Thursday, April 3, 2025
Home Blog Page 5573

KK ordered to pay K2.6 bn.

57

THE Lusaka High Court has ordered companies and banks that hold money on behalf of former President Kenneth Kaunda to transfer it to a consortium of lawyers’ account to service the debt he owes in legal fees.

This is in a case in which lawyers from law firms are owed legal fees amounting to US$645,526.26 by Dr Kaunda.

The law firms include Central Chambers, Andrea Masiye and Company, Dove Chambers, Lukona Chambers and Mvunga and Associates.

Deputy High Court Registrar Jones Chinyama directed that the cited companies should appear before him on June 19, and show cause why they should not give the money to a consortium of lawyers.

The companies include Zambia National Commercial Bank, Barclays Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic Bank, Indo-Zambia Bank and Investments Bank. Others are Zambia National Holdings Limited, United Quarries Limited, Dora Tamane School and E.W Tarry’s.

The order was made following an application by the lawyers that the named companies and banks pay them the debts, dividends, profits, rentals due or any money accruing to Dr Kaunda and UNIP, which they were holding.

The legal fees accrued when the lawyers represented Dr Kaunda in cases, which included the misprision of treason, which attracted a fee of US$171,726.25, citizenship case with a cost of US$150,000, and the black mamba case with a cost of US$90,475.

Other cases in which they represented Dr Kaunda were the alleged Kabwe assassination attempt and illegal assembly with a cost of US$ 45,825 and the 1996 presidential petition case.

The legal fees which the lawyers are demanding were agreed upon in a consent order on April 27,1999 after Dr Kaunda disputed the initial fees.

It is alleged that the former President and UNIP undertook to settle the fees but to date they have not done so.

MMD go for National Assembly to adopt Constitution

16

The ruling MMD in Mufulira district has maintained that the Mungomba Constitution should be adopted by Parliament and not a Constituent Assembly as suggested by some sections of society.

This is because the constituent assembly could cost huge sums of money that could
instead be channeled to the implementation of economic development programmes.

The MMD has also maintained that adopting the constitution through the constituent
assembly would only demean and undermine parliament which is the only legitimate
body put in place to make laws.

MMD Mufulira District Secretary, Joseph Chikombola, said this in a walk in interview
with the Zambia News and Information Services in Mufulira today.

And the MMD has suggested that the K205 billion set aside for the constitutional
making process in this year’s budget should be channeled towards national
development ventures.

The party says the money involved was too much and would only end up benefiting a
few individuals who will draw per diem at the expense of suffering Zambians.

And the ruling MMD in Mufulira has taken a swipe at the Catholic Church whom they
have accused of misleading the people on the entire constitutional making process.

Mr. Chikombola added that the church has of late been posting pastoral letters on
the constitution making process, to its members in various communities.

Mr. Chikobola has since appealed the clergy in the largest Christian grouping to
desist from talking about the constitution and rather concentrate their efforts on
propagating the works of God.

He added that politics and matters surrounding the constitution should be left to
politicians alone adding that the clergy should not gain political mileage by
speaking on the constitution without firstly consulting their members.

Luwingu residents shun admissions due to alleged poor hygiene at hospital

2

Some Luwingu residents are allegedly shunning to be admitted to the district hospital due to alleged poor standards of hygiene at the health institution.

This came to light when a number of village headmen attending the Ilamfya traditional ceremony held at Chief Chipalo’s palace in Luwingu last week complained to the Acting District Commissioner, Hassan Siambelele, over the deteriorating standards of hygiene at the district hospital.

The village headmen complained that some of their subjects were refusing to be admitted to the district hospital for fear of contracting other diseases because of poor health conditions.

The headmen have since appealed to the Provincial Health Director to urgently visit
the institution in order to address the situation.

They lamented that the development has also forced the only expatriate doctor to
threaten to leave the institution if no immediate measures are taken to improve the
situation.

They observed that the district hospital had no proper linen and mattresses forcing
patients to carry their material whenever they were admitted.

And reacting to the concerns, Mr. Siambelele assured the headmen that government was
doing everything possible to improve standards at the district hospital.

The acting district commission said government through the Ministry of Health
releases monthly grants to facilitate the smooth running of health institutions and
urged management to ensure that the funds were used for the intended purpose.

