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Minister of Energy David MabumbaGovernment says it is looking for a strategic partner to improve productivity at INDENI Petroleum Oil Refinery in Ndola whose production capacity currently stands at 650 metric tonnes per annum.
Energy Minister David Mabumba said about US$6 million United States dollars is needed to reinvest in INDENI to help improve production at the refinery.
Mr. Mabumba added that about US$575 million United States dollars is required to change the pipe lines from eight to twelve inch capacity which will improve operations at Tanzania Zambia Mafuta (TAZAMA) Pipe lines.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Mabumba said this when he addressed INDENI workers on the future of the Refinery in Ndola today.
The Energy Minister explained that the money that TAZAMA pipe lines will get will be a loan which the company itself will pay back from its revenue.
He further said the strategic partner will finance the improving of infrastructure and production at INDENI oil refinery.
Mr. Mabumba assured the workers that their jobs will be protected as government has learnt bitter lessons from the past with some of the partners it had.
He added that once the refinery production is improved the Refinery will have additional jobs from the current 345 workers.
And Board Chairperson for INDENI Refinery Yanfwa Mukanga assured the workers that by 1st January 2018, the Refinery will have a new Managing Director (MD) as the process of appointing a new MD has been concluded.
Zambia Police Service Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja
The Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has rescinded the appointment of Chinese nationals as Police Reserve Officers.
Police Spokeswoman Charity Katongo said the decision was made after making wide consultations following public outcry which came after the engagement of eight Chinese nationals in to the Zambia Police Reserve Wing yesterday.
“However, members of the public should be aware that the appointments were not done outside the Law but within the provisions of the Zambia Police Reserve Act, Chapter 117 of the Laws of Zambia,” Ms Katongo said.
Yesterday, Mrs. Katongo maintained that recruiting Chinese as Police Reservists is backed by law.
“These are police reserves. The Police Reserves are backed by cap 117 of the Laws of Zambia known as the Zambia Police Reserve Act. The reserves are there to assist the Zambia Police in maintaining Law and order. They are also vital in Community Policing. The Law does not segregate on race. Police reserves put on police uniforms,” Mrs Katongo clarified.
She said, ‘Section 4 of the Police reserve Act states that ” the Reserve shall consist of such persons, resident in Zambia who, having attained the age of 18 years, volunteer for Service in the Reserve and are considered to be suitable for enrollment”.
Mrs. Katongo also revealed that the Police Reservists are usually monitored and according to section 7 of the Act, they make a declaration. We have always had police reserves and they have proved to be helpful in community policing.
“They work under the supervision of regular police officers. These are usually screened. We understand security concerns better than those who are not in the system and whatever measures put in place are from the informed point of view. We had Indians who were Police Reserves and people were okay with it. Why should the Chinese be discriminated on race? We are using the Police Reserve Act which does not segregate on race. When it comes to the marriage our Standing orders are clear. We do not use emotions but the Law,” she said.
The introduction of Examination of Zambia Council Service Centres is a great initiative for our country.The service centres serve a great number of purposes of which one is the combination of major examinations results such as Grade 9 and Grade 12 for people who have re-sat and improved their marks in subjects provided they have met the minimum requirements to have their results combined.
I am one of those people who paid the hefty amount of K1000 to have my Mathematics combined into one certificate and getting rid of the cumbersome way I was carrying two General Certificate of Education Certificates, one with one mathematics subject, and the other with seven subjects. I paid on the 7th of April 2016 and I was initially told the new combined certificate would take a maximum of
4 months to be processed. That would mean that it would be ready in August 2016. When August came, I even went as late as the 27th day but was told the certificates will be out in September.September came, and I was told that the certificates were back from the United Kingdom as that is where they are printed but they have errors and were sent back…check October.
I had the agonising pain of waiting and I didn’t even go in October and even November thinking I am giving the E.C.Z enough time to sort out their house. On the 15 of December 2017, I went thinking I will get the desired result but alas nothing. I am told check again in 2018.
