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Nevers Mumba addresses the House of Assembly in Cross River State, Nigeria

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Nevers Mumba addresses the House of Assembly in Cross River State, Nigeria
MMD President Nevers Mumba
MMD President Nevers Sekwila Mumba

MMD President Dr Nevers Mumba on Monday addressed the House of Assembly in Calabar, Cross River State in Nigeria where he was in invited by Bishop Dr Emma Isong to be the main Preacher at the Promotion Oil Conference hosted by his Ministry.

Dr Mumba said the House of Assembly was convened for this Special Address, a first in the history of this distinguished Legislative institution.

Below is his full speech 

ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF CROSS RIVER STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY BY THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA, AND PRESIDENT OF THE MOVEMENT FOR MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY, HIS EXCELLENCY REV. DR. NEVERS SEKWILA MUMBA ON 13TH MAY 2019. CALABAR, NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION

Mr. Speaker,

It is my distinguished honor to address such an illustrious assembly of Lawmakers.

I bring you tidings of goodwill from my nation of Zambia. The two peoples of Zambia and Nigeria share wonderful relations from their inception. We both fought shoulder to shoulder to demand for the release of Nelson Mandela and the subsequent independence of South Africa. It is for this reason that within weeks of his release from prison, Nelson Mandela made Zambia and Nigeria as the first ports of call to say thank you.

Unfortunately, twenty-five years later, the young South Africans have missed their history classes and have decided to start killing the so-called foreigners from other African nations upon whose shoulders their independence was secured. Mr. Speaker, the xenophobia that has gripped South Africa has left a huge scar on the conscience of a continent that needs to unite and not to disintegrate.

I am aware that your presence in this house represents more than your individual desire to serve, but falls within God’s mandate for each one of you. A mandate which must be pursued with morality, integrity and great courage.

Mr. Speaker,

In 2003, I stepped into Zambia’s National Assembly for the first time, not only as a Member of Parliament but also as Leader of Government Business having held the office of Vice President of the Republic of Zambia. While it was my greatest joy to serve, I was also aware that I was under the watchful eye of the Lord, God who saw it fit to clothe me with that honor. Today, I have continued to serve my country in the opposition as Leader of the former ruling party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, MMD.

I pray and hope that all of us in this distinguished house are alive to the fact that God has a divine purpose for your presence here. It remains your responsibility to uncover that purpose.
You represent a wing of government which does not only legislate but also holds the two other arms of government to account, the Judiciary and the Executive.

Until and unless you succeed in moral legislation and as an effective watchdog to the other two wings of government, you would have come short of your mandate. To legislate with integrity and to challenge the excesses of the other two wings of government in Africa can sometimes be a nightmare. It demands for great courage.

The international community, African Scholars and commentators have constantly reminded us of the hopeless state of our continent. They have painted the dark and gloomy picture of failure of leadership on the continent. The unprecedented corruption levels, the abuse of democratic tenets, including blatant rigging of elections, the absence of freedom of speech, assembly and association. They have rightly identified endemic poverty, disease and exploitation of the poor. It is with shame that I concede that these observations are unfortunately true. But this is our Continent, we cannot just become analysts of our own doom. We must find a way to turn our mess into a success story. My policy as an opposition leader in Zambia is to fight and differ, sometimes bitterly with the party in government, but when I step outside the boundaries of my country, I put on honorable robes of an ambassador. I speak well of my country and invite investors to come to my country. I have stretched this same policy to Africa. While on the continent, I raise serious concerns of our collective failures but when I visit other continents, I become a defender of my continent.

Africa has been abused. It has been exploited. It has been impoverished by both colonial powers and now, our own ruling class, whom we have entrusted with power to get us out of poverty.

In 2003, not only did I become the Leader of Government Business in Parliament but I was also the first Full Gospel Pastor to become Vice President of Zambia. My ethos is that, “the equitable delivery of goods and services to any people depends on the morality and integrity of its leaders.”

NEW HOPE FOR AFRICA:

Mr. Speaker,

Africa shall become the world’s leader not far from now. We are already classified as the world’s richest continent and rightly so. We are already credited with the fastest growing church in the world. We are already credited with the fastest growing youth population. All the fundamental pillars that make a people to succeed are in place. The greatest deposits of minerals and precious stones are here in Africa. Africa has abundance of water, great landmass for agriculture and a vibrant workforce hungry for work. All this resource is surrounded by fauna, beauty and priceless tourism attractions.

Besides all these gifts from God, we have endured pain, depravation, hunger, poverty, disease and lack of equitable development. We have paid our price. The prison sentence of pain must now come to an end. Scripture says, “Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.” Africa, our morning is at hand.

PREMIUM ON AFRICAN LEADERSHIP:

To answer the problems that surround us, we must DECIDE to place a premium on LEADERSHIP.

  •  Leadership that thinks outside the box.
  •  Leadership that thinks the future of the continent.
  •  Leadership with morality and integrity.
  •  Leadership that invests in our youth and inspires them to take our continent to heights unknown before.

We need a new leadership all around us. The healing of Africa depends on the quality of leaders we choose for ourselves. There is no magic to the rising of the African continent. All the basics are in place, but we must now invest in a strong moral leadership.

But I am also here to raise a serious objection to the assumption that the problems of Africa can be mitigated simply by asking African leaders to implement the right policies.

The current problem of Africa is not a lack of good policies or a lack of funding to implement those policies, but a consistent carelessness in the choice of its leaders. Africa has continued to use flawed electoral processes that keep away the competent, disciplined and honorable candidates from ascending to positions of power. Until Africa places a premium on leadership, all the grand ideas of mitigating the challenges of the continent will only be a pipe dream. I am convinced that, the equitable delivery of goods and services to any people depends on the morality and integrity of its leaders. Until we achieve this, our many good efforts shall continue to be in vain.

THE CHOICE OF LEADERS

Mr. Speaker,

The choice of leaders of morality and integrity is threatened by the alien system of choosing leaders in most of our nations. Democracy operates more effectively in an environment where the voters are educated and enlightened. In most of Africa, the electoral processes serve the interests of the powerful few who manipulate the outcome of elections using money and riding on both the poverty and ignorance of the electorate. I am of the view that in order for my continent to encourage leaders of morality and integrity to lead, we must interrogate and challenge the current electoral processes, which continue to bar those who wish to play by the rules. The question we must not be afraid to answer is whether Democracy in its current shape is helping our quest for a moral leadership on the continent of Africa. To make Africa great, we must invest in great leaders of morality and integrity. We must change the rules of electing our leaders and create new systems, which are not hostile to men and women of integrity. Most electoral systems in Africa favor the corrupt, who are morally bankrupt and have no passion nor heart for their nations. Such politicians forget that rigging elections is rigging the very future of their own children.

