Governnet Directs missions abroad to promote aspirations of the 7NDP
Government has directed Missions abroad to re-align their operations in order to promote the aspirations of the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation, Chalwe Lombe says diplomats have an important role in helping government achieve certain targets in the plan.
Ambassador Lombe says President Edgar Lungu has given clear guidelines on the direction of the country’s national development.
The Permanent Secretary said this today during a meeting with Diplomats at the Zambian Mission in Tokyo, Japan.
Ambassador Lombe said he expects Missions abroad such as the one in Tokyo to enhance cooperation and trade so that Japan is part of government’s agenda to enhance the well being of Zambians.
“We would like the Japanese to be part of government’s agenda. We have an agenda which is the 7NDP. So we are inviting cooperating partners, private sector and government to come on board and work with Zambia and explore the opportunities that exist,” He said.
Ambassador Lombe said Zambia and Japan have long standing relations; the mission in Japan must continue to engage the Japanese government in order to strengthen existing relations and explore new areas of cooperation.
He is optimistic that the 7NDP once implemented will yield great results as it caters across all sectors of the economy.
And Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan, H.E Ndiyoi Mutiti said the mission in Tokyo has continued to strengthen bilateral relations with Japan more especially to enhance economic interactions.
Ambassador Mutiti said the mission is committed to ensure that Zambia benefits from its relations with Japan in an effort to contribute to national development.
She said she will ensure that principles in the 7NDP are well sold to the Japanese government and private sector to increase their participation in Zambia’s development agenda.
During his 5 day visit to Japan, Ambassador Lombe is scheduled to hold talks with Japanese Foreign Affairs Vice Minister, government agencies and companies.
Govt. has a robust programme of strengthening health systems for universal health care
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya says government has a robust programme of strengthening health systems for delivery of universal health care.
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Dr. Chitalu says it is for this reason that government through his ministry plans to strengthen certain parameters in the health system such as infrastructure, information management system, human resource, supply chain, strong leadership and accountability.
ZANIS reports that the Minister said to achieve this there is need to ensure that there are enough resources for health care financing adding that health care financing is government’s priority as it is renovating ways to see how resources can be raised.
The Minister also indicated that the health care financing has led government into establishing the national health insurance programme.
Dr. Chilufya said this in Lusaka today when Angolan Minister of Health Silvia Lutucuta paid a courtesy call on him.
Zambia and Angola shares common health problems and it is good that the two countries share best practices in this regard, he said.
He added that the visit by Dr Lutucurta will also provide an opportunity for the two countries to share knowledge on how to prevent epidemics such as cholera which he said are associated to inadequate attention to water and sanitation.
And Dr Lutucuta said her visit to Zambia will strengthen the already existing relationship between the two countries.
She also noted that her country and Zambia share common problems in the health sector such as infrastructure and finance hence it is vital that the two countries work together in addressing them.
The visiting Angolan minister of health said some challenges are huge as well as small saying there is need for the two countries to jointly initiate strategies to combat the disease burdens in the respective countries.
Like in Zambia , the Angolan Minister of Health indicated that her country is equally faced with challenges of cholera and malaria, tuberculosis including other chronical diseases and infections.
She said she is hopeful that the two countries will start on a new page in exchanging ideas on how they have performed in different areas.
On the other hand, the Angolan Minister of Health expressed gratitude to the Zambian Ministry of Health for the support it has been rendering to her ministry.
Commission of Inquiry on Voting Patterns and Violence commences its sittings in Southern Province
The Commission of Inquiry into the Voting Patterns and Electoral Violence has commenced its sittings in Southern Province with Livingstone being the first district.
Petitioners have trooped to the Livingstone Council Chambers to submit their views to the commission.
One of the petitioners, Henry Wayinga submitted that after the elections two families have not related well and resorted to building a wall in between them because of their different political affiliations.
Reverend Wayinga said the two families are neighbours and one of them is Namwanga by tribe while the other is Tonga adding that they have not reconciled since 2016.
