Villagers from Chief Chikanta's area in Kalomo who transport sick people using ox-drawn scotch carts to Macha hospital will no longer be allowed to transit through chief Macha's area. This is due to the ban in the movement of cattle by the veterinary department to the outbreak of the Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia, CBPP. Chief Macha told his subjects to ensure that no cattle from Kalomo district is allowed to pass through the area. He said those transporting sick people must use other alternative means such as bicycles to avoid the spread of CBPP to his chiefdom. The chief gave the directive during a meeting addressed by acting Choma district commissioner Mungoni Simulilika at his palace. This was after the villagers wanted to know whether people using ox-drawn scotch carts to ferry the sick to hospital should be exempted from the ban. Choma district livestock officer Jacob Bothma told the villagers not to allow any animals from another district as doing so would expose their cattle to the deadly CBPP which has so far killed a number of cattle especially in Kazungula district. ZANIS
Chief Macha bans ox-drawn scotch carts ferrying the sick to hospital
Report husbands who sell off all the harvested maize, Choma wives told
A senior government official in Choma has urged women in chief Macha's area to report to traditional authorities husbands who will sell off all their harvested maize. Addressing villagers at chief Macha's palace, acting Choma district commissioner Mungoni Simulilika said only surplus food must be sold. Simulilika said the tendency by villagers to sell all their produce and expect government to provide relief food was unacceptable. The acting Choma DC told the gathering that included chiefs Macha and Singani, that husbands who sell food meant for home consumption to raise money for beer must be dealt with as they were causing unnecessary hardships to their families. Mr Simulilika said government has done its part by providing subsidized farming inputs to farmers whose appreciation for the gesture can best be shown through enhanced household food security. And, Mr Simulilika has urged cooperative societies intending to benefit from the government sponsored fertilizer support programme, FSP, to avoid submitting lists of ghost members. He said government was concerned that some of the cooperative societies were abusing the well intended programme by presenting names of beneficiaries who did not exist. Mr Simulilika said the vice was frustrating government's efforts as the subsidised farm inputs ended up in undeserving hands.
Jostling for power in the ruling MMD worries Levy
President Levy Mwanawasa has expressed worry over the jostling for power that is going on among the top MMD leadership. Speaking on arrival at Ndola international airport this morning, Mr Mwanawasa said it was wrong for leaders in the ruling party to start jostling for power at such an early stage at the expense of development. The President who arrived from Mongu where he had gone to attend yesterday's Kuomboka veremony, said it was probably his mistake to have allowed those that had intentions of assuming the party's top position to reveal their intentions. He said the development of the country was a priority and that nothing should hinder that. Mr Mwanawasa said that he will suggest to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the MMD that the party convention be held a year before the elections instead of the current 2 and half years. He explained that holding the convention a year before the elections would help slow down the bickering that was currently going on. The President who is in Ndola to officially close the Finance Bank 2007 Zambia Open Golf tournament which ends today, said he was happy that a tournament of such magnitude was being held in the country. Mr Mwanawasa said such an event needed to be given the importance it deserved adding that the golfers that had come to participate in the tournament would go back to their countries as ambassadors of Zambia. Meanwhile, Copperbelt Province Patriotic Front (PF) mayors this morning boycotted to receive President Mwanawasa at the Ndola international airport. The mayors who initially were at the airport to receive Mr Mwanawasa, left before the president arrived. When reached for a comment at Ndola Civic Centre, Ndola Mayor Anthony Katongo who was in the company of other mayors, said the atmosphere at the airport was not conducive. Maayor Katongo said the MMD cadres were insulting PF leaders through their songs. He said this was not the first time such an incident was happening and that the PF mayors had officially complained to the MMD leadership who had assured them that the practice would be stopped but to no avail. Mr Katongo said the mayors were surprised today to find that the practice had not stopped as per promise. He said the mayors were willing to perform their civic duties but under a conducive environment. ZANIS
CEEC aims at empowering locals
The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission, CEEC, says its policy is aimed at empowering the local people economically. Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission, CEEC, chairperson Jacob Sikazwe says this will be done by putting in place measures that will incorporate the local people in the development of the country. Mr Sikazwe said this during a Citizens Economic Empowerment awareness workshop in North-Western province yesterday. He also assured the people in the province that the CEEC policy is not aimed at discouraging foreign direct investment. Mr.Sikazwe said the policy will embrace both local and foreign investors as partners in development. And Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission vice chairperson Evans Chibiliti said government will ensure that business risks faced by indigenous Zambians are reduced through measures contained in the commission's policy framework. Meanwhile, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, CCJP, coordinator for Solwezi Diocese Frederick Nabanda commended government for the creation of the Commission. ZANIS
Levy commends Lozis for preserving the Kuomboka
President Mwanawasa has commended the lozi people for preserving the Kuomboka traditional ceremony.
