70 Motobikes for extension officers under Conservation Agriculture Scaling Up Project

 *By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka*

 

Agriculture Minister GIVEN LUBINDA says his Ministry intends to make conservation agriculture the official means of increasing farm productivity among small scale farmers and emergent producers in the country.

Mr. LUBINDA says most small scale farmers in rural areas experience relatively higher poverty levels due to low production and productivity and consequent food insecurity.

He says average maize yields among small scale farmers have been reducing from about 3 metric tonnes per hectare at independence to the current 1 point 3 metric tonnes per hectare thereby making some households food insecure.

Speaking during the handover of 70 Motor bikes to extension officers under the conservation Agriculture Scaling up project, Mr. LUBINDA says transport challenges has inhibited the ability by of field staff to effectively reach out to the intended beneficiaries of the project.

He says provision of the motor bikes will enhance provision of technical information and extension services on conservation agriculture to farmers.

Meanwhile, Mr. LUBINDA has cautioned all beneficiary staff to look after the motorbikes and use it for the intended purposes.

And Food Agriculture Organisation Country representative GEORGE OKECH says FAO has continued to provide technical and material support in various fields in the agriculture sector.

Mr. OKECH says the CASU project has piloted a number of initiatives critical to the delivery of extension services to farmers.

He says farmers a now able to receive and ask extension services through SMS, which enable them to chat with various expertise.

He further says the project is also implementing routine monitoring and reporting by extension officers which has contributed immensely towards the improvement of farmer to extension officer contacts.

TRADITIONAL LEADERS REFUSE TO DEBATE THE DRAFT LAND POLICY

*By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka*Draft Land Policy*

Ministry of Lands Acting Permanent Secretary LENOX KALONDE says the significance of a land policy to govern land administration in the country cannot be overemphasized.

He says lack of a National Land Policy has contributed to the various land challenges being experienced in the country.

Speaking during a one day national land policy consultative meeting with the House of Chiefs Mr.

KALONDE says it is important that an acceptable land policy be formulated as various pieces of legislation have not been effective in addressing the many challenges being experienced in the country.

He says the Ministry of lands has decided to engage traditional leaders in order to ensure the process of drafting and developing the land policy for the country adheres to the pre-requisites for social and economic development of society.

Mr. KALONDE has further informed the traditional leaders that the draft land policy development process is in line with the framework and guidelines of land in Africa which were developed by a tripartite consortium of African Union Organisation, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank through a land policy initiative.  

And the traditional leaders have expressed concern over the documents.

In a question and answer session to debate some clause in the draft document, Chief MADZIMAWE of the Ngoni people in Chipata says the document has not come in good faith as it is meant to deprive the royal highnesses of their power over land.

He wondered why the document has not stated clearly where the chief’s authority over land has been placed as it is not clearly stated in the documents.

Meanwhile, Chief KABINGA of the BISA people in Mpika District says the document if not well formulated might bring anarchy to the nation.

He says the draft policy document is aimed at encouraging corruption because it provides for foreigners to get title directly from government without going through the chiefs who are the custodians of land.

And in summarizing the chiefs concerns, House of Chiefs Chairperson, CHIEFTAINNESS NKOMEHSYA MUKAMAMBO THE SECOND has called on the Ministry of Lands to give the traditional leaders enough time to go through the document.

She says continuing with the debate over the draft policy might result in decision that do not mean while to the people being represented.

She has the concerns raised by chiefs are very valid and must be taken seriously other than rushing into formulating the policy.

Chieftainness NKOMESHYA has further disclosed that the chiefs where only availed the document a night before and have not had time to go through the document.

Zambia’s future of getting to zero new HIV infection is possible- Lusaka DC

By *MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka- World AIDS day*

 

Lusaka District Commissioner DAVISON MULENGA says Zambia’s future of getting to zero new HIV infection is possible if all gets involved in high level prevention intervention such as HIV counseling and testing, male circumcision among other interventions.

Captain MULENGA says members of faith based organisations should be encouraged to access treatment being provided by government to every eligible person living with HIV in the District.

