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Mbereshi cuts food rations for patients

Guest Editor
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21

Mbereshi Mission Hospital in Kawambwa district of Luapula Province has reduced its food rations to patients from three to two meals per day.

And government has urged hospital administration to put the welfare of patients first, saying patients were the main reason they were employed.

Assistant Administrator for the hospital, Grainer Chizoma, said management has been limping in terms of funds and decided to cut on food rations to its patients effective July 14, 2009.

Dr Chizoma said there are a number of programs being undertaken at the Mission Hospital and funds from government have reduced from K32million which was received every month.

Dr Chizoma revealed this yesterday when Luapula Province Minister, Boniface Kawimbe, visited the institution.

He added that the situation has not been good for the health institution because funding has been fluctuating. He disclosed that the K10 million meant for the month of May was only received last week.

He added that the other contributing factor to the reduction of food rations to the patients was because the districts which had been supporting the hospital had stopped doing so as their funding had been reduced.

Dr Chizoma said what the hospital was giving in terms of meals was breakfast and supper, saying management would not be giving patients lunch because their relatives would provide that as it coincides with the visiting time.

And Dr Kawimbe told management to notify government whenever the institution was faced with problems that affected the patients.

He noted that the reason medical personnel reported for work were patients and that if there were no patients they would not have jobs.

Dr Kawimbe further said that although he was not in charge of the health sector he would take the message to the Ministry of Health so that government could take action because it was committed to improving health service delivery.

The minister added that food was vital for patients and that it would be better if it was other programs that were to suffer because food was part of medicine which contributed to the healing process of patients.

ZANIS

Two armed criminals escape from police custody

Guest Editor
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Two dangerous criminals armed with an AK47 Rifle have escaped from Solwezi state prison.
The criminals also escaped with six rounds of ammunitions.

Two other suspected criminals are nursing serious injuries sustained after being shot at as they attempted to escape.

North Western Province Police Commanding Officer, Fabian Katiba, confirmed to ZANIS in Solwezi that the two suspects escaped as they were being taken back to the remand prison after attending a court session.

He said the suspected criminals are appearing in the High Court on charges of aggravated robbery.

Mr. Katiba said the suspects, who were handcuffed, managed to free themselves and grabbed the fire arms from the Police officers assigned to accompany them.

He said one of the Police officers was over powered by the suspects who grabbed the fire arm and fired three warning shots in the air to scare away any potential chasers, whilst running away with three others.

The Police Chief explained that the criminals failed to over power the second police officer, who managed to shoot at them injuring two seriously and capturing the third one.

Mr. Katiba said Police have launched a manhunt and have appealed to the public to help arrest the dangerous criminals.

ZANIS

Govt is looking for partners to work on Chingola-Kitwe dual carriage way

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The first phase of the feasibility study on the construction of the Chingola-Kitwe dual carriage way has been completed.

The study which was conducted by Rankin engineering was completed last week and has been handed over to the ministry of works and supply.

Works and supply minister, Mike Mulongoti, says experts are studying the report and the next phase of research may start soon.

Mr. Mulongoti told ZNBC news in an interview that government is still looking for partners to work with on the road project.

He said government hopes to complete the second phase of the study by the end of the year.

Mr. Mulongoti also said the road sector has been adversely affected because of inadequate funds.

He said there has been a reduction in funds allocated to the Ministry of Works and Supply and this has affected the implementation of projects.

[ZNBC]

KK urges African countries to diversify economies

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kkFirst Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda, says Africa should take advantage of its abundant natural resources in order to diversify its economies and attract more foreign direct investment.[quote]

Dr. Kaunda said this in Johannesburg at the weekend when he received the lifetime achievement award from the African Heritage Society in recognition for his contribution to the liberation struggles in Southern Africa.

He told a 500 plus invited guests at the Sandton International Convention Centre that Africa should have achieved a lot in the fight against poverty after so many years of independence.

Dr. Kaunda said African countries have remained underdeveloped due to a number of factors some of which are due to the manner in which it is conducting its trade with the rest of the world.

