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Suspend the Export of Maize to other Countries till the Rains Normalise-Sunday Chanda

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Suspend the Export of Maize to other Countries till the Rains Normalise-Sunday Chanda

Opposition Patriotic Front Kanchibiya Constituency Member of Parliament Sunday Chilufya Chanda has asked the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture to immediately stop the exportation of maize to other countries.

The Government this year lifted a ban on maize export amid bumper harvests recorded in the last two farming seasons.

Commenting on the dry spell being experienced across the country in November and December this year, Mr. Chanda said chances of recording another bumper harvest in the 2021, 2022 farming season are reducing.

Some plants planted in November and December have completely dried up in some parts of the country due to dry spells.

“It is evidently clear that prospects of a bumper harvest in 2022 are dwindling by the day considering the prolonged dry spell across the country,” Mr. Chanda said in a media statement issued on Monday afternoon.

“We also have farmers across the country who planted their crops following the first rains that have completely dried up. These may not have the capacity to replant even if the rains normalised. We are faced with a situation where citizens in different parts of the country will need relief food as a consequence.”

“Against this background, I wish to call on the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, to halt the exportation of maize until the rains have normalised and after estimating the impact of the dry spell on the 2022 harvest,” said the Lawmaker.

“Further, the Ministry of Agriculture is called upon to inform Zambians about the full extent of this dry spell. The Ministry should also focus on preparing small scale farmers on climate change adaptation methods across the country,” he added.

“Lastly, I wish to call upon the Government to invest heavily in irrigation across the country, as a medium to long term measure, so as to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture,” Mr. Chanda concluded.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chanda’s proposal may not receive support from the Grain Traders Association of Zambia, who earlier this year advocated for the lifting of the ban on maize exports.

Association Executive Director Chabuleni Simwinga is on record to have said that the association has the capacity to export 68,000 tonnes of maize.

Mr. Simwinga had further expressed concern that his members are still holding on to stocks of maize which he feared would go bad.

Is an International Monetary Fund (IMF) Package Betrayal of the Zambian People or Debt Trap?

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Is an International Monetary Fund (IMF) Package Betrayal of the Zambian People or Debt Trap?

By Boyd Muleya

As Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD), we would like to commend Government for taking very bold and highly ambitious stance towards an IMF programme. The country’s much needed political will to transform the economy.

The Staff Level Agreement between the Government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a step in the right direction. This milestone means that the Government is closer to clinching the Bailout Package with IMF. It also entails that the Government will have to wait for a report by the IMF staff and subsequent approval by its management. Furthermore, there will be need for Zambia to engage with creditors and obtaining adequate financing assurances using the Debt Sustainability Assessment Report carried out during the meetings. From these reports, the IMF Executive Board in Washington would be expected to discuss and make the final decision, as to whether Zambia will receive the ($1.4 Billion or K24.5 billion) or not.

The implication of the IMF programme entails that there will be realignments of various fiscal measures such as subsidies on fuel and electricity, as well as the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). Government’s monthly spending on subsidies are $67 million (K1.2 billion) on fuel and $40 million (K700 million) on electricity. This further translates into annual figures of around $800 million (K14 billion) on fuel and $500 million (K8.75 billion) on electricity. The savings from this, amounting to K22.5 billion are enough to cover the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Budget for the next five (5) years at new CDF Allocation of K25.7 million per Constituency.

It may interest you to note that the incidence of subsidies largely benefit the foreign corporations. For instance, mines are being subsidized by over $780 million (K13.65 billion or 60 percent of total subsidies) every year in both fuel and electricity, while Zambians are only getting a $26 million (K455 million or 2 percent) per year.

As a cushion to the possible effect of price increase, Government expenditure towards social spending such as health, education, social protection have been increased to protect the most vulnerable. Equally monetary policy has been adjusted upwards to avert the expected price increases. We are happy to note that in this IMF deal, there will be no wage freeze, no job cuts, employment freeze etc. The truth is that Zambians should be braced for hard times now and a better future ahead.

There is need to appreciate alternative options that well-meaning Zambians have been proposing to avert the IMF programme. However, these options make assumption that Zambia is not indebted to over 44 external creditors that have direct interest in our meagre resource base.

Therefore, a conversation of ‘No IMF programme’ is only possible when one assumes there are no external creditors calling shots to have the IMF guarantee for their interests. So, if one is asking why Government is contracting additional debt from the IMF, there is lies your answer. Besides there many benefits such as technical support, flexible concessional interest rates to be repaid over a long period of time than commercial debt, improved credit rating and prospect for Foreign Direct Investments. In such a situation, Zambia needs to address these interest groups by taking care of their different needs. In Zambia’s current vulnerable state, the country needs the IMF programme not only for her own sake but including external creditors whose money we have already committed towards expenditure including subsidies.

With defaults of some repayment obligations, Creditors are skeptical about the political risk of Zambia, hence the need for Government to be on an IMF deal as an assurance that Zambia will restore fiscal and debt sustainability to support the Creditor’s compliance towards renegotiation of debt through refinancing and restructuring. Therefore, Zambia needs the IMF at this point to have a robust and inclusive approach covering all stakeholders.

