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37, 000 farmers in Lusaka to benefit from FSP this year

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Government has allocated 7,400 metric tonnes of fertilizer and an additional 370 metric tones of seed to small scale farmers in Lusaka province for the 2009/2010 farming season.

About 37, 000 small scale farmers are targeted to benefit from the 3,700 metric tonnes D compound and 3,700 metric tonnes Urea fertilisers.

Lusaka Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Chinjili Zulu, says government will continue supplying farming inputs at subsidized prices to small scale farmers in a bid to promote food security in the country.

Mr. Zulu said this yesterday in Chongwe district during the 83rd Lusaka Province Agricultural and Commercial Show under the theme “Challenge of Change”.

He has reiterated government’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture through crop diversification so that the sector contributes to the economic growth of the country.

Speaking earlier, Lusaka Province Agricultural and Commercial Show Chairperson, Eddie Namiluko, appealed to traditional leaders in the province to surrender sizable fertile lands for agricultural development.

Mr. Namiluko said the move will enhance agricultural activity and development thereby reducing poverty and hunger in the country.

He urged government to increase both the number of beneficiaries of the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) and the number of packs per farmer if they are to make a meaningful contribution to food production.

Mr. Namiluko has since appealed to government to expeditiously revise the FSP to ensure that loopholes that led to the abuse of the programme are sealed.

And government says over 77,000 vulnerable but viable farmers in Northern Province will benefit from this year’s subsidized inputs under the Fertilizer Support Programme.

Northern Province Minister, Charles Shawa, disclosed this when he officially opened the 39th Provincial Agricultural and Commercial Show under the theme “Challenge of Change,” held at Kasama sports stadium.

Mr Shawa said the increase in the number of beneficiaries follows Government decision to increase the fertilizer allocation to the province and also reduce the size of a pack from eight bags to four bags per person.

The Minister, further, said Government is considering using camp committees in the FSP input distribution to identify beneficiaries while approval shall be at provincial level, by the provincial agricultural committee.

He has since called for the immediate formation of the committee.

Mr Shawa has since warned beneficiaries against selling the subsidized inputs saying those who will do so, will be visited by the law.

He said Government is spending a lot of money on the subsidized inputs and does not expect anyone to sell the inputs.

Mr Shawa has, further, commended farmers in the province for their hard work which has resulted in increased crop production in the province.

He said according to the 2008/2009 crop forecast survey by Ministry of Agriculture through the Central Statistical office, the province is expected to produce 258,236metric tones of maize as compared to last season’s 171,232.

Mr Shawa added that Government is confident that with the increased fertilizer allocation this year, the province will produce more maize this farming season.

He has since advised farmers to start preparing by ensuring that they sell their produce at not less than the recommended K65, 000 per 50 Kilogramme bag of maize.

The minister warned that selling the maize below the recommended price will deprive the farmers of the economic benefit.

And show society Chairperson, Bernard Kaoma, urged farmers to take farming as a business and diversify their agricultural practices by growing different crops.

ZANIS

16 pupils from St. Joseph’s Girls in Mazabuka injured in road mishap

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At least 16 pupils from St. Joseph’s Girls High School in Mazabuka district have been injured and are battling for their lives in Mazabuka District hospital following a road traffic accident last night.

The accident occurred when the vehicle they were in collided head on with another on the Magoye-Chivuna Road.

The pupils were travelling from Monze, where they had gone to attend a Christian fellowship meeting at Monze high school.

Mazabuka District Hospital Administrator, John Zimba, who confirmed the development to ZANIS in Mazabuka today said 28 pupils were last night attended to by health workers and that 12 were discharged after been treated at the out patient department.

He also revealed that hospital staff last night treated and discharged a mother and her child from the other vehicle which was involved in the same accident.

Police have since arrested the teacher, who was driving the van that was transporting pupils, and charged him with dangerous driving and over loading.

Police traffic officers told ZANIS that preliminary investigations indicate that the accident happened because the driver of the van carrying the pupils was driving on the right lane hence the collision.

School head-teacher Sister Rosalia Sakayombo said the school only sanctioned 18 pupils to travel to Monze for the Young Christian Student celebration, hence wondered why more pupils traveled for the function.

Sr Sakayombo also said the van which was used to transport the pupils was hired from the teacher because the school truck was committed to other school programmes.

Mazabuka Mayor, Shaderick Mwiinga, who rushed to the hospital, described the accident as bad.

