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Government has described as devastating the flood situation in western Province.
Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, Guston Sishilima, says the situation requires urgent attention to alleviate human suffering.
Mr. Sichilima was speaking shortly on arrival from Western Province yesterday, where he led a team comprising Communications and Transport Deputy Minister Mubika Mubika, Works and Supply Deputy Minister, Mundia Ndalamei, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Vice President Davies Sampa and other senior government officials on a spot check of the flood situation.
He has, however, said government will work tirelessly with other stakeholders in mitigating the caused by the floods in Western and other affected Provinces.
Mr. Sichilima, further, cautioned people living in the flood affected areas to be alert on the rising water levels and move to higher grounds to avoid loss of lives and property.
The floods, which have been considered to be the worst since 1969 in Western Province, have left 49 schools submerged, destroyed about 85 per cent rice fields and 45 per cent of maize fields with a total of 1,500 households affected.
President, Rupiah Banda, has directed the office of the vice president to carry out assessments on all major roads in an effort to prevent disasters due to heavy rains.
President Banda said government is ready to respond to emergencies that may arise from the continued heavy rains in the country.
The President was speaking after undertaking an on the spot check of the portion of the Chirundu-Lusaka Road, which collapsed due to rains.
Mr Banda said government would take all precautionary measures on all roads and bridges to ensure that delicate situations like that of the Chirundu-Lusaka Road are dealt with to avoid disaster.
And the President has directed the ministry of works and supply to look into the possibility of providing food aid and other logistics to motorists, mostly truck drivers and their passengers, who are still stranded at the site.
He commended Sable Contractors for quickly working hard to ensure that the road that connects Zambia to the rest of Southern Africa is re-connected before permanent works are done.
The President was accompanied Works and Supply Minister, Mike Mulongoti, State House Analyst for Press and Public Relations and other senior government officials.
A Cholera outbreak in Siavonga district has claimed one life.
The disease broke out in Matinangala area, situated about three kilometers from the main Siavonga Township.
District Director of Health, Joseph Kabungo, confirmed the outbreak to ZANIS this morning in Siavonga.
Dr. Kabungo said six cholera cases have so far been recorded in the township from the time the water borne disease broke out four days ago.
Dr. Kabungo said all the six cases that included one death, were received at the district hospital before being transferred to the district cholera centre in Chirundu.
He disclosed that a woman died at the hospital from cholera after she was rushed to the health centre on Friday.
Dr. Kabungo attributed the outbreak of the disease in Matinangala area to poor sanitation as well as unsafe drinking water that residents source from Lake Kariba.
The district director of health stated that though health workers were in the area to try and bring the situation under control, the area urgently required other sources of safe drinking water.
Government says it is in the process of restructuring the Forestry Department to make it more effective in monitoring and assessing the extent of deforestation in the country.
Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Catherine Namugala, says government will ensure that the department is equipped with appropriate tools that will help mitigate the impact of climate change on the country.
Ms Namugala said this in a speech read for her by Permanent Secretary, Teddy Kasonso, at a tree planting ceremony to mark the World Forestry Day cerebrations in Lusaka today.
She said there is need to encourage planting of trees in all parts of the country because they trees play an important role towards cushioning the effects of climate change.
She explained that this is why trees should be considered as one way of implementing control measures of climate change in sectors like tourism, energy and agriculture.
The minster, further, added that her ministry is working in collaboration with the ministry of energy and water development and the ministry of agriculture to find alternative sources of energy and sustainable agricultural practices aimed at reducing effects of carbon emissions.
Speaking at the some ceremony, Director of Forestry Department, Anna Musanje said forest conservation is important to both the environment and human beings.
Mrs. Musanje explained that though trees are a renewable resource there is need for people in the country to help protect them just like other natural resource.
She, further, urged other stakeholders to partner with government in finding solutions to address the effects of climate change.
Mazabuka Town Clerk, Ekan Chingangu, has ordered villagers in Mugoto area not to resort to vandalism of mine equipment at Albidon Mine following the suspension of operations at the only Nickel mine in the country.
He said any destruction to equipment would impact negatively on the district and national economy and later on scare away potential investors.
Mr. Chingangu said the mine is likely to resume full scale operations once government finalises negotiations for an equity partner to help revive operations.
“Don’t lose hope, I know your children have lost jobs and some of you have not yet been relocated to your new homes but please let’s keep our fingers crossed and pray that government quickly finds an equity partner to run the mine soon so that the economy of this area can again improve but safe guard this equipment,” pleaded Mr. Chingangu.
He said villagers must ensure they protect the mine equipment especially when the skeleton management staff stops working on March 27, 2009 next week.
Mr. Chingangu, who said this when he addressed displaced families who have not yet been relocated to a new farmland, observed that only security personnel will remain at the mine to protect the property.
