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Floods destroys houses, bridges as Sinazongwe District cut off

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Floods have destroyed about 100 houses in Sinazongwe district in Southern Province and hundreds of people have run out of food.

The entire district has also been cut off from the rest of the country owing to continues floods that have destroyed bridges, culverts and turned streams into rivers.

Sinazongwe District Health Director Dr. Kebby Musokotwane said there would be an outbreak of diseases if floods will continue.

Dr. Musokotwane said the situation was getting worse every day and he has appealed for urgent attention from government to save the people in the district.

Sinazongwe District Professional Assistant Officer under Parliament Douglas Mweembe confirmed that 66 houses have collapsed in Maamba Coal Mine Township.

Mr. Mweembe said the affected people are those in the shanty compounds. because their houses were made of mud soil.
Abel Mununka a resident in Siansowa Township where there is the biggest crocodile farm in the country said 20 houses have collapsed.

Mr. Mununka said people were starving as they could not go out to buy food and business people are unable to deliver food owing to the impassable roads.

He has made a passionate appeal to government to urgently send relief food to save the starving people in the district.

“I wish to appeal to government over this worst situation of hunger in this area of Senior Chief Mweemba, people are failing to go out to buy food, business men are not delivering mealie-meal because roads are now streams,” mr.Mununka said.

He said people in areas such as Kanchindu, Sulwengonde, muuka, Nyanga, Syameja, Siampondo, and Kafwambila were in desperate situation and need relief food before they perish of hunger.

Mr.Dodo Sindaza a Business man in Senior Chief Mweemba area said a Helicopter would be needed to air lift relief food to the affected areas because the roads were impassable.
He also said several houses have also collapsed in Kanchindu in Senior Chief Mweemba area.

Mr. Fred Kapampa from Maamba Township said the last flood was witnessed in 1998 in in which a clinic was washed away in Maamba but he has confirmed that this year’s flood were worst.

The rains which started Saturday have continued pouring non stop and it has been raining on the daily since December this year.

The people in the district have been cut off in stages according to the areas where they live in.

In Senior Chief Mweemba area they were cut off on Friday as the bridge along the Maamba/Kafwambila road near the Chief’s palace was washed away and all the streams have burst their banks.

In Chief Sinazongwe area people in Malima and Buleya Malima have been cut off and they could not go to Sinezeze, Maamba, and Choma because of the washed away bridges and culverts along the road.

In MaambaTownship the residents were cut off on Saturday.

[ZANIS]

174,000 make it to grade 8

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About 174,000 out of over 280,000 pupils who sat for the grade seven examinations this year have made it to grade eight.

Education minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa announced the results at a press briefing in Lusaka today.

Dr Lungwangwa said in this years’ results of the 174,173 candidates selected to grade eight, 85,842 are boys and 88,331 are girls.

He said the results give a progression rate of 60.33 percent as compared to 52.65 percent in 2006.

In 2007 315,177 candidates (173,670 boys and 141507 girls) entered the examination compared to 293,583 candidates in 2006 representing a total increase of 7.36 percent.

However, a total number of 288,708 (159,922 boys and 128,786 girls ) sat for the examinations in 2007 compared to 268,097 in 2006 representing an increase of 7.69 percent.

The minister said that the progression rate for Lusaka province has increased to 52.42 percent from 25.70 percent recorded in 2006.

Dr lugwangwa attributed the increase in the progression rate for Lusaka province to the newly built basic schools as well as the upgrading of 19 middle basic schools to upper basic schools.

He said Western province recorded the highest rate of absenteeism at 11.29 percent while Lusaka province recorded the lowest rate of absenteeism at 5.91 percent.

He urged members of the public to obtain the results from the schools were the candidates sat for the exanimations.

Dr lugwangwa said grade eight classes will open will open on Monday, 7th January, 2008 and that the grace period will be extended to Monday, 21st January, 2008.

He warned that pupils who will fail to report at their respective schools by the end of the grace period will lose their places.

Meanwhile Dr Lungawangwa has issued statutory instrument dissolving the council of the National College for Management and Development Studies to Mulungushi University.

He said that to ensure effective operation of Mulungushi University the process of appointing members of the university council is under way as provided for under the first schedule and that these will take appointment according to part 1 section 2 (1)

of the university of Zambia Act no. 11 of 1999.

The appointments take effect on 1st January 2008.

He said the appointments will allow for continuity of academic programmes’ being carried over from the college into the university and will also allow the university council time to develop terms and conditions of service for the staff before the recruitment process commences.

