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Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya visiting the recovering twins
The University Teaching Hospital yesterday separated conjoined twins – Justin and Harrison. Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya said the multidisciplinary team started the operation at 09:00hrs and lasted for about two hours.
Dr Chilufya said that the twins were only joined at the liver and no other organs were shared, adding that both babies are breathing on their own in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring and management.
The four months old, born adjoined twins were delivered at the Kabwe General Hospital in December 2018 and thereafter admitted to the Women and New-born Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
A multidisciplinary team was constituted comprising of paediatricians, cardiologists, anaesthesiologists, nutritionists, nurses, surgeons, social workers and administration to prepare for the separation of the twins.
“The milestone operation is another demonstration of competence and improved health service delivery aimed at achieving ‘A Nation of Healthy and Productive People’,” Dr. Chilufya said
Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya visiting the recovering twins
President Edgar Lungu (R) shares a light moment with Lusaka Mayor Wilson Kalumba (L) and Local Government Association of Zambia president Christopher Kang’ombe who is also Kitwe Mayor (C) at State House on Friday, 12th January, 2018. Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza, State House.
The National Dialogue Forum Standing Committee has summoned Kitwe Mayor, Christopher Kang’ombe to appear before it today.
This follows Mr. Kang’ombe’s complaint to President Edgar Lungu that the position of Mayor is being threatened by Members of Parliament attending the Forum.
Mr. Kang’ombe is also Local Government Association of Zambia President.
Earlier during the plenary session, Luangeni Mp Charles Zulu raised a point of order that Mr. Kang’ombe was not in order to take matters of the forum outside.
Mr. Zulu, who also laid before the forum yesterday’s edition of the Times of Zambia newspaper, asked the National Dialogue Forum Chairperson, Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi to render a serious ruling.
Professor Mwanalushi however said the standing committee will render a ruling later.
But National Dialogue Forum Spokesperson Isaac Mwanza told ZNBC News that Mr. Kang’ombe has been summoned to appear before the committee today.
Mr. Mwanza said every member of the forum is guided by the Act and that Mr. Kang’ombe has a right to be heard and answer all the queries of the Committee.
Ministry of General Education permanent secretary Jobbicks Kalumba
Ministry of General Education permanent secretary Jobbicks Kalumba says government is planning to boost the teaching of mathematics and science in the country with support from the Japanese government.
Dr. Kalumba says this is to ensure pupils have the necessary knowledge in the two subjects to help develop the country.
He says Japan has developed because of investing in science and mathematics.
Dr. Kalumba was speaking at the official opening of a four-week advanced course of the 2019 knowledge Co-Creation ceremony which has drawn participants from 13 countries.
At the same occasion, Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Hidenobu Sobashima said his country has traditionally attached importance to the improvement of education by developing the capacity of teachers through lesson study.
And Director National Science Centre Benson Banda said the idea behind holding the seminar is to find new ways of teaching mathematics and science in schools on the continent.
Meanwhile, Caroline Taliba, a national trainer in mathematics and science from Uganda, said there is need to plan properly for every child to fully realise their potential in the two subjects.
NDC Secretary General Mwenya Musenge and NDC Political Consultant Chishimba Kambwili
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Secretary General Mwenya Musenge has filed an injunction in the Lusaka High Court restraining former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili from allegedly masquerading as party leader.
And Mr. Musenge has with immediate effect dissolved the entire National Governing Committee (NGC) interim team but has retained Joseph Akafumba as party vice president.
Mr. Musenge stated that the party wants Mr. Kambwili and the dissolved interim committee to stop parading themselves as senior members of NDC.
He has also announced that Copperbelt University (CBU) lecturer Brian Chirambo has taken over as national spokesperson from Saboi Imboela, while Ackson Simwizye has been named as the new Chairperson for Elections and Mobilization.
Mr. Musenge named Bala Mwila as the new chairperson for finance, while Steven Chewe, Alex Mulindwa, Mernard Monta and Job Nsama will be members of the NGC.
