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Zambeef Products PLC has reported a full-year profit rise but the Kwacha headwinds contributed to a mixed revenue picture, in what was a “challenging year” for the food producer.
In the year ended September 30, revenue was up 13% to ZMW3.13 billion from ZMW2.78 billion last year.
In dollar terms, revenue declined by 9.2% year-on-year to USD254.5 million from USD280.3 million.
Zambeef said: “The weakening of the Zambian Kwacha against the USD by approximately 24%, increase in the cost of fuel by 19%, together with constrained electricity supply that started in July 2019 due to reduced electricity generation arising from the low water levels in the Kariba Dam, impacted not only the Zambeef group’s performance but also our customers spending power.”
Pretax profit rose 38% to ZMW38.7 million from ZMW28.0 million, or by 11% to USD3.1 million from USD2.9 million last year.
The company added: “The profitability was mainly driven by cropping, increased volumes and margins in the stock feed division and retail and cold chain food products which is in line with our strategic imperative of consistent revenue growth through expansion of our retail network.”
The company operates a chain of 226 retail outlets and it also produces and distributes beef, chicken, pork, dairy, eggs, fish, flour and stockfeed in Zambia, Nigeria and Ghana.
Output in its stockfeed operations rose year-on-year to 218,762 tonnes from 200,846 tonnes.
Zambeef said: “As we had anticipated, 2019 proved a challenging year for the group, driven by difficult economic and market conditions that impacted negatively on the group’s financial performance, particularly in the first half of the year.
“Set against this challenging macro-economic backdrop, the group’s results were reassuring, especially in the second half of the year.”
Looking ahead, the firm expects the tricky market conditions in Zambia, which is mired by a high national debt and electricity supply constraints, to continue hindering consumer confidence.
The Kariba dam has plunged to its lowest level since 1996, raising further risks to the hydropower plants that Zimbabwe and Zambia depend on for nearly half of their power.
Water levels at the world’s largest man-made freshwater reservoir that straddles the two countries, fell to 10% of usable storage, according to data posted on the Zambezi River Authority’s website.
That’s the least since 1996 and worse than the 11% recorded during a drought in 2016.
Large parts of Zambia and Zimbabwe are experiencing the worst drought in at least four decades, forcing the nations to cut generation from Kariba after water flows fell sharply in the Zambezi river that feeds it.
Each country has implemented power cuts lasting as long as 18 hours a day as a result.
The two nations’ economies have suffered.
Zambia’s will grow by less than 2% this year, the lowest in more than two decades, while Zimbabwe’s economy will contract by 7.1%, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Seasonal rains, which usually fall from October through April aren’t off to a good start, even as the volume of water tumbling over Victoria Falls rose to 252 cubic meters per second by Monday.
While that’s more than double the lows reached in November, it’s only slightly better than 234 cubic meters measured this time last year, which ended up being one of the worst seasons on record.
The flows at Victoria Falls are a good indication of how much water is entering Kariba as there aren’t any major tributaries before the Zambezi reaches the dam about 125 kilometers (78 miles) to the east.
Outflows from Kariba’s turbines were 987 cubic meters per second on Dec. 8, nearly quadruple the amount of water flowing into the dam.
Zambia’s meteorological department forecasts normal to better-than-normal rain for the current season, but international forecasters including the South African Weather Service predict less-than-normal precipitation for much of the region.
Transparency International Vice Chairman Reuben Lifuka
Transparency International is calling for all competent authorities in Zambia to fully investigate the allegations and prosecute wrongdoing regardless of the rank or status of the accused following reports that President Edgar Lungu, his daughter Tasila and several high-ranking politicians are allegedly involved in the illicit trade in mukula wood.
Multiple allegations appear in Mukula Cartel, a report by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), published late last week.
Traffickers allegedly told undercover EIA investigators that Tasila Lungu, daughter of President Edgar Lungu, is involved in the illegal trade of protected mukula timber, along with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Jean Kapata, and the Minister of Justice, Given Lubinda.
