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Contractor halts works at Kazungula Bridge again after Zambia fails to pay

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Contractor halts works at Kazungula Bridge again after Zambia fails to pay

The contractor working on Kazungula Bridge, DAEWOO has suspended construction works due to non payment of the debt it is owed by the Zambian government.

In a letter dated 5th December, 2020, DAEWOO Engineering and Construction Company Project Manager TAE KIM complained over the Zambian government’s delay to fullfil it’s obligation.

Mr Kim says his company had requested for financial arrangements but it has not received any feedback from the central government.

Mr. Kim said looking at the financial climate in Zambia with the Eurobond default,the contractor feels greatly discouraged.

He says the Company will now prioritize the balance of it’s running cost to pay employees’ wages.

In March 2019 , construction works at $260 Million Kazungula Bridge were stopped after Daewoo Engineering and Construction, the contractor in charge of the development shut down the site due to non payment by the Zambian government.

Africa expected to see a subdued economic recovery in 2022

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Africa expected to see a subdued economic recovery in 2022

Ghana, Senegal & Uganda met virtually with international financial partners and risk analysts to discuss the most urgent risks and mitigation solutions at ATI’s (www.ATI-ACA.org) annual Roundtable; Analysts noted that Africa is expected to see a subdued economic recovery in 2021 and not likely to reach 2019 growth levels till 2022; Debt defaults are likely to be contained to a small subset of countries with little chance of contagion spreading to other countries in the region.

At the African Trade Insurance Agency’s (ATI) Annual Investor Roundtable, investors, risk analysts and African governments weighed in on the prospects for the region to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Analysts predicted a subdued recovery in 2021 with the possibility of countries not returning to 2019 growth levels till 2022.

Manuel Moses, ATI’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer opened the session by emphasizing the importance of partnerships to help African economies recover from this unprecedented pandemic. He also noted ATI’s focus on lending more support to the most vulnerable economies, which the company plans to do through rapid membership expansion in the coming months with the support of partners like the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank.

The session revealed several key factors that should guide the continent’s recovery. Notably, one of the striking features of the pandemic’s impact is that, unlike previous economic shocks that left their mark largely on commodity-dependent countries, for example, this pandemic is affecting a broader swathe of countries including more diversified economies and those reliant on tourism and the aviation sectors.

The IMF estimates that US$345 billion will be required in the next three years to help countries fully recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19, while the most comprehensive debt support initiative – the G20’s debt service suspension initiative (DSSI) will only provide US$6.5 billion to eligible countries through to June 2021. And the tangle of non-traditional financing sources, from the Middle East and Asia, for example, is adding even greater complexity to the debt issue.

Analysts also noted that there aren’t really any surprises given that countries likely to be the most resilient are those, such as Senegal and Uganda, which had sound fiscal and monetary policies in place before the pandemic while countries that were already vulnerable before the pandemic are predicted to fair worse with average debt burdens rising to 60% of GDP in 2020 compared to 40% in 2015.

Here are some additional highlights from the session.

Africa was spared significant health impacts but vigilance is still needed

Dr Robert Besseling, Founder and CEO of Pangea-Risk noted that so far, the pandemic seems to have impacted mostly North and Southern Africa. Each region accounts for 1/3 of the cumulative infections with Egypt and Morocco bearing the brunt of most of the infections in the North while South Africa alone accounts for 1/3 in the Southern region. However daily rates show that Africa on a whole, including countries in the East and West, are well on their way to experiencing a second wave. Currently there are 2.2 million cumulative infections with 300,000 active.

Debt default contagion limited to a few countries and has not spread

Speakers noted that rating actions have been measured and focused on where risks are highest and most pressing, which tend to be the less dynamic performers in the Single B category. In 2020, Moody’s took the most ratings actions, 20 in total, since 2016 and were focused on a small subset of countries, where the COVID shock exacerbated pre-existing credit weakness prior to the pandemic leaving these countries more susceptible to shocks and possible negative ratings.

By 2021, six African countries are expected to record government gross debt over 100% of GDP while debt burdens overall were expected to rise then stabilize by 2021/2022 above 60% of GDP. The most vulnerable countries are well known to the markets and have had pre-existing challenges. Given the isolated nature of current defaults, the general trend does not show any threat of regional spread or contagion.

