At approximately 16:00 hours yesterday, the serene stretch of the Great North Road was disrupted by a devastating collision, resulting in significant loss of life and property. The Serenje Traffic Department swiftly responded to the scene at Pilyeshi area, situated 25 kilometers west of Serenje town.

The collision involved two heavy-duty vehicles, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The primary vehicles involved were identified as a tanker truck owned by Harvest Oil Company and a Howo truck and trailer operated by Dangote. The incident unfolded as follows:

The Harvest Oil Company Tanker Truck, laden with an unspecified type of fuel, was headed from east to west along the Great North Road. For reasons yet to be determined, the tanker lost control, veered off its course, and overturned, subsequently erupting into flames. Tragically, the driver, whose identity remains unknown due to the intensity of the fire, perished in the inferno.
The Dangote Howo Truck and Trailer traveling in the opposite direction from west to east, bearing registration number BCE 3607, was laden with cement bags destined for an undisclosed location. Behind the wheel was Mr. William Ngwira, aged 42, hailing from Chifubu Township, Ndola. The collision inflicted severe burns upon Mr. Ngwira, who is currently undergoing medical treatment at Serenje District Hospital. Among the six unidentified passengers on board, five tragically lost their lives in the ensuing blaze. The sole survivor, a male passenger, remains unconscious and critically injured.

The sequence of events leading to the collision suggests that the tanker truck lost control, potentially due to excessive speed, leading to its overturning and blocking the roadway. The subsequent collision with the Dangote truck ignited a fierce blaze, engulfing both vehicles and resulting in the loss of lives and extensive property damage.

In response to this tragic incident, the Zambia Police Service issued a stern reminder to all motorists to strictly adhere to speed limits and exercise caution on the roads to avert such catastrophic accidents in the future. The authorities extend their heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this grievous event.

The Police in Serenje have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision, aiming to provide closure to the affected families and implement measures to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

By Derrick Silimina

President Hakainde Hichilema has observed a need to celebrate the centrality of workers in the country if the economic recovery programme is to be a success.

Speaking when he officiated at the 2024 Labour Day commemoration at Solwezi Stadium in North-Western Province, the President said workers must always be productive in order to better the economic trajectory of the country.

“Let me indicate that the theme for this years’ Labour Day is so appropriate and I have said in the past that there is no employer without employees. No investor will exist without employees hence it is their duty to take care of workers if they are to remain productive,” President Hichilema said.

The 2024 theme as set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) is , Building Resilience:Workers At The Heart Of Zambia’s Economic Recovery.

The Head of State said work did not only mean working from 0800 hrs to 1700 hours, but it was all about deliverables to attain the laid down economic recovery plan.He urged workers to avoid a dependency syndrome on hand-outs as that will not develop
Zambia but hard work considering that the country is economically stressed due to debt.

IMPROVED
Hichilema said for that reason, the Government had improved the mining tax regime in a bid to create an environment conducive for Barrick Lumwana and Kansanshi Mine which were at the verge of shutting down operations.

“I always tell my fellow workers that when the country is economically stressed and when we default, we must always work harder and then we shall recover and grow the economy and attract more investment. Investors should always work harder by re-investing their profits because the economic environment is now conducive.”

Speaking at the same event, Labor Minister Brenda Tambatamba disclosed that the Ministry had since developed a draft bill to enhance workers’ industrial and labour relations with their employers.

Tambatamba noted that the Ministry would in the course of this month embark on a comprehensive stakeholder consultative process to enhance labour relations by taking into consideration what is prevailing on the market.

“I am pleased to report that the Ministry has developed a draft bill, the Employment Act No. 3 of 2019 and we urge members of the public to make submissions as we start this process which we will publicize for easier participation,” she said.

REBUILD

And International Labour Organization Country Director Wellington Chibebe underscored that this year’s theme, Building Resilience: Workers At The Heart Of Zambia’s Economic Recovery resonated with the ILO’s resolve to support and rebuild real economies by using a human-centred approach.ILO further believed that the economic recovery process ought to incorporate a universal social protection floor, including universal access to basic healthcare.

“As we join the country in the commemoration of the 2024 International Labour Day, may I congratulate your Government, the workers, employers and the people of Zambia at large, on the successful hosting of this occasion and many other activities taking place across the country, more importantly in this town of Solwezi, a historic moment, indeed,” he said.

The colourful event drew multitudes of workers both from the public and private sector displaying an array of skills during the march-past to the delight of invited senior Government officials, dignitaries, traditional leaders and trade unionists among others.

