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Coach TenNant Chilumba has remained modest despite his side Kabwe Warriors making an impressive start to the 2018 FAZ Super Division season.
Warriors are fourth on the table with 14 points , two behind joint leaders Zesco United, Power Dynamos and Green Buffaloes , after seven matches played.
Magnificent have been the best performing team in the latest four Super Division matches after recording four straight wins.
“We are looking good but I can’t say we can compete for the league. Being in the top four is a bonus , ” Chilumba said.
Warriors thumped Forest Rangers 2-0 in their last match played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Sunday.
“We started working on the philosophy, you know I have played for Kabwe Warriors before. So I know the expectations from management and supporters,” he said.
Warriors spent the 2017 season fighting relegation before finishing 15th on the table with coach Elijah Chikwanda whom Chilumba replaced earlier this year.
“We assembled an average team. We thought of bringing in foreigners to stabilise the team and recruited some senior players from other teams,” Chilumba added.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Jean Kapata
Lands Minister Jean Kapata has ordered UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to allow other villagers in Namwala access to his close to 1,600 hectares of land in Namwala District of Southern Province.
Addressing a media briefing today, Ms. Kapata ordered that the fence on the subject land should be removed to allow the community access to the land for animal grazing.
She said Government will not allow the displacement of citizens in their own country. Ms. Kapata said investigations by technocrats at the Ministry have found that the land was allocated to Mr. Hichilema by Headman Moola in 2013.
She said it was also found that some of the community members were displaced as a result of fencing of the land and that the fencing of land has deprived the households of grazing land for their animals.
Ms. Kapata said headman Moola erred in allocating land to Mr Hichilema in extent of 1, 581 hectares, therefore, the local authority resolved to write to Mr. Hakainde Hichilema on the matter.
Below is Ms. Kapata full statement
GOOD MORNING MEMBERS OF THE PRESS
I welcome you to this Press Briefing. I would like, through you Members of the Press, to update the nation on the much publicised allocation of 1,581 hectares of land in Ngabo, Namwala District of Southern Province.
There have been reports circulating in the media over the displacement of 600 households in Mukobela Chiefdom, Namwala District as a result of the fencing of 1,581 hectares of land.
The land in question starts from Ngabo area; Chief Mukobela’s Chiefdom and ends in Chief Muchila’s Chiefdom.
According to the lands act of 1995, Zambia has a dual land tenure system. The two systems are customary and leasehold tenure.
“The right and privilege of any person to hold land under customary tenure is recognised and any such holding under the customary law applicable to the area in which a person has settled or intends to settle cannot be construed as an infringement of any provision of the Lands Act or any other law except for a right obligation which may arise under any other law”
Therefore, the Mukobela Chiefs Council passed the following resolutions:
1. Mr Hakainde Hichilema open a corridor of 20 meters wide for the community to easily move the river and the corridor should be open without gates to avoid conflict.
2. Mr Hakainde Hichilema should leave a big portion of land in the western part of the island for the community to use for grazing their animals.
3. The Southern part of the higher land should be reserved for future development.
4. Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s claim was upheld as it was supported by headman Moola who is the custodian of the land in dispute.
However, the resolutions of the Mukobela Chiefs Council have not been implemented hence the public outcry.
As Minister in Charge of Lands and Natural Resources, I have requested technocrats and the Local Authority to investigate the matter.
It has come to my attention that a number of meetings have been held to discuss the land dispute and several recommendations have been made by the local authority.
Among the findings of the meetings was that:
1. The land in extent of 1,581 hectares was allocated to Mr. Hakainde Hichilema by Headman Moola in 2013.
2. It was also found that some of the community members were displaced as a result of fencing of the land.
3. The fencing of land has deprived the households of grazing land for their animals.
4. Allocation was done without taking into consideration the interests of the settlers.
In view of the above, the meetings held by the local authority resolved as follows:
1. That the headman erred in allocating land to Mr. Hakainde Hichilema in extent of 1, 581 hectares, therefore, the local authority resolved to write to Mr. Hakainde Hichilema on the matter.
