The expansion programme of the American sponsored Chabbobboma Banana plantation project in Gwembe district hangs in the balance following reluctance by ZESCO to link the project site with hydro electricity.

World Hope International-Zambia country director Elvan Chilundika disclosed this Saturday during celebrations to mark the first banana harvest at Chabbobboma on the shores of lake Kariba in Gwembe district.

The function was also attended by district commissioner Dorothy Hamvula, chief Chipepo and American donors from Eastern Hills in New York.

Mr Chilundika said World Hope International, the implementing agency for the project, had since the commissioning of the plantation project last year, made several requests to ZESCO for power to be taken to the project site but without any success.

He said officials at the ZESCO office in Monze had always been assuring his organisation that they would visit the area but failed to do so despite World Hope International offering transport for them. He said the site is only a short distance from the main ZESCO power grid.

Mr Chilundika explained that due to the absence of ZESCO power, the organization had been forced to construct a storage and treatment facility for the harvested bananas in Monze, about 100 kilometres away from the production point, thereby increasing operating costs.

The country director explained that the Chabbobboma banana project begun in 2005 in line with government’s efforts to restore dignity and hope to the Gwembe valley people displaced by the construction of the Kariba dam.

Mr Chilundika said the plantation with about 4,000 banana plants is currently facing difficulties of proper irrigation due to eratic supply of diesel to run water pumps in the absence of ZESCO power.

He said this situation has frustrated current efforts to expand the banana project after the release of more funds by the American donors for another four hectares of land to grow 8,000 more banana plants.

“Eastern Hills of America have made additional funds available funds for the construction of a reservoir and other facilities. All these activities are taking place but we will need power,” he said.

He appealed for intervention of the district authorities so that ZESCO electrifies the project which is for the benefit of the people of the Gwembe valley.

Speaking at the same function, chief Chipepo said the banana project would uplift the living standards of the valley people where power has been the biggest challenge.

Chief Chipepo said has for many years now been spending sleepless nights worrying about the deep rooted poverty among his subjects and called upon the American donors to provide more support so that the project is replicated in other areas of the valley district to deal with the poverty challenge.

He told his subjects to turn away from their wicked ways and support the project.

ZANIS/CH/Ends/MM

Today’s Scripture
After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted” (John 6:12).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria
The Bible tells of a time when Jesus fed a crowd of five thousand with only five loaves. That day, everyone had more than enough to eat and there were still twelve baskets full of bread. That’s because we serve a God of abundance! I love that Jesus told the disciples to collect all the leftovers “so that nothing is wasted.” With God, nothing is ever wasted. He’ll never waste an experience; He’ll never waste a hurt; He’ll never waste a dream; He’ll never waste even a single piece of bread.

God is still in the miracle-working business. He is still our Creator and He is a Restorer. If you’ve felt like you’ve wasted years of your life in the wrong job, hanging around the wrong people, doing the wrong things, God will gather those years and restore them back to you. He’ll take those experiences that the enemy meant for your harm, and He’ll turn them around for your good. He’ll make you stronger, wiser, and better off than you were before. He can launch you further into your destiny than before. Be encouraged today because with God all things are possible and nothing is ever wasted!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, I give You every bit of my life, my past, my present, and my future. Thank you for taking every experience in my life and turning it around for my good. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

Veteran freedom fighter Mama Chibesa kankasa says former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa should be respected as she and the rest of her family were still mourning her late husband  and father Dr Levy Mwanawasa.

Commenting Federation of the Free trade Union of Zambia ( FFTUZ )president Joyce Nonde over Mrs Mwanawasa’s refusal to occupy a house in Roma Township government had found for the first lady, Mrs Kankasa urged Zambians to respect the former first lady and the Mwanawasa family.

Mama kankasa explained that the former first lady was not being difficult in as much as she is supposed to adhere to government ‘s offer.

She said Mrs Mwanawasa was merely following President Banda’s directive for her to vacate State House , but she was  equally told by the president  that she can only move from state house after the government found a house of her choice.

This is according to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka, Saturday.

The veteran politician said it was not the first lady’s own doing but she was just following what she is entitled to.

Mama kankasa expressed disappointment that established public figures like Ms Nonde were not Zambian saying as a fellow woman, the union leader should be supportive to Mrs Mwanwasa and her bereaved family.

