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Road Development Agency (RDA) has signed a US$492.5 million contract with China Henan to construct and rehabilitate 406km of urban roads on the Copper belt.
RDA Managing Director Kanyika Mumba disclosed this at a media briefing in Lusaka today.Mr Mumba said the project dubbed Copper belt C400 will see the reconstruction and upgrading to bituminous standard urban roads in Luanshya, Kalulushi, Chambishi, Kitwe, Chingola, Mufulira, Ndola and Chililabombwe.
He said RDA will conclude financing arrangements from China within six months after the signing of the contract.
Mr Mumba further stated that the scope of works will include the design, construction and completion of urban roads to bituminous standard, junction design, and construction of walkways, drainage, street lighting and relocation of services and also resettling action plan for affected areas.
He said once completed, the improved road network will ease the movement of people, goods and services and improve intercity connectivity, lower congestion and the cost of doing business.
Mr Mumba however urged the construction company to ensure that it complies with the specification of the contract and desist from sub -standard works.
He expressed happiness with the progress on the L 400 road project in Lusaka which has reached 40 %.Government has since 2011 embarked on improving the road network across the country.
Ernst & Young, one of the UK’s biggest graduate recruiters, has announced it will be removing the degree classification from its entry criteria, saying there is “no evidence” success at university correlates with achievement in later life.
The accountancy firm is scrapping its policy of requiring a 2:1 and the equivalent of three B grades at A-level in order to open opportunities for talented individuals “regardless of their background”.
Maggie Stilwell, EY’s managing partner for talent, said the company would use online assessments to judge the potential of applicants.
“Academic qualifications will still be taken into account and indeed remain an important consideration when assessing candidates as a whole, but will no longer act as a barrier to getting a foot in the door,” she said.
“Our own internal research of over 400 graduates found that screening students based on academic performance alone was too blunt an approach to recruitment.
“It found no evidence to conclude that previous success in higher education correlated with future success in subsequent professional qualifications undertaken.”
The company offers 200 graduate-level jobs each year, making it the fifth largest recruiter of graduates in the UK. The changes will come into force in 2016.
Earlier this year, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) scrapped using UCAS points as entry criteria for its graduate scheme. The audit firm believes placing too much emphasis on the scores will mean employers may miss out on key talent from disadvantaged backgrounds, who can perform less well at school.
A report published last week revealed wealthy kids are 35% more likely to become high earners than clever, disadvantaged young people, even if they are not academically gifted.
File:A mother and her children languishing in the open after they were evicted because their retired father was chased out of their house because of non payment of house rentals
Republican President Edgar Lungu has been called upon to give direction to newly created Chisamba District Council and provide a framework for smooth transfer of functions and responsibilities from old establishments to new Councils.
Governance Activist Isaac Mwanza says this is aimed at avoiding land scams where local authorities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, intend to displace indigenous settlers in places like Kamaila Suburbs of Katuba Constituency in favour of foreign entities and persons with money.
Mr. Mwanza has warned that there is looming displacement of indigenous settlers in some parts of Katuba Constituency in favour of many foreign nationals and officials from the Lands Ministry who have applied for land in the recently advertisement of plots by Chisamba District Council and thus the need for Government through the Ministry of Local Government to quickly intervene.
He said President Lungu must quickly realize the problems that stem from unplanned creation of Districts and smooth transfer of functions as is the case when late President Sata created Chisamba District.
Mr. Mwanza said he is aware of a subtle conflict that has arisen between Chibombo District Council and newly created Chisamba District over jurisdiction with Chisamba District getting determined to flush out locals who, for decades, settled in Kamaila Block in favour of listed down applicants, most of whom are foreign nationals and officials from the Ministry of Lands.
He furthermore stated that Chibombo District Council had and still considers itself to have jurisdiction as agents over land extending to boundaries with Lusaka on the South, Chongwe on the North and Kabwe on the South.
He noted that with the creation of unplanned Districts by past and present President of the Republic of Zambia and the failure to provide for smooth transfer of responsibilities, problems of this nature will be abundant around the country.
He has called on area Member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa to stand with his people by bringing the matter to the attention of the Minister of Local Government, John Phiri, to stop the current move by Chisamba District Council from pushing local people who are rightful owners out of their land.
The Governance Activist says what leaders ought to remember is that the issue of land is highly emotive among the people and this is why Chiefs have been opposing measures to constitutionalize matters that will take away their powers to safeguard land on behalf of their people.
He reminded President Lungu to remember what he observed during the swearing in ceremony of Lands Permanent Secretary Barnaby Mulenga that was disheartening that the acquisition of land has become a preserve of the rich and to redirect his Minister to implement the PF policy of equitable and affordable land distribution.
