Thursday, May 1, 2025
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 5214

Zambia posts significant gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS

editor
-
6

United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for HIV and AIDS in Africa, Elizabeth Mataka, says tremendous progress has been made in the fight against HIV and AIDS on the African continent.

Mrs Mataka says a number of countries have scaled up their ARV programmes and other HIV preventive and life-prolonging interventions in the fight against the pandemic.

The UN Special Envoy said this during a media briefing on the sidelines of the on-going World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, today.

Mrs Mataka cited Zambia and Botswana as some of the countries in southern Africa that have posted significant gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

She said it was encouraging to note that the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Zambia recently dropped from 16 per cent to 14 per cent, a result of a sustained and aggressive effort by the government, co-operating partners and other stakeholders.

Mrs Mataka also commended the Zambian government for widening access to ARVs from 2,000 beneficiaries about five years ago, to the current 200,000 people.

She, however, stressed that the HIV/AIDS scourge remains a mammoth challenge on the continent and called on leaders to honour the pledges they made at the Abuja Summit to commit more resources to the health sector, HIV/AIDS in particular.

Mrs Mataka, who is also Executive Director of the Zambia National AIDS Network (ZNAN), on the other hand, expressed happiness that none of the international co-operating partners have rescinded their financial commitments to the fight against HIV/AIDS despite the biting global economic crisis.

“The HIV/AIDS pandemic, especially in sub-Sahara Africa, is still a serious concern to the United Nations. But we are comforted by the fact that none of our co-operating partners have reneged on their financial commitments despite the prevailing global financial meltdown,” said Mrs Mataka.

She also called on African countries to embrace male circumcision as an integral part of strategies in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Mrs Mataka said there is compelling evidence that male circumcision is a significant deterrent in the spread of HIV/AIDS.

She noted with happiness that a number of countries on the continent, including Zambia, are coming up with policies on the implementation of male circumcision.

Mrs Mataka said she is aware that consultations are underway among various stakeholders in the country on the policy before it is finally rolled out.

Meanwhile, in a significant move from research on male circumcision to full scale implementation, the Male Circumcision Partnership is launching a massive scale-up of voluntary male circumcision services in Swaziland and Zambia.

The partnership is supported by a five-year US$ 50 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to Population Services International (PSI), a leading global health organisation.

In a statement released by PSI at the on-going World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town and obtained by ZANIS today, the male circumcision partnership programme in Zambia and Swaziland also builds upon the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Cited by both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS as an important intervention, male circumcision reduces HIV/AIDS infections among men by 60 per cent, according to scientific research.

ZANIS

Eight illegal miners die in rock fall

Guest Editor
-
12

Eight suspected illegal miners have died after being trapped by rock falls in a tunnel at Nkana Central shaft slag dump belonging to Chambeshi metals.

The eight bodies were discovered after a survivor of the accident, who was seriously injured, informed a passerby, who then reported the incident to the mine police.
The deceased are suspected to have gone to mine cobalt and copper remains.

Chambeshi Metals Plc Manager for Safety Occupational, Health and Environment, Daniel Chihili who was at the scene supervised the digging out of the eight bodies.

Mr. Chihili cautioned the general public to refrain from illegal mining pointing out that it could lead to untimely deaths.

A Nokia Cell Phone was recovered on one of the dead bodies, which was badly disfigured.ZANIS

President Banda woos international investors

editor
-
69
Mr. Banda
Mr. Banda

President Rupiah Banda has urged the global business community to come and invest in Zambia as the country has vast investment opportunities in virtually all sectors of the economy.

And the President says government has taken a wide range of measures in response to the harsh effects of the global economic crisis.

Mr. Banda said this in his presentation dubbed ‘Zambia – A Promising Investment Destination’ during an interactive dinner session on Zambia at Westin Hotel last night at the on-going World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.

President Banda said there are a lot of factors which make Zambia an attractive destination for investment, which include political stability, democratic governance and peace which the country has enjoyed since independence.

“You will agree with me, ladies and gentlemen, that Zambia is one of the few countries on the continent that have never experienced civil strife since independence in 1964, and we will maintain it this way so that those intending to invest in the country can reap their profits in peace,” said President Banda.

