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UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma (R) and Patriotic Front Secretary General Wynter Kabimba (l)
THE Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) will not hold its convention prior to the 2011 tripartite elections, party spokesperson Charles Kakoma has said.
Mr Kakoma said the UPND convention would only be held in 2012, six years after the last convention was held in 2006.
He said his party and the Patriotic Front (PF) were currently working on the rules that would be adopted by the joint governance council of the pact to guide the two parties on how to come up with one presidential candidate for the 2011 elections.
But when reminded that PF leader Michael Sata had already declared that he would contest in 2011 as a presidential candidate despite UPND’s insistence that the pact would come up with one presidential candidate, Mr Kakoma said anyone was free to declare intentions to stand in next year’s elections.
He said the joint governance council would soon meet to adopt the guidelines prior to the launch of the pact which he said was delayed because of the Mufumbwe and Milanzi by-elections held on April 29.
But PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba said Mr Sata’s stance to contest the 2011 was based on hope that he may be picked as the pact’s presidential candidate.
“Mr Sata has not declared that he will contest as president in 2011.
“But I should say the statements that have been attributed to him that he will contest the 2011 are based on hope that he may be picked by the Pact as the 2011 candidate,” Mr Kabimba said.
Despite the Pact’s decision to come up with one presidential candidate, Mr Sata on May 5 vowed that he would contest the 2011 election and that he would continue to vie for presidency even if he lost next year’s polls.
This was when he featured on a live programe, ‘Face the Media’ on Radio Phoenix.
Mr Kabimba said the PF convention had been set for October this year, after the completion of elections at lower level.
“We hope to complete elections at the lower level by the end of this month.
Asked to comment on the stance by the UPND to hold the convention in 2012, Mr Kakoma said despite the fact that the two parties were in a pact, they were still different political parties with different constitutions.
MMD National Secretary Katele Kalumba said the ruling party would go ahead with the planned convention once all the elections at lower level up to the provincial level were concluded.
Dr Kalumba said the MMD national executive committee would soon meet to come up with the date for the convention.
“The MMD convention will go ahead as planned. What we are doing now is to ensure all the elections at lower level are done.
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has said that it is targeting to register 2.5 million new voters before the 2011 general elections.
ECZ deputy director for information technology, Brown Kasaro said yesterday during a media luncheon that the commission would conduct an initial 90-day continuous voter registration exercise through periodic mobile registration campaigns in all the 150 constituencies.
The continuous voter registration process will begin next month.
Mr Kasaro said the 2.5-million target arises from projections from the Central Statistical Office that there are 6.4 million Zambians aged 18 years and above and are
eligible to register as voters.
The 6.4 million projection includes people who are already registered.
Mr Kasaro said ECZ would deploy registration officers in all the constituencies at the same time.
“They will spend an equal number of days per registration centre in each respective constituency,” he said
The campaigns would be supplemented by an extended stay of registration officers at the district centres in order to capture eligible voters who would otherwise not be able to register during the mobile campaigns in the constituencies.
He said the commission would deploy 940 registration officers, translating in an average of six officers per constituency.
The Government has provided K70 billion in the 2010 national Budget for the registration of voters.
The Football Association of Zambia (Faz) has named 12 foreign-based call-ups for Zambia’s friendly against Chile this month.
The 12 will include the European-based duo of Jacob Mulenga and Christopher Katongo of FC Utrecht and Arminia Bielefeld in Holland and Germany respectively.
James Chamanga of Dalian Shide in China has also been called-up the friendly match tentatively scheduled for May 26 away in Chile after Zambia face South Africa awy in the two sides CHAN second round, first leg qualifier on May 23.
Other foreign-based call-ups are South African-based and they are midfielder Isaac Chansa of Orlando Pirates, goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene from Free State Stars and Amazulu defender Kampamba Chintu his clubmate and goalkeeper Kalililo Kakonje including Felix Katongo of Mamelodi Sundowns.
