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 ]
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 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
Mozambique coach Mart Nooij has declared his team will collect the three points in against Zambia in their Africa Cup Group C qualifying clash on Saturday.
Nooij said this in Ndola upon arrival Thursday afternoon ahead of the match to be played at Nchanga Stadium that Mozambique will turn the tables in the return leg match.
Second placed Zambia beat third positioned Mozambique 2-0 in the first leg 2012 Africa Cup Group C meeting on March 27 in Maputo to exchange places in their qualifying pool.
“We are going to turn tables,” Nooij said. “Each match is final for us. For us qualifiers have already started as each game we play is very important to us.”
Zambia has six points, two more than Mozambique going into match-day four of their Africa Cup qualifying series.
Meanwhile, the injured pair of striker Emmanuel Mayuka from Young Boys in Switzerland and Green Buffaloes midfielder Felix Katongo on Wednesday showed promising signs of featuring against Mozambique.
The duo was on the pitch for half an hour in Zambia’s training game against Nchanga Rangers at Nchanga Stadium.
The World Bank’s Support to Economic Expansion and Diversification (SEED) Project says it has commenced construction works on the K 4 billion One-Stop Tourism Licensing shop in the tourism capital of in Livingstone.
And the Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources ministry has expressed confidence in the project saying once completed, the One Stop Shop would improve the business environment and stimulate investment in the tourism sector.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Livingstone today, SEED Project Supervising Engineer Joseph Chanda said the works being done in conjuction with the Zambian government , have reached an advanced levels and ahead of schedule.
“Works at the construction site of the One Stop Shop are progressing well and am happy to report that we are ahead of schedule,” he said.
Mr. Chanda said the K4 Billion, 8-months Project commenced in March this year and was expected to be completed in November.
And Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Coordinator for the South-West Region, Harold Mweene said once completed, the One Stop Shop would improve the business environment and stimulate investment in the tourism sector.
Mr. Mweene expressed his optmism that the facility would benefit existing and would be investors in the tourism sector by reducing the time and cost involved in obtaining and renewing various licenses.
“Existing investors have for a long time faced the challenge of moving from one office to another to obtain and renew various licenses but they stand to benefit from the One Stop Shop alongside would-be investors through reduced time and cost of obtaining licenses,” he said.
Among the offices to be housed by the facility would include the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC), Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), Immigration Department, Livingstone City Council and other institutions that relate to the tourism industry.
Mr. Mweene said he was aware about high expectations from the public over the services that would be offered but cautioned that due to existing legal, institutional, and structural limitations, the development of the One Stop Shop would be phased over time to leave room for harmonization of conflicting requirements.
ZANIS
A Serenje district resident is on the run after he allegedly murdered his uncle in cold blood on
suspicion of witchcraft.
Police public relations officer Ndandula Siamane confirmed the incident to ZANIS in an interview today..
Ms Siamane said that on Friday 17th May 2011 around 20: 00 hrs Zachariah Mwila of Chisenga village around 20hrs on Friday 17th May 2011 hacked to death his 43 year old Geoffrey Nsaka uncle using a sharp object.
The suspect allegedly travelled to Namabombo village 20 kilometers west of Serenje to find his uncle who he suspected of practising witchcraft.
He is also on record of having visited several witchdoctors in pursuit of his uncle who he suspected of having been responsible for many deaths in the family and at several occasions made threats of killing him.
Post mortem on the late Nsaka’s body was done at Kabwe general hospital and it has since been buried in Nabowa area of chief Chitambo in Serenje district.
Ms Siamane also disclosed that the suspect is an ex convict facing manslaughter charges after he allegedly killed his friend on suspicion of committing adultery with his wife.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect.
ZANIS
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have joined hands to support a broad dialogue on polices for employment creation in Zambia.
The two international organisation say apart from Zambia their support for broad dialogue also include Bulgaria and Dominican Republic.
The organisations agreed at a meeting conference to held in Norway to work in three key areas. The areas are cooperation on defining social protection floor policies in low income countries, among others.