He also warned that he will be forced to commence legal proceedings in the courts of law within forty-eight hours if Mr. Kambwili does not substantiate his allegations that the NDC Secretary General has been bought financially by the ruling Patriotic Front(PF).
Meanwhile, Mr. Musenge has proposed December 20th this year, as the date in which the party will hold its national congress to elect its leader and other party positions.
He reiterated that he has no intentions whatsoever of running for the presidency of the NDC but stated that his role is simply that of preparing a way for a person to lead the opposition party in the 2021 general elections.
But NDC vice president Joseph Akafumba has urged party members to IGNORE sentiments by Mr. Musenge to the effect that the National Governing Committee(NGC) has been dissolved.
In a statement, Mr. Akafumba stated that Mr. Musenge has no constitutional powers to make any changes to the committee adding that the newly announced interim committee by Mr. Musenge during a media briefing in Kitwe is illegal, null and void.
Mr. Akafumba, who is not affected by the changes announced by Mr. Musenge, has urged NDC members not to worry as the two factions will face-off in court.
Below is Mr Akafumba’s full statement
Ignore Musenge!
Lusaka. 07.05.2019.
As the National Democratic Congress NDC, we are urging all our members countrywide to completely ignore the purported sentiments made by former Secretary General Mwenya Musenge who held a press briefing in Kitwe today.
The sentiments should be ignored with the contempt it deserves.
We have perused both our Constitution that was prepared by Mr. Musenge and the society act which regulates the formation and conduct of political parties.
Both documents do not give Mr. Musenge or any officer or office bearer of the NDC powers to dissolve or appoint any member of the central committee, serve for the president who has the powers to appoint only eight members of the central committee.
Mr. Musenge does not have any of these powers in any capacity.
We are aware that Mr. Musenge is among the ten officer bearers under the Registrar of societies for purposes of registering the party.
Therefore, being an office bearer, does not give Mr. Musenge sole power to dismiss or appoint any member of the central committee.
The power is by the ten registered office bearers.
There’s been no such meeting held by the members registered at the office of the registrar of societies to dismiss the central committee.
Therefore, this lone ranger act by Mr. Musenge is void and should be ignored and dismissed by all members of the NDC and the general public.
The misconduct of Mr. Musenge to each time run to the press to make lone pronouncements against the standing of the political party, ranks him in the same category with Captain solo.
Therefore, we are now inclined to strongly believe and rightly so, that Mr. Musenge is not working in the interest of the party, but is all out to destroy the party.
This confirms what we have all along suspected that Mr. Musenge is actually working with the PF, as all his actions are meant to benefit the PF.
Finally, we are all aware, that Mr. Musenge’s conduct or omissions, in our view has-been directed by the registrar of society.
She has played an active role in disrupting the activities of the NDC on behalf of the PF.
We are also aware that she is working under the instructions of Minister of Home Affairs Steven Kampoyongo.
We want to warn the registrar and Kampyongo to stay away from NDC activities and maintain their lane
We also aware that this is being done to disable the NDC for it not to take part in the forthcoming local government by elections on the copper belt.
Finally, Mr. Musenge’s pronouncements have no effect on NDC activities countrywide and should be ignored.
Minister of Energy Matthew Nkhuwa has called for more private sector investment in the development of Biofuels in Zambia.
Mr Nkhuwa said Zambia is politically stable and has abundant water and land to enable private sector investment into the energy sector.
The Minister said government is encouraging private sector participation in the development of biofuels in Zambia so that the industry can grow.
He notes that biofuel can be a good alternative source of energy for Zambia especially now that the country is experiencing effects of climate change that has negatively affected the energy sector.
The Minister was speaking during the official opening of the policy consultative seminar on the revising of the Biofuels Development in Zambia.
The Policy Consultative Forum which is being held at Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka has been co-hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of National Development Planning, and is supported by the Brazilian Embassy who are represented by Ambassador Colbet Soares Pinto Junior.
And Minister of National Development Planning Alexander Chiteme says energy is a key resource for the operation and growth of pivotal sectors of the economy such as mining, transport and agriculture.
Mr Chiteme stated that in a growing economy like Zambia, energy demand has been increasing and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
He noted that there is need to put in place a well-researched policy intervention, if Zambia is to attain increased access to clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy.
