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The World Bank in Zambia has said that it is not aware of reports indicating that effective next year, it will stop offering budgetary support to the country following its graduation from lower income nation to a lower middle income country.
Finance Deputy Minister Miles Sampa is quoted in some sections of the media saying that the World Bank has indicated to stop offering budgetary support.
But World Bank Country Director Kundhavi Kadiresan has said that she is not aware of such developments stating that the bank will continue to be engaged in Zambia.
Ms. Kadiresan said that Zambia is still a low middle income country and is still eligible for concessional loans.
She told journalists in Lusaka today that her office is currently in talks with the Government to see how best it can help in financing the 2013 national budget.
Ms. Kadiresan said that once the talks are concluded, the World Bank will base its support on key policy priorities.
File :Nurses receiving medical equipment and medicine at Chainda clinic
The Non-Governmental Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has observed that Zambia still falls short of the Abuja Declaration of 15 per cent total allocation to the health sector.
The council says allocating fewer resources to the health sector will not adequately address access to good health services and reduce maternal and child mortality rates.
In a press statement issued by the Council’s Gender Budgeting Team and released to ZANIS in Lusaka today, it says more than one woman dies every minute every day, translating to 585,000 women dying in a year.
It further indicates that Zambia is far from reaching the 2015 UN Millennium Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality to 162 deaths per 100,000 births.
Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda, unveiled a K32.2 trillion national budget. Mr Chikwanda announced more than K1 trillion increment to the health sector allocation from 9.3 per cent in 2012 to 11.3 percent next year.
The budget, however, has received mixed feelings from amongst stakeholders.
The statement said women and children die from pregnancy, child birth and unsafe abortion in the country due to complications which are preventable.
It says Zambia’s maternal mortality ratio which stands at 591 deaths per 100,000 live births shows an un-acceptable and a worse condition.
And the Council says Zambia has not fulfilled the Maputo Declaration of 10 per cent funding to the agricultural sector.
Government allocated 8.3 per cent of the total budgetary allocation for the year 2013 compared to 7 per cent in 2012.
The statement says 67 per cent of the labour force is employed in the agricultural activities.
The NGOCC, however, welcomes K50 billion allocation to empower un-employed and vulnerable youths with vocational skills.
Acting Chief Government Spokesperson, Fackson Shamenda, has ticked opposition MMD president, Nevers Mumba, for his conduct of wishful thinking and belonging to the stone-age.
Mr Shamenda says Dr Mumba is preoccupied with a dream to think that he will go to State House because his conduct has reached hallucination levels.
He says the opposition leader’s manoeuvres to use the opposition Members of Parliament (MP) to discredit the Patriotic Front’s (PF’s) 2013 national budget to frustrate the Head of State including the entire government leadership is regrettable.
In a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Shamenda said the Zambian people cannot be hoodwinked by selfish and cheap politicians to frustrate the good intentions of the budget and force general elections prematurely.
Mr Shamenda, who is also acting Minister for Information and Broadcasting Services as well as Social Security Minister, said Government is aware that Dr Mumba has been trying to bully MMD MPs including those from the UPND into doing his bids but good enough the parliamentarians have refused to be dragged into personal fights with everyone.
“Dr Mumba has threatened to use the opposition parliamentarians to derail the 2013 budget when even himself knows very well that he has no capacity on the path of unreasonableness,” he said.
Finance Minister Alexander, Chikwanda on Friday unveiled a K32.2 trillion national budget which has received appreciation from stakeholders including public institutions that have commended the PF Government and its policies.
Mr Shamenda advised Dr Mumba to tone-down on his behaviour as it leads to a man short of attributes of a leader to govern the nation.
“I urge Dr Muma to be patient enough and wait for the 2016 general elections instead of dreaming about short-cuts to State House,” Mr Shamenda said.
The acting Chief Government Spokesperson said Dr Mumba is blinded by his ambition to think that he would go to State House describing the utterances as a child’s dream.
File: Medical staff attending to patients at a Mobile Hospital : Picture Courtesy of ZANIS
Chief Mukonchi of the Swaka people in Kapiri Mposhi district has commended government for sending a Mobile Hospital to his area to attend to various health ailments faced by his subjects.
Chief Mukonchi said the Mobile Hospital, which will be stationed in his area for five days, will greatly afford his people access to quality health care.
The traditional leader noted that his subjects cover long distances to health centres in order to access medical care.
He said the coming of the Mobile Hospital in the area will bring health care on their door steps during the few days it will be in his area.
Chief Mukonchi urged his subjects to take advantage of the presence of the Mobile Hospital to have their various health ailments attended to.