Joseph Musonda of Golden Arrows, defender Emmanuel Mbola and Stophira Sunzu of TP Mazembe in DR Congo are also in the team.
Rainford Kalaba of Sporting Braga in Portugal, who has been without a club for the last five months because of a transfer impasse at which he is at the centre of, is also in the team.
An unidentified woman and her daughter selling vegetables and other foodstuffs
The cost of basic needs for a family of six in Zambia has increased in the last three months.
According to the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs trends, the cost of living across major towns in Zambia has increased.
JCTR Programme Officer for Research, Raphael Phiri, said the nominal cost of food for Lusaka city in the month of March rose to K901, 500 from K842, 400 in January for a family of six.
Mr. Phiri said the price of tomato increased from K5, 000 per kilogramme to K7, 800 during the same period of time.
“The increase in food prices could be attributed to the rise of cost of vegetables and dry foods,” he said.
He added that the price of green vegetables also rose from K3, 800 per kilogramme in January to K5, 400 in March.
“Dry foods on the other hand, such as Kapenta rose from ZMK68, 600 in January to ZMK78, 300 in March,” he said.
Mr. Phiri explained that the cost of essential non-food items showed some stability during the same period.
However, he noted that the price of charcoal increased from K61, 000 in January to K68, 800 in March, adding that rentals for a three bed roomed house now averages K1.5 million per month in the medium density area.
The prices of other food stuffs and non-food items are likely to increase further in the second quarter of this year due to the upward adjustment of fuel prices.
Yesterday, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) hiked fuel prices by between nine and 13.18 percent.
The price of petrol has been increased by 13.18 percent, which translates into an increase of K882.00 for a litre and 9.5 percent for diesel, translating into K598.00 increase per litre.
Petrol is now costing about K7,574 per litre from K6,692 in some service stations while diesel is costing about K6,800.
Multichoice Africa has agreed to carry the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) radio signal on its DSTV satelite link in order to restore normal radio transimission countrywide
The development is expected to end months of weak radio reception in some parts of the country which happened when the satellite link, ZNBC was using to transmit its signal went off early this year.
Information and broadcasting Services minister Lieutenant-General Ronnie Shikapwasha disclosed this after he held a meeting with president of Multichoice Africa Collins Khumalo in Johannesgurg,South Africa yesterday (Tuesday).
General Shikapwasha said Government was concerned about the poor ZNBC radio reception being experienced in some parts of the country and was happy that a solution has been found.
Multichoice Africa president Collins Khumalo said at the same function, that his company has acquired additional space on its DSTV satellite to accommodate the ZNBC radio signal free of charge.
Mr Khumalo whose company holds 50% stake in Multichoice Zambia ,a DSTV joint venture with the national broadcaster,said the ZNBC radio signal wil be installed on the DSTV satellite as soon as technical logistics are in place and a contract signed between the two parties.
“This is a matter we are resolved to address as soon as possible,”said Mr Khumalo.
Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Services minister LT-General Ronnie Shikapwasha has commended Multichoice Africa for the contribution it is making to the growth of the broadcasting industry in Zambia.
Speaking after a conducted tour of Multichoice Africa facilities in Johannesburg ,South Africa yesterday ,General Shikapwasha said since its establishment as a joint venture with ZNBC in 1994, Multichoice Zambia has become a household name in Zambia through its provision of DSTV service providers on the continent.
The minister said he was impressed with the investment Multichoice has made in technology and human resource development trickle to the benefit of ZNBC through technology exchanges and training.
He said Government is also happy with the Multichoice’s social responsibility programme in which the company is providing support to the education and sports sectors in the country.
Earlier, Multichoice Head of Regulatory Affairs Mgqibelo Gasela said a total of $3billion has been invested in the growth of the company during the past two decades.
Mr Gasela said Multichoice Africa has over the past five years established 152 resource centres at schools in Zambia which it has equipped with decoders, dish kits and educational channels to supplement Goverment’s efforts in the delivery of quality education.
Mr Gasela said the number of beneficiary resource centres is set to increase to 200 this year with the addition of 40 more resource centres countrywide.
