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RB calls for more foreign investiment

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Acting President Rupiah Banda has urged foreign investors to take advantage of the conducive business environment government has created.

Mr Banda says foreign investors should rise to the challenge of setting-up businesses in Zambia because of the good business environment that government has created.

The Acting President said this when a delegation from the Access Bank Zambia paid a courtesy call on him at government house in Lusaka, Tuesday.

Mr Banda, who assured investors of more government support, said it was gratifying to see that more foreign investors were investing in various sectors of the economy thereby contributing to national development.

He commended Access Bank Zambia for setting-up business in Zambia, a move he described as a catalyst to improving the welfare of people in the country.

Mr. Banda said government will continue supporting programmes aimed at contributing to national development as well as employment creation.

And Access Bank Zambia Group Deputy Managing Director Hebert Wigwe said the Bank has committed over US$200 million into the expansion programmes of the Bank in African.

Mr. Wigwe said the Bank has also sourced US$1 billion to go towards the expansion of the Bank to Europe and other continents in the world.

He pledged the Bank’s support to Zambia’s Banking sector with a view to developing the sector.

Access Bank Zambia is tomorrow set for official opening.

ZANIS/TK/ENDS/MM

Fuel price reduced

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The pump price of petrol has been reduced by almost K2-thousand per litre in all provincial centres.

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) says the new pump price of petrol is now seven thousand six hundred and 91 Kwacha for Lusaka.

This represents a reduction of one thousand 956 Kwacha per litre of petrol which is currently selling at nine thousand 647 Kwacha per litre.

The pump price of diesel reduced by an average of one thousand and 91 Kwacha in all the provincial centres.

In Lusaka, diesel will now be selling at seven thousand 264 kwacha per litre from the previous eight thousand 355 Kwacha per litre.

Kerosene has also been reduced by 852 kwacha per litre while no price changes have been effected for Jet A one and heavy fuels.

ERB Chairperson, Sikota Wina announced the new prices at a press briefing in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, Tuesday.

He said the new prices follows government intention to cushion consumers against rising fuel prices by reducing excise duty on petrol from 45 percent to 36 percent.

ACC welcomes Aka’s plan to quit

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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has welcomed one of its Commissioners Akashabarwa Mbikusita-Lewanika’s intention to resign.

ACC Chairperson Valentine Chileshe says Mr Mbikusita-Lewanika’s involvement in active politics is denting the good image of the commission.

Justice Chileshe says Mr Mbikusita-Lewanika’s public declaration of being an active politician does not serve the best interest of the Commission.

Justice Chileshe said this during a press briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday.

“I wish to state that the position of the ACC is that Commissioners and ACC Staff should not be involved in active politics as that creates a conflict on interest that undermines our role of fighting corruption without fear, favour or political affiliation real or perceived.

” Therefore, Mr. Mbikusita-Lewanika’s plan to resign is welcome,” Justice Chileshe said.

ACC Commissioner Mbikusita-Lewanika is reported in the media to have said that he is considering resigning from the Commission following heavy criticism that he cannot serve the ACC objectively as a politician.

The ACC chairperson said the reputation of the Commission is negatively affected and legal ACC provisions Section 8 (2) provides for an ACC Commissioner to resign upon giving one-month notice in writing to the President.

And ACC Acting Director-General (DG) Rosewin Wandi implored both the media and the general public to be vigilant by reporting suspects of corruption.

She said this was the only way late republican President Levy Mwanawasa’s zero tolerance to corruption could be maintained.

The Acting DG pointed out that her Commission will handle corruption cases professionally without undue influence in a bid to carry on the ‘famous legacy of corrupt free nation’.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Wandi has announced that the ACC will embark on sensitization-drive on electronic and print media to educate the members of the public and the political players on the importance of eradicating corruption in the country.

She observed cases of malpractice are becoming common before and during the presidential run-up by elections.

Zambia goes to the polls on October 30.

ZANIS/KC/ENDS/MM

PF hails Lusaka High court expeditious judgement

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The Patriotic Front (PF) has applauded Lusaka High court for expeditiously handling of the case in which Kasama central PF Member of Parliament Savior Chishimba had filed in an injunction to restrain party leader Michael Sata from filing his Presidential nominations.

