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The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has bemoaned the recent proliferation of various advertisements in the media purporting to introduce new mobile tariffs by mobile operators in the country.
ZICTA acting director general Richard Mwanza has since advised the general public that it is illegal for any licensed operator to alter or vary tariffs without prior written approval by the authority.
This is according to in a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka.
Mr. Mwanza explained that section 59 of the ICT Act requires all licensed operators to seek approval of the authority prior to imposing or revising any tariff for provision of communication services.
He further disclosed that the authority shall within 14 days of receipt of the tariffs proposed by a licensee, approve or reject the tariffs.
He however said though the authority welcomed the development which has afforded a chance to subscribers to enjoy cheaper tariffs, the adjustments have no legal backing from the authority.
Mr Mwanza observed that failure by any operator to adhere to the requirements render any introduced tariff null and void.
ZANIS
Chief Chisunka of the Ushi speaking people in Mansa District says he is quite impressed with the way President Rupiah Banda’s administration is partnering with traditional rulers to foster national development.
The chief told ZANIS in a telephone interview yesterday that government under the leadership of President Banda is doing more to consult and work with chiefs in fostering development.
He said government has also gone farther by including royal highnesses to join government officials on trips outside the country to woo investors to Zambia.
He said the trips outside the country are important as they expose traditional rulers to the way other countries are approaching development.
[pullquote]“Many of my fellow royal highnesses have been given an opportunity to travel outside the country. Chiefs have been to Libya, China and now there is a trip to Korea, I appreciate what this government is doing as it is giving us exposure,” chief Chisunka said.[/pullquote]
He said involving chiefs on trips abroad have also made the royal highnesses to adequately represent the concerns of their subjects in negotiating investment deals that involve foreign investors taking up land for mining and other uses.
“Many of my fellow royal highnesses have been given an opportunity to travel outside the country. Chiefs have been to Libya, China and now there is a trip to Korea, I appreciate what this government is doing as it is giving us exposure,” chief Chisunka said.
He said there cannot be a better way to involve chiefs in matters of national development than increased consultation and making them to speak on behalf of their subjects with prospecting investors.
However, chief Chisunka said government should come up with a law that will ensure that chiefs are made signatories to all investment agreements that involve land concessions as they are the owners of the land.
The traditional ruler said coming up with such a law will prevent selfish politicians who might come and rule the country in future from indiscriminate land concessions with their foreign friends at the expense of local people.
“You see one time in future we might have selfish leaders who may come and just grab our land for minerals and water to their business friends at the expense of a chief and his subjects. We need a law that will make chiefs to be signatories to investment agreements that involve use of land in form of minerals and water, we are the owners of these things,” he said.
Government has assured the nation that there was enough fuel stocks to see the country through during the period when the Indeni Oil Refinery will be shut down.
Last week, Government announced that Refinery in Ndola, Copperbelt Province will be shut down from 1st October to 15th November to allow its annual route maintenance of the equipment at the plant. The refinery has since been shut down.
Presenting a ministerial statement in Parliament Today, Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga said Government has reserved adequate fuel stocks to last the country for over 55 days of national consumption.
Mr Konga noted that government was convinced that there would be sufficient fuel supply during the shut down.
He added that fuel imports would also continue during the same period and beyond the shut down.
The Minister assured that unlike problems that were faced last year with government having faced serious supply constraints including inadequate storage capacity, the situation this year would be different.
Mr Konga pointed out that using the available resources, Government had finished the construction of a 40 million- litre diesel storage tank in Ndola, and two tanks each with a 14 million- litre capacity have also been rehabilitated at the Ndola Fuel Terminal.
He also disclosed that currently, there was 75 million of diesel equivalent to 47 days of national consumption, 34 million litres of petrol equivalent to 55 days, 2.4 million litres of Kerosene to last for 49 days, 5 million litress of Jet A1 equivalent to 41 days and 29,000 tonnes of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) equivalent to 165 days of national consumption.
Mr Konga further added that as a way to continue securing fuel supplies, Government would continue with the programme of rehabilitating and building storage tanks.
He explained that in the next phase of this programme, the nation would see an expansion of storage facilities in Lusaka, Solwezi and Mongu.
He stated that a new storage facility would also be built in Mpika as the supply hub for Northern Province and facilities in other provinces would be rehabilitated or expanded adding that works were expected to be completed before the end of next year (2011).