This was contained in a press briefing made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
The two organisations and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, employers and trade unions met in Lusaka last month to prepare for a tripartite social dialogue to be held later this year.
IMF African Department Senior Advisor, Sean Nolan said the meeting was an important step in preparing for in-depth dialogue on employment policies in Zambia.
“We look forward to fruitful discussion later this year and we hope we can help contribute both to innovate thinking and to enhance development of shared perspectives on how employment expansion can be accelerated in Zambia, “said Nolan.
And ILO Director Martin Clemensson said the themes discussed during the meeting included the poverty reduction, provision of decent employment opportunities, better social protection, economic diversity and the need to reduce the country’s dependency on cooper.
Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Zambia Federation of Employers, Zambia Confederation of Trade Unions and Federation of Free Trade Unions in Zambia were among the organisations that were present at the meeting.
ZANIS
The death has been announced of former Nchanga Rangers great Willie Phiri.
The former Rangers and Zambia midfielder from the 70’s died at midday today at Nchanga South Hospital in Chingola from a bone infection.
Phiri has been wheelchair-bound for the last 18 years after a road traffic accident near Kabwe on his way to Lusaka from Chingola on a player scouting mission.
He was Rangers coach at the time of his accident where he had been on the bench since 1984.
Phiri, 59 played for Rangers for over 15 years where he began his playing career before retiring in 1983.
MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga has taken a swipe at former Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti for issuing derogatory remarks against President Rupiah Banda’s developmental projects.
Mr. Mabenga who is also Lands Deputy Minister says Mr. Mulongoti should stop talking ill of President Banda’s development projects as they are meant to benefit the people of Zambia.
He is saddened that Mr. Mulongoti is using the Post Newspaper to attack the President’s developmental projects when he was part of the MMD government a few months ago.
Mr Mabenga was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday.
And Mr. Mabenga has advised Zambians not to be misled by the crowds that gathered at PF Leader Michael Sata’s rallies in Western province as they do not mean anything.
He says the people of Western province attended Mr. Sata’s rallies to have a glimpse of the man that is advocating for gay rights.
Mr. Mabenga declared victory for the MMD in Western province because of the good development projects that the MMD government has embarked on in the area.
[ ZNBC ]
Three Scandinavian countries have praised Zambia for being one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Danish Ambassador to Zambia Thomas Schjerbeck says Zambia has now reached a point in its development where it is able to mobilize its own resources to further its economic growth.
Ambassador Schjerbeck says Denmark will continue its cooperation and dialogue to Zambia to benefit both countries.
And Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Marie Anderson De Frutos is confident that Zambia will maintain its reputation as a leader in peace and democracy in the region ahead of this year’s election.
Ambassador De Frutos says Sweden is committed to partner with Zambia to advance development cooperation to end poverty.
Norwegian charge de affaires Tori Hoven says the three Scandinavian countries have enjoyed close relations with Zambia both politically and economically.
The three diplomats were speaking in Lusaka on Wednesday evening at celebrations to mark the three countries’ national day.
And Justice Deputy Minister Todd Chilembo praised the Scandinavian countries for their role in addressing poverty in Zambia.
He says Sweden, Denmark and Norway have remained committed to projects aimed at fighting poverty in the country.
Mr Chilembo says the country has benefited a lot from cooperation and AID from the three countries.
[ ZNBC ]
President Rupiah Banda says construction of the Hitachi manufacturing plant is an indication that Zambia is ripe for investment from all around the world.
Hitachi will invest an initial 15 million United States dollars, which is over 7.1 billion Kwacha in the first phase of the project expected to be completed in December this year.
Mr Banda was speaking at the Ground breaking ceremony of Hitachi construction machinery Zambia limited factory on airport road.
The plant will be assembling earth moving equipment and is expected to employ over 200 people in the construction phase.
President Banda says the establish of Hitachi is important for Zambia because of the jobs and technology transfer it will bring into the country.
Mr Banda notes that once the plant is up and running it will establish Zambia as a major source of earth moving equipment for the region.
