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Govt refuses to disband NCC

Guest Editor
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Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says government will not disband the National Constitution Conference (NCC) to please sections of society.

Government says the abolishment of the cut of point system in selecting pupils to grade ten was done in good faith and it was for the interest of everybody.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister, said government will not disband the NCC saying it will be just a waste of time and resources.

The government spokesperson said it will be unfair to disband the NCC at this stage to satisfy certain sections of society who are calling for its break up.

He said the Catholic Church which is calling for the disband, in particular, has itself to blame for not participating in the NCC deliberations.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said this at a press briefing in Lusaka today when he was responding to the pastoral letter by the Roman Catholic bishops.

The Bishops over the weekend presented a pastoral letter of integrity in which they recommended among other issues that the NCC should be disbanded and instead put in place a small, non partisan group of qualified technocrats to work on the Mungomba draft constitution and after the referendum.

They said afterwards Parliament should then formally enact the new constitution in its entirety.

And Lt.Gen Shikapwasha has welcomed the removal of the cut off point in the education system as it had created a high level of wastage human resources in the past.

He said the new system will help reduce a waste of human resource for pupils who do not meet the cut off point adding that the removal of cut-off points will enable more pupils an opportunity to further their education.

The new education system is aimed at standardizing the national selection system.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said government acknowledges that the system will in the short term cause overcrowding and shortage of teachers in schools but that it will work hard to address the problem.

He said the government through the ministry of education is constructing more schools and classrooms at high school levels.

He also said a program to train more teachers and upgrade them to degree levels is underway adding that these teachers will then handle the expanded high schools.

Corruption has not increased during President Banda’s reign, Shikapwasha

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Information and broadcasting minister Ronnie Shikapwasha
Information and broadcasting minister Ronnie Shikapwasha

Government has dismissed claims by the Catholic Church leadership that corruption has increased in the last four months of President Rupiah Banda’s reign as baseless.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha was reacting to a pastoral letter which was written by Roman Catholic Bishops at a media briefing in Lusaka today.

General Shikapwasha cited the facilitation of the current tribunal, which is hearing allegations of corruption and abuse against a named minister, as confirmation of government’s commitment to the fight against corruption.

He explained that government created the Task Force on Corruption to supplement efforts of existing institutions such as the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) because of cases of corruption and abuse of authority by some senior government officials and politicians.

He also disclosed that cabinet would soon approve an Anti Corruption policy which is aimed at realigning and rationalizing the fight against corruption.

General Shikapwasha said this is also in line with government’s efforts to further strengthen institutions that are fighting corruption and other agencies that promote good governance.

He said government will not accept the proposal to establish an independent commission of enquiry to investigate and deal with corruption cases because the existing agencies are capable of delivering good results.

ZANIS/CM/KSH/ENDS

Zambia’s international reserves fall to $900m

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ZAMBIA’s international reserves at the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) have dropped from US$1.4 billion last year to US$900 million as at end of February 2009.

And BOZ governor, Caleb Fundanga, said the central bank has been active on the foreign currency market by selling foreign currency to improve liquidity and help stabilise the local currency.

“Our official reserves currently stand at US $900 million, we know that the commercial banks have in their reserves about US $900 million as well, bringing the total to about US $1.8 billion. The thing is our official reserves as BOZ are US $900 million,” he said.

Dr Fundanga said last month the central bank sold US $53 million on the market.

Dr Fundanga was responding to questions from Journalists in Ndola yesterday where he attended a breakfast meeting between a Finnish business delegation and the Copperbelt business community at Mukuba Hotel organised by the Zambia Development Agency.

He said the bank was active on the market and that mitigating depreciation of the Kwacha would not go along with fixing the exchange rate, because it was bad economic management.

Dr Fundanga said there was some improvement in the exchange rate of the Kwacha against some foreign currencies following the import activities that the country was recording.

He said, “The exchange rate problem is not unique to Zambia, every currency is facing the same problems.”
And Dr Fundanga said that the central bank had no plans to knock off the zeros from the local currency.
Dr Fundanga said the central bank has never announced that it would knock off zeros on the Kwacha following substantial depreciation of the Kwacha.

“Nobody at Bank of Zambia has announced that there is such a plan of knocking off zeros on the local currency,” he said.

He said there was need to have a stable environment if such a thing was to happen.
Dr Fundanga said if an opportunity came, the central bank would announce this, but it would be expensive to go for such an exercise.

