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Govt stance on RDA audit report annoying-TIZ

Entertainment Editor
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Transparency International Zambia Chapter has described as annoying the attitude being portrayed by government and the Road Development Agency on the over commitment of over K1 trillion in expenditure revealed in the special Auditor General’s Report.

And Government has been called upon to stop politicizing the over Commitment revealed by the Auditor General.
TIZ president Rueben Lifuka said the Blame game by government and other stakeholders raises concern.

He said it is erroneous for Government to deny that the RDA did not commit government to expenditure in excess of K1 trillion in 2008 when the findings of the Auditor General’s report are a clear violation of both the Public Finance and Appropriation Act.

Mr Lifuka said government should come to terms that there are defects and weaknesses in the operations of the RDA when it comes to contracts and supervision.

He said any spending outside the budget is supposed to be approved by Parliament but that the act has not been the case with the colossal sums of money over committed to the operations of the Agency.

Meanwhile Mr Lifuka disclosed that overnment still owes the Zambians an explanation over the Carlington Maize Saga.
He said Transparent International Zambia will continue advocating for the conclusive of the Carlington Maize saga and seek the arrest of those found wanting.
[ QFM ]

Rupiah is ‘tribal’, maintains Mpombo

Entertainment Editor
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George Mpombo

Former Defence Minister George Mpombo says Zambia has lost the vision of the One Zambia One Nation Motto because of the alleged ‘tribal’ politics of president Rupiah Banda.

Mr.Mpombo said it is a pity that the Rupiah Banda led administration has embraced tribal politics and sees nothing wrong with that.

He said President Banda should emulate his mentor, first republican president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda’s spirit of One Zambia One nation.

Speaking to QFM in an interview, Mr Mpombo noted that president Banda is slowly dividing the nation with the way he is making his cabinet appointments.

He added that it is shameful that president Banda has continued to defend his tribal appointments.

Mr Mpombo said president Banda should abide by the motto of One Zambia One Nation that has kept Zambia united instead of dividing the nation.
[ QFM ]

Govt receives over 100 applications for radio stations

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Information Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha (R)

Government says it has received 110 application for new radio stations and 10 for private television stations.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha says the government is waiting for the Independence Broadcasting Act (IBA) to be passed in parliament and the appointment of the board to start processing the applications and subsequently issue the licenses.

Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the processing and issuance of licenses will be done as soon as the IBA is taken to parliament in the next sitting.

He said of the ten Television stations that have applied, five have applied for Christians broadcasting stations and want them established in Lusaka and the Copperbelt Provinces.

The Minister has also disclosed that three pay television providers similar to MultiChoice have also applied for the licenses.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha further said other parts of the country such as Eastern and Western Provinces, which were previously shunned have also received overwhelming response for the establishment of the stations.

He said 10 applications have been received from Chipata alone and commended the private sector and the community for the good response.

Lt. Gen. said this has been realized with support from PANOS, UNICEF and other donor agencies.

He said the development is good and will help to the citizens have easy access to information.

He said government will continue playing a facilitatory role in the establishment of both radio and television stations to bridge the information gap.

He has since called on the citizens to seek help from PANOS and others to establish more radio and Television stations in the country.

Meanwhile Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha has disclosed that government has set up a task force to oversee the movement from analog to digital migration.

Gen. Shikapwasha said the team will also ensure that the country is not polluted with unwanted equipment during the migration.

He said the country is on the right direction and remained confident that it will realize this goal by 2015.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said his ministry is working with other ministries like the Ministry of Communications and Transport in this area.

ZANIS

Lwandamina Silent on Saturday CHAN Line-up

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George Lwandamina is keeping the shape of his final team list close to his chest on the eve of Zambia’s must-win CHAN qualifying tie against  South Africa following Wednesdays 1-0 win over Angola in a friendly.

Anticipation as to who of the 22 players will make the final 18 for the match against South Africa was dumped today when Lwandamina declined to release the names of his final team.

The dropped players are set to know their fate on Friday at the end of the final phase of training.

Meanwhile, South Africa arrived on Wednesday evening with two new faces in the team in the form of Bidvest Wits Nedbank Cup final winning star players midfielder Sifiso Myeni including defender and man-of-match Michael Morton.

