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UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema defends his meeting with RB

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hhakaindeUnited Party for National Development UPND- president, Hakainde Hichilema, says his meeting with President Rupiah Banda should not be politicized.

Mr. Hichilema says he met the president to consult with him on a range of issues affecting the nation.

He says the meeting gave his party an opportunity to make suggestions on the economic recovery of the country.

Mr. Hichilema says the substance of the meeting was essential and it is up to government to accept the UPND proposals or not

Mr. Hichilema told ZNBC news that the two discussed issues relating to the economy and job losses in the Mining Sector.

He said the meeting also looked at the need for voter registration and the electoral system in the country.

The meeting also looked at the need to speed up the completion of the National Constitutional Conference so that the money being spent on the programme is channeled elsewhere.

On Thursday, President Banda held a consultative meeting with Mr Hichilema.

The Church and various civil society groups have welcomed the meeting between President, Rupiah Banda and an opposition leader.

The civil society organizations said dialogue is the only way in which solutions to challenges facing the country can be found.

Council of Churches in Zambia Secretary General, Susanne Matale, told ZNBC news that the meeting between Mr. Banda and UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema is a positive development.

And Caritas Zambia Executive Director, Sam Mulafulafu, said it is the hope every Zambian that the discussion between the two leaders will bear fruit.

Meanwhile, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions president, Leonard Hikaumba has appealed to other organisations and political parties to uphold dialogue and avoid confrontation.

Chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha, has urged political parties to put their differences aside and work towards developing the country.

Lieutenant General, Shikapwasha says government is willing to work with all Zambians in its efforts to develop the country.

General Shikapwasha who is also information minister says government is ready accept ideas from opposition political parties that can contribute to the development of the nation.

Chiluba’s judgement day set for July 20

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The Lusaka Magistrate court has set July 20, this year as the date for judgement in a case where former President, Frederick Chiluba, is facing theft by public servant charges.

Dr. Chiluba, is jointly charged with two directors of the defunct Access Financial Services-AFS, Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu in a case involving 500 thousand US dollars.

Ndola High Court Deputy Registrar, Jones Chinyama, sitting as magistrate in Lusaka, also set April 24 as the date by which the defence should present to court their written submissions.

Mr. Chinyama said the prosecution team will on the other hand be expected to make their submissions in reply by May, 22.

On Friday, the defence team led by Lusaka lawyer,John Sangwa, concluded its defence.

The defence called several witnesses to the stand who also included Auditor General, Anna Chifubgula, Attorney General Mumba Malila and Task Force on Corruption Executive Chairman, Maxwell Nkole.

Dr. Chiluba was take to court to answer charges of theft after his immunity was removed by parliament in 2003.

/NEWS/ZNBC/

Do not divulge confidential govt information, Kunda warns ex and current Ministers

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George Kunda
George Kunda

Vice president, George Kunda, has warned serving and former ministers not to divulge confidential government information.

Mr. Kunda says both serving and former ministers are under oath to protect confidential government information.

He said in Parliament on Friday that those who leave government should maintain their sworn oath.

The Vice President also said ministers are not immune to investigations when in office.

He was responding to Luena MP, Charles Milupi, who wanted to know whether it is government trend to only investigate ministers when they leave office.

Mr. Milupi referred to calls for former Finance Minister, Ngandu Magande, and former Works and Supply Minister, Ludwig Sondashi, to be investigated for alleged corrupt practices while serving in government.

/ZNBC/NEWS

Power host arch-foe Zanaco in Premature Homecoming

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The 2009 league seasons kicks off with four matches taking place on Saturday and another two to follow on Sunday.

The biggest match in Week 1 will see Power Dynamos host Zanaco at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.

Both sides will have new coaches on the bench with Mohamed Fathy for Power and Wedson Nyirenda at Zanaco but it will be an emotional return to Arthur Davies for the homeside after one year of playing their home games away from home.

Arthur Davies was shut for rehabilitation works last season only to suffer a protracted delay and the stadium reopens with spectators only enjoying access to one-third of the venue.

