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More than 30 Employees Left Stranded in the Bush by Contractor

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By LT Blogger

More than 30 workers working for Global Drilling Services Ltd, a Zambian company based in Livingstone, were left stranded in the Gwembe valley in Southern Province for more than one month without food and basic needs. This was after the company which was contracted to drill for coal exploration failed to undertake the works. Global Drilling Services Ltd was contracted by an Indian firm, Era Power and Infrastructure (Z) Ltd.

It is reported that Global Drilling Services was awarded the tender to drill more than 3700 meters of coal exploration in the southern coal block in the Gwembe Valley. However, Global Drilling Services Ltd failed to drill even a meter despite being paid more than 81 000 US Dollars towards mobilisation. The stranded workers complained that they were left stranded in the bush for more than one month in Gwembe Valley whilst the company owner was in Livingstone spending the money.

It is reported that the owner and his directors never went back to the Gwembe Valley after receiving the mobilisation funds and left the workers starving in the bush.

Some of the workers spoken to who sought anonymity claimed that their employer engaged them from Mazabuka’s Munali Hills near Albidon Mine and ferried them to the Gwembe Valley to drill. The workers also complained that Global Drilling Services Ltd engaged them without giving them any form of contracts and that the employer only promised to pay them five million kwacha (K5 000 000.00) each every month .

The workers further explained that their employer failed to provide the equipment needed to do the works and neglected to pay salaries. This forced the workers to start abandoning the site one by one and the site has since been abandoned. Global Drilling Services Ltd is also reported to owe various suppliers of goods and services more than seventy five thousand US Dollars.

This development echo’s the various concerns by foreign investors to offer contracts to Zambian companies, as most local contractors fail to do the works despite being paid huge amounts of money.

This has further delayed the opening of the new coal mine which is poised to bring a total of $1.8 Billion US Dollars worth of investment in the country. Era Power and infrastructure (Z) Ltd intends to build a thermal Power Plant in the area which will be in excess of 1.8 billion US Dollars. Global Drilling Services Ltd was supposed to undertake the works within a period of two months from October 2009 to end of November 2009.

Science and Technology in Zambia

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A PUPIL showcases a science project during a fair at Licef school in Lusaka
A PUPIL showcases a science project during a fair at Licef school in Lusaka
By Henry Kyambalesa

I recently read an article entitled “Government Urges Local Scientists to Be More Competitive” which appeared in the Lusaka Times (LT) of December 2, 2009. In the article, Science and Technology Minister Gabriel Namulambe was reported as having toured government-funded projects at the Technology Development Advisory Unit (TDAU) at the University of Zambia.

Technological inventions and innovations are of immense value to any given society. We, for example, know very well that the affluence being enjoyed in such countries as Canada, Japan, Great Britain, and the United States today is the direct outcome of a relentless quest for new and improved forms of technology in agriculture, agribusiness, commerce, and the manufacturing industries by individuals and institutions in such countries.

In developing countries like Zambia, on the contrary, zealous efforts by national governments to break the bondage of the masses of their people to misery, want and destitution have been thwarted partly by chronic scientific and technological backwardness. In Zambia, the scientific and technological sector is perhaps one of the obvious sectors where our country will continue to lag behind due to a host of constraints, which include the following:

(a) Traditional beliefs that are inconsistent with the promise and routines of science and technology, such as the association of the occurrence of such natural phenomena as lightning and the rainbow with fierce, giant snakes;

(b) Conspicuous neglect of formal and tertiary education;

(c) Failure by business, government and other institutions to use or promote findings or recommendations associated with research and development (R&D) activities under the pretext that they are merely ‘book materials’ which have no practical value;

(d) Inadequate scientific and technological (S&T) infrastructure, and the existence of a weak arrangement for facilitating the development of conceived product ideas and technological innovations;

(e) Misplacement of trained personnel, mainly due to political considerations;

(f) Inability of tertiary educational institutions to censor research and study programs that are not consistent with the current and/or future needs of commerce, industry and government;

