File:,President Edgar Lungu confers with Chairman of the Board of Directors Bank of China Guoli Tian (r) while Chinese Ambassador Yang Youming listerns when the delegation called on the President at State House
President Edgar Lungu this morning met the China International Water and Electric Cooperation delegation that intends to invest into the construction of Batoka and Kalungwishi hydro power stations.
The delegation met President Lungu at state house today to express their interest to invest in the two hydro power stations.
ZANIS reports that Company general manager (1a)Lui Zengxue said his company would like to build the power station on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis with the Zambian government if the tender is accepted.
Mr. Zengxue said his company is willing to work with the Zambian government in the energy sector to implement hypo power project, solar and wind energy projects.
And speaking to journalists after the meeting, Minister of Energy (1b) Matthew Nkhuwa said his Ministry has received about 15 letters from bidders who have expressed interest to build Kalungwishi and Batoka hydro power stations.
Mr. Nkhuwa said the successful bidder will be picked and announced once the process is done.
He said government is undertaking a transparent selection process by allowing all interested investors to tender for the projects.
The minister disclosed that the successful bidder will only be picked once the feasibility studies have been conducted by the World Bank.
He said the World Bank is currently conducting feasibility studies to evaluate the cost of the project but stated that the project may gooble in access of US$4.5 billion.
Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Ronald Chitotela
Government is concerned with deliberate efforts by some people aimed at misleading and mis-informing the public on its agenda to transform the country through infrastructure development.
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure development Ronald Chitotela says there has been a lot of misinformation about the price of constructing Michael Chilufya Sata Toll plaza, the integrated tolling system and the House of the Fourth Republican president.
Delivering a ministerial statement in Parliament today, Mr Chitotela said contrary to assertions that the toll plaza cost 52 million Kwacha, the true cost of the toll plaza is about 38.2 million Kwacha.
Mr Chitotela said claims that other countries in the region have built infrastructure similar in size and quality at just 500,000 US Dollars are not only untrue but intended to mislead the people of Zambia.
He said so far six point seven million Kwacha has been collected from the toll plaza which is the largest in the country from the date it was commissioned by President Edgar Lungu, this year.
And Mr Chitotela says it is not true that government single sourced for a firm to implement the integrated road traffic management and tolling system.
He said Lamise Trading limited in association with Kapsch Trafficcom, incorporated in Zambia as Intelligent Mobility Solutions, were picked to operate the integrated road traffic management from four competing proposals.
The companies that competed inclued MTM/ KZM traffix of South Africa, Grandview International of Zambia and Romania, Fischer Consulting of South Africa, and Rashmitha Information Systems from India.
He said Lamise Trading limited with Kapsch Trafficcom also submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Road Development Agency-RDA- for a separate tolling solution.
The solution was to be integrated with the Road Transport and Safety Agency-RTSA- system but negotiations were terminated by the Public Private Partnerships council because it was not in the best interest of Zambians.
Mr Chitotela said the wrong impression and deliberate mis-information that RTSA has already signed the concession agreement with Intelligent Mobility Solutions are incorrect, dishonest and unfounded.
He told the House that the issue of comparing the cost of the house of the fourth republican president to the Michael Chilufya Sata Toll Plaza, is irrational.
Mr Chitotela said the two facilities have completely different facilities and have no basis of comparing their costs due to the differences in design, scope and requirements.
As a sequel to the last article, we continue to discuss the exploits of the PF in the last 7 (seven) years 2011-2018. Since PF formed Government in 2011 under the late President Mr. Michael Sata (MHSRIP)–and currently under His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu – the national development agenda of the Patriotic Front (PF) has always been guided by three (03) strategic documents, namely: The Patriotic Front Manifesto(s);The National Development Plans (NDPs)The Vision 2030.
7NDP is underpinned by five strategic pillars namely: Economic Diversification and Job Creation; Poverty and Vulnerability Reduction; Enhancing Human Development; Environment for a Diversified and Inclusive Economy; Reducing Developmental Inequalities.
