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Govt to Increase subsidy on Farming Inputs

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Government will this year further subsidise the farming inputs from the current 60% under the Fertiizer Support Programme (FSP).

Vice president Rupiah Banda disclosed this on arrival in Katete, Eastern province today.

He is in the area to drum up support for MMD candidate Reuben Banda in the Milanzi constituency by-elections billed for 26th of this month.

Mr Banda said government will further subsidise the farming inputs and also improve the crop marketing system in order to improve the agriculture sector.

The vice president expressed satisfaction at the support the MMD has recived from the people of Milanzi and was optimistic the the party will emerge victorious in the by election which arose following the death of incumbent MP Chosani Njobvu in March this year.

He noted that the MMD government has implemented several development projects in the constituency such as rehabilitation of roads, bridges and construction of schools and clinics which the people of Milanzi have appreciated.

Meanwhile, MMD deputy National Secretary Geofrey Kaande has said the ruling party is a waging an issue-based and non-violent campaign in the Milanzi by-election.

Mr Kaande urged other contestants to do the same.

Other candidates contesting the seat are UPND’s Chimwala Phiri, Francis Phiri for FDD, Peter Phiri for PF, APC’s Stephen Phiri and UNIP’s Ahmed Randera.

The Vice President arrived in Katete around 13.00 hours and will be in Katete until Sunday.

Govt still don’t Know the Whereabouts of Chungu

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The government says it has yet to establish the country in which fugitive former intelligence chief – Xavier Chungu is.

Attorney General, Mumba Malila told ZNBC news that this is why the former spy-master has not been brought back to face charges.

However, the Attorney General said government has made significant progress in recovering plundered resources from former Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States Attan Shansonga.

Mr. Malila said significant progress has also been made in recovering resources from his accomplices cited in the plunder of national resources.

He said it has been difficult to extradite Mr. Shansonga from United Kingdom – UK where he has taken refugee because Zambia and the UK do not have an extradiction treaty.

On extraditing the former former Intelligence Chief, Mr. Malila said once it is established that he is in a country that has an extradiction treaty with Zambia, Mr. Chungu will be brought back.

Mr. Shansonga and Mr. Chungu fled the country a few years ago after being linked to plunder of national resources.

Parley Committee hails Multi Facility Economic Zone plans

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The Parliamentary Committee on Delegated Legislation says the establishment of the Lusaka Multi Facility Economic Zone in Lusaka South will bring development and create employment opportunities for most youths in the area.

The Committee has also commended Government for degazetting the Lusaka South Forest Reserve Number F26 earmarked for the establishment on the Multi Facility Economic Zone.

Parliamentary Committee on Delegated Legislation Chairperson Chishimba Kambili made the remarks and warned that Parliamentarians will not protect Squatters would encroach on the land saying people should start inculcating a culture of respecting existing laws that govern the acquisition of land in the country.

He said the Committee decided to undertake the Field visit to ensure that the proposed area is not occupied by people and whose development will not disadvantage the locals.

Forestry Department Senior Extension Officer jackson Mukosha assured the Committee that no one will be displaced as a result of the development.

Mr. Mukosha said that part of the Reserve was degazzetted between 1954 and 1956 for purposes of mining, refuse disposal, smallholdings, Lilayi aerodrome and for security reasons.

He said once developed, the area would also see the construction of a Lusaka Park in a bid to retain the forest status adding that the Central Business District of the town would also be decongested.

Zambian worried over safety of his relatives in SA

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A Zambian Citizen with relatives in South Africa has expressed worry over the safety of his relatives in that country.

Sydney Kayombo said since the attacks began in south Africa, he had failed to communicate with them.

Watching images on violence attacks on the internet, Mr Kayombo described the situation as pathetic and hoped that perpetrators would be condemned by all peace loving people.

In an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe today, Mr. Kayombo said Zambia had contributed to South Africa’s labour force in the 1900s and its struggle against apartheid.

He said people mainly from western and north western provinces were taken to work in the gold mines during that time.

He further said the brutality on foreigners shows that there was something wrong in the governance of that country.

Recently, hundreds of foreigners including some Zambians became victims of Xenophobic attacks in some South African townships.

The Zambian government says the number of Zambians who are homeless in South Africa following the xenophobic attacks in that country has risen to 149 from about 109 recorded on Friday last week.

Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha says Government is making arrangements through the Zambian High Commission in South Africa to facilitate the return of about 30 Zambians who have expressed interest in coming back.

General Shikapwasha said the xenophobic attacks in South Africa have continued to be a source of worry.

General Shikapwasha was speaking during the 24th Synod meeting of the United Church of Zambia, UCZ, in Kabwe recently.he church  to take an aggressive approach in dealing with issues that are robbing humankind of love and destroying lives.

Zambia Police dismisses brutality claims

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The Zambia Police Service has refuted media reports that Chawama police officers brutally assaulted Maxwell Mambwe.

In a Press Statement to ZANIS today Commissioner of Police Francis Kabonde said the service high command is appalled with the Monitor and Digest Newspaper’s latest edition’s lead story of Tuesday June 3 reading, “Police officers cripple suspect.”

Mr. Kabonde said Mambwe sustained the injuries at the hands of a mob justice after he and another man allegedly stole a car.

He explained that the suspect was only rescued by police officers who later took him to the University Teaching Hospital for treatment but later arrested and charged him with aggravated robbery which is not a bondable offence.

Mr. Kabonde said the matter is before the high court and any further discussion on the issue has potential to raise issues of contempt of court as the photos shown are part of court proceedings.

He wondered whose interest the paper is serving because such evidence should just be produced during the accussed’s defence when court resumes.

On June 3, 2008 the Monitor and Digest Newspaper carried a story saying police brutality has left the 23 year crippled.

Meanwhile, Police in Livingstone last Sunday arrested three dangerous criminals, three Zambians and a Zimbabwean national and recovered three AK 47 riffles with 47 rounds of ammunition.

Mr. Kabonde said the three named Zambians and their Zimbabwean counterpart have been linked to other serious offences in Livingstone and Kazungula area and will soon appear in court.

And three other dangerous bandits have been arrested by Police in Lusaka for different aggravated robbery cases committed in George and Chazanga compounds recently.

Mr. Kabonda said the Police service has intensified the motorised and foot patrols in residential areas in a quest to restore law and order.

Mr. Kabonde also disclosed that Police have in the last seven days realised K71.2 million from fines paid as admission of guilt with traffic highway patrol team leading with K18 million followed by Chilenje Police who raised K12.8 million.

Waived off Users Fees Triggers Increased Patients

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A recent draft report on user fees has revealed that the waiving off of user fees in Government health institutions has resulted in the immediate increase of patients seeking health services from Public health centres and institutions.

And the report has further disclosed that the move has also triggered drug shortages in most Government health centres.

Speaking in Lusaka today, Civil Society for Poverty Reduction Senior Consultant Dr John Milimo said the increased number of people visiting health centres has resulted into work overloads on the part of the health personnel whose numbers had remained stagnant.

Dr Milimo noted that the abolition of user fees has further resulted into loss of the main financial resource in Government institutions.  He added that there had also been loss of staff such as cleaners and security guards.

Meanwhile, Dr Milimo has urged Government to put in place extra remedial measures aimed at attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on health.

Dr Milimo said the attainment of the MDGs on health would not be realised because of the so many health requirements that needed to be worked on by Government and other stakeholders in an effort to achieve the MDGs by 2015.

He cited the adequate supply of drugs to respond effectively to increased demand on public health services, increased staffing levels at resource health centres to enable the health personnel attend to the skyrocketed population seeking health services as some of the necessary requirements needed for the realisation of the MDGs.

Others measures, Dr Milimo cited include the provision of an adequate budget to heath institutions, provision of transport such as ambulances to cater for patients who travel long distances.

Kalusha FIFA match Commissioner

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ZNBC Sports News reports that FIFA has appointed Football Association Zambia president, Kalusha Bwalya as match commissioner for the 2010 joint World and Africa cup qualifying match between Lesotho and Ghana.Kalusha said the match is scheduled to take place in Bloefontein, South Africa – Sunday.

He was speaking to ZNBC Sports news.

Kalusha who is 1988 African Footballer of year, is also a member of the FIFA technical and anti-doping committees.

And the Ghana national soccer team has arrived in Bloemfontein for their 2010 joint World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

Head coach Sellas Tetteh insists his side must win to keep up the spirit high after their qualifier’s opening game victory over Libya.

