Government through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) will provide coffins for all the 14 Luangwa bus accident victims.

Chief Government Spokesperson Mwansa Kapeya says government will also provide food and transport to take the bodies to their respective places for burial around the country.

Mr Kapeya who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services said out of 10 bodies that have so far been identified by the relatives at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary, two will be buried in Chipata, one in Petauke, four in Lusaka and three in Ndola.

He said families of the other four bodies are yet to advise government where burial for the deceased will take place.

Mr Kapeya said in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today that government is with the believed families even as they go through this trying moment.

Striking nurses at Kasama General Hospital have resumed work and the situation has normalized at the hospital.

A check by ZANIS this morning found nurses have reported back for work and the situation has normalized while patients were being attended to.

The move breaks the 4 day striking action which started on the 27^th of November, 2013 as unionized nurses and paramedics resorted to down tools after a meeting.

The action was as a result of nurses demanding government to revise their salaries and other incentives.

And some nurses interviewed by ZANIS confirmed that they have resumed work as Zambia Union Nurses Organization (ZUNO) has assured them that it has intensified negotiations with government to resolve their plight.

ZUNO demanded that nurses report back for work as the striking action can affect the ongoing bargaining process.

China Jiangxi Cooperation, a contractor engaged to upgrade the 90 km stretch of the Isoka-Muyombe road from gravel to bituminous standards in Muchinga province has not been paid for the past six months.

China Jiangxi Site Agent, Sichan Huang disclosed this yesterday when Muchinga Minister Colonel Gerry Chanda inspected the on-going works.

Mr Huang said a non payment of funds is affecting the smooth implementation of the project.

Mr Huang told the minister that the project has faced so many challenges starting with designs which were later successfully re-done.

He added that after re-designing, works started progressing well but that currently it was funds which are not available hence the slow pace of the works.

Mr Huang revealed that in November this year his company after seeing delays in funding from the Zambian government went ahead to get a loan from Chinese bank of 10 million USA Dollars in order to go ahead with the planned works on the road project.

He said so far 40 kilometre stretch of the road has been upgraded to bituminous standard while works on the remaining 50 km have continued.

Mr Huang also explained that the redesigned road on the mountain cut is on schedule and that his company is making frantic effort to tar the area that has become suitable for heavy trucks to use.

And Colonel Chanda has asked Road Development Agency (RDA) to explain why they have delayed in processing payments for China Jiangxi cooperation for over 6 months.

Colonel Chanda said that it was sad that the contractor had not been paid for over six months resulting in delays to finish the project adding that he is going to write to President Micheal Sata to express his sadness over the prevailing situation with regards to the Isoka-Muyombe road.

The minister lamented that six months is too much for road project to be carried out without money.

The provincial minister said the PF Policy on development issues is to start and complete.

“RDC must explained why this let down on this project,” charged Colonel Chanda.

The 90 kilometres Isoka – Muyombe started in January 2011 at an initial cost of 42 million USA Dollars but due to delays it is now pegged at 64 million USA Dollars.

Construction works on the K107 million first phase of Robert Makasa University in Chinsali district in Muchinga province are progressing well and nearing completion.

Muchinga Province Minister Gerry Chanda says works done so far are of quality standard adding that the university under construction is a master piece and a beauty on its own.

Colonel Chanda said this when he toured the project to check on the progress yesterday.

The minister said he is happy with the works that have been done so far saying the workmanship is impressive.

Colonel Chanda said the commitment and professionalism shown by the contractor is admirable and should be emulated by others in the construction business.

He also said once the project is completed it will add value and change the face of not only Chinsali but the entire province.

The minister further added that the Robert Makasa University is better designed than the country‘s highest learning institution, The University of Zambia.

Project Manager Mohamed Abdelhay said works are expected to be completed within two months if funds are released on time.

Mr Abdelhay said the failure to pay the contractor on time by the government has greatly affected the progress on the project.

