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Govt allocates K127 billion for infrastructure development in NW Province

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Government has allocated K127 billion for road infrastructure development for North western Province in this year’s budget.

Vice president George Kunda said part of this money would be spent on the Mutanda Chavuma (M8) road project which has now reached Mufumbwe district.

Mr. Kunda who is on a tour of North Western Province to among others, assessed flood situation in the province disclosed this when he addressed the public in Mufumbwe today.

He further said government also distributed earth moving equipment to all provinces for rehabilitation of feeder roads.

Mr Kunda said government will deliver hundred metric tones of relief food to Mufumbwe district to cushion people affected by floods this season.

The vice president who is accompanied by local government minister Benny Tetamashimba, Gender Minister Sarah Sayifwanda, MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kaande, Provincial minister Joseph Mulyata and Mufumbwe Member of Parliament Misheck Bonshe assured government’s continued support in mitigating effects of floods endured by some people in the province and other areas.

Meanwhile, Vice President George Kunda says there is need to attract foreign direct investment to Kabompo District.

Mr. Kunda said foreign direct investment is needed in Kabompo because the district has abundant natural resources.

The Vice President said this when he addressed several Kabompo residents at Kabompo freedom square grounds, today.

He stated that government was ready to commence oil exploration in Chavuma, Kabompo and surrounding areas which have shown signs of oil deposits.

Mr. Kunda said government’s oil exploration is in line with diversification programme which it has initiated to enable the country survive the global financial crisis.

He said also urged Kabompo residents to come up with innovative ideas and projects that can be funded under the Citizen Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEF).

He added that government has in the 2009 national budget allocated K10 billion for various developmental project in each province around the country.

He said 40 percent of the K600 million Constituency Development Funds (CDF) will be targeted towards women and other vulnerable groups as a measure to empower households.

Mr. Kunda has however warned against misappropriation of public funds adding that the newly enacted Anti- Corruption Act has been formulated to curb graft.

He urged public workers to prudently look after public funds in order to successfully implement government’s developmental projects.

The Vice President has further urged the workers to support government to ensure that development trickles down to the grassroots.

And earlier, Gender and Development Minister, Sarah Salifwanda called on women in to unity in order to fight and poverty.

Ms. Salifwanda said the various measures taken by women are aimed at ensuring household food security because women are key in planning.

She has since urged women in North Western Province to form cooperatives in order to access the Citizen Economic Empowerment Funds.

ZANIS/WN/MKM/ENDS

Govt to ensure electricity tariffs are high enough to attract investment

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Energy and Water Development Minster Kenneth Konga
Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga

Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga says government is committed to ensuring that electricity tariffs meet the cost reflective level to attract investors in the energy sector.

Mr Konga said today that there is need for Zambia to adjust its electricity tariffs if it is to record substantial investment in the energy sector.

Mr. Konga was speaking when he made a submission on the status of electricity in Zambia at the on going tripartite high level conference on the North – South corridor in Lusaka, today.

He explained that Zambia just like many African countries lacks proper investment in the energy sector due to low tariffs levels.

” There is need for all countries in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Developing Communities (SADC) and the Eastern African Communities (EAC) regions, who form the corridor, to adjust their energy tariffs,” said the minister.

The Minister said the sector can contribute positively to the economic growth of developmental activities within the three regions if it is properly utilized.

Mr. Konga further called for private sector participation in developing the energy infrastructure in the corridor adding that developed energy infrastructure also plays an important role in attracting investor’s confidence.

He added stakeholders should come on board and ensure that all energy developmental projects are adequately funded.

Meanwhile Mr. Konga has maintained that electricity tariffs in Zambia will continue to be adjusted upwards until the cost reflective level is met, adding that this is expected only after all power rehabilitation projects in the country are completed.

He has however called on members of the public to support government’s initiative of adjusting power tariffs upwards if the cost reflective level is to be achieved.

And speaking earlier Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) Cordination centre Manager Lawrence Musaba has disclosed that US$ over 4.7 billion is required to improve the current power generation capacity.