The challenge going forward, is that these countries don’t have a historic track record of stabilizing such a rise in debt levels. Fiscal consolidation and revenue generation will be some of the factors needed to improve their credit quality over time.

African governments stress the need to treat countries individually

In laying out their strategies, the participating government representatives from Ghana, Senegal and Uganda all highlighted their uniqueness, which they felt should be a key factor in any discussion with partners interested in supporting pandemic recovery efforts on the continent.

The other key issue to emerge is that these countries are proactively putting in place strategic recovery plans that are both a continuation of their efforts to build sustainably while also laying the groundwork to cushion their economies against future shocks.

Senegal, for instance, as mentioned by Khalifa Sarr, an Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Planning and International Partnerships, is ranked as second out of 36 countries globally for their COVID response. This could not have been achieved, noted Mr Sarr, if the government hadn’t implemented a US$1.7 billion economic & social resiliency program in early April this year, representing 7% of their GDP. Sarr also commented that the international community should recognise that not all debt is equal. This socio-economic program, he added, is credited for saving thousands of lives and strengthening social infrastructure that will protect against future pandemics while adding to the next phase of their recovery program aimed at attracting the private sector through a new PPP framework and policies that will ease bureaucracy for investors.

Uganda has also taken a proactive stance. Despite being in the midst of a presidential election, Moses Kaggwa, the Director of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance remarked that the country is expected to grow by 2.9% this year and 3.5-4% in 2021 – one of Africa’s top performers. And with a focus on generating jobs within the agriculture sector, which accounts for the employment of 70% of the population, they are ramping up value addition of some of these exports in addition to domestic tourism while the Uganda Development Bank is bridging the current financing gap to manufacturing and agribusiness. Combined, these measures are expected to aid in the country’s post-pandemic recovery in a way that impacts a majority of the population.

Likewise, Ghana, with a well-diversified economy, was helped by stable cocoa prices and a resurgent interest by investors in gold, which countered the effects of the downturn in oil prices according to Samuel Arkhurst, the Chief Economics Officer and Director of Treasury and the Debt Management Division. In addition, Ghana implemented a cash program that will stabilise the economy in the short-term and revitalize all sectors as the country emerges from the pandemic. Mr Arkhurst added that Ghana is fully committed to its medium-term debt strategy and expects to return to the Eurobond market in 2021.

Multilaterals urged to rethink their approach to supporting sovereigns

Investors, represented by Dr Christopher Marks, a Managing Director at MUFG, appealed to multilaterals to rethink their approach to supporting sovereigns by focusing on financing social as well as more traditional infrastructure development projects that will not include sovereign guarantees. This, noted Dr Marks, will provide more space on the balance sheets of commercial banks, like MUFG, to be able to provide more support as governments begin the process of strengthening their economies.

The annual Roundtable provides a platform for international investors, financiers and other stakeholders from the private sector to have open and honest exchanges with African governments about current investment and trade risks and potential solutions. The speakers at this year’s event included:

  • David Rogovic, Vice President & Senior Analyst, Sovereign Risk Group at Moody’s Investors Service;
  • Samuel Arkhurst, Chief Economics Officer and Director of Treasury and the Debt Management Division, Ghana;
  • Khalifa Sarr, Advisor in the Ministry of Economy, Planning & International Partnerships, Senegal;
  • Mr. Moses Kaggwa, Director of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Uganda;
  • Dr Christopher Marks, Managing Director, Head of Emerging Markets, Corporate Banking EMEA at MUFG; and
  • Moderation provided by Dr Robert Besseling, Founder and CEO of Pangea-Risk

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI).

ECZ begins voter registration in Correctional facilities

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ECZ begins voter registration in Correctional facilities

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has commenced voter registration in Correctional facilities.

A check at Lusaka Central Correctional Facility in Lusaka revealed that a number of inmates have registered to vote in the 2021 General elections.

According to Lusaka Central Correctional facility Officer in Charge Senior Superintendent Kenani Masase,the facility has 1,224 Male inmates with 603 inmates requiring to obtain National Registration Cards (NRC’S) to allow them to register as voters.

He said the National Registration and Passport office have set base at the Correctional facility to issue NRC’S, as the ECZ is conducting voter registration.
Senior Superintendent Masase said the process is going on well since it commenced.

