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The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Eastern Province has arrested a businessman who has been producing and selling petroleum jelly, laced with cannabis powder to some women in Chipata as a hair growth cream.
The suspect, identified as S. Tembo, 26, a businessman of Plot 2125, Mosque Extension in Chipata district has been arrested and charged with trafficking in twenty-nine (29) balls of loose cannabis and 26×25 gram jars of petroleum jelly laced with cannabis powder, contrary to the laws of Zambia.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo.
Ms Katongo has also warned members of the public against the use of psychotropic substances, particularly cannabis, as a cosmetic or hair growth agent, as the unlawful use and manufacture of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance carries stiff penalties in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia.
Meanwhile Ms Katongo further disclosed that the Commission in Lusaka has arrested two Nigerian nationals for trafficking in various drugs.
She said the two suspects are identified as A. Obi, 36, a businessman of Mtendere compound and C. Abakwam, 30, a businessman of Kamwala South, arrested and jointly charged for trafficking in compressed cannabis weighing eighteen (18) kilograms as well as two (2) sachets and 163 tablets of Methylphenidate.
Ms Katongo said all the suspects are currently in Police custody and will appear in court soon.
President Edgar Lungu has arrived in Kasane, Botswana for the Kasane Elephant Summit.
The plane carrying President Lungu touched down at Kasane International airport slightly after 08:50 hours.
ZANIS reports that the summit is as a result of the call by the President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi, in response to the escalating challenges confronting elephant conservation and management in the region.
Southern Africa is home to the largest number of elephants on the continent, with 75 percent of them found within the Kavango Zambezi Trans frontier conservation Area (KAZA).The large number of elephants in the KAZA area has resulted in an enormous challenge of conflict with humans.
The Kasani Elephant Summit is aimed at reviewing the current status of the African Elephants in the region, management priorities in addressing human-elephant conflict, law enforcement and sustainable funding mechanisms.
The elephants are dispersed throughout much of Northern Botswana, South-Western Zambia and North-Western Zimbabwe.
The three Heads of State are also expected to conduct a brief site visit at the Kazungula bridge project to check on progress made with construction works.
President Lungu is accompanied by his political advisor Kaizer Zulu and Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda.
He was received in Botswana by Minister of Tourism Charles Banda, and Zambia’s High Commissioner to Botswana Patrick Tembo.
The Head of State is expected back home after attending the Summit.
The widening gap between prices of food and stagnant wages has led to 44% of poor households in the urban areas spending more of their incomes on food, from 16% in 2016, a USAID official has said.
Speaking at a public discussion forum on the economic decline and food insecurity crisis in Zimbabwe held in Washington DC, US, last Wednesday, USAID chief office of humanitarian assistance and resilience in Zimbabwe, Jason Taylor said more urbanites were now spending more on food.
“We have experienced in Zimbabwe a steady macroeconomic deterioration for a period of years and things are now just starting to bite. This deterioration is categorised most recently by price spikes, which immediately followed fiscal and monetary policies implemented by the government last October. We have seen price increases for imported goods that are exacerbated by the falling value of the local currency,” Taylor said.
“Inflation is now at 66,8% as of March. This is the official rate and this is up from 59,4% in February, a significant increase in one month. Informal estimates are much higher, so no matter how you are looking at it, it is not a good picture. This inflation impact is severe for ordinary Zimbabweans who have seen prices rise, but wages are not keeping up.
“Even if wages are rising, they are not competing with the prices that we are seeing… So, in 2016, the average poor household in urban areas spent 28% of their income on food. In 2018, that had risen to 44%. Let me let that sink in a bit. Twenty eight percent to 44%, that is a startling increase, and yet household dietary diversity is worse. So, put bluntly, people are spending more on food, but they are eating worse.”
This comes as prices of basic commodities continue to go up due to the falling RTGS dollar that was officially adopted back in February, but with no adequate backing, in terms of foreign currency or gold reserves.
As a result, the forex interbank platform, also set up in February and meant at attracting US dollar sellers, has spooked them, resulting in more US dollar buyers.
In the face of scarce foreign currency on the formal market, businesses are turning to the parallel market to source it to import critical raw materials.
And, as foreign currency on the parallel market comes with a high premium (now RTGS$5,2:US$1) businesses are including those costs in the pricing of goods to recoup the expense.
As a result, any changes to the parallel market forex rates result in higher prices of basic goods and services or in this case, food.
