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Private sector should consider maize storage infrastructure-RB

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President Rupiah Banda
President Rupiah Banda

PRESIDENT Banda has invited the private sector to consider investing in maize storage infrastructure following increased production in the country’s agriculturalsector.

Mr Banda said it is important to address the challenge of grain storage Zambia is facing by constructing and rehabilitating more silos and storage sheds in strategic locations of the country.

“Given the major maize harvest the country has recorded, my government realises the need to increase national storage capacity of agricultural inputs and products,” Mr Banda said.

Speaking at the official opening of the 54th Copperbelt Mining, Agricultural and Commercial Show, President Banda said Government is already undertaking the rehabilitation of storage facilities in selected parts of the country.

“Given that this is an enormous financial undertaking which requires long term planning, I invite the private sector to consider investing in storage infrastructure,” Mr Banda said.

And the President also said Government has embarked on the development and commercialisation of farm blocks to make more land available for investment.

The move will promote public private partnership aimed at enhancing economic diversification and growth.

The President said he was particularly happy that work in Nansanga farm block in Serenje is progressing well with prospective developers being indentified for investment.

Mr Banda also said Government has allocated K1 billion in this year’s national budget for the development of Luswishi farm block on the Copperbelt Province. He said the money will go towards the construction of roads and bridges in the farm block.

“It is envisaged that once this farm block is fully developed and operational, agriculture production will flourish in the province,” Mr Banda said.

The President said because of the good policies in the agricultural sector, Zambia has yet again produced the highest quantity of maize ever recorded in the country.

Zambia has produced 3,020,380 metric tonnes of maize this year compared to 2,795,483 metric tonnes produced in 2010.

“This represents an increase of eight percent. You will agree with me that this achievement is a clear testimony that our agriculture policies and programmes are succeeding and it is not only with maize that we have recorded a surplus. We also have more wheat, soya beans and other crops which have also performed above expectation,” Mr Banda said.

Meanwhile, Mr Banda has called on Zambians to take note of the fact that the country is emerging from economic doldrums and needs peace and unity to develop, JERRY MUNTHALI reports.

Mr Banda said during a luncheon hosted for him by the Lumwana Mining Company in Kitwe yesterday that Zambians should maintain peace and respect for each other as the nation goes to the polls later this year.

“Zambians must take note of the fact that our country is emerging from the doldrums, from its economic problems. We need to do more to move forward, we need peace and unity.

“As we go to the poll, we need to maintain respect and peace and allow Zambians to elect leaders of their choice. Our country must move forward in unity,” Mr Banda said.

He thanked the mining companies for working hard to contribute to the country’s economic development.

Lumwana Mining Company Limited managing director Adam Wright said his company joined the Chamber of Mines of Zambia because it recognises the importance of having a united and robust mining industry.

Mr Wright said Lumwana Mining Company is poised to increase production following the acquisition of Equinox Minerals by Barrick Gold.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

K 2 billion was spent on late President Mwanawasa ‘s mausoleum and grave

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Late President Levy Mwanawasa

Parliament heard yesterday that government spent over K2 billion on the construction of late Republican president Levy Mwanawasa’s mausoleum and grave.

Works and Supply Minister Gabriel Namulambe told Parliament that a sum total of the project was K2,876,147,959.20.

Mr Namulambe explained that government had engaged a construction firm called Messrs Yangts Jiang Enterprise Limited of Lusaka to construct the grave of the mausoleum of late Dr.Mwananwasa.

He revealed that the project was initially set to be completed by 20 April, 2011 but that could not be attained due to erratic funding.

Mr. Namulambe said the mausoleum would be expected to be completed on 20th July, this year.

He was responding to a question by Kanchibiya Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament (MP) Davies Mwango who wanted to know which company has been contracted to construct the mausoleum for the late third republican president.

The parliamentarian also wanted to know the exact cost of the project and when it was due to be completed.

And the Works and Supply minister has maintained that the rehabilitation of roads across the country is on-going and as such, government has put in place a master plan to improve the road infrastructure.

Mr. Namulambe was responding to a question by Kanyama PF MP Colonel Gerry Chanda who wanted to know when the
Government will come up with a master plan to rehabilitate all the damaged bituminous roads province by province.