Mr Mwanawasa said this was important because it signifies the passing on of culture
from one generation to another.
The President added that culture was a unifying factor which brought people from different walks of life together.
The President said this when he addressed thousands of people who attended this year's Kuomboka ceremony at Limulunga winter palace of the Litunga yesterday.
And President Mwanawasa has sympathized with the people of Western province at the devastating effects of the floods.
He observed that the floods have caused untold misery to the people in the province adding that many buildings such as rural health centres, roads, bridges and
classrooms collapsed.
Mr Mwanawasa said government is putting up plans to rehabilitate such infrastructure destroyed by floods countrywide.
The President also disclosed that construction of Shangombo district hospital was expected to be completed this year.
The President also said his government will ensure relief food is sent to all parts of the country affected by floods.
He said he was doing everything possible to assist the people of Lukulu following their complaints that he had neglected them.
Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa thanked the people of Western province for the overwhelming support to his party during last year's tripartite elections in which
he won a second term in office.
ZANIS
Economy is on the right track, BOZ Governor
The Bank of Zambia, BOZ, says the country’s economy has sustained its impressive performance in the past few years.
BOZ Governor Caleb Fundanga says this is reflected in a positive growth in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), low inflation, falling lending rates and relatively stable and competitive exchange rates.
He said this when he officiated at a two day Sixth Bank of Zambia seminar for members of parliament held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka today.
Dr. Fundanga said last year Zambia’s economy registered a positive growth of 5.8% in real GDP which marked the fourth consecutive year that the economy had registered growth of at least 5%.
He said the key sectors driving the economy’s growth were mining, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and communications, and financial intermediaries.
The Central Bank Governor added that the good economic performance in 2006 was further reflected in the fall in inflation from 15.9% in December 2005 to 8.2% at the end of 2006. He however said inflation edged up to 9.8%, 12.6% and 12.7% in January, February and March 2007, respectively, due to inflationary pressures arising from higher prices of most non-food inflationary items.
Dr. Fundanga said BOZ anticipates inflationary pressures to subside in the coming months owing to continued implementation of appropriate monetary and fiscal policies coupled with the expected fall in food prices.
He added that the kwacha registered self correction by 21% compared to an appreciation of 26.4% in 2005 and has since stabilised.
He said this is a development that should enhance competitiveness of the country’s exports, particularly the non-traditional exports.
Dr. Fundanga pointed out that the desire of government is to enhance the economic and social achievements of 2006 through its macroeconomic objectives for 2007 which include reducing inflation to 5%, achieving a real GDP growth rate of 7%, reducing the government domestic borrowing to 1.2% of GDP and raising gross international reserves to at least 2.5 months of import cover.
He said the attainment of the desired economic benchmarks will require the input and participation of all stakeholders. ZANIS
Recapture Lusaka, MMD members urged
Vice President Rupiah Banda has called on the ruling MMD members to work hard and win back Lusaka.
Mr. Banda who is also National Excutive Committee Trustee of the MMD says the party should organise itself and recapture Lusaka.
He said MMD members should walk with their heads high because they are in the ruling party.
The Vice President was speaking in Lusaka today during the MMD Lusaka District party card renewal for 2007.
Mr Banda said there was need for party members to treat each other as one family , sacrifice and give generously for the party to remain strong.
