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FILE: Some Lusaka residents joined with Defence and Security wings in cleaning the Central Business District
The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has recommended a gradual ban on the use of plastics in the country.
ZEMA Director General, John Msimuko said the gradual ban can be achieved through enacting the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations as one way of managing packaging materials such as plastics which eventually end up as waste.
Mr. Msimuko stated that Section 58 of the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011(EMA) provides for EPR and demands that very producer be responsible for their waste.
He disclosed that ZEMA concluded the stakeholder’s consultative process for the enactment of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and awaits finalization of the regulations through the relevant government processes.
This is contained in a press statement issued to the media in Lusaka yesterday.
“ZEMA and other stakeholders both public and private are currently engaged in processes aimed at ensuring the gradual phase out of plastics in Zambia is implemented soon,” Mr. Msimuko said.
Mr. Msimuko further said the Agency looks forward to finalization of the EPR legislation in addressing continued concerns on use of plastic bags and plastic packaging materials as it will go a long way in improving the responsibility of manufacturers of such products in waste management.
ZEMA was established under the Environmental Management Act of 2011 whose role is to advise on policy formulation and make recommendations for the sustainable management of the environment.
Traditional dancers in action at Parliament groundsGood Governance Activist (GGA),Gilbert Chisenga says the launch of Parliament TV will give opportunity to the electorates to hold their leaders accountable.
Mr. Chisenga said most Zambians are not aware of motions that are tabled in parliament because of failure to access Parliament radio.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Chisenga stated that through Parliament TV, people will be able to follow debates and make well informed decisions.
He explained that some Members of Parliament (MPs) misrepresent their constituencies because most people do not follow the proceedings.
Mr. Chisenga stated that the opening of the TV station will allow electorates to know the bills that are debated in Parliament before they are passed.
Meanwhile, Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has advised MPs to use respectable language saying insults will not take development to their constituencies.
AVAP Executive Director, Richwell Mulwani said no people from any constituency will be happy to be represented with bad language by their respective area MPs.
The inflation rate for the month of February has decreased to 6.1 percent compared to 6.2 percent in January 2018.
And Central Statistics Office (CSO) Acting Director Goodson Sinyenga says the month on month inflation rate decreased to 0.9 percent from 1.0 percent last month.
Mr. Sinyenga said the food inflation rate increased to 1.2 percent from 1.0 percent.
Mr. Sinyenga attributed the increase to price changes of meat products, fruits and vegetables.
He also disclosed that non-food inflation rate has decreased to 0.5 percent from 1.0 percent due to price changes of motor vehicles and airfare charges.
Speaking during a press briefing during the CSO monthly bulletin in Lusaka today, Mr. Sinyenga said food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 0.7 percentage points while nonfood items accounted for a total of 0.2 percentage points.
He said North-Western had the highest annual inflation rate at 9.0 percent followed by Western province at 8.7 percent with Luapula province as the lowest at a 3.1 percent.
Mr. Sinyenga said Lusaka had the greatest influence of provincial contribution to the overall annual inflation rate of 2.0 percentage points of 6.1 percentage points followed by copperbelt and Eastern provinces with 0.8 percentage points each with Luapula province at the bottom with 0.2 percentage points.
He further said the performance of Metal exports has decreased by 1.4 percent from K6,852.3 million last month to K6,753.2 this year and non-traditional exports decreased by 4.0 percent from K1.496.2 million to K1,437.1 million this year recording an average of 117.7 percent in revenue earnings.
President Lungu speaking to Journalist before leaving for Rwanda
President Edgar Lungu has challenged stakeholders and opposition political parties to explain why ballot papers should not be printed locally.
Speaking on arrival from Kigali, Rwanda at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka today, President Lungu said the country has the capacity to print ballot papers.
President Lungu said claims by stakeholders that printing of ballot papers locally will encourage rigging is baseless.
The Head of State has since called on concerned parties to indicate how elections can be rigged so that all the loopholes are sealed.
He said in 1991 ballot papers were printed locally and the then opposition Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) won the elections.
President Lungu stated that stakeholders are free to inspect the facility before ballot papers are printed out so that they can give recommendations.
He further said the problem with Zambians is that they love complaining without any evidence, a situation he described as unfair.