The minister further noted that the establishment of Mulungushi University is historic to Zambians and has appealed the stakeholders to support the new university in its quest to contribute to national development efforts and realize the Vision 2030.

Kivuku Clinic in dire need of more medical staff

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A Health practitioner in Kasempa district in North western Province is appealing to relevant authorities to urgently address the shortfall of medical staff at the newly built Kivuku clinic.

Nurse in Charge at Kivuku clinic Felix Hambayi also impressed upon Government through
the Member of Parliament to urgently connect power and complete the remaining staff houses at the institution.

Mr. Hambayi said from the time the clinic opened to members of the public on 8th November 2007, he has been working alone and attending to over 60 patients in a day instead of 15.

Mr. Hambayi told ZANIS in an interview in Kasempa yesterday.

Mr. Hambayi feared that the number of patients visiting the clinic was likey to increase when Mukinge Hospital closes its Out Patient Department on 7th January, 2008.

Mr. Hambayi who works both during the day and at night also has to screen patients and dispense medicines to patients a development he described as unhealthy.

He explained that with the catchment population of over 4, 700 people, the clinic urgently needed more medical staff.

The Kivuku Nurse in Charge further appealed to Government to look into the problems of electricity and transport at the same clinic.

Meanwhile, Kivuku Residents are excited about the opening the Clinic in the area.

Hurriwell Lubinga who was found at the clinic said the construction of the clinic was long over due and thanked Government for the initiative.

He also echoed the need for more medical staff at the clinic.

Lumwana Mine embarks on Uranium explorations

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Lumwana Mine has started carrying out explorations on Uranium and the project is scheduled to be completed in February 2008.

Mine Managing Director Harry Michael disclosed this when Solwezi District Commissioner Albert Chifita toured the Mine over the weekend.

Mr Michael expressed optimism that the project and that the mine would wait for Government to issue it with a license to enable the mine embark on mining Uranium once explorations are completed.

The Managing Director also disclosed that Lumwana spends over US$ 1.5 million a day on its operations.

“I am certain, the Uranium exploration project will be successful and will wait from the Government to give us the license to embark on Uranium Mining once the project is complete”. Mr Michael said.

Bamfuchile final farewell set for Monday

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he burial of the late former Namibia and Zambia national team coach Ben Bamfuchile will take placer tomorrow morning at Chamboli Cemetery in Kitwe.

Bamfuchile will be buried at the Nkana FC’s heroes acre at Chamboli where his late mentor Moses Simwala and contemporary Kapambwe Mulenga lie.

The funeral is expected to be thew biggest for an ex-Zambia coach since the late legendary national team and Mufulira Wanderers great Samuel “Zoom” Ndholvu died five years ago.

The burial time has not been announced but it is expected to take place after church service which is scheduled for 10:00 Zambian time at Living Waters Ministries Church in Wusakile township.

Expected to attend the funeral ceremony are Faz president Teddy Mulonga and his vice Kalusha Bwalya who was a close friend of Bamfuchile under whom the latter worked with as assistant coach from 2003 to 2006.

Namibia Football Association who were Bamfuchile’s employers until the time of his death have sent general secretary Barry Rukoro to represent the federation at Mondays funeral.

Bamfuchile was Namibia head coach from June 2006 until November this year.

Bamfuchile, 47, passed away on Thursday night in Kitwe after a long illness.

ZNTB, RDA under fire over Mufulira roads contract

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Authorities in Mufulira district in Copperbelt Province have questioned the criteria used by the Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB) and the Road Development Agency (RDA) in the awarding of contracts to a named firm that has been singled out to rehabilitate five roads in the border town.

The authorities say the decision to give the contractor Road and Pavings the bid to rehabilitate township roads in the border area was most retrogressive and most unfortunate.

During a heated District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) held in the chambers, members felt cheated that Road and Pavings has continued to scoop road bids.

The members asserted that the firm has allegedly been doing shoddy works on most roads in Mufulira wondering why relevant bodies have continued entrusting the firm when several complaints have been lodged.

Mufulira District Commissioner (DC) Dyford Muulwa says already, work along the Mufulira/Subina Road being done by the firm was below par and a source of shame considering that substantial sums of money had gone into the project.

The DC added that already two people had died along the road in over a fortnight.

Mr. Muulwa said his office had received numerous complaints from both residents and the business community over the state of the Mufulira/Surbina road which had become a hell run.

