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CUTS Responds to ZICTA on Tower project, Our findings were never generalised

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FILE: The Then Vice-President Dr Guy Scott makes the first call from Huaweis new tower
FILE: The Then Vice-President Dr Guy Scott makes the first call from Huaweis new tower

Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS), International Lusaka has responded to the presentation made by the Zambia Information and Telecommunication Authority (ZICTA) before parliamentarians.

In a statement released to the media, CUTS exonerated itself from the gross misrepresentation and uptake of the findings of their initial report on the chiefdom tower project by some sections of media and the regulator, saying the findings of their report has never been generalised.

Below is Mr Ng’ona full statement.

CUTS Responds to the emerging discourse on the Chiefdom Tower Project

For Immediate Release

15/04/15

Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS), International Lusaka would like to exonerate itself from the gross misrepresentation and uptake of the findings of its initial report on the chiefdom tower project by some sections of media and the regulator – the Zambia Information and Telecommunication Authority (ZICTA).

CUTS has been clear from the onset that the initial assessment undertaken was concentrated on the initial set of towers erected under the ZICTA chiefdom tower project. Specifically, the areas visited include Matanda in Mansa and Malendema, Shakumbira and Kaindu, in Mumbwa. The findings of this report have never been generalised.

There are series of subsequent reports in the pipeline and these will be released as and when they are completed.

At Matanda, our findings revealed that network coverage averaged around 1.65 km as opposed to the prescribed 5 km radius.

Therefore, we are elated by the revelations of ZICTA that its recent audit on this site shows that the tower meets the 5 Km radius requirement in the North direction of the tower.

In the eastern direction, it has been revealed that coverage was limited by mountainous terrain.

This is a better picture than what existed in August 2014 when CUTS conducted its initial audit.

However, we still need to make more efforts to equalise the coverage between the north and the south.

The 2 Km coverage in the South is too low and undermines the very principle of 5killometer radius as prescribed by ZICTA.

We believe it is the responsibility of the vendor contracted to find solutions on how to eschew mountains and terrain challenges.

Further penetration in the south is required if the communities in the south are to benefit from this tower.

In Mumbwa, it must be re-emphasised that, our initial report acknowledges that towers at Shakumbira and Kaindu were not fully functional due to lack of power.

ZICTA has also indicated that the sites are still not live due to lack of power.

Though there could be questions on why installation of power has dragged, it is beyond the scope of this statement to discuss this issue.

Lack of power entailed that tests could only be carried out at the Malendema tower by CUTS.

As of August last year, it was discovered that the installed tower at Malendema site could only cover an average of 2.8 km.

Again, we are elated by the revelations of ZICTA that indicate that the tower now meets the 5 kilometre radius in all directions. This is a good development.

CUTS is also exultant to learn that the results from 61 sites audited so far by ZICTA which indicate that 45 sites (representing 73.8 percent) meet the minimum coverage requirements and 16 sites (representing 26.2 percent) do not.

Again efforts need to be made to equalise the situation and ensure that those covered in the 26.2 percent are improved upon.

Comfortingly, it is exhilarating to also learn that ZICTA has given an assurance that, where the minimum requirements are not met, the contractor shall be requested to remedy the defects and where possible, a detailed report of the coverage audit shall be availed in due course.

This is a good and bold policy directive by ZICTA management. Alas, it contradicts with the earlier statement and position by ZICTA.

In a statement released late December 2014 directed to the Post Newspaper and copied to CUTS, one part of the statement read as follows; “Phase two of this project will be embarked on in a couple of months’ time and will include approximately 270 towers to cover all the other communities which are not covered in Phase one of the project. All related concerns noted from Phase one will be addressed during the second phase of the project”

The latter part of this extract entail that phase one challenges will be deferred to the second phase.

We have argued over the months that it does not make logical and moral sense to transport inefficiencies of phase one into phase two.

Therefore, we take it that the directive given above supersedes this position.

In moving forward, there is need for ZICTA to invest more in giving the public coherent positions as such uncoordinated statements have potential to breed information asymmetry among different stakeholders on the subject.

