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Lusaka Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji confers with President of Zimbabwe Emmarson Munagangwe shortly after his arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has arrived in the country for a one-day working visit.
The special aircraft carrying President Mnangagwa touched down at 09:35hrs and later inspected a quarter guard.
President Mnangagwa was welcomed at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) by Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji.
Mr. Mnangagwa is currently paying courtesy calls on all SADC leaders after taking over power from Robert Mugabe.
President Mnangagwa visited South Africa last month and met with President Jacob Zuma and was recently in Angola to meet that country’s President Joao Lourenco.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji said Zambia and Zimbabwe have a lot in common and that the two countries are working on further deepening the existing cordial relations between them.
Zambia and Zimbabwe share special bilateral relations and have continued to grow.
President Mnangagwa is expected to lay wreaths at the Presidential Burial site at the Embassy Park.
He is later expected to pay a courtesy call on President Edgar Lungu where the two are expected to have open talks.
President Mnangagwa is expected to leave the country at 16 hours Zambian time.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji welcomes President of Zimbabwe Emmarson Munagangwe shortly after his arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
Konkola Copper Mine(KCM)Mining giant Konkola Copper Mines has started paying out debts owed to local suppliers and contractors following the directive by Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo for mining companies operating in the province to prioritize the payment of local suppliers and contractors.
KCM has a monthly bill of around US$4 million for various goods and services but has not been paying its suppliers and contractors for sometime.
On Tuesday, Mr Lusambo addressed a media briefing in Ndola and directed mining companies to ensure that local contractors and suppliers are paid on time.
Mr Lusambo said there is no reason why mine Suppliers and Contractors should be struggling to get their payments for their services when international Copper prices have been on the rise.
The Copperbelt Minister also condemned the practice by some mining companies to have their procurement departments operating outside the country.
Mine Suppliers and Contractors Association of Zambia President Augustine Mulenga confirmed in an interview in Kitwe that KCM has positively responded to the directive by Mr Lusambo to clear the debt owed to Association members.
Mr Mulenga said his members welcome the move by KCM and commend Mr Lusambo for the intervention which he said is timely.
“This should be a normal business for these mines. Our members supply a service and they expect to be paid. We are happy that Mr Lusambo has shown that concern which is expected from government officials over our plight. This is commendable,” he said.
He said mine Suppliers and Contractors play a critical role in the economic development of the Copperbelt adding that his Association is hopeful that other mining firms will heed the call by Mr Lusambo.
Mr Mulenga said delays in paying out monies owed to local contractors and suppliers has the potential to strangle the economic viability of the province and increase tax liabilities of mine Suppliers and Contractors.
“For us, our invoicing is usually 30 days and if we are not paid within that period, it creates a lot of problems for us with ZRA. Our hope is that what KCM has started become the norm and other companies emulate this spirit,” Mr Mulenga said.
President Edgar Lungu been ushered for the official picture with High Commissioners and Ambassadors with at State House during the New year greeting ceremony with High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to the republic of ZambiaPresident Edgar Lungu taking the official picture with High Commissioners and Ambassadors with at State House during the New year greeting ceremony with High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to the republic of ZambiaPresident Edgar Lungu confers Nigerian High Commissioner to Zambia Mahammad Kabir Umar at State House during the New year greeting ceremony with High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to the republic of ZambiaPresident Edgar Lungu flanked by Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji shake hands with Burudian Charge d’Affairs Georges Berahino at State House during the New year greeting ceremony with High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to the republic of ZambiaItalian ambassador to Zambia Filippo Scammacca confers President Edgar Lungu who is flanked by Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji at State House during the New year greeting ceremony with High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to the republic of ZambiaPresident Edgar Lungu flanked by Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji confers Country Director World Bank Ina Ruthenberg at State House during the New year greeting ceremony with High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to the republic of ZambiaPresident Edgar Lungu Introduces Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji to Rwandan High Commissioner to Zambia Monique Mukaruliza at State House during the New year greeting ceremony with High Commissioners and Ambassadosr accredited to the republic of ZambiaPresident Edgar Lungu with Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji at State House during the New year greeting ceremony with High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to the republic of ZambiaPresident Edgar Lungu with Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji at State House during the New year greeting ceremony with High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to the republic of Zambia
Luanshya Mayor nathan Chanda with CNMC Luanshya Copper Mine Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Wang Jingjun
China Nonferrous Mining Corporation Luanshya Copper Mine says US$ 13 million will be pumped into the reopening of Baluba mine.
