Prof Nkandu Luo and Vice President Inonge Wina meeting Chief Chitimukulu in Pictures
Patson Daka Toasts 2020/2021 Season Triple Crown
Chipolopolo striker Patson Daka is toasting the three accolades he has won in the 2020/21 Austrian Bundesliga season.
Daka has won the league title with Red Bull Salzburg besides scooping the league golden boot and the Australian best player award.
The 22-year-old forward helped Salzburg to defend the league title after bagging 27 goals in 27 league appearances.
“What a memorable season, none of this would’ve been achieved without the team and fans support,” Daka wrote on his facebook page.
He joined Salzburg in 2017 after leaving another Austrian side Liefering.
Vote wisely in this year’s Elections
By Pezzy Kudakwashe
The 2021 General elections in Zambia are only months away, Thursday, August 12, 2021 to be exact. Another episode, a “telemundo” series, action packed, promising some explosive moments.
Some politicians like “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” are coming out of the woodwork. They are here from months of hibernating, only to practice and display what they do best, offer empty promises.
After years and months of total absence and community neglect, they now bring the same old worthless stories by shading “crocodile tears” as if they have the best interest of ordinary Zambians at heart.
Their stories are not new. Very predictable. There is nothing new for us except rehearsed speeches and fake promissory notes. The drama begins, decorated by out of tune singing and rashly choreographed dancing mainly praised by cadres.
Programs are nothing but repeats. The repeats are in themselves true lies and yet have the ability to hypnotize the electorate like spells from Nyasa. Politicians and voters alike resemble one who has a spell cast on them.
Shall voters fall for the very things they promised not to? Shall they elect the same people telling same old lies?God forbid, we are not crazy.We shall not listen to same lies, told by same liars and expect to get different positive results.
The 2021 elections should be taken with all seriousness they deserves. A defining moment. A time to draw a line in the sand and declare “enough is enough”.
Out of those contesting , we do indeed know the true leaders.We cannot make the same mistakes over and over again. We have fully paid for out mistakes made in past elections. Now it’s time for fake politicians to pay.
Through ignorance and gullibility, we made mistakes in the past. This time, we need to vote with our brain and heart.The poor, the marginalized, the concerned voters must all unite and fight on the same side .
Fight the common enemy, the fake politicians. Our vote should not be used to settle other people’s political scores or disputes but to improve our livelihood. .The centre of attention in this election, is to get rid of the imposters, politicians causing the suffering of Zambians.
The same old same old mentality of politicians making a pay cheque during election time, is over.This includes civic leaders taking advantage of the season to cash in through useless rants and”fallacious projects.
Stop political wolves and hyenas promising and pledging to protect the sheep and goats.Block political lions and other predators offering service to care for impala, lechwe and other prey. End vultures of their pledge to cover our backs.
Past elections left us feeling so hopeless and helpless. Like infants babysat by known pedophilias. This is wrong, surely don’t we have a few good people? The ones we term “remnants”. Those who believe the best can come out of Zambia.
We need people who are in it to fix it. They are not plunderers, not looters but fixers and hope restorers. Where are these good people? Let’s begin to mobilize and thwart the intentions of economic hooligans.
A pack of wolves cannot shepherd a flock of sheep without the wolves getting fat and the sheep getting fewer. Pick pocketers and robbers cannot run a country with full coffers. They get rich and the country gets poor.
Rules set by cheats will never be fair. Laws made by the guilty will never be just. Elections run by liars will never be honest and the results are never celebrated.”Only those with Zambia at heart can make the best of what it is. Freedom is not cheap. It is not free.
We are inspired by the spirit of history to move our nation forward. Zambia is not a project of any one person. We are all called to be Zambians not some special individuals.Many have walked before us. Many have sacrificed for our nation. The blood of our heroes paid and paved the way.
How long shall we behave like blind people? We allow leaders elected to serve us only but steal from us. Here is a call to moral choice to change. We need to commit to build this house first before we can that of investors.
We have to commit to dry the tears of Zambians first, then create joy in the hearts of investors. We are tired of change for the sake of change. We are tired of change that only brings in comedy and drama, heartache and pain.
