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2010 National Census is set-Maimbo

Entertainment Editor
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The 2010 Census Publicity Technical Committee has declared that all is set for the National Census on Housing and Population which starts this October.

Committees Chairperson Gilbert Maimbo said all the census material, including bicycles and vehicles that would be used for transport during the exercise have already been procured and set in readiness for the census.

He said the master trainers for the census have been trained while enumerators who would be gathering information in the field will be trained starting next week.

Mr. Maimbo who is also Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) Director said this during the recording of ZANIS radio programme called Zambia Today in Lusaka today.

He also explained that ZANIS which had offices in all the nine Provinces was also working hand in hand with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and other stakeholders to sensitise the public on the importance of the census.

He said the census was an important Government undertaking because it would provide data for the development of the nation.

Mr Maimbo said it is through these statistics that Government will know what type of infrastructure, and social services to provide to the people.

“The data provided from the census will help government plan for the citizenry in education, health and others sectors It is from this that government will the budgetary allocations for the different sectors, know how many schools to build, infrastructure, and many other things which will help meet the needs of its citizens” He said

Meanwhile, Mr Maimbo called on the public to fully cooperate with enumerators to ensure the success of this year’s national census.

He said the committee had received reports on people in some areas, who were fearing to give correct information due to cultural and religious beliefs.

“During the pre-census exercise we had people in certain areas, who refused to give correct information because they feared that once they give correct information say on livestock government might get parts of their livestock’s and give others”

“In some areas people do not comply because they said they were already counted by God, but I must emphasis that the census is important. Biblically Jesus’ parents were counted and many such examples in the bible” he said.

Mr. Maimbo also disclosed that the census committee had also partnered with Journalists from community radio stations who have been trained and helped to sensitise the community on the importance of the census.

Government said it would spend about K226 billion to successfully conduct the 2010 National Population and Housing Census scheduled to kick off in October this year.

This year’s census will be the fifth after the country successfully conducted four other similar exercises in 1969, 1980, 1990, and 2000.

In the first census conducted in 1969 the country’s population was 4.1 million, it was 5.7 million in 1980, 7.7 million in 1990 and the last one being in 2000 when the population was estimated to be at 10 million (9.9 million).

[ ZANIS ]

MTN launches public pay phone

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MTN Zambia chief executive officer Farhad Khan (L)

MTN Zambia has launched a public pay phone facility to cater for all people in the rural areas countrywide.

MTN Zambia Chief Executive Officer Farhad Khan said despite the widespread use of mobile phones across the country, public phones still played an important role in the telecommunication sector.

He was speaking at the launch of the MTN public pay phone in Lusaka today.

Mr. Khan disclosed that the MTN Public pay phone would cater for the poor and vulnerable people who could not afford a mobile phone in the country.

He explained that the MTN Pay phone would be sold at the MTN offices at the cost of 250,000 Kwacha adding that many people would afford.

He said there was no better form of community empowerment than the freedom and ability to communicate.

Mr. Khan added that one could use a minimum of 300 Kwacha for 20 seconds when calling MTN.

“From today, anybody in Zambia can talk for as low as 300 Kwacha, be it within Zambia, Africa or anywhere else in the world”. He said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Khan also disclosed that MTN had grown with a market share of 1.6 subscribers this year compared to 800, 000 last year.

He also told the briefing that MTN was the first to reduce prices for international calls by up to 85 percent for selected destinations and on average of 40 percent across the board.

ZANIS

Government is aware of hardships faced by rural communities.

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Some Japanese volunteers arrive for a meeting

Government has said it is aware of the many hardships rural communities were facing in accessing health services.

Kafue District Commissioner Winford Ngoma said there was therefore need for rural communities to realise that Government resources were minimal to take care of all citizens’ needs.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Ngoma said this in Kafue’s Chipapa area today where a Japanese Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Association for AID and Relief (AAR) donated eight bicycle ambulances, 16 ordinary bicycles for care givers under Kuchafwana Home based care group during a handover ceremony.

Mr. Ngoma said Government would welcome partnerships such as the one it had created in Chipapa with AAR Japan because they filled gaps where the state was unable to cover. He said it was pleasing that the Japanese NGO had now been working in Kafue district for the past nine years.

Mr. Ngoma said rural communities such as Chipapa were the hardest hit by diseases such as HIV and Tuberculosis putting families under immense pressure. He said the support to the community in Chipapa was timely adding that it would go a long way in mitigating their suffering.

