The Investment Climate Facility for Africa-ICF today signed an agreement with the Judiciary of the government of Zambia on the computerization of the Zambian courts.

The Agreement is aimed at increasing Judicial efficiency by computerizing and automating all courts procedures.

The first phase of the project which will cost US$600,000 will not only facilitate computerization but also provide training for court staff to ensure they are able to use the new technology.

The Judiciary in Zambia currently record court proceedings manually and by computerizing existing systems, the time spent on each case will be dramatically reduced.

Chief Justice Ernest Sakala said the Project of computerizing the Zambian courts comes at a time when society has raised concerns at the slow pace the Judiciary is disposing off matters in courts.

Chief Justice Sakala said the project has also come at a time when everywhere in the region, courts are being called upon to deliver a service to communities they serve saying the world is at the same time under going immense technological change.

The Chief Justice explained that while upgrading of physical facilities on its own would not guarantee autonomy and independence of the Judiciary, better facilities and work environment often contribute to higher motivation and productivity of the members of the Judiciary.

He pointed out that there was need though for the Judiciary to be efficient, effective and equitable in its duties.

Chief Justice Sakala said it is the aim of the Judiciary that the computerization project with the assistant of the ICF will translate into a cost efficient system for the Judiciary in Zambia.

He revealed that the initial phase is expected to run for the next nine months saying upon success, the Judiciary will embark on the second phase which will cost over US$4 million.

He also revealed that the second phase is also expected to automate all registries, introduce and electronic data base to safe guard all court records and provide standby generators.

Chief Justice Ernest Sakala reiterated the need for the Judiciary to respond to the concerns of the citizens by improving the rate of disposing cases.

Speaking at the same function, ICF Executive Officer, Omari Issa said the changes to the Judiciary are relatively straight forward to implement but that the results are enormous in terms of the improvements to Zambia’s investment climate.

Mr. Issa said a modern Judiciary gives investors assurance that they can enforce contractual obligations fairly and speedily saying it is also an important indicator of a government’s commitment to create a healthy investment climate.

He reiterated ICF’s support to the project in Zambia.

And the Law Association of Zambia-LAZ Honorary Treasurer Overs Banda said LAZ is excited about the project saying LAZ will work with the Judiciary and the Consultant to ensure the success of the project.

ICF is a unique public-private partnership between government and business that aims to help Africa create a more attractive business environment and realize its potential as a global player and trading partner.

ICF works to remove real and perceived obstacles to domestic and foreign investment by assisting Africans to prepare and promote the continent as an investment destination.

ENDS/CBM/AM/ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda has called for the refurbishment and continuous maintenance of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross which was built over fifty years ago.

Mr. Banda said all the problems that the country has faced have been solved through gatherings at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

He said it was important therefore to have the church refurbished as soon as possible saying his administration is committed to seeing the Cathedral Partnership Corporate projects aimed at raising funds to refurbish the church succeed.

Mr. Banda was speaking in Lusaka last evening at the Cathedral Corporate Partnership ball whose theme was ‘ Restoring a National Spiritual Heritage through Partnership’.

The Republican President said the peace that the country is enjoying is unique as many countries on the continent have been to war while some are still torn apart from conflicts.

Mr. Banda noted that the church has a bid role to play in ensuring that the country continues to enjoy the peace and tranquility.

And speaking earlier Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lusaka The Right Reverend David Njovu said the Cathedral of the Holy Cross has continued to play a central role in Zambia’s spiritual affairs and in guiding the nation.

Rev. Njovu said the Cathedral was therefore a symbol of Christ’s Lordship over Zambia which has now become even more significant with the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation.

He noted that the church is humbled and inspired by the wisdom in the leaders to declare Zambia a Christian nation.

And the Duke of England Richard Roster who sent his best wishes for the Cathedral Corporate Partnership through the British High Commissioner, said the Cathedral was an important cultural centre.

Meanwhile Bank of Zambia Governor Kaleb Fundanga said the partnership should go beyond the immediate needs of the Cathedral but look further to the wider needs of the community.

In a speech read on his behalf by Bank of Zambia Corporate Affairs Manager Danny Kalyalya, Dr. Fundanga said there is enormous potential for public private partnerships to move this country forward saying the Bank of Zambia recognizes the importance of corporate social responsibility.

Dr. Fundanga who donated K10 million towards the refurbishing of the church urged the Cathedral community to open a Cathedral Corporate Partnership Account.

WORLD acclaimed award-winning music group, Hillsong United, this week put up a larger than life performance at the Lusaka Showgrounds where thousands of Christian faithfuls braved the showering evening for four hours of praise and worship.

