Special Assistant to the President for Finance and Investment, Jito Kayumba, says the government is aware of the deplorable state of the Kisasa – Mwinilunga Road in North-Western Province and is putting up measures to address the situation.

Speaking during the Seventh Chibwika Chiefdom Agriculture and Commercial Show, Mr Kayumba revealed that resource mobilisation for the construction of the road has advanced.

He added that the process to procure a suitable contractor for the road is also underway with the contractor expected to mobilise and move to the site in a few weeks’ time.

“We are well aware that you need road access, to create access to Markets, access to other parts of our country and of course beyond, and we are not lost on the deplorable state of the road between Mwinilunga and Kalumbila,” he said.

Mr Kayumba emphasised that the government understands the critical role of the road in unlocking the economic potential of the district and the region at large, hence doing everything possible to work on the infrastructure.

He stated that following the successful restructuring of the national debt, the government is now in a better position to embark on infrastructure development in the North-western Province after many years of neglect by previous governments.

And Mr Kayumba has noted chief Chibwika’s strategic step in positioning the chiefdom to benefit from the Lobito corridor project which is expected to transform livelihoods of people and boost local economies.

He said hosting chiefdom agriculture and commercial shows by the Chibwika chiefdom forms a critical part of steps in tapping into opportunities the Lobito corridor will bring.

Mr Kayumba said the government will ensure that locals along the Lobito corridor project line are involved in the construction of the project so that they can be active participants and beneficiaries.

“We will make sure we keep you involved, keep you informed, so you can be participants not only in the project but the benefits that come out of the project,” Mr Kayumba stated.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole, has called for concerted efforts in the fight against tobacco and nicotine use.

Mr Thole says stakeholders need to work together to protect people, especially young ones against addiction and preventable illnesses.

He has noted that tobacco is becoming a major public health and socio-economic concern in the country.

 Mr Thole said this in a speech read on his behalf by Eastern Province Director of Procurement, Charles Lungu, at this year’s commemoration of World No Tobacco Day in Chipangali District, Eastern Province.

Mr Thole noted that tobacco related diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory illnesses are contributing to premature deaths and increasing pressure on fragile health systems in low and middle income countries.

He said second hand smoke also poses risks particularly to women and children in rural areas such as Chipangali, adding that limited health services highlight the need for stronger community based awareness and prevention efforts.

“Globally, 15 million adolescents aged 13 to 15 currently use E-Ciggerates while 40 million young people use traditional tobacco products. In many countries adolescents are significantly more likely to VAPE than adults, underscoring the urgent need for stronger awareness, regulation, and youth protection measures,” Mr Thole said.

He noted that World No Tobbacco Day is more than just a date on the calendar, but a national and global call to action, a reminder of the human cost of tobacco and nicotine independence, as well as a challenge to governments, communities and each citizen to protect health.

He emphasised that the government under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema remains committed to strengthening tobacco control measures in line with the World Health Organisation Framework on tobacco control.

 “Through the Ministry of Health, the government continues to strengthen tobacco control by promoting evidence based cessation interventions, including the WHO- recommend SA’s model: ASK, ADVISE, ASSES, ASSIST and ARRANGE.

“The proposed tobacco control bill No 40 of 2025, further demonstrates government’s commitment to protecting children, youths, families and communities from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine addiction,” he said.

The Provincial Permanent Secretary further mentioned that the government is reinforcing regulations that restrict tobacco advertising and promotion, as well as reviewing measures to regulate emerging nicotine products such as E-Ciggerates and heated tobacco products.

Mr Thole also noted that the country is aware of the social economic dimensions of tobacco where tobacco farming is a livelihood.

“In view of this, the government is working with partners to promote alternative income generating crops and support sustainable livelihoods so that health and economic welfare go hand in hand,” he said.

He has therefore urged cooperating partners and the community to unite in the collective efforts towards building healthier families, stronger communities and a healthier tobacco free Zambia.

And Chipangali District Administrative Officer, Lawrence Nyirongo, noted that in 2025 alone about 117,535 cases of respiratory tract infections were recorded nationwide, adding that from January to date 34,976 cases have been recorded.

“If the fight against tobacco use is not taken seriously, our young generation risks becoming less productive due to preventable diseases such as chronic respiratory conditions and lung cancer,” Mr Nyirongo said.

He has therefore called on all leaders and community members to champion smoke free homes, schools, public spaces, and serve as role models for healthy choices.

Meanwhile, Chipangali Town Council Secretary, Faustina Manjombi, emphasised that tobacco control is not only a government responsibility, but a shared duty.

