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Zambian Government debt has risen by 176 percent since 2011, and analysts say that the state does not have the means to repay it.
Documents from the Ministry of Finance shows that Zambia’s total public debt is $9.75 billion dollars. This debt is made up to $6.05 billion external debt and $3.7 billion domestic debt. The total public debt has increased from $3.5 billion in 2011 to about $9.75 billion today, an increase of 176 percent.
Zambia has three outstanding Eurobonds, the first for $750 million issued in April of 2012, the second for $1 billion issued in June 2014, and the third issued in July 2015 for $1.25 billion.
But the country will struggle to pay the interest on these bonds, according to the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR), which estimates annual interest on the bonds at $240 million. The amount required to service interest and repay the principal is about $440 million annually, according to the institute.
Because the Eurobond debt is in dollars, the government will have to pay considerably more in the weak kwacha which it earns – the Zambian currency has lost about 30 percent against the dollar in 2015.
[pullquote]without a change in policy, government debt is likely to rise to over 50 percent of GDP by 2018, from 30 percent of GDP in 2013.[/pullquote]
But this is not the only portion of the debt that poses challenges for repayment, according to Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ) President Chrispin Mphuka.
“It is most likely, the Zambian government in its current form will not be able to raise the outstanding debt contracted to our Chinese lenders. The government will have to contract more debts to settle these loans,” Mphuka said in an interview with Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.
According to Mphuka, there is a shortfall of $642 million in the funds provisioned to completely settle the over $3 billion debt the Zambian government owes to China.
“The economic slowdown resulting from depressed commodity prices and low productivity has put the Zambian government under serious financial stress, and revenue collection has not only been compromised, but significantly reduced,” Mphuka explained.
The loans from China are intended to finance infrastructure projects.
But economist, and opposition Rainbow party official Cosmos Musumali told Anadolu Agency in an interview on Tuesday that the funds will have to be used to finance Zambia’s fiscal deficit.
That deficit is a threat, said Public Sector Development Association President Yusuf Dodia in an interview with Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.
“Unless action is taken to sharply reduce the deficit, there is a high risk of debt once again rising to unsustainable levels,” Dodia said.
He said that there is no monitoring mechanism to check how much the government is borrowing and repaying. According to the Auditor General’s report at the end of last year, some old debts contracted on the capital markets in 2012 have not yet been serviced, Dodia noted.
A study carried out by the Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection (JCTR) in 2014 revealed that government debt contracted between 2012 and 2013 was spent servicing loans made between 2003 and 2005.
The government may need all its funds to service outstanding debt, and will thus not have more to service infrastructure and government programs, the report said.
Dodia said that, without a change in policy, government debt is likely to rise to over 50 percent of GDP by 2018, from 30 percent of GDP in 2013.
FILE: UPND president Hakainde Hichilema following proceedings during the meeting to demand for the release of the draft Zambia constitution.
By David Kapoma
It is unfortunate that some politicians have continued starving Zambians with important information regarding their respective political parties. This is evidenced by UNPD leader Hakainde Hichilema’s failure to address the people yesterday when he featured on the Hot FM’s special program.
Mr. Hichilema failed to provide the necessary information that is important to the Zambian people but has instead continued to attack the current government baseless. He failed to provide leadership and solutions on the current challenges facing our country but instead continued with the politics as usual mentality of just attacking for the sake of it.
Much as I appreciate that Zambia is currently facing challenges both social and economical, it is not an excuse for the UNPD president to encourage Zambians to become swindlers by telling them to get money from the PF and ask them to vote for the UPND instead. The people of Zambia are looking for quality leadership that will govern the country in a corrupt free manner and ensure that peace and unity is promoted in the interest of one Zambia one Nation.
As someone vying for the highest office in the land, Mr. Hichilema should stop encouraging Zambians to be corrupt in their dealings as that is tantamount to promoting corruption and electoral malpractice in the nation especially that the country will soon be going to the polls. Mr. Hichilema should also not mislead Zambians by claiming that only an economist like him can be trusted with the running of the country’s affairs.
I want to remind Mr. Hichilema and indeed other politicians that what the Zambian people are looking for are solutions and not mere rhetoric and the blame games which have continued among politicians. Mr. Hichilema accused President Edgar Lungu of having failed the Zambian people especially on the constitution making process. I find it strange that Mr. Hichilema has seen everything wrong with the just amended constitution which has the clauses that he himself wanted in the first place such as the 50+1 and presidential running mate among others.
