Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde says there is no Zika virus in Zambia but is urging the public to take precautions.
Dr Kasonde says members of the public should allow their homes to be sprayed under the residual spraying for malaria to prevent the transmission of the deadly Zika virus.
The Minister said the best form of prevention against the Zika virus is protection against mosquito bites.
The Zika Virus is transmitted through mosquito bites.
And Dr Kasonde says there is no restriction on travel to and from Zika Virus affected countries.
The Minister has however, appealed to travelers to seek professional advice on potential risks and measures to reduce exposure to mosquito bites.
In a ministerial statement to Parliament, Dr Kasonde has also encouraged women of reproductive age to observe instructions on how to prevent mosquito bites.
There is an outbreak of the Zika disease in some South American countries.
And the Ministry of Health has bought two accident rescue vehicles and a command unit worth Eleven point three -million Kwacha.
The Hi-tech vehicles will reduce response time to road accidents.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Peter Mwaba says the rescue vehicles will lessen challenges faced by emergency response teams during road accidents.
Dr MWABA is optimistic that the equipment will ensure a coordinated and timely response to accidents.
He said this in a speech read for him by Ministry of Health Deputy Director Mobile Health Services Chabwera Shumba.
Dr. Mwaba has revealed that one rescue vehicle will be stationed at Kabwe General Hospital due to the number of road accidents on the Great North road.
He said the other rescue vehicle and command unit will be stationed at Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital.
Meanwhile Central Province Provincial Medical Officer Rose Mwanza said the newly procured equipment will reduce response time to accidents and help save lives.
Health authorities on the Copperbelt are concerned with the rising number of dog bites in the province.
Acting Copperbelt Provincial Medical Officer Kakungu Simpungwe says the number of people being bitten by stray dogs in the province is worrisome.
Dr. Simpungwe has since called on local authorities in the province to the apply law and monitor stray dogs.
She was speaking during the Copperbelt Provincial Epidemic preparedness and health infrastructure development Meeting in Kitwe.
Speaking at the same meeting, Kennedy Chibwe from the Provincial Medical Office informed the meeting that the Copperbelt has not
recorded any disease outbreaks such as Cholera in the past 5 years.
Dr. Chibwe said although there have been some sporadic cases of disease outbreaks such as typhoid, dysentery and measles in some districts, the province has managed to contain them.
He has called for concerted efforts from stakeholders to ensure that the province does not record any disease outbreaks.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Reverend Howard Sikwela has directed the health authorities to ensure that there are no disease outbreaks as the country prepares to hold its general election in August this year
ZAMBIA is not broke, Finance Deputy Minister, Mr. Christopher Mvunga has said.
The Deputy Minister has described the assertions that the country has depleted its reserves as myths being perpetrated by people he termed as detractors.
He said Zambians should believe in President Edgar Lungu’s leadership and know that the country was being governed by a responsible Government pointing out that Zambia’s reserves were ‘safe and sound.’
In a statement released to the media by Zambian High Commission Press Secretary in South Africa,Nicky Shabolyo, Mr. Mvunga also defended Government’s contraction of debt saying this was necessary if the country was to develop. He said Government has not borrowed for consumption but for capital projects which should spur development.
“Zambia is not broke. It’s the myths of our detractors. Our spending is being done judiciously with a lot of costs having been cut down following President Lungu’s directive in November last year.
“If we don’t borrow, how is the country going to develop. We need infrastructure in place for investment to come through. Even in homes we all borrow to undertake a venture. We are not borrowing for consumption such as to pay salaries or things like that. Go to Zambia and you will see how the country has been transformed. That is where the money is going,” Mr. Mvunga said.
The Deputy Minister said the road network across the country has been developed to such levels that there was no difference between driving in rural and urban areas.
He said Government was not worried about the debt as it was still within the allowable threshold.
Mr. Mvunga was speaking when Government officials led by Mines and Minerals Development Minister Mr. Christopher Yaluma, met Zambians living in Cape Town on Tuesday night.
