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Govt tackling army worms – Katambo

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Govt tackling army worms – Katambo

The government has provided 90 thousand liters of chemicals to be distributed to areas that have been ravaged by fall army worm, Agriculture Minister Micheal Katambo has disclosed.

Mr Katambo said his ministry has received reports of fall army worm infestation in scanty places and as such responded quickly.

“As government, we are alert to reports of armyworm infestation in maize fields since issues border on food security , as such we have bought chemicals that will be distributed to areas of need to combat the paste infestation “ he said .

ZANIS reports that Mr Katambo who is also Masaiti Member of parliament has further appealed to all agriculture extension field officers to be vigilant and report all army worm infestation.

“ I would like to appeal to all field extension officers to report all fall army worm ravaged areas to the ministry so that chemicals are supplied to the affected areas in good time to prevent damage to the crops” he indicated.

The Agriculture Minister speaking in an interview yesterday was positive that the country will remain food secure, with the quick intervention into the fall army worm infestation coupled with other factors.

“The reports of Army worms ravaging especially maize fields does not threaten the food security due the interventions taken, additionally the country has recorded good rainfall patterns this year” he explained.

He further said the government distributed farming inputs in good time and that the onus was on the farmers to ensure that there was food security both at household and national level.

Mr Katambo said the Patriotic Front government is on course in spearheading national security enhanced by the support given to farmers.

There have been reports of fall army worms ravaging maize fields in selected parts of the country.

ZCCM-IH employee nabbed for theft of gold

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ZCCM-IH employee nabbed for theft of gold

Police in Mwinilunga district has apprehended an employee of ZCCM-IH for theft of 14.28 grammes of nugget gold and a detector machine.

North Western Province Commissioner of Police, Joel Njase has confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Solwezi today and has identified the suspect as Nild Maambo, an employee of ZCCM-IH of Rentals compound in Mwinilunga district.

Mr Njase said Jolly Kangwa of Kasenseli gold mine reported yesterday on behalf of ZCCM-IH that company property has been stolen.

“Be informed that Mwinilunga Police Station received a report of theft by Servant from M/Jolly Kangwa aged 48 yrs of Kasenseli Gold Mine reporting on behalf of ZCCM-IH that the company property namely, nugget gold weighing 14.28 grams and detector machine valued at K15, 708 was stolen by M/Nild Maambo Rentals Compound, Mwinilunga an employee of ZCCM-IH.

“This occurred on 14.01.22 at about 18: 18 hrs at Kasenseli Gold Mine, Mwinilunga,” he said.

Mr Njase said the scene of crime was visited and the suspect apprehended who later led police to the recovery of the stolen items which are currently being kept at Mwinilunga police station.

The provincial police chief added that the suspect will appear in court soon.

Lusaka Province recording a good crop performance despite Army Worms

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Lusaka Province recording a good crop performance despite Army Worms

Lusaka Province Agriculture Coordinator Pascal Chipasha says despite fall armyworms invading over 26,000 hectares of agriculture fields in Lusaka, the Province is recording a good crop performance.

Mr. Chipashsa explained that the infestations of fall armyworms is a common occurrence and that farmers are now able to fight the pests.

The Provincial Agriculture Coordinator said in an interview with ZANIS that 26,258 hectares of crop fields have been invaded by the worms and that 43,908 farmers have been affected.

Mr Chipasha observed that the pests have not caused much damage because the province is currently recording increased rains which has also reduced the infestation of the crop fields.

He stated that officers are currently distributing chemicals that were released by the government and that all the seven districts of the Province have been affected.

Mr Chipasha noted that Chongwe recorded the highest infestation of 6,741 hectares while Chilanga reported 6,228 hectares that were infested by armyworms.

He stated that 4,742 and 3,805 hectares were affected in Chirundu and Lusaka districts respectively.

“3,056 crop fields were affected in Rufunsa while 951 hectares were affected in Kafue district. Luangwa district reported the lowest pest infestation where 735 hectares were affected. He said.

