GOVERNMENT CONCERNED WITH AUDITOR GENERAL’S REPORT ON RDA

Reports on misappropriation of funds in RDA as shown in the Auditor General’s report is worrisome, but should not affect infrastructure development. With this status quo, the Zambian government has engaged cooperating partners to study the report together.

President Rupiah Banda has disclosed that Government is studying the Auditor General’s report on the reported gross misappropriation of public funds at the Road Development Agency (RDA).President Banda also revealed that Government is discussing the report with cooperating partners and the Auditor General’s Office with the urgency it deserved so that it does not become prone to ridicule. Mr. Banda said the matter surrounding the RDA should not stop the country from developing its infrastructure.

President Banda was answering questions from Journalists shortly before he left for France where he is scheduled to attend the France- Africa summit. “Government is studying the AG RDA report and we are discussing the report before it becomes prone to ridicule,” the President said.

The Auditor General’s report has revealed huge misappropriation of public funds at the RDA. Meanwhile, President Banda has left for Nice , France where he is going to attend the 25th France -African two-day Summit . The presidential plane carrying Mr. Banda left at the Lusaka International Airport at exactly 07-25 hours local time.
Mr. Banda who will be among other African Heads of States disclosed that Zambia is likely to benefit from France by way of accessing credit for the construction of the country’s infrastructure.

Mr. Banda observed that though Zambia was not colonised by the French government, he expressed happiness that there was room for Zambia to woo French investors to come and invest in the country. He said Zambia and that country enjoys a warm and cordial relationship that has existed for many years ago. The Head of State paid gratitude to France for the services rendered during the hospitalization of the late president (Dr Mwanawasa) in that country and the transportation of his body to Zambia after his death.

“ As I go to France, I would like to thank the president of France for his efforts during the illness of our beloved president the late Dr. Mwanawasa and subsequent death and flowing Dr. Mwanawasa’s body home (to Zambia). Mr. Banda is accompanied toFrance by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Energy Minister Kenneth Konga, Finance and National Planning Deputy Minister Chileshe Kapwepwe and Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe and other senior government officials.

President Banda was seen off at the airport by Vice President George Kunda, Defence Minster Kalombo Mwansa, Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu, Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Joshua Kanganja , Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha, Sports Minister Kenneth Chipungu, Lands Minister Gladys Lundwe, Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti, Lusaka Mayor Robert Chikwelete and senior government officials.

The two-day summit which starts on Monday is a gathering aimed at strengthening ties between African countries and France .
The last summit was attended by Late republican President Dr Levy Mwanawasa in 2008. France which is expected to take over presidency of the G-12 is determined to understand the needs of African countries. France ’s policy is to open itself to all African countries whether or not they are its former colonies.
ZANIS

ESTHER “THE AFRICAN KILLER BEE STINGS” DUDA

Zambian female boxing sensation Esther Phiri has proved her new title by adding another international title to her name through a ten ring stinging on Brazilian born Duda Yankovich.

Esther Phiri punished title holder champion in recess Duda Yankovich this evening to lift the WIBA welterweight belt at Mulungushi International conference Centre in Lusaka. Esther dominated the ten round bout to record a win via a unanimous point’s decision over the Brazilian-Serb whose last fight was in June last year.
Duda has not been active in boxing owing to a nose injury. Esther relentless punished Duda who seemed to be under pressure by holding in most of the rounds. The 33year old She Brazilian boxer also kept on receiving warnings from the referee for hitting Phiri on the back of the head and at some point using an elbow which also saw her loose some points.

Esther’s stance in this evening’s fight showed signs of steadiness following her stint in Miami to over come the tough challenges she faced from Terri Blair in a WIBA welterweight title elimination bout at the same venue last November.
Despite the well publicized scolongingo punch, Esther failed to unleash it although she put up a good fight by over loading a whole lot of punches on Duda’s face. Duda also had little to offer in the counter punch with air shots, holding and slapping the hallmark of her display throughout against Esther.

