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Partners, financiers interested in fisheries, livestock

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THE government has disclosed that collaborating partners and some financial institutions have shown interest to develop the livestock and fisheries sectors in the country.

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, in-charge of livestock and
fisheries, Bradford Machila said support in infrastructure development, camp house rehabilitation and laboratory construction in the two sectors will improve Zambia’s economy.

Mr Machila named the financial institutions that have pledged to
support the livestock and the fisheries sectors as the African
Development Development and the World Bank.

He said the other collaborating partnership, such as the European
Union, Common Market for Eastern Southern African Countries (COMESA),
USAID and the Southern African Development Committee (SADC) have also
shown willingness to support Zambia in the fisheries and livestock
sectors.

The minister said was speaking when he addressed district heads and provincial heads of government departments in Namwala district of southern province.

Mr Machila stated that the new ministry of livestock and fisheries expected to be established is committed to deliver better services to the country that will enhance economic development.

He noted that government’s commitment to ensure development in the two
sectors has been evidenced by increased funding allocated to the
two sectors.

‘’Government is in a hurry to develop the livestock and fisheries
sectors and we should all apply ourselves diligently to meet the
objectives and targets in the newly established ministry of
agriculture and cooperatives in livestock and fisheries,’’ he noted.

Mr Machila clarified that government has prioritized the disease
control programme in the livestock sector before lifting the livestock
movement ban.

He noted that the ministry will focus on prevention of diseases than
control.

Mr Machila also noted that control measures of diseases will still be
undertaken but emphasized that it was better to prevent the diseases.

He, however, regretted the inconvenience that might have been caused to
farmers by instituting a livestock ban but maintained that government
was taking disease prevention and control by putting in place a
movement ban of animals as a matter of urgency and high priority.

The minister said that vaccination programmes against diseases will be
continued by the veterinary department to curb animal diseases.

ZANIS-NAIS/ENDS/LK/EB

Minister inspects house construction project

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Home Affairs Minister, Kalombo Mwansa, yesterday made an on-the-spot check on the on going construction of houses for police officers in Livingstone’s old Tandabale market situated in Maramba.

Speaking shortly after inspecting the housing project, which has reached an advanced stage, Mr. Mwansa said he was impressed with the works done so far.
He commended the contractor of the project for constructing good houses which he said were of high standard and good quality.

The minister, however, said there was need to finish up the project on time so that the 68 houses under construction can be handed over to government in order for police officers to move in immediately.

Earlier, site supervisor, Samuel Willima, assured the minister that the houses would soon be completed, but was not in a position to give a specific time frame.

The minister, who is in the Southern Province on official duty, also toured the Livingstone Central Prisons before he proceeded to Katombora Reformatory School in Kazungula district.

ZANIS/ENDS/NM/EB

Bring parley office here, orders Mpezeni

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Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people in Eastern Province has criticized Luangeni Parliamentary Constituency professional Assistant, Donald Phiri ,for not communicating with people from the area.

Chief Mpezeni accused Mr Phiri of not delivering the service he was employed for as expected of his office of noting their concerns in the constituency.

He was speaking when area Member of Parliament, Angela Cifire, paid a courtesy call on him at his Ephendukeni Palace in Chipata and also to offer condolences to the chief after the demise of his wife, the Inkosikazi, Rozinyanga Jere, who died on April 7, and buried on April 10, 2009.

The traditional ruler said the parliamentary office for Luangeni Constituency was supposed to be situated at Feni, not in Chipata where people had to use vehicles to access it.

“You are serving people of Luangeni and for your office accommodation to be in Chipata does not serve that purpose. You are just wasting government resources paying you. Money should be paid to people that are working for the people, like me,” he noted.

The chief advised that the office should move to Feni area where its presence will be felt and serve the people that it was intended for.

But when asked, Mr Phiri said his role was to facilitate activities in the constituency, adding that the intentions were already there to move the office to Feni in Luangeni constituency.

Mr Phiri said the National Assembly would soon release funds to rehabilitate a council building which was earlier offered at K500,000 as monthly rentals but after reasoning with the local authority the figure was reduced to K200,000.

He said the council building would be occupied when the parliament releases funds for rehabilitation as the building was in bad state.

He said people were accessing his office and had a register in place for people to record whatever concerns they had from the constituency.