And efforts to get a comment from the Provincial Health Director failed as he was
reported to be out of the office by press time.

MMD wins local government by election in Nchelenge

3

The ruling MMD has scooped the Chilongo ward by election in Nchelenge district.

MMD’s candidate Chilembi Chipili polled 251 votes beating his nearest rival paul
Chisala of the National Democratic Focus, NDF, who got 137 votes. PF’s Maxwell Mpande came third with 62 votes.

Returning officer Edward Musonda last night declared Chipili duly elected in
the by election at the Nchelenge District Council Chamber.

UNIP candidate Peter Muposhi was last with 14 votes. The returning officer said there were two spolied ballots with none disputed.

Speaking to ZANIS after the announcement of results, Nchelenge MMD Constituency
chairman Oswell Musamba expressed delight at the results of the polls.

Mr Musamba said the party’s victory in the polls was not by accident but a result of hard work, issue based campaign and support from the party leadership at both provincial and national level.

FAZ PREMIER LEAGUIE WEEK 16 MIDWEEK FIXTURES WRAP-UP

18

Zesco United maintained their 3-point lead at the summit 9of the Faz Premier League table after drawing 1-1 at home with Green Buffaloes at the Trade Fair Grounds in a Week 16 fixture this afternoon.

However, Zesco had to come from behind in to get stay unbeaten for a 9th successive games after Jimmy Mumba had given Buffaloes the lad in the opening 4th minute of the match.

Midfielder Rainford Kalaba equalized three minutes before the half time.

Zesco are on 33 points, while Dynamos remain 2nd on 30 points after a scoreless home draw with Zamtel this afternoon at Queensmead stadium.

3rd placed Zanaco also drew 0-0 away to Nakambala Leopards while Kabwe Warriors in 4th beat Nchanga Rangers 1-0 in Chingola today thanks to a Maonga kabuku goal.

Young Arrows dispatched Konkola Blades to their third successive league defeat after beating their guests 2-1 at Nkoloma stadium.

Shaft Katunka and Sam Gondwe scored for Young Arrows while Precious Mpondela got Blades consolation.

Power Dynamos won their first match under Fodson Kabole when they defeated Red Arrows 1-0 in Kitwe via an Isaac Lungu goal.

Roan United match away from the drop zone continued when they beat fellow promoted side City of Lusaka at Kafubu stadium in Luanshya today.

Ben Mwanza and Arthur Kaseleka scored for Roan while veteran striker Cosmas Banda was on target for City.

And at Edwin Imboela in Lusaka, National Assembly and Forest Rangers played out to a goalless draw.

Celtel cancels roaming fees in six African nations

0

Celtel, Africa’s third largest cell phone firm, on Wednesday scrapped roaming charges for its users in six countries and said it plans to expand the service to 15 nations across the continent.

The “One Network” service allows its subscribers in countries where Celtel operates to make calls at local rates and receive incoming calls for free.

“We have extended the One Network from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda to Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo and Gabon. This is a world’s first,” said David Murray, chief executive of Celtel in Kenya.

Telephone links between many African countries have traditionally been bad and in many cases mobile phone users cannot send text messages to other users on the continent.

Kuwait’s MTC bought Celtel, which has operations in 15 African nations for $3.4 billion in 2005.

“Phase three is to bring all the MTC-Celtel properties in Africa together as One Network,” he said, without giving a time frame by which that would happen.

The African operator also runs networks in Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Chad and Zambia.

Murray said the free service would be extended into these countries once some technical solutions had been found.

Interregional traffic jumped 300 percent in the first three months after the launch of One Network in the three east African countries, Anna Othoro, Celtel marketing director in Kenya, said. Safaricom, Celtel’s only competitor in Kenya, has a similar free roaming arrangement with Uganda’s MTN and Tanzania’s Vodacom.

 reuters.gif

Equal the help we are getting from China, Mwanawasa tells the West

74

lpm_hu_zam.jpgPresident Levy Mwanawasa challenged the West to match Chinese investment in Zambia on Tuesday, saying Western countries had let country down. Mwanawasa said Zambia would carry on welcoming Chinese investment, credit and loans despite domestic political opposition and unease in the West over the pace of China’s drive to boost economic ties with Africa.