President Lungu said there is need to move forward and ensure that the country does not spend so much money in printing of ballot papers abroad.
The Head of State said time has come for Zambians to look at the positive side of printing ballot papers locally so that the local industry may also benefit.
Meanwhile, President Lungu said it is important to learn from the happenings in other countries on tribal issues.
President Lungu said tribal issues if not well handled has the capability of bringing trouble in the country.
He added that the problem with tribalism is that innocent people are the ones that are victimized and segregated against.
The President said it is a well-known fact that people in the country have suffered on account of their tribe regardless of the province they come from.
Zesco United coach Tenant Chembo has conceded that talk of the imminent return of George Lwandamina has affected him over February’s two legs of the 2018 CAF Champions League.
Lwandamina is reportedly heading back to Zesco after dumping them in November, 2016 to take charge of Tanzanian champions Young Africans.
Zesco seemingly do not have faith in Chembo who delivered the 2017 FAZ Super Division title after going unbeaten in their last ten games last season after Zlatko Kromptic was suspended by the club last October.
Chembo on Wednesday steered Zesco to an emphatic 7-0 home win over JKU of Zanzibar at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to advance by the same aggregate result to the pre-group stage of the 2018 CAF Champions League.
That result was also Zesco’s biggest victory in their continental history.
“One has to be professional in terms of a working relationship, yes, but I am human. I cannot hide the pressure was on me considering the pedigree of the coach that is coming,” Chembo said and who has been at Zesco since 2012.
“But having said that, I am a professional man and I have to abide to my contractual obligations.”
Chembo has guided Zesco to two runners-up league finishes league as interim coach in 2013 and 2016 and also won the 2016 Barclays Cup in a caretaker capacity with the six-time champions.
I wish to update the nation on the performance of the economy in 2017, the general outlook for 2018, and Government’s reaffirmation of the commitment to continue the implementation of policy and structural reforms aimed at sustaining the macroeconomic stability attained so far. This is in the light of recent observations and speculations on the state of the economy and on government’s engagement with various stakeholders on the economy, both local and foreign.
I take this opportunity to strongly re-affirm that the work on policy, structural, and legal reforms will continue to be implemented with more greater vigor.
2017 ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
*GDP Growth:* Driven largely by positive performance in manufacturing, mining and agriculture sectors, GDP growth continued on a positive trajectory. Despite being positive, preliminary data shows that growth is expected to be lower at 3.7% than the above 4% earlier projected. I will update the nation on growth once the final 2017 assessment is finalised.
*Inflation:* Inflation was contained within the band of 6-8 percent that was set at the beginning of the year. End-2017 inflation closed at 6.1%, the lowest in over thirty years.
*Fiscal Performance:* Preliminary numbers show that the fiscal deficit was below the budget target of 7.0% of GDP at 6.1%. This is consistent with the fiscal consolidation policies that the Government embarked on in the year under review.
MONETARY POLICY, AND BANKING AND EXTERNAL SECTORS
Banking sector conditions continued to be sound and satisfactory. Liquidity conditions largely improved with the easing of monetary policy.
A slight reduction in lending rates was recorded at 24.6% as at end 2017 from 29.49 0% in 2016. Lending rates are still prohibitively high and posing challenges for enhanced business activities. The Government will work with the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) to institute targeted measures and engagements with the banking sector to meaningfully start to achieve lower rates in 2018.
The Kwacha remained relatively stable against the major convertible currencies. The Kwacha trade against the US Dollar in 2017 averaged K9.99 per US$. The current account deficit narrowed to US$760.3 million in 2017 from US$1.037 billion in 2016. International foreign reserves in 2017 were recorded at US$2.1 billion.
2018 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Economic performance in 2018 is expected to remain positive supported by a stable macroeconomic environment and implementation of various policy, structural and legal reforms under the Economic Stabilization and Growth Programme (ESGP). Growth is projected to remain positive while inflation is expected to be low and in single-digit while the fiscal deficit will be maintained within budgeted levels.
However, some of the potential risks for 2018 include relatively high lending rates and uncertain weather patterns that may impact negatively on electricity generation and agriculture activities.
