rhoda: A 21 YEAR OLD WOMAN OF LUSAKA ARRESTED FOR COCAINE...

rhoda: A 21 YEAR OLD WOMAN OF LUSAKA ARRESTED FOR COCAINE...: "A 21 YEAR OLD WOMAN OF LIBALA SOUTH IN LUSAKA HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR COCAINE TRAFFICKING. DEC PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER JOHN NYAWALI EXPLAINED..."

A 21 YEAR OLD WOMAN OF LUSAKA ARRESTED FOR COCAINE TRAFFICKING

A 21 YEAR OLD WOMAN OF LIBALA SOUTH IN LUSAKA HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR COCAINE TRAFFICKING.

DEC PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER JOHN NYAWALI EXPLAINED THAT CYNTHIA PHIRI WAS ARRESTED AT CHIRUNDU BOARDER POST UPON ENTERING ZAMBIA FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

MR NYAWALI SAID MS. PHIRI WHO HAD BEEN ON THE COMMISSION’S WATCH LIST FOR SOMETIME WAS ARRESTED AFTER A SEARCH CONCEALED THE COCAINE POWDER IN SALT CONTAINERS WHICH WERE HIDDEN IN HER TRAVELLING BAG.

HE SAYS HER ARREST COMES FEW WEEKS AFTER ANOTHER ZAMBIAN BUSINESSWOMAN WAS ARRESTED AT JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN KENYA FOR TRAFFICKING IN ABOUT A KILOGRAM OF COCAINE.

MR NYAWALI SAYS THE INCREASE IN DRUG TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES ESPECIALLY OF COCAINE SHOWS THAT ZAMBIA HAS NOW TURNED INTO A CONSUMER DESTINATION FOR NARCOTICS BUT HE HOWEVER SAID IT HAS INTENSIFIED ITS TRACKING SYSTEMS TO ENSURE THAT DRUG TRAFFICKERS ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

MEANWHILE 101 PEOPLE ARRESTED COUNTRYWIDE IN THE LAST EIGHT DAYS FOR TRAFFICKING IN DIFFERENT CANNABIS WEIGHING 421 KILOGRAMS.

AMONG THOSE ARRESTED WERE THREE PEOPLE OF KABWE DISTRICT IN CENTRAL PROVINCE WHO WERE FOUND WITH IMPLEMENTS FOR MANUFACTURING COUNTERFEIT NOTES.

ALL SUSPECTS ARE DETAINED IN POLICE CUSTODY AND WILL APPEAR IN COURT SOON.

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rhoda: THE FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORTS FOR ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATE...

rhoda: THE FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORTS FOR ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATE...: "MINES DEPUTY MINISTER BONIFACE NKHATA SAID THE FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIARY, ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATED COPPER MINES INVES..."

rhoda: THE FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORTS FOR ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATE...

rhoda: THE FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORTS FOR ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATE...: "MINES DEPUTY MINISTER BONIFACE NKHATA SAID THE FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIARY, ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATED COPPER MINES INVES..."

THE FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORTS FOR ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATED COPPER MINES INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED

MINES DEPUTY MINISTER BONIFACE NKHATA SAID THE FINANCIAL AUDIT REPORTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIARY, ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATED COPPER MINES INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND ARE READY.
MR NKHATA SAID TOLD LAWMAKERS THAT THE ACCOUNTS WERE READY BUT HOWEVER HE DID NOT ELABORATE ON THE NEXT COURSE OF ACTION ALTHOUGH HE ATTRIBUTED THE DELAY IN PRODUCING THE ANNUAL REPORTS TO INABILITY ON THE PART OF PRICE WATERHOUSE COOPERS, THE COMPANY ENGAGED TO CARRY OUT THE AUDITS.
PRICE WATERHOUSE COOPERS HAS SINCE BEEN DRAGGED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS ZICA DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE IN AN EFFORT TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF AUDITING THE REPORTS.
IN A RELATED DEVELOPMENT, REPORTS STATED THAT ZAMBIA, AFRICA’S LARGEST COPPER PRODUCER AND FOURTH WORLD LARGEST PROVIDER OF THE METAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET CHALLENGED ITS NATIONALS TO INVEST IN THE MINING SECTOR TO CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
MR JAZZMAN CHIKWAKWA DEPUTY MINISTER MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT OF ZAMBIA SAID THAT ZAMBIA HAS THE BEST MINERAL RESOURCES IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN THAT CITIZENS SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ZAMBIA HAS ABUNDANT NATURAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING MINERALS.
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rhoda: ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA LEAD THOUSANDS OF Z...

rhoda: ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA LEAD THOUSANDS OF Z...: "PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA THIS MORNING LEAD THOUSANDS OF ZAMBIANS IN VIEWING THE REMAINS OF THE LATE SECOND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT DR FREDRICK CH..."

rhoda: ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA LEAD THOUSANDS OF Z...

rhoda: ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA LEAD THOUSANDS OF Z...: "PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA THIS MORNING LEAD THOUSANDS OF ZAMBIANS IN VIEWING THE REMAINS OF THE LATE SECOND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT DR FREDRICK CH..."

ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA LEAD THOUSANDS OF ZAMBIANS IN VIEWING THE REMAINS OF THE LATE SECOND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT DR FREDRICK CHILUBA

PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA THIS MORNING LEAD THOUSANDS OF ZAMBIANS IN VIEWING THE REMAINS OF THE LATE SECOND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT DR FREDRICK CHILUBA AT THE MULUNGUSHI CONFERENCE CENTRE IN LUSAKA.

THE FIRST LADY THANDIWE BANDA AND THE VICE PRESIDENT GEORGE KUNDA AND HIS WIFE IREEN WERE ALSO IN ATTENDANCE.

OTHER NOTABLE DIGNITARIES WERE THE SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, CHIEF JUSTICE ERNEST SAKALA, SERVICE CHIEFS, CABINET MINISTERS, DEPUTY MINISTERS, AMBASSADORS AND HIGH COMMISSIONERS ACCREDITED TO ZAMBIA, VETERAN POLITICIANS LIKE SIMON ZUKAS, LEADERS OF VARIOUS POLITICAL PARTIES AND CHURCH LEADERS.

BEFORE THE BODY VIEWING COMMENCED THE ZAMBIA AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN MOFFAT NYAMBE OPENED WITH A PRAYER WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A SCRIPTURE READING WHICH CAME FROM JOHN CHAPTER 11 VERSES 25-26.

AFTER THE SCRIPTURE READING PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA LED MOURNERS IN VIEWING THE REMAINS OF DR. CHILUBA.

AND DURING THE PROCESSION THE WIFE TO THE LATE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT REGINA CHILUBA OFFERED A PRAYER THANKING GOD FOR HIS LIFE ON EARTH.

BUT THE SECURITY OFFICERS HAD TOUGH TIME IN CALMING AND CONTROLLING CHILDREN OF THE LATE PRESIDNET WHEN THEIR TURN CAME TO VIEW THE REMAINS OF THEIR FATHER.

THE SECURITY OFFICERS HAD TO CLOSE THE CASKET TWICE JUST TO ENSURE THAT CALM RETURNED IN THE CONFERENCE CENTRE AND ALLOW FOR A PEACEFUL AND ORDERLY PROCESSION.

MEANWHILE, PRESIDENT BANDA HAS DECLARED MONDAY, 27^TH JUNE, 2011 A PUBLIC HOLIDAY AS THE NATION PUTS TO REST SECOND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT FREDERICK CHILUBA WHO DIED ON JUNE 18, 2011.

SECRETARY TO THE CABINET JOSHUA KANGANJA SAID IN A STATEMENT ISSUED IN LUSAKA THAT THE BODY OF DR CHILUBA WILL LIE IN STATE AT MULUNGUISHI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE TODAY AND TOMORROW.

DR. KANGANJA SAID BODY VIEWING BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC WILL GO UP TO 18:00 HOURS AND ON SUNDAY, BODY VIEWING WILL START AT 08:00 HOURS TO 18:00 HOURS.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE FREE TO GO TO MULUNGUISHI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE TO PAY THEIR LAST RESPECTS TO DR CHILUBA.

AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH PARTNERSHIP FORUM SAYS DR CHILUBA WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR THE REFORMS THAT HE INTRODUCED IN THE HEALTH SECTOR SUCH AS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FORMER CENTRAL BOARD OF HEALTH.

PHPF COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER ENOCK KAPUTULA SAID IT WAS DURING DR CHILUBA’S REIGN THAT THE NATION SAW THE REDUCTION IN SHORTAGES OF MEDICINES IN HEALTH FACILITIES, INCREASE IN AVAILABILITY OF TRANSPORT, EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF HEALTH CARE AND COMING OF MANY PLAYER IN THE HEALTH SECTOR.

MR KAPUTULA HAS SINCE CALLED ON ZAMBIANS TO MOURN DR CHILUBA IN A DIGNIFIED MANNER AS HE WAS A GREAT LEADER WHO RULED THE NATION FOR TEN SOLID YEARS.

