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ZNS shoe factory to increase production

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ZNS shoe factory to increase production

Zambia National Service Commandant, Nathan Mulenga says plans are under way to put up ZNS shoe factories country wide.

Lt. Gen. Mulenga expressed optimism that the initiative of the shoe factory will help to reduce the importation of shoes.

He said the shoe factory in Ndola currently produces 80 to 100 pairs of shoes and envisions to manufacture 1,500 pairs in future.

ZANIS reports that the Commandant said this when he toured the factory to appreciate the quality of the shoes being produced in order to upscale production.

Lt. Gen. Mulenga stated that the K3 million investment, is growing at a supersonic rate which is an indication that the general citizenry have received the locally generated idea.

“I urge the general citizenry to support this local idea and buy shoes that are durable and affordable. This ZNS factory is moving the wheels of the economy of Ndola and sooner than later it will be rolled out to other parts of the country and commendation goes to the government for the support,” he said.

Meanwhile, Copperbelt Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe says smuggling of maize and soya beans among other crops out of the region is now the thing of the past.

Mr Nundwe attributed the ceasing of smuggling in the region to the vigorous fight that ZNS embarked on to curb the vice.

“We commend you for having fought smuggling from all ends and we have zero smuggling activities in the region which were rife in the recent past. Smuggling is a parasite to the economy and we are so grateful that it is now the thing of the past,” he said.

He further urged ZNS officers in the province to remain professional in the execution of their duties even as the country goes to the polls in August this year.

Former PF MP Vows to Re-contest Luanshya Seat as Independent candidate after being left out

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Former PF MP Vows to Re-contest Luanshya Seat as Independent candidate after being left out

Outgoing Patriotic Front (PF) Luanshya Member of Parliament Steve Chungu has expressed interest to recontest his seat on an independent ticket in the August 12, 2021 general elections.

Mr. Chungu’s decision follows the Patriotic Front (PF) adoption of outgoing Luanshya Deputy Mayor Golden Mulenga to represent it in the Luanshya parliamentary seat.

“I have taken a position due to the demand and request from the people of Luanshya that I should recontest the seat, many people are coming to me asking me to stand saying they want me back and still need my services, hence the decision to recontest as an independent candidate, I will be a candidate for the people,” Chungu explained.

Mr. Chungu, who has served Luanshya constituency for the past ten years, said he has overwhelming support from the electorate in Luanshya adding that he cannot punish the voters by staying away from the election.

“People have seen that I have participated highly in the development of the social sector to the best of my ability and through the continued interaction and working together I have built a bond with the people which is so hard to break,” he said.

He has however said he will support President Edgar Lungu’s candidature as president in the upcoming polls.

Mr. Chungu added that, “I have been there for the people of Luanshya both in happiness and in sorrow, and the people of Luanshya still feel that I have a role to play, therefore I cannot punish the people by standing by the choice they did not make.”

Asked whether he was going to resign from the PF party, Mr. Chungu said that he would be left without a choice if that was what contesting on an independent ticket entailed.

“I will have to resign from the party if that is what contesting independently entails, but I will continue to support President Edger Lungu’s candidature,” he said.

He argued that he has served the people of Luanshya diligently and has invested highly in the social sector through the provision of service vehicles for funerals and garbage collection among other utility vehicles using his personal resources.

“Those vehicles that I have provided to the people of Luanshya will remain at their service. I will not withdraw the vehicles. they are meant to deliver a service to the people of Luanshya and they will continue to use them, the only difference you shall see is that I will rebrand the vehicles and remove all the PF symbols because I can be petitioned, am going in as an independent candidate,” he said.

Mr. Chungu has served Luanshya constituency for two consecutive terms under the PF ticket and has also served as parliamentary deputy chief whip in his term of office.

Chief hailed for campaigning against open defecation

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Chief hailed for campaigning against open defecation

Eastern Provincial Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee Chairperson, Alex Bwalya has hailed Chief Phikamalaza in Chasefu district for the noble role he is playing in ending open defecation in his chiefdom.

Mr. Bwalya who is also Eastern Province Local Government Officer said the commitment and dedication shown by the traditional leader is an indication that he desires his chiefdom to achieve an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.

The Provincial Local Government Officer was speaking when he addressed water and sanitation stakeholders at Lusuntha and ZASP rural Health Centre during ODF review program dubbed community lead total sanitation.

Mr. Bwalya said lack of water and sanitation leads to open defecation which may result into the outbreak of diarrhea related diseases, and consequently reduce productivity.

