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RB reduces price of RAMCOZ houses by 50%

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FLASHBACK: President Rupiah Banda with his supporters at Lusaka City Airport before departure for Eastern Province to open MMD provincial Conference

President Banda has reduced by 50 percent the prices for the sale of RAMCOZ houses. Similary, the Presidential decree has affected all Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) houses.

” I wish to inform the people of Luanshya that with immeadiate effect, the price of RAMCOZ shall be sold to sitting tenants at 50 percent of the 2006 price,” he said.

The President said this follows sitting tenants’ petition for him to consider revising the asking price of the said housing units. The move will affect 2000 families.

Mr. Banda stated that prices for the sale of RAMCOZ houses should be sold to sitting tenants at 50 percent of the 2006 evaluation.

He said he had accepted the recommendation from the Vice President George Kunda, as Justice minister and supervisor of the Administrator General, that the houses of be reduced by 50 percent.

He disclosed this during a public rally at Dola Hill in Ndola today.

President Banda announced that the Ministry of Lands has already started processing offer letters to all sitting tenants.

He urged the Ministry of Lands to promptly issue all offers and certificates of title.

President stated that he was not prepared to have delays in the issuance of certificates of title as has been the case with the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) houses.

Meanwhile, the President has handed over five letters of offer to sitting tenants of ZAFFICO to purchase their houses at prices ranging from K4 million to K1.5 million.

The beneficiaries include a Mr Bornface Kasote who will pay K3.5 million, Maxwell Kalyamato K4 million and Moleon Muthali who will pay a paltry K1.9 million.

Others are Wisdom Musonda K1,9 Million and Davies Ngulube will pay K 1.5 million for his house.

He said having shelter gives dignity to the family and hence his government was committed to empowering the citizenry with accommodation for them to be economically empowered.

And President Banda has promised to find a person that provide funds to purchase a house for a widow of an ex ZAFFICO employee.

President Banda stated that he was touched when he saw the woman and her children when he inspected the housing units and felt duty bound to find someone who will buy her the house.

About 2, 000 Zambians will benefit from the sale of ZAFFICO and RAMCOZ houses.

ZANIS

Zambia Gets Zimbabwe Friendly

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Zambia will face Zimbabwe in an international friendly next month.

Both Faz and Zifa confirmed the friendly match that will be played in Harare on August 10 after agreeing to the game on June 30.

“They (Zambia) are coming to Harare on August 10. We have confirmed that and they will just put something in writing for us,”Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze told Zimbabwean newspaper Newsday on Thursday.

“We had targeted Malawi, but they seemed to dither, but we had to plan ahead and now we have Zambia.”

Zimbabwe and Zambia will be using the game as warm-up for their 2012 World Cup group qualifying matches against Liberia and Comoros at home and away respectively on September 4.

Law Association of Zambia unhappy with ZNBC

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The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) says it might have to institute public interest proceedings over the breach of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Act.

This is in the advent of the association citing the national broadcaster, ZNBC for gross abuse of the respective piece of legislation.

LAZ President, Musa Mwenye says ZNBC has on several occasions in its news, broadcast libel and slander with no regard for rights of persons.

Mr Mwenye has further explained that LAZ is exploring means of redress of the situation in the interest of the public.

He has added that ZNBC’s news broadcast is unbalanced and mostly inclined to the MMD, a situation which has been compounded by the absence of a board of directors at the media institution.
[ MUVI ]

Government to construct Teachers Training College in Petauke district

MMD Petauke Central Member of Parliament Dora Siliya says government will soon construct the first ever Teachers training college in Petauke district.

Ms. Siliya, who is also Education Minister, noted that this is part of the MMD government’s committment to developing the education sector in the country.

Ms. Siliya said this when she paid a courtesy call on Senior Chief Kalindawalo of the Nsenga people in Petauke today.

She assured the traditional leader of her Ministry’s commitment to developing and constructing more schools in Petauke district so that more children have access to quality education.

And Senior Chief Kalindawalo commended government for its development programmes in the district.

The Senior Chief paid gratitude to government for improving the already existing schools in the district.

The Ministry of Education has since completed the construction of a one by three classroom block at a total cost of K180 million at Mtondo Basic School.

The ministry will also begin construction of another block at the same school.

Earlier Ms. Siliya urged farmers in Petauke District to continue working hard i to produce more food to promote national food security.

Speaking when she officiated at the Petauke District Agriculture and Commercial Show today, Ms. Siliya said farmers should not be complacent but keep working hard so that Petauke remains one of the major producers of maize in the country.

