Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Catherine Namugala has threatened to dissolve the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) if it continues to be a ‘stumbling block’ to government efforts to develop the country.

Ms. Namugala says she will take action against the ECZ if the it allows itself to be politicized to an extent where it inhibits government efforts to create an enabling environment for enterprise to thrive.

The Minister says she will not hesitate to replace the Council with one that fully understands the need and has aspirations to develop the country.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Ms. Namugala lamented that the Council delayed to approve the application by High Towers that has been engaged to develop the Manda Hill Extension Project in Lusaka.

She said the developer submitted the application to the Council six months ago in April but the Council just approved the application on October 5th a situation that has upset the Minister.

Ms. Namugala said ECZ was consulted and involved in the works and that the High Towers fully complied with the provisions of the law.

She reminded the Council to be a partner in the economic development of the country and not to undermine government’s efforts to reduce poverty among the people.

She said government recognizes the need to protect the environment; but that its is also in a hurry to provide jobs to the local people so that they can lead dignified lives.

And Ms. Namugala has urged politicians not to politicize the process of development because this would only undermine the country’s prospects of attracting investors and lessen the burden of high poverty faced by the people.[quote]

Ms. Namugala said she expects the Council to inform investors in good time without unnecessary delays because the investors have got the right to invest somewhere else other than in Zambia.

“If ECZ allows itself to be politicized to the extent that it becomes a stumbling block to government efforts of developing the country, I will not hesitate to dissolve the Council and replace it with one that understands the urgent need to develop our country.

As government, we look forward to see jobs created at Manda Hill project so that our people lead dignified lives thereby reduce the burden of poverty,” Ms. Namugala said.

ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase and the trees of the field yield their fruit”
(Leviticus 26:4, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God has set up seasons in our lives. It’s easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren’t coming to pass on our timetable, but every season is not harvest season. There are plowing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons. Sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase left and right, good breaks here and there. But without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be prepared. For example, it’s during the plowing seasons that God brings issues to light that we need to deal with. He’s getting us prepared for promotion.

If you’re not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose any ground. Don’t go backwards. Hold your position. Keep a good attitude and do the right thing even when it’s hard. When you do that, you are passing the test, and God promises that your due season of harvest is coming. Be encouraged because your appointed time of increase, favor, and promotion is on its way, and He will fulfill every dream and desire He’s placed within your heart!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Father God, I bless You today. I thank You for preparing me for the blessing and promotion You have in my future. I surrender my heart, mind, will and emotions to You so that I can live as a testimony of Your work in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) says it will soon announce its candidate for the Solwezi Central seat.

In an interview with ZANIS today, MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga said the party is still making consultations on carrying late area Member of Parliament (MP), Ben Tetamashimba’s vision forward.

Mr. Mabenga said both Government and the MMD greatly benefited from the services of Mr. Tetamashimba who was also Local Government and Housing Minister.

Mr. Mabenga said that as of now, the party was receiving names of people wishing to contest on the ruling party ticket.

The Solwezi seat fell vacant following the death of area MP Mr. Tetamashimba and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set November 15 as a date for the by-elections.
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“As a party, we are looking at adoption of a potential candidate and any business outside that comes later. We shall announce our candidate to contest the Solwezi seat soon and the nation will be informed,” Mr. Mabenga said.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda today joined hundreds of people gathered at Lusaka’s show grounds to commemorate the 45yaers of Zambia’s independence.

During the independence celebrations President Banda honored the late South African freedom fighter Oliver Reginald Tambo of the African National Congress (ANC), with the order of the Eagle of Zambia’s First Division posthumously.

The late freedom fighter Oliver Tambo was honoured for his contributions in the struggle for freedom and the services he rendered to the African National Congress’ ANC struggle for freedom.

He also contributed to the liberation struggle of people in South Africa when he was ambassador.

Ntombi Mekgwe sister to the late freedom fighter Oliver Tambo received the award posthumously and was accompanied by the daughter Thembi Tambo.

And receiving the award on behalf of the late freedom fighter Oliver Tambo’s sister Ntombi Mekgwe said South Africa was proud of Zambia’s contributions towards that country’s independence.

