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Kabinga Pande justifies RB’s travels abroad.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande (R)

Foreign affairs Minister Kabinga Pande has said that it was vital that  President Rupiah Banda travels to source for investors for the country to create jobs and generate wealth for the growth of the country’s economy.

Mr. Pande said the President’s travels raises the countries investment opportunities and lays the foundation for wooing investors into the country.

Mr Pande said the President is the chief marketing officer for the country, adding that when the President travels, he raises the country’s investment prospects.

Meanwhile, Mr Pande said government will soon issue an explanation on why former Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo has not been deployed to Germany to take up the position of ambassador despite having been sworn-in earlier on.

On Wednesday Republican president Rupiah Banda appointed and swore-in former Zambia Venture Capital Fund General Manager Johnston Chizinga as new Zambian Ambassador to Germany.

President Banda had last year appointed and sworn-in Mr Mateyo as Ambassador designate to Germany to replace General Kingsley Chinkuli who was recalled, but the former inspector general of police, who even underwent diplomatic etiquette training, had not travelled to Germany to take up the appointment.

During the swearing in ceremony at State House, President Banda did not explain whether Mr Mateyo’s appointment had been revoked or not.

However, Mr. Pande says that government will soon explain why there has been a sudden change on the appointment of the Zambian ambassador to Germany.

QFM

The Great Debate: Mbesuma

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Mbesuma
Collins Mbesuma

What will happen to Collins Mbesuma at the end of this season?

It seems it was another false dawn for the 25-year-old striker whose career has been an antithesis ever since he left Kaizer Chiefs for Europe in 2005 before returning from that misadventure last year.

Moreover, he failed to even kick a ball in all of Zambia’s four matches at the Africa cup in Angola before being stranded in Luanda after the tournament on his way back to his South African club Moroka Swallows.

Now Swallows coach Rainer Zobel has hinted this might be Mbesuma first and last season at the club under his tenure.

“At the moment he is not in my plans as other players in his position are doing well. We have been using more youngsters in the team recently and they have been showing high discipline and working hard at training,” the German-born coach told Kickoff in an interview.

“This must apply to him; he (Mbesuma) must give me more at training, like everybody does because all my players are equal.

“We have changed our system a bit and Mbesuma must learn that he has to run and pick up the ball rather than wait to get the ball upfront.”

Mbesuma has not played a single match for Swallows since returning from Angola.

Grade 12 pass rate unacceptable – Judge Kabamba

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A retired Judge has described the poor pass rate in the recently announced Grade 12 results as shocking and abnormal.
Judge Noel Kabamba in a statement made available to ZANIS today said that he was shocked and saddened by the failure of Grade 12 pupils in the results announced by Education Minister Dora Siliya yesterday.

He said that the pass rate of just over 33,000 of the 55,117 pupils who sat for Grade 12 examinations last year is unacceptable. He added that even last year’s grade seven and nine results were very disappointing not only to parents but even the government as a whole.

Judge Kabamba has since appealed to government to quickly find a lasting solution to the cause of the bad results in the education sector in the country.

He stressed that among the interventions that government can embark on to improve the performance of pupils is the introduction of computers to teachers and pupils in schools to enable them access latest information on changing trends in the world.

Judge Kabamba has also called on government to scrutinize all private schools in the country to ensure quality education not only in government but private institutions as well.

ZANIS

Milupi attacks RB,HH and Sata

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PF Leader (L) and UPND Leader (R)Opposition Alliance for Development and Democracy (ADD) President Charles Milupi says there is need for political change in this country.

Mr. Milupi said there is no need of politics of insults at the expense of serious Zambians who need economic development in the nation.

He charged that it is unfortunate that the Republican President Rupiah Banda and the Patriotic Front/United Party for National Development (UPND) leaders Micheal Sata and Hakainde Hichilema, respectively, were busy insulting each other at the expense of developing the country.

Mr. Milupi was speaking over the weekend when he addressed a meeting which was poorly attended by people in Livingstone’s Maramba market area.

