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Precious Stones Association of Zambia yearn for investment in the industry

editor
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6

The Emerald and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) has advised government to consider investing in the gemstone mining industry as an alternative to attaining national development.

ESMAZ general secretary Victor Kalesha says the gemstone mining industry has the potential to earn the country foreign exchange now that the country’s foreign earnings had been greatly affected by the falling copper prices on the international market.

Mr. Kalesha told ZANIS in an interview today that the gemstone industry has for a long time been neglected as it lack proper investment hence making it difficult for the industry to grow and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic growth.

Mr. Kalesha further said the gemstone industry also had the potential to help curb the escalating poverty levels that the country was facing through job creation.

He however noted that the industry would only contribute to the creation of jobs among other things once it received investment that would boost its operations.

Mr. Kalesha said it was because of the numerous challenges the gemstone mining industry was facing that ESMAZ wrote to government to request for help.

He said the industry among other things needed to acquire equipment that would enable the gemstone miners to produce finished products that would be exported thereby earning foreign exchange as well as create employment opportunities for the Zambian citizenry.

Mr. Kalesha said there was demand of gemstones on the international markets as most people on the globe opted to store money in form of precious stones .

Mr. kalesha also appealed to government to geologically resurvey the mining sites that had been allocated to the gemstone miners so that they could know the viability of the sites.

He said this would even enable the gemstone miners to pay their area charges to government as opposed to the current situation where miners were unable to pay their area charges simply because most of the sites were not too productive.

ZANIS/MP/MKM/ENDS

Prisoners assault prison warder over delayed court appearance

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A male Prison warder at Choma State Prison has been physically assaulted by angry prisoners during a protest.

The prisoners were protesting over the continued delay for them to appear in a magistrates court on various charges.

Both prison and police sources confirmed the incident which happened on Wednesday to ZANIS in Choma today and described the situation as unfortunate.

According to prison sources, the prisoners turned violent upon hearing that they could not be taken to court because the magistrate handling their cases had not traveled from Lusaka.

The incident happened when police and Drug Enforcement Commission officers went to the prison to collect suspects for the court session.

It was at this point that the affected prisoners demanded to be taken to court so that they could lodge their complaint about their prolonged detention.

The suspects then descended on one prison warder, pinning him down on the ground before severely beating him up.

Most of the suspects that turned violent have spent about two years in remand prison without court appearance.

The cases for affected suspected are being handled by Lusaka chief resident magistrate Charles Kafunda who was then Choma senior resident magistrate before his transfer to the capital.

Prison sources told ZANIS that the assaulted warder has since treated for wounds, but expressed grave concern at the security situation for warders at the Prison.

ZANIS/CM/ENDS/SJK

ECZ dispels pollution allegations on Lumwana East river

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Workers at Lumwana mine
Workers at Lumwana mine

Investigations conducted by the Environment Council of Zambia (ECZ) has revealed that Lumwana East river in Solwezi was not polluted by uranium discharged by Lumwana mine as alleged by media reports.

ECZ Public Relations Officer Bwalya Nondo disclosed that ECZ have also dispelled reports of crops and other plants being burnt by alleged uranium contaminants .

He explained that a comprehensive report submitted to Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Catherine Namugala today on the reported pollution incident by Lumwana mine has revealed that there was no trace of pollution.

In a press release made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Nondo said analysis carried out on water in the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) and on water released into the environment revealed no trace of pollution and that discharged water was within statutory limits.

“The report further reveals that samples collected from boreholes, the main source of domestic water in the community down stream of Lumwana East, did not show any raised levels of radiation in the water. River water is mostly used for crop irrigation in the dry season, and as such, no crops or any other plant were burnt or affected by any uranium discharge as reported in the press”, he said.

The Public Relations Officer disclosed that Lumwana mine has not commenced any uranium production and that, the copper extraction process does not employ a method used that requires use of sulphuric acid which could be harmful to plants in the event of pollution to the environment.

Mr. Nondo further explained that the local community was informed that Lumwana mine would be discharging water into the river and advised them not to drink it because it was dirty and muddy.

He said the Tourism Minister has since commended ECZ for promptly investigating the pollution incident in Solwezi.

