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President of the Republic of Angola, Joáo Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço arrives in Zambia
The Visa abolition agreement which Zambia and Angola signed for diplomatic, official and ordinary passports holders will tomorrow come into effect to see citizens of the two countries cross borders without visa requirements.
Zambia and Angola agreed on May 2, 2018 to waive Visa requirements for their citizens traveling between the two countries.
Acting Minister of Home Affairs Michael Katambo has announced that the agreement which was signed during the state visit to Zambia by the Angolan President Joao Lourenco will enter into force on the 16th August 2018.
Mr. Katambo told Journalists at the briefing in Lusaka today that the agreement apply to national of the respective countries who hold valid diplomatic, official and ordinary passports who intend to enter the territory of the other for tourism, family visits, official and private business as well as in transit without a visa.
The Minister said the agreement on visa exemption will also act as a catalyst for the successful implementation of all the other agreements that were signed during the Angolan President’s visit.
He said the agreement will further facilitate easy movements of goods and services from either countries and also help nationals of both countries to move between the two countries seamlessly.
He added that the agreement will deepen the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation that characterize the good relations between the two peoples and countries as well as eliminate barriers and promote the movement of either nationals.
File:President Edgar Lungu receives seedco maize from Mr Brain Mhango Market Development Manager during the Launched the Electronic Voucher System for the Farmer input Programme in Choma Mbabala constituency on Monday 12-10-2015. Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/ Statehouse.
The Participatory Ecological Land-Use Management (PELUM) is urging government not to discontinue with the e-voucher system in the implementation of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) despite the hiccups that were experienced in the previous farming season.
PELUM Country Director Muketoi Wamunyima says government should instead rectify the errors that caused the failure of the system in
some areas, as compared to completely doing away with the system, as advised by some sections of the society.
Mr. Wamunyima said the e-voucher implementation challenges that were faced during the last farming season are not reasons enough for the country to go back to the traditional way of implementing FISP.
He said the e-voucher system has many advantages, which include the promotion of crop diversification, which allows famers to access seed crops of their choice and chemicals from their livestock unlike the traditional FISP which is limited to maize seeds and inputs.
He added that the system should be promoted and strengthened by all Zambians because it reduces on government spending on transporting and storage of inputs, while promoting private sector participation hence the need to ensure that it continues.
Mr. Wamunyima was speaking to ZANIS in an exclusive interview in Lusaka.
The e-voucher system last farming season faced a number of challenges such as late activation of the cards and poor or lack of internet in
some areas among others.
Vice- President Inonge Wina and her Minister ,Syvia Chalikosa at the launch of the national policy on honours and awards in Lusaka.Vice President Inonge Wina is tomorrow Thursday August 16, 2018, expected in Ankara, Turkey for a state visit at the invitation of the Turkish government.
A tight schedule awaits the Vice President while in Turkey.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Turkey Joseph Chilengi told ZANIS in an interview in Turkey today that the Vice President is on Friday August 17 expected to hold a bilateral meeting with the Vice President of Turkey Fuat Oktay.
And Ambassador Chilengi said Mrs Wina is expected to attend a breakfast meeting with members of the Diplomatic Corps comprising African Ambassadors resident in Ankara, Turkey on Friday.
He said the Vice President will also be a guest at a meeting organised by the Turkish business community to discuss possible investment opportunities in Zambia.
Ambassador Chilengi added that Mrs Wina is further expected to pay a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Binali Yildrim here in Turkey.
He further said that the Mrs Wina will also meet the Vice President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) an international cooperation development arm of the Turkish government, to discuss various areas of development.
Ambassador Chilengi further stated that the Vice President is on Saturday August 18 expected to be among 52 Heads of State scheduled to attend the 6thOrdinary Congress of the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) party of Turkey.
The Vice President is also expected to interact with the Zambian community based in Turkey.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) plans to mediate between Kenya and Zambia trade dispute.