Mr. Mwanza said what Chisamba District Council intends to do must never be allowed by any leader or citizen of this country to be done to its local people, no matter how poor they are and if President Lungu means well for people regardless of their tribe or status in life, he must intervene as a matter of urgency.
He said the country can’t afford to see the local councils sell the people’s land rights to foreign citizens or those with money just because they have money to legally buy off land from these corrupt councils who are working with officials from the Ministry of Land to displace rightful owners and settlers from their land.
Inonge Wina Distributing PF campaign material
Vice President Inonge Wina has implored people in Solwezi West constituency to elect a member of parliament who can freely work with government.
Ms Wina said President Edgar Lungu has been frequenting North-western province because he wants development to trickle down to the area that has lagged behind for a long time.
She said to show that government cares for people in Solwezi West constituency, President Lungu declared the area as Kalumbila district.
Ms Wina said although some people have ill feelings about the declaration of the new districts, the benefit of it is that government will be compelled to take development to an area declared as district.
She said government will construct a new hospital, roads, police post, post office and other infrastructure befitting a district.
Ms Wina said this at Muyashi primary school ground in the newly created Kalumbila district when she addressed a public rally to drum up support for Patriotic Front candidate, Martin Mbaya in the forthcoming September 24 parliamentary by-elections.
She advised people to ignore the cheap political talk from opposition political parties who claim to be capable of fostering development from their pockets.
Meanwhile, Ms Wina advised traditional leaders against practicing partisan politics because doing so can divide subjects instead of uniting them.
The Vice President also implored parents not to marry off their girl children at a tender age but allow them continue in school and obtain an education that can open their opportunities in life.
And The people of Kalumbila District say they want to vote for someone who will help develop Solwezi West constituency.
The residents of Manyama told ZNBC that they are ready to vote in the forthcoming Parliamentary by election slated for this Thursday.
One of the residents Rosten Thole said that people in the area want a person who will help in the creation of jobs for young people.
Mr. Thole said a number of people have lost jobs and young people are looking forward to someone who will give them their jobs back.
And Jonathan Kazembe who is a taxi driver said the people of Solwezi-West want someone who will help in the development of infrastructure especially in the education and health.
And Mathew Sakala is happy that development has started flowing to the area and the person who will be elected Member of Parliament should continue with it.
Much has changed in Zambia in the last 25 years. But amid all the change, the country’s recent economic travails show just how much has remained the same. The economy is still dependent on copper, accounting for more than 70% of its export income, and thus vulnerable to price swings. As a result of the current commodity downturn, the kwacha has fallen by more than a quarter of its value this year.
25 years ago
Twenty-five years ago the Zambian regime was in its death throes. In the face of rioting, food shortages and an attempted coup, President Kenneth Kaunda agreed to drop the one-party state. The country’s first multi-party elections for parliament and the presidency since the 1960s were held on 31 October 1991. The opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy candidate Frederick Chiluba thumped Kaunda and his United National Independence Party, gaining 76% of the vote.
Zambians had tired of Kaunda’s statist inefficiencies, which had seen debt levels rise above $7-billion, at the time the highest debt-per-capita level worldwide, and copper production, on which its foreign earnings were almost totally dependent, drop to a third of their 1972 peak of 720,000 tons.
Although the population had doubled to 8-million during Kaunda’s 27 years in office, employment had scarcely risen, from 300,000 to just 450,000. It is estimated that the cost of nationalisation of the mines, among other assets including agriculture and even buses and taxis, which occurred from the late 1960, was in the region of $50-billion. A 2013 Eunomix study calculates that Zambia would have generated mineral rents totalling $65-billion if it had continued to produce at an annual rate of 700,000 tonnes over the 40-year period from 1970. Instead it managed only $15-billion. The ‘opportunity loss’ exceeded the international aid it received over the period.
Zambia in 2015
Today Zambia is a different place. In 1983 I drove from Lusaka down the Great East Road to Malawi. There was scarcely a car in sight, save the odd Peugeot 404 or Land Rover, and no petrol station open along the entire route.The same road out of Lusaka today is clogged with traffic, mostly $3,000 second-hand Japanese imports. Petrol stations dot the intersections, as do billboards for everything from bottled water to banks. Thirty years ago one would have to queue for maize bread, and wait patiently to be informed when a Coca-Cola shipment was in the shops, which were often small, family-run affairs.
Now the big, mostly South African, stores are on full display. Where there were just one or two hotels for the business traveller in the capital, now one is spoilt for choice from international brands. And where one had little option as to where to bank traveller’s cheques 30 years ago, every major bank, African and global, seems to be represented.
Amid all the change, Zambia’s recent economic travails show, however, just how much has remained the same. The economy is still dependent on copper, accounting for more than 70% of its export income, and thus vulnerable to price swings.