He said government has not paid the company on the three claims of certificates which have been submitted so far.

And Site Engineer Goodson Nkaka Lombe said four lecture blocks have been completed and that other structures are at painting level.

Mr Lombe said the contractor is currently working on three hostels.

Robert Makasa University is being constructed by Egyptian contractor, Flame Construction Company.

Meanwhile, Colonel Chanda says he is happy that finally works on the Paul Mushindo University in Lubwa Mission have commenced.

COVEC Construction Company has been engaged by the government to construct Paul Mushindo University whose works are now on foundation level.

Residents of Namapande area under Sekute Resettlement Scheme in Kazungula district have complained that there is too much fighting over land boundaries in the area.

A group of people from Sekute Resettlement Scheme, who declined to be named, said in an interview in Kazungula today that the problem has worsened and needed relevant authorities to move in and assist the settlers.

Sources claimed that the problem is caused by some former Kasaya flood victims who do not want to reside in the area after they were given the piece of land by Chief Sekute.

They said the culprits have resorted into selling their land to the outsiders who in turn come to cause confusion in the area.

According to the sources of this information, land in the area is being sold at K11,000 per settlement, adding that the cheapest is going at K 9,000.

“The problem is that these people who are buying these settlements are victimizing us. They are encroaching into our land and by so doing, they are tempting us. They have money and very much equipped with farming tools,” the sources complained.

They further urged the current Sekute Resettlement Scheme (SRS) Chairperson, whom they did not name, to disassociate himself from the confusion if he wants his name to be clean.

The sources accused the current chairperson of SRS that he is working hand-in-hand with those selling their land to the outsiders because he is equally benefiting from the sales.

They disclosed that about 150 people benefited from the land that was given to them by Chief Sekute in Namapande area after the Kasaya flood victims of 2006 and 2008 that left several people homeless in Kazungula district.

“Each person was given one by five hectares of land in Namapande area in what is today referred to as ‘Sekute Resettlement Scheme’,” sources disclosed.

They complained among other things that it is not a good thing for those who do not want to settle in Namapande area to sell off their land which was given to them freely, adding that it is better to surrender the land back to government if they have a better place to reside.

They further disclosed that the District Commissioner and the area councillor were given a full report on the happenings in the area and they were still waiting for the response.

Farmers in Kaputa district, who are under the government Fertilizer Input Support Programme (FISP), have complained over the delayed distribution of inputs for the 2013/2014 farming season.

The farmers, who spoke through, Kaputa District Council Chairman, Webby Kawelwa, complained that the delayed distribution of inputs in this agricultural season will have negative effects on the farming season.

Mr Kawelwa explained that the district starts receiving rains as early as September which ends by January, noting that the farmers are fearing that the season will be a flop in the district.

He added that farmers ploughed their fields as early as October and were waiting for the seeds and some notorious weeds have already invaded their fields that will be difficult to control.

Mr Kawelwa, who is also Patriotic Front (PF) Kaleulu Ward Councillor, said this in a walking interview with ZANIS in Kaputa today.

He further told ZANIS that he had also tried to contact the Ministry of Agriculture officials in Kaputa who have kept promising him.

The councillor has since appealed to government to speed up the distribution of seeds and other inputs to the district before the rains stop.

Efforts to get a comment from Kaputa District Agricultural Coordinator (DACO) failed as she was reportedly out of the district.

The district had by the end of November only received top dressing fertilizer while the other allocation of basal dressing fertilizer and seeds was still being awaited.

The Fisheries Department in Mkushi District has bemoaned the use of illegal fishing practices in several parts of Mkushi and Luano districts.

Mkushi District Fisheries Officer, Malton Moyo, stated this during his visit to Chief Chikupili at Chikupili Palace.

Mr Moyo said his department was aware that the use of illegal fishing methods had escalated    during the course of this year.