Some of the food items that have been buffeted by high price hikes include bread up (288%), cooking oil (130%), meat (100%), milk (140%) and maize (70%) compared to last year over the same period.
“We heard how bread and other staple prices are increasing very quickly. The price of maize is about 70% higher than what it was last year and about 80% higher than what it was on a five-year average and the price of cooking oil is 130% above average and these are the key staple foods for poor rural households in Zimbabwe,” said FEWSNET acting deputy chief of party Peter Thomas.
FEWSNET, is a leading provider of information and analysis on food insecurity agency and is part of USAID.
“In the face of high prices for households to purchase their basic food needs, not only are they limiting their dietary diversity, but they are also restricting their meal sizes, turning to other coping strategies, reducing the consumption of adults to protect the consumption of children,” Thomas said.
Labour minister Joyce Simukoko has urged foreign investors not to abuse workers.
Mrs. Simukoko says Zambia has Labour laws that every investor must adhere to.
She says government will continue engaging with the business community to ensure workers’ rights are protected.
Mrs. Simukoko was speaking during the awarding ceremony for excellent Employees in Chinese Corporations in Zambia.
She also stated that President Edgar Lungu remains open to host all investors who are ready to steer social and economic development.
The Minister said the Head of State during the Labour day commemorations brought out issues of low wages, poor working environment AND safety standards among others which government wants to improve.
Mrs. Simukoko further said that government values the contribution of the Chinese community towards social economic development.
She said Chinese investment has continued to contribute to the country’s job creation especially for the youth.
And Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie thanked the Zambian government for creating an enabling environment for the Chinese businesses.
Mr. Li said China will continue strengthening the bilateral and multilateral ties that have existed with Zambia for over 55 years now.
He also called on Chinese Corporations in Zambia to work on the concerns by President Lungu so that workers can be motivated for enhanced productivity.
REDUCING DEVELOPMENTAL INEQUALITIES (Continued): SOME OF THE MANY ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF) GOVERNMENT IN SEVEN YEARS (2011 – 2018) – FROM A 7NDP AND VISION 2030 PERSPECTIVE
INTRODUCTION
The Patriotic Front Manifesto (2016-2021) states that:
“The Vision of the Patriotic Front for the next five years is to make Zambia more industrious, prosperous, peaceful, stable, united, democratic, and inclusive society, under the motto of One Zambia, One Nation”.
The above mentioned goal is actively being implemented by the PF Government through the programmes and strategies outlined in the 7NDP, in order to achieve the Zambian dream: “A Prosperous Middle-Income Nation by 2030”.
Some of these programmes and interventions are briefly explained below:
RURAL FINANCING PROMOTION
In line with the 7NDP, the PF Government is promoting rural financing through initiatives such as the Rural Finance Expansion Programme (RUFEP), a US Dollar 26.315 Million programme whose aim is to offer rural financial services to smallholder farmers in rural communities.
The Financing Agreement for RUFEP between the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Spanish Food Security Facility Trust Fund (SFSFTF) was signed on 22nd July 2014.
RUFEP is managed through Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with IFAD, and will increase access to and the use of sustainable financial services for 140,000 rural households countrywide by 2021 as well as offer new opportunities for financial service providers to provide services to customers in rural areas. This is in line with Government financial sector development policies and strategies including the National Financial Sector Development Policy, National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) and the Rural Finance Policy and Strategy.
RURAL INDUSTRIALISATION
His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, during the official opening of Parliament, informed the nation, among other things, that:
“Government will develop an Industrialisation Policy which shall stipulate achievable outcomes in order to stimulate job creation through Industrialisation and tackle high levels of poverty and unemployment. (Thus, the PF) Government will take to Parliament a new Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development Bill which will facilitate the growth of non-traditional exports, enterprise growth and domestic and foreign direct investment. Diversification and Industrialisation are important strategies which (the PF) Government will employ to attain sustainable economic growth, which is in line with what the just-ended COMESA Summit was discussing under the theme, ‘Inclusive and sustainable Industrialisation.’”
Against this background, the Ministry on Commerce, Trade and Industry developed an Industrial Policy to support and accelerate Industrialisation in Zambia in line with other countries in the COMESA bloc. The aim of the Industrial Policy is to address issues of productive capacity for enterprises to promote the production and consumption of local contents. Furthermore, the policy focuses on value-addition to products that are locally produced; uses cooperatives as viable business models to industrialise, and strengthens innovations and technologies required in production and eventual Industrialisation of Zambia.
