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LEVY Committed to Fighting Developmental enemies

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PRESIDENT Levy Mwanawasa says he remains committed to fighting vices such as corruption that frustrate government’s efforts of improving the national economy.

Dr Mwanawasa said he will continue with the crusade against corruption in order to secure a stable environment for the implementation of developmental projects.

He said the crusade has helped the country regain investor confidence in various sectors of the economy especially in the mining sector, and increased donor aid in the education and health sectors.

In view of the prevailing environment for investments, Dr. Mwanawasa said government has embarked on mineral and oil exploration in selected parts of the country.

ZANIS reports that The President said government is spending substantive financial resources on exploiting natural resources for improved economic activities that are aimed at alleviating poverty.

Dr Mwanawasa further stated his return to active politics in 2001 was intended to improve transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

Meanwhile the president has called for the quick completion on rehabilitation of Kagoro basic school for which government released K19 Billion for the project.

He expressed concern with the slow pace at which rehabilitation works are going on at the school.

Dr Mwanawasa also expressed disappointment with Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) for wanting to insist on carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project when, the school has in fact existed since 1943.

He said the money that the ECZ expected the school to pay in form of study fees could be used for other projects at the school.

The president directed the minister of education professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa to ensure the quick completion of rehabilitation works at the school.

Dr Mwanawasa said his emphasize on free education to be compulsory for all children in the country was aimed at ensuring that all children receive better education as was the case in the past.

Dr. Mwanawasa who this afternoon completed his three day visit to Katete is tomorrow expected to attend the burial of vice president Rupiah Banda’s late mother Sara Zulu in Chipata and later return to Lusaka.

He was in Katete to drum up support for MMD parliamentary candidate Reuben Banda for tomorrow’s Milanzi Bye Election.

The Seat which is being contested By UPND, UNIP, ACP,PF and FDD fell vacant after the death of Chosani Njovu of UNIP.

ZANIS/HN/LN/SJK/MK/ENDS

Sinazongwe Community Accuse ZAMBEEF of exploiting them

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Chief Sinazongwe’s representative has charged that ZAMBEEF in the area is indirectly stealing from the community through fixing the cattle price below the market value.

Louis Manje said the community was worried with the price at which the company was buying their animals.

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Mr. Manje told ZANIS in an interview that ZAMBEEF was charging K8, 000 per kg for an animal that was weighing 130 kg while 131 kg and above was being pegged at K9, 000.

He said though ZAMBEEF was helping the people to have easy access to market, management should change its attitude to the community.

“ZAMBEEF management must have regard for people and should explain the criteria used to come up with different prices otherwise it is a diplomatic way of stealing from people,” Mr. Manje said.

Mweenda ward councilor Bernad Kalata has appealed to government to lift the ban on stock movement to enable people in Sinazongwe sell their animals at competitive prices.

Mr. Kalata stated people would be able to derive the value of their animals if they sold them at competitive prices.

He said the ban and severe hunger in the district was forcing people to sale their animals to ZAMBEEF at a low price for them to buy maize.

The councilor described the ZAMBEEF prices as inhuman and a punishment to people who have no where they could sale their animals.

He said most of them were waiting for government to lift the ban for them to start taking their animals to Lusaka where market was competitive.
ZANIS/TN/MK/END

Wednesday Zambian Football Update

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Herve Renard wants two friendly games for Zambia between now and September 5.

The Frenchman said he wanted one friendly next month before taking part in the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup and another on August 30 during the Fifa August friendly match-date window ahead of Zambia’s September World/Africa Cup qualifying date against Togo in Chililabombwe.

“We plan one camp in August and we hope to have one friendly to prepare against Togo when we have one FIFA date to use,” Renard said.

“We will have another friendly to prepare for the Cosafa Cup and we are waiting for the date (of the game) because it will be difficult because it will not be on a Fifa date.”

And Renard said he would call-up fringe foreign-based players for next months Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup training camp ahead of the mini-tournament in South Africa.