He said the company has also invested over $4million in the live coverage of the Zambian soccer league this season.
“As a company ,we prefer to work with Government rather than against Government .We are keen to contribute to the growth of the broadcasting industry and the economy in Zambia through our services,” said Mr Gasela.
Multichoice Africa operates in 48 countries across the continent.
Female boxing champion Esther Phiri and trainer Anthony Mwamba
National Milling Corporation has signed a deal with the Zambia National Broadcasting Cooperation (ZNBC) to broadcast live the Women International Boxing Association title fight between Esther Phiri and Duda Yankonvich of Brazil.
National Milling Corporation managing Director Peter Cottan, who is Esther’s sponsor, announced at a media briefing in Lusaka today that the sponsorship deal has been valued at K80 million.
He said the sponsors are also in talks to see whether the national broadcaster can also broadcast the fight live on radio 2 to cater for those who can not afford to watch the fight on Television.
Cottan said the sponsorship deal is also along side the Super Sports deal which was signed earlier this year for the bout to be beamed live in 46 sub Saharan countries.
He has meanwhile, expressed satisfaction with the sponsors for coming on board in sponsoring the WIBA title which is slated for 29 May in Lusaka.
He said National Milling has raised over K500 million out of the projected K650 million and remained hopeful that the K150 million will be secured before the fight.
And Esther Phiri has reiterated her readiness to win the bout which will be her sixth belt and for her third world championship.
She said she has trained hard for the fight and promised the fans a very good fight this month end.
Esther said the fans should expect the best fight from her which will not be other than a win.
She said Yankonvich will dance to her tune through her newly introduced punch popularly known as Jiongolo.
She has also thanked the sponsors for their tireless support and urged them to continue promoting boxing in Zambia.
Meanwhile African Boxing Union (ABU) bantam weight champion Kennedy Kanyanta’s opponent Francis Miyelusho has been replaced by his fellow Kenyan Twalib Mubira in the supporting bout.
Francis Miyelusho who was to fight Kanyanta has been replaced due to his engagement in another fight a week earlier.
Esther will be fighting Yankovich of Brazil, who is the current world number one WIBA light welterweight on May 29 at Mulungushi International Conference centre.
Alliance for Commodity Trade in East and Southern Africa (ACTESA) has today signed a six -year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) to provide good seed to the Comesa Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region.
The MoU is expected to provide access to reliable and sustainable source of high quality seed for farmers in the region to achieve intensification necessary for African Green Revolution.
The MoU would also enable the two parties to establish certain seed industry support activities to enhance industry competitiveness at national and regional level.
ACTESA CEO Chris Muyunda said in Lusaka today that good seed is vital for agriculture and it is therefore important to provide farmers with the seed that they require.
Mr. Muyunda observed that once farmers are provided with good seed, it would help enhance food security and move the region forward.
He said signing the MoU with AFSTA would also help improve on quality seed supply and good crop yield in the region.
The signing of MoU enables African Seed Trade Association to work closely with ACTESA to ensure swift development of the seed industry and a more reliable, affordable and competitive source of seed in the COMESA region especially catering to the needs of small farmers.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati says Zambia has benefited from Indian investment worth over U$D3 billion for the past three years.
And Mr Mutati has disclosed that Zambia is happy to work with the Indian government adding that the bilateral relations existing between the two countries should be embraced by all loving Zambians.
Speaking at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka during the official launch of African Competition Programme (AFRICACOM) on Wednesday, Mr Mutati told the delegates that competition is vital to the development of any country world over and as such, Zambia will ensure that there is balanced competition in the private, public and consumer sectors.
He said Zambia delayed in signing for this agreement due to the fact that it did not include copper ore which has been one of the Zambia’s major exports to India. Mr Mutati further stated that market access to India has tremendously increased to 94% of late, a situation he described as good for the country’s economic development.