Further, there is also need to reconcile certain issues on this project.

In the same statement issued last December 2015, it was indicated that “On average, the typical cost of a Communication Tower site is between USD 200,000 – and USD 250,000.

However, for each Communication Tower in phase one of the Connecting Chiefdoms project, ZICTA has spent approximately USD 80,000 because of the lower specifications which were used”.

Our question over the months has been why use lower specifications against the legally prescribed specifications developed by ZICTA itself.

Surely, a saving should not make one go against legally defined specifications in the terms of reference.

This has to be clarified unless there was a misprint in the statement.
The other issue which might require further clarification is on the number of towers to be erected under phase one.

What is in the public domain is that ZICTA has targeted construction of 169 towers.

This is also confirmed in the December statement by ZICTA which reads in part “The cost of the project for the 169 towers is USD 13.5 million dollars and not what the article intimated.

We have now been informed that the towers being erected are 204 under phase one and no contract has been signed with any vendor for phase two.
The question that ensues, therefore, is where do the extra 35 come from and at what cost?

Perhaps it could be a generous gesture by the vendor to set up the towers for free. Whatever the reason is, a more concrete statement by ZICTA could assist in addressing such questions.

To end, it must be stressed again that, when CUTS divulged the findings of the initial assessment, the expectation was that ZICTA would take it positively and invest more in monitoring the installations as and when they are installed.

It was CUTS’ reasoning that the probability of success of phase one was higher if ZICTA vetted every installed tower (or through a quotavetting process) before a green light for other installations is given.

This was a prudent way of managing such highly financed projects than deferred audit exercises to project partial acceptance or completion stages.

We are glad that ZICTA is conducting the audit now and in-tern the vendor is being coerced to deliver without any reservations.

Funds permitting, ZICTA should also consider engaging an independent auditor to undertake the due-diligence of the project and this will give the institution an independent perspective devoid of personal interest to the project.

It must also be noted that it’s not about proving CUTS wrong.

Setting up towers that meet the agreed specifications is the right thing to do as public resources are at stake and our interest rests there.

We are also comforted that, ZICTA under phase two has sought to engage the services of an external project manager to manage the proposed phase two of the chiefdom tower project.

This is a timely and positive development, and to some extent, confirms with CUTS’ observation that capacity within ZICTA was limited to handle such a complex project.

For details contact;
Simon Ng’ona
Centre Coordinator
Consumer Unity and Trust Society CUTS International Lusaka
E-mail: [email protected],[email protected] (+260 950624874)

Oxfam hopes to reform the Zambia ’s growth model as it launches new strategy

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Oxfam Country Acting Director Isa Miah stresses a point during teh launch of the new country strategy
Oxfam Country Acting Director Isa Miah stresses a point during teh launch of the new country strategy

Oxfam Zambia has observed that majority of Zambians still live in poverty despite the country recording impressive economic growth over the years.

Oxfam Country Acting Director Isa Miah stated that poverty in Zambia is still over 60 percent and stuck among rural, agriculture, women, youth and urban poor including under nourished children.

Mr Miah said poverty is stagnant while inequality is growing between Zambians who have much and those that have nothing at all.

He was speaking at Oxfam offices in Lusaka when he unveiled a new five year country strategy for the organisation to run between 2015-2019.

Mr Miah said the new country strategy is anchored on four main goals which include the promotion of agriculture productivity and building resilience through increased investment and access to markets for small holder famers.

He added that the new strategy also focuses on gender equality and women’s rights through the building of a stronger women’s rights movements and creation of a conducive policy and social environment for women and girls.

Mr Miah said the third goal is to mobilise and build capacity of civil society and citizens to hold government and private sector accountable in the use of natural resources and ensure the benefits accrue to the ordinary Zambians especially women.

He further stated that Oxfam also hopes to build partner capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies, reduce community vulnerability to hazards and increase ability to recover from shocks.

And Oxfam Regional Director Nelly Nyang’wa commended Oxfam Zambia for the launch of the new country strategy which she says fits into the global Oxfam framework.

