EDITH NAWAKWI HAS ASKED THE IN COMING GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT IT DECENTRALIZES THE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM IN ZAMBIA

OPPOSITION FDD PRESIDENT EDITH NAWAKWI  HAS ASKED THE IN COMING GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT IT DECENTRALIZES THE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY IF DEVELOPMENT IS TO BE REGISTERED.

FDD LEADER EDITH NAWAKWI

SPEAKING TO RADIO PHOENIX MS  NAWAKWI SAID THE CONCENTRATION OF ALL THE FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION IN LUSAKA IS MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TO DEVELOP.

SHE ALLEGED THAT DUE TO THIS CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION OF NATIONAL ISSUES, PERSONNEL IN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT MISAPPROPRIATE THE NATIONAL RESOURCES AT THE EXPENSE OF ALL THE CITIZENS WHO ARE IN NEED  OF SUCH RESOURCES FOR MANY SOCIAL SERVICES.

ZAMBIA HAS THE DECENTRALIZATION POLICY WHICH IS YET TO BE IMPLEMENTED.

MEANWHILE, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHT ADVOCATES (DEGHA) HAVE URGED POLITICIANS TO BASE THEIR CAMPAIGN ON DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES AND NOT CHARACTER ASSASSINATIONS OR INSULTS.

DEGHA NATIONAL COORDINATOR GERALD MUTELO HAS FURTHER URGED POLITICAL PARTIES TO AVAIL THEIR MANIFESTOES TO THE ELECTORATE FOR SCRUTINY.

MR MUTELO SAYS THE ELECTORATE MUST FURTHER BEGIN TO ANALYSE ALL THE ASPIRING CANDIDATES IN  FOR THEM TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ON  SEPTEMBER 20TH.

HE HAS ALSO URGED  YOUTHS NOT TO ALLOW POLITICIANS TO USE THEM AS TOOLS OF VIOLENCE .

AND MR. MUTELO HAS ASKED GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE BALLOT PAPERS FOR THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE PRINTED LOCALLY AND NOT OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY SO THAT ZAMBIANS ARE EMPOWERED.

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ZAMBIA PRESIDENT CALLS FOR INCREASED COMPETITIVENESS AND PRODUCTIVITY IN ALL THE SECTORS

PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA HAS CALLED FOR INCREASED COMPETITIVENESS AND PRODUCTIVITY IN ALL THE SECTORS IF THE COUNTRY IS TO CONTINUE RECORDING THE ECONOMIC GROWTH STRIDES.

SPEAKING WHEN HE OFFICIALLY OPENED THE AGRICULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL SHOW IN LUSAKA TODAY UNDER THE THEME “SHAPING TOMORROW’S WORLD”; PRESIDENT BANDA SAID INCREASING COMPETITIVENESS AND PRODUCTIVITY IS THE ONLY WAY TO CREATE MORE AND QUALITY JOBS FOR THE YOUTHS IN THE COUNTRY.

HE SAYS COMMERCE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY STILL REMAINS PRIORITY SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY HENCE NEED FOR INCREASED COMPETIVENESS IF THE ECONOMY IS TO BE DIVERSIFIED FURTHER.

AND PRESIDENT BANDA SAYS DESPITE THE COUNTRY RECORDING THE BUMPER HARVEST IN THE LAST TWO FARMING SEASONS, THE POTENTIAL IN THE SECTOR IS YET TO BE REALIZED.

HE HAS SINCE URGED FARMERS TO UTILIZE THE TECHNOLOGY IN UNLEASHING THE POTENTIAL WHICH IS VESTED IN THE COUNTRY.

PRESIDENT BANDA FURTHER SAID THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT SUCH AS MARKETS, RESEARCH, VALUE ADDITION AND PROCESSING OF THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.

AND HE SAYS GOVERNMENT WILL CREATE DISEASE CONTROL AND ESTABLISHING BREEDING CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY SO AS TO MANAGE AND MARKET THE COUNTRY’S LIVESTOCK.

TO THIS EFFECT PRESIDENT BANDA ENCOURAGED LOCAL PRODUCTION OF ANIMAL VACCINES WHOM HE SAYS GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE INCENTIVES TO WOULD BE PRODUCERS.

AND THE AGRICULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL SHOW PRESIDENT DR ELIZABETH NKUMBULA SAID THIS YEAR’S THEME REFLECTS THE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH WHICH THE COUNTRY HAS REGISTERED.

DR NKUMBULA FURTHER CITED MANUFACTURING AND ENERGY AS SOME OF THE SECTORS THAT ARE MAKING TREMENDOUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATIONAL ECONOMY.

MEANWHILE, THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AUTHORITY HAS SCOOPED THE BEST INTERPRETER OF THIS YEAR’S THEME WHILE ZESCO LIMITED SCOOPED THE BEST OVERALL EXHIBITOR.

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ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA SET AUGUST 7TH TO 10TH

THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA HAS SET AUGUST 7^TH TO 10^TH 

2011 AS THE NOMINATION DATES FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRING CANDIDATES.

AND THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA  HAS SET AUGUST 12, 2011 AS DATE FOR FILLING OF NOMINATIONS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS.

ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT AVAILED TO RADIO PHOENIX THIS EVENING, PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRING CANDIDATES SHOULD LODGE COMPLETED AND THE ATTESTED STATUTORY DECLARATION, AFFIRMATION OF ZAMBIAN CITIZENSHIP AND NOMINATION PAPERS SUBSCRIBED BEFORE THE CHIEF JUSTICE WHO IS THE RETURNING OFFICER FROM SUNDAY 7^TH TO WEDNESDAY 10 BETWEEN 09HOURS AND 16HOURS AT THE SUPREME COURT.

THE STATEMENT SAYS THE ASPIRING CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY TEN MILLION KWACHA NON-REFUNDABLE NOMINATION FEE AND TAKE ALONG WITH THEM TWO HUNDRED SUPPORTERS WHO MUST BE REGISTERED VOTERS.

