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The Week in Pictures
FAWEZA happy with performance of girls in 2009 exams
The Forum for African Women Educationalists of Zambia (FAWEZA) has expressed happiness at the performance of girls in the 2009 grade nine examinations.
FAWEZA National Coordinator Daphne Chimuka says the current performance rate of girls is a clear indication that Zambia is making progress in its quest to promote girl child education.
She told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the country’s efforts in achieving high levels of women’s participation in decision making positions are slowly becoming a reality.
Ms Chimuka noted that a six percent progression rate from 2008 should be seen as a signal that the country is on track towards achieving education for all by 2015.
She commended government for allowing all female candidates who obtained full certificates in Western province to go through to Grade 10.
She said the move taken by government will go a long way in encouraging more girls to access high school education and will ultimately improve their lives.
Meanwhile, Ms. Chimuka has urged government to increase the number of boarding school places in Western Province. She said that currently there are few high and boarding school places making it difficult for those selected but coming from far areas to get places.
She said this situation has put candidates especially girls at a high risk of being abused and exploited as they are made to seek accommodation elsewhere rather than within the school premises.
Ms. Chimuka further added that this is why stakeholders should challenge government to include a chapter in the Sixth National Development Plan that will advocate for an increase in the number of boarding schools in the country.
The Ministry of Education announced a six percent progression rate in the 2009 grade nine results where 133,241 out 247,247 candidates who sat for examinations last year were selected to grade 10.
ZANIS
RB leaves for Ethiopia
President Rupiah Banda has left for Ethiopia to attend the three-day 14th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit.
President Banda was seen off at the Lusaka International Airport by Vice President George Kunda, Home Affairs Minister Lameck Mangani, Education Minister Dora Siliya, and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Robert Mataka, defense chiefs, senior government and MMD party officials.
The President’s delegation to Ethiopia includes Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Communications and Transport Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa and other senior government officials who are already in there for the pre-summit meetings.
The theme for the AU Assembly is “Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects for Development.”
Mr. Banda, who is also Chairperson of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) is expected to submit a report to the Summit on the progress made from the time he took over as Chairperson.
While in Ethiopia, Mr. Banda will also attend the 12th Summit of the African Peer Review Mechanism Forum.
He will also be among other 10 heads of State and Government expected to attend the Committee of
the United Nations (UN) Reforms.
Mr. Banda will return home immediately after the summit via South Africa where he will stop over for his routine medical check-ups.
ZANIS
Imprudent use of public funds is tantamount to corruption – PS
Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Jazzman Chikwakwa, has called on government departments and other spending agencies to use public finances prudently.
He warned that imprudent use of public funds would be tantamount to corruption, a vice which government is seriously fighting.
Mr Chikwakwa said yesterday that heads of government departments should ensure that monthly allocations were spent on development related activities that would benefit the people in the province.
He said whoever would be found spending public funds to gain personal wealth would be disciplined. He warned that civil servants should learn a lesson from incarcerated public workers.
He was speaking when he announced that the Ministry of Finance has released funding to government departments in the province.
The Permanent Secretary said Luapula province has been given a total of K1.9 billion for Recurrent Departmental Charges (RDCs) for the month of January.This amount will be shared among 26 spending agencies in the province.
He further said the funds must be properly utilised on developmental activities that benefit the people and not be spent on officers’ allowances.
And Mr Chikwakwa explained that his decision to announce the monthly allocations to various spending agencies in the province in an open meeting was meant to ensure transparency in his administration.
He said although some provincial heads of departments were against the idea of announcing their allocations in an open meeting, this was important for the sake of ensuring checks and balances.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Commerce has summoned Mr. Chikwakwa and District Commissioners for a meeting to discuss the failure by the province to utilise the K10 billion released to the province by the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) last year.
Mr. Chikwakwa disclosed yesterday during a meeting that the province has only used K1 billion out of the K10 billion allocated to the province.
He said Luapula province had the lowest utilisation of the CEE funds compared to other provinces.
He expressed fear that the province might risk not being considered in future for equal disbursement of developmental funds if such funding was not utilised within the time frame.
