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FILE: His Excellence President Edgar Lungu delivers his speech during the official opening of the third session of the twelfth National Assembly
President Edgar Lungu has said that the government will listen to citizens’ concerns over the proposed mining activities in the Lower Zambezi National Park.
President Lungu said that the people’s accounts must be taken into consideration as he leads a people-driven government, adding that the government’s power is derived from the people and their views must be respected.
Speaking to ZNBC News, President Lungu said he has not been hesitant to reversing decisions made in the past and that he will not shy away from doing so if the people’s will prevails.
He said he will not engage in finger-pointing at anyone but will instead act decisively in the interest of the nation.
Various individuals and organizations have petitioned government over a court decision to award mining rights to Zambezi Resources Limited to start mining operations in the Lower Zambezi national park.
Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has urged citizens to find time and test for cancer and other diseases, adding that he is concerned that cancer cases have continued to be on the rise.
The Head of State said that there was a need for constant medical checkups in the advent of high cases of prostate, breast and other forms of cancers.
The President said t6hat early detection and treatment of the disease can bring about better outcomes.
President Lungu said this after participating in the Price Water House Coopers race to beat Cancer in Lusaka.
After addressing the participants, President Lungu inspected infrastructure at East park mall.
Earlier, Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya thanked President Lungu for encouraging Zambians to take part in physical exercises.
And Price water house Coopers Partner Andrew Chibuye said his company will continue supplementing government efforts in the fight against cancer.
Zambia Under 23 on Friday completed their three –week, pre-tournament training camp in Lusaka on Friday with a friendly win on the eve of their departure for the 2019 U23 AFCON .
Young Chipolopolo beat Young Arrows 2-0 at Nkoloma Stadium on Friday morning.
Zambia Under-23 debutant and Nkana prospect Oliver Lumbiya scored a brace for Zambia.
With plans shelved for the teams’ one-week Spain camp shelved due to funding, Zambia will now be one of the first teams to arrive in Egypt ahead of the 2019 U23 AFCON that will be held in Cairo from November 8-22.
Beston Chambeshi’s team will depart for Cairo on Saturday night.
The team’s first Group B match will be on November 9 against South Africa before playing defending champions Nigeria on November 12 and Cote d’Ivoire on November 15.
Group A comprises of Mali, Cameroon, and Ghana and hosts Egypt.
The top three finishers at the tournament will qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
Dear Zambians it’s with sadness that I share with you that my life is now in danger for the story I raised concerning the 80 Black Lechwe that were captured from the Bangweulu wetlands and translocated to private ranches.
Yesterday 31st October 2019 around 12:31hrs, I received a phone call from this number +260953892614 where a gentleman calling himself Mumba asked me why I opened my mouth on the story of the black lechwe when I knew it involved the minister, he said they are aware that the opposition are paying me to destroy PF in Luapula and if I say anything more on the issue I will die. A woman in the back ground was screaming on top of her voice that they will hunt me down and break my legs and make sure I live in a wheel chair
Well the call lasted over 5 minutes with me trying to advise them that threats of such nature whether verbal or physical are tantamount to harassment and criminal offence, I have since brought this matter to the attention of the police but as I sat down today, I took time to think how our country which once boasted of democracy and peace has got to this stage!
Are we being prosecuted because our leaders love us so much they are willing to kill to serve us or has greed and selfishness corrupted minds so much they can no longer tell right from wrong
What does the bible say about death and fear? We are all mortal beings and all of us are bound to die if you kill me today, you will also die one day, we came on earth with nothing so no matter how many mansions you build or wealth you accumulate you will go away with nothing! Alexander the Great, king of four corners of the earth traveled up and about in search of the fountain of youth with the hope of eternal life, alas he died at 32 and left or the treasures behind. What you die for is what matters
Fear being installed in the hearts of activists, it is an evil act from the devil because when we speak for God’s creation, widows and orphans who people like to enslave Ephesians 6:12 says ” we are not fighting against humans, we are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world”
So if this is the battle I am fighting, shall I be afraid? NOT AT ALL! David told Goliath in 1st Samuel 17:45 that “You have come out to fight me with a sword and a spear and a dagger, but I’ve come out to fight you in the name of the Lord all-powerful
Colleagues what is happening in our country is a temptation from the devil and the Bible tells me in 1st Corinthians 10:13 that “you are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted, but God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much and he will show you how to escape from your temptations” meaning God can never give you a battle you cannot fight! Great kings have fallen at the hand of ordinary people which is why it’s important to study if the person you are threatening is anointed or not!
