PRESIDENT Banda has nominated six members into the MMD national executive committee (NEC), including Vice-President George Kunda and Parliamentary chief whip Vernon Mwaanga.

The six were nominated by President Banda and approved by the new NEC in their first meeting held after the closure of the national convention on April 7.

Mr Kunda, who was earlier vying for the party vice-president, a position which has been abolished, is one of the two trustees nominated by the President, in accordance with the amended MMD constitution.

The new MMD constitution gives the President power to nominate two trustees and 10 other members, bringing the total number of nominees into the party’s supreme decision-making body to 12.

Speaking to journalists after the NEC meeting, Mr Banda said he had decided to nominate Mr Kunda and former MMD national secretary MrMwaanga as trustees.

Others nominated as members of the NEC are Kenneth Chipungu, Suresh Desai, Maggie Musonda and Annie Chungu.

President Banda said the other members will be nominated at a later stage.

Meanwhile, MONICA KAYOMBO reports that the MMD says the scrapping of the party vice-presidency would not affect the performance of the party.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, MMD chief whip Mr Mwaanga said the position of vice- president in the MMD has remained frozen since 2005.

“MMD members felt that the party hierarchy was top heavy but that the decision by the party to finally abolish the position will not in any way affect the performance of the party,” he said.

Mr Mwaanga said the MMD has always been effective, even during the time the vice-presidency was frozen and he expects that the ruling party will remain formidable with the election of a new executive.

He also commended delegates to the MMD national convention for exhibiting the highest level of discipline before and during the election of NEC members.

Mr Mwaanga said the convention is a sign that the MMD is still united and ready to face challenges that would come its way.

Mr Mwaanga said, as an individual, he would continue putting in his best to ensure that the party continues benefiting from his expertise.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Government has commended Kansashi Mining PLC for its contribution to the development of the country.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Ambassador Lucy Mungoma says apart from the taxes to government, Kansanshi Mine has, through its elaborate and comprehensive social responsibility programmes helped to uplift the living standards of the people in Solwezi and North Western Province as a whole.

ZANIS reports that speaking when the Zambian Envoys abroad toured the mine in Solwezi yesterday, Amb.Mungoma said government is proud of the many contributions the company was making towards changing the face of the province.

She noted that through the massive contributions in the areas of health, Education, road infrastructure, employment creation, among others, Kansanshi was helping the local people appreciate the value of the investment in the area.

Ambassador Mungoma said the various programmes the company was conducting in the province and Solwezi in particular are important in both its survival and that of the local people.

She appealed to other investors to seriously consider putting in place programmes that directly benefit communities in which they operate.

She said this was the only way people can appreciate such investments.

“We are impressed with the level of investment here and the initiative of ensuring that the local community benefits directly from this investment.

“It is our wish as government to see as many of our investors as possible create opportunities for our people because this is the only way such investment can be appreciated,” she said.

She explained that the tour of the mine and other areas was meant to expose Zambian envoys abroad to key sectors of the economy.

Tomorrow the delegation is expected to visit the Kasumbalesa Boarder Post and later proceed to visit the Nansanga farm block in Mkushi Central province.

And Dean of the Zambian envoys abroad, Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika expressed happiness at the level of commitment Kansanshi Mining Plc has exhibited towards the development of Solwezi and North Western Province.

Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika, who is also Zambia’s Envoy to Belgium said the Zambian envoys abroad will do their best to further market the country as an investment destination.

She also said the tour of the mining operations at the mine would enable the envoys confidently articulate issues surrounding the operations of the mine and the mining industry as a whole.

She was particularly impressed that apart from making profits, the company was seriously investing in Education which she said was key to the growth of the economy.

Earlier, Kansanshi Mining Plc Head of Public Relations, Godfrey Msiska told the delegation that his company was continuing to enjoy cordial working relations with government and the surrounding community.

Mr. Msiska also assured the diplomats that Kansanshi will continue designing programmes that will directly benefit the local community.

He said currently the company has set aside over K30 billion to be spent in areas of education, health among others.

Mr. Msiska also said that the company would soon commence works to revamp Solwezi Hospital and turn it into a modern health facility.

He further said that the company intends to increase its copper production levels from about 245,000 tonnes to 400,000 by the year 2014, making it the third largest copper producer in the world.

ZANIS

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions-ZCTU- has requested Shoprite management to immediately withdrawal letters written to Union officials and some workers for taking part in a country-wide strike last week.

ZCTU President Leonard Hikaumba has warned that the labour movement will not allow intimidation of workers by employers.

Mr. Hikaumba says he has received reports that Shoprite management has written letters to workers directing them to show cause why disciplinary action cannot be taken against them.

He says it is unfortunate that management has failed to adhere to the memorandum of understanding which stated that no worker must be intimidated.

Mr. Hikaumba was speaking on Thursday when he opened the ZCTU Consultative meeting on the failed constitution process in Lusaka.

Zambia Congress of Trade Unions is currently holding a consultative meeting on the failed constitution Amendment Bill and the parallel voter tabulation-PVT.

Meanwhile, ZCTU General Secretary Roy Mwaba says the union will remain objective on national issues.

And in a vote of thanks, Zambia National Union of Teachers-ZNUT General Secretary, Newton Bubala warned that the union will not condone employers violating the rights of workers.

[ ZNBC ]

Unionized Workers at Nkwazi Primary School in Lusaka have staged a sit in protest demanding improved conditions of service.

The workers are also not happy with the delays in negotiations between management and the Union.

A ZNBC News crew on Thursday found the workers waving placards denouncing the Board Chairperson and the Business Manager.

