Government says it has spent billions of Kwacha towards the construction and rehabilitation of various prison infrastructure across the nation, in line with the policies of government aimed at improving the conditions in prisons.

Home Affairs Minister, Mkhondo Lungu said this in Kabwe last evening during the senior prison officers’ annual ball held at Zambezi Source Lodge.

He said the Zambia prison services plays a pivotal role in contributing to the well being of the general public by reforming the wrong-doers.

Mr. Lungu called for an appropriate internal security system to be put in place for correctional and custodial services in an effort to ensure the improvement of the living conditions in prisons, in conformity with the United Nations standard minimum rules on the welfare of prisoners.

The Minister said, Livingstone, Kalabo, Luwingu, Monze, Mwinilunga and Mpima remand prisons were under-going rehabilitation, while the Mwembeshi maximum prison which was in the last phase was nearing completion, in an effort to decongest the prisons.

Mr. Lungu disclosed that K815 million was spent on the construction of a storage shed for the Zambia Prison Service at Chitumba Open –Air prison in Mumbwa District.

He commended the Service for maintaining the record of producing more food in the agricultural sector, resulting in considerable reduction of food shortages in prisons, adding that Government would render support to enable the Prison Service construct a milling plant, for proving reliance in food production.

He however, admitted that Government was aware of the challenges of under-staffing, under-funding and in-adequate transport faced by the Service, but assured that his Ministry was addressing the situation with the seriousness it deserved.

Speaking during the same occasion, Commissioner of Prisons, Percy Chato urged the men and women serving in the Zambia Prison Service to remain patriotic and loyal to the Government of the day as the nation goes to the polls this year.

Commissioner Chato warned that he would deal with any Prison officers found to be indulging in partisan politics.

“I am aware this is an election year and some Officers may be swayed into partisan politics, l would like to categorically state that, partisan politics will not be condoned in all prisons across the country.

l therefore urge all the officers to work professionally, remain diligent in the discharge of your duties, take a none-partisan stance and don’t fall prey to partisan manipulation,” he said.

ZANIS

The opposition UPND has expelled Choma Mayor, Mason Chaboya from the party for allegedly working against the party’s interests.

Choma Town Clerk, Enoch Kandingwa told ZANIS in Choma today-Saturday that the local authority has received a letter from the UPND secretariat expelling Mayor Chaboya from the party.

But Choma District Commissioner, Laiven Apuleni has described the expulsion of Mr. Chaboya as a total disregard of the provisions of the local government Act.

Choma Council has already written an urgent letter to the Ministry of Local Government in Lusaka seeking guidance over the matter.

The expulsion letter has highlighted allegations that the mayor’s activities are inimical to the interests of the UPND.

The Choma Municipal Council is dominated by councilors from the UPND.

ZNBC

The British Council and Junior Achievement Zambia (JA) has launched an education programme in six selected districts across Zambia dubbed; the 2011 Enterprise Challenge for Schools.

Chingola, Kabwe, Kitwe, Lusaka, Ndola and Siavonga are some of the districts that will benefit from the Enterprise Challenge programme.

This is according to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday and signed by British Council Country Director Donna McGovwan.

Mr. McGovwan said the programme was aimed at promoting skills development and innovation by encouraging closer links between education, employers and policy makers.

He explained that it was imperative that young people in the country use their skills in enterprising and innovative ways to ultimately increase their employment opportunities.

The Enterprise Challenge is a programme that encourages skills development and innovation among high school pupils to ignite their entrepreneurial aspirations and improve their future employability.

Under this programme, selected schools are expected to participate in district competitions culminating in the finals to be held in Lusaka in March this year.

And Junior Achievement Zambia Executive Director Teddy Nyansulu expressed happiness that Zambia has joined the countries that are implementing the Enterprise Challenge after Europe.

Mr. Nyansulu said the project was a noble one especially for formal sector jobs as well as increasing the scope of self reliance.

“I would like to thank the British Council for involving us in this project. JA has partnered with the British Council in similar projects in most European countries. I am glad that Zambia has joined the countries that are implementing the Enterprise Challenge,” he said.

JA world-wide is a world class organisation committed to providing business education programmes for young people of all ages and is currently operating in 123 countries world-wide.

In Africa, JA operates in 21 countries among them Angola, Botswana, Bukina-Fasso, Congo DR, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Namibia and Nigeria, South Africa including Zambia.

ZANIS

Government has put in place minimum standards for child care facilities in the country in line with the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child.

Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Sherry Thole says the standards are meant to guide service providers on what facilities and programmes to devise for children while protecting and acknowledging their rights.

Ms. Thole said this in a speech read for her by Community Development Director of Human Resource Lameck Kanyuka at the Trauma management training graduation ceremony in Lusaka today.

Ms. Thole said the minimum standards of care were developed in order to enhance child protection.

