—-Deputy Minister for Gender and Development, Josephine Limata, has reaffirmed government’s commitment towards improving the plight of women and the girl child in vulnerable communities.

Ms Limata said this yesterday when she paid a courtesy call on Chief Chitina of the Swaka people at his palace in Mkushi district.

MS Limata stated that the Patriotic Front government was eager to address the plight of women in  such aspects as financial independence as well as in efforts that aimed at curbing Gender Based Violence (GBV).

She said early marriages and defilement were amongst the pertinent issues that needed to be addressed in the efforts that aimed at upholding the rights of the girl child.

The deputy minister said to this effect, government placed much value on partnership with traditional leadership and explained that chiefs were very key to the success of government policies that involved promotion of gender equity.

Ms Limata noted that cultural norms were amongst the challenges that slowed down the momentum of government’s gender promotion policies in rural communities.

She expressed confidence that the partnership involving government and chiefs would help the cause of promoting gender equity and stamping out early marriages and Gender Based Violence.

Ms Limata pointed out that poverty was amongst the pivotal factors that confined most women in rural communities to be totally dependent on their male spouse, adding that government was eager to encourage self reliant amongst women.

She observed that the aspect of being financially dependent rendered many women vulnerable as their rights were infringed upon in matters involving GBV and land ownership amongst others.

Meanwhile, Chief Chitina welcomed government’s quest to extend the impact of its gender related policies in the remote parts of the district and pledged to work with government on the matter.

Chief Chitina said he had been active in promoting the rights of the girl child to education, saying   he had so far retrieved 53 girls from early marriages and sent them back to school over the past year.

The chief said this action was a hallmark of his commitment to the cause of curbing early marriages in his chiefdom.

He also acknowledged the importance of financial independence amongst women in rural communities, adding that he had endorsed the rights of women to be owners of customary land through procurement as well as inheritance.

Chief Chitina, however, appealed to the minister to help in efforts that aimed at easing access for poor rural children to be considered for bursaries, charging that bursaries mainly benefited children from urban areas.

He said this appeal deserved serious consideration, explaining that tertiary education in particular was still a major challenge amongst children from poor rural communities.

Deputy Minister for Gender and Development Josephine Limata, who begun her tour of Mkushi District on Sunday, is scheduled to meet several women clubs in various parts of the district over the next three days. 

The post Govt reaffirms commitment to plight of women, girl child appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

–Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Nixon Chilangwa, says government is committed to improving infrastructural development in all sectors of the economy across the country.

Mr Chilangwa said it is for this reason that government has taken a bold decision of removing both fuel and maize subsidies so that money raised can be channelled towards improving infrastructure in social and economic sectors across the country.

He was speaking during his familiarization tour of Kipushi border post in Solwezi yesterday.

Mr Chilangwa said people in rural areas need to see change in terms of social service delivery in health and education among others, adding that it is unacceptable to see Kipushi, which is a busiest border post, with no proper office and housing infrastructure for civil servants.

He expressed displeasure that the police mobile unit operating at the border post has no proper office accommodation and housing units, saying this compromises national security.

Mr Chilangwa, therefore, encouraged civil servants working at Kipushi border post not to engage themselves in corrupt practices in their execution of duty despite many challenges they are faced with and assured them that government will do every possible to improve the situation.

Kipushi border post Immigration Officer In-charge, Brighton Swangiso, said accommodation and erratic water supply are some of the many pressing challenges civil servants in the area are faced with.

Mr Swangiso said since November last year, water is supplied to them only once in a month and appealed to government to electrify the seven new houses for immigration officers and work on the Solwezi-Kipushi border road which is in a deplorable state.

North-western Province Immigration Regional Officer, Mufalali Nasilele, said Kipushi is one of the busiest border posts in the province where illegal border crossing is minimal due to increased man power in his department.

Mr Nasilele said the department of immigration has constructed seven new houses for its workers which will soon be handed over to government to ease accommodation problem in the area.

