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Chipolopolo Embark on AFCON Road to Redemption

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Chipolopolo Zambia’s battle to end their seven-year AFCON absence kicks off this Friday when they visit Cote d’Ivoire away in Yamoussoukro.

Kickoff is at 21h00 Zambian time at Stade Yamoussoukro.

Zambia head into their opening Group H match on the back of three straight flops to qualify for AFCON.

Chipolopolo’s last appearance was in 2015 in Equatorial Guinea where they made a preliminary stage exit.

“Of course we have disappointed them (our fans) at various times but you know the only way we can achieve our goals is to show unity,” Chipolopolo captain Enock Mwepu said.

“So we need them a lot. We need them to come and support us and give us that energy.

“For us, we know we need to give them what they desire and what they deserve so I think this is the moment when we can bring back those glory days which is the winning mentality and just make them proud.”

Cote d’Ivoire has qualified as hosts but the points count administratively for Zambia, Comoros and Lesotho to decide who will join The Elephants in Abidjan next June.

Group H is the only group where one team will qualify to AFCON and they must either finish first or second behind Cote d’Ivoire.

The match will also mark coach Aljosa Asanovic’s competitive debut following his appointment in January after collecting two defeats and a win in March’s friendlies.

Asanovic has a full squad that includes the prime attacking duo of Patson Daka from Leicester City in England and Glasgow Rangers forward Fashion Sakala.

Brighton midfielder Mwepu will be the key man in midfield.

And Cote d’Ivoire are not a new experience to Mwepu and Company after feeling The Elephants wrath in a June, 2019 friendly away in Abu Dhabi that Chipolopolo lost 4-1.

And now the players are more mature, particularly the trio playing on both sides of the border in Britain, and it is on them that the burden to lead the charge will fall on Friday evening.

Friday will also mark defender Frankie Musonda’s competitive debut after playing his first two games for Zambia in the March friendlies against Congo-Brazzaville and Benin.

Meanwhile, Zambia will also be aiming to end a two match losing start in the qualifiers after drawing their other previous two qualifiers.

Chipolopolo traces its last opening day win to 2012 when they beat Uganda 1-0 in Ndola on their way to qualifying for 2013 AFCON in South Africa where they relinquished their crown with a preliminary stage exit.

And Chipolopolo will wrap up their June Group H qualifiers on June 7 when they host Comoros in Lusaka.

Comoros are in action on Friday afternoon at home against Lesotho.

Government to only pay for supplied university equipment-PS

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Government to only pay for supplied university equipment-PS

Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Brilliant Habeenzu, has said it is necessary to conduct an audit on equipment supplied to higher institutions of learning before payments are made.

Dr. Habeenzu said this follows the release of money from the African Development Bank to higher learning institutions such as Mulungushi University.

He said this in Kabwe yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe.

Dr. Habeenzu said his team was in Kabwe to audit equipment that was supplied to Mulungushi University and other institutions of higher learning through the Africa Development Bank loan.

He added that the payment would only be made after the team is satisfied that money will be paid on equipment that was actually supplied.

And Dr. Habeenzu has assured Mr. Mwanakampwe that the appointments of board members for Kabwe Institute of Technology and Nkumbi International College would be expedited.

He further said the provincial administration would be given an opportunity to help identify names of people to serve on the board.

Earlier, Central Province Permanent Secretary, Milner Mwanakampwe, appealed to Dr. Habeenzu to ensure that Kabwe Institute of Technology and Nkumbi International College board members are quickly appointed.

And Mr. Mwanakampwe said it was important to follow up on the supply of equipment at concerned universities just to be sure that what is being paid for was indeed supplied.

ZCCM IH Board signs MOU with ZANACO to help SMEs in the Mining Industry

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ZCCM IH Board signs MOU with ZANACO to help SMEs in the Mining Industry

The Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investments Holdings (ZCCM IH) Board has hailed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the firm has clinched with the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO).

ZCCM-IH and Zanaco on Wednesday signed the MoU in Kitwe aimed at fostering and providing growth opportunities that contribute to the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the mining supply value chain in Zambia.

The MoU further provides a framework of cooperation and collaboration between ZCCM IH and ZANACO to identify opportunities for increased local participation in the mining sector.

ZCCM IH Board Chairperson Dolika Banda said the MoU is a product of conversations arising from the mining indaba held a fortnight ago in South Africa on the need to foster partnerships that provide support to see a thriving mining industry in Zambia.

Ms. Banda said the cooperation between ZCCM IH and ZANACO will help identify opportunities for increased local participation in the mining sector.

