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Zambia still stable – Rupiah

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Government has assured Zambians, investors and the international community that the country has remained peaceful, secure and stable despite the demise of President Levy Mwanawasa last month.

Acting President, Rupiah Banda said Tuesday evening that Zambians were orderly and peaceful people saying the country remained stable and secure for business and political activities.

Mr. Banda said this in his state of the nation address on ZNBC radio and television broadcast after the funeral of late President Levy Mwanawasa.

“I realize that the passing on of our republican President could have created uncertainty, fears, and anxieties in the political, economic and social circles.

” In this vein, I assure the people of Zambia, investors and the international community at large that Zambia remains peaceful, secure and stable,” he said.

He said the manner in which Zambians mourned their late President was a demonstration of the respect that they and government have for the departed late President.

He said the late Dr. Mwanawasa’s desire was to leave a legacy of the rule of law, self sufficient in food production, increased employment, economic empowerment and stability of the nation.

Mr. Banda said the late Dr. Mwanawasa provided leadership in transparency, accountability, zero tolerance for corruption, and prudent use of resources.

“To honour our late President, we need to follow the ideals and principles he stood for,” he appealed.

The Acting President said government would continue with the same economic policies pursued by the late President, adding that all contractual obligations entered into between the Zambian government and second or third parties would remain enforceable.

He said the rule of law would continue to be the pillar of the country’s governance system while peace and stability which the country has enjoyed for many years would be maintained.

“I therefore urge everyone to conduct their business activities normally with confidence and trust,” he said.

He added that human rights would remain critical in the country’s efforts to consolidate good governance and enhancement of the freedoms and rights of citizens.

On the media, Mr. Banda said government would continue providing a conducive policy, legal and institutional framework for the development of a free media.

“Government will therefore continue with the policy of liberalization of the media industry for continued private sector participation.

” In this respect, the review of media laws will continue until we find an appropriate media legislation that will further promote freedom of expression,” he said.

The acting President added that the ongoing constitution making process would be continued to its logical conclusion.

ZANIS/KSH./ENDS/MM

Togo Arrive For Big Match Date

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Togo arrived in Zambia 24 hours ahead of Wednesday’s crucial 2010 World/Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier against Zambia minus star striker Emmanuel Adebayor in tow.

Coach dismissed reports that Adebayor from English Premier League side Arsenal had  pulled out of the team at the last minute as the team prepared to leave for Zambia on Monday.

“It is not true that Adebayor will not be joining the team,” Camelio Akoussah said on Tuesday in Ndola upon arrival. ” He(Adebayor) will be coming this evening on a special fight.

“He did not come with us because he had some personal commitments.”

Meanwhile, there were a lot of disappointed faces at Ndola international airport as airport personnel and passengers gathered outside the international arrivals hall to catch a glimpse of the no-show Arsenal star.

Togo landed in Ndola at 16:45 on a Togolese presidential BAC 1-11 Jet  after a four-hour delay in their arrival.

Zambia and Togo face-off at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on Wednesday in a 14:00 kickoff.

Victory for 2nd placed Zambia over 3rd from top Togo would end the latter’s interest in the qualifiers for the 2010 World and Africa Cup finals to be hosed by South Africa and Angola respectively.

Zambia are on 4 points level with leaders Swaziland on the same number of points from three games while Togo is 3rd and  bottom on 3 points from two fixtures with a match in hand.

The group winner will qualify to the Angola finals and also advance to the final World Cup Africa zone qualifying pool stage.

Electricity master plan to come – Konga

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Government says the full implementation of the Rural Electrification master plan will commence next year and will require US$50 million.

Energy Minister Kenneth Konga said government is currently working with all stakeholders in the energy including cooperating partners to ensure the project is financed accordingly.

Mr. Konga said this during the aural question and answer session during parliamentary sittings which resumed today after it was adjourned indefinitely following the death of the late President Mwanawasa.

He said the government will implement the rural electrification master plan from 2008 to 2030 as envisaged and enshrined in the vision 2030 document.

He however said that government is currently experiencing challenges in raising funds for the project.

