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UN honours 2 Zambian peackeepers posthumously

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FLASHBACK: Zambia Army soldiers bound for a peacekeeping mission in Sudan during the pre-departure formalities at Arakan Baracks in Lusaka

The United Nations (UN) has posthumously honoured two Zambian peacekeepers that died last year while serving in the UN missions in Timoreste and Sudan respectively. The two Zambia Police Officers, Inspector Francis Banda and Sergeant Morton Kamata Muyuni have been honoured with the Dag Hammarskjold medals.

This is according to the press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka on Sunday by first Secretary for Press and the Zambian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Moses Walubita.

Inspector Banda died on October 9, 2009 while serving with the United Nations Mission in Timoreste (UNMIT) while Sergeant Muyuni died on February 20, 2009, while serving with the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

They were among 112 peacekeepers that died while serving with the United Nations and honoured during the the eighth annual International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, which is observed May 29.

However, commemorative activities at the United Nations Headquarters in New York , United States of America , and many other United Nations offices around the world took place on Friday, since May 29 falls on Saturday.

Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Lazarous Kapambwe, received the Dag Hammarskjold medals on behalf of the recipients yesterday.

And United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, said this year’s commemoration was a sombre one. Mr. Moon said the past 14 months have been especially deadly for United Nations peacekeeping.

“Ambushes in Darfur, terrorism in Kabul and a plane crash in Haiti. These were among the tragedies that struck peacekeeping last year, killing 121 people,” he said.

He said as the United Nations honoured such moving displays of courage and dedication, it also paid tribute to over 122,000 military, police and civilian personnel who serve with distinction in its operations across the world.

Meanwhile, President of the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Dr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, said in his message that UN peacekeepers have stabilised situations, maintained peace and rekindled the hope of millions of conflict afflicted people around the world.

“This important work and achievements come with great sacrifice. 2010 has been a particularly tragic year for UN peacekeepers and the UN family as a whole. The devastating earthquake in Haiti also claimed the lives of 96 peacekeepers, the largest ever loss of UN staff in the history of the Organisation,” he added.

ZANIS

Desist from using Levy’s name to gain political mileage-RB

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President Rupiah Banda

President Rupiah Banda has urged politicians in the country to desist from using the late President Levy Mwanawasa’s name to gain political mileage.

President Banda said he was shocked that opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Hakainde Hichilema, was now saying the late Dr. Mwanawasa was a good leader when his party used to call him all sorts of names.

In a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere, Mr. Banda said Mr. Hichilema and his supporters refused to work with the late President saying he was an incompetent leader.

He said it was shocking that Mr. Hichilema, who abused the late Dr. Mwanawasa when he was alive by constantly attacking his performance and personality, was now saying the late president was a good leader.

“It was therefore surprising that Mr. Hichilema was now trying to exploit the name of the late President to advance his political career,” he said.

[pullquote]He said he had information that Mr. Hichilema has agreed to serve as vice president of the UPND/PF pact, under Michael Sata, who will be presidential candidate for 2011 elections.[/pullquote]

President Banda alleged that Mr. Hichilema has become desperate and power hungry to an extent where he has forgotten what he used to say about the late President.

He said he had information that Mr. Hichilema has agreed to serve as vice president of the UPND/PF pact, under Michael Sata, who will be presidential candidate for 2011 elections.

He said this was contrary to what he (Hichilema) promised the people of Southern Province. President Banda has since advised Mr. Hichilema that the people of Southern Province had the right to choose a leader of their choice.

“Mr. Hichilema cannot, therefore, decide on behalf of Southern Province and impose his political preference for president on them,” he said.

Mr. Banda has meanwhile, said there was nothing wrong with the statement attributed to Parliamentary Chief Whip, Vernon Mwaanga, that some districts in Southern Province have resolved to support the ruling MMD.

ZANIS

Africa-France Summit underway

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The Africa- France summit opens Monday in France’s southern city of Nice with over 40 African heads of state and government expected to attend the High -profile gathering.

