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Minister of Mines, Christopher Yaluma says exploration for uranium is underway in Siavonga and Chirundu Districts. Mr. Yaluma also says the grade of the uranium will be ascertained once the exploration exercise has been concluded.
He has explained that Government initially issued exploration licences to two companies to conduct the exercise and that one of these is GOGETS of the United Kingdom.
Mr. Yaluma was speaking in parliament in response to a question by Chimwemwe Member of Parliament, Elias Mwila who wanted to know whether there are any confirmed deposits of uranium in Zambia.
And Mr. Yaluma also said there are traces of uranium in Northern province. He said this is according to a mapping exercise of the province which has just been concluded.
Mr. Yaluma however said that the quantity could not be ascertained at this stage.
Minister of Higher Education Nkandu LuoMinister of higher Education Nkandu Luo says there is need to implement academic programs that support the country’s industries and in line with vision of the government.
Professor Luo says in order for government to achieve its vision of industrialization there is need for qualified manpower. She said this when she met a Russian delegation that called on her at her office.
Professor Luo commended the Russian Government for its support to the ministry of higher education and the Copperbelt university.
And professor Luo said there is need to grow capacity with the local people so that they are able to empower so that they can acquire expertise in various fields such as the construction of roads and rail ways.
And RUDN University Advisor to the Vice Rector for international relations Masamba Kah says the university’s intention is to make CBU a technological centre.
Lions Club Governor for District 413 Zambia, Ms Jessica Choobe, handing over the donated materials to the refugee leader at Kenani refugee transit centre.
Government’s task of looking after refugees is enormous, requiring support from various stakeholders, Zambia’s Commissioner for Refugees in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Abdon Mawere, has said.
Commissioner Mawere said this today at a ceremony when he received a donation of assorted commodities, worth K200, 000 (US$20, 000), from the Lions Club of District 413 Zambia at Kenani refugee transit centre in Luapula’s Nchelenge District.
“As Government, we are trying as much as possible. But keeping refugees is a heavy burden, which Government alone cannot bear. We are very grateful for the help from the Lions, for finding your way to Nchelenge. And this demonstrates that Zambians are with us, demonstrated through this spirit of giving and we want every help we can get,” said the Commissioner for Refugees.
The Commissioner for Refugees further expressed appreciation that following President Edgar Lungu’s appeal for help to the Congolese refugees, some organisations were now coming forward to make contributions, especially in form of in-kind donations. He said at the time President Lungu visited Kenani transit centre on 31 October, the population at thei transit centre was only 6, 000. However, barely five weeks later, the population has gone beyond 9, 000.
Lions Club Governor for District 413 Zambia, Ms Jessica Choobe, who handed the donated materials on behalf of the Lions, said her team decided to mobilise resources to help when they heard about the plight of the refugees.
UNHCR Representative to Zambia Ms Pierrine Aylara, thanked the Lions Club for the donation to refugees, whom she described as having many needs.
The donated materials include clothes, blankets, mosquito nets and assorted medicines.
Earlier, the Lions members, from several districts of Luapula province, such as Kawambwa and Mansa, joined their leaders from Lusaka on a conducted tour of several sectors at Kenani transit centre.
On Thursday 30 November 2017, a three-person delegation from the German Embassy in Lusaka visited Nchelenge to take part in a symbolic distribution of assorted materials the embassy donated to Congolese refugees at Kenani transit visited centre and the host community. The donated materials, worth 50, 000 Euros, among other things, included solar lanterns, mosquito nets, clothes, chitenge materials and footballs.
While the majority of Congolese new arrivals are through the Chiengi border area, some are crossing into Zambia through other entry points, such as Nsumbu, Kaputa and Mpulungu in Northern. Kapushi and Kakoma, in North Western and Kasumbalesa and Sakania, on the Copperbelt province. These are relocated to Meheba and Mayukwayukwa Refugee Settlements.
A total of 4, 565 Congolese have fled to Zambia since the start of 2017 through other entry points than Chiengi. The overall cumulative number of new Congolese arrivals in Zambia so far in 2017 (Chiengi and other entry points) is: 12, 528.
Lions Club Governor for District 413 Zambia, Ms Jess ica Choobe, handing over the donated materials to the refugee leader at Kenani refugee transit centre.
The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) has advised Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs ) in the food industry sector to make use of the Zambian standard ( ZS ) 034 which is a standard on general principles of food hygiene.
ZABS Head- Marketing and Public Relations Hazel Zulu says the ZS034 will help the SMEs to conform to requirements that are critical in the processing and handling of food.