Zambians must reject attempts to ridicule the Electoral Commission of Zambia-PF

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Zambians must reject attempts to ridicule the Electoral Commission of Zambia-PF

Patriotic Front (PF) Lusaka Provincial secretary Kennedy Kamba has observed with concern the continued tendency by the opposition and some civil society organizations to discredit the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

He has expressed dismay at the systematic machination by the opposition and some civil society organizations, trying by whatever means possible to discredit the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) on a daily basis and trying to portray a picture that they are not capable of handling the 2021 general elections.

“This is very dangerous and Zambians must reject attempts to ridicule the ECZ, a professional and autonomous electoral body that is headed by technocrats,” Mr Kamba said in a statement.

He said the country should believe in the electoral body as stakeholders and never involve it in sheer politics.

He said the commissioners and indeed management at ECZ are doing everything possible, working round the clock to ensure that they put up a credible, free and fair general election come 2021, starting with the ongoing voter registration exercise.

“Indeed, the ECZ has a mammoth task and challenges in this regard are inevitable as they are part of every process and part of life.We, therefore, cannot afford as a country to have irresponsible leaders to continue claiming that the electoral body is not ready for the 2021 general elections” Mr Kamba.

He said the opposition UPND and their allies have put up a systematic attack on the ECZ because they know they are losing even in 2021 general elections but they want to shift the blame on the electoral body even when it is clear that its actually the opposition which is not ready to compete with the ruling PF.

He has since advised the opposition to leave the ECZ alone, to let them do their job in peace.

He further said the opposition UPND, Chishimba Kambwili’s NDC and others, know very well that they don’t have numbers and that they are unpopular hence their attempts to declare elections a sham even before a vote is cast.

Mr Kamba said the opposition are scared, and just cry-babies and urged them to leave the ECZ alone and just work hard and stop the blame game.

“Comments from people like Dundumwezi UPND MP Edgar Sing’ombe where he is saying the ECZ is not ready for 2021 general elections must be condemned with the contempt they deserve”he said.

I’m ready to refund the Money –Vincent Mwale

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I’m ready to refund the Money –Vincent Mwale

Chipangali Member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Mwale says he is ready to pay back the money he accrued in emoluments when he remained in office as Minister after Parliament dissolved in 2016.

Mr Mwale, who is also Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, told ZANIS in Chipata yesterday, that he will pay back the money now that he knows how much he is supposed to refund the Government.

The Chipangali MP is among the 64 former ministers who stayed in office and continued to draw emoluments after parliament was dissolved prior to the 2016 general elections.

“I have always been ready to pay back the money. That was a court judgment. I will pay back now that it is clear on how much I need to refund,” he said.

Mr Mwale stressed that although he is yet to receive official communication on how to make payments, he is more than ready to pay.

“I hope to pay back the money through monthly deductions from my monthly salary, or in case I fail to manage to do so, payments can be made from my benefits, “Mr. Mwale indicated.

According to the constitutional court’s calculations, Mr. Mwale is supposed to pay back K60, 434.87.

On December 7th, 2020, the constitutional court released a schedule determining the amounts each of the 64 ex-ministers, some of whom are serving in the current cabinet, is supposed to pay back to the Government.

Micro businesses have over the years been overlooked, admits Commerce PS

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Micro businesses have over the years been overlooked, admits Commerce PS

Government says there is need to formulate interventions that will benefit micro-businesses as they constitute about 95 percent of businesses in the country.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary, Mushuma Mulenga says it is unfortunate micro businesses have over the years been overlooked.

Mr Mulenga noted that most micro-businesses could not benefit from government incentives meant for SMEs as they could not meet the stipulated requirements due to low turnover and other factors.

“As government, we need to look at this category of businesses and begin to tailor our interventions towards them,” he said.

Mr Mulenga said this during a consultative meeting with the Livingstone Chamber of Commerce in Livingstone yesterday.

He further stressed the need for effective policy implementation to address the various challenges entrepreneurs are facing on the ground.

Mr Mulenga urged the Livingstone Chamber of Commerce to take the lead in ensuring government implements the relevant policies.

“As government we have resolved to work closely with the private sector. We need a close relationship with entrepreneurs on the ground as they are an important stakeholder and play a key role in attaining economic growth for the country,” he said.