He stated that beyond provision of adequate alternative energy sources, the biofuel industry holds more strategic significance to Zambia’s economy.
He said the biofuels provide important opportunities for employment creation and income generation for farmers.
He further added that the successful development of the biofuel industry will require collaboration among various ministries and institutions such as ministry of energy, ministry of Lands, Ministry of Agriculture, the Energy Regulations Board and the Zambia Development Agency.
Zamtel has announced the appointment of Mr Kenneth Sinkamba as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, effective May 2nd 2019.
A Fellow of the Zambia Institute of Marketing, Mr Sinkamba brings a wealth of industry experience having worked in various leading organisations across the FMCG and telecoms sectors.
According to a statement released by Zamtel, Mr Sinkamba joins Zamtel after serving as Head of Trade for Zambia at Distell Zambia Limited, Africa’s leading producer and marketer of wines, spirits, ciders and other ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages.
He also spent ten years at Zambian Breweries where he rose through the ranks of Distribution Development Manager, Trade Marketing Manager (Beer) and finally as Sales & Marketing Manager (Sparkling Beverages) before joining Celtel Zambia (Now Airtel) and served as National Distribution Manager, Consumer Sales Manager and later as Zonal Business Manager for Copperbelt & North-Western zone.
Following a five-year stint at Airtel, he joined the Zambia Daily Mail Limited as Director – Commercial.
Zamtel Management says it is confident that Mr. Sinkamba will help grow the company and reposition the business on the local market.
“We welcome Kenneth to the Zamtel family. We are very pleased that he has joined this vibrant team and that he will drive the business in his role as Chief Commercial Officer,” stated Mr. Sydney Mupeta, Chief Executive Officer of Zamtel.
“His experience and depth of knowledge in Sales and Marketing will be of tremendous benefit, and his proven track record of producing results will be invaluable as we advance Zamtel’s strategy of leading the country’s digital transformation agenda.”
And Mr Sinkamba stated, “I am delighted to join this team during this exciting moment for the brand and I am looking forward to using my commercial knowledge to improve the company’s results”.
Mr. Sinkamba holds a Master of Business Administration from Edith Cowan University and earned his qualifications in Marketing and Transportation Management from the Copperbelt University and University of Johannesburg respectively.
He is currently the President of the Zambia Institute of Marketing.
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Binali Yildirim welcomes Zambia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Dr Joseph Chilengi at his official residence in Ankara
Zambia and Turkey have waived visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders with effect from May 2, 2019.
The move comes after completion of internal requirements and procedures by the Zambian and Turkish Governments under the framework of the Agreement on Mutual Abolition of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic Passports signed between the two countries in July last year.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Joseph Chilengi said the visa-free regime for diplomatic passport holders between Zambia and Turkey, which entered into force on May 2, 2019, marks yet another milestone in the existing warm relations between the two countries.
“The abolition of visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders between our two friendly countries is exciting as it signifies the growing warm and cordial bilateral relations since the reciprocal high-level visits last year undertaken by His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia and His Excellency, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkey,” Dr Chilengi said.
He further expressed confidence that the move will help increase interaction between the peoples of the two countries and strengthen bilateral relations.
Dr Chilengi also expressed happiness that the MoUs signed between Zambia and Turkey during President Erdogan’s visit to Zambia last year were now bearing fruit.
Article 12, Clause (1) of the Agreement on Mutual Abolition of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic Passports states: “This Agreement will come into effect on the 30th day following the receipt of the last notice given by the contracting parties to each other stating that they have completed their internal requirements and procedures.”
Eight PF members have been arrested in connection with last Tuesday’s incident where ruling party cadres stormed Power FM studios in Kabwe and disrupted a live program featuring NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili.
Central Province Police Chief Chola Katanga has confirmed the arrests Wednesday evening.
Mr. Katanga disclosed that police are holding in custody PF Kabwe District Chairman Richard Bango, District Youth Chairperson Luckson Mafoko and Kabwe Central Constituency Youth Chairperson Humphrey Mukuka.