Mrs Nyang’wa expressed happiness that the new strategy also focuses on gender with the aim of ending violence against women and girls.

Oxfam Regional Director Nelly Nyang’wa
Oxfam Regional Director Nelly Nyang’wa

Police warn wedding and funeral processions to obey road traffic rules and regulations

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THE Zambia Police Service has advised people using vehicles during wedding and funeral processions to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations.

Police spokesperson Charity Chanda said in a statement yesterday that bridal parties should desist from sitting on car windows and standing up through sunroofs because doing so makes drivers lose full control of the vehicles.

“This also obstructs other road users as well as endangering people’s lives.

Members of the public are being reminded that there is no law in this country which exempts people from committing offences simply because they are celebrating or conducting a procession,” Mrs Chanda said.

She said it is an offence for people not to obey traffic rules and regulations during any procession, including weddings and funerals.

“It is also the duty of the drivers of vehicles ferrying such passengers to make sure that they conduct themselves within the provisions of the law, failure to which such a driver will be charged accordingly,” Mrs Chanda said.

She warned that police officers countrywide will be on the lookout for motor vehicles with such passengers in order to bring sanity to roads and to protect people’s lives and property.

Appointment of Esau Chulu as Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson receives overwhelming support

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Appointment of Esau Chulu as Electoral Commission of Zambia chairperson receives overwhelming support

Edgar-Lungu-Esau-Chulu-624x499

PRESIDENT Lungu’s appointment of Justice Esau Chulu as Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson has received overwhelming support from the civil society and opposition political parties.

On Tuesday, President Lungu promoted Mr Justice Chulu to replace Mrs Justice Irene Mambilima, who was recently appointed as Chief Justice.

The President has also appointed former Women for Change executive director Emily Sikazwe and former Pemba member of Parliament (MP) David Matongo as ECZ commissioners.

MMD president Nevers Mumba said in an interview yesterday that he is inspired by President Lungu’s choice in Mr Justice Chulu for the position of ECZ chairperson.

Dr Mumba said Mr Justice Chulu is qualified because he has acted in the position after Mrs Justice Mambilima’s appointment as Chief Justice.

“We have no objections to the appointment as MMD and we hope parliament will ratify him because the country will be going to the polls next year,” Dr Mumba said.
He also described Ms Sikazwe and Mr Matongo as a colourful combination because they have both greatly contributed to national development.

And Ms Sikazwe said it is a big responsibility on behalf of the people of Zambia and an opportunity for her to contribute towards the making of the electoral process accountable, transparent, and inclusive.

She said in a separate interview that she will diligently discharge her responsibility to the people of Zambia.

She said Zambia has a lot of capable people and it is an honour for President Lungu to appoint her.

“Women in Zambia have always asked for participation in the democratic process and this is one of the ways the women movement can contribute,” Ms Sikazwe said.

Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) executive director McDonald Chipenzi said the appointment of Mr Justice Chulu as ECZ chairperson, Ms Sikazwe and Mr Matongo as ECZ commissioners is a challenge to them to guide the nation towards next year’s general elections.

“We are in support of the filling of vacancies because the commission was put in a very awkward position. The expectations on the trio are high because elections require level-headedness and fairness,” he said.

And United Party for National Development (UPND) spokesperson Charles Kakoma said it is good that President Lungu has filled the vacancies at ECZ to enable it to start preparations for next year’s tripartite elections.

Mr Kakoma said UPND members of Parliament will support the ratification of Mr Justice Chulu’s appointment and the two commissioners because they are credible people.

Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Boniface Cheembe said: “In view of Ms Sikazwe’s track record as a civil activist who understands the issues and concerns of the Zambian people, the President has made a right decision, and as SACCORD, we welcome and believe that she will add value to the conduct of elections, especially as this relates to the holding of free, fair credible and peaceful elections.”

