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Turkish President Abdullah Gül and his Zambian counterpart Rupiah Banda held a joint press conference on Monday following their meeting in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
Speaking at the press gathering, Gül said Turkey was ready to improve cooperation with Zambia in the fields of agriculture, mining, energy and transportation, adding that Turkey would pay close attention to the African continent and especially Zambia.
Gül said Turkey was set to open an embassy in Zambia as part of a wider program to launch diplomatic missions in their continent.
Gül said Turkey had boosted relations with African countries over the last years with a view to improve economic, trade and political ties as well as to help them overcome their problems.
Gül said he paid frequent visits to African countries, adding that Turkey had received the support of nearly all African countries to win a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
Prior to the press conference the two governments signed agreements to boost cooperation on civil aviation as well as to establish channels for political consultations.
PF leader Michael sata and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema
The Southern African Center for Construction Resolution of Disputes (SOCCORD) says the ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) will scoop the 2011 general elections if the PF/UPND pact does not resolve its internal conflicts that are emerging.
SACCORD Executive Director Lee Habasonda said that the PF/UPND pact risks losing the support of the people if there problems are not amicably resolved.
He said it is an obvious case to all Zambians that if the two Parties contest the 2011 elections as individuals political parties they will lose the elections.
Mr Habasonda has also observed that the cracks that have emerged in the pact following the fielding of separate candidates in the Kaoma and Chidiza local government elections by the two parties have the potential to weaken the opposition alliance.
He said this will in turn weaken the opposition’s oversight role of providing checks and balances to the MMD government.
Mr Habasonda has since urged the PF/UPND pact to resolve their internal conflict if they are to emerge victorious in the 2011 elections.
[QFM ]
Zambia has cut its economic growth forecast for 2010 to 5.8 percent from 7 percent due to the possibility of a sluggish global economic recovery, Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said.
The government and Bank of Zambia are also aiming for inflation of 8 percent by the end of the year, Musokotwane said in a letter to the International Monetary Fund seen by Reuters on Monday. Annual inflation stood at 7.8 percent in June, slowing steadily from double-digit rises last year.
Despite the lower economic growth forecast, outlined in the June-dated letter, senior Treasury officials said growth was likely to come in above the new forecast.
“We revised the target downwards because of the global economic crisis but agriculture and mining have performed very well and we expect to grow the economy beyond 5.8 percent,” , Secretary to the treasury, told Reuters.
In the letter, Musokotwane said growth in Africa’s biggest copper producer would be driven mainly by new investments in mining, power generation, construction and agriculture.
“As agricultural output reverts to trend levels, real GDP growth is expected to fall marginally to 5.8 percent in 2010 before rising to 6 percent thereafter,” Musokotwane said.
“A number of large investments in the mining and energy sectors are expected over the medium-term.”
Musokotwane also said Zambia would start financing talks this year for the 600 megawatt Kafue Gorge Lower power project and the 120 MW Ithezi-Tezhi project. Both are expected to be completed by 2017.
Mines mothballed during last year’s global economic slump have reopened, while tourism may receive a boost in the wake of the soccer World Cup in South Africa.
Musokotwane said domestic revenues were expected to rise to 16.3 percent of GDP due partly to better tax collection and an increase in excise tax on diesel from 7 to 10 percent.
“Downside risks, however, still remain amidst uncertainties about a full-fledged global recovery in 2010 and rising oil prices,” Musokotwane said.
Musokotwane said the government would reduce its spending by 0.9 percentage points of GDP relative to 2009 to allow for more capital spending, which was expected to rise to 4.6 percent of GDP.
“The overall fiscal deficit is expected to remain at 2.5 percent of GDP, and domestic financing is expected to remain as programmed at 1.9 percent of GDP,” he said.
Musokotwane said the government’s spending plans were consistent with a year-end inflation target of 8 percent
Former Defence minister George Mpombo
Former Defense Minister, George Mpombo, has charged that President Rupiah Banda is’Adventurous as a Marcopolo bus’.
