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President Edgar Lungu says government will continue to create an enabling environment for both private and public companies to thrive.
President Lungu says the PF government’s vision to transform the country into an industrial hub thereby guaranteeing employment opportunities for the country.
The president said this at the commissioning of the ZAFFICO pole treatment plant in Kalulushi yesterday.
The pole treatment plant will make the country self-reliant in meeting the local demand for this product while contributing to the nation’s wealth creation and the well-being of our people.
The Republican President noted that for a long time now, ZESCO and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), the main buyers of treated poles have been importing the poles as the local market has been unable to supply the required quantities a scenario he said has resulted in the externalization of resources.
He explained that with the commissioning of the plant ZAFFICO will be able to flood the local market with required quantum’s of the poles.
Mr. Lungu urged ZESCO, REA, ZAMTEL and other local companies who are the users of the product to promote it by buying from ZAFFICO.
“ ZAFFICO’s survival is solely dependent on the support from local companies as the industry will only become successful when Zambians begin to rally behind local companies by promote the local industries in order to achieve the desired national development, “ he said.
President Lungu said he is aware of the workers compensation fund intentions to partner with ZAFFICO and hence directed the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to ensure that the proposed partnership is expedited and brought to fruition.
Mr. Lungu revealed that ZAFFICO has been transformed into a success story following achievements the public company has scored in the recent past, under the pf government.
He said it is gratifying to note that ZAFFICO is a success story today because it has taken advantage of the prevailing conducive business environment.
President Lungu said the performance of ZAFFICO is classic proof that local companies can perform as good as foreign companies once they employ appropriate strategic plans for their growth and survival.
He added that today’s world is dynamic hence failure to adapt spells doom for companies which continue to remain in their comfort zones.
The president has urge other public companies to emulate ZAFFICO by formulating strategies aimed at promoting competition and subsequently the growth of these enterprises.
He further added that government will not hesitate to take stringent measures on public companies with poor performance due to lack of innovation.
Western Province Permanent Secretary (PS) Sibanze Simuchoba says he is disappointed with the current illegal harvesting and trading of timber that has rocked the province.
Mr. Simuchoba who is new in Western Province taking over from Mr. Mwangala Liomba said government and the local communities in the province have continued losing out on income and revenue that could be realised from proper harvesting and trading of timber.
Addressing civil servants in Sioma district who brought the issue of illegal timber exploitation in the area to his attention, the PS assured them that the matter will not rest until a lasting solution is found.
Meanwhile, the PS also implored the Sioma administrators and community members to also find a way of combating the vice that has hit the newly created district.
Mr. Simuchoba said it is redundant for civil servants and council authorities to be in the forefront complaining to government because they themselves are also government and should be the ones to formulate a plan to curb the vice.
Speaking earlier at the gathering, Sioma District Council Chairperson Sililo Mumbula lamented to the Permanent Secretary over what he termed as unscrupulous timber traders who are cutting down trees anyhow and allegedly selling to some Chinese nationals.
“Permanent secretary sir, in a few years’ time probably 10 years from now, you will find that Sioma will definitely become a desert. Why? Because of these unscrupulous timber dealers who are cutting even very premature trees.
They have taken advantage of our friends the Chinese who have come. And I don’t know whether these Chinese are investors or what, I don’t know, but as far as I am concerned here in Sioma these are not investors.” Lamented Mr. Mumbula.
And Sioma District Commissioner, Maurice Litula said the district forestry authorities have been trying to put an end to the illegal timber activities but are incapacitated by challenges such as lack of transport.
Mr. Litula however, acknowledged that government is losing out a lot of money as a result of illegalities surrounding the timber industry in the district.
And during an onsite check at one of the timber processing centres owned by a Chinese national, the PS found timber logs being loaded on a Namibian Registered Truck.
When he inquired from the director of the processing centre over why a foreign truck was being loaded with Timber despite an export ban being in effect, the
director said the truck was not destined for Namibia but was simply ferrying the logs to Livingstone.
But Mr. Simuchoba expressed surprise that in all the years he has been in Livingstone he has never seen any trucks deliver timber for further processing in the town especially the ones with Namibian registration plates.
