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.
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu receives a banquet of flowers from an Eight years old Judith Chilufya at Sinazeze school ground in Sinazongwe district
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says he is confident that the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) will win next year’s general elections due to his leadership style of embracing everyone.
Mr Lungu said a good leader preached oneness, peace and unity and not one that promoted differences and divisions.
He has since urged the people of Southern Province to vote for a President who did not promote tribalism and one whose aim was to develop the nation.
He challenged the Southerners to vote him out of office if he failed to take development to the area.
“With the purpose of oneness and unity, I am confident that we will win next year’s elections once the date is set,” he said.
The President said this at a rally at Kanzinze grounds in Maamba yesterday.
He said there was no tribe that was superior to the other as it was possible for anyone from any tribe including Tonga to become the President.
He pledged to work with the people of Southern Province and urged them to offer solutions so that they too could contribute to the betterment of the country.
“Ndakoomba atubelekele antomwe tusumpule ciisi caa Zambia ( please let’s work together to promote Zambia) ,allow me to work because I am the current President, I promise to work with you,” he said.
He said his party believed in oneness and the uniting motto saying those promoting tribalism at the expense of gaining political mileage were headed for doom.
The President has also called on people in the Province to register as voters in numbers.
President Edgar Lungu with PF Secretary General Davies Chama and Justice Ngosa Simbyakula on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on February 1,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) secretary-general Davies Chama has said the opposition in the country has lost its meaning because it is made up of individuals with personal hatred against President Lungu.
In a statement issued released to the media in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chama said that that it is unfortunate that some opposition political parties have adopted a culture of opposing everything that the government is doing for the sake of doing so.
Mr Chama assured Zambians that Government will not be shaken by baseless attacks from the opposition.
He said opposition political parties have a duty to provide objective checks and balances to Government instead of unnecessary criticism.
Mr Chama assured people that the PF administration will deliver to their expectations even under difficult conditions.
Mr Chama said Government is on course in finding solutions to the problems affecting the country and will not waste time responding to unreasonable criticism from frustrated politicians.
“Many would agree with me that our country remained behind in infrastructure development during the MMD era. When PF took over, we accelerated infrastructure development with an aim to improve the standards of living of our people.
“It is for this reason that we have massive infrastructure development throughout the country and construction is a very expensive exercise, you may not see the benefits of constructing the Mongu-Kalabo road or Chipata- Mfuwe road but with time people will come to realise and appreciate afterwards,” Mr Chama said.
He said Government under President Lungu’s leadership has continued to implement development projects and complete existing ones.
“We have a mandate and a vision as a party under President Edgar Lungu to reduce the cost of living for our people through sustainable economic development. Therefore, as Patriotic Front, we will ensure that what is contained in the party manifesto is delivered to our people,” Mr Chama said.
“Our President has demonstrated love and humility to mankind and has remained committed to bettering the lives of our people. Recently, he launched the national youth policy which is going to create wider opportunities for our youths,” he said.
Mr Chama also said Rainbow Party president Wynter Kabimba is allegedly a destructive politician who cannot be entrusted with State power.
He charged that Mr Kabimba is a threat to Zambia’s democracy because of his “one man show” kind of politics that he practices.
“We are not going to relent as a party, we shall continue working hard to develop our country. European countries have managed to develop because the opposition and the media offer constructive criticism to government,” he said.
Mr Chama also said it is important for leaders to be magnanimous because it is impossible for Government to do everything wrong.
He also refuted media reports suggesting that the PF has hired a consulting company to help it win the 2016 general elections.
Mr Chama said at no time has the PF hired a consulting firm to help it win the 2016 general elections.
“I am not aware of any consulting firm that has been hired by the PF to help us win the 2016 general elections,” he said in an interview.
Mr Chama, however, said that if there are companies that are making themselves available for consultancy work, they are free to do so because they have a service to offer.
He was reacting to a story in yesterday’s edition of the Post newspaper suggesting that PF has hired an Israeli company to help it win the 2016 elections.
Mr Chama said there is nothing sinister about hiring a consultancy firm when it comes to being helped to win elections.
He said it is public knowledge that the MMD hired image builders before the 2011 tripartite elections.
CHILUBI Minerals Limited has discovered copper and gold deposits in Chilubi-Luwingu districts in Northern Province which have the capacity of creating 10,000 jobs for local people.
