President Edgar Chagwa Lungu with management and staff at First Quantum Minerals’ Sentinel Mine in Kalumbila, along with dignitaries including Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Hon. Richard Musukwa (left), and FQM Country Manager General Kingsley Chinkuli (second right) and Sentinel Mine General Manager Morris Rowe.
The Mine Workers Union of Zambia -MUZ has described plans by Kalumbila Copper Mine to lay off over 1-thousand workers as premature and unnecessary.
MUZ President Joseph Chewe says the announcement of job cuts at KALUMBILA Copper Mine, citing a tax regime that will come in effect next year is premature.
Mr. Chewe says mines should not rush to announce job cuts whenever there is a change in the economy but should instead find ways of increasing production considering the new tax regime.
He also notes that Kalumbila Mine did not engage any stakeholder including his union in arriving at this decision of laying off workers.
Mr. Chewe has further called on the mines to refrain from the habit of using workers as a bargain tool whenever they reach an impasse with government adding that threats such as job cuts reduce on the workers productivity.
The Union leader has called on government to exercise decisiveness in dealing with issues that surround looming job cuts in the mining sector as more mining houses are likely to announce job cuts owing to the new tax regime.
On Friday, Kalumbila Copper Mines in Solwezi, North Western Province, notified Government of its decision to lay off over 1-thousand miners due to the proposed new mining tax regime.
Chief Chanje of the Chewa speaking people in Chipangali district, Eastern Province is concerned with the delay in the distribution of farming inputs to all the 32 cooperatives in his chiefdom.
The Tradition leader said he was disheartened when he conducted a tour of a number of cooperatives to ascertain the progress of the farming input distribution to his subjects, only to find that none had received so far.
He told ZANIS in an interview yesterday that it was worrying that all 32 cooperatives in Kalichero 2 area had not yet started receiving seeds and even fertilizer for farmers for the 2018/2019 farming season.
Chief Chanje explained that there is an urgent need for the office of the district Agriculture Coordinator to institute an urgent investigation in the matter in order to allow farmers access inputs.
“On Tuesday this week I conducted a tour of Kalichero 2 to appreciate the progress of farming inputs distribution in Chief Chikuwe’s chiefdom where am a caretaker. I was concerned to learn that all 32 cooperatives have not yet commenced distribution of seeds and even fertilizer. Let relevant authorities look into the matter because farmers are eager to start planting since we are in the planting season. I therefore urge small scale farmers to report to my office if they will be given less bags than they are supposed to receive,” he said.
And when contacted for a comment Chipata District Agriculture Coordinator (DACO) Philemon Lungu said his office has not received any reports of some farmers who have not yet started receiving farming inputs.
Mr. Lungu however emphasised that he will institute an investigation to ascertain what has caused the delay of the farming input distribution to the 32 cooperatives in Chief Chikuwe’s area.
In November this year, Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo said all is set for the 2018/2019 farming season having completed the distribution of both Basal and Top dressing fertilizer countrywide.
President Edgar Lungu’s Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations has said that it was regrettable that U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has wrong information about Zambia’s debt to China.
Responding to claims made by a White House official, John Bolton, that China is about to take over ZESCO to recover the $6-10 billion debt, Mr Chanda said that ZESCO was never provided as collateral and Zambia’s debt to China was only $3.1 billion.
“It is regrettable that such information can come from such a high-ranking official. In fact, ZESCO is not within the scheme of Zambia’s debt to China,” he added.
Mr Chanda said Zambia valued its relations with both China and the US and would not deal with either of them exclusively.
On Thursday, the Trump administration unveiled a new Africa policy focused on combating the “predatory” practices of China and Russia, and ending what it calls “indiscriminate assistance” and “unproductive, unsuccessful and unaccountable” UN peacekeeping missions.
Mr Bolton said that the US was losing ground to China and Russia, who he said were using their investment and trade to gain direct leverage on African governments, often through corrupt means.
“China uses bribes, opaque agreements, and the strategic use of debt to hold states in Africa captive to Beijing’s wishes and demands. Its investment ventures are riddled with corruption, and do not meet the same environmental or ethical standards as US development projects,” Bolton said.
As an example of Chinese leverage, he said Zambia was in debt for up to $10bn to China, which was poised to take over Zambia’s national power company to recoup the debt.