“The signing of this MoU today is the culmination of conversations arising from the mining indaba held a fortnight ago in Cape Town on the need to foster such beneficial partnerships that provide support to see a thriving mining industry in Zambia. This MoU sets out terms of cooperation that goes beyond general corporate funding facilities availed by the bank, to include the identification of growth opportunities in the mining value chain and beyond,” she said.

“A key feature of this MoU is that it provides a platform aimed at fostering and providing growth opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises (smes) in the mining value chain sector of Zambia. This cooperation will help identify such opportunities for increased local participation in the mining sector predominantly, and this resonates with the government’s agenda of building a resilient and sustainable mining industry anchored on investments that deliver benefits to all Zambians,” Ms Banda said.

Ms. Banda said there is a need for local people to participate in building a resilient and sustainable mining industry anchored on investments that deliver benefits to all citizens.

“This agenda cannot be complete without local participation in the sector. We want to see our smes play a critical role in our mining value and supply chains. Together with Zanaco, we are in alignment with the government’s call to build and promote linkages aimed at promoting value addition in the mining sector. ZCCM IH will leverage Zanacos’ financial capacity, its physical and digital footprint, and its endeavour and commitment in providing the support in creating these linkages. Our own philosophy of sustainable growth and value creation mirrors theirs, and is why we are sure that by working together we can do and achieve great things for the benefit of our shareholders and all stakeholders,” she said.

Ms. Banda added that ZCCM IH is encouraged and determined to respond to the growing demand for copper, cobalt and other strategic minerals on the metal market.

“The MoU we are signing today will ensure that suitable bank products, financial support and capacity building through financial literacy training programs among others, are provided to qualifying smes in the mining value chain. This we believe will equip smes with the necessary tools and resources to actively participate in the industry and gain value to expand their businesses, create jobs and contribute to the social-economic development of our country. Let me conclude by saying that our goal is to build such strategic partnerships and encourage local participation in the mining sector’s value chain.”

“We are further encouraged and determined to respond to the growing demand for copper, cobalt and other strategic minerals, the need for value addition and beneficiation to our minerals, as well as to governments’ audacious goal to take the country’s annual production levels from the current 830,000 to 3 million metric tons in the next ten years,” she concluded.

Zanaco Board Chairman Patrick Wanjelani asked players in the mining value chain to take advantage of the opportunity and help Zambia attain its vision of becoming a middle income country.

Zambia, Israel holds economic conference

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Zambia, Israel holds economic conference

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga says Zambia has the potential to increase its exports to Israel to at least 1 billion United States dollars.

Speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he officially opened the first ever Israel-Zambia economic conference, Mr. Mulenga observed that Zambia currently imports 163 million United States dollars from Israel and exports to that country 3 million dollars’ worth of trade and investment.

He however, said this represents a trade imbalance between the two countries.

Mr. Mulenga stated that the two countries have potential to resolve the trade imbalance.

“I have seen the trade imbalance that has continued to be between our two countries. Indeed, we have continued to do business together, over 163 million dollars’ worth of imports from Israel and 3 million worth of exports. I feel the two countries can increase this to over a billion or more. A time has come that we did this together,” he said.

Mr. Mulenga encouraged Israeli investors to take full advantage of the enabling business environment in Zambia.

He said government is keen to learn from Israel regarding technology and innovation.

“Zambia has got a youthful population which is so eager to be productive. The spirit of creativity and innovation that Israel has demonstrated to the world where they export innovation, where they export technology is what we want to tap in,” he said.

Meanwhile, the minister said he will engage his Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation counterpart, Stanley Kakubo on the possibility of having an Israeli embassy located in Zambia.

Speaking at the same event, Israeli Ambassador to Zambia, Ofra Farhi, said Zambia’s private sector-driven economic agenda will attract Israeli investment.

Ms Farhi said this is because both countries have placed the private sector at the centre of economic growth.

The diplomat said Zambia can be an example to other African countries regarding trade and investment relations with Israel.

Ms Farhi said Israeli innovation can contribute significantly to Zambia’s quest of rebuilding its economy.

“We would like to look at Zambia as a case study, maybe for other African countries, on how to build connections with Israel, increase trade & investments, and have an open bilateral economic communication channel between the two countries. I know that Israeli innovation and know-how have gained a big success and they can be an essential part of the rebuilding of Zambia’s economy,” she said.

This is the first ever business conference between the two countries and was held under the theme: ‘Israel in Zambia: spirit of creativity.’

ECZ calls on citizens to submit voter’s cards for dead relatives

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ECZ calls on citizens to submit voter’s cards for dead relatives

Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Vice Chairperson, Emily Sikazwe has implored Zambians to submit voter’s cards of their deceased relatives to help the Commission remove them from the register.

