Thursday, October 31, 2024
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Makembo Says Chipolopolo Will Beat Algeria

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Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZASOFA) Patron Pastor Peter Makembo expects Chipolopolo to beat Algeria in Thursday night’s decisive 2021 Africa Cup qualifier in Lusaka.

Chipolopolo are bottom of Group H on 3 points, one point behind third placed Botswana who host number two side Zimbabwe also on Thursday.

Algeria, who thrashed Zambia 5-0 in the first leg tie in North Africa, have already qualified for the Cameroon Africa Cup.

Makembo said he believes in the squad Chipolopolo coach Micho has assembled for the Algeria battle.

“We believe in them and we expect them to excel and qualify for AFCON. I urge the players to up their game,” Makembo said.

“We know that Zambia has to win with a very good margin, if they had scored five goals against us at their home ground what will stop us from scoring ten.”

Makembo admitted that the game against the Desert Foxes is crucial.

“It is a deciding game for us. The game against Algeria is very crucial.”

Zambezi youths empowered

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Government has disbursed over K234,000 youth empowerment funds to 26 cooperatives in Zambezi district through Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development multi-sectoral approach.

Speaking when handing over the cheques today, Zambezi District Commissioner, Charton Samahanda said the PF government has identified cooperatives to be one of the tools used in eradicating poverty, thereby, empowering the youths.

Mr Samahanda explained that government attaches great importance to youths as they are part and parcel of the country’s development who have potential to significantly contribute to economic development.

‘I am sure you can see for yourself that the Patriotic Front government is committed to ensuring that young people like you are empowered in this country,” he said.

Mr Samahanda has since appealed to cooperatives to put the money to good use, such as agriculture, to enable them and their cooperatives to create jobs for others which in turn will contribute to social growth and social development.

“This is an empowerment loan and you are expected to pay back so that your friends can benefit too and I will be going round to see what you are doing as a corporative,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zambezi Youth, Sport and Child Development Center Coordinator, Kelvin Katulwende said the ministry has done its part by ensuring that youths in Zambezi have access to the youth development fund under multi-sectoral approach.

Mr Katulwende has since urged the youths empowered to understand why they have been empowered, saying once they understand, it will help them create jobs and expand their business as cooperatives.

“Lack of understanding from youths is the reason why the empowerment fund has not performed well in some places but I urge you to do the correct things,” he said.

And speaking on behalf of other cooperatives, Maseka Kapalu commended government for the gesture, saying it will result in the job creation and help to alleviate household poverty.

Mr. Kapalu has since urged fellow cooperatives to take heed of the advice from the district commissioner and ensure that money is channeled to proper investment which will yield positive results.

“We are grateful for the gesture Mr Commissioner, and we can assure you we will use the money given to us wisely,” he said.

Mize Kweska womens clubs, Kakoto youth group, Kayenda youth club, Khizenzi agricultural cooperative and Lisolyalia enterprise are among the cooperatives that have been empowered.

Opposition condemn church mother bodies for rejecting cyber security bill

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Zambia Republican Party (ZRP) President, Right Musoma has condemned some church mother bodies who wrote to President Edgar Lungu to discourage him from signing the Cyber security and Cyber-crimes bill.

“I am disappointed with the three church mother bodies who wrote to the Republican President to discourage him from signing the cyber bill,” he said.

Mr. Musoma explained that no clergy who means well for the Zambia people would stand against the signing of the bill.

He said the bill that awaits the President’s signature in order to be implemented, is a progressive bill.

Mr. Musoma said this during a press brief at Chrisma Hotel this morning.

“There has been an outcry from the Zambian citizens with regards to cyber-crimes and without the enactment of this bill, our people will remain vulnerable to the perpetrators of cyber-crimes. The President heard the cry of the people and together with the parliamentarians worked on a protective bill”, he explained.

According to Mr. Musoma, the people who are speaking against the bill are under instruction by some leaders of the opposition who have something to hide.

