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Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo
Government has expressed happiness at the successful completion of the installation of digital village television coverage countrywide.
Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo says the successful completion of the installation of the 500 sets in 500 villages across the country means that citizens in all corners of the country will now be able to access information.
Mr. Kasolo was speaking when he presented a certificate of completion of the digital village television project to Topstar vice president Cliff Sichone in Lusaka today.
He explained that the successful completion of the village Television project is an indication of Zambia’s commitment to achieving some of the milestones in the 7th National Development Plan which emphasizes the need not to leave anyone behind.
He added that the installation of the solar powered television sets has given an opportunity to people in areas that have no electricity to keep abreast with issues around the country and the world over.
Mr. Kasolo has since urged people in areas where solar powered television sets have been installed to treat the television sets as a very important asset that will allow them to be connected to the rest of the world. Government, through Topstar, has installed 50 satellite digital television sets in each of the ten provinces of Zambia.
And Mr. Kasolo has said Government is happy with the fruits that the relationship with the Government of the People’s Republic of China continues to bear. He said Zambia and China have continued to enjoy warm relations.
Mr. Kasolo appealed to the Chinese Government to consider providing more satellite television sets so that a wider coverage of villages that have been left out can be reached.
The 500 satellite television sets are part of the 10,000 sets the Chinese Government donated to benefit 10,000 villages in Africa. The donation was made by Chinese President Xi jinping during the FOCAC meeting held in South Africa in 2015.
FORMER ZNBC director general Chibamba Kanyama has written to German television channel, DW, for producing a documentary, currently in circulation, that links him to a purported award of a multimillion digital migration contract to Star Times of China. DW TV is a set of television channels provided by Deutsche Welle. The channels concentrate on news and information and first started broadcasting on April 1, 1992 and they are broadcast on satellite and produced in Berlin, Germany.
According to a letter availed by Kanyama, who is Bridges Limited managing consultant, stated that the DW documentary mentioned him as one of the facilitators in the purported award of contract to Star Times, “having served as director general of Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.”
“I refer to the above named documentary currently in circulation and having been produced by DW. In the documentary, I am mentioned as one of the facilitators in the purported award of contract to Star Times, having served as Director General of Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation,” Kanyama stated.
“You may wish to check the following facts: I served as director general of ZNBC for the period 7th March 2012 and June 30, 2014.”
He stated that he joined the IMF in Washington DC on July 7, 2014 and that meant he served as a ZNBC director general under president Michael Sata, who died in October 2014.
“Mr Amos Malupenga, who is also mentioned as an accomplice, having served as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was in that position between 2011 and August 2013. These records can be checked,” Kanyama stated.
“The purported award of contract to Start Times took place during or after one of your sources, Mr Chishimba Kambwili served as Minister of Information and Broadcasting (this is according to the clip). He served as information minister between 2015 – 2016. This is the period this award of contract he is referring to in the documentary is believed to have taken place.”
Kanyama asked how then he was being a party to the purported transaction when “I had long left ZNBC and living in Washington DC at the time?”
“We are seriously studying this matter as it is grossly injurious to my reputation and the general public is currently debating how I got involved if at all what you are alleging in the documentary is true. I need clarity on the matter. Regards,” stated Kanyama.
In November last year, ZNBC Director General Richard Mwanza said, on the public broadcaster’s Sunday Interview programme, that the partnership between the public broadcaster and TopStar was the best for the country.
In November last year, Mwanza said ZNBC was too financially susceptible to carry out digital migration without backup.
“Star Times, like I mentioned, is the contractor who will be putting up the digital migration. To do this digital migration, it’s not cheap, let alone the capital cost is colossal! But once you put up this network, to operate it, is even more expensive.
So, ZNBC went into a joint venture with Star Times where we formed a company called TopStar Communications Limited [and] this is the company that will run the network. In running the network, they will be able to generate some money for operations but more so, generate some money to pay back the loan,” Mwanza said.
He noted that Star Times did not give anybody a loan but that it was the Chinese government, through Exim Bank, that gave the loan to the Ministry of Information to facilitate the digital migration project.
“In facilitating the project, the way it will be paid back is that we will have a special purpose vehicle called TopStar – they will manage the network and this is how the loan will be paid back. There is no taxpayers’ money involved…. It’s a 25-year loan and I’m just positive that maybe within 15 years, if all goes well, we could pay back this loan,” he explained.