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BRAZILIAN MINING GIANT VALE MINING COMPANY PLANS TO EXPAND ITS INVESTMENT ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT

BRAZILIAN MINING GIANT VALE MINING COMPANY PLANS TO EXPAND ITS INVESTMENT ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT, AS IT SEEKS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RISING MINING OPPORTUNITIES ON THE CONTINENT.
VALE MINING COMPANY’S EXPLORATION MANAGER IAN HART SAID THE COMPANY PLANS TO SPEND MORE THAT 12 BILLION DOLLARS IN INVESTING IN AFRICA IN THE NEXT FIVE YEAR.
HE HOWEVER SAID THE INVESTMENT IS DEPENDENT ON A DECISION EXPECTED TO BE MADE BY THE COMPANY’S BOARD, ADDING THAT THE COMPANY IS DETERMINED TO INCREASE ITS INVESTMENTS’ PRESENCE IN AFRICA IN GENERAL AND ZAMBIA IN PARTICULAR TO CONTINUE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE RISING OPPORTUNITIES.
VALE IS THE SECOND-LARGEST PRODUCER OF COPPER IN THE WHOLE WORLD AND IT PLANS TO INVEST ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN THE ZAMBIAN PROJECT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
LAST YEAR, THE BRAZILIAN MINING GIANT COMMISSIONED A MINING PROJECT IN ZAMBIA.
THE 380 MILLION DOLLAR KONKOLA NORTH COPPER MINE PROJECT IN CHILILAMBOMBWE DISTRICT ON THE COPPERBELT PROVINCE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE 45,000 TONNES OF COPPER PER YEAR, CONTRIBUTING TO A NATIONWIDE COPPER PRODUCTION TARGET OF TWO MILLION TONNES BY 2015.
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OUT-GOING MBABALA UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEGISLATORCAUTIONS HIS PARTY AND THE ENTIRE LEADERSHIP TO STOP BEING TRIBAL

OUT-GOING MBABALA UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEGISLATOR EMMANUEL HACHIPUKA HAS CAUTIONED HIS PARTY AND THE ENTIRE LEADERSHIP TO STOP BEING TRIBAL BUT EMBRACE ALL ZAMBIANS IF THEY WANT TO WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
MAKING HIS CONTRIBUTION IN PARLIAMENT TODAY IN THE MOTION THAT WAS MOVED BY THE VICE PRESIDENT GEORGE KUNDA TO ADJOURN THE HOUSE SINE DIE, MR. HACHIPUKA SAID IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE UPND TO FORM GOVERNMENT WITHOUT THE INCLUSION OF OTHER ZAMBIANS FROM ALL THE NINE PROVINCES OF THE COUNTRY.
MR HACHIPUKA WHO ALSO SERVED AS CHAIRPERSON FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HAS SINCE URGED HIS PARTY TO BE ALL EMBRACING AND OPEN UP TO ALL, STRESSING THAT FAILURE TO DO SO WILL JUST SEE THE UPND LOSE THE ELECTIONS.
HE ALSO BID FAREWELL TO THE HOUSE STATING THAT HIS TWELVE YEARS OF BEING A PARLIAMENTARIAN HAS HELPED HIM GAIN MORE EXPERIENCE ON MANY ISSUES OF NATIONAL INTEREST.
MR. HACHIPUKA URGED THE PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO WILL BE VOTED INTO OFFICE TO ENSURE THAT THEY LOBBY AND DELIVER TO THE EXPECTATION OF THE ELECTORATES.AND CHONGWE CONSTITUENCY PARLIAMENTARIAN SYLVIA MASEBO PLEADED THAT THE NEXT GOVERNMENT WHICH COMES INTO POWER MUST ENSURE THAT THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES IN THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION ARE CONSIDERED THEREBY GIVING ZAMBIANS A DOCUMENT THAT WILL LAST THE TEST OF TIME.
MS MASEBO FURTHER URGED ZAMBIANS TO WISELY EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE AND ENSURE THAT THEY VOTE FOR LEADERS THAT WILL DELIVER ON THE PROMISES.
SHE SAID ZAMBIANS SHOULD SCRUTINIZE THE ASPIRING CANDIDATES AHEAD OF THIS YEAR’S POLLS.SINDA MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT LEVY NGOMA CALLED ON ZAMBIANS TO UPHOLD THE CHRISTIANITY VALUES OF LOVE AND COMPASSION IN VIEW OF THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS SO THAT VIOLENCE IS CURTAILED.MEANWHILE, PARLIAMENT HAS TODAY ADJOURNED SINE DIE WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT GEORGE KUNDA URGING OUTGOING PARLIAMENTARIANS TO SAFEGUARD THE COUNTRY’S PEACE AS THE COUNTRY GOES TO THE POLLS LATER THIS YEAR.
PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA IS AFTERWARDS EXPECTED TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT AND SUBSEQUENTLY ANNOUNCE THE ELECTION DATE.
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ZAMBIA ON TRACK WITH THE DIGITAL MIGRATION PROCESS

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES LIEUTENANT GENERAL RONNIE SHIKAPWASHA SAYS ZAMBIA IS ON TRACK WITH REGARDS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL MIGRATION.

