ZAMBIAN OPPOSITION UNIP CALLS FOR A COMMISSION OF INQUERY INTO THE ECZ SAGA.

UNITED NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE PARTY (UNIP) HAS CALLED FOR A QUICK COMMISSIONER OF INQUIRY TO BE INSTITUTED INTO THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA SAGA AND NOT OPTED TO REMAIN MUTE ABOUT THE MATTER IF THEY HAVE TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE.

THE PARTY WAS SPEAKING IN LIGHT OF THE RESIGNATION OF JUSTICE FLORENCE MUMBA WHO WAS CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION AFTER CORRUPTION AND FRAUD ALLEGATIONS WERE LABELED AGAINST HER BY FORMER DIRECTOR DAN KALALE OVER THE ENGAGEMENT OF A CONSULTANT COMPANY NAMED KPMG TO DO INTERNAL AUDIT AND LED TO STRIKES FROM WORKERS.

UNIP VICE PRESIDENT NJEKWA ANAMELA HAS CHARGED THAT GOVERNMENT MUST NOT PRETEND LIKE ALL IS WELL AT THE COMMISSION WHEN THEY HAVE SEEN THAT BIG PROBLEMS SUCH AS CORRUPTION AND FRAUD ALLEGATION ARE ARISING FROM THE COMMISSION.

MR ANAMELA SAYS WITHOUT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGATIONS, THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS WILL BE DOUBTFUL AS PEOPLE’S MINDS AND CONSCIENCE WILL BE RACING BACK TO THE ALLEGATION EVEN IF THE WINNER OF THE GENERAL ELECTIONS WILL BE GENUINE.

HE HAS NOTED THAT GOVERNMENT HAS NOT ISSUED A COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT OVER THE MATTER APART FROM ACCEPTING JUSTICE MUMBA’S RESIGNATION AND PRETENDING LIKE EVERYTHING IS WELL WHEN IN THE ACTUAL SENSE THINGS ARE NOT WELL AT THE INSTITUTION

CCZ DEMANDS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF ARVS IN THE COUNTRY FROM GOVERNMENT.

THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA (CCZ) IS DEMANDING A STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT ON THE REPORTED SHORTAGE OF ANTI-RETROVIRAL MEDICINE (ARVS) IN THE COUNTRY.
AND CCZ HAS APPEALED TO DONORS WHO ARE WITHHOLDING FUNDS FOR THE HEALTH SECTOR TO RECONSIDER THEIR STAND.
CCZ SAYS IT HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE RATIONING OF ARVS FROM ITS MEMBERS WHO ARE TAKING THE MEDICINE
CCZ GENERAL SECRETARY SUZANNE MATALE SAYS THE RATIONING IS AS A RESULT OF THE APPARENT CRITICAL SHORT SUPPLY OF ARVS IN THE COUNTRY AND THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN INFORMED BY ITS MEMBERS WHO ARE ON HIV AND AIDS PROGRAMMES THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ON ANTI RETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART) ARE NOW BEING GIVEN 2 WEEKS SUPPLY OF ARVS INSTEAD OF THEIR USUAL 3 MONTHS’ SUPPLY.
REVEREND MATALE HAS OBSERVED THAT THIS IS CAUSING PANIC AND FEAR AMONG THOSE THAT DEPEND ON THE DRUGS TO LIVE

SHE HAS STRESSED OUT THAT THE COUNCIL IS CALLING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT ON THE TRUE PICTURE OF THE SUPPLY OF ARVS IN THE COUNTRY TO INCLUDE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE COUNTRY IS EXPERIENCING THESE SHORTAGES WHEN THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS HOW MUCH DRUG SUPPLY THE COUNTRY REQUIRES.
REVEREND MATALE HAS DEMANDED THAT A CONCRETE TIME FRAME SHOULD BE GIVEN AS TO WHEN THE SUPPLIES WILL BE NORMALIZED AND PEOPLE MUST BE ADEQUATELY INFORMED AND ADEQUATELY PREPARED FOR EVENTUALITIES.

