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Govt. warns would-be plunderers

Guest Editor
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Vice President George Kunda has warned that government will take stern action against public service workers found involving themselves in corrupt practices.

Vice President Kunda sounded the warning during the Movement for Multi-Party (MMD) card renewal exercise at Mansa College of Education yesterday.

Mr. Kunda, who is also MMD Senior Trustee, said government has strengthened the investigation wings to deal with public service workers involving themselves in corrupt practices.
He said all those found feasting on public funds, money laundering and committing other financial offences would be brought to book.

Mr. Kunda said government wants to ensure that the living standards of all the people of Zambia are improved through infrastructure development such as the construction of schools, good roads and the provision of better health services.

He said for all the development programs to be successful, civil servants and other public service workers should support government in serving the people of Zambia and uphold government’s good image in accordance with their pledge.

Mr. Kunda further said government has set aside about K600 million in this year’s budget for the survey of the workers’ houses at the closed former Mansa Batteries before selling them to sitting tenants who used to work for the company.

On agriculture, the Vice President said all the provinces in the country have started receiving allocations of fertilizer under the Fertilizer Support Program (FSP).
He said government is encouraging farmers to cultivate cassava, millet, sorghum and rice which are drought resistant and require no fertilizer.

Mr. Kunda added that government will restock fish in Lake Bangweulu and Lake Mweru in Luapula province.

ZANIS

Tetamashimba takes Masebo to ACC

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LOCAL Government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamashimba has reported his predecessor Sylvia Masebo to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the auditor general concerning the purchase of hearses from China.

Mr Temashimba said in an interview yesterday that he had directed his permanent secretary, Coillard Chibbonta, to report the matter to the ACC and the auditor general’s office for investigations.

He said that as minister, he had his own suspicions because a single hearse could not cost US$29,000 and that was the reason he directed the permanent secretary to report anybody who was suspected to have benefitted from the transaction.

“I believe that there were irregularities in the transaction and if it is proved that the price of the hearses was not inflated and that the terms of conditions were adhered to, I will resign as minister on principle,” he said.

Spokesperson for the auditor-general’s office, Ellen Chikale said she was not aware of the report and efforts to get a comment from Ms Masebo failed as she was reported to be in a meeting while Mr Chibbonta refused to comment.

Mr Tetamashimba said he told Mr Chibbonta to report the matter to the ACC and the office of the auditor general last Friday but that he was disappointed that both institutions had not been to the ministry.

The minister said that he had put his head on the “chopping board” and would write President Rupiah Banda to say he had failed him if it was proved that there was nothing wrong in the purchase of the hearses.[quote]

He said it was surprising that the same hearses had not been taken to the ministry and the person contracted to deliver them had not been to the ministry to explain anything on the matter.

He also said he had denied Ms Masebo more documents involving the matter because she went to the ministry with journalists and addressed them within the premises.

He explained that Ms Masebo had earlier asked for permission from President Banda so that she could give her side of the story, which to him proved that she knew something.

He said that Mr Banda made it clear that the former minister was free to discuss the hearses because they did not go through Cabinet for her to ask for permission to release any information.

Mr Tetamashimba said on Thursday last week, Ms Masebo went to the ministry where Mr Chibbonta gave her documents related to the hearses and she later addressed journalists.

He said Ms Masebo thereafter talked to him on the phone and asked to meet him. When she went to his office, she asked for letters she had received from late president Levy Mwanawasa between 2007 and 2008.

He said he told her that he could not avail her the letters because they were from State House and needed clearance.

She further asked for some letters exchanged between Mr Tetamashimba and Mr Chibbonta which were also not availed to her.

The minister said he was shocked that when he left, Ms Masebo went back to his personal assistant to ask for letters from president Mwanawasa but that they could not be traced.

He said it was at this point that he asked Mr Chibbonta not to give any more documents to Ms Masebo and that he should report her to the ACC and auditor general.

