Government has disbursed over K2.7 Million in Constituency Development Fund (CDF) grants to 113 groups across five wards of Matero Constituency in Lusaka Province.

The distribution of the funds was made alongside the commissioning of a bridge in Muchinga Ward, a project constructed at a cost of over K1 Million.

Officiating at the event, Lusaka Province Minister, Sheal Mulyata, reaffirmed government’s commitment to decentralisation and community empowerment through CDF.

 Ms Mulyata said both the grants and the bridge highlight the government’s focus on improving livelihoods and infrastructure at community level.

She described the construction of a bridge as a key project that will enhance connectivity, improve safety, and support local economic activities.

Ms Mulyata further urged beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly.

“As government, we are emphasising accountability in the use of public resources,” she said.

The Provincial Minister also encouraged community participation in development programmes and thanked President Hakainde Hichilema for increasing the CDF from K1.6 Million in 2021 to K40 Million per constituency in 2026.

Meanwhile, Matero Member of Parliament, Miles Sampa, through his representative and Mwembeshi Ward 31 Councilor, Chrispin Kabole, said the development demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring no community is left behind.

Mr Sampa called on residents to take care of the bridge and urged grant recipients to use the funds for the intended purposes, noting that projects will be inspected.

And speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, including persons with disabilities, Mercy Ziwa, commended the government for the support and ongoing development in Matero Constituency.

 A 23 – year-old woman who is mentally challenged is believed to have been raped by a 50 -year -old man who is physically challenged in Eastern Province.

This happened in Luangeni Village of Mpezeni Chiefdom in Chipata District yesterday 11th April, 2026, between 10 and 11:00 hours.

Brief information on the matter is that the mentally challenged girl was home when the 50 –year- old physically challenged perpetrator went to ask her to follow him.

They both went into the bush near their village graveyard, where the perpetrator had carnal knowledge with the victim.

As the act was ongoing, two individuals heard some noise and went to check on what was happening, only to find the two in the act.

It was at this point that the two men went to tell the mother of the girl about what they saw in the bush.

When the mother heard, she immediately rushed to the bush where both the victim and perpetrator were found.

She then organised transport to take her daughter to Mwami Hospital and the matter was reported to the Police.

Police Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba, has confirmed the incident to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS).

Mr Mweemba says no arrest has been made so far but that a police medical report form was issued to the girl.

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and community-driven solutions in addressing social challenges such as alcohol abuse.

Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, says alcohol abuse remains a serious national concern affecting families, education and productivity, particularly among young people.

Mr Nkandu notes that the government recognises the role of sport, arts and youth programmes as key tools for social transformation and will continue to support initiatives that provide positive alternatives for young people.

The Minister made the remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Ministry’s Arts Assistant Director, Kanday Chilongo, during the Restoration Fundraising Show organised by People Affected By Alcohol Abuse (PABAA) at Lusaka Play House last evening.

Mr Nkandu has since commended the organisation for its community-led efforts in helping young people recover from substance abuse through activities such as football, chess, drama and mentorship programmes.

People Affected by Alcohol Abuse Chairperson, Judith Milupi, says alcohol addiction should be treated as a disease and not a moral failing.

Ms Milupi explains that alcoholism often develops quietly through everyday life situations such as celebration, stress, and grief, making it difficult for many families to detect early.

he Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) has identified the expansion of the electricity power interconnector between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as one of its key infrastructure investment priorities.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the national dialogue on Zambia’s energy sector in Lusaka, CEC Head Government Relations, Silvester Hibajene, said the initiative is aimed at addressing the growing demand for electricity in both Zambia and the DRC.

Mr Hibajane emphasised the need for Zambia to build sufficient capacity to actively participate in electricity trading, in line with its goal of becoming a regional hub for power generation and exports.

“So the expansion of the Interconnector transmission line is a key area that the Corporation is focusing on, for the past four years we have invested so much and managed to deliver 30 megawatts of solar,” he said.

Mr Hibajene further disclosed that CEC has lined up several projects that are expected to be completed within the next three to five years, targeting about 800 megawatts of solar power.

He added that some of the projects will be implemented in partnership with Zesco.

“So that is the road we have, investing in the interconnector transmission line and power generation, we need to also invest in battery energy storage. It is important that we have the power available throughout using battery energy storage,”he said.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Energy and Mining, Christopher Kang’ombe, highlighted the importance of continued dialogue on energy issues, noting that the sector is vital for industrialisation, agriculture and mining among others.

In an interview with the media, Mr Kang’ombe stressed the need for adequate energy supply to help Zambia meet its target of producing three million tonnes of copper annually by 2031.

“So this meeting with literally all the sector players such as the private and public sectors like CEC, ZESCO, Civil Society organisations and Ministry of Energy, is vital in addressing various challenges in the energy sector,” he said.

He added that lawmakers must review the electricity Act to ensure it supports the kind of development required in the energy sector.

Earlier, in his presentation, Ministry of Energy Chief Planner, Tito Manseli, said Zambia has set a target to increase its electricity generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts by 2030.

He noted that achieving this goal will require diversifying the country’s energy mix beyond its heavy reliance on hydropower, through the development of alternative sources such as solar, coal, wind and other technologies under the Ministry of Energy.

“So we are looking at how we are able to develop solar, coal, wind and other technologies so that we achieve the target of having 10 thousand megawatts by 2030. Currently in 2026, we are sitting around 3,900 megawatts,” he said.

The CEC’s mandate is to ensure reliable power supply especially to the mining sector, while building and managing electricity infrastructure and participating in regional energy markets.

