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The University of Zambia Students Union UNZASU has expressed regret for sending representatives to the National constitution conference.
UNZASU outgoing committee member Kelvin Chitala says the whole process fundamentally damaged and compromised the image of UNZASU before the eyes of the national and international community.
In a statement to QFM radio, Chitala observed that it is unfortunate that tax payer’s money was criminally used to pay the NCC delegates who did not even yield any positive results.
Chitala observes that due to its incompetence, government has reached its dangerous levels as it has made a lot of costly mistakes within a short period of time.
He notes that the failure to reintroduce the windfall taxes, the massive pollution on the Copperbelt, the criminalization of the parallel voting tabulation and the questionable acquittal of second republican president Frederick Chiluba, among others, have been setbacks in the development of the country’s economy.
Chitala says the setback has resulted in the poor delivery of services due to none monitoring of the civil service.
He observes that if government had the interest of the people it would have either used part of the money to sponsor poor students who are facing deregistration due to non-payment of tuition fees at the university, bought drugs and improve the hospitals or even work on the impassable roads.
THE Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has terminated all shareholders’ interests in Finance Bank Zambia Limited (FBZ) including the 40 percent stake owned by Credit Suisse (Netherlands) B.V.
According to a Government gazette No 815 of 2010, posted on the BoZ website, the bank says the acquisition of 40 percent stake by Credit Suisse in FBZ, appears to be a lending transaction because of the underlying agreements that were not disclosed to the bank.
The central bank says among other things, the agreements guaranteed a return to Credit Suisse on the investment.
The gazette states that other shareholders apart from Credit Suisse Investment (Nederland) B.V whose contracts were terminated are Finsbury Investment Limited of Ndola, Clarkwell Limited of Tortilla and British Virgin Islands.
Others are Job Albert Samuel of Canada, Estate of the late Pat BwalyaPuta of Ndola and Patrick Chamunda.
“It is hereby notified for public information that the BoZ in exercising powers contained in section 81(i) (c)( i) and (ii) of the Banking and Financial Services Act (BSFA) CAP 387(“ BFASA”) did on the 10 th day of December, 2010 take possession of FBZ with effect from 16:00 hours.
“It is further notified that in exercise of the powers conferred upon the BoZ by section 84 A (g) of the BFSA, and pursuant to the Resolution and Order of the BoZ board passed on December 10, 2010, the bank did on the 22 December 2010 terminate with immediate effect the shareholder interest in FBZ of all and each of the listed shareholders,” it read in part.
And BoZ has started the process of evaluating firms that showed interest to acquire FBZ after the process of the bank’s sale began last month.
BoZ head of public relations Kanguya Mayondi said the public will soon be informed on the outcome after the evaluation process has been completed.
Lucky Msiska on Sunday recorded his first back-to-back competitive wins as Under-23 coach after a luckless run in the 2011 All-Africa Games qualifiers.
Msiska’s team beat Rwanda Under-23 in Kigali in their Olympic Games qualifier.
Zambia beat Rwanda 1-0 to advance 2-1 on aggregate to the second round of the qualifying phase on the road to the London Olympic Games football tournament finals.
POWER, ROAN GO TOP
Power Dynamos and Roan United shared a three-way lead in Week 1 of the MTN/FAZ Super Division season.
Both Power and Roan both won by similar 2-1 wins today to join Red Arrows who beat Nkana by the same margin at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.
Power beat newcomers Green Eagles 2-1 in a Week 1 fixture played at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe thanks to goals from midfielders Luka Lungu and Josphat Nkhoma in the 47th and 86th minutes respectively.
Eagles striker Aubrey Zulu scored the Choma sides consolation goal.
Meanwhile, Roan travelled to Ndola where they beat Forest Rangers 2-1 at Dola Hill while across town at Musa Kasonka Super Division debutants Lime Hotspurs drew 1-1 with Konkola Blades.
The Patriotic Front (PF) has threatened to ‘sort out’ Chanda Chimba III over his television programme “Stand Up for Zambia” which is aired on the national broadcaster ZNBC.
And PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has condemned the recent acts of violence among MMD and PF cadres in Lusaka.
PF vice president Guy Scot said the party is saddened by Mr. Chimba’s continued attacks on its party president Michael Sata which he said is meant to discredit him.
Mr. Scot said at a press conference in Lusaka today that was also attended by party cadres and leaders that the party will sort out Mr. Chimba for his attacks.
He has, however, expressed displeasure with the courts entering a nolle prosequi against two Chinese managers at Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe who allegedly shot at some mine workers last year.