Mr Konga also assured fuel consumers that the available fuel would be enough to supply the country during the shut down of the refinery and that the continuation of fuel importation was meant to replenish storage facilities during the period, the refinery would be non operational.
He further said there was no need, therefore, for consumers to have any anxieties about fuel supply during the shut down.
Some Zambia's elderly women
Zambia today joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Elderly Persons (IDOP) which falls on 1st October, annually.
And Government says older persons can provide valuable human resource and knowledge required in accelerating the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and national development.
ZANIS reports that the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Minister Michael Kaingu said government would continue seeking counsel from older persons on how to govern the country as they act as a reservoir of cultural heritage and national building.
Mr Kaingu said in a speech read for him by Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Stephen Bwalya during this year’s International Day of Elderly Persons commemorations marked under the theme: ” Older persons and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals”.
He described the current trend in society in which the older persons have been accused of practicing witchcraft because of their old age as alien and un-African.
Speaking at the same event, Retired former United Church of Zambia Copperbelt Presbyterian Bishop, Committee Njase urged government to quickly formulate the policy on Older persons.
Bishop Njase said once formulated, the policy will address some of the challenges that older persons face once they leave gainful employment such as destitution and general neglect by their families.
Earlier, scores of older persons braved the scorching sun to commemorate the day by taking part in the march-past from Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia to the Civic Centre.
Other activities included reciting of poems, cultural dances and sketches depicting their daily challenges they grapple with.
Retired veteran Politician Dr Peter Matoka and Retired High Court Judge Samuel Chomba,were among several other elderly dignitaries who attended this year’ event.
This year is the 20th anniversary of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons focusing on the MDGs.
LUSAKA senior resident magistrate David Simusamba has adjourned the forgery case involving former Health ministry human resources officer Henry Kapoko’s wife, Mary Mwamba.
The matter which was scheduled to come up for continued trial today has been adjourned to October 8, 2010 as the date for continued trial.
Mwamba and Christabel Kangwa Kalimi, 22, are facing two counts of forgery and altering a document contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Facts before the court are that Mwamba on dates unknown but between April 1, 2008 and January 13, 2009 in Lusaka with intent to deceive or defraud, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown did forge a statement of result number 1408466, examination number 2491240147 in the names of Mary Mwamba for 2007 purporting to show that it was genuinely obtained from Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) and a school in Lusaka when in fact not.
In the second count Mwamba is alleged to have, on January 12, 2009 in Lusaka, knowing and fraudulently altered a false statement of result for 2007 contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Mwamba and Kalimi pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Efforts to reach the MDGs would be incomplete unless older persons who have taken the responsibility of looking after themselves and their orphaned grandchildren were included in the process, United Nations resident coordinator in Zambia Kanni Wignaraja has observed.
According to a message meant to commemorate the International Day of older persons under the theme “Older persons and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals”, Wignaraja said efforts to reach the MDGs would be incomplete and its gains would be rolled back if order persons who had taken on the “dual responsibility” of looking after themselves and their orphaned grandchildren were excluded in the process.
She noted that a critical factor that magnified the concerns of the aged in Zambia was the spread of HIV and AIDS pandemic.
“This has caused a significant demographic dent in the population structure of Zambia, with the dependency ratio increasing as the percentage of young and old increases in relation to the number of those in their mid-adult years,’ she said.
Wignaraja said two-thirds of orphans were in the care of grandparents whose economic status was weak.”
She said in accordance with this year’s theme “Older persons and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals”, progress should be made towards achieving the MDGs by empowering older persons, paying attention to participation in society.
“This day also acknowledges older persons as an increasingly major segment of society and opens an avenue for dialogue on the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the United Nations Principles for Older Persons,” she stated.
Football Association of Zambia (Faz) vice president Emmanuel Munaile has quit his position with the local soccer governing body.
Munaile quit his post this afternoon dealing a big blow to the beleaguered administration of Kalusha Bwalya and brings to four the number of the Faz executive committee to resign after three others did so on Thursday.
According to sources, Munaile is said to have quit due to the wrangles Faz was experiencing but told ZNBC TV that he would hold a press briefing tomorrow in Lusaka to fully explain his decision to quit.
The former Zambia international has kept a very low profile for the last five month in the midst of upheavals at Football House.
