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The Immigration Department in Senanga district has arrested three Chinese nationals for illegally working in Zambia.
The arrests were made during a combined operation with Nangweshi Police and Immigration officers. The Chinese men were working for a named Sawmilling company in Shangombo area.
Immigrations Public Relations Officer, Mulako Mbangweta, confirmed the arrest to ZANIS in Senanga, adding that the victims admitted the offence leveled against them.
Ms Mbangweta said Dia Xinlong, 46, Lu Peizhi, 41, and Liu Aoran, 21, have since paid K1,080,000 each for admission of the offence.
Ms Mbangweta explained that the trio entered Zambia only as visitors but unlawfully engaged in paid employed at a Sawmilling company.
She said working without a permit was contrary to Sections 19 (1) and 30 (1) Cap 123 as read with amended Act 25 of 1997 of the Laws of Zambia.
Ms Mbangweta warned that the law would always catch up with people engaged in illegal activities and advised foreigners and foreign companies to desist from such activities.
Senanga District Commissioner, Kwalombota Muwanei, says the presence of Zanaco in the district is of great value towards economic development.
And Branch Manager, Cosmas Mwiinga, says the bank has enough credit to lend out to viable projects and businesses.
Speaking at a dinner hosted by Zanaco to celebrate the bank’s 40th Anniversary, Mr Muwanei said the presence of the financial institution in a rural district like Senanga was of great economic value.
Mr Muwanei also appealed to government institutions and other employers to localize their financial transactions through the local Zanaco branch so as to access a quick banking service.
He appealed to local people and businessmen to reduce risks of loosing money by accessing affordable banking services at Zanaco.
And at the same function, Branch Manager Cosmas Mwiinga called upon individuals and the business community to take advantage of the existing products at the bank.
Mr Mwiinga said the banks had enough credit to lend out to viable business ventures.
The dinner was attended by heads of government departments, the business community and other prominent people.
Northwestern Province Local government officer McLeaud Nyirenda has called for discipline and integrity from all stakeholders to participate in the forth-coming Solwezi central constituency by-elections.
Mr Nyirenda said for the Solwezi central constituency by-election to be free and fair, interested stakeholders will have maximise discipline, transparency, impartiality and integrity.
He said this when he officially opened a briefing programme for stakeholders, District Electoral, Returning and Assistant returning officers for the vacant Solwezi central parliamentary seat following the recent in timely death of late local Government minister Ben Tetamashimba.
Mr Nyirenda said the election should show a direct result of well disciplined officials to up hold democracy.
He therefore called on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to be vigilant and sensitize the people on the need and importance of voting as it is their human right to do so.
Mr Nyirenda also commended the ECZ for the programme aimed at acquainting stakeholders with their operation and thanked all stakeholders for finding time to take part in the programme saying this shows that people attach great importance to the voting process.
President Banda about to unveil the First National Bank plaque during the launch in Lusaka
President Rupiah Banda has said Zambia’s business environment has remained stable and has continued to attract foreign investors despite the effects of the global economic crisis.
President Banda said Zambia has continued to record foreign investment in a number of sectors, among them the banking sector in the recent past, noting that this was testimony that the country’s economy was growing.
Mr. Banda was speaking at Lusaka’s Intercontinental hotel today when he launched the First National Bank (FNB).
He said it was important that the economic growth was supported by an efficient and effective financial sector.
“Increased economic activity demands a wide range of banking products and services which should be tailored to meet the new business challenges,” he said.
President Banda said in the last three years, the banking industry in Zambia has been steadily growing in total assets averaging at 30 per cent annually.
“Of this growth, almost 60 per cent was on account of net loans and advances largely to the private sector. This suggests to me that the economy is growing,” he said.
President Banda said the banking sector was one of the most important sectors to the growth of the economy because it provides finance to individuals and corporate entities for business activities.
He said the opening of FNB-Zambia would further promote the existing businesses and provide an environment that is conducive for investment opportunities, which subsequently should stimulate economic growth.