The post Government reaffirms commitment to improve infrastructure appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

— Vice President’s Wife, Charlotte Scott, says  the Zambian government, led by President Micheal Sata, recognizes the preaching of the word of God as an integral component of national development.

Mrs Scott said it was for this reason that the government has attributed the freedom of worship to all Churches in Zambia.

Mrs Scott was speaking in Namwala district yesterday at a fundraising Church Service of St Matthews United Church of Zambia (UCZ) in a speech read on her behalf by Namwala District Administrative Officer, Godwin Sanjase.

She said the government   has realized that for the country to develop positively either politically or economically it needs men and women who are morally free from corruption, abuse of public resources and other vices.

Mrs Scott further noted that to come up with a progressive continuous and strong building of any kind, particularly a community building like a church, there was need for men and women to be committed.

She added that for such a venture to succeed it needs a community leadership which respects the views of other members, a leadership which is not selfish in the utilization of the resources meant for the programme.

Mrs Scott commended the initiators of the project leadership for the program of building a new church building.

The building of St Matthews Namwala UCZ started in 2005 after the church membership increased, resulting in a second thought f constructing a much bigger church.

And speaking at the same function Southern UCZ Presbytery Bishop, Akabana Mutanuka, appealed to the congregants at St Mathews Church to give as the Bible says that when you give you shall receive so that the church building is finished on time.

Bishop Mutanuka commended President Michael Sata for encouraging Zambians to work hard so that more money is in their pockets.

He said that the President is simply following the principles of the Bible of giving and working hard for more money to be in people’s pockets.

The post God’s word integral for national development – Shallotte appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

—Hunger has reportedly broken out in newly created Sikongo district in Western Province.

District Commissioner, Kufuka Kufuka, confirmed the hunger break out in his area to ZANIS in Mongu today.

Mr Kufuka, who has described the hunger situation as a disaster, said people in the area are now gathering wild roots and fruits for their daily consumption.

He explained that the hunger situation in the area is due to last year‘s bad rainy season that left almost all the crops submerged and washed away by the floods.

The District Commissioner has since appealed to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to quickly move in and ensure that the situation was averted through provision of relief food to the district.

And Mr Kufuka has complained that Sikongo district has also been hit with a critical shortage of teachers in both primary and basic schools.

The DC said schools in the area have either less or no teaches at all, a situation he says has seen educational levels continually deteriorating among school-going children.

Mr Kufuka has further appealed to the Provincial Education Office to consider sending more teachers to the area.

The post Hunger hits Sikongo districts appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

—Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe, has urged people in the province to desist from engaging in politics of division  which he said would not help them in any way.

Speaking during at Siamatendu Memorial Tournament at Sindambi village in Chief Sipatunyana ‘s area yesterday, Mr Munkombwe noted that politics of division was long-gone, adding that it was important for the people in the province to rally behind the Patriotic Front (PF) government to bring the much needed development.

He said it was sad that some people were trying to divide Southern Province on mere political grounds.

“Some people are trying to divide Southern Province on political grounds and I want to advise you not to listen to such individuals,” said Mr Munkombwe.

Mr Munkombwe thanked the Siamatendu family for the initiative aimed at not only remembering their late father but also encourage the development of sports in the area.

Meanwhile, son of the late Mr Mapenzi Siamatendu said the event has attracted more than18 teams in various sports disciplines including football, and netball.

Simatendu explained that the idea to organize an annual memorial tournament was mooted in 2005, adding that the event has since attracted people competing in various sports activities.

He also said K15 million was pumped in organizing the event which would help to complement government’s efforts in the on-going talent identification programme, especially in rural areas.

The post Munkombwe castigates politics of division appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

—Government has urged women of Mkushi district to maximise the use of services that are coordinated by the Ministry of Gender and Development.

Deputy Minister for Gender and Development, Josephine Limata, said this in Mkushi when she addressed women clubs at Mkushi Council Chamber this morning

Ms Limata stressed that there was need for women to appreciate that the PF government was focused on improving the welfare of the poor and vulnerable sectors of society such as women and children.