2. The fencing should be stopped and whoever would be found working on the piece of land should be arrested.
3. Headman Moola and Headman Musholwa should inform Mr. Hakainde Hichilema that the land had been given back to the community.
Government would like to appeal to the traditional leadership to consider the interest of the community before allocation of land to developers. This would ensure that the settlers are not disadvantaged in any way.
I therefore, want to uphold the resolutions that were made by the Mukobela Chiefs Council, District and Provincial administration during the various meetings.
The fence on the subject land should be removed to allow the community access to the land for animal grazing.
Government will not allow the displacement of citizens in their own country.
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) Executive Director Wesley Chibamba (L)
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) says President Edgar Lungu risks leaving behind the worst legacy compared to his predecessors when it comes to the fight against corruption.
TIZ Executive Director Wesley Chibamba told QTV News that President Lungu’s administration has presided over the most dubious deals.
Mr. Chibamba has cited the procurement of fire trucks, ambulances, the construction of the Lusaka – Ndola Dual Carriageway, the construction of the modern Kenneth Kaunda International Airport among other projects that people feel corruption was involved.
He added that it is not a secret that President Lungu’s presidency has been subject to numerous corruption allegations than any other past Head of State, stressing that this should worry him as a leader.
Mr Chibamba further stated that during President Lungu’s tenure the nation has also witnessed rampant reports of alleged corruption as highlighted in the Auditor General Reports.
He said if the President wants to leave a legacy worth remembering after his presidency, he should be proactive in dealing with corruption allegations by firing officials involved, such as ministers to pave way for further investigations.
Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company Limited (LgWSC) has disclosed that over K100 Million will be required to set up Water and Sanitation Capital Projects in the newly created Ngabwe, Luano and Chitambo Districts.
With LgWSC jurisdiction now extending up to the newly created districts, Ngabwe, Luano and Chitambo, the commercial utility has many cards to play in terms of spreading its Water and Sanitation Services.
Speaking after the Parliamentary Committee briefing in Kabwe, LgWSC Public Relations Officer, Louis Mwape said that the designs and bulk of quantities for the new districts were already in place.
He said the Water Utility still remains optimistic that the capital funding under the National Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Program (NUWSSP) will come forth to help it kick-start the projects in the newly created districts.
Mr. Mwape revealed that the water coverage for Central Province stands at 78.4%, adding that there is need for more Water and Sanitation Infrastructure projects to cover more areas.
“The non-existence of adequate sewerage Infrastructure in most districts and townships of Central Province coupled with the huge financial resources required to address the issue of Low sanitation coverage remains a critical challenge” he said.
He however expressed happiness that the K13.5 Million Makululu Water Supply Project was expected to be commissioned soon.
“We are grateful to Government for approving the soon to begin Makululu Project at a contract value of K13.4 Million for three new boreholes, a new transmission pipelines, 350 m3 Tank and a network to service 10,000 people through 1000 new water connections and 5 Water Kiosks.”
With the help of various collaborating partners coming on board,we hope to do more on expanding our footprint even to many places where our presence is not felt yet.
Ngabwe, Luano and Chitambo are rural areas in the Northern part of Central Province and were placed under the care of LgWSC in 2016.There has not been any major projects in terms of water and Sanitation and the utility is working with the government and other stakeholders to work out a plan for Water and Sanitation Infrastructure in these areas.
On the 18th April 2018,the Parliamentary Committee in charge of Energy, Water and Tourism, chaired by Honourable Belemu,MP,visited LgWSC to appreciate company operations and challenges.
