The Medical team attending to Republic President Dr. Levy Mwanawasa is encouraged and satisfied with the current status of his condition which has remained stable for the last two days.

Vice President Rupiah Banda said in a media statement posted on the State house web site today that President Mwanawasa has continued to receive medical treatment at the Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France.

And Copperbelt Provincial Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima has said Republican President Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa is recovering satisfactorily from his illness in France.

Mr Mbulakulima said this during President Mwanawasa’s intercessory prayers organised by youths in Ndola at Lowenthal Theatre Hall this evening.

“This is a joyous day because our President is recovering and recovering satisfactorily,” he said.

The Minister said he was happy to superintend on Copperbelt Province because its people were united and had shown the unity during this period when the head of state was sick

The Minister, who thanked the youths in the district for organising the prayer meeting, encouraged Copperbelt residents to remain united because the province was the back bone of the country’s economy.

Mr Mbulakulima said he was optimistic that the President was going to come and that everyone would be at the Airport to receive him.

He said the Dr Mwanawasa had strong leadership attributes, which even the region, had seen and were now benefiting from.

And speaking earlier Copperbelt Deputy Permanent Secretary Christopher Mutembo said the fact that Zambia had been declared a Christian nation should comfort people because Jesus Christ dwelled in the country.

Mr. Mutembo urged the youth to pray to God so that the works of the enemy could be shamed.

He further called on the youths to pray for the first lady Mrs. Maureen Mwanawasa and the entire first family at this trying time.

And in his comforting message, Apostle Chilanji Shinkolo of Crown of Fire Ministries, said that it was heavenly legal for people to pray for their Kings in this case the Republican President.

The apostle said when people pray situations change and that God was able to remove dark crowds and bring on healing which the country was crying for at the moment.

He encouraged people to pray and intercede for the President so that he could come home to continue his good leadership.

The intercessory prayer meeting attracted youths from all high schools and basic schools in Ndola, church organisations, non-governmental organisations, youth groups and political parties.

ZANIS/PC/MK/ENDS

NAKONDE residents in Northern Province have welcomed the announcement by the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) to broadcast live its deliberations.

One of the residents, Miriam Mumbi said the move by NCC to broadcast its deliberations is a step in the right direction.

Mumbi said it is important that members of the public follow the deliberations of NCC.

Mumbi however, expressed disappointment over the poor radio and television reception in Nakonde district.

She said there was an urgent need by government especially the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS) to assist the national broadcaster to improve its radio and television reception.

Mumbi said information was power adding that people in the countryside would like to contribute to the development of the country by making informed decision but were failing to do that due to lack of information.

Mumbi said NCC should also help Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation [ZNBC] which has the largest audience to improve on its reception so as to enable follow the deliberations of NCC.

She lamented that people were keen to follow the happenings in the country through the national broadcaster but were failing to follow such events properly due to poor radio and television reception.

And Baptist Fellowship of Zambia [BFZ] Home missionary John Mulalika has said the move by NCC to broadcast its deliberations was welcome but the national broadcaster, ZNBC should also improve on its radio and television reception.

“People want to follow the deliberations of NCC but will not be able to follow that due poor radio and television reception of the national broadcaster,” he said.

NCC secretary Nuton Nguni announced yesterday that NCC would broadcast its deliberations on both ZNBC radio and television.

ENDS/ JM/ AM/ZANIS

The list of MMD members condemning MMD Party Spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba for his remarks on succession has started growing. The MMD Youths in Luanshya have called for his resignation over his succession utterances.

MMD District Youth Treasurer Paul Chiwaya told ZANIS in an interview that such utterances were unacceptable and irresponsible.

Mr. Chiwaya said the remarks are from a desperate and power-hungry man who has no heart for the President and the party.

He said that it was unfortunate that when most Zambians, including those from the opposition, were praying for the quick recovery of Dr. Mwanawasa, Mr. Tetamashimba is more concerned about succession issues.

Mr. Chiwaya said the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) should find a way of stopping such over- zealous members from issuing such statements to the press.

He has since appealed to all peace-loving Zambians to continue praying for the speedy recovery of Dr. Mwanawasa.

And the MMD in Kasama Central in Northern Province has added its voice in condemning the statement issued by Mr. Tentamashimba.

MMD Kasama Central Constituency chairperson Nathan Ilunga told ZANIS that Mr. Tetamashimba’s statement should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves as it is outrageous.

Mr. Ilunga accused Mr. Tetamashimba of being irresponsible and appealed to the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to find ways of restraining him before he causes confusion in the party.

He charged that there was no difference between Mr. Tentamashimba and Malone Zaza who erroneously tipped a South African Radio Station that President Mwanawasa had died.

Mr. Ilunga said the MMD convention will choose the successor to President Mwanawasa at an appropriate time.

The MMD constituency chairman has since appealed to all well-meaning party members to continue praying for the quick recovery of President Mwanawasa so that he can come and resume his normal duties.

And in Mazabuka, the ruling party in the district has since called on Mr. Tentamashimba to unreservedly apologize to the party, the nation and to President Mwanawasa.

District party chairman Trywell Himoonga told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that Mr. Tentamashimba’s remarks are highly provocative and ill-conceived.

Mr. Himoonga charged that Mr. Tentamashimba should not be talking about succession when the entire nation is pre-occupied with praying for the quick recovery of the President.

He urged the party National Executive Committee (NEC) to act with a sense of urgency and take necessary action against Mr. Tentamashimba for issuing a statement that borders on dividing the party and misleading the public on the gravity of the ailment of the President.

Mr. Himoonga said people are bound to think that the President will never function hence the party’s desire to replace him.

He said MMD will have difficulties to convince people in villages that the President is well due to such irresponsible utterances.

And speaking to Daily Mail yesterday, MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba said President Mwanawasa had already initiated a constitutional process to change the party leadership.“As far as leadership change is concerned, President Mwanawasa has already initiated a constitutional process which demands that elections will start at the levels of branches, wards, constituency, district, provincial before the national convention.

ENDS/HC/AM/ZANIS