PRESENTING HIS MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE STATUS OF THE DIGITAL MIGRATION PROCESS TODAY, LIEUTENANT SHIKAPWASHA EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT  WITH THE PACE AT WHICH THE TRIALS ARE BEING CONDUCTED THE NATION WILL MEET THE SET DEADLINE.

HE EXPLAINED  TOLD THE HOUSE THAT THE TRIAL PERIOD FOR THE DIGITAL MIGRATION RUNS FOR THREE WEEKS WHICH HE SAID WILL BE REDUCED CONSIDERING THAT NO MAJOR HURDLES HAVE BEEN  EXPERIENCED DURING THE PROCESS IN LUSAKA.

LIEUTENANT SHIKAPWASHA  FURTHER  TOLD THE HOUSE  THAT THE NEXT TRIAL LOCATION WILL BE IN NDOLA WHERE  THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR WILL BE TRANSMITTED UNDER THE SAME.

HE FURTHER SAID ALL WHAT CITIZENS NEED TO DO IS A SET TOP BOX OR DECODER TO RECEIVE THE SIGNALS ONCE THE COUNTRY HAS FULLY MIGRATED  FROM ANALOG TO DIGITAL.

THE INFORMATION MINISTER EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE DIGITAL MIGRATION MORE THAT 20 CHANNELS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER DEDICATING SOME OF THE CHANNELS TO BROADCASTING CHRISTIAN PROGRAMMES, GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMMES AMONG OTHERS.

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PARLIAMENT HAS TODAY ADJOURNED SINE DIE

PARLIAMENT HAS TODAY ADJOURNED SINE DIE  WITH VICE  GEORGE KUNDA URGING OUTGOING PARLIAMENTARIANS  TO SAFEGUARD THE COUNTRY`S PEACE AS THE COUNTRY GOES TO THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA IS AFTERWARD EXPECTED TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT AND SUBSEQUENTLY ANNOUNCE THE ELECTION DATE.

AMONG THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS SESSION WAS THE FAILURE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT  BILL  WHICH  ATTRACTED  MUCH CRITICISM FROM A CROSS SECTION  OF SOCIETY.

PF VICE PRESIDENT AND  LUSAKA CENTRAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT DR GUY SCOTT TOLD THE HOUSE THAT THE EXCUTIVE BEARS THE BLAME ON THE FAILED CONSTITUTION  MAKING PROCESS.

DR SCOTT  ALSO REITERATED THE NEED FOR THE ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT TO BE PUT IN PLACE  AS THE COUNTRY GOES TO THE POLLS.

VICE PRESIDENT  GEORGE KUNDA HAS TOLD THE HOUSE THAT THE NATION WILL BE INFORMED ON THE DISPOSING OFF OF ASSETS OF FINANCE BANK ZAMBIA LIMITED.

SPEAKING DURING THE VICE PRESIDENT’S QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION MR. KUNDA EXPLAINED THAT THE PROCESS OF DISPOSING OFF FINANCE BANK ZAMBIA LIMITED IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF BANK OF ZAMBIA WHOM HE SAID WILL IN TURN INFORM THE NATION ON THE STAGES.

AND EARLIER ON  IN RESPONDING TO A QUESTION FROM SINDA MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT LEVY NGOMA WHO WANTED TO KNOW THE STATUS OF FINANCE BANK ZAMBIA LIMITED, MR. KUNDA SAID THE BANK IS STILL SOUND AND HAS CONTINUED WITH ITS OPERATIONS DESPITE THE HURDLES   FACED IN THE RECENT PAST.

AND THE VICE PRESIDENT FURTHER  WARNED  THE CIVIL SERVANTS VYING FOR POLITICAL OFFICE THAT THE LAW WILL VISIT THEM IF THEY DO NOT RESIGN THEIR POSITIONS.

HE EXPLAINED THAT ANY CIVIL VYING FOR POLITICAL OFFICE SHOULD FIRST OF ALL RESIGN BEFORE APPLYING FOR POLITICAL OFFICE.

