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Minister of foreign Affairs Hon Harry Kalaba meets his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry for bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Africa Union Executive council meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Pictures by Emmah Nakapizye/ZANIS
EGYPTIAN Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry has said his country desires to increase trade and investments with Zambia.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with his Zambian counterpart Harry Kalaba in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday, Mr Shoukry said his country was looking for more investment opportunities in Zambia.
He hailed the excellent relations existing between the two countries, and renewed Cairo’s invitation for President Edgar Lungu to undertake a State visit to that country.
Mr Shoukry also requested Mr Kalaba to join him in Cairo to prepare for the State visit of President Lungu.
This is according to a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Tourism at the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia Ing’tu Mwanza.
Mr Kalaba said Zambia appreciated the bilateral relations and the mutually-benefiting trade agreements which existed between the two countries.
“The Zambian Government is eager to welcome more investment from countries like yours, which we already enjoy cordial relations with,” Mr Kalaba said.
He said Zambia was the best investment destination because of its peaceful and stable nature, and it was good to know that Egypt was looking for ways to increase trade volumes between the two countries.
He said that Zambia and Egypt, being members of the African Union Peace and Security Council, should work together in spreading messages of peace and unity on the continent.
Youth and Sports Minister Moses Mawere said the Government supported the African Union (AU) declaration of the year 2018 to 2027 as the decade for technical, vocational and entrepreneur training and youth employment in Africa.
Speaking during the 31st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU, Mr Mawere said the Government supported the report because it sought to address the problems faced by the youth on the continent.
Mr Mawere said the Government had put in place measures to address challenges of unemployment and lack of entrepreneurial skills among the youth.
He cited the introduction of business and entrepreneur programmes in higher learning institutions as a measure the Government had put in place to encourage youths to venture into entrepreneurship.
Mr Mawere said through youth entrepreneurship, the problem of youth unemployment could be addressed.
The minister said to address the problem of limited access to finance, the Government operated a youth empowerment scheme which allowed young people under the age of 35 to access loans up to K50,000 without demanding collateral.
Minister of foreign Affairs Hon Harry Kalaba meets his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry for bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Africa Union Executive council meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Pictures by Emmah Nakapizye/ZANIS
President Lungu with Copperbelt Minister Lusambo flashing the PF symbol
I read with interest the Lusaka times 7/2/2017 article titled “People insult me to just gain some media coverage-President Lungu.” I wanted to offer my thoughts and an essay helpful to the current discourse on governance in our Republic.
The President scoffed that people who are speaking against the manner in which he is leading the country are only trying to get media attention to promote themselves. In particular, the President is quoted to have referred to comments that he is a dictator, as an insult. Then he went on to ridicule his detractors by bragging that he is President and therefore disinterested in rebuttals. This perhaps a copy cut jibe from one issued by U.S President Donald Trump in his on-going feud with the U.S mainstream media who 48 hours earlier Tweeted that, “I am President, they are not.” Then Mr. Lungu concluded that: “A dictator does not consult, a dictator does not take criticism. I have taken so much; I have been punched so much but I have not hit back. Obviously I can hit back and all fairness I am a human being.”
Perhaps it’s prudent to define a few terms to ensure clarity. The terms of interest here are: “insult,” “Dictatorship,” and “Dictator.” The word “insult” means either an intransitive verb in archaic usage that means “to behave with pride or arrogance” or as a transitive verb in which case it means “to treat with insolence, indignity, or contempt.”
Without the need for a Presidential interview, it can be deduced that the President of Zambia is receiving non-flattering terms of describing his approach to governing our country intransitively as pride or arrogance of those voicing their concerns and transitively as them channeling insolence, indignity or contempt of him and his position.
Further, it is judicious to look at one of the insults. Those voicing concerns over his leadership have characterized his government as a “dictatorship” and therefore him as a head of State as a “dictator.”
First, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica:
“Dictatorship is a form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations. Dictators usually resort to force or fraud to gain despotic political power, which they maintain through the use of intimidation, terror, and the suppression of basic civil liberties. They may also employ techniques of mass propaganda in order to sustain their public support. A dictatorship is a type of authoritarianism, in which politicians regulate nearly every aspect of the public and private behavior of citizens. Dictatorship and totalitarian societies generally employ political propaganda in order to decrease the influence of proponents of alternative governing systems. In the past, different religious tactics were used by dictators in order to maintain their rule, such as the monarchical system in the west.”
Second, according to the Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History:
“By Definition, dictatorships exercise extreme and extensive control over people’s lives and actions. They exert their authority through the diverse mechanisms of repression, fear, co-optation, acceptance, and approval.” (p.54)
A dictatorship is a type of authoritarianism, in which those in power regulate nearly every aspect of the public and private behavior of citizens. Such societies generally employ political propaganda in order to decrease the influence of proponents of alternate governing ideas.
Is there some merit to the descriptions of the current administration as a “dictatorship”?
In my mother’s village in Samfya District, they taught us that: “Ichikwanka bachimwena kumapmalanya” (literary means “that which catches you as you fall can be recognized by what it has done to others”). The implication is that we can compare what has happened to others or relate similar treatments in order to recognize the nature of something. Therefore, in determining whether the current administration is a dictatorship, we may take one or two approaches.
First, compare to other well-known dictatorships and isolate similarities. Second, we may read widely supported definitions of the nature of a dictatorship and compare them with the specific actions of the government to determine whether they fit together or are analogous.
In either case the Leaders of the Church Mother bodies did an excellent job in describing their misgivings about specific actions of the Edgar Lungu Administration in the Zambia and let me relate a few to the stated definitions. I cite the Bishops’ credible observations as examples and then relate each one to standard definitions of a dictatorship captioned above.
Example 1: “How can one explain the failure of the Constitutional Court to hear and exhaustively conclude a presidential petition?”
[see Encyclopedia Britannica definition of a dictatorship above: “a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations.”]
Example 2: “The political environment in Zambia, today, is characterized by manipulation, patronage, and intimidation of perceived government opponents. We urge the government to stop using state security institutions to intimidate its own nationals. The police service, in particular, must be professional and impartial in carrying out their duties of maintaining law and order. Too many of the nation’s resources and time are wasted on politicking at the expense of real development. This culture must change for the better.” [see Oxford Encyclopedia definition of a dictatorship above: “they exert their authority through the diverse mechanisms of repression, fear, co-optation, acceptance, and approval.”]
Example 3: “The selective application of the Public Order Act by the Police.”
[see Oxford Encyclopedia definition of a dictatorship above: “By Definition, dictatorships exercise extreme and extensive control over people’s lives and actions.”]
Examples 4 (a) “The plans to kill LAZ are discreditable.”
(b) “the police being used and acting like political party cadres. Police officers are supposed to and must be exemplary in following the rule of law since they are in- charge of keeping law and order.”
(c) “Our political leaders in the ruling party often issue intimidating statements that frighten people and make us fear for the immediate and future.”
(d) “Furthermore, we are witnesses to what transpired during the run-up to the August 2016 general elections when several media houses were harassed and finally closed. The recent happenings were not reported by several media houses because of the heavy presence of the Police.”
[For examples 4 (a)-(d) See Oxford Encyclopedia definition of a dictatorship above: “Dictators usually resort to force or fraud to gain despotic political power, which they maintain through the use of intimidation, terror, and the suppression of basic civil liberties.]
Example 5. “Our democratic credentials which have not been much to go by at best of times have all but vanished in this nation that loudly claims to be “God-fearing,” “peace-loving” and “Christian.”
