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Goalkeeper Bradley Mweene is now very motivated after impressing in Zambia U23’s final 2019 U23 AFCON game on Friday against Cote d’Ivoire in Egypt.
Zambia may have lost the match 1-0 on November 15 in Cairo but the University of Pretoria FC goalkeeper was a reassuring figure between the posts after starting ahead of first-choice Mangani Banda who was dropped after disappointing in a 3-1 loss to Nigeria in their penultimate Group B match on November 12.
The South African-based Mweene has come through the ranks and was first-choice in Zambia’s debut triumph in the 2017 COSAFA U17 Cup they won under Mumamba Numba.
“The guys made me feel at home and there wasn’t any pressure and was made to feel at home by the guys and the bench. It was also great to be playing with great players (like Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu),” Mweene said.
“As for the tournament, we didn’t expect to go home so soon because we set a very high bar for ourselves.”
Zambia finished bottom of Group B with 1 point while Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa advanced to the semifinals on 6 an 5 points respectively.
Defending champions Nigeria bowed out in third place in Group B on 4 points.
Zambia’s exit brought to an end the Class Of 2017 Project fairy tale who had won the 2017 U20 AFCON at home and also lifted Zambia’s last COSAFA U20 Cup crown in December 2016.
“I just have to keep on working hard and learning because there is a saying that goes a champion never stops a learning process,” Mweene said.
“I will now keep pushing for more opportunities at the club because now the level has risen. I now also have the challenge to work harder to get a senior team call-up because the next time the Under 23 assignment will come along, I will be 24.”
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu inspects the Chipata-Vubwi road in Vubwi on Saturday, November 16, 2019
President Edgar Lungu has urged Christians to continue worshiping and trusting God in everything.
President Lungu says when the nation continues to pray and to trust God fully, all the challenges that are being faced will pass.
The President says he is aware that others worship God on Saturday but what is important is that Christians must continue to pray at all times as God is important in everyone’s life.
ZANIS reports that President Lungu said this in Katete this morning when he attended a Church service at Reformed Church in Zambia, Katete Boma Congregation.
And President Lungu who read Scripture from Psalm 117, stated that he will continue to worship God as he knew Him even before he became President.
He noted that there are Zambians who are unwise and think there is no God but advised that such people should be ignored and left alone.
Meanwhile, Reformed Church in Zambia, Katete Boma Congregation Reverend in Charge, Lupiya Phiri, has called on all christians and the public at large to be part of addressing challenges faced in the society.
Rev Phiri said it is not enough only to identify a problem or challenge and start apportioning blame on other people.
He said people must learn to make themselves valuable in society and the nation at large by taking part in addressing identified problems.
The Reverend also advised the nation against blaming the Head of State and government for the challenges the country is experiencing.
Rev Phiri said President Lungu is the leader of the nation but that God is the one in charge of nature.
The theme for the Church Service was “Being a Solution as you Provide Service”.
Bowman Lusambo addressing a PF rally in Kabushi on Saturday
Kabushi Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo says President Edgar Lungu has started implementing measures that will address the long hours of load shedding.
Mr Lusambo said President Lungu spends sleepless nights trying to find workable soilutions to the country’s challenges such as load shedding and high mealie meal prices.
He said President Lungu is also equally unhappy that many parts of the country are going for several hours without power.
Mr Lusambo who is also Lusaka Province Ministry was speaking on Saturday afternoon at Milemu grounds in Kabushi during a rally.
He said the 300 MW of power imported from South Africa and the payment of arrears to Maamba Coileries will help cushion the impact of load shedding.
On mealie meal prices, Mr Lusambo said the prices of the staple food has now started reducing.
He said through the Food Reserve Agency, government is offloading subsidized maize to the Millers which is pushing down the prices.
Mr Lusambo who introduced the proprietor of Kamunda Milling, a Kapiri based milling company to the rally said people should not be cheated by those who want to take advantage of the mealie meal situation.
He announced that Kamunda Milling has reduced mealie meal prices with a 25Kg bag of breakfast going for K99 and roller meal at K89.
Mr Lusambo urged other Millers to emulate Kamunda Milling I’m cutting the prices.
He also advised traders in Kabushi constituency to engage Kamunda Milling and enter distributing and retailing partnerships.
