Tuesday 30 August 2011

GIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO WOMEN, NGOCC TELLS POLITICAL PARTIES TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS

THE NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION COORDINATING COUNCIL HAS TOLD ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE COUNTRY TO GIVE ENOUGH FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE FEMALE CANDIDATES WHO THEY HAVE ADOPTED TO STAND ON THEIR PARTY TICKET IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING IN LUSAKA TODAY NON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION COORDINATING COUNCIL (NGOCC) BOARD CHAIRPERSON BEATRICE GRILLO EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE LACK OF COMPLETE INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF FEMALES WHO HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AS COUNCILLORS.
MRS. GRILLO WHO SPOKE IN A SPEECH READ ON HER BEHALF BY NGOCC BOARD VICE CHAIRPERSON MARY MULENGA SAYS IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL POLITICAL PARTIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CANDIDATES WHETHER WOMEN OR MEN ARE ELECTED AS LEADERS IN VARIOUS CONSTITUENCIES.
AND MRS. GRILLO SAYS THE WOMEN MOVEMENT IS ALSO DISAPPOINTED WITH THE FACT THAT THE INDEPENDENT WOMEN WHO WERE NOT ADOPTED BY THEIR PARTIES HAVE CONTINUED TO BE VICTIMIZED.
SHE NOTED THAT SO FAR ONLY 105 WOMEN CANDIDATES FROM ALL POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED TO STAND IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION'S WHICH SHE SAID IS UNFORTUNATE AS THIS NUMBER MIGHT NOT MEET THE SADC PROTOCOL REQUIREMENT.
MEANWHILE NGOCC BOARD SECRETARY GRACE MANYONGA DISCLOSED THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAS SO FAR SCOUTED  820MILLION KWACHA FROM A TOTAL BUDGET OF 2BILLION KWACHA.
SPEAKING AT THE SAME BRIEFING ZAMBIA NATIONAL WOMEN’S LOBBY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLLEN MUKANDA SAYS THE WOMEN’S GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO USE  CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME TO EDUCATE VOTERS ON WHO THEY SHOULD VOTE FOR IN THIS YEAR ELECTIONS


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E U OBSERVER MISSION TO ZAMBIA ADVISES THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT TO HOLD THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS IN A FREE, FAIR AND TRANSPARENCY MANNER

THE EUROPEAN UNION ELECTIONS OBSERVER MISSION TO ZAMBIA DEPUTY CHIEF OBSERVER DAVID WARD HAS ADVISED THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT TO HOLD THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS IN A FREE, FAIR AND TRANSPARENCY MANNER IF THE OUTCOME HAS TO BE ACCEPTED.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW THIS MORNING AFTER SENDING OUT 24 ELECTION OBSERVERS TO VARIOUS DISTRICTS OF THE COUNTRY TO BEGIN THEIR MISSION , MR. WARD SAYS TRANSPARENCY WILL ENSURE THAT PEACE IS MAINTAINED.
MR. WARD HAS POINTED OUT THAT MOST OF  CONFLICTS WHICH ARE SEEN IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES ARE AS A RESULT OF NOT HAVING A TRANSPARENT ELECTORAL SYSTEM WHICH INSPIRES CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTORATE.
HE SAYS THE WORLD IS WATCHING AND WAITING TO SEE AS WHETHER ZAMBIA WILL BREAK ITS MUCH DESIRED TREASURE WHICH IS PEACE BY HAVING ELECTIONS WHICH WILL NOT  BE ACCEPTED BY LOSERS AND WILL RESULT IN POLITICAL CHAOS.
MR. WARD HAS EXPLAINED THAT THE EU MISSION IN THE COUNTRY HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF ENSURING THAT THE ELECTIONS ARE VIOLENT FREE AND THE OUTCOME IS ACCEPTABLE

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Tuesday 23 August 2011

RAILWAY SYSTEM OF ZAMBIA TO INVEST $12MILLION IN ITS OPERATIONS BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

THE RAILWAY SYSTEM OF ZAMBIA (RSZ) HAS DISCLOSED THAT IT PLANS TO INVEST ABOUT $12MILLION IN ITS OPERATIONS BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
RSZ CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BENJAMIN EVEN HAS TOLD RADIO PHOENIX THAT  HIS  COMPANY HAS ALSO INVESTED IN  FULL REHABILITATION OF MORE THAN 150 WAGONS THIS YEAR AT AN APPROXIMATION OF $3MILLION OF LOCOMOTIVES SPARES TO SUPPORT THE  LOCOMOTIVES UPGRADE PROGRAMME.
AND MR. EVEN SAYS RSZ IN COOPERATION WITH TAZARA HAS SO FAR TRANSPORTED APPROXIMATELY 80,000-100,000TONNES  OF CARGO IN FORM OF COPPER AND FERTILIZERS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
HE SAYS RSZ HAS TRANSPORTED INTO THE COUNTRY MOST OF THE FERTILIZERS WHICH ARRIVED THIS YEAR OF APPROXIMATELY 80,000 TONNES FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND DAR ES SALAAM.
MR EVEN FURTHER SAYS  RSZ HAS ALSO EXPORTED APPROXIMATELY 35,000TONNES OF EU SUGAR TO SOUTH AFRICA SINCE  APRIL TODATE.
MEANWHILE MR. EVEN HAS BEMOANED WHAT HE HAS CALLED AS ENDLESS VANDALISM ACTS ALONG THE RAILWAY LINE WHICH HE SAYS IS A DRAW BACK TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY.
END.

Thursday 18 August 2011

GIVEN LUBINDA AND THE POST NEWSPAPER REFUSES TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION TO THE ACC PERTAINING TO CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS LEVELED AGAINST THE UNIVERSAL PRINTING GROUP OF SOUTH AFRICA.

