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KCM is seeking to improve production regardless of the ongoing court cases-Nair

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KCM is seeking to improve production regardless of the ongoing court cases-Nair

Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) Provisional Liquidator Celine Nair has said the mining firm is seeking to improve production regardless of the ongoing court cases.

Ms Nair said the current liquidation process cannot be in perpetuity. She said KCM prioritises local jobs in search of new investors.

Ms. Nair was speaking when meeting Chingola District Commissioner Raphael Chimupi, Chingola Mayor Johnson Kang’ombe and Chingola Town Clerk Namukolo Kalufyanya separately.

“We are looking at various options to improve production at KCM. The current liquidation process cannot be in perpetuity, and while there are ongoing matters in court, the mine is focusing on ways to raise production,” Ms Nair said in a media release by KCM General Manager Corporate Affairs Shapi Shachinda.

“We will ensure that whatever happens at KCM will benefit the employees, business partners, communities and other stakeholders,” she added.

From left to right- KCM PL Agent Jason Kazilimani, Chingola Town Clerk Namukolo Kalufyanya, KCM PL Celine Nair, Chingola Mayor Johnson Kangómbe and Acting KCM CEO Enock Mponda
From left to right- KCM PL Agent Jason Kazilimani, Chingola Town Clerk Namukolo Kalufyanya, KCM PL Celine Nair, Chingola Mayor Johnson Kangómbe and Acting KCM CEO Enock Mponda

“Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) Provisional Liquidator Ms Celine Nair, has reinforced that employment sustainability and a spread of business opportunities to locals will be the priority as the government seeks new investors to run the asset. Since assuming the role of Administrator General and Official Receiver of the Republic of Zambia and consequently Provisional Liquidator of KCM, she has focused on reassuring employees that their welfare will be central in any future decision on KCM’s operation. She said that His Excellency the President of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema and his Government were working towards finding a permanent solution to the ongoing liquidation process,” read the statement.

“Ms Nair has had engagements with suppliers and contractors as well as officials from Atlas Mara Bank and the Trade Development Bank (TDB) in the Company’s pursuit to restore confidence and expand business with KCM partners. She assured the bankers that KCM was ready to do business in a credible way that guarantees sustainable partnerships aimed at fostering Company growth and business benefits to all stakeholders. Ms. Nair has spent time visiting the underground at Konkola Deep Mine to understand the intricacies of pumping out water at one of the world’s wettest mines, which pumps out around 360,000 cubic metres (360 million litres) of water every day, which is enough to fill 144 Olympic size swimming pools.”

“She guaranteed KCM’s continued spending on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, which are underpinned on four pillars, namely education, health, sustainable livelihoods and sports. Nair praised Nchanga Rangers Football Club for winning promotion to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Super Division and urged Konkola Blades Football Club to bounce back to the Super Division in the 2022/2023 football season.

“These football Clubs always bring joy to miners and their families as well as communities and the nation. We will continue to provide support to the Clubs. Even in difficult times, KCM will not forget the communities in which it operates and support will be directed at various CSR programmes that the mine has been financing,” Ms Nair concluded.

According to the KCM Corporate Office, KCM is one of Zambia’s largest integrated copper producers with operations in four locations, namely Chililabombwe where the Company operates underground mines with three shafts, No. 1 Shaft, No. 3 Shaft, No. 4 Shaft and a Concentrator; and Chingola where KCM has open-pit mines, an underground mine, a direct to blister copper smelter, three concentrators, a tailings leach plant and refractory ores stockpiles.

KCM is the second-largest employer in the country, after the government, with a total of 12,550 permanent employees and contractor workers.

KCM PL Celine Nair greets with Chingola District Commissioner Raphael Chimupi at his office in Chingola
KCM PL Celine Nair greets with Chingola District Commissioner Raphael Chimupi at his office in Chingola

WECSZ launches climate action dialogues in Itezhi Tezhi

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WECSZ launches climate action dialogues in Itezhi Tezhi

The Wildlife and Environmental Council of Zambia (WECSZ) has launched a series of climate action dialogues across Itezhi Tezhi district to assist ordinary people in addressing the climate emergency.

Community dialogues are activities of the Community Coined Climate Actions (CoCCOA) project, which is part of the Voices for Justice Action (VCA) programme funded through World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

The dialogues provide a platform for the vulnerable and marginalised groups to participate in climate action by capturing and amplifying their voices on climate change issues and how they can best be included in climate action.