Western Province is endowed with vast timber reserves and among them is the Zambezi Teak that was gravely exploited decades ago in Mulobezi district leaving the area vulnerable to environmental degradation and largely underdeveloped.
Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Ronald Chitotela
President Edgar Lungu has constituted a ministerial task force on project implementation that will ensure speedy completion of all infrastructure projects in the country.
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development Ronald Chitotela who has been appointed Chairperson of the Task Force has confirmed the development.
Mr. Chitotela says the President has directed the task force to ensure that all the projects that are above 60 percent are completed within the first 6 months of this year.
“His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has constituted a Ministerial Task Force on project implementation with instructions that all projects that are above 60 percent are completed in the first 6 months of 2018. After this the President wants the task force to shift its attention to other projects which are below 60 percent.” Mr. Chitotela said.
Mr. CHITOTELA says the Task Force has further been instructed to update the President on a monthly basis on progress made in implementation of the various infrastructure projects across the country.
He says it has been agreed that in the next few weeks, the Task Force will issue a statement to outline how much money will be released to which projects in the country.
Mr. Chitotela has also said the Task force will make periodic inspection to all the projects in the country to ensure that construction is on course.
“The President wants his instructions which he gave when he toured Muchinga Province recently to be adhered to. As Chairperson, I want to assure the people of Zambia that the Task Force will carry out fully its mandate as instructed by the President.” Mr. Chitotela said.
He said the Task Force is composed of Ministers of Finance, General Education, Higher Education, Local Government and the Minister of Agriculture.
Other members are the Ministers of Health, Home Affairs and Housing and Infrastructure Development.
And the Minister says the President has further constituted a Technical Committee on Project Implementation Special Assistant to the President for Project Implementation and Monitoring who will be assisted by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure.
Home Affairs Minister and PF National Youth Chairman Stephen Kampyongo
The ruling PF party says the defections of four of its former officials in Kasama, Northern Province to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has no impact whatsoever.
PF National Youth Chairman Stephen Kampyongo says even if the quartet have defected, there will never be given those positions they had when in PF in the NDC
Mr. Kampyongo , who is also Home Affairs Minister , has described the defections of the quartet as ‘total indiscipline’ and disregard to PF.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Kampyongo who is also Home Affairs Minister urged the young people in the country not to be swayed by selfish politicians who have got nothing to offer.
“ Even if the quartet have left us and joined the opposition NDC, they are just nonentities. They are fore-gone and they will never hold back those positions. Our party is running on smoothly without their services,” Mr. Kampyongo said.
He said the defectors would live to regret and would soon re-join the ruling PF .
The Minister said PF is still remains an attractive political party to steer national development to benefit the majority Zambian people, especially the poor
Former PF Lukashya constituency chairlady Selestina Chitupa, Kasama district chairman Chitupa-Mwango, his district vice youth chairman Stephen Sichilongo and his youth treasurer Saviour Mpande last week defected to join the opposition NDC citing intolerance and uninspiring national leadership in the ruling party.
They defectors claimed that they have notified PF party President Edgar Lungu and Secretary General Davies Mwila in writing on their resignations.
The newly formed NDC political party is led by Secretary General Mwenya Musenga, who was Copperbelt minister.
Minister of General Education, Dennis Wanchinga says government will upgrade 220 more basic schools into full secondary institutions of learning.
This is in addition to the 220 basic schools which have already been upgraded to secondary level.
Dr. Wanchinga says government has decided that it will be upgrading basic schools into full secondary level because of the encouraging 2017 examination results from those that were recently elevated.
He was speaking yesterday at Ndubulula Primary School in Rufunsa district when he and Vice President Inonge Wina met teachers before the latter launched the 2017/2018 national tree planting season.
He disclosed that upgraded schools performed well and in some instances better than those that were created as full secondary schools.
Dr. Wanchinga has since revealed that Ndubulula Primary School is among the 220 schools that will be upgraded into a full secondary schools.
The Minister stated that government will build more basic structures to accommodate secondary school pupils at Ndubulula Primary School.