He said the Namwanga family were supporting the Patriotic Front (PF) while the Tonga one supported the opposition UPND.
Another petitioner John Milimo submitted that political leaders that use tribal remarks should be fired from their positions.
And a Livingstone based business man, Webster Imasiku said the public media in particular ZNBC has been biased in getting the views of the opposition leaders.
Mr. Imasiku stated that ZNBC is a public institution hence the need for it to serve the public.
Another petitioner,John Milimo a security guard said the voting patterns in the country if left unchecked can destroy the nation.
And a clergy man from the Christian Harvest Life International Church said Southern Province was locked up as it voted for one party.
Pastor Boston Simumba 45, also submitted that the issue of 50 plus one percent vote should be scrapped off from the Constitution and revert back to the simple majority.
Meanwhile, Acting Livingstone District Commissioner, Harriet Kawina in her opening remarks said she is expectant that the commission will yield positive results.
Ms Kawina has since appealed to the people of Livingstone to make submissions in a clear manner to allow the commission to fulfil its mandate.
In The Kitchen With Kanta: Mushroom Stroganoff
Ingredients
- 25g butter
- 1 tbsp oil
- 160g sliced onions
- 550g medium mushrooms, sliced
- ½ tsp garlic purée
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- A pinch chilli powder
- 50ml of white wine (optional)
- 30g tomato puree
- 1 tsp vegetable stock granules, dissolved in 100ml water
- 100ml of cream
- ½ tsp chopped parsley
- Boiled rice, to serve
Method
Melt the butter and oil in a large pan. Add the onions, mushrooms, garlic purée, spices and wine and cook for 10 minutes.
Stir in the tomato purée, stock and cream, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer and add the parsley.
If the sauce is too thin, simmer until the amount of liquid has reduced to the desired consistency.
Serving
Serve hot with boiled rice.
K 5.2 Billion released for Development Programs and Government operations
In January, 2018, the Treasury released a total of K5.2 billion of which K1.6 billion was for personal emoluments for public service workers, K1.8 billion went to debt service, and K1 billion was allocated for grants while the remainder of K0.8 billion went to other key programmes, including capital projects.
The K1.6 billion expenditure on personal emoluments includes the 2018 wage increment awarded to public service workers in the month under review.
Of the K1 billion grant amount to various institutions, K233.2 million went to the Ministry of Agriculture for the Farmer Input Support Programme [FISP] while the Food Reserve Agency received K172 million as final installment for clearing arrears accumulated in the 2016/17 marketing season.
The Treasury also released K89.9 million for the Local Government Equalisation Fund to fiscally empower local authorities and ensure equitable distribution of resources. The allocation for the Local Government Equalisation Fund has been increased by 21.5% to K1.1 billion in the 2018 budget compared to K863 million in the 2017 budget.
Public universities received a total of K92 million. The University of Zambia received K33.4 million of which K16.7 million is for student loans and allowances, the Copperbelt University K38.3 million of which student loans and allowances was allocated K23.8 million, and Mulungushi University received a total of K2.4 million.
The Zambia Revenue Authority received K123.1 million for operations and expenditure on the pilot electronic fiscal registers programme. The programme, once fully implemented, is expected to improve domestic resource mobilization and help to create a sustained pool of the tax revenues needed to facilitate the financing of government operations and accelerate the implementation of development programmes.
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services received K45.8 million for the Social Cash Transfer Programme while the Public Service Pensions Fund received K88.3 million for payment of retirement benefits to former public service workers. The budget releases for the social cash transfer and pensions tally with government’s commitment to reduce vulnerability and inequalities among Zambians.
Releases towards cholera control amounted to K35 million. This is in addition to the K64 million which was released in 2017.
January 2018 road sector funding drawn from road toll collections, fuel levy, and Road Traffic and Safety Agency [RTSA] fees and charges totaled K210 million. The funds were channeled to various road projects in line with the affirmation made in the 2018 Budget Speech to continue with Link Zambia, C400, L400, and rehabilitation and upgrading of feeder roads across the country – through rural roads connectivity.