(g) Dependence on foreign technology, which has made indigenous scientists and technologists in the country to be less creative because they expect industrialized nations to provide the necessary technical know-how;

(h) Loss of trained nationals to other countries through the brain drain, which has robbed the country of potential inventors and innovators;

(i) Patent protection (which was extended from 17 to 20 years by the World Trade Organization in 1993), which affords current inventors and innovators the opportunity to prevent potential competitors from entering certain technical fields or markets;

(j) A small domestic market, which cannot support the introduction of advanced production techniques that which normally evolve rates of output that are well beyond the size of the local market, and the inaccessibility of foreign markets due to poor transport infrastructure and other increment factors;

(k) A sluggish economy, which, among other things, cannot support investments in science and technology; and

(l) Lack of, or inadequate, political will and commitment to the advancement of scientific and technological know-how.

There are many practical ways and means by which the Zambian government and business institutions can stimulate the supply of, and/or the demand for, new forms of technology, such as the following: (a) addressing the needs of formal education; (b) designing research and study programs that are consistent with the needs of society; (c) adequately supporting R&D activities; (d) fostering innovation and creativity in commerce and industry through tax and other kinds of incentives; (e) generation of a suitable population policy designed to increase the size of the local market through population growth; (f) engaging in multilateral S&T initiatives with technologically advanced countries; and (g) keen governmental leadership.

Getting rid of sinecures in government, among other things, can release financial and material resources for investment in science and technology.

Zain records 3 million net subscribers on its network

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Zain Zambia Managing David Holliday hands over the K3 million scratch card to the winner 18year old Edna Mwamba
Zain Zambia Managing David Holliday hands over the K3 million scratch card to the winner 18year old Edna Mwamba

Zain, the county’s premier mobile communications provider this week announced a landmark record of 3 million customers on its network, only weeks after the company launched a count-down campaign to celebrate this milestone.

This record-breaking achievement within the Zambian telecommunications industry, is an endorsement that Zain is truly the most preferred mobile phone service provider covering the nation’s 72 districts and beyond.

Announcing the development in Lusaka, Zain Managing Director, Mr. David Holliday named Lusaka based 18-year- old Mwamba Edna of Kamwala South as the 3 millionth customer recorded on the network.

Mr. Holliday thanked customers for their loyalty and choice of Zain as their preferred network.

“Our network covers all districts in Zambia with the lowest calling rates. More and more people are joining Zain each day; from customers who have a genuine communications need and who want an economical phone with our 1Kwache Che offer, all the way through to small and large business and corporate customers. Whatever the needs of our customers, we at Zain have the solution,” Mr. Holliday said.

On 2nd November, Zain announced a count-down campaign to celebrate the 3 millionth customer by giving a number of prizes to selected customers on the network.

The 3 millionth customer this month is receiving a generous gift of ZMK 3,000,000 (three million Kwacha) in talk-time credit to his phone!!

“The celebration continues until the end of the year. Every day, thousands of our customers will be winners – already we have given away over 108,000 free credits and 27 I-Pods in celebrating this milestone ! Provided customers have their Zain phone switched on at some time over the 7 days prior to our daily draw, they will be eligible for a prize,” said Mr. Holliday.

Customers stand a chance to continue winning the following prizes:

* 1,000 prizes of K10,000 talk-time credits each day
* 3,000 prizes of K5,000 talk-time credits each day
* And we’ll be giving away 100 i-Pods in our lucky draws

Mr. Holliday has assured customers of Zain’s continuous growth in 2010, adding that the company was excited about a number of initiatives that will benefit customers and answer to all of their communication needs.

[Issued by the Public Relations and Corporate Affairs Manager]

RB,Zuma visit to boost Mazabuka’s economy – Hamaamba

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Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba says the visit to the District by South African President, Jacob Zuma and his Zambian counterpart, Rupiah Banda is of significant economic importance to the district.