Mr Lusambo was accompanied to the rally by PF Deputy Chiefwip Tutwa Ngulube, PF NorthWestern Province Chairman Jackson Kungo and National Cordinator of the President Empowerment Fund Clement Tembo.
And Mr Tembo urged women and youths in Kabushi to form Cooperatives in order to access empowerment funds from the Fund.
He said activities such as block making and poultry business are some of the activities that can be easily funded by the Presidential Empowerment Fund.
At the same rally, Mr Ngulube said the people of Kabushi should continue supporting President Lungu and the area MP Mr Lusambo if they are to benefit from development.
He said President Lungu is the one in the driver’s seat and any kind of development will be channeled through him hence the need to fully support him.
Mr Lusambo, Mr Kungo, Mr Ngulube at the Kabushi rally on SaturdayPF members at the Kabushi rally on SaturdayPresidential Empowerment Fund National Coordinator Clement Tembo addressing the rally in Kabushi on Saturday
A few days ago, I woke up to the bad news, that the yield on Zambia’s $750 million Euro Bond due in the year 2022, has exponentially spiked, from an initial 5.75% to a staggering 22.3%.
What this means is that currently, Zambians, will have to find an extra $200 million over and above the initial cost of this loan in order to free ourselves from the shackles of this modern day slave situation.
In fact, all signs and projections, are pointing to a further slippery slide in the yields in respect of the Eurobond as Zambia’s political and economic profile are both expected to take a turn for the worst as we head towards the election of our lifetime in 2021.
The foregoing analysis is and has been confirmed by the recently made public report into voting patterns, with most current intimations pointing to a heightened illegal and arbitrary abuse of institutional resources, power and authority by the Patriotic Front (PF); underpinned by systematic deterioration of the rule of law, as well as suppressing of the civic and democratic space to cast a veil on public accountability.
And with the PF already having signalled another pipeline $2.3bn Chinese loan, fronted as project money when all signs point to a very substantial portion of this debt money lined up to beef up to go towards their 2021 campaign financing, it is not hard to explain why both market and investor confidence is running dry; and consequently heightening the negative perception around our country’s ability to pay back the debt money we all.
By the time we get to 2021, and by the time clock strikes the year 2022, a Eurobond facility which should have cost us less than $50 million to acquire will easily be costing us close to $350 million above the initial cost.
But why should and must Zambians reward this blatant criminality by the PF? Why should future generations of citizens be punished just for being born Zambian? Why should our children give up opportunities for learning, health and employment just to be able to feed the PF’s appetite for criminality and an insentiable craze to consume beyond what our economy can give in this our lifetime? And why should our generation allow this careless government get away with ransacking the collective future prospects of a whole nation?
Today, we are witnessing a former Presidential Aide, Amos Chanda, being indicted on grand money laundering charges by the Anti Corruption Commission. Amos used to work from President Edgar Lungu’s own political bedroom. Whatever Amos used to do, the Presidency owed the nation a duty of care to ensure that Amos’ own appetite for quick money was as far away from the Presidency and the PRESIDENT while he served in a public position. Now we know, that Amos was sacrificed to “sanitize” the PRESIDENT and the Presidency because it was becoming too obvious that Amos was only a small part of a wider ring of institutional criminal behavior.
In fact, the arrest of Amos is part of a carefully put together process meant to “clean him up”, and by association, “absorb” the appointing authority. A conviction for Amos Chanda would by default be a conviction for PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu and the entire Presidency. They will not let that happen.
Yet, this one thing I know: that all ruling political parties, before they fall from grace, reach the very top of organizational ineptitude, and are arrogant about it. And this is PF today, unrepentant about the misery they have caused all of us. Despite the economic woes, the poverty, the joblessness, the unprecedented corruption, broken business environment, high cost of fuel, a currency buckling under pressure, high cost of living – please don’t mention mealie meal……the PF are still boasting that they are still popular and remain the party of choice for Zambians and that no matter what happens, the PF can do no wrong and that Zambians will still vote for them and keep them in power in 2021.
But if Zambians will go to sleep and hop into bed with the devil incarnet called Patriotic Front in 2021, and give the PF the lattitude to enjoy the last laugh, the joke of a lifetime will be on all of us and our children and theirs will be glad to piss on our graves for having betrayed them to a brutal, incompetent, selfserving regime.
And as for me and my family, we will not be voting for the PF in 2021.
