NAREP Spokesperson Bwalya Nondo defects to PF
National Restoration Party (NAREP) Spokesperson Bwalya Nondo has ditched the opposition political party to join the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) citing good leadership under President Edgar Lungu.
And in receiving Mr. Nondo at the PF secretariat in Lusaka on Wednesday, PF Deputy Secretary General Hon Mumbi Phiri said the ruling party is not segregative as it treats all members equally.
Hon Phiri said she is confident that the former NAREP Spokesperson will add value to the ruling party as he will find a team that is focused on delivering the much needed development in the country.
The PF Deputy Secretary General urged all party members to accommodate the new members who are joining the party.
And Mr. Nondo said he decided to ditch the opposition and join the ruling party because the opposition in Zambia has betrayed the people of Zambia by failing to provide effective checks and balances.
“I have decided to join a progressive political party in Zambia, I am saying it’s progressive because of its developmental agenda for the country. The PF Government is taking development to all corners of this country and that is why I want to be part of this team that is delivering development to Zambians,” he said.
“The opposition in Zambia has betrayed the people. They have failed to provide quality and effective checks and balances. This makes the opposition in the country weak and lacks direction.”
He said the opposition in Zambia has no direction and cannot form government anytime soon.
Mr. Nondo, who is also former NAREP Chairperson for Information, said there is too much bitterness and negativity amongst the opposition political parties saying this is not healthy for a country like Zambia.
Speaking earlier, PF Member of the Central Committee Kebby Mbewe said these are signs that the PF will have no difficulties in remaining in office beyond 2021.
Mr. Mbewe said the party has continued to receive new members who have seen the developmental works under President Lungu.
President lungu holds talks with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi
President Edgar Lungu says Zambia and India have enjoyed cordial relations since independence. The Head of State says he is looking forward to furthering the relations for the emancipation of the two countries.
He was speaking to journalists in the presence of the President India Shri Ram Nath Kovind and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi after being honoured by a 150 combined defence ceremonial parade at a colourful ceremony to mark his State Visit to New Delhi, India.
The ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati Bhavan) where he was accorded a 21 gun salute and inspected a guard of honour.
Later, President Lungu proceeded to lay wreaths at Raighat, the memorial site of India’s founding father Mahatma Gandhi.
Meanwhile, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi held restricted talks with President Lungu at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
President Lungu also held restricted talks with the President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind and later held a high level delegation meeting.
The Official Programme also included a courtesy call on President Lungu at Taj Palace Hotel by Acting Minister of External Affairs of India Vellamvelly Muraleedharan who is currently Minister of State for External Affairs.
In a statement by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe after the meeting with Dr. Muraleedharan, President Lungu thanked the Indian Government for the support and cooperation over the years in areas such as trade, investment, energy, health, infrastructure development, capacity building and agriculture among others.
The President congratulated India on the 55th anniversary of the India Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme under which many Zambian officials have been trained, experts deployed, studies undertaken and financing provided to Zambia.
The President also expressed gratitude to the Indian Government for providing US$ 100,000 for the Mahatma Gandhi Primary School which is being utilised for the upgrading of the school to secondary level.
He also thanked India for the donation of medical equipment worth US $3 Million, which follows India’s President Shri Ram Nath Kovind’s announcement during his State Visit to Zambia in 2018.
The President underscored the need to work closely at the United Nations and multilateral fora in peace as well as address current global challenges of climate change and terror, among other areas.
Meanwhile, the Indian Acting External Affairs Minister Vellamvelly Muraleedharan who is currently Minister of State for External Affairs hoped that the stand off between the Zambian Government and Vedanta will be resolved soon.
Notable projects and investments from India include the Lusaka Roads Decongestion Project, 650 health posts, Itezhi Tezhi Hydro Power Expansion Project, Maamba Coal Power Plant, Kawambwa Sugar Plant, Mansa Sugar, Bharti, Airtel Zambia, among others.
President Lungu is expected to be hosted for a State Banquet later in the evening.
This is contained in a statement released by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in India Bangwe Naviley.
FAZ hits back at blame for All Africa Games Shepolopolo fiasco
The Football Association of Zambia has hit back at allegations that Shepolopolo U20’s 2019 All Africa Games fiasco was its fault.
Shepolopolo U20 withdrew from the All Africa Games Women’s Football tournament in Morocco due to logistical reasons.