No Zambians have been affected by South Africa Xenophobic attacks

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Zambia's High Commissioner to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Muyeba Chikonde, with his wife in green, welcomes South Africa's Energy Deputy Minister, Ambassador Thembisile Majola.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Muyeba Chikonde, with his wife in green, welcomes South Africa’s Energy Deputy Minister, Ambassador Thembisile Majola.

ZAMBIA’S High Commissioner to South Africa Muyeba Chikonde has assured that no Zambians have been affected by xenophobic attacks.

In a telephone interview from Pretoria yesterday, Mr Chikonde allayed fears that some Zambians resident in South Africa have been affected by the xenophobic attacks.

Mr Chikonde said the mission is engaging all relevant South African government wings to ensure the safety of all Zambians.

Most of Zambians live in areas far from the settlements affected by xenophobia.

The mission has put in place measures to protect Zambians in that country.

“We have also dispatched a team to Durban to assess the situation and secure the lives of Zambians,” he said.

The mission is taking the situation with precaution even though Zambians are not affected in the attacks.

And Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says Zambians working in South Africa have not been affected by the ongoing Xenophobic attacks in that country.

Mr Kambwili also says government has not received reports of any affected Zambian.

He has since condemned the attacks in South Africa.

Mr Kambwili says the world is a global village and people need to coexist.
The Minister said this in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka.

There have been sporadic attacks on foreigners living in South Africa.

Kambwili praises political parties for maturity

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Kambwili addressing Chingola Rally
Kambwili addressing Chingola Rally

Government has praised all political parties that participated in the Chawama, Masaiti and Senga Hill constituencies parliamentary by-elections for their peaceful conduct before, during and after the polls.

Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili said today that the conduct does not only reflect the political maturity the country has attained but
also affirms the peaceful nature Zambia is renowned for the world over.

ZANIS reports that Mr Kambwili who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services commended the electorate in the three constituencies for exercising their right to choose leaders of their choice to represent them in parliament.

And Mr. Kambwili said the PF’s victory in the three constituencies was a clear indication of the continued confidence and trust that the people of Zambia repose in the PF and Government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu.

Mr. Kambwili however said despite the Patriotic Front (PF) indisputably emerging victorious in all the three parliamentary by-elections, the victory is for democracy and for all Zambians regardless of their political affiliation.

He called on Zambians to heed to President Lungu’s call for civility and peace particularly PF members as they celebrate the three parliamentary by-election victories.

The three Patriotic Front’s candidates that have won yesterday’s parliamentary by-elections in Chawama, Masaiti and Senga Hill constituencies are Lawrence Sichalwe, Michael Katambo and Kapembwa Simbao respectively.

Nevers Mumba congratulates PF

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Nevers Mumba casting his vote
Nevers Mumba casting his vote

The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has congratulated the Patriotic Front and President Edgar Lungu for winning all the three parliament seats in the by-elections held yesterday.

In a congratulatory message availed to ZANIS in Lusaka this evening, MMD leader Nevers Mumba said the unquestionable victories in Masaiti, Senga Hill and Chawama constituencies by the PF were well deserved.

Dr Mumba also noted that the absence of violence during by elections should be commended and upheld in the country’s political arena.

The MMD leader has also congratulated all the participants in the three by-elections for contributing to the democratic process.

The PF, UNIP, UPND, Fourth Revolution Party and the National Revolution Party participated in the by-elections held in Chawama, Masaiti and Senga Hill which saw the ruling party scoop all the three parliamentary seats.

Lawrence Sichalwe now takes-over from President Edgar Lungu who was untill his election on January 20 the PF Member of Parliament for Chawama constituency in Lusaka while Kapembwa Simbao and Robert Katambo have been re-elected in the by-elections caused by the nullification of their elections by the Supreme court.

President Lungu hails peaceful by elections

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President Lungu hails peaceful by elections
President Edgar Lungu
President Edgar Lungu

President Edgar Lungu has commended Patriotic Front supporters for the remarkable campaign that has delivered all the three parliamentary by elections and 10 out of the 21 local government seats during the April 14 polls.