The following is snippet of the numerous ways the PF is on course in achieving the desired outcome under the first Pillar:
A DIVERSIFIED AND EXPORT-ORIENTED AGRICULTURE SECTOR LEVERAGED ON IMPROVING PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY FROM FARM TO AGRO-PROCESSING AND MANUFACTURING
Just a few days ago, Zambia entered a higher dimension in the advancement of irrigation agriculture, when His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa commissioned the 61 million cubic metres water storage capacity Mwomboshi Dam and reservoir in Chisamba district, Central Province.
The Mwomboshi Dam project is an indelible impression of the Patriotic Front government’s monumental progress in infrastructure development aimed at fostering national development through agriculture and agro-processing.
Its construction of the dam is in fulfilment of the 7NDP and Patriotic Front manifesto on increasing management and utilisation of water resources for agricultural development.
Management and utilisation of water resources for agricultural development In line with the PF Manifesto and 7NDP will be achieved by constructing at least one large scale dam per province such as Mwomboshi to irrigate massive areas of land, establish irrigation schemes and facilitate private investment in dams and irrigation infrastructure among other actions.
This is essential to our achieving the desired outcome of a Diversified and Export-Oriented Agriculture Sector leveraged on Improving Production and Productivity from Farm to Agro-Processing and Manufacturing.
The Patriotic Front administration of President Lungu accordingly endeavours to replicate bulk water irrigation infrastructure projects like Mwomboshi across the country.
The Aquaculture Development programme:
Aquaculture also known as Aqua-farming, refers to the breeding, rearing and harvesting of all water organisms including aquatic plants.
However, aquaculture in Zambia is mainly restricted to fish farming owing to its high demand on the Zambian market (www.agriculture.gov.zm). The PF Government is currently, developing aquaculture through several projects.
For example instance -on 22nd October, 2017, President Edgar Lungu launched the USD 50million Aquaculture Project.
Another notable development is the 5-year US Dollar 50.89 million African Development Bank (AfDB) funded project running from 2017 to 2022, to which the Zambian Governments contribution of funding is 10.8%.
The project is expected to benefit about 1, 200 fish farmers and entrepreneurs comprising 50% women and youth in the identified high-potential aquaculture areas. There will also be approximately fifty thousand (50,000) indirect beneficiaries consisting of entrepreneurs in the aquaculture value chain such as fish processes, fish traders, fish transporters and employees.
The project is expected to foster an enabling environment for the supply of 98 million fingerings which are key necessities in fish farming. The project is crucial to helping our nation diversify its economy, reduce youth unemployment and poverty.
There are many other PF achievements in Aqua Culture sub-sector. The following is but a glimpse into the voluminous catalogue these exploits:
Apart from the US Dollar 20 million Aquaculture Investment Plan (employing over 600 people) which the PF Government has set up in Siavonga District the PF Government is also promoting cage fish farming on lakes Mweru, Kariba, Tanganyika, and Bangweulu as well as along the Kafue river at Kasaka and the water bodies of Western province. This is being implemented through the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Project (ZAED).
Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Project (ZAED).
Arising from the effective implementation of the ZAED Project, the PF Government has increased fish production from 22, 713 metric tonnes in 2015 to 27,658 metric tonnes in 2016; representing a 22 percent increase.
This significant increase in fish production in only 2 years is evidence of PF Government policies working in the sector.
Once the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Project (ZAEDP) implementation period is completed in 2021, Government expects the annual fish production to increase to over 40,000 metric tonnes from the current 36,000 metric tonnes in 2018.
The ZAEDP project is stimulating a viable aquaculture sub-sector in Zambia which will in turn promote economic diversification, food security and sustainable employment creation, all of which are top priorities of the Government as enshrined in the 7NDP and Vision 2030.
However, Zambia still has a deficit of 87, 000 metric tonnes due to increased human population as well as demand for fish as a source of cheap protein.