POLICY, LEGAL AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS
The envisaged positive economic outlook in 2018 and the medium term will be anchored on key reforms being undertaken by Government under the ESGP. These reforms will also support the implementation of the Seventh National Development Plan.
The need to sustain economic and fiscal governance, through maintenance of price stability for sustaining macroeconomic stability and fiscal fitness is paramount and necessary ingredient for growth, employment creation and poverty reduction. In this regard fiscal and monetary policy coordination will continue to be strengthened.
Government will step-up fiscal reforms to ensure fiscal consolidation is fully attained. Government will continue to enhance domestic revenue mobilization and expenditure restraint to attain a 3% of GDP fiscal deficit by the end of the medium term. Key to expenditure restraint is to concentrate on completing ongoing projects as outlined in the ESGP and emphasized by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU.
On debt management, the Government will continue to enhance debt management capacities and transparency. In this regard, the Government will prioritize the slowing down of debt accumulation and address perceptions around debt numbers by strengthening institutional and legal framework that will boost transparency in debt contraction. To this end, Government will be re-energising the engagement of stakeholders that are cardinal to improving debt dynamics and related economic fundamentals to support these reforms. Government is also working on improvement of Public financial management laws.
In addition Government has developed a Medium Term Debt Strategy while regular debt sustainability analysis will be undertaken.
Regarding the programme with the IMF, the nation may wish to note that we started engaging with the IMF on the basis of the ESGP approved by Cabinet in 2017. The ESGP is being strictly implemented with much of the milestones achieved. We are committed to continue the implementation at all levels of Government. In this regard, we will continue to engage the IMF on a similar basis with respect to debt management.
The government is developing a financing profile that is aimed at addressing our economic development aspirations without compromising debt sustainability, in an effort to bring the debt levels to moderate risk of debt distress over the medium term from high risk of debt distress. Once our new strategy has been completed, I will be engaging the IMF to obtain their concurrence.
I will now clarify the position of Cabinet and the Ministry on the restructuring of debt. This issue is unfortunately being misinterpreted that Government is anticipating challenges in servicing its debt. As announced in the 2018 budget address, the Government has commenced preparations to address the repayment of its Eurobonds through the operationalization of a sinking fund. Part of the process involves addressing liquidity risks at the time of paying/refinancing of the Eurobonds. As part of prudent risk management, the Government decided to reposition some flows falling due during the period of the Eurobonds, by engaging some creditors that may be open to pushing some flows this period forward. We are not contemplating any stock re-profiling but just the flows that fall due in the period of the repayments. China being a natural first creditor and accounting for 28% of our debt was a natural creditor to have a discussion with.
May I emphasize that Zambia does not intend to and will not default on its obligations. Only creditors that will be amenable to the proposal will be engaged and this will be on the basis of willingness. As part of the broader strategy, the Government has since put in place a team of officers from the Bank of Zambia, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Justice to undertake work that will determine exactly what form of strategy will be adopted for the repayment/redemption of Eurobonds. The work will be completed by the end of the 1st quarter 2018.
Other major policy reforms that must continue are in agriculture and energy. In the agriculture sector Government is committed to resolving the teething challenges of the implementation of the e-voucher. Further, the e-voucher has given us an opportunity that will allow us to have a benchmark for graduating of farmers in future. In the energy sector, reforms in the both fuel and electricity sub-sectors, will continue in 2018 and beyond. These include full migration to cost reflective prices and sustenance thereafter, Government disengagement from importation of finished petroleum and comingled products. These will help anchor the fiscal and ensure efficiency in service delivery thereby enhancing economic performance.
STRUCTURAL REFORMS
The implementation of measures to strengthen tax revenue will commence in earnest in 2018. The Treasury has developed a monitoring framework to ensure early finalization and implementation of the National land titling programme, installation of fiscal registers and monitoring system for excise duties in telecommunications.
Other structural reforms include improving business environment and ensuring an affordable and more sustainable pension system. Government will accelerate the development and implementation of legal and institutional framework that will give business greater chance of survival. This will be done through limiting regulatory and administrative burden for MSMEs as contained under the ESGP. In the pension area, a review of national pension and broader social security protection reforms will be carried out.