Information and Broadcasting Minister, Dora Siliya, speaking when she officiated at the launch of the Digital Migration in Chipata on Friday. On her left is Top Star, Chief Executive Officer, Leo Liao and on her right is Eastern Province Assistant Secretary, Royd Tembo
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Information and Broadcasting Minister, Dora Siliya and Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo, during a live programme on Breeze FM radio
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Government Spokesperson, Dora Siliya, who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister, speaking when she featured on the local Breeze FM Radio station
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Top Star Chief Executive Officer, Leo Liao, explains to Information and Broadcasting Minister, Dora Siliya and Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo, during the tour of Top Star transmitters
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Information and Broadcasting Minister, Dora Siliya and Top Star Chief Executive Officer, Leo Liao, look at the digital transmitter at Kanjala hills
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Top star Chief Executive Officer, Leo Liao, explains to Information and Broadcasting Minister, Dora Siliya, when she toured the Top Star transmitters at Kanjala Hills
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Information and Broadcasting Minister, Dora Siliya, cuts a ribbon to officially launch the digital migration in Chipata
8.Information and Broadcasting Minister, Dora Siliya, speaking when she officiated at the launch of the Digital Migration in Chipata
In large bowl, mix first 4 ingredients; flour, salt, sugar and fast rise yeast. Mix the water and oil and add to the flour mixture. Combine using your hands and turn the mixture onto a floured surface – knead it for 2 minutes. Now place it into a greased bowl. Cover and allow it to rise for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes passes, punch it down and place it on a greased 12inch pizza pan. Pat it down to flatten it into a circle. Now prepare the topping; mix tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and black pepper and spread it over the crust. Spread some pepperoni slices on top of the sauce; and then sprinkle with 1/2 of the mozzarella and 1/2 of the parmesan.
Put the rest of the pepperoni on, and top it with another layer of cheese.
Bake at 180 – 200 degrees C for 20 minutes or until light brown. Garnish with your choice of topping
Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa taking some notes during a public discussion organized by the Oasis Forum in Lusaka on Tuesday evening
By Sishuwa Sishuwa
Last week, News Diggers published an exposé that accused the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Edward Chomba, of misleading the nation about his academic achievements. Chomba, who was first appointed to his position by President Edgar Lungu in November 2015 before he was kept in the role after the 2016 elections, had hitherto claimed that he holds two doctorate degrees from Oxford and Princeton universities. The two institutions have since dismissed Chomba’s assertions, explaining, upon inquiry, that they have no records of Chomba studying there. When confronted with this information, Chomba, who also describes himself as a Bishop, insisted that he was a graduate of both universities, confidently asserting “my learning institutions will never disclose any information to anybody without my consent. They will never do that. They will get consent from me. There is no person who is gonna go and try to get my information and they communicate without letting me know as an alumni.”
Chomba’s antics provoke a number of important questions that we should be interrogating as a society. Before discussing the wider ramifications of this case, however, it is important to consider Chomba’s assertion that Oxford and Princeton would never give out any information relating to whether or not a person attended the two institutions because they respect principles of anonymity. This argument is blatantly false and reveals Chomba’s limited legal knowledge and understanding of how genuine universities function. There is no principle of anonymity for basic facts about enrolment and graduation that govern universities, let alone the University of Oxford or Princeton. If Chomba had attended Oxford, for instance, he would know that the details of graduates are printed in the annual public records of the university showing the degree qualification obtained, the name of the Oxford college at which the graduating student studied and the candidate’s name. This Oxford tradition predates Chomba’s birth. The ‘highly educated’ Permanent Secretary obviously does not know this, since he neither attended nor graduated from Oxford. If he had, Chomba would have also known that the award of a doctorate at Oxford is preceded by the successful submission of a thesis that is subsequently accessible both in print and online through the university libraries and to which there is no anonymity in relation to the details of the author, the Oxford college they attended, and when they completed. No such records exist in Chomba’s case.
Most importantly, Chomba’s falsified academic qualifications and his subsequent response to the revelations that he is a cheat have wider implications.
First, they raise serious questions about the criteria on which Permanent Secretaries are appointed and the constitutionality of Chomba’s appointment. Article 184 of the Constitution, which provides for the appointment and functions of Permanent Secretaries, stipulates that “The President shall, on the advice of the Civil Service Commission, appoint a Permanent Secretary for a Province, ministry or department.” This means that the Civil Service Commission is responsible, at least on paper, for regulating recruitment to the civil service and ensuring that appointments are done on merit, adhere to the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity, and promote the values of honesty, objectivity and impartiality. However, the Constitution also places a similar obligation on the President. Article 259 (1) (a) states that “Where a person is empowered to make a nomination or an appointment to a public office, that person shall ensure that the person being nominated or appointed has the requisite qualification to discharge the functions of the office, as prescribed or specified in public office circulars or establishment registers’.
