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Kabompo farmers have fully paid for FISP inputs

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Farmers in Kabompo District have already paid for all the agricultural inputs under the farmer input support PROGRAMME (FISP) FOR THE 2009 – 2010 farming season delivered in the district.

Kabompo District Agriculture Coordinator, Alikhadio Maseko confirmed the development in n interview with ZANIS in Kabompo today.

Mr. Maseko said all the 3,960 small scale farmers in the district have paid for this years farm input packs kilogramme bag of maize seed per farmer.

He said that he was pleased with the response by the farmers in the district because they have exhibited a spirit of alleviating hunger and poverty through agriculture.

Mr. |Maseko said he was also happy that Kabompo district this year became first staring, distributing farm inputs to farmers in the province and is expected to finish the exercise by Friday this week ahead of the other six districts.

He said the district received 3,960 x 10 kilogamme bags of maize seed, 7,920 x 50 kilogramme bags of D-compound and 7,920 x 50 kilogram bags of Urea fertilizer from government this year.

Mr. Maseko said the distribution of the farm inputs was done through farmer cooperative societies and farmer groups in accordance with the implementation manual.

He commended agriculture block and camp extension offices for teaching farmers in the district how to plant seed and apply fertilizer correctly in order for each farmer to expect bumper harvest.

Mr. Maseko said planting of maize began in November and was expected to end by December 15, this year in order to ensure good maize yield per hectare.

ZANIS

ZNBC scouts K 10.5 billion for live screening 2010 CAN tournament

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Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation Spokesperson Miriam Tonga says the corporation needs K10.5 billion ( EUR1.5 million) to purchase broadcasting rights from CC Foot Limited of Switzerland for the live screening of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) tournament which kicks off on 10th January, 2010 in Angola.

Ms Tonga, in a statement to ZANIS sports today, said due to this excessive charge for the rights, the Corporation is appealing to the Corporate world and other soccer loving individuals for support by sponsoring the games.

The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation has in the past depended on sponsorship to meet the costs associated with the broadcast of such events, but considering the size of the advertising market in Zambia, raising K10.5 billion from sponsorship alone is a big challenge.

She added that the CC Foot is working in conjunction with AFNEX, who has refused to reduce the charges even after representations from the African Union of Broadcasters.

” The African Union of Broadcasters (AUB) is now exploring other options in a bid to help national broadcasters, who are members to access the rights, ” she said.

She lamented that unless the Corporation finds partners to pool resources together for the purchase of the rights, the Corporation will not be able to show the matches to the soccer loving Zambian public.

She added that ZNBC has, however, secured the rights for the FIFA 2010 World Cup involving 64 matches and will show the entire tournament that kicks off in June, 2010.

She said ZNBC has been making frantic efforts to get the cost of the matches for the past few months but the figure was only communicated after the conclusion of the qualifying matches which saw Zambia qualifying to the Africa Cup of Nations.

ZANIS

Chirundu Rd to become dual-carriage way

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THE GOVERNMENT has earmarked to transform the Chirundu Road to a dual-carriage way in anticipation of increased traffic that will follow the commissioning of the Chirundu One Stop Border post (OSBP) tomorrow.

The implementation of the Chirundu OSBP is one of the important milestones in trade facilitation agenda of the region and would contribute significantly to making the North South Corridor a more efficient regional route.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said the Government would next year focus on upgrading the Chirundu road to support the increased traffic as a result of speedy and efficient operations of the border post.

In an interview from Switzerland, Mr Mutati said the Chirundu Road was one of Zambia’s important trade routes and delays at the Chirundu Border would now fall by between 30 and 50 per cent.

He said there was need to focus on developing infrastructure that would support the growth of the economy.

[Times of Zambia]

More men battered by spouses – Kayeba

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The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Community Worker Davies Kayeba says there is an increased number of men who are victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Zambia.

Mr. Kayeba said the center has so far recorded 46 cases this year adding that this is not the true picture as most GBV cases concerning men go un-reported due to self stigma.

He urged men in the country to start reporting GBV cases as keeping silent does not help them as it may lead to their untimely death especially if the violence continues.

He said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.

The Community Worker advised the GBV victims to face reality as the vice does not only affect women but men as well.

He said men need to communicate their GBV experiences to the relevant authorities in order to be helped.

He said some of the factors that contribute to male GBV are bad personal behavior towards a spouse, poverty, cultural aspects and a lack of Knowledge.

Mr. Kayeba called for increased sensitization should be done to provide information to people on the negative impact of GBV saying such behavior sometimes leaves one spouse disfigured for life.

He expressed hope that in the near future the organization will build a shelter for men who suffer extreme GBV like there sister organization Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) does for women and children in extreme GBV situations.

He has since urged men to come out in the open and report GBV cases to YMCA, YWCA, and the victim support Unit instead of remaining silent.

He added that with much sensitization and adequate information disseminated to the masses there is likely to be a decrease in GBV cases.

ZANIS

VEEP woos British Investors to Zambia

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VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda has urged British investors to massively invest in Zambia owing to the prevailing stable political, social-economic and cultural environment that is conducive to foreign direct investment in the Southern African country.

Addressing the one-day UK-Zambia Investment Forum at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London , today, Mr Kunda told the British investors that the country has put in place policies that are aimed at promoting foreign investment.

He said for the last ten years, Zambia’s economic management has been prudent and this has led to a stable macro-economic environment.

Mr Kunda, who arrived from Trinidad and Tobago yesterday after attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), said the other attribute that makes Zambia an attractive investment destination is her respect for the rule of law, separation of powers between the three Arms of government and its strong support for an independent press and a strong civil society.

He also said Zambia is a thriving democracy that has enjoyed peace for more than thirty years, thereby making it a suitable haven for capital formation through foreign direct investment.

The Vice-President said despite Zambia having a smaller population than that of Britain, the country is at the centre of eight countries and has preferential market among its neighbours.

He also said as an active member of SADC and COMESA, Zambia has, therefore, a strong regional market and a vast outlet potential for exports to the rest of the world.

Mr Kunda further said to enhance trade and facilitate regional integration, the Zambian government along with its partners in Africa, has embarked on a massive campaign at the North South Corridor pilot Aid for Trade Conference held in Lusaka in April 2009.

He revealed that the conference created strong technical and financial support with approximately 1.2 Billion United States Dollars being committed by cooperating partners to upgrade road, rail, ports and energy infrastructure within the region.

Mr Kunda, however, observed that there are still several other projects and programmes that need funding or strategic partnerships for their implementation such as the 6000 megawatt hydro-electric power generation potential that the country seeks to develop.

He said as a continuation of these efforts, this year’s investment Forum seeks to promote business and investment opportunities in the financial sector, mining, tourism, agriculture and livestock, including infrastructure development and power generation.

Mr Kunda explained that the UK- Zambia Investment Forum is special as it provides the country an opportunity to market projects which are already at bankable stage and also aims at marketing investment opportunities that have already been identified but need to be tapped into.

He said the Forum was happening at a time when the attraction to invest in Africa is at its highest especially that many investors in the developed world are looking up to the continent to provide solutions for challenges such as food crisis and the overall global economic downturn.

Mr Kunda said it was encouraging to note that the United Kingdom and Zambia wish to take their business relationship to a higher level especially after the CHOGM recently held in Trinidad and Tobago.

He stressed that sustainable growth requires a positive and synergetic relationship between markets and people.

Mr Kunda, however, said Zambia, like several countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa, has faced many challenges in the wake of the financial crisis, escalating food and oil prices and the overall global economic downturn.

He said these events induced a significant reduction in exports for several commodity exporting countries on the continent while also triggering the reversal of capital flows to the region.

Mr Kunda said despite this, Zambia is still expected to register positive economic growth at approximately 4.3 per cent at the end of this year as opposed to the 1.3 per cent growth estimates expected for the Sub-Saharan African region.

In an effort t reduce Zambia’s dependence on the export of mining products, the vice-president said Government has devised an economic diversification programme that will enhance competitiveness and foster economic growth.

He said it is for this reason that the country requires the necessary infrastructure and power production to fully support the growth and expansion of the economy.

The one –day UK-Zambia Investment Forum, whose theme is Enhancing Economic Growth through competitiveness, Diversification and Infrastructure Development is being attended by a high-level Zambian delegation that include Commerce and trade Minister, Felix Mutati, Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti, Bank of Zambia Governor, Caleb Fundanga, Finance Bank Chairman Rajan Mahtani, among others including over 100 carefully selected delegates representing UK and European businesses.

ZANIS

Govt dispels Solwezi demolition claims

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Structures along Solwezi Main Street
Structures along Solwezi Main Street

Government has refuted reports that it is planning to demolish all unplanned structures in Solwezi because it lost the Solwezi central parliamentary by elections. .

Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka says the demolition exercise is not a political matter as it is meant to bring development to the area through proper planning of structures and infrastructures.

Mr. Muteteka told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that the demolition of most structures is part of the on going re-planning exercise aimed at improving the standards of infrastructure in most parts of the country.

He added that the exercise also follows a Presidential directive that there is need to re plan Solwezi in a bid to bring about order and sanity to attract more investment in the area.

Mr. Muteteka further clarified that not all structures will be destroyed adding only those that have been built on illegal land or not properly planned will be demolished.

Meanwhile Mr. Muteteka has assured that all the affected people will be compensated with alternative land and finances.

He stated that government will also demarcate some plots and advise people to acquire title deeds before embarking on any constructions.

He pointed out that government is also planning to engage experts and ensure that the interests of the people are taken in to consideration before the demolition exercise is done.

The Deputy Minister has further appealed to Solwezi residents not to panic and live in fear, adding that the exercise will be under taken in an orderly manner.

Mr. Muteteka was responding to claims by the Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) that a number of residents in Solwezi central have been given notices for demolition of all unplanned and illegal structures by the municipal council in the area.

ZANIS

MPs urged to expedite the Act upholding education as a human right

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The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to spearhead and expedite the reviewing and enactment of the 1966 Education act aimed at improving the sector.

ZANEC Chairperson Barbara Chilangwa said in a speech read for her by ZANEC Board Vice Chairperson Hillary Chipango at an Education Bill Parliamentary Forum in Lusaka today that reviewing and enacting the 1966 Education act will help address the many problems the education sector is facing.

Ms. Chilangwa said the reviewing and enactment process of the 1966 education act has taken unnecessarily long and needs to be concluded.

She said once the 1966 Education Act is reviewed and enacted it will assist to uphold education as a human right.

She implored the MPs to ensure that the 1966 Education Act is reviewed and enacted because as MPs they play an important role in the formulation of appropriate legislation.

ZANIS

No abuse of the Fertilizer Input Support Programme (FISP) so far-Chituwo

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Government says it has not recorded any cases of farmers abusing the Fertilizer Input Support Programme (FISP) under the 2009/20101 farming season which is currently underway.

Government has meanwhile attributed the delays in the distribution of this year’s farming inputs to the many changes in the procurement, distribution and transportation of the inputs to farmers.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Brain Chituwo, told journalists in Lusaka today that the increase in the number of beneficiaries and the consequence reduction in the number of fertilizer bags from eight to four have helped to reduce the cases of abuse of farming inputs.

Dr. Chituwo said no inputs meant to empower small scale farmers have been found on the black market this year adding that the reduction in the number of bags has helped reduce the reselling tendency by farmers.

He has however retaliated that police and other law enforcement agencies will deal sternly with individuals or organizations found to be abusing the fertilizers.

Dr Chituwo said government has so far reached about 5000 small scale farmers out of the available 1.3 million.

He said the distribution is going on smoothly despite delays by farmers in some places to receive the inputs.

Dr Chituwo has since called on Provincial Permanent Secretary (PS) and District Commissioners (DC) to take keen interest in ensuring that the distribution of inputs is expedited and reach the farmers on time.

ZANIS

Esther asked to mourn fan and help orphans

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News about the death of Loveness Masuku 34, who died in Mazabuka during the fight between Esther Phiri
and US boxer, Terri Blair, shocked some Kabwe residents who have described the incident as unfortunate.

Speaking to ZANIS today, the residents said it would be better for Esther to show concern and contribute to the funeral of the late
Masuku who left behind three children.

Mr Obino Musonda said the incident should remind Esther that there are people in the country who would not be happy if she lost any fight.

‘’This is a sign that many people in Zambia love Esther because of her style of fighting and such people can not withstand any loss,’’ he
said.

Mr Musonda also asked Esther to consider taking over sponsorship of some of the children of the deceased, if not all, left by the late Masuku and ensure they continued going to school if they were in school.

He also implored the National Milling Company, Esther’s sponsor, to see how the company could help Masuku’s family, especially children left behind.

Another Kabwe resident, Raphael Chikasa, expressed shock and surprise at the news of Masuku’s death and implored Esther to move
quickly to Mazabuka to mourn her late staunch supporter.

Mr Chikasa suggested that the National Milling Company and Esther should do something for the children.

Masuku is reported to have collapsed when Esther sustained a cut on her face during the fight last Saturday and she was pronounced dead at Mazabuka district hospital where she was rushed by a relative.

ZANIS

Namwala cut off from Choma

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Heavy rains have washed away a temporal bridge across Munyeke River on the Choma-Namwala road, leaving motorists
stranded.

Choma District Commissioner (DC) Laiven Apuleni confirmed the development to ZANIS in Choma today that the bridge was washed away yesterday afternoon following heavy rains.

He said several motorists travelling between Choma and Namwala districts are stranded on either side of the road.

“Yes I can confirm that Namwala district is cut off from Choma and a lot of vehicles are marooned on both sides of the road.” Mr Apuleni said.

Mr Apuleni explained that the washed away bridge situated near Saint Mark’s boarding high school was a temporal one constructed to assist crossing the river as the new permanent bridge is being constructed.

The Chinese contractor, China Geo Corporation engaged by government to work on the controversial Choma-Namwala road, is building the new bridge.

The DC said he is making frantic efforts to contact China Geo Corporation so that another temporal bridge is constructed in the
shortest possible time.

Mr Apuleni added that he was hopeful that the contractor would mount another temporal bridge by noon today so that normal flow of traffic resumes.

ZANIS

ZRA boss clobbers female manager

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POLICE in Lusaka have arrested and charged a senior commissioner at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) for allegedly assaulting a female human resource manager at his workplace in unexplained circumstances.

ZRA commissioner-general Chriticles Mwansa who confirmed the development said the senior commissioner had since been suspended to pave way for investigations by law enforcers.

ZRA sources and police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso confirmed the incident in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.

Sources at ZRA explained that the incident happened on Tuesday when the senior commissioner allegedly reacted in connection with a job evaluation exercise that the authority had conducted.

The source said the assailant stormed the manager’s office and started beating her until she collapsed and was later rushed to a private hospital where she is recovering.

Mr Kapeso regretted the incident and that the assailant had been charged for assault but released on bond.

He appealed to members of the public to find better ways of resolving misunderstandings instead of resorting to violence.

Mr Mwansa said the suspect had since been served with a suspension letter and warned that he would not allow such behaviour by his officers.

[Times of Zambia]

Sata dares Bemba Royal Council

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PF Leader Michael Sata
PF Leader Michael Sata

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata says he sees no reason to appear before the Bemba Royal Council (BRC).

However, BRC spokesperson Bwalya Chiti has asked Mr Sata not to politicise the summon from his

organisation, but comply with the council’s decision.
Mr Sata said he will, however, decide what to do when he receives a letter of summons from the BRC.
“How can I appear before the council when I have not seen any formal paper summoning me? In fact, I have not even seen any reason for going there.

“The only thing I said was that Chitimukulu talks of development in Bembaland which people don’t see. I only said that probably the development is in his pockets,” he said.

Mr Sata said when President Banda visited Kasama during campaigns for elections, the chief was quoted as having said that there is development in Northern Province.

“If the chief talks about politics, we will reply. How come we don’t have any complaints from chiefs in other provinces? The only chief I differed with was Chief Chitambo of Central Province because he was campaigning for the MMD when there was a by-election in that area,” he said.

Mr Sata accused the BRC spokesperson of trying to use the council to attack him.

“Mr Stanley Bwalya Chiti, who is spokesperson for the Bemba Royal Establishment, is also chairman of legal affairs in the MMD, so he is trying to use the Bemba Royal Establishment to have a go at me. Mr Stanley Chiti is a lawyer by profession and he knows that the Bemba Royal Council has neither power nor jurisdiction over individuals like me,” he said.
Mr Sata said the BRC should charge him first before he can exculpate himself.

“They called a meeting behind my back, they did not care whether it was incited by Stanley Chiti or otherwise, but under normal circumstances, as natural justice demands, they should have charged me and asked me to exculpate myself, rather than deciding in my absence,” he said.

He said if he made any derogatory remarks against Chief Chitiinukulu, the chief himself should buy him a writ of summons for him to appear either in a local, magistrate or high court.

He said the Chitimukulu should also appear in person. Mr Sata demanded that BRC produces a written charge.

“They should also tell me what their jurisdiction is because I don’t fall under them but under Chief Chikwanda. So, they can’t summon me through the newspaper or television and they expect me to go. They must write and let me know what I am supposed to go and do,” he said

And Mr Chiti confirmed that a letter of summons has been written and will be delivered to Mr Sata soon.[quote]
He said the BRC is aware that Mr Sata is from Mpika and falls under Chief Chikwanda.

Mr Chiti said, however, that Chief Chitimukulu is the overall chief and that Mr Sata’s traditional leader reports to him.

He said the BRC will also summon Chief Chikwanda to appear before the Bashi Lubemba court on December 29, 2009.

“If Chief Chikwanda has not summoned him (Sata) to his palace for one reason or another, nothing stops the headquarters of the Bembas at Chitimukulu from summoning him to their court,” he said.

Mr Chiti said the charges Mr Sata is facing are contained in the letter of summons and cannot be disclosed to members of the public.

“We don’t want to politicise this issue. There are 27 members of the council whose political affiliations have nothing to do with tradition. They do not want to be brought into the political arena.

“I wasn’t even in Kasama when the council met. I was only informed of the outcome of the meeting, and my job was to pass on the information,” he said.

Mr Chiti said Mr Sata has been summoned by the Bashi Lubemba court and not Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.
“The council expects him to respond to the letter that has been written to him and appear before the court on December 29, 2009,” he said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Esther Phiri Vs Terri Blair Fight (VIDEO)

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This is Esther Phiri’s Saturday fight in which she fought to a draw with American fighter Terri Blair in a Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) light welterweight title fight at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. The clips are not of high quality because of bandwidth issues in Zambia.

Rounnd 1 and 2

Rounnd 3 and 4

Rounnd 5 and 6

Rounnd 7 and 8

Rounnd 9 and 10

RB calls for joint efforts against graft

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President Rupiah Banda says the fight against corruption is top of his government’s agenda.

Mr Banda says it is line with this that his administration has put in place measures against graft which includes the establishment of the National Anti Corruption Policy (NACP).

He explained that there is need for all Zambians to support the policy in bringing down the levels of corruption in the country.

Mr Banda said since the formation of the policy, a number of Integrity committees have been set up in 13 ministries and government departments with a view of creating awareness and fighting graft.

The President also indicated that the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Education ministry have come up with a pilot project in educating students at tertiary education level on corruption.

He said the pilot project will later be introduced in the ordinary education curricular in schools from pre- school to secondary school levels.

Mr Banda said his government was also targeting the traditional rulers in the fight against graft to further create awareness of corruption fight at grass root level.

Apart from these achievements, Mr Banda also said his administration has put in place an umbrella code of ethics against corruption at ministerial and department level.

The President said this in his national address on both radio and television this evening to commemorate the World International Anti Corruption Day which falls every 9th December.

He said corruption was a deterrent to national development as it drains resources in areas such as health, Agriculture and breeding inequality, among others.
ZANIS

Omnia Zambia directed to expedite inputs’ issuance

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Choma District Commissioner Laiven Apuleni has instructed Omnia Zambia limited to expedite the issuance of inputs to beneficiary farmers under the government sponsored Farmer Input Support Programme(FISP) because time for planting is fast running out.

Addressing farmers at the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) sheds in Choma this morning, Mr Apuleni directed Omnia Zambia to ensure that deserving farmers receive their seed and fertilizer before December 15th, 2009.

The DC who visited the Omnia fertilizer storage sheds located at the FRA depot said government will not accept a situation in which farmers will receive seed and fertilizer beyond December 15 as doing so would be defeating a well intending programme on food production.

Mr Apuleni said though the process of input distribution started on a slow note, it is still important to ensure that seed reaches to farmers before the planting season is over.

He said Omnia Zambia should redouble efforts by increasing the number of loaders so that more trucks are dispatched with seed and fertilizer to outlying areas.

Mr Apuleni said the district administration will closely monitor the situation as government does not want to have problems with farmers over input distribution.

The irate farmers complained to the district commissioner against the pace at which Omnia Zambia, which has been contracted by government as warehouse manager under the FISP, was releasing and dispatching seed and fertilizer to rural areas.

They complained that most of them left their villages last week and had been spending nights in Choma without managing to access and load the allocated fertilizer and seed onto their lorries.

One of the farmers of Simaubi area in chief Mapanza’s area, Florence Hakwasiya, complained that she has suffered a great deal as she had been spending sleepless night in Choma since last Monday without managing to get the seed and fertilizer.

But Omnia Zambia warehouse manager for Choma depot, Ackson Zulu, assured the district commissioner the company has stepped up the dispatch of seed and fertilizer and is working on the target of dispatching 90 metric tones of inputs on daily basis.

Mr Zulu said the Omnia Zambia is working round the clock to clear the backlog of farmers who deposited money with government to access seed and fertilizer under the FISP.

Omnia has been contracted by government to distribute 32,800 by 50 killogramme bags of top dressing fertilizer, 32,800 by 50 KG bags of basal fertilizer and 16,400 by 10KG bags of seed to farmers in Choma district.

ZANIS

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