Revamping of cattle breeding centres begins in N/W Province
By Moses Kuwema and Tilyenji Mwanza
Fri 11 Oct. 2013, 14:01 CAT
VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott on Wednesday sent some members of parliament into laughter when he said that the type of cattle to be found at breeding centres in North Western Province would be four-legged.
This was during questions for oral answer in which Mwinilunga UPND member of parliament Stephen Katuka asked whether the government had any plans of establishing more cattle-breeding centres in North-Western Province.
Vice-President Scott, who was answering the question on behalf of agriculture minister Robert Sichinga, said the government would only establish more cattle breeding centres in North Western Province when the two existing ones become operational.
Mapatizya UPND member of parliament Clive Miyanda then asked what type of cattle would be stocked in the yet-to-be-established breeding centres, to which Vice-President Scott responded: "the four-legged ones", sending members into laughter.
However, after sometime, Keembe MMD member of parliament Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha rose on a point of order, seeking to know if the Vice-President was in order to state that the type of cattle to be stocked in the breeding centres would be four-legged when it was obvious that cattle had four legs.
In his ruling, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Matibini urged Vice-President Scott to offer plain answers to the questioners.
And Vice-President Scott said the government had already started revamping the Kanyama and Chihundu breeding centres.
He said the government had stocked Kanyama Centre in Mwinilunga with 170 cattle as a way of restoring the breeding centre.
Vice-President Scott said chiefs Kanongesha and Kapijimpanga had already identified land where the cattle breeding centres would be constructed.
Labels: CATTLE, GUY SCOTT, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE, PF
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Scott pledges to develop North Western Province
By Kombe Chimpinde in Mwinilunga
Mon 17 Sep. 2012, 10:19 CAT
Vice-President Guy Scott says he will not rest until North Western province is developed to significant levels. Vice-President Scott said President Sata had assigned him to concentrate on Northern Western Province to see if they could make the province grow.
"We need more mines, electrification, communication and more infrastructures. We mean business," he said.
Attending a ceremony hosted by North Western Province chiefs, during which a number of initiates physically expressed their discontent, Vice-President Scott reiterated the need for peace and unity and called for an end to sporadic tribal conflicts.
And chief Kanongesha said he had confidence in President Sata because he had shown that he had a heart of accommodating everyone.
And chief Mumena of Solwezi said chiefs were agreeable to the PF's concept of decentralisation.
"We are looking forward to this concept to be put in place so that we can quickly access development. The people are thirsty for development. We need infrastructure. We are looking at access to hospitals and schools especially with resources in lower levels of our country," he said.
Chief Mumena said it was time that the traditional leadership assisted politicians to bring peace and unity for the common good of the tribes and politics and everyone else.
Chief Mumena asked government to halt the constant changes at permanent secretary level for the province.
Meanwhile, there was security scare at the ceremony when one of the initiates ploughed through the security cordon towards the Vice-President with a bow and arrow. The overzealous initiate was restrained by North Western Province deputy police commissioner Bonny Kapeso.
Earlier, an axe which was thrown by one of the initiates at the Vice-President landed on one of his bodyguards.
Immediately after Vice-President Scott finished delivering his speech, about three initiates followed him as one of them almost pushed him to the ground.
This incensed chief Kanongesha who later counselled one of the initiates.
Chief Kanongesha later apologised to Vice-President Scott saying such acts were not unusual at a ceremony.
Labels: GUY SCOTT, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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N/W Province is ideal for livestock - PS
By Correspondent
Wed 14 Mar. 2012, 11:57 CAT
NORTH Western Province has attractive and ideal conditions for livestock development, says agriculture and livestock permanent secretary Dr David Shamulenge.
During a tour of Kanongesha and Kanyama cattle breeding centres in Ikelenge and Mwinilunga on Friday, Dr Shamulenge said livestock development would encourage meat processing in the region.
He said developing livestock farming in North Western Province would increase the region's market share for meat and dairy product exports to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.
He said to support the venture, the government had procured 95 head of cattle for Kanyama Cattle Breeding Centre which is under construction where chief Kanyama has given out 4, 000 hectares of land for the scheme.
Dr Shamulenge, however, expressed disappointment with the state of Kanongesha centre, where an initial cattle head count of 198 exotic Brahman breed supplied in 2005 has drastically dwindled to 39 due to thefts and mismanagement.
Senior Chief Kanongesha told Dr Shamulenge when he paid a courtesy call at his palace that he was disappointed that a scheme he spearheaded in his area to reduce poverty and create jobs for youths had been mismanaged.
Senior Chief Kanongesha, however, said he was hopeful that the PF government would provide new direction in helping North Western Province develop its livestock sector.
Dr Shamulenge assured chiefs Kanongesha and Kanyama that President Michael Sata's vision for North Western Province was to revive the region's potential for livestock development and strengthen agriculture so that the region could be a bread basket for the country.
Dr Shamulenge also said the essence of the breeding centers was to empower local communities with tools to maximise sources of income and reduce rural poverty.
Labels: CATTLE, CHIEF KANONGESHA, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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Sata goes for North-Western Province tribalistic chiefs
By Ernest Chanda
Fri 09 Dec. 2011, 14:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has warned chiefs in North-Western Province against promoting tribalism in the area. Speaking after he swore in two more people on the constitution technical committee at State House yesterday, President Sata said tribalism could not bring development in the nation.
