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CSPR concerned over abuse of PRP funds

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The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction, CSPR, says is concerned with the alleged misappropriation of public funds, mostly those meant for Poverty Reduction Programmes, PRPs.

CSPR Acting Executive Director, Saul Banda, expressed sadness by the weaknesses in the implementation of PRPs as cited in the 2007 Auditor General’s Report specifically in the Education and Health sectors, Public Welfare Assistance Scheme (PWAS), Street Kids Funds and Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP) among others.

Mr. Banda said in light of the announced 2009 budget, the increased allocations of funds to the social sector should be met by stern measures to ensure protection of such funds from abuse.

He has since called on government to seriously consider ring-fencing PRP funds in the national budget, saying the measure ould help ensure the utilisation of funds to the intended purpose.

Mr Banda told ZANIS in a statement that the CSPR is happy for the work of the of he Auditor Genera in highlighting the misappropriating public funds.

Mr. Banda, however, said the reports will only yield positive results if punitive measures are taken promptly on the erring officers, especially with regards to misappropriation of funds.

He said CSPR expects and challenges government as the primary duty bearers to the poor to take action as laws are already in place to deal with such acts of indiscipline.

He cited the 1,500 bags of fertilizer that was unaccounted for in Chipata valued at over K65 million and the untraced revenue from Kapiri Mposhi and Chipata amounting to over K90 million as some of the most disturbing cases.

“These are programs that directly benefit the vulnerable people, yet they seem to be treated with little care. It is sad that duty bearers charged with the responsibility of making the lives of the vulnerable better are actually taking advantage of the situation to enrich themselves,” he said.

He said the findings of the AG’s report solidify CSPR’s findings indicating that the implementation some PRP programmes have had insignificant impact on the economic and social livelihood of beneficiary communities.

ZANIS/PM/ENDS/SJK

Chamber of Mines laud Govt over Windfall tax

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-The Zambian Chamber of Mines, ZCM, is happy with government decision to wave windfall tax on Copper and Cobalt prices.

ZCM president, Nathan Chishimba, said the measure reflects government’s commitment to assisting mining companies remain viable and sustain their workforce.

Mr Chishimba, however, said the negative effects of the on going global financial crisis and high production costs required measures to cushion the negative impact on the mining industry.

He expressed confident that the measure would also help promote investment in the sector.

Mr. Chishimba said the mining industry in Zambian does not control commodity prices at the world market and hence the sector could not isolate itself from the negative effects of the global economic recession.

He also said the high cost of doing business in Zambia create a barrier to economic growth and hence called on government to work with the mining industry to streamline the burden and other statutory costs involved.

Meanwhile, Vice Republican President George Kunda is tomorrow expected in Livingstone for the official opening of the 2009 African Mining Congress (AMC).

Mr. Kunda who is also Justice Minister is scheduled to arrive at the Livingstone International Airport around 08.30 hours and will be received by the Provincial Minister, MMD Provincial Chairman, the Permanent Secretary, the Mayor, and the provincial leadership.

The Vice President is also scheduled to receive briefings from the provincial leadership at the Royal Livingstone Hotel.

This is contained in a programme statement made available to ZANIS by provincial administration office.

After his arrival , Mr. Kunda will proceed to Zambezi Sun Hotel where he is expected to receive briefings from the AMC organizers.

Mr. Kunda is expected to depart for Lusaka after the official opening of the congress.

ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS

ENDS/AC/ZANIS/SJK

ZACA disappointed over reduced duty on beer

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The Zambia Consumers Association, ZACA, is disappointed with the move by government to reduce customs duty on on clear beer at the expense of imported food items.

The consumer body expected government to reduce duty on imported flour and other food items in this year’s national budget.

ZACA Executive Director, Muyunda Ililonga, said the reduction of exercise duty on clear beer will increase alcohol abuse among the youth.

Mr Muyunda expressed hope that government will come up with a deliberate measure to bar young people from indulging in excessive beer drinking in view of the expected reduction in the price of the commodity.

He said the move to reduce the cost of beer is counter productive especially in a country that is striving to promote economic growth and alleviate poverty.

Meanwhile, a check by ZANIS at COMEA market found that traders have not effected reduction on the price of beer following the announcement by government to reduce customs duty on imported commodity.

One of the traders, Emmanuel Mukalele, told ZANIS that the price of clear beer on the market might not reduce significantly despite the reduction on customs duty due to the continued depreciation of the Kwacha.

