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File: Father Frank Bwalya addressing a PF rallyMMD national secretary Dr. Katele Kalumba and MMD’s Lusaka province Chairperson William Banda have submitted that they want Father Frank Bwalya recalled to testify again in a case in which they have been sued for defamation of character.
The duo who have jointly sued with the attorney general in their submissions say that because Father Bwalya is no longer change life executive director, it is necessary for him to be recalled so that he can clarify his status in the matter.
They say that Father Bwalya sued them in his capacity as Change Life Executive director but that it has come to their attention that Father who is the petitioner in the matter has published a statement in the media stating that he is not executive director of Change life.
But father Bwalya’s lawyers feel that the application to recall their client on the stand is prejudice.
And in another case the Lusaka high court has granted directors of Change life Zambia an injunction restraining Father Frank Bwalya from representing himself as the organization’s executive director.
Father Bwalya is a Roman Catholic priest who has been advocating for the change of government through his red card campaign.
However, following criticisms he has received from some of the directors of the Change life Zambia regarding his programs, father Bwalya has decided to change the name of his organization to Get Involved Zambia.
[ MUVI ]
CHAIRPERSON of the electoral commission of the MMD, Christopher Mundia has said the filing in of nomination papers for candidates intending to contest for positions at the party’s convention will remain open until 24 hours before voting takes place.
Mr Mundia said the lodging in of nomination papers at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka tomorrow will go on as scheduled.
He said the commission had decided to receive nomination papers earlier than 24 hours before voting takes place to facilitate for the smooth preparations of the electoral process before the convention, and to allow candidates enough time to sell themselves to the electorate.
Mr Mundia said all aspiring candidates would be expected to be fully paid-up members of the party for at least two years, be delegates to the convention and should not be less than 18 years of age.
They should also be card-carrying members of the MMD with the renewal receipt for 2011.
He said candidates should be members in good standing in accordance with the party constitution and 1999 electoral rules.
Mr Mundia said other requirements were that the aspirants should have a prescribed nomination fee as stipulated and a receipt of payment would be the only proof of such payment.
Presidential candidates are expected to pay a non-refundable fee of K10 million. Candidates for the vice-presidency would pay K5 million and other NEC positions K2.5 million.
He said all candidates, including those for the position for president and vice-president, should be supported by two delegates to the convention, who were fully paid-up members and were in good standing with the party.
Chief government spokesperson Lt Gen Ronnie Shikapwasha
CHIEF Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has said the Presidential Emoluments Amendment Bill is not meant to benefit President Rupiah Banda as suggested by some sections of society, but to address a gap in the law to ensure that every person who serves as president receives their dues accordingly.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in Lusaka yesterday that the current law on presidential emoluments was unfair and against basic human rights.
Gen Shikapwasha, who is Information and Broadcasting Services minister, was reacting to Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata who has written a letter to President Banda demanding that he withdraws the Bill from Parliament.
“The Bill is not in anyway tailored to benefit President Banda. It covers anybody who will be president in future.
“The Bill is intended to address a lacuna in the law over a president who serves less than five years,” he said.
He said the current law did not allow a person who served as president for less than three years to get gratuity, which he said was unfair and against human rights.
Gen Shikapwasha said it was unfair for a person who had served in the office of president for three years or so not to get any gratuity, and that the Presidential Emolument Amendment Bill, currently before Parliament, was meant to address the anomaly.
He said the Government would not make laws targeted at individuals like what Mr Sata used to do when he was in government.
“For Mr Sata, he sees everything as a mater of personal benefit. Didn’t they tailor a law (on motor vehicle theft) which caught up with him?
“Mr Sata was locked up over a vehicle, and as Government we saw it was a bad law and it was removed,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said Mr Sata made bad laws when he was in government and he would do the same if he became Zambia’s president going by his advocacy for laws to recognise gays and lesbians.
