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 ]

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/

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

-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

Education minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa says government is committed in improving infrastructure in higher learning institution.

Professor Lungwangwa said yesterday after touring various constructions that are taking place at Mulungushi University in Kabwe.

The Professor said government has planned for 106 billion for the entire completion of the construction-taking place at Mulungushi University.

” In last year’s budget government allocated 30 billion and 20 billion this year for the construction of student’s hostels, a dinning hall, library, lecture theatre, and a kitchen, ” he said.

He said he was happy with how fast the construction works were moving and was looking forward to the completion of all the works.

Professor Lungwangwa said education is one of government’s top priorities; government has taken steps to improve education by making sure more children are enrolled and recruitment of teachers is done.

He said there was now an increase in the number of students awarded bursaries from 600 to 1000 students being given bursaries.

And Mulungushi University Vice Chancellor Professor Vernon Chinene said the University was operating under a cost sharing arrangements between government and students.

“Government’s main contribution is mainly in infrastructure development in which it has committed k50 billion in 2008 and 2009 budgets and the contribution of students is in tuition and boarding fees, ” he said.

Professor Chinene said since the inception 16 months ago Mulungushi University has engaged more than a dozen contractors to rehabilitate existing infrastructure and construct new infrastructure.

” The new infrastructure includes an ultra-modern library, lecture theatre, dining hall, a kitchen, and 4x3storey student hostels, ” he said.

Professor Chinene also said the recruitment of academic, administrative, professional, and support staff had concluded with a total of 230 members of staff having been recruited.

“They include 110 from the former National College for Management and Development studies and 120 new staff which includes five at professorial level,” the Professor said.

Professor Chinene says the University will this year concentrate on farming.

He said the University wants to concentrate on farming so that it will be able to feed its students.

Professor Chinene said K 500 million has been put aside for the investment of the farm.

He the University will concentrate on improving agriculture food production for its students and staff members,instead of buying food elsewhere.

He also said the University was rehabilitating some sports fields at the University.

So far the basketball, netball, and volley ball courts have been completed and are only remaining with the football and tennis court.

ZANIS/CMC/ENDS/MM

Communications and Transport Minister, Dora Siliya, has resigned from her ministerial position.

And President, Rupiah Banda, has accepted Ms. Siliya’s resignation.

A statement issued by State House Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere says the president has also thanked Ms. Siliya for her contribution to the development of the country.

The statement says Ms. Siliya decided to step down in view of the findings of the Tribunal that probed her alleged abuse of office.

And President Banda has noted that the Tribunal did find as a fact that Ms. Siliya was somewhat misled by the confusion in the Attorney General’s chambers.

The President has accordingly decided to re-organise the Attorney General’s Chambers in a bid to prevent the reoccurance of the same confusion in future.

Mr. Banda said he will table before cabinet the MOU signed with RP Capital Partners over the evaluation of ZAMTEL assets, for determination.

He urged the nation not to lose focus on various problems facing ZAMTEL and the plight of its workers.

The President has observed that ZAMTEL has continued to acrue huge debts which need to be resolved before the situation gets out of hand.

Meanwhile, President Banda has urged people who are not happy with the findings of the Tribunal to avoid making unwarranted statements in the press.

He said the normal procedures provided for in the law should be followed as opposed to attacking the Tribunal.

He said the findings of the Tribunal showed that Zambia’s judiciary is independent and must be supported at all times.

The Tribunal found that Ms. Siliya had breached Article 54 of the constitution by ignoring the Attorney General’s Legal advise on the MOU between government and RP Capital Partners.

The Tribunal chaired by Judge Dennis Chirwa however, cleared Ms. Siliya on allegations that she breached part two of the parliamentary and ministerial code of conduct.

[ZNBC]