The 2023 crop performance in Western Province is likely to decline by 50 percent given the amount of rain the region has received during this farming season.

Principal Agriculture Officer for Western Province, Rebecca Nalungwe, says a few districts that she visited have shown that there is likelihood of not getting a desirable maize harvest due to flash floods and droughts experienced in the 2022/2023 farming season.

“I have been to five districts so far. As you know Lukulu is highly productive for maize in the province but as things stand, some farmers may not have good harvest due to flash floods and droughts in some districts,” Ms Nalungwe said.

Ms Nalungwe, who is also a crop expert, said there is need for farmers to continue practicing smart agriculture in the wake of calamities such as floods and droughts being experienced in the country.

“Climate change is real and has changed the way agriculture must be done. Farmers must now start practicing smart agriculture,” she said.

She said as a stop-gap measure, the government will deliver inputs early for the next season so that farmers could plant early to avoid loss of crops due to either heavy rains or dry spells.

She has since appealed to stakeholders to continue supplementing government efforts in the provision of sustainable agricultural services across the province.

And Mongu District Agriculture Coordinator, Christabel Kakumbi, said the district is not going to be food secure because of the poor rains in this farming season.

Ms Kakumbi said a number of farmers lost their crops in January due to flash floods, adding that they will need relief food from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit for them to survive.

“Those who planted their crops early survived to a certain extent but with a dry spell in some areas, farmers will need additional food supplement from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit,” she said.

Ms Kakumbi has since assured the farming community that government will deliver inputs early for next year’s farming season so that farmers do not delay planting their crops.

“We have received funds and currently we are doing farmer registration. In the same vein, I wish to state that inputs will be delivered eerily enough for next year’s planting season,” she said.

President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia has embarked on a state visit to Mozambique, at the invitation of Mozambique’s President, His Excellency President Filipe Nyusi. The visit aims to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and increase trade and investment flows.

President Hichilema expressed his optimism for the visit, stating that Zambia looks forward to fruitful engagements and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in key sectors of economic cooperation. The two countries have a long-standing relationship dating back to the pre-independence period when citizens from both countries joined hands in fighting for freedom.

Recently, Zambia has experienced an increase in exports and imports through the Beira Port of Mozambique into the Chanida border of the Eastern Province. This increase is particularly noticeable for commodities such as fertilizer and other agricultural produce.

During the visit, President Hichilema is expected to hold talks with his Mozambican counterpart and other key stakeholders to explore opportunities for increased trade and investment between the two countries. Both leaders are keen to deepen cooperation in various sectors, including energy, mining, and agriculture.

President Hichilema’s visit to Mozambique underscores his administration’s commitment to promoting regional integration and boosting Zambia’s economic development. The trip is expected to strengthen ties between Zambia and Mozambique and open new avenues for cooperation and partnership.

The President is expected to return to Zambia after the conclusion of his state visit to Mozambique.

Former National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) board chairperson, Joe Mutwale, has made serious allegations against the management of the agency, claiming that they were responsible for his dismissal. Mutwale, who was removed from his position in October last year, alleges that he was targeted by the agency’s management after he exposed illegal activities, including the diversion of over K500 million meant for road works to administrative consumption, annually.

Speaking to reporters, Mutwale expressed his relief at the appointment of a highly trained young woman to succeed him. He stated that he was delighted to see the agency being led by someone who has the intelligence and capability to take it forward.

Mutwale’s dismissal followed a vote of no confidence passed against him by the NRFA board, which accused him of unprofessional conduct and abusing his position. The board cited several governance incompetences, including Mutwale’s claiming of undue allowances and bringing the name of the agency into disrepute.

In addition, Mutwale was accused of directing management to engage in illegal activities, including the diversion of funds meant for road works to administrative expenses. The board alleged that Mutwale had failed to provide proper oversight of the agency’s finances, leading to the mismanagement of funds and the diversion of resources to unauthorized uses.

