LCC kicks off 90-day emergency works on drainages
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 06 Feb. 2013, 15:50 CAT
THE Lusaka City Council has kicked off 90-day emergency works on Lusaka's drainage. A total of 700 casual workers have since been employed in various locations around the city to undertake the works.
The project drawn under the Inner Ring Road initiative for the emergency drainage works is expected to last for a period of three months.
Giving an update on the emergency drainage works yesterday at a media briefing, Lusaka mayor Daniel Chisenga said both supervisors and general workers under the Engineering Service Department and highways depot were assigned to different groups.
"The works are further monitored and supervised by officers under the Roads and Drainage section on a daily basis," he said.
Among the areas earmarked in the project are Pemba, Kasama, Sandulula roads in Chilenge, Chilimbulu road from Kasama road and from Mosi-O-Tunya junctions.
Others are Woodlands roundabout, Kabulonga roundabout, Mosi-Oa-Tunya Road, Yotum Muleya and Extension roads.
Burma Road from Yotum Muleya and Extension road to Sundulula Road, Nationalist Road, Chibwa Road, Kwa Banda area and Jon Hospice in Kamwala, unblocking of pits along Independence Avenue and Chimanga Road.
Others are Mother Theresa road, Alick Nkhata Road from Haile Selassie, Long acres, Great East Road from Chongwe, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, among many more.
"Due to the high traffic volume, works which include de-silting of the catch pits, removal of silt, unblocking of underground drainage in selected locations, in the central business district are undertaken on Sundays and workers are concentrated in the area," Chisenga said.
He also disclosed that PUSH has made available its tractor to the Council for use in the exercise to assist in the collection of waste and that the council would pay an allowance of K50 per day to the tractor operator.
"Additional funds shall be required for the payment of allowances for casual workers, operators and supervisors. The specified budget was underestimated for tools, protective clothing and administrative tools. This has however not deterred workers as some of them were encouraged to bring their tool," said Chisenga.
Labels: DRAINAGE, LCC
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LCC increases its 2013 budget by 16 per cent
By Roy Habaalu
Tue 01 Jan. 2013, 14:16 CAT
LUSAKA city council has increased its 2013 budget by 69 per cent from K167.8 billion in 2012 to KR282 million (K282 billion) this year. And mayor Daniel Chisenga says whatever decisions the council makes should be in the interest of the poor.
During a council meeting to approve the 2013 budget, finance committee chairperson Christopher Shakafuswa said personal emoluments take 45 per cent of the total budget while operations and administration costs account for 15 per cent of the local authority's financial plan.
Service provision has been provided for at 40 per cent of the total budget amounting to KR113.9 million (K113.9 billion) for 2013.
Shakafuswa said the budget preparation delayed due to the harmonisation of salaries and conditions of service for local government employees.
He said the budget performance for 2012 as at August 31 was at 103 per cent and 95 per cent for revenue and expenditure, respectively.
"During this period the council received total revenue of K114.8 billion. This was made up of K76.0 billion of internally generated funds whilst the balance of K38.8 billion came from central government and co-operating partners. Included in the
K38.8 billion was the K30 billion which was used to compensate the owners of properties along the planned route of the Lusaka roads," said Shakafuswa.
Meanwhile, Chisenga said the council will expedite the issuance of title deeds to citizens.
"There is no excuse for failing to perform. Our people, the poor, have been living for years without title deeds because they can't afford. The price is too high for them. We need to find a way to empower them so that they can also get loans from financial institutions," said Chisenga.
Labels: CHRISTOPHER SHAKAFUSWA, LCC, LUSAKA
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'Boozy' councillor in trouble again
By Allan Mulenga
Thu 27 Dec. 2012, 14:00 CAT
THE Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has notified the Lusaka City Council (LCC) over PF councillor Chikutano Nkhoma's alleged involvement in illegal sale of shops and stands for K10 million each in his ward. Nkhoma is the councillor who incurred a US$2,000 beer debt while in Addis Ababa on an exchange programme.
According to a letter dated December 18, 2012 to the Lusaka City Council town clerk Andrew Mwanakulanga signed by ACC chief investigations officer Vincent Machila, Nkhoma, who is Silwizya ward 13 councillor, and four other officials had allegedly been selling shops and stands at Lusaka's Northmead Market without remitting the proceeds to the Lusaka City Council.
"On 13th December 2012, this Commission received a complaint from Northmead Market traders alleging that Mr. Chitukano Nkhoma, councillor for Silwizya Ward 13 and his ward officials namely; Mrs. Rosemary Phiri, Ernest Ndwi, Gertrude Chanda and Limbikani Jere were allegedly selling shops/ stands at Northmead market for K10,000,000 each. It was suspected that the proceeds thereof were not being remitted to Lusaka City Council," read the letter in part.
ACC had also asked for LCC's co-operation over the matter.
"It was felt that this is a matter that your office would be able to handle appropriately and provide redress since this Commission has not instituted investigations. We would be grateful to receive feedback on the action to be taken," read the letter.
Three weeks ago, the LCC slapped a six-month suspension on Nkhoma and ordered him to pay the U$2,000 beer debt he incurred while in Addis Ababa on an exchange programme.
Ethiopian authorities detained him after he failed to settle a US$2,000 (K10 million) alcohol bill he accumulated within four days at Addis Ababa's Sheraton Hotel.
