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Abolish grade 7 cut off point system quickly

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THE Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has called for quick implementation of the abolition of the grade seven cut off point system because it is hindering the progression of more pupils to grade eight.ZANEC chairperson Barbara Chilangwa said the increase in the number of facilities in the education sector would help avert the high number of grade seven school drop outs in Zambia.

Mrs Chilangwa said at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the cut off point system had continued to hinder pupils’ progression into grade eight despite Government’s promise to abolish the system. She said 29 per cent of pupils who had dropped out of school this year, was too significant and would negatively affect Zambia’s chances of attaining basic education for all by 2015, saying meeting the goal called for more commitment from the Government.

“I am concerned that in the year 2010 we can still have 87,610 pupils dropping out of the school system at grade seven because they were not selected to grade eight, we only have five years to go and still 29 per cent of our children can not progress to the next stage due to lack of classroom space,” she said.

She said the Ministry of Education had taken too long to complete the implementation of its 1996 policy document, which clearly stated that the ministry intended to upgrade primary schools to complete basic schools, which would offer basic education from grade one to nine.

She said infrastructure development programmes needed to be accelerated to meet the classroom requirements at upper basic level.
A detailed analysis of the grade eight-progression rates between 2004 and 2009 showed that the infrastructure development programme which the ministry had been implementing over the last two years, was just beginning to make an impact.

She commended Luapula and North-Western provinces for recording a 100 per cent progression to grade eight, but said the two provinces had recorded the poorest results at grade 12 over the years saying there was need to target them specifically so that the results could at least be balanced.

[Times of Zambia]

Zambia’s leather exports triple

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ZAMBIA’S leather exports have grown three-fold to US$10 million over the last few years, Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) director of export promotion and market development, Glyne Michelo has said. And Western Province Permanent Secretary Ikanuke Noyoo said the leather industry was faced with a number of challenges including inadequate expertise in leather processing and inferior technology.

Mr Michelo said in Lusaka yesterday the country’s leather exports had grown to $10 million in 2008 from a total of $3.5 million in 2003.
He said the major products exported from leather included crocodile skins, wet blue leather, crust and finished products such as footwear.

Key export markets for leather products included South Africa, Singapore, Democratic Republic of Congo, Japan, Hong Kong, Malawi and the United Kingdom. “You may also be aware that Zambia is currently producing soccer balls under the Alive and Kicking Project being undertaken in the country.

“I am reliably informed that the quality of the Zambian soccer balls is very competitive in this region, perhaps by the next World Cup, we can supply FIFA with balls made in Zambia,” Mr Michelo said at a leather sensitisation workshop hosted by ZDA.

On September 24, 2009, ZDA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Ethiopia with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute known as COMESA LLPI to facilitate cooperation between the two organisations in the development of the leather industry in Zambia and the region.

Mr Michelo said ZDA organised the workshop to ensure that players in the industry were aware of the implementation framework available through the COMESA LLPI. The meeting was organised to engage the sector players and other stakeholders in the formulation of an implementation plan to ensure that the MOU achieved the set objectives.

At the same workshop, Mr Noyoo said inadequate supply of affordable capital to venture into production of finished goods had remained a challenge in the industry. Mr Noyoo, who led the delegation which went to sign the MOU in Ethiopia, said there was need for Zambian leather producers to learn lessons from their counterparts in Ethiopia.

Some of the lessons the delegation learnt while in Ethiopia included effective training of young people, use of goat skins, work culture, effective effluent disposal and encouraging foreign investors to produce finished goods.

Mr Noyoo said the Zambian leather industry would benefit from the exchange of experts and technology as well as participation in each other’s exhibitions and shows to share information.

