The Zambian government has signed a K15 billion financial agreement with the Japanese government for the ground water development project in Luapula province.

The project would be undertaken in three phases covering a period of two years and would be conducted in all the seven districts of Luapula.

It will be funded by the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Joel Ngo and Director for the Department of Housing and Infrastructure, Peter Lubambo signed on behalf of the Zambian government in Tokyo, Japan last evening.

This is according to a statement released to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka today by the Zambian Embassy in Japan.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan, Godfrey Simasiku and the acting Head of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, Etambuyu Siwale.

Mr. Ngo hailed the Japanese government for the continued friendship and support in various sectors of the Zambian economy.

He said his ministry would work and support the project contractors, Nissaku and the consultant, Japan Techno to ensure that it was successfully completed.

Mr. Ngo expressed hope that improved and safe water supply would help reduce waterborne diseases such as river blindness among others in Luapula province.

The signing agreement follows successful negotiations that started in July this year.

Luapula province joins other provinces such as Western in benefiting from similar programmes.

In mid October this year, the contractor is expected to move on site and start drilling and equipping 200 boreholes.

The project will also include the establishment of operations and maintenance of systems in all the seven districts.

The seven districts of Luapula province are Mansa, Nchelenge, Samfya, Kawambwa, Mwense, Chiengi, and Milenge.

ZANIS/YK/KSH/ENDS.

The Communication Authority of Zambia (CAZ) will soon start disbursing over K14 billion rural telecommunication funds to all the 72 districts of the country.

CAZ Director for Economic Regulations, Susan Mulikita, said the disbursement of the rural telecommunication funds will step-up CAZ efforts of enhancing Information Communication Technology (ICTs) services in all the areas of the country.

Mrs. Mulikita said this today at the media forum organised by the Communications Authority of Zambia in Lusaka.

She said the disbursement of the funds will also encourage local entrepreneurs to set-up telecommunication businesses especially in rural areas to help enhance the growth of the ICT sector in the country.

Mrs. Mulikita further said the introduction of the rural telecommunication funds will also have various incentives that will empower people in rural areas to set-up ICT businesses and encourage ICT operators to effectively grow their business.

She disclosed that the Communications Authority of Zambia Board has already allowed the authority to start disbursing the funds in order to facilitate the growth of the ICT sector in the country.

ZANIS/TK/KSH/ENDS

Zambia has called for international support in its quest to become a middle income country by 2030.

Lands minister Bradford Machila said Foreign Direct Investment ( FDI )inflows were one of the ways the international community could assist Zambia achieve its feat in accordance to the 2030 vision.

He said the FDI would assist Zambia in develop its human resource availability and eventual infrastructure Development.

Mr Machila was speaking at the 63rd regular session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States ,Tuesday.

This is according to a statement released to ZANIS from Zambian mission in U.S.A, signed by first Secretary Moses Walibuta.

This was during a high level meeting on Africa’s Development Needs in united States of America.

Mr Machila noted that recent improved performance in commodity prices has contributed to positive growth of most of the African countries like Zambia, which has an average grown of 5.5 percent annually in recent years.

The minister further noted that positive growth is yet to be translated into poverty reduction and improved social –economic welfare for the majority of the population as the poverty levels remained high mainly because of low investment in key sectors .

He said Zambia was particularly concerned about the rising world food and oil prices he said was threatening the country vision of becoming a middle income country by 2030.

He noted that the recent price increases in oil and food now threatens Zambia’s positive economic gains.

Mr Machila pointed out that most Africa countries will not be able to achieve the set goals with out stepped up efforts at both national and international levels.

He however noted that the implementation of most commitments under the international agreed development Goals and targets.

And speaking earlier united Nations secretary General Ban-Ki-moon said the cost of solving the food crisis , addressing global warning and pulling millions out of extreme poverty in Africa looked like good value.

Mr ki-Moon apple ad to all donors to implement the 2005 Gleneogles Summit pledge to more than double aid to Africa.

He noted the need to improve maternal health ,slowest –moving MDG and make sure every child has access to free primary education .

Mr Ki-moon told the many head of state and government at the meeting that it was important and critical in preparations for high –level meeting on the MDG.

ZANIS/AH/ENDS/MM

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

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.