The two-day meeting of the leaders of Africa and France will focus on issues such as Africa’s place in world governance, re-enforcing peace and security together as well as Climate and development.

Running parallel to the summit will be five workshops on business environment, the financing of companies in Africa, vocational training, the social and environmental responsibility of business, and the sources of energy of the future.
The five workshops will be attended at ministerial level of the various countries that are participating at the Nice Africa France summit 2010.

The Nice Summit will also assume its traditional mission of dialogue between France and its African partners in preparation for upcoming international meetings, such as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals summit in September, Africa-European Union summit in November, Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico, early December.

The summit will also create a platform for France, which has supported the interest of Africa at the global stage, to discuss with African countries and raise the issue of reform of the UN security council.

The summit dubbed Nice Africa- France summit 2010 has also attracted the participation of representatives from the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) and the European Commission.

President Banda is already in Nice to attend the conference of African leaders and France to be held at the ultra modern Nice Acropolis Convention Centre in the Heart of the the resort city.

It is the first Africa- France summit organised by the host President Nicolas Sarkozy since coming to power in 2007. His predecessor Jacques Chirac held the bi- yearly summits aimed at pushing to a new heights the economic and political ties between France and the African continent.

President Banda’s delegation include the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kabinga Pande, Minister of Energy and Water Development Kenneth Konga, Deputy Minister of Finance and National Planning Chileshe Kapwepwe, deputy minister of Works and Supply Christopher Kalila and Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe.

President Banda will be among other African leaders who include South African President Jacob Zuma, Egyptian President Mohamed Hosni Moubarak, Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika, President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Swaziland’s King Mswati III and Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete.

ZANIS

Vernon Mwaanga responds to HH

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Vernon Mwaanga poses for a picture with ministry of foreign Affairs permanent secretary Tens Kapoma in Lusaka recently

MMD Parliamentary Chief Whip Vernon Mwaanga has said that politics is a practical subject that requires leaders to respond to realities on the ground if they are to remain relevant.

Reacting to United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema’s ascertion that a pact between the MMD and the UPND is imposible, Mr Mwaanga said the opposition party leader will learn the realities with more experience.

“My 50 years in the politics of our country have shown me that politics is a practical subject and leaders must respond to realities on the ground if they are to remain relevant.

“I am deeply conscious that I have had a different political experience from HH (Hichilema), who is relatively new in the politics of Zambia and Southern Province. He will learn with age and more experience, being the intelligent person he is and who enjoys my utmost respect,” Mr Mwaanga said in a statement released yesterday.

He said that in a modern society, leaders have to listen to all views and it does not matter whether they agree with them or not.
[pullquote]
“I am deeply conscious that I have had a different political experience from HH (Hichilema), who is relatively new in the politics of Zambia and Southern Province. He will learn with age and more experience, being the intelligent person he is and who enjoys my utmost respect,” Mr Mwaanga said in a statement released yesterday.[/pullquote]

Last week Mr Mwaanga said that UPND members in 11 districts in Southern Province want their party to get into an alliance with the MMD. Mr Hichilema was quoted in yesterday’s edition of The Post as saying that was overstepping his limits.
But Mr Mwaaga has said that at no time did he suggest that he represents all the people of Southern Province because no-one does.

“I based my comments on the discussions I have had with a number of southerners who volunteered their views to me and expressed personal preferences about the kind of electoral alliance they would like to see in 2011.

“It was their view, that an MMD-UPND alliance was more natural because of the similarities in the policies of the two parties,” he said.

Mr Mwaanga said it was also their view that such an alliance would be more reassuring to investors in that it would point in the direction of protecting the growth and economic gains made by the MMD government under both presidents Levy Mwanawasa and Banda.

“They by and large recognised that although the two parties still have political differences on such issues as the Mufumbwe by-election events and violence in general, there was room to bridge these differences in the interest of putting Zambia first by doing what is right for our country as a whole,” he said.

