Advertisement
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Subscribe
Advertisement Banner
Home Blog Page 1336

College Students To Stay Away From Planned Protest

Chief Editor
-
29
College Students To Stay Away From Planned Protest

An Association of College Students, ZACOSU says it will not take part in any planned protests because they believe in dialogue before any action is taken.

ZACOSU President Peter Bwalya has advised all students not to be used in any protests or illegal activities.
Mr. Bwalya also says under the prevailing conditions of the Covid-19, Zambia cannot afford to have gatherings and demonstrations which have the potential to contribute to the spread of the virus.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Bwalya also distanced his association from remarks by Zambia National Students Union President Misheck Kakonde, who is calling for the removal of Brian Mushimba as Higher Education Minister.

However, many students from the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University took to blogs calling for Mr. Mushimba to be removed for the Ministry. Union leaders from both UNZA and CBU today attended training workshop for ZANASU and students leaders at Cosmic Lodge.

UNZA students who took turns to post on UNZA Watchdog platform and other social media wondered how, if the Minister was proactive, would have failed to know that some of the student leaders who have been meeting are secretly engaged behind his back to mobilise students in countrywide protests against Government.

And Mr. Bwalya however said the Union is disappointed with sentiments from members of society especially politicians who are misleading students and the public that there is NO COVID-19 and that there is no need to adhere to guidelines to prevent the pandemic.

He has thanked President Edgar Lungu for reopening institutions of higher learning and other sectors of the economy.

Meanwhile, ZACOSU Vice President Charles Mbobela has called on all members of parliament to give the people of Zambia full representation when the Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 is taken back to parliament rather than walking away.

Mr. Mbobela said the youth will not allow politicians to rob them of very progressive bills like it was in 2016 when the amendment to the bill of rights through the referendum was denounced for political reasons.

He said Bill 10 has progressive clauses such as the mixed member representation system and the revision of the provision of presidential election petitions.

Mr Mbobela said the unprogressive clauses that stakeholders were concerned about have been removed by the Select committee that was tasked to scrutinize the bill.

I am not inciting any youths to rise against PF government-HH

Chief Editor
-
35
I am not inciting any youths to rise against PF government-HH

Opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema says he is not inciting the youths in Zambia to rise against President Edgar Lungu’s administration.

Mr Hichilema says Zambian youths do not need to be incited by anyone as they feel the pain of President Lungu’s misrule.

He said no one should accuse him of inciting the youths especially that the youths themselves have started voicing out their misgivings about PF on social media.

Mr Hichilema was speaking Wednesday evening when he featured on a live SABC TV programme called the Globe via Skype.

He said the youths of Zambia are already agitated by the widespread corruption and preference of foreign owned businesses by those in authorities.

“What we have is a situation where our young people feel cheated. They feel used and pretty much dumped. There is no one who is inciting them to protest, they do not to be incited by anyone. These are adults, they gave low transitioned into adulthood and they are able to make up their own minds,” Mr Hichilema said.

Mr Hichilema also condemned some government officials for attempting to stifle freedom of expression.

He said Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo’s threats on young people for expressing themselves is uncalled for.

The UPND leader said there are many issues that Zambians are facing and government should work towards addressing them.

On the gold issue, Mr Hichilema said Zambians should be allowed to benefit from the country’s gold resources.

Youth Unemployment

editor
-
17
Youth Unemployment

I read the article by Barnabas Zulu challenging the United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Mr Hakainde Hichilema to say how he would solve youth unemployment in Zambia with interest.

I am not a politician but I think that in a democracy we are all free to air our views and to subject our ideas to scrutiny and a healthy debate. I commend Barnabas from the civil way in which he has brought up this issue and I also feel the pain that the young people are going through in Zambia today.

I was a student once, at the University of Zambia when in only my second year of study there, I got a holiday job with Barclays Bank. I was paid a Teller’s wage and my job was always available whenever I came home during the term breaks. Shortly before I finished secondary education, we were visited by scouts from the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) in rural Zambia and told that ‘employment in the mines was second to none.’ I do not think that I would have joined the mines if these people had not come to talk to us. As soon as our Cambridge Overseas School Leaving certificate examinations were out, ZCCM was ready to offer scholarships to whoever they fancied. These were the days when the United National Independence Party (UNIP) was in power. Was there no corruption, tribalism and nepotism at the time? Of course there was. These vices are as native to any people as the air they breathe. Where there is more good being done, corruption is hidden and does not affect the overall outcome of events.

