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Street Vending is still illegal in Zambia, says Local Government Minister

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Street Vending is still illegal in Zambia, says Local Government Minister

Local Government Minister Charles Banda has reiterated that street vending in the country is illegal unless when conducted in designated places as prescribed by the local authorities.

Dr. Banda explained that the Statutory Instrument (SI) number 10 of 2010 still remains in force unless Cabinet or a Council of Ministers decides otherwise.

Dr. Banda, who was in the company of Lusaka City Mayor Miles Sampa told journalists in Lusaka yesterday that there are only two designated places namely Simon Mwewa Lane and Lumumba Road for venders in Lusaka.

He explained that the Central Business District of Lusaka should be left free of vending because these places lack basic social amenities and other auxiliary facilities which are ideal for trading.

“Let me reiterate that street vending in Lusaka and elsewhere is illegal and the status quo remains unless Cabinet or the Council of Ministers decides otherwise,” he said.

The Local Government Minister added that it was difficult to manage people who are trading in undesignated areas and it becomes a huge challenge to provide adequate sanitary services to them.

Dr. Banda noted that in view of the current outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was almost impossible to ensure social distancing is observed and the provision of hand sanitisers to both venders and their clients.

“Let our people go and trade in designated areas dotted across the city and this also applies to other districts that are grappling with this issue as well,” he said.

Dr. Banda’s statement comes in the wake of a protracted wrangle between the LCC and vendors who recently took to the streets to protest their imminent removal from their illegal trading areas.

Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda led a sizable team, which included some ward councillors council directors and members of the municipality fire and rescue team who sprayed disinfectants and other chemicals aimed at killing germs starting from Zaone Market, Buseko, Mpatamato , Roan , Kalala Market in Mikonfwa , the team members took turns in spraying and cleaning the environment while the traders who have been sensitised about significance of the 48 hours Markets Spraying and Cleaning exercise stayed away.
FILE: Cleaning at the market.

Meanwhile, Local Government Minister Charles Banda has observed that markets and bus stations were critical sectors to the growth of the Zambian economy.

Dr. Banda said the two also help to meet the demand for goods and services and further provide a livelihood for many Zambians in the informal sector.

Dr. Banda has however noted that as common meeting places, markets and bus stations remain highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks such as the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

He was speaking during a consultative meeting with marketeers associations and other key stakeholders at the Lusaka City Council in Lusaka.

“I am glad that we have been able to meet in this manner to discuss the concerns that have been raised by many stakeholders on the risks that our markets pose to the spread of the coronavirus disease,” he said.

Dr. Banda said the meeting was convened as part of government’s ongoing efforts to reduce the spread of the deadly COVID-19.

“Given the importance of the markets and bus stations, government’s desire is to keep these services running as long as possible, while safeguarding the health of the traders and the rest of the people in these areas,” he said.

He further said government recognizes the efforts that market and bus station associations have continued to make to supplement government’s efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Banda said the two associations have been doing and must be supported, not only by government through the Lusaka City Council (LCC), but by other stakeholders as well.

“We have a mammoth task ahead of us. If we are to protect the lives of the people while safeguarding their livelihoods, we need to step up our efforts and we must be ready as citizens to adjust the way we do things, we need to give up some of our normal activities. This calls for sacrifice from all of us,” he emphasized.

Dr. Banda observed that failure to keep these places clean may entail temporarily closing off the business activities in order to allow for intensive cleaning and disinfection.

The Local Government Minister further observed that this may also entail reducing on the business hours in order to reduce the level of exposure for the traders and buyers.

COVID-19 could cost Africa a GDP loss of between $22.1 billion and $88.3 billion

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COVID-19 could cost Africa a GDP loss of between $22.1 billion and $88.3 billion

By Akinwumi A. Adesina

These are very difficult days, as the world faces one of its worst challenges ever: the novel coronavirus pandemic. And it seems almost no nation is spared. As infection rates rise, so does panic across financial markets, as economies drastically slow down and supply chains are severely disrupted.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. As such, it can no longer be business as usual. Each day, the situation evolves and requires constant reviews of precautionary measures and strategies. In the midst of all this, we must all worry about the ability of every nation to respond to this crisis. And we must ensure that developing nations are prepared to navigate these uncharted waters fully.

