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United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has charged that there is lack of commitment in the UPND/PF pact to deliver a common agenda for the people of Zambia.
Mr. Hichilema described the recent statement by the Patriotic Front president Michael Sata that he runs a tribal party as disgusting.
Mr. Hichilema said that it is important that political leaders in the country remove the dent of tribalism in Zambian politics.
He said that it is wrong for the Patriotic front leader Michael Sata to say things that only benefit him.
He has further described the statement as propaganda meant to divert Zambians freedom of choice of leadership that will bring economic and social development.
Mr. Hichilema also said it is unfortunate that the Patriotic Front has failed to meet the UPND to discuss the progress of the Pact.
The UPND leader was speaking this morning on Tikambilane program on Joy FM radio.
United Party for National Development (UPND) in Luapula province has told their party leader Hakainde Hichilema to accept the proposals made by Professor Clive Chirwa on the future of the UPND-PF pact.
Luapula province UPND Coordinator Jones Mutimushi told QFM news that the fact the PF party is stronger than the UPND could not be ruled out.
Mr. Mutimushi says Mr. Hichilema should compromise on the Pact by accepting the proposal that Pro. Chirwa made concerning the political alliance of the UPND and PF if the two parties are to have sufficient ground to defeat the ruling MMD party.
He added that there is need for the UPND to listen to the will of the people on the need to have a united opposition.
Mr. Mutimushi advised the UPND leader not to listen to people who may have selfish motives and misguide him on the issues relating to the pact.
And UPND in Luapula has called on the UPND’s Charles Kakoma and PF’s Wynter Kabimba to resign from their party positions.
Mr. Mutimushi says Mr. Kakoma and his counterpart Mr. Kabimba have been issuing conflicting statements on the Pact a situation he said has led to the current problems being faced in the UPND/3PF pact.
Professor Chirwa who is the UPND chairman for international relations made the proposal on the UPND-PF pact which among them included that Michael should be the pact presidential candidate in this year’s elections.
However, UPND later announced that the proposal did not come from party but that they were made by an individual and therefore should not be seen to be the party’s decision.
[ QFM ]
President Banda on March 4 commissioned the US$25 million modern Kasumbalesa border facility.
The Kasumbalesa border post becomes the first project to be commissioned under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.
Mr Banda said during the commissioning ceremony on March 4 that government recognises the role of the private sector as a partner in infrastructure development.
“The private sector in partnership with Government can achieve a lot in terms of the development of infrastructure and hence national development,” Mr Banda said.
He said the participation of the private sector in infrastructure development releases Government resources for other priority areas like health and education.
“I want us Zambians to adopt and assimilate public private partnerships as critical in the future development of our country. This new business approach will increase efficiency in construction and maintenance of infrastructure services in Zambia,” Mr Banda said.
He said Government expects that the local community will benefit from new jobs and improved social amenities like roads, a market and schools at Kasumbalesa.
Mr Banda said Government is working to upgrade all major border posts like Kazungula, Nakonde, including Mwami, Kipushi and Jimbe through the PPP approach.
He was confident that Kasumbalesa border and others to be modernised will increase the volume of trade in the SADC and COMESA regions and beyond.
“The challenge is for all local authorities to be involved in the planning and implementation of the various PPP projects being implemented in their jurisdictions. Councils must ensure that their communities are fully involved and benefit from the projects,” Mr Banda said.
He said it is necessary for Zambia to improve its border post management to enhance passage and transparency
Mr Banda also congratulated the Zambia Border Crossing Company for the project and for employing local people at Kasumbalesa.
Mr Banda said Government recognises the necessity to mordernise all border posts because having only one modern border at Chirundu is not sufficient for the rapid clearance of cargo carriers.
He is concerned that the trucks which may be quickly cleared at Chirundu border post get marooned at other unimproved border posts such as Kasumbalesa.
“My Government understands that in order to successfully implement the operations of the ultra modern Chirundu border post, it is important to modernise other posts as well,” Mr Banda said.
He said this is the reason why the Kasumbalesa border post has been built and Government wishes to see the facility evolve into a one-stop border post in line with the set Southern African Development Community (SADC) standards.
File: Democratic Republic of Congo Katanga governor Moses Katumbi in Mansa interacts with ZambiansDEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi described some Zambian opposition leaders as empty drums who just make noise instead of appreciating the development that the country has recorded under President Banda’s rule.
Mr Katumbi said during the commissioning of the new Kasumbalesa border post in Chililabombwe on March 4 that there are some politicians in Zambia who make noise like empty drums.
“When you roll an empty drum, it makes a lot of noise. There are some politicians in Zambia who are like empty drums,” Mr Katumbi said.
He said Zambia has recorded remarkable development in the two years President Banda has been in office, and urged Zambians to appreciate that.
“We should commend Government for what is happening. Some people are liars …ask them if they have even built a toilet in their lifetime,” he said.
He commended President Banda for the massive road construction works taking place in Lusaka and the Copperbelt.
Mr Katumbi also commended Mr Banda for the maize bumper harvest the country recorded in the last farming season.