"Tribe is not a criterion, is not a qualification for employment. I've got people like Mr Mulasikwanda in Western-Province, and I've got the chiefs in North-Western Province. Those chiefs in North Western Province during the campaigns they were lying to people that Sata will bring war. Then again they came to lie; no, no, no Sata is going to take you to Angola. And now today they say they want to remove everybody who is in North-Western Province and employ their own relatives," Sata said.
"If the Solis stood up and said we don't want Mihova the commander of the army, we don't want Kanganja Secretary to the Cabinet, we don't want that permanent secretary in youth and sport; my own personal secretary is from North-Western Province, where is this country going to go? But I want to warn Mr Mulasikwanda of that fake Barotse government and these chiefs in North-Western Province, the law will protect the people of Zambia. And we are not going to be divided on tribal lines. The right brains will protect the people of Zambia. And we are not going to use tribe. You can use tribe in your own house but you don't use tribe when you come to national level."
Meanwhile, President Sata has accused former finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane of drawing two salaries when he was a civil servant.
He said Dr Musokotwane who is Liuwa MMD member of parliament was drawing a salary from the Bank of Zambia and from government when he served as finance minister.
On Monday, President Sata accused the MMD of having printed fake money, but Dr Musokotwane responded by accusing President Sata of not being serious in his handling of national issues.
And President Sata said he had information that Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia executive director Reverend Pukuta Mwanza and International Fellowship of Christian Churches president Bishop Simon Chihana were supposed to hold a meeting and denounce him for not including them in the technical committee.
President Sata said Rev Mwanza and Bishop Chihana did not have qualifications to deserve a place on the technical committee.
"First they said the team is not balanced, then the latest part you are going to face; two fake pastors are supposed to hold a meeting to denounce me. Please warn them, the existing laws protect me. So Mr. Pukuta Mwanza and Mr. Chihana are supposed to hold a meeting and denounce me. But I'm very thick skinned," President Sata said.
"Mr. Chihana hasn't got the qualities that we want. Pukuta Mwanza hasn't got the qualities I need. During the campaign Pukuta Mwanza and Chihana campaigned against us, why don't they go to Mr. Banda to appoint them? They should go to Mr. Rupiah Banda to appoint them, let him have his own committee."
President Sata swore in Commerce, Trade and Industry permanent secretary Stephen Mwansa and constitution technical committee members Reuben Lifuka and Patricia Jere.
He told the duo that the law of the land would protect him.
Labels: CHIEFS, MICHAEL SATA, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE, TRIBALISM
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Govt will prioritise poverty fight, says N/Western PS
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Wed 19 Oct. 2011, 09:20 CAT
THE first priority of the PF government in North Western Province is to end chronic poverty and underdevelopment, says Dr David Shamulenge.
In an interview, Dr Shamulenge, the newly appointed permanent secretary of North Western Province, said the government would provide opportunities for human integral development so that the people in the region could start feeling the presence of government in all sectors.
He said it was sad that for many years the people of North Western Province had been deceived with piecemeal developments, adding that time had come for people in the region to work closely to deliver real development.
Dr Shamulenge said it was unacceptable that in many areas of North Western Province, people had been sleeping on empty stomachs due to widespread poverty and lack of empowerment opportunities.
He said the new government had already started devising ways to see how it would work closely with the people in all the nine districts of the province to bring change and renewed hope.
Dr Shamulenge said the government had already started engaging mining companies and other stakeholders to see how employment opportunities could be created for the majority youths who had no means for personal empowerment.
"Today, President Sata is talking about changing the face of Zambia and by working together, we will do it. North Western Province needs more effort if the people are to see meaningful development. We have identified problems like farmers input support programme which we will improve on. We need to also protect our produce from getting soaked in the rain and many other issues. My doors are open to everyone regardless of the political affiliation. Let's work together to bring the desired change in the lives of the people," said Dr Shamulenge.
Labels: NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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PF is not tribal, says Limata
By Correspondent
Fri 07 Oct. 2011, 08:00 CAT
NORTH Western Province minister Josephine Limata says the Patriotic Front is not a tribal party and has advised locals in the region to rally behind the PF government.
Limata said when she met members of North Western Development Council of Elders at her office on Tuesday that President Michael Sata was not a tribalist but "a man of action" who wanted to unselfishly develop the country.
"I am happy about him; President Sata is a man of action. There is no tribalism in PF. This is Zambia; it is not Zambia for one tribe but for everyone. And President Sata is President for everybody. If we do that shunning his government because of belonging to other political parties then we will be left out of the development of the country," she said.
Limata said when President Sata appointed her as provincial minister, he told her that North Western was important to the country and that she needed to work hard to uplift its agricultural, educational and health delivery standards.
"President Sata told me that 'I am sending you to bring people together'. Tribalism will not take us anywhere. And he told me that 'I will give you the money needed to do all the projects there'," she said.
Limata asked the elders to give her constructive guidance to manage the complexities of the region.
And chairperson of the council of elders Lucas Chikoti told Limata to assure President Sata that the province had welcomed her and would support the government's agenda for the region.