He advised church mother bodies to stick to their duty towards the nation without fear or favor for any political leader as this will disadvantage the interests of the people.

Mr. Musoma said the people have spoken through the Parliamentarians who voted for the bill and that he has no reasons for opposing the bill.

He said his party will not allow any political party or member of the Clergy to disadvantage the protection of the citizenry by blocking the implementation of the Cyber Bill.

ECL Cooperative commended for empowering freedom fighters Cooperative commended for empowering freedom fighters

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Former Freedom Fighters in Mkushi District have commended President Edgar Lungu for effecting the Edgar Chagwa Lungu Multi-Purpose Empowerment Cooperative(ECL—MPEC) to give assistance for this Group.

Mkushi Ex-Freedom Fighters Interim Chairperson Maryion Chisenga told ZANIS that his organization is thankful to President Lungu for considering the plight of Freedom fighters through empowerment from the ECL—MPEC.

Mr. Chisenga said that the move deserves to be commended as it showed that President Lungu acknowledged the significance of freedom fighters as personnel that built the foundation of this Nation.

He observed that that the current generation of citizens are able to flourish because of the sacrifice that the freedom fighters put in towards the struggle for independence, adding that President Lungu’s gesture has exemplified this appreciation.

“I am 86 years old and I have seen the current generation flourishing in the free Republic that we freedom fighters had fought for against colonial oppression,” he said.

He said that the Freedom fighters have noted that the country is amongst other nations whose economy has been destabilized, saying that President Lungu deserved to be commended for mitigating this impact through welfare assistance to cushion the poor.

Mr. Chisenga cited the ECL-MPEC, Social Cash Transfer as well as Food Security Pack as being amongst the welfare assistance that are cushioning the vulnerable from poverty.

He said that it should be noted that the welfare assistance is being catered for young and old, saying that this showed that the Leadership of President Lungu has compassion for all demographic sectors of society.

He expressed hope that more assistance would be accorded for ex-freedom fighters, adding that the group is in need of an office to help in coordinating matters for more than 300 members based in Mkushi and Luano.

PF in its Current Form is too Weak and Easy to Defeat

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By Percy Chanda UPND – Chairman for Mines

The PF leadership has been involved in so many scandals making it so unpopular and very easy to defeat in August elections. The PF leadership has lost respect and credibility from the majority Zambians. It is very difficult for PF to know its strength and weaknesses using bribery as a yard stick. Bribery is not a good tool to measure ones popularity. PF wants Zambians to praise them for putting up disposable roads. This is like asking your children at home to sing songs of praise for buying them a 10 kg bag of mealie meal after squandering your pay. We all know that a good chunk of our money has been stolen by the same PF. Zambians will teach them a lesson that they shall live to remember.

On August 12 Zambians will be voting in order to kick out the entire PF and not individuals. Zambians have a bone to chew with PF for destroying their lives. PF cannot reverse the damage it has done to the economy. Zambians have been reduced to beggars by this PF regime. Zambians will be voting bearing in mind that PF has people who entered politics with no bank accounts but today are millionaires with offshore accounts.

Parents will be voting for the future of their children and grand children. Youths will be taking on PF for destroying their future; after spending so many years in schools, colleges and universities only to end up on the streets selling talk time. Mothers will be entering the polling booth knowing HH will fix the economy and reduce the cost of living. Fathers will be entering the polling booth with a view of kicking out PF for reducing their status in society and causing death to their friends that have died from depression.

Retirees will be motivated to kick out PF for failing to pay them their terminal benefits but declared them as a disaster, when it’s PF that has been a disaster to their lives. Employees will also wake up early in the morning and cast their votes in protest of being over taxed. Students will also queue up to fix PF for denying them 100% bursary. Other Zambians will fix PF for gassing and giving them expired drugs. This is what we call unity of purpose.

Chishimba Kambwili will be Exercising his Fundamental Right if he Re-Joins PF- Ntewewe

If Dr Chishimba Kambwili decides to re-join the Patriotic Front, it is his fundamental right, nobody should intimidate him, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) president Andrew Ntewewe has said.