Francis Mageni, COMESA Director for Trade Customs, told journalists in Nairobi that Zambia has prevented milk and palm oil exports from Kenya over health standards and rules of origins respectively.
“We are working closely with officials from Kenya and Zambia in order to resolve the issue in order to promote intra-regional trade,” Mr. Mageni said during the Fourth COMESA Heads of Customs Sub-Committee meeting.
Mr. Mageni said Zambia has rejected milk imports from Kenya because it contains a total bacteria count beyond the maximum levels permitted in Zambia.
“It has been argued by Kenya that whatever the bacterial count, milk that has gone through the ultra heat treatment (UHT) kills all pathogens making it safe for human consumption,” Mr. Mageni added.
In order to unlock the trade impasse, scientists from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization have also been consulted to determine if Kenya’s milk is safe for Zambian consumers.
The director said that whether the trade dispute will be resolved hinges on the COMESA member states but there is no set deadline.
“Timelines are good to gauge progress or achieve results but there are certain things if you fix timelines you set up yourself for failure,” he added.
The COMESA official said that Zambia officials have already being invited to inspect the safety of Kenya’s milk value chain in order to find a holistic solution.
Zambia has also imposed restrictions on Kenyan palm oil exports because it doubts whether they have enough local content to get preferential access into the Zambia market.
Mr. Mageni said that COMESA has facilitated Zambian officials to visit Kenyan palm oil production facilities to confirm if the edible oils are produced in Kenya.
He said the trading bloc has managed to eliminate over 150 Non Tariff Barriers (NTB) between the member states over the past two decades.
He noted that the most difficult NTBs to remove is where influential players who own industries encourage their government to put in place barriers that will shield domestic industry from foreign competition.
Hilton Garden Inn, the midscale brand by Hilton, has opened in Lusaka.
Hilton Garden Inn Lusaka Society Business Park, which is 30 minutes from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, is the second Hilton Garden Inn property to open in Sub-Saharan Africa this year, and joins 42 existing Hilton properties in Africa.
The hotel is the latest addition in the recently refurbished mixed-use development Society Business Park in the Lusaka CBD.
The property offers 148 guest rooms including four junior suites with kitchenettes.
Guests have access to an all-day-dining restaurant, Garden Grille – which serves international cuisines in the evening – as well as a bar and lounge area.
The hotel boasts contemporary indoor and outdoor spaces, including 150 sqm of banqueting space and pre-function areas, making it ideal for hosting events and special occasions.
Business travellers can take advantage of the hotel’s meeting spaces, which feature 12-seater boardrooms with built-in flat-screen TVs.
Other features include an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness centre.
An accused person of Shimaponda Village in Chief Kaingu’s Chiefdom in Itezhi Tezhi district in Central Province has bitterly complained of unbearable congestion in Itezhi Tezhi police cells.
Ackson Mwaanga, 42, told Itezhi Tezhi Magistrates Mugala Chalwe that the condition in police cells are unbearable because it is too small and there is no space to sit properly.
He said that the police cell cannot support the huge population of suspects being kept there resulting in some suspects occupying the toilet.
Mr. Mwaanga said that due to the high number of suspects, they are sleeping on top of each other making the situation uncomfortable and unbearable.
“Some suspects are sleeping in the toilet while others like me have been turned into a mattress for other suspects, this is unbearable we want something to done your honor” Mr. Mwaanga said.
Mr. Mwaanga said that other suspects have complained over the same condition but there is no improvement.
“It is not safe there, with these adjournments” Mr. Mwaanga said
Mr. Mwaanga said that if the situation is left unchecked, the court will soon receive reports of suspects dying in police cells.
“The situation is bad if nothing is done, you may just hear that a suspect has died in police cells,”Mr. Mwaanga said.
And Itezhi Tezhi Magistrates, Mugala Chalwe said the court will verify the report and will ask the executive at the police station to address the situation.
Mr. Mwaanga reported the grievance when his case of theft came up for trial today.