“We are thankful that this year, Zambia recorded a bumper harvest and we are not suffering in Congo because business is going on well. God will bless the country and he will bless you (President Banda),” he said.
Mr Katumbi, who used a combination of Swahili, Bemba and English, said it is sad that he was accused of stealing and hounded out of Zambia when he sued Government.
He advised the people of Zambia to thank God for giving them a good leader in President Banda.
“Business between Zambia and Congo is good. Both countries are trading well because you have a wise President. President Banda has the support of the DRC,” Mr Katumbi said.
He said there are no Zambians detained in the DRC, and asked the Zambian government not to detain Congolese nationals in Zambia.
“All we want is business and development for our two countries. The Congolese people are happy with what you (Mr Banda) are doing in Zambia, and the Zambian people are also happy.
“Close your ears to negative comments because there is development in Zambia,” Mr Katumbi said.
He called for more co-operation between the DRC and Zambia.
One definition of the word “favor” is an advantage for success. When you put God first, when you obey His commands, you open the door for His favor — you have the advantage for success! Even if someone has wronged you and it looks like they have the upper hand, even if it looks like things are never going to change, you need to keep reminding yourself, “I have an advantage. God is in control of my destiny. He’s fighting my battles for me. He is my vindicator, and it’s just a matter of time before things change in my favor.”
I love the scripture in Hebrews that says, “Don’t cast away your confidence.” One translation says, “…for payday is coming.” In the difficult times, you have to remind yourself that payday is on its way! God is a faithful God. If you’ll keep doing the right thing, honoring Him and expecting His favor, God has promised He will pay you back. He will restore everything in your life that the enemy has stolen so you can live the abundant life He has promised to you.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for Your grace, mercy and everlasting favor. I open my heart and mind to You and receive everything You have for me. Thank You for restoring and healing every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Tourism and Environment Minister Catherine Namugala has urged all major political parties to ensure that the current female parliamentarians return the seats in this year’s elections.
Ms. Namugala says the female parliamentarians who would be clocking five years in office need to be given a second chance as this will enable them to gain more experience and contribute meaningfully to the country’s national development.
Ms. Namugala, who is also Isoka East Member of Parliament, however, says it is encouraging to note that the number of female parliamentarians has continued to increase.
She added that women need to be encouraged to take up leadership roles for them to manage national affairs.
Ms. Namugala has been a parliamentarian for Isoka East for almost ten years now.
[ QFM ]
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has outlawed displaying of “no refund, no return” disclaimers.
The commission says the action is illegal and has warned that it will soon start clamping down on offenders.
Public Relations Director, Brian Lingela says the any business firm found displaying such disclaimers will be fined up to 10 percent of its annual turnover.
Mr Lingela said the move will be taken to enforce the law and also to protect consumers from traders who usually sell defective products.
[pullquote]Public Relations Director, Brian Lingela said that any business firm found displaying such disclaimers will be fined up to 10 percent of its annual turnover.[/pullquote]
He said this at a media briefing in Lusaka, yesterday.
Mr Lingela also said the commission will take action against traders who charge their customers more than the price indicated on a product or service.
He said the commission is currently investigating the airline industry for charging customers’ hidden costs when buying air tickets.
Electoral Commission of Zambia says it has strong misgivings over plans by some organisations to set up a parallel Voter tabulation centre.
Public Relations Manager, Cris Akufuna says this is because a parallel voter tabulation system has a potential to cause anarchy during the elections.
He told ZNBC news in an interview today that organisations that want to set up voter tabulation centres need to abide by the law.
Mr Akufuna said only the Electoral Commission has a mandate to announce election results in Zambia.
Under the parallel voter tabulation concept, some NGO’s place polling agents in all constituencies across the country and announce election results as they come in from their polling agents.
On Friday, the Committee of Citizens alleged that a United States of America-based election monitoring group had skillfully selected pro-opposition non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to implement the parallel vote tabulation system to ensure Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata is declared winner in this year’s elections.
Executive director Gregory Chifire said that National Democratic Institute (NDI) had selected pro-opposition NGOs to deploy monitors in polling stations so that they could announce and declare results and winners before the final results from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) are known.
“The NGOs that have been selected are Caritas Zambia, Southern African Centre for constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD), Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP), and the Press Freedom Committee of The Post.
“However, the lead monitor will be Caritas Zambia, formerly Catholic Centre for Justice and Peace (CCJP). They will use the CCJP structures in all the parishes and dioceses in Zambia,” Mr Chifire said.
President Banda talks to former Minister and Ambassador Kelly Walubita
President Rupiah Banda has been invited by a leading global news and information company, Thomson Reuters ,to speak at its first ever Africa Investment Summit to be held in South Africa.
President Banda is expected to join top politicians, Executives and investors to explore the opportunities and challenges facing investors in Africa.
The inaugural Africa Investment summit will be held from the 7 to 10 of March 2011.
Reuters Bureau Chief for Southern Africa Marius Bosch said that the foreign investors and many Reuters clients are increasingly interested in Zambia and its investments prospects.
This is contained in a statement released to ZNBC by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere.