SHE HAS FURTHER STATED THAT THE COUNCIL IS ALSO MAKING A PASSIONATE REQUEST TO THE FUNDING PARTNERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE WITHHOLDING FUNDS, TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER RELEASING FUNDS FOR ARVS SO AS TO AVERT THE IMPENDING LOSS OF LIVES IN ZAMBIA ADDING THAT THIS IS A MATTER OF LIVE AND DEATH.

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RESPECT ZAMBIAN PEOPLE'S RIGHTS OVER THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS ,GOVERNMENT TOLD.

THREE CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE URGED  GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT  THE  RIGHTS OF PEOPLE  IN THE COUNTRY ARE RESPECTED ESPECIALLY WITN REGARD TO THE CONSITITUTION MAKING PROCESS.

THE THREE ORGANISATIONS WHICH INCLUDE THE CITIZENS’ FORUM, SOUTHERN AFRICAN CENTRE FOR CONSTRUCTIVE RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES (SACCORD) AND CHANGE LIFE ZAMBIA  HAVE ADVISED  GOVERNMENT NOT TO MISLEAD PEOPLE BY SAYING THAT CERTAIN CLAUSES SUCH AS THE 50 PERCENT PLUS ONE CAN ONLY BE INCLUDED IN THE CONSTITUTION THROUGH HAVING A REFERENDUM.
THE ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN COLLECTING SIGNATURES FROM PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND SO FAR HAVE COLLECTED ABOUT 14, 000 SIGNATURES OUT OF THE 100 000 NEEDED TO PICKET PARLIAMENT OVER THE MATTER.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE THREE NGOS, CITIZENS’ FORUM EXECUTIVE secretary  SIMON KABANDA HAS NOTED THAT PEOPLE’S RIGHTS ARE BEING INFRINGED UPON BY DENYING THEM WHAT THEY WANT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

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ELECTORAL COMMISSION CHALLENGED TO ACCOUNT FOR VOTER REGISTRATION FUNDS

A POLITICAL ANALYST DANTE SAUNDERS HAS CHALLENGED THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA TO EXPLAIN TO THE ZAMBIAN PUBLIC WHERE ALL THE FUND WHICH GOVERNMENT ALLOCATED TO IT FOR THE VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE IF IT ONLY MANAGED TO REGISTER ABOUT 2MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS OUT OF THE MORE THAN 6MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTERS.

DURING IT ANNUAL QUARTER PRESENTATION, THE CENTRAL STATISTICS OFFICE (CSO) DISCLOSED THAT ZAMBIA HAS MORE THAN 6MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTERS WITH LUSAKA HAVING ALMOST THE REGISTERED NUMBER OF THOSE TO VOTE IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS.

MR SAUNDERS HAS TOLD RADIO PHOENIX IN AN INTERVIEW THAT IT IS SADDENING THAT MONEY’S ARE NOT BEING ACCOUNTED FOR AND USED FOR INTENDED PURPOSES BUT ARE BEING USED ON OTHER THINGS WHICH WHERE NOT BUDGETED FOR IN THEIR PROGRAMMES.

HE QUESTIONED AS TO WHY ZAMBIA WITH ALMOST 13MILLION AS SHOWN BY THE CSO PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS IS BEING DECIDED BY A FEW INDIVIDUALS IN THE COUNTRY WHO PROBABLY ARE NOT BRING OUT THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS SUFFERING IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES.

MR SAUNDERS SAYS THERE IS NEED FOR ECZ TO GIVE A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF HOW IT USED THE MONEY AND FAILURE TO DOING SO THEN THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION SHOULD EXTEND ITS INVESTIGATIONS TO SUCH MATTERS BECAUSE CERTAIN ENUMERATORS WHO WHERE CARRYING OUT THE VOTER EXERCISE HAVE NOT BEING PAID THEIR MONEYS.

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ZAMBIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION REITERATES HIS CALLS ON PRESIDENT BANDA TO SET THE DATE FOR THIS YEAR'S GENERAL ELECTIONS

ZAMBIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION PATRIOTIC FRONT PRESIDENT MICHAEL SATA HAS REITERATED HIS CALLS ON PRESIDENTS RUPIAH BANDA TO TELL THE NATION THE DATE OF THE ELECTIONS AND NOT KEEP PEOPLE IN SUSPENSE.

SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX IN THE LIGHT OF CALLS FROM CHONGWE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SYLVIA MASEBO FOR EARLY DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT TO ALLOW THE SMOOTH FLOW OF CAMPAIGNS AND NON USE OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES BY THE RULING PARTY, MR. SATA SAYS MRS. MASEBO SHOULD NOT ONLY DEMAND FOR EARLY DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT BUT ALSO THE ELECTION DATE.

MR SATA SAYS THE DATE OF ELECTIONS IS CARDINAL FOR THE CAMPAIGNS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO HEAT UP SOON AND WILL SEE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING LIKE DEFECTIONS OF MEMBERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES.

HE HAS OBSERVED THAT ON THE CALLS TO HAVE PARLIAMENT DISSOLVED EARLY TO ALLOW FOR CAMPAIGNS TO BE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES ABUSE FREE, THE CONSTITUTION IS VERY FLEXIBLE AND EVEN IF IT IS DISSOLVED , MINISTERS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL STILL REMAIN USING THE MONEYS.

THE OPPOSITION LEADERS HAS CHARGED THAT POLITICAL PARTIES WILL PREPARE ADEQUATELY IF PRESIDENT BANDA ANNOUNCED THE DATE OF ELECTIONS AND NOT HESITATE TO DO SO IN THE NAME OF HIS PARTY NOT BEING PREPARED.

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ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT ADVISED TO APPROACH THE CRISIS AT ELECTORAL INSTITUTION WITH CAUTION

GWEMBE VALLEY CHIEFS HAVE CAUTIONED GOVERNMENT TO BE VERY CAREFUL IN THE MANNER THEY WILL HANDLE THE MATTER AT THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA STATING THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS HELL BENT DURING ELECTION TIMES.

GWEMBE VALLEY CHIEF SPOKESPERSON CHIEF CHIPEPO SAYS THE YEAR 20111 IS A CRITICAL YEAR WHICH WILL BRING ALL SORTS OF CONFUSION AND PROBLEMS CONCERNING HOW CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE ECZ ARE PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES, HENCE THERE IS NEED FOR GOVERNMENT TO APPROACH SUCH MATTERS WITH CAUTION.

CHIEF CHIPEPO HAS ADVISED THAT THE ISSUES AT THE ECZ SHOULD NOT BE TREATED LIGHTLY AS IT IS LIKELY TO BRING A LOT OF CONFUSION WHICH MIGHT BECAUSE BY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANT THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO RUN THE INSTITUTIONS BECAUSE SHE IS TRYING TO OPEN THEIR CLOSET WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN HIDING SKELETONS.

HE HAS OBSERVED THAT MANY TIMES WHEN A CREDIBLE LEADER IS USHERED INTO THE OFFICE OF AN INSTITUTION PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DOING MISCHIEVOUS THINGS ALWAYS OPPOSE SUCH LEADERS BUT IN THE CASE OF ECZ WHICH HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF THE ALLEGED CORRUPT AND FRAUD PRACTICES GOVERNMENT MUST ANALYZE BOTH SIDES OF THE COINS AS THERE COULD BE TRUTH LYING BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES.

THE TRADITIONAL LEADER SAYS GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ANALYZE THE ISSUE SO THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE DO NOT BECOME SACRIFICIAL LAMBS IN THE CASE BUT ABOVE APPROACH THE MATTER HOLISTICALLY.

CHIEF CHIPEPO HAS FURTHER CALLED FOR UNITY IN THE COUNTRY MORE ESPECIALLY THAT THE COUNTRY IS GOING TO THE GENERAL ELECTIONS WHICH WILL DETERMINE THE DIRECTION OF THE ECONOMY.

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ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT URGED TO CREATE A POLICY THAT WILL REDUCE THE COST OF WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY.

