President Rupiah Banda has warned that Government would not condone any public service worker who would resist Private Sector reforms. Mr. Banda said Government’s wish was to effectively and efficiently facilitate the growth of the Private Sector in the country.

He added that all public officials must regard the Private Sector as valuable customers and should therefore fully support its role in the country’s economy. ZANIS reports that the President said this in Livingstone yesterday when he officially opened the 7th Zambia International Business Advisory Council (ZIBAC) meeting.

President Banda said Government wanted to make the business environment friendlier and that a number of decisions have since been implemented to further improve the investment climate and increase foreign investments.

‘’In addition, our overall ease of doing business ranking is now at 76 out of 183 countries. Last year, Zambia was recognised as one of the top ten reformers in the world. This is as a result of deliberate and concerted efforts by my Government to improve our investment climate,’’ he said.

He added that todate, 92 licences required to start business in the country have been eliminated, 43 reclassified and 13 amalgamated into four. He said as a result, the Private Sector had made savings of about K68.8 billion through the elimination of licences while an additional K76.5 billion had been saved through the reclassification of 38 local government business permits into a single business levy. Mr. Banda said Government, last year (2010) alone, attracted investments worth US$2 billion and 18,000 businesses were registered.

He said the theme of ZIBAC ‘’Investment for jobs and wealth creation’’ was a fitting reflection of the Government’s determination to attract quality investment into the country for the ultimate purpose of creating jobs and wealth for the people.

President Banda said Government had in the last decade recorded impressive economic growth alongside significant investment inflows. ‘’Zambia has in the last decade recorded impressive economic growth alongside significant investment inflows. The challenge we face however, is to translate this investment into jobs and wealth creation for all. I am sure you will agree with me that the best way to win the fight against poverty is to create quality jobs for our people and my Government is determined to do just that,’’ he said.

[pullquote]The challenge we face however, is to translate this investment into jobs and wealth creation for all. I am sure you will agree with me that the best way to win the fight against poverty is to create quality jobs for our people and my Government is determined to do just that,’’ he said.[/pullquote]

He noted that while foreign direct investment had resulted in new jobs for Zambians, the level of unemployment particularly amongst the youth was still a serious concern for the Government.
He said Zambia was a country with a youthful population for whom Government had to provide opportunities where the youths could either become entrepreneurs and subsequently become employers or employees as investments opened up more jobs for them.

Mr. Banda said Government was also investing in expanding the road and railway networks and trade facilitation infrastructure such as ultra-modern borders and weigh-in-facilities.
He said other developments includeded farm blocks, multi-facility economic zones and the optic fibre network. The President added that Government had the political will and commitment to further the reform process and would continue to do so in the future.

Speaking earlier, ZIBAC Chairman Lord Simon Cairns said the Private Sector and Government have to work together, if the poverty levels were to be reduced. Lord Cairns also called on Zambia and other African countries to seriously think of engaging in intra-trade among the countries on the continent.

He said there was need to enter into a painful adjustment of cooperating within the region and consequently entering into a free trade zone. He said Zambia had the huge potential of water for agriculture and therefore, she was capable of becoming a food basket in the region.

Lord Cairns said progress had been made in electricity power generation but noted that the country should not only become self sufficient in electricity but should also become a major exporter of the commodity in the region.

He however, bemoaned the fact that Zambia was not known in many fields as it should and added that the country’s economic successes were not broadly advertised.

ZANIS

Bishop John Mambo has charged that the rejection of the constitutional bill by parliament on Tuesday is the beginning of the process for a people driven constitution.

Bishop Mambo says time has now come for the Zambian government to realize that people are bigger than political motives.

Bishop Mambo says he feels exonerated after being referred to as a prophet of doom when concerns were raised over the National Constitutional Conference.

He has restated that what happened in parliament signals a wind of change that is taking place world over, especially in the Middle East.

He has, however, stated that Zambia has yet again been handed a bounced cheque in the constitutional making process.

In an interview with QFM, Bishop Mambo says any government should work to the expectations of the people, and not the opposite.

Bishop Mambo has commended the opposition parliamentarian for representing the views of people who elected them into office.
[ QFM ]

GLOBAL Justice Zambia has described Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s support for gay rights as unthinkable.

Global Justice Zambia advocacy and campaign manager Samson Zulu, who is also a founder member of PF, said a leader of Mr Sata’s status should not be seen to be supporting such ungodly acts.

“It is unthinkable that a leader of Mr Sata’s status can sink so low and begin to advocate gay rights,” Mr Zulu said.

He said he is not surprised that Mr Sata is advocating gay rights because he is ignorant.