He urged party members to eliminate gossip and lies in the party and focus their attention on mobilising and organising the party in readness for the next elections.
He said there is need for the party to be selfless and humble to the electorate.
The Vice President also thanked the MMD for giving him the position of party trustee and pledged his total support and that he will do his job to the best of his ability.
Mr. Banda who donated K3 million to the party, said card renewal execise provided an opportunity for members of the party to show their solidarity.
And speaking at the same function, MMD Lusaka District Chairman Paul Chihande said the ruling party was handicapped in terms of mobility.
Mr. Chihande appealed to the the Vice President to assist in sourcing for vehicle to help in party mobilisation in the district.
He assued the Vice President that the party will capture all future elections in Lusaka.
Meanwhile Vice President Rupiah Banda was today among hunderds of people who attended the Thanks-Giving and Memorial service for the late Dr. Simon Mwewa at the United Church of Zambia, UCZ, in Kabwata.
Two former republican vice presidents Enock Kavindele and Dr. Nevers Mumba also attended the memorial service of the late Dr Mwewa who was member of the former ruling party UNIP.
ZANIS
Secretaries are key to business development – Kitwe DAO
Kitwe District Administrative Officer Stephen Lindunda has said mishandling of customers by secretaries is contributing to organisations losing billions of kwacha.
Speaking when he officially opened a professional secretaries workshop on the theme ‘Quality,Excellence and Professionalism’ at Kitwe’s Edinburgh Hotel today, Mr Lindunda said there was need for secretaries to develop good communication skills in order for an organisation’s business operations to run smoothly.
Mr Lindunda said when an organisation is separated from the public, it risks losing a lot of potential business partners critical to its development.
He said secretaries are the first door of entry to every organisation and should therefore not act as barriers to customers. “Personal barriers such as emotions,moods,poor listening skills,pride, psychological complexes should be avoided at all times,” he said.
He said a lot of organisations were losing out on profit in their businesses because of the way some secretaries respond to business clients.
“This needs to change because it is also affecting the development of the entire nation,” he said.
He added that the secretarial profession has in recent years taken a broader dimension and is not only linked to someone behind a computer, but also to being a dependable,reliable and equal management partner with the boss.
Mr Lindunda said a secretary must also be of good conduct in order to reflect the employer’s and company’s image even under intense pressure during or after working hours.
And Mr Lindunda has appealed to employers to recognise the contribution secretaries make to the success of a business.
He said companies should reward secretaries with conditions of service in order to motivate them.
Mr Lindunda added that government will continue to support institutions offering secretarial functions and has placed no restrictions to private enterprises to fill the gaps where need arose.
And speaking at the same function, Secretaries Association of Zambia Coordinator Christabel Musefwe urged secretaries to strive to be good administrative business professionals as this is what their work entailed.
She urged secretaries to also take time to know their organisations well if they were to deliver effective services.
Ms Musefwe added that secretaries should be exemplary as they were the key to the success of any business entity. ZANIS
2007/2008 farming inputs to start flowing to farmers soon
Farming inputs for the 2007-2008 farming season will soon start being dispatched to various parts of the country in readiness for the coming farming season.
Livingstone district commissioner Francis Chika disclosed this when he officiated at the launch of the alternative livelihood programme at Mahululo programme against malnutrition satellite yesterday.
Mr Chika said government was committed to ensuring timely distribution of farming inputs to enhance food security in the country.
Mr Chika called on the district agriculture and cooperatives coordinators to start sensitizing farmers in the area on what type of seed to buy to suit the changing weather patterns.
He noted that early maturing varieties were more preferable for the southern region as the rain period had drastically reduced in recent years.
And in another development, Mr Chika called on Zambia wild life authority to seriously address the issue of elephants as they were destroying people’s crops in the district and endangering people’s lives.
The district commissioner suggested that there was need to crop the animals which include crocodiles as their population had swelled significantly posing a danger to people’s lives.
He called on the authority to sensitise people on how best to handle the animals to minimize crop damage and to save lives.
