President Lungu warns against bureaucracy

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has cautioned Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Michael Katambo and all extension officers at the ministry against any bureaucracy in implementing development in the fish industry.

“I don’t like warning people because if I warn and I don’t fire you people will be saying why haven’t fired him. It’s rare that I warn people in publicly but I want to warn you and your staff not to depart from the project objectives,” he says. 

Mr Lungu was sounded the warning yesterday when he launched the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Project (ZADEP) in Lilayi under the theme “Zambia Aquaculture on Sustainable Growth”.

The project will be implemented for a period of five years from 2017 to 2022 at a cost of US$20, 89 million, 89.2 percent of which will be funded by the African Development Bank while the Zambian Government will contribute 10.8 percent which is US$5.49 million.

Mr Lungu has since commended the bank for its unwavering support to fund the project which is the first of its kind in Africa.

“Well done, we are exceedingly grateful for this valuable support,” he says.

He says despite the annual increase in fish production as a result strong push in aquaculture promotion, Zambia still has a fish deficit of 87, 000 metric tonnes.

Mr Lungu, however says Government’s resolve to proactively promote aquaculture has impressively delivered results increasing yields from 12, 988 metric tonnes in 2012 to 30, 285 metric tonnes in 2016.

“This significant achievement by the PF Government gives me hope that we are on the right path to boost fish production leading. We must cut fish imports and instead promote local production for export,” he says.

Mr Lungu who has also ventured into fish farming, noted that increasing human population and demand for fish as a source of cheap protein has contributed to the deficit hence the need to accelerate aquaculture development.

He says the project being conducted at the farm belonging to Dr Penias Tembo in Lilayi area is very important to the sub-sector as a viable and inclusive business opportunity to improve the livelihoods of beneficiaries in the aquaculture value chain.

“This project will help fish farmers to improve their business and managerial skills and the quality of their productive systems. Efficient production will help bring down the price of fish for consumers,” he says.

He further says about 12,000 fish farmers and entrepreneurs comprising 50 percent women and youth in the identified high potential aquaculture areas will benefit from the project.

And Mr Katambo says the launch of the project will transform the aquaculture sub-sector in the country such that a lot of people will benefit especially the youth and women who will be engaged in fish farming.

He says five aquaculture parks will be set up in expects Bangweulu in Luapula, Mungwi in Northern Province, Chipepo in Southern Province Rufunsa in Lusaka and Kasempa in North-western Province.

And ADB representative Lewis Bangwe says Zambia can revive its fish sector through the aquaculture sector because of its vast water resources and strategic positioning.

Meanwhile, Aquaculture Development Association of Zambia (ADAZ) chairperson Fisho Mwale who is also Director of Yalelo Zambian Fish is delighted with the launch of the project describing it as a milestone in the fish sector.

He commended Government for putting in place policies that promote the fish industry describing it as favourable.

Luapula Province potential tourist destination

 

 

By NDUBI MVULA, Luapula

IT is undeniable fact that the best and largest part of the Victoria Falls is and will always be in Zambia and not otherwise.

And Zambia Tourism Agency marketing manager Ruth Kambalakoko saya her organisation does not mince its words in its commitment to market the country's rich tourism potential.

She says, as depicted in the publication on display at the Luapula Expo, that Zambia is tge land of the legendary African walking safari, home to the Victoria Falls, the wild Zambezi River, breath-taking lakes and wetlands.

The country is a profusion of birds, abundant wildlife, and raw, pulsating wilderness.......all in one beautiful and friendly country, Zambia.

Zambia is acknowledged as one of the safest countries to visit in the whole wide world.

Blesses with more than ten magnificent waterfalls apart from the spectacular Victoria Falls,  Zambia offers several years including remote areas where you can get a glimpse of village life.

Also on the cards is cultural tourism that gives a plethora of cultures that awaits enthusiastic travellers in different parts of the country. 

However, in its latest publication "10 Most Beautiful Places In Luapula, A Guide to Luapula Province Heritage Sites" published for the Luapula Expo 2017, by the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC).

One of the featurea worth visiting is Ntumbachushi Falls, is located in Kawambwa District of Luapula Province on the Muchinga escarpment along the Ng'ona River approximately 15 kilometres west of Kawambwa district at latitude 9 degrees 25'S longitude 28 degrees 58'E and 250kilometres from Mansa.

About 1000 metres upstream, the Ng'ona River gracefully meanders but with yet several mini waterfalls  with about 5 cataracts and 8 natural swimming pools upstream the main falls which are Katongo and Fwaka before coming to the scenic wide plains as if to give an illustration of the masterly and divine architecture of the landscape.