The grandstand and one half of the open wing will be accessible for spectators while the closed-off section of the terraces get a short-term touch-up.

Meanwhile, Zanaco will have a score to settle against Power on day 1 of the league.

This match will be a repeat of last seasons Week 1 fixture that Power won 5-0 away at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
 
And in the rest of Saturdays Week 1 games, Green Buffaloes visit Konkola Blades in Chililabombwe, Kabwe Warriors host promoted Nakambala Leopards and Choma Eagles await fellow promoted team Forest Rangers.

City of Lusaka and Chambishi’s match at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka including Roan United’s visit across town at Queensmead to Lusaka Dynamos will be played on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Zesco and Red Arrows Week 1 away fixtures against Zamtel and Young Arrows respectively have been posted due to their African club competition commitments this weekend.

The Week in Pictures

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1.

A youth trumpeter blows his instrument.
A youth trumpeter blows his instrument.

2.
Cadets fire a 21-gun salute at the Freedom Statue during Youth Day cerebrations in Lusaka yesterday
Cadets fire a 21-gun salute at the Freedom Statue during Youth Day cerebrations in Lusaka yesterday

3.
President Rupiah Banda, with Sports Youth and Child Development Minister Festus Chipungu (left), waves to matching youths at Freedom Statue
President Rupiah Banda, with Sports Youth and Child Development Minister Festus Chipungu (left), waves to matching youths at Freedom Statue

4.
PF youths wave their party symbol at President Rupiah Banda.
PF youths wave their party symbol at President Rupiah Banda.

5.
Former republican President Frederick Chiluba shakes hands with service chiefs
Former republican President Frederick Chiluba shakes hands with service chiefs

6.
President Rupiah Banda after laying a wreath at the Freedom Statue in memory of youths who lost their lives during the independence. This was at the Youth Day cerebrations in Lusaka
President Rupiah Banda after laying a wreath at the Freedom Statue in memory of youths who lost their lives during the independence. This was at the Youth Day cerebrations in Lusaka

7.
President Rupiah Banda talks to former Republican President Frederick Chiluba as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango (left) looks on
President Rupiah Banda talks to former Republican President Frederick Chiluba as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango (left) looks on

8.
Pallbearers carry the casket for late Gen. Tembo
Pallbearers carry the casket for late Gen. Tembo

9.
Late Christon Tembo's niece Zindaba Nyirenda (c) mourns as his widow Nellie (l) confers FDD president Edith Nawakwi during requiem mass in Lusaka
Late Christon Tembo's niece Zindaba Nyirenda (c) mourns as his widow Nellie (l) confers FDD president Edith Nawakwi during requiem mass in Lusaka

10.
SQUEEZE SQUEEZE...There was not enough space on the bench forcing Regina Chiluba (c)to squeeze herself between Maureen Mwanawasa (r) and Dr Chiluba (l) during late Christon Tembo's funeral in Lusaka
SQUEEZE SQUEEZE...There was not enough space on the bench forcing Regina Chiluba (c)to squeeze herself between Maureen Mwanawasa (r) and Dr Chiluba (l) during late Christon Tembo's funeral in Lusaka

Govt. to promote rural tourism

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Government says tourism plays an important role in promoting rural development and ensuring sustainable development in the country.

Minister of Tourism Environment and Natural Resources, Catherine Namugala said tourism provides employment and income generation activities for both urban and rural people.

Ms. Namugala said the tourism industry offers many other unique opportunities in both urban and rural areas for economic diversification and job creation.

She was speaking in a speech read on her behalf by the acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Lubinda Aongola at tourism stakeholders’ forum in Lusaka today.

The Minister said government has since allocated K5 billion in this year’s budget to rehabilitate heritage sites, especially in rural areas where much of the heritage sites that can contribute to tourism growth are located.

She stressed that her ministry is currently putting in place measures for the licensing and authorization of tourism enterprises category that were previously dealt with by the Zambia National Tourist Board under the Act 19 of 1979.