In order to reposition the State Owned Enterprises, Government through IDC will continue work on ascertain long term sustainability of these assets. This is with the view to improve the contribution of state owned enterprises to the Treasury as well as country’s development.
The Government will strengthen the PPP function and law as a key measure to augment resource mobilization going forward through private sector engagement.
LEGAL REFORMS
Legal reforms form a cornerstone of effective service delivery for any country. In this regard reforms, such as those in the Public Financial Management will continue. These include the Zambia Public Procurement Act (ZPPA), Insurance Bill, Bank of Zambia Bill, Deposit Protection and Pensions and Social Security bill, planning and budgeting, loans and Guarantee (Authorization) Act.
Government will ensure the enactment of the new Public Financial Management Act during the current sitting of Parliament in 2018.
Procurement reforms will continue to control wastage and overpricing. The amendment of the law will be undertaken to introduce reference pricing, expert estimates for works and services and enhance preferential contracting for locals.
INFORMATION PROVISION TO THE PUBLIC
In order to improve information flows, the Ministry of Finance will be working out measures to periodically disseminate information on economic performance on a predictable basis and undertake appropriate stakeholder engagements.
CONCLUSION
As a democratically elected Government, we owe it first to the Zambian people to tell them the truth not just about the debt government contracts on their behalf, but also about the state of the economy in general. Transparency in the management of public finances will therefore be key for us to win both the public trust, confidence of international financiers trading in government instruments and investors.
May I take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu for his trust through the mandate given to me to steer the Ministry of Finance’s work in delivering service to the people of Zambia and to build on the successes of my predecessor Honourable Felix Mutati, MP. I wish to commit myself to His Excellency’s call for me to deliver the mandate without letting down the people of Zambia. Fiscal sustainability for a prosperous Zambia will be my guiding principle as I take up this work. Together, we will succeed.
File: A ZESCO LTD worker working on high voltage power cables
ZESCO limited and Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company have been instructed to amicably resolve outstanding payments they owe each other.
On Tuesday this week, ZESCO cut off power supply to Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company in Nakonde District due to outstanding payments, a move which disrupted water supply to Nakonde District Administration Offices.
It is alleged that ZESCO took the move to cut off power from Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company in Nakonde after Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company in Isoka cut off water supply to ZESCO offices in the earlier hours of Monday.
The cutting off of water supply to ZESCO offices in Isoka is also due to an outstanding water bill amounting to over K582 000that the utility company had not cleared as at 21st February, 2018.
Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba has charged that the two sister companies should immediately resolve the issue and restore supply of water and power to the areas that have been affected.
Dr. Kalumba, who met managers of the two companies and Nakonde District Commissioner Field Simwinga at his office in Chinsali, advised the two companies to formulate a payment plan that should be respected and honoured.
The Provincial Permanent Secretary stressed that ZESCO and its counterpart Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company should learn to dialogue instead of resorting to cutting off supply of power and water, a move that has affected innocent residents.
He urged the two companies to start afresh and reconnect both power supply in Nakonde and water supply in Isoka district respectively.
President Edgar Lungu has challenged Africans not to accept outsiders to solve their problems.President Lungu said Africans should rise and find ways of addressing the challenges the continent is facing.
He said it is for this reason that countries should ensure they have one common position when engaging other continents if they are to make an impact on the global stage.The head of state said this last evening during a state banquet that was hosted in his honor by his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame.
President Lungu said Africa should continue coming up with programmes that will allow the young people to be productive as they are key in changing the negative image that has continued to be perpetuated globally.And President Kagame said his country shares a good relationship with Zambia.President Kagame said there is need to work hard in fighting poverty and underdevelopment.
President Edgar Lungu has urged Zambians to take advantage of the market in Rwanda to export Cotton and Maize.President Lungu said this is because agricultural products are on high demand in Rwanda.
The head of state was happy to learn that 80% of the maize that is used by the African Improved food factory in Rwanda is imported from Zambia.President Lungu said his government is committed to the promotion of intra African trade as this will spur economic development in the continent.
He said this when he toured the Multi Economic Facility Zone in Kigali.Meanwhile, President Lungu said the visit to the economic zone will give government impetus to complete the Multi economic zone in Lusaka.
