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Govt hailed for using agriculture to empower Zambians

Guest Editor
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Two Traditional rulers in Mkushi District say they fully support government’ s strategy of using agriculture to reduce the high poverty levels in the country.

Speaking at the Lweo agriculture Block Show in Masansa area in Mkushi at the weekend, Chief Mulungwe said that government’s approach was in unison with their objective of enhancing food security through increased crop production.

Chief Mulungwe noted that the traditional leadership in the area was cheered by government’s consistency in achieving these objectives through the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

He said FISP had greatly improved the plight of small scale farmers.

He advised residents to recognize the essence of government interventions such as FISP, adding that there was need for people to understand that such policies promote self alliance.

Chief Mulungwe said that there was need for residents to match government’s commitment to agriculture, by working hard and using agriculture resources wisely in a bid to achieve high production.

He openly criticized the culture of depending on donation handouts and expressed his support for government’s insistence on economic independence through hard work.

At the same function, Chief Chikupili commended government for including schools developing human resource amongst the many developmental projects it had been carrying out recently.

He said government had demonstrated its commitment to developing human resource by carrying out infrastructure development such as rehabilitation and construction of schools.

[ ZANIS ]

Disclose Chanda Chimba’s funding, state urged.

Guest Editor
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Hope for Human Rights has challenged government to state the source of funding for the Chanda Chimba produced Stand Up for Zambia Programme in which he is said to be continuously attacking PF leader Michael Sata.

Organization’s Executive Director Smart Chanda told QFM news that if the programme is meant to educate the electorate on the profiles of the aspiring candidates in the 2011 presidential elections, then Chanda Chimba should also be tasked by the minister of information to document profiles on all the aspiring candidates.

Mr. Chanda says the continued attacks on Mr. Sata are not only a recipe for anarchy but also an indication of how the MMD is panicking ahead of this year’s 2011 elections.

He was reacting to government spokespersons’ statement Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha that the Chanda Chimba documentaries are educative to the electorate as they inform them about the people they intend to vote for in this year’s election.
[ QFM ]

‘MMD will be shocked on PF’s western vote’

Guest Editor
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Inonge Wina
Inonge Wina

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) national chairperson Inonge Wina has charged that those doubting the popularity of the opposition party in Western Province will wake up to a rude shock after this year’s tripartite elections when the PF forms government.

Mrs. Wina says the PF has acquired massive support in the province adding that a number of people realized that only PF leader Michael Sata is capable of giving Zambians alternative leadership.

The PF national chairperson told Qfm that people in Western province will not be deterred from rallying behind the PF by a few individuals who she describes as having failed to take development to the area.

She added that no amount of propaganda will stop the majority Zambians from changing government in the coming elections.

Mrs. Wina said contrary to assertions by veteran politician Sikota Wina who has suggested that the opposition party is being fooled by crowds who attended its rallies in Mongu and Senanga adding that Lozi people are complicated.
[ QFM ]

Help! my child has sickle cell disease

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Dear G.P

My child has been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. He suffers terible pain and I’m so helpless.Is this something my child will eventually outgrow? What is the best possible way to treat this.

Worried parents

Dear Worried parents,

My heart goes out to you and your little one.Unfortunately sickle cell anemia is not something your child will outgrow but will have to live with for the rest of his life.The good news is by taking precautions and aggressively managing problems that occur, sickle cell patients now have with a better quality of life than they did years ago.

 

What is sickle cell disease

Sickle cell anemia is a disease passed down through families in which red blood cells form an abnormal crescent shape. (Red blood cells are normally shaped like a disc.This stops your blood carrying oxygen as well as it should. And sickle cells can’t travel in your bloodstream as easily as ordinary red blood cells. They sometimes get stuck in your small blood vessels. This can stop blood getting to some parts of the body.Any part of the body not getting a sufficient blood supply will become painful and damage to that tissue could occur if circulation is not restored.

What are the symptoms?

-The hallmark of sickle cell disease is Pain. Almost everyone with sickle cell disease gets pain at some point, although for some people it doesn’t happen very
often.Pain in commonly in the abdomen, legs and arms and chest.

-Because sickle cell disease stops blood carrying oxygen properly, your child may get tired or breathless easily.