Zambians have vast experience in disappointments. Top on that agenda of disappointers , are leaders we elect. A wasted vote is one cast for leaders who eventually turn mediocre and absentee representatives.
Vote wisely.
LAZ urges Police I.G and PF S.G to protect Sangwa from Kamba attacks
The Law Association of Zambia is saddened by sentiments of ill will targeted at Lusaka Lawyer John Sangwa by the Patriotic Front provincial leadership in Lusaka for petitioning the eligibility of President Edgar Lungu in the constitutional court.
PF Lusaka Province Chairperson Kennedy Kamba is reported to have directed party members to treat Mr.Sangwa as a political opponent for merely challenging the eligibility of President Lungu in court.
In a statement, LAZ President Abyudi Shonga says the sentiments are irresponsible and capable of endangering the safety of a citizen who enjoys full protection under the constitution of Zambia.
Mr. Shonga says the PF alongside other political parties recently accepted LAZ’s call to participate in a peace charter ahead of the August general polls and the conduct of Mr.Kamba is an affront to the process that LAZ is spearheading.
The LAZ President said Mr.Sangwa must not be victimized for merely plying his trade no matter how unpopular or controversial the subject matter maybe.
He has since demanded for the withdrawal of the threats issued against Mr.Sangwa and an assurance from the PF that their cadres will not harm him.
Ministry of Health Full Statement on Doctors Salary arrears
Today, we pay glowing tribute to health workers across the country for their sacrifice, gallantry and professionalism even in the face of the challenging COVID-19 pandemic.
From the outset, I would like to place on record that the Government under the able leadership of His Excellency the President, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu has been working on addressing the plight of health workers in terms of recruitment, and settling of all outstanding staff debts.
The government has opened its doors to stakeholders in health service delivery hence championing dialogue and mutual understanding among workers.
To this effect, the Resident Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ), has engaged the government and demanded the following:
- Salary arrears for the 309 doctors.
- Dismantling of arrears and gratuities for other medical doctors
- Creation of positions for Senior Resident Medical Officers, Registrars and Consultants –
- Recruitment of 500 newly graduated medical doctors
In response to these demands, the Government has done the following:
SALARY ARREARS FOR THE 309 DOCTORS
I must mention that in the spirit of dialogue and mutual understanding, government has been engaging the Doctors through the Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) and the Resident Doctors Association (RDAZ) to address their concerns. In view of the foregoing, I would like to inform the nation that the Ministry of Health recruited 3,000 nurses and 309 medical doctors in 2019 through the Civil Service Commission.
These officers were deployed to various facilities country-wide between March and May 2019.
I further wish to inform the nation that so far, the Ministry of Health, working with the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) and the Civil Service Commission has amended the effective dates of appointments for the health workers recruited in 2019 from 1st September 2019 to the dates that they reported at their respective stations. This was after the Ministry of Finance granted an amendment to the effective dates for Treasury Authority No. 5 and 6 of 2019 from 1st September, 2019 to 1st March 2019.
It is with pleasure that I announce that all the 309 Junior Resident Medical Officers employed between March and May of 2019 have been paid their outstanding arrears. In the same vein, payments for the other health workers employed during the same period is underway.
DISMANTLING OF ARREARS AND GRATUITIES FOR OTHER MEDICAL DOCTORS
It is admitted that government owes Health workers arrears in form of personnel emoluments across the country. Government remains committed to dismantling these arrears in a phased manner.
Principally, gratuities are paid at the end of the tenure of contract and accumulate over time as contracts expire. Liquidation of these arrears is an ongoing activity.
However, as an interim measure Government has committed to release some funds next week that will go towards dismantling of the accumulated debt for health workers including doctors.
It must be noted that accumulation and dismantling of this debt is a continuous process and shall be done over a period of time.
CREATION OF POSITIONS FOR SENIOR RESIDENT MEDICAL OFFICERS, REGISTRARS AND CONSULTANTS
Following the restructuring of the Ministry of Health, positions for Senior Resident Medical Officers, Registrars and Consultants have been created and are just awaiting funding.
To this effect, a number of positions have been funded through Treasury Authority granted this year and appropriate officers will be placed in those positions.
We will continuously open up more positions as additional Treasury Authority is granted.