When the two cited clauses are read together, they suggest that both the Commission and President Lungu may have violated the Constitution by neglecting to carry out their legally assigned functions. What advice did the Commission give to President Lungu in relation to Chomba’s appointment as Permanent Secretary? Or perhaps the Commission was never consulted in the first place? Similarly, what ‘requisite qualification to discharge the functions of the office’ of Permanent Secretary did Lungu see or consider before he appointed Chomba to that position? Was it his supposed two doctorates that have turned out to be fabricated? Or perhaps both the Commission and the President disregarded the law for political expediency? It is worth remembering that Chomba came to national prominence in the run-up to the 2015 presidential election when he accused opposition United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema of being a Satanist and freemason. Unless evidence to the contrary is provided, it would not be unreasonable to conclude that it is that disparaging remark that earned Chomba his appointment to the coveted post following Lungu’s election.
Permanent Secretary is the highest technocratic position and the most important in any ministry because its holder is the overall head and controlling authority responsible, among other things, for advising the relevant minister and implementing the policies of government and the decisions of Cabinet. The effective execution of such duties requires competent, experienced and qualified professionals, not unqualified political cadres. It would therefore be important to get clarification from State House, Secretary to Cabinet Roland Msiska or the Civil Service Commission on how exactly Permanent Secretary Chomba was appointed and what considerations were taken into account.
Second, Chomba’s case embodies the worst tendencies in contemporary Zambia or what is messed up about this country: the culture of lying. Such is the magnitude of this problem across the social strata that even men of God, a consecrated Bishop for that matter, are now perpetrators or culprits. Chomba knows what he is doing and is aware that it is wrong both legally and morally. Yet he does it all the same because it is profitable to lie. His deliberate decision to fabricate his higher record of education suggests that he is embarrassed about his possibly low level of formal education and is attempting to cover it up. The man of God’s flimsy explanation for why Oxford and Princeton would deny that he was their student points to his total disregard for the truth. The absolute confidence with which Chomba attempted to cover up his fabrications even after he was clearly exposed suggests that he is such a self-deluded and compulsive liar that he now believes, as a matter of conviction, his own lie that he successfully completed two doctorates at Oxford and Princeton, and gets aggrieved when anyone questions his illusions. If Chomba had any shred of decency, he would apologise to the people he misled, resign and embark on a period of quiet contemplation, out of the public eye.
I however imagine that Chomba does not care that he has been caught lying because he is confident that there will be no sanctions for his fraudulent behaviour. He knows that we are a society that rewards mediocrity, liars, cheats, criminals and people of questionable character. He is, in this case, simply our leader par excellence or symptomatic of a wider problem: a people that has become accustomed to lies and whose public leaders are consequently never called to account because they reflect our actual flaws or behaviour. Those with integrity, who abhor corruption, are principled and seek achievement or upward mobility through meritocracy, are derided and frowned upon. This damaging attitude accounts for the growing and frightening levels of mediocrity, corruption and the incompetence that permeate public institutions, including the civil service.
What I am curious about is when and why people like Bishop Chomba started lying about their qualifications and grand lies for that matter? What informed his choice of Oxford and Princeton? Is it because they are elitist and top ranked institutions? What kind of credibility was Chomba trying to gain? When he started fabricating his educational credentials, whenever that was, who was he trying to con? It would appear that by peddling the kind of degraded and ingratiating Christianity that has become a norm in Zambia – that of status, power, money and privilege rather than of humility and service to others – Bishop Chomba, like many other snake oil salesmen, must have reasoned or decided that he had to distinguish himself from the other charlatans. Why our society has been accepting and even celebratory of these obvious tales requires in-depth examination.
I call on President Lungu to maintain some standard of honesty in his government by asking Chomba to produce certificates of his alleged doctoral qualifications – and if he cannot, dismiss him. If it is established that Chomba has fake academic certificates, then he has potentially committed a criminal offense for which he is liable to prosecution under section 352 of the penal code, which deals with uttering false documents or obtaining pecuniary advantage by false pretences. The rest of us should learn from this shameful example of a supposed man of God: that instead of lying or exaggerating our academic qualifications to obtain a job or any other favour, we should strive to legitimately obtain required academic qualifications and create a climate where real achievements are valued more highly than invented ones. We must also lobby Parliament to enact legislation that criminalises the falsification of one’s academic credentials.