Dr. Sikazwe said removing the deceased from the voters register will help the Commission to have accurate figures of eligible voters.

Dr. Sikazwe said in Ndola today when she officially launched the continuous voter registration on the Copperbelt.

ZANIS reports that apart from registering new voters, all provincial centres will provide other services such as removal of the deceased from the register.

“These centres will also be receiving voter’s cards for the deceased so that they are removed from the voters register. We are therefore calling on the general public to bring their deceased’s voter’ cards to the centre,” she said.

She said the continuous voter registration puts an end to the long queues that characterized voter registration exercises in the previous elections.

Dr. Sikazwe said the exercise will continue up to 2026 and beyond and will include among other services, new voters card registrations, transfers, replacements, correction of clerical errors, claims for inclusion in the voters register and amendments to the voters register following the outcome of appeals and objections.

Sunbird Bioenergy Zambia in Kawambwa is set to start Ethanol processing in August

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Sunbird Bioenergy Zambia in Kawambwa is set to start Ethanol processing in August

Sunbird Bioenergy Zambia in Kawambwa district in Luapula Province has disclosed that the company is scheduled to have its first-ever ethanol produced from cassava feedstock, blended with petrol, in August this year.

Sunbird Bioenergy Energy Zambia Agriculture Director Mark Muchinga says the company will have its first ethanol blend, done by Indeni Petroleum Refinery in Ndola, as a trial.

Mr Muchinga told Luapula Province Minister Derrick Chilundika, during a tour of the company fields that the ethanol that will be blended into petrol is expected to reduce the country’s fuel imports by 10 per cent.

“The ethanol that will be produced here will help reduce the cost of fuel by about 10 per cent and the company once operational is assured of constant production.

So far we have done a nursery of up to 1,200 hectares, the nursery is the one where we get the planting materials that we give to our out-growers and we have already registered over 5000 out-growers, with most of them harvesting their crop in the next few weeks,” he said.

Mr. Muchinga revealed that the company is committed to ensuring that the trial for the blending of ethanol is done, adding that the company has already had a meeting with the Ministry of Energy, where both parties have agreed that Indeni Petroleum Refinery will be the off-taker of the trial to blend the ethanol with petroleum.

“As you can see now we are harvesting. We are harvesting not because we are supposed to be harvesting no, but we are harvesting because the Minister came and told us that he needs the ethanol which we are supposed to produce by August, as they will be carrying out a trial on how the blending is going to work,” he explained.

Mr. Muchinga added that blending the ethanol with petroleum also needs the consumer to agree or disagree on whether to use the product.

And Luapula Province Minister Derrick Chilundika said the provincial administration is excited about the economic benefit that Sunbird Bioenergy is making in Kawambwa and Luapula province.

“As Provincial Administration we are very excited because it will not only be the first ethanol that will be produced as a Kawambwa product, but also the economic benefit it bring to the region, so in this regard, we wish to encourage the company management and the investors themselves to invest more, we are there for them,” he said.

Mr. Chilundika added that government is user friendly to investors, adding that the authority is aware of the positive strides made to grow the economy of the country.

Mr. Chilundika further urged the company, to employ local people as they are incrementing in order to empower them.

“We have made it very clear as a government that priority should be given to the locals in terms of jobs and any other thing that might come including supplies, we believe this is one way of empowering the locals,” he emphasised.

Mr. Chilundika further encouraged the company to ensure that they provide protective gear to the employees that have been employed to work in the fields.

Civil Service Commission keen on Restoring Professionalism in the Civil Service-Mumba

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Civil Service Commission keen on Restoring Professionalism in the Civil Service-Mumba

The Civil Service Commission has disclosed that it is working hard to clean the system by fighting off corruption and nepotism.

Service Commission Chairperson Peter Mumba said the commission will endeavor to see that sanity and professionalism are restored in the civil service unlike what used to happen in the past.

Mr. Mumba said this when he called on Masaiti District Commissioner Ennie Matutu at her office today.

He said the cleaning exercise in the Commission has resulted in the decentralization of the recruitment of health workers and the teachers.

He said that government is advocating for transparency at all levels so as to ensure all its citizens benefit in the recruitment exercise and that deserving candidates are expected to be employed in the system.

Mr. Mumba however urged the District Commissioner to work hand in hand with the Local Authority through Ward Development Committees to help address challenges such as accommodation being faced in the various departments of government in the district.

And Masaiti District Commissioner Ennie Matutu disclosed that the district successfully conducted the recruitment exercise without favouring anyone.

