Friday, April 25, 2025
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 5137

Mukinge pupils’ ill health linked to school’s unsanitary conditions

Guest Editor
-
11

The District Health management Team in Kasempa has given Mukinge Girls Secondary School an ultimatum of three weeks to improve sanitary conditions at the learning institution.

According to a report obtained by ZANIS in Kasempa District, the school has been operating under severe unsanitary conditions which have the potential to cause illness.

The move follows reports of more than 20 pupils being admitted to the hospital after complaining of flues and diarrhea diseases since the schools re-opened.

The report states that the school has breached the Public Health Act 295 and the Food and Drug Act Cap 303 of the laws of Zambia by not adhering to the highest standards of cleanliness.

The findings are that the school has been preparing food under extreme unhealthy conditions.

The school is also said to have inadequate sanitary accommodation due to the closure of one of the ablution blocks causing the 540 pupils to share two wash blocks.

And Kasempa District Commissioner Henry Shantolo said the condition at the school is not pleasing and has since urged the school administration to improve the situation as soon as possible.

Mr. Shantolo, however said his office has not received any report about any outbreak of diseases at the school.

And a check by ZANIS at Mukinge Mission Hospital revealed that some pupils complained of chest and abdominal pains.

Meanwhile school Acting Head teacher Dickson Mtonga said the situation was alarming as it was the first time to have a number of pupils faling ill at the same period.

He said the school faces many challenges in providing a better sanitary environment for the pupils and that at present the school only has two sanitary officers to clean the wash block and the kitchen.

ZANIS

Govt terminates NCZ contract to supply fertiliser

editor
-
45

THE Government has terminated Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ)’s contract for the supply of 15,000 tonnes of fertiliser for the 2009/2010 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) because the company will not manage to deliver the inputs on time, Agriculture Minister Brian Chituwo has said.

The Government and NCZ early this month signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the supply of the 15,000 tonnes, which is part of the 100,000 tonnes of FISP fertiliser, targeted for 500,000 small-scale farmers countrywide during this farming season.

Dr Chituwo said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the Government would not go ahead with the contract because it could not wait until October monthend when NCZ was expected to deliver D Compound fertiliser.

“The Government has cancelled the contract for the supply of 15,000 tonnes of the D compound by the NCZ in view of the time factor. We cannot wait until about end of October for the fertiliser to be delivered,” he said.

The supply of the fertiliser was this year awarded to Omnia Small Scale Limited and Nyiombo Investments, which were asked to supply 85,000 tonnes, while NCZ was supposed to supply the 15,000 tonnes of D compound to Southern, Central, Copperbelt and Eastern provinces.[quote]

Dr Chituwo said the Government had already engaged another contractor he refused to name to supply the 15,000 tonnes of the commodity after terminating the deal with NCZ.

He said the Government could not wait for the delivery of the D Compound by NCZ until October monthend because most of the districts had already received Urea and other top dressing fertilisers and the seed.

Normally farmers should first receive the basal dressing fertiliser since it is applied before the top dressing.

Dr Chituwo hoped that NCZ would next season be prepared for the exercise so that the company could participate in the supply of inputs and contribute to the sector.

The National Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers (NUCIW) has, however, opposed the cancellation of the contract, saying it would result in increased hardships among its members at the Kafue-based company.

NUCIW president, Seth Paraza said the Government should rescind its decision and allow NCZ to participate in the exercise so that the financially troubled firm could earn a steady income, which would help it address the plight of his members.

He said the Government’s termination of the contract would result in misery for the employees and wondered if it would help in paying their salaries and other entitlements.

Mr Paraza said the Government, the management and the union were scheduled to hold a meeting on the matter after failing to reach an agreement last week.

[Times of Zambia]

Zambia’s Standards Bureau orders SA’s Game store to remove round pin plugs from the shelves

editor
-
35

The Zambia Bureau of Standards(ZABS) has ordered Game Stores to remove all electrical items with round pin plugs from the shelves.

This is because the pins are not compatible with the Zambian electrical system.

The directive was issued after ZABS conducted a random inspection in the shop on Tuesday.

