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President Edgar Lungu on Board Zambia airforce MA60 Presidential aircraft flying to the Copperbelt
President Edgar Lungu is this Saturday, January 20, 2018 expected to be in Muchinga Province for a three day official visit.
Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba revealed this during a provincial heads of department meeting.
Dr. Kalumba revealed that the President Lungu is expected to arrive in Chinsali at 09:00 hours on Saturday.
According to a tentative programme availed to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali today, the head of state will on Saturday check on the on-going works at Chinsali first level general hospital and later on hold meetings with chiefs and party officials as well as touring the markets.
Dr. Kalumba said on Sunday, the President will congregate with Christians at St. John’s Catholic Church before proceeding to commissioning the police headquarters building.
Other projects which Mr. Lungu will visit are the 30 staff houses, water plant and the four storey provincial administration building.
The President is on Monday morning expected to travel to Nakonde and Mafinga districts to check on developmental projects taking place there.
Mr. Lungu is also expected to visit Chama, Lavushimanda and Kanchibiya districts where he will address members of the general public.
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed accusations that it was a Bemba tribal grouping aimed at destabilising the ruling Patriotic Front.
The party’s top leadership has argued that the party’s central committee was composed of non-Bembas from all provinces.
Chief Chikwanda of Mpika recently described the NDC as a mere club of jokers which would not hoodwink Bemba-speaking people into joining.
This followed rumours that the party planned to have its entire leadership composed of Bembas and give the tribe a sense of belonging.
But NDC spokesperson, Eric Chanda said that contrary to the allegations, the party had cut across all tribes with regards to its composition.
Mr Chanda claimed that the NDC central committee was composed of 60 members drawn from all the provinces of Zambia.
He pointed out that some committee members were Tongas, easterners and Lozi-speaking among others. He said there was no way the party could be composed of Bembas only.
“I don’t remember when Comrade Menyanzulo, Dr Mbulo, Professor Atanga the Tonga bull, were Bemba. Our central committee is made up of 60 people and there is no way all these can be Bembas. That is not true,” Mr Chanda said.
Meanwhile, Mr Chanda, said he would not engage into any confrontation with Chief Chikwanda because the NDC respects chiefs. He advised the traditional leader not to be used to settle political scores and injure others.
He however said that NDC had forgiven Chief Chikwanda, but warned that things would have been different had it been an ordinary person.
The NDC was formed by former PF Chimwemwe Member of Parliament and Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenga after he lost the parliamentary seat in 2016 to an independent.
It also has expelled PF member and Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili, who while contesting his expulsion in court, has been touted as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2021 presidential elections.
Public Service Commission Chairperson Mr. Dickson Chasaya
The Civil Service Commission has warned civil servants not to discuss government issues on Social media.
Chairman for the Civil Service Commission Dickson Chasaya disclosed that civil servants should not discuss any government issues on social media with the people they socialize with.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka today, the Commission Chairman further stated that civil servants should not discuss anything with the media on governmental issues.
He said no officer below the rank of the Permanent Secretary should give interviews to the media or discuss government business without the permission of the controlling officers.
Mr. Chasaya has however urged the civil servants to uphold their ethics as it will help them work accordingly in their execution of duty.
He explained that civil servants should be obedient, patient, and should always be secretive with anything to do with government affairs.
Mr. Chasaya encouraged all civil servants to mind what they do and behave in public and the people they meet.
He said Permanent Secretaries have always given guidance on the way the civil servants need to behave in the public domain.
Mr. Chasaya said that government cannot be run on social media, hence anyone found wanting will be dealt with.
He said with the coming up of the Smart Zambia, government is able to trace all the civil servants that are discussing government issues on social media.
Twenty-six years of experience in the aviation industry
Airline safety and security is a hot topic across the globe these days. Closer to home, mild-mannered Sunday Mweemba is among Zambia’s leading experts on the specialist skill of keeping us all safe in the skies.
