The Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations in Geneva, represented by Ambassador Martha Mwitumwa has concluded its term as chairperson for the Group of 77 and China, Geneva Chapter for the year 2020.

The Permanent Mission of Zambia has since handed over the chairmanship to the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan who served as the Vice-Chairperson of the Group during Zambia’s tenure.

Speaking during the Handover Ceremony held in Geneva on 14th January 2021, Outgoing Chairperson Ambassador Mwitumwa thanked the Group for the great honour accorded to her to represent the interests of the Group particularly through the turbulent and unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said the group was strong, commitment and supportive during the challenging period and was happy with the many achievements attained.

The Envoy said the achievements made included the establishment of the Standing dialogue on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on developing countries.

Ambassador Mwitumwa indicated that the successful completion of the Group’s Position Paper in preparation for the Fifteenth session of the UNCTAD quadrennial conference to be held in 2021 was important.

She explained that the Group also achieved the historical adoption of the terms of reference for the Working Party on Programme and Budget under UNCTAD.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the regional delegation coordinators as well as the friends of the chair for providing invaluable support, input and experience to the Group.

“I would like to thank the Secretary General of UNCTAD, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi and his deputy Madam Isabel Durant, the full senior management team, the Secretary of the Trade and Development Board and the Group Liaison Section for their unwavering support during her tenure,” she thanked.

Ambassador Mwitumwa appreciated the work of her officers at the Permanent Mission of Zambia in coordinating all the activities for the Group.

The Handing over Ceremony was attended by the Secretary-General of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Dr Mukhisa Kituyi and the Geneva-based Ambassadors of the Member States of the Group of 77 and China.

The G77 and China is the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the United Nations, which provides a means for the countries of the South to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues within the United Nations system.

It also promotes South-South cooperation for development and consists of 135 Member States.

This is according to statement issued to the media by The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations in Geneva and Approved by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Save Lives Foundation President Younus Essa has welcomed President Edgar Lungu’s directive to extend the date of reopening of schools due to the rising COVID-19 cases.

Mr Essa says the move by the head of state deserves support and commendation looking at the risk that would have come with going ahead with the opening of schools amidst the second wave of the pandemic.

He told Smart Eagles in interview that President Lungu has acted in the interest of majority stakeholders who feel opening of schools at this time is not appropriate.

“Let us all rally behind President Lungu and support all the interventions that have been put in place” Mr Essa says.

And Mr Essa has called on all Zambians to treat the pandemic as serious and not as a hoax in order to reduce the number of new infections as well deaths.

“Numbers of new infections are now in thousands and this is a source of worry to all of us and should compel us to heighten social distancing and mandatory wearing of masks” Mr Essa said.

He says all the campaigns against the pandemic should be done holistically in order for the fight to be won.

Zambian Hemp Growers and Industries Association (ZamHemp) President Peter Sinkamba says the production of cannabis can solve some economic challenges brought by the negative impact of COVID-19.

Mr. Sinkamba reiterates that one of the ways in which the economy can be boosted is through the operationalization of the cannabis industry.

Mr. Sinkamba who also doubles as Green Party President was speaking with ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today.

“We need additional revenue streams which should be able to assist the government to provide the necessary budget support,” he said.

He also stated that the industry would be able to create job opportunities in the country.

Mr. Sinkamba hopes that the government is likely to table the Industrial herbal bill and the controlled substances bill when parliament opens on January 26, 2021.

The ZamHemp president said he is hopeful that the two bills would be passed by February 2021 so that the framework for licensing of employers and processors of industrial herb and medical cannabis is commenced.

Mr. Sinkamba further appealed to all members of parliament to support the bills when they are presented in parliament.

ZamHemp is an association that promotes the cultivation, production, manufacturing, distribution, and coordination of hemp businesses in Zambia.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has warned that the Consolidated Miners and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CMAWUZ) faces deregistration in the next three months for willful violations of the Labour Act and failure to comply with the constitutional requirements of the Union.

Labour Commissioner, Givens Muntengwa said he has since given CMAWUZ a three months’ notice in line with section 12 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act to show cause why the union should not be deregistered.

Mr Mutengwa, explained in a press statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, that the union has failed to hold a quadrennial conference and fill up vacant positions as espoused by the Union’s constitution despite several reminders from the Labour Commissioner’s office.

And Mr Mutengwa says the ministry of Labour has sanctioned and will supervise the forthcoming elective quadrennial conference for the Agricultural Technical and Professional Staff Union of Zambia (ATPSUZ).

Labour Commissioner Givens Muntengwa said the holding of the quadrennial conference has been sanctioned following the determination by the court of appeal that Joe Kamutumwa was wrongly removed from office.