Mr Mwiinga said school authorities should endeavour to abide by government instructions to stop transporting pupils using vans or trucks to avoid risking the lives of children.

He has since challenged the Parents Teachers Association at the school to consider buying a school bus to secure transportation of pupils for various programmes.

ZANIS

Govt releases K3.7 billion for construction of new hospital in Choma

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Government has released K3.7 billion for the construction of a modern general hospital in Choma.

Opposition UPND Choma Member of Parliament, George Chazangwe, says the release of the funds reflects positive commitment by government to take health services closer to the people.

Mr Chazangwe told ZANIS in an interview in Choma today that government has initially allocated K 3.7 billion in this year’s national budget to facilitate the commencement of construction works of the new general hospital.

The MP, who did not disclose the total cost of the project, said the rest of the funds for the project will be disbursed in phases.

He said people, who attended a stakeholders meeting held yesterday to discuss the hospital issue, expressed gratitude to government for responding to calls from Choma residents for a modern hospital befitting the status of the district.

The meeting was attended by several Choma residents representing various interest groups as well as Choma District Commissioner, Laiven Apuleni.

He said the new hospital would be built next to the existing district hospital which has been described as unsuitable to operate as a health institution due to unfit infrastructure.

Mr Chazangwe said government would release funds in phases to ensure steady progress and completion of the district hospital.

Recently, during the tour of the hospital, the parliamentary committee on health chaired by Chikankata MP Munji Habeenzu recommended for the construction of a new general hospital to replace the existing facilities.

Inspectors in the ministry of health have on several occasions condemned the current facilities at Choma general hospital which they said posed a danger to both patients and personnel.

ZANIS

450 pupils sharing 15 desks at Chibwe Basic School in Choma

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Desk Sharing by two pupils
Desk Sharing by two pupils

SOUTHERN Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe has castigated school authorities of Chibwe Basic School in Mapanza, Choma for allowing the 450 pupils to share 15 desks.

Mr Munkombwe has also ordered the District Commissioner Liven Apuleni to probe the matter and provide a report in a week’s time.

A visibly upset Mr Munkombwe gave the directive on Friday when he officiated at the handover ceremony of two boreholes at Chibwe and Katowa basic schools.

The boreholes have been donated by the Anglican Church in Zambia and the Garber Leadership United Methodist Church in New Bern, North Carolina in the United States of America.

Mr Munkombwe wondered why the school authorities have been quiet about the plight of the children and only brought this matter up during the handover ceremony of the boreholes.

He was reacting to a plea by Chibwe Basic School deputy head teacher, Musa Simaimbula, to well wishers and Government for desks.

Mr Simaimbula said his school was in dire need of desks and houses for teachers.
The school, which has 13 teachers, has only five houses.

Chief Mapanza, too, wondered why the school authorities did not inform him about the matter for him to raise it with the relevant authorities.

Mr Munkombwe said that if the head teacher was unable to handle the matter, she should leave the running of the school to those capable of doing so.

“If the head teacher is not worth leading this school, why should such a person be here? There is serious weakness in leadership in this school and as minister in charge of the province, I do not want to be associated with failure because I have never been a failure in my life,” Mr Munkombwe said.[quote]

“There is something sinister here and I want to have a detailed report on the matter soon,” he said.

Mr Munkombwe commended Anglican Church in Zambia bishop, David Njovu, for attracting the attention of his American friends from Zoe Ministries who have responded favourably to help alleviate the suffering of the people.

Bishop Njovu said the two boreholes cost US$10,000. He commended Zoe Ministries for raising the money.

Zoe Ministries representative and delegation leader, Robert Littleton, said he hoped that through the fellowship, people would taste the living water that Jesus Christ talked about in the Bible.

{Zambia Daily Mail]

What’s Following You?

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TODAY´S SCRIPTURE

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6, NKJ)

TODAY´S WORD from Joel and Victoria

As a believer in Jesus, did you know that goodness and mercy are following you? God´s grace and favor are chasing you down! But if you live with a cloud of condemnation over you, if you surround yourself with negativity, then you are putting a barrier between yourself and the blessings of God.

So many believers today miss out on what God has in store for them because they live like they´ve got a dark cloud over their heads. They´re always talking doom and gloom, living in condemnation. But when you open your heart to receive what God has for you, that cloud is lifted and all that´s left is His goodness and mercy!