Ms. Namugala further said dialogue among stakeholders in the tourism sector should be promoted in order to boost growth of the industry.

Earlier, Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) chairman, Mark O’Donnell said the industry should encourage local investors to take part in the hospitality business.

Mr. O’Donnell said the industry would work towards creating relationships with the private sector, a move that would make it easier for local people to venture into different business.

ZANIS/WM/ENDS/KSH/

‘Diversify from fishing to agriculture’

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Government has urged the people of Luapula Province to diversify from fish to agricultural farming because fish had depleted in the region.

Fishermen in Luapula Province have, for a long time, been practicing illegal fishing methods that included the use of mosquito nets to catch fish and fishing during the fish ban between the months of December and March every year.

Luapula Province Permanent Secretary (PS), Jazzman Chikwakwa, said in Chiengi yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on District Commissioner (DC), Mwaba Lwaminda, that there was need to diversify for the province to develop.

Mr Chikwakwa said venturing into agriculture would help develop Chiengi district because Program for Luapula Agriculture Rural Development (PLARD) was undertaking improved cassava farming for farmers to be self sustained.

He said if agriculture was put as number one priority, people would do better economically.

The PS noted that farming of cassava and other crops that did not require fertilizer would assist farmers and government to deviate money meant for the national Fertilizer Support Program (FSP) to other programs.

He observed that cassava had market both locally and internationally and that farmers should take advantage of drought resistant crops as they were easy to cultivate.

Mr Chikwakwa further said that government was aware that it required opening training schools for fish farmers in order for them to learn proper fishing methods.

He noted that the only way to preserve the remaining fish was to educate people on the importance of avoiding illegal fishing methods.

He also said those who have settled in the fish breeding areas should be removed so that fish stocks could improve and avoid complete depletion.

Speaking earlier, Chiengi DC, Mwaba Lwaminda, said that the fisheries department was implementing co–management program where PLARD has given 120 farmers half a lima each of improved cassava cuttings.

Mr Lwaminda said Programme Against Malnutrition (PAM) had targeted 108 famers in two camps for them to diversify from fish farming.

He explained that Chiengi district’s major economic activities were fishing, agriculture and trading.

ZANIS/ENDS/CB/EB.

Zambia witnessing higher levels of personal loans

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BANK of Zambia Governor, Caleb Fundanga, has warned insurance companies in Zambia to be cautious when underwriting bank loans in view of the anticipated high default rates during the current global economic melt-down.

He said for the first time, Zambia had witnessed personal loans growing to higher levels than previously thought.

Dr Fundanga said if one looks at sectoral distribution of credit, agriculture which for many years was always number one, had been pushed to second place, thereby ringing some warning bells.

“One thing I have always been told is that most of the personal loans are insured so that in the event that the borrower loses a job or dies,
the insurance company makes good and clears the debt,” he said.

Dr Fundanga said the warning bells were because in the mining sector some people were being retrenched and most of these personal loans were salary-based, and many retrenched miners borrowed some money.

He called for caution in the insurance industry during this period of retrenchments and job losses across the country.

Dr Fundanga said with most commercial banks, personal loans were covered by insurance companies and the current job losses due to the financial crisis, especially in the mines, could lead to borrowers defaulting on their loans from lending institutions.

“The only problem is that in the real world when the default rates become very high, even insurance cover may not be adequate,” he said.

Dr Fundanga was speaking in an interview at the Africa-International Monetary Fund (IMF) high-level conference, which has attracted over 300 participants, including African central bank governors and finance ministers.

He warned that the industry should not forget that even insurance companies collapse when the demands on them are too high.

Dr Fundanga cited the United States of America’s insurance firm – AIG – the largest insurance group in the world, which is facing financial problems even after getting billions of dollars from the government’s stimulus package.

Meanwhile, Dr Fundanga has continued to express concern over the high interest rates charged by commercial banks in Zambia, saying there is a big disparity between what savers get and what borrowers are charged.

