Cloud FM Zambia

11/02/2025

NEWS ANALYSIS OF TUESDAY, 11TH FEBRUARY, 2025

IT IS 460 DAYS BEFORE PARLIAMENT IS DISSOLVED TO PAVE WAY FOR THE 2026 GENERAL ELECTIONS

IT IS ALSO 42 DAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE UPND’S FOURTH YEAR BUDGET

MOTIVATION SONG: ITALANTA – PHILIPO CHIMBINI

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
---AUDITOR GENERAL REVEALS CDF FAILURES, AS TIZ CALLS FOR ITS REVIEW

---KABWE IN ACUTE SUBSIDISED MEALIE MEAL SHORTAGE

---UPND DISSOLVES EASTERN PROVINCE, PETAUKE COMMITTEES

--- EASTERN PROVINCE RECORDS OVER 400 CHILD DEFILEMENT CASES IN 2024

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10/02/2025

UPND DISSOLVES EASTERN PROVINCE, PETAUKE DISTRICT COMMITTEES..as IMENDA says party worried about magnitude of UPND East divisions
UPND secretary General, Batuke Imenda says the party has with immediate effect dissolved the Eastern Province, the Petauke District and Petauke Constituency committees.
And Batuke Imenda, who disclosed that the affected lower organs in the Province to report directly to the party secretariat, says the move is aimed at resolving the intra-party divisions that have continued to characterise the ruling party in Eastern Province.
Addressing the Press at the Anderson Kambela Mazoka House today, Mr Imenda says it was President Hakainde Hichilema's desire to see a united front that transcends petty squabbles and one that should outlive its predecessors.
Mr Imenda further said the unending infighting and cartels that have been the order of the day in the Eastern Province leading to the general citizenry in the region being deprived of much-needed information on the numerous attainments that the New Dawn administration has scored.
He also underscored the party's resolve to ensure that deserving party functionaries were quickly identified and made to fill the vacant positions.
Mr Imenda also paid growing tribute to party members who campaigned in the just-ended Mpongwe, Nalikwanda, Pambashe and Petauke Central by elections.
MEDIA TEAM

10/02/2025

TI-Z CONCERNED WITH UNDERPERFORMANCE, GOVERNANCE WEAKNESSES IN CDF PROGRAMME

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) is concerned with the underperformance and major governance weaknesses in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) programme as highlighted by the Office of the Auditors General in the 2023 CDF Audit.

TI-Z Executive Director Maurice Nyambe has observed that less than 42 percent of the available funds for community projects were utilised and the entire programme only managed to spend 52.9 percent of the total funds provided by the government.

Nyambe noted that there is need to reevaluate the political motive for increasing the CDF allocation each year, as it is clear that many constituencies and local authorities cannot utilise the funds.

He revealed that TI-Z has finalised a detailed analysis of the results contained in the Auditor General’s Report on the Constituency Development Fund for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Nyambe stated that it conducted a comparative analysis of the utilisation of funds across the CDF components and a ranking of the performance of provinces and constituencies with respect to fund utilisation.

He said the analysis reveals that the highest utilisation, of about 98 percent, was towards administration while the lowest utilisation of less than 42 percent was on community projects.

Nyambe said this raises serious accountability concerns as to why the administrators of the CDF are drawing funds for meeting regularly when there is minimal progress in implementing the core CDF activities.

He said given the numerous governance weaknesses highlighted by the Auditor General, including ineffective monitoring, weak quality control processes, poor contract management, weak monitoring and accountability mechanisms, among others, the CDF programme is a leaking tap that needs urgent plugging.

The TIZ Executive Director said it is not justifiable to continue allocating more resources to such a programme as the majority of the public resources will continue to be misappropriated, embezzled and abused.

He said in terms of overall performance for total funds allocated to the programme, North Western, Copperbelt and Eastern Provinces were the best performers with utilisation rates of about 58 percent, while Southern, Muchinga, and Western Provinces have utilisation rates of about 55 percent.

Nyambe said Lusaka has a utilisation rate of 53 percent while the other provinces, including Central, Luapula and Northern Provinces had utilisation rates of less than 50 percent.

The TIZ Executive Director said it was also notable that 8 out of the 10 provinces had utilisation rates lower than 50 percent for community projects.

He said the top-performing constituencies in terms of CDF funds utilisation were Rufunsa, Roan and Lukashya, with all recording utilisation rates more than 100 percent, followed by Nyimba and Luanshya Central, at more than 90 percent, and then by Chirundu Lufwanyama and Vubwi at more than 80 percent utilisation of funds available.

Nyambe said the least performers were Kaputa, Chilubi, Chawama, Chimbambilonga, and Kasama Central, with utilisation rates between 20 and 30 percent, while Lusaka Central constituency only managed to utilise less than 15 percent of the funds available.

He said although some constituencies are achieving higher rates of utilisation, it is concerning that some constituencies in urban areas, where there is stronger institutional capacity, are recording very low rates of utilisation.

Nyambe said in the wake of these findings, TI-Z calls on the government to reduce the allocation to the CDF going forward.

Nyambe said given the underperformance of funds and the numerous governance weaknesses highlighted by the Auditor General, there is little doubt that the CDF programme is a leaking tap that needs urgent plugging and there is no justification for the annual increases seen in terms of budgetary allocation to the programme.

09/02/2025

241 COUNCIL POLICE OFFICERS GRADUATE

241 Council Police officers drawn from 116 local authorities in the country have passed out.

This followed their completion of vigorous professional development training by the Zambia Police Service in partnership with Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute.

The pass-out parade was officiated by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo.

