CHONGWE RIVER DRIES UP AGAIN!

By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka

Effects of Climate change and global warming have continued to pose a huge threat on the welfare of many people in affected areas.

In Zambia, one of the major problems some sections of the country faces is shortage of water, either tap water or natural river water.

This is despite the country sitting on about 60 percent of Southern Africa’s aquifer.

Lusaka’s Chongwe District is one of the areas that have in the recent past faced a series of challenges in as far as water is concerned.

The District has for the last 5 years being grappling with water challenges every dry season despite having enough rainfall in the previous rainy season.

In 2013, the District’s only source of natural water subject for treatment, The Chongwe River completely dried up.

This caused the Water utility firm to start transporting water from the Capital, Lusaka to Chongwe in bowsers just so to mitigate the situation.

The Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) also engaged the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to help mitigate the water problems in Chongwe district.

ZNS was brought on board to dig up the Chongwe River to prevent a reoccurrence of situation in.

Company Spokesperson Topsy Sikalinda then said in an interview that digging of the river was aimed at making it deeper in order to reduce chances of it drying up. 

He expressed optimism that the efforts will bring a lasting solution to the water problem in the district.

He further said ZNS was using bulldozers and earth moving equipment to dig up the ground.

And in 2015, the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company declared its preparedness to address the water shortage which was experienced in Chongwe district during the dry season in the last two years.

Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company acting Marketing and Public Relations Manager Damasake Chibale told said the water utility company had put measures in place to curb the problem.

Mr. Chibale said the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company had put in place both short term and long term measures to resolve the water problem.

He attributed the water problems that had been faced in Chongwe district for the past two dry seasons to poor rainfall and farming activities conducted between that district and Lusaka in which water is being trapped for irrigation by some farmers. 

He added that already, the water problem in Chongwe was normalizing.

Mr. Chibale said the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company has been supplying water to Chongwe using water bowsers as a short term measure to ensure that residents in the area have the commodity adequately.

He said a dedicated pipeline will be put in place as a long term measure. 

Mr. Chibale said physical work on the Kafue-Chongwe pipeline was to start in the second quarter of 2015.

He also said additional water reservoirs, which will receive enough water to supply to Lusaka city and surrounding areas, including Chongwe, will be put in place.

He further said the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company was to start sensitizing its customers on water conservation and usage. 

However, the measures that seemed to be lasting solutions have not worked to the advantage of the water utility company and the residents as the River has dried up again.

This has now prompted the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company to shut down the Chongwe water treatment plant with immediate effect.

Company Interim Managing Director, MANUEL MUTALE says the decision to shut the plant has been necessitated by the lower water levels and subsequent drying of the Chongwe River.

 Mr. MUTALE said the Company has put up measures to immediately start transporting water by road from Lusaka into Chongwe until the rainy season.

He said the water utility company is working closely with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit under the office of the Vice President to deal with the matter.

Mr. MUTALE said that the effects of global warming are real and the utility has already put in place measures to mitigate the situation.

He said one of the long term measures being put in place  is drilling of some boreholes about 11 kilometers away from Chongwe town .

Mr. MUTALE said the project is underway and once all required logistics are in place, the well field will be done to mitigate shortage of water during dry seasons in Chongwe district. 

He says the town has no ground water hence adding that it is a challenge to drill boreholes in the area.

Mr. MUTALE has further urged the customers to show responsibility by conserving water during the dry season in order to ease the pressure of increased demand during this period of the year. 

AFRICA DIRECTIONS AND PLAN INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS IN CHILD AND YOUTH FRIENDLY CITIES PROJECT

By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka

Africa Directions and Plan International have entered into a three year partnership to run a project called Child and Youth Friendly Cities in advancing children and young people’s rights to the city.

The project will contribute towards achieving one of AD’s strategic direction and directly contribute to realising the 2030 Sustainable development goal number 11: Making cities and human settlement inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

The project is focusing on five cities in Sub Saharan Africa Dakar, Freetown, Harare, Monrovia and Lusaka in order to foster peer exchange among the five African Cities and provide an opportunity for sharing lessons during the period of the project. Africa Directions selected three slums in Lusaka namely Mtendere, Kalikiliki and Chibolya as its target communities for this project.