CNMC Luanshya Copper Mine Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Wang Jingjun said the firm was looking forward to reopen Baluba mine this year after the increase in copper prices on the international market.
Mr. Wang has stated that the reopening of Baluba mine will be enhanced by concerted efforts with the government and the community of Luanshya town.
He has appealed to members of the public to take time to understand and appreciate the challenges the mining company was facing such us increment in the price of sulphuric acid, electricity tariffs by Copperbelt Energy Corporation and paying back of the loan especially now that the operations of Baluba mine were about to resume.
And Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda is happy with china nonferrous Mining Corporation, Luanshya copper mine’s plans to reopen Baluba mine in 2018.
Speaking during a meeting with CNMC Luanshya Copper Mine Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Wang Jingjun held at the Mine’s Head Office in Luanshya on Thursday, Mr. Chanda has called on CNMC Luanshya copper mines to support local suppliers and contractors once Baluba opens.
Mr Chanda also urged the mine to employ as many local people as possible in the Baluba mine workforce and first consider all those who are on forced leave and those who may had left on voluntary separation scheme.
EASTERN Province Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo, gives his address during the National Day of Prayer, Fasting and Reconciliation held at David Kaunda Stadium in Chipata.
Not all schools and colleges in Eastern Province will be able to open for the 2018 academic year next week on Monday.
Provincial Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo says that this follows a decision by the provincial epidemic committee to inspect all schools before they open to avoid any spread of cholera.
Mr. Kasolo said in an interview that a team of officers from councils and Ministry of Health in districts is going round all schools to check on water and sanitation.
He says that so far, schools that have been inspected and will not open in Chipata district includes Chizongwe Technical, Chipata Day Secondary, St Mary’s Junior Seminary, Eastern Girls and St. Margaret Girls while St. Monica’s Girls, Annoya Zulu and Mwami School of Nursing are among those that have been allowed to open.
Mr. Kasolo says that Chadiza Day, Katete Girls, Kafumbwe Board Secondary School, Lumezi and Lundazi boarding will open while all boarding schools in Nyimba district and Chassa Secondary in Sinda will not open.
Mr. Kasolo said that affected schools were found with various challenges like intermittent supply of water, leaking sewer system and broken urinary facilities and cisterns.
He said that all affected schools will only be opened after meeting the set standards during a re-inspection exercise that will start next week on Tuesday.
Mr Kasolo said the provincial epidemic committee has also intensified the screening exercise on three entry points to Eastern Province like Luangwa to avoid pupils who stay in Lusaka from transporting the disease.
Mr. Kasolo has warned that authorities from any school and college regardless of private or not, that will open without clearance from inspectors will be dealt with severely.
Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya.
The new farming blocks consisting of one million hectares of land created by the Zambian government represent a unique investment opportunity in the agricultural sector says Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya.
Ms. Siliya says the initiative will lead to the creation of new agricultural towns in which agribusiness that consist of value addition, processing, packaging, exports and other logistics will emerge.
Speaking in Berlin, Germany where she is attending the 10th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, GFFA, Ms Siliya says the farming blocks will also lead to investment in infrastructure that support agriculture such as roads, new housing, schools, energy, hospitals, and police stations among others.
“This is the product we have come to sell here”, says the Agriculture Minister who is also Petauke Member of Parliament. In addition, the Minister says the farming blocks have also presented another investment opportunity in the Information and Communication Technology, ICT, sector.
“For the first time in the 2017/2018 agricultural season, we have gone 100% e-voucher creating an electronic database”, says Ms. Siliya.
The system allows for the allocation of farming inputs to deserving famers electronically and accessed within their areas of operation reducing on paper work that in the past led to delays in the distribution of fertilizers.
