UPND can't be trusted to hold violence-free events - police
By Kabanda Chulu and Moses Kuwema
Wed 23 Jan. 2013, 14:01 CAT
LUSAKA police have denied the UPND a permit to hold its planned rally in Kabwata, saying the opposition political party cannot be trusted to hold a violence-free event. But UPND deputy secretary general Kuchunga Simusamba said the party would go ahead with the rally because police had no powers to 'licence' a meeting.
Lusaka Division police commissioner Joyce Kasosa has informed UPND that their planned rally in Kabwata would not take place. Kasosa stated that police did not trust UPND to hold a violence-free rally due to what happened at Woodlands Police station, where suspected UPND cadres, who escorted UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, caused commotion, resulting in a police officer being assaulted.
But Simusamba accused Kasosa of condoning lawlessness by disregarding the Supreme Court ruling in a case involving Christine Mulundika and others against the state. He said it was clear under the PF government that opposition parties would not be allowed to meet freely.
"The ruling is clear that police should be notified and we did that and we shall go ahead and if they stop us, then the police will be causing anarchy and violence because they don't have powers to stop a meeting," Simusamba said.
"We know Commissioner Kasosa is ignoring the law because there is an invisible hand controlling her, hence we have changed our stance from cooperating to defying lawlessness since the police wants to operate under lawlessness."
Meanwhile, Kasosa, in an interview, said the police service was not interested in confrontations with UPND.
Commenting on the opposition UPND's vow to go ahead with their planned public rally in Kabwata this Sunday, with or without a police permit, Kasosa urged the UPND to dialogue with the police rather than take a confrontational approach.
"We are not here to engage in confrontations; it is in the best interest of them and us to work together so that we support each other in the peaceful nature of our country. Let them dialogue with us if they have any issues. My appeal is not for confrontation. We are not here for that because it will not lead us anywhere because some of us are interested in the development of our country. Confrontations will not build this country. They will not take us anywhere but backwards," she said.
Kasosa said so far, her office had not had any discussions with the UPND.
"That is why I am saying I would want to open dialogue with them so that we can discuss. We are open for dialogue. They have not come to us. They gave us a notification, I just came through the office on Monday and I am doing consultations," said Kasosa.
Simusamba said his party presented the notification to the police more than seven days ago and they had not responded yet.
"The rally is on this Sunday, how do they expect us to organise? They reduce our time to organise the rally. It is the things that they do that are creating this animosity and creating an environment that is not suitable for dialogue. If she has something to say to me, she will call me," he said.
"The issues of whether she was in or out of office, those are internal issues. We gave them more seven days' notice, so they should have found a way of resolving this issue. I was there on Friday and was assured that they would call me before the end of the day. They never called me. Monday the whole day they never called."
Simusamba said the UPND had resorted to hold rallies and would not be deterred anymore.
"We cannot falter, we have reached them but they have not done the same. We want to hold rallies as a party and we don't want to be deterred anymore and if the police don't want to cooperate, we shall defy, that's our position," said Simusamba.
Labels: KUCHUNGA SIMUSAMBA, LUSAKA, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, UPND
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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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Mulenga Sata is new Lusaka deputy mayor
By Mukosha Funga
Tue 25 Dec. 2012, 12:00 CAT
MULENGA Sata has been elected as deputy mayor of Lusaka. Mulenga, the Kabulonga ward councilor, went unopposed during elections at Lusaka City Council yesterday. The seat fell vacant after Theresa Funga resigned to take up a diplomatic appointment.
The deputy mayor position was initially to be contested by Mulenga and Kamwala ward councillor Joyce Banda who dropped out of the race at the last minute. Mulenga, in an interview, said people were going to see improvement in service delivery because the council was now being completely run by the ruling Patriotic Front.
"I am very excited about the opportunity that has been presented to me to not just be part of a team but to be in a position to be able to influence government to a certain extent the direction that the council takes from here because the LCC has not been in this position since 1991 when we had a ruling government that had a council controlled by its own party.
We had in the last council, a hostile central government that did everything to frustrate the efforts of the council. People are expected to see some real change because you have got 100 per cent PF council with a PF president so they will see significant improvement in the area of service delivery," he said.
Mulenga said he would use his engineering experience to improve on road construction in the city.
"We have a road department which is essentially ineffectual because it has no resources to employ its full complement of staff and labour. I come from an engineering background and I would like to see us taking control of our own programme vis-a-vis roads and rehabilitation and construction," he said.
Mulenga emphasised the need to broaden the resource base for the council.
"As a council, it is of vital importance that we work hard to generate resources and collect the revenue that is due to us so that we can provide some of these fundamental services. I am excited to be in this position and I look forward to working with my team, with the mayor at its head, and I see us achieving great things working closely with the government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing," said Mulenga
Labels: LUSAKA, MULENGA SATA
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COMMENT - It is flood season again. I would like to suggest that the President and Vice President, rather than encourage people to move to higher ground, get the army involved and start digging irrigation works and start forrestation, that can prevent these floods as well as store water for agricultural use. This is not brain surgery, and will not only prevent loss of life and property to flooding, but also create jobs.
It's floods again
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone and Fridah Nkonde in Lusaka
Wed 28 Nov. 2012, 14:10 CAT
MOST areas in Lusaka and Livingstone have been flooded after a downpour which started on Monday night through yesterday.
In Livingstone, Southern Province minister Josephine Limata's official residence has been flooded and her family evacuated to Protea Hotel. And in Lusaka, most areas were flooded after the heavy rains.
The rains which started in the late afternoons in Livingstone got heavy in the evening and also destroyed the footbridge near the central police station.
Southern Province police commissioner, Charity Katanga, who rushed to the minister's residence on Monday around 20:30 hours, said the minister's residence was flooded to almost a meter high by the kitchen side.
"The waters were high above the floor and children tried to use buckets to scoop the waters out. We later called in fire brigade to pump the water out. You need to realise that this house was recently rehabilitated and the family had to seek refuge somewhere," said Katanga.
However, Southern Province deputy permanent secretary, Alfred Chiingi, said Limata's family of about five and an elderly woman had to be relocated to Protea Hotel between 20 and 21:00 hours.
Limata was reported to be in Lusaka for official duties.
A spot-check at the residence yesterday morning revealed the abandoned house still flooded with most household goods such as refrigerators still under water while police officers kept vigil.
And the heavy rains left a lot of Livingstone residents stranded on Monday evening as some taxi drivers opted to park their vehicles.
The rains also left a trail of destruction to some roads and flooded houses in several residential places especially Maramba's Malota compound.
The footbridge over the railline built in 1977 and recently rehabilitated after a train accident was partially washed away too.
And most people in flood prone areas like Kuku compound in Lusaka are still hesitating to relocate, saying that they will wait for their homes to be submerged.
A spot-check by The Post found most of the roads in Garden compound flooded and both pedestrians and motorists struggling to find their way around.
School-going children were seen taking off their shoes in order to cross the roads while others were wearing gumboots.
Garden compound market was so flooded that most of the shops were closed and those that were brave enough to open their shops stood outside their shops watching the flood waters helplessly.
Meanwhile in the industrial area, Chandwe Musonda Road overflowed with rain water.
"All this water that you are seeing on this road is from this drainage here … I am sure you can't even see that there is a drainage here because it has been flooded," one of the guards at Chandwe Musonda shopping complex, Joel Mulenga, said.
Mulenga said it was unfortunate that most of the drainages around the industrial area were not efficient.
