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President Michael Sata’s recent cabinet reshuffles are meaningless because he merely shifted the same old non-performing individuals from one ministry to the other instead of replacing them with more competent individuals.
It is not a secret that the president reshuffled his cabinet due to the poor performance of his cabinet. But shifting these same underperforming individuals from one ministry to the other is not a recipe for change. It is like shifting rotten groundnuts from one part of the mouth to the other and hoping that somehow the bitter taste will go away.
It does not work that way. What His Excellency, the President should do is to summon the moral courage and fire those incompetent ministers and replace them with competent people who will help drive the economic agenda forward.
This country has no shortage of qualified and visionary men and women who can diligently help the president run the government effectively and efficiently and help bring down the misery of poverty and the agony of unemployment that many of our people are enduring.
According to Article 50 of our Republican Constitution, the functions of Cabinet Ministers are as follows:
1. To formulate policy of the government and,
2. To advise the president with respect to the policy of the government
Looking at the functions of Cabinet Ministers it goes without saying that it is prudent for the president to appoint professional men and women who are competent enough to fully understand and discharge their responsibilities as ministers. Men and women who are competent enough to formulate sound and appropriate policies that can foster social and economic change. Men and women who have the spine to look the president in the eye and advise him without fear.
Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II has been linked to an illegal multi-billion Kwacha mining deal involving a Chinese construction company China Jiangsu International Limited in her chiefdom.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya is linked to the deal through two companies Busoli Development Company and Skyline Quarry Limited, companies that are registered in the names of Nkomeshya’s daughter Mainza Elizabeth Mkomeshya, her husband Lenard Kawanu in collusion with some Chinese and Zambia nationals.
The directors of Skyline are Xue Buhai, Yajun Dong and the shareholders are Xue Buhai, Shuke Doreen Mwamba.
In the other company Busoli Development Company, the directors are George Mwamba, Mukuka Munkonge, Lenard Kawanu and Maiza Elizabeth Nkomeshya, who also pose as shareholders for the firm. The directors for China Jiangshu International Limited are Zou Chang Shan, Zhang Da Quing, Yajun Dung, Ling Diang Shun, Hnglun Zhang and these are also shareholders for the company.
The three companies have been denied mining permits and environmental permissions from the Ministry of Mines and Zambia Environemental Management Authority to conduct mining activities in an area because the area was owned by other businessman.
According to investigations conducted, the government issued a mining license to Vikram Investments Limited on November 12, 2012 for large scale prospecting on license number 16703-HQ-LP.
However, before Vikram Investments Limited could proceed with mining activities, Nkomeshya’s daughter Elizabeth, her husband Kawanu, George Mwamba and the Chinese moved into the prospecting area and are currently conducting mining activities.
According to investigations, Vikram obtained a court injunction to stop the illegal mining activities, but Nkomeshya’s Busoli Development has defied the court order by proceeding with mining works in which the firm is producing over 11, 000 tons of aggregates per day.
According to villagers in the surrounding areas, Nkomeshya had remained adamant that they would not allow Vikram to operate in her chiefdom because that was her land and she had the audacity to do what she wanted with her land.
China Jiangsu International, Busoli Development Company, Skyline Quarry Limited, Economic Technical Co (Z) Limited and George Mwamba have disregarded a High Court injunction and have grabbed a mining area dully given to Vikram Investment Limited and have started mining activities and quarrying.
Investigations have exposed that Nkomeshya’s companies had encroached Vikram Investment Limited prospecting area 16703-HQ-LPL which was formerly given to the company by the Ministry of Energy and Water Development.
Vikram Investments Limited was awarded a large scale prospecting licence number 16703-HQ-LPL in Shantumbu area in Chongwe but before the company could commence its mining activities, China Jiangsu International Limited ruthlessly moved on the site and started quarrying.
During the week, some Chinese nationals found at the mining site harassed journalists who visited the place to stop them from recording footage of the illegal mining.
On Wednesday,some journalists was almost fired at by the Chinese workers who claimed that they had been granted surface rights title by a local chief in Chongwe.