She said that in view of this, there was need for women to scale up in utilising the various forms of assistance that were being facilitated by the Gender and Development Ministry and its key partners.

The deputy minister said government acknowledged that women in the district faced challenges such as poverty and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Ms Limata said poverty was amongst the root factors that rendered helplessness in situations of GBV, adding that her ministry had empowerment funding to help women with capital for income generation projects.

She bemoaned the poor response from Mkushi based women clubs in pursuing Women Empowerment Funds under Ministry of Gender, saying no women club in Mkushi had submitted applications for this funding.

Ms Limata tasked the women clubs to utilize her presence in the district to fill in the application forms for funding, saying she would take them back to the ministry herself.  

Commenting on the ministry’s activities for children, Ms Limata emphasised that the PF government had a zero tolerance for defilement and early marriages.

Ms Limata said here was need for women in Mkushi to play a leading role in efforts that aimed at curbing these social scourges, adding that there was need to ensure that cases of defilement and other sexual violence are reported to police.

She affirmed that the PF was committed towards protecting and upholding the rights of vulnerable people such as the girl child.

Ms Limata warned that her ministry would institute prompt action against parents who were found to be marrying off the girl child who is below 18 years old, saying that government’s objective was to enable girls to fulfil her education ambitions.

The post Mkushi women advised to use Gender Ministry services appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

—-Senior Chief Nsokolo of the Mambwe people in Mbala district in Northern Province has appealed to government through the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to enforce laws that will compel public transporters to avoid travelling at night in order to avert deaths arising from road traffic accidents.

The traditional leader bemoaned that road traffic accidents have claimed the lives of more than 100 people in his chiefdom since last year.

This is contained in a statement released to ZANIS by Chief Nsokolo’s Spokesperson, Jeff Kapambwe.

Chief Nsokolo has attributed the escalating road traffic accidents to fatigue by bus drivers that are forced to drive long hours without resting.

He noted that while most bus operators sought to make money from their crew travelling in the night and later continue during the day, there is need for government and the RTSA to initiate a deliberate policy in which all public transport will be compelled to travel from early morning and reach their destinations before dusk.

He said this will allow drivers to rest for the next day’s trip and consequently help preserve the lives of the travelling public.

“These accidents can be avoided if the government changed the law compelling all buses and other public transporters to move from as early as 06.00hrs to 18.00 hrs as this will help reduce road accidents,” Chief Nsokolo said.

The post Govt urged to compel public transporters against travelling at night appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

–The Oasis Forum has called on government to grant the Technical Committee on Drafting the Zambian Constitution the extended period they have asked to complete drafting the document.

Oasis Forum Spokesperson, Cleophas, Lungu said this is essential in ensuring that the committee comes up with a document that is people driven.

Fr Lungu said while the Forum acknowledges the challenges associated with extending the process beyond the stipulated period, the key objective should not depend solely on adherence to meeting the set deadline.

He said national focus should be directed towards ensuring that the end product, which is the 2013 Republican Constitution, fully reflects the interests of the people of Zambia.

Fr Lungu urged all committed Zambians to continue monitoring the constitution making process in order to ensure that the country, this time around, produces a Constitution that would truly “stand the test of time!”

This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

The Technical Committee drafting the Zambian Constitution has applied for a one month extension to the period they were given to complete drafting the new constitution.

The initial dateline the committee was given elapsed yesterday, on June 30, 2013.

Meanwhile, Fr Lungu disclosed that the Forum has finally completed the preparation of the Private Members’ Bill on protecting the constitution making process in the country.

Fr Lungu said the Forum will sponsor and is ready to present the Bill to Parliament, adding that it also intends to widely publicise the Bill to the people of Zambia.

The Oasis Forum comprises the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), Non-Governmental Coordinating Council (NGOCC) and the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC).

The post Govt urged to grant Committee drafting constitution time it requested appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

— First Lady, Christine Kaseba, is tomorrow expected in  Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to attend a First Ladies Summit dubbed ‘Investing in women: Strengthening Africa’, which will run from 2^nd to 3^rd July, 2013.

