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Chinese state owned firm Avic International is one of the companies that have submitted bids for a 49 percent stake in the Indeni Petroleum Refinery.
This is according to list released by the Zambia Development Agency late on Friday.
Others are Glencore Plc and Vitol SA including China Petroleum Technology and Development Corporation and Philia Trading Pte Ltd.
ZDA Procurement Specialist Mwila Kapita said seven offers were made for a stake in the 20,000 barrel-a-day Indeni refinery plant.
ZDA Senior Portfolio Analyst Moses Simbeye said bidders can expect feedback from the agency in the next few weeks.
Zambia had twice extended bidding for the Ndola based refinery, which was commissioned in 1973 with a design to produce 1.1 million tons of oil per year but lack of investment has reduced production.
The Zambian government assumed 100 percent ownership of the refinery through Industrial Development Corp. (IDC) when French oil giant Total International which had a 50 percent stake in the firm pulled out in 2009.
Zambia has considered the construction of a new refinery to meet rising fuel needs, but this option has proved too costly, and the focus has now returned to the potential for renovating the existing plant.
The required funds for renovations have not been broken down, but would most likely be in the region of US$500 million.
The recapitalisation of Indeni including expansion of the plant capacity requires about US$2 billion.
Indeni is the only refinery in the country and has a semi-monopolistic status with a processing capacity of 25,000 barrels (one barrel equal 156 litres) of crude oil (co-mingled) per day, and its design was based on an annual throughput of 1.1 million tonnes based on 330 stream days of production.
But due to a reduced heavy fuel market that resulted in increased spiking of crude oil and other factors, the refinery’s value has kept shrinking and its production capacity reduced to about 600,000 tonnes per year.
Indeni processes crude pumped through the 1,060-mile Tazama pipeline from the Tanzanian port city of Dar Es Salaam.
Government has embarked on a training of 51 Solar Milling plant operators under the Presidential Initiative in central province.
The 51 trainees who are attending the training are from the host District Mkushi, Luano and Serenje.
The participants are a combination of three representatives from 17 co-operatives respectively.
In his opening remarks, Mkushi District Commissioner Luka Mwamba said this was an important event as it would herald the start of a new chapter in the operations of beneficiary co-operatives.
He said this would enable co-operatives to add value to their maize, sorghum and millet and selling at a higher price.
Mr. Mwamba explained that this will increase and broaden the income base of beneficiary co-operative societies which relied on selling raw materials.
“The presidential solar milling plants initiative exemplifies the President of Zambia and government’s resolve to economically empower co-operatives and simultaneously members of co-operatives”, he said.
He implored the trainees to take the training seriously so they can be equipped with the technical know-how required to operate solar milling plants.
The Zambia Police Command has been urged to establish their presence in all the chiefdoms across the country in order to fight Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Martin Malama says having the police existence in all the 288 chiefdoms will ease the burden that victims of GBV go through to report the cases.
Dr.Malama told ZANIS yesterday that some rural areas in his constituency cover over 60 kilometers to reach the police post to report GBV cases.
“it is sad that some people in these rural areas we come from walk 60 kilometers to find the police post and report .We have the 18 and 19 years young girls who are being beaten every day by their spouse but have no money to cover such a long distance to report the matter,”.
He pointed out that traditional leaders in Kanchibiya constituency have remained resolute to ending early marriages and fighting GBV in their chiefdoms.
The Parliamentarian hailed President Lungu for highlighting GBV fight in his address to Parliament today, stating other the President’s speech was timely towards the elimination of GBV in the country.
Dr.Malama further called on both the ruling and opposition political parties to put their differences aside and shoulder the responsibility of eradicating Gender Based Violence which draws back the country’s social and economic development.
President Edgar Lungu address in Parliament for the State of the Nation Address on the Application of National values and Principles
“We have observed, with great concern that our morals have deteriorated over time. This is evidenced by the high prevalence of teen pregnancies and early marriages. We have also witnessed the growing trend in the misapplication of public funds, and abuse of social media. Of equal concern is alcohol and substance abuse as well as poor work culture, among others,”
President Edgar Lungu says application of national values and principles is not a matter for government alone but a responsibility of every citizen as he notes a deterioration of morals in the nation.
During his address on the second session of the 12th National Assembly on the progress made in the application of national values and principles, President Lungu who is the first President ever in Zambia to present this speech to parliament noted that it is the responsibility of every citizen, family, community, institution, whether private or public, and the Zambian society at large to value and observe the nations values and principles.