Dr Fundanga also said that the country needed to diversify into the agricultural sector to feed the yawning export market that could bring in foreign currency.
[Zambia Daily Mail]

Corruption is now rife in Zambia – Nkole

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TASKFORCE on corruption chairman Maxwell Nkole emphasises a point on Aaron Chungu's defiance of a police callout. This was during a press briefing in Lusaka recently
TASKFORCE on corruption chairman Maxwell Nkole

The executive Chairman of the Task Force on Corruption says corruption has became endemic in Zambia.

Maxwell Nkole also notes that some people now feel corruption is a normal way of life.

He has called on cooperating partners to continue supporting Government’s efforts in fighting graft by strengthening institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Mr. Nkole was speaking when US ambassador to Zambia, Donald Booth, called on him at his office.

And Mr. Nkole said government is currently drafting the anti corruption policy in an effort to strengthen the fight against the scourge.

He also said the policy will decide the future of the Task Force on Corruption.

Kabompo DC urges bee keepers to venture into tree planting

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Kabompo District Commissioner Rebecca Mukuka has urged bee keepers in the district to venture into Moringa tree planting which produces good flowers as a source of nectar for high quality honey that can earn Zambia foreign exchange.

Mrs Mukuka made the call during a tree planting ceremony under the Eagle and Harp connecting classroom partnership held at Chikata basic school today.

She said Kabompo which is one of the leading honey producing districts in Northwestern Province should take a lead in Moringa tree planting in order to produce good flowers that can give good nectar to retain more bees in the area for sustainable honey production.

She said Kabompo honey has attracted international market especially in the United Kingdom and therefore bee keepers should go into planting Moringa trees in order to add value to their honey.

Two visiting Sierra Leone school head teachers and a British Council programmes officer who were on tour of Kabompo high school, Pokola and Chikata basic schools which are connected to schools in the United Kingdom, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone also attended the tree planting ceremony at which 25 moringa trees were planted.

ZANIS/MK/kbp/ENDS/MM

Govt urged to waiver duty on broadcasting equipment

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The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia has appealed to government to extend the waiving of duty to the importation of broadcasting equipment as a way of enhancing the growth of the sector.

MISA Zambia Chairperson Henry Kabwe said this when he unveiled new equipment for community radio stations donated by the Irish Aid and Diakonia .

Mr. Kabwe further called on Government to quickly implement the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Act so that many applicants for community radio stations can be given broadcasting licenses.

He said a number of people that have applied for broadcasting licenses have not been granted licenses due to the prolonged procedure in issuing such licenses by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services.

Mr.Kabwe said the advantage of having a community radio station in communities out weights the sustainability challenges they face.

He said MISA Zambia believes in the pluralistic and diverse media environment where freedom of speech becomes a reality for the grassroots.

Mr.Kabwe said MISA Zambia in conjunction with its partners has been running projects aimed at enhancing the capacity of community radio station, which has been recognized as a critical medium for promoting good governance and sustainable development in communities.

He said community radio stations are regarded a priority for information sourcing by the communities due to their proximity to people.

He however said that despite the increasing number of community radio stations promoting good Governance, Democracy and Sustainability Development, they still lack financial support.

Mr.Kabwe stressed out that the support that the Irish Aid under the Radio and Good Governance project and from Diakonia under the Strategic Planning and Equipment Support for community Radio Stations made the purchasing of equipment possible.

He said a total of 15 community radio stations have continued to benefit under the Radio and Good Governance projects while five have benefited under the Strategic Planning and Equipment Support for Community Radio Stations (SPESCRA).

Mr.Kabwe revealed that a total of US$104,388 was spent under the Irish Aid, and US$88,364.35 was spent under Diakonia for the purchasing of the consignment of equipment that was unveiled.

He said the support from the two partners has gone beyond purchasing of equipment as they have also provided training, strategic planning, audience survey, and production of radio programmes.

Mr.Kabwe further appealed to various stake holders to emulate what the Irish Aid and Diakonia has done and help the community radio stations in Zambia.

ZANIS/PC/AM/ENDS

Zambia mourns assassinated Guinea Bissau President Joao Benardo Veira

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President Rupiah Banda on Wednesday extended condolscences to the Acting President Henrique Perreira Rosa of New Guinea following the assasination of that country’s President Joas Bernardo Viera in the early hours of Monday this week.

State House Chief Analyst for Presss and Public Relations Dickson Jere said in a statement to ZANIS that President Banda said Zambia shares the pain and sadness which the government and the people of Guinea Bissau were going through during the difficult time following the death of their leader.