[Times of Zambia]

MISA condemns police for locking out journalists at the airport

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Journalists assigned to cover the departure of president Rupiah Banda to Angola at Lusaka International Airport were yesterday blocked by police officers who claimed that they were instructed to keep away the media because the departure was private. Above, police officers unlock a gate to let the journalists in after senior State House officials intervened
Journalists assigned to cover the departure of president Rupiah Banda to Angola at Lusaka International Airport were yesterday blocked by police officers who claimed that they were instructed to keep away the media because the departure was private. Above, police officers unlock a gate to let the journalists in after senior State House officials intervened

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has condemned the move by police officers of barring journalists from covering President Rupiah Banda’s departure to Angola at Lusaka International Airport on Sunday.

MISA Chairperson Henry Kabwe said it is sad that the harassment of the media has continued.

Mr. Kabwe said it was important for the police to know that journalists are there only to inform the public on what is taking place in the country at any particular time.

He explained that the presence of the media at the International Airport was to let the public know what the President was thinking on matters affecting the country.

He said blocking journalists from covering the President at the airport or any other event results in blocking the public from knowing what is happening in the country.

Mr. Kabwe observed that there was need for the media to sensitize the police on the importance of the presence of journalists at any event.

He called on the police to explain why they locked out journalists from covering the departure of the President at the airport.

Journalists were on Sunday blocked by police from covering President Banda at Lusaka International Airport when he was leaving for Angola and were only allowed later.

ZANIS/

PACRO to streamline issuance of business licenses – Banda

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The Patents and Companies Registration Office (PACRO) has disclosed that government has embarked on a national wide programme to streamline business licenses to business organizations that do not comply with the outlined regulations.

PACRO Senior Inspector of Companies Wilson Banda said it is sad that most business houses in the country do not submit their annual returns including relevant statutory fees on time, a situation he said has made it difficult for the organization to ascertain their existence.

Mr. Banda said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday

He has meanwhile clarified that the basis behind annual returns is not the revenue collected, but rather the issue of compliance as provided for in section 184 of the Companies Act Cap 388 of the Laws of Zambia

He said it is for this reason that government has put in place measures for any business wishing to register with the Public Procurement Authority to submit their latest annual returns together with PPA forms to enhance cooperation and efficiency between the two parties.

Mr. Banda also disclosed that Section 361 of the Companies Act Cap 388 empowers the Registrar of Societies to strike off any company from the register of companies for non compliance.

Meanwhile Mr. Banda has noted that a number of business institutions, especially those operating in the informal sector, opt to directly go to local municipalities for their various trade licenses without being questioned over their business registration by PACRO.

Mr. Banda has since called on individuals in the country wishing to register companies to follow the right procedure to avoid being in conflict with the law.

Last year in December PACRO expressed displeasure at the escalating levels of briefcase businesses.

ZANIS

PF cadres support MP Lazarous Chota’s suspension from the party.

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Opposition Patriotic Front (P.F)cadres in Lubansenshi constituency in Luwingu district have supported the suspension of the area Member of Parliament Lazarous Chota from the party.

And PF cadres,who included ward councillors, have asked the PF provincial leadership to stop interfering in the affairs of the constituency officials as they were duly elected leaders.

Speaking on behalf of the cadres, Katopola ward councilor Frank Malama said Mr. Chota deserved to be suspended from the PF because he did not follow procedure in dissolving executive committees for Lubansenshi constituency.

Mr. Malama charged that it was wrong for the MP and some Provincial PF officials to gang up and hold illegal elections without the blessings of the PF national leadership.

He described the outcome of Lubansenshi constituency as not being credible because most of the wards in the area were not represented and a quorum required to hold constituency elections was not formed.

Mr. Malama has since appealed to PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba to urgently intervene in the matter before it gets out of hand.

He further warned that the opposition risk being embroiled in protracted wrangles if the current impasse regarding the illegal dissolution of the PF Lubansenshi constituency committee was not resolved quickly.

Meanwhile, Luwingu district PF chairman Kapambwe Nkole has confirmed receiving the letter of suspension of Lubansenshi MP Lazarous Chota from the party.

Mr. Nkole told ZANIS that his executive would soon meet to discuss matter.

He however refused to give further details on Mr. Chota’s suspension from the PF and referred all queries to the party secretariat in Lusaka.