The CoCCA Project envisions locally coordinated and co-created climate actions, as well as alternative livelihoods, for visible and inclusive community participation in climate change mitigation in the Itezhi Tezhi district.

Itezhi Tezhi Town Council Chairperson, Oliver Sitengu, stated at the official start of the dialogues held in Itezhi Tezhi that climate change is a serious issue that requires everyone’s attention.

Mr. Sitengu stated that climate change will destroy people’s livelihoods if no serious action is taken soon.

“As we talk about climate change, let us tell our stories and offer local solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change in Itezhi Tezhi,” Mr. Sitengu said.

Mr. Sitengu has since praised the organisers for promoting the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised communities in the fight against climate change.

Meanwhile, Flora Moono, a resident of chief Mbila’s area, stated that climate change effects have harmed women more than men.

Mrs. Moono said effects of climate change have affected her crop production this year as floods washed away the fertiliser in her field during the previous rain season, destroying the crops she had planted.

She said floods also destroyed the bridges that connects her village to Mbila Rural Health Centre.

“The bridges were destroyed by the floods, so we could not get to the hospital,” Ms. Moono explained.

Mr. Anderson Namanjele, who represented people with disabilities, stated that people who are differently abled have suffered more as result of climate change.

President Hichilema leaves for Eswatini

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President Hichilema leaves for Eswatini

President Hakainde Hichilema has left for the Kingdom of Eswatini for a three days official visit.

President Hichilema is visiting that country at the invitation of King Mswati III, from 3rd to 5th June, 2022.

The President who is accompanied by Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga and Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba left for Eswatini at Zambia Airforce Lusaka Base at 10: 50hrs this morning.

The President was seen off by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Stanley Kakubo and other government officials.

And Mr. Kakubo says President Hichilema and King Mswati are scheduled to hold discussions on bilateral issues focusing on matters of mutual interest at bilateral, regional and international levels.

He highlighted that the two leaders will preside on the signing of the joint Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the area of Tourism as well as the Establishment of a Political consultation Mechanism between Zambia and Eswatini.

‘’The two leaders will discuss issues of bilateral trade and regional security and integration, so that they can also have a portion on issues that affect the region. There are some pockets of the region where we are seeing issues of insecurity, we know the situation in DRC and Mozambique, so these are some of the things that the two leaders will discuss,” said Mr. Kakubo.

Mr. Kakubo said the MoUs is expected to strengthen cooperation and contribute to the development of various sectors of the economies in the two countries and how they will relate in areas  of trade in the next five or ten years.

Provisional KCM Liquidator Pleages to Support Blades and Nchanga

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Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) Provisional Liquidator Celine Nair has pledged the mining firm’s commitment to continue supporting Nchanga Rangers and Konkola Blades.

Nair has further saluted Nchanga for winning promotion back to the FAZ Super Division.

She said football clubs always bring joy to miners and their families.

Nair was speaking when meeting Chingola District Commissioner Raphael Chimupi, Chingola Mayor Johnson Kang’ombe and Chingola Town Clerk Namukolo Kalufyanya separately.

“These football Clubs always bring joy to miners and their families as well as communities and the nation. We will continue to provide support to the Clubs,” Nair said in a media statement released by KCM General Manager Corporate Affairs Shapi Shachinda.

“Even in difficult times, KCM will not forget the communities in which it operates and support will be directed at various CSR programmes that the mine has been financing,” Nair said.

Zambia Airports Corporation slashes small aircraft parking fees

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Zambia Airports Corporation slashes small aircraft parking fees

The Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) has reduced parking fees for aircrafts of five tons and below, effective 1st June, 2022.

ZANIS reports that ZACL Communications and Brand Officer, Monde Yamalezi, said the parking fees have been revised from US$5.00 per hour to US$10.00 per day with the first six hours free.

Ms. Yamalezi said the reduction has been necessitated by the corporation’s quest to support growth of business for small, medium, and private aircraft operators that are operating at its airports.

She said in a statement that the move is also aimed at improving the country’s competitiveness in terms of airport fees both regionally and globally.

“Take notice that this reduction is applicable at all designated international and domestic airports, namely Kenneth Kaunda, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula , Mfuwe ,Solwezi Airport. Kasama, Mbala (Samora Machel), Kasaba Bay, Mansa, South Downs, Chipata, among other airports,” she said.

