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Finance Situmbeko Musokotawne inspects government construction projects.
FINANCE and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has said Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata is afraid of facing President Rupiah Banda in next year’s presidential elections following landmark achievements recorded in the last two years by the current Zambian leader.
Dr Musokotwane said Zambia’s ranking in the global economies as the 10th most improved in the process of doing business in the past year was among factors sending the opposition leader into panic.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Musokotwane said the Government had “swept Mr Sata off the carpet” with an easy entry into the 2011 presidential election campaign on the back of a record bumper harvest, single-digit inflation and growing international recognition.
He said the Government was delivering development at a pace that had never been reached before and that the opposition parties were finding it hard to accept.
“We are addressing all the social challenges decisively and they are obviously panicking because of the elections. They are stunned with the record pace at which we are constructing schools, health centres and roads,” Dr Musokotwane said.
He said during the period of the global financial crisis, the opposition and analysts aligned to the opposition had condemned the Government for alleged failure to address the challenges posed by the economic downturn, but facts now suggested that Zambia was among the few countries that were successful.
Dr Musokotwane said with the 7.3 per cent annual rate of inflation for the month of October, the Government was optimistic of better performance before the close of the year.
Dr Musokotwane also said the Government remained optimistic that the projected copper output of 720,000 tonnes would be reached this year.
“So they will continue to do politics but we will continue providing development to the people of Zambia,” he said.
[pullquote]“We are addressing all the social challenges decisively and they are obviously panicking because of the elections. They are stunned with the record pace at which we are constructing schools, health centres and roads,” Dr Musokotwane said.[/pullquote]
The minister said the high ranking by the World Bank resulted from the Government’s well-focused policies that included the opening of the one-stop-border post at Chirundu.
He said the Government had drastically reduced bureaucracy in the processing of business licences and importation, and that was responsible for the growing economic activity in the country.
Last week, World Bank acting director in charge of global indicators and analysis, Neil Gregory said Zambia and Cape Verde had risen 10 and eight spots, respectively, with Zambia grading 76th in the doing business 2011 index.
Mr Gregory said at the launch of the 2011 Doing Business Report that Zambia had performed well in easing the business start-up by eliminating the minimum capital requirements.
THE Government has asked security wings to investigate reports that Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata gave former Catholic priest Frank Bwalya US$100,000 for anti-Government campaigns.
Chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha said in Lusaka yesterday that the law required that procedure should be followed where huge amounts of money were deposited into any commercial bank.
He said the Zambia police frauds department, Drug Enforcement Commission and other security wings should investigate the matter to establish how the money was raised and whether it was declared before being deposited in Finance Bank.
Gen Shikapwasha said the security wings should investigate issues around money laundering and tax-related ones.
“The law will visit all those involved in this matter. The police, the DEC anti-money laundering unit will investigate this matter together with the Bank of Zambia which has laws about money laundering,” he said.
Mr Mumbi told a media briefing in Lusaka on Saturday that Mr Sata paid Fr Bwalya $100,000 and urged the PF leader to clarify the matter.
When contacted for comment, Fr Bwalya said he was aware that he had been mentioned by the media as having received some money from Mr Sata but did not have any comment to make.
Mr Sata during a live programme on Joy FM said Mr Chimumbwa and Mr Mumbi were “mercenaries’ who should be ignored by Zambians.
DEC spokesperson, John Nyawali declined to comment on the matter, describing it as sensitive.
Finance Bank executive director for corporate banking, Noel Nkhoma said he could not discuss the matter at this stage because of bank-client confidentiality.
Mr Nkhoma said the bank would issue a statement after carrying out investigations.
Faz faces the prospect of a second war front opening in their standoff with Super Division clubs.
Super Division teams are now pondering on whether or not to release players for international duty as they turn the screw on Kalusha Bwalya’s beleaguered administration to call for an emergency council meeting.