Much as we may not be completely happy with what has been done so far regarding the constitution, I believe that there is need to give credit where it is due. It is highly unfair for Mr. Hichilema to claim that no positive result has yielded from the constitution making process. Politicians should realise that mere politicking and condemning government alone will not help address the challenges being faced in the country.
I want to end by urging all political party leaders to desist from issuing hurtful statements and be truthful as they engage the electorate ahead of this year’s tripartite elections. If the opposition feels that president Edgar Lungu and the PF government have failed to run the affairs of the nation, it is only wise that they are seen to be providing solutions instead of merely criticizing. I therefore challenge the political parties to tell the Zambian people what they will do for our country.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) members in Lusaka Province, drawn from all 8 districts have thrown their weight behind President Nevers Sekwila Mumba and have declared that there will be no convention to elect a new MMD President because Dr. Mumba’s term expires in 2017.
Speaking at a press briefing at the MMD Secretariat in Lusaka yesterday, Lusaka Province Chairman Steven Bwalya said that Dr. Mumba was the substantive party President who was democratically elected at the MMD Party Convention in 2012 and whose term of office expires in 2017 according to the MMD Constitution. He said that there was only one Party President and currently no vacancy in the office. He was accompanied by a quorum of 16 Provincial Executive Committee members drawn from Chongwe, Luangwa, Kafue, Sibuyunji, Chilanga, Lusaka and Rufunsa.
Mr Bwalya sounded a stern warning to Mr Watson Mtonga, an expelled party member who has been issuing statements to the media and purporting to be the Lusaka Province chairman. Mr Bwalya cautioned Mr Mtonga that he is abrogating the Supreme Court ruling of 2015 that established Dr Mumba as the legitimate president of MMD and its legal presidential candidate.
“We now wish to specifically identify one Watson Mtonga, who is an expelled party member and warn him that he is abrogating the Supreme Court ruling of December 2015 and risks being cited for contempt if he continues destabilizing the party. This is his last warning and if he persists we will set the police on him very swiftly. We reiterate that Mr. Mtonga has no position in the MMD and is an impostor. We inform everyone who is working with him in disturbing Dr. Mumba’s position as President that they risk arrest,” said Mr Bwalya.
And answering a question from a journalist as to the effect of the new ruling requiring all Ward and Parliamentary candidates to be holders of Grade 12 Certificates, Mr Bwalya said the MMD is one of the parties that will have no difficulties on this issue as it has a wide membership to select from. He reminded the reporters gathered that it s a well-known fact that without the MMD, the PF would not be in power today.
Below is the full statement by the Lusaka Province chairman at the briefing.
MMD LUSAKA PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (PEC) PRESS BRIEFING
ON 7TH JANUARY, 2016 AT MMD SECRETARIAT
Members of the Media Fraternity; Esteemed Members of the MMD Lusaka Provincial Executive Committee; Esteemed members and supporters of the MMD here present.
I wish to begin by thanking all of you for finding time to attend this very crucial press briefing and wish to extend special gratitude and appreciation to the media for supporting us by attending this media briefing.
As we all know, the landmark signing of the Constitution by the Republican President is now behind us. I am sure we are all aware that this entire process has been heavily driven and supported by the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy through the able leadership of our Party President Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba who spearheaded the debate for the enactment of the Constitutional Bill through Parliament as he had articulated in the Presidential debates in December, 2014 prior to the Presidential By-election in January 2015.
As the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy, we are now geared to kick-off serious preparations for the General Elections slated for 11 August, 2016.
As the Provincial leadership of the party, we are determined to forget the unfortunate disunity and wrangles which characterized the 2015 elections where our party’s performance was dismal owing to the deep internal wrangles, causing the party to face the election split into three parts. In this press briefing, I will confine myself to three areas which are the most important as we prepare for the elections:
1. LEGITIMATE PROVINCIAL SPOKESPERSON OF THE PARTY
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to state that the committee sitting before you today is the true and genuine MMD Provincial leadership and I, Steven Bwalya, am the legitimate Provincial Chairman and with me is the full quorum of 16 legitimate Provincial Executive Committee members, drawn from the districts in the province, Chongwe, Luangwa, Kafue, Shibuyunji, Chilanga, Lusaka and Rufunsa. These are the officials who are legitimately and legally appointed as substantive members in their offices. Anyone else claiming to be a provincial official is an impostor.