The Mufulira DC added that he shall write to appropriate authorities to express his dismay over the work done by Road and Pavings adding that it was unfortunate that colossal sums of public monies were allegedly gong to waste.

And Mufulira Town Clerk (TC) Charles Mwandila informed the DDCC meeting that he had an audience with the contractor and expressed his misgivings over the poor workmanship exhibited by Road and Pavings.

The Mufulira TC added that the same disputed contractor had been awarded a contract to work on five roads which included: 17th street, Accra, Kambalange, Kalindini and David Kaunda roads among others.

He said the local authority would closely monitor the firm to ensure a satisfactory job.

The Mufulira TC added that with effect from next year, awarding of all road contractors would be done at district level; a motive he said was long over due.

Apart from the five roads, and the Mufulira/Surbina road, Road and Pavings is also doing the Mokambo road and has done works on four other roads in Mufulira District.

But efforts to get a comment from the contractor by ZANIS proved difficult as management of the said firm are reported to be on festive break out of the country.

Meanwhile, A Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Officer in Livingstone, Southern Province has been convicted and jailed for 18 months with hard labour for corruptly soliciting for K2 million bribe and receiving K500, 000 cash.

corrupt practices by public office.

Principal Resident Magistrate Kelvin Limbani, jailed Lungu, 37, of House No. 38, Kapombo Road in Livingstone, a Collector with ZRA for one and half years after he found him guilty of the offense.

Magistrate Limbani jailed Lungu with effect from 28th December 2007 the date he was arrested.

Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Relations Manager (PRM) Timothy Moono confirmed the court verdict on Lungu in a press statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Moono said the ACC arrested Lungu following a surveillance operation it conducted arrested him for soliciting K2 million bribe from motorists. This was in order for him to release keys for three motor vehicles which he had impounded for carrying drums of fuel from Botswana through the Zambian Victoria Falls Border.

Mr. Moono explained that Lungu impounded the vehicles on grounds that the owners of the vehicles had no authority to bring fuel in the country.

The owners of the fuel later reported themselves to the Zambia Revenue Authority Offices in Livingstone where they were charged the necessary fees.
Lungu however, refused to handover the keys stating that he had authorised the payment to ZRA and needed to be paid a bribe.

Mining activities in Kafue National Park worry Chief

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Senior Chief Kasempa of Kasempa district in North-Western Province has condemned mining activities being conducted in Kafue National Park and Lunga Luswishi Game management area in the district.

The traditional leader has since called on Government to stop the mining activities which he said were disturbing the animals in the two game areas.

He revealed that a few of the people mining in the two named game areas claimed to have licenses while others were mining illegally and hunting game illegally.

Senior Chief Kasempa wondered how and why the Ministry of Mines issued mining licenses to people to carry out mining activities in a game management and National Park.

He revealed that miners with mining licenses and those mining illegally were also poaching and transporting the game meat in sacks containing minerals.

He said such activities were disturbing tourism in the area and impressed upon Government to look into the issue urgently.

The Senior Chief said he was against mining in the game areas.

He said if left unchecked, the activities will deprive the people of Kasempa tourism royalties.

Senior Chief Kasempa was speaking at his palace in Kasempa today, when Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande who is also Kasempa Member of Parliament paid a courtesy call on him.

And senior Chief Kasempa has paid tribute to Government for increasing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation to the constituency.

The traditional leader said the K200 million CDF allocation if used in a good manner would enhance development activities in the district.

He called for strict monitoring of the CDF saying it should be used on bigger projects that would benefit all the people in the district.

Responding to the chief’s mining concerns, Mr. Pande assured the senior Chief that he will take up the issue of mining in the Kafue game park and Lunga Luswishi game management area with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals.

DC sends red alert to Kafue basin community to relocate

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Mazabuka District Commissioner, Misheck Chiinda has called on people living along the Kafue basin to relocate to higher grounds.

Mr Chiinda said the heavy rain being experienced coupled with the impending opening of flood gates at Itezhi tezhi dam by Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) poses a threat to both human and animal life.

The District Commissioner told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that reports reaching his office have indicated that Chimwaikila fishing camp has already been submerged in water.

Mr Chiinda said there is need for people living along the Kafue river to take the appeal seriously to avoid a calamity.

He said his office has since called for an urgent District Disaster Management meeting to plan for the imminent disaster in the district.

Meanwhile, more houses have collapsed in the last 24 hours in Ndeke township following continuous heavy rain being experienced in Mazabuka town.

30 more have collapsed bringing the total number of houses to 57 leaving scores of families in the cold.