However, However, Mr. Hichilema brushed off Mr. Milupi’s assertions who he said was bitter becuase President Banda had not appointed him to any government position despite the Independent Luena M.P campaigning for the President in 2008.

Mr. Hichilema is quoted in the local media to have advised Mr. Milupi to stop his verbal attacks on the pact.

ZANIS

MMD cadres harrassing fish mongers

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A Sinazongwe fisherman with his children on Lake Kariba

Two named MMD cadres at Lukanga swamp fishing camp in Kapiri Mposhi district have taken advantage of the fish ban to harass fish mongers in the area.

The two cadres are allegedly grabbing fish from unsuspecting fish traders. Sources at the fishing camp told ZANIS that the situation was uncontrollable as the cadres brag that,as members of the ruling party in the area, they were supposed to be in every organization to ensure things were going on well.

The source further said the cadres had almost taken over the whole fish ban exercise and were working every day freely harassing any one suspected of having fish.

And a fishmonger who asked not to be named for security reasons admitted that fishing during the ban was illegal but added that it was also wrong for the cadres to grab fish from illegal dealers only to give it to their wives to go and sell.

‘We know we are also stealing by fishing during the ban. But we find it more disgusting for the cadres to steal from another thief and only to eat or sell the fish instead of handing it over to the fisheries officers, both them and us are supposed to be answerable,’ he said.

And fisheries officers spoken to also confirmed the development saying they reported the matter to their superiors in Kabwe and were waiting for a response.

Meanwhile, MMD Central province vice chairperson Robert Makangila condemned the action saying the party would investigate the matter before punitive action can be taken against the cadres.

ZANIS

TIZ reacts to Richard Sakala’s “corruption fight is a myth”

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Richard Sakala

Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) is saddened by former Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations to former President Chiluba, Richard Sakala’s assertion that the campaign against corruption in Zambia is a myth.

TIZ president Reuben Lifuka described the sentiments by Mr. Sakala as disappointing especially that they were coming from a man who had held a very senior position in Dr. Chiluba’s administration.

Mr. Lifuka alleged that Mr. Sakala’s sentiments were not made in good faith and were only meant to justify the wrong things he did when he was the Special Assistant to the former president.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that the campaign against corruption, as orchestrated by the late President Dr. Levy Mwanawasa, helped to lessen cases of corruption in the country.

Mr. Lifuka said the late Dr Mwanawasa was very emphatic in fighting corruption and urged the government of President Rupiah Banda to adopt some of the strategies the late president initiated in curbing the vice.

The TIZ president said although the country has not reached its peak in fighting the vice, people’s attitude against the fight on corruption has changed dramatically since the campaign was launched.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lifuka has called on members of the public to be vigilant and play an active role in raising alarm if the country was to effectively combat the scourge.

He has also urged President Banda to act firmly but fairly on people including those in his cabinet who may be suspected of corruption.

Mr. Lifuka’s comments come in the wake of assertions by Mr. Sakala that the campaign against corruption in Zambia was nonexistent and was only coined by some individuals with personal vendettas aimed at fixing certain individuals.

ZANIS

Local Councils to be empowered- George Kunda

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VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda says Government will pass legislation during the next sitting of Parliament to create the Local Government Service Commission which will help to build capacity in councils and improve accountability and transparency.

Mr Kunda said Government is concerned with the inefficient operations of most local authorities in the country despite huge sums of money they get from annual budgetary allocations.

He said this in Lusaka yesterday during this week’s Ministry of Finance and National Planning recording of the culture remodelling programme on the theme “Strides in good governance”.

“There is poor performance, especially in rural areas where councils do not even have planners. In urban areas, there is a problem of over-politicisation. We need to review issues of accountability and transparency in local authorities,” the Vice-President said.

Mr Kunda said it is surprising that funds allocated at provincial level are put to good use but nothing tangible comes out of the money given to local authorities.

