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The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia Chapter has commended government for setting up a Media Institutions Support Funds (MISF) this year.
MISA Zambia Chapter Chairperson Henry Kabwe said the move by the government to set up the fund shows how committed it is in improving media operations in the country.
Mr. Kabwe told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Media Institutions Support Funds are cardinal to the development of the media in the country.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary (PS) Ngosa Chisupa announced that government had set aside a Media Institutions Support Funds that will be accessed by both public and private media institutions in the country.
TWO Juveniles of Katepela village in chief Kawaza’s area in Katete district in Eastern province have died after drowning in Chinyendenda stream.
Katete District Commissioner Eleman Mwanza confirmed the death of the two in a statement to ZANIS Katete.
Mr. Mwanza said the juveniles drowned while they were swimming in the stream.
He named the juveniles as Best Phiri and Yosiya Banda both aged 10 and of the same village.
He said that his office received a report from the Zambia Police Service about the death of the two children.
Mr. Mwanza said that the incident happened on Tuesday around 13: 00 hours, adding that officers from the Zambia Police Service visited the scene and the two bodies were retrieved from the stream.
He stated that the bodies have since been buried since there was no foul play .
ZANIS
THE National Constitutional Conference (NCC) delegates yesterday failed to reach a consensus on the 50-per cent plus one threshold for the election of the Republican President.
NCC chairperson Chifumu Banda said after calling for a division in which 131 delegates rose in support of the proposal that the issue would have to be put to a vote and deferred it.
The decision to subject the issue to a vote followed a heated debate with some delegates supporting the proposal while others were against.
The officials from the Electoral Commission of Zambia will have to be called in to conduct the elections on the matter either today or some other time.[quote]
Meanwhile, the NCC adopted the proposal by the conference’s democratic and governance committee that there should be at least 30 per cent of gender representation in elective public offices.
The NCC adopted the recommendations when debating Article 94 of the Draft Constitution, which stipulates that the electoral system shall ensure a representation of each gender, is not less than 30 per cent of the total number of seats in the National Assembly, district council or other public elective bodies.
Contributing to the debate, delegate Pixie Yangailo, representing the Human Rights Commission, said Zambia had made minimal progress in female representaion at governance level.
As such, Ms Yangailo said there was need for the nation to stop being rhetoric and ensure that it increased gender representation in elective public offices.
Ms Yangailo proposed that in fact, the percentage should be increased to 50 per cent but other delegates settled for 30 per cent.
But another delegate, Martin Mwale said as mush as he was in support of the recommendations by the committee, the positions should be held because a particular individual was competent to be the office holder and not based on gender.
PATRIOTIC Front Mwense Member of Parliament Jacob Chongo has predicted that the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) Pact will collapse four months from now because leaders of both parties are egoistic and want the presidency.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chongo said it was because of the realisation that the pact would crumble that he was concentrating on campaigning for himself for the parliamentary seat and not based on either the PF or the UPND.
Commenting on reports that the UPND was considering to give the position of vice-president to a woman, preferably from Northern Province, to enhance its chances of winning the 2011 general elections, Mr Chongo said it was clear there was a rift in the pact.
“That pact will not hold, I am not worried about them and that is why I have ensured that I deliver to my constituency. I am campaigning for myself and not to wait for anybody,” he said.
Mr Chongo said PF leader Michael Sata and his UPND counterpart Hakainde Hichilema were egoistic and wanted the presidency at all costs.
Since none of the two was willing to serve under the other, Mr Chongo said that in the coming four months, the pact would be no more.
“The pact is definitely crumbling because the PF wants Mr Sata to be president and the UPND wants Mr Hichilema. Even the two leaders themselves are not ready to work under the other,” Mr Chongo said.
He said in 1991, people came up together to form the MMD on principle and not hatred for first Republican president Kenneth Kaunda.
Unlike in 1991 when the MMD was formed out of principle, Mr Chongo said for now the PF-UPND Pact was formed out of hatred for President Rupiah Banda.
The Zambia National Women’s Lobby Group (ZNWLG) commended the UPND for its decision to reserve a position of party vice-president for a female candidate.[quote]
ZNWLG executive director Tamara Kambikambi said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, the decision by the UPND was welcome and appreciated it. She said the decision was in conformity with the international conventions on gender.
Ms Kambikambi said Zambia was a signatory to international gender conventions while at the same time ratified the Southern African Development Community protocol on gender.
Ms Kambikambi said in other bodies like the National Constitutional Conference, the nation had done well to ensure that there was equal representation in positions of authority saying the same principle should apply in political parties
The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in Mazabuka district has refuted allegations that it has endorsed the candidature of Chilanga Member of Parliament Ngandu Magande as the party’s presidential candidate at the forthcoming party convention.
