Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Mines Minister Richard Musukwa at the meeting with the Japanese Officials
Mines Minister Richard Musukwa has said that disengaging Vedanta Resources Limited from Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is meant to protect the workforce and engage an investor who will protect the interest of Zambians.
Mr. Musukwa said that the move is not meant to nationalize the Mine, adding that President Edgar Lungu wants to ensure operations at the Mine are sustained and job losses are prevented.
Mr. Musukwa said the liquidator has been discussing with all key players owed huge sums of money by KCM. The mines minister said Government’s intervention in KCM was not made in a haste as the issues at the Mine date back as far as 2013 when the state commissioned an audit into irregularities at the Mine.
Mr. Musukwa said this in Lusaka today when he held a Consultative meeting with various stakeholders who included mining experts to discuss the technical matters surrounding KCM.
Mr. Musukwa said Government realises the need to engage various stakeholders in structuring a lasting solution to the challenges at KCM.
KCM has been limping for some time now resulting in its failure to operationalise Konkola Deep Mining Project(KDMP). The Mining Company further abandoned the upper ore body project at Nchanga which could have extended the Mine life by 25 years.
Other issues include high levels of indebtedness to local and international suppliers.
Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo speaking at the official opening of the Media Self Regulation Insaka
Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo has encouraged ZNBC to host opposition political parties on various programmes.
Mr. Kasolo that this will enable the political parties to share their policies on national issues and offer checks and balances to Government.
Mr. Kasolo said that the national broadcaster has the responsibility to cover all stakeholders in an impartial and balanced manner.
Mr. Kasolo has also encouraged the opposition political parties to accept or request to appear on programs on the national broadcaster to air their views and not insult Government.
He said this in an interview with ZNBC News after addressing staff at the national broadcaster.
Mr. Kasolo further said there is need to mobilise resources to refurbish the radio studios and offices at ZNBC to motivate the workers and improve the working environment.
Shoppers take selfies with the UPND leader at Cosmopolitan’s Mall in Lusaka over the weekend.
There are those of us who believe in the efficacy of Value Added Tax (VAT) as a fairer consumption tax for logical and technical reasons. When correctly implemented, VAT is likely to have a higher positive impact on the economy and society as a whole.
In particular, the benefit of VAT lies, among others, in its ability to promote savings, capital formation and investment which is essential for economic development, jobs creation, business opportunities, social uplift and poverty reduction.
VAT is a tax whose possible negative effect on low income earners can be mitigated through appropriate tax credits/allowances.
VAT is a tax which is relatively cheaper and easier to collect than some other taxes such as the PF proposed General Sales Tax (GST) .
We advise that PF should drop/not implement their unwise and inappropriate idea of replacing VAT with GST.
As we have argued before, GST is penal, more costly and difficult to collect. Overall, the GST introduction is likely to result in the Treasury collecting less tax revenue to support health, education, food security and other social services.
GST will therefore hurt households, the general citizenry, savings, businesses ( small/medium/large companies which will lead to further business closures and consequently more job losses). Without doubt, GST will slow down even further the already declining economic growth.
PF’s poor leadership has already caused so much damage to our country and people’s lives.
As such and for once, PF should listen to our sound advice for the good of our economy and people.
By Frazer B. Musonda
In a recent news item , Hon. Chishimba Kambwili was quoted as saying “Zesco lacks visionary leadership to navigate climate change”. The NDC leader went on to outline how his party “intends to tackle erratic electricity supply, blackouts and loadshedding in Zambia by using coal for power production”. Many would applaud him arguing that, that’s the kind of politics Zambia ought to be practising where opposition politicians will not only criticize but also offer solutions. He was offcourse very right about ZESCO lacking visionary leadership. Not long ago the Lusaka Province PF acting chairperson Paul Moonga revealed that disgruntled PF cadre Komaki was given a job at ZESCO and a Land cruiser. Just like District Commissioner positions, ZESCO is used by the PF government and was used by previous governments to reward cadres with jobs.