Chilubi Mineral Limited managing director Mulenga Kafwilo said in Kitwe yesterday that the historical discovery follows chemical analysis the firm conducted on the rock sample that was picked from its Bangweulu Copper Project.
Mr Kafwilo, who is assisted by co-director Victor Chomba, said the robust project will not only create thousands of jobs, but also spur rapid development in various sectors of the economy and improve living standards for the rural people.
He said the area is also rich in cobalt and manganese, and that his company is open to work with suitable foreign investors to exploit the copper and gold deposits to help in transforming the country’s economy.
“This is the first ever discovery of copper and gold by an indigenous company. It is an exciting discovery because it will create a lot of jobs for local people. It will also bring rapid development in that rural part of the country.
“Geologically, Northern Province has a vast mineral resource endowment and merits one of the most important and complex metallotects in Zambia, hosting amazingly, various deposits, containing economic veins, which are still untapped,” Mr Kafwilo said.
He said the copper and gold deposits that have been discovered were similar to Australia’s Olympic Dam deposit in nature with enormous potential to transform the Zambian economy if fully developed.
“Our exploration efforts on the Bangweulu Copper Project was focused on the search for Copperbelt-style sediment-hosted deposit, but instead resulted in this historical discovery of copper-gold deposits,” Mr Kafwilo said.
Chilubi Minerals Limited is an exploration and mining company, currently working out plans to revive an old open cast mine which has been discovered within the project area.
President Lungu during the Commissioning of the Button Road
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has advised the people of Southern Province to ignore critics of the Bottom road project as it is meant to spur growth in the area.
Mr Lungu said the Bottom road was a strategic road that could spur economic development in the Province due to the numerous opportunities for diversification in areas of agriculture and tourism.
“I know of economists who question these road projects saying are ‘Zambians going to eat roads’. I am not an economist but I surely know that a good road network is key to unlocking our potential in other sectors of our economy to spur growth,” he said.
The President was speaking in Sinazeze yesterday during the ground breaking ceremony of the bottom road lot two project.
Lot two of the project being undertaken by Stefanutti Stocks Zambia Limited, includes upgrading to bituminous standard of 108 kilometres of gravel from Chaboboma to Sinazeze via Sinazongwe District at a cost of K592 million.
On lot one of the same project, 132 kilometres of road will be upgraded to bituminous standard by next year and so far the project is 70 percent complete.
A warm welcome greeted the President, who arrived at the site just before 12:00 hours, as Sinazongwe residents could not hide their joy to see the project, which would take two years to be complete, officially commencing.
Mr Lungu said he had turned a blind eye to the critics of his developmental programmes as such people were enemies of progress.
He said the Bottom road, which was part of the Link Zambia 8000 project, would aid fish mongers and crocodile farmers, among other entrepreneurs to conduct their business effectively.
He cautioned Stefanutti Stocks Zambia Limited to ensure that the project was executed within the stipulated time frame owing to the colossal capital investment.
The Head of State also directed that preference be given to the local people in the sub contracting process as per Government policy.
“I wish to implore the Minister of Transport and the Road Development Agency (RDA) chief executive officer to ensure that Zambian contractors with a good track record are sub-contrracted on this project. I further direct that local people here, be employed for both skilled and unskilled positions where they posses necessary skills and qualifications,” he said.
At the same occasion, Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said his Ministry would closely monitor the road works to ensure quality workmanship.
“This is an important project for our people and we will ensure quality workmanship so that it is delivered on time to enhance value for money,” he said.
Sinazongwe Member of Parliament (MP) Richwell Siamunene said critics of the PF were ashamed to see the project progressing as promised.
Mr Siamunene, who is also Defence Minister, said he decided to work with the PF because he was confident that the Bottom road project would materialise.
Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu said the project would improve that movement of goods and people in the area during the rainy season.
He said Sinazongwe was home to many fish and crocodile farmers and the upgrade of the Bottom road would enhance tourism and farming activities.
Senior Chief Sinazongwe commended the PF administration for prioritising the construction of the Bottom road.
“Your Excellency, we are very happy that after 50 years of inactivity, the PF Government has commenced this project which will connect the three districts and make us live as one people,” he said.
The remarks of the traditional leader were echoed by his counterpart Chief Chipepo who gave a vote of thanks.