Mr Mwaanga said that it is important to lay a solid foundation for future generations of Zambians.

“I may not be there personally but I owe it to future generations of Zambians to help lay a solid foundation for their future and that of generations yet unborn. It is part of my patriotic duty and I will not shy away in performing it for the sake of our common future and values we share as Zambians.

“It is not about me. It is not about any individual leader. It is about our future, our people and our country now and always.”

[Zambia Daily Mail]

There is plot to kill Katele Kalumba-Chief Puta

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Senior Chief Puta of the Bwile people of Chienge District in Luapula,in action during last year's Bwilile Ceremony at his palace.
Senior Chief Puta of the Bwile people of Chienge District in Luapula,in action during last year's Bwilile Ceremony at his palace.

SENIOR Chief Puta of the Bwile people has said there is a plot by some senior MMD officials to harm the party’s national secretary Katele Kalumba.

The traditional leader charged yesterday that a clique of anti-Rupiah Banda MMD officials has ganged up and mooted a plan to sideline Dr Kalumba from participating in the forthcoming MMD party convention.

Chief Puta has also appealed to the people of Luapula to remain calm over Dr Kalumba’s five-year jail sentence by a Lusaka Magistrate’s Court for alleged corrupt practices.

Chief Puta said in a statement yesterday that although many hearts are aggrieved by the judgement, they should remain calm and wait for the due process of the courts following the appeal.

Dr Kalumba and three others were on Friday released from prison after the Magistrate Court granted them each K500 million bail in their own recognisance.

[pullquote]He said last month he received a message from a named deputy minister who confirmed that there was a plot in the MMD by some people to ensure that Dr Kalumba is blocked from being available for the 2011 MMD convention because they are afraid of him politically.[/pullquote]

Chief Puta alleged that some people were keen to see the downfall of Dr Kalumba by politicising his conviction and that they were the same people working against President Banda.
He alleged that the plan was to extinguish all the strong supporters surrounding President Banda so that he remains exposed and weakened.

He said last month he received a message from a named deputy minister who confirmed that there was a plot in the MMD by some people to ensure that Dr Kalumba is blocked from being available for the 2011 MMD convention because they are afraid of him politically.

“The plot started in 2005 before President Banda ascended to the presidency, the plotters had a meeting in Lusaka, even as late as Tuesday last week, they had a meeting in Kabulonga, we are aware about that,” Chief Puta said.

The chief said as a family, they have resolved to support the leadership of President Banda and that they will not change their position now.

Meanwhile MMD Lusaka Province chairperson William Banda has said that it is wrong to politicise Dr Kalumba’s conviction.

And last week, Evangelical Youth Alliance International president Moses Lungu advised the opposition Patriotic Front to respect Dr Kalumba and desist from making wrong impressions about him.
He said Dr Kalumba has demonstrated under difficult circumstances that he is a leader and has the spirit of uniting the country.

Dr Kalumba filed a notice of appeal against his conviction and sentence.
The other three released on bail are former Ministry of Finance permanent secretary Stella Chibanda and defunct Access Financial Services Limited directors Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

PTUZ challenges government on illegal deductions

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The nine Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PTUZ)Executive Committees have appealed to the government through the Ministry of Education to investigate and to stop the illegal double deductions teachers have continued to suffer for a long time now.

A team of Executive Committees’ representatives which stormed QFM studios last evening said government must move in quickly to intervene in the matter.

Team leader Victor Muyumba said a lot of teachers have continued to lose their money through these deductions.

He said government should allow teachers to belong to unions of their choice by expediting the signing of the recognition agreement with the national executive committees of the PTUZ.

Mr Muyumba said teachers’ rights to belong to a union of their choice are being violated by the delay in the signing of the recognition agreement by the government.
( QFM ]

Move Past Your Mountain

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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“…you have stayed long enough at this mountain”
(Duet 1:6, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Let me ask you, do you go out each day knowing that favor is already in your future? Or have you gotten stuck in a rut staring at a mountain of disappointment, setbacks or difficulty?

