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Mwinilunga District commissioner (DC) Webster Samakesa has expressed his satisfaction with the works done so far on the economically important T5 international road linking Zambia to Angola.
MrSamakesa told ZANIS after inspecting the road works going on the high way,that he was pleased with the workmanship exhibited by the contractor.
He stressed that government has pumped colossal amounts of money towards the rehabilitation of the T5 international road, hence the need for the contractor to do a good job.
He said the T5 road is an important economical road with potential to boost trade between Zambia and Angola once the road is completed.
Mr Samakesa urged the contractor to complete the repair works before the on set of the rains.
He noted that once the rains starts the contractor won’t be able complete the works.
The DC said he was pleased with governments decision to work on the road.
Finance and National Development minister Situmbeko Musokotwane told Parliament recently that infrastructure developmentremains government priority in 2010 adding that the focus will be on building, rehabilitating and constructing roads, electricity generating projects, schools and hospitals.
Dr Musokotwane disclosed that the government has to this vain budgeted K 16,717,8 billion or 22 percent of Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P ) in 2010.
President Rupiah Banda and Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde at the police pass-out parade in Lilayi
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has welcomed changes to the police command on the Copperbelt, saying they should not have allowed Vice-President George Kunda and suspected Patriotic Front (PF) cadres to use the same route during the Chifubu parliamentary by-election campaigns.
Mr Banda said yesterday that the incident in Ndola last week where some suspected PF cadres blocked the vice-president’s motorcade could have been avoided if it was not for laxity on the part of the police.
He wondered why the police allowed Mr Kunda and opposition cadres to use the same route.
“Don’t you think that’s good enough a reason? Why have a meeting at the same place and allow the vice-president to be on the same route, that could have been avoided,” Mr Banda said in response to a question from journalists.
He was speaking at City Airport in Lusaka upon his arrival from Chipata.
Inspector-General of Police Francis Kabonde at the weekend made changes to the police service high command, and shifted Copperbelt Province chief Antoneil Mutentwa to Lusaka where he would be director of medical services.
He takes over from Martin Malama who has been appointed Copperbelt Province police chief.
[pullquote]Meanwhile, President Banda refused to comment on PF president Michael Sata’s statement that he had secured former Defence minister George Mpombo’s conviction as reported in the Sunday Post because the matter was in court[/pullquote].
Sources in the Zambia Police Service said there were several other changes expected to be made soon.
The president was welcomed at the airport by Mr Kunda, Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma and Lusaka Province Minister Charles Shawa.
He was accompanied to Chipata by Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Catherine Namugala and Science, Technology and Vocational Training Deputy Minister, Lameck Mangani.
Meanwhile, President Banda refused to comment on PF president Michael Sata’s statement that he had secured former Defence minister George Mpombo’s conviction as reported in the Sunday Post because the matter was in court.
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema on a campaign trail in Luena constituency.
UPND President, Hakainde Hichilema, has bragged the UPND has won more parliamentary seats than any other party in the last 12 to 15 months.
Congratulating Alliance for Democracy and Development interim President, Charles Milupi’s victory in the just ended Luena Parliamentary by-election, Mr. Hichilema said the UPND accepts the loss, adding that other parties must also be given chance to win other parliamentary seats in a democracy.
He said in every election, there has to be a winner and a loser, and that UPND, MMD, and other parties that contested the election were losers in this case, and the ADD was the winner.
He said the UPND is not aggrieved by the lose because it has won the majority seats in parliament in the last 12 to 15 months.
He said the UPND is the only party that has gained more parliamentary seats, as opposed to the ruling MMD which has been retaining seats in parliament.
He added that what is important in an election is to gain a seat and not to retain it.
He said while Mr. Milupi must be congratulated for emerging winner in Luena, there is not much impact because he merely retained his seat.
MMD Spokesperson Dora Siliya
MMD spokesperson Dora Siliya has urged Zambians to develop political careers by joining the ruling party.
Ms Siliya said the leadership in the party is friendly and embracing, adding that those who join the party are assured of being given an opportunity to aspire for various positions.
She said Zambians, especially the youth, should associate themselves with the MMD because President Banda has their interest at heart.
Ms Siliya said the victory which the party recorded in the recent local government elections is evidence that the party has support from people at the grassroots.
She said most Zambians are happy with the policies of Government as witnessed by the voting pattern in the local government elections.