[pullquote]dictators are human beings, they thrive on retaliating and they also consult. They just don’t consult wise people.[/pullquote]
Historically, dictatorships have used different religious tactics in order to maintain their rule, such as hoodwinking believers into the notion of the “Christian Nation.” In the Bible there are no elections, there are only selections of the chosen ones. If we transposed that to a government in a democratic dispensation, it will not fit and will constitute a dictatorship as defined above. Most importantly, can a nation or state government be a Christian nation? If this is Mr. Lungu PF government is what a Christian Nation is, then Christ surely died in vain. Truth be told, salvation in Christ is PERSONAL and never NATIONAL in nature. So “Zambia a Christian” is a utopian, unbiblical, and suck religious concept that all thinking Christians should be dismissive of as a political gimmick to hoodwink the faithful into political patronage on account of faith.
Mr. Lungu said: “A dictator does not consult; a dictator does not take criticism. I have taken so much; I have been punched so much but I have not hit back. Obviously I can hit back and all fairness I am a human being.”
This is NOT true dictators are human beings, they thrive on retaliating and they also consult. They just don’t consult wise people. They consult likeminded counselors, intellectual lightweights, and “Yes” men, mediums, diviners, and sorcerers. Aren’t we beginning to see our country becoming like our First and second Republic, or Southern Uganda or Northern Zimbabwe? There must be some consulting going on. Even Idi Amini would carry a rooster and enter a witchdoctor’s hut to consult. A dictator does consult especially in self-interest, not national interest. If Mr. Lungu does consult where are the research institutions to create and tender counsel to back public policy with empirical evidence, like all progressive governments, to improve the welfare of our people. Photo opts with the political ambassador of the Vatican to Zambia and Malawi is tantamount to political propaganda, the mainstay of dictatorships. Why not go and address the issues raised by the people who directly work will the citizens? Aren’t those the Bishops he has been hiding from for fear of the truth?
In a nutshell, His Excellence, the President of Zambia Mr. Edgar Lungu should look in the mirror and soberly reflect on the impact of this government’s actions on the people. When we call his government a dictatorship, we are not seeking to behave with pride or arrogance or describe genitals in public or insult our government. We are not trying to treat our President with insolence, indignity, or contempt. We just see, feel and recognize the type of government we have. Our desire, however, is to have our country do better. Our President is a lawyer who surely can read and write. If even us with half a brain can chronicle the deficits of hope in our country and other pertinent governing issues, what more the eminent lawyer of our Nation. If our own Leader cannot see this as a cry for better government, it is either one of three issues at play:
a) The President is insincere
b) The President is not sober when making such comments
c) it can be a case of psychological ineptitude.
In which case let me be the first Zambian to humbly ask Mr. Lungu for his resignation from the positions of President of our party the PF, and our country Zambia on account of lack of fitness for the job. It would be better to have someone up to the job than what is currently obtaining in our country. Zambia we can do better!
By Jones K. Kasonso, Ph.D., CPA, CGMA, MBA, BSc., NATech The author is a Zambian, An Accounting Professor in Washington DC and Dubai.
THE construction of a new State House will start next year and will cost about US$20 million, Minister of Works and Supply Mathew Nkhuwa announced in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Nkhuwa said this follows Parliament’s approval of Government’s proposal to build a new State House because of the deplorable state in which the current one is.
Last week, the parliamentary committee on communications, transport, works and supply recommended the construction of a modern State House. Parliament approved the proposal.
Mr Nkhuwa said during a Patriotic Front media interactive forum that an inspection of the State House main administration block established that the infrastructure which was built before Zambia’s independence more than 50 years ago, can collapse any moment.
“It’s a danger to people working there, the value for life is more than the cost [of building a new structure] because it’s not fit for human habitation. “It’s a risk to continue working in there,” he said.
The minister said the area where the new State House will be constructed has not yet been identified, but that the current State House grounds cannot be ruled out as there is adequate space for a new structure.
Mr Nkhuwa said his ministry is working on ensuring that the cost of building the structure is included in next year’s national budget so that construction works can start next year.