Third, Chomba’s lies underscore the need for the government to audit the educational qualifications of workers in the public sector and to sack and prosecute those found wanting. For a long time, we have complained about the ineffectiveness and poor performance of the civil service. Chomba’s ludicrous fabrications about his academic qualifications, which go beyond a case of dishonesty and an-out-of control ego, point to a possible root cause and raise the question: who else is lying and at what level? For Chomba, he has used these fictional qualifications to claim a prestigious job in the public service, one that is very crucial to the effective functioning of any ministry. It is outrageous that we have suitably qualified and well educated Zambians out of work when a shameless fraud like Chomba occupies such a prominent position with possibly better skilled and genuinely educated professionals serving under his command.
The sad reality, however, is that Chomba is not the only one. Although his case is perhaps the most blatant example of inflating one’s educational qualifications, he is potentially emblematic of tens of thousands of Zambians who have obtained jobs in the formal sector, jobs that are few and far between, using non-existent or fake academic qualifications. When ill-qualified and dishonest individuals obtain jobs that they cannot competently perform over legitimately qualified fellow nationals, it is Zambia as a whole that suffers, underlining the need to run proper checks on the qualifications of all employees and take decisive action against those found cheating genuine learners and employers.
Prof Kelly Chibale at the University of Cape Town.
Zambian-born Prof Kelly Chibale has been named one of Fortune magazine’s 50 World’s Greatest Leaders for 2018.
Prof Kelly Chibale is the founder and director of Africa’s first integrated drug discovery centre whose H3D centre at the University of Cape Town pioneers world-class drug discovery in Africa.
Prof. Chibale who is a Professor of Organic Chemistry has also become known for his pivotal work on malaria.
He was included in Fortune magazine’s annual list of “influential figures we admire most.”
He shares the honour with leaders ranging from Bill and Melinda Gates to the presidents of France‚ Emmanuel Macron‚ and South Korea‚ Moon Jae-in‚ as well as tennis player Serena Williams and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Prof. Chibale said his inclusion on the list was “totally unexpected and overwhelming. I am so grateful to God for this recognition on the global stage”.
Prof. Chibale said he hoped H3D would contribute to a global pipeline of new medicines for malaria and tuberculosis able to circumvent drug resistance.
He said he was inspired by confronting Afro-pessimism and debunking the myth that Africa could not be a source of health innovation.
Fortune magazine said its list looked at all sectors of society to find leaders “who are using their power and influence to make the world a better place”.
Fortune magazine selected Prof. Chibale for his pioneering work in developing infrastructure to support scientific research.
He founded H3D at University of Cape Town in 2010 and officially launched it in 2011.
Starting out with a handful of researchers‚ he has grown H3D into a world-class centre‚ with more than 60 researchers in addition to approximately 30 postgraduate (MSc and PhD) research students and postdoctoral fellows in his academic group.
His team of more than 90 researchers work out of state-of-the-art facilities at UCT thanks to various partnerships‚ including the Gates Foundation‚ Medicines for Malaria Venture‚ Novartis and the South African government.
H3D mainly works in the fields of tuberculosis and malaria and already has a potential drug for malaria in human trials.
“We need to demonstrate that Africa has more to offer than the mere opportunity for human clinical trials. Africa has largely been a recipient of Western research. It is time for Africa to also contribute research so that people from other continents can also benefit. The challenges we are trying to address in Africa are not just African challenges but human challenges. In this way Africa can earn respect.”
Prof. Chibale is a firm advocate of the widespread benefits of research.
“Research is not a luxury. It provides solutions‚ creates jobs and infrastructure‚ builds capacity as well as expertise‚ attracts foreign direct investment‚ can seed an industry and contributes to reversing the brain drain.”
Prof. Chibale said he was particularly honoured to be included on the Fortune list with Bill and Melinda Gates who have co-founded the Gates Foundation and committed substantial resources to fighting the scourge of malaria‚ tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.