Zesco United secretary Justin Mumba told Radio Phoenix sports on Sunday that it was time common sense reined before Faz found itself in an embarrassing situation with no key players for their planned November 17 friendly and CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup outing in Tanzania at the monthend.
The bulk of Dario Bonetti’s team for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup is expected to come from home-based players while foreign-based players are notoriously unreliable for duty when it comes to international friendlies forcing Faz to fall on the local pool.
“Before the national team assembles for CECAFA, there is need for the Faz and the Super Division clubs to be in harmony,” Mumba told radio Phoenix.
“I don’t see how they can get players from Zanaco, Power (Dynamos), Green Buffaloes and Zesco (United). They are not in harmony, I think dialogue is the way forward. Showing our muscles will not take us any anywhere. The only way forward is dialogue. Dialogue is the only way out. If I was them (Faz) I would call a meeting on Monday.”
Meanwhile, Faz has said it will dock points for all teams that defied their league obligations to play Saturdays Super Division Week 29 games.
No Week 29 matches were played on Saturday after teams either did not travel or those that traveled were snubbed by their hosts.
Buffaloes and Zanaco have so far been docked three points from them after they both refused to play their delayed Week 20 game last Wednesday at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
FLASHBACK: Football association of Zambia president Kalusha Bwalya arrives late for a press briefing at Football House in Lusaka
Patriotic Front President Michael Sata has charged that the dispute surrounding the legality of the Football Association of Zambia FAZ executive will only be resolved if President Kalusha Bwalya accepts that he is not an expert in football administration.
Sata said with the current situation surrounding the country’s football governing body, it will be hard for the country to produce a strong national football team ahead of the 2012 Africa cup of nations.
He charged that the wrangles at Football house shows that Kalusha is not capable of leading FAZ.
Sata has also accused Second Republican President Frederick Chiluba of interfering in FAZ administration by always pushing his alleged relatives into the FAZ leadership.
Sata told QFM that former President Chiluba pushed current FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya into the top job at Football house adding that the country’s football legend is not fit to lead FAZ.
[pullquote]Sata has also accused Second Republican President Frederick Chiluba of interfering in FAZ administration by always pushing his alleged relatives into the FAZ leadership.[/pullquote]
He has called on the Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development, Kenneth Chipungu to intervene in the matter before it gets out of hand.
The PF leader said Zambia risks being suspended from international competitions if FAZ does not put its house in order.
FLASHBACK: RB and Nkandu waving at the crowd gathered at the City Square during the ZANAMA 10th anniversary
By Lusaka Times Reporter
Zambia National Marketeers Association(ZANAMA) has dismissed claims that it is a hub of cadres and shrives on political inclination. ZANAMA has for sometime been criticized and labeled an unprofessional.
ZANAMA Livingstone Chairperson Joseph Musole said his association will not condone anyone trying to destroy the image of the traders’ union. He said ZANAMA deserves respect from the public especially that it is the biggest employer in the country.
“We are the biggest employer and in our midst are professionals for example I am a chartered accountant myself I have worked for many companies so if I’m in the market it is not a green light for someone to defame me,”he said.
Mr.Musole said ZANAMA is a non-partisan organisation that seeks to support the government of the day.
“Of course we all belong to different political parties and I can tell you that parties are simply groupings but when we come here, this is work and we abide by that,” he said in an agitated voice.
[pullquote]”We are the biggest employer and in our midst are professionals for example I am a chartered accountant myself I have worked for many companies so if I’m in the market it is not a green light for someone to defame me,”he said.[/pullquote]
The chairperson was speaking in an interview with a Lusaka Times reporter at Livingstone weigh bridge on Friday.
And ZANAMA Vice Chairperson Steven Mukandawire warned some of the members of his association, who are fond of causing political confusions , of stern action.
Mr.Mukandawire said ZANAMA is a duly registered and professional body that is governed by rules of incorporation.
And during his visit to Southern Province on Friday, President Banda noted that ZANAMA was always there for him. He said he could count on their support and thanked them for the commitment.