Others in the entourage were Mines Deputy Minister Mr. Richard Musukwa and Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba, and officials from the Zambian High Commission in Pretoria.
And Mr. Yaluma told the crowd that Zambia did not do a good job when privatising the mines as it was made to sign agreements with the investors that have come to haunt the nation today.
He cited agreements signed on energy for the mines and taxes as some of the areas that have resulted in the country failing to maximise on benefits which should be derived from the mining sector.
Mr. Yaluma said the PF Government was remorseful after seeing people in the mines lose jobs when one of its prime objectives was to create employment.
“Of course when we went into power, we promised jobs but we have been hit by what we never anticipated with regard to the copper prices and on top of that we have a serious energy shortage in the country.
“About 9, 000 people have lost jobs from the mining sector. It was not our wish to see this happen. We engaged the mine owners before they resorted to this action and we understood that they needed to shed off workers if they were to survive. It is not only in Zambia that such things have happened but Zambia is hit by not only low commodity prices but also a serious energy shortage,” Mr. Yaluma said.
The Minister said the revised Mines and Minerals Act has been positioned to ensure that Zambians benefited from mining activities.
He told the audience that Zambia had been transformed in terms of infrastructure such that one could drive from Cape Town in any type of vehicle to Shan’gombo in Zambia.
He said President Lungu has promised to see through late President Michael Sata’s vision of ensuring that each province had a university, the country was land linked to the rest of the continent through good road network, improved health and education facilities.
“Let us pray for the next term of office for President Lungu and I can assure you will see wonders in the transformation of our country
Mr. Yaluma also bemoaned the rampant corruption in Government institutions saying this had ‘killed the nation.’
An emotional Yaluma asked a lady from the audience who said she had been having difficulties to register her engineering company in Zambia as she was being asked to pay huge amounts of money at various stages.
The Minister said he understood the procedure involved in registering engineering companies and described this as a pure case of corruption. He asked the lady to provide particulars of all the people she had dealt with in Zambia so that he could ensure that they were dismissed and prosecuted.
Mr. Yaluma, who said he had plans of venturing into power generation, invited a Zambian engineering student in South Africa to partner with him in setting up a plant.
And Mr. Musukwa said Zambians have seen Government’s resolve to transform the country from being dependent to a self-reliant one.
“What we have been doing since 2011 is to lay the foundation and then you will see the fruits in the near future.”
Mr. Musukwa also explained that Government had no difficulties in paying mining companies tax refunds except for those who had failed produce the necessary documents.
He advised Zambians in the diaspora to be careful with what they read or heard from some sections of society as there were a lot of pessimists who wanted to make political mileage out certain situations.
On the question when Zambians living abroad would start enjoying the status of dual citizenship, High Commissioner Mwamba said there were certain pieces of legislation that were yet to be worked on in order to support the implementation of the new law.
Mr. Mwamba encouraged Zambians living in South Africa to apply for dual citizenship through the High Commission.
He said he has adopted an open door policy from the time he assumed office and invited Zambians to feel free to approach the High Commission whenever they needed assistance.
Zambia High Commissioner Emanuel Mwamba speaks at the meeting with Zambians in Cape Town on 9th February, 2016Deputy Mines Minister Mr. Richard Musukwa speaks at the meeting with Zambians in Cape Town on 9th February, 2016Mines Minister Mr. Christopher Yaluma speaks at the meeting with Zambians in Cape Town on 9th February, 2016Zambia Association in Cape Town vice-chairperson Mrs. Deborah Mwale at the meeting in Cape Town on 9th February, 2016Part of the crowd at the meetingPart of the crowd at the meetingGroup photo
Government has re-affirmed its commitment to ensuring that this year’s general election is held in a violent free environment.
Minister of Home Affairs Davis Mwila has assured the nation that the police will maintain law and order before, during and after the elections.