Faz is in a catch-22 situation over the staging of its annual general meeting in Kitwe this Saturday after news that State House has requested it be staged in Lusaka instead.
The Faz AGM, which is attaining soap opera status, is set to be held in Kitwe and not Lusaka as being demanded by government.
Sources familiar with the development said this evening said Fifa has told them that they will not entertain the government’s request for the AGM to the shifted from Kitwe to Lusaka.
The sources say Fifa deems that as a third party interference.
However, Faz has yet to make a decision on whether to go ahead and let delegates travel to Moba Hotel in Kitwe or back to Lusaka with Mulungushi International Conference Centre the preferred venue by GRZ.
Government has acknowledged that there is a high likelihood that LAP Green Networks’ shareholding in ZAMTEL will be frozen following the U.N resolutions 1970 and 1973 which freeze Libyan assets around the world following the crisis in that country.
LAP Green Networks which owns 75% shares in Zamtel is a subsidiary of the Libya Investment Authority which is Libya’s sovereign investment fund.
Finance and National planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane told parliament in a ministerial statement today that the purpose of the UN resolution on Libya’s asset freeze is not to prevent or impede the operations of companies such as Zamtel in which Libyan companies own equity.
He said that there was no reason for concern regarding the prevailing situation in Libya as it relates to Zamtel operations.
Dr Musokotwane assured the house that when the privatization of Zamtel was completed in July 2010, a number of transaction documents were agreed and signed between the Zambian government,Zamtel and LAP Green Networks which include key agreements such as the sale and purchase agreement, the shareholders agreement and the escrow of funds agreement.
He said that the documents were negotiated with great care and gives government all the necessary procedural controls with respect to the measures which are the subject matter of the asset freeze provisions of the UN resolutions.
Dr Musokotwane added that as a further cautionary measure government will seek final clarification from the UN sanctions committee whether LAP Green holding in Zamtel and other relevant assets fall within the definition of assets to be frozen under the UN resolution.
And Dr Musokotwane has pledged government’s commitment in compliance with UN resolutions on Libya.
He said that government plans to adopt formal general administrative measures that will under the framework provided by the Zambian law prevent any breach of the UN resolutions 1970 and 1973.
People waiting for fuel during the 2009 fuel shortage in Lusaka
Energy Minister Kenneth Konga says the current crisis in the Middle East will greatly affect the supply of crude oil in the country.
Mr Konga however said government has put up measures to ensure the steady supply of fuel if the crisis continues.
Mr Konga said government is stocking up the strategic fuel reserves so that the country is not affected by the crisis.
The Energy also said cabinet has not yet sat to discuss the submissions made on the way forward on Indeni petroleum Refinery Company following the pull-out of its equity partner Total International of France.
He said the decision on whether government should source for an equity partner in Indeni will only be made after the matter has been discussed by cabinet.
Mr. Konga however, said government has been reluctant to source for an equity partner because it has been able to run the company effectively single handed.
Government currently holds a 100 percent stake in Indeni oil refinery.
Total pulled out citing lack of government commitment to reinvest in the oil refinery.
And Energy Deputy Minister Lubinda Imasiku has told parliament that the country is consuming 1.6 million litres of diesel daily, and 650 000 litres of petrol.
He says the daily consumption of Jet 1 fuel now is 150 000 litres while that of kerosene is 50 000 litres a day.
Mr Imasiku says the country is spending K11 billion on the daily consumption of diesel and another K8 billion on the daily consumption of Petrol.
The Deputy Minister was responding to a question from Gwembe Member of Parliament Brian Ntundu who wanted to know the daily consumption of fuel in the country.
Ministry of Finance and National Planning Permanent Secretary Anthony Undi shakes hands with the President
Government has appointed a team of officers to address the problem of unretired imprest by civil servants.
Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary Anthony Undi says a team of officers from the office of the Accountant General and Auditor General have been appointed to sit on the committee tasked to resolve the problem.
Mr Undi was speaking when he appeared before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee in Lusaka.