In a statement released to the media by his Special Assistant for press and public Relations Amos Chanda, President Lungu says the PF and the opposition parties who participated in the just ended polls have set the democratic bar very high and shamed perpetrators of violence by showing that political competition does not mean enmity.

“Zambians can be proud of themselves for going about their political differences peacefully. This campaign will always remind us that co-existence in diversity is possible,” President Lungu said.

“The outcome of the polls has shamed politicians who have invested in violence and sectionalism. In any viable electoral democracy, the currency of political exchange should always be free and fair elections. It is the only legitimate platform of competition through the ballot and not violence or hate speech.”

“In congratulating the gallant members of our great party, the PF, I wish to also commend the UPND for their formidable fight to try and win the elections. It is therefore necessary to emphasize that those parties wallowing in decidedly partisan opinion polls and hate commentary in some newspapers must be challenged to participate in elections so that we can together strengthen our democracy and allow our people to pass judgment on us,” he said.

To the members of the PF, the President sent a message of encouragement and guidance that they focus on mobilization and ignore idle commentary and baseless criticism because in the final analysis, the only poll that counts is the legitimate ballot cast under the country’s democratic arrangement.

[pullquote]“As your President, I am asking each one of you to step out, recruit new members, and energize our structures at every level. Therefore, to those who seek to distract us, we are saying: “Seleni, tubombeko”![/pullquote]

The Head of State observed that the self-proclaimed popularity by some politicians was simply hot air because they have failed to put their claims to a test through the ballot.

“With humility of heart, I wish to congratulate those who participated in the just ended by-elections for running a good race. I also salute the people of Zambia, the voters, for ensuring that the campaigns were peaceful.

This is the meaning of the democracy we collectively and individually volunteered to pursue. This generation has a duty to renew the vision of our founding fathers and mothers captured in the country’s national anthem: One Land and One Nation.”

The Head of State observes that the PF victory has come amidst a smear campaign by those who seek to create delusional enemies. “This victory has come when reactional forces have mobilized to divide the nation, instilling fear in citizens of good conscience while trying to buy sympathy to cover up for their inadequacies.

This agenda seeks to supplant the spirit of our nation, they seek to dilute the reason for our being as a country.”

“From the foundation of the PF, our departed leader refused to use uncivilized means to gain political power at the expense of national unity. To all those who seek our fall as PF and as a people, we seek to remind them that we exist to serve the masses and not misplaced interests designed to injure society.”

“As your President, I will move from province to province, district to district, town to town and village to village to ensure that we expedite the rate at which development reaches our people. In the coming days and months, I will roll our Presidential initiatives to guarantee food security to our people,” he said.

The President stressed that the current generation of politicians owe it to the next generations to prove to them that a political opponent is not an enemy. The real enemy is the challenges we must overcome as a nation.

“To those who doubted PF’s capacity to emerge stronger and united after mourning the painful loss of our leader the late Michael Chilufya Sata, the answer is right before you. Three straight victories in the just-ended parliamentary by-election must speak volumes about our strength, resolve and most importantly, the people’s
confidence in PF.”

To the tireless PF members who abandoned their homes to camp in all the three constituencies, and campaigned from their hearts, the President assured that their sacrifices have built the foundation of the party’s journey towards 2016 and beyond.

“As your President, I am asking each one of you to step out, recruit new members, and energize our structures at every level. Therefore, to those who seek to distract us, we are saying: “Seleni, tubombeko”!

Eastern Province PF youths deny barring SG Davies Chama

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President Edgar Lungu talks to PF Secretary General Davies Chama as Home Affairs minister Davies Mwila (r) looks on at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport shortly before departure to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the African Union Summit on January 29,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
President Edgar Lungu talks to PF Secretary General Davies Chama as Home Affairs minister Davies Mwila (r) looks on at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport shortly before departure to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the African Union Summit on January 29,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA

Patriotic Front (PF) youths in the Eastern province have distanced themselves from the stories appearing in some sections of the media warning that the province was a no-go area for party Secretary General Davies Chama.