The Frenchman said he would like to observe as many fringe foreign-based as possible who have not had the opportunity to future for Zambia in the past during the July training camp.

“Maybe we will include one or two young players, I have seen one player from Israel Justin Zulu,” Renard said.

Meanwhile, the Zambia under-20 coach Oswald Mutapa has dropped six players from the 27 in camp preparing for Sundays 2009 Africa Youth Championship 1st round, 1st leg qualifier against Mauritius to be played at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.

The players were dropped today after the Under-20 teams 4-1 win over current Faz Premier League leaders Young Arrows in a training game at Nkoloma stadium played this morning.

The players are Innocent Mumba of Zesco United, Afrisports striker Ian Kafusha, Gift Sakuwaha of Chambishi and Hendrix Mumba from Shooting Stars.

Others are Roderick Siame from Konkola Blades and Nathan Chintu of Green Buffaloes.

The Under-20 team will on Thursday afternoon play City of Lusaka in another training game at Woodlands after which Mutapa is expected to name his final 18-man team for Sundays clash.

Rural Health Retention Scheme not a Reality,

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The Parliamentary Committee on Health and Social Welfare yesterday heard that the exodus of health workers from rural to urban areas would be solved by making the rural retention scheme a reality to benefit all health workers.

Presenting the current health situational analysis to the committee, Kasempa Clinic Health Director, Sikota Lutangu, attributed the exodus of health workers from Kasempa district to lack of retention incentives.

Mr. Lutangu said rural health centres have had many challenges in providing acceptable health care services to rural people because of the shortage of medical staff.

He observed that the retention scheme in rural areas has not impacted positively on the health workers, adding that the scheme was just on paper and not a reality.

He explained that health workers in the district have not been enjoying the conditions spelt out in the retention scheme.

“The challenges brought about by the exodus of health workers are many but the problem would be alleviated if the government incentives covered all the cadres at health centres”, he said.

Mr. Lutangu noted that most workers in the health sector were willing and ready to work in remote areas of Kasempa district if they were provided with incentives such as transport.

Mr. Lutangu said the health workers in the district have however, worked hard to bring down the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate to 8 per cent from the previous 15 per cent in the whole district.

He said among the many problems the clinic was faced with was the lack of a laboratory to test HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.

He said most of the people seeking VCT services were referred to Mukinge Mission Hospital.

He was speaking when a Parliamentary committee on Health and Social Welfare toured Kasempa main clinic and Mukinge Mission Hospital to establish challenges the health sector is faced with a rural areas.

Among the members of the committee that were in Kasempa, were Chikankata Member of Parliament (MP), Munji Habeenzu, who is the Chairperson for the committee, Ndundumwezi MP, Edgar Sing’ombe, MP for Mandevu, Jean Kapata, and MP for Chingola, Joseph Katema.

And Mukinge Mission Hospital Executive Director, Jairos Fumpa, attributed the shortage of health workers at the hospital to delay in processing the retention schemes.

Mr. Fumpa said no health worker has benefited from the rural retention scheme, adding that papers have been submitted to the government but no positive results have been realised.

He said the hospital was facing a critical shortage of health workers which has resulted in other members of staff working extra hours in order to provide quality health care services for the people of Kasempa and Mufumbwe district.

Mukinge Mission Hospital offers first level medical and surgical care to both Kasempa and Mufumbwe districts.

And speaking after touring the health centres, Committee Chairperson, Munji Habeenzu, assured the two directors that the problems their institutions were facing would be forwarded to relevant authorities.

ZANIS/SN/EML/KSH/ENDS.

NCC to adopt six committee reports by the end of this year

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The National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has planned to adopt reports of at least six committees by the end of this year.

The NCC divided its work into 11 committees, under which each article of the Mung’omba draft constitution, which is a term of reference, falls.

NCC Chairperson, Chifumu Banda, said at a press briefing in Lusaka today that so far, three committees have already concluded their deliberations on their terms of reference.

