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Zambia’s inflation rate drop by 0.9 percent

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The Zambia annual rate of inflation has reduced by 0.9 percentage points from 14.0 percent in February to 13.1 percent in March 2009.

Speaking in Lusaka today at the monthly CSO media briefing , Central Statistical Office (CSO) Director Elfreda Chulu said the reduction in the annual rate of inflation for the month of March due to the decline in the prices of food products.

Ms Chulu cited reductions in the prices of food products such as Kapenta, fish, fresh vegetables, alcoholic beverages, tubers, dried beans, cooking oil shelled groundnuts among others.

She added that the annual inflation rates reduced for furniture, households goods, recreation, education and other goods and services.

Meanwhile, she also disclosed that prices for non food products such as clothes, footwear, rent and households energy, transport, (air fares and cost of motor vehicles) and medical care services increased.

She explained that of the total 13.1 percent annual inflation rate of month of March food products accounted for 6.8 percent points, while non-food products in the consumer Price Index (CPI) accounted for total of 6.3 percentage points.

Ms Chulu also explained that this month’s annual food inflation rate has recorded a 13.9 percent drop from 16.3 percent in February 16.3 percent in February 2009.

She said the annual non-food inflation rate stood at 12.3 % in March 2009, up from 11.7 % in February 2009.

Ms Chulu explained that a comparison of retail prices between February and March 2009 shows that the national average price of 1 Kilogram (KG) of dried Kapenta reduced by 31.1 percent, from K37, 044 to K25, 3357, while that of average price of 1Kg tomatoes reduced by 11.3%, from K3.107 to K2, 756.

And the average national price of a 25 Kg bag of white breakfast meal increased by 5.9 from K53, 576 to K56, 751 while that of roller meal increased by 5.3 %, from K43, 832 to K46, 156.

ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS

Weekend Football Fixtures

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2010 World/Africa Cup Group C Qualifiers

29/03/2009

Cairo

Egypt- Zambia

28/03/2009

Kigali

Rwanda- Algeria

Faz/Kcm Premier Division

28/03/2008

Week 3

Green Buffaloes- Forest Rangers

Zamtel – City of Lusaka

Kabwe warriors -Zesco United

Konkola Blades- Roan United

Power Dynamos- Chambishi

Choma Eagles-Red Arrows

Lusaka Dynamos- Zanaco

Postponed:
Young Arrows- Nakambala Leopards

Division 1

29/03/2009

Week 3

North

Chindwin Sentries- Nkana

Kitwe United- Kalewa

Kalulushi Modern Stars- Luanshya United

Ndola United- Prison Leopards

Lime Hotspurs- Zesco Luapula

Chingola Leopards- Mufulira Blackpool

Nchanga Rangers- Afrisports

Mining Rangers- Indeni

Mufulira Wanderers- Muchindu

South

Paramilitary- Young Green Eagles

National Assembly- Lusaka Tigers

Lusaka Celtic- Police Bullets

Kasco Rangers- Nkwazi

Profund Warriors-Mazabuka United

Zamcoal Diggers- Lusaka City Council

Green Eagles- Livingstone Pirates

Riflemen- Petauke United

Nampundwe- Luena Buffaloes

Cross Border Traders urge Govt to reduce the cost of doing business

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Cross Border Traders Association (CBTA) have called on government to put in place measures that will reduce the costs of conducting business at Lusaka’s COMESA market.

Cross Border Traders acting Chairman General Tadeo Taruviga further said traders at COMESA market are finding it difficult to continue importing goods from neighboring countries due to the depreciation of Kwacha.

He stated that the situation at COMESA will soon be similar to that of the closure of mines if nothing is done about it.

Mr. Taruviga said the traders in the market have resorted to forming trading groups to reduce the cost of transport when ordering goods from outside.

The acting chairperson also appealed to government to expand and renovate the market to create more trading space and make it more conducive for trade, it being a regional market which accommodates people of southern African.

Mr. Taruviga further said the government should also look into the condition of roads which lead to border towns saying that this will attract traders to conduct business in Zambia.

Henry Nyirenda a trader at the market said the market needed attention as it was in a deplorable state which is not conducive for trading.

