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British High Commissioner to Zambia, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet
The British government says it supports the political dialogue process in Zambia, which is being spearheaded by the Commonwealth.
British High Commissioner to Zambia, Fergus Cochrane-Dyet said this in a statement availed to ZNBC news in Lusaka.
Mr Cochrane-Dyet said the dialogue process will lead to a road map of reforms, ahead of the 2021 general election.
He has explained that the recent visit to Lusaka by the Commonwealth Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Zambia, Ibrahim Gambari marked a significant step forward.
Mr Cochrane-Dyet has since commended President Edgar Lungu for his commitment to engage in the dialogue process in the interest of Zambians.
He has further encouraged all the parties and stakeholders to engage in an open, consultative, respectful and forward-looking dialogue process, to foster political tolerance and reconciliation in the proud tradition of the country.
Zambia Police officers move inThe Police Public Complaints Commission is appealing to members of the public to report to the commission, police officers who abuse their powers.
Police Public Complaints Commission Chairperson, James Mwanakatwe, says it is the duty of the public to lodge complaints to the commission whenever they feel mistreated or offered a poor service by the police.
Mr. Mwanakatwe says the government’s vision of building a professional, service oriented and trusted police can only be realised if the citizenry lodged complaints to the commission.
He says the commission will always ensure that police officers who abuse their powers are held accountable to the citizens and that the erring are recommended for disciplinary action.
Mr. Mwanakatwe has however bemoaned the lack of public awareness of the existence and mandate of the commission.
He said this when he paid a courtesy call on Southern Province Minister, Edify Hamukale, in Choma district.
And Dr. Hamukale has appealed to the commission to help in identifying hardworking police officers that can be seconded for promotions.
Dr. Hamukale said the commission should not only focus on erring officers but help his office appreciate hardworking officers.
Commissioners from the Police Public Complaints Commission are in Southern Province to conduct hearings of complaints from the public against the police.
Zambia Police Public Relations Officer Esther Mwaata Katongo has disclosed that a female toddler aged 2 years and four months was yesterday electrocuted in Lusaka’s Kalingalinga Compound.
Ms. Katongo in a statement today said the toddler was electrocuted between 17:00 hours and 18:00 hours yesterday and died instantly as she was trying to get an Irish Potato which was behind a fridge.
The body of the deceased juvenile is lying in Kalingalinga Clinic Mortuary.
“A female juvenile aged 2 years and four months was yesterday electrocuted in Lusaka’s Kalingalinga Compound” Ms. Katongo said
Meanwhile, the Zambia Police Spokesperson has disclosed that the driver who was involved in the accident on Kafue Road that was reported as a hit and run turned up the same day and reported himself to the Police.
She said the driver ran away from the scene for fear that a mob may descend on him.
“The driver who was involved in the accident on Kafue Road that was reported as a hit and run turned up the same day and reported himself to the Police” Ms. Katongo said.
Finance Minister,Felix Mutati arrives at the parliament building for the presentation of 2017 budget in Lusaka.
Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) has appealed to Government to eliminate unnecessary expenditure in the 2018 National Budget.
In a statement to Pan African Radio today, ZICA’s Taxation Committee member Victor Nyasulu has called on the Ministry of Finance to eliminate unnecessary expenditure in the 2018 National Budget in order to improve the management of Government resources.
Mr. Nyasulu who observed that the Auditor General’s Report continues to highlight excessive internal control environment and financial irregularities in Ministries, Provinces and other Spending Agencies (MPSAs), said the irregularities indicate that the country is wasteful which should not be the case for a poor country like Zambia.
Mr. Nyasulu was quick to state that the recent Auditor General’s Report highlighted irregularities among MPSAs which include flouting of procurement procedures, failure to account for stores procured, failure to undertake activities which were paid for, undelivered materials, unaccounted for revenue and failure to collect revenue due to Government.