Duda who jetted in the country full of promises announced her interest for a rematch stating that her long absence from the ring made her loose some focus.
“Esther is a good fighter and I congratulate her for putting up a splendid fight….I would like a rematch because I felt I lost because I had stayed away from the ring for too long so this was like a warm up for me,” said Duda.
She however expressed disappointment in Esther for calling her an old lady.
“I am not just happy with Esther’s sentiments that I am an old woman, I would want to see her fight for long and get to my level at my age,” added Duda.

On the other hand the 23year old Zambian boxer stated that boxing is about using one’s head and not bulging muscles.
“I showed today that boxing is about using your head and not about one having muscles,” Esther said.
In the supporting bouts , Kenneth Kanyanta stopped his Kenyan opponent Twalib Mubiri through a technical knock out in the third round to return his Africa Boxing Union Battamweight belt.
Isaiah Chilufya beat Pathias Kambemba on split points decision in a non title fight while Innocent Kalamashi beat Floyd Chongo by a technical knock out in the third round.

By Brian Mwale.

AIR INDIA JET CRASH INVESTIGATION BEGINS IN MANGALORE

An investigation into the cause of the crash of a passenger jet at Mangalore's Bajpe airport that left 158 people dead is under way. Indian officials say there were just eight survivors from 166 passengers and crew on board Air India Express Flight 812 from Dubai.

The Boeing 737 overshot the airport's hilltop runway as it tried to land and burst into flames in the valley beyond. Indian Aviation Minister Praful Patel says he feels "morally responsible".
ANALYSIS
Mangalore airport has been built on a plateau on top of a hill, ending in a sharp drop leading into a deep gorge. Although the runway length is long enough to operate aircraft like the Boeing 737, if a pilot miscalculates the height and distance at which to land, he could be in trouble.

The Air India Express aircraft was operated by a two-member crew, an Indian and a Serbian national who was in command. Many Indian pilots have complained that foreign pilots are not subject to rigorous checks and some have had problems in communicating with their Indian counterparts.
Pilots also complain that they are overworked and not given enough time off.
But much of the focus will also be on Air India. Many believe it is badly managed by the government and plagued with political interference.
Shadow cast on India's air record
The plane's data and voice "black box" recorders have yet to be found.
All the passengers on the flight were Indian nationals, with many returning from jobs in the Gulf to visit their families, says the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi. There were up to 20 children on board, our correspondent adds.
The survivors, some of them severely burned, are being treated in hospital in Mangalore, a southern port city.

"As head of the civil aviation family I feel very saddened and a great sense of anguish," the civil aviation minister told reporters in Delhi after briefing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the crash.
"I also feel personally morally responsible that such a sad and tragic incident has taken place."

The airline said the plane had overshot the runway as it came into land at about 0600 (0030 GMT) and crashed into a wooded valley.
Light rain was reported to be falling in the area at the time of the crash but the head of the Indian airport authority, VP Agarwal, said visibility was not a problem. He said the pilot had given no distress call to the control tower.
Mangalore's airport lies on top of a hill with steep drops at the end of each of its two runways. One of the runways was extended in 2006 to accommodate larger planes like the Boeing 737.

Analysts say the position of Mangalore's runways poses challenges for pilots, but the secretary of India's Civil Aviation Ministry, M Madhavan Nambiar, told reporters: "This runway has been in operation fully from 2006... and I would like to emphasise that from 2006 there have been over 32,000 landings in this Mangalore runway."
He added that the Boeing 737 was a fairly new aircraft and that both pilots had experience of landing at Mangalore.
'I just jumped'
Speaking to Indian TV from his hospital bed, survivor Umer Farooq said he heard a loud thud as the plane touched down.
"Then the plane veered off toward some trees on the side and then the cabin filled with smoke. I got caught in some cables but managed to scramble out," he said.
Mr Farooq was being treated for burns to his arms, legs, and face.
Another survivor, KP Manikutty, said the landing had at first appeared to be smooth and then the plane had crashed with no warning.

Plane crash survivor: "It caught fire and we fell out"
"Immediately on touching the ground, the aircraft jerked and in a few moments hit something," he said.
"Then it split in the middle and caught fire. I just jumped from the gap," he added.
Air India Express began operations about five years ago as an offshoot of the state-run Air India.