Ms. Yamalezi stated the gazette notice effecting this change shall be circulated as soon as it is published.

Workers bemoan the phasing out of switchboards in government and parastatals

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Workers bemoan the phasing out of switchboards in government and parastatals

The Communications Workers Association of Zambia (CWAOZ) has bemoaned the lack of switchboards in government and parastatal institutions in the country.

Speaking during a meeting for CWAOZ in Kabwe, Vice Chairperson, Cecilia Bwalya, said the non-availability of switchboards has negatively affected the performance of people living with vision loss and other various disabilities.

Ms. Bwalya said the advent of the use of cell phones is a threat to the work of switchboard operators because most institutions, which were conducting business through switchboards, are now using the portable and mobile gadgets.

“In developed countries, switchboards are still effective because everyone leaves their mobile phones at the reception and any communication within the organisation is done through the switchboards. But we are concerned here in Zambia where cell phones are used for communication within organisations, a thing that has put our jobs on a thin line,” Ms. Bwalya explained.

She observed that most switchboard equipment is obsolete in most institutions.

She has since called on government to consider procuring state of the art switchboards in order to secure jobs for people who are visually impaired.

Ms. Bwalya has however applauded the new down government for demonstrating an exceptional spirit in the provision of employing citizens who are differently abled.

She said the demonstration by government to employ people living with disabilities has given them the hope of contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

Meanwhile, Central Province Permanent Secretary (PS), Milner Mwanakampwe, who officiated at the meeting, reaffirmed government’s commitment to support associations for people living with various disabilities.

Mr. Mwanakampwe said the new dawn government will ensure that there was inclusiveness in awarding contracts and jobs to all citizens.

“For society to work well, it needs different bodies to support its work just like the human body. We are therefore committed as government to work and support the CWAOZ,” he said.

He said people with disabilities have been overlooked by many institutions hence the need to realise their importance because they are equal to any person and can contribute to the development of the country.

Mr. Mwanakampwe has also called for the installation of switchboard machines and renovations of office space in various places of work to motivate people living with disabilities to work hard in fostering development.

21 Peace Corps volunteers sworn-in to help rural communities

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21 Peace Corps volunteers sworn-in to help rural communities

Peace Corps has sworn in 21 volunteers who will help rural communities in the country in addressing aquaculture and forestry challenges.

Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary, John Msimuko said the volunteers will serve various rural communities to address issues especially those on fish farming and forestry.

Mr Msimuko said this in a joint speech with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries during the swearing-in ceremony of the Peace Corps volunteers in Lusaka yesterday.

He said that the forestry department in the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment strives to promote sustainable utilization of natural resources.

Mr Msimuko said the work of the forestry volunteers will go a long way in reducing poverty and improving food security in the rural communities, whilst maintaining the natural resources base.

He further said the volunteers will help to promote the expansion and intensification of fish farming across the country especially among women and youths.

Mr. Msimuko added that they will also help promote the establishment of hatcheries in the country to facilitate growth of the aquaculture industry as directed by President Hakainde Hichilema.

‘’This will not only improve the livelihoods of our people but also meet the growing demand for fish in Zambia. It will also help to bridge the extension service delivery gap as you may note that the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has a lean staff at district and camp level,’’ he said.

And Peace Corp Charge’ d’Affaires, Martin Dale said the group of volunteers is among the first volunteers in the world to return to services since Peace Corps’ unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Dale pointed out that in collaboration with the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries the volunteers will build capacity of rural community members to improve their food security while conserving natural resources.

‘’They will help build the livelihood of rural households by improving and increasing fish production, organizing farmer groups, establishing local fish seed production centers and helping families increase their income from the sale of fish.

Meanwhile, Peace Corps Country Director, Brad Favor urged the volunteers to participate in fish farming training and forestry as it will have a lasting impact on individuals and communities for many years to come.

Chibombo teachers cane, send pupils away for not paying volunteers’ fees

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Chibombo teachers cane, send pupils away for not paying volunteers’ fees

Some teachers at Chipili primary school in Chibombo district are allegedly beating pupils and sending them back home for failing to pay fees meant for emoluments for volunteering teachers.

The concerned parents have told ZANIS that the school charges each pupil a termly fee of K30 towards the emoluments for the teachers who are not on government payroll.