MR. KUNDA FURTHER CAUTIONED THAT THE RULING MMD WILL GIVE THE OPPOSITION A GOOD RUN FOR THEIR MONEY IN THIS YEAR’S TRIPARTITE ELECTIONS.

AND THE VICE PRESIDENT ALLEGED THAT THE MEDIA INSTITUTE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA ZAMBIAN CHAPTER IS BIASED AND THAT IT IS NOT A CREDIBLE ORGANIZATION.

MEANWHILE, THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING DISCLOSED THAT 21.99 BILLION KWACHA HAS BEEN LOST BY THE ZAMBIA CONSOLIDATED COPPER MINES-INVESTMENT HOLDING, MUKUBA PENSION SCHEME AND NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME AUTHORITY IN THE FORM OF UNPAID BALANCES ON THE PURCHASE PRICE OF HOUSES SOLID TO SITTING TENANTS.

DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER CHILESHE KAPWEPWE  TOLD THE HOUSE THAT  THE LOSS WAS AS A RESULT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ISSUED IN APRIL, 2011 TO CANCEL THE BALANCES MENTIONED ABOVE.

MS KAPWEPWE FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT 4,224 HOUSING UNITS FOR THE THREE INSTITUTIONS HAS SINCE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE DIRECTIVE.

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PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA YESTERDAY HELD TALKS WITH FORMER BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CLAIRE SHORT

PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA YESTERDAY HELD TALKS WITH FORMER BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CLAIRE SHORT AND DISCUSSED VARIOUS ISSUES REGARDING MINING.
THE PRESIDENT HAS SINCE PLEDGED HIS GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE (EITI) FOR WHICH MRS. SHORT IS THE INTERNATIONAL CHAIRPERSON.
MRS. SHORT’S VISIT TO ZAMBIA ALSO SAW HER ATTENDING THE ZAMBIA INTERNATIONAL MINING AND ENERGY CONFERENCE (ZIMEC) WHICH DREW INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION FROM MANY COUNTRIES.
IN AN EFFORT TO ENHANCE THE MANAGEMENT OF MINERALS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL, ZAMBIA HAS BEEN A CANDIDATE COUNTRY OF EITI SINCE MAY 2009 AND HAS SINCE PRODUCED ITS FIRST RECONCILIATION REPORT.
ZAMBIA IS EXPECTED TO ATTAIN COMPLIANT STATUS BY THE END OF 2011.
AT THE OPENING OF ZIMEC IN LUSAKA THIS WEEK, PRESIDENT BANDA UNDERSCORED THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPARENCY AS A TENET OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND URGED ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO BE INVOLVED IN ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES OF SUBSCRIBING TO EITI.
THIS IS ACCORDING TO A NEWS STATEMENT AVAILED TO RADIO PHOENIX BY SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DICKSON JERE.

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UNITED STATES EXPORT-IMPORT BANK COULD THIS YEAR SPEND MORE THAN US$1.5 BILLION ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN 37 AFRICAN AGOA ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

THE UNITED STATES EXPORT-IMPORT BANK COULD THIS YEAR SPEND MORE THAN US$1.5 BILLION ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN 37 AFRICAN GROWTH OPPORTUNITY ACT (AGOA) ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES.
US EXIMBANK EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALICE ALBRIGHT SAID THEY WERE KEEN TO ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE WITH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS WITH EMPHASIS ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, MINING, AVIATION AND TRANSPORT.
SHE SAID AS A BANK THEY HAVE THE MANDATE TO ASSIST SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AND WILL BE HAPPY TO OPEN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, TO DISCUSS AREAS SUCH AS TRANSPORT, AVIATION, POWER AND MINING.
AT A TELECONFERENCE ON THE FORTHCOMING AGOA FORUM FROM WASHINGTON DC MS ALBRIGHT SAID THEY WOULD ALSO BE WORKING WITH THE IMF.
SINCE 1999, THE BANK HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN PROJECTS WORTH MORE THAN US$6 BILLION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.
ALBRIGHT SAID THE FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 WE HAVE SUPPORTED 132 TRANSACTIONS TOTALING US$812 MILLION IN 20 SUB-SAHARA COUNTRIES WITH TOTAL EXPOSURE TO SUB-SAHARA AFRICA AT US$3.6 BILLION AND INCLUDED AIRCRAFT PURCHASES, POWER PROJECTS, TRANSPORTATION AND VARIOUS OTHER SECTORS.
US EXIMBANK MAY CONSIDER OPENING A BRANCH IN ZAMBIA AND OTHER EMERGING ECONOMIES AS THE MARKET HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT YEARS.
ALBRIGHT SAID HOWEVER, THE CURRENTLY EXPORT DEMAND IS MINIMAL AND US EXIMBANK WOULD HAVE TO FIRST WORK TO GROW THIS.
THE BANK HAS FEW OFFICES IN AFRICA AND LARGELY WORKS THROUGH AMERICAN EMBASSIES IN THE CONTINENT AS WELL AS OTHER CO-OPERATING PARTNERS.
BUT ON WHETHER US EXIMBANK WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE AGOA FORUM TO BE HOSTED BY ZAMBIA FROM JUNE 9 TO 10, ALBRIGHT SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STATE BECAUSE OF BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS.
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ZCTU URGES PARLIAMENTARIANS TO PUT NATIONAL ISSUES AT HEART IN THIS LAST SESSION