As a result of the current commodity downturn the kwacha has fallen by more than a quarter of its value this year, breaking through the ten kwacha-to-the-dollar mark; this is after the government lopped off three zeroes two years ago, making it currently the worst performing currency worldwide. In 1983 the (admittedly pegged) currency was virtually at parity with the greenback. This slide would matter less if Zambia had stuff to make and export with which it could take advantage of the weakening exchange rate.
Debt
Now debt, from which Zambia was relieved just 10 years ago, has cruised through the $5-billion mark and is climbing remorselessly as the government desperately seeks ways to defend the kwacha (it spent $120-million on this fruitless exercise this month), and fund its civil servants, their salaries now consuming about half the budget. Much of the remainder goes on debt interest payments. To add insult to injury, load-shedding is increasingly frequent as the water level in the Kariba Dam declines along with delays in commissioning new power projects.
Now things have reached a crisis point with the suspension of two major mining operations, Glencore’s Mopani and CNMC’s Luanshya, together responsible for around a third of the country’s copper output and employing more than 10,000 workers. There are worrying signs that other producers might also follow suit.
In the current circumstances the country’s budget spending deficit could reach 14%, three times higher than the original estimate. The repayments on Zambia’s latest bonds offer a yield of nearly 10%, reflecting a lack of investor confidence.
Predictable Government response
The government’s response is so far predictable. While placing the blame on “external factors beyond our control”, the presidency has called for “all Zambians irrespective of political affiliation or any other interests to unite and come together so that we as a nation can pull through these challenges”.
President Edgar Lungu has also stated that he would provide “comprehensive direction to the nation on short- and medium-term interventions to cut costs, diversify the economy and reduce the nation’s dependency on copper and hydro power”.
Pretty predictable stuff, illustrating several continuities between Zambian governments from Kaunda to Lungu.
Reform only when under pressure to do so. When the economy was flat on its back in the early 1990s, it sold off 260 state-owned enterprises. In offloading the mines (which were losing $1-million dollars a day by the late 1980s) the government had to put in place attractive conditions, including those around taxation. When the copper price rose in the 2000s, and these investors started to make money, the government changed its tune, attempting to implement a windfall tax which would have made some mines unprofitable. That was followed by an equally misguided royalties’ tax, which the government was forced to back away from earlier this year. Now, when the copper price is down again, the government has desperately implored companies not to close.
Even when economic growth rates have been high, such as between 2005-13, when it averaged more than 6% annually driven by the high copper price and improved production efficiencies, this has not translated into growth in jobs or significant poverty reduction. Today there are little more than 500,000 formal jobs, despite the population being more than 14-million. Sixty percent of Zambians still live below the poverty line, and the absolute number of poor has increased from about 6-million in 1991 to 7.9-million in 2010, with a notable difference between the urban areas (where around a third live in poverty) and the rural sector (over 70%).
This relates to a consistent government habit not to diversify during the good times, and make prudent investments in the productive sector, but rather to redistribute to its constituents. As one measure, there are more than 50 ministers and deputies among the 158 MPs. Despite the presence of Vision 2030 and a National Development Plan spouting “broad-based wealth and job creation through citizenry participation and technological advancement”, the government has stuck to what it knows best – squeezing the mines as hard as they will tolerate, even changing the terms of investment.
This relates, in the words of one former cabinet minister who served three leaders, to a presidential habit of centralising power – “like a traditional chief’, as he put it – and taking every decision. It’s an environment where rent-seeking is pervasive, both to get ahead and to fund elections.
Solution
It does not have to be like this.
To get out of its vulnerability rut, a fresh-thinking Zambian government would fundamentally have to, at last, match the routine diversification rhetoric with a policy reality. To reduce dependency, for example, on mining exports, it would have to make it easier to invest (and run) agriculture and tourism businesses, rather than the current permit-heavy environment. It would have to make it easier and cheaper to move things in and out of the country, not only by road, but also by rail, opening up existing assets to investors. And it would have to offer stability and certainty to investors, in the good times as well as the bad.
First Lady Esther Lungu talks to 6 year-old Greta Kalinda on arrival in Dallas-Texas for the Global Women’s network summit organized by the George W. Bush Institute on Sunday, September 20,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
First Lady Esther Lungu has praised former United States of America president George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, for their strong commitment to addressing global issues like gender inequality and poor health.
The First Lady noted that her invitation by the Bush Institute to participate at the high-level meeting for First Ladies, where issues affecting humanity are top on the agenda, is a great honour to Zambia.
Mrs. Lungu said she will take advantage of her engagements in America to highlight the problem of cancer and HIV/AIDS as well as women and child issues which require urgent attention from the international community.
ZANIS reports from New York that the First Lady said this in an interview yesterday shortly before she flew to the city of Dallas Taxes for a series of meetings involving First Ladies and other dignitaries.