He told the displaced families that the suspension of operations at the mine also meant, the relocation of villagers had been suspended until further notice.
Mr. Chingangu said, while he appreciates the hardships the affected families were going through such as failure to be relocated, cultivate fields and withdraw of transport provisions for school going children, they should not resort to the destruction of mine equipment.
He observed that, there is need for the villagers to sympathise with the mine management because of the global financial crunch which has affected nearly all sections of economies not only in Zambia but world over.
Mr. Chingangu said the Council will ensure displaced people, who have not yet been relocated received a better deal just like their counterparts, who have been given modern houses and big portions of fields for cultivation of crops once full scale operations start.
The villagers expressed worry that the new Chinese investor may not complete the implementation of the relocation programme initiated by Albidon management.
Government plans to increase safe water coverage in rural areas from the current 37 per cent to 75 per cent by 2015.
Ministry of Energy and Water Development, Permanent Secretary, Peter Mumba, said once the goal is achieved, it would help address the spread of diarrhea diseases and Malaria, which are a drain on budgetary expenditure in the health sector.
Mr. Mumba said improving the supply of safe water would also help achieve positive outcome in the fight against poverty and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGS.
He was speaking when he commissioned a borehole donated to the Women of Kabweza Community, installed at the newly constructed health centre in Kafue’s Shibamala area yesterday.
He also said government, through the ministry of energy and water development is undertaking programmes to increase equitable access to clean, safe water at all levels of society.
Mr. Mumba said in view of this, government is encouraging communities to adopt the use of boreholes and protected wells fitted with hand pumps as they were appropriate in reducing water shortages.
He urged the people of Shimabala to take good care of the borehole and ensure it is utilised for the intended purpose of contributing to the provision of safe water in the area.
Kafue’s Shimabala Mungu ward Councillor, Obvious Mwaliteta, appealed to government to consider electrifying Kabweza health centre to facilitate the quick opening of the institution.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
(Matthew 5:5, NKJ).
Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria
When most people hear that word “meek,” many times they think of a weak, shy, reserved or timid person who lets everybody run all over them. But that’s not at all what it means to be meek. Meekness is not weakness; it’s strength under control. Meekness is like a wild horse that has been tamed. He’s just as strong, just as powerful, has just as much speed as before, but now that strength is under control. You can walk up to him, pet him, lead the horse around, get on him and ride him. But don’t be fooled. He has the same power, the same tenacity as before, he’s just learned how to control it.
When you’re a meek person, you don’t have to go around trying to straighten everybody out. You don’t respond to every critic. People may be talking about you, but you don’t let it bother you. You may have the power to do something about it, but you realize your time is too valuable. You don’t fall for every distraction. Instead, you keep your focus on what God has called you to do. You keep your strength and power under control so that you choose to stay in peace and move forward in the victory the Lord has in store for you.
A prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for the blessing of meekness. I choose today to be a person of self-control. Help me to know when to speak and when to listen, when to respond and when to hold back, so that I can honor You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
President Rupiah Banda is flanked by State House Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere at State House
President, Rupiah Banda, has confirmed that the Lusaka –Chirundu road that was extensively damaged cutting off the route that connects Zambia to the rest of Southern Africa, has been reconnected.
The damage of the road was caused by heavy rains ,leaving trucks and other vehicles marooned on both sides of the road for long hours.
And President Banda has disclosed that Western, Southern and North-western provinces have been severely affected by the excessive rains in which 15 districts are severely affected.
Mr. Banda told a press briefing at State House today, that government contracted Sable contractors to carryout emergency works to allow the flow of traffic.
He said this followed an on the spot assessment by a team led by Works and Supply minister, Mike Mulongoti and officials from the Road Development Agency, RDA.
He said government through the office of the Vice president’s Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, DMMU, has been monitoring and assessing the impact of the excessive rainfall.
The president, further, said government has since dispatched another team led by deputy minister in the office of the Vice president, Guston Sichilima, Works and Supply deputy minister Mundia Ndalamei, Communication and Transport deputy minister Mubika Mubika and other senior government officials to the three worst hit districts in Western province.
Mr. Banda added that two bailey bridges have been dispatched to Shang’ombo district as part of the efforts to ensure that the area is re-connected to the rest of the country.
He said government has already received 30 more bailey bridges from China for the on-going works on the Kalabo-Mongu road.
He commended Sable Contractors for quickly working round the clock to ensure that the road that connects Zambia to the rest of Southern Africa is re-connected before permanent works are done.
Meanwhile, President Banda has directed the defense forces to mobilize and support the disaster management’s efforts throughout the country.
He has, further, directed them to be on standby as government continues receiving reports on floods from the districts.