Mr. Nondo said Ms Namugala has since assured the nation that her ministry through ECZ will closely monitor Lumwana mine and other industries to ensure that their operations were environmentally friendly, and not a danger to human life and the environment.

ZANIS/PM/MKM/ENDS

This Week in Pictures

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Zesco United Football cub players on arrival from Ivory Coast at Lusaka international airport
Zesco United Football cub players on arrival from Ivory Coast at Lusaka international airport
Zambia Army officers salute the late Gwendoline Konie after the requieme mass in Lusaka
Zambia Army officers salute the late Gwendoline Konie after the requieme mass in Lusaka
President Rupiah Banda emerges from his office to meet Millenium Challenge vice president Darius Teter at State House
President Rupiah Banda emerges from his office to meet Millenium Challenge vice president Darius Teter at State House
President Rupiah Banda ushers Chinese investors who were led by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quiangmin into State House for a meeting
President Rupiah Banda ushers Chinese investors who were led by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quiangmin into State House for a meeting
Millenium Corporation vice president Darius Teter with finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane before meeting President Rupiah Banda at State House
Millenium Corporation vice president Darius Teter with finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane before meeting President Rupiah Banda at State House
Energy deputy minister Gladys Lumbwe and Comesa seretary general Sindiso Ngwenya after giving a speech at the COMESA energy meeting in Lusaka
Energy deputy minister Gladys Lumbwe and Comesa seretary general Sindiso Ngwenya after giving a speech at the COMESA energy meeting in Lusaka
President Rupiah Banda with Millenium Corporation vice president Darius Teter at State House
President Rupiah Banda with Millenium Corporation vice president Darius Teter at State House

Rains Damage Lusaka-Chirundu road

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”]Recently rehabilitated Lusaka -Chirundu road damaged by rains[ZNBC]

The Lusaka -Chirundu Road has been damaged on the Kapilingozi stretch, about 100 Kilometres from Lusaka.
Rain water from nearby mountains and rockfalls have contributed to the damage to the road.

The incident follows recent repairs by China Heinan which was recently contracted to reconstruct the stretch of the road at Kapilingozi to improve safety. Motorists have blamed the damage on poor workmanship by the Chinese company.

Road Development Agency, RDA, Head of Public Relations, Loyce Saili, says the damage is serious.

Ms. Saili told ZNBC news that as a result of the damage heavy trucks on both sides of the road are marooned.

She said RDA engineers have been dispatched to assess the extent of the damage.

The road is the lifeline for movement of goods between Zambia and its neighbours to the south.The RDA said that a portion of the Chirundu Highway has been cut off and there was currently no movement of traffic going to either side of the Zambian border with Zimbabwe.

Lusaka- Chirundu road (before )
Lusaka- Chirundu road (before )

The Chirundu border post, which is one of landlocked

Zambia’s busiest entry points, leads into neighbouring

Zimbabwe and further on to countries such as South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland.

Zambia receives the bulk of her imports through Chirundu and also exports a significant portion of goods through the same border post.

However, heavy rains over the last few weeks have completely washed away a portion of the road — cutting off traffic to and from Chirundu.

[ZNBC/APA]

Policy for financing TEVET institutions coming

Guest Editor
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Government has disclosed that it will soon implement a new strategy policy for financing Technical Education Vocational and Entrepreneurship training (TEVET) institutions in the country.

Science , Technology and Vocational Minster Peter Daka says the new strategy will be in accordance with the national skills development plan which will be regularly revised and updated for the improved skills development in the country.

Speaking when he officiated at the opening of a one day conference for Zambia National Association of TEVET providers (ZNATP) in Lusaka today, Mr. Daka noted that TEVET has not been effective in executing its duties due to problems in financing most of the programmes.

Mr. Daka explained that despite government appointing a technical team to undertake a comprehensive review of the national TEVET policy, service delivery by providers has not improved hence the decision to have a new financing policy.

He said once the policy is implemented , it will change the way TEVET providers who include public and private colleges have been operating.

He disclosed that his Ministry is just waiting for cabinet to finalise and approve the policy document before it is made available to providers.

Meanwhile, Mr. Daka has cited lack of adequate resource as a major challenge in implementing the policy.

He assured the training providers in the country that government has started putting in place a number of inventions aimed at enhancing good service delivery by improving capacity building and strengthening management system.

