The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has rejected the constitution amendment bill number 10 of 2019 in its entirety on the basis that it does not inspire workers.

Addressing a media briefing after appearing before the parliamentary select committee where the union made its position known, ZCTU Secretary General, COSMAS Mukuka says none of the proposed amendments in the bill is progressive.

Mr Mukuka says the bill takes away the power of governance institutions such as the judicial service commission and the state Audit commission from recommending appointments of constitutional office bearers.

He says the bill at its best is an attempt to expand the executive powers of the Republican President while taking away the rights of citizens to democratic governance.

He states that the ZCTU is opposed to all the proposed amendments to the republican constitution as set out in the Constitution of Zambia bill No. 10 of 2019 on account that the process was not inclusive, lacked consensus, is retrogressive in intent and does not reflect the will of the people.

Mr. Mukuka has however, clarified that the ZCTU has nothing against the National Dialogue Forum, but has serious concerns regarding the process and contents of the NDF process which has failed to achieve national healing and reconciliation, but merely produced the constitution amendment bill number 10 of 2019.

A Zambia Airways 25-member cabin crew has left for Ethiopia to undergo an intensive three months training at the Ethiopian Aviation Academy.

Speaking at the send-off ceremony for the cabin crew at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA), Zambia Airways Chief Executive Officer Mr Bruk Endeshaw said the trainees will be subjected to training in customer service, safety and other programmes to enable them offer quality standards of services.

Mr Endeshaw said Zambia Airways has recorded important milestones towards operationalisation of its services through application for required international and local certification and registration processes.

He said the company has since obtained certification from the Zambian Civil Aviation Authority and is waiting for codes’ registration with International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Meanwhile, Zambia Airways Board Chairman Mr Bonaventure Mutale encouraged the crew to acquire necessary skills since the Academy offers the highest professional training standards.

Mr Mutale also advised the trainees to continue making the institution proud by raising the Zambian flag through exhibiting good behaviour.

Zambia Airways is a partnership between IDC and Ethiopian Airlines.

Government has confirmed that Vice President Inonge Wina is in India.

This follows revelations by Lusaka Times quoting highly placed government sources that Mrs Wina left Zambia on Friday for a scheduled medical review in India.

But Zambian Mission in India says Mrs Wina is in that country to promote foreign investment into Zambia.

According to a statement issued by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in India Bangwe Naviley, Mrs Wina commended the Mission for working hard to reach out to potential investors in India and countries of extra accreditation.

“I therefore urge Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and other stakeholders to actively pursue all pending proposals,” Mrs. Wina said.

She said Zambia was a democratic country enjoying cordial relations with all the eight neighbouring countries and beyond.

“The country has a strong legal framework that protects private sector investment coupled with progressive banking systems,” the Republican Vice President said.

She was speaking when she held talks with Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga in Indore, in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh.

And Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga said high level visits would complement the Mission’s efforts to attract investors to Zambia.

“President Edgar Lungu’s State Visit to India from August 20th to 22nd, 2019 followed by your visit as a Republican Vice President will undoubtedly attract credible investors,” Mrs. Kapijimpanga said.

According to a programme made available by Zambia High Commission in India, the Vice President would meet a company in Indore specialised in securing public infrastructure, address top businessmen in Indore and visit a factory.

The Zambian government has approved 156 dual citizenship applications as a move to support and encourage Zambians living in the diaspora.

Government says the diaspora are a great partner in economic development whose relocation from Zambia should cease to be seen as a brain drain or loss.

Zambia’s ambassador to the USA, Dr Ngosa Simbyakula was speaking in Dallas Texas at the 10 th anniversary of the USA based Zambia Blog Talk Radio(ZBTR).

Dr Simbyakula said Zambians living abroad can still contribute effectively to the Zambian economy without having to leave their foreign adopted countries

“The focus now is to work and develop modalities on how this engagement can be actualized” he added.

Dr Simbyakula pointed out that government’s shifted it’s thinking after realizing that Zambians abroad can help Zambia immensely while living abroad.

He appealed to all Zambians who lost their citizenship before dual citizenship was introduced to apply for reinstatement.

He said countries such as China, India, Israel and Japan have strong bonds with their diaspora citizens who contribute a lot to their economic development.

Reiterating ZBTR’s message, Dallas based pastor, Nathan Nkhama pledged to continue on the path to disseminate balanced news to listeners.

He said his team will push hard to find the news and disseminate it.

Pastor Nathan, a founding member of ZBTR established 10 years ago, stressed that getting news from the right source demands hard work.

The well attended event was graced by, among others, Zambian diaspora association heads in America, Zambian clergy in the diaspora, Zambians and friends of Zambia.

The delegates travelled from many different states of America , Canada and the United Kingdom.

By Pezzy Kudakwashe