Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Charles Milupi, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring that Zambia’s infrastructure meets global quality standards while empowering local engineers and contractors with modern construction skills.

Mr Milupi says building local capacity is critical to achieving the government’s vision of delivering durable, high-quality infrastructure that stands a test of time.

The media reports that the Minister was speaking in Lusaka today during the official opening of a Construction Capacity Building Workshop organised in collaboration with Arab Contractors of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Mr Milupi explained that the workshop follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Zambian government and Arab Contractors this year, during President Hakainde Hichilema’s state visit to Egypt.

He explained that the MoU seeks to promote cooperation in construction, capacity building, and knowledge exchange between the two countries.

“We are grateful to the management of Arab Contractors for deploying highly skilled facilitators to train our engineers over the next nine days, “he said.

The Minister emphasised that President Hichilema has consistently directed that all infrastructure projects in Zambia must adhere to three key principles, the right price, the right quality, and timely delivery.

“Quality is non-negotiable. Our people deserve infrastructure that lasts roads that can withstand time and serve future generations,” he stressed.

Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Zambia Myada Esaam stated that the initiative reflects Egypt’s long-standing spirit of partnership and solidarity with Zambia.

She emphasised that the workshop aims to invest in Zambia’s most valuable resource in human capital.

“Arab Contractors are here in Zambia not just to build structures, but to share and cooperate with our Zambian brothers and sisters by investing in people. This is more than just a programme, it is a bridge of knowledge connecting Egyptian expertise with Zambian ambition,” she said.

“This partnership is built on mutual respect, shared goals, and a common vision of our two leaders President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Hakainde Hichilema for a prosperous future inspired by our long-lasting bilateral relations,” she stated.

Meanwhile, one of the participants, Job Kapundo, has described the initiative as an invaluable platform for skills enhancement and professional growth in the road and bridge construction sector.

He explained that the sessions, facilitated by experts from the Arab Contractors Institute, have focused on building the participants’ technical understanding of the materials and processes essential for quality road construction.

“Since we began yesterday, we’ve been focusing on bridges and roads, and have started learning different aspects of project management, in road works, we looked at the main materials needed for road design, including the subgrade, aggregates and bitumen. These form the key layers of any durable road,” he stated.

Four people have died in a fatal road traffic accident in Kasama District.

The accident occurred yesterday around 19:00 hours in Milambe area, 15 kilometres north of Kasama Town, along the Kasama-Mbala road.

Northern Province Police Commanding Officer, Lucky Munkhondya has confirmed the sad incident in a statement to the media in Kasama.

She said the accident happened when the Toyota Spacio bearing registration number AIC 1505ZM collided with a Ford Ranger ALT 8471ZM.

Ms Munkhondya said the Ford Ranger attempted to overtake an unknown truck and trailer, resulting in a head-on collision with the Toyota Spacio.

“The accident happened when the said driver of the Ford Ranger was improperly overtaking an unknown truck and trailer, and in the process, he collided with the stated Toyota Spacio, which was coming from the opposite direction,” Munkhondya said.

She explained that the Driver of the Toyota Spacio Raymond Chilufya, 36, and three passengers, his wife, Cilean Chisanga Nachande, and their seven –month old son, Blessings Chilufya, died on the spot.

She added that another passenger, Charity Mwila Musonda 43, died upon arrival at Kasama General Hospital, while one passenger, Violet Kangwa, 34 survived but sustained a cut on the forehead.

Munkhondya said the Driver of a Ford Ranger, 53-year-old Cephas Bwalya, and two passengers, Chisha Cornelius and Sheriff Chibwe, sustained injuries.

The bodies of the deceased are at Kasama General Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem examinations, while the injured are receiving treatment.

Preparations for Zambia’s 61st Independence Day celebrations in Lavushimanda District, Muchinga Province, have reached an advanced stage, with the District Events Committee raising close to K10,000 towards the event scheduled for October 24, 2025.

District Events Committee Chairperson Joseph Phiri said the preparations are progressing smoothly as residents, the business community, government departments, and non-governmental organizations have joined efforts to fundraise for the national event.

Mr. Phiri explained that contributions are still being received and the fundraising exercise will continue until Thursday, October 23, 2025.

“So far, the funds have started hitting our accounts, and we will only stop receiving contributions maybe by Thursday. Everything is set for Independence,” he said.

He was speaking during a preparatory meeting held at Mununga Primary School, where the committee reviewed the progress made in organizing the celebrations.

Mr. Phiri revealed that several activities have been lined up in the build-up to the Independence Day commemoration, including modelling shows and football matches, aimed at promoting community participation and unity.

Meanwhile, Entertainment Sub-Committee Chairperson Florence Chanda said the celebrations will feature a beauty pageant to crown Miss Independence and Mr. Independence 2025.