“But there are many backward and forward linkages that still need to be created such as ICT applications, ICT platforms linking the farmer to commodity trading, to markets, to price discovery, and to the financial sector such as the financial products available to the farmer”, says the Minister.
Ms. Siliya says these are opportunities especially for young people in which they could partner with government, the farmers, the banking community and agro dealers in the provision of ICTs and smoothen the interface with the farmer who is at the center of this ecosystem making it as seamless as possible.
During the 3-day conference, the Zambian Agriculture Minister says she will particularly be speaking to the private sector that she wants to see invest in the production of fertilizers which currently the Zambian government has to import.
Furthermore, Ms. Siliya says she will be speaking to them regarding the opportunity that lies in the manufacture of equipment such as “the small tillers, the small planters, and pesticides”.
In the area of value addition, the Minister says, “beyond the farm gate, we want those that can turn Zambian mangoes into mango juice, package Zambian chili for export, Zambian cassava into starch for export, our cotton into lint, create industries around our beef, our fish so that more jobs are created in our country”.
“And attending international conferences such as the GFFA provides us with an opportunity to tell the world that we are ready and open for business in the agricultural sector”, says Ms. Siliya.
And Zambia’s ambassador to Germany Anthony Mukwisa says the presence of the Minister at the GFFA is testimony of President Lungu’s determination at diversifying the economy and reduce its heavy dependence on copper as its main stay of the economy.
The GFFA brings annually leaders from politics, business, science, civil society and academy to exchange knowledge and experiences related to the global agri-food industry. It is organized by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMEL) in cooperation with GFFA Berlin e. V., the Senate of Berlin and Messe Berlin GmbH.
The surroundings that we live in have a massive impact on our health, the well being of our families, and our economy at large. A challenging environmental situation can damage the intrinsic and financial value of your home.
Development always has an impact on the environment and our surroundings – but there are ways to lessen that, to strike a good balance with nature, and protect our fragile planet. Investments in properties that have a low impact on our eco-system do more than just help with our general quality of life, they sustain our surroundings for future generations, and, can be a remarkably strong-performing investment.
After all, if you know your property is being managed against pollution and that your well-balanced living environment will be protected, you know that the purchase price of your property can only rise over time.
At Chaminuka Wildlife Estates, this is exactly what we’ve strived for. A carefully engineered balance between luxury lifestyle and the tranquility of nature, with plots of one acre each, anchored around a lake. The house plans have been created to be at one with the surrounding nature, without disturbing the wildlife that roam within the Estate.
A gym, deli, and a number other facilities sit within the Estates, and all the entertainment and leisure that Chaminuka Game Reserve provides. And yet, even with providing the services essential to modern living, the impact on our ecosystem is minimal – something we’ve been making sure of for over 40 years.
And those who have invested so far have already seen the plots begin to rise in value. As we choose where to live and buy property, now, more than ever, we’ve got a choice to make. We have to choose the balance between lifestyle, environmental impact and investment value very carefully.
Police Spokesperson Esther KatongoPolice in Lusaka have arrested a 23 year old woman identified as Juliet Phiri of no fixed abode for allegedly murdering her 25 year old boyfriend.
Zambia Police Public Relations Officer, Esther Katongo identified the deceased as Mathews Nasilele of Garden compound in Lusaka who used to stay with his girlfriend.
Ms Katongo said the incident happened on January 17, 2018 at about 01:00 hrs in an area called Mtonyo in Garden compound.
She said the matter was reported to the Police by the victim’s landlord who heard the victim shouting for help.
Ms Katongo stated that the landlord then later alerted his neighbour who accompanied him to the victim’s house where they found him lying in a pool of blood which was coming from the wound on the chest.
She further said the victim was rushed to Emmasdale Police where they were issued with a medical report form and was later taken to Chipata Level One Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Ms Katongo added that Police Officers visited the scene and conducted a search and found a knife under the mattress suspected to have been used in the act.
The body of the deceased is lying in UTH mortuary awaiting postmortem while the accused person is in police custody.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.
Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya is in the Germany capital Berlin to attend the 4th International Food Indaba.
The Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) is an international conference that focuses on central questions concerning the future of the global agri-food industry.
The forum gives representatives from the worlds of politics, business, science and civil society an opportunity to share ideas and enhance understanding on a selected topic of current agricultural policy.
According to a statement released by the Zambian Embassy in Berlin, Ms Siliya will join other delegates from around the world that will discuss sustainable and progressive ways of ending poverty.
“Zambia will not just participate on the fringes of the crucial meeting. The Hon. Minister of Agriculture will be main speaker at the global platform to share the Zambia agriculture experience”, said Ambassador Mukwita.
Ambassador Mukwita said although traditionally Zambia was represented by the Minister of Agriculture alone, “the conveners this time around felt it was important to give an extra invitation to our Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Mr. Michael Katambo. This is good representation for us.”
Dora Siliya in Berlin, GermanyDora Siliya having a light moment with Ambassador Mukwita
Dr Chilufya (R) and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Christopher Mvunga (L) taking the Cholera vaccine during the official launch of the vaccine programme.
The Ministry of Health has allayed fears that the oral cholera vaccine being administered in Lusaka might be unsafe.
Some commentators have raised fears that the vaccine which was launched last week is unsafe as it is a trial vaccine whose efficacy and safety is not guaranteed.
But Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Kennedy Malama told Journalists in Lusaka that the vaccine is safe and that it was subjected to vigorous tests.
Dr Malama said the vaccine has been used in other regions and advised Zambians to dismiss such allegations which he described as unfounded.
He said government officials such as Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya and his Local Government counterpart Vincent Mwale who were present during the launch also took the vaccine adding that there was no way government would have administered unsafe vaccines to its officials.
Dr Malama said the campaign will bring the life-saving oral cholera vaccine to the people who need it most.
The Zambian Government with support from the World Health Organization and partners on Wednesday launched a campaign to vaccinate Lusaka residents against Cholera.
Two million doses of the oral cholera vaccine from the Gavi-funded global stockpile were delivered to Zambia in January, enough to immunize 1 million people.
Planning is underway to vaccinate a further 1 million people living in known cholera hotspots across the country later this year.
Selected vaccination sites in central areas of Lusaka will be targeted under the campaign.
ZIPAR Senior Researcher Shebo Nalishebo making a submission to a Parliamentary Committee on management and operations of the IDC.
A local economic policy think tank has observed that there is also a lot of confusion about the broader mandate of the Industrial Development Corporation.
The Zambian government established the IDC in 2013 and commenced operations in March 2014 with the mandate to maximise the potential revenues of State Owned Enterprises (SoEs) and to play a crucial role in maximizing the value of Government’s shareholding in SoEs.
But the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) says there is currently a lot of confusion about the IDC’s broader mandate and precisely how it is supposed to intervene in the industry or what businesses its meant to fund.
ZIPAR says there is need for IDC to clarify its general mandate as the current operations go beyond its outlined mandate.
The organisation further said that the IDC should also outline the criteria under which it makes its investment decision and also state what the exit strategy is for such undertakings.
ZIPAR Executive Director Dr Pamela Kabaso (middle) making a submissionsto the Parliamentary Committees on management and operations of the IDC.
This is part of the submission the organisation made to the Parliamentary Committee on Parastatal Bodies on Thursday.
“If its mandate is to play a catalytic role in deepening and supporting Zambia’s industrialization capacity in promoting job creation and domestic wealth formation across key economic sectors, it does raise some questions,” ZIPAR states.
“Does the corporation’s mandate stretch beyond acting as an investment promotion centre as we have seen in solar projects and where does this leave the Zambia Development Agency? Or are we able to conclude that they are able to carry out the same mandate? Furthermore, the mandate is also unclear about the criterion on what investments the corporation can venture in as was the case when it acquired 90% stake in Zampalm. And is there an exit strategy for the investments which IDC is involved?”
The think tank also stated that the main challenge facing IDC is attracting and recruiting the right personnel.
It observes that currently, IDC faces a shortage of skilled manpower to effectively run and manage the corporation and hence fulfil its intended objectives.