On Thursday, executive committee members Pivoty Simwanza, Henshel Chitembeya and Violet Bwalya resigned citing difficulties in working under Kalusha.
NETHERLANDS-based Zambian striker Jacob Mulenga was named man of the match when his side FC Utrecht’s faced English premiership giants Liverpool in a Europa League Group K encounter yesterday that ended in a barren draw.
Mulenga put in a splendid performance upfront against a flawless Liverpool defense comprising the likes of Jamie Carragher and Martin Kelly.
The lofty Mulenga however missed a clear scoring chance after he managed to dribble his way out of Liverpool’s defense fringes and practically eluded the goalkeeper too but patted the ball wide.
Liverpool were favourites in the game despite the outfits’ wallowing in a stretch of poor results lately and yesterday match was no exception as the reds were halted by the Dutch side.
Liverpool danger man, Fernando Torres whose form has been questionable this season, also did not impress.
Police have arrested Lusaka lawyer John Sangwa and his client Dr Rajan Mahtani and charged them with forgery and uttering a false document, Lusaka Times has learned.
According to a reliable source, Dr Mahtani who is also Mahtani Group of Companies chairman and Sangwa were jointly charged for the offence.
It is believed that Sangwa was summoned by police yesterday for questioning after he allegedly presented a forged Bank of Zambia document in the Lusaka High Court.
Dr Mahtani has petitioned the Lusaka High Court to suspend the prosecution of criminal charges against him and suspend the seizure of his passport.
DEC arrested and charged Dr Mahtani with two counts of criminal offences for allegedly being in control in excess of 25 per cent of voting shares in Finance Bank Zambia Limited without prior approval of the Bank of Zambia, money laundering, and seized monies in Finsbury Investments Limited’s accounts on allegations of money laundering.
Dr Mahtani and Sangwa are expected to appear before the Lusaka Magistrate’s court on Monday in relation to the forgery charge.
The Consumer Unit and Trust Society (CUTS) says the Zambian economy has performed well in the last seven years, compared to the period between 1992-2002.
CUTS Board chairperson Love Mutesa disclosed that Zambia’s economy has been growing at an average rate of between 4.5 to 5 per cent, since the year 2003.
Mr Mutesa said the revival of the Zambian economy is also reflected in the increased export earnings from both metal and non traditional exports.
He said this at a press briefing in Lusaka Friday.
[ ZNBC ]
Education Minister Dora Siliya receives an educational poster from National Breweries Corporate Affairs Manager Yuyo Kambikambi at the re-launch of the education for all campaign at the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka
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Dora Siliya addresses stakeholders and school pupils at the re-launch of the education for all campaign at Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka
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Education Minister Dora Siliya talks to National Breweries/ SABMiller African Policy and Issues Manger Mitch Ramsey at the re-launch of the education for all campaign at Mulungushi International Conference Center
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Former Patriotic Front member Kaluba Simuyemba's (l) displays his National Restoration Party membership card as party leader President Elias Chipimo looks on, at a press briefing in Lusaka
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Former Local Government and Housing Minister Eustarckio Kazonga (c) with Second Republican President Frederick Chiluba (r) and Libyan Ambassador to Zambia Khalifa Swiexi during the commemoration of Libya Day
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Some women pose for a photograph in front of their milk marketing club in Monze district
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Some rural dwellers drawing water at a borehole which was sunk by the government in Monze.Domestic animals also use the point to drink water
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Former Local Government and Housing Minister Eustarckio Kazonga shares a toast with Libyan Ambassador to Zambia Khalifa Swiexi at the commemoration of the Libyan National Day in Lusaka.
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Kansanshi Commercial farmer Bruce William pays homage to new Chief Kapijimpanga at the weekend.
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Some residents of Masala township in Ndola drawing water from Suban Filling Station following a critical shortage of the commodity that has hit Masala
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Some residents of Masala township in Ndola drawing water from Suban Filling Station following a critical shortage of the commodity that has hit Masala.