“We recommend that in the 2018 National Budget, MPSAs should critically analyse and evaluate their expenditure needs to eliminate unnecessary expenditure and eliminate excessive administrative overheads which are spent at the expense of the stressed taxpayers and the poorer segment of our society.” Mr. Nyasulu said
Below the table showing a comparative summary of the issues contained in the recent Auditor General’s report by ZICA
Issues
2015
2014
2013
K
K
K
Unaccounted for Revenue
558,449
3,251,333
1,220,260
Unaccounted for Funds
193,910
506,354
4,767,666
Misapplication of Funds
28,153,997
73,637,561
65,158,686
Unretired Accountable Imprest
12,659,892
12,585,194
8,170,462
Unvouched Expenditure
349,306,160
389,905,333
67,139,852
Unaccounted for Stores
13,460,323
26,400,272
72,371,091
Irregular Payments
115,350,860
26,358,488
14,467,146
Non Recovery of Advances and Loans
2,352,451
2,877,442
2,744,814
Failure to Follow Procurement Procedures
35,701,492
2,720,434
8,406,729
Undelivered Materials
251,523,804
522,904
19,959,462
Non Submission of Expenditure Returns
6,308,762
1,232,749
1,792,192
Wasteful Expenditure
39,854,959
8,354,290
354,939
Overpayments
26,559,013
1,578,571
360,684
Misappropriation of Funds
–
4,767
44,500
During the period under review, the trend of irregularities raised had remained similar to the previous two (2) years. However, the Report on the Audit of the Accounts for the Financial Year 2015 shows an increase in some areas such as Undelivered Materials and Irregular Payments compared to the previous years. Although unvouched expenditure remained the same, it remains an area of high concern as it makes it difficult to ascertain the authenticity of expenditure incurred.
As seen from the above information from the Auditor General Reports for 2013, 2014 and 2015 there is mismanagement of government funds.
The Aquafresh Oral Health Schools Intervention has been launched in Zambia to educate students and parents on good oral habits.-Picture KPR Consulting
Global firm GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), manufacturers of Aquafresh toothpaste range, in collaboration with the Zambian government through Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide an oral healthcare school program in Lusaka.
The Aquafresh Oral Health Schools Intervention Program is designed to reach out to thousands of pupils across the country as a means to educate and inform both pupils and parents on the importance of adopting a regular tradition of brushing tooth.
Globally, World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 60 per cent to 90 per cent of school children and nearly 100 per cent of adults have dental cavities, often leading to pain and discomfort. Oral disease in children and adults is higher among poor and disadvantaged population groups. Risk factors for oral diseases include an unhealthy diet and poor oral hygiene.
Chief Dental Therapist at the Ministry of Health, Sackson Muyuni said at any given time, matters of health should always be a priority.
“Oral health is never supposed to be considered an option, it is through one’s mouth that we are able to detect several other diseases hence the need to find common value in keeping up with a trend of smartness. Morally and socially this benefits us at individual and national level allowing us to be more productive for the benefit of the country,” said Muyuni.
He added that among children, a good healthy state helps them to stay in school.
And Sterelin Medical, an authorized distributor for GSK in Zambia said Aquafresh is a brand with comprehensive needs for both children and adults.
Rabecca Malambo, Sterelin Medical’s in-country sales representative explained that Aquafresh ought to be prized in line with recommendations of World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Aquafresh has all that is required to provide immunity from oral infections among adults and children alike,” said Malambo.
She added that as Sterelin Medical, the company goes beyond such national programs of scaling up children health protection to delivering well researched products on the market for the good and health communities across the globe.
Meanwhile, Enock Banda, headmaster at Righteousness Trust School said he was excited to host a trendsetting launch that will open an opportunity for Aquafresh to reach out to communities, citing that there is nothing more important for any person than to attach value to their health.
“As an educational institution we are excited to play a critical role of provide education for the children and act as a bridge to our communities’ health lifestyle. It is an honour to be part of a national program that sort to serve knowledge and richly impart moral and a good character for our future leaders,” Banda said.
Remember by staying away, John Magufuli saved his nation the cost of expensive Presidential Suite, food and transport .
For approximately 15 member delegation, Zambia was paying close to K5,700.00 per night per person making a total of minimum K85,500 per day on housing alone. This is equivalent to 1,315 x 25Kg bags of mealie meal spent in one night, in New York, in the name of the United Nations. Add, food and transport! Ati vyakulolavye. Excuse my namwanga. Next, let as ask them what they did while in NY.
President Edgar Lungu Press Interview at KK international airport
President Edgar Lungu is scheduled to meet his Democratic Republic of Congo counterpart Joseph Kabila to discuss issues of mutual concern for the two countries.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Vincent Mwale says President Lungu will meet Mr. Kabila soon.