Government, through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC), has allocated over One Million Kwacha to empower local business owners, including youths, small and medium enterprises, as well as cooperatives through loans in Lavushimanda District of Muchinga Province.

The funds are aimed at enhancing livelihoods and promoting economic independence in the country.

Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Mufunelo Malama, says the empowerment programme is designed to benefit communities across both chiefdoms in Lavushimanda.

to the media reports that speaking during a courtesy call on Lavushimanda District Commissioner, Terries Kunda, Mr Malama said the programme has already been implemented in other parts of the province, including Kanchibiya and Mpika Districts.

“My trip here is to empower youths, marketeers and cooperatives. People from both Chief Chiundaponde’s and Chief Mpumba’s chiefdoms will benefit from this programme,” he said.

And, in an interview, Muchinga Province CEEC Finance and Administration Officer, Wilbas Tembo, said only applicants who meet the set requirements will benefit from the loans.

Mr Tembo explained that the empowerment initiative comprises three loan products namely the Marketeer Booster Loan, the Imisepela App facility for youths, and the Busulu Loan.

He highlighted that the selection process will focus on identifying applicants with viable and sustainable businesses, as well as those formally registered under cooperatives.

“What we are doing here in Lavushimanda is to scrutinise applicants to ensure that only those with viable businesses benefit. For the youths, we are also ensuring that their details are properly configured on the Imisepela App,” Mr Tembo said.

He added that the vetting process includes verification with the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) to assess applicants’ credit history and repayment behaviour.

Mr Tembo further noted that the measure is meant to ensure that the funds are accessed by deserving beneficiaries with the capacity to repay the loans.

He further emphasised the importance of timely repayments, stating that the loans are revolving in nature and meant to benefit more people over time.

And Mupamadzi Ward Development Committee member, Kennedy Mwansa, has welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention for local entrepreneurs.

“We are grateful for this empowerment programme brought to Mupamadzi through the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development. It will go a long way in improving people’s livelihoods,” Councilor Mwansa said.

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Tuesday Bwalya, has called for improved sanitary conditions in all schools across the province to ensure a healthy environment for learners.

Dr Bwalya states that high sanitation standards at learning institutions are cardinal to improving the well-being of students.

He adds that enhanced sanitary facilities, especially in boarding schools, contribute significantly to the performance of both learners and teachers.

 Provincial Permanent Secretary made the remarks during a visit to Kenneth Kaunda Secondary School in Chinsali District yesterday.

The visit followed a one-week ultimatum he issued to the school to repair specific components of its ablution blocks.

Dr Bwalya emphasised that the move aims to create a conducive learning environment, as directed by President Hakainde Hichilema.

He noted that the Head of State has mandated that all education and health facilities must have running water and proper sanitary infrastructure.

Dr Bwalya expressed satisfaction with the progress made, noting that management had addressed several concerns raised during his previous visit to the institution, which is also his former secondary school.

“We are all one team, let us work together and not wait to be pushed. You and I are the government, and there are certain things school management can address independently using the grants you receive,” Dr Bwalya said.

Kenneth Kaunda Secondary School Deputy Headteacher, Steven Kangwa, revealed that the school has already begun addressing the concerns, including repairing all leaking taps.

Mr Kangwa added that the painting of the ablution blocks and dining hall is underway, along with other structural improvements.

He noted that works are expected to accelerate now that the school has closed for the holidays.

“Now that there are no disruptions, the work will be completed faster,” the Deputy Headteacher said.

Meanwhile, Muchinga Provincial Education Officer, Alexander Mulenga has urged all school administrators in the province to allocate funds specifically towards sanitation.

Mr Mulenga warned that poor sanitary conditions and hygiene contribute to disease outbreaks that disrupt learning.

“I am calling upon all school managers to take the directive issued by my office seriously and ensure it is fully implemented without fail,” Mr Mulenga said.

The ultimatum issued to Kenneth Kaunda Secondary School by Dr Bwalya, which expired on Thursday, April 9, 2026, has prompted a wave of maintenance works at the school and other learning institutions across the province.

Government has released over  K2.5 Million for the school feeding programme in Solwezi District of Northwestern Province.

District Education Board Secretary, Webby Kasangula, says the funds meant for the first quarter of 2026, will benefit all the government and community schools that are implementing the feeding programme in the District.

In an interview with the media in Solwezi, Mr Kasangula said the money is meant to procure food for all learners in the district, especially those from early childhood to grade seven.

He has commended the government for including Solwezi on the school feeding programme, saying the initiative is a step in the right direction in terms of improving learner class attendance, reducing absenteeism and improving learner outcome.

“We are so happy that as Solwezi we were among the last five districts across the country to be put on the school feeding programme by the government last year, and this year we have received funding for the first quarter to procure the food for the schools and we are very grateful to President Hakainde Hichilema and his government,” he said.

Mr Kasangula has since appealed to the learners to take advantage of the school feeding programme and not to miss classes.

He further urged learners and parents to take advantage of the free education policy and the school feeding programme the government has introduced to acquire education.

“For the children, they should come to school because they have no excuse to miss class as food will now be provided, parents should also encourage their children to go to school because that is their responsibility,” he said.

He expressed hope that the feeding programme will positively impact on the delivery of quality education in the district.

Mr Kasangula disclosed that the beneficiary schools are expected to receive the food stuff before schools open for the second term.

Solwezi was among the last five districts across the country including Mansa, Ndola, Isoka and Chinsali to be added to the government’s school feeding programme initiative last year.