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MALARIA prevalence rates in Namwala District have dropped from about 75 per cent a few years ago to 15 per cent, District Commissioner Wilson Siadunka has said.
Speaking during the commemoration of the World Malaria Day whose theme was: “Achieving progress and impact” which was commemorated at Chitongo Health Centre yesterday, Mr. Siadunka attributed the reduction in malaria prevalence rates to government’s efforts in preventing malaria incidences through mass distribution of free mosquito nets in the District.
He said government would continue to allocate resources to the Ministry of Health in a bid to eradicate malaria which was the number one killer disease in Africa.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Siadunka also expressed optimism that the construction of the Namwala District Hospital, health posts and clinics in various parts of the District would further enhance health service delivery in the District.
The District Commissioner urged the District health office to continue implementing programmes aimed at accelerating health delivery to people especially in far flung areas such as fishing camps.
At the same function, Namwala District Medical Officer Dr. Davy Kaile said government would soon start the indoor spraying programme in the District in an attempt to complement other malaria prevention efforts such as distribution of free insecticide treated mosquito nets.
Dr. Kaile said the indoor spraying programme was intended at complementing other preventive measures in order to eradicate malaria in the District.
Dr. Kaile also told the gathering that the Ministry of Health would soon send about 40,000 insecticide treated mosquito nets following demands from communities who did not receive the nets allocated for the District last year.
The District received about 22,100 mosquito nets for distribution to people in the District but were insufficient to cater for everyone.
Dr. Kaile further advised the people to use the mosquito nets for the intended purpose and not for fishing.
“I want to advise you to use these mosquito nets you receive freely are used for the intended purpose and not as a fishing net because this is the only way we can effectively combat malaria in the District,” said Dr. Kaile.
Meanwhile, about 24 village headmen from Chief Nalubamaba’ s area have commended the government for releasing cattle vaccines worth about K7 billion in Southern Province.
The headmen told Namwala District Commissioner Wilson Siadunka during a short meeting that the gesture was highly commendable as it would significantly help to curb animal diseases in the region.
Meanwhile Mr. Siuadunka has said government would soon start the distribution of 3,000 by 50 kilogram bags of relief food to families facing food deficits as a result of poor yields in the District.
Mr. Siadunka said a memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the government and the Seventh – Day Adventist church to implement the distribution exercise.
He, however, could not say whether the maize was under the Food for Work programme or not.
Kawambwa District Council in Luapula Province has expressed concern at the shoddy work by some contractors on many projects in the district.
Council Director of Works Frank Mupesha disclosed that some contractors had not yet paid casual workers whom they engaged in road maintenance in the area adding that such reports were disturbing to the local authority.
Mr Mupesha stated that the named contractors have since been blacklisted and promised that his
office would always consult Area Development Committees (ADCs) when awarding contracts to the people.
He was speaking yesterday when Luena ward ADC Chairperson, Geoffrey Chansa complained that people in the area would not accept outside contractors because of their shoddy work on projects.
The Council Director of Works said the local authority attached great importance to views voiced by ADCs adding that it could not achieve its goals in terms of development without the involvement of such committees hence it would always get its advice.
In a related development, Mr Mupesha said the issue of ADCs was receiving serious attention and would soon be tabled before Parliament for it to become a legalised institution.
He said Government wanted to legalise the ADCs to enable them access funding adding that this would also enhance development in rural areas.
Mr Mupesha urged community members to continue contributing building materials such as bricks, sand and crushed stones, if they werere to attract CDF and build tangible projects.
The Director said the community should also work hard and finish projects on time because CDF was little and there were many areas that needed funding.
President Rupiah Banda says his decision to write off residential purchase prices of some parastatal houses would not be rescinded.
President Banda said this in response to Patrotic Front(PF)President Michael Sata’s letter to him arguing that there was no legal provision to back the Head of State ‘s decision to write off the residential purchase prices for some parastatal houses.
The President said his position on that matter was very clear as he would not rescind his decision which he made following numerous petitions from tenants who pleaded with him to write off their debts on properties which have been outstanding for the past 10 years.
This is contained in statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere.
President Banda said the situation remained the same saying the houses belonged to the sitting tenants as per his presidential announcement of APRIL,16 2011.
The President stated that all tenants who have benefited from his decision, paid part of the money towards the total purchase price and were since struggling for many years to complete their payments hence it was illogical for Sata to suggest that those who paid in full for the houses should be refunded.
President Banda further said Sata should wait until he became President for him to reverse the decision and compel the poor Zambians to pay back the remaining balances on their houses adding that he could either seek legal redress in the courts of law over the matter.