He said the contract for constructing the new State House will be awarded through a competitive bidding process when the money is available.
Mr Nkhuwa said houses around the current State House are also in a deplorable condition and need to be improved on.
The minister said when construction of the new State House is completed, the current one could be turned into a museum.
UPND Members meeting in the bushTHE Zambia Police Service has warned of stern action against United Party for National Development (UPND) members if they continue with their newly-adopted political strategy of holding meetings in the bush.
On Thursday, UPND Northern Province chairman Nathan Ilunga said in a statement that the party is now having its meetings in the bush for fear of being arrested by the police.
But police spokesperson Esther Katongo said in an interview that people should follow the country’s laws when holding meetings to avoid being in conflict with the law.
“Those daring the police by going ahead to hold meetings in the bush may be doing that at their own peril, because we shall not tolerate that,” Ms Katongo said.
She urged the UPND members to do the right thing before they regret their actions of taking the law into their own hands.
Ms Katongo said what qualifies a meeting to be regulated is what people are discussing.
She said provisions of the Public Order Act are clear and that it only exempts religious meetings from regulations.
MINISTER of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba
MINISTER of Transport and Communications Brian Mushimba says the establishment of a national airline is the surest way for Zambians to appreciate Government’s massive investments in the aviation sector.
And Mr Mushimba has brokered an agreement between Zambia Railways Limited and its former employees who retired in 1992, 1995 and 1998 for the payment of about K44 million to those who were underpaid.
In an interview at the ongoing Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola on Saturday, Mr Mushimba said he is happy with the US$1.7 billion infrastructure investment spread across the Zambian aviation space because it is in line with Government’s vision of ensuring that Zambia becomes a transport hub in the region.
“That’s why we want to establish our own national airline because we don’t want to be like that person who will build a nice garage only for the neighbours to come and park their cars there,” he said.
Mr Mushimba said his ministry is actively looking at the best option in terms of how the national airline will be operated.
COPPERBELT Energy Corporation (CEC) has invested over US$50 million to develop solar plants in Ndola and Kitwe to contribute to energy supply.
The solar plants, with a combined capacity of 51 megawatts, are expected to be commissioned this year in Kitwe and next year in Ndola.
CEC managing director Owen Silavwe said the corporation is committed to contribute to the energy mix arising from the power supply challenges that the country has been experiencing, by investing US$51.3 million.
“We have started with a one megawatt solar project in Kitwe to be commissioned before the year ends to cost US$1.3 million.
“The project will involve a solar plant plus power infrastructure required to connect to CEC…The 1MW will be located in Kitwe close to CBU while the 50MW will be spread between Ndola 40 MW and Kitwe 10 MW. Land for this project has been identified,” Mr Silavwe said in an interview.
He said the main purpose of the first project is to use the project to develop internal capacity of CEC engineers in undertaking and managing solar power.
As part of CEC’s corporate social responsibility, the project will also be availed to the Copperbelt University (CBU) to train students and that GIZ has identified a German institute to be twinned with the School of Engineering at CBU in partnership with the power utility.
“The university (CBU) has attached lecturers to the project. We want to make the facility available for the university to train students so that we can start to produce engineers that have capacity to work with solar technology,” he said.
Mr Silavwe said CBU and the German institute will work together to develop a curriculum for students who will be trained in solar and develop exchange programmes.
“This is very important given that the country is beginning to realise a number of solar projects. Developing our own local experts is a key component of our project and we are happy to make that available to CBU,” he said.
Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo and Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kangaja following the Parade proceedings during the 2015-2016 Pass out Parade in Geoffrey Mukuma Training School or called Sondela in Kafue District
MINISTER of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo says police will soon arrest a certain chief for allegedly sponsoring acts of terrorism in the country.
Mr Kampyongo says the public should not be surprised when such a chief is arrested and that the State is closely monitoring the activities of the traditional leader, whose name he withheld.
The minister was speaking in an interview yesterday.