Mr. Mwale said the two leaders will also discuss issues of peace and security in the Great Lakes region.
He said the two leaders agreed to meet after they met in Angola during the inauguration of Angola’s new president.Mr. Mwale was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Luanda, Angola.
First Lady Esther Lungu during a tour of Project C.U.R.E International Headquarters in Denver, ColoradoFirst Lady Esther Lungu with children at Project C.U.R.E International Headquarters in Denver, ColoradoFirst Lady Esther Lungu with Project C.U.R.E president and Chief Executive officer Dr Douglas Jackson during a tour of Project C.U.R.E International Headquarters in Denver, ColoradoFirst Lady Esther Lungu with Project C.U.R.E president and Chief Executive officer Dr Douglas Jackson during a tour of Project C.U.R.E International Headquarters in Denver, ColoradoFirst Lady Esther Lungu with Project C.U.R.E president and Chief Executive officer Dr Douglas Jackson during a tour of Project C.U.R.E International Headquarters in Denver, ColoradoFirst Lady Esther Lungu at Project C.U.R.E International Headquarters in Denver, ColoradoFirst Lady Esther Lungu with children at Project C.U.R.E International Headquarters in Denver, ColoradoFirst Lady Esther Lungu at Project C.U.R.E International Headquarters in Denver, Colorado
Lusaka Central Patriotic Front (PF) Independence Ward Councilor George Daka has said the United Party for National Development (UPND) was behind the vendors’ protests recently in Kanyama Constituency.
In an interview yesterday, Councilor Daka said the traders at Mutandabantu Market in Kanyama who protested over their relocation to another trading space to pave way for road construction works were UPND members.
And Councilor Daka said it was wrong for the traders to protest when government meant well for the people of Kanyama by taking development to the area.
“UPND was behind the vendors’ protests recently in Kanyama Constituency” Daka said
Meanwhile, Movement for Multiparty Democracy MMD Die Hard National Coordinator Gerald Chiluba has said it was unacceptable for Patriotic Front (PF) Nkana Constituency Member of Parliament Alexander Chiteme to insinuate that the black mountain was sold off by the MMD.
Mr. Chiluba indicted Mr. Chiteme and the Patriotic Front of running away from their responsibilities by blaming the former ruling party for the persisting wrangles at the black mountain on the Copperbelt.
Mr. Chiluba has since advised Mr. Chiteme to focus on providing solutions to the problems conceani9ng the black mountain as opposed to play hide and seek games.
“Chiteme should just find solutions are a leader as opposed to finger pointing” Chiluba said
FILE: Some beer drinkng youths raise the UPND symbol during the opposition party’s rally in mandevu Township. They attribute beer drinking to the lack of jobs in Zambia.United Party for National Development (UPND) National Youth Spokesperson Gilbert Liswaniso has warned the Patriotic Front (PF) that if they will not to stop instigating political violence in the country the UPND Youths will hit back.
Mr. Liswaniso said a time is coming when UPND youths will not be stopped by Party President Hakainde Hichilema to bring political violence to an end.
Mr. Liswaniso stated further that the PF have embraced political violence as strategy to win elections which must be contained.
And Mr. Liswaniso said the opposition United Party for national Development (UPND) youths have been instructed to defend themselves because the police are not helpful.
Mr. Liswaniso stated that the UPND has been at the receiving end when it comes to political violence and the ruling PF has always been shedding crocodile tears, affirming that most of the violence across the country are provoked by the party in Government.
“I want to warn the Patriotic Front (PF) that if they will not to stop instigating political violence in the country the UPND Youths will hit back” Liswaniso said
MEMBERS of different political parties pose for a picture to show a unity of purpose as they wait for results from the 2016 General Election at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.African Union (AU) Continental Representative Joseph Chilengi says Zambia needs a Political Parties Bill urgently because some parties are not relevant.
In a statement yesterday from Khartoum, Sudan, Dr. Chilengi said the move taken by the Green Party to written to the President of the European Partners Against Corruption and the European Contact-Point Network Against Corruption (EPAC/EACN) for assistance relating to the procurement of 42 Fire Tenders by government is a confirmation that the Green Party is irrelevant.