In order to bridge this gap and to enable Zambians to improve their welfare through fish farming; President Edgar Lungu is committed to scaling up aquaculture development through strategic investments and partnerships, to stimulate an enabling environment for expansion in the sub-sector.
Research And Development Promotion Programme (Crops, Livestock And Fisheries)
Apart from Aquaculture, the PF Government attaches great importance to research and development in all sub-sectors of Agriculture. Central to this is Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) is the largest agricultural research entity in Zambia.
It has 10 research stations with Mount Makulu Central Research Station being the institute’s headquarters.
The institute’s overall objectives are to develop and adapt crop, soil and plant protection technologies and to provide a high quality, appropriate and cost-effective service to farmers. (www.agriculture.gov.zm). The PF Government has boosted support to ZARI to enable it meet its objectives.
In order to promote Research and Development further, the PF Government has scaled up vaccine production at the Central Veterinary Research Institute with a view to improving and protecting crops, livestock and fisheries countrywide.
Enhancing Agriculture Value Chains
Agriculture value chains are a crucial component of Economic Diversification.
President Lungu’s Government is devoted to diversifying the economy and reducing over-dependence on the extractive industry.
PF is modernizing Agriculture and prioritize value addition through agro-industries in order to improve productivity and lay the foundation for an industrialized economy.
To this end, President Lungu’s Administration has continued to gain significant ground in enhancing agriculture value chains through strategic and significant investments in production, agro-processing and marketing including export market and distribution mechanisms in line with the 7NDP.
The PF Government continues to score many feats through the implementation of a variety of programmes such as the Agro- And Forestry-Based Processing and Manufacturing Promotion Programme.
The following is a selection from the long list of PF Government’s achievements in this regard:
i. Shiwang’andu district of Muchinga Province- In 2015, President Edgar Lungu launched a multi-million Kwacha Forest Plantation for ZAFFICO
ii. Kasama, Northern Province; a 1,947-hectare ZAFFICO plantation has also been established. It is expected to create 200 direct jobs in Kasama and many more throughout the country.
iii. More land for ZAFFICO to develop into plantations in Mporokoso and Luwingu districts in Northern Province has also been secured. The aim is to preserve forests as well as create employment in the area and countrywide.
iv. In April 2018 His Excellency, President Edgar Lungu – launched the “Zambia Plant a Million Trees initiative” at Kapasa Makasa University in Muchinga Province.
CONCLUSION
With His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu leading the way the Patriotic Front Government has made significant strides towards the fulfillment of Vision 2030, and we will not rest on our laurels.
We remain unflinching and relentless in our quest to bequeath to Zambians a strong, dynamic and prosperous industrial Middle-income Nation By 2030 using the PF Manifesto and 7NDP as a stairway to attaining a diversified and export-oriented agriculture sector leveraged on improving production and productivity from farm to agro-processing and manufacturing.
CITIZEN Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) Director General Likando Mukumbuta (left) explaining to Kasama prospective business men and women on how they can access Government empowerment funds at Northern Provincial Conference hall yesterday with Kasama District Commissioner Kalanga Bwalya (right).
Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) has established a Cashew Matching Grant Fund Facility worth US$2million United States dollars.
CEEC Director General Likando Mukumbuta says the fund has been sourced from African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of the US$55.4 million cashew project Government is implementing in Western Province.
Speaking during a sensitization meeting held at Kalabo Secondary School, Mr. Mukumbuta said the fund is meant to boost enterprises of cashew value chain products under the Cashew Infrastructure Development Project (CIDP).
Mr Mukumbuta said the matching grants being floated are meant to finance entrepreneurs venturing into nurseries, plantations, storage, processing and marketing of cashew products.
He stated that funds will be disbursed to targeted citizens as well as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in order to cushion their financial requirements during the various stages of cashew value chain production.
Mr. Mukumbuta added that CEEC has partnered with CIDP to also make funds available to finance feasibility studies into the various fields of cashew nuts.