The main waterfalls are about 60 metres in length and have a vertical drop of 30 metres.

At the foot of the falls is a calm pool for excellent for swimming and summer baths while in the same vicinity is another waterfalls popularly known as Mabila (daubed the Witchdoctor).

Other sites near Nthumbachushi Falls include Mbereshi mission and Kilwa island.

Part of the land available within the site for tourism infrastructure development under the PPP arrangement.

A tourist would not only enjoy the beauty of falling waters whilst at Ntumbachishi site but also the rich flora and fauna making up the highly biodiversity of the site.

Nthumbachushi Falls Site is also blessed with a number of rock art paintings which are located about 700 metres in the southern upper edges of the waterfalls and or Ng'ona River.

The paintings are commonly known as "window into the past artistic and spiritual" world of the Later Stone Age (LSA) peoples or the Ba Twa or Bushmen and believed to be over 10000 years old.

The paintings which are similar to those if Kasama's Mwela Rock Paintings, take both naturalistic and schematic stylistic nature.

It is noted that unlike Kasama Rock art that occurs in both Red Animal Tradition (Naturalistic) as well as  Red Geometric Tradition (Schematic), the majority in Nthumbachushi Paintings are in Red Geometric Tradition  and these include,  finger dots, lines ( vertical, horizontal and parallel), circles, arcs, grids, ladder, circles with radiating lines, concentric circles, divided circles, oblong shapes, arrow like designs, flower-like designs and cones.

Therefore, to all prospective tourists be it local or foreign, destination Luapula, the Land if the magestic Water Falls in Zambia has visa services that are provided by the commercial banks in the area.

And NHCC Executive Director Collins Chongo Chipote says as a Commission participating in the Luapula Expo gives them an opportunity to display the many hidden treasures of the province to the rest of the world.

"These heritage sites present a range of fascinating alternatives to hundreds of well-known tourists destination around the country giving you unforgettable experiences to life within a space of 50.6 square Kilometres," he said.

Indeed the die is cast and the Nickson Chilamgsa Luapula Expo Team has taken a giant step towards transforming the the area.

" Be innovative" Tourism and Arts Minister Charles Banda urges new National Heritage Conservation Commission Board of Directors

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.

AS earlier stated on many a platform, Tourism Minister Charles Banda is on record of calling on all departments under his ministry to devise means and ways of marketing Zambia’s rich and pristine natural sites.

It is a well fact that heritage resources have the potential to contribute the national economy what with the importance that go with the cultural and natural resources dotted around the country.

Cultural and natural heritage conservation is based on a multidisciplinary knowledge base, drawing strategies and actions from diverse array of stakeholder groupings.

In the past recent years, government embarked on the provision of basic infrastructure at some of the site among which are the Victoria Falls, Mumbuluma Falls, Kalambo Falls, Lumangwe/Kabwelume Falls complex, Chinyunyu Hot Spring, Zambezi Source, Chishimba Falls, Ntumbachushi Falls among others.

NHCC Executive Director Collins Chipote once said during the Luapula Expo 2017 that with the basic infrastructure and the recent construction of roads leading to the heritage sites, there has been positive increase in both domestic and international tourists at most of the sites.

However, to achieve all this and attract more visits to the sites there is always need to have a working team that would help provide guidance in the marketing strategies desired.

“For the Commission to achieve its goals as defined, there is need for the Board to provide leadership, policy direction, and resource mobilization for conservation programmes. Heritage has the potential of funding its own activities,” Mr Banda said.

And the new board members are Professor Imasiku Nyambe as Chairperson, Dr Liya Nawa Mutale (Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Mr David Musoma, Mrs Josephine Bwalya Muchelemba, Mr Abel Kafula, Mrs Ireen Muyenga Kakompe, Mrs Hazel Mafwenko Zulu, Mr Clifford Chishala and Mr Collins Chipote.

“We need to start looking away from Victoria Falls to other heritage sites in terms of site development and promotion,” he says.

In doing this, Mr Banda says there is need to regard issues to do with the opening new avenues for generation of income away from the usual entry fees to heritage sites by making concessions relating to private sector investment in tourism and infrastructure at heritage sites a reality.

He says the creation of partnerships with various stakeholders in heritage conservation, protection and promotion.

Mr Banda noted that heritage promotion should be done in such a way that it is appreciated adding that doing so will eventually increase the number of visitors to the various sites.

He further said even if Government is working on some of the challenges being faced by the Commission, the Board will need to work hard and lobby the private sector for investment in heritage sites, lobby for increased support to the sector from the cooperating partners,” he urged.

