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Kangwa urges controlling officers to prevent financial audit queries

Chief Editor
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Kangwa urges controlling officers to prevent financial audit queries

Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, has urged controlling officers and members of controlling bodies to take matters of financial management and audit seriously or risk attracting consequences.

Mr Kangwa said controlling officers should ensure that necessary steps are taken to prevent audit queries or resolve them in time if they occur.

He said erring officers may face punitive actions in line with the Public Finance Management Act No. 1 of 2018 if they do not avoid actions that may attract audit queries.

The Secretary to the Cabinet regretted the continued reports of the Auditor General, citing the financial year ended December 31, 2021 and the report on management of government payroll for the period 2016 to 2021 which revealed significant financial irregularities.

Mr Kangwa further stated that the irregularities could have been avoided if institutions named in the reports had followed applicable laws, regulations and guidelines that govern the management of public resources.

He said this at the official opening of the controlling officers’ sensitisation workshop in Lusaka which has been organised by the Office of the Auditor General to explain the audit processes, recurring audit queries and new developments in audit.

Mr Kangwa has since commended the initiative of assisting controlling officers to understand the audit process and their roles in public accountability thereby promoting transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources to serve the needs of the citizens.

He referred to President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive for responsible officers to cut down on wastage of resources by making procurements at the right time and price, and ensure quality for prudent utilisation of public resources.

“I implore you, beyond this workshop, to engage the Office of the Auditor General, Accountant General and Controller of Internal Audit on matters affecting the management and utilisation of public resources,” Mr Kangwa said.

He also revealed that the government will revive the audit oversight mechanism to deal with matters of audit and how to prevent financial mismanagement.

And Auditor General, Dick Sichembe, appealed to controlling officers and bodies to prioritise fiscal discipline through enhanced transparency and accountability, in order to achieve the government’s agenda of transforming the country.

Dr Sichembe explained that his office will remain aggressive in its quest to ensure public resources are protected from abuse and misuse especially with the economic challenges that the country has continued to face.

The workshop was being held under the theme ‘understanding the work of the Office of the Auditor General’.

Meanwhile, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairperson, Warren Mwambazi, hoped that the engagement between the Office of the Auditor General and controlling officers will assist in supporting the delivery of public services through well managed public financial management.

Mr Mwambazi said the transition from focusing on audit queries at parliamentary hearings to discussing solutions was aimed at reducing causes of audit queries.

He stressed that controlling officers have a responsibility of planning, controlling revenue collection and managing expenditure of public funds but acknowledged that lapses have been discovered.

Mr Mwambazi said Zambia can only develop if officers play their role in ensuring that public resources are managed and utilised in a prudent, efficient and effective manner.

We need to expand school facilities-Siakalima

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We need to expand school facilities-Siakalima

Government says there is a dire need to expand education facilities in the country in order to accommodate more learners in schools.

Minister of Education Douglas Siakalima said the free education policy has increased the demand for infrastructure in learning institutions.

Mr Siakalima was speaking in Lusaka today when received a science laboratory built by the Japanese Government at Lilanda combined school.

He said Zambia values the support which the government of Japan has continued to render through numerous sectors, among them education.

Mr Siakalima has since appreciated the support from the Japanese government to Lilanda combined school through constructing the science laboratory that will help the institution in teaching science practical skills to the pupils.

He has therefore urged the school management at Lilanda combined school to guard the infrastructure against vandalism and put it to good use.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Zambia, Ominato Satoshi said the Ministry of Education has prioritised the expansion of laboratory infrastructure in schools.

Mr Sitochi said in view of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), the education sector still remains one of the pillars of Japan’s cooperation with Zambia.

He said the school will now be able to offer science related subjects in accordance with the ministry’s school curriculum.

He said Japan will continue to assist Zambia in the development of human resources in the field of science and engineering in order to revitalise the country’s economy.

Investigations Officer who arrested the Kampyongos fails to show up in Court for cross Examination

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Investigations Officer who arrested the Kampyongos fails to show up in Court for cross Examination

ANTI Corruption Commission (ACC) acting Senior Investigations Officer who arrested and charged former Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo and wife Wanziya Chirwa failed to turn up at court Thursday for cross examination by the defence as she is reportedly sick.

In the last Court sitting, ACC officer Zangiwe Mulenga testified before Lusaka magistrate Slyvia Munyinya that Stephen Kampyongo owns property which was K2.,400,000.00 above his earnings.