Mr. Banda said committees that have concluded deliberations on their terms of reference are the Citizenship committee, the Judicial Committee and the Public Service committee.

“The reports of these committees are being finalised by the secretariat. The members of these committees will be called again for a few days to come and approve these reports before presentation to the conference for deliberation and adoption,” Mr. Banda said.

He told journalists that three other committees have since been called to meet next month to deliberate on their terms of reference for 20 working days before parliament resumes sitting in August this year.

The three committees that would meet in July are the Democratic Governance, the Local Government and the Public Finance.

Mr. Banda explained that the NCC has planned to meet in September and August this year when parliament would be on recess to adopt the six reports of the committees.

“The NCC will meet to adopt six reports of the Citizenship committee, the Democratic Governance Committee, the Judicial Committee, the Local Government Committee, the Public Service Committee and the Public Finance Committee,” he said.

He said if everything worked according to the NCC schedule, the six reports should be considered before parliament resumes its business in November 2008.

He said the conference would from 1st December this year to early January 2009, call other committees to deliberate on their terms of reference.

“As you can see, we intend to adopt at the very least, reports of six committees. This means come next year, we will have only five committees or less to attend to,” he said.

Mr. Banda said after this, the conference would need six days in which to publish the initially adopted constitution to enable members of the public make comments on it.

“The adopted constitution will be translated in all major local languages and public discussions will be held on radio and television so that the people are fully involved,” he added.

The NCC Chairman explained that the NCC would after six days of publishing the initially adopted constitution, meet to consider comments from the public and then adopt the draft constitution.

“We intend to listen to the people very carefully. As you know NCC members are, by law, accountable to the Zambian people,” he said.

He further said after the draft constitution is adopted, the NCC members would decide whether to submit the entire draft constitution to the national referendum or to parliament for immediate enactment of those parts whose alteration would not require a national referendum.

He said if such parts of the constitution were submitted to parliament for immediate enactment, then those parts that required a national referendum would be submitted to the referendum.

Mr. Banda cited part III, which is the Bill of Rights, and Article 79 of the current constitution and other articles in the Mung’omba draft constitutions over which the NCC has failed to reach a decision as some of the parts that could require a national referendum before parliament enacts the final constitution.

He has since thanked individuals and government departments that sent officers to brief NCC members of committees on various important issues.

The NCC started sitting in December last year to deliberate, debate and finally adopt the draft Mung’omba constitution, which was a result of the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) that was created in 2003.

Over 400 people from different professions, occupations and careers form the NCC composition and are sitting on 11 committees which are deliberating the terms of reference of the Mung’omba draft constitution.

ENDS/KSH/AM/ZANIS

NCZ workers cause traffic jam on Kafue-Lusaka road

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Traffic on the Kafue-Lusaka road in Kafue today came to a standstill after scores of Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) workers and their families blocked the main road as they demonstrated demanding that government should immediately address their plight.

The workers, who were backed by retirees, school going children and women with babies wrapped on their backs, sat on the Kafue-Lusaka road at Kafue cemetery junction, causing a traffic jam, which lasted from around 09.00 hours to 16.00 hours.

The irate workers, who had just been addressed by Kafue District Acting Commissioner Henry Bowa, expressed dissatisfaction at what they were told in the morning and vowed to demonstrate until the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Sarah Sayifwanda addresses them.

The workers, who together with their wives and children, numbered over 300, sat on the road, much to the astonishment of motorists, who were forced to park their vehicles and waited for the situation to calm down.

A number of trucks and small vehicles that were blocked from proceeding in their respective directions formed a stretch of over 8 kilometres.

Drivers of the vehicles and other passengers were forced to get out of their vehicles to watch the demonstrating worker and families as polices officers watched and kept vigil to prevent the situation from degenerating into chaos.

Motorists talked to by ZANIS described the demonstration as an inconvenience to them because they were wasting their business hours by waiting for demonstrators to leave the road.

They said it was unfair for the workers to block road for a long time.

