Various individuals and industrial electricity consumers have asked the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to reject the proposed electricity tariff increase by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation ( ZESCO).

ZESCO has proposed electricity tariff increment of between 40-45% for domestic users and 70-75% for the industrial sector.

Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) first vice president, Jervis Zimba said at a public hearing on the ZESCO tariff review in Lusaka today that the proposed increment for the industrial sector is too high as it will have a direct impact on production costs and prices of items in the basket of goods that are monitored for inflationary trends.

Mr Zimba noted that if the cost structure of the Zambian producers becomes unfavourable, this will adversely affect food balance and will undermine the country’s position as the potential food basket of the region.

He observed that there is need to ensure that the cost of power to productive sectors of the economy remains as low as possible in order to derive full benefits from Zambia’s natural comparative advantage in agriculture.

Mr Zimba said that the proposed tariffs should be reversed with 40-45% being for the most productive sectors and 70-75% for non productive sectors.

Mr Zimba charged that the final increase in ZESCO tariffs that will be agreed upon should translate into improved funding for maintenance works at the local level so that the supply of electricity can become more reliable than the current situation.

He appealed to ZESCO to also publicise information on how much the mining sector are contributing in their current electricity tariffs.

Mr Zimba said electricity consumers need the assurance of ZESCO that the mining sector is paying its fair share of the costs of expansion.

And the Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) Executive Director, Justine Chisulo said the proposed tariff increment by ZESCO was too high and too sudden.

Mr Chisulo said that in as much as it supports tariff adjustments, the proposed electricity increments by the power company was unjustified as the cost of doing business will skyrocket.

He advised that ZESCO should among other things try to recover over K300 billion it is owed by various Government agencies adding that even salaries and gratuity it gives to its contract employees should be reduced for the company to manage its operational costs.

Speaking earlier, ERB Chairperson Sikota Wina said that it is the Board’s objective to ensure that quality energy services are provided at reasonable prices.

Mr Wina noted that since its inception it has dealt with more than 10 tariff reviews for ZESCO.

He noted that this year’s review has been most comprehensive adding that it attracted 60 submissions and more stakeholders than before.

Mr Wina further noted that the review has come at a wake of a looming power deficit both in Zambia and in the entire Southern African Region.

Ndola, Nov 20, 2007, Zanis – The MMD in Ndola has petitioned the MMD Secretariat to expel their provincial chairman Mr. Terence Findlay from the party.

A group of party women and youths staged a peaceful demonstration at the provincial minister’s office today where they requested the party president to expel their provincial chairman for ill conduct.

Copperbelt provincial minister Mr. Mwansa Mbulakulima endorsed their action and called on the secretariat to take action against Mr. Findlay alleging that his actions amounted to extreme indiscipline, insubordination and insolence.

He said he could not understand why Mr. Findlay chose the press to air his concerns when by virtue of being a provincial chairman, he was a member the party national executive committee.

The provincial minister added that findlay’s conduct should be dealt with firmly because it could create indiscipline in the party.

He said there was need to foster discipline in the party structures if the MMD was to win the 2011 elections.

He said national leaders in the party needed to exhibit tolerance and humility at all times.

He assured the party cadres that the petition which they presented to him would reach the National Secretariat today without further delays so that appropriate action against Mr. Findlay is taken.

And District Youth Chairman Mr. Richard Mofya said Mr. Findlay was a sympathiser of the past regime and should not be allowed to bring the new deal administration into disrepute.

He said Mr. Findlay’s conduct had disgraced the party and attracted shame on the party leaders.

He said Mr. Findlay has failed to cope with the high levels of integrity that President Mwanawasa has been insisting on in public office.

He appealed to Dr. Mwanawasa to expel Mr. Findlay from the party.

Chief Mushima of Mufumbwe district the recently announced signing of a memorandum of understanding between government and ZAMKOR to carry out mineral explorations in his chiefdom was done without the consultation of the local people.

Chief Mushima said in a statement today that he was shocked to hear Local government and Housing Deputy Minister Ben Tetamashimba’s announcing that government signed an MOU with ZAMKOR to carry out mineral explorations in Lwamakambi, in Mufuambwe district without his knowledge.

He described the announcement by Mr. Tetamashimba as an insult to his chiefdom and a disgrace to his royal establishment.

He claimed that Mr. Tetamashimba, who is also Solwezi Central member of parliament had not consulted him over the mineral explorations in his chiefdom.

He said that he was not against promoting economic development in Zambia and North Western province in particular, but that such important investments should be made in consultation with the local people.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr. Tetamashimba failed by press time.

PRESIDENT Mwanawasa has with immediate effect terminated the services of Solicitor-General, Sunday Nkonde.

State House Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations, David Kombe, announced the development in a statement in Lusaka last evening.