Africa is no longer a child. She has now matured at age sixty after birth at independence. We must now choose our own systems as opposed to those systems we inherited from our colonisers. We must be bold enough to choose our own clothes, food and type of education we give to our children. We must make our own laws away from those of the British Crown. We should not be carbon copies of the British. Some of the laws they left with us have caused us more harm than good, because they were meant to serve their interests only. In most former British colonies we have been left to deal with laws like the public order act whose original intention was to stop Africans from gathering and plan their struggle for independence. Today, this piece of legislation has become the darling of Africa’s oppressive regimes. It is now used to deny the opposition permission to hold meetings. African dictators are using it more effectively than the colonizers themselves.

Yes, some practices of the colonizers can still linger on until we find our own paths, but I personally don’t see the wisdom of us still wearing the heavy, hot white wigs our judges and speakers wear in the hot weather of Africa. If we don’t mind the heat, at least we can change the color of the wigs to reflect the color of our hair. It is called growth. It is called maturity. It is called being weaned off the British breast. At sixty, I think we are ready to let go of the British breast. Time to beat our own path is here. We are looking to the African Parliament to deliver us from the shackles of post colonization hang over. But I must confess that Nigeria continues to make Africa proud in many ways. You wear your own clothes, you eat your own food, you watch your own movies and continue to lead the race of Pan-Africanism. Please do not relent.

Mr. Speaker,

I subscribe to the notion that to strengthen democracy in Africa, we need to strengthen institutions of governance and insist on the principle of separation of powers: The Judiciary, Legislature and the Executive. I however hold the view that Africa is in dire need of leaders of morality and integrity. Institutions in Africa are only as sacred as the quality of leaders in charge of nations. Mr. Speaker, I wish to submit that the key to Africa’s healing and prosperity lies in a new moral leadership.

THE ROLE OF THE NEW LEADERSHIP

The new selfless leadership of Africa must courageously undo the lie that Africa is a God forsaken continent whose future is doomed to persistent poverty and subjugation. The new leadership must rebrand and renew Africa’s name. We must repaint the picture of Africa ourselves. Today’s picture of Africa demands that we depend on foreign powers to live our lives. We depend on Europe, the Americas and China to do for us, things we can do for ourselves. My message has nothing to do with minimizing our role in the global community. We must participate in the global debate and economy. We however must not only take from the global economy but we must contribute to it in real terms as equal partners.

MAKING AFRICA GREAT

Mr. Speaker,

It is time that Africa took charge of her economy. Africa is endowed with resources unmatched by any other continent on earth. We have vast reserves of gold, diamonds, copper, cobalt and emeralds of all shades. We must own these resources by adopting the unpopular policy of Donald Trump. Instead of America, we must say, AFRICA FIRST. This means that all our resources shall be managed by us. The London Metal Exchange has no business determining the cost of our minerals here in Africa. The United Kingdom does not even have a single copper mine. To put Africa first, we must be courageous enough to create a single economic market to determine how we value our products.

It is time that Africa wrote her own books. It is time that Africa printed her own business cards. It is time that Africa sang her own songs, and I must add that it is time Africa paid her own bills. The new leadership shall demand a proper place for our continent. That is in front of the line of the continents of the world.

The stories of overcoming all odds are painted across history. In a shocking upset, young David of the bible defeated Goliath. In the recent past, Liverpool football club stunned the world by beating Barcelona when all hope had been lost. Such is life. Africa’s looming upset of the status quo is at hand, but we must invest in a leadership of morality and integrity for this to happen.

PARTNERSHIP

Mr. Speaker,

I wish to express my deepest gratitude to you for the honor you have bestowed upon me and through me, to my party the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and my nation Zambia to be the first Zambian to address this House of Assembly. I wish to extend an open invitation to you Mr. Speaker, other Members of Cross River State House of Assembly and the people of Cross River State to visit Zambia and explore ways in which we can do business together. I have been informed that your state is a leader in rubber, rice and cocoa production. We have similar weather pattern to yours in the Luapula Province of Zambia. It would be to our mutual benefit to explore possibilities of partnership in the production of rubber, rice and cocoa in Zambia. We would benefit from your expertise and hopefully, you shall benefit from ours as well.

CONCLUSION

Mr. Speaker,

I do not take this honor to address this House of Assembly lightly. I wish to place this honor on my party the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, the Government of the Republic Zambia and the people of Zambia. May the Lord our God strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two peoples.
God bless you and may God bless our two Republics.

I THANK YOU

 

 

Hosting a book event at a Chinese building about a novel set in Zambia offends Zambian intellectual

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Hosting a book event at a Chinese building about a novel set in Zambia offends Zambian intellectual
Confuscious Institutute

Respected Zambian Lecturer Sishuwa Sishuwa has taken issue with US-based Zambian writer Namwali Serpell after she announced that she will be promoting her acclaimed novel, The Old Drift at a public lecture at the Chinese Confucius Institute in Lusaka.

In June, Ms. Serpell is due to travel to her home country Zambia on a brief promotional tour of her novel which is set in Zambia.
She is expected to give public lecture at the Chinese Confucius Institute, a building at the University of Zambia Great East Road campus and she will also give another talk to students at the American International School of Lusaka.

But Dr Sishuwa who teaches at the University of Zambia took to Twitter to call out Ms. Serpell and described her decision to host the book event a Chinese run institute as bizarre.

“How bizarre for someone of Namwali’s conscientiousness. Are there no suitable venues in Zambia owned and operated by Zambians that could host her public lecture? Was UNZA’s NELT or Vet Lecture Theatre fully booked? And how about first going to, say, Matero Girls Secondary School?” asked Dr Sishuwa.

He twitted, “The Confucius Institute is indeed located at UNZA, but there is an important difference between its physical location and its ownership and symbolism, one that l imagine is never lost on you. You are going to Zambia to launch a book, set in Zambia, in a Chinese-owned building?”

Dr Sishuwa stated that there are many venues that are central and within a stone throw of the Chinese venue that could have hosted the public lecture.

“Do you think a Chinese or American major literary event in those countries would be held at a Zambian school or venue?”

But Ms. Serpell immediately retorted defending her decision to pick her choice of venues.

