over the high incidences of mine and industrial accidents that have continued to occur and called on mining companies to take necessary measures to curb the trend, ” he said.

In order to improve occupational safety and health, there is a need to ensure that workers are guaranteed a safe work environment by the government, stakeholders, and mining and contractor companies.

Mr. Kabuswe said the government’s goal is “zero fatality” which he noted is a challenge but pointed out that it is achievable with the right investment and attitude.

And Zambia Chamber of Mines President Godwin Beene said sustainable growth in the industry is becoming more urgent as the mining sector targets to achieve three (3) million metric tons of copper production per annum.

Dr. Beene said this can only be achieved with improved occupational health, safety and environment systems.

He said the chamber considers promotion of sound occupational health, safety and environment practices as one of the key pillars for achieving sustainable and responsible mining, in line with its mission.

Dr. Beene said the 6th HSE national conference is important for engagement specifically in sharing ideas, international best practice and providing a platform where members are able to foster team building in order to enhance stakeholder value, supported by strong and sustainable improvement practices for the mining industry.

Meanwhile, International Labour Organization (ILO) Occupational Safety and Health Specialist for Eastern and Southern Africa Peneyambeko Alina Munkawa reaffirmed ILO’s availability to support the promotion, domestication, and application of conventions key to achieving excellence on OSH.