Mr. Musaba explained that the current capacity of power in the Southern region is far below the required installed capacity of 55 Mega Watts (MW).

He noted that out of the required installed capacity of 55 MW, only about 46 MW is available to service all the economic growth taking place in the countries, saying this has resulted in power shortfalls causing massive loading shedding.

He pointed out this also has affected the level of investment by both local and foreign investor in SADC countries.

He added that there is need to come up with infrastructure development such as least cost generating facilities that will improve the quality of energy been generated in the region.

Mr. Musaba cited that on -going major power rehabilitation projects in Zambia and Zimbabwe as having contributed to the power deficit in the region.

He further added that there is also need for SADC member states to devise measures that will ensure successful implementation of the cost reflective and time use tariffs within their countries that will provide incentives in the energy sector for both local and for foreign investors.

Meanwhile, the World Bank has pledged over US$700,000 million worth of support to SAPP for improvement of the power generation capacity.

The three year support will be used towards financing various energy developmental projects such as the Zambia- Tanzania-Kenya and the Burundi-Democratic Republic of Congo interconnectors among others.

The interconnectors which are expected to be commissioned by 2013 will generate an additional of more than 1Mega Watts’s power capacity.

ZANIS/MM/ENDS/MM

Zamtel Stop Zesco Surge

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Zesco United failed to join Zanaco at the top of the Faz Premier Divsion table today after drawing in their Ndola derby against Zamtel in the two sides delayed Week 1 fixture played at Musa Kasonka Stadium.

The game ended 0-0 with Zamtel the biggest gainers after the draw that sees them rise out of the relegation zone from 14th to 12th on the table with 2 points from four games played.

It was another positive result for new coach Linos Makwaza in his second match in charge of the promoted side ahead of another big test for him this Saturday when Zamtel hosts fellow winless side Kabwe Warriors.

Zesco meanwhile are 4th on 7 points after the scoreless draw, two points behind leaders Zanaco.

And at Queensmead Stadium in Lusaka, Lusaka Dynamos remained rooted second from bottom in 15th place after losing 1-0 to visiting Roan United.

Striker Derrick Kabwe scored the games only goal after the break to see Roan shift one place up the table from 10th to 9th place on the Faz Premier Division table.

 

[leaguestandings league_id=1 mode=extend logo=false]

Early marriages disappoint headteacher

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Kazungula district’s Mandia Basic School headmaster, Joseph Hichaaba, has expressed disappointment at the increase in the number of girls getting married at a tender age in his area.

Mr Hichaaba said young girls in the area have put marriage first instead of school, a situation he described as unfortunate.
In an interview with ZANIS in Mandia yesterday, Mr. Hichaaba complained that pupils at his school do not heed their teachers’ advice of putting education first but instead rush into early marriages.

He disclosed that last year alone 14 pupils from his school, some of them in their fourth grade, fell pregnant.
He said the school authorities have done a lot of sensitization talks on the importance of education and on HIV and AIDS related issues but pupils have not accepted the education from the learning institution.

Mr. Hichaaba blamed the parents for allowing their children to leave school for marriage, adding that parents who marry off their children at a tender age commit a serious offence and can be arrested for that.
He appealed to the parents of the children who had dropped out for whatever reason to send them back to school so that they could be educated.

Meanwhile, Southern Province Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) Regional Coordinator, Dorothy Velemu, was in Mandia yesterday on her continued sensitization programme on human rights in Kazungula District.
Mrs Velemu revealed that her organisation has also received reports of early marriages being practiced in the area, a situation she described as shameful.

She said early marriages should not be entertained because young girls are not in a position to look after their homes properly and that they are too young to carry babies and such a situation is likely to lead to complications that can result in death.

Mrs Velemu said education is a basic human right and children should not be denied the chance to go to school in order for them to have a bright future.