So, to sum it up my certificate is being processed from the 7th of April 2016 to somewhere in 2018. My life has got to stop because of that. I was generously helped with a letter confirming and explaining that I am awaiting a new certificate but surely wherever I go with a letter explaining my situation for over a year now will not take me seriously. I am very disappointed with the way E.C.Z is handling this and to me it is very unprofessional. Can it take over a year to print certificates? There is something that we are not being told here. If indeed the certificates are printed in the UK which I believe has an efficient system, why is it taking so long?
If indeed the UK prints the certificates, there must be a service fee that E.C.Z pays so my question is…have they paid their service providers. I paid a K1000 to have a service rendered but I am not getting it and I believe there are other people affected by their inefficiency. I had sincerely hoped not to go to the media with this, but it seems that’s the only way I have so far, before I can start thinking of legal matters which I am reading up on and consulting on.
I humbly ask the E.C.Z to take this seriously because once legal implications start, it will not be good for their organisational
reputation.
This week’s recipe is one of my favorites – Sausage, sage and onion stuffing. I absolutely love stuffing, Christmas lunch/dinner is not complete without stuffing. It goes perfectly with Duck, Chicken or traditional Turkey. So go ahead and try it out this Christmas. Enjoy.
Prep time 20 mins | Cooking time 40 mins
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients
2 onions, diced
25g butter
1 small Bramley apple, peeled, cored and diced
2 x 400g packs meaty Cumberland sausages, removed from their skins
Handful of sage, leaves chopped
140g granary breadcrumb
Salt to taste
Pepper
2 tsps Garlic powder
Method
Preheat the oven to 180 C.
Fry the onion in the butter for 5 mins, then add the apple and cook briefly. Allow them to cool, and then mix with remaining ingredients and seasoning.
Use the stuffing to stuff the neck end of the bird, and then roll any leftovers into balls. Alternatively, put the whole mixture into a medium baking tin. Bake for 30-40 mins. Drain off any fat before serving.
Serving
Remove from the oven, and cut it into squares or slices. Serve hot with potatoes, Duck, Chicken or Turkey with a side of carrots and Brussel sprouts.
Kanta Temba is a Cake maker and decorator|Lusaka Times Food columnist|TV show host
The very first Penthouse Party was held on the 11th floor of Sun Share Tower, one of Lusaka’s newest buildings on 16th December. Over 500 people showed up to party in a club scene full of stylishly dressed people in black and gold. It was all about networking, beautiful people and hella good vibes. The DJs, Gesh Groove, El Mukuka and V Jeezy kept the crowd on their feet. A sensational performance by violinist Caitlin Deville wooed the crowd.
-Vice President Inonge Wina flanked by Minister of Commerce Margret Mwanakatwe (2nr),Export Trading Group Chairman Mahesh Patel (l) and Lusaka Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe (r) cutting the ribbon to officially commissioning the Zambia Fertilizer Blending Plant whilst (r) and look onVice President Inonge Wina Unveils the plaque to officially commissioning the Zambia Fertilizer Blending Plant whilst Minister of Commerce Margret Mwanakatwe (r) and Export Trading Group Chairman Mahesh Patel look on at Lusaka South Multi Facility ZoneVice President Inonge Wina flanked by Minister of Commerce Margret Mwanakatwe and Export Trading Group Chairman Mahesh Patel shortly before the official commissioning the Zambia Fertilizer Blending Plant at Lusaka South Multi Facility ZonePresident Inonge Wina admiring packaging of products whilst Export Trading Group Chairman Mahesh Patel and ETG Director-Straegy Gavrav Visayvargiya with products during the tour of stands at the official commissioning the Zambia Fertilizer Blending Plant at Lusaka South Multi Facility Zone-President Inonge Wina and Minister of Commerce Margaret Mwanakatwe admiring packaging during the tour of stands at the official commissioning the Zambia Fertilizer Blending Plant at Lusaka South Multi Facility ZonePresident Inonge Wina admiring packaging whilst Export Trading Group Chairman Mahesh Patel and Vamara Sales Manager Dunstan Mwemena looks on at the official commissioning the Zambia Fertilizer Blending Plant at Lusaka South Multi Facility ZoneVamara Sales Manager Dunstan Mwemena showing their products to Vice President Inonge Wina at exhibition stands during the tour of the Stand shortly before the to officially