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We sympathise with all our civil servants countrywide; teachers, nurses, doctors, our men and women in uniform, and other class of civil servants in various government institutions, for the systematic, deliberate, and sustained threats, intimidation and violence against you.
The suffering which you are going through under the PF regime is of great concern to us. We are with you and we share your pain.
The UPND will build a Zambia which we will all be proud to call home. Today, we have a society of duality; them and us. Our vision is clear, this country belongs to all of us the 18 million-plus citizens and it shouldn’t matter where you were born.
This regime has created a society where citizens are treated differently. That too will be changed immediately after August 12.
We are resolved that once we are elected by the people of Zambia, we will work together to restore the rule of law. No one will be above the law; not even a UPND member or sympathiser. We will restore the rule of law in markets, bus stations and in work places.
We love the people and that’s why we do what we do because we are here to serve the people and not to serve our interests as is the case now.
No one will attack you and get away with it. We want to create an environment that promotes business, safety, and an environment that will allow you to move freely without fearing that you will be harassed or attacked in markets, bus stations, and at your places of work.
To all those who have been retired in national interest, start looking at your watch and count your days because you will soon be back in office.
We are coming to grow the country; not to divide and not to subtract. To achieve this, we all need to work together and bring change through the ballot and remove these people who have divided the nation. Change is coming to Zambia and days of happiness are near.
This was our message this morning during our Press Briefing as we addressed the nation on the need to unite for a better Zambia.
President Edgar Lungu has appealed to the church to pray for the leaders ahead of the 12th August general elections.
Mr Lungu said there was need for the church to pray for national peace ahead of the elections more especially the adoption process so as to have God-fearing leaders.
The Head of State has also urged the church to compliment government when necessary rather than always condemning it.
Speaking when Lusaka Association of Catholic Diocesan President Gabriel Mwanamwalye paid a courtesy call on his at State House, President Lungu advised the church to always offer constructive criticism, opposed to condemning his administration all the time.
“Once in a while compliment us when we do good and criticize us whenever necessary. When we are wrong tell us in a loving and peaceful manner because we all make mistakes”, he added.
He urged the church to continue praying for the political leaders as the country adopts their preferred candidates so that they are God fearing.
Noting that the country needs leaders that listen to the church, Mr Lungu also encouraged them to continue preaching peace to all including the opposition leaders in order for everyone to co-exist.
And Father Mwanamwalye said it’s important that all political parties spread peace to all citizens before, during and after the elections.
Stressing that peace is an asset that must be guarded at all times, Fr Mwanamwalye stated that it’s important to preach peace to all citizens in order to avoid any calamities.
“This is the best time for the country to preach peace . Over the past years , there has been incidents of violence, fake news , name calling among others. These should not happen again”, he said.
Fr. Mwanamwalye used the occasion to appealed to political party leaders to restrain their cadres from violence adding that all political parties to remain peaceful ahead of the crucial August 12th general elections.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating 55 cases for suspected corruption out of 135 cases reported to the commission by the general public during the first quarter of 2021.
ACC Spokesperson Queen Chibwe said 77 out of the 135 reported cases contained elements of corruption and that 55 reports were authorized for investigations while one was recommended for corruption prevention intervention.
Ms. Chibwe said the remaining 58 cases were not corruption related and most of them were closed due to insufficient information and being outside the commission’s mandate, while others are still being studied to determine the next course of action.
She said during the first quarter of 2021, the ACC concluded and closed 14 investigation cases, recording four arrests, with 963 cases remaining under investigations.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka, Ms. Chibwe pointed out that the ACC registered three convictions and concluded seven cases of the 29 active cases consisting of 28 criminal and one civil case.
She said among the three convictions recorded was the case involving 18 former councilors at Livingstone City Council.
Of the 18 accused, six were convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment with hard labour, suspended for six months, while the other 12 were acquitted, but the state has since appealed against the acquittals.
And the ACC Spokesperson disclosed that the commission has concluded investigations into irregularities surrounding the awarding of a tender to Honeybee Pharmaceuticals.
Ms. Chibwe said a docket has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further action.
She said the commission was still investigating the alleged corruption involving the mismanagement of Covid-19 donations at the Ministry of Health.
Ms. Chibwe explained that the commission has isolated a number of cases from the audit report on the Covid-19 donations released by the Auditor-General’s office and investigations have reached an advanced stage.