Increased murder cases among youths worrying – Mulenga

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Increased murder cases among youths worrying – Mulenga

Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development, Emmanuel Mulenga has called young people in the country, especially those in relationships to stop killing each other whenever they are aggrieved.

Mr. Mulenga says the government is concerned with the increased statistics of murder cases among youths who are in relationships.

He said this yesterday when he met over five hundred youths that have been placed in various institutions under the youth empowerment and apprenticeship programme at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Mr. Mulenga said if not curtailed, the trend is set to rob Zambia of future population and leaders and has since advised youths to exercise patience and tolerance when dealing with issues.

Mr. Mulenga said the rate at which the murder cases among young people are escalating calls for urgent intervention from all stakeholders among them parents, the church and community leaders in ensuring the scourge is curtailed.

“The rates of murder cases withing relationship among the youths have actually gone up. There will be no Zambia without you tomorrow if you keep on killing each other,” Mr. Mulenga said.

The Minister has attributed the increase in murder cases among young couples because most of them are just into marriages before knowing each other well.

Mr. Mulenga said he foresaw a society of murders if the trend is left unchecked and has to this effect urged youths to sort out their differences amicably and consider each other as special and important members of their respective families.

He has since called on those in relationships not to rush into marriage but spend enough time with each other, a situation he said will provide a necessary platform for young couples to know each other well.

Mr. Mulenga has also called on young people to use social media to preach messages of peace and love among themselves rather than spreading hate and insults.

Message to Dr Nevers Mumba: Zambia has no capacity to analyze a Vaccine

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Message to Dr Nevers Mumba: Zambia has no capacity to analyze a Vaccine

By Dr Teddy Andrew Mulenga

Nevers Mumba is a former classmate of mine at Hillcrest in Livingstone 1974-1978. He went the Pastoral route, I went the Medical route, but that is alright I have the greatest respect for him and he is an intelligent man and a damn good Preacher Man. But when he says no Covid Vaccine to be used in Zambia till our own Scientists have tested and verified the safety and effectiveness of the yet to arrive Covid Vaccine, this is where he seems not to understand the following…

  1. Zambia has no capacity to analyze a Vaccine. What Zambian Scientists do for any drug or Vaccine is to look at the research results, the methodologies of research, the conclusions reached, Peer-reviewed papers, by those who have conducted studies on such. You can’t physically break them up and analyze, as he seems to suggest.
  2. The World has reputable institutions like CDC(Centre for Disease Control) USA, FDA(Food Drug Agency) USA, British Scientific bodies, The Russian Academy of Science, Chinese Academy of Science and others including WHO. These when they recommend a drug or Vaccine, you have nothing to worry about.
  3. No one has ever said there is Vaccine or drug with no side effects. But what the Scientists follow is the benefit Vs side effects. Minimal side effects are acceptable in drug use.
  4. No one has said they with certainty know the long term effects of the Covid Vaccine as it has just entered usage stage. In the short term there is plenty evidence of their safety. The monitoring will continue.
  5. No Zambian Scientist analyzed the ARVs saving lives today nor the Polio, Measles, Small Pox, BCG or any other Vaccine in use today.

It’s therefore unfortunate for Nevers to send wrong signals to Zambians suggesting they should reject the Vaccine till some analysis is done. We have plenty of conspiracy theories flying around and anything indirectly promoting this is rather very unfortunate. Our Scientists have already looked at the available research and have advised we all take the Covid Vaccine when given the chance.
The plan will be to cover the Health workers, Teachers, the old, those with underlying health problems in a 20% first strike.

Let us not deflect these plans with wild demands!

Dr Nevers Mumba’s Response

I have taken note of the comment and feedback from Dr Andrew Mulenga in regards to my statement on the need to validate the coming vaccine. I wish to confirm that my colleague Andrew was my classmate at Hillcrest in the 70’s. Great fellow indeed.
My only concern is that he is focusing on what I am not asking. My position is simply to challenge government to ensure that they do the verification. They then inform the citizens about the processes taken. Yes, this is hard work, but government must consider it as the most important part of this vaccine rollout.