MEANWHILE, THE PARLIAMENTARY ASPIRING CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO LODGE COMPLETED AND STATUTORY DECLARATION, NOMINATION PAPERS SUBSCRIBED BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER OF OATH, WHO IS THE RETURNING OFFICERS ON FRIDAY 12 AUGUST, 2011 BETWEEN 08 AND 16 HOURS AT THE CONSTITUENCY NOMINATION CENTERS.

ASPIRING CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY K500, 000 NON REFUNDABLE NOMINATION FEE AND MUST TAKE ALONG THEM NINE SUPPORTERS WHO MUST POSSESS A VOTERS CARD AND A GREEN NATIONAL REGISTRATION CARD.

AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASPIRING CANDIDATES WHO MUST FILE IN THEIR NOMINATION PAPER ON THE SAME DATE AS THAT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MUST FILE IN THEIR PAPER AT THE WARD NOMINATION CENTRES.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASPIRING CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY K175,000 NON-REFUNDABLE FEE FOR CITY, MUNICIPAL AND DISTRICT COUNCILS RESPECTIVELY.

THE POLLS IN ALL THE THREE SAID ELECTIONS SHALL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY 20^TH SEPTEMBER, 2011 BETWEEN 06HOURS AND 18HOURS.

MEANWHILE, ACCREDITATION FOR INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS WILL COMMENCE FROM 2^ND AUGUST TO 16^TH SEPTEMBER AT ECZ HEADQUARTERS WHILST LOCAL MEDIA WILL BE ACCREDITED AT THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT COUNCILS DURING THE SAME PERIOD.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO A NEWS STATEMENT SIGNED BY ECZ DIRECTOR PRISCILLA ISAAC AND AVAILED TO RADIO PHOENIX TODAY.

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ZAMBIA'S VICE PRESIDENT GEORGE KUNDA IS TOMORROW EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO MANSA, LUAPULA PROVINCE TO OFFICIATE AT THIS YEAR’S MUTOMBOKO TRADITIONAL CEREMONY OF THE LUNDA PEOPLE.

VICE PRESIDENT GEORGE KUNDA IS TOMORROW EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO MANSA, LUAPULA PROVINCE TO OFFICIATE AT THIS YEAR’S MUTOMBOKO TRADITIONAL CEREMONY OF THE LUNDA PEOPLE.

MR KUNDA IS THEN EXPECTED TO RETURN TO LUSAKA ON SUNDAY 31^ST JULY, 2011.

THE MUTOMBOKO TRADITIONAL CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE 30^TH JULY, 2011 AT MWANSABOMBWE.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO A NEWS STATEMENT AVAILED TO RADIO PHOENIX BY SENIOR PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE VICE PRESIDENT KENNETH NGOSA TODAY.

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THE OPPOSITION PATRIOTIC FRONT LEADERS HAVE MAINTAINED THAT THEY ARE READY FOR THE ELECTIONS AND WARNED THE RULING MMD TO BE READY FOR CHANGE THIS YEAR.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX, THE PF LEADER MICHAEL SATA SAYS PRESIDENT BANDA HAS BEEN FORCED TO ANNOUNCE THE ELECTION DATE FOLLOWING CALLS FROM THE VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS ON THE RULING MMD TO STOP ABUSING THE NATIONAL RESOURCES.

AND THE NATIONAL REVOLUTION PARTY PRESIDENT DR COSMO MUMBA HAS WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ELECTION DATE AND FURTHER URGED ALL POLITICAL PLAYERS TO FIELD IN ONE CANDIDATE IF THEY ARE TO REMOVE THE RULING MMD.

DR MUMBA WARNED THAT THE ABUSE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES WILL HAVE TO BE INVESTIGATED BY WHICHEVER GOVERNMENT COMES INTO POWER.

YESTERDAY HERITAGE PARTY PRESIDENT BRIGADIER GENERAL GODFREY MIYANDA ALSO ECHOED THE SAME SENTIMENT THAT THE OPPOSITION IN THE COUNTRY SHOULD UNITE TO OUST THE RULING MMD OUT OF POWER THROUGH THIS YEAR`S GENERAL ELECTIONS.

AND THE FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS PRESIDENT DR ALEX NG’OMA SAYS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ELECTION DATE SHOULD SERVE TO REDUCE ANXIETIES AMONGST ALL POLITICIANS.

HE HAS FURTHER ADVISED THE GOVERNMENT TO BE SEEKING  NATIONAL CONSENSUS ON ISSUES OF PUBLIC INTEREST CITING THE PRINTING OF BALLOT PAPERS OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY.

AND THE UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPOKESPERSON CHARLES KAKOMA SAYS THE  ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ELECTION DATE SHOULD NOT BE A PRESERVE FOR THE PRESIDENT BUT SHOULD BE ENSHRINED IN THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION.

MEANWHILE,

THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA SAYS THE COST OF PRINTING BALLOT PAPERS IS ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE RANGE OF 40 TO 43BILLION KWACHA EVEN THOUGH THE COMMISSION ONLY BUDGETED ABOUT OVER 15BILLION KWACHA FOR THE EXERCISE.

SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS THIS MORNING AT MULUNGUSHI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE IN LUSAKA TODAY, ECZ CHAIRPERSON JUSTICE IREEN MAMBILIMA SAYS THE COST OF PRINTING THE BALLOT PAPERS WILL ALSO CATER FOR OTHER COSTS SUCH AS PEOPLE GOING TO SOUTH AFRICA FROM DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS TO MONITOR THE PRINTING PROCESS.

JUSTICE MAMBILIMA HAS  SINCE APPEALED TO ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS TO APPOINT CREDIBLE PERSONS TO MONITOR THE PRINTING PROCESS OF BALLOT PAPERS SO AS TO REMOVE THE FEARS OF INSECURITY WHICH CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN RAISING IN THE PREVIOUS ELECTIONS.