He stands charged with theft of a bicycle and K15, 000 cash.
Particulars of the offence are that Ackson Mwaanga on 28 June 2018, at Itezhi Tezhi in Itezhi district in Central Province did steal one bicycle and K15, 000 cash together valued at K15, 930, the property of Timuna Shambweka.
The matter has been adjourned to August 20, 2018 as state witnesses were not available.
Ndola City Council Public Relations Manager Tilyenji Mwanza
Zambia Police in Ndola have detained two Ndola City Council employees for illegal land allocations.
Ndola City Council (NCC) Public Relations Manager, Tilyenji Mwanza said the two council employees are in police custody and that Police are searching for the third suspect.
Ms. Mwanza added that the trio are allegedly involved in illegal dealings relating to land in the city.
ZANIS reports that Ms. Mwanza noted that the Council was yesterday alerted of some illegal dealings of land that were happening in Koloko on a titled property belonging to Z-Mart Holdings.
She added that the local authority in the company of state police quickly swung into action and moved on site to curtail the illegal dealings.
Ms. Mwanza narrates that upon reaching on site the officers found a front end loader clearing the parcel of land in question and individuals removing already existing beacons.
She added that, registering the presence of state police with council workers, some individuals scampered but police managed to apprehend the driver of the grader identified as Steward Mazambani a council driver and another man identified as Lastone Pomboloka a council general worker.
Ms. Mwanza further added that, after inspections, it was discovered that the grader that was being used to carry out the illegal works is also property of NCC.
She said police apprehended the two council officers but Mazambani who was operating the front-end loader jumped off the machine along the Lusaka Road.
Ms. Mwanza noted that police have henceforth set out a man hunt for Steward Mazambani.
She also added that, Police have also detained NCC Transport Officer, Cosmas Mutale to help with investigations into the illegalities.
And Ndola Mayor, Amon Chisenga has sent out a strong warning to all those who are involved in this vice that they shall be dealt with using the full force of the law.
Mr. Chisenga said the local authority has put its foot down stating that, it shall not spare anyone involved in this vice irrespective of political stature or employment.
He noted that the council has observed that the illegal land allocations and mismanagement have brought the name of the institution in disrepute and it is therefore, the mandate of the local authority to ensure sanity prevails with regard to land allocation and management.
The Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) has urged the Government to reconsider issuing the statutory instrument to introduce the 30 Ngwee a day tariff on internet phone calls and rather focus on ensuring improved service provision by the mobile phone operators.
Reacting to the 30 ngwee tarrif slapped on Internet calls by Cabinet, CUTS said that the decision by consumers to move to internet phone calls is rational consumer behavior prompted by past actions of both the Government and the mobile phone companies themselves, adding that Zambians have been receiving expensive but low-quality traditional phone services from the mobile phone companies.
CUTS further said that the Government’s decision to increase the cost of internet phone calls will severely affect low income consumers who had switched to this form of communication due to the high cost of regular phone calls.
“Communication is not a luxury service to the Zambian consumer but a necessary component of the day to day social and economic activities of citizens. It will also take Zambia backwards as the rest of the world is moving forward in the telecommunications sector. In addition, it will have implications on the cost of doing business because as other countries are able to benefit from more efficient and affordable costs of communication whereas Zambian business will be burdened by additional costs that will make them less competitive. This will have the most sever impacts on small and medium enterprises, ” read the statement
Below is the full satement
Press release
Tariff on Internet Phone Calls
At the 12th Cabinet Meeting held on the 13th of August 2018 at State House, chaired by His Excellency the President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the issuance of a statutory instrument was approved to further the introduction of tariff charges on telecommunication service providers. Government noted an increase in the use of internet phone calls at the expense of traditional phone calls. It indicated that this development threatened the telecommunications industry and jobs in companies such as Zamtel, Airtel and MTN. In response, the Government has since introduced a 30 Ngwee a day tariff on internet phone calls.
