Government will ensure that Zambians, wherever they are enjoy the same opportunities and access to information, Chief Analyst for Economic and Development Affairs at State House, Ngoza Munthali, has said.
Speaking at a dialogue meeting with Zambians living in London at the Zambia High Commission on 26th July 2010, Mrs. Munthali said it was Government’s aim to develop a positive and progressive working relationship with all Zambians, including those in the Diaspora.
She said Government considered Zambians in the Diaspora as key partners and not rivals in national development.
Mrs. Munthali, who is Diaspora Liaison Officer at State House said Government would engage the Diaspora through harnessing their resources, both skills and financial for national development, enhancing the impact of remittances towards the socio-economic development of Zambia, increase their participation in investment and projects implemented in Zambia, enhancing their positive dialogue with the Government and provision of information on opportunities and what was happening in Zambia, among others.
She challenged the Diaspora to engage with Government through Missions abroad and the Diaspora Liaison Office at State House and seize the moment to market themselves.
She noted that there was need to sensitise people in order to dispel beliefs that migration was negative and build capacity on how to effectively tap from the Zambian Diasporas.
“Take advantage of the Government good will and make positive contribution by coming up with innovative ways on how best to contribute to national development. Instead of thinking of what the Government can do for you think of what you can do to contribute to the development of mother Zambia.
“As Government, we believe there is a wealth of not just skills, but money among Zambians abroad which could be pooled together to help develop the country both as long and short-term partners in development,” she said.
She said the Diaspora Liaison Office had so far supported the inclusion of dual citizenship in the draft constitution and established a committee to look at land issues for the Zambians in the Diaspora. There has also been increased recognition by many ministries, Government institutions and the private sector on the need to engage the Diaspora more actively. The Office has also undertaken a survey to establish more information on the Diaspora and their needs.
Mrs. Munthali said the Government will develop a comprehensive database which would help know the number of Zambians living in the Diaspora and ensure that the support for the Diaspora did not lead to resentment by Zambians at home towards Zambians in the Diaspora on a presumption that they were being favoured.
On land acquisition, Mrs. Munthali informed the gathering that the Government, through the Ministry of Lands had developed mechanisms to make it easier for the Zambians in the Diaspora to acquire land. She said the process had started and land was currently being identified in collaboration with all the 73 districts in Zambia.
“Plots recommended for allocation shall be numbered and surveyed in advance considering that it would not be easy for applicants in the Diaspora to follow through such processes. Ministry of Lands shall combine the survey and lease charges to enable those offered to settle them at the same time,” she said.
She explained that applications shall be channeled through Zambian Missions in the applicant’s country of residence or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for those in countries without a Zambian Mission.
On housing, Mrs. Munthali told the audience that the National Housing Authority (NHA) had embarked on process to provide housing to Zambians living in the Diaspora through housing schemes that it had developed in various localities.
With regards to economic development over the years, Mrs. Munthali said the country had sustained levels of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth Rate of over five percent over the past five years with 6.4 percent Growth rate recorded in 2009 amidst the Global economic crisis. This was as a result of the growth in Mining, agriculture, tourism and some non-traditional sectors of mining. The country recorded a reduction in inflation to 7.8 percent in June, 2010 while Gross International reserves rose to about US$1.8 billion, amid stable macroeconomic indicators.
A number of reforms aimed at reducing the cost of doing business were implemented over the years and this resulted in improved rankings on the World Bank Doing Business rankings to number 99 in 2009 and number 90 in 2010.
Earlier, Zambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Professor Royson Mukwena, urged Zambians resident in Britain to build strong links with the Diaspora Office at State House to benefit from the good policies of the current Government.
Mrs. Munthali was accompanied by Mr. Christopher Mulenga of CMM Property Consultants and Mrs. Florence Mumba – Director of Research at the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA). The two also made presentations.
The delegation also held meetings with Zambians in Wales, Scotland, Manchester and Coventry.
ZANIS
LOL… very interesting ..we shall see….
Whatever. Sounds, familiar though.
Someone trying to suck up to the you guys out there. I think they now see you have some influence on politics in Zambia, especially when it comes to shaping the impressions of the donor community.
Do not fall for this trap. Keep up the pressure.
What a way to woo diasporians…Just give us plenty of land to develop.
LT its not “in the diaspora”, its “in diaspora”!!! What journalism schools did you attend??