And Mr. Mpombo has accused President Banda of going to South Africa to watch last night’s FIFA World Cup Final game between Netherlands and Spain in the pretext that he is going to Turkey.
Mr Mpombo, who is also Kafulafuta MMD Member of Parliament (MP) said President Banda is so arrogant that he delights in pleasure instead of getting down to the ground to solve issues in the country.
He said the President is in State house just to fill the vacancy for Presidency that was caused by the death of late President, Levy Mwanawasa.
The Kafulafuta MP argued that the country could not afford to have in State House a president of Mr. Banda’s calibre because the country will fail to make any progress.
He alleged that the failure by President Banda to adhere to his advisors’ advice is a sign that the country has a dictator in State House instead of a servant.
Mr Mpombo said Turkey has nothing to offer Zambia in economic terms because the country has a struggling economy.
He said Turkey is depending on inflows such as aid from well to do countries.
He added that it is disgusting to learn that the country has a man in State House who is unable to use his judgment before taking any trip outside the country.
President Rupiah Banda yesterday left for Turkey via South Africa.
[ QFM ]
MMD Spokesperson Dora Siliya
MMD spokesperson, Dora Siliya has said the party does not want to be dragged into debates over Change Life Zambia (CLZ) executive director, Frank Bwalya’s political position because it is now clear that the man is speaking for the opposition.
Ms Siliya said the fact that Fr Bwalya had been relieved of his duty and was now on the streets told a story that the man was working independent of the church.
She was commenting on Fr Bwalya’s allegations made at the weekend during a CLZ public rally held at Changanamai ground in Kitwe’s Kwacha Township that the MMD had lost the three previous elections and it was now using dirty people such as Chanda Chimba (III) to cling on to power.
“We don’t want to react to a person who when he opens his mouth it’s comedy that comes out. We don’t want to be bothered about a man who is performing comedy everyday,” she said.
Ms Siliya said Fr Bwalya had no backing of the Catholic Church but only wanted to drag the church in his political activities.
[pullquote]“We don’t want to react to a person who when he opens his mouth it’s comedy that comes out. We don’t want to be bothered about a man who is performing comedy everyday,” she said.[/pullquote]
She said it was no secret anymore that Fr Bwalya was speaking for the opposition, hence his disparaging remarks against the MMD.
Fr Bwalya during the rally alleged that the MMD lost the 2001 elections to late United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Anderson Mazoka and it was the same with the 2006 and 2008 elections, which he said were both won by Mr Sata.
Fr Bwalya claimed that the MMD had a lot of dirty work to do but it did not want to do it itself although it was dirty.
“This is why the Government is using dirty people like Chanda Chimba to do its dirty work. They can use those but not me,” Fr Bwalya said.
He said the MMD had been challenging him to form a political party but he would not do that because he was too smart for them.
“They want me to form a political party so that we can have so many parties to give them chance to steal the votes but I am not going to do that. I am still a priest,” he said.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Luapula Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Machungwa has said the United Party for National Development (UPND) and Patriotic Front (PF)-Pact is doomed because there is no harmonisation of the manifesto between the two.
And Dr Machungwa has said there would be more cracks in the UPND/PF Pact as the country heads for 2011 general elections.
Commenting on the apparent crack in the PF-UPND Pact by competing against each other in Kaoma and Chadiza ward by-elections, Dr Machungwa said the developments were a clear indication that the pact was heading for a demise.
He said him and his fellow MPs foresaw that the pact would crack because none of the two leaders was ready to step aside and give chance to the other to contest the presidency.
“We knew and we have always stated right from the beginning that there is no pact. So what you are seeing is just the beginning of many more to come, especially as we head towards elections,” Dr Machungwa said.
He said it was also surprising to see that the mouthpiece of the pact, one which fully supported the pact and reported in their favour was the same paper that had stated that no true pact could be built on the shifting sands of evasions.