Firstly, it is important to note that this shift in consumer preferences does not in any way threaten the telecommunications sector as the providers of both the traditional phone call services and internet phone call services are largely the same companies. This decision amounts to double-charging as consumers will still pay for data and now will be charged a 30 Ngwee a day tariff by the service providers. This decision is in violation of the consumers’ right to choose based on affordability.
The announcement comes as a surprise as it states that it is for the benefit of mobile phone companies however it was the mobile phone operators themselves, namely, Zamtel, Airtel and MTN, who all reduced the cost of data bundles by over 70 percent in at the end of 2017. This action increased the affordability of this service for consumers and as such played a major role in the increase of data users. This decision was welcomed by consumers.
The Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) is also particularly concerned that in the past two quarters ZICTA has fined all three mobile network operators for failing to meet Quality Service Guidelines. On June 26, 2018 the three telecommunications service providers, namely Airtel, MTN and Zamtel were fined a total of K12,6 million for the first quarter of 2018. This decision was on the back of a similar action taken by the regulator in the fourth quarter of 2017 to fine mobile network operators K3.1 million for failing to adhere to Quality of Service parameters. As such, Zambians have been receiving expensive but low-quality traditional phone services from these mobile phone companies.
The decision by consumers to move to internet phone calls is therefore rational consumer behavior prompted by past actions of both the Government and the mobile phone companies themselves.
The Government’s decision to increase the cost of internet phone calls will severely affect low income consumers who had switched to this form of communication due to the high cost of regular phone calls. Communication is not a luxury service to the Zambian consumer but a necessary component of the day to day social and economic activities of citizens. It will also take Zambia backwards as the rest of the world is moving forward in the telecommunications sector. In addition, it will have implications on the cost of doing business because as other countries are able to benefit from more efficient and affordable costs of communication whereas Zambian business will be burdened by additional costs that will make them less competitive. This will have the most sever impacts on small and medium enterprises.
The growing indispensability of mobile phone services today speaks to the importance that the Government should place on ensuring not only the accessibility, but also the affordability of mobile phone services.
CUTS urges the Government to reconsider issuing the statutory instrument to introduce the 30 Ngwee a day tariff on internet phone calls and rather focus on ensuring improved service provision by the mobile phone operators.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya
Chief Government Spokesman Dora Siliya has defended Cabinet’s decision to introduce a tariff on internet calls saying the decision was taken in order to save local jobs.
In a series of Tweets, Ms Siliya said local jobs in the telecoms industry are threatened by the migration towards internet calls.
This was after several Zambians took to social media to denounce the new tax to be imposed by the PF Government.
“Jobs such as call centre workers, talk time sellers, conventional call technicians will reduce drastically if more Zambians migrate to internet calls and create jobs in America and elsewhere. Let’s keep our jobs. Zambians need them,” Ms. Siliya posted.
She explained that the tariff will be effected once an internet call only is detected and is a one off payment per day whatever number of calls made on that day.
““What we have seen over the past few years is a migration of voice calls…people moving to VOIP,people making calls over WhatsApp and FB what that has done is created several paradigm shifts and as GRZ we need to think through many of these things” she said.
“What’s up and Facebook internet calls creating unfair competition as they don’t pay taxes in Zambia while conventional call providers pay tax and invest in infrastructure in Zambia. Zambian jobs first!”
She said Zambians should support government’s decision as it is in the best interest of the nation.
“What’s up, Facebook messages etc no tariff. 30 ngwee tariff on Internet calls to support infrastructure to improve and expand network and save jobs,” she said.
“Zamtel,Airtel & MTN invest in infrastructure. What’s up, Facebook don’t but getting richer. Zambian jobs first!”
Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa has with immediate effect dissolved the old Lusaka City Council (LCC) Committees and constituted new standing committees.
On the committee is Lubwa Ward 15 Councillor Humphrey Kapapula, who has been appointed as new Chief Whip, taking over from Chakunkula Ward 32 Councillor Smart Mwitwa.
