PF has sunk Zambia
Opposition FDD leader Edith Nawakwi has charged that the ruling Patriotic Front has managed to sink the country in its almost five-year rule.
And Mrs Nawakwi has ruled out any possibilities of entering into a political alliance ahead of the August elections saying alliances do not work in Zambian politics.
She stated that everything that could go wrong has gone wrong under the PF rule.
Mrs Nawakwi said the Maize shortages in most parts of the country is symptomatic of the failure of the PF administration.
The FDD leader was speaking this morning when she featured on a live radio programme on Lusaka’s Millennium Radio.
“The PF has sunk the country. Because of their mismanagement, they have the Maize at FRA. We warned these guys. FRA agents are friends of politicians in government and they are the ones who have been exporting the Maize to our neighbouring countries,” Mrs Nawakwi said.
She added, “It’s not wrong to export the crop but leadership demands that people in Government should know that they are lean years and bumper years and that is why we have silos. Leaders should ensure that they secure the Maize for strategic use first before they export.”
Mrs Nawakwi said the Maize shortage is a clear confirmation that the PF has completely failed to manage the country’s affairs.
She said it is folly that the PF through Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda has continued disputing reports of Mealie meal shortages when the whole country can see that the shortage is worsening.
“It’s like your children are sleeping hungry and you are saying you are rich man. This Government found the mealie meal selling at K35 per Kg when they took over Government in 2011 but it is now at K150 per K25 in some places like Nakonde and in some places like Chipata and Central province, it is now becoming difficult to just sight a bag of mealie meal,” she said.
“If there is enough Maize, let us see it. This whole Mealie meal scandal means there is a failure in the management of government. We don’t have to drum up the fact that Edgar has failed, his failure is felt in every home and in every classroom. Our stomachs can tell us when we have enough food. People have started taking shifts in having meals in some households. So sad,” Mrs Nawakwi said.
She added, “Why should a mother going to deliver in George Compound clinic be asked to carry Jik, gloves and pegs to tie the Umbilical cord and you still think you have a Government?”
The FDD leader also charged that the increase in the number of robberies and burglaries is also a sign that the social order has broken down.
“Every day people are being brutalised, in Matero walking every evening has now become a security issue. This is now a crisis and someone needs to say something but unfortunately the President is silent,” she said.
Mrs Nawakwi said, “The economic situation is extremely depressing. It is now clear that the PF has failed to run this country. Universities are closed and people have no food. Maybe God wants to teach us a lesson that we should pray and reflect before we vote for our leaders.”
And Mrs Nawakwi says the FDD is not interested in entering into any political alliances ahead of the August elections because alliances do not work in Zambian politics.
“Even the history of Zambian politics points out to the fact that alliances don’t work. As FDD, we tried it out with the UDA, an alliance with UNIP and the UPND and you all know that story. There was also the PF and UPND pact and by now my brother Hakainde Hichilema would have been President but we all know how that ended and just recently there was the DF and Orange Alliance and we have not forgotten how it ended, we don’t want to waste or time on alliances,” Mrs Nawakwi said.
She also stated that the alliances that some political parties are entering into these days are mere endorsements.
“These are mere endorsements and i don’t know why people are getting excited. I cannot get excited over these endorsements because some of these endorsements are coming from people who have been evicted from their parties.”
Nevers Mumba warns Felix Mutati, Mr Mutati is defying a court order
Movement for Multiparty Democracy President Nevers Mumba has warned the party’s Lunte Member of Parliament Felix Mutati that he will soon institute contempt of court proceedings against the expelled parliamentarian.
The MMD President accused Mr Mutati of defying court orders through continued statements against the MMD after his expulsion, saying that Mr Mutati was trying to destabilise the former ruling party for selfish political gains.
Dr Mumba warned Mr Mutati to lay his hands off MMD saying the Luntu parliamentarian is playing a dangerous political game.
Last month, the Lusaka High Court ruled that Lunte Member of Parliament Felix Mutati remains expelled from the MMD. High Court Justice Mwamba Chanda in her ruling said the interlocutory injunction sought by Mr Mutati could not be issued to restore membership of a political party because the expulsion already occurred. Mr Mutati had applied to the High Court to restrain the MMD party from expelling him pending an application for judicial review in the Constitutional Court to compel the MMD national executive committee (NEC) to hold a national convention before the August 11, 2016 General Elections.