ZANIS/AC/MKM/ENDS

This Week In Pictures

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A man in Senanga district spotted moving his family and household goods to higher land after his house was submerged by floods
A man in Senanga district spotted moving his family and household goods to higher land after his house was submerged by floods
Engineers working on a diversion to repair the Lusaka-Chirundu road
Engineers working on a diversion to repair the Lusaka-Chirundu road
Motorists navigating the the collapsed Lusaka-Chirundu road
Motorists navigating the the collapsed Lusaka-Chirundu road
Many houses have been  sourrounded by water in Kanyama Township. Here a woman going to enter her house
Many houses have been sourrounded by water in Kanyama Township. Here a woman going to enter her house
One of the houses surrounded by water in Lusaka's Kanyama twonship. This was after heavy rains that besieged Lusaka recently
One of the houses surrounded by water in Lusaka's Kanyama twonship. This was after heavy rains that besieged Lusaka recently
New Kanyama basic school has been deserted because of floods
New Kanyama basic school has been deserted because of floods
Luapula provice permanent secretary Jazzman Chikwakwa inspects a pack of expired medicines which were disposed off be experts recently
Luapula provice permanent secretary Jazzman Chikwakwa inspects a pack of expired medicines which were disposed off be experts recently
Official from the anti piracy squad inspect crates of confiscated counperfeit drinks in Lusaka's Zingalume township
Official from the anti piracy squad inspect crates of confiscated counperfeit drinks in Lusaka's Zingalume township
Photographers shooting pictures of traditional dancers at Lusaka international airport
Photographers shooting pictures of traditional dancers at Lusaka international airport
First Lady Thandiwe Banda spotted at Lusaka international airport draped in a traditional attire
First Lady Thandiwe Banda spotted at Lusaka international airport draped in a traditional attire
First Lady Thandiwe Banda greets children from SOS children's village in Lusaka
First Lady Thandiwe Banda greets children from SOS children's village in Lusaka
First Lady Thandiwe Banda meets children from SOS children's village in Lusaka
First Lady Thandiwe Banda meets children from SOS children's village in Lusaka
Mumba Kapumpa following proceedings during seminar for corporate reporting for journalists
Mumba Kapumpa following proceedings during seminar for corporate reporting for journalists
Institute of Directors president Mumba Kapumba with George Kunda at a training seminar on corporate reporting for journalists in Lusaka
Institute of Directors president Mumba Kapumba with George Kunda at a training seminar on corporate reporting for journalists in Lusaka
Commerce minister Felix Mutati receives documents on the investment agreement from Progressive Poultry representative Roedolf Steenkamp (r) after a signing ceremony in Lusaka
Commerce minister Felix Mutati receives documents on the investment agreement from Progressive Poultry representative Roedolf Steenkamp (r) after a signing ceremony in Lusaka
PF cadre William Harrington leaves the Supreme Court after the Dora Siliya tribunal hearing
PF cadre William Harrington leaves the Supreme Court after the Dora Siliya tribunal hearing
Communications minister Dora Siliya leaving the Supreme Court after her tribunal hearing in Lusaka
Communications minister Dora Siliya leaving the Supreme Court after her tribunal hearing in Lusaka

Eastern farmers challenged to diversify

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FARMERS in Eastern Province have been challenged to change farming methods in order to increase their agricultural productivity.

Eastern Province Minister, Isaac Banda, said if farmers changed and improved on seed varieties, grow other crops, increase on the production of fish and animals, they would be able to diversify their limited resources and generate more income.

Mr. Banda was speaking in a speech read on his behalf by Chipata District Commissioner, Nicholas Banda, when he officiated at this year’s Farmers’ Field Day held at Msekera Research Institute in Chipata yesterday, under the theme, ‘Challenge of Change’.

He said government had put in place a number of programmes to revamp the agricultural sector and one of those was to encourage farmers change ways of farming in order to transform the present crisis.

‘’ During this event, we have been presented with very important tools that include knowledge and simple adaptable methods of changing our way of farming,’’ Mr Banda said.

The minister emphasized that with this year’s theme, there could still be a way to make things better, adding that the agricultural scientists and partnering seed companies had demonstrated that farmers had a rare opportunity of increasing agricultural productivity despite the prevailing world crises of food, energy, finance and environment.

Eastern Province Agricultural Coordinator, Obvious Kabinda, called on farmers to work as a team when determining prices for their crops.

Dr. Kabinda said most farmers were being exploited by unscrupulous business persons because they did not work in collaboration when determining prices.

‘’ Farmers should always think of how much they have spent in farming before arriving at prices when negotiating with buyers,’’ he said.

Dr. Kabinda said farmers should realize that farming is a business and it was up to them to determine the prices when selling crops so that they could recover what they spent during cultivating and make profit.

Earlier, a Farmer, Kelvin Mawere, from Chimvano section in Msekera, complained that traders were exploiting farmers when buying crops because the merchants approached them with prices already fixed.