-He may be more likely to catch infections as children with sickle cell anemia are more vulnerable  because of damage to their immune systems from the disease.

-He may get swollen hands or feet.

-He may have yellow color of the eyes and skin

What can you do to help?

Fluids are number one in importance. Your child should drink as much water as possible each day to prevent dehydration.( 8-10 cups of water)

Avoid stressful situations and make sure your child gets enough rest and warmth.

It’s best not to expose the child to smoke. Both active and passive smoking may promote acute chest syndrome in sickle cell patients.

Some people find very hot or cold temperatures bring on attacks of sickle cell pain.

Moderate exercise can be good but very strenuous exercise might bring on an attack of sickle cell pain.

Avoid conditions, such as crowds, that increase risk for infections.

Avoid high altitudes if possible. If flying is necessary, be sure that the airline can provide oxygen.

Foods- Good nutrition is essential for anyone and critical for patients with sickle-cell disease.

Feed your child lots of  green,red and yellow vegetables, fruits, or juices(9 servings daily)  as these are rich in antioxidants and other important nutrients. Some research suggests that antioxidant foods or supplements (such as vitamins E or C) may help inhibit the formation of the dense cells that trigger a sickle-cell crisis.

-Protein is important for sickle-cell patients.

-Omega-three fatty acids

Some minerals that are of benefit include

-Zinc

-Magnesium

-Arginine

-L-glutamine

Patients should take daily folic acid and vitamin B12 and B6 supplements.

Note on Iron. Although sickle-cell disease is often referred to as anemia, iron supplements or iron rich foods should be avoided in patients receiving multiple transfusions, which increase the risk for iron-overload.

 

What treatments work?

Your child may need to take medicine by the mouth for up to 10 years to prevent life-threatening infections. Later in life, care focuses more on managing pain.Thus he will require regular doses of penicillin. Penicillin doesn’t normally cause serious side effects. Some children are allergic to it, but they can take a similar drug called erythromycin instead.

Vaccines can also help prevent infections.Your doctor may suggest a vaccine to protect your child from illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis. These vaccines can cause a mild fever, but they don’t usually have serious side effects.

Being in Zambia you will require anti-malarial drugs because malaria can trigger sickle cell pain.

folic acid (to help prevent severe anemia)

 

Treatments for pain

If your child gets mild pain, an over-the-counter painkiller, such as panadol or ibuprofen will suffice. Aspirin is another common painkiller, but you shouldn’t give it to children under 16.

For moderate pain, your doctor may give you or your child a weak opioid drug, such as codeine. Or you may be prescribed a strong nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

If you or your child gets severe pain, your doctor may recommend a strong opioid painkiller, such as morphine.You’ll have to go to hospital.You may also be given extra fluids from a drip and oxygen to breathe in through a mask.

Severe sickle cell anemia can be treated with a medicine called hydroxyurea. This medicine prompts your body to make fetal hemoglobin. In people who have sickle cell anemia, fetal hemoglobin helps prevent red blood cells from sickling and improves anemia.

Given daily, hydroxyurea reduces how often painful sickle cell crises and acute chest syndrome occur. Many people taking hydroxyurea also need fewer  blood transfusions and have fewer hospital visits.However scientists ares still studying the long-term effects of hydroxyurea on people who have sickle cell anemia. Early studies in children suggest that the medicine may help improve growth and preserve organ function, but this has not been proven.A side effect of concern is Hydroxyurea can reduce the number of white blood cells in your blood.  This can lead to an increased risk of infections.

 

Other treatments

Bone marrow transplant offers the only potential cure for sickle cell anemia. But, finding a donor is difficult and the procedure has serious risks associated with it, including death.

If you become seriously ill because of sickle cell disease, you may need a blood transfusion. A transfusion can help with severe anaemia, lung problems, or a stroke. Most people with sickle cell disease will need a blood transfusion at some point.

Prognosis

Many people cope well with sickle cell disease and live successful lives. However, it is possible to get severe pain and a lot of health problems. It’s important to know about the problems your child could  get, and act straight away if your child gets ill.