Despite the Ministry of Mines Energy and Mineral Development ordering Jiangsu International Limited and Skyline Quarry Limited, Economic Technical Company and Busoli Development Company to stop the mining activities and quarrying, the companies had continued their illegal mining activities, ignoring the court Injunction that was granted to Vikram against the companies.
Vikram Investment Limited had gone to court seeking a court injunction to restrain Jiangsu and Skyline Quarry Limited from conducting mining activities its large scale prospecting area but even after the injunction was granted, the Chinese company along with some Nkomeshya’s local companies have continued quarrying.
Vikram had applied for the large scale prospecting licence and the ministry of mines dully gave the company the licence and the Zambia Environmental and Management Agency had approved the environmental project brief and granted Vkiram to commence its mining activities.
One of the letters from the Mines Safety Department addressed to Vikram Investment Limited, the government felt Vikram Investments had fulfilled all the conditions of the Environmental Assessment Impact.
However, its prospecting areas were dubiously and maliciously invaded by China Jiangsu International Limited with the assistance of Busoli Development Company, a company owned by the daughter to Chiefteness Nkomesha Mukamambo.
Efforts to have China Jiangsu International Limited stop its illegal mining and quarrying activities in the prospecting area have proven futile.
Investigations showed that Vikram alerted ZEMA and the agency instructed the Chinese and Nkomeshya’s companies to remove equipment and stop the illegal mining but the companies have ignored all orders with impunity.
The companies have also defied orders from the Zambia police to move from the site and have arrogantly continued with its illegal mining.
Ex-KK 11 defender Simon Kaodi Kaushi has expressed disappointment over local club’s failure to show a mark of respect for the deceased legendary Zambia 1974 Africa Cup star Kaiser Kalambo during midweek
league matches.
The 60-year-old ex-Zambia and Ndola United midfield star died in Lusaka on March 18 after an illness.
Kaushi said FAZ should have instructed Super League and Division One clubs to observe a moment of silence and wear black armband during the midweek games in honor of Kalambo.
The Mufulira Blackpool legend said it was regrettable that clubs in the Super League and Division One played matches on Wednesday without acknowledging Kalambo.
“FAZ should have instructed Super League and Division One clubs to observe a moment of silence and wear black armband during the midweek games, the teams were just playing games as if everything was a well
in the country,” Kaushi said.
“Like they do in Europe we are supposed to show respect to our hero. Kalambo was not an ordinary player, he was a dependable and captain of the national team,” he added.
Kaushi expressed sadness over the death of his colleague who is being put to rest at Lusaka’s Memorial Park on Friday.
“I am saddened by that death. Kalambo was a hardworking and dependable player,” Kaushi said.
The Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) says the continued depreciation of will negatively affect the cost of doing business in the country.
PSDA Chairperson Yusuf Dodia said in terms of trade, the demand for exports will drop as the input costs of labour and other factors of production will rise which will in turn increase the cost of exports thereby affecting their competitiveness.
He said the Kwacha’s loss of value over the past few months has a negative effect on trade and tax revenue the private sector contributes to the government.
Mr. Dodia however notds that the move by the central bank to offload US$178 million onto the market to shore up the value of the Kwacha will help make imports much cheaper especially that Zambia is an intensive import country.
He has further urged government to quickly come up with policy measures that will help stabilize the kwacha in the long term, stating that many local producers are already finding it difficult and expensive to conduct business.
[QFM]
Former Communication and Transport Minister, William Harrington has said he does not take pleasure in the sacking of Sylvia Masebo as Tourism and Arts Minister.
President Michael Sata yesterday fired Ms Masebo who is awaiting the outcome of the findings of a tribunal constituted to probe her alleged professional misconduct and interference in the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) operations.
But Mr. Harrington, who instigated the setting up of the tribunal to probe Ms. Masebo, said he finds it unfair to comment on her dismissal because he does not derive any delight in her being fired.
