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ZACA welcomes Govt plans to discourage dollarisation

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Zambia Consumer Association, ZACA, has welcomed government plans to enact a legislation that will help discourage dollarisation in all domestic transactions.

ZACA Executive Secretary, Muyunda Ililonga, told ZANIS in an interview today that the association was happy that government responded positively to calls for legislation to discourage business houses from quoting prices of goods and services in foreign currency.

Mr. Ililonga said the current trend where most goods and services were being priced using the value of the US dollar subjected the consumers to exploitation.

Mr. Ililonga noted that dollarisation of domestic transactions should be discouraged at all costs as it undermines the dignity of the kwacha.

He said there was need for the dignity of the local currency to be upheld in all the domestic transaction as opposed to the current situation where the dollar was being used to quote prices whenever the Kwacha depreciated against the world’s major currencies.

He further said Zambia was a sovereign state which could not allow the alien currencies such as the dollar to determine and influence its domestic market forces.

Government announced on Wednesday that it would introduce a legislation that would stop dollarisation in the country.

The quoting of the dollar in domestic transactions is said to have influence on the current exchange rate which has seen the kwacha lose its strength against the major currencies.

ZANIS/ENDS/MP/SJK.

LCC uproot illegally placed billboards

Guest Editor
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The Lusaka City Council, LCC, today removed some illegally placed billboards on Lusaka’s Nasser road, which are said to be posing a danger to motorists.

The local authority said the development is part of efforts by the Council to help reduce cases of traffic accidents caused due to wrongly placed billboards.

LCC Public Relations Manager, Chanda Makanta, said the Council will continue to remove billboards on other roads and high ways that are in deplorable conditions as they pose a danger to both motorists and pedestrians.

She defended the Council’s action saying it has the mandate to help ensure a clean environment in line with the ‘Keep Zambia Clean’ launched by late President, Levy Mwanawasa.

Mrs. Makanta disclosed this in a phone interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

She has since urged people who are intending to mount billboards to consult the local authority, in order to be advised on where to erect bill boards in accordance with the sizes and nature to avoid inconveniences.

Mrs. Makanka said it is illegal to cut down trees without the consent of the Council especially at sites where billboards are to be placed.

She further warned that perpetrators defying Council orders risked their billboards being removed as soon as they are spotted.

ENDS/AC/ZANIS/SJK.

UPND plans for 2011 polls

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hhakaindeThe United Party for National Development, UPND, says it has embarked on the party strengthening programme in readiness for the 2011 general elections.

UPND spokesperson, Charles Kakoma, said the party is confident of winning the elections in view of the ambitious programmes it is currently executing.

Mr. Kakoma said among the programmes of strengthening the party, was a membership recruitment drive ahead of the polls.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that with the recruitment of more members the party would strengthen its performance in the next elections.

He also said the party would soon embark on a nationwide tour of its presidential aspirant, Hakainde Hichilema, as a measure of enhancing his popularity ahead of the elections.

The UPND spokesperson said the opposition party has also started reorganizing the party youths to enhance their participation in elections.

ZANIS/AJN/ENDS/SJK

FODEP welcomes proposed national Indaba

Guest Editor
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The Foundation for Democratic Process, FODEP, has welcomed the proposal by government for a national Indaba.

FODEP Executive Director, Elijah Ruvuta, said the proposed National Indaba is an important step in efforts of resolving some of the contentious issues and challenges facing the nation.

Mr Ruvuta said the indaba should, however, be premised on addressing some of the current political, social and economic problems haunting the country.

Mr. Ruvuta told ZANIS in a statement today, that the National indaba is also likely to give proper and clear policy direction to the country.

He observed that Zambia recently has been engulfed in serious challenges and problems ranging from the depreciation of the local currency to rising commodity prices, which are threatening the country’s attainment of the Vision 2030 and Millennium Development Goals, MDGs.

He explained that his organization hopes that the indaba will also address issues such as the perceptible waning confidence in the country’s governance system.

He stated that through the indaba, the country could achieve progress in addressing corruption, poverty and HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Ruvuta noted that as the country aims to attain the status of middle income economy by the year 2030, the indaba would be a good platform to review progress in attaining the Vision 2030 and 2015 MDGs targets.