The Summit will also be attended by the host First Lady, Salma Kikwete, First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama and United States Former First Lady, Laura Bush and Cherie Blair.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Tanzania today, Zambian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Judith Kapijimpanga, confirmed that Dr Kaseba will arrive tomorrow.

Ms Kapijimpanga said Dr Kaseba will speak on the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon campaign and how it has helped in fighting cancer in Zambia since it was launched in 2011.

The High Commissioner said the First Lady will focus on the progress that has been made against cancer in Zambia, which has one of the most successful cancer programs in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The First Lady has been a leader in fighting cancer in Zambia and because of her commitment in the fight, Zambia is recording positive progress,” she said.

The summit will also convene a First Ladies roundtable meeting, which will provide a platform for discussion on ways they can serve as effective advocates for pressing issues in their countries, particularly related to women’s health and economic opportunity.

The summit will look at topics on education for women and girls, economic opportunity for women and emphasize the connections between the inclusion of women in all areas of society and the stability and prosperity of countries in development.

In addition to African First Ladies, the summit will bring together ministers of health, education and finance,  US government agency officials, policy makers, private partners, practitioners and faith based and grassroots organisations.

During the summit, information on programs that First Ladies can champion in their respective countries will be provided, including a forum to establish partnership opportunities and announcement on a call to action which will result in greater opportunity for women and girls across the African continent.

Dr Kaseba will also be expected to attend a welcome dinner hosted by Tanzanian First Lady Salma kikwete.

The post Dr Kaseba expected for First Ladies’ forum in Dar es Salaam appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

——-Lungu chiefs have agreed to bury the late Senior Chief Tafuna of the Lungu people of Mpulungu district in Malaila area in Chief Mukupa Kaoma’s chiefdom in Mporokoso.

The agreement was arrived at during a meeting this morning held at Isoko palace in Mpulungu after two days of consultations.

Senior Chief Tafuna Chimwando died at Mbala General Hospital on Monday, last week after an illness.

In a brief to government officials, Chief Chitoshi of Mporokoso said the family had sorted out their differences and that after consultations, they   agreed to bury the late chief in Mporokoso instead of Mbete area in Mpulungu.

Chief Chitoshi, however, added that there was need for the Lungu people to constantly engage in talks so that their differences could be sorted out amicably.

There has been confusion for the last two days on the burial of the late Tafuna after Mpulungu chiefs insisted that he could not be buried at Mbete, the original site for the burial of Tafunas because the deceased did not pass through the traditional mill before he ascended to power.

The Mpulungu chiefs had further argued that allowing the body of the late senior chief Tafuna to be put to rest at Mbete would be tantamount to breaking tradition.

But this stance had incensed their counterparts from Mporokoso who had argued that there were ready to pick the body and bury it in Mporokoso where the deceased hailed from.

The Lungu clans extend to some parts of Mporokoso district in Northern Province.

Before he ascended to the position of senior chief Tafuna in Mpulungu where he had spent 45 years on the throne, the late chief was Chief Mukupa Kaoma in Mporokoso for 19 years.

He was 88 years old and is survived by 13 children, 66 grandchildren, 59 great grandchildren and five (5) great-great grandchildren.

Mpulungu Member of parliament, Freedom Sikazwe, who was accompanied by District Commissioner, Juliana Chuzu and other senior government officials, commended the chiefs and   lndunas for reaching an amicable conclusion.

Mr Sikazwe assured that government would provide logistical support in terms of transports and other necessities needed to transport the body to Malaila in Mporokoso.

Burial is expected to take place later today, Tuesday.

The post Chief Tafuna to be buried in Mporokoso appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

——The First Ladies’ Summit, dubbed ‘Investing in women: Strengthening Africa’ has opened in Dar es Salaa, Tanzania, with a call from Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete, on African countries to invest in women to enhance development.

The Summit, which is co-sponsored by the Bush Institute and ExxonMobil, is also being attended by United States First Lady, Michelle Obama, Former United States First Lady, Laura Bush, and Former British Prime Minister’s Wife, Cherie Blair.

