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Zambia must re-engage Bondholders and Seek Sustainable Solutions to Debt Problems

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Zambia must re-engage Bondholders and Seek Sustainable Solutions to Debt Problems

ActionAid Zambia has said that the Zambia Government re-engage Bondholders and Seek Sustainable Solutions to Debt Problems.

In a statement released to the media, ActionAid Zambia said that Zambia defaulted on its interest payments on the US$3 Billion Eurobonds as of Friday 13th November 2020 and urged government to re-engage bondholders regarding the six (6) months interest payment relief hoping that bondholders would reconsider the status quo and demonstrate a measure of humanity, and recognize the suffering that its actions will inflict on millions of Zambian women and children who are already living in poverty.

Below is the full statement

GOVERNMENT MUST RE-ENGAGE BONDHOLDERS AND SEEK SUSTAINABLE
SOLUTIONS TO OUR DEBT PROBLEM.

Zambia defaulted on its interest payments on the US$3 Billion Eurobonds as of Friday 13th November 2020. This came in the wake of bondholders rejecting government’s request for six (6) months interest payment relief.

As ActionAid Zambia, we are concerned with the latest developments on two fronts: worsening credit ratings with dwindling prospects to attract future financing and consequences/penalties arising from this default. Fitch ratings, a credit rating agency already downgraded Zambia to almost junk status after government sought to delay interest payments to bondholders in September 2020. As a developing country, Zambia needs attract sustainable foreign investment which responds to the economic needs of the country. However, with a poor credit rating this will affects investor confidence and eventually lead to capital flight. This may further weaken the economy by the possible contraction of GDP as well as currency depreciation.

We would therefore like to urge government to re-engage bondholders regarding the six (6) months interest payment relief. Our hope is that bondholders reconsider the status quo and demonstrate a measure of humanity and recognize the suffering that its actions will inflict on millions of Zambian women and children who are already living in poverty. The vulnerable Zambians are the big losers in this case, as government will further be handcuffed in providing any gender responsive public services due to the rejection by bondholders to grant Zambia a debt interest payment relief.

It is our considered view that the debt relief will be necessary to ensure that the most vulnerable Zambians do not suffer the consequences of the country’s debt mismanagement amidst Covid-19. On the other hand, the Zambian government must also genuinely seek to address some of the issues and concerns raised by bondholders such as lack of transparency regarding Chinese loans and government not having a clear strategy on public debt management. Chinese lending institutions, whether state-run or quasi-commercial, should clearly state how much they have lent to our government and the loan terms and conditions involved. The Zambian government should also be more transparent on its borrowings and finances and provide a clear strategy on public debt management which is key in assuring lenders our commitment towards debt sustainability.

More importantly, we would like to remind the government that in as much as seeking debt interest payment relief seems to be the only way to go for Zambia. It is, however, suffice to note that this is not enough. Government should explore and pursue a more sustainable path of restoring fiscal discipline, commitment to good economic governance with zero tolerance to corruption.

Nalucha Nganga Ziba
Country Director, ActionAid Zambia

Bank of Zambia will not ban dollar accounts in Commercial Banks

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Bank of Zambia will not ban dollar accounts in Commercial Banks

The Bank of Zambia has refuted social media assertions that the central bank intends to ban the holding of dollar accounts in commercial banks.

Bank of Zambia Governor Christopher Mvunga said that the fake social media statement should be ignored.

Mr. Mvunga said this in Lusaka yesterday when the central bank announced this month’s Monetary policy rate.

His comments come in the wake of a social media report that the bank plans to expropriate over 2.6 billion dollars in an attempt to lower the exchange rate.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu ha said that the Eurobond holders have indicated their willingness to continue engaging the Zambian government on debt restructuring.

Dr Ng’andu said that the government is looking forward to deeper engagement with the committee of the bondholders once the confidentiality agreement has been signed.

He has told Parliament that Government has not paid the coupon that was due on November 13, 2020 for various reasons.

Dr Ng’andu explained that payment of the coupon could have contradicted Government’s earlier message of its incapacity to service the debt.

He said inconsistency regarding the country’s lack of capacity to pay would send a signal to bond holders and other creditors that Zambia lacked a credible and orderly approach to the debt restructuring process.

In a Ministerial statement in Parliament today, Dr. Ng’andu said the decision to pay would weaken Government’s negotiation position beyond the solicitation process.