He said the grant will be awarded through an open selection procedure based on either concept notes or business plans.
Mr. Mukumbuta said successful applicants would receive funds amounting to K70, 000 adding that those seeking for funds above that threshold are required to submit a full business plan.
He however noted that the funds would not cater for everyone hence the need for entrepreneurs to align themselves to lending institutions for additional or alternative funds.
Speaking at the same function, Kalabo District Commissioner, Fridah Luhila said cashew yields have improved this year following spraying of chemicals and pruning exercise which boosted production levels of already existing trees.
Mrs. Luhila has since urged cashew farmers to apply for the grant in order to engage in cashew value chain products and in turn generate more income.
Meanwhile, Acting District Marketing Development Officer, Munchini Ushiti has advised applicants to be realistic in their project proposals.
And cashew farmers in Kalabo district have thanked Government for establishing the Cashew Matching Grant Fund Facility saying the initiative has potential to reduce household poverty across the province.
The smallholder farmers however appealed to government to reduce the applicants’ prerequisite contribution towards the cashew value chain projects from 70 percent to about 30 percent in order for them to benefit from the matching grant facility.
Government through Ministry of Agriculture is implementing the five-year cashew project in selected 10 districts of Western Province at a cost of US$55.4 million dollars.
Mutati with Seth James Group of Companies President
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president Felix Mutati has said debt that most African countries have was stressing their economies.
He said the debt was negatively impacting on the exchange rate as well as most country’s current account deficits.
In an interview from Egypt where he was attending a business forum, Mutati said most African countries are under economic pressure due to their indebtedness.
“Most of the African countries are under the pressure of debt which is putting alot of pressure on our economic stability. It is impacting on the foreign exchange rate and the foriegn reserves,” he said.
He further noted that the debt was also slowing down growth in most of the African countries because the liquidity in the economies has been constrained thereby having an effect on the access to money.
Mutati also revealed that leaders discussed a number of ways on how they can improve the continent’s engagement with China.
He said the continent should be smart enough to realise that China needs Africa as much as Africa needs China and ensure that negotiators strike deals that represent the interest of the people.
The opposition leader who was amongst the eminent men and women invited to participate in the week-long deliberations, said there is need for governments to strenthen their governance institutions and ensure that rules and regulations are strictly enforced when dealing with not only Chinese investors but all the investors coming into the continent.
“A number of commentators raised the concerns of debt associated with China and let me say this; China needs Africa in as much as Africa needs China.
“The dragon has landed, the African Lion must now dance with it but we must create a balance between the African Lion and the Chinese Drangon,” he said.
He called on the think-tanks in Africa to be smart and be able to define the terms of engagement within the conducive regulations that would elevate the levels of economic performance.
“We must be smart. We must be able to go to the table of negotiations very clear and strategic knowing what we want from the transaction. We must be alive to the fact that at the table of transactions investors will always protect their interests so we too must protect our territory and all other assets on our continent,” he advised.
He said the Chinese are looking for the expansion of their market in the wake of trade differences they have been having with the United States of America and are now Africa comes in as an opportunity.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu at the First-ever-Annual Economics Gala Dinner organised by the Economics Association of Zambia under the theme: “Uniting Towards Achieving An Integrated Approach To National Economic Development” at InterContinental Hotel on Wednesday, December 12,2018-Pictures by THOMAS NSAMA/STATE HOUSE
President Edgar Lungu has observed that fighting the influx of Chinese in Zambia is an exercise in futility because Chinese are like Cockroaches who are found everywhere.
President Lungu charged that it will not help Zambia to cry about Chinese influx.
President Lungu said there is no need for Zambians to be Xenophobic towards the Non Zambians like the Chinese but that Zambians should instead work with them.
President Lungu was speaking on Wednesday evening during the inaugural Economics Association of Zambia gala dinner.