“Those who oppose Chinese investment … all they need to do is to equal the help we are getting from China. We only turned to the East when you people in the West let us down,” Mwanawasa told Reuters on the sidelines of an African business forum.

“Give us the same or more cooperation we are getting from China and you will see that we are friends,” he said.

China is pursuing a strategy of tapping African raw materials to feed its economic growth, in exchange for grants and unconditional loans to the world’s poorest continent.

Zambia said last month China had boosted its planned investment to $900 million in the Zambia’s mineral-rich Copperbelt over the next four years.

“The good thing is that I know of no strings that are attached to Chinese investment,” said Mwanawasa.

China’s increasing involvement in Africa has raised concerns among Western companies that they will be squeezed out of the race for Africa’s mineral and energy deposits.

Eyebrows are also being raised in Western political circles at China’s rising influence in the populous continent.

Some within Zambia oppose Chinese investment. Workers at a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia rioted over pay last year and the main opposition Patriotic Front party has accused the government of selling out to Beijing.

Mwanawasa dismissed talk of domestic opposition to China: “The opposition in Zambia oppose anything.”

Chinese businesses have already invested more than $6 billion in Africa and are engaged across sectors from energy and mining to construction, infrastructure and textiles.

Some Western companies are hamstrung by their bankers who balk at the potential risks of doing business in a continent with a poor record on corporate governance.

Mwanawasa, who in a speech to the business forum stressed the need to root out graft, dismissed allegations his government’s anti-corruption campaign was a political witch hunt against his predecessor Frederick Chiluba.

Chiluba, who says he is the target of a witch hunt, is to stand trial on corruption charges on August 14, accused of stealing $488,000 in state funds while ruling the southern African nation from 1991 to 2001.

The case has been stalled since May 2006 due to concerns about his health.

“Chiluba is a very close friend of mine … there is no reason whatsoever why we should want to purge” the country of his supporters, said Mwanawasa.

He said he had offered Chiluba an olive branch — that he could repay 70 percent of what he had allegedly stolen and receive a pardon but Chiluba had rejected the proposal.

