The Voice of Zambia

THE prolonged dry spells currently being experienced in the country are expected to continue throughout the month of February, especially over the southern half of the country. Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu said in a ministerial statement to Parliament yesterday that the current dry spells, coupled with high temperatures, are depleting soil moisture and impacting agricultural activities and water availability. Mr Nzovu said the weather conditions are posing several challenges to critical sectors within the country’s economy, and that it is crucial to adapt to strategies for sustainable farming practices, water management, and disaster preparedness…

MINISTER of Health Sylvia Masebo spent Saturday night and early hours of Sunday at Heroes Stadium cholera treatment centre to facilitate the transfer of a patient whose condition was not stable. Ms Masebo, who was yesterday in Lusaka’s Kanyama, Kaunda Square, Mtendere and Kalikiliki to sensitise the public on cholera, said she stayed on to facilitate the urgent transfer to the University Teaching Hospitals (UTH). “I left Heroes cholera centre in the wee hours of this morning, Sunday 02:00 hours,” she said. “There was a patient who was in critical condition who required urgent transfer to UTH, so I stayed there and facilitated the urgent transfer. There was also a baby who was not in stable condition, the child was stabilised by medical staff.” Ms Masebo has advised parents and guardians to reinforce personal hygiene practices among children as schools reopen today..

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema yesterday challenged developers of the Lobito Transport Corridor to create opportunities for everyone, including establishing joint ventures (JVs) with local entities “because the pie is too big to be chewed alone”. President Hichilema says Government is committed to actualise the Lobito Railway Corridor project since it is Zambia’s most significant development initiative after the TAZARA and the Cape to Cairo railway projects. Officiating at the Lobito Transport Corridor private sector investor forum, President Hichilema urged the business community in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to seize opportunities that will arise from the project. “This is not a joke and it shall be a reality soon where African institutions are working with the global community, and all we need is support from you experts and the private sector because we are providing leadership from the highest level, so the project must work and must be supported,” he said

A TEACHER at Libala South Secondary School has been arrested and taken to court for allegedly assaulting and defiling a teenage pupil whom he also tried to sodomise. Nakisha Wamunyima, 37, is charged with defilement, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and attempts to commit unnatural offences. Between July 1 and August 2 last year, the accused allegedly unlawfully had carnal knowledge of MB, a child under the age of 16. In another count, allegations are that between the same dates, the teacher assaulted the girl and occasioned her actual bodily harm. In the last count, claims are that between the mentioned dates, the accused wilfully and unlawfully attempted to have sex with MB against the order of nature. At the time of his arrest, police were informed that the teacher allegedly took the victim out and when she arrived home late, she was asked to return to where she had been. When the victim returned to meet the teacher, he allegedly defiled her. The accused denied all the allegat

  The Counter Debasement Commission (ACC) has addressed Agro Fuel Speculation Owner Shashi Patel over the granting of a delicate to his organization for the tidying up of TAZAMA Pipeline. ACC had additionally before gathered Devon Oil for addressing. Also, ACC Chief General Tom Shamakamba says the Commission is "following through with something" and will give the public realize access proper method. As of late Zambian Common Freedoms Association had stopped a grumbling with Boss Equity Mumba Malila against Energy Clergyman Peter Kapala for supposed maltreatment of office and his powers. This was comparable to the fuel supply tenders granted to Agro Fuel Ventures Restricted, Devon Oil Zambia Restricted and Transworld Oil Restricted. Our sources had before announced that Kapala had granted another fuel supply contract without following delicate strategy to Transworld Oil Restricted… Kapala had recently granted an agreement to Agro fuel for the stockpile of fuel without followin