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Zimbabwe Fair attracts 40 Zambian companies

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Forty Zambian companies are exhibiting at this year’s Zimbabwe’s International Trade Fair being held in Bulawayo.

The Zambian companies are exhibiting products that range from cellphones, cooking oils, clothing and Zambian foods and metals.

First Secretary for economy at the Zambian Embassy in Zimbabwe, Dyriss Kabwita-Simasiku, in an interview with the Herald newspaper in Bulawayo said this year’s show, which marks the 50th anniversary of the event, provides an opportunity for the Zambian companies to network and venture into new market provided by the fair.

Ms Kabwita-Simasiku said the 40 Zambian companies are already overwhelmed by inquiries for their products, and expressed hope that the enquiries will turn into concrete business deals.

President Rupiah Banda, who arrived in Zimbabwe today, will officially open the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo tomorrow.

The Herald reports that the 50th Trade Fair roared into life in Bulawayo yesterday with the local exhibitors focusing on economic revival, confidence and image building and how to get reintegrated into the international business arena.

Hundreds of exhibitors from at least ten countries, Zambia included, are participating at a time Zimbabwe has gone overdrive in reviving its economy through long and short term business deals.

The Herald adds that this year’s prime business exhibition has centred on deals that should shape the future roadmap for Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean International Trade Fair 2009 running from April 28 to May 2, 2009 is the 50th consecutive Trade Fair to be held in the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre located in Bulawayo.

The Fair was launched in May 1960 and was then known as the first “Central Africa Trade Fair” and has been held at the same venue since.

Other countries participating in the show are Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, South Africa China and Indonesia.

ZimTrade chief executive, Herbert Chakanyuka, is quoted by the Herald as saying that the return of more international exhibitors was a sign of the acceptance of Zimbabwe’s endeavour to revive its economy.

ENDS/IMD/AM/ZANIS

Hospitality Act needs review, Tourism Council of Zambia

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The Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) says there is need for the review of the Tourism and Hospitality Act of 2007 to bring it in line with global expectations.

TCZ Chairman, Mark O’Donnell also said that a review is needed to bring on board the needs of the industry.

Mr O’Donnell said the act, as it stands, does not reflect the needs of the tourism industry in a global environment.

He said stakeholders in the industry are of the view that most of their inputs were not reflected in the Act.

“The current understanding and common position for both government and the private sector is that the Acts were formulated through a consultative process . However, the two Acts took long to be enacted and when they were enacted it would seem that much of the consultative process was not included in the final version,” he said.

Mr O’Donnell was speaking when he appeared before the parliamentary committee on Energy, Environment and Tourism which is receiving submissions on the regulation of the hospitality industry, rural electrification programme and the management of the Game Management Areas (GMAs).

And Mr O’Donnell has implored the committee to call key players in the energy sector to ascertain the causes of the high cost of jet fuel in the country.

He reiterated that the council does not understand why the cost of jet fuel has continued to be high in the country when government has reduced taxes on the commodity.

He revealed that jet fuel in the country is double in comparison to Johannesburg and Nairobi where the commodity was costing about 45 cents a litre.

He said the committee needs to call players such as Indeni and National Airports Corporation (NAC) to give an explanation on the matter.

The TCZ Chairman stressed that the growth of the hospitality industry will continue to be hampered unless the issue of air service is properly addressed.

He said air service should be accessible and affordable because it offered the best mode of transport.

Meanwhile, TCZ has implored government to cancel the introduction of the tourism levy which is in the Act.

Mr O’Donnel stated that te industry did not need any further levy as it was already over taxed.

He added that the industry was not given concessions this year as other sectors and industries.

And TCZ Executive Director, Joseph Mehl, submitted that the country can still review its diminishing culture if there is political will.

She said that the promotion of culture will gain momentum if leaders and parliamentarians set the pace for other stakeholders to follow.

ZANIS/ENDS/MKM/EB

Local communities to benefit from tourism ventures in their localities

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A South African Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) dealing with the promotion of tourism has pledged to work closely with the local people to promote tourism in the country.

Open Africa is an NGO that promotes the development of tourism corridor routs in six southern Africa countries namely South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia and Mozambique,

Zambian route developer Cobus du Plessis said tourism can play a cardinal role towards alleviating poverty levels in the country if only local citizens participate in the implementation process.