He said Africa’s trade with other countries is lopsided as it is to a large extent only exporting raw materials.

Dr. Kaunda said Africa needs to develop its manufacturing sector to enable it attain sustainable comparative advantage and compete highly with the rest of the world.

He also cited agriculture as one of the neglected areas in Africa which could help in making many countries be self sufficient.

He said a well run agriculture sector could help establish many agricultural based industries and ensure food security for its people.

Dr. Kaunda, further, said the tourism sector was another sector which contributes enormously to the Gross Domestic Products, GDP, of many African countries.

He, however, said this sector has largely been neglected and the situation had been exacerbated by the current financial crisis which has affected international travelers.

Dr.Kaunda said the education and vocational training were critical to the continent’s development adding that the continent can only be competitive by having a qualified human resource.

“We cannot remain competitive in this world if we do not have an educated populace and a well trained manpower to run factories, mines, hospitals and schools. We can only compete by developing our human resource to provide necessary skills in order to enhance our productivity,” he said.

ZANIS

Weekend Scorecard

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Konkola Blades have in a space of five months made another fascinating decision and hired a second former Faz footballer of the year as coach to try and steer the Chililabombwe club to better fortunes in a see-saw 2009 campaign.

Out has gone the enigmatic Peter Kaumba, recipient of the 1982 award, and in comes another revered legend from back in the day in the form of Kaiser Kalambo, a winner of the players award just two seasons earlier.

Kalambo’s shock appoint has gone against the recent philosophy of most Faz Premier Division clubs who have recruited a supposedly new and progressive generation of coaches who have delivered very little in terms of attractive football or discovered and natured credible gems over the last decade.

And Kalambo is now the only man from the class of 74 currently at the helm in the top flight in an age when clubs have shunned from hiring any old guards.

The 55-year-old former Ndola United and Zambia ace faces one of his biggest tests especially that he has not coached at the highest level on the local scene since 1988 when he left for better prospects in Botswana.

Kalambo’s  most recent spell at Division 1 North side Lime Hotspurs of Ndola is the latest reference on his profile.

And it is only appropriate that Kalambo begins his tenure against 3rd from top Green Buffaloes when he takes 10th placed Blades this weekend away at Woodlands Stadium.

It was against Buffaloes that Kaumba began his uneasy stay at Blades with a promising 2-0 home win over the army side in Week 1 on March 14 before thinks slowly culminated to a sour end last month.

Kalambo will be surely be hoping for a win at Buffaloes but without an air of De Ja Vu hanging over the match.
Weekend Scorecard

Caf African Champions League

18/07/2009

Group A

Chililabombwe

Zesco United 1(Rogers Kamwandi 44″)- kano Pillars 1(Hillary Chukwu 77″)

Khartoum

Al Hilal 0- El Merreikh 0

[standings league_id=14 template=extend logo=false]


19/07/2009

Group B

Harare

Monomotapa 2(Daniel Kamungenga 1″, Darryl Nyandoro 60″)- Etoile du Sahel 1(Ahmed Akaichi 49″)

Lubumbashi

TP Mazembe 2(Tresor Mputu 47″, Alain Kaluyitukadioko 77″)

[standings league_id=9 template=extend logo=false]

Weekend Fixtures

Faz Premier Division

25/07/2009

Week 16

Zesco United- Zamtel

Green Buffaloes-Konkola Blades

Chambishi -City of Lusaka

Forest Rangers-Choma Eagles

Nakambala Leopards-Kabwe Warriors

Roan United-Lusaka Dynamos

Zanaco-Power Dynamos

Red Arrows-Young Arrows
Faz Division 1

26/07/2009

week 18

North

Prison Leopards-Chindwin

Kitwe United-Kalulushi Modern Stars

Zesco-Luapula-Nkana

Kalewa-Mufulira Wanderers

Mufulira Blackpool-Ndola United

Luanshya United-Nchanga Rangers

Indeni-Lime Hotspurs

Muchindu-Mining Rangers

Afrisports-Chingola Leopards

South

Police Bullets-Paramilitary

National Assembly-Kascol Rangers

Mazabuka United-Young Green Eagles

Lusaka Tigers-Zamcoal Diggers

Livingstone Pirates-Lusaka Celtic

Nkwazi-Riflemen

Luena-Profund Warriors

Lusaka City Council-Nampundwe

Petauke United-Green Eagles

Contractor bolts after being paid K87million

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The man in story is not the one in the picture!
The man in story is not the one in the picture!
A Copperbelt-based contractor has allegedly abandoned