Dear members of the media, I am sure you are aware of the many noisy voices which have risen up to make all sorts of confusing statements through the media and have resulted in our structures all around the country to demand an immediate stop to this indiscipline.
It is for this reason that I, Stephen Bwalya, Chairman of the MMD Provincial Executive Committee, would like to inform the general public and all media houses particularly in the Lusaka province, that I am the only appointed and authorized spokesperson of the MMD party structures here in the Lusaka Province and no other person has authority to speak for or on behalf of the MMD unless otherwise officially authorized by myself.
In view of this position, on behalf of the MMD, I would like to make an earnest appeal to all media houses to take note of this position and call upon your cooperation and support in helping bring sanity to the MMD. My full contact details are included at the end of this statement and wish to call upon all of you to be at liberty to contact me directly should you be approached by any person or persons wishing to speak on behalf of MMD structures here in the province through your media.
2. CALLS FOR A PARTY CONVENTION
Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Media, I am sure you are all aware that in the very recent past, voices have risen up to call for the holding of an MMD Convention to choose a new Party President. As Lusaka Provincial Executive Committee, we would like to categorically state that Party President Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba is the substantive Party President who was democratically elected into office during the MMD Party Convention in 2012 and according to our Party Constitution his current term of office, expires in 2017. There is only one Party President and there is no currently no vacancy in this office.
We warn all those saying Dr. Mumba is scared of a convention hence the supposed reluctance to hold one in 2016. Our President can never be scared of a convention, having subjected himself to a convention in 2012 and won with a 70% landslide victory through the MMD 50%+1 voting system. We wonder why the issue of the convention is coming from expelled members and those who left the party a long time ago to join other parties. We have information as to who is funding them and we send a warning that they will not succeed because Dr. Mumba’s position as MMD President is on very firm ground. We have noted that the voices of those asking for Dr. Mumba to step down are coming mostly from one province.
Our position is that we want to now go into the 2016 election as a united party and all those not willing to join us should stay away from MMD politics or leave the party to form their own parties or join some other existing parties because MMD is not for sale. We have persevered through many storms and we will not allow any more confusion to come to the party.
We now wish to specifically identify one Watson Mtonga, who is an expelled party member and warn him that he is abrogating the Supreme Court ruling of December 2015 and risks being cited for contempt if he continues destabilizing the party. This is his last warning and if he persists we will set the police on him very swiftly. We reiterate that Mr. Mtonga has no position in the MMD and is an impostor. We inform everyone who is working with him in disturbing Dr. Mumba’s position as President that they risk arrest.
We are extremely proud that the MMD is the only Democratic Party in the country, strictly governed by a Constitution and strong regulations and not by the whims of individuals. Having said this, we are also aware of the other Convention that was held in 2011. The holding of that Convention is the prerogative of the National Executive Committee who will be making their intentions known on this in due course.
3. START OF PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTION
As the MMD Provincial Executive Committee, we would like to state our great disappointment with the poor performance of our party in the last election. As is widely known, this was due to the deep split in the party where one group followed Honourable Felix Mutati to support and vigorously campaign for the UPND candidate while another group followed former President Rupiah Banda to endorse and campaign for the Patriotic Front candidate.
Party president Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba was left with a small group after the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling on 18th December 2015 to bar former President Rupiah Banda from unlawfully taking over the reins of the MMD. This left only 21 days for Dr. Mumba to reorganize himself to participate in the election, which predictably yielded very poor results.
With this unfortunate background, as Provincial Executive Committee, we are extremely grateful for the gallant efforts that our Party President has been making recently to rebuild and reorganize the party in the province. We are energized and determined to further strengthen our party to begin the preparations for the forth-coming elections without the confusion that engulfed the party in the last election.
As the entire country knows, the power of the MMD is in its structures which have been the target of cannibalization and destabilization by other parties. I wish to sound a word of encouragement to all our structures country wide that it is time to bury the past, let us all come back home to the MMD and strengthen our party and prepare for a resounding victory in August 2016.
To all our members, I say, let us make Zambia great again as we did in 1991. Let us deliver the people of Zambia from poverty, loss of jobs, a destroyed economy and agriculture.
To all MMD members, I say come back home. You have wondered off to strange lands and you have been gone for far too long. It’s time to come back.
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection has observed that 2015 was generally not an easy year for most Zambian households.
It said that at the tail end of 2015, the country saw ZESCO adjusting upwards electricity tariffs for both commercial and residential customers.