And addressing the workers in the late afternoon, Agriculture and Cooperative Minister Sarah Sayifwanda, pleaded with the workers to give her up to this Friday, to look for resources from relevant authorities to address their problems.

Mrs. Sayifwanda reiterated that NCZ was still a government ‘baby’ whose problems it was ready to solve.

She was accompanied by Lands Minister, Bradford Machila, who is Kafue area Member of Parliament and Agriculture Deputy Minister Daniel Kalenga.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Machila said that government would listen to the workers’ complaints hence Mrs. Sayifwanda’s efforts to travel to Kafue to address them.

He appealed to the workers to be calm as government was addressing the matter at cabinet level.

The workers however gave the minister of Agriculture up to Friday this week to dissolve the company board claiming that it was not accountable and transparent in the running of NCZ affairs.

They vowed to assemble at the District Commissioner as early as 05.00 hours to wait for her to address them on Friday.

Lusaka Province Police Commanding Officer, Greenwell Ng’uni, and other senior police officers were also present to providing to the minister and motorists with security.

ZANIS/BS/SC/KSH/ENDS

Japanese envoy urges Luapula people to grow rice

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apanese Ambassador to Zambia, Hideto Mitamura, has challenged farmers to take advantage of the vast water endowments in Luapula province and engage into large scale rice growing.

And Luapula provincial Minister, Crispin Musosha, has said despite the province possessing abundant water resources, most of the people lacked clean and safe drinking water.

Ambassador Mitamura said Luapula province had the potential of being a major food producer in Zambia if its water resource endowment were harnessed fully.

He noted that there were many rivers and swamps that could be utilised for rice growing activities, which could effectively contribute to the country’s economy and food security.

Mr. Mitamura, who is in Luapula province on a conducted tour of Japanese funded development projects, said this when he paid a courtesy call on Luapula province Minister Crispin Musosha today.

He said the people of Luapula province needed to take advantage of the fertile land and vast water resources to venture into rice growing by improving their agricultural activities.

”With the vast water resources that we have seen here, Luapula may just adopt a different kind of agriculture such as rice growing which is predominantly done in such areas in Japan,” Mitamura said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mitamura has commended the Zambia government for its good agriculture policy.

He said that the stance taken by government to improve the agriculture sector would greatly steer national food security and development.

The Japanese government is currently implementing two major projects in Luapula under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and participatory Village Development (PaViDIA).

The two projects are aimed at ground water development in rural areas which will see the sinking of 500 bores in Luapula and improved rural agricultural techniques for small scale farmers.

And Luapula province Minister, Crispin Musosha, has disclosed that only 17 per cent of the population in Luapula had access to safe and clear drinking water.

Mr. Musosha said according to the current living conditions monitoring survey report, out of the total population in the province, 49 per cent drunk water from unprotected wells whilst 36 percent drunk directly from the rivers.

He said the underground water development project by JICA would contribute to the rural water supply and sanitation in the province.

He commended Japan for both the JICA and Pavidia projects in Luapula province, adding that the projects would contribute to the achieving of Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) by the year 2015 in the province.

ZANIS/DN/SC/KSH/ENDS

State to Rural Roads across the country-Levy

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President Levy Mwanawasa says government is working on a programme aimed at improving the state of feeder roads across the country to secure improved productivity in the next farming season.

Dr. Mwanawasa said government has since procured road construction equipment worthy US$39.5 million which would be used to improve the state of road infrastructure, including feeder roads in the country.

He said government was aware of the extent of damage to road infrastructure caused by heavy rains in the last rain season.

He was speaking today at a public rally held at Kafumbwe High School grounds in Katete district to drum up support for the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) candidate, Rueben Banda for the June 26th 2008, Milanzi by-election.

Dr. Mwanawasa said government has worked hard to introduce good agricultural policies which have made it possible for the country to have a sound food security by producing enough maize for consumption.

He said government was also working to improve the livestock farming in Eastern province.

