Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary has said the Launch of the National Occupation Standards will address the mismatch that exists between job performance requirements and skills development.

Ms Siame disclosed during the Zambia Qualification Authority (ZQA) launch of the National Occupation Standards (NOS) at Pamodzi hotel that government is aware of the concerns from the industry with regards to skills gap that exists in key economic sectors of the country such as Manufacturing and Construction sector.

She said government is ready to work with the Private sector and other key stakeholders to come up with interventions that will enhance the quality of education and training.

“Therefore, the government will support initiatives such as the development of NOS, for the betterment of our country,” Ms Siame said.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the steps which the ZQA has taken to develop National Occupation Standards is in line with the government’s policy of ensuring availability of skilled workforce across the various sectors of the economy as outlined in the seventh national Development Plan.

Ms Siame pointed out that the launch is vital for the Manufacturing and construction sector as it will contribute to improving the efficiency and productivity of the workforce in the two respective sectors.

She said NOS describes good practices in all major areas of an occupation and will allow employees to get a good understanding of what they used to know for their jobs and what they need to do in their job.

Ms Siame noted that the NOS will be used to ensure that curricula and learning programmes are tailored to meet the aspirations of the industry.

She said the launch of NOS will create the fostering of relationships between training providers and industry to ensure that training institutions produce graduates with adequate and relevant skills needed in the industry.

“The involvement of industry in the development of NOS is also necessary to ensure that NOS are implemented by the intended users, such as employees, employers, curriculum developers, and training providers,” She said.

She also thanked the Embassy of Ireland in Zambia for their financial support in implementing a number of activities which includes the development of NOS which has been launched.

ZQA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mirriam Chiyaba said the Authority conducted a desk research on international best practice pertaining to the NOS development and collected important literature which was important to the development of the NOS.

Ms Chiyaba noted that the Authority Conducted validation workshop last year in December for the final validation of the NOS for the manufacturing and construction sector.

The NOS which has been launched has six components for the manufacturing sector which includes, Mechanical engineer, electrical and electronic engineer, chemical engineer, production manager, quality controller and workshop machine operator.

In the Construction sector, it will cater for geomatics engineer, electrician, low voltage, droughts person, general bricklayer, metal fabricator and steel fixer.

Chinsali Senior Resident Magistrate Julius Malata, has again deferred Judgement day and extended bail for United Party for National Development (UPND) Sesheke Member of Parliament, Romeo Kangombe to April 7, 2021.

Mr. Kangombe was today scheduled to appear for judgement before Senior Resident Magistrate Malata but Senior State Advocate Obeit Siankanga informed the court that Mr. Kangombe was not before the court.

“Your honour this matter is scheduled for judgement today but the accused person is not before court,” said Mr. Siankanga.

And Defence Lawyer Mulambo Haimbe said the two sureties who were in court could shade more light why the accused person was not before court.

Fabian Mataa, one of the sureties for Mr. Kangombe later informed the court that Mr. Kangombe was not before court because he is unwell.

Mr. Mataa also produced a medical report that indicated that Mr. Kangombe was unwell in Sesheke and had been put on bed rest.

“Your honour Mr. Kangombe is unwell. He is at home in Sesheke and the hospital has given him a bed rest according to a medical report he sent to me yesterday,” said Mr. Mataa.

Magistrate Malata later adjourned the matter to April 7, 2021 for judgement and advised the two lawyers representing Mr. Kangombe to ensure one of them was available on the date for judgement.

Defense lawyer earlier applied for the matter to be given a lengthy adjournment because he was going to be busy in the High Court and the Constitutional Court between, April 7 and 14 and will therefore, not make it to be available for judgement in Chinsali on April 7.

“Your honour, I will be busy in the High and the Constitutional Court between, April 7 and 14 and am asking if the matter could be adjourned beyond that period, “said Lawyer Haimbe.

This is in a matter in which Mr. Kang’ombe is charged with four counts of abduction and assault of two police officers contrary to the laws of Zambia.

It is alleged that the accused person whilst acting with others unknown in Lavushimanda district of Muchinga province did abduct and assaulted two police officers who were assigned to facility the smooth passage of the United Party for National Development President Hakainde Hichilema and his entourage.

Mr Kang’ombe in the first charge faces two counts of abducting Sergeant Innocent Mwale and Constable Chinyama Chipango of Mununga police post on October 14, 2020 contrary to section 256 of the penal code Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia.

The lawmaker is in the second charge is facing two counts of assault of the two police officers contrary to section 250(b) of the penal Code.

Mr. Kangombe is on a K200, 000 bail in his own recognizance with two sureties who are residents of Chinsali district in the like sum of K200,000.

Mr Kang’ombe is being represented by two lawyers Mulambo Haimbe and Kamuwanga Phiri of Malambo and Company of Lusaka.

Government says reports in some sections of the media that it has neglected to take care of Dr Kenneth Kaunda are incorrect.

Ministry of Works and Supply Spokesman Ndubi Mvula was reacting to reports that there has been water shortages at Dr Kaunda’s residence in New Kasama.

“As you may be aware, Government through the Ministry responsible for Works and Supply, do appreciate the water challenges that has affected the residence of the First Republican President, His Excellency Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. Contrary to reports appearing in some sections of the media that there has been persistent water shortage at the residence, we would like to state that the subject in question is not as purported to be,” says Mr Mvula.

Mr Mvula said the Ministry received the report of water challenges from the Administrative Officer in the Office of the First Republican President in the evening of Friday, March 26th 2021. Immediately, measures were put in motion to rectify the shortcoming.

“As at now, both short and long term measures have since been instituted in the quest to keep the residence with the constant supply of fresh water.”

Respected academic and University of Zambia lecturer Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa is demanding an apology from Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethopia Emmanuel Mwamba for insinuating that he was paid to write an article about Zambia which was published in the Mail & Guardian in South Africa recently.

Dr Sishuwa says he will reserve the right to sue Mr Mwamba if he does not apologise by close of business on Wednesday.