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HEALTH authorities at Chipata Clinic in Lusaka have told Health Minister Kapembwa
HEALTH Minister Kapembwa Simbao (L)
that they have not allowed any mother to carry a placenta after delivering at the institution.
Chipata Clinic Sister-in -charge Maureen Chola told Mr Simbao who toured Chipata and Matero clinics that although the incinerator was not working, arrangements had been made to incinerate at Matero Clinic.
Ms Chola, however, told the minister that the incinerator was being worked on and was expected to be operational by today.
Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi had alleged that mothers at Chipata Clinic were forced to carry placenta to their homes after delivery.
[pullquote]Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi had alleged that mothers at Chipata Clinic were forced to carry placenta to their homes after delivery.[/pullquote]
Mr Simbao who was on a fact-finding mission to check on Ms Nawakwi’s allegation that mothers who delivered at Chipata clinic were made to carry their placenta because the incinerator was not working.
Mr Simbao wondered how Ms Nawakwi could allege that mothers were made to carry placentas to their homes when she could not even identify any such mother.
The Government had been replacing old incinerators at clinics and hospitals if it was discovered that the facilities were too old.
He challenged the FDD leader to come out in the open and show the country which woman had carried a placenta to her home.
He said the Government was working hard to improve the health sector by upgrading clinics into hospitals.
The minister also checked progress at the Lusaka Hospital at Chainama Hills College, which is being constructed and said he was impressed with the progress of the works.
He said he was happy with the on going construction works at the hospital because the contractor was on schedule and was expected to complete the works by the end of the year.
The hospital is being constructed with the assistance of the Chinese government and would help decongest the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
And Chinama Hospital executive director Wallen Chilengwe said the hospital once completed would have 200 wards that would go a long way in providing bed spaces for patients.
Dr Chilengwe said Lusaka Hospital would be a phase two hospital while all clinics in Lusaka townships would be upgraded to phase one hospitals.
UTH spokesperson Pauline Mbangweta has said the hospital is better as compared to the state it was in a few years ago and commended the Government for the support it has continued to provide.
Ms Mbangweta said contrary to insinuations, the hospital had continued to strive to improve its services to the public and urged people who may be aggrieved to use proper channels of airing their views instead of generalising matters.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Ms Mbangweta said that hospital was better because the Government had brought in state-of-the-art equipment to assist diagnosing certain illnesses.
She called on people with concerns to consult with the public relations unit at the hospital instead of rushing to the media.
VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda’s law firm and his wife Irene have sued Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata and QFM Radio for libel.
This is according to a writ of summons filed in the Lusaka High Court principal registry yesterday.
The plaintiffs’ decision to sue Mr Sata follows the PF leader’s recent allegations that the law firm, George Kunda and Company, was paid K3.5 billion by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, contrary to a court order.
“The words complained of in their natural and ordinary meaning meant, and were understood to mean, that the first plaintiff (law firm) and second plaintiff (Mrs Kunda) are dishonest in their conduct and are not fit to practise law in Zambia,” the writ of summons reads in part.
According to the writ, Mrs Kunda is a partner in the law firm and has been an active legal practitioner for more than 27 years while her husband is a sleeping partner, having stopped practising law in the firm in 2002 when he was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
Mrs Kunda is also a qualified arbitrator, mediator and commissioner of the small claims court.
The writ states that on January 18, 2010, Mr Sata was featured on QFM Radio in a special interview in which he falsely and maliciously alleged that the Vice-President had plundered public funds.
In the interview, Mr Sata said he had written to President Banda on the alleged plunder.
Mr Sata added that in the case of Development Bank of Zambia versus Sun Pharmaceuticals, which Mr Kunda’s law firm represented, the court ordered that parties bear their own costs.
“However contrary to the court order, the Ministry of Finance has now paid George Kunda and Company K3.5 billion as legal costs. The record of payment is there at the ministry…what a joke and a scandal…” Mr Sata said in his letter to President Banda.
He said the letter is a petition he received from ministry officials who are allegedly fed up, as they cannot continue seeing people steal money.
But the plaintiffs argue that QFM Radio falsely and maliciously broadcast the allegations in Zambia and worldwide through its website from January 18, 2010 and subsequent days.