Sudden rise in revenues domestically is exceptional, and 100 percent recommended but let’s face it, why has it been difficult for this to happen all these years? Lack of political will. In addition, there are several structural changes, agreements, and contracts that need review before we can safely rely on our domestic resources. Just to issue caution, debt is inevitable for any country, worse if a country is faced with a debt trap situation like Zambia. Unless Zambians are willing to pay very high taxes than the current levels.

As CTPD, we do appreciate that the Government has started on a promising note by sharing statistics on debt figures, but that is not enough. We would be happy to see what documents Government is using detailing the Economic Recovery Agenda. Government should adequately reveal the economic recovery plan that they are using to interface with the IMF. The Government has remained mute over the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) document that was formulated by the immediate past regime. In addition, the pillars cited by the Government as drivers of their unpublished economic recovery plan are in the Draft 8th National Development Plan which is not yet been availed to the Public. As CTPD, we urge Government to expedite the process to finalize the document.

Furthermore, CTPD expect the Government to come up with a very comprehensive communication strategy that will prepare the Zambians about the challenges that lie ahead before the economy begins to take shape.

The Author is the Head of Research at the Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD), a not- for –profit, membership based trade policy and development think tank. The organization was established in 1999 and existed as the civil society trade network (CSTNZ), until 2009 when it was rebranded as the Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD).

Lusaka High Court orders Former First Lady to pay $ 58 000

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Lusaka High Court orders Former First Lady to pay $ 58 000

The Lusaka High Court has ordered Levy Mwanawasa and Company law firm run by former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa to pay an amount of over 58 thousand dollars, money which was paid to the law firm on behalf of the client NL Alterra.

The money was paid to the law firm on behalf of the client NL Alterra, a Belgium-based firm after the sale of a property, but the law firm failed to remit the said money upon receipt.

According to a statement of claim filed on August 11, 2021, the plaintiff says the defendant has up-to-date refused and neglected to transfer the said amount of money on whose behalf it received.

Arising from that, Lusaka High Court Judge Pixie Yangailo has ordered the law firm to pay the said money plus damages for loss of business of upto 2000 dollars.

Recently, the Law Association of Zambia suspended Dr. Maureen Mwanawasa’s practicing license amid a court matter where Finance bank Zambia Limited wanted the court to declare her bankrupt after failing to settle a loan to the bank in the sum of K6.8 million and K893 thousand together with costs in the sum of USD 25,000.

Why Energy Subsidy Removal Beneficial, but after some Pain: How other African countries succeeded

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Why Energy Subsidy Removal Beneficial, but after some Pain: How other African countries succeeded

By Mwansa Chalwe Snr

The New Dawn government will be removing energy subsidies – fuel and electricity – with effect from 2022. The removal of energy subsidies is a complex undertaking, politically sensitive and requires building strong public support. Although the government has already made the decision, it is important that the public gets both sides of the story in terms of the pro and cons of the decision, from an objective and apolitical point of view.

For a start, Zambians should not be misled by those opposed to the decision, for political reasons especially, that Zambia is the only African country to embark on energy reforms. There are a number of African countries that have taken the route already and successfully at that. Zambia could learn something from their experiences. The countries in mind include: Namibia, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Tunisia, Nigeria, and Egypt.

The current debate on the removal of energy subsidies has been rather confusing to ordinary Zambians at best, and dishonesty at worst. In addition, it has been highly politicized such that the public have not been properly educated about the consequences of the decision – the immediate negative impact, the immediate benefits and the long term potential benefits. This article will try to lay out facts as they relate to the decision that the government has made, from an informed perspective. And as is normal in economics, the views expressed are based on a caveat: ceteris paribus (other things being equal).

The Negative impact of Subsidy Removal

There is no question that the removal of energy subsidies will have immediate negative impacts on the economy in the short to medium term. It is no secret that businesses and households will be immediately negatively impacted in a number of ways when energy subsidies are removed.

In the case of businesses, generally their cost of doing business will go up as energy forms a substantial part of the cost of production or service. This means that their profitability will be reduced, their plans for growth o expansion may be shelved, and in order to reduce costs, some may consider reducing their labour force. And energy intensive industries will be the worst affected because their competitiveness will be undermined.

Businesses will pass on the increased of cost of production or service to consumers. Consequently, the cost of living for households will go up as most essential commodities’ prices will rise. The poor are the most likely to be more adversely affected, as costs of their basic needs which includes food stuffs and transport will go up.
As the for the economy as a whole, it is likely that there will be a general reduction in economic activities in the short term ,an increase in inflation with its consequential multiplier effects such as increases in interest rates. There is also a likelihood of job losses as result of the decision to remove energy subsidies.

Although the removal of subsidies will come with the aforementioned negative consequences, there are potential benefits, both in the short and long terms. The public needs to be made aware of the potential benefits of the removal of subsidies, so that they can make an informed decision as to which one, is the lesser evil.