The address by the head of state comes a year after he made this update in 2017. The President Lungu in his address today focused the progress made so far and measures taken to build a strong foundation for the application of our national values and principles on which he noted the nations identity and practices need to be anchored.
President Lungu said government is committed to ensuring that our country and its people are morally and ethically upright. However, the head of state observed with great concern that there has been a deterioration of morals overtime.
“We have observed, with great concern that our morals have deteriorated over time. This is evidenced by the high prevalence of teen pregnancies and early marriages. We have also witnessed the growing trend in the misapplication of public funds, and abuse of social media. Of equal concern is alcohol and substance abuse as well as poor work culture, among others,” President Lungu complained.
However, he noted that government has been putting measures and making strides to help restore moral sanity in sectors of society.
“In the public sector, government has developed codes of ethics to regulate the conduct and behaviour of public service officers. For example, the code of ethics for teachers is now in place and is regulating the conduct and behaviour of those in the teaching profession,” he said.
President Lungu observed that morally upright teachers who are role models to the learners will, no doubt, produce disciplined pupils, with high moral standards and ethical values.
He added that government has developed the public officers ethics bill and state officers bill.
“These bills, once enacted, will strengthen the legal framework for guiding the scope, implementation and enforcement of morals and ethics among public and state officers,” he explained.
And to further enhance good morals and ethics, President Lungu said government has developed a single vision for the public service which is “a smart and value-centred public service”.
And President Lungu noted that inactivity among the youth especially has led them to resort to drinking, however he explained that government would not let this vice continue and was already making strides.
“In order to address the issue of inactivity among the youths, government has intensified the implementation of youth empowerment programmes aimed at equipping the youth with skills, equipment and start-up capital for income generating activities,” President Lungu said.
He pointed out supporting 2,667 youth street vendors with loans, empowering 1,000 youths with motorized cargo tricycles, and provision of information and communication technology equipment for the establishment of business centres to 600 youths, across the country as some measures to address youth inactivity.
President Lungu added that in the field of sport that government is implementing the anti-doping programme.
Meanwhile to end child marriage President Lungu said government is working with traditional leaders as the cause stems from harmful traditional practices.
“To end child marriage in Zambia, government is implementing a five-year national strategy on ending child marriage targeting to achieve a 40 percent reduction by 2021,” President Lungu said.
President Lungu added the introduction of a programme through ZNBC, on national values and principles to ensure that citizens begin to understand, appreciate and apply patriotism and the rest of the national values and principles in addition to various sensitization programmes.
And to enhance the country’s democratic principles, President Lungu said government developed a political parties bill in 2017 in response to article 60 of the constitution.
He said the bill, once enacted, will provide for the registration and regulation of political parties and require them to uphold the tenets of democracy.
The head of state also went on to talk about strides made to reduce gender based violence and social injustice whih he said government was taking care of by ensuring development was being taken to all parts of the country.
“We are making strides to ensure that there is no discrimination in the conduct of our affairs and service delivery. We are building a Zambia where everyone has equal access to opportunities and services. We are not leaving anyone behind. Government is, therefore, implementing multi-faceted programmes to develop and empower our youths, persons with disabilities, women, children, orphans and the aged,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Lungu noted that equally, corruption is a cancer which requires concerted and continuous effort to eliminate.
He said government has continued to build necessary capacities in governance institutions and other stakeholders for improved outcomes in the fight against corruption.
“For instance, the establishment of integrity committees in ministries, provinces and other spending agencies in line with provisions of the new anti-corruption act is ongoing. So far, a total of 61 committees have been created and are operational. Work is in progress to improve the functioning of the committees,” President Lungu said.
The head of state noted that a nation without morals is like a ship without a compass and called for collective responsibility in the strengthening of the nation’s principles and values.
Black Mountain, in Kitwe.
Patriotic Front youths in Kitwe say they are happy with the progress made in the process of ensuring that they commence mining activities at the Copper sludge dumpsite commonly known as the black mountain in Kitwe following the handover of 10 per cent of the facility to the youths by government.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe today, PF Kitwe District youth Chairman Mukudzo Kaboba said the process is progressing well and the youths are waiting patiently because they want to operate in an orderly and safe environment that will also be monitored by the Mine Safety department.
Mr Kaboba added that the youths were in the process of forming cooperatives through which they will operate under.
He further stated that the Mines Safety Department was also on course on working on the modalities to ensure safety of the miners when the mining operations begin.
