By Chilo Phiri

Since the inception of independence, Zambian political leaders have taunted the youth as ‘the future leaders of the country’. While this may be true, no successive government has promoted this belief. The youth in Zambia keep being sidelined in the political arena. This is evidenced by the appointment of veteran politicians in ministerial jobs, political administrative offices, ambassadorial postings, and generally, senior party positions.

The youth are relegated to slogan chanting and individual promoters of those with a bit of political clout. I beg to ask, are the youth themselves to blame, or are our elderly politicians plain selfish and somewhat scared of the intelligence and vibrancy of the youth? Any nation’s future lies in the youth. And if a country wants to be great, the role of the youth in the political dispensation must be elevated. I believe structures can be implemented which support the political development and participation of the youth.

Different interest groups in Zambia have advocated for increased participation of women in politics and political decision-making, but has anybody voiced out the same for the youth. During the First Republic, the slogan was the youth are the future leaders of Zambia. This is Forty Four (44) years later, and the future still eludes the youth. The appointment of Vernon J. Mwaanga or even Daniel Munkombwe for instance, is a step into the political past of the country. I cannot overlook their contribution to politics in Zambia, but their time is not now.

The world has moved far beyond their insight and in the current climate, new ideas from young and fresh political leaders are what will drive the country forward. An even bigger retrogressive appointment is when an individual is picked from the blues to become the country’s’ second in command. Quite frankly, what political role did Mr. Rupiah Banda play from the time he lost the Munali Parliamentary election to the time of his Veep appointment? Did he remain connected with the development of politics in the country, was he abreast with economic changes taking place worldwide, and is he the right man to lead Zambia in this global financial and economic crisis? Does he inspire confidence in our people? Can this man provide the leadership when the country and world are a stone throw away from a depression?

The challenges that we face as a country have a lot to do with who we elect into political offices. Do we have the right mix of people leading us? This idea of selfish politics will always confine this God-gifted country into the depths of political garbage. Forty Four (44) years after independence Zambia cannot even host a minor African sporting event like the All-Africa games. Isn’t this a shame to other countries that a country that has never seen a civil war can be so much out of sorts? It is so depressing to think that we as a country can never seem to make reasonable progress in the way we tackle minor issues affecting our country.

This reminds me of the article I read about Baby M, honestly, a hospital like UTH cannot afford a power generator? Where do the resources go? Does anyone ever think of investing heavily in this important sector? I guess not, because if and when they get sick, they are flown to foreign countries where facilities are world class. But the ordinary citizen, you and I, are left to linger and die in Zambia.

The youth of this great country need to stand up and be counted. If this country is to be great, the youth need to realize that they are the only hope that country has. If the burden of poverty and hopelessness has to be lifted off our children’s futures, now is the time for the youth to do for their country, what the country has not done for them.

The mantle is in your hands. We need to change the way politics are played in our country. The politics of patronage and poverty are a thing of the 20th Century. We need action-oriented people with the interest of this country at heart. Tired political leadership is not the answer to our problems

There was a near riot at Ngwenya market in Mpulungu yesterday after marketeers and traders defied fisheries officers from the fisheries department who attempted to begin implementing the new fisheries act, which has seen revised fisheries license fees and charges. The government have increased the licence fees for all commercial fishermen to K5 000 000 per fishing boat per year from the K300 000 they paid last year.

Meanwhile fishermen and traders in Mpulungu have maintained that they will not be part and parcel of the new fish charges and fees which they are being asked to pay by the fisheries department because they are too high and abnormal.

Fisheries officers who raided Ngwenya market in an effort to start implementing the revised fisheries act were met with force until they called for police officers who also failed to change the fishermen’s stance.

Fisheries officers were forced to retreat to their offices after they failed to negotiate with the uncompromising fishermen.

The fishermen and traders later ganged up and descended on the office of district commissioner Willie Simfukwe and demanded to seek audience with him to sort out the issue.

Addressing the irate fishermen, district commissioner Willie Simfukwe said the fisheries act is a statutory instrument which has been passed into law by parliament and can only be revised if it is sent back to the national assembly.