He hoped that FNB would help reduce the cost of bank services in the sector.
The President also urged banks to be innovative in the ways of providing access to short, medium and long term finances to Zambians.
“I similarly urge all commercial banks to move away from “arm chair banking” to making credit available to deserving customers at affordable rates,” he said.
President Banda added that by performing an effective intermediary role, banks would complement government’s efforts to enhance economic development in the country.
He however expressed concern that banks were still lending money at high interest rates and bank changes in Zambia, the development he said was discouraging average Zambians from accessing financial services.
President Banda added that the high interest rates on bank borrowing and other bank charges, particularly on deposit accounts, have made loans very expensive thereby increasing the level of loan delinquencies in the financial sector.
“Arising from this and due to generally low rates on deposits, there is a real risk that both savings and investments may be discouraged and threaten the tangible progress our economy has thus far recorded,” he stressed.
He further said such high rates have since disadvantaged micro, small and medium enterprises, which are important to the national economic growth.
And FND-South Africa Chief Executive Officer, Michael Jordaan, said his bank decided to open branches in Zambia because of the country’s sound investment and business opportunities.
Dr. Jordaan said Zambia has continued to offer a friendly business and risk free political environment, despite the global economic crisis.
Meanwhile, South African High Commissioner to Zambia, Moses Chikane said the two countries have long historical political, social and economic relations.
Mr. Chikane the opening of FNB in Zambia was one way of strengthening the existing economic relations between Zambia and South Africa.
He observed that lack of access to financial services was a major hindrance to the growth of the private sector in any country.
He said FNB would increase the tax revenue base for the Zambian government and help alleviate poverty through job creation.
The new bank already employs 96 Zambian professionals and hopes to increase the number as it expands.
Mr. Chikane said improved financial services in the Southern African region will drive the countries to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
And Deputy Minister of Finance, Chileshe Kapwepwe said the increased investments between Zambia and other Southern African countries was a manifestation of the South-to-South cooperation.
FNB originated from South Africa in 1838 and is present in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and now in Zambia.
In Zambia, the bank already has three branches, two in Lusaka and one in Ndola on the Copperbelt province.
Nkana get back down to the business of promotion on Wednesday following their ejection from the Barclays Cup last Saturday when they host Luanshya United in a rescheduled Faz Division 1 North Week 30 game in Kitwe.
Nkana will be looking to put their elimination from the Barclays Cup behind them after losing 8-7 on post-match penalties against Choma Eagles following a 1-1 draw
in the Barclays Cup quarterfinals played at Woodlands Stadium on Independence Day.
Fewdays Musonda’s side currently lie 2nd on the Division 1 North table on 52 points, four less than leaders Nchanga Rangers who thumped Chindwin 3-0 in Chingola in their Week 30 match on Independence Day.
Victory will over Luanshya will keep Nkana in 2nd place with six games left to play before the promotion places are sealed although they will move up to 55 points within one of Bruce Mwape’s Rangers.
Luanshya under former Roan United and Zambia international striker Nicholas Bwalya are not looking good and currently lie second from bottom in 17th place as Zambians oldest club struggles to stay in Division 1 a season less than a season after they were promoted.
Kitwe is never an easy place to win and it will be especially so for Luanshya who lost 2-1 at home to Nkana in the first leg week 13 match played midway through the year.
And across town at Buchi Stadium, 4th placed Mufulira Wanderers on 47 points visit Elijah Litana’s Mining Rangers looking to revive their chances of staying in the hunt for promotion.
WEEKEND SCORECARD
2009 Barclays Cup Quartefinals
24/10/2009
Trade Fair Grounds, Ndola
Power Dynamos 1(Simon Bwalya 89″)- Zesco United 0
Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka
Green Buffaloes 1(Brian Chilando 65″)*- National Assembly 1(Lawrence Phiri 75″)
*Buffaloes win 6-5 on pp
Motorists in Livingstone have continued to panic following the persistent fuel shortage.