“I mean, look at the mobile sector, these people make a lot of money and if we can produce very good films and we have more subscribers, definitely we can pay back that in a very short space of time.”
When asked by the programme host, Grevazio Zulu, to plainly clarify whether or not ZNBC had been sold, Mwanza responded: “Let’s be serious; do you think if ZNBC was sold I would be here laughing? If ZNBC had been sold, I would not sit here. It hasn’t been sold [and] so whoever is telling you that ZNBC has been sold….”
He further stressed that Star Times and ZNBC were simply shareholders in TopStar.
“Star Times has 60 per cent shareholding while ZNBC has 40 per cent shareholding in a company called TopStar. ZNBC is right now struggling to operate the analogue network and you need support otherwise it will be a white elephant! You install a US$273 million network and fail to operate it? Imagine!” noted Mwanza, adding that the role of the Zambian government in the deal would only be to support the parastatal, ZNBC.
“So, this joint venture will help us to maintain the network, make money and pay back the loan. This arrangement is the best for the country!”
Lundazi Magistrate Court has jailed a 25 year old housewife to 48 months simple imprisonment for assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Appearing before Resident Magistrate Edward Chisanga yesterday was Agness Tembo of William Compound in Lundazi who readily admitted the charge and sentenced her accordingly.
Particulars of the offence were that on March 30th, 2019 Agness Tembo unlawfully did assault Peter Tembo thereby causing him actual bodily harm contrary to Section 248 penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
The accused Agness was arrested on April 15th after being suspected to have poured hot water on his husband’s body Peter Tembo resulting him sustaining multiple burns on the neck, hands, stomach and at the back of his body.
And in mitigations Agness Tembo who pleaded guilty asked the court to exercise maximum lenience on her since she was a mother of two and if sent to prison the children would suffer.
In passing judgment Magistrate Chisanga told the accused that she could have killed the complainant had it not been the neighbors to rescue him adding that the accused could also have considered the plight of her family before committing the offence.
Magistrate Chisanga further told the accused that the offence she is charged with is a misdemeanor but carries a severe punishment and it is the duty of the court to met out stiffer punishment to culprits to deter would be offenders, and sentenced her to forty eight months simple imprisonment with effect from the date of arrest.
The Football Association of Zambia(FAZ) has taken away three points from Super Division side Lusaka Dynamos after the club was found guilty of failure to honour employment obligations towards Ghanaian player Abdul Latif Mohammed.
FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala has disclosed that the World football governing body, FIFA has in its correspondence to Football House dated April 24, 2019 directed that the three points be taken from Lusaka Dynamos or face sanctions.
Kashala said this follows after Mohammed reported Lusaka Dynamos to FIFA for failure to pay him his salary and allowances leading him to terminate his contract.
He said on March 8, 2019, the FIFA disciplinary Committee ruled that Mohammed be paid his dues with Lusaka Dynamos ordered to forfeit three points from the log as part of the punishment.
Kashala said FIFA in the letter requested Football House to immediately implement the aforementioned decision and provide our services with the proof of the points deduction.
He said the FIFA disciplinary committee may pronounce an appropriate sanction against FAZ which can lead to the expulsion from FIFA competitions.
Kashala said FAZ has since warned Zambian clubs engaging foreign players to ensure that they meet their obligations toward the players.
After this development, Lusaka Dynamos which is in Stream A has 23 points three points behind leaders Zanaco who have 26 points.
A Nigeria investor signs a memorandum of understanding during the investment Expo in Kasaka. Looking is Province Permanent Secretary ,Elias Kamanga
Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Elias Kamanga has directed the Provincial Planning Authority to ensure that land developers adhere to the Zambian town and country planning act to bring sanity in land development.
Mr Kamanga said the enforcement of the act will protect the province from unplanned and uncoordinated land development.
He noted that illegal land allocation, development and expansions will compromise the status of the city.
The Permanent Secretary said this when the Lusaka Provincial Planning Authority Board called on him at the Provincial offices today.
Mr. Kamanga added that government will not compromise on illegality and will ensure that anyone found wanting faces the wrath of the Law.
The Provincial Permanent Secretary has also urged the authority to ensure the undeveloped land in the other districts in the province such as Chirundu, Chongwe, and Rufunsa, should be developed in line with the regulations stipulated in the town and country planning act as a basis for future management of development.