Mr Ntewewe anticipated positive results if the embattled National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader re-joins the ruling party.

This comes following media reports purporting that Dr Kambwili is considering either to re-join PF or get into an alliance with it, after the failed alliance with the now called “UPND alliance.”

Mr Ntewewe said in an interview that Dr Kambwili, who has been in the politics for a long time has people who follow him religiously.

He added that his followers would come along if the opposition leader re-joins the ruling party, thereby increasing numbers since politics is “about numbers.”

“Dr Chishimba has been a political figure in this country for a very long time. There are people who religiously follow Dr Chishimba Kambwili and those may come along with him,” he said.

“He will be able to play a very important role in the election. Everyone would love him on the scene during campaigns.”

Mr Ntewewe also mentioned that the failed alliance between the NDC and the UPND entails that the UPND is not a team player and that the party leader Hakainde Hichilema is not capable of working with anyone.

He recalled that all the people who have in the past tried to work with Hichilema have failed and have “come back lamenting.”
Commenting on the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill Which awaits Presidential assent, Mr Ntewewe said Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo needs to operationise the Bill as soon as it becomes Law to mitigate cybercrimes.

Meanwhile, Ntewewe said elections are not a matter of life and death but strictly competition for public office.

He has stressed the need for political players to preach peace and emulate the Head of State who has used platform to denounce violence in the country.

Zambia Republican Party condemn Church Mother Bodies for rejecting Cyber Security Bill

Zambia Republican Party (ZRP) President, Right Musoma has condemned some church mother bodies who wrote to President Edgar Lungu to discourage him from signing the Cyber security and Cyber-crimes bill.

“I am disappointed with the three church mother bodies who wrote to the Republican President to discourage him from signing the cyber bill,” he said.

Mr. Musoma explained that no clergy who means well for the Zambia people would stand against the signing of the bill.

He said the bill that awaits the President’s signature in order to be implemented, is a progressive bill.

Mr. Musoma said this during a press brief at Chrisma Hotel yesterday morning.

“There has been an outcry from the Zambian citizens with regards to cyber-crimes and without the enactment of this bill, our people will remain vulnerable to the perpetrators of cyber-crimes. The President heard the cry of the people and together with the parliamentarians worked on a protective bill”, he explained.

According to Mr. Musoma, the people who are speaking against the bill are under instruction by some leaders of the opposition who have something to hide.

He advised church mother bodies to stick to their duty towards the nation without fear or favor for any political leader as this will disadvantage the interests of the people.

Mr. Musoma said the people have spoken through the Parliamentarians who voted for the bill and that he has no reasons for opposing the bill.

He said his party will not allow any political party or member of the Clergy to disadvantage the protection of the citizenry by blocking the implementation of the Cyber Bill.

Do not reduces yourselves to mere political cadre, Priests told

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Do not become cadres, priests urged

Mansa Diocese Catholic Bishop Patrick Chisanga has appealed to Priests in his Diocese not to reduce themselves to mere political cadres as the country goes to the polls on August 12, 2021.

Bishop Chisanga explained that he expects his Priest in his Diocese to be above board and desist from involving themselves in Politics.

Speaking during Mass for the Priests in Mansa Diocese today, Bishop Chisanga indicated that priests should always ensure that they offer counsel and guidance to all politicians in the country.

The Bishop pointed out that Priests are supposed to embrace everyone who comes to them regardless of that person’s political affiliation.

“If you have to point out something which is not going on well, just do that without fear or favour as that is what is expected from you and not to start taking sides,” he said.

Bishop Chisanga observed that Priests should promote peace and unity in the country before, during and after the elections which is in line with the Diocese’s theme for this year, ‘Diocesan Jubilee Year of Mission for Peace.’

And the Bishop has also cautioned politicians in the country against the habit of giving handouts to the church so that they can be seen.

Bishop Chisanga noted that politicians should not be using the church as a campaign place where they want to be giving gifts for political mileage.