“I don’t mean to insult but what I am saying is that the Chinese are like Cockroaches. They are billions of Chinese and invaluably they will be everywhere including here in Zambia,” President Lungu said.
He also suggested that Zambians should emulate the resilient of their Chinese counterparts.
“When I say they are like Cockroaches I am not demeaning the Chinese. They are very resilient and they can survive in any condition and Zambians need to learn that kind of resilient,” President Lungu said.
He said Zambians should not eliminate the Chinese from the county but just work with them.
“This cry about China won’t help us. I was reading statistics the other day and someone had written that out of 10 thieves, six could be Bembas and that does not really mean Bemba are thieves but because of many Bemba speaking around. Invaluably, China will be everywhere because they are many. You can’t eradicate Chinese from Zambia, they are everywhere. They are like Cockroaches,” President Lungu said.
And President Lungu has signaled out the Zambia Engineering Institution as one of the professional bodies that is not adding value to national development.
President Lungu who described the EIZ as aloof said the institution has stayed away from key national decision processes because it is inactive.
He said the EIZ is failing to provide professional input in key government construction projects.
“The EIZ is aloof and are not interested in providing professional advice. A case in point is the construction of the new Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, I learnt the other day that the new airport is being constructed without refrigeration equipment and yet we are planning on doing this goat export deal to Saudi Arabia,” President Lungu said.
He added, “the money the country when doing the Mongu Kalabo Road could have been saved had our Engineers told us the type of road we needed there before roads could get washed away easily.”
He said there is a lot of lethargy by some professional bodies.
President Lungu also condemned some opposition parties whom he accused of spreading falsehoods about the state of the economy.
He said Government is happy that the new Economics Association of Zambia Board is proving to be a true partner in correcting the negative narrative about the Zambian economy.
President Lungu said all stakeholders should partner with government to realize the Vision 2030 saying there is no need to be pulling in different directions.
“We should avoid unpatriotic tendencies as Zambians. By denouncing the economy, by denouncing the Kwacha, you are not gaining anything. Its a zero sum game by talking ill about Zambia. How do you want to take over from failure?
And EAZ President Lubinda Haabazoka said the Association is confident that Zambia will meet its aspirations of creating a broad based economy as it pursues the Vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind.
Dr Haabazoka further stated that EAZ is determined to fight the spread of fake information about the Zambian economy.
He also announced that the EAZ will in April next year hold the first ever National Economics Summit at which research backed papers will be shared on key economic subjects.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai was forced to explain to U.S. congress on Tuesday why images of Donald Trump crop up when you tap the word ‘idiot’ – a word that’s also now become the most searched term on Google in light of the revelation.
Explaining that results from such a search led to pictures of U.S. President Donald Trump, Democratic congresswoman Zoe Lofgren asked: “Right now, if you google the word ‘idiot’ under images, a picture of Donald Trump comes up. I just did that.
“How would that happen?”
This was when Pichai launched into a detailed explanation of how Google’s search function works, in an attempt to refute claims that it was in any way ‘rigged’ – something Trump himself has accused the ‘fake news media’ of.
“Any time you type in a keyword, as Google we have gone out and crawled and stored copies of billions of [websites’] pages in our index,” Pichai said.
“And we take the keyword and match it against their pages and rank them based on over 200 signals – things like relevance, freshness, popularity, how other people are using it. And based on that, at any given time, we try to rank and find the best search results for that query. And then we evaluate them with external raters, and they evaluate it to objective guidelines. And that’s how we make sure the process is working.”
“So it’s not some little man sitting behind the curtain figuring out what we’re going to show the user?” Lofgren asked – we’re presuming with a slight hint of sarcasm.
“This is working at scale, and we don’t manually intervene on any particular search result,” Pichai replied.
Donald Trump comes up in Google Images when you search the term ‘idiot’. Credit: PA
He continued: “We provide search today for any time you type in a keyword. We, as Google, have gone out and crawled and stored copies of billions of their pages in our index, and we take the keyword and match it against the pages and rank them based on over 200 signals.