“Yup, I live in America. But this particular notion–that an adult novel with sex and violence and political ideas way beyond the ken of young minds ought to be used for “stimulating” them–is universal. African literature, especially, must be “inspirational” rather than art. The Confucius Institute is at UNZA, and the event is being organized by the Lusaka Book Club. We tried to hold it at the Lusaka National Museum but they charged too much for the venue. I insisted the events be free. The timing is only because Thursday is the last day of school.”

She went ahead to challenge Dr Sishuwa and all those that had issues with the venues picked to go ahead and organize alternative venues.
“If you can sponsor/organize an event elsewhere on campus—or a venue that would suit your symbolism better—and that remains accessible, central, and free to the public, go right ahead,” she challenged.

“And what I’m saying to you is that symbolism costs money, effort, and organizational time. I’ve explained how we ended up here. It was not our first choice and it was not by virtue of making a political choice. Would you prefer I do no events at all or charge people to attend?”
She added, “I would also note that I myself did not make any specific choices. And the decision to call out the author of a book on Twitter based on your political hobbyhorse shows a breathtaking lack of awareness about how literary events actually get organized and who sponsors them.”

“And I’ll be completely honest here–the change from the museum to Confucius Center happened without my knowledge, but I said it was fine because I understood it to be part of UNZA. Doing an event on campus means a lot to me. If there are other UNZA venues, PLEASE ORGANIZE!”
She wrote, “Frankly, doing events at home at all is more important to me than venue. The “first” stop is by virtue of timing. I’m flying from a translation center in Canada, arriving on Weds and going directly to AISL to do an event. School closes Thurs. (I should have said no?).”

But Dr Sishuwa responded, “Namwali. Perhaps on a different issue, where you retain the critical distance, you would have seen the point: the breathtaking lack of critical thought in choosing the venue of your public lecture and your first major audience in Zambia. In any case, best wishes.”

“Namwali, if the selection of venue had mattered to you, you would have had the last word in the same manner that you insisted that it becomes a free event. You didn’t organise, but you were not indifferent to the Chinese venue, or to the American venue being your first main stop.”

But the Lusaka Book Club, the event organisers have weighed in the debate and defended the choice of venues.

“Firstly, having hosted a public discussion (not a lecture) for Namwali in 2015, after she won the Caine Prize, she reached out to us in January informing us that she would be coming to Zambia in June and asking if we would be willing to organise a similar event for The Old Drift. She mentioned that the AISL had written to her asking if she could speak to some of their senior students and that the school was open to parents and the general public also attending. We felt a more central location with ample parking and a bus stop would be easier,” says the Lusaka Book Club.

“Our proposed venue was the Lusaka National Museum. Namwali’s concern was that the event be free. The Club’s concern was to successfully host the event and hopefully raise some money for charity. Here on Twitter, we came across a great organisation to support: NaTubelenge.”
“Thus, members agreed to prioritise a cheaper venue in order to leave more money for fundraising. Several members had attended events at the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia and suggested it as an alternative cheaper venue. This seemed fortuitous. We felt that symbolically, the University was accessible and not elitist. The Confucius Institute seemed ideal because we only had to call the centre manager and book. The chairs could also be arranged the way we wanted. Unfortunately, this was as deep as the symbolism went.”
“So the other lecture theatres were never a consideration because we didn’t want to have to start writing to Deans and looking up student timetables etc. Again, the deeper meaning never crossed anyone’s mind. It was just a book discussion at UNZA. That oversight is on US,” the Lusaka Book Club admitted.

“We considered an event for younger readers hosted at Kamwala High School, but anyone who has read Namwali’s writing knows that she writes for adults (The Old Drift is not for your pre-teen son or daughter). AISL event is for A-Level/Diploma students.”
The Lusaka Club has since apologized to those that may have been offended by the choice of venue.

“To all those offended by the enthusiasm of the literature department of a private International school for using their initiative in reaching out to a Zambian author, inviting her to visit their school and said author for accepting the invitation. Nevertheless, we’re sorry for taking the Confucius Institute at UNZA as just another Chinese constructed facility like New Government Complex, Levy Mwanawasa Hospital or NIPA Conference Centre. Also sorry for not wanting to disrupt classes by not picking a lecture theatre.”

Former Kitwe Boys and Evelyn Hone student shines in the USA as Associate Professor

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Former Kitwe Boys and Evelyn Hone student shines in the USA as Associate Professor
Members of a Montana State University student club dedicated to technology education recently earned recognition at a national event. The students are pictured here with their adviser, Gilbert Kalonde, right. Submitted photo.

Former Kitwe Boys and Evelyn Hone Student and Chifubu High School Teacher Dr. Gilbert Kalonde who teaches technology education and research at Montana State University in the US and his students won awards at national collegiate technology and engineering competitions.

Members of a Montana State University student club lead by Dr. Gilbert Kalonde recently earned recognition at a national event.

Technology Education Club members received awards in several categories in the Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Association’s annual competition, which was held in late March at the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The students earned second place in both the technology challenge competition and the problem solving competition and placed third in the robotics competition.

The group was accompanied by Gilbert Kalonde, assistant professor in the Department of Education and Technology Education Club adviser.

Kalonde said he was proud of the students for their efforts.

“The students were very dedicated to what they were doing and worked very hard on their projects,” he said. “They represented MSU very well on a national level.”

The Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Association’s competition is intended to allow students to test their skills and knowledge against other technology education students from around the nation. It is geared toward skills students learn in their degree programs, such as teaching lessons, robotics, transportation, communications, educational research, problem solving, technology challenge and manufacturing.

The Technology Education program at MSU is a multi-disciplinary program of study designed to develop technological literacy through the study of past, present and future technological systems and their impacts on society.

Old guards Roan, Ndola Utd , Modern Stars & Nchanga limping in Division One

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Old guards Roan, Ndola Utd , Modern Stars & Nchanga limping in Division One

Several former FAZ Super Division teams have continued to struggle in Division One Zone 2 with seven matches left to play in the season.

Roan United, Nchanga Rangers, Chambishi, Ndola United and Kalulushi Modern Stars are all limping in the 23-game old season.

Once Stylish Roan are placed ninth on the Zone 2 table with 27 points from 23 matches played.

Roan, who were demoted from the Super Division in 2014, are 28 points behind Zone 2 leaders Kansanshi Dynamos.

Kalulushi and Ndola are in the bottom five of the table with 22 and 20 points respectively after playing 23 matches each.

Nchanga’s chances of making a quick return to the top league appear shattered as they are 19 points behind leaders Kansanshi.