He told the Committee Chaired by Mbabala Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Hachipuka that the team’s terms of reference include devising means of avoiding the problem of unretired imprest.
Mr Undi says the team has been given five weeks to research and come up with recommendations.
The Permanent Secretary was responding to audit queries highlighted in the Auditor General’s report of 2009.
Earlier, Mr. Hachipuka wondered why the problem of unretired imprest keeps on appearing in the Auditor General’s annual reports.
An overloaded light truck overturned along the Lumuba road in Lusaka. It was carrying fish and Kapenta from Tanzania
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The crew of the overloaded light truck wait for tow services after their overloaded vehicle carrying fish and Kapenta from Tanzania overturned.
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First Lady Thandiwe Banda about to receive a book on HIV AIDS and Youth in Zambia from author Wilfred Chilangwa at State House
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Some entreprising youths engage in carpentry at Mandevu market in Lusaka
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Some entreprising youths busy at work at Mandevu market in Lusaka.
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Th drainage in the Kulima Tower bus station has remained bad even weeks before the facility is about to re-open to the public after major rehabilitation works. Car washers fetch water from the faulty drainage system.
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The major rehabilitation works at the Kulima Tower bus station has not resulted in a good drainage system though a few weeks remain before the facility is about to re-open to the public. Car washers fetch water from the faulty drainage system.
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Youths and Lusaka residents watch sports events at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka
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Judokas in action at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka
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Judo players showcase their skills at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka
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Judo players showcase their skills (by Jean Mandela)
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Olympic Youth Development Centre director Clement Chileshe(white top) with British High Commissioners to Zambia Tom carter and Carolyn Davidson (l) and sports deputy minister Brian Sikazwe (r) at the OYDC in Lusaka
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Sports deputy minister Brian Sikazwe (r) with British High Commissioners to Zambia Tom Carter (c) and Carolyn Davidson at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka
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Zambia national soccer team players in training at Independence stadium in Lusaka
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Under 23 national soccer team coach Keegan Mumba giving tips to team players during training at Independence Stadium in Lusaka
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A rare real gentleman washing the feet of his "friend" (by Jean Mandela)
Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga says cabinet has not yet sat to discuss the submissions made on the way forward on Indeni petroleum Refinery Company following the pull-out of its equity partner Total International of France.
Mr. Konga told journalists in Lusaka that the decision on whether government should source for an equity partner in Indeni will only be made after cabinet has discussed the matter.
Mr. Konga, however, says government has been reluctant to source for an equity partner because it has been able to run the company effectively.
Government currently holds a 100 percent shares in Indeni oil refinery.
Total pulled out citing lack of government commitment to reinvest in the oil refinery.
Mr. Konga also assured that government is putting measures in place that will cushion the impact of the rise in fuel prices on the international market being caused by political tensions in the Middle East.
The minister says increasing on the stock of fuel products is one of the measures that government will use to help control the prices of the commodity locally.
[ QFM ]
By Percy Mabvuto-Ngwira, MSc in International Rural Development – Tourism Development UK.
File: Assorted Zambian crafts for sale at the Lusaka Sunday Market
In the year 1996, the government reclassified the tourism sector from a social to an economic category. This was a recognition of the sector’s potential to contribute to economic development in terms of, Inter alias, foreign exchange earnings, employment and income generation, contribution to government revenues, promotion of rural development and as well as perform the role of sustainable development catalyst (Tourism Policy for Zambia,1999). Fifteen years down the road, we are still singing about the countries’ tourism potential.