“There is a chief who is involved in clandestine activities. He is sponsoring terrorist activities but I wish to warn that chief that no one is above the law,” Mr Kampyongo said.
He said Government will be very aggressive when dealing with cases of illegal activities in the country.
“We will not treat this chief with kid gloves. He knows himself, so he should stop using the youth to cause anarchy in the country,” Mr Kampyongo said.
He said this time around, Government will go beyond perpetrators and deal with the masterminds of crime.
And President Lungu has condemned the continued sabotage of public infrastructure such as Zesco installations and has warned that those perpetrating the illegality will face the wrath of the law.
There was disruption of power on the Copperbelt yesterday and in Lusaka a few days ago after unknown people vandalised some Zesco installations.
He was speaking to journalists at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday before he left for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 28th African Union Summit.
President Lungu appealed to Zambians to be patriotic and responsible by reporting to law enforcement agencies individuals bent on damaging public infrastructure.
“When you destroy the infrastructure that supports our economic growth and productivity, you are not destroying Edgar Lungu. You are destroying the future of this country and putting taxpayers’ money to waste because we keep repairing the damaged infrastructure,” he said.
The President urged Zambians to put the country first and find out who are committing sabotage because those who suffer are innocent people and not himself as head of State.
“Let them wait for 2021 when we will have another election, people will then choose again the best person to lead this country. Those who think they will bring me down on my knees by killing innocent people and destroying the infrastructure are wasting their time. Why should one be so hard-hearted just because they want to become President?” he wondered.
And Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has warned crimminal-minded people who have resorted to acts of sabotage that police will not spare them when found wanting.
Police have since offered a reward of K100,000 to anyone who may have information that will lead to the arrest of people behind such acts.
Meanwhile, some parts of Ndola were in the early hours of yesterday plunged into darkness after unknown people burnt two strategic power supply cables.
And Zesco has described the act as sabotage while Government says it will not rest until the people behind the vandalism of Zesco installations are brought to book.
Vandals burnt the two power supply cables in Hillcrest township near Levy Mwanawasa Stadium using motor vehicle tyres and charcoal, resulting in parts of Ndola losing power around 02:00 hours.
Zesco spokesperson Henry Kapata said after inspecting the vandalised cables that the damage to the cables should be condemned by all patriotic Zambians.
“What was tampered with are two cables that supply power from the Pamodzi sub-station to Mushili, Kansenshi and surrounding areas. This is being done at a time we are having foreign visitors coming for the international trade fair,” he said.
The power disruption also affected Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Mr Katapa wondered what the motive is for vandalising Zesco installations and warned that people behind the crime will be visited by the law.
He said Zesco is spending millions of Kwacha on replacing installations that are being vandalised.
And Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo, who was also at the power supply cables vandalism site, said the act was politically motivated.
“I am very angry and disappointed with this type of lawlessness. We know who are doing this, this infrastructure is not for PF, it’s for all Zambians,” he said.
Tanzania will face Zambia in the 2017 Cosafa Cup semifinals on July 5.
The Taifa Stars booked their last four date against Zambia after a 1-0 win over hosts and outgoing Cosafa cup champions South Africa in Rustenburg on Sunday.
Elias Maguri’s 18th minute goal secured Tanzania’s first meeting in the Cosafa Cup against Zambia in 20 years.
Their last meeting in the competition was in 1997.
Coincidentally that match was also played on July 5 but in Arusha in match a Alex Namazaba and Masauso Tembo were on target en route for Zambia to winning the inaugural round-robin tournament on 8 points from 4 games.
Napsa Stars are the new leaders of the 2017 FAZ Super Division season following a 3-0 home win over debutants Real Nakonde at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
The Lusaka club topple Lusaka Dynamos who were inactive this weekend because of Week 15 opponents Zanaco’s 2017 CAF Champions League commitments all this week until July 9.
All three goals for Napsa came in the second half with Youremember Banda scoring a brace in the 49th and 67th minutes.