Among old-guards in this Zone only Konkola Blades and Indeni have outside chances of making it to the promotion playoffs.

Indeni are third on the table with 45 points, three above fourth placed Konkola Blades, after 23 matches played.

Gomes are second in Zone 2 with 48 points, seven behind leaders Kansanshi.

Zambia borrows US$11.1 million to boost public finance management

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Zambia borrows US$11.1 million to boost public finance management

The African Development Bank Group has approved an $11.1m loan to support Zambia’s efforts to restore fiscal stability.

The funding was approved by the Abidjan-based African Development Fund in a bid to help Zambia improve its management of public resources.

The four-year project, spanning 2019–2022, will aim to strengthen the capacity of staff in institutions responsible for public finance, economic management, development planning and statistics.

Zambia is pursuing reforms to stabilise its economy by reining in a widening public debt fueled by depreciation of its currency, drought, and commodity price shocks – it is a major producer of copper, the price of which fell by more than 18% in 2018.

The fund is part of the African Development Bank Group, whose latest economic outlook indicates that Zambia’s high capital investment, high debt-servicing costs, and large wage bill have contributed to its fiscal deficit, estimated at 7.1% of GDP in 2018.

Despite a fiscal consolidation programme, last year’s deficit still missed its target – 6.1% of GDP – due mainly to high capital spending, rising debt servicing, and growing arrears.

The country’s debt ratio increased from 25% of GDP in 2012 to 61% in 2016, and high public and publicly guaranteed debt led to Zambia being classified as at high risk of debt distress in 2017.

Mining output in Zambia is expected to increase by up to 5% this year, although lower demand from China associated with escalating trade tensions is likely to further dampen copper prices.

The AfDB says the slow pace of fiscal consolidation in Zambia represents a key downside risk to its outlook and improving debt sustainability should remain a key priority.

An active debt management strategy would help to strengthen confidence in the economy and rebuild fiscal space.

The ADF approved the latest loan in an effort to strengthen institutional capacity in fiscal and debt management, development planning, public investment management, monitoring and evaluation, and statistics.

Kasolo happy with village TV project

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Kasolo happy with village TV project
Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo speaking at the official opening of the Media Self Regulation Insaka
Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo speaking at the official opening of the Media Self Regulation Insaka

Government has described the Village Television Project as successful and yielding intended results.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Chanda Kasolo says the project is helping people in the rural areas to be part of everyday social and economic development of the country.

Mr. Kasolo said people in different communities are able to watch news, soccer and other developmental programs thereby reducing the levels of poverty and illiteracy.

He told Journalists in Mumbwa district after the tour of the village Television Project at Mwembeshi Primary school and Health Center that pupils now have a wider career choice.

Mr Kasolo explained that all the areas he has visited people have described the project as timely and well thought out.

He disclosed that his ministry is currently in discussion with TopStar for another allocation of 500 kits that will be installed in different communities.

“This project is fantastic indeed where it is running without ZESCO polls nearby. Pupils now have a career choice because you cannot become what you have never seen. Even here at Mwembeshi rural health center patients are able to watch news as they waiting to be attended to and we are in talks with TopStar for a possible allocation of 500 kits,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Mwembeshi Primary School Deputy Headteacher Kelvin Lungu said the project has made ICT lessons meaningful and easier to teach.

Mr Lungu said learners are happy with the project which is keeping them abreast with other pupils in the urban areas.

He has hailed government for the initiative and consideration of his School among the 9 thousand schools in the Country.

And TopStar Vice President Cliff Sichone said his firm installed all the 500 TV kits by the fourth quarter of 2018.

Mr Sichone pointed out that TopStar is happy with the feedback from the community as it resonates well with government transformation agenda which his institution is proud to be part of.

500 selected villages, Schools and other community centres across the country received the Village Satellite Television sets under the village Television Project.

UPND says police attempted to arrest HH at Ndola Airport, blocked him from taking off using the airport

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UPND says police attempted to arrest HH at Ndola Airport, blocked him from taking off using the airport
HH confronted by Police Officers at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe
HH confronted by Police Officers at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe

The UPND has revealed that heavily armed State police on Monday evening attempted to arrest its leader Hakainde Hichilema at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe in Ndola on the Copperbelt.

Mr Hichilema’s Deputy Press Secretary Brian Mwiinga revealed that Mr. Hichilema was about to take off to Lusaka but heavily armed State police surrounded and flooded the airport thereby causing commotion.

The UPND President was on the Copperbelt and held meetings with party officials.

Mr. Mwiinga said the Police under instructions also attempted to stop Mr. Hichilema from attending mass at St Joseph Cupertino Catholic Church on grounds that he did not have a permit to do so.

He said at the airport, it was not established as to why the Police attempted to arrest the UPND President and block him from using the Ndola airport.

But the Zambia Police Service says the Police on the Copperbelt did not at any point demand for a permit from Mr. Hichilema to attend Mass at St Joseph of Cupertino Catholic Church in Chifubu Township on Sunday.

“Members of the public may wish to know that whenever any Political leader or any individual with a following visits an area, it is the duty of the Police to monitor the security situation to ensure that law and order prevails. According to the program availed to the Police earlier, the UPND leader was scheduled to attend a church service at Christ the King Pentecostal church but on the material day, which is Sunday yesterday, Police received information that the UPND leader was to attend church at St Joseph’s Catholic Church,” says Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo.

“Upon receiving the information, some Police Officers went to St Joseph’s Catholic Church where they met the Parish Chairperson to verify on the information that Mr Hakainde Hichilema was to attend mass at the said church,” she said.

He added, “The reason for our officers to do so was not to ask for a permit from the UPND but for them to verify whether Mr Hichilema would be at the said Church to attend Mass, the information which was essential for the officers to monitor the security situation.”

“As the officers were inquiring from the Parish Chairperson, there were also some UPND cadres in the Parish Office who at some point interrupted the conversation and asked whether there was need for the permit when it was a church program. We further wish to state that the pictures circulating on social media showing Police officers with Mr Hichilema purportedly depicting what transpired at the church are a misrepresentation of facts as the officers who went to the church were plain clothed officers and not uniformed.”