 “Families, schools, traditional leaders, and faith based organisations including communities, all have a role to play in protecting our children and future generations from nicotine addiction,” Ms Manjobi said.

Chief Chanje’s Representative, Njombwa Mbewe, noted that many people have lost their lives due to tobacco, and appealed to the government to intensify promotion of high value crops that will help tobacco farmers economically.

 Ministry of Local and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Nicholas Phiri, says he is hopeful that the succession process within the Ngoni Royal Establishment would provide a positive example of an orderly transition of traditional leadership.

Mr Phiri notes that there are currently more than 56 succession disputes involving traditional leadership before the courts of law across the country.

He has since appealed to traditional establishments countrywide to support peaceful and structured succession processes and avoid disputes that often emerge following the death of traditional leaders.

 The Permanent Secretary stated that the late Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV championed unity, love and strong traditional institutions throughout his reign.

He urged that the legacy of the late Paramount Chief should therefore be honoured through a dignified and peaceful transition.

“We are hopeful as a ministry that this will be completely different because the man whose life we are celebrating stood for stronger institutions of central and traditional governance,” he said.

The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has refuted reports circulating on social media alleging that it has banned political campaign songs from playing on broadcasting stations.

In a statement issued to the media in Lusaka today, IBA Director General, Webster Malido, stated that the authority has no jurisdiction to ban songs in the country.

Mr Malido indicated that the authority however has a mandate to guide broadcasting stations on content in order to ensure that it is compliant to broadcasting standards and other applicable regulations.

He said IBA has therefore issued guidance to all broadcasting stations, to ensure that campaign songs and other political content does not promote hatred, division, hostility, inflammatory or unverified allegations.

Mr Malido added that the guidance reminds broadcasting stations to promote responsible, issue-based political discourse that supports peaceful, fair and credible elections.

“The authority routinely engages broadcasters on compliance matters to ensure that all content, including political songs and advertisements, adheres to the Election Coverage Guidelines and broadcasting standards,” said Mr Malido.

He further reaffirmed IBA’s commitment to continued support and guidance towards broadcasters, in order to promote peaceful and credible electoral discourse during the election period.

ATTORNEY General Mulilo Kabesha says the Zambian Government will respect and abide by whatever judgment is delivered by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in South Africa regarding the repatriation and burial of former president Edgar Lungu.

The SCA yesterday reserved judgment in a case in which the Lungu family is challenging a Pretoria High Court ruling that granted the Zambian Government the right to repatriate the late former president’s remains for a State funeral and burial in Zambia.

The August 8, 2025 ruling also directed Two Mountains Mortuary to release Mr. Lungu’s remains to representatives of the Zambia High Commission to facilitate their return to Zambia.

Following the hearing, the SCA indicated that the matter would be treated as urgent and that both parties would be informed once a judgment date is set.

Speaking after the proceedings, Kabesha said the matter had reached a stage where it was now entirely in the hands of the court.

“Where we have reached now, we can only leave it to the court,” Kabesha said.

“At this point, it’s not about who will attend or participate in the burial.”

The Zambian Government, through its legal representative Ben Stoop, maintained before the court that it has a legal and constitutional obligation to repatriate Mr. Lungu’s remains because he served as Zambia’s Head of State.

Stoop argued that the burial of a former president is a matter of public interest, national legacy and State protocol that transcends personal or political considerations.

He submitted that the Government has a responsibility to ensure that a former Head of State receives a burial befitting the office he once held.

However, the Lungu family, represented by senior advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, argued that the late former president had expressed a clear wish to be buried privately in South Africa and did not want the Zambian Government involved in his funeral arrangements.

Ngcukaitobi told the court that Mr. Lungu’s personal wishes should be respected and that his remains should remain in South Africa for burial.

The court is expected to deliver its ruling at a later date.

TONSE Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile says he does not have a predetermined empowerment programme for youths and will instead consult them directly to understand their needs before implementing any interventions.

Speaking on his vision for young people, Mundubile said his government would avoid imposing programmes that may fail to make a meaningful impact on the lives of youths.

“I am not coming in as a Bally, but as a big brother to the youths. That is why I am saying I will have to sit down with them, get first-hand information on what they exactly need and then pick it up from there,” Mundubile said.

He acknowledged that youth unemployment, which he said stands at over 20 percent, remains a national emergency that requires urgent attention.

Mundubile said a government under his leadership would prioritize youth empowerment by ensuring that programmes are designed based on the actual needs and aspirations of young people.

He further revealed that he intends to move the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts closer to State House in order to accelerate decision-making and the implementation of youth-focused programmes.

According to Mundubile, youth empowerment would also be integrated across various sectors of the economy to create more opportunities for young people.