Mweemba (48), who is Acting Ground Operations Director, and Security Manager, at Proflight Zambia, exudes a calm and professional manner backed with the confidence of a man who knows his business.
And indeed, he has spent 27 years in aviation security at airport, regulatory and international levels and is passionate about safety and security. Not only does he know about aviation security and safety – he wrote operational manuals and has taught countless professionals in this vital field throughout Africa.
The former Chief Security Officer for National Airports Corporation (now Zambia Airports Corporation), joined the government entity as an Aviation Security Assistant in 1990 and working his way through the ranks before retiring in 2012.
At that point he made the leap from public to private sector and joined the now-closed Zambian Skyways as Aviation Security Manager before moving to Proflight Zambia as Safety and Aviation Security Officer in March 2015.
In just a few years he has piloted Proflight through the complex process of developing world-class security systems for its business and is now its Ground Operations and Security Manager.
Mweemba’s success and contribution to Proflight’s well-managed security record is not by chance. His vast experience follows his education and commitment. Born into a family of two, Mweemba grew up with his parents in Monze and moved to Luanshya and Kabwe in 1969. He pursued his education, adding a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2014 from the Northern Ireland Institute of Business and Technology
His professional qualifications from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) stand testament to his drive to remain at the forefront of current thinking in the industry, as an ICAO Aviation Security Professional Manager, he graduated from University of Concordia in Canada, and has been an ICAO Aviation Security Certified Instructor from 2009 to date and an ICAO Aviation Security Certified Auditor from 2002 to 2014, pending recertification.
Having acquired knowledge and experience, Mweemba has been keen to ensure he passes on his know-how to up-coming professionals.
“I’m a specialist in aviation security in two fields. As a certified instructor since 2009, I conducted specialised training within Zambia and outside. I’m also a certified aviation security auditor since 2000 and I was involved in auditing more than 14 countries. That’s the international aspect,” said Mweemba.
“Back home, although I worked for National Airports, I was seconded to the Department of Civil Aviation to assist in formulating policies and implementing national security programmes,” he explained.
One of his most interesting experiences in the aviation industry involved helping to shape Proflight’s security manual and update its existing Emergency Response Procedures Manual.
As part of that Mweemba was put in charge of Safety Action Groups for Cargo, Ground and Security. This came after successful completion of a Safety Management System Training course conducted in Lusaka by the leading aviation training institute Cranfield Aviation Training of South Africa.
Today, Mweemba serves an important part in Proflight security, participating in emergency response procedures, policy and procedures, manual writing and working with the crisis management team to ensure all necessary procedures are in place. His role has contributed to Proflight Zambia implementing International Air Transport Association (IATA) Standards as part of the airline’s efforts towards achieving the top operational safety accreditation standard in the global aviation industry.
For Mweemba that’s not all. He believes Proflight Zambia plays an important role in Zambia’s economy through creating employment and facilitating transport. Proflight Zambia has its base in Lusaka and services seven domestic and two regional destinations.
Mweemba knows Proflight Zambia has a strong future: “Proflight is an equal opportunities employer because the industry is highly regulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which sets requirements for individuals to possess professional competencies and it is equal to archiving the standards.”
Still unlocking his potential, Mweemba is very much part of Proflight Zambia’s winning team.
He is married to Bessy Phiri with two children – a boy and a girl. He speaks fluent English, Tonga, Bemba and Nyanja.
Mweemba’s hobbies include reading, watching and playing sports, and listening to the radio.
President Edgar Lungu speaking during swearing in ceremony
Here are the risks and costs to the economy and country
By Kalima Nkonde
President Lungu lashed out at all critics of excessive government borrowing and vowed to continue borrowing during his recent visit to Garden compound on tour of cholera affected areas.
“When we borrow, we do not borrow to eat but to improve people’s living standards, so those who say we can’t borrow, get out!” President Lungu exclaimed rather undiplomatically.
The statement got most experts and analysts by surprise in that it sent the wrong signals to the financial markets whose expectation is that Zambia was on the road to slowing down on its borrowing in the light of the IMF suspension of talks on the $1.3 billion bailout due to excessive borrowing.