Mr. Konga added that government will provide most of the funding for the rural electrification project while cooperating partners will provide the shortfall.

And the energy minister has said government is also currently encouraging the use of other forms of energy to prevent deforestation.

Mr. Konga said among the alternative forms of energy being encouraged in rural areas that are distant from the national electricity grid are solar, biomass and wind energy among others in order to mitigate deforestation.

The energy minister has also disclosed that government has also embarked on feasibility studies to establish more hydro electric power stations for power generation.

Meanwhile parliament observed a minute of silence in honour of the late President Mwanawasa who died at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France where he was evacuated after suffering a stroke in Egypt where he had gone to attend the African Union (AU) Summit.

And speaker of the national assembly Amusa Mwanamwambwa urged the members of parliament to conduct business in the house solemnly in honour of President Mwanawasa.

Meanwhile Representative of Government Business in Parliament George Mpombo read the late Dr. Mwanawasa’s eulogy to the house after the aural and answers question session.

ZANIS/CM/ENDS/MM

Rupiah pays tribute to Zambians

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Acting President Rupiah Banda has paid glowing tribute to the Zambian people for their peacefulness and unity they exhibited during the funeral of late President Levy Mwanawasa.

Mr. Banda said Zambians accorded the late Dr. Mwanawasa a funeral and burial befitting a king.

He said the citizens demonstrated to the whole world their unity of purpose.

“Special tribute goes to the defence and security wings for a perfect execution of a programme of mourning that was incident free except for the enormous outpouring of emotion by all,” he said.

Mr. Banda said this in his address to the nation on the state of the nation on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) television and radio Tuesday evening to mark the end of the 21 day national mourning for the late Republican President.

He further thanked Egypt and France governments respectively for their support during the illness of the late President.

“Let me thank the government and people of Egypt for the exceptional support rendered at the time our President fell ill. The people of Zambia and their government are grateful to President Mubarak and the Egyptian people,” he said.

He further extended his appreciation to the people and government of France for the support during the illness and subsequent death of Dr. Mwanawasa.

“The people of Zambia are grateful to President Sarkozy for paying the medical bills and providing transport and other logistics of honour such as transporting the body of our late President to Zambia,” he said.

The acting President also thanked the Chinese government for dressing the burial site and providing an exceptional casket for the late Dr. Mwanawasa.

He also paid tribute to the international community, the local church leaders and their congregations for their spiritual, financial and material support during the late Dr. Mwanawasa’s funeral.

He said local church leaders did not only send messages of goodwill but also to God, an act he said that unified the country during the illness, death, national mourning and eventual burial of the late President.

“We are a peaceful country because we pray and believe in God,” he said, adding, “I ask our religious leaders to continue leading the country in prayer and faith because God has blessed our nation.”

Mr. Banda observed that the media played an important role in keeping the nation informed of during the state funeral.

“The various media organizations faithfully continued to conduct very well meaning programmes during the period of national mourning and allowed citizens to express themselves in a manner that was respectful and dignified,” he said.

Dr. Mwanawasa died at Percy Military hospital in France on August 19th, 2008 following a stroke he suffered on June 29th, 2008 while attending an African Union heads of state and government summit in Egypt.

The late President was buried on September 3rd, 2008 at Embassy Park in Lusaka after his body was taken to all provincial centers to accord thousands of Zambians chance to pay their last respects.

ZANIS/KSH/ENDS/MM.

Govt to continue late Levy’s vision

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Acting President Rupiah Banda has reiterated government’s commitment to continue with the late President Mwanawasa’s vision of national development, planning and economic management.

Mr. Banda said the late President’s administration reintroduced national development planning which has refocused on economic management.

He said this has so far led to the country recording tremendous economic progress.

Mr. Banda was speaking speaking during his national address on the state of the nation Tuesday evening on Zambia national Broadcasting Services radio and television after the death of Dr. Mwanawasa.

This was the first national address by an Acting President in the history of Zambia since attaining independence in 1964.