They add that the words meant and were understood to mean that the law firm and its partners, including Mrs Kunda, had committed a criminal offence of fraud and theft of K3.5 billion public funds and are liable for prosecution.
The plaintiffs say the words also meant that they had committed professional misconduct and are liable for disciplinary action and that the public should exercise caution in dealing with them.
“By reason of publication of the said words, the first and second plaintiff have been injured in their character, credit, professional reputation and standing, and have been lowered in the estimation of right thinking members of society,” the writ adds.
The plaintiffs say Mr Sata and QFM publicised or caused the words complained of to be publicised while knowing the same to be libelous. They add that the defendants did so with a reckless disregard as to whether or not the said words were libelous.
The plaintiffs contend that QFM publicised or caused the said words to be publicised for profit.
“The first and second defendants publicised the words complained of wantonly, maliciously and or in contumelious disregard of the plaintiffs’ rights. The second defendant continued to publicise the words complained of on its website notwithstanding the plaintiffs’ complaint in a letter dated January 25, 2010,” the writ reads further.
The plaintiffs add that unless restrained by the court, Mr Sata and QFM will continue to publicise the words complained of.
They are therefore claiming compensatory and exemplary damages and an injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves, their servants or agents, from further broadcasting and publicisng defamatory words complained of or any similar libel concerning the plaintiffs.
PRESIDENT Banda is today expected to leave for Namibia to attend that country’s 20th independence anniversary and witness the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Hifikepunye Pohamba
This is contained in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by the State House press and public relations unit.
Mr Pohamba recently won elections in Namibia and is entering his second term of office.
President Banda’s entourage to Namibia includes former President Kenneth Kaunda and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Fashion Phiri.
President Banda is expected back in the country on Tuesday March 22, 2010.
The Zambia Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) says government’s inaction against erring public officers named in the Auditor Generals reports is beginning to dilute the credibility of the fight against corruption.
ZUFIAW president, Cephus Mukuka observes that it is very disheartening that even after the unearthing of the K27 billion scandals in the ministry of health, government is still reluctant in tackling corruption.
[pullquote]He says government should be seen to be taking action and not merely making political pronouncements on the fight against corruption.[/pullquote]
He says government should realize that such acts have the capacity to undermine the fight against corruption. He says government should be seen to be taking action and not merely making political pronouncements on the fight against corruption.
Mr Mukuka has also called on government to ensure that law enforcement agencies are capacitated and fully equipped with modern technologies in fighting corruption.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mukuka has challenged government to ensure that the 5.7 million pounds made available by the British government towards the implementation of the anti corruption policy is prudently utilized.
Zesco United have arrived safely in the Niger Delta Region ahead of Sundays Orange CAF Confederations Cup first round, first leg match against hosts Warri Wolves of Nigeria.
The teams technical director Andre Mtine said in an interview from Nigeria that the team landed in Warri Friday afternoon after arriving in Lagos from Lusaka on Thursday evening at 22:00 and later the next day took a 45 minute flight to Warri.
Mtine said the team had its first training session Friday afternoon and that they have been given adequate security by their hosts in Warri.
Meanwhile, Zanaco and ASEC Mimosa clash on Saturday at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka in their Orange CAF Champions League first round, first leg match.
Power Dynamos tomorrow play their first home game in over 12 months when they return to Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe.
Power, who host Kaizer Kalambo’s Konkola Blades in a week 2 KCM Super Division match, returned to their traditional home ground after it was closed for 12-months for rehabilitation.
Coach Fordson Kabole will be looking to celebrate Power’s return to Arthur Davies with their first three points of the season after drawing 1-1 away to Choma Eagles in Mazabuka last Saturday.
The match will be one of two Week 2 games that will be played on Saturday on the Copperbelt.
At Nchanga stadium in Chingola, Nchanga Rangers host Nkana again in a fixture in which both teams are aiming to record their first wins of the season.
Both Rangers and Nkana started the season with 1-1 draws away and home to Blades and Red Arrows respectively.
Meanwhile, three games will be played on Sunday on the Midlands after making way for Zanaco and ASEC Mimosa’s Orange CAF Champions League clash on Saturday.