He noted that North Western had massive resources but that it benefitted very little and called on President Sata to give it a priority.
"This province lacks a lot in terms of development. This has been our cry for quite a
long time. The resources are coming from here. I am hopeful that we shall be helped," said Chikoti. "We are also happy that the President has sent you here. Women are better leaders than men and are more committed. Tell the President that he should not listen to rumours coming from this province that people had rejected Limata's appointment because she came from outside North Western."
And former health minister in the Kenneth Kaunda regime, Alina Nyikosa, praised President Sata for being gender sensitive and trusting a woman to head what she described as a "difficult province", calling the move an exciting real change.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE, PF, REGIONALISM, TRIBALISM
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Kanongesha calls for reconciliatory talks in N/Western Province
By Correspondent
Tue 04 Oct. 2011, 08:50 CAT
SENIOR chief Kanongesha says the Patriotic Front's dismal showing in North Western Province in the recent elections was due to strained political relations that can be reversed if the ruling party engages the region in reconciliatory talks.
Chief Kanongesha of the Lunda people of Mwinilunga said in an interview on Friday that people in the province were not entirely to blame for giving PF fewer votes because it had not sold itself well in the region.
He said most of the candidates featured under the PF were little known in their communities and lacked support from the electorate to command victories.
Chief Kanongesha, who was accompanied by several members of his royal establishment, advised that the PF government should establish deliberate relations with the people of North Western Province aimed at uniting it with the change mood in the rest of the country.
"We are making a passionate appeal to the government that it should extend an olive branch to the people of North Western Province. It's not the problem of the people, it's the problem of the PF central committee, that's why we have no elected PF voice from North Western in Parliament," said chief Kanongesha. "We are a friendly people and we make good citizens of Zambia."
He said the Lunda people congratulated President Michael Sata and would give him support to build the country.
Chief Kanongesha said President Sata's historic victory was a sign that Zambia was on a path to recovery and expressed confidence that the new administration would deal with the challenges of the region and exploit its full potential and deliver vital development after years of underdevelopment by previous governments.
He praised President Sata's creation of a new ministry for traditional leaders, saying chiefs were a critical component to conflict management and should be involved through implementation of a decentralized system that would empower them with a pivotal role.
Chief Kanongesha, however, expressed sadness over the low presence of North Westerners in the recently announced Cabinet but hoped that the few who were still in the civil service could be maintained.
Meanwhile, chief Kanongesha said North Western was ready for heavy investment in food production as proved by recent maize yields.
He also said the region had potential for sugar production as well as tree plantation and fisheries development.
Labels: CHIEF KANONGESHA, CHIEFS, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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N/Western geared to force Rupiah into retirement, says Malwa
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Sat 17 Sep. 2011, 13:55 CAT
PEOPLE of North Western Province are geared to force Rupiah Banda into retirement next Tuesday because his MMD government has failed to develop the economic potential of the province, says PF Solwezi Central candidate Newton Malwa.
Giving an update after conducting campaigns in his area, Malwa said people claiming that MMD has brought development to the region would be proved wrong on 20th September 2011.
"Our strategy is to educate voters on the failures of the current MMD regime, which are too numerous to mention and these failures range from allowing mining investors to exploit miners through poor conditions of service, failing to buy maize which is getting rotten along the roadsides and failing to provide clean drinking water for people living in Chawama and Zambia compounds who are still accessing water from shallow wells," Malwa said.
"So what developments are they talking about when roads are pathetic and President Banda is just commissioning projects started by his late predecessor? But this time around people are ready to retire Rupiah Banda because he has failed to develop this region despite its economic potential and it is high time (PF leader Michael) Sata is given chance to implement his visionary plans."
But MMD Solwezi Central Constituency chairman Tiki Mulofwa, who answered the mobile phone for parliamentary candidate Lucky Mulusa, responded that Malwa was not sincere because MMD has brought development to the area.
"It is MMD which looked for investors to reopen the Kansanshi mines and this has resulted in job creation for many people including those miners who were retrenched by ZCCM," said Mulofwa.
He said the mines were helping in road rehabilitation and supporting schools and health centres.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, MMD, NEWTON MALWA, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE, PF
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N/Western mining industry must benefit locals - Sata
By George Chellah in Mufumbwe
Sun 21 Aug. 2011, 12:20 CAT
PF leader Michael Sata says the booming mining industry in North Western Province must benefit the locals. And Sata said President Rupiah Banda is a wrong choice to lead Zambia.
During a public rally on Friday, Sata who first observed a minute of silence for the PF supporters that perished in a road accident on the Solwezi-Mwinilunga road on Thursday said there was need for locals to directly benefit from the mines.
“Late president Levy Mwanawasa brought the mining industry to North Western Province even here Mufumbwe not only in Solwezi. But can you tell me what your benefit is?” Sata asked.
“How are you benefiting from those mines? We don’t have jobs for our youths we have no filling station in Mwinilunga, Kabompo and Zambezi.”
He urged people not be swayed by President Banda’s lies again.
“In 2008, Rupiah Banda cheated you that he was going to bring electricity here instead of diesel generators,” he said.
He bemoaned the lack of development in the area.
