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The Weekend in Pictures
Govt signs IPPA for Itezhi tezhi power plant
The Zambian government has finally signed the long awaited Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) with Itezhi tezhi Power Corporation for the development of the 120 Mega watts Itezhi tezhi power station.
The signing of the agreement will see the development of the power station at a total cost of 270 million United States dollars.
The Itezhi tezhi power project is an initiative of Tata holdings and ZESCO limited.
Speaking at the signing ceremony Commerce Minister Felix Mutati said Zambia would never achieve its set target with low supply of power.
He said the country needs constant and reliable power supply for it to achieve targets such as the vision 2030.
Mr Mutati noted that government is working round the clock to ensure that it addresses the power constraints that the country is going through.
Mr Mutati added that government has targeted to connect about 50 percent of homes in Zambia to the national grid in five years time.
And Zambia Development Agency ZDA chairman Luke Mbewe has called on various investors to come and invest in Zambia.
He said it is such investments that are indications that Zambia’s economy is a business friendly environment.
[ QFM ]
RB flags off K1.2trn Mongu -Kalabo Road works
President Rupiah Banda yesterday flagged off the outstanding construction works on the K1.25 trillion Mongu-Tapo-Kalabo Road and underscored Government’s commitment to reducing poverty in the country through infrastructure development.
Speaking in Kalabo yesterday, President Banda said his aim was to work hard to ensure that poverty was reduced in all parts of the country as soon as possible.
“My aim is to reduce poverty in the rest of the country and I will do so in every part of the country without discrimination.Western and the entire country,” he said.
President Banda told the crowd of people that attended the groundbreaking ceremony at Tapo, 34 kilometres from Mongu, that the financing of the road would be done through a concessional loan from China.
“Government is determined to ensure that the project is completed in good time. Above all, the Government will ensure the road is of high quality to stand the test of time,” he said.
He said the Mongu-Kalabo Road project was of great importance to the country as it would connect Zambia to Angola, thereby facilitating easier movement of goods to that country.
“You will recall that in 1966 the Government of the Zambia decided to construct a road that would connect the country to the neighbouring countries of Congo DR and Angola.
“It was only in 2002 that a contract between Government and Consolidated Contractors Company of Kuwait was signed to construct the 74 kilometre bituminous road between Mongu and Kalabo at a contact sum of US$39.7 million,
“Unfortunately during the 2003/2004 rainy season, high floods were experienced which caused some sections of the embankment and a number of culverts on the 34 kilometre stretch of the flood plains to be washed away,” he said.
The president said he was however, happy to be in Kalabo yesterday to witness the resumption of the construction works on the road which would cost K1.25 trillion.
“On average the cost of building a tarred road in the rest of the country is K5 billion per kilometre, here because of the complicated terrain it will cost K60 billion per kilometre,” he said.
Mr Banda thanked the Chinese government for accepting to finance the road project to be undertaken by Chinese company, AVIC International.
He said Government is determined to ensure the Mongu – Kalabo Road is completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Mr Banda said donor countries supported the country because the Zambian people were peaceful and deserved the help.
He said he was aware there were some grievances but that these should be resolved amicably.
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said the groundbreaking ceremony was a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to develop infrastructure.
He said once completed the road would open up the country to Angola and the rest of the world.
“We have seen roads being constructed, schools, hospitals and clinics. The country will remember you (President Banda) as a leader that provided infrastructure,” he said.
Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti said he was happy that President Banda was fulfilling his campaign promises to the people of Western Province by working on the Mongu-Tapo Road.
Road Development Agency (RDA) board chairperson Luambe Mondoloka said the agency had so far secured 40 bailey bridges for incorporation in the Mongu- Kalabo Road.
He said because of the scarcity of resources from the treasury, a loan had to be obtained from Exim Bank of China to finance the road construction.
Western Province Minister Sikwebele Mwapela said the people in the province were happy with the many projects the Government was undertaking.
“It is the desire of the people of the province to give you another five years so that you can move the country forward,” Mr Mwapela said.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Kabunda girls school burnt
Fire has swept through Kabunda Girls High School on the outskirts of Mansa in Luapula Province, leaving four dormitories burnt, three pupils admitted to hospital and millions of Kwacha worth of girls’ property lost.
The inferno started on Saturday night around 22:00 hours as the girls were sleeping before it spread rapidly to the four closely-knit hostels, prompting the girls to scamper for their safety and leaving behind everything they owned.
“I have completely nothing as you see me. This chitenge (wrapper) I am wearing together with the top (blouse), I just picked from what my friends were throwing away.
‘‘I lost everything,” mourned Hellen Bwalya, a grade 12 pupil, as she struggled to stand properly in some over-size patapata slippers.