She said Agriculture has the potential to improve the economic status of farmers hence the need to take it seriously.

And District Agriculture Committee Chairman Roy Tembo commended government for implementing the farmer input support programme which is bearing fruit as evidenced by the successive bumper harvests the country has continued to record.

Mr. Tembo also commended government for the maize floor price of K65,000 per 50 kilogram bag which he said would help small scale farmers receive full value for their produce.

He has since called on the Food Reserve Agency to put up more storage facilities in rural areas to avoid grain wastage.

[ ZANIS ]

Farmers advised not to sell maize to unscrupulous buyers

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File:Peasant farmers selling their part of their maize harvest

Chipata District Commissioner, Moses Nyirenda has called on farmers in the district to desist from selling their produce to unscrupulous buyers.

Mr. Nyirenda stated the farmers should not be desperate for money as Food Reserve Agency (FRA) would purchase all their maize this marketing season.

The District Commissioner said this during a meeting with farmers at Tamanda in chief Chanje’s area in Chipata district, yesterday.

He observed that it was unfortunate that some farmers had already started selling their produce to vendors at a lower price than the government recommended price of K65,000 X 50 kilograms bag of white maize.

“I have seen maize scales put up by vendors along the road an indication that farmers are selling their maize at a low prices but for the sake of appreciating your labour efforts and all the resources put in to produce the crop you should wait until FRA opens satellite depots,” he said.

Mr Nyirenda stated that all the 22 satellite depots in the district were already open but waiting for instructions to start purchasing the produce.

The DC has since urged farmers in the district to ensure that their maize was properly sieved to quicken the buying process.
Mr Nyirenda has further stated that the agriculture farming inputs for 2011/12 farming season is already in the district.

He assured farmers that they will access the commodities through the registered cooperatives and clubs adding that this can only be enhanced when they realize a profit out of 2010/11 produce by selling to FRA.

Mr Nyirenda has however warned cooperative leaders against selling the commodities and by not following government regulations when giving out the packs.
ZANIS

Zambia has no intentions of integrating refugees

Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Ndiyiyo Mutiti talks to regional chiefs of defence forces in Mansa

Home affairs Permanent Secretary Ndiyoyi Mutiti says government has no intentions of integrating refugees in the Zambian society.

Ms.Mutiti said integrating refugees in society can be done once a policy decision is made by government.

She said ministry has no immediate plans for refugee integration as earlier suggested by stakeholders during the world refugee day celebrations in Lusaka last June.

The permanent secretary told ZANIS in Lusaka today that it is not automatic that when you become a refugee you have to stay in that country.

She said that currently government is working closely with UNHCR on the process on repatriation alone.

Ms. Mutiti has charged that government wants to reduce the number of refugees as soon as possible.

She has since appealed to refugees to consider returning to their home country during this repatriation and cessation period.

The cessation period for refugees from Angola ends on the 31 of December and the cessation period for all refuges in Zambia ends on the 31 of December 2011.

She said that all refugees should be in camps unless those who have applied for work permit or to conduct businesses.

“No refugees are allowed to make business outside the refugee camps without a permit from relevant officials.

She added that professional refugees are free to apply for work permits in their different fields.

When asked about refugees married to Zambians, Ms. Mutiti said once a policy decision is made refugees married to Zambian can opt to or not to go with them to their country of origin.

She charged that there is no law allowing refugees who are married to Zambians to stay in the country on such a condition.

[ ZANIS ]

Government to upgrade Lusaka International Airport

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Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane (R)
Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane (R)

Government has  entered into an agreement with a Turkish firm Guris Holding to upgrade the Lusaka International Airport. Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane disclosed that Government is in discussions with a Turkish company, Guris Holding to re-design the Lusaka International Airport.

Dr. Musokotwane said the re-modeling of the airport will result in the facility which was constructed in the 1967 modernised.

He said the re-modeling will be done in three areas including the face-lifting of the terminal building, the VIP section and the improvement of the marketing side.

He added that Government will not use any money on the project but that this will be financed by the private sector.

Dr. Musokotwane who could however not disclose the total cost of the project said that will be determined after negotiations are concluded
in four weeks time.

And Government has approved a plan to re-develop Longacres Lodge in Lusaka into a five star hotel.

Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane said the development of the Longacres Lodge will start in the next six weeks and will be financed by Thukuka Zambia Limited, a South African company with its Zambian partners at a cost of US$35 million.