Mr Bolton also accused Russia of selling arms and energy in exchange for votes at the UN. Those votes he added, helped keep “strongmen in power, undermine peace and security, and run counter to the best interests of the African people”.
“The predatory practices pursued by China and Russia stunt economic growth in Africa; threaten the financial independence of African nations; inhibit opportunities for US investment; interfere with US military operations; and pose a significant threat to US national security interests,” he said.
“The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil.”
(Proverbs 19:23, NKJV)
Live All of Your Days
One thing I’ve noticed is that so many people are walking around who aren’t really living to the full the way God intends. Do you ever notice that many people quit living around fifty, but yet they are going to stay on the planet until after they’re eighty? Maybe they went through a disappointment or had a failure. Someone hurt them, and now they’ve lost their joy and settled where they are. No, God has another victory in store! You wouldn’t be breathing unless God had something amazing in your future. It’s time to get your passion back and be determined to really live out all of your God-given days!
The Scripture says that God wants to bring you to a flourishing finish, not a fizzled-out finish. Don’t let disappointment or self-pity hold you back. God has promised that what was meant for your harm He will turn around and use for your good. Not only will He bring you out, but He will bring you out better off than you were before. Receive it by faith today and press forward into the abundant, fulfilled life He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
“Father God, thank You for the promise of living a long, satisfied life. I choose to stay in the game and press forward to fulfill my destiny. I won’t shrink back, give up or lose heart, but I will stand strong in You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
George Lwandamina say they respect TP Mazembe but Zesco United are not a small team either as their 2018/2019 CAF Champions League showdown looms on Sunday in Lubumbashi.
Zesco and five-time African champions Mazembe meet in their debut competitive clash after years of cross-border friendly meetings.
Lwandamina said every coach plans to win and their pre-group first leg match at Mazembe’s Kamalondo fortress on Sunday was not any different.
“This is football we are talking about here, even the pedigree of Mazembe came from somewhere, and it just didn’t drop from heaven to be what it is at the moment. They had to build it one step at a time,” Lwandamina said.
“Yes, we can respect their pedigree but we are also a big team.
“I have not won any continental trophy but Zesco is also a very big team and our purpose here is nothing other than coming to play and we have planned that we have to win.”
Zesco will be the second Zambian club to face Mazembe in continental action after Power Dynamos did so in the 2012 edition of the same competition.
Mazembe drew 1-1 away in Kitwe but demolished Power 6-0 in Lubumbashi in a second round.
Meanwhile, Zesco will host Mazembe in the final leg on December 22 in Ndola to decide who qualifies to January’s group stage.
The loser will be relegated to the CAF Confederation Cup pre-group stage that will be played next month.
Green Buffaloes are on the brink of another early exit from the CAF Confederation Cup following a humbling 4-1 away defeat on Saturday evening in Tunisia at the hands of record three-time champions CS Sfaxien.
Buffaloes loss brought back recent memories of their first round exit in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup last February when Al Masry beat them 4-0 away in Egypt en route to a 5-2 aggregate ejection.
Alaeddine Marzouki put Sfaxien ahead in the 28th minute but there was a ray of hope when Chipili Mungule equalized in the 40th minute to see the two sides go 1-1 into the break.
Marzouki then completed his brace in the 52nd minute before Heni Amamou add the third in the 81st minute and Firas Chawat added to Buffaloes’ misery three minutes deep inside stoppage time.
Buffaloes now have mammoth job of scoring three goals without reply at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on December 22 to remain in the race to January’s pre-group round.
Chibombo Bus Truck Accident
Over 1,200 people have died in Road Traffic related accidents on Zambian roads in the first nine months of this year.
However the deaths recorded this year as at September 30th, 2018, are fewer compared to the deaths recorded last year during the same period.
According to the latest road safety bench marking report from the Zambia Road Safety Trust (ZRST), 1,282 lives were lost on Zambian roads, compared to 1,407 recorded during the same period in 2017.
According to the report released by ZRST Head of Communications Mailos Mwale, over 100 people are killed every month, and that the development is hampering the attainment of the 2020 target of a 50 percent reduction in road traffic accidents.
And ZRST Chairman Daniel Mwamba has called for concerted and multi-sectoral response from government and stakeholders as RTA deaths are robbing the country of 100 Zambians every month, and costing the economy K5 billion every year.