That’s why I support the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ urgent call for special resources for the world’s developing countries.

In the face of this pandemic, we must put lives above resources and health above debt. Why? Because developing economies are the most vulnerable at this time. Our remedies must go beyond simply lending more. We must go the extra mile and provide countries with much-needed and urgent financial relief — and that includes developing countries under sanctions.

According to the independent, global think tank ODI in its report on the impact of economic sanctions, for decades, sanctions have decimated investments in public health care systems in quite a number of countries.

Today, the already stretched systems as noted in the 2019 Global Health Security Index will find it difficult to face up to a clear and present danger that now threatens our collective existence. Only those that are alive can pay back debts.

Sanctions work against economies but not against the virus. If countries that are under sanctions are unable to respond and provide critical care for their citizens or protect them, then the virus will soon “sanction” the world.

In my Yoruba language, there is a saying. “Be careful when you throw stones in the open market. It may hit a member of your family.”

That’s why I also strongly support the call by the UN Secretary-General that debts of low-income countries be suspended in these fast-moving and uncertain times.

But I call for even bolder actions, and there are several reasons for doing so.

First, the economies of developing countries, despite years of great progress, remain extremely fragile and ill equipped to deal with this pandemic. They are more likely to be buried with the heavy fiscal pressure they now face with the coronavirus.Second, many of the countries in Africa depend on commodities for export earnings. The collapse of oil prices has thrown African economies into distress. According the AFDB’s 2020 Africa Economic Outlook, they simply are not able to meet budgets as planned under pre-coronavirus oil price benchmarks.

The impact has been immediate in the oil and gas sector, as noted in a recent CNN news analysis. In the current environment, we can anticipate an acute shortage of buyers who, for understandable reasons, will reallocate resources to addressing the Covid-19 pandemic. African countries that depend on tourism receipts as a key source of revenue are also in a straightjacket.

Third, while rich countries have resources to spare, evidenced by trillions of dollars in fiscal stimulus, developing countries are hampered with bare-bones resources.

The fact is, if we do not collectively defeat the coronavirus in Africa, we will not defeat it anywhere else in the world. This is an existential challenge that requires all hands to be on deck. Today, more than ever, we must be our brothers and sisters’ keepers.

Around the world, countries at more advanced stages in the outbreak are announcing liquidity relief, debt restructuring, forbearance on loan repayments, relaxation of standard regulations and initiatives.

In the United States, packages of more than $2 trillion have already been announced, in addition to a reduction in Federal Reserve lending rates and liquidity support to keep markets operating. In Europe, the larger economies have announced stimulus measures in excess of 1 trillion Euros. Additionally, even larger packages are expected.

As developed countries put in place programs to compensate workers for lost wages for staying at home for social distancing, another problem has emerged — fiscal distancing.
Think for a moment what this means for Africa.

The African Development Bank estimates that Covid-19 could cost Africa a GDP loss between $22.1 billion, in the base case scenario, and $88.3 billion in the worst case scenario. This is equivalent to a projected GDP growth contraction of between 0.7 and 2.8 percentage points in 2020. It is even likely that Africa might fall into recession this year if the current situation persists. The Covid-19 shock will further squeeze fiscal space in the continent as deficits are estimated to widen by 3.5 to 4.9 percentage points, increasing Africa’s financing gap by an additional $110 to $154 billion in 2020.

Our estimates indicate that Africa’s total public debt could increase, under the base case scenario, from $1.86 trillion at the end of 2019 to over $2 trillion in 2020, compared to $1.9 trillion projected in a ‘no pandemic’ scenario. According to a March 2020 Bank report, these figures could reach $2.1 trillion in 2020 under the worst case scenario.

This, therefore, is a time for bold actions. We should temporarily defer the debt owed to multilateral development banks and international financial institutions. This can be done by re-profiling loans to create fiscal space for countries to deal with this crisis.That means that loan principals due to international financial institutions in 2020 could be deferred. I am calling for temporary forbearance, not forgiveness. What’s good for bilateral and commercial debt must be good for multilateral debt.

That way, we will avoid moral hazards, and rating agencies will be less inclined to penalize any institution on the potential risk to their Preferred Creditor Status. The focus of the world should now be on helping everyone, as a risk to one is a risk to all. There is no coronavirus for developed countries and a coronavirus for developing and debt-stressedcountries. We are all in this together.