Dr. Chilengi states that the relevance of a political party is seen when it can handle national issues within national confines and deal with them internally and made apparent reference to South Africa’s opposition leader Julius Malema who uses national institutions when handling national contentions.
Recently when he featured on Pan African Radio’s People’s Debate Programme Chilengi stressed the need for a higher benchmarks and scrutiny for registration of political parties.
“Zambia needs a Political Parties Bill urgently because some parties are not relevant” Chilengi said
Alexander ChitemeMMD die hard youth wing national coordinator Gerald Chiluba says his party finds it unacceptable for Nkana MP Alexander Chiteme to insinuate that the black mountain was sold by MMD and that it was the reason people were not benefiting from it.
Mr Chiluba said it was irresponsible for the Nkana MP to run away from his responsibilities and that the MP should focus on finding solutions as opposed to finger pointing.
“What Hon. Chiteme should focus on is to generate solutions to the problems that surround the black mountain than finger pointing at who did this and that. We believe that people voted for him to provide answers to their problems not to remind them of who sold the black mountain.
“If indeed a mistake was made in the past let him propose measures of repossession of the black mountain so people can benefit like what happened with zamtel, it was sold and later repossesed in the interest of Zambians,” he said.
He has since urged the MP not to wash his hands off the black mountain and work with other stakeholders in finding solutions to the black mountain impass.
“Therefore, we want to urge the hounarable member not to wash his hands off from the black mountain but rather work in consultation and in line with President Edgar Lungu’s vision of restoring the black mountain to the original owners who are Zambians and we very hopeful and confident that the promise by the republican president shall come to pass in the soonest possible time,”he said.
Mr Chiluba was reacting to a statement in some sections of the media by the Nkana MP in which he claims that local communities where not benefiting from the black mountain because the MMD sold it to foriegn investors.
Mr Chiteme who had a torrid time explaining the Chinese dealer’s take over of Black Mountain accused the MMD of being on rampage selling mines that gave up the Black Mountain.
He said that the MMD sold ninety percent shares of the dump slagged and the PF government only inherited ten percent shares which it gave up to the people of Copperbelt for survival means.
Patriotic Front Secretary General Mr. Davies Mwila
Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Davies Mwila has challenged opposition political parties in Zambia to debate PF when it comes to policy.
In a statement made available to the media yesterday, Mr Mwila said that it was not not good for any democracy when the Opposition, as a collective, degenerate into ‘an armchair critics congregation’.
Mr Mwila wondered if the Zambian opposition parties can go beyond mere opposition to include offering viable alternatives and options.
Mr Mwila said that the mega projects such as the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriage way, New Copperbelt International Airport and many others were causing sleepless nights for an opposition not given to issue-based politics.
“We challenge our competitor to take us on when it comes to policy, which they are not doing. It’s not good for any democracy when the Opposition as a collective degenerate into ‘an armchair critics congregation’. Can the Opposition go beyond mere opposition to include offering viable alternatives and options? Sadly, the current opposition is not convincing,” said Mr Mwila.
“We are on firm ground to assert that PF’s alternative is not yet born. Zambians can continue to have confidence in the PF and President Lungu,” said the PF Secretary General
Mr Mwila said that the PF manifesto 2016-2021 is premised on the understanding that Zambia is a land with promise, purpose and destiny.
“We are on firm ground to assert that PF’s alternative is not yet born. Zambians can continue to have confidence in the PF and President Lungu,” said the PF Secretary General
“In line with this realization, PF under the leadership of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu launched the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) for the period 2017 to 2021 aimed at accelerating development efforts towards Vision 2030 without leaving any Zambian behind – PF remains committed to creating a better life for all Zambians without exception!” he has said.
“PF is committed to ensuring that its vision for economic diversification is attained through value addition and industrialization anchored on agriculture, mining and tourism. PF believes these sectors have high growth potential, comparative and competitive advantages as well as potential for poverty reduction among our people,” observed Hon Mwila.
“We can state with certainty that PF knows where Zambia is coming from, where it is and where it must be. Our focus over the next four years is to work hard while critics do what they know best. PF has “Sadly, the current opposition is not convincing. We are on firm ground to assert that PF’s alternative is not yet born. Zambians can continue to have confidence in the PF and President Lungu,” said the PF Secretary General.
