The MMD has suspended elections in the lower organs of the party with effect from today until the completion of a scheduled countrywide fact-finding mission by the party’s national leadership on some current challenges.
MMD acting president, Michael Mabenga said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that there would be no elections at various levels of the party until the fact-finding mission was completed.
Mr Mabenga said the party was facing a different set of challenges which needed to be addressed and that following consultation with some senior members of the party, it was proposed that the national executive committee should send members on a fact-finding mission to all the districts and provinces in the country.
“In the meantime and while the above exercise will be going on, all planned elections at the lower levels of the party are being suspended as from December 15, 2008, until the fact-finding exercise is completed,” he said.
He said that following the death of party president Levy Mwanawasa, it had become clear that the party was now facing organisational and political challenges which needed to be identified by the party at all administration levels.
“In view of the above, I have had to make consultations with some senior members of our party and a decision was reached that a motion be brought before the national executive committee to be called soon, so as to send teams to receive submissions from party members and interested groups regarding the concern above,” he said.
He called on all leaders and party members to remain united and support various programmes going on for the betterment of the MMD.
“I wish to announce to all our party organs in the country that all leaders and party members must continue supporting the on-going party leadership renewal exercise launched in January 2008 by the late president Mwanawasa,” he said.
Mr Mabenga said that party unity should prevail at all levels and called for shared responsibility in victory and in challenges, saying no single member should be left to bear any burden on behalf of the party.
“As the exercise is going on, I would like to call for total unity in the party in a spirit of mutual support for the work of various organs of the MMD to succeed.
“I want to emphasise that no single person or office should be left to bear the total burden of the party whether in moments of success or negative challenges. We need to move together and not undermine each other,” he said.
Times of Zambia

The Chief Government spokesperson has taken a swipe at clergy men supporting the planned country wide demonstrations over mealie meal prices.

Ronnie Shikapwasha says it is not biblical for the church to support demonstrations because the bible has no record where these protests are supported.

He was speaking in Lusaka when he officiated at the graduation and ordination ceremony of pastors at the Bible Gospel Church in Africa,BIGOCA.

The minister also called on opposition leaders who are concerned over the rising mealie meal prices to dialogue with Government instead of resorting to demonstrations.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha who is also Information Minister said demonstrations might turn out to be violent and plunge the nation into chaos.

And BIGOCA overseer Bishop, Peter Ndhlovu, said the church should not be part of any form of demonstrations but provide guidance in solving problems affecting the country.
ZNBC

President Rupiah Banda says it will be difficult for government to increase the allocated farming inputs under the Fertilizer Support Program (FSP) in this farming season.

Mr Banda said it was difficult for government to access supplementary fertilizer because the commodity was not locally produced, adding that it was too late to restart procurement procedures.

The President said this in an interview with journalists after he arrived at Chipata airport this morning.

President Banda explained that it would not be easy to access the farming inputs and distribute to farmers on time because the planting season had already begun.

He however expressed confidence that government would increase the allocation of the farming inputs for the 2009/10 farming season.

The President also stated that the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) was currently addressing the hunger situation in some parts of Eastern province.

He reiterated that government was committed to addressing the hunger situation in the country and would continue to distribute relief food to needy areas.

Meanwhile Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo  accused companies contracted by government to supply fertilizer under the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) of sabotage when they were ordering their depots to close.

Mrs. Masebo said suspending fertilizer distribution when the country was experiencing soaring food prices was sabotaging government.

She said the companies already knew that government would always pay the debts owed to them and therefore, there was no need to suspend the distribution of farming inputs under the FSP.

Mrs. Masebo was speaking in Chongwe district  at the official launch of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme in the agriculture sector.

President Rupiah Banda has told the people of Eastern province that they did not waste their vote in the last presidential by-election.

He said he was humbled by the people of Chipata who looked after him very well when he retired from public service and politics in the early 1990s.

He said this when he arrived for a two day private visit to Chipata today. President Rupiah Banda has also advised Zambians to preoccupy themselves with activities that would promote poverty alleviation and food security in the country.

Speaking earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kabinga Pande said the people of Eastern province voted for Mr. Banda on merit.

Mr. Pande, who is also ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) vice national chairman, said President Banda was a national leader because he was accepted by all Zambians.

He has since challenged the people of Eastern province to assist President Banda govern the country constructively criticizing him and offering developmental solutions.

He lashed out at the opposition PF for calling for protests over high mealie meal prices saying demonstrations were not a solution to the problems the country was experiencing.

Mr. Pande urged Zambians to concentrate on working towards producing more food and a bumper harvest next harvest season.

And Eastern province minister, Isaac Banda said, whilst others were planning to demonstrate, people in his province were busy cultivating so that they could produce a lot of food next year.

Mr. Banda, who congratulated President Banda for his victory in the last presidential by-elections, promised that his province will offer full support to the current administration.

Meanwhile, ruling MMD Eastern province chairman, Kennedy Zulu said the province was happy with government’s Fertiliser Support Programme in the area.

Mr. Zulu however requested President Banda to consider asking for more relief food from the Office of the Vice President in order for all district in the province to benefit.

He also assured President Banda that the party was intact in the province, adding that the Provincial executive committee (PEC) would ensure that the area became a pillar for MMD.

President Banda is accompanied to Eastern province by Mr. Pande and two of his personal friends, Jacob Mwanza, who is former University of Zambia vice chancellor and Mr. Ephraim Mwenda.

The President was met on arrival at Chipata airport this morning by provincial minister, Isaac Banda and other senior government and MMD officials.

President Banda is expected back in Lusaka on Tuesday morning.

ZANIS/CBM/KSH/ENDS.

President Rupiah Banda has advised Zambians to preoccupy themselves with activities that would promote poverty alleviation and food security in the country.

Mr. Banda said Zambians should devote most of their time cultivating land and planting crops instead of engaging into demonstrations and protests against high mealie meal prices.

He said people of Zambia should make use of the rain season to the maximum and avoid wasting their time in protests.

Referring to the planned demonstration by the opposition Patriotic Front and some organisations over high mealie meal prices, Mr. Banda noted that such kind of acts would scare away investors because they would not want to risk their finances.

He said Zambians must endeavour to keep the country united at all times in order to uphold the attractive investment environment.

President Banda explained that it was for this reason that government was refusing to give permits to allow blanket protests by some political parties and other organisations.

He said this when he arrived for a two day private visit to Chipata today.

He said he was in Luanshya yesterday where he had audience with mine owners and their workers.

He assured them of government’s commitment to keep the mines running and preserve jobs of workers.

ZANIS/CBM/KSH/ENDS.

Today’s Scripture

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done” (Psalm 105:1, NLT).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

When someone gives you a meaningful or costly gift, how do you show your appreciation? Do you tell them how grateful you are? What do you do with that gift? When it’s something you are truly thankful for, you probably don’t just throw it in the back of a closet; you openly and proudly display the gift. When others see and admire it, you probably tell them about where it came from and about the generosity of the giver.

In the same way, as believers, we should give thanks to the Lord and constantly show our gratefulness and appreciation for all He has done for us by displaying the gifts He’s given us. We should display love, peace, joy, kindness, and hope. We should live our lives in such a way that our very actions proclaim His greatness and cause others to take notice.

Proclaim His greatness by living a life of gratitude to Him and let the whole world know what He has done for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for setting me free and filling me with Your hope, peace, and joy. I invite You to dwell in every area of my being and make my life a continual praise to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries