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Sale of Maamba Coal Mine excites miners

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Sinazongwe District Commissioner (DC) Oliver Pelete has said the sale of the Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL) to NAVA Bharat has cheered Sinazongwe residents and the miners.

Mr. Pelete said the sale of the coal mine has come at the right time when government had made several attempts to find an equity partner to buy the company.

He said it was difficult to for government to finds a suitable equity partner because of the mine’s liabilities.

He said the MCL’s operations were grounded to a halt when Oriental Quarry the company contracted to mine coal on behalf of the mine decided to pull out as a result of the company’s failure to pay the contractor for the supply of unprocessed coal.

“This action brought a lot of anxiety among the miners and thought that the mine will be shut down and the action by management to send the workers on recess for more than one month created further anxiety,” Mr. Pelete noted.

The DC noted that Finance and National Planning Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane’s announcement that MCL has finally been sold has excited the miners especially that their welfare would be taken into consideration in the sales agreement.

Mr. Pelete noted that the community that has been dependent on the mine for their survival hopes that the economy of Sinazongwe District would be put back on track once the equity partner starts operating as planned in March 2010.

He said the setting of up a thermal plant to generate electricity using coal would create employment among the community.

Mr. Pelete noted that the investor intends to produce 300 mega watts of electricity once the thermal plant was completed.

Mine has been experiencing operational problems for a decade now, owing to the dilapidated equipment and management problems.

ZANIS

Hamududu bemoans poor road network in Bweengwa

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Bweengwa Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Highie Hamududu has bemoaned the poor road network in his area.

And Mr. Hamududu has accused Southern Province Permanent Secretary (PS) Darius Hakayobe of withholding funds meant for repairing the road infrastructure in the Province.

Mr. Hamududu has said his constituency only received less than K20 million from the K2 billion lump sum earmarked for rehabilitation of roads in the entire Southern province.

Mr. Hamududu was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He alleged that the earth moving equipment purchased from China to repair the roads did not do a ‘good job’ in Monze district.

Mr. Hamududu named some of the roads where ‘shoddy’ works were done as Chikubwe Bridge, Hamungubu, Kanundwa, Maluntanda, Muhundu and Muyembe.

He said it was important for the Permanent Secretary to seriously supervise the Rural Road Unit (RRU) so that they can do a good job.

The Member of Parliament noted that the failure to release funds to complete the capital projects in the province by the office of the provincial Permanent Secretary was frustrating the development of the province.
He said it is the role of the Permanent Secretary, as a Controlling Officer for government business, to expedite the improvement of road infrastructure not only in Monze district but the entire province.

He demanded that the road making equipment should go back to Monze and re-grade the dilapidated roads to enhance a good road net work in Bweengwa Constituency.

ZANIS

MMD calls for hard work among leaders

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MMD member William Banda and an identified security man

Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Lusaka Province Chairman William Banda has challenged MMD party officials to work hard in order to improve the living standards of the people in the province.

Mr. Banda says people in the province want to see their elected leaders in various portfolios of the party working hard to develop the province and the country as a whole.

He says Republican President Mr. Rupiah Banda is hard working and needs to be surrounded by hard working people that would help him foster economic growth in the country.

Mr. Banda was speaking in Kafue today when he addressed party officials.
He also thanked the people of Kafue for voting for the MMD candidate Ozzias Banda in the November 19, 2009 Chisankane ward by-elections.

He stressed that people should not hold party positions if they were not prepared to work because leadership was all about working hard to better the lives of the people.

The MMD Lusaka Provincial Chairman warned party officials at ward, district and provincial levels against engaging in confrontations over party positions but to work together for the good of the people.

He urged the new councilor of Chisankane ward to work hard and ensure that he addresses the many challenges people in his area were facing.

Meanwhile, Chisankane Ward Councilor Ozzias Banda pledged to work hard in fostering social and economic development for the people of Chisankane.

Mr. Banda said in an interview that the MMD government was committed to ensuring that the living standards of people in the country are raised and would not relent in its efforts to ensure that poverty is eradicated in the country.

ZANIS

Teaching Service Commission starts sittings in Kabwe

Entertainment Editor
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 The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has started sitting in Kabwe to look at close to 6, 000 cases from Central, North Western, Luapula and Copperbelt provinces.