And a 37-year-old woman of Lusaka's Kuku compound, Fatima Moyo, said she was convinced that her family would not be affected by the floods despite government's advice to the residents living in quarry areas to voluntarily relocate in view of the impending floods.
Meanwhile, another Kuku compound resident Friday Mukuka said it was impossible for people to leave the homes that they had spent money building and go somewhere, where they would start paying rentals.
Labels: ALFRED CHIINGI, FLOODS, JOSEPHINE LIMATA, LIVINGSTONE, LUSAKA
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Lusaka multi-facility economic zone gets $5m infrastructure
By Henry Sinyangwe
Fri 14 Sep. 2012, 10:20 CAT
INFRASTRUCTURE worth over US$5 million has so far been put up in the first stage of the Lusaka East Multi-Facility Economic Zone. And Zambia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone general manager Zan Baosen has called on local investors to take advantage of the facility and invest in the area.
Zan said the US$5 million had been used to construct a road and an initial structure at the site. He also said about eight foreign investors had expressed interest to invest in the area.
"We treat all the investors the same regardless of where they are coming from. And the minimum amount to invest in this place is US $500,000 because we need to enhance the industrial image, so one needs to have enough initial capital to maintain the place," said Zan.
Meanwhile, commerce permanent secretary Stephen Mwansa says the government was putting up roads infrastructure in rural areas to enable easy accessibility to all parts of the country by investors.
"The idea is to ensure that every part of Zambia is accessible. At least the trunk roads, once they are done, they will make it easy to be able to deal with secondary roads and feeder roads to allow access to every part of Zambia and bring development into the hinterland of Zambia," Mwansa said.
He said most of the money from the US$500 million Euro-bond which has since received a B+ rating from global rating agency Fitch, and soon to be issued, would go towards road infrastructure.
"Government is putting in as much resources as possible and recently you heard that government is floating the Euro-bond to the value of $500 million and most of that will go towards infrastructure development, and especially road infrastructure. That is the broad-based vision which is to make Zambia a good place to do business and live and we will be able to attract more investment into the rural areas by making sure that these places are passable, and they have the basic infrastructure to make somebody live a normal life," said Mwansa.
Labels: BONDS, INFRASTRUCTURE, LUSAKA, MFEZ, ROADS
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Sata appoints Chumbwe Lusaka PF chairman
By Moses Kuwema
Sun 09 Sep. 2012, 10:25 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has appointed Geoffrey Chumbwe as Lusaka Province PF chairman. Chumbwe confirmed the development, saying he received the letter of appointment from President Sata on Friday. And Chumbwe said his vision would be to ensure that the PF becomes stronger.
"The party itself is a people's party, the people voted for PF to get into power and maybe we are not doing much to get to the people. This is the first time that we have been in government and as a politician I think we have a few gaps between us and the people so far. My vision really would be to get down to the people," Chumbwe said.
Chumbwe said he would also make sure that the PF does not do things which the people did not approve of.
"The PF was the most popular party in Lusaka and we want to get back to that level; to make sure we do what the people want, not what they don't want. We don't want to do the opposite. We don't want to do what MMD was doing," he said.
Chumbwe, who is the losing PF parliamentary candidate in Chilanga, takes over from Davies Chama who it is believed will be sent into foreign service.
Labels: GEOFFREY CHUMBWE, LUSAKA, MICHAEL SATA, PF
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MCC approves $355m Compact grant for water, sanitation sector
By Maluba Jere
Sun 25 Mar. 2012, 12:59 CAT
THE Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) board of directors has approved a US$355 million Compact grant to lay the foundation for systemic and lasting change in Lusaka's water, sanitation and drainage sector.
US Embassy in Zambia public affairs officer Priscilla Hernandez in a statement yesterday said the board of directors, chaired by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the identified problems were a critical constraint to a country's economic growth.
Announcing the award, MCC chief executive officer Daniel Yohannes said MMC investments were expected to have a meaningful impact on the lives of more than one million Lusaka residents.
Yohannes said the initiative would improve people's health and economic productivity and help the country reduce poverty on a sustainable basis by enhancing water security.
US Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storlla said reliable water sanitation and drainage systems were vital components for sustainable development.
Ambassador Storella said while mostly underground and largely invisible to the casual observer, the initiative would improve the health of Zambians, catalyse growth and continue to reduce poverty.
"I congratulate the people and government of Zambia for becoming one among a select group of countries to gain MCC approval for an MCC compact partnership" said Ambassador Storella.
"For more than two years, the Millennium Challenge Corporation has worked with the Zambian government, specifically the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, to help Zambia meet stringent MCC compact eligibility requirements. Together, we have engaged with multiple stakeholders in intensive negotiation, consultations and project development to achieve the five-year, $355 million Compact agreement with Zambia."
Hernandez stated that through the Compact agreement, the Zambian government would increase Lusaka's overall water supply.
She added that the Compact agreement would also improve the city's sanitation and drainage networks, lower flooding, provide city residents greater access to water, better water supply, sanitation and drainage services.
"The Compact also provides technical assistance to continue and deepen ongoing government-led sector reforms and ensure women and vulnerable populations benefit from project investments. The project also includes drainage infrastructure, health education and hygiene promotion," she stated.
Labels: LUSAKA, MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION
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Rupiah turns to PF ‘rebels’ for Lusaka seats
By Staff Reporters
Thu 21 July 2011, 14:00 CAT
PF rebel members of parliament have been adopted to contest seats in Lusaka because most MMD members were uninterested to apply on the ruling party’s ticket for fear of losing, it has been revealed. And President Rupiah Banda has reiterated his warning to MMD NEC members against leaking information to The Post or any protest by those not adopted.
Highly placed sources within the MMD’s national executive committee (NEC) yesterday disclosed that the party resorted to PF rebel parliamentarians because there were no credible applicants for those seats.
“The party faced serious problems during the adoption process, as there were no convincing candidates to field in certain constituencies in Lusaka,” the source said. “We just didn’t have people we could proudly say were suitable candidates to run in those constituencies in the forthcoming general elections.”
The source said Lusaka was the worst in terms of adoptions because people were uninterested to apply on the MMD ticket.
“Most of our party loyalists were basically saying that it would be a waste of time and resources to stand on the MMD ticket in Lusaka because capital city seems unfriendly to the MMD,” the source said.
“Therefore, they decided to stay away from applying. It’s on that basis that we had to head hunt and bring in people who didn’t even apply to stand in those constituencies like Dr Peter Machungwa Kabwata and Majory Masiye Munali. Equally, Faustina Sinyangwe was adopted for Matero because we didn’t have credible candidates among the MMD loyalists. Actually even the calibre of those who applied was extremely low.”
The source said the party encountered a similar situation on the Copperbelt.
“If you check the list of adopted candidates, there was no way the party could have picked certain names in a normal situation,” the source said.
“As we speak, Kasama Central Constituency and Kantanshi in Mufulira have no applicants.”
And the source disclosed that President Banda has urged MMD members to work hard in the forthcoming general elections.
“The President advised us that we should work together and ensure that we win since we already had a winning team,” the source said.
“Of course, he also warned against leakages to The Post. The President cautioned us that measures have been put in place to curb leakages. Therefore, whoever was going to leak the deliberations of the meeting would easily be identified.”
Home affairs deputy minister Gaston Sichilima, who was a lone applicant and interviewee for his Mbala seat, was outrightly rejected by the NEC in favour of Northern Province permanent secretary Mwalimu Simfukwe who was adopted to be the MMD’s flag bearer despite not applying nor sitting for interviews.