He said other commercial creditors would have interpreted Government’s decision as lacking in transparency and equal treatment of creditors.

Dr. Ng’andu said Government is fully committed to engaging the bondholders committee meaningfully and transparently to reach a common and orderly approach to the process.

He said Government will continue to provide the bondholders with necessary information regarding the debt, economic and fiscal position as well as plans to restore growth and attain fiscal and debt sustainability.

And Dr. Ng’andu said Vice President Inonge Wina’s assurance that the country would NOT default was based on government’s real expectations following engagements with the Eurobond holders.

He said at that time government did not expect the bondholders to reject its request to defer payments.

Dr. Ng’andu also said he does not expect Zambia’s sovereign rating to drop in the wake of the rejected request.

He also said government is still engaging the International Monetary Fund on the type of facility the country can secure.

Why Did Finance Minister Dr Bwalya Ng’andu lie to the nation?

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Why Did Finance Minister Dr Bwalya Ng’andu lie to the nation?

By Fred M’membe on behalf of the Politburo of the Socialist Party

On September 22, this year, the Minister of Finance announced that he had made a request to bondholders to suspend debt servicing for six months because Zambia was not in a position to meet her debt servicing obligations due on October 14, 2020.

As you may be aware, 40 per cent of bondholders immediately refused to grant Zambia debt servicing suspension.

The Zambian government had hoped that when 60 per cent of bondholders met last Friday, which was the last day of the one month grace period given to pay from the initial due date, the bondholders would agree with their proposals. But they too refused.

Consequently, Zambia officially became the first country in Africa to default even if it had already defaulted on other unknown Chinese debt obligations.

As the Socialist Party, we are concerned with the lack of seriousness from the Treasury when dealing with these important issues. We have plenty human resource that we have invested in as a country and worked at the highest level at of both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. It is an embarrassment to the nation that the Minister of Finance lied to the nation about his engagement with bondholders only for them to issue a statement the following day that there had been no direct contact between them and the Zambian government.

Why did Dr Bwalya Ng’andu lie to the nation? Is he covering up on the debt that was borrowed under the cover of darkness?

They say, ‘You can run but you can’t hide…You can fool some people all the time, but you can’t fool all people all the time.”

Reality has finally dawned on this Patriotic Front government.

What the international community is demanding is transparency on the Chinese debt obligations. The demand by the Minister of Finance through his representatives that bondholders should sign a non-disclosure agreement before he discloses the extent of Chinese debt and the conditions attached thereof should be of interest to every Zambian because this is public debt which you will all pay for.

As the Socialist Party, we wish to announce to the nation that the reason why this government has since 2016 refused to open it’s books to the IMF on the Chinese debt is because that would reveal the Patriotic Front’s massive penchant for bribes. Most of the loans have inflated figures because of amounts a few greedy individuals collected as ”facilitation” fees. The International community is well aware of the extent of corruption and are now collaborating with bondholders to expose how corrupt this government is.
Once that information on the Chinese debt is given, it will reveal how much money was shared and by who. At the moment, Ministry of Finance officials have been struggling to balance the figures before the IMF team comes in.

Dr Ng’andu must not continue protecting criminals. There is no place for them to hide anymore.

Dr Ng’andu has two options: It’s either he reveals the actual figures of the Chinese debt and Patriotic Front goes down so that we can protect our economy or he lets Patriotic Front continue hiding their nefarious acts and we all go down.

Dr Ng’andu has to make that choice because time is of essence. Thankfully, since we cannot demand accountability and transparency from the powerful politicians and their fellow gangsters outside government, a far more powerful group has come to our rescue.

COVID-19 could increase Child, Early, Forced, Marriage – Amb Simbyakula

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COVID-19 could increase Child, Early, Forced, Marriage – Amb Simbyakula

The socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic could result in 13 million cases of Child Early and Forced Marriage across the globe, Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Dr Ngosa Simbyakula has cautioned.

Amb Simbyakula has told the United Nations that COVID-19 is threatening the progress made in the last decade to prevent and eliminate Child, Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) which was estimated to be eradicated by the year 2030.

Dr Simbyakula stated that Child Early and Forced Marriage was not only a harmful practice but also a grave abuse of human rights which often jeopadised the education, health, well-being and future of millions of children in the world.

Dr Simbyakula said this during the adoption of a resolution on “Ending Child, Early and Forced Marriage” at the United Nations in New York. The resolution is co-sponsored by Zambia and Canada.