Andrew refers to previous inoculations which we took without question. This does not count. Times have changed now. Social media has been flooded with information most of which is not true but unfortunately being consumed by our citizens. We did not have this amount of information in the polio and small pox days which Andrew is using as reasons why Africans must just accept whatever is given without question.

The only way to give confidence is by mounting a responsible campaign to intelligently convince an overly enlightened generation that the vaccine is safe. Threats and political power are insufficient to suppress people’s views. What people need is respect by having government assure them of the safety of this vaccine. Governments have a responsibility to convince citizens on the safety of the vaccine. To defend the status quo is almost an insult to Zambians.

The five points raised by my friend Dr. Mulenga have very little to do with my point.

  1. That Zambia has no capacity to analyze the safety of the Vaccine: This point does not advance his argument but affirms my point. Zambians have the right to know that their government has done due diligence.
  2. The World has reputable institutions like the American CDC: This is a dangerous path. The Tuskegee syphilis Experiment of 1932 undermines our confidence in the CDC. Please google this unfortunate abuse of black people with a lethal vaccine.
  3. No one says the vaccine has no side effects: Wow! At least tell Zambians this and work on a research which helps us to understand what these side effects could be.
  4. No one knows the long term effects of the vaccine: To sustain such a position would make us a bunch of irresponsible leaders who can become a danger to future generations.
  5. No Zambian Scientist ever analyzed previous vaccines: This does not mean we were right not to analyze the earlier vaccines. As Africans, I think we are now of age and therefore free to ask questions. This is not 1967 but 2021. If asking our government to tell us what is inside the “food” they are giving us is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.

 

I thank You.

Dr. Nevers Mumba

Zesco United Wary of Limping Nkana

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Zesco United coach Mumamba Numba says they will not underrate their limping rivals Nkana in this Sundays Copperbelt derby clash away at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.

Unlike Nkana who have not enjoyed a Christmas break, Zesco return to action after a month away since drawing 0-0 away to Green Eagles on December 18.

Defending league champions Nkana come into the game after an important 2-1 home win over Red Arrows to ease their all-round woes this season.

“Playing Nkana, we expect a tough game especially that they are coming from a victory after beating Red Arrows while we have been preparing for the game since our last game against Green Eagles,” Numba said.

“The good thing is most of our players who were injured are fir and ready to play.”

Striker Jesse Were and midfielder Thaban Kamusoko are fit after injury spells while Numba has described Tafadzwa Rusike as 80 percent fit to make the 40 minute drive from Ndola to Kitwe.

Meanwhile, Zesco head into the match on the back of a six match unbeaten run with three wins and as many draws on 19 points and are four points behind leaders Prison Leopards and two adrift of second placed Zanaco.

“Of course when big teams like Zesco and Nkana are playing against each other, every player is naturally motivated and they want to prove a point so we expect that as we go Nkana who are coming from a victory and their spirits are very high,” Numba said.

“So we just have to go there and work very hard so that we come back with a victory.”

Mayuka and Chamanga Shine in Lusaka Derby

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2012 AFCON icons Emmanuel Mayuka and James Chamanga scored for their respective sides on Saturday when Red Arrows and Napsa Stars drew 2-2 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Mayuka scored a brace for visitors Napsa while Chamanga scored Arrows’ opening goal in an entertaining Lusaka derby.

Mayuka got the show on the road when he hooked on to Jacob Ngulube’s cross with his right foot and on the turn fired in a sublime shot.

But Chamanga refused to be upstaged and he tapped in with ease a neat pass from Allasane Diarra in the 25th minute.

Diarra again was provider in the 42nd minute this time for Joseph Phiri who also tapped in the ball in similar fashion.

But Arrows lead lasted until the 61st minute when Napsa won a penalty after Ngulube was fouled by Francis Simwanza.

Mayuka stepped up to send Arrows goalkeeper Kenny Mumba the wrong way.

Mayuka takes his league tally to 4 league goals and 7 in all competition.

His fellow AFCON gold medal winner Chamanga took his seasons tally to 3 league goals from twelve rounds played.