This is after a last minute change of travel plans due to a visa hitch that saw the team marooned in Lusaka for a week after returning from the 2019 COSAFA U20 Women’s Cup in South Africa where they had just finished runner-up.
The All Africa Games participation and organization fall under the aegis of Government through the Ministry of Sport.
FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala told The Daily Nation Newspaper that it was inaccurate to blame Football House’s fault when the blame was on the facilitators at The Ministry of Sport.
“We should not wash dirty linen in public. We are not responsible for organising the All Africa Games as that is the baby of the Ministry and National Olympic Committee of Zambia. The visas were supposed to be secured by the organising committee,” Kashala told The Daily Nation.
“We should not be brought into the mud for nothing because now we are been pushed too far, the nation will know where the truth lies.
“How can we be told to buy our own tickets when the rest of the disciplines are being taken care of by the government? Did they tell athletics or judo to secure their air tickets? Are we showing discrimination?
“But we went out of our way to secure the tickets for the girls but there were no visa letters.
“After we had cancelled the tickets three times, the last quotation we got from the airline was K900, 000 and we couldn’t afford that as an association because our budget was K400, 000. We asked the ministry if they could help, but they could not commit to pay and asked us to continue looking for something cheaper.
“So we did our best to see our girls travel but sadly did not produce the intended result.”
Zambia’s financial stability under threat
The Bank of Zambia has noted that weakening economic growth, load shedding and tightening liquidity in Zambia are threatening financial stability in the market.
And the Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has maintained the policy rate, a key determinant in lending rates, at 10.25 percent.
BoZ Governor Denny Kalyalya says the committee took into account projected inflation remaining above the upper bound of the 6.8 percent target range, tightened liquidity and reduced production owing to electricity challenges.
Dr. Kalyalya noted that increased food prices owing to droughts in the last farming season have also had a negative toll on inflation.
He says the above factors required the upward adjustment for the policy rate but the Central Bank had to hold it pending some measures by the Ministry of Finance.
Speaking during the MPC quarterly briefing in Lusaka today Dr. Kalyalya noted that global growth has equally weakened with demand for copper by China having reduced owing to decline in investment in emerging markets and reduction in global trade due to ongoing trade tensions between the USA and China among others.
And Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor Operations Francis Chipimo said access to finance has remained a challenge for private sector growth and investment.
Dr. Chipimo however said there are a lot of developmental issues being undertaken aimed at enabling the financial sector mobilize savings and lend money to investors with ideas.
Only 2.7 million hectares out of 12.5million hectares used for agriculture in North Western Province
By Memory Chipili
“The mantle to develop the North-Western Province rests on all of us as local residents and not non-Zambians to change the status quo and create a conducive economic diversification especially in priority sectors that can produce fruit such as agriculture, tourism, energy, manufacturing and mining.”
Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) acting director Investments Moses Mwanakatwe made the remarks at a Business Symposium held on the sidelines of the ongoing North-West investment exposition in Solwezi where he explained the urgent need for the province to consider venturing into agriculture among other sectors instead of being dependent on mining alone.
Mr Mwanakatwe noted that Zambia boasted of 75 million hectares of land, of which the province sat on 12.5 million hectares.Of that spread, 5.8 million hectares was ready for use but only 2.7 million hectares was in use for agriculture purposes, with 46 rivers dotted across the province as a possible good irrigation option. This made the province a sound potential destination for agricultural investment.
“With all this land lying idle a lot more of jobs could be created if we can all consider taking up the mantle to open up and use this land in both small-scale and commercial farming ventures that will in turn help to improve the living standards of the locals in the province.”
He said in trying to diversify the economy of the country, Government had come up with the concept of farm block development whose aim is to specifically venture into commercialised activities such as livestock, poultry farming, milk processing and fisheries.
“Every province has potentially a total of 100,000 hectares of land set aside specifically for commercialisation of Agriculture purposes, and here in the province we do have the Solwezi farm block which is ready to be exploited by serious Investors,” he said.
Mr Mwanakatwe said the North West Expo has indeed unlocked the potential that the province had to develop through different key sectors aside from mining.
He said, for instance bee-keeping could be commercialised if value-addition was considered through honey processing factories, whose ripple effect would create jobs for locals and change their livelihood.
Mr Mwanakatwe added that the province was free from livestock diseases that affect other parts of the country, and from pests found in farming areas in other provinces.
