The Zambia Water and Sanitation Alliance, ZWASA, has urged government to speed up the re-introduction of the NGO Bill with a few amendments in the current sitting of parliament for subsequent enactment into law.

Executive Director Derick Mushitu says ZWASA has carefully studied the NGO Bill that was temporarily withdrawn from parliament in the last sitting to allow for further consultation.

He said the organisation has no problem with government having some regulatory function in the operations of NGOs as proposed in the Bill.

In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mushitu further said the law should regulate the NGOs as they cannot do so in a manner that would make them contribute positively to the living standards of the people.

Mushitu said NGOS are there to complement government efforts in service delivery to the people.

He observed with regret however at the moment only international NGOS were truly adding value
to the lives of the people of Zambia.

Mushitu also appealed to religious organisations registered in the country to work towards the improvement of living standards of the local communities in the areas where they operate.

He also disclosed that ZWASA will soon meet borehle drilling companies operating in Zambia to discuss how they can contribute to the alleviation of water problems especially in Lusaka.

Mushitu said this is one way the companies can plough back something for the benefit of local communities.

The organisation has also appealed to Mps and councillors to ensure that a large percentage of the Constituency Development is devoted to community projects aimed at improving water supply and sanitation in the communities.

he ship carrying 60,000 tonnes of crude feedstock docked this morning at the port of Dar-es-salaam in Tanzania.

Energy acting permanent secretary O.S.Kalumian has confirmed.

In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Kalumiana said the ship started offloading at 13:00 hours this afternoon and INDENI in Ndola should therefore start refining in a few days time following the arrival of the feedstock.

He said the 60,000 tonnes of feedstock will last until the first week of January, 2008.

At that time, a shipment of 90,000 metric tonnes of crude feedstock expected in the country between 15 and 24th January would be available.

Mr Kalumiana further explained that in addition, suffiecient stocks were stockpiled at the Ndola Fuel Terminal (NFT) before the temporary closure of INDENI.

He said as at 24th November, 2007, the Ndola Fuel Terminal held 20,084 cubic metres of diesel to last 24 days, 8,116 cubic metres of petrol to last 26 days, 2,257 cubic metres of unleaded petrol to last 18.5 days and 3490 cubic metres of kerosene to last 86 days.

The NFT also had 950 cubic metres of jet fuel for 11.6 days, 321 cubic metres of LPG to last seven days and 18,700 cubic metres of Heavy Fuel Oil to last 77 days.

Mr Kalumiana added that Oil Marketing Companies, OMCs, also had in stock 24,050 cubic metres of diesel to last 29 days, 8,116 cubic metres of petrol to last 26 days, 4,514 cubic metres of unleaded petrol to last 27 days, 3,741 cubic metres of kerosene to last 92 days, 2,869 cubic metres of jet fuel to last 31 days, 321 cubic metres of LPG to last 7 days and 18,700 cubic metres of Heavy Fuel Oil to last 77 days.

The acting energy permanent secretary said given this situation, there is no need for the public to panic as the fuel supply situation is under control.

Government has cautioned students at higher learning institutions against riotous behaviour which causes unnecessary disruptions and delays in study programs.

Science, Technology and Vocational Training Minister Peter Daka was speaking at the second graduation ceremony at Ukwimi Trades Training institute in Petauke district today.

Mr. Daka who is also Msanzala Member of Parliament said the recent riotous behaviour erxhibited by some students in some learning institutions in the country robbed government of much needed human resources.

He added that such a habit applied only to the laws of the jungle.

Meanwhile, the Minister commended 24 students who graduated with craft certificates in various vocational courses for successfully completing the courses other than concentrating on pulling government efforts down.

He advised students to desiset from blindly following politicians who incite students to rise against government in institutioins of higher learning as both government and guardians are spending a lot of money in educating them.

The minister further said studeants who are busy playing fond boycotts and strikes instead aof studying will be expelled.

And speaking at the same functioin, Ukwimi Trades Training Institute Principal, Shadreck Mapiki said since the opening of the college in 1996 the number of students has increased hence the need to finish the new structures at the Petauke boma campus to accommodate more students.

Mr. Mapiki said cosntruction works at the new campus has taken too long because of limited resources pumped towards the same project.

He has since appealed to government to send more money to the contractors to have the buildings completed on time.