President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu addressing party cadres
President Edgar Lungu has counseled Patriotic Front party officials in Eastern province to respond affirmatively to all those who are in the habit of paddling lies with the truth.
Speaking when he addressed party officials on the sidelines of his Eastern Province working tour, President Lungu expressed disgust at the growing numbers of lies in the country and the lack of credible voices within the party structures to defend from falsehoods.
“Why shouldn’t we who believe in PF not go out there using radio, social media, using newspapers to spread the good news of what PF is doing here in Eastern Province.
“Some people are going on radio telling lies, we are just looking at them. Some people are going to church on Sundays telling lies, we are just looking at them. Let us challenge them with the truth,” President Lungu insisted.
Further, the President instructed the party officials to encourage the people to pray to God Almighty for rains, as his government had done all they could do, by delivering farming inputs on time for the farmers.
“We should go out and tell the people that the government has done its part, they have delivered fertilizer, they have delivered seed, the farmers have been paid, so let us go and pray to God that he gives us rains because that’s what we are waiting for,” the Head of State encouraged.
The President was accompanied by the PF MCC National Chairman Mr. Samuel Mukupa, PF MCC Chairperson for Health Hon Dr. Chitalu Chilufya MP, PF MCC Hon Freedom Sikazwe MP Minister of Presidential Affairs, PF MCC Hon Vincent Mwale MP Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, Provincial Minister Hon Makebi Zulu MP, Provincial Chairman MCC Andrew Lubusha, Provincial Youth Chairman Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda and other senior government & party officials.
The Head of State is in Eastern Province on a 3-day working visit touring and inspecting various government developmental projects being undertaken by his administration in the region
THE Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) is urging the Zambia Roads Development Agency (RDA) and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to quickly ensure all trunk roads and busy roads are properly marked with reflective road marking materials to prevent road accidents during this rainy season.
The Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group notes that most reported road traffic accidents in Zambia are caused by drivers failing to keep to their lane because of these roads are not marked or the markings were done with substandard non-reflective paints.
“Most of the major roads leaving Lusaka such as Great North Road, Kafue Road, Great East Road and the Mumbwa Road all pose a risk to the driving public. They are among the 1000 ways to die in Zambia. If all cars kept to their lanes, there surely cannot be road collisions,” says Group Admin Mthoniswa Banda.
Some accidents especially those that happen at night are because of poor visibility of the road due to inadequate roads markings or use of non-reflective marking materials. Others are caused by drivers who drive at full beam because they want to see the unmarked roads thereby blinding others because of the poor visibility of these trunk roads and highways.
“Driving in most roads especially at night or when it’s raining Zambia becomes a risky undertaking. Not only is visibility hampered by the weather but the roads themselves have no reflectors. The roads look like black holes. They have no reflective markings and signage to guide the driver in their driving,” says Group Admin Mthoniswa Banda.
The Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group has noted that apart from a few roads in the country such as the newly built Solwezi- Chingola Road, Luangwa-Chipata Road and Mansa-Luwingu Road which have light reflective markings, most roads in Zambia are not fit for night travel or driving.
A group member posted “Quiet true. They should stop this business of water paint on road markings and speed humps, these are endangering lives at night. Most of these new roads do not have markings. Proper reflective PVC markings should be used, it is a bit costly but it’s a one off and it saves a lot of lives and cars.”
Another posted “Problem is RDA and RTSA have adopted low standards in ensuring roads are marked there by allowing most of these road constructors o get away with a poorly marked road.
Another posted “So all these RDA, RTSA, NRFA need to be reminded all the time, why can’t they be pro-active? Everyone knows the rain season is here and those markings faded a long time ago. With all these monies being collected at toll gates there is not excuse to have roads un marked or improperly marked. Proper lines and new signage need to be drawn on all these completed new roads.
Another member advised “I would like to see some consistence in the road markings and signage. Regardless of which direction one takes, be it North, East, South or West, you have to guess where your lane begins and ends. Government should ensure our safety through consistent road markings and signage all roads and not selected sections of the road.”
The Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group is confident that once all roads are marked and signage improved with reflective materials, driving during day and night in Zambia will produce less accidents and deaths.
The Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) is an online group with over 1,500 members and is for sharing experiences and knowledge on road safety and defensive driving on Zambian roads and Highways by both professional drivers, car owners and the majority road users as passengers or pedestrians. These discussions will help identify road safety issues, bad policies and bad road designs requiring improvement by government and its agencies such as RTSA, RDA, NRFA, ZP and local councils.
Every week, the ZRHSG will produce a statement summarising the group discussion and sharing this opinion with Road Safety agencies and other policy makers so they improve Zambia’s Road Safety.
Chishimba Kambwili and NDC officials in the office of the Officer in Charge at Kitwe Central Police Station
Opposition NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili was on Saturday evening detained in Kitwe and later charged with an offence of conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
This was after Mr Kambwili and his entourage passed through Kitwe’s Chisokone market to buy dry fish for his home.
The visit attracted a lot of people especially women Marketeers who wanted to greet Mr Kambwili.
This infuriated PF cadres at the market who organized themselves and almost picked up a fight with Mr Kambwili’s entourage.
Mr Kambwili was picked up from his room at Lunte Lodge after he returned from holding a rally in Kwacha.
After many hours of detention at Kitwe Central Police Station, Mr Kambwili was released from police custody around 21 Hours after paying admission of guilty fine.
He vowed that no form of intimidation will make him stop talking on behalf of the downtrodden.
THOSE who lose court cases should do so in peace. In fact, it is a sign of great maturity to be magnanimous in defeat. “Umulembwe wacipuba”, claims an Ushi proverb, “upwila muli tumfwe”. We do understand that at least two people have appealed Justice Sharon Newa’s ruling in the MMD case. We find this appeal to be confused and outrightly baseless. But we should not be the ones to stop anyone from exercising their rights of appeal. Perhaps we might need to only advise the appellants that they had better spend their money and resources on something that is more worthwhile than appeal a very clear decision of a conscientious judge.
For the appeal court to reverse Madam Justice Newa, the court must be convinced that Judge Newa misapprehended the facts and the law. This is an improbable proposition. Leaving the law aside, we can also use common sense to interrogate the MMD issue. Once we apply common sense, the law and the facts, we will find that Justice Newa was not only correct, but explained her position eloquently. But appealing, they have appealed, and once more, they will lose just like they have always been losing. The court records are there for all to see. Mr Felix Mutati and Mr Nakachinda have been losing against Dr Nevers Mumba for years and in all levels of court. But like tenacious clowns, they continue going to court, only to lose and lose some more.
The MMD case was really very simple. MMD elected Nevers Mumba in 2012. The party was to have a convention in 2016. However, Nevers Mumba and his NEC decided to postpone the convention to the next year. Disgruntled folks such as Mr Mutati and several others decided to hold a convention of their own in 2016 and anointed Mutati as president. They popped a thousand balloons and smeared white powder on their faces in a sign that they had held an MMD convention. From 2016, to at least last week, Mr Mutati has been conducting himself as president of the MMD. It is just so sad that this gentleman was masquerading with this nonsense for such a long time. Our courts are quite slow, but they do really catch up. On 4 November 2019, Justice Newa issued her decision. It was correct, incisive and compelling. The NEC of the MMD had correctly decided to not hold the convention in 2016. Whatever Mr Mutati smeared himself with at his purported convention did not make it an MMD convention. And no matter how much powder you use, it would never redeem a failed project.
Justice Newa’s decision confirms the law that governs clubs and societies. Had Mutati won this court case, it would have implanted confusion in all societies in Zambia. What it would have meant is that any group of disgruntled directors can drop more balloons and declare their faction as the real society. Imagine disgruntled Catholics coming together in Lusaka and then claiming that they have elected a new pope or a new bishop because Rome has taken too long to appoint one. Imagine the confusion it would cause if it happened to a church such as Grace Ministries where a disgruntled few decide the leader has taken too long to hold a convention, we will have our own and anoint for ourselves a new leader. There would be chaos! Madam Justice Newa’s decision makes a lot of sense and is a victory for the rule of law in organisations and civil society organisations.
If Mutati had concerns about Nevers Mumba, he had channels to use within the MMD structures. You do not go off tangent to anoint your own convention and convene it with the disgruntled fellows. That is not how it works.
The appeal has apparently been lodged. We look forward to hearing the submissions. The appellants are being represented by the law firm that belongs to PF minister Makebi Zulu. I personally do not believe that this law firm can change the facts or the law.