FORMER PATRIOTIC FRONT KABWATA MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT GIVEN LUBINDA AND THE POST NEWSPAPER YESTERDAY REFUSED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION (ACC) PERTAINING TO CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS LEVELED AGAINST THE UNIVERSAL PRINTING GROUP OF SOUTH AFRICA.
ACC YESTERDAY SUMMONED MR. LUBINDA AND THE POST NEWSPAPER FOR A MEETING AT THE ACC HEADQUARTERS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE ALLEGED CORRUPT ACTIVITIES INVOLVING UNIVERSAL PRINT GROUP OF SOUTH AFRICA WHICH HAS BEEN CONTRACTED TO PRINT BALLOT PAPERS FOR THE SEPTEMBER 2011 GENERAL ELECTIONS.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX MR. LUBINDA SAYS HE IS READY TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION ON THE CORRUPT ACTIVITIES OF THE COMPANY IN QUESTION TO THE ACC BUT IF THERE IS ONLY CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT AS THE CURRENT ONE IS COMPROMISED DUE TO THE INFLUENCE FROM POLITICIANS.
MR LUBINDA SAYS HE AND THE POST REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION BECAUSE IN THE FIRST PLACE THE ACC REFUSED THAT THEY WERE NOT INVESTIGATING THE MATTER BUT DURING THE MEETING ADMITTED DOING SO WHICH ONLY RESULTED IN LOSING CONFIDENCE IN THEM.
AND POST MANAGING EDITOR AMOS MALUPENGA ALSO CONFIRMED HIS COMPANY ATTENDING THE MEETING AT WHICH THEY WERE ALSO REQUESTED TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED INFORMATION BUT ALSO DECIDED TO REFUSE TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION DUE TO THE LOSE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE CURRENT ACC MANAGEMENT.
IN HIS LETTER TO MR. LUBINDA AND THE POST ACC DIRECTOR GENERAL LIEUTENANT COLONEL GODFREY KAYUKWA REQUESTED MR. LUBINDA AND THE POST TO ASSIST THE COMMISSION WITH DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ALLEGATIONS IN ORDER FOR THE COMMISSION TO PROFESSIONALLY PURSUE THE MATTER.

MMD REITERATES THEIR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IS THE ONLY ONE CAPABLE LAEDER TO SCOOP THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS DUE TO HIS CALIBER

THE RULING MOVEMENT FOR MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY (MMD) HAS REITERATED THAT THE ONLY PARTY WITH A SUITABLE CANDIDATE TO SCOOP THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS DUE TO HIS CALIBER AND CHARACTER WHICH IS FOCUSED ON DEVELOPMENT OF ZAMBIAN.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX, MMD SPOKESPERSON DORA SILIYA SAYS THE ACCOLADES BEING GIVEN BY INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS MUST NOT BE IGNORED AS THEY REFLECT THE TRUE WORKS OF PRESIDENT BANDA AND HIS GOVERNMENT.
MS SILIYA WHO BRAGGED ABOUT HER PARTY MANAGING TO FIELD CANDIDATES IN ALL THE CONSTITUENCIES SAYS MOST OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE CONTINUED TO LAG BEHIND DUE TO LOSE OF FOCUS AND LACK OF CREDIBLE LEADERSHIP WHICH CAN STEER THE NATION FORWARD.
SHE HAS POINTED OUT THAT THE OPPOSITION HAS CONTINUED CRITICIZING PRESIDENT BANDA UNNECESSARILY WITHOUT TELLING PEOPLE WHAT THEY WILL DO ONCE ELECTED INTO OFFICE WHICH HAS PUT PRESIDENT BANDA AT AN ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO SEE WHAT HE HAS DONE.
MS SILIYA SAYS THE PARTY WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON WHAT IT HAS DONE SO FAR HENCE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE VOTE FOR THE MMD TO CONTINUE WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
END.

UPND PROMISES ZAMBIAN PEOPLE OF FOOD SECURITY ONCE ELECTED

THE OPPOSITION UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (UPND) LEADER HAKAINDE HICHILEMA HAS PROMISED ZAMBIAN PEOPLE THAT ONCE ELECTED INTO OFFICE, THE COUNTRY WILL BE FOOD SECURED UNLIKE THE CURRENT SITUATION OBTAINING ON THE GROUND SHOWING HIGH POVERTY LEVELS.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX MR. HICHILEMA HAS CHARGED THAT ZAMBIA IS LACKING LEADERS WHO ARE GOOD MANAGERS OF NATIONAL RESOURCES AND CAN SPREAD THE LITTLE ACROSS TO EVERYONE.
MR HICHILEMA DARED GOVERNMENT TO ASSISTS SOME PARTS OF THE HORN OF AFRICA WHICH ARE AFFECT WITH HUNGER AND POVERTY USING THE MUCH ACCLAIMED MAIZE FROM BUMPER HARVEST SAYS IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT MAIZE IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY IS GETTING ROTTEN WITHOUT GOVERNMENT SHOWING MUCH CONCERN.
HE SAYS ONCE HIS GOVERNMENT FORMS GOVERNMENT, IT WILL ENSURE THAT IT HASTEN IN IMPLEMENTING ALL THE PROPOSED MANIFESTO IDEAS WHICH HAVE OUTLINED WHAT THE PARTY WANTS TO ESPECIALLY THOSE ON AGRICULTURE WHICH IS CARDINAL TO THE COUNTRY.
THE UPND LEADER SAYS GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CLAIMING TO HAVE HAD A BUMPER HARVEST BUT WHAT IS SADDENING TO NOTE THAT IT CAN NOT EVEN SHARE A LITTLE TO THE HORN OF AFRICA SINCE THE COUNTRY HAS ENOUGH TO LAST THE NEXT FARMING SEASON AND EXPORT TO OTHER COUNTRIES.
END.

Saturday 13 August 2011

MMD SAYS ALL THE MEMBERS WHO WERE NOT ADOPTED BY THE PARTY AND HAVE DECIDED TO GO IT ON THEIR OWN AS INDEPENDENT HAVE EXPELLED THEMSELVES WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

THE RULING MOVEMENT FOR MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY (MMD) SAYS ALL THE MEMBERS WHO WERE NOT ADOPTED BY THE PARTY TO STAND IN THE VARIOUS CONSTITUENCIES AND HAVE DECIDED TO GO IT ON THEIR OWN AS INDEPENDENT SHOULD CONSIDER THEMSELVES EXPELLED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX, MMD DEPUTY NATIONAL SECRETARY CHEMBE NYANGU HAS EXPLAINED THAT ACCORDING TO THE PARTY CONSTITUTION ANY MEMBER WHO DECIDES TO CONTEST AN ELECTION AS INDEPENDENT CEASES TO BE A MEMBER UNTIL AT A PARTICULAR TIME WHEN THEY REAPPLY TO BE READMITTED.
THE MMD DEPUTY NATIONAL SECRETARY WAS SPEAKING WITH THE VIEW OF CALLS FROM CENTRAL PROVINCE PARTY OFFICIALS WHO HAVE WRITTEN TO THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO EXPEL FORMER MKUSHI NORTH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT LUCY CHANGE WHO HAS DECIDED TO STAND AS INDEPENDENT AFTER THE PARTY DID NOT READOPT HER
MMD CENTRAL PROVINCE CHAIRMAN GEORGE KANGWA SAID THE RULING PARTY IN THE AREA ARRIVED AT THE DECISION AFTER THE FORMER MKUSHI NORTH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ALLEGEDLY STARTED ASSOCIATING WITH THE OPPOSITION PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF) BUT TURNED AROUND AND DECIDED TO GO IT ALONE AFTER THE TWO PARTIES DID NOT ADOPT HER.
MR NYANGU HAS STATED THAT UPON APPLICATION TO THE NATIONAL SECRETARY, IT IS UP TO HIM OR HER WHO IS SAVING AS PARTY NATIONAL SECRETARY TO RECONSIDER AND ADMIT THEM BACK TO THE PARTY AND IF HE OR SHE REFUSES THEN, THEY CAN NOT COME BACK.
END.