He said the youths were eager to begin mining operations so that they begin earning an income for them to start supporting their families.
And Mr. Kaboba has stated that youths are also looking forward to a government authority to allow them to begin operations at the copper sludge dumpsites in Mufulira, Chingola and Luanshya.
Recently, Government handed over 10 per cent of the black mountain to the youths and the small scale miners popularly known as Jerabos to begin mining activities.
The mining activities have not yet commenced as government under the Ministry of Mines is still working on modalities to legalize the mining activities and to also ensure the safety of the miners.
FAZ General Secretary Ponga Liwewe has quit his position at Football House.
Ponga announced his decision to leave the Chief Executive Officer post at FAZ in a statement on Friday.
“I wish to announce that I will be leaving the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) at the end of May 2018 after two years at the helm of Zambian football,” Ponga said.
“I will be returning to the private sector to work in the fields of sports sponsorship and broadcasting across the African continent.
“I wish to thank the President of the Football Association of Zambia and the executive committee for the opportunity to have worked with them during this period.
“The process to select the new General Secretary is underway, and as provided in the FAZ constitution, the public will be notified.”
Nkana striker and Captain Walter Bwalya has declared that they will not disappoint in Saturday’s must-win 2018 CAF Confederation Cup first round, final leg home tie at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Nkana host CR Belouizdad of Algeria on the back of a 3-0 away loss on March 6 in Algiers.
That defeat left Nkana on the brink of an early elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup that they entered in the first round after enjoying a preliminary stage bye in February.
Nkana must now beat Belouizdad 4-0 to cause a dramatic upset and advance to next month’s pregroup stage.
“We are more than 100 percent ready because this game is very important for us. It is a must win we want to make everyone happy,” Bwalya said.
“We are down 3-0 and it was only the first half we are playing the second half now. And in the same way the Algerians have scored three goals, we are also able to score three goals at home.”
Meanwhile, Bwalya returns to action against Belouizdad after a week-long lay-off following a knee injury he sustained in the first leg defeat.
Furthermore, Nkana come into the match beaming with confidence after beating Zesco United 4-3 on March 10 in the 2018 Charity Shield final that came just 48 hours after landing from Algeria.
Zanaco’s hour of reckoning has arrived when they face Mbabane Swallows on Saturday in Swaziland in their 2018 CAF Champions League pre-group stage clash.
Bruised Zanaco head to Swaziland battling to redeem themselves after losing 2-1 at home to Swallows on March 7 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
That result has left Zanaco needing to beat Swallows 2-0 away at Somhlolo Stadium.
“Everyone is looking good, we have work on the mistakes we made in the first leg and hope to get the result that we need to go to the group stage,” Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba said.
It also hasn’t been a great last fortnight for Zanaco since they beat Gambia Armed FC on February 24 away in Banjul to advance to this stage 6-1 on aggregate.
Since then, Zanaco have lost their last two competitive games after earlier losing 2-1 to Nkana in the 2018 Charity Shield semifinals on March 1 at Nkoloma before Swallows downed them at the same venue six days later.
Meanwhile, Numba has been boosted by the return of defensive stalwart Ziyo Tembo who missed the Swallows loss due to injury.
Numba has also made some changes to the team, dropping veteran midfielder Isaac Chansa and replacing him with Richard Kasonde.
Striker Felix Nyaende, who missed a stoppage time penalty that would have handed Zanaco a lifeline equalizer, has been dropped and replaced by Chitiya Mususu who will be making his CAF Champions League debut since his January transfer from Napsa Stars.
