Central Province Permanent Secretary (PS), Milner Mwanakampwe, has called on the Zambia Statistics Agency to decentralize its operations if the intended objective of the 2022 population and housing census is to be achieved.

Mr. Mwanakampwe observes that he is concerned that as the census of population and housing draws nearer, most of the decisions are still being made in Lusaka.

Speaking when the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Director for Population and Development Department, Charles Banda paid a courtesy call on him, the Permanent Secretary said every decision that has to be made by the central government hinges on population development.

“If we don’t know how the population is growing or not growing, then we will not plan ahead. And so, that having been said, I think it brings us to issues that require to be attended to as we delve into these consultations.

“And I am extremely delighted that you have come for consultations. Because if we don’t consult, we implement programmes from Lusaka, most of the time we will be getting smaller. So, it is important that we consult each other,” ,” Mr. Mwanakampwe said.

He said there is also the need to build further capacity among the District Commissioners (DCs) and District Administrative Officers (DAOs) who are currently doing most of the census work.

He further observed that the district census committees that are supposed to oversee the implementation process have not even been put in place.

“And I am saying this in mind with the census that is on the horizon. You see what is happening is that most of the decisions right now are being made from Lusaka,” he said.

As devolution entails giving power to the people , it entails that districts must be allowed to decide who is going to participate in the forthcoming census.

He stated that the province has planners at both local and provincial level that could be used in order to achieve the intended objectives.

On the ongoing online application, the Permanent Secretary observed that there is need to work on internet connectivity especially in rural areas to capture most of the population.

He raised fears that with connectivity challenges in rural areas some citizens will be disadvantaged while it has potential to capture people that have not necessary requisites.

Earlier, Ministry of Finance Director for Population and Development Department, Charles Banda, told the PS that his team was in the province for consultations on the legal framework to actualize the 2019 National Population Policy.

Copperbelt-based civil society organization Break the Silence has observed that a multi-sectoral approach is needed as Zambia battles against climate change.

Break the Silence Chief Executive Director Richard Mweetwa said the rate at which the earth is being destroyed by human activities such as pollution to the environment was alarming.

Mr. Mweetwa said massive tree planting is also needed in a bid to preserve the environment.

He revealed that Break the Silence has partnered with the Ministry of Education on the Copperbelt to plant 30, 000 trees in schools and colleges by December this year.

Mr. Mweetwa said Break the Silence will extend the tree planting exercise to Central, Lusaka and Southern Provinces.

He also called for conceited efforts in arresting challenges of environmental degradation.

“Break the Silence Civil Society Organization of Zambia is concerned at the rate at which our earth is being destroyed by human’s activities like gas emissions from homes, mines, industries and wild fires currently in Europe. Scientists predict that the earth will be 10% warmer this year than usual. It is for this reason why our organization has chosen to partner with different categories of stakeholders like the Ministry of Education on the Copperbelt in all public schools and colleges in planting about 30,000 agro forest trees or fruit trees in December,” Mr. Mweetwa said.

“We wish to extend this exercise in Central Lusaka and Southern provinces and we are calling on all well wishers, be it at individual level, companies both in the private and public sector to get involved by partnering with our organization and purchase some tree plants for onward planting. Remember the fight against climate change is not for the government alone but for everyone because we are all affected in one way or another,” Mr. Mweetwa said.

Mr. Mweetwa highlighted the impact of environmental degradation on human beings.

“For instance air pollution is a global problem, areas far from polluting activity may be adversely impacted as atmospheric circulation moves pollutants freely without regards to political or other based boundaries. In addition to the very serious human health consequences of air pollution, the interaction of pollutants with each other or with natural atmospheric constituents such as water vapor may create derivative pollutants highly damaging to vegetation, surface, groundwater and structures. Among these secondary agents is the acid rain that is the second of the recent trio of environmental concerns,” he said.

“The earth needs healing by planting more trees, the agro trees we intend to plant. We see pupils and all of us benefiting from fruits, shelter, oxygen, absorption of carbon dioxide to reduce global warming, trees are natural windbreakers, and help in the formation of rains from transpiration. Helps preserve thousands if not millions of biodiversity among many other benefits of trees. It is for this reason why we are calling on all individuals, well wishers, cooperating partners, institutions both local and international to partner with us to make this dream a reality,” Mr. Mweetwa said.

Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, says Government places agriculture mechanisation and value addition at the apex of its agenda.

Mr Mutati says Government is keen to increase food production through mechanisation in a quest to reduce poverty levels in the country.

Mr Mutati says the dream to improve and increase tonnage of maize and other cereals through public, private sector collaboration is of great importance.

Speaking during the signing of a letter of intent with CAMCO, which is one of the largest suppliers of assorted machinery in Zambia, Mr Mutati said mechanisation will increase maize tonnage in the country.

“Today my Ministry and CAMCO have signed a letter of intent in which we have both expressed our desire to collaborate by way of establishing manufacturing hubs of equipment and machinery in TEVET colleges,” he said.

The Minister said the letter of intent signed means that CAMCO now will buy some of the machinery and equipment for sale in its show rooms from TEVET colleges.

He noted that through the initiative Government will help to build capacity in TEVET colleges through technology transfer.

“My Ministry stands ready to trigger and accelerate the industrialisation agenda our country through technological development.

He said Government is committed to work with investors who are keen to help Zambia accelerate its industrialisation agenda especially those that are directed at achieving Agriculture mechanisation and value addition.

And CAMCO Marketing Director, Benard Chiwala said with the increase in population in the country, mechanising Agriculture is critical to increase food production.

Engineer Chiwala added that there is a huge difference between farmers who are using a hoe and a Tractor in terms of tonnage.

He said Zambia can stop importing farm produce once Agriculture mechanisation is embraced adding that CAMCO offers hi-tech machinery that can change the country in terms of food production.

CAMCO is a registered company operating in Zambia since 1998 and is now partnering with Government to provide machinery especially for Agricultural purposes among others.

Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Services, Mike Mposha has directed the newly appointed board of directors for Luapula water and sanitation services to resolve the issues that led to the suspension of their operating license.

And Mr. Mposha has also directed the water utility firm to start the process of recruiting the managing director within six months.

Mr. Mposha said today in Ndola when he unveiled the board of directors for Luapula and Chambishi Water Supply and Sanitation Companies that government will accelerate resource mobilisation both local and international to ensure of provision of national water security and sanitation.

ZANIS reports that Mr.Mposha said he is confident the boards will address some of the challenges faced in the water sector such as dilapidated infrastructure, on-revenue water among others.

“For Luapula water, you are already aware that your institution is currently under statutory management. In this regard, part of what you should be working towards is to work with statutory manager to resolve the issues that led to the license of the water utility,” he said.

He said despite the numerous strides made in improving water supply in the country, there is a lot that needs to be done in ensuring that people have access to clean water and sanitation services.

The Minister bemoaned that despite Zambia having a lot of water bodies, only 72 percent of its population have access to improved water sources while 54 percent have access to improved sanitation.

“At provincial level, Luapula has 58.1 percent access to improved water sources while 48.8 percent have access to improved sanitation.

Northern province has 39.9 percent of improved water sources while 55.5 percent have access to improved sanitation,” Mr. Mposha said.

The Minister added that the statistics presented are too low, and that it calls for concerted efforts and planning in improving the status quo, thus directing board of directors to take a leading role.

Mr.Mposha told the board of directors for the two water utility companies that his ministry has developed a performance based contract that will steer the performance of individual members of the boards.

He said that the new dawn administration is working round the clock to ensure improved access to water and sanitation services for all.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mposha has implored the board of directors for all water utility firms to be sensitive to the vision of the new dawn government and regular policy pronouncements by the President.

And Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Augustine Kasongo said the boards of directors are instrumental in ensuring that water supply and sanitation companies perform in order to provide water supply and sanitation services in Zambia.

Mr. Kasongo said the unveiling of the boards demonstrates government’s commitment to corporate governance in the running of public institutions.

Mr. Kasongo said government is cognisant of the importance of providing water supply and sanitation services in contributing towards the sustainable development the country.

Chief Justice Mumba Malila has noted that there are legal practitioners in the country who do not believe in the ideals of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and have opted to engage in corrupt practices which has contributed to the high poverty levels among citizens.