Mr. Ngoma said his office was aware that Chipapa covered a very wide catchment area and the ambulances would help people access health care in most desperate circumstances.

He added that it was also encouraging that among those who have been trained to maintain the bicycle ambulances were women.

Mr. Ngoma commended the NGO for having continued to work in Kafue after phasing out in Chilanga area. He said Government would always value any assistance cooperating partners provided.

And Kafue District Health Director Dr Mwila Lembalemba thanked AAR Japan for the gesture. He noted that one of the biggest hindrances to accessing health care had been long distance.

Dr Lembalemba noted that the handover of the ambulance was timely and a clear testimony of good public private partnership which the Ministry of Health and Government were encouraging. He said such initiatives would contribute to the fulfilling of the ministry of health’s vision of providing equity of access to cost effective health care as close to the family as possible.

Speaking earlier AAR Japan Country Director Takashi Ashida stated that his organisation‘s main objective was to carry out various international cooperation activities including relief on disasters to promote self reliance of vulnerable people. He said AAR had now been in Zambia for the past 26 years since 1984.

Mr. Ashida said the donation was made to increase access to VCT, HIV and TB treatment and also prevent new infections through community mobilisations, sensitisation and access to medical health services.

He said an assessment and analysis conducted revealed that Chipapa clinic’s catchment area was vast as people walked for as long as 35 km to access medical treatment and other services. He said both HBC caregivers and patients have to cover long distances on foot due to no reliable transport in the area.

Mr. Ashida said the bikes and ambulances would provide another option for locals. He said the bicycles were made in such a way that they provided comfortable transportation of chronically ill patients and people in need at minimal costs.

He said the community has agreed to contribute K3, 000 per person every year which would go towards maintenance of the ambulances and make the project sustainable.

ZANIS

Chipata-Mchinji railway commissioned

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The Chipata/Mchinji railway has been officially commissioned with President Rupiah Banda saying the railway would pave way for harmonisation and cooperation in the transport sector in order to enhance trade in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Chipata/Mchiji railway this morning, President Banda said the transport infrastructure was an important component in the enhancement of economic development and regional integration.

ZANIS reports that Mr Banda noted that the railway would facilitate landlocked Zambia easily transport its imports and exports to the east coast of the African continent through the port of Nacala in Mozambique.

He noted that Zambia’s abundant natural resources required transportation facilities such as the railway in order to provide access to markets in the region.

And President Banda has appealed to the operators of the railway line Central and Eastern African Railway System (CEARS) to ensure that operations were done in an efficient manner.

He also called on CEARS to minimise delays in the transportation of goods and services as doing so would discourage potential users.

Speaking at the same function, Malawi’s President Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika, said his government would ensure that the 810 Kilometres stretch in Malawi is fully rehabilitated and upgraded to provide connectivity to the port.

Dr Mtharika said this would enable the people of Zambia and Malawi benefit from the Chipata/Mchinji railway through cheaper transportation of agricultural, mineral and manufactured products.

The Malawian President, who is also the African Union Chairperson, has since called on the private sector in the three countries to take advantage of the line to enhance trade and get involved in its operations.

He urged the business communities in the three countries to respond to the political will by the heads of state of the three countries shown by their attendance at the commissioning ceremony.

And Mozambican President Armando Guebuza urged people in the three countries of the Growth Triangle to share common resources that were good for the countries as they offered a comparative advantage for their economy.

Speaking in a speech read for him by that country’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Paulo Zucula, Mr Guebuza said there was need for people in the Growth Triangle to use the Chipata/Mchiniji railway to share products in which they have comparative advantage for both economic and social benefits.

Mr Guebuza also pledged his governments’ commitment to ensuring that the railway line to the port of Nacala was maintained for economic development.

The Chipata/Mchinji railway project was initiated in the late 1970s between Zambia and Malawi to provide a shorter route to the port of Nacala in Mozambique.

The project was essentially meant to facilitate landlocked Zambia access its imports and exports to the eastern coast of the African continent but was abandoned due to various reasons and was only resumed in 2006 during the late Levy Mwanawasa regime.

The project is expected to be extended to Katete district and later to the northern part of the country.

