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About 174 people in Chief Mumena’s area in Solwezi district are spending nights in the cold after their houses collapsed owing to the heavy rains experienced in the last few days.
Chief Mumena, who confirmed the development to ZANIS in Solwezi yesterday, said 29 houses from five villages have collapsed in Konkwa area of his chiefdom.
He, however, said no life was lost during the collapsing of houses.
The chief said a few tents have been organized where families are now spending nights although they are not enough to cater for all the affected people.
The traditional ruler has since appealed to relevant authorities to provide more tents to accommodate all affected families.
He explained that the affected area was water logged because of the rock formation which makes it difficult for water to easily sink after rains.
Chief Mumena said the underground water has been contaminated as most pit latrines have collapsed, a situation he described as a health hazard.
The traditional leader expressed worry that the rains were threatening food security in his area adding that the maize in the fields has since started rotting.
Chief Mumena has since instructed villagers to shift to a safer place to avoid the same situation reoccurring in next year’s rain season.
He appealed to the District Disaster Management and Mitigation Committee to scale up disaster management responsive programmes to help people come up with structures that would withstand the rains.
CHIEF Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s calls to dissolve parliament and early elections are baseless.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in Lusaka on March 31 that Mr Sata should be the last person to challenge President Banda to dissolve parliament and call for early elections because the opposition leader has failed and betrayed the Zambian people by refusing to back the Constitution of Zambia Amandament Bill.
“President Banda is the only one who can set the date for elections. There is no need for all those processes Mr Sata is dreaming about,” he said.
Gen. Shikapwasha said the President is mandated to make decisions on governance issues and he would do just that.
“Mr Sata is dreaming and his dreams will not take him anywhere as he has failed to provide for the Zambian people. His plans to rule this nation are finished, no wonder he has started daydreaming,” he said.
He said Mr Sata should not blame President Banda because he (Mr Sata) has betrayed and failed the people. Gen. Shikapwasha said the Constitution is a national issue that needs input from all political parties and stakeholders.
He said Mr Sata has continued to display his bad leadership which is reflected in the behaviour of his members of Parliament in Parliament March 29’s voting on the Constitution Bill.
Gen. Shikapwasha said the loss on the Constitution of Zambia Bill is not a failure of the MMD government but a betrayal of Zambians.
Gen. Shikapwasha said Mr Sata has no powers or right to instruct President Banda to dissolve parliament and call for early elections.
He said the President has powers to make decisions at an appropriate time.
Gen. Shikapwasha said the failure by Mr Sata to provide good leadership cannot force President Banda to dissolve parliament
THE MMD has advised former Kafue United Party for National Development (UPND) member of Parliament (MP) Bob Sichinga to desist from demonising the economic policies of Government.
MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya said Mr Sichinga should refrain from attacking Government economic policies but should instead appreciate the economic gains the country has achieved under the leadership of President Banda.
Ms Siliya was reacting to a story in March 31 issue of The Post in which Mr Sichinga was quoted as saying Zambians have a right to remove the MMD Government from power because of its poor economic policies which he said have failed to improve living standards.
Ms Siliya said Zambia’s economy has continued to perform well and the international community is speaking highly of the country because of the prudent management of national resources by Government.
Ms Siliya, who is also Minister of Education, said Mr Sichinga should stop politicising economic policies being introduced by Government to advance his hidden political agenda.
“It is clear that Mr Sichinga, in his attempt to become an MP again, is prepared to say anything to Zambians to win political mileage. It now seems like this man is living in cyber space because he is failing to see what this Government is doing for its people.
“International bodies have assigned Zambia B+ ratings because of the prudent economic management of national resources. Government is building schools, hospitals and constructing roads in all parts of the country. Is this not development?” she asked.
She advised Mr Sichinga to desist from falsehoods and offer practical solutions to the economic challenges affecting the nation.
Ms Siliya said Zambia’s economy has been growing at a fast rate because it has been boosted by a record bumper harvest, a rebound in tourism, continued copper price increments and construction.
“This man claims to be an economist and we are surprised as Government that he is failing to offer practical solutions to the economic challenges affecting the country.
“What he should know is that macro-economic policy implementation has contributed to the strong economic performance of the country so far in 2010. As at the end of July 2010, the fiscal programme has been broadly in line with original plans,” she said.