HH talks with an official from the Airports Corporation at the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe airport
HH talks with an official from the Airports Corporation at the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe airport
HH arriving at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe
HH arriving at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe

NDF adopts electoral system that would provide for formation of coalition government to avoid re-run

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NDF adopts electoral system that would provide for formation of coalition government to avoid re-run
NDF spokesperson Isaac Mwanza
NDF spokesperson Isaac Mwanza

The National Dialogue Forum (NDF) has adopted a presidential electoral system that would provide for formation of coalition government to avoid re-run if no candidate obtains over 50% plus one of the valid votes cast in a general election. This came to light on Monday when a motion was moved by during discussions on secondary issues for amending the Coonstitution of Zambia and the Electoral Process Act.

Speaking during a media briefing, NDF Spokesperson confirmed that the Forum is favourably considering a system that would provide for the coalition intended to amalgamate presidential votes to more than 50% but said the details would be worked out later after careful research.

The Forum has adopted the mixed member proportional system of governance which will promote representation of various interest groups in society such as women and differently-abled citizens, reduce by elections, while maintaining the first past the post for constituency based seats. The system, it was explained was to provide for a system of replacement for a member of parliament and councillor upon vacation other than by reason of a general election
However, Mr. Mwanza said that the Forum resolved to give the mixed member representation time to research in order to come up with the model that would work best for Zambia.

“The Forum also resolved to adopt the provisions to allow Zambians in the diaspora to register as voters and participate as voters without the need for them to physically travel to Zambia for elections. An opportunity has also opened for persons in correctional facilities to vote during elections,” said Mr. Mwanza

Meanwhile drama characterised the last part of the day on Monday as delegates became divided on the motion moved by the Kabwe lawmaker, Tutwa Ngulube, to requiring civil servants to resign 3 years before running for elections. The proposal was largely supported by serving members of parliament but seen as a self-preservation tactic by non-members of Parliament except a few parties like United Nations Independence Party.

WEEKEND SCORECARD: Zambia’s 2019 U23 AFCON qualifier moved from June to September

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Zambia’s 2019 U23 AFCON final round qualifier has been rescheduling from June to September.

Zambia was due to host Congo-Brazzaville on June 5 in the first leg in Lusaka and travel to Pointe Noire for the last leg on June 9.

But CAF has decided to switch the final round qualifiers to September due to the 2019 AFCON that will run from June 21 to July 19 in Egypt.

The qualifier will be played during the September FIFA international match week that will run from September 2-10.

“Following communication by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform the football family that the Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Zambia and Congo Brazzaville that was billed for June 5 will be played in September,” FAZ spokesperson Mwazi Chanda said.

“FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala said CAF had written to FAZ on the postponement of the qualifiers to September 5 and the Association has engaged the continental body on the possibility of hosting the home match on either August 31 or September 1.”

Winner of September’s date will qualify to the 2019 U23 AFCON that Egypt will host this November where the top three finishers will represent Africa at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

WEEKEND SCORECARD

FAZ SUPER DIVISION

WEEK 16

POOL A
11/05/2019
Zesco United 3(Lazarus Kambole 29’34’, Enock Sabumukama 45′)-Red Arrows 2(James Chamanga 4′,Bruce Musakanya 41′)

Zanaco 2(Guily Manziba 11′, Souleymanou Moussa 14′)-Green Buffaloes 1(Diamond Chikwekwe 48′)

Kitwe United 1(John Mwewa 36′)-Lusaka Dynamos 1(Aubrey Funga 34′)

Nakambala Leopards 1(Junior Zulu 24′)-Prison Leopards 1(Patrick Kasongo 90’+1)

12/05/2019
Kabwe Warriors 1(Jimmy Ndhlovu 25′)-Mufulira Wanderers 1(Kwame Attrum 13′)

POOL B
11/05/2019

Nkana 1(Shadreck Malambo 24′)-Nkwazi 1(Mathews Nkhowani 82′)

Napsa Stars 1(Collins Sikombe 48′)-Power Dynamos 1(Luka Chamanga 86′)

Circuit City 0-Green Eagles 1(Spencer Sautu 66′)

Lumwana Radiants 1(Jacob Phiri 55′)-FC MUZA 1(Emmanuel Manda 57′)

Forest Rangers 0-Buildcon 1(Isaac Shamujompa 90′)

TOP SCORERS 2018/2019
LEAGUE
12/05/2019

Laudit Mavugo (Napsa Stars):10

Austin Muwowo (Forest Rangers):9
Jesse Were (Zesco):9
Chris Mugalu(Lusaka Dynamos):9

Adams Zikiru(Forest Rangers):8
Tafadzwa Rusike(Zanaco):8
Rogers Kola(Zanaco):8

Bruce Musakanya(Red Arrows):6
Lazarus Kambole(Zesco):6
Emmanuel Chabula (Nkwazi):6

Simon Bwalya (Nkana):5
Tapson Kaseba(Green Eagles):5
Biston Banda (Circuit City):5
Chitiya Mususu (Zanaco):5
Fred Tshimenga(Nkana):5
Emmanuel Okutu (Kabwe Warriors):5

Emmanuel Manda (MUZA):4
Simon Mulenga (Nakambala):4
Amity Shemande (Green Eagles):4
Eric Choomba(Nkwazi):4
Jimmy Dzingai(Power):4
Kingsley Kangwa (Buildcon):4
Quadri Kola (Zesco):4

Junior Zulu(Nakambala):3
Jimmy Ndhlovu(Kabwe Warriors):3
Jacob Phiri (Lumwana):3
Kwame Attrum(Mufulira Wanderers):3
James Chamanga (Red Arrows):3
Paul Simpemba(Kabwe Warriors):3
Paul Katema(Red Arrows):3
Ronald Kampamba(Nkana):3
Kelvin Mubanga(Nkana):3
Tshite Mweshi(Prisons Leopards):3
Clement Mwape (Zesco):3
Martin Kayuwa (Power Dynamos):3
Moses Phiri (Buildcon):3
Ernest Mbewe (Zanaco):3
John Goma (Mufulira Wanderers):3
Holly Songwe (Kitwe United):3
Lameck Banda (Buildcon):3
George Simbayambaya(Red Arrows):3
Brian Chewe(Mufulira Wanderers):3
Dominic Chanda(Circuit City):3
Gozon Mutale (Lumwana):3
Rodgers Mukenge(Kitwe United):3
Emmanuel Habasimbi(Lusaka Dynamos):3