ZANIS
It is not yet time to search for Levy’s successor in the party
The MMD in Mufulira has advised that it is too early for the party to start searching for a presidential candidate for the 2011 general elections. MMD Mufulira chairman Harrington Mambwe says premature campaigns for President Mwanawasa’s successor would divide the ruling party ahead of 2011.
Mr Mambwe said this in an interview with ZANIS in Mufulira today during the MMD party’s card renewal exercise.
Mr. Mambwe said the MMD in Mufulira will only start discussing the issue of president Mwanawas’s successor after the ruling party’s NEC gave a go ahead .
Meanwhile, the MMD in Mufulira has hailed the business community for the support they have continued to render to the ruling party.
Acting MMD District Secretary Dickson Chibekete said the support from the business sector to the ruling party was commendable.
ZANIS
Time Out!
All moms have an office that never closes and an inbox that never empties, whether we work outside the home or not. This daily grind can put us all on the fast track to burnout. If motherhood were a pet, and you were writing a manual for the Care and Feeding of Your motherhood, what advice would you give? The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. Often our most important priorities are intangible or considered unproductive. That fact makes it very tempting to allow more urgent tasks to rise to the surface and overtake what is ultimately of more eternal value. Moms need time management tricks as flexible as their schedules, since there will always be those days when your infant gets a diarrhoea,your kindergartner announces that he needs 48 cupcakes by noon and your second hand Japanese car won’t start!
Here are some time management tips especially for moms.
Organize
Good organization is a stepping stone to time management.
- Firstly try have some quiet time with the Lord in the morning before the kids wake up.
- Have things packed and ready to go. Pack the kids lunch boxes the night before.
- Organize your house
- Write all of your appointments on one calendar.
- Stick to a routine.
- Know yourself. If your mind shuts off at 20hrs schedule your biggest tasks first thing in the morning.
- Make a to-do list before you go to bed so you won’t waste that precious morning time.
- Try to do something fun with your children every day. Sometimes it is reading aloud from a good book, at other times it is a board game, or a quick trip to the shops to pick up supplies and an ice cream.
- Getting to bed early enough to have “Window Time” with your kids on the edge of their beds is an investment in your relationship. Kids will remember the times you played and talked with them long after they forget how clean the house was or how delicious the meals.If your kids’ disruptions are frequent, give them what they want. Spend at least 20 minutes offering them your undivided attention. No TV, no radio, just toys and books (depending, of course, on their ages). Play with them, read to them. Often, these disruptions are just a sign that they need a little one-on-one time.
Energize
Exercise to energize. Spending an hour a day on exercise can actually save you time. You’ll feel more energized and productive throughout the day, and you may even require less sleep at night. Cut the time spent working out by boosting the intensity. Don’t cut the workout itself.
Prioritize
As moms, we dash from one responsibility to another, but there is an alternative that we often forget: Give yourself less to do.The first step is to figure out what’s really important to you. Schedule several key tasks and outsource the rest.
Delegate
Delegating is difficult, but it will get easier with practice. If a plumber would cost less than it would for hubby to take the time to fix the bathroom leak,call the professional! Ask the maid or your dependant to wash and cut the vegetables for you.
Taken one step further, if you enjoy your work and would earn more money if you spent more time at it, why not give yourself that extra time (and money) by hiring someone to do the tasks you don’t enjoy?
Just Say No
We are here for our children. We are here for our husbands, our parents, our siblings, and our friends. But nowhere in the mommy manual does it say we always have to be here for the lady in the next block of flats who is having a kitchen party. Nowhere does it say we have to spend all our Saturdays at weddings, unless, of course, we want to.
Some experts say “no†is the only word you need for effective time management. We moms want to please, to help, and to make life easier for everyone around us.
The next time someone calls to ask for your help, agree to think it over. When you no longer feel pressured for an answer, ask yourself if you really want to help. Make sure you aren’t agreeing solely to please the person on the other end of the phone.
When we learn to respect our time, others will respect it, too.
Slow down
Learn how to take life as it comes. When you’re faced with a seemingly daunting task, promise yourself to take your time and enjoy it rather than rushing through. Time to cook dinner?Prepare your favorite meal.Put in your favorite spices and savor the moment!