Its Boeing 737-800 jet that crashed was less than three years old.
India's air safety record has been good in the past decade, despite a rapid increase in the number of private airlines and air travel in the country.
The last major crash happened in the city of Patna in July 2000, killing at least 50 people.
The recent months have seen a number of planes crushing with the Libya accident only having an eight year old survivor while the Polish plane crash claimed the lives of the President and his wife, army officials and seniors government officials like the Bank Governor on Russian soil.
BBC.

THAI PROTESTERS DEFY ORDERS TO LEAVE THEIR BANGKOK CAMP

Anti-government protesters in Bangkok have defied orders to leave their fortified camp in the Thai capital.

The protesters - many of them women - continued to clap and cheer speakers on stage in the centre of their vast camp as a deadline passed. Soldiers have been shooting live rounds to keep protesters at a distance as one government minister said the operation to "seal the area" would continue. Violence since Thursday has left 36 dead, and some 250 injured. Renegade Thai general Khattiya Sawasdipol died on Monday, five days after being shot as he spoke to reporters about his backing for the protest movement.

The government says it will talk to the protesters as long as they show "sincerity" by leaving their camp. The protest leaders, for their part, have offered UN-mediated talks on condition the government pulls back its troops.

'Don't be afraid'
Loudspeakers, TV announcements and mobile phone messages were used to warn the protesters - particularly women, children and the elderly - they should leave by 1500 (0800 GMT).
The government offered free transportation home for those who left, and warned that the area was not safe and anyone who stayed could face up to two years in prison.
But few of the 5,000 remaining protesters appeared to heed the call.
The BBC's Rachel Harvey, in the protesters' camp, said that as the deadline passed speeches were still being given and people - the majority of them women - were clapping and cheering them on. We will stay here persistently. And we'll ask (tell) every people don't be afraid. Just sit still and stand still here. And don't fight back. And if they would like to kill us, let them kill us," protest leader Weng Tojirakarn told demonstrators. A group of more than 300 people who sought refuge in a nearby temple have told volunteers there that they do not trust the government's offer of safe passage and do not dare to leave, the BBC was told.
Satit Wonghnongtaey, a minister attached to the prime minister's office, said the government would not back down in its attempt "to tighten the seal around the protest area".

"We would like to urge fellow citizens to be careful and protect themselves," he said. The BBC's Chris Hogg is out on the streets of Bangkok and says the situation remains very tense.

He says Thai soldiers are pursuing a policy of containment by fire, shooting live rounds towards the encampment in an effort to keep protesters at a safe distance from them.
There was fresh fighting along a street of upmarket hotels overnight, which saw the first death among the soldiers.
Guests at one of the hotels, the Dusit Thani, were rushed from their rooms into the building's basement after gunfire and explosions shook the area.
A state of emergency has now been declared in 22 provinces across the country - mostly in the protesters' northern heartlands - in a bid to stop more demonstrators heading to the capital.
Protests have spread outside the capital with a military bus set afire in the northern city of Chiang Mai and demonstrations in two north-eastern towns in defiance of a government ban.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays and delayed the start of Bangkok's school term, but a planned curfew was cancelled.
Many of the protesters, called red-shirts after the colour they have adopted, are from poor rural areas in northern Thailand where support is still strong for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.
He is living abroad to avoid a jail term on a corruption conviction.
The protesters say the current government is illegitimate, having come to power in a parliamentary vote after a pro-Thaksin government was forced to step down in December 2008 by a Constitutional Court ruling that it had committed electoral fraud.
________________________________________
Are you in Thailand? What is your reaction to what is happening in the capital right now? What is the best way out of the conflict? Send us your views using the form below.

Courtesy BBC News.

RB’S “PUPPY” CHAINED DURING MUFUMBWE BY ELECTIONS

“Don’t let my puppy out, keep it indoors until the voting period in Mufumbwe closes.”