The resolution calls on the international community to take decisive action to overcome the unprecedented challenges nations are currently facing in order to protect and accelerate progress to end the vice of Early, Child and Forced Marriage.

“Before the COVID-19, we knew we needed to significantly accelerate the pace of progress to eliminate Early, Child and Forced Marriage by year 2030 as set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. COVID-19 is now threatening the progress made in the last decade to prevent and eliminate Child, Early and Forced Marriage and the socio-economic consequences of COVID-19 global pandemic could result in 13 million cases of Child Early and Forced Marriage. We cannot afford to see the hard-won progress slowed down or set back,” Dr Simbyakula said.

Dr Simbyakula informed the United Nations that the Government of Zambia was committed to ending Early, Child and Forced Marriage and was proud to have partnered with Canada and other cross-regional groups of countries to support the balanced and strong text in the resolution.

He however said Zambia was disappointed that despite the best efforts to reach the broadest possible consensus, some Member States had decided to propose amendments to the resolution whose text was balanced.

The Zambian envoy to the United Nations explained that over the past six weeks, during which Zambia and Canada co-facilitated several informal consultations, conducted three full readings of the text, invited relevant UN Agencies to brief participating delegations yet some Member States chose to table amendments to the resolution.
“We hope that for the sake of the important cause to eliminate Early Child and Forced Marriage and the integrity of the principles underlying all Third Committee negotiations, all delegations will join in adopting the draft resolution,” Dr Simbyakula said.

The resolution was however adopted by consensus with a record co-sponsorship of 114 Member States.

Shepolopolo U17 Star Tisilile Relishing Spain Trials

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Zambia Women’s Under-17 star Tisilile Lungu is excited to earn a trip to Spain next year courtesy of LaLiga after shining at the recent COSAFA Cup in South Africa.

Lungu was named Player of the Tournament as she helped Zambia reach the COSAFA Cup final before losing to Tanzania on penalties.

The COSAFA Technical Study Group picked Lungu and South Africa’s Jessica Wade as top players from the November tournament who deserved the offer made by LaLiga to take two players from the competition to Spain.

“I’m so excited and I’m looking forward to meeting other people and to learn from them,” she told COSAFA Media.

Lungu is inspired by China based Shepolopolo captain Barbra Banda, who has played in Europe.

“I do admire her; I also want to reach the position where Barbra Banda is. I also want to be there.”

Prison Leopards Lure Lwandamina Back to Work

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George Lwandamina is back in football management after he was unveiled by promoted Prisons Leopards.

The Kabwe side presented Lwandamina on Wednesday as their technical director.

Lwandamina returns to football two months after he parted ways with Zesco United by mutual consent following a second two-year stay with the eight-time champions.

“Prison Leopards FC is pleased to officially unveil the new Technical Director in Mr. George Lwandamina who has taken up the new role at the club on a one year deal with effect from 14th November, 2020,” Prison stated.

“Management is confident that the coming of the new Director will definitely contribute to the great success of the club.”

Lwandamina was later on hand later on Wednesday afternoon to witness Prison beat visiting Green Eagles 1-0 at President Stadium.

Prison is now third on 7 points, one behind Forest Rangers and leaders Buildcon.

Nkana KO’d in Fists of Fury

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Nkana coach Manfred Chabinga squared off with a spectator on Wednesday afternoon at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka where his side were capitulated 5-0 by hosts Green Buffaloes.

A Nkana jumped over the perimeter fence to confront Chabinga and they traded blows in the last 10 minutes of the game with Buffaloes leading 3-0.

Action resumed after security intervened on the day fans trooped back to stadiums following a nine month Covid19 lockout.

It hasn’t been a great start to the season by the defending champions who have lost two, drawn and won one of their opening four games.

Meanwhile, unbeaten Buffaloes collected their first league win of the season after three straight draws.

Friday Samu struck in the 26th and 54th minutes, Martin Phiri added the third in the 58th minute before all hell broke loose.

And when play resumed, Fredrick Mwimanzi made it 4-nil in the 88th minute while Youremember Banda aptly added to an unforgettable day deep in four minutes of added time.
But our CAF Champions League envoys Nkana were not the only continental team to lose today.

CAF Confederation Cup reps Napsa Stars and Green Eagles both suffered their first league defeats in away dates at Buildcon and promoted Prison Leopards respectively.