The former information minister’s proposed solution however defeats the purpose of “navigating climate change”. Proposing the building of coal power plants to cushion power outages caused by climate change shows his lack of understanding of global warming and climate change. Coal is one of the dirtiest energy carriers that emit CO2 which causes global warming and subsequently climate change. Policy directions in countries that are committed towards the fight against climate change have been inclined towards a drastic shift from coal powered plants to renewables. With plenty of sunshine in Zambia, the NDC’s energy policy should instead focus on solar photovoltaics (PVs).
Solar PVs outperform coal power plants both from environmental and economic perspectives. The levelized cost of electricty from coal power plants ranges between $0.09-0.11/kWh. Solar PVs on the other hand have a levelized cost of electricity ranging between $0.04- 0.07/kWh. With the current prices for electricity in Zambia, both solar PVs and coal fired power plants would run at a loss. That is where government subsidies which are a drain on the treasury come in. The PF government is scared of becoming unpopular by increasing electricity tariffs to cost reflective levels. Low tariffs on the other hand hamper investments into generation capacities because no investor would want to have zero or minimal returns on their investment. The levelized cost of electricity from hydro power plants is the lowest. That explains why whenever they intend to invest into new generation capacity, government invests into hydro power plants. But when the reduction in the capacity factors for hydro power plants as a result of reduced rainfall in Zambia is factored into the calculations for levelized cost of electricity, solar PVs could actually even be competitive.
Perhaps Hon Kambwili should have pointed out that the tax payer’s money that the PF misuse for things such as the 42 Fire engines, the recently acquired presidential jet, PF cadres on government entourages abroad, corruption in the awarding of road contracts e.t.c. could instead have been channeled towards the establishment of solar power plants. That to me would have been one of the prudent ways the PF could have invested unlike some of the unnecessary road projects they have done to get kick backs.
Former Zambia tennis star Kabwe Kanyanta Chipopola has joined the effort to help out the Mufulira based tennis charity Love-40 by donating tennis kit to the junior tennis program.
The veteran tennis player, who was the member of Zambian ITF junior travelling team and a Lusaka region champion, is currently a Director of Junior Tennis Tournament Training Programs at Rye Racquet Club in New York. Prior to joining Rye Racquet Club, he was a Tennis Professional at the New Rochelle Racquet Club. He together with the support of Love-40 charity and Ess Bee Sport – an apparel company has donated ten Zambian colors track suits and t-shirts to the juniors to be used during international assignments. The total donation is worth $900
“I donated to love-40 and Mufulira Tennis Club junior program because I think it’s a really great cause. The kids are doing great job and I am definitely inspired by their hard work, dedication , determination and drive to be the best. They have been winning local tournaments and consequently representing the country well. So it’s very important for me to try and give back as much I can to those kids in the hope that they can in return be motivated” said Chipopola
Mufulira Tennis Club is currently sponsored by Mopani Copper Mines and Love- 40 programme from Dallas, USA headed by former Zambian Davis Cup tennis player Sydney Bwalya. Mopani have been the pillar of the program. They have refurbished the club ranging from the tennis courts to the club house, they are also sponsoring the programme with transportation to various junior tournaments including funding the recent international ITF Junior tournaments that took place in Botswana, Mauritius and Madagascar.
The kit arrived in Zambia on 17 May, 2019 and will be ready to be used by children currently participating in the Love-40 youth tennis programme at the next international tournament..
“We are very thankful to Mr. Chipopola for making this amazing contribution toward the program. ” Love-40 president Sydney Bwalya said. “This is a truly perfect gift for our kids and we hope the goodwill will motivate each and every junior in the program and hopefully inspire other well wishers.”
Mufulira Tennis Club hosted this month junior tennis tournament on Saturday 25 May, 2019 sponsored by BESTLINE Company.
ZESCO Muzuma substation being upgraded to KV 330 (from KV 220) in order to be connected to the national grid as soon as the Maamba coal plant station is commissioned
Government must consider partially lifting the suspension of the tariff application made by Power Utility Company Zesco to the Energy Regulations Board, the Zambia Energy Forum has advised.