He elaborated that there had been reports pertaining the use of outlawed methods such as the use of chemicals as well as mosquito nets in various locations, adding that termec was the most widespread chemical used.

He said   in view of this situation, the Fisheries Department had singled out traditional authorities as being pivotal to the efforts involved in sensitizing communities about illegal fishing methods.

Mr Moyo said community sensitisation had been identified as being amongst the key strategies that the department aimed at employing in the coming year.

He said   in this regard, his department had deemed it prudent to strengthen the liaison with traditional leaders, adding that chiefs held very influential status in communities.

Meanwhile, Chief Chikupili thanked the Fisheries Department for expressing willingness to partner with traditional leaders in upholding and enforcing good fishing methods.

Chief Chikupili cited Mita Hill Dam as being amongst the water sources that were constantly linked to bad fishing methods by fishermen in his Chiefdom, saying the situation could not be allowed to continue.

He also appealed to the department to help in facilitating a fish ban committee in his Chiefdom.

The chief explained that such a move would help in consolidating the efforts to sensitise and promote good fishing methods at community level.

Other reports involving illegal fishing methods have occurred in Chief Chembe’s in Luano district, where Mwalala Ward Councillor, Benford Katit,i disclosed that termec was being used in the Mulungushi river.

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has since pledged to follow up the matter involving the use of chemicals in that river.

One person died on the spot while another is battling for his life in Mwinilunga district hospital after they were struck by lightning in Kakoma area yesterday, Dec 2nd.

District Council Chairman, William Mukangala, confirmed the death of Chief Kakoma’s representative, Jonathan Sakuwaha, aged 31, who was a traditional civic leader to ZANIS in Mwinilunga today.

Mr Mukangala, who is also Mulumbi ward councillor, said he had received the death of Sakuwaha with a deep shock.

He described the late Mr Sakuwaha as a vibrant and development-oriented young leader who was committed to ensuring that developmental activities were explained to the people not only in Kakoma area but the district as a whole.

Mr Mukangala said Sakuwaha will be greatly missed as he showed rare leadership qualities which the district needed in order to attain socio-economic development.

And a check by ZANIS at the district hospital found the surviving victim, Greyson Katoka, aged 48, a head teacher at Kakoma primary school, battling for his life.

Police in the district could not confirm the incident, saying they had not received a formal report on the matter.

Bishop Mambo told Qfm in an interview that President Michael Sata was a very strong proponent of a people driven constitution during his time in the opposition, to extent of promising the Zambian people a new constitution within 90 days of the PF coming to power.

Bishop Mambo notes that the best President Sata can do is to give the Zambian people the constitution they have been waiting for instead of u-turning at such a stage when a lot of public resources have been spent on the constitution making process.

He adds that Zambians embraced the technical committee trusting that they would have a constitution that would stand the taste of time once and for all.

Bishop Mambo says a new constitution would be the best gift the Patriotic Front would give to the Zambian people.

qfm

Zambians for Empowerment and Development President Dr. Fred Mutesa has urged Zambians to analyze and understand the statement by World Bank country director Dr Kundhavi Kadiresan endorsing the PF’s external borrowing

President Michael Sata has today sworn in Misheck Chikamata as Home Affairs Permanent Secretary.

Dr. Chikamata replaces Maxwell Nkole who was retired by the head of state early last month in a mini Permanent Secretary Reshuffle.

Speaking during the swearing in ceremony at Statehouse in Lusaka today, the Head of State congratulated the newly appointed Permanent Secretary.

And speaking after being sworn in, Dr. Chikamata thanked President Sata for recognising him as someone who can deliver.

The new PS said he will be devoted to his duties and work to serve the interest of the public and the nation as a whole.

Before his appointment, Dr. Chikamata worked for the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) as Head of Paediatric wing.

Dr. Chikamata had also previously worked for the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva as Medical Officer in 2002.

