By Wesley Ngwenya
On Monday January 5th, 2009 I had an unbelievable encounter. Words run out in an effort to describe this incident and my heart bleeds just at the thought of it. As a job seeker, I am always open-minded to different kinds of suggestions from all kinds of good hearted and well meaning friends. As a result, I take every opportunity to network and introduce myself to influential individuals in our society.

On this particular day, I was referred, by a mutual friend, to go and see one of the cabinet ministers in our government. After a considerable time of waiting, I was ushered into the office of the Minister together with a pastor and a councilor from the Minister’s constituency. Unfortunately, we all had to share the minutes of our meeting, with the Minister, in the presence of the others. The pastor was the first one to share. He asked the minister to write him a letter so he can obtain some kind of favor somewhere. The Minister did not waste time. Instead of writing the letter, he quickly placed a phone call and the pastor was off within minutes to follow-up with his case.

The Minister then asked, “Who wants to go next?” I offered the councilor to go next since I didn’t really want an extra audience in my business, besides I was curious what kind of business brought the other man into the office. The councilor then went about sharing the problems he was facing in the constituency. He mentioned that he was having pressure from the community to find money to roof the school that had caught fire. The Minister then said, “Well those people deserve it. They did not vote for me in 2006 and did not vote for the President in the presidential elections after all. They voted for the opposition. You know councilor this is God’s judgment. My priorities are to serve the people that voted for me.” After hearing all this I was motionless. I didn’t know whether to walk out quietly or interrupt the conversation and register my disappointment. I was actually angry. The conversation with the councilor was getting even more interesting but heartbreaking.

The councilor then mentioned that he and his chairman were waiting for the motorbikes promised during the campaigns. The Minister acknowledged the delay and apologized. He then stated that he had received some funding but was torn between buying the motorbikes and building the maternity ward for the local clinic which was experiencing a lot of problems. He then asked for the councilor’s opinion. Without hesitation, the councilor said they needed the motorbikes because it was difficult to do the political party work since the villages were spread apart. I couldn’t believe what my ears were hearing.

The Minister pressed a button on the phone on his table asked the secretary to call the ambassador in Japan. Within a minute the secretary called back. The Minister picked up the phone asking if that was the ambassador but it wasn’t. He asked the person on the line how much new motorbikes cost. The person seemed to have been saying that he didn’t know but will find out and let the Minister know. The Minister then turned to the councilor and promised him that he will get the motorbikes as soon as possible and deliver them to the constituency. At that moment, the councilor left the office.

My mind was busy digesting what I had just heard when I was interrupted by the Minister who asked me how I could be helped. I introduced myself and mentioned that I was referred by our mutual friend Mr. John. Then I briefly gave him the oral version of my resume as he listened quietly. I particularly mentioned that I was interested in him introducing me to businesspeople and executives in the private sector. I reached for my bag, took out a hard copy of my resume and handed it to him. He glanced over it and said that he will see what he can do. I stood up, thanked him and headed out.

As I walked out, I kept cursing myself for not standing up for what I believed in. But then how could I tell off the Minister in his own office? Could they arrest me if I did? Will it make a difference? Will I be blacklisted in every company in Zambia as never to be offered a job? Maybe I was over-reacting it’s not such a big deal? Maybe I was overstretching the powers of a Minister? But again, here I was seeking a favor from the very people I speak against. What should I have done? I keep asking.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga province governor Moses Katumbi has praised the Zambian Government for building the Chembo Bridge from local resources

He made the praise when he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt Provincial minister Mwansa Mbulakulima yesterday.

The 30 member Congolese delegation was on the way to Sakania where Mr.Katumbi was going to tour some development projects.

He said the Zambian government should be praised for having built a bridge which would improve trade and the quality of life among the people of the two countries.

He said that Zambia should be proud that the bridge has been funded from Zambia local resources , which were a demonstration that African countries could  achieve their plains from local resources.

He added that the DRC government was determined to build a road between Kasumbalesa to Likasi which was a stretch of 400 kilometers;

He revealed that his government had already purchased the road rehabilitation equipment worth US$20million dollars which was in Lubumbashi, to be used to rehabilitate the road from Sakania to Lubumbashi when the rains were over.

Copperbelt Minister said both countries use each others territories when visiting other parts of their countries.

‘It was not strange that the Katanga province governor should pass through Zambia when going to Sakania because even me ,I pass through Congo through the pedicle road when going to Chembe constituency in Luapula,’ he said.

He added that he was grateful to the DRC government through the Katanga governor for the recovery of a Truck which was handed over to the Zambian government through the Chililabombwe District Commissioner yesterday.