PF Spokesperson Given Lubinda said the quick judgment by the high court has enhanced the democratic and judicial system adding that it will go down in the history of Zambia.

He said this at a press briefing In Lusaka on Tueaday.

Mr. Lubinda noted that had the high court delayed in passing judgment, Mr. Sata would not have successfully filed in his Presidential nominations.

He urged PF members and Zambians to refrain from engaging in into acts which might compromise the peace country has enjoyed for many years.

He has since challenged Mr. Chishimba and his lawyer to tell the county the motive behind their action.

Mr. Chishimba yesterday filed in an application to the high court to refrain PF Leader Michael Sata from filling in his Presidential nomination.

ZANIS/YK/ENDS/MM

And the Michael Sata  Website  has published the following statement :

MMD/UPND PLOT UNCOVERED

On Tuesday 24th September Mr Sata officially became a candidate for October presidential elections when he successfully filed his nomination papers at the High court.

Attempts by MMD and UPND to prevent him via a Dr Saviour “Chainama ” Chishimba’s injunction was thrown out the windows of the High court with costs.

Meanwhile a UPND MP Garry Nkombo (witness in Sundaih Kayumba corruption case) was last night seen driving off from the court premises with Dr Chishimba and his lawyer one Mutakela Lisimba (once suspended by the Law Association of Zambia for abusing client’s money).
We have known and confirmed that MMD and European sponsors have given HH’s men $2M to prevent Mr Sata from becoming the next president.
Plan 1 was via a Dr Chishimba injunction and Plan 2 is now for HH to stand so he splits the opposition vote.
Whatever the method, it wont work…THE HARDER THEY COME, THE HARDER THEY WILL FALL..

Mufulira opens 93 voters registration centers

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Mufulira district has opened ninety three (93) centres as places for voters’ re-registration exercise.

The centers opened Monday in all the 28 wards of the three constituencies that are within the municipality of the district.

Town Clerk (TC) Charles Mwandila confirmed in an interview that the re- registration exercise for lost voter’s cards has kicked off in all the polling centers.

Mr. Mwandila who is also the district electoral officer said there are 34 centers under Mufulira constituency that are opened while Kantanshi has 33 centers.

Kankoyo constituency has 26 centers opened.

TC appealed to electorates who lost their voters cards not to wait until the last day to register because there will be no extension of the exercise.

He advised the voters who lost their cards to quickly go to the respective polling centers to register so that they can have the cads replaced before the election date.

He said the centers will remain open every day from 8 hours to 17 hours from 21st to 26th September, 2008.

October 30 has been set as date for the presidential election.

And the Voters’ Cards Replacement exercise in Lufwanyama District has tremendously improved, following a vigorous Publicity campaign by ZANIS.

A check by ZANIS  in Chief Nkana, Shimukunami and Shibuchinga areas revealed that polling centres have been set up in almost all the schools in the area.

Some villagers talked to, complained that the majority of people have lost their national registration cards and wondered whether there would be a mobile registration exercise to have their voters cards verified.

Lufwanyama Electoral Officer, Ben Sihulumi said all electoral materials have been delivered to 55 polling centres.

Mr Sihulumi said the district  received 66 ballot boxes in readiness for the Presidential by-election on October 30.

He expressed hope that at the end of the exercise, many villagers would have replaced their lost voters’ cards.

Mr Sihulumi explained that when the exercise first began, people thought that it was about only about the issuance of new registration cards to those who had attained the age of 16  and above.

He proposed that the Ministry of Home Affairs should mount a mobile issuance of national registration cards exercise.

ENDS/PFK/PK/ZANIS.

It will be a challenge to maintain single digit inflation, Magande

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Finance Minister N’gandu Magande has it is a big challenge to maintain a single digit inflation rate in light of the soaring global oil and fuel prices.

He said short and medium developments in the external sector would continue posing a threat on macroeconomic stability and effective monetary policy.

He said inflation challenges could only be resolved through collective efforts by all key stakeholders especially those in the financial sector.