The sources said the adoptions were made based primarily on the recommendations from NEC officials who were dispatched across the country recently rather than what had been decided upon during the interviews at the lower organs of the party. But in some cases, even the NEC members who undertook the assignment felt that President Banda had his own preferred candidates list of which he imposed on the NEC.
“In short, adoptions such as the one involving Ben Mwila, Peter Machungwa and Marjory Masiye had the influence of the President. And as NEC, we merely had to implement the President’s bidding,” the source said.
“It’s a fact that we did not have strong enough candidates in Munali and Kabwata. I think we had a Bishop Mtonga in Munali and Kaisale in Kabwata. The President saw in it an opportunity to bring in the likes of Machungwa and others.”
The source said the party had deferred adoptions for Kasama and Kantanshi because they felt that they did not have credible candidates to upset the PF in the two constituencies.
“It is well known within our party ranks that GBM (PF’s Geoffrey Mwamba) is very strong there, so we can’t just get anyone to go and stand there. In fact, we did not even have any applicants there. There are suggestions that we should try our national secretary Major Kachingwe to stand there, although he lost in 2006,” said the sources.
Some prominent deputy ministers and MMD members of parliament who have been left out on the adoptions include Central Province minister Ackimson Banda, deputy home affairs minister Gaston Sichilima, foreign affairs deputy minister Prof Fashion Phiri, gender deputy minister Lucy Changwe, community development deputy minister Friday Malwa, justice deputy minister Todd Chilembo and Mansa-Central MMD member of parliament Chrispine Musosha.
When reached for comment, Banda, who is outgoing MMD Serenje-Central member of parliament said he had no hard feelings for being left out.
Sichilima said he had nothing against the adoption process and would support the adopted candidate Mwalimu Simfukwe.
According to sources in Northern Province, Sichilima, who is also MMD Mbala member or parliament, was the only person that applied to stand on the ruling party ticket and attended interviews at constituency, district and provincial levels.
However, the sources said the party leadership at constituency and district levels recommended to a special team of ministers sent by the NEC not to adopt Sichilima because he was unpopular and recommended that Simfukwe must, instead, be adopted.
The sources said based on the grassroots recommendation, the NEC adopted Simfukwe, who never even applied or attended the interview.
Simfukwe, who was MMD’s parliamentary candidate in the Kanyama by-elections a few years ago in Lusaka but lost to PF, was appointed permanent secretary for his homeland of Northern Province amidst public outcry against President Banda’s appointment of party cadres’ into civil service.
Sources said Simfukwe used his government portfolio to lay ground for his bid to run for parliamentary elections in Mbala.
And Musosha thanked the people of Mansa and President Banda for having given him the opportunity to serve the people, while Chilembo said he had no comment.
Chifunabuli PF ‘rebel’ member of parliament and outgoing deputy chairperson of parliamentary committees, Ernest Mwansa refused to comment on his rejection by the MMD.
Meanwhile, former Sesheke district commissioner and preferred candidate for Mulobezi constituency in Western Province, Mwiya Wanyambe, has resigned from the MMD to contest the parliamentary seat as an independent candidate.
In an interview, Wanyambe said he would follow the will of the people as they had already made a decision that they did not want Michael Mabenga.
“I will go along with the people themselves, I am quiet ready to even go as an independent,” Wanyambe said.
A senior MMD official in the Southern Province executive committee said President Banda’s dictatorship had made the party weaker for this year’s elections over the adoption process.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision to field Ministry of Health official Dr Victor Mukonka, who did not even attend the provincial selection interview, was a grave political mistake.
“We wanted to listen to the will of the people by giving them their preferred candidate Judith Hambwezya but RB has dictated and given us Dr Victor Mukonka,” the source said.
In Namwala and Livingstone constituencies, MMD officials said the adopted candidate Major Robbie Chizyuka, a former UPND ‘rebel’ parliamentarian, would make the party lose elections.
However, MMD Namwala chairperson Nelson Mawani said he would abide by the NEC decision to field Chizyuka who was rejected at all levels of the adoption process in the province.
In Livingstone the provincial committee’s preferred candidate Grace Shafick was rejected by NEC for Liamba Katombora.
Below is the full list of those adopted under the MMD.
Vice-President George Kunda will run for the Muchinga seat in Serenje with Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango recontesting her Kaputa seat.
Information minister Ronnie Shikapwasha will defend his Keembe seat, while home affairs minister Mkhondo Lungu will re-contest Lundazi.
Other ministers who will recontest their seats are Eustarckio Kazonga (Vubwi), Peter Daka (Msanzala), Bradford Machila (Kafue), Felix Mutati (Lunte), Kenneth Konga (Chavuma), Kapembwa Simbao (Senga Hill) and Sarah Sayifwanda (Zambezi East).
Finance minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, who was a nominated member of parliament, has been adopted to contest the Liuwa seat, which is currently held by deputy energy minister, Hastings Imasiku.
Others are labour minister, Austin Liato (Kaoma Central), Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda), Michael Kaingu (Mwandi), Catherine Namugala (Isoka East), Kabinga Pande (Kasempa), Maxwell Mwale (Malambo), Dora Siliya (Petauke Central), Dr Brian Chituwo (Mumbwa), Gabriel Namulambe (Mpongwe), Kenneth Chipungu (Rufunsa), Joseph Mulyata (Mongu Central), Albert Mulonga (Lupososhi), Elijah Muchima (Mwinilunga West), Richard Mwapela (Kalabo Central) and Mundia Ndalamei (Sikongo).
The rest are Isaac Banda (Lumezi), Angela Cifire (Luangeni), Simon Kachimba (Luanshya), Mwansa Mbulakulima (Chembe), John Chinyanta (Mambilima), Given Mung’omba (Mpulungu), Brian Sikazwe (Chimbamilonga), Daniel Kalenga (Kabompo West), Richard Taima (Solwezi East), Mwendoi Akakandelwa (Mangango), Mubika Mubika (Sinjembela), Moses Muteteka (Chisamba), David Phiri (Mkaika), Michael Mabenga (Mulobezi), Allan Mbewe (Chadiza) and Dr Chrisopher Kalila (Lukulu East).
The new entrants include Rosaria Fundanga (Chilubi), Charles Mututwa (Senanga Central), Trymore Mweenda (Chikankata), Dr Patrick Chikusu (Katuba), Dr Victor Mukonka (Monze Central), Noah Siasimuna (Siavonga), Muti Beyani (Sinazongwe), Laiveni Apuleni (Mbabala), Dr Canisius Banda (Mandevu), Daniel Chisala (Luapula), Japhen Mwakalombe (Chongwe), Chileshe Kapwepwe (Chinsali), Humphrey Musonda (Malole), Danny Chisanga (Mpika Central) and Sunday Chanda (Kanchibiya).
Other candidates adopted are Godfrey Pende (Bwacha), Jane Chileshe (Kabwe Central), Lawrence Zimba (Kapiri-Mposhi), Musonda Mutale (Mkushi South), Bornwell Matawe (Mwembsehi), Professor Luke Kanyomeka (Nangoma), Mushili Malama (Chitambo), Maxwell Kabanda (Serenje), Trudy Ng’andu (Chililabombwe), Christon Mwape (Nchanga), Spartan Msowoya (Kalulushi), Ronald Manenga (Chimwemwe), Itayi Chinkuli (Kamfinsa), Joseph Malanji (Kwacha), Divo Katete (Nkana) and Goodward Mulubwa (Roan).
