Saturday, March 15, 2025
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Government seeks Green Climate Funds to implement a climate change project

The Government says it has sought the Green Climate Funds to implement a readiness project aiming at enhancing climate change planning.

Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Manakampwe explains the project is meant to help the country formulate a medium to long term climatic adaptation plan.

Mr Manakampwe says the programme will strengthen systems for integrating climate change adaptation.

Speaking when he officiated at the training of Provincial and District planning officers from Lusaka and Central Provinces, the Permanent Secretary said the project will further look into planning, and budgeting processes and prioritise adaptation actions with financing strategies.

“In this national adaptation planning process, the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment engaged a consultant to review existing tools for integrating climate change adaptation into plans and budgets and conduct training, “he said.

Mr Mwanakampwe adds that the review of existing tools for integrating climate change adaptation into plans and budgets and training of trainers had been achieved.

He further expressed gratitude to the Global Water Partnership and Africa Water Investment Program for continued support to the country as delivery partners.

And Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Principal Climate Change Officer-In-Charge of adaptation Kasanda Bunda said the objective of training was to establish systems of integrating climate change into budgeting and plans process.

“The capacity building would help the planners identify climate sensitive plans and recommend climate adaptation plans that could be integrated in the budgets, “ he said.

Mr Bunda said the intention was to have plans that were climate resilient from the initial point so that budgets and plans being implemented are climate sensitive.

The Principal Climate Change Officer In-Charge of adaptation explained that this would help enhance livelihoods through resources that are allocated for various programmes which incorporate climate change.

Government should take a lead in supporting science communication relating to investigative journalism

An NGO called Dziwa Science and Technology Trust has called on the government to take a lead in supporting science communication relating to investigative journalism.

Dziwa Science and Technology Truest Founder and Executive Director Veronica Mwaba said science investigative journalism has been identified as a major gap in media development to promote independence, quality and innovation.

Mrs. Mwaba observed that investigative journalism is an expensive undertaking that needs coordinated support from stakeholders such as the government.

She said Dziwa Science and Technology Trust’s research shows that media entities are not keen to commit adequate resources to thorough investigations as they did before.

Mrs said there was a need for the Ministry of Information and Media plus the Ministry of Science and Technology to take lead in the coordination of key stakeholders willing to provide resources to support investigative journalism.

She said Zambians are in dire need of verified information to assist them make informed life decisions about medical care, food choices, and application of modern technologies in the day-to-day business among others.

“Investigative journalism is an expensive undertaking. It has been identified as a major gap in media development to promote independence, quality and innovation. Research shows, media entities are not keen to commit adequate resources to journalism investigations as they did before. In this case, science journalism is no exception,” she said in Lusaka.

“Why should the Zambia Government support science communication? The new dawn Government is looking forward to accelerating change towards a better life for all Zambians. Hence there is a need to invest in science journalism towards economic recovery post COVID-19 pandemic. Society needs verified information to assist them make informed life decisions about medical care, food choices, and application of modern technologies in the day-to-day business among others. Therefore, different approaches are utilised to reach the target audience.”

Mrs Mwaba added:”Public Private Partnership (PPP) for media development. Accurate and timely information is critical in the developmental agenda. We call upon the Information and Media Ministry (MIM), Science and Technology to take lead in the coordination of key stakeholders willing to provide resources to support the work of independent journalists with brilliant ideas but lack resources to do their work. Deliberate space should be created for diversity and inclusion to allow reporters to compete for grants.”

“Therefore, PPPs should be involved in media platforms that integrate communication with a new vision to build support for evidence-based science. Access to resources will enable distinct journalists the independence to produce high-quality and unbiased stories. Consequently, policy makers, civil society and ordinary citizens among others will be impacted with knowledge to make positive contributions that accelerate progress towards socio-economic development,” she said.

Vedanta, the Grave Digger of Hichilema’s Political Career

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By.James Musonda (PhD)
Socio-political anthropologist, Université de Liége, Belgium

Summary

This article argues that the political future and relevance of the Zambian president presently rests on the decision his government will make on Konkola Copper Mines. If they give KCM to Vedanta, Vedanta will be Hichilema’s political grave digger, and Vedanta’s capital will be the shovels with which Hichilema’s political career will be buried. If the election results since Zambia’s return to multiparty democracy in 1991, is anything to go by this claim is valid, as no party has won formed government without winning Copperbelt, which often votes alongside Lusaka, and to a larger extent, the Northeastern provinces.

Introduction

It is now roughly just three months before president Hichilema and the UPND clock one year in office. Yet, the new dawn government’s position on Konkola Copper Mines, remains at best, blurred, incoherent and inaudible, and at its worst, hopelessly absent. Compounding this silence is the UPND’s uncoordinated public relations approach to governance rooted in keeping quiet and firefighting later. This is unfortunate because copper prices on the global market are unprecedentedly over the roof. Also, KCM has one of the richest copper deposits, the largest reserves, and the third-largest copper producer in the country.

This silence has coincided with the Zambian Court’s reluctance to make a ruling on the status of KCM ownership. Indeed, the doggy manner in which KCM was liquidated requires careful attention by both the judiciary and the executive. This is because any further mistakes can lead to unbearable legal costs for a country already struggling with over US$14 billion thoughtlessly borrowed by the PF, which was recklessly abused and corruptly spent. Add to this, the debt that the UPND has borrowed since it came into office, and the US$1.5 plus interest that ZCCM-IH owes to Glencore through an irresponsible acquisition of a company within the first year of its acquisition made a US$91 million net loss.