Col. Chanda also wanted to know how much such an exercise would cost and what the time-frame for undertaking the
rehabilitation of the roads.

ZANIS

The Director of Public Prosecutions is untouchable- new LAZ president

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Director of Public Prosecution Chalwe Mchenga

THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) says the Director of Public Prosecutions enjoys Constitutional discretion to decide on which cases to prosecute or discontinue.

LAZ president Musa Mwenye said yesterday that DPP Chalwe Mchenga exercised his constitutional discretion when he decided not to appeal against the acquittal of former President Chiluba.

“The DPP enjoys Constitutional protection and independence and the Constitution is very clear on that. He exercises discretion whether to appeal or not,” Mr Mwenye said when he featured on Radio Phoenix’s Let The People Talk programme.

He said even the courts were perfectly right when they ruled that the DPP cannot be compelled to appeal against Dr Chiluba’s case.

He said Mr Mchenga is perfectly within his right to refuse to step down in the wake of public pressure for him to do so and that people should respect that right.

Mr Mwenye said LAZ cannot sanction the DPP because of the Constitutional nature of his office.

“As far as LAZ is concerned, the DPP is untouchable by us because State lawyers don’t need to have practising certificates. We can’t punish the DPP because he is a Constitutional office holder and he enjoys Constitutional tenure to that extent,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha dismissed Mr Mwenye’s claims that Constitution making failed because government bulldozed the process.

In an interview yesterday, Gen Shikapwasha said the government never bulldozed the process but was merely taking leadership as expected of any government.

“In any manner of constitution making, the government takes leadership and we were mandated by the people to make a new constitution. So as government, we consulted various stakeholders and others who participated in the process. They were more than those who stayed away,” Gen Shikapwasha said.

On the same programme yesterday, Mr Mwenye blamed the failure of the Constitution-making process on Government.

He alleged that the government ignored advice from key stakeholders and that there was no consensus on the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) Act and the process.

But Gen Shikapwasha said in any Constitution making process, not everyone agrees on everything but the majority takes the day.

He said as a man leading a credible and statutory institution, Mr Mwenye should not blame government because it is clear that the opposition failed the Constitution-making process.

He said government did everything possible to ensure that the country has a new Constitution but the opposition sabotaged the process.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Vision 2011 Coalition to launch a monthly SMS based opinion poll countrywide

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Vision 2011 and Beyond Coalition says it will soon start conducting nationwide opinion polls on Presidential, parliamentary and local government elections.

Vision 2011 and Beyond Coalition Executive Director Patrick Mukosha said the opinion poll will be conducted monthly until elections through mobile cellular phones.

Mr. Mukosha said the opinion polls will be conducted among the three major political parties United Party for National Development (UPND), Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and Patriotic Front (PF).

He said the opinion polls are aimed at monitoring and ascertaining the popularity of political parties and their candidates in all the nine provinces.

“During our preliminary research, we discovered that only three political parties namely MMD,PF , and UPND has representation in all provinces and are the ones claiming to be popular than the other and each one is bubbling with confidence that they will form the next government. It is for this reason that our research was narrowed to these three political parties” he said.

He added that the opinion poll is also aimed at stimulating interest and boost morale among the electorate in the country.

Mr. Mukosha said in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today that this will be one way to encourage the spirit of togetherness, co-existence and reduce violence among the general populace.

“We will give the general public a true and fair view of the popularity of the political parties and each aspiring presidential candidate every month leading to the 2011 polls.” He said.

He explained that the research project will help the country in building confidence and credibility in the country’s electoral system.

Mr. Mukosha said the opinion poll exercise have been prepared in a manner that is easy for anyone to participate using the Short Message System (SMS)

Meanwhile, the Vision 2011 and Beyond Coalition Director observed that stakeholders and political players in the electoral process have been compromised.

He said the stakeholders have divided with others supporting the ruling party while some are supporting the opposition.

Mr. Mukosha added that this scenario has resulted in the country having uneven level political playing field.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda has no list of preferred candidates for MPs-MMD

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MMD acting national secretary Chembe Nyangu

Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) Acting National Secretary, has refuted claims by some members within the party that President Rupiah Banda has preferred candidates to stand as Parliamentary candidates in the forthcoming elections.