Zesco Limited has circulated a notice informing the public of the commencement of load shedding due to lower water levels in Lake Kariba and Kafue basin.
The Company has also sought to engage some stakeholders with a view to building some form of consensus on how to minimize the impact of load shedding on the economy.
Johnstone Chikwanda, the Forum Chairperson has urged Zesco to consider engaging government and the Energy Regulation Board with a view to re-activating the tariff application.
Mr. Chikwanda said this should be done whether in totality or in form of an amended version to procure more electricity from Independent Power Producers or import from the region.
He noted that with Zesco depending on hydroelectricity by more than 90 percent, the utility is not well positioned in view of climate variability.
“However, government is commended for acknowledging this vulnerability and embarking on sector reforms which have seen other forms of energy such as thermal and solar being incorporated in the energy mix”, Mr Chikwanda has said.
He has also commended ZESCO for taking a proactive role regarding consultations on how to minimize the impact of load shedding on the economy.
Mr Chikwanda said the circumstances ZESCO finds itself in is very unfortunate and sad because load shedding programme will cost the Company colossal sums of money in lost revenue.
“On the other side, the cost of the impact of load shedding on business cannot be underplayed. Load shedding also affects households. Load shedding affects the bottom line of both Zesco and industry. This will affect GDP to some extent if not well coordinated”, he has said.
Mr Chikwanda noted that what is even more worrying is that it is not clear when the load shedding programme will come to an end because we do not know when the water levels will improve.
He has said it may perpetuate throughout this year and extend to 2020 unless certain measures are agreed upon.
“The state of the energy security in the SADC region is not satisfactory at all given the number of households with no access to energy”, he has said
Mr Chikwanda has said this state of affairs has been aggravated by cyclone Idai in Mozambique which knocked out 900MW from the grid which feeds the region.
He has said that South Africa has also been experiencing some load shedding in recent months and the extent of energy poverty not only in Zambia but Sub Sahara Africa (SSA) is devastating to say the least.
The recently announced increase in the Monetary Policy Rate by the Bank of Zambia indicates that Zambia’s economic performance has continued to deteriorate on account of fiscal pressures limiting monetary policy interventions, a Trade and Policy Think Tank has said.
Bright Chizonde, a Researcher at the Center for Trade Policy and Development says Zambia’s inflation is expected to increase while exchange rate depreciation will further increase debt service payments with economic growth projected to showdown.
Mr. Chizonde said Zambians are therefore expected to continue facing hard economic times, with poverty levels escalating if fiscal corrective measures are not urgently implemented.
The Bank of Zambia last week raised the Monetary Policy Rate to 10.25 percentage from 9.75 percent in a bid to stabilize the deteriorating currency and support macroeconomic stability.
He noted that in the absence of corrective measures on the part of the Ministry of Finance, as indicated by the ever-widening fiscal deficit now at 7.6% of GDP instead of the targeted of 6.1%, which reflects higher than programmed spending on capital projects and debt servicing on external and domestic loans, Zambia continues to register reduced investor confidence and negative market sentiments.
Mr. Chizonde said this has increased pressure on monetary policy as indicated by an increase of yield rate on government securities.
“During the first quarter of 2019, Treasury bill yield rate increased to 22.6% from 21.4% due to negative market sentiments associated with Zambia’s sovereign credit rating downgrade in February 2019. Demand for government securities at auctions remained weak during the first quarter of 2019”, He said.
He has since recommended for urgent and effective implementation of fiscal adjustment measures in order to put fiscal deficits, debt levels and debt service payments on a sustainable path.
Mr. Chizonde said this is the only way to restore both domestic and international investor confidence adding that government should engage in extensive consultations with technocrats, private sector players, international Institutions such as the IMF and indeed local and international civil society organizations in order to find remedial and long-term solutions to the current economic situation.
Premium Audit Consulting awarded by Romania International Development Cooperation Agency (RoAid) with a development grant for a pre-feasibility study as a preliminary tool in the Smart City Program; a housing project and aid to the development and upgrade of compound areas in Lusaka. The Smart City Program is an initiative to establish the means for a sustainable development of Lusaka.