Ms Siliya said the youth must be sober-minded and consider joining the MMD as they stand to benefit from a number of opportunities
She further encouraged the womenfolk to join the party saying MMD is all-embracing.
Ms Siliya said the economy is growing as the private sector has also expressed confidence in the leadership of President Banda.
She said it is highly unlikely that the private sector would want to see a change in policies and programmes of Government.
[pullquote]“The President has been so embracing to the private sector that I do not think they would want to see change in policies and programmes of Government,” Ms Siliya said.
[/pullquote]
Ms Siliya said Government has put in place incentives to make business transactions flexible in the country.
“The President has been so embracing to the private sector that I do not think they would want to see change in policies and programmes of Government,” Ms Siliya said.
Meanwhile, former secretary general of the National Energy Sector and Allied Workers Union (NESAWU) Yotham Mtayachalo has advised PF president Michael Sata to respect President Banda and desist from scandalising his office.
Mr Mtayachalo said it is unfortunate that Mr Sata has developed the habit of making wild and unsubstantiated allegations against Mr Banda in an effort to gain political mileage.
He said this in reaction to an article in yesterday’s edition of The Post newspapers in which Mr Sata was quoted saying the conviction of Kafulafuta member of Parliament George Mpombo was secured by Mr Banda.
Mr Mtayachalo said the remarks by Mr Sata are a mockery to the independency of the Judiciary.
He said the judiciary is independent but that the opposition usually deems it biased when a person who is perceived an enemy of the State is convicted.
“When the judiciary rules in favour of a member of the opposition, it is all smiles but if it rules against them, then the Judiciary is deemed compromised.
“It must be realised that in all countries where the judiciary has been undermined, there has been no peace. Mr Sata should stop the habit of commenting on everything for the sake of political mileage…this is not the first time he is making allegations without facts,” he said.
Mr Mtayachalo said Mr Sata should produce evidence to prove his claims that the judiciary is working in favour of President Banda.
He said a person who is aspiring for Presidency should desist from making reckless and wild allegations which have no substance.
Mr Mtayachalo said the office of the President must be protected and respected at all times.
He said Mr Banda has nothing to do with Mr Mpombo’s conviction as the law on bouncing a cheque is clearly stipulated.
“The President is not the one who came up with the law on bouncing a cheque so he should not be blamed for what has happened to Mr Mpombo,” he said.
On Friday, Ndola Magistrates court convicted Mr Mpombo of one count of dishonouring a cheque amounting to K10 million.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]
Former Lusaka Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo.
Former Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo has condemned opposition political parties inciting violence among the youth.
He said in Lusaka yesterday that promoting violence among young people showed that the country was diverting from the norms and values of a Christian nation.
Archbishop Milingo, who was speaking in Lusaka when he ordained five bishops from Jehovah’s Kingdom Assemblies Church, said the custom by some opposition political party leaders to insult those in authority was worrying and should be brought to an end.
Archbishop Milingo said Zambians should not allow divisions to rock the country and called on the people to live by the golden motto of ‘One Zambia, One Nation.’
And Archbishop Milingo urged the newly-ordained bishops to serve God and the people with sincerity.
Bishops Council of Zambia director-general Isaac Chabwera in his homily said the office of bishop called for sacrifice.
Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka said once one accepted the office of bishop, they were expected to devote time to preaching the Gospel and to unite the people.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Law Association of Zambia President Stephen Lungu (left) talks to Transparency International Zambia Executive Director Goodwell Lungu (file Picture)
Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Steven Lungu has said it is wrong for Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata and other civil society organisations to comment on a matter before the courts of law because it is prejudicial and a bad culture that should stop.
And the Judiciary Department has said those accusing President Rupiah Banda of being behind the conviction of Kafulafuta Member of Parliament (MP) George Mpombo should provide evidence and avoid making wild allegations.
Mr Lungu said in Lusaka yesterday that it was not right for anybody to comment on Mr Mpombo’s case because it had not been disposed of.
He wondered why the case had generated debates and accusations when it was still in court.
“This is what I have said before and I will continue saying, commenting on matters still in court is prejudicial and people should desist from this culture.
“The Mpombo case has not yet been disposed of and it is not right for people to continue commenting on it,” he said.
Mr Lungu said the best time to comment on any matter was when it had been concluded and that any comments should have a sound basis.