Chipata District Youth Secretary Mubiana Mabebo in a statement made available to ZANIS in Chipata today explained that at no time did the youths in the province meet to discuss matters regarding the leadership of Mr. Chama.

Mr. Mabebo said the youths in the Eastern province are so far happy with the leadership of Mr. Chama and the performance of the party.

He said the youths are in support of the Secretary General whom the President appointed and has trust in him.

He noted that the statement attributed to the youths in today’s Post newspapers does not reflect the true picture on the ground as it was not representing the interests of the youths.

Mr. Mabebo alleged that the statement did not come from the youth leadership in the province but from the two youths Davy Lungu and George Mwanza.

He explained that the two seized to be sympathizers of the ruling party and their statement does not represent or save the interest of the PF youths.

Mr. Mabebo added that true PF youths know how to channel their grievances than the way it was done by the two.

He alleged that the two youths have been hired to destabilize the party in the Eastern province as they do not represent the party at any level.
He further stated that Mr Chama was welcome to Eastern province adding that the youths were eager to meet him.

Mr. Mabebo was reacting to story carried in today’s edition of the Post newspaper warning PF Secretary General Davies Chama that Eastern province was a no-go area for him.

Government has no plans of disbanding the Police Traffic section-Panji

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Transport and Communication Minister Yafya Mukanga cuts the Ribbon to officially launch Road Maintenance Strategy 2015-2024 whilst his Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda looks on
Transport and Communication Minister Yafya Mukanga cuts the Ribbon to officially launch Road Maintenance Strategy 2015-2024 whilst his Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda looks on

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Panji Kaunda says government has no plans of disbanding the Zambia Police Service traffic section.

Colonel Kaunda said the Zambia Police traffic section is an important
department and that it will continue operating its national duties as prescribed by the law.

The Deputy Minister revealed the development to the Zambia News and
Information Services(ZANIS) in an interview in Lusaka today.

Col. Kaunda said the Zambia Police Service traffic section will continue working tirelessly and closely with the Road Transport and Safety Agency(RATSA) in regulating the road sector in the nation.

He said what was needed is for the traffic section to re-organise itself to ensure that it serves the road users to their
satisfaction.

Col. Kaunda said the issue of the Zambia Police traffic section is a
management issue which will be dealt with in the shortest possible
time.

He explained that government was doing everything possible to root out
corruption in the Zambia Police traffic section in order to bring sanity.

Col. Kaunda said the few corrupt individuals at the ZP Traffic Section
will be flashed out of the service because they are there to serve the people of Zambia professionally.

Some concerned stakeholders have been advocating for the disbandment of the ZP Traffic section so that the mandate remained with RTSA which is viewed to be discharging its duties professionally to regulate the road sector.

Lack of local business opportunities leading to loan defaults among youths in Zambia

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Minister of Youth, Sports and Child Development Chishimba Kambwili presents a cheque to Musaka Mumba of MS Catering and Events Management during the Youth development fund cheque's presentation held at the Olympic Youth Development center in Lusaka
Minister of Youth, Sports and Child Development Chishimba Kambwili presents a cheque to Musaka Mumba of MS Catering and Events Management during the Youth development fund cheque’s presentation held at the Olympic Youth Development center in Lusaka

National Youth Development Council (NYDC) chairperson Saviour Chishima says the biggest challenge youths in the country face in paying back loans was lack of local business opportunities.

Dr Chishimba said at a youth meeting in Zimba district yesterday that youths must be given business opportunities in order for them to excel in entrepreneurship and reduce on low loan recovery rate.

He said there is need to accelerate youth employment in the construction sector by awarding contracts to youth-led enterprises.

Dr Chishimba echoed the presidential directive that all contracts below an amount of K10, 000 should be awarded to youth-led enterprises.

“How can you pay back when you are not given business? Why should we bring a contractor from Lusaka just to come and paint an office block when we have viable youths within Zimba? Small contracts should be given to the locals and that should be the youth led enterprises”, said Dr Chishimba.

He added that there is need to help the youths in rural communities in their social economic sphere by giving them opportunities in their areas of specialization such as agriculture and construction.