RECRUITMENT OF 500 NEWLY GRADUATED MEDICAL DOCTORS
Government is also aware of the growing number of unemployed qualified professionals in various fields that need to be absorbed in the mainstream Government and the private sector. We are committed to ensuring that this happens as soon as possible given the financial resources required to put these on payroll.
Government set out a plan to recruit health workers in the country and in the past four years’ 24,875 health workers have been employed. This has helped improve health service delivery countrywide.
In 2021, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health is expected to recruit a further 766 health workers using the Treasury Authority for 2021 granted and the utilization of existing vacant and funded positions.
CONCLUSION:
Let me take this opportunity to remind all Medical Doctors of their noble call as a profession, responsibility and the need for them to help the patients and clients. I urge Doctors to continuously put the patients at the core, more especially this time when we are fighting the ravaging effects of the COVID-19.
I call upon all Health Workers to remain dedicated to duty and not despair as all their grievances are being addressed. PI am encouraged to note that Doctors will continue working and I commend them as their calling is to save life.
However, should doctors proceed on the intended industrial action, we wish to remind that the doctors will be individually liable to disciplinary action in accordance with the service commission disciplinary code and procedures for handling offences in the public service.
Further, the Health Professions Act will be applied to the doctors that will participate in the withdraw of labour, as such action is tantamount to professional neglect and misconduct which will be met with the strongest punitive action. This is an offence and such workers will not be paid their due salaries.
I, therefore, take this opportunity to assure members of the public that with the engagements made with the Doctors leadership, no disruption of services is expected in all our health facilities countrywide.
I thank you and God bless!
Issued by:
Boniface Chimbwali
Permanent Secretary
PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT DIVISION (PSMD)
Dundumwezi headmen get a Canter Truck, 45 Bicycles and other items
The government has empowered the people of Chikanta Chiefdom in Dundumwezi Constituency of Kalomo District of Southern Province with a Canter Truck, 45 Bicycles and other items.
The 45 Bicycles are to be shared among the headmen in Chief Chikanta and Chief Saichitema.
Other items include four sewing machines, a barbing machine, one Hair Blower, a Hair Dryer and four bales of second hand clothes.
Government has also handed over a Borehole at Paswe Village, donated three footballs and three netballs, pots and Knitting Machines.
Speaking when he received the items at his palace yesterday, Chief Chikanta commended government for the gesture.
The traditional leader indicated that the donation is not political but purely an empowerment program aimed at improving the livelihoods of the locals.
Meanwhile, Southern Province Permanent Secretary Joyce Bwacha said government has recognised that the development of the country cannot be achieved if adequate investment was not targeting the women and the youths who constitute the majority of the productive population.
She stressed the need for those empowered to use the items prudently adding that government would continue to implement interventions that aimed at promoting the participation of all Zambians in the social economic development process for the country.
“As you may be aware, government under the able leadership of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu embarked on empowering various categories of the Zambian citizens which included men, women, youths, marketeers, various vulnerable groups and churches way back,” she said.
“Government has recognised that the development of the country cannot be achieved if adequate investment is not targeting the women and the youths who constitute the majority of the productive population….For those that may not receive, I can only assure you that the caring government will yet again consider you soon. We shall also consider other chiefs in other chiefdoms.”
The Provincial Permanent Secretary was accompanied by Kalomo District Commissioner Brenda Mwenda.
Irrigation agriculture necessary for sustainable food production in Zambia
The Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) says empowering small scale farmers with irrigation mechanisms, is key to boosting agriculture production yields in the country.
CTPD Researcher Emmanuel Muma states as a result of this, it is unfortunate that most small scale farmers in the country lack adequate irrigation systems to support an all year-round production.
Mr Muma explained that the center has observed that due to the effects of climate change, Zambia has for a long time continued to suffer from hazards such as drought, floods, and extreme temperatures.
In a statement to the media yesterday that the effect of these have mainly resulted in reduced production which ultimately impacts negatively on the national food security and the ability for the country to fight poverty.
The CTPD Researcher underscored that most agricultural land was rain-fed and subject to erratic rainfall and recurrent droughts, leading to low agricultural sector performance.
“This dependence on rain-fed agriculture has often left the country tremendously vulnerable to the vagaries of weather.