And in a separate interview Ms Cifire said once funds for rehabilitation were made available the constituency office would be worked on, adding that Mr Phiri would move to Feni where a council block was situated.

“National Assembly is aware of the building in Nsingo ward, and will facilitate the rehabilitation of the building though it was not centrally located, but Mr Phiri will move to the building,” she added.

Earlier Ms Cifire disclosed that she was in the area to monitor progress on the appeal she made last year in August for people to form committees to look at the plight of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs).

Speaking during a courtesy call she paid on Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Eularia Syamujaye, Ms Cifire said people from her constituency were requested to form committees to coordinate the issues concerning OVCs.

And Mrs Syamujaye said key projects of Chipata/Chadiza and Chadiza/Vubwi roads would be completed this year using Rural Roads Unit ( RRU) and Road Development Agency (RDA) funds released towards the projects.

“We had intentions for the two roads to be tarred but funds were not enough though the works expected to be done by the two agencies would ensure the roads last long,” she added.

ZANIS/ENDS/DM/EB

Please! Return to your country, Mutiti pleads with DRC refugees

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Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Ndiyoi Mutiti has reiterated government’s commitment to facilitate the repatriation of Democratic Republic Congolese (DRC) refugees who are in Zambian refugee camps.

And Ms. Mutiti has appealed to Congolese refugees to take advantage of the facilities that have been put in place by the Zambian government to repatriate them.

She said according to the survey which was carried out in January this year, at least 18,549 refugees are expected to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Ms. Mutiti added that refuges should freely return to their country because peace and stability has now returned to DRC.

She was speaking at the official closing of the fifth session of the tripartite commission on voluntary repatriation of Congolese Refugees living in Zambia.

And speaking at the same meeting, DRC Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Security of Congo, Sanda Byanza said the two day meeting, which was among the Zambian Government, Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was a success.

Mr. Byanza said the meeting was a milestone in the lives of refugees living in Zambia.

He has since called on the refugees to corporate with the Zambian government by returning to their country, adding that their citizenship was needed for the development of that country.

The tripartite commission agreed to resume the organized voluntary repatriation programmes on May 19th, 2009 and this programme is scheduled to end this year.

ZANIS/AC/KSH/ENDS

BIZZARRE: Kasama man beds a hen?

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A named man of Chambeshi location in Kasama is reported to have had elicited sex with a chicken which later died the same day over the weekend.

Both police and hospital sources confirmed the incident to ZANIS and described the act as a criminal offence.

The incident happened on Sunday morning.

An eye witness explained that she saw a chicken convulsing outside the house and called the owner of the house to come and see the strange behaviour in the chicken.

She said when the owner came she took the chicken and held it in her hands.

She said whilst holding the chicken, she saw some strange fluid coming out of the chickens’ mouth in the presence of the neighbours who advised her to take the chicken for medical examinations.

The medical examinations which were conducted on the chicken revealed that the fluid was human semen and advised them not to eat it.

The chicken was later referred to a veterinary doctor who was not in office to carryout further investigations as it was on a Sunday.

The chicken later died on the way.

And in an exclusive interview with ZANIS, the owner of the chicken declined to disclose the suspect but confirmed that the incident, saying this was the second time it has happened.

She said the suspect was within the house.

Meanwhile police sources said they will launch investigations until the culprit is brought to book and warned that those who will be found wanting WILL be punished by the law.

Last year, an similar incident happened in Mbala where a man, with two wives, had sex with a cow and was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by the high court.

ZANIS/ENDS/MC/EB.

Satirical Renditions

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1.

Dora Siliya on the Tribunal
Dora Siliya on the Tribunal

2.

RB on Sata
RB on Sata

3.

Mike Mulongoti on Dead Aid
Mike Mulongoti on Dead Aid

LAZ backs plans to reorganise Attorney-General’s chambers

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THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has supported President Rupiah Banda’s plans to reorganise the Attorney General’s chambers if the measure will enhance efficiency.

Speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, LAZ president, Elijah Banda said the association was in support of the president’s decision.

“Any such change is welcome if it will help enhance efficiency in the operations of the office of the Attorney General’s chambers,” Mr Banda said.

