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Chama District records a surge in HIV/ AIDS infections

Guest Editor
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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

Guest Editor
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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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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.

King Mswati has connections to help us get Investors-RB

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Swaziland’s King Mswati bids farewell to service chief before he left for Solwezi with President Rupiah Banda at Lusaka International Airport
Swaziland’s King Mswati bids farewell to service chief before he left for Solwezi with President Rupiah Banda at Lusaka International Airport

PRESIDENT Banda says Zambia will benefit from King Mswati’s vast experience and connections to international investors.

Mr Banda said in Solwezi that King Mswati III of Swaziland has been on the throne for a long time and would use his connections to lure international investors to invest in Zambia’s tourism and agriculture sectors.

Speaking after a conducted tour of Kansanshi Mine yesterday, President Banda said King Mswati would use his clout to convince big investors who have developed the tourism and sugar industry in his Kingdom to come to Zambia.

“Swaziland is more advanced in the tourism and sugar industry and we are hoping that we can use his clout to attract major investors in the country,” President Banda said.

“His Majesty has been on the throne for a long time and he has a lot of connections with major investors in the world. I am very sure that we will benefit from this as well,” President Banda said.

Mr Banda said King Mswati’s visit was stimulating and was sure that Zambia would benefit from it.
King Mswati said the main purpose of his visit was to look at investment opportunities in the country.

“We are here to look at investment opportunities and we are happy that the people of this province have been very generous to offer me land which we can come and look at. His Excellency (Mr Banda) supports that idea,” he said.

King Mswati said he will go back to Swaziland to decide on what kind of investment he will put up in the province.
He said there was need to encourage trade between the two countries.

The King said he hoped his investment in Zambia would spur further investment in both countries by the private sector.

King Mswati said he was impressed with the mining activities and the safety measures Kansanshi Mine has put in place.

“I am impressed to see the mine and the level of safety measures that management is concerned with the safety of the people,” King Mswati said.

He said mining at Kansanshi will improve the standards of living of the local people and the economy of the country.

He said he was also happy that the Kansanshi Mine management was taking care of disabled people in the community.

King Mswati said, however, that there was a lot that the mine could still do to improve the community.
The King said he was happy that the mine was not only employing men, but women too.

“We only assumed that these kinds of machines can only be run by men but the company has proved that anything is possible whether it’s a man or a woman,” he said.

King Mswati and President Banda’s entourage was shown a huge dump truck driven by a woman offloading copper ore at the crusher.

The two leaders also had a closed door meeting with the mine management.

Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Local Government and Housing Benny Tetamashimba and Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma accompanied the two leaders.

Swaziland Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation minister Lutfo Dlamini and Prince Ncanawa of Swaziland were also in the entourage.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Take a Step of Faith

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“…And as they went, they were cured and made clean”
(Luke 17:14, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

One time in the Scripture, there were ten lepers who saw Jesus coming through the city. They hollered out, “Jesus! Have mercy on us and make us whole!” Jesus could have healed them right then, but instead, He asked them to do something to express their faith. He said, “Go show yourself to the Priest, and you will be made whole.”

It’s interesting that those lepers were not supposed to be around other people. They had to live in colonies by themselves because they were very contagious and considered unclean. I’m sure they debated among themselves, “Do you really think we should go? I don’t look any better. My skin is not clear. It’s just going to be a waste of my time.” But they dared to put action behind their faith. They decided, “Jesus said if we go, we will be well. Let’s go. Let’s take a step of faith.” The Scripture says, “As they went, they were made whole.”

Friend, what is God telling you to do in your heart today? Take a step of faith. Put action behind what you are believing for. God is faithful. As you step out and show that your faith is in Him, it will open the door for His miracle-working power to flow in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Heavenly Father, I choose to trust in You. I choose to be obedient to You. Even when it doesn’t make sense to my natural mind, I am going to continue to walk by faith. I love You and bless You today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Joel Osteen ministries

Zesco, Kano Pillars Draw

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Zesco United’s first match in the Caf African Champions League group stage today finished in a draw against visiting Kano Pillars of Nigeria at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.

The game ended 1-1 in a match that saw Zesco take a 1-0 lead in the first half before Pillars rallied to share the points 15 minutes before full time.

Zesco took the lead in the 44th minute after Rogers Kamwandi headed in his first goal in the competition after a move that saw three headers from Enoch Sakala, Jackson Mwanza and the defender in quick succession inside the area.

Pillars equalizer came in the 76th minute through Hillary Chukwu who rifled in the ball from an unguarded position inside the box after some sustained pressure on Zesco.

Both Pillars and Zesco are on 1 point from their opening Group A match.

Later tonight, Al Hilal and El Merreikh of Sudan will clash for leadership of Group A when they meet in their big Khartoum derby.

Family of 7 with a strange nervous system disease

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Seven members of the same family suffering from a serious degenerating Nervous system ailment are appealing to well wishers for financial resources to enable them access medical treatment in Nigeria.

The seven aged between 30 and 74 are suffering from a serious degenerating Nervous system disease which has left them disabled and partially blind.

The disease has left the father, Greenwell Sakala, 74, of Chimwemwe and his six children, Elina, 50, Catherine, 40, William, 42, Judy, 38, Steven 34 and Isaac 29 all crippled, partially blind and malnourished.

Speaking in an Interview in KItwe yesterday at their house one of the patients, Steven Sakala, 34, said life has become unbearable because the family has no income because the members are crippled.