Mr Mafoko is area councillor for Kawama ward while his fellow youth leader Mr. Mukuka is area councillor for Kaputula.
The Provincial Police Chief confirmed that the five cadres have been slapped with charges of criminal trespass and malicious damage to property.
Thirty Zambian workers engaged by Chinese enterprises have received awards for their outstanding performance.
Labour and Social Security Minister Joyce Simukoko and Chinese Ambassador Li Jie presented the awards at an event organized by the Association of Chinese Corporations in Zambia.
The Chinese envoy commended the enterprises for awarding the local employees, saying accomplishments of the enterprises in Zambia could not be achieved without the support from the government and society.
The awards will not only encourage the recipients to work even harder but will also inspire other workers, Li said.
The flourishing of Chinese enterprises in Zambia has not only promoted prosperity and progress of the southern African nation’s economy and society but has also become an example of mutually beneficial cooperation and common development between the two countries, he said.
“Chinese corporations in Zambia have become an important driving force for economic and social development of Zambia and economic and trade exchanges between our two countries,” Li said.
Chinese enterprises, he said, have hired as many as 50,000 local employees, helping Zambia tackle unemployment.
Mrs. Simukoko, on her part, said the government appreciates efforts by the Chinese business association in fostering coexistence between the Chinese and Zambian workers regardless of cultural and customs differences.
“It is gratifying to learn that workers work shoulder-to-shoulder with unity of purpose in your various companies,” she said.
Zambia remains thankful to the strong bond of friendship that has existed for close to 55 years with China, not only at political level but trickling down to individuals in various fields of life, Mrs. Simukoko said.
She urged local employees to emulate Chinese workers in their attitude toward work.
Thomas Ngulube, one of the award recipients, said he was happy with the support received during his time working for China Railway Seventh Group (Zambia) Ltd.
Ngulube, who studied at Hunan University in 2008 and obtained a degree in civil engineering, thanked the Chinese firm for offering him an opportunity to apply in practice what he learned for the development of Zambia.
Another awardee, Richard Kasawa, an employee of the Zambia China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, said working with Chinese supervisors has helped him learn the determination they have to achieve goals.
Kasawa, an electrical technician, said his supervisors encouraged him into believing that he could do anything despite the challenges he encountered in his early years.
The company’s desire to see its employees equipped with the required and appropriate skills to meet daily tasks has been the most motivating part of his career, Kasawa said.
Jackson Phiri, another award recipient who works at China Harbor Engineering Company, said the Chinese firm has not only been a workplace but also a social university.
Phiri, who obtained Chinese government scholarship to study in China, said he started a new learning career the moment he started working for the Chinese firm, adding that he has learned not only professional skills but also a lot about “the ways of good living.”
Hundreds of mourners today gathered at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross church in paying their last respect to late People’s Party leader Mike Mulongoti.The funeral service was attended by a cross section of people who were drawn from the political arena, government, civic leaders, Members of Parliament, family, friends and church members. Mr Mulongoti took ill in December last year and died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) on Thursday May 2nd, 2019 after a long battle with cancer.
In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili, President Edgar Lungu described the late Mr Mulongoti as a vibrant leader.President Lungu told mourners that Mr Mulongoti served government with devotion, commitment and diligence.He also implored mourners to emulate Mr Mulongoti’s legacy of serving the country with loyalty and hard work. President Lungu said he received the news of Mr Mulongoti’s death with deep sadness and shock. He noted that Zambia has been robbed of a great son, a compatriot and an illustrious politician.
President Lungu implored the family to find solace in the word of God and also urged all well-meaning Zambians to support the Mulongoti family by showing them love during this painful period.
And speaking on behalf of the family, Leslie Mbula described the late Mr Mulongoti as a fearless and courageous man. Mr Mbula stated that Mr Mulongoti was a bold man who believed in the rule of law. He noted that due to his unwavering principles, Mr Mulongoti positively contributed to the country’s political landscape.He also said that the late People’s Party leader will be remembered as a dedicated family men and a loyal father, who freely interacted with everyone.