Dr Machungwa said UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema should have announced that he was going to contest the presidency in 2011 or that his PF counterpart Michael Sata would contest as that would have established the credibility of the pact’s existence.
He said the determinant of the pact was who was going to contest the presidency between the two leaders but that none of them was ready to step down.
The MP said the violation of their own pact agreement of not competing against each other in the by-elections was evidence enough that the pact existed only on word and was not going anywhere.
Dr Machungwa said the only thing the duo could do was to start working independently and build on what they already had because all the stakeholders knew that the parties which existed would work independently.
And Kawambwa MP Elizabeth Chitika-Mulobeka said it was just a question of time and the pact would be grounded.
“We all know and everybody is talking about it. There is no pact and there has never been one,” she said.
[ Times of Zambia ]
President Banda talks to Ronnie Shikapwasha with vice president George Kunda
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said he is only interested in unifying the MMD as opposed to discussing the imminent cracking of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) and Patriotic Front (PF) Pact.
Speaking to journalists at the Lusaka International Airport shortly before his departure for Turkey yesterday, President Banda said the preoccupation of the MMD leadership and him was to unify the party at all the levels.
Mr Banda, accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe, was seen off by Vice-President George Kunda, Information Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale, Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja and Lusaka Province Minister Charles Shawa, among others.
“Whatever is happening in the pact is not our business. Like you and I have just read that in the papers but that is not our business. What we are interested in is the unity of our party,” President Banda said.
On his trip to Turkey, President Banda said Zambia was bound to learn a lot from that country considering that Turkey’s economy was one of those emerging in the world.
For the last one year, he said Turkish President Abdullah Gul had been inviting President Banda to that country and it was, therefore, an honour for him to accept the invitation.
“As you know, Turkey is an emerging economy and I feel greatly honoured to be invited. We are going to see how we can benefit from the visit,” President Banda said.
Speaking in an interview, Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said the MMD and the critics of the pact had been vindicated following its cracking.
[pullquote]“We have been telling them that the entire pact is a useless thing and they have not understood us,” Gen Shikapwasha said.[/pullquote]
Gen Shikapwasha said for a long time now, there had been a prediction that the pact would crack but the leaders of the PF and UPND pretended that all was well in their alliance.
“We have been telling them that the entire pact is a useless thing and they have not understood us,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
He claimed that the decision to form the pact was pushed by UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema because of his realisation that he could not stand and win an election without entering into an alliance.
“It’s Mr Hichilema who has been pushing for the pact because he knows that he has no legs to stand on his own,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
Gen Shikapwasha, who is Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said as a result of the cracks in the pact, the MMD would emerge victorious in both the Luena and Chifubu parliamentary by-elections.
“We are going to win handsomely,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia has set August 5 as the election date for the by-elections in the two constituencies.
United Party for National Development (UPND) President, Hakainde Hichilema, has accused President Rupiah Banda of finding solace in the air.
Reacting to President Banda`s trip to Turkey through South Africa, Mr. Hichilema said the President is at it again to go and dine with foreign dignitories when he has no regard for those in the country when they ask how their money is being used.
He said the President`s trip to Turkey is not necessary, adding that he must know that domestic issues take precedence to any other issues.
He accused the President of taking initiative to clean other people`s governments when his own government is filthy with all sorts of dirty.
Mr Hakainde said President Banda was supposed to stay at home and ensure that the civil servants` delayed salaries are resolved.
He added that the country expects the President to spend time supervising his subordinates to ensure that pending issues such as the underpaying of teachers and police officers are worked on as opposed to spending his time in the air.
He advised the President to reduce his trips abroad so that he could have enough time to address issues affecting the people domestically.
President Rupiah Banda is scheduled to leave for Turkey on Sunday on a trade and investment promotion visit.
President Banda, who has been invited by Turkey leader Abdullah Gul, is expected to sign a number of agreements, address the business community and tour one of the largest car manufacturing plants.