“I challenge you, be you Zambian or non-Zambian, to come and approach the provincial administration and invest in the sector and take up the opportunities that are currently available and ready to be explored.”
Provincial permanent secretary Willies Mangimela said that the objective of hosting the province’s first-ever trade and investments Expo was to create long-lasting opportunities that would transform the local communities and give potential investors vital information.
“I encourage all exhibitors, partners and our visitors to reflect deeply on the theme and utilise the platform that is provided to get maximum benefit both business and networking purposes,” Mr Mangimela said. – Courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS.
Open dialogue and transparency key to Zambia’s investment climate
Chinkuli
Open dialogue and transparency between government and the private sector is needed to improve and safeguard Zambia’s investment climate, says First Quantum Minerals.
The mining firm believes that a natural equilibrium must also be sought that sees Zambian people share the benefits of the country’s natural resources while also making investments a true business proposition for the private sector.
Speaking at this week’s Expo North West Zambia 2019, FQM Country Manager General Kingsley Chinkuli said that to stimulate an influx of new investors in various sectors in North-Western Province there was need for a better understanding of investors and investment requirements.
The Expo, of which FQM is the major sponsor, is being held under the theme ‘Unveiling the Hidden Treasures’.
“The province’s copper and gold resources have been unveiled by our company and others, creating a new and modern ‘Copperbelt’. To unveil that which is still hidden in the ground requires a positive policy on exploration. This province needs the next mine to come online in the near future, and it needs extension of the lives of existing mines,” said General Chinkuli.
However, he explained that despite the challenges of mining low-grade copper deposits of just 0.51 percent, First Quantum’s success was founded on three pillars that have enabled the investment to be unlocked: the nation’s natural resources; significant amounts of capital raised from international markets; and cutting edge skills and expertise drawn from across the globe to ensure the ore is mined profitably.
“The ‘glue’ that binds those three ingredients together is a strong partnership between government and the private sector in the form of genuine constant dialogue to deal with challenges and achieve our common goal of ensuring Zambia is a competitive environment in which to do business,” he added.
First Quantum Minerals remains committed to that transparent partnership, along with the sustainability, environmental responsibility and governance that form the bedrock of its approach to business, he said, adding that investment in people would attract further business to the area, confident there is an educated, skilled and eager workforce available, and that in turn will ensure the market will continue to grow, creating new employment for people who themselves become a market for yet more businesses.
“We firmly believe that the solutions lie in North-Western Province’s other ‘hidden treasures’. First Quantum believes that forestry is a great treasure worth protecting for an economic and orderly exploitation for the benefit of this land. This province has empty game reserves. These should be stocked with game for investment in tourism. We are taking a lead in this area.
“Our direct involvement in agriculture at community level through our Trident Foundation keeps growing every year, clearly demonstrating this region’s hidden treasure in its soils and weather. The production coming off our community farms through conservation farming should encourage any investor to take up investment in this area,” said General Chinkuli.
Speaking when he opened the expo, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu said that the Expo demonstrated government’s long-standing commitment to improve the use of resources, to promote diversification, industrialisation, job creation and poverty reduction.
“My government is committed to accelerating economic development by supporting such events, which are aimed at attracting both local and foreign investors. This is for us to exploit and unlock the investment potential that North-Western Province has in various sectors,” he said.
President Lungu added that government believed the private sector was a catalyst to supporting its quest to improve the livelihoods of its people through wealth and employment creation in line with the country’s Vision 2030.
Diversification can make food cheaper
Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo says crop diversification has the potential to increase availability of affordable, healthy foods and food security.
Mr. Katambo says with climate change effects becoming severe on food production, crop diversification will help avert the negative impacts and increase income for many households.
He said this in a speech read for him by Chief Agriculture Detention Officer Katuka Chongo during the launch of Beyond maize study report by Hivos in Lusaka.
Mr. Katambo expressed happiness that Hivos and cooperating partners are working with government on diversification efforts.
He said such systems are key in improving incomes for smallholder farmers.
And Hivos Senior Programs Manager Sustainable Diets Frank Mechielsen noted that Zambia has the potential to grow lots of food beyond maize which would be easy to feed the nation.
Mr. Mechielsen said the Sustainable Foods for All program is aimed at advocating for policy change for governments to effectively embrace food diversification.
Meanwhile, Hivos Southern Africa Regional Director Tanja Lubbers also reiterated the need to diversify Zambia’s crop production to mitigate foot shortages.