According to the 2010 edition of the Human Development Index, the quality of life in three countries—that is, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—has slid backward, while many people around the world have experienced dramatic improvements in education, health, economic well-being, and other key aspects of their lives.
The decline in the socio-economic well-being of Zambians has, by and large, been a culmination of several factors described in a nutshell below.
Dependency on Copper:
Zambia’s initial failure to diversify economic activities away from the mining industry has subjected the national economy to the vagaries of steep decreases in copper prices and production levels, which, together with low mining taxes, has resulted in dwindling government revenues to cater for essential public services and infrastructure.
Petroleum Prices:
Unprecedented hikes in petroleum prices by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1973/74 and 1979/80 resulted in a steep rise in the price of imported oil from US$2.50 to US$35 per barrel, thereby draining the public treasury and making it difficult for the government to meet the basic needs and expectations of citizens.
Mismanagement:
Rampant economic and public-sector mismanagement resulted in diversion of human, financial and other national resources to unproductive projects and programs. For example, the creation of the Central Committee (a somewhat parallel structure to the National Assembly) and the position of Prime Minister that followed the introduction of a one-party State in 1972 contributed greatly to the misappropriation of public resources.
Other examples of the mismanagement of national resources in the country include the following: the creation of sinecures like the position of District Commissioner, unnecessary expansion of ministerial and deputy ministerial positions, excessive number and staffing of the country’s foreign missions, the recommendation by the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) to increase the size of the National Assembly from 158 to 280 members, procurement of the over-priced hearses and the controversial mobile hospitals, and the excessive and costly foreign trips by the Republican president.
National Service Program:
The compulsory recruitment of Grade 12 students to undergo military training and engage in agricultural production activities between 1975 and 1980 at Zambia National Service (ZNS) camps (as mandated by ZNS Act No. 121 of 1972) contributed to the draining of public coffers. A lot of money was wasted on ZNS personnel, the construction of facilities to accommodate Grade 12 graduates, payments of stipends to the graduates, and on procurements of food, uniforms, semi-automatic rifles (SARs), and live ammunition and blanks for training purposes.
Postponement of Adjustment:
The postponement of macro-economic adjustment by the United National Independence Party (UNIP) government on May 1, 1987—which would have enabled us to create a competitive and more productive socio-economic system—exacerbated the socio-economic problems facing the country.
Cost-Sharing Schemes:
The introduction of cost-sharing arrangements in the dispensation of educational and healthcare services during the late 1980s has continued to make education and healthcare less accessible to a lot of citizens. The unprecedented numbers of street children and the lower life expectancy obtaining in the country today bear witness to this fact.
Socialist Policies:
UNIP’s socialist policies barred both local and foreign private investors from certain commercial and industrial sectors of the country’s economy and recommended the creation of state companies to operate in such sectors of the economy from the late 1960s to 1991. The policies—which former president, Dr. Kenneth D. Kaunda, promulgated through his April 1968, August 1969 and November 1970 speeches to the UNIP National Council—ushered in an era of state enterprises.
Naturally, the monopolistic position enjoyed by state companies in the country’s economy culminated in complacence and gross inefficiency because, in the absence of competition, they apparently found it unnecessary to seek innovative ways and means of improving the quality and quantity of their product offerings. The rampant commodity shortages which the country experienced during the late 1970s and the 1980s were largely a direct result of the socialist policies of the government of the day.
I leave the solutions to our beloved country’s predicament for another day. More than ever before, we need to pursue radical and comprehensive policies, projects and programs that will make it possible for us to remove the “s” from what seems to be the “curse” against our beloved country.
In passing, heightened and sustained socio-economic development will not come to Zambia like manna from heaven; it will need to be adequately planned for and diligently pursued. And this will need to start with our acknowledgment of the problems facing us rather than refuting the conclusions of the Human Development Index published by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) about our country as “highly misleading.” The Index has become one of the world’s most trusted indicators of the socio-economic well-being of citizens in the 135 or so countries it currently covers.