In addition to Industrial Policy Formulation and Implementation, the PF Government is supporting collaborations among traditional leaders, cooperating partners, prospective investors and relevant stakeholders, to identify and secure land for the development of industrial parks, ultra- modern international airports, and other economic developments in rural areas countrywide. The aim is to significantly reduce developmental inequalities between urban and rural areas; strengthen agricultural productivity in rural areas; generate decent jobs and various economic activities – which are all key pillars of the overall goals of the PF as a pro-poor party.
SOCIAL SERVICES PROVISION
President Lungu gave the following summarised account on the performance of his Government regarding to the provision of social services, during his speech to Parliament on 14th September, 2018, when he said:
“To ensure food security for vulnerable but viable poor households, Government will, in the 2018/2019 farming season, increase the coverage of the Food Security Pack Programme from 27,650 beneficiaries in the previous farming season to 80,000.
Through the Girl’s Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood Project, Government is supporting vulnerable women and girls. For example, in 2017, 12,445 vulnerable women in 11 districts were empowered with life and business skills as well as provided with grants of K2, 000 each.
By the end of 2018, an additional 21,000 women in 31 districts were supported. Further, Government is supporting 15,082 girls aged between 14 and 18 years to be retained in school.”
Clearly, the PF Government has expanded the provision of social services as evidenced above and through other programmes such as the Food Security Pack (FSP).
The PF Government, through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, is bridging the gap between the rich and the poor countrywide through the successful implementation of the FSP.
The FSP aims to increase food security at household level for vulnerable but viable farmers. For example, in 2017/2018 farming season; 27,650 benefited from FSP. The PF Government increased this number to 80,000 beneficiaries in 2018/2019 farming season.
RURAL-URBAN PARTNERSHIP PROMOTION
In order to promote urban and peri-urban economies, the PF Government has prioritised the development and implementation of Integrated Development Plans in the identified areas and regions with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship, creating urban industrial clusters, strengthening value-chain linkages, and improving infrastructure in formal settlements. The PF Government is also implementing measures targeting deprived segments of urban settings countrywide in form of infrastructure development and delivery, such as water and sanitation services, waste management, road and rail network and housing. Speaking to this development outcome, Her Honour the Vice President Mrs. Inonge Mutukwa Wina recently observed:
“Women entrepreneurs in Zambia face many challenges in the conduct of their business such as, access to credit due to stringent lending criteria by financial institutions requiring collateral and financial records, access to market due to lack of information and contacts, poor packaging and product presentation due to lack of technology and skill, lack of networking platforms and opportunities for exchange of information and best practice, and lack of knowledge in financial management and accounting. (In this regard), the Zambian Government has taken steps to address challenges of market access, land allocation and credit.
For example, (there is) the Presidential Market Initiative; an initiative which His Excellency the President, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is promoting and championing, by providing small credit loans to enable the Marketeers in town markets grow and expand their businesses. Furthermore, my office (i.e. of the Vice President) is championing an initiative called Jubilee Women Integrated Highway Modern Markets, whose objective is to use these highway markets as economic development hubs and in the process empower women who constitute 80 percent of Marketeers.
Furthermore, under the PF Government), 30 percent of land allocation is reserved for women in order to improve access to land.”
Apart from enabling equality by ensuring that existing public procurement policies and guidelines require that some segments of construction contracts such as paving, road maintenance and provision of building materials, to be undertaken by Zambian Small Scale Entrepreneurs, especially the women and youth, the PF Government has established industrial parks in all the 10 provinces for establishment of value adding industries such as agro-processing.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
The strategic position of the PF Government, through the Ministry of Local Government, is that the waste management sector has potential to contribute positively to the sustainable growth of the economy.
In this regard, Government through the Ministry of Local Government is continuously engaging stakeholders in the waste management industry to take it upon themselves to become champions of the necessary paradigm shift which no longer views waste as merely a by-product of society’s economic and social activities to be dealt with by Government, but rather as something from which both the private and public sectors can derive economic opportunities while reducing national vulnerability to the risks of climate change and environmental degradation, among others – all key pillars in actualizing the goals stated in the 7NDP and Vision 2030.
CONCLUSION:
These are just a few of the initiatives and interventions currently being implemented by the PF Government under President Lungu with the aim of “Reducing Developmental Inequalities” as stated in the 7NDP.
This shall in turn lead to the achievement of the Zambian Dream: “A Nation without Hunger and Poverty” and “A Prosperous Middle-Income Nation by 2030”.
The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has continued engaging key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors before replacing the Value Added Tax (VAT) with a non-refundable Sales tax, which takes effect in July this year.
ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda revealed that refund claims under the Value Added Tax (VAT) have increased to K1.4 billion from K 774 million per month, following the announcement of the introduction of the Sales tax which will come into effect in the third quarter of this year.
Mr Chanda explained that the escalation of VAT refunds was a serious revenue exposure for the government.
Speaking at the Deloitte Sales Tax bill discussion in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chanda said the business community have until July 18th 2019, to submit their VAT refund claims, few days to the implementation of the Sales Tax.
“Government needs to operate, so the commitment is to pay US $80 million which is around K1 billion at the current exchange rate. This means that every single month ZRA accumulates arrears of between K400 million to K500 million which becomes a huge exposure on government,” he said.
He further disclosed that ZRA currently has 800,000 registered businesses out of which only 16,000 are registered for VAT, saying that the business community should re-organise themselves if they are to remain in business.
Meanwhile, several delegates at the discussion took turns to ask questions to the ZRA team regarding the tax exemptions, penalties and punishment to smugglers.
In response, Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner of Domestic Tax Moses Shuko cited exports and capital goods as among items that are among the exempted tax.
Mr Shuko explained that the commission will impose penalties on non-compliant entities.
He emphasized that the Sales Tax is a progressive approach as it will have great benefits to the country’s economy and should be embraced by all well-meaning Zambians and business community.
President Lungu with Zesco managing Director Victor Mundende and Energy Minister Dora Siliya
Former General Secretary of the National Energy Sector and Allied Workers Union Yotam Mtayachalo has welcomed the directive by President Edgar Lungu for Zesco to suspend the proposed application to the Energy Regulation Board for upwards adjustment of electricity tariffs.
Mr. Mtayachalo says the intervention by the Head of State is timely and a step in the right direction because it is not long ago when ZESCO was allowed to increase electricity tariffs by 75% on account that the country was going to migrate to cost reflective tariffs which has undoubtedly exacerbated the high cost of living and doing business in the country.
He said entertaining such an abnormal application at the time when the majority of ordinary Zambians are going through serious economic challenges would have been insensitive, immoral and not in line with the much proclaimed PF pro-poor policy.
Mr. Mtayachalo said currently only 31% of Zambians have access to electricity leaving out 7.2 million of households without power 54 years after independence which is not a success story to write home about as a nation.
He added that increasing electricity tariffs to such unmanageable levels shall further undermine the country’s Vision 2030 of achieving universal access to clean, reliable and affordable energy especially for the rural population which only accounts for a meagre of 4% of access to energy.
Mr. Mtayachalo said with the current prevailing economic situation in the country, it is just prudent that ZESCO must be innovative and look at other viable alternatives to improve its financial base such as broadening its customer base through implementing a robust, affordable and flexible repayment method in respect of capital contributions for new customer connections instead of relying entirely on electricity tariffs upwards adjustments.
He said government must equally play its positive role by ensuring that the power utility is run by qualified and competent personnel at all times and desist from exerting undue political pressure on management.
Mr. Mtayachalo has warned that failure to do so will result in these perennial financial challenges which continue to rock the corporation from all successive governments.
Chances are you’ve already heard of companies like MyHeritage and 23andMe. They send you a home DNA testing kit which you can use to find out more about your heritage. Simply spit in a vial and send it off, and a few weeks later you will get detailed results. It is easy and affordable, and increasingly popular.
However, you may not be sure of what genealogical DNA testing sites provide. You may even be cynical, and imagine that it is only for those who want to boast about their small percentage of African genes, as if that makes them more cultured. If you already have culture, and know where your family is from, can a DNA test add anything to your life?
The truth is that everyone can learn something from an ancestry DNA test. With many options on the market, each providing their own benefits, you can gain insight into yourself and others.
Here are some things you can learn.
We’re all connected
This might be the most clichéd aspect of DNA testing, but you truly do learn how connected you are. Most of us do not have the exact ancestry we expect. We get a percentage of other cultures, and get to experience the process of redefining our identities. I’m not saying you will start trying to co-opt other people’s cultural experience. However, you will get to confront your ingrained prejudices you didn’t even know were there, and learn a little more about people you have always considered to be “other.”
When you have such concrete knowledge that you have connections throughout the world, you can begin to realise that empathy is easier than you thought. We’re all humans, just trying to do our best in this world.