ZANIS

Why Africa needs ‘cheetahs,’ not ‘hippos’ ( in Leadership)

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By George Ayittey, Special to CNN
CNN Editor’s note: George Ayittey is a Ghanaian economist and the author of several books on Africa, including “Africa Unchained” and the forthcoming “Defeating Dictators in Africa and Around The World.” In 2008, Ayittey was listed by Foreign Policy magazine as one of the “Top 100 Public Intellectuals” of our time. He writes for Africa 50, CNN’s special coverage looking at 17 African nations marking 50 years of independence this year.

(CNN) — Currently, Africa — a continent immensely rich with mineral resources and yet mired in poverty — suffers from a catastrophic leadership failure or monumental deficit of leadership.

Since 1960, there have been 210 African heads of state, but just try to find 10 — just 10 — good ones among them. Names like Mandela, Nkrumah, Nyerere easily come to mind but then rapidly fall off.

But there is hope in what I call the “Cheetah Generation.”

The Cheetah Generation refers to the new and angry generation of young African graduates and professionals, who look at African issues and problems from a totally different and unique perspective.

They are dynamic, intellectually agile, and pragmatic. They may be the “restless generation” but they are Africa’s new hope. They brook no nonsense about corruption, inefficiency, ineptitude, incompetence, or buffoonery.

They understand and stress transparency, accountability, human rights, and good governance. They also know that many of their current leaders are hopelessly corrupt and that their governments are contumaciously dysfunctional and commit flagitious human rights violations.

The Cheetahs do not look for excuses for government failure by wailing over the legacies of the slave trade, Western colonialism, imperialism, the World Bank or an unjust international economic system.

To the Cheetahs, this “colonialism-imperialism” paradigm, in which every African problem is analyzed, is obsolete and kaput. Unencumbered by the old shibboleths, Cheetahs can analyze issues with remarkable clarity and objectivity.

The outlook and perspectives of the Cheetahs are refreshingly different from those of many African leaders, intellectuals, or elites, whose mental faculties are so foggy and their reasoning or logic so befuddled that they cannot distinguish between right and wrong. They blame everybody else for Africa’s problems except themselves.

This is the “Hippo Generation,” intellectually astigmatic and stuck in their muddy colonialist pedagogical patch. They can see with eagle-eyed clarity the injustices perpetrated by whites against blacks, but they are hopelessly blind to the more heinous injustices they perpetrate against their own black people.

The Hippos are of the 1960s-era mentality — stodgy, pudgy, and wedded to the old “colonialism-imperialism” paradigm with an abiding faith in the potency of the state.

They lack vision — hippos are near-sighted — and sit tight in their air-conditioned government offices, comfortable in their belief that the state can solve all of Africa’s problems. All the state needs is more power and more foreign aid. And they would ferociously defend their territory since that is what provides them with their wealth. (Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other animal.)

They care less if the whole country collapses around them, but are content as long as their pond is secure.

The Cheetahs are not so intellectually astigmatic. Whereas the Hippos constantly see problems, the Cheetahs see business opportunities. The Cheetah generation has no qualms about getting their hands “dirty.” Africa’s salvation rests on the back of the Cheetah generation.

I have identified several Cheetahs — both men and women — in many African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Togo, Zambia and even Somalia.

They are operating in many fields: agriculture, informal sector, IT technology, manufacturing and even in government.

But now is not the time for the Cheetahs to take over. They will be ripped up by the ornery and nasty Hippos. Rather, they should build up on their skills, strength and accumulate knowledge and wealth — in the private sector — while methodically draining the swamp of the Hippos.

Soon, they will find themselves “homeless” and then the Cheetahs can take over.

[CNN]

The Week In Pictures

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1.

Lucy Changwe clad in MMD chitenge dancing on arrival at Fibanga basic school before handing over a classroom block

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Some of the dancers that arrived at Lusaka International Airport with Democratic Republic of Congo rhumba music maestro Kofi Olomide in Lusaka yesterday

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Democratic Republic of Congo rhumba music maestro Kofi Olomide's dancers

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Democratic Republic of Congo rhumba music maestro Kofi Olomide's dancers at ZAIN HQ

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Democratic Republic of Congo rhumba music maestro Kofi Olomide waves to journalists on arrival at Lusaka International Airport in Lusaka.

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Democratic Republic of Congo rhumba music maestro Kofi Olomide arrives at Lusaka International Airport yesterday

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Democratic Republic of Congo rhumba music maestro Kofi Olomide arrives at Lusaka International Airport yesterday

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Democratic Republic of Congo rhumba music maestro Kofi Olomide arrives at Lusaka International Airport yesterday.

