UPND member Dr Proud alila, nipikila tea pama Newspaper because of load shedding.
FESTIVE SEASON KWENZE KANTU
EMMANUEL MWAMBA URGES GOVERNMENT TO COMPLETELY SUSPEND POWER EXPORTS.
Presidential Candidate Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to suspend power exports until after March 2023 as the current load-shedding was a choice occasioned, not by power deficit, but by profits.
He also urged President Hichilema to ensure that ZESCO doesn't sign unfair Power Purchase Agreements with Independent Power Producers( IPP) that leave ZESCO debt laden.
He was soeaking during the broadcast of The Brief.
EU doubles funding for biodiversity conservation to a tune of 7 billion Euros.
Montreal, Canada-
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Permanent Secretary Daphne Chabu has commended the European Union for its support to biodiversity conservation.
Ms. Chabu was speaking during the bilateral side event meeting organized by European Union (EU) and African Wildlife Foundation, at the ongoing 15th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) taking place in Montreal -Canada.
She commended EU for its continued commitment to help conserve biodiversity and doubling external funds for biodiversity.
“It is gratifying to note that the EU is doubling funding for supporting biodiversity conservation to a tune of 7 billion euros to partner countries for the period 2021 to 2027. This gives a lot of hope for my country that the future for biodiversity conservation and restoration is very bright. This will go a long way in addressing targets in the global biodiversity framework,” she said.
Ms. Chabu noted that after reviewing the scope of Nature Africa initiative, Zambia was of the opinion that the initiative was important in assisting least developed countries to implement the targets espoused in the global biodiversity framework especially those dealing with ecosystem restoration, protected areas, wild life, spatial planning and ecosystem assessments.
She said specifically the initiative could assist Zambia to address the national gaps on ecosystem assessments that includes wetlands and land scape restoration.
Ms. Chabu further emphasized the urgent need to assist countries in capacity building, to fully implement the framework as that would entail aligning the global biodiversity framework to the national development plans.
And Frederick Kwame Kumah Vice President, Global Leadership, African Wildlife Foundation observed that infrastructure development was competing with ecosystem services, hence the need to focus on
DRUGS SHORTAGE UNDERESTIMATED - MUNDUBILE.
Lusaka
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Brian Mundubile says the findings of the committee of parliamentarians constituted to assess supply of drugs in hospitals countrywide point to serious shortage of medicines and laboratory reagents in most health facilities in the country, than earlier projected.
Mr Mundubile, who is also PF Presidential Candidate said in Lusaka that the report the committee of parliamentarians constituted by Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti to assess the supply of drugs in hospitals countrywide, depicts a serious shortage of drugs, forcing people to buy from pharmacies and private hospitals.
“The situation is actually more serious than we earlier thought and as a result of that, a number of our people, especially the poor people, the poor Zambians are adversely affected. We are at a position where there are no reagents in hospitals and even stationery now is a problem," he said.
Mr. Mundubile said, whereas Government was loud on the employment of 11,000 health workers, they are failing to provide equipment and other medical requirements needed to treat patients, and this is frustrating medical personnel who have little or nothing to work effectively.
"There are no medicines, there are no drugs, there are no reagents, there is no stationery. There is minimal impact if any at all,” Mr Mundubile said.
He called on Government to urgently address the shortage of drugs and laboratory reagents, as this centres on saving people's lives.
“You will remember that not very long ago, the supply of drugs to hospitals a couple of years ago had been very smooth. There was improvement in the supply chain, the system was actually automated. So, one therefore wonders why we have gotten back to the 1980s where you would have such critical shortage of drugs. We want to call upon Government to take this matter seriously and attend to it,” Mr Mundubile said.
MUNDUBILE ASKS UPND TO HALT PLANNED DEGAZETTING OF FORESTS.
Lusaka.
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Brian Mundubile says the New Dawn administration's plan to degazette some forests in the country amounts to policy inconsistency.
Mr. Mundubile who is also a PF Presidential candidate said that degazetting forests is a backtrack on President Hakainde Hichilema's environmental protection commitment, as he was among global leaders in November 2021 that signed the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests to stop deforestation by 2030.
He said, Zambia signed and ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on October 15 1994 and September 19 1996 , respectively.
Mr. Mundubile stated that the UPND Government created the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment which gave people false hope that they would work vigorously to protect the environment.
He said the PF Government, even without the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, invested heavily in tree planting.
Mr. Mundubile cited forest projects left by the PF Government as those in Shiwang'andu District, Kawambwa and Northern Province.
"All these efforts where done in a bid to replant trees especially that the areas in question were affected by deforestation," he said.
Mr. Mundubile was concerned that the creation of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment gave citizens an impression that the UPND would step up efforts in areas of regeneration.