Earlier, Ndubulula Primary School Head Teacher, Isaac Kaweni said the institution was facing challenges of accommodation for teachers.
Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya has said that she is disappointed with the services of Atlas Mara Bank and UBA Bank in the implementation of the e-voucher during this farming season.
Ms Siliya said that the of the eight banks engaged by government, the two banks have been disappointing, adding that even Barclays Bank which was engaged late has done well in terms of activating the cards.
Ms Siliya stated that despite government releasing the money, the two banks have been taking too much time to load the money onto the cards.
The Agriculture Minister said this when she checked on some agro dealers in Chongwe after some farmers could not access the inputs despite their cards showing they had money in them,owing to the failure by some banks to load the money onto the cards.
Ms Siliya later visited Atlas Mara Chongwe branch to find out why the bank was not activating the cards despite the government releasing the money.
And Atlas Mara Bank Chongwe Branch Manager Judith Nalumino said the activation of the e-voucher cards is done at the Head office in Lusaka after the District Agricultural Coordinator has submitted the list of the cards to be activated.
Minister of High Education Prof. Nkandu Luo inspecting hostels on how clean are now at UNZA during the tour of the facilityHigher learning institutions including University of Zambia and the Copperbelt University are expected to reopen by the end of February.
Speaking at the Cholera media briefing, permanent secretary Mabvuto Sakala said that while some institutions will reopen before the month end, UNZA will take longer to reopen because it has old infrastructure and requires a lot of work pertaining to sanitation to bring it to the required standards as requested by the health inspectors
And 17 new cholera cases have been recorded in last 24 hours countrywide of which 15 are from Lusaka and 2 from outside Lusaka.
Giving an update on the new cholera cases, ministry of health permanent secretary for administration Dr Kennedy Malama said of the new cases recorded in Lusaka,4 are from Chipata compound, 5 from Kanyama , 2 from Matero, 3 from Chawama,and 1 from Chelstone chamba valley area.
Dr Malama adds that a total of 4,008 cumulative cases have been recorded since the outbreak in October last year of which, 3744 have been recorded in Lusaka.
Dr Malama said that the ministry is on course in reaching the targeted population of one million,twenty five thousand nine hundred and fifteen (1,025,915) in administering both the first and second dosage of the cholera vaccine.
A South African self-styled prophet who sprayed his followers with the insecticide, Doom, has been found guilty of assault, local media report.
Lethebo Rabalago – widely known as the Doom Pastor – was also found guilty of contravening the Agricultural Stock Remedies Act, a court ruling said.
Rabalago claims the insect repellent he used in 2016 could heal cancer and HIV.
A sentence is yet to be handed down after the verdict by Mookgopong Magistrates Court in Limpopo province.
On Friday, magistrate Frans Mahodi told the court the state had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the five people who laid assault charges were violated, South Africa’s national broadcaster SABC reports.
The magistrate said the fact that the complainants “were sprayed on their faces with Doom makes this offence [the] worst of its kind”.
He also revealed some of them had suffered “detrimental side effects… like coughing for more than seven months” after the incident.
Rabalago – who run the Mount Zion General Assembly – was arrested after it emerged he had used the product to “cure” his followers of various ailments in 2016.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame and Mines Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda
Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary (PS) Kayula Siame says government has relaxed conditions for accessing business loans by small and medium enterprises in order to boost economic activities in the country.
Mrs. Siame noted that the business community can now access investment loans from lending institutions using movable assets like a vehicles as collateral.
She said the move is aimed at making finances available especially to the small and medium enterprises to grow their businesses.
ZANIS reports that Mrs. Siame however, called for a strong cooperative movement in the country in order to maximize business opportunities in various sectors of the economy.
She observed that the viability of the cooperatives has the potential to create jobs and improve income levels among households if well managed.
The PS further said diversification programme remains key to the growth of the country’s economy hence, the need to focus on empowering people with business knowledge and skills.
Mrs. Siame was speaking when she paid a courtesy call on Northern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Boniface Mbuzi at his office in Kasama yesterday.
And Mr. Mbuzi thanked the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry for establishing offices to manage the operations of cooperatives in Northern Province.