“Things like relevance, freshness, popularity, how other people are using it. And based on that, you know, at any given time, we try to find the best results for that query,” he added, during the hearing that also threw up several other self-owns for lawmakers.
The phenomenon is known as ‘Google bombing‘, and has affected many other famous names in the past. For instance, The Verge reports that in the mid-2000s, searches for the term ‘miserable failure’ returned results for President George W. Bush.
Copperbelt University School of Business associate Professor Biemba Maliti says government should derive maximum benefits for the people from the mining sector.
Professor Maliti says this is because mining is the mainstay of the Zambian economy.
He has since urged government not to be blackmailed by threats over possible job cuts once the proposed hike in mineral royalty tax is effected.
Professor Maliti was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news in Kitwe.
And mines minister Richard Musukwa has maintained that government will not fall prey to the arm twisting tactics by the mine owners following the proposed 2019 taxation regime for the extractive industry.
Mr. Musukwa says the chamber of mines has over the years objected any maneuvers by government to increase taxes with a cohesive and well calculated resistance plan portraying government as irresponsible and uncaring.
He told ZNBC news in a telephone interview that it is immoral and irregular for the chamber of Mines to dictate to government how they want to be taxed.
Government plans to increase mining royalties by 1.5 percentage points across the board but the Chamber of mines wants zero point five.
They also want government to increase cobalt royalty by zero-point five percentage points, rather than the government planned 8 percent.
The Chamber has also indicated that members will continue to review their operations and scaling back substantially while reducing capital expenditure by over a half billion dollars over the next three years.
Traditional leaders in Lumezi, Lundazi and Chasefu districts of Eastern Province have expressed concern over the collapse of Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) radio one and two signals for two weeks now.
Chiefs Zumwanda, Mphamba and senior chief Magodi lamented that since radio one and two signals were lost on November 27 this year, their subjects have been missing out on news and current affairs.
The trio was speaking in a separate telephone interview with Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lundazi district yesterday.
Senior chief Magodi of Chasefu district said there was need for government to start the process of installing a ZNBC transmitter in Chasefu district in order for his subjects to have access to radio one and two stations.
And Lumezi District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Herbert Mwiinga, who is an ardent radio listener, said it was important for the national broadcaster to continue reaching out to all corners of Zambia in order to educate, inform and entertain the masses in rural areas.
The traditional leaders have since called on ZNBC engineers to quickly rectify the fault so that people in affected areas can continue learning from some programmes they have been missing out.
Efforts to get a comment from Eastern Province ZNBC Manager proved futile by broadcast time.
Government has partnered with the church to alleviate difficulties affecting young people in the country, Central Province Minister Sydney Mushanga has disclosed.
Mr. Mushanga said it was saddening to see youths engaging themselves in illegal activities such as corruption, drug abuse and early marriages due to economic challenges they face.
He said government and the church have potential to lead the country to greater heights of development and youth empowerment programmes.
The Province Minister said this through the Assistant Secretary, Mwape Kasanda during the official opening of the 2018 National Youth General Conference organized by Word of Faith Soul Wining Ministries, under the theme ‘crossing over to the other side’.
He said implementing and supporting programmes which are aimed at empowering youths through the word of God is a sure way of addressing some of the challenges affecting youths in the country.
Mr. Mushanga added that such programmes create a suitable platform for youths to be socially enlightened as they mingle with their God fearing friends.
He has since assured Zambians that government will always support any organization that is undertaking developmental projects aimed at benefiting the community.
Mr. Mushanga further urged youths to take advantage of the conference to learn and be equipped with knowledge in order to become relevant to the country’s development agenda.
And Word of Faith Soul Wining Ministries National Youth Secretary Reuben Mwale said the conference was held annually to train and build youths morally through the word of God.
Pastor Mwale noted that the number of youths getting involved in doing wrong things such as drug abuse and early marriages has increased in the country.