Nkhoma was in Ethiopia in the company of other councillors who were invited by the Addis Ababa City Council on an exchange programme.
Labels: ACC, ALCOHOL, CHIKUTANO NKHOMA, LCC, PF
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Michael and street vending
By The Post
Sun 22 Apr. 2012, 13:30 CAT
STREET vending is increasingly becoming a big nuisance in Lusaka. Things have clearly gotten out of hand. The situation is even becoming dangerous for the street vendors themselves who have to share space on the streets of the city of Lusaka with motorists. Without much thinking, without serious analysis of the situation, some people are blaming this veritable chaos on Michael Sata who had stopped the Ministry of Local Government from clearing vendors off the streets. But truthfully, is it Michael who has created street vendors?
Is it Michael who is responsible for the lack of formal jobs that has driven our people to street vending for them to simply belong to the living? It is true street vending is a nuisance, it is inconveniencing many people in so many ways.
But for those poor people, in the present circumstances, street vending is their only way to survive. We can't talk to them about the inconveniences of street vending if we are not offering them an alternative way to survive. And we don't think that in his heart of hearts Michael likes to see his people humiliated, dehumanised by living, surviving on the street.
It is something that must actually be agonising him. Michael must be losing a lot of sleep over this issue. By defending the rights of these people to earn a living on the streets, if that's all they can do for now, Michael did not in any way suggest that they should be on the street forever and in this form.
Michael is simply a responsible politician who did not want to push people to nowhere. Michael is an experienced politician. He was local government minister in the early 1990s and had to deal with this problem of street vending.
Michael implemented a government policy to get rid of vendors from the streets of our towns. It failed. The police were set on their own brothers and sisters who had to earn a living. And some of the street vendors came from police camps, were dependants of relatives of police officers.
A policy of setting one humble section of the population against another failed to deliver the desired results. How can one set a poor policeman on another poor person whose only crime is to vend on the street and expect a positive result?
Michael is looking for a just, fair and humane solution to this problem. And he said he was open to co-operate with anyone who could create meaningful jobs for these poor people so that they can leave the street. And most people are not on the street because they want to be there.
They are on the street because they have to be on the street to survive. No one has come up with any meaningful solution to this problem. Banning street vending is the easiest thing a government can do. But here the problem is not that of stopping street vending. It is about the lives of people. It is about ensuring that they have a source of livelihood.
We do appreciate the distressing challenges this whole issue poses to any serious politician in government. We also share the bitter feeling of impotence those in government, people like Michael, have in the face of such problems and their concern for the political and social instability which this problem gives rise to.
So gloomy are the realities and prospects that they could generate pessimism and discouragement if we were not sure of our aims. They are inevitably a bitter pill to swallow, but if we are to face up to the realities, we have first to become aware of them.
We do not have, nor do we think anyone has, magic or instant remedies for such difficult, complex and apparently insoluble problems. However, history shows that no problem has ever been solved until it has become a tangible reality of which everyone is aware.
Today we are faced with the most serious and anguishing problem of poverty and unemployment ever known to our people. But no matter how enormous the difficulties, no matter how complex the task, there can be no room for pessimism.
This would be to renounce all hope and resign ourselves to the final defeat. We have no alternative to struggle, trusting in the great moral and intellectual capacity of our people and in their instinct for self-preservation, if we wish to harbour any hope of a reversal of fortunes.
Only with a tremendous effort and the moral and intellectual support of all can we face a future that objectively appears desperate and sombre, especially for the poorest of our people.
Today's politics is about the welfare of the people, is about putting the lives of our people first. We must built the strong and active society and the leadership that can provide it. We must do it together.
We must work for it together. We must plan for it together. We cannot protect the ordinary by chasing them from the means of their livelihoods; we must protect each other because this can only be done together. Street vending is truly a nuisance.
But it is also a necessary source of income for an increasing number of our people. Let's work to get them out of this humiliation. They are on the street not because they want to be on the street. They need help to get out of the street.
But they must move from the street to somewhere where they can earn the same or even a better income. They don't want to be on the street forever. And we don't want them to be on the street even for a second if we can help it. But we can't move them from the street to nowhere. They have to go somewhere. And they are waiting to be taken somewhere.
Let's advocate for measures that are just, fair and humane. Justice without compassion is not justice at all. Michael doesn't want these people on the streets. But what options does he have for now? And we underline for now. The street is not a permanent solution.
It is actually a desperate one. But this is all our people have offered themselves. And probably this is all their country can offer them for now. We urge our politicians in government to meditate deeply over this issue and find a solution to street vending.
We also urge all Zambians of goodwill to join hands with our political leadership in government and help to find more humane solutions to this problem. Chasing street vendors with policemen won't do. And it didn't do in the past. Michael and others tried it and it failed.
This is probably why Michael is today reluctant to set policemen and other law enforcement officers on these poor street vendors.
Labels: GERRY CHANDA, LCC, MARKETEERS, MICHAEL SATA
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Vendors have taken government ‘kindness' too far, says Col Chanda
By Allan Mulenga
Sun 22 Apr. 2012, 13:29 CAT
STREET vendors have taken the kindness of the government too far, says Lusaka Province minister Colonel Gerry Chanda. In an interview, Col Chanda observed that there was no sanity in the manner traders were selling their goods.
