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President Edgar Lungu cuts the ribbon to officially commission the solar project
The President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu on 11th March 2019 commissioned Zambia’s and Africa’s First Scaling Solar Project supported by the World Bank to be run by the Bangweulu Power Company Limited. The facility boasts of a 54 MW first large-scale solar power plant in Africa that will cover 30,000 households and the lowest tariff in sub-Saharan Africa at 6¢ (US Cents). In July 2015, Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation to explore development of two large-scale solar projects through Scaling Solar. The competitive auction organized through the program attracted 48 solar power developers, seven of whom submitted final proposals, and the bids yielded the lowest solar power tariffs in Africa to date.
PMRC reiterates the importance of having a coherent, transparent process that the investor and investing public, the private sector, are able to work towards as well as the public institutions on the Government side — that is, the IDC as investment vehicle and the state utility as off-taker, to achieve predictability and a clearly defined process that lays the foundation towards the attainment of this 600-megawatt target which has been set for renewable energy in Zambia. PMRC’s research and policy contributions on Power Sector Reform and Renewable Energy in Zambia have laid the framework for success and provided key policy recommendations relevant to the discourse.
Given the challenges of Rising Demand, Below Cost Tariffs, Over Dependence of Hydropower and Climate Vulnerability and Low Rates of Access in Rural Areas, the private sector remains a key investment partner to adequately improving power supply in line with fiscal consolidation. Following PMRC’s recommendations, Government has made reforms to increase tariffs to make them cost-reflective thereby improving the country’s power sector investment climate.
To build on this progress Government has demonstrated its willingness and commitment to secure investment in the power sector without compromising fiscal consolidation objectives through the launch of the Scaling Solar Project. Government must therefore continue to make institutional changes to its planning and procurement capacity to secure productive, cost-effective and diversified power sector investment portfolio.
PMRC therefore recommends that the Government:
Establishes a planning function to develop a strategic vision for Zambia’s energy portfolio and guide procurement;
Establishes a procurement function that sits alongside the planning function to implement the strategy for Zambia’s Power Sector and secure investment at better value for money, through improved commercial capacity, more competitive tenders and a streamlined procurement process;
Speeds up reforms based on diagnostic study on ZESCO Limited to improve the credit-worthiness of ZESCO as off-taker to improve investor confidence through increased financial transparency and more secure guarantees; and
Makes governance reforms to the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to improve its independence and its effectiveness so that it better serves both investors’ and consumers’ interests.
Renewable energy is growing rapidly on a global scale, with record numbers of new renewable energy solutions ranging from wind and solar installations coming online every year. Zambia can readily continue this expansion of renewable energy by utilizing existing technologies, investing in improvements to our electricity system, and making smart policy decisions that move the country towards a clean energy future and harnessing its vast potential for renewable energy.
Improving operational efficiency in the power sector in Zambia will be a key driver for the country’s prospects of substantial progress in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals, Vision 2030, and the programmes envisioned in the Seventh National Development Plan.
ZAMBIA has been awarded the International Star for Leadership Award in the Gold Category at a prestigious event held in Paris, France.
The International Star for Leadership Award was bestowed on Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company for outstanding achievements, perseverance and Leadership in Excellence and quality in accordance with the World Quality Commitment criteria.
The World Quality Commitment Award recognizes and promotes companies, organisations and institutions that understand the dedication, continuous improvement, innovation and relentless pursuit of productivity that leads to excellence.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Bishop Dr. Edward Chomba, representing the Government, Zambia’s Ambassador to France, Dr. Christine Kaseba-Sata, Board Chairperson, Engineer Yamfwa Mukanga and his delegation from Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company received the Award on behalf of the water utility company.
And Bishop Dr. Chomba said it was most gratifying for Zambia to be recognised through Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company in the Gold Category at International level.
Dr. Chomba said Government was making strides in fulling strategic goals such as sustainable development goal number six (SDG-6) which targets ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
The Permanent Secretary noted therefore that his Ministry, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Heath had since achieved what they were calling Zero occurrence of cholera.
“We are working towards ensuring that our people have access to clean water and sanitation as it is their basic human right. This is in line with the Seventh National Development Plan for Zambia which His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has been championing through the make Zambia clean, green and healthy campaign,” Dr. Chomba said.