The President has assured Zambians that government will continue monitoring the situation and the nation will be kept informed on the developments.
He noted that if the rains continue, it will cause widespread damage to infrastructure in other parts of the country.
In the last few weeks the country has been experiencing unprecedented levels of rainfall, which has led to floods and damage to road and other infrastructure across the country.
Government’s assessment indicates that most parts of the country have been severely affected including Western, Southern and North-western provinces in which 15 districts have been severely affected.
I have a dilemma I never thought I would find myself in. A year ago I started working for a certain company. Two months into my new job my boss went on leave and another man took his place in an acting position. I got along with my new boss very well and we soon struck an out of office friendship. You see I wanted to be professional at work and only agreed to see him after hours.We have been dating seriously for the last 8weeks.
I felt he was a descent guy because he never invited me to his place.He does come to my place but my flat mate is usually there so we are never really alone.
I have really grown to love this man and could see myself spending the rest of my life with him.
Last week I got a phone call from an angry woman telling me to lay of her husband. If she had not been calling from his cell phone I would have had my doubts about her. My brother also told me he thought he saw my boyfriend dropping off a kid at the school my niece goes to.
I am in total shock. He never wore a ring, at least in my presence.I do not know what to do. I can not stand working at that company anymore.People I’m sure have been looking at me like a slut.Perhaps that may be the reason the other women at work have not been friendly towards me.I have not yet confronted him but I am so embarrassed and angry for having missed all the signs that I was dating a married man.Should I resign from my job and put distance between us? I can not stand working in such close proximity with him anymore.
Government says it is impressed with the comprehensive assessment done by the Technical Committee on Floods to ascertain the extent of damage caused to crops and infrastructure by floods in Western Province.
Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, Guston Sichilima, says the kind of ground work done so far by the Committee will enable government to effectively come up with stringent measures to address the humanitarian crisis caused by floods.
Mr Sichilima was speaking in Mongu today during a briefing by the Local Technical Committee on Floods.
The deputy minister, who arrived in Mongu today to conduct an on the spot check of the flood situation in the province, said government was in a hurry to respond to the desperate situation caused by floods in the Western Province.
Mr. Sichilima said government would like to quickly and effectively respond to the havoc caused by floods in a bid to reduce human suffering.
The floods which have been considered to be the worst since 1969 in Western Province has left 49 schools submerged in water destroyed about 85 per cent rice fields and 45 per cent of maize fields with a total of 1,500 households affected.
Among those on Mr. Sichilima’s entourage include, his Communications and Transport counterpart, Mubika Mubika, Works and Supply Deputy Minister, Mundia Ndalamei, Office of the Vice President Permanent Secretary, Davies Sampa, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, DMMU, National Coordinator, Dominiciano Mulenga and other senior government officials.
Meanwhile, Western Province Minister, Adons Mufalali, said the province was still expecting the worst flooding crisis as the water levels were still rising.
Mr. Mufalali said with the continued rainfall pattern in the province, the humanitarian situation could worsen.
He cited Lukulu, Kalabo, Shang’ombo, Senanga and Mongu districts as among the worst hit by floods.
Kalusha Bwalya’s suspension from all sporting actives has been lifted by the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) after the Faz president made a public apology on ZNBC TV on Friday evening for failing to heed to the sports watchdog summons.
The news ends a two-day stand-off between Kalusha and the NSCZ that saw Fifa intervene over the matter on March 19.
“I would like to apologize to the National Sports Council and (NSCZ chairperson) Dr Julius Sakala for any inconvenience that is caused by my not appearing at the said meeting,” Kalusha told ZNBC TV.
“Faz will try to work extremely hard, extremely well with cordial relation with the National Sports Council and the ministry (of sport).”
Kalusha said to be ready to appear before the NSCZ who had summoned him last Thursday over Emmanuel Mayuka’s controversial transfer from Kabwe Warriors to Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.
Chief Mumena of the Kaonde people in Solwezi is happy with the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, for their efforts to uplift the living standards of the people especially women in his chiefdom through enhanced sensitization programmes on sexual reproductive health.
The chief said following UNFPA’s formation of Safe Motherhood Action Groups, SMAGs, and training of traditional birth attendants in his area, best practices of reproductive health has been achieved.
Chief Mumena said this when UNFPA Country Representative, Duah Owusu-Sarfo, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace during his just ended familiarization tour of North-Western province.
He said due to the formation of SMAGs carrying out sexual reproductive health sensitizations, his chiefdom has not experienced maternal deaths in the last five years.
He has, therefore, appealed to the UNFPA Country Representative to continue with the support and even extend such programmes to other areas.