JCTR says the move ignited much outcry among consumers, a move that prompted President Edgar Lungu to order ZESCO to revert to old tariffs.
“Releasing its Basic Needs Basket for December 2015 and looking back through most months in the course of the year, the Centre observes that, the year saw steady increases in the cost of living for most months,” JCTR said in a statement.
It said that at the year- end, there was a general increase in the cost of living for most towns.
The Basic Needs Basket for Lusaka, for example, stood at K3, 715.47 in July but as at December, it stood at K4, 371.76 representing a K656.29 (17.6 percent) increase.
The Kitwe Basic Needs Basket stood at K2, 768.69 in July and K3, 919.58 in December representing a K1, 150.89 (41 percent) increase.
The JCTR identified some increases in prices of essential food items such as mealie meal and Kapenta and increases in prices of essential non – food items such as charcoal and wash- soap as among contributing factors to increased cost of living.
“The JCTR observes that the increase in the cost of living was taking root amidst other challenges the country witnessed and experienced. A growth in the deficit of the national budget from about K8bn to K20bn created by among others, a reversal by the PF government of the proposed mine tax regime for 2015 and the unplanned 2015 presidential election.”
This, the JCTR believes, more likely had a negative impact on the implementation of other programmes.
“For example, provision of quality health care on the part of government. It has been observed that the increased load shedding during 2015 has had a negative impact on household incomes as most people in the country earn their living in the informal sector and depend on small businesses like welding, tailoring, salons and barbershops, etc. for survival that depend on power from ZESCO. Further, there were high levels of unexpected retrenchments witnessed especially in the mining sector which eroded families of much needed incomes for survival.”
It added, “Looking through the situation in 2015, there were instances where the government put in efforts improve living conditions of the people, for example through infrastructure projects in education and road sectors and the assent to the amended Employment Act No. 15 of 2015 by President Edgar Lungu to bar casualization.”
“It is however felt that the government would have done a little bit more, especially in areas such as mining, agriculture and entrepreneurial promotion that would have had meaningful direct benefit and impact on lives of most citizens and the country.”
The JCTR said the issue of policy inconsistencies and weak stakeholder engagement by the government and their impact in reviewing 2015 cannot be overlooked especially on issues of the mining tax regime and electricity tariffs.
It said the uncertainty caused by the policy shifts have had an influence on the country’s investor confidence and economy as a whole.
“The depreciating Kwacha that managed to stabilize at the end of 2015 and closed at ZMW 10.97 to USD 1, also contributed to the hardships experienced and inflicted on families in 2015. This demeaned the human dignity of these families as most people faced challenges to access essentials that safeguards human dignity like nutritious food following for example the rise in prices as depicted by the JCTR Basic Needs Basket and much retrenchments witnessed.”
Looking forward, JCTR urges the Government in 2016, to identify and implement programmes and policies that would have direct positive benefit and impact on lives of majority poor Zambians.
FILE: President Sata views the New Terminal Model of KK international airport
The Zambia Airports Corporation has announced that it will transform the existing Kenneth Kaunda International Airport into a domestic terminal.
This is part of the Corporation’s infrastructure development projects aimed at upgrading the four international airports namely Kenneth Kaunda, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Mfuwe.
In a statement, Zambia Airports Corporation Limited Spokesperson Mweembe Sikaulu said these infrastructure development projects were embarked on in a quest for better passenger and cargo facilitation.
Ms. Sikaulu said the on-going work at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is at a cost of nearly US$360 million exclusive of local taxes and is being carried out by China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation.
“Part of the scope of work is the rehabilitation and refurbishment of the existing airport which shall be turned into a domestic terminal once the newly constructed international terminal is complete,” she said.
China Jiangxi has subcontracted a local consultancy firm, Zulu Development Consultancy to design as is and make proposals on the rehabilitation of the terminal that will house executive lounges, charters, low cost carriers, general aviation, café’s, restaurants, banks and other amenities.
“We are appealing to the travelling public to bear with us through this process as services will be affected though we shall try by all means to keep them running with minimal invasion possible considering the circumstances,” Ms Sikaulu said.
She however said that once done, Zambia Airports shall deliver an upgraded terminal building with international standards that will rival others in the region.
“The scope of work at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport includes the construction of a four (4) million capacity international terminal building with six (6) aero bridges. There will also be construction of a thirty (30) room capacity in-transit hotel as well as a seventy (70) room non-transit passenger hotel.”
China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation are also expected to construct new taxiways, aprons, rescue and fire services stations, landside and airside driveways as well as an Air Traffic Control Tower.
