President Levy Mwanawasa
has denied insinuations from some quarters of the media that he failed to attend recently held international meetings like the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Uganda because he was sick.

Dr Mwanawasa said there was nothing wrong in delegating Senior Government officials to international forums to represent him because Government has partnerships on which it operates and functions in executing its duties.

Responding to queries by Journalists shortly before his departure for Germany where he has been invited for a four-day State Visit, Dr. Mwanawasa said today that he should not be condemned when he assigned people to represent him at international fora.

‘’Surely I should not be condemned’’ when I assign people to represent me”, he said.

He however admitted that like anybody else he fell sick.

Dr Mwanawasa has since invited members of the media to watch him at Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Chamba Valley gym when he goes for his work outs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for over an hour.

He advised Journalists to be mindful with other people’s feelings as they disseminate information to the general citizenry not only in Zambia but worldover.

Dr. Mwanawasa noted that the media being a fourth estate is vital as it is the link between Government and the people.

‘’I wish to invite you Journalists to watch me at ZAF Chamba valley at the gym every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays where I train for one hour 30 minutes,’’ Dr. Mwanawasa said.

The jovial looking President said he has ‘slimmed’ as a result of good exercises at the gym.

Meanwhile, President Levy Mwanawasa has with immediate effect retired in national interest Zambia National Service (ZNS) Commandant Major General Chileshe Mbao.

Dr Mwanawasa has since appointed Zambia Army (ZA) Deputy Commander Major General Raphael Chiseta.

The President has also appointed Zambia National Service Deputy Commander Brigadier General Moses Chipika to serve in Foreign Service to a named country to be announced later.

‘’I have no doubt that Gen. Chisheta will excel significantly as he takes on his new appointment from Maj-Gen Mbao. I have also with immediate effect appointed Gen. Chipika to proceed to a diplomatic service to be advised until confirmation,’’ Dr. Mwanawasa said.

Communications and Transport Minister Sarah Sayifwanda has castigated National Airports Corporation (NAC) authorities for not developing infrastructure entrusted in them.

Mrs. Sayifwanda says there was over 2,000 hectares of land at the Lusaka International Airport but she was disappointed that NAC is operating on dilapidated infrastructure inherited many years ago.

Mrs. Sayifwanda said this in Lusaka today when she toured the Lusaka International Airport premises.

She said Lusaka International Airport has only one run-way hence the need for the NAC to construct some more to help accommodate increasing planes.

The visibly annoyed Minister said it is the responsibility of parastatal companies to ensure that they develop infrastructure instead of concentrating on making profits on dilapidated environments.

She said there is need to move with time adding that as Minister in charge of Communication, she should be seen to be implementing and not just mere rhetoric.

‘’NAC is still using the buildings left by first republican president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. We have over 2,000 hectares of land which the Corporation can expand on. I need to see change and the status is unpleasing to me as it stands,’’ she castigated.

She said that in her quest to develop the communications sector, Zambia needs to move with modern trends to suit with the global aviation services.

And National Airports Corporation Lusaka International Airport Manager Friday Mulenga could explain the dilapidated Airport grounds.

But Mr. Mulenga said NAC would pull its socks and improve on its buildings.

Zambia is poised to save about US $150 million per year in iron and steel imports following the setting up of the Kafue Integrated Iron and Steel by Universal Mining and Chemical industries

Currently, Zambia imports most of its iron and steel products used in the construction industry.

The US $120 million project investment when fully operational by next year June is expected to directly create about 6000 jobs and more subsidiary business.

Speaking during the brick laying ceremony at the plant this morning, President Levy Mwanawasa said the setting up of the plant will contribute to job and wealth creation in Kafue Town.

Dr. Mwanawasa further said the plant would augment the other efforts for similar opportunities such as Nikel Mining.

He observed that the people of Kafue have faced a lot of economic hardships following the problems at the Kafue Textiles Limited (KTZ) and the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ).

He said the problems at the two companies, which are the major sources of employment for the locals, have been a source of concern but stated that his administration has tried under difficult financial circumstances to address some of the problems.

Dr. Mwanawasa disclosed government a few years ago paid off what was owed by KTZ to its former workers after negotiating terms with them.

He revealed government will address in a more concerted manner some of the problems at the NCZ.