About 21 players instead of 22 made the trip with player Emmanuel Osei Bnahene dropped for reporting late before the Libya game.

[ZNBC]

Herve Has The Last Say On Mbesuma

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Collins Mbesuma’s days as king of Zambia are seemingly over after head coach Herve Renard today revealed that the fallen star striker must work very hard to gain a place in the team.

“He (Mbesuma) has to work very hard,” Renard said today upon arrival back in Lusaka from Ghana with Zambia where the team lost 1-0 to Togo in their opening 2010 World/Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier played on May 31 in Accra.

“I can’t promise Mbesuma anything, yes he has some problem with the weight and he has to be fit.”

Renard said he had also laid down the house rules to Mbesuma in Ghana after he was debriefed about the strikers training camp antics of late coming and excuses.

“I told him the past is not my problem, the future is my problem,” the Frenchman said.

Mbesuma, who has scored 11 competitive goals for Zambia since making his senior debut in 2003, trained with Zambia in Ghana last week after joining camp in Accra on May 27, failed to make Zambia’s final 18-man team for last Saturday game against Togo due to poor fitness.
The striker recently cut ties with Bursaspor of Turkey just a season gone into a three-year contract with the side.

Poor fitness due to a recurring knee injury coupled with weight problems saw the 24-year-old striker play less than four full matches with Bursaspor since joining the Turkish top-flight club from English FA Cup champions Portsmouth last August.

Mbesuma also failed to make Zambia’s final team for this years Africa Cup finals in Ghana due to poor form.

Meanwhile, Zambia regroup this Thursday in Lusaka to prepare for the June 15 away World/Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier against Swaziland in Mbabane.

Zambia to maintain SADC,COMESA membership

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Zambia says it will maintain its membership in both the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market For Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Commerce Permanent Secretary Davidson Chilipamushi disclosed this saying Zambia trades more with SADC but has also an interest in COMESA which has its headquarters in Zambia.

The Permanent Secretary however called for the harmonisation and rationalisation of the protocol of Regional Economic Communities (REC’s).

He noted that COMESA was set to come up with its Customs Union this year while SADC was first establishing the Free Trade Area and that the whole regional intergration package includes the completion of negotiations for the Customs Union in 2010, the Common Market by 2015, and the establishment of a monetary Union by 2016 and the regional central bank with a common currency by 2018.

At the same function during the 14th meeting of the Government Committee of Experts for Southern African briefing in Lusaka yesterday, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa- Southern Africa (ECA-SA) said there was need to deepen efforts aimed at promoting regional intergration in support of the African Union’s vision and priorities.

Economic Commission For Africa Southern Africa Director Jeninifer Kargbo said the ECA office was involved in assisting member states in montoring and assessing progress made in micro economic and institutional policy convergence , monetary and financial intergration as the region prepares for the Free Trade Area (FTA) and Customs Union (CU).

The ECA Southern Africa Director noted that the Southern African Region has presented an evaluation of progress towards the attainment of the FTA and CU in SADC and Common Market For Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)respectively.

She further noted there was need for countries to have an ultimate goal creation of one trading bloc to benefit the whole region. She added that countries would decide the prices as they get in the Customs Union Phase between now and 2010 as the harmonisation of the Regional Economic Communities REC’s is in process.

FAO injects US$335m into Zambia’s cassava production

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The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)has pumped about US$335 million into the Technical Cooperation Project aimed at promoting cassava production in Central and Luapula Provinces of Zambia.

The Italian government through FAO has also pumped in a further US$750 million for enhancing food security in cassava based systems in the two provinces.

Speaking yesterday during the official opening of a three-day Farm Business School Orientation workshop being conducted under the FAO supported project dubbed ”Enhancing food security in cassava based farming systems”, Luapula Province Acting Permanent Secretary Clement Siame said Government was happy with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for implementing a project aimed at improving the business opportunities for cassava farmers.

Mr Siame said Cassava farmers have not benefited much from the economic gains recorded in the country.

The FAO project aims at promoting profitable cassava production system, value addition to the crop and increased market access.

Mr Siame observed that the FAO project would increase incomes and improve the living standards of the small rural households in Luapula and Central provinces.

