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Revamping of industries cheers freedom fighters

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Revamping of industries cheers freedom fighters

Mansa District Freedom Fighters Association, Cyprian Mulonda has commended President Edgar Lungu for revamping Kawambwa Tea and Munushi Bananas Scheme in Luapula Province.

Mr Mulonda observes that the two industries have been key in the development of Luapula Province.

“Industries are important for development and the coming of these two industries will change lives as our children will now find employment,” he said.

Mr Mulonda pointed out that a lot of people in the province had lost hope of seeing the two industries revamped saying President Lungu has shown good leadership of transforming people’s lives.

Mr Mulonda disclosed that following the closure of most industries in the province after privatization, most households were left in abject poverty as a lot of people lost their employment.

“We are happy with these developments as freedom fighters and apart from revamping industries in Luapula Province, many other companies are coming on board and this will change the economic status of the province,” he observed.

Meanwhile, Mr Mulonda has appealed to government to consider coming up with an empowerment programme for freedom fighters in the country if they are to live decent lives.

He stated that most freedom fighters are languishing in poverty as most of them do not have any stable income.

“We are very few freedom fighters that have remained, you our children and our leaders should take care of us through any means possible,” he said

Mr Mulonda has since urged Zambians to continue embracing peace as the country goes to the polls in August this year.

11 Pharmacists in court for operating pharmacies without licences of registration

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11 Pharmacists in court for operating pharmacies without licences of registration

Eleven residents of Kapiri Mposhi are appearing in the magistrate court for operating pharmacies without licences of registration.

Particulars of the offence are that the suspects, on December 17, 2020 operated drug stores without a Certificate of Registration issued by the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA).

This is contrary to Section 14 (1) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Act No. 3 of 2013.

The suspects were arrested in a joint surveillance routine operation by ZAMRA Inspectors and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) officers in Kapiri Mposhi.

The operation was aimed at curbing the sale of medicines and allied substances in unregistered outlets in the district.

In this matter, seven suspects are appearing before Kapiri Mposhi Magistrate, Emmanuel Banda while four others are before Magistrate Mwila Malupande.

The accused persons include Simon Phiri, 78, Elias Miselo, 65, Lameck Musonda, 27, Gloria Lungu 23, and Lazarous Daka and Kayombo Chisale both aged 30.

Others are Robert Simfukwe, 22, Sharon Kalipenta, 20, and Patrick Chate, 19 and Jabes Banda and Jones Mumba both aged 23.

All the accused persons apart from Gloria Lungu and Sharon Kalipenta have pleaded guilty to the offence.

Lungu and Kalipenta could not take plea as they were not before court.

Both Magistrate Malupande and Banda have respectively adjourned the cases to February 24, 2021 for presentation and reading of facts.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Banda has adjourned plea for Kalipenta and Lungu to a later date.

The suspects are on police bond.

Only approved COVID-19 medicine will land in Zambia-Dr Chanda

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Only approved COVID-19 medicine will land in Zambia-Dr Chanda

Minister of Health Jonas Chanda has reiterated that the government is being cautious with which COVID-19 vaccine it should bring in the country.

Dr Chanda said it is for this reason that the government is taking a conscious approach in the procurement of the Coronavirus vaccines, as the medicine to be acquired has to meet three criteria of effectiveness, safe and logistically.

ZANIS reports that Dr Chanda was speaking during the Sunday Interview program on ZNBC TV last evening.

Dr Chanda explained that the government wants to procure a vaccine that will work effectively on the variant in the country.

He said there is a need for the people to have confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine before it is procured and brought into the country.

“With the COVID-19 vaccine, you have to give confidence to the people. If you rush to bring a vaccine and people have no confidence in it, no one will take it. People need to know the manufacturer and where it is coming from” Dr Chanda pointed out.

The Minister stressed that he is very confident that by the time the vaccine will be brought in the country, the response by the people will be very good as they will not have any suspicions about it.

And Dr Chanda disclosed that President Edgar Lungu has directed the Ministry of Health and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to meet and discuss the way elections will be conducted amidst COVID-19.

