The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has bemoaned the non-registration of workers by some contractors engaged by mining companies.

NAPSA Manager North, Mushoke Namiluko said mine contractors have a tendency of evading contributions through non- registration of their workers with NAPSA

Speaking to journalists in Kitwe yesterday on the sidelines of a stakeholders meeting between NAPSA and Mining Companies from Copperbelt and North-Western Province, Mr. Namiluko said his organization decided to hold an interactive meeting with Mining companies so that they can help it capture unregistered workers that are employed by mine contractors.

“We have target mining companies for this meeting because we have a challenge with contractors engaged by mining companies, some of them do not make contributions while others register some of their workers leaving out some, so we want the mining companies to help us sensitise their contractors on the need to register all the workers with NAPSA,” He said.

Mr. Namiluko also noted that most mining companies were compliant with NAPSA contributions standing at 80 per cent compliance level.

And Mr. Namiluko has commended government for consistently paying its NAPSA contributions on time.

He stated that government is the leading contributor followed by mining companies which he said is making the operations of NAPSA effective.

Earlier NAPSA Head Benefits Nobby Simutenda warned mining companies against employing people that have been discharged by other organizations on medical grounds.

Mr. Simutenda said it was not right to employ such people regardless of their expertise because it is a health risky for the employees.

He explained that NAPSA has since signed a memorandum of Understanding with 12 government hospitals that will be examining employees discharged on medical grounds before they can be deemed eligible for NAPSA benefits.

He said Kitwe Teaching Hospital has been picked on the Copperbelt to be examining medically discharged employees on behalf of NAPSA.

And Mr. Simutenda cited challenges such as non-payment of contributions, underpayment of contributions, incomplete member registration and posthumous registration among others.

He appealed to mining companies and contractors to ensure that they improve on their contributions to enable NAPSA meet its obligations to workers.

President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing challenges that are inhibiting economic growth in the country.

President Hichilema said the country’s debt continues to stand in the way of economic recovery but revealed that the government is doing all it can to restructure the debt and plough resources into productive sectors of the economy.

“We want to cut extravagance in government expenditure ourselves to release resources for development,” said President Hichilema.

Speaking on a panel discussion during the EU-Zambia Economic Forum in Lusaka today, President Hichilema said addressing rigidness is cardinal to cultivating and promoting an environment conducive for business.

The President said his administration is working towards changing the way government functions and operates in order to unlock the country’s economic potential.

“To rebuild the economy, we need an attractive business environment,” stressed President Hichilema.

The Head of State further said there was need to send a clear and strong message that Zambia is ready for business partnerships.

“We are here looking for partners, to work with, to grow what is there, businesses that Are there,” he said.

And President Hichilema has said it is time that Zambia’s economy transitioned to a green economy model in line with her pledge at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) Glasgow summit of reducing green gas emissions.

The President said there is need to change the narrative about Zambia’s economic outlook to ensure that benefits trickle down to ordinary Zambians.

President Hichilema said he is surprised that people feel threatened about Zambia and DRC’s electric battery initiative.

He has since called for support to ensure that Zambia and the DRC realise their potential from the vast natural resource endowments the two countries have.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema has called for removal of Visa fees which he said Inhibit tourism growth in the country.

The President observed that tourists must be allowed to come into the country free of charge so as to increase tourism arrivals.

He said the country can benefit a lot from monies spent on accommodation and other tourism related services than a Visa fee.

And speaking at the same panel discussion, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski said there is need to mechanise small scale farmers.

Mr Wojciechowski said stakeholders must initiate and facilitate the production of agricultural equipment specifically tailored to the needs of small scale farmers.

He said small scale farmers from Zambia and the world at large produce a larger portion of the world’s food hence need extended and specialised support to ensure global food security.

The EU Agriculture Commissioner said the EU recognises Zambia’s natural resource endowments and will work towards creating partnerships to benefit from the initiative.

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has stressed the need for social accountability in communities.

JCTR Programs Officer Brother Maximus Chongo says social accountability is an important element as it provides checks and balances to duty bearers when implementing government programs.

Br. Chongo states that citizens need to hold their duty bearers accountable in the various areas to avoid misuse and misappropriation of resources entrusted to them by Government.

Br. Chongo said this during a one day training workshop for Stakeholders on Social Accountability held at Fifungo Primary School in Masaiti District.

“ Failure to provide checks and balances meant for government projects has led some of the duty bearers to abuse public resources for personal gain, “ he said.

Mr. Chongo further stated that JCTR under the umbrella of sustainable change for children’s rights will continue to advocate for the need to involve children in the planning and implentation of developmental projects at the community level.

And Kashitu Ward Area Coordinating Committee Chairperson Peter Mumba commended JCTR for training the community in Masaiti in social accountability.

Mr. Mumba said with the current tendencies of abuse of office and authority by the duty bearer, it imperative that citizens begin to demand accountability in the governance process.

The Bank of Zambia (BOZ) has maintained the monetary policy rate at  nine percent for the second time this year.

BOZ Governor Denny Kalyalya says the decision has been arrived at following a sharp decline in inflation over the past quarters and positive fiscal consolidation measures by Government.

Dr. Kalyalya  notes that  the drop in the country’s inflation rate is likely to continue to the projected single digit of between 6 to 8 percent target ranges by the end of 2023.

The BoZ Chief said this during the Monetary Policy Committee Announcement in Lusaka today.

Dr. Kalyalya also explained that  the global economy has continued to be affected by the Russia-Ukraine Conflict and that this has dimmed prospects for robust economic growth.

He disclosed that  the country’s domestic economic activities slowed down in the first quarter of the year and noted a slight recovery in April, 2022 but that it was minimal.

The Central Bank Governor said the enhanced fiscal consolidation by Government is expected to yield positive economic gains for the country but that this is dependent on the country resolving its debt crisis, with the support of the International Monetary Fund Extended Credit Facility.

Dr. Kalyalya said interest rates in the first quarter of 2022 remained broadly unchanged and that the commercial banks’ average nominal lending rate stood at 26 percent.

He said there was improved fiscal performance in the first quarter of 2022 on account of high revenue collections particularly from the mining sector.

Dr. Kalyalya also points out that  the months of import cover reduced to 3.6 from 4.4 months at the end of March, 2022 and that this was as a result  to an upward revision of projected imports for the year.

He said the Kwacha depreciated by 3.7 percent against the dollar on account of excess demand for foreign exchange, mainly for importation of petroleum products.

Government has started the process of empowering some Kachasu brewers in Lusaka’s Garden Compound for them to venture into other business opportunities.

Lusaka District Commissioner Rosa Zulu has also donated 50 kilogramme bags of assorted dry foods to 42-year-old Kelina Lungu whose Kachasu was confiscated during an operation a few weeks ago.

The assorted dry foods which include beans, Kapenta and rice are meant to be starter bags for her business.

Mrs. Zulu urged the Kachasu brewers to work together and form co-operatives so that they  can benefit from the various government empowerment programmes.

She affirmed that government will provide skills training among other programs to those that will show interest in improving their livelihoods.

Mrs Zulu explained that government is aware of the many challenges communities are facing and that it is doing everything possible to ensure that citizens are empowered with businesses that add value to their lives and the country.

Another Kachasu brewer, Memory Phiri has welcomed the move by government to provide empowerment.

Ms Phiri said once empowered she is ready to stop her business of Kachasu.