He further noted that the Commission provides a link between the past, present and future, thereby promoting national identity through the preservation of Zambia’s heritage and ensuring sustainable utilisation of the heritage resources.

Mr Banda emphasised that heritage is a public good, essential for national identity, national cohesion, employment generation, education and cultural, religious values and increasingly Government’s across Africa anticipate that the heritage sector must create job opportunities and uplift undeveloped areas.

However, the framework for heritage in Zambia is defined by the NHCC Act, Cap 173 of the Laws of Zambia which established the NHCC and provides for definition and protection of both the central and natural heritage resource.

The Board is now in place and from the look of things, there is no honeymoon but to get on the work and hype the awareness through cooperating partners such as the Zambia Tourism Agency.

Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya confirms cholera out break in Lusaka

 

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.

IN his Ministerial statement on the outbreak of cholera in Lusaka District, Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya confirmed cases of Cholera in Chipata, Mazyopa, Kanyama, and Ngombe compounds of Lusaka District and that there is also a record of one patient who travelled from Kasenga village in Chisamba District who was diagnosed upon arrival in the Capital City.

Dr Chilufya noted that the current outbreak was declared on 6^th October 2017, after laboratory confirmation of two initial cases that were presented to Chipata Level One Hospital on 4^th October, 2017. As at 18:00 hours on 11^th October, the cumulative number of cases was 37, with the youngest being a 3-month old baby who was certified dead within a few minutes of arrival.

He says the child tested positive to the cholera rapid diagnostic test adding that Twenty (20) out of the 37 stool samples tested from the affected patients were positive for Vibrio cholera.

“Currently, only three (3) patients are under admission and receiving appropriate treatment at Chipata and Kanyama Cholera treatment centers. One patient, a child, absconded aided by the mother from Kanyama Cholera treatment center. The other patients stabilized after receiving treatment and have since been discharged,” he says.

He says risk factors associated with Cholera in the affected communities include poor hygiene practices, erratic supply of clean water, and poor sanitation.

“As of this date, five (5) water samples tested from Chipata compound, specifically from boreholes B95, Mazyopa School and A16 as well as the B96 and Lusaka water trust tanks indicated contamination with fecal coliforms. Further analysis indicated presence of Vibrio cholerae in boreholes B95 and A16. With the foregoing, we have no option but to shut down the affected boreholes in our quest to stop the spread of the disease,” he says.

However, Cholera is a disease caused by bacteria called Vibrio cholerae, mainly spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include acute onset of diarrhea and or vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, and body weakness.

If untreated, the infection can result in rapid dehydration and death within 24 hours but that the Ministry of Health has put in measures to control the outbreak.

Some of the interventions that we have instituted include case management in which Cholera treatment centers have been opened in Chipata and Kanyama to specifically manage Cholera cases. These have been staffed with Doctors, nurses and other health workers as well as the provision of adequate medical supplies and drugs to support patient care.

The other measure is contract tracing under which the Environmental Health Technicians and Community Health Workers have been deployed to trace all contacts of the affected patients.

He says this is critical to quickly identify those who may have contracted the infection so that they are screened and given appropriate treatment and hence stop further spread of the infection. In addition, door-to-door distribution of household chlorine, and chlorination of water sources is on-going.

Also on the cards is the aspect for health education which Dr Chilufya health promotion messages are being given to the public through various strategies including use of mobile public address systems, and distribution of printed materials such as brochures, leaflets, and posters. Messages are also being disseminated through community radio stations and the public broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

On environmental management Dr Chilufya says water sampling has been enhanced in the affected communities and extended to the rest of the province to ensure that contaminated sources are identified as soon as possible in order to institute appropriate remedial measures.

He says chlorination of water sources is ongoing and in partnership with the local authority while waste management has been enhanced with more trucks mobilized to remove the garbage in affected areas.

“This however, needs to be escalated further by thoroughly cleaning up the affected areas including markets and streets through a multisectoral approach. Inspection of public facilities including markets, food outlets and other trading premises has also been intensified in the affected communities,” he says.

And lastly Dr Chilufya, on the multispectral response says his Ministry of Health is working in collaboration with various partners including the Lusaka City Council, Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company, the Zambia National Service (ZNS), the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, USAID Discover Health, Pharmanova and CIDRZ in providing alternative supply of clean water to affected residents using water bowsers.