The K20,000-per-head show, initially scheduled to run from 18:00 hours to 20:00 hours, started around 19:00 hours and went on and on until a few minutes before mid-night, as fans kept shouting for more from the band that has distinguished itself as an all-encompassing gospel group.

The venue was filled to capacity with only small portions remaining at the far end of the field, where it was darker.

Literally, every available space was taken up, and just a few minutes after the start of the show, the VIP gate was closed and patrons that had initially bought the tickets in advance had to end up using the main arena gate.

During the show, the group belted several popular tunes such as Everyday, We look to You, Hosanna, and Amazing Grace.

The audience danced their lungs out, raised hands in adoration and bowed knees in worship as the song leaders churned out one tune after the other.

It was an all-inspiring night that did not need one to know the lyrics of the song in order to sing along.

Two huge plasma screens placed at the far end of the stage simultaneously showed the lyrics and live pictures of the concert proceedings as one worship leader after the other took to the stage.

The stage itself was magnificently befitting for this significant gospel musical concert that could not just seem to have quenched the thirst of the Zambian fans, who have over the years been fed on sub-standard shows without an option.

The stage, which was flown in and mounted a few days before the show, was as high as 15 metres with psychedelic lights flashing all over the field.

“This is the first concert of its kind. I have never seen such a professionally organised concert in Zambia,” commented a female fan as she looked lost in the mammoth crowd. “We have a long way to go before we can get to this level in Zambia.”

Earlier, gifted singers Ephraim Mutalange and Stanley Chipuma, had ably delivered a curtain-raiser that stirred the hunger of the people, and seemingly prepared the audience for the things to unfold later in the evening.

Information Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha, who graced the occasion, commended the organisers, Doxa Music, for bringing the international group in the country and assured that “Zambia will always remain a Christian Nation”.
Times of Zambia

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Solwezi district has received more than K800,000,000 from sales of fertilizer and seed under the Fertilizer Support Programme to farmers in the district.

Acting District Marketing and Cooperatives officer Francis Mwansa said in an interview, Friday, that his office has collected K872,908,572 from farmers through maize seed and fertilizer sales in less than two weeks but due erratic supply of fertilizer all stocks has since been exhausted in the shed.

Mr Mwansa said that his office only received 15,352 x 50kg bags (1919 packs) instead of 19,200 x 50 kg bags (2400 packs) resulting in a serious shortage of both urea and basal fertilizer in the district.

He nevertheless, advised the farmers to only deposit money for maize seed so that they are able to plant as they wait for more fertilizer expected to be delivered soon.

He appealed to farmers not to panic as the situation was being handled by higher authorities to ensure that the remaining fertilizer is sent to the district.

By Tuesday this week about 136 registered cooperatives had collected their consignment of fertilizer from Nyiombo depot.

Meanwhile 15 registered cooperatives from Mushindamo block may not benefit from this years fertilizer support programme due to the late submission of the farmers applications forms.

Chairperson for Lwambanga cooperative, Abel Kafwimbi said that he was not happy that his block had been left out in this year’s fertilizer support programme.

Mr Kafwimbi, who is also Vice Chairperson for Mushindamo block, said that the fertilizer got finished and the entire Mushindamo block only managed to get 240 x 50 bags (30 packs) which have not been collected yet.

The cooperatives that submitted late include, Kafifolo, Lubinga, Lifesaver, Lunga source, Kan’gamo, Kyamato, Mushindamo, Masaka, Milembe, Kashiba, Kyafulabunga, Lwamibanga, Kasanfu, Kapako and Minkonk.

However, District Agriculture Committee Chairperson (DAC), Paul Chipoya said the distribution of the fertilizer has been okay.

He said that the number of bags of fertilizer was too low as compared to the number of applicants, adding that farmers bought off all the stocks in the shed resulting to some cooperatives not benefiting.

Mr Chipoya said that Mushindamo block should not blame DAC for not participating due their late submission of applications, but told the 15 cooperatives that in case of any additional fertilizer the DAC may considered them.

Students at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East road campus in Lusaka have started getting their increased meal allowances which have been back-dated to last month.

UNZASU president Solomon Ngambi has commended President Rupiah Banda for increasing student allowances by 50 percent and ensuring that the students receive the money.

Mr. Ngambi told ZNBC news that students are grateful to the President for fulfilling his promise.

He said students are particularly happy at the fact that meal allowances have been stagnant for the last four years.

President Banda recently directed the Minister of Education to increase monthly meal allowances for students from K3-hundred thousand to K4-hundred and 50 thousand.

[ZNBC]