God takes no jokes when evil tampers with his anointed people, holy ghost fire
Is that being said who has more to lose here?
Our late president Michael Chilufya Data, MHSRIP once said, ” if you live in glass houses don’t throw stones”
I’m self-employed, I don’t have a salary, am not fighting for any GRZ position, despite having a car, I walk, I use public transport, I go to public hospitals, I wine and dine with the poor at the lowest level of community
On the other hand those who want me dead are employed by all the citizens of Zambia, they get paid taxpayers money, they are fighting for top positions in GRZ, they have forgotten what it’s like to walk or use public transport, they go abroad for health services, the only time they visit the poor is when asking for a vote so if God the keeper of nations takes his wrath who will lose more?
I’d hate to be the one who drops the big tree because when small trees fall they fall in silence but big trees make noise when they fall so friendly advice to those wishing me dead is let’s make peace before things get ugly
Zambia is a member of amnesty international and a signatory to the international convention on human rights teti chimoneke bwino when I write to them asking for protection against people who hold respectable positions or more still if I write to Prince Harry the patron of the African Parks that manage the Camps were the lechwes were captured from asking him if what I did was wrong nangu Tudor Jones who is also a partner.
By the way am not Mumbi Mukasa who just fell from heaven, I have relatives and friends and they are also watching what is happening, if I disappear, fwenu mukashala mwapwishanya nabo! I have told them your names, mwabababili with names beginning with “Chi”
Special assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Mr. Isaac Chipampe
State House has dispelled social media reports suggesting that President Edgar Lungu will today Saturday, November 2nd, 2019, feature on a special live interview on ZNBC radio and television starting at 19:30 hours.
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, Isaac Chipampe has aid that the social media report is fake news.
Mr. Chipampe said that President Lungu has no scheduled interview on ZNBC as falsely reported on social media, adding that the government is working to ensure that abusers of social media are brought to book.
Mr. Chipampe said that culprits will face the wrath of the law.
President Edgar Lungu shaking hands with UPND members parliamenet Jack Mwaimbu shortly after the official opening second session of twelfth Assembly at parliament
First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala has cautioned parliamentarians never to make statements that can compromise Zambia’s peaceful record.
Ms. Namugala says Zambia is a haven of peace and a host of different nationalities.
She said this in parliament following a point of order raised by Chembe Member of Parliament Sebastian Kopulande.
Dr. Kopulande sought the deputy speaker’s intervention after the leader of the opposition in the house Jack Mwimbu alleged that some foreigners in Zambia are in the position of authority.
Mr. Mwimbu who is also opposition UPND Monze Central Member of Parliament said court cases of leaders whose Zambian nationality has been questioned must be sped up.
FILE: Dr Scott and Wife on holiday at Lower Zambezi National park when he was Acting President
By Sean Tembo
1. In the past couple of weeks, our public discourse has been dominated by the issue of the proposed mining activities in the Lower Zambezi national park. Of course, this issue was brought to the fore when the High Court lifted the injunction that had been imposed against the promoters of this mining project; Zambezi Resources Limited, way back in 2014. The injunction came about when four NGOs and an individual appealed against the decision of the then Minister of Lands & Environment to allow mining activities to take place in lower Zambezi national park. Upon filing the appeal, the then late High Court judge granted an injunction against any mining activities in the Lower Zambezi.
2. The injunction lasted for an inordinate period of about 5 years, primarily because the High Court judge who initially handled this matter passed away (MHSRIP) and the matter needed to be allocated to another judge. However, when the matter was finally reallocated and it came up for a hearing before the High Court, it was found that the appellants made up of 4 NGOs and one individual, had not filed the Record of Appeal, ever since the case arose about 5 years ago.
It is worth noting that the record of appeal is what would have outlined the grounds of appeal, or the reasons why the 5 appellants felt that mining activities must not take place in the Lower Zambezi national park. Understandably the High Court dismissed the case for want of prosecution, due to the failure by the appellants to give their grounds for appeal. What l find strange also is why the High Court issued an injunction in 2014 without the Appellants filing into Court any grounds for the appeal? Or perhaps there is a provision somewhere in the ZEMA Act which states that once an appeal is filed to the High Court against a Minister’s decision, then such appeal shall act as a stay until it is discharged? I am not too sure as l have not yet read the ZEMA Act in its entirety. Otherwise, if there is no such provision, then it would have been extremely unusual for the High Court to grant an injunction without any grounds of appeal being filed into Court.