KCM Super Division Week 2 Fixtures
20/03/2010
Power Dynamos-Konkola Blades
Nchanga Rangers-Nkana
Postponed:
Zesco United-Choma Eagles
21/03/2010
Lusaka Dynamos-Roan United
National Assembly- Nkwazi
Green Buffaloes-City of Lusaka
Postponed:
Kabwe Warriors-Zanaco
The Collapsed Sikalamba Bridge along Maamba Batooka which has resulted in Sinazongwe district in Southern Province being cut off from the rest of the country.
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The Zambia army soldiers working to put up a temporal bridge at Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district in Southern Province
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The Zambia army soldiers working to put up a temporal bridge at Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district in Southern Province
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People struggling to cross the flooded SiAre you sure you can lift me .... kalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
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Please don't let go off my hand .... People struggling to cross the flooded Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
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Almost there ...steady People struggling to cross the flooded Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
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People struggling to cross the flooded Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
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People struggling to cross the flooded Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
9.
By air .... People struggling to cross the flooded Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
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People struggling to cross the flooded Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
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Which way are you taking me ..... People struggling to cross the flooded Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
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Wow .... People struggling to cross the flooded Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
13.
don't you have female transporters? .... People struggling to cross the flooded Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
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Two by two ... People struggling to cross the flooded Sikalamba stream in Sinazongwe district to go either to Choma or Lusaka
This is not a bribe sir...President Banda receives a bank note to give as gratification for a traditional singer in Mazabuka.
by Madame Bwalya
It was utterly disturbing to read about Darius Mukuka from Ndola who has been sentenced to 18months imprisonment because he verbally insulted President Rupiah Banda. This shows just how intolerant of opposing views the Zambian government is.It also shows how that ordinary Zambian citizens are supposed to ‘bootlick’ if they expect to have a decent existence in the Zambian system. Most people are frustrated with the way things are running especially when we remember how things once were.One must not insult their elders but when one does imprisonment is not the solution.If that was the case half the Zambian population should be in jail.Should we all now start shouting ‘defamation’ every time we are insulted?
I believe the imprisonment of Mr.Darius Mukuka an infringement on his freedom of speech and is human rights abuse.Are we surely a democracy and somebody please tell me, where do these magistrate judges get such absurd judgments from?
The Law in Zambia is very inconsistent and prejudice.Not too long ago a man from some village in Luapula was jailed for 2 years for stealing a goat.That is the same sentence Samuel Musonda, former Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZNCB) managing director got for stealing or misappropriating K10 billion.
Just this week someone was arrested for dishing out blank pieces of paper. Meanwhile Edith Nawakwi was threatened with gang rape and the Police said there was nothing wrong with that! Hello!
[pullquote]Just this week someone was arrested for dishing out blank pieces of paper. Meanwhile Edith Nawakwi was threatened with gang rape and the Police said there was nothing wrong with that! Hello![/pullquote]
Zambia in my opinion is not moving forward. This intolerance by government and MMD must stop.After all 60% of Zambians did not vote for them.The majority of Zambians are sick and tired of MMD.We are sick and tired of the poor service delivery in the land.We are sick and tired of leaders who insult each other day in day out, then jail some guy for saying what 60% of us think anyway.We are sick and tired of corruption and neoptism. We are sick and tired of bootlickers.
We want leaders who shall welcome criticism and learn from it.We want an opposition that is strong united and seeks policies that would benefit the ordinary Zambia.A great man is known by the way the treats the small guy.
Its my hope that Mr Mukuka shall be released and allowed to contribute to the development of Zambia and raise his 4 children.
Citizens Forum executive director Simon Kabanda talking about the arrest and detention of controversial catholic priest Frank Bwalya
WHEN Father Frank Bwalya convened a conference at Buchi Hall in Kitwe dubbed “Save Zambia Campaign’’ and made radical resolutions to embark on a nation-wide campaign against President Rupiah Banda’s Government and the MMD, he expected immediate protestations from the MMD. When there was no threat, he could not believe his luck.
The resolutions appear to be an open demand for a regime change. It is for this reason that the now expanded 11 consortia of civil society organisations (CSOs) are demanding for a security meeting with Minister of Home Affairs, Lameck Mangani. They hope that they would be allowed to conduct a revolution with the blessing of the law and with the blessing of the Government that their campaign intends to topple!