Delivering a Ministerial statement in Parliament on the recent violent incidents at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Choma and MMD secretariat, Mr Mwila said government has taken measures to ensure there is law and order in the country.
On the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe airport incident where suspected PF cadres blocked former Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa from a Proflight plane, Mr Mwila said five people have been charged and security personnel has been beefed up at the airport.
And on the Choma incident where suspected UPND cadres blocked motorists who failed to flash the UPND party symbol, Mr MWILA said over 20 people were arrested and 11 people charged with riotous behaviour.
On the recent clashes between two rival factions of the MMD at the party secretariat, Mr Mwila said 4 people were arrested and charged with malicious damage to property.
The Minister also said government is engaging political parties to sensitise their members on the need to refrain from acts of violence.
Gabriel Namulambe
“NAMULAMBE was helped by PF to become MP, without PF he would not be what he is now; so if he says we should go kneeling to him then we are saying let us meet in the battlefield and see who is stronger,” says Patriotic Front (PF) Copperbelt chairman Steven Kainga.
Reacting to the recent decision of Mpongwe Member of Parliament Gabriel Namulambe to join the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND), Mr Kainga said that the parliamentarian had for some time de-campaigned the ruling PF.
He said Mr Namulambe was not a “deciding factor in Lambaland” and that the PF was not in any way intimidated by his departure.
‘’Honourable Namulambe is not Lambaland, for him to be called ‘honorable’ today it is because of the PF; we helped him to become who he is now. Namulambe is not a factor which should worry us, ‘’ Mr Kainga said.
The chairman said the Mpongwe MP had once asked for water at a function in Ndola Rural to demonstrate that he had washed his hands of the PF but the ruling party had continued to prosper.
He added that he campaigned against Masaiti MP Michael Katambo but the party still defeated the opposition UPND in the by-election.
“Namulambe at one point asked for water at one of the functions ….saying ‘I have washed my hands off the PF’ but ever since that time we have been watching and we have been winning; he was one person who was de-campaigning honorable Katambo in Masaiti , but we walloped them.
“So if he thinks he will win these coming elections in UPND, let him do what he thinks is right; we will meet him in the field,” he said.
Mr Kainga said it was “total day dreaming” for the UPND to claim that they had gained ground in the Copperbelt Province.
He said the information from the UPND Copperbelt chairman Elisha Matambo that a lot of PF members had defected to the opposition party was false.
‘’To claim that the UPND is gaining ground in the Copperbelt is daydreaming; recently we have won elections there including the by-elections in Masaiti and other places in the Copperbelt. So if one can say they are gaining ground how are they determining that? For us we can say we have won this and that but for them how will they convince the people? ‘’
He said UPND gaining ground on the Copperbelt was a non-starter as the region was a PF ‘‘bedroom’’.
He added that the party structures in the province were intact and the PF had continued to gain strength.
‘’So the issue of gaining ground in Copperbelt is a non-starter for the UPND because Copperbelt is the bedroom for PF; so we are still firm and all of our structures in the province are ok, no one has defected to the UPND.
“Let him show us evidence. We are commanding, the other time we were in Mufulira we received 300 supporters. It’s only that the rally didn’t take place because we would have shown him what we mean and what we are doing in the Copperbelt,’’ Mr Kainga said.
THE Chipata High Court has sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour a Petauke man who beat and killed his son over some chilli that he gave their neighbour.
Jacob Wallace Zulu, 34, beat and killed his son, Blessings, before dumping his body in a nearby bush.
Zulu was sentenced yesterday for one count of manslaughter by Lusaka-based High Court judge Mungeni Mulenga, who is sitting in Chipata.
Particulars of the offence are that on July 11, 2015, Zulu was at home when he noticed that someone had plucked some chilli from his garden.
He summoned his children over the matter, and one of them revealed that it was Blessings who had plucked the chilli and given it to the neighbour.
