The Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP) has advised government to next year allocate sufficient funds to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to enable the commission carry out continued voter registration process.

FODEP president Stanley Mhango said lack of a continuous registration of voters has increased voter apathy during elections in the country.

Mr. Mhango said if the current voter apathy in the country remains unchecked, there might be political instability.

He noted that continuous voters’ registration would enhance political leaders’ eligibility to government because they would be elected on merit.

He said there was need to encourage the majority of Zambians to take part in choosing their leaders through registering people as soon as they reach the voting age.

Mr. Mhango told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that many eligible voters were disfranchised due to the fact that they did not have voters’ registration cards.

He noted that there is need for the Ministry of Finance to increase the budget allocation to the ECZ for the exercise, adding that doing so would bring about development, good governance and democracy in the country.

Meanwhile, the FODEP president has called on the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) to quickly conclude the constitution making process and deliver what it has for the public.

Mr. Mhango point out that people have being expecting a lot from the NCC especially on issues of improving their welfare in the country and those aimed at enhancing development through democracy.

He however, expressed optimism that through the various committees that have been sitting, the country will manage to come up with a constitution that will stand the test of time.

He has also commanded opposition political parties and government for having a smooth transition of government during the October 30, 2008 presidential elections.

He said a smooth transition of government was a foundation of achieving democracy and political stability in the country.

Mr. Mhango further challenged political parties in the country to hold internal party elections to choose leaders and over come all their intra party differences for the betterment of the country.

ZANIS/MM/KSH/ENDS/MM.

The year 2008 will stand out in our nation’s history as a year when our Nation suffered a terrible blow when we lost our our third president, Dr Levy Partick Mwanawasa, President Rupiah Banda has said.

In his end of year address to the nation both on national radio and Television, Mr Banda the year 2008 has been Zambia’s worst year after losing Dr Mwanawasa due to death on duty.

The President added that the tragedy was compounded by the global financial crisis which he said negatively affected Zambia.

” Zambia’s tragedy in 2008 was made worse by the global financial crisis which negatively affected our country through the collapse of copper prices and the domino effect that this has had on effect,”President Banda says in the speech.

He explains that the falling copper prices and the the unplanned expenses of the presidential by – elections had put severe strain on the country’s budget resulting on the negative impact on the economy.

The President however paid tribute to Zambian citizens for the peaceful manner they mourned the late Dr Mwanawasa.

On the national economy, Mr Banda said his administration had continued to pursue prudent fiscal and monetary policies to sustain macro-economic stability.

In the agriculture sector, Mr Banda said his administration continued to pursue policies aimed at ensuring household food and national security.

” The country produced enough to remain food secure.This food security is however now threatened by the global down turn with its impact on food prices and the cost of agricultural impact,” the President said.

On the coming year 2009, the Republican President said the coming year was one of great challenges predominantly on the global economic down turn.

The down turn has a number of set including the falling copper-prices, weakened Kwacha, rising inflation, reduced economic activities and the threatened job loses.

” When I discuss and bring these situations to the attention of Zambian, I am challenging us all to unite in purpose and have resilience and determination to face and rise above the challenges,” said the President.

He however said he was not a defeatist as being suggested in some quarters saying by telling Zambians the truth and to call on them to unite to overcome these difficulties did not mean he was a defeated.

” It is of course easier to take the populist route and pretend that all is well and that there are easy solutions,” President Banda said.

He said his administration is aware as all Zambians should be that the global economic crisis means the expected revenue from the mining sector will not materialise at all.

He however said government was also concerned with the plight of the unemployed and the low income of most citizens adding that this was why his administration is putting emphasis on programmes to fight poverty.

Among these programmes are the citizens economic empowerment commission (CEEC) he said has started to disburse funds to ensure that Zambians meaningfully participated in the economic activities.
ZANIS/MM/ENDS

The Chairperson for the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption Zambia Chapter (APNAC-Z) Given Lubinda has been nominated as a board member of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC).

In Press Release made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, APNAC Zambia Chapter Publicity Secretary Godfrey Beene disclosed that Mr. Lubinda was nominated during the third GOPAC conference which took place in Kuwait from 17th to 29th November, 2008.

Mr. Beene said the conference was attended by delegates from all regions in the world and had representation from different organizations.

Some of the organizations that were present are GOPAC chapters, members of the Civil Society, Transparency International, United Nations agencies such as the Drug and Crime (UNDC) and the United Nations Development Program among others.

He added that Mr. Lubinda was accompanied by two other members of the APNAC Zambia, Lazarus Chota and himself (Beene).