He said government will ensure that remaining works at the economic Zone are completed on time.He said government will not spare any effort in promoting quality investment in various sectors of the economy.
Coach Beston Chambeshi has vowed that Nkana are determined to end North African’s dominance over Zambian teams when they face Algerian side CR Belouizdad in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup first round next month.
Nkana will visit CR Belouizdad during the match dates of March 6-7 in the first leg tie before the Kitwe return match 10 days later.
Belouizdad advanced to the first round following a 2-0 home win over Onze Createurs of Mali on Tuesday.
“It’s nice we now know the team we are going to play against. It’s just a matter of psyching our players,” Chambeshi said.
“I know one or two things on how Arabs play. This is football. For sure things must start changing now,” he said.
Chambeshi revealed that Kalampa will target to score an away goal in the first leg.
“They will be at home but we will play an open game. We need a goal from that end. Nowadays there is no home ground advantage,” he said.
Winner will advance to the pre-group round in April where they will be drawn against the losers from next month’s pre-group stage of the 2018 CAF Champions League.
First Lady Esther Lungu talks to pupils during the donation of Sanitary towels and foodstuffs to pupils at Kaulu Day Secondary School. And The Esther Lungu FoundationTrust in partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation also conducted free ear Screening exercise to leaners and members of the Community at the School in Chief Kalindawalo’s Chiefdom in Petauke
First Lady, Esther Lungu, admires one of the wheelchair, which are part of the medical consignments donated to Nyimba District Hospital by Nyimba Investment Limited through her Foundation Trust on in Nyimba on Wednesday.First Lady, Esther Lungu, greets Chieftainess Mwape of the Nsenga people in Nyimba when she paid a courtesy call on her and Senior Chief Luembe before donating assorted medical equipment and food stuffs, educational materials to Nyimba East Primary and Nyimba Primary schools and the newly constructed phase one of Nyimba District Hospital respectivelyFirst Lady, Esther Lungu donates Sanitary Pads and foodstuffs to Kaulu Day Secondary School in PetaukeFirst Lady, Esther Lungu donates Sanitary Pads and foodstuffs to Kaulu Day Secondary School in PetaukeFirst Lady, Esther Lungu donates Sanitary Pads and foodstuffs to Kaulu Day Secondary School in PetaukeFirst Lady, Esther Lungu donates Sanitary Pads and foodstuffs to Kaulu Day Secondary School in PetaukeNyimba Investment Limited Director, Sukaina Patel, speaking during a briefing to the First Lady, Esther Lungu on Monday, when she arrived in the District to donate various items through the investment Limited. In the middle is Nyimba District Commissioner, Colonel Peter KaisaFirst Lady, Esther Lungu, receives a bouquet of flowers from seven years old Rosarine Nkwazi, at Taitana lodge in NyimbaEastern Province Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo, welcomes First Lady, Esther Lungu at Taitana lodge in NyimbaFirst Lady Esther Lungu speaks with Nyimba Constituency member of Parliament Olipa Phiri Mwansa in Nyimba on Monday, February 19,2018, on her way to Petauke where she is expected to handover Assorted items donated to Esther Lungu Foundation Trust by Nyimba InvestmentsFirst Lady Esther Lungu being welcomed by Nyimba Constituency member of Parliament in Nyimba on Monday, February 19,2018, on her way to Petauke where she is expected to handover Assorted items donated to Esther Lungu Foundation Trust by Nyimba Investments
Chief Government Spokesperson, Hon. Dora Siliya, MP
At the 3rd Cabinet Meeting held on Monday, 19th February, 2018, at State House, which lasted about 8 hours from 10:15 hours, Cabinet discussed six (6) substantive Agenda Items. The following were the decisions made:
Engineering Design, Rehabilitation, Upgrading and Construction of selected urban roads in the City and Province of Lusaka, Zambia Project
Cabinet approved the financing of selected roads in the Lusaka City (commonly called the Lusaka 400). An amount of US$ 204,940,174.80 has, therefore, been approved by Cabinet to support the Engineering Design, Rehabilitation, Upgrading and Construction of selected urban roads in the City and Province of Lusaka, Zambia Project.