In a press statement released to ZANIS today, Mr. Nyangu said the MMD Secretariat has received disturbing reports among senior party members
most of whom are parliamentarians, spreading rumours that the President has preferred candidates to stand as MPs.

Mr. Nyangu said the claims were baseless and unfounded and that the party had reaffirmed the President’s statements in the press briefing
that took place recently.

He said the party would stand by the President’s address to the media who said that the grassroots would decide who should be their parliamentary candidates.

The National Secretary explained that the MMD Secretariat was encouraging all those willing to apply to feel free and lodge in their applications to their respective constituencies without feeling intimidated.

Mr. Nyangu advised the general membership to cooperate with the party leadership and respect each other.

ZANIS

Friendly Voice for Barotseland

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By Mungandi wa Muwina Mungandi

Reading through a feature article in one of the Government controlled dailies for 2nd June 2011 written ‘by a correspondent’ gave rise to such a mixed grill of emotions and reactions within me, so much so that in the same instance, I experience a lump on my throat, goose pimples all over me and pangs in my belly. It is nauseating to say the least, how a so called ‘correspondent’ of such a ‘respected’ newspaper can write such an article which is hell-bent on spreading ignorance and get away with it. The Editors of the paper can be so parochial in their anti-Barotse stance that they can allow such an ill-informed mumble-jumble concoctions of anti-Barotse rhetoric, crafted purely to mislead and misinform the masses, to actually go to press.

It is clear that blinded by a mixture of hatred for Michael Sata and envy for the perceived political mileage that he (Sata), is making in Barotseland over the issue of the Barotseland Agreement 1964, the author makes an attempt to discredit him through this article. The Correspondent may dislike or disapprove of Mr. Sata, but on the issue of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 he is as right as can be. He is among a few politician in Zambia who have clearly stated that the Barotseland Agreement 1964 is not a non issue (Others include Charles Milupi, HH, and Elias Chipimo Jnr.) Whether he is just politicking and does not mean what he is saying is beside the point. Let us place credibility where it is due. In the process the Correspondent makes such glaring inconsistencies and sometimes tells blatant lies that should not be allowed to go unchallenged. In any case if these errors are made out of ignorance then I must say I pity the Author of that article and the Editors of the paper for the heavy cargo of ignorance that they carry. May humbly attempt to drastically reduce their excessive load of ignorance herein:

There is a difference between calls for the Restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 and secession, a world of difference. I cannot understand how anyone who claims even a fraction of literacy cannot see this difference. We have said this over and over again and in fact the Litunga’s recent special envoy to State House, HRH Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta went to great pains and lengths to explain that calls for the Restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 should not be equated to or confused with secession.
The issue of secession does not arise in the case of Barotseland because Barotseland and the rest of Zambia were two separate territories which came together at independence by way of a unity treaty (The Barotseland Agreement 1964) to form the Unitary State of Zambia. The breakup of the unitary state of Zambia due to breach of the unity treaty is not secession but simply separation according to international law, in this case the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
To say that the Litunga is not in favour of the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 is just mind – boggling. I certainly don’t know if this Author and his Editors ever care to check their sources. Well the records speak very loud and clear that both the current Litunga and those before him have made relentless demands for the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964. Please check all the Constitutional Review Commissions reports that this country has had. It is also on record that, apart from their submissions to the CRCs including the just ended NCC, both the current Litunga and those before him have sent delegation after delegation to all successive Zambian Governments, basically demanding the Restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 (The Last delegation being the one led by HRH Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta in Feburary 2011 which clearly demanded for the Restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 and its inclusion in the Zambian Constitution as can be seen from the opening clause of the preamble of the Resolutions presented to state house by that high powered BRE delegation as follows:
“NOTING that the past Governments of the Republic of Zambia had persistently refused to recognize and implement the Barotseland Agreement 1964 despite the receipt of numerous appeals from the Barotse Royal Establishment…”