AD Executive Director Mark Chilongu says his organisation is being a bit ambitious to try and target one of the most dangerous compounds in Lusaka.

He says the organisation wants to try and see how it can contribute to changing lives of most children and young people growing up in an environment like Chibolya as well as advocate for child and youth friendly spaces in the selected compounds.

Mr. Chilongu added that the project is more of an advocacy and not necessarily a humanitarian project.

He said urban youth governance project is going to fight urban child poverty and exclusion by contributing to the development of child and youth friendly cities, where children and young people enjoy their rights and actively shape the urban environment.

He further said that in each of the three compounds in Lusaka, Africa Directions is looking at: Strengthening young people’s participation and influence decision making (Urban Governance) affecting their urban environments, Strengthen urban grassroots youth civil society.

He said the organisation is focusing on three areas because it believes that strong grassroots civil society organisation are essential in taking citizens interests forward with the authorities, private sector stakeholders and other powerholders adding that a united and well-organised civil society can hold the relevant authorities accountable.

Mr. Chilongu has indicated that that project is important because as youth organisation, AD believes that Children and young people have a right to participating in decisions that affect them including decision about how their communities and their development change.

He said young people have strong and creative ideas about how to make their communities better and can be major asset for their own communities and the city as whole.

He added that very often, young people are finding it extremely difficult to participate and be heard in decision making processes.

Mr. Chilongu has however cited bureaucracy as a major hindrance to progress adding that levels of authority and opportunities for participation are unclear, and local authorities and other duty bearers are not always inviting or receptive of young people’s views (Especially girls) due to negative cultural norms.

He said investing in young people and supporting their claim and participation can bring about long lasting and locally relevant improvements–for the sake of the entire community.

He said, with little support, young people can accomplish anything they put their minds to, from community action to improving the physical urban environment, create public spaces, improve garbage collection or child-protection.

The AD Executive Director further stated that there is need to catch them young if meaningful contribution can be attained from the young people.

Mr. Chilongu also expressed his organisation's delight for the partnership with Plan International on the project.
He has also indicated that AD remains grateful to Government's support through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing and the Lusaka City Council who participated during its first stakeholder meeting of the project.

Mr. Chilongu has since pledged AD's continued strategic engagement with Government Ministries during the entire project cycle.

He said AD believes that such grassroots level initiatives should be harnessed more to engage with communities so that every child’s rights are respected.

Source: Mark Chilongu

SABMILLER ZAMBIA COUNSELS KABULONGA PUPILS

By MacPherson Mukuka in *Lusaka*

Brewer takes campaign against underage drinking to Kabulonga Girls

Kabulonga Girls' School students celebrating the a talk by SABMiller on the dangers of underage drinking

Kabulonga Girls Headteacher, Hilda Mudenda (in grey suite) and SABMiller Zambia representative, Allan Bwalya (in yellow cap), with some of the pupils that attended the talk on the dangers of underage drinking sponsored by SABMiller.

 SABMiller Zambia recently held an awareness programme on the dangers of underage drinking and reminded young people to avoid engaging in such vices.

The Group says the future of the nation rests with the youth, hence the importance of ensuring they do not consume alcohol at a young age. 

Speaking during school assembly during a recent visit to Lusaka’s Kabulonga Girls Secondary School as part of its nationwide campaign against underage drinking., SABMiller Zambia representative, Allan Bwalya said half of Zambia’s population is under the age of 16.

He said his organisation believes that, as a beer manufacturer, It has a responsibility to sensitize young people on the adverse effects of underage drinking.

And school’s Headteacher, Hilda Mudenda, bemoaned the destructive habit of underage drinking and highlighted the vice’s negative impact on pupils’ academic performance. 

She urged pupils, to not stifle their potential by engaging in illicit activities, as the nation’s future rested on their shoulders.

Meanwhile, SABMiller Zambia Corporate Affairs Director, Ezekiel Sekele said his organisation takes the matter very seriously and is a core part of its sustainability agenda. 

He said SABMiller strongly believe today’s decisions should not compromise the ability of future generations to build meaningful livelihoods. 