“Not only are Bill and Melinda immense contributors to the recognition I have received through the support of our H3D work from their foundation over many years‚ they are both tremendous inspirational and exemplary role models of leaders who serve others.
“Although I have no right to tell African billionaires and millionaires how they should use their money‚ I would like them to consider following the example set by Bill and Melinda by investing in scientific research in Africa.”
With World Malaria Day coming up on April 25‚ Prof. Chibale said it was imperative to work towards combating malaria.
“Africa is no longer just a place to conduct human malaria clinical trials. Africa is now also a place for malaria drug discovery and development. It is important to combat malaria‚ not just because of the unacceptably high numbers of deaths it is responsible for‚ especially among our children‚ but also because malaria continues to choke economic growth on the continent.”
Prof. Chibale’s life story is inspiring. He grew up in extreme poverty in villages and townships in Zambia. His home had no electricity or running water and he shared a single bed in a tiny room with his brother.
But his perseverance and faith propelled him to reach his goals.
“It’s not how you start‚ but how you end up that matters‚” said Prof. Chibale.
He encouraged people to pursue their dreams and to make the most of every opportunity.
Trevor Simumba
International Trade and Business Consultant Trevor Simumba has warned that Zambia is at great risk of an economic shutdown if definite actions are not taken by the Government.
And Mr. Simumba says the Ministry of Finance should stop being defensive about Zambia’s growing debt
Mr. Simumba has also charged that Ministers and other technocrats are not telling President Edgar Lungu the truth regarding the state of the country’s economy.
In a series of tweets, Mr. Simumba said even the official reports from the Ministry of Finance on the economy is full of inconsistencies.
“Looking through the 2017 Annual Economic Report, it seems Government is now borrowing from other banks to pay the 15% upfront counterpart funding that China requires when it provides loans. Three Loans amounting to $145 million have been taken by GRZ in 2017 to pay for the 15% counterpart funding required by China and India for the following projects: Star Times ($41 million), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China for the Ndola Airport Project ($59.5 million) and for the recently launched Indian EXIM Bank financed Lusaka de-congestion project from Standard Chartered Bank at $44.9 million. This is ‘Borrowing upon borrowing or borrowing to borrow’.
Mr. Simumba charged that this is very irresponsible because the country is now borrowing on borrowing and further inflating the costs of principal loan repayment and interest servicing payments.
He said this is the reason annual debt servicing continues to increase and now stands at US$504 million in 2017.
“Our domestic revenue is being consumed by public service salaries estimated at 60% and debt servicing estimated at0 30% leaving only ten percent for investments. This is why Government is struggling to pay local suppliers and contractors and has built up arrears of US$1.3 billion. When will the Government have the courage to come out clean and engage local and international stakeholders so we can revise the Economic Recovery Plan and ensure we get our country and economy back on the path of growth?”
Mr. Simumba claimed that high level sources have revealed that Government is busy looking for another US$60 million loan to finish building toll plazas.
“Should we borrowing for such? So where is the revenue from the current tolls going if they have to borrow more money to finish building these toll gates? We need to put a stop to this continued borrowing without restraint. As Herbert Hoover once said “Blessed are the young for they shall inherit the national debt”.
And Mr. Simumba says the Ministry of Finance should stop being defensive about Zambia’s growing debt.
“The truth will very soon come out because we have to start repaying much of this debt at some stage. Debt service payments for 2017 were US$504 million alone. Total public debt is now just above US$14 billion ($8.7 billion external plus ZMW 50.9 billion domestic). If you include domestic arrears total debt rises to just above $15 billion. This translates to 60% of GDP based on a GDP of US$25 billion as stated in the latest Economic Report,” Mr. Simumba said.
He added, “If independent analysts are wrong then give us the correct figures not preliminary figures please as is the case in the 2017 report. Citizens have every right to require transparent and verified Government data on our debts. That is why they are called public debts because it is the public that must repay these debts not individuals at the Ministry of Finance.”
Mr. Simumba wondered, “If Ministry of Finance itself four months into 2018 cannot produce comprehensive data on actual debt how then do they expect citizens to have this information? Why is the data preliminary four months into 2018? So if GRZ is issuing official debt data using preliminary figures where will we get the final debt figures that are verified and reconciled? It is clear Government needs to calm down and conduct a thorough review and audit of its public debts otherwise the questions will continue.”