Coach Simon Ngomane said he hoped he had done his homework ahead of what he described as a difficult match against Zambia.

“We are expecting a very tough game against the Zambians. We have done our homework and we are looking for a positive result,” Ngomane said.

Zambia must beat South Africa 2-0 to overturn a 1-0 away result to qualify for the CHAN finals in Sudan next year.

Emerging markets investor CDC Group appoints Valentine Chitalu as a non-executive director

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Valentine Chitalu
CDC has appointed Valentine Chitalu as a non-executive director, according to a statement. Chitalu formerly led the Zambia Privatisation Agency, a state-backed organisation aimed at selling Zambia government-owned businesses to private owners, as its chief executive. While at the agency he oversaw the sale of more than 240 businesses.

Chitalu, also previously worked for accountancy firm KPMG Peat Marwick in the UK and Meridien Financial Services in Zambia.

Today he works as an entrepreneur in Zambia and southern Africa specialising in private equity and local private sector development.

His appointment will bolster CDC, which invests heavily in Africa, as the firm seeks to further diversify its presence in the region. In April, Richard Laing, chief executive of CDC, said traditional private equity, which CDC classed as buyouts, expansion capital, microfinance and infrastructure, made up about 95% of the firm’s portfolio but he said debt and forestry investments would account for a combined 25% in a few years – which would be £625m (€710m) based on its present portfolio.

Yesterday, CDC said it had committed $50m to the first private equity fund to focus solely on sustainable forestry in sub-Saharan Africa. The firm expected private investors to invest subsequently, bringing the fund to its $150m (€122m) target. In April, Laing also said the group was also close to appointing a private equity firm to run an Africa-focused senior debt fund.

CDC has previously come under fire for failing to invest enough in developing economies. In 2008, CDC was told to invest more of its capital in the poorest world economies, increasing the amount of risk to which it is exposed. The move followed political criticism over the perceived shift in CDC’s strategy towards more developed markets following the spin off of its direct investments arm, Actis.

The UK Government’s Department for International Development said the investment policy for CDC meant it would have to invest at least 75% of its capital in funds in countries with a gross national income per person of less than $905.

However, last year, a UK parliamentary committee said CDC had failed to do enough to reduce poverty despite earnings profits and awarding staff “extraordinary” pay packages. The Committee of Public Accounts also criticised the government department responsible for ensuring CDC honoured its brief of lax oversight on pay at the group and said it must more to “steer” CDC towards investment in developing economies.

[Financial News]

Magande accused of swindling a Tazanian national

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A Tanzanian National has accused MMD Chilanga Member of Parliament and former Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande of allegedly swindling him of 200 million Kwacha.

Soul Hilal Rashid a Tanzanian resident of Sibuwanga told journalists during a press briefing in Lusaka this morning that Mr Magande has allegedly failed to pay for the supply of 5,000 bags of rice following an agreement they made on 7th April 2010.

According to the agreement Mr Magande was suppose to pay half the amount to Rashid a week after the collection of the consignment at Mbala which was the agreed destination.

Mr Magande who was liaising with Rashid through his cousin Chris Gona was also supposed to pay for his accommodation and meals whilst in Zambia.

And Rashid who claims to run an export business says that he is stranded because Mr Magande has refused to meet him.

He says he has since reported Mr Magande to police over the matter.

QFM

Some Mumbwa farmers allegedly selling maize at K30,000 instead of the K65, 000

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A farmer receiving cash from a customer during Maize sales

Some farmers in Mumbwa district are allegedly selling a 50 kg bag of maize at K30,000 instead of the K65, 000 maize floor price set by government.

Mumbwa Central Member of Parliament Brian Chituwo confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Mumbwa yesterday.

Dr. Chituwo who is also Science and Technology Minister expressed sadness over the development saying agriculture is a business and farmers need to get maximum profit from their produce.

He urged farmers in his constituency to wait a little for the Food Reserve Agency in order to sell their maize at a profitable price.

Dr. Chituwo said inputs were obtained at a high cost therefore it was important for farmers to realise that selling their maize at a give away price was not good for them.

