Vice President Mutale-Nalumango has called on Zambians to take responsibility for the country’s drainage systems as severe flooding continues to displace families in Lusaka’s Mandevu constituency. Speaking on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema, she warned against blocking drainages, calling the recent floods “man-made” and preventable.

“Yes, indeed, we prayed to God for rain, but we won’t pray again for God to keep our drainages safe and clean. That is our responsibility,” the Vice President said during her visit to the affected areas.

As part of the government’s response to the crisis, 22 families displaced by the floods have been evacuated from temporary shelters at Chipata Primary School and will be relocated to safer areas. To support the displaced families, the government has provided K66,000 to cover two months’ rent for those affected.

Vice President Nalumango reassured the victims that the government remains fully committed to addressing their needs and preventing similar disasters in the future. She urged residents to refrain from constructing buildings in flood-prone areas, emphasizing the importance of adhering to urban planning guidelines to mitigate future flooding.

During her visit, the Vice President also expressed gratitude to Mandevu Member of Parliament Christopher Shakafuswa for working collaboratively to address the crisis. “I wish to sincerely appreciate Mr. Shakafuswa for not politicizing the issue of floods in the constituency,” she said.

Mr. Shakafuswa commended the government’s swift response, stating that it reflected President Hichilema’s commitment to tackling the challenges faced by Zambians. “The timely assistance provided to the affected families shows the President’s dedication to ensuring no one is left behind,” he remarked.

As Lusaka residents continue to grapple with the aftermath of the floods, the Vice President underscored her role in supporting President Hichilema’s vision, stating, “My role is very clear: to support the President’s vision to the very end of his journey, and I am more than happy to do just that.”

The government’s actions reflect a broader effort to prevent future disasters by addressing both immediate needs and long-term solutions. However, officials warn that community cooperation is critical to avoiding similar tragedies in the future.

First Quantum Minerals Ltd., led by Chief Executive Tristan Pascall, has delivered the 2024 Copperbelt High-Resolution Airborne Survey to Zambia’s Ministry of Mines. The initiative, heralded by President Hakainde Hichilema, marks a significant step in enhancing the country’s understanding of its vast subsurface resources.

“This critical mapping initiative provides a deeper understanding of Zambia’s resource endowment, benefitting not only the Ministry of Mines but the Zambian people as a whole,” President Hichilema said in a statement. He expressed gratitude to First Quantum Minerals for their leadership and collaboration on this project, which underscores Zambia’s commitment to leveraging its mineral wealth for economic development.

The handover of the survey coincides with encouraging news from the mining sector. Zambia’s copper output rose by 12% in 2024, reaching 820,670 metric tons compared to 732,580 tons in 2023. Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe attributed the increase to a recovery in production at key mines despite electricity shortages caused by a drought that impacted hydroelectric power generation.

The uptick in output reflects optimism in the sector, which the government has identified as a cornerstone of its economic growth strategy. Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer after the Democratic Republic of Congo, aims to triple annual copper production to 3 million tons within the next decade.

Production gains were recorded at Mopani Copper Mines, now under the ownership of United Arab Emirates-based International Resources Holding, and other mines operated by industry heavyweights. Canadian firms Barrick Gold and First Quantum Minerals are scaling up production at their operations, while Vedanta Resources, backed by Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal, has committed $1.3 billion to revive Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).

Additionally, KoBold Metals, a U.S.-backed mining firm, has announced plans to invest $2 billion in developing a new copper mine in Zambia. The country’s mining resurgence, coupled with advancements like the Copperbelt High-Resolution Airborne Survey, signals a renewed drive to harness its natural resources while bolstering investor confidence.

As Zambia advances toward its ambitious production targets, the government remains focused on creating a sustainable, transparent, and investor-friendly mining industry that benefits its citizens and economy alike.

The World Bank has approved a new grant of $292 million to the Zambian government to fund the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector Project (ZTIP), aimed at enhancing sustainable and affordable energy access.

The financing package, announced through a statement to ZNBC News, will bolster Zambia’s energy sector by increasing power transmission capacity between Zambia and Tanzania, fostering integration between East and Southern Africa’s power networks.