The Issue of the Barotseland Boundaries is not in contention by any standard. It is clearly documented by both the colonial government of Northern Rhodesia and the Zambian government both in text and diagrammatically. Yes, the Kingdom of Barotseland at its highest pick had influence going far beyond the current boarders of Barotseland and indeed Zambia. Yet when we talk about Barotseland today we are talking about a territory that is clearly defined and internationally undisputed and has been for almost a century from as far back as 1920 and probably beyond. Certainly not the mythical ‘railway line boundary’ that this educated illiterate author is talking about. Please care to look at the maps of Barotseland attached below:
Zambia and Zambians, like this educated illiterate author, should stop playing Ostrich with the Barotseland Agreement 1964 issue. The facts are as clear as the nose on your face. It is wishful thinking for anyone to imagine that it will just fade away. Let us not think like my good friend Mr. Humphrey Siulapwa who thinks because he was not born when the Barotseland Agreement was signed then he cannot recognize it; how naïve, illogical, dull and retrogressive! Siulapwa might as well reject his mother’s roots because she was born before he was.

MOVIE REVIEW

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Fast and Furious 5: FAST FIVE

This movie is jammed up with testosterone, excellent action packed movie. It starts off where the last movie ended, with Dom (Vin diesel) being transported to prison. They pull off a daring escape then it’s off to Rio de Janeiro.

While in Rio, Dom makes an enemy out the city’s biggest drug lord. So he assembles a dream team consisting of O’Connor (Paul walker), Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), Han (Sung Kang), Gisele (Gal Gadot), for the heist of a life time. It won’t be that easy, as DEA agent Hobbs (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), who is built like a tank, is hot on their trail.

PROS’

There is great chemistry among the cast members, no one gets over shadowed.
There is never a dull moment in this movie, so much fast passed action and some terrific stunts to keep your eyes glued to the screen.
The throw down between Vin diesel and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was just incredible.
CONS’

Fans of the previous movies may be disappointed that there is not much car racing in this installment.

CONCLUSION

This is without a doubt the best movie I have watched this summer. Highly recommend everyone to watch it.

FAVORITE QUOTES

Dom Toretto (Vin diesel): “Money will come and go? We all know that. The most important thing in life will always be the people in this room. Right here, right now. Salute, mi familia”.

Tej (Ludacris): “Did he smack that? Or did he grab it?”

By Kapa187

Growth targets will be attained despite elections-Mutati

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Commerce minister Felix Mutati
Commerce minister Felix Mutati

Government has said that nothing will deter its goal of reaching the economic growth target set. Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati said government will remain focused to achieve this goal despite the 2011 tripartite elections.

“Come elections or not, Government is determined to reach the growths targets set this year. Zambia has reached a level of maturity of conducting election Government will this year achieve t the set targets this year come polls or not but we have to reach our target or even exceed it this year,” he said.

Mr. Mutati expressed gratitude at the unwavering support from the private sector through the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

He says investors in the country has assured of the good policies that have continued to flourish under ‘the able leadership’ of President Rupiah Banda.

Mr. Mutati was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yestarday.

The minister said Zambia has reached a level of maturity of conducting elections and that had nothing to derail to yield its intended target of growing the economy.

And Zambia has finalised preparations for much anticipated 10th African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) summit to be attended by the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Mr. Mutati said in the same interview that preparations for the summit have reached a 100 percent mark saying the Southern African country is now ready to host the AGOA.

Over 300 business executives and United States’ government officials are expected to participate at the forth coming AGOA conference to be hosted in Zambia .

“Preparations for the AGOA have reached 100%. Over 3,000 delegates from US will attend and 38 African countries to include ministers, chief executives and the civil society on the African continent plus Zambian entrepreneurs will attend,” he said.

Minister has also advised small scale entrepreneurs (SMEs) in Zambia to remain focused to penetrate the American markets.

Mr. Mutati urged the companies to be ambitious and remove the ‘small tag’ because they started from somewhere.

He dismissed assertions that only ‘bigger companies’ penetrate to the American markets.

He further urged the companies to focuses on adding value to their products improve on quantity, quality and certification to reach AGOA’s policy.

“Zambian companies should remove the mentality of small. They should not ever think of being small. But they should have an ambition to conquer the US market and how best to forge ahead. They only have to work on certification, volume and quality because every business firm started from somewhere,” Mr. Mutati said.

The 2011 theme is enhanced trade, through increased competitiveness, value addition and deeper regional integration.