There is no doubt that access to healthcare services, basic material necessities of life and education and training has become almost impossible to well over 65% of Zambians. In fact, socio-economic conditions during the first 10 years of our country’s independence were at least good enough for a country that could be said to have been born with a copper spoon in its mouth!
Patriotic Front leader (PF) Michael Sata has refuted claims by his former Secretary General Edward Mumbi that he received money amounting to US $ 100 000 from Finance Bank to fund Change Life Zambia Executive Director Frank Bwalya’s Anti-government campaigns.
Speaking on Joy FM radio in Lusaka today, Mr. Sata said the allegation is a desperate move by a few individuals within Finance Bank who want to destroy their former chairman Rajah Matani.
The PF leader said he does not get money from Finance Bank and has charged that those who want to accuse him are wasting their time.
Mr Sata said it was unfortunate that Bank officials are engaging in breaching the confidentiality of its customers.
Mr. Sata was reacting to the allegation leveled against him by former PF Secretary General Edward Mumbi on the 9th of October that the PF leader received 100,000 US dollars through a Mr. Miles Sampa at Finance Bank in Lusaka who deposited the money into the dollar account number 0011016930015.
[pullquote]Mr Sata said it was unfortunate that Bank officials are engaging in breaching the confidentiality of its customers.[/pullquote]
It is further alleged that the money was meant for the purposes of buying Father Bwalya’s vehicles and to intensify his campaigns against government.
And Mr. Sata has observed that the MMD government has respected foreign investors at the expense of indigenous people adding that the removal of removal of the abuse of office clause will encourage stealing in public offices.
Meanwhile, Committee of Citizen’s executive director Gregory Chifire has observed the revelation that Change Life Zambia executive director Fr. Frank Bwalya received 100,000 United States dollars from Patriotic front leader Michael Sata to de-campaign government raises a lot of concern.
Mr. Chifire said that it is a pity that Father Bwalya had to reduce himself to that level. He said that what is more surprising is that Fr. Bwalya is a church leader who should not engage himself in dubious activities.
He said that Father Bwalya holds a position of high esteem in the society and it’s a pity that he had to use unexplained circumstances. Mr. Chifire has since called on the church to clear state their position on the matter. He was speaking to QFM News this morning.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) President Stephen Lungu has described Republican President Rupiah Banda’s two year in office as impressive.
Mr. Lungu said that although the president has received quite a number of criticisms from different stakeholders, they are number of achievements that have been recorded.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Lungu said that the current administration has achieved a lot in a lot of economic sectors.
He cited the balancing of the dollar and the Kwacha as some of the achievements that have been made.
He also said that one of the achievements that the current administration has made is the bumper harvest that has been recorded in the 2009/2010 farming season.
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised”
(Hebrews 10:36, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
What are you believing God for today? Promotion? Healing? Stronger relationships? Deliverance? God has promised all these things to you in His Word because it’s His heart for you to live in blessing and wholeness.
When you follow the will of God by obeying His Word and precepts, it opens the door for His promises to be fulfilled in your life. You may be doing all the right things today — don’t give up! Perseverance will carry you to the promise.
Perseverance means that you are focused, that you are believing what God says about your situation. It’s looking away from distractions and any negative, defeating thoughts. Perseverance looks away from discouragement and looks to the Word of God. Perseverance has a voice, and it says things like, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper! If God is for me, who can be against me! I am more than a conqueror through Jesus!”
Whatever you are believing for today, keep believing! Stand strong and fight the good fight of faith. Ask God to give you endurance, perseverance and patience so that you can see His promises fulfilled in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for Your good promises to me. I ask that You give me a heart that is steadfast and fixed on You. Fill me with Your peace and perseverance so I can live in victory all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Saturday, November 6, 2010 when the nation’s Super Division stadiums stayed silent despite the declaration from Football House calling them bluff on the nationwide boycott.
