THE Ministry of Education has released K10 billion for payment of personal emoluments to teachers in all the provinces.Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary in charge of human resource and administration, Andrew Phiri said in a statement in Lusaka that K1.2 billion had been disbursed in Lusaka while K1 billion was allocated to Central Province.

The ministry allocated K1.5 billion to the Copperbelt Province, K1 billion to Western Province, K1 billion to Luapula Province and K1 billion to North-Western Province.

Southern Province was given K1.2 billion, Northern province had K1.1 billion while Eastern Province got K1 billion.Mr Phiri implored all provincial education officers to work with the teachers’ unions to promote accountability and transparency.“Old cases must take precedence over new cases.

Payments must be processed expeditiously, especially retirement and terminal cases.“Lastly but not the least, expenditure returns must be submitted to the Ministry of Education headquarters and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) has welcomed the Government’s commitment to addressing issues affecting teachers.

ZNUT general secretary Newman Bubala said in an interview that the union was happy with the release of K10 billion to settle outstanding payments.

Mr Bubala said the release of the money by the Government was a good gesture which had given them hope that all the K83 billion allocated for clearing teachers’ allowances in this year’s Budget would be disbursed.

He said what was more pleasing was that the K10 billion was the second installment of the K83 billion allocation to be released within a shortperiod of time.

[Times of Zambia]

Chawama Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament (MP) Sampa Bredt has disclosed that about K785 million will be spent on the construction of a clinic in Freedom Compound.

Mrs. Bredt said the construction of the clinic has already commenced and was expected to be in operational by the end of this year.

She explained that of the funds, about K160 million was sourced from Constituency Development Funds (CDF), K25 milion from Ward Development Funds while the other K600 million came from the Swedish Embassy who were the cooperating partners in the project.

Reverend Bredt observed that residents of Freedom Compound Ward 4 were currently facing difficulties in accessing health services as they had to travel long distances to Chawama and Chilanga clinics respectively.

ZANIS reports that the MP said this in Lusaka yesterday when she toured developmental projects under construction in her constituency.

Rev. Bredt said there were also plans to construct a school near the clinic since the land which has been allocated for the project was big enough to accommodate other developmental projects.

Speaking earlier, Lusaka District Health Management Team (DHMT) Medical Officer, Roy Chavuma said inspections carried out by experts indicate that building project conforms to the set standards of health clinics.

Mr. Chavuma said two houses will also be constructed for staff that will be operating at the clinic.

Meanwhile Rev. Bredt has commended government for constructing a local court in Chawama compound saying it will go a long way in helping residents who have to move long distances to attend court sessions in other areas such as Chilenje.

And in another development, Lusaka District Health Management Team, Medical Officer Roy Chavuma says about K1.3 billion is needed for the construction of a surgical ward and extension of the maternity wing at Chawama clinic.

Mr. Chavuma says the maternity wing at the clinic needs to be extended besides construction of a surgical ward, administration block and a frontage that will make it look like a hospital.

He said construction works will start once all necessary resources have been put in place.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Chavuma was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when Chawama Member of Parliament Sampa Bredt inspected some projects in Chawama’s Jack compound.

And speaking earlier, Chawama Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Sampa Bredt said she has set aside K350m from the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to go towards the extension of the maternity wing at the clinic.

Reverend Bredt said the construction works have delayed because the Government through Ministry of Health wants to put up a modern structure which will also include a surgical ward.

She has since commended government for its efforts in improving health facilities in her area.

And Rev. Bredt said the construction of an ablution block at Chawama Market at cost of K306 million from CDF funds has been completed and was scheduled to be commissioned in the next two weeks.

ZANIS

A tight schedule awaits President Rupiah Banda when he arrives in Solwezi tomorrow for a day’s visit.

According to a programme released to ZANIS in Solwezi by North Western Province Permanent Secretary Fabian Mumba today, Mr Banda will soon after arrival travel to Kalumbila in Senior Chief Musele’s area for a ground breaking ceremony of the Trident mining project.

Kalumbila is close to 180 kilometers west of Solwezi.

In the afternoon, the President will lay a foundation stone at the construction of a K2 billion Zangamenu bridge on Kifubwa river before flagging off the construction of township roads in Solwezi.

On Saturday, President Banda will officiate at the opening of Solwezi Trades Institute.
Later the President will launch the North Western Province Mobile Hospitals.

President Banda is expected to fly back to Lusaka soon after the launch of the mobile hospitals.