She announced that the ACC has also concluded investigations into the alleged corrupt procurement of 50 ambulances at a cost of US$288,000 per ambulance by the Ministry of Health.
Ms. Chibwe said the ACC will soon forward the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions for possible litigation.
And Ms. Chibwe has confirmed that the plaintiffs claiming ownership of the 51 houses in Lusaka’s Chalala area had discontinued the case against government.
She said the 51 houses remain the property of the state and that the ACC is managing the properties on behalf of the government.
Ms. Chibwe said the ACC will continue to form and strengthen partnerships with various stakeholders in order to come up with and implement effective interventions to arrest corruption in the country.
She has since appealed to Zambians to be vigilant and report suspected cases of corruption to the Anti-Corruption Commission in order to ensure corruption-free elections.
Nkana have sent coach Kelvin Kaindu on forced leave following a string of losses in the FAZ Super Division.
The decision came a day after Kalampa lost 2-1 to Kitwe United in the Kitwe derby to remain stuck in the relegation zone.
Nkana sits third from bottom on 21 points from twenty games played with three matches in hand.
“Nkana Football Club Management has requested Head Coach Kelvin Kaindu to proceed on a three weeks paid leave effective today 14 April 2021. Nkana Acting Chief Executive Officer, Kapwepwe Mutale stated that Kaindu has agreed to proceed on leave in view of a string of bad results that the team has posted in the recent past,” read a media statement issued by club spokesperson Lillian Musenge.
Assistant Coach Kaunda Simonda will act as head coach during Kaindu’s leave while being assisted by Young Nkana Coach Fidelis Chungu.
Kaindu was appointed as Nkana coach last December after the dismissal of Manfred Chabinga.
Nkana have demoted Physical trainer Joseph Musonda to the role of Junior Team coach.
Musonda’s place has been taken up by Nkana Gym Instructor and Physical Trainer Chewe Mwamba.
Stakeholders have come on board to complement the government’s efforts in fighting the shocks of climate change on dairy farmers in the country.
German Society for International Cooperation Ltd (GIZ), through a programme called the Zambia Dairy Value Chain Project, is training a number of dairy farmers in Southern Province.
GIZ Senior Advisor, Belinda Chilala explained that the drought that affected the Southern province in 2019 has had a hash impact on dairy farmers.
Dr. Chilala pointed out that this programme, which runs up to 2024, targets to empower small holder dairy farmers with sustainable skills.
ZANIS reports that Dr. Chilala said the programme that began in 2015 targets to train not less than 10,000 dairy farmers in the Southern province.
She said currently 24 dairy cooperatives are being empowered with sustainable capacity building skills in the region.
“We target to empower over 10,000 small holder farmers on how to feed their animals and also produce the fodder than just depending on the rain fed pasture and we are working closely with the line Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries among others,” Dr. Chilala explained.
The GIZ Senior Advisor underscored that the climate change that hit the region hard a few years ago, has brought about the break out of animal disease in the area.
She pointed out that foot and mouth disease and tick-borne are among the diseases that dairy farmers are battling with in the regions.
Dr. Chilala has since lauded government and other cooperating partners for their tireless efforts in fighting animal diseases in the country and other challenges which dairy farmers are facing.
An average person in Zambia consumes 35 litres of milk per capita against the 200 litres recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Zambia Integrated Forest and Landscape Project (ZIFLP) has made available K3 million for setting up an oil, feedstock and peanut butter processing factory in Sinda District of Eastern Province.
Equally, the forest and landscape project, supported through the World Bank’s Bio-carbon Fund and Global Environmental Facility, has financed an indoor aquaculture facility as well as poultry and small livestock venture in Sinda.
ZANIS reports that the two projects are under women led cooperatives.
The oil and peanut butter processing project is being run by Sinda District Women’s Development Association (SDWDA) while aquaculture and small livestock venture is under Kamg’elo Gardeners and Fish Farmers Cooperative.
Sinda District Commissioner Paradious Sakala, who inspected the ongoing works of the two projects, is happy that the works are progressing well.
Works on the oil and peanut butter processing factory have reached 90 percent completion while the indoor aquaculture and livestock project works have reached 50 percent completion.