Bureau of Standards Acting Director, Frederick Hamutunda, however says Game Stores has complied with regulations by 80 percent.

And Mr. Hamutunda has directed inspectors of goods to check all imported items for compliance.

Mr. Hamutunda says all non compliant items should be rejected at border points.

And Game Stores Manager, Rashid Abid, agreed to remove the non compliant goods from the shelves.

[ZNBC]

Chiluba, Kitwe youths condemn Geoffrey Mwamba

editor
-
45

Second Republican President, Frederick Chiluba, has described as irresponsible tribal remarks by PF Kasama Central candidate, Geoffrey Mwamba that people should not vote for the MMD candidate Burton Mugala because he is from Muyombe.

Dr. Chiluba says there is no room for tribal politics in the country.

He told ZNBC news in Kasama that any Zambian citizen should feel free to stand in any constituency of their choice.

Dr. Chiluba described Mr Mugala as a national hero because of his football exploits for the national team during the 1970s.

He said Mr. Mugala is well known in Kasama as he has lived in the town for a long time while Mr Mwamba, popularly known as GMB, is a Lusaka resident.

Mr. Mwamba during one of the meetings he addressed in Kasama last week called on residents not to vote for Mr Mugala saying he does not come from the area.

And in Kitwe Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) Youths have expressed disappointment over the alleged tribal Politics that is being practiced by the Patriotic Front Candidate Geoffrey Mwamba in the Kasama parliamentary bye – Elections.

MMD Kitwe District Youth Secretary Tom Lungu said in a statement in Kitwe yesterday that’s its very unfortunate that politicians who were supposed to inspire the youths were not showing any maturity in their quest for leadership.

Mr. Lungu said it’s also sad that the a achievements that the national heroes fought to unite the country under the one Zambia One Nation has been water down by Mr. Mwamba’s remarks during a live radio programme at Radio Mano.

Mr. Lungu said there was need for Mwamba to immediately withdraw his statement to avoid bringing tension amongst
electorates.

He has also appealed to Mr. Mwamba to realize that he does not represent a tribe but the Zambians.
ZANIS

Namwandwe disabled community farm to receive free fertiliser

editor
-
1

The Zambia Agency for People with Disabilities (ZAPD) has identified Namwandwe disabled community farm to receive free farming inputs this farming season.

ZAPD director general Dr Charles Mwape said in Mansa today that ZAPD last year gave free farming inputs to disabled farmers in the Southern province.

Dr Mwape said this year ZAPD will distribute free fertiliser to three groups in Luapula, Northern and North-western provinces.

He said in Luapula province the 44-hectare Namwandwe disabled community farm will be given priority because it is an organised group.

However, he has advised the group to register with ZAPD so that it can be a recognised member of the agency for it to continue receiving assistance.

Dr Mwape offered to pay the K500,000 registration fee on behalf of the group since it had no capacity to do meet the cost of membership with the agency at the moment.

He said he was offering to pay the ZAPD membership registration fee on behalf of the group because he was impressed with its zeal to become self reliant by starting a community farm.

The chairman of the group Brian Ngandwe told Dr Mwape that the group was growing beans on its 44-hectare farm and has also sourced cassava cuttings from Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI).

Dr Mwape said it is the intention of government through the agency to see to it that disabled people become part and parcel of development.

He said to do this the agency will immediately after completing putting in place a new structure start empowering the disabled with various skills including farming and carpentry.

He said the whole idea of the skill development programme is to aspire to change the negative perception that being disabled is being a beggar.

The ZAPD director general promised that the agency was going to support the plan to turn the Namwandwe disabled community farm into a settlement with irrigation facilities and shelter.

Dr Mwape was in Mansa on the directive of Community Development and Social Services minister Michael Kaingu to meet the group.

He said Mr Kaingu wanted him to meet the group because they had wheeled to Mansa hotel in July demanding an audience with President Rupiah Banda who was in the province to attend Mutomboko, but the President could not do so due to his busy schedule.