Mitete District Commissioner in Western Province, Teddy Chimbinde, says fish traders from the Copperbelt and North Western Provinces and from neighbouring countries are allegedly poisoning the lakes in the district to catch fish.

Mr Chimbinde said the trend is worrying because it is endangering the lives of people in the district who draw water for consumption from some of the lakes.

He said animals, too, are at danger as they drink from the same lakes.

The Mitete District Commissioner said Government has since engaged village headmen to see what can be done to curb the trend.

Mr Chimbinde told ZANIS in an interview that it s vital for the traditional leadership and communities in the district to partner with Government as they look for solutions towards addressing challenges of national interest.

And the Mitete DC has disclosed that the Zambia Information and Telecommunication Authority (ZICTA) has visited the area on several occasion as they seek to install telecommunication towers in the area to enhance communication.

The district currently has communication challenges as a result of lack communication towers.

Mr Chimbinde, however, urged ZICTA to expedite the installation of the towers before the onset of the rains as the district would be cut off from the rest of the province.

Government in Mufumbwe district of North Western province has maintained that it will continue to support people with disabilities through sensitisation and awareness programmes.

Social Welfare Programmes Officer, Sondashi Musenge, says government remains committed to providing disabled people in the country with sustainable programmes, among them the soon-to-be implemented Social Cash Transfer programme in the district.

Mr Musenge stated that government would not condone discrimination against people with disabilities because being disabled did not mean that a person was incapable of doing things.

Mr Musenge further urged people with disabilities not to discriminate against themselves but to instead utilise their other gifts and talents to ensure they are not overly dependent on government.

The Programmes Officer said this in an interview with ZANIS to mark the commemoration of World Disabilities Day whose theme is “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for Inclusive Society and Development for All.”

Meanwhile, Mufumbwe Community Development Officer, John Masumba, said there is need to incorporate disabled people on government programmes in line with this year’s theme of inclusiveness.

Mr Masumba said there should not be any difference between those who are disabled and those who are not in the governance of the nation.

“Everyone must benefit from the national cake, no one should be left out whether disabled or not,” he said.

And Chairperson for People Living With Disabilities in Mufumbwe, Hilda Chipango, has called for more support from government and the private sector towards people with disabilities.

The government says energy is a critical ingredient of the production sector and plays an important role in the development of the country.

Chienge District Commissioner (DC), Joseph Chisakula, says energy and its availability or the lack of it has a major impact on the lives of the Zambian people.

Mr Chisakula says the current inadequate energy in the country has resulted in the infamous load shedding because of the ever-growing demand which has outstripped the country’s generation capacity.

Mr Chisakula was speaking at Nambele Lodge in Chienge today when he officially opened a stakeholders’ sensitization meeting organized by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).

He noted that government departments, business houses and households in Chienge District have been adversely affected by the load shedding as a result of the power deficiency in the energy sector.

“The power deficiency has impacted negatively on people’s social and economic well being in the country especially in rural districts like Chienge,” he said.

The DC was, however, quick to say that the government and its cooperating partners are not just sitting idle in the face of the power deficit that has resulted into rampant load shedding.

He said the government has embarked on long term interventions and currently implementing a number of power generation projects.

He cited the expansion works at the Kariba North Bank and Itezh-Tezhi hydro power station that are expected to provide an extra 360 and 120 mega watts respectively once completed.

The DC said the government has also facilitated the construction of the Ndola Energy Company plant that has just been completed to supplement the national grid by 50 mega watts.

“Other projects include the planned construction of the two thermal power stations in Sinazongwe that will produce an additional 300 mega watts from coal in both Phases One and Two,” he added.

He noted that the construction of the Kabombo Gorge power station by the Copperbelt Energy Corporation to generate 40 mega watts is progressing very well.

Mr Chisakula further said more power generation projects among them the one at Kalungwishi River in Luapula Province and the Lusemfwa River in Central Province are on the government cards for implementation.

