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Put interests of patients first by not leaving in search of greener pastures,nurses urged

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Government has advised health workers in the country to calmly wait for the review of their conditions of service.

Eastern Province Minister Isaac Banda said government was aware of the important role nurses and other health personnel play in the country hence it was ready to listen and respond to their concerns about improved condition of service.

He also appealed to nurses to put the interest of patients first by not leaving the country in search of greener pastures.

Mr. Banda said the nurses should be patient and have trust in their union leaders as they bargain for the review of some allowances which have remained unchanged for a long time.

He said this in a speech read for him by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Nicholas Banda at the commemoration of nurses day held at Chipata Golf club yesterday.

He was responding to concerns raised by the Zambia Nurses Union Organization (ZUNO) Chairperson, Japhet Mulipa over uniform allowance, which he said had not been amended since 1995 and still stood at K35, 000.00.

“The introduction of the remote rural hardship and retention allowances demonstrates government’s commitment in improving the working conditions of the health workers and also strategies have been put in place for continued education and provision of sufficient equipment to provide quality patient care,” he added.

Mr. Banda expressed optimism that the current negotiations going on between the union and government would result into a fare deal.

Mr. Banda said government was aware that accommodation of staff working in the health sector was cardinal in the delivery of quality health services and it has to this effect embarked on the construction of infrastructure in training schools and also office accommodation.

He said government was spending a lot of resources to train nurses who should reciprocate by serving within the country to improve staffing levels.

Mr. Banda has since urge nurses to take their profession as a personal commitment and responsibility in order to give hope to patients and save lives.

And speaking at the same function, Mr. Mulipa said nurses were faced with a lot of challenges which the union could not tackle without concerted efforts from stakeholders.

Mr. Mulipa said there was need to increase housing allowance for nurses from K200, 000 to some reasonable amount to enable the health workers access decent accommodation.

He said most nurses were staying in dilapidated houses in the province and need refurbishment.

“The reality at hand in most rural health centres still have one nurse who serves 300 patients throughout the day,” he stated.
This year’s theme is “Delivery Quality, Serving Communities, Nurses leading Care Innovations,”

ZANIS

Teachers should not be subjected to unbearable suffering-ZNUT

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ACCOMMODATION for many teachers who have been recruited in the districts has remained a major challenge. Here a teacher at Kafue's Nankanga Basic School settles in his new home
ACCOMMODATION for many teachers who have been recruited in the districts has remained a major challenge. Here a teacher at Kafue's Nankanga Basic School settles in his new home
The Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) in Ndola has

given government up to Friday this week to conclude their negotiations for improved conditions of service and salary increment.

In a press statement to ZANIS in Ndola yesterday, union district secretary, Charles Chapa said the negotiations have taken too long to conclude.

He said teachers were proud of their profession but warned that they should not be subjected to unbearable suffering.

Mr. Chapa said the union members have since lost patience over the negotiations.

He said government should not blame the union for the actions which its members might resort to.

He said the outcome of the negotiations should take care of the workers’ plight by backdating any salary increments to January this year.

He said the fixed band allowance should be paid to all deserving teachers by May 15th, adding that government should also dismantle the 10 per cent.

Mr. Chapa warned that government should not use what he termed the “mathematical term of co-ordinates” to determine teachers that deserve to be paid the rural hardship allowance because this would disadvantage some teachers.

He further noted that the Premium Medical Aid scheme has failed and should be stopped because teachers have failed to access the promised medical services due to the huge unsettled bills.

Mr. Chapa said the unions and the government should demand for a refund of the colossal sums of money that the PMA scheme had deducted from the teachers’ salaries.

ZANIS

RDA starts roads construction in Lusaka

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Engineers inspecting Lusaka roads work
Engineers in the background inspecting Lusaka roads work today

The Road Development Agency (RDA) has started the construction and upgrading of roads in various parts of Lusaka at a cost of over K125 billion.

RDA Board Chairperson Walusiku Lisulo said the road stretches totaling to over 100 kilometres were aimed at creating access to new residential areas the city.

Mr. Walusiku said this after he and other RDA board members conducted a tour of roads that are under construction in Lusaka today.

He said the roads under construction will also serve as ring roads in a bid to decongest traffic in the city and enable easy access to residential areas.

Mr. Lisulo said the agency will also extend road works to other parts of the country in an effort to enhance economic activities.

He expressed satisfaction with the road works but urged the road contractors to ensure appropriate road specifications were met to achieve the 20 years road design life span.

Mr. Lisulo said the RDA would however require more funding to continue with its road construction and maintenance programmes throughout the country.