SHE REITERATED THAT THE COMMISSION IS READY FOR THE ELECTIONS AND HAS PUT IN ALL SECURITY MEASURES AS PER REQUIREMENT FROM STAKEHOLDERS WHO RAISED THE CONCERNS DURING THE PREVIOUS ELECTIONS.

MEANWHILE JUSTICE MAMBILIMA HAS DISCLOSED THAT THE COMMISSION WILL TOMORROW PRODUCE THE ELECTIONS TIMETABLE WHICH WILL CONTAIN THE ELECTION TIME FRAME ADDING THAT THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE FOLLOWED BY ALL POLITICAL PLAYERS.

MEANWHILE SPEAKING DURING THE SEMINAR FOR TRADITIONAL LEADERS TO DISCUSS THEIR ROLE IN  THE ELECTIONS, JUSTICE MAMBILIMA CALLED ON CHIEFS IN THE COUNTRY TO AVOID BEING PARTISAN LIKE WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING RECENTLY BUT ADHERE TO THE NEW ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT WHICH WAS LAUNCHED RECENTLY BY THE COMMISSION.

JUSTICE  MAMBILIMA FURTHER SAYS THE CHIEFS MUST ALSO HELP THE COMMISSION SENSITIZE THE COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY ON THE NEED FOR THEM TO ABIDE BY THE ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT SO THAT THERE ARE NO MALPRACTICES EXPERIENCED IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTION.

AND SPEAKING AT THE SAME SEMINAR HOUSE OF CHIEF CHAIRPERSON SENIOR CHIEF MADZIMAWE STRESSED THAT CHIEFS MUST ENSURE THAT THEY SENSITIZE THE COMMUNITIES ON VOTING SO THAT THEY TURN OUT IN LARGE NUMBERS ON THE VOTING DAY.

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ZAMBIA'S PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA SETS 20TH SEPTEMBER 2011 AS THE DATE FOR THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA HAS ANNOUNCED 20TH SEPTEMBER 2011 AS THE DATE FOR THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

AND PRESIDENT BANDA HAS ANNOUNCED THE SUBSEQUENT DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT AND CABINET ACCORDING TO THE STATUTORY INSTRUMENT NUMBER 75 OF 2011 IN PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 88 OF THE  CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA CHAPTER ONE.

SPEAKING DURING THE NATIONAL ADDRESS TODAY, PRESIDENT BANDA SAID ALL ORGANS OF THE STATE WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION AND THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO EXERCISE THE EXECUTIVE POWERS, ASSISTED BY THE REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENT UNTIL A NEW GOVERNMENT COMES INTO POWER.

HE HAS SINCE URGED ALL ZAMBIANS TO CAREFULLY USE THEIR BALLOT TO USHER IN A NEW GOVERNMENT.

PRESIDENT BANDA EXPLAINED THAT HE CONSULTED WITH ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS AND WAS INFORMED THAT MOST LOGISTICS ARE IN PLACE FOR THE HOSTING THE TRIPARTITE ELECTIONS.

HE FURTHER SAYS THE FINAL VOTER REGISTER WILL BE READY BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

AND PRESIDENT BANDA HAS ANNOUNCED THE SUBSEQUENT DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT AND CABINET ACCORDING TO THE STATUTORY INSTRUMENT NUMBER 75 OF 2011.

HE HAS THANKED THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND CABINET FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND THEIR EFFORT IN DEVELOPING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY DURING THEIR TENURE OF OFFICE.

THE PRESIDENT HAS FURTHER APPEALED TO ALL ASPIRING CANDIDATES TO CONDUCT THEIR CAMPAIGNS IN ALL INTEGRITY, HONOUR AND FAIRNESS.

HE FURTHER SAYS THERE IS NO NEED FOR VIOLENCE DURING THEIR CAMPAIGNS STRESSING THAT THE ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT WILL HAVE TO BE OBSERVED BY ALL CANDIDATES AND CITIZENS AS A WHOLE.

PRESIDENT BANDA ALSO EXPLAINED THAT ALL EYES OF THE WORLD WILL BE ON ZAMBIA HENCE THE NEED FOR ZAMBIANS TO ENSURE THAT PEACE PREVAILS DURING THIS PERIOD.

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ZANACO HAS PRESENTED A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 14 BILLION KWACHA DIVIDENDS TO THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT

ZANACO HAS PRESENTED  A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 14 BILLION KWACHA DIVIDENDS TO GOVERNMENT.

AND SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY ZANACO MANAGING DIRECTOR MARTYN  SCHOUTEN SAID  THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF DIVIDENDS PAID OUT TO GOVERNMENT  BY IN THE PAST THREE YEARS TO 18.7 BILLION KWACHA.

MR SCHOUTEN FURTHER SAYS THE GESTURE IS A SIGN OF GROWTH AT THE BFINANCIAL INSTITUTION ADDING THAT IT REAFFIRMS THE BANK’S STRONG PERFORMANCE.

AND SPEAKING AT THE SAME EVENT FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING MINISTER SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE SAYS WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED IS TESTIMONY  OF  THE BENEFITS OF PRIVATIZATION.

MR MUSOKOTWANE SAYS THIS  HAS VINDICATED GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO  PRIVATIZE  THE BANK.

THE MINISTER  HAS OBSERVED THAT  IN THE PAST, BEFORE THE BANK WAS PRIVATIZED, BENEFITS TO THE OWNERS OF THE BANK AND THE ZAMBIAN PUBLIC WERE MINIMUM BUT AFTER PRIVATIZATION, THE FRUITS ARE BEING SEEN.