And Provincial Water and Sanitation Engineer Abraham Banda is impressed that 76% of the sanitation facilities in the chiefdom have been constructed.

Mr. Banda has however emphasized households to put up permanent toilets.

He observed that some temporal structures made out of dried straw and plastics are expensive because they do not stand for a long time.

Meanwhile, Chief Phikamalaza has warned those that do not put up toilets facilities that they risk being punished.

The traditional leader said he will soon embark on inspection tour of selected villages, to check on household compliance levels.

And Kavikwaba Nutrition Health Committee (NHC) Champion, Livingstone Mtonga cited political interference and lack of water in the chiefdom as some of the major challenges in rolling out the program.

The headmen have given each household up to May 30th in which to put up sanitary facilities.

No more playing of national anthem instrumentally but should be physically sung – PS

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No more playing of national anthem instrumentally but should be physically sung – PS

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Davison Mulenga has urged residents in the province to ensure that they sing verbally the Zambia National Anthem in order to acquaint themselves with its contents and understand the meaning of the song.

Captain Mulenga has since directed that the national anthem should not be guided using an audio or instrumental but should be sung vocally during government meetings.

Capt Mulenga said he has noted with dismay that a number of people do not know all the verses of the national anthem hence hide in the played audios during meetings.

“Most of us only know the first verses and chorus of the national anthem which we are used to sing. It is high time that we stuck to the guidance that cabinet gave of singing the entire song,” he said.

Capt Mulenga said as a result, people do not understand and know the meaning of the words contained in the national anthem hence the need for it to be verbally sung.

He said the national anthem has meaning to the country and its people, and is among the attributes that makes one to be identified as a true Zambian.

The PS stated that Zambians ought to be proud of themselves and hold dearly the national anthem by singing it with pride and confidence.

Use empowerment funds to reduce poverty – PS

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Use empowerment funds to reduce poverty – PS

Chinsali District Commissioner, Mary Chifuna has called on cooperatives that received empowerment funds in the area from President Edgar Lungu to expand their businesses and reduce poverty amongst themselves.

Ms Chifuna said her office will soon be monitoring progress recipients have made and how their business is doing.

She added that the empowerment funds should not be perceived as campaign token but a serious venture aimed at boosting business in poverty stricken households.

“The empowerment is not political but a package aimed at reducing poverty among households and I don’t expect to hear that people have shared the items” she said.

The DC has also called for collaboration and integration saying those with incubators and hybrid chicken layers must work closely as the two are interdependent.

And Muchinga Province Cooperatives Coordinator, Vincent Banda said Chinsali has 464 registered cooperatives and 200 are linked to fertilizer support programme under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Mr. Banda explained that the 50 cooperatives that benefited from ECL Multipurpose Empowerment Programme should take business seriously so that their ventures thrive.

“Those that have been empowered need to be serious and we shall monitor progress, “Mr. Banda said.

Meanwhile, ECL Project Provincial Coordinator, Isaac Nsoneka said the empowerment given to 50 cooperatives in Chinsali must be supported with technically so that it benefits every member and contribute to the Growth of the economy in the district.

Mr. Nsoneka added that President Edgar Lungu’ vision is to ensure that no one is left behind especially in this Covid era.

Chinsali was among the nine districts in Muchinga province with 50 registered cooperatives benefited from the ECL packages.

Among the packages given out were iron sheets, incubators, sewing machines, poultry and farm pack, mini-groceries, among others.

No more playing of national anthem instrumentally but should be physically sung – PS

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No more playing of national anthem instrumentally but should be physically sung – PS

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Davison Mulenga has urged residents in the province to ensure that they sing verbally the Zambia National Anthem in order to acquaint themselves with its contents and understand the meaning of the song.

Captain Mulenga has since directed that the national anthem should not be guided using an audio or instrumental but should be sung vocally during government meetings.

Capt Mulenga said he has noted with dismay that a number of people do not know all the verses of the national anthem hence hide in the played audios during meetings.

“Most of us only know the first verses and chorus of the national anthem which we are used to sing. It is high time that we stuck to the guidance that cabinet gave of singing the entire song,” he said.

Capt Mulenga said as a result, people do not understand and know the meaning of the words contained in the national anthem hence the need for it to be verbally sung.

He said the national anthem has meaning to the country and its people, and is among the attributes that makes one to be identified as a true Zambian.

The PS stated that Zambians ought to be proud of themselves and hold dearly the national anthem by singing it with pride and confidence.