The property include the house in Eureka valued at K8,600,000.00 which she told the Court belonged to Jon Van Blerk. Hon Kampyongo only paid $1,400 (about K25,612 based on today’s rate) out of a total purchase price of US$330,176.

ACC had received a report from the Financial Intelligence Center that Stephen Kampyongo had built the house but ACC investigations discovered the House belonged to Jon Van Blerk.

Among the four properties Mr Kampyongo is accused of owing above his income include bare or undeveloped land off Twin Palm road valued at K1,600,000.00, a property in Rockview, Multi Economic Zone valued at K819,000.00. Ms Mulenga said the property at Forest 27 showed that Hon Kampyongo had exchanged it with Sandra Ngwisha and there were no further investigations.

According to a State witness the Payroll Management and Establishment Control assistant director-personnel administration Humphrey Silupya, Hon Kampyongo earned a total of K3, 607,100.92 without including any other allowances he may have earned attending to other government business. The National Assembly had also earlier told the Court that Hon Kampyongo earned a net total of K3,600,000.00.

According to the wage report generated by PMEC, Ms Wanziya Chirwa earned K1,314,973.33 in net payment from April 2010 to December 2022. According to the testimony of Mr Humphrey Silupya, in cross examination, the figures for Ms Chirwa do not include the earnings in salaries and allowances could have made from 2005 when she was first employed by government to March 2010 as the data could not be generated by the PMEC System.

Mr Silupya admitted that Ms Kampyongo had once travelled to the Netherlands where he worked for one year and could have earned additional allowances. He said he does not know the rate that is used when she travelled out of the country.

The Court has since adjourned the matter to 1st February, 2022 for cross examination of Mr Mulenga is now unwell and the State is expected to close its case around that time.

Structural weakness a hinder to Zambia’s fight against corruption – IMF

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Structural weakness a hinder to Zambia’s fight against corruption – IMF

The International Monetary Fund – IMF Diagnostic Report on Governance and Corruption conducted on Zambia has revealed that weak transparency and accountability mechanisms allowed the mismanagement of extensive resources.

The report focused on the effectiveness of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering frameworks, fiscal governance, central bank governance, fiscal sector oversight, contract enforcement and protection of property rights.

The report identifies short-term reforms and longer-term policy measures that are necessary for sustainable and inclusive change.

The report accessed by Lusaka Times highlight that significant legal and structural weaknesses and deficient implementation practices hinder Zambia’s ability to fight corruption and money laundering effectively, and these significant governance weaknesses in anti-corruption and AML/CFT include limited transparency and accountability in the public sector, lack of public access to information, compromised independence and operational autonomy, limited technical, operational and financial capacities of anti-corruption and AML/CFT institutions, inadequate anti-corruption and AML/CFT policy formulation.

According to the report, it is stated that public procurement remains one of the key areas of government inefficiency and vulnerability to corruption, especially in sectors where public spending is particularly high corruption vulnerabilities in Revenue Administration are high in the Value-Added Tax (VAT) refund process. Here too, corruption is facilitated by a lack of transparency for legal persons and other arrangements that enable the concealment of ill-gotten proceeds.

The IMF report cited that Corruption became particularly entrenched and institutionalized during 2016-2021, which further eroded public trust in institutions.

The report noted that weak transparency and accountability allowed political and economic elites to bend rules regarding public resources, adding that large public investment projects were often transformed into vehicles for political patronage and rent seeking opportunities, and corruption is believed to have inflated the costs of numerous high-profile tenders and construction projects.

Huge financial resources invested in infrastructure projects such as road construction have been identified to have provided avenues for corruption, the report indicates that political connections allowed members of the elite to bend the rules and access to lucrative contracts during tender procedure as the government often interfered in the selection process.

Meanwhile, the Farmer Input Support Programme – FISP which was introduced in 2002 and soon perceived as ineffective due to corruption, poor targeting and leakage to non-beneficiaries, among others is said to have been used to funnel political supporters.

The IMF in its report recently presented to President Hakainde Hichilema revealed that the FISP favoured a few input suppliers who appeared to be politically connected and selected in the programme by bending the tender procedures.

The Report notes that a steady decline in anti-corruption efforts and the downward trend is shown in different governance and corruption indicators as most citizens perceived senior government officials, civil leaders, Members of Parliament, tax collectors and judges as corrupt.

And the report highlights that the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) faced governance weaknesses, derived primarily from the Bank of Zambia Act (BoZ Act). Subsequent to the Governance Diagnostic Assessment mission, the BoZ Act was amended, and important legal reforms were enacted in August 2022.