CCZ WARNS THE NEXT WOULD BE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO BRACE THEMSELVES OF PRESSURE FROM THE PUBLIC

THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA (CCZ) HAS WARNED THE NEXT WOULD BE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO BRACE THEMSELVES OF PRESSURE FROM THE PUBLIC WHICH IS EXPECTING THEM TO RESOLVE A LOT OF UNRESOLVED ISSUES LIKE THE CONSTITUTION AND POVERTY REDUCTION.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX, CCZ SECRETARY GENERAL REVEREND SUSAN MATALE SAYS THE NEXT PARLIAMENT MUST ENSURE THAT THEY TACKLE CARDINAL ISSUES WHICH ARE AFFECTING THE ZAMBIANS.
REVEREND MATALE SAYS ISSUES SUCH THE CONSTITUTION MUST BE PRIORITIZED AND TABLED IMMEDIATELY THE NEW MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT STARTS SITTING SO THAT IT IS DEALT WITH ADEQUATELY IN ADVANCE BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTIONS.
SHE HAS STATED THAT ZAMBIANS ARE EXPECTING WOULD BE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO ALSO LOOK AT WAYS OF TACKLING POVERTY AND FORMULATING POLICIES WHICH WILL IMPROVE THEIR LIVELIHOOD.
REVEREND MATALE HAS POINTED OUT THAT THE ESCALATING POVERTY LEVELS ARE WORRISOME HENCE IT IS CARDINAL THAT IMMEDIATE ACTIONS ARE TAKEN AND POLICIES AIMED AT POVERTY REDUCTION ARE IMPLEMENTED.
END.

CCZ HAS EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE LOW ADOPTION OF WOMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS

THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA (CCZ) HAS EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE LOW ADOPTION OF WOMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS AS COUNCILORS OR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX TODAY IN LUSAKA CCZ GENERAL SECRETARY REVEREND SUSAN MATALE SAYS ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE COUNTRY HAVE IGNORED THE SOUTHERN AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PROTOCOL ON THE ATTAINMENT OF A 50-50 REPRESENTATION.
REVEREND MATALE SAYS THERE IS LITTLE HOPE THAT THE NEXT SESSION WILL SEEN THE PERCENTAGE WHICH STOOD AT 15 PERCENT WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT LAST SESSION TO INCREASE TO 20 PERCENT GOING UPWARDS.
SHE NOTES THAT MOST OF THE PARTIES HAVE NOT PAID ATTENTION TO WOMEN BUT HAVE INSTEAD CONTINUED TO MARGINALIZE AND STEREOTYPE THEM WITHOUT GIVING THEM CHANCE TO SHOW WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING.
MEANWHILE THE CHURCH HAS APPLAUDED PRESIDENT BANDA THE OPPOSITION FOR PREACHING PEACE AS THE NATION GOES TO THE ELECTIONS STATING THAT THIS TREND MUST NOT BE BROKEN BUT UPHELD.
REVEREND MATALE SAYS ALL POLITICAL PARTIES MUST ENSURE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO PREACH PEACE AND TELL THEIR CADRES TO CONDUCT NON-VIOLENT CAMPAIGNS TO CONTRIBUTE THE EXISTING PEACE.
END.

Wednesday 10 August 2011

ZAMBIA'S NACL ACQUIRES GROUND HANDLING EQUIPMENT WORTH 4.9BILLION KWACHA FROM BELGIUM

THE NATIONAL AIRPORTS CORPORATION LIMITED (NACL) HAS ACQUIRED  GROUND HANDLING EQUIPMENT WORTH 4.9BILLION KWACHA FROM BELGIUM.
NACL MANAGING DIRECTOR ROBINSON MISITALA CONFIRMED THE PURCHASE OF THE EQUIPMENT TODAY WHICH IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN THE COUNTRY BY THIS MONTH END.
MR MISITALA SAYS HIS ORGANISATION  DECIDED TO BUY THE EQUIPMENT  TO REPOSITION ITSELF AS A GROUND HANDLER OF CHOICE IN ZAMBIA AND BE ABLE TO MEET THE CURRENT AND ANTICIPATE FUTURE BUSINESS DEMANDS.
THE EQUIPMENT INCLUDE ANOTHER HIGH LOADER, CONVEYOR BELT LOADERS, TOWABLE TOILET CARTS AND A TOW BARLESS AIRCRAFT PUSH BACK TRACTOR.
MR MISITALA  SAYS NATIONAL AIRPORTS COOPERATION LIMITED  HAS ALSO IMPLEMENTED THE COMMON USE TERMINAL SYSTEM TO EXPEDITE CHECK-IN FORMALITIES AT LUSAKA AND LIVINGSTONE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS AS WELL.
THIS IS ACCORDING TO A PRESS STATEMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO RADIO PHOENIX BY NATIONAL AIRPORTS CORPORATIONS’ LIMITED PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER GEOFFREY CHIPOLYONGA.
END.

TWO MORE ZAMBIAN WOMEN ARRESTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING BY D.E.C

THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION HAS ARRESTED TWO ZAMBIAN WOMEN FOR MONEY LAUNDERING OFFENCES AMOUNT TO 160MILLION KWACHA.
ACCORDING DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION ASSISTANT PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER THERESA KATONGO, CLEOPATRA CHIBUYE A STUDENT OF 26 PAMODZI COURT FLATS IN NDOLA HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR FORGERY, OBTAINING MONEY BY FALSE PRETENCES, UTTERING FALSE DOCUMENTS AND MONEY LAUNDERING.
MS KATONGO SAYS  CHIBUYE ON DATES UNKNOWN BUT BETWEEN JANUARY AND APRIL 2011 OBTAINED 62.7MILLION KWACHA ON CHEQUE NUMBER 1610 IN YVONNE GOMA’S NAME, WHICH SHE  DEPOSITED AT A NAMED BANK AND LATER WITHDRAW THE MONEY.
MS KATONGO FURTHER SAYS   ON DATES UNKNOWN BUT DURING THE SAME PERIOD, CHIBUYE FORGED AND DEPOSITED CHEQUE NUMBER 1609 IN YVONNE GOMA’S NAME AMOUNTING TO 88.9MILLION KWACHA.
SHE SAYS ALSO ARRESTED  IS GRACE MULENGA, A 46 YEAR OLD SECRETARY EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE COPPERBELT FOR OBTAINING MONEY BY FALSE PRETENCES, UTTERING OF FALSE DOCUMENTS AND THEFT.
MS KATONGO  FURTHER SAYS MULENGA ON DATES UNKNOWN BUT BETWEEN 1ST JANUARY AND 30TH APRIL 2011 DID OBTAIN A NATIONAL REGISTRATION CARD IN NDOLA DISTRICT IN THE NAME OF ELIZABETH KASONDE PHIRI WHOSE IDENTITY SHE USED TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT AT A NAME BANK.
SHE ALSO SAYS  ON DATES UNKNOWN BUT DURING THE SAME PERIOD,   MULENGA ALLEGEDLY  DID STEAL CHEQUE NUMBER 1609 AMOUNTING TO 8.9MILLION KWACHA ISSUED TO ELIZABETH KASONDE PHIRI INTENDED TO PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE MS PHIRI OF HER ENTITLEMENT OF 5PERCENT OF HER LATE SON’S ESTATE.
MS KATONGO FURTEHR SAYS THE TWO WOMEN ARE ON POLICE BOND AND WILL APPEAR IN COURT SOON.
MEANWHILE MS KATONGO HAS  DISCLOSED THAT THE COMMISSION HAS ARRESTED THREE YOUTHS OF LUSAKA FOR TRAFFICKING IN 3 SACHETS OF HEROIN, A HIGHLY ADDICTIVE DRUG AND THOSE ARRESTED INCLUDE WILLIAM SAKALA OF LILANDA, TOGOGARA MAKIWA OF CHILENJE AND STEVEN ACHELANI OF KANYAMA.
SHE SAYS THE TRIO WAS ARRESTED IN CHIBOLYA COMPOUND IN LUSAKA OVER THE WEEKEND.
END.

ERB GRANTS REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR 30PERCENT INCREASE IN ZESCO’S BULK SUPPLY TARIFF TO COPPERBELT ENERGY CORPORATION

THE ENERGY REGULATION BOARD (ERB) HAS GRANTED REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR 30PERCENT INCREASE IN ZESCO’S BULK SUPPLY TARIFF TO COPPERBELT ENERGY CORPORATION (CEC) EFFECTIVE  1ST JANUARY 2011.
ACCORDING TO A PRESS STATEMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO RADIO PHOENIX BY ERB COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER KWALI MFUNI, THE 30PERCENT INCREASE IN ZESCO BULK SUPPLY TARIFFS FOLLOWS SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN ZESCO AND CEC TO INCREASE THE BULK SUPPLY TARIFF BY 30PERCENT.
MS MFUNI SAYS THE TARIFF REVIEW IS IN LINE WITH THE ON GOING PROCESS TO REVISE TARIFFS IN ALL CUSTOMER CATEGORIES, INCLUDING THE MINES.
SHE SAYS TO THIS EFFECT , ERB HAS APPROVED 3 TARIFF INCREASES BETWEEN 2008 AND 2011 FOR ZESCO’S REGULATED CUSTOMERS, HOWEVER, OVER THE SAME PERIOD, ZESCO’S TARIFFS TO CEC AND THE MINES WAS ONLY INCREASED ONCE IN 2008 BY 35 PERCENT PARTLY DUE TO A PROVISION FOR A STABILIZATION PERIOD OF 3 YEARS.
MS MFUNI FURTHER SAYS FOLLOWING THE END OF THE AGREED TARIFF STABILIZATION PERIOD IN DECEMBER 2010, ZESCO ENGAGED CEC TO NEGOTIATE CONSECUTIVE TARIFF INCREASES UNDER A 5YEAR FRAMEWORK FROM 2011 TO 2015 TO PUSH THE BULK SUPPLY TARIFFS TO COST REFLECTIVE LEVELS.
SHE SAYS THE TWO PARTIES AGREED ON A 30PERCENT TARIFF INCREASE FOR 2011 AND ARE YET TO CONCLUDE NEGOTIATIONS ON INCREASE FOR THE PERIOD 2012 TO 2015 BUT THE PARTIES HOWEVER APPLIED TO THE ERB FOR REGULATORY APPROVAL OF THE AGREED TARIFF ADJUSTMENT FOR 2011.
END.

