FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS LIMITED HAS UNVEILED A US$1 BILLION INVESTMENT TO DEVELOP A NEW LARGE SCALE MINE TRIDENT IN ZAMBIA

FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS LIMITED HAS UNVEILED A US$1 BILLION INVESTMENT TO DEVELOP A NEW LARGE SCALE MINE TRIDENT IN NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE.

THE INITIAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT FOR THE PROJECT IS APPROXIMATELY $600 MILLION DOLLARS, RISING TO 1 BILLION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 1.0 MTPA COPPER SMELTER AND A FURTHER $400 MILLION DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT ON FUTURE UPGRADES.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TWO YEAR PROJECT IS ANTICIPATED TO START BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

TRIDENT, CONSISTING OF POTENTIALLY THREE MINING OPERATIONS AND IS EXPECTED TO CREATE MORE THAN 400 JOBS FOR THE LOCAL ZAMBIANS, ENHANCE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF LOCAL COMMUNITY AND CATALYSE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL HELP IN THE OPENING UP OF THE WESTERN CORRIDOR CONNECTING TO NAMIBIA, BOTSWANA AND ANGOLA.

THE INITIAL ANNUAL THROUGHPUT AT SENTINEL IS ESTIMATED AT 25 MILLION METRIC TONNES OF ORE EXPECTED TO RISE UP TO 50 MILLION METRIC TONNES TO PRODUCE 300,000 TONNES OF COPPER.

FIRST QUANTUM PRESIDENT CLIVE NEWALL SAID THAT THE SIGNIFICANT GROUNDWORK HAS ALREADY STARTED AT SITE SO THE ANTICIPATED BENEFITS SHOULD START FLOWING ONCE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER APPROVALS ARE RECEIVED.

MR. NEWALL NOTED THAT THIS INVESTMENT IS ANOTHER ENDORSEMENT OF THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT’S PROACTIVE POLICIES TO CREATE AN ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT CLIMATE FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

HE WAS SPEAKING IN LUSAKA TODAY AT THE LAUNCH OF FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS TRIDENT MINING PROJECT.

AND FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS RESIDENT DIRECTOR KWALELA LAMASWALA HAS ADMITTED THAT THE COUNTRY FACES THE POWER DEFICIT WHICH HE SAID WILL HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED ESPECIALLY WITH THE INVESTMENT IN THE MINING SECTOR THAT THE COUNTRY IS RECORDING.

HE IS HOWEVER OPPORTUNISTIC THAT WITH THE CURRENT INVESTMENT IN THE POWER GENERATION THIS PROBLEM WILL BE ADDRESSED AND THE COUNTRY WILL FURTHER BE ABLE TO EXPORT TO THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.

PROJECT LEADER MATT PASCALL SAID THAT SUBJECT TO APPROVAL THE NEW SMELTER WILL BE BUILT IN SOLWEZI TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONCENTRATE OUTPUT FROM TRIDENT AND WILL EMPLOY A FURTHER 400 LOCAL STAFF.

AND PROJECT DIRECTOR FOR ENVIRONMENT ANDREW HESTER HAS POINTED THAT THE COMPANY WILL FOLLOW THAT LED ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEDURES SO THAT CASES OF POLLUTION ARE MINIMIZED.

AND THE JESUIT CENTER FOR THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS HAS CHALLENGED GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT THE COUNTRY IS EXPERIENCING TRANSLATES INTO MEANINGFUL DEVELOPMENT.

JCTR PROGRAMME MANAGER OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME GEOFFREY CHONGO NOTED THAT WHILE THEY COMMEND THE GOVERNMENT FOR RECORDING DECENT ECONOMIC GROWTH AS EVIDENCED BY ECONOMIC STATICS IN RECENT YEARS, IT IS AN UNDISPUTED FACT THAT POVERTY LEVELS HAVE REMAINED HIGH.

HE EXPLAINED THAT ABOUT 64% OF THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO MEET BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD AND NON FOOD NEEDS AS MEASURED BY THE CENTRAL STATISTICAL OFFICE ADDING THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING ARE ENORMOUS.

MR CHONGO SAID IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE TRICKLEDOWN EFFECT AND THAT THE HIGHLY PUBLICIZED TRICKLEDOWN THEORY IS MORE OF A POLITICAL RHETORIC THAN REALITY.