commissioning the Zambia Fertilizer Blending Plant at Lusaka South Multi Facility ZoneSame of the products exhibited during the official commissioning of the plant called Zambia Fertilizer Blending Plant at Lusaka South Multi Facility ZoneSame of the products exhibited during the official commissioning of the plant called Zambia Fertilizer Blending Plant at Lusaka South Multi Facility ZoneSame of the products exhibited during the official commissioning of the plant called Zambia Fertilizer Blending Plant at Lusaka South Multi Facility ZoneExport Trading Group Jay Pandoliker explains a on fertilizer to Vice President Inonge Wina during the tour of the plant at Lusaka South Multi Facility ZoneExport Trading Group Jay Pandoliker explains a on fertilizer to Vice President Inonge Wina during the tour of the plant at Lusaka South Multi Facility Zone
Chipolopolo striker Patson Daka has made the final three-member shortlist for the 2017 Best Young Player of the Year award.
However, the Zambia Under-20 team failed to make the final cut for the team of the Year that will be contested by Egypt, Nigeria and African champions Cameroon.
Daka has kept alive Zambia’s quest for honours at next month’s 2017 CAF Awards Gala that will be handed out on January 4 in Accra, Ghana.
The striker from Austrian club FC Liefering has competition from Krepin Diatta of Senegal and Salam Giddou from Mali.
Daka led the Zambia Under-20 to victory in the 2017 U20 AFCON final on home soil in March with four goals and his other two goals at the 2018 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea helped the team to reach their debut quarterfinal in June.
He is expecting to match Clifford Mulenga who was the last winner of the award from Zambia in 2007.
Meanwhile, there will be no CAF Referee of the Year and African-based Player Award that has been scraped by CAF at the last minute.
The Department of Fisheries and Livestock in Northern Province has started confiscating pig products that are being supplied to the public for consumption.
Provincial Principle Livestock Officer Liver Hamoonga said this is one of the measures the department has put in place in controlling the outbreak of African swine fever in the area.
Mr. Hamoonga said Fisheries Officers in collaboration with the Zambia Police are on the ground to impound and arrest people transporting such products to the Province.
He said his office has also started mounting sensitization campaigns against the sale and consumption of pork products.
Mr. Hamoonga has since cautioned members of the public trading in pork products to comply with the law or risk their products being confiscated, adding that some pigs that were being transported to Kasama district have also been confiscated and destroyed.
He explained that apart from the ban on consumption of pork products, the police are also on the ground to ensure the ban on the movement of pigs is adhered to.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock recently effected the ban on the sale of pig products as well as movement of pigs to control and contain the outbreak of African Swine Fever in the Province.
Economic diversification remains key to addressing the high levels of poverty and inequality in Zambia. Over dependence on the mining sector has not entirely helped in reducing poverty because the capacity of this sector to reduce poverty is limited. Economic growth generated from a cross section of sectors is more likely to evenly distribute incomes among the population and reduce poverty and inequality than growth generated by one sector would do. The current challenges Government is facing in timely distribution of farming inputs is indicative that our diversification efforts into agriculture are not working well.
The November 2017 JCTR Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for a family of five living in Lusaka stood at K4,924.54 which was K40.97 more than the October BNB which stood at K 4,883.57. The increase in the BNB was attributed to increased costs in some food items which included; Mealie meal, Fish, tomatoes and Kapenta increased by K3.29, K6.63, K1 and K54respectively. Other commodities like beans, onion, tea and charcoal decreased by K2, K3, K18 and K16respectively. The prices for fish and Kapenta increased generally because of low catches, due to the behaviour of fish during rainy season. It is expected that the prices will continue to be high during the next three months because of the fish ban that is effected on 1st December for a 3 month period. On the other hand onion and charcoal prices decreased because supply in the market was high which prompted the traders to reduce prices.