construction works at Chama Youth Resource Training Centre (CYRTC) in Eastern Province.

The contractor engaged by government five years ago who was paid an initial K87 million has allegedly bolted leaving the youth centre uncompleted.

This came to light yesterday when Youth, Sport and Child Development Permanent Secretary Susan Sikaneta who is on a familiarization tour of youth projects in the province inspected the venture.

Ms. Sikaneta, who was visibly shocked and annoyed, called for the immediate prosecution of the contractor for defrauding government.

She pointed out that government was losing colossal sums of money when such undertakings were left unfinished after payments had already been made.

Ms. Sikaneta, who led a ministerial delegation, directed that the contractor be traced and charged with fraud.

She said government was determined to improve the welfare of vulnerable people in the country, such as street kids by rehabilitating them and providing them with life skills but such efforts were being frustrated by some selfish individuals.

Ms. Sikaneta said she was determined to ensure that youths benefit from government programmes through the establishment of youth training centres where young people could be rehabilitated and trained.

ZANIS

Input reduction to increase poverty – Farmers

Guest Editor
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Farmers in Ndola rural have expressed disappointment over government’s decision to reduce the pack for farming inputs, under the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP),by half.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Ndola today, one of the farmers, Jonathan Mulindi, said the reduction in the allocation of the inputs will lead to perpetual hunger in rural areas because very few small scale farmers can afford the current market price of fertilizer.

Mr Mulindi added that government should also stop expecting any more bumper harvests in the country as most farmers will not afford fertilizer,a vital commodity for maize production.

He observed that with the two bags of Urea, two bags of Compound D and a 10 kg bag of seed, farmers will be able to cultivate only 2 limas on which yields would not be enough even for domestic consumption in view of the large extended family system existing in the rural areas.

He observed that farmers will also become poorer as farming, which is their main source of income, will be unsustainable.

Mr Mulindi appealed to government to either rescind the decision to reduce the pack or reduce the market price for fertilizer to at least K150,000 to enable more farmers afford the commodity.

He observed that if government does not intervene in the pricing of fertilizer on the market, the agricultural sector will not improve despite its efforts aimed at improving farming.

Mr Mulindi observed that even the commercial farmers engaged in maize cultivation will be discouraged as the maize business will be unprofitable, and that will threaten food security in the country.

Yesterday, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Daniel Kalenga announced that government has reduced the pack for farming inputs under the FSP from eight bags of fertilizer and a 10kg pocket of seed to four bags of fertilizer and a 10kg pocket of seed.

ZANIS

Chama District records a surge in HIV/ AIDS infections

Guest Editor
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8

Chama District in Eastern Province has witnessed a surge in the number of HIV/AIDS infections.

Chama District HIV/AIDS Co-ordination Advisor Daniel Thole has attributed this to the mushrooming of guest houses some of which are being used as brothels.

Mr. Thole said the situation has been compounded by an influx of businessmen and women that have thronged the area to trade in rice and other commodities.

He said young people between the ages of 15 and 35 have fallen prey to the traders who offer colossal sums of money for casual sex.

Mr. Thole told ZANIS in an interview that this has subsequently resulted into a rise in the number of young and productive people dying from the pandemic.

He however said the Chama District HIV/AIDS Co-ordination Advisor has embarked on a vigorous sensitization campaign to educate the people in the area on the dangers of HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Thole has since appealed to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS to extend their services to rural parts of the country in a bid to clamp down on the disease.
ZANIS

ERB allows Zesco to raise tariffs up to 35 per cent

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Zesco headquarters
Zesco headquarters
The Energy Regulations Board (ERB) has approved an

average of 35 per cent electricity tariffs increment as opposed to the 66 per cent increment which the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (Zesco) had proposed.