Furthermore, Dr. Chomba noted that his sector was also working towards implementing the Agenda 2030 so as to ensure that all households had access to tap water around that period.
Earlier, Zambia’s Ambassador to France, Dr. Christine Kaseba-Sata reiterated that the International Star for Leadership Award was a clear indication that Government’s efforts in not only improving the country’s business environment but also quality and productivity was being recognised and thus attracting the international community’s attention.
“This achievement goes a long way to speak about the great strides for Zambia and in particular Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company,” Ambassador Kaseba-Sata added.
And Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company Board Chairperson Engineer Yamfwa Mukanga thanked the organisers of the World Quality Commitment Award Convention, Paris 2019, BID Group One and Business Initiative Directions (BID) for recognising Zambia.
“We are truly thankful for this Award because we never expected to win but because of our operations and the support from the Government of Zambia our work has being recognised internationally.” said Engineer Mukanga.
And Engineer Athanasius Mwaba, Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company Managing Director hailed the employees and customers who he said had contributed so much in getting the company where it was.
“Having been given this award in the Gold category which falls within our slogan, that of providing good service with commitment and efficiency, coupled with the levels in which this award has been given is being correlated to innovation which we have strived to achieve with exemplary leadership,”Engineer Athanasius Mwaba added.
Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company (KWSC) is one of the 11 water and sewerage utility companies in Zambia whose operations commenced in the year 2000 as a result of Water Sector Reform Programme (WSRP) embarked on by the Government of Zambia.
The Establishment of these commercial utilities is to provide water and sewerage services in all urban areas of Zambia and was pronounced in the National Water Policy (NWP) document of 1994 in accordance with the Water Supply and Sanitation Act Number 28 of 1997.
Issued by:
Yande Musonda (Ms.)
First Secretary – PRESS
EMBASSY/PERMANENT DELEGATION TO UNESCO
Paris, FRANCE
Kaladoshas ‘The Best’, drops his second single of the year titled COOL IT DOWN and this time features fellow hit maker XYZ CEO Bobby East.
The sweet dance tune is produced by the genius Kekero and inspires forgiveness, understanding and the avoidance of anger in love relations. Cool It Down comes off the highly anticipated Kissing The Music album that Kaladoshas has promised to drop soon.
For now, lets enjoy ‘Cool it Down’, a certified banger that will top the charts without a doubt, beautiful melody from Kaladoshas and Bobby East completes the flavor with his signature hip-hop flow. ‘COOL IT DOWN’ is about to blow and bring fire to the dance floors across Africa.
Mighty Mufulira Wanderers were brought back down to Earth on Sunday just five days after their stunning 2-1 home win over champions Zesco United.
On Sunday,Mighty were humbled 6-1 away by Pool A leaders at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka to see them suffer their heaviest loss of the 2019 FAZ Super Division season.
But it was Mighty who made a false start when John Goma put the nine-time champions ahead in the 19th minute.
However, Mighty’s lead lasted just three minutes when Peter Banda leveled and Tafadzwa Ruskie scored his first of three of the day in the 33rd minute before completing his brace in the 37th and 50th minutes.
Chitiya Mususu made it five-one in the 69th minute and Romeric Pitroipa completed the rout in the 78th minute.
The result sees Zanaco reclaim top spot from Kabwe Warriors who had taken the overnight lead of Pool A on Saturday following a 1-0 Kabwe derby win over promoted Prison Leopards.
Zanaco have 17 points, one more than Warriors at the end of Week Eight games.
Mighty stay seventh on 8 points from as many games played with just two wins in their first term back after spending the 2018 season in FAZ Division One.
Meanwhile, the final Week Eight match is on Monday in Pool B when fifth placed Forest Rangers host number two side Power Dynamos at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency says it plans to register its presence in future in all districts in order to take its services closer to the people.
RTSA Head of Public Relations Fredrick Mubanga says the Agency plans to set up a permanent office in Lundazi in order to ease the cost of motorists travelling all the way to Chipata to access its services.