The parents have complained that some named teachers at the school have now started beating pupils whose parents have not yet paid the prescribed amount for this term.

One of the parents, Prigo Hanimba, wondered why the school has continued to charge such fees when the government has introduced free education in all the public schools.

Mr. Hanimba has also condemned the teachers for allegedly chasing away the pupils from school, who have not yet paid the money this term.

Another parent, Judith Phiri, said the school should scrap off the fees as they are disadvantageous to the pupils whose parents are unable to pay.

And some parents have accused the teachers at the school of poor working culture.

Beauty Mwiinga said some teachers spend most of the working hours drinking beer in the community, leaving the pupils unattended to.

Another parent, a Mrs. Mweemba, complained that her children’s academic performance has continued to deteriorate because the teachers at the school have allegedly failed to deliver quality education.

And when contacted for a comment, Chipili primary school head teacher, Muyagwa Munalula, confirmed that the school charges pupils fees in order to pay the two teachers who are volunteering at the institution.

Mr. Munalula also confirmed that the children were sent back home from school and some beaten for not paying the fees by a teacher who was reportedly drunk whilst on duty.

He explained that the incident happened on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, when he was out of the station for other official duties.

“When I returned, I found that the school had been deserted and when I inquired, I was told the same teacher had chased all the children,” he said.

Mr. Munalula explained that it is against the school policy to either chase or beat pupils whose parents fail to contribute the prescribed amount.

He said the named teacher therefore acted without the knowledge and the authority of the school management.

Mr. Munalula further said the teacher in question has not even been reporting for work following the incident but he emphasised that disciplinary action will be meted out on him.

Meanwhile, Chibombo District Education Board Secretary (DEBS), Berlina Moono, said it is unacceptable for schools to charge pupils fees in order to pay teachers who are working as volunteers in public schools.

Ms Moono explained that the government provides grants to schools from which a certain percentage should be spent on emoluments for employees who are not on government payroll.

She said she will therefore make a follow up on the case at Chipili primary school and take appropriate action.

AI project vastly increases HIV patients on sustained treatment in sub-Saharan Africa

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AI project vastly increases HIV patients on sustained treatment in sub-Saharan Africa

The burden of disease and treatment challenges in sub-Saharan Africa has made it especially crucial to use technology and partnerships to improve the care process

Keeping the world’s estimated 38 million HIV positive people on effective and sustained treatment is one of the most critical parts of controlling the global HIV epidemic. Now a collaboration between health technology innovators Vantage Health Technologies (https://VantageHealth.Tech) and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) (http://IHVNigeria.org) has led to a breakthrough and new hope for patient retention in the region.

It is estimated that 25 million – or 67% – of all people living with HIV, live in sub-Saharan Africa, and 8.1 million of these people are virally unsuppressed. Through Vantage’s artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled Patient Retention Solution, the IHVN team – funded through a grant from the United States’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention – has been able to predict and positively influence the behaviour of high-risk HIV/AIDS patients.

The Patient Retention Solution was developed by Vantage Health Technologies, a company in the BroadReach Group (https://BroadReachCorporation.com), a social enterprise focussed on innovation and health technology that empowers human action. The collaboration with IHVN includes a pilot implementation in three sites – where the implementing teams were able to retain 91% of the high-risk patients they engaged with on HIV medications.

Annika Lindorsson Krugel, Solutions Manager of Vantage Health Technologies, says collaboration between public health partners, combined with the use of state-of-the-art AI technology, is proving to be a highly effective strategy for improving retention for HIV/AIDS out-patients. “The burden of disease and treatment challenges in sub-Saharan Africa has made it especially crucial to use technology and partnerships to improve the care process.”

Krugel explains how the programme works: “The Patient Retention Solution is an AI-driven model that uses data from patient history to predict if patients will miss their next clinic appointment with the assumption that missing the appointment means the patient will drop off treatment as they are not present to collect their medication. The solution uses a machine learning model to identify patients at high-risk of missing their next appointment and produces patient lists that are given to clinical staff to conduct various interventions to prevent patients from missing their next appointment. SMS messages, calls and home visits for those without phone numbers are then arranged to provide personal attention to each patient ahead of their scheduled clinic appointments.”