The state-owned company Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation Limited (ZAFFICO) is alleged to have used its mandate to trade logs seized from illegal traders as a cover to trade freshly felled mukula trees, in some instances under the protection of the Zambian army.
ZAFFICO is also alleged to have issued fraudulent export certificates, allowing timber from the endangered trees to be exported to China through the South Africa port of Durban.
EIA estimates that the illegal trade generates approximately US$7.5 million in bribes and informal fees annually.
Rueben Lifuka, Vice-Chair of Transparency International and President of Transparency International Zambia said: “It is imperative that the claims made in this report are investigated by multiple agencies and offices. Not only mukula continues to be trafficked despite the outcry of the Zambian public and the international community, the sale of Zambia’s natural resources allegedly benefits only a few people at the highest level of the government.”
Alarmingly, the report reveals that endangered trees are also used as a currency to influence Zambian elections.
Traffickers told EIA investigators that President Lungu granted mukula permits to regional chiefs in exchange for votes from their provinces ahead of the 2016 election and accepted a US$40,000 “donation” from a powerful Chinese trader to buy expensive outfits for his re-election campaign.
Mr. Lifuka continued: “This report describes the abuse of the state apparatus to facilitate and protect a criminal network operating at the highest levels of power. Such grand corruption thrives on the exploitation of natural resources for the benefit of the few, to the detriment of the many, and to their right to their natural heritage and environment.”
To restore the integrity of Zambia’s government and protect the remaining mukula trees, Transparency International urges the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to urgently institute a complete ban on the export of mukula wood.
It also wants the Zambian government to provide a full account of mukula traded through ZAFFICO, including information on revenues and how the funds have been expended.
Transparency International also wants the Chief Justice of Zambia to establish a special tribunal to investigate the alleged illegality and the Anti-Corruption Commission to launch a full and thorough investigation into the findings of the EIA report.
The organization wants all relevant authorities, including the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Electoral Commission of Zambia, to investigate the legality of campaign donations and allegations of vote buying, and the abuse of state resources ahead of major Zambian elections.
Transparency International also calls upon the South African government to investigate their end of the suspicious transit route in order to stop the flow of Zambian Mukula wood from the port of Durban, which the report claims is now the principle point of departure for Zambian mukula from Africa since authorities in Tanzania have increased enforcement against trafficking.
Mukula is a rare African tree and one of the rosewood species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Illicit and unsustainable harvesting of this precious timber has led to the destruction of Zambian forests, with environmental activists and the international community warning of a looming extinction.
President Edgar Lungu has commissioned the three point five million kwacha state of the art civic center building in Kasama of Northern province.
This is the first civic center to be constructed in Kasama since Zambia gained independence in 1964.
Speaking when He graced the commissioning of the new civic center building, President Lungu said there cannot be meaningful national development without improved infrastructure.
President Lungu said government will continue to prioritise infrastructure top on its developmental agenda.
He stressed that the construction of the civic center is a clear demonstration of government’s commitment of putting up improved infrastructure.
President Lungu said planned development largely depends on the availability of improved infrastructure development.
The Head of State pointed out that infrastructure plays an important role in up lifting the living standards of the people and spurring economic growth.
He bemoaned that since the establishment of Kasama in 1958, the district has been using a building constructed in the colonial era thereby hampering the performance of the workers.
President Lungu hoped that the commissioning of the new building will enhance office space accommodation.
He noted that the new civic center will raise the profile of the province and the district.
The Head of State expressed optimism that employees will be propelled to work hard as they are operating in a conducive environment.
And Local Government Minister Charles Banda said the new building will enhance service delivery to the people.
Dr Banda urged management to look after the infrastructure as it has been constructed at a huge cost.
Meanwhile Kasama Mayor Fredrick Chisanga thanked government for the many developmental projects taking place in the province.
Earlier, President Lungu was later conferred with the status of free man of Kasama.
President Lungu was conferred for his commitment to infrastructure development and uplifting the standards of poor people.
ZNBC Director General Malolela Lusambo has called on staff to be patient as the matter of delayed November salaries is being looked into.