On the economy, Mr Banda said government would continue with the prudent fiscal and monetary policies for macro economic stability which have made the economy to register growth rates averaging five per cent and six per cent in the last two years.

“Low inflation has also been recorded with single digit levels attained for the first time in 30 years in 2006,” he said.

Mr. Banda added that government would continue to increase exports, which, together with the debt relief, have led to a substantial build up of foreign currency reserves which now stand at US$1.4 billion.

“This position has also contributed to a stable exchange rate thereby enhancing business and economic planning,” he said.

He said Zambia’s economic strides have been appreciated in the international financial circles to an extent that the country was now poised to have a sovereign credit rating for the first time ever.

On agriculture, Mr. Banda said government would continue to maintain adequate strategic food reserves to ensure national food security.

He noted that government has already increased supplementary funding to the fertilizer support programme (FSP) amounting to K 307 billion from the budgeted K 185 billion 2008.

He explained that this would allow for an increase in the number of targeted small scale farmers from 125,000 to 200,000, with an applicable subsidy increased to 75 per cent from 60 per cent.

“This measure is intended to cushion the impact of high fertilizer prices on targeted small scale farmers,” he said.

Mr. Banda further said government would continue development irrigation in the country while farming blocks for commercial agriculture would continue to be opened up.

On the mining sector, Mr. Banda said government would carry on with the same pace of developing the sector because it still remained to be the driver of the Zambian economy.

“I want, in this regard to assure both local and foreign investors that there will be no departure from the current policies and focus in the mining sector,” he said.

He said the mining companies have also reiterated commitment to continue their operations in Zambia.

Meanwhile, Mr. Banda has directed the Ministries of Finance and National Planning and that of Energy and Water Development to sit together and examine the possibilities of reducing the prices of fuel in Zambia.

He said oil prices on the international market were reducing hence the need to consider doing so at national level.

On Commerce and Trade, Mr. Banda said government would continue with all economic programmes that the late Dr. Mwanawasa’s administration had set.

He said tourism and public service management would continue being pursued as before.

“Following the tenet of collective responsibility, we shall continue to pursue all the policies and development programmes initiated by our late President,” he said.

He said Zambia’s development agenda would continue to be guided by the fifth National Development Plan within the context of the vision to become a prosperous middle income country by the year 2030.

“Let us all in unity and fortitude preserve the peace and stability that our country has continued to enjoy since independence. Let us together make our country a prosperous nation,” he said.

ZANIS /KSH /ENDS/MM

Presidential by-Elections set for October 30

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Acting President Rupiah Banda says the long awaited presidential by-elections would be held on Thursday, 30th October 2008.

Mr. Banda said government started preparing for the holding of the presidential by-elections immediately Dr. Mwanawasa died to meet the constitutional requirement.

Zambia’s seat of republican presidency fell vacant after the death of President Levy Mwanawasa on August 19th, 2008.

According to Article 38, section one (1) and section 20 of the Electoral Act No. 12 of 2006, presidential elections should be held within 90 days of the death of a sitting president.

“Therefore, I have the honour to announce that the programme of conducting presidential by-election has been finally established. The presidential by-elections shall therefore be held on Thursday, 30th October 2008,” he said.

He said the Electoral Commission has already commenced preparations to hold elections.

He said the forthcoming elections would require substantial financial resources.

“In this regard, government welcomes financial assistance from cooperating partners and well wishers,” he said.

Mr. Banda has since appealed to Zambians to remain calm, peaceful and united during the pre-election period and urged political parties to conduct issue based campaigns in a clean and dignified manner.

At least three political parties have indicated participation in the forthcoming presidential by-elections.

These are the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and two opposition parties, United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF).

The MMD has elected the Acting President, Mr. Banda as the presidential candidate while the UPND has fielded its leader, Hakainde Hichilema and the PF has chosen its president, Michael Sata for the presidential by-election.

Opposition United Liberal Party (ULP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) will not take part in the elections but would instead support the ruling MMD.

ZANIS/KSH/ENDS/MM

Printing Ballot papers abroad is a lame execuse-CEG

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Centre for Elections and Governance (CEG) Zambia says government will spend less money if  it consider printing ballot papers locally.