Unfortunately, the delay and the silence are not solving any problems. If anything it is deepening the chronic anxiety among Zambian mineworkers and their families for whom uncertainty has become the norm. This chronic uncertainty dates back to the sustained economic crisis from the mid-1970s to 2000 when the company was privatised, from mid-2000 when Anglo-American Corporation and its partners withdrew its capital and handed over the company to the government, during the ownership of Vedanta, to the present, under the controversial liquidation.

Instead of creating certainty and hope, the government’s loud silence has instead opened the space for Vedanta, the embattled owner of KCM to attempt to rebuild its reputation through misleading, misinforming and misrepresentation of facts. In this pursuit, Vedanta has sought, using back door means, the support of union branch leaders, who were made to issue statements in support of Vedanta’s return even when they were not legally authorized and, for misrepresenting the union position. These junior branch leaders have in the case of MUZ been subjected to disciplinary processes.

The mine unions are on record supporting the liquidation and the nationalisation of KCM. This is evident in various media statements in print, video and radio stations. Vedanta has also sought the support of some poorly informed NGOs.

I argue that the political future for the UPND squarely rests on the decision they will make on KCM. Giving KCM to Vedanta will effectively make the UPND a one-term party. This is because Vedanta carries a hugely tarnished image, and anyone seen to associate with the company is likely to suffer the consequences. Here is why.

1. In 2014, a video clip went viral on the Internet showing Anil Agarwal, the majority owner of Vedanta, bragging about making an easy profit of $500 million each year from KCM, the mine he purchased for a mere $25 million. This is despite the company declaring losses every year, failing to invest, and failing to bring in the FDI the company promised to develop the KDMP.

2. When Vedanta bought KCM, there was a one-year gap between development (the opening of the shafts) and production (the actual production of the copper ore), but starting from 2006, the gap had reduced to just one and a half months of reserves.

3. Instead of developing underground resources, Vedanta concentrated on the surface plant concentrator to process seven million tons per annum of ore it did not produce but purchased from other countries. Jobs were created in other countries at the expense of underground miners in Zambia.

4. Vedanta mismanaged the KDMP project. The initial aim of developing the KDMP was to increase production from two million tons of ore per annum to six million in the medium term and, in the long – term to nine million. This was indeed very feasible given that at Nchanga the copper deposits are found near the surface and hence cheaper to mine. On top of that, prior investments by Anglo – American Corporation of $350 million before it abandoned the mine helped to modernize the shaft and infrastructure to better standards than during ZCCM.

5. But Vedanta adopted a “ruinous model of business” at Konkola Deep Mine Plant (KDMP) by turning operational revenue into capital. Instead of investing in developing reserves, Vedanta went to the open pit, took the ore out in the quickest way possible, got the money, and built the smelter. In so doing, Vedanta effectively changed the philosophy of the business entirely from a “mining”, into a “treatment facility”.

6. Vedanta changed the design of the mine by positioning the shaft in the wrong place. To better exploit the ore body located ten kilometers long from nose to end, Vedanta needed to develop the mine to create a broad base of ore to feed processing. Instead, Vedanta dug a very steep gradient (what experts call “diving in.”), took the ore out, leaving behind a lot of waste for a future producer to take out. In doing so, they shifted the center of gravity, sinking a shaft over one kilometer with no ore in between the two ends, where there are ores (Lee 2017, 69-70).

7. In 2014 KCM announced its intentions to retrench an excess of 1,529 employees.

8. The government immediately commenced an audit of the entire operation of KCM. The audit revealed: high indebtedness and the threat of insolvency. The total liability of the company as of 30 September 2013, stood at US$1.567 billion exceeding its current assets by US$123 million. It was also under the threat of receivership from Standard Bank for defaulting on its US$700 million loans.

8. Yet Vedanta was unconcerned. For example, in September 2011, Vedanta prematurely recalled the US$500 million loan it had given to KCM earlier which was supposed to have been repaid in 2012.

9. Vedanta also failed to fulfil its commitment to inject US$397 million into KCM as FDI.

10. Instead, the company used all the funds it generated within KCM towards capital projects. This deprived the company of the necessary funds for operations and maintenance.

11. The investment into KDMP was further delayed by about seven years mainly due to design challenges and resource mobilization resulting in increased cost of sinking of shafts, development of the ore resources, and a loss in excess of four million tonnes of ore anticipated per annum.

12. Vedanta’s failure to properly manage its contractors, coupled with its failure to purchase or maintain its own equipment further undermined its production capacity. Hence potential loss of possible jobs, and tax revenue.

13. The government’s efforts of reviving the company by providing it with a Business Improvement Plan (BIP) to increase production from 132,318 tonnes of finished copper in 2013, to 178,994 tonnes by 2017 were frustrated by Vedanta’s failure to fulfill its commitments resulting in a further decline in production to 86,585 tonnes.

14. In 2018 the Zambian government had no option but to threaten the repossession of the mine. But this did not result in any improvements forcing the government through its minority shareholder, ZCCM-IH to commence the liquidation of the company.

