A busy schedule lined up for the Heads of States and Government 10 th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU), awaits President Levy Mwanawasa in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

President Mwanawasa is expected in the country tomorrow ahead of the AU Summit, which officially opens here on Thursday, January 31 and ends on February 2, 2008.

Dr Mwanawasa’s challenger plane will touch down at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport at 15 hours local time (14 hours Zambian time) and he will immediately be driven to Sheraton Hotel in the capital where he will lodge during the Summit.

On hand to receive the President will be the Zambian Advance Party comprising Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Special Assistant to the President on Politics, Marvis Muyunda, Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Ben Tetamashimba and Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima.

Others are Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Patrick Sinyinza, Justice Minister George Kunda who arrived in Addis Ababa today.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande confirmed the arrival of President Mwanawasa here in an interview with ZANIS.

According to the programme, Dr Mwanawasa will join other Heads of State and Government on Wednesday January 30 at the 8th Summit of the African Peer Review Mechanism at the AU

Conference Centre dubbed Ethiopian Millenium.

Zambia is still in the process of being reviewed as it has reached a stage to be assessed.

The itinerary will climax with President Mwanawasa attending the official opening of the AU Summit at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Conference Centre. The Summit is being held under the theme ‘Industrial Development in Africa’.

On the same day the President is expected to be part of the session to consider the election of the AU Commission Chairperson.

Zambia is fielding its Ambassador to the United States of America, Dr Inonge Mbikutsita Lewanika, who is already here with her campaign team headed by AU Task Force Special Envoy and Coordinator Ambassador Simataa Akapelwa.

The election is being held to replace Former Malian President Professor Alpha Ourmar Konare whose term of office wound up last July. The meeting will also consider the election of the AU Chair to replace Ghana’s President John Kufuor.

Later the same day, Dr Mwanawasa is expected to attend a presentation and discussion on the AU Summit finance.

On Friday 1st February the President will attend a closed door session of the AU Assembly.

The Minister said the President was likely to have bilateral talks with his Sierra Leon
counterpart and other Heads of States, who are expected to make arrangements to have a meeting with Dr Mwanawasa.

The Zambian embassy here is also expected to host a dinner in his honour before he returns home on Sunday after the Summit which closes on Saturday February 2, 2008.

On the sidelines of the high level summit, include a discussion on the 2008 AU Budget, Union Government as a follow up of the Accra Declaration in June 2007 where a decision of the Union Government was postponed and a Ministerial Committee set up based on the Accra deliberations with a view of creating consensus during the upcoming summit.

Other activities will include a meeting of the AU’s Peace and Security Council whose agenda includes the situation in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Meanwhile, nine Foreign Affairs Ministers from Southern Africa have endorsed Dr Inonge Mbikutsita Lewanika’s candidature out of 10 Ministers.

Zambia’s Foresin Affairs minister Kabinga Pande confirmed to ZANIS today that this follows a meeting that the Ministers held here on Sunday but declined to name the country which was not in favour of the Zambian candidature and remained silent on which ministers had approved this.

He said the Foreign Ministers had pledged their support towards Dr Mbikutsita Lewanika for the position of the AU Commission Chairperson and noted with confidence that she was the right candidate due to her vast experience and her involvement in activities pertaining to the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and its transformation into the African Union.

Dr Inonge Mbikutsita Lewanika is energetic, cooperative and somebody who wants things to be done, traits, Mr Pande said, were being sought for by the AU.

On prospects of her scooping the seat, Mr Pande said Zambia was very positive because of the qualities she has exhibited.

“She has all the qualities of AU and she will not let AU and Africa down’’, he added.

The Zambian candidate has attracted attention of foreign media. Today in the morning, she had an interview with BBC’s Reporter Elizabeth Blunt and the Ethiopian media was on Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande to give them more details on her.

On the proposed Union Government that is under discussion as part of the AU Summit Agenda during the ongoing Executive Council meeting, Mr Pande said Zambia welcomed this but emphasised on the need for regional blocs to first be strengthened before it is implemented.