He further disclosed that his Ministry is scheduled to have a meeting today the 22nd of February, 2021, with ECZ to outline the guidelines in terms of the political public rallies and how the elections will be conducted.

The Minister said the Ministry of Health has already communicated with all political parties to guide them on how to obey public health guidelines and who to contact in their districts.

“COVID-19 does not know which political party you belong to, your tribe, or province you come from. If you go to our health care centers, the patients who are sick have no such identity, they are just Zambians,” he said.

Dr Chanda explained that elections are a constitutional matter that will have to be done regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Dr Chanda said his ministry has moved all procurement issues to Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMSA) to reduce allegations of corruption which mainly have to do with procurement systems at the Ministry of Health.

Dr Chanda urged the Zambian people to have confidence in the Ministry of health as they are there to help and not harm them.

He said there is need for his ministry to also regain trust with their cooperating partners who had major concerns regarding the recent happenings in the Ministry of Health.

He noted that he has had engagement meetings with key Ambassadors accredited to Zambia and Cooperating partners to assure them that the Ministry is transparent and accountable.

He indicated that he is pleased with the positive response from the cooperating partners who have continued to support the Ministry of health.

Dr Chanda urged everyone to continue following the COVID-19 guidelines for the country to fight the pandemic.

Police now confirm HH’s in-laws’s Shibuyunji village was raided

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Police now confirm HH’s in-laws’s Shibuyunji village was raided

The Zambia Police Service has confirmed that it conducted searches on various premises in some parts of the country, among them was a household in Shibuyunji District.

Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo says the operation was not aimed at harassing or persecuting any individual as it is being reported in some sections of the media.

She said the search was conducted by police officers from Police Service Headquarters and was not limited to Shibuyunji but various other places.

Mrs.Katongo has explained that Police are by law mandated to conduct a search on any premises or person on reasonable suspicion that anything which is necessary in the criminal justice system may be found.

And speaking on Hot FM’s Red Hot Breakfast, Ms Katongo said she initially refuted reports of a search because she did not have the correct information at that time.

“I had not received a report at the time and I told the Daily Nation that there was no raid because that is what I knew,” Ms. Katongo said.

Single Mother in jail for stealing to feed children

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Single Mother in jail for stealing to feed children

A 36-year-old woman of Vusi village in Chief Mishoro’s area , Kasenengwa district has been sentenced to nine months imprisonment with hard labour after pleading guilty to obtaining money by false pretense.

During the trial, the court heard that Ms Miriam Zulu swindled more than K4, 000 by pretending that she had fertilizer for sale.Facts of the case given before Magistrate Moses Phiri, are that Mrs Zulu on unknown dates in October 2020 around 14:00 hours heard the complainant Elizabeth Zulu of unknown age and also a resident of Vusi village talking to a friend about wanting to buy bags of fertilizer.

The court further, heard that Zulu who was at the market buying fritters overheard their conversation and joined in saying she had two bags of fertilizer for sale and the accused was immediately given K700 for the two bags.It was also disclosed before the court, that Zulu went back to the complainant again informing her that there was someone in the village selling four bags of fertilizer and she was given K1, 400 and later K700.The court heard that in total, Zulu received K4, 150 for the false fertilizer transaction.After failure to deliver the fertilizer which was already paid for, Zulu started playing hide and seek until she was reported to the police after which she was arrested on February 10, 2021.

In mitigation, Zulu pleaded with the court to exercise leniency on her as she was a single mother taking care of orphaned children.

“Your honour, I am guilty as charged, please pardon me. I just wanted to provide for my orphaned children. I have no husband and as I speak to you my children are on their own, “she said.

Passing judgement, Magistrate Phiri castigated Zulu for conducting herself in such a manner and went ahead to continue stealing money from the same person despite knowing that what she was doing was a criminal act.

“The court has heard you but justice must prevail because what you did has affected the life of the complainant. The court has also heard that you are the first offender, I therefore, sentence you to nine months imprisonment. I hope this will give you time to reflect on your wrong doing and reform, “he said.

Zambia records 74,503 Covid-19 cases in 11 months

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Zambia records 74,503 Covid-19 cases in 11 months

Minister of Health Jonas Chanda has revealed that Zambia’s cumulative number of confirmed Covid -19 cases has now reached 74,503 from the time the pandemic broke out in the country almost a year ago.