The General Director of RoAid, Mr Catalin Harnagea accompanied by a delegation from the Embassy of Romania to the Republic of South Africa arrived on Tuesday for a three day visit in Zambia to meet with Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lusaka City Council to initiate dialogue on the Smart City Program. “Our mission is to contribute towards the global efforts of sustainably alleviating extreme poverty and supporting stronger democratic institutions in developing countries, by sharing our own experiences”, stated Mr Harnagea. The Pre-Feasibility study is the first step in the process to developing a strategic plan for the urbanization and eradication of slums in Lusaka.
In a meeting with the delegation, Minister of Local Government, Hon. Vincent Mwale highlighted that the population of Lusaka is on the increase and in dire need of housing. “A large percentage of residents are living in very poor conditions with insufficient supply of clean water and poor waste management causing a threat to public health”, stated Hon. Vincent Mwale. Discussions with stakeholders and ministries will continue to establish policies, methods and strategies of the Smart City Program.
Area Member of Parliament Jonas Chanda Meeting the 1,000 displaced residents.
A Ndola Businessman of Somali Origin has issued an eviction order and demolition order for Old Regiment Community School located at Old Regiment Township claiming the school is built on his land.
The Community School which goes up to grade 7 is the first and only school in Old Regiment built by the Community themselves since the settlement was established in 1963 and currently has over 500 pupils.
Bwana Mkubwa PF Member of Parliament Dr. Jonas Chanda confirmed the development and said the talk now should be about upgrading of the school to grade 12 and not demolition.
“The greatest resource of any nation are its young people. And the most important investment a nation can make in the lives of its children is education, which is a great equaliser in Life. “IMITI IKULA E MPANGA.” It’s only Education that will produce the needed human or intellectual capital to develop Zambia”, he said.
Dr. Chanda has reminded the said businessman that demolishing the school will amount to destroying the lives and the future of over 500 children.
Dr. Chanda who has opposed the intention to demolish the school said he will take up the matter to parliament and has appealed to government to halt the planned demolition and save the poor people of Old Regiment settlement.
“Old Regiment settlement was established in 1963. People have lived at Old Regiment for 56 years, long before any so-called investor could lay any claim to this land by engaging lawyers and obtaining titles on this “untitled” land. The ruling PF party policy talks about upgrading of Informal settlements by providing basic services to the people, not demolitions”, Dr. Chanda added.
Two years ago, there was another eviction order given to another foreign oil marketing company to demolish the entire Old Regiment settlement which could have resulted in the displacement of over 5,000 people who have lived there for 56 years and have put up various developmental infrastructure like houses, churches, bars and stores among others.
“The Law is very clear on any investor who wants to buy land where people have settled for years. First, a social survey has to be conducted to determine what investments residents have put up and the cost. Then a prospective buyer has to negotiate with residents and compensate them if they wish to sell off their properties. And finally, an alternative place has to be found for displaced but compensated residents”, Dr. Chanda said.
He has since urged Ndola City Council to find alternative land for this so-called investor further appealing to government not to allow such acts meant to incite people to rise up against government.
Dr. Chanda has also called on the Ministry of Local Government to Legalise Old Regiment and other informal settlements where people have lived for many years so that the poor are not exploited by the urban rich and their cohorts.
He said the Ministry of Lands should also expedite the finalization of the first ever National Land Policy so that ownership of land by Foreigners is highly restricted and only given to credible investors especially those in the manufacturing industry who are creating jobs for Zambians and contributing to the Country’s economic development.
A Consortium of Civil Society Organisations has proposed that as President Edgar Lungu holds an Emergency Cabinet meeting this week, government needs to take immediate action to improve cooperating partners’ and investors’ confidence in the markets through robust financial management.
The CSO’s said this must include implementing long overdue financial oversight reforms, improving transparency on pipeline debt and revising the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and the revision and enactment of the Loans and Guarantees Act and the Planning and Budgeting Bill respectively which would also serve to achieving this objective.