After delivering his speech, President Lungu took time to test the road equipment before departing the site for Maamba.
The President was accompanied by Finance Deputy Minister Christopher Mvunga and his State House counterpart Mulenga Sata and special assistant for political affairs Kaizer Zulu, among other senior Government officials.
President Lungu later proceeded to a brief tour of the 300 Mega Watts (MW) thermal plant currently under construction at Maamba Collieries Limited.
Mr Lungu said the quick commissioning of the plant would go a long way in alleviating the country’s dependence on hydro generated electricity.
Phase one of the plant would be commissioned this year while the second phase would be commissioned early next year.
Some big names from the 2012 Africa Cup fame are set to headline the 2015 Barclays Cup when the ninth edition of the tournament kicks-off this weekend with quarterfinal doubleheaders over the weekend at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Never in the Barclays Cup history has it been grace by more than five stars from the 2012 Africa Cup winning team.
Africa Cup winning captain Christopher Katongo is expected to make his Barclays Cup debut when he leads Green Buffaloes out against Power Dynamos on Saturday at Nkoloma.
‘
However,it will be on Sunday when at least five players from Herve Renard’s team are expected to steal the show.
Zanaco, who face debutants and Division One North side Luwana Radiants, may have midfielder Isaac Chansa in the ranks although his availability is in doubt due to injury but should be back if The Bankers advance to the semifinals.
Zesco United will have two players from the 2012 team in particular midfielder Jonas Sakuwaha and winger Clifford Mulenga, the latter expelled from the tournament in the group stage for breaking the teams curfew in Malabo.
Interestingly, one of their quartets team mates will be on the bench as coach in their clash against Kabwe Warriors.
Ex-defender Kampamba Chintu will be on the bench as Warriors assistant coach.
BBC Child Marriage news clip on Zambia. The video features Chief Chamuka of Chisamba in Central Province who works closely with Plan International Zambia in the fight against child marriage
Sylvia Masebo
Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo has pleaded not guilty to one count of conducting an illegal procession in breach of the Public Order Act.
And Mrs Masebo also pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to escape from lawful custody.
Mrs. Masebo and four others who appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Lameck Mwale have since been granted K10, 000 bail each with two working sureties despite strong objection by the state.
The state had earlier objected to the bail application by the defence lawyer Jack Mwiimbu stating that the accused were likely to commit the same offence once bail was granted.
The State further contended that the accused especially Ms. Masebo was likely to disregard the bail conditions as evidenced by her attempts to escape from lawful custody.
But in granting bail, Magistrate Mwale said the argument presented by the state was speculative in nature as it did not have evidence to substantiate the claims.
He ordered Masebo, Mbewe, Sakala, Chembo and Mabumba to produce two working sureties each from established organizations within Lusaka in the like sum of K10, 000 but in their own recognizance.
Magistrate Banda has since set 1st October 2015 as the date for mention and 9th and 10th November as dates for commencement of trial.
Ms. Masebo and four other UPND cadres were yesterday arrested and charged for unlawful procession by police.
She is being represented by lawyers, Jack Mwimbu, Martha Mushipe, Marshall Muchende, Yosa Yosa, while Keith Mweemba is representing the other four.
Earlier in the day, police fought running battles with suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres after they stoned the officers demanding for the release of Masebo who was detained at Lusaka Central police.
The officers were prompted to fire tear gas canisters at the cadres who had camped outside the police while stoning and shouting “Sylvia achoke, achoke.”
The cadres scampered in all directions with some seeking refugee in the Levy shopping mall.
But the police combed out some of the cadres from the mall and dragged them to the police station.
Lusaka province chief Charity Katanga confirmed in an interview that seven cadres had been arrested and would be charged with conduct likely to breach peace and malicious damage to property.
PARAMOUNT Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people has described the Public Order Act (POA) as an archaic law pushed on Zambians by the colonial masters and is now looking forward to a Government that is going to be bold enough and abolish the law by expunging it from the statutes.
The Chitimukulu said the POA was a law that was used indiscriminately by the colonial masters to oppress citizens by demanding that political parties at the time needed the permission of local chiefs before holding their public meetings.
The Bashilubemba appealed to the present generation of leaders to consider abolishing the law because in more ways than one, the law was an infringement on the fundamental rights of citizens.
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu said this on Monday when United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema and his vice-president for administration Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Kasama.