Nevertheless, just like they have always done – I can predict that the appellants will lose, as they are a bunch of losers.
In an age of social media exploitation, show-off, self-assurance and assurance plus acceptance from friends and total strangers, many people can not resist the temptation to post or do something that will be captured by others and might even go viral. Many people have and continue to use social media as a platform to showcase, talents, or lack of talents, scandals, funny stuff as well as sad and not so appropriate stuff to the public to consume.
As I write this article, I am not sure what motivated our Lusaka Mayor to start piggy-backing people in the ‘SEASONAL LUSAKA FLOODS.’I have deliberately bolded and capitalised ‘SEASONAL LUSAKA FLOODS’ to convey a strong message. I can only assume a couple of things as to what motivated the Mayor.
Firstly, it may have been a poorly calculated strategy to appear as a humble mayor. This is why I think this is wrong. It is a shame for the Mayor to be doing what he is doing because he should be seeking a long lasting solution to the ‘SEASONAL LUSAKA FLOODS.’ The Mayor’s Public Relations team here miscalculated and should have advised the Mayor against this so called act of humility.
Secondly, the Mayor may have been doing this as a stunt to appear humble. Well, this may have worked with the people he assisted and the small crowd that may have appeared to witness the ‘act. ‘ For all we know, the Mayor may have gone there with his own team to record the act. Again, this is very wrong and as I mentioned earlier, he should be seeking permanent solutions to the ‘SEASONAL LUSAKA FLOODS’.
Thirdly, which I strongly suspect may also have been a motivation for this act was the insatiable nature and characteristic that has now consumed a lot of people…… assurance plus acceptance from friends and total strangers. The mayor may have thrived on the fact that his social media platforms will be abuzz with his ‘act of humility.’ This insatiable thirst for acceptance and assurance through social media has consumed the modern world. While many people have used social media for good and upliftment of their lives for example, John Legend who works alongside Teach for America, Teach for All, Harlem Village Academies, and New Profit. Legend also addresses issues in the criminal justice system that affect the poor and disadvantaged through media platforms like podcasts and social media. Another person of note, Alicia Keys who works with her organisation, Keep a Child Alive and her support for HIV/AIDS programmes. ON her social media, not only does she shed light on the organizations, but she’s also known to Instagram motivational quotes and promote work she believes in. I can go on and on but that is not within the scope of this article. Our Lusaka Mayor on the other hand decided to do what he did. What a shame. Lastly, I also suspect the mayor decided to do what he did for political mileage and public popularity. Here is the thing in life, to quote Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States of America, “You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”
The age of populist electioneering that is, to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups is what politicians should avoid. When you do that as a politician, it is easy for people to point out the populist ideas you thrived on to be in power. People are awake and in the wake of the 4th Industrial Revolution, the information highway is beyond many people’s control and that is why it is futile for those in power to seek to control that (Note to the Communications Minister who sees it as a need to respond to what every one says about her Government).
Miles Sampa should re-position himself more strategically and not use the populist approach he used, that is my advice. In fact he should be ashamed of being part of a city that always has floods year in and year out. We are crying about lack of rainfall but as soon as it rains we have other issues such as floods and water-borne diseases like cholera and for your information cholera is medieval disease with early texts from India by Sushruta Samhita in the 5th century B.C. documenting it. It is a shame that in the 21st century we are still battling cholera. Mr. Mayor, instead of piggy-backing people, my advise to you is, if you want to seek another term in office, try to work and find solutions otherwise, most of us are not fooled by your antics.
We were unlucky is how Zambia U23 coach Beston Chambeshi has summerized his sides flopped 2019 U23 AFCON campaign in Egypt.
On Friday Zambia exited the 2020 Olympics qualifying tournament after finishing bottom of Group B with 1 point following a 1-0 loss to Cote d’Ivoire.
It was Zambia’s second successive Group B defeat after Nigeria crushed them 3-1 on November 12 just four days after kicking off their tournament outing with a 0-0 draw against South Africa.
“We played a tough game playing Ivory Coast it wasn’t an easy game but we had a good game. Unfortunately it is only that again we conceded a goal through another set-piece,” Chambeshi said.
“But otherwise I am happy with the way the boys have come out, they have fought from the start of the tournament, they have been fighting.
” But sometimes in football you need luck so all I can say is we are out but we have learnt one or two things playing at this high level tournament.
