The opposition United Liberal Party (ULP) has put in place programmes that would enable the party compete favourably in the 2011 general elections.

ULP president, Sakwiba Sikota, said the party has embarked on a daily recruitment membership’s exercise.

Mr. Sikota said in an interview in Lusaka today that the party membership has been growing since the recruitment exercise started.

He added that a lot of people have shown interest of joining the opposition ULP.

He also said the party has put in place continuous programmes that would help in developing the party’s manifesto.

Mr. Sikota further said that ULP has been informing Zambians on what the party’s intentions were and what the party would stand for in 2011.

He said ULP has also been participating and contributing to different national issues affecting the country.

He said, with the different programmes put in place, the party would make the party much stronger by 2011.

Mr. Sikota noted that ULP was still a force to reckon with in the country’s politics, adding that the people of Zambia should not look down on the party.

He said the ULP was still very popular and that the party had support not only in Lusaka but also in other parts of the country.

ZANIS/AJN/KSH/ENDS

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has welcomed the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) for deciding to hold a summit for political Party Presidents.

CPD Executive Director, Neo Simutanyi, said the dialogue would be important towards political development in the country.

Dr. Simutanyi told ZANIS in Lusaka today that the meeting is critical as it will allow political leaders to meet and discuss important political issues affecting the country.

He noted that the dialogue meeting will also bring about mutual respect and understanding among political parties in the country.

He has further encouraged representatives at the meeting to come up with constructive ideas that are aimed at improving the current political situation in the nation.

Dr. Simutanyi also advised that there is need for politicians not to have different positions after the meeting but to agree on common issues that will benefit all Zambians.

Dr. Simutanyi, who is a political analyst, added that ZCID should also consider consulting other stakeholders to make their submissions if the meeting is to produce goods results.

He explained that stakeholders such as civil society groups, members of the public, economists and the church should be included in the planning.

He added that holding a dialogue meeting is the only way political leaders will be given a diverse view of important political issues to be ironed out.

He explained that the dialogue is important towards economic and social growth of any country and therefore, there is no need for any party to shun the summit.

Dr. Simutanyi further said ZCID and political parties should sensitize people on what will be discussed during the meeting so that they could make their submissions

ZCID has set April 25, 2009 as the tentative date for a summit of political party presidents, where they are expected to discuss various issues concerning politics in the country.

Cabinet would soon sit to discuss how much money Zambia will contribute towards the rebuilding of Zimbabwe’s collapsed economy.

The Zimbabwean government, during a Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) extra-ordinary meeting held in Swaziland early this month, presented a US$10 billion to the SADC organ to help rebuild that country’s economy.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that Zambia’s official position on how much to contribute towards rebuilding Zimbabwe’s collapsed economy would only be known after cabinet sits to discuss the matter.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said government had not yet made a decision on the amount it would contribute towards the rebuilding of Zimbabwe.

He however said government was working on modalities to help the neighbouring Zimbabwe to resolve its economic crisis.

He said Zambia will also work on its financial obligation to enable her render financial assistance to Zimbabwe, which is currently seeking US$10 billion for its economic resuscitation.

Recently, Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) leaders resolved to give financial assistance to Zimbabwe to help that country come out of economic doldrums.

ZANIS/TK/KSH/ENDS

Embattled Radio Icengelo Station manager Fr Frank Bwalya has been fired from the Catholic-owned community radio station.

And Fr Bwalya has accused Government of master minding his removal from the radio station where he had been serving as Station manager in the last eight years.

Speaking live on Radio Icengelo yesterday morning, Fr Bwalya revealed that he received his expulsion letter from Ndola Diocese Bishop, Noel Oregon

Fr Bwalya has also asked Republican President, Rupiah Banda, to step down for allegedly failing to defend the Zambian Constitution.

Fr Bwalya alleged that the MMD approached and requested Bishop Oregan to silence him, but said he was glad that the Church had fired him for telling the truth and speaking for the poor and under privileged in society.

Meanwhile, Fr Bwalya accused Bishop Oregan of heeding to political calls and complaints from the ruling party to fire him from the station over anti-Government remarks he has been making on a bemba Radio Programme called “Uleta Pabwingi Tonaula.”

The Priest who started his address on air with the Zambia National Anthem, refused to give his full message on radio, saying he would only disclose the contents of his information to his followers and the Zambian people in the manner he wanted to and not dictated by the Police.

He added that while the MMD was celebrating his removal from Icengelo, he would stay quiet  for three days after which he would rise and fight all the injustices and evils in society.