“ For instance, in 2017 and 2018 rainy seasons, severe drought in parts of Western and Southern provinces of Zambia threatened household food security levels due to severe negative impacts of dry conditions on agriculture farms,” he said in the statement.
He was however quick to mention that Irrigation agriculture development requires huge financial investments for it to yield positive results, which calls for increased budgetary allocation.
The CTPD researcher noted that allocation that goes towards programmes like Farmers Input Support Program (FISP) tends to consume more of the agriculture sector budget than any other programmes leaving little resources to channel towards other important programmes such as irrigation agriculture development.
“As CTPD, we believe that Irrigation development in Zambia’s agriculture sector is critically important to ensure sustained production and productivity among small scale farmers necessary for the nation to attain sustainable national food security and poverty reduction.
“ It is very important for the Government of the day and the aspiring political parties for the 2021 general elections to ensure that irrigation agriculture for small scale farmers is prioritized in their development agendas,” he charged.
Mr Muma urged all aspiring political parties contesting in this year’s general elections to include in their campaign messages the significance of irrigation agriculture in promoting agriculture transformation in Zambia in the wake of climate change.
Government sets up Fund to help curb livestock diseases in Southern province
Government says it has set up a Disease Control Fund ( DCF ) to help curb livestock diseases in Southern province, especially.
Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Swithine Kabilika says the Fund to be managed by the ministry will help to reduce cases of animals diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease ( FMD) that has affected most parts of the country.
Mr Kabilika disclosed this during separate stakeholders engagement meetings in Choma, Kalomo, Zimba, and Kazungula Districts, respectively.
Attending the said meetings where the police, council, farmers, Veterinary staff, and traditional leaders, among others.
He explained that the DCF has been set up in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation ( FAO ), among other cooperating partners.
And Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Deputy Director Geoffrey Muuka said using the DCF fund, his ministry has since ordered vaccines to inoculate cattle in the affected districts.
Dr. Muuka noted that his Ministry will commence the ring vaccination of cattle against the Foot and Mouth Disease immediately the vaccine arrives in the country.
He observed that the disease has affected farmers in 18 districts in the country in Southern, Western, and Central Provinces.
Among these affected districts included Kazungula, Zimba, Kalomo, Choma, Namwala, Sinazongwe, Monze, and Mazabuka, all of Southern Province.
Dr. Muuka stated that illegal movement of cattle has exacerbated the Foot and Mouth Disease, thereby strongly calling on farmers to get veterinary permits when they wanted to move their animals to other areas.
Speaking at the same function National Project Coordinator under the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Foot and Mouth Disease Frank Banda said he was happy with the technical and financial support from FAO.
Mr. Banda said using the FAO support was also creating awareness through community radio stations to enable farmers take preventive measure against the Foot and Mouth Disease.
Zambia’s high debt and huge domestic arrears key obstacles to deal-IMF
The International Monetary Fund says challenges brought about by Zambia’s debt and how to dismantle domestic arrears are making it difficult for the country to conclude a deal with the Fund.
IMF Spokesman Gerry Rice told a news conference from Washington that key challenges in moving the talks forward include how to implement reforms to deal with huge fiscal deficit.
Dr Rice however admitted that broad consensus has been agreed and that the Zambian government knows what it should do to move forward.
“That said, key challenges remain including to implement reforms to correct current large fiscal imbalances, increasing revenues to provide the needed fiscal space to achieve those development objectives that I mentioned including through debt and expenditure transparency and halting the incurrence of domestic arrears,” Dr Rice said.
He added, “And, again, I want to emphasize, ensuring that the social protection scheme is fully funded with timely payments.”
“Again, they have requested a financing arrangement with the IMF to support their reform efforts. And we had discussions with the Zambian authorities earlier this year and they continued through this month and that would be a request for an extended credit facility,” Dr Rice said.
“What I can tell you is that there was broad agreement on the macroeconomic framework and notable progress was made in detailing the key policy measures to address the imbalances currently facing Zambia and to enable a return to sustained growth with ?? and this is important for us, enhanced fiscal space for social and development spending.”
The IMF Spokesman noted that the Zambian authorities have reaffirmed their continued commitment to reforms adding that Fund looks forward to continuing those discussions towards an Extended Credit Facility program as key measures are taken.