ZANIS

Kabwe business entrepreneurs complain against ZRA

editor
-
2

Zambia business entrepreneurs in Kabwe District have called on the Zambia Revenue Authority to be efficient when attending to clients at the border posts.

The business entrepreneurs mostly women, told ZANIS that the clearance system at the border posts was frustrating and inefficient.

Doreen Chilonga complained that there was too much confusion especially on the amounts being asked for.

She said this had posed a lot of challenges for entrepreneurs.

Mrs Chilonga said ZRA should introduce a fixed amount that businessmen and women should be paying rather than counting all the items one by one to establish how much they needed to pay..

She further said that although the receipts are being issued after clearance, it takes a long time before the same could be issued.

Mrs. Chilonga said although complaint about the situation have been made to ZRA, no measures seem to have been taken to redress the situation.

Meanwhile another business lady Bupe Mulenga appealed to Government to reduce the customs duty in the next budget.

Miss Mulenga complained that ZRA officers at the border, charged traders half the price of the goods.

She said this was not fair considering the standard of living now.

She also sited Kazungula, Nakonde, Kasumbalesa and Chilundu border posts as some where clients are allegedly not attended to in good time.

Kabwe ZRA office Acting Station Manager, Brian Nyondo, when contacted for a comment, referred all queries to the Public Relations officer in Lusaka who could not be reached at press time.

ZANIS

Zesco to supply power to Mozambique’s Zumbo area

editor
-
3

ZESCO will soon start supplying electricity to the Mozambican border town of Zumbo from its thermal power station in Luangwa district.

Luangwa District Commissioner, Captain Stanslous Kalunga told ZANIS in an interview that following a series of meetings, an agreement has since been reached for ZESCO to export power to Zumbo which is located about eight kilometers from Luangwa Boma across the Zambezi river.

He said works have since began to put in place the necessary infrastructure for the deal to come into effect.

Capt. Kalunga said though thermal, ZESCO Luangwa power station is currently underutilized hence the decision to accept the request from Zumbo to supply them power.

He said Luangwa district as a whole stands to benefit from the deal through enhanced revenue and reinvestment into the power plant.

ZANIS

Government respects court’s decision to acquit Dr Chiluba – Mulongoti

editor
-
84
ACTING MMD spokesperson Mike Mulongoti
ACTING MMD spokesperson Mike Mulongoti

Works and Supply minister Mike Mulongoti says government respects the court’s decision over the acquittal of second Republican President, Dr Fredrick Chiluba.

Mr Mulongoti said government also respects the withdrawal of the appeal of the Direct public prosecution (DPP) Chalwe Mchenga.

The minister, who is also Acting MMD spokesperson, said the court used its legal channels in Dr Chiluba’s cases and as such government did not interfere in the matter.

He was reacting to an article which appeared in one of the daily newspapers yesterday which reported that cabinet secured Dr Chiluba’s acquittal.

However, Mr. Mulongoti has refuted claims that government interfered in Dr Chiluba’s acquittal adding that the court has the mandate to adjudicate on Dr Chiluba’s case.

He noted that President Banda had never spoken about Dr Chiluba’s case as he ( President Banda ) knew that the courts had judicial powers over the matter.

The minister has accused some parts of the media of wanting to be prosecutors adding that some of the media organizations are using people who do not fully understand legal matters.

Meanwhile, Chief government spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasa says government had no hand in the court ruling in former President Dr Fredrick Chiluba’s acquittal.

Rev Shikapwasha said in a statement to ZANIS last evening that government has had no influence in the judicial process of Dr Chiluba’s case adding that the court rulings were made independently.[quote]

Lt Gen Shikapwasha explained that members of the diplomatic corps those of the co-operating partners Group Torika raised a lot of issues with president Banda including the fight against corruption .

He noted that it is untrue that the group believed that President Banda’s government was accommodating those alleged involved in corruption

Rev Shikapwasha, who is also information and broadcasting minister, said some of the issues raised arise from misrepresentations by some sections of the media and society with political interest to serve, about the judicial process.