Mr. Plessie told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that despite Zambia been a country that has attract many tourists through its vast natural resources, her citizen have continued to live in abject poverty.

He said it is for his reason that his organisation has targeted full participation of local communities as a way of encouraging them to invest in the tourism sector and mitigate the effects of the global economic crisis.

He said despite the global economic crisis, tourism has proved to be a sector that can still continue to contribute to the economic growth of the country if all citizens are allowed to take part.

Meanwhile, Mr. Plessie has challenged tour operators in the country to lower their charges and also market their products locally to attract more tourists and increase their revenue base.

In Zambia the NGO will open five new routes in Kasanka national park, North Luangwa, Mpika, Southern Kafue and the Barotse land.

And the Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) has encouraged the business community especially in the tourism industry to collaborate if they are to remain in business during the global economic meltdown.

PSDA chairperson Yusuf Dodia explained that by working together operators will come up with constructive solutions that will go a long way towards revamping the national economy.

Mr. Dodia further hinted that Zambian tourism industry still stands a great potential of overcoming the current economic challenges if it is properly managed.

ZANIS/MM/AM/ENDS

GTZ, govt. to rehabilitate 1,600 km of rural roads in Southern province

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Government and the Germany Technical Cooperation to Zambia (GTZ) have embarked on the rehabilitation of key feeder roads in all the eleven districts of Southern province.

Provincial Minister, Daniel Munkombwe said a total of 1,600 kilometres would be worked on this year at the cost of about K54.6 billion.

Mr. Munkombwe said the tender processes for the huge project are expected to be completed by June this year.

He said successful contractors will also be sent to all the districts to immediately commence work.

The minister, who was speaking when he installed Mazabuka mayor elect, Shaderick Mwiinga and his deputy Richard Malambo, further informed councillors that government will, through the rural development fund, repair a total of 600 kilometres in all the three constituencies of Mazabuka district.

He said a grader, front end loader and other equipment have since been sent to Mazabuka for the project.

Mr. Munkombwe also urged councillors and members of parliament to support government efforts and avoid opposing well intended projects such as the ongoing road rehabilitation programme.

ZANIS/HC/KSH/ENDS

Mopani Copper Mines to continue with its mining operations

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Mopani Copper Mine in Kitwe
Mopani Copper Mine in Kitwe

Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) has announced that the mining firm would continue with its mining operations in the country.

Company Secretary, Kyansenga Chitoshi, said that MCM and its Board of Directors had reached an agreement with its shareholders to continue mining operations at both mining assets at Nkana Under Ground and Open Pit Mine as well as Mufulira Mine whose shafts would not be placed on care and maintenance as earlier suggested.

Mr Chitoshi said the mining company had carried out a detailed review of its mining processing and administrative operations and was expected to achieve a significant cost reduction through the implementation of a range of cost containment programmes.

He added that a slight increase in copper prices has also enabled the company to make decisions to continue with its mining operations at both Nkana and Mufulira rather than place the shafts on care and maintenance.

Mr Chitoshi further said the aging ore bodies currently being mined were now nearing the end of their productive lives, hence the decision by the Board of Directors to re-evaluate the potential of the synclinorium ore body, an as yet untapped resource of 100 million tonnes of copper bearing ore,located below the existing Nkana South Ore Body and Central Shaft Ore Body.

He observed that the Board of Directors was hopeful that the measures which have been put in place would significantly contribute to the profitability and sustainability of the operations, prolong the life span of the mines and secure a brighter future for the work force.

MCM has in the recent past retrenched more than 1000 employees in their quest to remain afloat following the fall in copper prices as the effects of the global economic crisis continue biting.

And government has commended Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) over its decision to continue with mining operations in the country at a time when copper prices were low and the global economic crisis biting.

Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister, Simon Kachimba, said MCM must be commended for deciding to continue with operations at Nkana and Mufulira Under ground and open pit mines when most of the investors in the sector were closing down.

Mr Kachimba, who was speaking when he met Mopani management at the MCM Nkana board room today, said the mining company will not place its facilities on care and maintenance as earlier suggested but would continue to downsize on labour and devise new production mechanisms to ensure that the mining company remained afloat and continued operating on profitable levels.