THE ZAMBIA CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS  SAYS THIS LAST PARLIAMENTARY SESSION IS VERY CRUCIAL TO THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA ESPECIALLY THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OUTSTANDING ISSUES THAT GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO CONCLUDE ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX ,ZCTU GENERAL SECRETARY ROY MWABA  HAS SINCE ADVISED PARLIAMENTARIANS TO PUT THE NATION FIRST AND ENSURE THAT THOSE BILLS WHICH WHERE NOT CONCLUDED ARE FINALIZED AND ASSENTED INTO LAWS BEFORE THE HOUSE DISSOLVES.

AND THE ZCTU GENERAL SECRETARY FURTHER URGED THE PARLIAMENTARIANS TO EXERCISE MATURITY IN THIS LAST SESSION AND MAKE IT A MUST THAT THEY FOCUS ON ISSUE- BASED DEBATES RATHER THAN CHARACTER ASSASSINATING EACH OTHER.

MEANWHILE, PARLIAMENT HEARD THAT THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA (ECZ) BOOKS OF ACCOUNT WERE LAST AUDITED IN APRIL AND MAY 2009 FOR THE 2008 FINANCIAL YEAR.

DEPUTY JUSTICE MINISTER TODD CHILEMBO EXPLAINED THAT THE CONCURRENT AUDIT OF 2009 AND 2010 IS ON GOING HAVING BEGAN IN MARCH, 2011.

HE TOLD THE HOUSE THAT  THE AUDITS FOR THE SAID YEARS WERE  DELAYED DUE TO THE BOOK REGISTRATION  THE COMMISSION HAD IN 2010 AT THE TIME THE AUDITOR GENERAL HAD GONE TO DO THE AUDITS.

MR CHILEMBO HOWEVER TOLD THE HOUSE THAT WITH THE ON GOING VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE, THERE IS NEED FOR THE ECZ FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT TO HAVE ITS CAPACITY ENHANCED IF THE AUDITS ARE TO BE CONDUCTED ON TIME.

AND MR CHILEMBO FURTHER TOLD THE HOUSE THAT A TOTAL OF 84 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION RESULTS WERE PETITIONED IN THE HIGH COURT BETWEEN 2001 AND 2010.

HE ADDED THAT A TOTAL OF OVER 810 MILLION KWACHA WAS SPENT BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA ON THE SAID PETITIONS.

MEANWHILE, FOREIGN AFFAIRS DEPUTY MINISTER FASHION PHIRI TOLD THE HOUSE THAT TEN ZAMBIAN WOMEN WERE IMPRISONED OUTSIDE ZAMBIA FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING AS OF 31^ST DECEMBER, 2010; SIX OF WHICH HAVE SINCE DIED FROM NATURAL CAUSES WHILST SERVING THEIR SENTENCES.

PROFESSOR PHIRI TOLD PARLIAMENT  THAT GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED WITH THE HIGH NUMBER OF ZAMBIAN WOMEN INVOLVING THEMSELVES IN DRUG TRAFFICKING STATING THAT POLICE HAVE SINCE BEEN INVESTIGATING THE CAUSES OF THIS GROWING EVIL VICE.

PARLIAMENT HEARD  THAT AMONG THE COUNTRIES THOSE ZAMBIAN WOMEN WERE ARRESTED FROM FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING IS: PAKISTAN, CHINA, ETHIOPIA, INDIA, NAMIBIA, UNITED STATES, MALAYSIA, SWAZILAND AND SOUTH AFRICA.

AND PARLIAMENT HAS ALSO HEARD THAT 485 POLICE OFFICERS DIED FROM 2008 TO 2009 COUNTRYWIDE WITH LUSAKA PROVINCE ACCOUNTING FOR 214 OF THE TOTAL DEATHS WHILE 202 HAVE SINCE RETIRED.

HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER MKONDO LUNGU EXPLAINED TO THE HOUSE THAT THE HIGH NUMBER OF DEATHS IN LUSAKA PROVINCE WERE DUE TO TUBERCULOSIS AND HIV-AIDS RELATED DISEASES.

HE TOLD PARLIAMENT THAT THE MINISTRY HAS SINCE PUT IN PLACE THE HIV WORK PLACE POLICY TO ENSURE THAT  POLICE OFFICERS ARE SENSITIZED ON HOW THEY NEED TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES WHILST ON DUTY.

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ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT IS CARRYING OUT A MINING SECTOR-WIDE TAX AUDIT TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNTRY IS COLLECTING THE FULL AMOUNT OF TAXES

MINISTER OF MINES MAXWELL MWALE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT IS CARRYING OUT A MINING SECTOR-WIDE TAX AUDIT TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNTRY IS COLLECTING THE FULL AMOUNT OF TAXES NECESSARY FOR SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.

THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINERAL DEVELOPMENT SAID THAT THE FINAL TAX AUDIT REPORTS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT AND CONSULTATIONS WITH COMPANIES WOULD BEGIN.

MR MWALE SAID TAXES ARE THE ONLY THING THAT ALLOWS THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT ITS SOCIAL REFORMS AND TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE.

HE SAID THE TAX AUDIT WAS INITIATED FOLLOWING THE 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS WHICH SAW SOME COPPER PROJECTS SHUT.

ZAMBIA'S TAX AUDIT CAME INTO FOCUS THIS WEEK AFTER THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK SAID IT IS INVESTIGATING TAX EVASION ACCUSATIONS AGAINST COMMODITY TRADER GLENCORE INTERNATIONAL PLC IN ZAMBIA, WHERE IT IS THE MAJORITY OWNER OF MOPANI COPPER MINES PLC, AND HAS FROZEN FURTHER FUNDING TO THE GROUP.

THE EIB PROVIDED MOPANI WITH A $50 MILLION LOAN IN 2005 TO HELP FUND RENOVATION OF THE MUFULIRA COPPER SMELTER. THE LOAN IS DUE TO BE FULLY REPAID BY THE END OF 2016.

GLENCORE DENIES WRONGDOING.

MR MWALE SAID IT SOLICITED THE HELP OF OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS TO RUN THE TAX AUDIT.

IN APRIL A DRAFT REPORT ON GLENCORE BY GRANT THORNTON, DONE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT, WAS LEAKED.

THE REPORT SAID GLENCORE OVER INFLATED COSTS AND UNDERVALUED ITS MINERALS, LEADING TO THE POSSIBILITY IT HADN'T PAID TAXES IN FULL.

BUT MR. MWALE SAID THAT WAS A PRELIMINARY REPORT AND FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ARE BEING DONE AND GOVERNMENT IS WAITING FOR THE OUTCOME OF THE REPORT.

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THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT HAS EXTENDED THE GRANT AID TO ZAMBIA OF APPROXIMATELY 8.7 MILLION DOLLARS

THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED AN EXTENSION OF THE GRANT AID TO ZAMBIA OF APPROXIMATELY 8.7 MILLION DOLLARS OR 41 BILLION KWACHA FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT FOR THE GROUND WATER DEVELOPMENT IN LUAPULA PROVINCE.

ACCORDING TO THE NEWS STATEMENT THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWS THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT WHICH HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED FROM 2008 TO 2010.

THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE DRILLING OF 216 BOREHOLES IN FOUR DISTRICTS OF LUAPULA PROVINCE AND THE SETTING UP OF SUSTAINABLE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEMS FOR THE BOREHOLES.

THE SYSTEMS WILL ALSO INCLUDE PUTTING IN PLACE MEASURES TO REDUCE LEVELS OF IRON IN THE WATER, AS GROUND WATER IN SOME PARTS OF LUAPULA PROVINCE CONTAINS IRON.

THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BENEFIT MORE THAN 54,000 PEOPLE.

THE AIM OF THE SECOND PHASE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED PROJECT IS TO FURTHER IMPROVE ACCESS TO SAFE WATER IN LUAPULA WHERE THE ACCESS RATE IS AT 23.1% THE LOWEST LEVEL AMONG THE NINE PROVINCES.

THE NOTES FOR THE GRANT AID WERE SIGNED AND EXCHANGED IN LUSAKA, BETWEEN JAPANESE AMBASSADOR TO ZAMBIA AKIO EGAWA AND THE FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING MINISTER DR SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE.