Mr. Banda said the country has abundant natural resources, such as land, water and good climatic conditions ideal for those wishing to invest in various sectors of the economy.

The government has also put in place liberal economic policies and a pro-private sector framework supportive of macro-economic stability.

Mr Banda added that Zambia’s membership of regional bodies such as COMESA and SADC and its central location in the region also make it a more conducive destination for investment.

The President cited agriculture, mining and tourism as some of the key sectors with high investment potential.[quote]

Others cited were manufacturing, transport and energy, construction and real estates such as housing units and shopping malls.

“We have large tracts of land available for food and cash crops for both domestic and export markets, while in mining, the country is endowed with precious metals, uranium, iron, tin nickel manganese and agro minerals, among others which need exploitation,” he said.

President Banda also said government will float tenders before the end of the year for the exploration of oil and gas in some parts of the country.

On the global economic crisis, President Banda said government has responded by prioritizing infrastructure development and development sectors with global comparative advantage in the 2009 budget.

He said in this regard, government has increased financial allocation to the agriculture sector in this year’s budget and has further zero rated Value Added Tax (VAT) on selected agricultural equipment.

Mr. Banda said government has also increased financial allocation to the tourism sector in order to improve access to the northern tourism circuit and others.

He added that a number of measures have been taken in the mining sector, including the removal of windfall tax, increasing capital allowance to 100 per cent and reducing customs duty on heavy fuel oils.

“All these and other measures make Zambia a truly preferred investment destination,” he said.

President Banda said the Zambian economy has experienced strong growth at an average of 5.9 per cent over the last five years and 6.2 per cent over the last three years.

He however, observed that the current global economic crisis is impacting adversely on the economy, with GDP growth now projected to slow down to 4.0 per cent this year against the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) target of 7 per cent for 2009.

The government has responded by focusing fiscal and monetary policy measures on maintaining macroeconomic stability and undertaking critical long term investments aimed at diversifying the economy and increasing its productivity.

In attendance at the dinner, among others, were former First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, Finance Minister, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, Commerce Minister, Felix Mutati, his mines counterpart, Maxwell Mwale, Agriculture Minister, Dr Brian Chituwo and Energy minister Kenneth Konga.

Earlier in the day, in his welcome remarks during the main plenary session of the forum, South African President, Jacob Zuma, said there is need for Africa to tackle the on-going conflicts in some parts of the continent decisively.

Mr. Zuma said the conflicts have the effect of making the global economic crisis worse on the continent.

Former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, said part of the solution to the global economic crisis lies in reforming the global financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank and ultimately the United Nations

ZANIS

Reports about looming fuel shortage are false, energy PS

editor
-
12

Government says Zambia has sufficient fuel stocks to last until next month contrary to media reports that a shortage is looming.

Energy Permanent Secretary, Peter Mumba, says the story in the Wednesday edition of the Post Newspaper, suggesting that Zambia will soon run out of fuel is false.

He says it is also not true that a tanker carrying crude oil for Zambia was recently diverted to India.

Mr. Mumba told Journalists at a press briefing in Lusaka that the ship which was scheduled to arrive in Dar es Salaam on June 15 will be delayed due to bad weather.

He said the ship will instead dock on June 18.

Mr. Mumba urged the public not to panic saying the country has sufficient fuel to last until next month.

He said serious efforts are being made to ensure that the country does not experience a shortage of fuel.

[ZNBC]

RB calls for collaborative efforts to overcome the global economic downturn

editor
-
5

President Rupiah Banda says African countries need to work together in addressing the economic challenges brought about by the Global Economic recession.

In an interview yesterday, Mr. Banda said the World Economic Forum offers an important platform for African countries to find durable solutions to the economic crisis facing the continent and the world at large.

Mr. Banda, who is among Heads of State and Government attending the three-day meeting at Cape Town’s International Convention Centre, said that history has shown that no single country working alone can succeed in tackling challenges such as the global economic meltdown.

He said it is for this reason that Zambia attaches great importance to the meeting to hear how other countries in Africa and beyond are going about in addressing the effects of the global economic crisis.

Mr Banda said Zambia is also using the meeting to create contacts with potential investors to come and help in diversifying the country’s economy from its dependence on mining to agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and other sectors.

