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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

Ministry of Health donates Motor Vehicles

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The Ministry of Health, through National Malaria Control (NMC) Centre has given Chama District Health Management Team twelve Suzuki motor bikes worth K300 million for malaria control exercise in the district.

Chama District Director of Health, Mr. Nicholous Muyaba  told ZANIS in Chama that  the Suzuki motorbikes are  meant to strengthen malaria control programme in the district.

Mr. Muyaba disclosed that district office will only retain two, while the rest ten motorbikes will be sent to rural health centres.

The Beneficiary centres are  Pondo, Kambombo, Mulilo, Kanyelele, Chifunda, Chikwa, Chibale, Buli and Mapamba.

The Director added that two motorbikes at the  district office would be specially used for distribution of vaccines, logistics and monitoring of malaria programme in health centres and health neighborhood centres.

He said the criteria used to identify the beneficiary centres follow a survey conducted by National Malaria Control Centre, where malaria was identified as a prevalence disease in those areas.

Mr. Muyaba further disclosed that  the district has received over 170 bicycles from  Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)  and Care International worth millions of kwacha.

He said bicycles will be given to all twenty health facilities, neighbourhoods committees community health volunteers and community birth attendants in an effort to improve health delivery services at community level.
Lusaka Provincial administration has advised civil servants in the country to desist from engaging themselves in partisan politics.

Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Elijah Chisanga said public service workers have a mandate of implementing government policies and programs which they should ensure that they were accomplished.

Mr. Chisanga said as the country holds elections in the next few weeks, civil servants should ensure that government programs did not ground to a halt.

He said this in Lusaka today when he handed over two vehicles to Lusaka and Kafue administration offices.

The vehicles were purchased by the provincial administration at a cost of over K100 million.

Mr. Chisanga said the provincial administration purchased the two vehicles in order to enhance the monitoring and supervision of development projects in the province.

He noted that most district offices were unable to adequately monitor projects due to lack of transport.

And Acting Kafue District Commissioner, Henry Bowa assured that Mr. Chisanga that the vehicles would be put to good use.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Lusaka District Commissioner Christah Kalulu pledged to work hard and improve the living standards of Lusaka residents by implementing quality and cost effective projects.
ZANIS/RL/EML/MK/ENDS

UNIP to support RB

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The United National Independence Party- UNIP- says it will not participate in the October 30, Presidential by-election.

UNIP President, Tilyenji Kaunda, says his party will instead support Acting President, Rupiah Banda.

Mr. Kaunda told Journalists in Lusaka, Monday, that his party decided to back Mr. Banda because he is the only candidate who has principles that UNIP also believes in.

He said the decision to support Mr. Banda was not influenced by anyone but was taken based on principles.

Various opposition political parties have already endorsed the candidature of Mr Banda.

They include the United Liberal Party, All Peoples Congress and the Zambia Conservative Party among others.

Meanwhile, acting President, Rupiah Banda has urged residents of Kabompo, Zambezi and Chavuma districts in Northwestern province to cooperate with explorers from gas mining industries in the their areas.

Mr. Banda said exploration works would begin in the three districts in the next few week.

He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Kalombo Mwansa, at the Mbunda Liyoyelo traditional ceremony at Chief Chiyengele’s Kayombo traditional capital over the weekend.

Mr. Banda said people of Kabompo, Zambezi and Chavuma would soon see heavy earth moving mining equipment vehicles which would be used to explore gas and oil deposit sites.

He said the exploration would pave way for the setting up of gas and oil industries in the three districts if results come out positive.

He pleaded with the people in the three districts to exercise maximum cooperation with explorers and investors, adding that government has put in place provisions for the local communities to benefit from the industry.

Mr. Banda said the local people would benefit through infrastructure development in the districts once the industries were fully operational.

And Senior Chief Sikufele and Chieftainess Nyakulenga of Zambezi district pledged solidarity with Mr. Banda’s administration.

The traditional leader said all chiefs and their Indunas in the said districts were solidly united to support Mr. Banda in the October 30th presidential election.

He said the MMD government had successfully developed the Northwestern province hence the need to continue supporting it.

Chieftainess Nyakulenga said the people of Northwestern province would appear ungrateful if they did not vote for Mr. Banda in the light of the development of mines, explorations of gas and oil deposits and continued tarring of Mutanda Chavuma road which he said were economic drivers for wealth creation and poverty reduction.

ZANIS/MK/CMM/KSH/ENDS.

Government to reduce the price of fuel

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Government says there are possibilities that the price of fuel could be reduced by about one thousand kwacha.

Finance Minister, Ngandu Magande, also says there will be a further price cut on fuel following a reduction of oil prices by oil producers and exporting countries.

