Patriotic Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata has welcomed the Government’s decision to cut down on its expenditure and suggested that it goes a step further by doing away with some top public service positions.

Mr Sata said in Lusaka yesterday during a Press briefing that the Government should continue finding ways of reducing expenditure to mitigate the effects of the current global financial crisis.

As one of the options, he said, the Government should start trimming down the number of ministers, deputy ministers and permanent secretaries as a measure to reduce the cost of Government operations.

He urged President Banda to consider reducing his Cabinet to cut on expenditure.

Mr Sata said that what the Government should be doing now was to find solutions to problems facing the country and stop blaming everything on external factors like the financial crisis.

He called on the media to be proactive and fight for the majority of Zambians threatened by poverty.

“I am urging President Banda to start reducing the number of ministers, deputy ministers and permanent secretaries in ministries where there are two people doing one job,” he said.

On the National Constitutional Conference (NCC), Mr Sata maintained that it should be suspended.

He said Government could still save some money from the NCC if it focused on thorny issues in the Constitution and made necessary amendments like what his party did in 2005 when it presented a proposed bill to Parliament on the 50 per cent-plus one vote.

Commenting on job losses in the mining sector, Mr Sata said the Government should strengthen the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) so that it could properly scrutinise investors as they came to Zambia.

Mr Sata said mining companies should not give the global economic recession as an excuse for not to paying mineral taxes and urged the Government to ensure that the revenue realised was invested in the improvement of the lives of people.

On Food Reserve Agency (FRA)’s engagement of three South African firms to supply non-genetically modified white maize, Mr Sata wondered when the three companies bid for the contracts.

He said awarding of the contracts should be advertised especially that one of the three companies was not from South Africa but was run by locals.

Gen Shikapwasha said the Government was of the view that concerted efforts and dialogue were needed to resolve various problems affecting the nation.

Chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha said the Government was encouraged by any suggestions from various people including Mr Sata.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said President Banda and the Cabinet were considering several measures of cutting down on the cost of Government operations but the proposal to reduce on the number of ministers and top civil servants had not been among them.

“President Banda and his Cabinet are looking at several measures. But we welcome all the suggestions from citizens, including Mr Sata,” he said.

“I am personally encouraged by the suggestions from Mr Sata because after all, we are all Zambians,” he said.

He said the president would at an appropriate time announce whatever measures would be adopted to mitigate the current economic situation.

Times of Zambia

A youth activist in Kafue estates has called on young women to dress decently.

Speaking to ZANIS in an interview, Holy Savior Youth Coordinator Sandra Namuchana said it is shameful to see young women walking around in short skirts popularly known as ‘Hey mamas’ exposing their thighs for everyone to see. She said young women should know that such parts of the body should not be exposed any how.

Mrs. Namuchana also condemned young people who say that even their parents used to dress like that when they were their age. She said times have changed and young women today should not try to compare with the old times.

Mrs. Namuchana said in the old days there was no HIV/AIDS and people might have been ignorant about protecting one’s dignity but now that young people are being sensitized from all corners, they should know better than going about in indecent clothes.

Mrs. Namuchana said if young women continue dressing like this, the fight against HIV/AIDS will not be an easy because young men are being tempted every day and this forces those with weak minds to start sleeping around thereby contracting HIV/AIDS.

Mrs. Namuchana also said that Zambia was a Christian Nation and people should learn to live like children of God. She said this should remind people that bodies are God’s temple hence they should be looked after in a way that will make God happy.

And one concerned parent, Mrs. Patricia Sichivula attributed the indecent dressing to the strong influence that the western world is having in the country. She said young people are copying everything they see on TV thinking it is normal.

She advised that this should not be the case because Zambians should know that the country has a culture of respect and young women should not let the western world distort this.

Mrs. Sichivula there are many decent fashionable clothes young women can wear and look beautiful instead of showing thighs and tummies for the whole world to see. She expressed worry to see how worse this problem is getting because it seems a lot of people are now even used to seeing parts of a woman’s body that are not supposed to be seen outside.

By Chilo Phiri

Since the inception of independence, Zambian political leaders have taunted the youth as ‘the future leaders of the country’. While this may be true, no successive government has promoted this belief. The youth in Zambia keep being sidelined in the political arena. This is evidenced by the appointment of veteran politicians in ministerial jobs, political administrative offices, ambassadorial postings, and generally, senior party positions.

The youth are relegated to slogan chanting and individual promoters of those with a bit of political clout. I beg to ask, are the youth themselves to blame, or are our elderly politicians plain selfish and somewhat scared of the intelligence and vibrancy of the youth? Any nation’s future lies in the youth. And if a country wants to be great, the role of the youth in the political dispensation must be elevated. I believe structures can be implemented which support the political development and participation of the youth.