The President, who participated in an interactive session on Investing in Africa this morning, described the meetings as extremely useful to Zambia’s on-going efforts to achieve sustainable economic development.[quote]

Mr. Banda said he and his team of ministers and other experts had successful exchange of views with some of the key global economic players.

And President has spoken highly of the warm relations existing between Zambia and Kenya, saying the two countries have continued to work together in many areas of social and economic development.

Mr Banda said this after holding one-on-one closed door talks with Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, on the sidelines of the on-going World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa today.

The President said Kenya is important to Zambia for many reasons, chief among them, the fact that its manufacturing base is much wider than Zambia’s.

By working closely together, the two countries, therefore, can achieve a lot in developing their economies.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister, Felix Mutati, says Zambia’s efforts to attract foreign investment are bearing fruit..

Mr. Mutati says this can be seen in investments in various sectors worth about US$400 million which have come into the country in the recent past.

Mr. Mutati, who is among the minister accompanying the President at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, said the said investment has gone into the palm oil project in Luapula Province, the Mpongwe bio-diesel project on the Copperbelt among others.

He said government’s priority in attracting more investors is to develop infrastructure, such as roads, hotels, communication facilities and other services in order to reduce the cost of doing business in the country.

The Zambia government has also put together an attractive package of incentives across all sectors of the economy in order to attract more investment to the country.

ZANIS

Zambia has remained a transit point for human trafficking

editor
-
5

The International Labour Organization (ILO) says Zambia has continued to be used as a transit point for child trafficking in the region.

ILO National Programme Coordinator, Mukatimui Chabala, says young girls are at a greater risk of being trafficked.

Ms Chabala said the young girls are made to believe that they are going out of the country for education and employment opportunities but end up being used for prostitution and other vices.

She was speaking at the Media Network for Orphans and Vulnerable Children discussion forum in Lusaka yesterday.

Ms Chabala said there is therefore urgent need for government and stakeholders to scale up public sensitization on human trafficking.

She has since urged the media to partner with government and other stakeholders in highlighting issues of human trafficking, child labour and other bad vices.

And Judith Mwale, a marriage counselor from ‘Families Are Nations’ organization said there is need to ensure that families give equal opportunities for children grow into responsible adults.

Mrs. Mwale said it is regrettable that many young girls are denied access to education as some are removed from school and married off.

ZANIS

Kitwe Council asks RDA to act on township roads

editor
-
6

Kitwe City Council has requested the Road Development Agency(RDA) to give due attention to the condition of roads in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province.

Speaking at a full council meeting on Tuesday, Kitwe City Council Town Clerk Ali Simwinga said the local authority was no longer responsible for the repair of roads in the city.

Mr. Simwinga said it was the responsibility of RDA to construct, maintain and manage all road networks in Zambia.

He noted that RDA had signed an agreement with Kitwe City Council hence the local authority was under obligation to submit its road programmes to the Agency for implementation.

He added that the council had submitted all its road programmes and was waiting the implementation that was to be done by RDA.

Mr. Simwinga regretted that up-to-date, RDA had not responded.

He said lack of operation funding to Road authorities from RDA and NFRA had resulted in a negative attitude by the local residents.

He added that previously when roads were advertised in August 2008, its bidders did not manage to work on them or could not just qualify.

Mr. Simwinga hoped that bidders for this year’s advertisement could succeed to help deliver better services to the local residents.

He has since appealed to the residents and all road users to participate in the road maintenance by guarding roads jealously.

Meanwhile, the Road Development Agency (RDA) says it is doing everything possible to ensure that township roads in most parts of the Copperbelt are worked on.

RDA Head of Public Relations Loyce Saili told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that RDA is aware of the poor state of most roads in the country and is working around the clock to ensure that most roads are repaired.

Ms Saili disclosed that RDA did advertise for bidders in the print media and are now at the stage where they are receiving and evaluating the tenders from the bidders.

She explained that tenders are being received from bidders for the construction and repair of some roads in Kitwe, Chililabobwe, Ndola and Luanshya.

Ms Saili further explained that the roads were supposed to have been worked on earlier except that the RDA failed to do so because the bids were too high.