This angered Zulu who started whipping the boy until he sustained a swollen head. Later in the night, he discovered that his son had died in his bedroom.
Zulu then dumped the boy’s body in a nearby bush, but his wife reported the matter to police the following morning when she noticed that Blessings was missing.
When he was interrogated, the accused admitted having caused the death of his son and led police to the crime scene.
Mrs Justice Mulenga, in passing judgment, said the facts before the court depicted a sad story considering the manner in which Zulu treated his son.
“As a parent, he showed much anger by beating his son to death and later dumped his body in a bush like an animal. I hereby sentence you to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour with effect from the day of arrest on July 21, 2015,” she said.
Miles Sampa gestures the DF symbol during the radio programme on Hot FM
Announcing their defection in Kasama’s Location Suburb at a named councillor’s residence, the cadres charged that the PF has lost its founding vision of being a beacon of hope to all Zambians.
They alleged that following the death of founding party president, Michael Sata, who later became republican president, the PF has embraced people it accused of having mismanaged the country’s resources.
Radio Mano reports that the defectors said the same people that the PF has embraced have since hijacked the party, stressing that it is against this background that they decided to join the Miles Sampa led Democratic Front-DF, saying it is the only hope for Zambia.
And receiving the defectors DF-Kasama chairperson, Zebron Kashiba said the massive defections from the PF shows that the ruling party is politically finished.
Mr. Kashiba, who is former Kasama District Political Secretary, was the first to ditch PF in Northern Province to join newly formed DF.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) National Treasurer Ms Elizabeth Chitika has slammed Lunte Member of Parliament Felix Mutati for deliberately avoiding and failing to address the issue she raised earlier that he is a United Party for National Development (UPND) member who is double-dealing but pretending to be a genuine MMD member.
In an interview on Wednesday, Ms Chitika reiterated that Mr Mutati features on a 2016 UPND calendar as their party official and he is just trying to change the subject after being caught in his own web of double dealing that has exposed him as a shameless opportunist.
Ms Chitika wondered why Mr Mutati sent people to the MMD secretariat to express their views by smashing windows and breaking windows of several motor vehicles over the postponement of the 2016 MMD convention to next year. She wondered why Mr Mutati was failing to respect the final decision of the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) to hold a convention in 2017 when he respected the decision of the same party organ to forgive him and bring him back to the MMD after he was expelled with 19 others on 31st January 2015 at a NEC meeting.
“I would like to find out from Honourable Mutati whether what they did is indeed expressing their views by breaking a party office. If he is MMD, how would he want to send people to break the party office?” wondered Ms Chitika.
And Ms Chitika asked where Mr Mutati has been the last four years when the party has gone through many challenges and a lot of people left the party.
“I would also want to find out from Honourable Mutati where has he been all this time? We have kept this party from the time everybody scampered in all directions. We have invited all of them to take part in the activities of the party. They have never been there. But now that they know that there are elections coming, because they are chancers, they want to come full force and say ‘We want a convention’,” said Ms Chitika.
Mr Mutati issued a statement published in Lusaka Times yesterday in which he accused MMD President Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba of taking the MMD into an alliance with UPND. But Ms Chitika refuted these allegations saying that nothing was finalized with UPND and no MMD MP was appointed to lead any such discussions. She challenged Mr Mutati to produce written authority for any MP to talk to the UPND on behalf of the MMD.
She further noted that if indeed Dr Mumba had made any deal with UPND, it made no sense for him to stand in the January 2015 presidential by-election against Mr Hichilema. She said on the contrary, Mr Mutati accompanied by other “muselela kwakaba” MPs like Kabinga Pande and Elijah Muchima supported UPND of their own accord and had no blessings of the party grassroots, the NEC or Dr Mumba.