Tuesday 9 August 2011

ZAMBIAN OPPISITION UPND ADOPTS 17WOMEN TO STAND IN THIS YEAR ELECTIONS

THE UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT HAS PICKED 17 WOMEN PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO STAND ON ITS PARTY TICKET IN THE FOURTH COMING GENERAL ELECTIONS SOURCES HAVE REVEALED.
AMONGST THE WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN PICKED ARE LILLIAN SIKAONGA FOR NCHANGA, SALOME MWANAKATWE FOR NKANA, GERTRUDE WAKUNGUMA FOR WUSAKILE, HELEN BANDA FOR LUANSHYA, REGINA BANDA FOR MILANZI, MARJORIE BANDA FOR LUMEZI, EDITH KAMANGA FOR LUNDAZI CENTRAL, REGINA MUSUMALI FOR CHEMBE AND JULIEN SEMBA FOR CHIFUNABULI CONSTITUENCIES RESPECTIVELY.
THE OTHER WOMEN ADOPT BY THE UPND ARE CATHERINE KABASO FOR BANGWEULU, MARTHA MUSHIPE FOR MANDEVU, SHEAL MULYATA FOR RUFUNSA, MARJORY DAUCHI FOR SOLWEZI WEST, CHRISTINE KAMANGA FOR CHIPATA CENTRAL, MARGRET MUYANGANA FOR KABWE CENTRAL, MASELA CHINYAMA FOR KABOMPO AND PATRICIA NAWA FOR LUENA CONSTITUENCY.
MEANWHILE APPEARING SURPRISINGLY ON THE LIST OF ADOPTED MPS ARE RADIO PROGRAMME CALLER IMBUWA IMBUWA FOR KABWATA, LAWYER AND SINGER VICTOR KACHAKA FOR LUKULU WEST, COMEDIAN BEN PHIRI FOR KASENENGWA, LEVISON MUMBA FOR MSANZALA, CLAUD PFUMA FOR KANYAMA AND KIRAN RANCHHOD FOR MATERO.
THE PARTY HAS ALSO PICKED NATIONAL UNION OF MINING AND ALLIED WORKERS PRESIDENT MUNDIA SIKUFELE FOR LIUWA, BATUKE IMENDA FOR LUKULU EAST,MORGAN MUUNDA FOR CHAWAMA, CHARLES MSISKA FOR LUSAKA CENTRAL, STEPHEN NAWA FOR MUNALI, RETURNED COSMAS MOONO FOR CHILANGA, ANDREW CHULU FOR MALAMBO, SALITIYELE TEMBO FOR CHADIZA.
IT HAS ALSO PICKED DALISO NGULUBE FOR CHASEFU, DENNIS NGUNI FOR CHAMA NORTH, ABIAD NKHOWANI FOR CHAMA SOUTH, WILLIE MALAMA FOR CHIENGI, OSWELL MUSONDA FOR NCHELENGE, NICHODEMUS KALUNGA FOR MAMBILIMA, NORMAN CHIBAMBA FOR MWENSE, PATRICK SICHINSAMBWE FOR SENGA HILLS, KELLY KABUYANI FOR MPULUNGU AND ROSEMARY MWICHE FOR CHILUBI CONSTITUENCIES RESPECTIVELY.
THE PARTY HAS RETURNED WATSON LUMBA FOR SOLWEZI CENTRAL, JACK MWIIMBU FOR MONZE, VITALIS MOOYA FOR MOOMBA, HIVIE HAMUDUDU FOR BWEENGWA, MUNJI HABEENZU FOR CHIKAKANTA, CHARLES KAKOMA FOR ZAMBEZI WEST, ELLIOT KAMONDO FOR MUFUMBWE, REQUEST MUNTANGA FOR KALOMO CENTRAL AND GARRY NKOMBO FOR MAZABUKA.
HOWEVER THE PARTY HAS ADOPTED MWINILUNGA WEST ELVIS CHIFWALA, AND REPLACED MAPATIZYA MP ACKSON SENJANI WITH CLIVE MIYANDA, KATOMBOLA MP REGINA MUSOKOTWANE WITH DERRICK LIVUNE AND RETURNED KATUBA TO JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, AND EDGAR SINGOMBE FOR DUNDUMWEZI WHO BOTH DEFECT TO THE PARTY RECENTLY.
PARTY VICE SPOKESPERSON CORNELIUS MWIITWA HAS BEEN ADOPTED TO STAND FOR CHOMA CENTRAL, SIBOTE SIBOTE FOR FOR NALIKWANDA, FREDDIE CHUNGA FOR LIVINGSTONE, MIYUTU CHINGA FOR KALABO CENTRAL, MUFALALI LIKANDO, CARLOS ANTONIO JOSE FOR KAOMA CENTRAL, CATHERINE LIATO FOR LUAMPA, VICTOR SIYAUYA FOR SESHEKE AND BENADETTE LUBASI FOR MWANDI.
PONISO NJULU HAS BEEN ADOPTED TO STAND FOR SINJEMBELA, FRANCIS SIMENDA FOR MONGU CENTRAL, EPHRAIM BELEMU FOR MBABALA, RICHWELL SIAMUNENE FOR SINAZONGWE, WEBBY MULUBISHA FOR MANGANGO, KENNEDY HAMUDUDU FOR SIAVONGA, BRIAN NTUNDU FOR GWEMBE, OLIVER NULOMBA FOR MAGOYE, MOONO LUBEZHI FOR NAMWALA AND GREYFORD MONDE FOR ITEZHI TEZHI CONSTITUENCY.
STEVEN KATUKA HAS BEEN ADOPTED TO STAND FOR MWINILUNGA EAST, HYDEN SONGEZHA FOR KASEMPA, AMBROSE LUFUMA FOR KABOMPO WEST, JOSEPH MASOKA FOR ZAMBEZI EAST, JOAN CHILILA FOR CHAVUMA, HASTINGS SILILO FOR MULOBEZI AND JOSEPH CHILEKWA FOR KANCHIBIYA.
IN MPOROKOSO THE PARTY WILL FILLED, ABRAHAM MAKUMBA, GILBERT KABUTA FOR CHIMBAMILONGA, PAUL CHISHIMBA FOR KAPUTA, LUMLIZYA MWANDILA FOR ISOKA WEST, DANIEL MUBANGA FOR LUBANSENSHI, PAUL CHIKOYA FOR LUPOSOSHI, KELLY KABUYANI FOR MPULUNGU, NGOSA ROBERT FOR SHIWANGANDU, BOAZ CHANDA FOR CHINSALI AND CATHBERT PHIRI FOR PETAUKE CENTRAL.
IN NANGOMA THE PARTY HAS PICKED BOYED HAMUSONDE, MODERN CHASEMENWA FOR MUMBWA, AUSTIN MILAMBO FOR MWEMBWESHI, ROGER ZIBA FOR BWACHA, JOE MBOYAMA FOR CHISAMBA, EMMANUEL CHIMISA FOR KEEMBE, ISAAC CUUNGWA FOR KAPIRI MPOSHI, WILLARD CHILUMBA FOR MKUSHI NORTH, SUNWELL KAYUMBA FOR MKUSHI SOUTH, WEBBY NGOSA FOR CHITAMBO AND CHISANGA MUNDALA FOR MUNCHING.
ON THE COPPERBELT, THE PARTY HAS PICKED TEBUHO LIKANDO FOR CHIMWEMWE, WALUBITA LIYUNGU FOR KWACHA, LEMMY MWANJISI FOR KAMFINSA, GREENWELL MULAMBYA FOR CHINGOLA, EDWARD PHIRI FOR CHILABOMBWE AND DICKSON CHIBUYE FOR SERENJE CENTRAL.
RICHRAD MUKUNGU HAS BEEN ADOPTED TO STAND ON THE PARTY TICKET FOR KALULUSHI, PATRICK MBETELA FOR KANKOYO, ELISHA MATAMBO FOR LUFWANYAMA, SHEV MUKABILA FOR MASAITI, NOAH LUNDWE FOR MPONGWE, TOM SIWALE FOR CHIFUBU, MOSES NEWA FOR NDOLA CENTRAL, ENERST LUFUNDA FOR KABUSHI, BRIAN MATUT FOR KAFULAFUTA, STEPHEN KANTA FOR ROAN AND NEPHAT BANDA FOR KAPOCHE.
JAMES RASHIWE WILL STAND IN CHIPANGALI, REUBEN BANDA IN MUKAIKA AND MOSES MWENDA IN NYIMBA.

