SUNDAY 17TH AUGUST 2014 NEWS HEADLINES • A clergy man in Kasama says there is need for the church to unite and preach peace as the country celebrates its golden jubilee. Pastor Shepherd Mumba of House of Prayer ministries noted that the church should unite beyond denominational boundaries in promoting love and peace. Pastor Mumba said the church has a duty to foster unity in the nation and preach against divisions. ****************************************** • The Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Campaign for the month of August is said to be progressing well in Northern Province. Provincial Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision programme coordinator Onesimous Kalaba told Mano News in a telephone interview that the exercise is going-on well. Mr Kalaba has since implored on males in the region to take advantage of the exercise and go for operation. 2, 900 males are targeted to be circumcised in Northern Province during this month’s campaign. **************************************** • Health authorities at the Nakonde border post in Muchinga Province have intensified screening for the deadly Ebola virus. This was revealed yesterday during a District rapid response meeting organized by the District Medical office whose attendance included heads of government departments and stake holders. And acting District Medical officer, Keno Sangwa said the medical office is working hand in hand with the immigration department to ensure that screening is intensified. Dr. Sangwa said an infra-red thermometer has since been installed at the border to detect all suspicious travelers. But despite the measures that are being put in place at Nakonde border, the district medical office is still facing challenges of lack of well-trained medical personnel and materials such as protective clothing. Ebola virus has broken out in West Africa killing over a thousand people. ******************************************** • The Food Reserve Agency-FRA has procured 218, 359 by 50kg bags of white maize from farmers in Luwingu district of the Northern Province since the exercise begun on 1st August 2014. District Commissioner, Mambwe Katontoka disclosed the development, saying the maize buying programme is going on smoothly in all the satellite depots. Ms. Katontoka also disclosed that farmers have continued receiving their monies through the National Savings and Credit Bank-NATSAVE. Meanwhile, the senior government official has revealed that 7,300 by 50kgs bags out of expected 22,000 basal dressing fertilizer has arrived in her district. ******************************************* • The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection-JCTR has commended government for formulating the national planning and budgeting policy. In a statement to Mano News, JCTR Northern Province Coordinator Felix Chiwela said his organization is pleased with government efforts to harmonize national planning with national annual budgets. Mr Chiwela has however urged government to address the funding gaps as this is likely to translate into a systematic developmental policy aimed at addressing a fragmented and sporadic approach to national development. On 31st July 2014, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda launched the implementation of the national planning and budgeting policy. ************************************* • The Zambia Information Communication and Technology Authority-ZICTA has warned mobile phone service providers of stern action if they activate SIM cards without registering them. ZICTA-Board Chairperson, Emmanuel Mpankata sounded the warning recently during an awareness forum held in Isoka District of Muchinga Province at Luangwa guest house. Mr. Mpankata who said cyber-crime is on the rise in the country charged that mobile phone service providers who will be found wanting will face the wrath of the law. He stated that during a random sampling in Nakonde and Isoka districts, some mobile phone dealers were found with several SIM card numbers already activated without being registered. Mr. Mpankata has since implored mobile phone service to oblige with the Zambian regulations on SIM cards registration. ZICTA is on a country wide awareness campaign. ************************************** • Opposition United for Party for National Development-UPND in Northern Province has expressed disappointment at the failure by Government to fully utilize funds provided by the European Union–EU to support climate change programmes. UPND Provincial Information and Publicity Secretary, Edward Musonda alleged that some PF officials have failed to get out of the cocoon of colonial mentality where they were expected to get orders from Europeans before getting anything done. Last week, Green Environment Watch Director of Programmes, Choolwe Milambo charged that is disappointing to learn that government has failed to use the money it was given for the last three years for climate change programmes. Recently, Vice President Dr. Guy Scot disclosed that government has failed to fully utilize funds provided by the EU for climate change programmes. ***************************************** • The Anti-Voter Apathy Project-AVAP in Northern Province has hailed Kasama Central Member of Parliament Geoffrey Mwamba for donating his mid-term gratuity to the constituency. AVAP regional coordinator, Christopher Chikwanda told Mano News in an interview that the decision made by Mr Mwamba popularly known as GBM is commendable. Mr. Chikwanda has since urged those who will be charged with the responsibility of disbursing the money to ensure that the money reaches the intended beneficiaries. During a live programme on Radio Mano on Sunday 10th August, the Kasama Central lawmaker announced that he had decided to give his mid-term gratuity to the constituency which will be divided among the eight wards. ************************************** • Mary Namuyemba has maintained that she is still Patriotic Front political Secretary for Northern Province. In a statement to Mano News, Ms. Namuyemba who has been accused of masquerading as a political secretary by her party’s provincial leadership charged that her appointment is still valid as President Sata has not reversed it. She has since challenged the party’s provincial leadership to show proof that she’s merely masquerading. Recently, PF-Northern Province Secretary; Everist Chela told Mano News that Ms. Namuyemba was not a regional political secretary but a masquerader. *************************************** • The opposition Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) has charged that the ruling Patriotic Front is key in stopping electoral violence in the country. ABZ President Father Frank stated that once the PF chooses the path of clean campaigns and avoids electoral malpractices including abuse of state resources, peace would characterize elections at any given level. Fr Bwalya reiterated that if the ruling party leads the way peaceful and issue based campaign, democracy and good governance would be enhanced in the country. He has since called upon the PF top leaders to show leadership and take the steps needed to end electoral violence. **************************************** • A Non-Governmental Organisation in Northern Province has described as unfortunate the exchange of bitter words between Movement for Multi-party Democracy-MMD and United Party for National Development-UPND in the press. Anti-Voter Apathy Project-AVAP coordinator for Northern and Muchinga Provinces, Christopher Chikwanda stated that it is sad that the two opposition parties had decided to engage in arguments at the expense of providing checks and balances to the government of the day. Mr. Chikwanda also reminded the opposition parties to exhibit conduct befitting a government in-waiting. **************ENDS**************
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 19:11:51 +0000
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