COPPERBELT MMD chairman Joseph Chilambwe has said former Minister of Works and Supply Mike Mulongoti is an ungrateful man and has warned that MMD youths will not allow him to continue issuing derogatory remarks against President Banda and the Government.

“What has changed now? In the last Presidential election Mr Mulongoti sang good songs about President Banda. He said all sorts of good things about Mr Banda. He said President Banda was the best man. Zambians must be wary of politicians like Mr Mulongoti who have no direction,” he said.

Mr Chilambwe was speaking during a press briefing on April 9 in Kitwe.

He said it is unfortunate that Mr Mulongoti is being confrontational but warned that if the MMD youths are provoked they are ready to react.

Mr Chilambwe said MrMulongoti does not have the capacity to discredit President Banda in this year’s elections because Zambians are happy with the way the Government is being managed under President Banda’s leadership.

He said no one was intimidated or harassed at the MMD convention and that every party member was allowed to contest positions that they wanted.

“In fact we are asking the security wings to investigate MrMulongoti to find out where he got the money he intends to use to de-campaign President Banda. We also challenge Mr Mulongoti to stand as a member of Parliament in Lufwanyama if he wants to contest this year’s elections at Parliament level because he will be defeated. The man is not popular.

Mr Mulongoti has benefited a lot from the MMD, people know him today because of his association with the MMD. He must be grateful to the MMD in particular to President Banda,” he said.

He said MMD cadres on the Copperbelt will not allow the former minister to cause unnecessary confusion and that the party is gaining ground daily in the Province.

“Mr Mulongoti was just nominated as MP. His constituency was State House. Why is he insulting President Banda? Is it because he was dropped as minister and member of Parliament? President Banda is going to win this year’s elections because he is humble and mature. He has developed the country within a short period of time and the people of Zambia like him because of his style of leadership,” he said.

Mr Chilambwe urged MMD cadres to be wary of some former senior party members who have lost direction in life.

“We know that Mr Mulongoti is frustrated but he must not provoke us. We always condemn violence, and we want this year’s elections to be very peaceful,” he said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) has observed that the clashes between rival political party cadres whenever they meet are expected as they are two warring sides.

EFZ executive director Reverend Pukuta Mwanza says the tension between political parties only needs a neutral voice to mediate and bring them together in unity.

He noted that the Church plays a pivotal role in ensuring that there is proper dialogue between political parties to help uphold political morals.

Reverend Mwanza says that EFZ will soon roll out a programme to address the inter-party dialogue meeting to ensure that there is harmony and unity amongst political parties.

He added that the programme will also help foster peace and stability in the country ahead of the general elections.
[ QFM ]

More than seven female teachers have run away from a named basic school in Shimabala area in Chilanga after two of the teachers at the school were shot at and raped this week.

The teachers’ departure has paralyzed operations at the school.

A 21 year old youth and his friend from the same area carried out the atrocities after stealing his grand father’s fire arm.

One of the two teachers is still admitted at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) while her colleague has been discharged after treatment.

Meanwhile, management at MCK lodge situated in Chilanga’s Shimabala area has refuted police reports that a guard who was shot at by the same youths who raped the two teachers is dead.

MCK lodge Manager, Lilly Malawo says the police gave the public wrong information as the named guard who was shot at by the youths when they stormed the lodge demanding alcohol is still alive but admitted in the UTH.

She says the incident took many people by surprise as the named youths reside in the same area and have no such criminal record.

Mrs. Malawo has assured the lodge clientele of safety noting that the shooting incident was the first of its kind.
[ MUVI ]

MINISTER of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane yesterday signed a statutory instrument (SI) which will ensure that public institutions give preference to Zambian citizens in the procurement of goods and services.

Dr Musokotwane said at a media briefing on April 8 that the SI will give preference to citizen-influenced, empowered and owned companies even if their pricing of goods or services is higher than that of foreign companies.

He said citizens’ companies must ensure that their goods and services are of acceptable quality and that Zambian citizens have significant shares and control in the firms.

Dr Musokotwane said another key element of the SI is a reservation scheme where public procurement of goods not exceeding K3 billion will be a preserve of companies owned, influenced or empowered by Zambian citizens.

“Building or construction works of up to K20 billion will be reserved for citizen-influenced, empowered and owned companies,” Dr Musokotwane said.

He said civil and road works contracts of up to K30 billion will also be reserved for companies belonging to citizens.

Dr Musokotwane said another aspect of the SI is that when a foreign company is awarded a contract that needs recruitment of workers, such companies will ensure that 40 percent of key personnel are Zambians.

“We will give exemptions where this is not practical,” he said.

The minister said regulations contained in the SI will come into force 30 days after the instrument is published in the Government gazette.

Dr Musokotwane advised Zambians to be cautious about the issue.

“We should be careful not to focus too much on believing that if we exclude foreigners, we will be better off. We have Zambians doing business in other countries and if we rush in an uncoordinated manner without focusing on the consequences, our fellow Zambians in other countries will suffer the same consequences,” he said.