He added that the indaba could also enable the country adequately prepare for the 2011 tripartite Elections and the electoral issues, the Constitution and the possible Referendum, the strategies to tackle the effects of the global economic meltdown on Zambia and its citizen and to promote political harmony in the country.

Mr. Ruvuta also pointed out that the proposed indaba could be an opportunity to address the above issues that are critical to the growth of democracy in the country.

He has since, urged stakeholders to bury their differences and jointly work on strategies to confront national problems.

ZANIS/MM/ENDS/SJK.

Investigative wings handling Ng’andu Magande’s letter

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THE Government has said that all documentation regarding the Zambian Airways financial irregularities, including former Finance and National Planning minister, Ng’andu Magande’s letter to communications and Transport Minister, Dora Siliya, are already with the investigative wings.

Speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha said that all the evidence pertaining to Zambian Airways, which in January suspended operations, was with the three investigative wings probing the matter.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha, who is Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, was commenting on Mr Magande’s challenge to President Rupiah Banda or any individual to avail acting Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde copies of the letter.

“The Government’s investigative wings are handling the Zambian Airways issue and as such there is no need of setting up a tribunal. The letter by Mr Magande to Ms Siliya and anything else is with the investigative wings,” Lt Gen Shikapwasha said.

He pointed out that the Drug Enforcement Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Zambia Police Service would, apart from relying on written documentation, call all the possible suspects and witnesses in the matter.

“The people will also be called and the Government has confidence in the investigative wings. The public will be informed of the outcome at an appropriate time,” Lt Gen Shikapwasha said.

[Times of Zambia]

LCC plans to expand Inter City bus station

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The Lusaka City Council, LCC,says plans are underway to expand and up grade the Inter-City bus station once the resources are available.

LCC Public Relations Officer, Henry Kapata, said the local authority intends to implement the expansion project with the aim of decongesting the bus station as soon as government releases the funds.

Mr. Kapata told ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday that LCC will also involve other stakeholders to fund the major project.

Mr. Kapata also asked the church to be making follow ups to the people they assist with transport money as they do not use that money for transport but lodge at the station.

He, however, bemoaned that the idea of assisting people with transport money by the church should stop adding that in future, the station will face a lot of theft cases.

He stressed that when they receive the funds, they are going to clear all the vendors thereby leaving enough room for travelers.

Mr. Kapata said the Council has come up with the idea of charging a sum of K2, 000 per day, to all those who spend nights at the station.

ENDS/WM/ZANIS/SJK

PF suspends district chairman Charles Mazimba

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The Patriotic Front (PF) leadership in the district has suspended district chairman Charles Mazimba for allegedly releasing false information to the press without the consent and approval of the party.

Patriotic Front (PF) Mpulungu constituency secretary Peter Mwansa said district chairman Mazimba was removed from his position because of indiscipline.
He said Mazimba’s removal has been long overdue because of several cases of mal administration that he has committed in the recent past.

But when asked to state whether PF is a democratic party that believed in the freedom of expression of its members, Mwansa said the party believed in free speech but not issuance of unilateral statements to the press.

When pressed further on what was wrong with Mazimba’s part in last week’s story and if party members cannot freely discuss matters affecting PF, Mwansa stated that they party did not discuss the support for the expelled MMD Mpulungu MP Lameck Chibombamilimo.

Mr. Mwansa said the PF executive has totally disagreed and disassociated itself with the statement.

Last week, a party official had disclosed that the party would support Mr. Chibombamilimo if he decided to stand on its party ticket.

ZANIS/EK/MKM/ENDS

Govt says informal cross border traders are key to achieving economic growth

Guest Editor
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Government says informal cross border traders should be recognized as a measure of promoting economic growth in the country.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati, said cross border traders must be given recognition because they play an important role in the development of regional trade.

Mr. Mutati said this when he officially opened the second Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA, forum dubbed trading for peace in Lusaka today.

He said government will this year construct new border infrastructure at Kasumbalesa border post to accommodate informal cross border traders.