He said the company has also reduced its expatriate labour force from 125 to 50 by the end of this month to ensure that the company continued to operate on profitable levels.

He disclosed that the company has also decided to implement all developmental programmes that were shelved following a reduction on copper prices to ensure that the company became economically viable again.

Mr Kachimba, who was on a three day tour of mining companies on the Copperbelt, further disclosed that MCM which had a workforce of about 20,000 people has reduced to 7,264 Zambians while 50 were expatriates.

He said Government was interested and ready to partner with investors that were willing to create and save jobs for the Zambian people.

He added that Mopani’s decision to continue with operations was a clear indication of the company’s appreciating of Government’s policies which had seen a reduction in taxes to enable the mining companies revise their production costs and, in turn, remain afloat

Mr Kachimba observed that MCM was the largest employer of miners on the Copperbelt, hence they must be commended for taking such a bold decision.

ZANIS/ENDS/LK/EB

We Can Beat Zesco United- Diallo

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Djoliba of Mali arrived on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s Caf Champions League game against Zesco United at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.

The Malian clubs coach Badra Alou Diallo has said the advantage is with Djoliba and they had come to crush Zesco dreams of a historic African Champions League group stage appearance.

No Zambia club has ever qualified to the lucrative stage of the African Champions League since the group phase of the club competition was introduced by Caf in 1997.

“We lost a lot of opportunities in the first leg but we have prepared well and are sure of going through,” Diallo said.

“We are not feeling any pressure and are optimistic of going through.”

The two sides are tied at 0-0 from the first leg played in Bamako on April 5.

Zesco need to beat the Malians to qualify to the group stage of the African Champions League that kicks off in July.

WIBA Champion Seeks Esther Challenge

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WIBA super featherweight defending champion Melissa  Hernandez of Puerto Rico has offered Esther Phiri a crack at  challenging her for the title sometime this year.

However, Esther’s camp has disclosed that they have an eye on fighting former WBC womens lightweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich of Canada at a date and venue to be announced.

The 29-year-old Hernandez who fights out of Bronx, New York  says she is willing to travel to Zambia to defend her crown against Esther, whom the WIBA ranks 9th in the World.

WIBA president Ryan Wissow said in a statement that he was ready to sanction the fight after the Puerto Rican said she was willing to come to Africa to face Esther.

“WIBA Super Featherweight World Champion Melissa Hernandez has agreed to defend her WIBA title in Zambia or Kenya against Esther Phiri,” Wissow said.

Wissow said Hernandez has demanded a US$6,500 purse money  for the fight plus tickets for her ringside crew.

The WIBA president insisted that the deal should not involve the controversial Kenyan based boxing promoter Caleb Kuya.

“She (Hernandez) will fight for US$6,500 and two tickets, and she wants to be paid her purse the night of the fight before she makes her ring walk,” Wissow said.

“Lets get together and make this fight a reality. Esther deserves it, and Zambia deserves it as well. Lets make it happen.

“I also want my US$1,000  sanction fee on fight night before the ring walks. If Esther wins the title, they can pay me the remaining $650 belt fee after the fight.”

Wissow said he should also be given the mandate to choose three African-based judges for the fight.

“If these terms can be met, we can have this “genuine” WIBA World title fight,” he said.

Hernandez’s 12-professional fight record stands at 9 wins, three of them via knockouts, one defeat and two draws.

Meanwhile,  Hernandez is set to fight Jeri Sitzes in  a non-title fight in Las Vagas on May  9.

Mobile hospitals initiative to be determined by technocrats – Shikapwasha

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Chief government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha
Chief government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha

Government has disclosed that technical experts are scrutinizing the feasibility of establishing mobile hospitals in all the nine provinces of the country.

Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha explained that the idea of establishing mobile hospitals in the country is a suggestion that is still being processed by the relevant authorities.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said in Lusaka today that government will only decide on the matter once the technocrats determine the feasibility of the initiative.

He also said that government will decide whether mobile hospitals are feasible or not based on the findings of the technical team that is looking into the issue.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said the nation will be informed in due course as soon as the evaluation is successfully completed.