 Speaking when he led members of the commission in paying a courtesy call to Central Province Permanent Secretary Denny Lumbama in his office today,TSC chairperson Mbelela Mulobela said the commission’s priority was to ensure that Zambia forged ahead in developing the education sector.

Mr. Mulobela said there would be no development without good education, health, agriculture,and communication services.

He said there was need for government to ensure that the sectors were given first priority.

 He said while other people were busy talking against government, the commission’s focus was on the four principle sectors of the economy adding that these were a basis of any government.

Mr. Mulobela said there was no government in the world which could neglect education and survive economically because education was principle.

 And Central Province Permanent Secretary, Denny Lumbama said he was humbled to see the commission forgoing Christmas and devoted time to work instead of enjoying the festive season with their families.

Mr. Lumbama commended the commission for its continued efforts in settling matters concerning teachers.

Meanwhile, the Teaching Service Commission has said Nkwame Nkrumah College of Education was by law still a secondary school education college because there was no legislative framework to put the institution on the University status.

 Commission Chairman Mbelela Mulobela explained that there should be first the establishment of a University Council, which should appoint lecturers and other staff that were supposed to perform other duties at the University.

He said although it was announced that Nkrumah should be a University, there were still a number of things that needed to be fulfilled before the status could change.

 Mr. Mulobela was responding to Mr. Lumbama’s appeal to the commission to sort out problems involving two officers acting on the position of vice principle at Nkrumah College and other issues following the change of status of the college into a university.

ZANIS

Chief Hanjalika threatens to chase irresponsible investors

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Chief Hanjalika of  the Tonga people in Mazabuka district, has threatened to chase away foreign investors operating in his chiefdom if they fail to support the community and improve the community investor relationship.

The Chief complained to ZANIS in Mazabuka today, that his chiefdom has remained under developed despite investors making huge profits from their investment.

He said he would not regret his decision because the investors have not been involved in community projects such as road rehabilitation, schools and health care services to the community.

Chief Hanjalika said while he appreciates the investment for creating job opportunities, the Zambian workers were equally paid slave wages despite working for long hours.

The traditional ruler said once the investor is chased, no impact will be felt by the community because they are equally bitter with the investors for failing to provide community services.

Chief Hanjalika said there is need for investors to emulate Albidon Mine and Zambia Sugar PLC that have been involved in community services.

Among the investors operating in Chief Hanjalika include Uniturtle which owns a Lime Mine.

[ZANIS]

Zambia Depart for South Africa

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The Zambia national team this morning left Lusaka for Johannesburg for the final phase of Africa Cup training camp in South Africa.

Nine players left this morning together with coach Herve Renard from Lusaka while another three left from Ndola.

The nine that left out of Lusaka are goalkeeper Jacob Banda  from Zesco United including defender Emmanuel Mbola, Hichani Himoonde, Thomas Nyirenda and Dennis Banda.

South African-based defender Kampamba Chintu from Amazulu was also in the travelling party.

The rest are midfielder Isaac Chansa and James Chamanga also left on Boxing Day.

Christopher and Felix Katongo including striker Jacob Mulenga flew straight to Johannesburg from Ndola.
Renard’s side will be joined by the rest of the foreign-based players during the course of the weekend.

Consider milk production, North Western ZNS told

Entertainment Editor
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Northwestern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Nkolola Hazemba has called on the Zambia National Service (ZNS) in the Province to consider raring dairy animals and producing milk.

Mr Hazemba says with the economic boom in the Province, population has increased resulting in the  good market for milk.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary made the call when he officiated at this year’s ZNS annual ball at Kamitonte camp in Solwezi last night.

He commended the ZNS command in the Province for improving production in maize, soya beans, vegetables, and poultry.

 Mr. Hazemba urged the ZNS command to multiply their agriculture production  to reduce the high food prices prevailing in the province.

Speaking at the same function ZNS Northwestern Commanding Officer Colonel Dickson Mumbi said the command would continue striving to improve agricultural production in an attempt to satisfy the ever growing demand.

Colonel Mumbi further said the command would ever remain non-partisan but continue to supportthe government of the day and save the interests of all citizens.

He said during the year ending, the command successfully completed two contracts they were offered in construction of a road in Maheba refugee resettlement in Solwezi and construction of Kawiko dam in Mwinilunga district.