“The Public Order Act is an archaic piece of law that is not supposed to be in our statutes. The law was crafted by the colonial masters to oppress citizens and I am looking forward to a Government that is going to abolish the law, I am wondering why the current generation of leaders cannot have it abolished because it is an affront to human rights,” he said.
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu said he was deeply concerned with the escalating levels of political violence particularly during electoral contests.
He said in a democracy, citizens were expected to be free to belong to any political party of their choice stating that it was not a crime for any citizen to associate himself or herself to any orgainisation they so desired.
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu said he did not want to see his subjects fighting because of differences in their political opinion and association and challenged the political parties canvassing for votes in his chiefdom to deal and end the violence associated with elections.
“I do not want people in my chiefdom to be fighting each other on the basis that they belong to different political parties. It is the responsibility of the leadership of the political parties to deal with the vice of political violence,” the Chitimukulu said.
And UPND president Hichilema said he was humbled by the reception he received from the Chitimukulu and told the traditional leader that his vision was to unite Zambia.
Mr Hichilema said he had been a victim of the Public Order Act countless times and that it was his hope that the law would one day be abolished because it was nothing but a tool to victimize those who were holding a different opinion from that of Government.
Mr Hichilema is in Lubansenshi constituency to drum up support for the UPND candidate Patrick Mucheleka in the September 24 parliamentary by-election.
Police in Solwezi have arrested 15 UPND cadres from Chawama area for riotous behaviour after they attacked the presidential motorcade on Saturday during President Edgar Lungu’s visit to North –Western Province.
But UPND in North-western Province has refuted claims that the 15 arrested by police are members of the opposition political party.
North-western Province Deputy Commissioner of Police Geoffrey Kunda confirmed the arrest to the Daily Nation. “It is criminal to attack the presidential motorcade because it is a threat to the president and other citizens,” he said.
He said the 15 were among other Chawama residents who threw stones, booed and flashed UPND symbol at the presidential motorcade. Mr. Kunda said the 15 are still in police custody and are expected to appear in court soon.
He warned that Police would take stern action against perpetrators of lawlessness.
“The Police will not allow citizens in Solwezi to break the law without consequences,” Mr Kunda said.
But UPND in North-western Province has distanced itself from members who have been arrested.
UPND North-western provincial vice chairperson Mark Kalemba denied responsibility for mobilizing the crowd that threw stones at President Edgar Lungu at Solwezi Chawama market.
“We did not plant any of our cadres to attack the president, the citizenry acted on their own accord without any influence from the party,” he said
Kalemba said it was disrespectful and unfortunate that the residents attacked the Presidential motorcade.
He said the UPND believed in abiding by the rule of law and could not perpetuate violence towards the head of State and his party members.
Mr Kalemba said the people in Chawama were acting based on mob reaction to express their displeasure.
“The people were trying to show their displeasure with the lack of development and poor governance,” he said.
Mr Kalemba accused the president’s security wings of failing in their duties and endangering the life of the head of state.
“The entire system including the advance party has of late been weak and negligent in carrying out their duties,” he said.
FILE: HH and Katele Kalumba on the shores of Lake Mweru
Former Chiengi MMD Member of Parliament Katele Kalumba has apologized to President EDGAR LUNGU and the PF for campaigning against the party in the January presidential election.
Dr Kalumba, who knelt down before Vice President Inonge Wina in Luwingu, asked for forgiveness saying he has regretted his action.
He told a gathering at Kaseya Primary School in Mushitu Wa Mboo in Luwingu that he was wrong to campaign for the UPND.
Mr. Kalumba, who was part of the UPND campaign strategy team, charged that he does not support regional politics and appealed to others to join the ruling PF.
Mr. Kalumba, who is MMD former Secretary General, observed that his party is no more and appealed to the member to join the ruling PF in order to foster development.
And Vice President Inonge Wina says the PF government has converted 1500 community schools into government schools since it assumed power.
Mrs Wina says the PF government is committed to improving the quality of education in the country.
The Vice President made the pledge when she called on Kaseya Primary School Head teacher Chistopher Chipepo in Luwingu District.
She said government has also embarked on a mammoth task to upgrade various rural Primary schools to secondary schools in a bid to make education accessible to everyone.
Ms. Wina however, bemoaned the poor sanitary conditions in most rural schools and pledged to change the scenario.