He said since cassava was mainly grown by small scale farmers, expanding its market would bring direct economic and social benefits to the farmers.

He added that training farmers in enhancing food security in cassava-based farming systems would go a long way in empowering them to an effective role in the market and cassava commercialisation.

The Acting PS further said that farm business school methodology would equip farmers with practical business skills.

Mr Siame also urged small scale farmers to advance beyond achieving household food security to improve incomes by saving and increasing investment in their farming business.

And speaking earlier at the same function, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MACO) National Project Coordinator for FAO, Alick Daka said about $335 million has been pumped into the Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) which is a two-year programme.

Mr Daka explained that this was under the integrated production and processing of cassava for increased food security and income generation.

He said another $750 million was received from the Italian government through FAO for enhancing food security in cassava based systems for Luapula and Central provinces.

Toyota Stakes over US$10m into Expansion Project in Zambia

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The famous motor company, Toyota Japan has committed over US$10 million to carry out an expansion project in Zambia that will include opening up plants in Solwezi and Livingstone in Northwestern and Southern Provinces respectively.

Toyata Japan plans to set up plants in Zambia for value addition, converting copper into cables that will be used for making motor vehicle parts and assembling full Toyota vehicles.

Speaking to ZANIS at the just ended TICAD 1V, in Yokohama, Japan, Commerce Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati disclosed in an interview with ZANIS that the US $ 10 million will go towards renovating the Toyota head office in Lusaka and opening up plants in Solwezi and Livingstone.

“ Toyota is expected to come and conduct some feasibility studies in the next one or two months, but in case they delay, Zambia will continue to prod and push until we see major companies from Japan coming to invest in Zambia,” noted Mr Mutati.

Mr Mutati said it will be easy to market Zambia to Japan and other investors worldwide once Toyota sets up plants in Zambia.

Mr Mutati explained that Zambia will soon reach a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with a Japanese company called Jethro to facilitate investment flow from Japan into Zambia.

Mr Mutati added that Jethro, which operates like Zambia Development Agency, (ZDA)will assist in the promotion of investment from the Japanese business community, provide technical assistance to ZDA and also provide technical assistance to producers and exporters so that they penetrate the Japanese market.

The Minister further said apart from Toyota Japan, Zambian government officials also met with Mitsubishi, who have promised to go beyond mining into value addition.

Another Japanese company that has plans of investing in Zambia is the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, JOGMEC, which hopes to assist the Zambian government by providing geological data in Oil and gas explorations for Japanese investors to come into Zambia.

Mr Mutati also disclosed that the Zambian government together with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is putting up a multi facility zone with the technical assistance from Malaysia in order to attract Japanese investors and other Asian countries.

He said the Zones will create an industrial base for value addition industry and hoped that the feasibility study will be ready by April next year.

During the TICAD 1V, Zambia’s Ministers of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Felix Mutati, Finance Minister Ngandu Magande, Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Sara Sayifwanda attended an investment forum where over 100 Japanese companies attended.

Among the issues discussed at the forum included the investment climate and incentives offered in Zambia, and the Japanese perception of risks in Zambia and Africa as a whole.

Crocodile kills girl six

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A six year old girl has been killed by a crocodile on Lake kariba at Sinalulongwe Fishing Village in Sinazongwe district.

Sinazongwe District Vice Chairperson Fisher Zimana named the deceased as Suzen kazunga who was caught by the crocodile while she was drawing water.

Mr. Zimana said the girl went to draw water with her mother and other family members.

He said when they reached at the Lake some children started swimming in lake while the mother to the deceased was washing plates.

The Vice Chairperson explained that as the girl decided to draw water in a five litre container the crocodile swallowed her.

“The mother tried to rescue the daughter but she failed and went to go and tell the husband, and the following day they only found a leg and a hand floating,” Mr. Zimana said.

He noted that the girl was allegedly caught by the crocodile because of the lack of a borehole at the fishing camp.

The Vice Chairperson expressed worry at the high incidents of crocodiles which were killing people in the district.

He warned parents against sending their children to draw water on Lake Kariba.

Mr. Zimana has made a passionate appeale to Zambia World Life Authority (ZAWA) to crop the reptiles that have become a danger to the people living along Lake Kariba in the district.

In March a family of three people including a pregnant woman was killed by a crocodile in Chiyabi area.