And the President has reiterated his earlier position that he would not be responding to Sata’s letters which were distributed to the press before they reached his office.
President Banda said Sata should learn a bit of communication courtesy that letters were not supposed to be circulated to the media before they reached the intended recipient.
The President made an announcement on April 16, this year that debts on some parastatal houses across the country be written off.
The Andrew Kamanga-leg faction has welcome the news that Fifa maintains their stand that the vote of no confidence be an agenda item at Saturdays Faz annual general meeting in Kabwe.
In a statement, the Kamanga faction reiterated that they will attend the Faz AGM to be held at the Mulungushi Rock.
“This is a very welcome assurance by FIFA,” the statement said.
“We wish to commend them for their stance and urge them to ensure that participation is restricted to the 223 full members.
“As for the concern on the possibility of two meetings being convened on April 30, our position is that we will definitely be at Mulungushi University so if two meetings do happen we will not be the ones responsible.”
MTN/FAZ SUPER DIVISION
22/04/2011
Week 4
Zanaco 2(Makundika Sakala 12″, Charles Siyingwa 65″ pen)-Forest Rangers 2 (Larry Siakasipa 43″ 60″)
FLASHBACK: President banda with Dr Welani Chilengwe during the launch of the mobile hospitals in Chongwe
Unknown people in Mazabuka have stolen more than 200 litres of diesel from Mobile Hospitals amid tight security provided by state police.
This comes barely 2 days after the Southern province mobile hospitals were launched by President Rupiah Banda.
Meanwhile police on Friday rounded up and arrested twelve illegal fuel dealers for questioning over the missing of the fuel from the widely critised mobile hospitals.
Police have since released eight while four are still in police custody.
Both Zambia police and chief security officer at Mazabuka general hospital Cosmas Himoonga have confirmed the incident.
The suspected thieves are alleged to have stolen the fuel on Thursday in the night; the drivers of the trucks only discovered that diesel had been drained after they were preparing to leave for Livingstone to deliver the trucks.
Police said it was at that time the police rounded illegal fuel dealers who do their business near the hospital.
The trucks were later refueled at a local filling station.
When contacted, Mazabuka district Hospital administrator Janet Njovu could not give a comment saying she had no details about the theft.
But Hospital chief security officer Cosmas Himoonga said he was shocked to learn that fuel had been stolen amid tight security.
He said the Hospital security officers do not work at night because the role had been taken over by a private security company.
Intellectual property specialist Kingsley Nkonde says Zambia has made progress in reduced importation of counterfeit products.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Nkonde attributed this to government’s intensified awareness campaigns against counterfeit products’ importation.
He expressed his gratitude to government for its political will on counterfeit products.
The Intellectual property specialist revealed that as a result of the political will, only three percent of the imported products for are counterfeit.
Previously, 95 percent of imported Sumsung products in to Zambia were counterfeit.
Law enforcement agencies recently introduced the hologram on all Compact Disc as part of the identification of products, under the copyright Act.
Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda has challenged the Electoral Commission of Zambia to stop the TV campaign adverts of President Rupiah Banda.
Mr. Lubinda said the adverts being aired on national television are illegal and that the ECZ should stop them from being shown.
He said that it was unfair for the ruling party to take advantage of its incumbent status by airing political campaign adverts on national television while stopping other political parties from doing the same.
Mr Lubinda said that no announcement of the elections date has been made; hence the campaign adverts of President Banda receiving airplay are illegal.
Speaking In an interview with QFM News, Mr Lubinda challenges the ECZ to show its strength by taking action against the MMD
Olympic Youth Development Centre director Clement Chileshe with British High Commissioner to Zambia Tom carter, his wife Davidson (l) and sports deputy minister Brian Sikazwe (r) at the OYDC in Lusaka
Olympic Youth Development Centre Director Clement Chileshe says the centre has performed beyond expectations since its commissioning late last year.
Chileshe says more young people in Lusaka and beyond have been utilising various facitilities at the centre to develop their sports disciplines.
He told ZANIS sorts in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the centre is the solution to the development of sport in the country.
Chileshe thanked government and the corporate world for the support they have continued to render to the centre both material and financial.
He however stated that there is need for more private sector partnership in the development of sport in the country.
Chileshe appealed to the private sector to partner with the OYDC for them to play an active role in the development of sport in the country.
THE Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) says Zambia exported US$1.842 billion worth of manufactured products to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Southern African Development Community(SADC) regions.
Most of the manufactured products exported from Zambia’s manufacturing sector are food and beverages which have a bigger share of 63 percent of the exports.