And the Permanent Secretary said he has engaged the traditional leaders on land for expansion in Chirundu District and location of administration offices in Rufunsa district.
Speaking earlier, Provincial Planning Authority Board Chairperson, Nason Mumba has highlighted illegal land allocation, encroachments and boundary wrangles between councils and the traditional leaderships in some districts in the province.
Meanwhile, Lundazi District Council Secretary Mwansa Mumba has pledged the local authority’s continued commitment to always conducting land administration in a transparent and professional manner.
Mr. Mwansa says land administration is done in line with land act chapter 184 of the laws of Zambia and that the council has never at any time administered land without following the procedure.
The CS’s remarks come in a wake following accusation by some cross section of the public insinuating that the council does not follow the procedure when administering land which he says it is false, baseless and ill founded.
This is according to a statement availed to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lundazi today.
Mr. Mwansa disclosed that the council has always advertised land it intended to offer to the general public and applications have been open to all applicants who were subjected for interviews.
The Principal Officer further says allocation of plots is also done on merit in line with the given criteria at that particular time, adding that the council recently cancelled twenty- five plots which were advertised to the general public because the people offered failed to accept the offer.
A 34-year old Police Officer of Namwala Police Station in Southern Province has committed suicide.
Zambia Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said Constable Elzier Lubinda shot himself with an AK 47 rifle and died on the spot.
Mr. Hamoonga said the officer shot himself through the chin and the bullet came out through the right eye in the incident which occurred around 01 30 hours at Namwala Police inquiries office.
He said Constable Lubinda was found lying down facing upwards with the firearm on his chest and Police have since opened up an inquiry in the matter.
The incident comes barely a week after another police officer Jackson Mwanza committed suicide in Lusaka after he killed two people and wounded two others.
The official Opening of the National Dialogue by President Lungu
Zambezi East UPND Member of Parliament Brian Kambita has withdrawn his participation from the National Dialogue Forum which officially commenced yesterday.
In his letter addressed to the Chairperson of the National Dialogue Forum, Mr. Kambita said in order not to interfere with anyone’s freedom of expression and conscience relating to the forum said he has decided to withdraw because the forum conflicts with his fundamental rights and freedoms.
He said further, the forum is subordinate to the constitution as provided for under section 4 (1) of the National Dialogue Forum Act.
Mr. Kambita said his conscience does not allow him to continue participating in the process that does not seek to foster genuine dialogue but only to foster partisan interest for a few people.
He said he is ready to participate in genuine dialogue that seeks to bridge the differences among interest groups.
Mr. Kambita said with the prevailing challenges the country is going through he cannot in his good conscience attend and participate in the process that he is certain will not achieve genuine dialogue built on national consensus on critical areas on national concern.
Mr. Kambita becomes the second UPND Member of Parliament to withdraw his participation from the Dialogue Forum after Mazabuka MP Garry Nkombo leaving only 14 UPND MPs in attendance.
Earlier in the week, as I was jogging along Mulungushi road my senses were assaulted by an offensive smell coming from the drainage along the road.I noticed raw sewage flowing in the drains!
Apparently Foxdale Court releases the sewage night up to early in the morning into the outside drains. The water is not there during the day.
I enquired and was told LCC did not give them a permit to build a soak away. So when the septic tanks are full they have to pump the sewage out. If they don’t, the sewage which is connected to the pipe you can see in the video goes into the road.This happens every year from the time they opened the mall.
The road is mostly used by people who are going for work and pupils to Roma girls school. It’s a transit route. Mulungushi road is in a low density residential area and most local residents drive to work.
I appeal to the relevant authorities to put a stop to this as this is a public health risk.
Zambia Postal Services Limited Workers in Lusaka have gone back to work following government’s commitment to recapitalise the company joining their colleagues in other provinces who resumed work recently.
Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba recently said he is engaging the Ministry of Finance to release K50 million to recapitalise the company.
Mr. Mushimba also promised to help the company to collect the K20 million it is owed by some government Ministries to help clear salary arrears.
A check at selected post offices found the offices open with workers carrying out their normal duties.
And National Union of Communication Workers Lusaka Branch Chairman Martin Ngulube said the strike has been called off to allow management and the Union to engage each other on the matter.
Mr Ngulube however disclosed that the Union has declared a dispute with Zampost Management as a further step to resolve the matter.