ZANIS/ENDS/NM/EB

Illegal medical practitioners worry Medical Council of Zambia

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Surgeons performing an operation
Surgeons performing an operation

The Medical Council of Zambia (MCZ) says a large number of medical practitioners and institutions are operating illegally.

MCZ Registrar Mary Zulu said, during a media briefing, that the council is not impressed that a large number of Health practitioners throughout the country have not come forward to renew their practicing licenses.

Dr. Zulu noted that only 34 percent of the health practitioners in Zambia are registered with the council. Out of a total of 8,770 health practitioners only 2,948 have renewed their practicing licenses.

She further said non renewal of certificate licenses is against the Medical and Allied professions Act, chapter 297 of the laws of Zambia and that the Medical Council Act also demands that health institutions in the country be registered with the MCZ annually.

Dr. Zulu warned that MCZ would de-register all health practitioners and institutions that have not renewed their licences. She appealed to some of the health practitioners running health facilities under the MCZ to ensure that they update their licenses allowing them to provide health services.

ZANIS/AH/ENDS/MM

Govt may not adhere to 2009 National budget

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ronnie_shikapwashaGovernment spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha says government would go ahead and implement national indaba recommendations despite their financial implications to curb the effects of the global financial crisis.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka, today, that despite parliament having had already approved the 2009 national budget, government would follow a financial law which would enable it to make adjustments to the approved budget in case of an emergency.

Gen.Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting minister, said the indaba recommendation were important but with financial implications to be taken into consideration.

He said that government, in cases where more funding was needed to deal with an emergency had a right by law to go back to parliament and solicit for supplementary expenditure.

Gen.Shikapwasha said the national budget was flexible enough to accommodate urgent needs that could arise adding that the law also allowed government to divert money allocated in budget to other urgent matters that may need to be addressed.

The spokesperson added that some opposition parties that had shunned the just-ended Indaba citing the budget approval as one of the reasons for their boycott were just narrow minded.

He has however thanked all the stakeholders that participated saying that they should not always wait for the government to call for a big national forum such as the just-ended Indaba but instead should engage in dialogue even at smaller stages.

Gen.Shikapwasha said President Rupiah Banda and other government departments were ready for dialogue in order to advance national development whenever need arose.

Meanwhile, government has urged all those calling for the release of the findings in the investigation of the Zambian Airways alleged mismanagement of funds to be patient.

General Shikapwasha said it would be known once the investigations are completed on whether the Management at Zambian Airways would be found with a case to answer or not.

ZANIS/MP/ENDS/MM

Chirundu woman eaten by crocodile

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crocodileA middle-aged woman of Chirundu township has died after being mauled by a crocodile on the Zambezi river.

Esther Chabu was caught and eaten by a crocodile over the weekend when she and others went to the Zambezi River to buy some fish.

Chirundu MMD ward councillor, Gift Chanda, disclosed to ZANIS in an interview that Ms Chabu met her fate after she had already bought the fish.

“ I visited the funeral house where I was informed that after buying the fish, the deceased, Esther, decided to wash a sack along the shores of the river and while in the process, the friends she was with just heard a voice shouting for help and then she disappeared,” Chanda stated.

Mr Chanda confirmed that family members later reported the matter to both Chirundu police and ZAWA officers who went to the river to conduct a search for the missing body.

He said that after a thorough search, the officers only managed to recovered the head of the deceased, which has since been buried.

Meanwhile, two other Chirundu residents are battling for their lives at Mtendere Mission Hospital after surviving crocodile attacks on the Zambezi river.

Ward councillor, Gift Chanda, disclosed that Evans Hanchebani, 26, and Harriet Malambo, 28, are admitted to the missing hospital, nursing serious wounds after being attacked by the reptile.

Mr Chanda has since expressed concern over the number of crocodile attack cases that have continued to be recorded in the area, and has since called on ZAWA to move in and help control the reptiles.

He attributed the attacks on the residents to the erratic water supply currently experienced in most parts of Chirundu township, a situation that has led people to resort to drawing water directly from the crocodile-infested Zambezi river.