3. After the huge uproar that arose after the High Court lifted the injunction on mining in the Lower Zambezi national park, and typical of the lack of leadership that exists on both aisles of this country’s two major political parties; the ruling but incompetent PF and the not ruling but equally incompetent UPND, a blame game gradually ensued between the two delinquents. On one part, the PF accused the UPND leader of having received a payout of $14 million for selling his stake in the holding company of Zambezi Resources Limited, the company that seeks to undertake mining activities in the Lower Zambezi national park. On the other part, the UPND accused the ruling PF of disregarding the welfare of our wildlife and the environment by allowing mining activities to take place in the Lower Zambezi national park. Others even insinuated that the PF influenced the judiciary throughout the injunction so that certain individuals within the Government could benefit.
4. This debate about the proposed mining activities in the Lower Zambezi national park has been so protracted and heated that it has even attracted the voices of our former leaders; KK and Ala Bee, to speak out and issue formal statements on this matter. Of course, both of our former Republican Presidents are strongly opposed to any mining activities taking place in the Lower Zambezi national park, adding to the many other voices including those from civil society organizations and international NGOs such as WWF, CITES, etc. Notwithstanding the fact that all the arguments that have so far been advanced by both our two former Republican Presidents and the NGO fraternity, as well as the main opposition UPND (which by the way never has a concrete stand on any national matter but rather goes with the loudest voices so as to look good), are simplistic.
5. Speaking for myself as Sean Tembo, my view on this matter is that the information currently available is not sufficient for me to take a stand, whether in support or in opposition to the proposed mining activities in the Lower Zambezi national park. I am not a man to go with the loudest voices just so that l can look good in the eyes of the majority, no. Similarly, I am not a man with an inferiority complex such that when other notable individuals like KK and Ala Bee or notable institutions like WWF, CITES, etc., take a stance on a matter, then l would be shy to express a contrary view, no.
6. Among some of the key information that l would want to peruse on this matter before l render my opinion would be the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report which was undertaken by the project promoters. Specifically in the EIA l would like to see the submissions made by stakeholders such as residents of lower Zambezi national park, Ministry of Tourism, NGOs, Ministry of Mines, etc. Here l will focus on how extensive the stakeholder consultation process was during the EIA and that each stakeholder was able to make their submissions without any let or hindrance.
I will also be interested to see if the project promoters satisfactorily addressed each and every submission made by stakeholders. Obviously some of the common concerns of stakeholders would be how the project promoters intend to dispose of poisonous water that is pumped out of the mines without this poisonous water affecting the wild animals, how many people are to be displaced from the envisaged mining area and how the welfare and livelihood of these displaced citizens will be addressed, what proportion of the Lower Zambezi national park the mining activities will affect (it is worth noting that the park and related GMAs consists of more than 30,000 square kilometers and also that a typical mine in Zambia consists of less than 100 square kilometers), the impact of the noise pollution on wildlife and the ecosystem and how it will be mitigated, etc.
7. Indeed, without scrutinizing the questions above, anyone commenting on the proposed lower Zambezi mining project is doing so from a point of ignorance and out of emotions. Suffice to mention that you can never hope to build a prosperous nation by making emotional decisions. You need to make decisions based on facts and evidence. That is not to say that the nation must be rid of all crybabies, no. We need the crybabies like most NGOs and certain unemployed former Ministers cum self-styled environmental activists who will scream blue murder over each and every proposed development whether it is a shopping mall in woodlands or grain silos along Cairo Road, just so as to sound relevant and concerned, but when time comes to make oral and written submissions during an EIA, on why they are opposed to a given development project, they shy away because they lack substance.
In fact, l would not be surprised to find that the four NGOs who filed that appeal to the High Court on the proposed lower Zambezi mining project actually did not make any submissions during the EIA for the project, and just woke up from slumber, which ostensibly could explain why they failed to file grounds of appeal for 5 years. Be that as it may, in as much as the nation needs these crybabies, the nation also requires sober-minded men and women who will scrutinize national matters on their merits and make an objective and sober determination accordingly. Men like me. Otherwise, if sober-minded men and women become shy and are not able to stand up and object to the populist opinions of crybabies, then this nation can never prosper.
8. Perhaps it is now time to look at the pros and cons of proceeding with mining activities in the Lower Zambezi national park. To a large extent, the cons include the risk of environmental pollution. Here, we are talking about a catastrophe similar to the pollution that KCM did to the Kafue river in Chingola. Now, if such pollution happened to the Zambezi river, the catastrophe to people and wildlife would be immeasurable. Suffice to mention that KCM polluted the Kafue river because they were discharging their effluent into the river.