Fr Bwalya said he would not go anywhere after the expulsion but would continue to serve as a volunteer worker at Icengelo Radio Station were he would be slashing grass, digging pits and clearing the gardens and flowers for free because that is where he belonged.

The Priest said he had been struck by his own people but will arise when the dust settles to ensure that a better Zambia was created in 2011.

He also disclosed that he has no intentions of forming a political party, but would use his organisation, the ‘New Liberation Struggle Change or Die Zambia’ to ensure that a new leader who loves the Zambian people genuinely was put into power in 2011.

Fr Bwalya alleged that President Banda has no genuine love for the Zambian people except for a few evil doers that he was glorifying in his Government, hence the need to vote for a new leader in 2011.

Father Bwalya said he would use his organisation to campaign for a certain leader who would scoop the 2011 Presidential elections.

Fr Bwalya said President Banda must be removed from Office for failing to grant him his constitutional right of freedom of association and assembly.

He said that President Banda had sworn to protect the constitution but the alleged failure to allow him to hold the rally calls for his resignation.

Fr Bwalya called on Government to cut the number of cabinet ministers and abolish the position of deputy ministers to ensure that funds saved from these positions could go to procure drugs and as bursaries to universities.

ZANIS/ENDS/LK/EB

Inspector General of Police, Francis Kabonde, has appealed to Copperbelt residents to be careful with some members of the clergy and civil society using the effects of the global economic crisis to upset the peace currently prevailing in the Country.

Speaking in an Interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Kitwe today, Mr Kabonde said destroying peace had devastating consequences and very difficult.

Mr Kabonde said restoring peace after losing it is not easy, hence the need for the clergy and civil society to remain calm as the number of people losing jobs increased due to the credit crunch.

He said Zambians must be careful with people who were taking advantage of the credit crunch to fun trouble in the country, saying Zambia was not the only country whose companies closing were and citizens losing jobs due to the global economic crisis.

He disclosed that police had deployed over 4000 officers from Lusaka and round the Copperbelt to maintain law and order following the insistence by Radio Icengelo Station Manager, Fr Frank Bwalya, to go ahead with his rally which was canceled by police.

He said police were interested in trouble-makers because they were servants of the people employed to keep peace and ensure that it was maintained at all times.

Mr Kabonde said about 1,500 police officers from Lusaka were deployed to Kitwe while another 2,500 Copperbelt-based law enforcers were also deployed to ensure that the lives of innocent citizens were protected.

He, however, commended Fr Bwalya for changing his mind over his intentions to go ahead with the planned public rally in the spirit of peace and tranquility.

Mr Kabonde added that the police were happy that fr Bwalya preached peace to his followers and made his intentions for 2011 known to his supporters during his address which was aired on Radio Icengelo, but ssid law enforecers will continue being vigilant to ensure law and order prevail.

He, therefore, said some of the police officers that were deployed to Kitwe would be withdrawn because their was nothing peculiar in the message Fr Bwalya aired on Radio Icengelo.

The IG said the decision to cancel the rally was not because the police were compromised by government but that Zambia was a sovereign state with laws of the land which must be respected by all.

He noted that the press conference advertisements and campaigns which Fr Bwalya was running on Radio Icengelo were likely to cause a breach of peace, hence the decision by police to cancel his meeting.

He further said it has never happened in the history of Zambia for any member of the clergy or priest to hold a Public rally and admonish government over its policies as the church has always be known to preach unity and reconciliation in the land.

Mr Kabonde observed that the messages and preparations that were being made by Fr Bwalya prior to his intended public press briefing did not guarantee any peace and were in conflict with the current democratic tendencies.

He observed that the police were aware of the provisions of the constitution as regards freedom of expression and that there was need for people to take it cautiously.

The IG said there was need to have peace in order for freedom of expression to exist.

ZANIS/ENDS/LK/EB

A civic leader in Lusaka has urged government to quickly implement the decentralization policy in order to spearhead development in the country.

Mulungushi ward 18 councilor, Daniel Chisenga, however, said government should first try to define and address the role of a councilor before it can implement the decentralization policy.

Mr Chisenga said in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today that government should define clearly the role of a councilor and recognize them to ease their work.

He said councilors should be respected and that government must always ensure that the local authorities around the country are adequately funded once the decentralization policy is in force.

The councilor added that there is need for the central government to assist councilors in rural areas with transport such as bicycles and motor cycles as they implement the decentralization policy.

Mr Chisenga also said that government should incorporate the grassroots in the policy decision as they know much about their locality.

He said involving the locals will also promote continuity and help stop the tension that exists between the locals, government and the investors.

ZANIS/ENDS/GP/EB