Mr Hamaamba told ZANIS in Mazabuka today, President Zuma is expected to visit Mazabuka on Wednesday next week where he is expected to commission the K 840 billion Zambia Sugar Company expansion project.

He said the visit by the duo is important to the district because it will expose the economic potential the district has to the outside world.

Mr Hamaamba said Mazabuka district has become a strategic economic base for the country because of the massive revenue contribution to the country’s gross domestic product.

He further said the commissioning of the project will help address problems of job opportunities for the local people.

Mr Hamaamba said the community will benefit greatly apart from the job opportunities because the company’ budget under its social corporate responsibility will increase.

He said Zambia Sugar Company PLC has been involved in the rehabilitation of schools, health facilities and the Keep Zambia clean programme through opening up of blocked drainages in Cholera prone townships such Ndeke and Zambia compound.

Zambia Sugar Company Corporate Affairs Manager, Lovemore Sievu who also confirmed the arrival of the two heads of state to the district said the visit is important to the company.

Mr Sievu said the commissioning of the project by South African President symbolises the strong economic bonds existing between Zambia and South Africa.

He said the expansion is based on a 50 percent increase in cane crushing capacity of the factory due to expanded sugar cane growing and the construction of new canals to deliver irrigation water to news areas of sugarcane development.

Mr. Sievu said the growth in the production comes from a combination of Zambia Sugar’s own estate operations, commercial out growers and small growers scheme adding that both new and existing totalling some 10,500 hectares.

He observed that as a result of the expansion, sugar production base is expected to 440,000 tonnes of sugar per annum, and increase of approximately 200,000 tonnes compared to the pre expansion period.

The second phase of the expansion was completed in April,2009.

Mr Sievu said Molasses production is expected to increase to 95,000 tonnes by the end of the project and that feasibility studies to investigate the production of alcohol for the national fuel pool will be undertaken.

He also revealed that if an ethanol plant proves viable, the company will be able to supply approximately 10 percent of the country’s fuel requirement.

Late republican President, Levy Mwanawasa officially launched the project on 18 September,2007 in Mazabuka.

ZANIS

Zambia’s under five mortality rate has reduced tremendously-UNICEF

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United Nations International Childrens Education Fund ( UNICEF )country representative Lotta Sylwander says Zambia ‘s under five mortality rate has reduced tremendously.

In a statement obtasined by ZANIS, last evening Ms Sylwander said it was gratifying to note that the country has child mortality rate has fallen by nearly 30 percent.

“Zambia’s under-5 mortality rate has fallen by nearly 30 percent since 2001, from 168 per 1,000 live births to 119, and undoubtedly Child Health Weeks are a major factor in helping the Government of Zambia achieve this impressive progress in accelerated child survival,” said Ms. Sylwander.

“UNICEF is committed to reducing child and maternal mortality even further and we’re delighted to be partnering with DFID (Department Fund for International Development of the Britain), which is a major donor to Zambia’s current round of Child Health Week.”

Ms. Sylwander explained that due to internal difficulties, the Zambian Government could not fully fund this week’s Child Health Week, so after being requested by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF turned to cooperating donors to fill the gap.

DFID agreed to provide UNICEF with €275,000 pounds (US$414,000), which the UN agency is distributing to provincial health offices across the country.

And observing Child Health Week activities – including vaccinations and growth monitoring — at the Chipata Health Clinic here in the Zambian capital, Mike Hammond, DFID’s Head of Office in Zambia, said, “DFID is very pleased to have contributed €275,000 pounds in support of the Ministry of Health and Child Heath Week, which is taking place in all of Zambia’s 72 districts.

” I am impressed by the medical services being provided, the organization, the service delivery, and most especially by the high turnout. It’s great to see that so many mothers are highly motivated to come and take time from their busy lives to protect the health of their children.” said Hammond.

One of the mothers found at the clinic, Pascalina Mulenga, 29, brought her two children to the clinic this morning, Astridah, 4, and one-year-old Pascalina.

“I don’t usually miss the vaccinations because I now understand the importance of protecting my children from preventable illnesses,” Mrs Mulenga says.

