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.

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.

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

Government says it recognizes Social Cash transfers as a key intervention to address hunger and poverty in the social protection strategy and in the Fifth National Development Plan.

Kazungula District Commissioner, Fred Siasuntwe, said since the introduction of the social cash transfer pilots, the scheme has rapidly gained support and proven to be a highly effective response to the chronic poverty, food insecurity, vulnerability and risks.

Mr. Siasuntwe said this when he officiated at Kazungula District Social Cash Transfer stakeholders’ meeting held at Fair Mount Hotel in Livingstone today.

He disclosed that Kazungula district now has a total of 735 households benefiting from the scheme.

Mr. Siasuntwe said there are 361 households benefiting from the scheme in Chief Nyawa’s area, 141 from Chief Musokotwane’s area, 83 from Chief Mukuni’s area 63 from Chief Moomba and 87 from Chief Sekute’s area.

He said funding has been provided by government and a group of cooperating partners that include DFID, GTZ, IRISH AID, UNICEF and CARE International.

The Social Cash Transfer Schemes were initiated by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services in 2003 as part of the Ministry’s programming to protect and promote the livelihoods and welfare of people suffering from extreme levels of poverty and deprivation.

Social Cash Transfer Schemes are currently operational in five districts in two provinces namely Monze, Kalomo and Kazungula in Southern Province and Chipata and Katete in Eastern Province.

Earlier, Provincial Social Welfare Officer Morris Moono, said the workshop would provide an opportunity for other stakeholders to understand and support the implementation and scaling up of the social cash transfers to national programming.

Mr. Moono thanked Care International for the support it rendered towards the workshop.

ZANIS/ENDS/NM/EB.