[Times of Zambia]

Zimbabwean nurses ready to work in Zambia-Shikapwasha

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Chief government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha
Chief government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha

THE Government has said nurses from neighbouring Zimbabwe are ready to work in Zambia on local conditions of service and made a final appeal for health workers to call off their strike or lose employment.

Chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha said in an interview in Kabwe yesterday that the Government would not allow a situation where people continued to die as a result of the strike by the nurses.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha maintained that nurses who would not report back for work today should consider themselves fired and new ones will be recruited.

“There are Zimbabwean nurses itching to come and work in Zambia and so nurses that will not report back for work today should consider themselves fired. We shall replace them with those that retired as well these from Zimbabwe.

“It is immoral and against the oath of allegiance that nurses take when being employed to continue to be on strike when people are dying in large numbers because of their action. The Government is ready to discuss with the nurses once they resume work,” he said.

Labour and Social Security Minister Austin Liato said in a separate interview yesterday that the Government would guarantee security to all nurses who would return to work as agreed by the Government and union leaders.

“There is no need for nurses to fear that they will be picketed by anyone. And let me warn those that will attempt to disturb their colleagues that they will face the wrath of the law,” he said.

This assurance comes in the wake of Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao’s ultimatum for the nurses to return to work today or be dismissed.

Mr Liato advised all the nurses to seriously reflect on their action to stay away from work because that had caused anguish to the sick who required their services.

He said the nurses should consider returning to work and serve the country because it was better to keep a job than losing it, especially at this time of the global economic recession.

He said that losing a job as a result of an illegal strike would impact on the nurses’ future especially that the Government had not refused to attend to their demands.

He said what the Government wanted was to follow the law and that there was no way it could discuss issues with people who were on the street.[quote]

The minister said the Government was not expected to act on nurses’ demands through public acclamation but through roundtable discussions.

A check at the University Teaching Hospital revealed that several nurses had not returned to work and security personnel were only allowing emergency cases to enter the institution.

Meanwhile, the MMD in Kitwe has challenged the opposition to help convince striking health workers return to work because their Members of Parliament (MPs) were part of the decision to award public service workers a 15 per cent salary increment.

MMD district vice-treasurer, Gideon Kamponge, said it was unfair for the opposition to blame the ruling party for the continued strike by nurses because MPs collectively awarded civil servants the 15 per cent salary increment which the nurses were protesting against.

Mr Kamponge said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that the MPs had approved an 11 per cent salary increment for civil servants during the Budget approval in Parliament, but the Government decided to make it 15 per cent.

[Times of Zambia]

Faz Premier League Week 15 Match Reports

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The race for the Faz Premier Division top spot is neck-to-neck after leaders Zesco United and Zanaco won their respective matches via goals each from two Jackson’s at the halfway point of the season.

Played Sunday:

Chambishi 0- Zesco United 1

Zesco enjoy a one-point lead at the top of the table after beating troubled Chambishi 1-0 at Chambishi Grounds.

An 85th minute goal from Jackson Mwanza ensured the 3 points for Zesco who move to 32 points after today’s win.

Zanaco 1- Kabwe Warriors 0

Zanaco stayed close to Zesco after beating Kabwe Warriors 1-0 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka this afternoon.

Jackson Chileshe scored the games lone goal to make sure Zanaco stayed in 2nd place and in touch with Zesco on 31 points.

Played on Saturday

Green Buffaloes 2- Choma Eagles 0

An efficient Buffaloes put on a slick performance against newcomers Choma Eagles to win  2-0 at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.

Goals from Ken Ngambi and Nathan Sinkala in the 60th and 69th minutes respectively sealed Buffaloes win to see them stay in 3rd place on 28 points.

Red Arrows 1- Power Dynamos 1

Power made a rare comeback in a league game to force a draw when they finished 1-1 away against Red Arrows at Nkoloma on Saturday.

Timothy Mbewe put Arrows ahead in the 51st minutes but Power made sure of the share of the points through Lameck Mwale who converted a penalty in the 65th minute.