There was an obvious downside to ubiquitous availability of employment. The most obvious was that remuneration was poor. At one time, ZCCM employed more than 50,000 people and thousands more depended on the mines as contractors. As long as labour is a commodity, it will be subject to the laws of supply and demand. Where there is a semblance of free market rules, wages are inversely proportional to the availability of labour. Under socialist economics employers can be forced to employ as many people as the government wants and the result is that the workers are paid less. You can tell how little we were paid in those days when you see that very few graduates owned cars, let alone television sets! Even fewer owned their own homes because the majority rented accommodation from the employers or private landlords.

This background information is obviously of no comfort to the young people today, but I believe that it is important to set the scene. It is a widely held myth that politicians CREATE jobs. They do not. We the voters have come to believe this codswallop and as a result they have come to us promising heaven but delivering hell. Others have a belief in governments that make the rich richer and expect more crumbs to fall from their tables so that the poor underneath also have more. The ‘trickle down’ theory is also just a myth. This fails to take into account human greed.

It is a widely held myth that politicians CREATE jobs. They do not

The reason why government cannot create jobs is the same as what Ronald Reagan once said, ‘Governments do not make money, they spend money.’ The money government spends is our money. It spends the money it takes from us to pay us! Originally people paid the state in the same way shop owners in the crime ridden inner cities pay for protection against criminal gangs. We have just elevated the principle to national security. So, this leads me to say what the role of government is. It is to make for conditions that enable the citizens to attain their goals in peace without let or hinderance. In our villages, the whole community contributed to look after those who were unable to look after themselves by reason of age or infirmity. We have given this role to government AND we pay it to do so. We also pay government to protect us from thieves and to keep our borders secure. Where corruption and such like vices are rampant, government has failed and is instead stealing money for goods it is not supplying. The leaders who enrich themselves while failing to level the playing field so that others can rise are thieves.

Now, this is where the issues Barnabas raised are important. It is government’s role to LEVEL the field so that everyone has an equal opportunity to have a go at life. Once in a while, in a crisis, like war, government may have to divert jobs from certain industries to Warcraft. It is not creating employment, it is just changing the nature of employment. If there is a natural disaster or an economic meltdown, the government may engage in building infrastructure ONLY when it is the only institution that has the wherewithal. It is wrong for government to do this when private citizens can do. Government should never compete with individuals in the financial markets. You cannot have a loan at reasonable rates when government is also borrowing from the same bank.

Lastly, on the matter of seed capital. You are right Barnabas that it is difficult for one to get a loan to start a small business in Zambia. Apart from the reason I alluded to above, there is also the lack of a culture of saving in the country. How many parents have ever opened a bank account for their children? A bank lends to its customers and not to strangers. You bank with them, they will lend to you. Here is a role government can play. It can set every child on a banking path by opening trust accounts for every new born baby and probably extend it up to 5 years of age. We have too few personal bank accounts and even fewer life insurance holders in the country. The services industries are now the biggest contributors to wealth building in any developed nation. For commerce to go well, we need INTEGRITY both at personal and state level. People MUST pay what they owe in the time they promise to pay. If this happened, an employer would have money to pay wages in time and even create more jobs. Sadly, this is woefully lacking in Zambia. We do not even blush when we cannot pay what we owe. Our government has the same disease.

By Charles C.

FAZ Mourns National Assembly FC Player

sports
-
0

The Football Association of Zambia is mourning the passing of National Assembly midfielder Davie Lungu.

Lungu, 27 passed away on June 10 in Lusaka at Chawama First Level Hospital after an illness.

The midfielder joined the FAZ National Division One League side in January, 2020 from Mumbwa Medics.

“We are sad to learn of the death of Davie Lungu who played for National Assembly. His death is particularly saddening given that he was in the prime of his playing days,” FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala said.

Lungu’s funeral is at his parents’ house at number 227/19 Chimwemwe Rd, Old Chawama.

Government Moves in to Curb Loss of Revenue Earned Through Mineral Royalty Tax Payment

Chief Editor
-
18
Government Moves in to Curb Loss of Revenue Earned Through Mineral Royalty Tax Payment

The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has announced that with effect from 1st July, 2020, the Ministry will no longer accept samples submitted by exporters to the Chemistry Laboratory at the Geological Survey Department in Lusaka to facilitate the issuance of export permits.

