The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) today destroyed about 300 smuggled bricks of cigarettes worth over K1 billion at the Livingstone City Council’s dump site.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Zambia Revenue Authority Corporate Communications Manager, Mumbuna Kufekisa, said the move was taken in accordance with the Food and Drugs Act Chapter 295 of the Laws of Zambia as well as the Public Health Act.

Mr Kefekisa said the cigarettes were smuggled into the country between November 2013 and July 2014.

“The cigarettes were being smuggled into the country on bicycles which often carry groceries and fruits being imported in petty consignments from neighbouring Zimbabwe,” he said.

He said the destroyed cigarettes included brands such as Gold Remington, Pacific Blue Seville’s, Kingsgate, Everest and Kingdom, adding that they did not have cigarette stamps from the Zambia Revenue Authority as required by law.

Mr Kufekisa explained that the smuggling of goods had a negative effect on the economy as it resulted in huge revenue losses for the government.

“Smuggling distorts market prices which in turn affects the manufacturing industries. The end result is unfair competition on trading grounds and also distortion of the economy”, he said.

He further added that that registered companies dealing in tobacco were at risk of closing down and the closure of such companies would mean loss of employment for many people in the country.

Mr Kufekisa said ZRA would tighten measures and ensure people who brought goods in the country followed the right procedures and paid the right amount of tax.

He has since warned smugglers not to expect sympathy but face the full wrath of the law once caught.

Matero MP Miles Sampa has decided to extend his Metro Cab youth empowerment initiative to the rest of the country.

Speaking at a signing ceremony in Lusaka with Big Brother Suppliers Limited to supply 10 taxis by September 01 2014, Mr Sampa said the positive response his initiative has received has motivated him to extend it to the rest of Zambia.

He said the Metro Cab initiative is not a business venture as some critics have been saying.

Mr Sampa said he genuinely wants to uplift the living standards of the Zambian youth.

He also dispelled assertions that his development initiatives are aimed at positioning himself for the republican presidency at some point in his political career.

Mr Sampa said he will use part of his gratuity from Parliament to fund the roll out of the Metro Cabs initiative.

He also revealed that he will approach more banks and other financial institutions to roll out the initiative.

And Big Brother Suppliers Limited Chief Executive Officer Max Chongo said his firm was thrilled to be associated with the Metro Cabs initiative.

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) says air pollution by Mopani Copper Mines in Mufulira has reduced by 50 percent.

ZEMA Public Relations Officer Ireen Chipili has told Qfm News in an interview that this follows the mine’s investment in the new state of the art acid plant which has is capturing large quantities of sulphur dioxide being emitted by mining activity.

Mrs Chipili says the agency will in two weeks time conduct a further assessment to ascertain how the acid plant is operating.

She says Zambia Environmental Management Agency has been working tirelessly to ensure that residents of Mufulira are protected from the pollution emanating from the mining company.

Mrs Chipili has also appealed to other mining companies to emulate Mopani Copper Mines and adhere to the protection of the environment from mine pollution.

Government has released funds to clear all outstanding salary arrears for TAZARA employees who have been on a long running strike.

Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister, Yamfwa Mukanga, in a statement issued to QFM News says government expects operations at TAZARA to normalise with the release of the funds.

Mr Mukanga says government is further committed to securing more funds to dismantle the backlog of unpaid retiree benefits and for business operations in the near future.

He has since urged all TAZARA workers on the Zambian side to resume work immediately without fail.

Mr Mukanga adds that government will not be held at ransom by strike actions, especially when the right channels are not followed.

He says it is also important for the workers involved in the strike action to realize that any action that disrupts industrial harmony leads to losses on the part of the company like TAZARA which is not making profit.

Mr Mukanga has since reaffirmed government’s commitment in addressing the labour and operational challenges currently facing TAZARA in order to spur sustainable growth of the railway sector.

The Minister has also revealed that his ministry has engaged the Ministry of Finance and Management of Zambia Railways and the Union to work out modalities of how to settle the outstanding arrears for former Railway Systems of Zambia employees through the 2015 National Budget.

President of the Africa Import and Export Bank has urged the continent to remain upright and alert and ensure that it gathers a win-win situation from China, United States of America and other leading world economies.

Speaking during Bank of Zambia 50 years Dinner in Lusaka last night, Jean-Louis Ekra said Africa has become a good ground were the US and China were fighting to take over due to its rich natural resources.

His Excellence Jean-Louis Ekra noted that Africa has all the resources needed world over which if not guarded with caution the continent will lose out on its prosperity.

He noted that Africa must look for equal partners in economic development which he said the continent should not be seen to be siding with anyone but equally cooperate and trade with all.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Zambia has launched a book and minted coin as it celebrates 50 years of Zambia and the Bank’s existence.

The Book titled “Zambia; Building Prosperity form Resource Wealth” was launched by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda this morning at an on going BOZ symposium in Lusaka.

Central Bank Governor Dr. Michael Gondwe said the book reflects on the economic policy in Zambia and the challenges that the policy makers face and covers other issues that include fiscal and monetary policies, financial stability and governance.

The minted coin being sold at K300 has a face of President Michael Sata and on the other side has a message of the Bank being 50 years old.