Dr. Mwanawasa urged youths to take advantage of the business opportunities that are opening in the area.

He said government has created the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) which they can use to start up businesses.

And Dr. Mwanawasa has pledged his government’s assistant to the plant so as to ensure that the project succeeds.

He said with the past failed efforts by the State to establish an iron and steel plant, that government was ready to listen to the problems that the company will face.

Meanwhile the President has however urged the company to ensure that it takes care of environmental concerns.

Speaking at the same function, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati commended financial institutions that have assisted the company in providing bridge up resources.

He said government was encouraged that local businesses have started investing in the Zambia economy.

And Company Director for Corporate and Public Affairs Bright Chunga said the plant will bring economic liberalisation on the country’s imported of the iron and steel products.

He said Zambians would from next year be able to build their homes using cheaper materials with readily available iron and steel products made locally.

The Iron and Steel project is a six year project to be conducted in three phases.

The company is expecting to produce about 100 000 tonnes of iron and steel per year in the first phase and reach 280 000 by the sixth year.

Government has constituted a technical committee to
spearhead preparations for the All Africa Games to be hosted by Zambia in 2011.

The committee led by Sports, Youth and Child Development Permanent Secretary Bob Samakai, has since identified four learning institutions to be sports villages during the event.

The institutions include Evelyn Hone College of Applied Arts and Commerce, the National Resources Development College (NRDC), the University of Zambia (UNZA) and David Kaunda Technical High School.

Speaking to Journalists after a conducted inspection tour of the UNZA’s Great East
Road campus, Samakai said the institutions would be used to accommodate the expected thousands of international athletes and officials.

Samakai added that some of the sports villages would also be used as training areas for the international athletes.

He said the ultra modern stadium under construction in Ndola would be the venue for all football matches while other games like athletics, basketball, rugby and handball would be held at the Independence Stadium and the National Olympics Complex, off Kabwe road.

He explained that the ultra modern stadium in Ndola would have an estimated sitting capacity of 45, 000.

During today’s tour of the university campus, the technical committee visited some student hostels such as the International Hostel commonly known as ‘the ruins’ and October hostels.

After visiting the hostels, the Permanent Secretary said the University
and other institutions were going to benefit from government plan to turn them in to sports villages.

He said rehabilitations work and construction works would be carried out at all institutions identified as sports villages.

The Permanent Secretary was accompanied by other senior officials who included his Director for Child Affairs John Zulu, ,National Sports Development Council of Zambia (NSDZ) Acting General Secretary Benson Kapaya and National Olympics Committee of Zambia ( NOCZ) Treasurer Kephas Sanga.

Dean of Students Hector Chibobola and his team were also part of the entourage.

Chibobola commended overnment for the visit saying the gesture was a guarantee of
improved standards at the university.

President Mwanawasa has with immediate effect appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police Peter Chingaipe as Acting Commissioner of the Drug Enforcement Commssion (DEC).

Mr. Chingaipe’s appointment follows the suspension of incumbent DEC commissioner Ryan Chitoba, who was arrested by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday on charges of theft of public funds.

Dr. Mwanawasa urged Mr. Chingaipe to polish up the commission, which, he said, has been in a state of confusion over the period since the issues which led to the suspension of Mr. Chitoba.

Meanwhile, President Levy Mwanawasa has said provision of good education to children saves them from poverty and equips them for national tasks.

Dr Mwanawasa said this when he officiated at a live play performance dubbed the home coming by Nkhwazi primary school pupils in Lusaka tonight.

The President, whose daughter Ntembe is a pupil at the school, said acting and other extra curricula activities are important in a school programme as they provides a platform for children to enjoy themselves.

He added that happiness is good for the learning environment.

Dr. Mwanawasa said Nkhwazi primary school is a good example of the public-private sector partnership because it relieves government of the duty to support every child with education as the children whose parents can afford to pay are enabled access to education.

He commended Nkhwazi school management for the various extra curricula activities it has initiated for the children.

And speaking at the same occasion Education Minister Professor Geofrey Lungwagwa said the performance by the pupils is an indication of the changing landscape of Zambia’s education system.

Prof Lungwangwa reiterated that the collaboration between the private sector and government in the education sector has recorded positive results.