[pullquote]“The Mpombo case has not yet been disposed of and it is not right for people to continue commenting on it,” he said[/pullquote]
Judiciary Department public relations officer, Terry Musonda said yesterday it was sad that the civil society and some politicians always wanted to involve the president in selected convictions and judgments even when they knew that the judiciary operated under stipulated laws.
He said in an interview in Lusaka that Mr Mpombo’s was purely a court case and not political in any way.
“We all understand that people are entitled to their own opinions especially on the outcome of court cases, and where they have evidence on any allegations let them provide it because how else will society believe them if they just continue speaking from without,” he said.
Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Kelvin Limbani on Friday convicted Mr Mpombo on one count of issuing a cheque of K10 million on an insufficiently-funded account and sentencing is expected to take place today.
Meanwhile, PF Luapula MP Peter Machungwa has said it is unfair to attribute all professional decisions Government institutions make to President Banda.
Dr Machungwa described Mr Sata’s assertions that President Banda had influenced Mr Mpombo’s conviction as shallow politicking and called for the respect of the judiciary.
And former National Energy and Allied Workers Union secretary general, Yotam Mtayachalo advised Mr Sata to stop dragging the judiciary into politics.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Kafulafuta MP George Mpombo in his jail cell in Ndola after he was jailed for bouncing a cheque
The MMD leadership from seven wards in Kafulafuta Constituency yesterday petitioned the district executive committee to expel area Member of Parliament (MP) George Mpombo from the party after passing a vote of no confidence in him.
MMD Masaiti District secretary Patrick Zulu said some of the wards which withdrew their support for Mr Mpombo were Muyenga, Shitwe, Majaliwa, Kambowe and Mutaba.
He said the district party leadership had received the petition and that it would meet on Thursday to decide Mr Mpombo’s fate.
Mr Zulu said the leaders would discuss matters regarding Mr Mpombo, whose recent stand in the party has been a source of controversy.
The Kafulafuta MP has caused tension in the ruling party with his constant attacks on the top leadership, including President Rupiah Banda.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Mauritius Under-20 caused a major upset today when they sent Zambia Under-20 packing out of the African Youth Championship qualifiers.
Mauritius beat Zambia 3-1 to advance 3-2 on aggregate from the first round qualifiers to the final second round after overturning 1-0 loss they suffered at the hand of Keagan Mumba’s on July 24 at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka.
The two teams were locked at 0-0 going into halftime on Sunday on the Indian Ocean Island before Mauritius took the lead 47th minute through Clarel Jackson.
Rodrick Kabwe equalized in the 55th minute for Zambia but goals from Christopher L’enclume and David Azie in the 67 and 80th minutes respectively ensured Mauritius went through after their dramatic comeback to sail through to the second round qualifiers on the road to next years Libya finals.
PF leader Michael sata and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema
United Party for National Development, UPND, President, Hakainde Hichilema, has backed his Patriotic Front(PF) counterpart, Michael Sata, in saying that the MMD government has a hand in the conviction of former Defense Minister, George Mpombo.
Mr. Hichilema said the MMD government drove Mr. Mpombo’s conviction just like it did drive Post newspaper editor, Chansa Kabwela’s case.
Mr. Hichilema said the way Mr. Mpombo’s case was handled, it clearly shows that there was pressure on the judiciary by the government.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hichilema has said the judiciary in the country has been divided, one for the MMD sympathizers, and the other for non MMD sympathisers.
The UPND leader noted that there is need for the judiciary in the country to operate the way it ought to operate.
He said the judiciary is being driven by those in authority, adding that this could be clearly seen from the way Ms. Lucy Changwe’s case where she failed to honour a cheque to a Mr. Musonda was handled by the government.
Mr. Hichilema said that Mr. Mpombo’s case is almost the same as that for Ms Changwe, but that she was not convicted.
He added that it is extremely not fair for the government to handle cases in such an imbalanced manner.
[ QFM ]
Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson(left) and Hon. Felix Mutati in Washington DC
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Hon. Felix Mutati received a standing ovation after delivering a strong emotional speech that was punctuated with a strong message that” Africa is a new frontier for investment” amid long and loud applauses
He told his audience and in particular American investors that they will lose huge opportunities if they avoid ” investing in changing Africa.”