The National Union for Communications Workers earlier this week urged Zampost Workers to go back to work following government’s commitment to help them collect the K20 million owed to them by partners which they can use to pay salaries.
Union General Secretary Richard Mulenga said government has also committed to help pay salaries at Zampost following a meeting held between the Union and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications Engineer Misheck Lungu.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency has given Scorpion Bus Services seven days to show cause why its operator’s licence should not be suspended or revoked, for employing and allowing an unlicensed driver to drive a Public service Vehicle.
The action led to the violation of the terms and conditions under which the Road Service Licence was granted.
In a letter dated 23rd April, 2019 addressed to the Director of Beta Build Hardware and Electronics, trading as Scorpion Bus services, RTSA have observed that the latter action by the operator is tantamount to violating the conditions upon which the operator’s licence was granted.
This comes in the wake of a road traffic crash on 17th April, 2019 around 19:20 hours, involving a Scorpion bus registration number BCA 8977ZM were 14 people died and 16 injured.
The crash occurred along the Chingola-Solwezi road.
Accident investigations conducted by the Agency, the driver of the bus Eddie Katoyo, was over speeding as evidenced by the fact that he overtook several vehicles and ended up hitting into a stationary truck in the opposite lane.
Further, RTSA records indicate that on 11th April, 2019, the same bus driver was reported to have been driving at excessive speed around Chisamba area on Great North Road after which he was summoned, but did not show up to answer to the charge.
Further investigations into the accident also indicate that the offender Eddie Katoyo was not licenced to drive a Public Service Vehicle and it was further established that the driver gave false information to officers when he presented fake documentation indicating that he was licensed with a PSV licence when in fact not.
According to a statement issued to the media by RTSA Head of Public Relations, the Agency is concerned that the operator could allow or employ an unlicensed and Inexperienced driver to drive a Public Service Vehicle, an action that undoubtedly put a lot of lives at risk further resulting in injuries and fatalities.
Mr. Mubanga said the operator therefore abrogated the conditions of the Road Service License by allowing or employing an unlicensed driver.
He said RTSA is evoking Section 108(16) of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002 that empowers the Agency to revoke, suspend or vary the terms of a RSL if the conditions subject to which it was granted are not being complied with
Patriotic Front -PF- Secretary General Hon Davies Mwila
“THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF) GOVERNMENT IN SEVEN YEARS (2011 – 2018) GUIDED BY VISION 2030 FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF 7NDP
By Hon Davies Mwila_
INTRODUCTION
The enhancement of Democracy and good governance internally and externally is a crucial component of the Patriotic Front Manifesto as we implement the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
The 7NDP is a building block formulated to meet the goals contained in the Vision 2030 which is a long-term plan that expresses the aspirations of the Zambian people to live in a strong and dynamic, middle income industrial nation that provides opportunities for improving the wellbeing of all.
Vision 2030 embodies values of socio-economic justice underpinned by the principles of: Democracy and Good Governance among others.
A robust and coherent constitution is pivotal to Democracy and Good Governance.
*PF ENHANCING DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE*
It is in this regard that His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu having assented to the National Dialogue Bill on 9th April 2019 is scheduled to launch the National Dialogue Forum (NDF) on April 25th 2019.
The National Dialogue Bill is a significant milestone as it paves way for the establishment of the NDF whose mandate will be to propose amendments to the Constitution in a transparent manner with maximum citizen and stakeholder input.
Proposals for amendment will also include historical contentious aspects such as the Electoral Law, Public Order Act and Political Parties Bill.
In line with the Law, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has appointed Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi a venerated academician as chairperson of the National Dialogue Forum subject to ratification by the forum.
Another luminary, Mr Patrick Chisanga, has also appointed as Secretary to the forum by the Secretary to the Cabinet. Mr Chisanga brings with him vast experience in leadership and governance issues. His ratification will also be subject to ratification by the delegates to the forum in accordance with the Law.
The Patriotic Front Government of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is committed to a transparent and participatory process; self -seeking saboteurs, enemies of progress and malicious detractors of the process will not be condoned.