He said RDA was also intending to improve rural roads in order to enhance agriculture and tourism activities in rural areas.

Meanwhile, RDA Director Erasmus Chilundika has disclosed that the agency will require about K27 billion to repair road infrastructure that was damaged by the rains in the just ended rain season.

Mr. Chilundika said the RDA has since asked the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to consider providing funds towards the repair of the damaged infrastructure in some parts of the country.

He said once the funds were ready, the agency would ensure that works to repair the damaged infrastructure commence before the on beginning of the 2009/2010 rain season.

Among the selected roads that the RDA board members toured are Chalala, Nyumba Yanga, State Lodge and Twin Palm roads. Others are Kafue Bypass, Dedan Kimathi, Mungwi, Njolwe and Kasupe.

ZANIS

Indaba report Summary

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The following is a summary of the Indaba report that has since been presented to the president. The eport has recommended that government should expedite the introduction of discount window to enhance liquidity in the market in order to ensure short-term liquidity is available to the banks and economy at large.

The report further recommend that the ministry of finance, in close collaboration with the Bank of Zambia (BOZ), should facilitate provision of the necessary financial support to efforts aimed the development of the economy.

It also urged government to enhance support to small and medium scale industries and women entrepreneurs through facilitation of access to finance, provision of tax incentives and removal of discriminatory legislation.

The report further urges government to pay off arrears to suppliers of goods and services within three months.

It said government should re-examine the corporate tax rates in order to level the playing field in the financial markets and enact appropriate legislation to provide for the functioning of the Credit Reference Bureau.

On Agriculture, it has recommended for establishment of a Livestock Bank and re-opening of the co-operative bank, to streamline and enhance access top land and processing of title deeds.

It further recommended that government should embark on livestock restocking, compulsory dipping and effect more investment in livestock vaccine research and the promotion of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) in farm block development.

On Tourism, the report has recommended for the review of the Tourism and Hospitality Act and Zero rating Value Added Tax (VAT) on tour packages for domestic tourists.

It also recommended for the implementation of the Open Sky Policy and the review of the landing and parking fees and the simplification of licensing procedures by introducing a one stop tourism licensing centre.[quote]

On mining, the report said government should consider the restoration and review of the Mining Development Agreement .

It said urged government to consider a power tariff freeze and a custom duty waiver on raw materials and formulation of policies that support local entrepreneur entry into the mining industry.

‘Government should set up a task force to review the entire mining industry in the light of the global economic meltdown,’ it added.

And the report has urged government to develop an Energy Strategic Master Plan (ESMP) for the electricity sector that allows for better linkages with other sectors.

It said government should provide guarantees so as to facilitate access to finance thereby encouraging easier entry of the private sector and the introduction of cost reflective electricity tariff levels.

Meanwhile, the report has recommended that the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) and the Road Development Agency (RDA) be merged.

It said government should establish a ministry that would coordinate all infrastructure development programmes to be named Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and establish an effective and comprehensive infrastructure performance monitoring and evaluation system.

Other recommendations on infrastructure are that government should develop an integrated National Infrastructure Development Master Plan and set up infrastructure Development Fund.

ZANIS

Father Frank Bwalya against the proposed statutory regulation of the media

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Change or Die Zambia Initiative Founder, Father Frank Bwalya has opposed the introduction of the proposed statutory regulation of the media saying the move will cartel press freedom in the country.

Father Bwalya said in an Interview in Kitwe today that the media has a social responsibility role to provide truthful and comprehensive information to the public and needs to operate in a free environment.

He further said the media industry is different from any other service delivery organisation because it plays a social responsibility role of providing truthful and comprehensive information to the masses.

He said the proposed statutory regulation is aimed at controlling the media, which he stated should be self regulated, to offer checks and balances to the Government of the day.

“We have opposed media regulation before and we are still opposing government’s proposal to regulate the media.” he said.

Father Bwalya stated that the media is capable of exposing corruption and all the dirty works in society.

He said in a democratic society like Zambia, the media should not be regulated and controlled as this reduces media freedom and media power.

Sata not fit to rule Zambia – Mumbi

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Mr Sata addressing his members
Mr Sata addressing his members
Former Patriotic Front (PF) party General Secretary Edward

Mumbi has charged that PF leader Michael Sata is not fit to rule Zambia.

Mr. Mumbi accused Mr. Sata of keeping money meant for campaign programmes in the just ended October 30, 2008 Presidential elections at his residence.

He said the Patriotic Front lost the elections because of Mr. Sata’s alleged failure to send donated money to rural and some urban constituencies.

