This development will reduce congestion in the capital city as the contractor is expected to build four fly-over bridges and expand selected roads.

Mr Gajare said this when he called on Zambia’s High Commissioner to India, Judith Kapijimpanga, press secretary Naviley Bangwe said in a statement yesterday.

He said his institution is just waiting for 15 percent counterpart funding from the Zambian government as the Indian Government will provide the rest of the money through Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India.

“The works will involve expanding selected roads from two to four lanes, while some existing four lanes will be expanded to six lanes, with buses having dedicated lanes,” he said.

Mr Gajare said the three-year project will see the construction of ring roads from Makeni to Mumbwa Road, and further connect to the Great North Road after National Heroes stadium to make Lusaka a smart city.

He said the Great East Road from Arcades to Lusaka central business district will have two lanes on the fly-over bridge, while the existing four lanes will be expanded to six lanes.

“The project takes special care to the requirement that 20 percent of the works are done by Zambian local contractors,” Mr Gajare said.

And Mrs Kapijimpanga said the country appreciates the Indian government for extending another goodwill gesture through EXIM Bank of India for the execution of the project.

“I will convey the message to the Ministry of Finance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the project because we are all looking forward to the timely commencement of the project,” she said.

Mrs Kapijimpanga urged the contractor to employ more youths and honour the minimum wage as the Zambian labour law requires.

PRESIDENT Lungu yesterday cranked up the country’s economy with a directive for provincial administrations to come up with mechanisms to unlock potential.

The head of State says he will soon convene a meeting in Lusaka during which he will discuss with provincial ministers on how best they can unravel economic potential in their areas of jurisdiction.

He made the directive yesterday when he officially opened the first-ever Luapula Expo and Investment Conference.

President Lungu said Luapula will never be the same after the expo because the world will get to know the economic potential of the province.

“Luapula will not look back again because it’s going to develop. The province has potential for tourism, hydro-power, agriculture and agro forestry.

“We are walking the talk of development and we want Luapula to realise its potential and develop. It’s time to be in Luapula for investment,” he told investors.

President Lungu said it is envisaged that through the Luapula Expo, Zambia will forge various links with local and international investors.

He said the expo could not have come at a better time than now when the Patriotic Front government does not want to leave anyone behind in terms of development.

“I am confident that for the past two days, the expo has provided you with ideas to invest in various opportunities,” he said.

The President said the seven key areas of investment have been identified by the provincial leadership which include agriculture, tourism and energy, among others.

President Lungu is happy the province has attached great focus to the manufacturing industry.

He is equally happy that traditional leaders have not been left out by the provincial leadership in the programme.

He said Zambia is blessed with abundant resources, hence the need to unlock the economic potential in every corner of the country.

The President said this is the only way the country can deliver a diversified, inclusive and equitable development that ensures active participation by citizens.

He is hopeful that other provinces will emulate Luapula by vigorously marketing their economic potential.

“My hearty congratulations are in order to Luapula Province for leading the way in the implementation of the Seventh National Development Plan, whose goal is to create a diversified and resilient economy for sustained growth and socio-economic transformation. This transformation is driven by, among others, a new focus on agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and mining and ensuring that no-one is left behind,” President Lungu said.

He said his Government’s vision is to ensure that Zambia has a robust private sector-led economy and that the expo has provided a viable platform.

“Through the implementation of sound policies and measures, our economy is now witnessing a stable and favourable exchange rate, single-digit inflation, and commodity prices such as mealie-meal prices falling, companies with challenges such as Kawambwa Tea Estates and some mining houses are re-emerging and employing our people.

“Mealie-meal prices have dropped to just over K60 per 50kg of breakfast while the Kwacha is now trading below K9 per dollar, appreciating by over 80 percent in the last two years.

“I am focusing my efforts at consolidating these economic gains and ensuring that this translates in real-life gains for the majority of our people, especially the poor,” President Lungu said.

United Nations (UN) resident co-ordinator Janet Rogan said the Luapula Expo is a demonstration of energy, commitment and imagination.

Ms Rogan said the province has huge potential to turn around the nation in terms of development.

“Innovation is good for development. What is holding the people backwards? There are 15 million Zambians and so 15 million reasons to come together and develop Zambia,” she said.

Luapula Province Minister Nixon Chilangwa said the region is open for investment in agriculture, fish, tourism and energy, among others.

Mr Chilangwa said the expo came at a time when Zambia has just launched its Seventh National Development Plan.

The expo is aimed at unlocking the economic potential of the least developed province in the country.

The six-day conference has attracted over 750 local and international delegates with over 60 exhibitors.

Government says the tendency by local contractors to perform sub-standard works should come to an end.

Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, Ronald Chitotela says government is keen to see local contractors flourish in the construction industry but unfortunately some have failed to perform to expected standards.

Mr Chitotela states that the construction industry plays a fundamental role in the development of the country’s economy hence the reason government through the National Council for Construction (NCC) has embarked on a vigorous capacity building of contractors through the construction school.

ZANIS reports that the minister said this in a speech read for him by his Permanent Secretary Charles Mushota during the 8th combined graduation ceremony for national Council for construction (NCC)-Construction School in Lusaka, today.