” On behalf of the Government and the people of Zambia and on my own behalf we extend our heart felt condolscences to you to the Government and people of Guinea Bissau, ” President Banda said in the letter to the Acting President Rosa.

He said President Vieira has been one of Africa’s distinguished leaders. He also extended his words of condolscences to the first Lady and the bereaved family.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande said in a statement to ZANIS that the Zambian government is appalled at what he described as a barbaric act which has not only taken away the life of a serving President but also has the potential of reversing the gains of democratic governance of the Republic of Guinea Bissau.

The Minister said the Zambia government condemns in the strongest terms the assassination of both the President and Army Chief of Staff.

He added that the Zambian government is urging the government of Guinea Bissau to immediately bring the perpetrators of the heinous act to book to restore confidence in the military whose responsibility is to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

He added that the Zambian government was also urging the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to assist the government of Guinea Bissau to stabilise the country and deal with the root causes of the current situation there.

He said it is incumbent upon the AU member states to deploy efforts and to undertake initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic institutions which will entrench democracy on the continent.
ZANIS/MM/ENDS

Civic leader calls for youth inclusive programmes

editor
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Zambia Director John Phiri says programmes which do not include youths are bound to fail.

Mr. Phiri urged Zambian youths to start thinking seriously about the change they have always believed in instead of indulging the politics of negative thinking and injustice that have rocked the nation.

He said the Zambian youths today do not seem to be working for tomorrow and there is need to understand why they are revolutionary.

Mr. Phiri was speaking at the launch of the Zambian Youth Voter Campaign against voter apathy which was held in Lusaka today.

The launch of the campaign and the song titled YES WE CAN which was sang by various Zambian artists was organized by Global Justice Zambia.

The song is based on Obamas inaugural speech. He said the campaign will bring a youth revolutionary which will unite them.

He also challenged the youths who have lost hope as a result of hardships they are going through not to get discouraged because each attempt to vote was a positive and learning experience.

Speaking at the same event, the youth manager of Obama youth campaign Erich Casher encouraged youths to vote as it is extremely important in a democratic country and it was more than a right but an obligation and responsibility which should not be taken for granted.

Mr. Casher said if the people who were voted into power do not deliver it Is wise to vote for others than not voting at all. he said young people have a voice ton push things through in terms of economic And prosperity.
ZANIS/CM/ENDS/MM

High poverty levels in Mpulungu District results in low school enrollment

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High poverty levels in Mpulungu District has caused low enrolment and rampant absenteeism of class sessions at Mpulungu Basic School.

Mpulungu Basic School Head Teacher Happy Ng’ambi disclosed that the high poverty levels at Mpulungu Boma has greatly affected the pass-rate and the performance of the pupils at the institution.

Mr. Ng’ambi says boys has ‘abandoned’ classes and opted to go fishing while the girls are married off at a very tender age.

Mr. Ng’ambi says his school now supports 32 Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) , 18 by Community Development and Social Welfare Department while 15 are sponsored by FAWEZA and 18 assisted by the Society for Women Association of Zambia (SWAZ).

This brings the total number of OVCs to 83 but he expressed fears that the number wil increase owing to the high poverty levels in the district.

This came to light today when a team lead by Ministry of Education (MoE) Director of Teacher Training and Specialized Services Ruth Mubanga, Netherlands Ambassador to Zambia Harry Molenaar, Northern Province Education Officer Selisho Chanda, MoE Deputy Head of Infrastructure Bernard Mwange and MoE Senior officials from both headquarters and the province visited the institution.

The team are in Northern Province on a joint Donor/GRZ Monitoring and Evaluation inspection exercise of infrastructure, teaching and learning aid, staff establishment and pupil enrollment among other mitigation measures.

He explained that pupils cannot afford to pay K125,000 school fees per term and hence the reduction in class attendance at the institution.

He added that grade 12 results for 2006 was 62 percent by it extremely reduced by half in 2007 to 32 percent respectively because of largely fishing activities and early marriages.

But Director of Teacher Training and Specialized Services Ruth Mubanga urged the school authorities to conduct a vigorous sensitization in communities so that the pupils return to school.

Mrs. Mubanga said teachers are not only there to ‘receive’ salaries but help explain government programmes to the community and also be ready to work with people in the communities to avoid high rate of illiterate population/people.

She said government working with corporating partners is working very hard to make the education system more conducive for school going children.