"When you have the same Government degazetting the same forests, that is a sign of policy inconsistencies. We insist that they should rethink their position going forward," he said.
Debating the Motion of Supply for his Ministry, Friday, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Elijah Muchima said there was need to de-gazette some of Zambia’s forests in order to accommodate the increasing population.
"UPND gave us challenges on Forest 27 which was legally degazzeted by 6th President Edgar Lungu forcing UPND to say th
Dorcas chained herself at the freedom statue-Police
Lusaka.
After viewing the Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) at our Command Center, Dorcas was seen placing a placard at the Freedom Statue, chaining herself and hiding the keys in her pant.
While seated, She was seen drinking from a bottle which seemed to be that of alcoholic beverage.
She has been charged with the offence of Idle and Disorderly contrary to Section 178 (f ) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
She remains in Police custody awaiting court appearance.
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer
Danny Mwale
Lusaka woman chained at Freedom statue
URGENT ÑOTICE
Be advised that there is a riot at Mukambo boarder if you are traveling to copper belt.
The Congolese are protesting against the shooting down of a Congolese criminal by the Zambian police at Mufurila.
Take care as you travel.
ZSECO power outages leads to Mufulira House being burnt as a result of an electric fault.
Zambian national shot dead in South Africa.
Johannesburg.
A Zambian businessman based in South Africa has been shot dead by unknown people who are suspected to have been trailing him.
The incident happened in the early hours of thursday December 1st.
Masauso Chisanga, 45, was shot Immediately after boarding a taxi on his way home.
The taxi driver attempted to save Mr. Chisanga's life by rushing him to Hellen Joseph's Hospital in Johannesburg where he eventully lost his life.
Aunty to the deceased, Lucy Daka, has confirmed the development to the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria.
The matter has since been reported to Randburg South Africa Police and investigations have been instituted.
And Zambia's Acting High Commissioner to South Africa Inonge Mwenya says the Mission is saddened by the tragic death of Mr Chisanga and has offered her condolences to the bereaved family.
Ms. Mwenya says the Mission will keenly follow updates from the investigations being carried out by the police.
Mbala police discover stacks of FISP fertilizer bags in a chicken run
Mbala.
A team of Mbala police officers have discovered stacks of FISP fertilizer bags at a PF official's chicken run.
The bags of Urea and D Compound fertilizer were meant to be distributed in Senga District.
Praise singing banned in Kenya. We will only allow such in Church
UPND CADRES HARRASS POLICE OFFICER...as two get nabbed.
Lusaka.
Police have charged and arrested two suspects identified as Monday Kapobe aged 40 of Garden Compound and Trust Musonda aged 27 of Mandevu compound in Lusaka for the offence of Assault on Police officer.
The two suspects, driver and conductor respectively, are alleged to have assaulted a Traffic Police Officer who was on duty at the junctions of Freedom way and Kalambo road in Lusaka's Central Business District (CBD).
The incident happened on November 24, 2022 around 09:20 hours.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the Traffic Police officer in company of other officers were doing motorized patrols in the CBD when they observed a Toyota Haice minibus registration number ABV 2328 picking passengers at non designated bus stops along Freedom way.
The bus was intercepted and impounded. Along the way to the Police Station near Zambia Revenue Authority offices, the minibus driver decided to disobey the officer's directives and drove towards Lumumba bus station.
Upon noticing that the minibus driver was going in another direction, the officer who was on board the impounded minibus managed to pull the steering wheel to the left side of the road where the vehicle eventually parked.
The driver switched off the engine and mobilsed some 'co-boys' who now started harassing the officer.
The officer was only rescued by his fellow Traffic officers who rushed to the scene.
The suspects are in Police Custody and will appear in court on Monday, November 28, 2022.
Issued by Danny Mwale, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer.
EXPANDED CDF CAN HELP ZAMBIA ACHIEVE SDGs IN WASH SECTOR – WATERAID.
Lusaka.
WaterAid Zambia says Zambia can accelerate progress towards meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and National Development Goals (NDGs) if it uses the Expanded CDF to increase investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene sector.
Country Director Pamela Chisanga noted President Hakainde Hichilema's numerous pronouncements regarding Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services in Healthcare Facilities, Schools and public places.
Ms. Chisanga said CDF could bridge the gap of investment required to increase access particularly at community level and in public facilities such as schools and health care facilities.
"For us as WaterAid Zambia, CDF is very critical for increased access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services. We have heard a lot of pronouncements about how CDF can be utilized. We have seen how it has been ring fenced for some interventions such as bursaries. We want to look at how CDF can be utilized to support increase in funding to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services," she said.
Ms. Chisanga was speaking during a stakeholder caucus on CDF with Members of Parliament, selected ministries and Civil Society Organisations convened by WaterAid Zambia.