Zambia’s First Lady, Christine Kaseba, who arrived in Tanzania this morning, also attended the official opening of the conference.

Other First Ladies from African countries who attended the Summit include Ethiopia’s Roman Tesfaye, Mozambique’s Maria Guebuza, Sierra Leone’s Sia Nyama Karoma and Uganda’s Janet Museveni, South Africa’s Nomumelelo Zuma and host First Lady, Salma Kikwete.

President Kikwete noted that investing in women and ensuring that they are empowered economically benefits the country as a whole.

“The theme of this summit has come at a right time. Women are the backbone of the family, so investing in women is not optional but a matter of priority,” he said.

He noted that women play critical roles in the development of the country as they look after children, ensuring that children are healthy and educated, hence the need for the women to be empowered.

President Kikwete noted that despite the important contribution that women make, they are the most affected by poverty as they do not control the wealth they create, adding that women still have problems in accessing health care.

“Investing in women will also help them access quality health care, education and access to credit. Once they are empowered, countries will be assured of food security, increased productivity and improved health resulting in the development of the country,” he noted.

Mr Kikwete noted that in Africa women work more than men and commended women for the multiple roles they play in wealth creation.

And Tanzanian First Lady, Salma Kitwete, said the theme ‘Investing in women strengthening Africa’ was relevant to the needs of African communities as it was considering three themes which are significant to the wellbeing of the African women.

Mrs Kikwete said the themes are education, entrepreneurship and innovation and health, adding that the summit will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences and share best practices.

She said the summit will also provide an opportunity for the First Ladies to visit some model sites, among them Ocean Road Cancer Institute CCBRT Hospital and Mabinti Centre to help showcase Tanzanians efforts towards transformation of its communities.

And speaking during the same function United States former First Lady, Laura Bush, said advancing women’s economic empowerment, health and education is imperative to development.

Mrs Bush said the inclusion of women in all areas of society increases stability and prosperity of countries as investment in women results in better outcomes for entire families, communities and nations.

And in a conversation between the Former United States First lady and United States First Lady Michelle Obama moderated by Cokie Roberts, Mrs Obama called on First Ladies to speak up on important issues that affect their countries to help address the challenges being faced in their countries.

Mrs Obama said women are endowed with power, passion and are unique and can help bring a difference in their countries.

She also appealed to parents to invest in education equally among boys and girls.

“I came from a family where my parents did not have much money, but they invested in my brothers and my education equally. That is why I am where I am today,”  she said.

The post First Ladies’ meeting opens in Dar Es Salaam appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

—-Choma district has received 200 bags of both top and basal dressing fertilizer under the Food Security Pack (FSP) meant for the vulnerable but viable people practicing wet land farming.

Choma District Commissioner, Golden Nyambe, confirmed the development, adding that district has also received 100 bags of 5kgs seed to be shared among the beneficiaries for the 2013/2014 wet land farming season.

Mr Nyambe assured that the government will endeavour to use all possible means to address the challenges the vulnerable in society go through by empowering them in such a manner so as to eradicate the high levels of poverty they have been subjected to since independence.

He said the PF government is committed to ensure that farming is encouraged and improved in the country, hence its timely support to the vulnerable group in society.

“PF is running a pro-poor government, so people should not even panic because everything is on course,” Nyambe said.

And acting Choma District Community Development Officer, Esther Siyumbwa and assistant Community Development Officer, Mumbula Mwiya, who were at hand to receive the fertilizer and the seeds, said farmers will each get 2 bags of fertilizer and a 5kg of seed.

Ms Siyumbwa described some of the people to benefit in the exercise as female-headed, terminally-ill-headed, and disabled-headed households.

“Others are the widow-headed households, child-headed and unemployed-youth-headed households,” she said.

She named the areas to benefit from the programme and the number of beneficiaries as Manguunza, 40, Chipande, 20, Popota, 10 , Batoka, 20, while Sibanyati will have10 families to benefit.