Mr. Magande however told ZNBC news in Livingstone, Monday, that this will depend on information gathered by a technical committee mandated to study possibilities of reducing the price of fuel.

The committee was formed after Acting president, Rupiah Banda, directed Mr. Magande and his Energy counterpart, Kenneth Konga, to find ways of reducing the cost of fuel.

Mr. Magande said government has not immediately reduced the prices of fuel because the country is still consuming old stocks.

Petrol costs about K9,700.00 per liter, while diesel sells about K8,400.00.

And Several Lusaka residents have welcomed the proposal by acting President, Rupiah Banda,aimed to reduce the price for fuel.

Residents talked to by ZNBC, Monday, said Zambia has the highest pump price for fuel in the region and any form of intervention is welcome.

One of the motorists, Victor Silungwe, said the reduction in fuel prices should not be politicised.

Mr. Silungwe said low fuel prices will reduce production and transport costs.

Another motorist, Edgar Ngoma, said reducing fuel prices will boost production in the country.

Government has appointed a team of experts to study how best to keep fuel prices low.

[ZNBC]

K231 billion not extravagant for elections- ECZ

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The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has insisted that the budgeted K231 billion for the forthcoming presidential elections is not extravagant.

ECZ director, Dan Kalale, has said the commission had been forced to use shortcuts in tendering procedures to procure election materials in readiness for the elections because of lack of time.

Speaking at The Post News Maker’s Forum in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Kalale said the K231 billion budget was justified because the presidential election would be labour-intensive.

Reacting to Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) president, Reuben Lifuka’s concerns that the budget was too high compared to the last tripartite elections, he said there were a lot of issues to be considered.

He said the budget, approved by the ministry of Finance and National Planning, took into account high fuel prices and increased conditions of service for civil servants who would be engaged to conduct the elections.

He said ECZ would engage about 70,000 people who would conduct elections and help in conflict resolution and voter education, which were all expensive ventures.

Mr Kalale said in this year’s presidential elections, few teachers would be engaged because most of them were found to have been partisan in the 2006 elections.

He said the ECZ was ready for the elections and would endeavour to perform to people’s expectations.

Mr Kalale said the commission was only worried about the arrival of election materials because only five weeks remained before elections and that materials were expected to be in the country at least two weeks before elections.

He said announcement of results would follow the 2006 pattern where urban centres would be announced earlier than rural polling centres.

He also said the conflict resolution committee was currently sitting to determine allegations against acting president Banda in line with the Electoral Code of Conduct.

In his presentation, Mr Lifuka said people were wondering why the budget for the presidential elections seemed higher than the one for general elections two years ago.

He said it was clear that all stakeholders were not ready for the presidential elections and that a good number of people would not vote because there was no continuous voter registration.

He said even the civil society was not ready for the elections and that they had to adjust their programmes in order to accommodate the elections.

At the same discussion Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP) president, Stanley M’hango, said that his organisation was ready for elections and was in the process of submitting names of its agents to the ECZ.

Mr M’hango said FODEP expected free and fair elections because electoral disputes were not good for democratic stability of any country.

Times of Zambia

It will be hard for an opposition party to govern, Mulongoti

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MMD chairman for elections, Mike Mulongoti, has cautioned the electorate against voting for an opposition party in October 30 polls because it will be difficult for an opposition party to govern because of their numbers in Parliament.

Mr Mulongoti told a campaign rally in Chief Kopa’s area in Mpika that the number of MMD members in parliament would render it difficult for any other government to operate.

Mr Mulongoti, who accompanied acting President, Rupiah Banda, to Northern Province where he attended Ukusefya Pa Ng’wena traditional ceremony, was also in the area to drum up support for the MMD parliamentary candidate, Judith Kapijimpanga, for the Kanchibiya by- election slated for October 14.

He said if such a government introduced bills that were at variance with MMD policies, the bills would not be supported and might lead to dissolution of Parliament.

Mr Mulongoti told the gathering that opposition leaders should not cheat them that once voted into Government, they would automatically assume control of power as their numbers together still fell short of the MMD majority.

He said even if the Patriotic Front and the United Party for National Development put their members of Parliament together, it would still be difficult for them to pass laws.

Mr Mulongoti called on the people of Kanchibiya to vote for Ms Kapijimpanga because she had experience in the House and in Government and most importantly because she hailed from the same area and understood their problems.

Speaking earlier, MMD spokesman, Bennie Tetamashimba, reminded the people that most development work being done in the area was initiated before the 2006 election when Ms Kapijimpanga was MP, which showed that she was a hard-working MP.

MMD national chairman, Michael Mabenga, also urged the people to vote for Ms Kapijimpanga by giving an analogy of one child from a household and another from the neighbourhood.

[Times of Zambia]

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