ZAMBIA WATER AND SANITATION ENGINEERING AND ALLIED WORKERS UNION (ZWSEAWU) HAS URGED GOVERNMENT TO ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY TO CLEAN AND SAFE DRINKING WATER BY CREATING POLICIES THAT WILL REDUCE THE COST OF WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS STATEMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO RADIO PHOENIX BY ZWSEAWU THE UNION HAS FURTHER ADVISED MANAGERS OF THE WATER UTILITY COMPANIES TO REDUCE OVER HEAD COSTS AND REVIEW THEIR STRUCTURES TO ENSURE THAT COMPANIES RUN EFFICIENTLY AND PROFITABLY.

ZWSEAWU GENERAL SECRETARY CHARLES PHIRI SAYS THE UNION IS VERY CONCERNED AND WORRIED THAT OF LATER THE PRODUCTION COSTS OF WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN INCREASING.

MR PHIRI HAS NOTED THAT THIS ACTION OF PRODUCTION COST IS FORCING THE WATER UTILITY COMPANIES TO ADJUST THEIR TARIFFS EVERY YEAR.

HE HAS POINTED OUT THAT WATER IS A BASIC NECESSITY OF LIFE AND IT MUST BE ACCESSED BY ANYONE REGARDLESS OF THEIR STATUS IN SOCIETY IN ACCORDANCE ALSO WITH THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION THAT WATER IS A HUMAN RIGHT.

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THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH ITS MINISTRY OF MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT WARNS OF STERN ACTION TO THE MINING FIRMS AND OTHER COMPANIES OPERATING IN THE COUNTRY AGAINST POLLUTING THE ENVIRONMENT

THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT HAS WARNED MINING FIRMS AND OTHER COMPANIES OPERATING IN THE COUNTRY THAT IT WILL NOT ENTERTAIN POLLUTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE AREAS THEY ARE OPERATING.

MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT PERMANENT SECRETARY DR GODWIN BEENE HAS POINTED OUT THAT POLLUTION IS HARMFUL AND HAZARDOUS TO THE PEOPLE LIVING IN AREAS WHERE POLLUTION OCCURS HENCE COMPANIES SHOULD ADHERE TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA GUIDELINES.

DR BEENE SAID THIS IN CHINGOLA YESTERDAY AFTER A VISIT TO THE COUNTRY’S MINING GIANT KONKOLA COPPER MINES (KCM) IN COMPANY WITH OFFICIALS FROM MINES SAFETY DEPARTMENT (MSD) AND THE PERMANENT SECRETARY IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES LILLIAN KAPULU.

THE VISIT TO THE MINING FIRM CAME IN AFTER KCM IS ALLEGED TO HAVE RECENTLY POLLUTED THE KAFUE RIVER IN KITWE AND THE ENTOURAGE WAS ENLIGHTENED BY KCM MANAGEMENT OVER THE FIRM’S ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN TO CUR THE VICE OF POLLUTION.

MEANWHILE KCM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER KISHOR KUMAR SAID HIS COMPANY IS COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING A HIGHER STANDARD OF ENVIRONMENTAL CARE AS IT IS THE COMPANY’S PRINCIPLE.

MR KUMAR SAID KCM HAS SIGNED A DETAILED ACTION PLAN APPROVED BY THE ECZ AND THE MSD TO IMPROVE ITS ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY.

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ZAMBINA GOVERNMENT WILL NOT DUPLICATE FUNDS IT SPENT ON FLOOD VICTIMS LAST RAINY SEASON AS THE SAME IS NEEDE FOR OTHER ECONOMIC PROJECTS.

THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT THROUGH THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION UNIT HAS WARNED THAT IT WILL NOT DUPLICATE FUNDS IT SPENT LAST YEAR TO EVACUATED PEOPLE IN FLOODED AREAS MORE ESPECIALLY IN LUSAKA AS THE GOVERNMENT ALSO NEEDS TO SPEND THE SAME MONEY ON OTHER PROJECTS.