ZANIS/AC/ENDS/SJK

CEEC to review modalities on acessing small loans

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The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) is to work out modalities to allow applicants access loans of less than K15 million.

Luapula Province CEEC coordinator Brian Mutale disclosed this when he addressed scores of Kawambwa residents yesterday.

Mr. Mutale admitted that the CEEC’s current provision of accessing loans ranging from 15 to 50 million disadvantaged the most vulnerable in society hence the need for the commission to look into the matter quickly.

He said women and the youth were the most affected as they did not have the required collateral.

The coordinator reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that the plight of the vulnerable people in society was addressed.

And Mr. Mutale has disclosed that CEEC will consider projects to do with the  Agriculture sector before other sectors  such as mining, manufacturing, Information Technology (IT) and tourism .

Mr. Mutale  stated  that CEEC would not give loans to applicants who wanted to build houses to put on rent saying there were government mandated bodies such as National Housing Authority (NHA) and building society which were administering such projects.

The coordinator who took time explaining on how to write a good business proposal also urged those who wanted to access the funds to seek professional advice.

ZANIS/LC/MKM/ENDS

Poor Infrastructure impedes marketing of tourism in Livingstone

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Southern Province Permanent Secretary Darius Hakayobe says poor road infrastructure has hampered the effective marketing  of  the city’s tourism potential.

And Road Development Agency (RDA) engineer has attributed the delay in the completion of rehabilitation works on the 30 km Zimba-Livingstone Road to wet weather conditions.

Speaking yesterday when he inspected the progress on the road works on the Zimba-Livingstone Road, Mr. Hakayobe stressed that  poor road infrastructure has impeded progress in marketing both tourism and agricultural potential of the province and Livingstone in particular.

“Tourists want good road infrastructure and the delivery of agricultural inputs depend on good road network,” Mr. Hakayobe noted.

He commended government for allocating K99 billion towards the rehabilitation of the Zimba-Livingstone road in this year’s national budget.

Mr. Hakayobe who was impressed with the rehabilitation works so far urged the contractor to maintain quality works to ensure a  quality end product.

He observed that the Zimba-Livingstone Road is passable following the maintenance works  on the remaining 43km stretch that falls under phase two of the road rehabilitation project.

“The impassable road now is passable and I am very impressed with the temporal interventions on the other stretch,” he said and added that resources and material are available to finish the project.

The PS was accompanied by engineers from both Kazungula and Livingstone councils and their District Commissioners, RDA engineer, the city mayor and provincial planners among others.

RDA Regional Engineer Lazarous Nyawali said the rehabilitation works on the 30 km stretch that were supposed to be completed by May this year will delay owing to wet conditions.

Mr. Nyawali said heavy rains have slowed down works on the 30km stretch but added that the contractor has finished assembling the plant that will be used to produce important material for road works.

“The plant will be fully operational but road works are determined by the weather as they require a certain amount of moisture to ensure a quality end product,” he said.
ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS

ZCCI notes drop in demand for Zambian exports

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The Zambia Association of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ZACCI, has observed a slump in demand for Zambian products on the global export market due to the current global economic recession.
ZACCI Chairperson, Hanson Sindowe, has advised government to increase its focus on diversification of the economy to increase the product range and value for exports in order to cope with the effects of the global financial crisis.

Mr Sindowe said this in Lusaka today in reaction to the 2009 budget which was presented last week.

He said although the country faced challenges of reduced earnings from copper sales, high inflation, and the depreciation of the Kwacha last year, it managed to grow the economy by 5.8 per cent.

He, however, said government, in the implementation of the 2009 budget should strive at reducing inflation and strengthening the Kwacha against major international currencies.

Mr. Sindowe has since commended Finance and National planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane for selecting the theme of ‘enhancing growth through competitiveness and diversification’ for this year’s national budget.

He said this year’s budget is an extraordinary one as it seeks to address major issues seen by allocating more resources to the agriculture, economic, education, and health sectors.

He also said the country needs to reverse the downward trends in tourists arrivals, maintain current employment level in the construction sector and encourage additional value for goods meant for exports and also explore new markets for new products.

Mr. Sindowe said the government should also revisit the measures taken on duty on imported mobile phones saying this will make local cell phones expensive and will also encourage smuggling.

He also said ZESCO should first perform effectively before it can consider increasing electricity tariffs.