He has since appealed to Sothern Water and Sewerage Company to urgently work on the damaged pipe line in order to avoid further loss of lives.

ZANIS/ENDS/LL/EB

Zimbabwe ready to work with South Africa to rebuild economy

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President Robert Mugabe says Zimbabwe stands ready to work with South Africa in rebuilding its economy.

Speaking to journalists soon after meeting a visiting South African business delegation at Zimbabwe House in Harare, President Mugabe said South Africa was indeed a true friend of Zimbabwe and it was not surprising to see its business community offering a helping hand to the new government to address its challenges.

“We are very pleased with the visit,” Mugabe said. “It’s very enchanting, it boosts us up and shows the confidence that South Africa has in us.”

The leader of the delegation from Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), Patrice Motsepe, said Zimbabwe was a safe place for foreign investment and the country was likely to receive numerous investments in the next two years.
“I have confidence that anyone who commits resources to Zimbabwe will see that the country is a good place to do business in,” said Motsepe, one of South Africa’s richest persons and owner of the South African Premier League soccer club Mamelodi Sundowns.

Motsepe said the South African business community was willing to come and invest in Zimbabwe, adding that doing so was part of paying back to Zimbabwe for its contribution to South Africa’s economy.

He expressed satisfaction at the progress being made by the new government in attracting investors as well as creating a conducive environment for business.

The high-powered delegation arrived in the country on Monday morning and held meetings with Finance Minister Tendai Biti and the local business community.

Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Africa Simon Khaya-Moyo accompanied the 22-member delegation, which included Rev. Frank Chikane, a senior official in the Office of the President of South Africa.
Other members were drawn from SA’s various economic sectors such as mining, agriculture and construction. BUSA is South Africa’s biggest business group that incorporates the Black Business Council and Business SA.
ZANIS/NNN-NEW ZIANA/ENDS/MM

Government urged to revise Food Support Programme

Guest Editor
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The National Technical Committee (NTC) on food security pack has urged government to revise the Food Support Programme (FSP) to make it more viable in responding to the needs of the vulnerable farmers in the country.

Committee Secretary Paul Kapotwe says the revision of the FSP would also help the country to unlock growth in the agriculture sector as many vulnerable farmers will benefit from programme.

Mr. Kapotwe was speaking in Katete, Eastern province where he is leading a delegation from the church and key heads of government departments to monitor activities under the FSP programme during the 2007-2008, and the 2008-2009 farming season.
He said the current FSP policy is weak and that many farmers were not benefiting from the programme.

Mr. Kapotwe, who is also Programme Against Malnutrition (PAM) Executive Director, further urged government to revise the food security pack programme (FSPP) to make it effective enough to reach all parts of the country.
He said although the current FSPP was capable of responding to the various needs of vulnerable people in society, it is not effective enough to reach out to the less privileged.

Meanwhile, Mr.Kapotwe has called on farmers in the country to embark on crop diversification to enhance food security.
He said there is need for framers to engage in crop densification in order to enable Zambia respond effectively to various challenges associated with the global economic crunch.

He said as the global economic meltdown continues to hit economies in the world, farmers should seriously embark on crop diversification which he said would go a long way in helping the country become a food basket in the region.

Mr. Kapotwe said Zambian farmers should take advantage of the land and water that the country has in abundance, to grow more food to feed the people and also export to other countries in the region.

The target groups under the food security pack programme are the aged, orphans and vulnerable people.

The National Technical Committee on food security pack is comprised of stakeholders from Caritas Zambia under the Zambia Episcopal Conference, Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS), Ministry of community Development and Social Services and the Programme Against Malnutrition.

ZANIS/TK/ENDS/MM.

Wild animals auction to attract both local and international buyers, ZAWA

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The Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) says the auction sale of wild animals by the authority expected soon would attract both local and international buyers.

ZAWA spokesperson Wilfred Moonga said the authority was still finalizing how the whole exercise would be carried out.

