By CLIFF PHIRI –
in Kaoma
KAOMA District Commissioner, Taundi Chiseke has urged farmers in the area to diversify into fish farming to enhance their economic viability.
Mr Chiseke said traditional farming methods had become less profitable and that fish farming offered the best option because it had less market challenges and presented more opportunities for the farmers.
He said the setting up of a hatchery in Namalazi area in Mangango constituency in Kaoma would not only improve the local population’s nutritional needs but create employment in the sector. Mr Chiseke said since the labour force which would be engaged in the sector had to be paid for; this would boost the district’s fiscal standing considering that a high number of people were engaged in fish farming.
He said fingerlings would be nurtured from the hatchery in Namalazi which acted as a feed centre and would be sold to farmers in the area at an affordable price.
Mr Chiseke said since fingerlings would be sold to fish farmers at a reduced price, it was expected that their financial potential would be enhanced especially that they will be receiving technical support from the Government.
He said under the project, farmers would form cooperatives and in turn construct fish ponds as a way of giving ownership to the local people.
Mr Chiseke was elated that people in Kaoma were keen to engage in fish farming and called on those who were skeptical to come on board so that they acquire skills in fish farming. Mangango Member of Parliament, Rodgers Lingweshi urged residents in the constituency to embrace fish farming for them to realise financial and nutritional benefits.
Mr Lingweshi said Mangango residents should engage technocrats from the Fisheries Department for them to understand the concepts and benefits that could be derived from fish farming.
He said the road to the area would be tarred to make is easy for the farmers to access the market.
Mr Lingweshi also said electrification of Mangango would enable farmers to have access to refrigeration facilities.
Lusaka residents raise alarm over police brutality
By JAJAH COULIBALY –
SOME residents of Lusaka have complained about severe brutality by the recently dispatched police recruits.
The residents said the recruits had even gone as far as getting money and other valuables from people who are found walking as early as 20:00 hours.
“We have no peace now since these Kamfinsa guys were brought here, some of us work on night shifts and knock off around 04:00 hours in the morning and we usually bump into them,” a source said.
Another source who was walking home after parking his car at a garage was forced to jump into the premises of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses to avoid being beaten by the officers.
But police spokesperson, Charity Chanda said the officers were only instructed to apprehend suspects and urged residents that any form of brutality should be reported at any police station.
“As far as we are concerned, no one has complained of being beaten by the police and there is no curfew in Zambia. What we want is law and order to prevail,” she said.
The residents of Lusaka have since appealed to Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja to instruct the officers to escort those found moving at night to their homes.
Kill all stray dogs, Chingola council told
By JOSHUA HAMASUKWA –
CHINGOLA residents are calling for the municipality to kill stray dogs in the town centre and surrounding areas as the number has swelled.
Kelvin Mubanga said he was worried that the dogs could have rabies, and that it was the responsibility of the council to get rid of the canines.
“It has been long since the dogs were vaccinated here in Chingola. Some people who own dogs don’t take them to the veterinary for vaccination.
“I think the last time the veterinarians came to vaccinate the dogs was in 2008. Since then no dogs have been vaccinated,” he said.
Godfrey Mulaka, a resident of Kabundi said: “I cannot even go for evening prayers for fear of the stray dogs.”
He said some houses in Kapisha and Kabundi townships had no fences, making it easy for the dogs to come out and roam the streets.
Siamana Hamasukwa also said he had problems with stray dogs in his area, especially in the town area, where he lived.
Council public relations manager, George Sichimba said stray dogs were a big problem in Chingola.
Mr Sichimba urged residents to be calm as action would be taken to get rid of the stray dogs soon.
Presidential Loan Initiative beneficiaries hailed
By DAVID KANDUZA –
A BENEFICIARY of the Presidential Loan Initiative in Kitwe is impressed that some of his colleagues have started paying back the loans they got which are aimed at boosting their businesses.
More than 3,000 vendors and market traders across Zambia accessed K3 million which is a revolving fund meant to help grow and sustain their businesses.
Charles Mwamba, a trader at Chisokone Market in Kitwe told the Sunday Times during the week that marketeers in Zambia had been finding it hard to access loans before the introduction of the presidential initiative.
Mr Mwamba said the commitment shown by marketeers to pay back should be supported by all well-meaning Zambians so that other people could benefit from the venture.
He was hopeful that the initiative would boost a number of small businesses.
“We welcome the President’s decision to give small loans to market traders. Marketeers have for a long time lacked adequate funding as there are no institutions readily willing to assist them mainly due to lack of collateral,” Mr Mwamba said.
He said the money was received well and people appreciated the initiative.
“I am happy that some recipients have utilised these funds properly, and are paying back to allow others to benefit also,” Mr Mwamba said.
Patron for the Presidential Empowerment Fund for marketers, Chanda Kabwe said he was happy that the traders had put to good use.
Mr Kabwe thanked the beneficiaries for showing commitment by paying back so that the venture could benefit others.
Recently, President Lungu launched the scheme which he said was aimed at empowering the marketeers.