15. At the time of liquidation: KCM’s debt had exceeded UU$2.5 billion; developments at KDMP had stalled; underground operations at Nchanga suspended, while the open pit was operating at very low capacity; the smelter was not running at full capacity due to lack of concentrates. The company depended on imported concentrates to run and operate the mine; the acid generation at the acid plant had declined alongside the reduced operation at the smelter.

16. This resulted in declines in the operations at the tailings leach plant which requires a lot of acid to treat the Chingola refractory ore from the surface dumps basal sandstones and other sources from Nchanga ground; the Nkana Refinery in Kitwe was on care and maintenance while the company continued to export copper anodes; Operations at the Nampundwe Mine slowed down; annual production dropped from 191,685 metric tonnes in 2014, to 97,946 metric tonnes in 2018.

17. In other words, Vedanta failed to run a company with over 280 million metric tonnes at Konkola, with an estimated lifespan of over fifty years and in excess of over 53.9 million metric tonnes at Nchanga Mine.

18. In 2006, the KCM under Vedanta polluted the main source of water in Chingola in which most people depend for water for their everyday consumption. The company was found guilty by courts in Zambia and the UK. Vedanta fiercely and expensively claimed innocence and appealed the court rulings in both Zambia and the United kingdom instead of taking responsibility and sympathising with the poor women, children, the disabled, poor villagers, retrenched miners and the old people living in Chingola.

19. Put simply, Vedanta failed to run KCM: profitably and technically; pay taxes; offer decent
employment to its workers; pay contractors; repay its loans and prevent pollution from affecting poor communities. In May 2019, the Zambian government announced the liquidation of the company because of the company’s alleged environmental and financial regulation breaches.

20. Throughout its existence Vedanta has been reluctant to pay taxes by declaring losses amidst growing suspicion of tax evasion and avoidance.

 

These reasons do not paint Vedanta as a good investor and this claim is consistent with my ongoing ethnographic research among KCM employees and their families. What is likely to happen if Vedanta comes back is as follows:

a) Most people will associate Hichilema with the Vedanta’s bad name
b) Given its record of fulfilling promises Vedanta is likely to fail to fulfil its promises. This will lead to growing frustrations and uncertainty among workers and their families and the Copperbelt in general.
c) Vendata will likely continue providing precarious jobs, and subcontracting workers on poor salaries
d) Vedanta is likely to continue to arm-twist the government when it comes to taxes, especially during elections by threatening retrenchments or to leave the country forcing the government to avoid any tax raises.
e) On 7 August at Parklands Secondary School in Kitwe, Edgar Lungu accused Hichilema of receiving money from Vedanta for campaigns and of promising to give KCM back to Vedanta. Giving back KCM to Vedanta is likely to give life to these accusations no matter how baseless they may look at the moment.

Way out

  1. The government waits upon the court ruling which may give KCM to Vedanta on top of compensation and courts
  2. Build a strong case against Vedanta to secure a legally enforceable liquidation
  3. Secure a negotiated settlement with Vedanta that will see Vedanta disappear from the list of owners. This will mean finding money. Vedanta is unlikely to agree given the high copper prices at present.
  4. The government just seats and does nothing and achieves nothing.
  5. Government finds the money to pay off Vedanta and recapitalize the company.

The government finds an alternative investor other than Vedanta to clear Vedanta and invest new money to revamp production and pay off all the debts (I do not favour privatization).

Conclusion

Vedanta remains a potential gravedigger of the UPND and president Hichilema. It is up to them to make the right decision because in a democracy, those who suffer political deaths, are also required to attend their funeral and mass burial. This is what happened to Lungu during the inauguration of Hichilema. Also, the UPND should not allow a situation where people start to miss the PF. That would be disastrous for all of us.

Divorced Husband to be paid maintenance allowance by his former Wife till he finds a Job

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Solwezi magistrate’s court has directed a Zambia National Service (ZNS) female staff sergeant to pay his husband K2,400 as maintenance following the dissolution of marriage.

Principal Presiding Magistrate Greenwell Ndumba took this action when he dissolved the marriage between Mary Mutanda, 30 and Vincent Gasto, 35.

This follows Mary Mutanda‘s request to the court to grant them divorce.

Granting the divorce, Magistrate Ndumba, ordered Mary to pay Vincent the K2,400 in instalments of K200 per month for a year.

He explained that it was through the marriage, that Gasto had lived as a dependent on his wife hence the need for her to maintain him before he finds a job.

Magistrate Ndumba has cautioned young ladies not to rush into marriage to avoid getting into problematic marriages, saying young ladies must always take time to study the conduct and lifestyle of their would-be husbands before marriage.

Meanwhile, A 20 year old housewife in Zimba Town, Southern Province, has asked with the Zimba Urban Local Court to dissolve her marriage of four years because her husband is allegedly not only abusive but unemployed.

Olinence Siazemo has sued her husband for divorce alleging that he is abusive especially when drunk and fails to support the family.

Appearing before Zimba Urban Local Court Justice Jeff Makunga was Aggrippa Siwale, unemployed security guard, sued for divorce.

The duo married in 2018 and have 30 months old baby girl.

Siazemo submitted that that she is tired of living with a man who always beats her and fails to support the family.

She narrated that problems started in their home barely a year after marrying saying he often beats her for unexplained reasons.