Mangani Phiri added the third in the 75th minute to see Nakonde rooted at the bottom of the table on 8 points with just one win this season.
Napsa have 28 points from 14 games played.
Meanwhile in the late kickoff at the same venue, Nchanga Rangers failed to beat hosts Red Arrows and instead left Lusaka with a 1-1 draw.
Nchanga took the lead in the 17th minute through Adam Zukiru who then won a 57th minute penalty after he was upended by Bronson Chama.
However, Jimmy Nakena skied his spot kick.
Arrows them punished Nchanga to steal a point through a 72nd minute equaliser by Francis Kombe.
Arrows rise to 4th on 23 points displacing Zanaco who drop to 5th on 22 points.
Nchanga are 14th on the same number of points from 15 games played.
FRONTEKS, a Turkish agro-processing company, has pledged to invest an initial US$ 4 million into an agro-processing plant in Zambia.
Fronteks chairman Metin Gulec has rated Zambia as the best investment destination in Africa with incomparable incentives for investors.
Mr Gulec said Fronteks, which is also renowned for infrastructure development, will in future consider investing in real estate and infrastructure development in the country.
He said this when he paid a courtesy call on Chargé d’Affaires at the Zambian Mission in Turkey, Bwalya Nondo.
Mr Gulec assured Mr Nondo that he would use his influence to invite other Turkish companies to invest in Zambia.
He said he will announce his travel plans to Zambia as soon as internal administrative procedures are finalised.
And Mr Nondo assured Mr Gulec that his choice for Zambia as an investment destination is right because the country has the right investment climate, political stability, appropriate incentives for investors, and availability of labour.
“We are trying to encourage value addition to help create jobs and promote technology transfer for our people,” Mr Nondo said.
He also observed that Zambia is centrally located and Fronteks can take advantage this strategic position by exporting products to the entire southern African region in addition to the local market.
The Zambian mission in Ankara has been identifying and interacting with reputable Turkish agro-processing companies that manufacture products out of fruits in an effort to attract them to invest in Zambia.
This is according to the statement issued by the First Secretary for press Jerry Munthali at the Zambian embassy in Ankara, in Turkey.
Amos ChandaPresident Lungu’s special assistant for press and public relations Amos Chanda, has described those criticizing President Edgar Lungu’s trip to Addis Ababa to attend the African Union summit as totally ignorant and baseless.
The presidential spokesperson, in an interview with journalists just before the presidential entourages’ departure to Addis Ababa, explained that he is compelled to respond to these critics because their uninformed debate can mislead the nation.
“Debate in a democracy can be tolerated but uniformed debate can mislead the nation and therefore we are compelled to respond,” Mr Chanda said.
He further explained; “The African Union head of state and government summit is attended by heads of states and heads of government.”
“In this particular summit the President has a unique position regarding one assignment he will be representing all African head of states in a campaign to end child marriage therefore he has a major statement on behalf of the heads of states to present to the summit.”
He questioned those criticising President Lungu for going to attend the summit whom they expected to deliver a report tasked to him by the AU and UN.
“So I wonder those criticising, who do you want to deliver that report when the AU and UN have tasked him? He was crowned champion for the “He For She campaign” to end child marriage,” Mr Chanda wondered.
Additionally, Mr Chanda noted that all the international trips the head of state had so far embarked on had already started yielding results.
“There has been phenomenal progress made from the state visits, for example the state visit to Israel there is a green resolution happening in the country thanks to technology coming from Israel,” he said.
“We have a lot from Uganda or the environment conference in Morocco, there is no visit that has not been strategically chosen.”
He noted that President Lungu’s intent is to get as much out of Zambia’s bilateral and multilateral relations during his tenure of office.
“President Lungu’s aim is to get out as much from the bilateral, multilateral relationships Zambia has…It is total ignorance. How does someone criticise attendance of an AU summit, is he criticising the entire Africa? Anyway such criticism is baseless and does not bother us,” said Mr Chanda.