Earlier, Kaseya Primary School Head teacher Christopher Chipepo appealed for a 1 by 3 classroom block to help decongest the current classrooms.
File:NCHANGA Mine rescure Team B Captain Jonathan Kolala inspects air underground during the Zambia Mine Rescure Association competetion at Namundwe Mine
The mining industry is a sore topic for many Zambians; a source of pride and pain depending on where you seat on the fence. Copper is the nation’s main export and the mines are the largest formal employer after the civil service. Those employed in the mining sector are among the most well paid workers in the country. Mining activities have contributed to the growth of mining towns on the Copperbelt, Solwezi being the most recent development.
However, Zambia is still struggling to capture tangible benefits from this mineral wealth endowment for the wider population. Despite being the second largest copper producer in Africa, copper is still exported in its raw form, and the general feeling among the population is that most of the profits are expropriated. In september 2014, Zambia experienced a lot of turmoil in the mining sector, with both Glencore and Barrick Gold threatening to stop operations if differences between the companies and the government were not resolved by January 2015.The major cause of this standoff was a lack of transparency on revenues and profits from the mining companies and a lack of consistent and effective mining taxation policy from the government. This standoff is back, and taxation policy is still a key issue of contention.
Every change of government has seen an adjustment for better or worse, with the claim of serving the countries best interests.
To try and capture benefits for the local economy from copper, the Zambian government has had many changes the mining taxation policy. Every change of government has seen an adjustment for better or worse, with the claim of serving the countries best interests. Windfall Tax
One of the best changes enacted to the tax regime was during Levy Mwanawasa’s government, which saw mineral royalties increase from 0.6% to 3%, corporate tax from 25% to 30% and a 5 cent windfall tax per pound on any copper sold above a designated market price.
However, the windfall tax was over turned by Rupiah Banda’s government due to pressure from mining companies to scrape the new reforms. They claimed that the tax was creating an ‘unattractive’ business environment for the country, despite favourable copper prices on the international market at the time. The mining companies succeeded by using contractual obligations and the financial crisis. On the other hand, the government conceded to this pressure arguing that Zambia was the only country in the region that had a windfall tax at the time. The government did not see this as an opportunity to be a leader in effecting a positive trend for regional mining taxation.
Mineral Royalties
In 2012, Michael Sata’s government again made changes to the tax system with mineral royalties increased from 3% to 6%. However, the windfall tax was not reintroduced. While the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) admits that tax revenues in the country have increased considerably since Mwanawasa’s government, they have made it clear that it is hard to pin this growth on tax regime changes as copper prices and production have also increased consistently during the same period. Further, the Zambia Revenue Authorities (ZRA) has also improved its tax monitoring and administration capacity.
VAT
In September 2014, the impasse between mining companies and the government involved two main issues, both closely related to taxation. Firstly, the mining companies were claiming a $600m refund on VAT from the government, and secondly, the government had more than tripled the mineral royalty tax beginning January 2015 from 6% to 20%, a move that the companies found highly unacceptable.
According to VAT Rule 18, companies can claim VAT on inputs for exported goods produced in the country. However, companies find it very hard to claim these tax refunds due to the administrative requirements of the act. This led to the suspension of operations by Glencore at the beginning October 2014 based on unclaimed VAT refunds. Currently, Mopani is threatening to lay off 4 000 workers and is citing non VAT refunds as one of the key reasons for this.
ZRA requires that companies produce a number of documents in order to claim VAT refunds; a shipment certificate provided by the ZRA, a certificate provided by the customs authority in the importing country, invoices for the goods exported, proof of payment into the exporter’s bank account in Zambia and such other documentary evidence “as the authorized officer may reasonably require”.
While companies complain that the administrative requirements are too much, this is documentation that is readily available to them as they carry out their transactions. Therefore, the lack of transparency among mining companies has also contributed to delayed payments of VAT refunds from government.
[pullquote]Zambians are not very clear about how much revenues we should be earning from the mining sector[/pullquote]
Currently Zambians are not very clear about how much revenues we should be earning from the mining sector. These documents required when claiming VAT refunds can provide this information, and help combat the high suspicions of tax evasion in the mining sector.