Meanwhile, The Civil Service Commission says the delegation of an important function to the districts to recruit health workers is aimed at actualising decentralisation.

Civil Service Commissioner, Louis Siandyabantu, said the decentralisation of the recruitment process for health workers countrywide will greatly benefit local people in respective districts.

Mr. Siandyabantu made these remarks when he paid a courtesy call on Shiwang`andu District Commissioner, Maureen Bwembya, at her office yesterday.

He disclosed that the Civil Service Commission is determined to implement and actualise the decentralisation of some human resource reforms in addition to delegated reforms such as confirmations and transfers within the districts.

He said the government and the Civil Service Commission are passionate about seeing to it that decentralisation is actualised.

“In line with the focus on decentralisation, the Civil Service Commission has delegated an important function for districts to recruit,” said Mr. Siandyabantu.

And Mr. Siandyabantu, who is head of delegation for the Civil Service Commission team that is conducting monitoring and evaluation of the health workers recruitment process in Muchinga Province, said the commission is pleased that priority has been given to the local people in Shiwang`andu district.

“I would like to commend the human resource recruitment committee in Shiwang`andu district for adhering to the recruitment criteria set by the Civil Service Commission,” said Mr. Siandyabantu.

He said this after monitoring and evaluating the health workers recruitment process in Shiwang`andu district in Muchinga Province.

Mr. Siandyabantu added that decentralised recruitment will help in retaining skilled workers.

He reiterated that the recruitment has been localised with a view to give opportunities to local people in the districts so that they can still stay in the environment they are used to even after being employed.

Mr. Siandyabantu lamented that in the past, some people from urban areas had been using rural areas as entry points but would ask for transfers to urban areas soon after getting employed.

He observed that this behaviour caused under-staffing in many rural health facilities, a situation he said will be controlled by the actualisation of decentralisation.

And Shiwang`andu District Commissioner, Maureen Bwembya, said the recruitment process of teachers and health workers was smooth in Shiwang`andu district.

“As a district, we are eagerly waiting for those who will be employed to start work in the various schools and health facilities,” she said.

Meanwhile, Shiwang`andu District Health Director, Gibson Mweemba, said the total number of vacancies in the district were 73 and 361 people have applied.

Mr. Mweemba said the selection of the candidates has been done on merit and in accordance with the prescribed selection criteria.

New Dawn government will deliver high-quality, well-paying jobs to thousands of Zambians-Kabuswe

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New Dawn government will deliver high-quality, well-paying jobs to thousands of Zambians-Kabuswe

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe has said that the New Dawn government will deliver on its promises to provide high-quality, well-paying jobs to thousands of Zambians.

In a statement made available to the media, addressing a number of issues affecting the mining industry, Mr Kabuswe said that the government is working to maximise the economic contributions of the Mining Industry to ensure that the sector is run in a sustainable and socially responsible manner.

Mr Kabuswe said that, with regards to the release of a recent economic impact report carried out by esteemed economic consultant Oliver Saasa, the upcoming Investments by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) into the Kansanshi Mine and Enterprise Nickle Mine will help to create around 18,000 new jobs.

According to the Minister, the report, published by Premier Consult Limited, predicts that the Investments will result in between 1,300 to 1,700 direct jobs being created, as well as an additional 16,500 through the multiplier effect. There will also be a further 1,800 vacancies during the 18-month construction phase at Kansanshi.

The Minister also refuted allegations that a commitment was given to Vedanta Resources to have their license restored, adding that it is a widely held view within Government that Vedanta sacrificed their social licence to operate in this Country through their past failings.

Mr Kabuswe also said that following the Court of Appeal’s decision to stay proceedings and refer the KCM matter back to arbitration, a decision supported by the Supreme Court, a hearing is now set for 9th January 2023 and that, in the interim, efforts are continuing to find a solution that unlocks KCM’s potential and delivers maximum benefit to the people of Zambia.

On Mopani, the minister did not mention the Glenco corruption saga, but pointed out that the Government is of the view that market-based capital raising solutions should be implemented at Mopani, rather than relying directly or indirectly on the limited public finances.

The Minister further said that, as the President has said previously, the government is very close to finding a suitable private Investor to further ramp up production at Mopani Mines.

Below is the full statement

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY
01.06.2022

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Hon. Paul C. Kabuswe wishes to update the Zambian people on the recent developments in the Mining sector.

As citizens may be aware, over the weekend the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development completed its audit on the Administration and Management of mineral rights at the Cadastre Department. This report has now been handed over to the President and the Ministry expects the issuance of new mining licenses to resume soon. This audit was carried out to ensure that all new licenses are awarded in a transparent and efficient manner, which fulfils our election pledge of generating maximum economic benefit to the Zambian people and safeguarding the interests of our Country.