Monday 8 August 2011

THREE UMBRELLA CHURCH BODIES URGES ALL POLITICAL PARTIES TO ENSURE PEACEFUL AND ISSUE BASED CAMPAIGNS

THREE UMBRELLA CHURCH BODIES HAVE URGED ALL POLITICAL PARTIES TAKING PART IN ZAMBIA’S SEPTEMBER 20TH PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TO ENSURE PEACEFUL AND ISSUE BASED CAMPAIGNS.
ACCORDING TO A PASTORAL LETTER THE UMBRELLA CHURCH BODIES NAMELY  ZAMBIA EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE, EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP OF ZAMBIA AND COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA SAID ELECTIONS CAMPAIGNS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN SUCH AS WAY AS TO AFFORD ZAMBIANS A CHANCE TO CHOOSE FOR THEMSELVES LEADERS THAT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR ZAMBIA.
THE THREE CHURCH UMBRELLA BODIES ARE FURTHER CALLED ON THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR THOSE WHO PRESENT CLEAR AND CONVINCING POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROGRAMMES THAT HAVE A GREATER CHANCE OF REDUCING POVERTY AND HUMAN DEGRADATION IN OUR SOCIETY.
THEY HAVE CHALLENGED THE PARTICIPATING POLITICAL PARTIES TO ENGAGE IN ISSUE-BASED CAMPAIGNS AND STATE HOW THEY SHALL DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT ZAMBIANS FACE SUCH AS HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT LEVELS, LOSS OF INCOME FROM OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND HOW THEY WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL AREAS.
THE THREE CHURCH BODIES HAVE ALSO CALLED ON THEIR FELLOW CHURCHES, TO NEVER TIRE FROM PROCLAIMING THE MESSAGE OF TRUTH, JUSTICE, PEACE, LOVE, UNITY, FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION.
AND A SENIOR CITIZEN FROM NDOLA HUMPHREY NGULUBE HAS CALLED ON THE ZAMBIANS TO BE ON THE LOOK OUT ON THE QUALITIES OF POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS WHO WILL BE STANDING AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW FROM NDOLA MR. NGULUBE SAYS PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK FOR QUALITIES SUCH AS THE ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND ON HOW GOVERNMENT OPERATES, GENUINELY AND SERIOUSLY INTEREST IN SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE AND CANDIDATES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS AND PROBLEMS.

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ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA ADVISES ALL POLITICAL PARTIES PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS TO CONDUCT THEIR CAMPAIGNS IN A PEACEFUL MANNER AND STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE NEW ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT

THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA HAS ADVISED ALL POLITICAL PARTIES PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS TO CONDUCT THEIR CAMPAIGNS IN A PEACEFUL MANNER AND STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE NEW ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT.
ACCORDING TO A PRESS STATEMENT AVAILED TO RADIO PHOENIX BY ECZ PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER CHRIS AKUFUNA THE COMMISSION HAS STATED THAT THE POLITICAL PARTIES MUST HOLD THEIR PUBLIC MEETINGS IN COMPLIANCE WITH ESTABLISHED LAWS AND ALL AGENTS SHOULD DESIST FROM ENGAGING IN CORRUPTION AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES.
THE COMMISSION HAS ENCOURAGED ALL POLITICAL PARTIES TO SUBMIT THEIR TIMETABLE FOR CAMPAIGN RALLIES TO THE COMMISSION AND THE POLICE.
IT HAS WARNED THAT ALL CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES SHOULD DESIST FROM USING GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT AND FACILITIES DURING THEIR CAMPAIGNS, EXCEPT FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT.
THE COMMISSION SAYS ANY AGGRIEVED PARTY SHOULD DIRECT HIS OR HER COMPLAINT IN WRITING TO THE DISTRICT CONFLICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS THROUGH THE TOWN CLERK OR COUNCIL SECRETARY WHO IS THE DISTRICT ELECTORAL OFFICER.
THE COMMISSION HAS ADDED THAT ANY PERSON NOT SATISFIED WITH THE DECISION OF THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE MAY APPEAL TO THE NATIONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IN LUSAKA, THROUGH THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
IT HAS FURTHER ADVISED THAT ACCREDITATION FOR INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS WILL BE DONE IN LUSAKA AT THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION HEADQUARTERS FROM 2ND AUGUST TO 16TH SEPTEMBER 2011 AND THIS SHOULD COVER LETTER INDICATING FULL NAMES AND PASSPORT NUMBERS OF INTENDED OBSERVERS WHICH SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR AT THE COMMISSION.
MEANWHILE THE COMMISSION HAS STATED THAT ACCREDITATION FOR LOCAL MONITORS AND THE MEDIA WILL BE DONE FROM 3RD AUGUST TO 16TH SEPTEMBER AT THE DISTRICT COUNCIL ADDING THAT ELECTION AGENTS WILL ALSO BE ACCREDITED AT DISTRICT COUNCIL FROM 8TH AUGUST TO 16TH SEPTEMBER.
IT HAS CALLED ON THE MEDIA TO GIVE FAIR AND BALANCED COVERAGE AND EQUAL COVERAGE AND ACCESS TO ALL CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES TAKING PART IN THE POLLS.
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Saturday 6 August 2011

A NEW PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON AIDS REVEALS' PREGNANCY IS INCREASING THE RISKS OF FEMALE-TO-MALE HIV TRANSMISSION

A NEW PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON AIDS HAS REVEALED THAT PREGNANCY IS INCREASING THE RISKS OF FEMALE-TO-MALE HIV TRANSMISSION TWO-FOLD.
THE NEW STUDY WAS CARRIED AMONG OVER 3300 SERO-DISCORDANT COUPLES IN THE SEVEN AFRICAN COUNTRIES.
ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY NELLY R. MUGO AND COLLEAGUES IN A PROSPECTIVE STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE ADVANCE ONLINE EDITION OF AIDS, THE RISKS OF BECOMING INFECTED WITH HIV DURING PREGNANCY INCREASED AT THE SAME RATE.
HOWEVER, THIS WAS PARTLY EXPLAINED BY OTHER FACTORS INCLUDING UNPROTECTED SEX.
THE REPORT SAYS WOMEN NOW ACCOUNT FOR 60 PERCENT OF HIV INFECTIONS IN ADULTS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AND MANY AFRICAN COUNTRIES WITH HIGH HIV PREVALENCE ALSO HAVE HIGH FERTILITY RATES AND OFTEN WOMEN ARE PREGNANT FOR A CONSIDERABLE PART OF THEIR ADULT LIVES.
THE PROSPECTIVE STUDY SAYS PREGNANCY BRINGS BIOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGES THAT MAY MAKE A WOMAN MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO GETTING HIV AS WELL AS MAKING HER MORE INFECTIOUS, SO INCREASING THE RISKS OF TRANSMISSION.
TO DATE LIMITED PROSPECTIVE STUDIES HAVE FOUND INCONSISTENT RESULTS, SHOWING BOTH AN INCREASED RISK AND NO ELEVATED RISK OF ACQUIRING HIV DURING PREGNANCY.
HOWEVER, EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT WOMEN INFECTED DURING THEIR PREGNANCY HAVE A HIGH RATE OF HIV TRANSMISSION TO THEIR INFANTS.
THE AUTHORS NOTE ONE STUDY WHICH SHOWED INCREASED HIV SHEDDING IN GENITAL SECRETIONS DURING PREGNANCY, SUGGESTING INCREASED INFECTIOUSNESS, YET NO PROSPECTIVE STUDY HAS LOOKED SPECIFICALLY AT PREGNANCY AS A RISK FACTOR FOR FEMALE-TO-MALE TRANSMISSION.
THE AUTHORS CHOSE TO LOOK AT THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PREGNANCY AND THE RISKS OF GETTING HIV AS WELL AS THE RISKS OF TRANSMITTING HIV FROM FEMALES-TO-MALES IN A SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF AFRICAN HIV SERO-DISCORDANT COUPLES

