In a statement, Centre Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo said Ms. Mulenga’s explanation infact raises many questions that it gives answers.

Mr Mwaipopo said CTPD has noted with sadness the growing conversation around the proposed relocation of NRDC to Chief Shakumbila’s Chiefdom in Mumbwa District following what has been termed as an unsolicited proposal by AVIC International to build a brand new university and commercialize NRDC by building a ‘city within a city’.

He said the explanation by Ms. Mulenga on this case leaves much to be desired and raises questions that beg for answers from her statement.

The CTPD Director said some of the questions that need to be answered are that, “whose responsibility is it to repair the dilapidated infrastructure at NRDC and indeed our other educational institutions around the country?”

“What of the University of Zambia, whose current student population is more than triple its capacity? Does it mean that the solution will also be relocation and commercialization the land?”

Mr Mwaipopo said other questions are, “Since there is encroachment of NRDC land, meaning there are illegal settlers, what have the law enforcement agencies done about this illegal act on government property? Who gave AVIC the detailed information about the problems NRDC is currently facing?”

He added, “Who identified the proposed alternative 1.662.23 hectares land in Chief Shakumbila’s chiefdom that AVIC International wishes to build the new proposed new NRDC and since when did AVIC start determining what is good or bad for Zambia’s Education sector?”

Mr Mwaipopo said it is CTPD’s considered view that AVIC International is now going beyond what they have been known for, raising question marks around their business operations and establishment.
“It would not be a bad idea for authorities to try and investigate who the true beneficial owners of this company are, may be this might help the country have an appreciation,” Mr Mwaipopo suggested.

He said NRDC is a very strategic institution for Zambia adding the establishment of the college was well thought out in 1965 just as much as its location was.

“The current problems being faced by NRDC are man-made and can only be fixed by a well thought out strategy devoid of ill business motives from private sector players,” he said.

“We must add that NRDC has this far played a vital role in contributing to the improvement of the country’s agricultural sector through human resource development as well as Research and Development (R&D). We firmly believe that the college can still do so much more with the right support (institutional, infrastructural and financial).”

Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Lloyd Kaziya has directed Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company (KWSC) to demolish all structures build on the water utility company’s sewer and water lines.

Mr. Kaziya who is also Matero Member of Parliament says government has reiterated on many occasions that it will not entertain people that have encroached on various installation lines.

He further stated that the state will not allow to be subjected to unnecessary pressure of sourcing for funds to install new networks as a result of irregularities by a few individuals.

ZANIS reports that the Minister added that government structures built on top of water and sewer networks will also not be spared.

Mr. Kaziya said after touring some maintenance and rehabilitation works on both water and sewer systems being undertaken by KWSC in Ndola’s Mine Masala compound yesterday, the company owes no one an apology but get court orders and raze the illegally build structures.

He was responding to questions by Journalists following complaints from the water utility firm that it is having challenges to work on installations where various structures have been erected on top.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kaziya has expressed delight after learning from the residents of masala that KWSC has put an end to sewer problems which the compound was faced with.

The Minister said government is committed to ensuring that its citizenry is provided with quality water and sanitation services.

Before now, Mine Masala residents used buckets to answer the call of nature, a situation that put them at risk of contracting diseases.

Speaking today when he paid a courtesy call on Isoka District Commissioner (DC) Evenwell Mutambo, the Army Commander said his officers are on the ground to guard and halt the new harvesting of Mukula logs.

Mr. Mihova said ZAFFICO is the only mandated company that has authority to sale the Mukula logs.

He stressed that the presence of the army in the district of Muchinga is to maintain peace for the citizens and halt the illegal harvesting of Mukula.

And Isoka DC has praised the Army for responding urgently in curbing illegal Mukula activities in the district.

Mr. Mutambo said Isoka was the core centre of the destructive harvesting of Mukula trees.

He said the endangered tree species could have been wiped out of the land in the area had it not been for the deployment of the army.

The DC also noted that the presence of the army has boosted the-security aspect on the Zambia- Malawian border at Kanyala and the Tanzanian-Zambia border.

Mr. Mutambo has further appealed to the Army Commander to help in repairing damaged bridges and the dangerous trench that is posing a danger to citizen in Kawenga village.

He praised the army for the cooperation in dealing with development of the area.

Mr. Mutambo cited the cleaning exercise that took place to avert cholera out breaks were the soldiers participated fully in the activity.

The Zambia Army Commander is in Isoka district to check on the troop that have been deployed to fight the Illegal Mukula trading activities in the area.

Panos Institute Southern Africa is calling on the Zambian Parliament to seriously reflect on the proposed cyberlaws and their potential negative effect on citizens’ use of online platforms to seek, receive and share information.

In 2017, the government announced, through the Minister of Transport and Communication, plans to table the Cyber Security and Cyber Crime Bill, the Data Protection Bill and the E-commence Bill. While the Minister has indicated that the government intention through these bills is to support productive use of the internet and social media, we are concerned that the bills may achieve the opposite.

As members of the Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information and Communication Technologies continue with their sittings to review information and media policies in Zambia, and to discuss the digital migration programme, we reiterate that Zambia does not need new laws to stop any criminal activity using social online media and ICTs. Panos is of the view that the current laws in the Penal Code, the Computer Crimes and Misuse Act and the Copyright and Performance Rights Acts and the acts of private companies in protecting their privacy and data banks are enough to stop any cyber-crime from being planned and committed in Zambia. Instead of introducing new laws, we encourage Parliament to review and clean up the existing pieces of legislation to make it easier for citizens to use ICTs and online tools to access and share information.

Panos therefore calls on Parliament, through its Committee on Media, Information and Communication Technologies to reject the proposal to introduce new laws, as these may hinder online communication, discourage free flow of information and hinder access to publicly held information.

The people of Zambia look up to Parliament to keep checks and balances on the executive arm of government, and we have full confidence in the committee exercising this oversight in a manner that will address our concerns.

National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia (Nuppez) Central Province Chairperson Godfrey Moonga has called on civil servants to report anomalies in their salaries after the recent increment.

Mr. Moonga has warned civil servants to report irregularities reflecting in their salaries following the recent January salary increment by government.

He told ZANIS that the increment of salaries was coupled with anomalies adding that other civil servants found more money while others less than the stipulated amount.

“All teachers know their salary scales, the moment you find a lot of money in your account report to avoid problems,” he said

He further warned that Nuppez members should follow the amount stated on their payslips or risk serious deductions in future.

“Such issues need to be reported, failure to that will attract serious deductions” he warned

The increment was effected on January salaries for all unionised serving employees and those recruited on or after January, 2018.