ZANIS/GP/ENDS/SJK

Veep calls for speedy implementation of Lusaka development plan

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Vice President, George Kunda, has called for the speedy implementation of the Comprehensive Lusaka Urban Development Plan to create a platform for increased local and foreign investments in the country.

Mr Kunda is of the view that once fully implemented the Plan would enable Lusaka compete favorably with other developed cities in the Southern African region and the world at large.

The Vice President said this when he opened the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, Ministers sensitization workshop in Lusaka today.

Mr Kunda said there is need to expedite the implementation of the plan in order for Lusaka city to address the development challenges it is faced with.

He said the city is confronted with challenges of traffic congestion, poor drainage system, poor sanitation, illegal settlements, environmental degradation and inadequate land for housing and infrastructure development.

He said the Comprehensive Lusaka Urban Development Plan once implemented will focus on a number of priority projects for public investments that help boost investment in the city.

The Vice President said the plan would also play an important role in the development process of the Country as it will guide the development of provinces up to the year 2030 in line with the National Vision of Zambia achieving a middle income status by 2030.

Mr Kunda has since called for the proper planning of towns and cities with a view to facilitating economic development in the country.

At the same function, Local Government and Housing Minister, Benny Tetamashimba, said there is an urgent need to implement the plan as it will facilitate the smooth distribution of land for development.

He called on other ministries to budget for the projects contained in the development plan in a bid to foster development in the country.

And Japanese Ambassador to Zambia ,Hidto Mitamura, pledged his country’s continued support to the implementation of the development plan.

ZANIS/TK/CMC/ENDS/SJK

Mansa council repossesses illegally sold vehicles by Govt

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Mansa Municipal Council has repossessed its vehicles and property that were sold to individuals under the Board of Survey (BOS) of government vehicles and property in Luapula Province.

And the local authority has maintained that council property should be sold to individuals in conformity with the Local Government Act and with consultations with the Council.

Mansa Town Clerk Bwanga Kapumpa said that local authorities had a stipulated procedure that it followed to dispose of its vehicles and property that were not being used.

Mr Kapumpa revealed that the council had since repossessed the property from individuals to whom it had been sold and asked government to refund them their money.

“It is sad that the government acted in bad faith by putting our vehicles and property on BOS sale because they are fully aware that council property is disposed of according to the provisions under the Local Government Act,” Mr Kapumpa said.

The Town Clerk said that the local authority had not received any written documentation indicating that the property would be put on sale.
He said that the matter had been handled illegally because the right channel was not followed by Luapula Provincial Administration.

Mr Kapumpa said the council had plans to repair and build the non-runner vehicles that were sold to individuals under the government BOS sale prgram.

He said some of the vehicles the government had sold under the BOS were second hand vehicles which the local authority had purchased and hoped to rebuild in order to smooth its operations.

“We bought some of these vehicles with our own resources as non runners to repair them so that we can use them and not to sell them. Vehicles, such as the Sisu Truck, have very few problems but they have sold it at K6 million when its value is more than K60 million”, Mr Kapumpa said.

He said among the vehicles that were sold included the former mayor’s official Camry vehicle registration number AAP 2690 and the former Town Clerks official car registration number AAK 4037.

Other vehicles included a Sisu of track registration Number AAJ 6729 and a grader registration number ASA 98, and Mr Kapumpa said that the vehicles had been sold at give-away prices despite their valuability to the local authority.

He maintained that the council has since retrieved its vehicles because the procedure which is provided for in the Local Government Act on the disposal of council property was contravened.

Mr. Kapumpa said the vehicles were wrongly put on BOS list of government vehicles to be sold because there were no consultations between the local authority and the Provincial Administration in Luapula.

Earlier, government directed the Mansa Municipal Council to surrender its identified property and vehicles which were not in use in order for them to be sold to civil servants in the province.

ZANIS/ENDS/CB/EB

Zambia records decline in cholera cases

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The ministry of health has announced a decline in cases of Cholera across the country.

Deputy Director of Epidemiology and Disease control, Bushimba Tambatamba, said Lusaka in particular has recorded a significant reduction in cases of Cholera from 200 to 65 cases per day, with Kanyama still remaining as the most affected area.

Dr Tambatamba indicated that western and northern provinces have not recorded any cases of Cholera from the time the epidemic reported.

She maintained that Kanyama compound was prone to Cholera due to lack of clean drinking water and better sanitation facilities.

She, however, said government through the ministry of health, has mounted mobile toilets in some parts of the compound and has embarked the installation of boleholes in the area to avail people access to clean drinking water.