Ms Siliya urged all well-meaning Zambians who have the interest of the nation at heart to dismiss Mr Sichinga’s allegations because they are baseless and unfounded and only meant to discredit Government.
A security man on guard at the ZESCO LTD Kafue Gorge power station
THE Energy Regulation Board has granted Zesco Limited regulatory consent to enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation Limited (KNBEPC) to supply power to Zesco for a period of 20 years.
ERB communications officer Kwali Mfuni said in a statement on March 31 that the (ERB) had granted Zesco regulatory consent to enter into the PPA in line with its mandate under the Electricity Act, Cap 433 of the Laws of Zambia.
“Under the agreement, KNBEPC will supply power to Zesco at peak periods for a maximum of three and a half hours per day,” he said.
He said the project is being financed by the China Export Import Bank and the Development Bank of South Africa at a total cost of US$420million.
Ms Mfuni said with an expected generation capacity of 360MW, the KNBEPC power plant is the first major hydro power project in 35 years not only in Zambia, but also within the Southern African Development community (SADC).
She said KNBEPC, which is a private company and a subsidiary of Zesco, will design, finance, construct, own and operate the new Kariba North Bank Extension Power Plant.
“The development of this project is strategic in addressing the regional power shortage under the Southern African Power Tool,” she said.
Ms Mfuni said contact had been established with utilities in neighbouring countries as potential customers over the possibility of supplying them with peak power.
“The development of the 360MW power plant will contribute about 20 per cent additional capacity of the existing installed capacity in the country of about 1800 MW.
“This is significant, as it will greatly contribute to reducing the prevailing power shortage particularly at peak hours,” she said.
Ms Mfuni said the feasibility study of the KNBEPC project was conducted by Sino-Hydro at a cost of US$600,000, while construction started in 2008 and commercial operations are expected to start in 2013.
She said the power plant will generate an estimated 473GWH of energy per year.
Ms Mfuni said in view of the rising demand for power and current shortages in the SADC region in general and Zambia in particular, the ERB is aware of the project’s contribution to national development.
President Rupiah Banda has said legitimate expectations of people from their respective governments should not be taken for granted.
President Banda said the upheavals in Northern Africa only show that people’s expectations from their governments should not be taken for granted.
Mr. Banda said it is for this reason that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region should continue to consolidate democracy through the establishments of institutions that uphold the tenets of democracy.
“We must therefore continue at the SADC level to consolidate democracy through the establishment of institutions that uphold the tenets of good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law,” he said.
He was speaking today when he officially opened a SADC Troika Summit on Defence and Security at the Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone.
Mr. Banda, who is the current chairperson for the SADC Committee on Defence and Security, emphasized that the SADC region should therefore uphold the various international Laws and conventions under the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).
President Banda has since called upon the SADC Troika summit to revive life mechanisms such as the SADC Electoral Advisory Council, the SADC Reference Group and the Panel of Elders, whose establishment was approved at a summit in Windhoek, Namibia in August 2010.
“You will agree with me that SADC has come of age and should be able to help bring about home grown solutions where there is governance or indeed electoral disputes,” he said.
He expressed confidence that participants to the Troika summit will arrive at conclusive solutions that benefit the SADC region.
Mozambique President Armando Guebuza, South African President Jacob Zuma, his Namibian colleague Hifikepunye Pohamba, SADC Executive Secretary Dr Tomaz Salomao and other senior government officials from other SADC countries attended the summit.
Some unknown people have exhumed a body of a 31 year old woman of Dingwalo village in Senior Chief Mukumbi’s area in Solwezi district and cut off private and other body parts.
The body of an identified woman, who is said to have died in December, last year, was found about 300 meters away from the burial site yesterday.
Northwestern Province Police Chief Charles Lungu, who confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Solwezi today, said the body was found with some parts missing.
Mr. Lungu said the missing parts were the head, legs, hands, private parts and intestines.
He said police have since instituted investigations into the matter to ascertain circumstances under which the body could have been exhumed, adding that appropriate action will be taken on anyone found wanting.
The police chief has since warned people to desist from tempering with graves as it was an offence under the penal code.