And the Agency has concluded a 10 days mobile motor vehicle fitness, road tax and licence registration conducted in Nyimba, Petauke, Chadiza and Lundazi.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Mubanga said the presence of RTSA in other districts in Eastern Province is evidently needed as means of decentralizing its services.
He said RTSA will soon launch an online payment for road tax soon as a way of embracing Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs).
And Lundazi District Council Chief Administrative Officer Brenda Katongola says the council is looking forward to a long partnership with RTSA in order to lessen the burden of people travelling to Chipata to access the Agency’s services.
Ms. Katongola, who is also Acting Council Secretary praised RTSA for offering the mobile services to Lundazi residents but said a long-term partnership is needed.
The Zambia News and Information Services has signed a Co-operation Agreement with Turkey’s Anadolu Agency on exchange of news and information.
ZANIS Director, Patrick Lungu signed for ZANIS while AA Director General, Senol Kazanci signed on behalf of the Turkish International News Agency.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Joseph Chilengi said the signing of the Co-operation Agreement between ZANIS and AA is timely as the country like the rest of the world, is grappling with fake news that has littered cyberspace.
Dr Chilengi said the signing of the agreement will enable ZANIS benefit from AA which is renowned world over as a credible source of news and information.
He commended AA and ZANIS for their pivotal role in shaping the existing warm relations between Zambia and Turkey through packaging and dissemination of information of overriding public importance for mutual benefit of the two countries.
“It is admirable that AA and ZANIS are part of the new order in which there is no room for fake news,” Dr Chilengi said.
He further observed that it is unfortunate that some western media outlets are disseminating fake news to tarnish Zambia’s image and that of other African countries.
He also said the signed Co-operation Agreement will enable the institutions to benefit through training, exchange programmes, exchange of news and information, production of documentaries and cultural exchanges.
ZANIS and AA have agreed among other things to share experiences and technical assistance through communication between their editors, professional and technical experts, reporters, photographers and training.
The two media institutions have also agreed to cooperate regarding visits of leaders of the two countries and official delegations as well as news coverage, providing information and organisation of activities in the Republic of Zambia and Republic of Turkey.
This is according to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in Turkey Jerry Munthali.
The Zambia Meteorological Department has rubbished the warning by the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit alleging that certain parts of the country are likely to be affected by the hard-hit tropical cyclone that hit Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.
The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit on Saturday warned that the Southern African Development Community – Climate Services Centre had predicted that a tropical storm which has devastated Mozambique, which will migrate inland and make land fall over eastern Mozambique is likely to extend to Zambia.
DMMU Public Relations Officer Rachael Chama,said the storm is likely to affect Luapula, Northern, Central, Southern, Muchinga and parts of Eastern provinces with Districts such as Lunga, Chilubi, Luwingu, Mporokoso, Kawambwa, parts of Mansa and Milenge likely to receive rainfall in excess of 10 mm from March 16.
But in what appears to be clear lack of coordination between the two, MET, Acting Director Emmanuel Sikana has told ZANIS that Zambia is in the first place not in danger zone from the cyclone and that the department is observing its movements.
Mr. Sikana says the cyclone which hit Zimbabwe has started going back to central position in Mozambique and is likely to go back to the Indian Ocean.
He however, explained that when the cyclone was around central Mozambique, it started pushing the rainfall activities to northern parts of Zambia especially North western and Copperbelt.
Mr. Sikana, added that with the cyclone retracting back to Mozambique, it is apparently pulling the westerly winds towards Zambia thereby, inducing more rainfall activities on the Copperbelt, Luapula, Northern, Muchinga and parts of Eastern and Central provinces.
He added that due to this direction, the country may have isolated showers and thunderstorms during the afternoons in the Western, Southern and Lusaka provinces though not significant rains in Lusaka and Western.
Mr. Sikana stressed that the department is however, still vigilant in case the cyclone regenerates.
On Friday, a tropical storm known as the Cyclone Idai which brought water flood and destruction to areas of Mozambique and Malawi, hit Zimbabwe cutting off power and communications and claimed about over 60 lives.
The Zambia National Farmers Union has welcomed, Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo’s directive to his Permanent Secretary Songowayo Zyambo to immediately start the process of reviewing the laws governing the Tobacco sector to bring harmony to the industry.