This article is meant to contribute to the debate by trying to put the President’s statement in context and to explain in simple terms, but in some detail, the consequences of excessive domestic and foreign borrowing. The adverse effects of excessive debt has been done in a piecemeal fashion, with most Zambians, especially the young people ,who will be mostly affected, not understanding the potential harmful effects that debt will have on their lives.
One hopes that for once, Zambians can look at this important issue in a non partisan fashion. The issues of borrowing and corruption, should unite Zambians as their effects do not choose whether one belongs to the ruling Party or the Opposition or they are Independent. All Zambians suffer the consequences apart from those in power and the elite aligned to the ruling party who normally are the greatest beneficiaries of the status quo. There is overwhelming empirical evidence in academic economic circles that excessive borrowing and corruption go hand and in hand.
Zambia’s estimated public debt
There is so much debate about what the actual public debt of Zambia amounts to. However, we all now know that it is very high in the light of the recent IMF disclosure that Zambia is the most highly indebted nation in Sub Sahara Africa. This means our public debt is higher than bigger economies like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Angola all in the name of development but no country ever developed on borrowings.
The borrowing binge has been driven by the unprecedented increase in the debt ceiling by the PF government of 800% in external borrowing from K20 billion in 2011 to K160 billion in 2017 and an increase from K13 billion in domestic borrowing in 2011 to K30billion in 2017 which is an increase of 131%.
According to the 2018 budget, Zambia’s public debt is $12.45 billion, which is about 60% of GDP of $20.9billion.This government figure is, however, disputed by most analysts. There are some analysts who estimate that Zambia’s external debt is about $17 billion(the figure the Finance Minister mentioned in one of the speeches to parliament, before correcting himself to $7.2 billion ), whereas the domestic debt is said to be around $6 billion making the total public debt to be $23. This is a rise of $19.5 billion or 557% from the $3.5 billion in 2011 when the PF administration took over.
The IMF’s estimate of Zambia’s GDP for 2017 is $20.9billion and if indeed our total debt is about $23billion, then our Debt/ GDP ratio is 110% which is way above the internationally accepted combined domestic and foreign Debt/GDP ratio, which is 65% (40% foreign and 25% domestic). The government ought to urgently come out with credible debt figures otherwise the speculation will continue.
Who was President Lungu telling to get out?
The people who President Lungu must have been telling to get out are: former finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, Bank of Zambia governor Dr. Denny Kalyalya, Finance minister Felix Mutati, Zambia Institute for policy Analysis and Research(ZIPAR), the International Monetary fund (IMF) and many more experts who understand how the economy works. These are the ones who have commented and cautioned about the country’s level of indebtedness. President Lungu somehow appears to know better than them.
The following are the comments from the various parties and experts that have criticized the Zambian government for excessive borrowing:
“The outstanding public and publicly guaranteed debt rose sharply from 36 percent of GDP at end-2014 to 60 percent at end-2016, driven largely by external borrowing and the impact of exchange rate depreciation. Directors expressed concern at the pace at which public debt, especially external debt, has increased and now put Zambia at high risk of debt distress,” IMF Head office’s press statement after suspending the $1.3 billion bail out talks with Zambia.
“The pace Zambia is taking in repaying its external debts is quiet low and puts authority in pressure for the need to more borrowing in order to pay off other debts which may eventually lead to more incurred debts” , Said IMF Resident Representative to Zambia, Alfredo Baldini when addressing ZIPAR conference on Debt.
“That’s one area that we really need to put a hand on so that it doesn’t overheat the economy, If that happens then all these interest rates we’re talking about will go up very significantly,” Bank Of Zambia Governor, Denny Kalyalya commenting on surging borrowing costs of Zambia in an interview in Washington.
“We must focus on finishing ongoing projects before we embark on new ones. And we must reduce our appetite to contract debt. We must also look at other innovative ways of raising finance,” Finance Minister, Felix Mutati addressing Parliament in October, 2017.