Mining companies must not be allowed to dictate policy terms for the country. On the other hand, government needs to develop a consistent, effective and sustainable taxation policy. While government cannot solely be blamed for the electricity deficit, the depreciating kwacha and the fall in commodity prices, they take full blame when it comes to inconsistencies in taxation policy. The lack of a long-term outlook when setting mining taxation negatively impacts on investor confidence in the sector, and reduces the value of the countries copper.
With regards VAT refunds, government needs to keep strict documentation requirements and not give the mining companies tax breaks that are too generous. On mineral royalties, government needs to be realistic about how much distortion they impose on production incentives. The highest mineral royalty tax imposed globally on copper mining is 15%. Of course Zambia can set its own tax rate, but there is a need to assess the performance of mining companies in the country to develop a mining policy that actually works and will be sustainable over the long term.
File:President Edgar Lungu cuts the ribbon to officially open the Embassy Shopping Mail in Makeni
The Mwata Kazembe of the Lunda speaking people has said he is against the decision to convert the Mansa Batteries factory into a shopping mall.
To pave way for the conversion, the owners of the formerly State-owned company early this month advertised in the area surrounding the factory its intention to auction off movable assets.
Items disposed off during the auction included items such as steel beams and different types of equipment.
Speaking in an interview in Mansa, The Mwata said it was sad to learn of such plans as many people in the province had been keenly waiting for the time the factory would become operational.
The chief said it was unfortunate that a formerly vibrant state-owned enterprise had been stripped of assets and sold.
[pullquote]Can you imagine the audacity of some people[/pullquote]
“Can you imagine the audacity of some people? They have been mining manganese illegally without any contribution to the Government treasury.
“Why do they want to create a mall at an already existing piece of infrastructure that was built with public funds? Is land finished?
“There is plenty of empty land that can be developed and turned into a mall. Personally, I am not in support of the plans to turn the factory into a mall. If possible, we would be better off if the factory was revived, he said.
The Mwata said President Edgar Lungu during his recent visit to Luapula had made a bold decision to repossess land that constituted the Kawambwa Tea Estates farms and that was the type of leadership that was needed to sort out the problems that Luapula Province was facing.
Former Luapula Province permanent secretary Alfred Kalumba also said it was unfortunate that plans to turn the factory into mall were advanced.
“It is depressing especially for the people that saw the factory at its peak. It employed so many people here. How many people will be employed at the mall and of what local economic benefit would it create for the locals? he asked
The formerly state-owned factory was privatised and according to sources close to the matter has been sold to a South African company that intends to turn part of it into a named supermarket chain store.
Former Mansa Batteries general manger Charles Kabamba who is chairperson for the chamber of commerce said the association would comment on the matter in due course.
Flood gates on the Kariba Dam wall between Zimbabwe and Zambia open ceremonially on February 20, 2015 after the two neighbors signed $294 million in deals with international investors – JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images
The delayed construction of Batoka Gorge Power plant, a 2,400Mw hydroelectric scheme joint venture between Zambia and Zimbabwe, has cost the two countries more than $45 billion in missed economic opportunities, the World Bank has said.
Initially mooted in 1992, the project was stalled due to an impasse between the two countries over a $71 million debt accrued by Zimbabwe emanating from shared costs of the construction of Kariba Dam and associated infrastructure during the tenure of the colonial era Central African Power Corporation (CAPCO).
CAPCO was co-owned by Zimbabwe and Zambia during the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. It was disbanded in 1987 and later succeeded by the Zambezi River Authority.
The World Bank’s Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA) fund — which was central in facilitating resolution of the deadlock and analysing the foregone benefits associated with delayed implementation — said “the missed opportunity amounted to an estimated $7 billion in foregone electricity sales and an overall economic loss of over $45 billion”.
The project was resurrected after Zimbabwe cleared the debt in 2014 with construction work expected to commence in January next year once a financing structure has been established.
The Batoka plant is expected to take six years to complete with total costs estimated in the region of $3 billion.
OASIS FORUM STATEMENT ON THE POLITICAL ATTACKS AGAINST FR.LEONARD CHITI, SJ
The Oasis Forum is deeply concerned and saddened at the spate of political attacks against Fr. Leonard Chiti, SJ, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Grand Coalition. The said attacks imply that Fr. Chiti is speaking on his own account and does not have the support of those constituents that he leads.
