The government says it is committed to stepping up efforts to reduce stunting and other forms of malnutrition, especially among children.

Minister of Community Development, Kampamba Mulenga said this is why the government is implementing many programmes to address issues of malnutrition.

“My Ministry is implementing the social cash transfer programme which represents a unique opportunity to use social Protection as a platform to improve chronic malnutrition and stunting in Zambia,” Ms Mulenga stated.

Ms Mulenga said this in Lusaka today during the launch of the Policy Monitoring and Research Centre (PMRC) study titled: Malnutrition among children with disabilities : challenges and opportunities for Zambia.

She said government acknowledges the important obligation of translating key national documents to ensure accessible information for all.

Ms Mulenga commended PMRC for translating the Seventh National Development Plan and the National Disability Policy into braille as this promotes citizen’s participation and dissemination of vital national information.

The minister noted that strengthening links between nutrition and disability will lead to enhanced benefits for persons with disabilities especially for children with disabilities.

“My Ministry notes that malnutrition contributes to an individual’s physical, sensory and mental health disability. By working more closely, nutrition gaps can be identified early in one’s life cycle and ensure they are reduced,” Ms Mulenga said.

Ms Mulenga stressed that nutrition remains an important remedy for improved well-being of all people, especially for children with disabilities.

“I assure you that there is high level multi sectorial action on nutrition, as a country we should ensure that nutrition service delivery across the country is strengthened and expanded,”Ms Mulenga said.

And PRMC Executive Director, Bernadette Zulu said the research conducted is meant to enhance the capacity of people living with disabilities for them to participate in national affairs.

Ms Zulu said translation of the publication into braille materials will contribute towards increased access to information especially to social groups that have been marginalized.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya has donated K10 thousand to Kanyanga Catholic Choral Group in Chasefu district.

Ms Siliya made the pledge during her tour of developmental projects in Chasefu last week where she pledged to give K10 thousand to a church choir grouping.

Chasefu District Commissioner Mustapher Banda handed over the money on behalf of the Minister to Kanyanga choral group during the celebration of mass for the feast for Franciscan Fathers which was held at Kanyanga Catholic Parish.

And Mr Banda who also spoke on behalf of Ms Silya noted that the President appreciates the Catholic Church especially that it has given office space to some government departments in the area.

“The president appreciates the support from the Catholic Church and Kanyanga Parish in particular. He is thanking you for accommodating government departments here at Kanyanga,” Ms Siliya said.

Ms Siliya explained that newly created districts needs to be supported.

She further reminded the people of Chasefu to acquire get National Registration Card and register as voters so that they can take part in the 2021 tripartite election.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Choir Group, Kanyanga Chatholic Parish Council Chairperson Richard Nyirenda thanked the minister for the donation as it will the choral group with singing activities.

And speaking at the same function, Kanyanga Catholic Parish Priest, Father Linus Mulenga called for public- private partnership between government and the church in providing social services in health and education sectors.

“There is need for public- private partnership between the government and the church to work together in development. This is in the provision of schools, clinics and other social amenities,” he said.

Father Mulenga revealed that the church remains open to any positive engagements be it physical, moral and spiritual support.

The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) says there is need to intensify road safety awareness following an increase in the number of traffic accidents in recent weeks.

RTSA Board Chairperson, Cornelius Chipoma said the agency is concerned with the rise in road carnages that have claimed lives.

ZANIS reports that Dr Chipoma was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Charles Sipanje today.

Dr Chipoma also expressed concern over the high levels of non-compliance to road safety regulations among road users in rural areas.

“We know that roads are socio-economic spaces but we need to raise awareness among citizens so that we can protect lives and address concerns of road safety,” said Dr Chipoma

He revealed that RTSA will ensure that it carries out an all-inclusive road safety sensitization campaign as part of efforts to reduce accidents.

Dr Chipoma further said the Agency also intends to engage key stakeholders such as traditional leaders in road safety campaign activities.

“Typically, in rural areas compliance is very difficult. We see corollas carrying mattresses, iron sheets with maybe eight passengers. Corollas are doing things that not even a canter can do. So this is a huge concern for us as RTSA,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Chipoma has appealed to members of the public to make use of the recently introduced online payment system on the government e-service bus.