He cited the Konkola Single deep mine which was recently launched in Chingola as one of the biggest Indian investment of about US$1.6 billion. Mr Mutati said the Chingola Deep Mine would be the biggest mine in the country adding that the investment from India was poised to increase because the Indian Government was interested in some other projects in the country such as in Manganese mining among other investment opportunities.
And Mr Mutati said in order for Zambia to increase its investment portfolios, the country has created Small Medium Enterprises (SMES) which he said was key to moving the economy and that Government had designed programmes directed towards Small Medium Enterprises such as Economic Empowerment Fund.
He said Government has pumped US$40 million towards the same programme to facilitate the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises among them the preferential procurement, policy and legal framework and North to South trade corridors.
Meanwhile, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary General Supper Chiai said Zambia is one of the leading countries in the area of initiating strategies and preparedness for trade and globalisation in India and promised that the Indian Government is very much prepared in fostering this bilateral trade between the two countries,
Dr Chiai said India would not dictate to Zambia about trade policies embarked on by the Zambian Government but pledged to continue working together as partners in developing and enhancing trade between the two countries.
He said the Indian Government would continue helping Zambia in the area of diversification and increased trade volumes with other countries with common agenda in Africa and beyond respectively.
President Rupiah Banda has commended China for signing four Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Zambian government aimed at investing in various sectors of the economy.
Mr Banda said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on behalf of Government by Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale in Livingstone today will see China Development Bank provide an initial amount of US$ 5 billion to companies in the mining sector.
He urged the Zambian private sector to work with their Chinese counterparts so that they could access resources from that fund adding that it was his desire to see that the cooperation benefited the people of Zambia.
The President was speaking in Livingstone Wednesday during his meeting with the Chinese delegation from China Development Bank and the China Africa Development Fund at Royal Livingstone.
He said the China Development Bank and the China Africa Development Fund were not strangers to the country as they have supported various projects in the mining, energy and telecommunication sectors. The President added that a number of companies in the country had benefited that included China Non ferrous Metals Mining Company, Albidon and MTN.
Mr Banda said he was happy to note that another Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to the development of the agricultural sector had been signed on behalf of the Zambian people and thanked the Chinese for taking great interest in the development of the agriculture sector.
”My government will continue to work very hard in order to make Zambia an economic success story,” he said.
Mr Banda also said he welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for establishing a China Development Bank regional office in Zambia and described it as a positive development. He said apart from offering job opportunities, the China Development Bank regional office would accord the Zambian business community a chance to join hands with their Chinese counterparts and access the much needed funds to invest in all sectors of the economy.
Mr Banda noted that the selection of Zambia as the location for the Central and East Africa office of the China-Africa Development Bank no doubt demonstrated the positive investments environment that the country had created.
The President observed that Zambia and China had enjoyed a warm and cordial relationship for a long time and that Zambia attached great importance to the relationship between the two countries. He added that the Chinese’ delegation to Zambia was testimony to China’s commitment to the development of Africa and Zambia in particular.
He observed that the President of China Hu Jintao during the 2007 Beijing Summit of the Forum on Chins-Africa Cooperation reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with African nations.
Mr Banda said one of the measures announced then was the establishment of a China-Africa Development Fund to encourage and support Chinese enterprises to invest in Africa adding that the delegation’s visit was a fulfillment of China’s commitment to Africa.
The President also noted that a number of Memorandum of Understanding were signed during his state visit to China in February this year and said he was happy that they were becoming a reality today. He noted that Zambia was a developing nation and required more resources to build infrastructure and welcomed the China Development Fund to bridge the gap in financing.
Mr Banda said a committee that would be chaired by Energy Minister Kenneth Konga would be formed that would see to it that the projects to be funded with assistance from the Chinese government are implemented as soon as possible.
Speakling earlier, Chief Executive Officer of the China Development Bank Jiang Chaoliang said the visit to Zambia by the bank executives was a follow up of the state visit by President Hu Jintao to Zambia in 2007 and President Banda’s visit to China in February this year.
