Commercial farmers in Mpongwe District on the Copperbelt have mobilized resources for the re-gravelling and rehabilitation of the Mpongwe Machiya road.

This follows an engagement made to the farmers by district commissioner Keith Maila for the road to be worked on pending government’s upgrade of the stretch to bituminous standard.

Mr Maila said the road was a vital economic factor to the district housing various commercial farms which are vital to the national gross domestic product (GDP).

He stated that the farming community was engaged to work on the road using their own resources awaiting governments tarring of the stretch.

“You know this road is earmarked for tarring but government is constrained at the moment with this Covid 19, so we thought of engaging the commercial farmers to work on the road as we await government to tar this road.” He said.

Among the commercial farmers engaged to tar the road are Zataka, Zamhatch, Novatek and Somahwe estates.

Meanwhile, motorists have expressed happiness with the gesture by the commercial farmers.

Government is soon expected to tar the Mpongwe Machiya road upon completion of all contractual procedures.

KPPM, a South African based company has been engaged to tar the stretch once due diligence is completed with the ministry of finance.

Government has pledged to support any initiatives aimed at assisting small-scale farmers to improve their agricultural activities.

Central province permanent Secretary Bernard Chomba says this is because government is alive to the fact that any support towards small-scale farmers is vital in enhancing food security at household level.

Mr. Chomba added that to this effect there is need for small-scale farmers to take farming seriously and contribute to the country’s food security.

“Farming is our main stay for this country, it is for this reason that any support to the agriculture sector through small scale farmers is important and as the government we will support it because of the potential it has in improving food security at household level,” he said.

Mr. Chomba was speaking in a speech delivered for him by Assistant Secretary Mwape Kasanda in Kabwe today, when the Buy- Zed campaign in collaboration with Zambezi Seed Company donated an assortment of seeds and fertilizer to small farmers in Kabwe.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the cost of buying improved and certified seed varieties in the country has been escalating resulting in some vulnerable farmers facing challenges to access them, a situation he said had affected agricultural production in the country.

He said this is why the government is ready to collaborate with stakeholders that are willing to supplement its efforts through the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and provide relief to vulnerable small-scale farmers.

“As you know very well, seed has proven to be more expensive than any other farming input, this has made our farmers who can’t afford to buy these improved seed varieties to face challenges and relay on FISP, but if we have stakeholders like you who willing to work with government in helping these farmers we appreciate your gesture,” he explained.

]Meanwhile, Buy Zed campaign founder and Zambezi seed company representative Evans Ngoma explained that the two institutions want to work with government in enhancing support to the agricultural sector.

Mr. Ngoma noted that this is because of the important role that the sector plays in reducing poverty levels in the country.

He said Zambezi Seed Company is committed to working with government through the provision of sustainable empowerment programmes aimed at helping small-scale farmers increase their production at reduced costs, adding that this is why the company has come up with a seed variety that can be recycled.

“As Zambezi Seed Company we want to work with the government to ensure that our agricultural sector is supported as a way of reducing poverty in the country, we realise that this can be achieved if our small scale farmers are provided with solutions to increase their food production at a lower cost,” he stated.

And the Central Province Agriculture Coordinator, Adreen Nansungwe has praised Zambezi Seed Company for coming up with an open pollinated seed variety that can be recycled and is resilient to the effects of climate change.

Dr. Nansungwe explained that the seed will help in reducing the cost of buying seed among the small-scale farmers thereby increasing their agricultural production which is key in uplifting their living standards.

HEAVY rainstorm have destroyed more than One Hundred (100) Hectors of maize fields in Linda and Musungu villages of Mpika District in Muchinga Province.

ZANIS reports Mpika District Commissioner Sampa Muswema confirmed in an interview today adding that as a result more than One Hundred (100) families have been affected.

Mr. Muswema said that the area experienced a hail storm for over two hours yesterday afternoon adding that fields maize, cassava, sorghum and Millet crops among others have been lost.

Residents of Lunga and Musungu Villages are the most hit by the storm hence the need for urgent attention to help them mitigate the impact of the disaster.

“The storm has also damaged the infrastructure for United Church of Zambia (UCZ) and Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) as well as killed some domestic animals in the area,” said Mr. Muswema.

The District Commissioner has since appealed to the affected families to be patient as Government is looking for a measures to help mitigate the impact of the disaster.

And Musungu Village Headman Emmy Musungu has thanked Mpika District Disaster Management and Mitigation Unity (DMMU) Committee for the quick response to ascertain the extent of the damage.

“We are hopeful that Government through Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit will soon come in and help the affected families with some inputs and relief food,” said Mr. Musungu.

And speaking earlier, one of the affected families, Belita Mutale appealed to the Government to quickly consider giving them fertilizer and some seed so that they can immediately try to replant some crops.

According to the metrological department ,in the next seven (7) days, rainfall activities are expected to continue across the country. Given the saturated soil moisture in most parts of Zambia there is a high likelihood of flash floods, flooding, mudslides and damage to infrastructure.