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ZAMBIA YESTERDAY EXPERIENCED ITS FIRST EVER RECORDED EARTHQUAKE

ZAMBIA YESTERDAY EXPERIENCED ITS FIRST EVER RECORDED EARTHQUAKE.
THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION UNIT NATIONAL COORDINATOR DOMINICIANO MULENGA CONFIRMED TO JOURNALISTS IN LUSAKA THIS MORNING THAT THE MODERATE EARTH QUAKE STRUCK AT ITEZHI TEZHI DAM AREA IN ITEZHI TEZHI DISTRICT IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE.
MR MULENGA SAYS THE AFTER SHOCKS OF THE EARTHQUAKE WERE FELT IN PARTS OF LUSAKA.
HE HAS HOWEVER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO DAMAGES RECORDED YET BUT THE NATION WILL BE AVAILED WITH MORE INFORMATION.
HE HAS DISCLOSED THAT THE DMMMU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT AT THE MINISTRY OF MINES AND ZAMBEZI RIVER AUTHORITY ARE STILL ASSESSING THE SITUATION AND THAT THE PUBLIC WILL BE INFORMED IF ANYTHING IS FOUND.
THE QUAKE WAS MEASURING 5.2 ON THE RICHTER SCALE.
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SOUTH AFRICAN TRAVEL CLINICS HAVE INADVERTENTLY SPARKED A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF YELLOW FEVER VACCINES BY ADVISING TRAVELLERS TO ZAMBIA TO GET THE SHOTS

SOUTH AFRICAN TRAVEL CLINICS HAVE INADVERTENTLY SPARKED A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF YELLOW FEVER VACCINES BY ADVISING TRAVELLERS TO ZAMBIA TO GET THE SHOTS, EVEN THOUGH THE COUNTRY IS NOT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S LIST OF DESTINATIONS FROM WHICH TRAVELLERS MUST PROVIDE YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATES BEFORE ENTRY INTO THAT COUNTRY.

ACCORDING TO BUSINESS DAY ONLINE, THE SUDDEN SURGE IN DEMAND CAUGHT THE VACCINE’S MAKER SANOFI-AVENTIS ON THE BACK FOOT AND LEFT IT SCRAMBLING TO GET NEW SUPPLIES INTO THE COUNTRY, WHICH IT ONLY EXPECTS TO LAND ON AUGUST 12.

AIRLINES TYPICALLY WILL NOT CARRY PASSENGERS TO YELLOW FEVER AREAS WITHOUT PROOF OF VACCINATION, AND PORT AUTHORITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA WILL NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TRAVELLING FROM SUCH REGIONS TO ENTER THE COUNTRY WITHOUT THESE CERTIFICATES OR MAY IMPOSE HEAVY FINES ON RETURNING RESIDENTS.

YELLOW FEVER IS A VIRUS TRANSMITTED BY MOSQUITOES, AND GETS ITS NAME FROM THE JAUNDICE IT CAUSES IN SOME PATIENTS.

YESTERDAY THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED A STATEMENT ADVISING TRAVELLERS WHO COULD NOT OBTAIN SHOTS PRIOR TO VISITING A HIGH-RISK YELLOW FEVER REGION TO POSTPONE THEIR TRIPS.

IT SAID YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATES WERE NOT REQUIRED OF TRAVELLERS FROM ZAMBIA.

THE CONFUSION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT TRAVELLERS TO ZAMBIA SHOULD GET VACCINATED AGAINST YELLOW FEVER STEMS FROM A CHANGE IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK OF YELLOW FEVER IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES, PUBLISHED IN APRIL.

ZAMBIA WAS PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED NOT TO BE AT RISK OF YELLOW FEVER, BUT WHO CHANGED THIS TO LOW RISK FOR ITS SOUTHERN AND WESTERN REGIONS.

UNDER INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS, THIS MEANT THAT  IT WAS UP TO OTHER COUNTRIES TO DECIDE WHETHER TO REQUIRE TRAVELLERS FROM ZAMBIA TO HAVE YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATES.

BASED ON DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S HEAD OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES FREW BENSON, WHO INDICATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS SET TO ADD ZAMBIA TO THE LIST OF DESTINATIONS FOR WHICH TRAVELLERS WOULD NEED YELLOW FEVER VACCINATIONS, SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR TRAVEL MEDICINE TRAVEL CLINICS STARTED OFFERING THE SHOTS, SAID EXECUTIVE MEMBER ALBIE DE FREY.

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MMD ALL ADOPTED PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES URGED REPORT TO MULUNGUSHI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE IN PERSON 28TH JULY, 2011

MMD NATIONAL SECRETARY MAJOR RICHARD KACHINGWE HAS ADVISED ALL ADOPTED PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES WHO ARE TO CONTEST THE 2011 TRIPARTITE ELECTIONS ON THE RULING PARTY  TICKET TO REPORT TO MULUNGUSHI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE IN PERSON.

MAJOR KACHINGWE  SAYS ALL ADOPTED PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO BE AT THE CONFERENCE CENTRE  ON  28^TH JULY, 2011.

AND MAJOR KACHINGWE HAS ADVISED ALL ADOPTED PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES TO BRING ALONG WITH THEN THE COMPREHENSIVE AND LATEST CVS, MMD PARTY CARD, VOTER`S CARD AND THE NATIONAL REGISTRATION CARD.

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SACCORD in zambia says this elections will be closely monitored

THE SOUTHERN AFRICA CENTRE  FOR CONSTRUCTIVE RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES (SACCORD) HAS INDICATED THAT THIS YEAR’S TRIPARTITE ELECTIONS WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED FURTHER DESCRIBING IT AS THE WATERSHED ELECTIONS.

SACCORD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEE HABASONDA HAS SINCE CHALLENGED THE RULING MMD TO JUSTIFY ITS TWENTY YEARS OF BEING IN POWER AND WHY ZAMBIANS SHOULD VOTE FOR THEM.

SPEAKING DURING RADIO PHOENIX`S LET THE PEOPLE TALK PROGRAMME THIS MORNING,  MR HABASONDA FURTHER URGED ALL POLITICAL PLAYERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY EXERCISE HIGH LEVEL OF POLITICAL  MATURITY SO THAT ACTS OF VIOLENCE CAN BE AVERTED.

SPEAKING ON THE SAME PROGRAMME A LEGAL PRACTIONEER ABRAHAM MWANSA URGED PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA TO LEVEL THE POLITICAL PLAYING FIELD BY ANNOUNCING THE ELECTION DATE SOON.