Mr. Katambo directed Mr. Zyambo to immediately embark on a process of reviewing Statutory Instruments 67, 84 and 85 in full consultation with all stakeholders as he is in the process of putting in place the appropriate Board of Directors for TBZ.
ZNFU President Jarvis Zimba said the Zambia National Farmers’ Union has welcomed Government position to rise above seemingly insurmountable challenges affecting the entire tobacco value chain.
He said Farmers are elated that tobacco marketing will soon open for them to begin selling the crop which was stuck on farm.
Mr. Zimba further said that the reopening of consultations on the Statutory Instruments and review of the Tobacco legislation by Government should bring together consensus among all players in the tobacco industry and with Government.
He said the diversification of the Zambian economy is not just an option but it is a make or break situation and is dependent upon vital sectors such as agriculture which is a springboard of many industries through value addition, suppliers of agro-services, transporters, the banks and many more.
Mr. Zimba said a booming agriculture sector is a source of income to its people and to the Zambian economy and the action taken by Government is timely and gives an opportunity to all parties to invest in meaningful dialogue.
He said the Zambia National Farmers’ Union as an organization representing all farmers in the country from small scale, emergent and large scale is committed to the process of dialogue unequivocally.
“We will work hard to bring on board the tobacco growers of all sizes and those dealing with the growers to participate in the review process of the laws so that a firm foundation is in place. We are keen to perform this role because we know that when the tobacco industry collapses, farmers stand to lose out and poverty is highest in the rural areas”, he added.
Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Sydney Mupeta speaking during the commissioning of a new commucations tower in Mansa on Saturday
Zamtel has announced that it will erect 700 new communication towers by the end of 2019 as it continues with its aggressive network roll out.
Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Sydney Mupeta revealed that by end of 2019, 700 new sites will be active as part of the 1009 new towers to be constructed under the GRZ Communications Tower Project Phase II.
Mr Mupeta said the new sites will be mainly located in the rural areas which previously had no access to telecommunication services.
He said this is in line with the Seventh National Development Plan which is aimed at providing communication access to all.
Mr Mupeta was speaking on Saturday when Zamtel commissioned a new communication tower at Mansa School for Continuing Education.
He said 100 sites will be allocated to Luapula with Mansa alone having a total of 21 sites adding that so far 74 sites are active in Luapula with only 24 remaining to be deployed.
“This will result in almost 100 percent network coverage for the people of Luapula and once fully deployed, this will bring a lot of economic activities resulting in job creation. Mansa and Luapula province are priority areas for Zamtel due to the immense investment opportunities in the region. Zamtel will leverage the investment interests being generated in the province by providing digital solutions and services to the investment community,” Mr Mupeta stressed.
He also announced that Zamtel has started swapping out 2G sites with 3-G in most parts of the country including Luapula.
Mr Mupeta said once this process is completed, the complaints on the quality of the network will be a thing of the past.
“Customers with high end phones, you may have noticed that you can access 4G in most parts of Mansa,” he added.
And Mansa Central Member of Parliament Dr Chitalu Chilufya commended Zamtel for investing heavily in network expansion which he said has improved the quality of the network.
Dr Chilufya observed that expanding the network in Mansa will help improve access to health related information which Zamtel will soon start broadcasting via SMSs.
At the same function, Mansa Mayor Emmanuel Chungu thanked Zamtel for extending coverage to more areas in Mansa.
Mansa Central Member of Parliament Dr Chitalu Chilufya speaks during the commissioning of a new Zamtel network tower in Mansa on SaturdaySome of the Headmen and Indunas who attended the launch of a new Zamtel communications tower at Mansa School for Continuing Education on Saturday.
Mutati speaks to party officials in Ndola on Sunday.
ACCA Global Advocate Felix Mutati says that the Church and civil society have the responsibility particularly to advise and correct the mistakes politicians make to avoid degeneration into bad governance.
Mr. Mutati, who was guest speaker at the International Conference on Internal Resource Mobilization and Stemming Illicit Financial Flows in Nairobi, Kenya said that failure by the church and civil society to advise politicians has led to poor governance on the African continent.
He also urged churches to help in creating a tax resource base and encourage the congregants to comply.