He observed that these projects going on including the planned 750 mega watts at Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station will eventually end load shedding and improve the quality of power supply.

He urged the residents of Chienge to contribute towards reducing the load shedding by switching of appliances that are not in use at a particular time and adopt the energy saving bulbs.

Meanwhile, Mr Chisakula said the government has introduced the uniform prices of the petroleum products throughout the country to encourage investment in rural areas as a way of reducing the cost of doing business.

However, he bemoaned the lack of filling station facilities in Chienge District and disclosed that this is forcing motorists in the area to buy fuel from Nchelenge District, about 150 km away, making the cost of doing business very high.

He also noted with sadness that in most cases this has left motorists with no option but to buy the commodity from the illegal fuel vendors whose quality cannot be guaranteed.

The DC expressed some worries that this exposes families to risks hazards associated with the storage of the fuel commodity in homes and other undesignated areas.

He also complained that the country is currently losing revenue through illegal fuel vendors because there are no systems in place to compel them to pay tax to the government.

He urged private investors from within and outside Chienge to seriously consider putting up a filling station to mitigate the rampant fuel shortage that has become synonymous with the area.

And Mr Chisakula has commended the government for promoting the use of alternative energy sources such as solar, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Bio fuels and Bio gas for domestic heating and cooking.

He said this is a highly commendable move and that it will go a long way in mitigating the power shortage the country is facing especially in rural districts like Chienge and improve the national energy mix.

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has started a sustainable programme in Kaoma district aimed at preventing child labour in tobacco-growing communities.

JTI, working in collaboration with International Labour Organization and Winrock International, is seeking to prevent and reduce child labour by addressing social and economic factors that drive small-holder tobacco farmers to engage children in hazardous work.

In an interview, Kaoma District Child Labour Committee chairperson, Lungowe Silishebo, said JTI has come up with a programme known as Achieving Reduction of Child Labour in Support of Education (ARISE), a multi-year strategy that will be implemented in Kaoma.

Ms Silishebo said the programme will aim at creating awareness on the detrimental effects of child labour by identifying and training child labour community activists to spearhead campaigns. 

She said the ARISE programme will focus on working with the traditional communities which have a strong cultural heritage of children who will help to change the damaging cultural habits, increase acceptance of the schooling system and improve school infrastructure.  

Ms Silishebo said once the programme is fully implemented, it is expected to improve the income earning potential and long-term livelihoods of the farmers in their communities.

She further said JTI’s support for income generating activities through capital investment, basic literacy, numeracy, and business entrepreneurial skills will economically empower tobacco-growing communities.

JTI and its partners have launched and implemented similar programmes in Brazil and Malawi.

In Zambia the ARISE programme will be implemented in Kaoma, Western province.

The Child Fund organization through its Mumbwa Child Development Agency has released K92, 000 to support school going orphans and vulnerable school going children (OVC) at six schools in Mumbwa. 

Presenting the cheques to school head teachers at the District Education Board Secretary’s office this morning,  Mumbwa Child Development Agency Manager Davis Chafye said his organization targets to assist 6,000 OVCs in its catchment area where they operate from.

Mr.Chafye said the pupils targeted are those who will be writing examinations next year.

He added that the school administration in all the six schools helped to identify OVC s that had problems in paying fees and that Mumbwa Secondary school had the highest number of such pupils and was given K52, 000 while the other five schools shared K40,000.00.

The Federation Manager added that his organization is making efforts to clear the outstanding balances for the first and second terms,

Among the schools that benefited are Mumbwa and Nambala secondary schools.

Others are Moono, Mkanda, Nachibila and Namunde primary school.

And receiving the cheques on behalf of other schools, Mumbwa secondary deputy head teacher Webby Chikaza said the money will help the beneficiary schools to meet some operational costs.

Mr. Chikaza called on other organizations sponsoring OVCs to emulate Child Fund by helping pupils to pay the fees consistently and in time.