Mr Chaoliang said after President Banda’s visit to China early this year, the China Development Bank was tasked to come to Zambia to see how they could help the country economically. He said the bank was wholly owned by the Chinese government and was responsible for long term external financing and that it was also a leading bank in China supporting infrastructure development.
Mr Chaoliang noted that China Development Bank was the largest bank in the world in terms of external funding and that it provides funding to major projects in the world. He said the team was visiting the country so that they could further expand cooperation in agriculture as Zambia was endowed with vast water and land resources.
Mr Chaoliang further said the bank could help Zambia overcome the global economic melt down in the mining sector. He also said energy was a prerequisite of the development of other sectors and noted that the China Development Bank was keen in helping Zambia improve its hydro-electric sector.
Mr Chaoliang said his bank would be willing to provide financing to Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) .
He pledged to conduct a comprehensive cooperation with the Zambian government so that there could be a framework between Zambia and China Development Bank.
The Zambian delegation comprised of Energy Minister Kenneth Konga, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale, Agriculture Minister Peter Daka, Funance deputy minister Chileshe Kapwepwe and Commerce deputy minister Lwipa Puma.
Other dignatories from the Chinese delegation included International Finance Department Director General Liang Husiang, China Africa Development Fund Chief Executive Officer Chi Jianxin and Global Coopetaion Director General Wang Ge Fan.
Can Nkana claim the scalp of their second big gun at home in a space of two weeks?
Two weeks ago Nkana dented defending champions Zanaco’s ego when they won 1-0 at home, a loss the visitors coach Wedson Nyirenda admitted they had lost to a more assertive side.
Despite losing 2-0 away to Choma Eagles last Sunday that saw an end to their five-match unbeaten run, Nkana have not lost at home so far this season.
Nkana have two successive home wins coming into this match and as many draws since the start of the season.
However, two key players will miss the derby and they are defensive midfielder Joseph Kamalondo who is injured and striker Rabson Lwambula who will be away on CHAN training camp duty with Zambia.
Despite that, Nkana have some valuable experience in the one and only Douglas Chiwaya who is the side’s top scorer on four goals despite rotating duties in defence and attack.
Meanwhile, Coach Benjamain “Kawilo” Chilongo has said the derby against Power Dynamos will be Nkana’s biggest game to date after 10 matches played this season.
“Yes derbies are unpredictable but we are playing at our home ground and being our first home derby will take that advantage,” Chilongo said. “We are ready for them.”
UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma (R) and Patriotic Front Secretary General Wynter Kabimba (l)
The United Party for National Development (UPND) has described the move by Government to adopt the recommendations of the national Indaba as a sheer worst of time and resources.
Government through cabinet had yesterday adopted the recommendations tabled at the national indaba held on the 4th and 5th of April last year held to discuss among others, measures to mitigate the effects of the global financial crisis.
UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma who also described the national indaba as an MMD indaba said the move by Government is another ploy to amass tax payers money at the expense of national development.
Mr. Kakoma said Zambians should not be cheated that the implementation of the indaba resolution will bring any tangible change stressing that people should be wary of Government’s fake promises aimed at sustaining the support of the people.
He accused the Government of buying time by raising the hopes of the Zambian people.
And Kakoma has charged that the parties will mobilise Zambians and encourage them to get voters cards and National Registration cards so that they can vote out the leadership of MMD.
Meanwhile, Change Life Zambia Director Fr. Frank Bwalya has told QFM that the Indaba will not yield any tangible development for the country stressing that the indaba was just a useless talk shop.
He said that Change Life Zambia will not support the initiative because it was just an act by Government to divert the attention of people from the real issues going on, citing the length of time it has taken for Government to adopt the recommendations.
And the UPND has charged that the MMD is wasting time to petition the recently held by elections.
UPND Mazabuka central Member of Parliament Gary Nkombo said that the petition by the MMD is an indication that the ruling party wants to cling on to power.
Mr. Nkombo stated that even if the ruling party wants to petition the elections, UPND knows that it was not responsible for the violence that was recorded.