That’s what happened to the people of Israel. They were headed toward their promised land. They had big goals and big dreams, but along the way they hit some setbacks and had some disappointments. They got so discouraged that they gave up on their dreams and just settled where they were. One day God said to them, “You have dwelt long enough on this mountain.” He was saying, “It’s time to move past this and embrace the blessing in your future.”

I believe God is saying that to each one of us today. You’ve been where you are long enough. God is saying, “This is a new day. Get your fire back. Where you are is not where you’re supposed to stay.” If you’ll be determined to move past your mountain, He will lead you and empower you to live in favor and blessing in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I give to You every area of my heart. I give You my questions, my disappointments, my doubts and fears. I choose to trade my sorrow for Your joy. I choose to press past my mountains so I can embrace the promises You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Nkana Rebound Against a Poor Warriors

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Nkana bounced back from a three-match winless run to beat visiting Kabwe Warriors by a convincing 2-0 victory at Wusakile in Kitwe on Saturday.

Warriors were poor and disjointed throughout that left even Nkana fans exasperated about their sworn enemies failure to live up to the old traditional rivalry of days gone by.

Happy Sichikolo’s side fell behind as early as the 6th minute after Maxwell Phiri headed in a free kick.

Warriors’ most tangible effort in the game came in the 23rd minute when former Konkola Blades and Kitwe United striker Joseph Bwalya tested Kennedy Kalale with a rasping shot from the edge of the box that came off the woodwork.

On the half hour mark, Nkana went two-nil up with another header this from man-of-the-match Rabby Lwambula who gave Warriors’ defence a torrid time.

Lwambula’s stellar shows’ major highlight came in the 34th minute with a cheeky back heel pass to team mate Victor Mwansa that was parried by the visitors’ goalkeeper Felix Kalowa.

Meanwhile, Sichikolo did not hide his frustration after the second goal with Warriors betraying performance when he turned his back from proceedings to kick the poor inanimate and innocent garden chair in the technical area.

The former City coach and Zambia international has now won just two games including a draw and a loss in the month of May.

Elsewhere, leaders Zesco United remain unbeaten after a 2-0 away win in their Ndola derby at Dola Hill against Forest Rangers.

Jackson Mwanza and John Chingangu were, unbelievebly, on target in quick succession in the 19th and 21th minutes respectively.

Zesco enjoy a five point lead on 24 points as the season draws towards the halfway mark in the next three matches.

Zambian economist welcomes maize export calls

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A local economist has welcomed Government’s call on farmers and other traders to consider exporting maize if they did not find market locally. Chibamba Kanyama observed that the opening of the market for maize export by Government was the best decision that could be made this time around.

Mr. Kanyama told ZANIS in Lusaka on Saturday that since Zambia still has maize stocks from last year’s harvest that could last up to the end of 2010, it was only fair to allow maize farmers and other traders to export their crop.

He was commenting on the decision by Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Peter Daka, to allow farmers to export their surplus maize. Mr. Kanyama pointed out that allowing farmers to export their maize would enable commercial farmers to recover what they spent to produce the crop.

“The only appropriate measure is for Government to lift the ban on export to allow for a fair price for the commercial farmers so that they can recoup their cost and make reasonable returns,” he said.

He explained that the K65, 000 which was set by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) as the maize floor price for the 2010 marketing season was not cost efficient to the commercial farmers. Mr. Kanyama said selling a 50 kilogramme bag of maize at K65, 000 would only be profitable to small scale farmers that received farming inputs from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), which were heavily subsidised by Government.

“The only farmers that can sell at that price is the subsidized farmers and peasant farmers because they do not compute capital cost, they do not compute labour cost and also they do not compute energy cost,” he said. Mr. Kanyama added that to small scale farmers and peasant farmers, the K65, 000 per 50 kg bag of maize was a break even price.