Benefits of Subsidy Removal

The first compelling argument in Zambia’s case for energy subsidy removal, is that subsidies were reinforcing and perpetuating inequality because they mostly benefit upper-income groups, who are the biggest consumers of energy. The majority of Zambians are not benefiting from energy subsidies; the argument goes. Energy subsidies are not, therefore, a rational method of allocating the country’s scarce resources because they merely benefit a small section of the population and the Multinational Corporations like Mining companies, who are the major consumers.

“The Treasury is using about US$107 million per month or US$1.3 billion per year on fuel and electricity subsidy. What is even more interesting is that more than 60% of fuel and/or electricity in Zambia is consumed by the mines with only less than 2% of the two products being consumed by the ordinary and vulnerable people who are genuinely supposed to be subsidised. This means that  the mines are being subsidised by US$780 million every year in fuel and electricity while the ordinary and vulnerable Zambians are only getting a subsidy of a partly US$26 million per year”, Secretary to the Treasury, Felix Nkulukusa wrote in an Op-Ed.

The second expected benefit from the removal of electricity subsidies, is the elimination of load shedding. The argument is that the current electricity price is not attractive to private investors. Subsidized prices make it unattractive for the private sector and ZESCO to invest in the electricity sector to expand their production. The removal of subsidies will open up the sector to more players and this will promote efficiency in the sector which will result in more supply and therefore eliminate the never ending shortage of power and the dreaded load shedding. This is a very compelling argument to most Zambians, given the terrible inconveniences and loss of production that has been experienced over the years due to power shortages. It is also hoped that in the long term, the prices may even come down due to oversupply.

The third expected benefit from the removal of subsidies is the positive impact on the kwacha value. The current cheap Zambian energy has encouraged excessive and reckless consumption, which has to be met with more imports. Imported fuel and electricity places a heavy fiscal burden on the country. The fuel bill, it has been argued, does have an effect on the country’s balance of payments, the value of the kwacha and the consequential imported inflation. The removal of subsidies, therefore, will result in savings in foreign and support Zambia’s balance of Payments. exchange

Fifth, Zambia has established a Ministry of Green Economy and Environment. The Government’s intention and vision is to turn Zambia into a green economy. A green economy is one in which the production of goods and services is done with negligible levels of pollution of land, air and water. There is a link between subsidies, consumption of energy, and climate change. Subsidies aggravate climate change by worsening local pollution and congestion by boosting energy consumption. Subsidy reform, therefore, will play an important role in helping to reduce CO2 emissions and offsetting climate change. It follows that the removal of energy subsidies by New Dawn government does constitute some policy consistency in its quest to build a green economy. The removal of subsides will encourage households, businesses and investors to invest in renewable energy. Zambia will consequently have a better energy mix than we have now.

How to succeed removing Energy Subsidies with Public Support

The removal of energy subsidies is not an easy task. It requires proper planning, properly designed mitigating measures and a good communications strategy. There are many countries in Africa, and outside the continent, who have succeeded and reaped the benefits of doing so. When one studies their experiences, there are a number of common measures that they undertook that contributed to their success. The outline of some of these measures are listed below and the Zambian government is well advised to learn from them.

First and foremost, it is imperative that the government implements measures meant to gain public support for the programme. And in order to gain public support, it is important for the government to clearly articulate the long term objectives. These objectives should include the need to improving the quality of services, the freeing up of resources for other needy sectors such as education, health etc. There is also a need to engage stockholders by consulting them and inviting them to participate in the reform process to reduce resistance to tariff increases. It is very doubtful whether the Zambian government has sufficiently engaged in this process of gaining public support and consulting important stakeholders. However, it is not yet too late to do so.

The second factor that should be considered in subsidy reform, is the need to spread out and sequence out increases in tariffs. The phased increases approach allow time for households and businesses to adjust their consumption of energy. It also give government the time to expand and strengthen the social safety nets. However, it should be noted that phasing of price increases depends on a particular country’s circumstances. There is, therefore, usually a trade-off between the objectives of achieving budgetary savings and softening the impact of reforms on households. In Zambia’s case, the indications seem to suggest that the UPND Alliance administration does not intend to go the route of spreading out the removal of subsidies. The Minister of Finance and Development Planning is on record of having said that they intend to implement certain measures which are way above what the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is demanding. He further said there is no provision for subsidies in the 2022 budget. The recent statement by the IMF that Zambia is going to take bold economic reform steps, seems to suggest that they could have been possibly referring to the “big bang” removal of subsidies by the New Dawn government. The intention of the fast pace of reform could be to maximize the budgetary savings in the short term. The strategy seems to suggest that of sustaining pain in the short term, but gaining with a booming economy by election date in 2026.