I also want to update Zambians about developments at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Mines. The Ministry is aware of large amounts of misinformation circulating in relation to these assets and wishes to reiterate that we are working hard to deliver sustainable, long-term solutions for both mines.

Early last month, the Acting Administrator General and Official Receiver for Zambia Celine Meena Nair assumed the position of Provisional Liquidator at Konkola Copper Mines. This is in accordance with the Corporate Insolvency Act, which provides that where there is a vacancy in the office of Provisional Liquidator, it must be filled by the Official Receiver until the appointment of a liquidator. Ms Nair is a highly qualified lawyer who previously worked as Principal Legal Officer at the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development fully supports the work of Ms Nair in this role.

Ms Nair has subsequently appointed Jason Kazilimani of the professional services firm KPMG to act as her agent in relation to the liquidation proceedings at KCM. Mr Kazilimani is a chartered accountant who currently serves as the senior partner and Chief Executive Officer at KPMG in Zambia. He also has the full support of the Government.

As the Government and ZCCM-IH continue to work through the arbitration process for KCM, we wish to refute the suggestion that a commitment was given t Vedanta Resources to have their license restored. Indeed it is the widely held view within Government that Vedanta sacrificed their social licence to operate in this Country through their past failings.

Following the Court of Appeal’s decision to stay proceedings and refer the matter back to arbitration – a decision supported by the Supreme Court – a hearing is now set for 9th January 2023. In the interim, efforts are continuing to find a solution that unlocks KCM’s potential and delivers maximum benefit to the people of Zambia.

In the case of Mopani Mines, the Government is of the view that market-based capital raising solutions should be implemented at Mopani, rather than relying directly or indirectly on the limited public finances. As the President has said previously, we are very close to finding a suitable private Investor to further ramp up production at Mopani Mines.

With regards to the release of a recent economic impact report carried out by esteemed economic consultant Oliver Saasa, the upcoming Investments by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) into the Kansanshi Mine and Enterprise Nickle Mine will help to create around 18,000 new jobs.

The report, published by Premier Consult Limited, predicts that the Investments will result in between 1,300 to 1,700 direct jobs being created, as well as an additional 16,500 through the multiplier effect. There will also be a further 1,800 vacancies during the 18-month construction phase at Kansanshi.

This follows the President’s recent announcement at the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town that FQM is investing $1.25 billion to expand production and extend the life of the Kansanshi Mine, as well as a further $100 million to bring the new Enterprise Nickel Mine online.

According to the report, these Investments stand to generate between $380 million and $775 million in additional tax revenues, depending on commodity prices, which can then be spent on critical areas such as education, healthcare, Infrastructure and the Constituency Development Fund.

These Investments, as well as the continued efforts at KCM and Mopani, form part of the Government’s overall plan for increasing copper production in Zambia to 3 million metric tonnes of copper annually within the next ten years.

By maximising the economic contributions of the Mining Industry, and ensuring that the sector is run in a sustainable and socially responsible manner, the New Dawn government will deliver on its promises to provide high-quality, well-paying jobs to thousands of Zambians.

Paul C. Kabuswe
MINISTER OF MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT

Glencore’s Corruption guilty verdict vindicates Critics of the New Dawn’s blind trust in dodgy Mining Houses

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Glencore’s Corruption guilty verdict vindicates Critics of the New Dawn’s blind trust in dodgy Mining Houses

By Mwansa Chalwe Snr

The New Dawn government has been accused of being too cosy to the mining houses despite their poor record. The UPND administration’s development strategy is mainly anchored on mining without making changes to decades old agreements and unfair incentives, through negotiations with mining houses, despite overwhelming evidence in the past 20 years which shows that they have been ripping Zambia off with all sorts of legal machinations as well as through financial and environmental criminal practices.

The corruption guilty verdict in the US, of Glencore, the former owners of Mopani Copper Mines (MCM), vindicates the New Dawn critics. Glencore bought MCM for $30m and sold it back to Zambia for $1.5billion, after 20 years of paying no income taxes, claiming losses throughout the period.

Glencore, is expected to pay to authorities in the US, UK and Brazil the sum US$1.5bn after pleading guilty to a 10-year international bribery scheme as well as a plot to manipulate commodity prices. Guess what, the penalty may even be paid from the loan repayments they receive from Zambia for MCM which they sold us at such an exorbitant amount having bought it for a song.