Currently, every client who wishes to apply for a mineral export permit submits a sample of the export consignment to the chemistry laboratory of the Ministry.

Ministry Permanent Secretary Barnaby Mulenga says based on the sample analysis results from the laboratory, a Mineral Valuation Certificate of the entire mineral export consignment is prepared.

Mr. Mulenga says it is on the strength of this valuation certificate that, after the applicant has obtained a mineral royalty clearance certificate from the Zambia Revenue Authority, the Ministry issues a mineral export permit to the applicant.

He said unfortunately, this practice has opened a window of opportunity for some mineral exporters to deliberately submit low-grade samples to the chemistry laboratory.

Mr Mulenga said this has resulted in the undervaluing of mineral exports and consequently, loss of revenue earned by the government through mineral royalty tax payment.

He said the loss of revenue could amount to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars per export, depending on the amount of discrepancy in mineral grade between the submitted sample and the consignment being exported.

“In view of the above, the Ministry wishes to put an end to the current arrangement so that Officers from the Ministry will be going to the mine sites and traders’ warehouses to collect the required samples instead of relying on samples submitted by exporters”, he said.

Mr Mulenga has explained that this decision was arrived in order to earn the government a lot of revenue which is currently being lost through some exporters’ submission of low grade samples to the ministry’s chemistry laboratory.

He said was also done to eliminate the inconvenience of requiring clients to travel to Lusaka to submit samples each time they apply for a mineral export permit and to achieve orderliness in the processing of mineral export permit applications as opposed to the randomness currently prevailing.

Mr Mulenga added that the move is meant to verify the location of the mineral samples and their Mine origin.

He said it is the desire of the government that the ministry gains full oversight of the mineral supply and value chain in order to ensure effective monitoring of mineral production and exports.

Mr Mulenga said in order to facilitate the smooth transition from the current scenario to the new one, all exporters are requested to ensure that their applications for export permits are received by the Ministry at least one week before the officers’ sampling visit to each region.

He said the applications should state clearly where the export consignments to be sampled will be located, with the applicants’ physical address and other contact details.

All Projects Started in North Western Province Must be Completed

Chief Editor
-
16
All Projects Started in North Western Province Must be Completed

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji says President Edgar Lungu has directed that all the government projects that were initiated in Northwestern Province must be completed.

The minister says President Lungu is determined to develop Northwestern province in order to prove that he has the province at heart.

And Mr Malanji has also advised Northwestern province members of Parliament not to shun government ministries instead, they should work with the government in order to take the much-needed development to the province.

He says the President has instructed those who hail from Northwestern province to unite and work together.

“President Lungu has instructed those of us who come from North Western to unite and work together for the betterment of the Province” Says Malanji.

The minister has also disclosed that President Edgar Lungu will once again visit the province next month to monitor some of the projects being undertaken in the province.

“President Lungu is a President for the people of Zambia that is the more reason why he is taking development to all the parts of Zambia. He will next month again visit Northwestern province to monitor some of projects being undertaken.” He says.

The foreign affairs minister who hails from Northwestern province also disclosed that government will soon start working on the Mutanda- Mwinilunga Road because it is in a bad state.

The minister was speaking in an exclusive interview with Northwestern Province PF media team reporter.

Debates the Bill 10 than just calling for the Withdrawal-FDD

Chief Editor
-
22
Debates the Bill 10 than just calling for the Withdrawal-FDD

The opposition Forum for Democracy and Development has urged stakeholders to discuss the merits and demerits of the contents of the Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 instead of calling for the withdrawal of the entire document from parliament.

Party Acting Spokesperson Yotam Mtayachalo says by doing so, stakeholders will be offering a service to the nation than condemning the whole Bill.

Mr Mtayachalo says there is no doubt that the current constitution needs refining to cure some lacunas.

He however said in the midst of controversy, there is need for consensus building over this issue instead of shooting down the whole Bill to avoid going into the 2021 general election with the same constitution which disadvantages the opposition.

Mr Mtayachalo says he will not be drawn into naming political parties which opposes everything the PF does because there are so many political parties in Zambia which have different approaches to national issues.

Calls have continued from stakeholders for the Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019 to be withdrawn calling it progressive.