The third ingredient of a successful energy reform is a good communication strategy. The experiences of other countries have shown that a well thought out and aggressive communication strategy is a prerequisite to a successful energy reform programme. The successful implementation of the subsidy reform programme requires the formulation of an aggressive promotion strategy. It is a necessary condition to win the hearts and minds of the public. When designing such a communication strategy, it is important to assess the winners and losers from the energy subsidies removal so that appropriate messaging is formulated. This is a very important step. There is also a dire need for the government to be transparent. The communications strategy should not just entail informing the public about the potential benefits of the removal of subsidies but also the short term costs that the various stakeholders will be faced with. It is particularly important to disseminate information on the size of subsidies with subsidy expenditures compared to spending on other priority areas. The planned increases in outlays such as health, education, social benefits as a result of additional revenue freed up as a result of subsidy reform, should be particularly be emphasized. The aforementioned factors have underpinned the success of most subsidy reforms in many African countries, as well as some countries outside Africa like the Philippines, Armenia and Turkey.

In Zambia’s case, so far, there has been tit bits of communication about the energy reforms. There are some statements that have touched on some of the above issues, but it’s all been in an ad hoc fashion rather than well-coordinated and thought out. The overwhelming impression one gets is that there is an absence of a formal communication strategy by the UPND Alliance administration to market the energy reforms to the public. The government has simply not been aggressive enough to educate people about the impending removal of energy subsidies. They have been criticized for not adopting an aggressive communication strategy to educate the public about the removal of subsidies by experts and some media houses like News Diggers.

“We have noticed that no one in government is being sincere with people regarding the consequences of the decision to remove fuel subsidies. Our leaders are jumping to the fruitful end of the programme and trying to down play the immediate impact,” News Diggers wrote in an editorial of 8th December, 2021.

One of the most critical ingredient in a successful subsidy reform is the implementation of mitigation measures for the vulnerable population. There is need for the government to ensure that the poor are protected when removing energy subsidies. There are countries that adopted the targeted cash transfers which are given to beneficiaries to purchase the amount of and type of energy that suits their needs or to buy other goods and services. When cash transfers are not feasible, consideration should be given to other practical programs.

The last ingredient of a successful subsidy reform is improvements in efficiency and de-politicization of the sector. In Zambia’s case, there is a need to restructure State Owned Enterprises like Zesco and Indeni in order to ensure that there are improvements in their efficiency and a reduction of their fiscal burden on government. These reforms could be done through setting performance targets and the introduction of competition in the sector to improve their performance. As part of the de-politicization process of the energy sector, there is need for implementing an automatic price mechanism. The responsibility for implementing the automatic mechanism should be given to an independent body.

Conclusion

There is no question that the government was caught between a rock and a hard place in implementing the subsidy reforms. However, good management at household, firm and national level entails making brave informed decisions rather than emotional or politically expedient decisions. And purely on the basis of facts available, and the pro and cons of the two alternatives, the rational decision is to removal energy subsidies. The decision will certainly be painful in the short term, but beneficial in the medium to long term. It is, therefore, recommended that the government’s energy reforms should be supported by the public. However, on basis of my international experience in media as a consultant, I would advise the Government to provide for a marketing communications budget. They need to hire a marketing communications company or an Advertising Agency to design a promotion strategy so as to win over public support. Also, as part of the communication strategy, President HH is well advised to use his bully pulpit, to explain among other things: the subsidy removal, the IMF program and the accusation by his critics that he lied because he has failed to fulfil critical campaign promises, by making an end of year address to the nation.

Although I do support the removal of energy subsidies, I do not support the removal of agriculture subsidies. In my view, if IMF is making it as one of the conditions for the bail out, then it smacks of hypocrisy on their part. This is so because the IMF major shareholders: the US and Western Europe, subsidise their farmers. The Common Agriculture Policy of the European Union (EU) is a case in point. We should never let anyone play with our food security just like nobody plays with theirs. Our Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) can be improved but not eliminated, because in my view, it is sacrosanct. The Programme has made Zambia food secure since the late President Levy Mwanawasa, a farmer himself, like the current President, introduced it. There is empirical evidence that shows that growth in agriculture is four times more effective in the reduction of poverty than non-agricultural sectors growth. The FISP policy has reduced poverty tremendously without question. IMF, please do not touch FISP in your intervention, otherwise your Programme will become unpopular and bring back the 1980/90s Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP)’s bad taste in Zambians’ mouths.

The writer is a Chartered Accountant and Author. He is a retired international MSMEs Consultant and an independent financial commentator. He is also an Op-Ed Contributor to the Hong Kong based, Alibaba owned, and South China Morning Post (SCMP). Contact: [email protected]

Reynolds Bowa is new ERB Board Chairman

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Reynolds Bowa is new ERB Board Chairman

Energy Minister Peter Kapala has announced the appointment of the new Board of Directors of the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).

Mr Kapala unveiled the new Board that will be chaired by energy expert Reynolds Bowa during a press briefing in Lusaka on Monday.

Others on the Board include Economist and Betternow Finance Limited Founder and Chief Executive Officer Noel Nkoma.

Joining them will be Mr. Banji Kalenga; Mr. Michael Kachumi; Ms. Karen Banda; Sitwala Nang’alelwa and Mr. Gilbert Phiri.

Mr Bowa is an engineer and has been chief executive officer for Petrotech Oil Corporation for the last ten years.