K112 million was released for the Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Project (LWSSD) under the Millennium Challenge Account, and K25.7 Million towards the Lusaka Peri-Urban Water Network Extension Project in cholera areas such as Kanyama, Mandevu, Chipata, Chawama, Bauleni, Garden, Chaisa, Ng’ombe, Chazanga, Garden House, and Kabanana Settlements.
K1.8 billion was released towards debt service of which K629 million went towards servicing the domestic debt and K1.2 billion went towards servicing foreign debt.
When asked to comment on this release of funds by the Treasury in January, 2018, Minister of Finance Felix Mutati said by virtue of sharing the information, the Ministry of Finance looked forward to citizens participating in economic transformation programmes with open minds by taking greater interest in monitoring government financed projects in their localities through the relevant district and provincial establishments.
“This is because, the successes which the economy is scoring through fiscal consolidation are not a twist of luck but a result of articulate reforms and the toils of citizens,” said the Minister.
On a daily basis, citizens look for opportunities created by the government for business development. Therefore, “through citizen induced project monitoring, the government will be able to implement projects effectively and ensure that value for money prevails in state financed projects,” he said.
The Ministry of Finance will continue to issue Treasury Briefs to ensure that the public is timely informed about developments in the economy.
Chishimba Kambwili can’t sink so low, he is not going back to the corrupt PF -Musenge
The opposition NDC says it’s political Consultant Chishimba kambwili has never at any point sent proxies to try and seek reconciliation with President Edgar Lungu.
The NDC has since dismissed reports that Mr Kambwili has been using proxies to try and seek reconciliation with President Edgar Lungu.
NDC Secretary General Mwenya Musenge said the reports attributed to PF Secretary General Davies Mwila at a public meeting in Kapiri Mposhi district are false and should be parried.
Mr Musenge said at no point has Mr. Kambwili used the clergy nor the traditional leadership to try and dialogue with Mr. Lungu.
“In the first place, Mr. kambwili is allergic to the corruption associated with the governing party and his words should not be minced. Mr. Kambwili cannot sink so low to betray the aspirations of the people of Zambia by backtracking and getting into a marriage of inconvenience with a political party that has lost popularity and credibility,” Mr Musenge said.
He said Mr. Kambwili is currently preoccupied with giving guidance and counsel to the NDC, a party he said is growing at supersonic spread.
“The NDC therefore wishes to advise the Pf not to bring the name of Dr kambwili into disdain by making unpopular, ill timed and unsubstantiated grains of misinformation,” he said.
“Mr. Kambwili is currently preoccupied with ensuring that the NDC remains a party of first choice and see the grouping transform from a mass movement into a vanguard party that will form Government in 2021.”
“Therefore, the PF Secretary General should keep his lane and tell the people of Zambia why president Edgar Lungu is failing to fight corruption, poverty and social injustice. Mr. Mwila should also explain how Lungu and his minions have suddenly become rich overnight using illicit resources.”
He added, “NDC is currently enjoying massive support from all corners of the country including the foreign front. Mr. Kambwili therefore, has nothing to do with lies being peddled by the Pf centering on reconciliation.
Yesterday, according to PF media team, Embattled expelled Roan Member of Parliament, Chishimba Kambwili has been sending emissaries to President Edgar Lungu asking the President to forgive him and allow him back in the Patriotic Front. This came to light in Kapiri Mposhi, when PF Secretary General, Hon Davies Mwila officially launched the PF’s mobilisation exercise for Central Province.
Mr. Mwila revealed that Mr Kambwili has been going to some named priests and chiefs begging them to plead with President Edgar Lungu to reinstate him back in the Patriotic Front.
“I want to tell all those in NDC that Chishimba Kambwili whom they think is their leader has actually been sending emissaries to President Edgar Lungu pleading for forgiveness from the President. He has been begging the President to forgive him and to reinstate him back in the party. This has been going on for sometime now, it’s just that unlike him, we are mature enough so we couldn’t expose him but he is unrepentant that is why I have decided to expose him today. So all you members of NDC who are following Kambwili you will soon find outside as orphans with no leader,” Hon Mwila said adding that as a Party, the PF will only forgive Mr Kambwili only if he climbs and apologise from the ant hill, in the same manner that he has been insulting the President.