“Africa is changing. At least 38 African countries in the recent past have moved towards political stability and good governance. They have also implemented reforms to improve the way they conduct business,” he said.
It was for this reason that he challenged American companies to take advantage of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) as Africa was open and ready for job creation and accountability.
He commended the hard work and dynamism of African women who are also attending the Forum in their determination to make a difference and prosper in a world dominated by men citing as an example Ghana’s Chief Excecutive Officer of Homefoods Processing and Cannery Limited, Felicia Twumwasi and Zambia’s Sylvia Banda CEO of Sylva Food Solutions Inc.
“ I salute African women who started their businesses in their kitchens and are now able to run multi million dollar companies or have expanded from catering to processing and packaging traditional Zambian foodstuffs.i
Hon. Mutati also spoke at a panel discussion moderated by the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson. Other speakers were Mr. Ezra Sabiti Suruma a former Minister of Uganda, Ambassador Islam Siddiqui Chief Agriculrural Negotiator from the office of the US Trade Representative, and Mr. Philippe Villers, the Chief Executive Officer of GrainPro in Massachussetts.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum opened last Monday 2nd August, 2010 in Washington. It moved to Kansas City on Thursday 5th August, 2010 in order to link African business people with American counterparts.
Passed into law 10 years ago, the trade policy seeks to boost Africa’s economic growth by allowing 6,400 products duty-free access to the American market.
US exports to Africa under the Act increased to $18.5 billion in 2008 from $10.2 billion in 2005, while exports from Africa soared to $86 billion from $50.3 billion, according to the latest numbers from the US Department of Commerce.
Later, the Minister and his Zambian delegation met with some business leaders from US companies to discuss specific areas for investment.
The Minister also toured the Zambian stand accompanied by Her Excellency, Mrs. Sheila Siwela, Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States of America.
He also held bilateral talks with his Angolan counterpart, Mrs. Maria Idalina Volente, the Angolan Minister of Trade. The discussions were mainly focused on increased trade between the two countries.
Political analyst, Dante Saunders called on government to completely change the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to instill confidence in the electorates who continued to shun participating in elections.
Mr Dante observed that the current abnormal political situation in Zambia is responsible for the low voter turn out in the Chifubu and Luena by-elections.
He said that there is need to stream line the work of the ECZ whose credibility Zambians have continued to question.
[pullquote]“This will help the ruling movement for multi party democracy MMD government regain the people’s confidence in the commission” Mr Dante said.[/pullquote]
Mr Saunders said that it is vital for government to allow a complete change of the ECZ.
“This will help the ruling movement for multi party democracy MMD government regain the people’s confidence in the commission” Mr Dante said.
Mr. Saunders also explained that government should be able to allow the participation of the opposition in the ECZ.
He said as long as government does not agree to allow the ECZ to be changed, the current voter apathy will remain.
The political analyst also noted that failure to address this situation now, the ECZ is bound to experience worse apathy next year when the country goes to the tripartite polls.
[ QFM ]
President Banda boards the Zambia Air Force executive plane in Chipata
President Banda has challenged Zambians to shed off their dependency syndrome and to take the initiative to develop Zambia themselves. The President said that the best development was that initiated by the people themselves hence the need for them to be involved in it as this would also attract assistance from various co-operating partners.
“Meaningful development can only be achieved through the participation of all people including those at grassroot levels by being committed to eliminating poverty,” he said.
President Banda said this at Chilobwe Basic School grounds in Chipata yesterday when he officially launched the Mfumbeni Five-Year Strategic Development Plan aimed at mitigating poverty in Senior Chief Nzamane’s chiefdom.
Mr Banda said the Zambians can only be proud of themselves if they stood up to the challenge of fighting poverty by making a decision to develop themselves.
He praised farmers in the country for taking advantage of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to maximize their yields.
“I’am proud that you worked hard and took advantage of the FISP to produce more than anticipated and the country now has a surplus,” he said.
He said, however, that success is only possible through hard work and discipline. Mr Banda said Zambia produced 2.7 million tonnes of maize because of hard work, especially by peasant farmers who received support through the FISP.
Earlier, Senior Chief Nzamane said the Mfumbeni Strategic Plan intends to improve the quality of life among people in the chiefdom through development and prosperity centered on the local people.
He said the association will also plan, mobilize resources, monitor activities and collect data from zones in order to effectively manage the developmental activities.