He says working with the DMMU, works are underway to erect tank stands to mount fifteen (15) by 10,000 liters water tanks to supply clean and safe drinking water to affected areas. Further, the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company has been directed to provide a waiver for the affected communities and supply water at no cost to the consumer at the point of collection.

While working with the Lusaka City Council efforts have been stepped up to clean the affected areas whereas the street vendors and the public at large have been engaged to address the potential risk of spreading the disease through food sold in the open on the streets.

It goes without saying that as the rains are now here, there is need for everyone to critically and seriously observe high levels of hygiene at household level while Dr Chilufya and his Team are focusing on a wide space in the fight against cholera than leave everything in the government’s hands.

“I appeal to residents in the affected areas and the nation at large, to observe high standards of personal hygiene, including washing hands with soap and clean water before handling food and after using the toilet. Raw food such as fruits must be thoroughly washed and cooked food should be heated before consumption. Water can be made safe by boiling or chlorinating it. I urge our people to avoid buying and selling food from undesignated trading places such as streets. Further, mass gatherings should be avoided, unless absolutely necessary,” he says.

World celebrates Rhino Day

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.

EVER heard of the World Rhino Day? Well, this is a day set aside by wildlife conservationists as one for to commemorate and appreciate the importance of wildlife and how beneficial it is to human nature when protected from extinction or wanton poaching.

The day is September 22 of every year and Zambia is part and does commemorate this important annual calendar event and the theme was “Let’s Help Save the Rhino”.

This week, Beyond Victoria Falls takes a look at this day which not many may have the knowledge of but with this, it marks the beginning of more highlights to come on what and how it came about.

According to the Wildlife crime Prevention, a Lusaka based non-governmental organisation, is dedicated to working alongside public and private partners to create a Zambia free from illegal wildlife trade through law enforcement, support to wildlife crime prosecutor and awareness.

When Zambia gained independence the country had the third largest black rhino population in Africa, with 12,000 animals.  Three decades later every last one of these rhinos was gone and rhinos were declared extinct.

It is noted that the loss of the rhinos serves as a reminder of just how high the stakes are. However, there is hope as the Department of National Parks and Wildlife along with its partners have managed to successfully reintroduce some rhinos into protected areas in Zambia.

They now work tirelessly to protect these vital animals.

While not a single rhino has been killed in Zambia for over a decade, the country is increasingly becoming an important player in the global rhino horn trade. This year alone there have been three documented cases of rhino horn entering the borders illegally.

Most illegally traded rhino horn is destined for china and Vietnam where it is erroneously believed to be a cure for numerous ailments and is increasingly used as a status symbol by Asia’s elite.

In Zambia, the illegal possession of trophies such as Elephant Ivory and Rhino Horn is punishable with sentences of between 5 and 10 years imprisonment with no option of a fine under the Zambia Wildlife Act no.14 of 2015.

Therefore, 22 September stands out as a day of reflection and renewed commitment to preserving the precious heritage for Zambia’s economy, ecology and for future generations let alone the tourism sector both domestic and foreign.

However, apart from the rhino (mostly hunted for its horn), the Wildlife Crime Prevention observes that other animals such as the Leopard (for its skin), Elephant (for its tasks), Lions (for their skins) and Pangolin (for its skin and meat), and a good number of arrests have been conducted with suspects prosecuted and convicted accordingly.

The World Rhino Day, celebrates all the five species of rhinos which are; Black rhino, White rhino, Greater one-horned rhino, Sumatran rhino and Javan rhinos. The day was first announced by the WWF-south Africa in 2010 and the following year, world Rhino Day grew into an international success, encompassing both African and Asian rhino species.

In conclusion but not the last, there are five Rhino fun facts which are;  
* There are five different species of rhinoceros. Three are from southern Asia and two from Africa. They are the black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Indian Rhinoceros, Javan Rhinoceros and Sumatran Rhinoceros.
* The name rhinoceros means ‘nose horn’ and is often shortened to rhino. It comes from the Greek words rhino (nose) and ceros (horn).
* White rhinoceros are the second largest land mammal. The white rhino is the largest rhino species and can weigh over 3500 kg (7700lb) and is the largest land mammal after the elephant. Elephants can grow to 7,000 kg (15,000lb).
* Rhinos can grow to over 6 feet tall and more than 11 feet in length.
* Three of the rhinoceros species are listed as being critically endangered. The Black Rhinoceros, Javan Rhinoceros and Sumatran Rhinoceros are all critically endangered which means they have 50 per cent chance  of becoming extinct in three generations.

With these few pointers to the value of the rhinoceros, preservation of the mammal should be taken as a cardinal task for each and everyone as it is one of the tourist attractions.