Chief Justice Malila said this is evidenced by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) where some lawyers have been mentioned.

He said that for as long as the conduct, character, and commitment of lawyers at any level, in eradicating corruption remains an issue, the corruption fight will remain elusive and citizens will be consigned to perpetual poverty.

Chief Justice Malila said it was not a secret that corruption induces inefficient economic performance in a country – any country for that matter.

He said that corruption inflates the cost of low-quality goods and services, hampers long term foreign and local investment, diminishes the ability of the Government to raise revenue and thereby leading to high taxes being imposed on fewer and fewer tax payers.

The Chief Justice was speaking when he officially opened the 9th Annual Law Conference at Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Livingstone yesterday.

“It is an embarrassment to the legal profession, is it not, that there are some lawyers who do not take the ideals of this noble profession seriously and only think of ways of fleecing the country or their clients of their resources,” he said.

“Some lawyers, I grieve to say, will stop at nothing to satisfy their large appetite for material wealth, sometimes using incongruous ways to make money and more money, even if this means being accessories to crimes, especially those involving corruption. To put it crudely, some of your members, Mr. President, must work at addressing the deficit in them of good fiscal morals and professional ethics,” he said

Justice Malila said that the story of the corruption that animated past public dealings is no longer unfamiliar to any decent, well-meaning, good and reasonable citizen of this country who is of full age and competent understanding.

He charged that this debilitates the Government’s capacity to equitably provide essential public goods and services – especially for the majority poor.

The Chief Justice said that it was no exaggeration to state that all well-meaning, recent efforts in the battle against corruption, including the introduction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Court, are unlikely to record a high success rate if the majority of lawyers take an opposing stance or act as dispassionate onlookers over these initiatives.

“In fact, our lawyers wherever they are and in whatever they do, must be willing to work together in mutual respect and trust in the fight against corruption. We must all, as players and stakeholders in the legal system, share the same commitment if we are to succeed,” Justice Malila said.

He charged that lawyers should all strive to be themselves, persons of unimpeachable integrity and vision, who are ready, willing and able to provide moral, legal as well as technical leadership.

“Is it not a matter of serious regret that we see lawyers, in dramatically increasing numbers, standing up at forums away from the courts, not to fight corruption, but to root for corruption instead,” he said.

And outgoing LAZ president Abyud Shonga encourage members to live to the values that anchor their profession.

Mr Shonga said that currently, the association is collecting views in areas of the constitution that needs to be reviewed.

He challenged the practitioners to keep abreast with the new technology that changed the working culture in view of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango says the new dawn government is looking to realign the cooperative movement away from depending on state coffers.

Ms Nalumango said government was a cooperative movement that will not extend begging bowls.

The Vice President said the UPND Alliance administration will engage India to help build the capacity of and turn around cooperatives in the country.

Ms Nalumango said it is imperative that the cooperative movement in the country is helped to grow in order for it to play a significant role in Zambia’s economic transformation agenda.

She said there are vital lessons Zambia can learn from the progress India’s cooperative movement has made over the last 120 years in impacting the economy.

The Vice President was speaking after touring the US$ 5 billion Anand Milk Union Limited (AMUL) dairy cooperative plant.

Ms Nalumango said the Amul Cooperative society model is a clear cut framework that can help Zambia’s cooperative movement arise from slumber and effectively participate and contribute to the country’s economic development.

“your organization, the way you run things, we would like to tap into that, help us set up, we are not saying, we want cooperatives that will have the hand of government, we would like to follow this model” said Ms Nalumango.

Amul Managing Director Rupinder Sodhi explained that micro level participation of members is cardinal to the effective operation of a cooperative society.

Mr Signh said that every member of Amul is treated equal regardless of their shareholding status.

“The famers cooperative model is based on self-sufficient, business Enterprise, …and it has to be operated from bottom to up, You need very dedicated selfless farmers’ leadership…” Said Mr Sodhi.

He stressed that leadership and management styles of top to bottom are a recipe for cooperatives to fail.

The Amul Dairy cooperative was founded in 1946 to address and has over 18,000 farmers as members supplying the plant with milk used to make various dairy products.