Mr. Nkombo has maintained that the opposition were not responsible for the violence that was recorded in Mufumbwe. He added that the UPND has evidence of who orchestrated the violence, saying that after the court ruling, Zambians will know for sure.
He claimed that the violence had the blessing of the republican President Rupiah Banda, describing the whole issue as disappointing.
Mr. Nkombo says that the people who were responsible for the violence are rightly known by the people in that constituency.
He says that the UPND is anxiously waiting for the court proceedings to ascertain the responsible group.
And the national revolution party President has charged that the MMD is to blame for the violence in Mufumbwe.
Cozmo Mumba says that the MMD had all the control using the state machinery and that it is possible they were the reason for the violence in the recent by elections.
[Q FM]
NATIONAL Democratic Focus (NDF) president Ben Mwila
NATIONAL Democratic Focus (NDF) president Ben Mwila has urged Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata to withdraw his candidature from next year’s elections in view of revelations about his health status.
Mr Mwila said the heart complication that led to Mr Sata’s evacuation to South Africa last year was enough for Mr Sata to rethink his ambitions for Republican presidency.
He said the heart condition had been worsened by indications that he has other health problems.
Mr Mwila called on the Zambians not to vote for people like Mr Sata as they would fail to lead the country because of pressure.
He said the Republican presidency was demanding and that even in the absence of other diseases, the evacuation to South Africa was enough for Mr Sata to think twice.
Mr Mwila said nationwide campaigns were rough and that the addition of other health complications would worsen his situation.
“The people of Zambia know what they want for a president. I am not concerned about the four diseases as it has emerged but just the heart condition.
“You cannot have a president who is suffering from heart complications,” Mr Mwila said.
He was commenting on latest medical reports that have shown that Mr Sata was diagnosed with four named diseases at a clinic in Lusaka.
Mr Sata has maintained that the diseases he was suffering from were ‘minor’ and that they were cured when he was evacuated to South Africa.
Meanwhile, MMD Copperbelt youth chairperson Evans Chibanda has said the PF leadership lacks credibility because of its attempts to gain political mileage out of opponents’ health.
Mr Chibanda said the fact that the PF leadership was celebrating over some ruling party leaders falling sick or going for medical check-up was an indication that the entire leadership was questionable.
He was reacting to media reports that Mr Sata had rung the Zambia’s High Commission in South Africa several times to seek confirmation whether Vice-President George Kunda had died after accusing Government of not telling the truth about his health.
And a former PF member has advised Mr Sata to stop talking ill about other political leaders’ health.
Samson Zulu, who is PF chairperson of the committee of founder members, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Sata should confine his “political comedy” about other politicians’ health to the PF.
“Mr Sata should be aware that he his vying for a highest office in the land and if the devil allows that he be elected president, he should know that he will be president of both the sick and those in good health,” Mr Zulu said.
THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has summoned Lusaka lawyer and former Taskforce on Corruption prosecutor Mutembo Nchito to explain why he appealed against the acquittal of former president Frederick Chiluba without consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Mr Nchito has been given 14 days in which to respond to the summons failure to which the legal practitioners committee would proceed and pass a verdict in his absence.
This is according to a letter dated May 5 signed by LAZ administrative assistant, Sipelile Mwilwa to Mr Nchito of MNB Legal Practitioners.
“Please note that the committee may proceed to hear and determine the complaint in absence of your response should you fail to respond as requested,” states the letter from LAZ.
[pullquote]Mr Nchito has been given 14 days in which to respond to the summons failure to which the legal practitioners committee would proceed and pass a verdict in his absence.[/pullquote]
Dr Chiluba had complained in a letter to LAZ dated August 27 last year that The Post newspaper carried a story stating that the State had appealed against the judgment entered in favour of the former president on August 17, 2009.
The story published details and grounds supporting the appeal and further reading showed that instructions to Mr Nchito sanctioning the appeal were written by former Taskforce on Corruption executive chairperson Max Nkole and not the DPP.
It also emerged that the instructions that were dated August 21, 2009 were copied to the DPP, Chalwe Muchenga and late president Levy Mwanawasa.