It is JCTR’s expectation that a more diversified economy will provide more decent jobs and incomes for people to afford the ever increasing cost of living. According to the labour force survey report for 2014 the overall unemployment rate was at 7.4%, urban areas had a higher unemployment rate at 11.5% relative to 4.2% in rural areas. Such high unemployment rates cannot guarantee improved social and economic well-being of the people as they are not able to earn enough income to provide basic needs for their families which is leading to increased poverty levels and inequality. There is need for a more diversified economy that will generate more decent jobs and especially in labour intensive sectors if the gap between cost of living and income is to be bridged.
The JCTR therefore demands that Government steps up efforts in diversifying the economy by addressing bottlenecks such as late delivery of farming inputs, high cost of financial credit and reduced investor confidence that are hindering economic diversification efforts.
As presented in the 2018 budget speech, industrialisation is key to promotion of value addition and the attainment of Government’s economic diversification agenda. The current farming input distribution fiasco however negates the economic diversification plans of the 2018 budget.
Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo makes his remarks during the Copperbelt Consultative meeting in Ndola
Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo has declared that the Copperbelt Province is undergoing massive transformation under the PF government.
Featuring on ZNBC’s Government Forum television programme on Monday evening, Mr Lusambo assured that the province will never the same as the PF government is implementing massive developmental projects in the province.
Mr Lusambo said under the PF government, a massive water project is being implemented in Kafulafuta that will deliver safe and clean drinking water to Ndola, Luanshya and Masaiti.
He said another massive project that will change the face of the Copperbelt is the Ndola International Airport which will transform the province into a regional hug for passenger and cargo transport.
Mr Lusambo said the PF government is also constructing key strategic roads in the Province that will stimulate commerce and trade.
The Copperbelt Minister who is also Kabushi Member of Parliament said the Copperbelt Province has received the bulk of all infrastructure development projects under the PF government.
He said all the major roads under construction such as the Chingola-Solwezi, the Ndola-Kitwe dual carriageway and the Ndola-Mufulira-Mokambo road will be handed over to the government by end of 2018.
Mr Lusambo also revealed that government is also constructing township roads in Ndola, Kitwe and Chingola under the C400 road project including the paving of key township roads.
The Copperbelt Minister said the PF government has started implementing projects that will transform the province from mining into an agriculture zone.
He said rural towns in the province such as Mpongwe, Lufwanyama and Masaiti have started receiving massive foreign investment that will take agriculture in the area on a commercial basis.
Mr Lusambo also announced that the mining houses in the province have agreed to reconstruct the gutted Kapalala Market in Ndola into a modern start of the art market as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.
ZICTA has fined all the three mobile phone operators a total of K3.1 million for failing to adhere to Quality of Service parameters as agreed in the Quality of Service Guidelines for the third quarter of 2017.
In a statement, ZICTA Spokesperson Ngabo Nankonde revealed that the three operators have been fined for failing to meet the some of the set parameters on quality of service which includes Call Set Up Success Rate, Mean Opinion Score, Successful SMS rate, SMS Delivery Time and HTTP success Log-ins.
Ms Nankonde said the regulator has fined both MTN Zambia and Zamtel K600,000 each for failing to meet the set parameters on call set up success rate and K600,000 each for failure to meet the set parameter for HTTP success log-ins.
This brings the total number of fines for MTN Zambia to K1,200,000 and that for Zamtel to K1,200,000 respectively.
Airtel Networks Zambia Plc on the other hand has been fined K450,000 failing to meet the set parameters on call set up success rate and K300,000 for failing to meet the set parameter for HTTP success log-ins bringing the total amount of fines to K750,000.