Mr. Scot argued that it was not right that the case was discontinued for lack of evidence when the workers were purely shot at and injured.
And PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has condemned the violence by his cadres saying that the party does not condone any form of violence from its members.
He said the party wants to be a peaceful political party which will attract and accommodate everyone with positive ideas.
Mr. Kabimba has meanwhile stated that his party will fight back against any attacks from the MMD.
“If PF members are provoked by the MMD cadres as was the case in the Kamwala incident they have the right to defend themselves against such thuggery and we have sufficient numbers to execute such a campaign successfully,” he said.
He has also stated that the party will implicate government and the MMD over any harm that will befall its president following reports of planned of abductions.
Mr. Kabimba has also condemned hate speeches by some organization against its leader Michael Sata.
He said there is need to stop this act as it has resulted in fights in other countries.
[pullquote]“If PF members are provoked by the MMD cadres as was the case in the Kamwala incident they have the right to defend themselves against such thuggery and we have sufficient numbers to execute such a campaign successfully,” he said.[/pullquote]
Meanwhile, Former UNIP Secretary General Reverend Alfred Banda has announced his resignation from the former ruling party to join the PF.
Rev. Banda who resigned from UNIP and was heading a UNIP revival forum announced his resignation together with MMD Kabwata constituency Secretary Emmanuel Chanda at the press briefing in Lusaka today.
He said he decided to resign because he feels the PF is the only progressive political party.
Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba
Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba says people elected as union leaders should not use their positions to frustrate investors and those in management.
Mr. Kachimba says union leaders should contribute to the growth of their companies and ensure productivity continues.
He added that dialogue should be the direction which unions must take as opposed to work stoppages.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Kachimba, who was speaking to union representative at Lafarge Plc in Chilanga yesterday, said when the company makes losses and decides to start retrenching workers, union leaders will have no one to blame but themselves.
He said the role of unions should be part of management and contribute to the
efficient running of companies.
Mr. Kachimba said government’s role is that of coming in as a mediator when management and workers fail to reach a conclusion.
He also appealed to management to sensitize workers on reasons why it has decided to retrench
workers.
Mr. Kachimba said government is aware that management has laid out plans to reduce the work force at Lafarge and it is important that workers are prepared adequately for the exercise.
He said although government is discouraging the practice, if certain factors are contributing then it has no problem.
The labour deputy minister also commended Lafarge plc for having taking safety of workers as a priority.
He said it was gratifying that the company has been recognized internationally for its safety standards.
And Company Managing director Fola Esan thanked the minister for having found time to visit the plant and discuss with the workers’ representatives.
He said it was pleasing that the company has managed to create a good working relationship with government.
Mr. Esan said the company is also happy with the investment climate it is enjoying saying Larfage has continued to enjoy conducting its business and is doing fine in the country.
He said management will ensure that it addresses some of the labour issues that have arisen so that the workers’ morale does not affect productivity.
Mr. Esan explained that the plan to retrench some workers started last year with the Ndola plant where the company has since downsized the workforce.
He said factors such as modern machinery and technology which the company is using in its production does not require more people as it is now self automated.
Mr. Esan also said the company has decided to downsize the number of casuals and other supporting staff whose work can still be carried out by other workers in order to make the company more efficient and productive.
He disclosed that not more than 70 workers will be retrenched by April this year.
“Be devoted to one another in love…”
(Romans 12:10, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Think about the people God has placed in your life. They’re not there by accident. God brings people to you for a purpose. We should live with this awareness that, “I am here to add value to people. I am here to help them succeed.” Don’t go around always thinking, “I wonder what that person can do for me. I wonder what they have to offer.” No, we should have the attitude, “What can I do for them? How can I help them come up higher? Can I teach them something I know? Can I connect them with someone who can help them?” Don’t make the mistake of going through life ingrown. Instead, be a dream releaser. Use your talent, your influence and your experience, not just to accomplish your goals, but to help release a dream in someone else.
Remember, there is nothing more rewarding than to lay down at night knowing that you helped someone else become better. You not only fulfilled your purpose for that day, you did your best. It may have just been a two-minute phone call where you encouraged someone; but when you live as a dream releaser, you’ll see your own dreams come alive as well!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for equipping me to be a blessing to others. Show me ways to be a dream releaser and help others to rise up higher. Help me to use my influence to encourage others and honor You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Proprietor of the Zambia – Botswana coach services Willie Nsanda has warned the MMD party cadres against trying to cause confusion at bus stations by claiming ownership.