ZANIS Business reports that Mrs Zulu says in a statement that the ZS 034 also prescribes the general hygienic practice for uniform processing and handling of food as well as gives guidance on the proper cleaning and disinfection procedures.
There are a lot of SMEs that have recently joined the food production industry sector hence the need for them to partner with the Beaural to ensure their production processes as well as the final products that they put on the market are in conformance to the set standards, Mrs. Zulu said.
ZABS Head- Marketing and Public Relations says the move can only be achieved if SMEs in the sector access and use ZS 034 as it not only promotes food hygiene but also enhances good manufacturing practices in their processes.
She says ZABS is also encouraging more SMEs in the food industry sector to use this standard and make hygiene a priority in their food production process for the benefit and safety of the consumers.
Mrs. Zulu further disclosed that ZABS has between October 2017 sold a total of 105 standards to industry sectors to help them enhance the quality and safety of their products.
She has attributed the development to the concerted efforts that have been put in place by the Bureau in raising awareness by consistently communicating with industry and providing them with the necessary information to help them make informed quality decisions.
Mrs.Zulu said there are also other standards such as ZS 388 bottled drinking water- a standard that specifies the description, treatment, testing, packaging and labeling of bottled water for human consuption that have topped the sales list in the period under review.
Government has today inaugurated the new National Housing Authority ( NHA ) board with a call to address the prevailing housing deficit the country is faced with.
Infrastructure and Housing minister Ronald Chitotela says the new board should consider partnerships with various stakeholders to address the housing deficit in the country.
Speaking during the inauguration of the new Board, in Lusaka, today, Mr. Chitotela said the new board embarks on the journey to serve the Zambian people through the NHA Board, their performance will largely be judged on the contributions they will make to address the housing deficit.
Speaking later , the new NHA Board Chairman Justine Chinyanta said his board will carry the vision of building infrastructure in the country.
Mr. Chinyanta assured the Minister that his board will deliver to the expectations of government and the general public by ensuring that decent accommodation is provided across the country.
Other board members are Bornwell Lwanga, Kitwe City Council, Numeral Banda, Ministry of Local Government, Nkumbu Siame Ministry of Local Government and Mpanji Namumba Local government Association of Zambia.
Others include Bwalya Katati National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Joseph Chikolwa Zambia National Buildings Society, Allan Mbewe Independent and Michael Katemwa Kawambwa District Council.
Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) TrainsThe Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has announced an indefinite suspension of all train services between New Kapiri Mposhi and Nakonde Stations, due to the sudden withdrawal of labour by unionized employees in Zambia.
The employees are demanding payment of their unpaid salaries for October and November 2017.
This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today TAZARA Head of Public Relations Conrad Simuchile.
Mr. Simuchile said the suspension of services implies that the Mukuba Express Train that was due to run from New Kapiri Mposhi to Dar es Salaam on Tuesday 5 December 2017 will not do so.
He explained that similarly, the Kilimanjaro Ordinary Train that is currently running southbound from Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri Mposhi, will not proceed beyond Mbeya Station in Tanzania.
Mr. Simuchile said the suspension of services in Zambia will remain in place until further notice.
Outspoken Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili says he feels vindicated over the decision by government to reverse the ban on night travel for trucks.
And Mr Kambwili says he is enjoying speaking for the poor because “wherever I cough the government takes action.”
Mr Kambwili said he is happy that his voice has been heard after months of putting pressure on government over the issue.
“I woke up with a smile on my face this morning despite having a bereavement in the family. I am extremely happy that the SI76 has been revised after months of putting the minister and the government under serious pressure, I have been singing about this statutory instrument ever since it was invoked and finally my voice has been heard,” Mr Kambwili wrote on his Facebook page.
“All you have to do is listen to my grilling debates in parliament over this issue. From the onset I have been very much against this irrelevant law that has hindered our economic growth, the law was ill intended and made no sense whatsoever.”
He said, “I must say I am enjoying speaking for the poor Zambians, the marginalised and even the business owners because recently whenever I cough the government takes action.”
Mr Kambwili said the minister must not end here but also revoke the passenger bus ban because accidents happen anytime.
“If anything most accidents happen during the day, may the minister also consider Bana Chalwe who has to travel 2 or 3 days when getting her goods from Nakonde to come and sell in Chililabombwe, this law has failed to correct its intended purpose and must therefore be revoked so that people can have freedom of movement and continue to conduct their businesses without unnecessary inconveniences.”