Mrs. Lungu stated that the involvement of First Ladies especially those from Africa in matters of health, gender equality and technology will help to advance the call for more action among developing nations in bettering the lives of the people.
She pledged to use her status as First Lady of Zambia to contribute positively to the well-being of the under-privileged in society.
The First Lady is in the United States of America to attend a series of high-level meetings in Dallas Taxes and New York.
During her engagement, Mrs. Lungu will interact with US First Lady Michelle Obama, former First Lady Laura Bush and other top dignitaries in discussing issues of women empowerment, health and globe technology.
First Lady Esther Lungu receives a banquet of flowers from 6 year-old Greta Kalinda on arrival in Dallas-Texas for the Global Women’s network summit organized by the George W. Bush Institute on Sunday, September 20,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Esther Lungu embraces 6 year-old Greta Kalinda on arrival in Dallas-Texas for the Global Women’s network summit organized by the George W. Bush Institute on Sunday, September 20,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Esther Lungu greets Councilor Economics at Zambia’s Embassy to the United States James Chisenga (L) on arrival in Dallas-Texas for the Global Women’s network summit organized by the George W. Bush Institute on Sunday, September 20,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Esther Lungu greets a Zambian living in Dallas-Texas Namunji Isimwaa (L) on arrival in Dallas-Texas for the Global Women’s network summit organized by the George W. Bush Institute on Sunday, September 20,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Esther Lungu greets Chairman of the Zambians living in Dallas-Texas Peter Chitila (l) on arrival in Dallas-Texas for the Global Women’s network summit organized by the George W. Bush Institute on Sunday, September 20,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Esther Lungu talks to a Zambian living in Texas Daniel Nsomekela (in wheelchair) on arrival in Dallas-Texas for the Global Women’s network summit organized by the George W. Bush Institute on Sunday, September 20,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Esther Lungu flanked by Zambia’s ambassador to the United States Palani Mulonda (l) during a media briefing on arrival in Dallas-Texas for the Global Women’s network summit organized by the George W. Bush Institute on Sunday, September 20,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMAFirst Lady Esther Lungu flanked by Zambia’s ambassador to the United States Palani Mulonda (l) during a media briefing on arrival in Dallas-Texas for the Global Women’s network summit organized by the George W. Bush Institute on Sunday, September 20,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has welcomed policy pronouncements and commitment made by President Edgar Lungu in his speech to Parliament last Friday, but said that it hoping that the President’s statement will be translated into action by the public service and law enforcement agencies.
In a statement released to the media, TIZ Executive Director Goodwell Lungu said that President Lungu has pointed out that Government will continue with the fight against corruption and has reaffirmed that he will not protect any public officers involved and found wanting in corrupt practices.
Mr Lungu said that TIZ hopes that such major pronouncements will result in the public service sealing all loopholes which have resulted in the loss of millions of public funds.
Below is the full statement:
For Immediate Release The News Editor 21 st September 2015
TIZ welcomes President Edgar Lungu’s Pronouncement in fighting corruption and not
protecting public officers involved in corruption
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) welcomes the policy pronouncements and commitment made by the Republican President His Excellency Edgar Lungu that the PF Government will continue with the fight against corruption. In his speech during the official opening of the fifth session of the eleventh national assembly on 18 th September 2015, TIZ has noted that President Lungu reaffirmed that he will not protect any public officers involved and found wanting in corrupt practices.
While TIZ welcomes the commitment pronouncement from President Lungu in fighting corruption, it is our hope that this statement will be translated into appropriate, visible and tangible action by the public service and law enforcement agencies that seem to be going on a business-as-usual approach. TIZ hopes that such major pronouncements will result in the public service sealing all the loopholes which have manifested themselves in the loss of millions of unaccounted for public funds which are well documented in a number of reports including the Auditor Generals Reports.
It is further gratifying that President Lungu has committed himself not to interfere with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) operations which we hope the ACC will take advantage of and deal with all cases of corruption especially those involving senior government officials without fear.
TIZ further wishes to commend the President for abolishing the building of presidential houses
starting with himself. As TIZ we feel he has demonstrated a good sense of saving public resources although this move has been watered down by the creation of five more ministries.
On the part of TIZ, we promise the President that we shall not hesitate to recommend to his office, government officials who abuse their offices and are involved in corruption for their dismissal in accordance with his able pronouncement.
Victoria Wezi Mhone was born on 25th May 1992 . Born and raised in Ndola, Zambia.
Her Father is the Late Apostal Simon Mhone and her mother is Pastor Royce Chanje Banda who is currently living in Lusaka city.
