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Literature distributed by ULP in Luena was not tribal

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The United Liberal Party (ULP) has said that it is disappointed by the losing UPND candidate’s claims in the Luena by-election, Muyunda Illilonga that it was distributing tribal literature in the Luena Parliamentary by-election.

ULP National Chairperson for Women Charity Katilungu in a statement said the literature distributed by ULP in Luena was not tribal in anyway but was merely based on facts to promote their candidate Sikatala Musole.

She appeals to Mr.Illilonga not to blame the ULP for his loss in the Luena by-elections and to stop crying over spilt milk.

Ms Katilungu says his loss is due to his long absence from Luena constituency and UPND’s countrywide loss of political fortunes.

She says the United Liberal Party (ULP) was merely reminding the people of Luena Constituency that Mr. Illilonga does not live in the constituency.

She says it is wrong for Mr. Illilonga to claim that the voting in Luena was influenced by tribalism when all the candidates can claim some roots from Luena constituency.

[pullquote]Ms Katilungu appeals to Mr. Illilonga not to mourn about bribery in Luena when the UPND had close to K500 million at their disposal which she say they used to buy mealie-meal, meat and cooking oil for distribution to would be voters.[/pullquote]

Ms Katilungu adds that the UPND was the party that distributed derogatory leaflets about other political leaders who were not even candidates in the Luena by-election.

She says the ULP agrees with Mr. Illilonga that there was massive bribery and malicious campaigning before voting day.

She however says it disappointing that Mr. Illilonga has failed to tell the nation that his party, the UPND,was in the forefront of these dirty campaign schemes such as bribery, malicious campaign and vote buying.

Ms Katilungu appeals to Mr. Illilonga not to mourn about bribery in Luena when the UPND had close to K500 million at their disposal which she say they used to buy mealie-meal, meat and cooking oil for distribution to would be voters.

She adds that the UPND even distributed chitenge material which was not bearing their party logo but straight from the retail shops.

QFM

Siliya shuns UNZA graduation

Education minister Dora Siliya makes a speech during the 40th Anniversary celebrations for Naboye Hogh School in Kafue

Education Minister, Dora Siliya has shunned officiating at the University of Zambia UNZA graduation ceremony for the second consecutive year.

UNZA today held the 40th graduation ceremony without the presence of any official from the ministry of education and 1,941 students graduated today in various fields.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony UNZA vice chancellor, Professor Geofrey Simukanga highlighted the continued infrastructure challenges facing the institution.

He said the problem of student accommodation and lecturing theaters has been a never ending challenge for the highest learning institution in the country.

Professor Simukanga also noted that the institution which has a total student population of 13,000 with 10,000 of those on fulltime, has been struggling to accommodate the students because the institution only has the capacity to accommodate 3,243 students.

And UNZASU president, Duncan Nyirongo challenged the National Constitution Conference NCC to ensure that the economic, social and cultural rights are included in the constitution.

He further questioned government’s decision to increase the retirement age when the unemployment levels among the youth in the country are high.

[ QFM ]

Mkushi farmers urged to be hygienic

Commercial farmers in Mkushi district have been prodded to seriously consider improving on the hygiene standards within their holdings.

Munshibembe Ward Councillor Francis Chilyanga sated that there was need for commercial farmers to improve on hygiene standards namely by increasing domestic water supply within their holdings.

Mr. Chilyanga said that he felt compelled to issue the appeal to Farmers explaining that persistent water shortages on some farms could put workers at risk of contracting disease such as cholera and dysentery.

He said that owing to this concern, he had requested the District Health Management Team (DHMT) to conduct physical inspection on farms in a bid to ensure that hygiene standard were maintained.

He noted that there was need for both DHMT and farmers to sensitize farm workers on the importance of disease prevention methods such as the use of chlorine for ensuring water sanitation.

He stressed that there was need for commercial farmers to provide employees with the necessary protective wear, saying that such a move would reduce the prevalence of work related accidents.

Mr. Chilyanga also extended an appeal to residents in the Ward to ensue that toilets facilities were built on each residential plot and warned of penalizing those who did not comply with this aspect of public health regulation.
He lashed out at owners of residential plots that did not have toilets and accused them of being “irresponsible”.

Munshibembe Ward recorded high number cholera cases in Mkushi in April this year.

[ ZANIS ]

Upbeat Dario Returns From Uganda

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The Zambia national team returned home on Thursday morning after drawing 1-1 in a friendly international with Uganda on Wednesday afternoon in Kampala.