“The Bible clearly explains how people are supposed to give their offering and gifts to the church and the God who sees in secret will reward them,” he said.

The Bishop disclosed that the church is open to everyone but to those who come should not reduce the church into a political playing ground.

Bishop Chisanga has since urged Zambians to remain peaceful and to continue seeking the face of God in all that they do.

Chinese quarry mine shut in Chilanga

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The Chilanga District Task Force (DTF) has shut down the operations of Tianyu Mining Zambia Limited for failing to comply with set regulations by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) on air pollution.

DTF Chairperson Richard Ndazye who expressed disappointment with the management of Tianyu Mining Company said such behaviour of constantly polluting the air with dust at the expense of local people will not be tolerated.

He said the company was supposed to engage the residents at Arduin farms and surrounding areas on the best possible way of ensuring that the dust arising from heavy duty vehicles is controlled.

“If you as accompany do nothing on the air pollution happening in the area the cost of living for the people here will go up as they will keep going to the clinic to get medication for coughs owing to the dust caused by the heavy duty vehicles operating in the quarry and those coming to conduct business at the place.

If left unchecked serious illnesses such as silicosis will arise ,So you were supposed to engage the community on the best possible way of dealing with the matter unlike what is transpiring currently,’’ he said.

The DFT Team conducted a tour of the Mapepe-Shimabala road and mining quarry to appreciate the challenges raised by concerned residents of Arduin Farms within Chilanga district.

Mr. Ndazye, who is also Chilanga District Commissioner (DC), said he would engage the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) on the matter.

Arduin Farms Resident Anastasia Sikwese said her family has constant coughs because of the air being constantly pullulated as the road is not tarred neither does the company make initiatives of spraying water on the dust road to reduce the air pollution.

Tianyu Mining Zambia Limited Manager who withheld his names refused to cooperate and opted to drive away pretending to be busy.

But an expatriate employee named Kevin Shong who remained at the Company was at pains to explain to the DTF what measures the company has been putting in place to stop the air pollution.

Shong said he could not give details because the top management is on holiday in China and have failed come back Zambia as a result of strict COVID -19 regulations.

However, according to a letter received at the DC’s office from Tianyu Mining Zambia Limited the company has promised to be pouring water on the road three times daily.

The letters indicates that watering method will be upheld until management returns back from holiday at which time the company will adopt another more effective method of reducing the emission of dust into the air.

Jonas Chanda tumbles in Bwana Mkubwa primaries as Bowman gets a clean sweep in Kabushi

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Health Minister Jonas Chanda was on Tuesday left sweating after he miserably lost the vote in the race to be re-adopted to stand as Bwana Mkubwa Member of Parliament on the PF ticket.

According to the score sheet obtained from the Constituency Executive Commitee, Dr Chanda lost the vote to his main rival Warren Chisha Mwambazi after the incumbent only managed to get four votes out to the 20 available.

This saw Dr Chanda go into a frenzy and confiscated the score sheet and forced the Acting Constituency Chairman a Mr. Chitalima to go into hiding in an attempt to disrupt the process and nullify the vote.

It is believed that Dr Chanda wants to manipulate the final outcome of the vote which is expected to be communicated to the District Commitee on Wednesday for onward transmission to the Provincial Committee and later to the National Secretariat.

By close of business on Tuesday, the whereabouts of Mr Chitalima and Secretary Justo Bwalya, Chairlady Evelyn Tembo and Youth Treasurer Chibukisho Bwalya remained unknown.

But Dr Chanda says he was forced to step in and intervene because the vote was irregular.

He has accused his main rival Warren Chisha Mwambazi of bribing the entire Constituency Executive Commitee into voting for him.

Dr Chanda has alleged that Mr. Mwambazi gave out K10,000 each to 12 members of the Constituency Executive and also paid for their accommadation at Fatmols Lodge in Ndola for him to be favoured for adoption.

“As PF Provincial Vice Chairman, as well as serving Member of Parliament for Bwana Mkubwa Constituency and Minister of Health, I’m aware that such corrupt behavior is contrary to regulations for the Party’s adoption process, I submit,” Dr. Chanda said.