Ms. Chanda disclosed that about 10 youths are currently rehearsing for the pageant, which will take place on the evening of Thursday, October 23, 2025, ahead of the traditional flag-raising ceremony.

“The girls and boys are busy rehearsing, and the beauty pageant will take place on Thursday evening,” she said.

And an entertainment committee member, Ivwananji Sipula, confirmed that four sports teams Muchinga Queens, Mpumba Girls, Lukulu Boys, and Mununga Station — are set to compete in soccer and netball matches on Independence Day.

“The teams are ready and have been practicing on the pitch. They are all set to compete,” he said.

This year’s Independence Day celebrations will be held under the theme, “61 Years of Peace and Unity: Building a Resilient and Prosperous Zambia.”

Kafue District Education Board Secretary, Levy Matongo, has disclosed that more than 18,000 learners have returned to school in Kafue district since the introduction of the free education policy in 2022.

Mr Matongo noted that the policy has significantly improved access to education for children who had previously dropped out due to financial challenges.

Speaking during the donation of 40 desks to Chanyanya Primary school by Primrose Community Health organization, Mr Matongo said the return has been noted, especially in rural areas where many families could not afford school fees in the past.

“We have recorded an encouraging increase in enrollment numbers across both primary and secondary schools. Over 18,000 learners who were out of school have now returned to school following the free education policy,” said Mr Matongo.

He further applauded the Primrose Community Health oorganisation for supplementing the Government’s efforts in providing quality education.

“We are thankful to Primrose for this gesture; this will go a long way in supplementing the effort of the Government in providing quality education,” he said.

Primrose Community Health Organization Executive Director, Kenan Ng’ambi expressed gratitude to Kafue District Commissioner, Maurice Hikapulwe for creating a good working relationship with the organization.

Mr Ng’ambi stated that the donation of 40 Desks to Chanyanya primary school is based on complementing the effort of the Government.

“I want to thank the DC for creating a good working relationship with the organisation. This donation today is based on complementing the effort of the Government,” said Mr Ng’ámbi.

Meanwhile, Kafue District Commissioner, Maurice Hikapulwe thanked the Primrose community health organization for the gesture.

Mr Hikapulwe described Primrose as a partner in the development of the district.

“Primrose is our all-weather partner of the Government in delivering development to the people of Kafue, and we are grateful for the gesture,” said Mr Hikapulwe.

Government is set to start paying farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in the 2024/2025 crop marketing season by October 31, 2025.

Eastern Province Minister, Peter Phiri said all farmers who sold maize to FRA will be paid before the onset of the rain season.

He was speaking yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on Senior Chief Mwase of the Chewa people of Lundazi district.

And the Provincial Minister has called on the farmers to be on the lookout for fraudulent agro-dealers selling fake seed and fertilisers.

Addressing the community in Mwase area, Mr Phiri disclosed that the government has conducted a stock-take on the farmer input distribution programme.

Mr Phiri said over 250,000 ghost farmers have since been removed from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Meanwhile, senior Chief Mwase has expressed gratitude for the initiative.

The traditional leader said government means well for the people of Zambia but expressed disappointment over the actions of some people entrusted with the affairs of government.

Government has reiterated that it is committed to harmonising and rationalising salaries and conditions of service for staff in Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) institutions across the country.

Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Brilliant Habeenzu, says the harmonisation exercise will help to promote fairness, accountability, and sustainability in the management of public sector remuneration.

Dr Habeenzu said the exercise will help eliminate disparities that have historically existed between similar roles across institutions.

He has since commended the Emoluments Commission for providing leadership and technical guidance to ensure that all ministries, provinces, and spending agencies align their pay structures to the national framework as outlined in the Emoluments Commission Act No. 1 of 2022.

Dr Habeenzu said this in a speech read on his behalf by Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Bernard Mpundu during the harmonisation and rationalisation of salaries and conditions of service for TEVET institutions meeting held at Lukashya Trades Training institute in Kasama.

He disclosed that Zambia’s TEVET system currently comprises over 475 registered institutions, employing thousands of instructors and administrators, and training about 120,000 learners annually across all ten provinces.

He said the growing system demands an equitable remuneration structure that rewards skill, experience, and performance, while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Dr Habeenzu said the process is not merely a financial adjustment exercise but a step towards institutional strengthening that upholds gender equity, inclusivity, and fairness.

He further explained that fair and harmonised pay structures would boost employee motivation, reduce staff turnover, and enhance productivity across technical institutions.

Dr. Habeenzu also acknowledged the participation of union representatives, describing their involvement as key to ensuring inclusivity, consultation, and shared ownership of the process.

He has since urged institutions represented at the meeting to provide accurate staffing and remuneration data to enable the development of a realistic framework that aligns with available fiscal space.

The Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working closely with the Emoluments Commission to ensure that the outcomes of the harmonisation process are equitable, sustainable, and aligned with national development goals.