DISASTER  MANAGEMENT AND  MITIGATION UNIT NATIONAL COORDINATOR DOMINICIANO MULENGA HAS STATED THAT PEOPLE LEAVING THE FLOOD PRONE AREAS WHERE GOVERNMENT SPENT HUGE SUMS OF MONEY TO EVACUATE THEM MUST WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT PACK AND MOVE TO AREAS WHICH ARE NOT FLOOD PRONE AS ONE WAY TO HELP GOVERNMENT IN ITS EFFORTS TO MINIMIZE THE FLOODING SITUATION.

MR MULENGA WHO WAS SPEAKING DURING A PRESS BRIEFING LUSAKA TODAY HAS POINTED OUT THAT IT WILL BE UNFAIR ON THE PART OF GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MONEY ON THE SAME THING TWICE WITH NO IMPROVEMENT HENCE ITS DECISION NOT TO SPEND ANY MONEY ON EVACUATING ONCE AGAIN PEOPLE LEAVING IN FLOODED AREAS.

HE HAS EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARNING WHICH HAS HIT THE WORLD AS IT CAN BE SEEN IN OTHER COUNTRIES LIKE AUSTRALIA AND BRAZIL, THE RAINFALL PATTERNS HAVE CHANGED AND ZAMBIA IS LIKELY TO HAVE CERTAIN AREAS INCLUDING THE ONES WHICH EXPERIENCED FLOODING.

HE SAYS  GOVERNMENT ALSO PLANS TO FORM COMMUNITY WATCH GROUPS WHICH WILL BE MONITORING THE MAINTENANCE OF DRAINAGES WHICH WILL BE HANDED OVER TO COUNCILS THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING ONCE COMPLETED.

AND LUSAKA DISTRICT COMMISSIONER KRISTAH KALULU HAS STATED THAT DMMU CONTINUES TO FACE CHALLENGES SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING UNIT QUARRIES AND DRAINAGES WHICH HAS CONTINUED IN CERTAIN AREAS BEING FLOODED LIKE  MISISIS COMPOUND IN LUSAKA WHERE AN ARMY OFFICER HAS ALLEGEDLY BUILT HIS HOUSE ON DRAINAGE AND BROOKED THE SYSTEM

ZAMBIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER LASHES OUT AT CERTAIN MEDIA HOUSES FOR SUGGESTING THAT HE IS IN SUPPORT OF THE GAYS IN THE COUNTRY DESPITE IT BEING CALLED A CHRISTIAN NATION

ZAMBIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION PATRIOTIC FRONT PRESIDENT MICHAEL SATA HAS LASHED OUT AT SOME MEDIA HOUSES WHO ARE SUGGESTING THAT HE IS IN SUPPORT OF GAY GROUPS EXISTENCE IN THE COUNTRY STATING THAT THERE IS NOWHERE IN THE CONSTITUTION WHERE IT IS WRITTEN THAT SUCH GROUPS WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXIST.

SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX MR. SATA WHO WONDERED HOW HE WOULD SUPPORT SUCH GROUPS WHEN HE IS A CHRISTIAN AND THE NATION HAS A DECLARATION WHICH SUPPORTS CHRISTIANITY SAYS SUCH PUBLICATION ARE ONLY AIMED AT DENTING HIS IMAGE AND RUIN HIS POLITICAL CAREER.

MR. SATA HAS CHARGED THAT THE MANEUVERS BY CERTAIN MEDIA HOUSES TO BRING HIM DOWN BY PUBLISHING FORCE INFORMATION PURPORTING THAT ITS HIM WHO ISSUED SUCH INFORMATION WILL NOT WORK AS HE BELIEVES IN NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH ADDING THAT AT NO TIME HAS HE EVER STOOD ON THE PULPIT TO DECLARE HIS SUPPORT FOR THE NAMED GROUPS.

HE HAS POINTED OUT THAT ANY WELL MEANING ZAMBIAN WHO IS A CHRISTIAN KNOWS HOW THIS COUNTRY HAS SINCE ITS INDEPENDENCE ENJOYED BEING A CHRISTIAN NATION WHICH HAS UNITED ALL ZAMBIANS UNDER THE THEME “ONE ZAMBIA, ONE NATION” AND BRINGS ABOUT PEACE.