Multilateral and bilateral financial institutions must work together with commercial creditors in Africa, especially to defer loan payments and give Africa the fiscal space it needs. We stand ready to support Africa in the short term and for the long haul. We are ready to deploy up to $50 billion over five years in projects to help with adjustment costs that Africa will face as it deals with the knock-on effects of Covid-19, long after the current storm subsides.

But more support will be needed. Let’s lift all sanctions, for now. Even in wartime, ceasefires are called for humanitarian reasons. In such situations, there is a time to pause for relief materials to reach affected populations. The novel coronavirus is a war against all of us. All lives matter. For this reason, we must avoid fiscal distancing at this time. A stitch in time will save nine. Social distancing is imperative now. Fiscal distancing is not.

The Author is President of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org)

UNZA becomes quarantine centre for lorry drivers

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UNZA becomes quarantine centre for lorry drivers

Government has declared the University of Zambia (UNZA) as a quarantine centre for COVID-19 suspected cases.

Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya announced at the briefing in Lusaka that a section of UNZA has been barricaded to seclude it from the university community to be used for quarantining essential workers who include trackers.

Dr. Chilufya said the newly declared quarantine centre at UNZA will be utilized for track drivers who will be under an escort when they enter the country.

He said government is striving to ensure that there is minimum disruption to the movement of goods and services hence the decision to allow lorries to keep moving as long as they are quarantined when they enter the country.

He disclosed that currently, Livingstone has about 125 track drivers who are being quarantined at an isolation centre.

Meanwhile, Zambia has not recorded any new confirmed cases of COVID-19 from 56 tests conducted in the last 24 hours.

This is the third consecutive day of not recording news coronavirus cases in Zambia.

Dr. Chilufya said the cumulative total number of confirmed cases remains at 39 with one death.

He said another COVID-19 patient has recovered and been discharged today, bringing the total number of recoveries to three.

The minister however said the fact that Zambia has not recorded any new cases in the last three days should not make the country relax in implementing preventive measures.

He said government has spread surveillance to the borders in Eastern Province following reports that Malawi has also started recording cases of coronavirus.

He said government has heightened surveillance activities to ensure that people from risk countries are quarantined and tested.

Dr. Chilufya has since advised the public to continue following measures that include social distancing, washing of hands and staying home to prevent the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health has urged institutions that have received face masks, surgical gloves and sanitizers from donors to pass on the donations to the traders in markets and members of the public.

He said people who trade in the markets needs to be given masks and sanitizers so that they are protected from person to person transmission of the virus.

He said institutions that received donations should liaise with the association of marketeers on the modalities of passing on the donated materials to the users.

Dr. Chilufya said members of the public should equally be given the masks and other sanitation materials which have been donated to various institutions.

From the time coronavirus broke out in Zambia, 39 cases have been recorded, out of which one person died while three have recovered and discharged from isolation and treatment centres.

Tandi Mwape’s Mazembe Breakthrough Delights Micho

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Chipolopolo coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic is delighted defender Tandi Mwape has made a breakthrough at DR Congo giants TP Mazembe.

Tandi has enjoyed a starting XI place with the five-time African champions since early December following a challenging start there since his move from Kabwe Warriors to Lubumbashi last July.

“He had a bumpy road of adjustment and acclimatization of playing in a big team but finally broke into the team and kept his starting place until Covid19 break,” Micho said.

“My technical reports about training and performance were good and if he keeps improving he will give us reason to call him.”

Tandi, who won the 2019 COSAFA Cup with Chipolopolo, has now started in over eight domestic matches, before the Coronavirus halted all activities, and has also played four 2019/2020 CAF Champions League games.

The coronavirus pandemic is making Earth vibrate less

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The coronavirus pandemic is making Earth vibrate less

Around the world, seismologists are observing a lot less ambient seismic noise — meaning, the vibrations generated by cars, trains, buses and people going about their daily lives. And in the absence of that noise, Earth’s upper crust is moving just a little less.

Thomas Lecocq, a geologist and seismologist at the Royal Observatory in Belgium, first pointed out this phenomenon in Brussels.