ZANIS/ENDS/SM/EB.

ZAMTEL improves communication in Luwingu

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The Ministry of Communications and Transport has improved communication system in Luwingu district by installing a new digital switch at ZAMTEL exchange to replace the analogue which was installed in early 1970s.

This was revealed by Luwingu District Commissioner, George Mwamba, who said the gesture will go a long way in alleviating communication problems faced by the district in the recent past.

Mr. Mwamba said the digital facility installed at the exchange has a provision for internet browsing which people should have access to.

Mr. Mwamba said following the improvement of communication system by ZAMTEL, the district will gain maximum development as many investors willing to invest in the district will no longer be complaining of lack of internet facilities.

“I am now inviting would-be investors to invest in the district as the area is now connected to the outside world through the provision of internet facilities at Zamtel offices,” added Mr. Mwamba.

He said the people of Luwingu are happy with the development which he said would enable them communicate effectively using internet services.

Northern Province ZAMTEL area manager, Fred Mwenya, confirmed that his company has installed a high speed digital switch which will carry, among other things the internet and fax facilities.

Mr. Mwenya said the demonstration on how to use the internet will be done at Luwingu high school next week in order to sensitize the community.

ZANIS/ENDS/EP/EB.

Bridges washed away in Lupososhi

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Two bridges have been washed away by floods in Lupososhi Constituency of Luwingu district in the Northern Province.

District commissioner, George Mwamba, confirmed the development to Zambia news and information services (ZANIS) in the area.

Mr. Mwamba said Luena Bridge collapsed yesterday making it impossible to get to some areas in Lupososhi Constituency.

He said following the collapse of the two bridges pupils from the nearby Luena Basic School have stopped going to school for fear of being swept away by heavy current as they try to cross the crocodile infested rivers.

Chief Tungati of the Bemba speaking people appealed to the office of the Vice President to consider putting up a permanent bridge at Chifungo stream.

Chief Tungati said the stream is in full capacity, adding that pupils from Washeni village have stopped going to school because of fear of been swept away by water current.

He said the Contractor who was engaged to construct a permanent bridge by government early last year died before mobilising his pieces of equipment.

Meanwhile Chief Tungati welcomed the construction of Luwingu Nsombo road and has also appealed to the contractor to speed up the rehabilitation of the road.

A block of three classrooms in Chief Katuta area in Luwingu has collapsed. This has been confirmed by out going District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Margaret Mulenga Shikabonga.

Mrs. Shikabonga said the three classroom block at Chambo Middle Basic School collapsed due to heavy rains the district is currently experiencing.

She said a team of officers from her office were dispatched to ascertain the damage but failed to reach the area because the only bridge which connects to the school had also been washed away by heavy floods.

“The area is still experiencing floods and has caused damage to crops,” she said.

Mrs. Shikabonga said the area can only be accessed after the rainy season because it is also waterlogged.

In another development four grass-thatched houses have collapsed while several cassava fields in Lima village in chief Chipalo area have been submerged by heavy floods.

District Commissioner, George Mwamba, who visited the area has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to visit the area and ascertain the damage caused by the rains in order for District Disaster Mitigation Committee to come with an adequate report to be submitted to the office of the Vice President for possible help.

Mr. Mwamba appealed to the affected peasant farmers to remain calm as government was addressing their plight.

ZANIS/ENDS/EP/EB.

Opposition MPs walk out of Parliament

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Given Lubinda
Given Lubinda
Patriotic Front (PF) members of Parliament on Wednesday

evening walked out of Parliament after the Income Tax (amendment) Bill of 2009 went through the committee stage following a division.

The PF MPs together with some United Party for National Development (UPND) and independent MPs walked out of Parliament when the Bill, which among other things seeks to abolish windfall tax, passed through the committee stage.

Kabwata MP Given Lubinda (PF) said his party was against the windfall tax charging because it was being applied selectively to the mine investors.

Luena MP Charles Milupi (independent) said there was no need to abolish the windfall tax as the prices of copper on the world market were going up.

In an interview, Mr Lubinda said MPs from his party and some other MPs from the opposition walked out of the House because they did not want to be party to the proceedings which approved the abolishing of windfall tax.

He said the walk out was a protest against the stance by the MMD Government to abolish the windfall tax saying “we just want it on record that we were not party to the amendment.”

However Vice-President George Kunda told the House that during consultations, the Government discovered the opposition political parties were merely politicking over the matter.

Mr Kunda said the PF were against the introduction of the windfall tax last year saying they wanted to save jobs and ensuring that the mines did not fold up.