Guily Manziba (Zanaco):2
Diamond Chikwekwe(Green Buffaloes):2
Spencer Sautu (Green Eagles):2
Enock Sabumukama(Zesco):2
Souleymanou Moussa(Zanaco):2
Collins Sikombe(Napsa):2
Chanda Mushili (Buildcon):2
Kebson Kamanga (Nkwazi):2
John Sikaumbwe(Napsa Stars):2
Friday Samu(Green Buffaloes):2
Taonga Bwembya (Zanaco):2
Kennedy Musonda (Green Eagles):2
Hassan Khamis(Nkana):2
Andrew Tololwa(Red Arrows):2
Rahim Osumanu (Zesco):2
Lassa Kiala(Kitwe United):2
Stanley Nshimbi(Red Arrows):2
Heritier Nkonko (Kabwe Warriors):2
Moses Lolozi(Kitwe United):2*
Saviour Nkonkola (Prison Leopards):2
Christian Ntouba (Power Dynamos):2
Larry Bwalya(Power): 2
Romeric Petroipa(Zanaco):2
Eddie Sinyangwe(Green Buffaloes):2
Hope Katwishi(Kitwe United):2
Michael Mwenya (Green Eagles):2
Bornwell Mwape(Napsa Stars):2
Patrick Kasunga (Kabwe Warriors):2
Mande Badawa (Buildcon):2
Fahad Bayo(Buildcon):2
John Chingandu (Zesco):2

Shadreck Malambo (Nkana):1
John Mwewa(Kitwe United):1
Isaac Shamujompa (Buildcon):1
Luka Chamanga (Power Dynamos):1
Mathews Nkhowani(Nkwazi):1
Aubrey Funga (Lusaka Dynamos):1
Benson Sakala(Power Dynamos):1
Hendricks Somaeb (Lusaka Dynamos):1
Akakulubelwa Mwachiaba(Kabwe Warriors):1
Liya Landu(Prison Leopards):1
Felix Bulaya (Nakambala):1
Festus Mbewe (Nkana):1
Yanganile Tembo(FC MUZA):1
Benyamen Nenkavu(Buildcon):1
Aaron Kabwe (Napsa Stars):1
Logic Chingandu(Zesco): 1
Petrus Shitembi (Lusaka Dynamos):1
Robert Musonda(Green Buffaloes):1
Robin Siame(Napsa Stars):1
George Quarshie(Lumwana):1
Tardile Ilunga(Forest Rangers):1
Chabata Kabole(Nakambala):1
Jackson Chirwa(Green Buffaloes):1
Trust Gomezeni (Prison Leopards):1
Musonda Siame (Lumwana):1
Andrew Kwiliko (Lusaka Dynamos):1
Albert Ngosa (Circuit City)::1
Diego Apanene (Buildcon):1
John Soko (Power Dynamos):1
Luka Lungu (Napsa Stars):1
Patrick Ilongo (Forest):1
Humphrey Maseneko(Wanderers):1
Webster Muzaza(Forest):1
Chiyesu Sakafunya(Lumwana):1
Abdul Zakaria(Circuit City):1
Lameck Kafwaya(Power):1
Faustin Bakodila(Power):1
Paul Mwiya (Circuit City):1
Mandre Muleya(FC MUZA):1
Ocean Mushure(Lusaka Dynamos):1
Happy Kaunda (Green Buffaloes):1
Aubrey Funga(Lusaka Dynamos):1
Eleuter Mpepo (Buildcon):1
Biuma Kashito (Nakambala):1
Prince Mumba(Kabwe Warriors):1
Twiza Chaibela(Kabwe Warriors):1
Winston Kalengo(Zesco):1
Alex Ngonga (Power Dynamos):1
George Chaloba (Green Eagles):1
Mangani Phiri(Circuit City):1
Walter Bwalya(Nkana):1
Julius Situmbeko (Zanaco):1
Chilimba Moonga(Green Buffaloes):1
Ray Mutale (Green Eagles):1
Yvan Mballa(Forest Rangers):1
Douglas Muwowo(Forest Rangers):1
Osas Okoro (Buildcon):1
Ephraim Gikan(Buildcon):1
Chrispin Mulenga(Lumwana):1
Eric Yema(Napsa Stars):1
Lubinda Mundia(Red Arrows):1
Felix Nyaende(Zanaco):1
Collins Mulenga (Green Eagles):1
Peter Banda (Zanaco):1
Chitoshi Chiinga(Circuit City):1
Francis Simwanza (Red Arrows):1
Musonda Kapembwa (Lumwana):1
John Kaiku (Lumwana):1
Victor Mubanga (Lumwana):1
Mathews Macha(Mufulira Wanderers):1
Portipher Zulu (Nakambala):1
Frank Banini (Prisons Leopards):1
Kapota Kayawe(Kitwe United):1*
Field Kandela (Kabwe Warriors):1*
Victor Mubanga (Lumwana):1
Alfred Okoyi (Prison Leopards):1
Marcel Kalonda (Zesco):1
Mike Katiba (Green Buffaloes):1
Marvin Jere(Lusaka Dynamos):1
Augustine Maozeka(Circuit City):1
Laurent Muma(Forest Rangers):1
Lazarus Phiri (Green Eagles):1
Elvis Bissong(Red Arrows):1*
Tandi Mwape (Kabwe Warriors):1
*Denotes own-goal

Astanding business Forum between Zambia and Ethiopia will be formed-Emmanuel Mwamba

Chief Editor
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Astanding business Forum between Zambia and Ethiopia will be formed-Emmanuel Mwamba
Zambia's High Commissioner to Ethiopia, Mr Emmanuel Mwamba
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Ethiopia, Mr Emmanuel Mwamba

Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Emmanuel Mwamba has announced that a standing business Forum between Zambia and Ethiopia will be formed.

Mr. Mwamba has since called for a meeting with chambers of commerce to action the formation of the Business Forum.

He said Ethiopia with a population of 105 million was the fastest growing economy in Africa in the last five years and it was imperative that private sector links between Zambia and Ethiopia were formalized.

Mr. Mwamba said he was impressed that the economy was booming but driven by local people and local investors.

He said he would collaborate with Chambers of Commerce in Zambia and Ethiopia to appoint a board that should drive the private sector trade and business between the two countries.

Mr. Mwamba said government had shifted priority from political diplomacy to economic, business and tourism diplomacy to help fast track the economic development of the country.

He also said Ethiopia had ancient unbroken history for the last 3,500 years.

Mr. Mwamba said Christians in Zambia would be interested to visit holy sites mentioned in both the old and new testament of the Holy Bible.

He said he would also market tourism products to the Ethiopian tourists to sample the heritage and tourism sites in Zambia.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mwamba has said His Excellency President Lungu had restored Zambia’s international role especially regional affairs.