And Mr Sakala described the two projects , expected to be running by mid-May, as a game changer for the economy in the district as they will create employment through value addition and contribute to reducing poverty.
“I feel these projects are life changing projects, not only that but also bring hope. You know poverty is a choice, if you work hard, you will succeed,” he said.
And Sinda District Women’s Development Association Chairperson Esther Ngwira has revealed that her association has already procured the needed machinery for oil and peanut butter factory.
“The project we applied for was for cooking oil processing, we have already procured an oil expeller, incubator and a peanut butter processer. There will be a lot of projects running in here,” she said.
Ms Ngwira has further thanked government for having made it possible for such institutions like hers to access grants through ZIFLP, which is working with rural farming related groups to promote sustainable livelihoods aimed at reducing environmental degradation.
The oil and peanut butter processing factory that will promote value addition to agriculture produce is the first of its kind to be established within Sinda since its creation as a district in 2012.
Meanwhile, Sinda District Senior Aqua-Culturist Victor Kawaga told District Commissioner that Kamg’elo Gardeners and Fish Farmers Cooperative project is involves developing an indoor fish archeries and aqua-livestock feed production.
Mr Kangwa said the cooperative has made various stride in procuring the various equipment needed for the project to run.
So far, the cooperative has rehabilitated the 2.5 Kilometer farrow that flows into the fish pond they will be using and have worked on two dams that they will be using.
Kamg’elo Gardeners and Fish Farmers Cooperative Treasurer Nelia Banda stated that once completed, the project will not only empower them economically through employment creation but also social needs like education will be met.
The United Nations in Zambia has expressed concerned about the emergence of a video in which suspected political party supporters are allegedly seen harassing and threatening a female civil servant based on suspicion of political affiliation.
UN Zambia Resident Coordinator Coumba Mar Gadio said that such acts are unacceptable and are against Zambia’s Constitution through which the people of Zambia have committed to upholding the principles of democracy and good governance.
“We reaffirm the need to observe the rule of law and fully respect the human rights of all Zambians, regardless of their political persuasion or affiliation,” Dr. Mar Gadio said.
She Further stated that the United Nations in Zambia has called on politicians, party members and their supporters across the political spectrum to unite and stand for peace, and for the State to protect the political rights of all citizens.
” Such actions, led by the State, are necessary and consistent with Zambia’s international human rights obligations including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which reminds us that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth”, Dr Mar Gadio noted.
She noted that the United Nations in Zambia also welcomes Government’s condemnation of this incident and the arrest of the alleged perpetrators.
Dr Mar Gadio further noted that all acts of violence must be subject to prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations, and the individuals found responsible must be brought to justice.
This is contained in a statement made available to Zanis by UN National Information officer Mark Maseko in Lusaka today.
A video went viral on social media yesterday, showing some named political party cadres harassing a female worker whom they accused of supporting a rival party.
Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja condemned Patriotic Front cadres who stormed Ministry of Works and Supply offices to harass a woman they accused of belonging to the opposition United Party for National Development.
Equally, Meanwhile, the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has condemned in the strongest terms the conduct by suspected party cadres who harassed a female civil servant at one of the Government ministries in Lusaka Province.
PF Media Director Sunday Chanda said that the party does not subscribe to the bullying and intimidation of civil servants.
Mr. Chanda said in a statement that says the conduct by these suspected cadres is not only intolerable but borders on criminality and has since urged investigative wings to bring the culprits to book without delay.
Kitwe United are toasting their first win of the 2020/21 FAZ Super Division season that came at the expense of Kitwe rivals Nkana on Wednesday.
The Buchi Boys rallied from a goal down to beat Nkana 2-1 in lunchtime match at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
Kitwe acting coach Kassie Kalande said Chingalika planned well for Nkana.
“We made the plan for this game. It was not an easy plan because we have not been winning games especially that Nkana scored first so the boys felt as if the tradition of losing has come. My plan was correct and I had a lot of depths in the team which I introduced in the second half and they changed the game,” Kalande said.
Kalande told journalists at Arthur Davies Stadium that Kitwe had been working on scoring in a bid to start winning games.
“We have been working on the problem of failing to score most of the times. All our training session we have been concentrating on the finishing and it has worked out because all the goals came like we have been training.”
Kalande said the win over Nkana gives bottom placed Kitwe the hope of surviving relegation.