She said the family is honored as Oliver Tambo has been recognized in Zambia adding that he also contributed to the freedom that Zambia has and enjoys to date.

The President also honored 17 year old Axencio Mawele with the honor of the President’s medal for his bravery in rescuing a one year and six months old baby who fell in a well at the University of Zambia UNZA school grounds on March 15, 2007 in Lusaka.

Others who were honored at a colorful investiture ceremony included first division order of the companion of freedom Leo Chikwanda while the second division distinguished service award went to Darius Dustin Nyangulu and Archwell Mengo.

This year’s independence was celebrated under the theme, “celebrating 45years of independence in the spirit of reconciliation and good neighborliness.”

The celebrations were characterized by a lot of entertainment from different performances from Zambia and South Africa.

ZANIS

This is amazing!
These guys have really spent some time to empower local businesses and jump start a deteriorating local economy.

Why everyone is grumbling about the lack of fuel I do not understand. For they do not see the bigger picture that has been created by our great minds.
If you think not, look at these obvious benefits for us common citizenry…..

1.Aptly planed for the month of October, when it is hot, hot. Almost every filling station has not only a queue of gas hunters but a queue of ice cream, ice lollies, frozen mineral water and other refreshment sellers. All experiencing a sales boom on weekends and weekdays alike during a financial meltdown. Consider that these same peeps would normally have stocks going bad all over the show…

2.Cell Phone Companies that contribute so much of their bottom line to local communities(?) are also experiencing their own boom. In place of lackluster sales, they have people calling, calling and SMS’ing each other “where is fuel?” “just seen a tanker headed for Kalingalinga”, “Petroda boyi, endesa” or just simply “what the ***is this S***! I have been in queue for over 6 hours. I tell you I am applying for a green card this year. This country has gone to the dogs” (this is the rare SMS full of nothing positively information and totally unpatriotic. Especially in this month of independence).

3.Local transporters are making a killing. Just ask how much cab fare is lately…

4.Increased health for citizens. Do you know how many calories you burn to push a car? A LOT
Especially if you have been spoiled with walking from your chair in your office into the chair in your car into your living room chair. Now you can exercise, lower your cholesterol, BP and a whole bunch other stuff.

5.Improves rational planning. Why do you live so far away from work or your children’s school? Why are your kids at separate schools? Rational planning will help you live closer to both work and your children schools (e.g. if your children go to ISL, get a job at Polo Grill and rent an apartment at National assembly Motel), put all your kids at one school (it doesn’t matter if they are at different levels. And don’t space them too far apart neither!)

6. Kids need more holiday time. Yes they do. It doesn’t matter if they just came out of their mid term break, they need a couple more days at home with their…………. whoever is at home not looking for gas!

7. Camaraderie. Have you seen the bonding at these fueling lines? Amazing. Zambians are getting along better than at a Kalusha Bwalya captained soccer game at independence stadium (when Zambia is winning of course). A few party poopers that try to jump a queue help show this as everyone downstream will clammer out of their cars to beat them up. One guy gets beaten to a pulp and learns a valuable lesson – 50 guys develop a brotherhood for life. Win-win all round!

8. Meditation a.k.a. Nobody watches the grass anymore. In the other moments between building this comraderie (or getting pulped), one can either drain their car battery (listen to radio/music), take a nap (can you? In this heat?) Or stare blindly into space. You gain an inner peace and appreciate what those unemployed bhuddist monks means by enlightenment – sheer and utter boredom flavored with immense inner range (masked as peace)!

9. Know the geography of your town. If you do not know where the latest Petroda filling station that has yet to open up its full cache of reserves, you better get some maps now!!! This test is for real!

10. The environment – reduction of green house emissions. Self explanatory

There may be others – less traffic congestion, less accidents (corollary) too numerous to mention.

So please send an email of appreciation to your teams at the Energy Regulation Board, Ministry of Energy and Water Deployment and your entire Zambia leadership for “thinking outside the box”

HAPPY 45TH INDEPENDENCE Y’ALL!!!!!