He shared Zambia’s experiences in the Mining and manufacturing sectors and the resultant decisions that were effected after being in rush to sign development agreements such as free duty on imports and not paying tax on profit.
And Fr. Charles Chilufya who is the Director Justice and Ecology office at the Jesuits Conference of Africa and Madagascar said that if African countries manage to collect enough money through taxes and avoid illicit tax evasion there would be more resources for social and infrastructure development instead of relying on debts which in turn bleed the economy.
He said that his organisation picked on Mr. Mutati due to his credentials which include vast experience in politics, holding various ministerial positions and being the ACCA Global Advocate.
President Lungu gracing the Central Provincial Conference over the weekend
President Edgar Lungu has sounded a warning to relevant bodies created to promote youth entrepreneurship to show cause why they should not be shaken up.
Speaking in Kabwe when he opened the Central Province Patriotic Front Conference, President Lungu cautioned against the prevailing Laissez-faire attitude.
He said the rhetoric surrounding youth entrepreneurship needed to be replaced with immediate action by the relevant agencies, as he warned that next time he will talk about the matter, he will either be reshuffling or firing people.
The Head of State called for drastic measures to trigger more young entrepreneurs to emerge and existing ones to be boosted.
President Lungu who is also President of the Patriotic Front, emphasised that Zambia’s future lies in the involvement of young people in Entrepreneurship.
He said that Youth Entrepreneurship was at the core of his heart and his vision for industrialization.
President Lungu observed that Zambia has a huge and energetic youth entrepreneurship potential that required to be harnessed for national development re-iterating that conditions need to be created to enable the youth, who constitute the majority of Zambia’s population to thrive as existing or upcoming entrepreneurs.
President Lungu’s 2021 EndorsementPresident Lungu gracing the Central Provincial Conference over the weekend
Nkana have to thank Zesco United for their debut CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals qualification.
Zesco beat Asante Kotoko 2-1 on Sunday at home in Ndola to help Nkana secure their top two finish in Group C and advance to April’s quarterfinals despite suffering a heavy defeat in a simultaneous kickoff away in Sudan.
Nkana lost 4-2 away to Al Hilal in Khartoum but still finished second after Kotoko failed to get a victory in Zambia that would have seen them usurp the Kitwe giants to a last eight place.
Al Hilal and Nkana qualify on 11 and 9 points respectively while Kotoko settled for third on 7 points, tied with bottom placed Zesco after Sundays final Group C results.
Meanwhile, Zesco rallied from one-down to win after Stephen Nyarko put Kotoko ahead in the 47th minute.
But Jesse Were and Kondwani Mtonga struck in the 53rd and 56th minutes respectively to secure Zesco’s first victory after a seven match winless run in all competitions.
Nkana will know their quarterfinal opponents on March 20 when the draws are made in Cairo, Egypt.
IT IS not the ZRA (Zambia Revenue Authority) that most businesses fear in Lusaka. It is the gangs, the Gangs of Lusaka City! With ZRA the taxes one pays are fixed by a known formula and periodically required according to one’s business activities. ZRA waits for the business to declare its activities or sales and then the formula kicks in to determine how much the business owes ZRA and government. This is not so with the Gangs of Lusaka. Their payment is varied, and formula not known. The bosses decide how much businesses pay them and when to pay.
When a business doesn’t have the cash the pay (to pay the bearer on demand) the business is shut down and or their services disrupted. Sometimes their business premise is allocated to another one (those deemed serious with business). One would expect that such a gang operating in Lusaka would do so as a secret society or done in the night, nay.
These gangs operate in broad day light and rub shoulders with the sanctioned offices of the council, Zambia Police, government agencies and business associations. Take for instance in the market, the Gangs of Lusaka control who gets the market stalls and market shops.
They have somehow found a way of acquiring all shops and stalls from the Lusaka City Council and Market administrations and now lease these shops and stalls at their economic figure which in most cases is 10 or more times the rentals charged by the council for these stalls or shops. All the shop owners in the markets of Chilenje, Kabwata, Mtendere, City Market and Soweto Markets owe their rentals not to the Council but to these Gangs of Lusaka.