Coach Dario Bonetti said they were more positives learnt from the match despite him missing some key European-based players like Christopher Katongo of Greek club Xanthi and Jacob Mulenga of FC Utrecht in Holland.

“We drew but it was possible to win we had a chance to win it late i the first half on the counter but missed chances and again in the second half with 10 minutes remaining,” Bonetti said.

“We played a game against a good team and our players played well.”

Bonetti said he was also happy with the local-based player’s performance and was looking forward to seeing more from what is in store in the league.

“I like to work with young players with quality and we have some young players with quality playing in the Zambian league,” Bonetti said.

Bonetti now shifts his attention to September 4 when his face hosts Comoros in the two sides opening 2012 Africa Cup Group C qualifying match.

Banks and Customer Service

By Wesley Ngwenya
A lot has been said about the pathetic customer service that exists in Zambia. Even after so much has been sang about this deadly disease, little is being done by the affected and infected companies. In Zambia, many businesses lack adequate investment whether it is in the personnel or systems that enhance the way they deal with their customers. Banks are especially the worst in dealing with clients. They have the attitude of -you need us more than we need you.

At the just ended 84th Agriculture and Commercial Show, here in Lusaka, I had the privilege of visiting many companies who were exhibiting. Now, a show is not only an opportunity to show your presence as a business but also to excel and stand out among your competitors. It is an opportunity to showcase your products and services. It is also an opportunity to show off your skilled personnel. I visited the Bankers Association of Zambia Pavilion, which housed most of the commercial banks, and what I experienced was frightening. Below are the banks I visited and a brief experience with my mystery shopping.[pullquote] hire qualified staff and not just the pretty but blank faces.[/pullquote]

Indo Zambia Bank: I found one lady who was attending to a client as I walked into their booth. This was my first booth I was visiting and so I did not expect much and did not want to spend much time looking at the ground I was yet to cover. I was never acknowledged although she had clearly seen me. After about three minutes or so, I left without her saying a word to me.

Finance Bank: This one was quite a surprise for me. I found about six bank officials—some were on the computers while others were chit chatting. I picked up brochures and looked as though I was looking for something. Some of the officials looked at me and others were completely in oblivion of my presence. I left after about five minutes. No one said a word to me. Where is the lion pride in your personnel?

Citibank: For what these guys were looking like you would expect a lot. They looked sharp in their black suits. Two of the guys were on the computer; one was doing some kind of writing at a desk while the other one was clearly daydreaming on a comfortable chair. Again after about three minutes of wasting my time I left without anyone saying anything to me. If the guys working for Citibank in Northern Virginia were to see this they would be shocked.

Stanbic Bank: I found about two ladies in the booth. They were both playing with a blue ball. I dilly dallied for a while. As usual, I picked up some brochures on some properties they were selling. I stood for what seemed like a long time looking at the brochures. Obviously, to them, I didn’t look like the kind who would buy a house so I left.

Intermarket Bank: Although I found an employee who was eating food on the desk, the other young man was helpful. He was very enthusiastic about his job. He asked me questions and was quite friendly. This was quite unusual looking at what I had just experienced. I left with some sort of hope.

Access Bank: There were several personnel working. They were all friendly and jumped at the opportunity to help. The young man who attended to me was equally good. Access Bank has done fairly well even at their Cairo Road branch. Their personnel are very professional. Take time to visit their Cairo Road branch and see what I am talking about.

FNB: I found three personnel. One was busy with a client while the other two were busy chatting. I spent four minutes and no one said a word to me. All the three personnel didn’t seem to care about my presence. It was very clear that I was not a potential client to them.

Ecobank: I was received well by the lady at the entrance. She asked questions and we had a good conversation. This bank certainly has great potential on the market.

Cavmont Bank: Undoubtedly the best reception of the afternoon. The team was quick to attend to me. They were all eagerly waiting to help. They sat me down which none of the other banks had done. They were very deliberate and articulate as well as excited about their products. They smiled and laughed and you could tell they were actually happy to come to work.

Looking at this Agriculture and Commercial Show experience, as well as many other experiences in my visits in many banking halls, it is quite shocking to imagine how they stay in business. Many of the banks in Zambia are taking the consumers for granted. With the many choices that come our way daily and with this pathetic customer service some will find it extremely difficult to survive on the market.