The situation has made some named filling stations to restrict the sale of the commodity to 20 liters per customer.
A check by ZANIS in Livingstone found some filling stations had run out of fuel including kerosene (paraffin).
Caltex filling station was deserted with only fuel attendants explaining the fuel shortage to panicking customers.
Other filling stations such as Kobil, Engen, and BP are reported to have completely run out of diesel with only a few liters of petrol remaining.
However, all filling stations are optimistic that the situation would be normal by tomorrow as tankers delivering are either on the way or getting refilled from the source.
Vuma Filling Station Manager, Misheck Ndala told ZANIS that four trucks bringing fuel to his station are currently marooned at Victoria Falls border awaiting clearance.
He expressed hope that Vuma would soon have new stock of fuel by tomorrow.
Mr. Ndala said the situation has resulted into loss of business and added that it was an inconvenience to customers especially those holding fuel accounts with Vuma.
He said the filling station has had no fuel since last Friday.
The Immigration Department in Senanga district has arrested three Chinese nationals for illegally working in Zambia.
The arrests were made during a combined operation with Nangweshi Police and Immigration officers. The Chinese men were working for a named sawmilling company in Shangombo area.
Immigrations Public Relations Officer, Mulako Mbangweta, confirmed the arrest to ZANIS in Senanga, adding that the victims admitted the offence leveled against them.
Ms Mbangweta said Dia Xinlong, 46, Lu Peizhi, 41, and Liu Aoran, 21, have since paid K1,080,000 each for admission of the offence.
Ms Mbangweta explained that the trio entered Zambia only as visitors but unlawfully engaged in paid employed at a sawmilling company.
She said working without a permit was contrary to Sections 19 (1) and 30 (1) Cap 123 as read with amended Act 25 of 1997 of the Laws of Zambia.
Ms Mbangweta warned that the law would always catch up with people engaged in illegal activities and advised foreigners and foreign companies to desist from such activities.
Some Members of Parliament follwoing proceedings during the official opening of the house
I have noticed that the news article by Patrick Jabani entitled “NCC Adopts New Electoral System in Zambia” recently appeared in both the Times of Zambia and The Post newspapers. In the article, Comrade Jabani has made a good summary of arguments for and against the adoption of Article 159(1) of the Republican constitution that is currently being crafted, which is intended to increase the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) from 150 to 280. [It is perhaps important to note here that the current membership of Parliament is actually 150 elected MPs + 8 MPs nominated by the Republican president.]
Unfortunately, the article does not address the cost associated with the proposed increase in the number of MPs.
In this regard, I wish to reiterate my initial position that Zambia cannot afford to implement the proposal that has been recommended by the National Constitutional Conference (NCC). There is really no wisdom in seeking to increase the number of constituencies when some of the existing constituencies cannot even generate enough tax revenue to meet the cost of maintaining their MPs.
It is unfortunate that such a recommendation is made at a time when tens of thousands of Grade 7 and Grade 9 students have continued to be spilled onto the streets every year, the healthcare system cannot meet the basic needs of the majority of citizens, the majority of Zambians have no access to clean water and electricity, the country still faces problems with garbage collection and disposal, a critical shortage of decent public housing has compelled so many of our fellow citizens to live in shanty townships nationwide, public infrastructure and services are still deficient, civil servants are still not adequately compensated for their services, and, among many other socio-economic ills, crime and unemployment are still widespread.
I have, therefore, found it necessary to provide some information about the cost of increasing the number of MPs from 150 (as suggested by Jabani) to 280. In this endeavor, I have assumed that the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Whip, and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament are remunerated the same as a Private Member in terms of salary, special allowance and utility; I have also assumed that the constituency allowance available to each MP is equivalent to that paid to a Nominated member in Zambian Kwacha (K) per year, and that there are no costs associated with personal-to-holder cars and other fringe benefits:
It seems the huge allowances which members of the National Constitutional Conference are receiving have intoxicated them so much that they have become incapable of thinking about the catalogue of socio-economic woes which the government cannot address mainly due to the lack of financial and material resources.