"There is no sanity, you can see for yourself. It is not for me to say even you can see it for yourself. I mean it is just that we are human and we want to take humanitarian approach to this problem. We allowed it to get to the this situation, we are part and parcel of the problem. In terms, of sanity they have taken advantage of the kindness that the government has provided. I think they have taken it too far," he said.
Col Chanda, who is also Kanyama PF member of parliament, said the government was working out plans to curb street vending.
"We have identified places in Lusaka one of the places is the infamous Don't Kubeba market. I have written to the Lusaka City Council to convene a meeting as soon as possible and also bring on board the vendors themselves, so that we can discuss with them how best we can help them. We have a few solutions which we may float but in the final analysis, we would like to come to an agreement that is acceptable from both sides - from their sides and from our sides. One of the point for example which we will drive home is that I don't think it is ideal to trade at an open place where there is no water; no toilets," he said.
Col Chanda said the government was trying to find ways of relocating vendors to the markets.
"You also know that we have markets which have been abandoned; which are empty. If we can relocate some of our people back into markets and thereafter let the government stiffen up the law on street vending…when people are found on the streets, they will be fined because by that time they would have been given the areas of trading," said Col Chanda.
Labels: GERRY CHANDA, LCC, MARKETEERS
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Maintain dumps well, Windhoek mayor urges LCC
By Kondwani Munyeka and Lovely Kayombo
Sat 21 Apr. 2012, 13:28 CAT
WINDHOEK mayor Elaine Trepper has challenged Lusaka City Council to take up a key role in ensuring that dumps are well maintained. During the presentation of a preliminary report on the work of the LCC, Trepper advised the local authority to find shelter for vendors for a clean Lusaka.
"My appeal to Lusaka City Council is that they should provide skip containers outside Soweto market because the place looks like a dumping site on its own...there is need to encourage the people to trade in markets because it is not good to turn pavements into markets. The mindset of people needs to change and the council should introduce measures of punishment," Trepper said.
The findings on the preliminary report indicate that the council has a high number of vacant positions and many senior staff in acting positions which makes it difficult for the council to operate effectively.
The report also indicated that there was a shortage of critical skills in the engineering department, poor staff conditions of service and lengthy procurement process of materials, among others.
But LCC public relations manager Chanda Makanta said in an interview that the increase in vacant positions at the local authority was a result of the council's inability to offer attractive remuneration packages to its employees.
"It is not that there are no qualified people to fill the vacancies but it is because the council does not offer attractive remuneration. That is why they shun to come and work here," she said.
Makanta also said the lengthy procurement process at the council was a result of lack of resources.
"The long procurement process is as a result of lack of adequate resources. The council may not have the money to procure things there and then because resources trickle in bit by bit and with the meagre revenue, we are trying to deliver a better service to the people," said Makanta.
Labels: GARBAGE COLLECTION, LCC, NAMIBIA
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LCC audit contains breaches - Dr Chituwo
By Moses Kuwema
Sat 25 June 2011, 04:01 CAT
LOCAL government minister Dr Brian Chituwo says
the audit report on the Lusaka City Council contains aspects that border on the breaches of a criminal nature. During a briefing at his office yesterday, Dr Chituwo said the local government ministry would have to institute the law enforcement agencies to follow up the findings.
“At the moment, I’m not quite sure whether it would be prudent to release the entire report. I think we shall be advised by the Ministry of Justice as to the appropriateness of releasing the entire report.
For now it is clear that the law was not followed because the local government Act is very clear that before the local authority disposes of any land, it has to seek the permission of the minister. That was not done,” Dr Chituwo said.
He said when the law enforcement agencies move in, consideration would be given to innocent people who bought the land in Lilayi in that they innocently believed that the land was available in the right manner.
“There are quite a number of recommendations from the committee among them are to consider prosecution because the transactions were illegal,” he said.
Early this year, Dr Chituwo announced the suspension of the council following reports that the local authority has been involved in some land allocation scams.
He said the government decided to suspend LCC to pave way for investigations into the alleged illegal land allocation.
The council remained suspended for 90 days before Dr Chituwo later extended the period by another 90 days.
The PF-dominated Lusaka City Council has been accused of illegally allocating land to itself without following the law governing the allocation of land.
Meanwhile, Dr Chituwo directed the LCC not to renew the existing leases or offer leases for car wash bays on the roads reserve or any designated area such as play parks.
Dr Chituwo said the intention of the government was to improve the road network by redesigning any particular road that would enhance the easier flow of traffic.
Labels: AUDITING, BRIAN CHITUWO, LCC
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MMD cadres storm LCC PR manager’s office
By Ernest Chanda
Sun 03 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT
WILLIAM Banda on Tuesday led a team of MMD cadres and stormed the office of Lusaka City Council public relations manager Chanda Makanta with the aim of beating her up. This was after Makanta complained in a story to The Post about MMD’s interference in the running of bus stations in Lusaka.
Makanta's comment came in the wake of Lusaka Province MMD vice-youth chairperson Watson Mtonga’s declaration that his party had taken over the running of bus stations in Lusaka.
Sources at the Ministry of Local Government and Housing told The Post that Banda, who is also Lusaka Province MMD chairman, had stormed Makanta’s office more than five times in the morning, but did not find her.
“He went to the Civic Centre with a large group of MMD cadres just after 08:00 hours but they did not find Madam Makanta. After realising that she was not there, they went to the Town Clerk's office, demanding to know where Ms Makanta was,” the sources said.