And speaking earlier, Livingstone Chamber of Commerce President, Namakau Siyanga implored the Ministry of Commerce through its statutory bodies to enhance collaboration, with the Chamber of Commerce, in order to timely identify the constraints affecting the private sector along the different value chains of the economy.

“As a chamber of commerce, we believe the Ministry of Commerce has formulated policies that are able to cause positive change of the livelihood of the private sector if effective implementation is done in a collaborative manner between public to public and public to private partnerships,” she said

Ms Siyanga said for the country to attain meaningful economic growth, there was need to concentrate on implementing policies that have been formulated and enhance monitoring and evaluation in order to track progress and record impact.

Stakeholders told to reinforce the sensitization of communities on the COVID-19 preventive guidelines.

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Stakeholders told to reinforce the sensitization of communities on the COVID-19 preventive guidelines.

The Chililabombwe District Epidemic Preparedness Committee has called on stakeholders in the area to reinforce the sensitization of communities on the coronavirus (COVID-19) preventive guidelines.

The committee, which is led by District Commissioner Roy Ngosa, observed that people had dropped their guard in adhering to the recommended practices posing a threat of another wave of the pandemic.

Most people have stopped adhering to the guidelines among them social distancing, wearing of face masks and hand washing or sanitizing following the recently experienced reduction in the number of COVID-19 positive cases being recorded across the country.

Chililabombwe, whose first positive corona virus case was recorded in April, has a cumulative number of 4869 tests conducted since with 405 confirmed cases and nine deaths, which were brought in dead (BID) cases. There is no active case currently.

Speaking during the committee’s meeting held at the Chililabombwe Municipal Council chamber, Mr Ngosa called on all stakeholders to join efforts to ensure access to quality services by the community.

The District Commissioner also reminded the stakeholders to ensure they subscribe to the “Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy” agenda as it is a good intervention in providing healthy surroundings and preventing disease outbreaks.

“Epidemic control is key to maintaining a healthy population and being a border district, we are expected to maintain high levels of vigilance for diseases know no boundaries. It is not a responsibility of the Ministry of Health alone to put up measures to prevent the occurrence of avoidable diseases but calls for participation of all the stakeholders in the district,” he said.

Other health issues that received attention include the need for stakeholders to help in acquiring chlorine and lime to facilitate the disinfection of shallow wells and pit latrines in high density areas to avert the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhod.

The committee also leant that the district is currently at about 90 percent in terms of vaccinating dogs to prevent the spread of rabies courtesy of a partnership between the local authority’s Public Health Department, the Veterinary Department and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) which has been providing the vaccines.

On waste management, it was resolved that the district engages a potential company that could set up a plant to recycle plastics and bottles as this could lead to minimal waste to be taken to dumping sites as well as increased revenue collection and employment creation.

The committee comprises officials from the District Administration, the Ministry of Health, the local authority, Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company, selected government departments, the private sector, Faith Based Organisations and some Civil Society Organisations.

Rural Crime: 66 year old Nakonde man murdered

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Rural Crime: 66 year old Nakonde man murdered

A 66 year old man of Mbawe village in Nakonde district in Muchinga Province, has been murdered by unknown people. The development has been confirmed to ZANIS by Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Joel Njase.

Mr Njase said Wrightwell Sinkala was last seen on Monday around 05:00 hours in the morning when he went to his maize field 5 kilometres away from his home. The Police Commissioner added that Sinkala was discovered dead yesterday around 07:00 hours in his field facing down with a deep cut on the neck.

The Police Chief added that the motive for the murder is not yet known and that investigations into the matter have been instituted, while the body of the deceased is currently deposited at Nakonde District Hospital awaiting postmortem and burial.

Meanwhile, the Muchinga Province Police Command has called on the Community Crime Prevention unit (CCPU) to continue working hard and in collaboration with other defence forces in the region, in order to zero in on the criminals.

Mr Njase has also appealed to the aged people in the villages, to avoid moving long distances alone, but should be accompanied by someone.

The Police Commissioner has warned the perpetrators of such violent acts that the long arm of the law will catch up with them and that they will be dealt with accordingly.

“As police we want to send a serious warning to all those involved in the killing of innocent people that the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” said Commissioner Njase.