Many might not see this campaign for what it is but Father Bwalya’s own resolutions provide a window to their intentions. And the apparent presence of the Catholic Church through its NGOs does raise eyebrows.
The resolutions call for the removal of President Rupiah Banda and the MMD from office for three chief reasons they allege;
1) Tolerance for Corruption and President Rupiah Banda’s “Political marriage” with former President Frederick Chiluba
2) Failure to enact a good Constitution and the need to abolish the National Constitution Conference (NCC)
3) To remove the culture of bad laws such as the NGO Bill
The action by the CSOs is unprecedented as they are treading on dangerous grounds that are pioneering regime change through methods of civil disobedience.
The Orange Revolution in Georgia seems to be the template they are using where lawyers and members of NGOs embarked on a nation-wide campaign against authorities and eventually forced a government out of office and the early elections that ensued allowed their candidate to take over.
Desperation
The forces aligned against the MMD are desperate for change of Government. They have created an environment of limited faith in the electoral process and they have perceived that individuals competing against President Rupiah Banda provide no discernible hope. In 2006, there appeared to have been the greatest opportunity to beat the MMD at the elections.
Many contend that Michael Sata beat Mwanawasa at the elections but Sata sold the presidency to forces that he had antagonised; the British (with his Mugabe invitation), the Chinese (with threats of chasing them) and the business and corporate world (for his brash and anti-business tendencies).
Although the PF/UPND Pact appears strong to take over power from the MMD, the campaigners hope that numerous activities should be embarked upon that strongly unite and rally citizens against the MMD so that this is made possible. The 2008 elections provided another window of change. But the MMD candidate Rupiah Banda was a man of superior qualities to their leader. He was affable, educated and promoted unity, reconciliation and peace.
The Zambians, business and the donor communities loved and preferred Rupiah Banda to Michael Sata. It is for this reason that the campaigns against Mr Banda have since targeted the strong qualities that made him win the 2008 elections. A sustained campaign has been spearheaded that consistently depicts him as corrupt, intolerant and a tourist to render him weak and unelectable at the next polls.
Why the Red Card revolution
The 2001 Green Ribbon Campaign (GRC) against former president Frederick Chiluba was legal and successful for the simple reason that it sought to protect the Constitution against possible selfish amendments. This campaign instead, seeks to remove a legitimate and elected government from office using civil disobedience. The methods might appear peaceful and harmless but history shows that they are very effective tools. The collective power of the people cannot be underestimated and is superior to any Constitution and the Law.
While the Green Ribbon Campaign sought to uphold the Constitution, this campaign aims to break it and breed an escalating crisis upon the nation where Banda’s Government will be forced to call for an early election (while facing a Red Card) or weaken him so much that his image and that of the MMD will be synonymous with a red card at the 2011 election.
So who do they want to replace the MMD with? Who do they want to replace Banda with? Zambia is a democracy. It has a scheduled election in 2011, why would CSOs embark on activities that are designed to undermine elections? Why would CSOs start proceedings that might promote the break-down of the law if they are promoting good governance in the country?
The NCC has provided the greatest danger for them. They claim that the NCC has undermined and reversed the democratic process of Zambia. The NCC might bar their candidate through the degree clause. The NCC has further weakened the pact with their dismissal of the clause for the running mate. The NCC has also closed an opportunity for the Christian declaration (which the Catholic and their NGOs oppose) to be expunged from the Constitution. The NCC has refused to adopt gay rights and gay marriages. In their view, the NCC has also diluted fundamental rights of NGOs and other societies. But should this be the cause for such a campaign that clearly borders on treason?
Is the NCC and Constitution-making process so closed that it does not provide an opportunity for dialogue, for amendments, or for debate?
Yet the NCC has avenues for public debate beyond its members. The NCC also has stages such as the referendum and Parliament, legal and legitimate bodies to handle outstanding issues.
Demonstrations, protests and public rallies
The campaign is designed to be ‘’peaceful’’ and legal. It will purport to be constitutional and follow the law while galvanising citizens against the MMD. The leaders will be quick to disown flare up events. The campaign is now moving into phase two. This phase will consist of public protests, demonstrations and rallies. The leaders are even bracing themselves for arrests. They intend to hold rallies, demonstrations and protests even without the cooperation of the police.