If they were not discharging their effluent into the river, then the river would not have been polluted. Suffice to mention that mining effluent does not have to be discharged into a river and that KCM was just lazy and negligent to discharge that poisonous water into the Kafue River in Chingola. That’s why all the other mines in Zambia don’t have an issue of polluting any river in the manner and fashion that KCM did. In fact, there is readily available technology to recycle the poisonous water that comes out of a mine. I remember l had a client in Botswana who made a fortune specializing in recycling mine effluent water for DEBSWANA mines and supplying it back to mine townships for decades.
The technology is readily available and well-proven. Therefore, the pollution of the Kafue river was as a result of the callousness of KCM and the incompetence and possible corruption of the Ministry of Mines and its failure to properly monitor and regulate the activities of KCM. But simply because KCM polluted Kafue river we are not going to say let’s shut down Mopani, let’s shut down First Quantum Minerals, let’s shut down Chibuluma, etc., or are we?
9. On the other hand, it is an undeniable fact that this country is dependent on the mining sector. Mining is the backbone of our economy. We might wish that it wasn’t but the fact is that it is. KK made efforts to diversify the economy away from mining about 50 years ago, but it did not materialize. FTJ, LPM, Ala Bee, MCS and now ECL all sang or are singing the same song, but the diversification dream has not materialized to date. Mining is and shall remain the cornerstone of our economy for the unforeseeable future. Mining is a sole forex earner.
These other so-called non-traditional exports are nothing much to talk home about. That is the reality on the ground, and if we are going to make progress and prosper as a nation, we need to face the reality on the ground. We wish our economy was manufacturing-driven or agricultural driven or technology-driven but it is not. Instead, it is mining driven. Of course, self-styled environmental activists and other crybabies might not understand this fact, but it’s their job to be emotional crybabies. Just like it is the job of sober-minded statesmen and women to make tough decisions that might not be popular, but are in the interest of the Republic.
10. Given the indisputable fact that our economy is dependent on mining and it is likely to remain dependent on mining for the unforeseeable future, it might interest you to note that our mining capacity has been dwindling over the past years, for a number of reasons. Most of the old mining sites have gradually depleted and have been shut down by mining houses because such sites became uneconomical to mine.
Mopani alone shut down two mining sites this year alone. On the other hand, there have been no new mining sites opened in the recent past, again due to a number of reasons which include the PF government’s unstable policies for the mines including the now-abandoned proposed sales tax project. You see, mining is a capital-intensive undertaking and before an investor can come and pump money into a mining project, they want to be assured that they will be able to recoup their investment, and such recouping of investment can only take place in a stable policy environment.
So if there is an opportunity to open a new mining site in lower Zambezi national park, then such an opportunity must not be dismissed offhand. It deserves to be objectively scrutinized, not using emotions like UPND and its affiliated NGOs, but by using facts. Obviously the starting point to scrutinizing this project is for a fresh Environmental Impact Assessment to be undertaken, given that an inordinate period of time has elapsed since the last one. That is assuming that the project promoters are still interested in pursuing the project.
During such an EIA, all stakeholders must be given an opportunity to make their submissions in a convenient manner. The project promoters must then clearly outline in the EIA how they will address each of the issues raised by stakeholders. From there, the Government should be allowed to make a decision on whether to approve the fresh EIA or not and furnish us with the reasons for whatever decision is made. As we continue to debate this matter however, my appeal would be for all stakeholders to desist from adopting a simplistic view.
This matter is far from simple. On one hand, we are talking about protecting and preserving our fauna and flora and on the other hand, we are talking about enhancing the productive capacity of our mining sector, which is the cornerstone of our economy. Just to put it into perspective, if our mining sector was shut down today, our economy would collapse within a month. When l say collapse, l mean that we would start printing K100 billion notes within a month!
The Author is the leader of the Patriots for Economic Progress(PeP), an Opposition Political Party in Zambia
Deputy Secretary General of the Patriotic Front with her son Chifuka Phiri( To her left) at the Doctors Graduation Ceremony at University of Zambia Ridgeway campus
Deputy Secretary-General of the Patriotic Front has said that she has confidence in the education system that Zambia has to offer and has urged people.
Speaking at the graduating cermony of new Medical Doctors, where her 1st born son Chifuka is among the latest graduates to join the health sector as a Medical Doctor after graduating with a BSc degree in Medicine at the Ridgway Campus School of Medicine, the outspoken Mrs Phiri also urged that those that can afford to pay fees for their children to do so and allow children who are in need access bursaries, stating that her son had attended school without being on bursary.