Mr. Mumbi was speaking when he briefed the press in Lusaka today.

He dared to fight back the PF Leader if he continued attacking and issuing defamatory remarks against him.

The former PF General Secretary also advised Mr. Sata to play clean politics and not to glamorize vulgar language, lies and violence.

Mr. Mumbi further challenged PF leader to apologize to Second Republican President Frederick Chiluba for alleging that he received US$2 million from Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi to fund rebel PF MPs.

Mr. Mumbi has also challenged PF President Michael Sata to apologize to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Justice Florence Mumba for alleging that she gave a Mercedes Benz car and a K500 million to Mr. Mumbi to derail the democratic electoral process.

Mr. Mumbi, who described Mr. Sata as a liar and a person who is in a habit of destroying other people, disclosed that he was requested by Mr. Sata to issue a statement suggesting that Dr Chiluba received US$2 million from Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi to form a political party together with the PF rebel MPs to contest the October 30, 2008 Presidential polls.

He challenged Mr. Sata to apologize to the former President for maliciously causing damage to his reputation as there was no money that Dr Chiluba received from Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi which was meant to destabilize the PF party with the formation of a new political party.

Mr. Mumbi further advised the PF leader to respect Dr Chiluba as he had played the Presidential role of serving the people of Zambia during his tenure of office as Republican President.

ZANIS/TK/AM/ENDS

People living with HIV/AIDS urged to participate in community activities

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Kasama District Commissioner Col. Stephen Chanda has urged people living with HIV/AIDS in Kasama to supplement government’s efforts by getting involved in various small scale income generating activities.

Col. Chanda said government is committed to improving the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS through the provision of free Anti-retro Viral drugs to the people and food supplements to support their health.

He was speaking at an official opening of a five day training workshop of the people living with HIV/AIDS organized by Community for Human Development at Kings Guest House in Kasama yesterday.

Community for Human Development Executive Director Ms Kabandula Monde observed that many people living with HIV/AIDS especially women have no alternative livelihood which leads to some being involved in promiscuous behavior for them to survive hence the need to empower them with entrepreneurship skills for their life sustenance.

Ms. Monde explained that very few people are engaged in family survival strategies saying others operate in such poor working environments with no prospects of being able to work their way out of poverty.

She said the main objective of the workshop is to ensure that entrepreneurs shift from marginal income generation to profitable business development and promote women’s economic and social empowerment among low income groups and to understand the rationale for providing equal opportunities to men and women in enterprise.

Ms. Monde also appealed to the citizen’s economic empowerment commission to consider gender equality when giving out loans to the applicants.

She said it was sad to note that the majority beneficiaries from CEEC funds were men and wondered why women were not actively participating in accessing funds which aims at empowering them and improve their livelihood.

Ms. Monde encouraged team work and avoidance of stigma in the community and to regard people living with HIV/AIDS as part of family members.

She added that being positive is not a death penalty that should bar any person from participating in community work.

ZANIS

All Ministers to be held accountable, President Banda

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President Rupiah Banda emerging from his office at State House
President Rupiah Banda emerging from his office at State House

Government has developed a framework for monitoring the implementation of all policies, programmes and projects that are being implemented in the various sectors of the economy.

These include programmes in the 2009 national budget, the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP), Financial Sector Development Programme (FSDP), and the Triangle of Hope .

President Rupiah Banda says the framework has since been presented to the Economic Restructuring and Development Committee (ERDC) of the Cabinet, which accepted its adoption.

Mr. Banda said progress on the implementation of the policies, programmes, projects and reforms will be reported on a monthly basis to the ERDC which he chairs.

“For Instance progress will be reported on the implementation of each hospital , road or school in the budget,” he added.

Under the framework, each Minister will be held accountable for all the policies, programmes and projects being implemented under their portfolio.

Mr. Banda said , as such the Ministers will therefore be expected to fully understand the issues under their portfolio as they will be presenting progress reports in person

The President announced the development at State House today when he received the Indaba report.

He has since assured the nation and the committee that was established to come up with the indaba report that government would closely monitor implementation of the indaba resolutions.

He further pledged to ensure that the report is discussed by cabinet as soon as possible so that the implementation of the recommendations is not delayed any further.

“Zambia should avoid being a NATO country that is ‘No action Talk Only’ ,” he said.

He has since commended the chairperson of the Indaba Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi in the manner he managed the deliberations and other stakeholders for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the report was finalised .[quote]

And Speaking Earlier, Prof. Mwanalushi said the nation is expecting results arising from the national indaba , failure to which will relegate the indada to a mere public relations attempt.