The civil society groupings have now grown from four to eight. This now said to include Change Life Zambia, Civil Society Trade Network, Citizens Forum, Caritas Zambia, Anti Voter Apathy, and Zambia Council for Social Development, Transparency International, and Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolutions, Forum for Democratic Process, and National Youth Association in the Fight Against Corruption.
The CSOs have notified the police that they intend to hold a public rally on March 27 at Mutambe Grounds in Mandevu to publicise their intended goals. The CSO feel that an opportunity has arisen that will help them re-establish themselves and force a formidable movement of Zambians against the MMD.
Conclusion
This campaign is outside the realms of democratic activities. They appear to be aimed at collapsing a legitimate and elected government using civil disobedience. The action by the CSOs brings the question of what the role of NGOs in a Democracy is in sharp focus.
The CSOs in Zambia seem to be groping in the dark and in their firm belief that they ought to promote good governance but are instead breaking the highest law in the land. Anyone, who threatens the peace, order and security of this country, should be stopped.
You cannot break the Constitution using the Constitution! You cannot embark on a programme whose sole purpose is to remove a legitimate and elected government and justify such an action because you are using peaceful means!
Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi and other proponents of civil disobedience and peaceful methods proposed such campaigns against dictatorships, illegitimate, tyrannical and illegal governments that subjugated citizens and provided no forums such as elections for citizens to express and participate in civic and national affairs.
Why should this group proceed with such activities against the Government recently elected and is due for scrutiny in the 2011 Elections?
Why don’t they take their wisdom to opposition political parties who are mandated by law to contest for elections? Or better still why don’t they form their own their political party?
THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has expressed shock that all the ministries have unretired imprest amounting to K445 billion.
PAC chairperson, Emmanuel Hachipuka observed yesterday when Works and Supply Permanent Secretary Bizwayo Nkunika appeared before his committee that no ministries had come out clean on retiring imprest.
He said public servants had resorted to getting public money through imprest because they knew that they would not be queried.
Mr Hachipuka said controlling officers should take audits seriously because in other countries, they could be suspended for having anomalies in their accounts.
He said controlling officers in Zambia were not using their power to discipline their subordinates who did not retire imprest. He said it was frustrating for the committee to handle the same anomalies every year when controlling officers could correct the situation.
And Mr Hachipuka directed Lieutenant Colonel Nkunika to furnish the office of the auditor general with receipts on K1.4 billion worth of fuel.
This was after some members of the committee wondered how K1.4 billion worth of fuel receipts could go missing when the ministry had a transport officer who was supposed to be keeping the documents.
Col Nkunika said the receipts for the fuel were missing when auditors went to his ministry but they had since been found and would be shown to the office of the auditor general.
He said the ministry was forced to divert K12 billion meant for the rehabilitation of Independence Stadium to Chirundu One-Stop Border Post to avoid further costs on the border posts.
Col Nkunika said the money meant for the rehabilitation of the presidential guest house in Ndola was used to buy furniture for State House.
He said the ministry faced problems in collecting money from people who bought personal-to-holder motor vehicles because some of them opted to pay from their terminal benefits.
Col Nkunika said two former permanent secretaries owed Government huge amounts of money and after reminders, only former Sports minister, George Chulumanda paid K8 million towards the car he got.
And office of the vice-president Permanent Secretary, Davies Sampa said his office would adhere to all the directives from the auditor general after it was discovered that it had no record for the purchase of K40 million worth of fuel.
Kabompo District Commissioner Gerald Muluka
has called quick completion of a borehole at Kabompo district hospital to
help reduce high water bills the health institution is facing.
Mr. Muluka said that the water bills of over K7 million per month the
health institution was incurring was hindering purchase of other important
medical requirements for patients.
He made the appeal when he toured Kabompo district hospital on his
familiarization tour of the health institution yesterday.
He said the water bills of over K 7 million per month the health
institution was incurring was hindering purchase of other important medical
requirements for patients.
Mr Muluka was responding to Kabompo District Director of Health, Dr
Stephen Shajanika who told him that the department of water affairs has
abandoned drilling of the 50 metre deep borehole several months ago.
Dr Shajanika said the project was to cost K150 million as a joint
venture with the health management which had contributed K12 million
towards the project.