“I am fed up with this man. I plead with the court to grant me divorce as my spouse is very abusive and he beats me up especially when he is drunk.

“ He even fails to support his child as a result of joblessness ,” Siazemo said.

But Aggrippa Siwale, aged 27 told the court that his wife allegedly has a boyfriend whom he accused of creating trouble in their matrimonial home.

The former Security Guard in Livingstone said it was unfortunate that his wife was asking the court to divorce him because he was unemployed.

“My wife has opted for a boyfriend who works and she has rejected me on account of having a job,” Siwale painfully said.

Zimba Urban Local Court Justice Jeff Makunga granted the couple divorce but with no compensation.

Mr. Makunga however, told the coupe to share household property and ordered Siwale to support his child monthly.

In the same court, a 26-year old man of Ngwenya Compound in Livingstone has been ordered to pay K11,200 for elopement.

Clement Sianezuna allegedly eloped with Hackson Munyangala’s named daughter in 2020 without paying dowry.

The plaintiff, Hackson Munyangala aged 74, demanded four cattle worth K11,200 from the defendant for eloping his daughter.

The court heard that the couple got married in 2019 and they live in Livingstone but nothing so far was paid to the parents to-date.

Zimba Urban Local Court Justice Jeff Makunga ordered Clement Sianezuna to start paying the plaintiff K350 for eloping with his daughter until he settles the whole amount of K11,200.

COMESA urged to utilise Court of Justice

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Court of Justice president, Lombe Chibesakunda, has urged member states to make use of the regional Court of Justice to resolve disputes which impede effective economic trade in the region.

Justice Chibesakunda says the Court has the supreme mandate to tackle disputes and harmonise economic policies and developmental issues in the COMESA region.

She was speaking during the Judges retreat training today aimed at reviewing the strengths and successes of the regional Court, with a call to member States to utilise the COMESA Court of Justice for world class adjudication of disputes.

Justice Chibesakunda explained that Judges have a critical role to play in the dispensation of justice and must review their operations from time to time in order to effectively handle cases professionally.

She noted that the Court of Justice which was established in 1994 with its headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan, offers the best platform to resolve issues across the COMESA region.

“As a court we usually take retreats to review how we have fared in conflict and disputes resolution in the region and look at how to capacity-build the Judges for them to effectively handle disputes in the region,” she said.

Justice Chibesakunda added that the COMESA treaty handles several types of cases that may be brought before the COMESA Court stating that the case should be first exhausted at national level.

She also called for the strengthened ties among COMESA members states in a bid to realise economic and social development in the region.

Justice Chibesakunda explained that article 26 of the COMESA treaty deals with matters of individual countries that fail to resolve and exhaust their cases at national level.

She has since called on the 21 COMESA member States and Africa at large to unite in a quest to boost and unlock economic potential which can only be realised when there is unity in the region.

Justice Chibesakunda added that despite the COVID-19 pandemic which ravaged the continent and the world at large, it did not affect the operations of the Court of Justice as its members continued meeting virtually.

And Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, said the Court of Justice remains relevant and continues to adjudicate upon all matters referred to it by aggrieved member states.

Mr. Kabesha said member states may refer disputes for determination by COMESA Court of Justice on the legality of any act, regulation or directive if it is unlawful.

“It is gratifying to learn that Judges are undergoing capacity- building training to be more knowledgeable and competent in adjudicating on cases to do with trade remedies,” he said.

It is hoped that the COMESA Court of Justice will address disputes and other related unethical practices in a bid to accelerate industrialisation in the COMESA region.

President Hichilema meets Cyril Ramaphosa

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President Hakainde Hichilema today held a meeting with his South Africa’s counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa to find common grounds for harnessing development in rich mineral resource countries.

President Hichilema also held several private engagements with key stakeholders in the mining and financial sectors to stir investments into the country’s economic growth.

Key to this was to woo investments in the mining and supporting sectors such as energy, infrastructure, logistics and manufacturing with an aim of boosting Zambia’s economy.

Other key stakeholders that the Head of State met were Stanbic Bank and Standard Bank of South Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, the Extractive Industry Transparency International (EITI) among others.

The Head of State also had time to discuss Zambia’s investment opportunities to Xcalibur Metaphysics, Anglo American Chief Executive Officer and Rio Tinto.

President Hichilema said he will continue to attract investment opportunities to rekindle economic growth and job creation for the Zambian people.

And speaking after he met President Hichilema, EITI Executive Director Mark Robinson described his interaction as successful.

Mr Robinson said among the issues that was discussed was how the EITI can align with Government priorities in the mining sector.

He noted that it was gratifying that the government has shown commitment to remove barriers that affect investment in its natural resources.

“We want to work with the Government in having proper registered documents that clearly spell out who should benefit from the mines,” he said.

Meanwhile, Stanbic Bank Zambia says Government’s aspiration to increase copper production is a positive development for Zambia as it works towards achieving three million tonnes of copper production annually in the next 10 years.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Cape Town, South Africa after holding a private meeting with President Hakainde Hichilema, Stanbic Bank Zambia Limited Chief Executive, Mwindwa Siakalima reiterated government’s focus on sustainable growth of the mining sector that will unlock potential into tangible benefits for the country.