Mr. Magande said this during the Second African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA) Conference under the theme: Promoting Financial Sectors with increased investments in agriculture.

He also observed that between 2 and 3 billion people worldwide, are excluded from having access to financial services, despite consensus on the importance of financial inclusion as a poverty alleviation tool.

Mr. Magande said the limited use of financial services in developing countries, has become an international policy concern, because widespread financial exclusion was disadvantaging the poor people in low income brackets.

He said access to financial services for all was a key factor in development, because it contributed to economic growth and social safety nets that protect the vulnerable from adverse economic shocks.

He said Government recognized the importance of the financial sector in national development and would aim at establishing a financial system which would be stable, sound, market-based and in support of economic diversification and sustainable growth.

At the same function, Bank of Zambia Governor Caleb Fundanga said Government would strive to increase the level of financial services to 48 percent by the end of 2008 and 50 percent by 2009.

Mr. Fundanga said this was because a study called Finscope Supply-Side Survey conducted in 2007 revealed that bank charges were unaffordable for 90 percent of the rural adult population and banks had high interest rates.

The governor was however delighted to note that financial institutions in the country were rising up to the challenge of broadening the scope of their services and extending beyond traditional customers by including previously unbanked communities.

ENDS/AMM/PK/ZANIS.

UNZA re-opens

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The University of Zambia, (UNZA) which has been on recess for weeks will now re-open on September 29.

This follows a decision reached by the UNZA senate which recently met to resolve the matter.

UNZA Registrar Alvert Ng’andu said in a statement that the senate concluded that the environment at the University is conducive for learning.

He said all students should begin reporting to the institution Wednesday in readiness for resumption of normal academic activities on Monday.

The university was closed following student unrest to protest against striking lecturers and unionised staff.
[ZNBC]

Chilombo to stand in 2011

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Former Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister in the Chiluba regime Steven Chilombo says he will not stand in this years presidential elections due to logistical constraints.

Mr. Chilombo said he will stand in 2011 as a presidential candidate after launching his Trinity Christian party.

Mr. Chilombo has since advised Zambians as they go to the polls to  consider voting for a president who is God fearing in order to continue with the fight against corruption and poverty.

He urged all politicians to have a mandate that will improve the welfare of citizens through issue based politics and not politics of insults.

Mr. Chilombo said it is through politicians recognizing  the sovereignty of God, that they will be able to change their way of doing things  thereby  improving  the lives of the majority citizens .

Mr. Chilombo was speaking during a press briefing  in Lusaka today.

PF leader files in Nominations

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Patriotic Front Leader Michael Sata has successfully filed in his nomination as presidential candidate for the forthcoming presidential elections slated for October 30.

And the high court has dismissed with costs a court injunction by PF rebel Member of Parliament Savior Chishimba to restrain the PF leader from contesting the presidential by election.

Mr. Sata who was expected to file in his nomination around 09:00 hours was however delayed by the court injunction.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) officers commenced the filling in of nominations for the Mr. Sata after the injunction was dismissed around 11:00 hours.

And speaking to scores of jubilation PF cadres  that gathered at  the  Supreme court grounds after successfully filling in his nomination the PF leader urged the cadres not to succumb to provocation of any kind.

Mr. Sata who was flanked by his wife Dr. Christine Kaseba also called on the party membership to remain calm during the campaign and election period.

Meanwhile Mr. Sata has charged that Kasama central Member of Parliament Savior Chishimba connived with a named MP from another party and were allegedly paid 2 million dollars by two Europeans.

And there was jubilation among PF cadres that gathered at the Court grounds after PF Legal Chairperson Edgar Lungu announced the dismissal of the court injunction.

The cadres who gathered at the Supreme Court as early as 06:00 hours chanted PF slogans in solidarity with Mr. Sata until the PF leader emerged from the supreme court after successfully filling in his nomination.

Mr. Sata is the first presidential candidate to file in his nomination for the October 30th polls which was necessitated by the death of President Mwanawasa.

Other presidential candidates expected to file in their nominations are the ruling party’s candidate Rupiah Banda who is also Acting Republican President and opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Hakainde Hichilema.