Mr Mwamba stated that Pedestrians and cyclists continue to make up almost 70 percent of the more than 2, 000 annual road traffic deaths in Zambia which he described as unacceptably high.
He urged motorists and pedestrians to always be alert on the road and obey traffic rules by not drinking or taking drugs.
Mr Mwamba also urged government to address the issues regarding the safety of pedestrians, in particular the construction and conversion of safe roads for vulnerable road users.
Mr Mwamba further said that the ZRST will participate in this year’s road safety week, which commences on December 16 and will work with the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and other stakeholders to raise awareness of road safety during this festive period.
Mr Mwamba observed that the festive season is prone to recording high road fatalities due to the excitement that fills the holiday season, which is a danger for road users.
He pointed out that last year over 20 people were killed during the said period, adding that the public needs to exercise road safety regardless of what period we are in.
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya welcomes Champions for an AIDS Generation leader former President of Namibia Hifikepunye Pohamba
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya says government has made progress in meeting most of its target goals aimed at improving the delivery of health care services to people across the country.
Dr. Chilufya cited the recruitment of more than 15,000 out of the 30000 targeted health workers by 2021, the training of 500 specialised doctors and the construction of 6 specialized hospitals as some of the strives made so far towards improving the provision of health services.
The Minister said this in a speech read for him by Deputy Director Clinical Care and Diagnostic Services Daniel Makawa during the Zambia Paediatric Association (ZPA) symposium held in Lusaka today.
He said that this is because a healthy population is key in achieving sustainable economic development for the country, hence the need to intensify health service delivery in the country.
He explained that the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) clearly identifies human development as a cornerstone to social and economic development, adding that this is why government will continue to provide access to health care services as close to the family as possible.
Dr. Chilufya further reaffirmed that the Ministry of Health is also implementing the National Health Strategic Plan (NHSP) 2017-2021 which indicates that health is a key economic investment and not a social investment.
And Zambia Paediatric Association President John Musuku has called on government to ensure that specialised treatment services especially among children are spread across the country, adding that epidemic control has continued to remain a challenge due to lack of specialised services in most health care facilities in rural areas.
Dr. Musuku said it is for this reason that government is being entrusted to ensure that all health facilities being built are equipped with the necessary equipment and personal such as paediatricians as a way of reducing maternal and neonatal deaths in the country.
He further pledged ZPA’s support to government towards offering guidance on decisions regarding the implementation of the NHSP.
Nkana on Saturday continued their march to towards qualification to the 2018/2019 CAF Champions League group stage following a 2-1 home win over Simba SC of Tanzania.
Nkana outplayed Simba in the first half who had come into the match armed with an 8-1 aggregate first round win over Mbabane Swallows of eSwatini.
Goals by Ronald Kampamba and Kelvin Mubanga in the 25th and 56th minutes respectively gave Nkana the win.
John Bocco pulled one back from the spot in 72nd minute after he was fouled by Musa Mohammed.
The return leg is set for December 22 in Dar es Salaam and a draw for Nkana will suffice to see them qualify to the group stage.
However, a 1-0 win for Simba will see them qualify on away goals rule.
Meanwhile at Nkoloma Stadium, Green Eagles finished 0-0 against Hussein Dey of Algeria in their CAF Confederation Cup second round first leg match,leaving themselves with an uphill battle to qualify for January’s pre-group stage.
The long awaited Zampalm out grower scheme project in Kanchibiya district of Muchinga Province has finally taken off.
Government through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has injected in an initial K1 million to support the Zampalm out grower scheme project in the region.
Over 2,000 small scale farmers in Senior Chief Kopa and Chief Kabinga will benefit from the Zampalm out grower scheme project during the 2018/2019 farming season.
Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba yesterday visited selected small scale farmers in Senior Chief Kopa’s area who have benefited from the Zampalm out grower scheme project.
Dr. Kalumba told ZANIS after a conducted tour of the palm tree fields that he is happy that the project has finally taken off.
Dr. Kalumba said the project is meant to uplift the living standards of the local people, adding that it will also boost the production of crude palm oil at Kopa Palm Oil Processing Mill, as well as contribute to the economic growth of the province and ultimately Zambia as a whole.