“There is vast investment potential for food processing in the country, covering both large and small-scale industries, and most of it includes foods and beverages,” it says in a statement made available to the Mail in Lusaka recently.
“However, the processing of grocery products such as cold meats, biscuits, tinned foods, jam and cheese are largely underexploited and crops such as paprika have been gaining prominence as crops with export potential and have a low capital input requirement to process,” it says.
It says huge investment potential also exists in the manufacturing of electrical appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, computers, television sets and fans looking at the high demand for imports of electronic goods in Zambia of about US$40 million per annum.
It says Zambia’s domestic demand for manufactured products exceeds US$2 billion per annum.
And according to ZDA agriculture sector officer Paul Siame, exports of agriculture products from Zambia to the COMESA region are between US$ 125-140 million while the export to the SADC region are between US$140 to 170 million per annum.
Mr Siame said given the vast resources in terms of land, labour and water, Zambia has the potential to expand agricultural production.
Some of the potential priority areas for investments in the agricultural sector are in sugar, wheat, maize, cotton, tobacco, cashew nuts, and cassava, Mr Siame said.
LUMUNO Organic Farms has entered into an agreement with Millet Place Company of Holland to grow teff which will be exported to Holland.
Teff is an African whole grain, native to the arid lands of Ethiopia and it is both drought and flood resistant, making it the preferred crop for harsh environments.
Lumuno director Khama Mbewe said teff has a high nutritional value and is more profitable.
“We have entered into an agreement with Millet Place Company of Holland to grow teff which will be exported to Holland after harvest and we are currently carrying out trials for three months to see how the seed will adapt to Zambia,” he said.
He said if the trial of teff is successful, the firm will engage small-scale out-grower farmers to grow it and later buy it from them after harvest.
Mr Mbewe said the company has signed a five-year contract with the Millet Place company and that it’s the first time that it is being grown in central Africa.
He said the crop is easier to grow and that it is in the millet family of crops and the firm wants to introduce this new cash crop so that it helps to reduce the depence on maize as one of the major cash crops.
Fathers Frank Bwalya selling his red cards at the PF rally.
COPPERBELT Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima has called on the Catholic Church leadership to rethink the re-admission of Get Involved Zambia executive director Frank Bwalya in conducting pastoral duties after ending his sabbatical leave.
Mr Mbulakulima challenged the Catholic Church leadership to dissociate itself from Father Bwalya’s activities by not allowing him to use the pulpit for his campaigns for the opposition Patriotic Front (PF).
“I am a member of the Catholic myself, the former priest Father Bwalya, who is now Mr Bwalya has caused a lot of embarrassment to the Catholic Church and many Christians from other churches have also raised concern over his activities,” he said.
Mr Mbulakulima was reacting to Father Bwalya’s public announcement yesterday that his sabbatical leave which started in 2008 was over and that he would resume work as a priest while continuing his political activities.
“He has just accumulated a lot of embarrassment and the people will now start questioning the motive of the Catholic Church for allowing such a man, who is a full time politician to start using the church building for his fight against the Government which is based on hate for the MMD,” Mr Mbulakulima said.
Father Bwalya said during a Change Life Zambia public rally in Ndola, which was also broadcast live on Radio Cengelo, that it was now time for regime change and vowed to continue speaking out against the Government of President Rupiah Banda until the Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata takes over Government after the elections.
At the same function, Kabwata MP Given Lubinda announced that the PF would go ahead with the Parallel Vote Tabulation during this year’s elections.
But, Mr Mbulakulima advised Mr Lubinda, not to provoke the Government because he was not a factor and no serious Government official would be wasting time responding to all the rhetoric coming from him.
THE Government has constituted a team of experts to probe allegations of stripping machinery at Kafue Textiles of Zambia (KTZ) by Indian Investors that are entrusted to revamp it.
Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said yesterday said his ministry had received the report alleging that the investors had started stripping the company’s equipment.
“I can confirm that my ministry has received a report and immediately a team of experts was constituted to probe the extent of these allegations to establish the truth,” he said.
And the National Union of Commercial and Industrial has welcomed the Government’s decision to send a team of experts to KTZ saying the action by the Indian investors was aimed at killing the locals.
Union president Robert Munsanje said the stripping of the company’s equipment had been on going claiming that the said new investors trading under African Textiles had allegedly opened a textile company in Tanzania using equipment stripped from KTZ.
“We have received information that instead of these investors investing in Zambia they are busy taking equipment to another country where they want to start a new textile using our machinery,” he said.
Mr Munsanje said the textiles was meant for the community to benefit in terms of employment and warned that if the investors did not bring back the equipment the residents would not hesitate to stage a demonstration.