They have also noted the need for Government to implement a genuine austerity budget for 2020 and begin to undertake austerity measures immediately, take a number of policy decisions to address Zambia’s debt and promote private sector-led growth.
Below is the full statement
Zambia’s Economic Outlook
We as the undersigned civil societies organisations (CSOs) welcome the decision of the President, His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting this week to discuss the country’s economic outlook as well as its current debt situation.
In light of the country’s high poverty rates we are concerned that the country’s negative economic outlook will have the most negative effect on women and youth. In anticipation of this meeting, therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight key issues the we hope will be discussed during the meeting.
Country’s economic outlook
This year, the country’s poor harvest and global economic slowdown have left the economy vulnerable, with growth forecasted to slow to 3.1% which is too low to achieve meaningful reduction in poverty. Further to this, the instability over the last few weeks has seen the Kwacha depreciate against the US Dollar to one to 14. Inflation is therefore forecasted to increase above the 8% threshold which will result in increase in the cost of goods and services.
An increase in the cost of living for ordinary Zambians is particularly burdensome for poor Zambians who are already burdened with high living expenses. According to JCTR, the Basic Needs Basket for a family of five in urban areas is currently costing a household ZMW 5,519 for a month which is way above the average income of most poor households.
Country’s debt situation
It is important to realise that the concerns above are not taking place within a vacuum. The country’s debt situation remains at the heart of many of the economic problems we see today, and many citizens are beginning to recognise this. According to a perception survey that was undertaken by the Consumer Unity and Trust Society in October last year, 75% of Zambians expressed concern about the country’s debt situation. Citizens indicated that rather than notice the benefit of debt in the form of infrastructure improvement, they were increasingly associating it with increased taxes and charges, increased prices and poor delivery of social services.
In the first quarter of 2019, debt increased by over $125 million. The country’s national debt currently stands at over 70% of GDP. With over one in four Kwacha budgeted for debt servicing as indicated by the 2019 national budget, debt has created liquidity problems in the economy and thereby contributed to a loss in investor confidence forcing Government into harmful policy decisions.
In order to address the debt situation, we believe that the Government should consider the following steps:
Firstly, Government needs to take immediate action to improve cooperating partners’ and investors’ confidence in the markets through robust financial management. This includes implementing long overdue financial oversight reforms, improving transparency on pipeline debt and revising the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. The revision and enactment of the Loans and Guarantees Act and the Planning and Budgeting Bill respectively would also serve to achieving this objective.
Secondly, Government needs to implement a genuine austerity budget for 2020 but also begin to undertake austerity measures immediately. Social protection spending to Zambia’s most vulnerable citizens, however, must be protected, meaning that Government must look to cutting emoluments, reducing capital investment (such as suspending plans to launch a national airline), and streamlining social spending where there are opportunities. Examples include continuing to reduce the Food Reserve Agency reserves as well fully rolling out the e-voucher FISP programme.
Thirdly, Government must take a number of policy decisions to address Zambia’s debt and promote private sector-led growth. It must look to dismantling pipeline debt and restructure existing debt through meaningful discussions with China. In addition, Government must look to empower the private sector as the engine of growth, rather than infrastructure spending: this means resolving issues with the mines and improving linkages with domestic firms, dismantling arrears to improve liquidity in the economy and improving access to finance for SMEs.
Taking these steps will allow Government to refinance its debt to relieve the pressure of debt servicing on the budget and wider economy. This could be done with the support of the IMF, who would be brought in to provide technical assistance, or on the markets, who will have confidence in a country with a clear plan for fiscal sustainability and achieving its economic potential.
Other issues which, in our view, need urgent tackling include the following:
Sales Tax: it is important to discuss how the Government seeks to address the inflationary impact that Sales Tax will have. Stakeholders have urged the Government to consider delaying its implementation in order to allow the Government time to fully develop a model the that will have the least negative impact on growth, inflation, trade, jobs and revenue. According to ZIPAR, research indicates that the effective tax rate under Sales Tax will likely be 23%, up from 13% under VAT when accounting for exemptions. Pushing up prices will harm businesses and consumers and result in job losses.