Retired teachers should vacate institutional houses – Lusambo
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has advised retired teachers occupying institutional houses at Kabulonga Secondary school to leave before they are evicted from the houses.
Mr Lusambo said retired teachers at Kabulonga Boys and Girls secondary schools will be the next to be evicted after Munali Secondary school to create accommodation space for new and serving teachers.
He said it is regrettable that some people who occupy the houses are not even teachers and wondered how they found themselves occupying the same houses.
“Let them move on their own because if they don’t they will be removed by force. We will not allow people that are no longer serving to occupy those houses”, Mr Lusambo said.
He said time has come for the retired teachers to leave and to allow other teachers to occupy the houses and this exercise will be extended to all the schools in Lusaka.
“Why should we allow teachers to travel long distances from as far as Chongwe, Kafue and Chunga to come and teach at Kabulonga due to lack of accommodation when their houses are being occupied by retirees. When you retire is to leave so that others can occupy the houses”, he said.
He said the Council will also not hesitate to demolish any extensions made to the houses which have become an eyesore in most government houses.
Lusaka City Council and state police recently demolished illegal structures and evicted some retirees who have been residing in Munali secondary school teachers’ compound.
This followed the expiry of a 14 days eviction notice issued to them.
Among the structures brought down were boarding houses.
Sinkamba urges President Lungu to meet Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal in India
Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has urged President Edgar Lungu to rethink his position and meet Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal whilst in India.
Mr Sinkamba says meeting Mr Agarwal through dialogue outside the court process will be less costly for Zambia as the country may be made to pay more if it loses the arbitration process.
He said dialogue between government and the Vedanta Chairman will help resolve outstanding issues between the two parties.
“The Arbitration process in South Africa and the Court case in Zambia can go either way but what is certain is that addressing the issue outside the court will help resolve this issue”, Mr Sinkamba said.
He said he does not see the ZCCM-IH attending the arbitration process in South Africa because they are already in contempt and anyone that will show up their risk being locked up for contempt of Court.
And Mr. Sinkamba said attempts by Mr Agarwal to engage President Edgar Lungu starting with the meeting in Lusaka and now in India is making up a case for arbitration which government must be worry of.
State House has clarified that President Edgar Lungu will not be meeting the Vedanta chairman, Mr. Anil Agarwal or his representatives as he embarks on his state visit in India.
In a statement from India, State House Spokesperson Isaac Chipampe said there has been numerous queries and speculation that President Lungu will be meeting Mr Agarwal and that he is here at the invitation of the businessman.
“As informed last week by State House, the nation is hereby informed once again that his Excellency the President is in India at the invitation of India President His Excellency Ram Nath Kovind.”
Mr Chipampe said President Lungu is expected to meet representatives from 12 Zambian based Indian companies and KCM whose majority shareholder is Vedanta, is not one of them.
He said President Lungu has already stated that the Zambian government will follow the Zambian people’s wish over the KCM issue.
Government to help 40 stranded students in India
President Edgar Lungu says government will help the 40 students that are stranded in India for failure to pay school fees.
The affected students are unable to leave India for failure to settle their fees.
Speaking when he addressed the Zambian students in India, President Lungu urged the Zambian Embassy in that country to ensure that the students are helped.
President Lungu said this is not the time to blame the students but help them to move out of trouble.
President Lungu however warned that government will not allow parents to take their students to India when they have no capacity to pay.
He said it is sad to have children stranded in a foreign country because their parents have failed to honour their obligations.
President Lungu also urged the Zambian embassy in India to scrutinize the Universities that are advertising in Zambia.
He said it is unfortunate that some Universities are giving false information to prospecting students only to change when they are enrolled.
The Head of State said this after one of the students complained that most of her lecturers do not use English when teaching and does not have facilities for practical’s.
And, Foreign Affairs Minister, Joseph Malanji said government wants Zambians in foreign countries to contribute to National Development.
He urged the students to acquire skills that will help to develop the country.
And Zambia High Commissioner to Zambia, Judith Kapinjimpanga thanked the President for visiting India.
She said this will help in strengthening relations between Zambia and India.
Kampyongo denies colluding with Mwenya Musenge to disrupt Kambwili’s NDC Party
Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo has rubbished claims by National Democratic Congress NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili’s Claims that he is is behind the confusion engulfing the opposition political party.