Nkana end Zim camp with win
Nkana on Monday ended their one week pre-season tour of Zimbabwe with a win.
The record 12-time champions beat promoted Zimbabwean Premiership side Bulawayo Chiefs 3-1 in Bulawayo.
Goals from Idris Mbombo and Fred Tshimenga set the tone as Nkana went 3-0 into the break.
Nkana defender Diuego Apanene then saw his effort deflected in off a Chiefs’ player.
The win comes three days after Nkana drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe champions FC Platinum.
Meanwhile, Nkana are back in action on Tuesday afternoon in Livingstone when they face Zesco Victoria Falls FC just after crossing the border back home.
Cholera fight gobbles close to K100 million ( Updated)
CORRECTION. In our earlier story regarding expenditure on Cholera fight, we erroneously stated that the figure spent on Cholera was K1 billion, it has however come to our attention that the correct figure is K100 million. We sincerely apologize for the mix up.
The fight against a crippling Cholera outbreak has cost the treasury close to K 100 million, latest figures released by the Ministry of Finance have shown.
In January 2018, the treasury released K35 million towards Cholera control in addition to the K64 million which was released in 2017.
Zambia has been battling a serious Cholera outbreak that has claimed 80 lives and seen over 4,000 people treated.
Local Government and Housing Minister Vincent Mwale recently confirmed that some funds from toll gates and the 2018 allocation for Constituency Development Funds have been diverted to fight Cholera.
The Government has however failed to disclose how much it has received financially and materially from a flood of local and international donors to fight Cholera.
And the Treasury in January released a total of K5.2 billion of which K1.6 billion was for personal emoluments for public service workers, K1.8 billion went to debt service, and K1 billion was allocated for grants.
The remainder of K0.8 billion went to other key programmes, including capital projects.
The K1.6 billion expenditure on personal emoluments includes the 2018 wage increment awarded to public service workers in the month under review.
Of the K1 billion grant amount to various institutions, K233.2 million went to the Ministry of Agriculture for the Farmer Input Support Programme while the Food Reserve Agency received K172 million as final installment for clearing arrears accumulated in the 2016/17 marketing season.
The Treasury also released K89.9 million for the Local Government Equalisation Fund to fiscally empower local authorities and ensure equitable distribution of resources. The allocation for the Local Government Equalisation Fund has been increased by 21.5% to K1.1 billion in the 2018 budget compared to K863 million in the 2017 budget.
Public universities received a total of K92 million. The University of Zambia received K33.4 million of which K16.7 million is for student loans and allowances, the Copperbelt University K38.3 million of which student loans and allowances was allocated K23.8 million, and Mulungushi University received a total of K2.4 million.
The Zambia Revenue Authority received K123.1 million for operations and expenditure on the pilot electronic fiscal registers programme.
The programme, once fully implemented, is expected to improve domestic resource mobilization and help to create a sustained pool of the tax revenues needed to facilitate the financing of government operations and accelerate the implementation of development programmes.
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services received K45.8 million for the Social Cash Transfer Programme while the Public Service Pensions Fund received K88.3 million for payment of retirement benefits to former public service workers.
The budget releases for the social cash transfer and pensions tally with government’s commitment to reduce vulnerability and inequalities among Zambians.
January 2018 road sector funding drawn from road toll collections, fuel levy, and Road Traffic and Safety Agency fees and charges totaled K210 million.
The funds were channeled to various road projects in line with the affirmation made in the 2018 Budget Speech to continue with Link Zambia, C400, L400, and rehabilitation and upgrading of feeder roads across the country – through rural roads connectivity.
K112 million was released for the Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Project under the Millennium Challenge Account, and K25.7 Million towards the Lusaka Peri-Urban Water Network Extension Project in cholera areas such as Kanyama, Mandevu, Chipata, Chawama, Bauleni, Garden, Chaisa, Ng’ombe, Chazanga, Garden House, and Kabanana Settlements.