He however feared that setting a floor price which is not cost efficient to commercial farmers could disturb maize production in the future. “So to small scale farmers, K65,000 is a breakeven price but for the commercial farmer, that is where we have a problem because they can easily switch to alternative crops and this has the potential of dampening the production in 2011,” he explained.

On Vice President George Kunda’s assurance to farmers that Government will buy all their excess maize, Mr. Kanyama said the FRA should now embark on educating farmers about this position because they might not be patient enough to wait for the agency.

He said the Food Reserve Agency should be given enough money to buy the maize on cash basis to deliver farmers from the temptation of selling their crops to ‘cash but exploitative’ buyers. “The only way to minimise exploitation of farmers is for FRA to go flat-out to buy the crop within 90 days,” he said.

Meanwhile, FRA Acting Spokesperson, Phillip Kabwe disclosed to ZANIS in Lusaka today that the agency has since started purchasing maize from farmers in Kabompo district in North Western Province. The crop marketing season was opened on 1st May 2010 following President Rupiah Banda’s directive to open the season early.

This year, Zambia has recorded the highest maize production in the history of the country at 2.79 million metric tonnes, against the national consumption of about 1.3 million metric tonnes per annum. This year’s bumper harvest represents 48 per cent increase in production compared to last year’s.

ZANIS

Faz Super Division Week 12 results and Standings

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Here are the results and standings from Week 12 matches played today May 29, 2010.

FAZ Super Division week 12

28/05/2010

Lusaka Dynamos 1-Konkola Blades 1

Nkwazi 1-Zanaco 0

City of Lusaka 1-Choma Eagles 1

Nchanga Rangers 2-National Assembly 0

Roan United 1-Power Dynamos 0

Nkana 2-Kabwe Warriors 0

Forest Rangers 0-Zesco United 2

30/05/2010
Red Arrows-Green Buffaloes

[standings league_id=15 template=extend logo=false]

Esther Dominates Duda to win WIBA Crown

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Esther Phiri out-boxed title holder Duda Yankovich this evening to lift the WIBA welterweight belt at Mulungushi International conference Centre in Lusaka.

Phiri dominated Duda to win via a unanimous point’s decision over Brazilian-Serb who lost her second successive career fight.

The Zambian won 100-90, 100-95, 100-91 on the judges cards in scrappy 10-round title WIBA title fight.

Despite an untidy display from both fighters, Esther was never in any danger, out-boxing Duda in the first seven rounds before a slap-fest insured in the latter three rounds.

Furthermore, compared to her draw against Terri Blair in a WIBA welterweight title elimination bout at the same venue last November, today’s fight failed to reach the bar set by that last fight over seven months ago.

Meanwhile, Duda had points deducted in the first round for a punch to the back of Esther head.

Moreover, Duda had little to offer as Esther wore her opponent out with a barrage of body shots but the Brazilian-Serb was resilient in absorbing some punishment from a much fitter Esther who despite well ahead on the cards failed to find that decisive killer punch.

Duda also had little to offer in the counter punch with air shots, holding and slapping the hallmark of her display throughout against Esther.

The defeated champion immediately after the 10th round announced that a rematch was in order but conceded defeat blaming her 11-month hiatus from the ring due to injury for her defeat.

Esther on the other hand said the fight had vindicated her as a boxer with her handlers at the end of the fight hinting at her going to light welterweight and challenge champion Holly Holmes who defeated Duda in her last fight in June last year.

“I showed today that boxing is about using your head and not about one having muscles,” Esther said, the latter part of the statement a swipe at the well chiseled Duda.

In the supporting bouts , Kenneth Chinyanta stopped his Kenyan opponent Twalib Mubiri through a technical knock out in the third round to return his Africa Boxing Union Battamweight belt.

Ezaya Chilufya beat Pathias Kambemba on split points decision in a non title fight while Innocent Kalamashi beat Floyd Chongo by a technical knock out in the third round.