This seemed to be the situation in the recently held Mufumbwe by elections after opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema was forced to stay indoors in his room at some lodge during the voting time.
The opposition leader who Zambian President Rupiah Banda calls his puppy was told that his presence in the polling stations would steer further violence which has left many cadres both from the opposition and ruling party with serious life long scars.
Mr. Hichilema’s camp accused the police of placing their leader under illegal house arrest. However acting police service spokesperson Moses Suwali who was on the ground in Mufumbwe says the police has no power to place any one under house arrest. He has stated that the move was just meant to prevent the opposition leader from going closer to any polling station during voting as it was tantamount to indirect campaign.
Sleazy tricks by the UPND leader to dodge the police on claims that he was in the area as an election observer were not convincing enough hence he had no option but stay indoors as the place was heavily guarded by armed police officers.
The puppy was in chains through out while the father (President Banda) was in Lusaka anxiously waiting to hear his candidate Mulonda Muzungu take the day, unfortunately that was not the case as amidst heavy tension and violence in the two camps the UPND carried the day.
Various stakeholders have described the violence in Mufumbwe as barbaric, ancient and un-Zambian. Others have stated that the President who is the father of the nation should not sink so low to start trivializing politics through personal attacks.
Campaign period
While Mufumbwe situated in the North Western province of Zambia faces serious challenges of poor road networks, lack of health facilities and serious unemployment among the youth, politicians were busy talking about each others looks at demonizing each other during campaigns at the expense of serious issues.
Marcopolo buses carrying hundreds of blood thirsty cadres from both the opposition and ruling parties travelled from Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces to tear up Mufumbwe and anything that blocked there way including the Inspector General of Police who could not contain the pressure put on him by the cadres.
Mr. Kabonde who is the top dog in Zambia’s police service looked like a simple police officer straight from school in Lilayi scared for his life when confronted by hungry wolf like carders who broke wind screens of cars at the police post in full view of his watchful eyes but powerless body.
He looked like a toothless bull dog compared to late Super Cop Wazakaza Nguni who was Lusaka province Commanding Officer who feared no one and nothing.
By Brian Mwale.

STANCHART ZAMBIA LAUNCHES US DOLLAR DEBIT CARD

As competition continues growing in the Zambian banking sector, many institutions are now looking at pulling sharper thans on others by improving on service customer needs through launch of products and services that have never been. Stanchart one of the leading Zambian banks now looks at launching a US Dollar debit card on the market.

Standard Chartered Bank Zambia has introduced another first on the market – the US Dollar Debit Card which will be issued on the US Dollar Account and can be used worldwide at over 1 million Visa branded ATMs and any Points of Sale terminal.

The US Dollar Debit Card will enable the customer to withdraw cash from their Dollar Account 24 hours a day, any time, anywhere. Benefits accrued include access to the account with local withdrawals accrued in Kwacha and withdrawals outside Zambia will be in respective currencies.

Customers will also enjoy the benefit of Internet and Points of Sale transactions to purchase products and services at Visa branded terminals, both locally and internationally. US Dollar Debit Card holders will also enjoy insurance cover for fraud, ATM cash robbery, purchase protection and personal accident death only. The US Debit Card will be issued to customers at no cost. Commenting on the latest product launch, Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Plc Managing Director, Mrs. Mizinga Melu, reiterated the banks move to meet customer needs.

“We are very excited about the US Dollar Debit Card and the greatly enhanced service and convenience it offers to our customer.” She says. We differentiate our Brand in Africa through our ability to leverage on our international expertise and product capabilities to introduce innovative services into our African markets. The launch of the US Dollar Debit Card is yet another example of this competitive advantage, and further evidence that we are continuing to invest heavily in our African franchises.”

Meanwhile Stanchart Zambia Head of Consumer Banking Mr. Ralph Watungwa further adds that the US Dollar Debit Card is the latest in a list of ‘alternative banking channels’ introduced by Standard Chartered Bank in Zambia.

“We are committed to providing world class and relevant products and services to all our customers. The US Dollar Debit Card empowers all Zambians and provides a unique opportunity for all our customers to access their financial services and transact “any time, any where,” says Mr. Watungwa.

By Brian Mwale.

