Zambian policymakers have adopted a biosafety bill that paves the way for legislation to deal with issues surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The bill was drafted by the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Technology, and submitted to parliament on 3 April for scrutiny and adoption.

Minister of Science and Technology Brian Chituwo said the bill was needed because GMOs were bound to find their way into Zambia.

Currently, Zambia does not have a regulatory framework to regulate biotechnology issues, including the research, development, application, import, export, transit and use of genetically modified products.

If enacted into law, the bill will establish a National Biosafety Authority (NBA) and Scientific Advisory Committee. The NBA will ensure the bill is adhered to and provide guidelines on its implementation. The Scientific Advisory Committee will oversee the operations of the NBA.

The bill will promote public awareness of biosafety with information and consultation services.

It also seeks to provide a mechanism for liability and redress for any harm or damage caused to human and animal health, non-GMO crops, socio-economic conditions, and biological diversity by any GMO or product.

Minister of Justice, George Kunda, said the Zambian government was eager to have the bill passed and made into law to allow for the domestication of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, to which Zambia is a signatory. The international agreement aims to provide protection in the transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from biotechnology.

Kunda said Zambia needs the legislation to avoid becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for such products, as it currently does not have the technology to test imported material for GMOs.

Saviour Chishimba, chairperson of the Education, Science and Technology Committee said, “The bill is aimed at ensuring that Zambia remains a GMO free country.”

Zambia is one of several countries in southern Africa that prohibit the growing or consumption of GMO foods. Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Swaziland have taken a similar stance.

President Levy Mwanawasa has with immediate effect
terminated the contract for Mongu District Commissioner, Kwalombota Muwanei.

President Mwanawasa has since appointed Namakau Mubita as new District Commissioner for Mongu.

Both Western Province Minister Adonis Mufalali and newly appointed DC Ms. Mubita have confirmed the development to ZANIS in Mongu today.

Mr. Mufalali said Mr. Muwanei was fired on Thursday last week but could not disclose the reasons behind the President’s decision.

Ms. Mubita confirmed having received President Mwanawasa’s official letter of appointment.

She said Mr. Mufalali handed over the letter of appointment on Tuesday this week from President Mwanawasa.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mufalali has implored the civil servants to embrace the spirit of hard work in the implementation of national programmes.

Mr. Mufalali said civil servants are mandated to explain government programmes to the nation.

ZANIS

The Zambia Democratic Congress, ZDC, is happy with President Levy Mwanawasa’s decision to dismiss Vernon Mwaanga as information and broadcasting minister.

ZDC National Chairman Langton Sichone said the dismissal of Mr. Mwaanga from government should serve as a warning to serving ministers, who are in a habit of making irresponsible statements on matters that border on national security and sovereignty.

Mr. Sichone told ZANIS in Kafue today that the nation would not tolerate irresponsible statements, from people holding public office, that could jeorpardise national peace and security.

Mr. Sichone also commended the Post Newspapers for exposing Mr. Mwaanga adding that this is how the media should operate if it is to act as a media watch dog.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sichone challenged government and President Mwanawasa to explain the alleged US$7 million owed to Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, Katanga province Governor Moses Katumbi.

He said government to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves to avoid straining relations with the neighbouring countries.

Mr. Sichone said it is important that the damage caused by the former minister be rectified so that Zambia and Congo can continue enjoying cordial relationships. 

He said the earlier government settles the issue of Katumbi with the government of Congo the better.

ZANIS

The ruling MMD in Kabwe has appealed to the Zambia Police Services and the local authority to work out immediate stringent measures to curb the rising lawlessness among motorists especially illegal taxi operators in the district.

Bwacha MMD Constituency Chairman, Gibson Kunda said in Kabwe today that the council, the police and the Road Traffic Commission should work hand in hand in finding a
lasting solution to the problem of pirate taxi drivers and operators.

Commenting on Kabwe Bus Drivers Association Organizing Committee Chairman, Boniface Suntile’s complaints about the unruly pirate taxi  drivers, Mr. Kunda said the
situation on Kabwe roads was chaotic.

“I agree with Mr. Suntile that the situation in Kabwe is chaotic as these drivers, mostly youths driving unregistered taxis and without driving licenses are behaving as if there is no law in this country, hence our appeal to authorities in this field for help,” he said.

Mr. Kunda pointed out that the unlicensed taxi operators and drivers have had
illegally illegally created taxi ranks in all streets in the town centre and were not paying anything to the council.

He said residents were happy that government was working on some of the roads in the
district and it was important that relevant authorities helped to bring sanity on roads.

Government through RAUBEX Construction was rehabilitating some of the major roads at the town centre and already some sections of independence and Freedom Ways and
Chilufya Katebe, Marshall and Machile streets have been resurfaced.