Meanwhile, Mr Mwiya urged the would-be beneficiaries to use the fertilizer for the intended purpose so as to uplift their standard of living and be able to help others in future.

Mr Mwiya advised them not to mess up with the privilege government has accorded them of boosting their agricultural ambitions.

“As an office entrusted to spearhead this programme we will be very disappointed to hear that a beneficiary has sold either fertilizer or seed,” Mr Mwiya said.

The post Choma receives agro inputs appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

–The Handball Association of Zambia (HAZ) is still struggling to raise K470, 000 to send the Girls’ Handball Team to the African Junior Championship tournament slated for Congo Brazzaville next month.

Association’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Josab Changa, said his association has since resolved to go to Congo Brazzaville by ship should they fail to raise the K470, 000.

Changa told ZANIS Sports in Lusaka today and appealed to government, the corporate world, and well wishers to assist his association in raising the much required funds to send the team to the important tournament.

He, however, called on government and the National Olympic Sports Committee (NOSC) to ensure that they remain balanced in sponsorship terms so that they cater equally for all sports disciplines in the country.

Changa said the Congo Brazzaville tourney is important as it will not only impart new skills to the local players but also put Zambia on the world map in terms of the sport of Handball.

A 25 member Zambian Handball girls’ team, comprising of 18 players and 7 officials, is expected to participate at the Congo Brazzaville African tournament that will run from the 21^stto the 31^st of August, this year.

The four top teams from the Congo Brazzaville tournament will automatically qualify to the Olympics tournament to be held in Nanjin, China, and the World Junior Championship to be held in Qatar next year.

The post HAZ still looks for money to send team to Congo Brazzaville appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

–The un-adopted Solwezi East Patriotic Front (PF) aspiring candidate, Richard Taima, has vowed to remain loyal to President Michael Sata and the entire PF leadership.

And Mr Taima has described statement from the named online media publications that he was rejected by the people of Solwezi East Constituency as “misplaced”.

Mr Tama said he will remain loyal to President Sata and the entire PF leadership, adding that he will also remain committed to help strengthen the party membership in Solwezi.

He, however, said he is only waiting for further instructions from the party leadership so that he can beef up the campaigns for the forthcoming Solwezi East Parliamentary by-election.

In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Taima said he willingly decided to work with President Michael Sata because he is a visionary leader who is capable of bringing massive development to the entire country.

And Mr Taima has strongly refuted online media reports that he was rejected in Solwezi, saying he was in the race of the entire adoption process but only dropped out after it came to his attention that he was not eligible.

Mr Taima has since appealed to some sections of the media to speak from factual positions and not resort to painting a bad picture of him to the entire nation.

Three candidates have so far been adopted by their political parties and last week they successfully filed in their nominations for the Solwezi East Parliamentary by-elections slated for July 25, this year.

These include Peter Illunga of the ruling Patriotic Front, Clephus Luwaile of United National Independence Party (UNIP) and Villie Lombanya of United Party for National Development (UPND).

The Solwezi East constituency seat fell vacant following the resignation of former area Member of Parliament, Richard Taima, to join the ruling Patriotic Front.

The post Taima says he was not rejected appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

—The Lions Club of Ndola, Twikatane, has appealed to government, through the Ministry of Sport, to consider giving the responsibility of manning Cosafa stadia gates to the Lions Clubs.

ZANIS Ndola reports that Lions Club of Ndola Twikatane president-elect, Pamela Makulu, made the appeal to Sports Minister, Chishimba Kambwili, during her induction ceremony at Savoy Hotel last night.

Lion Pamela explained that the Lions Club was an international organisation that looked into the welfare of the less privileged in society.

She said if given the opportunity to man the gates the club would raise money which would be channeled back to society through various activities that the club has embarked, on such as the building of an ART clinic at Kansenshi state Prison in Ndola.

And Mr Kambwili noted that government remained committed to partner with organisations that were of service to humanity.

The Sports Minister, who made a donation of K10, 000. 00, called on various companies to partner with the Lions Club in helping the needy in society.