Ms Nankonde said the Authority arrived at this decision following the Quality of Service inspection after a public inquiry which was held on 18th November 2017 at which mobile operators made submission and presentations.
She said during the period July 1st and September 30th, the Authority conducted an inspection with respect to Quality of Service provided by the three operators.
“As customers may be aware, Section 27 (I) of the ICT Act No. 15 of 2009, places an obligation on the service providers to meet such minimum standards of quality of service as the Authority may specify or publish,” she said.
Ms. Nankonde has since warned mobile network operators and other ICT players that the regulator will not hesitate to enforce the law on any operator failing to meet the set parameters on service on Quality of Service guidelines.
Zambia Police IG Kakoma Kanganji testing one of the cars handed over while looking on are Zambia Police reserve Senior Superintendent Wu Ming (far left) and Zambia Police reserve Assistant Commissioner Zhang Ming (next to the IG) PICTURE BY JEAN MANDELA
Lusaka Lawyer Dickson Jere has argued that the appointment of eight Chinese nationals as Police Reservists in the Zambia Police Service violates the constitution.
Mr Jere who is also former State House Press Aide said the amended Constitution forbids anyone holding dual citizenship from taking part in any national security assignments.
He cites Article 194 (a) which he said clearly states that any Zambian who has dual citizenship cannot join the Defence Force and Security Services, which includes Zambia Police Service.
“So you stop your own citizens from joining the police because they have dual citizenship and yet you allow Chinese who have no links whatsoever to this soil to be part of the same police service,” Mr Jere said.
Mr Jere argued that Police Spokeswoman Esther Katongo is basing her argument on the Zambia Police Reserve Act, Chapter 117 of the Laws of Zambia which allows foreigners to be part of the police reservists and does not discriminate which he said is a colonial legislation of 1950.
He added, “Again, our Article 190(1)(a) defines the principles that governs the Defence and Security Services in Zambia and one of them is to be “nationalistic and patriotic…” So how does a Chinese fit in this equation? Can they be nationalistic and patriotic to Zambia?”
Mr Jere said “the Police PR says Zambians serving in the police service cannot marry a foreigner because the Standing Orders says so…ha! What is worse between a Zambian serving in our own police force or the Chinese? Mind you the biggest scam that government has been grappling with the stolen Mukala trees which predominantly being traded by the same Chinese. Need I say more?”
Esther Katongo
But Mrs. Katongo has maintained that recruiting Chinese as Police Reservists is backed by law.
“These are police reserves. The Police Reserves are backed by cap 117 of the Laws of Zambia known as the Zambia Police Reserve Act. The reserves are there to assist the Zambia Police in maintaining Law and order. They are also vital in Community Policing. The Law does not segregate on race. Police reserves put on police uniforms,” Mrs Katongo clarified.
She said, ‘Section 4 of the Police reserve Act states that ” the Reserve shall consist of such persons, resident in Zambia who, having attained the age of 18 years, volunteer for Service in the Reserve and are considered to be suitable for enrollment”.
Mrs. Katongo also revealed that the Police Reservists are usually monitored and according to section 7 of the Act, they make a declaration. We have always had police reserves and they have proved to be helpful in community policing.
“They work under the supervision of regular police officers. These are usually screened. We understand security concerns better than those who are not in the system and whatever measures put in place are from the informed point of view. We had Indians who were Police Reserves and people were okay with it. Why should the Chinese be discriminated on race? We are using the Police Reserve Act which does not segregate on race. When it comes to the marriage our Standing orders are clear. We do not use emotions but the Law,” she said.
Mrs. Katongo said the Police Reservists are volunteers adding that there are regulations which takes care of their emoluments which is too minimal such that those who would want to join for financial gain will be frustrated.
“It’s not attractive. Read the Police reserve act, it is there on Google. It is not even a big document,” she said in reaction to questions from Journalists.