Meanwhile, Mr Mulongoti’s widow, Betty Mulongoti says the family has been robbed of a loving husband and father. Mrs Mulongoti noted that the late husband was a fountain of wisdom and a source of strength to the family. And People’s Party Secretary General Christopher Lungo has described the late politician as a principled man.
Meanwhile UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema who spoke on behalf of the opposition alliance said the Late Mr Mulongoti had the interest of the Zambian people at heart. Mr Hichilema revealed that Mr Mulongoti was instrumental and played a cardinal role in the forming of the opposition alliance.The UPND leader implored mourners to emulate the life lived by Mr Mulongoti of putting others people’s interests first.
“Anchored our coming together, he was strong inside and outside.” he said.
The late Mike Mulongoti has left behind a wife and ten children.President Lungu accorded him an official funeral.Mr Mulongoti served as Cabinet Minister in the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) government.He served as Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Minister of Works and Supply.
President Lungu declared Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 as a day of National Mourning in honour of the late Mr Mulongoti.Among the prominent people who attended the funeral included, Acting Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa former Vice President Enoch Kavindele, Former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa, former First Lady Vera Chiluba, First Deputy Speaker Catherine Namugala and Second Deputy Speaker Mwimba Malama.
The Patriotic Front in Lusaka Province has issued Lusaka lawyer Kelvin Bwalya Fube a seven day ultimatum to exculpate himself for alleged insubordination.
The party says failure to do so will compel it to recommend to the party’s Central Committee for his expulsion.
Mr. Fube has also been requested to appear before the Lusaka provincial disciplinary committee on Thursday 9th May 2019 at 10:00.
The Party has also asked outspoken PF member Julius Komaki to appear before the Lusaka Province Disciplinary committee tomorrow, 8th May 2019, on charges of indiscipline and insubordination.
In a letter jointly signed by Provincial Chairman Paul Moonga and Provincial Secretary Kennedy Kamba, the Party in the Province has asked the duo to appear for a hearing.
The Provincial Chairman said Messrs Fube and Komak have allegedly attempted to undermine the presidential powers of appointment and have been causing confusion in the party.
The Party in the Province has asked the two to show cause why the disciplinary committee should not recommend for their expulsion from the party.
File:CBU students leave campus after government closed it indefinately
BACKGROUND
In a vehemently emotional invoking plea, the untold truth about the plight of CBU students continues to haunt the debasement and sub-standardization of Zambia’s higher education sector. CBU has been robbed off its voice, pride and academic excellence due serious Managerial handicap and reckless unconcerned management of its academic affairs.
The hidden truth is that since the inception of the institution in 1987, CBU was built to the capacity befitting that of a college formerly called Zambia institute of technology(ZIT) which was later transformed into the university of Zambia Ndola campus (UNZANDO) and subsequently turned it into a University named now as The Copperbelt University (CBU). At this particular point Bursary scheme was extended to the University. UNZA was the first institution to benefit from the scheme, in addition to those who went to study overseas. The people who benefited from the scheme are professors today.
32 years down the line since its inception, the general public and the nation at large has never concerned itself or rather put responsible authorities to task on how the infrastructure development has expanded proportionately to the increased enrollment numbers of students from 152 students who matriculated students as the first intake in 1987 to the current numbers standing at 14,000 plus registered students.
We have never bothered to know how the University has integrated its technological advancement, improve its academia by providing necessity facilities such as a fully furnished and modern library, increased capacity building in terms of classes, lecture theaters, scientific laboratories, hostels to provide decent accommodation to students and indeed departmental offices. A precise answer and accurate update to the general public and the nation to the queries above is that CBU is still same. It has remained unchanged with stunted University infrastructure development except sham beautifying changes made to its environment and selective office paintings.
All these factors have contributed to the degraded academic standards of the institution which Management and other authorities responsible have ignored but rather focused on politicization of matters affecting the institution. The institution needs proper well-structured management of its affairs which will concern itself with improving the academic environment and making it conducive for the learners.
ORGANISED CONFUSION AT THE INSTITUTION.