Buildcon outplayed Napsa 2-0 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola thanks to goals by Conlyde Luchanga in the 69th and a breathtaking Mwansa Naofwa volley in the 90th minute to send the hosts top of the log on 8 points.

Prison beat Eagles 1-0 at President Stadium in Kabwe to go third.

Francis Zulu’s 2nd minute goal there saw them return to winning ways after Red Arrows beat them by the same margin at the same venue before the international break.

However, CAF Champions League debutants Forest Rangers left Kafue with a honourable 0-0 result at promoted Young Green Eagles but stay in the top two on 8 points with new leaders and Ndola neighbours Buildcon.

First Lady Esther Lungu Registering as a Voter in Pictures

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First Lady Esther Lungu Registering as a Voter in Pictures
First Lady in the Queue to Register as a Voter at Woodlands A Primary School
First Lady in the Queue to Register as a Voter at Woodlands A Primary School
First Lady in the Queue to Register as a Voter at Woodlands A Primary School
First Lady in the Queue to Register as a Voter at Woodlands A Primary School

Electoral Officer Taking the Finger Scan Pictures of First lady Esther Lungu
Electoral Officer Taking the Finger Scan Pictures of First lady Esther Lungu
Electoral Officer Taking the Finger Scan Pictures of First lady Esther Lungu
Electoral Officer Taking the Finger Scan Pictures of First lady Esther Lungu

Electoral Officer Taking the Finger Scan Pictures of First lady Esther Lungu
Electoral Officer Taking the Finger Scan Pictures of First lady Esther Lungu

Zambia, Sweden launch partnership on statistics …As Africa celebrates Statistics Day

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Zambia, Sweden launch partnership on statistics …As Africa celebrates Statistics Day

Ministry of National Development Planning Permanent Secretary Chola Chabala has commended the launch of a joint cooperation project between the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS) and Statistics Sweden.

Mr. Chabala was speaking at the annual African Statistics Day commemoration in Lusaka where ZAMSTATS and Statistics Sweden launched the joint bilateral project.
“As a demonstration to the importance of partnerships in improving production of statistics and its use, today we will witness the launch of a joint cooperation project between the Zambia Statistics Agency and Statistics Sweden. The overall objective is to enhance statistical capacity in ZAMSTATS to ensure production of timely, demand-driven and quality statistics and data for policy formulation,” said Mr. Chabala, who is in charge of Development Planning and Administration. “The specific areas of support are: strengthening the national statistical system; improved range and quality of statistical production; improved user access and understanding of existing statistics; and a robust ICT environment that supports efficient production of statistics.”

The theme for this year’s African Statistics Day is: “modernising national statistical systems to provide data and statistics to support sustainable peace and development in Africa.”
Mr. Chabala said the theme was chosen to raise awareness among decision-makers, technical and financial partners, data producers, researchers and the general public on the importance of governance and socio-economic statistics in achieving the goal of a free Africa.

He said the theme underscores the need for sustained peace, good governance and inclusive economic growth as essential ingredients to build a harmonious African community underpinned by vast social and economic opportunities for its citizens.

He said the the Zambian Government is cognisant of the need to undertake statistical reforms in order to promote production, understanding and use of official statistics.
Mr. Chabala said the new Statistics Act No 13 of 2018, which is being implemented will broaden statistics beyond the traditional areas of social, economic, financial, environment and agriculture but to include governance and other appropriate statistics.

And Deputy Head of Mission at the Swedish Embassy in Zambia, Susanna Hughes, said the role of Statistics Sweden will be to support ZAMSTATS in its capacity development and to provide advice on determining relevant and suitable methods and procedures for statistics in Zambia.

“The cooperation is premised on a peer-to-peer approach to development cooperation where the partners at ZAMSTATS work hand-in-hand with their peers from Statistics Sweden. By working together there is sharing of experiences and knowledge, and thus capacity is jointly developed,” said Ms. Hughes. “Our cooperation aims at increased access by the users to unbiased, reliable and quality statistics that are timely, accurate and relevant to meet their needs.”