Just some quick tips for the banks. It is important that you treat each customer like they were your only customer. Train your front end personnel in customer relations. Teach them how to suggest or sell your other products. You are probably losing a lot of money from lack of skill. Set yourself apart from the other banks. Do something different and unique—excellent customer service is one thing you could do. Do not judge a book by its cover—serve each customer with equal enthusiasm. Finally, hire qualified staff and not just the pretty but blank faces.

Stanchart cuts lending rates

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STANDARD Chartered Bank Zambia has reduced its base lending rates by two per cent, down to 19 per cent, a move the bank says is in response to the single-digit inflation rate which stands at 8.4 per cent.

Standard Chartered Bank Zambia managing director, Mizinga Melu, who announced the reduction yesterday, said the decision to reduce the rates was done to reciprocate the low inflation rate and to pass over the benefits to the customers.

Her bank wants to meet the customer needs and despite the cost of doing business in Zambia being high, reducing the lending rates would be good for Zambia’s local economy.

In reducing the rates, Mrs Melu said the bank expected a rise in business activities from both large and small-scale enterprises which she said was good for the local economy.

“We recognise that the coast of doing business in Zambia is high but in view of the single-digit inflation levels, we would like to reciprocate by reducing the base lending rates from 21 per cent to 19 per cent to have one of the lowest rates in the country. This just tells of a bank in a strong position,” she said.

The Bank of Zambia has been challenging commercial banks to ease lending regulations and also reduce on the base lending rates, especially that inflation has been reduced to a single digit rate.

And Standard Chartered Bank yesterday announced that they had posted a net profit of 340 per cent over the last one year to K69 billion.

Mrs Melu said apart from the net profit posting a huge increase, the bank’s balance sheet was showing positive figures of K3.5 trillion, which indicated a 39 percentage growth from last year to June 30 this year.

“We are Zambia’s most profitable bank and all banking indicators are showing positive figures. Our net profit has grown 340 per cent, our balance sheet has grown 39 per cent, the deposits have also grown 31 per cent to K2.721 trillion. We are standing in a very strong position,” she said.

She said the bank posted a growth of 27 per cent on the revenue which had raised the figure to 224 billion.

Mrs Melu said her bank performed well despite coming from the global financial turmoil and attributed this to the bank’s strategies being correct, before, during and in the aftermath of financial crisis.

And bank acting director, consumer affairs, Sonnie Zulu said the bank would continue to introduce customer-tailored products that would make it a leading bank.

And the bank handed over two motor vehicles to winners of its ‘Draw and win’ competition from which it raised K200 billion.

Medson Chisi and Enock Mundia were the two winners of the two new Toyota Hilux vehicles.

[Times of Zambia]

Catholic priests die in road accident

Two student Catholic priests of Luawo Mission in Mwinilunga District died on the spot after the vehicle they were in overturned along Mutanda-Mwinilunga road yesterday.

Northwestern Province Police Chief Fabian Katiba who confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Solwezi today named the deceased as Augustine Mabila, 24 and Stanley Mukuka, 26, both of Luawo mission in Mwinilunga district.

Mr Katiba said Mukuka sustained serious head and body injuries while Mabila had his head crushed.

He said the accident happened around 14:40 hours at Kayonge area in Solwezi after a driver of a Toyota hilux registration number AAZ 3170 lost control and overturned several times.

Mr Katiba said the driver of the vehicle, Collins Zulu, 29, also a catholic priest of Luawo mission, escaped with internal body injuries and is currently admitted in Solwezi General Hospital.

The bodies of the deceased are in Solwezi General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem and burial.
[ ZANIS ]

Linda Compound in need of clinic, school

The National Revolution Party (NRP) has appealed to Government to construct a clinic and a school in Linda Compound in Lusaka.

NRP Secretary General (SG) Kelly Walubita Jr. bemoaned that there is no health post and a basic school in the area.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday Mr Walubita Jr. said this compels residents to go to Chawama and Mount Makulu to seek medical health care services while only a community school existed in Linda Compound.

He urged government through the Ministries of Health and Education to consider constructing a health post and a basic school in the area to cushion the rising number of maternal deaths among mothers and children as well as reducing illiteracy levels in the area.

He said education would not improve in the area without primary education, a vital component for building one’s foundation.

“As a party, we are appealing to the Government to construct a health post and school in Linda Compound,’’ Mr Walubita said.

And Mr Walubita thanked Government for clinching a U$$53 million loan from the Chinese Government for mobile clinics.