“Of course the win gives hope. If we can win all the remaining matches we can survive so it is just a matter of preparing the boys,” he said.
Napsa Stars enhanced their 2020/2021 FAZ Super Division survival hopes today following an 1-0 away win over Forest Rangers at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Thursday’s victory lifts Napsa to 27 points but they stay put on top of the relegation trap door at number 14 after 21 games played with two matches in hand.
Zambia junior international striker Jimmy Mukeya scored the game’s lone goal in the 18th minute to give Napsa their sixth league win of the season.
It was the young strikers’ third league goal of the season.
Meanwhile, Forest drop from third to fourth on the goal difference accrued following Thursdays loss and swap places with Power Dynamos with whom they are tied with on 35 points after 23 games.
Forest are three points behind second placed Zanaco and a further eleven points adrift of leaders Zesco United.
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) in Lusaka Province has charged that attempts by the opposition UPND to sabotage the civil service are a cheap political gimmick.
PF Lusaka Province Chairman Kennedy Kamba says the party is aware that the UPND is making cheap political gimmicks and maneuvers by using civil servants to try and create an impression that the PF is failing to manage its cadres.
Addressing the media in Lusaka this afternoon, Mr. Kamba Charged that these maneuvers are highly provocative and will not help the UPND gain popularity because the truth will always come out.
And Mr. Kamba has reiterated that the three young men seen in footage harassing a female civil servant at the Ministry of Works and Supply are not members of the PF in Lusaka adding that their criminal activities have nothing to do with the party.
He disclosed that the lead culprit has been identified as Charles Kakula, a medical clerk officer from Kabwe.
The PF Lusaka Province boss says the party is baffled that Kakula traveled to Lusaka and staged the harassment of an innocent fellow civil servant claiming that he is a PF cadre in Lusaka and had the audacity to drag the woman to the office of the Permanent Secretary, and further issued inflammatory statements before cameras.
“These are desperate attempts by a frustrated political party as it is headed for another electoral defeat come August this year,” he said.
Mr. Kamba has since thanked the police for arresting Kakula and his friends for such criminal activities under the pretext that he was a PF cadre.
“No person, PF cadre or not can go Scot free after committing such a crime, Mr. Kamba stated.
Mr. Kamba further stated that the party is perplexed as everyone else that another video of a civil servant identified as Aaron Mwanza, a registered nurse at Chainama Hills College clad in a UPND regalia recorded himself for more than three minutes while at work, disparaging the PF government and campaigning for the UPND.
He charged that all civil servants have a well elaborate code of conduct and it is highly unacceptable to take politics to places of work.
The Provincial Chairman charged that this kind of indiscipline will never be taken kindly or tolerated.
“As earlier stated, we know so well that some civil servants have been paid to sabotage government by coming up with such misconduct to demonstrate disobedience and defiance to the state and the government of the day,” Mr. Kamba said.
Mr. Kamba said while Zambia is a democracy, civil servants are not allowed to take politics to their places of work.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Nkandu Luo says government is working on populating livestock farming across the country.
Professor Luo said Zambia has potential to enrich lives of its citizenry through the Livestock sector but only when the industry is taken to areas not predominantly known for livestock farming in country.
Speaking when she handed over 540 improved village chickens and 60 goats to 76 church based Women Clubs and four Cooperatives in Kapiri Mposhi, Prof Luo said there is need to change the notion that livestock farming can only be done in certain parts of the country.
“We are working on mindset change that livestock farming can only thrive in Southern and Western Provinces.. so Government is ensuring that livestock farming is promoted in all parts of this country,” Prof Luo said.
The Minister explained that there abundant land and water resources key to livestock rearing in all the parts of the country.
The Livestock empowerment was provided through the Ministry’s Enhanced Small Livestock Investment Programme (ESLIP) which focusses on promoting small livestock businesses through Cooperatives in the country.
Prof. Luo guided that the livestock Empowerment programme will operate on a pass on basis to ensure that more groupings and individuals benefit from the initiative.
“This is wealth creation empowerment and as a ministry this is how we are promoting the concept of putting more money in your pockets… your government under the leadership of President Lungu wants to ensure improved income and food security at household level for beneficiary groups of various empowerment programmes,” Ms Luo said.