Instead of living in guilt and shame, God desires that you walk in His love and forgiveness. Make the decision today to let go of condemnation, let go of the past through forgiveness, let go of self–defeating behaviors, and embrace His goodness and mercy! Let His favor surround you like a shield so you can live the life of victory He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I humbly come to You today asking that You remove anything in my heart that would keep me from You. Give me a heart of forgiveness so that I can move forward into all You have for me. In Jesus´ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

Govt keen to develop sports stadia

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Ministry of Sport,Youth and Child development Permanent Secretary Susan Sikaneta (in blue) is surrounded by officials from CHinese An Hui construction firm who have been engaged to repair the Independence stadium.
Ministry of Sport,Youth and Child development Permanent Secretary Susan Sikaneta (in blue) is surrounded by officials from CHinese An Hui construction firm who have been engaged to repair the Independence stadium.
Government says it is determined to ensure state of the art

national stadium is put in place in Lusaka.

Sport, Youth and Child Development Permanent Secretary, Susan Sikaneta, says the country is currently relies on Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on the Copperbelt for important international matches.

Speaking when she met a 9-man delegation from China at the Independence stadium in Lusaka today, The PS said government is geared to accelerate the funds for the completion of the US$65 million Independence Stadium.

Ms. Sikaneta said told the Chinese Architectures and Engineers that they will be working closely with her Ministry and the Ministry of Works and Supply.

She said the Ndola stadium that is under construction will cost US$65 million, while the Livingstone one would cost US$57 million.

She disclosed that her ministry has devised an action plan to facilitate smooth construction works at the stadium.

She said her ministry will be conducting inspection tours and monitoring of construction works of the three stadiums on a monthly basis.

She said Zambia is keen to learn from China in the area of construction and engineering.

And Chinese delegation leader Jin Meikang said three stadia to be constructed in the country will have the life span of 50 years.

Mr. Meikang, who is in the country to conduct feasibility studies on the construction of the stadia, said the stadia will be of international standards with a capacity of over 40,000 spectators.

Yesterday, Mr. Meikang and his team from Anltui Foreign T-conomil Construction Group arrived in the country to construct three stadiums in Zambia.

Recently, Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu accompanied with his Permanent Secretary Susan Sikaneta visited China to negotiate for the construction of modern sports infrastructure to which the Chinese government has favorably responded.

ZANIS

First Lady regrets poor staffing levels in rural health centres

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thandiwe6First Lady, Thandiwe Banda, says poor staffing levels in health institution has negatively impacted on the delivery of quality services.

Speaking when she made donations at Madzimwe rural health centre in Kasenengwa constituency in Chipata this morning, Mrs Banda said health centers especially in rural areas were faced with the challenge of poor staffing levels and poor infrastructure.

She also said shortage of drugs and other facilities required in the operations of the medical staff should be improved as a measure of enhancing quality service delivery in the sector.

Mrs Banda called on other stakeholders to partner with government to address challenges confronting the health sector.

She also donated an assortment of goods which included blankets, disinfectants and food supplements to Chizongwe clinic in Chipata central constituency, Mushawa rural health center in Chipangali constituency and Kanyanja rural health post in Luangeni constituency.

Meawhile, a representative of Chief Madzimwe, Ishmael Ngoma said the health center is faced with a shortage of drugs and lack of adequate manpower.

Mr Ngoma stated that there is only one nurse working at the health catering for a population of 11, 000 people in the area.

He has since called on government to employ people to assist the nurse to meet the health problems in the area.

ZANIS

Miner dies after Copper concentrates collapses at Kansanshi Mines

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A 23-year-old man died on the spot after a heap of Copper concentrates collapsed on him at Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi.

The incident happened as the miners were loading the commodity on a front hand loader using shovels on Thursday night around 21 hours.

One other miner escaped unhurt.

Both Northwestern Province Commanding Officer, Fabian Katiba, and a brother to the deceased, James Nyumbula, confirmed the death of David Nyumbula, of Mushitala compound in Solwezi.

Mr Katiba said Police have launched investigations into the cause of the accident.

He said the body of the deceased is in Solwezi General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmodern and burial on Monday next week.

This is the second death recorded at Kansanshi mine, within 12 months.

Last year, a spotter was crushed by a truck in the mining area.

ZANIS

Wasaja’s Coach Gracious in Defeat

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Boxing coach Mike Zulu said his boxer Charles “Wasaja” Chisamba did everything right despite losing to Doudou Ngumbu  in their WBC International and Africa Boxing Union (ABU) light heavyweight unification fight in France last evening.