Her Parents Encouraged her To sing and by the time she was 7 years old, she had already sung for family members, school mates and teachers. She started writing poems and her own songs when she was 11 Years Old. In primary school she was the leader of a singing group in a club called “scripture union”. Then through out Junior and Senior Secondary, she sung In Front Of 700 pupils during presentations she was Involved In.
” I Had This Thing Inside Me Saying “I can make a difference with my songs” Only God is My Ultimate Inspiration; Out Of My Days (Good or bad) I Write A New Song.”
Professionally, she started music in 2012. She is a proud Christian, she regards no rules nor laws unless stated by the lord Jesus Christ, she loves to live life and so her list of hobbies is endless. Currently, she’s pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the school of humanities at the University of Zambia, She has dreams of one day becoming a renowned brand in Africa and around the world, combining knowledge in social sciences and musical skills to inspire different people from all walks of life.
The theme of her life is ‘Spreading Hope’. Music is soulful and her writing is poetic for she was inspired by deep thoughts and emotions based on her upbringing and realities that surrounded. Her musical influences in Zambia cross all genres, Ranging from hip-hop to kalindula; a fan of “good music”. She can say she loves every ‘Brilliant musician’ who has graced the Zambian music scene from the early days till now. But every person has preferences and hers have been Pompi and Zone Fam, top of the list. Globally, her biggest influences are obvious and they are; Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houstone, Brandy, Ne-Yo, Celine Dion, Cece Winans, Bob Marley and 2pac. Her favorite quote is, “ulesi ni musamilo obaba, nchito yokutuma yubaba” Chi Kunda saying by Emely Christine Mwanza (Grandma) meaning “Laziness is a painful platform to rest your head, being sent to work will trouble your heart, its best to use wisdom, creativity and innovation and get on with it”
Wezi competed in the Airtel Trace Music Stars competition . The finale to crown the Zambian winner took place at popular live music venue The Web and was attended by many people from the entertainment industry as well as family and friends of contestants. Wezi came out second , while Bernard Shaluchiso took first place .
Musically she has collaborated with the likes of General Ozzy , Wilz ,Zone fam ,Cleo Ice queen , among others .
Police in Mansa are investigating the grisly murder of teenaged girl who was raped and had her throat slit by unknown people during the weekend.
The naked body of the teenager was found by a roadside in Maiteneke Township with a 2.5 litre container of chibuku beer by the side.Luapula deputy police chief Webby Shula who confirmed the murder identified the deceased girl as Susan Mwape, 18, who lived with her mother in Sumbwe Village near the Maiteneke area.
Her mother Beauty Nkandu, 40, said her daughter was mentally challenged and in the habit of patronising bars that sold bulk chibuku beer till late in the night.When Susan failed to turn up, her mother went looking only to find her lying naked on the roadside.
Mr Shula said police rushed to the scene and did a physical inspection of the corpse.
“According to the report filed by the officers, Susan’s body was covered in feacal matter and her throat had been slit by what appeared to be a sharp instrument,” Mr Shula said.
She also had bruises on the rest of her body which was spread eagled facing upwards.Mr Shula said police were investigating the murder and would follow up any leads.
Edgar Lungu opening Parliament on 18th September 2015
As Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), our reaction to the speech by President Edgar Chagwa Lungu on the occasion of the opening of the Fifth session of the Eleventh National Assembly last Friday the 18th of September 2015 can be summed up in two words; empty lies.
President Lungu has no moral right to be making another set of big promises when the Patriotic Front (PF) government has miserably failed to fulfill their previous promises for which they have never apologised to Zambians who elected them. While some may accuse us of being unfairly harsh on the Republican President, we however believe this is a 100% accurate representation because the PF has zero credibility when it comes to fulfilling their promises.
The PF were elected in 2011 on a platform of lies and deceit with their “More money in your pockets” slogan which really meant “No money in your pockets” for the rest of us but more money in THEIR pockets. The last 4 years of their disastrous misrule has demonstrated their lies, corruption and incompetence beyond reasonable doubt and the speech by the president was unfortunately more of the same lies and empty promises.
It is clear that the whole speech was written for the president with little input from him and we are fairly certain he shall achieve very little of what he read because his heart and mind is not in it. We could clearly see things in it that were lifted from some of our statements in the recent past.
The actions of the President and the PF completely contradict their big public pronouncements. For example, the President said and I quote “We must transform ourselves by promoting cost effective operations in government to eliminate waste and abuse of public resources”. If the President believes in eliminating wastage of public resources, why has he created five new ministries at huge cost to taxpayers? Five new ministries are clearly not a priority under the current difficult economic circumstances where the government is running a huge widening budget deficit with ever reducing funding to line ministries.
Five new ministries means 5 new ministers with a settling in allowance of about K100,000 each and two brand new VX Landcruisers with a landed cost of over K1 million Kwacha each. We estimate that it will cost around K2.5 million per minister and K1.5 million per Deputy Minister just to set these people up before they have worked a single day, not to mention costs associated with Permanent Secretaries and Directors.