Mansa District education board secretary Valerie Mulwanda, who confirmed the incident, said the cause of the fire was yet to be established although initial investigations indicated it could have resulted from a suspected electrical fault.
[pullquote]“I have completely nothing as you see me. This chitenge (wrapper) I am wearing together with the top (blouse), I just picked from what my friends were throwing away.
‘‘I lost everything,” mourned Hellen Bwalya, a grade 12 pupil, as she struggled to stand properly in some over-size patapata slippers.[/pullquote]
Ms Mulwanda described the damage to the school as “extensive” saying only 96 of the 468 pupils at the all-girls boarding school had not lost any property as their dormitory did not catch fire.
“We have three girls still in hospital.
‘‘Their condition is stable. They are Theresa Makungu, Lillian Chungu and Constance Mbewe,” Ms Mulwanda told the Times in an interview at the school, some 15 kilometres west of the Mansa District administrative centre.
The affected girls lost clothes, books, beddings and other personal belongings, giving rise to calls for the school to be closed immediately.
But Ms Mulwanda declined to comment on the prospects of closing the institution and called for pupils to remain calm.
“We are aware that most of them (pupils) have lost their books. They have lost personal properties like mattresses and bedding, but we are advising them to continue studying in groups, to continue revising.
“They should be calm and stick within the institution. Grade 12s have already started writing and they need to continue,” she said.
By mid-day yesterday, some hostels whose roofs crumbled during the inferno were smouldering while most pupils could be spotted walking about the school premises in groups of fours and fives, recounting the happenings of the previous night with vivid desolation.
The outer premises were littered with girls’ burnt garments such as bracelets, wrist watches and neck chains.
A heavy presence of armed police officers was on site to provide security as Government officials from the provincial administration kept coming in turns to check on the extent of the damage.
“We shall soon be informed of what step to take. Otherwise, it (the fire) has really devastated us.
“We are not sure of the cause as yet, but the pupils are saying they just saw a spark from one of the hostels, and that’s how the fire started,” said school headteacher, Stella Mambwe.
[ Times of Zambia ]
ZAF plane mishap saddens Banda
President Rupiah Banda has said he was saddened by the accident involving a Zambia Air Force plane that carried his advance party to the Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde traditional ceremony in Kasempa at the weekend.
He said at Solwezi Airport yesterday that he felt depressed by the accident in which Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, Works and Supply Minister, Mike Mulongoti and their counterpart at Community Development and Social Services, Michael Kaingu escaped unhurt.
The crew and passengers including State House chief of protocol, Bob Samakai and senior State House private secretary, Differ Mulimba were not injured, but the plane was damaged after careering off the runway upon landing.
The accident happened at Mukinge Mission Airstrip on Saturday around 11:00 hours.
“I was very sad and felt depressed, it could have been worse; I am sure they were traumatised though they showed bravery,” Mr Banda said, before he left for Mongu in Western Province.
And President Banda, who on Saturday graced the Nsakwa Yaba Kaonde traditional ceremony, said although massive investment was pouring into North-Western Province, much more needed to be done.
He said there was a lot of infrastructure development in the province, but the Government was still not satisfied with the progress made so far.
The president warned against misapplication of resources, saying it was a crime for anybody to do so.
Meanwhile, Mr Banda said during the traditional ceremony that his Government was working hard to construct and improve infrastructure in education and other sectors in the entire province.
He said the major works included Kanyama Boarding High School in Mwinilunga, which is under construction at a cost of K44 billion, Kayombo Boarding High School in Kabompo, under construction at a cost of K33 billion, and Chavuma Boarding High School, costing K27 billion.
He said a number of construction projects were underway around the province and included the D 181 Kamatete and Mulonga-Kalobwe roads connecting farm blocs in Kasempa and Solwezi, respectively.
Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha said a board of enquiry would be set up to investigate the cause of the accident, according to ZNBC News monitored in Ndola last evening.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Government pledges K 5.5 million to Kaonde Traditioanal Ceremony
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has pledged K5.5 million for the construction of permanent structures and Nsakwa yaba Kaonde traditional ceremony venue at Kaimbwe in Kasempa district.
Community Development and Social Services Minister, Michael Kaingu made the pledge at Kaimbwe in Kasempa district yesterday during the official launch of the Nsakwa yaba Kaonde annual ceremony by President Rupiah Banda.
Mr. Kaingu has also given the Nsakwa yaba Kaonde organizing committee K1.5 million as an appreciation for organizing such a successful ceremony that had gathered Kaonde chiefs from Central and North-Western provinces.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kaingu has implored the Nsakwa yaba Kaonde committee to remain non-partisan but urged them to support the government of the day so as to enhance development in various sectors.