The District Commissioner told ZANIS in Mazabuka that he will tomorrow (Monday) again lead a team of District Disaster Management committee members to visit the affected families.

Several families who have no means of rebuilding the collapsed homesteads are now spending nights in the cold.

Ndeke township Resident Development Committee Chairman, Justin Aongola expressed worry of a looming Cholera outbreak in the township due to poor sanitary conditions.

The township lacks toilet facilities and residents answer the call of nature using plastic bags and empty chibuku containers.

Pay Mazabuka farmers K1.3bn, FRA told

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A senior Government official in Mazabuka, Southern Province has called on the Food Reserve agency (FRA) to quickly source for funds to pay off farmers their K 1.3 billion.

Mazabuka District Commissioner, Misheck Chiinda told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that 200 farmers have not yet been paid by FRA because the K 1.5 billion sent to the district recently was only exhausted within two days.

Mr Chiinda said there is need for FRA to take the appeal seriously because most farmers are relying on the same funds to buy seed and fertiliser to grow maize.

He said it is unfair to punish farmers especially at this time when most of them have relocated their homes to town just to wait for their money.

Meanwhile, FRA Mazabuka Warehouse manager Obrien Han’gandu has gone into hiding for fear of being lynched by angry farmers.

Mr Han’gandu told ZANIS in Mazabuka that he has decided to go into hiding because farmers are threatening him.

He said farmers strongly believe he has stolen their money because he is the one who has been authorising their payment from the bank.

Mr Han’gandu has since pleaded with the farmers to remain calm because their money has not yet been sent by FRA.

Mazabuka district has bought a total of 331,580 at a cost of K 12 billion.

In a related development, The National Association for Peasant and Small Scale farmers in Mazabuka has disbursed a total of K 140 million loans to farmers in five cooperative societies whose fertiliser and seed is still locked up by Omnia Zambia limited.

Association Coordinator, Ricky Sinyamuki who disclosed this to ZANIS in Mazabuka said his association came to the rescue of the farmers because of loss of time caused by the suspension of the Fertiliser Support Programme.

He said the farmers from Chibuyu,Chinyanja, Manyonyo, Mugoto and Chakola have since purchased fertiliser and Seed from Omnia.

Mr Sinyamuki said most farmers who accessed loans had to sell their animals at give away prices just to raise the 50 percent collateral before the loans could be approved.

He said the farmers association is working in partnership with the Zambia National Commercial Bank and Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC) in the provision of loans to farmers.

Mr Sinyamuki explained that ZSIC is providing insurance cover to the farmers in case of drought, floods and other climatic conditions that would affect agriculture production in their respective areas.

He added that three other cooperatives have already submitted their applications for loans.

Mr Sinyamuki also challenged farmers who are not aware of the loan facilities to take advantage of the loans and boost their agriculture activities.

Meanwhile, Mr Sinyamuki has assured the farmers that his association will not engage in the seizure of property should they fail to repay the loans.

Heavy downpour delinks Sinazongwe

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Sinazongwe District in Southern Province has been cut off from the rest of the country following heavy rains that have extensively damaged the Batoka-Maamba road which links the district to Choma.

The road has been cut off completely at Muziyo, about 37 kilometers from Batoka where a deep gulley has been created by fast running water from the hills.

As a result scores of people and motor vehicles travelling to and from Sinazongwe are stranded on either side of the road.

Both Choma District Commissioners Mungoni Simulilika and his Sinazongwe counter-part Laiven Apuleni confirmed the development to ZANIS in Choma this morning and described the situation a disaster that must be treated as an emergency.

The two DCs have appealed to the Road Development Agency (RDA) to quickly mobilise resources to put up a temporal bridge to allow light vehicles and people to pass.

Mr Simulilika who rushed to the area this morning said preliminary assessments are that the gulley is about ten (10) metres wide and five metres deep.

Mr Simulilika who also disclosed that a portion of the road that has been cut off is in Choma district said hundreds of motor vehicles including trucks hauling coal are marooned on either side of the road.

He has also implored RDA management to engage a reputable contractor to avoid shortcomings that were encountered with the last contractor, GM International, whose contract was later terminated because of shoddy work.

He said there is need for RDA to also carry out regular inspection on the Batoka-Maamba road where a spot check this morning revealed that there some other weak spots that might collapse if the heavy rains being experienced in the area persist.

Meanwhile, Sinazongwe District Commissioner Laiven Apuleni says the situation is a big problem for the people in the district as they rely on Choma for goods and services.