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Zambian singer Afunik Chirwa poses for a photograph

10.

Road Development Agency managers inspect the Mongu Kalabo road

11.

Peter Cottan, National Milling MD presents a donation of mealie meal to Matero Member of Parliament Faustina Sinyingwa at the Bible Gospel Church in Africa in Lusaka .

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THE Central Statistical Office (CSO) recruiting Supervisors and Enumerators for 2010 national census. Here, applicants line up to tender their applications at the office of the District Commissioner

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THE Central Statistical Office (CSO) recruiting Supervisors and Enumerators for 2010 national census. Here, applicants line up to tender their applications at the office of the District Commissioner

14.

NORTHERN province deputy Permanent Secretary Micah Zyambo (r) welcomes First Lady Thandiwe Banda at Nakonde Basic School when she arrived in Nakonde district

15.

NAKONDE District Director of Health Dr. Aubrey Musonda (l) introducing members of staff for Nakonde clinic to the First Lady Thandiwe Banda in Nakonde

16.

First Lady Thandiwe Banda visiting patients at Nakonde Clinic in Nakonde

17.

First Lady Thandiwe Banda inspecting a women club exhibition at Mbala High School with her entourage

18.

First Lady Thandiwe Banda (c) looking at wooden artefacts at Moto-moto museum in Mbala as Minister for Environment Catherine Namugala (l) and Museum Director Vitoria Chilungu look on

19.

First Lady Mrs Thandiwe Banda greeting Senior Chief Tafuna when she paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Mpulungu

20.

Denny Lumbama delivering his speech during the 2010 Censes of Population and Housing Master Trainers training workshop in Kabwe while United Nations Population Fund Representative(UNFPA) Mr. Duah Owusu-sarfo listens

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Acting Director Central Statistical Office Mr. John Kalumbi introducing his entourage(not in the picture) to Denny Lumbama and Kabwe Trades Institute Principal Kasanda Sayila during the 2010 Census Trainers training workshop held in Kabwe

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Participants attending the 2010 Census of Population and Housing Master Trainers training workshop held in Kabwe

23.

Eagles Eye mining Zambia limited director Neil Richards showing samples of high grade manganese minerals to central province permanent secretary Denny Lumbama and his entourage at chalata manganese mine in mkushi

24.

Eagles Eye mining Zambia limited director Neil Richards explaining on the extraction of manganese mineral to central province permanent secretary Denny Lumbama and his entourage at chalata manganese mine in Mkushi

25.

Local Government and Hosing Minister Eustackio Kazonga presents keys to the real 2010 Zain winner of a house, Mambwe Koma as Zain Commercial Director Mark p’Ongom (with sun glasses) looks on in Lusaka

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Local Government and Hosing Minister Eustackio Kazonga presents keys to the real 2010 Zain winner of a house, Concetor Sakala as Zain Commercial Director Mark p’Ongom (center) looks on in Lusaka

27.

The Zambia under17 national team players go through their paces at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka in readiness for this weekend’s encounter against Ghana.

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The Zambia under17 national team players go through their paces at Woodlands

Rupiah advised over his donor attacks

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President Rupiah Banda

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has advised President Rupiah Banda to follow established channels when responding to concerns raised by donors.

And the JCTR has also wondered why President Banda reacts to donors’ concerns in the way he does if there is no truth in what they say.

Speaking in an interview with QFM todayJCTR Deputy Director, Leonard Chiti, said President Banda must respond to donors’ concerns using established channels.

Mr Chiti was reacting to President Banda’s sentiments yesterday telling donors to pack their bags and go where they came from if they are fed up.

He said President Banda as Head of State is expected to handle issues in a sober manner.

Mr Chiti note that the emotions exhibited by the president raise more concerns from the general public because there is a message behind it.

He wondered why the President reacts the way he does whenever donors raise concerns on issues that affect them in some way.

Mr Chiti said there is no need for someone to react to an issue if there is nothing wrong in the way such an issue is being handled.

He pointed out that the President must learn to respond, to people’s concerns to instill confidence in them.

The Deputy Director noted that the president must first of all find out who is saying what, why they are saying it and make a comprehensive statement in response to what is being said.

Mr Chiti said in that way, there would be transparency and credibility in all that the government engages itself in.