However, Mutwale maintains that he was targeted by the management of the agency because he exposed their illegal activities. He stated that his removal was an attempt to silence him and prevent him from further exposing the corruption and mismanagement within the NRFA.

The NRFA is responsible for the management and disbursement of funds for road construction and maintenance in the country. The agency plays a critical role in ensuring that the country’s roads are properly maintained and developed to support economic growth and development.

The allegations made by Mutwale raise serious concerns about the management of the agency and the misuse of public funds. The diversion of funds meant for road works to administrative expenses is a serious violation of public trust and undermines the government’s efforts to improve the country’s infrastructure.

The appointment of a new board chairperson, particularly one who is described as highly trained and capable, offers hope that the agency will be able to address the challenges it faces and improve its performance. However, it remains to be seen whether the new leadership will be able to restore public trust in the agency and ensure that funds are properly managed and used for their intended purpose.

The allegations made by Mutwale also highlight the need for greater accountability and transparency in the management of public resources. The government and other oversight bodies must take the necessary steps to investigate the allegations and hold those responsible for any wrongdoing accountable.

The allegations made by former NRFA board chairperson, Joe Mutwale, raise serious concerns about the management of the agency and the misuse of public funds. His claims that he was targeted by the agency’s management after exposing illegal activities underscore the need for greater accountability and transparency in the management of public resources. The appointment of a new board chairperson offers hope that the agency will be able to address the challenges it faces and improve its performance. However, the government and other oversight bodies must take the necessary steps to investigate the allegations and ensure that those responsible for any wrongdoing are held accountable.

In a recent development in the case of the alleged abduction of Pamela Chisumpa and 12 others, the Lusaka High Court has allowed the two accused men, James Bwalya and Matthews Sikaonga, to undergo a medical check-up to determine their mental ability to stand trial. The decision was made following an application by the accused’s lawyer, Osborne Ngoma.

The two accused are facing a total of 54 counts of aggravated robbery, abduction, assault, and rape, among other charges. It is alleged in counts one to four that between June 18 and October 3, 2022, Bwalya and Sikaonga in Lusaka, while acting together with others unknown, abducted and detained Pamela Chisumpa and 12 other individuals.

During the court proceedings, Ngoma informed the court that one of the accused, Bwalya, was experiencing excruciating pain after he fell during an “activity” and sustained some back injuries. As a result, he requested the court to allow his client to undergo a medical check-up to assess his condition.

The judge presiding over the case, Justice Mary Mulanda, granted the application and ordered that the two accused undergo a medical examination to determine their mental ability to stand trial. She also ordered that Bwalya receive appropriate medical attention for his injuries.

The medical check-up will be conducted by a qualified medical practitioner, who will assess the mental state of the accused and determine whether they are fit to stand trial. If the medical practitioner finds that the accused are not mentally fit to stand trial, the case may be adjourned until they are deemed fit to do so.

The case has sparked outrage across the country, with many people calling for justice for the victims of the alleged abduction, assault, and rape. The case has also highlighted the issue of gender-based violence in Zambia and the need for urgent action to be taken to address this growing problem.

In response to the case, the government has pledged to take stronger action to address gender-based violence in the country. The Minister of Gender, Elizabeth Phiri, has called on all stakeholders to work together to tackle this issue and ensure that justice is served for the victims.

The case has also raised questions about the adequacy of the country’s legal system in addressing cases of gender-based violence. Many people have called for the legal system to be reformed to ensure that perpetrators of gender-based violence are held accountable for their actions.

The trial of Bwalya and Sikaonga is set to continue once the medical examination has been completed. The case has attracted widespread media attention, and many people across the country will be watching closely to see how it progresses.

The decision by the Lusaka High Court to allow the two accused men to undergo a medical check-up to determine their mental ability to stand trial has been welcomed by many people across the country. The case has highlighted the issue of gender-based violence in Zambia and the need for urgent action to be taken to address this growing problem. The trial of Bwalya and Sikaonga is set to continue once the medical examination has been completed, and many people will be watching closely to see how it progresses.