However, Mr Mutati has since appealed against the High Court ruling that upheld the MMD national executive committee decision to expel him from the party because the action will bar him from contesting the presidency of the former ruling party.
Mr Mutati filed a memorandum of appeal in the Supreme Court against High Court Justice Mwamba Chanda’s ruling that he remains expelled as the decision was already made before commencement of the application for an injunction to restrain the party from taking such action.
He explained that the High Court judge erred in law when she refused to grant him the injunction against his expulsion because it interfered with his rights to contest the presidency of the former ruling party.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mutati has said that it is unfortunate that MMD members that voice their concerns on the leadership of the party are slapped with suspensions and expulsions.
The MMD Lunte MP who served as Commerce Minister before the 2011 general election has further bemoaned the hand picking National Executive Committee members without subjecting the positions to elections.
Mr. Mutati has since advised MMD Leader Nevers Mumba to respect the party constitution and allow for people within the party to compete for positions.
He said this in Mansa District when he addressed hundreds of MMD leaders drawn from all the Districts in Luapula province.
Mr. Mutati is on a tour of MMD structures in the ten provinces with the aim of reviving the fortunes of the party.
And MMD national secretary Mwansa Mbulakulima noted with concern that no Members of Parliament or former cabinet ministers are on the side of Dr. Mumba.
Tractor firm, Massey Ferguson, holds Agro fair in Lusaka
Massey Ferguson Vice President for Marketing in charge of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Thierry Lhotte says his company’s agricultural fair to be held in Lusaka will act as a catalyst for ideas focused on farm mechanisation as a key driver for growth in African agriculture.
Mr. Lhotte said the forthcoming Agricultural Fair is part of his company’s strategy to transform African agriculture through inclusive and sustainable mechanisation.
He said his company has placed emphasis on the new generation of farmers, farm workers and agribusinesses and their vital role in advancing the future of African farming through the use of modern farm equipment.
Mr. Lhotte said this in Pretoria over the weekend ahead of the Agricultural fair dubbed ‘Vision of the future’ to be held from 6 to 8 April, 2016 in Chalimbana area in Lusaka.
The Agricultural fair will also coincide with the official opening of the training center at the AGCO farm in Chalimbana area.
And Mr. Lhotte disclosed that the fair which will showcase modern farm machinery designed specifically for African conditions will be the biggest spectacle of Massey Ferguson in Africa for many years.
This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Press Secretary at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa, Nicky Shabolyo.
Government supplies 400 tonnes of maize in Kasama
Government has supplied over 400 metric tonnes of subsidised maize to solar milling plants which are under the presidential initiative programme in Northern Province.
Northern Province Cooperatives and Marketing Union Manager, Daniel Mulenga, told ZANIS in an interview today that the union is in receipt of 427 metric tonnes of maize to be supplied in all solar powered milling plants that are already operational in the region.
He said the production of cheaper mealie-meal has since commenced in the province.
Mr Mulenga added that the cheap commodity will by tomorrow start being offloaded on the local market.
And he has since advised Kasama residents to start accessing the mealie-meal at NCU market.
He explained that the solar milling plant had earlier become slow in the production of the commodity due to shortage of the raw material.
However, the union leader said with the Government directive to start supplying FRA maize to small milling plants, there will be consistent production of the commodity in the area.
Mr. Mulenga observed that the move by Government will enable solar milling plants compete favourably on the local market.
He said so far 40 solar-powered hummer mills have been erected in Kasama district, adding that 30 of them are already operational.
Wina urges Chiefs to allocate more land for Agriculture
Vice President Inonge Wina has urged traditional leaders in the country to allocate more land towards agriculture development.
Mrs Wina says chiefs should partner with government and the private sector to boost agriculture production.
She said this when she called on chiefs in Mansa district.
Mrs Wina added that government is committed to developing rural parts of the Zambia .
And Chief Kalasa Lukangaba said chiefs will support and work with the government of the day .
The traditional leader said the chiefs are happy with the development projects that are being implemented in the area.
He however, urged government to speed up development in Luapula province.
Government orders replacement of deceased five fire fighting officers
Local Government and Housing Minister Steven Kampyongo has directed the Fire Services department to quickly recruit officers to take over from the five fire officers who recently died on duty in Chirundu district.