Mr. Harrington told Qfm News in a telephone that it will be further unfair to both President Sata and Ms. Masebo for him or anybody else to assume that the step the Head of State has taken is based on the tribunal.
He said this is because the tribunal has not yet formally handed its findings of its investigations to the Head of State.
Mr Harrington maintains that his main goal for initiating the tribunal to probe Ms. Masebo was only to seek justice as he did not take pleasure in among other things, seeing people lose their jobs at ZAWA as a result of the actions of the Minister.
Meanwhile opposition Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) president Fredrick Mutesa has welcomed President Sata’s decision to relieve Ms. Masebo of her duties as Tourism and Arts Minister.
Dr Mutesa said his party believes the action by the President will also be welcomed by a majority of the people in the country because it is in keeping with transparency and accountability.
Dr. Mutesa told Qfm News in a separate interview that this is why his party finds the decision of the Head of State long overdue going by the allegations leveled against Ms. Masebo.
I would like to bring to your attention the plight on Nsama district in Northern Province, formerly part of Kaputa District.
For some time now government through PF has been promising development for the newly created district of Nsama which also includes the infamous Kasaba Bay project. I think it is high time the public of Zambia know the truth of what is going on here, that is NOTHING!
As of today 20 march 2014 Nsama District is completely cutoff from the rest of Zambia due to roads collapsing and no maintenance. There has been no maintenance on any road into Nsama for some 8 years and despite the imminent signs that these roads would not last another rain season nothing has been done. Finally as expected some bridges from Kaputa to Nsumbu have collapsed and the raod from Kasama is not passable unless in a 4×4 landcruiser. I attach a picture for you taken today of the road.
How shall development come to these poor parts of our country when infrastructure is ignored. Even Kasaba Bay, nothing is going on there despite claims by Government that there are investors coming.The place is abandoned and one cannot even reach the place without a boat, what kind of development is this?
LT I urge you to investigate and reveal the truth how such a large part of Zambia has been ignored and the people made to suffer unnecessarily.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy MMD national chairperson for women affairs Foustina Sinyangwe has called on women serving as ministers in the PF government to be above board and not give republican president Micheal Sata any reasons for firing them.
Ms Sinyangwe said the country already has few women serving as cabinet ministers hence for them to ensure that they perform their duties diligently without engaging into activities which would make them unpopular with the president.
She said it is always sad for the women folk whenever one of their own is fired as such dismissals derail the fight for equal representation in decision making positions in the country.
She said with the current cabinet comprising less than 11percent of women it is important that women who are fortunate enough to be in these positions are careful when dealing with issues because they are not as strong as men when it comes to defending themselves.
She also called on them to be shining examples to other women and inspire others to challenge for these positions saying those with the opportunity to serve as ministers should always remember that they represent all the women in the country therefore should conduct themselves as such.
“We know we are women and when we are given positions we should be diligent, transparent and always do the right thing. I believe that when you do the right thing you will be vindicated”.
And Ms Sinyangwe further noted that it is most unfortunate that men facing the same problems have continued in their positions when everyone should be treated equally.
“Its most unfortunate that you find that men have the same problems but are still working but if its a woman they are hounded out”. She said
Ms Sinyangwe was commenting on the firing of former Tourism Minister Sylvia Masebo who was fired on Thursday less than 10 days after another female deputy minister was fired.
Opposition UPND president Hakainde Hichilema has ruled out any meeting with President Michael Sata to discuss national matters. Speaking when he featured on Hot FM yesterday, Mr. Hichilema said that he would not meet President Micheal Sata to discuss national matters.
“I would not meet Mr Sata to dialogue with him national issues or peace in the nation because I know that he can call for my arrest before we finish the meeting as I can tell him the truth that might injure his feelings,”.
“The best I can do if I want to dialogue with him is to write to him and not meeting him in person, never, I have been writing to him and responses have been given, I shall continue doing that meeting him will lead to my arrest,” said Mr Hakainde.