Dr Tambatamba, further, said the ministry of health has instituted the National Epidemic Planning and prevention control taskforce which has the mandate of lobbying support from stakeholders in the implementation of Cholera preventive measures.

And director of Public Health and Research, Victor Mukonka, said the fight against cholera required concerted efforts from both the community and other stakeholders.

He commended the Zambia Redcross Society for supplementing government effort in programmes aimed at eradicating Cholera in the country.

ZANIS/PC/ENDS/SJK

CDF funds allocation too little – Mooya

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Moomba Member of Parliament (MP) Vitalis Mooya says the funds under the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) government has allocated in 2009 national budget is too little.

Mr. Mooya said the government should understand that the CDF was vital in maintaining and finishing off different projects in constituencies by the Members of Parliament.

The Moomba MP told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka, that in as much as the country was experiencing the economic recession, government should have this time around increased the funding.

He said the increament of funds towards the CDF however shows that the government was willing to see MPs develop their constituencies.

Mr. Mooya called upon the government to continue with the same spirit of wanting to see development in the constituencies and the country as whole.

He also called upon the Members of Parliament to ensure that when given the CDF, they utilize the funds for the intended purposes in developing their constituencies.

Recently, Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane presented the 2009 to Parliament in which K67.5 billion was allocated the Constituency Development Funds as compared to K60 billion in 2008.

ZANIS/AJN/ENDS/MM

Govt to recruit 1500 police officers in 2009

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Parliament has head that government plans to recruite 1500 new police officers to meet the shortfall of police officers in the country.

Home Affairs Minister, Kalombo Mwansa told Parliament yesterday that the recruitment will start in April this year.

Dr. Mwansa said the government wants to recruit more Police Officers in the country because there was a shortage of manpower in the Police Service.

The Home Affairs Minister was responding to Chililabombwe Member of Parliament (MP) Esther Banda who wanted to know when government will recruit more Police Officers.

Dr. Mwansa said once government recruits more officers it will immediatly deploy them in different Police posts country wide.

He also said in the next five to seven years, government will recruit 12000 more Police officers to meet the staff short fall.

The Minister said every year the government has been recruiting Police Officers adding that the state will also get 500 houses for the Police Officers.

He also said the government intends to increase capacity of Police Colleges as soon as resources are available.

ZANIS/AJN/ENDS/MM

ZESCO fails to achieve the eight performance indicators

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ENERGY Regulation Board executive director Sylverster Hibajene addressing journalists during a press briefing in Lusaka
ENERGY Regulation Board executive director Sylverster Hibajene addressing journalists during a press briefing in Lusaka

ERB Executive Director, Silvestre Hibajene said ZESCO failed to achieve the eight KPI as outlined in the multiyear tariffs and agreed upon by both ZESCO and the ERB in 2007.

He said ZESCO scored 42% in the first quarter and 51% in the third quarter in the implementation of the KPI last year.

Mr. Hibajene said the eight KPI are intended to address areas of concern which includes quality service, institutional efficiency, metering, and staff productivity among others.

Mr. Hibajene said this at a media briefing during the assessment of ZESCO’s performance against set Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in Lusaka yesterday.

The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has urged Zambia Electricity Supply corporation (ZESCO) is expected to meter its unmetered customers by 2010.

And Mr  Hibajene, said ZESCO must meter all its customers since metering was important as it affects the cash flow of the utility company in cases where consumers use more power than they are paying for.

Mr. Hibajene said out of the targeted 31,680 un-metred new customers, from January to September last year , ZESCO only managed to clear 16420 customers.

He said ZESCO is working hard to meter its customers by 2010 as unmetered consumers sometimes pay more than they consume adding that metering also helps promotes efficiency practices among consumers who might not see the benefits of conserving power.

 

ZANIS/GP/ENDS/MM.

JCTR presents a petition of over 12,481 signatures from Zambians to NCC

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Yesterday, 3 February, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) presented to the Human Rights Committee of the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) more than 12 thousand (12,481) signatures from Zambians across the nation demanding that these rights be included in the new Bill of Rights of the new Constitution.

The JCTR says in a release signed by a Chilufya Chileshe obtained by ZANIS in Lusaka, today,that the move was aimed ensuring that the NCC rights Committee takes consideration on the strong need of making Economic, Social and Cultural Rights justiciable and legally enforceable through inclusion in the new Bill of Rights.