Mr. Nsanda says markets and Bus station should be free from political interference because they service the public and not political parties.
Mr.Nsanda also noted that the MMD government should ensure that their political cadres are stopped from causing commotion at the bus station adding that business owners will not allow cadres to disturb their businesses.
He added that should the government fail to intervene in the matter the business owners will do whatever it takes to protect their investments.
Recently, MMD cadres in Lusaka announced that they had taken charge of the bus station in the city so as to restore sanity.
[ QFM ]
Society for Family Health (SFH) has disclosed that statistics for condom use among non regular sexual partners in the country currently stands at 54 percent.
SFH Partnership for Integrated Social Marketing (PRISM) Director of Programme Operations, Charles Kalonga said this means that the remaining percentages of sexually active persons are not using condoms resulting in the increase of the HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Mr. Kalonga was speaking during the launch of re-branding of new maximum condom promotion and award presentation in Lusaka last night.
He reiterated his company’s commitment to working closely with the government and private sector in promoting healthy behaviour through social marketing.
Mr. Kalonga has since urged the men folk to consider going for male circumcision as a way of protecting themselves and their partners from spreading HIV/AIDS and STIs in the country.
He, however, encouraged men to take up the challenge of going for male circumcision and continue using condoms adding that the fight against the pandemic can only be won through concerted efforts.
Earlier, Society for Family Health Executive Director, Mannaseh Phiri presented awards to two journalists, Masuzyo Chakwe of the Post Newspapers and Kennedy Ngondwe a freelance journalist for their role in highlighting issues of HIV/AIDS and male circumcision.
Dr. Phiri also awarded RCF Investments of Matero Township for selling over 5.3 million condoms and Bank of Zambia for being the most consistence buyers of condoms for its employees.
Recently, Society for Family Health (SFH) Zambia, who are producing and distributing the male maximum condom in the country, re-launched a new version of the condom which it described as strong; triple tested, and does not break.
The new version of the condom is a three (3) ply lubricated latex condom.
Business at Senama market in Mansa District came to a halt last evening when a pregnant woman stripped naked in the market shelter after she was accused of stealing a Fifty Thousand Kwacha by her fellow trader.
The woman decided to strip naked after she failed to convince her accuser that she had not stolen the money.
The duo was selling vegetables at the market when they picked up a quarrel after one of them lost a K 50,000 and accused her friend of stealing the money.
ZANIS reports that after a prolonged argument, the woman who accused her counterpart of having stolen the money demanded that her friend produces all the money she had so that she could identify her K 50, 000 note.
It was at this point that the accused woman decided to strip naked in the full view of people who had gone to watch them argue and those that went to buy assorted items.
She told ZANIS that that she stripped naked to show her accuser that she did not steal her money. One of the on lookers who sort anonymity said it was shameful for a woman to resort to stripping naked in presence of men and children at the market.
She said it was unjustifiable for the accused woman to remove all her clothes in public even if she was pressurized by her friend.
Meanwhile, other women expressed displeasure at the event but condemned the woman who had accused the other of stealing the money for not listening to her friend’s explanation.
They said it would be more important for the women in question to settle their wrangles at the police station than reaching the extent of stripping naked in public.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it will continue with its delimitation process despite the constitution of Zambia bill failing to pass through the second reading in Parliament.
ECZ Public Relation Manager, Chris Akufuna says the ECZ will continue sitting as a delimitation commission to review constituency boundaries but will not effect an increase in the number of constituencies.
“Following the failure of the constitution of Zambia bill to go through the second reading in parliament as require by article 79 of the constitution, the electoral commission of Zambia wishes to inform the public that it will continue sitting as a delimitations commission to review constituency boundaries with effecting an increase in the number of constituencies,” he said.
He stated that the commission will also continue receiving submissions on the numbers of constituencies in the remaining districts in order to have a complete database for future use.
Mr. Akufuna said this in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
He explained that the delimitations sittings were made to collect information on how stakeholders wanted to have the number of constituencies increased from the current 150 to 225.
Mr. Akufuna said the programme for the delimitation sittings in the rest of the provinces still remain the same.
He has since advised the public to prepare their submissions in readiness for the sitting.
ECZ has so far sat in Lusaka, North Western, Copperbelt, and Central provinces.
Wasteful Nchanga Rangers have been booted out of the Caf Confederation Cup after a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Lupopo of DR Congo in a first round, first leg match played at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola today.
Rangers who were playing their first Caf club home match in 11 years were modest throughout but also were guilty of very poor finishing.