Yesterday, President Rupiah Banda before his departure for the Eastern province at City Airport said Zambia is not a banana republic, telling donors to pack their bags and go where they came from if they are fed up with Zambia.

He said Zambia is an independent state, adding that donors should give Zambians the chance to follow the laws which they left behind.
[ QFM ]

Shikapwasha accuses Post Newspaper of double standards

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Chief governmment Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha

Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has expressed disappointment at the Post Newspaper for playing what he terms as double standards in covering political stories.

And Lieutenant General Shikapwasha has warned the Post against misleading people in their reporting because he expected the media in Zambia to be neutral in their reporting and not to be in the fore-front misleading the masses.

He observed that of late the Post Newspaper had played a role of being image builders of Patriotic Front/United Party for National Development (PF/UPND) Pact leaders Michael Sata and Hakainde Hichilema as well as some of the out-spoken civil society organisation chief executive officers.

Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, challenged the Post to display professional ethics when writing stories.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha said it was not true that Government had failed to address some of the contentious issues of political governance, economical and social issues but maintained that Government was on track because it was a listening Government.

The Minister said Government was aware of the double standards the Post was playing.

He complained that negative stories were written on President Rupiah Banda while PF/UPND Pact leaders Mr. Sata and Mr. Hichilema received good coverage instead of being fair in their reporting.

“Government is saddened and we are aware of the Post Newspaper in their reportage. The Post Newspaper is playing double standards in their reportage and it has become the image builders of PF/UPND Pact leaders Mr. Sata and Mr. Hichilema,” Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha said.

The Chief Government Spokesperson reminded the media on its role to educate, inform and entertain the masses describing it as a noble calling as opposed to exhibiting double standards.

Efforts to get Post Newspaper Managing Editor Amos Malupenga failed as his phone was just ringing.

Meanwhile, Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha disclosed that he would soon be meeting media heads to discuss the way forward noting that the forth coming 2011 tripartite elections are very critical to the development of the nation.

ZANIS

North west traditional leaders tipped to deter early marriages

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Northwestern Province Minister Daniel Kalenga has called on traditional leaders and parents in the Province to discourage early marriages among girl children in their chiefdoms and communities.

ZANIS reports that Mr Kalenga said both traditional leaders and parents should encourage girl children to put education as a number one priority if they were to take part in meaningful social and economic development in the province.

He said this in Solwezi yesterday during the official closing of a two- day Provincial Development Council of elders Conference under the theme “Unity of Purpose and Development “held at Solwezi collage of Education.

Mr Kalenga expressed sadness that Government’s efforts to provide education to the children were being frustrated by early marriages and low attendance to school by pupils saying the province’s development was a responsibility of all the people in the region.

He said in a quest to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) on education by 2015, Government under the infrastructure development programme under the Ministry of Education was constructing three big high schools and additional classroom blocks in existing schools in the province.

Mr Kalenga also advised the Council of elders to take keen interest and understand policies and programmes that Government was implementing in its quest to steer development in the province.

The conference was attended by former vice president Enock Kavindele,veteran politician Dr Peter Matoka,Bishop Reverend Paul Mususu, Former ambassador to Canada David Saviye,Traditonal leaders, former and current Members of Parliament and other stakeholders in the province.

[ ZANIS ]

KCM must behave as a good corporate citizen

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Deplorable state of Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) roads despite huge profits gained from the sale of copper. The road leads to the mine area

By Mr. Trevor Simumba(Associate Director of the Citizens Democratic Party-National Policy Council)

Mining is a global business. The copper mining value chain involves many players including; input suppliers, mining companies, smelters, contracted suppliers of labour, wholesalers, and consumers. Others are governments, labour unions, mining NGO’s, chamber of mines, other business associations, London Metal Exchange, transporters etc. Anything that goes on at KCM affects the whole nation and as the Citizens Democratic Party a party whose philosophy is ‘Putting People First’ it is of great concern to us that KCM is seen to be taking our citizenry for granted, as the MMD government plays a spectator role.
[pullquote]So it is clear that KCM have been doing this as part of their business strategy for a while and their recent denials were simply a smoke screen. What is even more disappointing is the fact that the Mines Department and Labour Department were caught unawares and only responded when the threat of a strike was made by the unions[/pullquote].