He said foreigners in most cases create employment for Zambians and that some businesses like special restaurants are exclusively for foreigners.

“Our prosperity must not be seen in terms of blocking non-Zambians,” he said.

And Dr Musokotwane has commended the World Bank for giving Zambia a US$115 million loan for irrigation development.

“We are very happy because we have been negotiating for this loan for a long time,” he said.

Dr Musokotwane said the loan will enable Government to construct a dam which will service both commercial and small-scale farmers in Central Province.

The World Bank approved the credit for the Irrigation Development and Support Project (IDSP) to help Zambia overhaul its irrigation subsector.

World Bank country manager Kapil Kapoor said the credit facility was approved by the bank’s board of directors on april 7 in Washington DC.

Mr Kapoor said the IDSP will help to reduce the poverty gap between the urban and the rural population.

Mr Kapoor said this in a statement released in Lusaka on April 8.

The irrigation project, which will be developed in proposed selected sites, is expected to be implemented over seven years. It is expected to be completed by June 2018.

Mr Kapoor said the project has four components, including irrigated agricultural support services.

And commenting on some components of the project, World Bank senior agriculturalist Indira Ekanayake said the interventions are expected to ensure that agricultural production and crop diversification happen throughout the year.

This will ensure that Zambia’s abundant water resource and arable land are used profitably to realise Zambia’s potential as a breadbasket.

The goal of Zambia’s Sixth National Development Plan for the agriculture sector is to “increase and diversify agriculture production and productivity so as to raise the share of its contribution to Gross Domestic Product by 2015.

Meanwhile, Dr Musokotwane said he will travel to Washington DC next week for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund spring meetings.

He said the meetings will provide an outlook of the world economy from experts who have gathered data on global economic projections.

Dr Musokotwane will also meet both the World Bank and IMF senior management teams.

He said the gathering will also give him an opportunity to have bilateral meetings with representatives of various countries.
[ Zambia Daily mail ]

Government has warned that it will revoke operating licences of all radio stations airing political campaign songs before the date for this year’s tripartite elections is announced.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha said in Lusaka on April 8 that Government will not take kindly to some radio stations airing political campaign messages because it is against the Electoral Code of Conduct.

“Both public and private radio stations are bound by the provisions of the code not to air campaign materials before the President announces the election date,” Lieutenant General Shikapwasha, who is also chief Government spokesperson, said.

He was reacting to a Patriotic Front campaign song aired by Radio Phoenix yesterday at the end of a special programme featuring PF president Michael Sata.

Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said President Banda has not yet announced the date for the 2011 polls and Government will, therefore, revoke operating licences for radio stations currently airing political campaign messages for breaching the Electoral Code of Conduct.

“It is wrong for radio stations to air political campaign messages, including songs, when the date for elections is not yet known.

“I have also heard that there is a radio station in Northern Province which has started airing political campaign material. This is against the electoral code of conduct and Government will be left with no choice but to revoke operating licences,” he said.

Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said all radio stations should stop airing campaign materials and wait for the Republican President to announce the election date.

He said all media houses must adhere to the rules specified in their operating licences.

“I want to advise all media houses in the country to stick to the rules and regulations contained in their operating licences as well as the code of conduct to avoid conflicts with the licensing authority, which happens to be my ministry.

“Government has stated that it won’t interfere in the operations of media institutions, including radio stations, but let me make it clear that it is against the law for radio stations to air political campaign songs before the date of elections is announced by the President,” Lt-Gen Shikapwasha said.

He appealed to Zambians to remain calm and peaceful as the nation goes to the polls.

The PF campaign song alleges that Zambia has been destroyed by the MMD government and urges citizens to vote for the opposition party.

The song goes on to state that Government has sold Zamtel and alleges that the money has not been seen to benefit Zambians.

At the end of the programme, Mr Sata insisted that the campaign song be aired.

“Excuse me, can you put our advert. It is not over, put our advert,” Mr Sata prodded the host of the programme as he wound up the discussion.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

Patriotic Front Leader Michael Sata has condemned the decision by Director of Public of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga to enter a Nolle Prosequi in a case involving two Chinese nationals who shot at 13 miners at Column Coal mine in Sinazongwe district.

Mr. Sata said that  it was unfortunate that the current Constitution does not protect the interests of the Zambian people.

And the PF leader has charged that once in government, his party will harmonize all the recommendations of the Constitution Review Commissions that have taken place in the country to come up with a document that will stand a test of time.

Featuring on Radio Phoenix program in Lusaka today, Mr. Sata said that  as supreme law of the land, the Constitution should protect defenceless people in the country.

He said  now that the Constitution amendment Bill which had people’s aspirations deleted has failed, the only weapon that Zambians have is through the ballot ahead of this year’s tripartite elections.

Mr. Sata has also called on Members of Parliament to pay allegiance to the Zambian people adding that the country is far much below its neighbors in terms of development.

QFM

Minister of Home Affairs Mkhondo Lungu has confirmed that government has procured anti riot equipment to enable security wings quell any riotous situation that may arise in the country without using live bullets.