He told ZANIS that it will be difficult to handle emergencies following the development.

Meanwhile, -Siavonga Township has been cut off from the rest of the country following the complete collapse of two portions of Lusitu Bridge.

Lusitu Bridge which is situated along Siavonga – Chirundu road was damaged and divided into two parts this morning around 06:00 hours following heavy rains that flooded Lusitu River.

And several motorists and passengers that were either travelling to Siavonga from Lusaka or vice versa are stranded in Lusitu area as vehicles and people cannot cross over.

Lusitu ward councillor Christopher Kiwani told ZANIS in Lusitu that apart from heavy rains damaging the bridge, the deluge has also washed away maize plants in surrounding areas.

Mr. Kiwani disclosed that the Lusitu River whose water flows from Chikankata in Mazabuka leading to the lower Zambezi River got flooded in the early hours of today resulting into water flowing over the bridge washing away poles holding the bridge.

And District Commissioner Emily Striedl who led a team of members from the District Disaster management team to the scene appealed to all those planning to travel to Siavonga not to do so because they will have no access.

Mrs Striedl however assured that her office has already contacted relevant authorities that are supposed to repair the bridge.

Police smash fuel scam

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Police in Ndola have raided a garage and impounded drums and a South African registered tanker containing fuel worth over K110 million.

The police have also arrested four men, including a South African truck driver, suspected to be involved in a fuel scam.

The suspects have been charged with theft of goods in transit, and they are detained at Ndola’s Masala police station.

The raid was executed on Friday night and the police recovered 135 drums of fuel and a fuel tanker with 35,000 litres of petroleum valued at US$29,000 (about K110 million).

Each drum has a maximum capacity of 210 litres, but it was not immediately clear if all the drums were full to capacity.

Police alleged that the suspects were transporting the contraband to Litande Garage near the Zambia International Trade Fair Grounds where two light trucks were parked, one laden with 102 drums and the other with 33 drums.

The driver of the tanker was identified as Welcome Libande Bongani, the owner of the garage as Austin Mulande.

Two other drivers who were transporting fuel in 210-litre drums were identified as Emmanuel Kanda and Kennedy Sikazwe.

The tanker, registration number ND 275-433, and the two light trucks were carrying fuel imported from South Africa for BP Zambia Limited in Lusaka.

Ndola district deputy police commanding officer, Anderson Chengo said police were still investigating the matter to establish why the fuel was transported to Ndola and not Lusaka which was the destination.

Mr Chengo said police acted swiftly on information received on the theft of fuel and arrest the suspects.

“Yes we have arrested the four men who are custody for theft of goods in transit and will appear in court soon,” he said.

He said the total cost of the fuel in the tanker was estimated at US$29,000 but he could not state the cost for fuel in the other drums, which was suspected to contain diesel.

“We cannot tell the cost because we do not know whether the drums are full or not,” he said.

In another development, police in Ndola have launched a manhunt for a former commando and another man after they allegedly stabbed a man in the stomach at a bar in Kaloko township.

Mr Chengo said the two had gone to the bar with the intention to allegedly steal but faced resistance from Abson Banda who was manning the bar for his friend.

Mr Chengo said that Banda stabbed and was later rushed to Ndola Central hospital where he is admitted.

His condition is stable.

He appealed to members of the public to report the culprits to police.

PS calls for expansion of Solwezi Hospital

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North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Jeston Mulando has called for expansion of Solwezi general hospital to cope with the increasing population in the district.

Mr Mulando said there was need to construct an office block for members of staff rather than squeezing staff offices within wards.

He said this when he toured the hospital today.

The Permanent Secretary rushed to the hospital to verify reports from some people that clinical officers were not attending to patients.

He however, found the situation normal and staff in the out patient department explained that they never turned back any person.

Meanwhile, Provincial Health Director, Dr George Liabwa also echoed the Permanent Secretary’s sentiments that there was need to expand the hospital.

Dr Liabwa said they have submitted the budget to the ministry for rehabilitation of the hospital.

He added that there was also need for another clinic in Solwezi because the current infrastructure can not cope with the increasing population.

State nods 81 Youth projects in Mazabuka

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Government has approved 81 youth projects under the Constituency Youth Development Fund (CYDF) in Mazabuka, Southern Province at a cost of K 102 million.

Mazabuka District Commissioner, Misheck Chiinda who disclosed this to ZANIS in Mazabuka said this follows the release of K 120 million CYDF funds to the district.