The Provincial Permanent Secretary added that the country is positioning itself to be a major supplier of palm crude oil in the region, saying this support to the Zampalm oil out grower scheme project, is a step in the right direction.
And Senior Chief Kopa of the Bisa speaking people has commended government for implementing the Zampalm out grower scheme project.
The traditional leader said the project will expand the fortunes in his chiefdom due to its already existing rich natural resources.
He said that last year he visited Uganda where a similar project is being implemented and saw the impact that the project has had on the lives of that country’s local people.
Senior Chief Kopa has since urged his subjects to make use of the 3 year project and see to it that the aim of the project, which is to expand the plantation of more palm trees across the region, is realised.
Zampalm was incorporated in 2009 following Zambeef’s acquisition of Zamanita Limited in order to develop an oil palm plantation and crushing mill in Zambia as a continuation of its strategy of vertical integration.
About 70 percent of Zambia’s edible oil consumption of approximately 120,000 Metric Tonnes per annum is imported as finished edible oil from East Africa and South Africa.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo and Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya cleaning during the Cavendish University Keep Zambia Clean, Health and Green at Kafue Roundabout
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has called on secretaries across the country to commit to duty and uphold professionalism during their execution of national duty.
Mr Lusambo said it is only through hard work and upholding of professionalism that one is able to help enhance productivity in a workplace.
He further advised secretaries working in various institutions across the country to ensure they report for work on time, and maintain the confidentiality embedded in the company policy.
“I do not condone late coming as it retards development in any organisation, and also good and trained secretaries are innovative in their work, they do not just sit idle waiting to be given what to do,” he reiterated.
The Provincial Minister said this in a speech read on his behalf by Chongwe District Commissioner Frazer Musonda at the Secretary of the year contest held at the New Government Complex in Lusaka, under the theme Professional Secretary-the Indispensable Assistant.
Mr Lusambo noted that such competitions were necessary, in that they help secretaries sharpen and improve their interpersonal skills through exchange of ideas and experiences.
He also encouraged the secretaries to be innovative in their line of duty, and not just limit themselves but should however endeavour to adopt new methods of work through the use of Information Communication and Technologies (ICTs).
And Professional Secretaries Association of Zambia Matakala Mubuku says professional secretaries must be given the due recognition for playing a critical role in office management.
She said her Association attaches great importance to the contest whose main objective is to mould secretaries into professionals, through various tasks and extensive examination.
President Edgar Lungu cleaning during the Cavendish University Keep Zambia Clean, Health and Green at Kafue Roundabout
President Edgar Lungu is concerned that some politicians are still politicking since the last general elections in 2016 instead of embracing concerted efforts to take the country forward. President Lungu said that Zambia’s interests are bigger than anybody and must prevail above self-ambitions.
The President also also called on Zambians to stop tearing one another apart and uphold national unity.
President Lungu was speaking in Lusaka today during the Cavendish University Zambia Keeping Zambia -clean, green and health Campaign Cleaning Exercise at Lusaka’s Down Town Area.
President Lungu emphasized that the Keep Zambia Clean, green and health campaign must outlive him and the Patriotic Front government.
At the same function Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale praised President Lungu for actively spearheading the campaign. Mr. Mwale observed that the President is always available at several Keep Zambia Clean, green and health campaign -cleaning exercises.
Meanwhile Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo was delighted that Zambians including the private sector are embracing the campaign.
And Cavendish University Zambia -Vice Chancellor Kalombo Mwansa reaffirmed his institution’s commitment to participate regularly in the Keep Zambian Clean campaign-cleaning exercises.
President Edgar Lungu cleaning during the Cavendish University Keep Zambia Clean, Health and Green at Kafue RoundaboutLusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo and Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya cleaning during the Cavendish University Keep Zambia Clean, Health and Green at Kafue RoundaboutPresident Edgar Lungu and Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya cleaning during the Cavendish University Keep Zambia Clean, Health and Green at Kafue RoundaboutCavendish University Vice Chancellor Dr. Kalombo Mwansa flanked by Cavendish University Council Chairperson Dr. Overs Banda confers with President Edgar Lungu during the Cavendish University Keep Zambia Clean, Health and Green at Kafue Roundabout
The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development has completed the countrywide distribution of ICT business equipment to youths in 60 districts.
