Energy Forum Zambia says the country’s power utility company should consider revising it’s tariffs so as to attract investment in the energy sector and help reduce power shortage in the country.

Forum Chairperson Johnstone Chikwanda said in the face of current prolonged load shedding the State owned company should either increase tariffs in order to support more electricity imports or the country continue with the painful status quo.

He said there is excess power in the Southern Power Pool which can be imported to reduce the prolonged load shedding but that it could mean paying more.

He also said ZESCO should inform the nation how much the company is losing per month due to inadequate electricity from its facilities.

“Energy Forum Zambia sympathises with electricity consumers for the debilitating energy poverty being experienced not just in Zambia but in sub-Sahara Africa as a whole. On the other side of the isthmus, the Forum sympathises with ZESCO for loss of revenue during load shedding hours. It would be appreciated if ZESCO could inform the nation how much revenue is being lost per month due to inadequate electricity from its facilities.

“The Forum is of the view that there is some electricity in the Southern Power Pool which can be imported to reduce the prolonged load shedding currently being experienced in Zambia. However, ZESCO is unable to import MORE expensive electricity which in turn will be sold at a loss in Zambia. It is either tariffs are increased in order to support more electricity imports or we continue with the painful status quo. In other words, the unattractive electricity tariff in Zambia is the biggest trigger of the squalor being precipitated from this sector.

“Therefore, the tariff structure must be revised as a matter of urgency. Bulk customers and Industry consume more electricity than domestic households. This is why the biggest portion of the electricity subsidy was spent on bulk consumers and Industry compared to domestic households. Hence, the focus of the tariff increase may have to weigh heavily on the bulk customers and industry,” he said.

Mr Chikwanda also called government to establish a Central Energy Fund (CEF) which can be used to support emergency expenditure and support other sector related objectives such as the financing of the unbundling ZESCO into three entities.

“In addition, the Forum wishes to call upon government to establish a “Central Energy Fund” (CEF) as a matter of urgency. The CEF can be financed by inserting a levy in the electricity pricing model either for all customer categories or for selected customer categories as phase 1. The CEF can be used to support emergency expenditure and support other sector related objectives such as the financing of the unbundling of ZESCO into three entities.

“Unbundling a vertically integrated utility is not an easy undertaking. There is considerable preparatory work, implementation, workforce migration to new structures and post implementation phase. It cannot be achieved in 2 years. It is a costly undertaking which must be financed using different innovative avenues. Therefore, the PF Government may find the establishment of the CEF as a suitable mechanism to support such undertakings.”

Dancehall music duo, Davaos, recently released two new music videos . Both videos shot and directed by Team Red Dot

“Badman” 

“Impossible “

BY KAPA187

This is in a matter where Kayekese, the Roan constituency UPND losing candidate has petitioned the election of Chishimba Kambwili.

Kayekese is demanding that the court nullifies the election of Kambwili because of electoral mal-practices and tribal sentiments.

He further told the court that Kambwili abused his position as minister to which he (petitioner) was disadvantaged.

The case is before Ndola High Court Judge Charles Chanda.

When the matter came up for continued cross examination by the respondents defence lawyer Tutwa Ngulube on Tuesday, Kayekese maintained that the election was not free and fair.

” Every meeting that he conducted, he scandalized my name. In his meetings, he called me a thief, I stole K1 billion and that am from North Western province. So I don’t know if it is sin to come from North Western province,” Kayekese said.

” He told people that I come from North Western, so they should not vote for me. The language he used to scandalize me influenced the voters. I did not accept the results that Dr Kambwili is elected Roan MP. I still insist the elections were not free and fair.”

He said the playing ground was not free and fair because of the language that was used by Kambwili.

Asked if he does not come from North Western province, Kayekese said he was prude to come from the region.

” What is wrong with me coming from north western? The language that am a foreigner from north western disadvantaged me. The language was very bad on me and the UPND including our president (Hakainde Hichilema).”

” In terms of Roan Constituency, he won because of the hurt language and the use of government funds. I was very popular in Roan and am still. Every one knows me in Roan,” he said.

The Post Newspaper Ltd has been placed under receivership and the process of placing the newspaper under compulsory liquidation has commences.

Lewis Nathan & Company run Lawyer Lewis Mosho has since been appointed as provisional receiver in respect of all the assets of the company.