Miti counsels controlling officers

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Miti counsels controlling officers

Secretary to the Cabinet, Simon Miti has called on controlling officers across the country to adhere to the rules and regulations that govern the management of public resources.

Dr Miti says controlling officers should build public confidence in the manner they discharge public affairs by putting transparency and accountability at the core of good governance.

ZANIS reports that the Secretary to the Cabinet said this during the official opening of the Controlling Officers’ Sensitization Workshop held virtually under the theme ‘understanding the work of the Auditor General.’

Dr Miti explained that the objective of the sensitization workshop is to sensitize the controlling officers who are the key stakeholders in the audit process and accountability of public resources.

He said Auditor General’s report on the accounts of the republic for the financial year ended 31st December 2019 revealed a number of audit queries, which could have been avoided.

Dr. Miti stated that the Office of the Auditor General has been given the mandate to provide an oversight role over the management and utilization of public resources.

“This sensitization workshop demonstrates the auditor general’s unwavering resolve to ensuring that the audit queries are reduced significantly if not eradicated completely,” he said.

He further said the officers have been entrusted with a responsibility on behalf of Zambians that borders on trust to prudently manage public resources in a transparent and accountable manner for the country’s development.

Dr. Miti further called on the controlling officers, to prioritize the allocation of resources to the most critical programmes and activities that will have a positive impact on citizens as the country heads towards the August 2021 general elections.

Speaking at the same event, Auditor General, Dick Sichembe said the Office of the Auditor General is mandated to provide the oversight role on management of public resources.

Dr. Sichembe said his office has embarked on a series of stakeholder engagement programmes aimed at sensitizing stakeholders on the role of the Auditor General in the accountability process.

He said so far his office has engaged with directors and controlling officers from the local authorities.

The Auditor General has also advised the controlling officers to avoid taking responses to the Public Accounts Committee as opposed to resolving the issues during the audit.

“My office will not entertain the habit of some controlling officers who take responses to Public Accounts Committee and then ask for verification,” he added.

Govt. commences process to amend Wildlife Act

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Govt. commences process to amend Wildlife Act

Government says it has commenced the amendment process of the Wildlife Act No.14 of 2015.

Ministry of Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary, Patrick Lungu says the amendment of the Act is important to ensure that the management of the county’s wildlife resource is fully aligned with the country’s long-term socio-economic development agenda.

Mr Lungu urged the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to make submissions between now and September, to reach a consensus on the amendment.

He stated that the department must also prepare Layman’s Draft Bill which should consider the past and recent reforms within the wildlife subsector.

Mr Lungu said the draft should also acknowledge the institutional mandate of the ministry in relation to the mandates of other government institutions.

He further appealed to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to appreciate the links between the Wildlife Act and other pieces of legislation.

Mr Lungu added that there is need to draw a clear line between what needs to be legislated and the matters that can be addressed through administrative means.

He said it is important for the country to come up with a law that is progressive, responsive to the needs of all stakeholders and effective in supporting government’s intentions on wealth creation and improve livelihoods for the citizenry.

The tourism sector is listed as a priority sector on Government’s agenda to transform Zambia into a prosperous and middle-income country and the sector is expected to contribute to economic growth and diversification, rural development and job creation.

This is contained in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, by Ministry of Tourism and Arts Public Relations Officer, Zacks Sakabilo.

Zambia will adhere to the tenets of democracy, SADC assured

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Zambia will adhere to the tenets of democracy, SADC assured

Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Major General Jackson Miti has assured the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries that the August 12 elections in Zambia will adhere to the tenets of democracy.

Maj Gen Miti said Zambia envisages to hold a free and fair election as has been the case in the past elections.

He was speaking at the SADC Heads of Mission meeting in Pretoria, South Africa.

Maj Gen Miti mentioned that international and local election observers have been invited to ensure that the electoral process was credible.

He also said election campaigns would be held under strict COVID-19 guidelines and protocols.

Maj Gen Miti also expressed gratitude to SADC member countries over their goodwill messages ahead of this year’s tripartite elections.

And SADC Head of Mission chairperson His Excellency General Paulino Macaringue urged Zambia to ensure that democracy thrived in the forthcoming elections.

General Macaringue, who is also Mozambican High Commissioner to South Africa, said democracy should be the ultimate winner in the elections.

Soya beans price elates farmers

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Soya beans price elates farmers

Farmers in Kabwe district in Central province are happy with the current market price for the soya beans cash crop.