He said government will also endeavor revamping rural roads around the country if the initiative is approved.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha’s was responding to some media reports that government is in the process of acquiring a US $53 million loan for EX-IM Bank of China to facilitate the acquisition of the mobile hospitals from a Chinese firm called China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC).

ZANIS/CM/AM/ENDS

Renard Names Team for June 2010 Qualifiers

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Herve Renard has named an unchanged squad from the one that face Egypt last month for Zambia’s two 2010 World/Africa Cup Group C home qualifiers coming up in June against Rwanda and Algeria.

The team , as earlier speculated in the press, includes strikers Collins Mbesuma and James Chamanga of Mamelodi Sundown of South Africa and Chinese club Dalian Hai Chang respectively.

Both players were dropped prior to Zambia’s trip to Cairo on March 29 where they drew 1-1 against Egypt in both sides opening Group C game.

Meanwhile, the home-based players are expected to go into camp in Lusaka on May 11 in Lusaka.

The team will head to Johannesburg for a closed door training camp a week later on May 17 before returning home on June 2 ahead of the Rwanda game to be played at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.

Renard and his team will later fly back to Johannesburg on June 9 for another weeklong closed door training camp and return on the 16th just four days before they face Algeria at Konkola.

Zambia and Egypt are top of Group C on 1 point each level with Algeria and Rwanda whom they beat to top spot on goal difference.

Team:

Goalkeepers: Davy Kaumbwa (Green Buffaloes, Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars, South Africa), Kalililo Kakonje (Amazulu FC, South Africa)

Defenders: Emmanuel Mbola (Pyunik Yerevan,Armenia),Nyambe Mulenga, Hichani Himoonde (Both Zesco United), Joseph Musonda, Chintu Kampamba (Both Golden Arrows, South Africa), Misheck Lungu (Budapest Honved, Hungary), Davies Nkausu (Supersport United, South Africa),Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes)

Midfielders: Felix Katongo, Stoppila Sunzu (Both Chateauroux, France), Jonas Sakuwaha (Zesco), Rainford Kalaba (Gil Vicente, Portugal), Fwayo Tembo (Etoile Du Sahel, Tunisia), Isaac Chansa (FC Helsingborg, Sweden), Francis Kasonde (Power Dynamos), Noah Chivuta (Supersport United, South Africa)

Strikers: Jacob Mulenga (Chateaurox, France), Emmanuel Mayuka (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), Christopher Katongo (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), Given Singuluma (Zanaco), James Chamanga (Dalian Hai Chang, China), Collins Mbesuma (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa)

PF Councillor is new Lusaka Mayor

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Patriotic Front (PF) Chakunkula ward 32 Councilor Robert Chikwelete is the new Lusaka City Council mayor.

This follows a tightly contested mayoral election held at the council chambers at civic center in Lusaka today. He polled 19 votes while his rival PF Kabulonga ward 16 Councilor Charles Msiska polled 18.
A total number of 38 votes were cast and one vote was rejected.

Delivering his victory speech, Mr. Chikwelete pledged to work with all councillors and other personnel at the council regardless of political affiliation.
He said bickering and mudslinging should be a thing of the past as the city of Lusaka belongs to everyone.

And PF Chawama ward 2 Councilor Davison Mulenga is the new deputy mayor for the city of Lusaka.
He assumed the seat after convincingly beating PF Mulungushi ward 18 Councilor Daniel Chisenga with 23 votes against his opponent’s 15.

The deputy Mayor-elect called on the losing candidates to work with the new leadership. He said the new leaders will require the co-operation and support of all the stakeholders in order to work efficiently in developing the city.

Meanwhile, the installation of the mayor-elect and his deputy which was supposed to have taken place today has been postponed to May 29.
Lusaka City Town Clerk, who was also the returning officer, Timothy Hakuyu, has confirmed the development.

ZANIS/PM/TM/AM/ENDS

Southern Province on Swine Flu high alert

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The Ministry of Health in Southern Province has mobilized teams of health experts to man all international entry points in the province and to conduct thorough inspections of any case that might be suspected to be swine flu.

Provincial Health Director Dr. Lutangu Alisheke said extreme caution must be taken to protect communities and health personnel who are heading the teams since Southern Province has five busy international entry points.