Mr. Lusambo says management exploring all possible avenues to ensure the money is for salaries is found.
He says institutions that owe ZNBC have also been followed as a way of making them clear their balances.
Mr. Lusambo says the Secretary to the Treasury has been engaged to help with the matter.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya has urged management at the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) to come up with long term measures of raising revenue.
Ms. Siliya says it is important that the National Broadcaster comes up with self-sustaining plans.
She said this when union leaders from Zambia Union of Broadcasters and Information Disseminators -ZUBID and National Union of Communication Workers -NUCW- called on her at her office.
The Union leaders went to see the minister over delayed November salaries.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya says new HIV infections among adults have reduced by 9 percent between 2010 and 2018.
Dr Chilufya, however, says the reduction is too slow to achieve the 2020 targets of reducing New infections by 75 percent.
And Dr Chilufya says new data from the 2018 Zambia Demographic Health Survey indicates that the HIV prevalence is at 11 point 1 percent a marker that the country is moving in the right direction.
The Minister says so far there is an increase in people testing for HIV to 85 percent of women and 75 percent of men having been tested in 2018.
Dr Chilufya was speaking in LUSAKA during the 13th Annual National HIV Technical Conference in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Dr Chilufya said the epidemic has entered a new phase where strategic implementation of evidence innovations and efforts with partners to sustain the progress that will bring about epidemic control and fast track ending AIDS by 2030.
Annual AIDS related deaths have decreased from 69 thousand in 2002 to 17 thousand in 2018.
What are the reasons for the dramatic decline in anti-gay bias in the United States? Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The latest report by the Institute of Race Relations has revealed that Africa is still one of the most hostile regions for LGBTQ people, despite some positive developments.
The institute based its findings on interviews with LGBTQ activists.
The institute conducted interviews with African members and activists of the LGBTQ group.
According to the Human Rights Watch, 32 out of 54 African countries outlawed same-sex activity as of June.
The High Court in Botswana this year struck down two colonial-era laws, effectively legalizing gay sex.
The report compiled by the IRR shows that some political leaders are not willing to accommodate the rights of the homosexual community.
Researcher at the Institute Gerbrandt van Heerden said: “One of the countries that stood out where there is still a lot of oppression is Malawi, as well as Zambia. The President of Zambia actually did say that he would not agree to equal rights for gay people even if it’s at a cost of international aid.”
The research shows that there’s a clear link between education and LGBTQ tolerance with most prestigious schools having a relatively open view of people with alternative sexual orientations and gender expressions.
Below is an interview with “Jason’, a gay activist from Zambia.
Jason (Zambia)
My next interviewee also indicated that he wished to remain anonymous. So, for the purpose of this section, he will be known as Jason. Jason has been an LGBTQ and human rights activist since 2008. He is the co-founder of a local LGBTQ organisation and has also worked for an international organisation in the public health sector. Jason has also held a position in government.
Yet Jason notes that Zambian youths remain highly divided when it comes to this issue. Some are highly accepting of the LGBTQ community while others scoff at the idea of allowing more rights for this group. In terms of the rural/urban divide, Jason says that the capital city of Lusaka is a ‘diverse, cosmopolitan environment’ in which the idea of gay people is ‘nothing new’. Many people in Lusaka are, in other words, not concerned about whether their neighbours or colleagues might be gay or lesbian.
What is apparent from my interview with Jason is that the entertainment industry in Lusaka is a safe haven for LGBTQ people. Many LGBTQ people work within the wedding, fashion and performance arts (singers and dancers) sectors and attitudes within the entertainment industry are more favourable towards those with different sexual orientation and gender identities.
South African personality and one of Africa’s most high-profile gay celebrities, Somizi Mhlongo, was invited by PR Girl Media to be an official guest at the Lusaka July 2019 polo and fashion event, which confirms Jason’s sentiments about a more open-minded entertainment industry. However, the Zambian government reportedly stepped in to ban Mhlongo from attending the event. In a briefing at the New Government Complex in Lusaka, the Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Godfridah Sumaili, as well as a representative from the National Arts Council and two founders of PR Girl Media, addressed the controversy.