Brussels is seeing about a 30% to 50% reduction in ambient seismic noise since mid-March, around the time the country started implementing school and business closures and other social distancing measures, according to Lecocq. That noise level is on par with what seismologists would see on Christmas Day, he said.

Less noise means seismologists can detect smaller events

The reduction in noise has had a particularly interesting effect in Brussels: Lecocq and other seismologists are able to detect smaller earthquakes and other seismic events that certain seismic stations wouldn’t have registered.

Take, for example, the seismic station in Brussels. In normal times, Lecocq said, it’s “basically useless.”Seismic stations are typically set up outside urban areas, because the reduced human noise makes it easier to pick up on subtle vibrations in the ground. The one in Brussels, however, was built more than a century ago and the city has since expanded around it.

The daily hum of city life means that the station in Brussels wouldn’t typically pick up on smaller seismic events. Seismologists would instead rely on a separate borehole station, which uses a pipe deep in the ground to monitor seismic activity.

“But for the moment, because of the city’s quietness, it’s almost as good as the one on the bottom,” Lecocq said.Seismologists in other cities are seeing similar effects in their own cities.Paula Koelemeijer posted a graph on Twitter showing how noise in West London has been affected, with drops in the period after schools and social venues in the United Kingdom closed and again after a government lockdown was announced.

Still, seismologists say the reduction in noise is a sobering reminder of a virus that has sickened more than one million people, killed tens of thousands and brought the normal rhythms of life to a halt.

It shows people are heeding lockdown rules

Lecocq said the graphs charting human noise are evidence that people are listening to authorities’ warnings to stay inside and minimize outside activity as much as possible.

“From the seismological point of view, we can motivate people to say, ‘OK look, people. You feel like you’re alone at home, but we can tell you that everyone is home. Everyone is doing the same. Everyone is respecting the rules,'” he said.

The data can also be used to identify where containment measures might not be as effective, said Raphael De Plaen, a postdoctoral researcher at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

“That could be used in the future by decision makers to figure out, ‘OK, we’re not doing things right. We need to work on that and make sure that people respect that because this is in the interest of everyone.”

Source:CNN

We are not against HH’s Donations, We Frown upon it being done outside established Channels

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We are not against HH’s Donations, We Frown upon it being done outside established Channels

By Sunday Chanda

It is extremely disappointing that Mr Hakainde Hichilema and his propaganda machine have chosen to twist our goodwill and honest advice to him.

There is a vernacular saying: “Lufwinyemba aliwa pa kantu” (Do not just believe it when someone tells you that he was unjustly condemned. Investigate him and you will find the truth/ facts).

Here are the facts:

1. THERE IS A WELL ESTABLISHED LAID DOWN PROCEDURE FOR DONATIONS WHICH EVERY LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL DONOR HAS BEEN FOLLOWING-WHY SHOULD HICHILEMA’S CASE BE AN EXCEPTION?

We have been against his idea of distributing anything like hand sanitizers directly to nationals. This is because all interventions are being coordinated by Government through Council of Ministers chaired by Her Honour the Vice President Madam Inonge Mutukwa Wina.

That is why we have been consistent in calling on the UPND leader, like others in society, to channel any donations to Government line ministries dealing with COVID-19 such as Ministries of health, local government, home Affairs, DMMU, etc.

Why should his “donations” be handled differently unless he has an ulterior motive?

2. THERE IS A LIMIT TO EVERYTHING; THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR INSENSITIVE POLITICKING BY THE USUAL UPND FAKE NEWS SPECIALISTS

I have NEVER issued any remarks to the effect that “Hichilema wants to spread the COVID-19 virus through his donations”. (Unless of course UPND are inferring that they have such an intention).

Next time; we encourage him to use his self-acclaimed “wide network of well-wishers” to donate beyond hand sanitizers.

3. ISN’T THIS THE SAME HAKAINDE – THAT CALLED FOR A LOCKDOWN WHICH WAS CALCULATED AT INJURING THE COMMON MAN IN OUR COMPOUNDS?

