A senior government official in Northwestern province has urged Zambians to continue diversifying into all sectors of economy in order not to experience an economic decline when the mines reduce production and when the copper prices fall.
Solwezi District Commissioner, Albert Chifita, said this in a speech read on his behalf by Administrative Officer Benson Kapumo, during the official opening of Solwezi District Agriculture and Commercial Show at Solwezi show grounds over the weekend.
Mr. Chifita said diversification was very important in order to remain economically buoyant when mines start to perform poorly.
The District Commissioner noted that despite having mining activities in Solwezi district, the agriculture sector should always be promoted.
He said the population has recently grown in the district because of the opening of mining industries hence the need to diversify economic activities to sustain the needs of the people.
Mr. Chifita said government has continued to support programmes aimed at increasing agricultural productivity.
He cited the fertilizers support program and the targeted food security pack meant for the vulnerable but viable households as some of the measures government has put in place to increase food production.
I wonder what we would have been if God did not bless us with copper.
If find it hard to comment on such. I only have one comment and that is, we dont have leaders to develop the country.
#1.. if it wasn’t copper.. it would be something else. and we would still have the difficult task of diversifying.
no matter what you’re given.. if you can’t manage it..then you are at a loss.
#1 The Government, if God did not bless us with copper we could have been much better off. Being born with a copper spoon in the mouth has just made us stupid. We have ended up mastering the shape of the spoon, than what the spoon is used for. There are many countries in this world with little and not very popular minerals to even write a book about, or simply not at all. But, these countries are some of the richest in the world. For instance, I don’t think (correct me) Netherlands has base metals (or only a few). But the country’s 75% (and above) land is covered with forests-woodland. One of the prime industries in Netherlands is wood processing-adding value to timber…
…The country is seriously rich for what they do. Most of the manufacturing industries are formed around wood processing. They have designed and developed the most sophiscated timber cutting and sawing machines ever. Because of the frequent usage of the roads by abnormal load trucks which convey cut timber to processing plants, their road construction (despite mountain hurdles) technology is one of best in the world-if not the best. Even the technology of manufacturing trucks is modeled around the timber industry. Therefore, Netherland is the best in building pre-fabricated timber houses that are sold allover europe. Just a bit about their trucks. 1 truck can ve so many functions-cutting…
…a tree, logging it, sawing it to size, loading it on itself and transporting the timber to value addition or manufacturing plant(s). Their way of life dictates what technology to develop, employ and perfect. Not the other way round.
Coming back to the topic. The Solwezi DC was wasting his time (but more importantly pipos’ time) telling Zambians to not suffer economic decline again. All Zambians know the repercussions of economic decline. However, the only Zambians who do not know about this are Zambian political rulers themselves. He should have directed is sentiment to them. Unfortunately its political leaders who shape the economic direction of the country…
ladies and Gents..like i said we lack good leadership..remember a leader leads with the ppl. A Manager leads the people and what we have at State House is a big ass lazy
Manager…
MMD IS CAT POOP!!!!! i said call the shu shu shu i dont give a damm
#1, i know you are very educated. Read the success stories of other countries without these natural resources like Singapore which was far poorer than Zambia at its independence in 1965. Zambia would have been endowed with something but like #3 says, our present state would still be the same or even worse because we lack planners at government level.
As we all know our country is well endowed with abundant natural resources with good natured and peace-loving people. Its only through harnessing these resources (apart from minerals) that Zambia will develop a sustainable economy. Lets take industrial sectors 1by1 and discuss why things can’t work. And how things can work in such industrial sectors that favor economic sustainability for Zambia.
TOURISM:
Zambia is 1 of those few countries with everything for tourism. However, our govts ve never really seriously bother to invest in this sector. As usual they wait for foreign investors to come and start the ball rolling…
…Thats a felony. As if thats not enough the govt is not serious about the infra-structure that make tourism flourish. These infrastructural systems are, continuous power supply. If the govt is hanging on to zesco it should be responsible for making sure that the service is at least 99%. Erratic supply of power has never favoured any industry. The commutter transport systems must be descent. Tourism is for families, individuals, or a group of pipo with varying capabilities/abilities. In this modern world those mini buses should be done away with. How do u xpect a tourist to come back to zambia after an xperience on those fit for pigs commutter mini buses? GRZ must inact a law to outlaws…
…to out law those hopeless buses to be replace with descent room (big) commutter buses where even pipo with babies can board without folding up their babies’ push chairs. Userfriendly buses must ve a provision 4 even wheelchaired passengers and where to put ones luggage. In addition buses must stop only at the bus stop, and not anywhere on the roads. All roads must ve pedestrian and cyclist tracks to avoid walking on lanes 4 vehicles. All roads must ve names with local maps available at all gazatted bus stops. The police force must be retrained to the international standards of customer handling and ve a modernised force by beefing it up with state of the art technology. Nowadays u can…
…never divorce sport from tourism. There4, ultra modern leisure centres and stadiums must be built by the govt. Dont wait 4 investors. Down town parks must also be re-initiated. When I was a boy there used to be play parks. Not anymore, in Zambia. How?