He said variable tax served the same purpose as the windfall tax which he said was a punitive tax.

“Windfall tax is punitive, it does not take the aspect of costs into consideration. The position is that the Bill should go through unamended,” he said.
[Times of Zambia]

Fred Mwila Jnr’s Remembrance Set For Next Week (corrected)

65

The late Fred Mwila Junior’s funeral ceremony has been tentatively set for next weekend.

His father and former Zambia coach Fred Mwila Senior confirmed that a funeral ceremony has been planned for next week in Kitwe.

Fred Mwila Junior died on Monday in Cairo Egypt after complaining of a headache and was put to rest the following day in Egypt.He is survived by a wife and three children him.

The late Mwila Junior had settled in Egypt since Zamalek signed him on in 2001.

Mwila senior said he had requested Faz through Zambia team manager Solly Pandor to retrieve the former Nkana and Zamalek wingers personal belongings in Egypt before a funeral ceremony in his son’s honor could be held for family and friends.

Pandor is currently en route to Egypt with Zambia ahead of Sundays 2010 World/Africa Cup  Group C qualifying match against Egypt.

FAZ Vice President Emmanuel Munaile stated that the death of Mwila Junior was very shocking.

Munaile told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, that FAZ expected that one day Mwila Junior would come back and contribute to the development of football in the country.

The FAZ Vice President said the bereaved Striker’s family should turn to God as he is the greatest comforter in this time of grieving.

ZAVOSOFA patron Peter Makembo said the death of Mwila was a very big blow to the soccer fraternity in the country.

Pastor Makembo said the late player greatly contributed to the development of soccer in Zambia.

He said Mwila was loved by many fans because of the way he played football adding that he was a good player.

The ZAVOSOFA patron added that Mwila was the only player of his caliber adding that many fans would miss him.

ZACCI tells Govt to stop blacklisting companies through the media

12

Zambia Association Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has appealed to government to stop blacklisting companies from conducting business with it through public statements.

In a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today, ZACCI board chairperson Hanson Sindowe advised government to write to the affected companies before making public statements.

Mr. Sindowe said last year, the more than 40 contractors that were blacklisted through a public statement had not been formally contacted by the government .

He added that the trend had also eroded the confidence in the affected companies from the financial lending institutions making it difficult for them to obtain bonds.

Mr. Sindowe said there was need for government to effectively communicate with the affected companies.

He said this would help the aggrieved contractors to seek redress if need be unlike the current situation where some contractors could have been blacklisted maliciously without any evidence being presented from the government

Mr. Sindowe said the blacklisting process had affected the commencement of some projects due to insufficient capacity of the remaining contractors thereby forcing the government to engage the foreign contractors who were too costly for the nation

Mr. Sindowe however said that the association was aware that some contractors’ performance was below acceptable standards while others took long to complete their works.

He said ZACCI did not condone shoddy works or delay in completion projects as this resulted in loss of tax payers’ money and increased costs.
.
ZANIS//MP/MKM/ENDS

Government releases K3.7 billion for payment of NCZ workers

11

Government has released K3.7 billion for the payment of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) two month salaries.

Agriculture and Co-operatives Deputy Minister Daniel Kalenga assured the workers that they would be paid their dues in the next two days.

He added that government still has intentions to revive the operations of the plant hence the release of K5 billion.

Mr. Kalenga was speaking when he addressed scores of NCZ workers and their families that held peaceful demonstration over their plight.

The Workers and their families marched from Kafue Mutanda stadium to the civic centre where they presented their petition addressed to the President were also demanding to be paid their February and march salaries .

Mr. Kalenga would have a tough time to calm down the workers said he would present the petition to high offices for consideration.

National Union of Commercial and Allied Workers (NUCAW) Robert Musanje who presented the petition urged government to look into problems that have effected the plant for the past 15 years.

ZANIS/BS/MKM/ENDS

41 percent of Zambian Population have access to clean water

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 Low-cost housing water supply and sanitation project
Low-cost housing water supply and sanitation project

The Zambia Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) report for 2007 has revealed that only about 41 percent of the total population has access to clean water.

The report reveals that households in urban areas have access to improved water supply sources compared to those in rural areas.

According to the report 83 % of urban households have access to clean and safe piped water compared to only about 19% of protected dug well of rural households.

It has also explained that more than 56 percent of the total population draws their water from unimproved sources which includes unprotected dug well, rivers and dams among others.

The report further adds that 65 % of households do not treat their water, while only 34% use an appropriate method of treating water.

And launching the report in Lusaka today Health Minster Kapembwa Simbao said the report will assist government in evaluating what is needed in attaining the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) in health related issues and the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP).