Speaking in an interview in Ndola/Copperbelt province, the minister said it is totally retrogressive that the NDC leader would want to engage him in the manner he is doing throwing personal attacks while fabricating lies.
“It’s laughable! I don’t have time to waste on baseless issues like that, I have so much work to do. The Ministry of Home Affairs has got a lot of departments and portfolio functions so I can not start wasting my time on people who have nothing to do. no time and no energy to waste on such!”
Hon. Kampyongo said he as Minister of home Affairs has done nothing extraordinary that is not within the confines of the law and the regulations as guided by the ministerial mandate under which ministry the registrar of societies seats.
He said the registrar of societies is a body created by an act of parliament with a legal backing to register societies including political parties and does not segregate in the manner it Carrie’s out its mandate.
He says it is unfortunate that Mr Kambwili who was a legislator not long ago could could fail to understand the basic interpretation of the law.
Hon. Kampyongo said Mr Kambwili should desist from making personal attacks when addressing institutional issues whose channel is properly defined.
Yesterday NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili accused while at a press briefing held at his house in Luanshya accused the Home Affairs Minister of colluding with party secretary general Mwenya Musenge to destabilise the opposition political party.
Inonge Wina commissions a medical manufacturing firm
Acting Republican President, Inonge Wina, yesterday commissioned Yash Life Sciences, the manufacturers of quality essential medicines in Kafue’s Shimabala area.
Mrs Wina stated that the development is another milestone in the government’s quest to an all-round socio-economic landscape of the country.
She said the commissioning of a manufacturing plant for essential medicines will ensure that the establishment of a robust and resilient supply chain, as government remains committed to achieving a nation of productive and healthy people.
The Acting President noted that the development will further contribute to the provision of medical supply needs and government’s crusade to attain universal health coverage in the provision of access to essential medicines.
She added that the manufacturing plant has also come with benefits of providing better available and affordable medicines, as well as job creation for the people.
Yash life Sciences Director, Himanshu Patel, said his company is committed to ensuring a stable, healthy and sustainable society through the provision of essential medicines.
Mr Patel also assured government of good stock and management of essential medicines across the country, while adding that Zambia is poised to become a regional hub for essential medicines.
He further stated that Yash Limited Sciences will also among other things collaborate with government in its programmes to uplift the lives of the people under its social corporate responsibility.
And Acting Minister of Health, Dora Siliya, noted that the commissioning of Yash Life Sciences is part of government’s continued linkage of various activities to provide the people with the required health services.
Meanwhile, Lusaka Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, expressed gratitude at the development, saying it not only adds beauty to Kafue and the province at large but that it also comes with job creation for the people.
President Lungu will not meet Vedanta Chairman in India
State House has clarified that President Edgar Lungu will not be meeting the Vedanta chairman, Mr. Anil Agarwal or his representatives as he embarks on his state visit in India.
In a statement from India, State House Spokesperson Isaac Chipampe said there has been numerous queries and speculation that President Lungu will be meeting Mr Agarwal and that he is here at the invitation of the businessman.
“As informed last week by State House, the nation is hereby informed once again that his Excellency the President is in India at the invitation of India President His Excellency Ram Nath Kovind.”
Mr Chipampe said President Lungu is expected to meet representatives from 12 Zambian based Indian companies and KCM whose majority shareholder is Vedanta, is not one of them.
He said President Lungu has already stated that the Zambian government will follow the Zambian people’s wish over the KCM issue.
Adrian Chama joins Zesco United
Green Buffaloes defender and captain Adrian Chama have joined Zesco United.
The Chipolopolo CHAN team captain has joined the defending FAZ Super Division champions on loan for the 2019/2020 season.
Chama reported for training in Ndola on Monday in what so far is the 2019/2020 season’s biggest surprise deals.
However, Chama is only eligible for continental action if Zesco reach the group stage.
Meanwhile, Zesco are sweating on the fitness of key striker Jesse Were ahead of Saturday’s CAF Champions League preliminary round, final leg match against Black Mamba on August 24 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zesco head into the final leg leading 2-0 from the first leg played in eSwatini on August 10.
Were sustained an injury last Saturday in Zesco’s 1-0 loss to Zanaco in the Charity Shield final at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
The striker, who limped off in the 70th minute and was replaced by new signing Saviour Nkonkola, missed Tuesday training due to the knock.
Midfielders Anthony Akumu and Enock Sabamukumana also sat out training as they continue their rehabilitation from their respective two month injury spell’s.