Chisamba lost on unanimous points decision to the DR Congo-born French boxer in their unification title bout held in Auch.

Zulu said that that Chisamba had a slow start in the fight that also contributed to the loss.

“The only thing that went wrong was that we lost,” Zulu said.

“Technically everything went fine although he (Chisamba) started on a slow pace.”

27-year-old Ngumbu, who is ranked 11th by WBC, is now undefeated in 20 professional fights after he recorded his 11th victory over 12 rounds.

Ngumbu defeated Chisamba after scoring 120-107, 120-108 and 120-107 on the judges scorecards.

The 37-year-old Chisamba, ranked 34 by WBC, is now on 7 wins, 6 six losses and 1 draw from his 15 professional fights following Fridays defeat to Ngumbu.

Chisamba lost his ABU title just 7 months after claiming the crown following a 2nd round knockout win over Tanzanian Mbaruku Kheri on January 24 at Nationalist Stadium in Lusaka.

2009 Cosafa Cup Uncertain

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Cosafa still struggling to find a host for the 2009 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup after Mpumalanga Province in South Africa withdrew their earlier pledge to stage this years tournament.

Cosafa president Suketu Patel told the Southern Africa regional football governing body’s website on Friday that he was still optimistic a new host for the annual tournament will be found for this years event.

“We had a written commitment from the Provincial Government in September last year that they would put on the tournament in 2009 and 2010,” Patel says. “This was reaffirmed telephonically by the Province’s MEC in April, though she has since left office.

“Despite follow-up communication with the Province we have received no further commitment from them and that has put the tournament in jeopardy for this year.

“The situation has meant we have essentially lost eight months in searching for a new host, however, we are still hopeful of finding an alternative for 2009.”

Mpumalanga Province sponsored and hosted the 2008 Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup following the end of a 10-year sponsorship deal with SABMiller.

South Africa are the defending Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup champions after beating Mozambique 2-1 in the final played in Thulamahashe on August 3, 2008.

Loveless Marriage

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kilimanjaroDear bloggers,

I have been married for 5 years but the past 2-3 years I feel I have fallen out of love with my husband. I think the biggest mistake I ever made was accepting to marry him in the first place.I was 24 years at the time recently graduated from UNZA and felt the pressure to marry.Pressure came from relatives who always passed comments at my always being on other peoples wedding line ups.Well, when my then boyfriend of one year felt we should marry I thought it was a good idea.

Over the years living with him has become a struggle.I find every excuse to be away from him.He is generally a good man but I feel sometimes we have nothing in common anymore.Ok I’ll say it, he bores me to tears.I would love to get out more,visit different countries,visit game parks etc.Even taking a trip to Livingstone to see the Victoria falls to him is an issue.I swear even RB has more spunk than my husband!

Recently my brother was going to Tanzania to pick up a Japanese car and I jumped at the idea to go with him.I planned to visit one of my friends living in Dar es Salaam.My friend promised to take me on a site seeing trip to Mount Kilimanjaro.This was a chance of a lifetime but my husband vehemently refused saying it would be a waste of money. I went to Tanzania anyway.Its not like I couldn’t buy my own air-ticket.I’m as financially sound as he is.I had so much fun especially seeing mount Kilimanjaro.I met some nice people in Tanzania who I felt I shared more interests with than my husband.I extended my trip because my friend wanted to show me around. I felt so alive and had so much fun.I dreaded coming back to my dreary house.

My husband was cross but I didn’t let him dampen my spirits.Luckily we do not have kids so I think that makes it easier to walk away from this marriage.

My aunties think I should stick it out and one day I’ll grow to love him but hey life is short and I’m not getting any younger! I want to go places, achieve my hopes and dreams, perhaps one day meet someone more intellectually stimulating than my husband.It aint cutting with this dude.My trip to Tanzania opened my eyes.There are people out there with similar goals and interests like me.Why should I playhouse with this man who bores me tears.

So what do you think should I divorce him and get it over with or stay with him,learn how to make chikanda for him as he wants me to and hope that someday by some miracle my love for him will be rekindled.I’ve never wanted to carry the label divorced woman but ya ya ya ya ya I don’t know what to do.

Yours,

Lady M

Chinese delegation in Zambia for feasibility studies on the stadia to be constructed

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A Chinese delegation has arrived in the country to conduct feasibility studies for the construction of three stadia in Zambia.