Kabwe District Farmers Union chairperson, NKhomani Ng’ambi disclosed that currently, soya beans is selling between eight and ten Kwacha per one kilogramme (kg) in the area.

Mr. Ng’ambi told ZANIS in Kabwe that the market selling price of soya beans has been received with excitement among farmers.

He said small scale farmers were especially happy because they usually face stiff market competition from commercial farmers.

Mr. Ng’ambi explained that this is because most soya beans commercial farmers did not grow the cash crop in the just ended rain season.

He noted that this gave small scale farmers a chance to have an attractive market price for soya beans, which is currently on high demand.

Mr. Ng’ambi further said last year, the price of soya beans was five Kwacha per kilogramme (kg).

He has since advised soya beans farmers to sell the cash crop before the market gets saturated in order to enjoy the profit.

Mr. Ng’ambi has meanwhile thanked government for opening up the export market, saying it will greatly benefit farmers to earn good profits for their farm produce.

Traditional leaders advised against partisan politics

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Traditional leaders advised against partisan politics

A traditional leader has cautioned his colleagues to focus on preaching unity and love as the country ahead of the 12th August polls.

Chief Mabumba of Luapula Province has therefore condemned some chiefs who are in the forefront of hand picking parliamentary candidates saying it was wrong and against the agenda of unity of purpose.

Chairing a coccus meeting for chiefs to discuss the adoption of parliamentary candidates in Muchinga province held at the civic centre, Chief Mabumba has advised his colleagues to counsel aspiring candidates ahead of the August 12 general election,

Accompanied by Chief Munkonge and Kalasa at the meeting, the traditional said the trend by some traditional leaders to influence the adoption process of candidates only contributed to voter apathy.

“The picture portrayed has not responded to the noble cause of reducing political conflicts and I hope that the adoption results will not culminate into voter apathy,” said Chief Mabumba.

And patron for the chiefs group in Muchinga, Father Richard Kangwa called on chiefs to unite all the candidates and embrace them so that no one should contest as an independent.

Flanked by Father Francis Kasolo , Father Kangwa appealed to chiefs to preach and show love to all candidates whether picked or adding the church and chiefs are pillars of peaceful elections.

Speaking earlier, Chief Luchembe of the Bemba speaking people of Mpika regretted the alleged recommendations done in favour of some candidates to contest on Patriotic Front tickets in some constituencies.

Chief Luchembe said the conduct by some chiefs to influence the adoption is regrettable but was quick to appeal to all candidates to work together and support the Republican President Edgar Lungu , seeking his re-election on 12 August.

“Some candidates who applied to stand on the PF ticket and have not been adopted, feel injured by acts of some chiefs who openly supported a particular candidate in their chiefdom and we only hope that this situation will not affect the polls on August 12, ” said Chief Luchembe.

Meanwhile, both chiefs Chikwanda and Munkonge called on the traditional leadership in Muchinga province to refrain from partisan politics but work with the government of the day.

The dignity of being a chief can only be restored by being neutral and treat everyone equally, Chief Munkonge said.

The meeting which was supposed to be attended by all aspiring candidate who were not adopted on PF ticket was disrupted by ECZ presidential supporters verification as most candidates rushed to Civic center.

However, the chiefs resolved to go flat out and sensitize electorates on the importance of exercising their democratic rights and pledged to offer transport to the voters whose polling stations are a distant from their residence.

Body of the late Turkish Ambassador to Zambia to arrive today

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Body of the late Turkish Ambassador to Zambia to arrive today

The government has announced that the body of late Zambia’s Ambassador in Turkey Joseph Chilengi will arrive in the country, today May 14, 2021.

Secretary to the Cabinet Simon Miti disclosed that the body of the late Ambassador will arrive at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at around 20:30 hours aboard a Turkish Military craft.

Contained in a statement issued the media, Dr. Miti indicated that burial of the late Ambassador Chilengi will take place on Monday, May 17, 2021, at the Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka.

To this effect, President Edgar Lungu has since declared Monday, May 17, 2021 a day of national mourning in honor of the departed Ambassador.

“Burial for the late Ambassador Joseph Chilengi will take place on Monday, May 17, 2021, at the Leopards Hill Memorial Park in Lusaka preceded by a funeral church service at 10:00 hours at the Miracle Life Church in Roma Township, off Zambezi Road,” Dr. Miti stated.

He went on to note that during the national mourning period, all flags will fly at half-mast while activities of entertainment in nature should be suspended from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours.