He said the Attorney General’s chambers had performed well as it was run by eminent lawyers who, by LAZ standards, had done extremely well.

Mr Banda said LAZ had so far not discovered any shortcomings in the way the lawyers in the Attorney General’s chambers had been operating.

He said despite the lawyers at the chambers working well, the president, as the appointing authority, had the powers to make changes.

“The president is the appointing authority and he is at liberty to make changes where he sees the need to do so. For as long as he considers to do so, he has the legal right,” Mr Banda said.

He said the president could not be compelled to divulge reasons for the changes, as when making appointment for such officers, he did not inform the public why he had done so.

“It is not important for the president to give the public the reason for the changes because the decision is entirely in the hands of the appointing authority,” Mr Banda said.

On Tuesday, President Banda said he would reorganise the Attorney General’s chambers to prevent the recurrence of confusion, which surrounded the provision of legal advice to former Transport and Communication minister, Dora Siliya.

The president noted that the tribunal found that Ms Siliya was somewhat misled by the confusion in the Attorney-General’s chambers and it was, therefore, necessary to reorganise it.
[Times of Zambia ]

Dora Siliya to seek judicial review

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FORMER Communications and Transport minister Dora Siliya
FORMER Communications and Transport minister Dora Siliya

FORMER Communications and Transport minister Dora Siliya will seek judicial review over the Dennis Chirwa tribunal pronouncement that she breached the Republican Constitution because that was beyond its mandate.

Ms Siliya said in Lusaka yesterday that the findings of the tribunal that she breached Article 54 (3) of the Constitution by failing to heed the attorney-general’s advice was never levelled against her as an allegation.

Ms Siliya, who stepped down as Cabinet minister on Tuesday, said she never had an opportunity to rebut the claim that she breached the Constitution in the manner she defended herself of the other allegations during the tribunal sittings.

“It is my considered view that the honourable tribunal exceeded its limit when it purported to pronounce itself on the legal status of the Attorney General’s advice.

“I have since sought the advice of my lawyers and, hence, intend to institute judicial review proceedings to address the propriety of this finding,” Mr Siliya said.

She was, however, grateful to the tribunal for establishing that she did not breach the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act on all the allegations levelled against her.

“This finding clearly demonstrates that in the execution of my duties as minister and member of Parliament (MP), I did not gain any pecuniary advantage or convey the same to any other person,” she said.

Ms Siliya, who is Petauke MP, said the findings also confirmed that she did not abuse her office as minister and MP.

She said her decision to resign was not in any way intended to lend credence to allegations and innuendos suggesting wrong-doing on her part but to bring to an end a malicious campaign that had distracted the nation from productive activities.

She urged Zambians to re-focus their energies on addressing the economic challenges facing the country and thanked the people of Petauke for standing by her.

Ms Siliya reiterated that she never committed the Government to a US$2 million contract for the evaluation of Zamtel assets as stated in the statement that she issued in Parliament which was prepared with her ministry staff and the solicitor-general.

She said the evaluation of Zamtel assets was an initiative of the Ministry of Communications and Transport in an effort to assess the problems at the company.

“The consultancy costs for the evaluation as explained to Parliament and approved in the 2009 budget do not exceed US$50,000. This was again repeated by his honour the vice-president in which the solicitor-general personally again played a big role in drafting,” she said.

Ms Siliya said the $2 million was merely an expression of interest or quotation by the evaluation consultants as transaction advisor if the Government made the decision to sell.

And Chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the debate on whether Ms Siliya should vacate her parliamentary seat or not should be guided by the outcome of the tribunal.

Lusaka lawyer, Abraham Mwansa, who is the convener of the Law Association of Zambia human rights committee, said the tribunal should have recommended specific measures for President Rupiah Banda to take instead of making general recommendations.

“I personally feel the tribunal should not have left the issue to politicians. It should have made specific recommendations to the president with specific measures for him to take,” Mr Mwansa said.

[Times of Zambia ]

Govt to reposes unfinished structures in Lusaka, Teta

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Government says it will swing into action to deal with people that will fail to complete their buildings in Lusaka once the grace period that was given to them by the Lusaka city council has expired.

Local Government and housing Minister, Benny Tetamashimba said this in an interview with ZANIS.