He said despite a lot of cooperative operating in the region, most of them are not doing fine due to lack access to loans to expand their businesses.
Mr. Mbuzi has since called for more support to cooperatives especially those in rural areas in order to enhance business activities in the province.
The Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Trade and Industry is in Northern Province on a tour of duty to check on operations of cooperatives and meet various stakeholders in selected districts.
Director General of independent Broadcasting Authority,Josephine Mapoma with Director of Zamcops,Julie Lungu during the signing ceremony between Zambia Music copyrights Protection Authority and independent Broadcasting Authority(IBA)The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) says it will strengthen its Inspectorate Unit in the two-year strategic plan.
IBA Director General, Josephine Mapoma said the Plan which runs from 2018 to 2020 is aimed at monitoring the conduct of radio and television (TV) stations in the country.
Ms. Mapoma said the broadcasting stations in the country need to be ethical, professional and abide by the rules and obligations of the land.
She was speaking in an interview with ZANIS.
Ms Mapoma noted that some of the information fed to the members of the general public is in bad taste hence the IBA Inspectorate Unit will monitor the programme contents.
“We shall strengthen our Inspectorate Unit this year so that radio and TV stations know the Dos and don’ts in broadcasting industry,” Ms. Mapoma said.
She stated that some of the erring radio and television stations will be summoned and provided advised accordingly.
Ms. Mapoma has also urged Journalists in the country to verify information which goes viral on social media with relevant authorities to avoid embarrassing their respective stations.
She said journalism calls for accurate reporting and professionalism in the dissemination of information to the public.
Meanwhile, Ms. Mapoma said IBA will work together with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, Zambia Music Copyright Protection Society (ZAMCOPS), Zambia Association of Musicians among others to help grow the broadcasting industry in the country.
She further said IBA will this year conduct public hearings to collect views, comments and suggestions from the people.
Ms. Mapoma added that both radio and TV stations in the country should ensure that they are consistent in remitting royalties to ZAMCOPS.
The European Union has funded more than K300 Million towards the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Zambia.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lusaka today, European Union Ambassador, Alessandro Mariani said the programme is as a result of fruitful political dialogue between Zambia and the EU.
Mr. Mariani said the programme will be implemented between this year and 2024 in Luapula and Northern Provinces.
He said the EU will also provide support to government to strengthen its institutional capacity and multi-sectoral coordination of the SGBV response.
Mr. Mariani said Luapula and Northern Provinces were selected because they score worse on some of the SGBV indicators adding that the two provinces did not receive substantial support from other development partners.
He stated that the programme aims at preventing SGBV by challenging and changing beliefs, attitudes and practices and to increase SGBV survivor’s access and use of comprehensive support services.
Mr. Mariani further said the programme also includes raising awareness amongst cUhildren and young people especially boys and young men including age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality education.
He said the programme will use a province-wide approach, including all 20 districts whilst reaching as many people as possible with programme interventions.
Mr. Mariani added that it will use a flexi, multi-sectoral, comprehensive, evidence driven, inclusive and right-based approach.
He explained that sustainability SGBV will be addressed from the start and focus will be on practical, simple and cost effective solutions, systems strengthening, standardization and roll out of existing tools and materials.
Speaking at the same event, Secretary to the Treasury, Fredson Yamba said the event marks yet another milestone in the long existing cooperation with the European Union.
Mr. Yamba said it has been observed that a day never passes without hearing of cases of spouses fighting, injuring or worse killing one another in domestic disputes.
He said the scourge of sexual and gender based violence have reached alarming levels hence needs urgent attention from all stakeholders.
And Minister of Gender Victoria Kalima said government is committed to ensuring that the fight against GBV is won.
Ms. Kalima said this in a speech read for her by Gender Acting Permanent Secretary, Sandra Ndhlovu.
Vice President, Inonge Wina says government treasures the warm bilateral ties that Zambia has enjoyed with Scotland over the years.
Mrs. Wina said government values the Scottish International Development Strategy that aims at reducing global poverty as it works in line with the seventh National Development Plan(7NDP).
