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Barclays Bank Zambia Managing Director Mizinga Melu says the removal of subsidies by government has sparked economic growth in the country.
Mrs. Melu says removal of subsidies has also led to a reduction in inflation and interest rates on the market.
Speaking during a breakfast meeting with journalists in Lusaka, Mrs. Melu also noted that the positive partnership Barclays has enjoyed with government has led to positive results in the agriculture sector.
She said Barclays continues to work with government in areas such as input distribution under the Farmer Input Support Program -FISP- through the e-voucher system where it dealt with around 80-thousand cards.
Mrs. Melu said this demonstrates government’s support toward the sector.
She is also happy that government has started looking at various forms of crops in agriculture beyond maize such as cassava which has various benefits.
And Mrs. Melu said the bank performed well in 2017 introducing new products and registering growth in profits.
She has also revealed that the bank will soon be launching three new branches as part of its expansion program but will also be looking at supporting more of a digital platform.
One of the major contributors to under-development of the livestock sector in Zambia has been the failure to equate it to business, Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya has said.
Speaking at a high level panel discussion in Berlin, Germany, Ms. Siliya said the livestock sector in Zambia has for far too long been a traditional affair where keeping animals has simply been seen as a way of life.
“We are at that level where we have challenges of looking at livestock in a very traditional manner making it as our biggest challenge the change of mindset so that keeping animals is viewed as a business which can create jobs and improve livelihoods”, said Ms Siliya.
On its part, Ms. Siliya said the Zambian government has began providing a subsidy to livestock farmers for their pesticides in the same way it has provided for their crop counterparts.
She noted that the mindset of livestock owners has always been that it was the responsibility of government to take care of their animals when they were threatened by disease.
“It is our desire to see this mindset change so that we switch it to that of business”, the Agriculture Minister told a panel discussion called by the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, GFFA, to discuss livestock sustainability held at the City Cube of Messe Berlin.
Ms. Siliya said the livestock industry in Zambia could flourish because there was a huge market in the southern and eastern African region with a combined population of about 500 to 600 million people, a point she made in an apparent response to constant linkages of the livestock market to Europe with its own standards for imports.
“While Zambia’s population is only about 15 million, we are in a region of over 600 million people with the potential to export in the region and have backward and forward linkages that come along with job creation”, said Ms Siliya.
What Zambia needs, the Minister said was support in the area of research and development along with best practices.
She noted that with the advent of technology, it should be possible to share knowledge around livestock management especially with rural areas at lower cost.
“We have done this with crop production where we have created an ecosystem using technology. We can replicate this at a country level, at a regional level and learn best practices from New Zealand as well as Europe”, said Ms. Siliya.
The Agriculture Minister reminded the panel that consisted of the EU, New Zealand, a Kenya-based Research center and the Food and Agricultural Organization and the audience of over 200 million
observers that Zambia and Africa as a whole were not major contributors to the forces that have led to climate change.
However, Ms Siliya said, “we are willing to leverage our place in the international community so that as we participate and plan in advance for the impact of climate change using the funds that are available for climate change in the international community, we do so careful not to disadvantage our people”.
Currently, Zambia has 5 million heads of cattle smaller than Tanzania and Botswana, 190 million poultry and 1.3 million pigs.
In terms of consumption, Zambians eat 12Kgs of beef per year per person, 64 eggs per year and 19 liters of milk per year.
From the perspective of sector organization, Zambia has 1.8 million households that on average own two cows per family.
In terms of actual enterprises, for beef, the country only has seven of them.
President Edgar Lungu shake hands confers with Minister of Foriegn Affairs Joe Malanji at ZAF Lusaka shortly before his departure to Muchinga Province for three days working visit
President Edgar Lungu says he will conduct on-the-spot check of developmental projects which government is undertaking country wide.
President Lungu said some projects such as roads and bridges have stalled because of what he termed as laissez faire attitude.
Mr. Lungu stated that 2018 is a year of action because promises have earlier been pronounced.