The Director said government is providing teaching aid (books) recruited teachers and constructing classrooms aimed at absorbing more children to the education main-stream.
ZANIS/KC/ENDS/MM

Govt happy with construction pace of Mpulungu High School

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Government says it is happy with the pace of construction works of Mpulungu High School in Mpulungu district in Northern Province.

Ministry of Education Director of Teacher Training and Specialized Services Ruth Mubanga says the pace of construction works at the new learning institute indicates that Zambia is on the right track of attaining the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) in the education sector.

Mrs. Mubanga directed the District Education Board Secretaries (DEBS) in the country not to hold on to the funds but work hand in hand with the contractors engaged by government so that buildings are finished in the first quarter of the year, (by April 2009)

She was speaking in Mpulungu today when she inspected construction works at the Mpulungu High School site.

Mrs. Mubanga, who is accompanied by Netherlands Ambassador to Zambia Harry Molenaar, Northern Province Education Officer Selisho Chanda, MoE Deputy Head of Infrastructure Bernard Mwange and MoE Senior officials from both headquarters and the province are in Northern Province on a joint Donor/GRZ Monitoring and Evaluation inspection exercise of infrastructure, teaching and learning aid, staff establishment and pupil enrollment among other mitigation measures.

The Director of Teacher Training and Specialized Services said it is imperative that materials are at the site so that to enhance the construction works are scaled up because government working with corporating partners is in a hurry to improving the education system in view of the growing population.

The inspection team who visited the site found that the contractor, Hua-Jiang has five teachers’ houses, classroom blocks and boys and girls hostels.

And Netherlands Ambassador to Zambia Harry Molenaar said he is on the ground to see how moneys were being utilized.

Mr. Molenaar said his government stands ready to supplementing government efforts in the education sector so that challenges in the sector such as long distance to schools are reduced.

ZANIS/KC/ENDS/MM

Congo Double Stuns Zambia

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Two stunning first half goals handed DR Congo a 2-1 win over Zambia but not before surviving a late rally from their southern neighbors in the CHAN semifinal match played in Abidjan on Wednesday evening.

Congo have set up a grudge final meeting on Sunday against Ghana who crushed them 3-0 in their final Group B game on March 3 while Zambia will face Senegal 24 hours earlier for bronze in Bouake.

Zambia were down 2-0 within the opening 18 minutes of the first half thanks to two stunning long-range strike from Bongelli Lofo and Doko Kaluyituka.

Lofo let-rip from just outside the box with a wonder-strike that Davy Kaumbwa failed to stop with just 2minutes played after the whistle to signal the opening phase of the match.

His teammate Kaluyituka matched it with another sublime goal after skipping Nyambe Mulenga on the right to rifle into the far left hand corner of Zambia’s net also from outside the box.

Strangely, Zambia were not shell-shocked but rather very untidy with their passing, trapping and purpose approaching Congo’s box as the void in technique between the two sides was clear to see.

Zambia’s first real chance on goal in the opening half was created by Jonas Sakuwaha whose shot was kept out from squeezing in on the near post by Congo goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba who parried for a corner.

Congo eased off after the break letting Zambia dominated and in the 61st minute, Kidiaba was made to earn his way to the final after overcoming a fumble with the ball to collect Francis Kasonde’s shot.

Late substitute Patrick Kasunga making his CHAN and senior debut saw his header cleared off the line in the 74th minute.

Given Singuluma later popped up with five minutes left on the clock to head in Zambia’s consolation as Herve Renard’s men bared down on Congo all the way into the three minutes of extra time but the latter held on for a Sunday rendezvous with Ghana.

Meanwhile, Ghana secured their final place after a 7-6 post-match penalty win over Senegal after a 1-1 draw after extra time.

 

Youths prodded to play a role in national development

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Government has urged youths in the country to write project proposals and access the funds under the Technical Education and Vocational Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA).

Youth, Sports and Development Deputy Minister Angela Chifire says government has endeavored to provide youths with empowerment facilities such as the TEVETA fund.

She was speaking after touring stands at an exhibition at Lusaka National Museum which is part of activities to mark Youth Week.

Ms Chifire said government views youths as an asset and partners in national development.

She observed that this year’s theme which is “Partnership for National Development” is in line with government’s perception of youths.

Ms. Chifire said youth should hence actively get involved in developmental projects that would enhance development in the country.

She said it is disheartening to see youths with a lot of potential unable to establish themselves on the international market.

And speaking earlier, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Project Assistant Youth Employment Programme Milesu Kapaipi said ILO has partnered with government in efforts aimed at providing employment to youths in the country.