However it was not to be despite three Super Division teams traveling for their Super Division Week 29 games in the hope of finding referees to welcome them with open hands to hand them free three points on the penultimate day of league season.
“Wait and see,” Cephas katongo was quoted in Saturdays Post Newspapers.
Nkana traveled to Lusaka hoping to face Green Buffaloes at the crumbling iconic Independence Stadium only to find a packed arena with no Buffaloes players and match officials in sight.
The same situation awaited Forest Rangers at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka who traveled all the way from Ndola to Lusaka on Saturday outside a locked Woodlands Stadium where they were expecting to face demoted National Assembly.
Forest players warmed up alone in the dusty car park on hot Saturday afternoon as reporters milled around to interview players and officials over the embarrassing situation they had found themselves in.
Moreover, Roan United also wasted their fuel to drive down from Luanshya to Kabwe to face Kabwe Warriors at Railway Grounds today on a hot Saturday afternoon that they could have leisurely spent back home in Roan Antelope.
And Zesco United were reportedly in camp in Ndola awaiting City of Lusaka who did not even bother to fix and star-up their rickety old team Rosa bus for their trip from Lusaka to the Super Division leaders at Trade Fair Grounds.
Konkola Blades also waited in vain for Red arrows in Chililabombwe with the latter reportedly ordered back to base to Lusaka on Friday when they reached Kabwe.
The Food Reserves Agency FRA has bought sixteen-million bags of maize at cost of over One-trillion Kwacha in the 2010 marketing season which ended on 30 October.
FRA Executive Director Anthony Mwanaumo said the FRA has already paid over nine-hundred billion Kwacha to farmers for their maize.
Dr. Mwanaumo appealed to farmers not to panic as the FRA has secured enough money to pay for all the maize the FRA has bought from them.
Dr. Mwanamo was speaking to ZNBC News yesterday after taking journalists on a conducted tour of newly-constructed storage sheds at Chambishi.
The Chinese government funded the construction of the storage facilities in Kalomo , Katete, Mbala, Kasempa , Kapiri Mposhi,and Chisamba at a cost of eleven-point-six million United States Dollars .
DR Mwanaumo said the completion of the sheds in Chambishi has increased Zambia’s storage capacity to ninety-eight thousand metric tonnes.
He said all the maize in outlying areas of the country has been secured using tarpaulins in readiness for hauling to storage sheds.
[ ZNBC ]
Former Health Deputy Minister, SOLOMON MUSONDA is on Monday next week expected to appear before the KABWE High Court for plea.
This is in the matter where Dr MUSONDA, who is also Chitambo MP, is charged of causing bodily harm with intent to maim, disfigure or disable, contrary to the laws of Zambia.
ZNBC’s HANNOCK KASAMA reports from KABWE that Dr MUSONDA was arrested in June for allegedly shooting a PF supporter, JACKSON MUSAKA in SERENJE.
He earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge before LUSAKA Chief Resident Magistrate, CHARLES KAFUNDA.
Magistrate KAFUNDA later transferred the case to the SERENJE Magistrate Court which committed Dr MUSONDA to the High Court in KABWE.
This followed a recommendation by the Director of Public Prosecution, CHALWE MUCHENGA that the case be prosecuted by the High Court.
United party for national development UPND youth national youth spokesperson Ronald Manenga has challenged the state owned Zambia Daily Mail newspaper to retract the article claiming that he vows not to allow, PF leader, Michael sata to ever lead the pact.
The Zambia Daily Mail,today, November the 6th, carried an article that stated that Mr. Manenga indicated that UPND youths will not allow a person who insults Government, especially President Banda, to lead the PACT into next year’s general elections.
However Mr. Manenga told QFM in an interview that the statement is a misplacement of facts and unethical because he never uttered the words.