It sounds good in bla bla bla format but in actual practice bureaucracy, red tape, nepotism, tribalism and corruption take over, these are the very evils which forced many to leave Zambia. Personally I am very sceptical about all this, first I don’t see the sense of the so called ‘diaspora desk’ being located at state house, how accessible is it. The issue affecting many in the diaspora is the renewal of Zambian passports and none of these touring GRZ officials want to talk about it.
They cant even give us simple passports…..
People just go to Zambia or send the application forms to your relations in Zed. These are good intentions but, what is the diaspora desk contact info? Somebody help. Does one have to go to state house to speak to them? Just go to the foreign embassys in Zed to gather information about the visas they have issued. Also the computerised passports that you scanned when we left should give you an idea of which Zembians went where and if they came back.
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I think this is a good development and I think it is great that statehouse is paying attention to the Zambians in diaspora.
This is a good development.
Good Evening
Interesting news. Let’s hope it’s not just political talk. The thing to remember is that if all of us, no matter where we are, had to put our shoulders to the wheel, our country would be a much better place to live in.
I can’t speak for others but as for me, the longer I’m away from home, the more I appreciate my roots and yearn for the land of my birth. It is therefore good to know that our government has not forgotten about us.
Good initiative. I like the land issue but lets wait and see.
I attended the meeting yesterday and I should commend both the new UK high
there is more to this, we are yet to see. i smell something fishy here. i don’t trust these guys. they know we have money yes, but if they can steal money through plots from someone home, what more us. we need to wait and see. don’t donate your cash for MMD campaign.
Diaspora Liaison Officer.LOl
I attended this meeting and I must admit I was really impressed. The government is doing a good job engaging Zambians in the diaspora. We should give credit where it is due. I for one will take up the offer to apply for land and take advantage of the numerous economic incentives on offer to engage in business back home. I appeal to you all fellow Zambians in the diaspora to take advantage of the opportunities on offer to better your lives. The govt has realised that they can’t offer you all employment back home, therefore, have come up with initiatives to encourage you to stay wherever you are and still enjoy the benefits of Zambians at home.
I attended this meeting and I must admit I was really impressed. The goverment is doing a good job engaging Zambians in the diaspora. We should give credit where it is due. I for one will take up the offer to apply for land and take advantage of the numerous economic incentives on offer to engage in business back home. I appeal to you all fellow Zambians in the diaspora to take advantage of the opportunities on offer to better your lives. The govt has realised that they can’t offer you all employment back home, therefore, have come up with initiatives to encourage you to stay wherever you are and still enjoy the benefits of Zambians at home.
I attended this meeting & I must admit I was really impressed. The government is doing a good job in engaging Zambians in the Diaspora. We should give credit where it is due. I for one will take up the offer to apply for land and take advantage of the numerous economic incentives on offer to engage in business back home. I appeal to all well meaning Zambians in the Diaspora to take advantage of the opportunities on offer to better your lives. The govt has realised that they can’t offer you all employment back home, therefore, have come up with initiatives to encourage you to stay wherever you are and still enjoy the benefits of Zambians at home.
Thanks very much, but where was this idea all long mr president? becouse wewanted it even before, thses are just political talks we are not kids, outside you can see how politics are done in a respective manner but in zambia leaders are casting insults in the air , are these really leaders? i think we are zambians by birth but mentally we are not unless those still with MMD manners,,,thanks for your concern but next year we need someone who is capable. if you see zambia from outside you can see that a damping site here is better…Twachula pafula ba just go mumutende.
First and foremost they have tell us in which way the government going to do that?? Because by by now the government cant afford to give the allowances to the students who are studying abroad on time on government sponsorship then how is the government going to care about those living abroad on their own without the government???? anyway its ridiculous lets just wait & see((((
Ubufi, you can’t even process our passports, mulesabaila fye ba kolwe. This is lip service, who is going to believe this nonsense. You give incentives to the Chinese and South Africans to do business in Zambia and yet you won’t give any incentives for Zambians in the diaspora to invest back home. Ba pushi mwapena kubufi.
Crap! i have lived abroad for more than 25 yrs and i have heard this nonsense so often its from the same script! You are failing to even issue a passport, what more organizing a real estate transaction? I have heard those pronouncements from the mouths of all the former presidents, living and dead…….mere rhetoric!
Good move but sort out the issues of taxing us on the very little things which we bring into the country. Embassy staff pass at Lusaka int.airport free of tax. but you tax students and other diasporians on the little items they bring into the country for their families. shame on GRZ which does not help it’s citizens. these are issues to talk first as most zambians in the diaspora don’t have money to invest in land or housing yet. Solve bread & butter issues first
Its not everyone in the diaspora that has money. Some of them are just as poor as us living in zambia with no house back home. Remember A Phiri anabwela kuchokelra ku harare,,,mukati mwa suti case munalibe kanthu sure….