She said as much as RDA would like to work on most township roads around the country, it would be very difficult if bidders were not been reasonable.

ZANIS

Govt reach agreement with Public Service Workers’ union, Shikapwasha

editor
-
48

ronnie_shikapwashaThe Government negotiating team and Public Service Workers’ union representatives on the ongoing salary/wage negotiations have agreed on a 15 percent salary/wage award to public service workers.

Government has also announced that the signing of all collective agreements is expected to be concluded by this Friday, 12 June, 2009 and has since urged all public service workers to continue working normally.

Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha disclosed last evening in a media statement made available to the media, that the Bargaining unit comprising the public service workers’ union representatives and the Government negotiating team briefed Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja that an agreement had been reached on a 15 percent salary increment to public service workers.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said this was revealed to Dr Kanganja at a meeting held at Cabinet Office yesterday.

Rev Shikapwasha said considerable progress has been made towards finalisation of an agreement on the ongoing salary and wage negotiations for Public Service Workers and that during the meeting, the Bargaining Unit agreed to constitute a Joint Technical Committee to deal with the outstanding issues on housing allowance.

”In view of this positive development, the government is urging all public service workers to continue working normally”, said Rev Shikapwasha.

Public Service workers have gone on strike across the country paralyzing operations at hospitals and schools.

ZANIS

Renard Drops Mbesuma

sports
-
81

After missing a penalty for Zambia on Saturday against Rwanda, this is one dramatic week Collins Mbesuma will want to forget very quickly.

Not even his public apology for the penalty miss and stuttering show could save the under-fire striker today after Herve Renard announced that he had dropped the fallen Zambia star ahead of the teams 2010 World/Africa Cup Group C qualifier against Algeria on June 20 in Chililabombwe.

Mbesuma had already missed the first day of training on Tuesday due to a reported illness fueling speculation as to which direction his international future under Renard  would go.

Renard said at Sunset stadium in Lusaka on a grey, cold windswept Wednesday morning that Mbesuma was no longer part of his plans for the Group C home game against Algeria.

“He is not in my plans for the game against Algeria,” Renard said at the end of the team a final training session at Zanaco’s home ground before departing with his team for a one-week training camp in South Africa.

“Its better to be honest because he is not ready psychologically.”

For Mbesuma now, the next step is to search for a new club with the looming end to his one-season deal with South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns closing in on June 30.

This could also possibly mark the fiery Zambia striker’s last match under Renard’s reign who previously dropped him in March before the teams opening Group C game away against Egypt on march 29 that ended 1-1 in Cairo.

Renard has of late not been afraid to weld his stick and has yet to recall one Roger Kola.

Also ruled out of the Algeria clash is the Chinese-based attacking midfielder James Chamanga of Dalian Hai Chang.

Coincidentally, Chamanga replaced Mbesuma in the game against Rwanda in the 74th minute after the troubled striker did an in-out after coming on in the 35th minute.

Chamanga, who was also dropped for the Egypt game last March, returned to China on Sunday to attend to club commitments.

Renard has said no replacements will be called up for the duo.

The team returns home on Wednesday from Johannesburg and will take a direct flight from South Africa to Ndola ahead of the game to be played at Konkola Stadium.

Fuel shortage hits Senanga

Guest Editor
-
6

A critical fuel shortage has hit Senanga district forcing motorists to drive long distances in search of the commodity.

A check by ZANIS at the only BP filling station in the district found
that both petrol and diesel were out of stock.
A highly placed source at the filling station told ZANIS that it is not known when the station will restock the fuel, but that efforts are being made in Lusaka to normalize the situation.

The shortage has lasted for more than a week,forcing many motorists to cover a distance of about 110 Kilometers to buy fuel in Mongu.

Operations of most government ministries that maintain fuel accounts
at the filling station, have been jeopardized.

A motorist Dr. Clive Simwanza said fuel was a strategic commodity, which should not be scarce in the district.
He said many economic activities depend on fuel and called for competition in the supply of the commodity to the district.

He said monopolistic tendencies have contributed to the laisser-faire
attitude being exhibited in attending to the fuel crisis in the
district.

Fuel prices in Senanga are pegged around K6,600 and K6,800 per liter for diesel and petrol respectively.