She noted the need to appreciate what government was doing to console the former first lady in whatever difficulties she was passing through.

Ms Kankasa said Ms Nonde should have first gone to visit the first lady in a friendly manner and inquire about the state of the house before issuing a media statement.

She urged her to love and support one other so that peace and harmony amongst each other and the nation can be fostered.

this follows an observation made on the article  published in the News paper in yesterdays Post, politics of Appeasement shouldn’t be encouraged -Nonde.

ZANIS/AH/ENDS/MM

An MMD party official in Kafue says the party should give credit to the Post newspaper for having made it work hard through the stories it used to publish up to the run up of the presidential elections.

MMD district party chairman Goodson Sansakuwa said in Kafue Saturday that the ruling party should consider itself lucky that it was able to win the presidential elections as the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) really gave them a good campaign.

Mr. Sansakuwa said as a party it has learnt lessons on how the electorate view the ruling MMD. He said if it was not for the stories the post were publishing about the MMD, it would not have been easy to plan and strategize well for the its campaigns and win the elections.

He said he was happy that the MMD, despite the negative publicity by the the private daily, was able to turn them into positives. He said the MMD will from now on work hard to ensure it revisits its manifesto to woe more support.

Mr. Sansakuwa who is also Kafue district council chairman said the party in the district has set out a programme in which it will start planning for the 2011 elections.

He said despite some members defecting to the opposition, the party in the district was strong and will not allow outsiders to win the people.

Mr. Sansakuwa appealed to Republic President Rupiah Banda to fulfill the promises made during campaigns. He said the MMD will only win the 2011 elections if it fulfills its promises.

Mr. Sansakuwa also appealed to the national executive committee to start visiting members on the ground instead of only staying in Lusaka. He said many members at grassroots level are not happy with the way the top leadership in the party are treating branch members.

He said the NEC should find time to tour branch officials as these are the ones who campaign for them most of the time. He said the MMD has a huge task of working hard so that new issues are raised and people’s interests in elections are revived.

The district official also called on the party to revive its manifesto so that it is tailored to the current needs of the Zambian people. He said the current manifesto is proving to be not helpful in addressing what the Zambian people want.

ZANIS/BS/ENDS/MM

Kafue district council has warned the Cavendish University management to start developing the land allocated for construction of a University within the next 30 days failure to which the land will be withdrawn.

Kafue district council chairman Goodson Sansakuwa said Saturday in an interview with ZANIS in Kafue that management at the council and councilors are worried that the land has remained idle for the past four years when it allocated to the university.

He said it was against the law to keep land undeveloped for that long time.

Mr. Sansakuwa said the council has decided to give the university 30 days in which it should show cause why the land in question cannot be grabbed away from them and be given to other serious developers.

He said while the council is aware of the importance of tertiary education to the nation, it was prudent that developers once given land , they develop it within the shortest period of time and not hold on to it.

Mr. Sansakuwa further stated that despite the university having in the recent months complained of encroachment on their land; it was not true because a verification of their claims was undertaken and no encroachment was found on the ground.

And Mr. Sansakuwa disclosed that Kafue council will continue with its land audit so as to address problems of double allocation and other land related disputes. He said it is the intention of the council to acquire land for serious developers and residents so that they can give them.

Mr. Sansakuwa said his office is happy with the progress made so far on resolving land issues as opposed to assertions that workers at the council are corrupt and are involved in illegal land deals.
ZANIS/BS/ENDS/MM

The Kitwe District Land Alliance has appealed to President Rupiah Banda to withdraw the draft land policy as it does not support transparency.

Kitwe District Land Alliance chairperson, Bwalya Mpange, said the current Land Act of 1995 was not only pro-poor but also non-transparent and was not in tune with the spirit of poverty alleviation.

Officially opening a two-day training workshop for councilors on Transparency Land Administration at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation today Mr Mpange welcomed the government’s move to overhaul this law as evidenced by the 2006 land draft policy.

He explained that the draft land policy in its current stature does not support transparency and lacks support to the poor people in terms of equitable access and ownership of land.

Mr Mpenga also expressed worry that there had been incidences where some civic leaders were being caught up in illegal plot allocation in Kitwe.

He reminded the councilors that since they had been identified as important partners in land administration in the district, there was need for them to be knowledgeable in land administration and be more transparent on allocation of plots.

ZANIS/ENDS/PFK/E