The government within this policy provisions has tried its best to realign the industry. In terms of marketing the policy states that “The marketing and promotion of the country’s tourist attractions shall continue to be the responsibility of Zambia National Tourism Board (ZNTB).The Board shall be transformed into a purely marketing entity. Its regulatory and licensing functions shall be transferred to the Tourism Management Directorate at the Ministry of Tourism. The new organisation shall retain its autonomous status and with improved funding be able to better carry out its marketing, sales promotion, public relations and image building and publicity functions.” In line with this on 30th November, 2007 the Zambian Parliament Enacted the Zambia Tourism Board Act No. 24 of 2007 of the Laws of Zambia. This Act is entitled as “An Act to provide for the establishment of the Zambia Tourism Board and define its functions; to provide for the promotion and marketing of Zambia as a tourist destination within and outside Zambia; and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.”
Despite all these efforts by government; Zambia in partially and largely Zambia Tourism Board has failed to market the tourism potential of this great nation. Every year before drafting the Tourism Department budget, the Zambia Tourism Board and the tourism industry at large asks for extra budget for marketing Zambia ‘abroad’ as a tourist destination of choice. Marketing, according to them, is the most important issue in tourism, and, therefore, it follows that it should be large-scale and consistent.
Annually government has provided Zambia Tourism Board with ‘enough funding’. For example in the year 2011 budget Minister of Finance and National Planning Hon. Musokotwane MP, has been very kind to Zambia Tourism Board “Mr. Speaker, prospects remain bright for our tourism sector over the medium-term, in line with a projected uptake in global tourism. For Zambia, tourism continues to represent a key source of jobs, prosperity, and competitiveness, particularly in rural areas. To continue the development of this sector, I have allocated K63.3 billion in 2011.The main focus in the sector will be to take full advantage of the recovery in global tourism to reposition Zambia as a premier nature, wildlife, and cultural tourism destination. This will be done through increased marketing activities, for which I have allocated K12.8 billion.”
Despite this kind of funding, ZTB has hit a decade-long plateau of failure to make Zambia a destination of choice. People in the tourism field explain that a large marketing budget or funding is not enough. A serious, well targeted and constantly evaluated marketing plan is needed as well, and this, they claim, can only be drafted through industry-wide cooperation, mainly through establishing a national tourism partnership with cross cutting partners in various industries.
Zambia Tourism Board has failed us, in coming up with a National tourism Marketing plan that will stand a test of time, incorporating marketing strategies for both Local and International markets. One of the most important steps a business or country can take to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their tourism marketing efforts is to develop a written marketing plan. This plan will guide their marketing decisions and assist them in allocating marketing resources such as money and personnel time. Most importantly to be included is a method for evaluation and change.
With ZNTB then and now ZTB, we have never seen evaluation and change in their annual tourism ‘marketing plans’. Unless there is anyone to prove me wrong, I have never witnessed at any point where ZTB carries out a marketing survey at the airport, at an exit point or any other place in Zambia; asking the tourist how they enjoyed their stay in Zambia and if they would come back again. With all their international marketing efforts ZTB has never given this nation annual figure of tourists who come due to their international marketing efforts.
In 2005 we had government funded visit Zambia Campaign to date we do not know how many tourists came and how much foreign revenue was earned due to this promotion. Then came 2010 FIFA World Cup where ZTB travelled around the world holding marketing shows. Again no figures on how many international tourists came due to their efforts. Honestly if ZTB could take time and stop to take stock of what they are doing, we could have seen an improvement in the marketing of Zambia as a destination of choice. It is very embarrassing that Zambia failed to take advantage of the first ever FIFA World Cup on the African soil to market itself as a destination of choice; to thousands of soccer fans from around the world that descended on South Africa, to witness this historical event. It is also a shame, that as a country we have failed to take advantage of the internal problems that has been faced by our competitor Zimbabwe in the last five year. Worse with local marketing, ZTB has clearly failed to capture the local market.
Another problem with ZTB’s marketing strategies is its focus on markets that do not need any additional push to come and visit Zambia. Tourism efforts for a long time and in recent years have focused on the European (British), Americans and South Africans. These target markets do not justify the marketing efforts because so many efforts have been put there already. Focusing more marketing efforts on emerging economies like China, India, South Korea, Brazil and Mexico is a strategic prudent move.