The Minister advised that regional blocs such as Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Economic Commission for West African States and East African Community (EAC) among other blocs, should be strengthened for them to be able to integrate at regional and continental levels, respectively.

He further said the process should be gradual to allow AU member states to examine pros and cons and stressed the need for Africa’s diversity as one issue to be addressed by considering culture, religion, Governance, human rights (women and children rights).

But, he said, that AU was faced with a challenge to decide on whether the proposal would be a Government or European Union arrangement.

‘’If it has to be a Government how do we select the leaders and that it is not possible to have a union Government within three to five years as proposed by others. We need a longer period. There are other proposals like nine, 15 years, which are under discussions’’, he explained.

And the Minister has described the ongoing 12th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive

Council as good and being held under what he termed brotherly and sisterly atmosphere where member countries are openly discussing issues adding that this was helpful for the continental body.

Turning to this year’s summit theme ‘Industrial Development in Africa’, the Foreign Affairs Minister said Africa was at a level of production but that the continent should move a step to industrialisation.

He said Africa, Zambia in particular has for a long time been producing but that time had come to shift to industrialization saying that the country was well placed to attend this year’s summit owing to the positive developments taking place.

The ruling Movement for Multyparty Democracy (MMD) has floated Mwalimu Sinfukwe as its candidate for the Kanyama parliamentary seat which fell vacant after the death of the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) MP Henry Mtonga.

And government has dispelled remarks by some sections of the media that it has with immediate effect withdrawn Depo Provera on suspicion that the drug was contaminated with HIV/AIDS.

Speaking at a joint press briefing in Lusaka today, MMD National Elections Chairman Mike Mulongoti said the MMD has decided to float Mr Sinfukwe because of his commitment to the ruling party and the many projects that he has been doing in Kanyama Constituency.

Mr. Mulongoti, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said the MMD also decided to adopt Mr. Sinfukwe because appeals made by the residents of Kanyama who pledged support to the aspiring candidate.

Earlier, MMD Kanyama by-elections campaign committee Chairperson Dr Brian Chituwo said his committee has adopted and recommended Mr. Sinfukwe to the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) as its Kanyama aspiring candidate.

He further disclosed that the party had received eight applications from a cross section of society and that out of the eight applications, two were women.

And at the same briefing, Health Minister Dr Brian Chituwo dispelled media reports that government has with immediate effect withdrawn Depo Provera on suspicion that the drug had an HIV/AIDS virus.

Dr Chituwo said according to the first laboratory tests carried out in South Africa, the drug has proved that it was safe as it met the safety regulatory standards contrary to media reports.

He said government through his ministry was concerned about the reports that the drug was not safe adding that government will give out a comprehensive report on the latest finding soon in a bid to clarify the reports that have been made by some sections of the media.

Dr Chituwo said like all drugs distributed by pharmaceuticals, Depo Provera had met the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards and it was therefore, unfortunate that an impression had been created that the drug was unsafe.

On Saturday, Dr Chituwo was quoted as saying government has with immediate effect withdrawn the contraceptive on suspicion that the drug had an HIV/AIDS virus.

President Levy Mwanawasa has observed that the provision of quality health care to Zambians has not been entirely successful.

Dr. Mwanawasa said it was important that while Zambians were seriously working towards economic development, they should enjoy good health at a cost they can afford.

President Mwanawasa said this at State House today when Indian businessmen paid a courtesy call on him.

The President said he was impressed with the initiative by the Indian Business delegation of setting up a centre of excellence surgery to be called ‘Lifeline Hospital’ in Lusaka.

Dr. Mwanawasa told the delegation that for some time, Zambia has enjoyed medical services and other facilities from India saying he hoped the Hospital to be established by the Indian delegation will not take long to be completed.

He advised the Indian delegation to enter into partnership with the Zambian people who he said have the skill but just lack capital.

He said by doing so the two countries would fully benefit from the projects embarked on.

The President said Zambia has reached a stage where it can now make big leap forwards in her economy.

He invited investors from all around the globe to make profits in Zambia saying he was pleased that the Indian businessmen responded to the call to come and look at investment opportunities.