Meanwhile, Dr Chituwo said government’s decision to reduce the number of inputs given to farmers from eight to four under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) was paying dividends.

He said this year’s bumper harvest was a clear indication that once the number of beneficiaries of the FISP, the country can increase its production levels.

And Dr Chituwo has attributed the unprecedented bumper harvest the country has recorded to the good agricultural policies and political will by government.

ZANIS

Civil society call for Eye policy

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A woman having her a sight check up during the world sight day commemoration in Lusaka

Sight Savers International (SSI) has implored government to come up with an Eye Policy as the country embarks on the preparation of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP).

SSI Zambia Chapter Country Manager Joseph Musanje notes this is important because key areas which are backed by government policy have continued to receive attention.

Mr. Musanje says the eye policy will compel government and the
concerned stakeholders to give attention to problems of sight related nature.

He cited the National HIV/AIDS policy, National Youth Policy and Decentralization Policy among other policies in the country as some of those that have received support from the government, other stakeholders and cooperating partners.

Mr. Musanje was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He disclosed that his organisation pushed for the setting up of eye policy in the then Fifth National Development Plan but that the exercise proved futile.

He is however optimistic that something positive may come up in the 6th National Development Plan.

He said that would compel government to put in place a clear staff structure at health institutions including in
districts hospitals to specifically attend to eye related issues.

According to Mr. Musanje, an estimated 120,000 people in Zambia suffers from eye related complications.

And Mr. Musaanje has bemoaned the high number of people suffering from eye problems especially among the youth in peri-urban and rural areas.

He said there are more cases of younger people who are visually impaired in most of the health centres in the country.

The SSI Chief said there is need for the Ministry of Health to double its efforts to curb the increasing number of patients suffering from eye related illnesses.

He sad this was the reason why his organization, working with other stakeholders, has embarked on a sight restoration programme in communities around the
country.

ZANIS

Lusaka residents urged to be responsible

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FLASHBACK: Traders at Soweto market in Lusaka trading under heaps of garbage

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) ,has urged its residents to be responsible in waste management to ensure good sanitation in the city.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager Mulunda Habeenzu urged the public to be conscious in the way they package and dispose waste.

Mr. Mulunda noted that some people throw waste during the night in undesignated areas, a situation he said was an offence.

He said waste should only be disposed off at central points for easy collection by the council.

Mr. Mulunda explained that without support and commitment from members of the public, issues of sanitation and good health could not be positively dealt with.

He said citizens should realize that good sanitation was not the responsibility of the council alone but for every resident of the city.

“If people at grassroot levels do not take it upon themselves to be clean and dispose waste at designated areas, it becomes hard for the council to do its job,” said Mr. Mulunda .

Mr. Mulunda said every household should exercise high levels of cleanliness and hygiene by throwing garbage and litter in supplied containers.

He added that members of the public are obliged to subscribe to the council ‘s system to ensure efficiency in the collection of garbage.

Mr. Mulunda further appealed to households to ensure that they pay for garbage collection to help the council speed up the process of collecting waste.

He said the LCC has been facing problems of purchasing fuel and other collection facilities hence the need for people to make payments.

Mr. Mulunda said the council was only mandated to collect secondary waste at central points.

He further explained that the Keep Zambia Clean Campaign can only yield positive results if the community at large ensure that they dispose waste and litter in designated areas.

National Milling hailed for reduced mealie meal prices

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Government has commended National Milling Corporation (NMC) for reducing mealie meal prices in all their outlets across the country.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Allan Mbewe says government expects mealie meal prices to even go much lower than what was currently obtaining on the ground.

Mr. Mbewe says this is possible especially that the country has enough maize stocks after recording a bumper harvest this year.

Mr. Mbewe said it was heartening to note that Mealie Meal prices have started going down when government has not yet finished offloading all the maize stocks being bought from farmers and that which was already in stock from the previous harvest season.

He has since appealed to other millers in the country to emulate National Milling Corporation warning that governments will not take kindly any miller who will fail to comply with its call for the reduction of mealie meal prices.

“Government stands ready to kick out any miller out of business who does not want to adhere to governments call to reduce the prices of mealie meal,” Mr. Mbewe warned.

And Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) Executive Officer Harrison Banda says the reduction in mealie meal prices depends on the millers cost structure.

Mr. Banda observed that the milling industry is highly competitive adding that millers decide on their own whether to reduce the prices or not and the amount they would want to reduce if they decide to do so.

Yesterday National Milling Corporation Managing Director Peter Cottan announced a reduction of mealie prices in all the company’s outlets across the country.

Mr. Cottan announced that a 25 Kg of Roller Meal which was selling at K33 000 will now be selling at K27, 000 while a 25 Kg of breakfast meal will now be selling at K55, 000 from K57, 000.

ZANIS

LCM intent to employ 1000 miners , commended

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Lunshya Copper Mines (LCM)

The Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has supported plans by Luanshya Copper Mines to recruit an additional 1,000 miners to the existing 2,480.

MUZ President Rayford Mbulo says the development will go a long way in increasing production for the benefit of both the workers and the company.

Mr. Mbulo told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that, it is important for companies not to only invest in capital development but also in human resource.

He said this is because the labour force acts as an essential component in achieving increased production in any company.

He said it is for this reason that any initiative by investors to create employment opportunities for the local people should be commended because it can also assist in reducing poverty levels among the people.

Mr. Mbulo explained that when a company records an increase in its production activities it is likely to provide more employment chances that can consequently uplift the living standards of people.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mbulo has challenged the management at the Copper Mine not only to concentrate in investing in capital expansion but to also improve the working conditions for the miners.

He said there is need for the management to give workers awards for them to benefit from increased production.

He noted that with continued rise in copper prices at the international market, mining companies should always adhere to the terms and periods of collective agreements that they sign with workers unions.

Mr. Mbulo further reaffirmed that MUZ will continue to engage mining companies to ensure that workers rights and conditions of service are respected at all times.

China Non Ferrous Metal Company’s Luanshya Copper Mines (CLM) has announced plans to employ an additional of 1,000 miners in readiness for the beginning of production at the Mulyashi open pit mine that was launched by President Rupiah Banda last month.

The company has also announced that this year, a supplementary investment of more than US$150 million to rehabilitate infrastructure at the Copper mine will be put in place.

ZANIS

PF youths harangue Machungwa at burial

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THE burial ceremony for the late Chifubu Constituency Patriotic Front (PF) member of Parliament Benson Bwalya was yesterday disrupted after some youths threatened to beat and block ‘rebel’ opposition parliamentarians’ spokesperson Peter Machungwa from addressing the mourners.

Mr Bwalya, 50, who died on Sunday after an illness was buried yesterday at Ndola’s Kansenshi Cemetery.

Confusion started after a group of PF youths led by Copperbelt Province youth chairperson Menyani Zulu threatened to beat Dr Machungwa, after he said that some PF leaders who were persecuting the late MP were now creating a picture that they loved him.

Dr Machungwa continued with his speech after a combined team of State and council police blocked Mr Zulu and PF cadres from attacking him as PF vice-president Guy Scott and a group of his party members decided to leave the tent.

He said Mr Bwalya was a fearless MP, who would be missed not only by the people of Chifubu but his colleagues in Parliament.

[pullquote]Dr Scott, who was representing the PF leadership said Mr Bwalya was one of the opposition party’s ‘naughty sons’ and advised other MPs who stood on the party’s ticket to desist from disobeying the party leadership.[/pullquote]

“As PF MPs attending the National Constitutional Conference we have been living under constant threats and I am not surprised with what is happening here,” Dr Machungwa said.

Labour Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba described the late MP as a bridge-builder who stood for unity and deserved to be emulated by all.

Dr Scott, who was representing the PF leadership said Mr Bwalya was one of the opposition party’s ‘naughty sons’ and advised other MPs who stood on the party’s ticket to desist from disobeying the party leadership.

And parliamentary delegation leader, Mwembeshi MP Edward Kasoko said Mr Bwalya, who was a member of the select committee on agriculture and lands since 2006, served the people of Chifubu in Parliament with honour and diligence.

“He would be missed for his focused and well researched contributions in Parliament,” Mr Kasoko said.