The other most important aspect in tourism concerns the school carriculum. GRZ must introduce TOURISM, CHINESE, and SPANISH as subjects starting from Grade one. Research conducted by the British govt concluded that by% in less than 3decades the Chinese will the highest number of middle class citizens. There4 the no. of tourist from china to other parts of the world will more than trebble due to the spending power..
…As a result Britain (London) has inacted a law to introduce Chinese language in school. To that effect they have even started to import chinese language teachers. They are not stupid. They want to ve the largest market share. There is nothing comforting and hospitable to hear your language being spoken in a foreign land. You will surly be encouraged to go back. Zambia, instead of introducing chinese at university level, can emmulate Britain. This language issue can have a diplomatic advantage, too. Spanish is just one of the popular languages on earth. There is need to introduce it in schools, too.
…Zambia does not cease to surprise me where tourism is concerned, too. The appointment of Verra Chiluba to deputy tourism minister boggles my mind. But, this is how little the govt respects the sector. Tourism is a multi-billion industry. Not 4 nothing. It is a complicated and sophiscated industry to handle. Tourism is not just about the Vic falls, giraffes, and zebras, or blindly signing a cheque. By and large it involves the all naturals resources and how different types of systems (unnatural resources) can be coordinated towards achieving a conducive and optimised environment for tourism activities…
…God forbid. But, what analytical skills has Verra Chiluba to understand, coordinate all the systems and even project the resulting ideas (orfacts) into a global scenerio in order to come up with a course of action that transforms Zambia into a world-class tourist spot? This not to under rate her. Shes a mother and I respect her. But, tourism is too complicated for her. It needs a highly educated and well informed man or woman.
AGRICULTURE:
This is another economic sector that can collectively with tourism and others can sustain the economy. But, again theres too much lip service by the govt than practical. The world population is sturving. Building proper roads and rail networks is the govt’s responsibility. Hats off for Chembe Bridge. But, y wasn’t Pedicle road tarred symultaneaously with the construction of Chembe Bridge? Some of the projects in ZAmbia dont even deserve funding. Eg, the eyesore of a walkover bridge at the Show Grounds. Its a terrible mess with no engineering direction. Buying expensive car for ministers and parly members. Few buses would ve been cheaper to maintain…
…The govt must implement an exellent distribution system for collection and distribution of agriculture inputs in all corners of Zambia. Honestly, talking about the shortage of ubwali should ve been consigned to the books of history in Zambia. Zambia should be producing to feed the world. And not having a president who is proud with the begging bowl. The govt should initiate harnessing of water resource for agricultural (and transport) purposes. Parading yourselves happily, in most cases dont work. The only major achievement is only a massive loss of respect for yourself and through you, the entire country. The govt should also sponsor for the creation of a knowledge base, (or electronic..
…library) to enable interested parties access appropriate and vital information about agricultural and related activities. Its only in Zambia where searching even simple information is tantamount to searching a needle in a haystack. Computers in Zambia are mainly in wrong hands (not with students, farmers, teachers, common man/woman) but with MPs and ministers who mainly just use them for showoff at their girlfriends flats when they pretend to be busy working on national issues. Surrender them to needies.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES:
I was a bit excited bout the speach read on behalf of LPM by Rupia Banda about value addition to raw materials. On second thought, I realised little importance attached to the issue. Value addition is at the core of meaningful and sustainable economic development to just to just leave it to your junior and say, “Ah! ndi busy, Rupia, kababelengelefye”. There are certain issues that require the boss himself to address to the people, especially stabborn investors. It carries more wait. The mare fact it is dedicated dilutes its seriuoness importance and urgency. I am pretty sure that the message the investors got. They equally just said “Ha! hes not serious”…
…Probably, the announcement upon arrival from japan would have had an added advantage of someone who has witnessed how our copper is easily transformed into various finished products which we in turn buy. Mr. President, unleash some of those issues yourself. Some of your ministers may have lost their integrity in the eyes of Zambians. There4, they are not respected.
EDUCATION:
Finally, education coupled with IT is one of the most lucrative industrial sectors in the world. Zambia should quickly take advantage of its geographical positioning, and political stability. Not forgetting the college and secondary school infrastructure already in place. Updating all the schools and colleges to the international standards would encourage regional (SADC) students. Eg, education in South Africa is very expensive only few can afford it to the full. Thats why even todate majority of SAns are illiterate. If Zambia’s academic house were in order most of the SADC countries would ve continued to be educated in Zambia. There4, affording the govt billions of…
…dollars in revenue.
Its been a very long contribution, and sorry if I bored you. But, again, thanks for having read through it.
