Thursday, August 18, 2011
President Banda heads for the Copperbelt
LUSAKA, August 18, 2011, –Republican President, Rupiah Banda will on Saturday leave for the Copperbelt Province where he is expected to commission the rehabilitated urban roads in Kitwe.
The commissioning ceremony will be held in collaboration with Mopani Copper Mines, which has carried out the rehabilitation works on selected urban roads in Copperbelt towns.
President Banda’s Government recently embarked on a programme to rehabilitate key urban roads in various districts in Lusaka Province, the Copperbelt and parts of Central Province. The Copperbelt towns are Ndola, Kitwe, Mufulira, Chingola, Kalulushi, and Chililambobwe.
This urban road works project are expected to compliment the works outlined in the road Development Agency (RDA) 2011 annual work plan and are being coordinated by the various road sector agencies under the Ministry of works and Supply, with the use of equipment from the rural roads unit and the Zambia National Service.
While in Kitwe, President Banda is on Saturday expected to hold his first political rally in the copper-mining province following the filing of nominations for next month’s tripartite elections. The President will also tour parts of Copperbelt rural, including Luanshya.
The Presidential delegation will include senior MMD officials. President Banda will be expected back in Lusaka after concluding the scheduled business on the Copperbelt.
This is according to a statement from the public relations unit at state house.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
PRESIDENT BANDA COMMISSIONS MBESUMA BRIDGE, KASAMA-MBESUMA ROAD
KASAMA, Wednesday, August 17, 2011, –Republican President, Rupiah Banda, today, commissioned works on the construction of the Mbesuma Bridge and the Kasama-Mbesuma Road at a total cost of K320 billion.
The President also commissioned the completed Kasama-Luwingu Road which has cost K240 billion and will enhance connectivity between Luapula and Northern provinces, and open up the area to other parts of the country and neighboring countries.
Construction of the Mbesuma Bridge will cost approximately K50 billion and will take 15 months to compete while the 110-kilometre-long Kasama-Mbesuma Road will be upgraded at a contract sum of approximately K270 billion with a duration of two years.
The President said Government was confident that the contractor, China Geo Engineering, will deliver a quality road to the expectation of the Zambian people.
Once completed, the road and the bridge will bring immense benefits to Zambia in general and the local people of Northern Province in particular.
Apart from the road projects commissioned yesterday, President Banda’s Government, through the Road Development Agency, has also procured contractors to:
• upgrade the Kasama-Mporokoso road to bituminous standard at a cost of over K420 billion with the contractor expected to mobilise in the next few weeks; and
• tar the Mbala-Nakonde road, at a cost of over K800 billion kwacha.
The Head of State noted that countrywide infrastructure development has been on his Government’s priority list in the quest to drive the country’s agenda forward.
This year alone, President Banda has commissioned the rehabilitation of the Chipata-Lundazi Road in Eastern Province, the Isoka-Muyombe Road here in Northern Province and urban roads on the Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces.
“This is an indication that we are moving on the right track in terms of delivering economic development and improving the quality of life of our people, especially in rural areas. These achievements need to be celebrated and guarded jealously. My Government promises to do even more in the next five years,” the President said.
PRESIDENT BANDA COMMISSIONS KASAMA POLICE HOUSES
LUSAKA, tuesday, August 16, 2011– Republican President, Rupiah Bwezani Banda, has reiterated Government’s commitment to the resolution of housing problems in the police service countrywide.
When he officially commissioned new police houses in Kasama, the President said houses for police staff had been successfully constructed in Ndola, Livingstone, Chipata and Kasama as practical demonstrations of good progress in addressing accommodation shortages affecting men and women in uniform.
Noting that police officers were working hard to ensure internal peace and security, the President said: “Government is committed to ensuring that police operations are conducted with minimal difficulties in all the districts of the country. Whilst improving public access to law and justice, we want to build a police service anchored on professionalism and integrity within the broad framework of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Mr Banda said Zambia had seen a period of sustained economic growth that had provided the basis for continued prosperity. This had arisen from the effective implementation of sound macro-economic policies and on-going structural reforms across all sectors of the economy.
Government was working to ensure increased public confidence in law enforcement agencies around the country, and to that end had made great strides in supplying police with equipment and logistical requirements.
“At the same time, I realize that the law enforcement officers need to operate in an environment of hope and motivation while marking the future clearly. We want to build a legacy of a better, more productive and community-responsive police service,” the President said.
This is according to a statement from the State House public relations unit.
When he officially commissioned new police houses in Kasama, the President said houses for police staff had been successfully constructed in Ndola, Livingstone, Chipata and Kasama as practical demonstrations of good progress in addressing accommodation shortages affecting men and women in uniform.