We find it tragically ironic that some opposition political parties that have institutionalised dictatorship and do not practice internal democracy, and shun dialogue amongst themselves with their own Vice Presidents, are portraying themselves as the patron saints of democracy and exclusive fountains of wisdom in good governance. Their need for intra-party democracy and internal dialogue appears to be more desperate than dialogue with others. They need to wash their hands before they can lecture others about clean hands. It is strange that these same political Party’s _Life Presidents_ are vitriolic in their opposition of the National Democratic Forum.
Those who will stay away should therefore restrain themselves from casting aspersions against those who will participate. The Zambian people do not subscribe to constant petty bickering and splitting of hairs; but they want the Governance and Electoral reforms as soon as possible and the Patriotic Front through the leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has facilitated the necessary legal frame work.
It is also worth noting that during a recent sitting, the Patriotic Front Government through Cabinet Chaired by President Edgar Lungu also recently approved for publication and introduction in Parliament, the Electoral Commission of Zambia – ECZ- (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
The objectives of the Bill are to revise the functions of the Commission and revise the procedure for the removal of a member of the Commission. The proposal to amend the current ECZ Act is aimed at adopting international best practice regarding the functions of the Commission. This is particularly significant because the Act is currently silent on the qualifications and security of tenure of the members of the commission.
It is vital for the Commission to be streamlined and harmonised with the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016, for purposes of clarity and ease of reference.
This just goes to show how the Patriotic Front Administration under the guidance of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu- a Senior Lawyer himself is committed to addressing, by consensus Electoral Reforms, Public Order Act and other historical contentious aspects of our country’s Constitution, in order to enhance Democracy and Constitutionalism in Zambia.
PF AS A PARAGON OF INTRA-PARTY DEMOCRACY
However, it is not just on the national stage that the Patriotic Front Government of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is committed to enhancing Democracy and Good Governance.
It has after-all been said “Charity begins at home”.
The credibility of a political party’s democratic credentials is ultimately a function of the existence, extent and functionality of its intra-party democracy and internal governance systems.
As we have stated before, Patriotic Front stands heads and shoulders above every other political party in Zambia not only in terms of our commitment to Good Governance and Democracy on the national stage through avenues such as the National Democratic Forum; but also in terms of our uncompromised devotion to Intra-party democracy as well.
Patriotic Front is *THE ONLY PARTY WITH ELECTED STRUCTURES AT VARIOUS LEVELS NATION-WIDE. WE ARE THE ONLY POLITICAL PARTY CONDUCTING INTRA PARTY ELECTIONS.*
As His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu highlighted in his opening speech at the recent Elective PF Copperbelt Province Party Conference:
“Let me remind you and through you, all our members across this great nation that as Patriotic Front no one can dare challenge us when we say we remain Zambia’s most Democratic Party, incomparable to none. Show me a Democratic Party in Zambia and I’ll show you Patriotic Front!”
“Patriotic Front, at an intra-party level has always gone back to the people to renew its mandate. All structures from the Section, Branches, Wards, Constituencies, Districts, Provinces and Central Committee are subjected to regular and free intraparty democratic elections, a feature so alien in some Parties which still enjoy life Presidency.”
The President of the Patriotic Front – who is also the Head of State further said;
“Even when the darkest cloud hovered over Patriotic Front after the death of our colossus, President Michael Chilufya Sata, it was intraparty democracy which birthed his successor in the name of Edgar Chagwa Lungu. In other Political Parties, just my name which comes from a different part of Zambia as that of our founding leader could have prevented me from standing here today as your President. It was not tribal or material consideration that got us to be here today, it was the values we have held on to as a Party since inception: Oneness beyond tribe, religion, gender or colour. If Edgar Chagwa Lungu, with an Eastern heritage could contest in intraparty elections and succeed Michael Chilufya Sata, a northerner, then every Zambian from every tribe can be assured that Patriotic Front has a place for them to aspire and contest too.”
President Lungu’s observations are sober reminder of what holds the Patriotic Front together-democracy.
While some political figures have cooked and manipulated their party constitutions to ensure themselves an _“indefinite Tenure”_ in their personalised political party that has never held any intra party elections for more than two decades, PF is constantly driven by entrenched democratic principles at all levels, in all parts of Zambia.
And while Tribe, Region and Ethnicity is an institutionalised determinant of leadership in some political parties, Patriotic Front has stimulated a sense of ownership and belonging by the majority poor and ordinary Zambians across the social strata nationwide.