The post Lions club request to man stadia gates during COSAFA appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

US Ambassador to Zambia, Mark Storella ,says there was urgent need to double trade between Zambia and the US in order for the two countries to significantly benefit economically.

And MrStorella says the focus for the US in Zimbabwe was for the country to hold free, fair and peaceful elections in the forth- coming elections set for July 31, 2013.

Speaking to journalist during a press briefing after seeing off the Former US President, George Bush, at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport yesterday, Mr Storella said the sound investment environment in various sectors in Zambia should spar more trade between the two countries.

“I think the investment opportunities in Zambia in various sectors such as energy, agriculture and tourism are so huge that we need to double trade between the two countries so that benefits can be seen in both countries,” said Mr Storella.

“And I think we need to do more to encourage American investors to come to invest in various sectors including power generation so that we can see an end to load shedding,” he added.

Mr Storella cited agriculture as one sector which, if well harnessed, would enable the country to feed the entire continent.

The ambassador, however, noted that there was also need to instil investor confidence through instruments such as predictable legal frameworks to woo investors and ensure sustainability of their businesses.

“As we think of encouraging investors, we also need to take into cognizance the need for a predictable legal framework that will help to instil confidence in investors,” Mr Storella said.

Meanwhile, MrStorella said the focus for the US in the forth-coming election in Zimbabwe was to see free, fair and peaceful polls.

He said Zambia was a perfect example of an optimistic democracy witnessing three peaceful transitions of power through free and fair elections which other countries should emulate.

And MrStorella said the US government was engage to see the successful co-hosting of the 20^th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly between Zambia and Zimbabwe in August, this year.

He observed that the event will open a door for much bigger tourism for both countries and hailed the government for the preparation done so far, adding that the successful landing of the Boeing 747 at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula attests good preparations for the prestigious event.

Mr Storella also said the visit by Former US President, George Bush, to Livingstone as well as the visit to three African Countries by President Barrack Obama will help to cement relationship between the US and Africa.

The post Storella calls for ‘double trade’ between Zambia and US appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

President Michael Sata says he is deeply saddened at the passing of former Bank of Zambia governor, Dominic Mulaisho, who died in Lusaka on Sunday evening.

Mr Sata described the late Mulaisho as a devoted patriot and intellectual who rendered a selfless service to the country.

In his message of condolences to the Mulaisho family, President Sata said the late  Mulaisho was a gifted thinker who showed brilliance in many national responsibilities he executed.

“It is with profound grief that I offer my deepest condolences to the Mulaisho family on the loss of this dedicated and steadfast compatriot,” President Sata said.

This is contained in a media statement issued by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, Gorge Chellah, and made available to ZANIS today

“Our departed colleague and brother gallantly served this country during his distinguished career. Therefore, his illustrious services will be deeply missed by all of us. We beseech the Almighty God to grant the bereaved family comfort and strength as they face this tragic loss,” he noted.

The late Mulaisho once served as Dr Kenneth David Kaunda’s economic advisor, BOZ governor, World Bank consultant and permanent secretary in the ministry of mines among other.

The post Sata mourns Dominic Mulaisho appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.

One person has died on the spot while five others have been injured in a road accident between Monze and Mazabuka today.

The accident, involvng a Toyota Hiace Regius, registration number ALL 6092, happened at around 14:15hrs, a few kilometers from Magoye township near Mazabuka.

Magoye Member of Parliament, Oliver Mulomba, who was found at the scene, told ZANIS that two of the 5 injured people were in a critical condition.

Mr Mulomba expressed sadness that a life has been lost in a road mishap.

He attributed the accident partly to a bad state of the road.

The MP said roads must be worked on so that they are in a good state.

Mr Mulomba is also of the view that turning highways into dual carriageways would help reduce accidents.

The injured people have been rushed to Mazabuka hospital.

The occupants of the vehicle were reported to be pastors of some Church and their wives.

The post Mazabuka road accident claims one life appeared first on Zambia News | Lusaka Voice.