“Mufumbwe has no high school and hospital. What we want is to create employment for our boys and for our girls. We want to link North Western Province with Kalulushi,” Sata said. “We want to link Kasempa with Mumbwa. We want a road from Kasempa to Kaoma. And we want a road from Zambezi to Lukulu. We want a local government, which will look after the interests of women.”
And Sata said President Rupiah Banda was a wrong choice to lead the country.
He said the MMD picked a wrong successor for the late Mwanawasa.
“Traditionally, when a husband dies, the relatives of that man who died will look for another person to replace the deceased,” Sata said. “But if a woman is in a hurry she goes to the market or in a bar and brings another man, she brings problems on her shoulders.”
He said President Banda took advantage of the people’s suffering and hijacked the leadership of the MMD and subsequently that of the country.
“I want to ask you my brothers and sisters, what party office did Banda have in the MMD? We know very well Mr Banda is UNIP. When did Mr Banda resign from UNIP to join MMD? What day did he join MMD?” he asked.
He dismissed the MMD propaganda that he would deport people from North Western Province to Angola.
Sata said he sympathised with President Banda because he did not know that historically people from Northwestern, Luapula,
Northern, Central and Copperbelt provinces share the same origins.
“If we become united we are not going to have children suffering like this. Our children will be much happier,” he said.
He said President Banda wanted to get credit on projects he did not initiate.
“When Levy Mwanawasa took over as president he started the Mutanda-Chavuma road, now Rupiah Banda… you find a billboard, not of Levy Mwanawasa but of Rupiah Banda,” he said.
He wondered how President Bnada was going to finish the numerous projects he has initiated before the forthcoming general election.
“How can they build a road in 34 days?” he asked.
He said previously PF did not field candidates in areas like Mufumbwe and Solwezi because they did not want to split the opposition vote.
“There was a by-election here, PF did not want to split the vote, we did not come. We are not impressed with the performance of your representative. We have also brought in our own candidate, the choice is yours,” Sata said. “In Solwezi, I came to campaign when Mr Tetamashimba died. We did not put a candidate. Our friends are not grateful so we have decided this time to put up a candidate.”
He said he brought Bert Mushala to Mufumbwe because he seemed to understand people in the constituency better.
Earlier, Sata made a stopover at Kasempa turn-off and addressed PF supporters that were waiting for him.
“I saw you here and I did not want to pass. I wanted to stop and say ‘how are you?’” he said.
He reminded the people that during the by-election that brought Kabinga Pande, the MMD made a lot of promises.
“MMD promised a road from Kasempa to Kalulushi as well as from Mumbwa to Kasempa. We were told ‘if you vote for Pande’ they will give you a road from Kasempa to Kaoma. When we came here they told us ‘if you vote Pande’ they will bring a salt factory,” Sata said.
“In 2004, MMD came and said they are giving you a secondary school. When I look here I am not seeing a clinic. There is no clinic here and you are looking and smiling at the MMD.”
He said President Banda had reduced the fertiliser allocation that was left by Mwanawasa.
He said it was sad that the people in refugee camps were more comfortable than most Zambians.
“And they are not ashamed because if you had water here, telephones, schools and food for these children... You are suffering more than the refugees,” Sata said.
“…46 years of independence we can’t suffer like this. Can Rupiah Banda put himself in your place? Can Rupiah Banda live here? Can Dora Siliya live here?”
Labels: MINING, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE, TAX EVASION, TAXATION, WINDFALL TAX
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Sata takes his campaign to Mwinilunga
By George Chellah in Mwinilunga
Thu 18 Aug. 2011, 14:00 CAT
PF leader Michael Sata yesterday received a thunderous welcome in North Western Province’s Mwinilunga district where he later addressed a mammoth rally in the afternoon.
Scores of PF supporters, who had camped a few kilometres out of the town centre, were at hand to receive and usher the PF leader into the district in a convoy when he arrived in Mwinilunga yesterday afternoon. And later during a public rally, Sata said President Rupiah Banda has diverted money meant for the fertiliser support to the MMD campaigns.
“Levy Mwanawasa left you eight bags of fertiliser, Rupiah Banda took fertiliser away from you. You have seen the number of vehicles MMD has bought, you have seen the T-shirts and chitenges,” Sata said.
“When you were at their convention. Suresh Desai MMD national treasurer said MMD is bankrupt. Where has all of a sudden Rupiah Banda manufactured money to buy motor vehicles and to buy chitenges?”
He said Mwinilunga was very important and rich in the history of the country and yet nobody recognised the district’s potential.
“What I’m telling you, I am not speaking from without because I have picked one of your daughters Jean Kapata as MP for Mandevu…46 years of independence, electricity is cut off here,” he said.
Sata said he visited the district to show the people that he was still standing with them.
He urged people not to pay attention to the propaganda on ZNBC.
“ZNBC doesn’t even say that Mwinilunga has no water. ZNBC doesn’t say ‘you have no roads in Mwinilunga’. And all of you with electricity and TV are paying K3,000 per month… the K3,000 you pay is to tell you Michael Sata is very sick,” he said.
“They are saying Sata will take you to Angola. It is them who have already taken you to Angola because they have not given you water, they have not given you electricity and they have not given you roads.”
He promised to visit Ikelenge before the general elections next month.
Sata said when Mwinilunga had serious members of parliament like Dr Peter Matoka, the district experienced a number of developmental projects.
