Former Inspector General of Police (IG) Silas Ngangula has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II for his close working relationship with St. John Cymru of Wales and his dedication to charity works.

Mr. Ngangula who is among over 20, exceptional St. John members worldwide has been personally approved by the Queen and will be invested as member and officer of the Order of St. John.

The Former IG was honoured with other members at a special Festival Service and Investure ceremony held at St. Woolos Newport Cathedral last weekend on June 19, 2010.

This is according to a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka on Monday by Second Secretary for Press at the Zambian High Commission in London, Rejoice Lukumba.

Mr. Lukumba said the investure services honours members of the community who have dedicated many hours to support charity in various ways.

He said Mr. Ngangula who was admitted to the Order of St. John as an Officer has since dedicated his work for St. John in Zambia.

He said under him, the partnership between St. John Cymru Wales and Zambia has helped to promote the development of youths from all principalities.

Mr. Lukumba added that the Wales group has also experienced a safe structured programme of teaching first aid and other life saving skills in Zambia while being immersed in cultural diverse regardless of their socio-economical background.

He said volunteers at St. John Cymru Wales have made five trips to Zambia where they have conducted various training through the train the trainer course for youth leaders development.

Mr. Lukumba said the security of full financial support for the youth progarmmes in Zambia with significant funding from the Welsh Assembly and the Wales council has helped disadvantaged youths in rural areas.

The Order of St. John is a major International charity accredited to the United Nations whose organisation provides first aid health care and support services in over 40 countries.

ZANIS

The British Government says it will seek a confidential meeting with President Rupiah Banda to discuss on issues relating to donor relationship.

British High Commissioner to Zambia Tom Carter disclosed this in a Statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today saying the British government did not want to conduct its relationship with the Zambian government through the media.

“However, we do not conduct our relationship with the Zambian government through the media. I will be seeking an early call on HE the President to have a confidential exchange on this important subject.”

Mr Carter however noted that the partnership between donors and the Zambian government was of key importance in an effort to reduce poverty in the country.

Mr Carter added that the partnership was of key importance as the donors and Zambia tried together to deliver the long-term goals of reducing poverty in Zambia, and achieving the Zambian government’s target of reaching middle income status by the year 2030.

ZANIS

Parliament is today expected to resume sittings after it adjourned sine die on March 26, 2010.

Members of Parliament are expected to vote for a deputy chairman of parliamentary committees following the appointment of UNIP Lundazi MP Mukhondo Lungu as Minister of Home Affairs.

National Assembly spokesperson Chikomeni Banda said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that nominations have been received from interested MPs.

He could, however, not disclose the names of MPs interested in the position.

Mr Banda said this session will mainly be considering and adopting committee reports.

“Basically, the main business for the House is to consider and adopt committee reports and any other issues that may arise,” Mr Banda said.

Two new members of Parliament are expected to take their seats after winning their respective by-elections.

These are Elliot Kamondo for the United Party for National Development (UPND) who won the Mufumbwe by-election and MMD’s Whiteson Banda who won the Milanzi Constituency seat.

The House will also record its regret on the untimely death of Chifubu MP Benson Bwalya (PF) who passed away in May.

Luena MP Charles Milupi (independent) will also be missing from the House following his resignation.
Mr Milupi is now leader of the Alliance for Development and Democracy (ADD) party.

During the last sitting the House considered three private members’ motions and one motion to adopt the second report of the public accounts committee, on the report of the Auditor-General and on the outturn and appropriation accounts for the financial year of 2007.

[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

Zambia Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) Vice-president Sam Phiri has said Kafulafuta Member of Parliament George Mpombo’s recent media statements are aimed at misleading the nation and dividing the people.

And a Kitwe farmer Kevin Soper has advised the donor community to stick to their primary objectives instead of being political.

Mr Phiri said the labour movement was disappointed that Mr Mpombo was always issuing statements that were aimed at dragging the entire nation into his personal battles with President Rupiah Banda.

Mr Phiri was reacting to Mr Mpombo’s statement that President Banda should not think that he could bring the donors under his armpits like he has done with State Institutions.

He said President Banda should not be condemned for his statement that donors should not blackmail Zambia because it was a sovereign State as he was not the first Republican president to have expressed such concerns over the behaviour of some donors.

Mr Phiri said Mr Banda’s statement was not targeted at the entire donor community, but was aimed at those who always wanted to interfere with the internal affairs of the country.

“I find it unpatriotic and careless for any Zambian to attack President Banda for his statement on the donors,” Mr Phiri said.

He said the concerns that Mr Banda expressed over the behaviour of some donors were not new as African leaders had raised similar concerns before.

And the MMD on the Copperbelt has given its national executive committee (NEC) a 14-day ultimatum to discipline Mr Mpombo otherwise the province will take unspecified action against him.

Provincial MMD chairperson Joseph Chilambwe who was reacting to Mr Mpombo’s continued attack on President Banda said yesterday the party could no longer tolerate the former Defence minister.

Mr Chilambwe said nobody should blame him for the action he would take if NEC fails to discipline Mr Mpombo.
[ Times of Zambia ]

The British government has pledged to honour the 54 million pounds annual budgetary support to ZAMBIA.

British High Commissioner to Zambia Tom Carter says Britain stands ready to provide the annual funding towards development aid.

Mr Carter says this is despite the announced budget cuts in public expenditure and tax hikes in Britain.

The British High Commissioner was speaking on ZNBC’s Kwacha Good Morning Programme on Saturday.

He said the new British government has pledged to continue supporting developing countries such as Zambia with a focus to increase current development aid to significant levels by 2030.

Mr Carter said his government will allocate 2 percent of the 54 million pounds to budget audit sectors and the civil society to ensure that development aid is well used.

Britain announced major public expenditure cuts in a bid to raise 40 billion pounds through increments in the tax regime.