Mr. Moonga told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, that the ZAWA auction sale was not the first one as a similar auction took place last year.

He added that this year’s would be better.

He mentioned that the auction sale of wild animals is supposed to place, annually.

The spokesperson added that there has been growing interest from different individuals concerning the auction sale of animals.

He said the auction was meant for those with game ranches.

ZANIS/AJN/ENDS/MM

Zesco United Eye Top Spot

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Zesco United, with one defeat in all competition this year, on Wednesday face promoted Zamtel at Musa Kasonka Stadium in Ndola in a delayed Faz Premier Division week 1 game.

Fighton Simukonda’s team have won six, drawn and lost once in all competitive games since the start of the year.

On Wednesday, Zesco will attempt to beat troubled Zamtel away with a win in Masala.

Zesco are currently on a maximum six points from two league games played with another two in hand, three less than leaders Zanaco and victory at Musa will see them share the top spot their former coach Wedson Nyirenda’s new club until Saturdays Week 5 games.

Moreover, Zesco come into this match on a high after beating Africa Sports of Cote d’Ivoire 2-0 in Ndola last Saturday in the African Champions League 1st round return leg match to advance to the pre-group stage by the same margin on aggregate.

Meanwhile, the midweek match will be new Zamtel new coach Linos Makwaza biggest test so far in just his second game in charge since his appointment on March 30.

Makwaza’s first match in charge saw Zamtel draw 0-0 away to fellow promoted side Forest Rangers last Sunday to see his team collect its first points from three matches since the start of the season.

And in the other delayed Week 1 fixture, second from bottom Lusaka Dynamos host 10th positioned Roan United at Queensmead Stadium in Lusaka.

Faz Premier Division

Delayed Week 1

07/04/2009

Lusaka Dynamos –  Roan United

Zamtel-Zesco United
Week 5

11/04/2009

Zamtel – Kabwe warriors

Forest Rangers – Roan United

Power Dynamos – City of Lusaka

Green Buffaloes- Red Arrows

Young Arrows- Zesco United

Konkola Blades- Zanaco

Lusaka Dynamos- Chambishi

Choma Eagles-Nakambala Leopards

Report exposes abuse of the fertiliser support programme by officials

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A report on the review of the Fertiliser Support Programme has revealed irregularities in the distribution of fertilizer to small scale farmers.

The report says some officials, who are part of committees given the task to distribute the fertilizer, allocate themselves the commodity before distributing it to small scale farmers.

The report which has been submitted to cabinet for approval has also exposed fake co-operatives, which are formed during the distribution exercise.

Agriculture Minister, Brian Chituwo, says district agriculture committees, which handled the fertiliser support programme have let government down.

Dr. Chituwo was speaking in Lusaka on Tuesday, during a two day symposium on agriculture and livestock.

The gathering has been organised by the University of Zambia, School of Agricultural Sciences.

And UNZA Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. Wilson Mwenya, said there is need to introduce measures to address the problem of food shortages in Zambia.

Govt continually increasing health investiment – Simbao

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Government says it is continually increasing investment in health infrastructure that can with stand disasters in order to respond positively to disasters.

Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao said disasters like droughts, floods, disease out breaks and road traffic accidents have in the recent past been one of the greatest challenges to Government.

Mr. Simbao said disasters do increase the disease burden thereby making it more difficult for the country’s health system to cope.

He was speaking when he officiated at the World Health Day Celebrations whose theme was ‘Save Lives, Make Hospitals Safe in Emergencies’ at Nakatindi Hall in Lusaka today.

Mr. Simbao said Government is updating and installing technology and medical equipment in the health sector to meet the growing demands of disasters, adding that training is also going on in an effort to cope with disasters.

The Minister said with the support of cooperating partners like World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), his ministry is doing everything possible to ensure that health facilities are accessible and function at maximum capacity immediately after a disaster event.

He urged Zambians to take keen interest in building momentum for widespread emergency preparedness saying every disaster is a human and health tragedy.