CONCLUSION
PF is fervently committed to the Rule of Law and Constitutionalism. We look forward to the National Dialogue Forum as it will enhance existing political stability which is a prerequisite for attracting local and foreign investment and generally improving Zambia’s socio-economic environment.
As we look to attaining the goals of Vision 2030 through the implementation of 7NDP, Zambia under the Patriotic Front Government of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is enhancing her credentials as a truly democratic state governed by the rule of law.
The European Union (EU) has released an amount of 833,139 Euros for enhancing the ‘Strengthening Citizen Action’ project in Western and Luapula provinces.
The project is aimed at improving democratic governance, a programme being implemented by the Mansa District Land Alliance, in conjunction with People In Need (PIN).
Speaking in Kalabo during the project launch held at Nalionwa Parish Hall, PIN Capacity Development Officer Nyambe Mwiyambango said Kalabo, Mongu and Limulunga districts have been targeted as recipients in Western province.
Mr Mwiyambango said the three year project which runs until 2022, has also been introduced Mansa, Chiengi and Chembe districts in Luapula province.
He said the project will facilitate interface meetings involving Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and government as well as facilitate community discussion forums on resource governance between duty bearers, investors and beneficiaries.
He added that funding would also go towards airing of radio programmes on good governance and other issues as well as raise awareness among traditional leaders, the clergy and community members.
Mr Mwiyambango further said other activities will include the development, presentation and sharing of policy briefs and papers on democratic governance, rule of law and land governance in line with decentralization and devolution policies.
Speaking at the same function, Mansa Land Alliance Provincial Coordinator Tyson Kalaba disclosed that Luapula and Western provinces have been prioritized because the regions have the highest poverty levels and disjointed CSOs.
Mr Kalaba explained the project’s specific objective has been to increase the capacity of CSOs to create an active civil society and support communities in development and accountability issues.
He said the action has potential to increase technical and operational capacities of CSOs in community engagement, promote and enhance networking, coordination and cooperation in public policy dialogue, formulation and implementation.
He added that CSOs and communities will be empowered to engage policy makers and to effectively influence the formulation and implementation of pro-poor policies.
Mr Kalaba disclosed that 30 targeted CSOs including youths and women organisations will be provided with technical support, coaching and mentorship, in order to enhance their capacity and motivation to become leaders.
And Kalabo District Commissioner Fridah Luhila said the project is well aligned to support the implementation of the Zambian Government’s Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
Mrs. Luhila noted that government through the 7NDP is committed to creating a conducive governance environment for a diversified economy in line with the theme “Accelerating development efforts towards the Vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind.”
She said it is government’s priority to create an enabling environment for CSOs to play a meaningful role in promoting social justice, freedom, equality, good governance and national development.
The Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) in Lundazi district, Eastern Province has commended government for the reduction of the school fees.
Lundazi Union Chairperson for Chasefu and Lumezi districts, Sebitwane Jere says for the country to develop, it needs to have a literate citizenry, hence the supportive move taken by government.
Meanwhile Mr Jere has appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that they send their children to school, in order to enhance the development of their families and the country at large.
He told ZANIS in an interview yesterday morning that education is key to any meaningful developmental activity, hence the need to produce a rich and competent citizenry.
Mr Jere has also urged school managers in the Ministry of General Education to welcome the reduction of the school fees, adding that it will allow more learners to be enrolled.
He further says anyone who will be defrauding government in the payment of school fees is not supposed to be entertained in anyway.
Mr Jere says the role of the union is not only to stand for the teachers when need arises but to also ensure that the teaching fraternity provides access and quality education.
The Chairperson has however cautioned teachers with the habit of abusing the girl child that the union will ensure that perpetrators leave because they are not fit to be in the profession.
The Petauke Town Council in Eastern Province has received over K600, 000 grant from government to pay salary arrears to workers.
Petauke Town Council Secretary, Greenford Sikazwe has confirmed told ZANIS that K 624,785.30 has been released to the local authority this week, to facilitate salaries for council workers.
Mr Sikazwe said the money has been channelled towards the payment of February 2019 salaries for Division One, Two, Three and Four workers plus councillors and casual workers.
Mr Sikazwe however explained that the council had earlier generated a total amount of K217, 829 from its revenue as top up to the grant received to meet its monthly net pay for all the workers.
He assured the workers that they will soon receive their salaries for the month of March as soon as government releases another grant.