Napsa Stars League Drought Continues

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Napsa Stars on Wednesday failed to replicate their continental form back on the domestic front when they lost their Lusaka derby date against Zanaco at Nkoloma Stadium.

The match was Napsa’s first league game back from CAF Confederation Cup action where they collected back-to-back first round victories over Ngazi FC of Comoros to advance to the second stage 9-2 on aggregate.

But Napsa’s league drought continued when they lost 2-1 to Zanaco to slump to the bottom of the log at 18th place with three draws and two defeats.

Baba Basile put Zanaco ahead in the 21st minute before Jacob Ngulube gave Napsa hope with a 42nd minute equalizer.

But Moses Phiri broke Napsa’s hearts with a 50th minute winner and record his fifth goal of the campaign to tie with club mate Roger Kola.

Zanaco are third on 14 points, a point behind Zesco United and leaders Buildcon who are tied on 15 points.

Meanwhile, Napsa’s CAF Confederation Cup compatriots Green Eagles finished 0-0 at home against Nkwazi.

But Forest Rangers who have just exited from their debut CAF Champions League campaign, were excused from their Wednesday date against Kabwe Warriors after arriving back from continental duty in Gabon on Tuesday.

FAZ SUPER DIVISION

WEEK 9
09/12/2020
Power Dynamos 1-Lumwana Radiants 0
Green Eagles 0-Nkwazi 0
Indeni 2-Nkana 0
Green Buffaloes 1-Buildcon 2
Prison Leopards 4-Lusaka Dynamos 2
Kitwe United 0-Young Green Eagles 0
Zanaco 2-Napsa Stars 1
Red Arrows 0-Zesco United 0
TBA:
Kabwe Warriors-Forest Rangers

Nkana Lose at Indeni, Buildcon Replace Zesco as Leaders

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Nkana’s early season woes continued on Wednesday when they lost 2-0 away in Ndola at promoted Indeni in their first match without the suspended coach Manfred Chabinga.

The defending champions are stuck in the bottom four relegation zone with just one win ,two draws and three defeats since the start of the campaign.

And Nkana got off to the worst possible start against Indeni with defender Jimmy Dzingai scoring a 20th minute own-goal.

Gravin Chitalu put Nkana out of their misery in the 59th minute to see the defending champions slump from fourth to third from bottom at number 16 inside the drop zone.

Nkana meanwhile were without influential striker Idris Mbombo who has been handed an extended rest period after playing through the pain barrier due to an injury he sustained at the end of November.

The prize for Indeni’s big kill is fifth place on 12 points, three points behind new leaders Buildcon who beat Green Buffaloes 2-1 away in Lusaka.

Isaac Shamujompa put Buildcon ahead via a 14th minute penalty but Buffaloes equalized through FridaySamu in the 41st minute before Kamal Jafaru scored the winner for the Ndola club.

Buildcon replace their Ndola neighbours Zesco United from number one on goal difference after the latter were held 0-0 away in Lusaka at Red Arrows.

Eleventh placed Arrows could have walked away with the three points but missed a penalty through James Chamanga.

Unbeaten Zambia Reach 2020 COSAFA U20 Semifinals

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Defending COSAFA U20 champions Zambia are through to the semifinals of this year’s competition currently taking place in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Zambia beat Malawi 2-0 to sail through with a 100 percent run from Group B on 9 points to the December 11 semifinals with an eye on Mauritania 2021 AFCON U20 qualification.

Jimmy Mukeya struck a brace in the 22nd and 67th minutes to send Perry Mutapa’s team through to the last four.

Zambia will face Mozambique in the semifinals while Angola and Namibia will meet in the other last four fixtures.

Mozambique won Group A on 7 points, two more than hosts South Africa after 0-0 draw in their final Group A match on December 8.

Namibia booked their last four place as best runner-up from the three group competition while opponents Angola finished top of a tight Group 3 via goal difference tied on 3 points with eSwatini and Botswana.

The two finalists will represent the COSAFA zone at next year’s AFCON U20.

Political violence in Zambia is being Perpetrated by UPND, HH has Never Condemned Violence, Lungu tells Tonga Chiefs

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Political violence in Zambia is being Perpetrated by UPND, HH has Never Condemned Violence, Lungu tells Tonga Chiefs

President Edgar Lungu says political violence in the country can only end when the United Party for National (UPND) opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema and his party commit to the process. President Lungu said political violence in the country is being perpetrated by the UPND.