And Dr. Chanda has said during the last 24 hours, the country recorded 609 new cases out of 4,144 tests conducted. He said in a press statement that Copperbelt province recorded the highest number with 172, while Lusaka had 101, North- Western 85, Eastern 79, Northern 58, Southern 36, Western 25, Luapula 24, Muchinga 18 and Central Province 10.

“We recorded four deaths from Eastern Province, One from Lusaka as well as Northern and Western Provinces,” he said.

Dr. Chanda disclosed that this is the lowest recorded mortality figure since the start of the second wave in over two months. He said the cumulative number of Covid-19 related deaths recorded to date is 1,020. These are classified as 547 Covid-19 deaths and 473 Covid-19 associated deaths.

The minister also revealed that a total of 1,001 Covid-19 patients have been discharged from both Covid-19 isolation facilities and home management. This brings the cumulative number of recoveries to 57,944, representing 92 percent.

“We currently have 5,539 active cases. Of these, 330 are admitted to our isolation facilities with 249 on oxygen therapy whilst 37 are in a critical condition. The remaining 5,209 cases are under community management,” he disclosed.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chanda has disclosed that a Cabinet memo outlining recommendations for the Covid-19 vaccine acquisition and deployment is scheduled for consideration by Cabinet soon.

“We remain cognisant of the challenges being faced the world over around issues of Covid-19 vaccine efficacy against some coronavirus variants, which information will play a key role in recommended vaccine choices for Zambia as informed by scientific evidence from genomic sequencing “‘ he said.

Dr. Chanda revealed that his ministry has received expressions of interest and offers of support from a number of private companies and foreign missions based in Zambia to support the Covid-19 vaccine acquisition and deployment which is awaiting cabinet approval.

With regards to surveillance efforts, the Minister of Health stated that his ministry continues to consult and explore public-private partnerships for establishment of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing facilities at point of entries, borders and airports to stop the importation of Covid -19 disease variants and diseases.

He has since urged the general citizenry to continue adhering to the Covid-19 guidelines to prevent further infection.

President Lungu has only been in office for 1 term and deserves second term -Dora Siliya

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President Lungu has only been in office for 1 term and deserves second term -Dora Siliya

Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya has said that President Edgar Lungu deserves a second term of office in order to continue and complete the many projects being undertaken by the Patriotic Front government.

Ms Siliya, who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, has clarified that President Lungu has been in office for one term only from 2016 to 2021.

The Minister said that the election won by President Lungu in 2015 after the death of his predecessor, late President Michael Sata, was not a full five-year term according to the laws of Zambia and must not be considered because President Edgar Lungu, was just finishing Mr. Sata’s term of office.

Ms. Siliya said that information circulating purporting that President Lungu has been a President for two terms is not true and must be ignored by all well-meaning Zambians because his first term is finishing this year.

In 2018, the Constitutional Court ruled that President Edgar Lungu can stand in presidential elections due in 2021 without breaching a constitutional two-term limit, and rejected an opposition challenge.

President Lungu’s first period in office lasted only one year and six months, when he took over after the death of the previous elected president, Michael Sata. He then won the election to a second, full term in August 2016.

Lungu’s supporters argued that the constitution said that a president is only deemed to have served a term if he is in office for at least three years of the full five-year term.

Constitutional Court President Hildah Chibomba said the ruling by the seven judges of the court had been unanimous.

“Our answer is that (Lungu’s first) presidential tenure of office…cannot be considered as a full term,” Chibomba said.

Opposition leader Hakainde Hichelema, who heads the United Party for National Development (UPND), criticized the ruling as effectively opening the way to a third term for Lungu.

“For now, we would like to clearly state that no one is entitled to a third term of office as president of this country,” Hichelema said. “This is because when courts fail to protect citizens, (they) have the power to map their own destiny through people power.”

The opposition cannot appeal the ruling as the Constitutional Court is the highest tribunal in Zambia.

