Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

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

-- Zambian President Edgar Lungu has directed permanent secretaries in various ministries to prepare themselves to fully embrace and work on his vision of a productive public service next year. (Times of Zambia)

-- Some youths in Zambia's ruling party have declared President Edgar Lungu as the party's sole candidate for the 2021 general elections amidst leadership wrangles.

Lungu, leader of the Patriotic Front (PF), said last week that some people calling for elections within the party had ambitions to take over from him hence the anarchy they are fanning.

The party youths from Lusaka, the country's capital, have since warned all senior party leaders scheming to take up the leadership of the governing party that they risk being flushed out before the next general elections. (Daily Nation)

-- Motor vehicle third party insurance premiums have been hiked by more than 100 percent, an industry body has said.

The Insurance Association of Zambia said the decision was arrived at during a General Insurance Council and that the increment will become effective from January 1, 2017.

The premiums have been increased to 900 Zambian Kwacha from 463.50 Kwacha for private vehicles and to 1,100 Kwacha for commercial vehicles. (The Mast) Endit