The Vice-President also said Government will soon enact a piece of legislation for establishing the National Prosecutors Authority which will help to strengthen the financial intelligence unit and prevent dirty money from finding its way into the country.

He said such an authority exists in South Africa, the United Kingdom and other countries because they contribute to strengthening of various institutions of governance.

On the Millennium Challenge Account to which Zambia has won eligibility, Mr Kunda said Government scored high marks but warned against laxity in the continued fight against corruption.

Mr Kunda said there should be respect for the rule of law as this is important for building investor confidence.

He said there is no need to slip up in reforming governance systems because the benefits, especially from co-operating partners, are immense.
Mr Kunda said Government has remained committed to fighting corruption, money laundering and other organised criminal offences.

“Zambia should not be a haven for dangerous crime. That is why we are domesticating the United Nations Convention on Corruption and this will pass in Parliament,” he said.

The Vice-President said Government wants to seal all loopholes for organised financial crime to create a conducive environment for investment and ensure resources are in the right sectors such as health and education.

Mr Kunda also said Government has been working well with co-operating partners, some of whom have continued funding the Governance Unit in the Ministry of Justice.

He said currently, the unit is conducting a survey from which empirical data will be collected regarding various governance issues and service delivery on the part of Government.

The Vice-President said the results of the survey will be availed to the public in due course.
Mr Kunda said most of the statements published in newspapers alleging high level corruption in Government are mere perceptions which co-operating partners do not take as evidence because they lack scientific statistical data.

The Vice-President said such misleading reports are baseless and that donors know what happens on the ground.

And Mr Kunda said Government will institutionalise consultations with various stakeholders through a legal framework which will be passed in Parliament so that the process of formulating the national budget can become all-inclusive.

He said Government has now shifted to engaging civil society in consultations on governance issues and other areas of national concern.

Mr Kunda said there is no need for some sections of society to continue attacking Government through the press when the door is open for dialogue.
He said civil society and the church have been good partners in providing checks and balances and that Government appreciates their role.

Mr Kunda said Government is ready to dialogue with civil society organisations and the church on any pertinent matters because this is what is required of an open society.

Meanwhile, Mr Kunda said Government does not interfere in the work of members of the National Governance Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism.

He said Government’s target is to be peer-reviewed by June this year so that a report can be ready in good time.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

FRA buys K258bn maize for 2009 – 2010 season

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THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has bought 198,630 tonnes of maize at a cost of K258.2 billion during the 2009/2010 marketing season.

The agency has also assured the nation that all the maize stocks are in safe storage despite the heavy rain experienced in recent weeks.

FRA public relations officer Mwamba Siame said in an interview yesterday the agency also bought 803 tonnes of paddy rice at K1, 204,500,000 in the 2009 purchasing period of the 2009/2010 marketing season.

This follows a comprehensive verification of figures from purchase locations across the country.

She said all the money for the farmers who supplied their maize by the close of the season had been disbursed.

Ms Siame said the increased purchase rates were observed during the extension periods of buying the grain.

She said purchases for maize increased by 81,525 tonnes. Rice purchases increased by 560 tonnes.

The purchasing period normally runs from June 1 to September 30 for maize and June 1 to October 31 for rice.

Northern Province recorded the highest purchases, with more than 54,385.85 tonnes, representing 25.2 per cent, followed by Eastern Province, with 39,087.05 tonnes, translating into 19.2 per cent. In the third place was Southern Province at 34,652.05 tonnes.

The fourth highest was Central Province at 18, 492.20 tonnes, and Luapula Province, whose volume was 16,745.90 tonnes.

Lusaka Province recorded purchases of 15,082.40 tonnes, representing 7.2 per cent.
Ms Siame said North-Western Province recorded 9,834.40 tonnes and Copperbelt Province sold 8,208 tonnes. Western Province recorded 1,900.20 tonnes at 0.88 per cent.

She said the season was successful and farmer’s payments were made within the stipulated 10 days.