The exciting women bout between Mulubwa Lingashi and Chitalu Mulenga ended in the latter’s favour.

Zambian govt attracts US$ 4.5bn mining investment

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Commerce Minister Felix Mutati has disclosed that Government has so far attracted mining investment in excess of U$$4.5 billion. Mr. Mutati has predicted that the mining production will reach 1 million tonnes in the next two years. Mr. Mutati said this investment has resulted in increased copper production of 750,000 tonnes per year from 250,000 tonnes.

He said the mining industry has brought a new decade in the country’s economy where investment has consolidated the industry with new projects being undertaken by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), Lumwana, Milyashi and Kansanshi mines respectively.

Mr. Mutati was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe on Saturday. This was shortly after touring selected stands at the ongoing 53rd Copperbelt Agriculture Mining and Commercial show (CAMCS) in Kitwe under the theme” 2010, a new decade renewed hope”.

He said it was encouraging to see a number of exhibitors rising from 75 to 100 this year, an indication that people have taken the diversification programme very serious as the theme translates. The Minister also said the surplus food supply was stable for the country which entrepreneurs could take advantage of, if only they added value to their produce and exported it.

He nevertheless pointed out that there were challenges which could affect the expected economic growth in the mining sectors but was quick to note that Government was addressing the matter with the seriousness it deserved. Mr. Mutati assured that once the challenges were addressed, there would be an increase in foreign direct investment with value addition to local products, supply of goods and quality jobs created among the locals.

He noted that the expansion of the mining activities in the country including the energy sector in its current form may not be able to cope up with the pressure and this called for more investment in the next five years. The Minister outlined among other challenges as power shortfall which he said was likely to affect mineral production.

And he disclosed that Government was considering revamping the railway transport especially the opening of the Angola route on the western coast to cater for Lumwanma and Kasanshi mines.

ZANIS

SADC identifies polygamy as major contributing factor to HIV

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The Southern Africa Develpment Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) Committee on HIV/AIDS says the traditional and cultural practice of polygamy has been identified as a major contributing factor to the spread of HIV in the region.
SADC-PF Committee on HIV/AIDS Chairperson Thabitha Khumalo said there was need to harmonise such traditional and cultural practices as a way of preventing the further spread of the disease.

Ms Khumalo who is also a Member of Parliament in Zimbabwe said it was cardinal for harmonisation to be done considering that the practice was legal in some SADC member countries.

She said this in Livingstone today during a session held to discuss the SADC HIV/AIDS Capacity Development Programme at Zambezi Sun Hotel.

And Ms Khumalo said Zimbabwe managed to reduce its national HIV prevalence rate by 13 percent through various strategies such as voluntary male circumcision.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Zombodze Emuva Constituency in Swaziland, Johannes Ndlangamandla said polygamy was legal in his Kingdom and people could not be expected to depart from their roots.

Mr. Ndlangamandla said he was aware of the dangers of multiple concurrent partnerships in light of the HIV/AIDS pandemic therefore men in his Kingdom were being encouraged to marry many legal wives instead.

He however, said men in polygamous marriages were vulnerable and at high risk of getting infected with HIV since faithfulness by their partners was not guaranteed.

ZANIS

Government studying Auditor General’s report on RDA, says RB as he heads off to France

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President Rupiah Banda talks to Vice President George Kunda before he left for Angola at Lusaka International Airport yesterday.
President Rupiah Banda talking to Vice President George Kunda

President Rupiah Banda has disclosed that Government is studying the Auditor General’s report on the reported gross misappropriation of public funds at the Road Development Agency (RDA).

President Banda also revealed that Government is discussing the report with cooperating partners and the Auditor General’s Office with the urgency it deserved so that it does not become prone to ridicule. Mr. Banda said the matter surrounding the RDA should not stop the country from developing its infrastructure.