From 30th December, 2020 to 2nd January, 2021, a deep low pressure system over the Indian Ocean is projected to traverse from coastal Mozambique up to northern Zimbabwe.

This system may enhance rainfall resulting into flash floods and flooding during this period especially over Eastern, Central, Lusaka, Southern and Western Provinces.

In view of the anticipated weather conditions, the department advises the general public to Keep the drainages and surroundings clear and clean; not to drive during heavy rains to avoid accidents due to poor visibility and avoid flooded roads.

The same department also advises the public not to seek refuge under trees when it’s raining to avoid lightning strike as well as boil and chlorinate drinking water especially from wells to avoid diarrhea diseases.

Government has directed the local authorities in the country to prioritise service delivery using locally generated resources.

Local Government Permanent Secretary, Eddie Chomba says councils should devise innovative methods to generate resources locally and focus on the implementation of projects targeted at economic growth in their respective domains in order to sustain service provision.

“ Government is committed to restoring revenue avenues for councils in the country to increase their revenue base to effectively fund service provision, “ said Bishop Chomba.

He said this when he commissioned an office annex that Kapiri Mposhi Town Council , yesterday.

The infrastructure has been constructed at the total cost of K 470, 000 and a refuse collection Tractor purchased at the total cost K 428, 000 using locally generated resources and 20 percent of the Local Government Equalisation Fund ( LGEF).

He said his ministry has already signed a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) for councils to start collecting revenue on its behalf on commission basis to improve the revenue base for local authorities in the country.

“This government recognises the role of the local government as an engine of delivering of services and wants to bring back the glory of the local government,” Bishop Chomba said.

And the Permanent Secretary used the event to commend Kapiri Mposhi Town Council for utilising locally generated resources to implement various projects for the benefit of the public.

He expressed delight that Kapiri Mposhi Town Council was up-to-date with salary payments and was utilising fees for approval and applications for development on service delivery.

“Kapiri Mposhi Town Council has managed to showcase that through hard times certain initiatives can be accomplished through prioritisation of resources… the construction of this office annex is the testimony of prudent use of resources by the council,” Bishop Chomba said.

And Kapiri Mposhi Town Council Chairman Obby Kabasa says the council embarked on the construction of a new office annex to carter for the increase in staffing levels following government’s the granting of the council the planning authority status.

Mr. Kabasa has commended government for granting his council with a planning authority status noting that the development has improved the revenue base for the local authority.

“The conferring of Kapiri Mposhi Town Council with planning authority status saw the deployment of more officers. This led to the challenge of a shortage of office accommodation which prompted the local authority to construct this office block using local resources,” Mr Kabasa said.

Mr. Kabasa has further appealed to government to grant his council with a Municipal status to have the necessary planning authority in view of the increased inflow of investors willing to invest in the district.

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops has condemned the killing of two citizens by the police.

ZCCB President Right Reverend George Lungu says it is disheartening that people given the responsibility of protecting and defending people’s rights are the very people who are abusing and abrogating them and seriously sowing seeds of disunity.

Bishop Lungu says the statements by politicians and police officers, and events that occurred in Lusaka leading to the loss of lives are creating the unnecessary environment of tension and hatred in the nation.

He has called on President Edgar Lungu to rise above partisan politics and provide the needed leadership and must ensure that the provisions of the Constitution are strictly adhered to by all institutions of governance, including the Zambia Police Service.

He has also called on all political leaders to act within the confines of the law, to use a language which builds rather than inflaming the situation or increasing the tensions in the country.

A ZAMBIA CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS (ZCCB) STATEMENT

On the Summoning of the UPND Leader and the Police Brutality Against citizens.

“No longer shall violence be heard of in your land …” (Isaiah 60:18)

1.0. Introduction

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) deeply regrets the loss of two (2) lives at the hands of the Zambia Police during the confusion that erupted as Police Officers allegedly shot at unarmed people who gathered to show solidarity with the UPND Leader, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, who was summoned to appear before the police.

Our hearts and prayers reach out to the bereaved families in this difficult time. At the same time, we hereby condemn in the strongest terms possible the killing of two citizens by the police who acted against their key mandate of safeguarding the lives of Zambians, irrespective of their political, social, cultural and religious affiliation.

Zambia is a country that embraced multi-party democracy in 1991. At that time, it was believed that Zambians are better off to live in a Multi-Party-State, than to continue with the One-Party-State. This meant that the tenets of democracy such as freedom of assembly, speech, demonstration and access to information were to be our guide. It is now nineteen years and Zambia is still struggling to live up to that ideal. Those given the responsibility of protecting and defending people’s rights are the very people who are apparently abusing and abrogating them and seriously sowing seeds of disunity. This is indeed a matter of great concern to all well-meaning citizens.