His Excellency the President and his Cabinet have agreed to continue with infrastructure projects country-wide as the Government is aware that it is through such projects that economic progress could be achieved. Therefore, a total of US$ 241,106,088.00 of which 85% (US $204,940,174.80) will be provided by the Export-Import Bank of China while the 15% (US$ 36,165,914) will be provided by the Industrial Commercial Bank of China.
The general scope includes periodic maintenance, rehabilitation (gravel to paved and single lanes to double lanes) and new construction of approximately 400 Km roads, construction of 1 grade separated junction, construction of 90 Km of walkways and re-engineering of 10 junctions in the City of Lusaka project. With this project, the face of Lusaka City is expected to change completely as has been the case with key roads such as Chilumbulu; Burma; Nationalist; the Matero/Lilanda; Old Mumbwa Road and many others in townships. Cabinet further, emphasised the need for all road projects under this project to include drainages and street lighting.
2. Engineering Design, Rehabilitation, Upgrading and Construction of approximately 152 Km of Selected Township Roads in Kitwe, Chingola and Mufulira in Copperbelt Province – Lot 1 Project
During the same Meeting, Cabinet approved the financing of roads on the Copperbelt Province. For this project, Cabinet approved a total amount of US$ 197,391,777.85 to finance the implementation of the Engineering Design, Rehabilitation, Upgrading and Construction of approximately 152 km of selected township roads in Kitwe, Chingola and Mufulira in Copperbelt Province dubbed, the Lot 1 Project. The project also includes walkways, street lighting and traffic lights at selected junctions. Like the L400, this project will also involve the putting up of drainages.
A total of US$ 232,225,621.00 of which 85% (US$ 197,391,777.85.) will be provided by the Export-Import Bank of China while the 15% (US$ 33,833,843.15) will be sourced by Government to ensure a complete implementation of this important project for the Copperbelt Province. Government believes that improving the road network on the Copperbelt Province will facilitate greater economic activity.
This is an important project for the Copperbelt as it will result in the improvement of roads, decongestion of the current road network and improved accessibility to more areas, spurring further investment, economic activities, general development and improved living standards for the people on the Copperbelt.
3. Electricity Service Access Project.
Cabinet also approved implementation of the Electricity Service Access Project. The support from International Development Association (IDA) amounts to US$ 27,972,919.06 to finance the implementation of the Electricity Service Access Project.
The Government of the Republic of Zambia has identified the Electricity Service Access Project as a priority project with the main objective of increasing the country’s electricity access in the Zambia’s targeted rural areas.
Government is aware that with improved accessibility of electricity, especially in rural areas, this will enhance establishment of industries in these areas, thereby, increase economic activity.
4. Appointment to the Board of the National Prosecution Authority.
Cabinet approved the appointment of two Government officials on the National Prosecution Authority Board. There has been a vacancy in the position of Vice-Chairperson of the Board for the Authority and in the position of a Member appointed as a representative of the Ministry responsible for labour due to staff movements within the Ministries responsible for Justice and Labour.
These appointments complete the required number for the National Prosecution Authority Board, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 (1), of National Prosecution Authority Act, No. 34 of 2010.
5. Medical Stores Bill, 2018.
Cabinet approved in principle to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament that will provide for the conversion of Medical Stores Limited into a Statutory Government Agency.
Currently, Medical Stores Limited is being supervised by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) as majority shareholder (98%) and Ministry of Health holds 2% of the shares. Continued placement of Medical Stores Limited under the IDC implies that it will be considered as a profit-oriented entity which is contrary to its mandate. Furthermore, MSL is a grant-aided institution with all its income coming by way of a grant from the Treasury and from Cooperating Partners.
Since its creation in 1976, Medical Stores Limited has been operating under the Companies Act and has endeavoured to provide the necessary medical supplies.
6. The National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Bill, 2018.
Further, Cabinet discussed matters pertaining to HIV and AIDS. Cabinet approved in principle, to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to repeal and replace the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Act, No. 10 of 2002 in order to:
(a) strengthen the legal framework which provides for coordination, monitoring and evaluation of multi-sectoral national response for the prevention and combating of the spread of HIV and AIDS, STI and TB to reduce personal, social and economic impacts of HIV and, AIDS, STI and TB;
(b) enhance public health protection through adoption of best practices in the prevention and management of HIV and AIDS, STI and TB; and
(c) right size the composition of the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council in order to provide for a lean but effective governing body.