ZESCO had proposed that the electricity tariffs be adjusted upwards from the current 27 per cent to 66 per cent, which the ERB has cut to only 35 per cent.

ERB board chair person, Sikota Wina, said the increment will be effective from 1st August 2009.

Mr. Wina said in Lusaka today that government should give urgent consideration to the observations that were made by the public during consultations on the ZESCO electricity tariffs.

“A total of 69 submissions were received by the board regarding the tariff application and subsequently two public hearings were held in Kitwe and Lusaka on 17th and 19th June 2009, respectively,” he said.

Mr. Wina said there was need for the recapitalization, restructuring and rebuilding of ZESCO if the power utility company is to operate effectively and carry out its expansion programmes in the country.

He further said the Conversion to Volume differentiate Tariffs should be undertaken once ZESCO has satisfactorily established, implemented and demonstrated the capability of handling a tariff pricing regime.

Mr. Wina reiterated that the ERB will strongly monitor the agreed key performance indicators upon which subsequent tariffs increases will be determined.

ERB has since urged ZESCO to expand its customer base and improve the quality of services, now that it has been granted higher tariffs.

He noted that the power utility company is expected to provide improved quality of service delivery as the company is going through a transition towards cost reflective tariffs.

ZANIS

Privatization has not helped Zambia- Ngesa

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Zambians making a living in hard times, here traders are conducting their business under Zescos high voltage lines oblivious to the danger.
Zambians making a living in hard times, here traders are conducting their business under Zescos high voltage lines oblivious to the danger.
An Ndola based MMD presidential aspirant says there is

need for Zambia to initiate means of re-opening the various industries that were closed as a result of the privatization programme so as to increase revenue generation for government through tax.

Speaking in an interview in Ndola over the weekend, Charles Ngesa said it has now become clear that the privatization process did not help the Zambian economy, hence the need for government to institute measures of re-opening these industries to enhance job-creation and strengthening the nation’s economy.[quote]

Mr Ngesa said the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund misled the Zambian government when the two institutions propagated the privatization process until government implemented it.

He observed that the closure of industries, especially in Ndola, reduced the income generation avenues for government, leaving it to depend mainly on the public service workers and the mining industry.

Mr Ngesa further observed that even the companies that are operating under the ownership of foreign investors are not ploughing enough profits in the local economy, especially in the mining industry, and are benefiting foreign investors and their countries more than Zambia and its people.

He also observed that the mass loss of employment in the country as a result of privatization raised the poverty levels in the country.

Mr Ngesa urged government to be bold and use necessary legal processes through the International Court of Justice to reverse the economic damage that has been brought about by the privatization process.

The privatization process has led to the closure of many companies on the Copperbelt, leaving thousands jobless, especially in Ndola, which was a major industrial town.

Some of the notable companies that were closed include Dunlope Zambia Limited, Lever Brothers, Johnson and Johnson limited, Colgate Palm Olive and Swarp Spinning Limited among several others.

And Mr Ngesa observed that the MMD is capable of beating all existing political parties in the country including the PF and the UPND alliance in the 2011 general elections.

He, however, observed that the on-going squabbles in the party over the presidential candidate may disrupt its focus if the problem is not solved wisely.

He observed that the party was still strong and formidable country wide to beat all political parties.

Mr Ngesa disclosed his intentions to challenge president Rupiah Banda at the forth coming MMD convention to be held before the 2011 general elections.

He urged the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) to allow president Banda to be challenged at the convention to enhance prevalence of democracy, the principal on which the party was formed.

Govt will ensure accountability of donor funds – Simbao

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MINISTER of Health, Kapembwa Simbao
MINISTER of Health, Kapembwa Simbao
Government says no effort will be spared in ensuring

accountability of donor and public funds.

Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao says this is because government is committed in attracting public confidence in the utilization of donor and public funds.

Mr. Simbao in an interview in Lusaka today said law enforcement agencies have since made marked progress investigating the misuse of public funds at the ministry of health.

He commended the donor community for remaining committed to supporting Zambia’s health sector.

Mr. Simbao said it is for this reason that donors have not withdrawn funding but merely suspended funding to the ministry of health

Meanwhile, Zambia has successfully kicked-out polio and measles that posed a major threat on the health of children in the country.

Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao disclosed this when he officiated at Child Health Week at Mtendere Clinic in Lusaka today.

Mr. Simbao further disclosed that the donor community has pumped K4 billion into the Child Health Week programmes.

The Minister named USAID, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation as some of the donors that have funded the Child Health Week activities.

And UNICEF Country Representative Lota Sywander said mothers are key to the survival of children.

Ms. Sywander has since encouraged mothers not to shun national programmes that benefits their children.

ZANIS

Our stance on Post newspaper pictures is not a compromise – NGOCC

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The Non-Governmental Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) and the Women’s movement has disassociated itself from allegations of compromising its objectives, by some sections of the media.

NGOCC board chairperson Marian Munyinda, in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka on Friday, maintained that NGOCC has, from the time of inception, been upholding its constitution and mandate of being non-partisan and focused on fighting for the rights and dignity of women and children in Zambia.

“On behalf of the Women’s movement, we would like to express our great disappointment with the misrepresentation by some media organizations through which our integrity has been questioned. In the same vein we wish to state that NGOCC in its 24 years of existence has been consistent in its quest for gender equality and press freedom and would not be deterred by any obstacles and detractors,” she said.

Ms. Munyinda pointed out that by the NGOCC expressing its displeasure over the photographs that were sent to it by the Post Newspapers, the Council did not compromise its principles.

She said the NGOCC was also very concerned at the impact of the strike on women as depicted in the photographs.

Ms. Munyinda noted that the misunderstanding may have arisen from the meeting NGOCC and the women’s movement had with President Rupiah Banda on June 17, 2009 and the subsequent Press Conference at State House.

“As the NGOCC and the Women’s movement, we have always sought to meet any sitting President once elected into office, not to seek favours as it is now being portrayed, but to discuss various issues that continue to affect women negatively” she said.

Ms. Munyinda said it was important to note that the meeting with President Banda was preceded by a prior meeting with the Minister of Gender and was attended by a delegation of prominent women from various member organizations of NGOCC.

She said besides calling for a people driven constitution, the NGOCC has been consistent in calling for the gender-based violence bill that has been pending for years to be enacted.

Ms. Munyinda said NGOCC has been consistent in urging government to put in place strategies that would address the high maternal mortality rates.

She explained that NGOCC has been unfailing in calling on President Banda to exercise gender sensitivity and responsiveness in increasing the number of women in decision-making.

ZANIS

Mabenga officiates at Kazanga traditional ceremony

Guest Editor
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5

Government has allocated 11,000 bags of fertiliser under the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP) to Kaoma district in Western province.

This was disclosed by Lands Deputy Minister, Michael Mabenga, when he officiated at the 2009 Kazanga Ceremony of the Nkoya people in Kaoma district yesterday.

Mr Mabenga said the 11,000 bags of fertiliser were already in the district and ready for distribution.
He urged deserving farmers to access the inputs and plant early in order to enhance food production.

Meanwhile, Mr Mabenga has reiterated government’s commitment to promoting traditional ceremonies, especially those that promote food production like Kazanga.

Mr Mabenga further said it was unfair for individuals to use traditional ceremony platforms to attack innocent civil servants.

He said this in reaction to Kazanga National Chairman, Edwin Nkomesha, who earlier in his speech, openly criticised government and Western Province Permanent Secretary for taking a casual approach towards the organisation of the ceremony.

ZANIS

18 PF MPs oppose impeachment calls

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PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Members of Parliament attending the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) will not support plans to impeach President Rupiah Banda because he has not violated the Constitution, spokesperson, Peter Machungwa has said.