She said it is pleasing that Zambia has been included as a strategic partner under the new Scottish Development Fund Programme which has resulted in tremendous support to Kasisi Agricultural College under the Kulima project that is promoting food security in rural areas.
The Vice President was speaking when Minister of International Development Europe, Alasdair Allan paid a courtesy call on her today.
She stated that government also values the support the Scottish government is rendering towards uplifting the lives of women and youths in the country.
She emphasized that government will continue working closely with the Scottish government in reducing rural poverty in the country.
Mrs. Wina urged the Scottish government to consider investing in other sectors of the economy such as energy, food processing and aqua culture as the country is endowed with various water bodies.
Meanwhile, Minister of International Development for Europe, Alasdair Allan said his government will continue building on the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Dr. Allan said the Scottish government remains keen to supporting rural economic development in Zambia.
He further explained that his country will work closely with the Zambian government by exploring economic connections between the two countries.
Minister of Religious and National Guidance Godfridah SumailiMinister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance, Godfridah Sumaili says there is need to restore lost culture and Christian values among children in the Zambian society.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Reverend Sumaili said her Ministry is focused on working with families, churches and other organizations to strengthen culture and values among children in the Zambian society.
Rev. Sumaili said her Ministry is also working with the Ministry of General Education to ensure that the curriculum is enriched with biblical teachings because Zambia is a Christian nation.
She added that scripture unions groups in schools need to be supported because they contribute to teaching Christian values in schools.
The Minister noted that churches also need to have proper children ministries that teaches children the Christian values and principles.
She observed that parents also need to monitor their children’s activities, type of language they use and what they watch from their electronic gadgets to ensure that nothing corrupts their minds.
Meanwhile, Zambia National Traditional Counselors President, Iress Phiri explained that most children fail to follow cultural values because of Christianity imbedded in them.
“Culture is culture, it needs to be followed even if we are Christians, and it is the way we were brought up by our forefathers,” she said.
Ms Phiri observed that cultural history needs to be taught to children to ensure that they get accustomed with their cultural values.
Football association of Zambia ( FAZ ) Communications manager Desmond Katongo says the football governing body will pay outstanding qualification allowances to the Chipolopolo national team that participated in the 2018 African Championship of Nations (CHAN) in Morocco.
ZANIS sports reports Katongo saying in a telephone interview, today, that the due allowances will soon be paid to the team mid of this month as soon as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) releases the funds owed for qualifying to the CHAN tournament.
Katongo stated that the team that was in Morocco for CHAN were paid the win allowance while in Morocco what is not paid is the qualifying allowance to the competition.
Meanwhile Katongo explained that the association has no planes of employing a new coach for now, Wedson Nyirenda is still Zambia’s coach.
He was reacting to speculations by sections of social media claiming that Nyirenda and FAZ are set to part company.
And Katongo says FAZ is meanwhile looking forward for international friendly games in readiness for qualifying games for the coming 2019 African cup of nations that will be hosted by Cameroon.
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has described some party members who continue to want to remain as Patriotic Front members, yet are on hills and mountains insulting the party as ironic and stupid.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for the Patriotic Front Regional Office and Convention Centre in Ndola, President Lungu described the politicians still sitting in Patriotic Front seats but yet rubbishing and insulting the party as ‘ichiwelewele’.
The head of state asked the aggrieved PF members to leave the party, noting that aggrieved members or those with different views do not have to insult the party publicly, but could air their concerns in-house using the many ways that the party provides.
He said; “only a foolish wife would insult her husband publicly but want to come back in the evening to eat at the household table.”
President Lungu retorted; “Those who do not believe in us please, leave us… You are either Catholic or Seventh day.”
Meanwhile, President Lungu said he is fixated to ensuring PF delivers it’s development agenda so as to recruit new members.
He said he is committed to taking the party forward and will welcome new members with love because that is what PF is all about.
President Lungu announced that PF was aiming to not only cross the prescribed 50 plus one but a with a whooping 65 Percent.
“I am here to show the love and warmth which Mr Sata left for us… we are a welcoming party, politics is about numbers and PF is here and will always be here, we all just joined it…”
And the president said that will not be intimidated into stopping his provincial visits because of aggrieved opposition claiming he is on a campaign tour.
