Government has launched the disbursement of K9.3 million second phase COVID -19 Emergency Cash Transfer to target 3,910 beneficiaries in Nakonde District of Muchinga Province.

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Davison Mulenga launched the disbursement of the COVID-19 Emergency Cash Transfer funds at Mwenzo yesterday.

Capt. Mulenga said government with its cooperating partners devised a relief package to help the vulnerable households with K400 each for a period of 6 months as a cushion after a 10 -day lockdown that was necessitated to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Nakonde district last year in May.

A total of 5781 beneficiaries received their package in the first phase that was paid out in December 2020.

Capt. Mulenga disclosed that the disbursement of the second phase of COVID -19 Emergency Cash Transfer funds will be paid using Cash in Transit (CIT) that targets to benefit 3,910 households in Nakonde District.

“In May last year, Government implemented a 10 -day lockdown in Nakonde district of Muchinga Province to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the district,” said Capt. Mulenga.

He said that the first category was the already existing households on Social Cash Transfer scheme.

“The vertical category was paid in December 2020. A total of K5, 781 beneficiary household was covered during this phase and was paid the whole amount, K2 400, which was supposed to be given in 6 months,” he added.

Capt. Mulenga said other category identified are low income earners who do not exist on the social cash transfer data base while the department of Labour and Social Walfare also identified some beneficiaries.

“A total of 3,910 beneficiaries are scheduled to receive K2400 each in the district. The mode of payment is use of Cash in Transit (CIT) and the vehicle carrying the cash is right here and will be going round paying points to pay the beneficiaries,” said Capt. Mulenga.

Muwemba Sichone, one of the beneficiaries told ZANIS that he is grateful to government for the good gesture.

Mr. Sichone said Nakonde residents underwent trauma and suffering during a 10-day Nakonde border was on lockdown and their small businesses were affected.

“We suffered during the period Nakonde border was on lockdown and our small businesses closed after using capital to buy food for our families, “said Mr. Sichone.

And Nakonde District Social Welfare Officer Mwaka Mulenga said release of COVID -19 Emergency Cash Transfer funds will boost the local economy of the border town.

Mr. Mulenga said the COVID-19 Emergency Cash Transfer funds will have spiral positive effects on many people because money in circulation has increased.

“We want to thank government for the COVID-19 Emergency Cash Transfer funds released for beneficiaries in Nakonde. These funds will impact positively on the lives of the people including those not directly receiving the funds. Buying power in our communities will be enhanced because of this relief package, “said Mr. Mulenga.

The mission team included Ministry of health officials, Health Professionals Association of Zambia, World Health Organization (WHO) United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and other UN agencies.

Government says it is pleased that the Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has demonstrated its continued support and partnership to the cause of the learner even amidst the COVID -19 Pandemic.

Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary Jabbin Mulwanda says government is pleased that ZANEC has continued providing policy and advocacy based on evidence generated from actual research.

Dr Mulwanda explains that even as all the changes necessitated by Covid-19 were being implemented, the Coalition remained unwavering in the commitment to providing evidence-based alternatives to best address the situation.

The Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary administration said this when officiated at the 9th General Assembly for ZANEC in Lusaka today.

“Admittedly, we still have a long way to go in attaining the education we aspire to, especially when it comes to having well balanced alternative modes of education delivery.

“ With the continued support from our partners and stakeholders we have been able to achieve what has been accomplished so far as we ensure that no one is left behind in our education agenda,” he stressed.

The launch of the two (2) E – Learning Platforms, the National E – Learning Portal and the Smart Revision and the launch of the Education Television Channel (ZNBC TV4) on Top Star Platform as among the initiatives that were attained collaboratively, he cited.

And ZANEC Board Chairperson Henry Kabwe called for unity of purpose in order to spur the country’s education sector.

Mr Kabwe pointed out that to cushion the impact of Covid-19 on the education sector the coalition partnered with government and UNICEF in generating evidence which has played a major role in informing strategies for disaster preparedness and mitigation.

He recalled that the initiative has resulted in the implementation of various innovations by policy makers, policy implementers, schools, teachers and learners aimed at mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

“Alternative modes of education provision in the form of radio, television, mobile or online platforms have taken center stage to cope with these new innovations, our teachers have had to adapt their teaching methodologies.

“ These services were brought to the attention of ZANEC and the ministry to ensure that even a child in the most remote parts of Zambia gets access to learning through the expansion of the education broadcasting services (EBS) radio and TV,” he said.

And in her vote of thanks, Florence Mwansa hailed the government for having collaborated with the coalition very well.

Mrs Mwansa said the theme of the General Assembly “keeping the wheels of education running amidst the covid 19 pandemic” was in line with the country’s aspirations of expanding the education sector.

Vice President, Inonge Wina has launched the 9.3 Million Euros voices for climate change action programme in Zambia. The programme is expected to improve resilience and adaptation in some parts of Lusaka and Southern Provinces.