He said the indaba has come up with recommendations that will put the country on a stronger footing to weather the storm of the current economic downturn and ensure that it remains on course to attain the vision 2030.

“Indeed the recommendations of the indaba have endeavored to go beyond the immediate response to the crisis by proposing a general transformation of our economic systems , structures and procedures,” he said.

He implored government not to delay any further the economic diversification, which should be the cornerstone of the national response to the global economic meltdown and to the country’s economic strategy for moving forward.

Prof. Mwanalushi said the Indaba stressed the urgent need for the country to make a determined efforts to broaden the national resource base through diversification away from the current copper mining.

In addition to economic diversification, Prof. Mwanalushi said the report has recommended for the need to address the challenges that continue to constrain further positive change in Zambia.

These include the change of mindset not only at individual level but also within government systems and procedures through the elimination of bureaucracy and red tape which hamper effective service delivery.

They also consist of the need to enhance government capacity and political will to implement both its stated programmes and what it receives through the consultative processes and the need to formalize dialogue mechanism between the government and major stakeholders.

Other areas take account of the need for sustained investment in human resource development, focusing more on imparting the requisite skills that secure livelihoods graduates from Zambia’s educational system.

‘ The government is urged to develop a transparent and accountable system of determining who should be the beneficiaries of special support, through incentives and fiscal stimulus measures , for the effected economic sectors,’ he added.

The national Indaba was held last month under the theme ‘Global Economic Crisis: A wake up call for Zambia’s Economic Transformation”, and draw about 520 participants from all walks of life.

The Indaba deliberations were mainly focused on the Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, Mining, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Entrepreneurship and Finance.

ZANIS

Don’t give too much land to a single Investor, Govt advised

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Kasama diocese Bishop, Spaita Mwewa has advised government against allowing large portions of land in Northern Province to be given to a single investor intending to embark on growing bio-fuel crops.

Bishop Spaita, who was in Samfya over-the-weekend to attend the funeral of late Senior Chief Mwewa, said that he has come across a document outlining plans to give 100,000 hectares of land to a single investor in the Northern Province for bio-fuel crops.

The bishop said the land has not yet been given, but there is 500,000 hectares in a named chiefdom of Mpika and another 500,000 hectares elsewhere intended to be given out to a single investor to produce Jatropha for bio-fuel.

“I have come across a report indicating that 500,000 hectares in one chiefdom of Mpika and another 500,000 somewhere that is planned to be awarded to an investor for growing Jatropha,” he said.

The clergymen said he is worried that once such large portions of land are given to a single investor, a lot of local people will be displaced and in the end get reduced from landowners to landless labourers for a private entity.

He said government should protect the interests of local small scale farmers by empowering to grow bio-fuel crops which in turn they can sell to the investor, instead of allowing a large portion of land to be given on a 99-year lease to a single investor.

“We want to explain why our people cannot be given means to produce Jatropha and sell to these investors rather than giving out land on 99 years lease to these investors,” Bishop Spaita said.

ZANIS

Singuluma No-Show for Zambia Training Camp

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Ace striker Given Singuluma failed to turn up for first day of training on Monday as Zambia gathered in Lusaka for their 2010 World/African Cup Group C training camp.

The record-setting CHAN top scorer was not amongst the Zanaco players called up by Herve Renard for camp who reported at the team hotel by Monday afternoon.

Singuluma has not played for Zanaco for the last fortnight since returning from trials in Israel as allegations swirled that he had signed for two clubs; Haka of Finland and TP Mazembe of DR Congo.
 
Team manager Solly Pandor said Singuluma was expected to report for training on Tuesday after dealing with a “family problem” in Kafue.

However, clubs sources have said they do not know the whereabouts of Siunguluma who finished as top scorer on five goals at the inaugural CHAN tournament held in Cote d’Ivoire last March.

Meanwhile, Zambia is due to play their first training game on Wednesday against Green Buffaloes.

The 25-man team is expected to break camp on Thursday and the seven home-based players originally called-up for training camp will regroup on Sunday.

The seven; Dennis Banda, Dave Kaumbwa, Francis Kasonde, Nyambe Mulenga, Jonas Sakuwaha, Hichani Himoonde including Singuluma are expected to leave for Johannesburg on the same date.

They will be joined in Johannesburg for a private training camp by the other 18 foreign-based call-ups for the Group C games against Rwanda and Algeria on June 6 and 20 respectively at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.