“Don’t wait for Chishimba Kambwili to tell you right from wrong, do the best for the poor because the patriotic front was founded as a pro poor party. There is a trend with this government that wherever I put pressure they are taking action, feel free to share your problems with me and all I have to do is speak about it and rest assured your problem is solved. I visited kapalala market some weeks back and as you can see Bowman was forced to give the traders mealie meal, I went there again and Chanda Kabwe followed a few days after to give marketeers K250 each. ”
“I would like to thank the minister for doing what I tell him to do because I am an advocate for the poor, my ears are glued to the ground and I understand how difficult life has become for the less fortunate in Zambia.”
Mumamba Numba has declared his team of mostly his Under-17 products ready for the challenge of defending the COSAFA U20 title on home ground this week.
Zambia is hosting the 2017 COSAFA U20 in Kitwe from December 6-16.
The 2017 COSAFA U17 champions, who won that title in Mauritius in July under Numba, have been handed the job of defending the title after their predecessors and ex-Under-20 coach Beston Chambeshi were elevated to the Under-23 team.
Hosts Zambia is in Group A where they will face Malawi, Swaziland and Uganda.
Zambia starts their title defence against Uganda on Wednesday in a 17h30 kickoff at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
“It is a very tough group, there is no easy game in football,” Numba said.
“The first game is very important so if we get a win that will motivate us in our push to defend our title.”
But Numba has two notable names from the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup quarterfinalists in his team.
Edward Chilufya, who won the 2016 COSAFA U20 crown in South Africa last December and the2017 U20 AFCON title at home in March and later in June went to the World Cup in South Korea, is in the team.
The attacking midfielder of Swedish club Djurgardens replaces Niza Simutenda who will miss the tournament after fracturing his arm.
Midfielder Ngosa Sunzu who was a fringe player in South Korea attempts to impress his new Under-20 coach Numba.
But Expectations are high on striker Lameck Banda of Nkwazi, who was joint top scorer at in Mauritius, and midfielder Prince Mumba who has also been promoted from the Under-17.
The Constitutional Court has adjourned the case in which four opposition political party leaders have asked the court to interpret that President Edgar Lungu is eligibility to contest the 2021 general elections.
The Petitioners led by Dan Pule are arguing that President Lungu is eligible to contest the 2021 general elections because his first term commenced when he was sworn in by the Chief justice on September 13, 2016.
The matter which was coming up for hearing of heritage party president Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda’s preliminary issues or motions has been adjourned to January 23.
The adjournment follows the Patriotic Front’s Secretary General Davis Mwila’s application to adjourn the matter to enable the party engage new lawyers following the withdrawal of their lawyers Mweemba Chashi and Co. who filed an application for the withdrawal.
Mr Mwila who is sued in his capacity as the PF Secretary General told the full bench of the Constitutional Court that he wished to seek for an adjournment to allow him ample time and resources to engage new lawyers.
There were no objection from all the parties except for state counsel John Sangwa who submitted that the PF will not be prejudiced in any way if the matter proceeded because the case was only coming up for hearing of a motion by Gen. Miyanda who is the third respondent.
And the third Respondent Gen. Miyanda also agreed that the preliminary issues he was going to raise had no bearing on the 2nd Respondent looking at the fact that and he had matters which he wanted to bring to the attention of the court as agreed in the previous sitting.
But lawyers Representing Dan Pule and three others state counsels Bonaventure Mutale and Sakwiba Sikota said it was in the interest of Justice to have the matter adjourned to enable the 2nd Respondent to engage new lawyers because he is not an individual who can not be represented because if he is not allowed he would have limited justice.
In ruling the court has allowed Mr Mwila’s application for an adjournment to allow him engage new lawyers.
However the court has also noted the several adjournments in the case but adjourned the matter in the best interest of Justice.
Government says since it implemented Statutory Instrument no 76 of 2016 the country has recorded a 12 per cent reduction in the number of road accidents between January to September 2017.
The Statutory Instrument no 76 of 2016 prohibits the movement of public service vehicles after 21 hours.
Ministry of Transport and Communication permanent secretary Miseck Lungu says as a result road traffic accidents reduced from 25, 009 cases from January to September in 2016 to 22, 152 during the same period this year which represents a 11.9 per cent decrease.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Lungu said this in Ndola yesterday during a consultative meeting with public transport operators on the introduction of the road traffic statutory Instrument No. 79 of 2016.
Mr. Lungu explained that the implementation of the SI no. 79 is a measure that government has put in place to promote road safety and reduce road accidents in the country.