The aim of the strategy on AGOA is to provide a focuses a framework through which Zambia ’s competitiveness and comparative advantage can be harnessed and channelled to exploit opportunities in the US market.

ZANIS

Government urges mining companies to nurture local entrepreneurs

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Mines minister Maxwell Mwale hugs investors in the mining sector
Mines minister Maxwell Mwale hugs investors in the mining sector

Government has urged mining companies in the country to continue nurturing the emerging local entrepreneurs who it says help in reducing production costs.

And Mopani Copper Mines says the financial turnaround in the mining sector has helped its increased sizeable contribution to the community.

Mines and Minerals minister Maxwell Mwale says following the liberalization of the economy, most members of the general public are at liberty to engage in meaningful business related to mining industry, among others.

Mr Mwale said this during the Copperbelt mining agriculture and commercial show ( CMAC ) luncheon hosted for him by Mopani copper mines held at jubilee lodge in Kitwe’s show grounds. This year’s theme is : 2011 ‘prosperity on the Copperbelt’.

‘I thank the management of our mining industry for supporting our local business community. I implore you to continue to nurture this emerging force of entrepreneurs whose role you must insist, must be to help to you to cut down on cost of production,’ he said.

He urged the emerging business community to diversify their businesses so that it is able to survive in an event of a global crisis and continue to run their business beyond the life of the mines.

Mr Mwale said the fruits of the growing mining industry must be seen in the increased employment levels among our graduates.

He said the sharpening of technical and administrative skills must match those found in operations with the best practices anywhere in the mining world.

” I urge the CEOs to collaborate through the chamber of mines to take action immediately to close the skills gap that has emerged following a change of training policy after privatization in 2000.

” Create room in your operations for our school leavers to train from apprenticeship to mangers and executives so that they are fully equipped with requisites skills to competently run your operations,|” he stated.

Mr Mwale said government is developing a multi economic facility zone on the Copperbelt and advised the Zambian business community to cease the opportunity to establish themselves.

He noted that the supply, construction and financial services in Kitwe have become much stronger than was the case at the time of privatization in 2000 considering the uncertainties brought about by the decline in the performance of copper mining industry.

And Mopani chief executive officer Emmanuel Mutati said the financial turn-around in the mining sector has enabled the company to increase its already sizeable contribution to the community.

Mr Mutati said his company has taken advantage of the current good metal prices to expand on production capacity by investing in new projects that will increase not only production levels but also extend the life of the mines.

He said people have started seeing the prosperity on the Copperbelt which is the theme for the show and hoped that it will stand in good stead as the country moves forward.

He also said the work on the Kitwe bypass road has commenced and the planned road rehabilitation works in Kitwe.

On the Sabina Mufulira road, Mr Mutati said mopani will spend K10.5 billion on road works which are expected to be completed within 12 months.

ZANIS

Government expresses gratitude to World Vision International’s works

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Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor
Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor

Government has expressed its gratitude to the World Vision International for its commitment to find a lasting solution to food insecurity problems in the country.

Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristfor said the the International organisation’s efforts are in line with government’s policy of achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) in the area of food security other than crop diversification, construction of grain storage sheds, and dip tanks.

Mrs Kristafor said government is working hard to protect livestock from contagious diseases that have wiped out many animals and brought suffering to the people of Southern Province.

She said this in a speech read on her behalf that by the Deputy Permanent Secretary Alfred Chingi at the handover ceremony of a dip tanks and two grain storage sheds built by world vision at a cost of 262, 980,339.

Mrs Kristafor expressed happiness that the organisation’s C-FAARM projects involve local people in identifying and implementing projects that responds to community challenges.
The World Vision International , under the Consortium for food Security , Agriculture and Nutrition Aids Resilience and Marketing (C-FAARM) project, has constructed a dip tank in Munyati and a grain storage sheds in Sinanjola and Sianvwemu.

Sinazongwe District Commissioner (DC) Oliver Pelete also said the World Vision has been working in all areas of developmental sectors and the construction of the dip tank has increased the number of them to nine in the district.

Mr Pelete, however, said most of them were not being used and the Veterinary department is working hard to ensure that people in the district understand the benefit of dipping their animals to protect them from diseases.

The DC said the dip tanks cost a lot of money and it was vital for local communities to make use of them.