He said on the board, Mr. Lubinda will also be representing the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The GOPAC is an international network of parliamentarians dedicated to good governance and combating corruption throughout the world and has representatives in East Europe, Arab region, North and South America and Africa.

The theme of the conference was “Parliamentarians leading an Anti-Corruption Agenda”.

ZANIS/MM/KSH/ENDS

Man of the Year

This award goes to the Man who generated the  most comments and emotions from readers.

• 1st place Late President Levy Mwanawasa
• 2nd  place Mr.Michael Sata

Sports Person of the year

For winning two Gold Medals

• Rachael Nachula.

Rumor Monger of the year

For mis-informing the world that  President Mwanawasa had died in July.

• Malone Zaza

Most irritating phrase of the year

• “The president is in a stable condition”

Most disappointment of the year

• Presidential election results

Most disappointing personality of the year

• Rev Danny Pule

Brave personality of the year

For standing up to the late President Mwanawasa over tribalism

• Ms Christine Monga former MMD NEC member

Reconciliatory pact of the year

• Friendship between Late President Mwanawasa and Mr.Michael Sata

Political illusion of the year

• Gen Miyanda for exercising his right to stand for president.

Longest football comeback of the year

Two years after his drugs ban, and later playing for three clubs in one season: City, Power plus his controversial move to Golden Arrows

• Francis Kombe

Most controversial football personality

• Collins Mbesuma

Most active LT blogger user ID of the year

• Maestro Hhehhehhehhe

Most hated LT blogger user ID of the year

• Prof Mutengo Waminga LLB(UNZA) LLM MA PHd (Oxford)

Most respected LT blogger user IDs of the year

• Mwiinga (Lusaka, Zambia)
• PRAGMATIST
• Free-Market Capitalist
  

Most useless LT comment post of the Year

• 1, #1, number 1,  nambala wanu, numelo wanu
  

Most humorous  post comment of the year

http://www.lusakatimes.com/?p=4791

1. 21.  Hahaha

   Oct 17th, 2008 at 3:01 pm Vote: 5 1

   # YES FTJ DESERVES IT HIS ACHIEVEMENTS LISTED BELOW
   1) Brought Free Market Economy in Zambia
   2) Ended Food Shortages Zimbabwe Style
   3) Gave Housing Empowerment to Citizens
   4) Repaired Road Infrastructure which is crumbling under LPM
   5) Made it Impossible a single presidential candidate to win 50+1 % (True Democracy)
   6)Eliminated Transport problems in Zambia and gave rise to new transport industry
   7)Made it easy for Investors to bring in Money and take out money
   8)Last but not the least, brought the eclipse of the Sun in Zambia during his last term of office.

   Enjoy FTJ you deserve it

Most embarrassing picture of the year award

Wishing all our visitors happy and prosperous 2009

LT Team

Ps: Feel free to add more of your awards to this thread

President, Rupiah Banda, has pledged more commitment towards addressing economic challenges confronting the nation.

President Banda said the people should expect more commitment from him following a fruitful working holiday which ends this Thursday.

The President told ZANIS in an exclusive interview in Mfuwe that he felt even stronger and refreshed having taken the working holiday, which afforded him an opportunity to reflect on serious national issues.

He said he was happy that the holiday provided him a chance to meet his family and other matters before he could return to Lusaka to continue working hard on programmes of national importance.

“I am feeling stronger and refreshed having taken this holiday therefore the people of Zambia should now expect more and more commitment from me and my administration,” President Banda said.

“During the holiday I had the chance to meet my family, which I love so much, and of course we had time to sit and discuss issues,” He added.

President Banda used the time during the holiday to take physical exercises, which included every morning walking safari in the South Luangwa National Park and held working meetings with Principal Private Secretary, Austin Sichinga, Legal Advisor Joseph Jalasi and Economic Advisor Dr Chembe.

During the holiday, President Banda met Ambassador Li Qiangmin and Kunda Chiefs among them senior Chief Nsefu, Chiefs Jumbe, Mnkhanya, Malama, Msoro and Kakumbi.

Bank of Zambia former governor Jacob Mwanza and UNZA former Chancellor Robert Serpell all called on the President during his sats at Chichele Lodge in Mfuwe.

“It was a holiday, but as you saw for yourself I continued working even during the holiday,” he said.

South Luangwa National Park’s Chichele Lodge has been preferred holiday destination for Presidents. Presidents Kenneth Kaunda and late Mwanawasa are notable among those that featured prominently at the lodge during their respective reigns.