The new committees are Finance, Valuation and Commercial Undertakings, Human Resources and Administration, Planning and Information Systems, Engineering and Infrastructure, Community Development and Social Services as well as Education Services Committee.
And Mr. Sampa has appealed to all the civic leaders to accord the Chief Whip and the Committee Member-Chairpersons the much needed support to foster unity.
“Time to steer the Council forward has come and I appeal to all councillors to accord the Chief Whip and the Committee Member-Chairpersons and their deputies the much needed support in order to foster unity,” Mr. Sampa said.
Other Committees include the Health Services Committee, Agriculture, Environment and National Resources, Legal Services and an Audit Committee.
The Chamber consists of 33 councillors who form and run affairs of the local authority in bringing integrity to the council.
The National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC) has called on the private sector to play a leading role in accelerating industrial diversification and job creation.
NEAC Executive Director Webby Wake says the private sector has a significant role to play because it is regarded as a vehicle that should be used towards actualizing various government economic plans such as the implementation of the industrial development plan.
Mr. Wake was speaking in an interview with in Lusaka yesterday.
He explained that it is with this realization that NEAC will on 29th August 2018 host a high level business leader’s government conference aimed at bringing government policy makers and private sector players to discuss issues intended at improving the living standards of people in the country.
He added that the conference will also enable the private sector engage government on policies that support the development of their industry.
Mr. Wake stated that this is to ensure that government programmes buy-in from the private sector which is supposed to be the executer and provider of jobs that government want to create in line with the Seventh National Development Plan.
He observed that mostly the private sector would ask for different incentives to be provided to run their businesses at the time when the state also wants to raise revenues for running of government programmes.
Mr. Wake noted that this is why their request do not usually receive the intended response, adding that it for this reason that the private sector are encouraged to take advantage of the conference and engage government on how best they can work together to promote job creation through industrial diversification.
And speaking in a separate interview Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) Chairperson Yusuf Dodia praised government for creating an enabling environment that supports the growth of the private sector in the country.
Mr. Dodia pointed out that the conference engagement will go a long way in strengthening the relations between the private sector and government for the benefit of the people.
He noted that the decision to host a conference is also an indication of how much government appreciates the effectiveness of private sector involvement in the development implementation process.
The PSDA Chief further called on Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to intensify their marketing activities and create more private sector investment opportunities to attract more players to the sector.
The high level business leader’s government conference will be held under the theme “Accelerating the implementation of industrial diversification and job creation”.
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) has counseled youths in Zambia to be creative and innovative in order to address the high levels of unemployment in the country.
YALI Executive Director Andrew Ntewewe says there is need for young people in the country to come up with activities that build entrepreneurship skills and supplement government efforts in job creation.
Mr. Ntewewe told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday, that government alone cannot create all the needed jobs and employ all the young people.
He said this is why there is need for youths to take advantage of the enabling environment that government has created in order to promote youth entrepreneurship through various programmes.
He cited the Youth Fund and the Technical, Education, Vocation and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVET) fund as some of the resources that youths should utilise, if they are to improve their living standards.
“There is no excuse for youths to fail to find something to do, government has tried to come up with programmes aimed at bettering the lives of young people throughout the country, youths can take advantage of the different funds that government is giving and put up businesses for themselves,” he said.
Mr. Ntewewe took a swipe at some youths who are engaging in criminal activities due to lack of employment.
The YALI Chief said young people are a critical component of any country’s development hence the need for them to be responsible and desist from activities that can negatively affect society.
“As people we must desist from getting in to the distractive mood, that can bring about insanity in the society but instead we should be responsible enough, we are a vital part of the country’s development,” he stated.
He disclosed that to this effect YALI is currently holding youth camps and many other empowerment programmes aimed at enhancing information dissemination on youth responsibilities and empowerment.
And Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ) Chairperson David Masupa has called on churches in the country to play an active role and work with government in finding solutions to issues affecting young people.
