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

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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

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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
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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
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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

RB has not neglected striking workers by going abroad- Shikapawasha

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Nurses who are on strike are captured sunbathing on the lawns at the University Teaching Hospital
Nurses who are on strike are captured sunbathing on the lawns at the University Teaching Hospital
Government has expressed concern that some opposition

political party leaders in the country have politicized the current teachers and nurses’ industrial unrest.

He condemned political leaders that were accusing President Rupiah Banda of neglecting the demands of striking workers by going abroad to attend the economic forum and other meetings to which heads of state were invited.

“What should be made clear is that when the heads of government meet at various summits, they do so to discuss matters of common interest, to find solutions to various challenges, economic or social. What they resolve to do has a bearing in the management of economic and social problems at home,” he explained.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, further explained that the summits which President Banda has been attending have had Zambia’s interests solved.

He said even when the President was abroad, he was still connected to what was happening at home and was able to direct what should be done to such challenges.

The minister added that the President has ministers who were directly dealing with the issues of industrial unrest in their various ministries.

“The President works through his ministers and he can therefore direct appropriate action through them from any part of the world,” he said, adding that “It is therefore irresponsible to suggest that industrial disputes can only be solved with the intervention and presence of a head of government”.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said the President only participates in a declared dispute requiring his intervention if negotiations for conditions of service and salaries between government and unions have failed.

The Chief Government spokesperson said it was irresponsible and unacceptable for political party leaders, who aspire to lead the country in future, to fan industrial unrests instead of helping government solve them.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said in a statement to ZANIS, in Lusaka today that political leaders that were encouraging nurses and teachers to go on strike were in fact undermining government.

“While government appreciates that political parties may have their own ideas about how they would like to deal with the grievances and wish they were in office to attend to them, it is totally unacceptable for such leaders to undermine government by fanning these disputes in order to gain political mileage,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said government was very concerned about the ongoing strike by teachers and nurses and was therefore working hard to solve the industrial unrest amicably.

ZANIS

Kitwe man smears himself with human excreta inorder to escape police custody

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A 32 year old man of Kitwe yesterday smeared himself with human excreta in an attempt to escape from police custody.

ZANIS Kitwe reports that Chibuye Mukosa, a businessman of house No. 1047 Mulenga Compound appeared before magistrate Dunstein Muchaba for plea and tried to escape shortly after the court session.

Mukosa was arrested on 26th December 2008 and charged with malicious damage, contrary to section 335 (1) of the penal code.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer, Antoniel Mutentwa said Mukosa smeared himself with human excreta and attempted to bolt after appearing in court.

Mr. Mutentwa said Mukosa was however apprehended by the police and later cleaned up by the fire brigade before he was remanded in custody.

Facts before the court were that on 14th December 2008, Mukosa allegedly damaged window panes valued at K299, 000 belonging to one Samson Kunda.

Mukosa pleaded not guilty to the charge and the matter was adjourned to 26th June 2009 for commencement of trial.

ZANIS

Chipolopolo boys told to fully work on body fitness

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A Lusaka based body building expert Chris Ellis has urged the Zambia National team technical bench to put in place a body fitness programme for the national team.

However the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) says it has already put in place the programme which had improved the Chipolopolo boys performance.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS sports, yesterday, Ellis said the national team needs to work on body fitness he said should not be confused to body building.

Ellis explained that there was need to for the technical bench to transform national team players into formidable players by improving on their body mass and strength.

He said in this way, the players would be able to stand and play competitively with any team in the region and the world, at large.

He expressed concern that most players in the national team were small in size and that disadvantaged them thereby limiting the chance of victory, in general.

Ellis, who operates a private gym at the Lusaka Show grounds, further explained that the programme should not be mistaken with weight lifting he said only builds muscles and not body agility and strength.

He added that the Renard coaching bench should also work on nutrition programme he said was key to building up body fitness and strength.

The body building expert said national team players need to be oput on a sports nutrition programme by giving them food supplements for body recovery after a match.

He said premier league teams Reda Arrows and the National Assembly football club had utilised the programme in the past season and had thereby played competitively.

However, FAZ Communications Officer Erick Mwanza told ZANIS sports that the local football governing body had identified the need for for the fitness programme for the team and that is why it had engaged the expertise of a physical trainer in Patrice Buoumoulle.

Mwanza said Boumoulle was one of the best physical trainer on the African continent saying he was steadily ensuring on the fitness of the team.