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ZAMBIA'S DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION WARNS DAUGHTER OF THE MHATANI GROUP OF COMPANIES’ CHAIRMAN DR RAJAN MAHTANI, NOT TO TRY TO WOE PUBLIC SYMPATHY OVER THE MATTER OF HER FATHER BECAUSE THE CASE IS IN COURT

THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION HAS WARNED THE DAUGHTER OF THE MHATANI GROUP OF COMPANIES’ CHAIRMAN DR RAJAN MAHTANI, SABRINA NOT TO TRY TO WOE PUBLIC SYMPATHY OVER THE MATTER OF HER FATHER BECAUSE THE CASE IS IN COURT.
THE COMMISSION HAS SOUNDED A WARNING AFTER SABRINA MAHTANI ACCUSED THE COMMISSION OF BEING UNPROFESSIONAL IN THE MANNER IT IS HANDLING HER FATHER’S CASE WHO IS CURRENTLY ON MEDICAL TREATMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX, DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION, ASSISTANT PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER THERESA KATONGO SAID THE COMMISSION HAS A MANDATE TO INVESTIGATE CASES INVOLVING SUSPECTED FINANCES AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE PROHIBITION AND PREVENTION OF MONEY LAUNDERING ACT NUMBER 14 OF 2011.
MS KATONGO SAYS UNDER THE ACT, THE COMMISSION REMAINS PROFESSIONAL IN ITS DUTY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA.
MEANWHILE MS KATONGO SAYS THE COMMISSION HAS ARRESTED A FINANCIAL ANALYST OF LUSAKA FOR OBTAINING GOODS BY FALSE PRETENCES AMOUNTING TO 35 MILLION KWACHA.
SHE SAYS TREVOR HAMBAYI OF MPELEMBE ROAD, SHOW GROUNDS ON DATES UNKNOWN BUT BETWEEN 1ST MARCH 2010 AND 30TH JUNE 2010 OBTAINED MONIES AMOUNTING TO 35 MILLION AS CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION FOR KEYSTONE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, A NEWLY FORMED COMPANY WHICH HAS NEVER OPERATED.
THE DEC ASSISTANT PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER SAYS MR. HAMBAYI IS ON POLICE BOND AND WILL APPEAR IN COURT SOON.
AND MS KATONGO HAS FURTHER DISCLOSED THAT THE COMMISSION HAS IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS ARRESTED 66 ZAMBIANS AND 2 FOREIGN NATIONALS FOR TRAFFICKING IN 347 KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS.
THE COMMISSION HAS CAUTIONED FOREIGN NATIONALS THAT CANNABIS IS A PROHIBITED DRUG IN ZAMBIA AND NOT FOR PERSONAL USE AS INSINUATED BY SOME OF THEM AND ANYONE FOUND WITH THE DRUG WILL BE ARRESTED ON THE SPOT.

ZAMBIA MAKES PROGRESS IN THE ATTAINMENT OF MDG NUMBER 7 SAYS COUNTRY'S WATER GOVERNING BODY.

A NEW REPORT ON URBAN AND PERI-URBAN WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION SECTOR FOR 2010/2011 HAS NOTED THAT ZAMBIA HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN MEETING THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL NUMBER 7 ON THE ACCESS TO SAFE AND CLEAN WATER BY 2015.
HOWEVER THE REPORT WHICH WAS PRODUCED BY THE NATIONAL WATER AND SANITATION COUNCIL (NWASCO) HAS NOTED THAT THE CHALLENGE STILL REMAINS WITH ACCELERATING ACCESS TO SANITATION OF WHICH ZAMBIA FOCUSES TO DO THIS BEYOND 2015 TO THE VISION 2030 WHICH TARGETS UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION.
NWASCO IN THE REPORT HAS CALLED FOR THE NEED TO PUT MORE EFFORT IN ORDER TO ATTAIN THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE VISION 2030.
IT IS ESTIMATED IN THE SIXTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT  ZAMBIA NEEDS 179.9 BILLION AND 270.1 BILLION KWACHA TO REACH THE MDG TARGET ON WATER AND SANITATION FOR BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS.
THE COUNCIL IN THE REPORT HAS NOTED THAT INVESTMENTS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT IN THE WATER AND SANITATION FIELD HAVE LARGELY BEEN SKEWED TOWARDS WATER SUPPLY AS OPPOSED TO SANITATION AND THIS HAS BEEN COMPOUNDED BY THE ABSENCE OF A CLEAR POLICY AND MANDATE ON ISSUES OF SANITATION.
NWASCO HAS REITERATED ITS OBSERVATION THAT INVESTMENTS IN THE SECTOR BY GOVERNMENT ESPECIALLY HAS BEEN LOW WITH THE ALLOCATION IN THE NATIONAL BUDGET OF LESS THAN 3 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL.
IT HAS HOWEVER FURTHER NOTED THAT EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO INCREASE INVESTMENTS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF BOTH NATIONAL RURAL AND URBAN WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION PROGRAMMES UNDER THE MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING.
NWASCO SAYS THE PROGRAMMES ARE INTENDED TO SPEED UP THE ACHIEVEMENT OF MDGS AND MEET THE GOVERNMENT’S VISION OF UNIVERSAL COVERAGE WITH THE HELP OF CO-OPERATING PARTNERS AND NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS.

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Wednesday 3 August 2011

PUMA ENERGY EXPECTED TO SPEND ABOUT 15BILLION KWACHA IN THE REBRANDING OF ALL BP ZAMBIA ASSETS WHICH IT ACQUIRED LAST YEAR.

