Government has been urged to restrict the number of second hand-vehicles entering the country as such vehicles cause harm to the health of people and the environment due to their emissions.

CFAO Managing Director Albert Campbell says such vehicles emit gases which are poisonous.

Mr. Campbell said this during the launch of film entitled “HOME” which shows how the environment is being polluted.

He also urged the Zambian Bureau of Standards to scrutiny the roadworthiness of the second hand vehicles coming into the country.

Mr. Campbell pointed out most of the second hand vehicles are not road worthy hence emit poisonous gas which are harmful to people and dangerous for the environment.

The film “HOME” with footage from over 50 countries and will be screened in Zambia on the 5th of June on World Environment Day.

The film will be screened on ZNBC TV and will be reproduced on DVD for free viewing to make people aware of the effects of emissions which involve green house gas emissions, from fossil fuels.

Dance diva Rozalla Miller has pledged her support to the Wilmslow-based charity All Star Kids by becoming their latest high profile patron.

Rozalla, who was born in Zambia, and brought up in Zimbabwe, was catapulted into the world club scene when her famous dance anthem ‘Everybody’s Free’ stormed the UK charts in 1991.

Now the new ambassador for All Star Kids, Rozalla says she is privileged to be a part of the work that the charity is doing to help make a positive change to the lives of children in Africa by providing a safe place to live, health care and education.

Commenting on her new role, Rozalla says: “As somebody who was born in Zambia and raised in Zimbabwe, the fact the charity works in those two countries made it of great interest for me to get involved. Also I’ve always had a view that education is the most important thing in any child’s life.

“I will be raising it’s profile wherever possible in the UK, and whenever I travel to see my family in Zambia and Zimbabwe I will make sure I do whatever possible to visit and see some of the children the charity is helping.

“Everyone is aware of how difficult things are in Zimbabwe, but beyond this, having grown up in both countries I think I will understand some of the cultures and national characteristics, which in turn will help me be a better patron.”

Chris Clarke, Chairman of All Star Kids, says: “It’s fantastic to have Rozalla on board, she is totally committed to do anything she can to help the charity.”

“We are certainly privileged to have her support and we look forward to seeing the difference we can make together to the lives of children in Africa, helping to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, productive and loving atmosphere where they can reach their full potential.”[quote]

The charity, which supports and offers hope and an education to street children in Africa, also saw international runway model Rosemary Chileshe and Sky World News reader Lukwesa Burak become patrons earlier this year.

All Star Kids was originally founded in 2000 as the Andy Cole Children’s Foundation. More recently the charity has re-launched and has changed its name to “All Star Kids” to better reflect its focus – on children – the real stars who they work with.

All Star Kids has launched a number of innovative fundraising projects to help support its work including a search to donate website at www.fightthefamine.com and a video sharing website for all charities at www.madtube.org. To find out more about the charity’s work and get involved please visit www.allstarkids.org.uk

MMD National Secretary, Katele Kalumba, has welcomed President Rupiah Banda’s intentions to contest elections at the MMD convention.

Dr. Kalumba says he will defend President Banda and any other party member who wishes to contest the party’s top position.

He told ZNBC news in a statement that it is his constitutional responsibility as National Secretary to defend any member of the party wishing to vie for the party Presidency.

Dr. Kalumba said he will treat each expression of interest with the confidentiality and integrity it deserves.

On Tuesday, Southern province MMD Chairman, Solomon Muzhyamba, announced that the MMD in the Province had resolved to endorse Mr. Banda as its president at the party’s convention next year.

He said the party in the area will also support Mr. Banda in the 2011 Presidential election.

[ZNBC]

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday said that it was not true that only one person was involved in the stealing of K10 billion Kwacha from the Ministry of Health.

Mr. Banda was speaking in Livingstone on Thursday when he officially closed the Sixth Zambia International Business Advisory Council Conference (ZIBAC).

Mr Banda called for the suspension of all civil servants involved in the alleged K10 billion graft scandal at the ministry of Health.

He said it was disappointing to note that those who have been implicated in the scam were still occupying their offices and  that the Secretary to Cabinet has not made any attempts to ensure that all civil servants that could have perpetuated the vice are removed from public offices to pave the way for investigations.

Mr Banda further said that he was not yet in office when the named official stole the money.

Mr Banda said the country was passing through a difficult phase and urged people to work together with government in the fight against corruption.

Mr Banda reiterated that corruption had become rampant in Zambia and called for concerted efforts in the fight against the scourge.