He added that through such conferences, youths are empowered with various activities to ensure that education becomes a priority in their lives as opposed to involving themselves in vices.
Pastor Mwale has since pledged continued partnership with government to ensure that the dream of attaining a smart and prosperous Zambia is achieved.
UPND Vice President Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba delivers his remarks during the UPND 20th anniversary dinner on Friday night
UPND Vice President Dr Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba has strongly condemned the forced evictions and demolitions of four villages under Chief Pembamoyo in Vubwi District.
“Watching and listening to citizens crying and mourning the loss of their property and homes during this time when it is raining, leaves me with no kind words for President Lungu, His Member of Parliament Margaret Miti, District Commissioner Catherine Mumba and the councillors who are all Patriotic Front officials because they have neglected the plight of the citizenry.”
Dr Mwamba said it is unfortunate that Edgar Lungu and his officials are busy celebrating that “he can when he can’t “ forgetting people that voted them into office.
He also wondered how policemen can go flat out demolishing homes and property of people who have been residing in the said location since 1910 because a known Italian has bought the area.
“Police were so barbaric in their act because they went on demolishing homes and property without engaging the tenants who claimed children were still sleeping when the demolition started,” said Dr Mwamba.
Dr Mwamba warned Edgar Lungu against displacing Zambians in preference of investors when Zambia has vast land which can be allocated to others without disturbing the tenants.
“The silence of Edgar Lungu and his officials over the forced eviction and demolition of four villages in Vubwi is shocking and unbelievable,” said Dr Mwamba.
Dr Mwamba called on Edgar Lungu and his officials to check on the hundreds of homeless people who include children because media reports showed the affected people and children sleeping outside.
“You cannot be enjoying yourself when people that voted for you are suffering, go and check on their status, it is raining now were will they go with their children because their homes have been destroyed.” said Dr Mwamba.
Zambia battle for bronze on Thursday on the closing day of the 2018 COSAFA U20 Cup when they face Angola in a 3rd and 4th playoff at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
The hosts will be hoping to make up for their 2-1 semifinal loss to Zimbabwe on Tuesday at the same venue following an unbeaten run in the group stages despite questions asked about the defending and finishing.
Zambia coach Charles Bwale said he will give an opportunity to fringe players against an Angola side that has looked convincing but were unfortunate to lose 1-0 to defending champions South Africa on Tuesday.
But Zambia will still be without their impact substitute Mwiya Malumo who missed the semifinal due to a knee injury.
Furthermore, it may also be a battle for bronze but fans are still expecting Zambia to go out in a dignified manner.
The spotlight will be on Zesco United attacker Lameck Banda who has been an enigmatic figure for the hosts including captain Edward Chilufya who has played out of position for most of the tournament in attack.
Meanwhile, Prince Mumba is also still in the race for the golden boot tied on four goals together with Lyle Foster of South Africa and Zimbabwean hit man Delic Murimba who will square-off in the final.
Wedson Nyirenda ‘s Baroka stayed unbeaten in South Africa while the Zambia U17 make a dramatic semifinal qualification at the AUSC Games .
NYIRENDA CONTINUES UNBEATEN RUN
Less than a week after they won their debut cup title under Wedson Nyirenda, Baroka FC returned to South Africa Premier League action and extended their one-and-a half-month competitive unbeaten run.
On Tuesday, Baroka drew 0-0 away to defending league champions and third placed Mamelodi Sundowns who had Kennedy Mweene in goals.
The result saw Baroka collect four points from two league games but still in the bottom six since their last PSL loss on October 28 when they lost 1-0 away at Bloemfontein Celtic.
But Baroka are unbeaten in their last five competitive games since then following three wins en route to their Telkom Cup triumph last Saturday over Orlando Pirates.
Baroka returns to action this Sunday when they face another big test with a home date against back-in-form 2016/2017 champions and second placed Bidvest Wits.