What to look out for
An important aspect that DNA tests may be able to tell you is whether you have a predisposition to certain medical conditions, such as a particular type of cancer, diabetes, or heart conditions. Knowing that you need to regularly check for markers of these illnesses can be the factor that gets you to diagnose it early on. This can be lifesaving.
Even if your DNA results do not give you a clear indication of your propensity to health conditions, by meeting relatives you never knew about, you can find out more about your family history, including health-wise.
Meet relatives
And this is one of the most exciting things about these tests, especially for those without a large extended family. If you allow them to share your details with potential relatives, you can find family you did not know existed. This is particularly thrilling as you get to meet people you immediately have something in common with, but for whom you do not bear a familial responsibility. It gives you the opportunity to choose who you bring into your family. If someone seems like they might be toxic for you, there is no reason you need to make them a part of your life.
There is a lot you can learn from ancestry tests. Give it a try, and share what you find out.
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya has disclosed that there is apprehension on the Access to Information Bill within and outside government circles.
Ms. Siliya however said that the Bill will enhance effective and timely communication by government, adding that the Access to Information Bill will reinforce accessibility to information not only among journalists but also citizens.
Ms Siliya said this in Lusaka today when British High Commissioner to Zambia Fergus Cochrane Dyet and his Canadian Counterpart Pamela O’ Donnel called on her at her office.
Ms Siliya also implored journalists to form a collective Professional Body to spearhead self-regulation and improvement of journalism standards and remunerations.
She urged journalists to take a leaf from lawyers who have set professional standards and remuneration levels through their Professional Body.
And Mr. Cochrane Dyet and his Canadian counterpart commended President Edgar Lungu and government for condemning suspected PF cadres that recently raided media houses in Kabwe and Chipata.
Mr. Cochrane Dyet also welcomed news that government is in the process of pardoning incarcerated Lusaka Journalist Derrick Sinjela.
He also invited Ms. Siliya to a media Conference on Press Freedom taking place in London in July.
Mr. Cochrane Dyet said the conference is being organised jointly between British and Canadian Foreign Ministers.
At the same function Canadian High Commissioner to Zambia Pamela O’ Donnel said Cyber related matters will be part of the agenda during the July Media Conference on Press Freedom in London.
Former United Party for National Development Vice President Geoffrey Mwamba has pledged to empower marketers at Chambeshi and Chikumanino markets in Kasama with K70, 000.
Mr. Mwamba said the donation is part of his empowerment programs to boost capital for marketers in the district.
Speaking when he made the pledges in Kasama, Mr. Mwamba said he would donate K40, 000 to marketers at Chambeshi market while those at Chikumanino market would receive K30,000.
He explained that marketers play a cardinal role towards the growth of the economy through the taxes they pay to government through Zambia Revenue Authority.
Mr. Mwamba added that most traders in markets are women who support families hence the need to empower them with capital to help them expand their businesses.
He has since assured the traders that he would give them the money on Wednesday and further urged them to put the money to good use.
The Former UPND President has since promised to work with people of Kasama in fostering development.
And Chambeshi Market Committee Chairperson Fred Chansa has thanked Mr Mwamba for pledging to empower marketers in the district.
Mr. Chansa has promised to ensure that the money is invested in viable businesses that will help improve the trader’s livelihoods.
Meanwhile Mr Mwamba who visited Kateshi area in Kasama has pledged to support school going children in the area.
Mr. Mwamba said he will ensure that he assists the children in the area by catering for their school requirements.
Over 30,000 people living in the Kalomo hills forest have been assured that government is seriously considering their habitation in the area following an earlier relocation from the forest.
Kalomo District Commissioner, Cosmas Chiiba says a comprehensive report of massive government infrastructure and other developmental projects to be undertaken in the 162,200 hectare piece of land has been submitted to higher authorities for consideration over the impending relocation order.
Mr Chiiba was responding to queries over the impending relocation with Kalomo hills inhabitants living in anxiety without knowing their fate.
The forestry department gave June 30, last year for the people in the area to vacate the area, a move which was opposed and defied by both chief Chikanta and Siachitema of Kalomo whose subjects are the main victims.
The area has since seen developmental projects such as that of the defunct Tonga-Gwembe projects in Nkandazofu area.
The other major project is the African Development Bank’s Strengthening Climate Resilience change in the Kafue sub-region (SCRIKA) which has various components to reduce vulnerability to flooding, limiting land degradation trends and improvements in drainages leading to the reduction of water-borne diseases among households in the area.
Among them are government facilities ranging from twenty schools with a pupil enrolment of 10,863, five health posts 100 boreholes, two dams, 194 government staff houses for agriculture, teachers and agriculture staff.