The amended BoZ Act is substantially in line with IMF recommendations and significantly strengthens the Bank of Zambia’s autonomy and governance arrangements.

In the Financial sector oversight, while there is a good progress in aligning legal and regulatory framework with international standards, there are remaining constraints in performing the

oversight function effectively.

The governance weaknesses related to supervisor’s operational independence, accountability, transparency, decision-making, enforcement of prudential requirements as well as insufficient human resources limit oversight function and increase opportunities for corruption.

The weaknesses in governance-related prudential framework cannot ensure adequate safeguard for the integrity of the banking sector.

Additionally, the contract enforcement legal framework is well developed but access to dispute resolution mechanisms is limited due to insufficient number of courts and adjudicators, as well as ineffective alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms constituting major governance weaknesses in the system.

The IMF mission undertook a governance diagnostic from January 14 to May 6, 2022 in response to a request from President Hakainde Hichilema.

Ndola Magistrate Grants bail to eight (8) Croatian nationals charged with the offence of attempted trafficking in four children

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Ndola Magistrate Grants bail to eight (8) Croatian nationals charged with the offence of attempted trafficking in four children

Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Dominic Makalicha has granted bail to eight (8) Croatian nationals charged with the offence of attempted trafficking in four children of Congolese origin on the Zambian territory.

On Tuesday morning during the first day of trial, Magistrate Makalicha granted bail of K20, 000 each to the eight suspects with two Ndola based traceable sureties.

The suspects shall surrender their passports to Zambian authorities, appear before police after two weeks and legalize their stay in Zambia as part of the bail conditions.

Magistrate Makalicha ruled that the suspects will remain remanded in custody until they meet all the bail conditions.

The case has been adjoined to 23rd January, 2023 for continued trial.

The four children in question are being kept by the social welfare department at a facility in Ndola.

Particulars of the offence are that Damir Magic aged 44 and seven others on 7th December 2022 in Ndola on the Copperbelt Province jointly and whilst acting together did attempt to traffic a child namely Beatrice Magic within the territorial boundaries of Zambia for the purpose of exploitation.

In count two, another couple namely, Subosic Zoran, a musician and Immovic Subosic, a Constitutional Court administrator, on the same date attempted to traffic a child namely Mariella Kalinde Immovic Subosic within the territorial boundaries of Zambia for the purpose of exploitation.

Ladislav Persic, a veterinary doctor and Aleksandra Persic, a dog beauty stylist on December 7, this year allegedly attempted to traffic a child namely Jona Asnate within the territorial boundaries of Zambia for the purpose of exploitation.

Noah Kraljevic, a human rights activist and Ivona Kraljevic, a proxy woman at that country’s national theater, are also alleged to have attempted to traffic a child namely Jean Val Kraljevic.

Meanwhile, trial commenced on Thursday morning in the case in which eight (8) Croatian nationals have been charged with the offence of attempted trafficking in four children of Congolese origin on the Zambian territory.

Three witnesses testified in the case before Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Dominic Makalicha in a court session that lasted three hours.

The first two witnesses from Spree Guest House in Ndola described to the court how a man only identified as S.B.M booked the guest house rooms on behalf of the Croatians in December 2022.

Spree Guesthouse general manager Estelle Banda told court that after the four couples checked in it was later discovered that each had a black child in their respective room.

“They stayed at the lodge for five days and when I took them back to the airport, they each carried an African black child. We only noticed they had children on the third day when one of the house keepers found a baby aged a year or so crying,” Ms. Banda said.

Ms. Banda said the guesthouse had no idea when the children were brought into their premises.

And Ndola’s Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport Immigration deputy officer incharge Mercy Phiri narrated that on December 7, last year, she received information that they were Croatians who were planning to leave the country through the airport.

She said the couple had four suspected Congolese children which led to her department to treat it as a suspected human trafficking matter.

“After a tip off, I alerted the officers who were at the exit booth to be aware of the Croatians who had Congolese children and at 11:30 hours, I was informed that the same people were at the exit booth,” she said.

Ms Phiri said after reviewing the passports, it was discovered that the Croatians entered the country as ordinary citizens while information obtained showed that the children entered through Sakanya border.

Ms Phiri further said the accused also produced purported adoption documents which showed that the couples did not go to Congo but were instead in Zambia.

She said when asked how they adopted the children without having to travel to that country, they stated a Congolese lawyer helped them to adopt the children.