He disclosed that a centre for artificial insemination which would also manufacture animal disease vaccines was under construction in the province.

He said the artificial insemination centre to avail farmers an opportunity to improve their livestock breeds into quality and disease resistant animals.

And the President also said government has constructed many schools health centres in the province in general and Milanzi constituency in particular to improve the quality of life of the communities in this area.

Dr. Mwanawasa said a state of the art school at Kafumbwe has been constructed to help reduce illiteracy levels in the area.

He said government recognised that improved access to education would help government to effectively implement developmental programmes in all sectors of the economy.

He therefore expressed disappointment at the recent move by Kafumbwe High School pupils to riot and destroy infrastructure and school property recently.

Dr. Mwanawasa said the destruction of the school infrastructure was a frustration to government efforts of improving infrastructure in the education sector, which he said was a measure of providing quality education to Zambians.

He also regretted that the recent incident would send wrong signals to the donors that partnered with government to construct Kafumbwe High School in Milanzi constituency in Katete district.

“I was extremely frustrated when pupils at this school demonstrated and damaged property. And you expect government to repair the damaged when it is working hard to ensure that similar infrastructure is taken to other needy areas of the country,” he said.

Dr. Mwanawasa added that, “even the foreign country that helped fund the construction of this school will get frustrated because you the pupils are damaging the school hardly two years after it was constructed”.

He urged the pupils at the school to guard the infrastructure jealously because it has been put up to facilitate their easy access to education.

He has further urged the pupils to work very hard for them to meaningfully contribute to the country’s future development because they formed part of the future leadership.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mwanawasa has urged the electorate in Milanzi constituency to vote for the MMD in Thursday’s by-election in order to sustain ongoing implementation of projects in the area.

He cautioned them to be wary of false promises being given by some political parties which are promising to provide free fertilizer, which he said was not possible.

The President said the people should vote for the MMD because it was the party in government managing the national resources in an exemplary manner.

He warned them against experimenting with leadership because doing so could derail ongoing developmental programmes.

Earlier, Dr. Mwanawasa paid a courtesy call on paramount chief Kalonga-Gawa Undi of the Chewa people of Katete district in Eastern province.

The Milanzi seat, which fell vacant after the death of the UNIP Member of Parliament Chosani Njovu in April this year, is being contested by five candidates.

These are Mr. Banda of MMD, United National Independence Party’s (UNIP) Ahmed Randera, Chimwala Phiri of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Francis Banda of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), All People’s Congress’ (ACP) Stephen Phiri and Patriotic Front’s Peter Phiri.
ZANIS/SKJ/KSH/AM/ENDS

My Engagement is Legal-Danny Pule

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Clergyman and former government Minister Danny Pule whose recent marriage has hit headlines maintains his engagement is legal.

The Dunamis Christian Church leader’s third marriage to Tamara Mwape, is the centre of debate.

Dr. Pule said there is no legal marriage between him and his second wife, Leah Mulemba whom he married last year.

Briefing the media, Dr. Pule said his second marriage to Ms. Mulemba was not legally binding as it was done in a civil ceremony and no marriage certificate was issued to the couple.

Dr. Pule said this is because he got married to Ms. Mulemba before a divorce certificate from his first wife Janet was granted in the United States of Ameria.

He said his second marriage lasted for only three months because his wife became violent and uncontrollable.

Dr. Pule also said he is willing to undergo a DNA test to determine if he is the biological father of Ms. Mulemba’s baby girl.

Dr PULE said he is ready to take full responsibility for the child should the test prove so.

On Friday, Dr. Pule married Tamara Mwape, prompting his second wife Leah Mulemba to report him to police for bigamy claiming she is still legally married to him.

Grandstand: Gotta Herve Faith

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Herve Renard will welcome the one-and-half month respite after three forgettable competitive games so early as he closes in on 60 days in charge of the Zambia national team.

After two opening defeats, Saturday’s desperate 1-0 win over Swaziland eased some pressure on the Frenchman.