Different interest groups in Zambia have advocated for increased participation of women in politics and political decision-making, but has anybody voiced out the same for the youth. During the First Republic, the slogan was the youth are the future leaders of Zambia. This is Forty Four (44) years later, and the future still eludes the youth. The appointment of Vernon J. Mwaanga or even Daniel Munkombwe for instance, is a step into the political past of the country. I cannot overlook their contribution to politics in Zambia, but their time is not now.

The world has moved far beyond their insight and in the current climate, new ideas from young and fresh political leaders are what will drive the country forward. An even bigger retrogressive appointment is when an individual is picked from the blues to become the country’s’ second in command. Quite frankly, what political role did Mr. Rupiah Banda play from the time he lost the Munali Parliamentary election to the time of his Veep appointment? Did he remain connected with the development of politics in the country, was he abreast with economic changes taking place worldwide, and is he the right man to lead Zambia in this global financial and economic crisis? Does he inspire confidence in our people? Can this man provide the leadership when the country and world are a stone throw away from a depression?

The challenges that we face as a country have a lot to do with who we elect into political offices. Do we have the right mix of people leading us? This idea of selfish politics will always confine this God-gifted country into the depths of political garbage. Forty Four (44) years after independence Zambia cannot even host a minor African sporting event like the All-Africa games. Isn’t this a shame to other countries that a country that has never seen a civil war can be so much out of sorts? It is so depressing to think that we as a country can never seem to make reasonable progress in the way we tackle minor issues affecting our country.

This reminds me of the article I read about Baby M, honestly, a hospital like UTH cannot afford a power generator? Where do the resources go? Does anyone ever think of investing heavily in this important sector? I guess not, because if and when they get sick, they are flown to foreign countries where facilities are world class. But the ordinary citizen, you and I, are left to linger and die in Zambia.

The youth of this great country need to stand up and be counted. If this country is to be great, the youth need to realize that they are the only hope that country has. If the burden of poverty and hopelessness has to be lifted off our children’s futures, now is the time for the youth to do for their country, what the country has not done for them.

The mantle is in your hands. We need to change the way politics are played in our country. The politics of patronage and poverty are a thing of the 20th Century. We need action-oriented people with the interest of this country at heart. Tired political leadership is not the answer to our problems

There was a near riot at Ngwenya market in Mpulungu yesterday after marketeers and traders defied fisheries officers from the fisheries department who attempted to begin implementing the new fisheries act, which has seen revised fisheries license fees and charges. The government have increased the licence fees for all commercial fishermen to K5 000 000 per fishing boat per year from the K300 000 they paid last year.

Meanwhile fishermen and traders in Mpulungu have maintained that they will not be part and parcel of the new fish charges and fees which they are being asked to pay by the fisheries department because they are too high and abnormal.

Fisheries officers who raided Ngwenya market in an effort to start implementing the revised fisheries act were met with force until they called for police officers who also failed to change the fishermen’s stance.

Fisheries officers were forced to retreat to their offices after they failed to negotiate with the uncompromising fishermen.

The fishermen and traders later ganged up and descended on the office of district commissioner Willie Simfukwe and demanded to seek audience with him to sort out the issue.

Addressing the irate fishermen, district commissioner Willie Simfukwe said the fisheries act is a statutory instrument which has been passed into law by parliament and can only be revised if it is sent back to the national assembly.

Simfukwe said the act was earlier suspended by former agriculture and cooperatives minister Sara sayifwanda after complaints from fishermen in Mpulungu who stated that the new fees in the act were unmanageable.

He said even president Rupiah Banda confirmed the suspension at a public rally in Mpulungu during the election campaigns to pave way for consultations before its implementation.

Simfukwe however said the fisheries department has ignored theses pronouncements and have gone ahead to implement the act in Mpulungu. He appealed to government through the permanent secretary in the ministry of agriculture and cooperatives to urgently address the issue saying it is painting a bad picture on government.

Simfukwe said the implementing of the act is a sensitive issue which can easily ignite chaos from the people in the area because most of them depend on fishing for their livelihood.

He however appealed to fishermen to be calm as the issue is being sorted out and warned the fishermen and traders against taking the law into their own hands.

But the irate traders and fishermen said they will not compromise with the fisheries department and pay the new fees because the fees are too high.

In an interview later, Ngwenya market committee chairman Webby Sichilima said it will be difficult to guarantee the safety of fisheries officers who will be sent to implement the act at the market because traders and fishermen at Ngwenya market are agitated.

Sichilima warned that the mood at Ngwenya market is currently tense and appealed to the relevant authorities to urgently find a lasting solution to the matter.

And some fisheries officers involved in revenue collection have voiced their concerns on the matter saying their work has become extremely difficult to carry out.

The officers who sort anonymity for fear of reprimand said they are no longer free to collect revenue from fish and kapenta on behalf of the government of the republic of Zambia because of the oppositions and threats they are encountering from the traders.