Mr. Mwamba who is also accredited to the African Union as Permanent Representative, said Zambia’s role at the African Union would be to champion calls that promote regional trade and integration of local economies.

He said it was unacceptable that Africa currently trades with the rest of the world up-to 88% and only trades with itself to a paltry 12%.

He said by this action Africa was inadvertently exporting jobs, opportunities and raw materials thereby stifling prospects of implementing industrialisation program and losing benefits of upwards linkages.

This is contained in a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia, Inutu Mwanza.

Lusaka Province PF Committee suspends Kelvin Fube and Julius Komaki

Chief Editor
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Lusaka Province PF Committee suspends Kelvin Fube and Julius Komaki
Lusaka lawyer Kelvin Bwalya Fube (KBF)
CCPC Board Chairman Kelvin Fube

The Lusaka Province PF Committee has suspended members Kelvin Fube and Julius Komaki indefinitely.

The Committee has also petitioned the Central Committee of the party to expel the two members from the party for undermining the president and misconduct against the party respectively.

The decision to suspend the two was arrived at after the Provincial Committee sitting at Cheetah Lodge in Kafue received the report from the Provincial Disciplinary Committee concerning Mr. Fube and Mr. Komaki’s cases.

Reports from the Committee states that after scrutinizing the disciplinary code of conduct and the PF constitution, the dual was found wanting in all cases leveled against them.

The report also said that having given KBF and Mr. Komaki an opportunity to exculpate themselves and did not show up for the hearing or write to the Committee they were equally cited for insubordination.

Lusaka Province Patriotic Front Interim Committee Paul Moonga said when he presented the petition to Party Secretary General Davies Mwila said the disciplinary Committee recommended to the full provincial committee that Mr. Fube and Mr. Komaki be expelled from the party.

He said it is in the interest of safeguarding the purity and integrity of the as stated by article 18 of the PF constitution that that the Provincial Committee unanimously resolved that Mr. Fube and Mr. Komaki be expelled through the Central Committee to educate other members that discipline is cardinal in the party.

And receiving the petition, Mr. Mwila said a decision will be made by the Central Committee that will be in the interest of the party.

Mr. Mwila reiterated that no individual is bigger than the party hence indiscipline will not be condoned.

The Patriotic Front in Lusaka Province on 7th May gave Kelvin Bwalya Fube seven days to exculpate himself for alleged insubordination or recommend to Central Committee for his expulsion.

Mr. Fube had been requested to appear before the Lusaka provincial disciplinary committee on Thursday 9th May 2019 at 10:00 hours.

The Party in the same vein asked controversial PF member Julius Komaki to appear before the Lusaka Province Disciplinary committee on 8th May 2019, on charges of indiscipline and insubordination.

31 year old man arrested for defaming President Lungu on radio show

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31 year old man arrested for defaming President Lungu on radio show

Police have arrested a 31-year-old man identified as Fred Maanya of Zaoni street in Luanshya for defamation of the President during a phone in radio program.

The incident occurred on 28th March, 2019 at 06 50 hours during a phone in program hosted by Millennium Radio Station in Lusaka.

The suspect is alleged to have called the radio Station where he introduced himself as Chanda from Kabwe and later used derogatory remarks on the Republican President.

Zambia police spokesperson Esther Katongo confirmed that investigations revealed that the suspect was not Chanda but Fred Maanya of Luanshya and not Kabwe as he suggested.

Mrs. Katongo said the suspect is yet to appear in Court.

National Dialogue Forum not getting allowances from government -Lubinda

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National Dialogue Forum not getting allowances from government -Lubinda
Justice Minister Given Lubinda
Justice Minister Given Lubinda

Minister of Justice, Given Lubinda, has refuted claims by a named newspaper report that stakeholders taking part in the on-going National Dialogue Forum (NDF) are receiving allowances from government.

Mr Lubinda says he is extremely disappointed that people can be reporting falsehood only to spread and build hate towards an important national undertaking such as the National Dialogue Forum.

During a media briefing held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka this morning, Mr Lubinda said it is sad that there are people that always want to twist the facts, and report falsehoods to the nation.

He explained that the National Dialogue Forum (NDF) has no money to pay allowances to any delegate at the forum, but stated that institutions that sent representation are free to pay their representatives as they so wish or as they determine.

The Minister added that the law according to section 15 of the Electoral Process, Constitution and Public Order Act, 2019 provides that individual institutions are at liberty to pay their representatives and no one can stop them.

And Mr Lubinda said it is thus extremely mischievous for anyone to insinuate that members attending the NDF are being paid by the forum.

He has since called on members of the public to protect themselves from being guided by such fake stories.

Meanwhile, The Minister of Justice says the forum is making tremendous progress.

Mr Lubinda has indicated that no further extension will be made to the forum and that he expects business to be concluded tomorrow Tuesday, May 14 or half day into Wednesday, May 15, 2019.

Zambia’s fiscal position, what are the challenges and the way out?