Let it not be forgotten that the UPND leader is an “Ultracrepidarian” who:

a) Hurriedly gives his opinion- even on matters beyond his sphere of knowledge

b) Issues elitist calls for a “complete lockdown” from the comfort of his ultra-luxurious “mayadi” home and does not care about how the masses in our compounds who live hand to mouth would cope and does not care about how quick the Corona Virus would spread in compounds and High Density Areas as a result.

c) Indirectly wishes for mayhem and civil unrest that would potentially come out of a “complete lockdown” as a consequence of the acute hunger arising and over-crowding for food which would ultimately accelerate the spread of the Virus.

A MORAL CALL FOR CIVILITY AND UBUNTU

We ALL have ONE HEAD OF STATE and we ALL now have one common enemy-Covid 19. This matter transcends partisan politics.

Let us ALL therefore work together in an orderly and coordinated fashion under the able leadership of our Head of State His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and other established constitutional authorities. Mr Hichilema should resist the itch to make political capital out of the plague.

As we together escalate our efforts let us move in tandem as one unit. This is not the time for misplaced political agendas and forked tongues.

The Author, Sunday Chilufya Chanda, is Media Director in the Patriotic Front based at it Party Headquarters.

Kapiri Man begs magistrate not to send him to jail, he would get Coronavirus and die in Jail

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Kapiri Man begs magistrate not to send him to jail, he would get Coronavirus and die in Jail

A 31-year-old man caused laughter in the Kapiri Mposhi magistrate court when he begged the court not to imprison him because he would contract coronavirus and die while in jail.

Yohan Shenge of Soweto compound in Kapiri Mposhi was facing three counts of livestock theft contrary to sections 275 (1) and 272 of the penal code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Shenge stole two goats, 19 guinea pigs and one herd of cattle all valued at K6, 275 belonging to three different people.

He readily pleaded guilty to all the three counts.

In the first count, Shenge stole two goats belonging to Gelius Lwempe on 27 March 2020 at around 18:00 hours from the plaintiff’s premises in Kasanta area in chief Mukonchi’s chiefdom.

According to the statement of facts read before court, Lwempe secured his goats and went to sleep but when he woke up the following day, he discovered that two of his goats value at K 700 were missing.

Lwempe followed the trails of the goats which led him to a place where the said animals had been slaughtered from and recovered two goat skins.

Further, trails led Lwempe to Shenge’s house where he recovered some goat meat but the now convict had already sold some portions of it.

In count two, facts before court were that on the same day around 21:00 hours, Shenge stole nineteen guinea pigs valued at K575, the property of Aaron Zulu.

In count three, Shenge, on 19 March 2020, around 17:00 hours broke into a kraal in Kabwale area where he stole one herd of cattle valued at K5, 000 belonging to Olipah Chileshe.

Shenge was apprehended and charged with the subject offences on 28 March 2020 after eluding arrest for some time.

But when he appeared before Kapiri Mposhi magistrate Brenda Chiganda for judgement, Shenge asked the court to exercise lenience on him fearing that he would contract and die from COVID-19 if sent to jail.

However, Magistrate Chiganda observed that stock theft was a serious offence which needed stiff punishment to deter would be offenders.

She then sentenced Shenge to six and half years jail term with effect from the date of his arrest.

Chipangali villagers use Kachasu as Sanitizer

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Chipangali villagers use Kachasu as Sanitizer

Some residents of Chipangali district are reportedly using a locally brewed alcoholic spirit commonly known as Kachasu, as a hand sanitizer to protect themselves from coronavirus (COVID-19).

This came to light when the department of health held a COVID-19 sensitization meeting at Kasenga rural health centre in Chipangali on Friday.

The villagers said they had no access to recommended hand sanitizers hence decided to use Kachasu as a hand sanitizer.

They have since requested government to distribute hand sanitizers to rural areas.

Chipangali District Senior Environmental Health Officer, Agripa Zulu urded those who own shops in rural areas should stock hand sanitizers so that residents could buy.

Mr. Zulu encouraged communities to observe high hygiene measures and all directives given by government.

He said they should work with the Environmental Health Technologists (EHTs) to help domesticate actions put in place by government.

Mr. Zulu further encouraged villagers to report suspects who could have been in
contact with people infected with the disease or had just come from high risk countries.

The community thanked the department of health for sensitisation them about the disease and providing Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials which have helped them acquire more knowledge about COVID-19.