"We want to look at how social services can be integrated to get maximum benefits of the delivery of the services in our communities. We want to ensure that even as we go out as NGOs to implement our activities, we are mindful of the contribution that CDF is making and we are able to add value to what CDF is doing at a local level so that we can maximize the investment that we are doing for the different social services that are being provided at community level," she said.
"From the research on CDF that we have conducted, a lot of communities are not aware of how CDF can be accessed to support various social services. There has been a lot of fixation on the empowerment aspect of the CDF and we do know that a lot of c
Police round up suspects in Katete
CABINET MINISTER COMMITS TO BRIDGING GAPS IN NDP REGARDING CHILDREN'S WELFARE.
Lusaka.
Minister of Community Development and Social Services Doreen Mwamba says Government is alive to the fact that there could be areas of the National Development Plan (NDP) that could fall short in terms of meeting children's development expectations and aspirations.
Ms. Mwamba emphasised that in all it's intents, the NDP sought to enable Government to effectively deliver development to it's people who include children.
She said this when she officiated at a National Children Symposium organised by Joining Forces Alliance (JFA) in Lusaka in a speech read on her behalf by Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Director Finance, Thomas Phiri.
The Cabinet Minister stressed that Government was supportive of the National Children's Symposium so that it would be made aware of where there was need to refine the plan and make it more responsive to the children's service delivery and development needs.
"These actions by Government illustrate our commitment to our children and our resolve to ensure that children's rights are respected, children grow in a safe environment and are supported to enjoy their rights and grow up into responsible and productive adults. I am informed that the symposium has been convened to accord our children across the country an opportunity to reflect on issues challenging their quest to realise their rights and bring them to the attention of Government and other leaders for decisive life changing decisions and actions for every child in the country," she said.
Ms. Mwamba emphasised that the symposium would reflect on the various aspects of the 8th National Development Plan (NDP) and how implementation of these would have a bearing on children's rights and to be streamlined to positively respond to children's needs and aspirations.
"This symposium has come at an opportune time when Government is stepping up efforts to ensure a conducive and
Chopper seen flying over Katete boma heading east of the town...as Milanzi MP appeals for calm.
Katete.
Milanzi Member of Parliament Melesiana Phiri has appealed for calm among the people of Kamwaza village who run amock demanding for justice over the suspected murder of a prominent business man in the area over a month ago in the process leaving Nine Police Officers injured.
Yesterday people of Kamwaza village demolished and damaged a vehicle belonging to a named village headman on assumption that he was habering a murder suspect who was released by police a few days ago.
Nine Police officers were injured in the process and are currently admitted to Saint Francis Mission Hospital in Katete District.
Ms. Phiri said that people in the area have to be calm and wait for the police to do their job as opposed to taking the law into their own hands.
She adds that much as she does not support the baberic killing of individuals and human beings, people should be calm and allow the law to take its course.
Ba mobile police have arrived in Katete.
Nine Police officers were attacked and seriously injured in Katete by a mob which was infuriated after a murder suspect was released due to inadequate evidence.
Over K10.3 million disbursed to accelerate rural developmental projects.
Lusaka.
Government has disbursed funds amounting to over K10.3million to accelerate rural development projects with focus on immediate rehabilitation of critical Crossing-Points in Seven Districts from the 2022 Budget allocation for Rural Infrastructure Development.
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Administration Maambo Haamaundu announced that the funding will support Seven Local Authorities namely Lufwanyama, Sinda, Kabompo, Solwezi, Zambezi, Mufumbwe and Manyinga to immediately embark on the rehabilitation works of major Crossing-points.
Mr. Haamaundu stated that Lufwanyama Town Council has received over K2.9million, Zambezi Town Council K1.3million, Solwezi Municipal Council over K1.8million, Manyinga Town Council over K1.3million, Mufumbwe Town Council K1.2million, Kabompo Town Council over K1million and Sinda Town Council K641, 000.
He says the funds has already been disbursed to the respective Local Authorities and has urged them to expedite commencement of works and warned that Government will not tolerate shoddy works from any contractor carrying out the rehabilitation works.
Mr. Hamaundu has implored all Local Authorities countrywide to ensure any contractor carrying out public projects do not compromise on quality because Zambians demand value for their money.
He said Local Authorities should be proactive to ensure contractors and those charged with the responsibility of supervising the construction of various projects ensure that they are constructed to the highest standards.
Mr. Haamaundu further guided that the Local Authorities should submit progress reports.
In August this year, the Ministry disbursed amounts totaling K43 million to facilitate for the construction of critical Crossing-Points and Road improvement works in selected Districts.