Mr. Simbao further added that the report will play a vital role in providing people with information on both human and public heath.

ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS

Government to strengthen research and information institutions

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Government has disclosed that plans are underway to broaden and strengthen the capacity of all research and Information institutions in the country.

Health Minster, Kapembwa Simbao says with the increasing demand for information in the country, research institutions can play an important role in providing accurate information on developmental programmes.

Speaking when he officiated at the launch of the 2007 Zambia Demography Health Survey (ZDHS) report in Lusaka today, Mr. Simbao noted that through strengthening of research institutions, national surveys will be concluded in time.

Mr. Simbao explained the ZDHS report is an important document which will assist government in evaluating what is needed to attain the fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said ZDHS reports also play a critical role in the understanding of Social and economy indicators for many people.

He said there is need for all stakeholders to partner with government and ensure that national survey projects are well funded if they are to produce good results.

He further reaffirmed government’s commitment to provide support to projects aimed at providing information for national consumption.

Earlier United Nations Resident Coordinator, Macleod Nyirongo, said in view of the global recession there is need for Zambia to have reliable developmental information to re-focus and track progress towards reaching the goals of vision 2030, FNDP and the MDGs.

Mr. Nyirongo explained that with six more years to the attainment of MDGs, the ZDHS report will assist stakeholders in engaging in critical analysis of the findings and understanding the implications of the results.

He called for concerted efforts from partners in coming up with good innovative approaches and interventions to the gaps that still exist in the report.

He has also disclosed that the UN system in Zambia with cooperating partners have engaged in further detailed triangulation of the ZDHS 2007 report with other studies such as the EPI-synthesis.

The UN Envoy further appealed to Zambian to utilize the results of the survey in re-adjusting their strategic and Programme focus for enhancing human development in the country in the remaining two-years of two FNDP 2006-2010.

Central Statistical Office (CSO), Director Efreda Chulu, said ZDHS report provides key indicators that inform the nation on important health programmes.

Mrs. Chulu pointed out that accurate information on both the population and national projects are vital in strengthening of the information generation.

She disclosed that CSO as an organization tasked by the government to carry out the survey, faced a lot of challenges ranging from inadequate resources to ignorance on the part of most citizens due to lack of information.

She also reiterated the importance of having a good census, adding that surveys like the ZDHS draw their samples from the total national census.

ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS.

Shangombo hospital not operational since 2004

10

Government has revealed that shangombo hospital has not been operational since 2004 because it is not in good condition.

Minister of health, Kapebwa Simbao, told parliament today that government had put aside K14 billion kwacha towards the construction of the hospital but that the contract was terminated in 2008.

Mr. Simbao was responding to a question from roan member of parliament, Chishimba Kabwili who wanted to know if Shangombo hospital has been operational and how much was spent on the construction of the hospital.

He said about K9 billion of the total amount had already been spent for the works that have been done so far.

He added that 70% of the construction of the hospital has been completed.

Mr. Simbao said health workers will only be sent to the hospital once it becomes fully operational.

He said government is doing everything possible to ensure that the construction works at Shangombo hospital are completed within a year.

ZANIS/ENDS/PC.

African leaders urged to highlight impact of economic melt down on their economies

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A Zambian economist has urged the African leaders scheduled to meet UK’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown ahead of next month’s G20 summit on the economic recession to highlight issues that will cushion the impact of economic meltdown on the African continent.

Dr. Francis Chigunta said African leaders should use this opportunity to push for an international regulatory framework that would support the economic growth and development of Africa.

Dr. Chigunta told ZANIS that the current international regulatory framework on economic growth was heavily stuck on the already developed countries thereby disadvantaging the developing world.

Dr. Chigunta said there was need for African leaders to ask the bilateral organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to be lenient on the conditions when giving financial assistance as they continue rendering support.

He said the leaders needed to see to it that the conditions that they would be given would not further burden the African Nations which were already affected by the crunch.

Dr. Chigunta also said it would not be fair for South Africa to be the country that would represent the entire continent at the April 2nd G20 summit to be held in UK.

Dr. Chigunta said South Africa’s economy was more developed hence the impact of the crunch was not as grave as it had been on other developing countries.

He said South Africa was not likely to fully represent all the African Nations but that there was need for the continent to be represented by a country with a developing economy and not an intermediate country.

According to British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Gordon Brown will meet African leaders to discuss their concerns on how their economies have been affected by the global downturn ahead of the G20 summit with South Africa being the only African country to attend the event.

ZANIS/MP/MKM/ENDS