And World Vision Zambia operation Manager Fordson Kafweku says his organisation has built about 26 key infrastructures to support the local communities.

Mr Kafweku noted that the C-FAARM project has also provided food aid to over 14,187 to vulnerable people.

“ I am proud that 20 communities that we have worked with over the years have disaster risk reduction plan in place and are increasingly using early warning signs to improve their preparedness,” Mr Kafweku said.

ZANIS

TAZARA receives 90 wagons

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Managing Director Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika
Managing Director Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika

The Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has received 90 wagons worth 36million Chinese Yuan (USD5 million). And company Managing Director Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika says he expects the successful completion of all the 14th Protocol projects before the end of the year.

In a press release made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by TAZAR Head of Public Relations Conrad Simuchile said the first set of wagons have
just successfully completed the maiden trip.

He said this is also the first leg of the mandatory 1,860 kilometres test run from Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri Mposhi and back to Dar es salaam .

He states that the initial test run involved the haulage of 1050 metric tonnes of fertilizer from Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri Mposhi.

“ The train arrived on Wednesday 1 June 2011 and another train with a set of about 35 wagons is due to depart Dar es Salaam on Friday 3 June 2011. This will be followed by return trips of trains fully laden with 1200mt of copper cathodes from Kapiri Mposhi to Dar es Salaam, “he said.

This part of the US $ 40 million loan that the Chinese government granted TAZARA, through the governments of Tanzania and Zambia under the 14th Protocol in December 2009.

And the company Managing Director Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika says he expects the successful completion of all the 14th Protocol projects before the end of the year.

Mr. Mbikusita-Lewanika further said he was happy that, under the same protocol, 36 technical staff members are all set to leave for China
during the month of June to attend a skills enhancement programme.

Earlier the railway company issued guidelines for the selection of trainee candidates, which provided for optimum representation of females and ensured that the trainee selection was based on an objective aptitude determined, conducted and evaluated by experts from China.

The guidelines were designed to ensure that a total of 40 candidates competed through the selection process that would eventually leave only 36 trainee candidates, with equal representation from each of the three targeted disciplines of civil, mechanical and telecommunications, which were all shared equally between Tanzanian and Zambian employees.

ZANIS

The Dr. Moses Show

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Do you have challenges in your personal and professional life that seem impossible to overcome? Are you sometimes stuck and just don’t know what to do or who to turn to for help? Do your dreams seem unattainable and scary? Are you having challenges in your family life or at work?
This programme will help you in overcoming your challenges and give you valuable information that will assist you in your personal quest for excellence in both your personal and professional life.

Your host, Dr. Moses Simuyemba, is a medical doctor and Africa’s first Certified Power Coach. Power Coaching is a world renowned life coaching qualification of Coaching and Leadership International Inc, and is recognised by the International Coach Federation and the European Coaching Institute.
He is also an author, speaker and corporate trainer.

Dr. Moses is here to engage you in a “thought provoking and creative process that will empower you to maximise your personal and professional potential.”

His personal philosophy is summed up in the phrase “You are all you can be. Go on and be it.

So sit back and enjoy the show as we explore how YOU can make YOUR life better in every way.

You can also Tune in to Radio Phoenix in Zambia on Tuesdays at 17:00 hours to catch the live shows.

Now listen in to this audio entitled The Gap between Knowledge and Action





Retainers demand for increased salaries

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Chief Retainers in Serenje District have called on government to increase their salaries and improved conditions of service.

The retainers who spoke on condition of anonymity have also complained of the delays in getting their monthly salaries.

They told ZANIS in an interview today, that they have not yet received their April and May salaries.

The Retainers added that although they recently got their March salaries the money was inadequate to carter for their growing needs.

[ ZANIS ]

Good projects we are executing will be disturbed if the opposition assumes power-RB

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President Banda

PRESIDENT Banda has urged Zambians not to vote for opposition leaders because they have nothing to offer.

And Mr Banda has also appealed to MMD members to verify their details on the voters roll during the ongoing verification exercise being conducted by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

The President said in Ndola yesterday that it will be retrogressive for voters to choose the opposition at a time the country is recording economic growth and massive developments.