He further said government is spending colossal sums of money on the projects hence his move to conduct on-the-spot checks this year.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State disclosed this in Chinsali district yesterday at a mammoth rally held at Mulilansolo school grounds.
President Lungu took a swipe at the slow pace at which the 150 kilometre stretch on Mulilansolo-Chinsali road rehabilitation works are being undertaken by the named contractor.
The President who was scheduled to travel to Mulilansolo area by air instead travelled by road and was disappointed that the road has not yet been worked on.
President Lungu is Chinsali district in Muchinga Province for a three day official working visit.
The Head of State is accompanied by Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Michael Katambo, Provincial Minister Malozo Sichone, Minister in the Office of the Vice President Sylvia Chalikosa, Works and Infrastructure Permanent Secretary, Charles Mushota, PF Senior members of the Central Committee and other government officials.
Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu who arrived in Chinsali district yesterday morning for a three day working visit has met with traditional leaders in the area.
President Lungu held a private meeting with Senior Chief Nkula and Chief Nkweto of the Bemba speaking people respectively.
Speaking after meeting the Head of State, Senior Chief Nkula pledged to support President Lungu and government for embarking on developmental projects in Chinsali district and Muchinga Province as a whole.
The President is expected to inspect various developmental projects being undertaken in the province during his visit in the area.
The Head of State is expected back in Lusaka after concluding his visit to the province on Tuesday 23rd January, 2018.
Solwezi Municipal Council has assured motorists of enough and proper parking space in the Central Business District(CBD) once construction of dual carriage way and drainages are completed.
Solwezi City Council, Assistant Public Relations Officer, Esther Chirwa said the current shortage of parking space in town is due to construction works being undertaken.
She told ZANIS in an interview that motorists need to park in an orderly manner to ensure that there is sanity in the district adding that careless parking may cause accidents.
“We should just wait on the contractor to finish with the works in the city, do the road markings and create proper parking spaces for vehicles and there will be order and sanity in the district,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Chirwa has expressed sadness over the street vendors who have opted to go back on the streets after being removed by the local authority in an effort to eradicate the cholera outbreak that has hit the country since October last year.
She stated that the main market has enough space to accommodate everyone and the council is doing everything possible to ensure that the markets are kept clean all the time.
She has since appealed to the vendors to trade from designated places in order to help protect people’s lives
Out-going Western Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba (l) leads his In-coming counterpart Sibanze Simuchoba (2nd l) in dancing during a Farewell and Welcome party for them in Mongu
Southern Province Permanent Secretary (PS), Mwangala Liomba has expressed disappointment with failure to complete the construction of 11 dip tanks in Siavonga and Sinazongwe Districts.
Mr Liomba said what he found on the ground after inspecting the dip tanks is unfortunate because most projects awarded in 2016 have not commenced.
He stated that he only found one completed dip tank in Sinazongwe but farmers in the area were not using it because the borehole has a faulty.
Mr. Liomba said it is unfortunate that most of the contracts awarded to contractors at the provincial level have not yet commenced because the contractors have not been funded.
The PS wondered why the technocrats decided to award the contracts when they knew there were no enough funds to cater for the construction of all the planned tip tanks.
Mr. Liomba however assured that government will do its best to ensure that the dip tanks are completed because farmers depend on cattle rearing as a source of livelihood.
He pointed out that although the Nautezi dip tank in Siavonga has been completed there is need to drill a borehole to be supplying water for farmers to start using it.
Mr. Liomba also thanked the contractor for using his own resources to complete the dip tank at Nautezi before he is paid.
He added that a down payment has been made to the contractor to ensure that he is back on site to complete the project.
Mr. Liomba has appealed to the local community not vandalise the dip tank to avoid wasting government resources as it is meant for their wellbeing.
And Siavonga District Livestock and Fisheries Coordinator, Martin Mwale expressed happiness over the down payment towards the completion of the 11 abandoned dip tanks project in the district.
Mr. Mwale said the dip tanks will help the farmers to treat their animals against diseases once they are completed.