“We are also deliberate in placing the youth in leadership positions so that they can help us come up with ideas on how to help their fellow youths,” he said.

The presidential candidate stressed that involving young people in leadership and policy formulation would ensure that government interventions are relevant and responsive to the challenges they face.

The Department of Fisheries and Livestock in Mpulungu District of Northern Province has arrested nine people in connection with trading and transportation of fish during the ongoing Lake Tanganyika annual fishing ban.

Mpulungu District Director Fisheries Livestock and Veterinary Services, Mpundu Ng’andwe, has revealed that the nine were arrested on May 27, 2026 after a joint operation by the Department of Fisheries, Zambia Police, and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife in Mpulungu.

 Mpulungu today, Mr Ng’andwe disclosed that the suspects include seven females who were apprehended while trying to sale assorted dry fish including Kapenta, and two male suspects who were apprehended while trying to transport dry fish using motorbikes to unknown destinations.

He revealed that 75 kilograms of assorted dry fish and two motorbikes were seized in the process, adding that the suspects are detained at Mpulungu Police Station awaiting trial.

“The Department of Fisheries would wish to inform the general public that the 2026 annual fishing ban on Lake Tanganyika started on May 15, and will end on August 15, 2026, and that during the period the public is cautioned against engaging in any type of fishing activities,” he explained.

Mr Ng’andwe said the department has noted with concern the unscrupulous people circulating and misleading the public on the extension of trading in fish.

He clarified that only five days were given to traders who had stocks in their cold rooms and depots and that the grace period expired on May 20, 2026.

Mr Ng’andwe stated that with the end of the grace period, anyone found engaging in illegal activities such as fish trading and fish transportation will be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.

He has since advised traders wishing to trade in fish originating from other water bodies to ensure they acquire certificates from the Department of Fisheries indicating where the fish is coming from.

Mr Ng’andwe warned that any fish from other water bodies other than Lake Tanganyika that will be found being traded in Mpulungu without a certificate of origin, will be confiscated and destroyed.

He further disclosed that the Department of Fisheries has heightened surveillance and continued with water and market patrols, as well as road checkpoints to ensure that law and order is observed during the annual fishing ban.

Mpika District Commissioner, David Siame, has emphasised the need for sustainable utilisation of land and natural resources as a critical measure in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change in Muchinga Province and the country at large.

Mr Siame said this during a two-day stakeholders’ meeting held in Mpika that brought together participants from Kanchibiya, Lavushimanda and Mpika Districts to discuss climate-resilient, land governance and sustainable natural resource management.

The District Commissioner noted that the meeting was important as it provided stakeholders with an opportunity to explore ways of supporting community-led initiatives aimed at promoting climate resilience and implementing adaptation priorities in targeted areas.

Mr Siame said prudent utilisation of land remains one of the most effective ways of addressing the challenges posed by climate change and safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

“We want stakeholders to know how best to address issues of climate change through prudent utilisation of land,” he said.

Mr Siame commended the People’s Process on Housing and Poverty in Zambia (PPHPZ), working in partnership with WeForest Zambia, for their continued support towards promoting sustainable land use and conservation of natural resources in various parts of the province.

He further urged participants to engage in meaningful discussions and identify practical approaches to sustainable forest utilisation that would benefit both local communities and the environment.

Mr Siame also praised traditional leaders among them Senior Chief Kopa, Chief Luchembe, Chief Mpumba and Chief Chikwanda, for their leadership and commitment to promoting sustainable land management practices in their respective chiefdoms.

Meanwhile, WeForest Zambia Country Director, Fainess Lumbwe, stressed the importance of developing community adaptation plans to strengthen resilience against climate change in the four chiefdoms represented at the meeting.

Dr Lumbwe said WeForest remains committed to supporting the development of adaptation plans in the four chiefdoms to guide sustainable utilisation of forests and other natural resources.

She explained that adaptation plans provide communities with a framework for managing natural resources responsibly, while enhancing environmental conservation and livelihoods.

Dr Lumbwe added that her organisation has been conducting capacity-building programmes for community members in the four chiefdoms to equip them with knowledge and skills on sustainable forest management.

She expressed satisfaction with the enthusiasm shown by communities towards developing their own land-use plans tailored to their unique needs and opportunities within their areas.

Dr Lumbwe explained that the land-use plans would enable communities to determine the type of investments and development activities suitable for their localities.

Speaking on behalf of community members, Mubanga Lewison of Luchembe Chiefdom, commended WeForest for organising the stakeholders’ meeting, describing it as a valuable platform for enhancing knowledge on sustainable land and natural resource management.

Mr Lewison encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the workshop for the benefit of their communities.