“Without Mr Peter Matoka, there would have been no tar road up to here. Rupiah Banda when he came here in 2008, he promised you two roads; Kabompo-Mwinilunga, he promised you a bridge and a road to new Ikelenge Boma. As I am going to Kabompo is the road finished?” asked Sata.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, MMD, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE, PF
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Sata promises defence, security personnel a housing ownership scheme
By George Chellah in Solwezi
Thu 18 Aug. 2011, 13:59 CAT
MICHAEL Sata has promised a housing ownership scheme for all defence and security personnel. And Sata said the people of North-Western Province needed to benefit from the region’s vast mineral wealth.
Addressing a mammoth public rally on Tuesday, Sata said the defence and security personnel have always been left out in home ownership programmes by all successive governments and promised that PF in office would introduce a housing ownership scheme for the defence and security personnel.
“When Frederick Chiluba gave houses, he did not give the police, the army, Zambia Air Force (ZAF), Zambia National Service (ZNS), prisons and the intelligence,” Sata said. “The police defence and security personnel are just as human as we are, when they retire they need a home. PF in government we want to look after poor people because the police are poor people.”
Sata, who is accompanied by his campaign manager Willie Nsanda, presidential election agent Samuel Mukupa among other party officials, said there were high levels of unemployment in the North-Western Province.
“A thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus Christ said ‘don’t cry for me, cry for yourselves and your children’,” said Sata as the jubilant crowd ululated. “Today is Tuesday, if there was development which Mr Rupiah Banda was talking about and Mr Enoch Kavindele, these people would not be here.
“It is up to you, that’s what Jesus said. This town doesn’t look like a mining town. They promised you a hospital; I haven’t seen a hospital here. They promised you roads, I haven’t seen a road.”
He urged people to be annoyed with President Banda’s government for the underdevelopment and vote the MMD out of office.
“North-Western Province is very rich. It has all the minerals,” Sata said. “It has iron, steel and it has diamonds but unfortunately we the people seem to be working for our pockets.”
He said President Banda has appointed a salaries commission where permanent secretaries would be given 50 per cent salary increment.
“Mr Rupiah Banda cannot even afford to look after the police officers.
Even if he gives the police 50 per cent salary increment they will only be getting K800,000,” he said.
Sata also took time to introduce all the three candidates for Solwezi Central, Solwezi East and Solwezi West.
The PF candidates are Newton Malwa Solwezi Central, Peter Ilunga Solwezi East and Rodiness Shatewa Ndumba Solwezi West.
“There are three aspiring candidates in Solwezi. Where I come from, we say ukuteka imbwa mano. You people if you are elected, you are going to receive lots of money but don’t forget where you come from,” Sata said.
“I left K600 million Constituency Development Fund (CDF), that money is not for you and your relatives. Go in the police camps, form women’s clubs because those police women are suffering more than anything else. Those people want a voice.
“Even the police want a voice. So madam and two gentlemen when these people make you ‘honourable’ (MPs) you should know that these the people are the ‘honourables’.”
He said Zambians were not benefiting from the country’s mineral resources.
“Zambia has a population of 13 million. We have so much wealth in this country. I came here because people were saying ‘Sata is very sick, he can’t stand’,” Sata said. “They came to tell you that Sata will take away ARVs but they don’t tell you who brought ARVs. We need a constitution, which will protect the police, which will protect everybody.”
Meanwhile, Solwezi came to a stand still as Sata’s convoy passed through the mining town from the airport.
Sata touched down at Solwezi Airport at approximately 15: 40 hours and immediately proceeded to the show grounds where he addressed a mammoth rally.
Motorists honked and a number of locals lined up the streets to catch a glimpse of the PF leader as he made his way to the rally.
Labels: ARMED FORCES, MICHAEL SATA, MINING, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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Under developement in N/Western Province unacceptable despite Lumwana mine
TIME PUBLISHED - Monday, July 18, 2011, 9:02 am
Aspiring PF parliamentary candidate Davies Kapijimpanga said in Solwezi that he was very disappointed with the level of underdevelopment in the North Western Province despite the province having one of the biggest copper mines in the world ( Lumwana Mine ) and Kansanshi Mine. He said there should have been industries developing in tandem with the mines to produce spares etc for the mines. He said there wasn’t even a single industry producing bolts and the mines have to import nearly all their requirements from outside the country.
He added that the mining investors were reaping huge profits and living in luxury whilst the majority of the people of North Western Province still wallow in poverty.
Meanwhile copper prices rose for a third straight week last week.The prices for the three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose 0.7 per cent to US$9,720 a tonne while the most-active September copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange jumped nearly 1.9 per cent to 72,460 Yuan per tonne.
Labels: LAND RIGHTS, LUMWANA MINING COMPANY, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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Royal family member decries Lumwana sale
By Ernest Chanda
Fri 03 June 2011, 08:20 CAT
A member of the Kapijimpanga royal establishment says President Rupiah Banda’s government has no respect for the people of North Western Province for allowing the 100 per cent purchase of Lumwana mine by Canada’s Barrick Gold.
Davies Kapijimpanga said it was wrong for the government to allow the transaction that will see the total purchase of Lumwana Copper Mine by Barrick Gold Corporation of Canada as part of the takeover of Equinox Minerals Limited.