CEG Trustee Gershom Musonda  said printing  of the ballot papers can be done locally to cut down the costs as compared to have them printed in South Africa,

He said the statement by Works and Supply Minister Kapembwa Simbao that government printers cannot run ballot papers for the forth coming presidential by- elections  was not true.

Mr. Musonda  comments comes in the wake of  a story in one of the tabloid stating that the new speed master machine which was installed recently is not able to do the job because there is no color mixer.

He said the speed master can not lack a key component like a color mixer saying the statement is misleading the members of the public.

CEG trustee Gershom Musonda said this through a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Musonda said the fact that the machine is said not to be in good condition should not be used as an excuse to post pone the polls scheduled for November  as doing so  would be illegal.

He said Zambia police  is  in a position to monitor the printing process and distribution of the ballot papers to ensure there are no leakages.

ZANIS/VP/MK/ENDS

CEG advises PF to resolve internal wrangles

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The Center for Elections and Governance (CEG)  has urged the Patriotic Front (PF) to resolve the internal wrangles  so as to foster unity in the party.

CEG Trustee Gershom Musonda said PF should maintain unity as it is one of the major political parties which can offer an alternative government and help reduce poverty in the country.

Mr. Musonda noted that PF has also been consistent in providing checks and balances to the ruling MMD resulting in effective implementation of some projects initiated by the MMD under the leadership of the late President Mwanawasa

Mr. Musonda said this in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He said CEG it is concerned with the conflict within the party between its leader Michael Sata and some members of parliament who have been labeled as rebels for attending the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) .

Mr. Musonda said the MPs in question should instead reason with their leader in order to maintain party unity in view of the forth coming Presidential By-Elections.

He said the PF MPs should reciprocate and support the party they helped establish saying  supporters would not like to see a strong opposition party being weakened due to personal and internal differences.

Mr. Musonda has also urged the affected MPs to heed the call for reconciliation by PF spokesperson and Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda.

He also wondered why Mr. Sata and his MPs can not reconcile when the leader  had managed to reconcile with late  Dr Mwanawasa, a leader of another party.
ZANIS/CM/MK/ENDS

Zesco explains why 3 provinces had no power

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ZESCO Limited  has opened the 330 Kilovolt inter-connector between Zambia and Zimbabwe in order to protect the local power system from external disturbances.

ZESCO Senior Manager for Electro technical services Christopher Mubemba told Journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka today that the decision follows an external disturbance on the local system on 6th September resulting in the loss of power supply to Eastern, Northern and Lusaka provinces.

Mr. Mubemba said as a result of the disturbance two machines at Kariba North Bank power station tripped resulting in a loss of 360 mega watts.

He explained that the disturbance also resulted in the loss of transmission lines and distribution loads in Northern, Eastern and some parts of Lusaka and Southern provinces.

He noted that the opening of the inter-connectors entails that Zambia will now be required to carry the full power reserves to avoid national power blackouts.

Mr. Mubemba added that when interconnected ,the country’s  required reserve is half as the remaining half comes from Southern African Power Pool (SAPP)  region .

Mr. Mubemba however disclosed that the opening of the interconnectors also entails that there will be more load shedding in the country as a region as a whole has a power deficit particularly during peak demands.

The 330 KV interconnectors were opened yesterday and ZESCO will continue to monitor the situation so that the interconnectors are closed as soon as the situation improves.

Enforce ban on smoking in public- ZACA

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THE Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) has reiterated its call on  government to enact and regulate a comprehensive, effective and enforceable law on smoking in public places .