Ms Chitika emphasized that MMD is united and solidly behind Dr Mumba, contrary to exaggerated reports in the media that suggested otherwise. She said there are no “factions” in MMD and the rantings of a few disgruntled elements cannot be taken to be representative of any part of the MMD. She urged all MMD members to work hard and remain focused on the August 2016 election.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Peter Mwaba
The United Party for national Development (UPND) has said that the admission by the admission by Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Peter Mwaba that he is under political pressure from the PF to keep sending politicians, their friends and cronies for treatment abroad makes for very sad reading.
In a statement released to the media, UPND Chairperson for Media, Charles Kakoma said that the money that the PF Government is spending on sending people for treatment abroad can be better utilised to provide more equitable access to healthcare for all Zambian citizens.
Below is the full statement
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
UPND calls for quality Healthcare for ALL
The admission by Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Peter Mwaba that he is under political pressure from the PF to keep sending politicians, their friends and cronies for treatment abroad makes for very sad reading.
How much does it cost to send a patient for treatment in South Africa? A patient is usually accompanied by at least one person. Assuming the patient travels by commercial aircraft, the air ticket for 2 people will be K11,000, while an air ambulance will charge about K120,000. Ground transportation in South Africa is another cost.
The hospital bill for the patient depending on condition will be at least K3,000 per day. While the hotel bill and upkeep for accompanying person is about K2,000 per day. The average hospital stay for these VIP patients is about 14 days.
According to Dr Mwaba himself the average bill ends up totalling K3.6 million of taxpayer’s money for just one patient. Hundreds of patients, mostly those connected to the PF, are sent for treatment abroad by Government. Compare and contrast this with a simple K50,000 monthly grant to Kanyama Clinic.
Kanyama Clinic attends to over 200 hundred patients a day. How can this Government justify spending so much money sending patients abroad? Are they trying to convey a message that the lives of politicians, their families and cronies are more important than the rest of us? More important than the millions of Zambians who have no connections? We cannot continue like this. Such disparity in treatment is divisive and undermines equality and unity.
The money that the PF Government is spending on sending people for treatment abroad can be better utilised to provide more equitable access to healthcare for all Zambian citizens.
Sending patients abroad for treatment in itself is not wrong. However, using government resources for a select elite who are politically connected to be treated abroad is immoral. If such treatment is to be paid for by Government then it must be open to all citizens equally.
Zambia has one of the worst health indicators in the world. Infant and maternal mortality is very high. 45% of children under 5 years of age are stunted. Children are dying from preventable and treatable diseases and this Government has the audacity to spend at least K3.6 million per patient for treatment abroad. This is while we have a known shortage of 11,992 nurses and midwives.
The only way to compel the PF Government to stop abusing the facility of sending patients abroad is to publish clear criteria on what conditions qualify and ensure that the barriers that exist for the majority to be considered are removed. Furthermore, we must work urgently to reduce the amount of our healthcare budget spent sending patients abroad, as we are essentially funding healthcare systems in other countries rather than our own. This money must be used to improve healthcare delivery locally.
It seems perverse that currently those in the best position to find funding for their own treatment abroad are often those most likely to receive government funding. wish to be treated abroad will have to pay for themselves. Our goal is quality universal healthcare for all Zambians, regardless of their standing in society.
GUNVOR Oil Group owes the Zambian Government about US$2.8 million for the damage its contaminated crude oil caused to the Indeni Oil Refinery in Ndola last year.
Indeni Oil Refinery was shut down as key installations were damaged by the faulty crude supplied by Gunvor Oil Group.
The incident forced the Government to import finished petroleum products, causing a hike in pump prices of fuel.
Energy permanent secretary Brig Gen Emelda Chola yesterday said after accepting the mistake, Gunvor paid an advance of US$625,000 for the repair of the damage caused at the oil refinery.
“They have paid an advance of $625,000 and are yet to pay about $2.8 million which Indeni has assessed at the end of their maintenance of the plant,” Gen Chola said.
Meanwhile, Gen Chola has maintained that the cancellation of the Gunvor contract was final.
