The British government will spend 48.5 Billion Kwacha to help the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) deliver free and fair elections during this year’s polls.

British High Commissioner to Zambia Tom Carter says part of the money will also go towards enhancing democracy in the country.

Mr Carter says the assistance which will be done through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will involve training of police officers to enable them handle elections in an effective manner.

High Commissioner Carter told ZNBC News in an interview that his country will also train election observers.

He is hoping that the elections will be free of violence and the political players will accept the election results.

Zambia’s government has allocated 322 billion Kwacha for the electoral commission to organize this year’s elections.
The exact date of the elections is determined by the President, who has yet to make an announcement.

And new director at ECZ says commission has begun “earnest preparations” for the general elections to be held later this year. Priscilla Isaac says the electoral commission will need over 60,000 “trained and tested” officials to conduct this year’s vote. She says the electoral body is implementing new training strategies for its officers to help “publicize and educate the electorate on what to expect in this year’s elections at the grassroots-level.”

Ms Isaac also rejected the demand of a PVT system , saying the electoral commission is “the only legitimate body mandated by the constitution to organize elections in Zambia.” She says the electoral process as it stands is “open and transparent enough.”

Click below to listen to her full interview with Clottey of the Voice of America

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.