This was after five former Post employees namelyAndrew Herbert Chiwenda, Roy Haabalu, Bonaventure Bwalya, Mwendalubi Mweene and Abel Mboozi applied to the Court to have the company placed on liquidation in order to recover their terminal benefits.

The newspaper was shut down by the Zambia Revenue Authority for failing to pay millions of US dollars in back taxes on June 21.

____________________________________
NOTICE OF COMPULSORY WINDING UP
__________________________________

TAKE NOTICE that the High Court for Zambia has placed the POST NEWSPAPERS LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION) under Compulsory Liquidation and has appointed LEWIS CHISANGA MOSHO of Lewis Nathan Advocates Lusaka Zambia as Provisional Liquidator in respect of all the assets of the company.

ALL creditors, debtors and other interested parties are hereby notified for purposes inter alia of submitting their claims with the Provisional Liquidator by delivery to the address indicated below.
Lewis Chisanga Mosho
Provisional Liquidator
Post Newspapers Limited (In Liquidation)
758 Independence Avenue
Woodlands, Lusaka, Zambia

Central Statistical Office on Thursday 27th October 2016 announced a significant reduction in inflation of 6.5 percentage points that has raised more questions than answers. A drop from 18.9% in September to 12.5% in October when prices of commodities on the ground have remained high deserves explaining. There have been a number of concerns on the media and amongst the public.

Our observation like many others have observed is that the reported reduction in inflation does not indeed correspond to the current levels of cost of living. In fact Central Statistical Office has reported that prices of some commodities such as mealie meal have kept going up and so the reported reduction in inflation must have been influenced by other factors. While prices of some commodities may have reduced, it is doubtful that it could have caused such a significant reduction.

Like Central Statistical Office has intimated, the reduction in inflation has been driven by the ‘base effect’ and not so much the reduction in actual prices. The base effect is defined as the consequence of abnormally high or low levels of inflation in a previous month distorting the headline inflation numbers for the most recent month.

Looking at 2015 October inflation increased from 7.7% to 14.3%, at the same period the JCTR’s BNB for Lusaka passed the K4,000 barrier for the first time from K3,957.46 to K4,249.56. Such a shock is what is being referred to in the base effect definition.

Since inflation is calculated as a difference between the same month in the current year and that of previous year, the differences before this month of October have been relatively higher – causing inflation to be higher.

But from October we expect the differences to be lower since this is the point at which inflation drastically rose in 2015 and we have since been having prices that are around the same range. To illustrate this numerically we look at the BNB figures from last year and compare them to this year (giving an estimate for October BNB since BNB data for the month of October has not yet been analyzed).

Note: Inflation here is calculated with BNB figures for Lusaka as opposed to nationwide figures as done by the CSO for illustration purposes only.

Thus, the reduction in the October inflation is not necessarily a result of actual prices of goods and services reducing but because we are now calculating inflation over the period when it has been significantly high and therefore, similar to current prices. In other words, the rate of change of prices between October 2015 and October 2016 has reduced even though the cost of living remains high. It should also be noted that the recent increase in the cost of fuel has not been captured in the October inflation statistics but will surely be reflected in the November inflation statics. This is due to the time lag of pass through effects on fuel price adjustment.

The JCTR thus urges government and the Central Statistical Office to adequately explain these facts to the common man to avoid misinformation and the credibility of the CSO coming into question. Further, the Centre, calls on government to in its economic recovery plan to critically address the adverse effects of subsidy removal on the poor and work using the saved funds transparently in a manner that will benefit the poor and the nation as a whole.

For more information, contact the Social and Economic Development Programme of
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, P.O. Box 37774, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: 260-211-290-410 Fax: 260-211-290-759 E-mail: [email protected] Webster: www.jctr.org.zm
Or www.openbudgetsurvey.org, Location: 3813 Martin Mwamba Road, Olympia Park, Lusaka

Zamtel launches 4.5G LTE-2300 network on the Copperbelt in its quest to improve communication services, pushing forward its technology vision by deploying state of the art, cutting edge 4.5G long term evolution communication.

This deployment is a crucial step for Zamtel that will allow the company to offer innovative high-definition services to its customers on the Copperbelt and will help the company attain its vision to be technology innovation leaders on the market.