Mr. Mutati noted that informal cross border traders help propel economic growth in the region as they account for over 30 per cent of the total annual trade earnings.

Earlier, COMESA Secretary General, Sindiso Ngwenya, said the trading for peace project will continue aiming at harnessing trade potential in the region.

Mr. Ngwenya said this will contribute to peace building and poverty reduction in the region.

ZANIS/CM/ENDS/SJK.

Mpulungu MMD constituency chairman resigns

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MMD Mpulungu constituency chairman George Tembo has resigned from his position with immediate effect citing frustrations within the ruling party.

In an interview with ZANIS today, Mr. Tembo said he has decided to step down as constituency chairman due to what he called frustrations perpetrated by a named district official which he had encountered in the recent past.

Mr. Tembo who recently declared interest to contest on the MMD ticket, if the speaker of the National Assembly declared the Mpulungu seat vacant, added that he will however remain a member and staunch supporter of MMD as well as being councilor for Mpulungu central ward.

He said his ambitions to contest the elections on the MMD ticket will still hold regardless of what has happened.

Mr. Tembo accused some MMD district officials of playing petty politics and manufacturing baseless accusations against him aimed at denting his image in the party.

He complained that there is no separation of power in the party in Mpulungu because some district officials have allegedly hijacked the running of the party by taking over the functions both at district and constituency levels.

“This is totally unacceptable in a democratic party like MMD,’’ Tembo complained.
And when reached to comment over Tembo’s resignation and how it will affect the MMD in Mpulungu, district chairman Edward Chelleh said he had received and accepted the decision of the constituency chairman.

” You see, as far as we are concerned George resigned from his position a long time ago though he was not coming out in the open,’’ Chelleh revealed.

He urged party member to be focused and remain united saying the party will still survive without Tembo as constituency chairman.

ZANIS/EK/MKM/ENDS

MMD challenges the Post to tell the truth on Zambian Airways

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mmdlogoThe ruling MMD on the Copperbelt has challenging the Post Newspaper to tell the country the truth about the Zambian Airways saga.

MMD Cadres, who presented a petition to President Rupiah Banda through Copperbelt Provincial Minister, Mwansa Mbulakulima, said the Post Newspaper should tell Zambians the truth about problems surrounding the Zambia airways.

The cadres, who assembled at the provincial administration office yesterday while singing songs of solidarity for Mr. Banda, were led by Copperbelt Province MMD chairman Joseph Chilambwe and Ndola district chairman Cephas Katongo.

Mr. Chilambwe said the MMD on the Copperbelt was totally behind the President and was congratulating him for having fired Energy Deputy Minister Lameck Chibombamilimo and Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Jonas Shakafuswa.

He alleged that the two members had no respect for President Banda and the MMD party, adding that they should never rejoin to the party.

“We want to say bravo to President Banda for chasing Shakafuswa and Chibombamilimo. They have no respect for the President and the party. We don’t want them back in our party. They should join political parties that insult,” he said.

He said the MMD in the province was challenging the Post Newspaper to explain to the nation what their role in society was.

“The MMD on the Copperbelt is petitioning the Post Newspaper to tell the nation what their role in society is? They should also tell the truth about the K29 billion that the Zambian Airways owes the people of Zambia,” he said.

The provincial chairman said time had come for the law to visit the Post Newspapers because they were not sacred.

Mr. Chilambwe also called upon opposition Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata to stop ridiculing former heads of state like Dr. Fredrick Chiluba.

Meanwhile Mr. Chilambwe has appealed to MMD supports to fight and defend their party.

“This is our time, we must fight and enjoy ourselves because we are the ones that are ruling. And even in 2011 we will continue to rule this country,” he said.

And speaking earlier, Ndola MMD district chairman Cephas Katongo called upon Zambians to rally behind President Banda as he endeavours to recover the money owed by Zambian Airways.

Mr. Katongo said the money in question was tax payer’s money which needed to be channeled to developmental projects and not a few selfish people.

And Mr. Mbulakulima assured the petitioners that he would pass on their message to President Banda.

The minister, who said he was deeply touched by the conduct and words of the petitioners, said there was no way all people in the MMD could be wrong.