And UNFPA Assistant Representative Sibeso Mululuma said it was gratifying that the Government of Zambia remains commitment to the successful undertaking of the Census.
“UNFPA wishes to reaffirm its commitment to collaborating with the Government and other stakeholders in: aadvancing institutional and ethnical capacity development for data collection, processing, analysis and use; uundertaking of the 2020 housing and population census; generating and practical use of geospatial data; ssupporting other national studies that relate to population and development, including the on-going Population Situation Analysis,” said Ms. Mululuma. “As we start to collectively engage in stakeholder consultation processes that will ultimately inform the development of the 8th National Development Plan; the use of disaggregated data by age, sex, geographic location, wealth quintile and all other variables relevant for the country is important.”

And speaking for United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Dr. Sizo Mhlanga acknowledged the growing interlinkages between development, peace security and human rights.

“Development cannot happen when there is no peace and without development peace is precarious and the respect for human rights in times of conflict is never threatened,” said Dr. Mhlanga.

This is according to a media statement issued by Ministry of National Development Planning spokesperson Chibaula D. Silwamba.

Bank of Zambia leaves policy rate unchanged at 8.0%

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Bank of Zambia leaves policy rate unchanged at 8.0%

The Bank of Zambia has left its main lending rate unchanged at 8.0%.

Governor Christopher Mvunga said at a news conference Wednesday morning adding that the Policy Monetary Committee had to balance boosting the economy with attracting inflows and supporting the Kwacha.

Mr. Mvunga pointed out that successfully navigating a debt restructuring following a sovereign default was essential for Zambia to return to fiscal fitness.

He said while the rate of price growth is expected to moderate over the next two years, it’s likely to remain above target.

Mr. Mvunga said risks to the inflation outlook remain tilted to the upside adding that the economy will probably contract by 4.2% this year and recover at a slower pace than previously thought due to limited fiscal space.

“Successfully navigating the debt-restructuring process to restore debt sustainability and implementing fiscal and other structural reforms are critical to return to fiscal fitness,” Mr. Mvunga said.

He said the Policy Rate has been maintained at 8.0% to moderate risks to financial stability and support growth, lives and livelihoods.

Mr Mvunga said this decision also allows monetary policy measures taken earlier in the year to take full effect adding that this is despite inflation being projected to persist above the 6-8% target range throughout the forecast horizon

“The Committee noted that financial stability remains fragile despite signs of marginal improvement in economic activity in the third quarter following the partial relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions.”

CSOs detail number of voter registration kits in ECZ manipulation scheme

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CSOs detail number of voter registration kits in ECZ manipulation scheme

A consortium of civil society organisations and students have detailed the number of registration kits distributed by the Electoral Commission of Zambia personnel responsible for elections in a scheme described as a manipulation of the electoral process to register more voters in UPND strongholds.

Speaking on behalf of CSOs during a media briefing this morning, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) President Andrew Ntewewe outlined how 308 registration kits have been distributed in Southern Province with Monze District ranking highest on the list.

“These kits are distributed as follows in Southern Province: Monze (41), Choma (36), Mazabuka (31), Katombola (30), Livingstone (24), Namwala (23), Sinazongwe (19), Chikankata (18), Pemba (16), Kalomo Central (15), Gwembe (15), Mapatizya (15), Siavonga (15), Dundumwezi (10),” said Ntewewe.

He contrasted the 308 voter registration kits allocated to Southern Province with the 202 kits allocated to Lusaka, which accounts for half of the kits needed in Lusaka province. He said Copperbelt has also been allocated 327 kits when it needs about 380 to 450 kits.

The CSOs said challenges voters in Lusaka, Copperbelt and Eastern are facing with registration is because of this unfair distribution of kits and that no one must complain of slowness in registration if they are ready to defend the distribution of kits by ECZ.

The CSOs have also brushed aside the defence of autonomy by the Commission as a way to avoid scrutiny. They said the enjoyment of autonomy does not immunise ECZ from scrutiny and criticism.

“It is not the first time nor will it be the last when stakeholders will bring ECZ and its staff under scrutiny. The very members of political parties such as UPND and CSOs who falsely champion the autonomy of ECZ have been the worst culprits when it comes to criticising ECZ,” said Ntewewe.

Signs Chibambo Laments Nakambala Leopards’ League Withdrawal

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Retired Nakambala Leopards striker Signs Chibambo has expressed mixed feelings over the going down of his childhood club.

Zambia Sugar, the owners of Nakambala, last month announced that it was withdrawing the club from FAZ organised leagues after suffering demotion from the Super Division.

The Sugar firm said Nakambala has been turned into an academy with the aim of promoting grassroots football in Mazabuka.