Minister Sumaili said that performance artists had a strong influence in society and had the power to alter public perceptions. She went on to say that ‘the government does not condone a situation where event managers are inviting people with questionable character that might undermine the morals of the land’.
Chishimba Nyambe from PR Girl Media adopted a more conciliatory tone and stated that although she personally admired and supported Mhlongo, Zambia was not, unfortunately ready for him yet. On that note, I asked Jason to elaborate on the government’s position on the LGBTQ community. Zambia’s current president, Edgar Lungu, has said that he will not agree to equal rights for gay people – even at the cost of international aid. I asked Jason if the sentiment held by the president reflected the views of everyone in government or whether some public officials were actively fighting for decriminalising homosexuality. According to Jason, the government – as in so many other African countries – uses the LGBTQ issue as a way of deflecting attention from more pressing problems that result from governance failure. They do this sort of scapegoating with reasonable success. However, Jason has noticed that Zambian society has in recent years become more aware of the government’s deflection tactics. So, when public officials once again highlight the so-called ‘LGBTQ problem’ ordinary Zambians will likely respond: ‘Okay, but what about corruption, poor service delivery and sky-high taxes?’.
Jason also pointed out that LGBTQ activists and civil organisations had been successful in lobbying for gay and transgender rights by focusing on HIV and AIDS. An official government document outlining responses to HIV and AIDS in the country includes the necessity to focus on gay and transgender people. According to the government document, no one in Zambia should be left behind when it comes to fighting HIV and AIDS, including those from the LGBTQ community. The fact that LGBTI people are mentioned a lot in the public health sector can be seen as evidence of LGBTQ civil society organisations’ most successful approaches in lobbying for greater acceptance and inclusion. Intersex people are also being focused on more by the health sector, and the tone on transgender people in the sector has softened.
Zambian LGBTQ organisations have also been successful in creating spaces where people can talk more openly about issues concerning the community. This is so much the case that visibility of LGBTQ people has increased in smaller towns outside Lusaka. Jason refers to himself as part of the ‘old guard’ that paved the way for younger LGBTQ people to be more prominent in pushing for equality. The newer generation is more vocal and more willing to participate in events such as an annual Gay Pride March.
Jason took time to elaborate on some of the bigger obstacles facing gay- and human rights groups in the country. One, he says, is that objective conversations around sexual issues, never mind LGBTQ issues, are not usually widely or openly held. This is because in many sections of Zambian society, the Bible is held as the supreme law. Because religion is so intertwined with politics, matters about sexuality and sex in general are neglected. In order for attitudes to shift in Zambia, there should be a greater focus on the country’s constitution, and enshrining more rights, than an on religious texts. Media houses in Zambia are also partially to blame for the negative perceptions that Zambians have of the LGBTQ community. They are prone to ‘sensationalism’ and often lack ‘professionalism’. It is very easy for anyone in Zambia to create a news vlog in which they can spread hatred and fake news about gay people.
Jason concluded by saying that court action would be the most appropriate way to push for LGBTQ inclusion. Now that the groundwork had been laid in the health sector, civil society and human rights groups had the foundation to build the fight for equality and dignity. ‘LGBTQ people should be humanised. They are tax payers, they have families.’
Zanaco return to action this Wednesday after their continental engagements when they host Power Dynamos in a rescheduled FAZSuper Division Week 11 fixture at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
The match comes four days after Zanaco drew 1-1 at home with last season’s CAF Confederation Cup runners-up RSB Berkane of Morocco in a Group B encounter on the other side of town at National Heroes Stadium.
Zanaco also leave the comfort zone of continental football where they are unbeaten since the start of the 2019/20 campaign with four wins and two draws.
But the seven-time league champions are currently 14th with 11 points from eight games played and four fixtures in hand.
Zanaco also return to league action for the first time since November 23 following a 3-2 Lusaka derby away defeat to second placed Napsa Stars to suffer their third league loss this season.