When to seek medical attention

-fever
-pain that doesn’t go away after taking ordinary painkillers
-pain in the abdomen that lasts a long time
– chest pain
– difficulty breathing
-trouble speaking
– changes in vision
– weakness in the hands or feet
-headaches that don’t go away
-in boys an erection that doesn’t go away (priapism)

What is the future of Sickle Cell Anemia treatment?
Scientists have learned a great deal about sickle cell anemia during the past 30 years – what causes it, how it affects the patient, and how to treat some of the complications.

The ultimate cure for sickle cell anemia may be gene therapy. In sickle cell anemia, the gene which switches on production of adult hemoglobin shortly before birth is defective. Two approaches to gene therapy are being explored. Some scientists are looking into whether correcting this gene and inserting it into the bone marrow of people with sickle cell anemia will result in the production of normal adult hemoglobin.

Others are looking at the possibility of turning off the defective gene and simultaneously reactivating another gene that turns on production of fetal hemoglobin. In both cases, the research is at a very early stage. Progress is being made, however, and there is a real possibility of an eventual clinical cure for sickle cell anemia.

Although the genetic defect that causes sickling was identified more than 40 years ago, until very recently, research into the development of treatments for the disease was hampered by the lack of an animal model that could be used to test experimental drugs and gene therapy. Recently, however, scientists were able to genetically engineer a line of mice that exhibit some of the characteristics of sickle cell disease in much the same way humans do. This is an important advance in the search for an effective treatment and eventual cure for sickle cell disease.

Some researchers are focusing on identifying drugs that will increase the level of fetal hemoglobin in the blood. Fetal hemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin that all humans produce before birth, but most stop making shortly after birth. Most humans have little fetal hemoglobin left in their bloodstream by the time they reach the age of 6 months. However, some people with sickle cell anemia continue to produce large amounts of fetal hemoglobin after birth, and studies have shown that these people have less severe cases of the disease. Fetal hemoglobin seems to prevent sickling of red cells, and cells containing fetal hemoglobin tend to survive longer in the bloodstream.

Hydroxyurea appears to work primarily by stimulating production of fetal hemoglobin. There is some evidence that administering hydroxyurea with erythropoietin, a genetically engineered hormone that stimulates red cell production, may make hydroxyurea work better. This combination approach offers the possibility that lower doses of hydroxyurea can be used to achieve the needed level of fetal hemoglobin. However, both of these drugs may produce serious side effects, so researchers continue to search for safer agents that are just as effective.

‘Butyrate, a simple fatty acid that is widely used as a food additive, is also being investigated as an agent that may increase fetal hemoglobin production.

Clotrimazole, an over-the-counter medication commonly used to treat fungal infections, is under investigation as a treatment to prevent the loss of water from the red blood cells that contributes to sickling. It is hoped that this medication, used alone or in conjunction with other anti-sickling agents, may eventually offer an effective long-term therapy for sickle cell anemia patients.

Bone marrow transplantation has been shown to provide a cure for severely affected children with sickle cell disease. Although many of the risks of this procedure have been reduced, it still is not entirely without risk. In addition, the marrow must come from a healthy matched sibling’ donor, and only about 18 percent of children with sickle cell anemia are likely to have a matched sibling. Researchers are working on techniques to further reduce some of the risks of bone marrow transplantation for patients with sickle cell disease.

Disclaimer:The information in this article is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind.If you have any health concerns please see your health care provider

Edward Mumbi, The Chief Political Spoiler (CPS)

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l Edward Mumbi

By Daimone Siulapwa

 

WHO is the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) spokesperson? For those that have come off the bus and are new town, they might think it is Edward Mumbi. The former Patriotic Front (PF) secretary-general has indeed been more vocal than the MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya.

It does not take a genius to know that, if you look at the statements defending Rupiah Banda and those attacking Michael Sata, the main opposition in this year’s presidential elections, Edward Mumbi’s are likely to beat that of Dora Siliya in volume.

Mr Mumbi officially joined the MMD on August 27, 2009 after some months away from politics following his removal as PF secretary general, having succeeded Charles Chimuumbwa, who defected to the ruling party after being poached by late President Levy Mwanawasa.