Efforts to get a comment PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba proved futile.

Yesterday, PF Lubansenshi constituency secretary Ivor Shilamba announced the suspension of area MP Lazarous Chota from the opposition party for alleged gross misconduct.

ZANIS

Zambia out to ruin Tunisia’s dream

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Angola 2010 AFCON
Angola 2010 AFCON
By Bolade Oladoye

Zambia will today begin their Nations Cup campaign when they play against 2004 champions, Tunisia, in Lubamgo, in the second match of Group D.

Cameroun and Tunisia are favoured to move on from this group, while Zambia and Gabon are ranked outsiders, but Herve Renard, Zambia’s coach, will have none of this, saying Tunisia must fall today. Perhaps, what is giving Renard this confidence might be the shock results that have been reeled out by supposedly weak sides against much stronger opposition since the commencement of the tournament in Angola.

But if performances in the qualifying series for the Nations Cup are anything to go by, then Zambia have a Herculean task today, especially when their attack is taken into consideration because in 10 qualifying matches, they scored a paltry four goals.

“The game against Tunisia must be won and then the rest are a matter of philosophy. Maybe others have lost hope in the team but I have always believed in my squad for a long time and I have set targets for myself,” Renard said.

He also said advancing to the quarter finals is his target in Angola, and the match against Tunisia is important as it will give him the needed direction.

Zambia will also be relying on its fans to cross the border en masse and support the Chipolopolo in neighbouring Angola.

Quarter final target

Tunisia’s coach, Faouzi Benzarti, knows the danger of underrating his side’s opponents in today’s encounter and insists he will be giving the match the required attention.

He said: “We will have to be careful and concentrate on the game to get the first three points which will be good for our team.” The Carthage Eagles are still smarting from the loss of a World Cup ticket to Nigeria, but have failed to go beyond the quarter finals since their 2004 success achieved on home soil. The experienced Germany-based defender, Karim Hagui is the lone survivor from that title-winning squad and he will be hoping to lead the Eagles a step further this time around which will go a long way in wiping the tears of fans back home.

The Zambians too will be relying on captain Christopher Katongo of Germany’s Arminia Bielefeld to unleash the goals on the Tunisians if they are to meet Renard’s quarter-final target.

[Timbuktu media]

The Weekend in Pictures

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1.

Two Zimbabwean tankers loaded with petrol and diesel bound for the Copperbelt overturned 41 kilometers before Kabwe after they lost control, prompting villagers to took advantage and siphon the fuel that spilled from the vehicles before police officers from Kabwe arrived at the scene. Above, one of the vehicles lies on its side after the accident in which both tankers remained intact and the drivers escaped without injuries
Two Zimbabwean tankers loaded with petrol and diesel bound for the Copperbelt overturned 41 kilometers before Kabwe after they lost control. Villagers took advantage and siphon the fuel that spilled from the vehicles before police officers from Kabwe arrived at the scene. Above, one of the vehicles lies on its side after the accident in which both tankers remained intact and the drivers escaped without injuries

2.

Deputy Minister in the Vice President's office Gunston Sichilima checking on one of the classroom blocks at Muchindushi basic school in Lukanga North resettlement scheme during his tour of government developmental projects in Mpongwe
Deputy Minister in the Vice President's office Gunston Sichilima checking on one of the classroom blocks at Muchindushi basic school in Lukanga North resettlement scheme during his tour of government developmental projects in Mpongwe

3.

A flooded Muchindushi river bridge in Lukanga North resettlement scheme in Mpongwe district. Deputy Minister in the Vice President's office Gunston Sichilima was on the site to check on how the bridge can be reconstructed.
A flooded Muchindushi river bridge in Lukanga North resettlement scheme in Mpongwe district. Deputy Minister in the Vice President's office Gunston Sichilima was on the site to check on how the bridge can be reconstructed.

4.