Mr. Kampyongo was speaking when he officially opened a four days Chief Fire Officers and Officers in Charge Standing Committee Conference aimed at discussing ways of enhancing the provision of fire and rescue services in the country.
The Minister said the deceased officers need to be quickly replaced and consider recruiting from their families.
Mr. Kampyongo revealed that President Lungu gave his ministry instructions to effect the provision of effective and efficient fire and rescue services as one of the priority services in the country.
He added that government values the role that the fire-fighters play in saving the lives of people and protecting property from destruction by fire in the country.
And Chief Fire Officers Standing Committee Chairperson Clement Zulu appealed to government to consider the fire policy which will give direction and proper management of fire and rescue services in the country.
Mr. Zulu further appealed for the construction of modern fire stations in all provincial headquarters and districts as well as recruitment of fire-fighters.
He also requested for the consideration of construction of fire Service College that will issue diploma and degree courses at the national fire service college.
The fire fighters demonstrated some lifesaving drills shortly before the commencement of the conference.
Mazhandu bus overturns, kills 6
A Mazhandu bus travelling to Lusaka from Kitwe was involved in a road accident around 12 hours between Kabwe and Kapiri.
On the scene sources said five people have died on the spot while the sixth victim died on the way to the hospital.
The accident happened at a place called near the Green Leaf.
Among the deceased are four female passengers and a male aged between 1 and 2 years.
One of the female deceased passengers had her bridal shower on Saturday.
And the Road Transport and Safety Agency says it is saddened by the fatalities in a road traffic accident along the Kabwe Kapiri Mposhi road involving a Mazhandu Family Services Bus.
RTSA’s preliminary accident investigations conducted revealed that the driver of the motor vehicle failed to negotiate a curve, due to excess speed.
According to one of the eye witness, the driver of the bus Kasheka Shadrick Kabange was over speeding and failed to negotiate the curve and lost control causing the bus to slip on the road.
The investigations also revealed that the driver of the bus was fully licensed.
The investigation further showed that the section of the road where the accident occurred is a curvy stretch with a speed limit of 80km/h and the road is clearly marked and that the road is smooth.
The investigations have also revealed that the road was wet as it was raining during the time the road accidents occurred.
“As the RTSA, we are saddened by the loss of lives through an accident and urge all motorist to exercise maximum patience on the roads and avoid over speeding. And following a spate of road traffic accidents by Mazhandu Family Bus Services in the recent past, the Agency will be summoning the operator to show cause why the Road Service License (RSL) should not be suspended,” says RTSA Spokesman Fred Mubanga.
HH church luncheon with the clergy was political -Kapata
THE Church must at all times resist the temptation of aligning itself to any political party in the country because that has the potential to create divisions in the country based on religion, the Patriotic Front (PF) has said.
PF elections chairperson Jean Kapata said while it was within the constitutional right of citizens to associate themselves with any political organization of their choice, it was religiously wrong for men of the collar to take political sides.
Reacting to the luncheon United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema held for selected church leaders at his residence in New Kasama on Thursday, Ms Kapata said it was religiously incorrect for the church to exhibit political alignment especially in an election year.
Ms Kapata said it was shocking that some church leaders had accepted an invitation to have lunch with Mr Hichilema when the country had a lot of opposition political party leaders who equally needed their spiritual counsel.
She said the church must endeavour to remain impartial when advising politicians and that if there was need to pray for politicians, the clergy must never be seen to select which political leaders deserved their religious counsel.
Ms Kapata however said the ruling party was happy with the three Church mother bodies, the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (ZEC) for schooling political parties on the need to end political violence.
She said the PF had remained resolute on its campaign against violence and that was why President Edgar Lungu had shown the way by decreeing that those engaged in violence would be expelled from the ruling party apart from facing the wrath of the law.
“We know that there is always a danger that some church leaders can easily abandon their religious calling and align themselves to some political parties. But our plea is that church leaders must avoid falling into the temptation of openly aligning themselves to political parties.
‘‘It is our fervent hope that church leaders will not be politically compromised during this election year because their flock belongs to different political parties. We are however shocked that some church leaders accepted to have lunch with one opposition political party leader,” Ms Kapata said.