A simple comparison of the market list from Lusaka City Council and a physical roll call will show you proof of this elaborate and well executed scheme of sub leasing Council stalls and shops by these Gangs of Lusaka. Sometimes headed by the market chairman or boss, they collect levies and other fees as when they deem fit. They can collect funds for a funeral or funds for a political rally or funds to go and watch a football match. The tenants have no choice but to cough out these monies as and when they are required. Farmers that truck their produce to Soweto market or any farmers’market are aware of the power of these gangs.
Farmer Pascal Polepole in his post to the Small Scale farmers Group in November 2018 lamented at the power that these gangs possessed and “were so powerful to make their own rules that if a farmer did not comply they had the audacity to tell one never to come sell at the market again stating that they can even beat you up and confiscate your farm goods and you will not have anywhere to report.” Polepole says the retail agents working with the Gangs of Lusaka even dictate the price at which your goods will fetch.
“They make sure they buy everything from the farmers at meagre prices and remain retailing them at huge profits when the farmer is gone.” Polepole advices new comers to the markets to identify these retail cartels and find ways of working with them if their goods are to be sold at all at these markets.
Another farmer Elvis Chibale claims the police at New Soweto Market are afraid of these Gangs of Lusaka, known as maJimbos, as they wield both political and economic influence at the market. At Intercity Bus Terminus or any bus station, these Gangs of Lusaka have exerted their influence and power such that no bus can load or depart from the station if it has not paid the gangs their share of protection fee and operation fee. Every bus that leaves Intercity Bus Terminus has to pay up as much as K500 per bus depending on size and destination.
Every minibus that leaves the City Council owned bus station, save for private owned ones, has to part away with this loading fee that too ranges from bus to bus size and destination. Their power at one time led to several bus companies like Euro Bus Company, CR and others to break away from operating from Intercity in preference for private bus stations. President Levy Mwanawasa at one time ordered the Zambia Police to get rid of these gangs from the markets and bus stations.
This action resulted in the nabbing of gang leaders who were found with AK 47s and huge sums of monies from the Intercity Bus Terminus. Before then, President Chiluba too had to contend with the once powerful taxi gang called the United Taxis and Transport Association (UTTA) once led by my neighbour from Garneton Kitwe, Willie Nsanda, who controlled the ins and outs of all bus stations countrywide. UTTA had to be deregistered because they were nothing but a gang of crooked individuals that fleeced every transporter out of their hard-earned cash. The UTTA gang owned no bus or taxies and yet controlled the industry.
The modern taxi rank gangs of Lusaka control which pirate taxi or licenced taxi operates within the City of Lusaka. Pirate taxes pay location fee ranging from K1,500 in the taxi ranks on Freedom Way and surrounding areas to K15,000 in the taxi ranks on Cairo Rd and the vicinity of the CBD (commercial business district). These monies go the Gang bosses who in turn give a cut to the town bosses and other gang leaders operating from Council and Government offices.
According to one taxi owner, James Phiri (not his real name for fear of being beaten) who plies his trade from Lusaka’s Longacres area, ‘no new taxi can be allowed to operate in any area unless they are willing to pay these entry fees and contribute protection monthly fees to the Boss and his crew.’ On our roads, every motorist knows that when one is on a journey, they need to keep some loose cash to oil the palms of another Gang of Lusaka.
This one wears the Zambia Police Traffic uniform. They make your travelling around the city of Lusaka hell. They hide in un marked roads and blind curves lying in wait for any suspicious looking car or motorist, regardless of whether the car or drivers have adequate papers and registrations. They grab your driver’s licence or claim to impound your vehicle for a countless number of offences until you pay up a ludicrous figure of K450 times the number of offenses cited.
They know that the inconvenience they create on your journey will force you to negotiate for a lesser charge and pay a release fee (ya ka lunch or admit of guilty) before you go. Their behaviour once forced the RTSA (Road Transport and Safety Agency) through their then Public Relations Manager Mukelwa Mangolwa to say “it was not in order for traffic officers to confiscate drivers licences or impound vehicles for offences that require bookings” adding that “we (RTSA) have communicated to the Police High Command on this issues … police officers have to differentiate between impoundable and non-impoundable offenses to avoid inconveniencing the traveling public” he told the media.