ZANIS
We will rid Lusaka of street vendors – Muteteka
Government says it is working hard to ensure that all street vendors are accommodated in designated market places.
Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka says government is aware of the growing need for more markets in Lusaka and the rest of the country.
Mr. Muteteka told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the number of street vendors has continued to rise in Lusaka due to inadequate trading places. He observed that there was need for more markets to carter even for people trading on the streets.
He also cited the migration of people from other parts of the country to Lusaka in search of ‘greener pastures’ as another contributing factor to the rise in street vending in the city.
And Mr. Muteteka has disclosed that government intends to rehabilitate the already existing township markets to raise the standards in the markets and make it easier for marketeers to do business.
Mr. Muteteka said he recently visited Chaisa to assess the situation at the market place. He added that Care International has been engaged to put up a shelter to increase the trading space for Marketeers.
ZANIS
Chiluba cheered by immunity clause
FORMER Republican President Frederick Chiluba has commended the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) for adopting a clause which ensures the restoration of the presidential immunity. In an interview in Ndola yesterday, Dr Chiluba said the decision was in the interest of democracy.
He said he was happy that governance by the rule of law was being protected and defended by the NCC delegates.
“The progressive spirit of 1991 which was aimed at building democratic governance and developing a self regulating system that takes care of whatever challenges that come up is still alive.
“It is clear that the wise men and women at the NCC are guided by the rule of law. This is the beauty of the change which we fought for in 1991,” Dr Chiluba said.
Asked whether he would consider claiming his money and other belongings which were forfeited to the State during his court cases, Dr Chiluba said he was yet to decide on the matter because he would be guided by time.
Dr Chiluba said he would issue a comprehensive statement on the degree requirement for a presidential candidate as well as the 50 plus one per cent clause and other issues arising from the on-going NCC deliberations.
And the Catholic Church’s human rights wing – Caritas Zambia has said the principle behind the clause was fine but the interpretation and implementation should satisfy all the people.
Caritas Zambia executive director Sam Mulafulafu said the clause on the restoration of the former president’s immunity was welcome.
Forum for Leadership Search executive director Edwin Lifwekelo said the NCC’s endorsement of a clause restoring the former president’s immunity was a progressive move done in the spirit of justice.
The adopting of the clause was done for posterity and protecting the presidency as an institution.
“All former presidents are potential suspects of alleged crimes committed while in office. It is only fair that people who have previously held the office have their immunity restored once cleared by the courts of law,” he said.
The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Lee Habasonda advised NCC delegates to broaden their approach in coming up and adopting clauses.
On Wednesday delegates at the NCC voted in favour of a clause restoring the immunity of the former Republican president once cleared by the courts.
[Times of Zambia]
Hippo kills man 30
A 30 year-old man has been killed by a Hippo in Sinazongwe district in Southern Province.
Nangombe ward Councilor Robson Sialukowa confirmed the development to ZANIS that Thomas Siamajele was killed at night while he was allegedly going to steal people’s nets on Lake Kariba.
Mr Sialukowa said the Hippo hit into the canoe he was in together with his two friends and broke it into two pieces.
He explained that the Hippo bruised the head of the deceased, ripped off his chest, and had a dip cut on his leg while his two friends managed to swim to the shore.
In another development some fishermen were also attacked within the same area by the hippos but escaped unhurt.
Mr Sialukowa said the Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) from Sinazongwe visited the area to scare away the Hippos from attacking people.
In January this year and December last year a 42 year- old man, a 12 year-old boy, and a 13 year- old boy were killed by the crocodile within the same area in separate incidents.
The ward Councilor also disclosed that people’s animals were also being killed by crocodiles in Nangombe area.
RB hails Chipolopolo as he promotes Chris Katongo and Dennis Banda
President Rupiah Banda has applauded the Chipolopolo Boys for the splendid performance that the team exhibited at the on going 2010 Orange Africa Cup of Nations ( AFRCON )in neighbouring Angola.
President Banda said the Chipoloplo Boys demonstrated improvements in their entire style of play adding that this is the first time in the last 14 years, went past the preliminary round of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The national team was eliminated in the quarter final elimination by Nigeria.