 ZANIS

Kaande attacks former gender Minister Patricia Mulasikwanda

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Jeff Kande in the center with RB at the airport
President Rupiah Banda waves at MMD cadres before he left for Nigeria at Lusaka international airport

MMD deputy national secretary, Jeff Kaande has described former Gender in Development minister, Patricia Mulasikwanda as a frustrated politician after failing to get a job under President Rupiah Banda’s administration.

Reacting to Ms Mulasikwanda’s statement in yesterday’s Post newspaper that President Banda would lose in 2011 because he was being ill-advised by people like Mr Kaande, among others, Mr Kaande said Ms Mulasikwanda was a chancer and a frustrated politician who was now bitter because she could not lie her way through to any Government position like she lied before being given a position by the late president Levy Mwanawasa.

Mr Kaande said it was unreasonable for Ms Mulasikwanda to say he was ill-advising President Banda when the former minister knew too well that he (Kaande) was not a presidential advisor.

He said it was unrealistic for Ms Mulasikwanda to allege that he was ill-advising President Banda when there were advisors for the president at State House.

He said Ms Mulasikwanda used to tell lies to get a ministerial position from the late president and should not pretend to be concerned about President Banda because she was one of the first persons to issue statements against the president even before the MMD national executive committee (NEC) could sit to recommend him as candidate in 2008 presidential by-election.

He said it was Ms Mulasikwanda who was supposed to be grateful for having been welcomed in the MMD from UNIP.

Mr Kaande said he was not a defector like Ms Mulasikwanda and advised her to leave the MMD because she was more of a liability than a factor in the ruling party.[quote]

“Let her go and join the PF/UPND Pact and she should not even think she will be missed. If anything, she is just a liability and not even a factor in the party,” Mr Kaande said.

He said Ms Mulasikwanda was bitter because she could now not get a job on a silver platter like she did during the late president Mwanawasa’s reign.

Mr Kaande said the late president saw the knowledge and ability in him, hence appointing him deputy national secretary of the MMD

[Times of Zambia]

ZCTU happy with economy

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The Labour Movement says President, Rupiah Banda, has performed exceptionally well in managing the country’s economy.

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions says President Banda and his cabinet have managed to record economic growth despite the negative effects of the global economic crisis.

ZCTU secretary general, Roy Mwaba, says the government has put in place measures that have contributed to economic growth.

Mr. Mwaba has meanwhile urged politicians,the civil society,the labour movement and government leaders to embrace social dialogue in addressing challenges facing the country.

He said the culture of exchanging insults and use of vulgar language should be discouraged by all stakeholders.

Speaking before departure for Mfuwe on Wednesday President Rupiah Banda said his gvovernment has performed exceedingly well during the 2009 financial year.

[ZNBC]

Govt to consult stakeholders on where to print 2011 ballot papers

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Works and Supply minister, Mike Mulongoti, says the decision on whether government printers will print the 2011 ballot papers will be made in consultation with political players in the country.

Mr. Mulongoti says stakeholders such as political parties, civil society and the electoral commission of Zambia will have to endorse the decision.

The minister however said government is confident that the 2011 general election ballot papers will be done at government printers in Lusaka.

Mr. Mulongoti told ZNBC news that government is already making efforts to buy security camera’s for government printers.

This is to ensure transparency during the printing of ballot papers.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia- ECZ has requested governmemnt to install security cameras and a fence at government printers.

[ZNBC]

Chawama Clinic records 15 Christmas babies

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Chawama Health Centre (CHC) has recorded 15 Christmas babies were eight are female and seven are male.

And the Lions Club of Mulungushi District 413 has today donated Christmas hampers to the babies worth K3.5million.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS shortly after making the donation at Chawama Clinic, Lions Club of Mulungushi District 413 President Prisca Kalaba-Chimolula said the club will continue donating to Christmas babies at the health Center.

She said this is in the hope of helping the mothers to take good care of their new babies.

Ms. Kalaba-Chimolula urged the mothers of the babies to use the donated items for the benefit of their babies.

She expressed hope that the Christmas hampers would go a long way in assisting the mothers take care of their babies.

Chawama Clinic Sister-in-Charge, Evelyn Nkhata-Tembo, thanked the Lions Club of Mulungushi for donating to the babies.

Among the donated Christmas hampers are baby bathing dishes, baby towels, nappies among others.