The JCTR adds that this is a strong voice from many Zambians that strengthens the wishes of many Zambians expressed in the last three Constitutional Review Commissions (Mvunga, Mwanakatwe, and Mung’omba Commissions).”

It says that the Zambians’ wishes must be taken seriously by members of the NCC and government.

“We should not take for granted the voices and aspirations of Zambians that made such demands. The realization of ESCR through inclusion in the new Bill of Rights is mandatory in promoting human dignity and also in according these rights their proper place,” says Dominic Liche of the Church Social Teaching Programme at the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.

It notes that this it is encouraging that the NCC through the Human Rights Commission is seriously considering inclusion of ESCR in the new Constitution in its review of the proposed Mung’omba Draft Constitution.

According to Mr Liche, however, “ We have noticed some distracting voices that are trying to sway support of NCC members towards non-inclusion. These voices have mainly argued that provision of ESCR will bankrupt Zambia and that Zambia cannot afford a Referendum.

” Such voices are merely misleading for we have stressed that these rights will be progressively realized and prioritisation and maximisation in utilisation of available resources can ensure that more and more Zambians access their needs.”

JCTR is not necessarily arguing for distribution of “free” social services, but “access” to these basic necessities. Those against the Referendum seem to be saying that people’s choices and aspirations do not matter in making a Constitution that is claimed to be a “People’s Constitution”.

Mr. Liche stressed that “Zambia should adopt the new Constitution through a Referendum because the Constitution begins with “We, the people…” and people must be involved in the adoption process Otherwise, there is a danger that the next President and Party in power will simply call for a new Constitution.”

It is the duty of Zambians especially policy makers (such as members of the NCC) and the legal professionals to make clear in policy and legislation how these rights can be implemented. To continue hiding under the cover of “Zambia has no money and ESCR will make us bankrupt” is inadequate to answering the demands of the many Zambians who want these rights to be enshrined in the new Bill of Rights of the new Constitution.

According to the JCTR ESCR, constitutionally guaranteed , are necessary for the fulfillment of the Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs), the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) and the Vision 2030.
ZANIS/MM/ENDS

2,221 tourists visited late Dr Livingstone historical site in 2001 – 2008

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Parliament heard today that 2,221 tourists visited late David Livingstone’s historical site in Serenje district in Central province from 2001 to 2008.

Tourism, Environment and Natural resources Deputy Minister Todd Chilembo said out of this number, 1,380 foreign tourists visited the site while only 841 Zambians toured the site.

Mr Chilembo said out of the number, 400 were Africans, 584 Europeans, 146 were from North America, Asia 47 and 203 were unidentified number of tourists,respectively.

He told the house that in 2001, 217 tourists visited the site, 2002 (255), 2003 (130), 2004 (240), 2005 (331), 2006(313) 2007 (610) and last year 225.

Mr. Chilembo was responding to a question by Bahati

However, in 2005 and 2007, Zambians toured the site in large numbers due to a number of government initiatives in the tourist capital Livingstone at the Victoria Falls.

And Tourism, environment and Natural resources Minister Catherine Naumgala urged Zambians to take keen interests in touring historical sites in the country.

Ms. Numugala further requested MPs not to leave the issue of touring to non-Zambians but it should start with themselves to promote the tourism sector.

“I urge you to be tourists in your own country. Tourism has been seen as a preserve of a few elite. i would like to urge this august House to take keen interest in touring their own sites in Zambia,” Ms. Namugala said.

ZANIS/KC/ENDS/MM

RB leaves Ethiopia for Kenya

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Republican President Rupiah Banda left Addis Ababa , Ethiopia on Wednesday via Kenya where he is expected to hold talks with his Kenyan counterpart Mwai Kibaki before returning home on Thursday.

President Banda and his delegation will hold bilateral talks with President Kibaki on Thursday morning.

The President was invited to Kenya for bilateral talks by the Kenyan President.

Mr Banda is accompanied to Kenya by first lady Thandiwe Banda and his Special Assistant for Political Affairs Akashambatwa Mbikusita- Lewanika.

This was contained in a statement obtained by ZANIS, signed by Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere.

President Banda was in Addis Ababa to attend the 12 session of the Assembly of heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), which closed on Wednesday.

Before departing for Nairobi, Kenya, the Zambian President visited his former school, the University of Addis Ababa, where he studied before he moved to Europe during the liberation struggle.
ZANIS/MM/ENDS

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