ZANIS

Kamfinsa inmates protest over filthy holding cells

Guest Editor
-
17

Kitwe inmates at Kamfinsa Prison have protested against the unhygienic state of the police cells which they say are smeared with human excreta.

The inmates who were today expected to appear before the magistrate court told ZANIS that they refused to be kept in the police cells as they awaited the court sessions.

In their protest, the inmates said they would not appear before the court if the cells are not cleaned up. They said the cells are in such a bad state that they fear for their health.

The inmates complained that the cells are filthy with human excreta on the walls and floor, citing yesterday’s case in which a named man aged 32 smeared himself with excreta in an attempt to escape.

They further said that most of them had contracted a number of diseases due to poor living conditions in the police and prison cells.

But a police source said the inmates protested to either avoid or delay the court proceedings in fear of being convicted. The source added that it is the habit of inmates to disrupt court cases, in fear of being convicted when found guilty.

Meanwhile relatives of the inmates and onlookers expressed disappointment over the bad state of the police and prison cells in Kitwe.

They said they are worried about their relatives’ health as they await trial. They further said the remandees awaiting trial deserve better living conditions as they are suspects who could be acquitted if found innocent.

They called on the Resident Magistrate to ensure that there is cleanliness in the holding cells.
The inmates volunteered to help Kitwe Fire Brigade clean up the cells which lasted for over 30 minutes.

The court sessions were disrupted and the inmates taken back to Kamfinsa prison.

ZANIS

FIFA gives FAZ a green light to use Konkola Stadium for Algeria, Zambia match

editor
-
22

The World Soccer Governing body FIFA has given the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) a go ahead to host the joint World and Africa cup qualifying game between Zambia and Algeria at Konkola Stadium on June 20.

This comes amid fears that Zambia might play its remaining games in a foreign country following many lapses FIFA security officer observed during the Zambia -Rwanda game last week.

FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya said FIFA allowed FAZ to host the game following the meeting the two associations had under the condition that FAZ should urgently address matters relating to security at the stadium.

Bwalya announced at a press briefing in Lusaka today that FIFA has issued some strong warning to FAZ which must be followed within eight days before they can be allowed to stage the match there next week on 20th June.

He said failure to address these concerns might result in FIFA staging Zambia’s remaining matches in foreign countries.

Bwalya further said FIFA has appointed an additional staff to look see to it that Zambia meets these concerns before the match is allowed to kick off.

He said FAZ has since started addressing these problems in order to ensure that it comply with the FIFA’s requirement adding that it will also take drastic measures to improve crowd control.

He also said as one of the security measures FAZ will open the doors to the stadium as early as 08:00 hours and close them at 13: 30, 30 minutes before the match kicks off.

Meanwhile, Bwalya has also announced that the gate charges for the Zambia, Algeria game has been revised with open wing being K40, 000 while VIP and group stand are still same at K200, 000 and K150, 000 respectively.

Bwalya said the gate charges have not been revised for profit but as a measure aimed at ensuring security at the stadium.

Meanwhile, the Association of National Team Supporters (ANTS) has cried foul over the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) decision to increase the gates charges for the open wing by K10,000 for the Algeria-Zambia game.

ANTS interim Secretary General, Bob Kayukwa says his association had expected FAZ to reduce the gates charges for the match following complaints from many soccer fans over charges during the previous Rwanda-Zambia match.

Kayukwa said FAZ should have increased the VIP charges while reducing on the open wing.

He told ZANIS sports in an interview in Lusaka today that soccer fans expected the charges to be fair following FAZ announcement last week that they will revise the gates charges.

Kayukwa has further accused FAZ of not listening to calls from soccer fans to have the team be camped in the country.

He said camping the team in South Africa is a waste of public resources because they are good and convenient hotels in the country where the team can train and save money.

He said camping the team in Zambia can help save the money on air tickets, and other expenses which can then be used to invite other foreign teams top play friendly matches and prepare the team adequately.