And health officials at Mkanda, Tamanda and Vizinge health facilities, which are closer to the border with Malawi, have been urged to be on high alert as they attend to patients that come from the neighbouring country.

Civil servants, revelers nabbed for locking themselves in a bar to drink alcohol

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Civil servants, revelers nabbed for locking themselves in a bar to drink alcohol

Police in Chipata have arrested seven people, among them civil servants, for allegedly locking themselves in a bar to drink alcohol in total disregard of the Presidential directive.

The seven were found drinking at Chipata’s infamous Devil’s street.

President Edgar Lungu recently ordered the closure of bars, night clubs, gyms and restaurants to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Eastern Province Police Commissioner Lackson Sakala told ZANIS that there were some civil servants among the arrested persons who were found locked and drinking in the bar.

Mr. Sakala said all the arrested persons are currently detained at Chipata Central Police Station and will be charged for conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

He cautioned bar operators against defying the presidential directive of closing bars and night clubs as a preventive measure to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Mr. Sakala said police patrols in Chipata and the surrounding districts have been intensified to ensure that bar owner comply with the presidential directive.

He said everyone should be involved in the fight against coronavirus hence the need for people to comply with preventive measures that have been put in place.

And Eastern Province Minister Makebi Zulu is not happy that some people can lock themselves in the bar to drink alcohol despite knowing about the outbreak of COVID-19.

Mr. Zulu said people should take measures put in place by the Ministry of Health seriously in order to stop the spread coronavirus.

He said people that are defying presidential directives which are aimed at combating the spread of coronavirus will be dealt with using the already existing laws.

He meanwhile said all tourists traveling to South Luangwa national park are being screened for coronavirus.

Mr. Zulu said the Ministry of Health has set up coronavirus screening check points at Mphomwa to ensure that all traveler’s going to the national park are screened.

He further said screening of travelers at Chanida and Mwami border posts will intensify due to the recent reported cases in Malawi and Mozambique.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Minister has commended Liberty Transport Company for donating assorted items worth K15, 000 towards the fight against coronavirus.

Mr. Zulu said government appreciates the continued support it is receiving from stakeholders in order to stop the further spread of coronavirus.

No new COVID-19 cases detected in Zambia, one more patient discharged

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No new COVID-19 cases detected in Zambia, one more patient discharged

Zambia has for the 3rd day not recorded any new COVID-19 case, Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya has confirmed.

Speaking to the media during the he 16th COVID-19 update, Dr Chilufya announced that one more person has been discharged bringing the total number of recoveries to 3 with active cases now standing at 35, and that over 5 000 cases still remain on surveillance while all the 36 cases are doing well under the watchful eye of health experts.

Dr Chilufya disclosed that 280 public alerts were recorded and none tested positive and have been sent home and further said 1,544 people have successfully completed the 14 day quarantine period and have been discharged.

“Statistics look encouraging and promising but it’s not time to relent” he said as he emphasized the need to heed to all the health guidelines such as social distancing and avoidance of unnecessary travels.

And Dr Chilufya has declared the new residence at the University of Zambia Great East Road campus as a quarantine centre for truck drivers bringing various goods in the country.

“We have come up with a mechanism working with ministries of communication and transport, home affairs to ensure that there is minimal disruption of trade and commerce” he said.

In ensuring that Trade and commerce continue, Dr Chilufya said the government has come up with a mechanism to ensure that there is the minimum disruption of movements of trucks through the borders.

He, however, said stringent measures have been enforced to ensure that there is increased surveillance and announced that due to the reported positive COVID-19 case in Malawi, the screening will be enhanced in Eastern Province at the Mwami border.

Today’s Message: Why Bless Those Who Hurt You?

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Today’s Message: Why Bless Those Who Hurt You?

Today’s Scripture

“…Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
(Luke 6:27–28, NIV)

Why Bless Those Who Hurt You?

It’s easy to be good to people who are good to us. But what about when someone does something deliberately to hurt you? It’s easy to get bitter, hold a grudge, talk bad about them, and think about how you can get even with them.