The DPP responded to the letter and refused to give consent to the appeal and instead advised Mr Nkole and Mr Nchito to give him the judgment to help decide whether the appeal was relevant.
“We are, therefore, surprised that an agent in Mr Nchito has blatantly usurped the constitutional powers of the DPP and proceeded to appeal in the case even in the face of clear cautionary instructions from the DPP,” Dr Chiluba said.
The judgment related to a case where Dr Chiluba was co-charged for offences of theft by public servant with former Access Financial Services directors, Faustin Kabwe and Aaron Chungu.
Dr Chiluba contended that he was surprised an appeal could be lodged on the basis of instructions from Mr Nkole and declared that such instructions were illegal in his letter to LAZ.
He said Mr Nchito produced letters of appointment from the DPP to prove he was a public prosecutor when his status came under question and wondered why he could get executive instructions from Mr Nkole.
It was Dr Chiluba’s submission that the actions by Mr Nchito were designed to remove constitutional options available to the DPP and cause chaos if Mr Mchenga attempted to exercise his powers as provided by the Constitution.
Suppliers and contractors have expressed happiness with the improved payments to suppliers by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) following the directive by President Rupiah Banda recently.
The Kitwe District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KDCCI) said it was encouraged by the improved payments to suppliers by KCM.
And Mine Suppliers and Contractors Association of Zambia president Fanuel Banda said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that the mining firm had effected payments up to April this year.
KDCCI president Berry Mwango in a statement yesterday said payments had markedly improved following President Banda’s visit to the mine recently and the completion of works on the company’s accounting system.
Mr Mwango said the company, which had not paid suppliers going back 90 days, had managed to pay up to March.
He expected KCM to pay on all invoices for April by the end of the week ensuring that the payment period was reduced to 30 days.
[pullquote]“Following the president’s visit and his plea to the company’s chairman to ensure suppliers were paid, payments have improved,” he said.[/pullquote]
“Following the president’s visit and his plea to the company’s chairman to ensure suppliers were paid, payments have improved,” he said.
Mr Mwango said even the newly completed accounting system that the company had put in place, seemed to have improved payments.
He said the chamber was happy that payments had finally improved at KCM and that through dialogue, a better work environment could be established with the suppliers.
“This dialogue which has led to improved payments is what we have been asking for all along and we can only hope that such interactions will continue,” he said.
And the chamber said the company had not yet implemented the mandatory quality requirements for suppliers.
Mr Mwango said KCM was scheduled to hold a meeting with suppliers on how the system would work and that before then, it remained suspended.
He said the ISO certification was a good system but that it was costly for some business because of the few experts available to give certification.
He said the process of obtaining the ISO certification was prohibitive because of cost but that this would change if more local experts were engaged in the activity.
“We have had interactions with some Copperbelt University experts to consider specialising in such certification because they would be able to do it at a cheaper rate,” Mr Mwango said.
And Mr Banda said the association had met KCM management who indicated that they had made all payments up to April.
He said the mining company was current with its payments to suppliers.
He expressed hope that KCM would remain up to date but feared that other factors could still prevent this from happening.
Mr Banda said despite having high copper prices, KCM still had problems with the high cost of production.
He said that was why the Konkola Deep Mining Project was important to the company, as it would increase the amount of ore extracted.
He said the more the company produced, the more revenue and subsequently, the quicker it would be to pay its suppliers.
[Times of Zambia]
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda is today scheduled to travel to Livingstone where he will witness the signing of key agreements between Zambia and China.
During the one-day working visit, Mr Banda is expected to meet a delegation of senior Chinese government officials before witnessing the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields of economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by special assistant to the president for Press and public relations, Dickson Jere, among the Chinese institutions to attend the meeting are the China and Africa Development Fund, China Development Bank, China Non-Ferrous Metal Corporation, and Jilin Grain Group.
Mr Banda who will be accompanied by some ministers will return to Lusaka immediately after the event.