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ruling mmd in Zambia called to show political will in enacting the electoral code of conduct

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNANCE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENDER MATTERS CHAIRPERSON JACK MWIIMBU HAS CALLED FOR THE POLITICAL WILL FROM THE RULING MMD GOVERNMENT IN ENACTING ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT IN THIS YEAR’S TRIPARTITE ELECTIONS.

SUBMITTING THE REPORT TO PARLIAMENT TODAY MR. MWIIMBU EXPLAINED THAT THE ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT IN ITS CURRENT STATUS DOES NOT INSPIRE A NUMBER OF ELECTORAL PLAYERS WHOM HE SAID FEAR THAT IT MAY NOT BE UPHELD.

MR MWIIBU WHO IS ALSO MONZE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ALSO BEMOANED THE TENDENCY BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO USE PUBLIC RESOURCES IN THIS PRE-ELECTION PERIOD.

HE SAID THERE IS NEED TO UPHOLD THE ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT BY ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS AND FURTHER CALLED FOR THE CIVIL SERVANTS TO BE NON PARTISAN IF PEACE IS TO PREVAIL IN THE COUNTRY.

AND SECONDING THE MOTION LUMBANSESHI MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT LAZAROUS CHOTA SAID THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY AND EXPERTISE TO ENFORCE THE ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT.

MR CHOTA CITED THE INADEQUATE PIECES OF LEGISLATURE TO ALLOW THE ECZ AND THE LAW ENFORCING AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT THE ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT IS ENACTED.

AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEBATE ROAN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT MR. CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI CALLED ON GOVERNMENT TO CLEAN UP THE PRISONS SO THAT THEY ARE IN GOOD CONDITION UNLIKE THE CURRENT STATUS.

AND OTHER PARLIAMENT WHO SUPPORTED THE REPORT CALLED FOR PEACE DURING AND AFTER THE ELECTIONS AND ENSURED THAT THE DESPERATION THAT IS BEEN PERPETUATED BY SOME QUARTERS IS AVOIDED.

MEANWHILE, PARLIAMENT HAS SINCE ADOPTED THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNANCE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENDER MATTERS FOR THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE TENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

AND INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING DEPUTY MINISTER ANGELA CIFIRE HAS TOLD PARLIAMENT THAT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL IF NOT PROPERLY HANDLED POSES A GREAT DANGER TO THE COUNTRY’S PEACE AND SECURITY.

MS CIFIRE FURTHER TOLD THE HOUSE THAT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL WILL ONLY BE PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT ONCE THE CONSULTATIONS WHICH ARE BEEN UNDERTAKEN FROM VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS ARE COMPLETE.

BUT LIEUTENANT GENERAL RONNIE SHIKAPWASHA WHO IS ALSO CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON EXPRESSED DOUBT THAT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL WILL BE ENACTED BEFORE PARLIAMENT IS DISSOLVED

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ZAMBIA AND BOTSWANA HAVE REAFFIRMED THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION

ZAMBIA AND BOTSWANA HAVE REAFFIRMED THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION IN RESOLVING SECURITY ISSUES BETWEEN THEM AND ALONG THE COMMON BORDER.

SPEAKING DURING THE OFFICIAL CLOSING OF THE BOTSWANA-ZAMBIA JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION (JPC) IN LUSAKA TODAY, DEFENCE MINISTER KALOMBO MWANSA SAID THE COMMISSION HAS CONTRIBUTED TO EXISTING STRONG RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND THE DEFENCE AND SECURITY SERVICES.

DR. MWANSA NOTED THAT TRANSNATIONAL CRIMES SUCH AS MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT, DRUG AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING, ILLEGAL MIGRATION, SMUGGLING OF FOODS, POACHING AND OTHER FORMS OF CRIME HAVE CONTINUED TO POSE SECURITY PROBLEMS FOR THE TWO COUNTRIES.

AND BOTSWANA MINISTER OF DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND SECURITY, EDWIN BATSHU, HAILED THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

MR. BATSHU SAID THE TWO COUNTRIES WERE FACING SIMILAR PROBLEMS HENCE THE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER IN SOLVING SECURITY ISSUES.

THE ZAMBIAN DELEGATION AT THE JPC WAS LED BY DR. MWANSA, HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER MKHONDO LUNGU AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL WHILE THE BOTSWANA DELEGATION WAS LED BY MR. BATSHU AND MINISTER OF LABOUR AND HOME AFFAIRS LETLHOGONOLO SIELE AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL.

THE JPC ON DEFENCE AND SECURITY OPENED IN LUSAKA ON MONDAY.
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