According to World Bank Country Manager for Zambia, Achim Fock, the Zambian power sector is facing significant financial challenges that have hindered the country’s economic growth. He emphasized that the ZTIP initiative complements both regional and national efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the energy sector while promoting universal electricity access.

“This partnership will help Zambia address critical issues in its power sector while creating a platform for more sustainable and affordable energy solutions,” Mr. Fock said.

Yadviga Semikolenova, the World Bank’s Energy Practice Manager for Eastern and Southern Africa, highlighted the project’s role in strengthening Zambia’s resilience to climate shocks. She noted that the initiative would reinforce the country’s transmission system to support new renewable energy projects and enable broader electricity access.

Of the total grant, $245 million is being provided by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), $17 million by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and $30 million by the European Union.

The Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector Project marks a significant step forward in addressing Zambia’s energy challenges while aligning with broader goals of regional energy integration and climate resilience.

In a scathing critique, Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba calls out Dr. Nevers Mumba, the former Vice President of Zambia, for betraying his Christian values and integrity in his recent support of President Hakainde Hichilema amidst growing concerns over human rights in the country. Mwamba accuses Mumba of deliberately ignoring the widespread human rights abuses under the current administration while fixating on the mistakes of the previous government. This betrayal, according to Mwamba, marks a dangerous departure from the Christian principles Mumba claims to uphold.

Mwamba further condemns Mumba’s statements as divisive and unchristian, urging him to return to the values of love, truth, and justice that should guide both political and spiritual leadership. He calls on Mumba to remember that true faith is measured not by words alone but by the fruits one bears through actions.

Mwamba Says, Former Vice President, Dr. Nevers Mumba moves with mouthful of scriptures, yet displays utter hate and bitterness harboring in his heart.

By these actions, he pervades Christianity.

His recent statement in a quest to support President Hakainde Hichilema on the concerning state of human rights practices in Zambia, is shocking and demonstrates how low his integrity has sunk.

He deliberately ignores the torture, inhuman treatment, restricted rights and freedoms, harrasment, exclusion because of tribe or region, and other humiliating treatment Zambians have suffered.

He is but deeply obsessed with the ills and mistakes of the former ruling party and yet ignores the ills being repeated by the UPND Government.

Zambians gave the former ruling party an ultimate punishment- the PF was voted out of power.

It goes without saying that Zambia has never experienced war or civil conflict or civil strife and has an admirable record of democracy, peace and security.
Yet today we have the USA Country Report on Human Rights Practices, the Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and others expressing serious concerns about the abuse of human rights, abuses and the rapid emergency of a tyrannical government.

Yet today, we have the United Nations personnel in the country investigating human rights practices in Zambia.

That’s how concerning the extent of misrule of President Hakainde Hichilema is, that matters associated with failed States and nations at war such as; abuse of human rights, break-down of the independence of democratic institutions, oppressions of critics and members of the Opposition, and break-down in the Rule of Law, are in full display in Zambia.

Unless we halt this downward spiral,we may be at the cusp of something ominous foreshadowing our nation.

Dr. Mumba knows that the Lord Jesus Christ came to heal the broken-hearted, preach deliverance to captives, and set free those who are oppressed.

“Love thy neighbour”, Jesus commanded. Dr. Mumba knows that as Christians we are identified NOT by our nice or kind words, but by the fruits we bear; “You will know them by their fruits” Mathew 7;16

If politics or religion is coming between me and my neighbour, I will choose my neighbour.

We cannot abandon who we are as Christians for purposes of fulfilling political loyalties, even when our nationhood is threatened.

Mumba’s recent statements are diabolical, unchristian and promote hatred and bitterness in our nation.

Don’t be like hypocrites who love to pray publicly, Christ admonished us.

In Matthew 6:6: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen; then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Faith without works is dead.

I call upon my elder brother that as we call ourselves Christians, walk as Christians, let us be like Christ in our both speech and our deeds.

Let us be the light in politics and not be the diabolical.