“Everybody on the continent of Africa wants to borrow at affordable rates, and this is particularly so for the weaker producers. Money has got a cost also because it comes from somewhere else, somebody is selling and those people selling need a mark-up. The spread has caused a problem as savers ask why there should be such a big difference,” he said.

Dr Fundanga said most Zambian savers were getting about four per cent interest while borrowers were paying an average lending rate of 25 per cent.

He said this meant that other borrowers were getting loans at a higher rate.

Dr Fundanga said there were many interpretations over why commercial banks in Zambia were charging high interest rates.

He said some people argued that the operations of banks were costly while others thought banking in Zambia was profitable.

Dr Fundanga said recently the BoZ carried out a study which revealed that either banks were running inefficiently or they wanted to get a lot of profit.
[Times of Zambia]

High fertility in Chiengi affects development

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womeninfieldGovernment has said Chiengi district has the highest fertility rate in the country.

Chiengi District Commissioner (DC), Mwaba Lwaminda, said the fertility rate for Chiengi district currently stood at 3.5 per cent with a total population of over 92,000 as at 2002 census population exercise.

Mr Lwaminda explained during the Youth day celebrations yesterday whose theme was “Youth Partnership in Development” that in a period of two years, over 9,000 babies are born in Chiengi district mostly from youthful mothers.

The DC said the development was retrogression because the population did not equate with the increase in per capita income.

Mr Lwaminda noted that if the trend was not checked by the youths, Chiengi would get poorer because the population would continue to increase when wealth was stagnant.

He urged the youths to venture into income generating activities for the wealth of the district and to be partners in development with government.

He further said the youths should fight retrogression by taking advantage if the localized curriculum which enabled young people with no academic inclination to acquire practical survivor skills.

He said survival skills enabled youths to lead productive lives even when they did not stay longer in school, adding that they would be useful members of society.

He revealed that government had released K10 billion for each province and urged the youths to apply for funds through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).

ZANIS/ENDS/CB/EB.

Make Zamtel attractive before privatisation- Nkombo

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Mazabuka central member of Parliament (MP) Garry Nkombo (UPND) has urged the Government to ensure that the money owed to Zambia Telecommunications Company (Zamtel) by various individuals and institutions is paid back before it is privatised.

Contributing to a debate on the estimates of revenue expenditure for the ministry of Communications and Transport on Wednesday, Mr Nkombo said while it was prudent to find an equity partner in Zamtel, there was need to ensure that it was sold in an attractive manner.

Mr Nkombo said if all the money owed to Zamtel was cleared the company could have more value to attract more and credible investors.

“It is only prudent that you sell Zamtel in a more attractive form than was the case with the mines,” he said.

Communications and Transport Minister Dora Siliya said Zamtel as of December last year was owed K749 billion and that the figure had continued to increase.

Responding to Mr Nkombo’s concern, Ms Siliya said it was for the same reason that the Government had started the valuation of Zamtel so that it could have correct data before it was partially privatised.

She told the House that the valuation process of Zamtel, which began in January 2009, was progressing smoothly and that the initial report was presented to the ministry and other stakeholders.

Ms Siliya said she would soon take a combined memorandum from the ministries of Commerce, Trade and Industry and Finance and National Planning to Cabinet regarding the valuation.

“The valuation report will assist the Government make a decision on the future of Zamtel, I did inform the House that as of December 2008, the Zamtel debt stood at K749 billion and it continues to increase,” she said.

Contributing to the same debate, Chasefu MP, Chifumu Banda (FDD) said the Communications and Transport ministry had a demotivated workforce, which led to some workers leaking highly confidential documents to the public.

Mr Banda urged Ms Siliya to consider transferring some members of staff to other ministries.

He attributed the poor performance by some parastatals under her ministry to the frequent changes of chief executive officers and misplacement of managers to run the vital companies.

He urged Ms Siliya to ensure that managers employed to run parastatals had qualifications which met the requirements of the job.

Chiengi MP Katele Kalumba in his contribution urged the ministry of Communications and Transport to speed up the liberalisation of the international gateway as a means of developing the sector.