Mercy Omozuafoh, Programme Manager for Care and Support with the IHVN, and her teams have been using the Patient Retention Solution as a tool to prioritise existing interventions for high-risk HIV/AIDS patients in Nigeria. The predictive model was rolled out to about 30 000 patients at the General Hospital Kudwa at Bwari in the Federal Capital Territory, the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia in the Nasarawa State, and General Hospital Ahoada in the Rivers State. “The project has demonstrated the effectiveness of proactive tracking of Patients Living with HIV (PLHIV) and has made us understand the importance of interventions we are implementing. It has broadened our minds and we are able to scale up the solution to include more facilities,” says Omozuafoh.

The Patient Retention Solution algorithm was trained on 330 000 IHVN patients, and this pilot project was focused on the approximately 5 000 identified at-risk patients. Of these, 91% of patients on the predictive list who received an intervention (SMS, phone call or home visit) were up to date in the month of intervention, meaning that they were retained in care. This compares to 55% retention in a comparison group who did not receive the intervention.

The Patient Retention machine learning model was independently validated by Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. A case study by the Dartmouth Institute, which looked at eight months of data from the three Nigerian locations, found that the main barriers to treatment adherence included stigma, side-effects, logistical challenges, economic barriers and forgetfulness. The study found that caregiver support, peer support and understanding one’s status helped patients overcome these barriers. The institute also found that cultural sensitivity, ongoing patient connections with trusting relationships at its core, and the facilitation of large-scale improvement efforts by local teams, contributed to the success of the programme.

The Vantage Patient Retention Solution has been implemented in HIV treatment and care programmes across Nigeria and South Africa and is yielding similar successes. “The solution is an innovative example of what can be achieved when artificial intelligence truly powers human action,” says Krugel.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BroadReach.

UPND Members do not look happy despite winning the 2021 General Elections

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UPND Members do not look happy despite winning the 2021 General Elections

Former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Davies Mwila has said members of ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) do not look happy despite winning the 2021 General Elections.

Mr. Mwila said it is the vanquished PF members who appear happy and united despite losing elections.

The former Chipili Member of Parliament said PF members have even become fat after the election loss.

Mr. Mwila was speaking during the burial of PF Kitwe District Secretary Lungo Kawaya at the Kitwe Memorial Park on Thursday afternoon.

Mr. Kawaya, 44, died on 29th May, 2022 at Kitwe Teaching Hospital after an illness.

In his remarks during burial, Mr Mwila paid tribute to Mr. Kawaya, a staunch PF official.

Present during burial was Mr. Kawaya’s close friend Thabo Kawana, the Ministry of Information and Media – Director.

Mr. Mwila told PF members to support the bereaved wife and children.

“Fwebali close kuli Lungo let us help the family. In any way possible let us help Lungo’s family. Once Lungo’s family is helped people will appreciate that belonging to PF is a good thing. Ififine nga twashika Lungo bonse tupasangane tubutuke abantu they will not appreciate us. This young man was good. I used to call him Lungo Malanji because he was close to Malanji. Ba Malanji nabo baleaba abati no ni Lungo Mwila so twalelwishanya but naishibe ati ni Lungo Malanji.Let us do something for this young man as a party. Elyo twalisashika Mwanga Sata, elyo twashika Chile One, nomba twaiisashika na umwaice wesu Lungo,” Mr. Mwila said.

Mr. Mwila said in his dreams he wonders why the UPND do not look happy after forming government.

He said PF members appear as if they are the ones governing.

“Ba PF mulemoneka abaikatana, elyo mulemoneka kwati nimwebo muleteka.
PF you look united as if you are the ones ruling. Sometimes when I am asleep I tell myself that maybe they stole our votes because the winners (UPND) do not appear happy. We are even fat despite losing the elections. God is preserving us,let us remain united. We will not retire and we achieve Lungo’s vision.Elyo limo nganindala njeba ati awe aba limbi batwibilefye ama vote. Pantu aba winine tabamoneka abasansamuka. Fwebalusa natwina nokwina fwebalushile,” Mr. Mwila said.

“Na ba District Commissioner (Lawrence Mwanza) tatwabeshiba twaishibafye Mayor wesu (Mpasa Mwaya), twaishiba na Malanji, twaishiba na Pavyuma (Kalobo – Wusakile PF Member of Parliament), twaishiba na Kang’ombe, twaishiba na cela moce Mulenga Kampamba, na Allen Banda na Chiteme. Nalebeba ati mukamulila Chiteme. Chiteme uyo mulemulila. Nomba ifi fyonse Lesa aletusunga tufwile twaikatana pamo nga ma bans. Ifwe epo tuli tatwachite retire mpaka ifyo Lungo alefwaya fikafikilishiwe. Mukwai kuti nalombafye ukweba ati umupashi was kwa Lungo ulale mu chibote. Thank you very much,” he said.

