President Levy Mwanawasa says government is alive of the adverse impact of climate change and has hence developed strategies that will ensure that the country overcomes its vulnerability to environmental changes are put in place.

President Mwanawasa said government would not spare any effort aimed at ensuring that issues climate change are effectively addressed for the benefit of the country.

Dr. Mwanawasa disclosed government has already developed a National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) that needs to be implemented without delay.

He said Zambia would build on the initiatives of the commonwealth and other international organizations such as United Nations, to ensure that the country responds to the challenges of climate change in an effective manner.

The president was speaking during his national address on the commemoration of the Commonwealth Day which falls today, being cerebrated under the theme ‘Environment our Future’.

He said the commonwealth in choosing this day has recognized that environmental problems in particular climate change is one of the most important global challenges facing the world.

Dr. Mwanawasa said climate change would have catastrophic consequences on not only the future generation but also the present.

“ These negative impacts entail the increase in frequency and intensity pf extreme weather events such as droughts and floods , which inevitably has a negative effect on the well being of the commonwealth peoples and their prospects for development and attainment of the MDGs,” he added.

Dr. Mwanawasa pointed out that this year, many countries in Southern Africa including Zambia have been devastated by floods and droughts respectively.

Zambia he said has suffered the consequences of the floods which include destruction of crops and infrastructure such as roads, bridges and buildings.

He has since commended the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) for the work it was doing in respond to the effects on floods on humanity.

“ I wish to acknowledge the tremendous support that this unit had received from all well wishers , especially the private sector and international community,’ he added.

The Forum for Leadership Search Zambia has urged youths in the country to be instrumental and remain proactive in the National Constitution Reforms as they celebrate youth day this week.

Forum Executive Director, Edwin Lifwekelo , in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, said youths must reflect on their role in the Constitutional Reforms and the country’s political and economic affairs.

He said their participation in the constitution making is vital and must therefore ensure that the country has a Constitution that will meet their aspiration as they are a link between the past, present and the future.

“We must engage each other with a great sense of objectivity. Youths must assume leadership of this great process of giving into ourselves a good constitution that can stand a test of time,” Mr. Lifwekelo said.

Mr. Lifwekelo has since urged youth groups in the country who are not in the National Constitution Conference (NCC) to make their submissions on matters affecting them through youths organization that are participating in the NCC.

He said the country is calling on the youths to take up their responsibility on the NCC as the NCC is the logistical step taken to stop the endless constitutional road map.

Mr. Lifwekelo said the youths are in a mess of poverty and unemployment because they have allowed past governments to override their wishes and impose illegitimate and defective constitutions.

Government has warned unscrupulous tour operators who are allegedly misleading tourists and the general public that government has exorbitantly hiked visa fees.

Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Michael Kaingu says it is unfortunate that the recent adjustment of visa fees has been deliberately misconstrued to frustrate tourism promotion.

Mr. Kaingu has clarified that visa fees for single entry have been adjusted from US$25 to US$50, while multi-entry visa fees have been hiked from US$40 to US$80.

He said any other figures are incorrect and a misrepresentation of the adjustment announced by government.

Mr Kaingu parried off fears that the upward adjust of visa fees would adversely affect the inflow of tourists into the country.

He said his office has so far not received evidence indicating that the flow of tourists has reduced because of the adjustment in visa fees.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kaingu says the post election violence in Kenya could have impacted negatively on Kenya’s tourism industry and that of neighboring countries.

Mr. Kaingu explained that war and conflicts have a bearing on tourism as tourists are scared to visit countries where they are likely to be caught up in conflicts.

He noted that conflicts should not be encouraged in any country as its consequences on the economy are disastrous.

Mr. Kaingu however said that Zambia’s tourism sector was not affected with the violence in Kenya adding that its likely that some tourists from Kenya may have come to Zambia because of the conflicts in Kenya.