He said there was no way President Banda could sit and watch indiscipline creep into the MMD and not say a word.

ZANIS/PC/KSH/ENDS

ACC happy with govt approval of NACP

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The Anti Corruption Commission, ACC, has welcomed government’s approval of the National Anti-Corruption Policy, NACP, for Zambia.

ACC Public Relations Manager, Timothy Monoo, said ACC is delighted with the announcement by Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha, that cabinet had approved the NACP.

Mr. Moono told ZANIS in Lusaka today that ACC is happy with government for the achievement.

And ACC Acting Director, Rosewin Wandi, said is determined to help government fulfill the vision of zero tolerance to corruption in the nation.

She also observed that the aim of developing the NACP was to match the current legal and institutional framework with the aspirations for a corrupt free society.

Mrs. Wandi said the policy will create harmonized and coordinated efforts against corruption adding that the objectives are defined in the legal, institutional and social levels of the NACP.

She said the NACP will also enhance transparency and accountability in the exercise of public authority and streamline bureaucratic procedures in public service delivery at institutional level.

Mrs. Wandi has since appealed to stakeholders including the private sector and cooperating partners to support the implementation of the policy through financial assistance although government remains committed to funding the policy.

ZANIS/CM/ENDS/SJK

PSDA opposes Zambian govt’s plan to nationalise mines

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The private sector has advised government not to take over the operations of the mines in the country as it has no capacity to run them.

Private Sector Development Association, PSDA, Chairperson, Yusuf Dodia, has hinted that taking over the operations of mines can just result in over spending on the side of government.

Mr. Dodia was reacting to calls by a cross section of society that government should intervene in the affairs of the mines which are closing by taking charge of them.

He explained to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that government alone can not manage to operate the mines as it has other needy areas that require its attention.

He noted that if government goes aheard to take over operations of the mines in the country, other developmental projects would suffer as money would be expected to be channeled to the management od the mines.

He added that with this global economic meltdown other sectors are also likely to be affected and will therefore need government’s assistance.

He, further, added that government can only intervene by putting the mines on care and maintenance to protect the interest of local miners and cushion impact of the recent job cuts.

Mr. Dodia said there is need for government to ensure that the interest of miners are protected by ensuring that mines do not completely close while it is looking for another investor to take over the operations.

He also cautioned government to find equity partners that will not only take over the operations of mines but that will also ensure that miners that have lost their jobs are returned.

He also stressed that  nationalizing the mines can have a negative effect on Tax payers as they can be subjected to high taxes as way of raising more money for effective operations of the mines.

Zambia is one of the country’s that has been hit hard with the global economic meltdown which has led to the failing of metal prices on the international market resulting in mine closures and hundred of miners losing their jobs.

ZANIS/MM/ENDS/SJK

Zambia gets Five year US foreign aid fund

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Darius Teter at State House
Darius Teter at State House

The Millennium Challenge Corporation, MCC, has disclosed that Zambia has successfully been selected for a five-year United States foreign aid agency compact large scale funding for poverty reduction.

And MCC has since pledged to work with various stakeholders to find lasting solutions, through the compact fund, to the current economic challenges that the country is facing.

MCC Deputy vice President, Darius Teter, explained that the compact fund is a five year project grant, aimed at reducing poverty in developing countries through sustainable economic growth.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Teter said MCC in Zambia would implement the compact fund through stakeholders’ participation because they play a vital role in identifying needy investment areas for the country.

He explained that enhancing stakeholders’ participation would help achieve broad based understanding on sectors that require immediate developmental attention in the country.

He noted that his organization would ensure that local people also participate in economic growth through the creation of more employment opportunities.

He, further, called on civil society groups to help identify development projects that could impact positive on efforts of promoting investments in key sectors of the economy.

He cited the education, transport, agriculture and health as sectors earmarked to benefit from the fund.

And MCC Senior Director in the Department of Compact Development, Kyeh Kim, explained that there is need for Zambia to come up with a target approach if the fund is to benefit many people.

Ms Kim said MCC will ensure that it assists government to reduce poverty through the policies of good governance and economic growth.