Mr. Daka has since called on other stakeholders to partner with government in delivering good training skills which are in demand for the Labour force, adding that by so doing many people will be given a chance to contribute to the economic growth of the country because they will be employed.

And earlier ZNATP president Pascal Chewe bemoaned lack of government’s support to private training institutions in the country.

Mr. Chewe said most of private colleges are operating below standards because they lack proper linkages that can be monitoring them from government.

He said there is need for government to establish good working relations with training providers in the country, if the services are to be improvised.

He explained that training providers have to be made aware on the importance of working with government and contribute positively to the growth of the educational sector.

The ZNATP president however, urged conference participants to offer courses that are in line with the changing technology and compete favourably with other international private and public institutions.

ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS.

Civil servants urged to spend within the budget

Guest Editor
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Public workers in Lusaka province have been urged to plan well and spend within the budget in view of the biting global economic recession.

Lusaka province permanent secretary Stephen Bwalya said the global economic recession which has equally slowed down Zambia’s economic performance, calls for careful planning and prudent expenditure of resources to ensure continued implementation of development projects.

Mr. Bwalya was speaking when he addressed heads of government departments and parastatals in Luangwa today.

He called on public workers to work as a team in delivering services to the people.

Mr. Bwalya assured the people of Luangwa that government will embark on the rehabilitation of the road infrastructure in the district including the main road from Luangwa bridge to the Boma, when the rains are over.

He said a good road network was a priority in the development of the district.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, District Commissioner Stanslous Kalunga, thanked government for reintroducing the Rural Hardship Allowance for teachers in Luangwa district.

Captain Kalunga said the teachers started getting their allowance in February.

He however appealed to the government to declare Luangwa a remote rural area and spread the allowance to all the civil servants working in the area.

ZANIS/JT/MKM/ENDS.

Africa Union minister of Trade converge in Ethiopia to discuss financial crisis

Guest Editor
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African Union Ministers of trade have converged in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to discuss the financial crisis and other challenges that are being faced by the continent.

Commerce Deputy Minister Richard Taima is attending the fifth ordinary session of the two day AU conference of Ministers which opened yesterday.

The conference is also expected to reflect on developments such as increasing food prices, climate change on the continent and global trade.

This session is a key institutional framework of the AU which provides a forum to review developments on the continent, take stock and asses policy implementation.

This is contained in a statement made to ZANIS by Zambia’s Embassy in Ethiopia First Secretary for Press Dorcas Chileshe.

ZANIS/AC/MKM/ENDS.

Visiting chief financial officer calls for genuine investment

Guest Editor
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3

A visiting Standard Chartered Bank Chief Financial Officer Mahendra Gursahani has expressed dismay at investors who only invest in good times .

Mr. Gursahani said genuine investors stick by their commitments in good times as well as in bad times.

He said Standard Chartered Bank believes in making long-term commitments that over-ride short term challenges.

Mr. Gursahani disclosed that Standard Chartered Bank will this year be celebrating its103rd year of unbroken operations in Zambia.

The chief Financial Officer said genuine partnership should be a continuation of a long and successful history, adding that Standard Chartered Bank Zambia will continue to remain an integral part of the local economy.

Mr. Gursahani told ZANIS in an interview today that his bank will continue to support local and international businesses in order to drive economic growth.

He has since commended Government for creating an enabling environment for investors to invest in the economy in order to enhance socio-economy development of the country.

Mr. Gursahani said the Bank will continue to use its international expertise and capabilities to introduce new, innovative products and services into the Zambian market, so as to support the rapid sophistication of financial services sector and the wider economy.

ZANIS/PM/MKM/ENDS.

First Lady calls for more attention to people living with epilepsy

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FIRST Lady Thandiwe Banda going to board the Presidential Challenger plane
FIRST Lady Thandiwe Banda

First Lady Thandiwe Banda has urged the health sector in Zambia and Africa to consider giving serious attention to people living with epilepsy.

Mrs. Banda said the health sector in most African countries have paid little attention to the devastating effect the disease has on the people.

She said many countries have concentrated on major communicable diseases such as malaria, and HIV/AIDS.

She said of about 60 million cases of epilepsy in the world over, Africa and other developing countries accounts for about 80% of the recorded cases.