Meanwhile, guests Power play their second successive away match since November 30 when they beat Lumwana Radiants 1-0.
That match also marked Power coach Perry Mutapa’s debut game after he quit Forest Rangers to replace Gaston Mutobo who was sacked after seven games in charge at Arthur Davies Stadium.
Interestingly, Power head into the match unbeaten in their last three games with a draw and back-to-back wins since Kabwe Warriors defeated them 1-0 at home in Kitwe on November 2.
Those results have seen Power jump from third from bottom to steadily rise eight notches up the log to number nine on 14 points.
Meanwhile, in Wednesdays other Week 11 fixture, 5th placed Green Eagles host Kansanshi Dynamos in their final four-match rescheduled fixture list in which they have so far collected two wins and a draw.
Eagles host new boys Kansanshi Dynamos in Choma seeking a win that will see them exchange places with 4th placed Nkana who are just one point ahead of them on 21 points.
Kansanshi on the other hand head into the game on a seven-match winless run that has seen them collect just four draws and tumble from the top four and down to number 12.
The government says it is open to discussions on the possibilities of abolishing the death penalty.
Vice President Inonge Wina says the Zambian government under President Edgar Lungu has not carried out any execution of individuals sentenced to death by the courts of law.
Ms. Wina says this is because the government respects the right to life.
She says successive Presidents have been commuting death sentences to life imprisonment and that President Edgar Lungu has so far commuted more death sentences to life imprisonment than any other President in the country’s history.
The Vice President said this during the commemoration of the 71st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of human rights on international human rights day in Lusaka today.
Mrs. Wina has since urged the Human Rights Commission to take advantage of the prevailing political and public goodwill to scale up public sensitization on the possibility of abolishing the death penalty.
She also reiterated that President Lungu does not tolerate torture and other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment.
Mrs. Wina further implored law enforcement officers to implement the Presidential directive on the need to immediately stop acts of torture in Zambia.
And United Nations Resident Coordinator Coumba Mar Gadio said periodical cases of political violence as Zambia gets closer to the 2021 elections should make people stand up for human rights.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission Chairperson Mudford Mwandenga noted that Government has largely demonstrated the commitment to meeting its obligation of protecting the rights of inmates.
Mr. Mwandenga has since called upon the private sector and cooperating partners to support Government efforts towards enhancing the rights of persons in detention and Correctional facilities.
Speaking at the same function Justice Minister Given Lubinda said the Ministry is currently considering the concluding works on the anti-torture bill.
Minister of Guidance and Religious Affairs Hon. Godfridah Sumaili during the 70th Anniversary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
The government has directed the family unit and the church to start playing a cardinal role in the fight against corruption.
ZANIS reports that Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili said there is need to raise awareness on the fight against corruption at household and church level.
Reverend Sumaili noted that though corruption may be prevalent in the public sector as opposed to the private sector, there is need for concerted response towards the fight against the vice.
Speaking in Lusaka today, Reverend Sumaili said there is need to start inculcating Christian, national values and virtues in children when they are still young.
“We need to raise awareness on corruption in the family, teach our children at a very early age in the home not to take anything that is not theirs” said Reverend Sumaili.
The Minister stressed that the church should exceedingly preach against corruption because people caught up in corruption also frequent churches.
The Minister said the church must therefore take advantage and talk to its members to desist from engaging in corruption.
She said government alone cannot fight corruption and thus needs the support of all Zambians both in the private and public sectors to do their part and stand against corruption.
The Minister pointed out that government has done its part by putting in place stringent financial measures which are being complied to and is also strengthening systems to curb corruption.
THE Religious Affairs Minister observed that Zambians need to embrace and live by the core values of honesty, hard work, dignity and transparency as enshrined in the constitution to respond to corruption.
On December 9, 2019, Zambia joined the rest of the world to commemorate the international day against corruption under the theme “United against Corruption”.
President Edgar Lungu stated that no one will be spared in the fight against corruption.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya, has today unveiled a new seven-member Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) board.