reuters.gif

Royal Zambezi Lodge set to boost tourism in Chiawa

0

ZAMBIA’s tourism sector has great potential to enhance foreign earnings for the economy, thereby improving the country’s revenue base.
Once fully harnessed, the sector could be one of the major contributors to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
So far, the Zambian Government has recognised the significant economic contribution that tourism contributes to national economic development.
Tourism currently enjoys a second priority status after agriculture, and this commitment is reflected through several strategies that the Government has put in place to support the sector.
Currently, Zambia also enjoys various favourable macro-economic parameters that have attracted investors in the tourism sector.
Most business experts are of the view that the current inflation levels and the lending rates obtaining from commercial banks are favourable for investors to conduct business.
It is because of such conducive investment climate that many investors have thought it wise to bring their investment in Zambia.
One such investment is the setting up of the Royal Zambezi Lodge based at the Lower Zambezi river in Chiawa area operated by the Chiawa Investments and Development Limited.
About US$3.2 million has been invested to refurbish the five-star lodge, which created employment for about 100 people during the construction stage.
In this regard, the lodge’s contribution to employment and wealth creation in Chiawa area is far-reaching. The local people have welcomed this investment because it will empower them economically.
The development has also cheered them because, apart from ensuring that they have money in their pockets, they will be able to see many other several benefits that will accrue from setting up of such a facility in their area.
This milestone, as far as the pursuit for development in the rural areas is concerned, has not been lost on the local community.
Speaking in Chiawa in an interview, Royal Zambezi director, Philip Pascall, hailed the Government for the favourable investment climate in Zambia.
Mr Pascall, who is First Quantum Minerals chairperson and chief executive officer, said Zambia offered attractive investment opportunities for investors in various sectors of the economy.
“We feel the investment climate in Zambia is favourable and that is why we are able to conduct business here,” Mr Pascall said.
And commenting on the refurbishment of the Royal Zambezi Lodge to a five-star lodge, Mr Pascall said the renovated facility would cater for various clientele on the market.
He explained that the lodge was currently offering various activities like game viewing, boat cruise, fishing activities and canoe safari, among others.
However, Mr Pascall called for the improvement of the road network and the airstrips leading to the lodge and other areas in order to woo more tourists.
The setting up of the Royal Zambezi Lodge in Chiawa has a multiplier effect to the communities in the area.
A beaming Chieftainess Chiawa, in whose area the Royal Zambezi Lodge has been established, said in an interview that the establishing of the lodge in her area marked the beginning of an economic boom that would benefit the local people in the area.
She said the massive levels of investment in her area like the one by Royal Zambezi Lodge had added value to the local communities.
The traditional ruler said people in her area would be able to find a ready market and sell their various products to the lodge thereby improving on their income levels.
“This is a great opportunity not only to Chiawa people but also to the nation because the investment will contribute favourably to enhancing the country’s revenue base,” she said.
She also urged the Government to improve the roads and other infrastructure in tourism-oriented areas to attract more tourists.
The Royal Zambezi Lodge has been operational in Zambia for the past 15 years under different managements.
Its current management under Mr Pascall took over the lodge and started refurbishing it in late 2005.
The result of which has seen an increase in bed capacity to 28 in 14 secluded and luxurious tented suits, as well as four delux chalets spread out along the river bank under the trees.
The Royal Zambezi Lodge also has two treatment rooms, jacuzzi and a refreshing swimming pool.
Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Deputy Minister, Michael Kaingu, commended management at the lodge for refurbishing the facility.
Mr Kaingu urged the lodge proprietors to ensure quality so that more tourists could be attracted to Zambia.
“With this kind of seriousness shown in enhancing tourism in Zambia, I can foresee Zambia becoming a major tourism destination of choice and compete favourably with major tourist giants like South Africa,” the deputy minister said.
He said this in Chiawa last Friday in a speech read for him by Lands Minister, Bradford Machila, at the official opening of the refurbished lodge.
He said the refurbishment and upgrading of the Lusaka-Chirundu road and the re-gravelling of the road from Chirundu to the Lower Zambezi National Park were efforts being made by the Government to improve operations in the tourism sector.
“It is, therefore, gratifying to see the private sector partnering with the Government as can be seen from what the Chiawa Investments and Development Limited who have not only invested in the Royal Zambezi Lodge but have also regraded the airstrip,” Mr Kaingu said.
The Chiawa Investments and Development Ltd is also helping to build new roads and will soon start constructing a power line.
According to Mr Kaingu, the five-star luxury lodge has opened a way for tourists not only to visit Livingstone and return to their countries, but extend the tourists’ stay in Zambia thereby spending more money in the country.
He also said tourism brought a lot of benefits to the communitie

s which included employment, improved standards of living, construction of schools, clinics, boreholes and also in the conservation of forests.
Such efforts being made by the Royal Zambezi Lodge investors to supplement the Government efforts in creating job opportunities to rural communities and improving the tourism sector should be commendable.
There is need for other investors to emulate this good gesture by setting up various investments in the country.
With increased investments in the tourism sector, Zambia is on the firm path to attract additional tourists.
The private sector must also partner with the Government in enhancing infrastructure development if Zambia is to ensure further growth in the tourism sector.

Chiluba’s pension, assets frozen

72

chiluba.jpgTHE London High Court judgement has finally been served on former President Frederick Chiluba with a court injunction freezing his pension account and two properties in Ndola.

But Dr Chiluba has said that he would contest the London judgement during its registration in the Zambian High Court.

Ministry of Justice officials delivered Judge Peter Smith’s judgement together with the freezing order on Monday at Dr Chiluba’s Kabulonga home.

This is in a civil case in which the former head of State and others were found liable of defrauding the Zambian government of about US$46 million.

This was in an action in which the Zambian Attorney-General commenced civil proceedings in the London High Court against Dr Chiluba and 19 others to recover funds that were allegedly stolen using bank accounts based in London.

The specific claim against Dr Chiluba was about US$2 million.

Judge Smith’s freezing order is against seven defendants who include fugitive former Zambia Security Intelligence Services (ZSIC) director-general, Xavier Chungu, fugitive former Zambia High Commissioner to the United States, Atan Shansonga, former minister of Finance permanent secretary, Stella Chibanda, and Lusaka businessman, Faustin Kabwe.

Others are Nebraska Services Limited and Congolese businessman based in Belgium, Raphael Soriano, also known as Katebe Katoto.