Mr. Simbao thanked partners that worked with Government in recent disasters that the country experienced, adding that it is every person’s obligation to participate in making the country’s health facilities safer in emergencies.

“We therefore must all in spite of the magnitude of the problem combine efforts to put in pace measures to prevent disasters which are a tragedy to humans and health” he said.

And speaking earlier, who Country Representative Olusegun Babaniyi said WHO is dedicating the World Health Day 2009 to starting a new process that goes beyond a day celebration.

Dr Babaniyi said WHO will in 2009 and beyond be working with international and national partners to assist countries in preparing their health facilities and staff for emergencies.

He disclosed that WHO will support member states to develop and implement national policies and programmes to make health facilities safe in emergencies.

The Country Representative also revealed that technical support will be given to countries to develop emergency response plans, train health workers to respond to emergencies and document best practices as well as lessons learnt.

He said the campaign will assist member states to build resilience into their health systems so that hospitals, clinics and staff can withstand future crises and provide the health care that communities need in times of emergences.

And also speaking at the same event, Lusaka Provincial Medical Officer Tackson Lambart said emergencies can occur at anytime and place.

Dr Lambart said emergencies are acute to child development, adding that hospitals need to be ready to receive and manage emergencies at all times.

ZANIS/PM/ENDS/MM

The Minister ignored my legal advice, Attorney General

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Attoney General Mumba Malila
Attoney General Mumba Malila

The Attorney General has told the Dora Siliya tribunal that the Minister ignored his legal advice on the Memorandum of Understanding with RP Capitals for the evalution of ZAMTEL assets.

Mumba Malila also told the tribunal Chaired by Supreme Court Judge, Dennis Chirwa, that he is not aware that RP Capital Partners has already started evaluating ZAMTEL assets.

Mr. Malila said government will have to meet financial obligations if RP Capital Partners has already started the works.

He said during cross examination by Petitioners’ lawyer, Bornaventure Mutale, that he had suggested that the initial MOU be treated as a nullity following serious concerns from the Zambia Development Agency board.

Mr. Malila said he had delegated Solicitor General, Dominic Sichinga, to deal with the matter but his legal advice was also ignored.

He said he would blame the Ministry of Transport and Communication for ignoring the legal advice and not his officers who had initaily rendered their expert opinion.

And in cross examination by Ms. Siliya’s Lawyer, Eric Silwamba,Mr Malila maintained that legal advice from his chambers was not complied with.

The tribunal has concluded proceedings and Judge Chirwa has asked the two parties to file in their written submissions on Wednesday.

Differentiate between politics and national developement- FDD

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An aerial view of delegates inside the Mulungushi international conference centre during the national indaba
An aerial view of delegates inside the Mulungushi international conference centre during the national indaba
Forum for Democratic Development (FDD) Livingstone

District Chairman, Allan Shawa, has described the
just-ended national Indaba as a pilot to national development.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Livingstone today, Mr Shawa said submissions made by the delegates at the Indaba were valid and that something will come up from the gathering.

He advised his fellow opposition party members to differentiate between politics and national development as the Indaba was for the sake of national development.

Mr Shawa said those who shunned the Indaba are short-minded because the exercise was meant to benefit everyone, not just individuals.He said he does not fully agree with those who say the Indaba was a waste of tax-payers’ money as it was meant to find a lasting solution to the effects of the global recession Zambia is experiencing.

Mr Shawa said he only hopes that every citizen of this country will ensure that what was resolved during the Indaba is operationalised.

“It is my hope and prayer that what was being said in the Indaba will be put into good effect as you heard a lot of suggestions came up and so did the contributions save their purpose and I think the whole process was a success. I do not regret having my party at the Indaba,” he said.

Vice-President George Kunda in his closing remarks at the just ended two-day Indaba conference, assured the Zambian people that Government will put in action all the views that have been recorded before the Indaba conference.

ZANIS/ENDS/AS/EB

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