He said the Government was informed way back and residents were now running out of patience and putting pressure on the union which had tried to engage it to seek early intervention.
Red Arrows demolished promoted Lime Hotspurs to race to the top of the Super Division table in an Easter Monday goal-fest.
Arrows beat Lime 6-1 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka to top the log on 11 points in the highest score game of Week 5.
Dube Phiri scored a hat-trick to raising his tally for the season to five goals in as many games played.
Jeff Kapelwa added a brace and midfielder Mwape Mwelwa scored one goal.
Arrows are level on points with Green Buffaloes who are second on the table after they beat Forest Rangers 2-1 away at Dola Hill in Ndola.
However, Buffaloes rallied from 1-0 down at half time to win after Zebron Njovu had given Forest an 11th minute lead.
Dears Kakunta leveled scores in the 49th minute before Chipili Mungule made sure that Buffaloes returned home with the three points in the 83rd minute.
Nakambala Leopards slipped to fourth from second after drawing 1-1 with Konkola Blades in Mazabuka.
Nchanga Rangers also inflicted some pain on a promoted side when they beat visiting Kalewa 4-0 in Chingola.
At Sunset Stadium in Lusaka, Zanaco thumped Nkwazi 5-0 in a game that flattered to deceive despite the score line.
Martin Siyingwa opened scored from the penalty spot in the 29th minute before Aubrey Funga and Henry Banda scored in the 38th and 45 minutes respectively to see Zanaco sail to a 3-0 halftime lead.
Funga completed his brace on 76 minutes and two minutes later Ignatius Lwipa finished the rout on his first return after a year out due to injury.
In Kabwe, Ronald Chinku’s was handed a stay of execution as Kabwe Warriors coach after the Railwaymen beat visiting Green Eagles 2-0 courtesy of an Elson Mkandawire brace.
This was Warriors first win of the season after three successive defeats from five games played.
The Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) has with immediate effect reinstated Livingstone Town clerk Ms Dras Neves and recalled her to duty
with full benefits.
This is contained in the statement obtained and signed by Local Government Service Commission secretary MacLoud Nyirenda and dated April 22nd 2011.
The decision was reached at after the April 15th 2011 sitting by the LGSC where it passed a null and void resolution on the suspension and termination of employment of Ms. Neves.
“The Commission at its sitting in Livingstone on 15th April 2011 resolved that the suspension and termination of Ms. Drastress Maria Sanana Neves’ contract of service as Town Clerk was null and void.
Consequently, the Commission has with immediate effect recalled her to duty with full benefits,” said Mr. Nyirenda.
And when contacted, Ms. Neves confirmed receiving the letter of reinstatement and said she will be reporting for work on Tuesday,April 26th after the long Easter holiday.
Last month, Local Government and Housing Minister Brian Chituwo directed the City council to follow laid down procedures in the suspension and termination of the contract of Ms. Neves.
Livingstone Mayor Aggrey Njekwa confirmed that the council had received the letter from Dr. Chituwo on the procedure the council should follow on addressing concerns against Ms Neves.
He said according to Dr Chituwo’s letter, the contract of Ms Neves can only be terminated by the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC).
Mr Njekwa said the letter further advices the council to channel their grievances on Ms. Neves through the commission.
“We received the Minister’s letter today at 10:35 hours from the provincial local government officer and so we are sitting this afternoon to take the right procedure in terminating Ms Neves.contract,” Mr. Njekwa said.
Mr Njekwa said Ms Neves will not work peacefully if she decides to return for work now as the situation at the council is volatile and further alleged that she had a pile of charges against her but he however, did not state the cases.
“Even if the town clerk comes here she won’t be able to work in a peaceful manner because the situation is volatile, moreover, I have a pile of charges against her so there is no way she can survive the on-slot of the mayor,” he said.
Earlier, Dr. Chituwo had ordered the council to immediately reinstate Ms. Neves because they did not have the powers to terminate her contract and ordered the council to immediately give back her office, official vehicle and all the emoluments that go with her position.
But Mr. Njekwa defied Dr. Chituwo’s directive saying he did not respond to press statements, arguing that there was a procedure to be followed between his council and the ministry.
President Banda with new Home Affairs minister Mkhondo Lungu at State House
MINISTER of Home Affairs Mkhondo Lungu says Government is open to dialogue over the controversy surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.
And Gallant Youths says the ploy by the Patriotic Front (PF) to use the Mongu fracas as a tool to incite Zambians to be violent is unfair for the people of Western province.
Mr Lungu said those championing the agreement must pursue the matter through dialogue and not anarchy.