Last Tuesday, the eight suspects pleaded not guilty to the offence of attempted trafficking in four children of Congolese origin on the Zambian territory.

The Immigration Department last month in collaboration with police in Ndola stopped an alleged illegal adoption involving four Congolese children who were destined for Croatia.

Roberto kicks off the year 2023 with brand new music video “Nobody“

Entertainment Editor
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Roberto kicks off the year 2023 with brand new music video “Nobody“

Roberto

Roberto kicks off the year 2023 with his brand new music video “Nobody“.

 

Grant Still Picking His Chipolopolo Bench

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Avram Grant is still working on the composition of his Chipolopolo bench.

In an exclusive interview on Wednesday evening, Grant told ZNBC TV Sports that he had identified a local assistant coach.

The Israeli was appointed Zambia coach on December 22 on a two-year deal.

“We will work like did before with one local assistant, one assistant from Europe and a match analyst who is very important nowadays,” Grant said.

“I am building the staff now from goalkeeping coach, fitness coach, everything, we will have a good staff.”

But Grant said he was keeping the name of the local assistant close to his chest.

“I don’t want to speak about this because first, we have to speak to FAZ. We will have a discussion and present everything to them.”

Meanwhile, Grant said he would play a minimal role in the junior team structures.

“Firstly, the women’s team did amazing when they reached the World Cup and I will share my philosophy with everyone,” Grant said.
 
“But it is their responsibility for them to make their teams better and better but we will be in contact.”

Grant’s first competitive matches will be in late March when Zambia face Lesotho home and away in a 2023 AFCON Group H qualifier doubleheader.  

The recent 10.5 percent approved salary increment for civil servants only make a difference for workers in the higher salary bracket

Chief Editor
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The recent 10.5 percent approved salary increment for civil servants only make a difference for workers in the higher salary bracket

The Civil Servants And Allied Workers Union Of Zambia notes that the recent 10.5 percent approved salary increment for civil servants is low and will only make a difference for workers in the higher salary bracket.

The Civil Servants And Allied Workers Union Of Zambia, Union President David Chiyobe stated in an interview that those in the lower salary bracket will not feel any impact as the increment is too low.

Mr. Chiyobe disclosed that during the bargaining process, trade unions only agreed to the 10 percent increment owing to the huge number of public service workers that the government recently recruited and that government also complained that the wage bill would be huge.

Last week, the emoluments commission approved a 10.5% salary increment for public service workers for the year 2023 following the submission of the collective agreements after negotiations with the public service unions.

The Emoluments Commission Chairperson George Kawatu stated that the Commission during its sitting on 29th December 2022 approved the salary increment that which the government and the unions arrived at during negotiations.

Addressing the media in Lusaka last week, Mr. Kawatu said that the Commission also approved the salary increment for the Judicial and Allied Workers Union of Zambia which also submitted its collective agreement.

Meanwhile, the Emoluments Commission has warned that some civil servants risk being demoted or dismissed for not performing according to expectations.

And the Commission Vice Chairperson Mwamba Chanda noted that the Commission wants to ensure that salaries are paid according to the performance of the workers.

Meanwhile, Emoluments Commission Acting Director General Mwamba Peni said that the commission wants to see an organized and efficient public service.

“An efficient civil service will also help the private sector to thrive,” Mr Pen said

The Emoluments Commission, today also announced the guidelines and way forward regarding emoluments management in State organs and State institutions. This follows the appointment of the members of the Emoluments Commission by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, in accordance with Section 6 of the Emoluments Commission Act, 2022. In the interim, State organs and State institutions are guided as follows:

The Emoluments Commission will renew expiring contracts on existing salaries and conditions of service and within approved institutional budgets while awaiting rationalization and harmonization by the Emoluments Commission, and will recruit on expanded structures while taking into account factors outlined in Section 20(1), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and Section 20(2) of the Emoluments Commission Act.

The Commission will also embark on staff replacements and/or promotions according to the existing salaries and conditions of service. They will also issue short-term contracts or temporal engagements in accordance with approved institutional plans and existing emoluments for part-time employees until further notice by the Commission.

They will honor obligations for contractual agreements that have come to an end such as payment of gratuity and other related dues for staff.

And Institutions that have already embarked on negotiations on salaries and conditions of service, should proceed to conclude and finalise the negotiations taking into account the principle of affordability and sustainability and submit the collective agreement to the Emoluments Commission before registering with the Labour Commissioner.