Noting that police officers were working hard to ensure internal peace and security, the President said: “Government is committed to ensuring that police operations are conducted with minimal difficulties in all the districts of the country. Whilst improving public access to law and justice, we want to build a police service anchored on professionalism and integrity within the broad framework of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Mr Banda said Zambia had seen a period of sustained economic growth that had provided the basis for continued prosperity. This had arisen from the effective implementation of sound macro-economic policies and on-going structural reforms across all sectors of the economy.
Government was working to ensure increased public confidence in law enforcement agencies around the country, and to that end had made great strides in supplying police with equipment and logistical requirements.
“At the same time, I realize that the law enforcement officers need to operate in an environment of hope and motivation while marking the future clearly. We want to build a legacy of a better, more productive and community-responsive police service,” the President said.
This is according to a statement from the State House public relations unit.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Lusaka General Hospitals tomorrow opens its doors to the public
Lusaka General Hospital, which has been built at a cost of approximately 40-billion-kwacha is tomorrow, expected to open its doors to the members of the general public.
The opening of the 150-bed second level hospital is widely seen, as yet another indication of a Rupiah Banda led administration's desire to preside over an administration that is committed to taking quality and affordable health care as close to the people as possible, a development opposition political parties term” gimmick” ahead of the 2011 general elections.
The construction of the hospital is aimed at minimizing the congestion currently experienced at the University Teaching Hospital. Other clinics in Lusaka, such as Matero, Kanyama, Chawama and Chipata townships, have already been upgraded to mini-hospitals.
Lusaka General Hospital has been constructed by China Jiangsu International Economic Cooperation under a grant by the People’s Republic of China.
President Banda has allegedly made provision of quality health services one of his priority areas since assuming office in November 2008 and repeatedly stressed his commitment to ensuring that no Zambian dies unnecessarily.
President Banda’s Government has in the last two years built hospitals, health centres, health posts, training schools and houses for medical staff to enhance access to quality health care countrywide.
The opening of the 150-bed second level hospital is widely seen, as yet another indication of a Rupiah Banda led administration's desire to preside over an administration that is committed to taking quality and affordable health care as close to the people as possible, a development opposition political parties term” gimmick” ahead of the 2011 general elections.
The construction of the hospital is aimed at minimizing the congestion currently experienced at the University Teaching Hospital. Other clinics in Lusaka, such as Matero, Kanyama, Chawama and Chipata townships, have already been upgraded to mini-hospitals.
Lusaka General Hospital has been constructed by China Jiangsu International Economic Cooperation under a grant by the People’s Republic of China.
President Banda has allegedly made provision of quality health services one of his priority areas since assuming office in November 2008 and repeatedly stressed his commitment to ensuring that no Zambian dies unnecessarily.
President Banda’s Government has in the last two years built hospitals, health centres, health posts, training schools and houses for medical staff to enhance access to quality health care countrywide.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Security wings declared allegiance to Govt.
This morning I had the privileged to attend the presentation of a press release on the political statements directed at the defence and security wings at the Ministry of defence headquarters.
“Those who are supposed to sit should sit while those supposed to stand should do so, no questions because this is just a press statement,” Zambia Army Commander, Wisdom Lopa said at the commencement of the briefing.
Lt. General Lopa delivered the press statement on behalf of the service chiefs, as quoted below:
As the campaigns for the forthcoming tripartite elections gain momentum, it has sadly been observed that some politicians, in the course of their campaigns, have been quoted in particular, in the electronic media insinuating that some members of the defence and security wings are supporting them and informing them on what was happening in the various defence and security institutions eg, on 29 july 2011 a certain political leader while speaking on yatsani radio insinuated that the defence and security wings were feeding him with information related to political campaigning and elections. these recurring statements are of concern as they stand to disparage the defence and security wings in the eyes of the citizenry.
On behalf of the defence and security wings, we wish to categorically state in no uncertain terms, that the defence and security wings shall remain non-partisan and will not be drawn into campaigns for certain individuals to win political mileage. it is a well known fact that once members of the defence and security institutions in a democratic dispensation such as ours become politically partisan, these institutions can be divided, a situation that could easily drift the nation into anarchy and negatively affect national security.
In this regard therefore, we wish to remind all politicians currently conducting their campaigns to discuss substantive issues of national development and not those which may take back the long strides achieved in peace, development and democracy that this country has been renown for. We further wish to implore the citizenry to guard the peace that we have enjoyed as anything to the contrary may lead this nation to conflict that will draw us miles back.