Her counterpart Rebecca Simukoko, 22, who brought her one-year-old baby Deborah, said, “This year has been impressive because we do not have long queues. I have been here for less than 30 minutes.”

The coordinator of Child Health Week at the Chipata Health Clinic, Rose Kawilila, a registered midwife, stressed the need to increase the number of out reach health posts in the community, in order to reduce the demand on the clinic.

“Currently, we have one post, apart from the clinic, providing health services and there is not enough especially that we target there are about 19,000 babies in the compound. We also need more volunteers to help in the exercise. I hope this can be strengthened next year.”

On the other hand Ms. Sylwander said, “This whole process has a lofty goal: finding better ways to harness the extraordinary power of communication for life saving interventions for the children of Zambia.

” It will be a great day for this country when all parents and caregivers will fully embrace these life saving practices and interventions so 100 percent of children are reached.”

Child Health Week is now biannual in Zambia and targets almost 2.3 million children under the age of 5 and has become a critical element in Zambia’s implementation of the Accelerated Child Survival and Development (ACSD) strategy.

Implementing ACSD entails putting in place a set of high impact, low cost interventions designed to help reach the targets of Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 to reduce infant mortality and improve maternal health.

“Upscaling outreach, through innovative communications for development initiatives, is the final important factor – so that no child misses out,” said Sylwander.

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.

As the world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

ZANIS

Kabompo farmers have fully paid for FISP inputs

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Farmers in Kabompo District have already paid for all the agricultural inputs under the farmer input support PROGRAMME (FISP) FOR THE 2009 – 2010 farming season delivered in the district.

Kabompo District Agriculture Coordinator, Alikhadio Maseko confirmed the development in n interview with ZANIS in Kabompo today.

Mr. Maseko said all the 3,960 small scale farmers in the district have paid for this years farm input packs kilogramme bag of maize seed per farmer.

He said that he was pleased with the response by the farmers in the district because they have exhibited a spirit of alleviating hunger and poverty through agriculture.

Mr. |Maseko said he was also happy that Kabompo district this year became first staring, distributing farm inputs to farmers in the province and is expected to finish the exercise by Friday this week ahead of the other six districts.

He said the district received 3,960 x 10 kilogamme bags of maize seed, 7,920 x 50 kilogramme bags of D-compound and 7,920 x 50 kilogram bags of Urea fertilizer from government this year.

Mr. Maseko said the distribution of the farm inputs was done through farmer cooperative societies and farmer groups in accordance with the implementation manual.

He commended agriculture block and camp extension offices for teaching farmers in the district how to plant seed and apply fertilizer correctly in order for each farmer to expect bumper harvest.

Mr. Maseko said planting of maize began in November and was expected to end by December 15, this year in order to ensure good maize yield per hectare.

ZANIS

ZNBC scouts K 10.5 billion for live screening 2010 CAN tournament

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Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation Spokesperson Miriam Tonga says the corporation needs K10.5 billion ( EUR1.5 million) to purchase broadcasting rights from CC Foot Limited of Switzerland for the live screening of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) tournament which kicks off on 10th January, 2010 in Angola.

Ms Tonga, in a statement to ZANIS sports today, said due to this excessive charge for the rights, the Corporation is appealing to the Corporate world and other soccer loving individuals for support by sponsoring the games.

The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation has in the past depended on sponsorship to meet the costs associated with the broadcast of such events, but considering the size of the advertising market in Zambia, raising K10.5 billion from sponsorship alone is a big challenge.

She added that the CC Foot is working in conjunction with AFNEX, who has refused to reduce the charges even after representations from the African Union of Broadcasters.

” The African Union of Broadcasters (AUB) is now exploring other options in a bid to help national broadcasters, who are members to access the rights, ” she said.

She lamented that unless the Corporation finds partners to pool resources together for the purchase of the rights, the Corporation will not be able to show the matches to the soccer loving Zambian public.