Mr. Siakalima said it is important to note the President Hichilema has clearly outlined policy measures which states that Africa should direct its efforts towards beneficiation and turn ‘potential’ into ‘tangible benefits’ that will stimulate economic growth through job creation and resuscitation of other social economic sectors.

He said it is vital to scale up mining production by focusing on supporting industries which include energy, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, which are important levers in the value chain.

‘Though mining contributes 10 percent to Zambia’s GDP, it’s important to note that it brings in about 70 percent of the country’s foreign exchange revenue. Thus it is important to look not only at investments in exploration opportunities, but on supporting sectors of energy, infrastructure and manufacturing. We also need to continue supporting the mining value chain, focusing on expansion of the downstream players for key commodities,’ said Mr. Siakalima.

Mr. Siakalima stated that Stanbic Bank has on-the-ground knowledge and expertise of the different geographies which makes it to be the leading bank in financing and offering of expert solutions for mining investments portfolios.

He said the bank plays a key role in accelerating economic growth in Zambia through relevant financial solutions and advisory services.

Mr. Siakalima further explained that mining is an important driver of long term investment and that a renewed mining sector can be the primary driver of economic growth and job creation.

He added that launch of the Public Private Dialogue Forum that was recently launched by President Hichilema is an indication that Zambia is open for business and attracting more investment.

Mr. Siakalima has expressed confidence that this year’s mining indaba is a good platform as it aligns with the country’s focus on green and sustainable economy.

He also noted that the Indaba provides for business linkages and brings together players in mining that can benefit not only Zambia, but all African mining countries.

This year’s investing in African Mining Indaba, is being held under the theme: ‘Evolution of African Mining: Investing in the Energy Transition, ESG and Economies.’

Government managing cholera epidemic in Lusaka-Mulyata

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Lusaka Province Minister, Sheal Mulyata has called for a stop in the transmission of Cholera as a matter of urgency.

Mrs Mulyata said this when she addressed a virtual meeting for Epidemic Preparedness, Prevention Control and Mitigation Committee that communicable diseases can cause untold misery through sickness and death if proper measures are not put in place.

She noted that the province has been hit by Cholera in areas such as Mtendere, East, Chilanga Middle West, Kabangwe and Matero.

Mrs Mulyata disclosed that the Cholera outbreak is being contained as the province has not recorded a case in the last six days.

The Minister noted that cumulatively, 21 people were admitted and discharged from the various cholera centres that were set up.

Mrs Mulyata thanked the committee and the health workers under the multi-sectoral response for containing the cholera epidemic.

She said the Ministry of Health working with the Local Authority, Lusaka Water and Sanitation Company, and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) have mounted an effective response to curb the spread of the Cholera outbreak.

The team has put in place an active case search, disinfecting risk premises, sanitary facilities, and surroundings, distribution of chlorine for home use, water quality monitoring and health education.

Mr Mulyata said supplying clean water to the affected communities using water bowsers and tanks is the strategy being used to halt the spread of the epidemic.

She disclosed that an oral Cholera vaccination campaign has been conducted in Chilanga Middle West and Mtendere East.

The Minister noted that so far 19,548 people have been vaccinated with dose one oral cholera vaccine and the second dose will be given this week.

The Cholera outbreak in Lusaka is the first since the 2017/2018 outbreak which even claimed many lives.

Mrs Mulyata pointed out that government will continue to provide the necessary support to improve the health of its citizens.

Mike Mposha commends the EU for the financial and technical support

Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Mike Mposha has commended the European Union (EU) for the financial and technical support it has continued to render to Zambia.

Mr. Mposha said the EU has continued to be a strategic development partner in the many sectors of the economy such as health, energy, agriculture and climate change among others.

The minister said this during the European Union Day celebrations in Lusaka yesterday.

He further stated that government greatly values the relations that it shares with the EU at bilateral and multilateral levels.

“This support will go a long way in supplementing efforts of the government to implement its national development agenda as envisaged in the country’s vision 2030,” he said.

And Mr. Mposha noted that climate change has continued to be on the agenda of various international fora, due to its devastating impact on agriculture and energy which affects economic development.

”The effects of rising temperature, inconsistent rain patterns as well as flooding and droughts have become a harsh reality especially on economies which are mostly agriculture driven and heavily dependent on rainfall,’’ he stated.

Mr. Mposha said climate change remains a serious challenge which requires global solidarity and concerted efforts of the international community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

He stated that government remains committed to working closely with the international community, including the EU to combat climate change while seeking practical and cost effective measures to mitigate the negative effects of the scourge.

Mr. Mposha further said Zambia seeks to implement the provision of the Paris Agreement which calls for all countries to reduce the carbon emission levels through the use of clean energy such as solar wind and hydro power among others.

He further applauded EU’s contribution of the green climate fund which is assisting developing countries like Zambia mitigate the scourge.

And speaking at the same event, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Zambia, Jacek Jankowski, has condemned the on-going Russia’s attacks and unjustified brutal military aggression against Ukraine.

Mr. Jankowski said it is saddening that Russian attacks on Ukraine have continued claiming many lives of innocent people in that country.

Non-Alignment is not, and has never been Neutrality-Vernon Mwaanga

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Veteran politician and former diplomat Vernon Johnson Mwaanga has said when a country chooses non-alignment on matters of global peace and security it should not be confused with neutrality.