Southern Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba chats with Western Province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Siachoba Shortly after the President Edgar Lungu State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsCabinet Ministers following the proceeding Shortly before President Edgar Lungu State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsHis Excellency President Edgar Lungu greets UPND Member of Parliament Elijah Muchima whilst UPND Kalabo central Member of Parliament Chinga Miyutu looks on shortly after State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsHis Excellency President Edgar Lungu having a light moment with UPND Members of Parliament shortly after the President State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsHis Excellency President Edgar Lungu greets UPND Member of Parliament Situmbeko Musokotwani shortly after State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsHis Excellency President Edgar Lungu having a light moment with UPND Members of Parliament shortly after the President State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsHis Excellency President Edgar Lungu having a light moment with UPND Members of Parliament shortly after the President State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsHis Excellency President Edgar Lungu greets UPND Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa shortly after State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsMinister of Gender Victoria Kalima confers with His Excellency President Edgar Lungu whilst other Ministers looks on shortly after State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsHis Excellency President Edgar Lungu greets Minister of Chiefs Lowrance Sichalwe shortly after State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsPresident Edgar Lungu having a light moment with cabinet Ministers shortly after the President State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsPresident Edgar Lungu having a light moment with cabinet Ministers shortly after the President State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsPresident Edgar Lungu greets Minister of National Planning Alexandra Chiteme shortly after State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsPresident Edgar Lungu greets Mr Cornelius Mweetwa Choma UPND member of Parliament after the State of the Nation Address on the Application of National values and PrinciplesPresident Edgar Lungu greets Mr JACK MWIIMBU MONZE UPND member of Parliament after the State of the Nation Address on the Application of National values and PrinciplesPresident Edgar Lungu greets PF members of Parliament after the State of the Nation Address on the Application of National values and PrinciplesPresident Edgar Lungu and Speaker of National Assembly Dr. Patrick Matibeni enters Chambers at Parliament BuildingsPresident Edgar Lungu and Speaker of National Assembly Dr. Patrick Matibeni enters Chambers at Parliament BuildingsPresident Edgar Lungu arrive in Parliament for the State of the Nation Address on the Application of National values and PrinciplesPresident Edgar Lungu arrive in Parliament for the State of the Nation Address on the Application of National values and PrinciplesPresident Edgar Lungu delivers his speech during the State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsSpeaker of National Assembly Dr. Patrick Matibeni (r) First Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Mugala and Mines Minister Richard Musukwa following the State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsPresident Edgar Lungu address in Parliament for the State of the Nation Address on the Application of National values and PrinciplesPresident Edgar Lungu address in Parliament for the State of the Nation Address on the Application of National values and PrinciplesPresident Edgar Lungu address in Parliament for the State of the Nation Address on the Application of National values and PrinciplesDora Siliya minister of Infornation and Broadcasting in Parliament with UPND members of ParliamentPresident Edgar Lungu delivers his speech during the State of the Nation address at Parliament BuildingsPresident Edgar Lungu delivers his speech during the State of the Nation address at Parliament Buildings
The Constitutional court has set Monday 19th March 2018 as the date to rule on preliminary applications by UPND 2016 Lusaka Central Parliamentary candidate Charlotte Scott in relation to the appeal by PF’s Margaret Mwanakatwe against the nullification of her election as Lusaka central MP
Dr Scott through her lawyers have asked the Concourt to lift the stay of execution which allows Margaret Mwanakatwe to remain in office after her election victory was nullified.
Dr Scott also wants the Court to dismiss the appeal on grounds that the record of appeal was incomplete and defective.
And in a related development, Ndola High Court Judge Edward Musona has set Monday 19th March 2018 as date on which to review the authenticity of the video footage submitted in the Munali Constituency parliamentary appeal case.
The Concourt directed that the trial judge reviews the video and ascertain whether it is the same video adduced in the High court or not.
This followed an application by PF’s Nkandu Luo asking the Concourt not to accept the video as part of the evidence in her appeal against the Nullification of the Munali seat.
The reviewing of the video will be held in chambers at the Lusaka High Court.
The Zambia Union of Journalists says it is greatly concerned over what it perceives as favouritism from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services concerning the payment of salaries at the institutions that are under the government umbrella.
This is in relation to a statement issued by the Ministry of Information acting Permanent Secretary Mr Beaton Kaluba on Wednesday that government has released more than K10m towards the costs of salaries for the employees at the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZBNC).
“While ZUJ is happy that colleagues at the ZNBC have had their issues resolved, it remains extremely disturbed that the same Ministry has been paying a blind eye to the issues at the Times Printpak which have been going on for over four years now,” says Shamaoma Musonda, President of the Zambia Union of Journalists.
Mr Musonda observed that at ZNBC, the salary arrears are less than a month while at Times of Zambia employees are owed up to seven months in arrears and this is the matter that the Ministry of Information is well aware of.
He said ZUJ has spoken to the Ministry about the issue on several occasions but nothing has been done.
“The problem of arrears at the Times Printpak has been around and in public domain for a long time but the Ministry has not cared to address them. But when another wing of the Ministry complains, it has jumped with supersonic speed to address their concerns in less than a month,” he said.
He added, “We are made to believe that all public media institutions are the ‘children’ of the government and as such the cake must be shared equitably. However, this kind of selectiveness in the distribution of funds by the Ministry to the public institutions is highly demoralizing because employees have been putting in a lot of work under difficult conditions yet their arrears keep on escalating.”