Simfukwe said the act was earlier suspended by former agriculture and cooperatives minister Sara sayifwanda after complaints from fishermen in Mpulungu who stated that the new fees in the act were unmanageable.

He said even president Rupiah Banda confirmed the suspension at a public rally in Mpulungu during the election campaigns to pave way for consultations before its implementation.

Simfukwe however said the fisheries department has ignored theses pronouncements and have gone ahead to implement the act in Mpulungu. He appealed to government through the permanent secretary in the ministry of agriculture and cooperatives to urgently address the issue saying it is painting a bad picture on government.

Simfukwe said the implementing of the act is a sensitive issue which can easily ignite chaos from the people in the area because most of them depend on fishing for their livelihood.

He however appealed to fishermen to be calm as the issue is being sorted out and warned the fishermen and traders against taking the law into their own hands.

But the irate traders and fishermen said they will not compromise with the fisheries department and pay the new fees because the fees are too high.

In an interview later, Ngwenya market committee chairman Webby Sichilima said it will be difficult to guarantee the safety of fisheries officers who will be sent to implement the act at the market because traders and fishermen at Ngwenya market are agitated.

Sichilima warned that the mood at Ngwenya market is currently tense and appealed to the relevant authorities to urgently find a lasting solution to the matter.

And some fisheries officers involved in revenue collection have voiced their concerns on the matter saying their work has become extremely difficult to carry out.

The officers who sort anonymity for fear of reprimand said they are no longer free to collect revenue from fish and kapenta on behalf of the government of the republic of Zambia because of the oppositions and threats they are encountering from the traders.

They complained that some traders are asking them to build their own markets and collect revenue from there because Ngwenya market belongs to the walamo committee under the senior chief Tafuna of the Lungu people of Mpulungu.

Last month, during a meeting held at the fisheries training centre in Mpulungu, fishermen and traders booed and jeered at fisheries officers who had traveled from Kasama to address them.

The meeting which was attended by over 60 fishermen, local councilors, marketers and traders and government officials from the fisheries department had to be cut short without reaching an agreement after some fishermen walked out and demanded to have an audience with the new agriculture and cooperatives minister and the director of fisheries claiming the officers from Kasama were too junior to address their plight.

Outlining the new fees then, principal fisheries technician john Mtonga told the fishermen that government had approved a new statutory instrument where fishing license fees and other charges have been revised.

Mtonga told the gathering that starting 16th may, 2008, all commercial fishermen in Mpulungu will be required to pay K5 000 000 per fishing boat per year from the K300 000 they paid last year.

In nsumbu, commercial fishermen will be charged K2, 499 000m per boat per year, an increment from the K300 000 per boat last year.

According to the revised fees, license fee for ring net boats have been apt from K100 000 to K1, 980 000 per boat per year.

Mtonga who told the fishermen that he was only carrying out his duty said people in the ornamental fishing business will be required to part away with K5 000 000m to obtain a license an increment from the K300 000 they spent to get one last year.

He said each ornamental fish caught from Lake Tanganyika for export to other countries will now cost K900 from K20.

For small fishing boats owned by peasant fishermen, the K11 000 they used to pay per boat every year has now been hiked to K99 800.

Mtonga said people using angling (Indobo), will now be charged K19 800 per month from K2000 last year.

He pointed out that the above fees among other charges took effect on 16th May, 2008, saying his job in Mpulungu was only to collect views and complaints which he was going to forward to the ministry in Lusaka for possible action.

But the angry fishermen, some talking on top of their voices, complained that the revised fees were too high and unjustified.

MPULUNGU 18/12/08/ZANIS.

Malole Independent Member of Parliament Emmanuel Munaile, who is a surety in the case involving five accused persons, has been fined K1.5 million as penalty fee after the accused jumped bail.

Mr. Munaile yesterday spent a night at Milima State Prison after he was arrested by police in Kasama following a bench warrant, which was issued against him by the Kasama Magistrate Court in November, this year.

The MP today appeared before Magistrate Robert Mulauzi for contempt of court after the five accused persons he had signed bail for ran away, thereby making their case fail to take off.

Mr. Munaile, who is also Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Vice-president, looked humbled and remorseful during the contempt of court proceedings.