Gen Chola said Government had certificates from independent inspectors
contracted and have all agreed the second cargo supplied by Gunvor on January 10, 2016 was contaminated.
Gen Chola said the test results which Gunvor claims had shown that its crude oil was not contaminated was done without the involvement of Government.
“The results he (Gunvor PRO) is claiming were done without our knowledge and involvement, therefore as far as I am concerned they are not official results,” she said.
Gunvor delivered contaminated petroleum for the second time in less than a year on January 10, 2016.
Similar consignment had caused tremendous damage to the Indeni oil refinery in 2015.
But Gunvor corporate affairs manager Seth Pietras said the crude oil that the Zambian Government had refused to off-load in Tanzania was not contaminated as the organic chloride levels found in the cargo were a common aspect of the type of product and was well within acceptable standards.
Mr. Pietras said there was no need for the cargo which had been waiting at the port in Dar-es-Salaam not to be discharged immediately.
“The cargo, consisting of gasoil and naphtha, is on-spec, and we fully stand by its quality. Testing has fully verified this,” Mr Pietras said.
He claimed that certain parties outside Government were interfering in the feedstock procurement process for their own benefit and warned that if the ‘‘scaremongering’’ was left unchecked, it would put Zambia’s crude oil supply unnecessarily at risk.
In 2015, Gunvor was summoned by the Ministry of Energy after it was found that the fuel stocks delivered were contaminated and warned that should the company supply contaminated crude feedstock again, Government would revoke the contract.
But Gunvor supplied a cargo that docked on January 10, 2016, containing high levels of organic chlorides, similar to the cargo received in June 2015 which saw Government losing over US$10 million.
Subsequently, Gen Chola announced the cancellation of the contract with Gunvor, replacing it with the Independent Petroleum Group (IPG) of Kuwait.
Gen. Chola however assured Zambians that the nation still had enough fuel stock for consumption.
HH at at the Graduate Business School of the University of Cape Town
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
HH ADDRESSES UCT DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS PROGRAMME
Yesterday evening we were honoured to make an address at the Graduate Business School of the University of Cape Town (UCT) as part of their Distinguished Speakers Programme.
During the event, hosted by lecturer in emerging markets at UCT Dr Steven Rogers, I was happy to share some of my personal experiences from my time in industry and insights concerning the importance of hard work, determination and finding partners you can trust and share risks, experiences and ideas with.
When quizzed as to what can be done to help revive the Zambian economy we discussed the importance of supporting local business by reducing the cost of doing business. We advocated action to cut red tape and simplify the regulatory environment such as reducing the number of permits needed to start a business, the provision of clear and stable policies, a reduction in the number of days it takes to start a business and reducing the time and cost of transporting goods in and out of the country. These are all steps we believe to be very important in getting Zambia back on track so we can create the jobs and the revenue we need to improve living conditions and service provision for all. Most importantly we talked about the need for a multi-sector economy that can survive both the highs and lows in one part of the economy, in our case mining.
We would like to thank Dr Steven Rogers, his team and all those who attended our wonderful session.
HH at at the Graduate Business School of the University of Cape TownHH at at the Graduate Business School of the University of Cape TownHH at at the Graduate Business School of the University of Cape Town
Nine countries and four continents connect nine artist on one song
“I Am” is the latest international collaborative effort from global Hip Hop ambassador, rap artist and #HipHopEd representative AWKWORD, creator of the 2014 album ‘World View‘ that featured — for the first time in Hip Hop history — contributions from every continent on earth. As part of his ongoing effort to connect us worldwide through Hip Hop music and culture, as well as showcase the Motherland, the Diaspora and women in Hip Hop, AWKWORD connected with Nigerian-born Canadian producer Teck-Zilla, Nigerian songstress Maka and French DJ JHart to recruit an All-Star cast of emcees to join him on the “I Am” Global Posse Cut, including Latasha Alcindor (USA), Holstar (Zambia), Wakazi (Tanzania), Five Steez (Jamaica), Modenine (Nigeria), The Assembly (South Africa), and Third Eye (Malawi). Aptly entitled “I Am”, the song features 9 emcees sharing truths about their lives in their respective home countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the United States. The song will appear on AWKWORD’s 2016 EP ‘Mid-Flight’. All proceeds from the sale of the song will go toward financing the creation of the video, so all the artists can truly show who they are and where they’re from.