Mr. Zimana said a crocodile jumped into the canoe where the family was in at Jongolo stream, grabbed the woman’s arm, killing one in the process two people died at Maamba Hospital.

[ZANIS]

Weekend Scorecard

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2010 World/Africa Cup Group 11 Qualifiers

31/05/2008

Accra, Ghana

Togo 1(Olufade Adekanmi 16″)- Zambia 0
FAZ Premier League

31/05/2008

Week 11

Zesco United  1(Jonas Sakuwaha 74′ pen)- Zanaco 1(Kennedy Nkethani 77″ pen)

Lusaka Dynamos 0 –  City of Lusaka 0

Nkwazi  0 –  Red Arrows 0

Young Arrows  2 (Abraham Mwamba 2″, Chomba Ngandu 41″)-Nchanga Rangers 1(Stephen Sakala 68″)

Konkola Blades   1(Chileshe Kabwe 52″)-Nkana 1(Allen Mukuka 90″)

Power Dynamos 1(Francis Kombe 25″) –  Roan United 0

Green Buffaloes  2( Christopher Kayebe 33″, Maxwell Mulenga 73″) –  Green Eagles 1(Kebby Hachipuka 68″)

Kabwe Warriors   2(Joseph Bwalya 7″, Ackson Kabamba 43″)     –  Chambishi 1(Richard Masumba 68″)

Top Scorers

After games Played 31/05/2008

LEAGUE, INTL & CUP:

Roger Kola (Zanaco): 8

Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors): 7

Reuben Tembo (Green Buffaloes):6

Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos): 6

Obrey Zulu (Green Eagles): 5
Mathew Macha (Nchanga Rangers): 5

Chileshe Kabwe (Konkola Blades): 4
Kruger Mwansa (Young Arrows) : 4
FAZ Division 1

01/06/2008

North

Week 12

Afrisports 0- Chindwin 0

Kitwe United 0- Forest Rangers 2

Medical Stars 1- Kalewa 2

Muchindu 1- Mufulira Blackpool 1

Mining Rangers 2- Zamtel 2

Prisons Leopards 1- Indeni 0

Tazara Express 1- Mufulira Wanderers 1

Ndola United 3- Lime Hotspurs 1

South

Week 14

Builders Brigade 1- Lusaka City Council 0

Chilanga Heroes 2- Young Buffaloes 1

Livingstone Pirates 1- Mazabuka United 0

Lusaka Celtic 1- Kambuku 1

Nakambala Leopards 1- Kalomo Jetters 0

Petauke United 1- Zamcoal Diggers  0

Profund Warriors 1- National Assembly 0

Young Green Eagles 2- Riflemen 1

Lusaka Tigers-1 Nampundwe 2

Editor’s Note: Content corrected

Chingola-Solwezi rail still alive

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The government is ready to start the construction of the railway line from Chingola to Solwezi to link Zambia to Angola.

Communications Minister, Dora Syliya said the government will start the project when a viable private company comes on bound.

She was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka.

Ms. Syliya said the decision to revoke the permit granted to North-West Railway company was done in the public interest.

She said the company did not start work despite being given a permit three years ago.

Meanwhile Mrs. Syliya said Railways System of Zambia has pledged to invest $30 million in infrastructure rehabilitation.

She said the move will improve the company’s operations and passenger safety.
[ZNBC]

Destitution among retirees worry Govt

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A senior government official in Nchelenge district has bemoaned the high levels of destitution among retirees.

District Administrative Officer (DAO) Elvis Nsamba says government is concerned at the high levels of destitution among the retirees after immediately upon leaving active service due to lack of planning ahead of retirement .

And Mr. Nsamba has said government is committed to empowering through the Citizens Economic Empowerment, CEEC.

Mr. Nsamba said this when he officially opened a one day FUTURE SEARCH meeting held at the Fisheries training centre in Nchelenge over the week-end.

He said government is concerned at the high destitution levels among retirees soon after leaving employment.

He said it is for this reason that government has deliberately put in place strategies like the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund and urged members of the community to organise themselves in order to benefit from the scheme.

Mr Nsamba said government through FUTURE SEARCH has also embarked on a programme to empower citizens with entrepreneurship skills to enable them run their small scale businesses viably.

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