Business was brought to a standstill at Chirundu Border post as the much awaited commissioning of the Chirundu one stop Border post, which is reportedly one of the busiest border post in the sub region.

Movement of traffic, human and goods alike, was at stand still as early as 08:00 hours in readiness for the opening of the border post separating Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The one stop border post will definitely ease the movement of the goods and human traffic between the two countries, a development that has been hailed by the two governments.

President Rupiah Banda opened the border on the Zimbabwean side while Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe did the same on the Zambian side.

Afterwards the duo re – affirmed their countries’ regional intergation with Mr. Banda saying the development has come at a critical phase in his country’s economic relationship with other countries for the benefit of the regional trade.

Mr Banda said the opening of a one stop boarder post OSBP, is a milestone in facilitating effective trade in the COMESA region and beyond.

The president further said the region cannot continue to do business without the complete overhaul of infrastructure and harmonization of the trade polices adding that the North – South corridor would be able to meet the challenges of inter regional trade.

He noted that the one stop Boarder facility was born out of the COMESA council of ministers in 2005 in Kigali , Rwanda were it was recognized that the flow of trade in the north-south corridor could be enhanced by establishing a one stop Border post in the Eastern and Southern African region.

The president stressed that making Chirundu a one stop boarder post will ease congestion and will reduce transit times for traders and transporters adding that this will promote efficient flow of goods resulting in increased trade.

Mr Banda noted that Chirundu’s strategic location of trade between Southern and Eastern Africa and its gate way between two busy regions is ideal as a pilot site for the One Stop Boarder Post OSBP control programme.

He however noted that the boarder will is expected to serve as a model for other one stop boarder posts in the region.

And President Mugabe says the one stop boarder post will lead to the accelerated harmonization of COMESA, SADC and EAC integration programmes.

Mr Mugabe noted that the establishment of a one stop boarder post will stimulate economic activity with improvement of infrastructure and smoothen traffic on both sides .

He appealed for development and cooperation partners to join Zambia and Zimbabwe in the development of Beitbridge into a one stop boarder post to compliment efficiencies at chirundu and trunk North-South routes.

He also appealed to member state in the North – South Corridor to also priorities the establishment of the one stop boarder post to smoothen trade in the region.

And speaking earlier Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Hideto Mitamura said a one stop boarder post is important as it will promote economic development in Africa.

The ambassador noted that this will generate growth and reduce poverty in the region adding that this will accelerate economic development and promote the growth of African countries.

He said the Japanese government is grateful to see the completion of Chirundu one stop boarder adding that it is important for economic development in the region.

The ambassador noted that once a one stop boarder post becomes operational, delays will fall adding that this will reduce costs for businesses and increases their competitiveness by ensuring that products reach faster.

Meanwhile COMESA, Director of infrastructure Development Amos Marawe said the creation of a one border post will limit the duplication of border agency interventions in the region.

Mr Marawe added that the one border post at chirundu is leading forward for creating other single border stops , not only for this regions but for the Africa as a whole .

He noted that the one stop boarder post is making a positive and important contribution to the realization of Africa’s integration ambitions.

Mr Marawe noted the need for the central corridor and the eastern community to to take the lead as the COMESA region has taken the lead to ease aid to trade between countries in the region.

ZANIS

The newly appointed Zesco Board of Directors and Management have set a twelve months ultimatum in which to see tangible impact in the supply and distribution of power countrywide.

Zesco Board of Directors chairman, Songowayo Zyambo, said it is disheartening to note that distribution of power to customers has been ineffective due to factors that include obsolete cable networks and unreliable power supply.

To this effect, Mr Zyambo has implored Zesco management to look for resources to ensure diesel power generation is done away with in the country to ensure reliable supply and distribution of power to customers.

Mr Zyambo, who is heading the Board of Directors on the familiarization tour of the Livingstone Zesco power station, said there is need to put all areas, such as Kaputa in Northern Province, on the national grid.

He observed the need for optimally and reliably supply and distribution of power to customers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week at top quality.

“The Board of Directors has learnt that there is need to do a lot of work on supply and distribution of power so Zesco management should bear in mind that customers come first and are the best judge,” he said.

He said the new Zesco Board and Management were focusing on neglected areas to ensure quality distribution and supply of power.

Mr Zyambo observed that obsolete underground cable net is impeding the distribution of power.

He said areas such as Lusaka have rotten underground cables, and expressed worry that more frequent power faults and failure would be experienced especially in the rainy season.

“It is disheartening to note that the distribution network cannot take power to customers despite power being produced because cables are faulty and rotten,” he said.

The Board of Directors is on an orientation tour of Zecso installation following the appointment in April this year.

Mr Zyambo said the board has undertaken the tour in order to have a visual orientation and inspection of Zesco installations in the country.

He further said that the board has adopted an interactive approach with Zesco employees and management in order to appreciate their concerns and to ensure equality and fairness.

Mr Zyambo said the tour also involves taking an on the spot check of reports that Zesco management make and to listen to employees on the grassroots in order to map the way forward.

ZANIS

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LT Team

The Committee of Citizens (CC) has added its voice in condemning alleged tribal remarks uttered by Science and Technology Minster Gabriel Namulamba.

Committee executive director Gregory Chifire says the remarks attributed by Mr. Namulamba if unchecked have the potential to bring about division among the people in the country.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Chifire said this is why there is need for President Rupiah Banda to put in place serious disciplinary measures that will curtail ministers’ against making remarks that are likely to cause confusion.

Mr. Chifire noted that politics of tribalism should not be entertained at all costs adding that there is need for President Banda to act on the matter immediately.

Science and Technology Minster Gabriel Namulamba has come under fire after been quoted as having said that the Lamba people feel frustrated, hurt and injured that some people have publicly declared that they hated late president Mwanawasa who they alleged was corrupt.

In another development Mr. Chifire has called on government to intensify sensitization on the mobile issuance of National Registration Cards (NRC) especially among the rural communities.

Mr. Chifire pointed out that an NRC is an important document that every Zambian above the age of 16 must have adding that this is why government should take it upon itself and ensure that people are helped to understand the exercise.

He observed that the exercise is been shunned in most parts of the country because many people lack adequate information on what they are expected to do when an exercise is been undertaken in their area.

The CC chief further advised government through the ministry of Home Affairs to devise sensitization programmes aimed at educating local people on the importance of the exercise.

Mr. Chifire also added that government should consider engaging traditional leaders to help in convincing their subjects on the issue.

He explained that traditional leaders have a significant role to play and ensure that their subjects understand government programmes.

ZANIS