Express Your Partisanship Views in Ballot Box, Kabwe Mayor Tells the Church

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Express Your Partisanship Views in Ballot Box, Kabwe Mayor Tells the Church

Kabwe Mayor Prince Chileshe has advised leaders and members of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) to avoid partisan politics in church but to instead express their views and opinions in the ballot box.

Mr. Chileshe says the church is a place where people of different political parties meet to worship hence no one should express their partisan opinion in the congregation.

He says the church must work with the government of the day to ensure that there is peace and unity in the country.

He was speaking yesterday when he attended a church service at St. Andrews UCZ congregation in Kabwe.

Mr. Chileshe has meanwhile expressed concern that some opposition party members have been making pledges to help the church but they have failed to honour them.

He said President Edgar Lungu has worked well with the United Church in Zambia in many ways adding that he has responded well to their request.

The Kabwe Mayor told the church that it was only President Lungu who can attend to their problems because he is the Head of State with the heart to assist the needy.

Mr. Chileshe has since pledged to adopt 80 percent of the remaining works of the church which include terrazzo floor painting and maintenance of the surroundings.

And Congregation Reverend-In-Charge, Teddy Mubonga, said his church will continue to support the government of the day.

Bank of Zambia has so far mis-diagnosed the key causes of our runaway inflation

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Bank of Zambia has so far mis-diagnosed the key causes of our runaway inflation

By Sean Tembo

1. As Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP), we have noted the decision by the Central Bank to increase the Monetary Policy Rate by 50 basis points from 8 percent to 8.5 percent. According to the Bank of Zambia (BOZ), this was done in an effort to arrest the runaway inflation that has inundated our country for the past couple of months. Our considered view is that this decision by BOZ is shallow, misdirected and unlikely to achieve its intended purpose.

2. As Patriots for Economic Progress, our position is that the Bank of Zambia has so far mis-diagnosed the key causes of our runaway inflation, hence the wrong intervention of increasing the MPR in an effort to arrest the inflation. The measure of increasing the MPR, and by consequence the general lending rates in the economy, as a way of fighting inflation is premised on the assumption that the inflation is being caused by an over-supply of liquidity in the economy, so that a general increase in lending rates will have the effect of discouraging economic players from borrowing thereby reducing the general liquidity in the economy and thereby arresting inflation. However, the fundamental flaw in the BOZ’s decision to increase interest rates as a way of curbing inflation is that current inflationary pressures are not caused by an over-supply of liquidity in the economy, but rather it is caused by the continued depreciation of the Kwacha against major convertible currencies. In other words, it is imported inflation.

3. As Patriots for Economic Progress, it is our considered view that in as much as we appreciate the desire by the Bank of Zambia to arrest inflation, which averaged 21.5 percent in January 2021, we have no doubt that BOZ is applying the wrong medicine to the disease. As a matter of fact, our economy has always had a liquidity deficit for several decades now, largely due to extremely high borrowing rates. Therefore, current efforts by BOZ to wipe out imaginary excess liquidity by increasing the Monetary Policy Rate, and by consequence the borrowing rates, will only serve to further diminish existing liquidity levels in the economy and consequently lead to further economic stagnation. Therefore in this particular instance, the perceived medicine is not only wrong but also worse than the disease.

4. As Patriots for Economic Progress, our view is that if the Central Bank truly wants to control inflation in this country, the starting point is to stop the rapid depreciation of the Kwacha. Given that the foreign exchange rate is largely a variable of supply and demand of forex, and also given the fact that there is little that the Central Bank can do to control the demand for forex without damaging the economy, our view is that BOZ should work on increasing the supply of forex into our economy. The most sure way of achieving this is by introducing regulations that will compel exporters, especially in the mining sector to remit the gross forex proceeds of their exports back into the country. Currently the majority of mining houses do not remit most of the forex that they earn from exporting our minerals, back into the country except to the extent necessary to meet their operating expenses. This means that our forex earnings are largely theoretical and only exist on paper. On the other hand our demand for forex is real as the country needs to import various materials including fuel, that are necessary for the smooth running of the economy.