Citizens have been debating Zambia’s decision to vote in the United Nations General Assembly that Russia withdraws from attacking Ukraine earlier in March, 2022.

Some Zambians have condemned the government of the Republic of Zambia for voting against Russia arguing that the state should have remained neutral in the Russia/Ukraine conflict.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted an important resolution which was voted in, demanding that Russia withdraw from Ukraine.

141 countries voted for the resolution while 35 states abstained and 5 states voted against it.

In a written statement, Ambassador Mwaanga, the ex-Zambia’s envoy to the Soviet Union, said even though it is undeniable that the non-aligned countries have made significant contributions towards making the world a better place, their position has not necessarily contributed to making the world safer or saner.

“I have been following the local debate about non-alignment and whether it is synonymous with neutrality. I decided to share my own views and facts, which I have extensively written about over the years. When the “like minded” third world countries first met as an informal grouping in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955, they decided that they would be non-aligned. This was at the height of the cold war between the East and the West. The West described this decision as meaning “neutrality”. The East was suspicious of this new force of non-aligned nations. At their first formal meeting of non-aligned nations held in Belgrade in the then Yugoslavia( now Serbia) , they became clearer about not belonging to neither the west nor the eastern blocks. This conference of non-aligned nations was attended by prominent leaders such as Presidents Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Sukarno of Indonesia, Gamal Abdul Nasser of Egypt and Prime Minister Jarwalal Nehru of India . They declared that they would pursue foreign policies based on ‘peaceful co-existence’, Dr. Mwaanga wrote.

“A few years ago, I addressed a 3000 strong conference of young people in Bandung, Indonesia, from non-aligned countries. Some of these young people also thought that non-alignment countries represented “neutrality”. After the Belgrade Conference of 1961, clearer definitions began to emerge. They made it very clear that non-alignment was not neutrality. At no time at the height of the cold war did the non-aligned nations take sides with the West or the East. It has been the tradition of non-aligned countries in multilateral organisations like the United Nations; always study issues presented on merit and make a determination of what is in the best interests of regional and world peace. They take into account the facts and merits on the ground’s must be quick to point out that they don’t always come to the same conclusions on all issues, as was the case recently in the United Nations General Assembly, where they were discussing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where non-aligned nations took different positions and voted differently,” said the former Foreign Affairs Minister.

“Let it be clearly understood that non-alignment is not and has never been neutrality. This position was affirmed by the 2nd Non-Aligned Conference which was held in Cairo, Egypt in 1964, upheld this position. At subsequent conferences in Lusaka, Zambia in 1971 and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2003, reaffirmed the relevance of the non-aligned movement and its contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security in the 21st century. It is undeniable that the non-aligned countries have made a very significant contribution towards making the world a better, but not necessarily a safer or saner place,” Dr. Mwaanga concluded.

Africa urged to attract more investments

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Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings( ZCCM- IH) has advised governments in the African region to work towards attracting more investment to their country’s natural resources in order to enhance infrastructure development.

ZCCM -IH Chief Executive Officer, Dolika Banda has observed that as Africa strives at achieving regional integration through infrastructure development, there is need for countries to foster partnerships in various sectors of their economies.

Ms. Banda was speaking in Cape Town, South Africa today when she appeared on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABCs) panel of discussion on “mobilising public commitment and political leadership, to advance regional integration and sustainable development through infrastructure.”

Ms Banda explained that governments alone cannot manage to put up and mobilise all the required capital that can be spent in sustainable infrastructure development.

She said this is why governments should attract premium investment by creating an enabling environment for investments to thrive by making policies and regulatory frameworks that are transparent and viable.

Ms Banda cited the provision of Corporate Social Responsibility programmes by investors that have tangible benefits to the local communities as one avenue that governments should utilise to enhance infrastructure development.

At during the same programme, a digital technology expert, Janadu Pleasis has praised Zambia for the progress being made in reducing the cost of connectivity in the area of communication.

Mr. Pleasis said Zambia is among the few countries on the African continent that is making positive steps to make the cost of connectivity low, adding that this will go a long way in attracting more innovations especially among upcoming small and medium entrepreneurs.

He further called for more infrastructure development in the digital space to support more innovations to offer home grown solutions that are affecting Africa.

The programme was also attended by Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, Siakazongo Siakalima and Ministry of Finance and National Planning Permanent Secretary, Mukuli Chikuba.

GEARS welcomes ECZ’s decision for continuous voter registration

GEARS executive Director, MacDonald Chipenzi, says his organisation welcomes the Electoral Commission of Zambia ( ECZ)’s decision for continuous voter registration.

Mr Chipenzi says the ECZ decision is long overdue hoping that the exercise will finally come to fruition this time in point.

He particularly points out that his organisation is however concerned that this is not the first time for the ECZ to make such pronouncements.

ZANIS reports that the GEARS Executive Director in an interview has urged the Commission to honour its announcement and commence the exercise as soon as possible.

Mr Chipenzi, also urged the ECZ to carry out sensitisation exercises on forth coming continuous voter registration to ensure increased participation of all eligible voters.

“ The Commission should ensure that the exercise is extended to all the 116 districts across the country in the due course, “ he said.

Yesterday, the ECZ announced that it will commence the continuous voter registration in July , 2022 in all ten provinces.