In joining the MMD, Mr Mumbi said the challenges that face the nation cannot be addressed within the context of reckless populist politics, which are far from the development path and are based on a selfish quest for power, as exhibited by some political leaders, an apparent reference to PF leader Michael Sata.

He further said political leaders who chart the path of reckless political populism are dangerous to the nation and advised that no one should support them adding that it is important for Zambians to begin a real debate in the country over important issues and to gauge the capacity of some political leaders.
Question to ask is whether Mr Mumbi, since joining the MMD has been debating on important issues in politics. Again, no prizes for getting the answer right there!

Mr Mumbi has spent his close to two years in the MMD blindly defending President Rupiah Banda and attacking Michael Sata.

Understandable that he has spent most of his time attacking Michael Sata, after all, he is a former lieutenant of the PF and therefore privileged to know the man a lot more better than the average voter on the street. In a way, you would say he is a big catch for the ruling party. He is to the MMD what George Mpombo is to the PF. The guys with secrets of their perceived opponents!
Having been part of Rupiah Banda’s Cabinet, you would expect George Welo Mpombo to know a lot more about the President than you and I. Little wonder Mr Mpombo was making revelations about RB’s son and State House being involved in arms deals at the time he served as Defence minister.

In the same way, we have seen Edward Mumbi with some damning allegations such as claims that Michael Sata received $100, 000 through Finance bank which he used to fund former Change Life Zambia executive director Fr Frank Bwalya for the Red Card Campaign.

Mr Mumbi also challenged Mr Sata to tell the nation what he has done with the money donated to the party by well-wishers saying as chief executive of the Patriotic Front at the time, he was aware of the huge sums of money the party received from well-wishers including some international donors adding that he was the one who used to take the money to the PF leader whenever the party received funds from the donor community.

“The money made available to the party by the donor community has not gone to any of the nine provinces in the country. I want him to explain to the nation where that money is. Having been chief executive of the party, I knew everything about the party and I received the money on behalf of the party and delivered it to Mr. Sata. If what I am saying about his dishonest conduct is not true, let him come out and deny it,” Mr Mumbi was quoted as saying.
However, the biggest problem is believing such characters, who today were in one party, and then the following day have moved to another due to personal frustrations bordering on their individual aspirations.

As late as the 2008 Presidential elections, Mr Edward Mumbi was chief executive officer of the PF and as such, instrumental in ensuring that Michael Sata beats Rupiah Banda in the elections that followed after the death of Levy Mwanawasa. Could he be a Plant?
Now in joining the MMD, Mr Mumbi talked about politics of popularism being dangerous to the nation. This was an obvious reference to Michael Sata. Question is at what point did Mr Mumbi realise these kind of politics are dangerous for the nation.

For the record, Mr Sata since his defeat in the 2001 elections has been on the road with populist messages which have appealed him to mostly the unemployed urban youths and workers in the informal sector. Mr Sata has talked about lowering taxes, putting more money in people’s pockets and has spoken against Chinese investors (whom he calls infestors) and also the Lebanese.

In talking about lowering taxes and putting more money in people’s pockets even without explaining how he is going to do this, Mr Sata’s popularity has surged in urban centres where the tax regime has been felt by the working class.
Now, this populist message has always been part of Mr Sata since 2001. Even at the time he was standing against Rupiah Banda in 2008, it was this message that he was preaching with Edward Mumbi, being secretary general, as his right hand man. Mr Edward Mumbi is an adult, and should have known that these kind of populist politics are dangerous for the nation. But having been relieved of his position in the PF, he now wants to believe that this is the only time he has seen the danger of such kind of politics. This is insulting the intelligence of the Zambian people.

Same goes for Mr George Welo Mpombo, who was one of the fiercest critics of Mr Sata, especially in the 2006 elections. We all remember that statement by Mr George Mpombo labeling Mr Sata as a political demagogue who the people of the Copperbelt will not tolerate. Now, we know Mr Mpombo as having a tendency to use bombastic words, even when a simple word could suffice. But just for the record, the word demagogue means a political leader who gains power by appealing to people’s emotions, and prejudices in a way that is considered manipulative and dangerous. The synonyms for this word are agitator, manipulator, crowd pleaser and haranguer. If indeed Michael Sata is a demagogue, then one ought to believe what Edward Mumbi says about the PF leader, which is that his populist politics are a danger to the nation.
But who do you believe? Mr Mpombo is today supporting Mr Sata who a few years (at a time Mr Mumbi was among his staunchest supporters) described as a demagogue. On the other hand, having been fired by Mr Sata as secretary general of the PF, Mr Mumbi is today repeating the very same words that were used against his former boss.