“The IMF has expressed worries about Zambia’s debt profile, those concerns are not far-fetched but anyway, somehow our debt profile is high and going in future, going forward we should be a bit more prudent especially those loans which are not for projects which are single sourced, where there is no tender and so on and so we have to be careful and I think government is doing just that,” Former Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda as quoted by News Diggers, a Zambian on line publication.
“This debt accumulation has grown at a fast rate from under 20 percent in 2010 to the current 47 percent and this is worrisome”, Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) Executive Director Dr. Pamela Kabaso, speaking at the ZIPAR Debt Management Conference.
The risks and costs of excessive debt
Borrowing whether at household, company and national level is important but it is the extent to which one borrows in relation to their income and ability to repay the loan that is crucial. No responsible Chief Executive Officer whether at company or national level goes on a borrowing binge without looking at the potential risks and taking measures to mitigate against such risks. The question is: does President Lungu understand the potential risks? It is hoped that this article will assist him as it is written by a layman and a non economist.
Zambia has excessively borrowed since 2012. We have been down this debt trap road before, but this time, the consequences may be worse as we have borrowed heavily from the international private capital market. The following are the potential costs and risks to the economy and the country of excessive debt:
1. The country’s financial risk as measured by the Debt/ GDP ratio will continue rising making Zambia to be considered as a risky country to lend to because the probability of not being paid back will be considered to be high by lenders .The country’s ability to borrow (debt capacity) will be reduced.
2. The government’s increased and continued domestic borrowing will continue to negatively affect the private sector in that there will be little money left in the banking system for investment and working capital. Also, banks will prefer to lend to government and will demand high interest rates to lend to private sector. In the 2018 budget alone, government plans to borrow an additional K11.2 billion($1.2billion).Consequently, there will be little increased economic activity in private sector and unemployment will continue to be high especially among the youth which is a potential time bomb. Government ‘s excessive borrowing is actually killing jobs and not creating them.
3. The debt rating agencies like Standard and Poor, Fitch and Moody’s will downgrade Zambia’s credit worthiness due to the high default risk resulting in the Eurobond servicing costs to go up and future lenders demanding higher interest rates in order to lend to Zambia.
4. Zambia is currently spending about 22% of its domestic revenue on servicing loans. In view of President Lungu’s stance to continue borrowing, this percentage will continue to increase meaning that more money will be needed to service loans rather than social services like health, education, farmers’ subsidies, social cash transfers and even less will be available to maintain the infrastructure that is being built.
5. The Zambian kwacha may depreciate – lose value- as there will no savings to built up reserves as more money will go to pay loans. In addition, foreign investors inflows will reduce as Zambia will not be an attractive investment destination as highly indebted countries with high fiscal deficits are not attractive to investors. The depreciation of kwacha will result in high cost of living as Zambia is dependent on imports. The country’s inflation may go up as it is greatly influenced by the kwacha exchange rate.
6. There will be continued scarcity of liquidity (shortage of cash to households and businesses) in the economy as the government will spend the bulk of its revenue servicing debts will fail to pay its suppliers and contractors. Civil servants may start getting their salaries late.
7. Borrowing whether local or foreign require kwacha to be raised from Zambians for repayment. In terns of foreign borrowings, the principal debt and interest repayment can easily balloon by mere adverse exchange rate change movement. In 2011, the dollar exchange rate was K4.86 to a dollar and in January,2018 it is about K10 which is a 105% depreciation of the kwacha. The implication is that foreign debt can increase in kwacha terms and can even double. This means excessive borrowing will lead to more kwacha required to be raised and higher taxes and levies will inevitably be imposed on Zambians.
8. In the light of the current economic projections of the GDP growth rates, the continued excessive foreign borrowing by Zambia puts it at risk of sovereign default. This refers to failure by a Government to pay its debts and consequently making it more difficult and expensive to borrow further. In such an eventuality, Zambia may be forced to seek funds from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a last resort. This time around, it will not be only for balance of payments support, but for Sovereign Debt Restructuring like Greece did in 2010. The Fund will impose punitive conditions such as reduction in corruption, imposition of austerity measures as well as tax raising measures.