Additionally, Institutions that have not yet commenced negotiations on salaries and conditions of service, should obtain parameters from the Emoluments Commission within which negotiations should be conducted; and With regards to review of salaries and conditions of service, institutions should submit proposals to the Emoluments Commission for consideration in accordance with Section 20 (1) and (2) of the Emoluments Commission Act, 2022.

The Emoluments Commission is an independent institution that seeks to introduce and entrench rationality, harmony and equity across existing widely divergent Pay Policies subsisting across the public sector spectrum.

British Companies Pledge $2 Billion Investment in Zambia’s Energy Sector, but Mwamba and other raise Concerns

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British Companies Pledge $2 Billion Investment in Zambia’s Energy Sector, but Mwamba and other raise Concerns

British companies have pledged to invest $2 billion in Zambia’s energy sector, according to a statement from British High Commissioner to Zambia Nicholas Woolley. The investment will go towards setting up renewable energy projects in the country, with a goal of producing 2,000 megawatts of electricity. However, some, including opposition Patriotic Front (PF) Presidential Candidate Emmauel Mwamba, have raised concerns over the none potential bottlenecks in legislation and issues with state-owned utility company ZESCO that the British companies are demanding.

Mwamba warns that independent power producers want ZESCO to buy power at a higher price, despite consumers and the mining sector buying it at a cheaper rate from the company. He also notes that ZESCO is a vertically integrated utility and some are calling for it to be broken up and partially or fully privatized. Mwamba urges the public to question the current crisis in the energy sector and whether it is being used as an opportunity to impose permanent solutions.

He further said “Independent Power Producers want ZESCO to buy power at a higher price when consumers and the mining sector buy it extremely cheap from ZESCO. Who foots the difference?

This is the reason ZESCO owes $1billion to Independent Power Producers. Huge paper profits for them. Further, since ZESCO is a vertically integrated utility ( owns the infrastructure for generation, transmission and distribution of power) they want it broken up in 3 entities, partially or wholly privatised!

It is for this reason that we need to ask all the question about this current crisis as it has not been caused by weather or power deficit!

It appears someone is keen to use this temporary crisis to impose permanent solutions!”

And some people are further warning that quick due diligence on the 7 companies Mr Woolley is talking about, 3 have been dissolved, one has liabilities of £690million, there’s no data on two of them and the other one is an NGO that has been operating in Zambia since 2008.

According to ZNBC, Seven companies from the United Kingdom are investing two Billion dollars in setting up renewable energy projects in Zambia projected to produce two thousand Megawatts of electricity.

British High Commissioner to Zambia NICHOLAS WOOLLEY says the British companies are currently conducting feasibility studies and applying for regulatory approvals before they can kick start their projects.

Mr. WOOLLEY has told ZNBC News in an interview that the companies want to set up solar and wind energy projects in various parts of the country which will produce power to be sold to ZESCO. The British envoy says the two thousand megawatts will be ready to be added to the national grid in the next two to five years.

Sarah Bloom, Head of Economic Development and Green Growth at the British High Commission in Zambia, says that regulatory reforms are needed in the country’s energy sector to attract more investment. She also notes that tariffs need to be attractive and that ZESCO needs to be in a good financial situation in order to buy power from independent producers.

Special Assistant to the President for Finance and Investment Jito Kayumba says that President Hakainde Hichilema is committed to reforming the energy sector to make it more attractive to investors. The government is working towards attracting more investments in the sector to achieve energy surplus in the coming five years, according to Kayumba.

The seven British firms investing in Zambia are Hive Green, Western Power, Buffalo Energy, Africa GreenCo, First Quantum Minerals Solar Energy, Vitalite Solar, and SolarAid. The companies are currently conducting feasibility studies and applying for regulatory approvals before they can begin their projects.

Government Issues New Guidelines to Streamline Approval and Implementation of Constituency Development Fund Projects

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Government Issues New Guidelines to Streamline Approval and Implementation of Constituency Development Fund Projects

The Ministry of Finance and National Planning, has issued new guidelines to further enhance the implementation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects. The specific objective of these new measures is to quicken the implementation of CDF projects through limited delegation of the powers of the Secretary to the Treasury to the Principal Local Authorities Officers (Town Clerks/Council Secretary’s) for variations, if necessary, of estimates of expenditure and disbursed funds, within the CDF program in local authorities.