Simply put, individuals such as Mr Mpombo and Mr Mumbi are themselves a danger to this nation. They are not helping our people to make informed decisions because of flip-flopping on many issues. Are these the people we want as our leaders? God forbid!

This country is better of without such characters on the political playing field.

HH describes 2011 polls as an opportunity to unite

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http://www.lusakatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/hh_hakainde
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema

United Party For National Development,UPND president Hakainde Hichilema says the 2011 tripartite elections will provide Zambians
with an opportunity to unite around a common purpose of national reconstruction.

Mr.Hichilema said the country’s problems need to be resolved by leaders of a future mentality as they are of the future and not the past.

Speaking on a special program on Radio Phoenix yesterday,Mr.Hichilema said the 2011 elections are not centered on personalities or ethnic boundaries but rather around a general purpose of alleviating poverty and growing the economy.

He vowed to embark on a 10% annual economic growth in his first five years of office through robust implementation of policies which are centered on citizenry empowerment through decent investment.

He said it is possible to reduce the country’s poverty and match it with economic growth by cutting on extravagant and unnecessary spending in order to channel the funds towards service delivery which will include a motivated public service.

“How do you have a poor country that has 66 ministers and their deputies each with at least three vehicles each worth K500 million, which totals
to K1.5 billion per minister.Multiplying that by 66 will give you a rough figure on how much extravagance and unnecessary spending there is in this government.That is the money once in power will be used to alleviate poverty and improve on service delivery because we will have a sizable cabinet”he explained.

Mr.Hichilema revealed that his government will ensure that it invests in the education of every child’s skill which will in turn be a necessary tool in national building through entrepreneurship thus lead to expansion in the labour force and subsequently increase on the national tax base.

He said this move will empower Zambians through structured investment opportunities for both local and foreign direct investment especially in areas of agriculture and construction.

“Look,the country has got so much potential.The UPND government will provide a structured investment environment for the benefit of our local population.We have so much land and water for agricultural purposes.All that is needed is to harness that potential and allow the local population access to finances that will in turn grow the economy,”Mr.Hichilema said.

The UPND leader said his government will also concentrate on providing subsidies towards production and not consumption in order to lower the cost of food and in turn lower the country’s inflation rate which unfortunately is currently not matching with trends.

He has since urged Zambians especially the youths and women to demand for regime change and usher in a new and vibrant leadership that will propel the country to economic recovery that will in turn result into job creation,expanded tax base,reduced inflation and economic empowerment through massive investment.

‘Mobile hospitals to bring sharing of vital data’

Guest Editor
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Copperbelt Province mobile hospital services coordinator Alex Mukape has said the introduction of mobile hospitals will promote sharing of vital medical and technological information between medical specialists and health professionals in rural areas.

Dr. Mukape said in an interview yesterday that the introduction of mobile hospitals has created an opportunity where rural-based medical staff would be empowered with latest technical knowledge through practical work with teams of consultants and general medical officers assigned to the mobile facilities.

“The sharing of technical information, which is a privilege usually synonymous with medical staff working in big hospitals, is now no longer a far-fetched dream for the rural-based health professionals because of the coming in of the mobile hospitals,” Dr Mukape said.

He said apart from offering vital health services to the public, the mobile hospitals were a forum for the exchange of information between junior medical personnel, consultants and other health professionals, a rare privilege for rural-based health professionals.

Dr Mukape said mobile hospitals were so well-equipped that the services they were providing were equivalent to those of a general hospital.

He said the mobile hospitals were in a position to carry out any emergency operation in their theatres and patients could be taken to the nearest hospital for continued observation.

He said other services being offered by mobile hospitals were equivalent to those being offered by any second-level hospital in the world, including diagnostics, ultra-sound facilities, x-ray, laboratory services and drug dispensary.