“This issue is worrying us as a people coming from the North Western Province. The fact that government has surrendered even the little shares it had in Equinox Minerals shows that the new owners will just come with impunity,” Kapijimpanga said.
“And this irresponsible government is not concerned about our welfare as a people of North Western Province. If this happened in other provinces, this government would have been running about trying to make amends. But because it involves the North Western Province, it’s business as usual.”
He said times had changed and people from that region were alive to the political wind of change.
Kapijimpanga said there was no way a government could relinquish even the small shares it held in the mining company.
“What if Barrick Gold Corporation says we have no need for these employees, therefore we will fire all of them? What will be the benefit of the local people in that area? Already there are no benefits, so shall we just continue to give away our minerals for free?” he asked.
Kapijimpanga said Solwezi Council was not benefiting, as it should from the mining sector.
“Solwezi is supposed to be the richest town in the country because Zambia has been rated the second-biggest mining nation in the world. Solwezi should be collecting about US$15 million annually from the mines, considering the huge profits Kansanshi and other mines make,” said Kapijimpanga.
“We should also revisit the issue of cultural and heritage rights. The government of Australia drew up a charter to respect natives in areas with minerals. For example that government has recognition for the heritage and cultural rights of the Aborigines and they get a percent from the mining sector; we can do the same. I appeal to opposition Patriotic Front president Michael Sata to look into this when he comes into power so that we are not continually ripped off.”
Last week the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) granted final conditional authorisation to the proposed acquisition of 100 per cent shareholding of Equinox Minerals Limited by Barrick Gold Corporation.
CCPC said the approval was on condition that the mining giant honours the subsisting agreements that Lumwana Copper Mines had entered into with the local smelter, local suppliers to the mine and other third line industries.
Labels: CORRUPTION, LUMWANA MINING COMPANY, NEOLIBERALISM, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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N/Western needs good leaders - Sata
By George Chellah and David Chongo in Solwezi
Mon 21 Feb. 2011, 04:01 CAT
Patriotic Front (PF) leader MICHAEL Sata has urged the people of North-Western Province to give PF good leaders in the forthcoming general elections.
Addressing a crowd that braved rains to attend his rally at Solwezi showgrounds on Saturday, Sata said the province needed good leaders to pioneer development.
“We had very strong leaders both men and women. If we didn’t have people like Peter Matoka, there would be no tar road up to Mwinilunga,” Sata said.
“If we did not have people like Humphrey Mulemba wecould not be talking about mining in North-Western Province. Give me good leaders in North-Western Province. Once you show me good leaders, I will show them where to go.”
Sata said he knew North-Western Province better than any leader today and that he toured the province when he served as minister at the Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Health respectively.
“I went to Kasempa where I found they where giving rotten medicines. I know North-Western Province better than Elijah Muchima and Kabinga Pande, MP for Kasempa,” he said.
“When you go to the hospital the blankets I bought when I was health minister if they finish you don’t get anything.”
He challenged President Banda to show a single developmental project he personally initiated in the province.
“Ask Rupiah Banda since he was born…he is now 74 years old, can he point at a single toilet he has built here at Solwezi showgrounds?” he said.
Sata said God blessed the province with minerals so that locals could enjoy and stressed the need for mineral explorations.
“God can’t give Angola oil and diamonds and not give us. When there is money in North-Western Province the money must be in your pockets,” Sata said. “Why should money come from Solwezi but the people in Solwezi don’t even have a blanket to cover in hospital?”
He said the country had enough resources to extend the railway line from Chingola to Angola.
“PF will bring the railway line to Solwezi and then to Mwinilunga up to Congo,” he said.
He said the people of North-Western Province had been betrayed by their own representatives.
“Today, your own children whom you love and trust Kabinda Pande foreign affairs minister today is very fat and Muchima Southern Province minister is very fat but that’s not a problem because in the Bible when Jesus was on the cross, women went to him crying and Jesus told them, ‘don’t cry for me cry for yourselves and your children’,” Sata said.
“The only person who will remove trouble from your face is yourself. You did that 20 years ago. There was Kaunda, there was no opposition and Kaunda had television, Times of Zambia, Daily Mail all talking about Kaunda. But you people made up your mind that Kaunda kuya bebele.”
Sata also took time to appreciate the people who made it to the rally.
“I am grateful because I was told North-Western Province and Solwezi, it’s a no go area for Sata. But you were not scared of the rains,” he said.
And PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba, who is also party spokesperson, told the crowd that 2011 was a year of redemption for Africa.
Kabimba said he had worked under President Banda and Sata at Lusaka City Council so he knew both leaders very well. He said Dr Kaunda fired President Banda from LCC and Namboard while Sata had never been fired from any portfolio.
He said PF was willing to work with other opposition political parties and urged members to work hard to ensure victory in this year’s elections.
He said the MMD would not rig the elections.
“Don’t leave the polling stations before the results are announced,” said Kabimba.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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N/Western changing dramatically, says Musokotwane
By David Chongo in Mufumbwe
Sun 20 Feb. 2011, 03:59 CAT
NORTH Western Province has moved from being a backward region to the country’s driving engine, says finance minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane.