Some of the huddles government has to deal with is the issue of appropriating resources to the right investors be it local or foreign. Not every purporting investor means well or has the necessary capacity to deliver. However, the GRZ has that mandate to ensure that only the capable and well meaning are granted consideration for the best interest of the nation. This is where Politics and economics intertwin, bearacracy and redtape begins and where national introspection needs to begin. How can Politicians ensure that their positions and promises (manifestos) safeguard their immediate party affiliates but also ultimately be fo the economic benefit of the whole nation. Government ministries
Cont’d must be streamlined to operate above the Political agenda of the Government in Power. This is why and how serious and vitally important an undertaking is the NCC. It is upto us the informed and affected members of the nation to ensure that this must not pass without our vital input. It is the only way we can enshrine and safe guard what someone else has tremed as the ‘right of ownership’. Therein we can provide for the weakest in our society without overlooking the incapacities or failures of the individual players of the mandated government. The NCC is and should be this introspection.
Lusaka city has all the necessary laws to ensure decent living conditions by all inhabitants. LCC has enough source of revenue for it to support itself. The mushrooming of shanties in and around Lusaka is evidence of incapacity. It is clear that Management has failed to deliver. The excuse given is lack of resources. The shops in town are deplorable and for me that is opportunity for revenue collection. There is for instance in the laws a minimum stardard of health and cleanliness stated directly or implied. A small levy of let say K100,000.00 towards maintenance of shopfronts to a decent level of standard and a penalty of K5,000,000.00 non compliance will do.
Cont’d How many shops do we have in the CBD, hundreds. Multiply that by that small amount for every month, every year lo and behold a clean city center. Does one need to go to school to see this? The shop owners will be happy, everyone will be happy. The only ones who will not be happy are the theives. It is very easy to single out a theif in a clean environment. Do you need to have government directives to implement this. Every colour on the shops should be approved by the council unlike those colours I see in cha cha and lumumba roads like we are in New Delhi.
Cont’d How many inspectors do they need to carry out this, very few. The inspectorate from this small scheme can actally support the whole lusaka council because imagine how many opportunities there are. look at the number of shopping centers in Lusaka, the number of markets in Lusaka, the number of houses in Lusaka, the number of roads in Lusaka, the number of Construction sites in lusaka. All these are opportunities! Please give us a break. What difference do we have between us and capetown for instances. Ati bicoz ni bazungu, please!!!! Ati aba ba meka, bafuna kunkhala monga banzungu!! pulizzi!
Our members of parliament, they never raise this type of issues. Why? A system must be put in place to ensure accountabillty and protection of the tax payer. I dont believe we deserve the kind of services that are being offered by our local Authorities and service providers. We pay for service fees but no services are provided. Who must account for this? The tax payer must be given a channell through which accoutabillty must be done.
If this is not done then forget about investors coming in, forget about meaningful development, forget about improved living conditions, forget about positive tourism (expect negative tourism whereby people come to see our deplorable living conditions), forget.
Do you Imagine how intimidating certain portions of our cities are because of the deplorable state in which they for an outsider coming in from Europe of any 1st world? and you expect them to invest here!
CAN YOU PIPO LEARN TO MAKE SUMMARISED SUBMISSIONS.
WHO IS INTERESTED IN READING BOOKS HERE?
The problem is lack of good leadership.We cant have cadres as Ministers,Diplomats,DCs and MDs
Mmmmm….since we cant find local talent in the presidential kapoto, maybe we should start sourcing abroad and hire foreign presidential specialists to run country….you know like the way you hire coaches to coach a soccer team????
Zambians are just lazy. No work ethic. Saying that, Zimbabwe is in a far worse situation than zambia. Mr Mugabe has hard wired into his shonas that they do not take instructions from whites or forigners “Zimbabwe is ours” mentality. They have become useless workers with a chip on their shoulders, like they do not need outside help. This is gonig to be a major factor in Zims rehabilitation.
Like it or not the whites have the cash ond the know how, a bit of modesty in learning a job from a white can go a long way.
In zambia we need in our cariculum ways of conveying the ethics of hard work.
one man leader is another mans clown….our leaders should truly look into issues that has already led to the ecconomical decline.
Tired of politritians and looking forward to having real reality politians.We have a vast resource of land all that but who benefits from all these?
Zambia needs Zambians to develop and not foreign investors.Why not promote local investors?Also as Zambians we need to learn to support our own people rather than foregners.Coruption is eating our economy everyday.EG who gives those cninese marketeers visas to stay in Zambia if its not corruption?Then again are they investors?Some Zambians sell passports to foregners.
Now am told a Nigerian bank is openning in Zambia, am sure there ios a lot of corruption behind such a move.Why can there be a proper zambian bank by zambian incvestors?Zanaco is not enough .
We were too fast in privitising.
For a start, populism (& at other times dictatorship) is 95% qualification for political leadership in Africa (Zambia included)! What will take Zambia forward is intellectual capital – the combined brains of its people (especially skilled ones), and knowledge management – converting intellectual capital into value. These are concepts beyond most politicians. We can blame it on them all we like, fact remains not much will change because they are handicapped. What sets Singapore apart is its conceptualisation and realisation of investing in intellectual capital. It starts with our education system. Does Zambia even know the size of its intellectual capital, let alone its value?