editor
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Zambia’s fiscal position, what are the challenges and the way out?
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema
By Hakainde Hichilema
By 2011, the economy was growing at an average of 6.5% per annum. The debt stood at 21% of GDP and debt service was 11% of GDP. The country’s budget deficit averaged 2.6% of GDP per annum. The exchange rate was stable and inflation was in single digits. Gross International reserves were at least four months of import cover. The average income per head was above US$1,600, which prompted the World Bank to reclassify Zambia a lower middle-income country. In other words, the economy was doing well in 2011. It was doing so well that the first PF Budget Speech delivered by then Minister of Finance, Hon. Alexander Chikwanda – on 11th November 2011 – acknowledged the economic achievements of the country under the stewardship of the MMD Government. He paid tribute to the MMD administrations for laying a strong foundation.
Then the PF came to power in 2011 and things quickly changed for the worse. They promised to build upon the firm foundation that they had inherited from the MMD Government, but they did the exact opposite. Five years down the line, the PF Government had reversed all the economic gains that the country had recorded in the previous years. And by 2017, debt stock had increased to a whopping 57% of GDP from a modest 21% of GDP in 2011. Debt service as a share of domestic revenues had increased to 29% in 2017. Economic growth declined from the 6.5% per annum on average during 2000-2011 to a meager to 3.5% per annum during 2015-2018. Exchange rate has soared from ZMW4.80 per US$1.00 in 2011 to ZMW13.10 per US$1.00 in May 2019, meaning that the Kwacha loss 173% of its value over the period. International reserves have drastically declined to about one month of import cover in 2019.
Around 2016/2017, the PF Government started to realise that they had created huge fiscal problems. Apart from the heavy debt repayment and civil servant salary demands, which were consuming about 29% and 45% of domestic revenues, respectively, a third fiscal challenge emerged; domestic debt arrears were accumulating rapidly. By 2017, domestic arrears stood at K12.7 billion from K1.1 billion recorded in 2011.
But the PF regime was clueless about how to deal with these huge fiscal challenges. They therefore brought in a political outsider, Felix Mutati of the MMD as “ a crisis” Finance Minister, recognising that economic management was simply a dream under PF. The then new Finance Minister consulted the Zambian people and developed the Economic Stabilization and Growth Programme, which he dubbed Zambia Plus. In our view, this was the first attempt by the PF Government to come up with a coordinated economic programme that has credibility in seeking to address the economic challenges of the country. However, strictly speaking, Zambia Plus was not a PF initiative.
The Zambia Plus programme recognized the three main challenges causing the fiscal imbalance in the economy: personal emoluments were consuming 45% of domestic revenues; debt servicing was taking up 29% of domestic revenues; and domestic arrears, which had escalated by 1,055% to K12.7 billion in 2017. Thus, Zambia Plus tried to arrest this situation by focusing on: (a) arrears dismantling to unlock economic activities (b) debt sustainability; and (c) structural reforms while implementing an effective social safety net. To achieve this, the fiscal focus was on restoring macroeconomic stability and establishing fiscal fitness for sustained inclusive growth and development.
Of course, the underlying fiscal adjustments were always going to be painful because of the depth of damage the PF Government had inflicted on the economy. Therefore, when it came to the implementation of Zambia Plus, the PF regime lost its nerve and removed the author of the programme because they knew he would have actually implemented it, cut off their illicit and corrupt lines of monetary gain in the process. The PF Government could not live with this so, instead of pursuing fiscal consolidation, they threw a good and credible economic plan out the window and continued with its irresponsible spending and borrowing spree. In 2018, the Government borrowed US $2.6 billion. In 2019, the projection in the budget is to borrow US $2.8 billion while domestic arrears increased further to K15.6 billion.
In June 2018, the Minister of Finance announced some half-hearted austerity measures to control expenditure. However, this was nothing but window dressing. President Lungu readily contradicted and completely undermined the measure to suspend undisbursed debt by pronouncing that debt from China would not be touched at all by the austerity measures. Confirming its complete departure from Zambia Plus, PF Government crafted a highly fiscal expansionary 2019 National Budget. Instead of undertaking the structural and legislative reforms prescribed in the Zambia Plus, they neglected to work on critical pieces of legislation such as the introduction of the Planning and Budget law, as well as amendments to the Loans and Guarantees (Authorisation) Act and the Public Procurement Act.
As a result of non-action and irrational contrary actions by the PF Government, the IMF projects that the public debt stock will account for 80.5% of GDP by the end of 2019. As a share of domestic revenues, debt repayments alone now account for 42% of GDP while Personnel Emoluments account for 45%. Together these two expenditure components account for 87% of domestic revenues. This leaves the Government with only 13% to cater for critical services like health, education, water and sanitation and other routine government activities. No doubt, PF has put the country in a very precarious situation.
As a concerned party, the UPND would like to advise the PF Government to consider the following as practical solutions for stopping the fiscal haemorrhage and addressing the economic malaise:
(a) Find the political will to genuinely listen to others and learn from them, particularly the intelligentsia, both within the Government and outside it. The arrogant, know-it-all attitude of the decision-makers in the PF Government is hurting the Zambian economy. Technically inept ministers in ministries like Housing and Infrastructure should not be the ones negotiating for loans from China. The PF should find the political will to stop this dysfunction.
(b) Go back to the Zambia Plus programme and implement it in earnest. At the same time, review the implementation of the plan with the view of developing a new medium-term fiscal framework, which represents a more ambitious fiscal consolidation effort.
(c) Re-commit to the austerity measures that the Minister of Finance announced in June 2018. The PF Government should now go beyond policy pronouncement to actual execution by giving us how each of the measures will be implemented, how much savings will be realised from each of the measures and how the implementation will be monitored. This should include shutting down some of the Government departments with non-essential operations to save money for the core Government operations.
(d) Seriously engage with the private sector to leverage their resources for economic growth. This will require important economic dialogue with the private sector. We propose an Economic Indaba with two main points of discussion, one to concentrate on fiscal policy and the other to deal with monetary policy. We propose two taskforces to be co-chaired by the Government and private sector, accordingly who will then be updating the nation on a regular basis.
(e) Engage with the IMF and China with more seriousness and honesty, based on a firm and inclusive national consultation through the above-proposed indabas. Engaging the IMF should not be only about securing a financial bailout package but also to signal Government’s commitment to good governance, transparency and fiscal prudence as the basis on which economic actors can begin to respond to the Government policy intentions.
(f) Re-engage Cooperating Partners, especially those that have traditionally supported social sectors – Education, Health, poverty alleviation (Social Cash transfer), Water and Sanitation, etc. – for help with resources and technical assistance to implement effective social programmes and a robust safety net, to lessen the impact of the stabilisation measures on the most vulnerable.
(g) Rationalise infrastructure expenditure by being more rigorous and consistent with independent project appraisals, feasibility studies, environmental impact assessment and so on. These should always be done prior to the approval of any public-funded infrastructure project, without exception.
(h) Halt any further borrowing and engage creditors for possible re-profiling of the current debt.

Government asked to sustain the mines

editor
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Government asked to sustain the mines
FORMER Zambia Railways Limited board vice chairperson Professor Oliver Saasa (right) flanked by Chairperson Mark Chona (middle) and board member Geoffrey Mulenga addresses journalists
Professor Oliver Saasa (right)

Economist Oliver Saasa has called on government to intervene and help sustain the operations of the mines.

Professor Saasa says the mining sector is a major source of Zambia’s foreign exchange earnings.

He says any disruption in productivity in mining sector will result in a decline in foreign exchange inflow which accounts for 70 percent of the countrys’ export earnings.

Professor Saasa also called for an expansion of industries that can broaden the base for collecting taxes.

He said in an interview with ZNBC News that government should also invest in sectors that are able to raise revenue which is enough to service both domestic and external debt.

Professor Saasa further praised government for investing in infrastructure development such as roads to facilitate economic growth.

And Trade Expert Gilbert Nkamba says there is need to ensure the mines remain productive if the country is to cushion the kwacha from further depreciation.

ZNBC

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