” As you have seen the team has shown character that yes they can play soccer but sometimes it is disappointing when you play such kind of football and you come out of the tournament.
” It is good for the boys that they have played at this level and I think they have learnt one or two things from this tournament.
” But we are going with our heads help up because of the way we have played here but we are out of the tournament. ”
Zambia finished four points behind outgoing champions Nigeria who finished third on 4 points.
South Africa finished second on 5 points, one behind Cote d’Ivoire who have both qualified to the semifinal on the final stretch to determine Africa’s top three representatives at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
FILE; President Edgar Lungu greets Mambwe Chiefs shortly after his arrival in Mambwe district of Eastern province. Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANIS
President Edgar Lungu has urged traditional leaders in Lumezi District in Eastern Province to continue working together, in order to achieve meaningful development in the area.
The President has also indicated that the government remains committed to addressing the hunger and drought situation in the area and other affected parts of the country.
President Lungu said this in Lumezi yesterday when he met the six traditional leaders in the district.
The Head of State noted that the government is encouraged and always ready to work with traditional leaders when they show dedication towards working together, in promoting development in their various chiefdoms.
He added that the government will continue working hard to ensure that the promises made to the people are delivered.
The Head of State stated that when chiefs are organized, it is easy for the government to come in and implement developmental projects that improve the livelihood of the people.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has called on the traditional leadership to continue advising and encouraging politicians, noting that they often differ on various issues at various times.
And representing the chiefs, Chief Kazembe thanked President Lungu and government for the developmental projects being implemented in the area.
Chief Kazembe said the road network has been worked on and that the network system has also been improved.
He indicated that because of such development, movements and communication have equally improved, due to the Zamtel towers that have been installed in the area.
Chief Kazembe also appreciated the government for having distributed relief food to the people in the area.
The traditional leader further thanked President Lungu for declaring Lumezi as a district and added that the traditional leadership has agreed that the district administration is situated in the valley.
Minister of Justice Given Lubinda says the government is cognisant of the role that the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa(COMESA) plays towards achieving sustainable economic and social progress through increased co-operation and integration.
Mr. Lubinda cited fields of trade, agriculture, monetary affairs, transport, and communication and information technology as among the sectors COMESA is focusing on.
He said COMESA cannot be successful without proper legal and regulatory instruments to support implementation of programmes and activities that would facilitate the organization to attain the desired results.
Speaking during the launch of the COMESA court of justice arbitration rules (2018), Mr. Lubinda said absence of the required legal instruments and regulations makes it impossible for the 21 COMESA Member States to benefit from the organization.
He hailed the COMESA ministers of justice and Attorneys General for playing a significant role in the development of legal instruments that underpin programme implementation.
“It is in this light that I recognise the importance of your meeting towards ensuring that the appropriate legal frameworks are provided for COMESA and its institutions to support their functions. I, therefore, commend the COMESA Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General for playing a significant role in the development of legal instruments,” he said.
At the same event which coincided with preparations for COMESA’s 25th Anniversary, the Minister of Justice said the member states are delighted with the reduced tariffs launched and which saw the implementation of the COMESA Free Trade Area in 2001.
And COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe hailed the Ministers of Justice and Attorney Generals in all the 21 member states, for having come up with consolidated legal frameworks.
Ms Kapwepwe explained that the sound legal frameworks have enabled COMESA to move towards the attainment of the aims and objectives of the Common Market as well as fulfil the role as the building block of the African Economic Community.
Meanwhile, President of the COMESA court of Justice Lombe Chibesakunda disclosed that the rules launched yesterday were adopted at the last meeting of the COMESA Council of Ministers that was held in Lusaka on 25th November 2018.
Justice Chibesakunda explained that article 28 of the COMESA treat gives the court jurisdiction to hear arbitrator matters that may be brought to it, pursuant to an arbitration.
She further said the new arbitration rules will therefore ensure that the court remains competitive and a world-class arbitrator tribunal.
COMESA will on November 28th 2019 celebrate its 25th Anniversary as the successor to the Preferential Trade Area in 1994.
Steve Nyirenda takes oath of office as new NAREP leader
Muvi Television has clarified that New National Restoration Party President Steve Nyirenda left the company last year.
The 60 year-old Prominent Lusaka Businessman has taken over the Presidency of the opposition NAREP with a pledge to transform Zambia once his party forms government in 2021.