Judge Smith’s freezing order prohibits Dr Chiluba to access his pension account at Barclays Bank’s Longacres branch in Lusaka, his properties in Ndola at 5 Kanono Road and another property at 20 Kabinga Road, until further order of the court.

Part of Judge Smith freezing order reads; “If you Dr Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba, Mr Xavier Franklin Chungu, Mr Atan Shansonga, Ms Stella Mumba Chibanda, Mr Kabwe, Nebraska Services Limited or Mr Raphael Soriano, disobey this order you may be held in contempt of court and be liable to imprisonment or fine or to have your assets seized.

“Any other person who knows of this order and does anything which helps or permits the respondent to breach the terms of this order may also be held to be in contempt of court and may be imprisoned, fined or have their assets seized”.

Judge Smith following an application by the Zambian government granted the freezing injunction on May 4.
The order was made at a hearing without notice to the defendants although they have a right to apply to court to vary or discharge the order.

Judge Smith warned that the defendants should not in any way dispose of, deal with or diminish the value of any of their assets whether they are in or outside England and Wales.

Dr Chiluba, Mr Chungu, Ms Chibanda and Mr Kabwe have each got frozen assets in the sum of US$25 million.

On Mr Shansonga, the order attaches assets valued at US$2,220,000, Mr Soriano’s at US$20,500,000 while Nebraska Services Limited’s assets are valued at US$72,000.

Judge Smith stated that for the purpose of this order, the respondents’ assets included any he had power, directly or indirectly, to dispose of or deal with as if it were his own.

The assets seized from the other six defendants range from bank accounts, farms, residential houses, companies and shares in some companies.

The order also provides that the defendants should within three days of service and to the best of their ability inform the Attorney-General’s solicitors of their assets world-wide exceeding US$5,000 in value whether in their name or not.

Judge Smith ordered that if the provision of such information was likely to incriminate the respondent, they might be entitled to refuse to provide it through legal advice in that wrongful refusal was contempt of court, which may render such people liable to be imprisoned, fined or have their assets seized.

He also said within seven days of service of the order, the respondents should swear and serve the Attorney-General’s lawyers an affidavit setting out the information on their assets world-wide.

Dr Chiluba’s spokesperson, Emmanuel Mwamba, said the former President would seek that the judgement together with the order be set aside during registration in the High Court.

Mr Mwamba said Dr Chiluba had noted that the judgement had come with other orders that sought to freeze his pension account and two of his houses in Ndola.

He said once the Attorney-General puts in motion the registration of the judgement in the High Court, he would seek that the entire ruling together with the order be set aside.

Mr Mwamba complained that the judgement was “dropped” at Dr Chiluba’s residence gate on Monday at about 16:30 hours by officials from the Ministry of Justice.

“They dropped what appeared to be normal mail but later it was discovered that it is the London High Court judgement.

“We wish to express our worry at the manner of the service of the documents because they were not given to Dr Chiluba, his representatives or agents but just left at the gate with the guard,” he said.
.

Low voter turn out characterises Kapoche by-election

5

The Kapoche by-election in Petauke in the Eastern province has been characterized by low turnout of voters.

By midday, polling stations visited by ZANIS, had less than 50 per cent of the total
number of registered voters, who turned upto cast their votes.

At Mwanjawanthu polling station in Kaumbwe ward, a polling assistant, Rodgers
Chilongozi, said only 250 people out of the total number of 708 registered voters
had cast their votes by 13.00 hours.

At Lusinde polling station in Lusinde ward, 194 out of 450 registered voters had
cast their votes while at Petauke polling station in the same ward, 140 out of 362
registered voters cast their votes by 14.00 hours.

The low turnout had been attributed to most people preparing their fields for the
next farming season.

Presiding officer at Petauke polling station, Jonathan Muhinyi, said general voter
apathy could have also contributed to the low turnout of voters.

Kapoche constituency has a total number of 27,000 registered voters and 62 polling
stations.

Court acquits Fawaz of motor vehicle theft charge

34

Kitwe businessman and Hetro Mining proprietor, Shawi Fawaz, was today acquitted of the charge of theft of motor vehicle because there was no evidence linking him to the offence.

Fawaz has, however, remained in police custody because he is facing another motor
vehicle theft offence in another court, which is unbailable.