And the GEARS executive Director MacDonald Chipenzi has payed Kudos to the new dawn government for embracing good governance tenets in the nation.

Mr Chipenzi says compared to the previous regime which ruled with “ an iron fist “ the new dawn administration has allowed the freedom of expression among other good governance issues.

He says Zambians are now free to exercise their freedom of speech, of association and that the rule of law is now being exercised in the nation.

ZANIS reports that the Gears Executive Director said this in an interview today adding that his organisation is particularly happy that the fight against Corruption by the new dawn administration has continued gaining momentum.

“ We as Gears are proud with the steps taken by the new dawn government in fighting corruption, All those suspected to have looted public resources should be brought to book and be able to account for their wrong doing, “ he said.

The Anti-Corruption Commission ( ACC ) and other security wings has recently arrested key figures such as former minister of Tourism and Arts Ronald Chitotela allegedly for possessing property suspected to be of proceeds of crime.

JCTR commences facilitating the drafting of proposals for the 2023 National Budget

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The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has commenced facilitating the drafting of proposals for the 2023 National Budget which is expected to be presented in the last quarter of 2022.

The Ministry of Finance and National Planning is yet to call for budget proposal submissions.

But JCTR said it has started preparing proposals with community members so that it makes timely submissions at the time the Ministry of Finance will call for submission.

JCTR is currently conducting a series of meetings in Ndola, Masaiti and Lufwanyama districts of the Copperbelt Province aimed at preparing children and community members for budget submissions for the year 2023.

According to JCTR, the significance of the budget submission meetings is seen in its ability to help children and community members influence the planning and implementation process of the 2023 National Budget by ensuring that their challenges are identified beforehand, codified into a proposal for onward submission to the Ministry of Finance as and when the call for submission is made to the public.

JCTR Programme Officer Martin Changwa Sikonda said the national budget should be reflective of the needs of the people.

“We have an activity that we are calling a budget submission meeting with children and community members from Twapia Ward of Ndola Central Constituency. JCTR in partnership with Save the Children have realised that there is a gap when it comes to community participation in the budget making process and so it becomes so difficult for children even community members to hold their leaders accountable if they don’t participate in the process. As JCTR we have an activity that allows children and other community members to participate in the process by first making budget proposals, the activity we are doing,” Mr. Sikonda said.

“When they make these proposals it will help government also to be reflective and the budget to be reflective of the needs of the people and also help children and community members to be able to hold these leaders to account because they would have known what they had submitted and they would have known what they expect to find in the national budget,” he said.

Mr. Sikonda added that children and other stakeholders should be given a chance to express themselves on governance matters such as national budget formulation.

“For JCTR we are targeting the age group of 14 to 18 years. We have realised that in most Zambian communities or even at national level children tend to be forgotten. We tend to think for our children. It is important for children to participate so that their needs are incorporated in the national budget and also in the development process at large. You will agree with me that if someone has not asked what you want it is very difficult to know what you really want and they can end up giving you things that you don’t even need. So it is important that children participate in making budget proposals so that in the end their needs can also be incorporated. I would just want to encourage parents but also urge the government to ensure that in everything that you are doing in all the developmental processes that are being carried out ensure that children participate. We should not take children as empty facets. They know what they want for themselves,” Mr. Sikonda said.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the budget meeting in Ndola, selected pupils aged between 14 and 16 said they were happy to be given a chance to make proposals for the 2023 National Budget.

“I thought making a national budget is for big people like Members of Parliament so I am happy to have this opportunity to participate in the budget making. Thank you to JCTR, we have learnt many things on the budget,” said 16-year old Carol Chomba, a grade 10 pupil at Mwabombeni School in Twapia Ward.

Netball :Kansanshi Wins Labour Day Tournament

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Kansanshi Foundation scooped the Copperbelt Netball Association Labour Day tournament staged over the weekend at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.

Kansanshi triumphed at the competition played on round robin with nine points two ahead of Police side Kamfinsa Blue Eagles, who finished second.

In selected games, Kansanshi beat Kitwe Rifles 15-9 and later edged Kamfinsa Blue Eagles 18- 10.

Meanwhile, Chiwenzi finished third on six points followed by Community Queens and Kitwe who had four and three points respectively.

Copperbelt Netball Association Labour Day Tournament Selected Results
07/05/2022

Kitwe Rifles 8-Community Queens 11

Chiwenzi 13-Kansanshi Foundation 8

Kamfinsa Blue Eagles 11-Chiwenzi 4

Kansanshi Foundation 15-Kitwe Rifles 9

Kamfinsa Blue Eagles 8-Community Queens 8

Chiwenzi 7-Kitwe Rifles 14

Kamfinsa Blue Eagles 10-Kansanshi Foundation 18

Community Queens 7-Chiwenzi 10

Kitwe Rifles 8 Kamfinsa Blue Eagles 10

Final Standing
1 – Kansanshi Foundation 9 Points

2 – Kamfinsa Blue Eagles 7

3 – Chiwenzi 6

4 – Community Queens. 4

5 – Kitwe Rifles 3

Zambia Chamber of Mines salutes First Quantum Minerals Plans to double investment

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The Zambia Chamber of Mines has saluted First Quantum Minerals (FQM)’s plan to double its investment by adding $1.3 billion in its Kansanshi Mine in the North Western Province for the next 20 years.