He observed that despite it being a rural area it has great potential generate wealth but that there is need for people to remain focused on the objective of improving their standards of living.
The Senior Chief said that his subjects are poor because of unsystematic development plans but that the Strategic Plan will enhance coordinated development.
He said Government’s efforts to develop the area had fallen short of people’s expectations and resources allocated to developmental activities did not show clear and prominent results.
Senior Chief Nzamane said this was because people did not contribute to the planning and implementation of the developmental activities.
He cited education, commerce, health and agriculture as some of the sectors the plan will address.
Senior Chief Nzamane said that the association has already planned to have immediate activities of zonal farms to grow maize, groundnuts and millet to achieve food security.
He also said various factors limit access to Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services for people in the chiefdom.
Senior Chief Nzamane said long distances to medical facilities, some of which are inaccessible during the rainy season and stigma associated with the scourge, hindered access to the services.
He said this is why the plan incorporates programmes aimed at streamlining HIV and AIDS.
In a vote of thanks, Mfumbeni vice-chairperson Festus Ndhlovu said that President Banda’s coming to grace the occasion was testimony of Government’s commitment to support developmental programmes initiated by people in the rural areas.
Mr Ndhlovu said the people of Mfumbeni are happy that President Banda is willing to work with them in alleviating poverty by developing the area.
He said vices such as illiteracy, poor health, poverty and food insecurity have negatively impacted on the people hence the decision to initiate the strategic plan.
“Mfumbeni has suffered negative social, cultural and economic impact of inadequate development due to vices such as high illiteracy levels and deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS. This prompted the chief to put in place a strategic plan to guide for the implementation process of developmental programmes,” he said.
The 2010-2015 Mfumbeni Strategic Plan, an initiative of Senior Chief Nzamane has received technical support from United States International Development Agency (USAID) and various co-operating partners.
Vernon Mwaanga poses for a picture with ministry of foreign Affairs permanent secretary Tens Kapoma in Lusaka
Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga says President Banda’s foreign trips are aimed at promoting economic development in Zambia and are in line with an international trend of economic diplomacy.
Economic diplomacy is the process through which countries tackle the outside world, to maximize their national gains in all fields of activity including trade, investment and other forms of economically beneficial exchanges.
Mr Mwaanga said Zambians should be proud that the President is marketing the country at a regional and international level and bringing investment to the country.
“No country is an island; our country has a good reputation both at regional and international level hence the reason we are being invited because of the active role Zambia plays in regional, African and international foras.
Zambians should be proud that they are recognized and this helps in attracting investors to the country,” he said.
Mr Mwaanga, who is a seasoned diplomat, said the investors that come to Zambia after President Banda’s trips create employment for the Zambians and they contribute to Government’s tax revenue.
He said it is sad that the President is criticized when he is playing a role of economic diplomacy of being the number one sales and marketing person for the country.
Mr Mwaanga said no President everywhere in the world travel because economic diplomacy requires a Head of State to sell and market his country personally.
He said in economic diplomacy, the president is a major factor and for Zambia all the trips the president has undertaken to countries like China, Turkey, South Africa, Malawi, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe have been very beneficial to the country in terms of wooing investors.
Mr Mwaanga said it is at conferences and during state visits that presidents exchange ideas on how they are managing their economies.
He said economic diplomacy is one of the aspects included in Zambia’s foreign policy.
“And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!”
(James 3:10, NLT).
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Did you know you have the power to bless or curse your future? Your words have tremendous power. If you go around saying things like “I don’t have what it takes. I’m so clumsy; I can’t get anything right. I’m so undisciplined. I’ll probably never lose this weight,” you just cursed your future. No, we’ve got to be extremely careful about what we allow to come out of our mouths. Realize your words are setting the direction for your life. Let me ask you today, which direction are you going? Are you declaring good things? Are you blessing your life, speaking words of faith over your future? Or, are you going around saying negative things like “Nothing good ever happens to me. I’ll probably never get out of debt. I’ll never break this addiction?”
Today, choose to bless your future. Choose to declare what God says. As you align your words with His Word, you’re setting your future up for success. You’re preparing your way for victory, and you will fulfill the destiny He has planned for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, I choose to speak blessing over my future. I choose to speak life over my future. Thank You for equipping me with everything I need to fulfill the destiny You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
