The governments of Japan and Zambia have today signed a K2.34 billion (70 million Japanese yen) grant aid agreement to finance a detailed design study of the ground water development project in Luapula province.

The project is aimed at drilling 200 boreholes which would service at least 50,000 people in the province. The boreholes would be drilled in seven districts of the province.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lusaka today, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Ng’andu Magande said the 200 boreholes would increase the coverage of water supply in Luapula province from 17 per cent to 20 per cent.

“Regrettably, this will still be below the national average rural water supply coverage estimated at 37 per cent,” he said.

Mr. Magande said government was working hard to improve access to adequate, safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services in the country through the National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (NRWSSP) which is already in place.

He said government would further endeavour to implement activities which would build the capacity of local communities to operate and maintain their own water supply facilities.

The minister pointed out that government was still far from covering the majority of the rural communities partly because of lack of a systematic way of providing water.

He paid tribute to Japan for its unwavering efforts to assist Zambia in reducing poverty levels in the country.

“I would like to express our gratitude to your government for its active support in the preparation of the joint assistance strategy for Zambia (JASZ) and other initiatives intended to promote donor coordination and aid effectiveness in Zambia,” he said.

And Japanese Ambassador to Zambia, Hideto Mitamura said at the same function that communities in Luapula province have over the years been subjected to drinking unsanitary water, thereby exposing themselves to contracting water borne diseases.

Mr. Mitamura said the drilling of 200 boreholes would reduce the risk of people of Luapula province from contracting water diseases.

He said the developments in water supply would enable people in the province to concentrate on economic activities while enjoying good health.

“This will facilitate the enhancement of the welfare of the people of Zambia through improved productivity arising from good health thereby contributing positively to the long-term economic and social development of the country,” he said.

He added that this would contribute to the implementation of the fifth National Development Plan running from 2006 to 2010, which considers water and sanitation as a major priority area.

Mr. Mitamura has assured that his government would continue to cooperate with the Zambian one in implementing the plan.

Dunavant Zambia limited in Choma has assured farmers of better reward for their sweat in the production of cotton.

The company agriculture manager, Mwendabai Sinyinda says the company was doing a lot to support farmers involved in the production of cotton.

Mr Sinyinda was speaking in Choma today when Dunavant Zambia limited donated a second hand Sarcom truck valued at K50 million to a prominent local cotton farmer and distributor.

The recipient Rollen Lwiindi of Womba area in chief Chikanta, has not only been a cotton farmer but has been distributing seed, chemicals, sprayers, recovering loans and buying seed cotton on behalf of Dunavant.

Mr Sinyinda said Dunavant has given Mr Lwiindi the truck in recognition of his contribution to the improvement of cotton production in the area.

The Dunavant official urged other cotton farmers to take production of the crop as a serious business venture.

He said Dunavant Zambia was committed to empowering farmers that continued to be loyal and dedicated to the ideals of partnership in cotton growing.

Speaking at the same function, ministry of agriculture crop officer for Choma, Ben Makayi commended Dunavant for coming with up the initiative of rewarding had working farmers.

Government says it will no longer issue contracts under the International Federation of Consultants (FIDIC) because the country does not benefit from the institution.

Officiating at a consultative workshop on the status of the Zambian construction industry, in Lusaka today, Works and Supply Minister Kapembwa Simbao said Zambia does not subscribe to the institution and therefore no more contacts will be issued under FIDIC conditions.

Mr. Simbao said FIDIC conditions cannot work for Zambia because the European environment and resources are different from those obtaining in the country.

He said there is need to embrace contracts that the government and people of Zambia understand and suit them.

Mr Simbao noted that government has never failed to pay for any project saying the contractors themselves have failed to present convincing certificates for payments.

He also cautioned contractors to provide quality service to the nation and not to be driven by the lust for money.

Mr. Simbao warned that any contractor who is found guilty of perpetuating corruption will not only face the wrath of the law but will also be blacklisted from undertaking any government works in future.

He added that advance payments have since been stopped because some contractors disappear after being paid leaving the work unfinished.

Mr Simbao further said discussions will be held to clarify how many contracts a single company should handle at once.

Speaking earlier, National Council for Construction, NCC, chairperson Francis Ndilila

urged contractors to strictly adhere to the provisions in the contracts they are awarded in order to deliver according to government’s expectations.

And Special Assistant to the President for Policy Implementation and Monitoring Jack Kalala expressed concern at the low levels of patriotism among contractors.

Mr Kalala called on contractors to have the interest of the nation at heart each time they are awarded a contract to build a road, bridge or any other infrastructure.

He said use of sub-standard materials and shoddy work are tantamount to theft of public resources.