Dr. Miti urged members of the public to observe the COVID-19 guidelines adding that the official funeral church service and burial at the Leopards Hill Memorial Park has been restricted to only 250 invited family members and government representatives.

Ambassador Chilengi died on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at Guven Hospital in Ankara, Turkey where he was receiving medical attention.

Chilufya Tayali granted Bail in his defamation case against President Lungu

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Chilufya Tayali granted Bail in his defamation case against President Lungu

Economic and Equity Party President, Chilufya Tayali has been granted bail after pleading not guilty to the defamation of the President.

Mr Tayali has been granted bail at K20,000 in his own recognizance and two working sureties from reputable organizations in the like sum to be paid in own recognizance.

Tayali who is being represented by former Director of Public Prosecutions Mutembo Nchito appeared in the Lusaka Magistrates Court before Magistrate Alice Walusiku yesterday.

The matter has been adjourned to June 23

Last week Police in Lusaka arrested Mr Tayali for the offence of Defamation of the President. This is in line with a video that went viral on social media in which the accused person made derogatory remarks against His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Edgar Lungu.

He was until yesterday detained in police custody for the subject offence.

This is the second defamation case that Mr Tayali is facing against presidents of two big political parties in Zambia.

Last month the Lusaka High Court pushed to 31st August 2021 the trial in a matter in which UPND President, Hakainde Hichilema sued Mr Tayali for defamation.

Justice Charles Zulu has also set 28th July 2021 for a status conference in the matter. In the order for directions dated 31st March 2021, the court has directed the plaintiff to file a reply on or before 21st April 2021.

In this matter, Mr. Hichilema sued Mr. Tayali in the Lusaka High Court demanding K100 million as costs for defaming him when he accused him of benefitting from the privatization of government assets.

It is alleged that on 15th November 2020 Mr. Tayali held a media briefing where he accused Mr Hichilema of corruptly benefiting from the privatization of government assets and that he deserved to be jailed.

In a statement of claim, Mr Hichilema said contrary to Mr. Tayali’s assertions, he has never been convicted of any criminal offence to warrant being jailed or to be barred from vying for public office as President of the Republic of Zambia
However, in his defence, Mr Tayali says the words he uttered were justified and were fair comment made in good faith and without malice.

Numba Wants to Quickly Forget Zesco’s Loss to Nkana

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Zesco United coach Mumamba Numba wants to quickly forget Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Nkana at home in Ndola.

Nkana ended leaders Zesco’s ten-match winning run in the FAZ Super Division at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium thanks to Alex Ng’onga’s first half powerful header.

This loss saw Zesco’s lead at the top cut to six points by second placed Zanaco, who beat Power Dynamos at home in Lusaka on the same day.

“I think everyone is not happy if you look at them (players) in the dressing room. They are not happy because we really needed these three points but it has eluded us,” Numba said.

“All we need is to move ahead. It has happened, we just have to forget about it and look to the next game that we have.”

“This is water under the bridge, we just have to move ahead so that we start winning again,” he said.

Zesco, who have 55 points from 26 matches, face Power Dynamos in their next match at the weekend.

Take President Edgar Lungu’s call for zero audit queries seriously, Miti warns Permanent Secretaries

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Take President Edgar Lungu’s call for zero audit queries seriously, Miti warns Permanent Secretaries

Secretary to Cabinet Simon Miti has called on Permanent Secretaries to take President Edgar Lungu’s call for zero audit queries seriously.

Dr. Miti says the next few months will have NO Ministers to provide an oversight role hence the need for Controlling Officers to take the zero-audit query seriously.

He also emphasized that good governance is key in attaining Sustainable Development Goals -SDGs – and building the economy through hard work, transparency, and prudent utilization of public resources.

Dr. MITI said this today when opening a virtual sensitization Workshop on the operations of the Auditor General for Lusaka-based Permanent Secretaries.

He said the Permanent Secretaries’ responsibility borders on trust on behalf of Zambians to prudently manage public resources.

Dr. Miti urged them to tap into the knowledge of the Auditor General’s office which is mandated to provide an oversight role on the utilization of public resources which is key for economic development.

He said effective utilisation of public resources is key especially amidst the tight fiscal conditions in the country.

And Auditor General Dick Sichembe warned Controlling Officers against mismanaging public resources.

Dr. Sichembe expressed hope that the knowledge and experience shared during the workshop themed “Understanding the work of the Auditor-General” will be useful in attaining transparency and accountability.

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