President Banda was speaking at State House when he hosted a luncheon for the Zambia National team in Lusaka, today.
The President called for improved standards of Soccer and other sports disciplines in the country.
He says government fully supports any imitative that is aimed at reviving sporting standards in the country by encouraging the Private Public Partnership (PPP) to invest in sports infrastructure Development.
Mr Banda stressed that the current soccer fund raising Team Committee which is made up of members of the football fraternity, the cooperate sector and government will also be strengthened.
He said this Committee will focus on securing funding and logistical support for the National Team towards the 2012 Africa Cup and the 2014 FIFA world cup.
The president also thanked the cooperate world for the tremendous support that was rendered to the National Team.
Meanwhile president Banda as Commander in Chief of the armed Forces has with immediate promoted skipper Christopher Katongo and midfielder Dennis Banda, to warrant officer and to sergeant, respectively with immediate effect.
And FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya said he was pleased by the performance of the Chiploloplo Boys and valued the support that came from the head of state president Banda.
Mr Bwalya said this signifies the commitment that the team has shown to the continent and across the world.
ZANIS
Zambia recorded K179bn trade surplus in December 2009 – CSO
Zambia recorded a trade surplus of K179 billion in December 2009. This signifies that the country exported more in December 2009 than it imported in value terms. This came to light during a Central Statistical Office (CSO) monthly bulletin in Lusaka yesterday.
CSO Director Efreda Chulu disclosed that Zambia’s major export products in December 2009 were from the intermediate goods category accounting for 80.7 percent comprising mainly Copper cathodes and sections of refined copper and articles of cobalt.
Ms. Chulu said raw materials came second with 12.2 percent comprising mainly copper ores and concentrates, while other exports included consumer goods and capital goods which collectively accounted for 7.1 percent of the total exports.
She noted that there had been a general increase in the total value of exports between November and December 2009, saying the country’s ever dominant metal products recorded a higher value in revenue growth of 9.4 percent in nominal terms.
Ms. Chulu revealed that Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) recorded a moderate decrease of export earnings of 24.2 percent in December 2009.
She said the overall total percentage contributions of metal products to the total exports earnings was 83.5 and 77.8 percent in December and November 2009, respectively while NTEs recorded export earnings of about 16.5 and 22.2 percent during the same period.
Ms. Chulu named the country’s major export destinations in December as Switzerland, South Africa, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Kingdom.
The CSO Director however said the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) regional grouping was the country’s largest export market accounting for 16.8 and 26.3 percent in December and November respectively.
She said South Africa was the dominant market in both months with 43.1 percent in December and 54.6 percent in November 2009 while DR Congo was the second dominant market in both months with 30.1 percent in December and 19.8 percent in November 2009.
She named other key export markets for the country in the SADC regional grouping as Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Malawi.
Meanwhile, Ms Chulu disclosed that Zambia’s major import products by category in December 2009 were from the intermediate goods which accounted for some 36.3 percent.
She said the total value of imports by Broad Economic Category (BEC) in December 2009 was valued at K1, 867.7 billion compared to K1, 671.7 billion in November 2009.
She said the most prominent imports were industrial supplies mainly in their primary and processed form and capital goods which collectively accounted for 70.3 and 66.5 percent in December and November 2009 respectively.
ZANIS
Ukrainian Doctor found dead in Solwezi
A forty seven year old Ukrainian Medical Doctor was found dead at his residence in low density area of Solwezi yesterday morning.
The late medical doctor,Valerie Pryima of Solwezi General Hospital, was found dead at his residence. He lived alone as his entire family stays in Ukraine.
Both Northwestern Province police chief Fabian Katiba and Acting Provincial Medical Officer, Dr Simon Kunda confirmed the incident to ZANIS in a telephone interview in Solwezi today, January 28, 2010.
Mr Katiba said Dr Pryima’s body, was found lying in a pool of blood in his dining room at his residence in Solwezi’s low density area at around 08:30 hours yesterday.
He said the body was discovered by Dr Pryima’s named worker when he reported for work at 08 hours. He later reported the matter to police.