Mr Musonda said it is further disturbing when an organ as important as Parliament is misinformed that employees at the Times Printpak are sometimes paid twice a month when the reality is the opposite.
“If employees are paid twice a month, why would arrears be increasing? About a year ago, arrears were at four months but they have escalated to eight months. We ask for honesty and sincerity from people who inform the Minister about the unfortunate happenings at the Times of Zambia. We believe that involving all parties including the union, who are key stakeholders, is the best way to get accurate information,” he said.
Mr Musonda said the Ministry of Information should address problems at the Times of Zambia with the same urgency it has dealt with one month salary arrears at the public broadcaster.
“We are now wondering whether government wants work at the Times of Zambia to be halted for them to intervene. We also urged government through the Ministry of Finance to collect about K11 million that the Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail are owed by various government institutions through unpaid for advisements. This debt has been outstanding for sometimes now and it can go a long way in sorting out problems at the two biggest newspapers in the country. These salary arrears have led to untold misery for the employees whose salaries are also among the lowest compared to other similar government institutions,” he said.
The Zambia National Education Coalition has revealed that over 800,000 children are out of school across the country.
Speaking during the launch of the Community Action for Out of School Children Project commissioned by the Zambia Open Community School, ZANEC Chairperson Kabika Kakunta said it is painful to note that the country has over 800, 000 children who are out of school.
Mr Kakunta said the project launched brings new hope for out of school children.
He has called upon the ZANEC member organisations that will be successfully awarded resources to implement the project and to carry out the planned activities in an exemplary manner that will allow for results.
Mr Kakunta also urged the member organisations to ensure prudent use and accountability for all resources to be provided in the course of implementation.
He said it is hopeful that this strategy that ZOCS has undertaken will result in a reduction of the number of out of school children.
A 20 year old woman of Zambezi district has died after being attacked by a crocodile along Makondo River whilst fishing.
Northwestern Province Commissioner of Police Hudson Namachila said the body of Mijet Mapeni of Chakujimbula village in Chieftainess Nyakuleng’a’s area was found floating and trapped by the trees about ten meters away from where she was caught from.
Mr Namachila told ZANIS in Solwezi that Mijet’s body which was in a decomposed state has since been retrieved and buried because no foul play was suspected.
Meanwhile, another 20 year old female is nursing injuries she sustained after a crocodile attack along Lunuyi stream in Dipalata area in Zambezi district.
Mr Namachila named the survivor as Marjory Njapau of Kadiombo village in Chieftainess Nyakuleng’a’s area who was attacked by the reptile when she went to take a bath.
He said Marjory survived with multiple body injuries and is admitted to Zambezi district hospital adding that her condition is reportedly to be stable.
President Edgar Lungu delivers his speech during the State of the Nation address at Parliament Buildings
President Edgar Lungu has expressed concern at the high levels of alcohol and substance abuse among the youths.
President Lungu observed that the abuse of alcohol has contributed to moral decay among the young people.
He said lack of inactivity is leading youths to indulge in substance abuse.
However, President Lungu has revealed that government is making steady progress in strengthening the enforcement of the relevant laws and regulations so as to curb alcohol and substance abuse.
The Head of State said this when He addressed the second meeting of the second session of the twelfth National Assembly, on the progress made in the application of national values and principles.
President Lungu told the house that government has intensified the implementation of youth empowerment programmes aimed at equipping the youths with skills, equipment and start up capital for income generating activities.
He also disclosed that last year 2,667 youths street vendors were empowered with loans while an additional 1,000 youths were empowered with motorised cargo tricycles.
And commenting on the sporting fraternity, President Lungu says government is implementing the anti doping programme.
President Lungu said the programme is aimed at sensitizing athletes, sports administrators, coaches, physical education teachers and youths against the dangers of taking performance enhancing substance.
He disclosed that 5,400 individuals have been trained so far in five provinces.
Commenting on child marriage, The Head of State said government said is in a process of implementing a five year national strategy on ending child marriage.
He explained that the national strategy is aimed at achieving 40 percent reduction of child marriages by 2021.
President Lungu said the strategy also highlights the causes and consequences of harmful traditional practices that encourage early marriages.
The President said government is working with traditional leaders as they are the custodians of customs and traditions.
He noted that 80 chiefs and 84 headmen have been oriented on the harmful effects of early marriages and teenage pregnancies in 2017.
President Lungu maintained that traditional leaders are important players in ending child marriages.