He further said government will ensure increased access to training by rolling out NCC programmes to all provincial centers.

The minister has since urged all departments and agencies involved in infrastructure development to ensure that sustainable project packaging is implemented.

He said government is in a hurry to get more local contractors in the higher grades of NCC” Contractor Registration Grading Scheme because it is the only way to ensure meaningful participation of local contractors in infrastructure development in the country.

Mr. Chitotela further said it is government’s priority that that Zambians are in the driving seat of the construction sector despite foreign partners being brought on board.

And NCC Executive director, Matthew Ngulube said the 314 grandaunts have undergone training in various TEVETA approved skills at the NCC Construction School from June last year to June this year.

Mr. Ngulube called on the grandaunts to execute their duties professionally by making good use of the skills that they acquired and contribute meaningfully to good infrastructure development in the country.

Vice President Inonge Wina says the twinning of Lusaka province to Sichuan province of the Peoples Republic of China has opened the way for unprecedented economic, trade and tourism ties that will expedite the  transformation of Zambia and improve the lives of people.

Mrs Wina says the cooperative agreement between Lusaka and Sichuan Province’s is the tonic that was needed to spur the socio-economic landscape of Lusaka province.

The Vice President expressed optimism that Sichuan province will bring the necessary investment and best practices for Lusaka to adopt and employ in the Zambian province’s development agenda.

ZANIS reports that Mrs Wina said during the establishment of friendly and cooperative relations between Lusaka and Sichuan provinces in Chengdu in China.

Lusaka province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe signed for Lusaka while  Vice Governor Zhao Hexin signed for Sichuan province.

Mrs. Wina directed Mr. Mwakalombe to ensure that the twinning programme is a success so that other provinces follow the lead Lusaka has taken.

The Vice President said she looks forward to seeing the transfer of technology from Sichuan to Lusaka to help develop Zambia’s technology industry.

She pointed out that Sichuan province whose population stands at 91 million had invested in infrastructure and Science and Technology to spur its development and make it China’s gateway to the western world with an economy boost of over US $500 billion .

The Vice President stated that the twinning programme should take the warm friendly relations between Zambia and China to another level for the mutual benefit of both countries and their people.

Mrs Wina pointed out that China has continued to be an all-time friend of Zambia demonstrated through the financing of various developmental projects among them construction of TAZARA , new airports , hospitals and hydro power facilities .

And Secretary General of Sichuan Province People’s Congress Party Wang Pongming said Zambia and China can no longer delay the twinning programme as it offers tremendous economic,  trade and investment benefits.

Mr. Ponging said Sichuan Province remains eager to deepen economic and trade ties with Lusaka province and assist Zambia as had been done in the past by the founding fathers.

Mr Mingyong recalled that Sichuan province sent 8,000 of its people to help in the construction of the Tanzania Zambia Railways and that several Sichuan based companies are in Zambia contributing to the country’s infrastructure development.

And Mr Hexin said time was ripe for his Province to twin with Lusaka province to  spur economic growth and improve people’s lives in the two provinces.

He paid glowing tribute to Zambia’s Ambassador to China for designing  the Zambia week initiative which has subsequently opened the country to more Chinese investments.

And earlier in the day, Chongwe District was twinned to Mianyang City, which has a population of 5.4 million people and is Sichuan’s second largest city as well as China’s only designated Science and Technology city.

Mianyang City is China’s hub for Science and Technology while Chongwe has comparative advantage in agro and has been designated for education and technology research and development.

During the signing ceremony in Mianyang city, Vice President Inonge Wina said the twinning of Chongwe Municipal Council to Mianyang City will spur the development of Chongwe district and improve people’s lives.

Mrs Wina said the twinning programme will also help propel and consolidate the development of Zambia’s technology industry.

She said Mianyang city’s status as China’s Science and Technology city will bring enormous benefits to the Information Communication and Technology ( ICT) sector.

Mayor of Chongwe Geoffrey Chuumbwe and his counterpart for Mianyang City signed the cooperative agreement.

Mrs Wina said the twinning programme is part of the Economic Trade Consensus between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Edgar Lungu.

She said the twinning programme will help realize the vision of the two leaders of promoting local government cooperation between provinces and cities in China and Zambia.

The Vice President stressed that China remains a strategic and valued partner for socio-economic development dating back to the leadership and partnerships of China’s Chairman Mao and Zambia’s Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

And Lusaka province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe expressed optimism that the twinning programme will augment development in Chongwe.

The Minister said the development will open up trade, investment and economic development cooperation opportunities between Chinese businesses and Zambian businesses and locals.

And Mayor of Mianyang City Liu Chao said his City will work towards deepening mutual trade and economic ties with Chongwe District and Zambia as a whole.

Mr Chao said his City will help develop the economy of Chongwe and Zambia to improve people’s lives.

He is expected to lead a delegation of Chinese businesses and government officials to assess and explore trade and investment of Chongwe District.

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) in Kitwe distict on the Copperbelt has rejected the business community’s appeal to extend the tax amnesty to December 31^st, 2017.