Mr Chiinda has however directed Chikankata and Magoye Youth Development Committee to sit and approve the remaining projects to ensure all youths benefit from the empowerment funds.

He warned that failure to spend the money will compel his office to surrender the money to the Ministry of Finance.

Mr Chiinda has since commended Government for coming to the rescue of youths by providing funds meant to uplift their living standards.

Meanwhile, Mazabuka District Hospital workers in Southern Province have given management a two- day ultimatum in which to reinmburse the abnormal house allowance deductions on their salaries or face industrial unrest.

The workers told Acting District Director of Health, Elias Hamatanga during a heated meeting held at the hospital last night that they will be forced to withdraw labour on Monday should the District Health Management team fail to meet their demands.

Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ) District Vice Chairperson, Violet Phiri told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that there is need for Government to seriously address the problem because non of the health workers will able to send their children to school.

Ms Phiri said it is unfair for the District Health Management team to effect such deductions because they are meant to punish the workers.

She added that Government is punishing the workers twice because they are staying in dilapidated houses which were condemned by the Ministry of Works and Supply as not fit for human habitation.

And the workers in a statement released to ZANIS in Mazabuka today complained that the deductions were harsh and should be stopped immediately because they were done without their knowledge.

They lamented that some staff receiving over K 500,000 got K 20,000 and K40,000 as take home salaries.

Nurses and Clinical Officers got between K 70,000 and K 150,000.

Mazabuka District Commissioner, Misheck Chiinda told ZANIS that the Union leadership has since requested to air their grievances to him.

By Press time, The District commissioner was still waiting for union officials to report to his office for the meeting.

Remain committed in graft crusade, Mpompo

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Government has urged Defence personnel in the country to remain committed to efforts aimed at complementing its crusade against corruption.

And Government has also announced the new State Funeral Policy in Zambia.

Defence Minister George Mpombo said committment by Defence forces to corruption crusade would help prevent Government’s scarce resources from being mismanaged.

He said this when he represented President Mwanawasa at the Zambia Air force (ZAF) 2007 annual ball held at Chamba Valley in Lusaka last night.

Under the theme loyalty and integrity, Mr. Mpompo also appealed to the Defence forces to exhibit high morals in a bid to curb the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

He said the annual ball is an event for the ZAF defense personnel and their partners to foster the spirit of togetherness to celebrate the success of the year and chart the way forward.

Mr. Mpombo commended ZAF for their role in national development through their efforts in reaching in access areas during disasters such as flood to deliver relief food.

The defence minister has since urged the defence personnel to continue displaying exemplary behaviour and be loyal to the government of the day and the people of Zambia in order to promote national security.Government has announced a new State funeral policy.

On the new State Funeral Policy, the Defence Minister disclosed that State funerals will only be accorded to the President, Vice President, speaker of National Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, former Heads of States.

And speaking earlier at the same function, ZAF Commander Lt. Gen. Samuel Mapala described ZAF performance in 2007 as satisfactory because defence had met most of its obligations and targets in the areas of operations, logistics, training and administration.

He said the Airforce’s vision for 2008 is to continue improving in all aspects of the defense wing such as maintaining high levels of service to the State.

He reiterate ZAF’s commitment to continued contributions to enhancing Zambia’s economy.

Highlight State programmes, media told

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Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Elijah Chisanga has challenged the media and other stakeholders to highlight Government programmes to the Zambian people.

Mr Chisanga says this will enable the people access Government support towards their various activities.

The Permanent Secretary says inadequate publicity of Government policies to the Zambian public had contributed to the high poverty levels.

Mr Chisanga said this during his two- days tour of fish ponds in Kanakantapa and Shikabeta areas in Chongwe district, Lusaka Province

The Permanent Secretary added that it is Government’s mandate to support the Zambian farmers particulary those venturing in fish farming to alleviate the poverty levels in the country.

Mr Chisanga cited the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) as one of the most important programmes meant to uplift the living standards of the Zambian people.

He also commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for providing technical advise and skills to fish farmers in the province through the department of fisheries.

Mr Chisanga called on small scale farmers to venture into fish farming as it is profitable and easily managed.

Meanwhile, A small scale fish farmer in Kanakantapa area, Bishop Muchimba Siachalwa has appealed to the Government to support fish farming activities in the area .

Bishop Muchimba who prodded other smale scale farmers to venture into fish farming, said with Government support, more farmers will be able to start the activity and this will in turn improve the living standards of the Zambian people.