President Banda, who will be accompanied by first lady Thandiwe, energy minister Kenneth Konga, finance minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, foreign affairs minister Kabinga Pande and deputy minister in the Vice-President’s office Gaston Sichilima, returns to Zambia on Thursday.
Zanaco’s poor 2010 campaign so far could turn to woeful this weekend when they face ex-African champions Enyimba of Nigeria.
Zanaco on Saturday suffered their fifth league defeat of the season when they lost 1-0 to Power Dynamos at Arthur Davies.
To cap it all, they remain winless in Kitwe in two visit there this season after Nkana also beat them by the same margin with wins away over the Copperbelt giants symbolic in their bragging rights as champions.
And it gets worse this Saturday when they hosts Enyimba in the Caf Champions League last 16 first leg match in Lusaka.
However, coach Wedson Nyirenda has put a positive spin on the defeat saying the loss will act as a motivation for Zanaco going into the first leg clash against the newly crowned Nigerian champions and two-time Champions League winners.
Nyirenda needs a good result this weekend to give his side a kick start as the season gradually begins to roll down Week 30 and suitors for their title slowly assert their positions.
Moreover, the next two weeks will be key in what direction Zanaco’s season is heading.
After they face Enyimba, Zanaco will be back at home this time to play leaders Zesco United whom they drew 2-2 with in delayed week 1 match on May 29.
Defeats in those matches could see Zanaco drift further into choppy waters.
Outspoken Catholic Priest, Father Frank Bwalya has regretted Zambia’s financial investment in the National Constitutional Conference NCC, describing it as the biggest wastage of resources in the country’s history.
Father Bwalya who is also change life Zambia executive director said the only document that Zambians would get out of the NCC is a fraudulent framework that does not even reflect their views.
Father Bwalya said Zambians, regret the investment made in the entire constitution making process because it has been a huge waste.
He said the resources that the NCC has managed to gobble would have gone towards addressing the many challenges in the social, agriculture, and technological sectors.
Father Bwalya added that the constitution would not be ready in time for the 2011 tripartite election.
[ QFM ]
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him;”
(2 Chronicles 16:9 AMP).)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Are you looking for God to move in your life today? The Bible says that God is actually looking to show Himself strong in the Earth. He is looking for those who have a blameless heart toward Him.
When you open your heart to Jesus, and ask Him to forgive you and cleanse you by His blood, He gives you a blameless heart—then you are the person the Lord is looking to work through! When you understand the fact that God longs to work in your life, your faith will increase. Your hope will increase. And God’s work in your life will increase! Have confidence in this scripture today. Begin to thank God for giving you a clean and blameless heart. Thank Him for choosing to work in you.
As you thank and praise Him, expect Him to act! Expect to see Him move mightily on your behalf in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for the blood of Jesus which cleanses my sins and gives me a blameless heart. Search my heart today and remove anything that isn’t pleasing to You. I open my heart and invite You to work in every area of my life. I bless You and thank You for Your faithfulness, In Jesus Name. Amen.
United Party for National Development President Hikainde Hichilema confronts Police officers during the filing of nominations for the Luena parliamentary by-election at Ushaar basic school
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United Party for National Development president Hikainde Hichilema and Muyunda Ililonga after filling in his nomination at Ushaar Basic School Picture by ROYD SIBAJENE-ZANIS
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United Party for National Development president Hikainde Hichilema shaking hands with the party's candidate for Luena Muyunda Ililonga after filling in his nomination at Ushaar Basic School.
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United Party for National Development president Hikainde Hichilema shaking hands with the party's candidate for Luena Muyunda Ililonga after filling in his nomination at Ushaar Basic School
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Alliance for Democracy and Development Supporters
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Alliance for Democracy and Development nominated candidate Charles Milupi and his wife before filing his nomination papers for the Luena seat at Ushaar Basic School.
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Alliance for Democracy and Development nominated candidate for Luena Charles Milupi and his wife waiting to file his nomination at Ushaar Basic Schoo
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Alliance for Democracy and Development nominated candidate for uena Charles Milupi talking to journalists after filling in his nomination at Ushaar Basic School.