And Ms Kapata said President Lungu had remained the most favourite in the August general elections because the PF through the Head of State had delivered to the disappointment of the opposition.
She said as the PF elections chairperson, she was determined to make sure the PF was retained into power and that she would never disappoint the party and the Head of State.
HH will be caged if he attempts to reject the results of August 11 elections, warns PF
HAKAINDE Hichilema will be caged if he is going to attempt to cause anarchy and chaos by rejecting the outcome of the August 11 general elections to make Zambia ungovernable, the Patriotic Front (PF) has warned.
The PF was reacting to Forum for Democracy and Development president Edith Nawakwi who claimed that Mr Hichilema, who is UPND president, was not going to accept the outcome of the August 11 general elections if he lost.
Ms Nawakwi accused Mr Hichilema of already acting as head of State.
PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri said Zambia has had peaceful and fair elections since reverting to plural politics in 1991 and that its leadership transition had always been peaceful and smooth and it would be unacceptable for any one citizen to attempt to plunge the country into chaos.
Mrs Phiri said Mr Hichilema claimed victory in the January 2015 presidential election long before the counting of the ballots could be concluded and that the opposition leader should avoid the temptation declare himself winner of the August general elections because that would not only be a breach of the electoral laws but would be fanning anarchy in the country.
She said in an interview that Zambia was bigger than any individual citizen and that Mr Hichilema should avoid psyching his followers that he (Hichilema) was the ultimate winner of the coming general elections because there were many other contenders in the race.
Mrs Phiri said the popularity of the UPND was dwindling and that the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) was gaining dominance in the regions where the opposition political party once enjoyed supremacy.
Mrs Mumbi said Government was not going to allow any politician including Mr Hichilema to cause confusion and that whichever leader was going to incite his or her followers to cause political consternation by refusing to accept defeat would have to face the wrath of the law.
“Mr Hichilema has been acting as if he has already won the presidency of this country but let him be prepared to accept the results of the general elections when he loses. Even in the January 2015 general elections, Mr Hichilema claimed victory long before the last ballot could be counted. But this time, let him know that he will not be allowed to cause anarchy and chaos by rejecting the outcome of the election so that the country can be ungovernable. Mr Hichilema is just an individual and he will be tamed after the general elections,” Mrs Phiri said. She stated that the PF has been praying for peaceful, free and fair elections and that God was not going to abandon Zambia because he was going to give Zambians a leader of their choice. Mrs Mumbi said in 2015, Zambia had no direction as the country during the transition after the death of Michael Sata but with God’s intervention, Zambians went through and had a new President in Edgar Lungu smoothly and without any upheavals.
She said the PF had gained a lot of support since President Lungu was elected and that the ruling party was overwhelmed with the number of aspiring candidates wishing to stand on the ruling party’s ticket.
She stated that in Southern Province, the PF was having an average of four aspiring candidates expressing interest to contest the parliamentary election and that President Lungu was going to get the best MPs in the coming election.
“We are now concentrating our efforts in the UPND strongholds and we shall make sure we get right into their ‘bed rooms’ and get the maximum votes from them. So Zambians should not be worried that there shall be chaos after the general elections,” Mrs Phiri said.
Mampi shares her life story
MAMPI MUKAPE is one of Zambia’s top artists. She has numerous hit singles and has performed in many countries around the world. she is more than a diva & talent, she is an overcomer. Get inspired by her life story.
