Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete, has pledged commitment to strengthening the good relationship between Zambia and Tanzania which was founded by the first Zambian President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and the late President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere.

Mr Kikwete said his country will remain committed to ensuring that the investments in Zambia’s Tazara railway line, Tazama Oil Pipe line and the Zambia Tanzania high way were enhanced.[quote]

He said this at the official opening of the Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Ndola yesterday.

Mr.Kikwete said infrastructure development was key to economic development in the two sister republics because it could reduce the high costs of production, transportation, transaction and value-addition to goods and services.

He acknowledged that a poor transport system was a barrier to efficient flow of business trade in goods and services between the two countries.

Mr Kikwete called for unwavering support for the North/South Corridor initiative because of the abundant benefits that would accrue to the participating countries.

He said once infrastructure was developed in the North/South corridor, it would add value to the volume of trade in goods and services being handled in the corridor trade area.

Mr Kikwete said there were issues needed to be resolved in the areas of Nakonde and Dar-es-Salaam port which should enhance the warm relations of the two sister countries.

The Tanzanian Head of State said there was also need to enhance trade between the two countries because currently trade was US $20 million which was too low going by official statistics although there was a lot of trade captured by official figures.

Mr Kikwete also called for enhanced visits and meetings between Zambia the chamber of commerce of his country with their Zambian counterparts in order to exchange ideas and innovations in doing business.

Mr Kikwete called on Zambians to take interest and participate in the trade fairs in Dar-es-salaam in his country.

And Zambia’s Commerce Minister, Felix Mutati, pledged commitment to ensure that innovation, creativity and enterprise were used as survival keys for business to overcome the negative effects of the global economic meltdown.

Mr Mutati said government would focus its infrastructure development priorities on Kasumbalesa border, the Kitwe/Chingola road and the Ndola International Stadium in the next twelve months.

And Zambia Trade Fair Board Chairman, Phesto Musonda, said trade fairs were an opportunity to showcase trade opportunities that existed in participating countries.

Mr Musonda said it was time to build business relationships and learn from what others were doing and share innovations.

He observed that transport and communications sectors were key to any sustainable development to any given economy.

Mr Musonda said Zambia could not be handling 21st Century challenges with infrastructure that was built to handle 20th century problems.

He added that investment in hydro-power stations for the country was also a challenge that needed serious consideration because of the volume of increased demand following economic development in the country in the recent years.

The ZITF chairman called for enhanced private public partnerships in handling such huge developmental projects which he said government cannot do alone.

Mr Musonda observed that rail transport was one huge potential which would bring good economic benefits to the countries involved because it was environmentally friendly while fuel consumption was economical

ZANIS

campaign to educate school going children on the dangers of early alcohol intake and other bad vices.

LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager, Habenzu Mulunda, said the council has started going to learning institutions to provide pupils with information on dangers of alcohol abuse with a view to helping stop the vice.

Mr Mulunda said in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today that the council is, among other things, giving motivational talks to pupils aimed at helping stop alcohol abuse and concentrate on school.

He said the move is in line with President Rupiah Banda’s directive for the councils to reinforce by-laws and stop under-age patronizing bars and taverns.

He also said that council police have continued monitoring bars and taverns that are abrogating the laws by allowing under-age patrons and opening before stipulated time of 10:00 hours.

Mr Mulunda said the LCC sends out patrols to ensure that bar and tarven owners abide by the laws and open from 10:00 hours and close at 22:00 hours and do not allow under age patrons.

Mr Mulunda said the council has received a number of complaints from the public concerning these issues since the directive was given last month by President Banda, and thanked the public for their positive responses.

He said the council has received particular massive response from residents in Kabwata and Luangwa Compound in Garden who have tipped the council on illegal sale of alcohol in the areas.

Mr Mulunda said under the Liquor Licensing Laws, it is illegal for individuals to sell beer without a liquor license, adding that it is also prohibited to sell beer to under-age children.

He said the council has reprimanded some and also moved in to close other bars and taverns for committing different offences.

Mr Mulunda has reiterated the council’s commitment to close down flouting liquor businesses, especially during the long weekend.

ZANIS

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has asked Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company (AFECC), the company contracted to construct the ultra-modern stadium in Ndola, to complete the construction of the stadium in 18 months not the scheduled 24 months.

He also urged the Zambians that have been recruited to work with the Chinese company in the construction of the stadium to adapt to the hard working culture of the Chinese people.

President Banda said he does not want to hear that Zambian workers have gone on strike because they feel they are being over worked, but they should be willing to work for long hours as that was the working culture of the Chinese, which he said has helped them to develop their country.[quote]

Speaking at the project ground breaking ceremony in Ndola yesterday, President Banda urged the Chinese contractor to finish the stadium in 18 months so that some other new projects can be started.

The President said there are some many developmental projects that government intends to carry out with the help of the Chinese.

He prodded the Zambian workers to contribute to the development of their country by working side by side with the Chinese people in the project.

And President Banda has paid tribute to late president, Levy Mwanawasa, who initiated the idea for the construction of the stadium.

He said he will ensure that the stadium is completed as he promised during his presidential campaigns to continue on the developmental programmes of the late president.

Mr Banda observed that the Zambians and Chinese have enjoyed warm relations for a long time and the Chinese have helped in developing Zambia through undertaking several construction projects such as the construction of Tazara Rail line, Lafarge Cement plant and various roads and bridges among several other projects.

He urged youths not to listen to people condemning the Chinese as they have proved to be a genuine friend and partner in developing Zambia.

He noted that all countries in the world are now seeking aid from China, and as such government should not be criticized for embracing Chinese investors.

And speaking earlier Chinese Ambassador Li Qiangming, commended the Zambian government for embracing Chinese investors.