MR MWANSA EXPLAINED THAT DESPITE THIS BEING A PRESERVE OF THE PRESIDENT ,ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION,PRESIDENT BANDA WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ANNOUNCE THE DATE ONCE THE TERM FOR THE CURRENT PARLIAMENT COMES TO AN END.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION, THE ELECTION DATE IS SUPPOSED TO BE ANNOUNCED 30 DAYS BEFORE THE INCUMBENT PARLIAMENT’S TERM LAPSES WITHIN WHICH THE ELECTIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HELD AS WELL.

FEATURING ON THE SAME PROGRAMME, WOMEN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SARAH LONGWE ACCUSED THE RULING MMD OF USING THEIR INCUMBENCY TO ABUSE THE NATIONAL RESOURCES.

AND CHIKONDI FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BISHOP JOHN MAMBO ALLEGED THAT THE CHURCH IN THE COUNTRY HAS BECOME COMPROMISED.

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ZAMBIA CONSUMES THE LOWEST QUANTITY OF DAIRY PRODUCTS IN THE REGION

THE MINISTER OF LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES BRADFORD MACHILA HAS NOTED THAT ZAMBIA CONSUMES THE LOWEST QUANTITY OF DAIRY PRODUCTS AMONG THE MAJOR DAIRY PRODUCING COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

ON THE HAND, BOTSWANA HAS A CONSUMPTION RATE OF 82.3 LITRES PER CAPITA, SOUTH AFRICA  54.1 LITRES PER CAPITA, KENYA  75.8 LITRES PER CAPITA AND ZIMBABWE AT 17.1 LITRES PER CAPITA.

SPEAKING DURING THE LAUNCH OF THE SCHOOL MILK PROGRAM IN LUSAKA TODAY, MR MACHILA SAID DAIRY FARMING IN ZAMBIA IS ON THE INCREASE WITH A PRODUCTION TOTAL OF 215 MILLION LITERS.

HE SAYS THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE SMALL SCALE DAIRY FARMERS TO THE TOTAL MILK VOLUME IN ZAMBIA IS GROWING EVERY YEAR AND HENCE PROVIDES A LIVELIHOOD TO AT LEAST 1,500 HOUSEHOLD.

AND SPEAKING AT THE SAME FUNCTION FIRST SECRETARY AT THE SWEDISH EMBASSY EVA OHLSSON, SAID THE EMBASSY WILL ACTIVELY PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE SWEDISH INVESTMENTS IN ZAMBIA AS A WAY OF PROMOTING THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO CREATE MARKET FOR THE LOCALLY PRODUCED MILK ESPECIALLY FROM THE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS RESULTING INTO GIVING MILK TO THE SCHOOL GOING CHILDREN.

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ZAMBIA IS STILL ELIGIBLE TO ACCESSING THE 100 MILLION DOLLARS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION DESPITE ATTAINING THE LOWER MIDDLE INCOME STATUS

THE NEW WORLD BANK COUNTRY DIRECTOR KUNDHAVI KADIRESAN SAYS ZAMBIA IS STILL ELIGIBLE TO ACCESSING THE 100 MILLION DOLLARS WHICH IS OFFERED ANNUALLY BY THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION(IDA)DESPITE ATTAINING THE LOWER MIDDLE INCOME STATUS.

SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS IN LUSAKA TODAY, THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR EMPHASIZED THAT THE CONCESSION LOAN WHICH THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION OFFER STILL STANDS DESPITE THIS NEW STATUS.

THE WORLD BANK THIS MONTH CLASSIFIED ZAMBIA AS LOWER MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRY FROM LOW INCOME BY THE WORLD BANK’S NEW COUNTRY CLASSIFICATION AND SUCH COUNTRIES ARE COMMONLY REFERRED AS DEVELOPING ECONOMIES.

THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR HAS HOWEVER URGED GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT IT PRUDENTLY MANAGES THE RESOURCES WHICH IT IS COLLECTING FROM THE MINING SECTOR.

MRS. KADIRESAN SAYS  THE RESOURCES WHICH GOVERNMENT IS COLLECTING FROM THE MINING INDUSTRY MUST BE INVESTED IN THE PRODUCTIVE SECTOR.

AND MRS. KADIRESAN HAS ADVISED GOVERNMENT TO LOOK AT COMPETITIVE SECTORS WITH THE POPULATION GROWTH RATE WHICH IS POISED AT THREE PERCENT.

SHE SAYS  THE COUNTRY HAS TO ENSURE THAT IT INVEST RESOURCES IN AREAS WHICH ARE PRODUCTIVE SUCH AS EDUCATION, HEALTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE IF IT HAS TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY IN THE REGION.

AND THE WORLD BANK COUNTRY DIRECTOR HAS ALSO URGED GOVERNMENT TO WORK AT ADDRESSING THE VARIOUS ECONOMIC CHALLENGES WHICH THREATEN THE COUNTRY AT THE MOMENT SUCH AS INFRASTRUCTURE AND VALUE ADDITION.

SHE SAYS THE ISSUES OF AGRICULTURAL POLICY AND TECHNOLOGY MUST BE ADDRESSED.

MRS. KADIRESAN EXPRESSED HOPE THAT AFTER THIS ELECTION PERIOD THE NATION WILL CONTINUE ON ITS PATH OF ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT.

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VIRAL LOAD MONITORING OF ART PATIENTS LINKED TO LOWER DEATH RATE ON TREATMENT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

VIRAL LOAD MONITORING OF ART PATIENTS HAS BEEN LINKED TO LOWER DEATH RATE ON TREATMENT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.

AN ESTIMATED SIX MILLION PEOPLE ARE NOW RECEIVING ART IN RESOURCE-POOR SETTINGS AND AS ACCESS TO ART CONTINUES TO INCREASE, SO DOES THE RISK OF TREATMENT FAILURE AND SWITCHING TO SECOND-LINE REGIMENS.