9. Zambia will fall back in a debt trap where it will start to borrow in order to pay other debts and go back to being classified as a Poor Highly Indebted Nation like in the 1980s and 1990s. Zambia will be dancing to the tune of creditors like in the past – just as Greece is doing.
10. The combined consequences of the above risks would be a threat to the country’s peace and stability as it happened under Dr. Kenneth Kaunda’s regime in 1990 and the Arab spring recently.
In a nutshell, the continued excessive borrowing by government may result in the kwacha depreciating, increased unemployment, higher taxes, high interest rates, high cost of living, increased risk of sovereign debt default and slower economic growth. Zambia’s excessive borrowing is a ticking time bomb. In the short term, it all looks all rosy and critics can be told to get out but sooner or later, say in 2 to 5 years’ time, the chickens will come home to roost if no serious and bold risk mitigating measures are taken now by heeding experts’ advice. The recent commendable improvements in the economy in 2016/17 in terms of stable exchange rates, low inflation rates, downward trend in interest rates, improved investor confidence and consequential inflows in foreign investments through participation in government bonds and treasury bills etc will sooner or later evaporate. Zambia’s excessive borrowing and the related corruption may well turn out to be President Lungu, the PF administration and the Zambian economy’s Achilles heel.
Patient’s bowl of porridge covered with ants at Mansa General Hospital Surgical Ward
The plight of a sick Congolese national admitted to Mansa General Hospital has raised concerns from members of the general public who have accused health workers at the Hospital of neglect.
According to Radio Yangeni News Reporters that rushed to Mansa General Hospital Surgical Ward on Tuesday found the patient identified as Nathan Kapotwe had developed bed sores and maggots while his bowl of porridge was covered with ants.
Kapotwe narrated that he had not been attending to for some days and that when he was checked on Tuesday, it was discovered that bedsores had become bad and maggots were feeding on him.
A further check up in the afternoon by the Journalists revealed that Kapotwe’s sores had been cleaned and peroxide administered.
Meanwhile, Mansa General Hospital Head of Clinical Care Banda Mabvuto refuted claims that nurses do not attend to Kapotwe saying if they did not he would had died.
Minister of General Education Dennis Wanchinga
Minister of General Education, Dennis Wanchinga says comprehensive sexual reproductive health education is key in the fight against early marriages and pregnancies.
Dr. Wanchinga said comprehensive sexual health education is an important intervention in supplementing government’s efforts in the area of health.
He said having adequate number of girls finishing school will be a good start to developing the nation.
The Minister said this during a courtesy call on President Edgar Lungu by a Swedish delegation led by its Minister of Education Gustav Fridolin where the President was updated on the state of reproductive health in the country.
Dr. Wanchinga added that awareness on reproductive health would lead to a reduction of health costs such as treatment to HIV and pregnancy related complications.
He further said government’s comprehensive sexual health talks focuses on packaging of relevant information that is age appropriate, culturally sensitive and legally binding.
He said the revised school curriculum focusses on those respective values and that 65,000 teachers have since been trained in reproductive health.
Dr. Wanchinga stated that the Ministry is now beginning to see the positive results of the approach as it has reached its intended purpose.
He said the messages are well tailored for the programme and has since thanked the Swedish government for the support it has rendered to the country.
Meanwhile, Minister of Higher Education, Nkandu Luo said the sky is the limit for her Ministry because the Swedish government has provided enough funds for such projects.
Prof. Luo pointed out that her Ministry will do everything possible to scale up the programme and ensure that the girl child is protected.
She observed that Zambia was chosen to host the launch of the comprehensive reproductive health program because of her commitment to the fight.
And Minister of Health, Chitalu Chilufya said quality health for all is a policy that government has adopted which is being championed by President Edgar Lungu.