And Ms Siame said that the agency had sold 4,545 tonnes of maize (91,000 x 50 kg bags) at K70, 000 to the market and rural communities.

The collaboration between the district commissioners’ offices and FRA had helped to identify needy areas in the provinces.

Ms Siame said the agency had enough maize to last up to the harvest season in April.
She assured the nation that all maize stocks were in safe storage despite the heavy rain experienced recently.

Meanwhile, National Milling Corporation (NMC) has closed its Kabwe branch due to lack of maize stocks from small-scale farmers in Central Province.

NMC managing director Peter Cottan confirmed the closure in an interview yesterday and explained that the move was temporary.

He said workers from the Kabwe plant had been paid their full benefits according to the Labour Act, and that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and all relevant organs had been notified of the move.

[Times of Zambia]

Mahtani group lawyer, 11 others nabbed

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MAHTANI Group of Companies lawyer, Zaheeda Essa and 11 other workers have been arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for alleged obstruction of justice and failure to provide a shareholding certificate for Zambezi Portland Cement, and they later in the afternoon appeared in the Lusaka magistrate court for mention.

DEC public relations officer, John Nyawali confirmed this in Lusaka yesterday, adding that Ms Essa was further being investigated in connection with the alleged fraudulent transfer of 80 million shares in Zambezi Portland Cement, which belonged to other shareholders.

Ms Essa, of 14 Chila Road in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area, was jointly charged with company manager, Zeyaur Rahman Hashmi, consultant Anthony Grant, messenger Wilson Shamboko, leasing officer Rajeshvary Joshi, management secretary Parvathi Nachimuthu, and receptionist Mercy Nkashi.

Others are deputy manager, Bridget Banda, security officer, Nyambe Namushi, driver, Mukumbuta Wamuleme, secretary, Agness Njekwa and support staff, Jean Kunda.

A team of officers from DEC on Tuesday evening conducted a search of the Mahtani Group of Companies premises in connection with the ongoing money laundering investigations.

The officers who where looking for a shareholding certificate for Zambezi Portland Cement combed the offices of Finsbury Investments at Finance Bank head office in Lusaka.

Mr Nyawali said the commission suspected that Ms Essa had fraudulently transferred the shares in Zambezi Portland Cement, which were held by other shareholders, to Finsbury Investments.

Mr Nyawali said DEC had further established that Ms Essa held a Zambian passport and a British one, which was contrary to the laws of Zambia.

He aid the commission wanted to correct the perception created that the matter being investigated was a civil one, which did not warrant the involvement of DEC, saying it was a criminal offence as it bordered on money laundering activities.

Later in the afternoon, the 12 appeared in the Lusaka magistrate court for mention in the same case.

They were scheduled to take plea yesterday before chief resident magistrate Charles Kafunda, but could not do so because Mr Kafunda was reported to be attending deliberations at the National Constitutional Conference.

Ms Essa and the other 11 who appeared before senior resident magistrate Sharon Newa are expected take plea today before Mr Kafunda.

One of the lawyers representing the 12 accused persons, Michael Mundashi said it was unfortunate for the State to contend that the matter was coming up for mention contrary to the earlier statement that it was coming up for plea.

But Anti-Corruption Commission advocate, Kampamba Kombe said the matter was scheduled for plea before Mr Kafunda but because the chief resident magistrate was not available, their instructions were to mention the matter before another court.

Mr Kombe said the accused would take plea before Mr Kafunda because he was the magistrate handling the case.
The 12 were sent to remand prison.

[Times of Zambia]

NCC rejects clause guaranteeing citizens the right of access to information held by Government.

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NCC delegates

THE National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has rejected a clause which could have guaranteed citizens the right of access to information held by Government.

Article 56 (1) (a) of the Willa Mung’omba draft Constitution states that every citizen has the right of access to information held by the State.

Contributing to the debate on the article, commissioner Divo Katete said he did not support the article because there was no need to release State information to the public.

Mr Katete said the State held information that was classified and could not be released to the public anyhow.

