Emmanuel Mwamba has put the UPND government under pressure to explain how it spent a $750m concessional loan from the International Development Association (IDA), a branch of the World Bank Group, after concerns were raised over the country’s growing public debt.

Amb Mwamba has asked the government to clarify how the funds were used, particularly as they were not directed toward any tangible projects.

“The Zambian people are entitled to know how their money is being spent, and we need to see the government be more transparent and accountable in their use of public funds,” Mwamba said in a statement.

The loan was disbursed in 2022, along with a $1.3bn Extended Credit Facility (ECF) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), of which the first installment of $185.7m was also released in 2022.

Zambia is currently awaiting the release of a further $188m from the IMF, following a recent staff-level agreement review.

According to the World Bank, the $750m concessional loan was used to support concessional development policy financing (DPF). Concessional loans, also known as soft loans, offer more favourable terms than market loans, including below-market interest rates and grace periods for debt payments.

Zambia’s growing public debt has raised concerns, with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, revealing that the central government foreign debt stood at $14bn as of March 2023. The country’s total public debt was equivalent to $31.6bn, excluding interest arrears, and $32.8bn, including interest arrears.

Musokotwane stated that the Ministry has continued to engage Zambia’s external creditors in an effort to restructure the country’s debt.

The Zambian government is now under pressure to demonstrate how the $935.5m from the two concessional loans was spent, especially as they were not directed towards specific projects. The country’s citizens are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

In response to the concerns, the Zambian government has stated that the funds were used to support critical sectors such as health and education, and to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s economy.

However, Mwamba argues that more transparency is needed. “We need to see clear evidence that the funds were spent effectively and efficiently, and that they have made a real difference to the lives of the Zambian people,” he said.

The Zambian government has acknowledged the need for greater transparency and accountability, and has committed to providing more information on how the funds were used.

“As a government, we understand the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, and we are committed to ensuring that our citizens have access to accurate information about how their money is being spent,” said Musokotwane.

The government has also stated that it is working to address the country’s debt crisis, and has engaged with external creditors to restructure its debt and improve its financial stability.

The Kitwe Chamber of Commerce has disclosed that the suspension of duty on importation of mining equipment has helped to increase production in the Mining sector.

Chamber Vice president Lackson Simwiinga said the increased production has also helped to create more jobs and increased revenue for government.

Speaking in Kitwe when the Parliamentary Committee on Delegated legislation met the chamber members to ascertain the success of the Statutory Instrument No. 46 of 2022, which facilitated the suspension of duty on importation of mining equipment, Mr. Simwiinga said the SI has further reduced the cost of doing business to the business community.

Earlier, Chamber president Emmanuel Mbambiko noted that the maximum benefits of the SI will only be enjoyed when Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines are brought back into full operation as the chamber members depend on the two mining companies.

And former Chamber president Sharad Nayee said the SI has not been well publicized as such some members have not benefited because they are not aware of the legislation.

And Committee Chairperson Remember Mutale said government introduced the SI because it wants to see increased production in the mining sector.

The committee later met the small scale gemstone miners who complained that they are not benefiting from the SI because they have no capacity to import mining equipment.

Speaking during the meeting held at Katilungu House, Emeralds and Semi-precious Minerals Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) President Victor Kalesha however complained that the incentive is being abused by some multi-national companies that are importing equipment for hiring out.

The committee members noted that the there is need for the small scale members to partner with established mining companies to enhance their capacity.

Northern Province Minister Leonard Mbao says the province will embrace and utilize digital spaces to promote tourism products and services.

Mr Mbao stated that the provincial administration is currently profiling the tourism and mining potential of the region, stating that digitalization of products and services will offer an opportunity for digital marketing.

Mr Mbao said this when he officiated at a business forum in Kasama organised by MTN Zambia.

He added that digital technology will also provide an opportunity to unlock the social and economic potential of the region.

The Minister said it is gratifying to see the growth of mobile money services in the country, which is contributing to the growth of digital financial services to both urban and rural areas of Zambia.

He further added that in line with the government’s decentralized policy and the huge disbursement of Constituency Development Fund (CDF), social cash transfer and other funds, government will continue to partner with the service providers to ensure the recipients of these funds have easy and safe access.