Lusaka High Court Judge, Japhet Banda, acquitted Fawaz and his co-accused, Justin
Phiri but three other accused persons, Kelvin Katambika, Humphrey Mwiya and Teddy
Kapisa Phiri have been found with a case to answer.

The five were charged with one count of theft of a motor vehicle, Isuzu KB, registration number ABD 8667, a cell phone and two suits, all valued at K183 million.

They were alleged to have been armed with a firearm, and used actual violence to
prevent or overcome resistance from the owner.

“I find that no evidence connects the two accuse, A4 (Fawaz) and A5 (Phiri Justin)
to the offence,” he said and acquitted them.

Judge Banda has since adjourned the case for the three to defend themselves to June
29, 2007.

Fawaz said after he was acquitted today that he was happy that justice had prevailed
but added that his joy was not absolute as he was still facing another case of motor
vehicle theft in another court.

Mwanawasa denies U-turning over Constitution-making

66

PRESIDENT Mwanawasa says he has not back-peddled over the Constitution-making process as alleged by the Oasis Forum spokesperson, Musa Mwenya.
In a letter to Mr Mwenya dated June 1, made available to the Times in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mwanawasa said the fact that he would vote against the Constituent Assembly (CA) did not mean that his Government was against the will of the Zambian people over the Constitution-making process.
While the Government did not necessarily agree with all the recommendations in the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) report, it accepted that the CA be provided for in the current Constitution.
Mr Mwanawasa said he did not agree with proponents of the CA, which appeared to suggest that issues of national development and prosperity should be subordinated to the constitutional review but that did not mean Zambians would not get a desired Constitution.
“People need education, health services, shelter, agricultural subsidies, improvement of infrastructure such as good roads and I was not satisfied with the inadequacy which currently exists in these area. This inadequacy posed a big challenge to our fight against poverty and backwardness,” Mr Mwanawasa’s letter read in part.
The President said the process for the inclusion of the CA in Article 79 of the current Constitution should be made if such was the wish of members of Parliament who were the only institution empowered to effect an amendment to any part of the Constitution.
On the successful holding of the census and referendum, Mr Mwanawasa reminded Mr Mwenye that the Government would use all its best endeavours to facilitate the amendment of Article 79 and to mobilise financial resources, but stressed that there would be no shortcuts in the implementation of the Constitution amendment process.
The President, therefore, wondered in what way it could be said that he had now departed from the position which the Government and the ruling party took all along.
He was saddened that he was being viewed with the same lenses, which were used to assess his predecessors, and was also accused of not meaning well for Zambia when the opposite was true

MONDAY FOOTBALL UPDATE

23

The Zambia national football team will face Tanzania in an international friendly this Saturday.
Coach Patrick Phiri will have available for the Tanzania fixture most of the squad that beat Congo-Brazzaville 3-0 in a 2008 Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier at Konkola stadium in Chililabombwe on Saturday.

Striker Christopher Katongo not available due to club commitments back in Denmark at Brondby while defender Elijah Tana of UAE club Al Jezeera has been ruled out due to injury.

Back in the team for the Tanzania match is Zesco United striker Enoch Sakala who was dropped from the final 17-man squad that faced Congo-Brazzaville on Saturday after scoring a brace on his debut a fortnight ago in a 2-0 win away to Namibia.

Also recalled is Green Buffaloes midfielder Noel Mwandila who was also left out of squad for the Congo-Brazzaville game.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Under 23 top the standings in their 2008 Olympic Games football tournament Group B qualifiers after the Senegal and Mali’s tie in Dakar finished 0-0 on Saturday.

Zambia Under 23’s 3-0 win over Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday at Nchanga stadium in Chingola means they top Group B on 3 points while their opponents are bottom with 0 points after both sides pool openers with Senegal and Mali each on 1 point.

Sensitise small-scale farmers — Kapita

2

AGRICULTURE and Cooperatives Minister, Ben Kapita, has directed extension officers and the District Cooperative Unions (DCUs) countrywide to embark on a sensitisation exercise to enable small-scale farmers to improve on crop yields.
Mr Kapita said the move would ensure that farmers remained competitive locally as well as on the export market.
The minister said this in Mkushi last Friday at the 2007 crop marketing season flagging off ceremony held at Mkushi main depot.
He said emergent farmers should at least produce between three to four million tonnes of the crop throughout Zambia. Mr Kapita said there was need for small-scale farmers to diversify into other crops because of the climate changes being experienced globally.
He said there could not be talks of sustainable agriculture without talking about diversifying activities because of the global climatic changes.