“Finally at about 17:46 hours they managed to find her in the board room in the company of local government administrator Solom Sakala and Lusaka Town Clerk Andrew Mwanakulanga. Mr Banda and his cadres were furious to the extent that they were resolved on beating up Ms Makanta for accusing them of charging bus operators at Inter-city Bus Terminus and Kulima Tower bus station.”
The sources said Makanta was saved by Sakala and Mwanakulanga who told Banda that whatever statement Makanta issued represented the position of the council, and not her personal views.
When contacted for comment, Makanta refused to give any statement.
Last week, the MMD’s Mtonga declared that his party would control all the bus stations in the capital city.
Labels: CADRES, LCC, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, WILLIAM BANDA
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MMD and lawlessness
By The Post
Tue 29 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT
It seems in this country, MMD leaders and their cadres are above the law and can do anything they want.
The rule of law doesn’t seem to exist in the MMD’s world. To them, being a ruling party seems to be a blank cheque to do whatever they want to do, to act as they please. What we are saying is confirmed by the behaviour and actions of William Banda and his cadres in Lusaka. They have taken over the bus stations and are running the show. The Lusaka City Council is held hostage by William Banda and his cadres.
According to Lusaka City Council public relations manager, Chanda Makanta, the MMD is interfering with the local authority’s operations. William Banda and his cadres are heavily intruding in the operations of the Lusaka Intercity Bus Terminus which is under the Council’s control. They have literally taken over this bus terminus and are forcing bus operators and travellers to do as they direct. They are forcing them to wear MMD regalia. As Makanta has correctly observed, “it is not fair for MMD cadres to force people to wear party regalia”. What they are doing is illegal but no one is ready to enforce the law and stop them from committing crimes.
Lusaka Intercity Bus Terminus, or indeed any bus station or stop in Lusaka or any other part of our country does not belong to MMD. They are properties of the local authorities. And the local authorities, even where they are run by MMD councillors, are not owned by them. As for Lusaka, the MMD is not even in control of the city council. The MMD lost local government elections in Lusaka; they were not wanted by the people of Lusaka to run the affairs of their city. What William Banda and his cadres are doing amounts to a coup d’état. Is this why the government decided to dissolve Lusaka City Council so that they can take over its facilities and run them for the exclusive benefit of their party,
its leaders and cadres? This type of lawlessness should not be allowed to continue. What William Banda and his cadres are doing is criminal. They are stealing council funds and should be arrested and prosecuted. What is sad is that they are committing all these crimes in the name of the MMD, the ruling party. And because they belong to the ruling party, no law enforcement agency is ready to take them on for fear of reprisals from Rupiah Banda. But we shouldn’t forget that any group of people who have no respect for the law are like a pile of kindling; they will meet a fiery end. Every lawless act leaves an incurable wound, like one left by a double-edged sword.
The MMD leadership should restrain itself and its cadres from usurping the powers of councils and stealing council revenue at bus station. The MMD, as a ruling party, should set an example of good conduct and respect for public assets and revenue by arresting and prosecuting all those involved in interfering with the operations of the Lusaka City Council at the Intercity Bus Terminus. No crime should be committed in the name of the MMD. No one should be harassed in the name of the ruling party. We are no longer in the one party state where everyone was forced to tow the party line because the ruling party was supreme. We know that William Banda may be having serious difficulties discarding the one party state mentality. But he cannot continue to live in the past. Times have changed. The Zambian people rejected the one party state and its political methods because it was a recipe for tyranny. We are not living under the vanguard of the MMD. This is a multiparty state where there should be a thick line marking a distinction between the government and the ruling party. And lack of this distinction between the ruling party and the government will continue to create a climate of political intolerance and abuse that we are seeing in William Banda and his cadres today. Multiparty politics require a political life that is governed by ethics and morality, by tolerance, self-limitation and modesty. It is regrettable to note that our political arena is today full of injustice, double standards, hypocrisy, cheating and lies. Authentic multiparty politics are only possible in a state ruled by law, and on the basis of a correct conception of the human person. A real multiparty democracy has to be built on the basis of justice and moral values and has to look to the common good. Multiparty democracy is a demanding form of government, and neither our leaders nor our people seem to be naturally prepared for it. This calls for a long process of moral and civic education in order to understand and implement a real multiparty democracy.
We do appreciate the fact that there is no perfect form of human government. Abuses can take place in every system, but the fundamental value of multiparty democracy is to allow the participation of citizens in the government of their country.
And every citizen has the right to equal access to public services in their country. Those in the ruling party have no right whatsoever to monopolise public services. But it seems the leaders and cadres of the MMD have difficulties recognising and accepting this fact. They have monopolised the use of public institutions and the services they provide. Look at the way they have monopolised the use of the state-owned media they control at the exclusion of all others! Look at the way they are awarding government contracts and business to themselves at the exclusion of all others! Now it’s bus stations!
Clearly, multiparty politics require not only democratic structures but also the reign of democratic values in the hearts and minds of our politicians and their cadres. We must hold to some values and norms, some expectations and aspirations. This is the environment, the atmosphere that will make our multiparty democracy work.
The fundamental value we must have is a respect for diversity and acceptance of pluralism. Gone are the days when everyone was supposed to think the same way, belong to the same political party, and support the same programme and rattle the same slogans and wear the same party regalia. True believers in multiparty democracy recognise that there is a specific role to be played by each different political party in the spirit of unity amidst diversity. A real multiparty democracy has to be built on the basis of justice, moral values and the rule of law.