Speaking during an interdenominational Candle Lighting Ceremony on the eve of World AIDS Day held at Mtendere’s United Church of Zambia Saint John’s Congregation, Captain MULENGA says he does not expect anyone to die in the district because of not having access to HIV treatment.

Meanwhile, Captain MULENGA has advised the clergy to desist from telling their infected members to stop taking ARVs without verifying the patient’s status. 

He has further called on the church to bring to an end stigma and discrimination in saying that Love is what should be preached when one has been found to be HIV positive.

He says Church leaders must lead by example by embracing infected persons in their fold and bring stigma and discrimination to zero.

Captain MULENGA says well reflecting on this year’s theme, there is need to remember the orphans, widows and vulnerable children because they are a serious source of concern.

He says the theme challenges everyone especially the church leaders to turn the commemoration from being a moment of remembrance to a moment of action so that every faith will mainstream HIV and AIDS programme in order to make Zambia free from the threat of HIV and AIDS as enshrined in the Vision 2030.

Meanwhile, United Church of Zambia clergyman, ROBERT GAMA says there is need to develop a positive attitude towards addressing the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

Reverend GAMA says people should reflect on whether they attitudes towards people living with HIV are building or destroying.

He says every problem comes with a solution and so people should endeavour to find solutions to HIV problems if the zero new infection is to be met.

He says working together in the fight against the pandemic is one way of finding a solution to the problem.

And the Bible Society of Zambia has called on the Church to continue working together in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Society’s Good Samaritan programme officer ESTHER KAYOMBO says the church has been instrumental in the fight against the virus.

EMBRACE DEVELOPMENT- MULOBEZI RESIDENTS TOLD

*By MacPherson Mukuka in MULOBEZI*

Newly created Mulobezi District in Western Province is poised for massive development. This follows Government’s plans to develop the area in various sectors.

However, the challenge lies on the locals who have been cited as having a negative approach towards development.

Patriotic front Mulobezi area Member of Parliament, PATRICIA MULASIKWANDA has called on the residents in the area to develop a positive attitude towards government’s plans and embrace development.

Addressing Villagers in Chief MUTUNDA’S area during her visit to the area, Ms Mulasikwanda said the area has lagged behind because of the local’s negative approach towards government plans.

She said Government has a number of developmental projects earmarked for implementation in the area adding that the projects will only be successful if the residents open their hands and embrace the plans.

The law maker further disclosed that Government plans to construct 41 dams for irrigation, and water storage and 78 boreholes to further cushion the water shortages in the area.

She said Government is also finalising paper work to sign a contract with the Zambia National Service for the upgrading of feeder roads from Simungoma Junction.

Meanwhile, Chief Mutunda of Ngabwa People has called on the law maker to be visiting the area consistently.

He said the village faces a number of challenges that needs the attention of the member of parliament adding that they challenges can only be heard when the MP visits the area regularly.

The traditional leader disclosed that unemployment, hunger, lack of proper sanitation and HIV/AIDS are among the many other problems his subjects are currently facing.

Chief MUTUNDA adds that lack of communication facilities has also hampered development in the area as locals have no access to other news apart from Radio.

The Member of Parliament was on a four day tour of her constituency to check on progress of Government programmes.

ZARRSO SEALS DEAL WITH HTTI

By MacPherson Mukuka*ZARRSO*

In a bid to curb illegal reproduction of artistic works and copyright protected materials and further contribute to the fight against piracy in Zambia, the Zambia Reprographic Rights Society ZARRSO has intensified its efforts by engaging institutions of higher learning where photocopying of books and other written documents is on demand.

The Society recently signed a licencing agreement with the Hotel and Tourism Training Institute meant to allow the institute make copies of its member’s materials up to a certain percentage.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, ZARRSO Chief Executive Officer RUTH MWENYA said the agreement signed between the two firms does not imply that the HTTI should go on rampage making reproduction of artiste works.

She said the agreement only allows the institution rights to make reproductions from copyrighted materials to a certain extent as it is not a replacement of sales of books.

Mrs. Mwenya said the society has engaged over 20 institutions around the capital of Lusaka to try and negotiate the signing of licensing agreements and ZARRSO hopes that now that government has issued a circular the process begins to move faster and are very positive that more licenses will be signed.