During the radio interview, Mr. Hichilema blamed the PF government policies for the failing Kwacha that has hit its lowest value, adding that there was nothing global about the free falling Kwacha.
Mr. Hichilema said he predicted a long time ago that investor confidence will be lost and the Kwacha would lose value by implementation of statutory instruments number 33 and 55 that imposed restrictions on local currency.
“I have been vindicated once again and there is nothing global about the bleeding Kwacha. It is simply the PF failure to understand serious economic fundamentals that are making the Kwacha lose value at fast rate,” Mr. Hichilema said.
He said the PF should for now suspend the statutory instruments that heavily regulate the Kwacha for the sake of mother Zambia and the business community in the country that create jobs.
Mr. Hichilema called on the PF government to be consistent with certain statements and actions as they can easily affect investor confidence.
“For example, when you promise to deliver a people driven constitution and later someone turns around like Mr. Sata and Guy Scott are doing by saying this is just a piece of paper, such statements scare away investors because they fear you have no regard for the rule of law. Investors fear you will one day just wake up and make decrees that will make them lose their money, ” he said.
When you wake up and deport the Chilanga cement Managing Director like the PF did without following the law, investors get scared and there is nothing global about such lawlessness hence the Kwacha rapid depreciation,” he said.
Mr. Hichilema said even actions such as arresting and denying opposition leaders and other people certain liberties that are enshrined in the constitution can cause economical and political instability that weakens the Kwacha.
Newly promoted FAZ Division One North side Lumwana Radiants coach Ronald Mukosha says his team was not under pressure to win promotion to the Super League.
Lumwana have made a perfect Division One debut after recording two straight wins in the opening games.
Mukosha’s side on Wednesday silenced Ndola United 2-1 away at Musa Kasonka Stadium three days after thumping Grinaker 2-0 in their opener.
“As a team we do not have pressure to win promotion,” the ex-Zambia and Power Dynamos defender said.
Mukosha added:”As a coach my duty is to help the players progress in their careers. The team wants to finish in the top eight but my target as coach is a top four finish.”
He hailed Lumwana’s perfect start to the Division One North season.
“I am happy with the team’s performance in our first season in Division One. My players are young but they are determined and they know the targets we have set as Lumwana Radiants.”
Mukosha is assisted by ex-Zambia captain Allan Kamwanga.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga after the arrival aboard the first Royal Dutch airline KLM flight between Amsterdam and Lusaka at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga has disclosed that Government has set 30th June, 2014 as the deadline to finalize the re-introduction of a national airline.
Mr. Mukanga has told QFM News in an interview that by the June deadline; government would have made headways in reintroducing a national flag carrier.
Mr. Mukanga says government will not relax but will continuing working towards the reintroduction of an effective airline that will contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth.
He says government has been consulting renowned airlines to learn experiences on how best to operate the airline once established.
The Transport Minister notes that the absence of a national airline has negatively affected the development of tourism, non-traditional exports and other industries that directly or indirectly rely on tourism.
Recently,Government sent a delegation to the Middle East state of Qatar to consult on how it can help Zambia set up a national airline and become a central hub in passenger and cargo traffic.
George Chellah fidgiting with microphones before President Michael Sata made a very short speech during the funeral service of the accident victims in Ndola
State House has dismissed accusations by MMD leader Nevers Mumba that it was financing troubles in the former ruling party.
Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah has since advised Dr Mumba to stop tarnishing the image of State House by dragging it, in his malicious agenda against the President Michael Sata.
Mr Chellah advised Dr Mumba to concentrate on stabilising his party from self inflicted problems instead of apportioning the blame on President Sata.
“We find his utterances baseless, wild, time-wasting and malicious, the Zambian people have been following the events, the turbulences, and the fights happenings in MMD and these are not new but well documented,” Mr Chellah said.
“Just like the Zambian people, State House has also been following these events through the Press and it would be very unfair to drag President Sata in the confusion”.
Mr Chellah said in reaction to Dr Mumba’s statement that President Sata wished him well in his endeavour to stabilise the MMD, so that it could contribute to the democratic governance of the country.