MR. SATA SAYS THE MEDIA HOUSES WHO ARE PUBLISHING FORCE INFORMATION SHOULD STOP DOING SO BECAUSE THEY WILL SURELY NEED HIM WHEN HE BECOMES ZAMBIA’S NEXT PRESIDENT ADDING THAT HE MET WITH THE NAMED GROUPS AND DIPLOMATS IN A BID TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT THE ZAMBIANS STANCE OVER THE MATTER IS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND.

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ZAMBIA RISKS TO HAVE CIVIL WAR IF POLITICIANS DO NOT STOP PERSONALL ATTACK CAMPAIGNS.

A ZAMBIAN CHILD RIGHTS ACTIVIST HAS OBSERVED THAT ZAMBIA RISKS HAVING CIVIL WAR IF POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS CONTINUE TO BE BASED ON PERSONAL ATTACKS FROM POLITICIANS INSTEAD OF DEVELOPMENTAL BASED CAMPAIGNS.

SPEAKING IN LIGHT OF RECENT VIOLENCE WHICH HAVE ROCKED THE NATION IN RECENT PAST LIKE ONE DURING BY ELECTIONS AND THE BAROTSE SECESSION VIOLENCE WITH RADIO PHOENIX GODFREY SIMUKONDE HAS NOTED THAT MOST OF THE CAMPAIGNS GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY ARE BASED ON PERSONAL ATTACKS AND NOT REAL ISSUES AFFECT MOST ZAMBIANS CURRENTLY.

MR. SIMUKONDE HAS STATED THAT POLITICIANS SHOULD NOT FORGET THAT CIVIL WARS BEGIN FROM PERSONAL TO NATIONAL LEVEL AND THE EFFECTS OF WAR IF NOT AVOIDED BY PUTTING INTO CONSIDERATION OF ALL ASPECTS GOVERNING PEACE ARE SO DETRIMENTAL TO THE NATION HENCE THERE IS NEED FOR POLITICIANS TO UNDERSTAND THAT PERSONAL ATTACK ARE NOT THE CAMPAIGNS WHICH ZAMBIA NEEDS.

THE CHILD RIGHT ACTIVIST HAS POINTED OUT THAT POLITICIANS SHOULD ALSO NOT FORGET THAT THEY HAVE CHILDREN WHO ARE EVER AFFECTED WHEN WRANGLES EMERGE BETWEEN THEN AND DENIED RIGHTS SUCH EDUCATION, HEALTH AMONGST OTHERS.

HE SAYS POLITICIANS MUST AT ALL COST ADHERE TO PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY AND PEACE AND CHANGE THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF POLITICS IN THE COUNTRY HAS ONE TO MAKE THE COUNTRY CONTINUE WITH PEACE WHICH HAS ENJOYED SINCE ITS INDEPENDENCE.

MR. SIMUKONDE HAS ALSO FURTHER CALLED ON ELECTORATES IN THE COUNTRY TO VOTE FOR POLITICIANS WHO WILL DELIVER THEIR PROMISES AND TALK ABOUT DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES AND NOT THOSE WHO ARE BUSY ATTACKING OTHERS FORGETTING THAT THEY RISK THE DEVELOPMENT THE NATION.

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PRESIDENT BANDA AND HIS GOVERNMENT ARE NOT TO BLAME SAYS MMD ON THE COPPERBELT PROVINCE AS OPPOSITION INSISTS ITS HIM TO BLAME FOR LACK OF GOOD LEADERSHIP STYLE