Mines: it is important to discuss how the Government will seek to resolve the standoff between the Government and the mines. Mines are the largest source of foreign exchange in Zambia. Foreign currency is needed for debt repayment and stabilising the economy from shocks. At present the country’s foreign currency reserves stand at $1.43 billion which translates to 1.6 months import cover. In the first quarter we saw that copper production had contracted by 11.3% in the first quarter.
Domestic Arrears: it is important to support the private sector by settling debt payments owed to them in a timely manner. This will ensure that these companies are profitable and are able to contribute to economic growth, rather than cease operations due to liquidity challenges and lay off workers.
As civil society we are of the view that this meeting can contribute to undoing the harmful effects of recent policy on the economy and lead Government to setting out a roadmap that will look to address Zambia’s debt and restore long-term growth in the interests of ordinary Zambian citizens.
We call upon the President to consider broadening the consultation on the economy by engaging local think tanks and civil society organisations that have actively been monitoring economic performance. As civil society organisations we stand ready to support Government to make the necessary decisions to return the country to sustainable growth and look forward to hearing the outcome of meeting with the Cabinet.
Signed by: Consumer Unity and Trust Society Centre for Trade Policy and Development Alliance for Community Action Oxfam Action Aid Civil Society for Poverty Reduction Non-Governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council
National Democratic Congress leader Chishimba Kambwili has urged Government to immediately consider reversing the liquidation of Konkola Copper Mines(KCM).
Mr . Kambwili said that the best option currently is for Government to either appoint a receiver or embark on a rescue route and plan for KCM, adding that the liquidation of KCM is only meant at benefiting the interests of a few selected crooks and that the liquidation of KCM is one quick way of stealing money by the Lungu administration.
The NDC leader further questioned government’s morality of appointing a PF lawyer as KCM liquidator.
Mr Kambwili said that liquidation is an enemy of workers and should never be supported.
The NDC President said this in Chingola during an interview on iwave radio program, a private media outlet.
Mr .Kambwili said that he will this week officially write to President Edgar Lungu and ZCCM-IH to halt the liquidation of KCM because if liquidated, hundreds of miners at KCM will be left in the cold.
Mr. Kambwili added that government should have also alternatively considered bringing an equity partner to take over KCM, noting that by placing KCM under liquidation, it is clear that President Lungu does not care about the workers.
He has advised unions in the mining sector to be proactive and reject the liquidation of KCM and wondered why unions in the extractive sector had welcomed the liquidation of KCM.
The NDC leader observed that it is naive that unions in the mining sector could celebrate the liquidation of KCM when it will only bring misery to their members.
Mr. Kambwili has urged miners to rise up and defend their interests and that he fears that miners will soon stop getting paid.
And Mr. Kambwili has further disclosed that the Lungu administration wants to hand over KCM to the Chinese. Mr. Kambwili is requesting miners not to allow the Chinese to take over KCM.
He has described Chinese working conditions as extremely exploitative and that most Chinese investors have no regard for workers rights and interests.
The ruling Patriotic Front (PF)’s Central Committee met yesterday at State House and was chaired by the Republican President and Party President Edgar Lungu. The meeting was also attended by Republican and Party Vice President Mrs Inonge Mutukwa Wina.
According to a statement released to the media by the party’s media director, Mr Sunday Chanda, party focused on enhancing intra-party Party unity and that the Party’s Deputy Secretary General of the Party Mumbi Phiri will address the media in the course of the week.
The party did not discus all the agenda items, but adjourned the meeting to 2nd June 2019 to deal with remaining agenda items.
The statement further said that the the issue of former UPND Vice President Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba and that of Lusaka Lawyer Kelvin Bwalya Fube and Julius Komaki were not discussed at yesterday’s meeting.
While certain quarters have made it a full time vocation to spread messages of doom and gloom and spread negative sentiments about our country, the reality is that while we could definitely improve in certain areas and we may have some hiccups here and there, Zambia’s outlook is definitely positive.