The minister noted that the Director of public prosecution DPP determines how a prosecution should proceed in an event he is not satisfied with the court ruling ,and it is up to him to determine whether to appeal or not.

He said that in Dr Chiluba‘s case, the task force on corruption which was prosecuting on behalf had to consult the DPP on whether to appeal or not against the judgment.

Lt Gen Shikapwasha noted that Government respects the London judgment against the former president Chiluba, adding that Government also explained this to the co-operating partners and the group Troika the status of enforcement of the judgment.

He assured cooperating partners and all diplomats accredited to Zambia that government is committed to fight against corruption and to strengthen the institutions that exist in the fight including anti-corruption .

The minister noted that government stands for a judiciary that is free and independent of all forms of influence from government , from co-operating partners ,NGOs and foreign governments.

ZANIS

Zambia Game Will Be Tough-Namibia Coach

sports
-
6

Namibia coach Tom Saintfiet insists Zambia has an edge going into their Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup quarterfinal match on October 25 at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.

The Belgian-born coach told Namibiasport.com that Zambia’s depth of home-based players holds the key in exit month’s quarterfinal match.

Saintfiet cited Zambia CHAN bronze medal exploits at the CHAN tournament in Cote d’Ivoire and Zesco’s just ended campaign in the Caf African Champions League as cases in point.

 “Zambia have a very strong home-based squad and they reached the semifinals of the CHAN Cup in the Ivory Coast in January while Zesco United is in the final stages of the Champions League,” Saintfiet said.

“On paper, Zambia will be strong favourites to win this match, but it is only one match and we will see what we can do.

“It will be a very difficult game. We will see what we can do and obviously we will try and get a good result, but we must also be realistic and I think we stand a 90 per cent chance of losing our first match this year.”

Meanwhile, Zambia entered day-2 of training today with a full-house in Lusaka where they are camped with some late call-ups added to the team.

Striker Felix Sunzu has also been drafted into the team so too is Kebby Hachipuka.

Hachipuka has been called up to replace Power Dynamos utility player Francis Kasonde who is in Oman where he has secured a deal with a local club in the Gulf state.
  
The Choma Eagles midfielder returns to the fold for the first time since the CHAN tournament and has been away club-hunting in Egypt since June.

MISA urges media to develop sexual harassment policy

Guest Editor
-
9

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia chapter has urged media houses in the country to come up with sexual harassment policies to protect women from being sexually harassed.

MISA Zambia Chairperson Henry Kabwe says it is evident enough that sexual harassment against women exists in media houses hence the need for media houses to come up with a policy.

Mr Kabwe was speaking in Lusaka today at the launch of the Zambian report dubbed “Glass Ceiling” Women and Men in the Southern African Media Houses.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kabwe has congratulated the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) for being the only media house in the country that has a sexual harassment policy in place.

He appealed to all national and community media houses to pursue, adopt and implement the sexual harassment policy to protect vulnerable women from being sexually harassed.

He said if all media houses adopt and implement the policy, a lot of people would understand the seriousness of sexual harassment of women in media houses.

ZANIS

FODEP condemns GBM ‘tribal’ remarks

editor
-
20

The Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP) has condemned PF-UPND Kasama Central Parliamentary candidate Geoffrey Mwamba for practicing politics of tribalism in his campaigns towards next month’s Kasama Central by-elections.

Geoffrey Mwamba popularly known as “GBM” recently said Kasama was for Bembas alleging that MMD candidate Burton Mugala was a foreigner from Muyombe area.

FODEP President, Stanley Mhango told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that Mr. Mwamba’s statement was contrary to the democratic standards of the country.

Mr. Mhango further said the statement by Mr. Mwamba was based on tribal politics adding that the statement is a danger to democracy in the country.

The FODEP President said what the PF-UPND candidate needs to understand is that politics of tribalism are long gone.

Mr. Mhango said it was unfortunate that Mr. Mwamba could issue such a statement based on political tribal lines.

He has since called on Mr. Mwamba to consider reversing his statement that Kasama is for Bembas.

The Kasama Central seat fell vacant after the resignation of area Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Savior Chishimba from the Patriotic Front (PF).