Kabwe Chileshe missed a sitter within the opening three minutes of the game before Lewis Macha saw his 9th minute shot come off the upright in a first half against a cagey Lupopo.
Lupopo turned the screw after the break led by their powerful winger Tamundele Illunga as the difference in technical depth began to show between the two sides.
And it was Ilunga who headed in the opener in the 56th minute courtesy of a Tady Agiti cross.
Agiti cemented the DR Congo sides win with the second goal two minutes into time added on.
This is after he stole the ball off Nchanga defender Moses Mulambi inside the area before rounding goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga.
Nchanga bow out 3-0 on aggregate after losing 1-0 in the first leg played in Lubumbashi a fortnight ago.
Lupopo face Sofapaka of Kenya in a fortnights time who overturned 2-0 away loss away to Ismaily of Egypt to beat the North Africans 4-0 in Nairobi today.
President Rupiah Banda
President Rupiah Banda has commissioned the first nine mobile hospitals.
Speaking when he launched the facilities at the newly constructed Chongwe District Hospital today, President Banda said more than 8.7 million Zambians across the country will benefit from the newly launched mobile hospitals.
Mr. Banda said the MMD government is determined to continue improving the health sector in the country for the benefit all Zambians.
ZANIS reports that the President stressed that the mobile hospitals will play a vital role in reducing maternal mortality rates in the country as health services will be brought closer to the people even in areas not easily accessible to people.
He noted that health services in the country are provided in two modes which include static health posts, clinics and general hospitals as well as mobile hospitals.
He said the two modes complement each other in the health delivery.
Mr. Banda said government has constructed hospitals, health posts, and health centers across the country for the benefit of the people.
The President further said that government is constructing 125 more health posts across the country in addition to building more District Hospitals in all the 9 provinces of Zambia.
He named the District hospitals constructed by government as Chongwe, Chadiza, Chama, Chavuma and Chiengi district hospitals.
He said others are Samfya, Lufwanyama, Lumwana, Lundazi, Namwala, and Serenje to mention but a few.
President Banda said that government was optimistic that by 2016 there will be District hospitals in all the 73 districts of Zambia.
President Banda also said government was constructing A general hospitalS in Choma and Lusaka.
He disclosed that the new Lusaka General Hospital will be officially opened by May this year.
Mr. Banda hailed the Chinese government for the assistance being rendered to Zambia including the purchase of mobile hospitals.
He stated that the new mobile hospitals will be supplied to all 9 provinces of Zambia.
The equipment consists of X-ray, laboratory, dispensary unit, power and water units and living quarter unit and the out patients department.
He disclosed that in each mobile hospital which will be supplied to provinces, there will be four Chinese Doctors to assist the local medical personal especially in Surgical, maternity and nursing.
President Banda also stated that government has procured 17 Marin Clinics and 12 Boats to be used in areas which are only accessible by water such as in Western and Luapula provinces.
And President Banda has said government intends to open a second school of medicine in Ndola in a bid to improve human resources in the health sector.
And speaking at the same event, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quingmin said the mobile hospitals will go a long way in uplifting people’s lives in rural areas.
Mr. Li said President Banda should be appreciated for his initiative to purchase mobile hospitals.
He said China will not relent in partnering with the Zambian government especially in the health sector.
He stated that the bilateral relations between the two countries which he said dates back to many years should continue for the benefit of the two country nations.
Business at Senama market in Mansa District came to a halt last evening when a pregnant woman stripped naked in the market shelter after she was accused of stealing a Fifty Thousand Kwacha by her fellow trader.
The woman decided to strip naked after she failed to convince her accuser that she had not stolen the money.
The duo was selling vegetables at the market when they picked up a quarrel after one of them lost a K 50,000 and accused her friend of stealing the money.
ZANIS reports that after a prolonged argument, the woman who accused her counterpart of having stolen the money demanded that her friend produces all the money she had so that she could identify her K 50, 000 note.
It was at this point that the accused woman decided to strip naked in the full view of people who had gone to watch them argue and those that went to buy assorted items.
She told ZANIS that she stripped naked to show her accuser that she did not steal her money.
One of the on lookers who sort anonymity said it was shameful for a woman to resort to stripping naked in presence of men and children at the market.
She said it was unjustifiable for the accused woman to remove all her clothes in public even if she was pressurized by her friend.
Meanwhile, other women expressed displeasure at the event but condemned the woman who had accused the other of stealing the money for not listening to her friend’s explanation.
They said it would be more important for the women in question to settle their wrangles at the police station than reaching the extent of stripping naked in public.
[ ZANIS ]