Arrows are eighth on 16 points while Napsa stay third from bottom at number 16 with 11 points from ten games and three matches in hand.

Meanwhile, Prison Leopards reclaimed top spot of the FAZ Super Division following a 2-0 home win over Forest Rangers at Presidents Stadium in Kabwe.

Francis Zulu scored in the 1st minute and substitute Kobe Chipeta added the final goal in stoppage time of the 90minutes.

Prison have 23 points, two points more than Zanaco who drop to second.


FAZ SUPER DIVISION WEEK 13 RESULTS AND FIXTURES
15/01/2021
Nkwazi 0-Lusaka Dynamos 0
16/01/2021
Kitwe United 0-Lumwana Radiants 0
Prison Leopards 2-Forest Rangers 0
Indeni 0-Buildcon 1
Green Buffaloes 2-Kabwe Warriors 0
Red Arrows 2-Napsa Stars 2
17/01/2021
Nkana-Zesco United
Green Eagles-Young Green Eagles

President Lungu’s Copperbelt visit was a disaster

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President Lungu’s Copperbelt visit was a disaster

Cosmas Musumali, Socialist Party General Secretary and First Vice President have said that President Edgar Lungu’s working visit on the Copperbelt was a disaster in many ways.

According to Dr Musumali, this was the President’s first visit to the Copperbelt Province in 2021. The province has been a bastion of PF support over the past years. Being the first trip, it was planned to provide a good start for the President’s and his Party’s campaign towards the August 2021 elections.

However, things have changed. The people of the Copperbelt need change. President Lungu and the PF are now becoming history. People were not willing to attend President Lungu’s meetings. His ministers and cronies had to resort to bribes to mobilise a resemblance of presence and support. This effort didn’t work in Mufulira and it ended up being a huge embarrassment for President Lungu and the PF establishment.

“As a Socialist Party we are today the fastest growing political power on the Copperbelt. Increasingly, more people see in us the alternative to the failed experimentation with neo-liberal capitalism that has sent thousands of workers jobless on the street and is today failing to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Secondly, the trip came at huge cost to the Zambian taxpayer. The entourage was big – involving hundreds of vehicles from Lusaka and the Copperbelt. Three choppers and the presidential Jet were also assigned. The defence and security deployment was massive. The habit of dishing out brown envelopes continued. Its is an extremely reckless way spending the taxpayers money at a time that millions of Zambian lives are at stake due to the pandemic and with a health system that is poorly resourced.

“Thirdly, the trip also reminded us of the retrogressive role played by the Civil Aviation Authority and our Zambia Airforce. The two institutions have in the past been used to constrain political opposition leaders’ air travel during election campaigns. We are in January – still a distance from the official campaign period, but this form of rigging and intimidation has already begun! We are cognisant of the immense difficulties the two institutions work under. However short term political appeasement has eroded the confidence of the masses of our people in these two key national institutions. The Zambian people have to win back these two institutions; President Lungu and the PF must go! The damage they are causing is irreparable.

Zambia confirms hiring London PR firm to do damage control on debt issues

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Zambia confirms hiring London PR firm to do damage control on debt issues

The Zambian government has awarded a six month contract to a UK consultancy to help manage communications regarding the country’s debt restructuring process.

Highgate Advisory Ltd will handle Zambia’s public relations issues on debt for six months at a cost of GBP 333,403.54

According to information on its website, Highgate is strategic counsel advisory firm, working directly for CEOs, political leaders, and prominent individuals throughout the world.

“Drawing on senior expertise from the political, corporate intelligence and media sectors, Highgate’s consultants design and execute political, business and communication strategies, manage crises, and improve clients’ operations, reputation and stakeholders’ relations,” the website states.

The decision to award the contract to Highgate was confirmed by Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba in a statement.

“As part of Government’s ongoing process aimed at restoring Zambia’s public debt sustainability, it became necessary to engage a specialized communication firm with experience in debt restructuring related communication to ensure effective communication with all creditors and stakeholders,” Mr Yamba said.