She also disclosed that ZARRSO will be working closely with the Copyright Office at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services and the Zambia Police Intellectual Property Unit and other stake holders in terms of enforcement.

The Society Chief adds that the signing of the agreement with HTTI is part of ZARRSO’s campaign of sensitizing the public on the need to respect copyright laws.

Mrs. Mwenya was however quick to indicate that the society still has a lot of work to do vis-a-vie sensitizing the public on reprographic and rights.

And speaking at the same event, HTTI Director WILSON SILUNGWE says the institution has decided to buy the licence because of the importance it attaches to copyright.

Dr. SILUNGWE says the institution is in support of the fight against piracy and wants to associate itself with institutions like ZARRSO.

  

He says although there is no illegality in undertaking reproduction because one will have paid for the service, this ought to be done legitimately with the authorisation of the owners of the work and as an institution they are aware of the need to remunerate the owners of the works who have worked so hard to come up with that work thereby they support licensing for reproduction to protect Intellectual Property.

ZARRSO's operations are similar to ZAMCOPS the difference is that ZAMCOPS deals with Music while ZARRSO deals with licensing of literary and artistic works.

Meanwhile, Government through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services has issued a circular discouraging the public from engaging in illegal reproduction of literary works.

Students in Colleges and Universities are major users of reproduced  materials directly from the original copies without the author’s consent in most cases. 

It is therefore a timely development for the society is engaging institutions of learning in its bid to curb the scourge.    

9.9 MILLION DOLLARS FOR LUSAKA WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT- MCA-ZAMBIA

By MacPherson Mukuka*Millennium Challenge Account*

In a bid to improve provision of sanitation to communities in Lusaka, the Millennium Challenge Account Zambia Limited has signed a contract with Mota Engil Africa to upgrade and expand the Kaunda Square sewage ponds at a cost of 9.9Million US dollars.

 

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Millennium Challenge Account Zambia Limited Board Chairperson FREDSON YAMBA Says the rehabilitation and construction of the new Kaunda Square ponds will cater for over 16 Thousand households in Mtendere that will transition from pit latrines to flushable toilets.
Mr. YAMBA, who is also Secretary to the Treasury, says the project will improve the health status of residents of Mtendere and protect ground water from contamination.

And U.S Ambassador to Zambia, ERIC SHULTZ says the Millennium Challenge Compact is exciting because it offers an example of how donor assistance can operate as a true partnership with Zambia.

He says the project is a shared investment with Zambian s taking the lead in developing and implementing the numerous activities, strengthened by the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s investment.

And Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company Board Chairperson Professor MUNDIA MUYA says over the years, the institution has continued to invest in improving water supply and sanitation services in the province but limited infrastructure has continued to be overwhelmed by the exponential population growth.

He says the investment could not have come at a better time than now when the institution is facing increasing demand to provide vital services with limited infrastructure. 

Meanwhile, Visiting MCC principal Deputy Vice President KYEH KIM has noted that Lusaka residents will benefit from the investment in water, sanitation and drainage saying that safe and reliable water systems are vital to MCC’s mission of reducing poverty through economic growth around the world.

She says access to water and sanitation and hygiene – commonly known as WASH is fundamental to improving the livelihoods and wellbeing of poor and vulnerable populations-such as women, children and the physically challenged.

Ms. KYEH adds that evidence shows that clean water and adequate sanitation are not only critical to good health, but can also improve school attendance, productivity, and entrepreneurship.

She says the compact is investing in water supply, sanitation and drainage infrastructure with the goal of decreasing the incidence and prevalence of water-related diseases, productive days lost due to diseases and time to collect water, cost of water and new sanitation and business and residential growth.

Works targeted under the contract agreement will include expansion of the 45 year old ponds in order to restore the natural treatment process and create provision for future sewage loads in the sewer shed.

The new ponds are designed to cater for a population of 156, 000 as opposed to the targeted 18, 000 when originally constructed.

The project is part of 355 Million Dollars Bilateral compact agreement funded by the United States Government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation in partnership with the Government of Zambia.