Dr. Chilufya said maternal mortality is one of the challenges affecting the health sector and a lot of women that die due to pregnancy related cases are adolescents.
He said the Ministry of Health has established adolescent friendly corners in health facilities across the country to ensure messages are spread.
Dr. Chilufya said the youth friendly corners are set up in various health facilities to provide timely education to young people
FILE: (From left to right) Dr. William Janssen Lead Agriculture Economist World Bank (r), Dr. Gregory Smith Senior Economist World Bank (l) and Ina Ruthenberg is the world Bank Country Manager- Zambia (c) during World Bank Zambia appearing before Parliamentary Accounts Committee at Parliament
A senior economist at the World Bank says Zambia still has an opportunity for borrowing but must be careful of certain factors.
Gregory Smith has advised the country to go for cheaper loans of longer duration with a lower rate as compared to the opposite.
Dr Smith feels concessional lending should be Zambia’s priority to ensure inclusive development.
And the World Bank says it will continue to support Zambia’s efforts to improve domestic revenue.
Dr Smith has cited among other projects, government’s project to register residential properties, the implementation of electronic fiscal devices to monitor trade transactions as well as monitoring of bank accounts as some of the projects to be supported.
He said growing the tax base is a huge challenge for many countries in the world, hence the World Bank’s stance to assist in this area.
Dr Smith made the observations when he, along with other World Bank officials appeared before the Budget Committee at Parliament in Lusaka.
The committee was chaired by Kabompo West Member of Parliament Ambrose Lufuma.
Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Ronald Chitotela
The Ministry of infrastructure and Housing will soon embark on building 5,000 houses for Civil Servants around Zambia.
Minster of Infrastructure and Housing Ronald Chitotela, said this project emanates from the recent census report which shows the deficit of over 1.5 million housing units.
Mr. Chitotela has since confirmed that government has started building the houses for civil servants across Zambia following the directive made by the Republican President Edgar Lungu.
“We risk reaching a housing deficit of up to 3 million by 2030 if nothing is done,” he said.
He further added that his ministry will also upgrade most of the unplanned settlements across the country with some of the targeted areas being Chawama, Misisi, and Kuku, Chbolya and Kanyama compounds and later the project will spread to other provinces in the country.
According to a statement issued to ZANIS yesterday, the Minister said this on his arrival in Washington DC where he is expected to attend meetings on infrastructure and development of the housing units following the memorandum that was signed last year.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chitotela said his office has received a proposal from Mercury Asset Partners to build a Construction Bank in Zambia to help support the sector as this will help empower the Zambian contractors facing financing challenges.
And Mercury Asset Partners, founder and Co-director Julie Bwalya said a 600 Million US Dollars is proposed to undertake the construction of 5,000 low, medium and high-cost housing units for civil servants in Zambia.
Ms. Bwalya further added that her company has also invested in the energy sector to help set up a factory plant of solar water heaters in Zambia.
Sports minister Moses Mawere shaking hands with National team Football players
Sports minister Moses Mawere visited the Chipolopolo camp in Marrakech to deliver President Edgar Lungu’s good wishes to the team.
And Mawere says the new Chipolopolo jersey has made the country proud
He congratulated the team for their win over Uganda but urged them to aim for the highest prize at the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Mawere urged the boys to think of the many followers at home that were following the tournament.
He encouraged the players to work hard as the tournament could open prospective opportunities outside the country.
On the newly unveiled KoPa kit Mawere said government was very happy with FAZ having its own brand and encouraged them to make the replica available.
“Before they undertook this decision, they shared with government and we gave them a go ahead,” he said.
“FAZ has been facing challenges in terms of sponsorship of their kit. The decision they have made is the way to go. They have control over kit now.”
“We need to encourage them because we are tired of hearing these stories of yesterday there was Nike, there was Mafro, we have to go local and other sports disciplines can tap from that. Look at what Botswana is doing with all sports disciplines dressed in one attire,” he said.
Mawere said that if results are taken care of the new kit will be a big hit with fans.