Bishop Masupa said there is need for concerted efforts from all stakeholders in promoting and inculcating good morals among the youths in the country.
“The churches have a role to play in issues affecting young people in the communities; we must work together and find problems affecting the youths and not only be interested in imparting spiritual values but also inculcate good moral,” he said.
Bishop Masupa added that if let unresolved issues of criminal gangs and other illicit activities among the youth can impact negatively on the country’s christian values and the declaration of the country as a christian nation
Meanwhile, Ministry of Youths, Sport and Child Development (MOYSCD), Permanent Secretary Joe Kapembwa says sustainable development in the country can only be achieved through significant investment in the youth.
Mr. Kapembwa disclosed that his ministry working with other stakeholders has come up with pieces of legislation such as revising the 2006 National Youth Policy, 2015 National Youth Policy and realigning them to the Seventh National Development Plan in order to cater for the needs of the youths.
Mr. Kapembwa says in actualizing the policies, an Action Plan for empowering young people has also been developed.
The PS said this in Lusaka yesterday when he officiated at a youth symposium dubbed, “Safe Spaces for Youths.”
This was in a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Youths, Sport and Child Development Director, Collins Mulonda.
Mr. Kapembwa assured young people in the country of accessing quality education, improved skills development programmes, as well as job creation opportunities.
And speaking at the same function, British Council, Acting Country Director Chilufya Besa said Zambian youths have got the potential of becoming future leaders only to the nation but across the globe.
Mr. Besa further pledged that the council will contribute positively to Zambia’s economy in the education sector.
He cited the Zambia Accountability Programme (ZAP) that seeks to help young people participate in governance issues in schools and communities.
The British Council works in over 100 countries empowering young people in fields such as arts and culture, education, english language and civil society.
IDC Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Mateyo Kalubawith ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer Dr Pius Kasolo
The Industrial Development Corporation is this year expected to invest $4 million in a pineapple processing plant in Mwinilunga district in North – Western Province.
IDC Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Mateyo Kaluba said this follows successful feasibility studies conducted in the area and subsequent approval by the IDC board of directors to invest into the pineapple sector.
Mr Kaluba said he was confident that the project was a viable business to invest in, having learnt from mistakes made in the past.
“We are aware that pineapples are seasonal, so the idea is to invest in a multi- fruit processing plant that will add value to other fruits that can grow in the area,” he said.
The three metric tonnes per day capacity plant will provide a ready market for the more than 3,000 farmers who will be incorporated in the initial outgrower scheme in Mwinilunga, Lumwana West and Ikelenge districts.
The plant will result in the creation of 100 permanent jobs and 8, 000 indirect jobs.
Mr Kaluba was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on North-Western Province Permanent Secretary Mr Ephraim Mateyo in Solwezi today.
In response, Mr Mateyo commended the IDC for taking heed of President Edgar Lungu’s call to take investment to the people.
He said that he welcomes the investment plans of the IDC in the province, as the ultimate beneficiaries are the local people through job creation and economic empowerment.
Mr Kaluba is in North Western Province to discuss the project with provincial and local government authorities.
This is according to a statement issued by IDC Public Relations Manager Namakau Mukelabai.
Wedson Nyirenda settled for a point at home on Tuesday when they finished 1-1 with his ex-club Kaizer Chiefs in Polokwane.
The result saw Polokwane drop two points just five days after collecting their first three points of the season under their new coach from three rounds played this season.
Daniel Cardoso’s howler header handed Baroka the lead from an own-goal in the 36th minute.
But the lead lasted just nine minutes when Siphiwe Tshabalala equalized from a trade mark free kick.
Baroka, through, were the better side after the break led by their Zimbabwe international forward Talent Chawapiwa but in the end settle for one point.
Baroka stay 6th on 4 points, two more than Chiefs who are winless after three rounds of matches played.
Meanwnhile,Baroka are back in action this Saturday when they play Polokwane City away in their Polokwane derby at the same venue.