“And, of course, the timing as to when those measures are taken is, as always, in the hands of the authorities, in the hands of the Zambian government,” he stated.
And just to tie it up on the common framework, Zambia has expressed its interest in the common framework. And to the best of my knowledge, those discussions are continuing.
GOVERNOR
Last week, Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga said that Zambia was close to reaching a deal with the International Monetary Fund that will be crucial to restoring macroeconomic stability.
“We couldn’t have gotten any closer with the IMF as we are today,” Mr. Mvunga told reporters on Wednesday, adding that he couldn’t provide a time-line for when the government might reach an agreement with the fund.
“We are very optimistic. It’s progressing pretty well.”
An IMF deal would also help create fiscal space, as would a one-off allocation of special drawing rights by the lender to help countries fight the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Mvunga said.
The IMF said it was up to Zambia to implement agreed policies to pave the way for further talks.
That dealt a blow to hopes for an agreement before general elections in August, as parliament and cabinet were dissolved last week, and implementing some of the reforms, especially cutting back on energy and farm subsidies, may prove unpopular ahead of what will probably be a closely contested vote.
Africa’s first pandemic-era sovereign defaulter is seeking to reach a deal on an economic program with the Washington-based lender that’s crucial to the government’s plans to restructure as much as $12.7 billion of external debt and boost foreign-exchange reserves.
Zambian international reserves of $1.2 billion at end-March are close to record lows and the kwacha has consistently depreciated against the dollar, making it the second-worst performing sub-Saharan Africa currency tracked by Bloomberg over the past 12 months.
The depreciation has contributed to inflation surging to a five-year high to average 22.2% in the first quarter, compared with 17.6% in the three months through December.
While the central bank expects price growth to ease faster than previously expected, “it’s way outside our target range and it’s a serious concern,” Mr. Mvunga said.
Annual inflation will average 21.9% in 2021 and 16.7% next year, according to forecasts from the Bank of Zambia, which targets price growth at 6% to 8%.
Many, including Simon Quijano-Evans, chief economist at Gemcorp Capital LLP in London, expect Zambia to only conclude a deal after a new government is formed.
The government has been talking about an IMF program for seven years with no concrete results yet.
“So many finance ministers have attempted to push for IMF loan program in the past, in vain,” Quijano-Evans said Thursday in an emailed note.
“A loan program agreement just ahead of the August elections would thus come as one of the biggest surprises in emerging markets.”
The Growth of Esports Calls for a Strategic Battle Plan
Although not every industry can pinpoint a precise start date, most people believe that esports began on October 19, 1972, when a group of Stanford University students gathered at the school’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory to participate in the first Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics. A year’s subscription to Rolling Stone magazine is the grand prize.
According to industry estimates, one player from Denmark received more than $3 million in 2019. And the prize money is only going to get bigger as the audience grows. Experts predict that the esports audience will reach 500 million in 2021 and 650 million in 2023, though the impact of COVID-19 remains to be seen. One of the leading esports platform is Betway, which is currently experiencing a surge in the number of registered players.
Sponsorships account for the majority of esports revenue, which is accompanied by broadcast rights, ads, merchandise and ticket sales, and game publisher fees. By 2023, revenues are expected to reach approximately $1.6 billion, though the pandemic’s eventual effect remains a wild card.
The Esports Ecosystem
Many people confuse esports with “gaming,” which refers to anybody, anywhere playing a video game. However, in recent years, there has been a concerted attempt to identify it as a full-fledged sport with its own stars, teams, and sponsors.
It’s easy to see why so many investors see esports as a solid, emerging industry ready to join the ranks of other major sports and entertainment segments when you look at the growth numbers and predictions. Its global popularity is shown by its inclusion in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, and a big effort is underway to make it a featured sport at the upcoming 2022 Asia Games in Hangzhou, China. The Danish government also hopes to develop Denmark as an esports pioneer, and has invested in a marketing campaign to do so. There are so many emerging esports promoters like Betway, where more people can engage and even earn rewards.
A growing number of celebrities are putting their time and money into esports. Bronny James, the son of future Hall of Famer LeBron James, made headlines last summer when he revealed his involvement with the renowned esports gaming team FaZe Clan.