Mr Banda is on the Copperbelt to officially open this year’s Copperbelt Mining and Agricultural Show in Kitwe. He was accompanied by Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati and other Government officials.

“Don’t vote for politicians who have nothing to offer. We want to continue what we are doing as MMD for the benefit of the citizens of this country,” Mr Banda said.

The President was addressing people who welcomed him at Ndola International Airport. Mr Banda said the MMD has done very well and that its policies have transformed the country.

The President said it will be sad for the good projects the government is executing to be disturbed if the opposition assumes power.

“Everywhere we are constructing schools, clinics and roads and people should choose whether they want these good works to continue or not, because we have heard that some politicians want to become heads of state to settle scores,” Mr Banda said.

He said the economy has continued to record significant growth and that the country has enough food. Mr Banda also commended farmers for producing another bumper harvest this season.

The bumper harvest is as a result of the good policies of Government, he said.

“The opposition should be sincere as they campaign, instead of lying to our people that government is doing nothing. The MMD has done enough for the people of Zambia and the evidence is there,” Mr Banda said.

The President said once re-elected, he will continue to turn Zambia into a development hub which will grow internally and feed itself.

He said Zambia has achieved a lot in the agricultural sector and that there is enough food for consumption and export.

The President wondered where ‘false prophets’ are getting information that Zambians want to change government when the authorities are doing their best to develop the country.

“We have taken health facilities closer to the people through mobile hospitals and the response so far is very good. I wonder where people like Sata, Mulongoti and George Mpombo are getting information that people want change. The MMD will prove them wrong again during the elections this year,” Mr Banda said.

And the President has directed the MMD leadership on the Copperbelt to ensure that party members verify their particulars on the voters’ roll. Mr Banda said the verification exercise should be taken seriously by every voter.

“We want more members ahead of the elections, so let us ensure that we accommodate members rejoining our party. We need more people to vote for us during the general elections,” Mr Banda said.

“I want to leave a strong MMD when I retire in 2016, so we should defeat those who are against development,” Mr Banda said.

And Copperbelt provincial Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima assured President Banda of good support from the province.

Mr Mbulakulima said the MMD in the province is geared for the elections and commended President Banda for the procurement of mobile hospitals.

“Mobile hospitals are benefiting a lot of people, particularly in rural areas,” Mr Mbulakulima said.

He said Copperbelt Province has continued to record massive transformation because of the good policies of the MMD government.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Kansanshi Mines completes Environmental Impact Assessment draft report

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Chief Kapijimpanga has already given the mine permission to carry out the expansion project once ECZ has approved.
Chief Kapijimpanga (L) has already given the mine permission to carry out the expansion project once ECZ has approved.

Kansanshi Mining Plc has completed the draft report of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed construction of Sulphide tailing dams and handed over to Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) for approval.

Once the report is approved the construction of the tailing dams to be situated in Kabwela and Mbonge areas of Solwezi district will commence.

Speaking during the Environmental Council of Zambia organized consultative meeting in Kabwela settlement today, Kansanshi Mining Plc environmental manager Richard Zyambo said the mine has completed the draft report and only awaiting the approval of the ECZ.

Mr Zyambo said the project will take up 600 hectares of cultivated land adding that 289 peasant farmers will be displaced and relocated to another area to be identified and that the Solwezi Kipushi road will have to be diverted around the tailing dam’s embankment.

He added that Chief Kapijimpanga has already given the mine permission to carry out the expansion project once ECZ has approved.

Kabwela residents have welcomed the proposed construction of the tailing dams but are appealing to the mine to compensate them as quickly as possible to enable them look for alternative land and continue with their farming activities.

The residents said although they have been doing their farming on the said land for quite some time, they were ready to give it out so that the mine can expand its operations.

Speaking at the same meeting Kamalamba ward councilor Emmanuel Chihili appealed to the mining company to approach the project holistically so that none of the affected people is disadvantaged when it comes to compensation.

Mr Chihili said the mine should also consider empowering the displaced people with farming inputs and seed to enable them settle in the new area where they will be relocated to.

Kansanshi mining plc is proposing to construct two new tailing dams outside the mining area which will help in storing 9 million tones of copper and 200 million tones of tailings per annum and will be operational for a period of 20 years.

ZANIS