The list of candidates also include Shadreck Musozya (Kankoyo), Evans Chibanda (Mufulira), E Chishiba (Kafulafuta), Anne Chungu (Lufwanyama), Michael Katambo (Masaiti), Kelvin Chaume (Bwana Mkubwa), Frank Ng’ambi (Chifubu), Rapson Kopulande (Kabushi), Emmanuel Mulenga (Ndola Central), Darious Mumba (Chama North), George Lungu (Chama South), Mtolo Phiri (Chipata Central), Victoria Kalima (Kasenengwa), Yotamu Banda (Chasefu), Dr Chisha Bulangeti (Pambashe), Dr Chitalu Chilufya (Mansa Central) , Jonathan Kapungwe (Chipili), M Mpampi (Chiengi), and Sunday Maluba (Mwansabombwe).
Additional new entrants include Sylvester Chimfwembe (Bangweulu), Chileya Kapekele (Chifunabuli), Daniel Chisala (Luapula), Donald Chilufya (Chawama), Yohane Mwanza (Kanyama), Muhabi Lungu (Lusaka Central), Bernard Mpundu (Lukashya), George Mwamba (Lubansenshi), Mwalimu Simfukwe (Mbala), M Songolo (Mfuwe), Brian Mundubile (Mporokoso), Danny Chingimbu (Kabompo East), Stephen Masumba (Mufumbwe), Newton Samakayi (Mwinilunga East), Lucky Mulusa (Solwezi Central), Prisca Pulu (Zambezi West), Joshua Simuyandi (Pemba), Chisangano Malungo (Gwembe), Sebastian Hambokoma (Dundumwezi), and Sikaduli Munsaka (Kalomo Central).
Other new entrants include Siachona Simalonga (Choma), Jelasi Sikonda (Katombora), Lloyd Jembo (Mapatizya), Lukulo Katombola (Livingstone), Bevin Mweene (Magoye), Maxwell Mwiinga (Mazabuka Central), Bbuku Tsibu (Bweengwa), Isabel Nanja (Moomba), David Diangamo (Itezhi-Tezhi), Mutti Beyani (Sinazongwe), Misheck Mutelo (Lukulu West), Mwangala Mahopo (Luena), Catherine Akayomboka (Nalolo) and Frank Kufakwandi (Sesheke).
The former PF MPs who have been adopted include Elizabeth Molobeka (Kawambwa), Besa Chimbaka (Bahati), Dr Jacob Chongo (Mwense), Dr Peter Machungwa (Kabwata), Faustina Sinyangwe (Matero), Marjory Mwape (Munali), Major Celestino Chibamba (Shiwang’andu) while UPND Luampa member of parliament Josephine Limata will re-contest her seat on the MMD ticket.
National Democratic Focus President and Nchelenge member of parliament Ben Mwila and Forum for Democracy and Development Sinda member of parliament Levy Ngoma will defend their seats on the MMD ticket while former Feira member of parliament Patrick Ngoma will return to the constituency to re-contest the seat.
Losing MMD candidate in the Chilanga Parliamentary by-election Keith Mukata and former MMD Kapoche member of parliament Nicholas Banda have been adopted to contest the respective seats.
MMD backbenchers, who have been adopted to run for Parliament are Sydney Chisanga (Mkushi North), Vincent Mwale (Chipangali), Whiteson Banda (Milanzi), Forrie Tembo (Nyimba), Paul Sichamba (Isoka West), Clever Silavwe (Nakonde), and Humphrey Mwanza (Solwezi West)
Labels: LUSAKA, MMD, PF, RUPIAH BANDA
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Lusaka International Airport still operating without radar
By Chibaula Silwamba
Tue 19 July 2011, 14:00 CAT
THE Lusaka International Airport is still operating without a radar system after then
transport and communications minister Dora Siliya single sourced an Italian company to repair and service the current unit over three years ago. And the government has incurred a bill of
600,000 euros from the deal entered into by Siliya with the Italian radar supplier,
Selex Sistemi Integrati.The procurement of the radar system was part of the subject of the tribunal constituted to probe the deal, and other allegations, that were raised against Siliya’s conduct in the execution of her duties as a Cabinet minister.
Department of Civil Aviation sources disclosed that the Zambia Air Traffic Management Surveillance Radar system (ZATM-RADAR) had remained unserviceable and non-operational for the past 20 years and almost three years from the time Siliya disregarded a duly awarded tender to Thales Air Systems SA of France to replace the equipment.
The French company, through a competitive tender, won the bid for the supply, installation and commissioning of two radar units for the Lusaka and Livingstone international airports aimed at improving the Zambian airspace and boosting the safety standing in line with international aviation standards.
Then communications and transport minister, Siliya overruled the now defunct Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB) and cancelled the bid won by Thales.
Siliya’s move to cancel the tender was meant to accommodate Selex Sistemi Integrati, which was single-sourced, contrary to professional advice from officials in her ministry, National Airports Corporation (NAC) and the then ZNTB which has been transformed into the Zambia Public Procurement Agency (ZPPA).
The tender for the purchase of radar was initiated and recommended by a technical team comprising officers from the National Airports Corporation (NAC) and Ministry of Communications and Transport.
“You will recall that it is almost three years since Ms Siliya went against all advice that was presented to her that the radar was unserviceable and that we required new equipment. But you see she disregarded all advice and procedure and went to the extent of canceling a duly awarded tender in preference to a single-sourced deal involving Selex and to date this equipment is still not working,” the source said.
“The plan was to make the Zambian airspace not only safer but the most favoured in the region with the increased economic activity and also in terms of global standards.”
And the source disclosed that under Siliya’s deal the government had been offered free repair services by Selex as claimed by Siliya but had now paid over 600,000 euros to the company claimed to have gone towards training of NAC staff to be deployed on the same radar that has remained non-functional or serviceable to date.
“After the controversial award, we saw a bit of activity from Selex on the radar, but after some time they simply took off and instead said they could train our staff who would be using the same radar they were repairing. A bill of 600,000 euros came which has been paid to Selex and three years on, the radar is still not working. I feel Ms Siliya owes the Zambian people an explanation even if she is no longer the minister responsible,” the source said.
The source disclosed that the initial contact by Selex for business with the transport and communications ministry was earlier made in February 2008 with an offer to supply the equipment at a fixed total price of Euro 13.7 million following its inspections of the radar system at the airport and recommendation that the equipment was obsolete and required replacement.
Sometime in the same month, the Ministry of Transport and Communications requested funding from the Ministry of Finance for the purchase of the new radar at Lusaka and Livingstone international airports.
In April 2008, the Secretary to the Treasury, in principle, supported the acquisition of the new radar equipment but felt that there was need to consult the ZNTB on whether or not the ministry should single source.
On the strength of the advice, then permanent secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Transport, Dr Eustern Mambwe, in June 2008 submitted bidding documents to ZNTB director general for subsequent advertising on international competitive bidding.
The bids were received by ZNTB and were publicly opened in the presence of bidders or their representatives.
An evaluation committee was composed from institutions responsible for the equipment who prepared technical specifications.
At the time the tender was opened on September 26, 2008, six bids were received - Hua-Jiang Investments with option number one at US$18.9 million and option number two at US$16.8 million, Intelcan at Euro 12.9 million, China LES at US$18.9 million and Ramet C.H.M at Euro 14.9 million.
Other bids were from Thales Air Systems S.A with two options: option one was at Euro 9.050 million with option two at Euro 12.6 million. SAAB Systems Limited also put in a bid at Euro 15.8 million.