The end result is that the demand for forex far outweighs the supply, hence the perpetual decline in the exchange rate which is only occasionally halted by the Central Bank’s interventions in open market operations, which in itself is not sustainable and only depletes our gross foreign reserves. Until such a time that exporters especially in the mining sector are compelled by regulations to remit the gross forex proceeds of their exports back to the country, the Kwacha will continue depreciating at a very fast pace against major currencies, thereby bringing inflation with it. This explains why, despite copper prices being at a ten-year high on the world market, now trading at about $8,400 per metric tonne, the Kwacha is still struggling to find its footing. One would have expected the Kwacha to strongly appreciate because higher copper prices would mean more forex being remitted into the country. But this is not the case. Instead, the Kwacha is in a free fall.

5. As Patriots for Economic Progress, we wish to appeal to the Bank of Zambia to consider engaging properly qualified and experienced personnel to advise the Governor in particular and the Monetary Policy Committee in general. Otherwise the quality of decisions and analysis that have been spewing out of the Central Bank of late, are not technically sound and are generally lopsided and leave much to be desired. This situation is untenable in the medium to long-term because, given our inherently poor management of fiscal policy, our economy has generally been surviving on prudent monetary policy management. However, our monetary policy management now appears to be following the same direction. Unless this is urgently reversed, our economy might be headed for a total collapse. It is high time that competence is restored in the management of the affairs of the Central Bank at the earliest possible time. Otherwise the consequence shall be grave.

UNDP Zambia and Partners Launch Safe Markets Project

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UNDP Zambia and Partners Launch Safe Markets Project

Ensuring business continuity in markets with compliance to COVID-19 measures Lusaka, Zambia, 17 February 2021: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Lusaka City Council (LCC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) today launched the pilot phase of the Safe Markets, Safe Communities project, an initiative towards ensuring that community markets are compliant to COVID-19 public health regulations. The initiative is co-funded by UNDP and the Governments of Sweden and Ireland.

“The project will strengthen knowledge and individual collective responsibilities toward adhering to public health regulations and prevent the spread of the deadly virus in our markets,” says Lusaka Deputy Mayor, Christopher Shakafuswa.

“As Lusaka City Council, we would like to thank the United Nations Development Programme for supplementing government’s efforts towards the fight against COVID-19 in markets and look forward to a successful partnership in executing identified activities efficiently” the Lusaka Deputy Mayor said.

The event which was restricted to only 14 guests, in compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures, had in attendance the Lusaka Deputy Mayor, Christopher Shakafuswa, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Roland Seri, the Ministry of Health’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Andrew Silumesi, the LCC’s Director of Public Health, Edgar Mulwanda and the LCC’s Director of Housing and Social Services, Danny Chibinda along with three representatives from Nyumba Yanga, Chilenje and Lilanda Markets that were selected for the pilot phase.

Handing over an assortment of equipment, cleaning and awareness creation materials to the Lusaka City Council, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Roland Seri emphasized the need to help protect the livelihoods of women and youth who work in markets by enabling them continue their activities while adhering to COVID-19 measures.

“Markets have not only served as sources of affordable food to most households in the country but help to provide a means of income generation for the many women and youth that have set up livelihood ventures in these places. It is the protection of this means of income that makes this intervention robust as it is aimed at ensuring business continuity in potentially high COVID-19 risk places,’’ Seri said.

Speaking through a video message, the Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Her Excellency, Ms. Anna Maj Hultgård said that the project would ensure gender equality and the empowerment of women by implementing affirmative action for sustaining women’s economic activities in the selected markets.

“The launch of the safe markets project is an example of efforts to reduce vulnerability to Gender Based Violence by addressing the economic disempowerment of women resulting from restrictions around COVID-19. The safe markets will enable women, which are the majority of traders in the market, to continue trading in a way that minimizes or at least limits the risk of COVID-19”, said Ambassador Hultgård.

UNDP is supporting the Safe Markets initiative as part of the UN Zambia support to the Government’s response to COVID-19. UNDP hopes that by collectively rethinking and adapting existing market models to COVID-19 Compliant Models, community behaviour will be positively impacted, thus leading to the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 arising from community ownership while preserving the livelihoods of communities.

