CENTRAL Province has continued to strategically focus on increased emphasis in agriculture, health, infrastructure development, and education, a senior government official has charged.

Provincial Permanent Secretary, Denny Lumbama said this during the opening of the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee in Kabwe today.

“I am happy to also note that the Province has continued to take the lead in terms of agriculture and I am hopeful that it will continue yielding the same results this year,” he lamented.

In terms of Agriculture, he disclosed that the Nansanga Farming block in Serenje had been allocated a total of K60 billion for rehabilitations, which would begin as soon as possible.

He cautioned the departments that would be responsible for the projects to make sure that they executed their duties diligently so as to improve the farming block to the expected standards.

In Education, the PS acknowledged the progress of the Mulungushi University and the Nkrumah College of Education, which he said were doing very well in terms of tertiary education.

He also stated that the Province had reserved K1 billion for the transformation of grass-thatched schools into modern schools.

In health, Mr Lumbama said that the two hospitals that were being constructed in Kapiri Mposhi and Mumbwa District were progressing very well and that the works would soon be completed.

“In terms of health facilities here in Kabwe, our main hospital Kabwe General Hospital was over burdened so we decided that the fees at the Kabwe Mine Hospital (KMH) be reduced by 50%,” he said.

Mr. Lumbama said that as government they were happy that the eight-centre water project was going on very well.

He also noted that unemployment was a challenge, which the government in the Province was facing and as such urged departments, Nongovernmental organisations, and Parastatals to address as they worked.

The PS hoped that the reopening of the Mine in Kabwe as well as Mulungushi Textiles would help in addressing the challenge.

ZANIS/SNK/ENDS/MM

The Emerald and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) says it would meet President Rupiah Banda for discussion on developing the gemstone industry.

ESMAZ General Secretary Victor Kalesha told ZANIS in an interview that his association was happy with government’s positive response to discuss the matter saying it the State was willing to give audience to the gemstone miners.

Mr. Kalesha said his association would present the proposed development plan during the discussion to be held with the republican President.

Mr. Kalesha said ESMAZ was hoping that government would make available revolving funds that would enable the gemstone small-scale miners’ access funds to acquire equipment, among other things.

He added that there was also need to initiate pilot projects that would help develop the gemstone mining sector since the 30 million Euro loan facility meant for infrastructure development projects in the gemstone mining sector was last year suspended by the European Union.

Mr. Kalesha said the money had already been channeled to other developmental projects hence was not possible to recover the loan facility.

Mr. Kalesha has also urged Zambians with the resources to invest in gemstone mining sector saying it had the potential for growth and profitability.

The gemstone miners have for a long time been calling on the government to consider investing in the gemstone mining sector which is currently faced with financial challenges among other things.

ZANIS/MP/ENDS/MM

The United Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota says there is need to consider cost reflective tariffs to the proposed 66 percent ZESCO tariff increase..

Speaking in Lusaka yesterday Mr. Sikota said there was need to deploy a way in which the hiking of tariffs would not have a great toll on the local economy.

He said failure to implementing cost reflective tariffs would scare off investors adding that this would lead to investors being skeptical in recovering their investment in the country.

Mr. Sikota said it was important for the proposed tariff hike would bring cost reflective tariffs for a number of years to guarantee investors that it would be done at a cost effective level.

He said this would cushion and protect the investors as it would suit them and work in their favour

And Mr. Sikota says the 66 percent proposed hike was too marginal saying ordinary citizens would not be prepared to deal handle it was implemented.

He said the Zambian people would be in a position to cope with it if they were given enough time before it was introduced.

Recently ZESCO proposed a Electricity hike of 66 percent but this has brought mixed opinions from sections of society.

ZANIS/MK/ENDS/MM

President Rupiah Banda is happy that Kansanshi and Lumwana Mines in North Western Province have sustained operations despite the effects of the global financial crisis.

President Banda said the two mining companies have continued operations despite the global economic recession which has forced many companies to shut down their operations.

The President was speaking when he addressed hundreds of Solwezi residents who welcomed him at the Solwezi Airport this afternoon.

President Banda has since thanked the people of North Western Province for supporting the mining companies he said have continued sustaining their operations in the wake of the financial crisis.