And at the end of the evaluation process, Thales Air Systems SA was successful as ZNTB’s central tender committee authorised to award the contract for Euro 9,050,168; the company's first option.
Selex did not make it for bidding and as such did not participate in the tender.
On December 11, 2008, the then permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Dr Mambwe, wrote to Thales Air Systems SA of France notifying them that they had been awarded the contract for the tender to supply, deliver, install, and commission the ZATM-RADAR at Lusaka and Livingstone airports.
Dr Mambwe even requested Thales Air Systems to acknowledge receipt of the notification for the award of the contract and acceptance of the sum total for option number one.
He further stated that his ministry, together with justice and finance ministries were open for negotiations on the special conditions of the contract with regard to terms of payment prior to signing of the contract.
However, on the same day Siliya wrote to then ZNTB director general, David Kapitolo cancelling the award of the contract to Thales Air Systems claiming the tendering process did not inspire confidence.
But on December 12, 2008, the chief purchasing officer in the Ministry of Transport and Communications wrote a memo to Siliya advising her to abide by the lawful decision of the ZNTB to award the contract to Thales Air Systems.
The chief purchasing and supplies officer stated that a selective tender may be authorised where:
(a) there is a proclamation in force declaring a state of emergency or threatened emergency under the Constitution,
(b) it is in the interest of public order, public safety or public security,
(c) building works of a specialised or complex nature are involved, or equipment to be obtained is highly specialised,
(d) the goods and services to be rendered by an educational or training institution,
(e) services are to be rendered by an educational or training institution,
(f) evidence is furnished that there are no other competing institutions or organisations in respect of the goods or services to be supplied or rendered and that the supplier is the sole franchise holder,
(g) the goods or services to be supplied or rendered are to be used in, or are in the nature of research work,
(h) equipment to be supplied is technical and is of a nature that requires standardised and inter-changeability of parts; or
(i) there has been no acceptable tender from all formal tenders previously invited.
On the same day, Dr Mambwe had also written to Siliya, explaining that the ZNTB process was transparent and dismissed as false assertions by the minister’s alleged anonymous informer claiming that the process was not transparent.
However, Siliya instructed Dr Mambwe to ensure that ZNTB cancelled the earlier contract awarded to Thales Air Systems and instead picked Selex who had earlier had in early December, offered to repair the radar at Lusaka International Airport.
Siliya had appeared before a tribunal chaired by justice Dennis Chirwa, Supreme Court judge Peter Chitengi and High Court judge Evans Hamaundu, probing her alleged abuse of authority of office after a complaint by former Minister of Communications and Transport William Harrington and 10 other civil society organisations.
Labels: AIRPORTS, CORRUPTION, DORA SILIYA, EUSTERN MAMBWE, LUSAKA
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Lusaka will be crucial in this year’s elections - Rupiah
By Patson Chilemba
Sun 23 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT
LUSAKA Province will play a very crucial role in this year’s elections, says President Rupiah Banda. And Lusaka Province MMD chairperson William Banda says Lusaka needs real men and women to work because it is not an easy ground to play with.
Addressing delegates to the Lusaka MMD conference at Courtyard Hotel yesterday, President Banda said Lusaka would play a crucial role in this year’s tripartite elections because it had the second highest number of registered voters as at December 31, 2010.
He said the province had a total number of 754,689 registered voters.
President Banda said the high number of registered voters called for concerted efforts by the incoming Lusaka Province executive committee to secure a significant portion of the votes, especially the new votes.
“We need a landslide in Lusaka!” President Banda said.
He said the MMD had come up with a committee to look at the statistics in terms of the registration of voters and parliamentary chief whip Vernon Mwaanga was one of the committee members.
President Banda said the government would uplift all the roads in Mandevu, which had the highest number of voters in Lusaka.
He said the MMD needed a strong and well organised committee to run the affairs, especially in this critical year.
He said the MMD needed to beat the opposition decisively in Lusaka so that they have no excuse when they lose.
President Banda said it was encouraging to see a strong resurgence of support towards the MMD, saying party members were now proud to put on the party regalia unlike before.
He said the Lusaka provincial executive committee (PEC) should strengthen the party in townships where most of the voters live.
He said elections were not won by the number of huge rallies one held but the number of foot soldiers who were willing to conduct door-to-door campaigns.
President Banda said the government was doing enough to develop the country such that Zambia was the third fastest growing economy in Africa.
He said the growth could be seen from the traffic jams, which were increasing on Zambian roads.
He said he was aware of the divisions in the Lusaka Province committee but the MMD needed to unite in order to defeat the opposition.
President Banda said the party leadership would deal ruthlessly with those trying to cause division in the party.
He advised party members to emulate Chongwe MMD parliamentarian Sylvia Masebo.
“I saw the reaction of each one of you, how happy we were. She continues to work for the party with all her energies and ability,” President Banda said.
And William said he had moved with Masebo to revive the party.
He said Lusaka was not easy to play with.
“It requires real men and women to do work,” William said.
He said leaders should stop telling lies against each other.
William said party leaders who were in possession of party property should surrender it before the national convention.
Meanwhile, President Banda and other party leaders failed to rebuke Lusaka District MMD chairperson Paul Chihande when he proposed that William should go unopposed at the conference.
The MMD leaders who included President Banda, Vice-President George Kunda and MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga only burst into laughter after Chihande made the proposal.
And when a member from the audience shouted that Vice-President Kunda should not be challenged for the vice-presidency at the convention, the Vice-President only smiled.
Soon after Chihande had spoken, Mabenga announced to the gathering that William’s main challenger, Nalobe Kuliye had something to say to the people.
Kuliye, who seemed to enjoy a lot of support from the delegates, announced his withdrawal from the race soon after he was called to address the people.
He said it was a personal decision and none of the party leadership forced him to do so.
Kuliye said he had withdrawn because he wanted to maintain unity in the party.
And there was silence when those in the committee looking after the registration statistics announced the number of registered voters per constituency in Lusaka.
Mabenga maintained that Kitwe-based Anglican priest Richard Luonde was a big liar following his statement that there was an alliance between former president Frederick Chiluba and President Banda.
Mabenga said Fr Luonde was not qualified enough to talk about the issue of Barotseland and the discussions should be left to the people of the province and the government.
On Friday, Fr Luonde said the country’s law enforcement agencies must handle the issues surrounding the Barotseland Agreement level headedly.
Fr Luonde also said the dirty marriage between President Banda’s MMD and Chiluba remained a big threat to the dispensation of criminal justice in the country.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, LUSAKA, RUPIAH BANDA
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Lusaka City Council suspended over plots
Saturday, January 22, 2011, 8:54
THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has been suspended with immediate effect. The council will remain suspended for 90 days and Government has appointed Solomon Finandi Sakala, the Copperbelt Provincial Local Government officer as the administrator.
Minister of Local Government and Housing, Brian Chituwo announced the suspension of the council yesterday following reports that the local authority has been involved in some land allocation scams.
Dr Chituwo said at a media briefing that Government has decided to suspend LCC to pave way for investigations into the alleged illegal land allocation.
The Lusaka City Council has been accused of illegally allocating land to itself without following the law governing the allocation of land.
Out of 102 plots, the councillors got 45 plots, 10 plots were given to the Mayor while the deputy Mayor got five plots and members of the public were only allocated 11 plots.
“In order to understand the matter, my office requested for a written report from the local authority. The report forwarded to my office by the council does not give much detail on who allocated the plots and how the beneficiaries were picked,” Dr Chituwo said.