President Banda was answering questions from Journalists shortly before he left for France where he is scheduled to attend the France- Africa summit. “Government is studying the AG RDA report and we are discussing the report before it becomes prone to ridicule,” the President said.

The Auditor General’s report has revealed huge misappropriation of public funds at the RDA. Meanwhile, President Banda has left for Nice , France where he is going to attend the 25th France -African two-day Summit . The presidential plane carrying Mr. Banda left at the Lusaka International Airport at exactly 07-25 hours local time.

Mr. Banda who will be among other African Heads of States disclosed that Zambia is likely to benefit from France by way of accessing credit for the construction of the country’s infrastructure. Mr. Banda observed that though Zambia was not colonised by the French government, he expressed happiness that there was room for Zambia to woo French investors to come and invest in the country.

He said Zambia and that country enjoys a warm and cordial relationship that has existed for many years ago. The Head of State paid gratitude to France for the services rendered during the hospitalization of the late president (Dr Mwanawasa) in that country and the transportation of his body to Zambia after his death.

“ As I go to France, I would like to thank the president of France for his efforts during the illness of our beloved president the late Dr. Mwanawasa and subsequent death and flowing Dr. Mwanawasa’s body home (to Zambia). Mr. Banda is accompanied toFrance by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Energy Minister Kenneth Konga, Finance and National Planning Deputy Minister Chileshe Kapwepwe and Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe and other senior government officials.

President Banda was seen off at the airport by Vice President George Kunda, Defence Minster Kalombo Mwansa, Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu, Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja , Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha, Sports Minister Kenneth Chipungu, Lands Minister Gladys Lundwe, Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti, Lusaka Mayor Robert Chikwelete and senior government officials.

The two-day summit which starts on Monday is a gathering aimed at strengthening ties between African countries and France .
The last summit was attended by Late republican President Dr Levy Mwanawasa in 2008. France which is expected to take over presidency of the G-12 is determined to understand the needs of African countries. France ’s policy is to open itself to all African countries whether or not they are its former colonies.

ZANIS

William Banda castigates Sata for missing Africa Freedom Day celebrations

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MMD Lusaka province chairman William Banda

MMD Lusaka province chairman William Banda said that the failure by the Patriotic Front President Michael Sata to attend the Freedom Day Celebrations shows that he was a prisoner.

Mr.Banda said that Mr.Sata did not want to interact with the people of Zambia because of his alleged past.

He also stated that Mr. Sata had no idea about the commemoration of the African Freedom Day because during the African liberation time, Mr. Sata was doing things against Africans.

He added that he was not surprised that Mr. Sata failed to show up for a celebration that should not be marred by politics. On Mr UPND leader’s absence, Mr. Banda said Hakainde Hichilema does not understand the celebrations as he was too young. He said the only idea the UNPD leader can have about the celebrations is because he might have read it somewhere.

However, the Patriotic Front has pleaded with the Lusaka province MMD chairman to stop provoking its party leaders. Erick Chanda, a Lusaka province youth leader said Mr. William Banda should not take the respect granted to him by the PF for granted. Mr. Chanda said that Mr. William Banda cannot match with Mr. Sata describing him as too small for the arguments.

[pullquote] Mr Lubinda said by the time Mr Banda, who he said is a foreigner, wakes up from his slumber, he will at the boarders of the country facing deportation.[/pullquote]

And PF spokesperson Given Lubinda has charged that MMD Lusaka province chairman William Banda is boot licking President Rupiah Banda to buy his stay in Zambia. Mr Lubinda said the MMD Lusaka Province Chairman is working hard to impress Rupiah Banda lest he thinks of deporting him.

Mr Lubinda said by the time Mr Banda, who he said is a foreigner, wakes up from his slumber, he will at the boarders of the country facing deportation.

He has since advised the MMD provincial chief to calm down his ego and stop living in a fantasy island. Mr Lubinda told QFM in an interview that Zambians know that he is buying time to live in Zambia and that he should not think the people of Zambia are dull.

QFM

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