CNN LISTS LUSAKA AS ONE OF AFRICA’S FOUR MUST-VISIT-DESTINATIONS
Cable News Network (CNN) the American based television news channel has listed Lusaka as among the destinations American and other international tourist need to visit.
In an article entitled “Four Africa city destinations you should visit right now” written by Bert Archer and published on the CNN website on 17th May 2019, Zambia is described as “having the world’s fastest-improving economy” (according to the World Bank) and one of the friendliest countries on the continent as it lists a number of tourist sites in the capital, including First President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda’s house in Chilenje.
The three other African destinations recommended by CNN as the best African cities to visit are Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire and Dakar in Senegal.
AfDB SAYS ZAMBIA IS ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMING PORTFOLIOS
It is not just CNN that has been attracted to the many positives of Zambia.
Dr Kapil Kapoor,the Director General, Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office, of the African Development Bank (AfDB)was recently in the country to hold bilateral talks. During his visit, Dr, Kapoor said the AFDB is pleased with how Zambia is implementing its funded projects adding that the USD1Billion investment Project portfolio being implemented by Zambia is impressive.
Dr Kapoor said “The AfDB funded projects are spread across a variety of various sectors and they are mostly dominated by infrastructure, so it is largely Transport, Energy ,Agriculture, and it’s a portfolio that’s actually doing very well”.
The AfDB executive went on to reveal that “The Zambian portfolio is actually one of the best performing portfolios across the bank”.
“Sometimes there is a lot of attention that is paid to new money that comes, but actually, if you look at what’s really important, it is how the country is implementing the projects and programmes it has already received. And so I’m pleased to report that Zambia is doing very well in this regard” Dr Kapoor said.
While all the 24 AfDB funded projects that have been established in Zambia in various sectors across the country, including Agriculture, Education, Water Supply and Sanitation, Infrastructure and Roads and Bridges, Energy, Environmental Protection, climate change, are all important areas, the PF Government of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is committed to paying a lot more attention to supporting the private sector, in order to accelerate even further growth as we look to transforming Zambia into a middle income country by the year 2030, as per Vision 2030.
Accordingly, AfDB has this year allocated US$700 million to supporting private sector growth in Zambia, aimed at stimulating growth across the entire value chain.
Dr Kapoor’s observations on the PF Government of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s positive performance and stewardship on the implementation of AfDB funded projects reflects the PF governments passion to improve the ordinary Zambian’s life through infrastructure development.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT; A PRECURSOR FOR INDUSTRIALISATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Power (energy), transportation (road, rail, air, maritime), portable drinkable water and sanitation – sometimes referred to as “hard” infrastructure – are of paramount importance to the economic growth and development of any country.
This is the reason why the PF government – under the leadership of the late President, His Excellency Mr. Michael C. Sata (MHSRIP) and now under the able leadership of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu – remains resolute to deliver infrastructure development as a means of bringing about inclusive economic growth and development, and improved human wellbeing.
For the Patriotic Front (PF) as per our comprehensive manifesto, infrastructure development is critical in achieving Zambia’s objective of becoming a prosperous middle-income country by the year 2030 as enshrined in the Vision 2030 and other national strategic documents.
A SENIOR BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIAN’S COMMENTS ON ZAMBIA
These efforts have received local and wide international recognition. Fairly recently, British politician Sir Richard ottaway commenting on Prince Harry’s visit to Zambia said:
“Zambia is a country rich in resources, which provides a business-friendly environment, where government and global companies are welcoming the opportunities provided by its market access across southern Africa”.
Sir Ottaway described Zambia under the Patriotic Front Government of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu:
“A vibrant, democratically stable, environmentally aware nation and one of the main success stories of post colonialism”
Conclusion
As a pro-poor party, the PF government believes that broad-based development and poverty reduction is about – among other things, meeting basic needs such as portable drinkable water, Health Facilities, Educational Institutions, food, as well as decent and affordable shelter and sanitary services. This is critical in order to bring about smart and sustainable urban development for a Zambia without slums. The PF is leading the delivery of these mega “human-centred” development programmes through public and private channels such as the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
By the time the L400 project aimed at expanding and upgrading some Lusaka roads to bituminous standard is concluded; and by the time the US$389 million Lusaka Decongestion Project (LDP) aimed at decongesting the city by building and expanding roads, fly-over bridges and overpasses, is commissioned around 2020, Lusaka will not only be one of the must-visit cities in Africa but in the world.