She added that ZNBC has, however, secured the rights for the FIFA 2010 World Cup involving 64 matches and will show the entire tournament that kicks off in June, 2010.

She said ZNBC has been making frantic efforts to get the cost of the matches for the past few months but the figure was only communicated after the conclusion of the qualifying matches which saw Zambia qualifying to the Africa Cup of Nations.

ZANIS

Chirundu Rd to become dual-carriage way

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THE GOVERNMENT has earmarked to transform the Chirundu Road to a dual-carriage way in anticipation of increased traffic that will follow the commissioning of the Chirundu One Stop Border post (OSBP) tomorrow.

The implementation of the Chirundu OSBP is one of the important milestones in trade facilitation agenda of the region and would contribute significantly to making the North South Corridor a more efficient regional route.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said the Government would next year focus on upgrading the Chirundu road to support the increased traffic as a result of speedy and efficient operations of the border post.

In an interview from Switzerland, Mr Mutati said the Chirundu Road was one of Zambia’s important trade routes and delays at the Chirundu Border would now fall by between 30 and 50 per cent.

He said there was need to focus on developing infrastructure that would support the growth of the economy.

[Times of Zambia]

More men battered by spouses – Kayeba

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The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Community Worker Davies Kayeba says there is an increased number of men who are victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Zambia.

Mr. Kayeba said the center has so far recorded 46 cases this year adding that this is not the true picture as most GBV cases concerning men go un-reported due to self stigma.

He urged men in the country to start reporting GBV cases as keeping silent does not help them as it may lead to their untimely death especially if the violence continues.

He said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

The Community Worker advised the GBV victims to face reality as the vice does not only affect women but men as well.

He said men need to communicate their GBV experiences to the relevant authorities in order to be helped.

He said some of the factors that contribute to male GBV are bad personal behavior towards a spouse, poverty, cultural aspects and a lack of Knowledge.

Mr. Kayeba called for increased sensitization should be done to provide information to people on the negative impact of GBV saying such behavior sometimes leaves one spouse disfigured for life.

He expressed hope that in the near future the organization will build a shelter for men who suffer extreme GBV like there sister organization Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) does for women and children in extreme GBV situations.

He has since urged men to come out in the open and report GBV cases to YMCA, YWCA, and the victim support Unit instead of remaining silent.

He added that with much sensitization and adequate information disseminated to the masses there is likely to be a decrease in GBV cases.

ZANIS

VEEP woos British Investors to Zambia

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VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda has urged British investors to massively invest in Zambia owing to the prevailing stable political, social-economic and cultural environment that is conducive to foreign direct investment in the Southern African country.

Addressing the one-day UK-Zambia Investment Forum at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London , today, Mr Kunda told the British investors that the country has put in place policies that are aimed at promoting foreign investment.

He said for the last ten years, Zambia’s economic management has been prudent and this has led to a stable macro-economic environment.

Mr Kunda, who arrived from Trinidad and Tobago yesterday after attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), said the other attribute that makes Zambia an attractive investment destination is her respect for the rule of law, separation of powers between the three Arms of government and its strong support for an independent press and a strong civil society.

He also said Zambia is a thriving democracy that has enjoyed peace for more than thirty years, thereby making it a suitable haven for capital formation through foreign direct investment.

The Vice-President said despite Zambia having a smaller population than that of Britain, the country is at the centre of eight countries and has preferential market among its neighbours.

He also said as an active member of SADC and COMESA, Zambia has, therefore, a strong regional market and a vast outlet potential for exports to the rest of the world.

Mr Kunda further said to enhance trade and facilitate regional integration, the Zambian government along with its partners in Africa, has embarked on a massive campaign at the North South Corridor pilot Aid for Trade Conference held in Lusaka in April 2009.

He revealed that the conference created strong technical and financial support with approximately 1.2 Billion United States Dollars being committed by cooperating partners to upgrade road, rail, ports and energy infrastructure within the region.