Responding to a request from six Chiefs in Monze District for peace mediation between the Head of State and Mr Hichilema, President Lungu said he has always remained ready and committed to see violence end.

President Lungu told chiefs Hamusonde, Monze, Choongo, Chona, Mwaanza, and Ufwenuka’s representative that UPND President Hakainde Hichilema is the one perpetrating violence in the country as a recourse to losing general elections.

The President stated that UPND which he belonged to under late President Mazoka was not a violent party until Mr Hichilema took over the party’s leadership. “Under Mazoka, we never had violence. I have condemned the violence. I have not heard my friend HH condemning violence, “said President Lungu, urging the traditional leaders to also advise people to desist from harming each other.

President Lungu who is in Southern Province for a three-day working visit said his administration remains committed to bringing development to the region. He regretted that Southern Province had not received the desired development under past Presidents and that he will continue to work within means to bring development. He said the government will continue to improve the road network through construction of road infrastructure to aid service delivery.

The President assured the Chiefs that the Nickel- Monze Road will be made passable while waiting for funds to upgrade the road to tarmac and that he will make sure that people trying to sabotage government service delivery in the health sector are fired.

The Head of State said he is saddened to learn that there are shortages of drugs in health centres in Monze and he will engage the Minister of Health to assess the situation and ensure that essential drugs are distributed to people who need them.

President Lungu also assured the traditional leaders that the government will look into their complaints of the stoppage of the issuance of National Registration Cards. He explained that the ongoing mobile issuance of NRCs is intended to supplement the normal issuance of NRCs at the Boma.

President Lungu further assured the chiefs that he will engage the Minister of Livestock to ensure that veterinary services and drugs for cattle are made available.

On the repair of dilapidated dams and construction of additional dams, President Lungu said Minister of Water Jonas Chanda was recently in the area to assess the situation and needs.

The President said the government has already engaged the World Bank to help address the issue of dams so that people can have clean safe water for drinking and irrigation.

The President said he remains committed to promoting agricultural production in Southern Province so that the region reclaimed its bread basket status.

He said he has already engaged the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and other stakeholders to explore ways of improving agriculture in the region.

“Agriculture is important for Southern Province Significantly, but yield has been going down. I will engage stakeholders like ZNFU, Ministry of Agriculture to boost agricultural production “, said President Lungu.

President Edgar Lungu during the tour of Bweengwa High School in Monze, Southern Province before officially launching the school on Wednesday, 9th December, 2020. Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/State House.
President Edgar Lungu during the tour of Bweengwa High School in Monze, Southern Province before officially launching the school on Wednesday, 9th December, 2020. Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/State House.

President Lungu said it was unfortunate that the area Member of Parliament for Bweengwa has not taken advantage of the K126 Million Constituency Development Fund to finance the construction of police or health posts to meet people’s needs.

The President said he was humbled that people have appreciated his personal efforts of putting up new infrastructure at Bweengwa School. President Lungu financed the construction of new structures at Bweengwa School at a cost of over K1.4 million which led to its upgrade to a Secondary School.

Earlier, Chief Hamusonde had appealed to President Lungu to address the development challenges of the people of Monze. Speaking on behalf of five other chiefs, Chief Hamusonde urged President Lungu to quell political violence in the country by engaging UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.

President Lungu also met and addressed Headmen whom he said play a vital role in the management of chiefdoms as they are custodians of traditional authority and lineage.

And President Lungu has directed Monze District Commissioner Munachongo Muleya to procure bicycles for all headmen in the district to aid their work.

Chief Chitimukulu happy with sensitisation on voter registration

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Chief Chitimukulu happy with sensitisation on voter registration

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba of people of Northern Province says the “Movement for Voter Sensitization” has stepped up efforts to ensure that all eligible citizens obtain voters cards during the ongoing voter registration exercise.

The Mwine Lubemba who is Patron for the named organisation, has disclosed that the movement has put in place a number of measures to enable people acquire voter’s cards.

“As a movement we do not want to leave any stone unturned. We are making every effort to ensure that we sensitize the public on the voter registration exercise” he said.