When I see the ruling party giving respect to opposition party leaders, I’ll know there’s a good invironment for accountability.
Real Zambian,
Just google:
“diaspora desk” statehouse
problem is the majority in diaspora have no access to info about zed. they have even thrown away their passports. Only a few want to know whats going on back home. I mean most of them are those with very little education and once they get on that side of the world they cant think of coming back once they start UKUPIPA NA BU KABOYI.
#17 Zed Patriot: I wish you the best. When is the last you were at Lands department? Do you really think someone in Lusaka will go out of the way to chase for land for you? Again, all the best man. My advise to you is that get a trusted friend to get you land or try to yourself when u are back home on holiday. Diaspora desk?
the usual meaningless senseless talk. number 27 you are a f o o l. Zedians in diaspora are not kaboyis, you HIV monging s w i n e, go die at
uth where you wont be treated like a kaboyi but like s h i t. Ala!
So you guys have been taken in by cheap political tricks? Where is dual citizenship, which would have availed resources to Zambians abroad for development in Zambia?
Zed Patriot: 16# 17# 18#
ARE YOU BLIND? WHY ARE YOU POSTING THE SAME COMMENTS 3 TIMES?????
Can I please have the contact details of the Diaspora Liaison Officer?
The difference between a foreigner and a Zambian is, a foreigner takes the risk and squeezes an opportunity in anything glittering or not. Zambians on the other hand will wait until somebody tells them it worked for them that is when they file in en mass!
Ba Zambia ask yourself this question, can you outsmart politician dangling a piece of land on a tethered string? How would you do that? That is your puzzle. Show the politician that you can take advantage of any situation – real or perceived.
Why such an office being run out of state house?? Do they think we are like kaponya’s who get excited at the mention of state house?? What will excite us are the following: 1] Restoring our birthright to stand for presidency, 2] Dual citizenship , 3] Dropping the nonesensical degree clause( not that I don’t have one!) i.e. just three for a start, but the list can be lengthened!!
Zed Patriot says
That’s the way to go mate. Look what the Indians are saying to David Cameron today! I missed the one in Manchester but have put in my application. I started the process before I left Z, but my mates back home are saying I’ll be like ‘A Phiri Anabwela’, as they’ve made quite some progress. So I’ve also incorporated a firm back home and will give feedback as I’ll be there two weeks Monday.
#29 monk indeed you are ha ha ha ha ha. did I hit you were it pains most, your insults shows how bitter you are at missing out on the fruits we enjoy in this lovely country. you cant even afford an airticket back home stuck in foreign land not out of your own choice but bcos of being weak a coward you sacrife your freedom to slavery and bondage, you are a refugee and second class citizen in australia you dont enjoy same rights and you treated like a piece of shit
… Zed cannot readily account for citizens resident in-country. I wonder how they’ll track citizens in diaspora.
this is such ridiculous nonsense, what are they talking about? you think people leave Zambia and stay away just for no reason? atase
imagine what nonsense we have to suffer from this empty talk, what am I supposed to do with that chi “desk”, you think I have time to sit all day in Hyde Park and “discuss”? I work for my living unlike these chaps.
# 27 and 36 DIASPORIC PRESSURE , i was following your comments and in your comments i can’t see any sense for sure, comming to zambia is not an issure of money my dear but when you look at zambia from outside as at now you can see that even a damping site is much better! only that your mind is dirt and this something to do with your background or home in which you were brought up..still i can’t any reason why you bakamushi you are still giving support to the people enslaving you..my dear fellow zambian think twice and woke up to wash your face….dont be fooled with a chitenge material..Thanks.
number 27 just s h u t up. how old are you? if you think we are kabois then continue thinking like that. Non so blind as those who wont wish to see. People here are trying to help you open your eyes and you are being stubborn. So ill say to you, do your own thing and keep thinking the way you are thinking, lets see where that takes you. or maybee you are just a b o o t l i c k e r for these thieves in govt, you have no foundation my friend, their is fire under your a s s.
And you dont f u c k i n g know me. Go be a patriot for RB chimbwi.