On the road to being relegated, Nakambala had failed to play the last three matches of the 2019/20 season that was cut short by Covid-19.

In a recent interview, Chibambo, who launched his career at Nakambala around 2006, said he was saddened to learn that his old club won’t be competing in the top league.

“It is a sad story about my former team Nakambala Leopards,” said the ex-Zambia Under-23 forward.

“It is a very sad story but I spoke to one of the bosses at Nakambala who explained the decision. I was told the club wants to start from the grassroots.”

“It is bad thing that the club is not there anymore but I think it is a good idea to start afresh like sponsors have said. If the sponsors said we are going to do this no one can oppose because they are the sponsors,” Chibambo said.

Chibambo further asked Zambia Sugar to hire competent administrators to run the academy.

“They need people who understand football, who understand the business with exposure. People to be in the executive need exposure. They need to understand what football is, that is when they can make it as they want to start afresh,” said the former Zesco United and Hapoel Ra’anana striker.

Electoral Commission of Zambia captures over 1 million voters in a week , despite challenges

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Electoral Commission of Zambia captures over 1 million voters in a week , despite challenges

Despite the hiccups to the start of the voter registration, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has managed to register slightly over 1.1 million voters countrywide in the first phase of the voter registration exercise.

Giving a ministerial statement in Parliament today in response to a point of order raised by UPND Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu who wanted to find out whether ECZ will manage to register its target of 9 million voters, Vice President Inonge Wina said that more data will be provided by the ECZ at the end of the registration exercise.

Mrs. Wina assured the nation that the ECZ will be able to review the voter registration exercise after each phase and that the officers will be able to go back to capture those that will be left out.

Meanwhile, The Patriotic Front (PF) has expressed happiness at the steady improvement of the voter registration exercise in Kitwe.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, PF Kitwe District Chairman Evaristo Chilufya said the first phase of the exercise at the beginning had a lot of challenges but following quick interventions by the Electoral Commission, the process has become faster.

“The process is slowly improving, it cannot improve in one day, as stakeholders we are concerned with the slow pace at which the process was going on in the first phase, we are engaging the ECZ and other stakeholders in trying to address the situation otherwise the process has improved and it is going on smoothly,” Mr Chilufya said.

Recently, the ECZ disclosed that it had reinforced manpower in registration centres to try and quicken up the process.

On Monday this week, the Commission also withdrew voter Education Facilitators from the field and redeployed them to registration centres so as to beef up man power in the registration centres.

And Mr. Chilufya has downplayed the concerns by some people that registering people in the night is exposing them to attacks by criminals and that the new cards would be grabbled from them by unscrupulous people.

But Kitwe Pastors Fellowship has expressed worry that the pace at which the voter registration exercise is going on in the district is still slow considering the estimated number of eligible voters.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Kitwe Pastors Fellowship chairperson Reverend Raddy Lewila said the Electoral Commission will not be able to capture the nine million target voters if nothing is done.

“The Electoral Commission should do something to improve the situation, otherwise the 9 million voter target will not be captured and a lot of people will not be able to vote, there is no way one person can be handling one person through all the stages taking over 30 minutes,” Reverend Lewila complained.

He also noted that the one week duration allocated for each registration centre was not enough given the slow pace at which the process is going.

He said the government should intervene and correct the situation before many people are disfranchised through failure to obtain voters’ cards.

He said he has been to several centres around the district and the situation is the same everywhere.

Lusambo calls for truce over development of land surrounding Kenneth Kaunda International airport

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Lusambo calls for truce over development of land surrounding Kenneth Kaunda International airport

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has directed the Zambia Airforce and Chongwe council to ensure that all developments on the disputed land between private developers and the National Airports Corporation is resolved.

Speaking when he inspected the land under dispute less than a kilometer from Kenneth Kaunda International airport this morning, Mr Lusambo directed ZAF chief of operations, Brigadier General William Lungu to enhance surveillance activities to ensure that there are no developments taking place in the area.

Mr Lusambo observed that 35 private developers have sued the NAC over the land in question, saying no developments should take place until the matter is addressed.

And Brigadier General Lungu said ZAF is determined to safeguard the security of the airport and sewer ponds that are situated on the land in dispute.

“We don’t want to compromise the security of the airport,” he said.