ZANIS reports that Mr Musokotwane said the project will be done under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concept and will be run by a
special purpose entity where the developer will be allowed to man the asset for a concession period of 20 years.

Dr. Musokotwane further stated that the developer will be paying Government US$32 million every year while Government will also maintain 15 percent shareholding in the asset until the concession period when it will completely take over.

He also disclosed that the developer will also pay all the employees at the lodge their benefits while those who wish to continue will be re-engaged by the same developer.

Dr. Musokotwane said this at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday.

The Minister and other officials from the Ministry were later in the day expected to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the re-development of the Longacres Lodge.

He also noted that the re-development of the lodge into a five star hotel will create an employment opportunity to hundreds of Zambians who will be employees in various capacities during the construction period.

Dr. Musoktwane said Belvedere Lodge is also another hostel that will be considered for redevelopment.

The five star hotel will also house a shopping complex, offices and a spacious parking space.

ZANIS

One Stop Shop to cut business costs in Zambia-Chimanse

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 ZDA Public Relations Manager, Margaret Chimanse
ZDA Public Relations Manager, Margaret Chimanse

The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has stated that the One Stop Shop Initiative forged by the organisation in Lusaka would attract a good number of investors in the country.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS today, ZDA Public Relations Manager, Margaret Chimanse said the joint Initiative between ZDA and the Ministry of Commerce and Trade was aimed at curtailing the cost of investors conducting business in Zambia.

Ms Chimanse disclosed that following the setting up of this initiative, investors would be provided with incentives such as centralised organisations that would attend to their needs comprehensively, without them having to move from one province to another.

She noted that the initiative was viable as the two partners have a vision to broaden the horizons of the economy by investing in several
sectors.

She added that investors would play an integral role in the development of Zambia.

She noted that ZDA and the Ministry of Commerce had plans to spread these shops to other parts of the country, adding that arrangements to
extend the initiative were already underway.

Ms Chimanse disclosed that ZDA had managed to set up a One Stop Shop within Lusaka recently and that it was situated at Kwacha house.

“The One Stop Shop in Lusaka is the first of its kind and we are yet to extend this initiative to all the nine provinces of Zambia” she
stated.

ZANIS

Soccer Fans Call for more friendlies for the National Team

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Zambia national soccer team players in training at Independence stadium in Lusaka
Zambia national soccer team players in training at Independence stadium in Lusaka

The Zambia Voluntary Soccer Fans Association (ZAVOSOFA) Patron Peter Makembo has advised the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to organize more international friendly matches for the Zambia National Soccer Team.

ZANIS Sports reports Makembo saying that friendlies are very important for the Chipolopolo boys for them to adequately prepare for major tournaments such as the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Makembo said ZAVOSOFA wants to see was good performance by the players win matches adding that friendlies will help sharpen the entire team for any international matches.

He added that if the Chipolopolos win the friendlies it will also assist the team to improve on the Coca cola international rankings . He said it was for this reason that his organization would continue to advocate for more international friendlies.

Meanwhile, Makembo has commended the Chipolopolo boys for moving 17 places up on the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola world rankings.

He added that this shows that the team was doing well in terms of performance adding that this was how it is supposed to be all the  time.

Zambia has moved 17 places according to the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola world rankings. The Chipolopolo now occupy 72nd position in the world, an improvement from last month’s 89th.

Dario Bonetti’s side is ranked 16th in Africa. The improvement comes on back of Zambia’s 3-0 home win over Mozambique in the 2012 Gabon Equatorial Guinea Africa Cup Group C qualifier at Nchanga Stadium on June 4 which saw Chipolopolo top the group.

Zambia has been stuck in the wrong end of the top 100 in the recent past, failing to go beyond the 69th position.

Group C second placed Libya has slipped from 58th to 63th position, Mozambique is now ranked 106th while tail enders Comoros Islands lie in a miserable 164th place.

Ivory Coast is the only African team in the top 20 occupying 14th position with Ghana now ranked 33rd in the world.

ZANIS

Masebo’s resignation is a relief – Mabenga

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MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga addresses journalists at his office in Lusaka
MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga addresses journalists at his office in Lusaka

Movement for Multiparty Democracy MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga has said that the party is relieved now that Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo has left the party.

Mr. Mabenga said that the MMD did not like the behavior of Ms. Masebo and that it was therefore a relief that she has left the party.

In an interview with QFM in Lusaka, Mr. Mabenga said the MMD was still intact despite the departure of the former local government and housing minister.

He said the party does not regret that Ms Masebo has left the party because it will even become much stronger.