The Mobile Hospital has opened service to Mukonchi chiefdom today and expected to wind up over the weekend.
And Government has reiterated its resolve to work extremely hard in providing care and quality health services to the people especially in the rural parts of the country.
Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health Joseph Katema said with the growing population in Zambia, a lot of citizens require access to good health services at health institutions.
Dr. Katema was speaking in an interview with ZANIS shortly after touring Chongwe District Hospital and Chongwe District Health Centre yesterday.
He said palliative care and quality health service delivery to all Zambia was government’s priority.
Dr. Katema has since thanked all stakeholders that have been in the forefront to supplement government’s efforts in providing quality health services to all citizens countrywide.
Meanwhile, Chongwe District Director of Health Charles Msiska said taking quality health services as close to the people as possible was cardinal in ensuring improved health care services in Zambia.
Dr. Msiska said the district was one of the areas where people have been receiving quality health services.
Police in Serenje today fought running battles with the community who besieged the police station demanding mob justice on four suspects believed to have murdered a taxi driver.
The four suspects, who were nabbed last night, are believed to have brutally murdered Gideon Kunda, 22, in Mbaswa area on Saturday night after booking him and fled with his Toyota Sprinter, registration number ACR 6354.
District Commissioner, Charles Mwelwa, who confirmed the incident to ZANIS in a telephone interview today, said the death of Kunda has caused commotion in the Boma as the irate community members have gone amok burning tires and breaking buildings as they demand to deal with the suspects themselves and instantly.
Mr Mwelwa explained that by press time, police were still engaged in running battles and firing tear gas canisters in trying to disperse the irate community members who are also pressurising to release the suspects to them.
He further said the situation was tense as nearly everyone is annoyed by the death of Kunda and people want to take the law into their own hands.
Mr Mwelwa added that business had come to a halt as no one following the fracas characterised by the unusual confusion characterised by chocking smoke from tear gas canisters.
And Central Province Police Deputy Commissioner, Nelson Phiri, confirmed the murder of Kunda and arrest of his four suspected murderers, adding that the killers also set his body ablaze before they drove away in his car.
Mr Phiri said Kunda’s charred remains are lying in Serenje district hospital mortuary.
KAPA187:Tell us about you recently released album “My name is…”
ROBERTO:Well “My Name Is…” has been in the making for over 3 years now, it is a very personal album to me, as it brings out stories of situations I have gone through and witnessed through the years, it feels more like a baby you treasure, it hasn’t been easy but I am glad it’s finally here
KAPA187: Do you feel you have grown as an artist since your first album?
ROBERTO:Most definitely, its important to learn from challenges in life, take both positive and negative criticism and be a better person; I have managed to produce and write the entire album alone except for two songs, and it’s something I feel I’m now extra confident about
KAPA187:How did you get started as a DJ?
ROBERTO:Many think I started from Radio then went into music lol, I actually went for a radio interview on Radio Hot Fm while promoting my 1st album and I was on radio with Hope, so during the interview she was like, you actually sound good on radio and we took in some calls asking people if they wanted me to co-host her drive time show for a week, and a week later I got calls from radio stations all over and was offered a job at Qfm as I was at Hot Fm on a voluntary basis, so that’s how my radio career started
KAPA187: Does being a DJ on Q FM bring about a conflict of interests, i.e. Are you tempted to promote your music more than other local artists?
ROBERTO:The only Conflicts I face is regarding my time schedule as I have to at times reject certain offers because of one of the two jobs, when it comes to playing my own music, I set a principle not to play my own music but help other artists promote their music, I love Zambian music and I feel I can help others; I’m already on radio so it would be unfair to promote my own music while doing my shows
KAPA187:Do you feel Zambian music gets enough air play as compared to international music?
ROBERTO:First of all I feel some stations are doing a great job promoting Zambian music, then again other stations are hesitant to promote our Music for reasons best known to themselves, others blame the monotony in the sound and content of music, so many radio stations are promoting our music and I feel it is good to also listen music from other countries, as it helps us grow as locals artists
KAPA187: Since you came on to the scene how has the Zambian music industry improved?
ROBERTO:It surely has changed and grown in some areas, and I foresee a situation where Zambian music will dominate Africa over, its unfortunate we do not have much support from the outside market, but I have already seen the interest by many radio stations outside Zambia playing our music and so it is growing and improving
KAPA187: One of my favorite songs of yours is “Operator” from your first album, I still have it on my playlist to this day. Do you have an all-time favorite song out of all that have been released?
ROBERTO:Wow!!! Operator will always be a classic in my world, I would say Operator as well but of-course with every album comes a song that just gets a little more repeats than the others, its crazy but fun lol
KAPA187: How has the response been from the fans towards your new album, which song do you enjoy performing the most?