Dr Kalumba said fears that liberalising the international gateway could pose a security risk were baseless.

Mbabala MP Emmanuel Hachipuka (UPND) said there was need for the Government to reorganise the ministry of Communications and Transport and parastatals under it.

Mr Hachipuka urged all the ministers to support Ms Siliya, saying the operations at her ministry required support from all ministries.
[Times of Zambia]

Rural areas need the internet – AfriConnect

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A local Internet service(ISP) provider says rural areas need to have sustainable internet services to stimulate and enhance their development.

AfriConnect Senior Accounts Manager Andrew Kabwe told ZANIS in Mansa, yesterday, that it was time for remote areas to respond to global changes through access to efficient and cost effective internet service provision.

Mr Kabwe said this would be in order to move rural areas at par with the country’s and global Information Communication Technology(ICT)trends.

He commended government for creating an enabling environment for the growth and utilization of ICT by the various social and economic players in the country due to important role it plays in development

He said ICT plays an important role in the current operations of various sectors worldwide in agriculture, mining, education, health, commerce and trade which bear an impact on the social and economic well being of any community.

He said it was for this reason that AfriConnect Zambia through its brand ‘I-connect’ was on a nationwide roll out to showcase its products starting with coverage of all provincial centres.

Mr. Kabwe said this had come following realization that most rural areas had inadequate or minimal internet service provision that could effectively benefit them.

He said most remote areas had potential to significantly contribute towards the country’s development and poverty reduction through an enhanced online access to markets and information resource for their various sectors because they are home to either mineral resources or hubs for agricultural produce.

Mr. Kabwe said I-Connect was offering a range of products that could facilitate for online research under I-Health and I-School for those in the health and education sectors through link sites which could prove highly beneficial in far flung areas.

He cited I-SMS service which allowed farmers nationwide to access local price information for their produce because of its database updated by the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) as beneficial for rural small scale farmers.

He said the company had under its social responsibility program installed and was providing free internet service to 16 schools in selected parts of the country which would later extend, where an array of free educational sites are accessed.

“We are therefore calling on business houses, farmers and miners associations, government and non-governmental organizations NGOs to experience our fast and reliable broadband internet facility which has attached complementary products,” said Mr. Kabwe.

Mr. Kabwe said I Connect had developed an educational website called ‘Ischool’.zm that has over 10,000links based closely on the Zambian curriculum which has proved useful resource for both teachers and pupils.

ZANIS/DN/ENDS/MM.

Kitwe District Commissioner Mtine challenges youth to partner with government

Guest Editor
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Kitwe District Commissioner Macdonald Mtine has challenged Youths to partner with Government in finding lasting solutions to the Current economic problems being faced by the Country.

Mr Mtine said there was need for the Youths to use the global economic recession to open several doors to other hidden economic opportunities that would move the Zambian economy to greater heights.

The DC said this in Kitwe at the Freedom Park during the commemoration of this years Youth day which fell yesterday under the theme Partnership For National Development.

He said time had come for the Youths to partner with Government in developing the economy of the Country because the economic war currently being faced by the Nation can not be won by Politicians, donors or Government alone.

He added that the job losses being recorded in the various sectors of the economy was not the beginning of the end to good life but rather a challenge which could open several door to other hidden opportunities.

Mr Mtine called on the Youths to use this year’s Youth day theme as a weapon to give direction to help Zambia come out of the current economic temporal set back being experienced.

He appealed to the Youths not to listen to arm chair critics whose hidden agenda was to discredit all programmes being initiated by Government but rather put aside their diverse views to develop the country.

Also speaking earlier at the same function, a representative of the Youths Thelma Zimba said the call for partnership between the Youths and Government on issues of development has been long over due.

Ms Zimba said Youths have found it impossible to partner with Government in developmental issues as they were always sidelined.

She added that half of Zambia’s population were Youths and that it was important that Government realised the importance of giving them a platform on which to contribute to national development.