The organisation further said government should ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship in order to protect people from the devastating effects of tobacco consumption.
ZACA program manager Micheal Musenga said this would be the best way of protecting the current and future generations from devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to the usage of tobacco.
Mr.Musenga said that government must strengthen the national coordination by putting in place a national plan of action on tobacco control with a fully function secretariat if the present and future generations is to be protected.
Government  passed the statutory instrument number 39, local government regulations of the year 2008 on prohibiting smoking of tobacco in public places and statutory instrument number 63 under ministry of health regulations of 1992 on tobacco control.
Mr. Musenga said that such measures were providing protection from exposure to second hand tobacco smoke in indoor work places, public transport, indoor public places and any other appropriate public places.
Mr.Musenga  told ZANIS in a press statement in Monze  that  the enforcement of the law  would send a very clear message to the public that the Zambian government was committed to tobacco control.
“The enforcement of the law to ban smoking in public places would trigger an enforcement arena which would inevitably extend the enforcement of the comprehensive tobacco law once enacted,” he said..
He said that tobacco smoking had been a well established cause of a very significant number of deaths and disabilities the world over.
Mr.Musenga said that hundreds of thousands of people who had never smoked had been dying every year from diseases caused by breathing second hand tobacco smoke.
He explained that the effects of exposure to second hand tobacco smoke is irreversible and in most cases impacts appear  later in life such as cancer, chest diseases, heart diseases and other serious health conditions.
Mr.Musenga said that there was a strong link between advertisement and smoking in young people as tobacco companies were marketing their products wherever young consumers could easily be accessed  such as  movies, the internet, in fashion magazines, ceremonies and other functions.
He said that due to the strong link between advertisement and smoking,government must consider enacting a ban and regulating measures on advertising of tobacco, promotion and sponsorship.

Presidential candidates not Zambian- Kasuba

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A Lusaka based social development consultant David Kasuba has supported  the call not to hold  the presidential by-elections

In a statement released to ZANIS, Mr. Kasuba  based his arguments  on the  1996  constitution which he said  currently bars most of the presidential candidates.

He stated that  the supreme courts correct and authoritative interpretation of the parentage qualification clause introduced in 1996 to bar Dr. Kenneth Kaunda from the 1996 elections, has in fact disqualified all Zambian citizens born prior to 24th October 1964.

Mr. Kasuba said the current presidential candidates were not born in Zambia, legally speaking, because they were born before Zambia came into being.

Meanwhile an opposition political leader in Kafue has urged the MMD government not to forgo the presidential by-elections but allow the constitution of the country to give direction on the way forward following the demise of President Levy Mwanawasa.

FDD Provincial Information and Publicity Secretary James Musemuna told ZANIS in Kafue today that the government has the duty to protect and safeguard the constitution .

Mr. Musemuna said suggestions to forgo the presidential elections will set a bad precedence for the countryHe said it is important that elections are held so that the constitutional requirements are fulfilled.
Mr Musemuna stated that the issue of money should not arise as government always sets aside a supplementary budget and donors have already shown willingness to assist the country in holding the elections.

ZANIS/YS/MK/ENDS.

Don’t be tribal when voting, ZEC

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Chipata Diocese Bishop, George Lungu, has advised Zambians not to vote along regional and tribal lines in the forthcoming presidential bye-elections slated for November.

Bishop Lungu, who is also Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) Chairman, told ZANIS in an interview over the weekend that voters must be level-headed and not emotional when selecting the next president.

He said voting on tribal or regional lines will deny the country an opportunity to have a president who has a heart to serve the country.

Bishop Lungu said Zambians must vote for a patriotic leader who will show love and concern for the masses.

“We must not vote for a leader just because he is from our region or tribe. I urge all Christians and other people to be careful when voting because if we are not, then we will be in for it,” he said.

Bishop Lungu further said the clergy would not tolerate politicians who would want to use the church as a channel of gaining political mileage.

He said the church would not allow any politician to advance his political agenda through the church, which he said was not a campaigning ground.

He said the Catholic church would not take sides with any political party or candidate during the campaigns but would instead play its role of ensuring that the presidential bye-elections are free and fair through church arms such as CARITAS Zambia.

Bishop Lungu said Christians must pray to God so that the Holy Spirit could enlighten Zambians to vote for a selfless leader.

He called on politicians not to take advantage of the weak emotional state of Zambians in their campaigns but highlight real issues affecting ordinary citizens.

Bishop Lungu was in Chadiza over the weekend to commission 12 CARITAS members and 104 new Women’s Catholic league members.