K1.8 billion was released towards debt service of which K629 million went towards servicing the domestic debt and K1.2 billion went towards servicing foreign debt.
When asked to comment on this release of funds by the Treasury in January, 2018, Finance Minister Felix Mutati said by virtue of sharing the information, the Ministry of Finance looked forward to citizens participating in economic transformation programmes with open minds by taking greater interest in monitoring government financed projects in their localities through the relevant district and provincial establishments.
“This is because, the successes which the economy is scoring through fiscal consolidation are not a twist of luck but a result of articulate reforms and the toils of citizens,” Mr Mutati said.
“On a daily basis, citizens look for opportunities created by the government for business development. Therefore, “through citizen induced project monitoring, the government will be able to implement projects effectively and ensure that value for money prevails in state financed projects,” he said.
Lily Mutamz is set to host ‘The Worship Experience’ in Dubai
UK based, Lily Mutamz is set to host The Worship Experience in Dubai, UAE. Lily Mutamz, who is a gospel singer was in Zambia in December 2017 and successfully launched The Worship Experience.
Lily Mutamz told Lusaka Times “When God told me to start the Worship Experience, it seemed impossible but hosting the first one in Zambia was a ground breaker and now we are taking this powerful experience around the world“. Lily Mutamz says this vision will enable those ‘unknown’ to the world to deliver the gifts that God almighty has deposited in them.
Among those travelling to Dubai from Zambia are Prophet Malachi Ng’andu, Pastor Teddy Mantanyani, Apostle Daniel Mkandawire, Mwanta (the official M.C), Enerst, Meyer, Justin, Morgan Chishala, The Band and choir Lily formed. This event has attracted international delegates from Countries like Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, Malawi, U.S.A and the UK. On the list from the UK there is Sister Chibuzo, Obert Mazivisa, then Nigeria Cris who is Lily’s music video director will be there as an MC all the way from Nigeria and in the UAE we will be having Lekan and Omobolanle.
Lily Mutamz mentioned “as soon as I shared that I was going to Dubai, my phone never stopped ringing, so far over 100 people have registered interest from the countries mentioned and preparations for group travel have began!” This event is in partnership with the Redeemed Christian Church Grace Assembly Parish in Dubai, which is Lily’s sister church, she fellowships at Redeemed Church Living Proof PARISH in Stockton-On-Tees. Lily Mutamz has stated that the team in Dubai is very efficient and that people will have a glorious time if they attend the event. I have plans of hosting The Worship Experience in many countries around the world. Lily Mutamz who is set to shoot her music videos in Nigeria this month shared that Doors around the world have began opening and that those that wish to join on any of the event should look out for announcements on her Facebook page Lily Mutamz. The event is absolutely free to attend.
NDC is not going into an alliance with the UPND
The National Democratic Congress says it has no immediate intentions to get into an alliance with the UPND.
UPND Deputy Secretary General Patrick Mucheleka recently disclosed that the party will explore possibilities of forming an alliance with the NDC.
But NDC Secretary General Mwenya Musenge said the party has never engaged in any talks with the UPND on prospects to explore a possible alliance.
Mr Musenge said talk that the NDC should venture into a working pact with the Upnd are premature.
“As NDC, we urge all our members countrywide to therefore ignore such discourse. All our members countrywide should instead preoccupy themselves mobilizing structure’s in their respective localities,” Mr Musenge said.
He said the NDC has high chances of forming Government in 2021 as a single entity going by the support it is receiving countrywide.
Mr Musenge said the NDC has continued receiving overwhelming response from all corners of Zambia, an indication that the party has been well received.
“We also want to state that the NDC has never engaged in talks with the Upnd leadership on a possible alliance. As NDC, we therefore like to bring this discourse to an end. However, we appreciate the gesture by our colleagues in Upnd for opening up suggestions for a possible alliance with the NDC.”