“I loved singing from a very tender age.I sung in church every Sunday until The age of 13.When I lost my mother that’s when my life started changing,things where not the same because this affected us n dad even more,had no one to talk to as a teenager,nobody to buy me cloths and other little necessities at this time I missed my mother dearly but I knew she was not coming back.my father was devastated his only friend was mum and he could not understand and provide me with all the little things a young girl would need,I had nobody to guide me…a few years down the line my father and young brother were murdered,i became a double orphan at 16 years old…had no one to pay for my school so I could further my education,had no one to talk to other than my friends,things got real bad for me,I was so bitter with life coming from a comfortable family and losing everything just like that it was hard for me,had nowhere to sleep ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys if I was a reckless girl this is when I would have lost it and opted to prostitution because it was the toughest time of my life, I slept in the garden a couple of times I could go a day or two without food but I held on to one thing prayer and it gave me hope until my friend and her sister took me in,and I still thank God for them.I told myself I can not go on like this I need to get up and do something with my life and that’s when I started going to the studio, I used to walk from kabwata to chelston and back everyday,until my music started playing on radio but even then I performed for free for about a year or two because I was passionate about what I was doing hence gaining experience…then came Danny Kaya who actually gave my music direction through his advice from the dancehall music to the image that includes my stage costumes and stage presence and slowly my life started changing”
?#?share? mampi’s story and motivate some African girl that it is possible. ?#?africa4he
High Court upholds CCPC decision to fine Mama Africa Limited for display of a disclaimer
The Lusaka High Court has upheld the decision of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal allowing the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to fine Mama Africa Enterprise Limited 0.1 percent of its Annual Turnover for displaying a disclaimer on a receipt contrary to section 48(1) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act no 24 of 2010 (the Act).
The court clarified that putting a disclaimer on a receipt was tantamount to displaying it; as such Mama Africa contravened section 48 (1) of the Act and should therefore pay the fine.
CCPC Director for Legal and Corporate Affairs Maureen Mwanza, said in this matter a fine was imposed by the Commission on Mama Africa for displaying a disclaimer on a receipt.
Mama Africa appealed the Commission’s decision in its entirety to the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, which
Mrs Mwanza said that the enterprise further appealed the decision of the Tribunal to the High Court which in turn upheld the Tribunal’s decision.
Mrs Mwanza said the Commission wishes to convey a word of caution to traders across the country that the Commission would not hesitate to fine any enterprise that would be found abrogating the law by curtailing consumer rights and denying consumers remedies that they were legally entitled to.
“We would like to warn enterprises which take to engaging in such unfair trading practices as display of disclaimers be it on receipts or any other conspicuous place that such conduct constitute an offence punishable by law,” she said.
She said that offenders would be subjected to punitive measures as outlined in the Competition and Consumer Protection Act.
Mrs Mwanza appealed to members of the public to be vigilant and ensure that they check for disclaimers as they engage in day to day business.
Interview with ‘Fever’ Actress Valeni Dour
Valeni Dour is a 24 year old model, actress and upcoming designer. She plays the role of Monde in the Zambezi Magic hit series “fever”. Her main goal is to motivate the younger generation to be bold, so that they can make a difference.
KAPA187: Most people know you as Monde from the hit TV series ‘fever’. How did you get into acting?
Valeni Dour: My first time acting for an audience professionally was during the Dettol “hand wash” campaign, two years ago. It was such a fun experience. I got to play ‘Germy Jane’ in a short skit meant to teach children the importance of washing hands. We did the skit for 30 different schools. The kids loved it and from that point I knew I wanted to entertain.
KAPA187: Tell us about the character, Monde, and how you got the role?
Valeni Dour: Monde, who is Taonga’s wife in the show; she is an honest character I feel. Not much goes right for her. The fairytale she wishes for doesn’t come to reality. She really does go through an emotional roller-coaster. Becky (the director of ‘fever’) once told me that it was my eyes, that’s what got the role. The ability to show emotion through my eyes.
KAPA187: How have you and the rest of the cast and crew of ‘Fever’, felt about the overwhelmingly positive response the series is getting from the viewers?
Valeni Dour: It’s been amazing hearing from the public and listening to what they think of the show. It really is motivating. It’s given us the drive to do better in season two.
KAPA187: The season finale of ‘fever’ ended with a cliff hanger. Many fans of the series are excitedly waiting for season 2. When could we get to see the new season?
Valeni Dour: I can’t make any promises on when season 2 will air. But I promise we will be back, bigger, better and with more drama. It will be worth the wait!
KAPA187: The Zambian film industry is still in its infancy, what in your opinion, needs to be done to take it to the next level?
Valeni Dour: Firstly we in the industry need to support each other and work together, our only competition should be with other countries not each other. Secondly our goals should be to create quality not quantity. And lastly established artist need to start giving back, so that the communities can value and appreciate our trade.
KAPA187: Is there anything you learnt about yourself whilst working on ‘Fever’?
Valeni Dour: I never knew that I could have another family outside my own. ‘Fever’ has blessed me with a special kind of family, full of crazy, fun and creative beings. I’ve learnt so much from them. I never knew I could open up to a bunch of strangers as easily as I did with the Fever cast and crew. The reason being they are all so awesome it makes it easy.