Mr Yamba stated that it is international best practice for countries restructuring their external debt to hire a financial advisor, a legal advisor and a communication advisor to assist in the restructuring process.

Mr Yamba said the recruitment of Highgate was done in line with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act and that five international firms were invited to participate in the international tender and three submitted their proposals.

“Highgate Advisory Ltd was the best evaluated bidder during the evaluation process and was therefore engaged by the Government for this assignment. The engagement is for a period of six (06) months, at a total cost of GBP 333,403.54.”

He said Highgate is specialized in debt restructuring communication and has assisted a number of countries in debt restructuring programs.

“As the Communication Advisor to the Republic of Zambia, Highgate will work in collaboration with Zambia’s financial and legal advisors, Lazard Freres and White & Case LLP respectively, to manage communications with respect to all aspects of the debt management process in order to promote transparency during the debt management process and facilitate timely dissemination of information about the debt management process to all domestic and international stakeholders.”

He said the consulting is also expected to facilitate and support Zambia’s communication with all creditors including international bondholders,
promote Zambia as an investment destination a d foster international diplomatic support from bilateral partners including the enhancemeng of communication of Zambia’s economic developments with all stakeholders and encourage support from both international and domestic stakeholders to the Government’s debt management exercise.

He said Government is confident that the engagement of the communication advisor will add value to the ongoing debt management process and will facilitate the timely and transparent flow of information to its domestic and international stakeholders regarding this process.

“Due to the nature of the debt restructuring exercise, it may be necessary to procure such specialized short term advisory/consultancy services as and when required.”

Fr Michael Kelly dies

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Fr Michael Kelly dies

Renowned Zambian Jesuit priest of Irish origin, Fr. Michael Kelly(92) has died.

This was announced by Fr Leonard Chiti who is the First Provincial for the Jesuits of the Province comprising Zambia, Malawi, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

“It is with great sadness and grief of the loss of our companion, Fr Michael J Kelly SJ,” he wrote.

“Eternal Rest grant unto Michael and may perpetual light shine upon him.”

Professor Father Michael J Kelly SJ. was born in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland, in 1929.

He studied at University College Dublin and was awarded a B.A. in Maths and Mathematical Physics in 1952, both with first class honours.

He went on to receive a licentiate in philosophy in 1955.

He moved to Zambia where he has lived and worked for over 50 years, becoming a Zambian citizen.

He worked for many years as headmaster of Canisius Secondary School, one of the earliest centres of learning in Zambia.

The school is located at Chikuni Mission about 10 Km East of Chisekesi town in Monze.

Father Michael completed his PhD studies in the area of child and educational psychology in 1974 and subsequently became a senior lecturer and Dean of the School of Education in the University of Zambia (UNZA), in 1975.

He served as pro-vice chancellor and deputy vice chancellor and became professor in 1989.

The pioneering work of the Irish Jesuit, as an educator and a campaigner for HIV/AIDS in his adopted home of Zambia.

He is also a renowned speaker and advocate on HIV and AIDS, and has worked tirelessly to educate and promote safe behaviour among youth and those most at risk in Zambia, throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and much further afield.

He was also active in other policy areas, such as strategies for HIV prevention, and human rights.

A prolific researcher and writer, Father Michael has authored 15 books, and many original research articles.

Throughout his long and distinguished career, Father Michael has worked as a consultant to organisations such as the World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF, the FAO, UNAIDS, Oxfam, Irish Aid, and many more.

Over the next 60 years, he held a series of appointments across the country, which resulted in his nomination as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zambia in 1980 and a promotion to Professor of Education in 1989.

He worked tirelessly to get rid of the stigma of HIV/AIDS through education and advocacy work across Zambia and further afield.

Fr Kelly has been the recipient of many awards, in Ireland and abroad for his aid work.

In recognition of his contribution to education in Zambia and worldwide HIV advocacy, the Association of Commonwealth Universities presented him with the Symons Award in September 2003.

He has received several honorary degrees including Doctor of Science (2004), from the University of the West Indies, Doctor of Laws from NUI (2006) and an honorory doctorate from the Royal College of Surgeons (2012).