Roan United 3-Young Arrows 1

Derrick Kabwe scored a brace and Kelvin Muzungu added one for Roan who crushed Young Arrows 3-1 at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya.

Young Arrows found the back of the net thanks to a 62nd minute own-goal from defender Kelly Sichiliya.
Forest Rangers 1- Lusaka Dynamos 1

Two goals in three minutes late in the second half settled this tie at Dola Hill.

Forest took the lead through Alex Mwiche in the 72nd minute but Dynamos equalized three minutes later through former Zambia international striker Philemon Chipeta.

Nakambala Leopards 0- City of Lusaka 1

City heaped more woes on troubled promoted side Nakambala Leopards after a 1-0 away win in Mazabuka.

Aaron Lwimba’s late goal in the 88th minute sealed the 3 points for City.

Zamtel 2- Konkola Blades 1
The pressure is mounting on Blades coach Peter Kaumba after a second successive defeat for the Chililabombwe outfit who hover in 14th place in the relegation zone.

Arthur Siwale and Gavin Chitalu scored a goal each for promoted Zamtel while Musonda Mwape scored Blades consolation goal.

[standings league_id=1 template=extend logo=false]

You are safe-Liato assures nurses

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Labour minister Austin Liato has assured nurses wishing to go back to work that they will be protected from harassment from picketers.

Mr. Liato has also appealed to union leaders in the health sector to encourage the nurses to return to work so their concerns can be addressed as promised by President Rupiah Banda.

Mr. Liato said by asking nurses to return for work, government is not intimidating them but only demanding the right procedure to be followed.

He said government cannot address the demands of the nurses while the workers are on strike.

Mr. Liato said the nation needs nurses to return to work and help those seeking medical attention.

Government has given the striking health workers up to Monday to report for work or be fired.

The Nurses who have been on strike for over three weeks are demanding for a rise in uniform, night and risk allowances among other things.

[ZNBC]

The PF/UPND pact pose no threat to MMD, Kunda

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George Kunda
George Kunda

Vice President George Kunda says the the PF/UPND pact pose no threat to the ruling MMD as the pact comprised of two political parties whose self belief as independent entities was at the lowest ebb.

The Vice President said PF and UPND decided to merge because the two opposition political parties were weakening gradually.

He said PF/UPND pact was in disarray and bound to fail because members at the grass root were not consulted before the pact was formed.

Mr. Kunda revealed that there was a very vicious power struggle in the pact adding that both Mr. Michael Sata and Mr. Hikainde Hichilema were using each other to advance individual political ambitions.

He urged MMD members to go out there and tell the people how suspicious the PF/UPND pact was.

Mr. Kunda said the ruling MMD was the only answer to the future of the country and urged party members to recruit more members in order to win the 2011 elections.

He said MMD needed more time to complete development projects it was implementing beyond 2011 general elections.

The Vice President said the ruling party had only one formidable candidate in President Rupiah Banda who should be maintained.
ZANIS

Set the Standard

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”
(Colossians 3:23, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In today’s society, many people have accepted mediocrity as the norm. They do as little as they can to get by, always looking for the easy way out. If the boss isn’t watching, they’re playing on the computer. They simply go to work to pick up a paycheck, and then wonder why they’re not promoted and don’t see increase. It’s because God doesn’t bless mediocrity, He blesses excellence.

Whatever we do, we should do it to the best of our ability. We should set the standard. Remember, we are ultimately working for the Lord. He’s the one who put those talents and abilities in us. We are stewards of the gifts He’s given. Other people may show up late. They may complain. They may cut corners. But don’t sink down to their level—you are working for Almighty God. You are called to excellence.