The Kenneth Kaunda International Airport upgrade project is anticipated to be completed in 2018.
It’s a new year so I wanted to push myself to share recipes that I haven’t shared before; and recipes that delve a bit deeper into Zambian culture. One thing that I know a lot of Zambians eat is Ichifu/Beef Tripe; however, it can be a bit “hit and miss” if it’s not cooked well. It does require some “tender loving care” in order to get the desired effect and flavours, so here’s my personal recipe to get you to love it as much as I do.
Preparation and cooking time: 1- 2 hours (depending on how long it takes for the tripe to soften)
Serves: 4 people (or more)
Ingredients
1 kg of Beef Tripe
2 tsps Garlic and herb seasoning
3 cloves of garlic (optional)
Salt (to taste)
2 tsps paprika (optional)
2 tsps Curry powder
1 large onion, chopped
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsps vegetable oil
Method
Thoroughly wash your tripe. After washing it use a sharp knife to cut it into medium sized pieces and place it into a deep pot.
Add enough water to cover the tripe, add salt, paprika, curry powder and garlic and herb seasoning,
Bring to the boil, then reduce it to a low heat and allow it to simmer until the tripe is tender and cooked through. The water should have reduced a lot, but if there is still excess water discard most of it. Add oil, chopped garlic and onion to the tripe. Increase the heat and fry it for about 2 minutes.
Add your chopped tomatoes and fry for a further 3-5 minutes. Add salt to taste.
You can use a pressure cooker to cook this. You can also use a tin of tomatoes as a pose to fresh tomatoes.
Serving
There you have your delicious tender and tasty tripe. Enjoy this with greens and nshima, rice; or you can prepare it as a stew and enjoy it with a side of fresh bread. Either way it is guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Enjoy!!
Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.
You can find her work onwww.kantakakes.com. Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.
Steven Kampyongo
MINISTER of Local Government and Housing Stephen Kampyongo has directed the Kitwe City Council (KCC) to raze structures that some residents have illegally constructed across the Kafue River in Mufuchani area.
Mr Kampyongo has also directed the local authority in Kitwe to abide by the new employment laws that forbid casualisation and unjustified termination of contracts for employees.
He said the local authority should address the problem of illegality across Mufuchani Bridge before the situation gets out of hand.
“We cannot have this. This has to come down. The council should immediately demolish these illegal structures,” said Mr Kampyongo when he toured Mufuchani Bridge, which is nearing completion.
He said Government is not against the idea of people owning land but it is important that the right procedures are followed by all citizens when acquiring land.
“We shall give plots normally when the area is properly planned.
Things should be done properly,” he said.
And speaking earlier when he addressed Mufuchani residents that have been living in the area for a long time, Mr Kampyongo urged them to be vigilant and not allow ‘unscrupulous’ people to build structures illegally.
He urged the residents to submit a list of residents to the local authority so that no strangers claim that they also live there.
Kitwe town clerk Bornwell Luanga said the local authority would soon implement the minister’s directive to raze the illegal structures.
“We cannot tell you when it will be done because we will be alerting those people but it will be soon,” Mr Luanga said.
On casualisation and unjustified termination of contracts for workers,
Mr Kampyongo said Kitwe City Council and other local authorities must be shining examples in abiding by the new law.
He said the law is meant not only for private companies but for all institutions.
“The Act of Parliament has been passed on the ban of casualisation.
Kitwe City Council needs to observe the law when employing people. This directive should also apply to all other councils,” Mr Kampyongo said.
He said Government will not entertain employers who will be found wanting of abrogating the new law on the ban of casualisation and unfair dismissal of workers.
President Lungu last week signed the Employment Act banning casualisation and unjustified termination of employment in the country.
GOVERNMENT is next week scheduled to sign contracts for additional 200 megawatts (MW) emergency power supply from four inland thermal power plants to help cushion the power deficit in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces.
Minister of Energy and Water Development Dora Siliya said at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that Government is also next week expected to award contracts for the procurement of 300 MW from solar power plants.
“The government, through Zesco, contracted 148MW emergency power from Aggreko. This power, which is from a gas power plant in Mozambique, started flowing on Wednesday, September 9 last year and is being delivered daily from 06:00 hours to 22:00 hours.
“The cost for this power is US$13.1 million per month. However, from January this year, this emergency power supply by Aggreko has dropped to 40MW as the company had earlier committed 108MW to other customers,” Ms Siliya said.