Another delegate, Japhet Moyo said the article was wrong because people would even be asking for reasons why the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) entered a nolle prosequi.

Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Fashion Phiri said he did not agree with the article because even in the United States of America, information was kept secret even to researchers until after a certain period of time.

The NCC plenary, however, adopted article 55 (1) (a) which gives citizens freedom to hold an opinion and the freedom to receive or impart information or ideas.

Press Association of Zambia president Andrew Sakala and lawyer Patrick Matibini supported the clause, saying it should include the freedom of artistic creativity and academic freedom which were not covered in the current Constitution.

Bahati Member of Parliament Besa Chimbaka and Independent Churches of Zambia president David Masupa supported the clause while Anti-Voter Apathy director Bonnie Tembo said the article should not state that there would be no interference to receiving some information.

Article 55 (2) which was also adopted said the freedom did not extend to propaganda for war, incitement to violence and advocacy of hatred.

[Times of Zambia]

RB to visit China

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President Rupiah Banda and First Lady Thandiwe Banda interact with Zambians resident in Ethiopia at the weekend.
President Rupiah Banda and First Lady Thandiwe Banda interact with Zambians resident in Ethiopia recently.

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda is next week expected to leave for China for a State visit at the invitation of Chinese President, Hu Jintao.

According to a statement released in Lusaka yesterday by special assistant to the president for Press and public relations Dickson Jere, President Banda would depart for China on February 23 and would hold talks with President Jintao and other senior Chinese government officials.

During the visit, the two countries would sign various memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in different fields.

President Banda would be accompanied to China by First Lady, Thandiwe Banda and five Cabinet ministers among them Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale, and Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Catherine Namugala.

The president is scheduled to meet various investors as well as undertake a tour of some leading Chinese companies before meeting African diplomats accredited to China. Mr Banda and his delegation are scheduled to return home on March 4.

[Times of Zambia]

Civil Society organizations commend media bodies on self regulation

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The Civil Society Organisations have commended the media for coming up with a self regulatory body.
The Media Liaison Committee last week announced that it will officially launch its self-regulatory Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) by 3rd May 2010.

Southern Africa Council for Constructive Resolutions of Dispute (SACCORD) and the Gender Media in Southern Africa (GEMSA) have since advised the media to adhere to the rules that they will come up with by being factual and objective in their reporting.

Speaking in separate interviews with ZANIS in Lusaka, SACCORD Information Officer Obby Chibuluma said the move to have a self media regulatory body will go a long way in assisting the media to have self confidence and win the confidence of the general public.

Mr. Chibuluma noted that this will also help the media to operate at the same level as they will have the same set of rules governing them.

He said for a long time now some media organizations have lacked public confidence and support because of their different rules of operation.

Mr. Chibuluma added that the self-regulatory mechanism will also help to strengthen the capacity of the media to contribute positively to the development process of the country through effective reporting.
He further urged all media organizations in the country to participate and support the process if it is to save its intended purpose.

And GEMSA Chairperson Madube Siyauya said having a media that regulates itself will contribute to press freedom in the country.

Mrs. Siyauya stated that this will also enhance the media access to various information of public interest.
She pointed out that the set rules and regulations will compel the media to improve their coverage of marginalized groups such as women and children.

She has since challenged the media to be professional and ensure that they strictly follow the rules that they will come up with by not violating people’s rights but rather provide information that will make people make informed decisions for the betterment of the country.

Mrs. Siyauya added that the media being the fourth estate of the country, there is need for it to be responsible and participate in national development.

ZANIS

Radio sets provided to 46 community schools go to waste as they can’t pick ZNBC signal

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THE ministry of education in Choma says the poor Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) radio reception has impacted negatively on the effectiveness of education broadcasts Pogrammes.

Speaking in Choma during a meeting with officials from the Zambia Open Community Schools, District Standards Officer for open and distance education Sara Mungala said most schools are unable to access education broadcasts because of poor ZNBC reception.