AWARD

FQM’s Kansanshi Mining Plc and FQM Trident won award each during the event after they displayed state-of-the-art mining equipment with well-adorned mining workers during a match- past at Solwezi stadium.KML Technical Superintendent Patricia Mankubwa scooped the Presidential Award while FQM Trident won the Best Dressed Marchers Award.

“Trust me, it’s an honour to receive any award and being recognized for all my effort and my team is actually a pleasurable moment for me. I really appreciate Kansanshi Mining Plc together with management for this amazing award,” Mankubwa said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, KML Human Resource Manager Mark Silimi implored mine workers and everyone involved in production to focus their energies on attaining high production of copper if the mining giant is to remain sustainable now and into the future.

“As you may be aware, the S3 plant including the trucks that will be used in the pit are all state-of-the-art and we are lucky that this is not the first plant that FQM is putting up here in Zambia,a similar plant is what we have also at Trident and so, we’re building on what Trident has done in terms of skills training,” Silimi noted.

FQM Trident Human Resource Manager Brighton Mwiinga stressed that despite economic turbulence the country was going through, workers should remain focused to effectively contribute to the mining company’s copper production target.

“Thats why we keep on rewarding our employees for demonstrating resilience over the tough times that we face knowing that we are doing it for the betterment of employees, the employers and for the betterment of the country.”

Story courtesy of Suma Systems

President Hakainde Hichilema has cautioned employers to build capacity in their employees, in order to enhance capacity in the workplace.

President Hichilema further tasked employers to ensure that no one is retrenched for lack of skills but should however send employees for training to maintain and enhance the labour force in the workplace.

President Hichilema noted that his is because training of employers who are familiar with the environment helps built capacity and efficiency in a workplace.

The head of State was speaking in Solwezi when he graced this year’s international labour day held under the theme:” Building Capacity, Workers at the Heart of Zambia’s Economic Recovery.”

The President said that government stands ready to work with the business environment across the country including, including investors as well as other entities for the betterment of the country’s economic recovery.

President Hichilema stated that his administration will always endeavor to support the business community to thrive and the investors wishing to tap into the country’s growth are no exception.

Regarding development in the Northwestern Province, the President assured infrastructure development such as roads and health as part of the extended economic expansion in the region, besides mining.

And President Hakainde Hichilema announced that Kasensili Gold mine in Mwinilunga will soon commence its operations.He further thanked Chief Chibwika of the Lunda people for allowing the mining operations.

And Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba said her ministry has made strides in setting up a communication channel which has effectively allowed for fast and efficient service delivery.Ms. Tambatamba has further announced that her ministry is in the process of holding stakeholder consultations through a draft bill which seeks to address labour related matters.She encouraged stakeholders to come on board and help this formulative and open process.

Meanwhile, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions President Blake Mulala has raised concern over the increase of illegal mining activities which have seen lives lost in the recent past.Mr Mulala noted that a person must not die while earning a living, stating that line ministries and other relevant authorities should see to it that measures are put in place and policies formulated to ensure safety of workers.

Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Angela Kawandami says Government has prioritised social protection in its development agenda and has so far scored great strides in improving the lives of many beneficiaries in the country.

Ms Kawandami added that the programme has scaled-up to over 1.3 million households with the cash transfer payments, thereby uplifting beneficiaries out of poverty.

She was speaking in a speech read for her by MCDSS Director of Social Welfare Nelson Nyangu during the engagement meeting in Lusaka with the delegation from Malawi who are undertaking a study visit on social protection.

Ms Kawandami said for this reason, the delegation from Malawi is in the country to learn how the social protection initiative is being rolled out in Zambia.

“We are glad that the delegation from Malawi is here for a study visit with a focus on the Girls’ Education and Women Empowerment Livelihood (GEWEL) project and other social protection programmes,” she said.

Ms Kawandami also mentioned that over 139,000 women have so far received support for improved livelihoods under the Supporting Women’s Livelihoods (SWL) compared to the target of 129,400 since inception of the project in 2016.

She stated that digital payments have also been rolled out to all the 116 districts of Zambia to ensure efficient and secure payment cash transfers to beneficiary households.

Ms Kawandami indicated that under the keeping girls in school component, the government has supported over 95,000 poor and vulnerable girls to attend secondary school, far exceeding the project target of 80,000.

Meanwhile, Visiting Malawi Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender Community Development and social welfare Nertha Mgala said Malawi is eager to learn invaluable lessons from Zambia on how best to execute social cash transfer to vulnerable people.

She explained that Malawi, like many nations, face significant challenges related to poverty and vulnerability, and that the country is committed to reducing the hardships by implementing various social support programmes.The delegation is expected to undertake a trip to Siavonga as part of the activities lined up for them before they go back to Malawi.