Mr. Tetamashimba said the owners of the buildings must ensure they complete their structures within the time that has been given to them by the Lusaka City Council or else have their buildings seized.

Mr. Tetamashimba further said the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has a fixed grace period within which all the people that acquire land must complete constructing their structures.

He advised people who acquire land from the Ministry of lands to ensure they build their structures within the given period.

ZANIS/PC/PK/ENDS

Thandiwe Banda determined to contribute to the improvement of maternal and child health

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First Lady Thandiwe Banda standing in the middle posing for pictures with other African first ladies in Los Angeles, USA
First Lady Thandiwe Banda standing in the middle posing for pictures with other African first ladies in Los Angeles, USA

First Lady Thandiwe Banda said her vision is to see that the number of traditional birth attendants are well educated and adequately equipped in order to provide quality maternal and child health especially in rural Zambia. This is according to the press release by the Zambian Embassy press secretary Ben Kangwa

Mrs Banda said the growing reluctance of qualified medical personnel to serve in the rural areas has contributed to the poor quality health delivery in remote areas

She observed that sometimes pregnant women die in their homes or on the way walking to the hospital because the traditional attendants do not have simple transport such as a bicycle to transport them to the health centre .

She noted that providing basic transport such as a bicycle which costs $85 would expand reproductive health coverage in rural areas.

She was making a power point presentation at a high level panel of African First Ladies that included Madame Adelcia Barreto Pires of Cape Verde, Mrs. Idah Odinga of Kenya and Her Royal Highness Queen Inkhosikazi Lambikiza of Swaziland in Los Angeles this afternoon, Mrs. Banda said there was need for Multi-national companies such as Exxon Mobil Corporation, the Rand Corporation, General Electric including the World Health Organisation and Vital Voices to work together with the African First Ladies to bettering the lives of other Africans.

“Let me make an earnest appeal to the partners in this summit to lend their support to this cause that I have embarked on so that together we can reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rate in Zambia, “ she said.

The First Lady is in Los Angeles to participate in the African First Ladies Summit on Leadership for Health. On her delegation is the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources. The delegation is supported by the Ambassador to the United States Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika

Editor’s Note

Watch First Lady’s Interview in LA

http://globalhealthtv.com/news/leadership_for_health_zambia_s_first_lady/

Siliya should have resigned much earlier to avoid waste of public resources

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Federal Democratic Party, FEDEPA, and President Alfred Sayila has welcomed and described as long overdue the resignation of Transport and Communications Minister, Dora Siliya.

Reverend Sayila, however, said Ms. Siliya should have considered resigning from Cabinet much earlier before the tribunal was instituted.

He told ZANIS that Ms Siliya’s resignation from her ministerial position should have been done much earlier to avoid a waste of public resources and time.

He accused the former minister of failing to make effective use of guidelines relating to resignations from public office.

Rev. Sayila has, however, opposed calls for the resignation of MS Siliya as Member of Parliament.

He said Ms. Siliya should remain MP because she was given the mandate by the people in her constituency.

Rev. Sayila accused those calling for the resignation of Ms Siliya of harboring malicious hatred and were clearly showing their ignorance on matters of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, New Generation Party President Humphrey Siulapwa has commended Ms. Siliya’s decision to resign as minister.

Mr. Siulapwa told ZANIS in Lusaka today that the decision by Ms. Siliya to resign is a testimony of maturity and professionalism.

And Forum for Leadership Search, executive director, Ediwn Lifwekelo has also saluted Ms. Siliya for the bold decision to resign.

Mr Lifwekelo said Ms Siliya’s resignation should not be treated as a sign of guiltiness but a moral responsibility as demanded for by the people.

ZANIS/MK/ENDS/SJK

Use local artists in jingles promotion – Artist (updated)

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The Barotse band leader Kalaluka Silumba says side lining local artists during the promotion campaigns of local goods and services by companies was detrimental to the development of music in the Mongu district.

Mr Silumba said this in reference to what prevailed during the 2009 Kuomboka Ceremony where bigger companies and institutions used Lusaka based artists to promote their goods and services.

He told ZANIS that local musicians have an advantage of effectively promoting goods and services as they can relate and communicate the jingles in the local language.

He appealed to bigger companies, such as ZAIN and MTN mobile network providers, to always include local artists in a given locality as a way of empowering them and fostering effective communication.