Just in the past few days , KCM has not helped its cause by making contradictory statements. In fact, it is a well known fact that KCM has posed significant challenges to the nation from its sale to Vedanta through its usually controversial business practices. Right from the start the sale of KCM to Vedanta has been a source of controversy. The recent spat involving the outsourcing of labour has re-ignited these tensions between the mineworkers and the KCM major shareholders management from India. Although outsourcing has become a widely-used mechanism to drive labour costs down in the mining industry worldwide, it is also a source of considerable conflict with unions and requires clear and effective regulation by Government. In July 2007 the big Chilean State owned mine saw a 35-day strike by roughly half the 28,000 subcontracted workers at Chile’s state National Copper Corporation (CODELCO) which set a precedent for labour rights in the country. Zambia will do well to draw lessons from CODELCO, as it is the world’s largest copper producer, extracting 1.78 million tons of refined copper in 2006, and is the main contributor to Chile’s state coffers. CODELCO is a private enterprise, yet smart negotiations with a government willing to take a stand for its citizens has not impeded Chile’s copper production. We expect both KCM and the MMD government to take responsibility for the clear discontent they are propagating. Inaction by our government will not only make them seem week, but will perilously set a dangerous precedent for future investors, who will feel very free to sideline Zambians.

The CDP National Policy Desk, having researched this pressing matter has discovered that Zambia’s largest copper miner by output, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), is implementing strategies including outsourcing labour for key activities across its mining and processing operations to improve efficiency and reduce costs, a company spokesman has said. According to the spokesman, as quoted on foxbusiness.com, is has been stated that (per KCM spokeman Rahul Kharkar)“despite the better global economic situation, KCM continues to face operational challenges and is looking at ways of optimizing the available resources, to attain maximum efficiency, so as to remain viable. The sentence to carefully note is “The effects of the global credit crunch on the operations are still potent and despite improvements in the price of copper…a sudden collapse of the copper prices would place the company in a highly vulnerable situation,” he said in a statement.

So it is clear that KCM have been doing this as part of their business strategy for a while and their recent denials were simply a smoke screen. What is even more disappointing is the fact that the Mines Department and Labour Department were caught unawares and only responded when the threat of a strike was made by the unions. The main question one would ask is firstly: What do our labour laws say about outsourcing? And secondly how is the recruitment of expatriates regulated in the copper mining industry? Surely how can KCM even contemplate appointing a foreigner as HR Director for such a large company that employs so many Zambians? Surely the Ministry of Labour must have laws and regulations which must be applied in this case.

Even next door in Botswana and a little further in South Africa there are clear laws on outsourcing and the employment of foreigners in the mining industry with a strong indigenous empowerment law. The key difference we see is that while many of our friends enforce their laws, in Zambia we seem to react only when there is a threat especially when unions threaten to support the opposition.

We as the Citizens Democratic Party, therefore implore the Government through the Ministries of Mines and Labour to enforce the current mining and labour laws effectively. Secondly, KCM must behave more responsibly as Zambia’s largest mining company and be open with their employees on how they would like to improve KCM’s operations. Efficiency does not equal bringing in more expatriates, it should mean better use of local labour resources and ensuring that they company look at the big picture in the long term. It is not in anyone’s interest to antagonise the mine workers in Zambia lest an even worse Government is elected into office on the back of frustrations amongst Zambians. Foreign investors should respect the country in which they gain huge profits while similarly the Government must enforce the law without fear or favour.

Kavindele calls for unity of purpose in North Western Province

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Former vice president Enoch Kavindele

Former Vice President Enock Kavindele said there was need for people of Northwestern Province to work together as a united force if meaningful development was to be recorded in the region.

Mr. Kavindele said the province had all it took to create wealth for the people hence the need to strengthen unity by speaking with one voice as this would foster development in the province.

He was speaking during the ongoing first conference of Northwestern Development Council in Solwezi today.

Mr. Kavindele said people’s focus in the province should be wealth creation and safeguarding resources available in the region for the benefit of posterity.

He said people should also shift their energies to working towards employment creation for the youths and to also ensure that would be investors incorporate local communities in their business undertaking.

He said the province needed concerted effort and unity of purpose to move forward and to derive maximum benefit from its natural resources.

ZANIS

Beit Cure flags off mobile clinic

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BEIT Cure Hospital yesterday launched a mobile Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic, which is aimed at providing services to the rural poor who cannot afford to travel to Lusaka for specialised medical services.