Dr Mukape said the mobile health facilities were operating in remote parts of each district for one week before moving on, and that this was aimed at ensuring that as many citizens as possible were given a chance to access the best medical services at no cost.

“The Government wants to ensure that the people who have been failing to access quality medical services are reached through the mobile hospitals,” he said.

The mobile hospital launched last month on the Copperbelt is currently stationed in Chief Ndubeni’s area in Mpongwe District where it is providing health services to the local residents and those from surrounding areas.

[ Times of Zambia ]

Lozis too smart for Sata – Lungwangwa

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Minister of Transport and Communications Geoffrey Lungwangwa says Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s visit to Western Province demonstrates politics of distortion and drama, which no-one deserves.

Professor Lungwangwa, who is also Nalikwanda member of Parliament, said Zambians need and deserve politics based on the truth.

Prof. Lungwangwa joins other stakeholders, including parliamentarians and civil society organisations, who have taken a swipe at Mr Sata for creating an impression that Western Province is behind his candidature.

“The people of Western Province are smart and able to see clearly that Mr Sata cannot take development there within 90 days. That is drama,” he said.

Prof Lungwangwa was reacting to remarks made by Mr Sata, who visited Western Province last week.

He said the type of politics Mr Sata has continued to practise cannot build the nation.

Prof Lungwangwa said President Banda has taken massive development to the province.

Government recently released K213 billion for the construction of Lukulu, Mwandi, Nakanya, Mayukwayukwa and Sikongo, Libonda, Nangweshi, Mitete and Nalwei high schools in all the districts in Western Province.

Prof Lungwangwa said Government has also constructed basic schools in Western Province at a cost of K98 billion.

In addition, 270 classrooms at the basic school level have been constructed.

Government released another K2 billion for the construction of Shang’ombo Hospital, 27 Basic Schools, K706 billion for the construction of Senanga-Sesheke road and a bridge on the Zambezi River while K1.3 trillion will be spent on the Mongu-Kalabo to Sikongo via Angola and Katunda-Lukulu road.

Prof. Lungwangwa said with all this development in the province, Mr Sata cannot stand in front of the people and make a statement that there is no development in the province and that he will take development there within 90 days if voted into office.

He said the people of Western Province are able to see through Mr Sata’s statements and make judgment on his politics of drama, which he is famous for.

Prof. Lungwangwa said instead, Mr Sata should acknowledge the development in Western province.

Prof. Lungwangwa said Mr Sata should test his popularity in other parts of Western Province where he has not been. There are 17 constituencies in the province.

He said MMD is intact and strong in all the 17 constituencies in Western Province.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

‘We’ll respect chiefs’ decision’

Guest Editor
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The House of Chiefs says it will respect the decision of traditional leaders to endorse President Banda’s candidature in the coming tripartite elections because it is their individual choice.

House of Chiefs Chairperson Chief Madzimawe says traditional leaders have decided to throw their weight behind Mr Banda in this year’s polls because of the various development projects being implemented in all parts of Zambia.

Chief Madzimawe said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.

He said no amount of intimidation from any opposition party will stop chiefs from supporting President Banda and the MMD in the elections.

“Opposition leaders should not cry foul because some traditional leaders have decided to back President Banda. The chiefs are doing well because Government is taking care of them.

“Whatever pronouncements chiefs are making are a result of the traditional leaders’ own consciousness. No-one is forcing them to support Mr Banda. We are happy as the House of Chiefs that chiefs are giving guidance to their subjects on voting for the right leaders to foster development in the country,” Chief Madzimawe said.

Meanwhile, Chief Mwanachingwala of the Tonga people of Kalomo has advised the people of Western Province not to accept Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s political tactics to woo support for his candidature in the 2011 poll because ‘he has never been their friend.’

Chief Mwanachingwala said Mr Sata, who has openly promised the Lozi people of Western Province that he will restore the Barotse Agreement, among other things, if he assumes power, should not use westerners for political expediency.

“If the Lozis are clever, they will not accept people who have insulted them before. Since when has Mr Sata been a friend of the Lozis? I urge my cousins (Lozis) not to listen to him,” he said.