And Luapula Province has recorded four (4) Christmas babies as at 06:00hrs this morning.

Two babies were recorded at Saint Paul’s Mission hospital in Kawambwa, one at Mansa General Hospital and another at Samfya Rural Health Centre.

Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Jazzman Chikwakwa disclosed this when he visited and presented gifts to the Christmas baby born at Mansa General Hospital this morning.

The gifts included baby clothes, bathing and washing soap and a washing basin.

And head of clinical care at the hospital Dr Consity Mwale, said the Christmas baby recorded at the hospital is a girl and was delivered at 06:00hrs this morning.

The mother to the baby girl Sara Penza, who appeared in good health, thanked the Permanent Secretary for the gifts.

And Mazabuka district hospital has also recorded three Christmas babies.

This came light when members of the local Lions club led by their president Gurdson Shamilimo donated assorted clothing to the babies who included two girls and a boy.

Sister-in-Charge at the hospital, Mary Hamusankwa told the Lions club that the first baby to be born was a girl at 02:00 hours this morning.

Ms. Hamusankwa said the second baby another girl was born an hour later while the baby was delivered at 07:00 hours.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shamilimo has said the Lions club will continue supporting the needy in society in order to improve their livelihood.

And Mr. Shamilimo commended the Lions club for coming to the rescue of the parents whom she said need the support of the community.

[ZANIS]

Toddler drowns after falling into a Well

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A two year old boy of Chanyanya in Matente area of Kafue district has died after falling into a water well.

Both the area Councilor Maurice Hikapulwe and Area Community Development Officer Fredrick Milandu confirmed the incident to ZANIS today.

Mr. Milandu told ZANIS that the boy drowned at around 13:00 hours yesterday when his mother was away for work.

He said the boy, who was left under the care of his brother, was only discovered in the well when the mother returned from work and went to draw water.

Mr. Milandu said the body of the boy was retrieved by the uncle and rushed to a nearby clinic where it was certified dead.

He has since appealed to well wishers to sink a borehole in the area.

And area Councilor Maurice Hikapulwe described the death of the toddler as unfortunate.

Mr. Hikapulwe has since appealed to members of the community to leave their children in custody of people who are caring.

He has also appealed to the community to bury all unprotected wells in order to save lives.

The people of Matente area have had no water since they were relocated from the islands and given tents as temporal shelter last year following floods.

They dug up unprotected well for their source of water.

ZANIS/

The Week in Pictures (Merry Christmas)

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1.

THE long awaited ZESCO transformer from India has arrived in the country. Above, a mommoet truck carrying the machine destined for Lusaka’s Leopards Hills sub-station at Chirundu border post
THE long awaited ZESCO transformer from India has arrived in the country, A perfect and timely Christmas Present. Above, a mommoet truck (Is Santa in the driving seat??) carrying the machine destined for Lusaka’s Leopards Hills sub-station at Chirundu border post

2.

THE long awaited ZESCO transformer from India has arrived in the country. Above, a mommoet truck carrying the machine destined for Lusaka’s Leopards Hills sub-station at Chirundu border post, Zambia Dec 2009
THE long awaited ZESCO transformer from India has arrived in the country. Above, a mommoet truck carrying the machine destined for Lusaka’s Leopards Hills sub-station at Chirundu border post, Zambia Dec 2009

3.

Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde addresses journalists at Police service headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia, 23-12-09
Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde addresses journalists at Police service headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia, 23-12-09

4.

Lusaka’s Arcades shopping center recently played host to first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda who arrived at Spar supermarket, Lusaka , Zambia dressed in Santa Clause where he gave Christmas presents to children
Lusaka’s Arcades shopping center recently played host to first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda who arrived at Spar supermarket, Lusaka , Zambia dressed in Santa Clause where he gave Christmas presents to children

5.

FIRST lady Thandiwe Banda and Vice President George Kunda ‘s wife Irene (second right) pose for a photo with Professional Insurance staff after receiving a donation from them at State House, Dec 23rd
FIRST lady Thandiwe Banda and Vice President George Kunda ‘s wife Irene (second right) pose for a photo with Professional Insurance staff after receiving a donation from them at State House, Dec 23rd

6.