Mrs Wina observed that the five year project will build resilience and adaptions towards climate change in the Kafue flats.

The Vice President said this in Kafue’s Chanyanya area this afternoon, adding that there’s need to strengthen efforts to help sustain the livelihoods of people in disaster prone areas by building resilience and adaption to climate change.

And Mrs Wina has since directed Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Vice President to initiate a programme on disaster reduction with specific subsystem interventions linked to food systems.

“I therefore seek support from cooperating partners working with WWF and the consortium including the Dutch Government.” She said.

The Vice President underscored the importance of the programme, which she said will bring together stakeholders’ expertise and resources to solve common problems while bringing prosperity to the people.

She noted that government with its partners, is determined to shape a future for Chanyanya, Chikupi and Demu communities through grant contribution and investments from the Dutch Government and technical assistance by a British firm, Infraco.

She further stressed government’s commitment to addressing the plight of people who are affected by climate change effects such as floods and droughts that lead to food insecurity.

She said that efforts should be made to bring people together for a common goal by providing solutions that uplift the living standards of the people.

Mrs Wina observed that the Zambezi River basin is one of the most valuable natural resources in Africa, which she said accounts for half of installed hydro power capacity and also supports a diverse array of game, birdlife and fish species in game reserves.

She stated that the river system whose tributaries such as Kafue, are home to socio-economic livelihoods of many, adding that it is a basis for industrialisation through mining on the Copperbelt.

Mrs Wina noted that any disruption of the Zambezi River is a source of concern, as this can be seen from the huge cost of relief distributed due to crop failure as well as displacement due to floods.

“We have taken keen interest in the Zambezi and Luapula river basins because any disturbance in these two ecosystems calls for disaster risk reduction measures, ‘ she said.

The Vice President said the project embraces a brighter future, inspired by inclusiveness, resilience, prosperity and sustainability.

She stressed the importance of implementing the Chiansi concept as it will address all the five pillars of the Seventh National Development Plan.

Dutch Honorary Consul, Sander Donker stressed his government’s commitment to helping Zambia address the challenges of climate change.

Mr Donker said the Dutch government will continue to provide both financial and technical assistance to the country in order to address issues of climate change.

And WWF Country Director, Nachilala Nkombo said the five year project is intended to address some of the biggest challenge of climate change and build adaptation and resilience strategies.

“The focus of this project is the local community,” she stated.

The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) has commended the Political Parties that have publicly committed themselves to abide by the laid COVID-19 guidelines.

ZCID Executive director Doreen Kabwe says her organisation is gratified by the political parties participating in the 12th August elections that they will not hold campaign rallies in an effort to minimize the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Ms Kabwe explains that the move taken by Political Parties clearly demonstrates that the lives of many Zambians are being prioritised.

” The Centre is encouraged to see that a number of Political Parties are complying and have acquainted themselves with the Standard Operating Procedures which were developed by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Covid-19 Technical Committee,” she said.

In a statement made available to the media yesterday, the ZCID Executive director says her Centre is pleased to note that during the pre-processing of presidential supporters, there was strict adherence to the Covid-19 golden rules by all parties .

Ms Kabwe stated that the centre also observed that during the processing of Presidential nominations which is currently underway the Covid-19 are being followed.

“As the Centre, we urge all political players to continue adhering to the laid down Covid-19 guidelines as they participate in other electoral activities which have been lined up,” she said.

Recently, the ECZ disclosed that in view of COVID- 19 prevalence it has banned political rallies to prevent the spread of the global pandemic that has not spared Zambia.

Keeping Girls in School says it is concerned with the increased number of girls who have dropped out of school in Itezhi-tezhi district under its sponsorship.

Itezhi-Tezhi District Education Board Secretary Victor Longwani indicated that the project had improved the performance of girls that have been re-admitted into school.

KGS National Coordinator Willy Kaputa discloses that from its inception in 2017 only 498 girls out of 721 enrolled , have remained under KGS sponsorship in the district.

Speaking when he inspected the programme in Itezhi-Tezhi , Mr. Kaputa states that government is committed to transform the livelihood of women especially in rural areas with productivity grands and secondary school bursaries.

The KGS initiative is aimed at improving literacy levels across the country.

“The government through the ministry of General Education desires that we have women who are educated and if we kept our girls longer in school then we are helping them to escape the trap of many vices such as child marriages, leading to a healthy society with informed women,” Mr. Laputa explained.

Mr. Kaputa stressed the need to device measures that will improve the effectiveness of the project by meeting the needs of the beneficiaries that might be causing the increased dropouts.

The KGS team embarked on stake holder engagement with implementers which includes teachers, parents, district education offices as well the pupils in order to come up with workable solutions that will improve commitment among learners.

Meanwhile, Itezhi-Tezhi District Education Board Secretary Victor Longwani indicated that the project had improved the performance of girls that have been re-admitted into school.