Zamtel, Government owned total telecommunications provider has officially launched its 4.5G LTE-2300 network coverage on the Copperbelt Province.

The network will enable Zamtel to offer its fixed network subscribers significantly higher data speeds, thereby enhancing customer experience on the Zamtel network.

The 4.5G LTE-2300 technology has been rolled out in Kitwe, Kalulushi, Chambishi, Chingola, Chililabombwe, Mufulira and Solwezi. The network solution will not only be advantageous to the company but to Zamtel customers as well, as customers will connect with a far more superior data experience from their homes or offices.

The successful implementation of this project by Zamtel signifies the transformation of the ICT industry on the Copperbelt and re-defines internet services and opens up numerous opportunities in ICT.

And speaking at the launch event at Sherbourne Hotel in Kitwe Honourable Brian Mushimba, Minister of transport and communications said the 4.5G LTE network roll out is part of the advance delivery of the Universal Access Phase 2 Project that the Government is implementing together with Zamtel and Huawei Technologies.

He added that the launch is a giant leap for Zamtel as it allows the company to offer innovative and data-hungry services to customers and will help the company in its quest to be technology innovation leaders in the market. “The successful implementation of this project by Zamtel signifies the transformation of the ICT industry on the Copperbelt and re-defines internet services and opens up numerous opportunities in ICT,” he says.

Tian Rui, Huawei Technologies Zambia Ltd Country Director says that the Company is excited about the official launch of 4.5G LTE-2300 which establishes the world’s most advanced LTE network. She added that Huawei, together with the Government of Zambia and Zamtel plan to roll out a world class network throughout the country ensuring that customers get access to high quality internet services and affordable prices.

Pick-ups remain one of Zambia’s top sellers in the Zambian motoring market and consumers are increasingly expecting a balance of utility and comfort from their vehicles.

Speaking in Lusaka, Southern Cross Motors general manager Anthony Voorhout says Zambian motoring trends are seeing consumers go for vehicles that can be used when building a home or simply moving farm produce for sale.

Noting the arrival of the new Mitsubishi L200 pick up, Voorhout says the model offers a unique motoring experience with increased safety and support for a vast range of motoring needs. The newly designed model has a much larger loading area, more muscular bodywork and safety improvements such as seven airbags. In the pick-up segment, the L200 is a refreshing addition to Zambian motorways and adds to the previous generations of its predecessors such as the renowned Colt and Triton.

“Motoring trends are as dynamic as people’s needs. Today’s motorist is looking for a vehicle that will serve multiple purposes. From loading home improvement supplies such as floor tiles to driving the entire family to work and school, there is increasing demand for an all-round vehicle that is both a family car and utility vehicle,” says Voorhout.

The L200 stands out from other contenders with a motoring experience that gives the driver the feel of driving a passenger car but has the versatility of a pickup. It combines traditional pick-up strength with everyday practicality and comfort. On the inside, the L200 has been upgraded to give passengers a car-like feel with its spacious cabin and other enhanced features which forms part of the interior of the vehicle, in particularly with leather seat options which gives it the feel of being a luxury-like pick-up as well as an option of an automatic gearbox for those customers who do a lot of town driving, especially in rush hour traffic.

Voorhout adds that the L200 offers an all-new driving experience with significant improvements resulting in a vehicle for city use, combined with SUV-like refinement in quality and dynamic performance. These include fuel efficiency and performance plus combined carrying and towing. We have listened to the voice of our valued customers when compiling our vast model line up together with our colleagues at Mitsubishi Corporation and have included derivatives that will cover all segments of the market. These models include Single Cab 4×2 and 4×4 derivatives and well as Double Cab 4×4 and 4×2 models in both medium and high spec suitable as workhorses and personal vehicles.

The new model is more fuel-efficient than before and can carry and tow a combined 4.1 tonnes, outshining similar vehicles in the pick-up category. And with its leather interior and clean dashboard layout, the L200 has the elegance of a “high end” motor vehicle offering more than your average pick-up.

“We’re excited about the L200 as it adds a whole new dimension to the motoring experience locally. It is as effective climbing up a hilly area in rural Zambia or navigating a building site as it’ll be comfortable on a motorway or around city streets,” says Voorhout.

The L200 was named Best Pick-Up at Auto Express, the United Kingdom’s top weekly automobile publication.