He said the Ministry of Technology and Science will integrate the outcomes of the exercise into future budgets and institutional reforms in line with the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and Vision 2030.

And Emoluments Commission Director General, Chembo Mbula, said the commission has observed inconsistencies, variations, and disparities in salaries and conditions of service across TEVET institutions as highlighted in the Mwanalushi Salaries Review Commission Report.

Mr Mbula said the commission will address the disparities and ensure fairness in remuneration, and in salaries and conditions of service that have been identified.

“For the institutions we have engaged with so far, we have noted major challenges in the salary grading structures. There is a need to put in place comprehensive measures and systems to reform emoluments management, including effective performance management systems,” Mr Mbula said.

Meanwhile, Lukashya Trade Training Institute Principal, Cephas Chitasho, said the harmonisation of salaries will help motivate workers to work harder and improve their overall performance.

Mr Chitasho added that the move will also enhance the living standards of employees in the sector.

Lusaka City Council has completed major drainage works in the Central Business District (CBD) at a cost of 20 Million Kwacha.

Council Director of Engineering Victor Chawinga says the completed drains are ready to handle the expected rains.

The media reports that speaking during an inspection of the completed works, Mr Chawingwa said the project, which stretches from the Government Complex to Lumumba Road, has significantly improved the city’s drainage network.

“We started with the Government Complex, near Intercity Bus Terminus, and that section is now completed. Even during the last rainy season, that area remained dry, showing that the system is working effectively’’, he said.

Mr Chawinga added that the council has also completed drainage works along Freedom Way, from the junction of Ben Bella Road to Lumumba Road, with only a small section remaining around Kulima Tower to be connected to the main line.

“On both sides of Freedom Way, we’ve done closed-up drainage. What is remaining is to cut inside Kulima Tower to feed into this drain, which then connects to Lumumba drainage,” he explained.

He disclosed that the initiative is part of a broader effort to rehabilitate and modernise drainage systems in the city.

Mr Chawinga however, expressed concern over the indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste into the drainages, which he said threatens to undermine the council’s efforts.

“The only challenge we have is the dumping of plastics in the drainages. This is what causes blockages and prevents water from flowing properly,” he said.

Council Public Relations Manager, Chola Mwamba, said the local authority is working tirelessly to ensure the city’s drainage infrastructure can withstand all seasons, including the rainy period.

“Lusaka City Council is working expediently to ensure that the drainage system is ready to host all seasons. We appeal to members of the public to dispose of garbage properly because throwing waste in the drainage system is what brings about blockages,” she said.

Ms Mwaba further urged the business community to subscribe to the registered waste collection companies to help maintain cleanliness in the CBD and prevent indiscriminate dumping.

“We are appealing to all residents and business owners to work together with the Lusaka City Council so that we can keep our city clean and live in a conducive environment,” she added.

Meanwhile, Kulima Tower Bus Operator, Leonard Tembo, commended the council for constructing new drainages but called for stricter enforcement of littering laws to stop people from throwing plastics into the drainage systems.

“We are happy that drainages have been created in Lusaka, but our biggest challenge is people throwing plastics. If there was a law where anyone is found throwing plastics should be paying a fine, we would have fewer blockages. Water can’t flow properly because of plastics,” he said.

Mr Tembo added that while the bus operators appreciate the new infrastructure, they are waiting for the rainy season to begin before assessing its effectiveness.

“We are feeling good that they have created drainages for us, but we haven’t yet seen how they will work. We will know once the rains start,” he said.

The Lusaka City Council has recently intensified drainage rehabilitation works as part of its long-term measures to reduce flooding and improve sanitation in the city.

The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has announced new regulations compelling mining companies to significantly increase their procurement from local Zambian suppliers.

Principal Public Relations Officer, Shamwinda Tembo, said the move is aimed at fostering the growth of local enterprises, creating jobs and building a more resilient mining value chain.

Mr Tembo told the media that the Local Content Statutory Instrument (SI), signed by Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, under the Geological and Minerals Development Act of 2025, will come into effect on January 1, 2026.

He explained that under the new framework, mining companies will be required to allocate at least 20 percent of their procurement budget to local suppliers for core goods and services within the first six months of the SI’s implementation.

Mr Tembo noted that the threshold will progressively increase to 25 percent after one year, 35 percent within two years and a minimum of 40 percent within five years.

He added that the regulations also include provisions reserving certain categories of goods and services exclusively for Zambian companies, to maximize local participation in the mining sector.

“Large contracts will be subdivided into smaller lots to allow multiple local businesses to participate,” he said.

To ensure compliance, MrTembo said mining firms will be required to develop and submit detailed Local Supplier Development Programmes to the ministry and provide annual updates on the level of local company participation.

He warned that failure to adhere to the new requirements would result in penalties as specified under the Act.

“This initiative is part of the ministry’s commitment to supporting local industry growth and enhancing economic development through sustainable mining practices,” he said.