In most instances, the first thing that comes to the mind of every Zambian child either in school or not, parents as well as students from other universities/colleges and generally the public once they hear about CBU or UNZA, is the bursary currently called student’s loan scheme which was established to support vulnerable students.
This scheme has had given serious problems to the two institutions in the recent past as a result of student unrest due to delayed payments of meal and book allowances attached to the loan scheme package.
Despite the problem being partially resolved by governments decision to scrap off living allowances and introduction of agonizing monthly payment of meal and book allowances for those already on the loan scheme, the important aspect which authorities had failed to recognize is that the organized confusion at the institution was actually as a consequence of delayed disbursement of student’s meal allowances, lack of proper communication and shunned dialogue with student leaders. As expected, students have been put at the receiving end by blaming them for taking alternative means of demanding for their entitled allowances and on several times we have been labeled to be thugs by the society.
They have ignored the fact that almost 90 percent of students come from either poor or middle income families which can only offer minimum support not rising above their basic income of course. The untold truth is that the greatest incitement and opposition political player we have had is hunger and nothing else. Hunger strikes everyone irrespective of your political affiliation and the best way to resolve this organized confusion caused by delayed payments and hunger was timely disbursement of the said allowance and creating room for dialogue with students.
Students cry for proper dialogue and engagement with both government and management but monologue and issuing of instructions to our leaders has been the order of the day. We are being denied of our rightful democratic privilege to voice and air out our genuine concerns consequently leading to avoidable unrest and riots. Our grievances are always hidden from the public for unknown reasons and once things get out of hand we are blamed for everything without flip-flopping or rather looking at other side of the story.
WHY IS CBU CLOSED TODAY?
CBU is closed today as a result of Management’s failure to handle two resolvable issues, the 50% continuous assessment (CA) threshold and 80% tuition fee payment threshold which school Management had set as the minimum requirement for students to sit for final sessional exams. The two policies were solely agreed upon by the university senate and Management without the involvement of student leaders.
The other aspect that school authorities have paid a blind eye to is that, CBU as a second highest university in the country it does not even have enough furniture in lecture rooms, there’s no study space for over 14,000 students due to scarcity of classrooms and the library can only accommodate 150 students to its full capacity hence management still insisted on imposing a theoretical way of uplifting academic standards unlike a pragmatic one by addressing these challenges earlier stated above.
Implementing such policies (50% CA & 80% Tuition fee threshold) would have meant that 85 percent of students who were supposed to sit for mid-year sessional exams would’ve been put off the exam room and were not eligible to write. Deviating from the main course why the institution existed which is to enable students attain quality education, be assessed, sit for exams and graduate at the end of the day.
Not overlooking the struggle of poor students, parents and even students themselves because some of the students are orphans. They strive very hard to raise funds to pay for tuition fees especially those on 75% bursary and self-sponsorship. And management has come up with an online system and a policy which compels students to pay off arrears before they access their seasonal results. Students have always made a commitment to pay off arrears despite not reaching the 80% payment threshold and it has worked well in the recent past without bleeding any conflict between the two parties.
We shall not allow inconsistency and conflicting policies to be enforced just like that.CA threshold is just a theoretical way of uplifting academic standards but rather ensuring that the institution has proper labs, heavy equipment for engineering students, expanded library capacity with updated study material and having a motivated academic environment is the most practical way of uplifting the academic excellence and standards of the university.
In addition, delayed lectures’ monthly salaries has been a demotivation factor to the lectures hence hindering academic research works and disruption of learning process due to boycotts by our lecturers when not paid as usual students bear the consequence of such. As we may be aware that a university with advanced research works and a motivated learning environment is expected to raise its academic standards and compete favourably both locally and internationally, our case at CBU suggests otherwise.
But alas, the perception of reality is more real than reality itself. Yes, a misconception has already been created that students only cry and demand for meal allowances which has been a source of disruption for many years now but when students raises all these aforementioned concerns school Management tend to shun dialogue and pay a deaf ear to our cries. If we exude huge insistence to have these issues resolved on a round table discussion, our leadership is compressed to the darkest corners of fear and a vacuum in leadership continues to establish itself as result of such.