In another development, Police in Solwezi yesterday retrieved a body of a 24 year old man of messengers’ compound who drowned in Kifubwa river on last Sunday.
The body of Kapalu Humbu, who drowned after slipping off the log as he tried to cross the river, was found floating near Mitukutuku by passers-by who later alerted police.
Long queues have formed at designated voter registration centres in Lusaka as the extended continuous mobile voter registration exercise comes to an end today.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced the resumption of the continuous mobile voter registration exercise which commenced on 10th March and comes to an end today 31st March,2011, following the initial exercise which ended in November last year.
A check by QFM at some the designated registration centres found long queues of people trying to get their voters cards before the close of the exercise later today.
At Vera Chiluba Basic school in Helen Kaunda a long queue of enthusiastic people formed as they waited for their turns to get voters cards.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has stated that there will be no extension to the period for the issuance of voters cards once it comes to an end.
Vice president recently told parliament that the number of registered voters had by December 2010 increased to more than four million.
[ QFM ]
President Rupiah Banda has warned that Government would not condone any public service worker who would resist Private Sector reforms. Mr. Banda said Government’s wish was to effectively and efficiently facilitate the growth of the Private Sector in the country.
He added that all public officials must regard the Private Sector as valuable customers and should therefore fully support its role in the country’s economy. ZANIS reports that the President said this in Livingstone yesterday when he officially opened the 7th Zambia International Business Advisory Council (ZIBAC) meeting.
President Banda said Government wanted to make the business environment friendlier and that a number of decisions have since been implemented to further improve the investment climate and increase foreign investments.
‘’In addition, our overall ease of doing business ranking is now at 76 out of 183 countries. Last year, Zambia was recognised as one of the top ten reformers in the world. This is as a result of deliberate and concerted efforts by my Government to improve our investment climate,’’ he said.
He added that todate, 92 licences required to start business in the country have been eliminated, 43 reclassified and 13 amalgamated into four. He said as a result, the Private Sector had made savings of about K68.8 billion through the elimination of licences while an additional K76.5 billion had been saved through the reclassification of 38 local government business permits into a single business levy. Mr. Banda said Government, last year (2010) alone, attracted investments worth US$2 billion and 18,000 businesses were registered.
He said the theme of ZIBAC ‘’Investment for jobs and wealth creation’’ was a fitting reflection of the Government’s determination to attract quality investment into the country for the ultimate purpose of creating jobs and wealth for the people.
President Banda said Government had in the last decade recorded impressive economic growth alongside significant investment inflows. ‘’Zambia has in the last decade recorded impressive economic growth alongside significant investment inflows. The challenge we face however, is to translate this investment into jobs and wealth creation for all. I am sure you will agree with me that the best way to win the fight against poverty is to create quality jobs for our people and my Government is determined to do just that,’’ he said.
[pullquote]The challenge we face however, is to translate this investment into jobs and wealth creation for all. I am sure you will agree with me that the best way to win the fight against poverty is to create quality jobs for our people and my Government is determined to do just that,’’ he said.[/pullquote]
He noted that while foreign direct investment had resulted in new jobs for Zambians, the level of unemployment particularly amongst the youth was still a serious concern for the Government.
He said Zambia was a country with a youthful population for whom Government had to provide opportunities where the youths could either become entrepreneurs and subsequently become employers or employees as investments opened up more jobs for them.
Mr. Banda said Government was also investing in expanding the road and railway networks and trade facilitation infrastructure such as ultra-modern borders and weigh-in-facilities.
He said other developments includeded farm blocks, multi-facility economic zones and the optic fibre network. The President added that Government had the political will and commitment to further the reform process and would continue to do so in the future.
Speaking earlier, ZIBAC Chairman Lord Simon Cairns said the Private Sector and Government have to work together, if the poverty levels were to be reduced. Lord Cairns also called on Zambia and other African countries to seriously think of engaging in intra-trade among the countries on the continent.
He said there was need to enter into a painful adjustment of cooperating within the region and consequently entering into a free trade zone. He said Zambia had the huge potential of water for agriculture and therefore, she was capable of becoming a food basket in the region.
Lord Cairns said progress had been made in electricity power generation but noted that the country should not only become self sufficient in electricity but should also become a major exporter of the commodity in the region.