Mr Zulu said Mr Sata’s ignorance stretches back to when a law was passed compelling all members of Parliament (MP) to participate in the constitution-making process.

He expelled his MPs who obeyed the law by attending the National Constitutional Conference.

“His ignorance went as far as appointing what he called acting MPs in the constituencies where some PF members decided to attend the NCC,” he said.

Mr Zulu said he does not know the law Mr Sata used to appoint acting MPs.

He said Mr Sata’s ignorance has been exposed by his support for homosexuals and lesbians on the pretext that there are laws in the country which recognise the vice.

Mr Zulu warned Zambians to choose their leaders wisely noting the country might end up endorsing a dictator.

Mr Zulu said the international community will not be keen on helping Zambia to remove a dictator from office.

“So, the freedom the country is experiencing should be guarded jealously by ensuring a dictator is not voted into power,” he said.
[ Zambia Daily Mail ]

NAMWALA.member of Parliament Robbie Chizyuka says Zambians must demand taxpayers’ money collected by United Party for National Development (UPND) members of Parliament as allowances during the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) sittings.

Major Chizyuka said in a statement issued on March 30 that the MPs have betrayed Zambians by getting the allowances, which could have gone towards the construction of essential facilities like bridges and schools, only to turn against the constitution-making process at the eleventh hour.

The MPs on March 29 abstained from voting on the Constitution of Zambia Bill, resulting in the failure to garner a two-thirds majority for the bill to go through second reading in Parliament.

“They are the sole cause of the failure of this country to have a new constitution, having wasted time and money which would have gone towards the construction of roads, schools, bridges and hospitals,” MajChizyuka said.

He said UPND MPs should be held accountable for betraying Zambians.

“Why did they accept allowances when they were not in support of the new constitution? Where is their morality?” he said.

Maj. Chizyuka said it is unfortunate that the MPs have chosen to halt the aspirations of Zambians to have a new constitution, despite playing a prominent role in the constitution- making process.

He made reference to Regina Musokotwane, MP for Katombola, who was one of the vice chairpersons of the NCC.

He said Ms Musokotwane allegedly stopped her colleagues from voting for the bill during physical voting.

Maj. Chizyuka said the people of Southern Province should now know their MPs for what they are. He said the UPND is not a progressive party.

“No wonder the UPND keeps going forward and backwards. It is their way of life. They have taken the country backwards after advocating a process to move forward with the constitution-making process,” MajChizyuka said.

He said the bill was straightforward and non-controversial.

The bill sought to provide for the printing and publication of the amended constitution and to save and provide for transitional provisions of state organs, state institutions, administration, offices, institutions, liabilities, obligations and legal proceedings.

From Kitwe, ALEX NJOVU reports that Evangelical Youth Alliance International (EYAI) president Moses Lungu has also demanded that UPND MPs pay back NCC allowances.

Reverend Lungu said in an interview on March 30 that UPND MPs have disappointed Zambians by failing to support the constitution in Parliament.

“The UPND MPs must pay back the allowances they received from NCC sittings. We cannot blame Patriotic Front (PF) MPs because they stayed away from NCC sittings from the start. UPND MPs were only interested in allowances,” he said.

Rev Lungu said UPND MPs have failed Zambians and warned against voting for politicians who have no direction.

“As an alliance, we are disappointed with what the UPND members have done to Zambians. A lot of money was spent on the whole process of the new constitution,” he said.

He said it is unfortunate that the implementation of the new constitution was politicised by people who have no heart for Zambians.

Rev Lungu said the new constitution would have resolved various problems facing the people.

“What the UPND MPs have done is evil. They have betrayed the people by pretending to sit in NCC meetings when they had no interest in what was happening,” he said.

Meanwhile, the MMD on the Copperbelt has condemned opposition members of Parliament for failing to support the Constitution of Zambia Bill.

Speaking when he addressed several MMD leaders at Kitwe City Council chamber yesterday, MMD provincial chairman Joseph Chilambwe castigated the MPs for walking out of a vote on the bill.

“These are the people who wanted a new constitution and yet they could not support it in Parliament. What has happened is not good and the people of Zambia are disappointed with the Patriotic Front (PF) and UPND members of Parliament,” he said.

Mr Chilambwe said the people of Zambia expected the MPs to support the bill which was intended to address various challenges facing the people.

“What it means is that the constituencies cannot be divided or increased. MPs are sent to Parliament to represent the people and not for their own benefit. It is important to scrutinise leaders aspiring for various positions. UPND and PF MPs have failed the nation,” Mr Chilambwe said.

Mr Chilambwe said the opposition MPs cannot be trusted.