We also find it to be in bad taste the attempts by some people to demonise and try to isolate the Grand Coalition, especially its Chairperson, Fr Chiti, who carries the full mandate
of speaking on behalf of the Grand Coalition and usually after wide consultation and deliberation by the various committees of the Coalition. To vilify him in his individual capacity is therefore grossly unfair and highly unchristian.
As members of the Grand Coalition, the Oasis Forum and its constituent members: the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Non-Governmental Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) stand solidly with and wholeheartedly support Fr. Chiti. The Oasis
Forum further supports the positions taken by Fr. Chiti on behalf of the Grand Coalition as the positions that have been arrived at through dialogue and consensus within the Grand Coalition on behalf of all its constituent members but more importantly on behalf the voiceless citizens of Zambia calling for constitutional reform that meets their needs and aspirations.
The Oasis Forum therefore strongly condemns the continued personal attacks on Fr. Chiti and calls upon all well-meaning Zambians to continue to support him and the just cause for which he is fighting for the greater good of all Zambians.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu
State House
Independence Avenue
Lusaka
16th September 2015
Dear Sir,
Re: Personal Attacks from PF leadership
I note with serious disquiet the manner in which you and your government officials are handling important national issues affecting the people. At a time like this when the country is going through serious challenges, the Zambian people are left wondering what your administration is doing in office.
As the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, we have in the last few weeks highlighted very important national issues that are affecting all of us the Zambian people. We have gone further and provided solutions to some of those difficult problems. We have been very friendly in advising your office based on the experience we gained while in government over 20 years.
We remind you that the misfortunes this country is currently going through are your responsibility as head of state and you have to deal with them without constantly blaming the lack of results on external “global” factors. Zambians elected you to produce results and not to pass the buck. You may wish to know that the Prime Minister of Australia has just been voted out for failure to deal with national challenges.
The arrogant reactions from your party Secretary General Mr. Davis Chama and your Media and Publicity Committee Vice Chairperson Mr. Sunday Chanda are not surprising to us but shows that your administration has no intentions of dealing with the problems facing our people. This is partly the reason why this country is where it is now. When people behave like this, it shows a serious lack of leadership on your part Mr. President. Your officials keep avoiding the main issues I have been raising and are instead attacking me personally in what appears to be a well calculated character-assassination scheme. Personal attacks on me will not solve the problems the Zambian people are languishing with.
Zambians across the country are going for more than half the day without electricity in their homes and they are failing to plan their lives properly. The dismal performance of the Kwacha against major international currencies has affected businesses in the country with most small scale business houses putting their operations on hold as the environment is not conducive for them. Thousands of miners have just lost their jobs within the last few days due to failure of leadership in your office Mr President. Many young people in Zambia are still on the streets even after graduating from higher learning institutions, despite your party winning elections on the platform of providing more jobs. I think the people who voted for you want to see more action from you than reacting to those advising you on how to deal with these issues.
In the face of all these challenges, your chief past-time is by-elections and traveling abroad. I wish to remind you that when we bring out these issues to you, it is because we are concerned about the lives of the fifteen million Zambians who put you in power. We are not merely politicking but dealing with important national issues. Just in case the people around you have not told you the truth, things are very bad and people are not happy with your administration.
Most Zambians are failing to put a decent meal on the table and this will haunt you if you decide to turn a blind eye to the cries of innocent people whose country is blessed with abundance of natural resources.
We see lack of seriousness on your part to deal with the issues that have put Zambians in abject poverty. You were voted in as president for the entire country and the least you could do is listen from the counsel of those that care about the people you are leading. Gather courage and hold a press conference and answer questions from the people. You need to stop pushing your officials to defend the indefensible and attack noble people with good intentions.
Zambia is bigger than the Patriotic Front. Ignoring our advice is digging your own grave. We speak from experience. Your stooges and henchmen will not be there when the time comes in 2016 for you to be held accountable for the suffering of Zambians who voted for you.
We will not stop talking and advising your administration. The economy of this country has collapsed from the time you took over office merely eight months ago and your combative leadership style is not helping the situation Mr. President. The people you are leading are not foolish and they will rise against you next year.
I advise you to take a deep introspection and listen to those not close to you. Listen to people telling you the truth and not your “muzungu anikonde” praise singers. Those same people will abandon you in 2016 and start attacking you, leaving you looking like a destitute.
Finally, I advise you to seek guidance from God and seek wise counsel before our people start dying from hunger.