Take Advantage of UPND Wrangles in Western Province and ensure Total takeover-Davies Mwila

Chief Editor
-
32
Take Advantage of UPND Wrangles in Western Province and ensure Total takeover-Davies Mwila

THE RULING Patriotic Front (PF) has directed the ruling party leadership in Western Province to take advantage of the ongoing wrangles in the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) and ensure a total takeover.

Speaking when he addressed the media at his Office, Wednesday morning, PF Secretary General Hon Davies Mwila said that going into next year, Western Province will be a PF stronghold.

Mr MWila described yesterday’s electoral victories in Two by-elections held in Western Province and One in Northern Province as a sign of the people’s appreciation for the massive development being spearheaded by His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

“The Patriotic Front yesterday emerged victorious in all the three Ward by-elections namely Bulilo Ward in Chilubi district, Northern Province and Nakato and Imalyo Wards in Nalikwanda constituency of Mongu district, Western Province. I want to say this is a sweet victory for the party. The people in Western and Northern Provinces voted for the PF because of the developmental agenda that is being spearheaded by the party and President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The people of Zambia have spoken loudly that they want development and development can only be brought by the PF government which was given the mandate to run the affairs of this country,” said Hon Mwila.

“I want to appeal to the leadership in Western Province to take advantage of the ongoing infighting and wrangles within the UPND in Western Province and ensure that we completely take over. Come 2021, Western Province will be our stronghold.”

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General has called for discipline within the PF in Eastern Province.

“PF remains a disciplined party and we will maintain discipline. We will also ensure that whoever created the reported wrangles in Eastern Province is disciplined. The Provincial Chairman is instructed to ensure that whoever is involved, disciplinary action must be taken so that the Province can get back to normal. We want order. Eastern Province is our stronghold and we do not expect anyone to bring confusion in the Province.”

The stance taken by Catholic Bishops on BILL 10 is progressive

Chief Editor
-
17
The stance taken by Catholic Bishops on BILL 10 is progressive

The Democratic Party has supported the position taken by Catholic Bishops on the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill number 10 of 2019.

Democratic Party spokesperson Judith Kabemba said the stance taken by Catholic Bishops is progressive hence support this position.

Ms Kabemba has appealed to the conscious of Members of Parliament to act in the best interest of the Zambian people by rejecting Bill 10 when presented to the house.

She said Members of Parliament should not allow themselves to be used to support an act meant to benefit one person and leave the Zambians in perpetual poverty and humiliation.

Ms Kabemba said as Parliament reopens for debate, this should be one of the things that parliamentarians must focus on to ensure that bill 10 is thrown out of the floor of the house.

She said Bill 10 is a retrogressive Bill.

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishop called for the immediate withdrawal of the controversial Bill 10 which they said while may contain some progressive clauses also contains some retrogressive and highly contentious clauses.

Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops President Reverend George Lungu said while Bill 10 may contain some progressive clauses, it also contains some retrogressive and highly contentious clauses.

He cited clauses such as the provision for Deputy Ministers, proposed changes in the electoral system regarding Mayors, Council Chairpersons, Members of Parliament and the President, and the proposed revision of the composition of Cabinet as some of the most contentious clauses.

Zambia Rugby Union Hopeful of Resuming 2020 Season

sports
-
0

The Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) is hopeful the disrupted 2020 season will resume before the year ends.

Only the Nchanga 10s competition has taken place in the season disturbed by the covid-19 outbreak.

ZRU General Secretary Chileshe Bweupe said the union is waiting for guidance from the World rugby governing body on the pending resumption of the sport.

“We are still waiting for official guidelines from World Rugby. We as a country cannot just wake up and decide we are going to start without receiving proper guidelines from World Rugby,” Bweupe said.

“The rugby season closes about November so it is still possible to play some games. Especially if something was to change by July it is still possible to play this year,” he said.

Red Arrows are the defending champions of the National Rugby League which was supposed to start on March 14.

Fear has Gripped the Nation and Many People are Scared of Speaking Out

Chief Editor
-
44
Fear has Gripped the Nation and Many People are Scared of Speaking Out

Catholic Bishops have said that fear has gripped the nation and many people are scared of speaking out on many issues affecting them.

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops President Bishop George Lungu has said that there is fear among Zambians to stand up against brutality, intimidation and threats by those in authority.

Bishop Lungu said as if that is not enough, citizens cannot even criticize political party cadres who have become so powerful than some institutions of governance.

He has wondered what is happening in the nation where citizens are now being terrorized like immigrants from other countries.