Why would Jesus say that we should bless and do good to those who hurt us when they don’t deserve it? Because you’re not blessing them for their sake, but for your sake. The mercy and kindness you show others is the mercy God’s going to show you. If you’re bitter and angry, you’ll get stuck. Life is too short to go through it with bitterness poisoning your life. If you’ll let go of the hurt they inflicted and live out of a place of forgiveness, out of a place of wholeness, you’ll not only feel better, but that’s what allows the Creator of the universe to go to work and take you higher.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for all the mercy and forgiveness and protection You have shown me when I’ve done wrong. Help me to do good and bless those who have done me wrong. I am leaving them in Your hands and believing that You are taking me to new levels. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Pray from Home during the celebrations of Palm Sunday, Sumaili tells the public

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Pray from Home during the celebrations of Palm Sunday, Sumaili tells the public

Religious Affairs Minister Godfridah Sumaili has reiterated government’s call for the public to continue praying from home to avoid crowding churches.

Reverend Sumaili has urged Christians to pray from home today during the celebrations of Palm Sunday.

She has appealed to the church and its members to continue praying for the nation especially during this difficult time of the COVID-19.

The Minister has also thanked the Church Mother Bodies for their continued cooperation with Government in the fight against the COVID-19.

Speaking to ZNBC news, Reverend Sumaili also hailed the Catholic Church for coming up with an initiative where its members will place the Palm branches on their doors as a symbol of Palm Sunday celebration.

She said although the day will be celebrated from homes, placing palm branches on doors will keep the meaning for Palm Sunday.

Measures taken to curb the spread the COVID-19 are very crippling to the poor-

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Measures taken to curb the spread the COVID-19 are very crippling to the poor-

By Fred M’membe

The coronavirus outbreak has put a spotlight on economic inequalities in our country and a fragile social safety net that leaves many of our vulnerable fellow citizens to bear the economic and social brunt of this pandemic.

Our political leaders will need to consider these underlying inequalities in responding urgently to the mounting challenges of this pandemic.

While the coronavirus affects people regardless of wealth, the poor will be most affected due to longstanding vulnerabilities.

Although the coronavirus started with those who are able to travel abroad, as time goes on, the poor – as maids, cleaners, drivers, and so on and so forth to the well-to-do – are more likely to be exposed to the virus, have higher mortality rates, and suffer economically.

In times of economic crisis, these vulnerabilities will be more pronounced for the poor.

The measures taken to curb the spread of the virus – necessary as they are – are very crippling to the poor.

We need a response to the coronavirus that prevents people from having to choose between not having a meal and risking their and their families’ health.

The poor need help. They are hit first and hardest by the economic consequences of fighting this virus.

Low-income jobs in fields like retail, hospitality, childcare, and the gig economy cannot be performed remotely.

And research has shown that poverty is associated with higher rates of chronic health conditions such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, factors that increase vulnerability to the coronavirus. The poor, to a great extent and especially in urban areas, live in high density areas, where water and sanitation leave a lot to be desired. Measures such as social distancing are difficult to implement.

The poor have no savings to weather a lack of income, and even stocking up on food can represent an impossible financial hurdle. They live a hand-to-mouth life. They have to go out everyday to find something to put on the table.

Due to the lack of resources to prepare and protect against the coronavirus, the poor face a higher risk of contracting and subsequently spreading the virus.

Money or no money, the government has an obligation to protect people’s right to an adequate standard of living, which includes ensuring adequate food and nutrition, the highest attainable standard of health, and social security.

There’s need to provide a safety net for families and workers whose livelihoods are affected.

The government should consider a response that would support the poor and all low-income workers and people who have lost wages.

There’s need to support and protect the poor and all those who face devastating job and wage loss.

RB urges Zambians to listen to all the advice being provided and follow all guidelines to deal with COVID-19

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RB urges Zambians to listen to all the advice being provided and follow all guidelines to deal with COVID-19

Fourth Republican President Rupiah Banda has implored Zambians to listen to all the advice being provided and follow all guidelines set by the authorities at all levels in order to control Coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a statement to the media, the former head of state said that working together, the country can manage to kick this Coronavirus out of Zambia.

“Mankind is faced with very hard times fighting this invisible enemy called COIVID 19. It has ravaged the entire world leaving many families without their loved ones and many more who have been taken ill. This deadly enemy is now in our motherland Zambia. I am made to understand that although many get infected by this virus, the majority will recover. Let us find solace in that fact,” he said.