STANCHART ZAMBIA TO INVEST US$ 75MILLION TOWARD AGRICULTURE SUPPORT

Agriculture has been regarded as a major sector to be used in Zambia’s diversification program which banks like Stanchart are now looking at supporting its growth through huge investments.

Stanchart Zambia Managing Director Mizinga Melu says her bank is this year planning to spend US$ 75million in support of the country’s agriculture sector. Mrs. Melu says this is because her bank considers agriculture as an important economic contributor hence needs to be supported. She says her bank has in this vain extended its support to the school of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Kabwe’s Mulungushi University as a sign of support to its growth.

“As Stanchart we are also supporting students’ development through provision of internship to two students and skills to others regarding agriculture business development,” Mrs. Melu says. And Mulungushi University Vice Chancellor Professor Vernon Chinene says the partnership will help in strengthening the relationship between the two institutions. Professor Chinene has expressed gratitude with the MoU saying it will help students understand how to access finance for agriculture proposals.

By Brian Mwale.

ZESCO SIGNS US$ 100 UPGRADE CONTRACT

After being castigated by many people and stakeholders regarding its service provision, ZESCO now looks at El-Sewed of Egypt to aid in improving on service delivery through old substations upgrade.

An effective provision of electricity from the generating point to consumers has been a major challenge in Zambia as many people are subjected to heavy load shedding despite settling their bills on time.
Zambia’s power supply firm Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation –ZESCO- has attributed this to lack of financial muscle to upgrade the existing old infrastructure and machinery.
ZESCO has in this vain signed a US$ 100 million project with an Egyptian Firm El-Sewed to improve its services through existing substation and pylons upgrades.
Speaking during the signing ceremony ZESCO Acting Managing Director Ernest Mupwaya says the project has come at the right time when the nation is entangled in a power crisis and faced with a huge power deficit.
Mr. Mupwaya has further stated that vandalism has adversely affected the company’s huge investments in various parts of the country.
“Vandalism has remained a major challenge that ZESCO is faced with as we are forced to replace vandalized equipment which also comes at a greater cost,” Mr. Mupwaya said.
And El-Sewed Managing Director Khaled Samir is confident of more jobs being created as a result of this project.
“The US$ 100million project will see a number of locals being employed in areas where the projects will be implemented….this is good for economic development of the nation as it will translate into more households having an income,” said Mr. Samir.
Meanwhile with the huge power deficits that the country faces, Energy Deputy Minister Lubinda Immasiku reiterates government’s commitment to developing the energy sector to match economic development.
ZESCO to invest more in expansion projects
ZESCO Board CHAIRMAN Kwalela Lamaswala says the power utility company is planning on investing further in the hydro power generation as it is a vital economic driver. Mr. Lamaswala says ZESCO is this year planning to invest 400million US Dollars in the Kariba North Bank power project and a further 200billion kwacha on various other projects.
“Our huge investment in the hydro plant is at enhancing the company’s operations following the Key Performance Indicator (KPIs) that were given to us by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB),” says Mr. Lamaswala.
Background
ZESCO is working on modalities to increase electricity generation capacity and access following the US$75 million loan obtained from the World Bank meant for a number of projects in some parts of Southern, Lusaka and Copperbelt Province, to improve access to electricity.
ZESCO Limited has also proposed to increase electricity tariffs for 2010/11 by 36 per cent in line with the roadmap to reach cost-reflective levels.
“Zesco’s current tariffs are still far below the cost-reflective levels required to maintain the power generation and supply infrastructure,” ZESCO Acting Managing Director Enerst Mupwaya said.
He has stated that the tariff adjustment would help Zesco to mobilise huge funds required for investing in new generation and transmission facilities needed to meet the growing power demand in the aftermath of the global economic recession which dampened electricity demand by most key consumers like mining companies and other industries.

“…Upwards trends in demand for electricity indicate that the global economy has begun its recovery and this will bring about further pressures on the electricity supply and perhaps a return of load shedding if the necessary investments in generation and transmission are not effected,” stated Mupwaya.

Last year, Zesco applied for 66 per cent tariff rise in electricity, but the ERB approved a 35 per cent average increase in electricity tariffs effective August 1, 2009 to 2010.
By Brian Mwale.