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Western Province Minister Sam Mwapela (c) with Communication and transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa and Defence Deputy Minister Joseph Mulyata during the nominations filing for the Luena
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Communication and transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa talks to MMD parliamentary candidate Mwangala Maopu after nomination filing in Luena Constituency
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Communication and transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa who is the campaign manager for the Luena parliamentary by-election during the filing of nominations
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Communication and transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa who is the campaign manager for the Luena parliamentary by-election waves the MMD symbol
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Defence Deputy Minister Joseph Mulyata with MMD candidate during the filing of nominations for the Luena seat at Ushaar Basic School in Luena Constituency
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Defence Deputy Minister Joseph Mulyata with MMD candidate during the filing of nominations for the Luena seat at Ushaar Basic School in Luena Constituency-
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MMD candidate for Luena Mwangala Maopu talks to journalists with Communication and transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa and Defence Deputy Minister Joseph Mulyata after filing his nomination
Zambia’s kwacha has posted its biggest weekly gain this year, hitting a nearly two-month high due to local selling of dollars, in part by companies needing kwacha to pay salaries, traders said.
Having opened the week at 5,100 to the dollar, the currency of Africa’s largest copper producer strengthened to as much as 4,920 on Friday, a gain of 3.5 percent. It closed at 4,960.
In a daily bulletin, Standard Chartered Bank Zambia said market sentiment pointed to further strengthening, although it said importers might be tempted to buy dollars at these levels, arresting any further gains.
The currency, which had strengthened from historic lows of around 5,700 in early 2009 as copper prices rebounded, fell sharply in May this year as worries about European debt caused investors to dump riskier emerging and frontier market assets.
The price of copper, another factor underpinning the currency, has risen more than 4 percent this week, although is more than 15 percent off a year-high reached in mid-April.
Government has officially handed over Zamtel assets to new owners LAP Green Networks of Libya.
Zamtel was sold last month to the Libyan telecommunications company for US$257 million.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony in Lusaka this morning,Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane revealed that the new Zamtel owners will inject US$62 million in its operations in the next two years.
Dr Musookotwane said government is confident that LAP Green is a strong partner in national development and will provide an improved service in the ICT sector.
He described the process leading to the sale of Zamtel as a transparent one and the best privatization exercise that government has ever carried out.
He further said that the transaction also helps government push the nation’s ICT agenda forward.
Dr Musokotwane has since assured the nation that a comprehensive statement on the sale of zamtel will be presented to parliament by Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati.
And LAP Green Networks Managing Director Abdulbaset Elazzabi noted that Zambia’s economic and political stability has created an increase in foreign direct investment into the country.
He said the handover of Zamtel assets is a significant step in LAP Green Group’s intention in transforming Zambia into an ICT hub for Africa.
President Banda and Brazilian leader Lula Da Silva embrace each other after signing bilateral agreements.
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President Banda and Brazilian leader Lula Da Silva after signing bilateral agreements.
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Agriculture Minister Peter Daka (second from left) appears to be dozing during bilateral talks between Brazilian President Lula Da Silva and his delegation and their Zambian counterparts at State House.
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President Banda and the Zambia delegation during bilateral talks with their Brazilian counterparts at State House
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President Banda honouring Brazilian President Lula Da Silva with the Grand Oder of Distinguished Service award at State House
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President Lula Da Silva and his delegation during bilateral talks with their Zambian counterparts at State House.
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President Lula Da Silva and his delegation during bilateral talks with their Zambian counterparts at State House
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President Lula Da Silva captured in deep thought before he received an award from President Banda at State House
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President Rupiah Banda in the Presidential car
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Some cabinet Ministers browsing through bilateral documents that were signed between Zambia and Brazil at State House
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Brazilian President Lula Da Silva looking at the Grand Oder of Distinguished Service award after he was honoured by President Banda at State
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ith the Grand Oder of Distinguished Service award at State House