He received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award from President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Úachtaráin in November 2012, which honours the Irish diaspora in recognition of its sustained and distinguished service abroad.

Zuma Sneaked into Zambia, met President Lungu

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Zuma Sneaked into Zambia, met President Lungu

Former South African President Jacob Zumba last weekend visited Zambia in an unannounced visit.

He arrived late Saturday and held an hour long meeting with President Lungu on Sunday at State House.

State House sources confirmed that Mr Zuma met with President Lungu but the nature of the visit has been kept secret.

“We know President Zuma was here on a secret mission. We are yet to be furnished with details of his visit,” one source said.

Other sources revealed that Mr Zuma praised President Lungu’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The sources said former South African leader said President Lungu has done a much better job compared to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.

“He told the President that he has done very well so far compared to his friend in South Africa who has been locking down the country with no success. President Zuma said your friend has brought tankers and a full military to the cities but cases are still going up,” the source said.

The South African liberation struggle icon later took time to meet the Mvunga family at Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga’s farm estate near Chongwe

Former South African President Jacob Zumba with the the Mvunga family at Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga’s farm estate near Chongwe.
Former South African President Jacob Zumba with the the Mvunga family at Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga’s farm estate near Chongwe.
Former South African President Jacob Zumba with the the Mvunga family at Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga’s farm estate near Chongwe.
Former South African President Jacob Zumba with the the Mvunga family at Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga’s farm estate near Chongwe.

Let the Students at UNZA sit for Exams-HH

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Let the Students at UNZA sit for Exams-HH

By Hakainde Hichilema UPND President

Yet again, the UNZA administration is refusing to allow students to sit for their final exams due to unpaid fees. We believe that education is a right and not a privilege. As such, we must pursue an amicable compromise that enables our students to progress.

The PF government are well aware of the economic hardship and the difficulty that our people face to even have a day of balanced meals. In view of this, we must exercise compassion and allow our students to write their exams and give them time to pay before they are eligible to graduate.

As we have stated before, UNZA’s perennial problems have been left unattended for far too long and they won’t go away unless and until the PF systemizes allocation of public resources to core areas such as education of our youth.

We repeat, UNZA students must be allowed to write their exams and the PF must redirect the resources that they lavish on political campaigns and bribing people, to resolving the financial problems at the University of Zambia.

We further wish to reiterate our long held position as UPND that when elected into government, all deserving students especially those from poor families will be granted Bursaries and no one will be turned away from writing exams on account of not paying their University fees.

The UPND will ensure that education is once more a core priority of government, and in that regard will reintroduce meal allowances and expand and enhance bursary opportunities to all tertiary institutions, to ensure growth in human capital for the betterment of our communities.

Our children are the future and our investment in them is what will determine whether the future will be bright, or not.

Let the students write!

Only K29, 448.36 is still owed by Former Ministers who over stayed in Office-Accountant General

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Only K29, 448.36 is still owed by Former Ministers who over stayed in Office-Accountant General

The Ministry of Finance has said that a total of K4, 266, 664.10 has been refunded by owing Ministers that stayed in office after dissolution of parliament in 2016.

The refunds were paid to Cabinet Ministers, Provincial Ministers, and Deputy Ministers who served between May and August 2016.

In a statement issued to the media, Ministry of Finance Accountant General Kennedy Musonda said a sum of K4, 237, 215.74 out of K4, 266, 664.10 has been refunded according to their records.

Mr Musonda stated that the refunds made, represents a recovery rate of 99.3%.

He disclosed that the outstanding amount is now K29, 448.36, only.

“The Ministry of Finance, through my office, will again update the nation once the outstanding amount of K29, 448.36 is cleared in full. At that point, hopefully, this matter will be brought to closure from a treasury point of view,” he said.

Mr Musonda added that of the total repaid amount, a sum of K2, 570, 058.30 was made through bulk deposits while the remaining amount came from individuals.