“Second point the report states that 18 new loans were contracted in 2017 amounting to $1,750,849,448.15. What is scary and shocking is that out of this amount the Government borrowed from Israel alone $463 million for a “defence project”. Why is Zambian Government with the current problems the country is facing borrowing so much money for defence projects that have no economic return for the country. We should be borrowing to build economic and social infrastructure that would generate multiplier effects across the economy. Zambia is not at war to justify this level of borrowing for defence projects,” he said.
He further demanded that the Ministry of Finance to provide verified data on loan by Parastatals that are obtained using government guarantees.
“Could the Ministry also provide us with accurate figures for sovereign guarantees issued on behalf of SOE’s? Also how much is Zambia owing China for the 15% counterpart funding that is a key condition for release of funds from China EXIM Bank for supplier credits and for project finance. Could the Ministry also help citizens understand what the plan is for debt restructuring and renegotiation of terms?”
Mr. Simumba also observed that the Debt Management Strategy is very weak on this score and fails to provide specific strategies and actions that Government will take in this regard.
“As a citizen and an Economist I will continue to keep this Government accountable because I remember vividly the valiant sacrifice we made as Zambians to dismantle the $7 billion debt in the 90’s until 2005 when we reached HIPC Completion Point. We want straight answers not semantics,” he vowed.
Water and Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Bishop Edward Chomba
Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation Permanent Secretary Bishop ED Chomba has challenged Zambezi River Authority to include water resource management on its line of duty in providing services to the people of Zambia.
Speaking during the annual general meeting for North-Western Water Supply and Sewerage Company in Solwezi, Bishop Chomba said the Zambezi River authrity should not not be there for electricity generation only but can also manage water resources.
“Zambezi River Authority should not be there for electricity generation only but also water resource management”
He stated that North-Western Province being the host source of the mighty Zambezi river water challenges should not be of any problem
“It’s sad that many people particularly those in North-Western Province which hosts the source of the Zambezi River do not not have access to clean and safe water” he said.
He emphasised the importance of having and providing safe and clean water to the people but wondered why the resources has not been utilised by the Authority to improve peoples lives.
“Water is a very important and critical player in peoples lives that should be utilised to improve the well being of the consumer”
Bishop Chomba said the Patriotic Front government under the leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu remains committed to ensuring that Zambians are provided with clean and safe water.
However, Bishop Chomba said with the current situation there is need to revist the agreement between the Zambezi River Authority and the Zambian government inorder to have full participation of the Authority.
President Edgar Lungu being interviewed by Journalists at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport s shortly before departure for Angola on Monday, 23rd April, 2018, Picture by Thomas Nsama
President Edgar Lungu has expressed concern that political violence has resurfaced in the country as witnessed in some parts of the country where there are by-elections.
President Lungu said this at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport shortly before departure for Angola to attend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) double Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government in Luanda, which starts tomorrow, 24th April, 2018.
He says it is the duty of political party leaders in the country to ensure their followers do not engage in such negative vices.
President Lungu hopes that there will be no violence during the voting in Tuesday’s by-elections.
Meanwhile, President Lungu says he remains committed to dialogue despite indications from some political party leaders opposed to the proposed roadmap.
He says the dialogue process should go ahead because of it importance to the country.
President Lungu says he is pleased with the efforts coming from stakeholders who want to see the dialogue process succeed.
And President Lungu has disclosed that his Angolan counterpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço will be coming to Zambia in May for bilateral talks.
President Lungu greets Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport shortly before departure for Angola where he has gone to attend the SADC Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government, on Monday, April 23, 2018-Picture by THOMAS NSAMAPresident Lungu greets Public Service Management Division Permanent Secretary Boniface Chimbwali shortly before departure for Angola, on Monday, 23rd April, 2018, Picture by Thomas Nsama
THE government has commissioned the Copperbelt Energy Corporation’s one mega watt solar plant at Copperbelt University constructed at a cost of US$1.53 million.