FAZ has today announced that it has increased the open wing charges from K30, 000 to K40, 000 but that the intention is to avoid over crowding at the stadium and not to make profits

ZANIS

Situation at UTH worrisome, Mangani

editor
-
115
Bereaved families stranded outside the Brought In Dead block at the University Teaching Hospital because the health workers are on strike
Bereaved families stranded outside the Brought In Dead block at the University Teaching Hospital because the health workers are on strike

Lusaka Province Minister Lameck Mangani has described the situation at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and some health centres in the country as worrisome. He said there is urgent need for health workers to return to work in order to save lives.

Mr Mangani said that remarkable progress has been made and consensus has been reached on a number of issues in the ongoing negotiations for improved conditions of service for public service workers.

Mr. Mangani has since pleaded with striking health workers and teachers to give dialogue a chance.

Mr. Mangani warned that the strike action by some health workers and teachers should not be politicized.

He urged politicians to desist from politicizing the strike action by public workers as their grievances are receiving adequate attention from government.

And in Solwezi, all striking civil servants this morning converged in the Boma Conference Hall to be addressed by their union leaders on the current salary negotiations with government.

The workers comprising of nurses, teahers and other public service workers, some carrying placards reading ”no salary increment no work” rejected the proposed 15 percent salary increment, saying it was a mockery.

Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia Regional Secretary, Kennedy Musopelo told the irate civil servants that the union leaders in Lusaka are still negotiating with govrenment.

Mr. Musopelo said the civil servants in North-Western Province have vowed not to go for work until government listens to their plight and gives them a block figure increment.

The workers agreed that their unions should not sign 15 percent increment, adding that there is no house in Solwezi that is rented at K200,000.

The strike action by civil servants in the Province has spread to Mufumbwe Disrict where all operations at some government institutions have come to a halt.

Mufumbwe District Commissioner, Robert Muyutu confirmed to ZANIS in Solwezi that the strike action by the workers has caused hardships, especially at Mufumbwe Hospital where the admission of patients has been suspended.

Mr. Muyutu described the situation as serious.

In Chipata Unionized teachers  have gone on strike to press for the conclusion of the negotiations between their Union representatives and government for better pay and conditions of service.

The call for the strike action was agreed upon during a meeting held at Chipata Day Secondary School today.

All the Unionized teachers from Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZANUT), Basic Teachers Union of Zambia ( BETUZ) and Secondary School Teacher Union of Zambia (SESTUZ) have vowed not to go back to work until their demands are met.

The teachers expressed disappointment over government’s failure to conclude the negotiations on time, adding that they would not succumb to any intimidation from their superiors as they have waited for too long for the salary negotiations and conditions of service.

Describing themselves as the engine that drives the country’s development, they expressed sadiness that they are not being motivated.

He said the prolonged delay by government in concluding the salary negotiations and improved conditions of service will only slow down the pace of development in the country.

The teachers said time for conflicting statements over collective bargains is over.

The teachers also called on their union leaders to coordinate if their lobbying is to yield good results.

Civil Servants Union of Zambia (CSUZ) Chairperson Siyabbwete Mudenda assured the three teachers Unions that his union was behind their call for a strike action.

He blamed the union leaders at national level who have failed to make follow-ups on housing allowance which courts of law ruled that civil servants be entitled to K450,000 housing allowance as per 2003 collective agreement.

In Serenje, Civil Servants in Serenje have rejected the 15 percent salary increment offered by government and gone on strike, demanding for a higher percentage.

A Check by ZANIS at Serenje district hospital this morning found only one nurse, a sister in charge, two senior clinical officers working.

One senior clinical officer who refused to be named said there is pressure of work, following the withdrawal of labour by nurses and other medical staff.

And the Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union (CSAWUZ) Serenje Branch, resolved to join the strike at a general meeting held yesterday.

Branch Chairperson, Charity Mumba said the members resolved to reject the 15 percent salary increment offered by government, saying it is too low.

Mrs. Mumba said the members also demanded a K500,000 housing allowance for a lowest paid worker and K100,000 missing lunch allowance.

She said the workers don’t want their representatives in the negotiations to sign for a 15 percent increment and also ensure they fight for better conditions of service.

ZANIS

Poaching increases in Kasanka Trust National Park

Guest Editor
-
14

Poaching in Kasanka Trust National Park in Serenje district is on the increase despite intervention programmes that the park management has devised to reduce the act.

