Business hours extended

THE HOURS OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN EXTENDED.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING MINISTER DR BRIAN CHITUWO ANNOUNCED THE EXTENSION STATING THAT ALL COUNCIL AREAS THAT IS CITY, MUNICIPAL AND DISTRICT COUNCILS WILL NOW BE TRDAING FROM 08HOURS TO 22 HOURS.

DR CHITUWO EXPLAINED THAT THE EXENSION COMES AFTER WIDER CONSULTATION FROM VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS AND APPROVAL OF THE STATUTORY INSTRUMENT NUMBER 94 OF 2010.

DR CHITUWO IS OPPORTUNISTIC THAT WITH THE EXTENSION OF BUSINESS HOURS THE COUNTRY’S REVENUE AND BUSINESS ACTIVIES WILL BE ENHANCED.

DELIVERING A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT TODAY, DR CHITUWO EXPLAINED THAT THE ISSUES OF SECURITY AND SAFETY OF THE BUSINESS HOUSES AND THE GENERAL CITIZENRY HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXTENSION OF THE BUSINESS HOURS IN COUNCIL AREAS HAVE BEEN NECESSITATED DUE TO INCREASED ACTIVITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

DR CHITUWO WAS HOWEVER HAST TO NOTE THAT THE ZAMBIA STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE EXTENDING THE BUSINESS HOURS TO 24 HOURS SERVICE.

AND DR CHITUWO HAS OBSERVED THAT THERE IS NEED FOR THE EMPLOYERS AND THE UNION TO NEGOTIATE ON THE OVERTIME HOURS FOR THE EMPLOYEES ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WILL BE WORKING LATE.

MEANWHILE, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, VALUE ADDED TAX AND INCOME TAX AMENDMENT BILLS NUMBER 54, 55 AND 56 OF 2010 RESPECTIVELY HAVE GONE THROUGH COMMITTEE STAGE WITHOUT ANY AMENDMENT.

WHILE THE PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC AMENDMENT BILLS NUMBER 57 AND 58 HAVE PASSED THROUGH THE THIRD READING.

ENDS////////////