He urged UPND president Hakainde Hichilema to join the MMD instead of hoping to win this year’s elections.

Mr Chilambwe said Mr Hichilema will be dumped by UPND members if he fails to perform well in the poll.

“In the first place, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema must forget about becoming President of Zambia for now because God has already chosen President Banda,” he said.

He said Mr Banda is a mature leader, who should be given a full five term in office.

“President Banda is a peaceful man, a Christian, mature man. He is focused on developing the country,” Mr Chilambwe said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

PRESIDENT Banda says the failure by Parliament to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill does not in any way suggest that Zambia is going through a constitutional crisis, which requires the immediate dissolution of Parliament.

This is contained in a statement issued in Lusaka on March 30 by special assistant to the President for press and public relations Dickson Jere.

Mr Banda said the country will continue operating on the old constitution and Government organs will run normally.

“Zambia will hold presidential and parliamentary elections this year as per the current Constitution and I am committed to ensuring that the polls are held in a transparent and fair manner,” he said.

Mr Banda said the power to dissolve Parliament is vested in the President and he will exercise that power at an appropriate time, without undue influence from any political quarters or individuals wishing to create anarchy in the nation.

Mr Banda appealed for calm in the nation following the failure by Parliament to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill ahead of this year’s general elections.

“I am appealing to ministers, deputy ministers, members of Parliament and MMD members not to apportion blame on anyone for the failure to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill on Tuesday but look ahead as Government continues to score successes in various sectors,” he said.

President Banda said the failure will not affect the smooth-running of Government as portrayed by some political opportunists.

He said the MMD should not apportion blame on the United Party for National Development (UPND) for the failure to pass the bill. The UPND supported the constitution-making process at the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).

President Banda said it was the Patriotic Front (PF), which has always wanted to frustrate the constitution-making process by boycotting the NCC.

And from Livingstone, President Banda said the collapse of the Constitution of Zambia Bill is a temporary setback but it should not make Zambians lose hope of developing the country.

Mr Banda said this on March 30 shortly after opening the 7th ZIBAC conference at Zambezi Sun Hotel.

Mr Banda appealed for calm from all Zambians despite Parliament failing to pass the Constitution of Zambia Bill.

He said contrary to PF president Michael Sata’s insinuations that there is a constitutional crisis, Zambia has the 1996 constitution, which is still in force.

Mr Jere said the failure in Parliament cannot lead to the dissolution of Parliament and early elections as suggested by Mr Sata.

He said the loss on the Constitution is not a failure on the part of President Banda’s administration.

“The failure is on the part of Zambians, who have been let down by their representatives and the President has taken it as a challenge,” Mr Jere said.

Meanwhile, three Presidents arrived in Livingstone yesterday for today’s SADC Troika summit on the case of Zimbabwe.

South African President Jacob Zuma, Namibian President HifikepunyePohamba and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe landed at Livingstone International Airport.

The Mozambican President is expected to arrive on March 31.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Vice-President George Kunda yesterday told Parliament that more than K83 billion spent on the NCC was budgeted for in accordance with the law. Mr Kunda said all expenses on the NCC were legally approved.

Earlier. Parliament heard that K 83 billion was spent on allowances for National Constitutional Conference delegates from 2007 to August 2010 when the NCC came to an end.

Deputy Minister in the office of the vice president Daniel Munkombwe told parliament in response to a question by Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili who wanted to know how much was spent on the allowances for the 500 NCC delegates.

Mr Mukombwe told the house that over K43 billion was spent on subsistence allowances,K8.9 billion on daily transport allowances and over K 1billion on transport refunds.

He said that K30.4 billion was spent sitting allowances for the NCC delegates,and that a further K775 million was spent on the nineteen vehicles the NCC was using.

And when Luena MP Charles Milupi (ADD) asked Mr Kunda why the referendum was not conducted despite the K83 billion spent on the NCC, Mr Kunda said the referendum was supposed to take place after the enactment of the new Constitution.

He said Government has not wasted resources and that the rich product of the NCC is still available for the government to use in future.

QFM

Western Province UPND National Chairman of Livestock and Fisheries Captain Lawrence Nyambe says that the party is still intact in the Province and all its members have declared their support for the UPND and Party President Hakainde Hichilema.

Captain Nyambe was reacting to some media reports that UPND Constituency Committee in Nalikwanda Constituency led by its Chairman Harrista Muyumbo has defected to Patriotic Front (PF) and that the UPND was dead in Nalikwanda Constituency.

Mr. Nyambe said that Nalikwanda Constituency Chairman Harristor Muyumbo denied the allegations that there are party members in Nalikwanda constitueny who have defected to the PF.