Mrs. Phiri said her son’s graduation is a beacon of pride and joy for her and her family because not only is her son now a Medical Doctor but that he joins a noble profession that places a high premium on life and health of human beings.
Mrs. Phiri said she is also delighted that her son is a living testimony of the fact that it is not true that all politicians’ children go to school abroad.
She said her son had started and completed school right here in Zambia, attending schools such Kabulonga Primary School and Leopards Hill Secondary School before graduating to the prestigious University of Zambia School of Medicine at Ridgeway Campus.
Mrs. Phiri said the Patriotic Front Government, under the able leadership of President Edgar Lungu was determined to populate the health sector with as much health personnel as to possible and thus had set up a robust human capital development program.
She thanked God that her son was among the many graduates that would be adding value to the agenda of Universal Health Coverage, leaving no one behind, that President Lungu and the Patriotic Front is pursuing.
Zesco United coach George Lwandamina is back on the Chipolopolo bench.
The Football Association of Zambia announced on Friday that Lwandamina has returned to the fold as Chipolopolo technical advisor.
“FAZ has re-enforced the technical bench for the Senior Men’s Football National Team with the inclusion of Zesco United coach George Lwandamina as Technical Advisor. FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala says that the Zambia National Team will also be beefed up with the presence of a video analyst and physical trainer. The FAZ General Secretary says the move has been taken in light of high profile engagements awaiting the Senior National Team in the Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers,” FAZ said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Zambia home-based team will play Namibia in a friendly away in Windhoek on November 9.
The friendly is part of both sides 2020 CHAN preparations for the tournament Cameroon will host this January.
Zambia U17 coach Oswald Mutapa will be in charge of the CHAN team for that friendly and the team enters camp this Sunday in Lusaka.
GOALKEEPERS: Charles Muntanga (Nkwazi), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos)
DEFENDERS: Gift Zulu (Nkana), Zacharia Chilongoshi (Kabwe Warriors), Adrian Chama, Mwila Phiri (both United), Chilimba Moonga (Green Buffaloes), George Simbayambaya (Red Arrows), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars)
MIDFIELDERS: Amity Shamende (Green Eagles), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Benson Sakala (Power Dynamos), Eric Chomba (Nkwazi), Kelvin Kapumbu (Zanaco)
The Bank of Zambia (BOZ) has called for effective ways of linking informal and formal banking services to improve financial inclusion.
BOZ Governor Denny Kalyalya says new financial services such as village banking and savings groups have proved to be effective financial service provider agents in rural and urban areas.
Dr. Kalyalya notes that in recognition of the importance of formal financial inclusion the Central Bank is collaborating with SaveNet to develop channels which will link informal savings group to formal financial services.
He has observed that several regulated financial service providers and mobile money operators have already started designing products aimed at tapping into the market.
Dr. Kalyalya says the BOZ is adopting various initiatives such as facilitating the expansion of the general service access point network of health, education and agricultural organizations through government aimed at enhancing rural financial inclusion.
Dr. Kalyalya was speaking in Lusaka last night during the launch of the 2019 world savings day themed “Be Money Smart: Savings Give Life a Lift.”
And Bankers Association of Zambia Chairperson Kola Adeleke said financial literacy is key for developing countries like Zambia because it has a direct impact on economic growth, sound financial systems, and poverty reduction.
Meanwhile, NATSAVE Chief executive officer Mukwandi Chibesakunda said policymakers can provide tools that increase investments in financial inclusion strategies that address behavioral factors related to savings.
Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Simon Miti has cautioned civil servants across the country that appropriate action will be taken against those found wanting for the irregularities in the management of the payroll, Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP) and social cash transfer.
Dr. Miti urged the Public Service Management Division, Accountant General’s Office, all Service Commissions and the Smart Zambia Institute to set-up their efforts which are showing very positive results by deploying the biometric and another innovative system to curb fraud in the management of the public resource.
The Secretary to Cabinet said this in Lusaka during the firth public senior management meeting.
“I am also directing all Permanent Secretaries to profile funded projects and implement measures to increase the absorption capacity and expedite project implementation. Take note that at the next cluster reporting, you will be required to demonstrate an improvement in this area,” he said.