Prior to that he worked for Caltex Oil (Zambia) Limited, Zambia Airways Corporation, and Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) at Konkola Division.

Mr. Bowa is a fellow of the Engineering Institution of Zambia and a member of the institute of Directors of Zambia.

He was appointed to the CEC Plc board on 1st September, 2012.

He chairs the Investment Committee, and is a member of Executive Committee and the Risk Committee of the CEC Plc board and also serves as a director on different boards.

Chambeshi Savours Kitwe Derby Triumph

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Coach Beston Chambeshi says Nkana were tactically disciplined when thrashing Power Dynamos 2-0 in the first installment of the 2021/2022 season’s Kitwe derby at Nkana Stadium.

The victory ended Nkana’s five-match winless home run in the derby dating back to 2O15 and came into Sunday’s Kitwe showdown with a draw and four successive straight derby defeats in Wusakile.

In a post-match interview, Chambishi hailed his team’s character in the match against Power.

“Tactically the boys were disciplined. They played a compact game which is good when you are playing a team like Power,” Chambeshi said.

“We played a better team. Power have been winning and are on top of their game and I am happy with the reaction from my boys like I said earlier. My boys have played according to the instructions from the bench,” Chambeshi said.

Chambeshi declared that Nkana are title contenders.

Nkana are third on the FAZ Super League table on 25 points, two adrift of second placed Green Eagles and a further five behind Green Buffaloes mid-way point penultimate round of games.

“We can’t run away from that (being contenders). Nkana is a big team and we are championship material. We are a team which fights for glory so we will be patient and take each game with that serious approach and we will reach our destiny,” Chambeshi said.

Unbeaten in their last four matches, Kalampa are currently enjoying a three match winning run.

State House says Nakachinda remarks are a direct attack on the integrity and independence of the Judiciary

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State House says Nakachinda remarks are a direct attack on the integrity and independence of the Judiciary

State House has described allegations insinuating that President Hakainde Hichilema is coercing judges as false and contemptuous.

Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya has said that the allegations by PF Chairperson for Information Rapheal Nakachinda are a direct attack on the integrity and independence of the Judiciary.

Mr. Bwalya says the allegations that Judges are receiving instructions from a third hand, are aimed at distorting the direction of a matter actively before the Courts of law.

He emphasized that the new administration will continue to reaffirm the independence of the three arms of government, including the Judiciary while allowing for freedom of speech for all citizens.

Mr. Bwalya further said that such freedom must be exercised and enjoyed within the confines of what the law prescribes, while any potential transgression of the law under the guise of freedom of speech must be subjected to the due review of law enforcement
agencies to ensure that no infringement has been caused.

He has since urged all citizens to continue exercising their constitutional freedoms with caution and restrain.

Mr. Bwalya further said law enforcement agencies must not hesitate to hold accountable those who will abuse basic constitutional freedoms to peddle malicious and baseless attacks against other members of the public especially those who cannot publicly defen
themselves such as members of the judiciary.

This is contained in a statement by Mr. Bwalya released to ZNBC News in Lusaka today.

Earlier today, Mr. Nakachinda was quoted as accusing the Head of State of influencing Judges in adjudicating parliamentary petitions against the PF.

Parliamentary presiding officers led by new Speaker Hon. Nelly Muti, First Deputy, Attractor Malungo Chisangano and Second Deputy Speaker, Moses Frank Moyo pose for a picture with President Hakainde Hichilema and Vice President, Mutale Nalumango at State House.
Parliamentary presiding officers led by new Speaker Hon. Nelly Muti, First Deputy, Attractor Malungo Chisangano and Second Deputy Speaker, Moses Frank Moyo pose for a picture with President Hakainde Hichilema and Vice President, Mutale Nalumango at State House.

Meanwhile, the Lusaka High Court has adjourned the delivery of a ruling in a matter where nine Patriotic Front (PF) members of Parliament whose elections results have been nullified are seeking leave for Judicial Review over their dismissal from the National Assembly

The court is now expected to deliver the ruling on the matter on Wednesday.

The matter is before Lusaka High Court Judge in Charge, Gertrude Chawatama, and Judges Mwila Kombe and Suzen Wenjelani.

Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti on December 07, 2021, ruled that nine PF members whose elections results have been nullified must not attend the proceedings of the National Assembly until further notice.

Ms. Mutti referring to article 73 of the Constructional ruled that the victims did not file an application for the stay of execution of the High Court Judgment.

This followed a point of order by United Party for National Development (UPND) Solwezi East Member of Parliament Alex Katekwa.

However other lawyers also relying on article 73 sub-article four of the Constitution have disputed the ruling by Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti.

Government provide logistical support to the bereaved families affected by the Mafinga accident

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Government provide logistical support to the bereaved families affected by the Mafinga accident

Chief Government Spokesperson Chushi Kasanda has said that the government through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) at the Muchinga Provincial Office in Chinsali, will provide logistical support to the bereaved families affected by the Mafinga accident where 11 people have died.

Ms Kasanda said that DMMU will do everything possible to lighten the burden of the bereaved families.