In a letter to Mr Nkonde, Dr Mwanawasa thanked him for the services he rendered to the nation and wished him the best in his future endeavours.

“I wish to inform you that I have pursuant to Article 55(3) of the Constitution of Zambia removed you from office, as Solicitor General with immediate effect,” Dr Mwanawasa said.

Daily-Mail

1.JPGThe under 23 Zambia National Soccer Team yesterday won the Malawi Premier League 6 goals to 1.

The match which started at around 15:30 and ended at 17:25 hours at David Kaunda
Stadium in Chipata saw Zambia’s Timothy Mbewe scoring the first goal 7 minutes after
the game started while the second one was coverted 20 minutes later by Reuben Tembo.

Speaking just after the game, Assistant Zambian National Soccer Team Coach Wesley
Mondo, said the aim of the game was not to win but to equip the team adequately as
they prepare for the Olympic games that will take place on the 22 of August 2007.

Mr Mondo said the team will tomorrow have another game with the Eastern Province
selected side and this will give them an opportunity to scout for good players from
Eastern Province.

Mr. Mondo said the Malawian team posed a good challenge to the Zambian Team and has since called for such friendly matches in future.

Meanwhile Burger World Co-Director Charles Kumwenda, who is one of the sponsors of
the game, revealed that more than K20 million will spent for the games,
accommodation of the players, food and advertising.

He has appealed to government and the people of Zambia to support such games if they
want to expect good results from the football team.

Mr. Kumwenda said Eastern Province has a lot of talented footballers and believed
that tomorrows game will help in exposing the local players.

The team which arrived in Chipata on 12th August is expected to leave for Lusaka on
17th August 2007.

Dear sissy,

How are you and the family.

A 37-year-old man is battling for his life in Siavonga district hospital after being shot and wounded by another man for allegedly
stealing a goat.

The man identified as, Jankalo Mwanja, of Mutandalima village was allegedly shot in
the chest by opposition United Party for National Development, UPND, former
councilor for Simamba Ward, Friday Mungazi, for stealing a goat, which he later
slaughtered.

Police sources in the district confirmed the shooting incident and arrest of Mangazi
to help with investigations in the matter.

A check by ZANIS at the hospital found Mwanja undergoing treatment and placed on a
24 hour state security.

The police sources however, disclosed that Mwanja has also been charged with stock
theft and will appear in court soon after being discharged from hospital.

And Mungazi has admitted having shot Mwanja on Saturday night using a shot gun after
concerned villagers alerted him that Mwanja, in the company of another unknown man
had stolen the goat, which was being slaughtered in the nearby bush.

” I was informed by villagers that they saw my goat killed and hanged on a tree in
the bush. I went to the scene around 14: 00 hours armed with a shot gun but did not
find anyone. I then decided to wait until 20:00 hours when I heard two men talking
and coming towards the place where they left the carcass,” he said.

Mungazi said he then rushed to the scene and found the duo packing carcasses of the
goat adding that Mwanja and his accomplice immediately upon seeing him decided to
escape.

He further narrated, he was forced to open fire in the air in an effort to scare
them but to no avail hence his move to shoot Mwanja in the chest in a bid to
apprehend him.

The Cotton Development Trust in Mazabuka says it is disappointed with the negative attitude of Mazabuka municipal council towards investment in the district.

Trust Director, West Chita told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that he is disappointed with
the council for rejecting an application by the company to set up a ginnery.

Mr. Chita said the rejection of application meant that thousands of people who could
have been offered jobs continued living in poverty

He urged the council to be receptive to capital investments and not scare away
investors.

Mr. Chita said the investor has since built a ginnery in Kafue where thousands of
residents have been offered jobs.

He said it is painful to learn that the council rejected the application without
taking into consideration the tax the company would have paid to the local
authority.

But town clerk, Ekan Chingangu said the council has never received such an application.

Mr. Chingangu has since urged Mr. Chita to cross check his facts.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY.

22/08/2007

Lome, Togo.

Togo 3- Zambia 1 (Ben Mwanza).

2008 Olympic Games Football Tournament Qualifiers.

22/08/2007

GROUP A.

Rustenburg, South Africa.

South Africa 1(Lerato Chabangu 45″)- Nigeria 1 (Obinna Nsofor 11″ pen)

Ghana-Ethiopia

GROUP B.

Bamako, Mali.

Mali 1(Drissa Diarra 24″)-Zambia 2(Signs Chibambo 40″, Francis Kasonde 85″).

Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Cote d’Ivoire 2 (Benjamin Brou 71″, Yao Kouassi 75″) – Senegal 0

GROUP C.

Gaborone, Botswana.

Botswana 0- Cameroon 0

Conakry, Guinea.