And Kapiri Mposhi Pastors Fellowship Chairperson, Japhet Msoni commended government for coming to the aid of the church through the Livestock Empowerment initiative especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bishop Musoni stated that the church has suffered low income levels to continue with its duties such as helping the needy in society due to dwindled income brought about by the impact of the Coronavirus.
” We have lost memberships and income in the church because of COVID-19… therefore this gesture is very liberating and is testimony of how caring government and President Lungu cares for the church,” Bishop Msoni said.
Bishop Msoni assured government that the beneficiary church women clubs will utilize the empowerment to uplift their lives.
Meanwhile, District Commissioner Smart Mwila commended government for the various empowerment programmes targeting youths, women and people living with disabilities in the district.
ZCCM-IH Gold will next month increase production at its Kansenseli Gold Mine in Mwinilunga following successful explorations.
Public Relations Manager, Loisa Mbatha Kakoma, said ZCCM-IH Gold had been given the mining licence and all approvals by Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) have been done.
Ms Kakoma said in an interview that the firm had been mining at Kansenseli in tandem with ongoing exploration works which were being done in phases.
She said mining was being done on a small scale but would next month be stepped up.
“Explorations are ongoing in phases but we have been mining, we are just mining on a very small portion that is how come you have seen that gold we sold to the Bank of Zambia, it came from the mining and processing activities,” she said.
Ms Kakoma said more exploration works would be done to access how much gold was available at the mine.
ZCCM-IH through its Zambia Gold Company oversees the mining, processing, refining, and marketing of gold in the country.
The company owns 51 percent of shares in the mine while the government through the Ministry of Finance has 49 percent shares.
At least 156 people have so far been vaccinated following the launch of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination campaign yesterday at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka.
Minister of Health Jonas Chanda said front-liners such as health workers, media personnel and many other individuals are turning up to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Dr. Chanda expressed gratitude to those that got vaccinated and further encouraged more opinion shapers, leaders and the community to make a bold decision and get vaccinated as the benefit of the vaccination outweighs the negative effects of not being jabbed at all.
‘’I encourage opinion shapers, civic leaders and media houses to get vaccinated and share your experience. I was particularly moved by one Journalist from ZNBC who got vaccinated and shared his experience on a late night show which I featured,’’ Dr. Chanda said.
He added that, so far there are no reports concerning the adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) that may occur after acquiring a vaccination but only a few reports on common side effects associated with any other vaccine such as pain at the point of injection and headache which he said are manageable.
Dr. Chanda has since assured the public that government is working closely with the AEFI surveillance system to ensure that any concerns that will occur are reported as soon as possible as the vaccination is being conducted in a cautious manner.
And the Minister of Health has disclosed that in the last 24 hours, Zambia recorded 143 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the cumulative number of cases recorded to 90,532.
He said there was also one Covid-19 related death, bringing the cumulative number of Covid-19 related deaths reordered to date to 1,230.
And a total of 42 people have been discharged, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 88,272.
He said there are 168 active cases both under community care and Covid-19 centres.
Dr. Chanda has however encouraged continued adherence to the health guidelines despite government rolling out the vaccination campaign, saying there may be a possible third wave in the cold season.
“We must not be weary and lower our guard down but continue following the five golden rules of wearing a mask, keeping social distance, using hand sanitiser, avoid crowded places and report to the hospital when you are symptomatic, ’’said Dr. Chanda.
President Edgar Lungu says judges have a critical role to play in the dispensation of fair justice as the country goes to the presidential and general elections on August 12, 2021.
President Lungu said Zambians expect the judiciary to perform and discharge their duties with unparalleled high levels of professionalism that should be inspired by principals of judicial authority as spelt out in article 118 (2) of the Zambian constitution.
The Head of State has since urged judges to exercise impartiality and high levels of integrity in discharging their duties as political players and stakeholders will seek for justice from the courts of law
“The role of the judiciary, particularly, this year when our country is going to the general elections on 12th August, will be critical as most political players and other stakeholders will seek different forms of court relief,” he said.
President Lungu stressed that the judiciary has a key role to play in providing fair justice to meet people’s expectations.
“I am confident that your individual diverse experiences in the administration of justice in your previous capacities in the judiciary will be invaluable as you take up your respective new roles,” President Lungu said.
He said this at State House in Lusaka today when he swore in seven judges for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court and Court of Appeals.