#40 ZAMBIAN AND #41 MONKO I PITY YOU. IS THIS THE FIRST TIME YOU STAYING ABROAD AND YOU DRUNK WITH THE EXPERIENCE. WE GO TO EUROPE USA AS AND WHEN WE WISH BUT NOT AS AN ECONOMIC REFUGEE OR SELF IMPOSED EXILE BCOS OF FAILURE TO MAKE IT BACK HOME WERE THE ANSWER TO PROSIPERITY IS HARDWORK. THATS ALL I DO BURST MY ARSE WORKING AND AT THE TIME OF THE DAY I MANAGE A DECENT HOUSE CAR FOOD LEISURE SCHOOL FEES MY MOSI. I DONT HAVE TO CLEAN A WHITEMANS’ ARSE TO BE ABLE TO PUT FOOD ON MY TABLE. I DONT HAVE TO DO THREE S.TUPID AND DIRTY JOBS FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO BUY A PAIR OF NIKE SNEAKERS. PLAN FOR YOUR HOME COMING GUYS NOTHING IS BETTER THAN HOME. I CAN NEVER GIVE UP FREEDOM AND PEACE FOR A PIECE OF SILVER. YOU ARE NOT FREE WERE YOU ARE ALWAYS LOOKING ON YOUR SHOULDER YOU ILLEGAL ALIENS
Its more of a wishful thought for government to promise anything to Zambians in the diaspora when people at home are wallowing in abject poverty……:o:o:o
lol why is it that some elements back home are so bitter at Zambians abroad. To even go as far as telling yourself stories that are malicious to make yourself feel better just shows you are the one with an inferiority complex. You laugh at zambians abroad ati they are working for the white man when you forget the majority of zambians work for the white man and beg for his loans everyday. Whats even funnier is the white man pays you peanuts back home in Zambia. An average Uk job probably pays equivalent to your bosses back home. If you think you have freedom back home I suggest you wake up then look at your inflation, gdp, origin of drugs. You are eating crumbs tht have fallen of the table while we eat at the table and yet you laugh lol
And maybe you use the illegal zambians deported back home as a template to judge us all. We have papers abroad we are legit . Next time you listen to the ones that got deported as authority on how we all live , tell them to tell you about how the people with papers live. This is why everytime i travel to zambia I get a lot of bitter people looking at me as if I stole their breast milk. Even some of my friends are enemies because they are not happy that I do not live like they way the want to me live abroad. This is why zambian never develops too much jealousy and pull him down and yet on sundays you are the same ones sayiong you are christians.
For LOL how many zambians were at these meetings?? Probably Embassy staff & the few frequenters to the embassy for free booze – i.e. the same habits applied back home!! Most serious Zambians in the Diaspora have better things to do than waste time with a govt that wants to paint itself smart. What is really a disappointment is the seemingly failed pact – Only when the mentality of self is pushed aside, will we have something to be proud of – What we need is a new force of thought in Zambia to change this tide. “Inshimbi ni Inshimbi!!”
#45AISEEYOU WE HAVE BEEN TO UK, USA AND WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU GET AS SALARIES NOT ENOUGH TO PAY BILLS THATS WHY YOU BURST YOUR ARSE DOING LONG HOURS AT WORK WHILE AS PA ZED RELAX AND EARN OUR MONEY IN A HUMANE WAY. WE DONT TOUCH FAECES LIKE YOU DO. IF YOU GET TWOO THOUSAND POUNDS PER MONTH ITS NOTHING BCOS OF RENT, HEAT, INSURANCE, MEDICAL, FONES, WATER, MALAITI, REFUSE COLLECTION, PLUS MANY CRAZY BILLS. WHAT JOB ARE YU DOING IF NOT UKUPIPA
#47 Maybewhen you were here and restricted to life on a student visa gave you a myopic view of life here. I don’t blame you for thinking the life you were subjected to is the norm. £2000 a month is a lot because rent where I live is just £250-£400 a month, plus all the bills you mentioned come to less than £200 leaving over £1400 to spend. So Now you see how you expose your own foolishness. Medical care is free in the UK just as school lol unlike for you claiming to live a humane life. Theresa damn good reason why the UK is first world and zambia third world and it’s the quality of life. For you buying mosi’s and paying for everything including health and school fees maybe the life but for us that visit zambia all the time we see the poverty and dust that you are proud of
DIASPORIC PRESSURE.. look here you useless zambian, you are just insulting here this shows your level of education and how your parents are! we are here to make reasonable comments not to bring stress here becouse the economic status of your parents house,,thinks twice man in the comments you are just saying same things things indicates how dirt i your mind,,man comming to zambia is not an issue of money make a trip even go pa Congo and you will see that a rubish site is better than where you stay…..plaese i respect you as a fellow zambia….make reasonable comments.
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