Guinea 1(?”)-Morocco 2(Abdeslam Benjelloun ?”d Khalid Sbai ?” )

NEXT FIXTURES;

07-09/09/2007

GROUP A.

South Africa-Ghana.

Ethiopia -Nigeria

GROUP B

Côte d’Ivoire -Mali

Zambia-Senegal

GROUP C

Cameroon-Morocco

Guinea- Botswana

FAZ PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK 23.

22/08/2007

Kabwe Warriors 2(Henry Banda 31″, Siloni Jere 83″*)- Nakambala Leopards 1(Dan Masumba 67″)

*Other sources credit goal to Emmanuel Mayuka.

Zanaco 1(Kelvin Kaindu 24″)- Forest Rangers 0

Roan United 0- National Assembly 1(Bruce Mwenya)

City of Lusaka 1(Tony Mukwasa 42″)- Zamtel 1(Douglas Muwowo 33″)

Zesco United 1(Maybin Mwaba 64″)- Lusaka Dynamos 1(Josphat Nkhoma 2″)

Green Buffaloes 1(Ezekiel Lungu 59″) – Red Arrows 0

Konkola Blades 0- Nchanga Rangers 2(Ken Chilekwa 30″, Ephriam Banda 75″)

Postponed:

Young Arrows – Power Dynamos

TOP SCORERS (22/08/07).

Rainford Kalaba (Zesco United): 14.

Enoch Sakala (Zesco United) 12.

Lottie Phiri (Young Arrows): 10.
Mumamba Numba (Zanaco): 10.

Felix Nsunzu Jr (Konkola Blades):9.
Lyson Sikaonga (Nchanga Rangers): 9.

Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors): 8.

Ben Mwanza (Roan United): 7
Josphet Nkhoma (Lusaka Dynamos): 7.
Sebastian Mwansa (Green Buffaloes): 7
Elson Mukandawire (Power Dynamos) 7.
Simon Luipya (Red Arrows):7.
Mazuba Mukandawire (City of Lusaka): 7.

Siloni Jere (Kabwe Warriors): 6.
Winstone Kalengo(Zanaco): 6.
Yonah Mwango (Zesco United): 6.
Nicholas Zulu (Zesco United): 6.
Kruger Mwansa (Young Arrows): 6
Kelvin Kaindu (Zanaco): 5.
Ezekiel Lungu (Green Buffaloes) : 5.
Dan Masumba (Nakambala Leopards): 5.
Moses Phiri (Konkola Blades) 5
Lopser Muma (Roan United): 5.
Maonga Kabuku (Kabwe Warriors): 5.

FAZ DIVISION 1 NORTH DELAYED WEEK 25.

22/08/2007

Mufulira Blackpool 1- Nkana 1

Ndola November 19, ZANIS – Senior Concerned Citizens in Ndola have expressed displeasure at the continuous manipulation of Members of Parliament (MP) and the allocation of land to foreigners.

In a press statement made available to ZANIS today Isaac Chileshe a concerned senior citizen said it was wrong for government through the Ministry of Lands to allocate land to foreigners while freedom fighters that fought for independence were living and dying like destitutes.

“We are disappointed with the continuous manipulation of MP’s and the allocating of land to foreigners at the expense of freedom fighters that are dying like destitutes in their own land which they repossessed from foreigners who had grabbed it from their ancestors,” he said.

Mr Chileshe also condemned the allocation of taxpayers’ money to few selected contractors and suppliers.

He charged that government had failed to empower its citizens with economic and political empowerment.

“The Zambian government has failed to empower its citizens economically or politically, and why should we then continue voting? In whose interest is it?” he questioned.

Mr Chileshe has appealed to Zambians to support the idea of constructing the “house of wisdom.”

He explained that the house of wisdom would consist of a 200-man committee that would use eight local languages and one foreign language, English.

Meanwhile, a Ndola Clergyman has appealed to residents in newly demarcated areas in the city to ensure that toilets were a priority on their building plans.

Pastor Elijah Mweene told Zanis in Ndola that as a way of celebrating the world toilet day, it was important for locals in newly demarcated areas in the city to reflect on the significance of having a toilet per household to promote hygienic ways of living.

He said in the light of the onset of the rain season, it was important for people to practice high standards of hygiene so that diarrhoea diseases and cholera outbreaks were minimised.

He said digging a pit latrine for those who cannot afford a flushable toilet was paramount because a lot of waterborne and airborne diseases were uncontrolled under unsanitary conditions of life.

Pastor Mweene added that the world toilet day, though a new concept to many, should be embraced so that every year people would be sensitised on the importance of the right use of toilets.

He said a toilet had been man’s friend from time immemorial because it was a facility that man could not dispense with.

He added that even other church leaders should use their positions of influence and authority to sensitise their members on the benefits of practicing good health promoting habits.