Mr Jere said delivering economic prosperity to all Zambians has been at the heart of President Banda ‘s policies and his government has worked successfully to build strong foundations for tomorrow Zambia.
He said great achievements have been made in improving economic stability and the country has drawn considerable international recognition, receiving its first sovereign rating from FITCH which rated Zambia at B plus.
Zambia’s economy expanded to almost 7 percent last year and it is predicted to be one of the world’s top ten fastest growing economies for 2011-2015 a sign that there are good times ahead for the Zambian economy.
And Vice President George Kunda has said that the Credit rating of B plus by the International community will enable the country attract investment.
Mr Kunda said that the development also showed the confidence the International community has, in the government’s robust economic policies.
He said that following the rating, Zambia will be able to float bonds for various infrastructure development projects in the country.
Mr Kunda was speaking in Parliament on Friday in response to Milanzi Member of Parliament Whiteson Banda who wanted to know what it means for Zambia to gain a credit rating of B plus.
He said that the international community is also impressed with the way government is fighting corruption
Zesco United this afternoon collected the first silverware for 2011 when they beat Nkana 3-0 in the Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield final played at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
The defeat was a crushing blow to Nkana who reached the final by default after their semifinal opponents Nchanga Rangers pulled out of the match due to a two-week pre-season training camp in South Africa that they began last Thursday.
Meanwhile, Zesco took a 2-0 lead into halftime during the first 45 minutes that Nkana played all the good football but were blunt in attack despite being urged on by a partisan crowd at a two-thirds packed Arthur Davies this afternoon.
Kangwa Chileshe whipped in the first goal in the 40th minute from close range before Alfred Luputa gave Zesco a comfortable lead dead on 45 minutes in similar fashion.
Ian Kafusha came close midway through the second half to getting a goal for Nkana but his tame header bounced off the crown of his head and out of play.
Zesco made sure of the win with the third goal through 73rd minute substitute Innocent Mwaba who rifled in a shoot from the half circle outside Nkana’s penalty area.
For Nkana, they were consoled when they walked away with medals before their committee members made a mad rush for the remainders on offer that were handed out by Faz president Kalusha Bwalya.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has condemned the conduct of the police officers in the Mazabuka incident that occurred on Tuesday this week.
The Human Rights Committee of the law association of Zambia says that reported use of teargas canister in a public place where patrons were watching a soccer match on television is reckless, unjustifiable, and clearly criminal.
Governor of the Committee Bob Mwelwa Musenga says that the continued use of live ammunition on unarmed members of the public is a sad development.
Mr. Musenga has since called on the political leadership to condemn the continued loss of lives at the hands of the police service whose constitutional mandate is to protect lives of the people.
He says the right to life is the cornerstone of the bill of rights and the violation of this right with impunity is at the variance with the Association’s position as a democratic state that respects the rule of law.
Mr. Musenga has since reminded the police that they are not above the law and are equally subject to the same laws as other citizens.
He regret that two more lives were lost at the hands of the police barely 24 hours after the issuance of a statement by the minister of home affairs in parliament.
He has further urged government to immediately take corrective measures and ensure that the police operate within the law so as to restore the confidence of the public and international community.
Former Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo has castigated Catholic priests practicing partisan politics.
Archbishop Milingo says the move is not only wrong but also has potential to divide the whole nation.
The Archbishop said the Catholic Church is a universal church adding that all Catholics should embrace politicians from various political parties.
Archbishop Milingo said on Friday in Lusaka that clergymen and women should play the role of mediators among politicians to promote peace and unity.
Meanwhile Archbishop Milingo has cautioned Zambians against engaging themselves in vices that may jeopardize the peace and security of the nation ahead of this year’s tripartite elections.
He said Zambians should desist from any forms of violence if the country is to continue enjoying peace and freedom.
[ ZNBC ]
Thirty one out of the 42 people that were feared dead after their boat capsized on Lake Mweru in Luapula Province are alive.
Police Spokesperson Ndandula Siamana confirmed this to ZNBC news in Lusaka Friday evening.
Ms. Siamana said some of the survivors were found on top of the capsized boat, while the rest managed to swim into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo because it is nearer than the Zambian side.
Meanwhile, three bodies have been retrieved from Lake Mweru following the accident.
Ms. Siamana said that eight people are, however, missing and believed to be trapped underneath the capsized boat.
Forty two people were fishing on the lake, when the boat capsized.
United Party for National Development UPND national youth chairman Joe Kalusa says there is no reason why the UPND/PF pact should crumble because of him.
Mr. Kalusa says PF leader Michael Sata’s demands that he apologizes over his attacks on him for the benefit of the PACT holds no water.
He says individual demands that the PF leader is making are unfortunate especially that the UPND/PF pact was created by Zambians with the vision of hope.
Mr. Kalusa says the PF president should come out in the open and declare the real reasons why his does not seem to be interested in the PACT.
He added that it is unfair and wrong to use him as a scapegoat to pull out of the PACT by the PF as it was created for the benefit of the many Zambians.
Mr Kalusa says Mr. Sata should not look at the individual behaviour but look at the broader picture of the Zambian population that wants regime change.
[ QFM ]