I encourage you today, stay determined. Stay focused. Whether you’re a waitress, a truck driver, an architect, a police officer, or a CEO, do it to the best of your ability. God is the one who brings promotion. When you set the standard, He’ll raise you up and pour out His blessing in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, today I choose to set the standard. I recognize that the work I do is for You. Keep me close to You by the power of the Holy Spirit and help me to rise up higher in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

Medical Council of Zambia sets up a complaints desk

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The Medical Council of Zambia (MCZ) has set up a public complaints desk for the general public to channel their complaints against health practitioners in the country.

MCZ Public Relations Officer Larry Njungu confirmed the development to ZANIS today and said the desk would be under the auspices of the public relations department of the council.

Mr. Njungu explained that the desk would facilitate and expedite the process of channeling various complaints people have against some medical practitioners to the medical council.

He said the initiative comes against the background that most members of the public are unsure about how they can register complaints with the council against medical practitioners in various clinics and hospitals in the country.

Mr. Njungu said the desk would ensure that people air their complaints whenever aggrieved by any health practitioner adding that the council would respond promptly to their complaints.

He pointed out that the Medical Council is mandate to oversee the conduct of health practitioners in the country and ensure hat they deliver quality health care to the public.

Mr. Njungu said for the council to effectively carry out this mandate it would depend on the general public for feedback on the conduct of medical practitioners in the country.

He assured the nation that the new complaints desk would be utilized to assist the council ensure that professionalism is being upheld by all medical practitioners n the country.

Mr. Njungu urged the general public to fully utilize the complaints desk as this will assist the council to effectively deal with the misconduct of some health practitioners in a bid to enhance health care delivery in the country.

He has since appealed to the public to take advantage of the forthcoming Trade Fair in Ndola to approach the Medical Council of Zambia stand and get more details about the newly launched desk.

ZANIS

Government sets aside K11 billion for upgrading of Mbala Zambia Air Force Airport

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Government has set aside K11 billion for the upgrading of Mbala Zambia Air Force Airport to accommodate commercial flights.

Northern Province Minister Charles Shawa says another K17 billion has been set aside for the upgrading of Luzuwa Hydro power station while K24 billion will be spent on the construction of a road from Mbala to Kasaba bay.

Mr. Shawa announced this in reaction to the chairperson of the Mambwe-Lungu Cultural Association (MALUCA) Felix Chitala who in his address during the Umutomolo Tradition ceremony yesterday accused government of neglecting traditional leaders and their subjects in Mbala and Mpulungu Districts.

The minister said Government has also electrified palaces for all gazetted chiefs in Mbala and Mpulungu Districts by either connecting them to the electricity national grid or providing them with solar panels.

He further said Government under President Rupiah Banda’s leadership was undertaking a number of developmental projects in the two districts with a view of uplifting the economic status of the local people.

Mr. Shawa cited the revamping of the Kasaba Bay Tourism resort as one of the major projects which will uplift the economic status of the local people through the provision of job opportunities once completed.

He said it was wrong for anybody to allege that government was not doing anything to develop the two districts.

The visibly upset Minister challenged Mr. Chitala to be factual when addressing people instead of fabricating lies.

Earlier, Mr. Chitala, who claimed to be speaking on behalf of the Mambwe-Lungu chiefs, said they were disappointed that while government was assisting chiefs in other places, it was not rendering support to their chiefs.

Mr. Chitala charged that most Mambwe-Lungu chiefs were staying in glass thatched palaces while roads leading to their palaces had not been graded.

He observed that chief palaces in other areas had been electrified by Government while those for the Mambwe Lungu had not.
The MALUCA chairperson also claimed that the two districts had continued to lag behind in terms of development despite them being supportive of the government.

But Chief Zombe of Mbala district disassociated the Mambwe-Lungu chiefs from Mr. Chilala’s statement saying that was his personal opinion and not the opinion of the traditional leaders.

Chief Zombe said contrary to Mr. Chitala’s claims, the Mambwe-Lungu chiefs were happy with the efforts government was making to develop the two districts.

He said Chiefs in the area will continue to support President Banda’s government because they were happy with its commitment to develop the area.

Chief Zombe also said it was wrong for some politicians to claim that the chiefs in the area were against the government.