Park Manager, Edmond Farmer, told ZANIS in an interview yesterday that communities within and outside the park have continued poaching despite the park management putting in place measures to discourage the vice.

Mr. Farmer said poachers were entering the park from all areas, a situation that has made conservation difficult.
He said although tourists visiting the park have increased, it has been difficult to prevent poaching.

He however said the park management would not relent in patrolling the park to protect the animals in the area from extinction.

Mr. Farmer explained that there were a lot of programmes being carried out in communities around the park, which included the construction of a clinic at Chalilo.

He said the park had also allowed pupils in the area to go and view animals.
Among the animals found in the park are elephants, pukus, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, baboons and sitatungas.

Mr. Farmer commended the judiciary in Serenje for having played a major role in punishing the people who were arrested for poaching offences.

He however called for a stiffer punishment to be given to poachers to deter others considering illegal hunting in the park.

ZANIS

Health workers’ strike spreads to Siavonga

Guest Editor
-
13

Health workers at Siavonga district hospital have joined their colleagues in other parts of the country in the ongoing strike, a move that has paralyzed operations at the health institution.

And children that were admitted in the children’s ward at the institution have been removed and admitted together with elderly patients in the female ward due to the strike by nurses and other health personnel.

Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ) District Chairperson Martin Mwenya confirmed the health workers’ strike action in an interview with ZANIS in Siavonga this morning.

Mr. Mwenya disclosed that the decision by Siavonga health workers was arrived at in a meeting that was held yesterday to discuss the way forward on the issue.
He said workers unanimously resolved to go on strike on premises that government was taking long to address their demands for improved conditions of service and increased salaries.

“The workers met yesterday (Tuesday) and voted that they were joining their fellow workers who have already gone on strike because government was not promising them anything with regards to the improvement of their conditions of service,” he stated.

He however said the meeting resolved to draw up a timetable at the hospital to allow few staff members to attend to serious cases in the maternity ward.

But a check by ZANIS this morning found only two nurses attending to all cases in the district hospital.
The check also revealed that all children that were admitted in their ward were yesterday taken to the female ward where they are admitted together with adults that have different ailments.

Judy Mumbwali, a mother who was found nursing her child, disclosed that children were ordered to move out of the children’s ward on Tuesday afternoon and told to go to the female ward because they would have no one to attend to them if they remained there.

Acting District Director of Health Thierry Beya vehemently refused to speak to the ZANIS reporter who approached him for a comment on the strike.

But Siavonga District Commissioner, Emily Striedl, condemned the strike action saying there was a better way of resolving the problem than resorting to a strike action.

Meanwhile, other civil servants in Solwezi district of Northwestern province have joined nurses and teachers in the strike, demanding improved conditions of service and increased salaries.

Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ) regional Secretary, Kennedy Musopelo, told ZANIS in Solwezi that the decision by other civil servants to join the strike action was reached at a meeting held on Friday last week.

Mr. Musopelo said that the workers were demanding for K1, 000,000.00 housing allowance and salary increment of K800, 000 across the board.

He said workers complained that government has also received the concerns of improving their conditions of service, including the rural hardship and the fixed band allowances.

Mr. Musopelo further charged that civil servants in Northwestern Province were not happy with the way car loans were being disbursed at the provincial administration, alleging that only those who work there were considered.

He alleged that the provincial administration only gives priority to those who work there and not those from different government departments. This has displeased the workers in other government departments.

And a check by ZANIS at Solwezi general hospital found trainee nurses helping the doctors in wards while other departments were being manned by those in management.

In another development, the condition of three people who were shot at by a traditional healer in the early hours of Monday this week has improved although one of them is still in a serious condition.
The three are currently admitted to Solwezi general hospital.

Hospital authorities said one patient, who was shot in the abdomen has since undergone an operation while the other man still has the bullet lodged in the left side of his chest.
The hospital sources said the third person, a woman, was only bruised by the bullet and would be discharged soon.

On Monday this week, a traditional healer Alex Mabomba, alias Dr. Mutipula, allegedly shot and wounded two men and one woman at Akisa night club.

ZANIS

1...5,2135,2145,215...5,623Page 5,214 of 5,623

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times