THE RULING MMD ON THE COPPERBELT PROVINCE HAS CONDEMNED CRITICS OF PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA’S STYLE OF LEADERSHIP AND STANCE HE HAS TAKEN ON THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT ISSUE.
THE PARTY SAYS THE CRITICISMS ARE BASELESS AND AIMED AT DISTURBING THE DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMMES INITIATED BY PRESIDENT BANDA.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX TODAY, MMD COPPERBELT INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY YOTAM MUTAYACHALO POINTED OUT THAT THE CRITICISMS LEVELED AGAINST PRESIDENT BANDA ARE RETROGRESSIVE AND SHOULD BE DISMISSED AND NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BY ANY WELL MEANING ZAMBIAN.
MR. MUTAYACHALO HAS CASTIGATED THE OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES WHO ARE TRYING TO GAIN POLITICAL MILEAGE OUT OF THE ISSUE STATING THAT IF THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN PROVINCE HAD LISTENED TO ADVICE NOT TO DISOBEY THE LAW, THE UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT OF LOSS OF LIVES WOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED.MEANWHILE PATRIOTIC FRONT NATIONAL YOUTH CHAIRPERSON WHO IS ALSO ROAN AREA MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI HAS LASHED OUT AT LUAPULA CENTRAL MP PETER MACHUNGWA IN WHAT HE HAS CALLED AS CHILDISH WAY OF ASKING TO BE ADOPTED BY PRESIDENT BANDA IN THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION.
MR. KAMBWILI HAS ALSO TOLD OFF FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEFUNCT INTER AFRICAN NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (AFRONET) NGANDE MWANAJITI FOR STATING THAT MR. SATA IS THE PERSON TO BLAME FOR THE DISTURBANCE THAT TOOK PLACE IN WESTERN PROVINCE LAST FRIDAY.
MR. KAMBWILI SAYS THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO THE PEOPLE’S CRIES BY LETTING THEM HOLD THEIR MEETING.
HE HAS SAID THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE ONLY REACTED IN THE MANNER IT DID IF PEOPLE GATHERED FOR WRONG INTENTIONS AND NOT SENDING THE POLICE TO SHOOT INNOCENT PEOPLE.

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zambian envoy speared heads zambia's performance at this year's vakantiebeurs tpurism exhibition.

ZAMBIA’S AMBASSADOR TO BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, DR. INONGE MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA IS IN UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS TO SPEARHEAD ZAMBIA’S PERFORMANCE AT THIS YEAR’S VAKANTIEBEURS TOURISM EXHIBITION.

THE EXHIBITION IS THE BIGGEST ANNUAL DUTCH TOURISM AND TRAVEL EXHIBITION WHICH ATTRACTS MORE THAN 160, 000 TOURISM CONSUMERS, TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND TRAVEL JOURNALISTS OVER A ONE-WEEK PERIOD.

DR. MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA IS GRACING THE EVENT ON TOP OF A ZAMBIA TOURISM BOARD (ZTB) DELEGATION WHICH HAS EXHIBITED AT THE VAKANTIEBEURS FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS UNDER UNBROKEN SPONSORSHIP OF THE DUTCH CENTRE FOR THE PROMOTION OF IMPORTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (CBI), AN AGENCY OF THE DUTCH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO RADIO PHOENIX BY FIRST SECRETARY FOR PRESS AT THE ZAMBIAN MISSION IN BRUSSELS SAMUEL NGOMA.

THE STATEMENT EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS AT THIS EXHIBITION THAT EUROPEAN TOUR OPERATORS LEARNT ABOUT ZAMBIA’S MASSIVE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ADDING THAT ZAMBIA HAS SINCE GROWN IN THE DUTCH MARKET SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE CBI SPONSORSHIP.
HE SAID THE NUMBER OF DUTCH OUTBOUND TOUR OPERATORS WITH TOUR PROGRAMMES TO ZAMBIA HAS GROWN FROM LESS THAN 10 TO OVER 30 IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.

THE STATEMENT FURTHER NOTED THAT ZAMBIA’S TOURISM HAS BEEN A CONSTANT FEATURE IN AN ANNUAL TRAVEL DOCUMENTARY ON THE DUTCH NATIONAL TELEVISION.

TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATING IN THE EXHIBITION INCLUDE MUKAMBI SAFARI LODGE, UNITED TOURING COMPANY AND LEOPARD LODGE WHO WERE ALL BUOYED BY AMBASSADOR’S MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA’S ENCOURAGING PRESENCE AT THE WORLD DUTCH EXHIBITION.