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National Restoration Party President Elias Chipimo talks to his party Vice President Charles Maboshe (r) at a press briefing in Lusaka
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National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo (r) hugs former Patriotic Front member Kaluba Simuyemba when he defected to NAREP at a press briefing in Lusaka
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Former Agriculture and Co-operatives Minister Peter Daka addresses delegates when he closed the Regional Rural Finance Thematic Workshop for East and Southern Africa at Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka
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78 year old Mary Kapeleketa of Kazungula district with her great grand-children.She is one of the beneficiaries for the government social-cash-transfer scheme
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Reporters mob outgoing Agriculture Minister Peter Daka after he was almost sacked by President Banda. Mr Daka has been moved to the Ministry of Science
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President Banda's grandson who plays football in Spain captured when he arrived in Zambia at Lusaka international airport
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President Banda, his grand son footballer Anthony (l) and Vice President George Kunda before he left for Nigeria at Lusaka international airport
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Some officials from UNICEF inspect houses that were flooded in Lusaka
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FUS Rabat players of Morocco captured in training at the Barclays sports centre in Lusaka.
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Some officials from UNICEF inspect houses that were flooded in Lusaka during the rainy season
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Works and supply Minister Mike Mulongoti and his deputy Christopher Kalila inspect houses that are under construction in Lusaka
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Works and Supply Miinister Mike Mulongoti (second from r) and Chinese engineers inspect the new goverbment complex block under construction in Lusaka
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Some officials from UNICEF inspecting houses that were flooded in Lusaka
A mock operation by doctors from the University Teaching Hospital
The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Public Relations Manager, Pauline Mbangweta has urged the public to ensure that patients are taken to their local health centers as the highest referral hospital is only attending to emergency cases.
The situation is as a result of the countrywide strike by Resident doctors who are demanding for improved condition service.
Ms Mbangweta also maintained that UTH is not affected by the on-going countrywide strike by Resident Doctors.
Speaking in an interview today Mrs Mbangweta said operations at the hospital are normal as student doctors, senior doctors and their foreign counterparts are currently attending to patients.
However, a check by QFM at the UTH this morning, found the filter clinic closed and a few doctors attending to patients at the admissions ward.
Resident Doctors went on a country wide strike on Monday demanding for good conditions of service.
[ ZANIS ]
Zambia has recorded a trade surplus valued at about K865.7 billion in August 2010 meaning that the country exported more in August this year than it imported in value terms.
Acting Director of Census and Statistics John Kalumbi disclosed in Lusaka yesterday that the country had continued to register surplus since January this year with the highest valued at about K1, 147.7 billion in March 2010.
He said Zambia’s major export products in August 2010 were from the intermediate goods category which included copper cathodes and sections of refined copper, accounting for 83.5 percent and raw materials accounting for 9.6 percent while capital and consumer goods accounted for 6.9 percent of the total exports in the same month.
And Zambia’s major export destination in last month was Switzerland which accounted for 55.1%, seconded by China accounting for 20.5 %, South Africa 7.0%, Congo DR 5.3% and Malawi which imports tobacco from Zambia accounting for 1.7 % of the total exports.
The African Development Fund (ADF), the concessional window of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, has approved a UA 63.369-million (USD 95.6 million) loan to fund the Nacala Corridor Phase II Road project (NCRP) in Zambia
The NCRP aims at promoting economic growth and regional integration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) through a reliable and efficient transport infrastructure to improve sub-regional trade and the region’s overall competitiveness.
The NCRP covers approximately 1,033km of roads in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique and two border posts.
The project involves three phases. Phase I includes 348km of roads in Mozambique, and a 13km bypass road in Malawi. Phase II is an additional continuation of Phase I, and involves 360km of road in Zambia between Luangwa and Mwami. The project includes subsidiary work to improve and asphalt 114.7km to a good standard.
The project is expected to reduced transport costs; improved access to markets and social services, and better road safety.
The work will enhance poverty reduction efforts in Zambia and will promote the empowerment of women and other disadvantaged groups through better socioeconomic infrastructure along the road.
The development of the Nacala Corridor will boost export volumes from Zambia through the port of Nacala and expand markets beyond national boundaries, which is crucial for continued economic growth in the sub-region.
The total project costs amounts to UA 69.47 million (USD 104 million). The Zambian government is strongly committed to the implementation of Phase II in its entirety, and is seeking alternative funding for the remaining 82.5km (23%).
Preparations are underway for Phase III, which will include repairs and improvements in Malawi and Mozambique together with the construction of two border posts between Zambia and Malawi, and between Malawi and Mozambique, respectively.
The Bank is the executing agency of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). PIDA is a joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Secretariat and the AfDB Group.
It was launched on July 24, 2010 in Kampala, Uganda, on the sidelines of the 15th African Union heads of state and government summit.