Rather than increasing the number of MPs, we should actually have been considering the prospect of reducing the number and restricting their functions to legislative matters. Parliament would still be representative and able to function effectively as the legislative organ of our national government, with only 72 elected MPs, for example, so that 1 MP could be elected from each of the existing 72 districts.
If we cannot reduce the number of MPs, we need to continue to have a parliament with 158 members (or 150 as suggested by Jabani). Representation in the governance of the country by women and the youth, among others, can be achieved through appointments to Permanent-Secretary positions, and to positions in Cabinet and government agencies.
It is irresponsible and ill-advised for NCC members to think about representation without seriously considering the cost associated with it.
Our country’s meager tax revenues will not be sufficient to maintain such a large parliament and a highly bloated cabinet. And we cannot continue to borrow until we push the country back into the debt trap. Besides, donor countries too are not likely to continue extending a helping hand while we continue to misuse our meager resources.
There is a need for NCC members and the government to realize that donor countries do not have unlimited resources. They have to make do with scarce resources by going through public expenditures line by line, program by program, agency by agency, department by department, and ministry by ministry in order to eliminate unnecessary application of public funds.
We need to start doing the same in order to wean our country from its current addiction to loans and its over-dependence on donor funding, as well as to attain economic independence and sustained socio-economic development, predominantly with our own local resources.
By the way, MPs should not be involved in the implementation of development projects; this should be the function of government ministries and local authorities. Besides, the provinces are already saturated with such portfolios as district commissioners, provincial ministers and provincial permanent secretaries, all of whom are supposed to complement the executive branch of the government in the implementation of development projects. To reiterate, we need to restrict the role of parliament to legislative functions — that is, law-making.
The secret to a happy marriage for men is choosing a wife who is smarter and at least five years younger than you, say UK experts.
These pairings are more likely to go the distance, particularly if neither has been divorced in the past, according to the Bath University team.
The findings predict a happy future for pop star Beyonce Knowles, 28, and rapper husband Jay-Z, 39.
The work is published in the European Journal of Operational Research.
The researchers studied interviews of more than 1,500 couples who were married or in a serious relationship.
Five years later, they followed up 1,000 of the couples to see which had lasted.
They found that if the wife was five or more years older than her husband, they were more than three times as likely to divorce than if they were the same age.
Not so long ago the husband had to be older than his wife in order to be able to support a family, but such criteria are not so relevant now women have been educated to be able to command good jobs, so I suggest the basis for a successful marriage should be tolerance.
If the age gap is reversed, and the man is older than the woman, the odds of marital bliss are higher.
Add in a better education for the woman – Beyonce has her high school diploma, unlike husband Jay-Z – and the chances of lasting happiness improve further.
Those who have never divorced fare better too. But couples in which one member has been through a divorce in the past are less stable than those in which both members are divorcees.
Dr Emmanuel Fragniere and colleagues do say that men and women choose partners “on the basis of love, physical attraction, similarity of taste, beliefs and attitudes, and shared values.”
But they say that using “objective factors” such as age, education and cultural origin “may help reduce divorce”.
[BBC]
The Mufumbwe district Network Zambia for People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+) has urged its members to avoid abusing alcohol while on treatment.
Mufumbwe NZP+ Coordinator, Alex Makina, said it was dangerous for persons living with HIV to take alcohol while they are on treatment.
He told ZANIS in Mufumbwe district yesterday that taking alcohol might make one forget to take medication at an appointed time thereby complicating their immune system.
Mr. Makina, who has been living with HIV for 12 years now, added that avoiding taking alcohol while on treatment also prevents one from spreading HIV/AIDS pandemic.
He stressed that there is need to intensify education and sensetisation programmes for people living with the virus on the dangers of taking alcohol while on treatment.
