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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

National Sports Council of Zambia Suspends Kalusha

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The National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) has suspended Faz president Kalusha Bwalya from all official sporting engagements.

This is after Kalusha defied the local supreme sporting body’s summons to appear before them today in Lusaka over his role in the controversial transfer of Emmanuel Mayuka from Kabwe Warriors to Maccabi Tel Aviv.

NSCZ chairman Dr. Julius Sakala confirmed Kalusha suspension during a press briefing in Ndola Thursday afternoon where he unveiled the official letter to the Faz president after the latter snubbed to appear before them after he countered it with an official letter to Fifa over the same matter.

“Dear Mr. Bwalya we refer to your letter addressed to the NSCZ we note with regret that you have not appeared before the national sports council disciplinary committee instead you have informed us that you have wrote to Fifa,” the letter to Kalusha from the NSCZ read in part.

“We have resolved that you be suspended with immediate effect from all activities of your association and from all sporting activities of those association which fall under the NSCZ pending your appearance before the council disciplinary committee this has been made under the provisions of section 10 (3) of the national sports council Act number 15 of the laws of Zambia.”

And Dr Sakala said the NSCZ was dismayed by Kalusha’s actions.

“We the sports council with the emergence consultation from colleagues we have take exception to this type of approach by Faz president because we are operating under an Act of Parliament which has nothing to do with the process of getting a comment from Fifa,” Dr Sakala said.

“Fifa is not a part to our investigations we have found. In my capacity as NSCZ chairman on behalf of the council I have written to Mr. Bwalya today and the minister of sport in the following manner.”

Meanwhile, Faz vice president Emmanuel Munaile and association general secretary George Kasengele who were also summoned did oblige and appeared before the NSCZ this week.

With this development, Kalusha will not chair this weekends Faz annual general meeting and Munaile will instead oversee proceedings.

NGO accuse Michael Sata of having personal interest in Zambian Airways

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A civil society organization has challenged Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata, to declare his interest in the operations of Zambian Airways.

Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) national coordinator, Edwin Sakala, says it is clear that Mr. Sata has personal interest in the airline.

Mr. Sakala says the nation expects Mr. Sata to be in the forefront to ensure that the government recovers the debt owed by Zambian Airways.

He says the money can be used to improve the living standards of Zambians.

Mr. Sakala said in a statement that it is disappointing that Mr. Sata has acted contrary to people’s expectations.

Meanwhile, MMD National Secretary, Katele Kalumba, has appealed to party members to desist from commenting on allegations against former finance minister, Ngandu Magande.

Mr. Magande who is also Chilanga Member of Parliament has been accused of trying to ask government to delay repayment of a debt owed by Zambian Airways, a private firm.

Dr. Kalumba said in Lusaka that MMD members and all Zambians should respect official investigations, currently under way, on the financial irregularities at Zambian Airways.

He said people who have concerns should take their information to the committee investigating the matter.

Dr. Kalumba said Mr. Magande has expressed concern over the actions of some MMD members who are petitioning the party leadership to discipline him despite the matter being under investigations.

He said there is need to respect Mr. Magande’s concerns.

/NEWS/ZNBC

Harrington drops court action

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William Harrington ponders his next move after the tribunal probing communications and transport minister Dora Siliya adjourned yesterday
William Harrington

Former Transport minister, William Harrington, has discontinued his court action seeking judicial review over President Rupiah Banda’s decision not to suspend minister, Dora Siliya.

Ms. Siliya who is the current Transport minister has been accused of flouting procedure when awarding contracts to some foreign firms to implement projects for some Zambian parastatals under her ministry.

A tribunal has been set up to look at the accusations.

Mr. Harrington says he will now rely on the integrity of the tribunal chaired by Supreme Court justice, Dennis Chirwa, to ensure justice prevails.

The former transport Minister has instructed his lawyers to discontinue the case following Wednesday’s application by the state to adjourn the matter to next week.

Mr. Harrington says he expected the High Court to treat the matter with the necessary urgency before most of his witnesses who are government officials finish testifying.

The former minister had petitioned the President to suspend Ms. Siliya so that she could not interfere with witnesses.

Mr. Harrington has finished calling all his witnesses.

NEWS/ZNBC

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

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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

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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

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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

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