Bishop Lungu said because of this situation, citizens cannot voice out against what appears to be the suppression and continued campaign against alternative voices.

He said the Government is wrong to force people to look at issues the way they want to and should desist from oppressing alternative voices.

President Edgar Lungu, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo and Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja have warned of stern action against individuals that are planning to conduct an illegal protest.

I did not target the entire music industry in my counsel to Gospel Artist Kings Malembe Malembe

Chief Editor
-
38
I did not target the entire music industry in my counsel to Gospel Artist Kings Malembe Malembe

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has clarified that he did not target the entire music industry in his counsel to Gospel Artist Kings Malembe Malembe.

Mr Lusambo says it is unfortunate that his counsel to one musician he considers a brother has been mistaken to have been targeted at the entire music industry.

Speaking in an interview, the Lusaka Province Minister said by advising Kings Malembe Malembe, he is not in any way infringing on anyone’s freedom of speech in Zambia.

“I can choose to speak to Kings Malembe in any way I feel like, he is my brother and there is nothing wrong with that as long as he gets my advise”, said Mr Lusambo.

Mr Lusambo said he has a brotherly relationship with Kings Malembe and generalizing the apology demanded from one person is unfair.

He said he did not at any point ask musicians in the country to apologize hence people must not twist facts.

On June 3rd 2020, Mr Lusambo gave Gospel Artist Kings Malembe Malembe 24 hours to apologize for insulting the Presidency on Social media which the musician did.

The Minister also urged musician B Flow and Cameraman Chella Tukuta to desist from insulting the Presidency over issues they do not understand such as Gold mining.

Mr Lusambo says it is unfortunate that youths have taken to social media to insult the Presidency with impunity.

He has since then come under intense criticism from various stakeholders who have accused him of infringing on people’s freedom of expression with some people threatening to protest over what they have termed as hijacking of freedom of speech under the PF regime.

PF’s Timely Delivery of Input has led to the Maize Bumper Harvest

Chief Editor
-
12
PF’s Timely Delivery of Input has led to the Maize Bumper Harvest

The Patriotic Front (PF) party says Farmers in Monze District have recorded a maize bumper harvest following government’s timely delivery of inputs to more than 28,000 beneficiaries farmers under the programme.

And the PF has advised the opposition members of parliament to desist from denouncing government and campaigning during funerals as it was a wrong place and time to do so.

Speaking during a walk-in interview with ZANIS ,Bweengwa Constituency PF Chairman Mainza Kabwata noted that the district was food secure due to the successfully implementation of the farmer Input support Programme (FISP) which resulted in a bumper harvest.

He said timely delivery of farming inputs during the 2019/2020 farming season was testimony of government’s unwavering commitment to support the agriculture sector and sustain its growth in the District.

“I can tell you that small scale farmers are grateful to government for timely and successful implementation of the FISP which has resulted in a bumper harvest and ultimately household food security in the entire District,” said Mr. Kabwata.

Mr. Kabwata also says most farmers were happy with the maize floor price announced by FRA adding that most farmer’s production costs were covered by government through the FISP.

He said the upward adjust of the floor price of the commodity from K80 during the 2018/2019 marketing season to K110 during this year’s marketing season was a fair deal which should encourage small scale farmers to sale to the agency and reap meaningful profits.

“ I want to say that most farmers I have interacted with are happy with the floor price of K110 because they are beneficiaries of the FISP and the price is also a reasonable upwards adjustment,’’ said Mr. Kabwata adding that most farmers in the area are waiting for FRA to sale their commodity.

And Mr. Kabwata has taken a strong swipe at opposition law makers in the habit of campaigning and denting the image of government during funerals at the expense of talking about fulfilling their ‘botched’ promises.

He pointed out that it was disheartening to hear some opposition law makers in the District talking ill about the PF government that it did little to cushion the hunger situation last year but added that the government made tremendous efforts in the relief food distribution in the District thus ensuring that no one died of hunger.

Mr. Kabwata has since advised people in Monze to support government on its path to continue to bring development to the area.

And Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Peter Mwiinde has attributed the consistent high agricultural productivity in the district to good agricultural policies by the government.

Mr Mwiinde has noted that the district has consistently continued to record an increase in maize yields annually due to early delivery of farming inputs and enhanced agricultural extension services to small scale farmers in the area.