Sinazongwe Veterinary arrests illegal cow dealer
Sinazongwe Veterinary officers have arrest an illegal livestock dealer and burnt all the animals he was carrying.
The arrested was effected following the suspension of the issuance of stock movement permits owing to a fast spreading disease called Pluro- pneumonia from Kazungula that has already reached Kalamo.
Sinazongwe Livestock Officer Jericho Sakwanda said the District Veterinary Officer Dr Ernest Ndalama impounded the light truck registration number AA 260 88 at Zenga where it was destined to Siansowa.
Sakwanda disclosed that Deene Simugande of Village Kasompela in Chief Mweemba area had carried one cow and six goats.
He said upon examining the animals the goats had a disease called Manje and the cow was infested with ticks.
“The man was trying to move at night without any proper documentation,â€Â Sakwanda said.
The Livestock officer disclosed that Simugande had been dealing in selling of diseased animals for a long time without getting permit from veterinary officers but this time he was nabbed.
The impounded animals were burnt from Maamba in the presence of police officers after obtaining a court order from Choma magistrate.
Sakwanda said the vehicle would remain at police until further notice from the court and he has warned all cattle dealers to observe the ban that the Department of Veterinary in Southern Province had put in place to safe guard their animals.
According to the circular made available to Sinazongwe district, no live cattle would be allowed to move into and out of the Southern Province.
The ban has also been extended to district in which no cattle would be allowed to move between districts.
“The department of veterinary has put the following measures to in place with immediate effect to facilitate the control of diseases,†the circular read.
Businessman commits suicide for wife’s infidelity
A prominent Mufulira Business man who owns a popular night spot in the border town has allegedly committed suicide.
And police sources both in Mufulira and Ndola have confirmed the death of Mr Joseph
Mwape, aged 51 years of Kansuswa compound.
The business man is alleged to have killed himself yesterday morning at Kasunswa grave yard. Â
According to a death note found beside his body, Mr Mwape said he took his life because his wife was allegedly committing adultery with a named Mufulira man.
Police sources also revealed that the body of Mwape was picked up around mid day today.
A senior police officer opted for anonymity confirmed the death in an interview with
ZANIS, today.
ZANIS
More HIV/AIDS herbal remedies still welcome for testing
The national Aids Council (NAC) is still open for every one who hopes to have their medical remedies tested in the AIDS cure clinical trials.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS today, NAC, Donor Coordinator and Public Relations Manager, Justin Mwinga said the three herbal remedies which were submitted by traditional healers should not be described as a failure because they only failed in the cure of HIV.
Mr. Mwinga said government is open, through NAC to all those who come up with remedies for the cure of HIV to take them for clinical testing.
He noted that the government is working towards finding the cure of HIV and will
protect members of the public from untested herbal preparations which may be toxic
and threaten lives.
Mr. Mwinga pointed out that there is need for further research and study of the remedies.
ZANIS
KCM to spend K400m on sinking 12 boreholes in Chingola
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is to spend over K400 million on sinking 12 bore-holes in areas which were affected by the pollution of the Kafue river in Chingola last year.
KCM spokesperson Sam Equamo told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka that the boreholes
will be sunk in Kafue, Mushishima and Hippo-pool areas which were the most affected
by the pollution.
Mr. Equamo said KCM’s decision to sink 12 boreholes in the three areas is part of its contribution to the provision of safe and clean drinking water which is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that Zambia has to achieve by the year 2015.
And Mr. Equamo disclosed that the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ and KCM have amicably resolved the Kafue river pollution which happened in October last year when a KCM pipe burst spilling its mineral waste into the Kafue river.
He said KCM has since replaced all the pipes in the area with new ones adding that
KCM will be more careful in future to avoid any other accident happening again in
the district.
In October last year, a KCM pipe burst spilling its mineral waste into the Kafue
river, thereby contaminating the river and killing most of aquatic life such as fish in the river.
The development caused a lot of public outcry with the Environmental Council of Zambia threatening court action over the matter.
ZANIS