District Chairman, Trywell Himoonga told ZANIS in Mazabuka yesterday that it was not possible for the district to endorse Mr. Magande’s candidature because he had been rejected in Magoye where he hails from.
Meanwhile Mr. Himoonga has said the ruling party in the district is intact despite the dissolution of the district and constituency executive committees by provincial chairman, Solomon Muzyamba.
He said the district has welcomed the decision to dissolve the committees because this will strengthen the party especially when a new leadership is ushered into office.
Mr. Himoonga said contrary to reports that Mr. Magande was the favorite, the district and constituency officials are in full support of President Rupiah Banda as the sole Presidential candidate in the 2011 General elections.
And Mazabuka Central constituency chairman, Davis Bbilika said party officials are only engaged in party campaigns in readiness for the forthcoming party elections.
Mr Bbilika said the party in the constituency is intact and in support of RB.
The Forum for Political Parties (FPP) says it will next week petition the Pope over the continued involvement of some Bishops in partisan and politics.
Forum Chief Spokesperson, Charles Kafumbo, said FPP will present the petition to the Pope Benedict the XVI (sixteenth) through his representative in Zambia.
He said FPP has decided to seek the Pope’s intervention in order to restrain some Bishops from participating in active politics.
Mr. Kafumbo disclosed this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.
He has meanwhile challenged the Bishops to come out in the open and announce the name of their political party or completely stop their involvement in politics.
Mr. Kafumbo said Bishop Duffy’ s attacks on government have openly shown that the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) is compromised and actively participating in politics describing the situation a shame.
He has since advised the church to stop making statements that incite people to rise against the government because this can be a receipt for chaos in the country.
He said the church is divine and should help in uniting the country and not be seen to be agitating for any form of division and chaos which undermines the country’s security.
All is set for the official launch of Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) new Television channel Two (Tv2) today, January 15, 2009.
Vice President George Kunda is expected to commission the new national TV channel on behalf of President Rupiah Banda.
ZNBC Public Relation Manager Mirriam Tonga confirmed the development to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.
Ms. Tonga said the opening of the new TV channel is part of the Corporation’s commitment to give both the listeners and viewers an improved programming and provide a variety of content.
Ms Tonga noted the new channel is also expected to give the audience an expanded coverage and compete effectively in the modern broadcasting era.
She further said the new channel prepares Zambia to migrate from manual to digital transmission before 2012 like other countries in the Southern region that have already gone digital.
According to Ms. Tonga, ZNBC’s stance is to retain audience market leadership in all platforms in radio and television thereby giving the listeners and viewers a greater choice to tune to.
Tv2 the second television channel for ZNBC will be a 24-hour entertainment channel with a news segment.
A man in his early 80s today appeared before Livingstone Magistrates Court Mumba for mention in a drug trafficking case.
Benson Ngombo of Saw Mills Township in Livingstone was arrested and charged for trafficking in 120 grams of cannabis.
Particulars of the offence are that on August 5, last year, the Drug Enforcement Commission, (DEC) Livingstone Regional Office got a tip from members of the public that they suspected Ngombo was trafficking in Cannabis.
The following day, Stanley Muyinda a DEC Investigations Officer in the company of two other DEC officers carried out an operation at Ngombo’s house around 03:00hr and found Ngombo and one other person identified as Lubinda fast asleep.
And state witness Paul Kamanga who was also in the company of Muyinda and Kaluba told the court that while they waited for Muyinda and Kaluba who were inside the house, they saw a brown sugar plastic bag being pushed out of the house through a gap between the wall and the roof.
Kamanga said he then picked up the plastic bag and took it to Muyinda and Kamanga who were still inside in the house.
The duo (Ngumbo and Lubinda) were then asked who had thrown the bag outside but they all expressed ignorance saying they did not know who the owner was.
The DEC officers then apprehended the duo and took them to Livingstone Central Police where they were later arrested and the suspected cannabis taken to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for examination.
When the results of the test were brought back, it was confirmed that the material in question was in fact cannabis.
Ngombo who understood the charge said he did not know about the cannabis which was contained in the plastic bag.
Magistrate Mumba adjourned the matter and reserved ruling for tomorrow, Friday January 15, 2010.
Mwinilunga Soccer fans were yesterday treated to a rude shock when the ZESCO thermal propelled generator went off , plunging the whole district in darkness.
The sad ordeal happened minutes after the Zambia and Tunisia match kicked off after half time.
The district was in total darkness for over 40 minutes before power was restored by ZESCO.
Meanwhile, police used tear- gas canisters to displace angry soccer fans who wanted to riot in protest against the power blackout.
The angry fans who were watching the match from the council rest house , resolved to follow the ZESCO manager at his resident to register their displeasure over the power blackout, but quick action by police displaced the angry fans.