He added that the only person who defected from the UPND to PF was Oscar Kabutu , former UPND Constituency Secretary who met PF National leaders in Mongu and was promised to be paid K100,000 per person that he will bring to PF from UPND.

Captain Nyambe added that Oscar Kabutu wrote down the names of 6 UPND officials which included Harrista Muyumbo, Constituency Chairman,Reuben Lubasi, Constituency treasurer, Jogina Nakena, Constituency Chairlady, Mbingila Malesu, Constituency Vice Chairlady ,Enerst Silukena, Nakanya Ward Chairman and Kawila Samazuka Ward Secretary.

Mr. Nyambe said all the members attended the meeting and were very angry with Oscar Kabutu for telling lies and using their names to earn money for himself.

Captain Nyambe however advised the PF leadership to stop using under hand and crude methods to recruit members from other parties and veiled to defeat Mr. Sata and the PF in the next polls in Western Province.

United Party for National Development UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has said that the the rejection of the constitution amendment bill is clear confirmation that the MMD should be hounded out of government.

Mr. Hichilema said that  it is painful that trillions of kwacha were spent on the National Constitutional Conference at the expense of millions of suffering Zambians.

Mr. Hichilema whose MPs participated in the NCC has noted that the failure by the MMD to give Zambians a constitution that they have always desired is an indication that current government is tired.

He added that Zambians should use this year’s election as a verdict on the MMD’s failure on the constitution making process.

The UPND leader further added  that there was  great need for Zambians to retire the MMD from government as the country goes to the polls this year.

Mr. Hichilema has further disputed assertion by government that the UPND members of parliament were eating with both hands by attending the NCC and later rejecting the product of the NCC to which they were part.

He further went on to defend his members of parliament by stating that they attended the NCC to fight for the wishes of the Zambian people.

Mr Hichilema said that  had the UPND not attended the NCC, Zambians would have been given a raw deal on the constitution making process.

He said his party is dismayed at the unwarranted attacks by Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha when it is absolutely clear that the collapse of the Constitution bill is as a direct result of the MMD’s arrogance, disjointedness, greed and insatiable appetite to remain in power.

And Get Involved Zambia executive director Father Frank Bwalya has described as a triumph for the people of Zambia in the constitution making process, the rejection of the constitutional bill by parliament yesterday.

Father Bwalya says finally the voice of the people has been heard after the many pleas his organization and other stakeholders made.  He said that  the MMD should now work and realize that people of Zambia carry the loudest voice.

Meanwhile, Southern African Center for Constructive Resolution of Disputes SACCORD has congratulated opposition members of parliament for rejecting a government engineered constitutional making process.

SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma said  it iwas gratifying to note that members of parliament from the opposition political parties responded positively to the people’s aspiration on the constitution.

And Vice President George Kunda said that  the inability by parliament to enact a new constitution has denied Zambians an opportunity to come up with an enhanced legal framework.  Mr Kunda blamed the UPND for the failure of the Bill, accusing the UPND of betraying the Zambian people.

Mr.Kunda said that the UPND members of parliament have betrayed the Zambian people especially that they participated in the National Constitutional Conference.  The Vice President has further stated that the MMD is however comfortable to participate in the forthcoming elections using the old constitution.

QFM

President Rupiah Banda has described the collapse of the constitutional reform process as a temporal setback.

Mr. Banda says all hope is not lost following yesterday’s happenings in parliament were the constitutional bill failed to pass through second reading.

Mr. Banda told ZNBC said that the set back in the constitutional reforms is not one that would make government and the country lose hope.

The President said government will look for the way forward over the constitutional reforms.

The Constitution of Zambia Bill failed to pass second reading after Members of Parliament voted twice but failed to garner the two third’s majority for the Bill to pass.

And Vice President George Kunda says the constitution of Zambia bill and Constitution of Zambia amendment bill can only be brought back before parliament after six months.

Mr. Kunda says although failure to enact the two pieces of legislation by parliament has deprived the nation an opportunity to reform the governance system, government remains committed to the constitution review process.

The Vice President was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today.

Mr. Kunda said that inability by parliament to enact the constitution means that Zambians has lost out on an opportunity to provide and enhance legal framework for them.

Mr. Kunda said the opposition UPND wanted government to include the 50 percent plus one vote, hoping for a possibility of forming a coalition government with the MMD.

He said that the MMD realized that the 50 percent plus One vote for a presidential candidate was referred to the referendum and that the issue of forming a coalition government with the UPND could not be accommodated as it required further consultations between the two parties.
[ ZNBC ]