A truck load of the items handed over by UNDP to the Lusaka City Council
A truck load of the items handed over by UNDP to the Lusaka City Council
Lusaka Deputy Mayor Christopher Shakafuswa and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Roland Seri jointly cut the ribbon to kickstart the pilot phase of the Safe Market, Safe Communities project.
Lusaka Deputy Mayor Christopher Shakafuswa and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Roland Seri jointly cut the ribbon to kickstart the pilot phase of the Safe Market, Safe Communities project.

Nkana Complete Zambia One-Two in CAF Confed Cup Group Stage

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Nkana have joined Napsa Stars in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage after securing their spot away in Morocco late on Sunday evening in Casablanca.

Nkana lost 2-1 to Tihad Casablanca but qualify 3-2 on aggregate following a 2-0 first leg win in Kitwe on February 14.

Mahmoud Bentayg and Captain Aymane Dairani put Tihad in the lead in the 4th and 38th minutes respectively to see Tihad take a 2-0 halftime lead.

But striker Simon Mulenga cut the lead with a 57th minute goal to ensure Nkana went through into Monday’s group stage draws in Cairo ahead of the March 10 league phase kickoff.

However, Nkana will be without defender Richard Ocran who received his second yellow on the day in stoppage time leaving Nkana down to ten men.

Mayuka Sends Napsa Stars to Debut CAF Club Cup Group Stage Appearance

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Emmanuel Mayuka came off the bench on Sunday to convert a dramatic last minute penalty to send Napsa Stars to a historical debut CAF Confederation Cup qualification at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Napsa rallied from 2-1 down at home to finish 2-2 against Gor Mahia of Kenya to qualify 3-2 on aggregate to next month’s group stage after the first leg 1-0 away in Nairobi on February 14.

But it was Gor Mahia hit the ground running after flying in from Nairobi just three hours before kickoff and made a statement in a four-minute goal fest after the first quarter.

In the 17th minute, Samuel Onyango punished Napsa defender Luka Banda for a poor clearance after the ball fell into his path for him to fire in the opening goal from just outside the area.

Napsa replied almost immediately in the 19th minute through an unmarked Austin Banda who was lurking on the far post when he tapped in Danny Silavwe’s cross.

The goal fury ended in the 21st minute when Clifton Miheso capitalized on a poor clearance by Dickson Chapa to volley in the Kenya giants second goal that first hit the upright before rolling across the line leaving Napsa goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga sprawling on the floor.

Gor continued to look like the side most likely to score in the second half.

But they were guilty of elementary attacking particularly in the 61st minute when John Macharia elected to shoot wide in front of an inviting goal after beating Muchelenganga.

However, two Napsa substitutes saved the day, albeit in stoppage time, after Mayuka replaced Bornwell Mwape in the 40th minute, and Jimmy Mukeya came on for Silavwe in the 61st minute.

Mukeya was tripped in the box by Charles Momanyi deep into the four minutes of stoppage time and Mayuka stepped up to send Gor Mahia goalkeeper Geoffrey Ochieng the wrong way steer Napsa through to the league phase that kicks off on March 10.

It was a historical moment for Napsa who became the first Zambian club to qualify to the group stage on the first attempt.

Meanwhile, Nkana will be hoping to join Napsa later tonight away in Morocco against Tihad Casablanca whom they beat 2-0 at home in Kitwe on February 14.

Nkana need a draw to join their compatriots to secure their third group stage appearance.

The CAF Confederation Cup group draws will be held on February 22 in Cairo.

DRC Vice Prime Minister praises Zambia for peace

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DRC Vice Prime Minister praises Zambia for peace

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Vice Prime Minister Willy Ngoopos says Zambia’s tourism sector has succeeded because of the country’s peaceful environment.

Mr. Ngoopos says Zambia has built its good tourism profile because it has never experienced civil wars.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Ngoopos was speaking shortly after visiting the Victoria Falls for in Livingstone.

He noted that there is no tourist who can visit a country where there is no peace.

He has since urged Zambians to maintain the peace which the country has enjoyed since independence adding that without peace, no tourism can thrive.

And Mr. Ngoopos, who was visiting the Victoria Falls for the first time in his lifetime, described the natural wonder as unique.