He said the Agency is concerned that motorists are not utilizing the platform to pay for services such as road tax, driver’s license renewal and motor vehicle registration.

And Mr Sipanje said the Provincial Administration is equally concerned with the increase in road accidents saying RTSA should scale up safety awareness and road patrols.

He added that the huge investment made by government in road infrastructure development will not bear meaningful results if people do not follow road safety regulations.

“You know the country has been experiencing road accidents and Northern Province is not an exception. Of course RDA is doing everything possible to improve our roads but we need our people to be cautious as they use these roads,” Mr Sipanje said.

Mr Sipanje further called for emergency works on damaged sections of the Kasama-Mpika and Kasama-Mbala-Mpulungu roads which are posing a danger to road users.

The Northwestern Province Council of Chiefs has called for the reopening of Kalengwa Mine in Mufumbwe District.

Provincial Council of Chiefs Chairperson Senior Chief Kanong’esha of the Lunda speaking people in Mwinilunga District said it is important that the mine is operationalized in order to improve the economy of Mufumbwe and the country as a whole.

The Traditional leader said through the Council of Chiefs consultative meeting held last year, Chiefs in the province resolved that the mine be reopened in order to provide jobs to the local people.

“Chief Kizela called for a consultation meeting for all chiefs on 15 April 2019 and all chiefs in this province want that mine to be opened, people in Kalengwa have suffered since the closure of the mine,” he said.

Senior Chief Kanong’esha presented a petition to Minister of Mines Richard Musukwa, signed by all Traditional leaders in the province seeking the immediate reopening of the mine.

He said any matters before the courts of law concerning the mine should be resolved quickly so that benefits from the mine starts accruing to the residents.

Meanwhile, the traditional leader has applauded the government for the massive infrastructure development.

He said the government has achieved most of the programs outlined in their manifesto such as building of hospitals, roads and communication towers.

And Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Richard Musukwa assured the traditional leader of government’s support with regard to ensuring that benefits from all mining activities in the province accrue to the local people.

Zambia Airforce (ZAF) Deputy Commander, Major General Benedict Kalinda has assured the public of a transparent and fair recruitment exercise of officers.

Maj Gen Kalinda said all applicants will be given equal opportunities regardless of which province they hail from provided they meet the requirements.

He said the recruitment exercise will be done on merit in a manner that will not discredit the integrity and name of the institution.

“As regards the recruitment exercise, let me assure you, sir, that the Airforce will consider all applications from across the country and give due diligence to each and every applicant, those that will be selected will be done so on merit,” he said.

Maj Gen Kalinda was speaking in Solwezi today when he called on Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary, Willies Mangimela.

And the ZAF Deputy Commander appealed to the Northwestern Province Administration to consider securing land in resettlement schemes.

He said the Airforce would like to contribute to the nation’s food basket by engaging in farming activities especially during times of peace.

He said the Airforce would like to respond to the call made by President Edgar Lungu on the need for the defence and security wings to play a role in contributing to the food basket of the country.

“We appeal to your administration to consider securing us land in resettlement schemes where we can be doing some farming in peace times, we have started in Chisamba and we would like to expand to all the ten provinces since we now have formations,” he said.

Mr Mangimela thanked the ZAF Deputy Commander for the assurance, saying there has been complaints in the past regarding the recruitment exercise.

He appealed to the command to consider decentralizing the process of receiving applications through the formations in provinces so as to enable would-be applicants in far flung areas to lodge in their applications.

“I’m grateful for the assurance deputy commander, but I would like to state that consider using your formations to receive the applications then forward them to Lusaka. If our people from Ikelenge or Chavuma send the applications to Lusaka it would take one month for them to reach. Again consider making the application period a bit longer in the future so that our young people in far places can also have an opportunity to apply,” Mr Mangimela said.

Meanwhile, Mr Mangimela thanked the Zambia Airforce for the services it has continued to render to the province when called upon in times of disasters.

The ZAF Deputy Commander is in the province to check on projects as well as the operational activities and welfare of officers.