However, it left him with near chronic headache after witnessing his striker’s continued failure to score from open play in 270 minutes of play that was compensated by Christopher Katongo’s 85th minute winning goal from a dodgy penalty at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe last Saturday.

“Today we had a good result but we have to improve,” Renard said at the end of the game following his first competitive win-and at home for that matter-at Konkola.

One thing is certain, Zambia are absolutely toothless upfront and Renard has three weeks to surprises us with an ingenious attacking plan before his side take part in the Cosafa Cup in mid-July.

But on the bright side, midfielder Rainford Kalaba showed his best form this year in a Zambia jersey after some disinterested displays for both club and country over the last six months.

Kalaba meanwhile headed for Europe on Monday to begin his 4-year deal with Portuguese Supaliga club Sporting Braga.

If only he was more consistent this season what a breath of fresh air the tiny midfielder would bring to the long suffering Zambian fan.

One hopes to see a more refined Kalaba by the time Togo come visiting at Konkola on September 5.

However, promising teenage midfielder Stophira Sunzu failed to light up in his first game in his home town Chililabombwe and stuttered all the way to the 75th minute when he was replaced by James Chamanga.

Like Emmanuel Mayuka, Sunzu has until July 24 when the Cosafa Cup kicks off to reflect on what has been an uneventful last three competitive campaign for them under Renard.

Sadly there is very little Renard can do and has very little prime material at his disposal he can work with.

The only expected recalls for July’s international engagements are midfielder William Njobvu and Kennedy Mudenda after being over looked due to form and injury should the youngsters stay fit.

And Renard has also hinted that he was hoping to look at fringe foreign-based players for the Cosafa Cup as the Frenchman continues on mission almost possible.

Weekend Scorecard

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2010 World/Africa Cup Group 11 Qualifier

21/06/2008

Konkola Stadium, Chililabombwe

Zambia 1(Christopher Katongo 85″ pen)- Swaziland 0

Faz Premier League

22/06/2008

Week 13

Zesco United 3(Lottie Phiri 27″, Jonas Sakuwaha 67″ pen, John Chingangu 82″)- Nkwazi 0

City of Lusaka 0 – Nchanga Rangers 1 (Mathews Macha 61″)

Konkola Blades 1(Kabwe Mulenga 55″)- Zanaco 1(Ignatius Lwipa 82″)

Lusaka Dynamos 2(Joseph Bwalya 25″ o.g, Masautso Tembo 75″)- Roan United 1(Kelvin Mumba 80″)

Green Buffaloes 1(Sebastain Mwansa 50″)- Red Arrows 1(Chisi Mbewe 20″)

Young Arrows 3(Judge Mkandawire 38″ pen, Kruger Mwansa 67″, Chomba Ngandwe 87″)- Chambishi 0

Kabwe Warriors 2(Siloni Jere 7″, Maonga Kabuku 60″)- Nkana 2(Charles Kashitu 5″, Patrick Kabamba 80″)

Power Dynamos 1(Francis Kombe 26″)- Green Eagles 1(Obrey Zulu 55″)

Top Scorers
After games Played 22/06/2008

LEAGUE, INTL & CUP:
Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos): 8
Roger Kola (Zanaco): 8
Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors): 8

Reuben Tembo (Green Buffaloes):7

Mathew Macha (Nchanga Rangers): 7

Kruger Mwansa (Young Arrows) : 6
Obrey Zulu (Green Eagles): 6

Kelvin Mumba (Roan United): 5
Chileshe Kabwe (Konkola Blades): 5

Jonah Sakuwaha (Zesco United): 4
Lottie Phiri (Zesco United): 4
Timothy Mbewe (Red Arrows): 4
Lottie Phiri (Zesco United): 4
Chisi Mbewe (Red Arrows): 4
Sebastian Mwansa (Green Buffaloes): 4
FAZ Division 1 Results

