A local economist has urged Zambians to harness and help sustain the status of a middle income country reclassification so that the grassroots can feel the benefit of the status.

Economist Edmond Soko said in a statement to ZANIS in Kitwe that it is justifiable for Zambia to move to a higher status considering the current economic successes that it has recorded.

Mr. Soko said the infrastructure development being seen around the country and the increased capital inflows in the mining industry, construction,and agricultural sectors among others are indicators of economic growth.

He stated that several economic successes that Zambia has been recording in the recent past, has earnestly convinced the World Bank and other international institutions to re-rate the country to the category of middle income nation 19 years before the planned period of 2030.

He said the reclassification of Zambia as a middle income country has come unexpectedly but at the right time especially that everyone thought the developmental sentiments by government and economists were part of the election propaganda.

Mr. Soko said the fears by some sections of society that the country might lose out part of the donor aid after this rating are not justified because a country can not entirely depend on donor aid forever but gradually wean economically.

He said that is why it is important to harness this status and consistently sustain it for a long period of time so that the grassroots can feel the impact of the middle income status.

Zambia and Ghana are African nations that the World Bank has reclassified as middle income countries.

The two countries are ranked 27th and 28th respectively among 63 countries which the World Bank has reclassified as middle income countries.

ZANIS

The Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) has sued former Deputy Minister of Works and Supply Lameck Mangani for non-payment of rent arrears for his Chipata residence amounting to K37 million.

According to a writ of summons obtained by the Zambia Daily Mail issued by the Chipata High Court and served on Mr Mangani yesterday by Fred Jere and Company, the former Chipata Central member of Parliament has not paid the outstanding amount accruing from 2009.

Mr Mangani has been given a 14-day ultimatum to respond to the suit, from the date of service of the writ of summons.

Details of the claim case number 2011/HJ/18 in the Chipata High Court are that Mr Mangani owes TBZ a total sum of K37 million rent arrears in respect of Plot number 1463 Umodzi Highway, Chipata, which the former minister is occupying.

The statement of claim indicates that the rent arrears have accumulated from K7,450,000 in 2009 to K37 million as at July this year.

The plaintiff has asked the Chipata High Court to order Mr Mangani’s eviction from the house, pay the arrears in full with interest and costs of the action.

The statement of claim also states that the plaintiff, was at all material times a registered and statutory board which runs the tobacco industry in Zambia.

Mr Mangani was at all material times a tenant in the plaintiff’s house situated on Plot 1463 Umodzi Highway, Chipata.

“The defendant has ignored several demands from the plaintiff to settle the outstanding amount and to express interest to renew the lease agreement which expired on December 31, 2010, hence the need for immediate possession of the house,” the statement of claim reads in part.

And investigations by the Zambia Daily Mail have revealed that the house whose rent arrears have totalled K37 million, is currently being occupied by Mr Mangani’s second wife Mary who is a former Catholic nun.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s dictatorial tendencies and the MMD’s good performance are the major reasons for the mass exodus of PF members to the ruling MMD, two PF MPs have said.

Kamfinsa MP Michael Nyirenda and Kalulushi MP Anson Simama said in separate interviews that the MMD has attended to most of the matters the PF intends to use as campaign issues.

Mr Nyirenda and Mr Simama said PF members are leaving the party because of Mr Sata’s dictatorial tendencies and greed.

“There is dictatorship in the PF. Mr Sata’s dictatorial tendencies and greed is the reason why people are shying away from the PF. Mr Sata cannot even entertain different views, it is a one-man-show,” Mr Simama said.

Mr Nyirenda also said PF members are joining the MMD because the ruling party is already addressing the issues that the PF is promising to put in its campaign messages.

“People are also leaving PF because of the inconsistency of top leaders on national issues. We are always attacking Government instead of compromising. We are one people so why should we fight?” Mr Nyirenda asked.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Chibuye reports that Mufulira member of Parliament Marjory Mwape says the PF is the most disorganised party which only exists at executive level.

Ms. Mwape, who ditched the PF for the MMD on July 11, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the disorganisation of the party’s lower organs has made it difficult for the party to work effectively.

Ms. Mwape disclosed that most PF executive members are confused by the way the party is being managed because the misunderstandings at the lower organs have made it difficult for the party to succeed in its programmes.

She pointed out that most aspiring candidates in the PF are not development-oriented but want to ride on PF president Michael Sata’s perceived popularity to become members of Parliament.

Ms. Mwape said in her resignation letter obtained by the Zambia Daily Mail in Lusaka yesterday that her stay in the party was characterised by mixed approaches and emotions including expulsion, hostility, reconciliation and tolerance.

The letter was addressed to PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba, indicating her official resignation from the party.

She said she has joined the MMD because it is her belief she will serve Zambians better under the ruling party.

“Man is the architect of his own destiny. I proudly made this bold decision and I am convinced that this is my path to destiny,” Ms Mwape said, as she endorsed President Banda’s candidature.