The National Youth Progressive Movement (NYPM) has welcomed the retirement of former Information and Broadcasting Services minister, Vernon Mwaanga from active politics.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, NYPM Spokesperson Nathan Banda urged other veteran politians to emulate Mr Mwaanga.

Mr Banda said old politicians should retire to leave room to upcoming and vibrant young politicans to take politics.

He said youths in the country were ready to take up the various challenges of leadership by promoting national unity through respect of democratic principles and youth rights.

He said this would contribute to the social – economic development at all levels and create gainful employment to the youths.

Mr Mwaanga, who is the only politician to have served in the three admministrations of Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Dr Frederick Chiluba and the current Presidednt Dr Levy Mwanawasa’s governmewnt, publicly announced his retirement from active politics yesterday.

Mr Mwaanga however said he was still in the ruling MMD adding that he was ready to play any advisory role in the party he helped found.

He called on youths in the country to take advantage of the available educationh and training opportunities.

“: We have to rise up to the occassion and make meaningful contribution to the development of our nation. We should not accept to be called future leaders as we are leaders of today not tomorrow, ” he said.

The Ndola Magistrate Courts this morning heard that findings of the medical examinations carried out on the juvenile alleged to have been raped by MMD Copperbelt Provincial Chairman Terence Findley, were inconsistent.

Appearing before Ndola Principal Resident Magistrate Chilombo Phiri, Dr Adolphus Obi, the Acting head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at Ndola Central Hospital, said findings on tests carried out on the juvenile were not conclusive.

During cross-examination in the continued hearing of the case, Dr Obi who did not personally examine the juvenile explained that the victim had no bruises and no injuries on her.

“From the findings it is very inconclusive for the charge of rape because there were no bruises and no form of injuries were found,” he said.

But the Doctor confirmed that the victim had scars on her left hand and buttocks.

The defence team is lead by Eric Silwamba, Paulman Chungu and Lawrence Matibini.

Meanwhile, the Ndola Magistrate Court grounds had a heavy presence of police officers in uniform and plain clothes as MMD cadres chanting party slogans had come to show solidarity to their party chairman.

Hearing continues this afternoon.

Police in London have recovered 79, 000 British pounds in an account of an Ethiopian national believed to be plundered resources for the Zambia government.

Task Force on Corrption was informed by Swindon police about a money transfer transaction made into the account of the Ethiopian national in suspicious circumstances.

Task Force on Corruption spokesperson Victor Makayi who confirmed the development in a statement today said the British police have since obtained a court order freezing the suspects (Ethiopian national) bank account and took him for questioning.

According to Mr. Makayi, the suspect told the police that thge money was not his, but that he had allowed the Canadian Bank Note Company (CBNC) to transfer into his account monies which they claimed was owing to Mr. Faustin Kabwe.

Mr. Kabwe was engaged by CBNC as their Zambian representative through a consultancy agreement with the Bank of Zambia in 1999.

The Task Force on Corruption believes that the transaction was an attempt by Mr. Kabwe to hide the moeny from the effect of the World Wide Freezing court order which is enforceable on him.

The freezing order does not allow Mr. Kabwe to receive monies without disclosure to the London court.

Mr. Makayi said following instructions from the Task Force on Corruption, the lawyers in London contacted Barclays Bank Swindon and served upon them the original world freezing order thereby putting them on notice of Mr. Kabwe’s status.

He said the Bank has since confirmed to the lawyers that the monies will remain frozen pursuant to the post judgement freezing order and that they will comply with any court order the lawyers will obtain.

Recently, the lawyers in London engaged by the Task Force, have obtained from the account holders (Ethiopian man) solicitors, a signed declaration, confirming that he has no interest in the funds in his account.

Furthermore, a letter has been obtained from the Canadian Bank Note Company, confirming that the funds they paid the account holders account, were payable by them to Mr. Kabwe in respect of commission due to him and that they have no interest in the money.

Mr. Kabwe has made an appeal an application in London for leave to appeal against the London judgement and the last indication on timing from Court of Appeal was that all applications would be reviewed by a single Lord Justice of Appeal during the course of this month.

Therefore, as matters currently stand, the monies are frozen by the bank, pursuant to the post judgement freezing order and the evidence the Task Force has supplied to them of Mr. Kabwe’s ownership of the funds.

If Mr. Kabwe’s application for leave of appeal is dismissed the Task Force will seek through its lawyers, an order paying the funds to the Attorney General of Zambia in accordance with the judgement.