Dr Musokotwane said though historically North Western Province was considered undeveloped compared to other provinces, it had assumed a pole position of economic importance by attracting investment which had helped the country achieve 7.1 per cent economic growth by last year.
“The North Western is changing dramatically. For many years the province was considered to be Cinderella, undeveloped, backward and lagging behind. As we speak today North Western is the locomotive of economic development for Zambia,” said Dr Musokotwane in Mufumbwe on Thursday.
He said in a few years, the region would receive more foreign direct investment in mining of iron ore following positive prospects of the mineral in the province.
Dr Musokotwane reiterated that within the next two years the government would complete the tarring of the Mutanda-Chavuma road which is currently under construction.
He said the road was an important link to countries on the western side and would help in the export of agricultural produce especially to Angola where the market for farm products had good returns.
Dr Musokotwane said the government was emphasising diversification in the region by encouraging agriculture as evidenced by plans to revive the Mwinilunga cannery for processing of pineapples.
He said the government was considering a third route connecting the province to the rest of the country by a road linking Kasempa to Kaoma then Mongu on to Sesheke.
And during the official opening of a Cavmont Bank agency in Mufumbwe, Dr Musokotwane observed that the accessibility of rural communities to banking services was significantly low in Zambia.
He said North Western Province, which accounted for 5.5 per cent of the country’s population, only had 3.5 per cent share of banking services whereas, according to a Bank of Zambia/Finscope survey, Lusaka and Copperbelt were at more than 60 per cent.
Dr Musokotwane said the government would expedite the connection to the national power grid of Mufumbwe up to Chavuma in order to attract more businesses to the area.
Labels: NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE, SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE
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Chikoti questions govt’s agenda for N/Western Province
By Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Sun 06 Feb. 2011, 04:01 CAT
THE government is not honest about its development agenda for North Western Province, according to the provincial council of elders chairperson Lucas Chikoti.
Reacting to reports that the government would carry out feasibility studies on the possibilities of building a railway line from Solwezi to Katimamulilo, Chikoti wondered why the government wanted to jump to a longer route when works on the Chingola-Solwezi railway line were curtailed.
“Up to now, nothing has been done on the Chingola-Solwezi railway line. The former vice-president Enoch Kavindele was given a go ahead to construct the railway line and he even formed a consortium, but the government withdrew the licence to Northwestern Rail just because Kavindele comes from here,” Chikoti said.
He said the government was applying double standards by wanting to jump onto a longer railway route when they had failed to work on the shorter one and roads were being damaged owing to heavy traffic.
“The people of North Western Province are disappointed with the government because they have realised that they are not honest with their development agenda for this province,” he said.
“And they should not expect people to vote for them because they haven’t done anything for the province and until they change their attitude and convince us that they are serious, they might as well forget about votes from the province.”
He also complained about the poor state of the Solwezi-Kipushi road whose deplorable state was hampering trade between Zambia and DR Congo.
Chikoti said the poor state of the road had left many farmers stranded because they could not sell their surplus maize from last season to the neighbouring DRC.
And Chikoti said people were pleased with the sentiments by Solwezi Diocese Catholic Bishop Charles Kasonde that the province was not benefiting much from the profits that mining companies were making.
Chikoti said Bishop Kasonde’s words were correct and he was speaking for the people.
Labels: NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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Mining is not benefitting locals in N/Western - Kasonde
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sun 30 Jan. 2011, 03:59 CAT
BENEFITS of mining in North Western Province are not trickling down to communities, says Solwezi Catholic Diocese Bishop Charles Kasonde.
In an interview from Solwezi on Friday, Bishop Kasonde reiterated that investment in the province’s education sector was a must especially that the mining companies were creating craters in the ground but benefits were not trickling to the local people.
He said the people that experienced the pollution and failed to sleep due to the mining activities should be the first ones to benefit from the investment. Bishop Kasonde said poverty was the order of the day in North Western Province.
He asked the government to help people by seriously investing in the area.
“We appreciate what the government is doing but they can do much more. These are very critical issues,” he said.
Bishop Kasonde said a lot more needed to be done to develop North Western Province, especially in the area of empowering locals. He said although some locals had been employed in the mines, people were looking forward to a future where a bigger number would be availed an opportunity to work in the mines.
“The literacy levels are quite low and the mines are looking for skilled labour. Most of our people have basic education or no education at all,” Bishop Kasonde said.
He said it was, therefore, incumbent on the government to ensure that investment in education was heightened.
“It should be real investment. It is not just a question of building infrastructure,” Bishop Kasonde said. “They have built a number of schools in here but I have never heard them building a college for teachers.”
On the low figures of registered voters in the province, Bishop Kasonde said there was little political will in the voter registration exercise.
Labels: NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE, WINDFALL TAX
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MMD’s ‘preferred candidate’ syndrome goes to N/Western
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Mon 10 Jan. 2011, 04:00 CAT
SOME MMD members in North Western Province have been advised to avoid contesting certain positions during tomorrow’s provincial conference to enable the national executive committee’s preferred candidates to go through unopposed.
But MMD provincial chairman Pinakin ‘peter’ Patel, who is re-contesting his position, said all positions at the conference would be elective. MMD sources on Saturday revealed that David Kapwepwe, who comes from Kabompo area and wanted to contest the chairmanship, was told to vie for another position.