And in his ruling, Magistrate Mulauzi ordered Mr. Munaile to pay K300, 000 in respect of each the five accused persons who had jumped bail since he was their surety.

The Magistrate also ordered the MP to make sure that he trace the whereabouts of the accused persons and takes them to the Court during the next hearing set for January 16, 2009.

Magistrate Mulauzi has since revoked the bench warrant issued against Mr. Munaile. He however, said the bench warrant for the accused persons, who are at large, is still in force. Efforts to get a comment from Mr. Munaile soon after the court hearing proved futile as police officers whisked him away.

The accused persons, who jumped bail, are charged with one count of malicious damage to property contrary to section 335 sub-section one of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on the night of April 22, 2007, the accused namely Chanda Kaenge, Justin Kasonde, Davies Mwenya, Patrick Kafula, Felix Nondo and John Bwembya jointly and whilst acting together willfully and unlawfully did cause damage three (3) houses valued all at K6 million belonging to Abel Mutale of Mungwi District.

The accused had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Magistrate Court has since adjourned the matter to January 16, 2009 for review of the bench warrant issued against the fugitive persons.

ENDS/WS/PK/ZANIS

The Central Province Royal Foundation has disclosed that it will hold a celebration event in the province to celebrate the victory of Rupiah Banda in the October 30 presidential poll and the subsequent appointment of George Kunda as Republican Vice President.

Royal Foundation Chairperson Senior Chief Chibale of the Lala people said the people were happy with the appointment of George Kunda as Republican Vice President.

Chief Chibale said this when the Vice President paid a courtesy call on him in Serenje today.

Senior Chief Chibale has since assured President Banda and Vice President George Kunda of his subjects’ full support to all government development programmes.

Meanwhile traditional rulers in Serenje District have called on government to demarcate land with a view to addressing land wrangles among chiefs in their Chiefdoms.

Senior Chief Chitambo who spoke on behalf of others said land boundaries of 1958 were outdated.

He further called on government to development programmes and other strategies aimed at enhancing food security in the country.

Chief Chitambo said there was need for government to put in place measures aimed at addressing Global Economic Financial Crisis that major countries were experiencing.

The traditional ruler has since thanked the people of Zambia for the peace and unity they have exhibited before, during and after the death of President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.

ZANIS/TK/EML/AM/ENDS

The Government will slip into debt if the delayed off-loading of the recently bought 90,000 tonnes of crude oil persists, Energy and Water Development Permanent Secretary, Peter Mumba has said.

Mr Mumba also said the anticipated reduction of the pump price of fuel might not be done because the continued depreciation of the Kwacha had substantially moderated the benefits of the cheaper import of crude oil.

Mr Mumba said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the Government was supposed to refine the feedstock and sell the finished products so that it could pay the PTA Bank in the agreed three months but the off-loading had been delayed.

“The consequences of going into a huge debt are that the financiers may in future refuse to fund any shipment for the country,” he said.

He said Tazama finally started pumping the crude oil from the port of Dar-es-Salaam into Indeni Petroleum Refinery last week but the limited capacity of the plant made it impossible to pump all the cargo to Ndola.

“We should pay the financier within 90 days to avoid incurring a debt which will put the Government in unnecessary financial problems but because of the continued delay in the off-loading this may just happen.

“Looking at the prevailing situation where the Kwacha has continued to lose its strength, even the reduction of fuel pump prices may not be possible because it may plunge us into debt as it would require a Government subsidy,” Mr Mumba said.

He said the crude oil, which Tazama started pumping last week, arrived in Dar-es-Salaam on November 26 but could not be sent to Zambia because oil marketing companies (OMCs) had flooded the market with finished products.

He said the OMCs had assured the Government that their fuel stocks were supposed to finish by the end of December after which they were expected to start buying fuel from Tazama.
Mr Mumba said the depreciation of the Kwacha from around K3,500 to K5,000 to a United States (US) dollar had made it impossible for the Government to reduce the price of fuel.
The Government had asked the Energy Regulation Board to calculate and see if it would make any saving from the reduced price of oil after the Kwacha tumbled.
Mr Mumba said the next shipment of crude oil was expected in February next year and that arrangements had already been made.

Times of Zambia