As for the MMD, we again urge them to realise the fact that the exercise of power must be the constant practice of self-limitation and modesty. They can’t go round doing as they please, committing crimes with impunity, abusing public resources as if they were in a world of their own, a world they don’t share with others. Let our councils manage the affairs of our cities and towns in an orderly, effective and efficient manner without undue interference from MMD leaders and their cadres.
Labels: CADRES, LCC, MMD
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LCC complains about MMD interference
By Kombe Chimpinde
Tue 29 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT
The Lusaka City Council has asked the MMD to stop interfering in the local authority’s operations.
LCC public relations manager Chanda Makanta has complained that the ruling MMD is heavily intruding in the operations of the Lusaka Intercity Bus Terminus, which is under the council's control.
She advised the MMD leadership to restrain their cadres from carrying out party activities in the InterCity Bus Terminus.
Makanta said it was unfair for the MMD, led by Lusaka Province chairman William Banda, to harass bus operators and station users by forcing them to wear MMD party regalia.
“As far as we are concerned, the InterCity Bus Terminus belongs to the Lusaka City Council and not MMD or PF. What MMD is doing is illegal. This station is not for William Banda or any individual,” Makanta said.
She said it was sad that the MMD, which was a ruling party, could not arrest the situation on the ground even after several complaints from the local authority.
“From the look of things, it seems this has been allowed by the MMD government but we would like to ask the MMD authority; in fact, we are pleading with the MMD authorities to restrain cadres. It makes us really sad because we are the ones that are getting injured,” Makanta said.
And Makanta said LCC was investigating complaints of William Banda allegedly collecting station levies from station managers. She said the council management had not yet forwarded any complaints relating to illegal collection of station levies by William Banda.
Labels: CADRES, LCC, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MMD
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NAPSA has failed to set record straight - Lubinda
By Chibaula Silwamba
Sat 12 Mar. 2011, 04:01 CAT
GIVEN Lubinda has disputed NAPSA’s claims that it had made futile efforts to acquire land from Lusaka City Council (LCC).
And Lubinda, who is Kabwata member of parliament, demanded that NAPSA release the valuation report that was undertaken and presented by the independent valuers referred to in the parastatal's advertisement.
In his letter dated March 9, 2011 to National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) director general, Lubinda stated that in the past 10 years that he had been a councillor in Lusaka, he had not come across an application from NAPSA for a piece of land for housing development.
“To the best of my knowledge even at the time when Lusaka City Council advertised plots at the prestigious Baobab land along Kafue Road, NAPSA did not make an application,” Lubinda stated.
“May you kindly furnish me with dates when you made such applications and what responses you got from the Lusaka City Council to justify your statement that you have made futile efforts to acquire land through the local authority.”
Lubinda stated that NAPSA's efforts to 'set the record straight' on NAPSA-Meanwood land transaction had failed because the parastatal company's statement through advertisement had raised more questions than it had answered.
He stated that the matter was not whether or not NAPSA was approached by The Post to seek clarification.
“What is undeniable is that there is a transaction between NAPSA and Meanwood on the purchase of 1, 500 acres of land at an exorbitant price of US $15 million. There is certainly no contention on this matter,” Lubinda stated.
“Killing the messenger will not kill the message. The transaction shall exist whether The Post verifies with you or not. What is required is an explanation as to why this transaction was sanctioned and by whom not whether or not The Post newspapers sought clarifications before publishing it.”
Lubinda observed that in its advertisement, NAPSA stated that the management procurement committee was mandated to bear on such matters until the release of circular on January 24, 2011, which introduced a committee to take over the functions of the Central Tender Committee.
Lubinda demanded that NAPSA produces documentation to show the mandate from the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA).
“In addition, please indicate the legal framework under which the ZPPA introduced an adhoc committee to take over the functions of the Central Tender Committee which is a creation of an Act of Parliament. Note that the Public Procurement Act (PPA) No. 12 of 2008 does not have such a provision,” he stated.
“You argue that NAPSA has made investments in other places including Levy Business Park, Nyumba Yanga Housing Project, Kalulushi Housing Project, MKP Estates and Northgate Gardens and that in all these transactions the President did not influence your decision.”
Lubinda demanded that to enable members of the public to make informed conclusions, NAPSA would have to state how much and to whom the firm paid per unit of the said pieces of land.
He stated that a comparison of the unit costs of the stated pieces of land would provide some explanations and might show whether or not there was an external influence on the Ibex Hill transaction.
He stated that the fact that NAPSA ought to make prudent investment decisions to grow the people's pension funds was undisputable.
“However, it cannot be acceptable that NAPSA funds - members' savings - should be exposed to procuring properties including land at prices that are above the average prevailing prices,” Lubinda stated.
“A price of US$ 10,000 per acre of unserviced land in Ibex Hill cannot be considered an average price not even in comparison to prices offered by Meanwood to individual developers. May you also kindly confirm that NAPSA has already made payments towards the transaction,” stated Lubinda.
Labels: CORRUPTION, GIVEN LUBINDA, LAND, LCC, NAPSA
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LCC’s suspension is intended to weaken PF in Lusaka - Kabimba
By George Chellah
Sun 23 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT
WYNTER Kabimba yesterday said the decision by local government minister Dr Brian Chituwo to suspend Lusaka City Council (LCC) is politically motivated and not supported by law.
