Top news items in major Zambia media outlets

LUSAKA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Wednesday.

--The Commonwealth has agreed with Zambia's position that the proposed national dialogue involving various political stakeholders should be locally driven.

Patricia Scotland, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth emphasized the need for the dialogue to be home-grown during a meeting with Vice-President Inonge Wina in London. (Zambia Daily Mail)

--Kenya has commended Zambia for embarking on a national road tolling program to raise funds to finance the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of road infrastructure.

Jacob Ruwa, chief executive officer of the Kenya Roads Board, who is leading a delegation that was in Zambia to learn from the country's experience in its road tolling program, said his country still uses the traditional mode of fuel levy to raise funds for road maintenance and was keen to learn from Zambia's experience. (Times of Zambia)

--The Zambian government has expressed commitment to consolidate trade and investment ties with Sweden.

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame said during a Business Forum attended by investors from the two countries that government remains committed to creating an open, transparent, stable and predictable environment for all investors. (Daily Nation)

--Zambia's leading opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has insisted that United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Janet Rogan undermined the 2016 general elections process in many ways leading to an outcome that was deeply flawed and heightened tension in the country.

The opposition leader, who has formally written a complaint letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the UN representative had failed the people of Zambia because of her conduct in the disputed polls. (The Mast) Enditem