KANSANSHI Mining Plc public relations manager Godfrey Msiska makes a contributions during First Quantum Minerals’ information-sharing sessions in Lusaka as corporate social responsibility manager Bruce Lewis looks on. – Picture by Andrew-Knox Kaniki/SUMA SYSTEMS.
By John Chola
FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) has initiated a new avenue of openly engaging and sharing pertinent information with the general public through various stakeholders on all matters pertaining to its operations in Zambia.
And FQM has won accolades from a cross-section of key civil society organisations (CSOs) non-governmental organisations (NGOs) representing the general public voices in Zambia for committing to a truly transparent policy.
FQM, in a rare gesture, becomes the first large-scale miner to create an avenue at which various stakeholders, NGOs and civic organisations would openly engage in deliberations about mining operations and how they affect the Zambian communities.
The first information sharing meeting held Tuesday at Lusaka’s Southern Sun hotel and attended by key NGOs and civil society organisations has since been described as a success.
FQM Country Manager General Kingsley Chinkuli reaffirmed his company’s commitment to continue engaging with various stakeholders and local communities, as part of an on-going process of transparency.
The meeting availed a rare opportunity to key players providing checks and balances to the mining sector to sit around the table and seek understanding on various pertinent issues that impact the communities as a result of mining activities wherever FQM operates.
Among the critical issues tabled at the meeting included environmental, health, corporate social responsibility, education, taxes and labour.
General Chinkuli underscored that FQM strongly believed that the information sharing meetings agreed to be held from time to time going forward, would help in bridging the information gap which has existed over time.
“Let me say at this point that FQM is a very good corporate citizen, law abiding and has brought into Zambia a lot of investment which has never been matched in the history of the country. So far, we have two mines – Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi and Sentinel Mine in Kalumbila whose combined production capacity makes FQM the biggest producer of copper in the country,” General Chinkuli said.
He added that at present, FQM had brought into Zambia a total of US$6.4 billion worth of investment.
“So far the taxes paid are US$3.85 million. Because the mine ownership structure of Kansanshi Mine is that FQM has 80 percent and the 20 percent is owned by the government of Zambia through ZCCM-IH, the dividends paid to ZCCM-IH from Kansanshi Mine’s inception amount to US$200 million. In terms of community investment, we have spent US$100 million since 2010,” General Chinkuli noted.
He also noted that FQM also faced some notable challenges particularly being a relatively new investor in Zambia but that the company was motivated by President Edgar Lungu’s visit to Sentinel Mine in Kalumbila on 1st June 2018 when he described his tour as an opportunity to see the challenges the mine was facing.
FIRST Quantum Minerals’ country manager Kingsley Chinkuli (standing) compares notes with Kansanshi Mining Plc public relations manager Godfrey Msiska during the mining company’s information-sharing session in Lusaka. – Picture by Andrew-Knox Kaniki/SUMA SYSTEMS.
General Chinkuli said despite the challenges being faced, FQM was committed to its operations in Zambia.
He said some of the challenges FQM had to deal with were that the two mines were a low grade at 0.51 percent of copper ore which despite such a scenario were still able to produce about 470,000 tonnes combined total per year.
“The challenges you may wish to know are in form of taxation, power tariffs which are usually increased without negotiation besides power blackouts that result in damage of expensive equipment, additional levies, additional taxes etc.,” he added.
General Chinkuli lamented the difficulties FQM always encountered in obtaining new or renewing work permits for expatriates the mine so dearly needed to meet special unavailable skills in the country.
He described civil society organisations and NGOs as very important stakeholders who always played a critical role in informing the people on what was always obtaining on the ground
He said FQM was committed to listening and communicating with stakeholders and local communities directly about events, issues and ideas.
“Our mines have been hit in the past by stakeholders due to inadequate information hence we seek a forward and upward movement in engagement. We recognise that the people and communities affected by our business should benefit through opportunities such as employment, business development, education, training or community investment over the long term. Communities in our catchment areas are therefore given first priority,” General Chinkuli emphasised.
Mwiya Mwandawande from the Extractive Industry Transparency Alliance (EITA) which coordinated the meeting commended FQM for keeping an open-door policy.
Over 30 NGOs and civil society organisations attended the meeting, notable among them were Water Aid, Action Aid, Jesuit Center for theological reflection, Counterpart International, Extractive Industry transparent Initiative and Zambia Governance Foundation. – Courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS.