“ We have a lot of young farmers out there and we need to strategically position them in ensuring that most of them have access to farming inputs under the farmer input support program”, noted Dr Chishimba.

Dr Chishimba said youths in the country constitute a larger percentage of the total population and that they were the driving seat of Zambia’s economy hence the need to help them in entrepreneurship activities.

“There is no way we can develop the economy without targeting the youth. Without empowering the youth we cannot develop”, He said.

He explained that the NYDC has opened one-stop youth service hubs in all provincial centres in the country to help youths in entrepreneurship and other youth activities.

He said most youths fail to access the youth fund and loans under the CEEC due to the complexity of the application forms and that the hubs will provide services to help overcome such problems.

Dr Chishimba said the NYDC has employed qualified graduates at the provincial one-stop youth service hubs in order to give sufficient technical support to youth entrepreneurs.

He said through the hubs, the NYDC will also conduct monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure that funds accessed by youths are properly utilized and profits are made to enable them pay back the loans.

“What the ministry of youth and sport is lacking is a powerful and effective monitoring tool which can help curb the low recovery rate of the youth development fund. Youths once given that money they think it’s for free and end up misusing it. We need to see an end to a situation where top leaders in youth groups share this money and forget about it”, he said.

Dr Chishimba said there is need for effective monitoring and evaluation of youth development activities to ensure that there is success and positive productivity.

“As a council we want to come up with a viable monitoring and evaluation tool for the youth development fund as well as capacity building among our youths through skills training. Our youth lack technical support and entrepreneurship skills and at the end we have a low loan recovery rate. We have to help our youth to come up with viable business ideas and contribute positively to the development of Zambia’s economy”, he said.

He also mentioned that the youth council was in a process of creating a database on youth-led development enterprises in all districts in the country.
He said identification of youth-led enterprises in districts through the youth development index which will be submitted to the ministry of works and supply will make it easy for government to award contracts to identified youth entrepreneurs.

“We are creating a youth development index which will enable us know the number of youth development enterprises and the type of businesses they are venturing in. This data will be collected at district level and submitted to our head office and we shall include it in our report to the minister. We will also take it to the ministry of works and supply so that these entrepreneurs can be identified for local contracts”, he explained.

And Zimba District Administrative officer Sekani Tembo said the youth development fund is for all youths in the country irrespective of their political party affiliation.

Mr Tembo said all Zambian youths are entitled to youth loans given by different sectors of government such as the CEEC, YDF, and women empowerment and Gender.

He echoed that capacity building in youth entrepreneurship was cardinal as it would yield good results and curb low loan recovery rates.

He added that government had released funds for creation of youth skills development centres in all districts including new ones such as Zimba.

Zambezi River Authority rations water usage in Kariba dam

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karibadam

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has reduced by ten percent the allocation of water for power generation at the Kariba dam.

This is because water levels in Kariba dam are low following the inadequate rainfall received in the Zambezi basin during the 2014/2015 rain season.

Ministry of Energy and Water Development Permanent Secretary Emelda Chola announced the adjustment in Lusaka today.

Brigadier General Chola said the move was aimed at ensuring that the Kariba dam has enough water to sustain power generation beyond the onset of the 2015/2016 rain season.

She said both the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and the Zimbabwe Power Company, which source water from the Kariba dam, have been informed about the adjustments and were expected to make adjustments to their operations accordingly.

General Chola said the Zambezi River Authority will continue to monitor the water levels in the dam to ensure compliance.

Inonge Wina says President Lungu’s cabinet is all inclusive

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Inonge Wina
Inonge Wina

Vice President Inonge Wina says President Edgar Lungu has not shown any discrimination in his Cabinet appointments.

Mrs Wina said that the appointment of women by President Lungu to higher positions in government was upon seeing that anyone credible and legible in the nation could contribute to national development.

The Vice President said this when she addressed a meeting in Mongu.

In her entourage was Education Minister Michael Kaingu, Community Development Mother and Child Health Minister Emerine Kabanshi and other senior government officials.