According to Treasury and Financial Management Circular No. 4 of 2023, dated 3rd January, 2023, the Secretary to the Treasury has delegated (through the Permanent Secretary, Administration, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development) the function of approval of up to a maximum of 25% variation of estimates of expenditure, to Principal Officers (Town Clerks/Council Secretary’s) in Local Authorities, where necessary. This is a significant change from the previous requirement where approval was obtained from the Secretary to the Treasury in line with Regulations No. 30 and 31 of the Public Finance Management (General Regulations) of 2020.

The new measures are expected to expedite the implementation of CDF projects and make the process more efficient. This will ultimately improve public service delivery through local authorities, create employment for the youth and women, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. Furthermore, circular no. 4 of 2023 will guide Principal Officers (Town Clerks/Council Secretary’s) in Local Authorities on variation of funds within the CDF program.

Key issues to note in the Circular are that:

The Controlling Officer, Local Government and Rural Development, is required to appoint Principal Officers (Town Clerks/Council Secretary’s) in Local Authorities as Sub-Warrant-Holders for them to approve variation of expenditure estimates and disbursed funds up to a maximum of 25% of the total budget provision of a particular sub-program within the CDF program;
Where the variation of expenditure estimates and disbursed funds within the CDF sub-program is above the authorized threshold of 25%, Local authorities shall continue to seek written approval of the Secretary to the Treasury;
Variation of estimates of expenditure and disbursed funds from community projects and secondary school boarding and skills development bursaries to youth, women and community empowerment sub-programs Shall Not be allowed. However, if the demand for the uptake of bursaries and skills development is below the stipulated threshold, variations in favour of community projects will be allowed and,
Variation of estimates of expenditure and disbursed funds from community projects, youth, women empowerment and secondary school boarding and skills development bursaries sub program to the administration sub – program Shall Not be allowed.
Going forward, the Government will continue to monitor the efficacy of these measures to ensure that the beneficiary communities are well-served through effectively implemented CDF projects. All Local Authorities are urged to familiarize themselves with Treasury and Financial Management Circular No. 4 of 2023, to ensure that some of the approval shortcomings in the implementation of CDF, are curtailed.

Meanwhile, the Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, has announced that the execution of the 2023 budget has commenced smoothly. Since the start of the year a few days ago, the Treasury has so far released a total amount of K1.8 billion to finance public service delivery. The tabulation of funds released from 1st January to date, is as follows:

TRANSFERS: K419.3 million was released to finance school grants under the Ministry of Education and K217.8 million for the Secondary Schools and skills development training bursaries under Constituency Development Fund (CDF);
2) INFRASTRUCTURE: K210.5 million was released for the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure projects;

HEALTHCARE: K200.5 million was released to finance the procurement of medical equipment and supplies, as well as the upgrading of health facilities in various communities;

AGRICULTURE: K100 million was released to finance various agricultural projects, such as irrigation schemes, and the distribution of seed and fertilizer to farmers;

SOCIAL SERVICES: K50 million was released to finance various social services, such as the provision of clean water, sanitation, and housing projects for low-income families.

The Minister emphasized that the smooth execution of the budget is a result of the Government’s commitment to ensure that public funds are used effectively and efficiently to deliver essential services to the people. He urged all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the funds are used for their intended purposes and that the projects are completed on time and within budget.

In conclusion, the Government’s new measures to further enhance the implementation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are aimed at quickening the implementation of CDF projects and making the process more efficient. This will ultimately improve public service delivery through local authorities, create employment for the youth and women, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. The government will also keep monitoring the measures to ensure that the funds are being used effectively and efficiently.

ZESCO Board Chairperson should be commended for his honesty – Johnston Chikwanda

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ZESCO Board Chairperson should be commended for his honesty – Johnston Chikwanda

An Energy Expert, Johnston Chikwanda has appealed to those calling for the resignation of ZESCO Board Chairperson Vickson Ncube to give him a second chance, for he has done what is unheard of in Zambia.

On Tuesday this week while appearing on HOT FM’s Hot Seat Programme ZESCO Mr Vickson Ncube told the nation that he misinformed the Head of State about load shedding, affirming that President Hakainde Hichilema wouldn’t have made his statement about load shedding ending in Zambia had he given him correct information. Mr. Ncube then apologized to the Nation as well as to the appointing authority.

And commenting on this matter in the Media Resource Zambia Whatsapp group, Dr. Chikwanda

further implored President Hichilema to spare Mr Ncube for showing humility by taking full responsibility after the misinformation.