He has since urged the farmers to form community management teams to ensure that the dip tanks are protected and well managed in the zones where they are placed.
Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe
Copperbelt Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe says government wants to see the genuine manner investors in the mining sector on the Copperbelt are doing their business.
Mr. Nundwe said government is not after frustrating investors in the province but would want to ensure that local people are benefiting from the mine investment by doing business with the investors.
The PS stated that the business environment in the mining industry was not favouring the local suppliers and contractors on the Copperbelt hence the urgent need to create a win-win situation to both parties.
Mr. Nundwe said this when he met Copperbelt mine suppliers, contractors and transporters in Ndola.
“The meeting is anchored on the operations of the local suppliers and contractors in the province, we want to see the way the mines are doing business with you, we have laws to deal with concerns raised,” Mr. Nundwe said.
Mr. Nundwe further said the position of government on the matter is that it wants to empower local people through venturing in business opportunities created by the investment in the mining sector.
He added that President Edgar Lungu has the welfare of the people at heart hence does not take pleasure in seeing them in poverty when a province such as Copperbelt has potential to reduce high unemployment levels.
And Provincial Minister, Bowman Lusambo said his office has called for a meeting this week on Wednesday with all investors operating mines on the Copperbelt where he has also invited Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Labour, Mines, Commerce and Industry to find a lasting solution to the concerns by suppliers and contractors.
The Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors (AMSC) have complained that the business environment on the Copperbelt regarding the mining sector is hostile and has pushed them out of business.
AMSC President, Augustine Mubanga said local suppliers and contractors are facing challenges in registering businesses with the mining firms because most mining companies have their offices outside the country.
“The other issue of payment system is causing business stress on the local contractors and suppliers which is taking as long as six weeks a situation not ideal for the local people,” he complained.
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you.”
(Proverbs 4:23-24, NASB)
Change Your Words, Change Your World
We want to encourage you today to watch what you are saying. Your words have creative power, and you can use them as a destructive force or an instrument of blessing. If you continually speak negative words over your life, then eventual defeat will be the result. In the same way, if you speak words of faith and victory, you will see a harvest of blessing not only in your own life but also in the lives of those around you.
Remember your mother telling you: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all?” That was good advice. Don’t give life to your negative thoughts by speaking them out. You can’t continue to speak negative words filled with doubt and unbelief and expect to have a positive life full of joy and hope. You can change your situation by changing your words. Talk about your visions and your dreams. Declare that you can do all things through Christ. Declare you are more than a conqueror.
When you find yourself in a difficult situation, don’t say the first thing that pops into your head. Learn to control your emotions and take those thoughts captive. When you use words of faith and victory, God will fight your battles for you. You’ll overcome every challenge that you face and live the abundant life that God has in store for you.
A Prayer for Today
“God, make me an instrument of blessing to those around me. I praise You for giving me self-control to hold my tongue rather than give life to negative thoughts. I want to have a positive life full of joy. Let that be reflected in what I say today in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
AUGUSTINE Mulenga, the 2017 MTN/FAZ Super League Player of the Year winner
Augustine Mulenga has confirmed that Morocco giants Wydad Casablanca have approached him.
The Zanaco midfielder is Zambia’s star man at the ongoing 2018 CHAN tournament that Morocco is hosting from January 13 to February 4.
“That is what my agent tells me that Wydad Casablanca want my services so I don’t know if it will happen because I think the Morocco transfer window is closed,” Mulenga said.
Mulenga is Zambia’s topscorer at 2018 CHAN with three goals.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Malanji says reports circulating on social media that Zambians have been barred from entering Tanzania following the outbreak of Cholera in the country are false.
Mr. Malanji explained that both Zambians and Tanzanians are freely crossing the border between the two countries.
He stressed that at no point has the government of Tanzania barred Zambians from entering that country.
ZANIS reports that the Minister has since appealed to members of the public to be cautious with information circulating on social media.
