THE ZAMBIA WATER AND SANITATION ENGINEERING AND ALLIED WORKERS UNION DEMAND FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF NKANA, MULONGA AND KAFUBU WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANIES

The Zambia water and sanitation engineering and allied workers union (ZWSEAWU) is demanding for an immediate dissolution of boards for Nkana, kafubu and Mulonga water sewerage companies for failing to provide a policy direction to ensure water companies expand their service provision.

The union’s call comes in the wake of the service provision levels of water and sanitation service which it says has seriously deteriorated in the recent past.

ZWSEAWU general secretary Charles Phiri says the three water utility companies, Nkana, kafubu and Mulonga water and sewerage were given 35billion kwacha which they shared for the improvement of water and sanitation services.

Mr. Phiri says to date, people in most areas if Kitwe and Ndola have not seen any improvement of service delivery adding that there is erratic water supply or no supply at all and water leakages have not been attended to for a long time.

He says this is at the back drop of managers buying big expensive personal to holder vehicles at the expense of providing quality service to the residents.

Mr. Phiri says government must carry out a Forensic audit to ascertain how public funds received from the previous government by the three water utilities were utilized.

He has stated that the government must demand for a report from the three companies as to why they have more casual employees than permanent employees.

The union general secretary says government should review the number of managers stating that it is unacceptable for a company to have 400unionised workers and 500 in management and are entitled to 250 liters petrol per month for cars driven from their homes to work places.

Mr. Phiri has noted that there is a lot of extravagancies in the water utility companies which government must stop immediately adding that the minister of local government, early education and environmental protection to quickly review their performance.

Mr. Phiri who was speaking in an interview says failure to doing so or taking such an action by government will make consumers not to see any benefits of the change of government if the water sector remains unchecked.

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NWASCO APPEALS TO GOV'T TO ENGAGE KAFUBU WATER AND SEWERAGE MANAGEMENT OVER THE PROPOSED DEBT CANCELLATION BEFORE THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY ARE CRIPPLED

the national water and sanitation council (nwasco) has appealed to government to engage kafubu water and sewerage management over the proposed debt cancellation before the company is crippled.
recently foreign affairs minister chishimba kambwili directed kafubu water and sewerage company to write off the debt which miners in luanshya owe the water utility especially in the period when the mine was closed.
but speaking in an interview with radio phoenix, nwasco vice chairperson levy zulu said there is need to find ways in which the debt can be written off without leaving the company crippled and make the situation worse than it is at the moment were the water utility fails to supply water and sanitation services adequately.
according to sources, at the moment government owes kafubu water and sewerage company about 19 billion kwacha and this is said to be partly affecting the performance of the company which needs to re-invest in its operations.
meanwhile the nwasco vice chairperson has stressed that water utility companies must emulate mulonga water and sewerage company which is performing well at the moment without funding from outside.
mr zulu says prudent financial management and focus will make most water utilities to start providing the much needed water and sanitation services to the communities which they serve.
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U.S GOV'T URGES ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN ITS JUDICIAL SYSTEM

The United States government has urged the zambian government to strengthen the judicial system which it says is important to the growth of the country’s democracy.

Mr. Storella says the United States government is still very impressed with President Michael Sata’s inaugural speech which indicates very important points including good governance and reducing poverty among the most vulnerable Zambian citizenry.

Mr. Storella explains that president Sata’s commitment to fight corruption is a welcome move as it will help reduce poverty in all parts of the country.

The U.S ambassador to Zambia has since pledged that his government will continue working closely with the government of the day for the benefit of all Zambians.

He stressed that it is not possible for anyone to judge the new government for the 15days it has been in office.

Mr. Storella further stated that it is important for any democratic country to have an independent judicial structure adding that reforming of the judicial system also depends on how much energy the government puts in to strengthen it.

President Michael Sata’s government has vowed to reform the judicial structures to make it more effective in the Zambian scenario.

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GOV'T TO EQUIP LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITH NECCESSARLY TOOLS TO HELP THEM FIGHT INCREASED CRIME IN THE COUNTRY.