“The scope of this criminal bribery scheme is staggering,” Damian Williams, US attorney for the Southern District of New York told a press conference. “Glencore paid bribes to secure oil contracts. Glencore paid bribes to avoid government audits. Glencore bribed judges to make lawsuits disappear. At bottom, Glencore paid bribes to make money – hundreds of millions of dollars. And it did so with the approval, and even encouragement, of its top executives.”
According to the US Department of Justice, Glencore was involved in a “decade-long scheme by Glencore and its subsidiaries to make and conceal corrupt payments and bribes through intermediaries for the benefit of foreign officials across multiple countries”. And between 2007 and 2018, Glencore paid around US$80mn to third-party intermediaries to secure business with state-owned or state-controlled entities. The practices took place in several African and Latin American countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon, Brazil and Venezuela. Glencore is also said to use inflated invoices, sham consulting agreements and intermediary companies to conceal payments to foreign officials

In its recent opinion piece on the verdict, the UK Financial Times wrote: “Glencore is not alone in needing a cultural overhaul on bribery. Broadly, the contribution of global resources companies to the impoverishment and penury of African nations was considered a niche concern in the Square Mile.” (the Square mile is the City of London- Central London- which has been a doyen of dirty and bloody money which we never knew until the Ukraine-Russia was has exposed the City)

The Financial Times Opinion clearly show that Glencore is not the only Mining house involved in corruption but others are also guilty of this. But Glencore appears to have been in the premier league of Multinational corruption and has been caught red handed. Although Zambia is not mentioned by name in guilty the verdict, it is included in the phrase “multiple countries”, “African Countries”. It follows that Zambia should not be naïve and have blind trust of other Mining houses. In any case, Vendetta Resources is another mining house in Zambia whose record in Zambia for various crimes is well documented.

It is with the above back ground, that critics including the author of this article have been critical of the New Dawn’s fallacious belief that ramping up production to 3million tonne will benefit Zambia without negotiating better deals, including revision of the archaic development agreements. The reality is that increased production will only benefit foreign mining houses’ shareholders and very little will remain in Zambia for development. The argument by critics is that Zambia will  not sufficiently benefits from increased mining production as Mining houses having been involved in widespread schemes financial crimes like corruption, tax evasion through transfer pricing and other machinations to deny Zambia sufficient benefits from their natural resources due to pure greed by foreign investors and their local accomplices.

The Author has written so many opinion pieces on this issue ad nauseam, including a full chapter in his book, “China-West Battleground in Africa: Debt Ridden Zambia”, .He has argued for a new cooperation model between resource rich countries like Zambia and Mining houses which he coined Rational Resource Nationalism (RRA) meant to result in win- win situation.
Read more:

Rational Resource Nationalism: How Zambia/Africa can benefit from Minerals

It is the light of our past experience with Mining houses, which has been brought to the fore by the Glencore guilty verdict, that I and many other enlightened Zambian critics, are sceptical of the recent pledge of $1.5billion investment by FQM – even after Professor Saasa “validation” report of the investment, his conflict of interests notwithstanding. We are simply not excited by these pie in the sky and mirage investments. The question Zambians should ask is how much foreign exchange, tax revenue, skills and technology transfer, infrastructure built, entrepreneurship promotion etc will flow to Zambia as a result of these investments. Your guess is as good as mine.

To put the issue in perceptive, Glencore claims to have invested $4.4 billion in Mopani since 2000. I challenge anyone, to show me tangible evidence of the benefits to Zambia of this $4.4 billion investment by Glencore, in Mufulira and Kitwe especially – where they were located- during their ownership of MCM for 20 years, before taking off on expiry of the Development Agreements incentives and selling the Mines to Zambia for billions.

The jury is now out for the New Dawn government to carefully handle the other bad boy of the Zambian mining industry – Vendetta Mining Resources. The World’s number one super power has just confirmed that Zambia’s two major foreign Mining investors for the past 20 years, are criminals. How can anyone challenge home grown critics unless there are grateful beneficiaries?

The writer is a Chartered Accountant and Author. He is a retired international MSMEs Consultant and an independent financial commentator. He is also an Op-Ed Contributor to the Hong Kong based, Alibaba owned, and South China Morning Post (SCMP). Contact: [email protected]
Some of the contents of this article are abridged excerpts from my book whose link is below.
CHINA-WEST BATTLEGROUND IN AFRICA: DEBT RIDDEN ZAMBIA: Why U.S. May Lose Geo-Economic Competition to China https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097DVXBKH/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_api_glt_7PR5H7YBZZ14FCDNT54Y

Secured funds to open Northern tourism circuit -Mbao

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Secured funds to open Northern tourism circuit -Mbao

Government has secured funds from the World Bank towards the development of Kasaba Bay Tourism Resort in Northern Province meant to facilitate the opening up of the regional tourism circuit.

