CONSTRUCTION OF KALOMO GENERAL HOSPITAL REACHES ADVANCED STAGE

*By MacPherson Mukuka in Kalomo- Southern Province*

Construction of phase one of Kalomo General Hospital has been completed at a cost of 11 Million Kwacha.

Kalomo District Commissioner COSMAS CHIIBA disclosed the development when water affairs permanent secretary ED CHOMBA paid a courtesy call on him.

Mr. CHIIBA further disclosed that the completed building includes the administration block, outpatient department, and laboratories.

Meanwhile, MR. CHIIBA says construction of phase two of the hospital has commenced.

He says the project which will include a maternity wing, 6 staff houses, and mortuary and wards will be constructed at a cost of 21 Million Kwacha.

MR. CHIIBA has however bemoaned the slow pace at which the construction works are progressing.

He has attributed the delay to the procedure taken in the procurement and delivering of material which he says is done in Lusaka.  

And Bishop CHOMBA has expressed delight over the completion of phase one of the hospital.

He says it is gratifying that construction of the health facility is at an advanced stage.

Meanwhile, Bishop CHOMBA says construction of the hospital alone will be meaningless if the health institution does not get clean and safe water.

He has since urged the District Commissioner to seek advice from the District Water Affairs office on the right procedure of sinking boreholes.

Bishop CHOMBA was on a three day tour of Southern Province to check of the construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructure.

KALOMO DC HAILS GOVT ON E- VOUCHER

*By MacPherson Mukuka in Kalomo- Southern Province*

KALOMO District Commissioner, COSMAS CHIIBA has hailed government for extending a hand to farmers in the area through the E-Voucher scheme.

MR. CHIIBA has described the implementation of the scheme in Kalomo as a success story of the 2015- 2016 farming season.

He says the scheme enabled farmers in the area acquire inputs on time adding that the timely delivery of fertiliser to farmers also harnessed the situation.

The District Commissioner further disclosed that over 4 thousand have so far benefited from the scheme.

MR. CHIIBA is however not happy with the performance of the Food Reserve Agency in the area.

He says out of the 4 Hundred and 50 thousand by 50 kilogram bags of maize that were supposed to be bought by the agency; only 2 hundred and 64 thousand 3 hundred and 32 by 50 kilogram bags were bought.

And MR. CHIIBA has expressed sadness at the poor rainfall partner being experienced in the area.

He says the majority of farmers who planted their seed early have lost their crops to the dry spell that has hit most parts of the country.

CONCERN WORLDWIDE LAUNCHES Female Youth Livelihood and Nutrition enhancement project

*By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka*Concern WorldWide*

In a bid to address challenges facing adolescent women in rural areas, An Irish humanitarian non-governmental organisation has embarked on a 3 year project dubbed Female Youth Livelihood and Nutrition enhancement project aimed at improving the nutrition status and livelihood of young Zambian women in Western province.

Concern Worldwide Zambia Country Director DANNY HERVY says the project is targeting at empowering over 6 thousand 3 hundred young females who will be trained and mentored by 1 hundred and 60 peer leaders in income generating activities in the Agriculture sector.

Ms. DANNY says the young women in Western Province are faced with a number of challenges as they transition into adulthood.

She says adolescent women in the area become mothers at young ages a situation which poses a danger on both the young mothers and their infants.

She has expressed confidence that the project will have a positive impact on the lives of the young women in the area.

“We are confident that with such support and guidance, the project will have a positive impact on young women in Limulunga and Kaoma Districts.” Says Ms DANNY.

She further stated that her organisation is also anticipating that the project will give rise to interesting findings that can influence larger scale interventions such as on how to best reach adolescent girls with health services, an understanding of potential approaches to improve pre-conception nutrition and the effectiveness of life-skills in delaying conception.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government says it will continue supporting programmes that are capacity building and are aimed at encouraging women participation in society.   

Japanese ambassador to Zambia KIYOSHI KOINUMA says his government though the Japanese social development fund through the World Bank has so contributed over 660 Dollars towards the fund.

He says Japan attaches great importance to programmes that directly addresses the plight of African women adding that the government of Japan wants to see empowerment of women in Japan and in African.  

 MR. KOINUMA adds that the project, aims at improving the livelihood of young girls and women aged 10 to 24 through practical interventions.

“It will not only provide health and nutrition education, but will also establish demonstration gardens that produce micro nutrient rich crops and transfer skills in income generating activities.” Says ambassador KOINUMA

And Ministry of Health Director Technical Support Services KAMOTO MBEWE says the young females are among the most vulnerable groups in Zambia.

DR. MBEWE says the government is pleased to have organisations with a heart for young women like concern worldwide adding that government has no doubt that the organisation will execute the project successfully.

Meanwhile, DR. MBEWE has pledged government’s support towards that successful implementation of the project. 

PACRA LAUNCHES ONLINE REGISTRATION SYSTEM

By MacPherson Mukuka*in Lusaka*

Government says it is determined to put in place both hard and soft infrastructure required for accelerated development.

Speaking during the launch of the Patents and Companies Registration Agency PACRA online registration system, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister MARGARET MWANAKATWE says while developing roads, power, telecommunications and other key infrastructure, government is mindful of the need to create platforms to facilitate business.

Mrs. MWANAKATWE added that government will continue with reforms necessary to create an environment for business to thrive, as well as a favourable investment climate.

She says the policy of the Patriotic Front is to level the playing field for both local and foreign business.

Meanwhile the Minister has hailed PACRA for launching an online business registration system.

She says registered businesses are an essential vehicle for commercial and industrial development adding that it is gratifying that PACRA is making business registration services available and affordable.

She says the PF government has prioritised industrialization and job creation and firmly believes that information technology is essential.

Meanwhile PACRA Chief Executive Officer ANTHONY BWEMBYA says the launch of the system is a product of government’s vision of reforming the business environment.

Mr. BWEMBYA says in 2011, the agency adopted a five year strategic plan with particular focus on modernising the registration processes and decentralisation of services.

He says the development of the online registration system has resulted in a complete overhaul and replacement of the registration system.

He has further indicated that the online registration system will allow the entire registration process to be done electronically. 

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.