Mr Walubita Jr. further challenged the opposition to work with the government of the day as opposed to merely politicking at the expense of impoverished Zambians.

[ ZANIS ]

Sondashi Formula attracts praise

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Inventor of the SF2000 Ludwig Sondashi

The Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC) is happy that the Sondashi formula SF2000 has been proved useful to contain medicinal value for the fight against the HIV/AIDS.

The Sondashi Formula has since been earmarked for phase one of the clinical trials after scientist tasked to examine the potency of the formula to treat HIV/AIDS discovered particles that are useful in the HIV fight.

TALC National Coordinator Felix Mwanza expressed delight at the development saying the country stands to benefit immensely if the cure for HIV/AIDS is discovered by a Zambian.

Mr Mwanza has however cautioned the nation against jumping to conclusions before a re-examination and certification of the safety of the formula was done.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that previous formulas had proved disastrous and maimed volunteers of clinical trials.

Mr Mwanza appealed to government to ensure that the rights of people that will volunteer in the trial are respected and that their interests are taken into consideration.

“As TALC, we welcome the discovery because we believe that is good development. However, our main interest is to ensure that the rights of people involved in the trials are respected as the trials go on”, he said.
He hoped that the volunteers would be taken care of if they developed side effects and that the government will take full responsibility of the outcome of the trials.
[ ZANIS]

Scott annoys UPND youths

Patrotic Front Vice president Guy Scott

The United Party for National Development (UPND) is infuriated that its loss in last Thursday’s Luena parliamentary by-election is being celebrated by its alliance partner, the Patriotic Front (PF).

Consequently, the UPND has attacked the PF wondering how the electoral defeat of one pact member can be received so gleefully by another partner.

UPND youths also plan to petition their party to explain the nature of the PF/UPND pact because they were being insulted everyday.

UPND national chairman Joe Kalusa said it is sad that leaders of the PF are rejoicing over the outcome of the Luena by-elections when they are partners who should instead be consoling each other.

Mr Kalusa, who was with the UPND vice spokesperson Cornelius Mwitwa, said in an interview yesterday that the PF’s joy over the Luena loss is demeaning, provocative and intended to undermine the UPND.

“The attacks are with malice aimed at frustrating our party and eventually breaking the pact that the Zambian people have welcomed with both hands,” he said.

Mr Kalusa said the youths are wondering what kind of partnership UPND has engaged with PF if malicious celebrations can be the order of the day.

“It is really unacceptable how the PF vice-president Guy Scott can celebrate UPND loss in Luena,” he said in reference to an article in The Post newspaper yesterday where Dr Scott wrote that the theory that UPND was going to sweep Western Province was “well and truly punctured”.

Mr Kalusa said the utterances by PF are a clear indication that it is not interested in the pact.
He said the UPND youths plan to petition their party to explain the nature of the PF/UPND pact because they were being insulted everyday.

Mr Kalusa called on PF president Michael Sata to advise his party vice-president Dr Scott against rejoicing over the UPND loss in Luena to save the pact.

And Mr Kalusa accused the PF leadership of campaigning against the UPND.

“The PF leadership is on a vicious campaign to undermine UPND,” he said.

When contacted for a comment PF spokesperson Given Lubinda said he will comment on the matter today.
Dr Scott also wrote that a tiff between PF and UPND over who should contest this was what led to the current cracks in the PF-UPND pact.

“UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema was very clear that he was taking a territorial approach to expanding his party’s support base in Zambia and demanded to be in effect allocated all of Western Province as his hunting ground,” he said.

Dr Scott said this might have been reasonable in the days of Anderson Mazoka’s leadership when most of the Western seats were captured by UPND in the 2001 general elections, but currently, based on the results of the 2006 election, the party holds only one of the 17 constituencies in Western Province.

Dr Scott said eventually, UPND was given Luena to contest on the grounds that PF would be busy in Ndola and on the basis of the PF being given the next seat to come up for the contestation in the West.

“UPND must be ruing the day it ‘won’ the argument about who should contest Luena.

The constituency fell vacant when Charles Milupi formed his new party ADD and thus abandoned his independent status and automatically vacated his seat in Parliament.

“As a Lozi induna, he quite possibly had chunks of the Barotse Royal Establishment – particularly at the level of the village headmen organising for him; he also appears to have chunks of money at his command.

He won with 50 percent of the vote; MMD trailed him with 30 percent and UPND came with a mere 20 percent, despite the presence of Hakainde himself and a strong campaign team,” he said.