The Communications officer added that Zambia no longer has fitness problems regarding its players who he said where able to face any team.
ZANIS

Government will ensure road contractors do a better job

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Works and Supply Permanent Secretary Bizwayo Nkunika has assured that Government will ensure that contractors engaged to work on roads in the country do a better job in a bid to ensure that provinces countrywide are linked to each other.

Lt Colonel Nkunika pledged Government’s commitment to the construction of a better road infrastructure in the country as it was an engine for economic development.

Colonel Nkunika said this during a courtesy call on Namwala District Commissioner Eunice Nawa today.

The Permanent Secretary who was in the District to tour infrastructure developmental projects said it was sad that the Choma- Namwala Road in Southern Procvince has taken years to be rehabilitated but was quick to add that works were now progressing well on the stretch.

He said the Monze-Neiko road would also be on constant rehabilitation.

Lt Col Nkunika also said feasibility studies have been undertaken on the Namwala- Itezhi Tezhi road that passes through the Kafue Flood plains and works would begin soon.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Nawa thanked Government for working on major roads leading to the District saying this would significantly assist farmers to transport their produce to better markets in towns along the line of rail.

On the stalled Kabanga clinic in Namwala, Lt Col Nkunika said the stalled Kabanga clinic was been worked on by the same company that abandoned the project in 2006. He said this followed Government’s intervention.

He said it was sad that a named contractor abandoned the project in the area before completion and warned that Government would not tolerate contractors who had a tendency of abandoning projects before completing the job.

But Ms Nawa suggested to Government to consider introducing potential contractors on any government project to the District administration so that any shoddy works by contractors could be quickly identified.

The Kabanga clinic project worth about K500 Million was abandoned by Builders Developers Limited [BDL]on 2nd May 2006 in unexplained circumstances.

The company resumed work on the project on 1st May this year following Government intervention.

The project also includes the construction of one staff house expected to be completed this month (June).

ZANIS

RB’s programme in Cape Town

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President Rupiah Banda arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, ahead of the 19th World Economic Forum on Africa which starts today .

The plane carrying the President touched down at Cape Town International Airport at 15:15 hours.

President Banda was received by Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Leslie Mbula and other senior government officials.

The President was later driven to the Table Bay Hotel on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean where he will be lodged up to Friday.

Mr Banda is today expected to be among five Heads of State who will take part in the 19th World Economic Forum on Africa under the theme ‘Implications of the Global Economic Crisis for Africa’.

The leaders include South Africa’s new President, Jacob Zuma, who will host the three-day meeting at Cape Town International Conference Centre, Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, Lesotho Prime Minister, Pakalitha Mosisili and his Kenyan counterpart, Raila Odinga.

According to the programme , President Banda will today participate in a private session of the World Economic Forum, entitled ‘Investing in Africa.’

Later on in the evening, President Banda is expected to attend an interactive session over dinner at which Zambia will showcase its investment and economic potential.

On Thursday, the President will attend a plenary session on ‘Africa: the world’s potential bread basket.’

President Banda winds up his programme on Friday with a Cable Network News (CNN) debate on Political leaders in Changing Times.

ZANIS

Weekend Scorecard: Algeria is Our Major Target-Renard

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Herve Renard today said Zambia chances of a debut World Cup final hinge on their next two home and away games against Algeria.

Zambia host Algeria on June 20 in Chililabombwe and later travel to Algiers for the next 2010 Group C match on September 6.

Both sides are on 4 points from their last two Group C matches with four more to come.

And Renard also said Algeria’s 3-1 derby home win over Egypt in their 2010 Group C qualifier was a minor setback in the African champions challenge for a place in South Africa.

“It is a good result (for Algeria) but don’t think that Egypt is out. It was very tough for them because they were not on home ground but still have a chance to collect 12 points,” Renard said.

“But that is not our problem, our problem is to win the game at home against Algeria those are the important ones for us in this group.

“We have the chance to beat Algeria at home (next week). It will be good to win  at home and take the advantage to Algeria it will be good to get a result there.”

Meanwhile, the team began training camp today in Lusaka with all the players in attendance at Sunset Stadium except for striker Collins Mbesuma who stayed away due to illness.

The team is due to leave for South Africa either later Wednesday or Thursday for another private training camp before return home on Tuesday.