The Umutomolo Tradition ceremony which attracted hundreds of people is an annual event which brings together Mambwe-Lungu chiefs to witness the festivity and fisting of the fruit of harvest.
ZANIS

RB donates K10m to UNZASU

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PRESIDENT Banda has donated K10 million to University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) to be used for the students’ welfare.

The President has also promised to engage various stakeholders in trying to find solutions for various challenges that institutions of higher learning face.

President Banda said this on Friday when he held a consultative meeting with UNZASU leadership led by the union’s president, Duncan Nyirongo.

According to a statement released yesterday by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere, the union presented a number of issues concerning the welfare of the students.

The concerns include the lack of accommodation, a shortage of books and learning materials, bursary scheme, transport problems and the dilapidation of the sports infrastructure.

“President Banda noted that the challenges which the University of Zambia and other higher learning institutions were facing in the country and promised to engage various stakeholders in trying to find a solution to the problem,” the statement reads.

The president assured the students that the Government attaches great importance to the education sector.

He also pledged to help the UNZASU in fundraising ventures, which the students’ body has embarked on.

He said the funds should be used for the intended purpose in order to encourage more people and companies to help UNZASU in raising funds.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Women’s lobby welcomes Dora Siliya’s appointment

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THE Zambia National Women’s Lobby (ZNWL) has welcomed the appointment of Dora Siliya as Minister of Education and Gladys Kristafor as permanent secretary at the ministry of community development.

ZNWL board chairperson, Tamara Kambikambi said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that the appointment of women in to decision-making positions is the only way Zambia would fulfill the 50/50 percent of women and men in decision-making as enshrined in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and African Union Protocols.

“We feel that Mrs Kristafor is ably suited for the job after having served as Ndola District Commissioner. We also welcome Honourable Siliya as new Education Minister,” Ms Kambikambi said.

The Lobby has also welcomed that President Banda’s pronouncement that the National Constitutional Conference should wind up its business within the given timeframe.

Ms Kambikambi said the pronouncement is a good proposal which would give people opportunity to have a new constitution that meets their aspirations.

“We also back President Banda in condemning the photographer who circulated pictures of a woman giving birth.

While we are in support of press freedom and the right to information, we would like to mention that as women we are deeply disturbed that the dignity of women is being undermined in the name of press freedom,” she said.

Ms Kambikambi said circulating pictures that demean women is a transgression of women’s right to privacy.

“The pictures of a woman in that situation are very depressing not only to the victim, but to all women in the country.

We therefore call on our colleagues in the media not to allow their image to be tarnished by one single individual who did not pay attention to the negative implication the picture has on women,” she said.

Ms Kambikambi said the media is a very useful partner for channeling information and should not be used to tarnish the image of vulnerable women, adding that the media should condemn irresponsible journalism.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

VJ hails China

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Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga has thanked the government of China for supporting Zambia’s development efforts through various avenues including the transfer of technology.

Mr. Mwaanga says the relations between Zambia and China have continued to grow for the last forty-five years.

He was speaking in Shanghai after a delegation of Parliamentarians, government officials and town clerks visited the Shanghai Caohejing Hi-Tech Park Development Corporation.

The institution is responsible for a number of scientific and technological innovations that have contributed to the economic growth in China.

And Chanler Wang an official at the centre advised Zambia to invite foreign investors to set up companies in the country as the first step towards the establishment of hi-tech parks.

Mr. Chanler said without science and technology it is not possible for any country to develop.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s Ambassador to China Lupando Mwape has called on the business community to support the government as Zambia prepares to participate in the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

Mr. Mwape said the Zambian flag has already been mounted at the Expo 2010 venue in Shanghai, as a confirmation that the country will take part in the event scheduled for May next year.

The theme for the Shanghai Expo 2010 is “A Better City, a Better Life”.
[ZNBC]

Councils directed to use CDF funds to maintain roads

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Government has directed all district councils in Luapula Province to use part of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to work on the road network in their respective districts.

Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Jazzman Chikwakwa issued the directive during the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) meeting in Mansa today.

Mr. Chikwakwa said the township roads in the districts were in a deplorable state adding that it was the responsibility of councils to maintain the roads.

He said his office will support the councils intending to work on the roads with the road equipment from the Rural Road Unit (RRU) which is under his office.

The Permanent Secretary said government would not accept excuses from local authorities’ failure to maintain roads within their districts because it had procured and made the road equipment available under the RRU department.

And Mr. Chikwakwa has said that government was still considering tarring the pedicle road to ease transportation via the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) route.

He said that the works to tar the road would have commenced this year but there was no budget allocation to the project adding that the Road was key on the national Roads Calendar.

Once tarred the 84 kilometer stretch would provide a shorter route via the DRC linking Luapula and Copperbelt Provinces.
ZANIS

Murder cases rock Mchini compound in Chipata

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The Community of Mchini compound in Chipata has called on prison authorities to ensure that inmates incarcerated at Namseche Prison are not allowed to mingle freely with the general public in the area.

The call comes in a wake of a spate of homicide cases that have occurred in the area in the recent past.

Mchini Security Committee Vice Secretary, Margaret Daka, said prisoners were not diligently guarded by authorities at Namseche Prison as some have been seen freely moving about in the community.

Ms. Daka has alleged that some were allegedly selling Kapenta, beans and other food stuffs allegedly taken from the prison.

He was speaking yesterday at a meeting called by Chipata Central Member of Parliament, Lameck Mangani, to find a lasting solution towards the murder cases and attacks that have rocked the compound.

She said the prisoners were also fond of drinking beer in the compound when they were supposed to be kept behind bars all the time.

Ms. Daka alleged that the inmates also engaged into sexual relationships with women in Mchini compound.

“We do not know who is behind the killings of innocent people in this area but for us to be safe, the prisoners should always be guarded and should not be allowed to move around in the compound without prison warders,” she said.

And Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Mary Chikwanda, expressed disappointment of the reported murder cases in the area.

Ms. Chikwanda ,however, observed that the murder cases were occurring in different parts of the district and were not exclusive to Mchini compound in Chipata.

She said police would intensify patrols in conjunction with the Neighborhood Watch Committee.

Ms. Chikwanda appealed to residents to report suspicious looking people to police and the neighborhood watch committee.

And Chipata Central Member of Parliament, Lameck Mangani, said a container would be taken to Mchini compound to be used as a police post as a short-term measure.

Mr. Mangani, who is also Lusaka Province Minister, said there was need to find a way of stopping the murder cases so that peace and security could prevail in the area.

He has since cautioned women in Mchini compound in Chipata to desist from engaging in sexual relationships with prisoners.

Mr. Mangani pointed out that it was an offence to co-habit with a convicted criminal.

ZANIS

RB to launch the National Policy on Environment this Monday

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President Rupiah Banda is this Monday expected to launch the National Policy on Environment at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) in Lusaka.

The National Environment Policy was developed by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources to underscore Government’s commitment to effectively manage the environment and its natural resources for the benefit of the present and future generations.

Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Spokesperson Bwalya Nondo, in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka, explained that the objective of the Policy is to ensure sound environmental management within the framework of sustainable development in the country.

Mr. Nondo said the Policy was developed through a comprehensive consultative process integrating principles of decentralization and broad stakeholder participation that underpin sustainable development.

He said some of the salient issues embodied in the Policy are the need to take into account natural resource conservation in the country’s efforts to address poverty and achieve sustainable development.

The Policy also stresses the need for local institutions’ participation in efforts aimed at achieving socio-economic development through good environmental management.

The Policy is expected to contribute to the harmonization of sector plans and strategies in the use of the environment and its natural resources. This will result in attainment of an integrated approach to development and contribute to the attainment of the objectives of Vision 2030 and the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) as well as the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

ZANIS

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