Zambia is among the 18 countries that have qualified to the Compact global United States Government funding through the Millennium Challenge Account, MCA, after being on a threshold programme since 2004.

ZANIS/MM/ENDS/SJK

The President we will never have

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A man in Lusaka shows off his Barack Obama placard
A man in Lusaka shows off his Barack Obama placard

By Mingeli Palata I remember being at the 2008 Miss.
NIPA function at Smugglers in Ridgeway, hosting a couple of American friends from California talking about Barack Obama and the US election.

Through out the world, the 2008 elections of Barack Obama and John Mccain brought American politics in a whole different light. For the first time in history, a black was this close to becoming the most powerful man on earth.

Think about it, the man went against all odds and truly changed the course of history and every black man, Obama’s election was an endorsement on the Black race. It meant recognition that Black people are able to do it and in no other place than a place best known for committing the worst known atrocities to the black race.

Besides which if you have read Obama’s books, he introduces his political philosophy that of compromise, appreciating and working with difference.You will grasp why Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Hillary Clinton and others who opposed his Presidential bid all in his cabinet, including why he has a habit of putting arm around George Bush when ever the two meet.

For many Zambians, Obama is the best President they would never have. Imagine having all those Obama attributes in a Zambian man or woman running for the highest office in the mother land? How about that? Let me tell you how? It would mean having a Presidential candidate who believe in tolerance; accommodating opposing views, a President who believes that simply having views different from his makes you an enemy- Michael Sata playing golf with Rupiah Banda kind of thing, how about that for a change?

For once dear Zambian, we wouldn’t have anything like Southern province voting in the same fashion or a Presidential candidate telling people to vote for him because he or she comes from the same province as them. No tribalism- one Zambia and truly one Nation. We would have a President whose economic policies are only influenced by the voters and not those who funded his or her election, so no funny salary increments when the teachers are not paid. I like your smile.

If Obama was a Zambian then the dignity and relevance that UTH and other public health institutions would be restored and all rich people would not be rushing to Morningside Clinic in South Africa every time they had a heart attack or their CD4 count went low. Its all because Obama would make it a point that the money spend on buying party chitenge materials and buying cadres chibuku is channeled to buying drugs for the clinic in Kalinglinga and the chalk for the students in chamboli. Come guys, isn’t that the change we need?

Maybe the economy would be regulated to the benefit of everybody, tax exemptions for companies that create a lot of jobs for Zambians and more funds for the emerging small scale business persons.
Hey stop dreaming, like I said, Obama is the best Zambian President we will never have!

Council and police in Solwezi combine forces to curb smuggling of Mealie meal

Guest Editor
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Solwezi Municipal Council and Zambia Police in Solwezi have intensified security control measures aimed at curbing smuggling of mealie meal into neighboring countries.

Solwezi district Commissioner Albert Chifita confirmed to ZANIS that Zambia Police would tighten the security at all check points.

Mr. Chifita said, if Police Service impounds vehicles carrying Mealie meal to neighboring countries, that mealie meal would be sold at a cheap price to discourage the sale of the commodity to other countries.

He said the District resolved with the millers that mealie meal would be sold at Mushindamo boarder post at agreed dates and designated places.

He also said Millers were told to regulate the number of bags supplied to their agents adding that a maximum of 50 bags should be released at a price not exceeding K57,000.00 per 25 kg bag.

Mr. Chifita warned that agents who would be found selling a 25 kg bag of mealie meal at more than K57, 000.00 would be cut off from receiving the commodity.

The District Commissioner added that the frequency at which Millers were supplying mealie meal to their depots should be improved due to the increasing population of the district.

Police in Solwezi have of late intercepted trucks carrying mealie meal with the intention of trading it in a neighboring country where the commodity is alleged to be selling at K120, 000.00 per 25 kg bag or even more depending on the availability of the commodity at that time.

However, the mealie meal situation in Solwezi has remained critical causing almost stampede when it arrives at any of the selling shops. These include Antelope milling, national Milling, Superior milling, Solwezi milling and Olympic milling shops that are always swept out immediately.

ZANIS/CK/CMM/MKM/ENDS.

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