Mr. Longwani revealed that about five girls who wrote their grade 12 last year had performed very well and have since been recommended for higher education.

He noted that KGS sponsorship has motivated the beneficiaries to come to school and are performing better than expected.

“The programme has directly and indirectly reinforced the implementation of re-entry policy because a number of girls who had become pregnant have been re-enrolled,” Mr. Longwani stated.

The KGS funding has further assisted schools with infrastructure development, therby creating more space for improved enrollment rates among girls in rural areas, he said.

And one of the beneficiaries, Hellen Mingochi, explained that the project has lessened the financial hardships that her family faced to pay for her tuition fees.

She noted that her dreams of becoming a lawyer will be achieved.

“Am very grateful to government for the sponsorship. My dreams of being achieving great things in life have just been realized and will come to fruition,” a jovial Mingochi noted.

Ministry of General Education (MOGE) has supported 28,799 vulnerable secondary school going girls across the country with school bursaries under the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) Project since the inception of the project in 2016.

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Lusaka Province has arrested five (5) people for various Drug trafficking offences contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

DEC Public Relations Officer Mathias Kamanga said Grace Chabola, a 30-year-old female Peasant Farmer of Chongwe District was arrested for trafficking 355.7 kg of loose Cannabis.

Mr Kamanga pointed out that Chabola was arrested in Manyika area of Chongwe after being found with five drums ( totaling 210 liters) and two small buckets containing loose Cannabis that were buried behind her house and covered with concrete.

In a separate incident, the Commission has arrested Lizzy Ziba a 40-year-old peasant farmer of Mukunta village in Chongwe District for trafficking 115kg of loose cannabis.

The DEC Public Relations Officer stated that Ziba was arrested after she was found with 5 sacks and half a drum of loose cannabis that was hidden in her house.

“The Commission is calling upon members of the public to report any suspicious activities especially those of drug traffickers who are in the habit of bringing large quantities of such drugs into the communities to the Commission as we would like to stop the supply of such drugs right from the source,” he said.

Meanwhile, DEC has arrested Lameck Sikazwe, a 35-year-old male and his aunt Melida Nakazwe, 73 years old both of Chilenje South for trafficking in 12kg of compressed Cannabis which was concealed in wooden handicraft boxes.

Mr Kamanga said the duo was arrested at Intercity Bus Terminal when they went to collect the compressed Cannabis parcel which was sent as a parcel to them from outside Zambia.

“The Commission would like to warn transporters to ensure they know the contents of any parcel they are transporting before they accept to carry a parcel.

“ If anything is suspicious, they should get in touch with DEC. Failure to do so may result in the seizure of their vessels for unlawful use of their motor vehicles. “ he said.

The Commission has also arrested another suspect identified as Nebby Manda, a 31-year-old Taxi Driver of Libala area in Lusaka for trafficking in Benylin with Codeine.

Mr Kamanga reveals in the same statement that Manda was found with three carton boxes filled with Benylin with Codeine which contained more than 178 bottles of the substance, 34 empty bottles and cash in the amount of K14, 900 (paper money) and K 660 (coins),” the statement read in part.

He reiterated that Benylin with Codeine is a controlled substance and should only be used by a person with a prescription from a medical practitioner.

First Lady Esther Lungu has encouraged journalists to work extra hard as it is their role to transform society.

Speaking during the ‘Stay at Home’ and ‘More than a Mother’ media award presentation ceremony at State House in Lusaka today, Mrs Lungu said she recognises the critical role the media and arts industry play to create a better society.

“We recognized the critical role the media and arts industry play to create cultural shift and raise awareness about health, cultural and sensitive issues such as infertility stigma,” she noted.

She consequently congratulated and awarded some deserving journalists under the ‘Merck Foundation’ for championing and raising awareness on sensitive social issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mrs Lungu said Merck Foundation conducted the ‘Stay at Home’ and ‘More than a Mother’ media recognition awards was formed to raise awareness about the important social issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and to raise awareness on how to stay safe and keep physically and mentally healthy during the pandemic lockdown.

The First Lady commended the marked contributions made by the winners in sensitizing their respective communities about infertility stigma and COVID-19.

Mrs Lungu further encouraged Merck Foundation to reward them by becoming foundation Alumni and also providing them with one year access to online educational training programe called Master Class.

“This offer aims at motivating journalists to continue writing and advocating for social, economic and health issues across their countries” she said.

Among the deserving journalists awarded included Jessie Ngoma (Times of Zambia) ,Henry Sinyangwe (Daily Mail) and Violet Mengo (Daily Mail) under the print category.

Others were ZNBC’s Effie Mphande under Multimedia category , Prudence Siabana (Radio Phoenix) and Josias Muuba from Mosi-oa-Tunya Radio under the electronic category.

The Merck Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the Merck Germany , established in 2017 envisions a world where everyone can lead a healthy and fulfilling life .

It aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science , technology women and youth empowerment and building scientific research capacity.