Favourite K. Chisi

Government has ruled out the possibility of relieving tenants of rental obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance Minister Bwalya Ng'andu says he already has a huge salary burden of paying Civil Servants, and therefore it is unfair for those calling on government to consider paying rentals for citizens owing to the economic challenges the country is facing. Dr Ng’andu notes that most of the Landlords whether residential or commercial built or acquired their assets using loans which they have to service. He adds that it is not possible for government to start paying salaries to people because they have lost their businesses due to the outbreak of Covid 19. Dr Ng’andu has since urged Zambians to start thinking about practical solutions that will work and be implemented by the Ministry.

WORLD Health Organization Country Representative Nathan Bakyaita says no travel and trade restrictions are imposed but all people require to abide and follow procedures advised by recipient Government's. WHO does not recommend trade and travel restrictions on any country, what we advise is that if you are coming from affected countries, there will be screening procedures of that country at the airports.  As the world grapples with the elusive Coronavirus, Mr. Bakyaita said travelers reach a particular destination, it is imperative for them to comply with conditions set by Health practitioners by a host country  The WHO advised travelers, exporters and importers of goods and equipment must adhere to screening measures. "When travelers come into our country, they will be screened at the point of entry where the temperature is taken, and if you are a person of concern, then the  ZNPHI  have set up a system they are put for quarantined from 14 days. D...

HEALTH Minister Chitalu Chilufya says health practitioners will ensure that the Kuomboka Ceremony of the Lozi Speaking people earmarked for April 2020 is held in a healthy and disease risk free environment. Dr. Chilufya says in mitigating Coronavirus, a disease burden, currently scaring the global community, the Ministry of Health in Zambia, will examine the evolution history of the Coronavirus, in implementing control measures. Dr. Chilufya has assured the Zambian public that the Ministry of Health is leaving no stone unturned in its effort to keep the Coronavirus from entering Zambia at all entry and exit points. And Dr. Chilufya states that Information and Education Communication (IEC) materials written in English had since been translated into the seven (7) nationally approved vernacular languages.  "I implore a task force led by Professor Victor Mukonka to ensure that IEC materials are in simplified words as experts have a tendency to use technical language,"...

Chief Nsamba of Lunga District, Luapula Province has opposed a suggestion by Local Government Ministry Permanent Secretary Eddie Chomba to consider possibilities of relocating people from Lunga after the chiefdom was ravaged by floods,  with an estimated 8, eight thousand (8,000)  households affected. While appreciating interventions ameliorating their burden, Chief Nsamba advised Government to render support to them within Lunga District.  "As Lunga People,  we do appreciate what Government is doing in trying to alleviate the problem in the area, but Central Government needs to do more to help the Lunga people within here as opposed to suggesting that we should be relocated," adds Chief Nsamba. The Traditional Leader has complained that the people have stayed in Lunga since time immemorial and relocating them is an Herculean undertaking (not an easy task), as villagers or communities see the area as a heritage. The traditional leader explaine...

National Development Planning Minister Alexander Chiteme has inaugurated a 13 member Public Investment Board   with a call on them to enhance transparency ,accountability and effectiveness in the utilization of public resources. The Board which will be chaired by Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet finance and economic development Christopher Mvunga has its membership drawn from among permanent secretaries and representation from professional institutions. Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the Public Investment Board, Mr. Chiteme says the board will oversee development projects to ensure that the projects are developed in line with the strategic objectives and priorities enshrined in the seventh national development plan. Mr. Chiteme has explained that the board will be a gateway through which all public investment projects will have to pass before being considered for implementation. The Minister adds that the Board will also provide for a transparent, obj...

The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) said it is not right for President Edgar Lungu to accuse religious leaders of instigating mob killings arising from gassing incidents without mentioning those involved. in his state of the nation address to parliament, President Lungu said government is aware that some traditional and religious leaders have either contributed directly or indirectly to fueling and instigating mob attacks in the country. CCZ General Secretary, Fr. Emmanuel Chikoya said the church has tried its best in calling for calm and peace in the country, wondering how it can promote violence. Fr Chikoya says it would have made sense if the head of state had singled out the clergy who have been promoting such acts. Ends.........

Some stakeholders feel setting up a commission of inquiry into the spate of gassing and mob justice incidents would be a waste of public resources. President Edgar Lungu has indicated that he is seriously considering constituting a commission of inquiry to get to the bottom of the gassing and mob justice incidents that have rocked the country. Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) President Rueben Lifuka says a commission of inquiry set up without serious intentions and failure to work on its results is a waste of public resources. Mr Lifuka has questioned how many commissions of inquiry the PF has set up since 2011 and what has happened to the reports of those inquiries. And UPND Deputy Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa says Zambians have lost trust in any form of commission of inquiry. Mr Mweetwa says setting up a commission of inquiry is a tactical way to bureaucratically avoid explaining to the people who are behind the gassing as well as those funding the ...