President Edgar Lungu has directed the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to urgently bring to cabinet a memorandum on fisheries and aquaculture development fund.

President Lungu has further directed that the US$23.7 million aquaculture seed fund he launched in Mwinilunga last year be part of the same fund to be established.

“I am directing the Honourable minister ( Professor Nkandu Luo ) for the ministry of fisheries and livestock to urgently bring to cabinet a cabinet memorandum on the establishment of the fisheries and aquaculture development fund in line with the fisheries act no. 22 of 2011.

“I further direct that the us$23.7 million aquaculture seed fund which I launched in Mwinilunga in chief kanyama’s chiefdom on 30th may, 2020, be part of the fisheries and aquaculture development fund,” the President stated.

The President said this in Siavonga district today when he officiated at the first harvest of the two cooperatives which were supported by the Presidential empowerment fisheries initiative.

President Lungu said the move will ensure a self-sustaining fisheries and aquaculture subsector adding that looking inward was better before seeking outside help.

And President Lungu said positive results of initiatives from piloted fish farming projects is a demonstration that Zambia can be self-sufficient in fish production and become a net exporter in the region.

“I am happy to learn that in 2020 Zambia produced an estimated 45,670 tonnes of fish from aquaculture, representing 18 percent improvement from the 2019 aquaculture production which was estimated then at 38,800 tonnes. Aquaculture production was only 10,520 tonnes in 2011.

“ This increase between 2011 and 2020 is because my government has put in place a robust programme for aquaculture production across the country ensuring that no one is left behind,” President Lungu noted.

He further commended Kamimbi and Buyantashi cooperatives for their hard work exhibited in managing the fish which was stocked last year and were harvesting it today.

“i wish to urge other fish farmers to emulate the good work and dedication demonstrated by Buyantashi and Kamimbi cooperatives. There is need for us to kill the culture of dependency syndrome by promoting self-reliance, ” said President Lungu.

And Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Development Professor Luo has appealed to the private sector to support communities that have potential to come out of poverty. She said it was sad that the private sector was not doing enough to supplement government efforts.

Prof. Luo said the success story of the two cooperatives shows that the private had the potential support people come out of poverty if they work and partner with government.

The Minister said her ministry will continue providing policy framework and guidance to ensure that the aquaculture industry thrives and grows as demonstrated by those who have benefited from such funds.

Earlier, Yalelo Fisheries Board Chairperson Fisho Mwale commended the President for showing leadership by responding to the needs of the vulnerable in society.

He said it was gratifying that his company was able to contribute and provide support to ensuring that the cooperatives succeeded in their project.

Mr Mwale said the company is ready to support communities and work with other partners to support communities who come up with such initiatives.

Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Elias Kamanga says appearing before the Public Accounts Committee for mistakes made by technocrats is among the most unpleasant experiences for controlling officers.

Mr Kamanga said Permanent Secretaries, as controlling officers, get grilled as they take responsibility for the mistakes made by officers under their charge.

Speaking at the official opening of the Integrity Committee Workshop for the Ministry of Energy and Lusaka Provincial Administration in Kafue this morning, Mr Kamanga said civil servants need to ensure that they avoid audit queries by ensuring they follow all financial procedures.

He also noted that failure to follow public procurement and financial guidelines by departments may also lead to failure by controlling officers.

Mr Kamanga advised members of the Integrity Committee to assess operations of their departments’ corruption red flag and devise mitigation measures to develop an annual corruption prevention action plan which details steps to mitigate risk factors.

“The Integrity Committees are also supposed to facilitate development, review, and to internalize corporate governance practices and guidelines. They also need to follow-up queries from the Auditor General and other internal audit queries.” He said.

Mr Kamanga also stated that the formulation of Integrity Committees are mechanisms aimed at promoting proactive, preventive and pre-emptive interventions that enhance effective delivery of services.

“As civil servants, we are entrusted with the responsibility of presiding over public affairs and we are expected to do so with the highest levels of integrity. I believe the skills being acquired here will capacitate you to enhance the operations of the government on a day to day basis.” He said.

And Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Acting Director General, Rosemary Khuzwayo said improving management and efficiency in the delivery of public services is an essential element of any national strategy to reduce corruption and enhance good governance.

Ms Khuzwayo stated that few opportunities for corruption arise when public services are provided in an efficient and effective manner.

“This is so because citizens are no longer required to compete for scarce and inadequate services often by way of paying bribes,” she said.

She stated that the integrity of the members of committee and secretariat will be equipped with knowledge and skills required to execute their roles and responsibilities in their respective institutions.

The five day workshop which started on Monday drew participation from officers under the Ministry of Energy and Lusaka Provincial administration.

A 56 year old a Civil Servant is in Police custody for the theft of 19 Buffalo Bicycles at Mpika Urban Clinic in Mpika District of Muchinga Province.

Muchinga Province Police Commissioner, Lizzie Machina confirmed this incident.

According to the Police Commissioner, the theft took place between 3rd February and 8th April 2021 and was reported to the police on 8th April 2021.

Ms Machina said that the 19 bicycles are valued at not less than K50 000.

The Police Commissioner disclosed that the matter was reported to the police by Amos Zulu, 56, a Stores Officer at Ministry of Health.

She further said that after investigations, it was discovered that Amos Zulu, who happened to be the one reporting the matter was actually behind the theft of the bicycles.

Ms Machina added that he was later detained and is in Police custody for the offence of Theft by Public Servant.

The Police Commissioner said that on Sunday 18 April, Francis Mulenga aged 34 of Chibansa area in Chief Chikwanda’s Chiefdom also reported a different case of theft.

Ms Machina added that when Francis Mulenga went to report to the Police he was riding a bicycle which was of the same make as the stolen ones.

She further said that after interviewing him, it was discovered that Mr Mulenga bought the alleged bicycle at K1800 from Amos Zulu who as mentioned earlier is the Stores Officer.

The suspect has since been detained in Police custody after interrogation,” said Ms Machina.