Government has introduced the SI no. 79 which seeks to compel public transport vehicles to have seat belts fitted in all vehicles by 2019 to enhance road safety for the people in the country.
But Mufulira Bus Operators Association member Samson Chalwe, complained that most bus operators cannot afford to fit in seat belts by 2019 as it is costly for one with several buses.
And Sydney Mbewe, the Taxi Association of Zambia Ndola branch secretary appealed to the ministry of transport to come up with a mechanism to help tax drivers meet the cost of fitting seat belts and child seats in the cars.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency chief executive officer Zindaba Soko however said that the agency is happy with the response it has received from public transport operators on the Copperbelt
Northern Province Chamber of Commerce Trade and Industry has welcomed government’s decision to lift the ban on night movement of trucks.
ZANIS Business reports that Provincial Secretary Boniface Sambo says government’s move to revise the Statutory Instrument (SI) 76 of 2016 will greatly help
transporters reduce the cost of running their businesses.
Mr. Sambo said in an interview today that transporters were heavily inconvenienced by the law, adding that a lot of revenue was being lost as goods were not
delivered on time.
He stated that the night time travel ban was a hindrance on the part of transporters.
Mr. Sambo noted that lift will not only improve revenue collection by government but improve on efficiency in the delivery of goods and
services both by transporters and manufactures.
And Mr. Sambo has called on government to equally extend the move to other public passenger transporters, especially those that travel long
distances.
He charged that both commuters and transporters are inconvenienced due to long days spent on the road, adding that their businesses have
become even more risky and costly to run due to time wastage.
The regulation to restrict the movement of public service vehicles at night came into effect on 28th November 2016 and constrained the
movement of any freight or goods vehicles between 21: 00 and 05:00 hours.
Government recently announced its decision to lift the ban on night movements of trucks at night saying it was having a negative impact on
the country’s economy.
Meanwhile, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) in Northern Province has called on members of the public to observe road traffic rules during this festive season.
IZANIS reports that RTSA regional manager Chileshe Chileshe says motorists and pedestrians alike should this forthcoming festive season abide by traffic
rules to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Mr. Chileshe noted in an interview that people tend be excited during the festive period by engaging in activities that endanger their lives and those
of other road users.
He warned that the agency will deal sternly with drivers driving under the influence of alcohol adding that RTSA will intensify patrols and ensure that people
found breaking traffic rules are dealt with according to the law.
He appealed to members of the public to be alert and utilize the toll free lines to report careless drivers who break the law.
And Northern Province Police Commissioner Richard Mweene has urged motorists to be alert this festive season to reduce accidents.
Mr. Mweene said people should be wary of their lives hence the need to observe road traffic rules to safeguard their lives.
UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed what he has always said, that Zambia is one of the countries with the largest debt stock in Sub-Sahara Africa.
Mr. Hichilema said that when he raised alarm on excessive borrowing by the PF and the reckless manner in which they were using the borrowed resources, he was called all sorts names, before adding that Zambia’s debt has now reached unsustainable levels.
The UPND Leader said that he did not only advise against borrowing from expensive sources, but he also offered alternative financing solutions which included, prudence and investing in productive sectors.
Mr. Hichilema said that it was a tragedy and a time bomb for the country and that what the PF has done is to consign future generations to perpetual debt and poverty.
Mr. Hichilema further added that that all the money that will be used to pay back this debt could have been deployed to education, health and agriculture.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has said that it was concerned that the government has not been able to present to Parliament key reforms aimed at strengthening the public finance management system.
CSPR Executive Director Patrick Nshindano told QTV News that while Parliament was expected to adjourn sine die this Friday, the Minister of Finance has not yet presented key reforms to the House which include the revision of the Public Finance Act, Public Procurement Act, and the Planning and Budgeting Bill.
Mr. Nshindano said that despite the assurance from the government that these key reforms will be tabled before parliament in this session, his organization is concerned that time seems to be running out.
Mr. Nshindano said that these reforms were important and that the government should attach importance to.
Mr Nshindano stated that the CSPR is further concerned that the government has not introduced the Loans and Guarantees Act to ensure that debt sustainability becomes a guiding principle before embarking on new infrastructure projects
UK based Lily Mutamz releases a wedding song titled I DO. The songstress who is a gospel artist says the song can be sang by women to men in their wedding day. The song has a catchy chorus and sang in English. Hope you share this song to loved ones who maybe getting married or celebrating their wedding and marriage anniversary. The track was produced by Danny B.
It was December 4th 1994 when then Vice President Brigadier Godfrey Miyanda announced the announcement on state television that the national flag carrier Zambia Airways was no more. The Zambian government had decided to enter liquidation.