Algeria arrive in the country next Thursday, June 18 after a week-long training camp in Pretoria.

Weekend Scorecard

Faz Premier Division

09/06/2009

Week 13

Zamtel  0-Choma Eagles 1(Aubrey Zulu 75″)

Nakambala Leopards 0-Chambishi 0

Konkola Blades 2(Maybin chishimba 65″, Musonda Mwape “?)-Lusaka Dynamos 1(Makundika sakala 52″)

Green Buffaloes 1(Sydney Lombe 76″)-Young Arrows 0

Red Arrows 0 City of Lusaka 0

Forest Rangers 0- Power Dynamos 2(Alex Ngonga 36”, Luka Lungu “?)

Roan United 0-Kabwe Warriors 1(Felix Haiinde 75”)

Postponed:

Zanaco vs Zesco United

Week 8

03/06/2009

Zesco United 1(Chalwe Kabamba 57″)-Konkola Blades 1(Chipulu Chileya 34″)

TOP SCORERS

After Games Played 07/06/2009

Patrick Kabamba (Zanaco): 11

Makundika Sakala (Lusaka Dynamos): 6
Luka Lungu (Power Dynamos): 6
Jack Chileshe (Zanaco): 6
Kameta Mutambo (Forest Rangers): 6

Kennedy Chola (City of Lusaka):5
Clifford Chipalo (Zesco United): 5
Simon Lupiya (Red Arrows): 5
Enoch Sakala (Zesco United): 5
Edward Museba (Green Buffaloes): 5
Timothy Mbewe (Red Arrows): 5

Chipulu Chileya (Konkola Blades): 4

Faz Division 1

Week 14

07/06/2009


North

Mufulira Blackpool2- Chindwin 2

Nchanga Rangers 2- Mufulira Wanderers 0

Zesc0-Luapula 0- Indeni 1

Mining Rangers 0- Kalulushi Modern Stars 1

Prison Leopards 3- Afrisports 2

Chingola Leopards 2- Kitwe United 0

Nkana 0- Muchindu 0

Lime Hotspurs 0- Kalewa 0

Ndola United 0- Luanshya United 0

South

Livingstone Pirates 1- Paramilitary 2

Riflemen 2- Zamcoal Diggers 1

Mazabuka United 3- Luena Buffaloes 1

Nampundwe 1- Kascol Rangers 1

Police Bullets 1- Petauke United 1

Green Eagles 0- National Assembly 0

Young Green Eagles 0- Lusaka City Council 0

Profund Warriors 2- Lusaka Tigers 1

Lusaka Celtic 0- Nkwazi 0

North

Week 4

*Replayed Match after rain forced game to be abandoned on 01/04/2009

03/06/2009

Luanshya United 1- Kitwe United 0

Kitwe City Council to lose over K57m in revenue

editor
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Kitwe City Council says it will lose over K57 million in personal levy as a result of job losses in Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines.

Speaking during a special council meeting held in Kitwe today, Kitwe City Council Town Clerk Ali Simwinga says the local authority will lose K57, 150, 000 adding that the global crisis had negatively affected its’s ability to provide services to the public.

The Town Clerk also disclosed that the Council was also facing problems in meeting the worker’s wage bills.

Mr. Simwinga noted that revenue collections had plummeted thereby negatively affecting council’s capacity to deliver services to the resident’s satisfaction.

Mining,the town clerk observed was the economic backbone of Kitwe and that with Mopani Copper mines not mining at full capacity, it was difficulty for the local authority to collect revenue from the mine.

Mr. Simwinga said this had adversely affected the Council in terms of rates and personal levy as the mining companies were the direct payers of the income.

In view of the situation, Mr. Simwinga noted that there was need to diversify Zambia’s economy from mining to Agriculture and Tourism with a view of processing most of the raw materials including copper so that they could be expanded as finished products.

ZANIS

RB will defeat all presidential candidates, Katele

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MMD National Secretary, Katele Kalumba, says he is convinced President Rupiah Banda will defeat all presidential candidates in the 2011 elections.

Dr. Kalumba says he is happy that the general membership of the MMD appear to have reached a consensus on its preferred candidate for the presidential elections.

He also says the state of affairs will make it easy for him to convene the MMD national convention.

Dr. Kalumba told ZNBC news that the task of convening the convention will be easy because the MMD membership is generally agreed to support one candidate.