PF Kasama Central MP Savior Chishimba yesterday sort a court injunction in the high court to restrain Mr. Sata from contesting the forthcoming polls on grounds that he had violated the party constitution because he had never been voted at a party convention.

The high court however dismissed the injunction arguing that the reasons given for the injunction were not clear.
ZANIS/CM/MK/ENDS

Court throws out Saviour Chishimba’s injunction

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The Lusaka High Court has dismissed an injunction which sought to stop Patriotic Front President, Michael Sata, from filing in his nomination papers on Tuesday, ahead of presidential elections.

After a four hour inter-party hearing, Judge Phillip Musonda, ordered that Mr. Sata should proceed to file in his nomination papers.

The court action against Mr. Sata, was taken by Kasama Member of Parliament, Saviour Chishimba.

The injunction application has been dismissed because it lacks merit and does not disclose sufficient reasons.

On Monday, Dr. Chishimba attempted to foil Mr. Sata’s scheduled filing in of nominations before the Supreme Court by applying for the injunction.
Dr. Chishimba argued that he has been disadvantaged as an interested person in the PF presidential candidature.
He claimed that Mr. sata contravened the PF constitution provision which stipulates the holding of a convention to elect the PF presidential candidate.
According to a statement of claim filed before the Lusaka High Court, the Patriotic Front has been in existence since 2001 but has never held a convention appointing anyone as PF presidential candidate.

Dr Chishimba also wanted an order restraining the Electoral Commission of Zambia from accepting Mr. Sata’s nomination papers until the matter was determined by the Lusaka High Court.

[ZNBC]

Court yet to determine PF injunction application

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Patriotic Front-PF- Leader, Michael Sata’s scheduled filing of Presidential nomination papers before Chief Justice, Enerst Sakala, suffered a set back, Tuesday morning.

The High Court is yet to determine an injunction application filed against Mr. Sata by his Kasama Member of Parliament, Saviour Chishimba.

Until this is done, Mr. Sata can not proceed to file his nomination papers.

Lusaka High Court Judge, Philip Musonda, was scheduled to deliver the ruling at 08:30 hours but is still locked in an inter-party hearing with lawyers representing Dr. Chishimba and Mr. Sata.

Mr. Sata was scheduled to file his nomination papers for the October 30 presidential election at 09:00 hours.

Dr. Chishimba is seeking an injunction to restrain Mr. Sata from filing his nomination papers arguing that he has been disadvantaged as an interested person in the PF presidential candidature.

He claims Mr. sata contravened the PF constitution provision which stipulates the holding of a convention to elect the PF presidential candidate.

And Mr. Sata’s lawyers, Bonaventure Mutale and Edgar Lungu, have filed a preliminary application to challenge Dr. Chishimba’s injunction application which they claim does not disclose the reason for the court action against their client.

The Lawyers also argue that the injunction application has not disclosed the capacity in which Mr. Sata has been sued.

Court hears PF injunction

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The Lusaka High Court has this morning been hearing an application for an injunction against Patriotic Front Leader, Michael Sata from filing in his nomination for the October 30 poll.

The injunction by PF Kasama member of parliament Xavier Chishimba said this is because no convention was held as per party constitution to appoint Mr. Sata to represent the opposition party.

Mr. Chishimba said he is also interested in contesting the Republican Presidency on the PF Ticket.

This is contained in an application filed in the Lusaka high Court Monday.

Dr. Chishimba contends that he is an interested and disadvantaged PF member who wanted to stand for the PF presidency.

He argues that Mr. Sata’s presidency in the PF is ultra vires to the party constitution that requires that the party holds a convention every five years but in vain.

Dr. Chishimba foiled Mr. Sata’s scheduled filing in of nominations before the Supreme Court by applying for an injunction against it.

The application for an injunction sent shock waves among angry Patriotic Front members who trooped to the Lusaka High Court and sang songs in solidarity of their party president.

Dr. Chishimba’s lawyer Mutakela Lisimba and Mr. Sata’s lawyers Bonaventure Mutale, and Edgar Lungu were locked for over two hours in chambers of a Lusaka High Court Judge.