PUMA ENERGY IS EXPECTED TO SPEND ABOUT 15BILLION KWACHA IN THE REBRANDING OF ALL BP ZAMBIA ASSETS WHICH IT ACQUIRED LAST YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO END NEXT MONTH SEPTEMBER 2011.
PUMA ENERGY ZAMBIA MANAGING DIRECTOR FUMU MONDOLOKA DISCLOSED THIS DURING A PRESS BRIEFING IN LUSAKA TODAY STATING THAT THE MATERIALS FOR THE REBRANDING ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN THE COUNTRY IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
MR MONDOLOKA SAYS PUMA ENERGY WILL ALSO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH OUT THE COUNTRY AND HAS BEGAN UPGRADING THE OUTLETS IN KITWE WHICH WILL IMPROVE ITS STORAGE CAPACITY AND IMPROVE ITS NETWORK CAPACITY.
HE PROJECTED THAT THE COMPANY’S MARKET BASE WHICH STANDS AT 34 PERCENT IS EXPECTED TO GROW TO 70 PERCENT BY 2020 WITH THE SUPPORT OF GROWTH IN THE COUNTRY’S VARIOUS SECTORS SUCH MINING, AGRICULTURE AND OTHERS.
MEANWHILE MR. FUMU SAYS THE COMPANY WILL IN THE LONG RUN INVEST MORE AND KEEP THE CURRENT CROP OF EMPLOYEES BUT WILL ONLY OUTSOURCE IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WERE NEED WILL ARISE.
HE SAYS THE PROJECTED FURTHER INVESTMENT IS AS A RESULT OF THE GOOD ZAMBIAN POLICIES WHICH HAS SEEN THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMY TO GROW AND SEEN MORE FOREIGN INVESTMENT.
PUMA ENERGY OPERATES IN 29 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE WITH MORE THAN 1, 800 EMPLOYEES OF WHICH 90PERCENT ARE LOCAL NATIONALS AND HAS $1.5BILLION IN INDUSTRIAL ASSETS.
THE COMPANY ALSO HAS 60 MILLION RETAIL CUSTOMER TRANSACTION YEARLY AND A GLOBAL NETWORK OF OVER 1000SERVICES STATIONS WITH MORE UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND OVER 3.8 MILLION METER SQUARE OF STORAGE CAPACITY.
PUMA ENERGY ZAMBIA MANAGING DIRECTOR FUMU MONDOLOKA DISCLOSED THIS DURING A PRESS BRIEFING IN LUSAKA TODAY STATING THAT THE MATERIALS FOR THE REBRANDING ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN THE COUNTRY IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
MR MONDOLOKA SAYS PUMA ENERGY WILL ALSO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH OUT THE COUNTRY AND HAS BEGAN UPGRADING THE OUTLETS IN KITWE WHICH WILL IMPROVE ITS STORAGE CAPACITY AND IMPROVE ITS NETWORK CAPACITY.
HE PROJECTED THAT THE COMPANY’S MARKET BASE WHICH STANDS AT 34 PERCENT IS EXPECTED TO GROW TO 70 PERCENT BY 2020 WITH THE SUPPORT OF GROWTH IN THE COUNTRY’S VARIOUS SECTORS SUCH MINING, AGRICULTURE AND OTHERS.
MEANWHILE MR. FUMU SAYS THE COMPANY WILL IN THE LONG RUN INVEST MORE AND KEEP THE CURRENT CROP OF EMPLOYEES BUT WILL ONLY OUTSOURCE IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WERE NEED WILL ARISE.
HE SAYS THE PROJECTED FURTHER INVESTMENT IS AS A RESULT OF THE GOOD ZAMBIAN POLICIES WHICH HAS SEEN THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMY TO GROW AND SEEN MORE FOREIGN INVESTMENT.
PUMA ENERGY OPERATES IN 29 COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE WITH MORE THAN 1, 800 EMPLOYEES OF WHICH 90PERCENT ARE LOCAL NATIONALS AND HAS $1.5BILLION IN INDUSTRIAL ASSETS.
THE COMPANY ALSO HAS 60 MILLION RETAIL CUSTOMER TRANSACTION YEARLY AND A GLOBAL NETWORK OF OVER 1000SERVICES STATIONS WITH MORE UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND OVER 3.8 MILLION METER SQUARE OF STORAGE CAPACITY.
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ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT CHALLENGES COUNTRY'S WATER AND SANITATION REGULATOR TO DRIVE THE DIRECTION OF WATER AND SANITATION SERVICE PROVISION THROUGH ANTICIPATION OF CHANGE IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF REGULATORY INSTRUMENTS

GOVERNMENT HAS CHALLENGED THE NATIONAL WATER AND SANITATION COUNCIL TO DRIVE THE DIRECTION OF WATER AND SANITATION SERVICE PROVISION THROUGH ANTICIPATION OF CHANGE IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF REGULATORY INSTRUMENTS.
SPEAKING TODAY AT THE 5TH EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN WATER AND SANITATION REGULATORS ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING WHOSE THEME IS BEYOND CONVENTIONAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION REGULATION, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT PERMANENT SECRETARY TEDDY KASONSO SAYS THE REGULATION MUST ALSO RESPOND TO THE GRASSROOTS WHO ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE SERVICE.
MR. KASONSO STATED THAT THE CONSUMER CAN NEVER BE FORGOTTEN IN THE QUEST TO PROVIDE WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION SERVICES ADDING THAT IT IS ONLY THROUGH REGULATION THAT THE CRY OF THE CONSUMERS CAN BE HEARD AND ADDRESSED.
HE NOTED THAT THE ASPECT OF SANITATION IS STILL LARGELY OVERLOOKED AND IS EVIDENCED BY THE PERSISTENT LOW COVERAGE FIGURE COMPARED TO THAT OF WATER SUPPLY COVERAGE.
MR KASONSO FURTHER STRESSED THAT THE KEY TO ENSURING EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE SERVICE PROVISION RESTS IN GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HENCE  THE NEED SECTOR TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS COMMITMENT TO GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT  THE REGULATOR, BEING NWASCO MUST CONTINUE WORKING CLOSELY WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH RESPONSIBILITY ARE DISCHARGED.
HE HAS SINCE EXPRESSED DISMAY AT THE SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO HE SAID HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GIVE EXCUSES FOR THE LACK OF INVESTMENT IN SANITATION FOR FAR TOO LONG IN SPITE OF VARIOUS INTERVENTIONS BEING CARRIED OUT BY GOVERNMENT AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.
MR KASONSO SAYS THE SCENARIO PRESENTS CONCERNS FOR UNDERGROUND WATER QUALITY AS WELL AS THE HEALTH SAFETY OF THOSE SUPPLYING THEMSELVES HENCE THIS CALL FOR THE REGULATORS TO INSTITUTE GUIDELINES AND MEASURES TO REGULATE SMALL SYSTEM AND INDEPENDENT SUPPLIERS.

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