Executive director Peter Kyalo said in Lusaka yesterday many patients who needed services provided by Beit Cure were either ignorant about the hospital or were too poor to travel to Lusaka for treatment.

He said that the hospital had treated many patients through both house and mobile clinics but he was hopeful that ENT mobile clinic would further help to provide specialised services to the poor.

“Through our mobile clinics, we see very needy patients and sometimes they are just too poor to come to Lusaka.

“ I am, therefore, happy that we can now provide services through this mobile unit and make healthcare accessible to all deserving Zambians,” said Mr Kyalo.

Beit Cure Hospital had been using mobile clinics for most of its outreach programmes and the newly commissioned mobile clinic, which was equipped with modern specialised equipment, would attend to patients with ENT complications.

He said Beit Cure had performed 4,392 surgeries, provided consultancy to 7,584 people and performed 423 clinics in different regions of the country.

And Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao has implored Zambians to embrace mobile clinics as they have a potential of cushioning the demand on static hospitals and offering specialised treatment for many Zambians in rural areas.

Speaking when he officially commissioned the ENT Mobile Clinic, he said Zambians were not sure what mobile clinics meant in Zambia and hence the confusion.

Mr Simbao said it was not a secret that mobile clinics had done so much for the people of Zambia especially the poor who were in the majority in rural areas.

He said lack of finances denied a lot of the rural population an opportunity to access health facilities and the real solution to this situation was the introduction of mobile clinics which would draw health services closer to the people.

He commended Beit Cure Hospital of taking a leading role in using mobile clinics to provide services to patients in rural areas on a free charge.

And Beit Cure hospital Board chairperson Larry Kalala called on the private sector to partner with Government and his institution in ensuring that more children accessed specialized health care.

Mr Kalala said the hospital had experienced fiscal challenges with the decline of the United States and the Global economies and the hospital had been notified by a few foundations that they would not be making new grants in the in the coming next 12 months as they take time to access their own financial health.

“A few of our major donors have also indicated that they will need to reduce their contributions. But in light of the challenges, GORTA took it upon themselves to provide the ENT mobile clinic, which we are commissioning today,” he said.
[Times of Zambia]

Chipata-Mchinji rail launch today

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FLASHBACK: The arrival of the first train to Chipata carrying ballast stones on Mchinji rail.

THE long-awaited Chipata-Mchinji rail line is set for launch today amid high hopes that it would spur economic development to the higher pedestal.

And President Rupiah Banda has said First Lady Thandiwe Banda is not campaigning and distributing resources to Mpulungu to campaign for the ruling MMD ahead of the parliamentary by-election.

President Banda described the rail line as critical to the economy as would reduce the cost importing goods from the Far East.

Mr Banda said the long term plan was to connect the Chipata-Mchinji rail line to the Tanzania Zambia Railway in Central Province to transit to Tanzania.

“It is such an important thing for us to have another rail line. Also the distance from Nacala to Chipata has been cut by 800 kilometers and also from Chipata to Lusaka, it is just about 500 kilometers. It will be of great economic value. That is not the end we hope to build the rail to join Tazara.

The president said this on departure for Chipata at City Airport that the rail line would be used to transport agriculture produce.

Mr Banda said it was important that the country should have another rail link especially that it would join the Nacala rail line which links Malawi and Mozambique.

He said the start of another rail line would cut the distance to Mozambique and Malawi by 800 kilometers and would become the shortest route to the sea.

“It makes it cheaper for us to bring in goods from Asia. It is the shortest route to the sea. I hope the Government can find resources to build a dry port,” Mr Banda said.

He also announced that Mozambican President Armando Guebuza would attend the launch of the rail line.

And Mr Banda said political leaders accusing the first lady of campaigning in Mpulungu did not have any programme and spent time on petty things.

Mr Banda said the first lady had been to Isoka, Mbala, Mpulungu and other parts of Northern Province where there are no by-elections.

He said she could not deny an opportunity to meet the people of Mpulungu because of a by-election and that she did not have money to distribute to the people of Mpulungu.

“At first the argument was that she was giving things in Mpulungu. Why deny Mpulungu just because there is a by-election. They want to look for faults. Where would she get the cash from,” Mr Banda said.

He said the first lady was in Northern Province to help the needy with materials and cannot segregate on the basis of a by election.