“Mr Ncube has clearly demonstrated leadership by putting his head on the chopping block,” Dr. Chikwanda said

The Energy Expert added that it is his desire that Zambia could have more people like Mr Vickson Ncube who can go public and take responsibility which is unheard of in the country, and he has therefore called on those calling for his resignation to give him a second chance for he has done what is unheard of in Zambia.

“In a world where blame shifting has become like a popular national sport, I welcome Zesco Board Chair’s humility of taking full responsibility for the misinformation with the Alpha position,” he said

“Very unfortunate, to me this is a demonstration of leadership and I wish we had or could have people like this man- Mr Victor Ncube who can go public and take responsibility,” he added

Dr. Chikwanda has since appealed to Mr Ncube’s appointing authority to spare him, noting that he has never met Mr Ncube, neither does he know him nor spoken to him but his public action touched his heart.

Brief facts of the matter are that, on Tuesday 10th January, 2023, ZESCO Board Chairperson Vickson Ncube while appearing on HOT FM Hote Seat Programme, took blame for the loadshedding that the country is currently faced with.

Mr Ncube stated that if he had looked at the flow of the waters he would have been able to anticipate that when the country hits a certain time, the water levels will not be able to generate electricity to full capacity, adding that he would have also looked for solutions in the neighbouring countries with power as this would have enabled him to mobilise solutions to the potential problem.

“With Loadshedding there’s a failure on the natural part and the human part, on the natural part I can’t explain it, I will just mention that our hydrology is poor, our water reservoirs are also poor, no matter what we do, we have no control over the natural part, and on the human part we should have anticipated on that because in leadership theres anticipation of a problem so that when it comes, you are ready to face it, so, to that extent I shall take responsibility by stating that we failed the nation as ZESCO and as Board Chairman I take the full responsibility, I should have been better informed, and aware by measuring my hydrologies, looked at the projection and see at what point, we are going to hit a crisis, and I should have started fining for inteverning measures so that by the time the crisis comes, am ready to meet it and I wasn’t,” he explained

In responding as to whether he misinformed the President who assured that load shedding is the thing of the past, Mr Ncube admitted to have misinformed the Head of State because if he had given him correct information, the President wouldn’t have made such a statement, adding that the President does not seat at ZESCO everyday, neither does he seat on the ZESCO Board, but he rather gets information through ZESCO and if they give him information and he then uses the same information to inform the nation, then as ZESCO they must take the blame.

“The problem then comes in sometimes when you become arithmetical and not practical, you look at your generation capacity, I look at all our electricity generation stations, Kariba with 1080 megawatts, Kafue Gorge ABOUT 900 megawatts, Kafue Gorge lower with now seating at 600 megawatts, Itezhitezhi seating at 120 megawatts, Maamba with 300 megawatts and many other smaller power stations, and I look at my maximum demand of 2200 megawatts from 3400 megawatts, but am not looking at the underlying factors that will affect the generation, am just looking at the demand versus the capacity but when the circumstances in the generation change, I am blind sided, so that is where the problem comes in,” Mr Ncube disclosed

Esther Chungu releases ‘Asumbulwe’ music video

Entertainment Editor
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Esther Chungu releases ‘Asumbulwe’ music video

Esther Chungu

Gospel Singer Esther Chungu released the music video for her single ‘Asumbulwe’

Zambia, Angola ink 6 agreements

Chief Editor
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Zambia, Angola ink 6 agreements

Zambia and Angola have signed six (6) memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at boosting trade and investment in the two countries.

The two countries have signed an MoU on cooperation to facilitate the construction of the Zambia/Angola connection road via the Jimbe border between Zambia’s Ikelengi district in the North-western province and Angola’s town of Luau.

The two nations have also committed to the construction of the Malundo/Sikongo border in the western part of Zambia.

Zambia and Angola have also signed a memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Justice in both countries to enhance security in the two countries and the region as a whole.

Another MOU signed is between Zambia’s National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) and Angola’s National School of Administration and Public Policies.

The education cooperation seeks to integrate some educational programmes between the two institutions especially in the area of introducing English speaking programmes in Angola considering that the country is predominantly a Portuguese speaking nation and vice versa.

The two countries have also signed a memorandum of understanding between the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and Angola’s Investment Agency Private and Export promotion (AIPEX) which seeks to promote public and private investment in the two countries.

And speaking after witnessing the signing of the MoUs, both President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and President Joao Lourenco of Angola pledged to work towards the fulfilment of the signed agreements.

The two Heads of State said it does not make economic sense to continue committing to agreements that are never actualised.