LT Blogger

President Rupiah Banda today led hundreds of Zambians to lay wreaths at the freedom Statue in honuor of fallen heroes.

Earlier, President Banda was accorded a 21-Gun salute.

And Zambia Army Chaplain Colonel James Phiri delivering his Independence Speech and quoting from the Bible in Genesis 13 reminded Zambians on how Abraham preached peace and reconciliation.

Col. Phiri said that all Zambian regardless of their political, social, and economical status should bury their differences and reconcile and love one another.

Col. Phiri, who is also Reverend and Zambia Army Director of Religion and Moral Services, urged Zambians to desist from quarrelling but preach brotherly hood noting that the declaration of Zambia a Christian nation is founded on One Zambia One Nation Motto.

Chief Justice Earnest Sakala, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, Lusaka Mayor Robert Chikwelete, cabinet ministers and opposition All Congress Party leader Kenny Ngondo witnessed the laying of wreaths at the Freedom Statute.

Others are International Labour Organization In-Charge of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambque Gerry Finnegan, patriotic Zambians and visiting sympathizers of the late South African nationalist, Oliver Tambo.

[ZANIS]

Opposition political parties in Kabwe have asked Kabwe deputy mayor elect, Christabel Mwenda to resign from her position before the installation this Monday because she will not manage the pressure of two offices.

The members of the opposition feel Mrs Mwenda who is MMD Muwowo east ward councilor and also a teacher at Mukobeko high school in Kabwe, will not be effective at her work place because the position of deputy mayor is too involving.

But Mrs. Mwenda has refused to resign saying councillorship and mayoral positions were part time adding that they would not affect her performance at the school where she teaches.

United Party for national Development (UPND) deputy chairperson for commerce and industry, Clement Kazeze said there should be a reversal of everything before Mrs. Mwenda is installed.

Mr. Kazeze said government should not allow civil servants to be involved in politics.

Another opposition leader Davy Siamuzulu also of the UPND observed that the anomaly had been over looked for a long time and need to be rectified saying Mrs. Mwenda had been in active and partisan politics since 2001.

Mr. Siamuzulu said Mrs. Mwenda would not serve the nation effectively as a teacher if allowed to continue holding the deputy mayoral position hence the need for her to resign and concentrate on teaching.

‘She must choose between remaining a politician and continuing with the mayoralship. She must quit before the installation on Monday next week as there is still time to choose another deputy mayor,’ he said.

He said the position was given to her wrongly as she was a civil servant who should not be involved in politics at any level.

Mrs. Mwenda however said those talking about the resignation were wasting time because the positions of councilor and deputy mayor are part time.

She said the two positions were not as busy as people think adding that she has always gotten permission from her supervisors at the school where she teaches when duty calls.

Mrs. Mwenda said if things become tough, she will go on unpaid leave and not resigning.

Mrs. Mwenda who was once opposition UPND councilor before she crossed to the MMD in 2006, won the deputy mayoral elections last week on Friday, beating the former Saidi Chibwana of the Patriotic front (PF).

Mrs. Mwenda, the first woman councilor to become deputy mayor in Kabwe, got 19 votes to beat Chibwana who managed 8 votes in the elections which also saw incumbent mayor Musonda Chimbwi return his position unopposed.

[ZANIS]

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has dismissed reports that it issued new voter’s cards during the Kasama and Chitambo parliamentary by-elections.

In a press statement made available to ZANIS by ECZ spokesperson Cris Akufuna said the alleged voters cards referred to are replacement cards that were printed before the 2008 presidential by-elections.

Mr Akufuna said that the owners of the cards in question did not however collect their cards on the polling day adding that the cards are still in the custody of the district Electoral officers at the district council offices.

He said that whenever there are by-elections in any constituency, arrangement are made for the collection of these cards as long as the owners identify themselves and produce their national registration cards and mention the polling station at which they registered and in the 2006

He has since confirmed that the replacement cards are printed while the original voter’s cards are hand written.

Mr Akufuna added that the issuance of the uncollected replacement cards will continue in the forthcoming Solwezi Central by-elections slated for next month.
ZANIS