Mr Banda said he would use his vast political experience to promote democracy by allowing people to enjoy the right of expression, but emphasized that the right would be not allowed to damage national peace and interest.

“I am sure a lot of people would wonder why I don’t respond to many of the insults and statements from some section of society, its because my past service in political administration during the first republic gave me vast experience to handle these issues,” he said.

“I went through the necessary experience that gives the wisdom to allow every Zambian to have a say on some issues,” He added.

He called on Zambians to exercise a culture of discipline and condemn insults as they comment on issues of national interest.

President Banda said Zambia was capable of achieving the needed economic development like other countries provided the people became more hardworking and disciplined.

He called unity of purpose among the people as the country works hard to address various issues affecting various sectors of the economy.

Mr Banda said he was determined to leave behind a legacy of discipline and hard work.

He challenged the media to take a leading role in promoting a culture of discipline by discouraging politics of insults even in the wake of serious debates.

The President is confident that the ongoing constitutional making process, through the National Constitutional Conference, NCC, would be complete in good time before the next elections.

ZANIS/ENDS/SJK/MM

Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe has threatened to camp in Ndeke township in Mazabuka where Cholera has broken out if the Municipal Council does not collect the mountains of garbage that have blocked the flow of water in the drainages.

He said Government is concerned with the Cholera situation in Mazabuka and wondered why the equipment donated to the council such as the light trucks donated for the Keep Mazabuka Clean Campaign where not used to collect garbage in the townships.

Mr Munkombwe said he is ready to stay in a tent and share the problems the Ndeke community was going through as a protest to the council’s failure to collect garbage and provide safe drinking water for the residents.

The highly charged Minister who toured Ndeke township was disappointed to learn that the council had failed to collect the heaps of garbage that has led to an outbreak of Cholera in the township.

Mr Munkombwe has directed Town Clerk, Ekan Chingangu to find a solution to what he termed as an ” I don’t care attitude” by some directors at the local authority.

Mr Munkombwe who was made to wait for close to an hour had to abort his official meeting at Mazabuka District Commissioner’s office after it became evident that management was playing hide and seek games.

The minister instead directed District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba and  Provincial deputy Permanent Secretary  to accompany him to the council offices and find out why they did not want to meet him.

However as the Minister walked to his official vehicle, Town Clerk Ekan Chingangu was seen talking to a head of department but upon seeing the minister, he immediately informed him that his director of engineering, Presto Chonde had just driven in.

Minister Munkombwe ignored Mr Chingangu and ordered that the meeting be held at the council offices.

Mr Munkombwe reminded the council that it was only him who could protect the council in the province adding that, had he invited Local Government Minister, the council could have been dissolved.

Speaking earlier, Mazabuka Central Ward Councillor, Lloyd Buumba informed the minister that his efforts to advise the council to remove the garbage had fallen deaf ears.

However Town Clerk, Ekan Chingangu assured the minister that all blocked drains would be unblocked.

Mr Chingangu said the council is geared to remove refuse in the drainages as evidenced by the mobilisation of graders, Front end loaders and other equipment.
ZANIS /HC/Ends/MM

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda says the 16 renegade PF members of parliament ceased to be members when they stopped subscribing to the party.

Mr Lubinda, who is also the Party’s Spokesperson, said ‘the rebel MPs’ have no basis to continue representing the party as they don’t agree with the P.F’s policies.

Mr. Lubinda cautioned Zambians to stop using political positions as a way of personal benefit but rather of service.

He said the expelled MP’s should stop claiming to be PF members but should form their own party, instead.

Mr. Lubinda further said some of the rebel MPs he named have not visited their constituencies saying as a result they does not know problems their electorate were facing.

He said it was time these former MPs left the PF so that the party can focus on working on projects which are meant to benefit the people of this country.

He said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Lubinda pointed out that the high court ruling was momentous adding that the renegade MPs should leave PF party alone so that new people can take over their positions and contribute with developmental issues.

Meanwhile Mr Lubinda has castigated members of the NCC for spending a lot of money on enriching themselves without considering others.

He challenged members of the NCC to work towards helping the majority Zambians living in abject poverty instead of lining their pockets.

He said given a chance he would have better represented people of his constituency because he is involved in a project called the grass is singing which involves a lot of people in the community.

Mr Lubinda pointed out that he spends more than K100 million to organize meetings and helping the needy in society saying he stands a better chance to represent the poor at the NCC.

ZANIS/VP/ENDS/MM