PF promised to listen to criticism especially when it comes with alternatives. What PF does not have luxury for however, is the unproductive politicking aimed at suffocating the much-desired development for our people. We are committed now as always that at the end of this term of office, we shall present to the Zambian people the results of our hardwork as promised in our election manifesto 2016-2021,” he noted.
Mr Mwila has since called on all those who might have left the PF and thinking of re-joining the Party to consider doing so as it had remained Zambia’s number one (1) Party of choice. He has said that President Lungu and the Party at large have their arms open ready to welcome anyone who means well for the Party.
“PF is the boat, the open church where majority of Zambians belong. To those who left, there is still room in the Boat for all. Its only traitors who have no room in PF’s grand vision to create a better Zambia and better lives for all”, he said.
File:Forum for Democracy and Development spokesperson Antonio Mwanza stresses a point during the meeting to demand for the release of the draft Zambian constitution
The FDD says the salary increment that Government has awarded the civil servants is too insignificant to make any meaningful impact in the lives of workers.
FDD deputy National Secretary Antonio Mwanza noted that the 7%-9% increment translated to K221 to K305 increaments which he said would not make any impact for the workers.
Mr Mwanza said there is need to be alive to the fact that civil servant’s salaries pathetic in the country.
“In monetary terms, the 7% to 9% increment translates into K221 and K305 for the lowest and highest brackets respectively. With the current harsh economic conditions, owing to the high cost of living, this increment will have little to no impact at all.
“Equally, we need to be alive to the fact that generally the salaries and conditions of service for our civil servants are quite pathetic to say the least. And with the Wage Freeze that our workers have endured in the last two years, this increment will simply worsen the already miserable standards of living for most of our workers and their families,” he said.
The outspoken opposition leader explained that such unfavourable salaries and working conditions dampen the morale and spirit of the workers thereby resulting into lower productivity levels.
He said It was a pity that only politicians and thieves were enjoying at the expense of the hardworking individuals something is said must come to an end.
“Today, most civil servants can be classified as the working poor because their salaries cannot even meet their basic needs such as transport, decent housing, food and groceries. Our workers have becoming slaves to Kaloba. Most of our workers cannot buy cash even simple things such as a Dakanya, commonly known as a duvet. They rely on pay slow just to meet their basic needs,” he said.
Has since called for investment in the country’s human resource and the rewarding those that work hard for the betterment of the nation.
Lusaka City Council Head OfficeThe Lusaka City Council (LCC) has apprehended nine (09) suspects for allegedly discharging effluent into the open drainage being constructed by Millennium Challenge Account – Zambia (MCAZ).
The nine who include six males and three females were picked up by alert Council Police officers on Monday, 25th September, 2017 around 10:00 hours.
The suspects have alleged connected sewer pipes from their houses in Garden Township into the drainage currently under construction.
The suspects, (eight (08) landlords and one tenant), said they were not aware that it was a crime to discharge sewer into the drains.
The Bombay and Mazyopa drains are part of the US$355 million Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage (LWSSD) Project funded by the U.S. Government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Once completed, the drainages will help reduce annual flooding experienced in many parts of Lusaka.
The Lusaka City Council last year recruited 30 Council security officers to help increase public awareness and cooperation in problematic areas along the Bombay drain to avoid blocking the drains.
Lusaka Town Clerk, Alex Mwansa announced that the recruitment of the 30 officers will help to enhance the policing aspect of the sensitisation exercise and also to apprehend members of the public who will be found abrogating the law.
Mr. Mwansa said indiscrimintate disposal of solid waste is an offence under Chapter 100 of the Local Government Act Cap 281 and Statutory Instrument No.125 of 2001 on hazardous waste management regulations which also encompasses the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act No 12 of 1990.
“Council security officers are expected to apprehend culprits who will be found dumping refuse and bring them to the Civic Centre for prosecution.
Mr. Mwansa said the MCA-Zambia project complements Government’s efforts of mitigating perennial flooding, which have largely focused on construction of secondary drains in the city of Lusaka.
He said residents should ensure that they subscribe to the waste management system and avoid littering and indiscriminate disposal of waste and discharge of sewer effluent into the drains that may lead to outbreaks of water and airbone diseases such as cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea.
He said this may also pose a risk to infrastructure such as drains as most of the solid waste ends up in the drainages, leading to blockages which in turn reduce their efficiency and life span.