Mr Kunda, however, observed that there are still several other projects and programmes that need funding or strategic partnerships for their implementation such as the 6000 megawatt hydro-electric power generation potential that the country seeks to develop.

He said as a continuation of these efforts, this year’s investment Forum seeks to promote business and investment opportunities in the financial sector, mining, tourism, agriculture and livestock, including infrastructure development and power generation.

Mr Kunda explained that the UK- Zambia Investment Forum is special as it provides the country an opportunity to market projects which are already at bankable stage and also aims at marketing investment opportunities that have already been identified but need to be tapped into.

He said the Forum was happening at a time when the attraction to invest in Africa is at its highest especially that many investors in the developed world are looking up to the continent to provide solutions for challenges such as food crisis and the overall global economic downturn.

Mr Kunda said it was encouraging to note that the United Kingdom and Zambia wish to take their business relationship to a higher level especially after the CHOGM recently held in Trinidad and Tobago.

He stressed that sustainable growth requires a positive and synergetic relationship between markets and people.

Mr Kunda, however, said Zambia, like several countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa, has faced many challenges in the wake of the financial crisis, escalating food and oil prices and the overall global economic downturn.

He said these events induced a significant reduction in exports for several commodity exporting countries on the continent while also triggering the reversal of capital flows to the region.

Mr Kunda said despite this, Zambia is still expected to register positive economic growth at approximately 4.3 per cent at the end of this year as opposed to the 1.3 per cent growth estimates expected for the Sub-Saharan African region.

In an effort t reduce Zambia’s dependence on the export of mining products, the vice-president said Government has devised an economic diversification programme that will enhance competitiveness and foster economic growth.

He said it is for this reason that the country requires the necessary infrastructure and power production to fully support the growth and expansion of the economy.

The one –day UK-Zambia Investment Forum, whose theme is Enhancing Economic Growth through competitiveness, Diversification and Infrastructure Development is being attended by a high-level Zambian delegation that include Commerce and trade Minister, Felix Mutati, Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti, Bank of Zambia Governor, Caleb Fundanga, Finance Bank Chairman Rajan Mahtani, among others including over 100 carefully selected delegates representing UK and European businesses.

ZANIS

Govt dispels Solwezi demolition claims

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Structures along Solwezi Main Street
Structures along Solwezi Main Street

Government has refuted reports that it is planning to demolish all unplanned structures in Solwezi because it lost the Solwezi central parliamentary by elections. .

Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka says the demolition exercise is not a political matter as it is meant to bring development to the area through proper planning of structures and infrastructures.

Mr. Muteteka told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that the demolition of most structures is part of the on going re-planning exercise aimed at improving the standards of infrastructure in most parts of the country.

He added that the exercise also follows a Presidential directive that there is need to re plan Solwezi in a bid to bring about order and sanity to attract more investment in the area.

Mr. Muteteka further clarified that not all structures will be destroyed adding only those that have been built on illegal land or not properly planned will be demolished.

Meanwhile Mr. Muteteka has assured that all the affected people will be compensated with alternative land and finances.

He stated that government will also demarcate some plots and advise people to acquire title deeds before embarking on any constructions.

He pointed out that government is also planning to engage experts and ensure that the interests of the people are taken in to consideration before the demolition exercise is done.

The Deputy Minister has further appealed to Solwezi residents not to panic and live in fear, adding that the exercise will be under taken in an orderly manner.

Mr. Muteteka was responding to claims by the Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) that a number of residents in Solwezi central have been given notices for demolition of all unplanned and illegal structures by the municipal council in the area.

ZANIS

MPs urged to expedite the Act upholding education as a human right

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The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to spearhead and expedite the reviewing and enactment of the 1966 Education act aimed at improving the sector.

ZANEC Chairperson Barbara Chilangwa said in a speech read for her by ZANEC Board Vice Chairperson Hillary Chipango at an Education Bill Parliamentary Forum in Lusaka today that reviewing and enacting the 1966 Education act will help address the many problems the education sector is facing.