“Further, concerns have been raised over continued invitations by various ministries for His Excellency President Edgar Lungu to commission projects or programs that are still in conceptual stages and are not ready to commence implementation. This must stop with immediate effect. Let us utilize the services of the public investment planning department in the Ministry of National Development Planning to ensure that our projects are fully appraised and avoid funding gaps during implementation.”
Dr. Miti observed the need to pay particular attention to the recent report of the Auditor General and ensure that issues raised in the report are addressed with the urgency they deserve.
He further directed the Internal Audit oversight committee to ensure that decisive action is taken to resolve the queries raised by the Auditor-General in the report and commend appropriate action against erring officers.
Earlier, Dr. Miti launched the Public Service Vision with an emphasis that the Cabinet Office will put in place a monitoring and evaluation system to track the operationalization of the vision at all levels.
“My office will ensure that necessary measures are taken against individuals or institutions not taking measures to support the attainment of the vision,” said Dr. Miti.
AFCONS Infrastructure Limited the company working on the Lusaka Road Decongestion Project says the project will be completed nine months before the set target.
Company’s Project Manager Subrata Bandyopadhyay has told the Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Dr. Eddie Chomba that the project which was supposed to be completed in September 2021 will be completed in December 2020.
“Sir we were supposed to complete in September 2021 but it will be completed in December 2020, 9 months ahead of schedule.” Mr. Bandyopadhyay stated.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chomba was delighted that he would be giving a positive report back to the Zambians.
“That is very important and I think our people who are the beneficiaries of this project they’ve got to know …They’ve got the right to know and it’s us who go back to them to say that the schedule of works is like this.” Dr. Chomba indicated.
He said it was important for technocrats to report to the Zambian People before being queried by the media.
He shared the view that reports cards should be communicated to the Zambians in all languages adding that beneficiaries of such projects are not just those who speak English.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chomba stated that the Decongestion Project will also take into consideration the safety of street vendors.
And Dr. Chomba stated that government had made ways in mitigating accidents such as that which occurred at Buseko Market a couple of days ago.
President Edgar Lungu says Zambia has a lot to learn from Botswana how that country transfers power after an election without tension.
President Lungu says Botswana has been able to conduct a smooth handover of power from one leader to another since Independence, which he says is commendable.
He also says it is not healthy that the country should experience political tension after elections.
Speaking to ZNBC News in an interview in Gaborone today President Lungu urged parliamentarians to learn from Botswana’s experience and come up with a constitution that reduces tension and ensures an orderly handover of power.
He said all MPs should debate the Constitution bill number 10 which is in parliament with the interests of the nation at heart.
President Lungu who was in Gaborone to witness the swearing-in ceremony of President Mokgweetsi Masisi after his re-election wondered why some MPs shun their responsibility to their electorate and the nation by boycotting parliamentary sessions.
He said it is sad that a certain grouping of Parliamentarians abscond parliament just because they have been instructed to do so by their political leaders.
And President Lungu says the country must avoid the 2016 scenario where the announcement of election results was delayed.
He observed that such a scenario caused panic among citizens.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dora Siliya featuring on Hot FM’s HotSeat radio programme
Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya has said that the Access to Information Bill once enacted will stiffen punishment for people who publish false information.
Ms. Siliya, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, also said that the government would proceed to put in place a Self-Regulation Mechanism for journalists, adding that journalists have failed to meet the deadline to present their own Self-Regulation Mechanism.
Mrs. Siliya said this in parliament when she made a Policy Statement on the Ministry of Information budget.
FILE: The PF MPs based on the Copperbelt during a news conference at Protea Hotel in Ndola
A caucus of Members of Parliament from the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) on the Copperbelt has requested the party through the office of the Secretary-General not to go for a convention in 2020.
The Parliamentarians say going for a National Convention to choose the Party’s Presidential candidate ahead of the 2021 General Elections will not be necessary because there is already a consensus on President Edgar Lungu.
Caucus Chairperson Evans Chibanda has told ZNBC news that the MPs have instead asked the PF Secretary General Davies Mwila to call for a General Council in which President Lungu will be picked as a sole candidate.
The Mufulira lawmaker who was flanked by Chifubu Member of Parliament Frank Ng’ambi and Nchanga MP Chali Chilombo said the Copperbelt MPs have also reaffirmed their endorsement for the President LUNGU as the PF’s 2021 Presidential Candidate.
And Dr. Chibanda said the PF Secretary-General will soon be informed formerly through writing about the Copperbelt MPs’ call for a general council.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ng’ambi said the MPs on the Copperbelt have been motivated by the leadership style of LUNGU and as such would want him to continue for another term.