Dr Scott said the theory that UPND was going to sweep up Western Province was well and truly punctured! Consequentially also destroyed, or at least damaged, was the wishful scenario drawn up in some minds of the UPND quickly closing the gap between its popular support and that of PF – with the logical consequence that ‘HH’ would then have a legitimate claim to be the pact presidential candidate in 2011.

In 2008 presidential elections which is the last comprehensive ‘opinion poll’ held in the country, PF scored roughly twice as many constituencies. The erosion of the PF support in the Copperbelt and the rebirth of UPND in the West were indispensable parts of the catch-up scenario – and neither happened.

The conclusion is that the popularity rating of PF countrywide by any measure, is still approximately twice that of UPND. That the two parties together can still wipe out MMD by marshalling 60 percent of the vote against it remains a matter of simple arithmetic (20+40=60).

But the subplot of UPND expanding and or PF shrinking so that parity is achieved between the two parties – with the implied leadership contest -seems very remote as of the last week’s elections results, Dr Scott wrote.

[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

Daka woos China to transfer its agro-tech

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Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Peter Daka has called on China to consider transferring appropriate technologies in agro processing, aquaculture, irrigation and other areas that would help Zambia maximise its potential in the agriculture sector.

Mr Daka has also called for private investment in supporting the production of various crops such as pineapple, mango, cashew nuts and groundnuts.

The minister said technology transfer in other areas such as monitoring of environmental quality, animal vaccines, infrastructure development, equipment and research would benefit agriculture in the country.

Speaking during the official opening of the China-Africa Agriculture Forum in Beijing yesterday, Mr Daka, who is Zambia’s delegation leader said there was need for the transfer of technologies in some strategic sectors.

The delegation included Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane and Zambia’s Ambassador to China, Joyce Musenge.

Also in attendance was the chairperson of the House of Chiefs, Chief Madzimawe and several other chiefs representing different parts of the country.

Mr Daka said the Zambia-China partnership had proved to be that of a win-win scenario resulting in mutual benefits for all parties.

According to a statement released by the Zambian embassy in China, Mr Daka thanked China for continuing to help African countries in the field of agriculture and welcomed the ongoing agricultural cooperation.

He praised the Chinese government for prioritising agricultural cooperation with Africa as the sector was at the core of human survival, which centred on the production of food and consequently contributed to sustainable economic growth.

Mr Daka urged the forum organisers and delegates not to be dissuaded in their efforts but to concentrate on the mutual benefit to the people arising from the cooperation.

The Forum was officially opened by the Minister (International Department) of the Chinese Communist Party, Wang Jiarui who in his welcome remarks stressed the need for increased Sino-Africa cooperation in agriculture.

Mr Wang said agriculture was the basis for any national economy and that in that regard, China and Africa had a responsibility to provide food to their people.

The meeting was organised by the international Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture.

It attracted more than 200 dignitaries and included the vice-presidents of Zimbabwe and Kenya as well as ministers responsible for agriculture and economy from Sudan, Ethiopia, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola.

[ Times of Zambia ]

Chibombamilimo Body Arrives

The body of the late Mpulungu MMD Member of Parliament (MP) Lameck Chibombamilimo arrived yesterday at Lusaka International Airport aboard an Ethiopian Airways at 14:55 hours.

Mr Chibombamilimo, who is also former Energy Deputy Minister, died in the early hours of Tuesday owing to a kidney failure.
The late Chibombamilimo was evacuated recently by government to India at Apollo Hospital in New Delhi for specialist treatment where he died.

The body of the late Mpulungu MMD MP was received by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Mpande, Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao and Lusaka Province Minister Charles Shawa.

Others who were at hand to receive the body are Tourism Minister Catherine Namugala, MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Guston Sichilima, Patriotic Front President (PF)Micheal Sata and other MMD and leaders from opposition political parties.

And in receiving the body, MMD Lusaka Central Constituency Chairperson, Chilekwa Munkonge said the party will try to avoid differences with the opposition PF as this was a time of mourning.

Mr Munkonge noted that funerals were supposed to bring people together regardless of their political affiliation hence the need for everyone to behave as a mourner and not cadre.

He hoped that the bad behavior of the PF cadres exhibited at the airport would not be extended to the funeral house or to Northern Province if the body would be transported and buried there.