Ms Kapaipi noted that unemployment levels among youths needed collaborative efforts to be overcome.

Participants at the exhibition include youths from Lusaka, Western, Eastern, Northern Northwestern, Luapula and Copperbelt provinces.

ENDS/VP/AM/ZANIS

No person in Zambia is above the law, Kunda

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Vice president George Kunda after receiving a petition from Copperbelt province minister Mwansa Mbulakulima on Mutembo Nchito
Vice president George Kunda after receiving a petition from Copperbelt province minister Mwansa Mbulakulima on Mutembo Nchito

Government says it will intensify the fight against corruption. Vice President George Kunda says the move is aimed at ensuring prosecution of all those involved in the plunder and misapplication of public resources.

Mr. Kunda was speaking in Lusaka today when he received a petition from a Copperbelt-based civil society organizations and presented to him by Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima.

Mr. Kunda, who is also Justice Minister, said government will spare no efforts in cramping down on corruption.

He said Zambia is governed by the tenets of the law and no person whether in the private or public sector is above the law.

He noted that government will intensify the fight against blackmail, corruption, crime and abuse of office because it had a moral obligation to protect the people of Zambia from activities aimed at undermining national development.

Mr. Kunda further said that investigations into Zambia Airways will continue in order to determine the master minders in the suspension of the operations of the Airline and the people involved in the US$29 million debt.

“The people involved in the case in question will be prosecuted accordingly and those who write about corruption and crime such as the Post Newspaper Managing Editor Fred M’membe and the people who prosecute corrupt people such as Mtembo Nchito will be prosecuted accordingly because they are not above the law,” Mr. Kunda said.

Mr. Kunda further assured the nation that government will do its best to ensure that the former directors of the Zambian Airways pay back the debt they owe to various government institutions.

He has since called on the civil society in the country to develop keen interest in fighting corruption and ensure that the people involved in corruption, blackmail, abuse of office and crime are persued and prosecuted.

The petitioners are demanding the removal of public prosecutor Mtembo Nchito from the taskforce on corruption to pave way for investigations in the suspended operations of Zambia Airways where he is the Chief Executive Officer.

The petitioners included the Copperbelt Constitution Coalition (CCC), International Ministers Fellowship and Affiliated Churches (IMFAC) and Constituency Concerned Citizens Forum (CCCF).

Meanwhile,CCCF Publicity Chairman Wilbroad Mutoloka said the petitioners feared that Mr. Nchito was an interested party whose functions would comprise the investigation process if he did not step-down as public prosecutor.

ZANIS/TK/AM/END

American Embassy donates 65Million Kwacha to a Katete Project

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The American Embassy has donated over sixty five million kwacha to Chimasuko Development Project in Katete district.

The money is meant for educational and material support to Orphans and Vulnerable Children ( OVCs ) under the care of the project.

Chimasuko Project chairperson, Betrum Mataka, said this during a Psycho-Social workshop held in Katete yesterday. Mr. Mataka said the funds would be used to support 100 Orphans and Vulnerable Children that are in school, ranging from grade one to grade seven.

He said the donation will go a long way in helping the orphans and vulnerable children attain basic education.

Speaking when he officiated at the workshop, Katete District Commissioner, Eleman Mwanza, commended the American Embassy for supporting the project, saying, the effort would improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children.

Mr. Mwanza said the peace prevailing in the nation has led to Zambia’s doors to be opened to donor support and investors.

The donation is an indication that Zambia has good relations with many nations.

Mr. Mwanza advised the workshop participants to play a pivotal role in assisting government in its efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable people in society.

He further commended Chimasuko Development Project for embarking on productive and self sustaining undertakings such poultry keeping, gardening and milling.

ENDS/SM/PK/ZANIS

Elephant kills a man and woman in Kazungula

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elephant2A named man and woman of Ndopu village in Chief Sekute’s area in Kazungula District were on Monday crushed to death by an elephant in two separate incidences.

Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) Area Warden Stephen Malungo named the deceased as Margaret Situmbeko, 63 and John Mengo 28 both of Ndopu village in chief Sekute in Southern Province.

Mr. Malungo confirmed the sad news in an interview with ZANIS in Livingstone today.

He said the elephant first attacked the man who was coming from town and later pounced on the woman who had gone to buy some food stuffs from a nearby shop.

He expressed sadness over the incident but said that ZAWA was making efforts to track down the elephant to bring it under control.

ZAWA has recorded 129 reports of Human and Animal Conflict since January this year.

ENDS/AMM/PK/ZANIS

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