The Paramount Chief added that the organization is also working closely with the local traditional leadership in areas where it is operating, to ensure that people without National Registration Cards and Voters cards acquire the documents.

The Paramount Chief has hailed the provincial and district administrations in the province for the efforts they are making in sensitizing people to register as voters.

He emphasized the need for people to know the significance of participating in elections.

“We are also educating people so that they understand the importance of taking part in the various national programmes such as voter registration and voting” he said.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu was speaking when Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Godfridah Sumaili paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Mungwi district.

And Rev. Sumaili said government is grateful to Paramount Chief Chitimukulu for his tireless efforts in sensitizing people to register as voters.

Rev. Sumaili said the initiative by the Mwine Lubemba to set up a voter sensitization movement is a move in the right direction.

She noted the need for all stakeholders to come on board and sensitize people on the importance of participating in voting.

“We are conducting civic education to our people, we want to make them understand their responsibilities, values such as patriotism” she said.

Rev. Sumaili is in the province to engage the clergy, traditional leaders and conduct civic education on the importance of people obtaining voter registration cards.

Brazil recognises Zambia for enhanced biofuel trade

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Brazil recognises Zambia for enhanced biofuel trade

Brazil has recognised Zambia as one of the viable partners that the country is collaborating with in establishing a biofuel industry.

Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Director of Department and Promotions of Energy Resources, Minerals and Infrastructure Alex Giacomelli da Silva says, the commitment shown by the Zambian government and its stakeholders on plans to establish a biofuel industry is commendable.

“I would like to encouraged other Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member states in Brazil to emulate Zambia’s stance to consider reducing dependence on fossil-fuel and opt for other sources of energy, which has massive economic benefits,” notes Mr da Silva.

He further assured the SADC Ambassadors of his government’s commitment to work in close collaboration with SADC member states in Brazil, with the aim of finding better ways of facilitating economic and bilateral cooperation.

This was during trade and investments negotiations held by the SADC group of Ambassadors in Brazil, and the Brazilian government, aimed at accelerating opportunities for the corporate sector to do business with SADC member states.

At a meeting convened at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasilia, the host government equally expressed eagerness to commence business in earnest with SADC member states.

Meanwhile Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil Alfreda Kansembe said the gesture by the Brazilian government to assure SADC member states of strengthened bilateral cooperation in trade and investment as well as other sectors that promote economic development, is a welcome move.

She disclosed that Zambia has had more viable business partnerships with Brazil’s private sector, but was now more encouraged to get assurance from the Brazilian government, who outlined a number of areas that will promote economic and bilateral cooperation.

“The plan by the Brazilian government to establish a biofuel industry in Zambia is a milestone to the growth of the economy due to its benefits which include improved domestic energy security and reduced greenhouse gas emissions when compared to fossil-fuel which is expensive to produce,” she noted.

This is contained in statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian Embassy in Brazil, Grace Makowane.

Luapula Province got more people to get NRCs than Western Province because of Proper Mobilisation-Kampyongo

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Luapula Province got more people to get NRCs than Western Province because of Proper Mobilisation-Kampyongo

Home Affairs Minister Steven Kampyongo has said tha Luapula registered more people than Western Province in the Mobile National Registration Cards- NRCs exercise because of stronger mobilisation.

Mr. Kampyongo said that all provinces were given equal human resources and equipment to carry out a similar exercise without preference for any region, adding that Government also extended the Mobile NRC exercise to cover more people and that all district offices remain open for people to obtain NRCs.

Mr. Kampyongo said that no police permits are currently required for those replacing lost or damaged NRCs to encourage more people to obtain the national document and that even in class students get different results in an exam without blaming the lecturer.

The Home Affairs Minister said that his Ministry has been instructed to carry out a review of the NRC exercise adding that given resources officers might go back to some areas.

He was responding to a question in Parliament yesterday from UPND Mitete MP Misheck Mutelo who wanted to know why the Western Province recorded only 52% success rate compared to 181% for Luapula Province, in the just-ended Mobile Issuance of National Registration Cards Exercise when the two provinces had a similar target of 100,000 people.

Mr. Mutelo also wanted to know the urgent measures that are being taken to ensure that eligible citizens are issued with National Registration Cards in the Western Province, to enable them register as voters in the ongoing Voter Registration Exercise before it ends on 12th December, 2020.

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