Zambian Rapper Holster had this to say “Proud to be a part of this Collaborative effort by Awkword Produced by Teck-Zilla…the song called I Am features on Websites such as The Source and Hip Hop Dx…what we grew up on! I feature alongside Legends such as Modenine, Five Steez, Third Eye, Latasha Alcindor, Wakazi, The Assembly, Maka and DJ Hart”
Bomb$hell shows a softer side of her personality with the release of her new single “Pa Bondi” that features T-Sean and Dimpo Williams. The song wasProduced by Jay Rox.
Minister Yaluma making his presentation at the Country Case Study on Zambia session at the 2016 Mining Conference in Cape Town on 10th February.
GOVERNMENT says it is engaging mining companies to consider different options so that the two parties could come up with consistent and predictable policies for the mining sector.
And mining houses in Zambia have hailed the Zambian Government for its continued commitment to finding lasting solutions facing the sector.
Gemfields Plc, 75% owners of Kagem Mine, and Vedanta Resources Plc, owners of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) have said that they appreciated the openness with which Government was approaching the various efforts that have been tabled so far in order for the parties to arrive at a mutually beneficial set of policies.
Vedanta Resources Plc Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tom Albanese, said during a ‘Country Case Study’ on Zambia at the on-going Mining Conference in Cape Town today that his company was proud of what the negotiating team had achieved with the Zambian Government in getting round the challenges facing the sector.
He said KCM respected the “owners of the resources in Zambia” because they realised the pivotal role that the company played in the lives of Zambians.
Germfields Plc Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ian Harebottle said his company had all the confidence in the Zambian Government which had continued making the country “an excellent investment destination.”
The two were part of a panel discussion which also comprised Zambia’s Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Mr. Christopher Yaluma, Deputy Finance Minister Mr. Christopher Mvunga and ZCCM-IH Holdings Chief Executive Officer Dr. Pius Kasolo.
The session was also attended by Deputy Minister for Mines and Minerals Development Mr. Richard Musukwa, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba, several multi-national mining investors, and business executives from various sectors.
And Mr. Albanese disclosed that KCM has made tremendous progress in repositioning itself in the last two years and could comfortably say that it was now able to withstand the current low copper prices.
“We are hopeful that there will be positive trends soon and the copper business will start coming round this year although this will not be in the range of 6 to US$8, 000 per tonne.”
He said Vedanta Resources understood the current problems, such as the energy shortage, that the Zambian Government was grappling with and would like to be part of the solutions.
On the developing consistent policies to guide the mining sector, Mr. Mvunga said Government was alive to the fact that mining was a long term investment for which owners needed to be able to plan ahead without difficulties.
“We are in constant dialogue with the mines to arrive at a consistent and predictable tax regime. We realise that there is need for a certain form of certainty as these are long term investments,” he said.
Mr. Mvunga said Government, just like many other players in the sector, realised that mining had moments of “troughs and crests”. He said Government was glad that there was still a show of optimism from the mining houses themselves.
He reminded mining companies to look at the ‘Remission rule’ governing the operations of mines in Zambia so that they could put it to use in troubled times as the current scenario.
Dr. Kasolo pointed out that trends in the mining business were of cyclical nature and that these occurrences were beyond the control of any government.
And responding to a question from the audience, Mr. Yaluma assured the mining sector that Government was not considering reintroduction of the Windfall Tax until such a time when conditions dictated so.