In an interview, Kabimba, who is PF secretary general and former Lusaka Town Clerk said the suspension of the Lusaka City Council was political and that the reason given regarding the alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots was a mere excuse.
He said the suspension was intended to weaken PF in Lusaka district by the MMD.
"This is because even the minister of local government and housing himself is aware that the practice of councillors being entitled, like any other citizen to an allocation of a plot is a legal entitlement," Kabimba said.
"And it's a practice, which obtains in all district councils including Mumbwa district council where Dr Chituwo is a councillor."
Kabimba said he would be surprised if Dr Chituwo himself as a councillor in Mumbwa district council has never been allocated a plot.
"I would challenge him to deny this fact if that is not so from the period he has been there. This practice cannot in itself be referred to as a scam or an irregularity," Kabimba said. "I would further challenge any minister in the MMD government who has never benefited from such land allocations in their respective district councils. It's for this reason that I maintain that this decision is nothing but a politically motivated decision."
Kabimba said the powers of the minister to suspend an elected council were provided for under Section 88 of the local government Act cap 281 of the laws of Zambia.
"According to this section, the minister can only suspend the council on one of the three grounds: (1) inability by the council to perform any one of its functions (2) failure by the council to perform any one of its functions (3) refusal by the council to perform any one of its functions as provided for in the second schedule of the local government Act," he said.
He said land allocation was not one of the functions of the council.
"The council only makes recommendations to the Commissioner of Lands because the legal powers to allocate land vests in the Commissioner of Lands. And therefore, a recommendation cannot be deemed to be a decision of the council. The decision by the minister to suspend the council does not fall under section 88," Kabimba said.
"The reasons he has given are that the council has been suspended to facilitate or pave way for investigations. This is the responsibility of the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) and not the minister. The decision therefore to suspend the council even under the local government Act is not supported by the law."
Kabimba said PF would be writing to Dr Chituwo to bring these provisions of the law to his attention.
"I hope that he will be able to seek the professional advice from the Attorney General to enable him to review and revoke the decision that he has made which is not in the interest of the local communities that voted for the Lusaka councillors," Kabimba said.
"I hope the minister will not leave us with the only recourse to remedy this illegal decision through the courts of law."
Labels: LCC, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Cadres that grab people’s land are mostly MMD – LCC
By Namatama Mundia
Mon 03 May 2010, 03:50 CAT
THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has revealed that the grabbing of land is in most cases led by MMD cadres.
LCC director of city planning Joseph Mukupa told the parliamentary committee on local governance, housing and chiefs’ affairs chaired by Katombora UPND member of parliament Regina Musokotwane that cadres that grab people’s land were from all parties but mostly MMD.
“I think they are from all parties, in most cases they are led by MMD cadres,” he said.
Mukupa was responding to Kanchibiya PF member of parliament Davies Mwango who wanted to know if the cadres that grab land were MMD, PF or UPND and if some LCC employees were involved.
He also said there were incidences when senior officials were involved in the illegal allocation of plots. And Mukupa said there was need for increased share of allocation to housing in the national budget.
He said the existing housing policy should be reviewed with a clear definition on strategy including clear monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
Mukupa said legislation relevant to housing should be reviewed in order to streamline the legal framework within which housing provision mechanisms play.
Labels: CADRES, JOSEPH MUKUPA, LAND RIGHTS, LCC, MMD, REGINA MUSOKOTWANE
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LCC calls for reforms to local governance system
By Florence Bupe
Sun 07 Mar. 2010, 07:10 CAT
THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has called for
reforms to the local governance system as a means of enhancing service delivery.
Appearing before the parliamentary committee on local governance and chiefs’ affairs, LCC acting town clerk Bornwell Luanga said the development of local communities could only be achieved through the effective functioning of local authorities.
He said the revenue base for most local authorities was low and unable to sustain development. Luanga called for reforms to the authorities’ financial systems.
“Whereas the central government has undergone a number of reforms, the local government service has been the only sub-government organ that has not benefitted or restructured to improve on its service delivery,” he said.
Luanga said the reintroduction of the local government service commission was critical for the reformation of the local government system.
“It is our view that the commission will be composed of members with competent professional background to serve and revive the local government system,” he said.
Luanga said the commission would be mandated to study the challenges that had caused the local authorities’ failure to perform satisfactorily.
He recommended to the committee that the Republican President appoint the commission upon recommendation from the local government minister.
“It is also recommended that the local government service commission should operate directly under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, being the supervising ministry for all local authorities,” said Luanga.
Labels: BORNWELL LUANGA, LCC, LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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Poor planning to blame for Lusaka floods – Scott
By Lovely Kayombo
Tue 16 Feb. 2010, 04:35 CAT
PATRIOTIC Front vice-president Dr Guy Scott has said lack of proper planning of Lusaka is the main cause of flooding in the city. Dr Scott, who is also Lusaka central member of parliament, said the only lasting solution to flooding in the country was for government to invest highly in construction of proper drainages that would stand the test of time.
He said even though the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) provided the pumps to Lusaka City Council to drain water in the city, they had failed to meet the cost of buying fuel for the pumps.
“Government is saying they released money to the city council… the only money they released was K10 billion to make drainages in Kanyama and this money was not given to us directly. They engaged a contractor themselves and told the city council to supervise the project,” said Dr Scott.