On the first day of the 2022 African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, FQM Chief Executive Officer Tristan Pascall announced that plans have reached an advanced stage by his company to double its investment by adding 1.3 billion United States Dollars in its Kansanshi Mine.

Mr. Pascall said this follows the assurance and stance taken by the new dawn administration to create an enabling investment environment for investors in Zambia’s mining sector.

Reacting to Mr. Pascall’s announcement, the Chamber of Mines said the dual investments announced today by First Quantum Minerals Ltd, totaling $ 1.35 billion, will have a transformative effect on the mining industry and the wider economy.

FQM says it has also approved a final investment of $100 million, on top of $150 million already spent, to get its Enterprise nickel mine into production within 12 months.

Accordingly to analysts, the announcement provided an exciting start to the African Mining Indaba – the continent’s premier mining event held annually in Cape Town – which kicked off this morning, and has seen Zambia take centre stage so far.

Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Sokwani Chilembo said the two investments are game changing for Zambia.

“Firstly, the investment secures an ever-brighter future for Kansanshi and the copper industry in Northwestern province, and establishes a whole new level of excellence there with the advent of Enterprise as a global top 10 nickel mine. Secondly, this is not just a success for First Quantum and the Government; it’s a massive success for Zambian businesses and Zambian jobs. The multiplier of mining means this is likely to translate into tens of thousands of jobs created throughout the economy. This is just what we need to help dig the economy out of the hole it is in,” Mr. Chilembo said.

“Thirdly, what we have seen today is an extraordinary and welcome example of the Government and its private sector partners working in close co-ordination to deliver the maximum possible benefit for the country. I haven’t had much to smile about since I became Chief Executive of the Chamber, but today I’m smiling,” he said.

The four days 2022 Investing in African Mining Indaba opened in Cape Town, South Africa with a call for African countries to work together towards harnessing the potential that lies in the continent’s mining sector.

Meanwhile, the Kansanshi copper-gold mine near Solwezi, in the North Western Province of Zambia has been FQM’s flagship operation since 2005.

According to the FQM website, from its two open pits, the Kansanshi copper-gold mine produces more copper than any other mine in Africa.

FQM has installed several expansions, and the operation is now capable of producing 340,000 tonnes of copper and more than 120,000 ounces of gold per year.

Kansanshi employs more than 13,000 people, primarily Zambians, and utilises state-of-the-art technology to extract copper and gold from three different ore types, with world-class efficiency.

The Kansanshi mine is owned and operated by Kansanshi Mining PLC, which is 80 per cent owned by First Quantum.

Improve service delivery, newly installed Mongu Mayor told

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Western Province Minister Kapelwa Mbangweta has advised newly installed Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana and his council to improve service delivery so that citizens can realise their dream for improved quality of life through the development of sustainable social services and infrastructure.

Mr Muyumbana of the ruling UPND was installed last week at Mongu Council Offices following his recent victory in the mayoral election.

Mr Mbangweta said Mongu Council has a huge responsibility and will be required to work with the sub-structures at the ward level to foster development.

He said the Mongu Mayor’s office is expected to engage the stakeholders and community to be partners in development.

Mr Mbangweta further urged Mr Muyumbana and Mongu councillors to work together and continue reading and familiarise themselves with the UPND manifesto as it gives the general direction the government is taking on local government in Zambia.

He said the manifesto of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has placed emphasis on decentralising governance to push service delivery down to the local level and provide wide scope for community action in holding government service providers accountable.

“The people of Mongu have voted for you because they would like the local authority that you will lead to step up on service delivery so that they can realise their dream for improved quality of life through the development of sustainable social services and infrastructure with the active participation of all stakeholders in the district. Your office is expected to engage the stakeholders and community to be partners in development. The government alone, or indeed the local authority alone cannot manage to develop the district. Your worship, in engaging the stakeholders, takes advantage of the enabling atmosphere created by the government through the use of the public-private partnership (ppp) in developing some infrastructure in your town. I am aware that your council has in the past made efforts to embark on ppp projects for infrastructure developments. I urge you to continue active engagement with the private sector in the development of Mongu,” Mr. Mbangweta said.

“I am sure you are aware that the UPND manifesto has placed emphasis on decentralising governance to push service delivery down to the local level and provide wide scope for community action in holding government service providers accountable. The UPND government is therefore committed to actualising the national aspirations for a decentralised governance system. The formation of ward development committees (wdcs) in all wards is an example of the implementation of the decentralisation policy. Your council has a huge responsibility and will be required to work with the sub-structures at the ward level. We want to implore you to ensure that your council coordinates the utilisation of CDF properly in consultation with local mp and other councillors in order to achieve its intended purpose,” he said.

Mr. Mbangweta added:”You are privileged to come at a time when your council has received a total of K14 million for both constituencies, i.e. Mongu central and Nalikwanda. This money will bring about massive development in the district. The next disbursement is due shortly. Please provide leadership to ensure that the funds are utilised quickly without any bureaucratic impediments. What we want to see is execution of projects and not money sitting in the bank. That is not the intention.I urge you and the councillors to work together and continue reading and familiarize yourselves with the UPND manifesto as it gives the general direction the government is taking on local government in Zambia. I wish to also appeal to Mongu residents to honour their obligations to the council by paying levies timely and consistently so that the council can continue to provide quality services to our communities.”