At the Ndola City Council chamber, council chaplain Augustine Mwewa called on members of the public and the extended family members to ensure that no property was grabbed from the widow and the surviving child.

Chifubu Catholic Church priest Anthony Salangeta said during church service that politicians should see to it that the violence which characterised the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election recently did not repeat itself during the forthcoming Chifubu by-election.

Mr Bwalya, a retired soldier, was elected Chufubu MP in 2006.

He is survived by a wife and one child.

[Times of Zambia]

Another miller slashes mealie meal price

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ANOTHER miller on the Copperbelt, Antelope Milling, has reduced by K3,000 breakfast mealie meal price following the recorded bumper maize harvest during the 2009-2010 farming season.

And the Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) has urged other millers in the region to emulate National Milling Company (NMC) and Antelope Milling in reducing the price of mealie meal.

Antelope Milling managing director Emmanuel Kaldis who confirmed the development in an interview yesterday said a 25 kilogramme bag of breakfast will sell at K52,000 at the plant and K54,000 retail on the Copperbelt.

“Since the president of Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) has already taken the
position of reducing prices on mealie meal, it is also important that millers do the same. So as Antelope we are effecting the price reduction effective tomorrow (today),” he said.

Mr Kaldis who said roller meal would continue trading at K33,000 appealed to Copperbelt residents to ensure that they did not pay more than the stipulated prices on his produce and report any dubious activities to his staff.

ZACA acting executive director Samuel Simutunda said his association was happy that millers had listened to its calls to reduce mealie meal prices.

Mr Simutunda expressed hope that millers would further reduce prices on mealie meal once the maize floods the market following the bumper harvest.

[Times of Zambia]

Lubinda challenges Police to explain why Deputy Minister was allowed to move with a Gun

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Dr. Solomon Musonda, Deputy Minister of Health

The opposition Patriotic Front PF Party spokesperson, Given Lubinda has challenged the Zambia police to tell the nation why a senior political official, Health Deputy Minister Solomon Musonda was allowed to move around with a gun when it is not acceptable by the law.

Dr. Musonda who is also Chitambo Member of Parliament on Tuesday shot and wounded a suspected PF cadre who is currently admitted to the University Teaching Hospital.

Police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso yesterday confirmed the incident. “Yes, I can confirm that we have received a report of a shooting incident in which Dr Solomon Musonda, Health Deputy Minister shot and wounded Jackson Musaka, 25, on the left side of the forehead,” Kapeso said. Mr kapeso also confimed that the police had retrieved the pistol, which was allegedly used.

The incident happened around 17:50 hours in an area called Lubembe within Serenje district. According to eye witness, Dr Musonda open fired at a group of youths that blocked the road he was using. According to the youths, Dr Musonda was not supposed to be using the road that was repaired by youths as he had failed to repair it in his capacity as area MP.

‘Govt wants to silence M’membe’- Sata

Entertainment Editor
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PF Leader Micheal Sata

Patriotic Front (PF) president, Michael Sata says the conviction of Post editor-in-chief Fred M’membe on contempt of court was predictable because government has always wanted to silence him.

Mr.M’membe was this morning found guilty by Lusaka Magistrate David Simusamba for contempt of court together with the Post newspapers in connection to an article authored by US-based Zambian professor Muna Ndulo titled “The Chansa Kabwela case:A Comedy of Errors”.

But Mr Sata said that the MMD have always wanted to silence Mr. M’membe.

He said the court’s guilty verdict for the Post editor-in-chief was expected,adding that there is nothing strange about it.

The PF leader noted that the MMD government has made it clear that they wanted to silence the Post newspapers and Mr Mmembe.

Meanwhile a PF cadre who was shot in the head by Health Heputy Minister Dr Solomon Musonda in Chitambo yesterday has been rushed to the University Teaching Hospital for specialist treatment.

Jackson Musaka was transferred to the UTH today were he was immediately rushed to the theatre to be operated upon.

And Sata has questioned why government is protecting Dr Musonda who he said is dangerous person.

Mr Sata said Dr Musonda is a danger to the society and described the shooting incident as unfortunate.

The Health Deputy Minister shot the victim who was in the company other suspected PF cadres after they allegedly tried to attack him.
[ QFM ]

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