He said officers at the Livingstone International Airport, Victoria Falls border post, Kazungula border post, Sinazongwe and Chirundu borders areas have already been oriented with the latest information on how best to execute their duties.

Dr Alisheke told ZANIS in Livingstone today, that his officers would work closely with airline staff and immigration officials to ensure all operations that would be undertaken were done in an efficient and effective manner.

He however asked the public to remain calm and unalarmed since no cases of swine flu had been recorded in Zambia yet.
He said the Ministry of Health would soon print out pamphlets and produce radio programs to sensitize the public about the viral disease.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has described swine flu as a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza, which causes high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs.

CDC has further said this type of flu does not normally affect humans but confirmed that sporadic human infections had occurred mostly in persons with direct exposure to pigs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) however says the virus, which has so far killed more than 150 people in Mexico, is showing a “sustained ability” to pass from human to human and is able to cause community-level outbreaks.

The disease has since spread to Europe and Asia and governments around the world have been stepping up precautions against the spread of the swine flu.

ZANIS/AMM/KSH/ENDS

Zambia to rally behind Zimbabwe’s economic recovery

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Zambia’s High Commissioner to Zimbabwe Sipula Kabanje says Zambia supports the efforts by Zimbabwe to revive its economy and does not support the sanctions still imposed on its southern neighbor.

Dr Kabanje has said the Zimbabwean economy is back on the road of recovery following the dollarization of the economy in that country.

Dr Kabanje said Zimbabwe has overcome the phenomenon of hyper inflation following the replacing of the Zimbabwean currency with the United Sates Dollar and the South African Rand.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Harare today, Dr Kabanje said it has always been Zambia’s spirit to support its neighbors.

He said Zambia will rally behind Zimbabwe’s efforts aimed at bringing economic stability in the southern neighboring country that is emerging out of a period of hyper inflation.

The ambassador said it is Zambia’s desire to see sanctions and restrictions imposed on Zimbabwe removed as the government of national unity endeavors to bring back peace and prosperity in the country.

He said Zimbabwe’s economy is rising and the world should congratulate President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangarai for agreeing to work together.

He noted that the government of national unity in Zimbabwe is now delivering and what is remaining is the removal of sanctions and restrictions in order for the economy to explore more opportunities.

“President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangarai must be congratulated. These are African leaders who found an African problem which they have resolved. The inclusive government is now delivering and sanctions must be removed,” he said.

ENDS/IMD/AM/ZANIS

Task Force terminates contract of public prosecutor, Sebastian Zulu

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GOVERNMENT has with immediate effect terminated the services of Task Force on Corruption public prosecutor, Sebastian Zulu of Sebastian Zulu and company.

Mr Zulu confirmed in an interview yesterday that he received a letter of termination of his contract from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) last week
“Yes, I received the letter last week on Wednesday from the DPP terminating my contract as public prosecutor. So for any details, get in touch with the Director of Public Prosecution, Chalwe Mchenga,” he said.

Three private law firms were engaged as Task Force on Corruption public prosecutors.

The firms were MNB where defunct Zambian Airways chief executive officer Mutembo Nchito operates, Sambo Kayukwa and Sebastian Zulu and company.

The decision to drop Mr Sebastian Zulu and Company leaves MNB and Sambo Kayukwa to continue representing the Task Force on Corruption.

And when contacted for a comment Attorney General, Mumba Malila referred all queries to the Vice President George Kunda who was in a meeting.

Some members of the civil society have been calling for the resignation of Mr Nchito to allow for smooth investigation into the defunct Zambian Airways.
They argue that his stay at the Task Force on Corruption can frustrate investigations.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Six Months of Rupiah’s Presidency—What has he done?

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By Wesley Ngwenya

President Rupiah Banda flanked by his vice George Kunda talks to reporters when he arrived from North western province at Lusaka City airport.
President Rupiah Banda flanked by his vice George Kunda talks to reporters when he arrived from North western province at Lusaka City airport.
It is now six months since Rupiah Banda was supposedly

elected the President of the Republic of Zambia. Having
undertaken such a huge responsibility on behalf of the Zambian people, it is only fair to give our president a review on his performance in the last six months.