Dr Machungwa said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that there was no Article in the Republican Constitution that the president had violated and the 18 PF MPs attending the NCC, therefore, found the calls to move the impeachment motion to be misguided.

“You only impeach the president if he has abrogated the Constitution and nobody has given any evidence showing that the president has violated the Constitution. In short, this thing is a non-starter,” Dr Machungwa said.

He said Article 37 of the Constitution stipulates the conditions under which an impeachment motion could be instituted against a president if the office holder had violated the Constitution.

He said an impeachment motion should be instituted through a notice given to the Speaker in writing and signed by at least one-third of Parliament, representing 53 MPs and that is not achievable under the current composition of the House.

The MMD has 81 MPs, PF 40, and UPND 22, while the United Liberal Party has three and UNIP one member.

Dr Machungwa said after its introduction and exhaustive debate, the impeachment motion could only be passed with the support of two-thirds of Parliament, representing 106 MPs.

In the event that such a motion was passed, a tribunal would then be appointed by the Chief Justice.

But even after its findings, the actual impeachment would need the support of three-quarters of the MPs.

Dr Machungwa, who is Luapula MP, said even other PF MPs not in his camp were against the motion to impeach President Banda because of the realisation that he had not violated the Constitution.

“Even assuming that there was no split in the PF, I know that some members will still not support the motion because they know that it is a non-starter,” Dr Machungwa said.

He said that MPs and opposition leaders pressing for the impeachment motion should produce evidence that President Banda has violated the Constitution, which he swore to uphold.

[Times of Zambia]

Govt orders a stop to all construction projects in Solwezi until further notice

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GOVERNMENT in the North-Western Province has ordered all construction projects in Solwezi to stop until a new consolidated map of the municipality has been approved and implemented.

“Cease to develop property until the map is consolidated and approved because any land developed now may be demolished by the Survey Department,” North-Western Province permanent secretary Eustern Mambwe has warned.

He said those who will not heed the warning risk having their infrastructure destroyed, especially buildings on Independence Avenue where a dual carriageway is planned.

Dr Mambwe, who was addressing the first business stakeholders meeting in Solwezi on Friday, said the town is being re-planned.

He also said the planning of Lumwana town has also been completed.

Dr Mambwe said the town has more than 10 maps.

He said the mushrooming of buildings without proper planning must stop and described the current planning of Solwezi as being in a shambles.

“Solwezi is not a town. It is a shanty compound,” he said, adding that he was dismayed with the way houses were being built.

Dr Mambwe said many people are not heeding professional advice when building structures.
He said if the situation continues it will be too late to reverse.

He said shifting the town to another location will not serve any purpose.

“We must create a town which we are going to be proud of because North-Western Province is the future of Zambia,” he said.

He said Zambia is heavily dependent on Lumwana and Kansanshi mines.

Dr Mambwe said that 48 per cent of all mineral deposits in southern Africa are found in the North-Western Province.

Dr Mambwe said Solwezi is a very dirty town and appealed to the business community to help clean it up.
He said business houses could help to light up the main street to reduce accidents that mostly happen at night.

“The business community must play a part to assist Government because resources are limited,” he said.

Dr Mambwe also appealed to the business community to help build a police station.
He said that a modern shopping mall will be built in Solwezi soon at the current show grounds.

The council has allocated alternative land for the new show ground and construction will begin next month.
Dr Mambwe said that those occupying stands in the show grounds will be compensated or given new stands in the mall.

He urged the council to give land to serious developers and warned that any council workers and councillors who own more than one plot will be punished.[quote]

Meanwhile, various businesses pledged financial help towards the construction of a stadium and a police post, while others pledged services.

Jaid Limited, a leading hardware shopping outlet, pledged K10 million for the stadium while Amin Motors pledged K1.5 million.

Kamukate Enterprises pledged K500,000 for the construction of a police station while Legacy Wide Trade donated K1million for street lighting.

Enny’s Cleaning and Fumigation World offered free services to clean council toilets at the main bus station and the market.

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