In the matter of Hacholi Makondo and Others vs Attorney General and Joe Kamutumwa, the court directed that some union members who were in management scales vacate their union positions in line with the Industrial and Labour Relations Act, Cap. 269 of the Laws of Zambia.

The Labour Commissioner assured the general public that it shall superintend over the preparations and of holding of the quadrennial conference which shall be held as earlier communicated.

Mr Muntengwa stressed that the list of delegates to the conference will be drawn in accordance with the constitution of the union and ensure compliance of necessary laws.

The Labour Commissioner appealed to the union members to remain calm and desist from unnecessary maneuvers that can cause confusion in the union.

He assured that the books of accounts of the union shall be subjected to a thorough audit.

“I shall, in exercise of the powers vested in me under Section 21 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act, appoint an auditor to render a report on the finances of the union”, said Mr Mutengwa.

Motorists in Lusaka district have expressed concern over the lack of traffic and speed limit signs on most roads.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS today, Simbisai Kalonga said the lack of road signs has brought about uncertainty when driving especially during the many construction works.

“It is hard to tell whether some roads are merging or have filter lanes, humps, or corners because there are no guidelines to show how the roads are,” she said.

Ms Simbisai said there is confusion on the road and that this makes drivers guessing what to do while on the road.

“We know that the roads are for our benefit but the faster they put signs and paintings the less confusion there will be,” she said.

She added that even after they have finished painting and putting signs they should ensure they maintain the road signs and paintings.

Meanwhile, Lusaka City Public Relation’s Officer George Sichimba said most road signs and street lights have been uprooted under the Lusaka decongestion and L400 road expansion projects and will only be put back when the works have been completed.

Mr. Sichimba has appealed to motorists to drive with caution in townships with a speed limit of 30 to 40 Kilometers per hour because of the road works taking place.

He said road users should drive at recommended speed especially in the rain season considering that roads get slippery.

“The council is working with various stakeholders in replacing and expanding the road networks which started last year,” he said.

Lusaka City Council will this week deploy officers to cemeteries to ensure adherence to covid-19 guidelines in line with the Presidential directive that public gatherings should not exceed 50 people.

Mayor Miles Sampa says the council police will be deployed to Leopards hill, Chunga, and Chingwere cemeteries to ensure that not more than 50 people are allowed to each burial.

Mr Sampa in an interview observed that people have continued to defy the presidential directive by attending funerals in large numbers which he said puts them at risk of contracting the disease.

He said that the officers will only allow access to 50 mourners to each grave site.

“We will place council police at all entrances of the Lusaka City Council cemeteries and we will be doing something similar to what is being done at memorial park which is a private cemetery, where we request for a list of people who are supposed to be in attendance. Those that will not be on the list will be sent back,” he said.

He stated that the council will be firm to protect lives though he noted that it would be difficult.

Mr Sampa said the council does not have adequate manpower to control the situation and stated that they will rely on families to cooperate and bear with the situation at hand.

The Lusaka mayor said it would be ideal for people to attend burials at an invitation rather than attending funerals where they are not invited.

“The Council police will be deployed to Leopards hill, Chunga, and Chingwere cemeteries to ensure that not more than 50 people are allowed to each burial,” he said

Mr Sampa in an interview on HOT FM observed that people have continued to defy the presidential directive by attending funerals in large numbers a scenario which puts them at risk of contracting the disease.

He said that the officers will only allow access to 50 mourners to each grave site.

“We will place council police at all entrances of the Lusaka City Council cemeteries and we will be doing something similar to what is being done at memorial park which is a private cemetery, where we request for a list of people who are supposed to be in attendance. Those that will not be on the list will be sent back,” he said.

Meanwhile, mourners have continued to gather in large numbers at Chunga cemetery.

A check at the burial site found hundreds gathered as they buried their loved ones with some still saying that Covid-19 is a hoax.

Greyson Phiri of Chunga said the African tradition demands that people should gather to bury their loved ones in a dignified manner.

Phiri said that it is not true that the disease can be spread at a funeral gathering saying even the health personnel do not understand the disease because it is a hoax.

“Bamene bakamba ati tikazivala ma mask ndiye bamene badwala so ninshi sivisebenza (Those that say we should be wearing masks are the ones that are being infected).” He said.

But Kalunga Bwalya said it is unfortunate the people have continued to disregard the health guidelines despite the intensified sensitization campaigns that have been carried out in the country.

Lusaka which is the epicenter for Covid-19 has continued to record increased new cases of the disease and deaths on a daily basis and authorities have enhanced efforts to ensure adherence to masking, maintenance of the physical distance and regular hand wash among residents.