“We have to take advantage of the replicas, if they do the replicas and make sure that the team performs very well then it will be a huge opportunity,” he said.
“You have to have the replica on one side and make sure that the team performs very well. Everyone will be looking forward to buying the jersey of a successful story. No would want to put on something which is a failure, someone would want to put on something which is a success.”
Mawere watched the match against Uganda that saw Zambia defeat the Cranes 3-1 at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
Zambia’s next assignment is on Thursday against Ivory Coast at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
Sports minister Moses Mawere shaking hands with National team Football playersSports minister Moses MawereNational team players listening to Sports minister Moses Mawere shaking
The Nkana Water and Sewerage Company has embarked on a water and sanitation rehabilitation project which will involve overhauling most water and sewer pipe lines in Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambeshi.
The project will include the expansion of the water supply and sewer services management by the water utility company.
It will cost US$200 million and funded by government and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe today, Nkana Water and Sewerage Company Public Relations Manager Bivan Saluseki said water pipe replacement works have already started.
Mr. Saluseki said water and sewer pipes have been replaced in the area covering the Nkana East treatment plant to 17th Avenue along Central Street.
Others are Wusakile, Mindolo, Buchi-Kamitondo and Ndeke while St. Anthony had new water and sewer pipes installed.
He said once the project is completed, the company will improve its provision of water to all its clients and will connect new clients to water.
And Mr Saluseki said the water utility company has obtained meters to ensure that all its 60,000 clients are metered to enhance its revenue collection.
He added that the water utility company is also installing pre-paid meters although the process is being done at a slow rate because the concept is still new to most clients.
Nkana Water and Sewerage Company provides water and sanitation services to Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambeshi in the Copperbelt province.
The project will help cushion the water shortages that are being experienced in the fast growing districts of Kitwe and Kalulushi.
Meanwhile, the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) has called on all commercial utilities to continue being diligent and on alert following the prevailing cholera situation.
NWASCO Director, Kelvin Chitumbo said despite the cholera outbreak being contained, it is important that commercial utilities remain vigilant and provide clean water to people.
Mr. Chitumbo said provision of clean water will discourage members of the public from drinking water from shallow wells and other untreated water sources.
He noted that utility companies should also have enough chemicals in stock to ensure continuous provision of clean and safe drinking water.
Mr. Chitumbo stated that currently annual and spot inspections are underway in different parts of the country including Lusaka which are aimed at ensuring that people are being provided with clean and safe drinking water.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chitumbo has further appealed to the utility companies to avoid carrying out any water disconnections in cholera affected areas as doing so may result in worsening the situation.
He added that people must continue to maintain good hygiene at both personal and community level.
Mr. Chitumbo further said all solid waste should be disposed off safely, washing hands before handling food and after using the toilet including boiling or treating water before drinking.
And Mr. Chitumbo has also implored Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company to come up with a plan and ensure that the new water points being put up in the affected areas are sustained by extending piped water supply to them.
He has also directed all commercial utilities to respond with urgency to any reports or complaints on sewer blockages in order to safeguard the water quality and health of the people.
This is according to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today by NWASCO Public Relations and Communications Officer, Mpunga Simukwai.
Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo addressing the media during a press briefing at his office in Ndola
Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo has sounded a strong warning to mining companies over a growing practice to procure most of their services outside Zambia.
And Mr Lusambo has revealed that the Provincial Administration on the Copperbelt will soon launch an investment audit of all mining operations in the province to ascertain the level of fresh investment that has been pumped into the sector since privatization.
Addressing the first media briefing at his office in the year 2018, Mr Lusambo stated that it is unacceptable that mining companies have continued to procure most of their products and services abroad at the expense of local suppliers.
He said the PF government will not tolerate this practice as it believes that Zambian suppliers have now attained the required capacity to service the mines.
Mr Lusambo said foreign suppliers will be required to partner with local suppliers when it comes to certain specialized jobs whose expertise may not be readily available.
“Time has come now to stop this habit of procuring everything outside the country. As Government, we want the mines to give jobs to local suppliers as a way of contributing to growing this economy,” Mr Lusambo stated.
He charged that it is illogical that some foreign owned companies have even domiciled their procurement departments outside the country.
“It is unacceptable for a mining company which mines here in Zambia to house its procurement department outside Zambia. We want to put a stop to this and we expect 100% compliance from our mining companies here on the Copperbelt,” he stressed.
And Mr Lusambo disclosed that in 2018, the Copperbelt Administration will engage the Ministries of Mines and Minerals Development and Commerce, Trade and Industry to carry out a comprehensive investment audit of all mining companies operating in the province.
He said his office has information that most of the mining companies have under invested in their operations, contrary to the investment pledges they made when obtaining their investment licences.
“We will be engaging our colleagues from the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development and the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and industry to see the level of fresh investment that has gone into these mines. What we are seeing today is that some of these mines are just mining the Copper waste or slug which was dumped by ZCCM,” Mr Lusambo said.
“As Copperbelt Administration, we see that there has not been any substantial Foreign Direct Investment in some of our mines. Some of these so called investors have not brought any new equipment or technology, they are doing very basic mining by focusing on the dump pit which even my young daughter can do, we will not tolerate such kind of behavior in the province,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Lusambo who was flanked by Provincial Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe warned this office will deal with politically aligned civil servants bent on frustrating government’s developmental agenda.
“As government, we are running a professional civil service and we will not tolerate cadre civil servants in the province. If you don’t support the government of the day, just know that we will flush you out. Bringing partisan politics to the office has potential to frustrate our work as government,” he said.
Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo addressing the media during a press briefing at his office in NdolaMembers of the Press covering a press briefing called by Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo at his office in Ndola
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Malanji addressing Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioners accredited to Zambia during the meeting at Mulungushi International Conference Centre
Government has appealed to the international community to assist Zambia coordinate peace and security efforts in the Southern African Community Development (SADC) region.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji said there is need for continued assistance to enable Zambia effectively fulfill her role as she assumes the Chairmanship of SADC Troika organ on politics, defence and security cooperation.
ZANIS reports that the minister said this when he met over 50 diplomats accredited to Zambia in Lusaka today.
Mr. Malanji said government values the existing friendly relations that it continues to enjoy with respective countries and development organisations.
He said Zambia is committed to promoting good governance, democratic principles, economic development and international peace and security.
The Minister said Zambia is ready to scale up its bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the international community as demonstrated by President Lungu’s heightened engagements with other countries.
He expressed optimism that Zambia will host more international organisations in addition to the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOC) in contributing to the economic, social and cultural development of Africa.
And in a vote of thanks, acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corp Apostolic Nuncio Julio Murat thanked Mr. Malanji for meeting the diplomats at short notice.
The Apostolic Nuncio said Zambia is a model to Africa and the world due to her prevailing peace and stability.
Ambassador Murat appealed to the international community to come to Zambia’s aid in taking care of the influx of refugees streaming into the country.
He said the diplomatic corp will continue to work with Zambia in promoting peace and socio-economic development.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Malanji having a light moment High Commissioner of Kenya to Zambia Sophy Kombe during the Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioners accredited to Zambia meet with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs at Mulungushi International Conference CentreMinister of Foreign Affairs Joe Malanji having a light moment High Commissioner of Botswana to Zambia Lenonaamang Mokalake during the Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioners accredited to Zambia meet with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs whilst of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Chalwe Lombe (l) and South African High Commissioner Ms Mji (2nr) at Mulungushi International Conference CentreMinister of Foreign Affairs Joe Malanji greets High Commissioner of Ghona to Zambia Margaret Ekur Prah during the Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioners accredited to Zambia meet with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs at Mulungushi International Conference CentreMinister of Foreign Affairs Joe Malanji greets High Commissioner of Nigeria to Zambia Mahammad Kabir Umar during the Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioners accredited to Zambia meet with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs at Mulungushi International Conference Centre