ZANIS

Great Kalu, Renard urged to resign

editor
-
72

All National Team Supporters ( ANTS ) interim Secretary General Bob Kayukwa has challenged Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Kalushya Bwalya and national team coach Herve Renard to resign for alleged poor performance.

Bob Kayuka says soccer legend Bwalya alias ‘Great Kalu’ has failed to deliver on two occasions: First when he as Chipolopolo Boys Trainer and now as a sport administrator hence for him to relinquish his position on moral grounds before they are ‘considered fired’.

Kayuka says Renard has equally failed to lift soccer standards to greater heights hence he too should resign on moral grounds.

He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS sports in Lusaka today.[quote]

He said ‘ great Kalu’ and Renard have got problems of displaying a better line-up to satisfy soccer fans, a situation which described as a minus and a very big disadvantage to the nation as a whole.

He charged that Zambia has got ‘remote chances’ of qualifying to the 2010 World Cup to be played in South Africa.

” Kalu and Renard have failed us. I’m so upset by the failure and combination of Kalu and Renard who fail to just constitute a team for us. We are not after merely participating ( in international and regional tournaments )but bringing the medal to our motherland, Zambia,” he lamented.

The visibly annoyed ANTS official said time for Kalu and Renard to go is now so that fresh blood could take over to spearhead and drive football forward. He said Kalu and his tactics will not help Zambia anywhere because they are failures.

“Great Kalu and Renard should swallow their pride because their tactics are not helping us and will not take us anywhere. They should simply move and pave way to serious people who know and can ready football,” he added.

ZANIS

Govt. sets aside K3.2 bn for Luena farm block

editor
-
17

Government has set aside K3.2 billion in next year’s budget for the development of Luena farm block in Kawambwa district.

Luapula Province Minister Dr. Boniface Kawimbe told ZANIS in an interview in Mansa today that the development of Luena farm block has taken long to be implemented because ZESCO has no capacity to produce adequate electricity.

The Minister said currently Musonda Hydro power station in Mansa has the capacity to supply five megawatts which does not meet the required supply of eight megawatts to the entire province.

Dr. Kawimbe explained that for Luena farm block to be fully operational it requires about 60magewatts adding that the solution to the shortfall in power supply in Luapula province was to put up a hydro power station at Lumangwe falls in Kawambwa district.
Dr. Kawimbe said that Lumangwe falls has the capacity to produce 200megawatts of electricity if a power hydro station was opened.

He disclosed that Olympic Milling Company had been awarded a contract to open a hydro power station in conjunction with a Chinese firm.

He observed that once a hydro power station is opened, all the developments that have been planned for in the Luena farm block would be operational.

The Minister said the development of the farm block had been budgeted for under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative (MACO).

He said the money would be used to do embankments, bridges, roads and dams.

Dr. Kawimbe said due to ZESCO’s inability to supply enough power for big industries, the mining sector in Luapula province has to export manganese in its raw form as the mining firm cannot open a refining plant.

ZANIS

RB- addresses Zambians in New York

editor
-
119

rupiah_banda_answering_questions

President Rupiah Banda says land management and the distribution of land by Zambians living in the diaspora is one of the biggest challenges government is currently facing.

Addressing scores of Zambians living in New York last evening, President Banda said Zambian citizens should acquire land and develop them.

He said government was devising ways of easing the process of acquiring land, especially by Zambians living abroad.

He said he has since advised the Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane and the Minister of Lands Peter Daka to find ways of making the process of acquiring land uncumbersome.

President Banda said land was very valuable hence Zambians, regardless of where they live, should acquire pieces of land for agriculture and other investment.

He urged Zambians living abroad who wish to apply for land to specify where they would want to acquire land.

And President Banda has asked Zambians in the diaspora to consider investing in their country and return home after their various adventures and other activities.

He said he has opened an office at State House which receives specific requests and concerns of the many Zambians in the diaspora.

The President said Zambians should remain patriotic regardless of what they were doing in foreign countries because they would in future return to their country of origin.