Chief Mwanachingwala said this in an interview yesterday.

He said if Mr Sata was interested in the restoration of the agreement, he should have done something about it when he occupied senior positions in former President Chiluba’s government for ten years.

He said he has no doubt that President Banda will win the presidency in the forthcoming general elections because he has impressed people countrywide with his government’s achievements in national development.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

Zambia National Building Society deal is transparent and clean – Simukoko

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ZAMBIA National Building Society (ZNBS) board chairperson Joyce Simukoko says the awarding of the contract to re-develop Society House was done in a transparent manner.

Mrs Simukoko said during the ground-breaking ceremony of the project in Lusaka yesterday that there was nothing sinister about the bidding process.

She said as far back as 2003, ZNBS has been scouting locally and internationally for potential development and equity partners to finance the project.

Mrs Simukoko said most of the firms were not interested because of the financial position of ZNBS, which up to 2009, had a negative balance sheet and a negative regulatory capital position to the tune of K52 billion.

She said by the financial year ending 2011, regulatory capital was in excess of K30 billion.

In 2009, various potential investors, both local and international approached ZNBS to finance the refurbishing of Society House and Central Arcades.

An invitation to consortiums was issued and 11 bought the bidding document on August 11, 2010.

Mrs Simukoko said the request for proposal was open to consultants and contractors registered in Zambia who were required to tender as joint ventures or partnerships of consultants and building contractors.

Foreign consultants and contractors were eligible to participate on condition that they formed joint ventures with Zambian contractors.

On August 23, 2010, a pre-bid meeting was held where over 10 bidders were met to explain various elements of the request for proposal approved by the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA).

Six bidders submitted their bids and by end of November 2010, a detailed evaluation involving independent evaluators was conducted, out of which a successful bidder, Zambezi Consortium, was selected as the preferred bidder on September 1, 2010.

And on January 11, 2011 a proposal for the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) to consider financing the project based on the viability demonstrated in the business plan was presented.

NAPSA wrote back on April 28, 2011 to ZNBS confirming that it would finance the project

ZNBS and NAPSA engaged in contract negotiations which resulted in a mutually beneficial 20-year concession agreement.

[pullquote]She said contrary to reports in The Post that a Kenyan company had been awarded the contract, South African companies are the ones which have partnered with Zambians in the project.[/pullquote]

And ZNBS managing director Noriana Muneku said her institution will ensure that public assets are optimised and utilised in a way that increases welfare for the institution and for all stakeholders.

She said the selected execution model was carefully chosen to ensure that ZNBS does not divert its attention from its core business, including the provision of affordable mortgage finance.

“Thus, by executing this project, ZNBS aims to reinvigorate itself towards better delivery of its core mandate,” he said.

She said contrary to reports in The Post that a Kenyan company had been awarded the contract, South African companies are the ones which have partnered with Zambians in the project.

And NAPSA board chairman Dominic Mbangu said the authority is proud to associate itself with the project.

“Despite the lies which have been said about this project, we are proud of how it has turned out,” he said.

He said the authority followed procedure and discovered that it is worthwhile investing in the project.

Mr Mbangu also disclosed that NAPSA will collaborate re-development of building society properties.

“We will also have a manager to ensure that all the money invested in the project is recovered, and then we will hand over the building,” he said.

And Minister of Labour Austin Liato said allegations by The Post that President Banda forced NAPSA to invest in the re-development of ZNBS are misplaced and politically motivated to discredit the President.

Mr Liato also said allegations that NAPSA loaned money to ZNBS are misplaced because it will get back the money during the concession period, and then hand over the building to ZNBS.

He also said it was clear that allegations that Kenyan investors were awarded the contract are misplaced.

Miyanda refutes claims of support for Sata

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Heritage Party (HP) President, Brigadier-General Godfrey Miyanda says he can never support Patriotic Front (PF) President, Michael Sata.

General Miyanda has cited many reasons for his position, some of which he says are very sensitive.
He says among them is Mr Sata’s accusations in 2008 that the Heritage party was bribed by the MMD.

General Miyanda has told MUVI TV news in an exclusive interview that he still feels hurt and injured by Mr Sata’s comments.