Zambia participates at world’s largest mining indaba in South Africa
Zambia is participating at this year’s world’s largest mining indaba taking place in Cape Town in South Africa.
Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma is leading a delegation of senior government officials and chief executives from the mining sector in the country.
This is according to a press statement made available to ZANIS by Zambia High Commission in South Africa First Secretary Press and Public Relations, Naomi Nyawali.
Mrs Nyawali said the mining indaba which will take place from 5th to 8th February, 2018 is one of the world’s largest mining forums.
She stated that Africa Mining has attracted 220 mining companies and 350 investors with government leaders across Africa.
Mrs Nyawali added that the Indaba will also host a Ministerial symposium comprising of 100 mining companies and government leaders.
The Zambian delegation includes Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, Christopher Mwinga, ZCCM_IH Chief Executive Officer, Pius Kasolo and Zambians High Commissioner to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba.
Also participating at the indaba are a number of Zambian private Mining Companies.
Absentee civil servants warned with dismissal
Government has warned that it will institute measures to remove civil servants who desert their districts from the payroll.
Northern Province Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga sounded the warning when he inspected some projects in Nsama and Mpulungu districts last week.
Mr. Kamanga said it is disheartening that some government workers have been using some rural districts to get employed, which they later desert for urban areas as soon as they begin getting their salaries.
He said the development is saddening because people in the rural areas also needed to benefit from the services rendered by the civil servants.
Mr. Kamanga said the government of President Edgar Lungu is committed to ensure that development reaches all parts of the country.
He directed Nsama District Commissioner Brighton Chali and his Mpulungu counterpart Dennis Sikazwe to immediately institute an audit and present the findings to his office on the government workers that have left their posts after being employed.
He was particularly disappointed that some teachers at Chitili Primary School in Mpulungu were not at the station despite parents going out of their way to construct houses for them.
The PS was also not happy that some civil servants had deserted the new district of Nsama depriving people of essential services.
Mr. Kamanga said such negative behaviour was detrimental to the development of the nation.
He said the PF government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu is keen to see that development reaches all parts of the country without leaving anyone behind.
Street vending permanently banned in Kapiri Mposhi
Kapiri Mposhi Town Council has maintained that it will not rescind its decision to permanently remove street venders in the area.
Council Public Relations Officer, Chris Mulaliki said the local authority has created sufficient and safe trading places to ensure that people sell their merchandise in designated and healthy environments.
Mr. Mulaliki was responding to appeals by some people who have been removed from trading in the streets in the wake of the cholera outbreak in Kapiri Mposhi to allow them go back on the streets following the apparent containing of the cholera situation in the area.
But Mr. Mulaliki said the local authority will not rescind its decision of removing people from trading on the streets.
In a statement to ZANIS today, Mr. Mulaliki stressed that the local authority will not entertain street vending but will only allow traders to conduct their businesses in designated trading places.
“We want to put it on record that we will not allow any street vending in our district but what we have done is to create sufficient trading spaces near some designated trading spaces such as Tambalale market where people can trade from,” Mr. Mulaliki said.
Mwila warns District Commissioners
Speaking when he officially launched the Central Province PF party mobilization in Kapiri Mposhi yesterday, Mr. Mwila said District Commissioners are appointed at the recommendation of district and provincial party officials, adding that the top leadership reserves the right to terminate contracts for DCs that were not willing to work with the ruling party.
Mr. Mwila noted that DCs are appointed at the discretion of the Head of State, hence, the need for them to pay allegiance to the appointing authority and his party.
The PF Secretary General called for intensified party mobilization at all party ranks and file to enable the party sustain its popularity in the country.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mwila has donated 120 bicycles to each constituency in central province to enhance the party’s mobilization exercise at grassroots level.
And speaking earlier, PF Central Province Chairman Chanda Mutale charged that District Commissioners in the region are not contributing to the growth of the party.
And, Mr. Mutale called for PF members to maintain high levels of discipline in discharging their duties adding that, discipline is important in any political organization.
PF Central Province Information and Publicity Secretary Davies Chisopa called for unity of purpose among party members.