Ms Kasanda who is also Information and Media Minister says Government learned with deep shock and sorrow the death of eleven people in the traffic accident in Mafinga District of Muchinga Province.

In a statement to ZNBC News, Ms Kasanda said governments convey deep-felt condolences to the bereaved families on this tragic loss of life.

She said thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families for God’s strength and comfort at this painful loss.

Ms Kasanda said Government has also wishes the injured a quick recovery.

In the accident, nine people died on the spot, while two others died at Isoka District Hospital where they and other injured persons were rushed.

According to Zambia Police, Nine people among them a juvenile have died on the spot when the motor vehicle they were in overturned along the Isoka-Muyombe road in Muchinga province.

Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has confirmed the incident saying this happened yesterday around 22:00hrs at Sese Village in Mafinga District.

Mr. Hamoonga says the accident happened when a Mistubishi Fuso Fighter registration number AIB 7875 driven by Peter Simukoko aged 35 lost control and overturned at Sese Village in Mafinga District about 80 Kilometers East of Isoka town.

He says the vehicle’s braking system failed while descending Chilumbi Hills before the vehicle rolled downhill and overturned on the left side of the road.

Mr. Hamoonga says the driver and 17 other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Isoka District Hospital where they are receiving treatment while the bodies of the deceased are lying in Isoka District Mortuary Hospital awaiting postmortem.

It is believed the vehicle had 30 people on board.

ZANEC dismayed by the failure of Scholarships Board to award Loans to 8,004 eligible first-year students

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ZANEC dismayed by the failure of Scholarships Board to award Loans to 8,004 eligible first-year students

The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has noted with dismay the failure by the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB) to award loans to 8,004 eligible first-year students at the University of Zambia UNZA for the 2021/2022 academic year due to budgetary constraints.

ZANEC Executive Director George Hamusunga says 8,000 is a small number and government has no excuse to fail to provide funding especially that these are loans that should be paid back by former beneficiaries for the sole purpose to fund new students.

Mr. Hamusunga has since called upon government through the ministry of education to heighten its loan recovery program from former university students and deal with barriers to the loan facility to allow for new eligible students to have access without fail.

He is of the view that the positives that may be scored by government’s approach of scrapping off school fees at primary and secondary level will be lost if barriers in accessing higher education are not dealt with immediately to enhance value to education through skills post secondary.

Mr. Hamusunga states that higher education is directly related to economic development.

Over the weekend, the higher education loans and scholarships board-HELSB disclosed that only 2,481 students were awarded student loans out of a total of 10,485 applicants who were eligible.

PF accuse the President of meeting Judges to discuss the case of 9 PF Mps

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PF accuse the President of meeting Judges to discuss the case of 9 PF Mps

Patriotic Front (PF) chairperson for media and publicity Rapheal Nakacinda has said that the United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema allegedly met judges over the weekend to discuss the case of nine MPs.

Speaking after the hearing of the matter where nine MPs whose seats have been nullified pending appeal have sought judicial review of the speaker of national Assembly Nelly Mutti’s ruling to disallow them from taking part in parliamentary business in the High Court, Mr Nakachinda called on the judges not to fall for this manipulation by saving Zambia’s multiparty democracy.

Addressing scores of PF slogan chanting supporters and PF members of the central committee pitched up at the High Court grounds this morning to offer solidarity to PF MPS, Mr Nakachinda said that the summoning of judges to his houses was to influence them so that Mr Hichilema can introduce a one party state in the country.

Mr Nakachinda said Zambia fought so hard to get independence as well as the introduction of multipartism.

“There is one thing that has been identified by the binoculars. President Hakainde Hichilema is not sleeping, he is summoning judges to his house to try and coerce them to advance a one party state in Zambia. The only hope for this country to remain on the rail of multiparty democracy is the judiciary, ” said Hon Nakachinda.

“We call on the judges to use their conscience not the manipulation from Mr. Hichilema. We expect that the correct thing is done. Those judges that are being called to be coerced, may they have their conscience to speak to them more than the threats coming from Mr. Hichilema.”

And PF Vice President Given Lubinda said the former ruling party is getting stronger every day. He appealed to all Zambians not to allow the UPND to destroy Zambia’s multiparty democracy.

Meanwhile, PF acting Secretary-General Nickson Chilangwa indicated that Zambia does not belong to UPND alone stating that the country’s democracy should be growing every day.

Cooperating Partners commit to providing over 2.3 Billion United States Dollars to Zambia in Health Sector

Chief Editor
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Cooperating Partners commit to providing over 2.3 Billion United States Dollars to Zambia in Health Sector

Cooperating Partners in the Health sector have committed to providing over 2.3 Billion United States Dollars to Zambia from 2021 to 2023.

The support is earmarked for 136 different projects such as HIV/ AIDS, Malaria, TB,maternal and child health, COVID-19, Nutrition, adolescent health, water and sanitation, provision of critical medical supplies among others.