Justice Flugency Chisanga handing in her affidavit of oath to President Lungu when she was sworn in as Supreme Court Judge at State House
Justice Fulgency Chisanga was sworn in as Supreme Court Judge, while Justices Mathew Chisunka, Judy Mulongoti and State Counsel Mwila Chitabo were sworn in as Constitutional Court Judges.
Justices Anessie Banda-Bobo, Nicola Ann Sharpe-Phiri and Kelvin Muzenga were sworn in as Court of Appeal Judges.
President Lungu has since assured the judiciary that his administration remained committed to ensuring that establishments of the constitutional court and court of appeal are filled to optimum levels needed to run them effectively.
He noted that the constitutional court is supposed to have 13 judges and the court of appeal 19 judges and that the appointments of the judges to the two courts is evidence of government’s commitment to ensuring that they operate at full capacity.
The appointment of the three constitutional judges has since increased the judges to nine while the Court of Appeals now has 13.
President Lungu was delighted that the gender balancing had seen four female judges being sworn in, which demonstrated his administration’s recognition of the positive contributions that women in the judiciary are making in the dispensation of justice.
“With this progressive milestone, I urge you all not to lose sight of the fact that the positions you have been appointed to are not only of great honour, but also come with immense responsibility and high expectations from members of the public,” he said.
Dr. Lungu said he was aware of the challenges affecting the commendable work the judiciary has been doing in delivering timely and effective justice in the country.
He said government will soon embark on a robust programme of constructing court infrastructure across the country to address the critical challenge of inadequate space being faced by the judiciary.
The Head of State also assured that government will address funding inadequacies to the judiciary to meet judges’ entitlements as provided for under the law.
The swearing in ceremony was attended by Chief Justice Irene Mambilima, Deputy Chief Justice Michael Musonda, Minister of Justice Given Lubinda, and his Presidential Affairs counterpart Freedom Sikazwe, Secretary to Cabinet Simon Miti, Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, State House and other senior government officials.
President Edgar Lungu signing on the affidavit of oath for justice Flugency Chisanga when she was sworn in as Supreme Court Judge at State HouseJustice Flugency Chisanga handing in her affidavit of oath to President Lungu when she was sworn in as Supreme Court Judge at State House Justice Mwila Chitabo handing in his affidavit of oath to President Lungu when he was sworn in as Constitutional Court Judge at State HousePresident Edgar Lungu congratulate justice Flugency Chisanga after she was sworn in as Supreme Court Judge at State House
Parliament has unanimously adopted a report of the committee on health, community development and social services.
Lukulu East Member of Parliament Christopher Kalila, who is committee chairperson, raised the motion for the report to be adopted.
Parliamentarians took turns in appreciating the contents of the report that will ensure wellness for citizens in the country.
Forum for Development and Democracy (FDD) Chiengi member of parliament Given Katuta called for more laboratories to be constructed in the country.
Ms. Katuta said wellness is key to the social and economic development of any given country hence the need to have state of the art laboratories countrywide.
“This report is timely and we call upon the executive to build more laboratories in the country because it is only healthy people that can develop this country. For Chiengi, we normally take any samples to Mansa. Mostly our water is not very safe in Chiengi so we are really on Mansa to check the samples,” she stressed.
And UPND Ikeleng’i Member of parliament Elijah Muchima pointed out that there is need to invest in scientific research in order to cushion the impact of diseases that may break out in the country.
Mr. Muchima said research will also deal with the prevailing pandemic of Covid-19.
He has since called for politicians to put their differences aside and find ways in which all provinces can have research centres.
On the other hand, Zambezi East lawmaker Harry Kamboni stated that the country urgently needs laboratories in order to contain any disease outbreaks such as Covid-19.
Mr. Kamboni said Zambezi general hospital is among the hospitals that are lacking modern laboratories in the country, an issue which should be addressed.
“This report is timely and I call upon the Ministry of Health to address the pertinent issues raised in this report. The biggest hospital in Zambezi needs a modern laboratory that will be able to analyze the samples unlike taking every sample to Lusaka,” he said.
Contributing to the adoption of the motion, both Ministers of Finance Bwalya Ng’andu and of Health Jonas Chanda hailed the committee for having raised important issues in their report.
The duo explained that the government will study the report and address the issues pointed out in line with the Abuja declaration of adequate funding to the health sector.