ZANIS

inauguration ceremony of President elect, Bingu wa Mutharika tomorrow, who was, by press time leading by a comfortable margin.

Minister of Energy Kenneth Konga and other senior government officials accompanied the President.

He was received at Chileka International Airport by Malawi’s vice-president, Joyce Banda, Zambia’s High Commissioner to Malawi, Joshua Simuyandi, Political adviser to the President, Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Euralia Syamujaye and other senior government officials.

Mr. Banda was then taken to Sunbird Hotel, formerly Mount Soche, where he will be lodging until Friday, May 22, when he returns home.

Mr. Banda said on arrival that the re-election of President Wa Mutharika was important for Malawi, especially that he has won with a landslide in most of the regions in the country.

Other presidents that have arrived for the inauguration, which will be held at Kamuzu stadium tomorrow, include Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and some representatives from Swaziland and Angola.

Meanwhile, President Mutharika is clearly headed for a win in the heavily contested election that had six other presidential candidates.

Dr. Wa Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who was running for the second term of office, beat his main opponent John Tembo of the opposition alliance formed between the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the United Democratic Party (UDF), the party that had fielded former President, Bakili Muluzi for presidency in the recent election.

Other presidential candidates that were contesting the election are James Nyondo, an independent candidate, Loveness Gondwe of the opposition New Rainball Coalition (NARC), Kamuzu Chibambo of People’s Transformation Party (PETRA), Stanley Musauli of the Republican Party (RP).

And the European Union Election Observation Mission and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) election observer missions have since declared the election as free and fair, adding that they were held under a tranquil and peaceful environment.

Head of COMESA Election Observer Mission, Otema Musuka, said at a press briefing here today that the mission did not witness any occurrence that could have compromised the integrity of the votes cast.

He congratulated the people of Malawi for the peaceful election and a huge turn out to cast the votes, which he said was an important ingredient to the development of democracy.

There are currently has nearly six million registered voters in Malawi, a country lying on an area of 118,480 square kilometres and a population of over 13 million people.

In an election for his first term of office on May 20, 2004, President Mutharika garnered 36 per cent of the vote.

There are currently has nearly six million registered voters in Malawi, a country lying on an area of 118,480 square kilometres and a population of over 13 million people.

ZANIS

Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says the appointment of the four Ministers to sit on the Petroleum Committee is in accordance with the provision of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said the Act clearly stipulates the appointment of the four ministers and specifically requires the Minister of Mines and Mineral development to chair the committee.

“ The Act is therefore instructive on his appointment as chairperson while one other Minister will serve as Vice Chairperson,’ he added.

He added that the Act also provides for the appointment of the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) Governor as Committee members or his deputy in his absence.

Gen. Shikapwasha who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister said President Rupiah Banda did not act in any corrupt manner by following the Act.

He said the law requires that the President appoints the Ministers to sit on the Committee, which also includes other members who are from outside government.

Gen. Shikapwasha said government finds the statement by Patriotic Front (PF) Leader Michael Sata in today’s post Newspaper about the presidential appointments very misleading and a complete display of ignorance by the opposition leader.

He said the statement attributed to the opposition leader is a deliberate move to peddle untruths and portray the appointments as having been done out of corrupt motives which he cannot even substantiate.

The Minister said it is malicious for Mr. Sata to mislead the public to suggest that the President is promoting corruption or the ministers appointed to the committee are corrupt.

‘ I would like to encourage Mr. Sata to do his homework before giving press statements that spread falsehoods,’ he added.

He has since appealed to Mr. Sata to appreciate the fight against corruption under President Banda , who has not deviated from government’s Zero tolerance to Corruption.

He stated that the latest cases and those in court are testimony to President Rupiah Banda’ fight against corruption.

This is contained in a press statement by Gen Shikapwasha on the appointment of the ministers to sit on the petroleum committee obtained by ZANIS in Lusaka today.

The Minister ‘s remarks follows a story attributed to Mr. Sata in today’s Post Newspaper , in which the opposition leader stated that President Banda was encouraging corruption by appointing the four ministers to sit on the committee.

President Banda on Tuesday announced a seven member committee that include Mines Minister Maxwell Mwale, Energy Minister Kenneth Konga, Commerce Minister Felix Mutati and Finance Minister Dr. Sikumbeko Musokotwane.

Others are BOZ Governor Dr. Caleb Fundanga , Energy Consultant Andrew Kamanga and Guy Phiri from Engen Petroleum Zambia Limited.

ZANIS