By the time all the AfDB projects and other bilateral, multilateral and government initiated infrastructure projects are concluded; and by the time the current PF driven Economic stimulus package for the Copperbelt is in full swing, Zambia will be a country that will be highly industrialised and diversified, and the standard of living and quality of life for the ordinary Zambian will be better than it has ever been.
It has been said ordinary politicians only plan for the next election; while statesmen cater not only for the current generation, but they plan for future generations as well.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is a Statesman; The Patriotic Front will not be swayed by myopic politicians only focussed on winning the next election by spreading negative sentiments.
HAKAINDE Hichilema has no solutions to problems in the mining sector but his interest is to ensure he becomes republican President for his business partners to buy the mines, Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba (GBM) has said.
Mr Mwamba said claims by the UPND leader that he had solutions to the problems facing the mining sector were false but that his interest was to buy the mines with his partners once he becomes President.
“Now, if the mines are bought by his business partners, how is he going to stop them from exploiting Zambians. So be careful that man does not mean well.
“You will regret voting for him. He will actually bring confusion and division,” he warned.
Mr Mwamba has said he was confident that President Edgar Lungu would find solutions to the problems and challenges facing the mining sector and other areas of the economy.
He said, instead of listening to the lies of disgruntled politicians who had resorted to lying in order to win the support of the people, Zambians should support President Lungu.
He said, with the support of Zambians, President Lungu would set the stage for economic recovery and national development, especially that he was an objective, mature and humble leader.
”Let us support President Lungu, he will find solutions to the problems in the mining sector. Let us help him. Unlike Hichilema, President Lungu is humble and listens to the people. Have you seen what he has done at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)?” he said.
And the former UPND vice-president has warned National Democratic Congress (NDC) Consultant Chishimba Kambwili and other opposition leaders being courted by UPND to be careful because they will be kicked out unceremoniously after being used.
And Mr Mwamba has said he is confident that President Edgar Lungu will find solutions to the problems and challenges facing the mining sector and other areas of the economy.
Mr Mwamba said Mr Kambwili and other opposition leaders being courted to work with the Hakainde Hichilema will regret after realizing that they were being used for money and their supporters.
Mr Mwamba speaking on Friday afternoon at Buchi Hall in Kitwe when he addressed former UPND members who had defected to PF after he was expelled from the opposition UPND.
He said in the four years he had been in the UPND, he had gone through trials and temptations until they decided to expel him after using him, his money and his supporters
Buildcon coach Srdjan Zivojnov has disclosed that their debut continental qualification party ended on Sunday and they should be back in training on Monday afternoon to start preparations for the 2019/2020 CAF Confederation Cup.
The Ndola side finished 0-0 away against a determined sixth placed Power Dynamos away at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe in both sides final Pool B match.
Buildcon’s draw means they finished second in Pool B on 31 points, two ahead of third place Nkwazi who also finished by the same margin away at Lumwana Radiants.
It is a meteoric rise for big spenders Buildcon who just three seasons ago were playing Division One football.
“First of all I want to congratulate my players because they fought very hard the last four months and we have reached our target. I am happy that my players have qualified for continental for the first time,” Zivojnov said.
“But tomorrow afternoon (Monday) we must start to plan for continental because it’s coming very soon. This is our first time and this is now a very big job.”
Buildcon join Zanaco as Zambia’s CAF Confederation Cup envoys.
Zesco United and Green Eagles will play in the CAF Champions League.
Preliminary round matches of 2019/20320 continental action will commence this August.
26/05/2019
POOL B
Power Dynamos 0-Buildcon 0
Circuit City 1-Nkana 0
Forest Rangers 1-FC MUZA 2
Lumwana Radiants 0-Nkwazi 0
Napsa Stars 0-Green Eagles 0