He said his administration is working hard to encourage the exploration of mineral and oil in the province in efforts of encouraging investments in the mining sector.

President Banda said government is determined to ensure that enhanced investment in the mining sector translates into improved economic status for the local people.

“May I take this opportunity to thank the two mining giants for continuing to work hard and sustaining their operations even in the wake of the global crunch.

” May I also thank the people of this province for supporting the two mines that they don’t close down as they continue to face the financial crunch,” Mr. Banda said.

The President also said that government will remain focused at implementing other development programmes that include improved road infrastructure and construction and rehabilitation of schools and hospitals in the province.

He said government has allocated funds the 2009 national budget towards the construction of roads, schools and hospitals in various parts of the country and North Western Province in particular.

Mr Banda said government will work hard to provide in all the sectors of the economy using the available limited resources.

He has since challenged the people at grassroots to help government monitor and supervise development projects by ensuring that funds are utilized for intended purpose.

Earlier, North Western Province Minister Joseph Mulyata said the people of the province were happy with the economic policies being implemented by government thereby making it possible for the two mining companies to operate well in the area.

Mr Mulyata said the people are positive that once the exploration of minerals and oil is completed more economic activities and employment creation for the local people will be achieved.

He also said that the traditional leadership in the province is willing to partner with government in efforts of promoting economic activities and alleviation of poverty in the area.

He disclosed that Chief Mujimazovu and Kalilele have since given government hundred hectares of land for development in the area.

Mr Mulyata further disclosed that the construction of a K14 billion hospital in Lumwana area is scheduled to complete in the next for months adding that the rehabilitation of the Mutanda Chavuma road is progressing well with a 300 portion already tarred.

President Banda is Solwezi to commission the Lumwana Mine Copper Project.

ZANIS/SK/TK/ENDS/MM

Zambeef is to spend US $16 million on developing it’s farm in Chieftainess Chiawa’s area.

The company said its dream is to become the biggest feeding company in the sub region in the next 10 years once development of its Chiawa farm estates is completed fully operation.

Zambeef General Manager in charge of the farm Rob Boucher told Kafue district Commissioner Winford Ngoma who toured the farm yesterday that the farm which will have 3400 hectares of land under irrigation will be one of the biggest farms in southern Africa.

Mr Boucher said the company is already in the process of completing the water intake and laying of irrigation pipes from the Zambezi River which will be supplying water to reserve dams on the farm.

He said $2.9 million United States dollars has since been spent on the water intake making it the biggest pump station in Zambia.

Mr. Boucher said 26 centre pivots have been installed and another 24 will be set up by next year to bring the total to 50.

He said the farm is already utilizing 2000 hectares of land where it is growing soya beans, winter maize and wheat.

Mr. Boucher also disclosed that the company this year plans to grow more winter maize from last year’s 940 hectares to 1160 hectares.

He said the farm is happy that it is contributing to the agriculture sector in many ways through food production and employment opportunities for ordinary Zambians.

And Mr Boucher also disclosed that the company will also construct a clinic in Kabwadu area as health services were very far.

He said with the increase in population, it was important that more social amenities are constructed so that people do not cover long distance to access them.

And Kafue DC Winford Ngoma said government is always pleased when investors put up such development as it is aimed at improving the welfare of ordinary Zambians.

Mr. Ngoma urged Zambeef management in the area to develop a cordial relationship with the locals as it was the only way the company will succeed in their endeavors.

He said government was looking into how a contractor can be engaged to repair the Gotagota Bridge which got washed away during the rain so that people can start using it.

ZANIS/BS/MKM/ENDS

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha has called on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) management and its unionized workers to come up with a positive agreement concerning salary increments.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said ZNBC should recommend to his ministry on how best the issue of salary increment can be resolved.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that coming up with positive agreement was the best way to solve the salary increment problem at the corporation.

He said it was important that workers and their management at the corporation resolved their differences amicably to foster smooth operations of the national broadcasting station.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha however refused to comment on whether the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched investigations in the alleged mismanagement of ZNBC.

Two days ago, ZNBC unionized workers staged a sit-in protest demanding salary increment of K700,000 across the board and the removal of the Director General and the management for alleged mismanagement of the institution.

ZANIS/AJN/KSH/ENDS.