And Mandevu PF Member of Parliament Jean Kapata said her party is saddened by the death of Mr Chibombamilimo.
Ms Kapata said the death of the late MP was not only a great loss to MMD but also to the country as a whole
She noted that the PF would have loved to see the late Chibombamilimo finish his term of office because he was hard working person.
She has since appealed to the family and mourners to mourn peacefully and encouraged the widow to remain strong during this trying moment
[ ZANIS]

Faz Eyes Arthur Davies For Comoros Game

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It is amazing what an electronic scoreboard can do for a stadiums reputation.

Faz announced today that Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe might host Zambia’s opening 2012 Africa Cup Group C qualifying game against the Comoros Islands on September 4.

Power Dynamos sponsors Copperbelt Energy two weeks ago commissioned the first electronic scoreboard at the clubs Arthur Davies home ground, a first for a team in the Super Division and on the Copperbelt.

The venue, together with Nchanga stadium in Chingola, had previously alternated with Independence stadium to host international matches just 10 years ago.

However five years ago, Arthur Davies and Nchanga were later overlooked for both junior and senior matches with Konkola stadium in Chililabombwe hosting the latter’s matches while Nkoloma in Lusaka hosted the formers games.

Previous excuses of capacity and Fifa safety guidelines seem not to have played a factor for Arthur Davies this time around thanks to a gleaming new electronic scoreboard at the venue that Power officials say can sit 15000.

Meanwhile, the venue which last hosted a Zambia game on December 14 2005 when they beat DR Congo 4-1 in a friendly under then coach Patrick Phiri, has always been a sentimental favorite for  player’s.

Players speak intimately of the in-your-face atmosphere generated from the steep stands in the close confines of Arthur Davies and also a tight pitch that suits the teams passing game.

Uganda Hand Zambia A Draw

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The Zambian strikers gave Dario Bonetti something to ponder about on day one on the job after his side drew 1-1 away Uganda in Kampala today.

Zambia wasn’t on the score sheet but took the lead after a generous own-goal scored by Ugandan Simeon Masaba in the 22nd minute of the game.

Uganda level six minutes before the break through Mike Sserumaga to see the two sides finish to a draw.

“Drew one-one and conceded an own goal. Probably a fair result and good workout for both teams,” said uganda coach Bobby Williamson after the match.

Barclays commissions new Students hostel at UNZA Ridgway campus

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Barclays Bank Zambia PLC has officially commissioned the K3.2 billion students hostel accommodation at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Ridgway campus.

The new hostel block with a capacity of 60 bed spaces is aimed at addressing the current accommodation problems being faced at the institution.

Speaking during the commissioning in Lusaka today, Education Minister Dora Siliya reiterated Government’s commitment towards providing quality education and increasing access at all levels.

ZANIS reports that Ms. Siliya however, said this could only be achieved if there were concerted efforts from both the Government and other stakeholders in improving infrastructure development.

She explained that Government has taken it upon itself to ensure that access to education at all levels was improved and has since embarked on infrastructure development throughout the country.

She cited the construction of new Secondary Schools in all the provinces and also the provision of funds to public universities under the infrastructure development budget line as some of the initiatives that are targeted at improving the education sector.

The Minister further thanked Barclays Bank Zambia for supporting the education sector in its social corporate responsibility programmes.

Ms Siliya added that the donation of K3.2 billion towards the construction of student’s hostel and a further K33 million for rehabilitation of the old hostels is a true and practical expression of social corporate responsibility that other institutions must emulate.

And Barclays Bank Zambia PLC Chairperson Jacob Sikazwe reaffirmed his company’s continued support to the Education sector in the country.

Mr. Sikazwe said the Bank through its social responsibility would continue to provide sustainable programmes that meet the interest of customers and communities where it operates from.

He also disclosed that the company has set up a scholarship fund to support the education of economically disadvantaged students both at UNZA and the Copperbelt University noting that so far, 30 scholarships have been offered.

Earlier, Chairperson of the UNZA Council Tukiya Kankasa Mabula said infrastructure played an important role in the university’s ability to offer and deliver quality education programmes and to conduct research.

Dr. Mabula noted that the infrastructure requirement at the university had in the past years stagnated due to financial constraints which resulted in shortages in student’s accommodation.

She added that student population at the institution had also increased to 13,000 in 2010 from 3,000 in the 1970s adding that the university was only able to accommodate 3,191 students leaving more than 7,000 unaccommodated.

She thanked Government and other partners like Barclays Bank for responding positively to the challenges of infrastructure development for the education sector.

ZANIS