Meanwhile, President Lourenco said his country is eager to engage Zambia in livestock trade especially beef, considering that Zambia is sufficiently stocked in that area.

President Lourenco said Angola has identified Zambia as a possible trade partner in livestock considering the two countries’ close proximity.

The Angolan President also called for enhanced cooperation in mining, stating that both Zambia and Angola are rich in minerals.

He said Zambia and Angola can create linkages that encourage the production of finished products arising from its minerals and sold as finished products.

‘’If we take that route, then we shall be guaranteed massive job opportunities for our people and increased revenue for our countries,” said President Lourenco.

And President Hakainde Hichilema noted with great concern that Zambia and Angola have had no developed border between them over the years despite the two nations enjoying peaceful co-existence.

President Hichilema said this situation is hampering trade between the two countries.

“We should connect ourselves via road, railway, air and water transport if we are to enhance economic activities amongst ourselves,” President Hichilema said.

President Hichilema further underscored the importance of investments in the petroleum and gas sectors as a way of ensuring the supply of affordable fuel and petroleum products.

The Zambian Head of State said fuel is a key driver to any country’s economy hence calling for synergies around the energy sector.

PF Presidential Candidate supports Nkombo’s call for UPND to focus on delivering, instead of blaming the PF

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PF Presidential Candidate supports Nkombo’s call for UPND to focus on delivering, instead of blaming the PF

Patriotic Front (PF) Presidential Candidate Mr. Brian Mundubile has expressed his agreement with Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gary Nkombo’s statement, in which he called on his colleagues in the United Party for National Development (UPND) to stop blaming the PF and instead focus on delivering on their promises to the people.

Mr. Mundubile, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, praised Nkombo for his “truthful statement” and said that the Minister was “cut from a different cloth.” He added that the UPND had raised false hopes among Zambians during their campaign, giving the impression that they were ready to address the challenges facing the country immediately upon winning.

However, Mr. Mundubile stated that Zambians were now fatigued after learning that the UPND had instead focused on blaming the PF rather than delivering on their promises. He said, “Zambians did not expect them to get into office and start playing the blame game. They expected them to start delivering immediately.”

In a statement carried by the News Diggers newspaper on Wednesday, 11th January 2023, Nkombo had urged the New Dawn Government to stop the blame game and instead focus on fixing things. Mr. Mundubile expressed his agreement with Nkombo’s statement, saying “I wish to agree with Local Government Minister Honourable Gary Nkombo’s statement carried by the Wednesday edition of the News Diggers Newspaper and I agree with him in totality, despite the comment coming later than anticipated.”

President Hichilema’s Claims of Kariba Dam Leakage Alarm Nation, Draws Criticism from Dr. M’membe

Chief Editor
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President Hichilema’s Claims of Kariba Dam Leakage Alarm Nation, Draws Criticism from Dr. M’membe

According to a recent statement by Dr. Fred M’membe, President of the Socialist Party, President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent claims that the Kariba Dam is leaking have caused alarm in the nation and raised serious questions about the structural integrity of the dam.

“It has come as a surprise that President Hichilema has gone to great lengths to justify load shedding by claiming that Kariba Dam is leaking,” said Dr. M’membe. “When a dam leaks, it means its structural integrity is in question. It’s one thing for a junior party official to speculate about this kind of thing, but when it comes from a head of state, it is a very serious issue.”

Dr. M’membe also pointed out that if the dam is indeed leaking, there could be serious implications for people living downstream in three different countries, and questioned whether the necessary preparations have been made for potential consequences. “If the dam is leaking, what are the implications for people living downstream in three different countries? Have we shared this information with Zimbabwe and Mozambique? What preparations have been made for potential consequences?,” he said.

Furthermore, Dr. M’membe emphasized that statements of this kind need to be coordinated with other heads of state and urged President Hichilema to consult with technocrats before making such claims. “We hope that next time a statement like this is made, technocrats are consulted about the potential repercussions. The river is shared with various countries so statements of this kind need to be coordinated with other heads of state. It’s not always about politics. Some matters are very serious,” he said.

Dr. M’membe concluded his statement by warning President Hichilema to be cautious when making statements about the Kariba Dam. “Anyway, lies have short legs,” he said.

It is clear that Dr. M’membe believes that President Hichilema’s recent claims about the Kariba Dam are alarmist and raise serious concerns about the structural integrity of the dam, as well as the potential consequences for people living downstream. He also calls on President Hichilema to consult with technocrats and coordinate with other heads of state before making statements about the dam.

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