“We are not talking about marriage here. There is no issue of marriage in the Zambia Police Reserve Act. Those are addressed by the standing orders. Read section 7 (3) it also talks about those who are illiterate. Where they affix a thumb print in cases where they cannot write. The engagement of Police Reserves is two years subject for renewal. If anyone will have issues, then the engagement can be terminated or will not be renewed.”
Minister of Justice Given Lubinda has said that government has now received a copy of the Constitutional Court judgment ordering ministers that remained in office after the dissolution of Parliament to pay back monies that they were paid during that period.
Mr. Lubinda said that the judgment is being studied before government comes up with a position.
Mr. Lubinda said that many issues will have to be considered in arriving at a position over the court’s ruling, noting that the affected ministers rendered a service.
Mr. Lubinda has told ZNBC news in Lusaka that the PF administration will always respect the separation of powers being the three arms of government while entrenching the independence of the judiciary.
And Mr. Lubinda has said that there is no active presidential petition before any court in Zambia and has since challenged the opposition UPND leadership to explain to Zambians the basis of their claim that there is still a pending presidential petition in court.
Mr. Lubinda said that Zambians are free to comment on the matter because the case is no longer before the courts of law.
Mr. Lubinda said that as Minister of Justice he feels duty bound to put the record straight in the face of misrepresentation by some UPND leaders.
Public schools in Kalabo district have resolved not to increase user fees for the 2018 academic year citing widespread poverty among households.
Passing the resolution at Kalabo High School during an Annual General Meeting for Head-teachers, school representatives, observed that the non-increment of fees would enable vulnerable learners pursue education amidst financial inadequacy and acquire life skill knowledge.
According to submissions presented, Muyumbana Basic continue to offer the lowest user fees at K100 per annum while Nang’umba and Nalionwa Basic Schools top the fee chart at K300 and K255 per annum, respectively.
During the same resolution, Kalabo High School maintained K900 per term for boarders and K300 for day scholars while Nalionwa Day yet again tagged K350 per term.
Meanwhile, Lukona High presented K850 term fees for boarders, K455 for day scholars and reduced junior day scholar fees from K455 to K135 citing deliberate intervention to compete favourably among other schools and ultimately woe learners.
And responding to the resolution not to increase the 2018 user fees, Kalabo District Commissioner Fridah Luhila advised schools to consider revising the fees and take into account failure by many learners to afford paying current fees due to poverty.
Mrs. Luhila noted that it is the responsibility of government to offer universal free education to learners and that public schools must apply reasonable and affordable fees as per government policy.
Her advice came in the wake of revelation that only about 30 percent of learners at Nalionwa Basic and several other schools afford to pay user fees due to poverty and young parenthood among families.
She urged schools to emulate Muyumbana and Nan’ole basic schools for having harnessed the availability of abundant land and water resources to venture into farming projects in a bid to earn income to fund extra curriculum school requirements instead of imposing unrealistic user fees on burdened parents.
Minister of Health, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya says government is saddened over the death of Professor Allan Haworth who died in Leeds yesterday.
Professor Allan Haworth was a pioneering psychiatrist who worked at Chainama Hills Hospital for many years. He was responsible for establishing the training programme in psychiatry at the University of Zambia School of Medicine. He is known as the Father of Mental health among the medical fraternity in Zambia.
Dr. Chilufya said the death of Prof. Haworth has robbed Zambia’s medical fraternity of a giant medical doctor, an originating researcher, a philanthropist and a teacher.
The Minister stated that Prof. Haworth who passed on yesterday at the hospital in Leeds was a world renowned Psychiatrist and an internationally acclaimed teacher of Medicine who has died at the age of 89.
“Therefore, on behalf of government and on my own behalf, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the Haworth and Muzizi families. Our prayers and thoughts are with you as you traverse this difficult time. We wish you Gods strength and guidance, “Dr. Chilufya said.
The Minister further disclosed that government will be at hands to support the funeral proceedings.