Ms. Chilangwa said the reviewing and enactment process of the 1966 education act has taken unnecessarily long and needs to be concluded.

She said once the 1966 Education Act is reviewed and enacted it will assist to uphold education as a human right.

She implored the MPs to ensure that the 1966 Education Act is reviewed and enacted because as MPs they play an important role in the formulation of appropriate legislation.

ZANIS

No abuse of the Fertilizer Input Support Programme (FISP) so far-Chituwo

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Government says it has not recorded any cases of farmers abusing the Fertilizer Input Support Programme (FISP) under the 2009/20101 farming season which is currently underway.

Government has meanwhile attributed the delays in the distribution of this year’s farming inputs to the many changes in the procurement, distribution and transportation of the inputs to farmers.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Brain Chituwo, told journalists in Lusaka today that the increase in the number of beneficiaries and the consequence reduction in the number of fertilizer bags from eight to four have helped to reduce the cases of abuse of farming inputs.

Dr. Chituwo said no inputs meant to empower small scale farmers have been found on the black market this year adding that the reduction in the number of bags has helped reduce the reselling tendency by farmers.

He has however retaliated that police and other law enforcement agencies will deal sternly with individuals or organizations found to be abusing the fertilizers.

Dr Chituwo said government has so far reached about 5000 small scale farmers out of the available 1.3 million.

He said the distribution is going on smoothly despite delays by farmers in some places to receive the inputs.

Dr Chituwo has since called on Provincial Permanent Secretary (PS) and District Commissioners (DC) to take keen interest in ensuring that the distribution of inputs is expedited and reach the farmers on time.

ZANIS

Esther asked to mourn fan and help orphans

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News about the death of Loveness Masuku 34, who died in Mazabuka during the fight between Esther Phiri
and US boxer, Terri Blair, shocked some Kabwe residents who have described the incident as unfortunate.

Speaking to ZANIS today, the residents said it would be better for Esther to show concern and contribute to the funeral of the late
Masuku who left behind three children.

Mr Obino Musonda said the incident should remind Esther that there are people in the country who would not be happy if she lost any fight.

‘’This is a sign that many people in Zambia love Esther because of her style of fighting and such people can not withstand any loss,’’ he
said.

Mr Musonda also asked Esther to consider taking over sponsorship of some of the children of the deceased, if not all, left by the late Masuku and ensure they continued going to school if they were in school.

He also implored the National Milling Company, Esther’s sponsor, to see how the company could help Masuku’s family, especially children left behind.

Another Kabwe resident, Raphael Chikasa, expressed shock and surprise at the news of Masuku’s death and implored Esther to move
quickly to Mazabuka to mourn her late staunch supporter.

Mr Chikasa suggested that the National Milling Company and Esther should do something for the children.

Masuku is reported to have collapsed when Esther sustained a cut on her face during the fight last Saturday and she was pronounced dead at Mazabuka district hospital where she was rushed by a relative.

ZANIS

Namwala cut off from Choma

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Heavy rains have washed away a temporal bridge across Munyeke River on the Choma-Namwala road, leaving motorists
stranded.

Choma District Commissioner (DC) Laiven Apuleni confirmed the development to ZANIS in Choma today that the bridge was washed away yesterday afternoon following heavy rains.

He said several motorists travelling between Choma and Namwala districts are stranded on either side of the road.

“Yes I can confirm that Namwala district is cut off from Choma and a lot of vehicles are marooned on both sides of the road.” Mr Apuleni said.

Mr Apuleni explained that the washed away bridge situated near Saint Mark’s boarding high school was a temporal one constructed to assist crossing the river as the new permanent bridge is being constructed.

The Chinese contractor, China Geo Corporation engaged by government to work on the controversial Choma-Namwala road, is building the new bridge.

The DC said he is making frantic efforts to contact China Geo Corporation so that another temporal bridge is constructed in the
shortest possible time.

Mr Apuleni added that he was hopeful that the contractor would mount another temporal bridge by noon today so that normal flow of traffic resumes.

ZANIS

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