He however, bemoaned the fact that Zambia was not known in many fields as it should and added that the country’s economic successes were not broadly advertised.
Lusaka City Council Commandant Winfred Mwale has advised people building on illegally allocated land in some parts of Lusaka to stop before the long arm of the law catches up with them.
Mr. Mwale told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the Taskforce on land and security officers from the Lusaka City Council and the Zambia Police Service would not relent in demolishing such structures in order to bring sanity in the capital city.
He said notices have already been issued to people who have obtained plots on land illegally acquired in some parts of Lusaka.
Mr. Mwale adding that a combined team of officers from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Local Government and Housing as well as officers from Lusaka City Council would move in any time to act.
He said the Libala operation conducted recently was a wakeup call to those who do not want to heed the advice from the local authority.
He said people should be able to comply with the laid down procedures in acquiring land to avoid making losses after their structures are brought down.
“We advise those people settled on illegally obtained land to halt their activities or else, they should not blame anyone when their structures are demolished. We have sent notices to those people involved to stop developing such structures,” Mr. Mwale said.
He said Government will not relent in this matter which he said has been a source of concern for the country for so many years.
He further noted that people should always follow the correct procedures when acquiring land from some people whom he said; others are just there to swindle unsuspecting innocent Zambians out of huge sums of money.
Mr. Mwale stated that many people have been victims of this scam where they lost resources due to failure to follow procedure when getting land in the country.
Zambia’s annual rate of inflation has increased by 0.2 percentage points from 9 percent in February to 9.2 percent in March.
Central Statistical Office (CSO), Acting Director of Census and Statistics John Kalumbi attributed the increase to the increase in prices of non-food items such as fuel and transportation cost, lighting, clothing and footwear.
He said there was, however, a reduction in the prices of food items, beverages, household goods transport and communication.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Kalumbi who announced this at the March monthly bulletin in Lusaka said non-food items accounted for 7.3 percent of the total annual inflation rate while food products accounted for 1.9 percent.
Mr. Kalumbi has, however, predicted a reduced inflation rate in the coming months when farmers harvest their crops.
“The factors that caused the increase in the annual rate of inflation were mainly the increase in the fuel prices which between February and March which resulted in huge increase in consumer inflation and transportation costs. The appreciation of the kwacha this month has however helped to reduce the prices of goods and service. We expect a reduction in the annual rate of inflation between April and May after farmers start harvesting their crops from the fields,” he said.
He said a comparison of retail prices between February and March has indicated a reduction in national average prices for mealie meal, rice, dried kapenta, meat products and vegetables.
He has further disclosed that the country has recorded a trade surplus for 14 months in row with the highest being in January at K1, 484.3billion.
Mr. Kalumbi said Zambia’s major export product in February was from intermediate goods from copper which accounted for 86.8 percent.
He has, however, said stated that the country had a reduction in total value export from K3, 575.3 billion to K3, 020.9 billion.
Mr. Kalumbi said Switzerland has continued to be Zambia’s major export destination accounting for 46.8 percent; China is second with 21.6 percent while South Africa is third on 12.2 percent.
He added that Asia remains the major exporting block accounting for 28.9 percent, SADC is second at 21.1 percent then COMESA and European Union (EU) with 8.1 percent and 2.5 percent respectively.
Bishop John Mambo has charged that the rejection of the constitutional bill by parliament on Tuesday is the beginning of the process for a people driven constitution.
Bishop Mambo says time has now come for the Zambian government to realize that people are bigger than political motives.
Bishop Mambo says he feels exonerated after being referred to as a prophet of doom when concerns were raised over the National Constitutional Conference.
He has restated that what happened in parliament signals a wind of change that is taking place world over, especially in the Middle East.
He has, however, stated that Zambia has yet again been handed a bounced cheque in the constitutional making process.
In an interview with QFM, Bishop Mambo says any government should work to the expectations of the people, and not the opposite.
Bishop Mambo has commended the opposition parliamentarian for representing the views of people who elected them into office.
[ QFM ]
GLOBAL Justice Zambia has described Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s support for gay rights as unthinkable.
Global Justice Zambia advocacy and campaign manager Samson Zulu, who is also a founder member of PF, said a leader of Mr Sata’s status should not be seen to be supporting such ungodly acts.