He has expressed confidence that the party will still retain the votes in Chongwe constituency because of the developmental initiatives that the MMD government has taken to the area.

Mr Mabenga further states that the party will remain focused and ensure that victory is guaranteed the coming elections.

And Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) Deputy National Secretary Chembe Nyangu has said the process of adopting candidates to stand on the ruling party’s Parliamentary and Local government seats in this year’s elections was going on well in all the constituencies across the country.

Mr. Nyangu said the party was so far satisfied with the manner in which interviews were being conducted throughout the country.

He urged all Provincial MMD panels involved in the process to do a good job so that the party would be able to choose winning candidates in this year’s elections.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that all interviews were currently being conducted at provincial level adding that they were going on smoothly in all the nine provinces of Zambia.

The deputy National Secretary said that the process was halted following the demise of the Second Republican President Dr Frederick Chiluba who died on Saturday, June 18, 2011.

Mr. Nyangu stated that the party was optimistic that by today,(Saturday), the National Executive Committee (NEC) would be in a position to receive a list of adopted candidates for both Parliamentary and local government elections.

He further explained that the MMD would ensure that it selects candidates who would be easy to pitch to the electorate ahead of this year’s elections.

He added that the party had never experienced any adoption problems from the time the exercise started early last month adding that this was an indication that the ruling party was the most democratic party in the country.

Mr. Nyangu also said that the opposition would wake up in a rude shock after this year’s polls because the ruling party under President Rupiah Banda‘s leadership was going to win the elections with a resounding victory.

He appealed to all Zambians to vote for President Banda and all MMD cadidates for continued development in the country.

Zambian troops in Sudan cleared

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Some of the Zambian soldiers at Arakan Barracks in Lusaka on parade before leaving for Sudan to participate in a peacekeeping mission.

The Zambia Army says a fact finding mission that was instituted to investigate international media reports that Zambian troops deployed as peace keepers in Sudan failed to protect the civilians in Abyei region during clashes between rival Sudanese forces has established that troops conducted themselves professionally.

Reuters recently reported that Zambian troops retreated during the fight that took place on the 21st of May, 2011 between Sudan armed Forces and the Sudan people’s Liberation army in Abyei.

At a press briefing in Lusaka this afternoon, Zambia Army Chief of operations and training, Brigadier general John Bulawayo said the fact finding mission to Sudan which was led by Deputy Army commander and Chief staff Major General Vincent Mukanda has revealed that the Zambian troops conducted themselves in a professional manner contrary to reports.

Brigadier General Bulawayo adds that the UN force commander Major General Moses Bisongi Obi confirmed to the fact finding mission delegation that the Zambian troops conducted themselves professionally and were able to protect the UN staff and property.

General Bulawayo has also noted that no fatalities were recorded among the Zambian Peace keepers who are currently in Sudan.

QFM

Govt to spend US$1bn to create new township in Kazungula

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Government has disclosed that US$1 billion would be spent to establish a township under the Public Private
Partnership (PPP) in Kazungula district in Southern Province.

Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane said the
new township would have 4,000 housing units, and other social
amenities including a hospital, clinic, and schools.

ZANIS reports that he said the contract for construction is expected
to be concluded within the next weeks adding that houses once
completed would be rented or sold to the community.

Dr. Musokotwane said the construction of a modern township in the
border area was meant to equate the development in Kasane town in
Bostwana across Kazungula border.

He said the Zambian government wanted to see similar development on
the border area of the Zambezi River .

Dr. Musokotwane said this at a media briefing in Lusaka today.

He said government has identified some land around the country to
construct houses under the public private partnership (PPP) projects
to mitigate the housing deficit in the country.

Dr. Musokotwane said government will give the land to the private
sector where they will construct the houses and offer them for rent
and sale to the public.

Dr. Musokotwane named the places as Solwezi, Ndola , Livingstone,
Lusaka , Kabwe, Kabwe and Kazungula.

“The housing project will involve the development of complete houses
to be sold to Zambians at affordable prices. The grades of the houses
will be low cost houses, medium costs houses and a few high cost
houses. This will enable all Zambians from all walks of life to
benefit from this imitative. We want our people to live in decent
accommodation” he said.

The Minister has also confirmed that the K293 billion grant from the
Japanese government will go towards the construction of ring roads in
Lusaka province.

He said the agreement was signed last year and will see the
construction of ring road from Lilayi area in Lusaka to the Lusaka
South multi-facility zone.