He particularly urged women to support President Banda’s administration and form clubs so that they are empowered from funds allocated to them through his ministry.
Speaking at the same occasion, Nsakwa yaba Kaonde national patron, Kabinga Pande who is also Foreign Affairs Minister and Kasempa Member of Parliament urged the Kaonde chiefs to continue the spirit of unity and avoid dragging Nsakwa yaba Kaonde into politics.
QFM
Veep has failed on Constitution making process – ZCSD
Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) Executive Director, Reverend Malawo Matyola has charged that Republican vice president and justice minister, George Kunda has failed to give leadership on the national constitution formulation process.
Reverend Malawo said that it was unfair for government to keep quite over the constitution when huge sums of money were invested in the process.
He said that Zambian’s have been left and kept in the dark over the constitution for a long time now. He also noted that failure to allocate any resources to the finalization of the constitution was a silence that was making people suspicious on whether the legal framework will really be ready before 2011 general elections.
Reverend Malawo reminded government that it was the tax payers money that was devoted to that process and it was not right to just keep quite about the process when people were anxiously waiting to know the progress.
He said that the only way Zambians will appreciate the efforts of government was if they made their operations transparent for everyone.
The reverend complained that ever since the draft report was presented to the Mr Kunda, government has been quiet and that very soon the document might begin to gather dust on the public office shelves.
QFM
Sinazongwe Shooting incident aftermath in Pictures
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Zanaco Finish 3rd In Group B
Zanaco wrapped up their Confederation Cup Group B outing with a third place finish.
Zanaco drew 1-1 away to Haras El Hodoud of Egypt this evening in Alexandria to finish on 5 points from 6 games played.
Haras on the other hand finished bottom on 3 points and without a win in Group B from six games.
In the other Group B match, CS Sfaxien of Tunisia and FUS Rabat were in action in Morocco to decide who finishes top of the group.
Zesco Utd Stay On Course For Title
Zesco United maintained a four-point lead at the top of the Super Division table after beat Forest Rangers 4-1 in their Ndola derby at the Trade Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Fighton Simukonda’s side is on 54 points with three games to go before the end of the season.
However, it was Forest who got the game rolling when Frazer Mwelwa put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute.
Clifford Chipalo replied with the equalizer for Zesco two minutes later to see the two teams go 1-1 into halftime.
John Chingandu scored the first of his two goals on 53 minutes before Zesco struck again two minutes later through striker Humphrey Luputa.
Chingandu completed his brace in the 69th minute to see Zesco complete back-to-back league wins over Forest and end the latter’s nine-match unbeaten run under coach Hector Chilombo.
Meanwhile, Nchanga Rangers returned to second placed after a 3-0 win over relegation-bound National Assembly at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Defender Moses Mulambi opened scores from the penalty in the 38th minute and Lyson Siakonga added two more goals in the 59 and 89th minutes.
Faz Super Division Results
Week 27
16/10/2010
Konkola Blades-Lusaka Dynamos
Green Buffaloes-Red Arrows
Choma Eagles-City of Lusaka
National Assembly-Nchanga Rangers
Power Dynamos-Roan United
Zesco United-Forest Rangers
13/10/2010
Kabwe Warriors 1-Nkana 0
Postponed
Zanaco-Nkwazi
[standings league_id=15 template=extend logo=false]
Corruption fight is far from being won, ACC chief.
The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has acknowledged that the fight against corruption is far from being won.
ACC Girector General Godfrey kayukwa said the commisiion is committed to ensuring that the levels of the vice are reduced and further called on youths to get on board.
Mr Kayukwa was speaking in Lusaka during the send off ceremony for the schools (ACC) club members.
Mr Kayukwa said youths play an important role in fighting and alleviating corruption and called on them to join in as ambassadors to the community.
He bemoaned the commission’s challenges in receiving funds from government adding that with the coming on board of department of the international development (DFID), more improvements would be made in funding ACC School clubs.
[QFM ]
Grace Abounds
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”
(2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
What is it that you have need of today? Remember, we serve a God of abundance. Our God is always more than enough. No matter what is on your “plate of life,” God wants to empower you with His grace.
One meaning of the word “grace” is God’s good will, loving-kindness and favor. His grace, His good will is what keeps us. His favor strengthens us and causes us to increase. The wonderful thing is that He’s already extending that grace to you right now; all you have to do is open your heart and humbly receive it by faith.