Steven said the family members are born normal but the disease attacks them between the age of twenty five and thirty leaving them bedridden.

He disclosed that they were thirteen in their family and that three have already died while seven including himself were all suffering from the rare health condition.

When the family attempted to seek medical attention from Kitwe Central Hospital and South Africa, health experts said blood samples tested showed no complication.

He said the patients experience no body pain except for weight loss, partial blindness and exhaustion.

Kitwe District Health Director Dr Chikafuna Banda said the seven were suffering from degenerating nervous system disease which can not be cured at the moment.

Dr Banda said that he was trying to arrange with the district leadership and Kitwe Central Hospital Executive Director Dr John Mwewa to admit the seven to Kitwe Central Hospital so that more examinations and study could be done on the disease.

Mr Sakala’s twelve-year-old grandson, Emmanuel Sakala, appealed to members of the public and business houses to help the family raise enough resources to seek spiritual healing in Nigeria.

Emmanuel, who has been helping to feed, cloth and bath the male sick members of the family said life is hard for them because most of the family members were always sick.

“I help to give the male sick members toilet pans, bathing and dressing them and cleaning the House, we need detergents and other sanitary materials to help us clean the rooms and beddings for the sick especially the four who are bedridden”. said Emmanuel.

Roan MP Kambwili thrown out of National Assembly Chambers

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ROAN member of Parliament, Chishimba Kambwili was yesterday ordered to leave the National Assembly Chambers by Deputy Speaker, Mutale Nalumango.

This was after Mr Kambwili passed a running comment when Minister of Energy and Water Development Kenneth Konga was responding to a question from Kankoyo MP Percy Chanda (PF) who wanted to know the programme that government has put in place to minimise load shedding as well as ensure that Zambians benefit from electricity.

But before Mr Konga could respond, Mr Kambwili ordered the minister to keep quiet and sit down.
This prompted Mrs Nalumango to order Mr Kambwili to leave the house, saying she can not tolerate unparliamentary behaviour.

She also cautioned MPs against using unprintable language because it can provoke fights in the house.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

2009 agricultural, commercial show to gobble K3 billion

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The Agricultural and Commercial Society of Zambia (ACSZ) will spend an estimated K3 billion to hold this year’s agricultural and commercial show in Lusaka. The society spent K2.5 billion last year.

Society President Paul Mumbuluma said this year’s income through gate takings and other payments is estimated to be K3.5 billion, compared to K2.7 billion last year.

The 83rd Agricultural and Commercial Show, which will be held from the 30th July 2009, will end on 3rd August 2009.

He was speaking at a media luncheon organized by ACSZ in Lusaka today.

Mr. Mumbuluma disclosed that six private security firms have since been engaged to provide security. This will beef up the more than 120 Zambia Police Service officers.
He added that show goers are therefore assured of law and order during the period of the show.

He said measures have also been put in place to ban the consumption of intoxication liquor between 06:00 hours and 16:30 hours during the show period.

Mr. Mumbuluma however said exhibitors from thirteen foreign countries, among them South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Ethiopia, have so far confirmed participation in the show.

He said the demand for exhibition space has been overwhelming, with more than 85 per cent of available space taken by end of June this year.

He said the society expects a good turn out by the public and trade exhibitors despite the global economic meltdown.

Mr. Mumbuluma said the composition of exhibitors was diverse, representing a cross section of sectors that include Non-Governmental Organizations, government departments and many others.

He said the society has maintained last year’s K15,000 entry charges this year for adults for each of the five days while children under five will enter free of charge.

Mr. Mumbuluma said the society decided to make this year’s show a carnival by inviting the twice kola award winner Democratic Republic of Congo musician, Werrason Mere Wenge Musica and dancing queens based in France.

ZANIS

Kabonde warns politicians

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INSPECTOR general of police Francis Kabonde with spokesperson Bonny Kapeso
INSPECTOR general of police Francis Kabonde with spokesperson Bonny Kapeso

INSPECTOR General of Police Francis Kabonde has cautioned politicians to stop dragging the name of the Zambia Police Service in the mud.

Mr Kabonde said yesterday that statements made to incite police officers are unfortunate because healthy political debates can only be held in an environment where there is no lawlessness, which may be fertile ground for chaos and instability.

“I want to reiterate that people must leave us out of politics so that we concentrate on our core functions of maintaining law and order, which is our bedrock,” Mr Kabonde said.

He said this in a statement read for him by Zambia Police Service spokesperson Bonnie Kapeso at a press briefing yesterday.

Mr Kabonde was reacting to a story that appeared in yesterday’s edition of the Post newspaper that police officers have not yet been paid their June salaries.

The newspaper was quoting Patriotic Front president Michael Sata.

“There is no iota of truth in this statement because all officers have received their emoluments accordingly,” Mr Kabonde said.

He said as Inspector General of Police, he is saddened by the allegations attributed to people who were once in the Police service and even understand that divulging information to unauthorised persons about operations of the service constitutes an offence.[quote]

“We expect former senior officers to take a lead in advising serving officers on the importance of observing such rules as members of an organised system. Operations and administration of the police are purely an internal matter,” he said.

Mr Kabonde also refuted allegations that there is violence in the Chitambo by-election campaigns since police reinforcement has already been sent there.

He said what Minister of Home Affairs Mr Lameck Mangani said a few days ago still stands that all cases of violence will be treated with the seriousness they deserve.

“For now I am glad to confirm that there is political maturity and responsibility in the manner political parties are conducting their day to day campaigns,” he said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

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