“Our President, His Excellency, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the Government working through the ministry of health, has taken up this challenge and sounded the battle cry where each and every Zambian will be needed to fight this war. We have been educated on how to look after ourselves time and time again by our President and the Ministry of health.
The question is; are we all as Zambians citizens and residents doing what is needed to protect ourselves and stop this deadly virus from coming into ours homes?”

He emphasized the need to observe social distancing.

“SOCIAL DISTANCING- this means we have to keep each other at a minimum distance of 1 meter away. I am appealing to you my fellow citizens to listen to this advice. At this point I would like to appeal to all public passenger bus operators to strictly adhere to this advice by drastically reducing numbers in the minibuses as prescribed by the authorities,” he said.

“HAND WASHING- We have all been told and taught how to wash our hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. I note that within many places in Lusaka hand washing facilities are now provided. May I insist that you my fellow citizens use these facilities and wash your hands appropriately for a minimum of 20 seconds. For those that can afford or find hand sanitizers please use them, BUT nothing beats washing your hands appropriately.”

On wearing masks, the Fourth Republican President encouraged Zambians that wearing of masks at work and in public does help with spread of the virus.

He emphasized that people should wear masks appropriately.

“WORK- we have again be advised that those that can work from home please do that and stay away from work. To the employers this is the time to use innovative ways of getting work done. To the employees that does not mean we become lazy. The economy depends on all of us doing our bit. Work hard from home and get the deadlines met and get your tasks done,” he guided.

“SCHOOLS- Our President made sure that all of the young people are protected by closing schools. I applaud His Excellency the President for this bold move. Our little ones are the future of this country. We MUST protect them. I ask the school systems also to be innovative and use the internet platforms to send out work and lectures for our children at home. We cannot afford to miss one day to educate the future of this country. I urge the parents to provide time for the children.”

He since commended front line staff for waging battle against COVID 19.

CEC confirms deal with ZESCO is dead

Chief Editor
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CEC confirms deal with ZESCO is dead

The Copperbelt Energy Corporation says negotiations for a new bulk supply agreement with ZESCO failed because of some new proposed terms that the government is demanding which if accepted, would be injurious to its operations.

CEC has confirmed the end of its long term power purchase agreement with ZESCO effective 31st March 2020 bringing an end to a 23-year contract.

CEC Corporate Communications Manager Chama Nsabika said in a statement that while the initial understanding was that the two parties involved would work to put in place an interim agreement, it became clear during the negotiations that the intention was to agree a wholesomely new agreement with totally different terms.

Ms. Nsabika has charged that CEC has held its end throughout this period and approached the negotiations in good faith and that narrowing the negotiation gap aimed at achieving a mutually acceptable power supply agreement is of strategic importance to the electricity sector and the country.

She says CEC will however continue providing seamless power supply services to all mining and non-mining consumers on the Copperbelt during the negotiation period for a new power supply agreement, barely 24 hours after energy minister Mathew Nkhuwa directed that no power interruption should occur to the Copperbelt with power supply to continue under Zesco terms.

“Additionally and most importantly, it has come to government’s attention over the last few days, that CEC is in fact not even willing to sign an agreement with a twelve (12) month tenure, which has been the basis of all negotiations conducted by the two parties over the last seven (7) weeks and, which was initially proposed by Government and ZESCO”.

CEC admitted that the negotiating parties were unable to agree to a number of terms by the last day of the contract.

“At end of day on 31st March 2020, the parties had not reached agreement on account of certain terms seen as key requirements from either side and which so far are not acceptable to either party”.

CEC believes that agreeing to some of the terms would affect the company’s financial performance.

“On its part, CEC has faced some terms being demanded by the GRZ team which, if accepted, would be injurious to the CEC business and impact its ability to continue operating as a going concern”.

Issues related to financial performance related to how much the product electricity is sold by either negotiating party and what are acceptable margins.

The interim average mining tariff was determined at US$9.3/kWh effective January, 2017, pending the conclusion of the cost-of-service study.

“In CEC’s view, achieving a mutually acceptable power supply agreement between the parties remains of strategic importance to the electricity sector and the country. Therefore, CEC remains confident that the parties will use the next several weeks to narrow the negotiation gap so as to achieve the much-required new power supply agreement between them”.

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