Speaking during the virtual Annual General Meeting with Cooperating Partners in the health sector in Lusaka today, Secretariat coordinator for health Cooperating Partners Sofia Hallqvist explains that of the total commitment, $890 million was committed this year,while $740 million has committed for 2022,with $600 million being commitment for 2023.

The partners include the World Bank,European Union,Sweden,the US,UK among others.

And Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo re-affirmed government’s resolve to strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of public and donor funds allocated to the health sector in the country.

Ms Masebo expressed concern with dwindling public and donor confidence in the health sector due to a number of reasons among them high corruption in the administration of funds.

She said this is why the government will ensure all health care resource systems are strengthened to curb any corruption activities to restore public and donor confidence in the sector.

And Chairperson for the Cooperating Partners, Nicholas Woolley has praised the New administration’s stance on zero tolerance to corruption.

Mr.Woolley who is also British High Commission to Zambia has also welcomed the recent investigations conducted by the security wings at the Ministry of Health involving misappropriation of public and donor funds, adding that the move will go a long way in bringing back donor confidence in the health sector.

He stated that going forward the Cooperating Partners are committed to increase their support to Zambia’s health care system.

Mr. Woolley further called on the government to also scale up the COVID-19 vaccination program and other support services such as oxygen supply among others to all parts of the country if the fight against the pandemic is to be controlled.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Director, Nathan Bakyaita has welcomed the government’s decision to establish a drug fund.

Dr. Bakyaita explained that in order for the fund to be properly managed, there is a need for government and its Cooperating Partners to enhance and strengthen capacity for ZAMMSA.

Zambians are eagerly waiting to see the value of changing Government-Steve Chungu

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Zambians are eagerly waiting to see the value of changing Government-Steve Chungu

Immediate past Luanshya Member of Parliament Steve Chungu says the people of Zambia are eagerly waiting to see the value of changing Government from the Patriotic Font (PF) to the United Party for National Development (UPND) last August.

Mr. Chungu said the UPND Government must strive to impact positively on the livelihood of many Zambians that voted for change in huge numbers during the August poll day.

The former Government Chief Whip in the previous PF regime said there is urgent need for the New Dawn Government to focus its attention on prioritising things that will improve the lives of people such as reduction in prices of essential commodities.

“I know there is a lot of pressure right now because of the so many promises that were made to the Zambian people and the Zambian people are expecting quite a lot from this Government because they made a decision to remove the PF Government that was in power. What the Zambian people wanted was a change to better their lives because they had reached a point where they had gone into a lot of problems. They were suffering; they could not afford to buy this and that,” said Mr. Chungu.

“Now if the UPND Government does not move this country and the expectations of the people in terms of the cost of living, the Zambian people will not take it lightly. The Zambian people are very judgmental, once they make a decision to say we are done with this, they will move on.”

Mr. Chungu said it will not help for the UPND Government to start witch hunting through arrest of their suspected political rivals witnessed in the recent past.

“Let me tell you one thing, I am one person that was not happy then when President HH was being arrested and persecuted. I was not happy and even now I am not happy with the arrests that are taking place because this country is going to get divided more than ever before. We are going to see regionalism, tribalism at its peak because of what is currently going on,” he said.

“The Zambian people are not interested in the arrests; no one is excited about that. The Zambian people are looking forward to a Government that is going to change the lives of the people by bringing affordable items of food because salaries of the people are still static but most of the goods have gone up by more than 100% so the food basket is two, three times what it was three years ago. That is why the Zambian people made a decision to change the Government. And Zambian people are expecting to see that their lives are better, not the arrests.”

Mr. Chungu said in the slightly over a hundred days the UPND has been in Government it is difficult to point out the real change in the lives of the Zambian people.

“As of now there is nothing that someone can get excited about. Even the current 2022 National Budget they are talking about there is nothing exciting about it. A budget when it is presented, those are just pronouncements that are made and looking at the way things are being managed I don’t see the Government managing that budget above 70%. I do not see that coming,” he said.

The former lawmaker opposed the removal of mineral loyalty tax as pronounced in the 2022 National Budget by Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane.

“It will be very difficult especially if you know you go and say we are removing the mineral loyalty tax and we are going to go with a profit based tax. Which mining company in Zambia has ever declared a profit in the last so many years? It has never happened so there is nothing we are ever going to benefit from our minerals because all these mining companies have offshore companies that they sell their copper to at a very low price and that is what they will declare.”

“And those offshore companies will later move the material to the London Metal exchange so there is nothing that we are going to get from these foreign run mining companies,” he concluded.

Mr. Chungu is a losing Independent Parliamentary candidate in Luanshya Constituency, who was not re-adopted by the Patriotic Front prior to the August elections.

ECZ announces the date for Kabwata Parliamentary By-Election

Chief Editor
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ECZ announces the date for Kabwata Parliamentary By-Election

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has prescribed 20th January 2022 as the date on which to hold the Kabwata Constituency Parliamentary by-election in the Lusaka District of Lusaka Province.

In a statement released to the media, the commission said that, on the same date, the Commission will also conduct two (2) Local Government Ward by-elections in Liangati Ward of Senanga Town Council in Western Province and Sokontwe Ward of Milenge District of Luapula Province.