HUMBLE APPEAL TO OPEN CBU ON TIME.
We humbly appeal to His Excellency the Republican President and The Line Ministry to accept our apology for damage of public property caused due to unrest and riots which broke out lately and consider the plight of over 14,000 students coming from different homes whose future have been put on hold and in serious quagmire as graduation is no way nearer due the indefinite closure of the institution.
We plead with The Republican President to show mercy upon us as we have shown resilience and remorse for our riotous action. A lesson has been learnt and new chapter should be opened for your children your Excellency.
We also appeal to the authorities that all the issues which led to the closure of the institution can be easily resolved through an Open-dialogue with the student leadership if a proper platform is accorded and a chance to be heard is given. The prosperity and future of our country is been derailed with over 14000 students having been sent home contributing literally nothing to the growth of our economy. Students are the think tank of this country and reinstating them back in school will immensely have a huge positive transformation on the general outlook of our economy and international image.
CONCLUSION
Education is the greatest weapon to fight poverty with, and a nation which educates its citizens, is a prosperous nation. We appeal to all non-governmental and civil society organizations, the church and indeed the general public to give a helping hand in the advocacy for reopening of CBU having known the consequences which led to the indefinite closure of the institution.
We say No to # violence and Yes to # open -dialogue. # Divided we fall # united we stand.
Our education our right, open CBU.
BY Mathews C. Chanda
STUDENT ACTIVIST/FORMER UNION LEADER
SENIOR STUDENT IN THE SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL SCIENCES (Copperbelt University)?
Nkana’s backlog battle continues on Wednesday when they host Buildcon in a rescheduled Week 8 fixture at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe as they fight to remain a relevant factor in the top two race.
The 2018 FAZ Super Division runners-up are currently seventh on 17 points from twelve games played with three matches in hand.
Buildcon are third on 25 points from fourteen matches while ahead of them are Nkwazi and Green Eagles who are second and third on 26 and 29 points respectively after fifteen games played.
Such is the scenario that Nkana must deal with considering they have not won the first two matches from their five-game backlog.
Nkana have collected just one point from those games in hand played following a 2-2 draw against Nkwazi on May 1 and whom they face again this Saturday in Kitwe.
The good news is that Nkana head into the match unbeaten since Eagles beat them 4-1 in Kitwe in their first rescheduled fixture April 24.
Since then, Nkana have won one but subsequently rallied to snatch two draws.
“I am happy with the reaction of the team, you can see that we have come from behind in our last two consecutive games but we have to improve on that,” Chambeshi said.
“We should not create a tradition of coming from behind. I think we have to improve especially on that.”
Popular musician and activist Pilato has written a letter appealing to President Edgar Lungu to reopen the Copperbelt University.
In the letter, Pilato says the closure of CBU is a work against President Lungu’s own efforts as a government.He said some of the CBU students are children of members of the Patriotic Front while some of the children come from very poor families who sacrifice everything just to have them get an education.
Below is the full letter authored by Pilato
Dear Mr President,
RE: CBU Reopening
Please refer to the subject above.
Mr. President I write to seek for your consideration in the matters surrounding the Copperbelt University.
Sir, Zambia a country you are President for is ranked amongst the poorest in the world with alarming levels of illiteracy. Majority of our people are geographically disadvantaged, many who were not lucky to have been born on the Copperbelt, Livingstone or Lusaka endure long distances to access a nearest school. This is a reality that you should be bothered about. It is very concerning because Zambia’s development will only be attained with quality education. Your excellency, it will be very difficult for you and your party to develop this country without an educated population.
The closure of CBU is a work against your own efforts as a government. Some of the CBU students are children of members of your own party the Patriotic Front. Some of these children come from very poor families who sacrifice everything just to have them get an education. Sir the Closure of CBU is a national threat. The university is a garden of dreams, dreams that can change the present and the future of our country. This closure has halted these dreams and if it’s prolonged, the damage may cost this country more in future.