Some of the affected Solwezi residents at Provincial Agriculture Veterinary Office in Solwezi logging complaints over the rampant increasing number of suspected rabies dogs in Solwezi. The mother with the child bitten by a suspected rabied dog at North Western Provincial Veterinary Office in Solwezi
Some of the affected Solwezi residents at Provincial Agriculture Veterinary Office in Solwezi logging complaints over the rampant increasing number of suspected rabies dogs in Solwezi. The mother with the child bitten by a suspected rabied dog at North Western Provincial Veterinary Office in Solwezi

5.

The child bitten by a suspeccted rabid dog in Solwezi

6.

PATRIOTIC Front Nkana MP Mwenya Musenge in a suit arriving at the Kitwe Magistrate Courts yesterday from Kamfinsa Remand prison were he had been detained in connection with the Chisokone riots last week
PATRIOTIC Front Nkana MP Mwenya Musenge in a suit arriving at the Kitwe Magistrate Courts yesterday from Kamfinsa Remand prison were he had been detained in connection with the Chisokone riots last week

7.

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has enlisted the support of the private sector to put streetlights on the Great East Road near Manda Hill and Arcades shopping centers. Above, LCC engineers use hired Laser Digital equipment during the exercise.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has enlisted the support of the private sector to put streetlights on the Great East Road near Manda Hill and Arcades shopping centers. Above, LCC engineers use hired Laser Digital equipment during the exercise.

8.

Journalists assigned to cover the departure of president Rupiah Banda to Angola at Lusaka International Airport were yesterday blocked by police officers who claimed that they were instructed to keep away the media because the departure was private. Above, police officers unlock a gate to let the journalists in after senior State House officials intervened
Journalists assigned to cover the departure of president Rupiah Banda to Angola at Lusaka International Airport were yesterday blocked by police officers who claimed that they were instructed to keep away the media because the departure was private. Above, police officers unlock a gate to let the journalists in after senior State House officials intervened

9.

President Rupiah Banda bids farewell to presidential affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma before he left for Angola at Lusaka International Airport
President Rupiah Banda bids farewell to presidential affairs Minister Ronald Mukuma before he left for Angola at Lusaka International Airport

10.

POLICE in riot gear seal the courts entrance completely to block overzealous PF cadres (Not in picture) from going in to the court to cause confusion Jan 11th
POLICE in riot gear seal the courts entrance completely to block overzealous PF cadres (Not in picture) from going in to the court to cause confusion Jan 11th

11.

OPPOSITION Patriotic Front Nkana MP Mwenya Museng in a suit with some papers emerging from the courtroom at Kitwe Magistrate Courts after being granted bail.
OPPOSITION Patriotic Front Nkana MP Mwenya Museng in a suit with some papers emerging from the courtroom at Kitwe Magistrate Courts after being granted bail.

SIAVONGA FLOODS KILL FOUR YEAR OLD GIRL

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A four year old girl of Mangaba Village in Chief Sikoongo’s area of Siavonga district in Southern Province has died after she was swept away by floods in Lusitu River.

Sikoongo ward area councilor Derrick Velemu told disclosed in an interview in Siavonga today that the four year old girl met her fate in the early hours of Monday, Jan 11th.

Mr. Velemu identified the toddler as Ireen Mutyolambili who went to the river with her mother to fetch water.
Velemu narrated that according to eye witnesses, the mother decided to put the girl down on the shores of the river as she started washing plates.

The councilor added that while the mother was still washing the plates, a huge storm surfaced sweeping away the girl into the river leaving the mother with no option but to watch her drown.

Velemu said the body of the four year old girl was however retrieved from the river some minutes later by some good Samaritans.

Meanwhile, a government house in Chirundu Township was on yesterday gutted by fire following an electrical fault on the house.

Chirundu area ward councilor Gift Chanda disclosed that a house in government complex belonging to a police officer was completely gutted to ashes following a fire that swept through it.
He said although no human was injured from the inferno, household goods worth millions of kwacha were however lost.