She said it is in this view that Government is this year putting in place additional interventions aimed at cushioning the shortage of power in the country expected to cost US$1.2 billion.
Ms Siliya said to reduce the national deficit further, 200MW will be imported from Karpowership of Turkey, which will be docked at the Port of Nacala in Mozambique.
She said Government is also spending US$20 million on the procurement and distribution of energy-saving bulbs.
Ms Siliya also directed Zesco Limited to immediately revert to the old electricity tariffs in line with President Lungu’s directive.
She also directed Zesco and the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to immediately find ways of effecting reasonable tariffs for domestic users by February 1 this year.
Ms Siliya said ERB with the support of the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) will soon embark on an industry-wide cost of service study, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.
President Edgar Lungu at Statehouse in Ceremony on Thursady 7th January 2016. Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/Statehouse.
SPECIAL representative of the Chinese government on African Affairs Zhong Jianhua has arrived in Zambia for a comprehensive consultative meeting with President Lungu.
His two-day visit is a follow-up to the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) summit, held in South Africa late last year.
Mr Zhong said on arrival yesterday that the consultative meeting will be on implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC summit.
“The FOCAC summit was a success at which China announced a huge plan to implement different development programmes in Africa. I am here to see how the implementation of such a plan can be done,” Mr Zhong said.
At the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged a US$60 billion 10-point financial support plan for Africa over the next three years.
In the plan, China also announced that it would cancel the debts of African countries which matured end of December 2015.
Each African country is expected to negotiate with China for agreements, including debt cancellation, to be implemented under the package.
Mr Zhong also said he is in the country to convey a special message from the Chinese government on the continued bilateral and multilateral relations between China and Zambia.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Zambia in the implementation of not only the FOCAC summit outcomes but also other multilateral affairs of mutual interest.
Mr Zhong was met on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Chalwe Lombe and other senior government officials.
Mr Lombe praised China for its commitment to helping Zambia in implementing various development programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the people.
He said Zambia and China have enjoyed excellent relations and that it is a privilege for the country to be among the first few countries to be visited shortly after the summit to discuss implementation of the summit outcomes.
SINAZONGWE District Council in Southern Province has confiscated expired food and other products from various outlets and markets in a quest to enforce the food and drug act of the laws of Zambia.
This came to light when Sinazongwe District Council Public Health department in collaboration with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) carried out an inspection in Sinazongwe and Sinazeze townships recently on shop outlets and market places to determine whether business houses and individuals were complying with the food and drugs act cap 303 of the laws of Zambia.
Sinazongwe District Council Public Health Inspector Paul Zulu told ZANIS in an interview that the aim of the inspection exercise was also to sensitize the business community on the importance of complying with the food and drugs act cap 303 and the public health act cap 295 of the laws of Zambia.
He disclosed that a number of food stuffs and other products were confiscated during the inspection because they were found to have been expired.
Mr. Zulu said expired food stuffs and products were a health hazard to members of the public as they were not fit for human consumption which was against the food and drugs act as well as the Public Health act.
He said the food stuffs and products confiscated were not fit for human consumption because they were discovered to have not met the minimum standards under the act.
Mr. Zulu also sternly warned the business community dealing in various human consumption products including food stuffs to ensure that they comply with the law by stocking unexpired products on their shelves.
He said those who were acting against the law risked being prosecuted as selling of expired food stuffs and products was a serious offence that attracted prosecution of the culprit.
Among the expired food stuffs confiscated included cases of one litre super Chibuku beer, assorted Juices, spices, Super Maheu, Mazoe, disposable coca cola and Fanta, caned stone Ginger drink while other products were cases of bathing soaps, washing detergents, lotions and several others.
Health Minister Dr Joseph Kasonde admiring a plague after he launched Katambo health post in Chipata
HEALTH Minister Dr Joseph Kasonde yesterday officially pronounced Chipata General as a Central Hospital with the assurance that a number of district hospital in the country will be upgraded into general hospitals.
Dr Kasonde said when he commissioned Katambo health post in Chipata yesterday that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government was committed to bringing development agenda to every part of the country.
He said the Government had plans to turn the second level hospitals into first level.
Dr Kasonde said the some second levels hospitals were incorporating training schools like was the case with the Chipata Central hospital.
“In line with the pronouncement of H.E the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu I declare Chipata General Hospital is now Central hospital with effect from 6th January 2016,”The minister said.