Mr. Malanji stated that reports of Zambians being barred from entering Tanzania are false and misleading in nature.
Following the outbreak of Cholera in the country, social media was flooded with information alleging that Zambians have been barred from entering Tanzania.
Drug Enforcement CommissionThe Drug Enforcement Commission(DEC) through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit in Lusaka has arrested an Immigration Assistant for money laundering activities involving over $300,000 United States Dollars.
DEC Public Relations Officer, Theresa Katongo identified the officer as Hilary Namunji Ng’uni, 33 of plot No.4 Mokambo border area in Mufulira who has been charged with theft by public servant, false accounting by public servant and money laundering contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Ms Katongo said particulars of the offence are that Hilary Namunji Ng’uni in his capacity as Accounting Officer on dates unknown but between 1st January 2015 and 31st July 2017, jointly and whist acting together with other persons unknown with intent to deceive and defraud did steal money amounting to USD 324,070 and K2, 636.00.
She said the money belonged to the government of the Republic of Zambia that was collected as revenue from issuance of Visas and border passes.
Ms. Katongo stated that the suspect further engaged in money laundering activities involving the acquisition of two motor vehicles, four separate plots with four by two semi-detached flats, one by three flats and three separate houses.
She said the properties have since been seized as proceeds of crime.
Ms Katongo said the suspect is currently on police bond awaiting court appearance.
This is contained in a statement availed to ZANIS today.
UNHCR Country Represrntative Ms Pierrne Ayira at Congo DRC refugees at Kenani camp transit centre in the Nchelenge
Government with support from United Nations High Commission for Refuges (UNHCR) and partners have commenced the relocation of the 14,000 Congolese refugees from the congested Kenani Transit Centre in Nchelenge district to a newly opened permanent site.
Ministry of Home Affairs, Commissioner for Refugees, Abdon Mawere said the refuges will be settled at the newly opened permanent site called Mantapala Refugee Settlement, 40 kilometers from the transit centre within the same district.
Mr. Mawere said the first convoy of buses carrying refuges arrived today at the new settlement with more buses expected in the coming days depending on the weather conditions and on-going preparation on the ground in terms of health facilities, shelter and water supply among others.
He stated that the Zambia National Service (ZNS) has repaired the damaged portions of the main access road leading to the refugees settlement site and clearing the refuge site for the new settlement.
Mr. Mawere disclosed that the newly opened Mantapala Refugee Settlement has the capacity to host more than 20,000 refugees.
He pointed out that government in partnership with the UNHCR and sister UN agencies are putting up facilities so as to make the new settlement human habitable.
Mr. Mawere said the estimated budget required to put up facilities at Mantapala Centre stands at $32, 279, 067 United States dollars.
He has since appealed to other donors and the private sector to partner with government towards the welfare of the refugees in the country.
This is according to a statement availed to ZANIS today.
A forty year old Zambian national has died on the spot in a road traffic accident in Johannesburg South Africa.
The deceased has been identified as Brother Constatino Kaunda who was based in South Africa working as the Regional Superior of the Catholic Religious Congregation of the Brothers of Charity for Zambia and South Africa.
This is according to a statement released to ZANIS by First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambia’s High Commission in South Africa, Naomi Nyawali.
Zambia’s High Commission to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba said he is saddened with the death of Brother Kaunda saying it is not only a loss to the catholic fraternity but the Zambian community in South Africa.
Mr. Mwamba said the Catholic Authorities in that country confirmed to him the death of brother Kaunda who died when the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in an accident.
He said the deceased was travelling in the company of two other catholic brothers on his way from the Oliver Tambo International Airport after returning from Cameroon where he had gone for mission work.
Mr. Mwamba has since wished the church and the families of the deceased, God’s strength and guidance during the period of bereavement.
And Ms Nyawali said it is reported that a BMW X5 vehicle rammed from behind into the car which was carrying the catholic brothers forcing it to overturn several times and Brother Kaunda with another person were thrown out of the car and died on the spot while the other victim died at the hospital.
