Top news items in major Zambia media outlets

The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Friday.

-- The Zambian parliament has approved the creation of new ministries in line with President Edgar Lungu's proposal to re-align and reconstitute some portfolios for effective service delivery.

During the official opening of the first session of the twelfth National Assembly on October 4, 2016, Lungu proposed the creation of four new ministries, including Housing and Infrastructure Development, Water Development and Sanitation and National Guidance and Religious Affairs. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- The Zambian government said it will only borrow money to finance infrastructure that is relevant to the growth of the country's economy.

Minister of Finance Felix Mutati further said the government would only spend money approved by parliament, adding that no minister would be allowed to spend outside the budget in order to promote budget credibility. (Daily Nation)

-- A senior member of Zambia's ruling party has proposed that the tenure of political office be increased from the current five years to seven to foster development.

Paul Moonga, a member of the Central Committee said five years was too short to even recover or heal from an electoral defeat, adding that the holding of general elections after every five years was responsible for the economic challenges the country is in. He said Zambia was a small economy that could not afford the luxury of costly elections every five years. (Zambia Daily Mail) Endit