She commended the Zambia Association of Child Workers for their commitment to collaborative efforts in providing training through the Chicago School of Psychology and Save Africa’s Children of the United States of America.

And Associate Professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in the United States of America, Dr. Tiffany Masson noted that the training assists child and youth care workers in assessing, recognising and effectively handling children who have experienced trauma.

Meanwhile, Zambia Association of Child Trauma Management Director Felix Mwale said the main focus of the training programme was to provide effective counselling and healing opportunities for most children affected by traumatic situations.

ZANIS

Government has challenged the Zambia Daily Mail Newspapers to increase circulation of its paper and improve on news packaging.

Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Sam Phiri said the company should deepen its reporting techniques and effectively analyse issues happening in society.

Dr. Phiri said the paper should also reflect diversity of opinion in its reporting but stick to its mandate as a public media.

He advised the paper to equally help publicise Government programmes and agendas.

He stated that there should be a clear distinction between Government and political parties adding that the mandate of the paper should be in line with policy of Government of the day.

He further called on the company to work in line with their motto “Without Fear or Favour” in their daily reporting of news.

Dr. Phiri said this when he conducted a familiarisation tour of the Zambia Daily Mail in Lusaka yesterday.

And speaking earlier, Zambia Daily Mail Managing Director, Evans Milimo said there had been a decline in circulation figures because of tense competition from other media including newspapers, Television and Community radio stations.

Mr. Milimo nevertheless, explained that the acquisition of a new printing press which was launched last year would help improve sales as the paper would be reaching the market on time.

He disclosed that the Zambia Daily Mail Newspapers had also undertaken a rural subscription market survey which revealed that there was market.

He also disclosed that the company was facing serious financial challenges which are affecting its liquidity position.

Mr. Milimo further asked Government to consider giving the company about K10 billion for recapitalisation.

He also appealed to Government to consider writing off the statutory debt which the company owes the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA), and the Workers Compensation Fund.

ZANIS

Government is constructing a new high school in Kaoma district in the Western Province.

And Government has embarked on a rehabilitation exercise of dilapidated feeder roads and several other developmental projects in the district.

MMD Kaoma Central Member of Parliament (MP) Austin Liato who confirmed this to ZANIS in an interview thanked Government for releasing the funds towards the new school and road infrastructure development.

Mr. Liato named the new school as Kehema High school. This brings the number of high schools in the area to two. He named the other school as Kaoma High school which was the first to be built in the 1950s.

The MP said the two learning institutions would help reduce illiteracy levels in Kaoma district and urged parents in his area to take advantage of the schools by sending their children there.

Mr. Liato, who is also Labour and Social Security Services Minister, expressed happiness that Zambia is on track to attaining the United Nations (UN) 2015 Millennium Development Goal number two in the education sector.

He commended the Ministry of Education for bringing education closer to the people as evidenced by the number of new schools being constructed alongside rehabilitation of old ones to improve the learning environment especially in rural areas.

The Minister said Government is in a hurry to develop and improve the education sector to make it more conducive for learners.

Mr. Liato named feeder roads being rehabilitated as Kangolongolo, Kashamu Kaolombe and Mipongo.

He said a good road network is vital to accelerating development.

ZANIS

ALL is in place for today’s MMD Lusaka Province conference, the ninth and last to usher a new provincial executive committee into office and set the tone for the national convention.

And MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya said January 22’s provincial conference will be free of violence, in the same way the other eight conferences have been conducted.

She said the MMD is pleased that the provincial conferences have been successful and this is what has continued to separate the MMD from other political parties.

“We feel galvanised, and we are ready to continue telling the people what we have done… The MMD government is a working government and we have a track record on that,” she said.

Ms Siliya said the MMD does not want to be associated with violence because its principle is to take development and good governance to the people.

The conference is scheduled to take place in Lusaka at Garden House Motel on Mumbwa road and not Kafue as earlier announced.

MMD acting national secretary Chembe Nyangu, who released the conference programme on January 21, said since the Lusaka conference will be the last one, it will determine the electoral college for the national convention whose traditional venue has been the Mulungushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe.

Mr Nyangu said after january 22’s provincial conference, members will now start thinking about the positions they would want to contest for which they will be able to campaign when the date for the convention is set.

He said the Lusaka conference will also have to determine the date for the national convention which will be announced in due course.

According to the conference programme, delegates are supposed to arrive at the MMD secretariat at 07:00 hours for accreditation before they assemble in the conference hall at 08:30 hours.

The roll call will be conducted at 09:00 hours prior to the arrival of President Banda and his entourage. At about 10:15 hours, provincial chairman William Banda will welcome the President and all the delegates.

National chairman, Michael Mabenga, will then make brief remarks before inviting President Banda to officially open the conference.

[Zambia Daily mail]