He said Zambia as a country stands out in Africa because it is endowed with not only waterfalls but also wild animals.

And Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale, who accompanied Mr. Ngoopos to Livingstone, said the current government has anchored the economy around tourism.

Mr. Mwale thanked Mr. Ngoopos for acknowledging Zambia’s peace credentials.

Mr. Ngoopos, who was in the country for a bilateral meeting on the Kasomeno-Mwenda toll road and Luapula bridge project, has since returned to DRC.

Local contractors to get 30% share on Kasomeno-Mwenda contract

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Local contractors to get 30% share on Kasomeno-Mwenda contract

Zambian contractors will have a chance to be awarded 30 percent of the sub-contracts for the Kasomeno-Mwenda toll road and Luapula bridge project.

ZANIS reports that GED Africa Limited, the developers of the Kasomeno- Mwenda toll road, announced during the just ended bilateral meeting between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This announcement is in conformity with the sub-contracting law in Zambia which

dictates that a minimum of 20 percent of the works on all road contracts should be awarded to Zambian citizen-owned companies.

GED Africa Limited Chief Executive Officer Tamas Jazseberenyi said his company will follow what was agreed upon many years ago to raise the threshold of sub-contracts from 20 percent to 30 percent as a way of empowering Zambian contractors.

“We are committed to delivering this project (Kasomeno-Mwenda). We shall involve local contractors in this project and that will happen through the awarding of 30 percent sub-contracts on all the works,” said Mr. Jazseberenyi.

Mr. Jazseberenyi has since thanked the Zambian and Congolese governments for giving his company an opportunity to develop the project.

“The assurance is there. As a company we are taking this project as a huge opportunity given to us by the two governments (DRC and Zambia),” he said.

And speaking at the same function, Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Charles Mushota described the development as a big milestone.

Mr. Mushota said the just ended bilateral meeting is a huge success which made the two governments and GED Africa Limited to agree on a matrix of events that will happen during the run up to the groundbreaking ceremony.

“I stand here to celebrate another big milestone. As we leave this meeting, we are assured that the Kasomeno-Mwenda will finally be implemented,” said Mr. Mushota.

Meanwhile, Congolese Deputy Chief of Staff in the Presidency said she is confident that GED Africa will not act contrary to the agreement but start the works as scheduled.

The Kasomeno-Mwenda toll road and Luapula bridge project will be developed on a public private partnership (PPP) basis.

Signing paper work for the Kasomeno-Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge Project
Signing paper work for the Kasomeno-Mwenda toll road and Luapula Bridge Project

African schools football competition to kick off in DR Congo

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African schools football competition to kick off in DR Congo

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, February 21, 2021/ — FIFA (www.FIFA.com) and the African Union have agreed to launch a schools football competition following a meeting in Kinshasa between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, who is also the current Chairperson of the African Union (AU).

The two presidents, who had initiated discussions last week by videoconference, met at the Palais de la Nation in the DRC’s capital to further their productive talks of the previous days, and central to their exchange was the need to use the power of football to improve lives and to harness the possibilities it offers to instil positive values in young people.

On this subject, both the FIFA President and the AU Chairperson agreed to use the framework of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the African Union, FIFA and CAF, to organise schools football competition across Africa, which will kick off in the DRC. To initiate the project, a protocol was signed this afternoon between FIFA and the Ministry of Sports and Leisure of the DRC.

“President Tshisekedi is passionate about football, and I’m delighted that we can work together to give hope to all children across Africa thanks to football,” the FIFA President said at the conclusion of the meeting. “Together, FIFA, AU, CAF and our member associations will develop competitions and training for the youth through football, because football is more than a sport, it is a school of life. Through football, you can teach respect for adversaries and rules, learning how to play as a team, how to win and lose. With this schools championship we plan to make these values, which are already strong in Africa, even stronger.”

Subsequently, the FIFA President also had the opportunity to visit the offices of the Congo DR Football Association (FECOFA) and to meet with FECOFA President Constant Omari, the FECOFA executive committee and several representatives of the football community of Congo DR.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA).

SOURCE
Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA)

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