I wish to appeal to your conscience sir, for the sake of our good country, open the university. Free the dreams of our young people. If not for the sake of the country, please do it for the members of your party whose children are affected by this closure. Not so many of our people are privileged to enter university so we should not seem to frustrate those that make it.
The future of this country depends on the dreams of its young people. Please do not deny them an opportunity to get an education.
The Economic Association of Zambia has called on authorities to relook the balance of payment monitoring mechanism.The Association has observed lapses in the current monitoring system and noted the risk of unaccounted for flows,for example one-legged foreign transactions or mismatches which may negatively impact the foreign exchange flows and accurate taxation capture.
The Association also called on authorities to revisit the Statutory Instrument No.55 attempted a few years back which was hastily implemented.The EAZ also said allowing for price quotes in foreign currency in the name of the free market economy has cost the Kwacha its sovereign value.
The Association said it looks forward to a time when SWIFT, Visa, Master Card, Western Union and other payment gateways will integrate into the regulators systems to aid effective monitoring. The success of this monitoring mechanism offers a breakthrough in curbing the purported illicit capital flight out of Africa and the unpaid and underpaid taxes.
Below is the full press release
ENHANCEMENT OF BALANCE OF PAYMENT MONITORING
In light of the recent currency weakening trajectory which has seen the Kwacha slide to levels of K13 representing an 8.6% depreciation YTD, the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) wishes to advise the Zambian authorities to relook the balance of payment monitoring mechanism. The Association has observed that timely and accurate BOP data is vital to inform and advise authorities accordingly.
If firms are currently front loading imports due to uncertainty in the exchange rate developments, only BOP monitoring can shed light on such trends. It is important that the banking sector (money side) is linked to the tax administration (goods side). If a firm, through its bank, sends foreign exchange abroad for importation of goods, the information should immediately be shared with relevant stakeholders like ZRA, BOZ and CSO. Timely and accurate information assists authorities to appropriately respond to developments in the economy.
The Association has observed lapses in the current monitoring system and noted the risk of unaccounted for flows, i.e. one-legged foreign transactions or mismatches which may negatively impact the foreign exchange flows and accurate taxation capture. Further, BOP monitoring involves private external debt monitoring. It is important to ascertain foreign exchange outflows and the stock and structure of private external debt. Balance of Payments (BOP) position is currently under pressure because the current monitoring mechanism is lagged and based on the goods side of the economy, without balancing this with the money side of the economy. This is not sustainable and not thorough enough to account for foreign exchange flows. The Association appreciates that Zambia is a liberalised economy but advises that some form of monitoring in areas such as foreign currency cash importation is needed to balance such flows.
The Association also echoes the need for the authorities to revisit the Statutory Instrument No.55 attempted a few years back which was hastily implemented. Further, the de – dollarization regulation is a tool which the Association believes was introduced with good intentions. Allowing for price quotes in foreign currency in the name of the free market economy has cost the Kwacha its sovereign value.
Most neighbouring jurisdictions will not allow for entrants to use any currency but the local currency. This has helped preserve the value of the local units. The Association acknowledges that light forms of exchange controls have been misunderstood by many as stifling flows into a liberalised framework. However, the EAZ cites most jurisdictions that have some form of restrictions to preserve value and confidence in local currencies.
The Association is of the view that the authorities should implement electronic forms of BOP monitoring which should strive to reconcile with transactions that the revenue authority sees in the market. The automated process has the benefit of minimising manual interventions which most commercial banks grappled with a few years back during SI.55 implementation.
It is about a dry point of construction that there exists many leakages in the economy and as such the Association believes that automation does help to curb the information mismatches/asymmetries between the banks and the revenue authority. These mismatches characterised the genesis of VAT refund impasse a few years ago. The Association recommends that the authorities consider having all players and conduits to the flow of BOP transactions plug into both the Banking system and Zambia Revenue Authority for seamless reconciliation.
The Association looks forward to a time when SWIFT, Visa, Master Card, Western Union and other payment gateways will integrate into the regulators systems to aid effective monitoring.
The success of this monitoring mechanism offers a breakthrough in curbing the purported illicit capital flight out of Africa and the unpaid and underpaid taxes.