“The President wants to see a stable opposition political that will provide checks and balances to the ruling Party,” he said.
He said trying to heap the blame on President Sata would not help to stabilise the MMD, but instead further fuel confusion.
“Dr Mumba should devise better ways of stabilising the Party and I emphasis, President Sata would like to see MMD survive to provide checks and balances,” he said.
Finance Minister Alexander ChikwandaFinance Minister Alexander Chikwanda
Government has signed a grant agreement with the Nordic Development Fund totaling to K39 million for the development of climate resilient infrastructure standards and codes.
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda signed the grant agreement on behalf of government while Nordic Development Fund Country Manager Rohanna Palmberg signed on behalf of her organisation.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Lusaka today, Mr. Chikwanda noted that no country in the world has ever developed without appropriate and adequate infrastructure.
Mr. Chikwanda observed that the development of Zambia has been hampered by inadequate and dysfunctional infrastructure.
He said the country has backlogs of infrastructure deficiencies and stressed that tackling these deficits was very prominent on the Patriotic Front (PF) government’s ambitious development agenda.
“Infrastructure particularly as it relates to roads is very expensive. When roads have been constructed, they need maintenance and when the standards are flawed, the costs of maintaining such infrastructure can be prohibitive,” he said.
Mr. Chikwanda stressed that there was need therefore to ensure that infrastructure was constructed to highest specifications and standards to guarantee reasonable levels of infrastructural integrity.
“It is in this context that the proposed Nordic Development Fund financed adaptation project valued at Euro 4 million (K39 million) has significance and meaning. The thrust of this funding will be developing of codes and standards for infrastructure development in the road transport sector,” Mr. Chikwanda said.
He said climate factors such as high rainfall, high temperature and other related factors will always impact on infrastructure and that it was an inescapable requirement that they were always taken account of in the plans.
Mr. Chikwanda further stated that it was government’s hope and expectation that it could build on these initiatives with Nordic and other cooperating partners.
He noted that Nordic countries are characterised by absence of huge disparities in their own communities saying these countries revolve on meaningful fellowship internally.
“Nordic countries are not a power bloc but are kind of moral anchor for the global community. This is the kind of spirit that resonates in Zambia,” he said.
And Nordic Development Fund Country Manager Rohanna Palmberg underscored her organisation’s commitment to continue investing in climate proof infrastructure in Zambia.
Ms. Palmberg said climate change issues were real as can be seen from among many other factors the increased rainfall.
She said countries need to start preparing themselves for this climate challenge.
A Brazilian Global investment company has revealed that it plans to transform Zambia into a regional electricity hub for the benefit of countries in the Southern and Central African region.
Andrade Gutierrez (AG Group) says it has identified Zambia as the best location from where to develop power projects that will increase generation for local consumption and export.
Company Commercial Director Dieter Hopf has observed that the entire Southern and Central African region is currently facing power deficits.
Zambia being centrally linked makes the country a suitable strategic power distribution point to other countries in the region, he said.
This is according to a media statement released to ZANIS today by Press Secretary at the Zambian Embassy in Brazil Nicholas Shabolyo.
Mr. Hopf pointed out that his firm had concluded feasibility studies on Zambia and discovered that the country is a safe investment destination due to its political stability and robust economic progression.
“We have identified several projects within Zambia and we think Andrade Gutierrez is specialised enough to help Zambia overcome her electricity problems. Our hope is now to quickly enter into a memorandum of understanding with the government of Zambia on one of the possible projects we have identified.” said Hopf.
He said AG is currently negotiating with Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to participate in the development of the Batoka Gorge Hydro power project to increase power generation capacity between Zambia and Zimbabwe to 1,600 megawatts.
Mr. Hopf said AG has vast experience having participated in the construction of about 40, 000 megawatts of installed capacity in Brazil .
He further said AG is currently a leading consortium for the civil construction the world’s third largest hydro power plant of 11,233 megawatt at Belo Monte Hydro electric Plant in Brazil.