Dr Chanda wants the District Executive Commitee to nullify the outcome of the Constituency vote and block the interviews for all aspiring candidates in Bwana Mkubwa set for Wednesday from taking place.

According to new adoption guidelines in the PF, candidates will be picked strictly by the lower structures by way of recommendation which will be communicated to superior organs of the party.

Meanwhile in Kabushi, incumbent Member of Parliament Bowman Lusambo comfortably won the primary election beating his challengers Edward Ndalama and Tony Mwape.

Mr Lusambo who is also Lusaka Province Minister got 20 votes with Mr Ndalama and Mr Mwape both receiving zero votes.

The PF is expected to announce the final list of adopted candidates on 17th of May in readiness for the August 12th polls.

CEEC hailed for investing in poverty alleviations projects – Chilangwa

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Luapula Province Minister Chilangwa has hailed the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) for investing in projects that are lifting people out of poverty in Luapula Province.

Mr. Chilangwa says Luapula Province has been a key beneficiary of various CEEC financing schemes.

ZANIS reports that the Minister was speaking when CEEC Director General Likando Mukumbuta paid a courtesy call on him in MANSA.

Mr. Chilangwa cited the construction of the first ever industrial yard in Mansa’s Luka Kapasha area, the financing of Kumil Energy, a sugar project in Mwansabombwe District, loan facilities granted to private persons among others as some of the CEEC projects.

He described the projects as life-changing that have gone a long way in alleviating poverty through job creation.

Mr. Chilangwa commended CEEC for partnering with Tatwakakulabe, a Mansa firm in establishing the Mansa Starch Processing Company.

And Mr. Mukumbuta has disclosed that CEEC has partnered with Tatwakakulabe Construction Company to come up with the Mansa Starch Processing Company in its quest to help build local businesses.

Mr. Mukumbuta explains that under the agreement CEEC as equity is injecting K6 Million into the company.

The Director General said so far CEEC has financed the acquisition of a processing plant, an office block and a cassava bulking centre in Mansa’s Bahati Constituency.

Mr. Mukumbuta said the financing has also included the recruitment of the cassava out-grower farmers.

He said CEEC is no longer providing loan facilities to the company because the commission is committed to investing an indigenous Zambian company.

Meanwhile, Luapula Permanent Secretary Charles Mushota has reiterated the Provincial Administration’s resolve to transform cassava into a cash crop.

Mr. Mushota noted that government has demonstrated commitment to attracting more investors in the cassava value chain in the Province.

Media urged to provide correct information

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Government says the media and other stakeholders that provide information especially online media have a huge responsibility to ensure that members of the public receive correct and useful information.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Veronica Mwiche says Government’s development efforts are under threat from a growing trend of misinformation.

“Some people and other sources of information that do not mean well for this country generate and publish false information aimed at misleading and in the process impact negatively on the country’s development programmes,” she said.

Speaking as guest in a speech read on her behalf by assistant secretary Royd Tembo during the Multi-Stakeholders Orientation and Engagement Meeting on Fighting Misinformation and Promoting Democracy in Zambia held at Crossroads Lodge in Chipata, Ms.Mwiche said wrong Information will affect how people respond to the COVID-19 threat anvhow they can participate in the country’s democratic process.

“It is for this reason that Government welcomes the every effort by development partners aimed at curbing the vice of misinformation and its impact on development.

“This meeting has come at the right time when the country is facing various issues that have a bearing on the development of the country among them the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming general elections,” she said.

The meeting has been organized by Bloggers of Zambia and Panos Institute Southern Africa.

Ms. Mwiche said people need to have the right to information to understand the pandemic and make informed decisions.

“People need correct information to effectively participate in the fourth tripartite elections and improve the country’s democracy,” she said.

Earlier, Bloggers of Zambia Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Richard Mulonga said the main objective of the meeting was to sensitive stakeholders on the negatives of misinformation and how it affects journalism as a profession the promotion of democracy in Zambia.