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation, in collaboration with the German government, setup the first ever solar plant at the Copperbelt University.
During the launch, energy minister Matthew Nkhuwa said the solar plant would power up thousands of households in the country.
He said the one mega watt solar plant would help reduce the energy deficiency being experienced in the country.
Nkhuwa said the renewable solar plant would also be a training ground for students at CBU and neighbouring countries, thereby offering skills and employment to the public.
He said the solar plant would make CBU a renewable energy hub and a school of excellence.
Nkhuwa said Zambia would export valuable skills to the region in the not so distant future.
He said the government was keen to see the generation of electricity at cost-effective and affordable rates.
The Zambia National Farmers’ Union has advised farmers that with poor prices that they experienced last year, they should exercise caution and be mindful of people that are giving them offers for their Soya Beans and maize at below full cost recovery prices.
ZNFU Spokesman Calvin Kaleyi said the ZNFU is aware of some buyers that are offering farmers prices for Soya Beans for as low as K2 per Kilogram and K40 for a 50kg bag of maize.
“We call upon farmers not to be desperate to accept such poor price offers, but instead should start bulking their grain so that they can negotiate good prices for their commodities,” Mr Kaleyi said.
“We are aware that the market is liberalised, but farmers this year should not accept any prices below K3 per kg, but instead should negotiate K3 per kg and above. The ZNFU wishes to inform farmers that it is currently in talks with some renowned buyers and those interested to use the Union’s channels should contact the Union for more information on Market linkages.”
He added, “Already, we have managed to organise markets for Eastern Province and the buyers will soon move to Central and Southern Provinces.”
HH greeting multitudes in Mongu
UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says voting for PF at any level is giving “thumbs up” to the PF government-orchestrated social distress among Zambians.
Hichilema, who flew into Mongu accompanied by UPND national trustee and former Zambezi East member of parliament Sarah Sayifwanda and party national youth chairman and former Sesheke member of parliament Likando Mufalali, arrived at Mongu Airport at 10:20 hours on Saturday.
The opposition leader was then driven to Liseli radio and as his convoy slowly drove into town, thousands of Mongu residents followed and waved and cheered.
At some point, Hichilema’s convoy was literally blocked by a jolly crowd that could not contain excitement.
Then in town, UPND security personnel and the party’s provincial leadership combined their energies to ensure that the animated supporters were held back.
In the company of Mufalali, Sayifwanda, Mongu Central UPND member of parliament Dr Mwilola Imakando, Gertrude Imenda, party’s Lealui Lower ward candidate Muyongo Muyongo, Hichilema proceeded to Liseli radio station where he featured on a special interview.
On Liseli radio, Hichilema said once UPND forms government, it would focus on job creation across Zambia to better the economic well being of citizens.
“UPND is there for the development of the people. It is there for improving the people’s lives. It is not there to cheat or steal from the people! We are saying to the people of Lealui Lower ward, vote for bo Muyongo Muyongo. That is our candidate! But he is just our conduit to the main argument; there in Lealui ward, the debate is whether we love Lungu or we love Hakainde – that’s it,” Hichilema said.
He also noted that giving a vote to the ruling PF was retrogressive.
“Do we support Lungu and his government who are the architects of all this distress we are seeing in Mongu and the entire Zambia? If you vote for the PF candidate, you will be voting for Lungu and saying ‘yes’ to the suffering that he has brought. Hakainde was almost killed for attending his ceremony, the Kuomboka. You cannot get anything from those who never love you and that’s what the PF has shown for the people of this province and the entire Zambia – no love at all,” he charged.
“If you vote for PF, you are saying you like the status quo in the country and especially here in Mongu. There are no jobs, agriculture has been destroyed by the PF government and then how can one wake up on Tuesday and go and vote for a PF candidate? It means you are happy with the high taxes that the PF government has introduced.”
Hichilema added that the UPND was on a journey towards forming a “development-minded” government.
“Muyongo Muyongo is part of that journey. This journey must continue until we achieve what we want. We want to form government and focus on poverty alleviation – to create jobs, improve agriculture. We want to make sure that once we form government, we revitalise economic activities in Western Province and the whole Zambia,” Hichilema pledged.