[pullquote]Former PF youth national secretary, Erick Chanda has challenged his fellow youths across the country that to begin campaigning for Mr. Sata in order to avoid last minute disappointments by the pact partners.[/pullquote]
He accused the newspaper of having had fabricated the information given to the journalist in an interview with him earlier. Mr. Manenga has since demanded for an apology from the institution.
Nevertheless, former PF youth national secretary, Erick Chanda has challenged his fellow youths across the country that to begin campaigning for Mr. Sata in order to avoid last minute disappointments by the pact partners.
Mr. Chanda says that Zambia needs Mr. Sata’s caliber of leadership to create the necessary changes and crash the inhuman treatment that the people have been subjected to for years.
President Banda has said that he is happy to have found a Finance Minister, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, who is ten times better than former Finance Minister Ng’undu Magande.
The President said Mr Magande thought it was going to be difficult for him to be replaced. Mr. Banda was reacting to Mr Magande’s statement in Friday’s Post Newspaper alleging that the President has exhibited stubbornness when dealing with national issues.
And President Banda has advised Zambians to take advantage of the on-going voter registration exercise and register as voters.
Mr. Banda said it is the only opportunity Zambians can decide on who should be their leader. He was speaking to journalists at Lusaka International Airport Saturday shortly before he left for Tanzania to attend the inauguration ceremony for his counterpart Jakaya Kikwete.
President Banda said government in September decided to extend the voter registration exercise for an extra three months to capture more eligible voters.
Mr. Banda said he has received reports indicating that more people are now registering as voters than when the exercise started in June this year.
President Banda also said his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete has been re-elected for a second term in office because of working hard.
Mr. Banda said Mr Jakaya Kikwete managed to transform Tanzania’s economy during his first term in office.
Mr. Banda said he was happy that his Tanzanian counterpart won the election despite the negative publicity he received.
FLASHBACK: PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda (right) and Minister of Works and Supply ,Mike Mulongoti
By Lusaka Times Reporter
Works and Supply Minister,Mike Mulongoti has said President Rupiah Banda has been part the Late President Patrick Mwanawasa’s legacy since he was Mwanawasa’s Vice-President and both of them had been planning developmental projects together. Mr. Mulongoti was reacting to some sentiments by members of the opposition that Mr. Banda is using the Late Mwanawasa’s name to gain cheap political mileage.
Mr.Mulongoti was speaking yesterday during the official commissioning of the Livingstone-Zimba road by President Banda. Mr.Mulongoti, who is former MMD spokesperson, said President Banda has also been a front-runner in the visualization of economic developments in the country.
“Those who are saying you are carrying on Levy’s legacy do not know what they are saying because Levy’s legacy is your legacy…You have been there as Vice when most of these projects started,”he said.
Mr.Mulongoti encouraged President Banda not to despair in his work despite useless talks by what he called some political jokers.
President Rupiah Bnada opened the Livingstone-Zimba road to the public for use and become the first one to use it when he took a 32Km drive on the road.
And Southern Province Minister,Elijah Muchima described President Banda as a true man of the people who is capable to bring development into this country. Mr.Muchima further justified President Banda’s trips as fruitful.
He said when President Banda goes abroad he goes to look for development when he comes back he comes back with development.
But a group of UPND officials in the province are rumoured to have issued a negative statement towards RB’s visit. Sources say the officials who where reacting shortly after the opening of the road also had some bone to chew with Livingstone Member of Parliament Sakwiba Sikota whom they are calling a ghost MP.
Mr Sakwiba Sikota praised President Banda for ensuring that the road project is completed. The United Liberal Party leader said he was proud to have joined hands with President Banda, during the 2008 campaigns, which he said has yielded positive results.
Mr Sikota said at the time, President Banda promised to bring change to the lives of Zambians, and this has now been evidenced in the construction of the Zimba-Livingstone road.
The 72.8km road, which gobbled about K125bn, is now open to the public thanks to China Geo Construction (CGC) Company.