He said his Government has also procured basic life support and advanced support ambulances for all hospitals in the country in order to provide transport for referring the patients from the health centres to first and second level facilities.
Dr Kasonde said Eastern province has so far received 15 basic life support ambulances and four advanced support ambulances.
He assured the community of Katambo of having access to transport when things arises.
He said the Government also procured medical equipment countrywide ranging from laundry machines, CT scanners, CD4 count machines and basic emergency obstetric care.
Dr Kasonde said the 650 health posts under construction in the country have a complete set of equipment required.
The minister said the Government crusade for the health sector was to improve all the health facilities.
He cautioned health staffs against become bad persons more especially to pregnant women who needed care.
Speaking earlier Eastern Province Medical Officer Dr Abel Kabalo said the performance of the health sector in the province has tremendously improved.
He said this has emanated from the good policies of the Government which has put emphasis on the health sector.
Dr Kabalo said the province has continued receiving support from United States government through the Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) in the area of HIV/AIDS related programme amounting to US$ 2.4 million.
He said the province has also been receiving funding from Swedish government through SIDA.
Health Minister Dr Joseph Kasonde checking a plague before launching Katambo health post in Chipata , while looking on is Eastern Province Medical Officer Dr Abel KabaloHealth Minister Dr Joseph Kasonde with Luangeni Member of Parliament Charles during the launch Katambo health post in Chipata
Leading opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has charged that the amended republican constitution is a sham and a disgrace to the Zambian people.
And Mr Hichilema has stated that the UPND which has two serving Vice Presidents is not bothered by the passing of the 50+1 clause in the amended constitution.
He said it is shameful that President Lungu choose to sign the Bill to amend the constitution at Heroes Stadium in an attempt to hoodwink Zambians that he was delivering a new constitution.
The UPND leader was speaking in Lusaka Wednesday afternoon when he featured on a special programme on Hot FM.
‘This is not a new constitution. This is deception as usual from the PF. They are doing a Don’t Kubeba on Zambians by cheating them that they have passed a new constitution. This is a PF constitution,’ Mr Hichilema stated.
He charged that the amended constitution was a complete departure from the wishes of the majority of Zambians as contained in the draft constitution.
‘PF denied Zambians a chance to give themselves a new constitution. PF rejected most of the clauses contained in the draft constitution and allowed about 110 MPs to defeat the will of Zambians,’ he said.
..this is a man who has never run anything successfully in his life apart of eating his client’s money and you expect him to effectively manage the economy?’
Mr Hichilema cited a number of clauses from the draft constitution which were rejected by Parliament by justifying his sentiments that the amended constitution fell short of the people’s expectations.
‘The PF rejected the appointment of cabinet outside Parliament, they also rejected Proportional Representation, the PF also rejected the clause on Provincial Assemblies, the Provincial Assemblies could have in a way helped resolve the Barotseland issue by promoting actual devolution of power and equitable allocation of resources,’ he said.
He added, ‘this amended constitution has not dealt with separation of powers. You still have a very powerful Executive controlling all other arms of Government. What kind of a constitution that fails to give citizens their rights? This is a total sham and a disgrace.’
Mr Hichilema charged that President Lungu signed his exit from State House the day he appended his signature on the draft bill.
‘We were watching and laughing as this man signed the Bill because he was signing his exit papers out of State House,’ he said.
Mr Hichilema cautioned that President Lungu should not take credit for passing some popular clauses such as the 50+1, the running mate and dual citizenship because he was merely fulfilling the wishes of the people.
‘This is a man who has failed. Look at the economic mess, he found the Kwacha to a dollar around 5.7 and takes it to 15 Kwacha to a dollar, he brings it down to 11.3 and he starts celebrating, this is a man who has never run anything successfully in his life apart of eating his client’s money and you expect him to effectively manage the economy?’
On the issue of nominating his running mate, Mr Hichilema said the matter is a non-issue in the UPND.
He said the party is not bothered about the choice of a running mate even if it currently has two serving Vice Presidents.
‘For us this is a non-issue. We will sit as the party’s National Management Committee to table the issue at an appropriate time. For now we are serving the Zambian people and the issue of running mate does not bother us.’
Mr Hichilema also paid tribute to the two Vice Presidents Geoffrey Mwamba and Canisius Banda for their contribution to the party.
‘Remember these are voluntary works in service of Zambians but the two men have been exceptional. They have done very well for the party. I know there are rumours been circulated by the PF about the running mate situation in our party but that should not worry our members,’ he said.