Even the United States military has noticed, forming the Army Esports Team in 2018 as a gaming team as well as a recruitment tool.
The following are important components of the esports ecosystem:
Games Developers and Publishers:
These firms own the intellectual property for the games, manage the variables, and, in many cases, include some or all of the prize money. In 2019, the total amount of prize money was projected to be $373 million.
Franchises/Teams:
The majority of professional esports teams started out as amateurs. A team will draw investors and then generate revenue from alliances, sponsorships, licensing, and tournament prize money if it has a strong business model, is competitive, and/or markets itself well.
Sponsors:
Endemic sponsors offer esport-related products or services, such as computer hardware. Non-endemic sponsors aren’t involved in esports in any way.
Organizers:
The most prestigious offline (LAN) tournaments are organized by a few large corporations, while smaller ones are organized by others.
Investors:
Over the last five years, esports teams have become more adept at attracting investors, and they are raising significant funds, establishing training infrastructure, and attracting top players.
Check out a detailed esports page on the Betway website and may join a growing number of enthusiasts.
COVID-19 surveillance platforms reveal increase of positive cases
Government says it is concerned with the number of people testing positive at various points of COVID-19 surveillance platforms.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Kennedy Malama says from data reaching the ministry shows a 2.6 percent rise of COVID – 19 positive cases compared to 2.4 percent, the previous 24 hours.
“ The country has recorded 95 new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases out of 3,655 tests conducted, “ he said.
In his daily update, Dr Malama indicated that this brings the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to 93.201.
“ The country has a recorded positive response to COVID-19 vaccination at first and second dose phases, “ he said.
Dr Malama said the country has so far administered 1,966 doses of the first dose of Sinopharm and 1,868 were second dose of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccination in the last 24 hours.
And the in last 24 hours Zambia has recorded one confirmed COVID-19 death from Kasama General hospital in Northern province.
This brings the cumulative number of COVID-19 related death to 1,268 while the number of classified deaths stand at 711 and 556 COVID-19 associated deaths.
A total of 54 discharges have been recorded from both COVID-19 isolation facilities and home management, bringing the cumulative number of recovers to 91,156.
The country currently has 777 active cases, out of whom 726 are under community management and 51 are admitted to COVID-19 isolation facilities.
And seven new admissions were recorded in the last 24 hours, among those admitted 39 are on oxygen therapy and 10 are in critical condition.
And a total of 134,095 of Zambian have received their COVID-19 jabs (of which 128,450 are AstraZeneca dose while 5,645 are Sinopharm dose), said the Permanent Secretary.
PF will follow the law and adhere to the set health guidelines during the campaign period-Antonio
Patriotic Front Media Director Antonio Mwanza says the party will follow the law and adhere to the set health guidelines to the letter during the campaign period.
Speaking when he featured on ZNBC’s National Watch program that was addressing the topic “peace among political parties during the campaign period”, Mr Mwanza said President Edgar Lungu and the PF party is committed to having peaceful campaigns and elections.
He has since called on political players in the country to be responsible and make the work of police officers and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) easy, by adhering to the set health guidelines and the electoral code of conduct.
“When the Head of State was filling in his nomination papers only 14 people were invited and the 15th person was myself coordinating the program, we just had 14 chairs and it is not that we can’t fill the streets of Lusaka no, but it’s because we realize that as political leaders we must be responsible and make the work of the commission and the men in uniform easy, that is our role,” he said.
“The police must came in when there is a problem, and the problem is often caused by us political players,”.
Mr Mwanza further noted that President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has given very clear instructions to all members of the party, that the police will do their work by ensuring that people engaged in political violence are brought to book.
He added that the party will not shield any member accused of being involved political violence.
Mr Mwanza also stated that the party has come up with a clear road map in dealing with violence in a quest to protect its members.
“Structures lead by Members of the Central Committee ( MCC) have been formed to ensure that violence is not tolerated in the party” he said.
1,500 households flooded in Mpulungu
About 1, 500 households along the lake shores in Mpulungu District have been flooded as a result rising water levels on Lake Tanganyika.
ZANIS reports that the development has left infrastructure such as houses, places of worship, business entities and a school including property submerged in water.
And Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) National Coordinator Chanda Kabwe says government will immediately commence the provision of aid to the affected.
Mr. Kabwe has since directed the DMMU Regional Coordinator to ensure that affected families receive food and chlorine to avoid any outbreak of water borne diseases.
“We have to make sure that we provide mealie meal, beans, Kapenta and chlorine to our people because we don’t want to hear that there is cholera as a result of people drinking unsafe water.
“ This has to be done immediately and should continue on a weekly basis until the water levels go down” said Mr. Kabwe
Speaking when he and Northern Province Permanent Secretary Royd Chakaba conducted an assessment tour, Mr. Kabwe also cautioned people against politicizing relief given to people affected by natural calamities.
Mr. Kabwe said government through DMMU is mandated to provide aid to victims of eventualities like floods and drought regardless of the political season.
He added that his office will provide a speed boat to the district to ease the movement of people and goods in flooded areas.
“We can’t stop providing humanitarian aid to people because of elections. It is the responsibility of government to help people affected by natural calamities, “ he said.
And thanking the DMMU for the prompt response to the situation, Mr Chakaba said his office will continuously engage DMMU on the best ways of providing humanitarian services to the affected communities.
“I wish to thank the National Coordinator DMMU Chanda Kabwe, for this timely response and my office will from time to time engage with him so that our people’s needs are met during this crisis.” Mr. Chakaba said.
The Permanent Secretary also reiterated the call on the public against politicizing government aid to people in dare need.
Meanwhile, Mpulungu District Commissioner Dennis Sikazwe said people from thirty-six villages have been affected by the flooding and are in need of help.
Mr. Sikazwe has since expressed confidence that the provision of relief to victims will help to cushion their plight.
Copperbelt Students back Lungu
Student from across the Copperbelt have today launched the Students for ECL Copperbelt Chapter which will galvanise votes for President Edgar Lungu ahead of the August 12 General Elections.
Speaking after close to 450 students from various colleges and universities marched through Kantanta Street in Kitwe with placards, Copperbelt University students representative Cyprian Musenge said students on the Copperbelt endorse the candidature of President Lungu because of the change that has been seen in the education sector over the 10 year rule by the PF and President Lungu’s leadership.
And Zambia Students Union Secretary General Isaac Mwanza who graced the launch of the Copperbelt student movement urged students to support the tested leadership of President Lungu which has continued to ensure education infrastructure is developed in colleges and universities.
Mr Mwanza, who is also a Governance Activist, said the change that students must be looking forward to is not about wanting to change a individuals but the kind of change that affects their lives.
President Lungu has brought real change to the education by building more universities, colleges and schools thereby reducing the distances students and pupils have to walk to schools and increasing more space to students.
And Meanwhile, Students for ECL National Coordinator Isaiah Mambwe said students countrywide are rallying behind President Lungu because he is the ideal candidate for this election.
Mr Mambwe said the country will see more education facilities being upgraded once President LUNGU is re-elected.
Other students unions which endorsed President LUNGU are those from Mukuba University, ZIBSIP, Kalulushi Nursing College, Luanshya Business College, Kitwe College of Education, Technical Vocational Training College and the Northern Technical College.
Zesco United Back in Business
Zesco United returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 1-0 away victory over Lusaka Dynamos at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
The result saw the FAZ Super League leader end their two match losing run that came on the back of a ten-game winning run.
Jesse Were headed in the games lone goal in the 43rd minute.
It was Were’s sixth league goal against Dynamos against whom the Kenyan striker has a habit of scoring against.
Zesco now restore normal service in their title quest and open an eight point lead over second placed Zanaco who lost 2-1 at home on Saturday to demoted and bottom placed Kitwe United.
Zanaco and Zesco have 50 and 58 points with five and six matches left respectively.
Zesco are still on the road and visit Prison Leopards in Kabwe on Wednesday while Zanaco host Buildcon 24 hours earlier at Nkoloma.
In the lunchtime kick off at Nkoloma, ninth placed Green Buffaloes beat tenth placed Power Dynamos 2-1.
Friday Samu and David Sakala scored for Buffaloes while Benson Sakala was on target for the erratic Kitwe giants.