THE cash strapped Choma Museum and Crafts Centre has received a financial boost from the Czech Republic under the development cooperation to help revamp its ailing operations.

The Czech Republic will, among other things, provide financial assistance for the upgrading of the museum and offer technical support.

Speaking during the handover of a donation of equipment to the museum in Choma today by the Czech Republic, project coordinator, Chibwe Kaoma, said the foreign assistance will be done in two phases.

District Commissioner, Laiven Apuleni, received the equipment on behalf of the institution which included a desk top computer, grass trimmers and other assorted equipment worth millions of Kwacha during a ceremony held at the museum.

Dr Kaoma said the government of the Czech Republic under the small scale development assistance has agreed to assist Choma museum and has initially made available US $ 13,500.

He said the first phase of the project will address the rehabilitation of the museum infrastructure.

Under the second phase, the project will focus mainly on scaling up advertisement of the museum to local and foreign tourists as well as procurement of new crafts products and artefacts for sale and preservation.

Dr Kaoma said the government of the Czech Republic is preparing a bilateral agreement between Charles University of that country and Choma Museum and also Limulunga museum in Mongu.

He disclosed that the agreement will involve sending Czech museum experts to Zambia to organize courses for employees of the two museums, giving professional help to the two museums in research and collection of items of museological value and organizing study stays of Zambian museologists in the Czech Republic.

And speaking earlier, Museum board vice chairperson, Thom Kampamba, thanked the Czech Republic for coming to the rescue of the museum which has been struggling to survive.

Mr Kampamba said museums all over the world are supported by the central government due to the nature of their obligations.

He, however, said the K 12 million monthly release from government fell short of funds needed to enable the institution function normally, adding that the government grant which had remained static over the years is only sufficient to cater for staff salaries, leaving no money for other operational costs.

Mr Kampamba said the major source of the museum income has in the past been from the sale of craft products but this suffered setbacks because there are few tourists visiting the institution coupled with lack of funds to finance purchase of new products.

He said the board is currently facing problems to do with clearance of debts for staff gratuities and obligatory payments to the Zambia Revenue Authority, National Pension Scheme Authority and the Workmen’s Compensation Fund.

Mr Kapamba said Choma museum is an important institution that plays a role in the development of the country through the cultural heritage preservation.

Meanwhile, museum executive director, Mwimanji Chellah, bemoaned the lack of cooperation between the institution and secondary schools.

Mr Chellah said the museum was not there to compete with school but supplement provision of knowledge to pupils.

He called for close collaboration between schools and the museum.

ZANIS

A 33–year-old customs clearing agent of Nakonde district in Northern Province has committed suicide by shooting himself in the head after a domestic quarrel.

Northern division police commanding officer, Charles Lungu, has confirmed the incident in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services [ZANIS] in Nakonde today.

Mr Lungu said Isaac Mwanza of Mukoma Site and Service plots shot himself in the head last night and died instantly.

Mr Lungu said Mwanza shot himself inside his newly acquired Mitsubishi Pajero near TAZARA-Nakonde railway station around 23:00 hours.

Mr Lungu said the body of Mwanza is lying in Nakonde health centre mortuary awaiting a postmortem.

Police sources said of late Mwanza had been threatening to shoot himself and was once summoned to the police station where he was counseled.

Police sources added that according to initial investigations, Mwanza yesterday openly moved with his pistol throughout the day as he continued to drink beer from one point to another.

He sneaked from his friends after he allegedly quarreled with his spouse who allegedly followed him to a drinking place.

Later in the night he drove towards TAZARA railway station where he shot himself and died instantly.

Members of the public who heard the gun shot immediately informed the police who arrived at the scene and found him already dead.

ZANIS

institution that contributes to the development of the nation through spiritual guidance to citizens.

Speaking in a speech read for her by Vice President George Kunda’s wife, Ireen, Mrs. Banda said the church needs to be supported as it contributes to the national development and promotes the unity and well-being of citizens.

She noted that the church also provides community services through the construction of basic facilities such as schools and clinics.

She said this at a fund raising luncheon for the Reformed Church of Zambia (RCZ) at Petauke’s Chimwemwe lodge.

Mrs. Banda observed that the increase in the membership of church members is a testimony that that more people were becoming sober minded, adding that this would focus peoples’ minds on developing the country.

Earlier, RCZ Reverend Francis Zulu said the church requires K20 million to expand the church building and the house of the Reverend.

Reverend Zulu said other requirements were benches, vestry chairs and building materials for major renovations.

ZANIS