The Agriculture minister said it was important that farmers grew crops that were more drought resistant like cassava, millet, sorghum and sweet potatoes, among others.
Mr Kapita urged farmers to engage in other income generating activities such as livestock production, fish farming, fruit and vegetable production.
He cautioned farmers not to sell all their maize because the Government would not give relief food unless under special circumstances. The minister urged millers and other users to buy and store adequate stocks for their operations as the maize bought by FRA was meant for export and relief purposes.
As a way of improving access to farming inputs for emergent farmers, the FRA in collaboration with OMNIA Fertiliser and Nyimbo Investments were facilitating a fertiliser maize barter programme.
Mr Kapita said the Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) was designed to timely supply fertiliser to the small-scale farmers while providing them market access.
The minister, however, warned the two companies not to use the barter programme to exploit the small-scale farmers but to use it for mutual benefits.
Mr Kapita said it was important to realise that the good harvest Zambia was anticipating was a challenge to every citizen to ensure that crops did not go to waste.
He urged the FRA and the farmers to ensure that adequate arrangements for storage purposes of maize were made.
The FRA chairperson, Costain Chilala, said at the same function that K40 billion had been deposited into the agency’s account while a K50 million was already in the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZNCB) account for buying of crops from the farmers.
Mr Chilala said FRA would spend about K205 billion to buy various crops from farmers during this year’s crop marketing season.
He said the money would be used to buy 400,000 and 2,400 tonnes of maize and cassava respectively. Other crops that would be bought are 1,200 tonnes of rice, soyabeans and groundnuts. Mr Chilala said for the agency to successfully handle such volumes of crops, there was need for all players like the cooperatives, financial institutions, transport and fumigation companies to play their roles effectively.
Mr Chilala said there was need for the reduction in fertiliser prices which hindered expansion of the small-scale farmers. He said the crop marketing programme had the potential to generate foreign exchange through exports.

He said the agency exported 126,000 tonnes of maize last season and that efforts had been stepped up to increase the figures this season.
The crop-marketing season that kicked off last Friday, is expected to end on September 30, 2007.

Get correct data on constitution – Mulongoti

2

CHIEF Government spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti, has advised the church to equip itself with correct information on the constitution-making process so that they can actively and effectively participate in the debate.

Mr Mulongoti, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said yesterday that the church should feel free to visit Government offices to get the correct information on the constitution-making process.

The minister said this in Lusaka when he attended a church service at the Ebenezar African Methodist Church in Chilenje.

Mr Mulongoti also said Government was concerned about the leadership wrangles in some churches.

He said Government leaders felt uncomfortable to seek the authority of the church on how best to govern the nation because some of the leaders were always quarrelling.

“We do not feel comfortable to come and seek authority from you when you are always quarrelling. How can you seek dialogue when you are quarrelling?” the minister asked.

Mr Mulongoti also said politicians sometimes avoided to dialogue with church leaders because some of them unnecessarily attacked the State.

“As a strategic partner, the church should help Government with information on how to govern the country in a fair and just manner,” he said.

Mr Mulongoti advised the church against being found in the company of people who had ill-motives, as this would not help Government to develop the country.

“The church complements Government’s efforts in areas like education, health and monitoring of development programmes on the ground.

The church also helps Government in implementing development projects in various parts of the country as it is closer to people, sometimes even more than Government,” he said.

Mr Mulongoti said Government wanted to see the church participate more effectively in matters like HIV/AIDS interventions and governance.

“Among the many areas in which the church complements Government’s efforts are the running of schools, clinics and hospitals and humanitarian missions in times of disasters.

The church also provides education extension services and participates in governance activities at a local level, like monitoring elections and spearheading civic education,” he said.

Mr Mulongoti said Government maintained that the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation should remain a guiding principle to govern all decisions made by the State on behalf of the people.

And Ebenezar Methodist Church pastor-in-charge, Reverend Newton Musunga, said people should not be surprised when the church invited Government leaders to pray with them.

Rev. Musunga said Government leaders should be interacting with the church because they needed God’s guidance for them to run the nation effectively.