The Districts that benefited earlier include; Chama, Kasenengwa, Mongu, Chadiza, Gwembe,
Bola Ibaba..Vama Love vipaya
CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI WARNS LEMMY KAJOBA.
14 PERCENT LUSAKA SEWERAGE NETWORK COVERAGE TOO LOW - WATERAID ZAMBIA.
Lusaka.
WaterAid Zambia Country Director Pamela Chisanga has noted with concern that only 14 percent of the population in Lusaka is on sewerage network.
Ms. Chisanga revealed that the rest of the population estimated at 86% were still using on-site sanitation.
She notes that more is needed to respond to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6 and 13 especially on women and girls in relation to sanitation.
Ms. Chisanga cited peri urban areas such as Kanyama, George Compound and Garden Compound as places using on-site sanitation despite lying on very high water tables.
The WaterAid Zambia Country Director warned that chances of ground water contamination were extremely high in the said areas.
Ms. Chisanga urged Lusaka Water and Sanitation Company and other commercial utilities across the country to upscale the Kanyama model of eco-friendly on-site sanitation facilities that can be safely emptied to other peri urban areas.
"This is a model that has proven that it can work and other water utilities will do well to emulate what Lusaka Water and Sanitation Company is doing in Kanyama because it offers sanitation options that limit chances of underground water contamination," she said.
Ms. Chisanga added that with support, communities had showed interest in having better sanitation options.
"Lusaka Water and Sanitation Company provided reasonably priced sanitation options but even with these options, most households could not afford to pay for the service directly which pushed WaterAid Zambia to come on board to provide a financing model that allowed most households to afford the sanitation options offered by the Lusaka Water and Sanitation Company. We paid for the families and they have been repaying for the sanitation facilities with ease," she said.
The WaterAid Zambia Country Director advanced that her organisation would advocate for the exploration of viable sanitation financing option
CIVIL SERVANTS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT USING POLITICALLY NEUTRAL LENSES-DR. CHITALU CHILUFYA.
ZCID CAUTION LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue has implored Law Enforcement Agencies to exercise their duties using the human rights based approaches in the arrest and following up of political leaders alleged to have committed offences.
ZCID Executive Director Doreen Kabwe says some of the tendencies being observed today are similar to what was condemned during the previous regime.
Mrs. Kabwe said the dignity of every Zambian should be at the centre of the operations of the law enforcement agencies.
She has however called upon political parties to exercise issue based politics that focus on improving the welfare of the Zambian people.
Mrs. Kabwe said Politics should not be a do or die commitment like we have always stated but a platform for stakeholders to discuss issues bearing in mind the poor, vulnerable and oppressed Zambians that need solutions to their problems.
Chief Kabamba unhappy with investor mining at Serenje's Muchinda Boarding School.
Serenje.
Chief Kabamba of the Lala people of Serenje District in Central Province is disturbed by a Zambian investor conducting large scale open pit manganese mining at Muchinda Boarding Secondary School premises in Serenje District, Central Province.
The Traditional Leader who is a Caretaker of the Muchinda Chiefdom following the demise of Chief Muchinda years ago says the royal establishment and the people of Muchinda could not believe to see a mine at the school.
Chief Kabamba has since urged Government to step up efforts in addressing the matter.
He said mining was an important economic activity that brought about jobs and increased host communities spending power but stated that order needed to prevail.
Chief Kabamba also said the removal of mineral royalties to chiefdoms has left chiefs as mayor spectators without benefiting in any way.
He said he had eight processing plants at Pensulo Musonda area in his Chiefdom but that little or no benefit could be felt in his Chiefdom.
Chief Kabamba also said mining had simply worsened the 50km Kabundi Road which continued to deteriorate.
He said this when Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) paid a courtesy call on him at his Palace in Serenje.
And CEJ Executive Director Maggie Mwape was shocked that the investor was daring the New Dawn Government which recently closed some non compliant mines violating environmental regulations.
Ms. Mwape warned that the total disregard by the investor violates children's Right to Education especially that the school has water supply and electricity.
She explained that Government in 2013 started building a boarding school in Kabundi area with works currently exceeding 85% to collapse the 50 Kilometers distance pupils covered to access senior secondary school.
Ms Mwape emphasised that CEJ was not against investors as they created job opportunities, paid taxes, increased host communiti
Kafue Town Council suspended for 90days.
Lusaka.
Local Government and Rural Development Minister Garry Nkombo has with immediate effect suspended the Kafue Town Council for the period of three months necessitated by the disorderly conduct of Councilors which resulted in violent protests yesterday.
Mr. Nkombo has since appointed Able Siwakwi as the Local Government Administrator during the suspension period.
Addressing Journalists today, the Minister said the appointment of the administrator will create an even ground to establish the truth surrounding the alleged land scandals that have locked the council.