Mr Hichilema said the UPND is an organised political party which believes in doing things in a systematic manner.
‘We are very methodical in our approach, we are very organised and this is why we don’t have squabbles in our party, so even the issue of running mate, we shall handle is efficiently at the right time.’
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda
Government has directed the Zambia Revenue Authority(ZRA) to strengthen tax compliance especially in the wake of the country’s economic difficulties.
Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda says there is still visible slippage in the tax compliance.
Mr. Chikwanda was speaking when he commissioned ZRA staff houses built at a cost of three point Six million kwacha at Mwami Border post in Chipata District.
He said tax offenders should expect tough sanctions from government as it tightens loopholes.
Mr. Chikwanda however, commended ZRA for beating their revenue collections target for 2015.
And Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Chanda Kasolo government has made progress in turning Mwami border post in a one stop shop.
Mr. Kasolo said it is pleasing that government has embarking on various development projects ast boarder posts in the province.
Meanwhile ZRA Commissioner General, Berlin Msiska said Mwami border post is very key to the linkage of the Nacara Corridor.
Mr. Msiska said in 2015 ZRA collected 44 million kwacha against a target of 57 million kwacha at Mwami border.
He said the construction of staff houses will t boost morale in workers thereby improving tax collection.
ZESCO spokesperson Henry Kapata (right) talks to a client at his firm’s pavilion yesterday during the ongoing eighth Southern Tourism, Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS) in LivingstoneZESCO Limited says plans by Kalumbila Mines to lay off 730 workers have nothing to do with the power utility’s electricity restrictions.
ZESCO Limited National Spokesperson Henry Kapata says the current power restrictions stand at 90 Mega Watts for Kalumbila Mine the Mining Firm’s own declaration to the power utility.
Mr. Kapata further explains that the power restriction of 189 Mega watts for Kansanshi Mine was also based on their own declaration which they made to ZESCO in November 2015.
He said the power restrictions were mutually agreed upon by the parties contrary to claims by Kalumbila that the restriction is at 70 megawatts.
Mr. Kapata says ZESCO Limited has an obligation to state the facts following the Mining Firms statement yesterday suggesting that it plans to lay off 730 workers arising from ZESCO’s restriction of power.
He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka.
Kalumbila Mines has announced plans to lay off 730 workers citing ZESCO Power restrictions.
And Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has challenged Kalumbila Mine in North western province to be truthful over their intentions to retrench 730 workers.
Mr. Kambwili says the mine had requested ZESCO to construct a power line from Lusaka to Kalumbila in a bid to boost production at the mining firm.
Mr. Kambwili added that it is not possible for the Mine to retrench workers over a power line that is currently under construction as requested.
He advised the mining firm to dialogue with Government and ZESCO over the speedy completion of the project.
Kalumbila Minerals limited has since summoned mine Unions to consultative meeting following plans to retrench 730 workers at its 2.1 billion US dollars Trident Sentinel Copper mine in Solwezi North Western province.
Hakainde Hichilema
Opposition UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has called for free and fair elections in the August 2016 general elections.
Speaking when he featured on hot FM’s Hot seat program, the opposition leader said his party did not want violence during election saying “we don’t want pangas during this year’s elections.”
He said polling stations should be opened to all stakeholders without any intimidation from any political party or individuals.
“We want a free and fair election. We don’t want pangas, we want polling stations to be opened to all stakeholders, political party election agents, observers and other stakeholders.
We need constituency totalling centres to be open, we want the national totalling centre to be open to all stakeholders, the centre were results were being changed in the 20th January presidential election. We don’t want ECZ officials, PF cadres and councillors to be the only ones in the room, it must be open.
Why would you close the centre when the results come from polling centres. An election is not for only one citizen, an election is a public affair,” Mr. Hichilema said.
And on public media houses Mr. Hichilema said the media houses and their reporters were lying to people by publishing false stories.
He gave an example of the stories published by Times of Zambia and its sister media Zambia Daily Mail in which he allegedly blasted 2 Traditional leaders from Southern Province for welcoming PF Secretary General Davis Chama of being typical examples of the falsehoods being published by the state run media houses.
He said it was sad that government officials and PF cadres were interfering with the operations of government media houses.
On the constitution, the opposition leader said the numbers at the stadium showed President Lungu that he was signing a document which people did not agree with.
He said PF had spent over 2 billion on a constitution which people have said no to as seen from the empty seats at Heroes Stadium.
