RB orders two ministers to clear mess at border

President Rupiah Banda on May 20 ordered two of his Cabinet Ministers to immediately deal with the disorder and clear the filth at the Kazungula Border Post in Livingstone.

President Banda said with deep frustration he has continued to hear about the disorder prevailing at the Kazungula Border Crossing but nothing has been done to normalize the situation. He directed Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti and Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane to deal with the mess at the border as a matter of urgency.

“I will be expecting a report on what has been done in a week’s time, not later than Friday 29th May, 2009,” President Banda said and added: “I find it unacceptable that we, as Government, can watch the situation at that border post deteriorate to the extent it is.”

He described the situation as an embarrassment to the Zambian citizens and Government. Livingstone residents and tourists have been complaining on the poor state of the Kazungula border post, which has been deteriorating without any maintenance.

South endorses RB for 2011 elections

As Patriotic Front declares his candidature for the 2011 elections the MMD in Southern Province has now endorsed President Rupiah Banda as the party’s sole candidate for the presidential elections. MMD Southern Province chairperson, Solomon Muzyamba said in Livingstone May 19 that the province had decided that Banda should lead the party into the 2011 elections.

Speaking when he welcomed the president, Muzyamba said the party had started reorganising itself from branch level in preparation for 2011 polls.

The president is in Livingstone to officially open a three-day sixth Zambia International Business Advisory Council (Zibac) which started May 19. He said he was grateful for the confidence shown in him and happy that the province had resolved to ensure he stood for the presidency in 2011. He appreciated the support the party in the province continued to show to his leadership and he was also praying that God granted him the ability and wisdom to perform and to maintain the strength up to 2011 for him to be able to stand.

Receiving the president at Livingstone Airport were Lands Minister Peter Daka, Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati, Mines and Minerals Development minister Maxwell Mwale, Labour and Social Security Austin Liato and several permanent secretaries. The president was accompanied by Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane.

RB appoints committee to oversee Pretroleum exploration

President Rupiah Banda May 19 announced the appointment of seven members of the Petroleum Committee, which would be responsible for formulating policies relating to the exploration, development and production of petroleum in Zambia. He has appointed four Cabinet Ministers as members of the Petroleum Committee in line with the provisions of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 2008. Among its functions the committee would also approve the oil and gas exploration, production and award licenses to would-be investors.

Appointed to the Petroleum Committee are Maxwell Mwale, MP, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Chairperson), Kenneth Konga, MP, Minister of Energy and Water Development – (Vice Chairperson), Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP, Minister of Finance and National Planning (Member) and Felix Mutati MP, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Member).
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Others are Dr. Caleb Fundanga, Governor of the Bank of Zambia (Member), Andrew Kamanga, Energy Consultant (Member) and Guy Phiri, Engen Petroleum Zambia Limited (Member)