They complained that some traders are asking them to build their own markets and collect revenue from there because Ngwenya market belongs to the walamo committee under the senior chief Tafuna of the Lungu people of Mpulungu.

Last month, during a meeting held at the fisheries training centre in Mpulungu, fishermen and traders booed and jeered at fisheries officers who had traveled from Kasama to address them.

The meeting which was attended by over 60 fishermen, local councilors, marketers and traders and government officials from the fisheries department had to be cut short without reaching an agreement after some fishermen walked out and demanded to have an audience with the new agriculture and cooperatives minister and the director of fisheries claiming the officers from Kasama were too junior to address their plight.

Outlining the new fees then, principal fisheries technician john Mtonga told the fishermen that government had approved a new statutory instrument where fishing license fees and other charges have been revised.

Mtonga told the gathering that starting 16th may, 2008, all commercial fishermen in Mpulungu will be required to pay K5 000 000 per fishing boat per year from the K300 000 they paid last year.

In nsumbu, commercial fishermen will be charged K2, 499 000m per boat per year, an increment from the K300 000 per boat last year.

According to the revised fees, license fee for ring net boats have been apt from K100 000 to K1, 980 000 per boat per year.

Mtonga who told the fishermen that he was only carrying out his duty said people in the ornamental fishing business will be required to part away with K5 000 000m to obtain a license an increment from the K300 000 they spent to get one last year.

He said each ornamental fish caught from Lake Tanganyika for export to other countries will now cost K900 from K20.

For small fishing boats owned by peasant fishermen, the K11 000 they used to pay per boat every year has now been hiked to K99 800.

Mtonga said people using angling (Indobo), will now be charged K19 800 per month from K2000 last year.

He pointed out that the above fees among other charges took effect on 16th May, 2008, saying his job in Mpulungu was only to collect views and complaints which he was going to forward to the ministry in Lusaka for possible action.

But the angry fishermen, some talking on top of their voices, complained that the revised fees were too high and unjustified.

MPULUNGU 18/12/08/ZANIS.

Malole Independent Member of Parliament Emmanuel Munaile, who is a surety in the case involving five accused persons, has been fined K1.5 million as penalty fee after the accused jumped bail.

Mr. Munaile yesterday spent a night at Milima State Prison after he was arrested by police in Kasama following a bench warrant, which was issued against him by the Kasama Magistrate Court in November, this year.

The MP today appeared before Magistrate Robert Mulauzi for contempt of court after the five accused persons he had signed bail for ran away, thereby making their case fail to take off.

Mr. Munaile, who is also Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Vice-president, looked humbled and remorseful during the contempt of court proceedings.

And in his ruling, Magistrate Mulauzi ordered Mr. Munaile to pay K300, 000 in respect of each the five accused persons who had jumped bail since he was their surety.

The Magistrate also ordered the MP to make sure that he trace the whereabouts of the accused persons and takes them to the Court during the next hearing set for January 16, 2009.

Magistrate Mulauzi has since revoked the bench warrant issued against Mr. Munaile. He however, said the bench warrant for the accused persons, who are at large, is still in force. Efforts to get a comment from Mr. Munaile soon after the court hearing proved futile as police officers whisked him away.

The accused persons, who jumped bail, are charged with one count of malicious damage to property contrary to section 335 sub-section one of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on the night of April 22, 2007, the accused namely Chanda Kaenge, Justin Kasonde, Davies Mwenya, Patrick Kafula, Felix Nondo and John Bwembya jointly and whilst acting together willfully and unlawfully did cause damage three (3) houses valued all at K6 million belonging to Abel Mutale of Mungwi District.

The accused had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Magistrate Court has since adjourned the matter to January 16, 2009 for review of the bench warrant issued against the fugitive persons.

ENDS/WS/PK/ZANIS

The Central Province Royal Foundation has disclosed that it will hold a celebration event in the province to celebrate the victory of Rupiah Banda in the October 30 presidential poll and the subsequent appointment of George Kunda as Republican Vice President.

Royal Foundation Chairperson Senior Chief Chibale of the Lala people said the people were happy with the appointment of George Kunda as Republican Vice President.

Chief Chibale said this when the Vice President paid a courtesy call on him in Serenje today.

Senior Chief Chibale has since assured President Banda and Vice President George Kunda of his subjects’ full support to all government development programmes.

Meanwhile traditional rulers in Serenje District have called on government to demarcate land with a view to addressing land wrangles among chiefs in their Chiefdoms.

Senior Chief Chitambo who spoke on behalf of others said land boundaries of 1958 were outdated.

He further called on government to development programmes and other strategies aimed at enhancing food security in the country.

Chief Chitambo said there was need for government to put in place measures aimed at addressing Global Economic Financial Crisis that major countries were experiencing.

The traditional ruler has since thanked the people of Zambia for the peace and unity they have exhibited before, during and after the death of President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.

ZANIS/TK/EML/AM/ENDS