National Initiative citizens Awareness (NICA) president Kelvin Sampa says his organisation is not pleased with the blame game that has emanated over the fuel crisis in the country.

Mr. Sampa said it was unfortunate that Republican President Banda’s administration was being blamed by sections of society and individuals over the fuel crisis in the country.

He said it was a known fact that there are people trying to undermine Mr Banda’s leadership and his government by blaming him fr causing the fuel crisis.

He urged government to fully carryout an Audit of the Energy Regulations Board ( ERB ) saying its operations was worrying the Zambians.

He added that the ERB Board wrongly advised Energy and water development minister Kenneth Konga over the fuel crisis in the country which led to the President to be misinformed on the matter.

He said this at a press briefing in Lusaka today.

Mr Sampa noted that it was disappointing to note that ERB could not apologies to the Zambian people over the crisis saying it was unfortunate that it had to take President Rupiah Banda to apologies to the nation on the crisis.[quote]

He said his organization wondered why the ERB existed as its purpose has failed to work to regulate energy in the country.

Mr Samapa said the leasing out of the Zambezi Oil Transport (Z.O.T) to Samfuels, a company allegedly owned by a named business man, by the ERB is strange as the matter was in courts of law.

Sections of society are expressed concern n the continued fuel shortage that has gripped the nations. Some concerned Zambians are calling for the resignation of Energy and Water Development minister Kenneth Konga over the crisis.

On the other hand, Opposition Forum for Democracy and Development leader Edith Nawakwi , has pointed an accusing finger at Mr Banda who she says is an inept leader who has failed to manage the fuel crisis.

ZANIS

Transparency International Zambia TIZ has accused government for disbanding the Task force on corruption as a way of completely killing off the outstanding investigations against Dr Fredrick Chiluba and allegations which are still under investigations.

TIZ Zambia President Reuben Lifuka said the disbanding of the task force on corruption was done in an hastily manner which will have a negative consequence for some cases which are still before the courts of laws or under investigations.

Mr Lifuka however said this raises questions whether the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) will be given room to independently investigate.

He said this at a press briefing in Lusaka today.

Mr Lifuka pointed that the institution has been given additional responsibility while government has not indicated the support it will provide to improve its capacity .

He added that it could have been appropriate if government had strengthened the capacity of the ACC before making the transition.

Mr Lifuka noted the fact that the tenure of task force on corruption was limited and plans should have been put in place to ensure a smooth transition into the ACC.

He added that the Taskforce has scored a number of successes and recovered several asserts hence the need for government to have evaluated the work of the Taskforce before disbanding in that way.

Mr Lifuka attributed the disbanding of the task force on corruption by government as not being thoroughly thought through the decision adding that the move has taken undoubtedly added to their efforts of killing the fight against corruption and the late president Mwanawasa’s legacy of fighting corruption.

ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline”
(II Timothy 1:7, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

So many people today are living with less than God’s best because they’ve allowed fear to stop them from pursuing their dreams. We have to remember that fear is not from God. It’s a lie from the enemy to paralyze us and steal our power.

Today’s verse tells what God has given us: power, love, and self-discipline or self-control. When you are confident in God’s promises, there’s nothing that can stop you. But when fear creeps in, you hesitate. You’re not as strong as you were before. You feel powerless. Not only that, but it affects your love. Love prompts us to give, and when we are afraid, we tend to clench our fists and act selfishly. Fear also affects our self-discipline or self-control. It makes us panic and do things without thinking.

If you’ve allowed fear to steal from you in any area of life, today you can be free–you can be finished with fear. Conquering fear starts with a choice to believe God’s promises, and then taking a step of faith to act on them. As you step out, God will be with you. He’ll give you power, love, and self-discipline so that you can confidently move forward into the abundant life He has for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Father God, I come to You today declaring that I am finished with fear. Thank You for giving me power, love, and a sound mind. I choose to stand on Your promises. Fill me with Your peace and joy today as I move forward in victory with You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Joel Osteen ministries

North-western Province Police Chief, Fabian Katiba has called on political parties to ensure that their cadres observe discipline during elections to avoid violent confrontations.