She said the third victim identified as Courage Soko, another a catholic brother survived the accident.
The body of the deceased has since been deposited at Hillbrow hospital mortuary in Johannesburg.
Outspoken Former FDD Spokesman Antonio Mwanza has revealed that defected to the PF because he does not want to grow old in opposition politics.
Mr Mwanza who was until his defection a strong critic of the PF says he wants to contribute to national development by belonging to the ruling party.
“One can’t score by playing from the outside,” Mr Mwanza said amidst applause from the PF supporters who welcomed him at the PF Secretariat.
He said he had a million other options to consider but settled for the PF because he will be more effective there.
Mr Mwanza said he will continue offering criticisms from within the PF and that he is ready to serve in whatever capacity in the party.
“When my good friend Honourable Tutwa Ngulube was criticising the PF leadership in the media, i called him up, I knew Tutwa from my UNZASU days because he was the Chairman of the Electoral Commission when i ran for UNZA Presidency. So i called him up and advised him that my brother, go to the Secretariat and speak with the leadership, he did just that and today all is forgiven,” Mr Mwanza said.
He said attacking the PF leadership from the outside will not bring any value to the nation.
“You don’t start insulting your wife in front of your children,” Mr Mwanza said.
And Mr Mwanza said he decided to join the PF because he did not want to belong to a group of bitter politicians.
He said he knows the UPND better anyone else having worked with the party leadership when he was UNZASU President.
“I went round the country mobilising the student movement for UPND for Hakainde Hichilema when i was President of UNZASU and i was in charge of all students across the country.”
“I was Ba GBM the other night and he was saying that Zambians should vote for a President who is rich and i was left shocked. Does it mean that those of us from the compounds will never be Presidents? These same rich people, they are so bitter. What kind of rich people are these who can’t even buy proper shoes?”
Mr Mwanza also stated that it is good that some PF members are leaving the party thereby creating room for people like him.
“Let them go so that we can also become Ministers,” he said.
And when receiving Mr Mwanza, PF Deputy Secretary Mumbi Phiri said Mr Mwanza is a political heavy weight who will add value to the PF.
Mrs. Phiri said Mr Mwanza has made the right decision to join the PF and urged PF members to embrace and work with him.
She said what the PF is doing by welcoming new members is what late founding leader Michael Sata always taught the party insisting that politics is about numbers.
President Edgar Lungu confers with PF Secretary General Davies Mwila at ZAF Lusaka shortly before his departure to Muchinga Province for three days working visitPresident Edgar Lungu has urged Zambians not to be swayed by emerging mushrooming political parties whose leaders’ agenda is to distabilise progressive operations of Government.
President Lungu notes that there is a growing trend of some emerging political parties to insult him and his leadership.
The Head of State says he will not sink so low to respond to any allegations and insults from such political party leaders but focus on the PF Government’s agenda to develop the country.
President Lungu was speaking when he addressed scores of people shortly after arrival at the Zambia Air Force Samora Machel Air Force base in Mbala on Saturday, enroute to Muchinga province.
He further urged PF youths across the country not to be provoked by politicians insulting him but focus on development.
Meanwhile, President Lungu said he is on a countrywide fact-finding tour to ensure people entrusted with jobs are working.
The Head of State stated that he does not want to see people earning money without delivering.
President Lungu said he will target everyone including Ministers, District Commissioners, ward councilors and that anyone found wanting risks losing their job.
Sixteen solar panels that supply power to a solar hammer mill under the Presidential Empowerment Initiative in Kapijimpanga area in Solwezi district have been stolen by unknown people.
North-Western Province Commissioner of Police Auxensio Daka has confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Solwezi today.
Mr. Daka said a security guard, Davy Muntanga manning the hammer mill reported that the panels were stolen yesterday at 02:30 hours in Kimbwi village.
He stated that Police picked up one panel in the nearby bush about 300 metres away from the hammer mill.
Mr. Daka said no arrest has been made so far but a docket on the theft case has since been opened.
