Top news items in major Zambia media outlets

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

-- Zambian President Edgar Lungu said his administration will continue respecting the independence of the judiciary and abiding by the doctrines of separation of powers which are prerequisites for attracting investors into the country.

The Zambian leader said his administration stands ready to play its role of ensuring that the judiciary was fully empowered to function independently and to expeditiously deliver justice.In remarks delivered during the annual judicial conference in the southern city of Livingstone, Lungu noted that investors were usually afraid of investing in a country where the system for resolution of commercial disputes took so long. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- The African Guarantee Fund (AGF) has set aside 20 million U.S. dollars for the Zambian Small and Medium Enterprises development with the aim of creating 2,000 job opportunities in the next two years.

AGF Chief Executive Officer Felix Bikpo said the Fund had dedicated 20 million dollars that could leverage three times, adding that this could help AGF to raise something like 600 million dollars for small and medium enterprises through commercial banks.(Times of Zambia)

-- The Zambian government has directed the police to immediately reduce the number of checkpoints on highways from 81 to 40 following complaints from members of the public.

Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo said some check-points were counter-productive and were not justifiable as they only delayed traffic. (Daily Nation). Endit