22/06/2008

Week 15

South

Kambuku 1 Lusaka City Council 1

Lusaka Tigers 2 Petauke United 3

Builders Brigade 2 Livingtone Pirates 1

Kalomo Jetters 0 Nampundwe 2

Young Green Eagles 1 Nakambala Leopards 1

National Assembly 1 Riflemen 1

Young Buffaloes 1 Profund Warriors 2

Mazabuka United vs Chilanga Heroes (Not played)

Zamcoal Diggers -Lusaka Celtic (not played)

North

Week 14

Mufulira Wanderers 2 Prison Leopards 1

Kalewa 0 Forest Rangers 1

Indeni 0 – Mufulira Blackpool

Chindwin Sentries 1 -Tazara Express 1

Muchindu 1 Mining Rangers 1

Kitwe United 2 -Afrisport 2

Zamtel 0 Ndola United 0

Lime Hotspurs 1 -Medical Stars 1

BOXING

African Boxing Union Heavyweight title Bout

Joseph Chingangu (Zambia) bt Osborne Machiimana (South Africa) TKO 7

ZADECO to hold National convention

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The opposition Zambia Development Conference (ZADECO) is expected to hold a national Convention to elect a candidate to contest the 2011 presidency.

And ZADECO has re-launched its campaign for party structures at provincial and district levels in readiness to prepare the party for 2011 tripartite elections.

ZADECO National Chairman Langtone Sichone who disclosed the development to ZANIS in Lusaka today said the convention will be held next year in April .

Mr. Sichone says the decision to field a presidential candidate and re-building of the party was arrived at by the party’s National Management Committee (NMC) held over the weekend in Lusaka.

He explained that the party in the 2006 elections did not field a presidential candidate due to some ‘internal affairs.

Mr. Sichone, who is also Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) Spokesperson further said the party, being the oldest opposition political party is experienced to drive the nation forward once given an opportunity or voted into Office.

He said the party is inspired by the vision of its late leader Dean Mungomba whose wish was to let Zambia govern herself socially, culturally and politically.

Meanwhile, ZADECO has commended Southern Africa Development Community ( SADC)Chairman President Levy Mwanawasa for proposing the postponement of Zimbabwe presidential runoff scheduled for June 27 elections .

ZADECO National Chairman Langtone Sichone says the observation by Dr. Mwanawasa yesterday to call for the postponement of the runoff are timely and in the interest of both Zimbabwe and the SADC region.

Mr. Sichone says Zambia being an icon of true democracy cannot sit idle and watch the turbulent crisis that have rocked the neighboring Zimbabwe.

Mr. Sichone was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Sichone, who is also Zambia Centre for Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) Spokesperson reminded President Robert Mugabe that he is allegedly setting a bad precedent in the African politics.

Zimbabwe goes to polls on June 27 but the country is characterized by widespread political viole

BOZ Modernizing the National Payment System

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The Bank of Zambia (BOZ) says the policy decision by the Government in the early 1990s to liberalise the economy has led to concerted efforts by the Central Bank and stakeholders to reform and modernise the National Payment System.

Bank of Zambia Payment System Operations Manager Victoria Chirwa says efforts to reform and modernise the National Payment System have since translated into the formulation of the Payment System Vision and Strategy 2007-2011.

Mrs. Chirwa explained that the objective of the National Payment System Vision and Strategy 2007-2011 is to ensure a secure, efficient and effective mechanism for the exchange of money between transacting parties.

Mrs. Chirwa was speaking during the Currency Awareness and Sensitisation Campaign held at the Civic Center in Lusaka today.

And speaking earlier, Bank of Zambia Assistant Director-Currency, Patrick Mulenga explained that the lifespan of all banknotes depends on how they are handled.

Mr. Mulenga said the careless handling of banknotes contributes to significant wear and tear thereby shortening its lifetime.

He appealed to members of the general public to handle banknotes with care as it is costly to replace mutilated banknotes.

He advised the public to return soiled or mutilated banknotes to the Central Bank or any Commercial Bank so that they can be exchanged for fit notes.

Mr. Mulenga however explained that all genuine banknotes, regardless of their condition, remain legal tender.