These Gangs of Lusaka are becoming sophisticated every day and are arming themselves with resources and weapons that very soon, no market will run without their say so and no business will operate without paying taxes. They will one day move into real estate or expand through-out Zambia and begin holding people’s properties and businesses at ransom. Just across the river in South Africa, motor taxis gangs kill each other over who operates in what route and what kind of bus size can be allowed in their locations.
In June 2016, Uber drivers had their vehicles burnt and several drivers killed when these gangs declared Uber operations illegal in the Sandton area of Johannesburg. Jonathan Ayache, General Manager for Uber told the media “It’s been consistent violence against our drivers for months and all that we want is to work and earn an income to provide for our families”. Government through its agencies like ZRA, the Zambia Police, Drug Enforcement Commission and the Lusaka City Council need to reclaim these business operation areas away from these Gangs of Lusaka. Not only are these gangs reaping where they did not sow, they are distorting the market offices of our economy and are adding huge costs to the cost of doing business and costs of goods and services. Their actions are illegal and counter-productive to the spirt of enterprise and hard work of the majority Zambian worker.
The author is Media Relations and Communications Expert at MB Zambia Ltd www.facebook.com/MthoniswaB
Cabinet has approved the National Dialogue for Constitution Refinement Forum Bill ahead of the commencement of the constitution refinement process.
Minister of Justice Given Lubinda has disclosed that he hopes to present the National Dialogue for Constitution Refinement Forum Bill to Parliament in the course of this week.
Mr. Lubinda has told Q-News that once the Bill has been enacted into law, it will be all systems go for the constitution refinement process.
He states that this entails that government is all set for the constitution refinement process.
And Mr. Lubinda has clarified that the K2 million required for the constitution refinement process is within allocations from the 2019 national budget.
He notes that besides funds government has set aside in the contingency, his Ministry was allocated some monies meant for legal reforms in the same national budget.
There is need to acknowledge the fact that a lot of premature deaths in our communities are largely preventable. Diet is vitally important to all aspects of our health, but it’s smart to pay a little extra attention to your heart.
A troubled heart has a ripple effect on the wellbeing of your entire body. Heart disease is also often linked to other complaints like high blood pressure, endocarditis and coronary artery disease.
So to head off heart disease before it can take hold, evaluate your diet and see if you can make some better choices. Today, allow me to discuss how a meal of potatoes, liver and vegetables can prevent heart disease.
Potatoes: Some people avoid potatoes because they assume the white colour makes them a refined starch, which is prone to spiking blood sugar. But that’s not the case because they are full of fiber to moderate the rate of glucose absorption. A diet high in potatoes has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Potatoes also contain a significant amount of potassium, which can lower your blood pressure. Look for the red potatoes from Eastern Province to get the highest level of antioxidants.
*Liver:* This may be the only red meat you’ll ever hear linked with a heart-healthy diet. Liver has a surprisingly diverse nutritional profile, containing protein (of course), vitamin C, vitamin B12, copper, iron, and zinc. One serving of liver has about six grams of fat, but it’s the healthy kind that your heart loves. If you can stand the taste, liver is an extremely balanced source of protein. Per 100g, it provides 29g protein. The majority of nutrients in beef can be found in far greater amounts in liver. Prepare it with garlic. Meta-analyses of clinical trials demonstrate that garlic beneficially impacts hypercholesterolemic and hypertensive patients.
Vegetables: I recently covered impwa. The fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and phytonutrient content in impwa all support heart health. Generally, eating foods containing certain flavonoids, including anthocyanins, is associated with a lower risk of mortality from heart disease, according to a review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) in 2008. An increased intake of anthocyanins is associated with significantly lower blood pressure.
Conclusion:His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has, for a commendable reason, taken up an ambassador role in the fight against non communicable diseases. Physical activity and a healthy eating lifestyle are key to attaining a long and healthy life. Let’s make it a personal decision to start eating nutrient dense foods and balancing energy intake with the necessary physical activity to maintain a healthy weight which is essential at all stages of life.
The Author is Zambia’s Minister of Health and a Medical Doctor by training and practice