Dr Chituwo said he would soon appoint a committee to audit the allocation of land in Lilayi.
He said the piece of land in Lilayi that is alleged to have been shared among the Mayor, his deputy and councillors is titled and should have been advertised. Dr Chituwo said the council did not even bother to seek authority from the ministry as stipulated by law.
“Therefore, it has become necessary for the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to suspend the Lusaka City Council in accordance with the Local Government Act, Cap 281 of the laws of Zambia to pave way for investigations into the Lilayi land allocation,” he said.
Dr Chituwo said the council should have realised the importance of seeking authority from his office to allocate plots on the piece of land in question. He said his office should have authorised the council to deal with the piece of land in terms of transfer, disposal or even in the mode of exchange or swapping.
Dr Chituwo said it is the understanding of the Ministry of Local Government and Housing that any proposed allocation of land should be done through the Plans, Works and Development Committee.
“In order to understand the matter, my office requested for a written report from the local authority. The report forwarded to my office by the council does not give much detail on who allocated the plots and how the beneficiaries were picked,” Dr Chituwo said.
He said the council failed to explicitly state how it decided to allocate councilors one plot each.
The Minister wondered whether it has been the trend that the Mayor and his councillors should have a lion’s share of plots each time there was a piece of land earmarked for allocation.
“I as Minister of Local Government and Housing hereby announce the suspension of the council for 90 days through the statutory instrument number 11 of 2011and appoint Mr Solomon Finandi Sakala, who is Copperbelt Provincial Local Government Officer as administrator,” Dr Chituwo said.
“As a council, we presented our report and we maintain that whatever was done, we followed the law. The general public will judge us after the investigations,” Mr Chisenga said.
But Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga has maintained that the allocation of land in Lilayi was done in accordance with the law.
Mr Chisenga said the public will have to judge the council after all the investigations have been done and the report on the investigations released.
He said the council welcomes the investigations as it has encountered investigations in the past and all officers found wanting had been dealt with according to the law.
“As a council, we presented our report and we maintain that whatever was done, we followed the law. The general public will judge us after the investigations,” Mr Chisenga said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Labels: BRIAN CHITUWO, CORRUPTION, LAND, LAND RIGHTS, LUSAKA
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WASCO blocks Lusaka Water tariff increase
By By Ndinawe Simpelwe
Sat 08 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT
NATIONAL Water and Sanitation Council has barred the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company from increasing tariffs due to poor services to its customers. In an interview, council director Kelvin Chitumbo said the embargo on the water utility would not be lifted until service delivery was improved.
“Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company has failed to fulfil guaranteed services to its customers. They will not be allowed to increase tariffs until we see them improve,” Chitumbo said.
He said the water utility was supposed to provide services for at least 12 hours a day but had failed.
“The required period for service varies depending on the area. The guaranteed hours in Chelstone and Avondale are supposed to be 12 hours per day but they have failed to provide that service to the two areas,” he said.
Chitumbo said NWASCO would not allow water utilities to increase tariffs and continue providing poor services to the customers.
“We are monitoring the utilities and we want to see an improvement in terms of services after we allowed them to increase tariffs,” Chitumbo said.
He urged customers to continue demanding better services from water utilities.
NWASCO last year approved tariff raises for four commercial utility companies to be implemented in the next three years.
Eastern, Mulonga, Luapula, and Western Water and Sewerage companies were given an approval to increase their water tariffs by between
eight and 50 per cent.
And Chitumbo said NWASCO needed infrastructure to harvest rainwater and make it useful to the community.
He said the harvest of rainwater would help reduce the floods that were experienced in different parts of the country.
“We need to work closely with the planning authority to see how best we can utilise rainwater,” he said.
However, Chitumbo said it would be a big challenge to successfully harvest rainwater because places that were earmarked for such had been developed and people were living there.
Labels: LUSAKA, WATER
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Govt to relocate residents around Lusaka airport
By Sandra Lombe in Chongwe
Tue 27 Apr. 2010, 03:10 CAT
CHONGWE district commissioner Japhen Mwakalombe has said that the government will soon relocate some people from the Lusaka International Airport to Mwanawasa resettlement area to pave way for the construction of a new terminal.
Speaking on Thursday when first lady Thandiwe Banda and FAO country representative Noureddin Mona paid a courtesy call on him, Mwakalombe said the Lusaka International Airport was undergoing massive construction.
"We are just waiting for people to be moved soon to Mwanawasa resettlement area," he said. He said K500 million was available for roads for the Mwanawasa resettlement.
"We want the people to be living like Zambians and we have to ensure that," he said.
He said the Fisheries Department was working on the Nkalamabwe dam and that eight houses were constructed for the project.
Mwakalombe said the district had received a Land Cruiser and was yet to receive another one and 18 motorbikes, under the Fisheries Department.
Mwakalombe said K70 billion had been set aside to renovate the teachers college.
"It needs a status of a university, it’s well equipped," he said.
He said phase two of the district hospital had begun and that K2.1 billion had been released.
And chieftaniess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of Chongwe district appealed to the government and its partners to expand the Conservation Agriculture (CA) project so that it could benefit many people.
"Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a very good program which needs to be supported. Maybe they can expand to incorporate a lot of people. We want you to expand this programme. It’s good, it’s cheaper but the yield that comes out is quite encouraging," she said.
And Mona said he was ready to help in any way he could in agriculture.
Chongwe MMD member of parliament Sylvia Masebo appealed to Thandiwe to speak to President Banda to upgrade Chalimbana College to a university.
"It will go a long way in ensuring the standards of teachers go up," she said.
Masebo said Lusaka was becoming congested, hence the need to open up Chongwe.
Labels: JAPHEN MWAKALOMBWE, LUSAKA
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Sanitation no longer a cousin of water in Lusaka
By Simon Mwale and Kennedy Mayumbelo
Mon 22 Mar. 2010, 04:00 CAT
THE theme for this year's World Water Day is “Clean water for a healthy world.” The catch-word is “clean” because although there is a vast quantity of water in the world, this water is not suitable for direct human consumption unless it is treated. But when we talk about water, we cannot do so without making reference to sanitation because the two are like hand-in-glove or, to use the current street lingo, they are like a cell phone and its sim card.
Improved water supply and sanitation projects impact in various areas of life, from health to time savings to social status. While access to water supply and sanitation has improved in the last 20 years, it has been neither as widespread nor as rapid as had been expected.
What is sanitation? According to the Water Supply and Sanitation Act number 28 of 1997, sanitation services means:
a) the disposal, on site or off-site of human excreata,
b) the collection of sewage excluding untreated toxic waste and storm water, from residential, commercial or industrial sources; or
c) the treatment and disposal of waste water in accordance with the Act, the Environment Protection and Pollution Control Act or any other written law.
Simply stated, however, sanitation is the hygienic means of preventing human contact from hazards of wastes to promote good health. Good sanitation and hygiene has clear and distinct benefits and improves health. Poorly controlled waste means daily exposure to an unpleasant environment.
More specially, improved sanitation saves lives by reducing diarrhea-related disease, ensures a clean environment free from pollution and garbage while promoting personal dignity.
Water and sewerage companies like Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company ( LWSC) have an important, and we dare say, a mandatory, or compulsory role to play in providing good sanitation. In ensuring good sanitation, LWSC and its counterparts are responsible for
a) treating and supply of adequate clean and safe water to all customers,
b) collecting and disposing of waste water in their service areas and
c) extending sanitation services to areas not serviced.