With the nominations for by-elections taking place on Tuesday, 28th December 2021, voting will take place on 20th January 2022 from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours.

The election in Kabwata Constituency has been necessitated following the death of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Member of Parliament, Mr Levy Mkandawire on Thursday 18th November 2021. The vacancy in Liangati Ward is a result of the death of UPND Councillor Mr Mwangala Sililo on 4th November 2021. Further, the vacancy for Sokontwe Ward has been necessitated by the resignation of Independent Councillor Vincent Kunda on 28th October 2021

According to the statement, aspiring candidates in the by-elections should lodge completed and attested statutory declaration and nomination papers subscribed before a Magistrate, Local Court Magistrate, Head of a Government Primary or Secondary School, Principal of a College, Commissioner for Oaths, Election Officer or returning officer on Tuesday, 28th December 2021 between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours.

The statement further stated that the aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary by-election in Kabwata Constituency should take along with them fifteen (15) supporters who must be registered voters in the said Constituency. The supporters must have in their possession their Green National Registration Cards and Voters Cards. Male aspiring candidates for the Parliamentary by-election will be required to pay Fifteen Thousand Kwacha (K15,000), while female and youth aspiring candidates are expected to pay Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred Kwacha (K13,500) non-refundable election (nomination) fee.

The commission said that all Candidates in the by-elections must also present certified copies of their Grade 12 Certificates, as a minimum academic qualification or equivalent and in view of this, the Commission advised aspiring candidates who may wish to contest in these by-elections that failure to comply with these requirements shall render the nomination papers null and void.

The commission also said that Media personnel and Registered Non-Governmental Organisations wishing to monitor/observe the elections are advised to apply for accreditation in the respective districts which will take place from Thursday 23rd to Monday 27th December 2021, for Nominations and Sunday 16th to Wednesday 19th January 2022 for the Polls.

Accreditation for political party officials/representatives of candidates wishing to monitor elections in the districts/ wards shall only be up to a maximum of 10 members per political party, noting that only a maximum of 5 accredited members per political party/candidates and two accredited representatives of NGOs shall be authorised to represent their respective political parties or NGOs at the Collation Centre (Totalling Centre) at a given time.

Also, only five (5) senior officials of any participating political party/candidate with Electoral Commission of Zambia accreditation will be allowed to accompany aspiring candidates into the Nomination Centre during the filing of nominations. The rest of the supporters should remain outside the 400-metre parameter radius from the Nomination Centre in accordance with the law.

The commission also set the campaign period for these elections to commence on Tuesday 28th December 2021 after 15:00 hours and will end at 18:00 hours on Wednesday, 19th January 2022, adding that not more than two (2) political party members/candidate representatives per participating political party/candidate shall be allowed to witness the counting of votes at every Polling Station.

Western public opinion continuing to stigmatize China-Africa cooperation-Fred M’membe

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Western public opinion continuing to stigmatize China-Africa cooperation-Fred M’membe

Socialist Party President Fred M’membe has said that the United States government has begun to suppress and discredit China as China’s influence in Africa grows, labelling China as a threat to democracy, with Western public opinion continuing to stigmatize China-Africa cooperation.

In a statement posted on his social media account, Dr M’embe said that Africa’s international attention has grown significantly recently, in part due to the successful China-Africa cooperation.

Dr M’Membe said that since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in October 2000, China has supported Africa addressing problems that have severely restricted economic development, including inadequate infrastructure and shortage of funds, adding that China has undeniably become a driving force in Africa’s development.

Dr M’membe also said that over the last twenty years, the scope of China’s duty-free access to African products expanded considerably from 3.82 per cent to 16.13 per cent.

Dr M’membe said that Chinese companies have built 10,000 kilometres of roads, 6,000 kilometres of railroads, 30 ports, 20 airports, and 80 power stations on the continent in ten years (2008-2018). Furthermore, China has provided aid to Africa in areas such as debt relief, human resource training, and dispatching of medical and agricultural experts.

“The number of Africans trained in these cooperation projects have increased from 7,000 to 50,000 people between 2000 and 2018, totaling 172,000 people.

“Adhering to its core principles, China’s aid is provided without political conditionality and interference in the internal affairs of receiving countries, Dr M’membe wrote.

Dr M’membe also said that the Covid-19 pandemic has also impacted African economies and this cooperation.

“At the same time, against the backdrop of significant global challenges, it is important to actively plan post-pandemic cooperation and build a community of common destiny for China and African countries,” Dr M’membe concluded.

Mumba Yachi releases a short film inspired from the single TAZARA off his upcoming album

Entertainment Editor
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Mumba Yachi releases a short film inspired from the single TAZARA off his upcoming album

A short film inspired from the single TAZARA off his upcoming 7th album Chansons de l’arc-en-ciel (Songs of the rainbow). The short film is based on a love story between a Tanzanian man and Zambian woman set in the early 70’s when the Tazara railway was being constructed, the route between Zambia (Kapiri Mposhi) and Tanzania (Dar es salaam).

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