The 5 new ministries are obviously meant to be used to appoint opposition Members of Parliament in a feeble attempt to strengthen the PF and if the President appoints 2 Deputy Ministers per ministry, he will have 15 positions available. The total annual cost of maintaining a minister in salaries and allowances is K320,000 per year as per Statutory Instrument 92 of 2013 covering the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Emoluments) Act. The figure is K303,000 for Deputy Ministers.
The total cost of just setting up these 15 new officials will be around K30 million before we add all the other costs of setting up a new ministry which include offices, furniture, vehicles, computers, new employees, security, etc. Adding in salaries for everyone and other running expenses for the next one year means hundreds of millions of Kwacha wasted just to create jobs and award corrupt contracts to PF supporters. The projected budget deficit of 7.7% of GDP by the IMF in 2015 is certain to be closer to 10%.
We estimate that each of the 5 new ministries shall cost K100 million to set up and run for a year, including settling in allowances for top officials and other incidental costs. K500 million can build:
a) 17 new boarding schools at K30 million each
b) 833 rural health centers at K600,000 each which is double the price it was when MMD was in power
c) 625 rural basic schools at K800,000 each
This is why we say the speech was empty lies. It is lies because how can President Lungu hope to achieve all the other things listed in his speech that include ambitious infrastructure programs when over 60% of the budget shall be spent on personal emoluments for his cadres and part of the rest lost in corrupt contracts also for his cadres?
He has demonstrated no ability to implement fiscal discipline but has recklessly continued the PF spending spree with more irrelevant expenditures such as numerous costly trips abroad and the reintroduction of Zambia Airways at a time when the vast majority of national airlines globally are making losses. The government has also wasted K10 million to re-create INDECO which adds no value to Zambia.
But Zambians are not stupid and they can see through President Lungu’s smoke and mirrors game.
In the entire speech, not once did the president address the highly volatile Kwacha to Dollar exchange rate to give practical solutions. The exchange rate has gone haywire because mining houses that account for 70% of foreign exchange earnings have lost confidence in the PF and are scaling back their operations and shelving new investments.
Blaming low copper prices or a global economic downturn is not tenable because prices of copper were much lower at different points during the MMD rule but we did not have the extreme problems we are currently experiencing. Moreover, the economy grew at an average of 6% during the 2007-2009 global financial crisis so the PF has no reasonable excuse for their poor results.
President Lungu failed to properly handle the load shedding issue. He talked about how he was affected because of a 5 minute blackout at Heroes Stadium. This is a mockery and an insult to Zambians who left their homes without power to go watch the match and returned home to find no power afterwards. He should apologise to Zambians for being insensitive to their plight.
President Lungu has made some very unrealistic projections on Zambia’s electricity capacity. He claimed that Zambia shall have surplus electricity in about a year which is simply unbelievable because we are in a power deficit that shall take years to be removed and new demand for electricity is coming online every year. The current PF plans to add new electricity capacity at Maamba and Itezhi-Tezhi and do minor upgrades at other plants are simply not enough to remove the current power deficit within a year from now. They do not factor in delays and budget overruns which always happen with PF.
We are very concerned at how casual the president was in his speech towards the debt. He claims we are within the acceptable international threshold of 40% of GDP but he ignores the fact that the weakening Kwacha which has depreciated by 100% in the last 4 years and is still depreciating means the real cost of repayments shall be higher because more Kwacha shall be required to buy Dollars to make the repayments.
The Zambian economy is slowing down which shall mean that the debt as a percentage of GDP may begin to rise to uncontrollable levels, especially as mining companies continue laying off people as has already happened at Baluba and Mopani mines and may happen at Lumwana mine. Therefore, any debt sustainability projections made by PF are worthless when the mines close down.
Zambians do not want to go back to the UNIP days of a $7 billion external debt which we are fast approaching. The PF are already scouting for the next $1 billion from where they shall siphon out money for elections next year and leave us all in huge national debts. Our total debt including local debt and debt owed to suppliers is around $10 billion, which is already 37% of the $27 billion estimated GDP for 2015. We are certainly crossing the 40% threshold when another $1 billion is added by PF this year and election pressures set in next year. They will do what they do best; get another kaloba.
President Lungu also failed to address the impending double digit inflation that is almost inevitable by next year. Prices of most commodities are already rising, partly due to the weakening of the Kwacha and reduced manufacturing capacity arising from electricity load shedding. President Lungu made no mention of any steps to deal with the inflation threat.
There are many false promises the president made in his speech which we cannot delve into for the sake of brevity, but Zambians can see through the lies and deception and are getting ready to boot out the PF in 2016. The corrupt incompetent PF government was a huge mistake to be elected and Zambians are ready to put things right by electing a new government that shall give them new hope and enable them improve their material living conditions.