What followed was months and years of uncertainty especially among the workers of the defunct airline as they waited to be paid their terminal benefits.
23 years on, debate is still rife on whether the decision to strike a hammer on the wings of Zambia Airways was the correct one. The debate has now even ignited following moves by the Zambian government to relaunch Zambia Airways.
Jacob Chisela who worked as Aircraft Maintenance Manager at Zambia Airways from 1988 to1994 said the 23-year anniversary of the closure of Zambia Airways is a sad day.
Below is Mr Chisela’s write up posted on Facebook
Zambia Airways Plane
When I started thinking, I was thinking one day, one week, no, one month. to be precise, one sad season. One day I am sitting in my office. There is a knock on the door and in walks a man who introduced himself as representing The Bank of New York. Was in charge of the aircraft. Yes, I was. So the man demands “I have come to take the two ATR42 aircraft.”
I am shocked and confused. The man then produces papers that truly seem to give the man authority over the two ATRs. I tell the man that while it was my responsibility to look after the aircraft for the airline, I did not have authority to give them away. I held the aircraft on the behalf of the true owners of the aircraft, the Zambian citizens. If the man wanted one man to give him the aircraft, he would have to go to President Chiluba. Voices were raised, tempers flared. Sorry I couldn’t stand the fellow so I grabbed his shirt and jacket and thrust him out of my office.
My secretary had summoned help from officers in Purchasing and planning departments. After further words and permission from my Managing Director. All of a sudden came three young men and a young woman all dressed like vagabonds. They went to the two ATRs which were parked on the maintenance apron. Two per aircraft, they did their quick pre-flights and jumped in the aircraft. within minutes, the engines were running and one after the other they taxied off. Transfixed we all turned automatically to the runway and watched the aircraft take off and disappear before our eyes.
A few days later, there was another Repossession team. This time they came for the DC8-71. Slowly the long handsome aircraft taxied away as the crew visibly checked that all systems were functioning properly. the Captain did a shallow take off so lazily as though the aircraft did not want to leave Zambia. Slowly we watched as the machine sliced into the clouds and disappeared.
The DC10 had been grabbed at Heathrow Airport and flown to New Jersey. The Second B737 had months earlier gone to BEDEK, an Israeli aircraft maintenance organisation. The aircraft could not be released because of outstanding payments.
By 1st December 1994, poor Zambia Airways had only the B737 9J-AEG attempting to cover all of Zambia Airways routes and schedules. The aircraft would fly to Ndola, Lusaka, Harare, Johannesburg, Lusaka, Dar es Salaam, to the wee hours of the morning and only to start again at 6:45hrs.
Then it was 4th December and just after the evening TV News at about 22:15 Hours our Vice President then Brid Gen Miyanda filled the TV screen and delivered the devastating news of voluntary liquidation. No warning, No preparation NO Plan B Nothing. Like the East wind it is gone and blown to the west. Time for mourning and crying is gone. Our leaders failed us. Now may be we must think to fix things ourselves. Allow me to say “To better days Ahead”
Hon. Mutati receives a dividend cheque from Hon. Mushimba on behalf of Zambia Airports Corporation
The Zambia Airports Corporation Limited this morning handed over a K5 million divided cheque to Finance Minister Felix Mutati.
This is a second year running that the Zambia Airports Corporation is declaring dividends to the national treasury.
Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba handed over the cheque to Mr Mutati at the Ministry of Finance Headquarters in Lusaka.
Zambia Airports Corporation Spokesperson Mweembe Sikaulu said the Corporation has seen profits steadily increase over the past few years after a turbulent period which saw passenger numbers decline as a result of the economic downturn and outbreaks of diseases such as the Ebola virus.
“These negative factors were however cushioned by the opening of new routes and arrival of global brands such as Emirates Airlines and expansion of routes by operators such as South African Airlines, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Proflight Zambia and Mahogany Air,” Ms. Sikaulu said.
She said the Corporation expects to continue on this path as “we expect the introduction of yet another global brand, Qatar Air, scheduled to commence flights in 2018.”
“ZACL has also seen continued growth in both passenger and freight traffic. A total of sixteen (17) scheduled passenger airlines, five (5), Charter operators and four (4) cargo operators connect the four international airports managed by the Corporation.”
Ms. Sikaulu said the Corporation has invested heavily in the ongoing infrastructure developmental projects that will see Kenneth Kaunda International airport become the next regional hub, competing with the likes of OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi Kenya.