He said Government will not tolerate anyone trying to cause chaos over the agreement, which some politicians are trying to use in an attempt to gain popularity in Western province.
“If anyone wants to fight for that (Barotseland Agreement) through dialogue, there is always room for dialogue. But if they want to, they will be arrested,” Mr Lungu said.
He was reacting to a story published in The Post on Saturday in which a former police officer, Maybin Sikwa, vowed to continue fighting for the Barotseland Agreement and urged people not to be intimidated by Government.
Mr Lungu said Government has a responsibility to maintain law and order and will not allow any illegality to threaten national peace and security.
“All those bent on causing trouble will be arrested because we want peace and not confusion,” he said.
Mr Sikwa’s pro-violence innuendos are contrary to the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE)’s position on the BA.
After the January 14, 2011 Mongu fracas, the Barotse Royal Establishment said Western province will remain part of Zambia and saluted President Banda for initiating dialogue on the Barotseland Agreement.
In February, Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta presented a report to Mr Banda on the meeting of the Barotse Royal National Council held to discuss issues and events relating to the BA.
Speaking for the Litunga, Senior Chief Inyambo, who was accompanied by about 15 indunas, said the agreement does not provide for separation or secession of Western Province from the rest of Zambia.
“Barotseland is part of Zambia and that is consonant with the spirit of the Barotseland Agreement. That document does not provide for separation or indeed secession, as has been sensationalised over a period of time,” he said.
The senior chief said the BA is about national integration and unity and that advocating its restoration is not synonymous with secession.
President Banda has since assured the BRE that the government will address the report with the seriousness it deserves.
And Western police division commanding officer Fabian Katiba has dismissed The Post’s story that police in Mongu pushed the family of former treason detainee Mwiya Sihope to refute the newspaper’s earlier report in which the deceased’s son condemned Government for not providing help during the funeral.
Mr Katiba said in a telephone interview from Mongu yesterday that no officer was given such an assignment and that the entire police service is not aware of any attempt to coerce the Sihopes to refute the story.
“I have already spoken to the IG (Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde) and we are not aware of that. Which family was pushed, and which officer did that? I don’t know about that,” Mr Katiba said.
He said Mr Sihope’s burial went well. He also said Maybin Sikwa is not a Mongu police officer as reported in The Post. Mr Sikwa was based in Lusaka before he was arrested over his involvement in the Mongu chaos.
Yesterday, Mr Kabonde said Mr Sikwa is no longer a police officer. He was dismissed from the service as soon as he engaged himself in the fracas over the Barotseland Agreement.
Mr Kabonde said Mr Sikwa was dismissed for breaching the republican Constitution, which every police officer is obliged to protect and uphold.
On inciting westerners, Gallant Youths of Zambia executive secretary Henry Mulenga said the PF was using The Post newspaper to incite violence by repeatedly bringing the Mongu fracas into the media spotlight so that the people of Western Province can react negatively to the authorities and the rest of the country.
Mr Mulenga said in the wake of the Mongu violence, it was incumbent upon all media houses to champion peace and unity.
“The noble profession of journalism should be used wisely to enhance the peace and unity that exists in the country,” he said.
And Mr Mulenga said it was clear that The Post was the official campaign newspaper for the PF.
“President Banda has repeatedly said the Zambian government is at peace with the Western Province and working tirelessly to bring development to the area, but The Post newspaper is the only media which is not seeing that,” he said.
He said in the interest of Zambia’s peace, it was not fair for the PF and The Post newspaper to champion the Mongu fracas to achieve their objective of turning the people of Western Province against Government and ultimately against the Zambian people.
“We as the Gallant Youths feel that The Post newspaper has an insatiable appetite to transform itself into the chief campaign manager for the PF,” he said.
Mr Mulenga said since 2008, The Post had worked tirelessly to create an impression that President Banda did not care for the Zambian people when in fact the President had been initiating development projects across all provinces.
He said the tabloid had used the Mongu fracas to discredit the government so that in the unlikely event that the PF wins this year’s elections, some editors would be given positions.
“We should not publish stories meant to incite violence in a specific section of the country,” he said.
He said the best thing to do in the interest of all peace-loving Zambians is to preach reconciliation and forgiveness so that the country continues to enjoy peace.
“Our humble appeal to the people of Zambia is that we must continue to advance the peace and tranquillity that has made Zambia one of the most admired states in the region.
Development comes about when the mindset changes and people begin to believe that they should work hard and live within the laws of the country.
Information plays a vital role in shaping the values of citizens, so all media organisations and the church should echo President Banda’s message that we should maintain peace and at the same time work hard to develop the country,” he said.