The new board comprises Beatrice Mwansa, Claire Limbwambwa, Margaret Kaniki Siwale, Sipho Phiri, Chanda Kasolo, Chalimba Phiri and Enita Hamatumbika.
Ms Siliya encouraged the new board members to read and understand the IBA rules in order for them to operate in a fair and honest manner.
She urged the new board members to carefully read the IBA rules and make them as their ‘second Bible’.
Ms Siliya has meanwhile observed that there is need to educate the public about the functions of IBA and the processes and procedures that should be followed when engaging with the authority.
She has meanwhile noted that Zambia, like many other countries, is facing a technological advancement challenge of media convergence where radio and television content can be broadcast live on mobile smart phones from any part of the world.
She has further challenged the new board to work around the laws and regulations so that there are no lacunas in the media operations.
The Minister reiterated that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services is committed to promoting businesses in the media industry while providing regulations that offer a conducive environment for everybody.
And IBA Director General, Josephine Mapoma, told the Minister that there will be a seminar on IBA rules and another on good governance for the new board members.
The members will meet at a later date to choose a chairperson of the board and a vice.
And the newly appointed board members have since pledged to work in accordance with the IBA rules in discharging their duties.
A female tobacco farmer in Kakanda area in Kaoma District in Western Province has urged her fellow women to take up enterprises that contribute meaningfully to national development.
Speaking during a tour of her tobacco farm in Kakanda area, Namakau Sikamutuma said time has come for women in Zambia to engage in various entrepreneurship spheres such as agriculture, which she says is cardinal for national development.
The tobacco farmer, who spoke through her translator Bridget Ngoma, said as a result of engaging in farming in Kakanda area, she has employed five seasonal farm labourers on her one hectare farm.
Ms Sikamutuma added that through her tobacco farming she has managed to build two houses on rent in Kaoma’s main business District (CBD), purchase two vehicles and a hammer mill, which she disclosed has helped improve her family’s living standards.
She attributed all this to the technical support rendered to vulnerable tobacco farms in Kaoma by Japanese Tobacco international (JTI).
The tobacco company has engaged selected local journalists on a field tour of various projects such as farms, schools and clinics that are being supported in the area.
And JTI Production Supervisor Wallace Sakala says his company has so far engaged over 3000 tobacco farmers against the dangers of child labour.
Mr Sakala noted that JTI aims at inculcating better tobacco farming methods, as well as curb child labour, among other programmes.
And Brenda Ngoma, who is also the Leaf Production Supervisor at JTI said as a result of various intervention measures put in place, there is now zero child labour in nearly all tobacco farms in the district.
Ms Ngoma said as a result of intervention measures by her company, most tobacco farmers in Kakanda area are aware of the negative impact that the trend has on children.
President Edgar Lungu has bemoaned the rising cases of sexual and gender based violence among communities in the country.
President Lungu says more sensitization should be carried out so that women are enlightened of their rights.
The Head of State revealed that he is often saddened to hear that cases involving gender based violence are withdrawn without the law taking its full course.
President Lungu stressed that the Police should refrain from reconciling victims of gender based violence with perpetrators, adding that the law should be allowed to take its full course.
The President said this in Kasama when he graced the launch of Natwampane programme dubbed “together to stop sexual and gender based violence.”
And Minister of Gender Elizabeth Phiri says cases of early marriages have become common among communities.
Mrs Phiri said the launch of Natwampane program will help address the vice in the province.
She disclosed that the European Union has donated 23 vehicles to 23 districts in Northern and Luapula Provinces to be used in the sensitization programmes.
Meanwhile, European Union Ambassador to Zambia Jacek Jankowski says the trend of child marriages and gender based violence is not only common in Zambia but the western world as well.
Mr Jankowski said there is urgent need for stakeholders to ensure that they change the mindset of people towards ending the vice.
Earlier, the EU Ambassador called on Provincial Minister Bwalya Chungu to help strengthen the approach used towards eliminating the high cases of sexual gender based violence.