Indian High Commissioner to Zambia River Wallang said Zambia is an attractive business partner saying he has high expectation from the Indian businessmen who have responded to the invitation to come and invest in Zambia.

Mr. Wallang said investment from the Indian Businessmen will bring direct investment and thereby promoting India-Zambia businesses.

And delegation Spokesperson Raj Kumar revealed that his team will today sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Health to set up a high technology surgery at the cost of US$15 to US$20 million.

Mr. Kumar said the hospital to be called ‘ Life Line Hospital’ would be built in Lusaka near the UN buildings and that it will be built in two phases.

He revealed that work will start as soon as all documentations are done saying his team will ensure it employs local people so that their capacity is built.

The delegation was accompanied by Zambia’s High Commissioner to Indian Simasiku Walubita.

Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande, Health Minister Dr. Brian Chituwo, Education Minister Prof. Geoffrey Lungwangwa and Mines Minister Dr. Kalombo Mwansa were among senior government officials who attended the meeting.

Others were Transport and Communication Minister Sera Sayifwanda, Commerce and Trade Minister Felix Mutati and Information and Broadcasting Minister Mike Mulongoti.

And Chief Macha of the Tonga people in Choma says the issue of First lady Maureen Mwanawasa succeeding President Mwanawasa must be left to the public for debate.

Chief Macha told ZANIS in an interview in Choma today that people must be given ample time to debate on whether the first lady can succeed the President or not.

Asked what his stand was on the matter since some chiefs in the country have openly made their stand known, chief Macha said it was still premature for him to take a position.

He said more debate should be allowed as to whether the first Lady could become successor to the president or not.

Chief Macha stated however stated that if the general populace accepted the idea, him as a traditional ruler would have no problem.

He said he was carefully following the pronouncements by various sections of society on the matter.

Meanwhile, The Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI) has started using sports to reach out to people infected and affected by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

MMCI Sports AIDS (SPAIDS) Officer Daniel Chawelwa said sports would be used as an effective tool for fighting stigma as it promotes interaction among members of the community.

Mr. Chawelwa told ZANIS in Lusaka today that MMCI SPAIDS has stepped up sensitization campaigns in communities on Voluntary Counseling and Testing and HIV/AIDS issues through sports activities.

He said sports was a unifying activity that enhances interaction and communication among people of different backgrounds, adding that it was also a source of hope and confidence for the marginalized people in society.

Mr. Chawelwa said the MMCI has also received overwhelming response from communities in which it has been conducting activities.

He said the organizations would continue initiating and facilitating community driven programmes.

And Mr. Chawelwa has urged Zambians to access VCT services in order for them to know their health status and access treatment which could prolong their lives.

He said people on Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) were able also engage into productive activities just like those without the HIV.
Also, the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI) says the orghanisation is comited to promotiong sport among the youths in the country.

MMCI Chaiperson Naureen Mapala says sports disciplines such as boxing must be promoted in the country in order to diversify sport activities in the country.

Mrs. Mapala said this when she donated sports items to Kanyama Boxing Club.

The donated items include shoes and boxing gloves.

She said MMCI will extend the exercice countrywide after covering compunds in the capital, Lusaka.

Mrs. Mapala noted that engaging in sports actvities especially in peri-urban ares can help curb crime and often importantly illicit activities.

She added that sport among the unemployed youths can also promote the discipline.

Mrs. Mapala has since appealed to donors and other well wishers to support and assist the MMCI promote sports activities effectively.

And speaking after the donation, Exodus Boxing Promotions Trainer and Promoter Anthony Mwamba said there is need for more stakeholders to come on board in order to promote boxing in the country.

Mwamba , who also donated some boxing kits urged boxers to use the sport for self enhancement .

He added that his organization will actively ensure that boxing is well promoted and developed in the country.

Chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka says the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leadership and Members of parliament hate him because of his strong support for President Mwanawasa and his new deal administration.

The Chief told Magoye Member of Parliament, Ben Mweemba, in Itebe yesterday that he does not understand why the hatred has continued even with the current leader, Mr Hakainde Hichilema.