Home Affairs Minister Kennedy Sakeni has charged that government will equip law enforcement agencies with necessary tools to enable them fight increased levels of crime in the country.
Mr. Sakeni says the levels of white collar crime has become a challenge to government adding that his ministry will
ensure that the vice is alleviated at all levels.
Mr. Sakeni has also pledged to uplift the working conditions of police officers stating that doing so will boost their morale towards work and instill some public confidence.
The home affairs minister has also warned of stern action against perpetrators of political violence regardless of their political affiliations.
He explains that violence is retrogressive to the country’s democratic tenets adding that his ministry will not tolerate any forms of political violence.
He has since appealed to the youths in the country to refrain from violent activities and report acts of aggression to relevant authorities

FORMER UPND DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS TELLS THE PARTY TO REBRAND ITS TOP LEADERSHIP

Former opposition united party for national development (UPND) deputy general secretary for political affairs sikwindi situla says the opposition party will only win an election if it rebrands its structures starting from the top leadership.

Mr. situla has pointed out that the part has failed to reach the youths in the country who are the largest voters due to lack of leadership which knows the country’s political landscape and tactics.

He says the party will continue to lag behind for as long as the top leadership continues to ignore the advice which party members give on how the feel about several issues affecting the it.

Mr. situla has stressed that the party which he noted has elitist people is lacking real politicians who know what people on the ground want and are ready to listen to each and every member of the party and an ordinary citizen.

He has stated that at the moment the party has failed to make an impact on the Zambian political scenery and this will continue if the party does not start rebranding and listening to people’s advice.

mr situla before officially announcing his resignation from the part stood as an independent in mumbwa after the party refused to adopt him but failed to beat incumbent mmd member of parliament Brian chituwo.

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ZAMBIAN OPPOSITION PARTIES VOW TO SHOT DOWN THE PROPOSED RETIREMENT AGE SHOULD IT BE TAKEN TO PARLY

Two major opposition political parties have vowed to shot down the proposed retirement age of 65years from 55years if the proposal goes to parliament for approval as a bill.

Former ruling party, movement for multiparty democracy (MMD) and the united party for national development (UPND) have stated that the proposal must not be supported at all cost as it will turn out to be a big hindrance to youths in terms of accessing jobs.

UPND president says the youths who for a long time have been sidelined will continue to face unemployment and this will escalate the unemployment levels which are already high in the country.

Mr. Hichilema says president Sata should learn to consult on labour issues and other matters before making a decision without analyzing the impact.

And MMD national youth Chairperson Moses muteteka who is also party chisamba area Member of Parliament who echoed Mr. Hichilema says the proposal should even be paid attention stating that the president should consult further over the matter.

Mr. Muteteka has stated that his party will not support the proposal as it will deprive most of the youths the most needed jobs.

Recently president Sata and the ruling patriotic front proposed that the retirement age be increased from 55years to 65years as one way for people to keep their jobs.

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YOUR POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS SHOULD NOT BE A POLITICAL WEAPON TO SILENCE AND INTIMIDATE WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY AS THE CASE WAS IN 1991, JUDICIAL AND ALLIED WORKERS UNION OF ZAMBIA TELLS SHAMENDA AND RAYFORD MBULO

the judicial and allied workers union of zambia (jawuz) says the appointment of former labour leaders like mr fackson shamenda and rayford mbulo to the ministry of labour should not be a political weapon to silence and intimidate workers in the country as the case was in 1991.

according to a press statement the union says this should rather be the timely opportunity for the appointed leaders to inspire the youth and women.

jawuz general secretary vincent makondo says both leaders mr shamenda and mr mbulo have had an opportunity to represent workers in the mmd government and therefore ascending to the ministerial positions responsible for labour matters should not be a political appeasement.

mr. makondo has stated that the appointment should however be an opportunity to dearly demonstrate their understanding and value for labour rights and human conditions of service for the zambian workers.

the union has also urged the zambia congress of trade union zctu and free trade union of zambia fftuz leadership to be alert and take a leading role in championing labor rights.

mr. makondo says the recent protests and work stoppages is a sign of discontent by their members.

meanwhile mr. makondo has further called on the workers countrywide allow national unions and the new government to address the various challenges they are facing instead of going on unnecessary strikes.

he has cautioned workers that rampant protest and work stoppage surfacing after the recent elections is not a good sign for a good cause national development.

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