Notice in this verse that when He pours out His grace on you, you will have all that you need at all times…that’s living in abundance. And when you are living in abundance, you are equipped to pour out that goodness and blessing on those around you. Abundant grace leads to abundant living, and abundant living leads to abundant giving! Today, receive His grace because it abounds to you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, today I humbly come before You. I surrender my heart, my will, mind and emotions to You. I ask that You pour out Your grace on me today and equip me for every good work. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Two Chinese nationals arrested for shooting 12 Zambian miners
Police have arrested the two Chinese nationals who shot at 11 miners and one onlooker at the Chinese Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe district in Southern Province.
The Police sources informed Lusaka Times that Senior Police Officers from Livingstone town and Choma were sent to the coal mine to arrest the culprits who opened fire at the crowd and wounded the 12 people.
A check at the Maamba Hospital found that two miners who were in critical condition have been referred to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for specialist medication.
Sinazongwe District Commissioner (DC) Oliver Pelete is reported to have confirmed this development. He said that it was unfortunate that the Chinese nationals shot at the Zambians and that they should be arrested.
Police sources said the two Chinese nationals involved in the shooting have been taken to Choma after a statement was recorded from them.
The two miners Vincent Chengele 20 and Simon Simwete 28 who were in critical condition at local Hospital were taken to UTH after they were shot in the chest and the head.
Madinda Siamubotu, one of the victims, said from his hospital bed that workers from shaft two and shaft three decided to gather in order to reach a consensus with management over their grievance to improve the conditions of service.
The miner explained that the Chinese management urged them to stop going underground because they had produced enough coal for sale. However, management decided to cut their salaries for the days they were informed not to go underground.
Mr. Siamubotu said the workers decided to call their Union President Mr Sifuniso Nyumbu who promised that he would drive from Lusaka to come and address them.
Mr Siamubotu pointed out that when the two Chinese nationals from shaft two saw that the workers had gathered outside the gate they came out of their offices armed with shot guns and decided to open fire at the crowd.
However, an eye witness, John Siabana said the Chinese nationals opened fire at the miners after they started throwing objects at them.
And yesterday, miners protesting against the shooting broke the wall fence, and ripped off the roof at shaft two and carried away the iron sheets. The protesting workers also got away with water pumps and pushed the buckets that ferry coal from the underground into the tunnels. Sinazongwe police failed to control the angry protesting workers and called for reinforcement from Choma and Livingstone. The angry protesters vowed to sort out the Chinese management.
RB launches 2010 census
President Rupiah Banda has officially launched the 2010 Census of population and housing, with a call to citizens to fully cooperate with enumerators.
President Banda said the information to be collected from the Census will be used for planning and decision making, in order to take development to all the people.
Mr Banda said government would have to relate population growth to economic growth to effectively reduce poverty and provide sufficient social and economic resources.
Speaking during the launch at State House Friday evening, the President said government will also use the information to address the acute shortage of housing units in the country.
He said this would in turn reduce on overcrowding being experienced in compounds and cities.
Mr Banda emphasised that accurate information would enable government to develop all sectors of the economy.
The 2010 census is being conducted under the theme ‘ Help the census, help you be counted.’
The government allocated 98 billion Kwacha for the exercise in the 2010 budget.
About 5 thousand enumerators have been trained for the exercise.
[ ZNBC ]
Chinese shoot and injure 11 at Collum Coal Mine
Eleven miners including one onlooker have been shot and serious wounded by Chinese nationals at the Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe district in Southern Province.
Sinazongwe District Commissioner (DC) Oliver Pelete confirmed the development to ZANIS today that the 11 people were shot while they were presenting their grievances of poor working conditions to Chinese Management at shaft two.
Mr Pelete has since informed the police to arrest the Chinese nationals involved in the shooting of the miners and to investigate the motive of their shooting.
“At the moment I have no exact information of what led to the shooting of the miners.The investigating wings should carry out their investigations first,” Mr Pelete said.
The DC who escorted the injured miners to Maamba Hospital said doctors were attending to them though two miners were in critical condition.
A check by ZANIS at Maamba Hospital found doctors and health personnel attending to the 11 injured miners.
The 11 injured miners include, Simon Simwete 28, Abby Siameba 25, Virason Mwanamusiya 24, Madinda Siamubotu 27, Wisbone Simukonda 25, Boston Munakazela 21, Wallen Muntanga 28 and Humphrey Sinuka 24.
Others are, Brighton Sianfuno 21, Bowas Syapwaya 21, and Vincent Chengele 20.
Meanwhie, Nkandabbawe and Sinazeze residents have also blocked the road leading to the Chinese Collum mine and no vehicle is being allowed to go in or out of the mine.
Sinazeze police had difficulties to disperse the residents that blocked the road leading to the Chinese Collum mine.
[ ZANIS ]