Chief Mwanachingwala said he does not lose anything even if the hatred has continued because there is no way he can serve two masters at a time.

Mr Mweemba was at pains to convince the Chief that he is not part of the leaders who harbour hate for him.

And Chief Mwanachingwala told ZANIS in Mazabuka that he will continue supporting the government of the day to foster development in his chiefdom.

He said he is the only proud chief in the country who has openly declared the support for the government.

Chief Mwanachingwala added that the relief food and prompt government response over the flood situation in the district is as a result of government confidence in him.

A delegation of Indian investors is scheduled to arrive in the country today to explore investment opportunities in the country and also to assess the suitability of Zambia as an investment destination.

Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Communications and Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse said in a statement today that during their visit, the delegation will meet President Mwanawasa and other senior government officials and private sector represntatives.

Ms Chimanse said the delegation will also attend a seminar dubbed ‘Zambia: A Profitable Destination for Investment and Trade’, organised by the Zambia Development Agency under the Triangle of Hope programme.

She said the Delegates are expected to meet the business community and make on the spot checks on sites available for investment in sectors such as Information Communication Technology (ICT’s), manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, mining, agriculture, agro processing, health and education.

The hosting of the Asian delegation is in line with government’s economic vision for Zambia which seeks to imnprove the livelihood of Zambians through increased investment and wealth creation.

The governments key economic strategies for accelerating economic growth and development is the creation of an enabling environment that will inturn stimulate domestic and foreign investment.

As part of the thrust, government, through the various initiatives such as the Private Sector Development (PSD) programme, the Triangle of Hope initiative and the Blue Book, is removing the remaining economic hurdles.

The Triangle of Hope, which is a programme to attract investment into Zambia from South East Asia in the spirit of south-south cooperation and is supported by the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA).

The main objective is to develop a sustained Action Agenda that when implemented by government will lead to increased private sector investment thus more jobs and wealth in the country.

The United Party for National Development (UPND in Ndola has called for the resignation of Zesco top managers for the failure to deliver to the people’s expectations.

UPND District Chairman Mr. Kanyaka Musa in a statement to ZANIS in Ndola said the top management should resign on moral grounds because they have let the country down.

He said the party was disappointed and condemned Zesco’s inertia in the power supply which has resulted in colossal losses including human lives.

He said it was unjustified for Zesco to fail to deliver to people’s expectations, which had caused a lot of damage to electrical appliances for individuals and companies.

Mr. Musa said he did not see the justification for increased tariffs when the quality of services was going down.

He said the people demand that Zesco should give a valid explanation for the power failure before his party embarks on massive demonstrations countrywide.

He wondered why Zesco was busy circulating bills to clients when the their service was below par and power outages were becoming common.

He said citizens were the investors in Zesco as a parastatal company but that the company has not been remitting dividends to show its competency to the public.

Meanwhile, Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) Mufulira division has temporarily shut down some of its essential equipment and machinery following the recent power outage that the country has been experiencing.

The mine plant is not working and operating at full capacity and has decided to switch off its smelter and concentrator in the interim.

Mufulira District Commissioner (DC) Dyford Muulwa has confirmed the development to ZANIS in an interview in Mufulira today.

Mr. Muulwa further disclosed that the mining firm has already informed him about the latest developments adding that only partial production was taking place at both smelter and concetrator.

He added the temporal shut down of key facilities at MCM will definitely affect production at the mining conglomerate.

Mr. Muulwa observed that Mopani was currently compiling a detailed report for his attention to quantify the amount of copper and forex that has been lost following the shut down.

Government will introduce a windfall tax on base metals at a minimum rate of 25 percent and increase mineral royalties to 3 percent from 0.6 percent, Finance Minister Ngandu Magande said on Friday.

Magande said during the 2008 budget presented in parliament that the new taxes would be effective from April 1, 2008.

“For copper, the windfall tax shall be 25 percent at the copper price of $2.50 per pound but below $3.00 per pound, 50 percent … for the next 50 cents increase in price and 75 percent … above $3.50 per pound,” Magande told parliament.