KAPA187: Apart from being an actress, you are also a model. What inspired you to get into modeling?
Valeni Dour: My older cousin Melissa used to model in pageants, I always looked up to her. My Aunty Beauty would always dress us the same, everywhere she went I went. I was her personal mini me, ironically we share the same birthday. So it wasn’t really a surprise when I follow down the same path.
KAPA187: Do you feel it is better for models to work with an agency or freelance?
Valeni Dour: I think it really doesn’t matter. If you don’t know you’re self-value, don’t have the passion, the drive or the work ethic you won’t go far. You just have to remember, when it comes to agencies, you’re not the only one. Being in an agency is a constant competition; you have to be at your best always so that you get ahead of everyone else. Being freelance means you have to put in twice the work. Meaning you have to look for your own gigs and also find time to maintain yourself. No time to sit and relax. It all depends on you; can you trust someone else to make your dreams come true?
KAPA187: In Zambia, non-traditional jobs such as acting and modeling are at times, not taken seriously. Whereas in the western world people are able to make a comfortable living with them. Why do you think that is the case and what can be done to change the perception?
Valeni Dour: It really comes down to lack of knowledge. If you don’t know much about something, you won’t understand it and all you’ll do is assume. There are a lot of people living comfortably on non-traditional jobs it’s just not publicized as much. Non-traditional jobs are just the same as traditional jobs, the harder you work the farther you go. The only way you can change this perception is by educating people. What would your life be without Music, TV, fashionable clothing, and entertainment places to go to on the weekend? Do you know the amount of work that goes into making it all possible?
KAPA187: You are also an upcoming designer tell us more about that, and where you see yourself in the next 5 years.
Valeni Dour: I love to create and I love fashion, I’m slowly perfecting the art of putting a garment together, I’ve done a few pieces, for example the black and red dress I wore for the “Fever’ premier. In the next 5 years I want to be on an international level. I want to be even closer to God, to be married, happy and financially stable enough to give back to my community.
KAPA187: What advice would you give to a younger person who wishes to have a career in the film industry or fashion industry?
Valeni Dour: I would say, be daring, be bold, be unique and be fearless, that’s when you will get noticed. But always remember to be humble and grateful to the people around you, that’s when you will be appreciated.
KAPA187: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know.
Valeni Dour: I get excited every time I see an Audi, it doesn’t matter the make. Zein thinks it’s the funniest thing.
KAPA187: Any last words …
Valeni Dour: To all the creative people out there don’t be afraid to use your God given talents to change the world in some way for the better. And always remember to give back.
Interact with Valeni Dour on social media;
Instagram: @valenidour
Twitter: @valenidour
Facebook: Valeni Dour
BY KAPA187
Zambia is in a Debt Crunch
By David Kapoma Governance Activist
I note with concern the lack of a clear strategy by the government on how they intend to repay the Eurobond. The only thing the government announced last December was a creation of a sinking fund. Until now we do not know how much has been raised and what has been paid back towards the bond.
Today, the interest rates are at their highest in more than a decade and our inflation has gone haywire. In short our government is broke and nobody is talking about the Eurobond as a major concern. The government is living beyond its means and those close to power are too comfortable to notice that our economy is collapsing.
Just to provide some background regarding this situation. Of all the governments that have been in power, we have accumulated more debt in the last 5 years than ever before. This is also owing to the fact that the country’s economy is under intense pressure from global factors. At the point of leaving office, Dr. Kaunda left a debt of USD 7.1 billion which was inherited by the MMD. President Chiluba left USD 5.6 billion, late president Mwanawasa left 2.6 billion, president Banda left only USD 0.5 billion, late president Sata left USD 7 billion for the 3 years he was in power and finally the current debt stands at USD 9 billion under president Lungu. So far the PF has not demonstrated any willingness to pay off the debt as it was with the MMD when for former ruling party formed government.
In the recent past the PF government issued Eurobonds of USD 750 million at 5.38 percent interest per annum, followed by USD 1 billion at 8.5 percent interest per annum and USD 1.2 billion at 9.74 percent interest per annum. This means that our minister of finance needs to find USD 247 million per annum or USD20.6 per month to service the debt with just these 3 loans. The current debt the country has means that every Zambian citizen including children has a debt of approximately USD 800 that we need to pay.