Kitwe District Youth Day Celebrations Committee Organising Chairman O’Brien Haalubono commended Companies that had contributed generously to the event at a time when most companies had abandoned their social responsibility programmes due to the global economic crisis.

The ceremony which was mostly attended by school pupils and youths from the ruling Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) and Patriotic Front (PF) was characterised by poems and dances.

ZANIS/LK/ends/MM

Rupiah Banda calls for serious dialogue on electoral reforms

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President Rupiah Banda has called for serious dialogue among stakeholders to address outstanding issues concerning the electoral reforms.

He said this should be done before the 2011 general elections.

President Banda has also welcomed the decision by the opposition Patriotic Front to withdraw the Presidential election petition from the Supreme Court.

President Banda said the nation should now look ahead and embrace reconciliation, unity and dialogue.

Mr. Banda said a lot of issues affecting the nation can be resolved if there is unity of purpose and dialogue among key political players.

The President said the withdrawal of the Presidential election petition will allow the nation to move forward.

This is contained in a statement released to ZNBC news by state house.

And Chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha, has urged political parties to put their differences aside and work towards developing the country.

Lieutenant General, Shikapwasha says government is willing to work with all Zambians in its efforts to develop the country.

General Shikapwasha who is also information minister says government is ready accept ideas from other political parties, that may contribute to the development of the nation.

He says President Rupiah Banda has extended an olive branch to the opposition and will work with all stakeholders to effectively address important national issues.

General Shikapwasha said campaign time is over and political leaders should now concentrate on development issues.

He said there is need for political leaders to work together if the country is to develop.

/ZNBC/NEWS

Government gives Mopani copper mines a Friday deadline

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Mopani Smelter in Mufulira
Mopani Smelter in Mufulira

Government says it will not allow Mopani copper mines to place the Mufulira and Nkana plants on care and maintenance.

Mines Minister, Maxwell Mwale, says government has written to Mopani copper mines asking them to surrender the assets and expects an answer from them by Friday.

Mr. Mwale however emphasised that government will not nationalise the two mines but only secure their assets.

He told ZNBC that other investors are interested in taking over the mine and that government can not allow the management to go into care and maintenance while miners suffer.

Mr. Mwale said government will not rescind its directive to Mopani management to surrender the assets of the mines.

Mr. Mwale said due diligence tests carried out on most of the mines indicate that Zambia still has viable mineral resources.

He said there is no excuse for firms to pull out their investments from Zambia because copper prices on the market are economical.

Meanwhile, only about 10 out of more than 500 mining rights in the emerald restricted area on the Copperbelt have been developed.

This came to light at the Emerald and Semi precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia -ESMAZ- Annual General Meeting in Kitwe.

ESMAZ acting president, Dale Litana, said all the developed emerald mines are owned by foreigners.

He said the gemstone sector has seen very little development since the inception of emerald mining in the 1930s.

And Mines Safety department chief inspector of mines, Billy Chewe, assured the gemstone miners of continued government support.

/ZNBC/NEWS

Lusaka PS calls for hard work to address the global crunch

Guest Editor
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Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Stephen Bwalya has called for hard work among public service workers to address the effects of the global economic crunch.

Mr Bwalya said civil servants should fully implement government’s programmes to cushion the effects of the global credit crunch.

He further called for teamwork among civil servants in Lusaka province so as to record positive development that will improve the living standards of the people.

He implored the workers to ensure that development programmes are not derailed due to the effects of the global credit crunch.

The Permanent Secretary was speaking in Chongwe district, today, when he addressed heads of departments at the council chamber during his familiarisation tour of the district.

Earlier, Chongwe district director of health, Charles Msiska, commended government for investing heavily in the health sector.

Dr Msiska said this is in line with the government’s policy of taking health care services closer to the people.

And several heads of departments bemoaned lack of transport and accommodation as their major challenges in the district.

They informed the permanent secretary that this is hindering the smooth supervision of the programmes in communities to evaluate the impact of government interventions programmes.

ZANIS/JT/ENDS/MM

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