“Since the corporation is grossly understaffed, there is need to tap into the private sector for individuals with the right skills set so that the corporation can fulfil its intended objectives. Acquiring talented workers at all levels of the corporation remains a problem. The corporation has since inception continued to operate below the required staff levels,” ZIPAR observed.
ZIPAR has since recommended that the Chairmanship of the Board be moved from State House to fall under the Ministry of Finance as the current framework creates unclear reporting structures.
The organisation further recommends that there is need to empower an independent body such as Parliament to vet the appointments of directors on parastatal boards in order to reinforce accountability and ensure that political influence is minimised.
Officials from ZIPAR making submissions to two Parliamentary Committees on Management and operations of the IDC and the National Budget and growing inequalities in Zambia.
The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Zambia has named Nachilala Nkombo as its new Country Director.
Ms. Nkombo joins the conservation giant from the One Campaign in Johannesburg, South Africa where she was serving as Deputy Director for Africa.
Her role with WWF Zambia commenced on 11th January 2018.
This is according to a statement released by WWF Zambia Head of Communications and Marketing Eneya Phiri.
Frederick Kumah, Director of WWF Africa said “Ms. Nkombo comes to WWF with a wealth of leadership experience in international development. She was an exceptional candidate out of a pool of remarkable aspirants.”
“Ms. Nkombo is someone with demonstrated leadership credentials, a proven fundraiser and campaigner and a natural communicator who has great enthusiasm and passion for conservation and development. We are confident that she will spearhead the delivery of game changing conservation-driven development on behalf of the people of Zambia. From the entire WWF network, I wish to welcome Ms. Nkombo to WWF.”
Nachilala Nkombo has over 10 years management proficiency across various organizations where she successfully led a number of national and international policy reform initiatives.
Her leadership expertise covers a range of sustainable development policy areas.
Most recently she successfully led partnerships with the Africa Union, the African Development Bank, civil society and governments of Benin, Nigeria, Niger, South Africa, Mali, Senegal and Zambia focused on agriculture, nutrition health and land reform and investments.
Ms. Nkombo said, “I am excited to return to Zambia and honoured to lead WWF Zambia at such an important time when the country has geared itself to achieve its 2030 development goals. As a nation, we are facing several threats to the sustainability of our precious natural resources, I therefore look forward to working with our partners on initiatives that promote the sustainable use and protection of our country’s resources for the benefit of people and nature.”
Ms. Nkombo will lead the WWF Zambia team in implementing the new country conservation strategy that focuses on supporting the Zambian government deliver its 2030 growth and development goals as articulated in the 7th National Development Plan.
As a global thought leader, Ms. Nkombo is a member of the Malabo-Montpellier panel as well the Chicago Council on Global Affairs 2018 global food security report.
She is a Zambian national with a degree in Economics from the University of Zambia and a Master’s degree in public policy from Germany.
Chamba
A 39-year-old man of Sioma district in Western Province has pleaded guilty to a charge of cultivating and trafficking in marijuana when he appeared before a Sesheke subordinate court today.
Before class one magistrate Kebby Sebitwane was Maele Kuyemaeta of Kapolota village in Sioma district who was charged with two counts of trafficking and cultivation of psychotropic substances contrary to section 6 of the narcotic drug and psychotropic substance Act cap 96 of the laws of Zambia.
In the first count, facts before the court were that on the 14th January 2018, Kuyemaeta did traffic in 15 kilogrammes (kgs) of a psychotropic substance namely marijuana, a herbal product of cannabis sativa without lawful authority.
And in the second count, he also pleaded guilty for unlawfully cultivating 120 kilogrammes of a plant which can be used or consumed as a psychotropic substance.
In passing judgment, magistrate Sebitwane sentenced the victim to 36 months imprisonment with hard labour in the first count and 24 months imprisonment with hard labour for the second count.
He was ordered to either pay an amount of K2, 000 or be imprisoned with hard labour for 24 months in default.
The sentences will run concurrently if he does not pay.
Meanwhile, magistrate Sebitwane has ordered the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Officer in Charge to dispose off the cannabis since the district DEC office does not have a proper storage facility for the substance.