Other mourners included former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji, PF Copperbelt Provincial Chairman Nathan Chanda, former Nkana MP Alexander Chiteme, PF National Women Chairperso Kampamba Mulenga, PF National Youth Chairman Christopher Kang’ombe, Chishimba Kambwili and former Kwacha MP Boniface Mutale.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kawana paid a moving tribute to Mr.Kawaya earlier during Church service.

“The good die young indeed. Over the years, we rode together, played together, worshipped together and shared moments together. We cried, argued, laughed and went through our high and low moments together. No matter what life threw at me, I always knew I had a friend and brother to turn to and to share my high and low moments with.Politically, we always stood on different stand views. He was PF all his political life, he believed and held strong in PF in opposition, in office and in opposition again. This never affected our bond at all, infact, it strengthened our bond as we could argue and laugh at our leaders and political views we held different as it where. Rest in peace my dear friend and brother Lungo Kawaya (Bashi Muzo). Go well until we meet again, you have run your race well and you have been good and faithful through it all,” wrote in his earlier tribute.

AgriTech Expo-Zambia plans to expand the show

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AgriTech Expo-Zambia plans to expand the show

AgriTech Expo-Zambia has announced intentions to expand the show and includes eight additional new crop trials for the eighth edition that is scheduled for 20th to 22nd April 2023.

DLG International Head of Communication, Martin Botzian said this will bring the total of crop trails to the 33, which will be the most ever featured and the crop trials showcased at an agri-show in Africa.

This is contained in an online communiqué issued by Mr. Botzian and accessed by ZANIS in Kabwe.

“With the demand and popularity of the crop trials at this year’s show being so high, the team has decided to expand the show and include an additional eight new crop trials to the field,” Mr. Botzian said.

He said this gives more suppliers the opportunity to showcase their seeds and inputs in real time, while enabling the farmers attending the show to see more, learn more and purchase the right product available on the market.

He explained that apart from a new site layout for the additional crop trials, AgriTech Expo-Zambia 2023 will also feature the all-new drone zone.

He observed that the exciting addition to the show brings new technologies and capabilities to the farmers, as drones are becoming more and more utilised in the industry.

“These lightweight, highly maneuverable machines can pick up diseases, pests and also be used for input applications, in turn saving time, energy, resources and capital,” he said.

Mr. Botzian further disclosed that the maize wall that surrounded the show during the 2022 AgriTech Expo after harvesting was donated to Samuel Orphanage, a local project, to assist in feeding the children and offering some relief to the caregivers.

Meanwhile, AgriTech Expo Zambia Head Agronomist, Shadreck Mubanga, said farmers should always be wary of how much they invested in their crop production and the losses they may incur during and after harvesting.

Mr. Mubanga has since reminded farmers that farming is a business and the aim is to maximize profits.

He further advised the farmers to always remember to cost every activity and record in order determine whether the business is profitable or not.

President Hichilema urges India to establish farm equipment plant

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President Hichilema urges India to establish farm equipment plant

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on the Indian investors to consider establishing a local manufacturing plant of farm equipment.

President Hichilema has observed that most farming equipment being used by small and large scale farmers in Zambia are Indian brands, an indication that they are easily accessible by many.

He explained that this is why there is need for Indian investors to cease the readily available market for the product and establish an assembling plant for not only the Zambian market but for the region as well.

” I must say Indian farm equipment here are popular at all levels, be it small, medium and large scale everywhere you go you will find at least an Indian brand of farming equipment like John Deere, Mahindra tractors and other irrigation equipment. this is why we are saying we need to domestic this, we need Indian investors to come and produce this from here,” he said.

He added that this will also go a long way in enhancing job creation and economic development for the country.

The Head of State said this in Lusaka yesterday when Indian High Commissioner to Zambia Ashok Kumar paid a courtesy call on him at State House.

President Hichilema said the government is committed to further strengthen the strong and long existing bilateral relationship between the two countries in various areas of cooperation.

He cited health, agriculture and infrastructure as some of the sectors that the two countries have continued to enjoy cordial relations for the benefit of the people.