Bring back the real Broken Hill man skull

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A group of grade nine students from Shanalumba Basic School in Livingstone, who visited the Livingstone Museum, recently appealed to government to ensure that the real Broken Hill man Skull is retrieved from the British government.

The pupils, who where on an educational tour demanded to, see the actual skull of Broken Hillman instead of the replica that is kept in Museum.

The Broken Hill Skull was discovered in Kabwe, 1921 at the first lead mining site. It was the first early human fossil to be found in Africa and was taken to the United Kingdom for carbon dating. The Skull is today housed in the British Museum in Central London.

The teacher, Macbeth Mwangala, who was their leader in the educational tour, said it is important that the pupils learnt more about their ancestors and their heritage.

Ms Mwangala said the tour was one of the practical undertakings that the school has put in place to equip the pupils with observational learning.

ZANIS

Juliana Mwila appointed acting ZNBC Director General

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The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Board of Directors has seconded Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Director for Press and Planning, Juliana Mwila to act as the Director General of the corporation.

ZNBC Board of Directors Chairperson, Augustine Seyuba announced the development in a statement t ZANIS this evening.

The appointment of Mrs. Mwila follows the going on forced leave of ZNBC Director General, Joseph Salasini after workers at the institutions held sit-in protests alleging that the latter and his management had failed to run the institution.

Mr. Seyuba said there was need to appoint an acting Director General for ZNBC following the commencement of the audit at the corporation.

“Mrs. Mwila will co-ordinate operations at the corporation during the time of the audit to ensure that ZNBC continues to carry out its mandate,” Mr. Seyuba said.

A fortnight ago, ZNBC workers demanded the removal of their Director General, Mr. Salasini, whom they accused of having failed to run the institution and further called on the Auditor General to audit the corporation.

Mr. Salasini was subsequently put on leave to pave way for an audit.

ZANIS

Chibombo teachers go on strike

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Teacher in Chibombo district of Central Province have resolved not resume work after schools opened today for the second term until their needs were addressed.

This is according to a press statement made available to ZANIS in Kabwe this afternoon and signed by Secondary Schools Teachers Union of Zambia (SESTUZ) district Chairperson Morgan Muchindika, Basic Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) Chairperson Bright Anusa and Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) district Chairperson Edward Phiri.

The teachers stated that they were owed huge sums of money for various entitlements.

They said some teachers needed to be paid rural hardship allowances, settling allowance, housing allowance, leave travel benefits and other allowances.

The three unions also stated that the Ministry of Education should do away with the use of coordinators as a measure to pay rural and remote allowances.

“We demand that government should deduct rentals on housing allowance and not the basic salary as indicated in their memo,” the three unions further stated.

ZANIS

Zambians living in Namibia come to the aid of flood victims

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Zambians living in Namibia have donated 10,000 Rands to supplement government’s efforts in mitigating the plight of flood victims in some parts of the country.

Receiving the donation in Lusaka today, Vice President George Kunda said there is need for Zambians in the Diaspora to identify themselves with the sufferings of the people affected by floods in the country.

Mr. Kunda said government needs the support of others to mitigate the effects of calamities such as floods. He noted that Zambia and Namibia have both been devastated by floods.

Mr. Kunda has since thanked Zambians resident in Namibia for the gesture.

And speaking earlier, Zambia’s High Commissioner to Namibia Marvis Muyunda said Zambians living in Namibia are concerned with the happenings in Zambia.

They are currently about 1,200 Zambians living in Namibia.

ZANIS

LAZ pledges continued protection for its members

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The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has pledged to continue to protect all its members and ensure that they were independent in their execution of duties in various institutions.

In a statement released in Lusaka today, newly elected LAZ president Stephen Lungu, said the association would also respect President Rupiah Banda’s recent call to re-organize the Attorney General’s (AG’s) chambers.

President Banda made the call following the recent findings of the tribunal that investigated former Communications Minister, Dora Siliya for alleged irregular tender procedures.

Mr. Lungu said LAZ was of the view that constitutional offices such as the Attorney General’s and the Solicitor General’s chambers should continue to enjoy independence in the execution of their duties.

He added that his association also acknowledges the constitutional powers vested in the Republican President to appoint and remove persons to the respective offices as provided for in the constitution.

Mr. Lungu explained that the association could not find it prudent to comment on the issue without analyzing President Banda’s statement and the context in which it was used.

He said LAZ would further continue to endorse principles on the role of lawyers as adopted by the eighth United Nations (UN) Congress in Havana, Cuba in 1990.

Mr. Lungu said this was in order to ensure that lawyers performed professionally and without intimidation and improper interference.

ZANIS

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