And Government has warned that it will would impound trucks found loaded with charcoal which have not been issued with licenses.

Mr. Kaingu noted that charcoal trading has increased by more than 70 percent due to the power outages which the country has been faced with forcing people to use charcoal adding that this has led to some traders to engage in illegal tree cutting.

He added that the increase in exports of charcoal has also contributed to the vice as people are forced to cut down tree illegally to produce more for exporting.

Mr. Kaingu noted that the vice has caused deforestation in the country as trees are cut down almost on a daily basis.
He explained that people wanting to engage in cutting down tree for domestic use should acquire licenses from the forestry department.

Commotion today reigned at Chipata Main Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) when some members were physically thrown out of the church by some self proclaimed church leadership.

The two opposing sides were accusing each other of not operating in line with the doctrines of the church.

Confusion started when one group which was allegedly recently elected into the leadership of the church accused the out-going office bearers of refusing to step down following the elections.

The faction which claims to have been legally elected by the church threw out some of the out-going office bearers whom they accused of opposing the newly elected office bearers.

Speaking to Zambia News and Information Services crew that rushed to the scene, Communications Secretary Asafu Lungu said some members were thrown out of the church because of being arrogant in following the church constitution.

Mr. Lungu said problems started last year when an opposing faction was formed which conducted church services contrary to the churches doctrine.

He said problems arose because the opposing faction did not recognize the current leadership which was duly elected by the church members.

Mr. Lungu said elected faction manhandled the other group for their arrogance and lack of recognition of dully elected leadership.

He charged that the move was intended to bring sanity to the congregation.

But Stewardship Leader Jim Phiri expressed sadness at what happenings at the church.

First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa has implored women in the country to remain assertive and be advocates for positive change to the many challenges they face.

Mrs. Mwanawasa said women should be proud of their sex adding that they should not envy to be men in order to succeed in life.

Mrs. Mwanawasa said this at state house in Lusaka today when, Former wife to South Africa’s freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela paid a courtesy call on her.

The First lady said women should work hard to fight for gender equity adding that men should also partner with women in fostering national development.

She observed that the visit to Zambia by Mrs Mandela is an honor as she is a living legend adding that the visit will remain in Zambia’s history book.

Mrs. Mwanawasa hoped that Mrs. Mandela’s visit will further cement the existing relationship between Zambia and South Africa.

And Mrs Mandela noted that women in Zambia who are the majority over the men fork have the potential to bring about positive change.

Mrs Mandela added that African women should be in the forefront in resolving conflicts as they are the ones who bear the sufferings of war.

She also commended Zambia for liberation struggle adding that South Africa could not have got independence without the assistance from the people of Zambia.

In another development Government says there is need for women to access financial resources as well as other resources to enhance their capability in contributing to national development.

Lands minister, who is also Kafue Member of Parliament, Bradford Machila, said government recognizes the role women play in national development.

Mr. Machila said this during the Lusaka Province Administration commemoration of the International Women’s day in Kafue today.

He called on the women to take an active role in developing the society as this will be in line with the Gender policy which the government has put in place.

The minister has challenged the nation and Lusaka province administration in particular to ensure that the aspect of gender equality with special priority to women is well taken care of .

He cited Agriculture, Education, Community development and other programmes under Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) as some of the programmes which can help can empower the women and make them economic providers in their homes and the nation as a whole.

Meanwhile, Mr. Machila said the HIV/AIDS pandemic has mostly affected women due to high poverty levels among women and violence against women.

He also noted that women are in most cases the providers for the sick or orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

And speaking at the same function, Kafue district women‘s Association chairperson, Patricia Banda, appealed to the government to financially support women’s programmes if they were to be empowered economically.

Ms Banda said the women in Kafue had requested for financial assistance from government through the ministry of community development but no assistance has been forthcoming.

And Ms Banda revealed that some unscrupulous people has been collecting money from the women on pretex of obtaining funds from the donors.