ZESCO Spokesperson Henry Kapata checking the building in New Kasama that has encroached in the ZESCO pole line
Unknown people in Ndola have burnt two major ZESCO supply lines leaving half the city and the Levy Mwanawasa stadium without power. This is barely a few weeks after a similar incident in Kafue district.
ZESCO spokesperson Henry Kapata says the lines in Hill Crest Township were burnt around 02 hours this morning plunging most parts of the city in darkness. He said some members of the public alerted the power utility that they were people burning major lines opposite the Levy Mwanawasa stadium.
Mr. Kapata says it is Economic sabotage for anyone to vandalize ZESCO installations in such a manner while the trade fair is under way in Ndola. He says most businesses houses have been affected especially those in the hospitality industry.
Mr. Kapata says the company is losing colossal sums of money through such acts of sabotage and called for an end to the destruction. The ZESCO Spokesperson was speaking when he inspected the damaged cables in the company of Copperbelt minister Bowman Lusambo.
And Mr. Lusambo has warned of stern action against all those engaging themselves in such acts of sabotage. He says government is aware of certain political players behind these destructive acts.
Mr. Lusambo says it is sad and shameful for anyone to destroy public installations at the heart of the country’s economy in such a manner. The minister urged police to pursue the culprits and bring them to book. ZESCO will provide alternative power to all the affected are
President Edgar Lungu talking to Journalists at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport before departure for Ethiopia
PRESIDENT Edgar Chagwa Lungu has said that some politicians, civil leaders are in the habit of insulting him so as to ride on his name and title so as to gain some media coverage.
Speaking to journalists before his departure to Addis Ababa to attend the African Union summit, President Lungu who laughed off accusations that he was a dictator wondered how a dictator would openly take criticism, or consult with the nation such as was the case in the decision on whether Zambia should pull out or stay in the ICC.
The head of state noted that those calling him names or insulting him are only setting a bad precedence on what the freedom of speech and opinion should be.
“I will not be distracted from doing my job because you are calling me a dictator, when I am not one, they are enjoying the coverage you are giving them when they say Edgar this. I am President so when you insult the President you get coverage and freedom of the press allows that,” President Lungu mocked.
“…So for me those who are thinking they will get mileage or prominence by insulting me, humiliating me, they are just setting a bad precedence for the freedom of speech and opinion. However, I will not take them on because I will be elevating them to my level, I am too dignified for that,” he said.
President Lungu added that he was a very busy man to reduce himself into pettiness, name calling or discourse that does not add value to the nation.
“..they should find more substantive matters when dealing with me because I am a very busy man,” President Lungu remarked.
“I met Catholic representatives yesterday and I will meet the Catholic bishops and I will hear their voice, the Archbishop spoke publicly but I will speak to him quietly and you know that is not what a dictator does.”
He mocked and questioned what kind of dictator he was if he can take criticism and indulge in consultation.
“A dictator does not consult, a dictator does not take criticism. I have taken so much, I have been punched so much but I have not hit back. Obviously I can hit back and all fairness I am a human being. But I believe people should be given enough latitude to contribute, to criticise to do checks and balances and that is what democracy calls for,” said President Lungu.
Copperbelt Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo (right) accompanied by Senior Chief Chiwala (in black cap) talks to stakeholders and investors upon flagging off the rehabilitaion of the Chiwala road in Ndola on Saturday. Picture by TISA BANDA-NKHOMA/ZANIS.
Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo has challenged companies engaged in mining and quarrying to invest in road infrastructure leading to their operational areas.
Mr. Lusambo made the challenge when he inspected the dilapidated Chiwala road in Ndola, leading to Lafarge, Ndola lime and Dangote cement among other companies.
The minister said such roads need to be in good shape to ease traffic and movement of cargo.
He said the provincial administration in Ndola will rehabilitate the Chiwala road because of the massive investment in the area.