[Times of Zambia]

Rupiah attacks Britain

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President Rupiah Banda talks to Vice President George Kunda and Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja before he left for Angola at Lusaka International Airport
President Rupiah Banda(c)

President Rupiah Banda has disclosed that the Zambian government paid a total of 8 million pounds to a named British law firm which was pursuing a case of corruption involving second republican president Dr. Frederick Chiluba.

President Banda said government further paid another substantial US$ 2 million over the same case.

Speaking to Journalists shortly before departure for Chipata, Eastern province, yesterday afternoon, President Banda said colossal sums of money were paid to Taskforce lawyers.

He advised the nation to forge ahead with other development projects as opposed to concentrating on the Chiluba case which he said was adequately dealt with by the courts.

Mr. Banda said a lot of eminent Zambians including former Commanders of the Defense forces have been tried in courts in Zambia with some acquitted but wondered why the same Zambians were mute on the matter.

He was commenting on the Law Association of Zambia which is aggrieved by the decision by Lusaka High Court Judge Evans Hamaundu reject an application to have the London Court judgment case involving second republican president Frederick Chiluba registered in Zambia.

And President Banda has challenged the British Government to release Dr. Chiluba’s co-accused Attan Shansonga to be tried here in Zambia.

Mr. Banda said despite the Zambian government writing a correspondences many years ago asking the British Government to release Mr. Shasonga, the British government has remind reluctant to release him.

On the forth-coming 2010 tripartite election, President Banda urged the British government to respect the Zambian laws because the Zambian courts have tried alot of eminent people including former commanders.

He further urged the British government against interfering with the Zambian law and to leave Zambia alone because she is a sovereign state capable of governing herself.

He took a swipe at some foreign diplomats accredited to Zambia against issuing statements as if they are opposition political parties.

On his trip to Chipata, President Banda said the commissioning of the Chipata/Mchinji railway line would help open up eastern province to the neigbouring Malawi and Mozambique and the entire region in terms of transporting goods and services.

Mr. Banda said the railway line could cut the distance from Chipata and Nacala in Mozambiaque by 800 km and another 500km from Chipata to Malawi.

He said the Chipata-Mchinji railway line was of economic value and hoped that government would source some funds to construct a dry port to accelerate economical development for the good of the peoples in the three countries.

He indicated that his Malawian counterpart Bingu Wa-Mtharika would attend the commissioning of the railway line but the Mozambiqican President Armando Emilio Guebuza is not coming to witness the commissioning of the railway because he is committed to other important national duties in his country.

President Banda, however, said President Guebuza has sent a representative to witness the commissioning of the railway line.

The Chipata-Mchinji Railway line was initiated in the late 1970s by the governments of Zambia and Malawi but was only completed under the leadership of President Rupiah Banda.

Meanwhile, President Banda has said First Lady Thandiwe has the right to empower women because she is the mother of the nation.

Commenting on opposition PF leader Michal Sata’s claims that the First Lady is ‘dishing out’ moneys to Mpulungu electorates, President Banda advised Mr. Sata and the civil society organsiations chief executive officers to desist from ‘finding faults’ but instead concentrate on development matters affecting the nation.

Mr. Banda is accompanied to Eastern Province by MMD Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga, Community Development Minister Michael Kaingu, Education Minister Dora Siliya and Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane among others

The President was seen off at the Lusaka ZAF City airport by Defense Chiefs, Lusaka Province Minister Charles Shawa, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Fashion Phiri and other senior government and MMD officials.

QFM

Haras Arrive To Face Zanaco

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Haras El Hodoud coach Tarek El Ashry has said the Egyptian team were targeting their first away points in the Confederation Cup when they face Zanaco away in Lusaka on Saturday at Sunset stadium on match day two in Group B.

El Ashry said in Lusaka after arrival from Egypt that Haras knew Zanaco would be difficult to beat at home but the time for the Egyptians to break their away jinx had arrived.

“We are making our fourth consecutive appearance in the competition,” Al Ashry said.

“They (Zanaco) have scored good results in both the Champions League and Confederations Cup that off course includes elimination of Enyimba who are two times African champions.

“I am hoping this time we will utilize our chances and break the jinx of always losing away games.”

Haras are joint second in Group B together with Confederation Cup two-time champions SC Sfaxien of Tunisia whom they drew 0-0 with on August 14 at home in Alexandria.

Zanaco are bottom with no point after losing 1-0 away to FUS de Rabat of Morocco on August 14.

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