And Dr. Kalumba has dismissed MMD Spokesperson, Ben Tetamashimba’s remarks that he was interested in contesting the Presidential elections on the MMD ticket.

Mr. Tetamashimba recently challenged Dr. Kalumba to openly declare his Presidential ambitions.

[ZNBC]

Maize grain price skyrockets in Mungwi

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The price of maize grain at Mungwi open market in Northern Province has gone up in less than two weeks.

A survey conducted by the National Agricultural Information services (NAIS) in Mungwi today indicated that a 5 kilogramme tin of maize grain has shot up from K3 500 to K4 500.

A trader interviewed at Mungwi open market attributes the rise to the high prices of fertiliser, farmers claimed accessed from the open market during the 2008/2009 season.

Mr Mwaba said some farmers bought fertiliser at a staggering price in some cases as high as K250 000 per 50 kilogramme bag.

He said the price of maize grain is likely to continue rising in the next few weeks.

Mr Mwaba said previously he was buying maize at K 3 000 from farmers but the price has gone up to K4 500 per 5 kilogramme tin as some farmers await to sell their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA)

ZANIS

Government urged to clearly state its intended % shareholding in LCM

editor
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An Economic Consultant has urged Government to clearly state its intended % shareholding in Luanshya Copper Mine on the Copperbelt Province which was recently sold to the Chinese Non Ferrous Metals.

David Punabantu told ZANIS in Ndola today in apparent reference to Mines Minister’s recent announcement that Government will increase its shareholding in the mining companies in a bid to have a stronger say in the running of the mining sector in the country.

Mr Punabantu noted that it was important for Government to agree with the new investors on the shareholding adding that having a stronger shareholding in mining companies in the country, would also enable the State to curb possible exploitation of workers and national resources.

He advised that Government should not merely focus on mine development but should equally ensure that possible unfavourable decisions by some investors in the mining sector are curtailed.

Mr Punabantu pointed out that it would not be in the best interest of Zambians to enrich the Chinese economy at the expense of the majority impoverished Zambian citizens.

On Labour laws, Mr Punabantu prodded Government not to be pre-occupied with opening the mine but in the same vein enforce these laws which should be fully adhered to by the Chinese investors.

He further advised Government to be wary of the conditions that will be offered by the new mine investors so that Zambia fully benefits from its copper resources.

During the low copper prices on the global market, Mines Minister Maxwell Mwale announced that Government will increase its share holding in the mining companies to about 35 per cent to enhance its say in the running of the mining companies in Zambia.

The Minister’s announcement followed threats by some major copper mining companies to close due to low copper prices which were obtaining on the global market at the time.

ZANIS

Other opposition parties show interest to join the PF, UPND pact-HH

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UPND president Hakainde Hichilema
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema

United Party for National Development Leader, Hakainde Hichilema, has disclosed that other opposition political parties have expressed interest to join the political pact recent entered into by the Patriotic Front (PF) and UPND.

Mr. Hichilema further said in an interview that even members of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) have covertly supported the pact.

He said other political parties have shown willingness to join the political pact but are not yet ready to openly declare their wiliness to join the pact.

Mr. Hichilema said the church, civil society and trade unions are also in full support of the pact as it aimed at bettering the plight of all Zambians.

He appealed to stakeholders who have the interest of the nation at heart to rally behind the pact as it is aimed at providing a better alternative to the MMD government.[quote]

Mr. Hichilema said contrary to the prophets of doom, PF and UPND are determined to ensure that the pact succeeds.

He said lessons have been learned from previous experiences hence the pact with PF and UPND is well-informed about why previous arrangements failed.

Mr. Hichilema called for unity of purpose among opposition political parties in a bid to unseat the MMD.

And Patriotic Front President, Michael Sata, says the PF-UPND electoral pact will succeed because it is different from the previous alliance.

Mr. Sata says the two parties have thoroughly discussed a number of issues that aims to consolidate the pact ahead of the 2011 general elections.

He told ZNBC news that those criticising or condemning the pact will be proven wrong.

The PF leader said he is particularly happy that the two parties have remained consistent from the time the electoral pact was signed.

The UPND and the PF announced last week that they have formed an alliance which will enable them contest the 2011 general elections as a single political force.

The electoral pact has been received with mixed reactions.

Some people say the alliance is just a marriage of convenience, which is likely to collapse.

Others have welcomed the pact saying it will help to strengthen democracy in the country.

[ZNBC]

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