He gave no details of rates for other base metals.

Magande said the government would also reintroduce withholding tax on interest, royalties, management fees and payments to affiliates or sub-contractors in the mining sector at the rate of 15 percent.

“Effective 1st April … the corporate tax rate will be 30 percent, the mineral royalty rate on base metals will be 3 percent of gross value,” Magande said. Corporate tax was previously 25 percent.

He said the new taxes were aimed at ensuring Zambia benefited from its vast copper and cobalt mines, the country’s economic lifeblood.

The rise and introduction of some taxes is a direct response to complaints by the opposition, trade unions and civil society that Zambia was not getting enough benefits from its mineral resources.

Magande said the new revenue from the copper mines would allow the government to increase investments in education, health and other social sectors.

“These measures are competitive, reasonable and balanced. The expected additional revenues in 2008, as a result of these new measures are estimated at $415 million,” Magande said.

Magande said preliminary data showed copper output marginally rose to 523,435 tonnes last year versus 515,618 tonnes in 2006 while cobalt production declined by 9 percent to 4,229 tonnes from 4,648 tonnes in 2006.

Copper output was significantly below the 670,000 tonnes Zambia had forecast for 2007.

Magande gave no production forecast for 2008, but analysts have warned that production will be hampered by power shortages, which has already forced copper mines to reduce output.

Zambia’s national budget deficit was expected to widen to 3.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2008 from 0.95 percent last year.

Magande said in his 2008 budget speech to parliament that the economy should grow by 7 percent this year after expanding by 6.2 percent in 2007.

He said inflation would average 7 percent in 2008 compared to an 8.9 percent average in 2007.

Download the full budget speech HERE

Some broiler chicken breeders in Kasama are reportedly mixing feed with Anti-retrial Viral (ARV) and contraceptive drugs to feed their chickens.

Sources who declined to be mentioned told ZANIS that most of the chicken breeders are using the drugs which they are buying from the local drug stores in the area to mix with chicken feed so that they could grow fat and faster.

The sources cited an example of a retired civil servant whom they alleged to have been using the same method of rearing chickens which he later sells at k18, 000 per chicken.

The said chickens were weighing 2.5Kg each saying the growth was abnormal for chickens to be ready in three weeks.

And Kasama District Veterinary Officer Dr.Webby Chibomba confirmed having received such complaints from the general public that some chicken breeders were using ARVs and contraceptives to feed the chickens.

He suspected that the culprits must have some medical background while others are acting out of ignorance.

Dr. Chibomba told ZANIS in an interview that last year his office received similar complaints which he later forwarded to Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Kasama and recommended for the arrest of the suspect to pave way for investigations but was told to wait. Up to now no answer has come from DEC.

He said his department has no testing laboratories but instead depend on other stakeholders like DEC and health which handle drug abuse offences.

He explained that chicken breeders who are using the said drugs were drugging the consumers illegally saying it was a serious offence according to the laws of Zambia.

Dr. Chibomba further explained that the method has serious side effects on human lives because the white cells get impaired thereby affecting the immune system especially in people living with HIV/AIDS as the viruses become resistant to the treatment.

The veterinary officer lamented that it also affects family planning in couples while it might result in impotence in consumers.

He added that it was sad to note that some breeders have even gone to an extent of injecting chickens with penicillin while selling them out.

He expressed worry that this has resulted in disease resistance when one gets sick to respond to the prescribed medicine.

Meanwhile Dr. Chibomba said his department has embarked on an inspection programme which will be conducted on regular basis to ensure that the chickens are fed with right food.

He added that the hindrance to effecting the programme would be lack of transport since the work requires mobility to monitor the growth of chickens.

The Veterinary Officer, however, said the programme is an inter-sectoral programme which needs team work from all line ministries and support from stakeholders as the fight is a noble cause if the culprits are to be fished out.

He has since appealed to the general public not to be buying broiler chickens anyhow or supplement with indigenous chickens which feed mainly on indigenous foods.