Speaking on arrival at the Lusaka International Airport, delegation leader Jin Meikang assured the Zambian government that the stadia to be constructed would of international standards and their lifespan would be over 50 years.

Mr. Meikang, who spoke through an interpreter, said the stadia would have a seating capacity of over 50,000 spectators.

The stadia to be constructed by the Anltui Foreign T-conomil Construction Group would located in Ndola, Lusaka and Livingstone respectively.

And Government says Zambia will learn a lot from China in the area of construction and engineering from such undertakings.

Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development Chief Planner Henry Kapacha, who was on hand to receive the delegation, said government is indebted to China through the gesture shown by that country to help Zambia have modern stadia.

Mr. Kapacaha reiterated government’s commitment to developing sports infrastructure in the country.

Recently, Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Susan Sikaneta were in China to negotiate for the construction of modern sports infrastructure to which the Chinese government has favorably responded.

ZANIS

Reduce the cost of banking in Zambia- Fundanga

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Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Caleb Fundanga
Bank of Zambia Governor Dr. Caleb Fundanga
Bank of Zambia (BOZ) Governor Caleb Fundanga says it is

important for commercial banks in the country to operate in a manner that supports growth and development of the country’s economy.

Dr. Fundanga said it was therefore important for commercial banks to lower the cost of banking and offer attractive banking services to the public.

The Central Bank chief said the general cost of banking services in Zambia should be made affordable to the general public.

He was speaking at the foundation laying stone ceremony of the new Stanbic bank offices in the Show grounds in Lusaka.

Dr Fundanga noted that the investment that is being made by Stanbic bank would have a positive impact on the economy due to the evident linkages that infrastructure development has on various sectors of the economy.

He pointed out that the repositioning by the bank is one way of ensuring that there is healthy competition in the banking industry.

Stanbic bank chief executive Ben Kruger said Stanbic is committed to service the people on the African continent.

Mr. Kruger said Stanbic is an African Bank that has a unique understanding of African business.

ZANIS

Vice President George Kunda challenged to act

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george Kunda
george Kunda
The Citizens Committee (CC) is calling for the reduction of

the number of delegates to the National Constitution Conference(NCC). Committee Executive Director Gregory Chifire pointed out that paying delegates who have since concluded their work is an unnecessary drain on national coffers.

Mr.Chifire has challenged Justice Minster George Kunda to act on the matter.

Mr.Chifire says the move is meant to be a costing saving measure in the face of the global economic downturn.

Mr. Chifire told ZANIS in interview in Lusaka that there is no need for government to continue spending colossal sums of money on a bloated number of NCC delegates at the expense of national development.

He suggested that only committees that are still seating should be allowed to continue while those that have concluded their set mandate should not continue to draw allowances.

He said financial difficulties facing many countries have not spared Zambia thereby affecting many developmental efforts.

He said this is why government should come up with a clear policy on the issue of paying NCC delegates as the policy will assist government scrutinize the payment of allowances to NCC delegates.

Mr. Chifire further added that as much as the constitutional making process is important to the national development other activities should also be given equal opportunities of funding.

The NCC has concluded debates for over 15 committees that were mandated to consider different clauses from the Mung’omba draft constitution.

ZANIS

Kasama council instructed to remove street vendors

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Northern province Minister, Charles Shawa, has instructed the Kasama Municipal Council to remove vendors from the streets to achieve the objectives of the Keep Kasama Township Clean project.

Mr Shawa expressed concern that street vending is compromising the hygiene standards in the district. He said the council should enforce measures that mandate street vendors to relocate and operate from designated markets.

Mr Shawa said this when he inspected New Town market in Kasama.
He also appealed to vendors to consider moving from the streets to designated areas where they could sell their merchandise in an orderly manner.

He also appealed to marketeers to apply for loans from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission to boost their business activities.

Mr Shawa said people should be allowed to trade in conducive market places provided by the council to preserve a clean work environment and avoid outbreaks of communicable diseases.

Earlier,marketeers at Kasama New Town market complained that their vegetables, fish and other items were not selling at the market as compared to the streets.

In response, Mr Shawa said customers are not yet used to the market but that they would eventually start buying their items once they know about it.

He advised that marketeers should keep their toilets and the market place clean as a measure to improve on their health and hygiene at their work place.

ZANIS

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