COST AND LOGISTICS PRECLUDE THE USE OF VIRAL LOAD MONITORING TO DIAGNOSE TREATMENT FAILURE IN MOST OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN RESOURCE-POOR SETTINGS AND AS SUCH CD4 CELL COUNTS AND CLINICAL CRITERIA, WHILE SHOWN TO BE POOR PREDICTORS OF VIROLOGIC FAILURE, ARE ROUTINELY USED WHICH OFTEN RESULTS IN UNNECESSARY SWITCHING TO SECOND-LINE REGIMENS OR DELAYS IN SWITCHING WHEN FAILURE IS UNDETECTED.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE OLIVIA KEISER AND COLLEAGUES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATABASES TO EVALUATE AIDS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA COLLABORATION WHO REPORTED IN A COMPARATIVE STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE ADVANCE ONLINE EDITION OF AIDS.

A visualzation of viral load levels. Image from www.gileadhbv.com

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN PATIENTS WITH ACCESS TO VIRAL LOAD MONITORING ARE MORE LIKELY TO SWITCH TO SECOND-LINE REGIMENS AT A HIGHER CD4 CELL COUNT THAN THOSE WITHOUT AND LESS LIKELY TO ACQUIRE MUTATIONS CONFERRING RESISTANCE.

THE AUTHORS ANALYSED DATA TO COMPARE SWITCHING TO SECOND-LINE REGIMENS, LOSS TO FOLLOW-UP AND DEATH AT ART PROGRAMMES IN SOUTH AFRICA WHERE VIRAL LOAD MONITORING AND CD4 CELL COUNT IS ROUTINELY DONE EVERY THREE TO SIX MONTHS TO ART PROGRAMMES IN MALAWI AND ZAMBIA WHERE MONITORING IS BASED ON CD4 CELL COUNTS WITH VERY LIMITED ACCESS TO VIRAL LOAD MONITORING.

THE AUTHORS LOOKED AT CD4 RESPONSES IN SITES WITH AND WITHOUT VIRAL LOAD MONITORING AND A MULTI-STATE MODEL LOOKED AT THE PROBABILITY OF SWITCHING TO SECOND-LINE REGIMENS, DEATH AND LOSS TO FOLLOW-UP.

ALL MEASUREMENTS WERE EVALUATED FROM SIX MONTHS AFTER STARTING ART AND AT THREE YEARS DEATH RATES AND LOSS TO FOLLOW-UP WERE HIGHER IN ZAMBIA AND MALAWI THAN IN SOUTH AFRICA 6.3% AND 15.3% COMPARED TO 4.3% AND 9.2% RESPECTIVELY.

THE AUTHORS NOTE THAT WHILE THE TREATMENT PROGRAMMES MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL ART PROGRAMMES IN THE THREE COUNTRIES, THE CONSIDERABLE SAMPLE SIZE AND RANGE OF CLINICS MAKE THE RESULTS APPLICABLE TO MANY IN A HIGH HIV BURDEN REGION.

THIS STUDY, THEY ADD, SUPPORTS OTHER FINDINGS THAT HAVE SHOWN ROUTINE VIRAL LOAD MONITORING TO BE HELPFUL IN IDENTIFYING PATIENTS FOR ADHERENCE INTERVENTIONS AND PROMOTING RETENTION IN CARE.

THE AUTHORS CONCLUDED THAT OVER THREE YEARS OF ART MORTALITY WAS LOWER IN SOUTH AFRICA THAN IN MALAWI OR ZAMBIA AND THE MORE FAVOURABLE OUTCOME IN SOUTH AFRICA MIGHT BE EXPLAINED BY VIRAL LOAD MONITORING LEADING TO EARLIER DETECTION OF TREATMENT FAILURE, ADHERENCE COUNSELING AND TIMELIER SWITCHING TO SECOND-LINE ART.

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RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AUTHORITY CALLS ON RESPONSIBLE INSTITUTIONS TO CONTROL INFLUX OF FAKE SOLAR PRODUCTS ON THE ZAMBIAN MARKET

A massive solar panel installation at the University of Queensland.

 

THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AUTHORITY HAS CALLED ON THE ZAMBIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS AND THE ENERGY REGULATION BOARD TO CONTROL THE TYPES AND QUALITY OF SOLAR PRODUCTS THAT HAVE PENETRATED THE LOCAL MARKET.

SPEAKING ON RADIO PHOENIX`S  LET THE PEOPLE PROGRAMME TODAY; RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILFRED SERENJE CAUTIONED THE PUBLIC THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FAKE PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET HENCE THE NEED FOR THE RESPONSIBLE INSTITUTIONS TO STEP UP THEIR EFFORTS IN AVERTING THE INFLUX OF  PRODUCTS WHOSE QUALITY IS SUBSTANDARD.

FURTHER MR SERENJE INDICATED THAT THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AUTHORITY IS IN THE PROCESS OF EVALUATING THE TENDERS AND WILL SOON AWARD CONTRACTS FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTS.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS HOWEVER TARGETING THE RURAL SCHOOLS, HEALTH CENTERS AND PALACES UNDER THIS PROJECT STRESSING THAT KALOMO, AND LUKULU ARE AMONG THE FIRST SIX DISTRICTS WHERE THE SOLAR ELECTRIFICATION WILL BE CONDUCTED.

AND RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AUTHORITY  SOLAR ENERGY FOCAL PERSON WAUKUNDA SIWAKWI EXPLAINED THAT GOVERNMENT HAS INCREASED ITS BUDGETARY ALLOCATION TO TOWARDS RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND STANDS AT K150 BILLION FOR 2011.

HE SAYS  GOVERNMENT IS SLOWLY RECOGNIZING THE ROLE SOLAR ENERGY PLAYS TOWARDS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

MR SIWAKWI  FURTHER SAYS  THE CHALLENGE IS TO SEE SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPED IN THE COUNTRY TO A LEVEL WHERE ITS CONTRIBUTION CAN BE RECOGNIZED ON THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.