ROBERTO:Response has been terrific and so motivating, when I was putting this album together I had to challenge myself on every song so I could only imagine how everyone would receive the songs more especially the songs I did in English but the response is just motivation for me, I love performing SALAULA and GOOD WOMAN
KAPA187:You are currently promoting your single “Good Woman”, tell us about the song.
ROBERTO:“Good Woman” is a personal Confession, its interesting as songs like “Love You More”, “Chawama” & “Good Woman” I wrote for my girlfriend after the many situations we would face in our relationship, what I talk about in the song are issues I went through or she complained about infact I just went through her messages she sent me and I sent back and felt sad that I just didn’t seem to place her concerns on top of my priority list, it’s quite unfair that most of us get so upset over certain mistakes our women make yet we have the perfect excuses for the wrongs we do as men
KAPA187: Are you promoting your album internationally, how has been the response.
ROBERTO:Yes I am, I have been blessed enough to have a great team working with me to ensure we reach out to countries all over the world, the feedback we are getting is worth a million smiles, the radio stations and people have been so supportive the Zambians abroad have also been so helpful in spreading the word about my music, it’s been amazing!! I am truly thankful
KAPA187: Besides music what other interests do you have?
ROBERTO:I am in love with directing and script writing videos & films, I studied computer programming so I have a huge passion for Computer programming, I also love graphic designing
KAPA187: Is there anything your fans will be surprised to know about you .
ROBERTO:I don’t like tomatoes, I don’t eat cheese and I cant speak Bemba fluently yet I sing it
KAPA187: Any last words…….
ROBERTO:It would be unfair if i didnt say my many thanks to everyone who is supporting my music my works and the entire BrathaHood Music camp, Ozzy, Mandela, Manas & Young Riko, we owe our achievements to everyone taking time to support our works, our families and friends THANK YOU
Health Minister Dr Joseph Kasonde unveils the plague to mark the official opening of the refurbished University Teaching Hospital Eye Centre of Excellence in Lusaka, Looking on is the head of eye clinic at UTH, Grace Mutati
Minister of Health Joseph Kasonde has observed that the 2013 budget that was presented last Friday is a fulfilment of the Patriotic Front (PF) government’s commitment to increasing funding to the health sector.
Dr. Kasonde stated that the PF made its purpose of increasing funding to the sector clear to the nation during campaigns for last year’s elections.
He told ZANIS in an interview yesterday that government, through the Ministry of Health, has already identified areas that need to be strengthened.
He said among the areas that need to be strengthened is drug supply which he said despite it being improved upon last year, there was still need to improve it further to ensure that the stock outs are eliminated.
Dr. Kasonde added that the capacity to handle HIV/AIDS patients needs to be reinforced while health workers in various categories also need to be trained.
And Dr. Kasonde has observed that the increase in next year’s budgetary allocation to the health sector will help immunisation programmes for children to successfully be conducted.
He added that the funds will also help the health sector to attend to emergency maternal health cases.
Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda on Friday, 11th October 2012, presented the 2013 budget to parliament in which he allocated K3.6 trillion to the health sector.
The allocation reflected an increase of K1.0 trillion or 40 per cent increase over the 2012 allocation.
The Zambia High Commission in South Africa says it will work closely with FAZ and all stakeholders during the 2013 Africa Cup.
Defending champions Zambia head to the tournament to be held from January 19 to February 10 hoping to retain the title they won last February in Gabon.
Zambia High Commissioner to South Africa Mr Muyeba Chikonde said in a statement released by first secretary press Patson Chilemba that the Pretoria Mission was excited about the news of Zambia’s qualification.
Chikonde said once the draws are made by CAF on October 24 in Durban, his Mission will advise on logistical and security guidelines to assist the Zambian travelers to South Africa, who will be coming to support the team.
“Zambians should realize that Chipolopolo is now an international brand, and FAZ being the soccer governing body should utilize this to the fullest by developing a long term branding strategy, together with tourism which will market Zambia, as well as earn FAZ the much needed revenue,” said Mr Chikonde said.
President Michael Sata arrives at Shilla Hotel for the luncheon hosted for President Sata by Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul
President Michael Sata has invited South Korean investors to come to Zambia and use their renowned expertise and skills to turn the country into a springboard of economic development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
South Korea is one of the fastest growing global economies which has been built over a period of 20 years with emphasis on policy formulation and implementation that focuses on inclusive sector growth.