Mr. Owusu-Sarfo assured the chief that UNFPA would continue the support and incorporate some other challenges in their next Country Programme starting 2011 to improve on some of the weaknesses that may be experienced during the current Country Programme.
He commended Chief Mumena for his active contribution towards the fight against HIV/AIDS in his chiefdom and the province as a whole.
Chief Mumena is North-Western Provincial HIV/AIDS Task Force Chairperson.
Mwinilunga, Senior Chief Kanongesha of the Lunda also hailed the UNFPA for their educative sensitization programmes that aim to promote good health.
He, however, appealed to the Country Representative to consider providing discussion programmes that could be aired on local community radio station.
Government has described as natural, the washing away of part of the Chirundu-Siavonga by rains.
Works and Supply Minister, Mike Mulongoti, said the contractor of the road, China-Henan, took into consideration all precautionary measures to put up quality works which could not easily be compromised.
Mr. Mulongoti, however, told ZANIS during an on the spot check of the washed away road, some 100 kilometers away from Lusaka, that the disaster was due a weak bottom of the road surface created by rain water.
He has, however, assured motorists that the contractors will put in place measures to strengthen the road base to avoid similar damage in future.
Mr. Mulongoti has, further, assured motorists and the general public that a temporal measure is being worked out by Sable Contractors to sustain the flow of traffic between Lusaka and the two border towns.
Speaking at the same scene, Road Development Agency, Chief Engineer of Maintenance, Robby M’kandawire, said the agency will work hand in hand with the contractor to ensure that the damaged portion of the road is reconstructed.
He said key logistics such as culverts are already on site, to work out a permanent solution while a by pass is being created as a temporal solution for sustaining the flow of traffic.
Siavonga and Chirundu districts were yesterday cut off from the rest of the country when part of the Lusaka Chirundu road was swept away by rains.
Government through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission ( CEEC) has set aside K1 billion to be disbursed to marketers as soft loans countrywide.
Lusaka District Commissioner, Christah Kalulu, said CEEC has since engaged the Zambia National Marketers Credit Association (ZANAMACA) to disburse the funds to marketeers.
The fund will be used as seed capital meant to expand their businesses.
Ms Kalulu disclosed the development in Lusaka when she officiated at the ZANAMACA loan scheme programme launch in Lusaka today.
She reiterated government’s commitment in improving the welfare of marketeers through the construction of modern markets countrywide in order to cater the ever increasing number in the informal sector.
The district commissioner said the construction of the markets is government’s long term solution in mitigating street vending in the country.
Ms Kalulu urged the marketers to inculcate a culture of paying back of loans as the facility is a revolving fund meant to benefit other marketeers.
Earlier, ZANAMACA president Frank Kameya said the scheme is a testimony of how through the public private partnership , marketers can contribute greatly to the growth of the national economy.
Mr. Kameya commended government for initiating the CEEF saying it is meant to assist the financially weak in society in accessing the loans at competitive bank rates.
The funds will be disbursed in phases as a pilot project starting with with Mtendere ,Ng’ombe, Soweto and Chitukuko markets getting the initial K 1 billion before rolling the programme to other markets countrywide.
ZANAMACA recently partnered with the ZANACO bank in the provision of XAPIT instant banking to the marketers.
The development has also brought of board the M-Mobile technology who will provide marketers with cheap mobile phones while Nasla chemicals will engage selected marketers as sales agents for its cosmetic products.
The MMD in Luanshya has called on government to find a genuine investor to take over the running of the closed Luanshya Copper Mine.
Luanshya MMD District Chairman, Joseph Kapelwa said Government must ensure that whoever will take over Luanshya Copper Mine is a genuine and credible investor, to avoid the recurrence of closures.
Mr. Kapelwa told ZANIS today that the people in the district will not accept a briefcase investor. He appealed to the people of Luanshya to accept any genuine investor regardless of their country of origin.
This follows complaints from some members of the community that, should government offer the Chinese to buy the mine, workers are not likely to receive good salaries.
Mr. Kapelwa encouraged the people of Luanshya that what they need is the protection of their jobs.
Mr. Kapelwa said it is not possible to fight for a good salary when they are not in employment.
Meanwhile, Residents of Luanshya have expressed displeasure at the way the police are handling the movement of mealie meal in the district.
Luanshya Constituency MMD Vice Chairman Ackson Shawa today complained that the police in the district are not helping the government in controling the overpricing and smuggling of mealie meal.
He said this is causing artificial shortages, causing members of the public to queue for the commodity.
He complained that some unscrupulous business people have taken advantage of the situation, selling a 25 kilograms bag at over 60, 000 kwacha when the government subsidized the maize.
But district police commanding officer Hudson Namachila refuted the allegation saying the police are on the ground working in conjunction with the District Commissioner.