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ZAMBIA’S GROWTH PROSPECTS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY IS SEEMINGLY GETTING A RAY OF HOPE

ZAMBIA’S GROWTH PROSPECTS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY IS SEEMINGLY GETTING A RAY OF HOPE WITH THE GOVERNMENT GRANTING AN ADDITIONAL LARGE SCALE LICENCE TO RENOWNED COMPANY BLACKTHORN RESOURCES IN MUMBWA DISTRICT IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE COUNTRY.
COMPANY MANAGING DIRECTOR SCOTT LOWE SAID THE LICENCE, DUBBED ‘KACHINDU’ LARGE SCALE PROSPECTING LICENCE IS YET ANOTHER EFFORT BY THE MINER TO ADD TO THE RECENT GRANT OF THE MASAFWA LARGE SCALE PROSPECTING LICENCE ANNOUNCED ON 22 JUNE THIS YEAR.
IN A STATEMENT THE KACHINDU LICENCE WILL RUN FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND UNDER THE MINING AND MINERALS ACT OF ZAMBIA, A LARGE SCALE PROSPECTING LICENCE CAN BE HELD FOR THREE 2 YEAR PERIODS PLUS ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR TOTALING SEVEN YEARS.
THE ACQUISITION OF AN ADDITIONAL MINING LICENCE HAS CHEERED THE COMPANY THAT NOW SEEKS TO FURTHER VENTURE INTO EXPANDING ITS OPERATIONS IN ZAMBIA AFRICA’S LARGEST COPPER PRODUCER AND WORLD’S FOURTH COMPETITOR TO THE LONDON METAL EXCHANGE.
BLACKTHORN RESOURCES PLANS TO DESIGN AND COMPLETE A VIGOROUS EXPLORATION PROGRAM TARGETING FURTHER MINERAL RESOURCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE KNOWN KITUMBA DEPOSIT AND EXTEND THE SEARCH AND FURTHER REVIEW UNTESTED ANOMALIES WITHIN THE PROSPECTING AREA.
THE MINER, WITH COPPER, IRON, GOLD AND OTHER BASE METAL EXPLOITS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD OWNS 100% OF PROSPECTING LICENCES IN ZAMBIA WHICH COVER OVER 430 SQUARE KILOMETRES.

POTENTIAL MINERAL WEALTH IN MUMBWA DISTRICT REMAINS WITH PLENTY OF EXPLORATION TARGETS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN DRILLED OR EXAMINED IN DETAIL.
ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY, DETAILED EXPLORATION PROGRAMS AND BUDGETS ARE BEING PREPARED TO CONDUCT FURTHER EXPLORATION IN MUMBWA, INCLUDING FURTHER DRILLING.

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GRANT THORNTON'S BIRMINGHAM OFFICE ADVISES ZAMBEEF PRODUCTS ON ITS ADMISSION TO THE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MARKET

GRANT THORNTON'S BIRMINGHAM OFFICE HAS ADVISED A ZAMBIAN COMPANY ZAMBEEF PRODUCTS ON ITS ADMISSION TO THE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MARKET (AIM) OF THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE.

ZAMBEEF PRODUCTS, WHICH WAS ALREADY LISTED ON THE LUSAKA STOCK EXCHANGE, IS THE FIRST ZAMBIAN BUSINESS TO BE ADMITTED TO AIM.

GRANT THORNTON'S REPORTING ACCOUNTANT TEAM LED THE DEAL TO LIST THE COMPANY, WHICH SPECIALISES IN AGRICULTURAL AND AGRO-PROCESSING.

ZAMBEEF PRODUCTS GROWS, PROCESSES AND DISTRIBUTES FOOD INCLUDING BEEF, BREAD, OILS, EGGS AND PORK AND ITS TURNOVER IN THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2010 WAS ABOUT $162 MILLION DOLLARS.

THE COMPANY RAISED $55MILLION THROUGH A RIGHTS ISSUE IN ZAMBIA AND A PLACING ON AIM TO ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL FARMS FROM ETC BIO ENERGY IN THE COPPERBELT PROVINCE OF THE COUNTRY.

ALEX HYDE FROM GRANT THORNTON, WHO ACTED ON THE DEAL, SAID: "WITH THE LOCAL RIGHTS ISSUE, THE AIM ADMISSION AND PLACING PLUS THE ACQUISITION TO COMPLETE, THERE WAS A LOT TO ACHIEVE IN A SHORT SPACE OF TIME.

HE EXPLAINED THAT DESPITE THE LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES, WHICH ALWAYS ACCOMPANY INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS THEY WERE ABLE TO BUILD UP A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MANAGEMENT TEAM WHICH REALLY HELPED DURING THE HARD WORK NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION SUCCESSFULLY.

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UN WOMEN CALLS ON GOVERNMENTS TO RENEW AN AGENDA THAT FOCUSES ON EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS

UN WOMEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF CHILE DR. MICHELLE BACHELET ABOVE, HAS CALLED ON GOVERNMENTS TO RENEW AN AGENDA THAT FOCUSES ON EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS, INCLUDING NOT ONLY THEIR RIGHT TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BUT TO EMPOWER THEM ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY.

DR. BACHELET SAID THIS WHEN SHE GRACED THE 1^ST PLENARY OF THE 4^TH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S SUMMIT ORGANIZED AS PART OF THE WORLD YWCA COUNCIL IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND WHICH ENDED YESTERDAY.

SHE HIGHLIGHTED THAT THERE IS INCREASING AND OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT INVESTING IN WOMEN AND GIRLS WILL ADDRESS THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES THAT COUNTRIES FACE, BUT THAT THOSE IN POWER ARE SOMETIMES FAILING TO INVEST IN WOMEN AND GIRLS.

DR. BACHELET ADDED THAT EVIDENCE IS MOUNTING THAT WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE THE KEY TO THE SOLUTION OF SO MANY OF THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS STRESSING THAT WHERE GOVERNMENTS FAIL TO CAPITALIZE ON THE POTENTIAL AND TALENTS OF ONE HALF OF THE POPULATION, THEY ALSO SQUANDER THE POTENTIAL TO REDUCE POVERTY, HUNGER, DISEASE, ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND VIOLENCE.