And Lusaka Mayor Robert Chikwelete has called on the government to release the K180 billion they have been talking about in the media. Chikwelete said the government was busy claiming to have given Lusaka and Ndola councils money when in fact they didn’t.
He said the people in flooded areas were at the verge of contracting diseases because both houses and toilets were submerged in water.
“People have left their homes and are sleeping in water and government is quiet. They should come in help to these people otherwise these floods should be declared a national disaster,” said Chikwelete.
Labels: DMMU, FLOODS, GUY SCOTT, LCC
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Lusaka Residents blame Opposition Councillors for floods
Friday, February 5, 2010, 7:39
IRATE Lusaka residents have blamed their area councillors and Members of Parliament (MP) of failing to address the perennial floods in the city and have warned that politicians risked de-campaigning themselves if nothing was done.
Mr David Mkandawire of Chaisa Township said the problem of floods in Lusaka needed urgent attention and threatened to de-campaign politicians who had taken the electorate for granted.
He said politicians were failing to deliver on their election promises and had not met the people’s expectations.
Mr John Phiri of Mandevu said it was sad that the issue of floods had continued despite promises from politicians who had not done much to resolve the problem.
Mr Phiri called on the area councillor to find ways of resolving the problem and claimed that in the last few days, most schoolgoing children had not been able to go to school because the roads were impassable.
He said it was saddening that despite paying land rates to the council, little improvements to their livelihood had been made.
“We are disappointed because no one seems to be in a position to help us. We have not seen any improvement either on our roads or other necessities and worse still, when it is rainy season, you cannot even pass,” he said.
And a marketeer at City Market Jane Sakala who spoke on behalf of other women blamed the council of failing to work out a programme on how to address the floods in the city.
Mrs Sakala said in the last few days, because of the heavy rains, there was little business because customers shunned the market.
She called on the law enforcement agencies to investigate how the council was using the levies collected from the marketeers.
But Kanyama Patriotic Front (PF) MP Gerry Chanda blamed the Government for failure to release grants for nearly all the councils rendering them unproductive.
Col Chanda said currently, most councils had no source of revenue because all the houses and other sources of income were sold.
He said calls for him and other councillors to resign were not genuine but politically motivated, as people wanted to gain political support over the situation.
But Local Government and Housing Minister Eustarkio Kazonga said councillors should be sincere because the Government had been releasing all the grants for the capital projects to all the 72 councils.
Dr Kazonga said last year for instance, the Government had released all grants and other entitlements by December for the councils to undertake various projects including drainages.
He said that the Government was doing its part but the councils were failing the people because they were not delivering the service to the residents.
Dr Kazonga called on all the councils countrywide to put to good use funds they were receiving so that the residents could be served.
He said the Government had also released the Constituency Development Fund, which the councils could use to mitigate the effects of the floods and work on things like drainages.
Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha said that PF councillors in Lusaka should resign because they have failed the residents following the floods that the city has experienced after the heavy rains.
Gen Shikapwasha said the people were paying rates but wondered where the funds were channelled to. He challenged the councillors to explain where the funds were going to saying there was a possibility that it was channelled to PF activities. “Mr Sata should concentrate on helping the councillors to solve the drainage system instead of him talking about the NCC which he refused to be part of,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
Speaking in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Gen Shikapwasha said the poor drainage system in
Lusaka should be a concern of the councillors considering that residents were paying too much in the form of rates.
Gen Shikapwasha said the people were paying rates but wondered where the funds were channelled to. He challenged the councillors to explain where the funds were going to saying there was a possibility that it was channelled to PF activities.
“Mr Sata should concentrate on helping the councillors to solve the drainage system instead of him talking about the NCC which he refused to be part of,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
He said that Zambians wanted to see development and as a result, he said that councillors should show that they could deliver rather than continuous politicking.
Gen Shikapwasha said the issue of drainage was about life and the councillors should therefore look at the matter with a sense of urgency.
Kitwe District Commissioner (DC), MacDonald Mtine said one needed not to be told that most drainages in the city were blocked because it was clear for anyone to see.
Mr Mtine said the problem of poor drainage system in the city was a straight and direct responsibility of the council and that the local authority should account for it.
Copperbelt Provincial Local Government Officer, Solomon Sakala also expressed concern at the poor state of drainages saying his office had noted how the problem was causing most streets to flood after heavy rains.
[Times of Zambia]
Labels: FLOODS, LCC
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LCC to embark on biogas project
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Mon 14 Dec. 2009, 04:00 CAT
LUSAKA City Council (LCC) in partnership with technology, economy and environment (TEM) foundation of Lund University in Sweden has embarked on an US$293,400 biogas project, which will be implemented in Kanyama compound over a two-year period.
LCC assistant public relations manager Mulunda Habeenzu said preliminary ground work had been done such as identification of land where the project which would run from July, 2009 to August, 2011 would be set up and an inception report had since been completed in readiness for funding.
Mulunda said the biogas would be produced through bio-digestion of the organic waste fractions to produce a gas, which would be used for energy production that is for cooking, electricity generation or lighting among others.
He said the over all objective of the project was to establish a sustainable and poverty oriented waste minimisation and energy recovery system thereby improving the living conditions of the population as a whole especially the poor.
Mulunda said the specific objective of the project was to build a demonstration biogas plant and to run it, to establish a competence centre and train personnel in setting up and running a biogas plant, to sensitise the community and to come up with a replicable model and information dissemination through the competence or knowledge centre for biogas production.