The first mistake the president made was appointing people to his cabinet who either did not qualify for those positions or had a questionable history. Just last week one of Rupiah’s cousins was sworn in as the new High Commissioner of Zambia to Mozambique. This explains the problems the government has experienced in the last six months. There is indeed a leadership crisis in this government. What the president has failed to do is surround himself with credible individuals who shall help him run the affairs of this country. Instead, he has opted to date men and women with low morals–without the slighted foresight as to where this country needs to go.

There have been numerous cases of corruption and abuse of office that have been reported in the last six months of Rupiah’s presidency. Those that have criticized the president have been thrown to the curb while those that have been found wanting have been relentlessly defended by the president. The president has completely failed to wage war against corruption that he promised the Zambian people during the campaign. There is no doubt that his predecessor’s legacy has not been kept alive in the current government.

The country has faced one of the most trying economic times during the past six months. The difficulties that we are facing are not entirely as a result of the world-wide economic crisis but are also a result of inadequate planning and lack of visionary leadership in our country.Hundreds of people have lost jobs, in Zambia, during this time. However, can Rupiah’s government point to a single job that they have created in the last six months other than those of their friends and cousins? Clearly, this government has failed the Zambian masses. They have continued to blame the “global warming” (as someone in government called it) for the problems we face as a nation. If only, you invested in agriculture, empowering the citizens, and tourism maybe we will all be able to take a trip to Mfuwe after all.

Once of Rupiah’s blunders was to initiate and sponsor the national indaba to discuss the current “economic crisis”. This was a sheer waste of time and money. How did Rupiah expect to come up with answers in a couple of days if he could not do it in the last six months? How could he come up with answers when most of the individuals at the indaba were either his friends or were connected to the government? I looked at the list of individuals invited for the indaba—there were only about five marketeers. Most of the 300 plus guests were politicians, government officials, directors, bankers and senior so or so. Look at those categories again. Aren’t those the same people that are screwing us everyday and causing the same problems we have? If Rupiah was interested in coming up with something substantial at the indaba then common people from all walks of life could have been invited.

Six months down the road it is difficult to come up with something substantial about Rupiah’s leadership. During his presidency there have been job losses with unemployment rate rising to probably 80 plus percent. We have seen companies such as Zambian Airways, our national carrier, fold without the slighted help of the government. As if that is not enough, we have also seen the Zambian local currency depreciating to an all time low during Rupiah’s presidency. What is it then that he can proudly show to the Zambian people as his achievement in the last six months? Other than the tours he has taken around the world, with MMD cadres, I cannot think of any. I beg to be challenged here.

When the president leaves office, he is going to be judged on the deliverables he gave the Zambian people and not the promises he made. Although six months have gone, Rupiah still has more than two and half years to turn things around. Things can only be turned around if he becomes selfless and surround himself with men and women of high caliber. And six months later, Rupiah is still wearing the same cream white Caribbean shirt with three squares in the front. Does he need to go shopping?

Locusts continue ravaging Kazungula

Guest Editor
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Villagers in Sililo area in Ngwezi of Kazungula district have complained of locusts that have continued to destroy people’s fields.

Bob Katanga said the locusts have caused serious damage to crops, saying farmers will not have proper harvests in this year’s farming season.

Mr Katanga mentioned that 15 villages in the area are affected and that the locusts have also invaded vegetable gardens, a situation he described as unfortunate.
He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Sikaunzwe on Monday.

Mr Katanga said there is need for relevant authorities to move in and assist the desperate farmers before their food is completely finished.

In another development, Kazungula District Council Chairman, Lazarus Simwatachela, has bemoaned the poor state of roads in the district.

Mr Simwatachela said most roads in the district are in a deplorable condition and in need of serious attention.

He appealed to the Road Development Agency (RDA) to work on important roads, like Kauwe-Nguba, which leads to Kalomo district.

Mr Simwatachela, who is also Kauwe ward councillor in Chief Nyawa’s area, disclosed that farmers rely on the same road for transporting their produce to some parts of the districts in the Southern Province.

The District Council Chairman stressed that the Kauwe-Nguba road is the most reliable route for everyone in the area but has never been graded for a long time.

ZANIS/ENDS/NM/EB

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