Mr. Nyirenda’s ascendency to the apex of NAREP follows the resignation of Elias Chipimo Junior in September this year.
He went unopposed at the party’s extraordinary convention held in Lusaka after one of the competitors; Maybin Kabwe withdrew from the race.
Mr. Nyirenda, who is founder of the private owned Muvi Television, has since relinquished his position, as Chief Executive Officer to join active politics.
Muvi television Director Administration, Alfred Tembo announced the development in an interview saying Mr. Nyirenda resigned from the position last year before getting into active politics last year.
President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu commissioned the Lumezi St. Joseph College of Nursing and Midwifery school under the administration of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata.
President Edgar Lungu has emphasized the need to expand the nurses and midwives training institutions, in order to produce adequate health professionals in the country.
President Lungu notes that human capital development is key to universal health coverage and a cornerstone in the delivery of health services countrywide.
ZANIS reports that the President was speaking during the commissioning of St. Joseph School of Nursing and Midwifery, at Lumezi Mission Hospital in Lumezi district, Eastern Province.
The Head of State echoed the government’s intentions to recruit 30,000 healthcare workers by 2021.
And President Lungu has further reiterated the government’s commitment towards working with the church, to uplift the lives of the people in the country, adding that both the church and government serve the same constituents in providing social services.
He observed that the Catholic Church in Eastern Province is not only growing spiritually, but is also supporting the uplifting of vulnerable communities, through the provision of health and education services.
He added that positively responded to the request by the church for human resources by deploying eight nursing and Midwifery graduates.
President Lungu also expressed delight that Lumezi Mission Hospital which started as a rural health centre has undergone various stages, to be a first level referral hospital with a bed capacity of 170.
He stated that the college has already been gazzetted and the process of creating its structure through the public service management, is underway.
President Lungu has since implored the college administration to prepare for the commencement of other programmes such as public health nursing.
And Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya says the commissioning of the college shows President Lungu’s political will to achieving universal health coverage as outlined in the government’s developmental agenda.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province Minister Makebi Zulu commended government for the developments that have taken place in the health sector, in the region.
Mr Zulu said a number of health facilities have been constructed in various parts of the province.
He however, stated that Lumezi hospital, which is the only referral hospital in the district, requires an ambulance, as it services 29 other health facilities.
And Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata, George Lungu has pledged to corporate and supplement government efforts in providing social services to people in Eastern Province.
Bishop Lungu says the Catholic Church is aware of the many challenges that society is faced with, with regards to education and health, especially in underserviced areas.
He said this in a speech read for him by Auxiliary Bishop, Benjamin Phiri.
Bishop Lungu also commended government for supporting the growth of Lumezi Mission Hospital which he said started as a rural health centre, and eventually become a first level hospital which now has a nursing school.
He stated that the demand for more health services due to the growing population in the area, led to the construction of the nursing school.
Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya
Government has urged drivers not to join the illegal work stoppage initiated by a selection of truck drivers.
Minister of Works and Supply Mutotwe Kafwaya said government through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has already commenced meetings with sector unions, in order to put in place a joint council, to establish the specific conditions of service required.
In the Statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Kafwaya said Petroleum Truckers Association of Zambia has already put in place measures that provide self-regulation for improved conditions of service for its members.
Mr Kafwaya stated that the Union Leaders should disassociate themselves from such illegal acts, to avoid being in conflict with the efforts that government is putting in place to improve conditions of service for drivers.
“I am aware that Petroleum Truckers Association of Zambia has put in place measures that provides self-regulation for improved conditions of service for drivers from its members. I urge driver union leaders to dissociate themselves from such illegal acts to avoid negating the efforts that government is putting in place to improve the conditions of service for drivers,” he stressed.
The Minister further called on the truck owners to pay better salaries to their workers, while the process of developing industry specific conditions is being concluded and finalized by government.
Mr Kafwaya called on aggrieved drivers to report to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, all employers that perpetuate bad conditions of service to the drivers so that appropriate action is taken.
He further urged the police to deal with lawlessness, should there be individuals that intend to disturb the peaceful operations of the transport sector.
The Transport and Communications Minister appealed to all truck drivers to report for work and move the economy forward, in order to avoid loss of business and jobs in the transport sector.