If as a country we want to witness tourism sector’s potential to contribute to economic development, it is a mistake to focus all our tourism marketing efforts on the international markets. The new ZTB needs to focus on tourism that perhaps has a local orientation, but with international guaranteed tourists, that comes to Zambia to tour the country, to buy curios, and visit museums and spend their money in the country to the benefit of the local people.
VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda has described Colonel Panji Kaunda as an embarrassment to the country’s defence forces for advocating violence ahead of this year’s tripartite elections.
The Vice-President said when he launched the MMD Copperbelt card renewal exercise in Kitwe on March 22 that Col Kaunda is an embarrassment and a bad example to the armed forces.
“He is a trained soldier and is supposed to be a disciplined professional but Panji is an embarrassment to our defence forces. How can he advocate violence?” Mr Kunda asked.
He said Government has restrained itself because Col Kaunda comes from a dignified family.
[pullquote]“We are not responsible for that if he (Col Kaunda) is broke. He must work hard,” Mr Kunda said.[/pullquote]
“Up to now, we owe it to KK (Dr Kenneth Kaunda), the father of this nation, who gave us free education. Dr Kaunda has taught us about non-violence and this is the name and reputation that Panji Kaunda is destroying,” Mr Kunda said.
He said Col Kaunda is advocating violence because he is broke. “We are not responsible for that if he (Col Kaunda) is broke. He must work hard,” Mr Kunda said.
He said it is unfortunate that Col Kaunda is associating with Mr Sata, who promotes homosexuality and violence. Mr Kunda warned Col Kaunda that Government will take him on if he continues on the same path.
CHIEF Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says those picketing Parliament for constitutional changes before the 2011 elections are wasting their time because the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has made binding decisions on the matter.
Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said Government will move according to what was discussed by over 500 delegates at the NCC.
“Everybody who was interested in this process would have attended the NCC, including the same people who are picketing Parliament,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said NCC delegates decided that the issue of 50 percent plus one vote will go to a referendum. The 50 per cent plus one vote is a proposal that a party should only form Government after garnering 50 per cent plus one vote.
“Those who were picketing are much fewer, compared to the 13 million Zambians who sent their representatives to the NCC,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said the issue of a vice-president being a running mate should not even arise because it went to a vote during the NCC sittings, and was dropped.
He said other issues will be debated in Parliament, and members of the public are free to sit in and listen to the MPs.
Gen Shikapwasha said those who are picketing Parliament just want money from donors.
[pullquote]Gen Shikapwasha said those who are picketing Parliament just want money from donors.[/pullquote]
He also warned Citizens Forum representative Simon Kabanda and his group against predicting violence.
“These same people are the ones who want to cause violence, which nobody wants,” he said.
A handful of members of the civil society on March 22 picketed parliamentarians demanding constitutional changes before the 2011 general elections.
Mr Kabanda presented a petition to Parliament, stating that three constitutional amendments have to be made before Zambia goes to the polls.
These include the period within which to swear-in the president-elect, the winning threshold for the president and the appointment of the republican vice-president.
Mr Kabanda said the petition is an expression of the feelings of some people from different parts of the country.
He said so far, 14,000 signatures in support of the constitutional changes have been obtained countrywide.
Mr Kabanda presented the petition to Mfuwemember of Parliament Mwimba Malama (Patriotic Front) who was escorted by Chifubu MP Berina Kawandami (PF) and Kanchibiya MP Davies Mwango (PF).
THE MMD on the Copperbelt has said it would be counter-productive for Zambians to have elected President Banda in the 2008 presidential election to serve for three years and deny him gratuity for the period he has served.
In a statement released on March 22, MMD Copperbelt vice publicity secretary William Wilima said President Banda deserves gratuity because he has served the nation diligently.
Mr Wilima was responding to Colonel Panji Kaunda’s threats recently that President Banda would not get his gratuity if the Patriotic Front comes into power.