“It is unthinkable that a leader of Mr Sata’s status can sink so low and begin to advocate gay rights,” Mr Zulu said.
He said he is not surprised that Mr Sata is advocating gay rights because he is ignorant.
Mr Zulu said Mr Sata’s ignorance stretches back to when a law was passed compelling all members of Parliament (MP) to participate in the constitution-making process.
He expelled his MPs who obeyed the law by attending the National Constitutional Conference.
“His ignorance went as far as appointing what he called acting MPs in the constituencies where some PF members decided to attend the NCC,” he said.
Mr Zulu said he does not know the law Mr Sata used to appoint acting MPs.
He said Mr Sata’s ignorance has been exposed by his support for homosexuals and lesbians on the pretext that there are laws in the country which recognise the vice.
Mr Zulu warned Zambians to choose their leaders wisely noting the country might end up endorsing a dictator.
Mr Zulu said the international community will not be keen on helping Zambia to remove a dictator from office.
“So, the freedom the country is experiencing should be guarded jealously by ensuring a dictator is not voted into power,” he said.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Lusaka Central member of Parliament (MP) Guy Scott was on March 30 suspended from the National Assembly for 30 days for breaching parliamentary privileges.
Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mr Mwanamwambwa suspended Dr Scott after the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services found the MP with a prima facie case.
Dr Scott recently wrote a letter to PF Chililabombwe MP Esther Banda, through The Post, in which he said the clerk of the Select Committee should make public its proceedings on the scrutiny of Justice IreenMambilima who was reappointed as Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson.
He told Mrs Banda to try to persuade the committee to ensure that all proceedings concerning Mrs Justice Mambilima’s appointment are in the public domain, contrary to parliamentary rules and regulations.
Dr Scott’s suggestions to Mrs Banda are contained in a letter published in The Post of February 23, 2011.
The committee, to which Mrs Banda was a member, was appointed to scrutinise the reappointment of Mrs Justice Mambilima as ECZ chairperson
In his ruling, Mr Mwanamwambwa said Dr Scott’s conduct was not just a mockery but demeaning to the House.
“The House is extremely displeased with the MP’s blatant misconduct of disregarding rules and procedures. Dr Scott’s behaviour to author and cause to publish the article prematurely disclosed the proceedings of the Select Committee to the public.
“So, in accordance with the decision of the House, you are suspended from the services of the National Assembly, accordingly. I now order that you leave the chamber through the main entrance on a 30-day suspension as resolved by the House,” Mr Mwanamwambwa said.
He said Dr Scott’s irresponsible conduct did not only interfere with the task of the committee and Mrs Banda as a member of the committee but had potential to injure Mrs Justice Mambilima who did not have an opportunity to defend herself.
Mr Mwanamwambwa said as a senior member of the House, Dr Scott should be familiar with the Standing Orders of the House which clearly set out the rules and procedures of the select committee.
“I take this opportunity to remind you, Dr Scott, that, in accordance with Section 28 (2) of the Powers and Privileges Act, Cap 12 of the Laws of Zambia, during the period of your suspension, you will not receive a salary or allowance that you are entitled to as a member,” he said.
Mr Mwanamwambwa said Dr Scott will not participate in any business or activities of the National Assembly, its committees and activities he participated in as a member outside the House in his capacity as MP.
He said the proceedings of the select committee are not open to the public but MPs have an opportunity to debate the report of the select committee in Parliament.
Mr Mwanamwambwa said it was during this debate that Dr Scott should have expressed his views and concerns on Mrs Justice Mambilima, to the House and not in public.
“It was, therefore, unwarranted for you to rush to the media and prematurely disclose the proceedings of the select committee. Furthermore, your reference to the National Assembly as a fake democracy did not only make a mockery of the House but also brought it into ridicule and disrespect,” he said.
The speaker reminded Dr Scott, who is PF vice -president, that the respect accorded to Parliament has been built over the years and the House expects every member to continue building on it.
Mr Mwanamwambwa said it was highly irresponsible for Dr Scott, who is a senior MP, to bring down the integrity and dignity of Parliament in the manner he did.
He said this should serve as a warning to other MPs because the House will not tolerate gross indiscipline and misconduct.