Mr. Lusambo said the new sewer line which is being put up in mine Masala town and the rehabilitation of roads in some wards is testimony of government’s desire to improve people’s living standards.
Mr. Lusambo also inspected the newly built market shelter in his constituency.
Copperbelt Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo (second from left) accompanied by Senior Chief Chiwala (in black cap) talks to stakeholders upon flagging off the rehabilitaion of the Chiwala road in Ndola on Saturday. Picture by TISA BANDA-NKHOMA/ZANIS.Copperbelt Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, inspects road projects in Lubuto area of his constituency (Kabushi) in Ndola on Saturday. Picture by TISA BANDA-NKHOMA/ZANIS.Copperbelt Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, joins in playing football at Dambo ground in Mine Masala area when he inspected projects in his constituency (Kabushi) in Ndola on Saturday. Picture by TISA BANDA-NKHOMA/ZANIS.Copperbelt Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, joins in playing football at Dambo ground in Mine Masala area when he inspected projects in his constituency (Kabushi) in Ndola on Saturday. Picture by TISA BANDA-NKHOMA/ZANIS.Copperbelt Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, joins in playing football at Dambo ground in Mine Masala area when he inspected projects in his constituency (Kabushi) in Ndola on Saturday. Picture by TISA BANDA-NKHOMA/ZANIS.Copperbelt Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, inspects projects in Mine Masala area of his constituency (Kabushi) in Ndola on Saturday. Picture by TISA BANDA-NKHOMA/ZANIS.
Artist impression of the New State House that was to be built under the MMD proposal but was scrapped by the PF Government
Construction for an ultra-modern State House is due to begin next year after a Parliamentary committee expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the current home and office the head of state -built some eight decades ago – and MPs supported the idea.
The project results from the recommendations of the Committee on Communications, Transport, Works and Supply following its recent tour of State House where members noted that the worrying extent of deterioration of the main structure, referred to as Plot 1 on Independence Avenue.
The deterioration was described by the committee as “appalling and life-threatening”, with the Ministry of Works explaining it was costing the taxpayer millions of Kwacha annually to maintain the imposing colonial-style building.
Scores of Members of Parliament (MPs) supported the proposal to have a new State House with Housing and Infrastructure Minister Ronald Chitotela saying Government expected to start the construction in Lusaka in 2018.
Committee chairperson, Anthony Mumba, said that the current State House was built more than 80 years ago and was now in a serious state of disrepair.
Mr Mumba told the House that the committee was also concerned that Government spent huge amounts of money on piece-meal maintenance works that had little to improve the state of the building.
He said the proposed new State House would offer several other facilities lacking in the current structure and lead to massive savings on the hire of space and services.
“Apart from being old and damaged, the building is not able to cater for various state functions. State House lacks a conference and banquet hall, forcing the Government to incur high costs to hire such facilities,“ he said.
Mr Mumba, the independent Kantanshi MP said this on Thursday when he moved a motion for the House to adopt his committee’s report after its recent undertaking of various tours.
He said following the committee’s observations, it recommended for the building of a new State House, large enough to cater for state functions.
Debating on the committee’s report, Mr Chitotela said Government was equally concerned with the current ‘worn-out ‘status of State House.
The minister told the House that Government had identified some pieces of land within Lusaka where the project would be built.
He said the project would be done in a transparent manner, stressing that the construction would be done under strict measures to involve only a few stakeholders; such as his ministry, the contractor and the Office of the President, for security reasons.
Works and Supply Minister Mathew Nkhuwa said about K2 million was being spent annually by Government to maintain the current State House.
Kanchibiya MP Martin Malama (PF) said there was need for a second State House and proposed that the current one be turned in a museum for revenue collection.
He cited Malawi, which had two State Houses (one in Blantyre and Lilongwe) and that Zambia could decide where the new facility would be put proposing the tourists’ capital, Livingstone.
