German Ambassador to Zambia, Dr. Irene Hinrichsen says her country is committed to improving the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the media industry in Africa.

Dr. Hinrichsen said the use of ICT in the media industry is key to enhancing efficient coverage of vital information.

She said this when she officiated at a cocktail party at the on going computer area networking in radio and television workshop in Lusaka last evening.

Dr. Henrichsen added that regular and consistent use of ICT tools such as computers must be encouraged among media personnel as they are multipurpose and can be used for the efficient gathering and dissemination of information to masses.

The Germany Ambassador has since urged media personnel in the country to also take advantage of the ICT policy that government launched and use it for the benefit of developing the media industry in the country.

And speaking at the same function, Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie project manager Karl Lippe said it is inevitable for today’s media to use ICT tools.

Mr. Lippe said there is need therefore to regularly train and familiarize media personnel with the new ICT developments.

He said the DW-Akademie will continue to train and update journalists in African countries about newly developed media programmes in the ICT industry.

And Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) director Daniel Nkalamo said his institution will continue complimenting efforts aimed at building capacity among media personnel both at national and continental level.

He added that ZAMCOM will also continue to provide a platform for the improvement of the media industry in the country and the continent.

The three week computer area networking in radio and television workshop has attracted journalists from several African countries including Zambia.

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) says it is currently training a total of 100 council police to reinforce the current man power.

LCC public relations manager, Chanda Makanta told ZANIS in Lusaka today that the council police officers will complete their training by the end of May this year before being sent to Lilayi police training college where they will conclude their training.

Ms. Makanta said the police officers will help the council intensify its efforts in implementing the public order and nuisance act whose penalty fees government increased last year to promote sanity in the country.

She said although some sections of society have complained of the high penalty fees, the charges are meant to deter people from committing various nuisance acts in public.

Ms. Makanta also expressed concern at the negative response and attitude some members of the public have continued to show towards keeping the city clean.

She has since appealed to the members of the public to take personal responsibility over the proper disposal of litter and garbage in designated places such as bins contrary to public perception that the council is responsible for collecting litter.

And the LCC public relations manager has warned that the council will not relent in removing illegal bill boards in the city.

Ms. Makanta said LCC will continue to conduct regular operations to ensure that no illegal bill boards and posters are mounted in the city adding that some of them are an eyesore and dangerous to the public.

Meanwhile Ms. Makanta has disclosed that LCC is consulting with other town clerks across the country to standardize the tower mast taxes for mobile phone service providers in the country.

She said there is need to harmonize the taxes as each council had fixed its own tax rate in each town, a move that has raised concern among mobile phone services providers.

Mrs. Makanta added that the standardized tower mast tax rates are however expected to be concluded by mid this year after thorough consultations with other councils.

She was reacting to Celtel managing director, David Venn’s comment that his company is willing to pay the tower mast taxes once the taxes are harmonized across the country.