ZANIS/HH/EML/KSH/ENDS

Mulongoti appointed as national campaign manager

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The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has appointed Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Mike Mulongoti as national campaign manager for Acting President, Rupiah Banda for the forthcoming presidential by-elections.

Mr. Mulongoti is also MMD chairman for elections.

The party has also appointed party chairman for information and publicity, Ben Tetamashimba as Mr. Banda’s election agent while party treasurer, Suresh Desai would be in charge of the finance committee of the national campaign committee.

MMD National Secretary Katele Kalumba said in a statement to ZANIS that Mr. Mbita Chitala would be in charge of administrative and logistical issues of the campaign.

Dr. Kalumba said this structure would be well coordinated between the campaign structures and organs in the party.

“I appeal to all our members and supporters to rise up to the occasion to give his honour, Mr. Rupiah Banda, MP, Acting President a landslide victory,” he said.

ZANIS/NS/KSH/END.

Govt. sends officers to Luangwa to kill stray dogs

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Government has sent a team of veterinary officers to Luangwa district where rabies has broken out.

Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Elijah Chisanga disclosed that the provincial administration has since spent K13 million in procuring vaccines and bullets to kill stray dogs.
Mr. Chisanga has since appealed to villagers in the district to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and warned that those who will shun the vaccination exercise risk having their dogs killed by state police.

He reiterated that government would endeavour to save human lives hence the decision by the provincial administration to dispatch a team of veterinary officers led by provincial veterinary officer, Alisheke Mutemwa to conduct the vaccination exercise that would to be done at the council offices.

Mr. Chisanga added that government was saddened by reports from Luangwa district which indicating that so far three people have died after being bitten by rabied  dogs.

Luangwa District Commissioner, Stanislaus Kalunga and outgoing Lusaka Province Veterinary Officer, Dr. Mutemwa confirmed the development in separate interviews with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Captain Kalunga further said Katondwe Mission area has recorded five cases of rabies and appealed to the residents in the area to remain calm as the government was doing everything possible to arrest the situation.

He commended government for coming to the aid of the district through the procurement of vaccines and provision of logistical support aimed at swiftly arresting the situation.

For sometime now, people in Luangwa district have been living in fear to go about their daily business for fear of stray dogs.
ZANIS/JT/CMM/KSH/ENDS.

High disease burden among children retards growth

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The Ministry of Health has observed that high disease burden among children in the sub-Saharan Africa was a barrier to economic growth of many countries in the region.

Minister of Health, Brian Chituwo said these barriers needed a serious development strategy which should help reduce the disease burden in the region.

Dr. Chituwo said many of the diseases which children face could be prevented by readily available and affordable vaccines.

He was speaking at the Peadiatric Bacteria Meningitis, rotavirus joint meeting and workshop on polio, measles and yellow fever laboratories in Lusaka today.

He said the Zambian government has considered the eradication and elimination of vaccine preventable diseases as an important factor in the healthy of children.

Dr. Chituwo emphasized the need to provide critical interventions to protect children from diseases through effective immunization services, coupled with effective case-based disease surveillance that is supported by quality laboratory pragrammes.

He said the latest demographic and health survey findings show that Zambia has recorded a significant reduction in the mortality rates though many challenges still remained.

Dr Chituwo noted that achieving the health related Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) was one of the greatest challenges in the international development which was still far from being achieved.

He pointed out that to achieve success in the MDGs, there was need for seriousness of purpose and political resolve by all countries.

Dr Chituwo has since called for an appreciable measure of support from high income to low income countries on a sustainable and well-targeted basis.

And WHO country representative, Olusegun Babaniyi said the global immunization partners have a vision that the world will benefit from integrated laboratory and programme monitoring network which was dedicated to optimizing the surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases.

Dr Babaniyi said the network would provide high quality information needed to measure the impact of vaccines and maximize their safer, effective and equitable use at country, regional and global levels.

He pointed out that this would enable countries in the region to eliminate the burden of vaccine –preventable diseases.

ZANIS/AH/KSH/END

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