Meanwhile, TEDDY KUYELA reports that the MMD has welcomed the resignation of Ms Mwape from the opposition to join the ruling party.

MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu said in Lusaka yesterday that the resignation of Ms Mwape from the opposition is an indication that the MMD is a progressive party which has shown commitment to developing the country.

Mr Nyangu said the MMD is happy that more people from the opposition are defecting to the ruling party because of the good leadership of President Banda.

“The MMD will continue welcoming people from the opposition because we are an attractive party. What Ms Mwape has done is commendable. She knows that only government can execute development projects.

“We want to advise other MPs from the opposition who have seen what President Banda is doing to join the ruling party so that they can work with us to enhance development,” Mr Nyangu said.

[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) Eastern Province Chairperson this morning openly attacked reporters from the public media for what he termed as biased reporting.

Mr. Phiri scolded Journalists from Zambia News and Information services (ZANIS) and Times of Zambia who went to cover embattled Chipata Central Member of Parliament Lameck Mangani at a press briefing at Pine View guest house.

Mr. Phiri claimed the public media were not fair in their reporting and charged that they misrepresented facts.

Mr. Phiri threatened to chase away the ZANIS crew that was present saying the organization was misusing government resources by writing false stories in their news coverage.

He also warned that the PF will not allow the public media to cover the party rally that will be held in Chipata district tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Chipata Central MP Lameck Mangani acknowledged that the MMD had developed some sectors of the economy.

Mr. Managani cited some of the developments such as the opening of mines and the improved employment levels.

He stated that President Banda had also managed to maintain peace and economic stability in the country.

And the Former Deputy Minister has reiterated that his resignation from the ruling MMD is not because of personal hatred towards President Rupiah Banda.

Mr Mangani said that he was sensitive to what has been obtaining on the ground and decided to respond to the needs of his supporters who advised him to follow the wind of change.

But MMD Chipata District Chairperson Sinoya Mwale said that it was sad that the Former Deputy Minister of Works and Supply decided to resign from the ruling party just because the opposition PF seemed to attract more members and not because they had something better to offer the people of Zambia.

Mr. Mwale stated that Mr. Mangani had proved to the people of Chipata that he is not a genuine politician because he wants to follow what he calls a wind of change which had nothing better to offer.

He stated that Mr. Mangani and others who think the opposition PF will win the tripartite elections are being cheated because MMD is still strong on the ground.

ZANIS

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has awarded Universal Print Group Limited of Durban, South Africa a tender to print ballot paper booklets and nomination forms for the 2011
tripartite elections.

ECZ Public Relations Manager Cris Akufuna said the tender was awarded to Universal Print Group after fulfilling all the tender requirements.

He said the award of the tender follows invitations by the commission of sealed bids from interested bidders through open tender procedures for the supply and delivery of ballot paper and nomination forms in April this year.

Mr. Akufuna said the tender was advertised in the print media for four weeks.

“This follows the invitation by the commission of sealed bids from interested bidders through open tender procedures for the supply and delivery of ballot paper and nomination forms on 27th March, 2011 which closed on 29th April 2011. The tender was advertised through the
print media for a period of four weeks” he said.

He disclosed that eight companies responded to the invitation and were evaluated in accordance with the laid down procedures.

He added that three companies qualified for technical evaluation and were examined in accordance with the technical specifications that were provided with specific references to bidding document.

Mr. Akufuna said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He said two companies qualified for analysis of their past performance records and site inspection was done on 6th and 7th June 2011.

He further said that the commission also inspected machinery and production technology and the security and surveillance technology at the premises and surroundings.

“Apart from inspecting machinery and production technology in place the commission also considered the security and surveillance technology at the premises and surroundings. In addition the commission needed to ascertain the binding, finishing, sorting,packaging, audit trail and related technologies at the printing facilities”

“And Universal Print of the republic of South Africa satisfied all these requirements and the commission has therefore awarded the tender to the company” he said.

Universal Print of South Africa was also contracted to print the 2006 General elections and the 2008 Presidential elections.

ZANIS

Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has described the classification of Zambia to the lower Middle Income status country by the World Bank as a clear manifestation that government’s economic policies are materializing.

Speaking to Journalists in Lusaka this morning, Dr. Musokotwane said this classification means a reduction in donor Aid to Zambia and increased foreign investment.

Dr. Musokotwane says Zambia will now be able to access non concession loans adding that previously the country had been constrained by concession financing which is limited.

The minister has further explained that the country now lies in the range of 1,600 to 3,975 dollars per capita income adding that the target for government is to reach up to over 1,200 dollars per capita income which is for a high income status country.

And Dr. Musokotwane has said the economic reform process has not been easy for government and that this achievement is as a result of political will towards driving the country to economic prosperity.

On whether Zambia’s classification translates into poverty reduction in the country, the minister says the effects on the average household will slowly manifest adding that even in the High Income status countries, problems of the effect are there.

QFM