Kansanshi Mine salutes labour leaders for successful negotiations for new condition of service

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Kansanshi Mine salutes labour leaders for successful negotiations for new condition of service

KANSANSHI Mining Plc management has saluted labour leaders from five trade unions for the commitment exhibited during the just-ended collective bargaining process for improved conditions of service for the 2,350 unionised workers at the First Quantum Minerals’ subsidiary mine.

The management team from Kansanshi Mining Plc and union leaders from the Mineworkers’ Union of Zambia (MUZ), National Union of Mining and Allied Workers (Numaw), United Mineworkers Union of Zambia (UMUZ), Miners and Allied Workers Union (MAWU) and Consolidated Mining and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CMAWUZ) agreed to a salary increment of 15 percent for this year and 11 percent for 2022.

The negotiations for the 2021 to 2022 collective agreement which commenced in October 2020 were successfully concluded on Wednesday this week after 13 bargaining sessions.

Kansanshi Mining Plc general manager, Anthony Mukutuma, thanked all the representatives from the five trade unions for the commitment displayed in securing better conditions for their members.

He said the mining company was grateful that union representatives from both branch committees and national executive committees, who sat on the collective bargaining unit (CBU) showed maturity in ensuring that they sealed the best terms and conditions for their members and appreciated their resolve to continue supporting the company’s productivity improvement efforts.

“Kansanshi Mining Plc is pleased to announce that it has concluded negotiations for improved conditions of service for the next two years with five trade unions which, collectively, represent 2,350 unionised employees at its mine in Solwezi,” Mr Mukutuma said in a statement released yesterday.

He said management was pleased that a collective bargaining agreement was now in place and that the employees and management can therefore focus on production, supporting local communities and, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, building business resilience.

Some of the highlights from the agreed conditions of service, are that, the minimum basic salary for the lowest paid employees has been adjusted to K4,460 per month, education allowance has increased to K2,800 per term for 2021 and to K3,108 per term for 2022.

The parties also agreed to introduce a company-sponsored private pension scheme for all employees to which Kansanshi Mining Plc would contribute five percent of an employee’s basic salary. – Story courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS.

Local government workers in six percent salary increment

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Local government workers in six percent salary increment

Government has awarded local authorities and fire services workers a six percent salary increment graduated in the range of three to eight percent.

This came to light at a signing ceremony held at Twangale Park in Lusaka yesterday.

Local Government Permanent Secretary Eddy Chomba said improved salaries and conditions of services would be financed using the Local government equalisation Fund and local authorities locally generated revenues.

Bishop Chomba directed local authorities to ensure that they develop strategies to improve revenue collection efficiency and productivity to enable councils provide satisfactory services to people and pay wages on time.

He said the Ministry of Local Government will also strive to ensure that the collection of revenue by councils is improved.

Bishop Chomba further said government would continue to release Local Government Equalisation Fund monthly amid austerity and economic recovery measures embarked on and amid the COVID-19 era.

“This measures are aimed at improving the economic performance of the nation, thereby demonstrating the importance that the government attaches to ensuring that councils provide satisfactory services to the people,” he said.

Earlier, Zambia Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU) President Kingsley Zulu appealed to government to strictly adhere to the resolutions from the negotiations and not shelf them.

Mr Zulu also expressed the need to restructure the way negotiations are conducted by not creating a feeling that the outcome is predictable.

“We demand to see more in future negotiations because we do not come to the table with the sole purpose of achieving salary increments but also to better the conditions of service of employees,” he said.

And Fire Services Union of Zambia (FIRESUZ) president Josphat Zulu reminded government that workers motivation has a direct positive impact on the production and service delivery.

Mr Zulu said his union had noted with sadness that the government has continued to offer workers salary increments that translate to almost nothing.

He also expressed the need for government to ensure that markets and bus stations, which are the main sources of revenue for councils are depoliticised.

“The interference in Markets and bus stations is what has led to indebtedness in councils countrywide,” Mr Zulu said.

Meanwhile Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) Chairperson Amos Musonda directed all council Town clerks in the country to open their doors to union leaders to make sure they resolve conflicts that may arise from time to time.

Ambassador Musonda said militant unionism is ancient, hence the need to always promote dialogue.

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