He said South Korea was today an economically successful country because its citizens that once lived in the diaspora were patriotic enough to invest back home in terms of education, technology and skill.

“South Korea is now a developed country because Koreans that were living here in America, in the Silicon Valley on the west coast decided to go back home and apply the knowledge they had in their country. So you can do the same,” he said.

President Banda reminded Zambians in America and other foreign countries to return home and apply their knowledge and invest their moneys back in their country.

“I am very confident that our country will develop if we remain united and manage our resources together in a very good manner,” he said.

He reiterated that the Zambian economy was now doing well because of the sound economic policies and good governance implemented by the late President Mwanawasa in the last eight years.

He said although Zambia was affected by the ongoing global economic crisis, the country managed to keep companies and industries running.

Mr. Banda said only Luanshya Mine was closed for a short period of time but has since been reopened, with 1500 people getting back their jobs.

He said the copper prices that had dwindled by about 70 per cent have since started going high again, an indicator that would make it regain its economic stamina.

President Banda said government was diversifying the economy to reduce dependency on copper alone.

He said to this effect, government was encouraging direct foreign investment to help improve the economy of the country.

Earlier at the same function, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kabinga Pande urged Zambians living abroad to continue behaving in a manner that is acceptable to the country they live in.

Mr. Pande said Zambians have been known to be law abiding citizens even in foreign countries.

President Banda is in New York to attend the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), which officially opens on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009.

On the sidelines of the main General Assembly, President Banda will hold bilateral meetings with selected heads of state and government.

President Banda will on Wednesday be among hundreds of high level delegates at the UN Secretariat for the general debate in which heads of state and government will address the General Assembly.

The President will deliver Zambia’s national statement to the assembly on Thursday 24th September during the continued high-level general debate, which ends on 30th September.

President Banda is also expected to meet US President Barak Obama who will meet heads of state and government from the sub-Saharan African region to discuss the relationship between this region and the United States of America.

Other items on the agenda for President Banda in New York are meeting Zambians leaving in the United States of America (USA), American business community and attending meetings by the Africa Travel Association and the Clinton HIV/AIDS Foundation.

Mr. Banda will during the meeting with the American business community, showcase Zambia’s investment potential in many economic sectors in order to lure foreign investors to do business in the country.[quote]

President Rupiah Banda is accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe Banda, Minister of Commerce, Felix Mutati, Foreign Affair Minister Kabinga Pande, Tourism minister, Catherine Namugala, Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Tens Kapoma, Special Assistant to the President for Economic and Development Affairs, Dr. Richard Chembe, his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere.

Other key issues that would be discussed during the 64th General Assembly will be the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), world financial and economic crises and its impact on development, disarmament, UN reforms, including Security Council reform and revitalisation of the General Assembly.

It will also review the peace building commission and the Human Rights Council as well as consider issues relating to system wide coherence, sustainable development and HIV/AIDS.

The theme of the General Assembly is “Effective responses to global crises, strengthening multilateralism and dialogue among civilisations for international peace, security and development”.

The General Assembly, which was established in 1945 under the UN Charter, is a chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN and is a unique forum for multilateral discussions of full spectrum of international issues.

ZANIS

Kunda urges civil servants to serve govt of the day

Guest Editor
-
0
Vice President George Kunda
Vice President George Kunda

Vice President George Kunda has called on civil servants to serve the government of the day and desist from corrupt practices to enhance development in the nation.

Mr Kunda said this during a dinner hosted in his honor by the provincial administration at Kasama lodge in Northern Province last night.

The vice president said civil servants should be implementing government’s programmes as budgeted for and inform the general public about government policies.

Mr Kunda further said civil servants should desist from misappropriating public funds in order for them not to tarnish the image of the civil service.He further urged civil servants to work with integrity as they carry out their duties.

The vice president also urged stakeholders and all churches to work with government in uplifting the living standards of many Zambians, as they do in running some health facilities and schools in the country.

He thanked the provincial administration for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and his entourage during his stay in Kasama.

ZANIS

1...5,1365,1375,138...5,622Page 5,137 of 5,622

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times