Chanda criticized delay that the fire tender took when it traveled from Siavonga to Chirundu in order to quench the fire that nearly spread to a neighboring house. He has since appealed to government through the ministry of Local government and housing to enable provide a tender to Chirundu township unlike the current situation were they are made to depend on a tender from Siavonga which is not efficient.

Bar could be operating as a brothel-Chiwama residents

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A named Bar in Lusaka’s Chawama compounded is allegedly operating as a brothel. This is according to some concerned residents who spoke on condition of anonymity. They told ZANIS in Lusaka today that Katete Bar situated near KUKU market, has been turned into a brothel by the owner who has allegedly engaged some foreign women as sex workers.

They alleged that the Bar owner has entered into an agreement with some Zimbabwean women working as sex workers at the bar.
They said the Zimbabwean women are charging between K10, 000 and K50, 000 for each sexual encounter and are mainly targeting those who patronize the bar and some residents in the area.

The residents have since called on the Lusaka City Council and the area councilor to quickly move in and stop the act before it gets out of hand. They said they are worried because the continued operation of the business poses a danger of high risk of disease transition in the area.

“The council and other relevant bodies should come in and close this business because we are at risk of contracting diseases, it is also inconveniencing because the women will even approach you when you go for drinking,” one of the residents said.

And when contacted, Lusaka City Council (LCC) Public Relation Manager, Chanda Makanta said the council is not aware of the situation but admitted that there have been complaints from residents around the city on the mushrooming of brothels.

Mrs. Makanta has meanwhile described the incident as most unfortunate especially that foreigners are involved.

She said the business is an act of public nuisance and a crime according to the Zambian law adding that the council will involve the police and others to investigate the matter thoroughly.

She said the council had previously done investigations after similar reports and some business premises had been closed and some have taken to court.

Mrs. Makanta has also called on the immigrations department to also investigate the matter especially that it borders on foreigners who could have been cleared by the department.

She has further called on the public to continue tipping the council with vital information in order for authority to effectively act.

ZANIS

LCC warns against trading at Cemeteries

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Hawkers selling foodstauffs at Chigwere cemetry

Lusaka City Council (LCC) has warned of stern action against people trading around cemeteries.

LCC Public relations Manager Chanda Makanta says doing business at the burial place is illegal and that perpetrators of the act will be prosecuted once apprehended.

Mrs. Makanta told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the council will not treat lightly people who are deliberately violating council laws.

She said the council police are aware of the illegal traders and will soon pounce on them any time soon.

Mrs. Makanta disclosed that recently the council police confiscated merchandise from traders around the cemeteries in Lusaka warning that this time around, the council will ensure that perpetrators face the law.

She has since appealed to members of the public not to buy from such traders saying it is morally wrong to buy or sell food at the burial place because this is disrespectful to the dead.

Mrs. Makanta wondered how people eat and drink when others are mourning their beloved ones and advised that those who want to trade should acquire trading licenses and space in markets.

She noted that the trend of trading around the burial places is against the Zambian tradition and should be condemned by all well meaning Zambians.

She said that the council is committed to making the city clean but cannot manage to curb street vending and illegal trading alone but with the help of all Zambians.

ZANIS

Kalala’ s assertions wild and unfounded – Shikapwasha

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Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha

Chief Government Spokesperson Lieutenant Ronnie Shikapwahsa has described as wild and unfounded, assertions by former State House Special Assistant for Policy Implementation and Monitoring Jack Kalala that chiefs from Eastern province directed President Rupiah Banda to purge the late President Mwanawasa’s tribesmen from Government.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that statements by Mr. Kalala were not true because the late President Levy Mwanawasa had a wonderful relationship with the chiefs in Eastern Province.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, says allegations by Mr. Kalala were strange because President Banda, Vice President George Kunda and the entire cabinet worked well with the late president.

The Minister observed that Zambia as united and peaceful country did not deserve to have leaders such as Mr. Kalala, who makes statements to deceive the nation.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha stressed that Mr. Kalala failed to contribute to the development of the country when he had an opportunity to do so adding that this is why he had resorted to making such statements.