Mr. Silumba said it was disheartening to see companies and institutions promoting goods and services in a language that was only understood by a few.

He said local artists lacked funds to promote their works and that goods and services promotion platforms could greatly benefit the local artists and the companies involved.

ZANIS/JA/ENDS/MM.

EAZ urges Zesco to consider people’s plight before hiking tariffs

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The Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ) has urged the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to take into account the plight of Zambians as it increases electricity tariffs.

EAZ Publicity Secretary Francis Chigunta said although the proposed 66 per cent Zesco electricity tariff hike will help enhance investment in the country, the company should not consider the plight of the ordinary citizens.

Dr. Chigunta, who is also University of Zambia (UNZA) lecturer of Developmental Studies, said in view of the financial meltdown facing the country, a tariff increment of 66 per cent would have a negative impact on the lives of poor Zambian.

He said although the electricity tariff hike is long over due, the power utility company should come up with a certain way in which the tariff hike will be introduced in order to cushion the impact it would have on the citizens.

He has since urged Zesco Limited to effect the electricity tariff hike in a gradual manner so that citizens were not burdened with a huge increment at a go.

Dr Chigunta told ZANIS in an interview that it would be important for Zesco to take into account the fact that the majority of Zambians were poor and therefore, an adjustment in electricity tariff will negatively affect the people.

The proposed 66 per cent electricity tariff hike by Zesco has been received with mixed feelings from different sections of society.

Government has however welcomed the move while some opposition political parties and civic organizations are opposing, claiming that it will negatively affect the poor people.

ZANIS/PM/KSH/ENDS

RB appoints Jere as Special Assistant for Press and PR

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-President, Rupiah Banda, has promoted State House Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere, as Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations.

Mr. Banda has also promoted State House Chief Analyst for Legal, Joseph Jalasi, as Special Assistant for legal.

This is according to a statement released to ZANIS issued by Principal Private Secretary to the President, Austin Sichinga, in Lusaka today.

Mr Jere will with immediate effect head the Press and Public Relations Unit while Mr Jalasi would head the legal advisory unit.

President Banda has also confirmed the appointment of, Charles Kaonga, as Commissioner of Police for Special Duties at State House while Police Commissioner, Willies Manjimela, is now deputy Permanent Secretary of home affairs.

The President has also appointed, Graphael Musamba as Commissioner of Police.

Mr Musamba was until his appointment Director of Criminal Investigations Department in the Zambia Police Service.

Meanwhile, President Banda is on Friday expected in Livingstone for a two-day working visit where he is expected to officiate at the 18th Ordinary Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lusaka.

According to the programme, President Banda is on Saturday expected to attend an annual ball for the Law Association of Zambia, LAZ, where he has been invited as guest of honor.

Mr. Banda is also expected to hold talks with various government officials in Livingstone before returning to Sunday.

The President will be accompanied to the Tourist Capital by Presidential Affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Robert Mataka, and other senior government officials.

ZANIS/CM/ENDS/SJK

FRA to soon start buying maize

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The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has urged farmers to stop selling maize at low prices saying it will soon commence the purchase of maize at a reasonable price.

FRA Board Chairperson, Coasten Chilala told ZANIS in Mazabuka yesterday, that FRA is saddened with the disturbing reports that farmers in most parts of the country are allegedly selling maize at low prices despite calls by government not to do so.

Unscrupulous maize delaers are buying maize at low as K 16,000 in some parts of the district.

Mr Chilala urged farmers to exercise patience and allow the government and other stakeholders determine the floor price.

He said farmers should be wary of the consequences of selling maize at low prices because they will not be able to buy fertiliser.

Mr Chilala also disclosed that FRA projects to purchase 150,000 metric tonnes of white maize from small scale farmers as national strategic food reserves during the 2008-2009 maize marketing season.

Mr Chilala said although farmers are allegedly selling maize at give away prices, the agency would manage to reach its target.

He explained that in the last marketing season, the agency bought 80,000 metric tonnes of maize from small scale farmers.

Authorities, Parliamentarians, Zambia National Farmers Union and Chiefs in Mazabuka have equally expressed concern at the low maize prices farmers were offering to suspected bogus maize traders.

ZANIS/HC/ENDSW/MM

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