Presenting Ultrasound Machine to HE Mr Muyeba Chikonde
Virtual doctors a UK charity that provides a telemedicine service to rural health centres last week presented a brand new, state of the art, Ultrasound Machine (with all diagnostic probes) to the Zambian High Commissioner in London, His Excellency Mr Muyeba Chikonde.The presentation was made at the Zambian High Commission in London .The Ultrasound machine is for Chongwe Hospital, who are very much in need of an ultrasound for their patients.This means they do not have to refer patients to UTH each time. It will especially help maternal health cases and help to save lives.
The ultrasound was received by Dr Charles Msiska, the District Medical Officer for Chongwe District. The project helps clinical officers in rural areas request diagnosis and treatment advice from volunteer expert doctors in the UK using the telemedicine units.
Virtual Doctors provides sophisticated, easy to use telemedicine software and state of the art technology which allows rural based Clinical Officers to create concise electronic patient files, with patient condition photos. The software allows for speedy input of data and once complete the Clinical Officer chooses what type of expertise they need, for example paediatrics or infectious diseases. The patient data is sent through the system to several doctor ‘experts’ in the UK. The doctors receive a notification prompt. They analyse and assess the patient file, form an expert opinion, based on the patient data and images provided and respond with diagnosis and treatment advice.
Once the Clinical Officer is happy with the second opinion expert advice and thus better informed, they are able to treat their patient and the case is closed.
The telemedicine system connects to the Internet using the mobile phone broadband network in Zambia. Virtual Doctors provide the latest Samsung Galaxy Tablets, Internet and access to numerous doctors in the UK (who are all experts in different medical fields and all volunteer their time to help). The Virtual Doctors Service keeps up to date with technology innovations to phase into the service to suit the needs of rural health workers, providing the most effective service possible.
The aim of the Virtual Doctors to is to help Clinical Officers to treat more patients at their health centres. Reduce unnecessary referrals to distant hospitals and to help improve the knowledge and skills of rural health workers.
The project is set up in 5 rural health centres and one district hospital in Chongwe and Chilanga Districts.
Zambia High Commission in London Diplomatic Team and Ros Bird listen to speech by HE Mr Muyeba ChikondePresenting Ultrasound to Zambian High Commissioner. From left, Huw Jones, Ros Bird, HE Mr Muyeba Chikonde and Dr Charles MsiskaPresenting Main Ultrasound Unit to HE Mr Muyeba Chikonde
Chishimba Kambwili with Amos Chanda at Statehouse
Chief Government Spokesman Chishimba Kambwili has implored Post Newspapers Editor In Chief Fred Mm’embe to attend the National Day of Prayer and Reconciliation on October 18th 2015 called by President Edgar Lungu.
In an interview, Mr Kambwili said Mr Mm’embe must attend the prayers because he needs deliverance.
“I am happy that President Lungu has declared October 18th as the date for prayers and reconciliation so that all the people including Mm’embe, he must come for those prayers because he needs to be delivered,” Mr Kambwili stated.
Mr Kambwili said the State of the Nation address delivered by President Lungu last Friday has shammed all critics.
‘From now on I can sleep like a baby because the President has covered all aspects of human endeavour and I think by and large people will have a different perspective of the President,’ Mr Kambwili said.
Mr Kambwili who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister said President Lungu now deserves respect from all Zambia because of the manner in which he presented his speech.
“From now people must respect him because people have been saying he has no plan for this country, from the way that speech has been delivered, can that speech come from a person without a plan or passion for this country?” Mr Kambwili questioned.
Mr Kambwili said President Lungu has outlined his vision for Zambia up to 2064.
He has since called on opposition members to be sympathetic towards the PF government in order to build Zambia together.
VICE President Inonge Wina has urged traditional leaders in Zambia to stay out of politics so that citizens choose leaders of their choice freely.
Ms Wina said it was unfortunate that some village headmen were stopping their people from voting for certain candidates.
She was addressing Sichili residents in Mulobezi District of Western Province on Saturday where she drummed up support for Patriotic Front (PF) candidate for Sichili Ward by-election, Dennis Lyambai.
PF Livingstone Member of Parliament (MP) Lawrence Evans, PF Mulobezi MP Patricia Mulasikwanda, Western Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba, Sichili District Commissioner Vivian Mubukwanu, PF Western Province chairperson Charles Mututwa, senior Government officials and scores of PF members in Western Province attended the meeting.
Ms Wina noted that there was a tendency where some traditional leaders were interfering with their people from choosing their preferred candidates.