ZAMBIA IN 2018 AUSC GAMES SEMIS
Zambia Under-17 beat Namibia 3-0 on Tuesday at the 2018 AUSC Zone 5 Games Football tournament in Botswana to reach the semifinals.
It was their first win in Group A after a draw and loss.
Kelvin Mwanza, Joseph Banda and Vincent Kaunda scored the crucial goals to see Zambia beat bottom placed and winless Namibia.
In the process, Zambia eliminated hosts Botswana after beating them to that second semifinal qualification spot in Group A on goal difference on 4 points, five behind unbeaten eSwatini.
Zambia will in Friday’s semifinals face Group B winners Tanzania.
Ministry of Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga
Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga says it is unlawful for Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa to appoint a Councillor as Acting Mayor.
Mr. Malupenga who addressed the media in the presence of Attorney General Likando Kalaluka clarified that a mayor has no powers to appoint a Councillor as Acting Mayor in his absence.
He said the decision to appoint an Acting Mayor is ultra-vires Section 20 of the Local Government Act, Chapter 281 of the Laws of Zambia.
Below is the statement:
The decision to appoint an acting Mayor is ultra-vires Section 20 of the Local Government Act, Chapter 281 of the Laws of Zambia. When the Mayor is absent from the Zambia, the law is very instructive, when it reads:
Section 20 [Discharge of functions of mayor or chairman during vacancy or absence]
”Whenever the office of mayor or chairman of a council is vacant or the mayor or chairman is absent or is for any other cause prevented from or incapable of discharging the functions of his office-
(a) the deputy or vice-chairman of the council; or
(b) if the office of deputy mayor or vice-chairman is vacant or the deputy mayor or vice-chairman is absent or is for any other cause prevented from or incapable of discharging the functions of his office, a councillor elected by the council;
shall discharge the functions of the office of the mayor or chairman of the council.”
The Deputy Mayor is in the country and her office is not vacant. There is no justification for the Mayor appointing another person.
Secondly, assuming the Deputy Mayor was incapable of performing the functions of the Mayor, there is no provision in the law allowing the mayor to appoint any councilor as acting mayor.
The law provides that the Council shall elect the councilor to act as Mayor where both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are not available.
The Economics Association has urged mining companies to refrain from arm twisting government using lay offs to counter the proposed 2019 tax regime proposal.
EAZ President Lubinda Habazoka was responding to the Chamber of Mines statement that the new mining tax regime for 2019 could lead to 21,000 layoffs and $500 million decrease in investment spending over the next three (3) years.
Dr. Habazoka said the mining industry remains the most important industry in Zambia and a significant contributor to 75% of foreign exchange earnings.
He said the mining industry unlike other industries is very strategic and produces goods that are non-renewable and it is very important that the sector contributes significantly to Zambia’s economic development through job creation, tax revenue and linkages with other sectors.
“Zambia has one of the most favorable investment conditions in the world for the mining sector. The number of incentives such as electricity and fuel subsidies, tax and non-tax incentives have come at a great cost to the nation. It is therefore unfortunate that the mines remain uncooperative each time a new tax regime is proposed to enhance revenue collection from the sector.” Mr. Habazoka added.
He said employees should not be used as a tool for arm-twisting Government adding that the current mine tax regime is not progressive as it allows for exploitation Zambia’s mineral resources.
Dr. Habazoka said it is also unfair to reduce mining activities and capital injections into the sector at a time when metal prices are favorable.
He said halting mining operations in Zambia is equivalent to economic sabotage and it should not be tolerated especially that over 75% of foreign exchange inflows come from the mining industry.
Dr. Habazoka stated that Zambia is not the only country in Africa to tighten its mine tax regime so as to plug any revenue leakages as other nations such as Botswana, Tanzania and recently DRC enhanced their tax regimes significantly.
He said the EAZ is currently preparing an advisory note to the state to ensure that marketing and sales of part of Zambia’s mineral resources is done locally to ensure that a substantial amount of foreign exchange flows through the Zambian financial system.