09/02/2025

MINISTRY OF HEALTH LAUNCHES ORAL CHOLERA VACCINATION EXERCISE IN KASUMBALESA

The Ministry of Health has flagged off an oral cholera vaccination exercise in Kasumbalesa, Chililabombwe District, on the Copperbelt.

MoH Communications & Public Relations Unit Officer Wezzy K. Simbeye confirmed the development.

Simbeye said Health Minister Elijah Muchima launched the oral cholera vaccination exercise in Kasumbalesa to combat the spread of cholera in the border area.

He noted that the vaccine provides around 80% protection for a year, and Minister Muchima encouraged local residents to get vaccinated.

Simbeye observed that to set an example, Minister Muchima, along with Mines and Mineral Development Minister Paul Kabuswe, who is also the Area Member of Parliament for Chililabombwe, and Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo, received the vaccine themselves.

He stated that as of the launch, over 32,000 residents of Chililabombwe District had already been vaccinated.

Simbeye noted that oral cholera vaccines like the one administered in Kasumbalesa have been shown to be effective in preventing cholera outbreaks.

09/02/2025

M'MEMBE MOURNS NAMIBIA'S FOUNDING PRESIDENT SAM NUJOMA

Socialist Party (SP) Zambia President Dr Fred M'membe has mourned Namibia's founding President Dr Sam Nujoma.

M'membe expressed deep sadness over Comrade Nujoma's death, acknowledging that his physical demise was expected, as all people eventually pass on, but still came as a shock.

He highlighted Nujoma's extraordinary leadership and lifelong commitment to ending colonialism, imperialism, and apartheid, noting that his legacy will always inspire those fighting for liberation and justice.

M'membe emphasized that Nujoma's life exemplified resilience and the importance of never giving up.

He called on others to learn from Nujoma's selfless service and sacrifice, urging a renewed commitment to prevent suffering and hold those who inflict pain accountable.

M'membe wished for Nujoma's spirit of service to live on within everyone, stating that his memories will endure.

09/02/2025

ZAMBIA RAILWAYS HOLDS FRUITFUL DISCUSSIONS AT MINING INDABA

Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) says it held very fruitful discussions with potential funders and partners aimed at enhancing the operations of the company at the just-ended Investing in Africa Mining Indaba held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Zambia Railways Limited Managing Director, Eng. Cuthbert Malindi said his team took advantage of the unique opportunity provided by the Indaba to engage with key stakeholders and that the company is looking forward to actualizing these discussions.

Malindi noted that Zambia Railways Limited’s main challenge has been the state of the line as well as the rolling stock, adding that finding suitable funders and partners is among the company’s top priorities to revitalise its operations.

He said they participated in the mining Indaba but more importantly, aimed to partner with logistics companies and equipment suppliers across the transport and logistics value chain.

Malindi expressed gladness over meeting potential funders as Zambia Railways Limited needs suitable funding. He added that they had very good meetings with potential partners for mutual benefit.

He noted that Zambia Railways Limited is among the key players in Zambia’s vision to attain 3 million tonnes of copper production annually by the year 2031, as the transport and logistics sector plays a critical role in the movement of goods.

Malindi highlighted the importance of attending the event to collaborate between the mining sector and the logistics and transport sector, essential for meeting the targeted copper production.

He said forging strategic partnerships aims to address current capacity challenges in locomotives and the track, ultimately improving service provision and providing greater value to clients, including the mining sector.

He called on more potential financiers to explore partnership opportunities with ZRL in the commercialisation of its workshops, real estates, and rolling stock capacity creation.

The Zambia Railways Limited was part of the Indaba, which attracted more than 8,000 delegates, 1,200 investors, 700 mining companies, and 94 government officials from across 100 countries worldwide.

The event showcased Africa's commitment to attracting investment in its mining sector, with key decision-makers representing the entire African mining value chain discussing the future of African mining.

This is contained in a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambia High Commission in South Africa, Tamara Nyirenda.

08/02/2025

HH SAYS EAC/SADC SUMMIT REAFFIRMS LEADERS’ COMMITMENT TO PERSUE A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT IN DRC

08/02/2025

ABRAHAM MOKOLA TOLL PLAZA SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED

Works on the 45 kilometres Masangano-Fisenge-Luanshya Road on the Copperbelt also involves the construction of a Toll Plaza.
Works at the Abraham Mokola Toll Plaza have attained 98% completion point.
All structural works on the toll and control building, including water supply, are complete.
The solar panels and supporting system have also been installed.
Outstanding works involve connecting power to the control building and the toll booths.
It is expected that once electricity is connected, installation of the software will follow, and this may take two weeks.
DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

07/02/2025

07/02/2025

MWEETWA SAYS THE LOSS IN PETAUKE PARLIAMENTARY SEAT IS A REMINDER FOR THE GOVT TO DO MORE

07/02/2025

THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE THIRTEENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO RESUME ON 11TH FEBRUARY, 2024

more in the comment section👇

07/02/2025

JUST IN
Tonse Alliance's (NCP) Simon Banda scoops Petauke Central seat with 13,180 votes

07/02/2025

*PETAUKE CENTRAL PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTION RESULTS UPDATE*
FINAL RESULTS
1. Severian Lungu ( UPND)- 11,093
2. Banda Simon ( Tonse/ NCP)- 13,180
3. Mutale Nkole (IND)- 247
4. Mwale Julius ( SP)- 578
5. Phiri Moses ( DU) - 75
6. Tembo Joshua ( LM)- 338
7. Chama Carlos (CF)- 1,040

07/02/2025

HH TO ATTEND A JOINT SUMMIT OF SADC AND EAC HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT TOMORROW

07/02/2025