AND ZTB SPOKESPERSON AT THE EXHIBITION, MS. DORIS KOFI ANNOUNCED THAT AFTER A DECADE, THE DUTCH SPONSORSHIP WOULD BE THE LAST ONE THIS YEAR AND IT WAS NOW UP TO ZAMBIA TO BRACE FOR SELF-SPONSORSHIP AND CONTINUED PARTICIPATION AT THE EXHIBITION IN 2012 AND BEYOND.

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BRAZILIAN BASED AND WORLD'S SECOND LEADING IRON ORE PRODUCER SEEKS TO INVEST MORE THAN USD 90 MILLION IN ITS KONKOLA NORTH COPPER MINE PROJECT IN COPPER RICH NORTHERN ZAMBIA

BRAZILIAN BASED AND WORLD'S SECOND LEADING IRON ORE PRODUCER SEEKS TO INVEST MORE THAN USD 90 MILLION IN ITS KONKOLA NORTH COPPER MINE PROJECT IN COPPER RICH NORTHERN ZAMBIA THIS YEAR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT WHICH START OPERATIONS IN 2013.
ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT POSTED ON THE COMPANY WEBSITE, VALE MINING SEEKS TO PLOUGH USD 93 MILLION IN ZAMBIA'S KONKOLA GREENFIELD MINE IN CHILILABOMBWE THIS YEAR IN ADDITION TO THE MORE THAN USD 400 MILLION INVESTMENTS EARMARKED IN THE GREENFIELD MINE.
THE MINER SAID IT WOULD ADD THE USD 93 MILLION TO THE USD 400 MILLION IT PUT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREENFIELD MINE ON THE COPPERBELT PROVINCE AND ENSURE THAT THE PROJECTED PRODUCTION OF COPPER FROM THE MINE IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS IS ACHIEVED.
DURING 2011 THE MINER ENVISIONS TO INVEST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LARGE NUMBER OF WORLD-CLASS PROJECTS, 15 OF WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THESE INCLUDE US$ 93 MILLION IN ZAMBIA AT ITS KONKOLA NORTH GREENFIELD MINE AND KONKOLA NORTH COPPER MINE WILL BE RUN AS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN VALE AND AFRICAN RAINBOW MINERALS WHICH ARE IN PARTNERSHIP SINCE AUGUST 2010 TO DEVELOP THE MINE, LYING ABOUT 450 KILOMETERS FROM THE ZAMBIAN CAPITAL, LUSAKA.

THE MINE HAD DURING THE COMMISSIONING OF WORK AT THE NEW SITE PLEDGED TO INVEST MORE THAN USD 1 BILLION INTO THE PROJECT BY 2015 IN AMONG OTHER PROGRAMS, INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND ENSURE ZAMBIA SUCCEEDED IN BEING ONE OF THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS OF COPPER TO THE INTERNATIONAL METAL MARKET.
ACCORDING TO DATA, KONKOLA NORTH, ESTIMATED TO BE THE SECOND LARGEST KNOWN RESOURCE ON THE COPPER BELT, IS AN OPEN PIT MINE, WITH AN ESTIMATED NOMINAL PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF 45,000 TONNES OF COPPER CONCENTRATE PER YEAR, WHICH WOULD RISE TO 100,000 TONNES PER YEAR BY AT FULL PRODUCTION IN 2015.

HAVING PUMPED USD 400 MILLION THE COMPANY WAS CONCERNED ABOUT COMING UP WITH AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MINING ACTIVITIES AND WOULD RESERVE AS MUCH AS USD 70 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL CONTINGENCIES FOR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENTS.
PRODUCTION OF COPPER, AT THE KONKOLA NORTH MINE IS EXPECTED TO START IN 2013 AND WOULD BE OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY IN 2015 WITH ABOUT 1,500 PEOPLE EXPECTED TO BE EMPLOYED.

VALE WAS INVOLVED IN EXPLORATION WORKS HAS PREVIOUSLY STATED THAT IT PLANNED TO INVEST IN NICKEL MINING IN ZAMBIA AFTER COMPLETING THE COPPER MINE.

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