“Since Mr Banda was elected directly by the people of Zambia to lead them and he has carried out his duties diligently, he rightly deserves to be paid all that is due to a worker,” the statement reads in part.
Mr Wilima said laws are made for people and because of this fact, unforeseen circumstances are order of the day and laws are prone to amendments.
“Everyone who works deserves to be paid,” Mr Wilima said.
Mr Wilima said as a hard-working person, President Banda deserves to be paid his salary, allowances, gratuity and all other benefits.
He said a lot of people are aware that Col Kaunda’s bitterness against President Banda is just ‘sour grapes’. Col Kaunda has of late been attacking President Banda and his government.
“This is the same man who regretted turning down President Mwanawasa’s request to him to join Government. He was not willing to leave his party UNIP,” Mr Wilima said.
Mr Wilima said Col Kaunda’s “myopia” has been exposed since he is no longer in UNIP. He said Col Kaunda should stop being envious of President Banda, saying power is God-given.
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane
ANOTHER international credit rating company has assigned Zambia a B+ rating in debt sustainability.
Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane said Standard and Poor’s has allocated Zambia the B+ rating in its draft report.
Standard and Poor’s is one of the world’s best three professional companies which assesses countries worldwide on various parameters including political stability and economic performance.
“We have received a draft report from Standard and Poors, which has given Zambia a B+ rating on the impossibility of failing to honour external obligations,” Dr Musokotwane said.
He said this at Government Complex in Lusaka on March 22 shortly after touring part of the building under construction.
The rating comes soon after another reputable ratings agency, Fitch, assigned Zambia a B+ rating in economic growth and political stability, among other areas.
Dr Musokotwane said the latest rating puts Zambia in an advantageous position to access finance from all over the world quickly for investment.
He said the Standard and Poors rating is an indication that the economy is continuously recording growth.
Dr Musokotwane said Zambia’s economic growth translates into an increase in the country’s capacity to borrow internationally and locally. He said the rating will give institutions worldwide confidence to lend money to Government, companies and individuals in Zambia.
“When you are rated B+, you have a sticker that this is a B+ country. Institutions from different parts of the country find it easy to lend money to Government, companies and even individuals,” Dr Musokotwane said.
He said Zambia is not the only country that has been assessed by a professional international credit rating company. He cited other countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria which have already undergone assessment by credit rating companies.
Fitch, assigned Zambia a B+ sovereign rating in recognition of the huge economic strides the country has taken under President Banda.
Zambia received the fourth-highest non-investment grade rating supported by a stable outlook from Fitch.
Zambia’s economy expanded over seven percent last year, up from 6.4 percent in 2009. Growth has been driven by increased mining output, transport, communication, construction and agriculture.
The rating followed fast on the heels of global recognition for Zambia’s economic achievements in the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation’s 2011 ‘Doing Business’ report.
In the report, Zambia was named as one of the world’s top 10 reformers for ease of doing business. Zambia is also projected to be one of the world’s top 10 fastest-growing economies for the 2011-2015 period.
Meanwhile, Dr Musokotwane said he is happy with the progress Shanghai Construction General Company is making in completing the construction of the unfinished part of the Government Complex which includes a banquet hall, conference centre and offices.
Shanghai chief project engineer Jerry Zhong said the construction will be completed by September this year. Dr Musokotwane said the facility is important to the country’s economic growth as it will boost the country’s tourism.
He said the conference centre and banquet hall, with seating capacities of 1,000 and 1,900 respectively, will be the biggest in the country.
Dr Musokotwane said currently, Government is bidding for the 2013 African Development Bank conference to be held in Zambia, possibly at the Government Complex.
He urged the private sector to invest in expanding the country’s hotel and lodge accommodation to prepare for the boom expected in the tourism sector when the conference centre and banquet hall are operational.]
The unfinished part of the Government Complex is being constructed through the US$28,000 loan Government contracted from China last year.