He said it would be cost serving if the borehole was completed soon
because the North-Western Water Supply and sewerage Company was charging
them over K7 million per month on water bills.
A THIRTY-seven-year-old man, in a bizarre incident at Ndola Central Hospital on Wednesday, vomited two condoms containing liquids suspected to be illicit drugs.
Hospital public relations officer, Sheona Chalimbana said in an interview that Danny Chilumbi, of house number 4432 Chifubu Township in Ndola, vomited two condoms with liquids suspected to be drugs.
Mr Chilumbi went to the hospital complaining of diarrhoea, but when he was given some medicine, he vomited two condoms containing suspicious liquids.
The condoms were both tied with black strings at the top.
“After he was treated, he vomited out two condoms containing liquid substances that we suspect could be drugs, and so we have handed over those condoms to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC),” Ms Chalimbana said.
She said Mr Chilumbi was restless and could not communicate anything as he was in an unstable condition.
He was still vomiting other substances by press time yesterday.
Ms Chalimbana said some DEC officers were guarding Mr Chilumbi’s bed at the hospital.
DEC public relations manager, John Nyawali said in an interview that the commission officers in Ndola had sent the two condoms to the drugs and food laboratory in Lusaka for analysis.
The liquid was taken to the laboratory to determine whether the contents were drugs or not.
He said until the results were obtained, Mr Chilumbi was not free to go home so that he could assist with investigations.
Times of Zambia
We have come to do our best in the first leg against Zanaco, ASEC Mimosa coach Maxime Gouamené said today.
The 1998 CAF Champions League winners arrived in Lusaka at 14:35 on Thursday on board an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Abidjan via Addis Ababa.
Zanaco and AESC face-off on Saturday at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka in a CAF Champions League first round, first leg match.
“We have come here to play to the best of our abilities,” Gouamené said. “The match will be played over two legs so, we have come to take our chances and do our best.”
Gouamené said he had followed Zanaco’s exploits in this year’s competition and expected them to be a formidable side.
“Zanaco is a good team as they showed against the Uganda team,” Gouamane said.
Zanaco beat URA of Uganda 4-0 in the return leg played at Nkoloma to overturn a 1-0 loss in the first leg to advance from the preliminary stage of the CAF Champions League 4-1 on aggregate.
ASEC on the other hand enjoyed a preliminary stage bye.
Winner over both legs will face either Entente Satif of Algeria or Union Douala of Cameroon in the second round in late April over two legs for a place in the group stage.
The British government has commited 5.7 million pounds towards the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Policy in Zambia.
The money which will be used over the next five years will go towards the National Anti Corruption implementation plan which was launched today.
The Plan seeks to provide a framework within which sectors in the country can work together in the fight against corruption.
British High Commisioner to Zambia CAROLYN DAVIDSON said the money is meant to increase capacity of the Anti-Corruption Commision and support for Anti-corruption initiatives in the country.
Ms DAVIDSON said the money will also help improve the capacity of the civil society and parliamentarians to engage in the fight against corruption.
And deputy Secretary to cabinet ROBERT MATAKA announced that a national steering commitee has been constituted to spearhead the implementation of the policy.
Mr MATAKA said the commitee comprising public institutions, private sector, the civil society and the media will be chaired by cabinet office.
And Anti Corruption Commision chairperson VALENTINE CHILESHE called on all Zambians to combine their efforts in the fight against corruption.
At the same function the DFID ‘Against Corruption Together’ project was also launched.
President RUPIAH BANDA has challenged local agro manufacturing companies to support value addition in the agriculture sector.
Mr BANDA says this is one way to stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty and create employment opportunities.
He said this in Lusaka today when he commissioned the Fresh Pikt food canning plant.
The President urged Fresh Pikt to invest in refrigeration facilities near farming areas to ensure that fruits such as mangoes and guavas do not go to waste.
Mr BANDA also urged the financial sector to provide capital to the agro processing companies.
He said that Fresh Pikt is an example of a company that can increase employment opportunities for Zambians.
Fresh Pikt will employ about 500 people and produce over twenty different types of fruit and vegetable products.
And Fresh Pikt chairman CHANCE KABAGHE said the company has excess production capacity and is able to export to neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa and Congo.
He said plans are under way to start exporting to Europe.