“This government is committed to delivering inclusive and equitable development to the citizens. Therefore, digitalization is a catalyst in the provision of inclusive development and as government we welcome MTN’s innovation in coming up with digitalized services and products for its clientele. The government is convinced that this kind of digital innovation and forum is the sure way of unlocking the development potential of the province.” He said.

And MTN General Manager North Elias Chembe, highlighted that MTN-Zambia has so far built 82 4G towers across districts in the region.

Mr Chembe explained that the company plans to erect 25 more sites by the end of the second quarter across three provinces which are Luapula, Northern and Muchinga.

He added that 11 of these sites will be done in Northern Province.

He stated that the company’s products and services in the province align well with the era called the 4th industrial revolution anchored on connectivity.

Mr Chembe disclosed that the company wants to see secondary and tertiary schools in the province be connected to 4 G network to allow them to conduct live online learning even when students are on a break.

He reiterated the service provider’s commitment to investing more and collaborating with the government, traditional leaders, business entities among others by providing the technologies needed to spur growth and build the economy of the province.

“In line with the government decentralized policy where each constituency is given its share of the national cake, market loans given to our marketers, social cash transfer given to the intended beneficiaries, MTN mobile money services provide the needed support that the government needs to execute its mandate in these areas,” he stated.

Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Robert Kamalata says the availability of mealie meal on the market in Lusaka has continued to be stable following measures put in place by the government to stabilize the supply of the commodity on the market.

Mr. Kamalata said continued supply and distribution of mealie meal by the Millers in Lusaka has contributed greatly to the stabilisation in the supply chain.

Mr. Kamalata said the price of mealie meal in Lusaka has gone down compared to few weeks ago.

He said he is happy that mealie meal is available on the market in various shops, supermarkets and chain stores across the district.

The Provincial Permanent Secretary has also directed the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to deliver more mealie meal to Rufunsa and Luangwa Districts and flood the market.

“We are stabilising the supply of mealie meal in Lusaka and am happy to inform you that the commodity is available in shops, supermarkets and chain stores across the district,” said Mr. Kamalata.

He said he is happy that the measures put in place by the Government to stabilise the supply of mealie meal, has worked out.

Mr. Kamalata said there is no need to worry about the availability of mealie meal in Lusaka because the supply has been constant.

And officially opening Choppies Twikatane Mall in Lusaka today, Mr. Kamalata said Government is committed to create more jobs in various sectors of the economy.

Mr. Kamalata said the new dawn administration places great emphasis on economic stimulation through investment in key sectors which will directly benefit communities and the country.

He urged Choppies to continue with the dedicated approach of local sourcing of products and services as well as employment.

The Provincial Permanent Secretary further urged Choppies management to ensure and establish support channels to take advantage of the local small and medium-scale businesses and entrepreneurs by focussing on local suppliers and job creation.

The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has cautioned the general public to BE wary of scammers when processing withdraws of their 20 percent National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) partial benefits.

ZICTA Vice Board Chairperson Milner Mukuni stated that NAPSA has published clear procedures on how qualifying contributors can claim their 20 percent partial benefits, adding that only those procedures should be followed to avoid cyber scams.

Mr. Mukuni said, based on the information that has been communicated to ZICTA, NAPSA has not engaged any agents in the claims and payment processes, therefore people need to be cautious of any person that will be asking for their NAPSA details.

Mr. Noted that scammers may want to take advantage of the NAPSA ongoing partial benefits claims process, hence the need for the general citizenry to report any suspected scam to ZICTA.

And Choma District NAPSA Station Manager Evans Simwaba has urged people intending to access the funds to utilize the NAPSA online platform.

Mr. Simwaba, who disclosed that the District NAPSA Office is attending to over 250 beneficiaries a day since the law was signed, stated that the current manpower is struggling to handle all clients that seek physical services on time.

He noted that walking to NAPSA Offices will also reduce productivity of many citizens as many hours of work will be spent on queuing at the expense of work when other alternatives are already in place.

Mr. Simwaba disclosed to ZANIS in an interview that NAPSA has identified institutions that have large numbers so that it trains employees that will be doing online applications within their workplaces.

“To reduce these congestions, we have already come up with a list of institutions that are housing many employees so that we train their IT personnel on how to use the online platform. We believe this will help because the claims will be made from their institutions,” he said.

Mr. Simwaba stated that the walk-in services are mostly targeting citizens with zero knowledge of internet usage.

He assured people that the NAPSA online platform is very safe for all their transactions and people should not shun using it.