President Hichilema admired India’s advancement in the health sector, a situation he said has led to most people from Zambia traveling to that country to access health care services.

He noted that it is in this vein that there is also a need for India to consider putting up a state of art medical center in Zambia so that people can easily access the needed services opposed to traveling all the time.

” We appreciate your support in different areas, more especially health, we know that your health sector is quite advanced, and people from here go to India for various services, it cannot be a bad idea if you just set up one of two of your best hospitals right here so that people do not need to always travel when they are not well and need advanced services,” he stressed.

And in the area of infrastructure, President Hichilema explained that there is need for Zambia and India to embrace the Public Private Partnership model of support for infrastructure development.

He explained that doing so will help Zambia avoid acquiring loans for infrastructure development as a way of not over burdening the already stressed national balance sheet.

He also commended India for its plans to assist Zambia construct a Mahatma Ma Ghandi conversational center noting that the move will go a long way in boosting the country’s intentions of hosting international events.

And Indian High Commissioner to Zambia, Ashok Kumar commended Zambia for nurturing the bilateral ties with India dating back as far as 1964.

Mr. Kumar explained that this is evident by the various visits done by all previous Zambian Presidents and India’s Prime Ministers to Zambia and India respectively.

He stated that the relations have continued to grow in political, cultural and economy among many other sectors.

He further pledged his country’s continued support to Zambia in order to improve the lives of many people in the country.

“Our relationship between Zambia and India have been long standing from 1964 to date, our founding leaders built this relationship that needs to be strengthened further, for us we will continue to work with you in different areas of economy for the benefit of the people of this country,” he added.

Transport and Logistics Minister, Frank Tayali Accepts invitation to visit Angola

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Transport and Logistics Minister, Frank Tayali Accepts invitation to visit Angola

Transport and Logistics Minister, Frank Tayali says the lack of access to roads and border infrastructure between Zambia and Angola is acting as an impediment to completing the circuit that will enable Zambia to achieve its goal of becoming a regional hub for transport and logistics.

Speaking when he presented the invitation letter by Angolan Ambassador to Zambia, Mr Tayali said the invitation was timely as the government has been planning to engage with the Angolan government on matters of mutual interest between the two countries.

“The letter, in essence, is an invitation that I as Minister of Transport and Logistics in Zambia together with my key Ministry staff are being invited to Angola for the purpose of reviewing a number of agreements that may have been signed-in the past. And this is areas of aviation, roads, maritime, border infrastructure and even the possibility of pipeline infrastructure” he said.

He said he has accepted the invitation as it provides an opportunity for the two countries to review agreements that were made in the past the two countries that are yet to be completed.

Mr Tayali further expressed hope that Angolan airlines whose operations in Zambia have ceased will resume operations in the country.

Meanwhile, Angolan Ambassador to Zambia Azevedo Francisco expressed gratitude that the Minister has promptly accepted the invitation and hoped that the Minister once in Angola will have an opportunity to visit all the harbours in the country.

The invitation was sent by his Angolan counterpart and the Minister has committed to formally respond in a few days.

Focus on progressive issues not trivial matters, Commerce Minister tells Journalists

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Focus on progressive issues not trivial matters, Commerce Minister tells Journalists

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga says government is keen to work closely with the media. Mr. Mulenga said government does not want to work in isolation but work with the media as it embarks on the journey of rebuilding the country’s economy.

He said government will embrace and engage both public and the private media. Mr Mulenga said the new dawn government will work with all media houses without being selective of which ones to work with.

The minister said this today when he officiated at the Public Private Dialogue Forum Media engagement in Lusaka today.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mulenga has counselled journalists to focus on progressive issues not trivial matters saying the media should strive to report on issues that will promote national development and not divide the country.

Mr Mulenga expressed concern with some media houses who opt to report on trivial matters that have no bearing on the country’s development agenda.

He urged journalists to be agents of change by reporting objectively.

Mr. Mulenga further urged journalists to acquaint themselves with the developmental programmes that government is implementing stating that they will only provide checks and balances if they are fully aware of the development taking place in the country.

And Ministry of Information and Media, Kennedy Kalunga has challenged media houses to be ethical as they disseminate information to the public.

Mr Mulenga said the only way that fake news is going to be countered is when media houses report objectively and factual.

He noted that the media has a huge responsibility of ensuring that the public is well informed on important national matters.