Our inflation rate on food today stands at nearly 26 percent and it is expected to worsen by further 7 percent by the time we get to the last quarter of 2016. The salaries for civil servants and those in private companies have not been increased to match with the increase in inflation rates. This means that most people’s salaries have been reduced by about 26 percent in real terms. Taxes on the other hand have not been reduced to cushion the impact of current economic recession.
The amount of money our government has borrowed has put our treasury under serious financial stress. Our government is currently borrowing without caring about how the debt will be paid back. What is even more painful is that most of these loan proceeds went to road construction projects with contracts awarded to foreign companies (mostly Chinese). This means that the majority of this debt has left our country in payments to road contractors. I may not be wrong to conclude that Zambia is borrowing to develop China and again we go back to China and ask for assistance. Our country will for a long time continue servicing the debt that has actually gone to further develop China.
Our national services is well positioned to do these roads and ensure that the funds for road construction remain in our country to deal with the increasing poverty levels currently standing at 76 percent. Our universities produce engineers but we do not make use of the skills acquired.
One would have thought that when we are at the brink, we would see the bigger picture, be humbled by the reality and live up to our responsibilities. This reality should be reason enough to promote unity among political players to bring about solutions in the interest of Zambia. In the meantime however, both the opposition and ruling PF have not shown leadership in trying to come up with solutions, but instead they divert our attention by blowing petty issues out of proportion.
It is upon the president to ensure that confidence returns among the Zambian people and to the Zambian economy. President Lungu MUST provide a clear road map to put Zambia on the path to sustainable and equitable growth. At a point like this, the opposition should stand ready to support measures that will steady the economy and avoid unnecessary criticism. As citizens we must also be ready to support a growth strategy that takes Zambia where it belongs. We should demand a plan that creates a convergence; with productivity, job creation, fairness and inclusivity at the centre of our growth agenda. President Lungu should provide Zambians with a credible course for a stronger and better future.
The PF must show Zambians that they care. The government must think of the families thrown into uncertainty because their bread winners, serving our country in civil service cannot be paid on time. Think of the thousands of suppliers of goods and services to your government whose businesses are collapsing because they have not been paid.
The PF must tell the Zambian people where there are taking us and how they intend to get us out of poverty. They should not wreck the nation, otherwise the ending will be a bad one. The PF must take responsibility and should not underestimate the urgency of the situation Zambia faces. Do not underestimate your imperative to act. Please get up, report on duty and sort out the mess.
UNZA opening readiness to be assessed this week
HIGHER Education Minister Michael Kaingu is this week expected to appoint a committee to determine the University of Zambia (UNZA)’s readiness to reopen.
Government closed UNZA and the Copperbelt University (CBU) on February 3, this year, following days of violent demonstrations by students over delayed payment of meal allowances.
Dr Kaingu, however, announced in Parliament that the two institutions were scheduled to reopen on April 10, this year, subject to meeting conditions that Government set to both managements.
Among some stipulated conditions were, strict enforcement of the use of students’ identity cards and installation of floodlights, security cameras and provision of communication radios to security officers.
Higher Education public relations officer Chiselwa Kawanda disclosed that Dr Kaingu was expected to unveil a committee this week to determine UNZA’s readiness to reopen.
Ms Kawanda said in an interview that the committee would strictly determine the fulfilment of the benchmarks set by the ministry before the reopening day.
“The minister (Dr Kaingu) is expected to announce a committee either tomorrow (today) or on Tuesday this week to determine UNZA’s readiness to reopen and see if all conditions set up have been met,” she said.
Ms Kawanda said the establishment of a committee to oversee the fulfillment of the benchmarks for UNZA was similar to that of CBU.
Government last week appointed a five-member committee to determine the CBU’s readiness to reopen.
The committee members were Higher Education Permanent Secretary Owen Mgemezulu, bursaries committee secretary Ireen Chirwa, Kitwe District Commissioner Chanda Kabwe, the CBU chaplain and Copperbelt Police chief Charity Katanga.
The committee would prepare a report and recommendations to Government on whether the two universities had fulfilled the conditions and were ready to reopen.