Mr Katiba appealed to political parties to support the police and cooperate with them in order for elections to be conducted in a peaceful manner.

He said if police are not given support and cooperation from political parties, whenever there are confrontations, police may be completed to use some force to quell the violence and maintain peace and order.

Mr Katiba said it is sad that political parties are always in the habit of condemning police when they are involved in confrontations when such acts of violence are caused by their cadres.

During filing-in of nominations in Solwezi yesterday, MMD and UPND/PF pact cadres crushed when they collided at Chawama market.

Mr Katiba said this during a plenary session at the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) briefing for election agents, political parties, media, monitors and observers held in Solwezi today ahead of November 19 Solwezi central constituency by-elections.

The Solwezi central seat fell vacant following the death of area Member of Parliament, Benny Tetamashimba who was also Local Government and Housing Minister.

ZANIS

The media Liason committee (MLC) says the media fraternity has developed a self regulatory body that will ensure accountability and professionalism of the media in Zambia.

According to a statement obtained by ZANIS, today, the MLC says it has made consultations locally on the matter saying in this same score some individuals will on Monday travel to South Africa and Kenya to study how those countries are running their media self-regulatory frameworks.

The other countries to be toured include Tanzania and Bostwana.

The MLC says in the statement that the media bodies have taken time to ensure that the self-regulation process in Zambia is done in an inclusive and consultative manner to avoid failure.

It says years after it comes up with a workable self regulatory framework, the country’s media bodies needed a different approach to come up with a system that will learn from other countries, professionals and media councils.

” The framework that has been developed will serve as a guide for us to share notes with our Southern African counterparts. There can never be press freedom and freedom of expression if the media is regulated through statutory means, ” reads the statement in part.

The committee has urged government, politicians , civic society and the general public to join in supporting self regulation for the media in the country.

The committee comprises the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA),Press Association of Zambia (PAZA), THE Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ) and the Zambia Union of Broadcasters and other Information Dissaminators(ZUBID).

Others include the Zambia Media Women Association(ZAMWA, PANOS Southern Africa, Catholic media services and the Press Freedom Committee (PFC) of the Post newspapers.

ZANIS

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it is concerned with the continued violation of the electoral code of conduct by some political parties during campaigns.

ECZ Commissioner Joseph Jalasi said it is important for candidates and election agents to understand the provisions of the code as it is now law adding that any violation of this piece of legislature defeats the purpose for which it was made.

Mr Jalasi said during campaigns some political parties conveniently forget the existence of the code of conduct and behave as if they are a law themselves, adding that this kind of behavior does not help at all.

He has since challenged all candidates and political party members to familiarize themselves with the electoral code of conduct in order for them to carry out their campaigns in a very peaceful manner.

Mr Jalasi was speaking during a post-nomination briefing for candidates, monitors, observers and the media for the forth coming parliamentary by election held in the IFAD hall in Solwezi yesterday.

Commissioner Jalasi said there is need to lift political campaigns to a higher level where name calling and politics of personalities will be a thing of the past.

He said candidates should base their campaigns on real issues that face the electorate in their day to day lives rather than castigating each other.

The Commissioner advised all political players to resolve conflicts through established channels and not resort to violence as this violates the code of conduct.

Mr Jalasi said the commission is hopeful that all stakeholders will play their respective roles in the forth coming by election in order for it to be conducted in a credible manner.

Speaking at the same briefing ECZ Public relations manager Cris Akufuna advised the media not be used as campaign tools by political parties but execute their duties professionally and in accordance to their roles provided for in the electoral code of conduct.

Mr Akufuna said the media should exercise professionalism in their duty and provide balanced and fair coverage to all political players.Violence rocked Solwezi , yesterday, between the ruling MMD cadres and UPND /PF cadres who gathered Kyawama Market fro a rally after filing nominations papers in the Soplwezi Central parliamentary by-elections scheduled for November 19, 2009, left vacant following the death of Local government and Housing minister Ben Tetamashimba.

The ruling MMD is fielding Albert Chifita, while UPND/PF pact are fielding Laston Lumba, Forum for Democratic Alternative are fielding Muhammed Kalela.

ZANIS