President Sata has told the Zambia-Korea business forum held at the Shilla hotel in Seoul today that Zambia has abundant land and natural resources which Korea can utilise by using its vast technological and human resource expertise to help the country develop further.
He however regretted that Zambia, one of the major producers of copper in the world, is still exporting the mineral in its raw form even after 48 years of independence.
”We need more of Korean industries to come to Zambia. We can even waive visa requirements to allow Koreans to come to Zambia because there is more room for development,” he said.
The President said his government will encourage trade missions between Zambia and Korea to enable business people to explore existing opportunities for investment in the country.
President Sata appealed to renowned Korean companies Samsung, Daewood and Hyundai to consider setting-up plants in Zambia as the investment atmosphere has further improved in the country.
”I am sad that Samsung is opening a new factory here in Seoul. They should come to Zambia and utilise the abundant land that we have,” he stressed.
Mr. Sata said Zambia and Korea have a lot in common hence he will utilise his working visit to Korea to further discuss bilateral issues centred on investment with his Korean counterpart Lee Myung-Bak.
The President was accompanied to the business forum by Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Bob Sichinga, Minister of Tourism Sylvia Masebo, Minister of Agriculture Emmanuel Chenda and Foreign Affairs Minister, Given Lubinda.
The three ministers made separate presentations to the forum in which they all lured Korean investors to capitalise on the conducive investment climate which the Zambian government has provided to explore investment opportunities in various sectors of the country’s economy.
In his presentation to the forum, Mr. Sichinga spoke about the investment potential that Zambia provides in the SADC region which has over 400 million people.
He said Korean investors can capitalise on this by extending their investments to Zambia.
Mr. Sichinga said Zambia is the tenth fastest growing economy in the world and that the Patriotic Front (PF) government has worked hard to stabilise the economy over the past year it has been in power.
He also invited Korean businessmen to come and participate in the forthcoming investment forum that will be held in Livingstone from 29-30 November, 2012.
The business forum was also attended by Zambia Tourism Board Managing Director Kelix Chaila and Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) Director General Likando Mukumbuta.
Earlier, Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Kyung-Shik Sohn said Zambia presents a good case for investment by Koreans as it is centrally located in the SADC region which has an advanced market potential.
Mr. Kyung said Zambia and Korea can complement each other in trade and investment promotion because Korea is strong in information technology, automobile manufacturing and high-tech development which Zambia can greatly benefit from.
Acting President and Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda flanked by Vice President Guy Scott and Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba
FINANCE Minister Alexander Chikwanda has in a move unprecedented told investors that they will lose incentives if they don’t create the jobs they pledged in their investment plans.
Mr Chikwanda said tax holidays and rebates will now be attached to job creation first as the government tries to cut down poverty levels through job creation by attracting serious investors.
His uncompromising position stems out of the sad realisation that some ‘bogus’ investors have taken advantage of Zambia’s ‘generosity’ as far as incentives are concerned and short-changed the country in the process.
“Our tax incentive regime remains one of the most generous in the region but this generosity has not translated into creation of decent employment opportunities for our people,” Mr Chikwanda said.
Mr Chikwanda adds that from now on, “tax incentives will be granted only when the investor meets their obligations related to employment creation for Zambians.”
He warns that the incentive withdrawal is not mere rhetoric but one that will be backed by a law in order to ensure that both the government and investors benefit from future partnerships.
Mr Chikwanda said a number of laws will immediately be amended to correct the situation.
“The ZDA (Zambia Development Agency) Act, the Income Tax Act and the Customs and Excise Act, will be amended to make the realisation of employment pledges by investors an essential trigger for them to access the incentives.”
In the past a mere pledge was enough to enable an investor access numerous incentives running into billions of kwacha often not even extended to local entrepreneurs who ended up being disadvantaged.
The other sad side of the past scenario is the fact that some so-called investors did leave Zambia once their tax holidays were over without leaving up to their pledges. This is about to change permanently.
The move is also expected to attract serious investors to Zambia and not the bogus one that often simply want to make short term gains as opposed to long term investment.
The PF government is targeting up to 1 million jobs in the next five years with agriculture expected to be responsible for about half a million jobs while tourism may create some 300,000 jobs and road construction will be responsible for some 30,000 new jobs.
THE World Bank has indicated to Zambia that effective next year, it will not offer any budget support to the country following its graduation from lower income nation to a lower middle income status, says the Deputy Minister of Finance Miles Sampa.
Mr Sampa said the government has since engaged the World Bank for financial support through the International Development Association (IDA) that provides interest-free loans to governments of the poorest countries, adding that despite Zambia graduating to a lower middle income country, poverty levels are still high.