Mr Katiba said the late Dr Pryima sustained a cut on top of his right ear adding that police suspect foul play and has since launched a serious investigation to establish the casuse of Dr Pyima’s death.
He said the body of Dr Pyima is lying in Solwezi General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.
ZANIS
Defaulting Government departments won’t be protected
Choma District Commissioner Laiven Apuleni has criticitised government departments receive government funding but fail to settle electricity and water bills to utility companies that provide services. Mr. Apuleni said some government departments were deliberately neglecting their responsibilities of paying water bills, warning that his office would not protect defaulting departments from being disconnected.
He was speaking in Choma today when the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) handed over a K361 million cheque to Southern Water and Sewerage Company (SWASCO) under NWASCO’s Regulation By Incentive (RBI) scheme. He urged SWASCO not to hesitate to disconnect water supply to government departments that neglect paying their water bills.
Mr. Apuleni said government will continue supporting commercial water utility companies through a number of ways such as paying for its water bills. He said the development of infrastructure in water and sanitation services remains a government priority.
He said the Regulation By Incentive scheme, which was adopted by NWASCO, is another window through which commercial water utility companies in the country can access funds for investment. Mr. Apuleni appealed to SWASCO to use the initiative to seriously look at areas that will help turn around the commercial utility’s operations in the shortest possible time.[quote]
He thanked the Devolution Trust Fund, through NWASCO, for providing support in addressing problems of sanitation in the country. This is the second time NWASCO is awarding SWASCO. Last year, the company was awarded K464 million for improved performance.
And NWASCO board chairperson, Cosmas Musumali urged commercial water utilities in the country to reduce on unaccounted water losses. Dr Musumali said the current average for unaccounted water is 45 per cent countrywide.
He said this percentage was very high and therefore hindered the ability of the institutions to accelerate the provision of the quality services to the people. “Dilapidated infrastructure is a major contributor to this, followed by uncontrolled usage by customers due to low metering,” he said.
Dr Musumali said NWASCO will continue to monitor the performance of service providers and ensure that services are extended to more people particularly in the peri-urban areas.
ZANIS
KCM mines 41 958 tonnes of finnished copper
Konkola Copper Mines PLC has disclosed that it has produced 41 958 tonnes of finished copper in the third quarter of the 2009-2010 FY.
The figure includes 13 641 tonnes from purchased concentrates and is significantly higher than the 25 472 tones in the third quarter of 2008.
This is contained in a press statement made available to ZANIS by KCM management in Lusaka yesterday.
KCM states that the increase has been due to the successful ramp up of the new 300, 000 capacity Nchanga smelter which has now been certified under ISO 900 for quality.
They stated that KCM is now focusing on acquiring the ISO 14001 certification for the environment in March this year and OHSAS 18001 for safety in August.
It says the increase in profitability was primarily on account of higher copper prices that average 6 643 dollars per tone in Q3 allied to lower operating costs.
KCM also reports that the Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP) is progressing well with cold commissioning of the rock winder for Mid- Shaft Loading (MSL) and all milestones have been achieved on time.
It is expected that commissioning of the MSL station will take place at the end of the FY 2009 and full project completion by end of 2012.
ZANIS
Nawakwi is a let down-Kafue FDD District Secretary
The opposition FDD in Kafue has advised its party president Edith Nawakwi to stop complaining that she was being sidelined by President Rupiah Banda despite backing him in the last presidential by-election.
Speaking in an interview in Kafue yesterday, Kafue FDD District Secretary Maxwell Ngoma flanked by his Constituency Chairman Kasumba Ngulube said Ms. Nawakwi’s decision to back President Banda in the 2008 Presidential Election did not have any blessing from the party.
The duo have accused the opposition leader of being a sell out who does not deserve sympathy from party members.[quote]
Mr. Ngoma stated that Ms Nawakwi should blame herself for what she is going through because she decided to back the ruling party instead of the opposition.
He added that it is wrong for Nawakwi to claim that she made President Banda to go to State House when she was not the only one supporting President Banda.