Mrs Wina told the gathering that her appointment to the position of Vice President was with the grace of God and an indication that if women were strong in their political parties they could also ascend to higher positions like men.

She also conveyed a message of thanks from President Lungu to the people of Western Province who voted for the PF and Edgar Lungu in the January 20, 2015 by-election.

And Education Minister Michael Kaingu has warned civil servants to desist from engaging in active politics citing teachers as the major culprits.

Dr Kaingu said under the Patriotic Front government he has the power to dismiss workers in his Ministry who were actively involved in politics.

The Senga Hill seat was hotly contested, says Simbao

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Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Transport, Works and Supply Kapembwa Simbao
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Transport, Works and Supply Kapembwa Simbao

The re-elected Senga Hill Member of Parliament (MP) Kapembwa Simbao has said the just ended by-elections were hotly contested.

Mr. Simbao, who is now Patriotic Front (PF) MP, said the election was a hot contest because the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) also did their best in the campaigns.

He said this in Mbala district shortly after the returning officer Rodwell Ng’ambi declared him winner at 11:45 hours this morning.

The Senga Hill by-elections were contested by only two political parties, the UPND and PF.

Mr. Simbao got 7,815 votes while the UPND candidate Giles Yambayamba got 4,570 votes.

He has since warned the UPND that Northern Province was not going to be easy for the opposition party to penetrate.

He further said those that did not vote for him were cheated not to believe that he was a good candidate.

Mr. Simbao charged that he has not come back the same person but as a rejuvenated MP, ready to serve the peoples of his area.

He has since thanked the electorates for having confidence in him.

Mr. Simbao said he will deliver his campaign promises as it was much easier to lobby for resources when one is in the ruling party than in the opposition.

And Mr. Simbao’s Campaign Manager Freedom Sikazwe said it will be hard for the opposition UPND to penetrate the province.

Mr. Sikazwe, who is also Northern Province Minister, said the fact that the PF has won all the three parliamentary by-elections was a clear indication that people still have confidence in the ruling party.

He has since called on all the PF members to continue supporting the party and President Edgar Lungu.

Mr. Simbao said the only reason the UPND managed to get such a number of votes was because of the candidate they had adopted.

He noted that under normal circumstances, the UPND could have gotten less but noted that the results were not an indication that the party was gaining ground.

And UPND losing candidate could not be reached for a comment by press time.
Meanwhile, the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has called on the electoral Commission of Zambia to use electronic means of sending results than waiting for polling agents to transport the results.

FODEP Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi, who was at the totalling centre, said it was unfortunate that results delayed to be announced because of the bad weather.

Mr. Chipenzi said he was also concerned with the voter apathy that was recorded in all the three just ended by-elections.

Kasama residents unhappy with high mealie-meal prices

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Scores of Kasama residents have bemoaned the reluctance by millers in the district to reduce the mealie meal price.

Speaking during an interview with ZANIS, Caroline Mulenga a resident of Newtown town ship said the cost of living is too high and the miller’s failure to reduce the price of mealie meal has greatly contributed to this.

Mrs Mulenga added that it is unfair for Zambians in other districts to buy mealie meal at lower prices while the people of Kasama are buying the same commodity at exorbitant prices.

She appealed to the millers in the district to reduce the price of mealie meal to cut down on the high cost of living currently being experienced by people of Kasama district.

Another resident, Musonda Mukuka of Central town said it is unfair for the people in Kasama not to enjoy the benefits of the price reduction of mealie-meal announced by government recently.

Mr Mukuka added that it is an offence to ignore government directives and millers in the district should face the law for failing to adhere to the directive.

He appealed to the authority in the district to liaise with the millers and take the necessary step to insure that the millers implement the new prices for the staple food.

Government last month directed all millers around the country to reduce the price of mealie meal.

However, millers in Kasama have continued selling the commodity using the old price.

According to a survey carried out by ZANIS, a 25 Kilogramme bag of breakfast mealie-meal is going at K70 while the same quantity bag of roller meal is selling at K54.

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