Meanwhile Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha has urged Change Life Zambia Executive Director, Father Frank Bwalya to honor the people in authority as they are chosen by God.

Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said it was important for Fr. Bwalya, as a clergyman, to recognize that the government which is in place has been chosen by God.

He said contrary to Fr. Bwalya’s observations, the MMD Government under the leadership of President Banda has gone ahead to provide quality leadership in the country.

Lt. Gen Shikapwasha noted that a lot of developmental progarmmes have been initiated and were progressing well while the performance of the economy has improved.

The Minister wondered why Fr. Bwalya has continued making statements against President Banda out of hatred.
He advised the Catholic Priest to show love to all the people regardless of their political affiliations.

ZANIS

LT Update

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Last week we reported to you that our server was experiencing high latency and that our technicians were working hard to correct the problem which they had managed to identify. We are happy to report that the problem was fully resolved on Saturday afternoon and the performance of the site has significantly improved. We just want to take this opportunity address a few issues.

What Happened

Lusakatimes.com gets its income purely from advertising and that is what makes it possible for us to provide content in a quality fashion for free. The people who place adverts on our site demand some statistical information concerning the performance of their adverts and we have had the software that collects these statistics and sends them out on a weekly basis to our advertisers. It is this software that almost brought our site to its knees. In fact this software has been a problem for a while now. Not only did it slow down the site, but it also used to frequently crash the backend engine, resulting in a display of a white blank page with the message “502 Bad Gateway”. The only way we could resolve this was to restart the server backend. We tolerated this software for this long because of budget constraints and no viable alternatives on the open source market.

We are glad to report that we managed to acquire a new separate server that manages all the administrative side of adverts. The new arrangement has been working well since Saturday and we believe the occurrence of the dreaded “502 Bad Gateway” has been significantly reduced.The error used to occur several times in a day.

We thank all the experts for their suggestions on Javascript( The software files that adds a lot of nice features to the site). We took note of your advise and enabled the technique that allows us to compress content, by a factor of 80%, then transferring it onto the wire before exploding it or uncompressing it into your web browser. So, despite the large content that we pack into a single page, we are able to deliver this to your browser at a faster speed now. This process is technically called GZIP Compression.

Unfortunately, if you are still using Internet Explorer 6.x (IE6), our website will still be slow to you. IE6 does not support GZIP compression. We believe your browsing is slow everywhere you go, anyway because GZIP compression is enabled on most serious websites you can think of out there. Please upgrade your browser. Browsers are free and there is no need to hold on to an antiquity that has survived from the distant past-IE6.

New Features

The developers of the toolbar have added the CDN feature (Content Delivery Network) that makes the toolbar load faster. As a results we have enabled a couple of new features on the toolbar like chat and how many people are online. For the Chat, you can use your twitter or facebook account to logint and just login anonmously, lusakatimes style.

Expect in our next LT Update more information on how to use most of the features on the toolbar. We really want to enhance your blogging (or is it Mirco Blogging as the experts now tell us?). Undoubtedly, most of the content on LT can be obtained from elsewhere, but we want your experience when you come to blog or micro blog on LT to be a unique, live and memorable one. Media houses put out content to drive their various agendas, and probably us included, but the opinion that you bring to the site is special and belongs to you as your brain child. In fact it cannot be bought, especially if you have even the option of delivering it anonymously. You can tell it as it is. At LT we highly value that and we shall continue to work hard to integrate the best technologies out there to make sure that you have a cutting edge platform at your finger tips to add your voice to the issues affecting our wonderful country.

Mobile Phones

This is undoubtedly a fast growing market and from as early as two years ago we have been trying to cater for this segment. Unfortunately we are still struggling. The technology out there is still pitiful when it comes to delivering content to an average cellphone. At the moment you can barely just read the stories, but posting comments is really problematic. We are still search for the solution.

Having said the above, we can happily announce that the iphone/ipod-touch works very well on the site. You will get a customised view of the LT and the comments posting works like a charm. Please give it a shot and give us feedback. The comments are not numbered though and there are no flags. We are working on that.