In line with this year's theme, LWSC has already commenced the provision of sanitation in peri-urban areas. This follows the development of the sanitation strategy with support from the World Bank's Water and Sanitation Programme-Africa for effective service delivery of water and sanitation services to the peri-urban areas.
The sanitation strategy document expounds a roadmap for expanding sanitation and hygiene promotion services to Lusaka's peri-urban area based on a sanitation marketing approach.
In an effort to elevate attention and action on sanitation, LWSC introduced a sanitation levy and set up a sanitation fund to be used to improve sanitation in the peri-urban areas.
A sanitation marketing approach has been chosen to test in Lusaka to give people a choice, to ensure financial sustainability, and to promote behavior change. Lusaka will be the fore-runner on the use of this approach and in applying the strategy programmatically. Financing will no longer guide the process and implemented activities. The strategy will guide all players under the leadership of LWSC.
LWSC has set up a sanitation unit within the peri-urban department to spearhead the roll out of the sanitation programme in the peri-urban areas. The unit is in the process of constructing 200 toilets in Kanyama, Chaisa and Chipata compounds under the promoting peri-urban sanitation services (PPURSS) Project which is being financed by the European Union through CARE International and LWSC through the sanitation fund.
Training of artisans of the three areas was conducted for 45 artisans from Sept 22 to 24, 2009 on general building skills, but more inclined to improved latrine construction. The Artisans were drawn from the three beneficiary communities and the response was overwhelming.
A demonstration toilet has been completed for a 103-year-old woman of Kanyama while 99 are still under construction.
In the long term, LWSC intends to build water borne toilets as the sanitation service to the peri-urban areas. Designs and bills of quantities for Kanyama and Kalingalinga are being finalised. To this end, efforts are being made to source for financial support for this task and 2010 will prove to be real year of sanitation for Lusaka's peri-urban.
Labels: LUSAKA, UTILITIES, WATER, WORLD WATER DAY
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Floods in Lusaka, Senanga not too severe – ZMD
By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Wed 17 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT
THE Zambia Meteorological Department (ZDM) has revealed that flash floods have been reported in areas around Lusaka and Senanga districts but the extent is not too severe.
According to the crop weather bulletin for February released by Southern Province acting meteorological officer Munalula Mate yesterday, some areas in Lusaka and Senanga had experienced flash floods but crops would not be affected.
The bulletin stated that generally maize crops in most parts of the country had reached tasselling and grain filling stages and were doing fine.
The ZMD stated that in some parts of Eastern Province, some crops had been affected by the dry spell, which was experienced earlier in the season.
However, the bulletin stated that some maize which was planted earlier was ripe and already on the market in some areas.
“The Lusaka plateau groundwater monitoring network comprises 36 observation boreholes dedicated for regular groundwater level measurements and 20 production boreholes dedicated for regular water quality assessment. During the dekad ending 10th February 2010, additional rainfall amount received at Lusaka I. Airport, Lusaka C. Airport and Mount Makulu from 30th January 2010 to 7th February 2010 has resulted in the rapid groundwater level rise and induced surface flooding in most areas of Lusaka city where the water table is ranging from 0.5m to 3m below ground surface,” the bulletin read in part.
“Some of the affected areas include Kamwala South, Misisi, John Laing and Kanyama. An increase in the flow from the main recharge area is also evident and the recovery of the water table is now estimated at 55 per cent when compared to the lowest groundwater levels recorded in the second week of November 2009. During the next dekad, the water table is expected to start dropping due to decrease in the rainfall activities.”
The ZMD stated that most stations had already attained the normal rainfall as at February 10, 2010.
“Above normal rainfall has been recorded in some parts of the country which include Chipata with a surplus of 80 per cent, Mount Makulu 54 per cent, Mongu 52 per cent, Zambezi 51 per cent, Lusaka city 25 per cent, Lusaka International Airport 23 per cent and Misamfu with a surplus of 21 per cent,” the bulletin stated.
“The normal rainfall range lies between 20 and -20 per cent. Below normal rainfall has been recorded in Sesheke and some parts of Southern Province where Magoye has a deficit of -33 per cent. During the dekad of 1- 10th February, a deep low pressure system was sited over the southern parts of the country therefore allowing moist north-westerly airflow to affect most parts of the country.
“This resulted into moderate to heavy rainfall over much of Zambia with lighter falls experienced over the extreme northern parts of the country. However, towards the end of the dekad, the ridging of the high pressure system over eastern South Africa reduced rains over most parts of the country.”
The bulletin stated that the highest recorded rainfall during the dekad was 235 millimetres (mm) in nine days from Mfuwe followed by 208 mm from Zambezi and Petauke in nine and six days respectively.
It stated that Lusaka City Airport had 198 mm in seven days.
“While Lusaka International Airport had 188 mm in six days Solwezi 185 mm, Mount Makalu 170 mm, Chipata 164 mm and Kabwe 158 mm in seven days. The lowest recorded was 9 mm in Sesheke in two days and no rainfall was recorded in Livingstone during the dekad. Most stations reported rain days of more than four days,” the statement read in part.
“The cumulative rainfall amounts since the start of season 1st July, 2009 indicates that most stations have recorded rainfall totals ranging between 500 mm and 900 mm. However, more than 900 mm of cumulative rainfall has been recorded in Zambezi, Mwinilunga, Solwezi, Mongu, Chipata, Kawambwa, Misamfu and Mount Makulu. Some parts of Southern and Western provinces have accumulated amounts less than 500mm. The highest cumulative total of 1,196 mm has been recorded in Chipata with a lowest of 377 mm being recorded in Sesheke.”
Labels: FLOODS, LUSAKA, ZMD
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Lusaka records reduction in cholera cases
By Margaret Mtonga
Tue 22 Dec. 2009, 14:50 CAT
File picture - a man transporting a cholera patient to a clinic
LUSAKA Province permanent secretary Stephen Bwalya has said only four cholera cases have been recorded and treated in Lusaka. Addressing the press, Bwalya said so far there was no cholera case reported in the district.
“This is a sharp contrast to the face of Lusaka in 2008. This is a major achievement for the district and a clear demonstration of the seriousness that was applied by the government and stakeholders.
The American government donated about K4.6 billion kwacha meant to work on the drainage systems and sensitization in Kanyama,” he said.
Bwalya said the K4.6 billion enabled the immediate development of resources and the subsequent donations from institutions with the real commitment of social responsibility.
“The district immediately embarked on the provision of safe water with the drilling of bore-holes. The installation of permanent taps and building of dry toilets in high risk areas,” Bwalya said.
He said by December 18, 2008 Lusaka district had recorded 205 cases of which four deaths were recorded in clinics while five were brought in dead,” Bwalya said. He said this year December 22, 2008 Lusaka district had recorded four Cholera cases that have been treated and the patients were out of danger.
“When government took into account that they had treated 4,905 patients in Lusaka as a result of Cholera in the district, government made a commitment to make every effort to improve the conditions in Lusaka in the fight to beat Cholera in Lusaka,” said Bwalya.
Labels: CHOLERA, LUSAKA
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COMMENT - And when did the private sector step in and create alternatives to the nation one parastatal? I would say that this is another example of market failure. But then the private sector is rarely interested in infrastructure - other than using it.
Fuel shortage hits Lusaka, L/stone
Written by Nchima Nchito Jr in Lusaka and Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Sunday, October 11, 2009 4:01:29 AM
LUSAKA and Livingstone have been hit by a severe shortage of fuel, leaving most motorists stranded as filling stations have ran out of stock. But energy permanent secretary Peter Mumba has said the current fuel shortage has been caused by a technical failure at Indeni Oil Refinery.