Dr. Musokotwane said the roads will help de-congest the main road in Lusaka .

[ ZANIS ]

UNZA Students hail FQMC over mine tax arrears

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Concerned University of Zambia (UNZA ) students have commended the move by First Quantum Mining Company (FQMC) for its pledge to pay all outstanding mining tax arrears to government.

The Students told ZANIS in an interview , in Lusaka today, that they are grateful to the mining company over its intentions to pay off all its outstanding tax arrears to the State.

They have since appealed to all mining companies in Zambia to maintain consistency when it comes to payment of tax to the government.

One of the students Naomi Phiri, , a 4th year Economics Student, said the FQMC gesture will help supplement government efforts in building a strong economy.

“Consistency in the payment of tax remittance will help the Zambian government realize enough revenue to build a strong economy” she said.

Ms Phiri added that most Zambians feel that tax from the mines will positively affect several activities that will bring about development.

Her third year developmental Studies counterpart, Joe Kabaso, stressed that consistency in the payment of remittance tax by all mines. He said this will further help create employment for the local people.

Mr Kabaso noted that the revenue collected from the mines can be used to boost other industries such as the nitrogen chemicals of Zambia that can in turn create more employment opportunities for the local people.

“Tax from the mining sector will raise the standard of living in Zambia because more people will be employed when other industries are revamped” he noted.

However, Janet Besa, second year developmental studies students said other more mines should emulate first Quantum mine in remitting all taxes.

She commended the government for bringing the caliber of investors that are concerned with the plight of many Zambians, by being partners in terms of development with the Zambian government.
First Quantum Minerals is soon expected to pay Government accrued tax arrears amounting to about US$224 million.

Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane disclosed this yesterday shortly after opening
the Access Bank Economic Review and Trade Finance Seminar in Lusaka.

Dr. Musokotwane said Government has been collecting good taxes from the mines, which remains the country’s biggest tax contributor.

ZANIS

No politics at Lwiindi – Chief Monze

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FLASHBACK: Spiritualists showcasing a ritual during the Lwiindi in Monze

Chief Monze of the Tonga people in Monze district of the Southern Province has warned against politicising this year’s Lwiindi Gonde traditional ceremony of the Tonga people.

The traditional leader says no individual will be allowed to dress in any political attire during the ceremony because it will politicise the traditional function.

He says although he is aware that his subjects belong to different political parties, it is his responsibility to work with the government of the day.

The ceremony scheduled for this weekend is expected to attract Zambians from all walks of life and tourists.

Meanwhile, Chief Monze says all is set for the ceremony which starts on Saturday and ends on Tuesday, July 5.

The Tonga people of Southern Province use the Lwiindi Gonde traditional ceremony to pay homage to their ancestral spirits for the good rains and harvest and also pray for rains for the subsequent farming season.

ZNBC

Masebo claims MMD is in panic, as Sata announces she resigned to join PF

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Chongwe Member of parliament Sylvia Masebo
Chongwe Member of parliament Sylvia Masebo

Chongwe Member of parliament Sylvia Masebo says she is excited at attacks targeted at her by the MMD following her resignation because they are an indication that the ruling party is panicking.

Ms. Masebo has told QFM amid laughter that she is wondering why the MMD has continued to attack her when they had earlier indicated that her exit from the party was good riddance.

The parliamentarian could however not comment on the accusations that she has been asking MMD members in Chongwe to surrender their MMD materials so that they can be used for a staged defection this weekend.

Ms. Masebo told QFM that she was rushing for a meeting to plan for a rally scheduled to place tomorrow in Chongwe district.

She adds that all queries that people have been asking about her will be answered during the same rally where she will formally announce her exit from the MMD.

Yesterday the MMD in Lusaka province during a press briefing announced that the Party had information that Ms. Masebo was planning to stage a fake defection were she would lead the defectors to the PF.

And Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata says Chongwe Member of parliament Silvia Masebo resigned from the ruling MMD because she wants to join the opposition Patriotic Front.

Mr. Sata says every person has a right to decide where they want to belong noting that when an individual decides to resign it means they are not satisfied with their current position.

He says Ms. Masebo is welcome to join the party adding that the PF will be ready to welcome her.

In a telephone interview with QFM, Mr. Sata says with the recent defection of former Kitwe mayor Lackson Kazabu from the UPND, the PF will continue welcoming more members into the party.

Mr. Sata says Mr. Kazabu’s defection to the PF is confirmed and that he has since applied to contest one of the constituencies in Kitwe on the PF ticket.

QFM