Comments Policy

As the cliché goes: last, but not the least-Comments.This vexing issue affects us all. We have this word we never saw in primary school-ad hominem, in our comments policy. It can have a myriad of meanings to a lot of people, but this is what it means to us:-attacking an opponent’s character rather than answering his argument. Can we please do this on the site. Can we also apply this to our leaders? We believe people comment because they want to be heard and influence decisions and surely if you want somebody to hear you and later on take your advise, you better be nice to them. If you want honey, don’t disturb the bees. Lets make this forum a place where we educate each other and deliver our opinions to our leaders in a civilised manner. Yes some of us are very dedicated and passionate indeed about what we believe in, but let us respect other people’s views and just attack each other’s argument.

Passionate Blogger or Micro Blogger?

Have a wonderful day

LT team

ZIEM welcomes carbon emission tax

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The Zambia Institute of Environmental Management (ZIEM) has welcomed the recently introduced Carbon Emission Tax.

ZIEM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Morgan Katati says the institute is of the view that the revenue from carbon emission tax should adequately fund the environmental sector.

He told ZANIS in a statement today that Zambia has for a long time now been using the standards setting approach through licensing and emission standards according to statutory instrument No. 141 of 1996 Act No. 12 of EPPCA 1990.

He explained that the taxation approach is another abatement model used to collect money from polluters and information has it that carbon emission tax may be the low cost solution of achieving a given standard of pollution control.

He said ZIEM has, however, raised serious concerns that need to be addressed before the commencement of the tax.

Mr. Katati observed that major stakeholders were not consulted in coming up with the tax approach as a means of anti pollution measure.

He advised government to consider consulting exhaustively on the importance of the tax issue as most people are in the dark regarding the issues pertaining to carbon emission tax.

He further explained that there is also lack of knowledge on the damage function of each pollutant which needs to be addressed as there must be some knowledge on marginal external cost of each form of pollution adding that this alone is difficult to estimate in practice.

‘’Therefore this concern requires that as a country we invest certain level of technology and high levels of expertise to spell out challenges to do with pollution figures if we avoid figures being “massaged” for the purpose of collecting the tax” he said.

Mr. Katati said the tax approach is costly to implement at times and is usually open to legal wrangling if it is based on the measure of economic value of damage which he said is usually disputed by the polluter.

He noted that in order to address the concerns, the standards of emissions should be clarified in order to come up with a perfect threshold which would attract a tax.

He said government should establish the impact of carbon tax on the current revenue structure as this leads to proper selection of tax collection structures.

Mr. Katati added that since government wants tax emission to become law, it is wise to follow the path of ecological development paradigm as many countries that have effected the law do.

ZANIS

The Party and Its Government Phenomenon

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RB singing with ZANAMA women as Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima looks on

By Henry Kyambalesa

Since independence, government lea­ders have tended to be pre­occu­pied with serving the interests of their political parties at the expense of pressing national issues. In part, such a situation has been fostered by a political system that allows individuals to hold govern­ment and party positions concurrently. This has inevitably distorted the boundary between national duties and party activities, and has culminated into what is commonly referred to as “the Party and Its Govern­ment” or “the PIG” phenome­non.

Since the Vice President George Kunda recently flagged off the MMD campaign for the 2011 general elections, we are likely to see some of the government ministers and their deputies on the campaign trail from now until the day of the elections.

Clearly, we would do well to emulate the United States of America, where members of the President’s cabinet or their deputies would never be seen to be directly involved in campaigning for the President or for anyone vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. There is, therefore, a need to delink the operations of the current and future ruling poli­tical parties from the operations of the national Govern­ment.

In this endeavor, we should strive for a constitu­tional proviso that bars national leaders from actively perform­ing political party functions. Alternatively, the Registrar of Societies should require all political parties in the country to include a clause in their constitutions which provides for duties of party members who get elected or appointed to serve in either the judiciary or the executive branch of the national government to be assumed by incumbents of other offices within the party’s administrative and management structures.