Grade seven pupils at Mushentenke basic school in Kawambwa might not write their final examinations that start Today.
This is because unknown people last night broke into the headmaster’s office and went away with a trunk containing all examinations papers for 2009 grade seven exams.
The trunk was later dumped 50 metres in the bush from the headmaster’s office but eight of the nine packs inside it had been tampered with.
Luapula province police commanding officer Auxensio Mbewe confirmed the development to ZANIS today.
Mr Mbewe said unknown people broke the door to the headmaster’s office at Mushentenke basic last night and took away a trunk containing nine packs of examination papers for different subjects.
He said later today the police recovered the trunk from the bush, 50 metres from the headmaster’s office.
He said the trunk was opened and eight out of nine packs of examinations papers were tampered with.
The commanding officer said the trunk of the tampered examination papers has since been transported to the district education board secretary’s office, waiting for a decision from the Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ).
Grade seven pupils across the country are supposed to start writing their grade 8 qualifying examinations Today.
The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) in Kabwe has brushed aside calls by the opposition for the resignation of Kabwe Municipal council deputy mayor, Christabel Mwenda, saying they did not have any back ground.
Bwacha constituency MMD chairperson, Patrick Chishala, and party provincial treasurer, Robert Makangila, advised the opposition to keep quiet and allow councilors to work towards improvement of the service provision peacefully.
United Party for National Development (UPND) officials over the weekend, called for the resignation of Mrs Mwenda from her position as deputy mayor due to her compromising civil service profession.
Mrs Mwenda, who is Muwowo East MMD councilor, is also Mukobeko High School biology teacher.
During the mayoral elections recently, Mrs Mwenda won the elections, beating Ngungu ward PF councillor, Saidi Chibwana, prompting the opposition to call for her resignation.
But Mr Chishala said Mrs Mwenda would only be required to resign if she was a Member of Parliament, adding that she was not the first civil servant to serve as a councilor and rising to the position of deputy mayor.
He called for teamwork among councilors regardless of their affiliation for the interest of the residents who were expecting a lot in terms of services.
‘As we go towards 2011, we need to unite regardless of our political affiliations and such calls will only divide the council, a thing that will not help anyone,’ he said.
And Mr Makangila said the MMD was in a hurry to meet the 30 per cent women participation in decision-making positions as one of the Millennium Development Goals.
He said the MMD was proud that Mrs Mwenda was also the first woman to become deputy mayor for Kabwe Municipal Council, adding that government should even ensure that more women were raised to head schools in Kabwe so that the goal could be attained.
Mr Makangila said non-issues, such as calls from the opposition, should not be entertained because they would only take away the achievements the MMD had made so far.
Yesterday, Central Province Minister, Ackimson Banda, installed both mayor Chimbwi Musonda, and Mrs Mwenda as deputy mayor at the council grounds during the mayoral installation.
Northwestern province Minister Joseph Mulyata has advised the local authorities in the province to find other means for revenue collection other than complaining about the abolished grain levy.
Mr Mulyata said the councils should work tirelessly and make use of various legislations in force to generate income and sustain their service delivery to their residents.
The minister said this at the installation ceremony of the mayor Peter Kikatula and his deputy Obedia Nsonge of Solwezi Municipal council held at the civic centre today.
Mr. Mulyata said the council should continue working hard and look for finances by utilizing as many areas of income generation as possible to meet the mandatory obligations as stipulated in the local government Act.
He said although government has abolished the grain levy, it is finding ways and means of compensating the local authorities through disbursement of grants to the councils regularly.
“Government attaches great importance to the operation of the local authorities as they are an important institution in the provision of services to the community.” Mr Mulyata noted
Mr Mulyata said the local government being an institution closer to the people was better placed to effectively act as a mirror of the central government for service delivery adding that it was through councils that local people are given an opportunity to fully exercise democracy as they participate in the affairs that affect them.