Mr. Sekele said against this background, SABMiller has embarked on a vigorous campaign in schools to discourage underage consumption of alcohol. 

He disclosed that the company seeks to reach at least 6,000 pupils.

He added that SABMiller Zambia wants to continue to grow sustainably stating that this can only be done through nurturing of today’s youths into future responsible adults. 

Mr. Sekele says the youths of today, therefore, should be allowed to focus on education and avoid negative vices such as underage drinking.

The role of the youth in nation building is crucial. They are problem solvers, have a positive influence on other young people and the nation.

In promoting responsible alcohol consumption among consumers, Zambian Breweries has also partnered with the Road Traffic and Safety Agency, in the enforcement of existing legislation on drinking and driving.

Source: Langmead and baker

VOTE FOR A GOD FEARING LEADER- REV. PHIRI

By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka

A clergywoman in Lusaka has called on electorates across the country to rally behind a presidential candidate who has a heart for Zambians and one who fears God.

Reverend CHOONGO PHIRI of heart of Mercy says Zambia will only remain a Christian nation if its leadership is God fearing.

She says electorates have the power within themselves to decide Zambia’s future through voting.

Rev. PHIRI says voting for God fearing leaders will not only uphold Zambia’s Christian values but also help the nation remain peaceful.

The Clergywoman has also appealed to electorates to turn up in numbers on Thursday and vote yes in the referendum.

She says voting yes in the referendum is the only way that will guarantee Zambians have access to free social amenities among others.

CARTER CENTER LAUNCHES ELECTION MISSION IN ZAMBIA

By MacPherson Mukuka *In Lusaka*

The Carter Centre has launched a limited international election observation mission ahead of the August 11 General election and national referendum on the Bill of Rights.

Center field office Director RACHEL FOWLER says the mission will be led by former Prime Minister and Acting President of Burundi SYLVIE KINIGI.

She says an additional four medium term observers have been deployed to assess electoral preparations and development on the provincial level and will be joined by additional observers on the Election Day.

Ms. FOWLER says the Mission is accredited by the electoral commission of Zambia to observe the general elections and the national referendum.

She says members of the mission will hold regular meetings with election key stakeholders including members of the international community.

She has further indicated that carter’s election mission is limited in nature and will not offer a comprehensive assessment of the electoral process and Election Day proceedings.

She says the mission will focus on the legal framework, election administration, general election political environment, electoral violence, and resolution of any electoral disputes.

Ms. FOWLER adds that the center assesses the electoral process based on Zambia’s national legal framework and its obligations for democratic elections contained in regional and international agreements.

This is contained in a statement released to the Developmental Journalist in Lusaka today.

REJECT VIOLENT PARTIES, LEADERS- VOTERS TOLD

By MacPherson Mukuka *In Lusaka*

The opposition National Party has called on Zambians to manifest the One Zambia, One Nation.

Party president RICHARD KAMBULU says the one Zambia; one Nation is not a slogan but a motto which must be lived.

Speaking to THE DEVELOPMENTAL JOURNALIST in a walk –in- interview, Reverend KAMBULU said the escalating number of political violence are a signal of failure to uphold the National motto.

He says it is unfortunate that people have developed hatred against each other based on because of divergent political views.

Rev. KAMBULU says it is the right of every Zambian to belong to a political party of their choice and must be respected by others.

He has urged Zambians to look forward to celebrations next week and not plan for battle.

Meanwhile, opposition Zambia Republican Party ZRP has expressed concern over the alleged attacking of a woman perceived to be a PF supporter by suspected UPND cadres in Sinazongwe.

ZRP National Information and Publicity Secretary DAVID KAFWANKA told THE DEVELOPMENTAL JOURNALIST in a walk-in-interview that the act is barbaric and that the law must take its course.

Mr. KAFWANKA says the attacks on women or any other person must be condoned by a civilized society.

He says the incident is unfortunate because it has happened at the time political party leaders have made an undertaking to put an end to political related violence ahead of next week’s General election.

He has called on Zambians from all walks of life to join hands and reject political parties and leaders who are in the habit of perpetrating violence.