Mr. Mulonga said there is a trend of misinformation especially by online media that is done by people that have not undergone any media training.

Chibaye Health Centre commissioned

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Northern Province Minister, Chungu Bwalya has applauded President Edgar Lungu for his commitment towards improving health care delivery in the country.

Mr Bwalya who is also Lupososhi Member of Parliament said people in the district, are happy with the strides that President Lungu’s administration has made to improve their lives through construction of health centres.

He said government has delivered a number of health centers in Lupososhi, adding that this is a great stride in achieving universal access to health.

“Government in its developmental agenda acknowledges the importance of universal health coverage to Zambians and that is why, it has embarked on a robust construction of health facilities across the country,” he said.

ZANIS reports that Mr Bwalya said this when he commissioned Chibaye Health Post in Lupososhi District.

He stated that the construction of the health post is an indication of government’s vision of taking health services closer to the people.

Mr Bwalya further advised the people of Chibaye to coordinate and support health workers for them to discharge their duties effectively.

Meanwhile, Lupososhi District Health Director, Kelvin Mulemwa said the construction of the health post will enable the community in Chibaye to access health services.

“Despite inadequate staffing, my office has made strides and managed to assign health workers to Chibaye health post. This will reduce the distance patients used to cover to go to Katuta, Lukolongo or health facilities under Luapula Province to access services,” he said.

Dr. Mulemwa stated that the district now has 13 health facilities which are fully operational stating that this will reduce morbidity, maternal mortality and infant mortality as primary health care has been brought closer to the people.

“For sustainable development to continue, the strengthening of the health sector is paramount,” he noted.

Earlier, Sub Chief Chibaye said the health post has come as a relief as his subjects used to walk 50 kilometers to access health services in facilities under Luapula Province.

Mwepu Demands Character as Thursday Fever Looms

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Chipolopolo midfielder Enock Mwepu says the anticipation surrounding Thursday’s decisive date against Algeria very unavoidable.

Zambia hosts the defending AFCON champions in a must-win Group H qualifier at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

“Of course we all know that this is the game everybody is looking forward to,” Mwepu said.

“This is the game that has everything; if we win this game, then we have a chance of course to pull-out everything the last game.”

Zambia head into their penultimate Group H qualifier with 3 points, one point behind Botswana while second placed Zimbabwe, who they visit in their last match on March 29, have 5 points.

Algeria leads on 10 points and has qualified with a game in hand.

Defeat for Zambia will see them fail to qualify to the AFCON for a third successive AFCON.

“All we need is for everybody to show character, everybody to be aggressive and everybody to know that this is all we have,” Mwepu said.

“If we lose this game, then there is nothing for us, it is done.”

Gwembe youth cooperatives empowered

Patriotic Front Member of the Central Committee Syacheye Madyenkuku (middle) introduces Choma central Constituency party secretary Joel Kamoko to the residents (not in picture) of Sikalongo ward while constituency chairperson Timothy Siakaziba looks on
Patriotic Front Member of the Central Committee Syacheye Madyenkuku (middle) introduces Choma central Constituency party secretary Joel Kamoko to the residents (not in picture) of Sikalongo ward while constituency chairperson Timothy Siakaziba looks on
Gwembe District Commissioner (DC), and Timothy Siakaziba says government has disbursed over K150, 000 under the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Project (ZAEDP) to youth cooperatives in the area.

ZANIS reports that Mr Siakaziba says the project being supported by the Citizen’s Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) will benefit 40 youth cooperatives involved in aquaculture.

The fish farmers have also received the first batch of 250,000 fingerlings and 583 bags of feed.

Mr Siakaziba said the fingerlings will help boost fish production in the district.

He noted that fish farming has potential to contribute to food security, improve nutrition, job creation and reduce poverty at household and district level.

Mr Siakaziba has praised the Chipepo Youth Cooperative in Chief Chipepo’s area that has continued to record positive strides in fish production.