Mrs Mungala said the district has about 46 community schools that have been provided with radio sets so that children could get their education through education radio broadcasts but the facilities have turned into white elephants.

She said education broadcasts have proved effective in providing education to disadvantaged schools that have no qualified teachers.

Mrs Mungala said children at some community schools in Pemba are fortunate to access education broadcasts aired by a community radio station and were doing extremely well academically.

She however said the ministry has started deploying some teachers to some community schools to help improve the quality of education.

And speaking during the same meeting, Zambia Open Community Schools Programmes Manager Peter Sinyangwe said the organization will take up the matter with the Ministry of Education to see how best children in community schools can be assisted.

Mr Sinyangwe said the organization will explore the possibility of using the existing private radio stations with good radio reception to air education broadcasts.

ZANIS

Help media training institutions, PAZA appeals to Zambia’s cooperating partners

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Amos Chanda

The Press Association of Zambia (PAZA) has called on Zambia’s cooperating partners such as the World Bank to invest more in media training institutions to enhance efficiency among journalists in economic and financial reporting.

PAZA notes that there is little coverage in economic and financial reporting from Journalists due to inadequate support from cooperating partners.

PAZA Vice President Amos Chanda said there is need for Journalists to be specialized in economic and financial issues to update the nation in the area of economics.

Mr. Chanda said there is also need for the media personnel to highlight on economic matters and continue updating and providing the nation with the necessary financial information to help people make informed decisions.

Mr. Chanda told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that this cannot be achieved without the support of stakeholders in the media industry.

He said specialization in financial reporting will help journalist to form and develop a system of articulating economic and financial jargons so that Journalists could easily disseminate information to the public.

The PAZA vice president was reacting to World Bank Country Representative Kapil Kapoor who said the media in the country has dwelled much on politics and sports at the expense of economic and financial issues which are vital in spearheading development in any given country.

Meanwhile Mr. Chanda has defended the media on allegations that they also concentrate much on reporting about negative issues detrimental to the development process of the country.

He said the media does not create news but report on issues that affect the people adding that it is the duty of the media to inform the public on any issues whether negative or positive.

Mr. Chanda noted that it is sad that most people always want to be seen or heard on the positive side than their negative part which he said makes them think that the media is against them.

This week Information and Broadcasting Service Deputy Minister Angela Cifire charged that the media are fond of reporting negatively about national issues compared to the issues to do with development.

ZANIS

Government happy with Chifundo youth project

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Government says it is satisfied with the manner in which Chifundo youth project a Lusaka based youth organization has utilized the K25 million loan it had acquired from the government.

Youth Sport and Child Development deputy Ministers Mundia Ndalamei and Maynard Misapa said it is overwhelming to note that youths, with the help of government, have taken it upon themselves to empower their peers through job and wealth creation.

The two Deputy Ministers said it will not help for youths in the country to continue crying to government for jobs when they can actually do something from the money that government always sets aside for their empowerment.

The two Deputy Ministers observed that many youths across the country are blessed with various talents which they can utilize to help them better their lives unlike always waiting for hand outs from government.

Mr. Ndalamei and Mr. Misapa said this in Lusaka during a familiarization tour of Chifundo Youth Project which ventures in carpentry and joinery in Lusaka’s Mandevu compound.

The two Deputy Ministers have since advised Chifundo youth project to diversify their projects and consequently increase their capital base.

Meanwhile the duo have urged youths in the country to take advantage of the K5 billion that government has set aside in this year’s budget for youth empowerment.

Speaking earlier Project Coordinator Kendrick Siame commended government for the funds and has since urged them to consider the project on the K5 billion that they have set aside for youth empowerment.

Mr Siame however appealed to government to help them with an alternative bigger trading place for them to operate in adding that the current place they are operating at is too small and congested.

And Mr. Siame has disclosed that Chifundo Youth Project has empowered many youths including those from the Zambia National Service (ZNS) camps.

He also disclosed that his project has since paid back K24 million out of the K25 million loan they had acquired from government.

ZANIS

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