Ministry Spokesperson Kennedy Mukupa said the Ministry is actively implementing the ICT Business Empowerment Scheme for young people in the country.
Mr. Mukupa told ZANIS in an interview today that the ministry remains keen to empowering youths country wide in Information and Communication Technology (ICTs), adding that it is the ministry’s desire to see to it that more youths benefit from the programme.
He disclosed that the project is one of the quick win projects for young people as outlined in the 2015 National Youth Policy.
“Yes I can confirm that we have finished the distribution of ICT equipment to the youths in 60 districts in the country. We chose six districts per Province and that was successfully implemented,” he stressed.
Early this year, the Ministry Of Youth, Sport and Child Development embarked on the ICT Business Empowerment Scheme aimed at empowering youths from 60 districts.
The identified youth cooperatives was each provided with 5 desk tops, a printer and an internet connector, to enable them establish a business center and youths with interest in ICT have since applied to be a part of the empowerment programme through the various Provincial offices countrywide.
The Zambia Airports Cooperation Limited has pledged to provide continued support to the vulnerable groupings in society.
Zambia Airports Cooperation Limited Board Chairperson Melingo Lungu says his firm has a huge responsibility of executing its corporate social responsibility to institutions and individuals within which it operates.
This came to light when the cooperation donated assorted items to Chinkuli Primary School in Chongwe district, comprising of desks, text books and notebooks.
Mr. Lungu notes that education is one of the firms focus area of support hence, making a donation of assorted learning materials worth K70, 000, in order to ensure that no child is left behind in the provision of service delivery.
Meanwhile, Chinkuli Primary School Head Master Pardon Chisanga has commended the gesture from Zambia Airports Cooperation Limited, saying it will greatly benefit the school which was founded in 1945.
Mr. Chisanga said the school has been grappling with several challenges such as lack of desks, houses for teachers and lack of a teaching workforce.
He explained that the school only has 15 teachers out of its establishment of 32, against the pupil population of 1,380.
And School Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Chairperson Thebulo Watson said the support rendered by the Zambia Airports Cooperation will stand a test of time in the history of the school.
Mr. Watson urged other stakeholders to emulate this kind gesture and consider rendering more aide to the school.
President Edgar Lungu at the Zambia Medical Association Annual Ball and Awards Gala at Mulungushi International Conference Centre
President Edgar Lungu has challenged medical personal in the country to take advantage of the improvement recorded in the health sector, to improve service delivery to the public.
President Lungu says government has provided an enabling environment and improved conditions of service for all medical professionals, in an effort to make access to quality health care services attainable for all Zambians, regardless of their status in society.
Mr. Lungu adds that to this effect, his administration will continue to invest and equip the sector with both modern equipment and adequate and qualified health care workers, to cater for all the health facilities in the country.
The Head of State said this in Lusaka last night when he officiated at the Zambia Medical Association (ZAM) gala dinner.
President Lungu adds that the establishment of the Zambia College of Medicine and Surgery, which trains doctors in specialised fields within the country is a milestone which government is intending to use in addressing issues of brain drain among medical personnel, thereby reducing the cost of referring patients abroad for specialised treatment.
He has also thanked the medical staff in the country, for their continued dedication to duty as seen through the recently successful operations such as the kidney transplant, the separation of the conjoined twins and some cardiac operations that were done locally.
President Lungu further pointed out that government will continue to use the multi sectoral approach in addressing all health care concerns like the increase in non-communicable diseases.
He however expressed displeasure that the country has continued to record an increase in non-communicable diseases, saying this is a situation that can be avoided if only people change they lifestyle and embraced physical exercise, while eating healthy foods.
Earlier Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya praised government for priotising the health sector in all its investments, adding that the move has helped the country record progress towards achieving universal access to health care for all Zambians.
And Zambia Medical Association (ZAM) President Abidon Chansa thanked government for the various strides made, aimed at improving the service delivery in the health sector.
Dr. Chansa cited the recently introduced health care insurance bill, construction of a nuclear plant, upgrading of clinics, hospitals and the increase in recruitment levels as some of the developments that have assisted in improving health care service delivery to members of the public.
At the same event ZMA awarded President Lungu with a ZMA special recognition award for his contribution to the advancements in the health sector.