Early this week, Mr. Suntile welcomed the introduction of bus station and market
boards to run stations and markets, with a call on authorities to check on the increasing lawlessness especially among pirate taxi drivers.

ZANIS

President Levy Mwanawasa has fired Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Vernon Mwaanga.

President Mwanawasa has also revoked Mr. Mwaanga’s nomination as ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy, MMD, Member of Parliament and parliamentary Chief Whip.

Mr. Mwaanga also ceases to be chief government spokesperson.

This is contained in a statement released to ZANIS by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, John Musukuma, today.

“His execellency the President, Mr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC has relieved Honourable, Vernon J. Mwaanga, of his duties as Minister of Information and
Broadcasting Services, revoked his nomination as Member of Parliament and removed
him as Chief Government spokesperson and Parliamentary Chief Whip with immediate
effect,” read the statement.

Mr. Mwanawasa further revoked Mr. Mwaanga’s nomination as member of the MMD’s
National Executive Committee, subject to ratification by NEC.

Mr. Mwanawasa said the manner in which Mr. Mwaanga handled his recent assignment to the neigbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, over the closure of the Kasumbalesa border, makes his position not tenable in government and the party.

“It is certain that your handling of this assignment makes your position in Cabinet
or any public or party office in this administration untenable,” President Mwanawasa
said.

According to a letter, dated April 11, sent to Mr. Mwaanga, President Mwanawasa
indicated his displeasure at the manner Mr. Mwaanga handled the assignment in that
country where he met DRC President, Joseph Kabila.

Mr. Mwanawasa said Mr. Mwaanga’s alleged irresponsible handling of the assignment,
as indicated by media reports, has been confirmed by a DVD which recorded one of the
press conferences held in that country.

“Initial Press reports coming from that country and reported in the Post Newspaper
indicated that your handling of thia assignment was extremely irresponsible and
substantially departs from my expectation on you as my Special Envoy,” read part of
Mr. Mwanawasa’s letter to Mr. Mwaanga.

“My fears were unfortunately confirmed when I received a DVD which recorded one of
the atleast 2 press conferences that you addressed while there,” read the letter in
part.

The president, however, wished Mr. Mwaanga the best in his future endevours.

ZANIS

Dismissed Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Vernon Mwaanga, says he has with immediate effect resigned from the MMD National Executive Committee, NEC.

This follows President Mwanawasa’s decision to relieve him of his duties as minister
and chief government spokesperson.

President Mwanawasa also revoked Mr. Mwaanga’s nomination as Member of Parliament.

Mr Mwaanga, who confirmed having received the dismissal letter from President
Mwanawasa to ZANIS this evening, said he decided to resign from the NEC following
the President’s intention to recommend Mwaanga removal from NEC.

Mr. Mwaanga said he accepted President Mwanawasa’s decision and thanked him for
giving him chance to serve in his administration.

Mr Mwaanga has however, expressed happiness that the border problems which affected
the mining companies have now been resolved.

He has since thanked President Mwanawasa, Cabinets Ministers, NEC and Members of
Parliament from all parties for working closely with him during the time he saved as
MP and MMD chief Whip.

ZANIS

The government will increase the price for the stake in state-owned Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco) it is selling to Rabobank after criticism of the deal, a government agency said on Wednesday. The government has come under fire from trade union groups and some opposition parties for agreeing to sell the 49 percent stake in Zanaco to Dutch bank Rabobank for $8.3 million.

The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), which is supervising the sale, said in a statement that Rabobank and the government would appoint independent auditors to re-assess the net asset value of Zanaco, one of the sub-Saharan country’s largest retail banks.

“(The government) and the strategic investor will commission an independent auditor to determine the net asset value of the bank … on which basis the price adjustment will be made,” the ZDA said.

The ZDA said the purchase price for Zanaco was based on the bank’s financial assessments conducted in December 2004. Since then, the bank’s assets had grown and it was making more profit.

“Over time, however, the financial status of the bank has changed, and there is therefore need to assess the change which will result in a price adjustment as provided for in the sale and purchase agreement,” the ZDA said.

The ZDA said the government had agreed with Rabobank to maintain rural branches that serve farmers for a period of 10 years after complaints that farmers would not manage to obtain favourable terms and services from other multi-national commercial banks.

“Contrary to apprehensions and concerns by the public, (Rabobank) has agreed with the government that it will maintain all existing rural branches for a period of 10 years with the exception of possible relocation of branches,” the ZDA said.

The agency said plans to float a further 25.8 percent of Zanaco held by the government on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) would be concluded soon, but gave no exact date.

Under the deal, the government would retain 25 percent shares after the LuSE listing, while minority shareholders would retain 0.2 percent shares.

The sale of nearly half of Zanaco has dragged on for nine years and has been surrounded by controversy after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) placed the privatisation of the bank as one of the conditions for Zambia’s access to IMF loans.