And one of the soccer fans who stormed ZANIS offices this morning Katizi Chinganbu wondered why the ZESCO manager opted to be home instead of being at the plant monitoring the machine.
Mr. Chingambu said government and the corporate world played their part by ensuring that the matches are televised on ZNBC so as to allow soccer fans to watch the match.
He wondered how the soccer fans in Mwinilunga will manage to support the national team with the negligence exhibited by ZESCO.
Mr. Chingambu said soccer have the potential to cause serious damages, if ZESCO will continue denying power to the residents during critical matches involving the Zambia National Soccer Team.
Meanwhile maize loaders in Mwinilunga district have called on the Food Reserve Agency FRA to pay them their dues.
Speaking on behalf of the maize loaders, Charles Kajimbala complained that FRA has not paid them their dues.
He said loaders were depending on the money from FRA to pay for their school going children.
Government has castigated Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata for suggesting that the recent 15 percent fuel hike is aimed at subsiding thieves that are involved in oil procurement.
Chief government Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ronnie Shikapwasha says the statement by the PF leader is untrue, highly irresponsible and provocative.
Lt. Gen Shikapwasha adds that the Mr. Sata’s Statement is only meant to mislead Zambians and promote hatred against President Banda.
In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka last evening, Lieutenant General Shikapwasha explained that the increase in fuel prices has not vindicated Mr. Sata from anything because he still remains an insensitive, hypocritical and manipulative politician who can say anything to gain political mileage.
Lt Gen Shikapwasha said as a government, the regulation of fuel is solely managed by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and not as insinuated by Mr. Sata.
He said having been a member of Cabinet in 1998 when ERB Act Cap 436 was enacted, Mr. Sata is aware that ERB is responsible for regulating fuel prices.
He explained that the nation should know that the last fuel prices were reviewed on 22nd December 2008 when petroleum products pump prices were reduced by an average of 24 percent.
Gen Shikapwasha added that this was on account of the dramatic decline in international oil prices and favourable exchange rate of the kwacha against the US dollar.
He noted that since December 2008 both the average international oil prices and cost of feedstock cargoes have gone up significantly as much as 72% while the average international oil prices have increased by an average of 110% over the period February 2009-January 2010.
“Going by the above stated figures, price increases would have averaged 32% as opposed to 15% as announced by ERB on 12th January 2010,” explained Gen Shikapwasha.
Gen Shikapwasha who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister stated that to cushion the economy, the government subsidised the high costs of fuel so as to make it affordable, especially in the context of the global economic recession that characterized the global economy in 2009.
He pointed out that as the global economy is slowly moving out of the recession, the demand for petroleum products is beginning to increase, the international prices of oil have also began to rise.
He disclosed that this is why government cannot continue to subsidise the pump prices hence the 15% average increase instead of the 32% increase that is warranted by the economic fundamentals.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha has since expressed sadness at Mr. Sata’s remarks adding that they do not add value to raising a well-informed society.
On 12th January 2010 the Energy Regulation Board announced an increase in fuel pump prices a move that has attracted attention from various sectors of the economy in the country.
Mr. Sata is quoted in yesterday’s edition of the Post Newspaper a having said that he has been vindicated over recent revelations that President Banda would hike fuel prices and that Zambians will now subsidise the President’s corruption.
1998_googleUnlike other countries in Africa including Kenya, where the cost of Internet connectivity is falling sharply, Zambia’s connection fees have remained high and are impacting the country’s economy, despite competition among ISPs and efforts to promote local content.
Google products manager for sub-Saharan Africa, Divon Lan, recently told local media that the country has the highest Internet connectivity costs in the world, and that they are embedded in the high cost of bandwidth for end users. Recent studies have also shown that Zambian Internet connectivity can cost as high as US$6,000 per megabyte — double the cost in other African countries.
Google is planning to introduce Zambian languages, including Bemba and Nyanja, on the Internet, claiming the Web is a force for societal change as it provides access to information without barriers. Lan, who is based in Israel, said Google wants to promote ICT in Zambia.
Due to the high cost of Internet connectivity, Lan said access has been restricted to the capital, Lusaka, and other urban areas. Other than mobile commerce services being provided cheaply by mobile service providers, very few Zambians are able to do online transactions because of the high cost of access.
Last year, Google released map information for Zambia for the first time on Google.com and is now trying to find ways of making the search engine more relevant to local consumers by integrating Zambia’s local languages.
Milner Makuni, the past president of the Computer Society of Zambia, said that despite Zambia having 14 ISPs competing for business, the connectivity costs have not declined significantly. This is mainly because Zambia has been relying on satellite for Internet connectivity, Makuni said. Secondly, the cost of bandwidth from the undersea cables running under the India Ocean is still very high.