Mr Qiangming said he was optimistic that the stadium will be completed and a high quality structure will be done for Zambia.

He said AFECC was a hard working company that has undertaken several construction projects of hotels and stadiums in various countries world wide.

He also noted that Zambia and China have enjoyed cordial relationships that have stood the test of time and the construction of the stadium by the Chinese will enhance these relations.

The Chinese envoy further observed that the construction of the stadium will promote transfer of technology and skills from the Chinese to the Zambians.

He urged the Zambians to support the Chinese during the project so that the work is done perfectly and fast.

Copperbeltbelt Province Minister, Mwansa Mbulakulima, said the stadium will boost the economy of Ndola as soccer has now become a business worldwide.

Mr Mwansa said the stadium will also unite the people of Zambia regardless of their political, social, religious and economic persuasions.

He said the stadium will also enhance production and service delivery in industries due to the morale that will be created when the local team wins soccer matches.

The new stadium will have a capacity of 40 thousand seats. It has been funded through a concession loan from the Chinese government.

ZANIS

MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba has reacted angrily to accusations by Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata that the ruling party is using the police as its committee of vigilantes.

And Chief Government spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha says the MMD is a democratic party that would not bar anyone from challenging President Rupiah Banda at the party convention.

Commenting on a story in yesterday’s The Post newspaper, headlined `Police are now a vigilante committee of MMD – Sata’, Mr Tetamashimba said it was not true that the MMD was using the police as a vigilante committee.

“It is Sata himself who supports anarchy. We know that his bodyguards are the ones who are harassing member of Parliament Mrs Faustina Sinyangwe and those PF members who were beaten at a press briefing recently. One of his bodyguards George Zulu has been released from police custody in connection with the same beating of those other PF members,” he charged.

Mr Tetamashimba, who is also minister of Local Government and Housing, accused Mr Sata of lacking integrity as he (Sata) was allegedly protected by thugs as his bodyguards.

“What integrity does Mr Sata have when he can watch his party members being beaten by fellow cadres without stopping them? When those PF members were picked from a hotel where they held a press briefing, they were taken to the party secretariat where his bodyguards continued beating them, but Sata never protected them,” Mr Tetamashimba charged.

In Saturday’s issue of The Post Mr Sata was quoted as saying that the police were now a vigilante committee of the ruling MMD, which is being used to harass and intimidate journalists from The Post.

Mr Sata was commenting on the warn and caution statement recorded by the police from The Post news editor Chansa Kabwela on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Mr Tetamashimba has told United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema, to stop commenting on the procurement of hearses.[quote]

He was reacting to Mr Hichilema’s accusations in The Post newspaper yesterday that he (Tetamashimba) was inconsistent on the issue of hearses.

“I want to tell Hakainde to shut up. He is an accountant and he should understand the auditor’s report. He is making noise. He should shut up. He has no integrity. He should not comment on the issue of hearses like that. I still appeal to the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the issue of hearses,” Mr Tetamashimba said.

He accused Mr Hichilema of benefiting from the process of privatisation at the expense of Zambians when he was he was engaged as a liquidator.

And Mr Tetamashimba has said that MMD member Willa Mung’omba should abide by the party’s national executive committee NEC decision that endorsed President Banda as the sole candidate at the convention.

“Mr Mung’omba should not behave like he is a member of the opposition. He must support the decision by NEC for endorsing President Rupiah Banda. The PF have never had a convention and nobody has complained about that. Mr Mung’omba lost elections in the party and he should not now act like he is in the opposition. He is an MMD member,” Mr Tetamashimba said.

On Saturday Mr Mung’omba advised the party, through The Post, to allow President Banda to be challenged at the convention.

And the Chief Government spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha says the MMD is a democratic party that would not bar anyone from challenging President Rupiah Banda at the party convention.

He said in an interview yesterday that the decision by the NEC was to endorse President Banda as a sole candidate but that anyone who feels he could challenge Mr Banda could do so at the convention.

He says he could not recall a day and time when the NEC or MMD barred people from challenging the President at the convention.

“It would be very wrong for someone to conclude or say that MMD is not democratic,” Gen. Shikapwasha said.

[ZNBC]

Republican President, Rupiah Banda, has with immediate effect appointed Mulobezi Member of Parliament, Michael Mabenga as Lands Deputy Minister.

Mr Banda said the appointment comes after the death of Chitambo MP, Nasim Hasir, who was deputy Minister of Lands.

“In exercise of the powers vested in me pursuant to the provision of article 47 (1) of the constitution of Zambia, I here by appoint you Deputy Minister of Lands with immediate effect,” President Banda said in a letter to Mr Mabenga.

President Banda said it was his hope that Mr Mabenga would execute his functions in an efficient and diligent manner.

This is contained in a media statement signed and made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere.

ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10a, NAS)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

David was a man of excellence. The Bible tells us that David played his harp “skillfully.” He didn’t just play it, he played it with excellence. When he slung the stone that defeated Goliath, it wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t just a lucky break. David had practiced the slingshot year after year out in the shepherd’s fields. He was extremely talented with that slingshot. Some experts say he could hit a small bull’s eye more than 100 feet away!

In the same way, if we want to see God’s hand of promotion, we need to live excellently. In this day and age, if you’re not growing, then you’re at a disadvantage. If you’re at the same skill level this year as you were five years ago, then you are falling behind. It’s time to step it up a notch. Whatever you are doing, do it with all your might! Don’t get complacent. Keep growing; keep learning; keep improving. As you do your best to live excellently, God will bless the fruit of your labor. He’ll pour out His “super” on your natural and cause you to rise up higher into the life of victory He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I choose to live in excellence. I want to bring You glory in all that I do. Thank You for promoting me as I dedicate every area of my life to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.