The head of state, who landed in Ndola Copperbelt to mark his three day working visit, laughed at his critics and told them to start campaigning if they wanted because he is just doing his job.
“Naiwe kachite campaign ngaulefwaya (Go campaign as well if you want,) The next election is in 2021 if you guys want to campaign get
started, I am just doing my job,” President Lungu said.
He sternly reminded the opposition that, as Republican President, he is supervisor of the nation and in doing so can visit any part of the country he so desires.
“I am the supervisor for all ministeries, projects and the entire country. Ewo chilekalipa (whoever is hurting) can take me on,” he dared.
President Lungu noted that he is a politician and does not need to fight political battles using police or Anti Corruption Commission.
“By the way let me make it very clear, do not interfere with police or ACC. When they summon you ati harassment, political intimidation… what nonsense,” he castigated.
“The police will deal with every law breaker, whether opposition or in the ruling party. Ati Lungu is scared of me, he is using police to deal with me, nonsense.”
For his critics President Lungu highlighted; “Why should I use police to deal with political opponents.”
Meanwhile, President Lungu said that he is happy with the way the Patriotic Front (PF) party is working in ensuring that it remains strong in the Copperbelt province.
President Lungu said he will support the provincial leadership to ensure that it builds a regional PF office adding that the Copperbelt province is the heart of the nation.
The President said the PF in the Copperbelt province is moving on the right path as can be seen by the number of people joining the party.
He has since advised those that are criticising the party leadership to leave or offer constructive ideas which will help the PF move forward.
“PF is not my party or for Lusambo but for everyone. So stop segregating those joining us. Let them talk about 50 plus but us we are saying it is 65 per cent in the next election,” President Lungu said.
He said the PF is growing because it is able to resolve squabbles through dialogue whenever they arise.
And PF Copperbelt Province chairperson Stephen Kainga said the party has remained strong and that all party structures are working together to uphold the legacy of political dominance in the country.
Mr. Kainga has meanwhile told those who are insinuating that the party is divided to realise that its leadership is equal to the task.
He said the construction of the party conference hall will help to improve PF operations in the province.
And PF Secretary General Davies Mwila said leadership in the province has shown commitment in moving the party forward.
Mr. Mwila encouraged party officials to commit their efforts to ensure that PF completes the building of the conference hall which will have facilities such as lounge, offices for the President and Secretary General among others.
And President Lungu has thanked residents of Ndola for cooperating with both government and the local authority when they were moved out of the streets in an effort to combat cholera.
Mr. Lungu said government will at all cost support the people in ensuring that they trade in a good and conducive environment.
President Lungu has since instructed Copperbelt Provincial Minister Bowman Lusambo to launch a cleaning exercise and ensure that all sewer drainage system in the area are unblocked within one week.
The Head of State was speaking in Ndola today when he addressed traders at Masala market.
President Lungu at the site of construction of PF head office on the Copperbelt
And President Lungu said he was saddened to learn that the area has no proper water supply and that most of the sewer systems are blocked.
He added that he will not allow people to trade in a dirty and filthy environment adding that people deserve better.
He promised to go back to Ndola in the next two weeks to ensure that this is implemented
President Edgar Lungu says government will not sideline the physically challenged people in the country but will instead work to improve their welfare.
Mr. Lungu said government will continue ensuring that the welfare of the physically challenged people in the country are addressed.
The President was speaking in Ndola today when he visited Kagonga farm for the physically challenged people.
And President Lungu regretted that the three boreholes which government allocated to service the area were sunk elsewhere.
He has since promised to have one borehole drilled at the farm.
He later donated books for school going children, calendars and pieces of Chitenge materials.
Meanwhile, Kagonga farm manager Patrick Miyenga said the farm is faced with a number of challenges which include transport, poor state of housing infrastructure, water and sanitation among others.
Mr. Miyenga said the infrastructure at the farm has ran down as it was constructed in the early 1990.
He said since then, there has not been any construction or rehabilitation works at the farm.
