Mr Kunda said government is concerned with the plight of school going children who travel long distances in pursuit of higher education.

He said government will also consider building another high school within Chifubu Township because of the growing number of children in need of higher education in the constituency.

Mr Kunda said this during a campaign rally to drum up support for MMD candidate in the Chifubu parliamentary by-elections, Frank Ng’ambi at Kaniki Basic School this afternoon.

He said the pledge was not an empty political rhetoric but something that government will translate into reality by committing financial resources in the 2011 national budget.

He has since called on people of Chifubu to be weary of unrealistic political promises from the opposition.
[pullquote]He said the pledge was not an empty political rhetoric but something that government will translate into reality by committing financial resources in the 2011 national budget.[/pullquote]

The Vice President also said government will soon start degazetting land for the people of Kaniki area who for a long time have been deprive of land of their own.

He said government will also start resettling people in the area in accordance with the laws of Zambia adding that no Zambian will be deprived of owning land.

Mr Kunda said that government would also ensure that people interested in engaging in meaningful agriculture are encouraged.

He noted that government through the good leadership of President Rupiah Banda has built the country through good policies whose fruits have started showing as evidenced by the construction of schools, hospitals and other infrastructure.

The Vice President said through good investment policies more companies have invested in the country and this has created more jobs for the citizens.

Mr Kunda has also encouraged women to form groups and register themselves in order for them to access both the women development fund facilities under the ministries of Gender and Community Development.

He said government has allocated K5 billion to each ministry for women empowerment while another K5 billion has been allocated to the Ministry of Youths for Youth empowerment.

He also urged the youths to refuse being used as agents of violence but instead form groups that will enable them access the K5 billion youth funds.

Mr Kunda reiterated that his government will continue increasing funds to the three ministries every year through money raised from taxes in mining, agriculture and other economic activities.

He also called on the people of Chifubu to vote for MMD’s frank Ng’ambi in the August 5, by- elections.

Mr Kunda said voting for the MMD candidate will easily drive development in the area and which will in turn lead to better lives for the community.
And speaking earlier, Local Government Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka urged the people of Chifubu to vote for the MMD candidate.

He said that if voted, the MMD will ensure that it delivers all its promises to the people of Chifubu.

Mr Muteteka said that government has also allocated money for the construction of road infrastructure in the constituency.

And MMD Member, Evelyn Mwanawasa appealed to the people of Chifubu to Vote for Mr. Ng’ambi as a way of honoring the late President Levy Mwanawasa.
[ ZANIS ]

Mr Lubinda said that the pact is here to stay and that the reported problems and confusion are part of strengthening the two parties.

He said that the pact should not be judged by the problems it is encountering, but from the way it will rise.

The PF Spokesperson noted that the pact has acknowledged that they were differences and they have resolved them.

He stated that possibilities of a split are just rumours and that the perceived problems have strengthened the two parties.

And Mr. Lubinda has urged political party cadres not to allow themselves to be abused by politicians who survive on violence.

Mr Lubinda said that cadres especially youths, must ensure that violence free elections are held, for the benefit of peace.

He said that youths should ensure the coming by elections are held in violence free environment.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set this Thursday August 5 as the date for parliamentary by-elections for Luena and Chifubu constituencies and local government elections in six wards in various districts.

The by-elections in Luena Constituency in Western Province and Chifubu Constituency on the Copperbelt Province respectively follows the resignation of area member of Parliament Charles Milupi while the Chifubu polls are as a result of the death of Patriotic front (PF) member of Parlaiment Benson Bwalya.
[ QFM ]

The council of churches in Zambia has charged that the 2010 NCC draft constitution has failed to meet the aspirations of the Zambians.

The churches said that the draft constitution has failed to meet the aspirations of the people as it has fundamentally departed from the people’s submission as contained in the Mung’omba draft constitution and report.

The churches added that the aspirations of the people are very clear on what they wanted the country’s constitution to look like.

In statement issued in Lusaka this morning signed by the CCZ members, consisting 21 churches, they said that NCC draft constitution has left out certain cardinal and fundamental rights such as right to shelter, food, water, sanitation and environment, and the right to education after basic school level which must be enjoyed by all.

They further noted that the NCC draft constitution has, instead of devolving the powers of the president, increased the powers.

[pullquote]They further noted that the NCC draft constitution has, instead of devolving the powers of the president, increased the powers.[/pullquote]

The churches further noted that accessibility to the NCC draft constitution has been another constraint in the current constitution making process.

The church also said that the current constitution making process and the NCC draft constitution leaves much to be desired.

They also say that the will of the Zambian people as reflected in their submissions to the Mung’omba constitutional review commission has been disregarded with impunity by those charged with the responsibility to defend the aspirations of the citizens.

QFM

Lusaka City Council (LCC) has warned that it will this week swing into action and remove vendors trading in front of the new Soweto market.

LCC Public Relations Officer, Habeenzu Mulunda disclosed this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Mulunda said the New Soweto market will be officially opened in a few weeks and will not look appropriate to open it with vendors trading in front of it.

He urged marketers who have been allocated stores in the new market to move in and start trading within the market.

When asked about the traders that were not allocated stands at the new market, Mr. Mulunda explained that there is a lot of market space in other markets especially markets found in various townships.

He noted that too often people tend to leave the markets and start trading outside giving the impression that there is no trading space and yet there is adequate space.

The New Soweto market was constructed at a cost of about K36 billion.

And Mr. Mulunda also said that the Kafue round about Foot Bridge is nearing completion.

He added that the council is soliciting for an extra K3 billion to put up barriers that will stop pedestrians from crossing the road below the bridge.

The foot bridge is being constructed at a cost of K6 billion.

ZANIS

Vice President George Kunda has reiterated government’s appreciation to traditional values and ceremonies in the country.

The Vice President said in Mwansabombwe, Kawambwa yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe that it was a policy of government to promote traditional ceremonies and respect traditional rulers because of the role they play in governing and developing the country.

Mr. Kunda is in Mwansabombwe to grace this year’s Umutomboko traditional ceremony of the Lunda people of Luapula Province.

The Vice President told the chief that he had been sent by President Rupiah Banda to grace the traditional ceremony because the president himself who wanted to officiate at the occasion was committed with other national programmes.

Mr. Kunda said government is committed to meeting traditional leaders to discuss issues affecting them and their subjects to foster development.

He said although it was the first time for him to pay a courtesy call on the chief at his palace, the two had met before in other foras including the developmental meeting which was recently held in Mansa.

Mr. Kunda said the Umutomboko traditional ceremony has received a lot of international recognition which was a pride to the country.

He said government was happy that traditional ceremonies were now attracting a lot of local and international tourists.

‘This is why we shall continue to promote traditional ceremonies as government,” Mr Kunda said.

And Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe said he was happy that this year’s traditional ceremony was being graced by the Republican Vice President.

Chief Mwata Kazembe said traditional ceremonies were important because they promote cultural heritage.

He said there was hence need for government to support traditional ceremonies because a nation without culture is dead.

The Vice President was accompanied to Mwansabombwe by MMD Deputy National Secretary, Chembe Nyangu, Deputy Minister in the office of the Vice President, Gaston Sichilima, Deputy Local Government Minister, Moses Muteteka, Deputy Agriculture Minister, Allan Mbewe and Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security, Simon Sichimba among others.

ZANIS