Provincial Minister Leonard Mbao said the money is expected to facilitate the planning of the resort, construction of an airport and a bridge across Lufubu River as well upgrading of the Mbala – Kasaba road.

Mr. Mbao, who is also Mpulungu Member of Parliament, said the development is in line with government’s agenda to open up the Northern Tourism Circuit.

Mr Mbao was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Chief Chitimbwa of the Lungu people disclosed that rehabilitation works on the Kasaba – Mbala road will start within the course of the year.

He said upgrading the road will not only enhance access to Kasaba Bay but also boost other economic activities.

Mr. Mbao further observed that the road will also serve as a link to the Mwenda – Kasomeno road which is expected to connect Zambia and neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a related development, Chief Chitimbwa said upgrading of the road has been long overdue and hindered socio-economic development in the area.

He has since commended government for taking steps towards addressing the situation.

Nuclear energy can be an answer to electricity deficit-Kalunga

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Nuclear energy can be an answer to electricity deficit-Kalunga

 

Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Kennedy Kalunga says investment in nuclear energy has immense benefits of reliable, affordable and clean source of electricity.

Mr Kalunga says nuclear energy provides electricity that is not affected by fluctuations in weather patterns.

He says Zambia like many other countries has experienced fluctuations in rainfall patterns arising from climate change which has resulted in deficits in hydro power generation.

Mr Kalunga says the decline in hydro power generation has negatively impacted on the country’s economic development.

He says the nuclear energy programme has other great benefits such as its use in the provision of health services such as diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Mr Kalunga was speaking when he opened a three-day Media capacity building and sensitization workshop on the nuclear programme in Zambia in Lusaka today.

He said there is currently low knowledge levels of nuclear technologies in the country which has created information gaps filled with suspicion and fear and called on the media to help close the information gaps.

Meanwhile, Technology and Science Acting Permanent Secretary Mala Sikazwe said her Ministry has developed two draft bills to establish the nuclear Regulator and the nuclear Coordinating agency which will accelerate public sensitization once enacted into law.

She said the workshop has been organised to unbundle the implementation strategy for the nuclear programme that focuses on first sensitization of Media personnel and through them the public.

National Energy Programme Implementation Organisation (NAPIO) National Coordinator Reuben Katebe said it is a requirement to get public acceptance on any nuclear programme before it is implemented, hence the need for the Media to help sensitise the public on nuclear technology and instill knowledge that will result into acceptance.

    Five Women appear in Court for alleged theft of a baby

Support Editor
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    Five Women appear in Court for alleged theft of a baby

 

The five women, who allegedly stole a newly born baby at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) earlier last month, have appeared in court.

The suspects are expected to take plea in the Lusaka Magistrate Court.

The main suspects, Precious Nkunika, Emily Hall, Rebecca Mkandawire, Nelly Kasalo, and Grace Msiska are charged with the offence of Child Stealing.

In this matter, it is alleged the accused on May 7, 2022, in Lusaka district, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, with intent to deprive, did steal an unnamed child, under sixteen years of age.

This was from the infant’s mother, Elina Lungu, who was by then admitted to the UTH, immediately, after giving birth.

Recently, the Zambia Police Service, in Lusaka, apprehended more than 4 suspects in connection with a 10-day old baby, which had gone missing at the UTH.

Police Acting Spokesperson, Danny Mwale then said the baby, which had gone missing on Saturday, May 7, 2022, was found in Lusaka’s Kabanana area, with Precious Nkunika .

Mr Mwale said the main suspect, Ms Nkunika  had earlier given birth to a baby, which later died, and she allegedly connived with the hospital maids to give her another baby.

 

Emmanuel Munaile Gets Zanaco FC Technical Director Post

sports
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Emmanuel Munaile Gets Zanaco FC Technical Director Post

Emmanuel Munaile has been appointed Zanaco FC technical director.

The ex-Zanaco and Chipolopolo winger, who also served as Malole MP and FAZ Vice-President, was unveiled by the eight-time Zambian champions on Wednesday in Lusaka.

Munaile said he is looking forward to working with the Lusaka clubs’ junior, women’s and senior team structures.

“I want to just say that the reason I am here is to help improve the fortunes of the club so working together with the team, the general manager who has also come in. I think together we can be able achieve what we want to achieve,” Munaile said.

“You must also be aware that Zanaco has set itself a target, and it is that Zanaco should be the best in Africa.

“So if Zanaco is to be the best, we need everyone to pull in the same direction by making sure that all the processes and all the systems are working properly-so this is the challenge.”