According to the 2019/2020 crop forecast, Kapiri Mposhi District has recorded a total of 173,432 metric tonnes of maize yields, ranking the district highest in country.

In the 2018/2019 farming season, the district recorded the second-highest maize production in the country with a total yield of 124,339 metric tonnes of the commodity.

Speaking during a District management meeting Mr Mwiinde said the government had ensured that it provided agricultural inputs on time through the e-voucher system to farmers in the area.

“I want to commend the government of his excellency Dr. Edgar Lungu for spearheading the implementation of good agriculture policies that are now bearing fruit in our district as we have consistently remained on top in maize production in the country,’’ Mr Mwiinde said.

Mr Mwiinde has since implored small scale farmers in the district not to sale their maize at low prices to briefcase buyers.

And District Agricultural Coordinator (DACO) Chiluba Wabalika said his ministry has intensified extension services in all the 53 agricultural camps and was encouraging small scale farmers to adopt conservation farming for improved crop yields.

Mr Chiluba said in the 2019/2020 agricultural season the district increased the yield of maize per hectare planted to 2.2 tonnes from 1.9 tonnes in the 2018/2019 farming season.

He said the 173,432 metric tonnes was harvested from 59,506 hectares planted.

Colleges of Education to be opened on Monday 29 June-General Education Minister

Chief Editor
-
3
Colleges of Education to be opened on Monday 29 June-General Education Minister

General Education Minister David Mabumba has announced that the reopening of Colleges of Education which were closed due to COVID-19 will be on Monday 29 June 2020 .

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Mabumba said that the reopening will begin with graduating students to enable them prepare adequately for their final exam at the end of the year.

“This is because the Ministry does not want to disturb the academic calendar for the final year students as they are writing their final examination,”he added.

Mr. Mabumba explained that after the announcement by the government under the Leadership of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu on the re-opening of Higher Learning Institutions for final year students, his Ministry went around the country to inspect the preparedness of the Institutions for reopening .

Mr. Mabumba disclosed that the tour was successful and encouraged stakeholders to continue supporting school managers and get involved in ensuring that institutions are safe for students to learn.

He further assured the public that the Ministry will ensure that it continues taking a cautious approach as the Colleges Education re-open on 29th June 2020.

Mr. Mabumba has since advised returning students to bring their own face masks, soap and hand sanitizer as they report back to school as DMMU continues to deliver other Personal Protective Equipment in schools to ensure that the environment remain always safe .

And Mr. Mabumba said that non-graduating students will continue with E-learning until such a time that they will return to college.

He also said before opening institutions will have their facilities inspected and certified by relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, the General Education Minister has tested Negative to covid 19 test.

Mr. Mabumba disclosed that after his tour around the country, he saw it safe that he tests especially after also visiting covid-19 risky places.

“I decided to take the covid-19 test after the tour because I visited even epi centers, i didn’t want to endanger my team so I took a test on Sunday and results on Monday Showed that I tested negative.

The General Education Minister has since urged people not to fear to test for COVID-19 but to take time to have themselves tested for the respiratory illness caused by coronavirus.

Kariba Dam repair works back on course

Chief Editor
-
14
Kariba Dam repair works back on course

The Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project is progressing after temporary Covid-19 setbacks were overcome when it got essential service status.

To ensure the six-year project is completed on time, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has put in place measures against the coronavirus pandemic.

The US$294 million project involves reshaping the plunge pool at the foot of the 60-year-old Kariba Dam and refurbishment of the spillway.

It is being funded through grants and loans from the European Union, World Bank, African Development Bank, the Swedish government and ZRA on behalf of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In his brief, ZRA chief executive Engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa said work was progressing well.

“The Zambezi River Authority has taken measures to mitigate against the risks associated with the Covid19 pandemic on its major worksite, the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project site.
“The authority is fully aware of the health risks associated with large projects like the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project which requires input from bi-national and international experts. With that in mind, A Covid-19 emergency response team has been set up to mitigate the respective impacts on both well-being and project schedule,” he said.

As a critical project to Zambia and Zimbabwe, said Eng Munodawafa, strict measures in adherence to health guidelines from the World Health Organisation and the Contracting States were being followed.

Work was temporarily affected after local and international workers, contractors and service providers including expatriate staff who had travelled to their respective home countries on leave, were caught up by the international travel ban.

1...1,3351,3361,337...5,641Page 1,336 of 5,641

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times