The Kalomo hills forest was gazetted under statutory instrument 102 of 1952.
The Patriotic Front on the Copperbelt has welcomed the deferment of the tariff review application by power utility company Zesco to the Energy Regulations Board.
Provincial Chairperson Nathan Chanda says the gesture by President Lungu to direct the Ministry of Energy to defer the application is a clear indication that the Head of State puts the interest of the people first.
“This is what it means to have a listening Leadership”, Mr. Chanda said.
On Friday last week, Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa announced that President Lungu had directed him to suspend the tariff increment.
Mr. Chanda said the PF leadership on the Copperbelt is happy that President Lungu has listened to the concerns raised by various stakeholders and members of the public.
He said in a statement that the increase in electricity tariffs in the mines could have caused a lot of panic.
Mr. Chanda has since challenged the Zambia Chamber of Mines to state their position over this directive because they had complained over the pending increase in power tariffs.
He has also challenged Miller’s who got maize from Food Reserve Agency FRA to reciprocate this gesture and find ways of also reducing the Price’s of mealie meal because it would have been a further cost on their production had the power tariffs been increased.
Mr. Chanda has alleged that some millers maybe working with the opposition to make the PF unpopular among the Zambian people.
Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame will be participating at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
This is the seventh session of the Multi-year Expert Meeting on Transport, Trade Logistics and Trade Facilitation which will be held from 7th to 9th May, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The meeting will be a Follow-up on the discussions at the 6th session that focused on trade logistics and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The seventh session will investigate in greater detail how trade facilitation and transit can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
Further, the meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss developments related to trade facilitation and transit issues, consider recent UNCTAD work aimed at assisting developing and least developed countries implementing trade facilitation reforms and share experiences, including by reviewing best practices associated with new and rapidly evolving technological developments.
Godfrida Chanda, the Ministry spokesperson says discussions will focus on general trade facilitation reforms and the implementation of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Facilitation, which entered into force in February 2017.
Mrs. Chanda said more than 140 WTO members have ratified the Agreement on Trade Facilitation and are currently implementing its provisions, in many cases with the assistance of international organizations, including UNCTAD.
She said full implementation of the Agreement is expected to considerably boost international trade and contribute to the development of developing and least developed countries, including the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Human Rights Commission has welcomed the arrest of PF leaders in Eastern Province in connection with the invasion of Radio Maria last week in Chipata.
The Commission has also called on the police to also arrest those who stormed Power FM Radio Station in Kabwe destroyed property and threatened violence on the National Democratic Congress Leader Chishimba Kambwili last week.
Commission spokesperson Mwelwa Muleya has further called on the police on the Copperbelt to arrest suspects in connection with the hacking of four NDC members during the Roan Parliamentary by elections in Luanshya and prosecute them in the courts of law.
Mr. Muleya said the arresting of the PF Eastern Province Treasurer, Zephaniah Mwale and Provincial Youth Chairperson William Phiri is significant because it appears to be redressing the increasing public opinion that PF members and sympathisers are above the law and can violate human rights and commit crime without fear of being arrested.
He said the need to effectively protect the rights to freedom of expression, association, the right to life and the right to property and security of the person which have been under serious attack from political players in the recent past, is now more than ever before.
Mr. Muleya has since commended President Edgar Lungu for expressing concern at lack of police action against perpetrators of human rights violation and crime and expects that his publicly expressed resolve to protect human rights and end impunity will receive corresponding action from the police and other state and non-state actors.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko
The Embassy of Japan has disclosed that it will soon open a book of celebration for the new Emperor of Japan Naruhito.
The 59-year-old Naruhito takes over from his father Akihito who abdicated a day earlier after a reign lasting three decades.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by First Secretary for Public Relations and Culture section at the Embassy of Japan Takato Ishida.
Mr Ishida explained that the signing will take place from Wednesday May 8, through to Friday May 10 from 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours and, 14:00 hours to 16:00 hours respectively.
He said the location for the signing the book of celebration, will take place at the Consular section of the Embassy of Japan.
Emperor Akihito of Japan abdicated on April 30 2019, making way for his son, Crown Prince Naruhito to take over the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world.
Emperor Akihito, who ascended to the throne in 1817, has become the first Emperor of Japan to descend from the throne for more than 200 years.
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Eastern Province has arrested a businessman who has been producing and selling petroleum jelly, laced with cannabis powder to some women in Chipata as a hair growth cream. 