Mr. Ngoma explained the stance being taken by Nawakwi clearly demonstrates that she wanted to sell FDD to the ruling party so that she can be given a higher job in the ruling party.
He said that the FDD are not surprised to see that its president has continued attacking President Rupiah Banda in the press for failure for the two leaders to honor their agreement.
He however, stated that although the party does not agree with the statement which was coming from the MMD youths to gang rape the FDD leader there was need for the two parties to settle their agreement amicably.
He noted that it is sad that Ms Nawakwi has even failed to reorganize the FDD at the expense of her own personal interest.
He called on President Nawakwi to quickly call for a national convention in order to elect new leaders if the party is to win 2011 General Elections. He said the party is currently dormant because Nawakwi has failed to reorganize it.
ZANIS/
Nakonde gives Zesco ultimatum
CIVIC leaders in Nakonde district in Northern Province have given ZESCO management a 48 -hour ultimatum in which to replace the damaged transformer at the local sub-station as power black out enters sixth day today.
The visibly annoyed councilors lead by their council chairman Luka Simusamba who visited ZESCO offices yesterday afternoon said they were not happy with the pace at which ZESCO was moving at in rectifying the problem.
Councilor Simusamba said the security of the border town was being compromised because of the power black out adding that people’s lives and property was at high risk because of the continued power black out.
He said that water supply in the district has also been affected forcing people to be drawing water from unprotected wells and scoops along the river banks the sources he said were highly contaminated especially during the rain season.
Councilor Simusamba who is also Mulalo MMD ward councilor further said the mortuary can no longer keep dead bodies in the fridges forcing friends and relatives of the dead to burry the same day one dies or take the dead to Isoka district hospital mortuary situated about 118 km from the border..
And old Fife MMD ward councilor Julius Chisasa has said that the ZESCO power black out has halted operations in almost all the departments in the border town including parastatal and Non-Governmental Organisations [NGO’s].
Councilor Chisasa added that business in town has also grounded to a halt with most of the traders having recorded huge loses as a result of the power black out.
Meanwhile, people with generators have taken advantage of the power black out to make money through charging cell phones at an exorbitant price..
They are charging between K3000 and K4000 for charging a phone for only two to three hours while long queue have been formed at grinding mills which uses diesel.
A grinding mill operator in old Nakonde told Zambia News and Information Services [ZANIS] that business has been boosted greatly adding that they have since come up with two shifts, one in the day and one running through out the night so as to serve people who have been making long queue ever since the district was plunged into total darkness six days ago.
Nakonde district has been plunged into total darkness following a serious fault at the ZESCO sub station last week on Friday.
Efforts to get in touch with ZESCO marketing and public relation officer failed.
However, sources said power is likely to be restored in Nakonde by Wednesday next week after the arrival of another transformer from the Copper belt.
ZANIS
RB commended for his political will on soccer
Southern Provincial Sports Coordinator, Gibson Muyaule has commended President Rupiah Banda for showing political will towards development of soccer in the country.
Muyaule said president Banda’s interest and involvement as evidenced by his chartering of a plane to ferry soccer players who had difficulties connecting flights from Angola back to Zambia is a sign that government is concerned with soccer sports affairs in the country.
He said it was encouraging to note that political leaders are helping improve falling soccer standards in the country.
Muyaule disclosed that the Ministry of Sport’s intention was to give the players US$6, 000 if they qualified but with Mr.Banda’s intervention the decision was reversed to pay the players the same amount even after losing to Nigeria in the quarter finals on post match penalties in the 2010 AFCON tournament in Angola.
He further president Banda had also helped mobilize business houses in fundraising for the Chipolopolo Boys.
Muyaule described the Chipolopolo Boys’ performance in a game against Nigeria, as excellent.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Livingstone, Muyaule said it was the first time in 14 years that Zambia reached quarter finals in Africa games.
“Chipolopolo Boys played very well and it was one of the best team at the tournament that is why they went all the way up to the penalties. As you know, penalties are a game of chance,” he observed.
However, Muyaule noted that there is need to improve on scorer adding that Zambia would have beat Nigeria had the team utilized the chances at the goal post.