“We are still a country that requires some levels of grants, and we are engaging the World Bank on those levels. We can only uplift the lives of people from poverty from grants and not loans,” he said.
In an interview, Mr Sampa said following Zambia’s graduation from a lower income country to a lower middle income nation, it is no longer entitled to aid related to poverty reduction.
And Mr Sampa said Government is also finalising a programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on how the country will relate with the fund to be concluded before the end of the year.
Zambia’s three year Extended Credit Facility arrangement which was approved in June 2008 by the IMF came to an end in June 2011 and Government has been studying the options available for future IMF support.
Meanwhile, Government says there is need to reform the public sector, the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and maize marketing to avoid budget deficit and borrowing.
The IMF fiscal monitor report 2012 launched in Tokyo at the IMF and World Bank Group annual meeting notes that Zambia’s deficit is likely to rise this year due in part to lower copper prices, along with higher public wages and delays in subsidy reforms.
Mr Sampa said the issue of subsidies is very sentimental to Zambia.
“Subsidies are targeted towards the FISP and maize marketing subsidies. We can’t have it both ways, if we continue subsidising maize, we have no choice, the budget deficit will increase and it will mean we will have to borrow to meet the expenditure of our budget,” he said.
He said there is need for Zambia as a country to be bold, bite the bullet by reforming the maize input and marketing system.
“Government is clear; we don t want wastage of resources through subsidies. It’s not subsidy which is the problem but the manner in which it’s managed,” he said.
Mr Sampa said the system is not working well and has become a huge cost on the budget.
“Zambians don’t want to get back to the HIPC (Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiative) days and equally, they don’t want to be wasting money by programmes that do not benefit the intended beneficiaries,” he said.
He said subsidies for the vulnerable small scale farmers are welcome but pointed out that in most cases the resources do not end up to the right people.
On public wages, Mr Sampa said there is need to structure the civil service so that it becomes efficient.
Commenting on the IMF calls for governments to reform the financial sector, Mr Sampa said Zambia is a step ahead of the Fund’s programme citing recapitalisation of banks.
“What the IMF is calling for in terms of reforms in the banking sector, Zambia is one step ahead and I recommend the governor.
The central bank has taken precaution in the financial sector,” he said.”
Zambia defender Hichani Himonde is expected to be back in action this week after sustaining an injury on Africa Cup duty away in Uganda on Saturday.
Himonde collided with goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene and was substituted in the second half during Zambia’s 2013 Africa Cup qualifier against Uganda in Kampala.
Zambia beat Uganda 9-8 on post-match penalties after the match finished 1-1 on aggregate over the two legs.
The TP Mazembe player said his thigh injury was not very serious and that he would be fit for the clubs Caf Champions League semifinal final leg trip away to Tunisia this weekend where they face Esperance on October 20.
Mazembe and Esperance finished scoreless in the first leg on October 7 in Lubumbashi.
“The Doctor says I have to off training for two days and will be fine after that,” Himonde said.
“Our goalkeeper hit me on my thigh and all I have to do is apply some ice but I will also have to see the (Mazembe) Doctor to see what can be done.”
Mighty Mufulira Wanderers sneaked into the top six taking advantage of the top five teams who dropped points in the Faz Division One North league.
Wanderers beat visitors Mining Rangers 1-0 at Shinde Stadium in Mufulira to increase their tally to 47 points on the table.
Sixth placed Wanderers are 21 points behind leaders Lime Hotspurs who moved to 68 points after Police Blue Eagles held them to a 1-1 draw in a week 31 game played in Kamfinsa.
Kalulushi Modern Stars maintained second place and increased their tally to 53 points after sharing the 0-0 spoils with 4th placed Prison Leopards at Independence Stadium in Kalulushi.
Prison sit on 49 points together with Ndola United who were thrashed 3-0 by struggling Young Forest away in Kasama
THE Lusaka magistrate’s Court yesterday could not pass judgment in a case in which former Zambia Centre for Accountants Studies (ZCAS) student Iris Kaingu is charged with making obscene materials.
Magistrate Prince Mwiinga said he could not pass judgment because both parties handed their submissions late to allow him ample time to study them and write the judgment.
Iris is accused of having featured in a pornographic video released last year but pleaded not guilty to one count of making obscene cinematography films tending to corrupt morals contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on dates unknown but between December 2010 and November 2011 in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together with another person unknown, Iris 20, did make obscene cinematography films tending to corrupt morals.
State prosecutors told the court that the matter was scheduled for judgment and both parties were present in court but the magistrate said he received the submissions late and as a result he had no ample time to write the judgment.
“I will adjourn this matter to next week Tuesday in order to allow me write the judgment,” he said.