FIRST lady Thandiwe Banda receives a cheque of K31 million from Professional Insurance managing director Ashok Kumar Chawla destined for Lusaka’s Kabwata orphanage at State House, Dec 23rd
FIRST lady Thandiwe Banda receives a cheque of K31 million from Professional Insurance managing director Ashok Kumar Chawla destined for Lusaka’s Kabwata orphanage at State House, Dec 23rd

7.

Lusaka’s Arcades shopping center is awash with Christmas decors like this one depicting the birth of Jesus Christ near the Zambeef butchery Dec 2009
Lusaka’s Arcades shopping center is awash with Christmas decors like this one depicting the birth of Jesus Christ near the Zambeef butchery Dec 2009

White farmers accused of dumping Crocodiles into Lake Kariba

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By Lusakatimes staffer

The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has instituted investigations into allegations that some crocodile farmers in Siavonga District are releasing condemned crocodiles into Lake Kariba.

ZAWA Acting Director General Jack Chulu said reports of farmers dumping crocodiles in the lake are serious and that the authority will immediately act on the reports to enable establish the truth.

“We want you the stakeholders and the village headmen to help us by bringing forward evidence of farmers that are releasing crocodiles in the lake in order for us to take it seriously with the respective farmers, As ZAWA we will also carry out our own investigations so that the truth is established,” Chulu charged.

Chief Simamba and his four village headmen have attributed the sudden increase in the number of crocodiles in Lake Kariba to the offloading of the reptiles by some white farmers in Siavonga.[quote]

The Traditional leaders alleged that the crocodiles that are being released on the lake from the farms are actually the ones that are attacking villagers that live along the lake shore.

The traditional leaders issued the remarks during a meeting that was convened by Tourism and Environment Deputy Minister Moses Mwangala in Siavonga on Monday 21 st December.

The meeting that was held in the District Commissioner Emily Striedl’s office on 21 st December. and attended by key stakeholders was aimed at finding a long term solution on the problem of crocodiles that are attacking people on the banks of Lake Kariba.

Chief Simamba who was represented by his Advisor Phanwell Simamba called on ZAWA to consider carrying out the cropping of crocodiles which he said has become a menace to people’s lives.

“We want government to carry out the cropping exercise of crocodiles on Lake Kariba because they have grown in numbers leading to them attacking both human and livestock animals, “he appealed.

Chief Simamba demanded that the cropping exercise be carried out immediately because government last embarked on such an exercise in the year 1966.

In response, Chulu said as much as ZAWA would like to carry out the cropping exercise, a lot of resources are needed to carry out the exercise.

Chulu said ZAWA however faces a challenge of organizing financial resources to enable carry out the cropping exercise saying things such as a survey need to be done in order to establish the number of reptiles on the waters.

He said that ZAWA will try and talk to its cooperating partners in an effort to try and source for funds needed to carry out the exercise.

Chulu however observed that there is need to conduct public sensitization meetings in villages that are located in crocodile infested areas so that the villages can prevent themselves from getting attacked.

And Mwangala said government is alarmed by the reports of people in Siavonga district that are getting attacked by crocodiles on Lake Kariba some of which have led to deaths.

Measures to curb underage patrons impress LCC

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The Lusaka City Council (LCC) says it is impressed with measures bar owners have put in place to curb underage patronage this festive season.

LCC Public Relations Officer Henry Kapata says operations by LCC last night revealed that strict measures bar owners helped to keep away underage patrons from their premises.

Mr. Kapata said the local authority only managed to apprehend two underage patrons in all the 19 night clubs they inspected in the city.

Mr. Kapata said in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today that this was the kind of partnership that the council wanted to see coming from bar owners.

He, however, cautioned night clubs and bars that may be harboring underage patrons to thwart the council’s operations that they risk having their licenses revoked if they continue with the trend.

He disclosed that of the seven bars that the city council recommended to the Liquor Licensing Board not to be given licenses, none of them were given.

Mr. Kapata said the council will spare no effort in ensuring that underage patrons stay as far away from bars as possible so that they are modeled into the kind of responsible citizens that can contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kapata disclosed that the council has prepared a list of underage patrons it apprehended and will be sent to their head teachers at their various schools.

He said of the 216 underage patrons, 114 are from Munali constituency which he said indicates how rampant underage drinking in Munali constituency is.

Mr. Kapata said this measure is only meant to dissuade underage drinking saying parents cannot be spending so much money to their children’s education only for the children to chose beer drinking as a career.

ZANIS

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