He assured the councils that government will committed to improving the environment to foster revenue collection initiatives and shall endeavor to provide resources so as to enable them carry their functions for the betterment and satisfaction of the communities.
Mr Mulyata, therefore, encouraged the civic leaders of Solwezi municipal council to work as a team in order for them to fully achieve their aims and objectives.
“There is need for you to work hard and in harmony with the chief officers and all the employees of the council, resolve all matters in the civic centre chamber.” He emphasised
Speaking earlier newly re-elected and installed Solwezi town Mayor Peter Kikatula pledged to work hard in ensuring that the town becomes a better place in terms of service provision.
Mr Kikatula said the people of Solwezi cannot afford to lag behind in development and appealed to all the residents to contribute if meaningful development was to be realized and thanked his fellow councilors for the confidence they have shown his leadership as well as for re-electing him
Mwinilunga District Commissioner (DC), Webster Samakesa, says there is need to improve staffing levels of teachers in most schools in the district.
Speaking when Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) team paid a courtesy call on him, Mr Samakesa said most of the schools in the district are operating on skeleton staff.
Mr Samakesa cited Ntambu as one of the schools that are affected by low staffing levels of teachers.
He noted that the quality of education could only be improved once more teachers are employed in the education sector.
Mr Samakesa bemoaned that low staffing levels of teachers in the province has contributed in the poor performance of pupils in the region.
Meanwhile, the DC has disclosed that the district has received more than 90 teachers in the quest to beef up the staffing levels.
He further explained that some high schools in the district have ten teachers to attend to all the classes.
He wondered how the quality of education could be improved with low staffing levels in schools.
And ZANEC executive director, Miriam Chinyama, explained to the district commissioner that ZANEC is in the district to promote participation of various stakeholders in school management.
She noted that all stakeholders need to play a role in the management of schools if the quality of education is to be improved.
Ms Chinyama said running of schools should not be left to the District Education Board Secretaries’ (DEBS) alone, adding that all stakeholders should come on board and compliment the efforts of the DEBS’s office.
Zambia’s songbird Angela Nyirenda, yesterday wept at the Kitwe local court after her eight-year-old son was allegedly abducted by her former lover, Masautso Banda, who is the father of the boy.
Angela and Banda appeared in the Kitwe local court yesterday over the custody of the child.
Banda, a Kitwe businessperson, took his son by force from unsuspecting Nyirenda after Kitwe local court senior presiding justice, Rodney Kasoka, dismissed the case, saying the matter be heard in Lusaka where the defendant (Angela) was residing.
Banda had taken Angela to court after she failed to release the boy, who had gone to visit her for holidays in Lusaka.
However, justice Kasoka, who was sitting with justices Ignatius Masupelo and Alice Obe, said in dismissing the case that the court could not handle the matter because it had no jurisdiction over it.
He said the court had considered the case carefully and resolved that since the mother and child in question were Lusaka residents, the matter be heard in Lusaka.
In his testimony, Banda told the court that he was in fact keeping the child in Kitwe and that the boy had merely travelled to Lusaka to see his mother who he alleged failed to release him.
Mr Kasoka advised the two to appeal within 30 days if they were not pleased with the outcome of the case or sue afresh in Lusaka.
But shortly after coming out of court, Banda got the boy amid
protestations from the child and drove off in his Honda CVR registration number ACK 7406.
The boy, who was crying, tried to jump out of the vehicle through the window.
Banda stopped the car, closed the windows while a shocked and sobbing Nyirenda rushed to the court justices to report the incident.
And Nyirenda’s uncle, Stanley Mushange, said the family had allowed Banda to keep his son on condition that he visited the mother during holidays.
Mr Mushange alleged Banda, who took the child a year ago, had never taken him to see his mother in Lusaka.
He disclosed that Nyirenda’s family had gone to the victim support unit so that they could resolve the matter amicably but Banda refused and instead took the matter to court.
[Times of Zambia]