ZANIS/JT/AM/ENDS……………ON…… PIX…

Include Physical Education in School Curriculums

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A Senior Government Official has reiterated the Ministry of Education directive that Physical Education be included in the school curriculum in Kabompo District in North Western Province.

Kabompo District Commissioner Rebbeca Mukuka said Physical Education should be incorporated in the school curriculum like any other subjects because sports played an important role in the physical and mental development of pupils.

Mrs. Mukuka made the remarks when she officiated at the ongoing North-western Province Schools’ Inter-zone Sports Festival at Kabompo High School today.

The District Commissioner said her office was actively monitoring schools to ensure that sports was taken seriously as is the case with other subjects in a bid to enhance the physical and mental development of pupils.

On the practice of marrying off school going child, she advised head teachers not to relent but be firm against parents who were perpetrators of such an act saying early marriages had caused havoc to the education of hundreds of girls in the North-western Province.

She said that girl children should be made to excel in sports activities because they have the potential to take the nation to higher heights.

Kabompo High School Head teacher Victor Tembo hailed Kabompo West Member of Parliament Daniel Kalenga for donating 16 gerseys, 12 pairs of socks, two footballs and one truck suit.

During the occasion, a total of K2 million was donated by local businessmen towards Volley and Football competitions which would be held to select one zone to represent North Western Province at this year’s Coca Cola Tournament billed for Kasama on July 4 -8.

Two prominent Manyinga and Kabompo businessmen Meers Danny Chingimbu and Morgan Luvweyi donated K1 million each towards the two competitions.

The zones competing are Kabompo-Mufumbwe, Zambezi-Chavuma, Solwezi, Mwinilunga and Kasempa.

ZANIS/ENDS/MK/EML/CLM

LEVY Happy with Peaceful Campaigns in Milanzi

editor
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26

President Mwanawasa is happy with the peaceful manner in which the campaigns ahead of this Thursday’s Milanzi parliamentary by-election are being conducted.

President Mwanawasa observed that the ongoing campaigns are in line with the Southern Africa Development Community, SADC, principles on ‘free and fair elections.’

Dr. Mwanawasa said this on arrival at Katete Prisons Service grounds this afternoon.

The president stated that all the political parties participating in the by-election have been availed ease access to the media for selling their manifestos.

He is particularly happy that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is running programmes on two local radio stations where all the candidates have been given the opportunity to reach out to the electorate.

He said the ECZ media programmes would enable the electorate in Milanzi make informed decisions as they cast the vote on June 26.

He said political parties in Zambia have the freedom to hold rallies and sell their messages without being intimidated or harassed.

Dr Mwanawasa said he was privileged to preside over peaceful and democratic country which is free to hold free and fair elections without any ‘cantankerous’ misbehavior.

“I feel privileged to preside over a country which is peaceful, democratic and is free to hold free and fair elections without any cantankerous misbehavior,” President Mwanawasa said.

He boasted that Zambia is the best country in terms of promoting ideal democratic environment in the Southern Africa region.

He therefore appealed to the electorates to vote for MMD candidate, Reuben Banda, in this week by-election to help sustain peace, which the MMD is promoting.

Dr. Mwanawasa pointed out that development can only prevail where peace exists.

He urged the electorate to ignore parties basing campaigns on character assassination and false promises.

Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa has warned of stern action against government officers segregating people in the relief food distribution in country.

He observed that the hunger situation in the country has not spared eastern province stating that government will distribute relief food to affected areas in the province.

President Mwanawasa is in Katete to drum support for MMD candidate Mr. Banda.

The Milanzi constituency seat fell vacant last year after the death of Dr Chosani Njovu of the United National Independence Party, UNIP.

Political parties contesting the party include the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), Patriotic Front (PF), United National Independence Party (UNIP),United Party for National Development (UPND) and the All People’s Congress party (APC).

ZANIS/ENDS/SJK/HN/LNN/MK/ENDS

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