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rhoda: PETER MUMBA SWORN IN AS THE NEW ZAMBIA'S PERMANENT...

rhoda: PETER MUMBA SWORN IN AS THE NEW ZAMBIA'S PERMANENT...: "FORMER ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT PERMANENT SECRETARY MR. PETER MUMBA HAS BEEN SWORN IN AS THE NEW PERMANENT SECRETARY IN THE MINISTRY O..."

rhoda: PETER MUMBA SWORN IN AS THE NEW ZAMBIA'S PERMANENT...

rhoda: PETER MUMBA SWORN IN AS THE NEW ZAMBIA'S PERMANENT...: "FORMER ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT PERMANENT SECRETARY MR. PETER MUMBA HAS BEEN SWORN IN AS THE NEW PERMANENT SECRETARY IN THE MINISTRY O..."

PETER MUMBA SWORN IN AS THE NEW ZAMBIA'S PERMANENT SECRETARY IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

FORMER ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT PERMANENT SECRETARY MR. PETER MUMBA  HAS BEEN SWORN IN AS THE NEW PERMANENT SECRETARY IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

AND PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA HAS  CONGRATULATED MR. MUMBA FOR HIS STEADFASTNESS AND COMMITMENT TO SERVING  ZAMBIANS AND UPHOLDING THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION.

SPEAKING DURING THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY  AT STATE HOUSE IN LUSAKA TODAY PRESIDENT BANDA HOWEVER SAID ANYONE WHO WAS NOT LOYAL TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RULING MMD WILL NOT HAVE ACCEPTED THE APPOINTMENT.

PRESIDENT  BANDA ADDED THAT THE APPOINTMENT IS CRITICAL AS THE PERMANENT SECRETARIES WILL HELP THE PRESIDENT IN RUNNING THE COUNTRY IN VIEW OF THE FORTH COMING GENERAL  ELECTIONS  LATER IN THE YEAR. 

PRESIDENT BANDA LAST WEEK FIRED PERMANENT SECRETARY IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES LILLIAN KAPULU .

AND PRESIDENT BANDA HAS ALSO SWORN IN  KENNEDY LIMWANYA AS THE CHIEF ANALYST FOR PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMENDED HIM FOR HIS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO SERVICE.

AND THE PRESIDENT LATER HELD CLOSED DOOR MEETING WITH THE LITUNGA OF THE LOZI PEOPLE.

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rhoda: GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS CONCESSIONING THE LUSAKA INTE...

rhoda: GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS CONCESSIONING THE LUSAKA INTE...: "GOVERNMENT HAS CONFIRMED CONCESSIONING THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND HAS SINCE URGED THE GENERAL ZAMBIANS TO IGNORE SENTIMENTS FROM C..."

GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS CONCESSIONING THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

GOVERNMENT HAS CONFIRMED CONCESSIONING THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND HAS SINCE URGED THE GENERAL ZAMBIANS TO IGNORE SENTIMENTS FROM CERTAIN QUARTERS WHICH HAVE DESTRUCTIVE TENDENCIES ON MOST OF ITS DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS.

MEANWHILE IN ITS ASSURANCE MESSAGE, GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL MONITOR THE CONCESSIONING PROCESS TO GUARANTEE THAT APART FROM THE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAS TO BE DEVELOPED, NEW JOBS MUST BE CREATED.

THIS IS CONTAINED IN A JOINT STATEMENT SIGNED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING, DR. SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE AND THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT, PROFFESSOR GEOFFREY LUNGWANGWA ON THE CONCESSIONING OF THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND AVAILED TO RADIO PHOENIX TODAY.

GOVERNMENT  HAS STATED THAT IT IS AWARE THAT THERE ARE SOME MINORITY GROUPS THAT ARE UNDER PRESSURE TO BE SEEN AS CHAMPIONS OF PUBLIC INTEREST; HENCE THEIR TENDENCY TO SAY SOMETHING ON EVERYTHING THAT GOVERNMENT DOES HENCE IT IS CARDINAL THAT THE NATION IGNORES THEM.

THE TWO MINISTRIES HAVE STRESSED THAT GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE ZAMBIANS DILIGENTLY AND THIS WILL REMAIN  TOP PRIORITY IN ALL THE AREAS OF ITS ECONOMIC ENDEAVOUR.

PROFESSOR LUNGWANGWA AND DR MUSOKOTWANE FURTHER SAYS THE DESTRUCTIVE TENDENCIES OF THE MINORITY GROUPS WILL NOT DERAIL GOVERNMENTS FOCUS IN PURSUING ITS MANDATE OF SPEARHEADING DEVELOPMENT AT ALL TIMES.

THE JOINT STATEMENT FURTHER  SAYS GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THAT THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENT FOR DOING BUSINESS IN ZAMBIA; HENCE IT IS ITS DESIRE TO REMODEL IT THROUGH A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CONCESSION.

THE STATEMENT FURTHER EXPLAINS THAT MANY GOVERNMENTS IN WESTERN EUROPE, SEVERAL COUNTRIES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, NUMEROUS IN ASIA AND A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD HAVE CONCESSIONED THEIR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS  TO ATTRACT MASSIVE PRIVATE INVESTMENTS AND GENERATE EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.

ON FIRST JULY 2011, THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING DR MUSOKOTWANE REVEALED THAT GOVERNMENT OPENED UP NEGOTIATIONS FOR CONCESSIONING OF THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MEANING THAT GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING AT POSSIBILITIES OF HAVING THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EXPANDED USING PRIVATE SECTOR MONEY, EXPERTISE AND TECHNOLOGIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWFUL PROCEDURE AND AUTHORISED PROVISIONS STIPULATED IN THE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ACT NUMBER 14 OF 2009.

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