Mr. Lungu said government has among other things procured rubber bullets for use by police officers during such situations to avoid any loss of life.

He reiterated his statement that government strongly condemns the use of live bullets in putting down riotous situations.

Mr. Lungu said it was irrational for some security officers to use live bullets to curb violence especially if the rioters are not armed.

He said police and other security officers are being sensitized to be able to use common sense when dealing with such issues.

He however urged the members of the public to always cooperate with security wings and desist from engaging into riotous activities.

Mr. Lungu also noted that there was need to sensitize the people at large against violent activities.

The minister stressed that the police exist in order to protect human life and property hence the need to co-exist.

The police have also been equipped with bullet proof vests to guard them against being killed when they exchange fire with criminals.

ZANIS

PRESIDENT Banda has nominated six members into the MMD national executive committee (NEC), including Vice-President George Kunda and Parliamentary chief whip Vernon Mwaanga.

The six were nominated by President Banda and approved by the new NEC in their first meeting held after the closure of the national convention on April 7.

Mr Kunda, who was earlier vying for the party vice-president, a position which has been abolished, is one of the two trustees nominated by the President, in accordance with the amended MMD constitution.

The new MMD constitution gives the President power to nominate two trustees and 10 other members, bringing the total number of nominees into the party’s supreme decision-making body to 12.

Speaking to journalists after the NEC meeting, Mr Banda said he had decided to nominate Mr Kunda and former MMD national secretary MrMwaanga as trustees.

Others nominated as members of the NEC are Kenneth Chipungu, Suresh Desai, Maggie Musonda and Annie Chungu.

President Banda said the other members will be nominated at a later stage.

Meanwhile, MONICA KAYOMBO reports that the MMD says the scrapping of the party vice-presidency would not affect the performance of the party.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, MMD chief whip Mr Mwaanga said the position of vice- president in the MMD has remained frozen since 2005.

“MMD members felt that the party hierarchy was top heavy but that the decision by the party to finally abolish the position will not in any way affect the performance of the party,” he said.

Mr Mwaanga said the MMD has always been effective, even during the time the vice-presidency was frozen and he expects that the ruling party will remain formidable with the election of a new executive.

He also commended delegates to the MMD national convention for exhibiting the highest level of discipline before and during the election of NEC members.

Mr Mwaanga said the convention is a sign that the MMD is still united and ready to face challenges that would come its way.

Mr Mwaanga said, as an individual, he would continue putting in his best to ensure that the party continues benefiting from his expertise.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Government has commended Kansashi Mining PLC for its contribution to the development of the country.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Ambassador Lucy Mungoma says apart from the taxes to government, Kansanshi Mine has, through its elaborate and comprehensive social responsibility programmes helped to uplift the living standards of the people in Solwezi and North Western Province as a whole.

ZANIS reports that speaking when the Zambian Envoys abroad toured the mine in Solwezi yesterday, Amb.Mungoma said government is proud of the many contributions the company was making towards changing the face of the province.

She noted that through the massive contributions in the areas of health, Education, road infrastructure, employment creation, among others, Kansanshi was helping the local people appreciate the value of the investment in the area.

Ambassador Mungoma said the various programmes the company was conducting in the province and Solwezi in particular are important in both its survival and that of the local people.

She appealed to other investors to seriously consider putting in place programmes that directly benefit communities in which they operate.

She said this was the only way people can appreciate such investments.

“We are impressed with the level of investment here and the initiative of ensuring that the local community benefits directly from this investment.

“It is our wish as government to see as many of our investors as possible create opportunities for our people because this is the only way such investment can be appreciated,” she said.

She explained that the tour of the mine and other areas was meant to expose Zambian envoys abroad to key sectors of the economy.

Tomorrow the delegation is expected to visit the Kasumbalesa Boarder Post and later proceed to visit the Nansanga farm block in Mkushi Central province.

And Dean of the Zambian envoys abroad, Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika expressed happiness at the level of commitment Kansanshi Mining Plc has exhibited towards the development of Solwezi and North Western Province.

Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika, who is also Zambia’s Envoy to Belgium said the Zambian envoys abroad will do their best to further market the country as an investment destination.

She also said the tour of the mining operations at the mine would enable the envoys confidently articulate issues surrounding the operations of the mine and the mining industry as a whole.

She was particularly impressed that apart from making profits, the company was seriously investing in Education which she said was key to the growth of the economy.

Earlier, Kansanshi Mining Plc Head of Public Relations, Godfrey Msiska told the delegation that his company was continuing to enjoy cordial working relations with government and the surrounding community.

Mr. Msiska also assured the diplomats that Kansanshi will continue designing programmes that will directly benefit the local community.

He said currently the company has set aside over K30 billion to be spent in areas of education, health among others.

Mr. Msiska also said that the company would soon commence works to revamp Solwezi Hospital and turn it into a modern health facility.

He further said that the company intends to increase its copper production levels from about 245,000 tonnes to 400,000 by the year 2014, making it the third largest copper producer in the world.

ZANIS