He added that there was need to make a follow up on a Baptist church Land Cruiser which went missing but has not yet been recovered from Congo.

ZANIS/SS/MKM/ENDS

Local Government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamanshimba has accused Patriotic Front (PF) Councillors of infringing on the rights of Lusaka citizens by refusing to approve the K154 billion Lusaka City Council 2009 budget.

The Minister said he will next week make a final decision on the alleged disapproved LCC budget.

Mr. Tetamanshimba pledged to defend, protect and improve the welfare of Lusaka residents against water borne diseases such as cholera as well as improving sanitation in the City.

Mr. Tetamanshimba was speaking to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today.

Lusaka City Council is run by PF civil leaders allegedly refused to approve the budget for the local authority.

“PF Councillors are selfish and I know its their party president Mr. Sata who instructed them not to approve the K154 billion council budget,” Mr. Tetamanshimba lamented.

last month Local Government and Housing Minister appealed to all Local Authorities in the country to present their annual budgets to his office for approval.

ZANIS

President Banda says government is considering taking over operations of mines that are facing operation difficulties on the Copperbelt province.

President Banda has disclosed that government through the ministry of mines is having discussions as to when government would nationalise the mines.

He said government will not nationalise mines with vibrant operations because its vision is to encourage the private public partnership spearheaded by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in conjunction with the ministry Mines Ministry.

The President was answering questions from Journalists shortly before departure for Kasama, in Northern Province where he has gone for a four-day official visit.

On arrival in Kasama, President Rupiah Banda said it is a misconception for some people to conclude that his administration would immediately address all the challenges facing the country.

Mr Banda said critics of his administration have mislead some sections of society that during elections campaigns him and the MMD campaign team had promised to immediately address all the challenges facing the country.

President Banda said the correct position was that his administration would work with the sense of urgency to address the challenges the country is facing .

Mr. Banda said efforts by his administration can be seen through the fuel and mealie meal price reduction.

Mr. Banda has pledged to spread development to all part of the country even in areas that did not vote for him.

The President said his administration would be all embracing as he is the father of all Zambians.

Mr Banda stated that a number of projects have already been started across the country even in opposition strong holds.

The president is accompanied by Tourism and Natural Resources Minister Catherine Namungala, Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti , Presidential Affairs Minister Gabriel Namulambe , Local government and Housing Minister Benny Tetamashimba, Deputy Minister in the office of the Vice President Gunstone Sichilima and Finance Deputy Minister Chileshe Kapwepwe.

ZANIS/KC/ENDS/SJK

Patriotic Front President, Michael Sata has given speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa a seven day ultimatum in which to declare the seats of 16 expelled party MPs vacant.

Mr. Sata said if the speaker fails to act by January 12th, the opposition party will have no alternative but to seek judicial redress in the high court.

He told ZNBC news in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, that there is no court order that stops the speaker from declaring the seats vacant following the discharge of the MPs injunction on December, 22.

But Matero MP Faustina Sinyangwe who is among the 16 expelled MPs said there is a notice of appeal in the Supreme court.

She said until the supreme court determines the appeal, the speaker cannot declare the seats vacant.

Mr. Sata however said his party and its lawyers have not been served with any notice of appeal.

Most of the MPs have been expelled for defying the party’s directive for them not to take part in the National Constitutional Conference.

[ZNBC]

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has warned that it will shut down bars and night clubs whose owners and their employees allow underage minors to patronize their premises.

Council Public Relations Manager Chanda Makanta says there is need for proprietors of such premises to respect the law.

Mrs. Makanta told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the local authority would soon swing into action to inspect bars and night clubs in a bid to ensure that they are operating within the confines of the law.

She warned that bars and night clubs found guilty of entertaining underage clients would face the wrath of the law.

Mrs. Makanta said the council would not renew trading licenses of bars and night clubs contravening the law.

She urged bars and night cub proprietors to heed the timely warning from the council and operator within the confines of the law.

Mrs. Makanta also requested bar and night club owners to make sure that they open their premises at the stipulated time, in line with the law.

She further appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that their underage children do not venture into bars and night clubs.

The Council Public Relations Manager also appealed to members of the general public to report to the local authority bars and night clubs allowing underage patrons in their premises.

She pointed out that inspectors from the local authority are inadequate to effectively check the operations of the bars and night clubs.

Mrs. Makanta further observed that a lot of bars and night clubs have poor sanitation posing a risk of diseases.

ZANIS/AJN/AM/ENDS