“More so, in view of fake news which is on the rise. We need ethical journalism to counter fake news so that people are well informed and not misled and misinformed on important national matters.”

Mr Mulenga has since implored the media to place high premium on reporting economic and developmental issues that improve and impact the lives of the people.

And Public Private Dialogue Forum Director General, Andrew Chipwende said the media is key in bringing to light the successes and challenges being addressed by the creation of the PPD Forum.

Kapiri Mposhi Residents up in arms against decision to re-locate Sweet Potato processing factory to Lusaka

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Kapiri Mposhi Residents up in arms against decision to re-locate Sweet Potato processing factory to Lusaka

Various stakeholders in Kapiri Mposhi district have rejected the relocation of a multi-million dollar sweet potato processing factory from the district to Lusaka.

This is because over 700 smallholder sweet potato farmers engaged on an out-grower arrangement to supply sweet potatoes to the factory this year stand to lose out on the ready market if the plant is relocated.

Mahur Investments, a private sector investor was empowered to set up the factory by Musika Development Initiative, a Swedish supported organisation in Zambia, at the cost of 150,000 United States dollars (USD) to provide a ready market for smallholder sweet potato farmers in the district.

Mahur Investment Managing Director, Sunil Patel said during a stakeholders meeting attended by Central Province Chiefs’ Council Chairman, Chief Chibale, government officials and some affected sweet potato farmers to discuss the investment options and a way forward of the potato processing plant, explained that the company has since resolved to relocate the factory to Lusaka due to high operational costs involved in running the factory.

Mr Patel disclosed that the company requires over 200,000 USD to operationalize the factory which has remained dormant after its installation in 2020.

“It won’t be a viable project if we open. We need the farmers to benefit and the company to benefit but this won’t be due costs, we can do it if we move it to Lusaka,” Mr Patel said.

Mr Patel however assured the local sweet potato farmers that the company will still honour the market linkage contracts of buying sweet potatoes from them to be used in the production of sweet potato chips and crisps.

But Kapiri Mposhi Town Council Chairman, Brilliant Munyeke complained that relocation of the factory to Lusaka will deprive locals of job opportunities.

Mr Munyeke wondered why the investor wanted to relocate the factory when its establishment through Musika was aimed at helping the local people and farmers in Kapiri Mposhi adding that the area needed such investment to help in reducing poverty.

“Speaking on behalf of government, I can’t allow this factory to be relocated from Kapiri because we also need investors. We don’t want to see these investors only in Lusaka. Our youth don’t have employment and where are they going to find employment if you take such a big investment to Lusaka,” Mr Munyeke wondered.

And potato farmers in the district have rejected the relocation of the factory noting that there is no guarantee the investor will maintain market linkages with them in the event the plant is moved to Lusaka.

Lazarus Chitambo, a potato farmer, also wondered where farmers, recruited by the company to produce sweet potatoes in the 2021/2022 farming season, will find a market for their sweet potatoes produced as feedstock for the factory.

” Farmers signed contracts with Mahur to grow potatoes and we went out to recruit women and youths who don’t have jobs to grow sweet potatoes but now we are worried because in the first place this factory is not operating up to now and secondly we don’t know where to take the sweet potatoes because we produced for this factory,” Mr Chitambo said.

In response , Musika Head of Corporate Affairs, Pamela Hamasaka disclosed that the company partnered with Mahur to support procurement of the potato processing equipment on a cost sharing arrangement after the company responded to a challenge fund that Musika had publicized in 2019 to support its objective on sweet potato agriculture diversification in order to help sweet potato farmers in Kapiri Mposhi with ready market for their produce.

Ms. Hamasaka further explained that under the partnership Musika also provided support to Mahur Investments to commence provision of extension services and training of smallholder farmers as well as setting up aggregation sales points for sweet potatoes in the district.

“The struggle for the smallholder farmers has been access to markets and most of the sweet potatoes have been going to waste and when Mahur Investments responded to a challenge fund that Musika had publicized in 2019 they came up with this project and we were happy to support it as Musika because it was answering to the objectives of agriculture diversification,” Ms Hamasaka said.

“What it is that every investment that we put in when we have partnered with these private sector entities is that they should be able to demonstrate that the projects will benefit especially the smallholder farmers because at the end of the day we want to lift these farmers out of poverty through improved market for their produce and agronomic information so that they can be able to meet the supply capacity,” Ms Hamasaka said.

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