According to a statement of claim filed before the Lusaka High Court, the Patriotic Front has been in existence since 2001 but has never held a convention appointing anyone as PF presidential candidate.

[ZNBC]

23 man delegation from Zambia Defence Service in Ethiopia

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A 23 man delegation from Zambian Defence Services Command and Staff College is in Ethiopia to learn and share experiences in the field of economic, social, culture and military.

Delegation Brigadier General Jeff Chisenga said his team had undertaken a 10 day study visit  to learn and share experiences  with government officials and other  dignitaries in that country.

The delegation is expected to visit various government ministries, the African Union, the Economic Commission for Africa and several other relevant institutions and is also expected to visit historical sites in other parts of Ethiopia.

First Secretary for Press at the Embassy Dorcas Chileshe told ZANIS in a statement that the delegation leader made the disclosure when his team paid  a courtesy call at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia.

And Acting Head of Mission at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia Patrick Ngoma commended the Defence and Security forces of Zambia for maintaining a high level of peace during the funeral of the late President Levy Mwanawasa.

Mr. Ngoma says Zambians living abroad deeply appreciated the peace and felt as secure as their counterparts at home due to order and clam that existed in the country.

Sata accuses FRA

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The opposition Patriotic Front-PF- has charged that the recent decision by the Food Reserve Agency-FRA- to increase the price of maize is political.

PF leader, Michael Sata, alleges that the move is aimed at winning support from farmers ahead of presidential elections scheduled for October 30.

Mr. Sata has accused the FRA of collaborating with government to disadvantage farmers who sold their maize at 45 thousand kwacha.

Government has increased the floor price of maize.

A 50 Kilogram bag of maize now costs K55,000.00 from K45,000.00

In a letter addressed to FRA Board Chairman, Costain Chilala and made available to ZNBC news, Mr. Sata said government should compensate all the farmers who sold their maize at K45,000.00.

Mr. Sata also said the decision to increase the price of maize will have an effect on the price of mealie meal in the country.
[ZNBC]

Traders need education on COMESA treaties

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Chipata Mayor Sinoya Mwale says the formalization of small scale trade among the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries will enable traders in the region to enjoy the benefits of free entry in other members through authorized channels.

Speaking at the launch of a two day sensitization workshop on COMESA Simplified Trade Regime today in Chipata, Mr. Mwale observed that a number of small scale traders were not enjoying the benefits of Free Trade Area (FTA) due to ignorance.

He stated that most people in the region were using unauthorized channels when conducting their trade in order to invade tax even when their goods would not be subject to tax.

“They are not aware about the limits of value on commodities that are subject to duty and prefer to use the crooked routes to evade tax,” he said.

Mr. Mwale said there was need to ensure that people that were engaged in trade were knowledgeable about the law in relation to their operations.

He stated that s Mwami border post in Eastern province was an important point for cross-border trade among  Malawi, Mozambique, Congo DR, Botswana, Tanzania  and other countries to the north of Zambia.

“People need to understand there are limitations on commodities that are subject to duty,” he said.

And speaking at the same function, COMESA-Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) Consultant, John Chirwa observed that cross-border trade, which is largely unrecorded, accounts for up to 35 per cent of the current value of formal trade.

Mr. Chirwa said that informal trade was not recorded among the products traded within the COMESA region.

He said there was need to educate traders on the COMESA trade protocols and treaties in order to establish trade centers in COMESA countries.

“This will enhance their businesses because they will have a clear understanding of international business and the FTA among COMESA countries which can help maximize their business which may lead to increased employment opportunities and increase the growth of the economy,” he said.

Mr. Chirwa said that the cost of doing business in Zambia was high due to the use of informal channels to conduct business and lack of an institutional voice to represent the traders in the Cross Border Traders Association (CBTA).

Meanwhile, Cross Border Trade Association of Zambia Chairman General, Celeste Mwanakis said Zambia could not benefit from the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime unless people have information pertaining to customs regulations and COMESA trade policies especially on the FTA.

Mr. Mwanakis has since appealed to local authorities to support accord the cross border traders in order to facilitate the smooth running of small scale Cross Border Trade.

ZANIS/HN/KSH/ENDS

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