We need to do so in order to put an end to the situation where the Republican president, the Republican vice president and government ministers seem to be spending their on-the-job time performing MMD functions than they do on serving the larger Zambian society. It is high time for each and every government leader in our beloved country to put the national interest before all other consider­ations!

Needless to say, “the PIG” phenomenon is partly to blame for MMD cadres’ violence or threats of violence against citizens who dare to criticize government leaders in the belief that the leaders are accountable to the citizenry and are, therefore, subject to criticism for perceived malfeasance and/or mediocrity in discharging their duties.

In short hand, the cadres conceive of government leaders firstly as being MMD leaders and secondly as being national leaders. They are probably right, considering the partisan demeanor of President Rupiah Banda, Vice President Kunda, Minister of Works and Supply Mike Mulongoti, Minister of Home Affairs Lameck Mangani, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Ronnie Shikapwasha, Deputy Minister of Lands Michael Mabenga, and a few other government leaders.

PF MP, 6 others plead not guilty

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OPPOSITION Patriotic Front Nkana MP Mwenya Musenge in a suit with some papers emerging from the courtroom at Kitwe Magistrate Courts yesterday after being granted bail.

OPPOSITION Patriotic Front (PF) Nkana Member of Parliament Mwenya Musenge yesterday pleaded not guilty in the Kitwe magistrates’ court to the charge of riotous behaviour. Musenge, who was denied police bond at the weekend was, however, granted bail by the court in the sum of K15 million in his own recognisance.

Musenge, 46, of house number 18, Twalishuka Close in Parklands, Kiwe, is jointly charged with six other men who also denied the same charge. These are David Katongo, 38, of house number B6/130, Wusakili Township, Patrick Chongo, 22, of house number 8, Mangwana and Evans Witika, 38, of plot number 1531, Bulangililo Township.

Others are Chrispine Musuka, 36, of house number 1566, New Ndeke, Jonathan Manda, 23, of house number 456, Twatasha Township and Steward Mushota of house number 162, Buchi.Particulars of the offence are that on January 7, 2010, Musenge and his six co-accused unlawfully assembled and damaged the property of the Zambia National Marketeers Association (ZANAMA) neighbourhood watch.

Senior resident magistrate, Tamara Gondwe granted the seven bail after their lawyers applied for it. She granted them bail of K15 million in their own recognisance with three working sureties each in managerial positions to sign in their own recognisance.
When the three lawyers representing all seven accused persons applied for bail, they said the offence that their clients were facing was bailable and that they had cooperated with the police from the time they were summoned.

The lawyers said their clients would not jump bail, hence the need for the court to grant them bail. The State did not object to the application for bail but said the court must give conditions that were suitable to all parties. The State said the court should also warn the accused persons not to interfere with State witnesses if granted bail by the court. The matter was adjourned to January 26 for mention and trial would commence on February 11 and 12, 2010.

Meanwhile, confusion took centre stage outside the court premises as scores of overzealous PF cadres converged and started chanting slogans while displaying their party symbol. The cadres, who were clad in PF T-shirts and Chitenge material, started daring the police over the detention of Mr Musenge. After Mr Musenge was granted bail, the cadres demanded to have the MP handed over to them even before paper work for bail conditions could be finalised.

In the same court, three ZANAMA officials who were alleged to have murdered a marketeer appeared before Ms Gondwe.
The three are charged with murdering Charles Chola, a marketeer at Chisokone Market. The three are Dennis Phiri, 37, of house number 1727, Mulenga Township, George Daka, 27, and Peter Mbale of house number 345, Ndeke Township.

Particulars of the offence are that between December 27,2010 and January 3, 2010 the trio allegedly murdered Chola. The matter was adjourned to January 26, 2010 for mention as the State awaits for instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Last week, marketeers rioted destroying a ZANAMA office after Chola, who was alleged to have been beaten by the three accused persons, died.

[Times of Zambia]

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