Meanwhile, Solwezi is gripped with anxiety as the people are yearning to see the President.
ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda says his Government will continue empowering Zambians with houses despite criticism from the opposition.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of 68 Police housing units in Livingstone yesterday,President Banda said currently Government is considering building 4,500 units for all the Defence forces countrywide.He also said the government would construct new police stations as the current stations which were left by colonial masters were old.

He said the MMD Government considers homelessness as the worst social problem.

“Because I do not want anyone to be homeless that is why I am giving these houses.By the way my next destination is Kasama and I will continue…I know that some people are against this but I will continue,”he said.

Mr Banda said the policy of the Government was to develop Zambia regardless of how people voted.

President Banda has challenged his rivals from the opposition to point out which Government has done more than his regime in terms of accommodation.

Meanwhile Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde has thanked Government for the gesture.

Mr.Kabonde said houses for the Police had not been constructed in 43 years hence the Police have experienced a lot of difficulties in terms of accommodation.

And speaking during the 6th International Association of Women Judges Africa Regional conference held at Zambezi Sun Hotel,President Banda urged the Judges and magistrates to ensure that delivery of justice is timely and untainted.

President Banda said that people look up to the court for justice and fairness in dispute resolution.

He told the delegates comprising of honorable judges and magistrates that people hold judges and magistrates in high esteem because their role in society is special, well recognized and appreciated.

He appealed to the delegates to maintain their integrity and reciprocate the trust and confidence from the people.

He said magistrates and judges can do that by demonstrating a sense of responsibility, impartiality and diligence in the execution of their duties.

ANOTHER Zambian national has been arrested by the Malawi police for drug trafficking. Drug-Enforcement Commission (DEC) spokesperson John Nyawali identified the man as a business executive of Chifwiti Village in Lundazi District, saying he was arrested by the Mzimba police after he was found with 150 kilogrammes of cannabis.

He is the fourth Zambian to be arrested in Malawi within two weeks for trafficking in cannabis.

Mr Nyawali said in a statement yesterday that two of those arrested were serving their prison terms after being sentenced to eight and 10 years with hard labour, respectively.

Meanwhile, 113 people were arrested country-wide in the last seven days for trafficking in different quantities of cannabis totaling 4. 5 tonnes.

Mr Nyawali said among these was a grade 12 pupil of Kasama High School in Northern Province.

“Others arrested in connection with controlled drugs and precursor chemicals were a 65-year-old British national working as a volunteer at one of the community-based organisations in Chipata.

He said the man was found with Diphenhydramine, a class-two controlled drug.

Mr Nyawali said 39-year-old business executive of Chilenje in Lusaka was also arrested from the light industrial area in Kitwe after he was found with Ephedrine which he was attempting to sell.

He said all the suspects were detained in custody and would appear in court soon.

[Times of Zambia]

MINISTER of Defence Kalombo Mwansa says President Banda does not owe the nation an explanation over allegations by Kafulafuta member of Parliament George Mpombo that he was involved in an arms procurement deal involving US$100 million.

“The President has nothing to explain because procurement of public goods and services is a function of civil servants. The President has no role whatsoever in the procurement of goods and services, including arms. So there is nothing for him to explain,” Dr Mwansa said.

He said this to journalists at Lusaka International Airport shortly after seeing off President Banda who travelled to Livingstone yesterday.

Recently, Mr Mpombo claimed that he resigned as Minister of Defence because he refused to be part of President Banda’s alleged involvement in the procurement of arms worth US$100 million from South Africa.

And Dr Mwansa said there is no need for Zambians to worry about any possible breakdown of law and order as the country heads towards the 2011 general elections.

He said everyone knows that Zambia is peaceful and citizens have lived in peace since independence.

“So there is nothing that should change that position and I can assure the people of Zambia that they should remain peaceful and go about their lives without worrying about any breakdown of law and order. That will not happen and there is just no basis for that,” Dr Mwansa said.

He was reacting to a story in The Post in which Kabwata member of Parliament Given Lubinda was quoted as saying Zambians are not safe in their own country following recent killings blamed on the police.

Dr Mwansa said defence forces will guarantee peace before, during and after elections, as they have always done in the past.

“We are alert to ensure that we deal with any breakdown in law and order but I don’t think there will be any need for us to be worried and deploy our forces to maintain peace. Zambians are always peaceful. They always maintain their peace and this will continue before, during and after elections,” Dr Mwansa said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]