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation has reiterated that it is critical that a lasting solution is found to the Bulk Supply Agreement with ZESCO ahead of its expiry so as to avoid any challenges to the Copperbelt and the economy at large.
In a statement, CEC says the goal remains that there should be continued seamless supply of power to all consumers on the Copperbelt Province.
The statement was issued Tuesday afternoon in reaction to a story published by Lusaka Times following an interview with CEC Managing Director Owen Silavwe in which he raised concern that the company could cease operations by March 2020 if the Bulk Supply Agreement with ZESCO is not renewed.
This was after investigations by Lusaka Times found that there is pressure from some high ranking government officials to force ZESCO not to renew the agreement with CEC, a situation which could effectively force CEC to close its operations.
But in a statement issued by CEC Public Relations Adviser Muntanga Sibalwa, the company said the Agreement between CEC and ZESCO underpins the supply of power to the entire Copperbelt Province customer base including mining and non-mining customers.
Below is the full statement from CEC
CEC CLARIFIES MEDIA REPORTS
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) wishes to correct the misinformation and inaccuracies pertaining to the expiry and renewal of its bulk power contract, its continued existence/operation post the Bulk Supply Agreement (BSA), load management program with mining companies and the position of the Company in Zambia’s electricity supply industry as carried in some media reports, arising from a recent engagement with the media.
Bulk Supply Agreement
The factual position, as was stated during the said media engagement with local media on 27 November 2019, is that the BSA between CEC and ZESCO Limited (ZESCO) underpins the supply of power to the entire Copperbelt Province customer base including mining and non-mining customers; making it critical for the parties to find a lasting solution ahead of its expiry so as to avoid any challenges to the Copperbelt and the economy at large. The goal being the continued seamless supply of power to all consumers on the Copperbelt Province.
Power supply to the mines and load management program
Currently, all the mines in the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces, supplied by CEC and ZESCO respectively, are exempt from the load management program purely for economic reasons, in view of the industry’s critical role as the anchor of other industries in the country, its role as the key foreign exchange earner and the second largest employer after the Government. The decision to continue meeting the mines’ full power requirements is carefully determined through a consultative and coordinated process involving the Ministry of Energy, ZESCO and CEC. Should a stage be reached where the mines would be required to participate in load management programs, CEC explained its willingness to tap into its existing contracts within the region to source power and supplement local supply sources so as to mitigate any potential effect that the power supply gap may have on mining operations.
CEC’s position in the Zambian energy sector
CEC owns and operates power infrastructure and assets worth more than USD500 million covering the Copperbelt Province, including transmission infrastructure linking into the Democratic Republic of Congo, which assets the Company deploys for the economic benefit of the country. CEC will continue to use its assets and capabilities to create value for all its stakeholders and shareholders, by providing value-adding electricity solutions to its primary markets and participating in national programs aimed at developing the sector and achieving an appropriate energy mix for the country. Being the country’s oldest and second-largest power utility, the Company derives value from its asset base, its relationships with generators and consumers as well as its positioning and as a power supplier of choice to its key customer base.
Issued by CEC Corporate Communication For further information, contact: Muntanga Sibalwa
Zambia Police has sternly warned the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) to remove the ‘Police’ tag from their regalia as such maneuvers have the potential to cause anarchy.
This follows Pictures making rounds on social media of UPND cadres wearing reflectors and military attires labeled ‘UPND POLICE.’
Police spokesperson Ester Katongo has told media that if UPND wants to operate in such a manner then they should register as a security company.
“This type of attire shall not be allowed. We only know of one State Police. If the UPND wants to have this name in the security sphere, then they should register it as a security company.”
She added that such behavior only contributes to anarchy.
“Allowing such groupings calling themselves Police contributes to violence because the untrained characters putting on such regalia just like any military-related attire, become violent in their conduct and we would not want to create such an environment.” Mrs. Katongo stated.
She has since urged political parties to regulate the type of regalia they provide to their cadres.
“Political parties should, therefore, regulate the type of attire they wish to provide to their cadres. Such attire in the picture shall not be tolerated.” She said.