A spot check by The Post in Lusaka found many service stations without petrol and motorists were being turned away. Most of the service stations only had stocks of diesel.
Engen Filling Station along Makishi Road was one of the few with petrol in stock and had a long queue of motorists with priority being given to account holders only.
Indications are that stocks of petrol ran out on Friday evening with new stock expected by yesterday evening or today.
And officials at the country’s two leading oil marketing companies, Total Zambia and BP Zambia, could not comment on the matter as their mobile phones went unanswered.
And in Livingstone, only Engen and Caltex service stations had both diesel and petrol.
BP, Vuma and Fallsway service stations had by yesterday run out of fuel.
And during a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mumba said the technical failure at Indeni had drastically reduced petrol production capacity at the plant.
“…The catalyst, which is the component at the refinery that is responsible for production of petrol, has weakened such that production of petrol has reduced. This is the reason why the supply of petrol on the market has equally reduced,” he said.
Mumba said while the current production should have met a larger portion of the demand, the situation had been compounded by uncertainty of future supplies by not only the consumers but fuel suppliers as well.
“A 90000 metric tonne shipment of petroleum feedstock was received on 23rd September 2009. This shipment will last the country until around 20th November 2009. Another shipment has been ordered for consumption in late November and December,” Mumba said. “The refinery is due for maintenance closedown in mid October 2009 to work among other components, the catalyst which is responsible for production of petrol.
“In order to have stocks during the shutdown, 15 million litres of petrol and 25 million litres of diesel are being imported. Loading of these products in Dar es salaam will begin on Wednesday 14th October 2009 with the view to have the fuel start arriving in Ndola 5 days after.”
Mumba said TAZAMA was by yesterday expected to issue 1.5 million litres of diesel and 700,000 litres of petrol.
“Under normal circumstances, these levels of supply should sustain the market, but we have seen consumption increase from 450,000 litres per day of petrol in the [recent] past to currently 700,00 litres per day. For diesel, it has moved from 1.2 million liters per day to 1.6 million litres per day,” he said.
Mumba further said Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) had been instructed by the Minister of Energy to release their strategic reserves onto the market.
By law, OMC are required to have a 15-day reserve stock of fuel in case of shortages on the market.
Labels: FUEL, INDENI, LUSAKA
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Lusaka Hotel embarks on K1.2 bn restructuring plan
Written by Fridah Zinyama
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 7:35:30 AM
LUSAKA Hotel managing director David Thompson has revealed that his company will soon embark on a restructuring programme that is expected to cost about K1.2 billion.
At a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Thompson said the challenges of the past year had prompted the company to take stock of its future and he hoped that the rehabilitation and restructuring would make the hotel more competitive and profitable.
“The restructuring programme is meant to address all cost centres with a view of optimising the profit potential,” he said. “This includes the outsourcing of some services and the closure of some of the non- profit making departments.”
Thompson said the cost of the restructuring programme was estimated at K1.2 billion which would also include the terminal benefits that had accrued over the past eight years.
“In addition, a rehabilitation programme will take place that will see strategic ground floor space converted into a retail mall for more shops and boutiques,” he said.
Thompson said all the 75 rooms at the hotel would undergo extensive rehabilitation in terms of room fittings, fixture and amenities.
“Reticulation systems, both water and electrical, will be fully upgraded to ensure efficiency and effective services for the guests,” he said.
Thompson said the rehabilitation plan was currently in process and would be finalised as soon as the architectural plans and bills of quantity had been approved.
“However the initial estimated cost for the project is K3.4 billion,” said Thompson.
Labels: INFRASTRUCTURE, LUSAKA
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Shortage of Castle Lager hits Lusaka
Written by Kabanda Chulu
Sunday, August 16, 2009 3:53:03 PM
SEVERAL outlets in Lusaka have been affected by a shortage of Castle Lager beer due to inadequate supply by Zambian Breweries, the producers of the commodity.
And Zambian Breweries Group marketing director Patrick Lead yesterday confirmed the shortages and attributed it to a break of production at the Lusaka plant. However, traders and bar operators who stormed Post Newspapers offices in Lusaka yesterday said the Brewery was not being sincere.
“We have been experiencing this problem since last week and we are aware that it is not only here in Lusaka but also in other towns around the country where there are beer shortages as well, so the company should not say it is just a production breakdown but we think there is more behind these shortages because they have been persistent,” said the traders and bar operators.
“For example, we have reports from colleagues around Lusaka that if you do not get to the depots by morning, you will not find anything and this is a situation happening everywhere, hence putting us out of business.”
But Lead said the shortage was as a result of a production break at the Lusaka plant over the weekend.
“We have sufficient stocks in all our depots around the country. The issue about Lusaka where you observed shortages is that we do not hold too many stocks as we can supply at any time. We, however, keep enough stocks in places with logistical challenges and these are off the line of rail depots such as Mansa, Mongu, Kasama and Chipata,” Lead said. “The shortages were therefore limited to areas around Lusaka but production has resumed and the supply situation is now back to normal also the reduction in excise duty which was effected by government earlier this year has made our beer more competitive since we are now the supplier of choice for beer throughout Zambia.”
He said Zambian Breweries Group had planned for significant growth for all its brands.
“A new beer packaging line has been added to Lusaka and enough bottles have been ordered and delivered. A cellars block will be commissioned soon thus providing our Lusaka plant with even more flexibility to supply the market with your favourite beer,î said Lead.
“Castle is our most popular brand. We would like to apologise to our consumers who may have experienced difficulties in securing supplies over the weekend and assure them that supplies are back to normal.”
Labels: BEER, LUSAKA, ZAMBIAN BREWERIES
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Lusaka DC bemoans cost of burying shallow wells
Written by Agness Changala
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 3:13:33 PM
LUSAKA District commissioner Christah Kalulu has said it has "To do this proved extremely expensive to bury the shallow wells in cholera-affected areas.
At a press briefing yesterday, Kalulu cited Chawama and Kanyama compounds, saying it needed K1.1 billion to bury the shallow wells in these areas.
effectively, we have embarked on a sensitisation exercise and we are going to tell people not to drink water from shallow wells and we will provide more taps for them," she said.
Kalulu said the committee had started carrying out a door-to-door campaign in cholera-affected areas to educate them on the dangers of drinking water from shallow wells.
Kalulu urged the people in flooded areas in the capital city not to panic.
"Waters are high, yes, but it's not a disaster level," she said. "Even at the clinics we went to this morning before this meeting, the water has seeped down."
Kalulu said the problem of floods would end once the drainage system was improved.
And Kalulu said cholera levels had continued to reduce.
"From March 20, 2009, the total number of 108 patients were under treatment in Lusaka and this is covering Matero, Kalingalinga, Kanyama, Chipata, George, UNZA [University of Zambia], UTH [University Teaching Hospital] and Lusaka Trust Hospital," she said.
Kalulu said 4,073 patients were admitted for cholera at various clinics since it broke out.
"Of those 4,073 admitted, we had 45 deaths and the deaths are unrelated to those who were brought in dead," Kalulu said. "Those who were brought in dead were 42."
Kalulu expressed happiness that the government's interventions had a positive impact on the number of cases that were being recorded.
Kalulu said the country still experienced some rainfall and advised the public to ensure that garbage was disposed of in the right places, observe hygiene practices and report any symptoms of cholera to nearest health centres.
Labels: CHOLERA, CHRISTIAH KALULU, LUSAKA
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