We are assuring the nation that the zambia defence and security wings will remain steadfast to protect the constitution, sovereignty and the citizens of this country. we wish to restate that the defence and security wings will not allow to be drawn into politics and call upon various political players to concentrate on their strategies on how to win votes.
To members of the defence and security wings we would like to give a stern warning that whoever is found involved in active partisan politics by way of associating themselves with any political party will be disciplined accordingly. it is clearly stated that if any member of the civil service wants to join politics, they should first resign.
The zambian defence and security wings have for long been associated with high levels of professionalism and integrity in their operations and known to have remained non-partisan since the advent of multi-party democracy in our country. this is as it should be and should continue. we therefore will continue to support the government of the day, the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and pledge to protect the people of zambia. we call upon all political stakeholders to desist from drawing the defence and security institutions into their political debates for the betterment of the peace, security and development we enjoy in our nation.
Thank you very much and may god bless you.
“Those who are supposed to sit should sit while those supposed to stand should do so, no questions because this is just a press statement,” Zambia Army Commander, Wisdom Lopa said at the commencement of the briefing.
Lt. General Lopa delivered the press statement on behalf of the service chiefs, as quoted below:
As the campaigns for the forthcoming tripartite elections gain momentum, it has sadly been observed that some politicians, in the course of their campaigns, have been quoted in particular, in the electronic media insinuating that some members of the defence and security wings are supporting them and informing them on what was happening in the various defence and security institutions eg, on 29 july 2011 a certain political leader while speaking on yatsani radio insinuated that the defence and security wings were feeding him with information related to political campaigning and elections. these recurring statements are of concern as they stand to disparage the defence and security wings in the eyes of the citizenry.
On behalf of the defence and security wings, we wish to categorically state in no uncertain terms, that the defence and security wings shall remain non-partisan and will not be drawn into campaigns for certain individuals to win political mileage. it is a well known fact that once members of the defence and security institutions in a democratic dispensation such as ours become politically partisan, these institutions can be divided, a situation that could easily drift the nation into anarchy and negatively affect national security.
In this regard therefore, we wish to remind all politicians currently conducting their campaigns to discuss substantive issues of national development and not those which may take back the long strides achieved in peace, development and democracy that this country has been renown for. We further wish to implore the citizenry to guard the peace that we have enjoyed as anything to the contrary may lead this nation to conflict that will draw us miles back.
We are assuring the nation that the zambia defence and security wings will remain steadfast to protect the constitution, sovereignty and the citizens of this country. we wish to restate that the defence and security wings will not allow to be drawn into politics and call upon various political players to concentrate on their strategies on how to win votes.
To members of the defence and security wings we would like to give a stern warning that whoever is found involved in active partisan politics by way of associating themselves with any political party will be disciplined accordingly. it is clearly stated that if any member of the civil service wants to join politics, they should first resign.
The zambian defence and security wings have for long been associated with high levels of professionalism and integrity in their operations and known to have remained non-partisan since the advent of multi-party democracy in our country. this is as it should be and should continue. we therefore will continue to support the government of the day, the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and pledge to protect the people of zambia. we call upon all political stakeholders to desist from drawing the defence and security institutions into their political debates for the betterment of the peace, security and development we enjoy in our nation.
Thank you very much and may god bless you.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
UN's message on breastfeeding
The United Nations and its partners are promoting the use of all possible means of communication, including social networking, blogs and even flash mobs, to get the message out on the benefits of breastfeeding beyond clinics and delivery rooms to the wider public.
Breastfeeding is directly linked to reducing the death toll of children under five, yet only 36 per cent of infants below the age of six months in developing countries are exclusively breastfed, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
"With so much at stake, we need to do more to reach women with a simple, powerful message: Breastfeeding can save your baby's life," UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated from 1 to 7 August.
"No other preventive intervention is more cost effective in reducing the number of children who die before reaching their fifth birthdays," he stated.
Among the benefits of breastfeeding, UNICEF pointed out that the practice could lead to a 13 per cent reduction in deaths of children under five if infants were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and continued to be breastfed up to one year.
"Breastfed is best fed, whether the baby is born in Uganda or England, China or Canada," said Mr. Lake.
However, while breastfeeding rates in the developing world are on the rise in two-thirds of countries with data, millions of infants are not benefiting from this life-saving practice.
Therefore, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and their partners are using the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week to spur new and creative ways to raise awareness and reach a larger audience with the message of the benefits of breastfeeding.
The theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week, which is an initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, is "Talk to Me! Breastfeeding - a 3D Experience." It emphasizes the importance of communication at various levels and between various sectors to promote breastfeeding.