“I request our traditional leaders to stay out of politics. Sometimes some village headmen will stop their people from voting for certain candidates. Please let your people exercise their democratic right to choose the people they want to represent them.
“This country has chosen a mode of governance called democracy and in a democracy, we have a leeway to have our own freedom of choice and freedom of expression. We also have our own freedom of association and unfortunately for this country, we have discovered that some of these freedoms are being abused by the people who think they have more freedom than others,” Ms Wina said.
She also called for a stop a tendency during elections when some parties used money to buy votes.
Ms Wina also chided some political leaders and some sections of the media who were in a habit of insulting the Republican President Edgar Lungu.
“Zambia is known for its good values and peaceful existence and respect that we give to elders.
“What has changed? Human right does not mean you lose respect and it does not entail that we disrespect our elders or traditions. Lack of respect breeds animosity and animosity breeds conflicts,” Ms Wina said.
Ms Wina also wondered on why the contractor who was assigned to contract to construct rural health centres in Western Province had failed to execute the job.
“The Government promised you in 2013 that it will construct 645 health posts across Zambia and money was allocated for the project.
“Some districts have already benefited and I need to find out why the contractor who was assigned to contract these rural health centres has failed here because the money has been allocated,” she said.
Ms Wina said if the contractor had failed, Government would look for another one to complete the works.
“Our people have suffered enough to walk long distances to the nearest rural health centres and this cannot be tolerated if the contractor has been awarded a contract and they don’t complete it. It should be taken away from them,” Ms Wina said.
She also said the Simungoma road, which is supposed to be upgraded to connect Mulobezi and Luampa Districts of Western Province, was already being considered by the Government.
“No matter how long it will take, Government has made a commitment to work on Simungoma road and it will be done.
“Secondly in his speech to parliament yesterday, the President pointed out that if the budget of Zambia cannot carry all these developmental needs of the country, we will be engaging the private sector to work with us on infrastructure development such as the construction of roads. These are promises that we made and PF Government is determined to fulfill these promises as they were not empty promises but programmes we were going to embark on and that we will do,” Ms Wina said.
THE Food Reserve Agency(FRA) has purchased 540,069 metric tonnes of maize translating to 10.8 million bags from farmers in the country.
FRA Executive Director Chola Kafwabulula said yesterday when he announced the latest purchase of maize from farmers valued at K810 million.
Mr Kafwabulula said the highest purchase was in Northern Province were the FRA purchased 110,000 metric tonnes followed by Luapula with 66,000 metric tonnes.
He said the payment of farmers who supplied their white maize to the agency was going on well adding that the Government was expected to released K200million towards the payment.
“We have so far bought 540,096 metric tonnes of the white maize from farmers translating to 10.8 million bags in the whole country,”he said.
He said FRA part three of its mandate of supply relief food to the floods,droughts and natural disaster was so far working with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit(DMMU).
Mr Kafwabulula said FRA inconjuction with DMMU has supplied maize to Lundazi District in Eastern Province,Chama valley in Muchinga province,Sikongo,Nangweshi and Shangombo in Western Province.
He said relief food had also been supplied to Bangweulu Swamp in Luapula province and Gwembe valley in Southern Province.
He said FRA had alot of maize stock to supply the relief food to the needy areas.
CHOMA residents register to obtain National Registration Cards (NRCs) during launch of phase-two NRC mobile registration for Southern Province
GOVERNMENT has dismissed a statement by United Party for National Development (UPND) Pemba Constituency Member of Parliament Mutinta Mazoka alleging that the Patriotic Front (PF) is being segregative in the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs).
Ms Mazoka was quoted in some sections of the media a few days ago alleging that PF was denying potential voters in areas such as her constituency to be issued with the NRCs because it was an opposition stronghold.
But Pemba District Commissioner Reginald Mugoba lashed out Ms Mazoka’s claims saying the parliamentarian’s statement was misleading and had potential to divide the nation.
Mr Mugoba said that, contrary to Ms Mazoka assertion, the mobile issuance of NRCs in Pemba was going on smoothly in all the designated areas of issuance of the national identity cards.
“Ms Mazoka’s statement is incorrect, it shouldn’t be taken seriously because the issuance of NRCs in Pemba is being done smoothly in all the designated areas,” he said in an interview.
Mr Mugoba said that the mobile issuance of NRCs was not targeting at any political party’s strong hold in the district as it was an exercise designed for all eligible Zambians.
He said, his office had not received any complaint pertaining to Ms Mazoka’s allegation and that she should carried out a thorough investigation before issuing her statement.
The NRCs are issued under National Registration Act Chapter 126 of the Laws of Zambia. Only persons who meet the registration criteria stipulated under the Act are eligible for registration.
Mr Mugoba urged youths who had attained 16 years and other citizens who have lost or in possession of damaged NRCs to acquire new national identity cards.