Munaile added one of his first targets was to ensure that the FAZ Super League title returns to Sunset Stadium for the first time since 2016.

Since then, Zanaco has finished runners-up twice.

And at the same function, Zanaco also unveiled the clubs’ new Chief Executive Officer Modest Hamalabbi.

PR Girl media hosts the 4th edition of the Safari Champagne Picnic

Entertainment Editor
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PR Girl media hosts the 4th edition of the Safari Champagne Picnic

The fourth annual Safari Champagne Picnic was successfully held on Saturday 28th May 2022 at Foxdale Forest in Lusaka by PR Girl Media in collaboration with Stella Artois and Nederburg. The Public Relations and Events Management agency popularly known for hosting the Lusaka July and other premium lifestyle events in Zambia once again stunned the market with an excellent event that has left social media buzzing.

The Safari theme was clearly a hit with various celebrities and socialites attending the event in fashionable attire designed by our very own local fashion designers such as Nkanda Yatu, Style By Milawo and Tash Fash Designs. Reigning supreme as the queen of fashion, Musician Mampi scooped the Best Dressed Woman title while the young entrepreneur Brian Chanda took the spot as the Best Dressed Man.  Also, in attendance at the event were many notable public figures such as Chellah Tukuta, Macky 2, Roberto, Nez Long, Bobby East, Xaven Kopala Queen among other media personalities with Diamond TV’s Chimweka taking the stage as the event MC.

Speaking at the event, Managing Partners of PR Girl Media, Monde and Chishimba Nyambe announced that the Picnic will be permanently themed Safari as the event will rebrand from “Champagne Picnic” to “Safari Picnic” in 2023. The sister duo further stated that the conversion to Safari Picnic was influenced by the agency’s intention to create a product that is more approachable and appealing to diverse audiences. “The Champagne Picnic is a wonderful event centred on food, music and fashion. We have decided to drop the ‘champagne’ and adopt the ‘safari’ as a strategy to be a more inclusive brand. We enjoyed having the presence of public figures such as Prophetess Naise at the event – we embrace this as the future of this event; people coming together from different walks of life to connect in a glamorous afternoon of networking over good music, delicious food and great fashion” said Chishimba and Monde Nyambe.

Managing Partners of PR Girl Media, Monde and Chishimba Nyambe

We expect the 2023 version of the Safari Picnic to be an exciting edition as we continue to ask which safari venue was the most suitable for this magnificent event; Lilayi Lodge in 2021 or Foxdale Forest in 2022? Let us know your opinion using hashtag #SafariPicnic or visit PR Girl Media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Civil Service Commission commits to uphold decentralisation agenda

Chief Editor
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Civil Service Commission commits to uphold decentralisation agenda

The Civil Service Commission has committed to fully apply itself in order to realise President Hakainde Hichilema’s agenda of ensuring that citizens derive utmost benefits of having a decentralised system of governance.

The commission has also acknowledged the importance that the Head of State attaches to a decentralised governance system, hence pledging to contribute towards its maximum realisation.

Civil Service Commission Member, Victor Nyasulu, has cited the ongoing mass recruitment in the health and education sectors as one of the commission’s major steps towards the realisation of a decentralised system.

Mr. Nyasulu was speaking in Chipata when he paid a courtesy call on Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole, before meeting with the Provincial Human Resource Management Committee.

He said it is gratifying that citizens are steadily starting to enjoy the benefits of decentralisation as evidenced in the ongoing decentralised mass recruitment of health workers, among other undertakings.

“As guided by the decentralisation policy, the Cabinet directed that the current recruitment of the over 11,000 health workers be done at district level in order to ensure equity in human resource engagements,” he noted.

Mr. Nyasulu further said the government, through decentralised recruitment, wants to ensure human resource management reforms are fully implemented to promote efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

“The directive of the new dawn government is that decentralisation should be implemented as a way of empowering provinces and districts so that they make their own decisions in both developmental and human resource matters. This has motivated the current recruitment exercise of over 11,000 health workers,” he said.

He said the task of the commission currently lies in monitoring and evaluating and not to interfere with the selection processes until at a later stage when it will make appointments on behalf of the President, and as guided by the grassroots.

Meanwhile, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole, expressed satisfaction that the decentralisation system has extended to human resource recruitment exercises.

Mr. Thole however called on the commission to take interest in resolving some matters that might arise from the decentralised recruitment process, as the undertaking is relatively new.

The team led by Mr. Nyasulu is in Eastern Province on a monitoring mission of the ongoing mass recruitment of the 11,276 health workers.

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