Economic Affairs: Update on the Performance of the Economy and the 2018 Outlook.
During the Meeting, Cabinet took note of the information in the brief by the Minister of Finance on the performance of the economy. His Excellency the President and his Cabinet agreed in the past Meetings that it was important that the Minister of Finance keeps updating Cabinet on the economic outlook in order to, among other things, check the progress the Patriotic Front Government was making in the implementation of policies and where possible, which remedial measures should be taken in order to continue to serve the people of Zambia better as promised.
The Minister of Finance in her brief highlighted that:
GDP growth continued on a positive trajectory, though at a slower rate than earlier projected;
inflation was contained within the projected band of 6%-8% at 6.1%;
relative stability was achieved in the exchange of the Kwacha against major trading currencies;
the preliminary budget deficit at 6.1% was contained below target of 7%;
the external sector improved as the current account deficit narrowed to US$760.3 million from US$1.037 billion in 2016; and
the 2018 outlook shows continued positive growth and macroeconomic stability although risks remain related to financing of the budget, adverse weather and health conditions.
The Meeting also expressed the need for Government to quickly rehabilitate economic roads such as the Chingola / Solwezi; Kafue / Mazabuka and Lusaka / Mongu roads which were currently in bad state.
In concluding the Meeting, and on a sad note, His Excellency the President and Cabinet regretted the loss of lives of 6 children who drowned in Central Province. Cabinet wished all the bereaved families heartfelt condolences and God’s help and guidance during this mourning period.
Hon. Dora Siliya
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services/
First Lady Esther Lungu talks to pupils during the donation of Sanitary towels and foodstuffs to pupils at Kaulu Day Secondary School. And The Esther Lungu FoundationTrust in partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation also conducted free ear Screening exercise to leaners and members of the Community at the School in Chief Kalindawalo’s Chiefdom in Petauke
First Lady Esther Lungu has advised school authorities country wide not to allow pupils to perform cultural dances that promote immoral behaviour among young people.
The first lady says it is disheartening to watch pupils publicly displaying dances which clearly promote indecency and add no value to their wellbeing.
The first lady cited the popular culture song and dance of ‘two by two’, where boys and girls stand in opposite directions and begin to dance vigorously.
She wondered whether the message in the song is promoting good morals in young people or not.
The first lady was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Petauke today.
Mrs Lungu said despite the Ministry of General Education having the mandate of preserving culture through teaching pupils about the country’s rich culture, some dances are not suitable to be defined as culture hence should be discouraged and banned in schools.
She has appealed to those in engaged in culture activities and teaching young people to instead encourage dances which promote good morals and values so that children grow into responsible and productive citizens.
The First Lady wondered how it will be possible for adults to discipline children when they engage in immoral activities because young people are taught dances that are suggestive and provoking morally.
Mrs Lungu further said both boys and girls should be encouraged to work hard in school so that they have a bright future as the country continues fighting against issues of gender based violence and early marriages.
Head of the Synagogue Church of All Nations Bishop TB Joshua has denied ever prophesising the 2021 Zambia elections.
In an official statement, TB Joshua said the some media reports circulating in Zambia that he prophesied that President Lungu cannot win the 2021 elections are rumours and 100% false.
The statement said if there is any prophetic message, it will be officially broadcast on Emmanuel TV and advised the public to be weary of false rumours.
Some media reports in Zambia have carried stories claiming that Prophet TB Joshua has advised President Lungu that he can never win an election in 2021.
Quoting an alleged TB Joshua sermon during a Sunday service last week, the news reports say TB Joshua stated the problem with African leaders is that they want to force themselves to power.
“The problem with African leaders, like the Zambian President, they want to hold on to power at all cost. But I’m telling you, God has warned you early. Leave that office” TB Joshua is alleged to have said.
“If you force yourself to stand in 2021, there is no way you can win an election. It’s not your time now. You finished your time. Leave the presidency to others. If you force yourself when you lose they will come for you. You will be arrested. Take this as a warning coming from God.”