Basic Education Teacher’s Union of Zambia Nkwazi Branch Chairperson Bwalya Chileshe says the workers want the Board Chairman to address them.

And BETUZ Spokesperson, Hillary Chipango says the union has advised the workers to go back to work.

Nkwazi Primary School Board Chairman Mahesh Amin declined to comment on the matter.

[ ZNBC ]

The MMD has ushered into office a new National Executive Committee (NEC) for the next five years.

This follows elections conducted at the MMD second Extra-Ordinary Convention at Mulungushi University in Kabwe.

Returning Officer Christopher Mundia announced the results of the new NEC leaders Thursday morning.

President Rupiah Banda who went through an opposed will lead the party.

Lands Deputy Minister Michael Mabenga has retained his position as National Chairman while Major Richard Kachingwe is the new National Secretary, taking over the realms from Dr. Katele Kalumba who did not contest the elections.

Major Kachingwe beat Benard Mpundu to scoop the position of Chief Executive Officer of the party.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha is Chairperson for National Security while Education Minister and also MMD Spokesperson Dora Siliya is Chairperson for Informational and Publicity.

Lieutenant Shikapwasha was being challenged by Southern Province Minister Elijah Muchima while Ms. Siliya beat Webby Chipili and Mwata Chikumbi to scoop the position.

Others are Bwalya Chiti Chairman-Legal, Defence Minister Kalombo Mwansa for International Relations, and Local Government Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka as National Youth Chairman.

Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo is the new Chairperson for Women and Development, while Works and Supply Minister Gabriel Namulambe is the Chairman for Elections.

Others are Energy Minister Kenneth Konga, chairman for Energy, Tourism Minister Catherine Namugala as Chairperson Tourism, labour Minister Austin Liato Chairman for Labour and Dr Brian Chituwo Chairman for Local Government and Housing, a ministry he heads.

Goodward Mulubwa is the party’s National Treasurer, Science Technology Minister Peter Daka Chairman for Transport and Communications, and Agriculture Minister Dr Eustarckio Kazonga Chairman for Agriculture and Cooperatives.

The new National Trustees are Evelyn Mwanawasa, Grace Njapau and Clever Silavwe.

Lumba Kalumba beat Dr Patrick Chikusu to scoop the position of chairperson for health.

And President Rupiah Banda has nominated six members of the MMD to the National Executive Committee-NEC-

They include Vice President George Kunda, Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga, Sports Minister Kenneth Chipungu, Suresh Desai, Margaret Musonda and Anne Chungu.

The President convened the first NEC meeting in Kabwe shortly after the close of the MMD convention where the nominations were passed.

According to the MMD Constitution, the party president is mandated to nominate up to 12 members to the Party’s top organ.

President Banda was speaking to journalists shortly after the first MMD NEC meeting in Kabwe.

And President Banda says the just ended MMD convention has proved that the party is democratic and transparent.

President Banda says the convention is testimony that the MMD embraces the tenets of democracy.

Mr Banda was speaking when he officially closed the second MMD extra ordinary convention in Kabwe on Thursday.

And the President has warned MMD members who are in the habit of double dealings that they will not be tolerated in the party.

President Banda says disciplinary action will be taken against any party member playing double standards.

The President has also warned that any National Executive Committee member found leaking information to the press or the public will be expelled.

President Banda says NEC matters are confidential and should not be leaked to the Press or the general public.

Mr. Banda has called for continued unity and love among party members to ensure victory in this year’s tripartite elections.

The President also urged the new NEC members to be humble and serve the party with humility.

[ZNBC]

Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi has echoed calls for the early dissolution of Parliament.

Ms. Nawakwi says it is unacceptable that the process on which colossal amounts of money were spent has failed to yield desired results.

The FDD leader says the failure of the Constitution amendment Bill to pass through the second reading stage is unfortunate adding that President Rupiah Banda should consider dissolving parliament as soon as possible in readiness for general elections.

Ms. Nawakwi has also accused UPND Members of Parliament of being selfish stating that they benefited from the NCC allowances while pretending to represent the wishes of Zambians which could not be retained in the NCC report.

And Ms Nawakwi says the Rupiah Banda led government has duped Zambians of a document that will stand a test of time as they have shown lack of interest in the country’s future.

She says the failure by the MMD government to enact a new Constitution of Zambia will put the country at the cross roads of becoming a failed state.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Former works and supply minister and MMD chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti says he will continue to actively participate in politics despite his formal expulsion from the Ruling MMD at the party’s ongoing convention in Kabwe.

Mr. Mulongoti says he will continue to push his democratic agenda now that he is free from the shackles of the MMD.

Mr. Mulongoti has told QFM news that people who are suppressing democracy within the MMD will be exposed one day.

He adds that the MMD decision to scrap off the position of vice president is a sham because some people in the MMD are trying to steal positions stressing that there can never be honor among thieves.

Meanwhile MMD’s Nason Msoni says the freezing of the position of Party vice presidency was expected because the behavior exhibited by some party officials prior to the convention was an indicate that president Banda did not want to be challenged.

Mr. Msoni has told QFM news that the whole process has been undemocratic and that the party members have been deprived of an opportunity to freely elect leaders.

He adds that the MMD is headed for its demise because of bad leadership.

Mr. Msoni says the scrapping off of the position of vice president demonstrates lack of character and confidence in the people heading the party.

Mr. Msoni was one of the people that hard shown interest in challenging president Banda for the Position of party president but later withdrew after allegedly receiving threats from some MMD top officials.

QFM