"The executive agency for the implementation of the project is the LCC through Waste Management Unit (WMU), with technical support coming from technology, economy and environment foundation and it will be funded by Tilvaxtverket of Sweden and UNICEF Zambia office," said Mulunda.
Labels: BIOFUELS, LCC, MULANDA HABEENZU
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Mosquito control in Lusaka to cost over K769m
Written by Agness Changala
Thursday, October 08, 2009 5:00:46 PM
THE Ministry of Health has said the estimated cost of short-term mosquito control in Lusaka will slightly be over K769 million. This plan to control mosquitoes, which have ravaged most parts of Lusaka, will be implemented from October to December this year.
The money is expected to be spent on procuring equipment, protective clothing and allowances for casual workers and supervisors who will be tasked to wipe out the mosquitoes.
Some of the items to be procured include 250 gumboots, 500 overalls, 250 helmets, 750 gloves, 500 stockings and the equipment include 250 wheel barrows, 500 slashers 250 shovels and 499 garden forks.
The district will provide labour costs for 50 casual workers, vehicles while fuel for transportation of the workers and supervisors will be provided by Lusaka City Council (LCC).
About 1,000 litres of larvicides has already been procured for the exercise.
Ministry of Health director of public health Dr Victor Mukonka challenged residents to develop a sense of responsibility by throwing garbage in designated places.
Dr Mukonka observed that it was increasingly becoming problematic for people to throw garbage anyhow and later expect the government to clear it off.
“This is not fair and right now, they are the same people being bitten by those mosquitoes which they have provided with breeding places because of throwing garbage anyhow,” he said.
Dr Mukonka called on various companies to come to the ministry’s aid by providing resources needed to carry out the exercise.
Meanwhile, Health Services and Systems Programme (HSSP) entomologist/parasitologist Dr Cecilia Shinondo said the issue of mosquitoes should be taken seriously because people had complained about painful and sleep depriving mosquito bites.
She said the sustained high nuisance levels by culicine mosquitoes which were identified in the area, undermined the Indoor Residue Spray programme and that the public could not distinguish anopheles from culicine mosquitoes.
The nuisance mosquitoes have threatened restaurants, guesthouses and property owners in Garden compound with the loss of business.
Dr Shinondo said there had been no research on possible disease vectoring by culicine as non-malaria fevers often went uninvestigated.
Labels: LCC, MALARIA
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Sata writes Rupiah over ‘abuse of public funds’
Written by Ernest Chanda
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:14:25 AM
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) leader Michael Sata has written to President Rupiah Banda over the K2 billion which the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has transferred from the Lusaka City Council account to Ministry of Home Affairs. In a letter to President Banda dated September 10, 2009 and copied to the acting Minister of Local Government and Housing, Minister of Home Affairs and local government permanent secretary, Sata contended that the action was an abuse of public funds.
He argued that the local authorities under the provisions of the local government Act, Cap 281 of the Laws of Zambia were established as corporations autonomous of the national government.
"I would like to bring it to your attention that the Ministry of Local Government and Housing about three months ago under the instructions of the late Minister of Local Government and Housing Mr [Benny] Tetamashimba withdrew the sum of K2 billion from the said account without consultation with the council and the money was not used for council purposes but paid to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the removal of street vendors' exercise," the letter read in part.
"This in our view is abuse of the council resources. It is also not a transparent way of managing council affairs on behalf of the residents and all stakeholders. It is a fake way of justifying the plunder of public funds. In view of what I have stated above, we demand that the bank account in question should without any further delay be transferred to the Lusaka City Council by the ministry, failure to which we shall instruct our lawyers to commence legal proceedings over the matter."
Sata maintained that there was no law which allowed the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to manage funds for councils.
"The councils own assets and maintain various bank accounts for their revenue collections. There is therefore no law, which allows the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to maintain and/or manage a bank account on behalf of any council for whatever purpose. However, this principle has been breached by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing which has been managing an account for the Inter-city Bus Terminus on behalf of Lusaka City Council without any resolution or authority of the council," stated Sata.
Labels: CORRUPTION, LCC, MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RUPIAH BANDA, SATA
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Govt to expand municipal area
Written by Maluba Jere
Monday, August 03, 2009 12:13:31 AM
THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has said government plans to expand the municipality area from the current 424 square kilometres to 864. Explaining the city’s Vision 2030 Master Plan, LCC public relations officer Henry Kapata said the current situation was that boundaries of Lusaka were not clearly defined.
“The current situation is that the boundaries of Lusaka are such that when you go South, Lilayi turn is the end of Lusaka and the other side is Kafue district,” he explained.
“When you go North, Zani Muone Motel is the end of Lusaka and the other side is Chibombo district council. When you go West, Garden House Motel is the end of Lusaka and the other side is Kafue district council. When you go East, the airport round-about is the end of Lusaka, the other side is Chongwe district council.”
Kapata also said the study of a comprehensive urban development plan for the city of Lusaka would be implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing in collaboration with LCC and other relevant agencies.
He explained that the need for the master plan was as a result of several problematic issues such as air pollution, disorderly transportation systems, water shortages, flooding toxic and hazardous waste disposal due to the rapid industrial growth.
“In order to solve these problems, a comprehensive urban development plan including sub programmes for urban transportation, water supply and sewerage was necessary for the greater Lusaka with the target of 2030,” said Kapata.
Labels: LCC
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