The First lady said this in a speech read on her behalf by Vice President’s wife Irene Kunda after the epilepsy sensitization walk to mark the launch of the registration for the epilepsy conference that will be held next month.

She said there is need for all stakeholders to create awareness and stop stigma against people with epilepsy as it affects even the most productive people in our society.

Mrs. Banda said there is need to sensitize people on epilepsy and tell them that the disease can be cured with drugs adding that about 80% of the people who remain on treatment for two years remain free from seizures.

She however said that there is need to provide anti-epilepsy drugs to people suffering from the disease if it is to be completely eradicated.

Speaking at the same function Epilepsy Association of Zambia (EAZ) member, Chinunka Kalonga called for all stakeholders to support people with epilepsy.

Ms. Kalonga said epilepsy is the disease that affects everyone adding that there is need to stop the discrimination of people living with the disease.

She however said the sensitization walk that has been conducted will mark a new chapter for epilepsy in Zambia.

ZANIS/GP/MKM/ENDS

Faz Premier Division Week 2 Fixtures

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Faz Premier Division
Week 2

21/03/2009

Green Buffaloes- Zamtel
Zesco United- City of Lusaka
Forest Rangers- Konkola Blades
Roan United-Choma Eagles
Nakambala Leopards- Power Dynamos
Zanaco-Young Arrows

Chambishi-Kabwe Warriors
Red Arrows-Lusaka Dynamos

Fifa Warns NSCZ Over Kalu’s Suspension

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The gloves are off in the standoff between Kalusha Bwalya and the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) after Fifa asked the latter to stand down of face sanctions while Zurich deals with the Emmanuel Mayuka case.

And Faz have maintained their annual general meeting slated for tomorrow will not take place despite orders by the NSCZ that the meeting goes ahead without the suspended Kalusha on Thursday for failing to heed to summons over the Mayuka case.

“As already announced, that meeting (Faz AGM) can’t proceed,”  Faz general secretary George Kasengele said at a briefing today, Friday in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke in a latter dated March 19 to Faz through Kasengele has said it will not recognize Kalusha’s suspension by the NSCZ, who are the local watchdog on all sports associations in Zambia.

“Fifa would like to inform the FA of Zambia and all its members who will gather for its annual general meeting scheduled  to take place on March 21-22, that Fifa will not recognize any suspension and any action of any type, which will limit the autonomy of your association or the mandate of its democratically-elected officials,” Valcke said.

“Similarly, we received information on the charges leveled against various Faz officials including yourself (Kasengele), the organization of hearings of these officials summoned to appear before the NSC(Z) Legal and Disciplinary Committee as well as public statements by the Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development, the Hon Kenneth Chipungu.

“This current controversy circles around issues falling under the direct competence of FIFA, (a) the defence of the fundamental principle of the autonomy of the Fifa member associations from external influence, (b) the disputes around international transfers of players.”am

“As a consequence and considering the potential disruption of football in Zambia due to these hearings and possible violations of the Fifa statutes, Fifa is of the option that the hearings should be suspended until Fifa could review the file of the transfer of the above –mentioned player (Emmnauel Mayuka) as well as the alleged charges against the Faz officials.

“In order to initiate this review, Fifa would be grateful to Faz to send to Zurich a detailed summary of the case of the above mentioned transfer as well as the response of the Faz officials to NSC(Z) alleged charges.”

Kasengele did not take any questions on the matter as the wheels of justice in Zurich are now certainly in motion.

Govt sees light at the end of the tunnel

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FINANCE minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
FINANCE minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
The Government is optimistic about the future of mining

following indication that China will this year increase its
annual copper purchase from 600,000 to one million
tonnes, Finance and National Planning Minister,
Situmbeko Musokotwane has said.

Dr Musokotwane said in Lusaka yesterday that if implemented, China’s move would result in a deficit in the global copper requirement for 2009 and trigger higher prices.

The minister said this in a speech read for him by Secretary to the Treasury, Likolo Ndalamei during the second Corporate Governance award-giving ceremony held at Hotel Intercontinental.

Dr Musokotwane said despite having put in place various measures to support economic diversification, the Zambian Government would not abandon what it knew best: mining.