He has further noted that nothing has been done by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) even after his formal complaint.

But PF chairperson for local government, Given Lubinda has said Mr Sata is not seeking for general Miyanda’s endorsement.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Sata, Mr Lubinda has explained that the PF leader would rather seek the endorsement of the Zambian people.

MUVI TV

Five More Players Join Zambia Camp

sports
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2

The list of foreign-based players at Zambia’s camp in Kitwe this afternoon swelled to seven following more arrivals on Thursdsay.

Five players arrived in camp today, two in the morning and another three later during Thursday afternoon training session at Arthur Davies Stadium.

Collins Mbesuma and Joseph Musonda both of South African club Golden Arrows entered camp in the morning 24 hours just after arriving in the country.

Later, Israeli based midfielder William Njobvu and the South African based duo of Chintu Kampamba and Clifford Mulenga arrived in Kitwe.

The five join Christopher Katongo and Francis Kasonde who were the first foreign-based players to arrive in camp on Tuesday.

Twelve players in total are now in camp to give coach Dario Bonetti a semblance of a team to work  with.

Green Buffaloes midfielder Allan Mukuka his club mate and defender Dennis Banda, Red Arrows Jimmy Chisenga, Thomas Nyirenda from Konkola Blades and Power Dynamos goalkeeper Joshua Titima form the home based contingent in the team.

PF parliamentarian urges electorate to vote for RB

Guest Editor
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39

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament for Kalulushi Constituency has urged the electorate in the area to vote for President Rupiah Banda in this year’s elections.

Speaking to ZANIS in Kalulushi yesterday, Mr Anton Simama said there is need for electorate in the area to vote for President Banda who he said has brought in various development activities not only in Kalulushi but the entire country within a short period of time.

Mr. Simama explained that although he was an opposition PF parliamentarian, he was currently working with the MMD government that has facilitated various development projects that are visible for all to see.

He described the ruling MMD as a winning party because of the development that President Banda brought to the area.

President Banda’s administration recently initiated a construction programme of constructing 420 small, medium and low cost houses in the district in collaboration with the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and so far 100 houses are already constructed.

Mr. Banda’s government was also engaging a contractor to tar the economically viable Kalulushi – Lufwanya road.

[ ZANIS ]

Immigration nabs 10 PIs in Siavonga

Guest Editor
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7

Security agents in Siavonga yesterday intercepted and impounded a banana boat carrying ten Eastern African prohibited immigrants who entered Zambia illegally.

The prohibited immigrants were in a group being ferried to unknown destination for Human Trafficking.

Siavonga District immigration officer in charge Mr.Willson Matoka confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS, today.

Mr. Matoka said the ten prohibited immigrants were found bundled in the banana boat which was coming from lower Zambezi River yesterday around 11 : 00 hours.

He said the immigrants have since been screened and detained at Siavonga police station.

They will appear in court soon.

The immigration department has so far nabbed hundreds of prohibited immigrants mainly in Lusaka, Nakonde and Siavonga after entering the county illegally.
[ ZANIS ]

UPND/MMD alliance secretly formed

Guest Editor
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44

The United party for national development (UPND) has formed a secret alliance with the MMD aimed at de-campaigning the patriotic front leader Michael Sata, QFM has been informed.

Sources close to QFM have stated that the alliance has been dubbed secret, away from public eye were the two political parties have agreed that PF should not form government.

It has been learn that part of the door to door campaign that the UPND has been conducting is aimed at de-campaign the PF president Michael Sata, stating that the PF government will legalize same sex relationships.

QFM news has also learnt that the secret alliance between the MMD and UPND will never go public, but will merely be working underground.

Sources further say that the alliance started after wrangles in the defunct PF/UPND pact emerged.

But UPND national youth coordinator Brian Hapunda has dispelled such reports saying that the UPND is far beyond such type of politics.

Mr. Hapunda has described such reports as mere speculation meant to undermine the party in the eyes of its members and supporters.

Mr. Hapunda explained that the UPND has never entered into any alliance with the MMD.

He says that the UPND does not see any reason to enter into an alliance with a party that has destroyed the country in the 20-year rule it has ruled Zambia.
[ QFM ]

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