He has thanked Hitachi for the investment which he believes will attract more Japanese investors to Zambia.
The President says Zambia has huge investment opportunities in the mining, manufacturing and tourism sectors.
Hitachi is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction, mining and earthmoving equipment.
This is the first ever investment into the manufacturing sector by a Japanese company.
The investment is expected to add impetus to President Banda’s desire to create more jobs for Zambians.
And Japan says Hitachi’s investment in Zambia is a clear indication that the country is an attractive investment destination, and that Zambia has great potential to be an economic hub of the region.
Japanese Ambassador to Zambia, Akio Egawa says the investment will also be a valuable booster to the economy.
He said this in Lusaka on Thursday during the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of Hitachi Construction Machinery re-manufacturing factory along Lusaka’s airport road.
And Commerce Minister Felix Mutati says Hitachi investment will attract other global investors into the Country.
And Vice President of Hitachi Construction Machinery Yokio Arima says the company believes in Zambia and her economy.
Mr Arima told ZNBC News that the company targets to rehabilitate earth moving equipment for the mining companies in Zambia and the region.
He says the company will initially employ about 20 Zambians to work at the plant when its operation by end of this year.
ZNBC
Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has said PatrioticFront (PF) Luashya Member of Parliament (PM) Chishimba Kambwili is not the right person to assert that the newly-commissioned Itimpi Mine in Kalulushi is not environmentally safe because he is ignorant on many things regarding commissioning of new mines.
And Mines Minister Maxwell Mwale said it was not in order for Mr Kambwili to allege that the Itimpi mine which was in the mine area would be harmful to the environment when it had not even commenced operations.
Lieutenant-Geneneral Shikapwasha, who is Information Minister, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the Government consulted the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) on the environmental impact of the mine before the decision to commission it was made.
He said Mr Kabwili was just politicking because he was the biggest beneficially of the Luashya Mine whose investor he constantly criticised.
Gen Shikapwasha said it was immoral for Mr Kabwili to call for President Rupiah Banda’s apology over the commissioning of the mine which he (Kambwili) said posed a danger to the environment because ECZ research proved otherwise.
He said PF was jealous of many development projects being carried out by President Banda’s Government aimed at providing jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.
[ Times of Zambia ]
President Rupiah Banda is today expected to travel to Kitwe to officiate at the 54th Copperbelt Mining, Agricultural and Commercial Show.
The president has commended the show organisers for selecting the theme, ‘Prosperity on the Copperbelt’.
According to a statement released by special assistant for Press and public relations Dickson Jere yesterday, Mr Banda said there were many developmental programmes and projects that were underway for the sake of prosperity on the Copperbelt.
“It is indeed fitting to talk about progress towards prosperity in this province and in the nation especially now when we are recording positive economic growth.
“The mining industry has emerged from a difficult period even stronger than it was and with Government support there has been a great inflow of investment into new mines and the expansion of existing ones,” Mr Banda said.
He said other mineral resources such as manganese, oil, uranium and nickel mining activities were being developed while explorations were also underway.
Mr Banda said the country was rich in natural resources and advised Zambians to take advantage of the resources for their own benefit.
And the president who held a one-hour question-and-answer session with journalists at State House used the session to answer questions from the media.
Mr Jere said the sessions would be followed by more similar sessions to enable the Head of State to clarify crucial matters.
[ Times of Zambia ]
The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has commended Government for maintaining the floor price of maize for this year’s crop marketing season.
ZACA executive secretary Muyunda Ililonga said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the decision made by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) is an indication that Government has considered the economic interests of farmers and consumers by ensuring that the price of mealie-meal, which was reduced early this year by an average of K5,000 is maintained.
The floor price of maize is K65,000 per 50 kilogramme bag, the same as in the last farming season.
“We welcome the announcement of the floor price. This is good for ZACA because our members’ interests have been taken into account.
“The announcement is also an indication that farming in the country has been taken seriously by Government as a reliable business, and this decision will help Zambia to stabilise the mealie-meal price,” Mr Ililonga said.