“Kapwepwe is hardworking and people want him to be chairman but when he declared intentions, they advised him to go for the vice-chairmanship because certain positions have been reserved for other people as per NEC directive but we are wondering. What kind of democracy is this whereby people are not free to contest positions they want?” one of the sources said. “And this is bad for a party that was formed on the premise of democracy and people are looking forward to see competition so that a formidable team can be ushered into office considering the losses the MMD has incurred in recent by-elections under the current leadership.”
And Kapwepwe confirmed that he wanted to contest the chairmanship but opted for the vice-chairmanship to preserve unity in the party.
“I am vying for the vice-chairmanship since I saw that there can be divisions in the party if I had gone ahead and it is true to compete to strengthen democracy but in some instances, it is wise and shows maturity to avoid stiff competition for the sake of party unity,” Kapwepwe said.
And Patel, who is currently unopposed, said there had been no such directive from the NEC and people were going around the province conducting campaigns.
“There has always been stiff competition during our party elections especially for the main executive committee. And we also expect competition to thrive in women’s and youth committees but as at now, I am unopposed. But it is too early since people will start arriving in Solwezi venue of conference on Monday and nomination deadline is on the actual day of the meeting and we hope to see many people showing interest to contest various positions,” said Patel.
President Rupiah Banda is expected to officially open the conference tomorrow and will immediately fly back to Lusaka.
Labels: MMD, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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CEC signs land agreement with N/West chiefs
By David Chongo in Solwezi
Sun 26 Dec. 2010, 04:00 CAT
COPPERBELT Energy Corporation (CEC) and two chiefs in North Western Province have signed an agreement for the release of
15, 000 hectares of land toward the construction of the
Kabompo Hydro-power station beginning in 2011.
The agreement which was due on Tuesday between CEC and senior chief Musele of Solwezi and senior chief Sailunga in Mwinilunga was finally appended to on Wednesday after delays following some concerns raised by the traditional leaders.
And North Western Province permanent secretary Daniel Bowasi said the region was poised for unprecedented development following the proposed investment in power generation.
Bowasi said energy was extremely important to the region as high-energy demanding industries set up in the area.
“Energy is extremely important to our mines and is extremely important to the development of the entire province. This investment must benefit the people in which they operate. Kabompo will not be like the power projects in Southern Province where it passes the local people,” he said.
Bowasi said the government was putting emphasis on the generation of power in the region as it had great potential to alleviate the pressure on the existing power stations.
The project that would displace about 29 families around Kabompo Gorge and would cost $120 million is expected to generate 40-megawatt of electricity when it’s finally completed by 2015.
Labels: CEC, CHIEF MUSELE, CHIEF SAILUNGA, DANIEL BOWASI, ENERGY, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE
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Rupiah has treated us unfairly - N/Western chiefs
By David Chongo in Solwezi
Wed 17 Nov. 2010, 04:01 CAT
FOUR senior chiefs from North-Western Province have accused President Rupiah Banda of snubbing them after they sought to meet him.
The traditional leaders, Mujimanzovu, Kasempa, Kalilele and Nyakuleng’a, travelled to Lusaka to meet President Banda last week over the dismissal of North -estern Province permanent secretary Dr Eustern Mambwe.
However, the chiefs were told that President Banda was in Chipata and would meet them at an appropriate time.
According to the chiefs, they waited for him to return to Lusaka but they still could not manage to meet him because he was not ready.
Chief Mujimanzovu said the traditional leaders made an effort to seek audience with the President in good faith but he shunned them.
Chief Mujimanzovu, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said they were unhappy that President Banda declined to meet them and yet they had legitimate issues to raise with him.
“We were still around in Lusaka when the President returned and we thought that he could have given us even 30 minutes. Even just to tell us something, he could have given us an option. But now he sends our own son foreign affairs minister Kabinga Pande to come and tell us that he is not able to meet us, and now we should go back,” chief Mujimanzovu said in an interview upon return from Lusaka. “That in itself has made us feel belittled. We are not appreciated as chiefs. The head of state is our father. If we have a problem, we can run to him. But if we are sort of sidelined, then where else shall we go? This in itself has made us very, very sad.”
Chief Mujimanzovu said the traditional leaders were not keen to undertake another trip to Lusaka but would instead call for a meeting with the President in Solwezi, North-Western Province.
He said Dr Mambwe had initiated many positive developments in the province and his dismissal was ill-timed.
Chief Mujimanzovu said Dr Mambwe had spearheaded the rehabilitation of Solwezi airport, Mushindamo border post and chiefs’ palaces.
Chief Mujimanzovu wondered why such a hard-working public officer could be fired by the government.
And chieftainess Nyakuleng’a said traditional leaders from other parts of the country had never been ignored in such a manner.
She said the chiefs respected President Banda and expected him to hear them out.
“But just to turn us back and say he will call us at an appropriate time, really, we felt that we have not been fairly treated” said chieftainess Nyakuleng’a.
Dr Mambwe, who served as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Transport prior to his transfer to North-Western Province, was replaced by Daniel Bowazi.
Six traditional leaders were initially supposed to travel to Lusaka but chiefs Matebo and Mulonga could not make it.
Labels: CHIEFS, NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE, RUPIAH BANDA
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