“But I think very soon we will see a reduction in Internet connectivity because Zamnet, Zesco and Zamtel have now connected to the international undersea cables,” Makuni said in an interview.
Zambia also has an agreement with the East Africa Submarine Cable System to get cheaper bandwidth from the cable once it becomes operational in June this year.
Plans by Kasama Municipal Council to construct a Civic Centre have received a major boast following the release of K500m by the government. Acting Kasama Municipal Council Town Clerk Gift Kakoma confirmed the release of the funds to ZANIS today.
Mr. Kakoma also revealed that Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has given his Council a grant of K900 million for the payment of retirees and outstanding salary arrears. The Acting TC has since commended the Government for the financial support saying it will go a long way in enhancing the local authority’s operations.
He said the long awaited construction of a Civic Centre estimated to cost about K2.3 billion, will now become a reality following the release of K500m which will be used to construct the sub structure.
Mr. Kakoma revealed that his council has since started the process of verification of ownership of the plot where the Civic Centre will be constructed. He said the Civic Centre project was a priority as it will resolve the current office accommodation the council was facing.
Mr. Kakoma also revealed that the council was in the process of reviving its carpentry workshop as a way of increasing its revenue base. He said plans were under way to procure equipment for the carpentry workshop.
Currently, Kasama Municipal Council is using offices for the District administration.
Government has also released K47 million towards the rehabilitation of Chitimukulu police post and a staff house in Mungwi district.
Mungwi District Commissioner Fanwell Bwembya disclosed the development when he inspected the police post.
Mr. Bwembya said as soon as the construction company finishes the works, police officers will be sent to the area to curb crime which he said was rampant in the area.
Pamoja Construction Company has been awarded the construct to carry out the rehabilitation works.
And Pamoja Construction Director, Misheck Mulenga, assured government that the rehabilitation works will be completed in the shortest possible time, since money was readily available.
A Police Officer in Lundazi district in Eastern Province died after falling off a moving police vehicle at Kuwowo village near Kanyanga Hospital in chief Magodi’s area.
Inspector Wilford Mwila died on Sunday when a Police Vehicle he was in careered off the road and hit into a pillar.
It is alleged that on Sunday morning, Mwila, 35, in the company of Acting Officer-In- Charge Chief Inspector Elias Zulu, District Prosecutions Officer Inspector Hosea Kabwe, Sub Inspector Kelly Manda and Gerald Mwenya a Procurement Officer from Ministry of Health, had gone to Magodi at a place called Directors bar where they were drinking beer.
An eye witness told ZANIS that as the group was driving back to the BOMA, Chief Inspector Elias Zulu lost control of the Tata Van registration number ZP 506B and hit into a pillar.[quote]
In the process, the vehicle hit an 80 year old woman, Tamalanji Kumwenda, of Chitembo village in Chief Magodi’s area causing her injuries on the right leg. She was, however, rushed to Kanyanga Hospital where she was treated. Mwila later died at home.
However, a ZANIS check at Lundazi Police traffic section yesterday revealed that there was no report of an accident involving the Police vehicle. The Officers did not also book out of the station as they went to Magodi.
And when contacted for a comment yesterday, Eastern Province Commanding Officer Mary Chikwanda expressed ignorance over the matter saying she was only told about the sudden death of a Police Officer and not the accident.
She expressed surprise that no one informed her of the accident until she got it from the press. Ms Chikwanda has since dispatched Traffic Officers from the Division Headquarters to Lundazi for investigations into the alleged accident.
She promised to issue a comprehensive statement once investigations are completed.
Albidon Munali Nickel mine in Mazabuka has not yet surrendered back the 1,000 hectares of land to the community despite a commitment made by the management last year. This is because modalities of sub dividing the 2,100 hectares have not yet been completed by the Ministry of Lands.
Mazabuka Mayor, Shadreck Mwiinga, however, told ZANIS in Mazabuka that the local authority is closely monitoring the developments to ensure that the affected families are given back their land. He said the new Chinese management has committed itself to implementing the decision made by the previous Albidon management to surrender the land which the mine does not intend to use.
Mr. Mwiinga also revealed that the construction of a school, clinic and rehabilitation of the road network for villagers who were resettled at the inception of the mine will continue under the mine resettlement plan.
He said the new management has assured both his office and government through the Ministry of Mines that the commitments made by the previous management will be implemented.
Meanwhile, Mayor Mwiinga has disclosed that the re-opening of the Albidon mine has cheered the community especially that the Chinese investor has also promised to create job opportunities for the local people.
He said the local leadership are particularly happy with the Rupiah Banda administration for working round the clock to ensure a genuine investor to run the mine was found.
He said the closure of the mine at the height of the global financial crisis that resulted in the mine being put under care and maintenance had severely affected the economic status of the district. Production at the only nickel mine is expected to start this month.