He said the decision will give farmers an opportunity to grow more maize and ensure food security in the country.
Meanwhile, the Kitwe District Farmers Union has welcomed the decision by the FRA to maintain the floor price of maize at K65,000 per 50 kilogramme bag.
Union chairman Humphrey Kunda said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday his members will vote for President Banda because of his good agricultural policies.
“We are going to support Government, although the floor price of maize has not been increased. We will vote for President Banda because his administration has managed to eradicate hunger in the communities,” Mr Kunda said.
He, however, said it would have been ideal for Government to increase the floor price of maize to between K70,000 and K75,000 per 50 kilogramme bag because the price of the staple food has not been increased for the past three seasons.
“It has taken long for the FRA to increase the floor price of maize, and small-scale farmers will be on the losing side, compared to commercial farmers. We expected Government to increase the price to between K70,000 and K75,000. For the past three seasons, the floor price has been the same,” Mr Kunda said.
The FRA crop marketing programme officially opened on Tuesday, and will close on October 31.
This year, the marketable surplus of maize is estimated to be 1.66 million metric tonnes, beating last year’s one million metric tonnes.
FRA board chairman Brigadier-General Maybin Sikweti said in Lusaka on Tuesday while the price of maize will be maintained at K65,000 per 50kg bag, the price of paddy rice will be K60,000 per 40kg bag.
General Sikweti said prices were arrived at after analysing the cost of production and taking into account prevailing local and regional market conditions.
“These are FRA prices, and they should be used by farmers to negotiate for better prices as they trade with the private sector,” he said.
General Sikweti said FRA has set up buying points in all the 74 districts and on average, 15 satellite depots per district will be opened to ensure farmers have access to the market.
He said the crop will only be received when the moisture content is not more than 12.5 percent.
PRESIDENT Banda is today expected to launch the construction of the Japanese company, Hitachi Construction Machinery Zambia Limited in Lusaka, with an initial investment of US$15 million.
This is according to a press statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by special assistant to the President for press and public relations Dickson Jere.
“Hitachi is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction, mining and earthmoving equipment.
This is the first ever investment into the manufacturing sector by a Japanese company. It is expected to add impetus to President Banda’s desire to create more jobs for Zambians,” MrJere said.
He said President Banda is happy that Hitachi has picked on Zambia for its investment and that as a regional hub of Southern Africa, Zambia will provide valuable services to surrounding countries.
Mr Jere said the first phase of the project is expected to be completed by December this year, adding that if it is successful, the company will undertake an expansion programme which will extend the services to other major industrial entities in the region.
“Japan is one of Zambia’s largest co-operating partners and Hitachi’s ground-breaking investment is set to grow the countries’ relations ever stronger,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador to Zambia Akio Egawa has commended Zambians for showing solidarity with the people of Japan after the earthquake and Tsunami which hit the country earlier in the year.
Mr Egawa expressed hope that Japan will emerge even stronger from the crisis and continue on its development agenda.
He said in Lusaka early this week that Japan has pledged to increase its aid to Africa to US$1.8 billion as part of its overseas development agenda.
He said his government is impressed with its investment in Africa, and has pledged to double its investment to US$4.2 billion.
Mr Egawa said Zambia needs to strengthen its private sector as a thrust towards achieving economic growth.
He said as part of its bilateral aid policy on Zambia, it would try to support the manufacturing sector because it is important to the attainment of inclusive, sustainable economic growth for the country.
And African Development Bank country representative Freddie Kwesiga said the private sector, as Government’s partner in efforts aimed at attaining economic growth, is faced with many constraints, especially the cost of doing business.
Dr Kwesiga said despite the private sector being the major contributor to job creation, it lacks financial resources to sustain their businesses.
He said the private sector in the country could be strengthened through franchising, which could ensure sustainable businesses.
Dr Kwesiga said franchising could grow the private sector and foster economic development in African countries.
He said the private sector contributes to poverty alleviation through job creation, and it is important that it is strengthened.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
© Lusaka Times