2.0. The Summoning of HH – Lessons to be Learnt

The Zambia Police probably already knows that summoning a leader of one of the major opposition parties is not the same as summoning any other ordinary citizen. We are therefore left wondering as to how many times they have created and faced the same scenario? We remember incidents in Luanshya, Ndola and here in Lusaka where every time the police came up with an allegation against the UPND Leader, national agitation and tension is witnessed.

During this festive season of Christmas, we strongly believe that the nation that claims to be Christian is supposed to focus on promoting peace, love, unity and reconciliation.

However, the statements by politicians and police officers, and events that occurred in Lusaka leading to the loss of sacred lives are creating the unnecessary environment of tension and hatred in the nation. This has come only a few days after the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs (MNGRA) launched their document on the promotion of national values. Whilst we do not condone any form of recklessness and the breach of the Rule of Law, we call upon our leaders and the Zambia Police to always aspire to adhere to the tenets of Multi-party democracy, especially the respect of human rights and protection of life which is a sacred gift from God. In the run-up to the General Elections in 2021, the Zambia We Want is a nation where citizens are law abiding and do not only feel but are actually protected by the police as FREE sons and daughters of God. The law must be applied equally and fairly to all without looking at the political party to which one belongs. All must be equal before the law and no one, not even police officers and some party cadres, must think or believe that they are above the law.

3.0. Our Appeal

We call upon His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to rise above partisan politics and provide the needed leadership in the nation as a statesman. He must ensure that the provisions of the Republican Constitution are strictly adhered to by all institutions of governance, including the Zambia Police Service. Not only that, we call upon the Presidency to ensure that a detailed investigation is immediately launched to ascertain both the person behind the command to use excessive force, to shoot and the officer that executed the said order as well as bring the culprit to book. We therefore join our voice to that of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in “calling upon the Government to establish an inquest in line with the provisions of section 4 and 28 (1) (c) of the Inquests Act, Chapter 36 of the Laws of Zambia in order to establish the perpetrators and institute appropriate criminal charges”
(Cf. Human Rights Commission Press Release – Extra Judicial Killing issued on 23rd December 2020).

To the Minister of Home Affairs and the Police Command, we wish to reiterate our earnest appeal that your primary mission is to protect the lives and property of ALL Zambians. Ensure that within the rank and file of the Zambia Police Service, there is high level of professionalism, which includes the determination of the kind of force to use against unarmed and peaceful citizens. In addition, allow the police to perform their duties without waiting for orders from politicians and without fearing the wrath of political cadres.

To all political leaders, we call upon you to always act within the confines of the law, to use a language which builds rather than inflaming the situation or increasing the tensions in the country while at the same time never shying away from demanding the respect of your political rights. In this time when we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we call upon you to be channels and instruments of God’s peace in the nation. Do not close the door to dialogue. Be ready to engage in genuine dialogue aimed at reconciling nation.

Lastly, we remember the people who have lost their lives during this and other similar events in the past. We pray to God that their souls may rest in eternal peace and that the bereaved families may be consoled by the grace from above.

Issued on 24th December 2020 Rt. Rev. George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu, Bishop of Chipata,

ZCCB PRESIDENT

The Catholic Church in Northwestern province has Zambians to avoid hatred but instead let unity, peace and joy run supreme in their livelihoods.

Delivering his homily during Christmas eve mass last night at St. Daniel Cathedral Parish in Solwezi, Solwezi Catholic Diocese Bishop Charles Kasonde said must watch against hatred which is alien to Zambia as a Christian nation.

“The hatred that comes…the iniquities those are obstacles..all our iniquities and they can be avoided and let unity, peace, joy run supreme in all that we do. This is the message of Christmas”, he said.

Referring to the Bible teachings on the subject matter, Bishop Kasonde said people who are made in the image of God are not expected to be on the side of hatred.

He said the nation which is divided against itself weakens itself and remains susceptible to the intrusion of external forces.

He said divisions comes among the people of God when they do not appreciate what God has given them.

“When you do not appreciate what God has given you but you want what God has given others then trouble comes on”, Bishop Kasonde said.

He said when envy for what others have grows, people end up stealing and eventually getting in jail.

The clergyman for this reason called for unity and peace among Zambians as they celebrate the birth of Christ, today adding that God has granted everyone the seed of growth to give life, to unite, to create peace and to bring joy.

“So in all of us the seed of growth that God has granted..it is the seed of generation to give life, to unite, to create peace and to bring joy”, he said.

Everyone should look at his or her own indebtedness before God including their iniquities, differences and forego them and take the good points that bring people together, the clergyman said.

He reasoned that as human beings were created in the image and likeness of God hence, they should be good because they came out of goodness.

“And this is the message of Christmas… to look at our indebtedness before God, our iniquities, our differences, forego them and take the good points that bring us together because we have come out of goodness hence we should be good”, Bishop Kasonde said.

Zambia today joins the rest of world to celebrate Christmas day marking the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ through giving and sharing.

ZANIS/ENDS/CN/MM…..Dry.