"Communication is key to attain progress, said Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General for Family, Women's and Children's Health. "This year's theme for the World Breastfeeding Week highlights the opportunity of new communication technologies for making qualified support accessible to health care providers, mothers and families...
"Protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding is important because, even though breastfeeding is natural, it is also a learned behaviour," added Dr. Bustreo.
Breastfeeding is directly linked to reducing the death toll of children under five, yet only 36 per cent of infants below the age of six months in developing countries are exclusively breastfed, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
"With so much at stake, we need to do more to reach women with a simple, powerful message: Breastfeeding can save your baby's life," UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated from 1 to 7 August.
"No other preventive intervention is more cost effective in reducing the number of children who die before reaching their fifth birthdays," he stated.
Among the benefits of breastfeeding, UNICEF pointed out that the practice could lead to a 13 per cent reduction in deaths of children under five if infants were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and continued to be breastfed up to one year.
"Breastfed is best fed, whether the baby is born in Uganda or England, China or Canada," said Mr. Lake.
However, while breastfeeding rates in the developing world are on the rise in two-thirds of countries with data, millions of infants are not benefiting from this life-saving practice.
Therefore, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and their partners are using the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week to spur new and creative ways to raise awareness and reach a larger audience with the message of the benefits of breastfeeding.
The theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week, which is an initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, is "Talk to Me! Breastfeeding - a 3D Experience." It emphasizes the importance of communication at various levels and between various sectors to promote breastfeeding.
"Communication is key to attain progress, said Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General for Family, Women's and Children's Health. "This year's theme for the World Breastfeeding Week highlights the opportunity of new communication technologies for making qualified support accessible to health care providers, mothers and families...
"Protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding is important because, even though breastfeeding is natural, it is also a learned behaviour," added Dr. Bustreo.
RESPONSE TO PATRIOTIC FRONT PETITION PLAN
LUSAKA, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 – Following numerous Press queries concerning the announcement by the Patriotic Front (PF) that they intend to petition several international bodies over the parentage of His Excellency, Mr. Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia, I wish to respond as follows:
It is the right of any citizen to petition any relevant Tribunal if they feel aggrieved on any matter. The President cannot stop any citizen from petitioning the United Nations or any other body to seek redress.
The President is surprised that the issue of the nationality of his parents has become very important now when the PF has been claiming that they will beat the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) during the forthcoming elections. So why are they scared to face President Banda in the elections scheduled for 20th September 2011? In 2008, he filed his valid nomination and beat PF leader Michael Sata in the elections. Why did the PF keep quiet in 2008? Why do they want to block him from standing?
President Banda is on record several times, including his family, as having stated clearly that both his father and mother were Zambians. If his parents were not Zambians, why did the PF fail to raise this issue when President Banda was appointed Vice-President of Zambia by the late President Levy Mwanawasa, SC? The Constitution of Zambia requires that the Vice-President should have the same qualifications as those of the President.
Further, President Banda served Zambia in a number of portfolios, including that of Ambassador to the UN, Washington and Egypt; Minister of Foreign Affairs; Senior Governor of Lusaka; Minister of Mines; General Manager of Namboard (National Agriculture Marketing Board); General Manager of the Rural Development Agency; Member of Parliament for Munali and Vice-President. All these years, no one has ever raised the issue of his parentage. So why the sudden interest now?
This is according to a statement from the Press and Public relations unit at State House.
It is the right of any citizen to petition any relevant Tribunal if they feel aggrieved on any matter. The President cannot stop any citizen from petitioning the United Nations or any other body to seek redress.
The President is surprised that the issue of the nationality of his parents has become very important now when the PF has been claiming that they will beat the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) during the forthcoming elections. So why are they scared to face President Banda in the elections scheduled for 20th September 2011? In 2008, he filed his valid nomination and beat PF leader Michael Sata in the elections. Why did the PF keep quiet in 2008? Why do they want to block him from standing?
President Banda is on record several times, including his family, as having stated clearly that both his father and mother were Zambians. If his parents were not Zambians, why did the PF fail to raise this issue when President Banda was appointed Vice-President of Zambia by the late President Levy Mwanawasa, SC? The Constitution of Zambia requires that the Vice-President should have the same qualifications as those of the President.
Further, President Banda served Zambia in a number of portfolios, including that of Ambassador to the UN, Washington and Egypt; Minister of Foreign Affairs; Senior Governor of Lusaka; Minister of Mines; General Manager of Namboard (National Agriculture Marketing Board); General Manager of the Rural Development Agency; Member of Parliament for Munali and Vice-President. All these years, no one has ever raised the issue of his parentage. So why the sudden interest now?
This is according to a statement from the Press and Public relations unit at State House.
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