Mr. Yaluma said Zambia had been through a period of depressed metal prices and that Government was confident that the country would emerge out of the current one victoriously.
He said Government, the industry and all other stakeholders had their roles to play in order to reverse the downturn.
The Minister told the audience that in order to ensure growth and sustainability of the mining industry during all financial scenarios, a clear and articulate policy that sought to create a competitive, thriving and sustainable mining industry had been adopted.
Mr. Yaluma noted that Government had also adopted the revised Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2015 which was enacted to bring the law in line with international best practices.
The new law addresses among other things; the unnecessary bureaucracy in the issuance of mining rights; inadequate tenure of mineral processing licences; Mineral royalty rates, and promoting good governance, transparency, adherence to the rule of law and regular dialogue with stakeholders.
Dr. KasoloMr. Yaluma, Dr. Kasolo, Mr. Harebottle, Mr. Albanese and Mr. Mvunga on the panel discussion of the Country Case Study on Zambia session at the 2016 Mining Conference in Cape Town on 10th FebruaryMr. Mvunga making his presentation at the Country Case Study on Zambia session at the 2016 Mining Conference in Cape Town on 10th FebruaryMr. Albanese making his presentation at the Country Case Study on Zambia session at the 2016 Mining Conference in Cape Town on 10th FebruaryMr. Harebottle making his presentation at the Country Case Study on Zambia session at the 2016 Mining Conference in Cape Town on 10th FebruaryMinister Yaluma making his presentation at the Country Case Study on Zambia session at the 2016 Mining Conference in Cape Town on 10th FebruaryPart of the audience at the Country Case Study on Zambia session at the 2016 Mining Conference in Cape Town on 10th FebruaryPart of the audience at the Country Case Study on Zambia session at the 2016 Mining Conference in Cape Town on 10th FebruaryDr. Kasolo, Mr. Harebottle, Mr. Albanese and Mr. Mvunga on the panel discussion of Country Case Study on Zambia session at the 2016 Mining Conference in Cape Town on 10th February
MMD president Nevers Mumba says the party’s national executive committee (NEC) has categorically resolved to support the Patriotic Front (PF) in the August 11 general elections.
Dr Mumba said in an interview on Tuesday that: “Our position is to have a favourable alliance with the PF. That is what the NEC resolved.”
He, however, said what MMD national secretary Mwansa Mbulakulima told the nation is contrary to what NEC had agreed.
“We mandated our national secretary (Mr Mbulakulima) to work out modalities but he has not done so, hence my writing to him so that he exculpates himself,” Dr Mumba said.
And yesterday Mr Mbulakulima said Dr Mumba should clearly state whether he wants to go into an alliance with the PF or United Party for National Development (UPND).
Mr Mbulakulima said in an interview that Dr Mumba will do the country a great favour by openly and clearly stating his position on the issue of partnering with the PF ahead of the August general elections.
Mr Mbulakulima said he is surprised that Dr Mumba has questioned why he (Mr Mbulakulima) told the nation that the MMD is ready for a pact with the PF.
“The statement I gave to the nation is a true reflection of the MMD NEC’s resolution to rally behind the PF,” Mr Mbulakulima said.
He said the only thing he did not include when he announced the possible pact with the PF is the issue of conditions.
“Conditions are discussed behind closed doors, not in the public,” he said.
Mr Mbulakulima said if negotiations are to be genuine, conditions must be discussed by a committee comprising both sides to reach a win-win situation.
“The cornerstone of our pact is that the people of Zambia must be the greatest winners. So for Dr Mumba to write to me that I exculpate myself for saying MMD is going in an alliance with the PF shows lack of appreciation of my contribution to the MMD.
In a letter dated February 2, 2016 seen by this reporter, Dr Mumba warns of action against Mr Mbulakulima for declaring that the party (MMD) will go into an electoral alliance with the PF.
“Can you please respond in order to ascertain the next course of action,” the letter signed by Dr Mumba reads in part.