And Commissioner of Lands George Sindila noted that though offer letters were given to the private developers, the Ministry of Lands will wait for the court to determine whether or not the developments are taking place on the NAC land before the next course of action is taken, as the matter is in court.

“We as the Ministry of Lands are not in a position to create property on top of other properties, so we will wait for the courts to decide over the case before we take the next course of action.

“ We cannot proceed if it is discovered that it falls within the airport boundary, we cannot proceed, but if it is outside the airport grounds we will proceed,” he said.

And Chongwe council legal counsel, Namakau Sumbwa said the council which wanted to start numbering the area halted its plans but was stopped by the Ministry of Lands.

Illegal construction structures in Lusaka

COVID-19 is a ‘wake-up command’ to address Africa’s challenges – Tony Blair

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COVID-19 is a ‘wake-up command’ to address Africa’s challenges – Tony Blair

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, November 17, 2020/ — We have the same problems but what we also have is vastly increased urgency – Blair; Agriculture offers Africa its best opportunity for industrialization…the key is how does Africa raise productivity, develop the integrated technology in rural areas? – Adesina

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the challenges and opportunities of Africa’s development landscape, former British prime minister Tony Blair said on Monday in a lecture organized by the African Development Institute in Abidjan.

“We have the same problems but what we also have is vastly increased urgency…not so much a wake-up call but a wake-up command,” Blair said.

The former UK prime minister addressed a virtual audience on the topic Building Back Better in Post COVID-19 Africa: The Role of Technology and Governance, as part of the Kofi A. Annan Lecture Series. The series, launched by the African Development Bank’s African Development Institute in 2006, has covered a range of African and global development topics, including economics, finance, regional integration, human development and the environment. The lectures have been a forum for eminent persons to share policy insights on development challenges in Africa.

Over 4,500 delegates from across the globe including Government Officials, Governors and Executive Directors of the Bank Group, the Bank’s Senior Management, and leading experts and heads of institutions tuned in to the lecture.

In opening remarks, Rabah Arezki, Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management of the Bank described the task ahead as “vast and challenging.”

Blair, in his first ever virtual lecture, outlined three aspects which in his words would make a big difference to Africa: investing in industrialization, accelerating technological innovations, and building capacity for institutions to get things done. “There are components to the Bank’s High 5 priorities. All of those things which define the challenges that Africa has – all of those are now given added urgency by Covid and its impact,” Blair said.

To build back better, West Africa, for instance, could capitalize on its rich source of cotton for garment production and the textile industry. Elsewhere on the continent, Africa was already leading in the digital technology space which can be scaled up.

“Around the world you are seeing governments use technology effectively…I know this is a great ambition of the African Development Bank. This is critical,” Blair said.

Blair highlighted the four Ps of government delivery – prioritization, policy, personnel and performance management. On prioritization, Mr. Blair called on African governments to identify and focus on their comparative advantages, and focus on delivery…focus on key transformative projects and manage expectations,” Mr. Blair said.

“In the end, only Africa can do it, we are partners in Africa’s story…in Africa’s progress,” Blair said.

Blair’s speech was followed by a conversation with Bank Group President Akinwumi Adesina, who said the lecture series brought global and national perspectives to the development issues discussed.

“We need to constantly push the frontiers of dialogue in the public sphere,” Adesina said. “Nothing is more topical today than the challenges posed by Covid-19. The pandemic has upended economic growth,” Adesina noted.

Agreeing with Mr. Blair about the importance of the culture of delivery, Adesina said agriculture offered Africa its best opportunity for industrialization. “The key is: how does Africa raise productivity in agriculture…how does it develop the integrated infrastructure in those rural areas…that will allow the creation of new economic sources of prosperity out of what it has?” Adesina asked.

Although the Bank’s Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative had allowed it to reach millions of farmers with agricultural technology and is boosting yields in wheat, there is still the need to scale up. “We have a lot of pilots…The name of the game is scale,” Adesina said.

Adesina cited other key interventions by the Bank, including a $10 billion COVID-19 Response Facility to provide budget support to African countries and its innovative $3 billion COVID-19 social bond, to save livelihoods.

After leaving office, Blair launched the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which works to equip leaders to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies in an interconnected global world.

Speaking after the seminar, Prof. Kevin Urama, Senior Director of the ADI said the priorities are well mapped out for Africa to build back better. The African Development Institute (ADI) has been at the forefront of accelerating capacity development, technical assistance and policy dialogue on the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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