This after the business community in the area appealed to the authority to extend the exercise  to December 31st , 2017.

The tax amnesty which comes to an end on July 31st this month allowed tax payers an obligation with ZRA without being subjected to penalties.

ZANIS reports that ZRA Assistant Director Tax Payer Services Deborah Bwembya says his Authority will not extend the period because the tax payers had been given adequate time to settle their debts.

“Unfortunately we won’t extend the period, we have taken note of your appeal but we had given you enough time to settle all your queries but you did not do that,” she said.

She said this during a stakeholders review meeting held at Edinburgh hotel in Kitwe on Friday.

Ms. Bwembya said there was,therefore, need to change the mindset for clients on the compliance to paying tax to allow the smooth flow of business.

“ The authority has observed that there was much reliance on tax agents by the business community who sometimes did not know what to do therefore delaying the process at the authority, ‘’ she said.

Ms. Bwembya said the system was also flooded and needed to ensure that they ease pressure to allow everyone benefit from the tax amnesty hence the need to avoid sending agents that had no idea of the procedure.

The Director also added that poor tax compliance by the clients had led to huge penalties because of late payment hence they can lobby for a reduction from the community.

“Some of you have magnitude of payments because you never used to pay, you don’t comply to the tax payment and you end up  blaming us,” she said.

She has since emphasized that ZRA will work with anyone in tax administration adding that the Authority remains eager to listen and hear the concerns raised.

Kitwe District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KDCCI) president Allan Nyirenda says the Tax amnesty policy had positively brought in a lot of tax awareness among the business community.

Mr. Nyirenda says the industry was happy with the initiative by ZRA to impact more knowledge to the clients so as to improve their business skills in the business sector.

“We are happy for this initiative from ZRA it has really given a positive impact on the business community to give them awareness and knowledge on tax and tax amnesty,” he said.

In a statement today, Ms. Mwale said NGOCC has over the years been concerned that key planning and resource allocation instruments of the Government like the Annual National Budgets have remained generally gender blind despite the glaring existing inequality between women and men.

Ms. Mwale said this has partly contributed to the country experiencing positive economic growth that has not translated into a significant reduction in poverty levels, especially among women.

The NGOCC executive Director noted that with the recently launched Seventh National Development Plan, NGOCC is hopeful that measures will be put in place in the 2018 National Budget that will ensure that no one is left behind as per the theme of the Plan.

Ms. Mwale emphasized that in the on-going 2018 National Budget consultations, NGOCC is submitting that government through the 2018 National Budget puts in place measures that will balance the need for positive economic growth and poverty reduction.

Ms. Mwale noted that NGOCC is of the strong view that allocation of adequate resources to key social sectors of the economy such as education, health, social protection and agriculture, coupled with efficient and effective implementation of the programmes under these sectors is key to poverty reduction.

And Ms. Mwale said under the education sector, NGOCC is proposing that government allocates at least 20 percent of the 2018 national budget towards the sector in improving the quality of education.

She also suggested that the priority must be given to procurement of learning materials and equipment such as computers, adding Government must prioritize the retention of the girl child in the school system in order to attain gender parity in education through the construction of boarding facilities and expediting the provision of free sanitary towels, especially in rural areas to reduce cases of teenage pregnancies and child marriages and promote hygiene.

“We note that despite the announcement to provide free sanitary towels for girls in schools around the country; this has remained a public pronouncement”

“Under the health sector, NGOCC calls on government to implement the Abuja Declaration by ensuring that the sector is allocated at least 15 percent of the National Budget and priority should go towards maternal and child health facilities and services”

“In line with improving the maternal and child health, NGOCC calls on government to expedite the completion of the remaining health posts in rural areas in order to bring health care services as close as possible to the people”

“Additionally, key to fighting gender inequality is the full implementation of the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act and the Gender Equity and Equality Act. Therefore, NGOCC calls on government to adequately allocate resources towards the operationalization of the Anti GBV Fund and the construction of places of safety for GBV survivors including facilitation of provision of related counselling services. Further, NGOCC calls on government to constitute the Gender Equity and Equality Commission which is expected to accelerate gender programming and mainstreaming in both the public and private sectors towards sustainable development”

And Ms. Mwale said to address the rising cost of living in Zambia, NGOCC is calling on government to increase further the income tax free threshold from the current K3, 300 to K5, 000 to match the high cost of living which is hindering equitable access to basic social services like health, education, water and sanitation, by most households.

“Further, NGOCC calls on government to zero rates essential food items as outlined by the JCTR Basic Needs Basket. The high VAT rate has rendered the prices of goods, especially basic needs, on the high side”

“To widen the tax base to support our above propositions, NGOCC calls on government to intensify collection of withholding tax on property and consultancies. The government, through the Zambia Revenue authority (ZRA), should conduct an analysis of property ownership to ascertain how many people own properties and the quantity of property that is on rent. Further, government should come up with mechanisms to accelerate collection of Withholding Tax on consultancies”

“NGOCC will continue to advocate for policies and budgetary allocations that will ensure the progressive realization of gender equity and equality for the benefit of both women and men, girls and boys” Ms. Mwale said