“This is the reason why we are optimistic with reports that China’s State Reserve Bureau may this year raise purchases of copper to one million metric tonnes from 600,000 tonnes.

“Such a measure, if implemented, ‘would easily turn the projected global surplus of between 350,000 tonnes and 400,000 tonnes this year’ into a deficit. This is an encouraging signal for the Zambian mining industry,” he said.

Dr Situmbeko said that Government was equally positive about the future copper prices, which had gained by 25 per cent on the London Metal Exchange (LME) within this year after falling by 54 per cent last year.

Currently, he said, the price stood at around US$3,862 per tonne after China’s copper imports jumped by 55 per cent last month. This price level is the highest since November 2008.

He, however, noted that in the 2009 budget, Government had put in place programmes to diversify the economy and increase the potential for wealth creation through agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.

Dr Musokotwane said his ministry would this year address some challenges faced in the governance of State-owned-enterprises some of which had been a drain on national coffers.

“To forestall this trend and improve overall performance, my ministry will reinforce measures aimed at improving oversight, supervision, general management, corporate governance, quality systems and service delivery in State-owned enterprises.

“In this regard, I am pleased to inform you that we have provided K2 billion in this year’s budget for strengthening the implementation of the automated trading system on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE),” he said

He said the growth of market capitalization on the LuSE over the last few years gave government hope that the market in Zambia, though experiencing a momentary reduction, was sustainable and a worthy choice for stock investments.

Dr Musokotwane noted that although share prices might have fallen, the overall performance of most listed companies had been satisfactory and was a testimony of the resilience of Zambia’s economy.

“The evidence of our market attractiveness is manifested by looking back at 2008 when K1.302 trillion was raised in seven issues on the Lusaka Stock Exchange. This means that on average, the LuSE market capitalisation grew from K13.07 trillion or US$ 3.188 billion in 2007 to K24.205 trillion or US$ 6.538 billion in 2008.

“As a result, market capitalisation to GDP ratio also grew from 40 per cent to 61 per cent. This scenario makes the Lusaka Stock Exchange an illustration of the stability of our economy and a demonstration of the depth of private sector development in Zambia,” he said.
[Times of Zambia]

Zambezi district Hospital calls on Govt to provide standby generator

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Zambezi Central Ward Councillor, Paul Nongo has called on government to provide a standby generator to the Zambezi District hospital to avoid inconveniences when ZESCO power goes off.

Hospital Administrator, Bukama Chilipili said efforts were being taken to secure a generator but referred all queries to the Ministry of Health spokesperson, who could however not be reached for a comment.

Patients complained that they use candles every night when power goes off, a situation which should not be happening at a health institution.

Meanwhile a Mr.Nongo has accused nurses at Zambezi District Hospital of being uncaring to patients.

The Zambezi Central Ward Councillor, charged that the nurses have no sense of urgency for patients, saying they take long to attend to patients even when they were not busy.

Mr. Nongo told ZANIS in an interview that he received a lot of complaints from the members of the public about the alleged bad behaviour by nurses towards patients.

Lack of Information on Sexual reproductive health cause of High Maternal-complications

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zambianwomanUnited Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Duah Owusu-Sarfo has attributed high maternal complications among communities in rural areas to lack of information on sexual reproductive health matters.

Mr Owusu-Sarfo said there was need for intensive awareness sensitization in the communities on sexual reproductive matters.

He said if communities both females and males were equipped with knowledge on safe motherhood programmes such maternal complications and deaths could be prevented.

Mr Owusu-Sarfo who is on familiarization tour of North-Western province said this when he paid a courtesy call on Senior Chief Mujimanzovu of the Kaonde people in Solwezi yesterday.

He told the chief that UNFPA would embark on sexual reproductive health programmes and other related programmes in his chiefdom to sensitize the communities.

Senior chief Mujimanzovu was highly elated and assured the UNFPA chief that he would always work with the organization saying issues of sexual reproductive health and family planning were very critical in his chiefdom.

He said it was saddening to note that all girls in his chiefdom who sat for grade nine last year got pregnant.

The chief said parents in his chiefdom need a lot of sensitization because they are fond of marrying off their school going children at tender age thereby denying them education and exposing them to maternal complications as most of them are too young to handle pregnancies.

ZANIS/WN/MKM/ENDS

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