HE NOTED THAT AS SUCH, ONE MAJOR CONCERNS AND AN AREA NEEDING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IS THAT FINANCING OF GOVERNMENT BUDGET WHICH HE SAID HAS CONTINUED TO BE BORNE LARGELY BY FEW PEOPLE IN THE FORMAL SECTOR WHILE THE MINING SECTOR THAT IS MAKING HUGE PROFITS IS LIGHTLY TAXED.

MR CHONGO STATED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD EQUITABLY MOBILIZE DOMESTIC RESOURCES BY ENSURING THAT SECTORS THAT ARE RECORDING HIGH ECONOMIC GROWTH CONTRIBUTE MORE TO THE TREASURY WITHOUT OF COURSE COMPROMISING THE GROWTH POTENTIAL OF SUCH SECTORS.

HE HAS SINCE APPEALED TO GOVERNMENT NOT TO LOSE SIGHT OF ITS ULTIMATE OBLIGATION OF DELIVERING DEVELOPMENT THAT ENSURES POVERTY AND INEQUALITY ERADICATION BY GOOD MACROECONOMIC STATISTICS AND THE PRAISE THAT IT HAS ATTRACTED FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

##############

THE DANISH GOVERNMENT HAS PHASED OUT BILATERAL COOPERATION FROM SEVEN COUNTRIES INCLUDING ZAMBIA

THE DANISH GOVERNMENT HAS PHASED OUT BILATERAL COOPERATION FROM SEVEN COUNTRIES INCLUDING ZAMBIA FOLLOWING PRESSURE ARISING FROM THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO A NEWS STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE ROYAL DANISH EMBASSY IN LUSAKA TODAY.
THE STATEMENT INDICATES THAT THE PHASING OUT OF BILATERAL AID TO ZAMBIA WILL BE UNDERTAKEN IN SUCH A WAY  THAT ALL COMMITMENTS WILL BE HONOURED TO ENSURE THE GOOD RESULTS ACHIEVED ARE NOT LOST.
THE ROYAL DANISH EMBASSY  HAS HOWEVER EXPLAINED THAT THE PHASING OUT OF AID WILL BE CONCLUDED BY THE END OF 2013.

THE STATEMENT EMPHASIZED THAT THERE ARE NO PLANS TO CLOSE THE DANISH EMBASSY IN LUSAKA BECAUSE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WILL CONTINUE.

ACCORDING TO THE STATEMENT, THE DANISH GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO REDUCE DANISH PARTNERS FROM 26 TO 15; AND OTHER COUNTRIES AFFECTED ARE BENIN, BHUTAN, BOLIVIA, CAMBOADIA, NICARAGUA AND VIETNAM.

MEANWHILE, THE DANISH GOVERNMENT HAS PREDICTED THAT ZAMBIA HAS GREATER PROSPECTS OF HIGHER GROWTH THROUGH EXPLOITATION OF RESOURCES IN AGRICULTURE, MINING AND ENERGY SECTORS AMONG OTHERS.

#############

first Quantum minerals plans to start developing a new mine in north-western Zambia

Canada's First Quantum Minerals plans to start developing a new copper mine in north-western Zambia in the second quarter of this year.

The north-western province's secretary, Daniel Bowasi, said the new Kalumbila mine, about which further details would be announced by First Quantum on Tuesday, would gradually compare in size to Kansanshi, the country's largest mine by output.

Mr Bowasi said this is a big project which will turn north-western province into Zambia's new Copper belt and contribute a lot of resources to the treasury through taxes.

First Quantum also operates Kansanshi mine, which contributed 230,800 tonnes of copper to the 2010 total production of about 740,000 tonnes for Africa's top producer of the metal.

###########

Govt to monitor mining companies over pollution of the environment to ensure safety

Government plans to continue monitoring Vedanta Resources owned and country’s largest copper miner, Konkola Mine and other mining houses over pollution of the environment to ensure safety.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry of natural resources and tourism Ms Lillian Kapulu said it was government’s obligation to ensure that KCM and other mining houses were put under observation to deter them from polluting the environment as it has been the case in recent months where the Kafue River was polluted with copper effluent.
Speaking in Chingola when she visited KCM offices Ms Kapulu added that government will ensure mining firms adhere to the measures it has put in place to protect the environment from harmful substances. She said that Government, through the Environmental Council of Zambia will be monitoring KCM and other mines to ensure they don’t pollute the environment during their operations adding that they are concerned when the environment is polluted whether in the air, water bodies or land.
At the same occasion, KCM chief executive officer Mr Kishore Kumar said the mining giant spent over USD 40 million on the rehabilitation of old infrastructure in an effort to prevent pollution. The company replaced old liquor taps, older tailings pipelines and other old equipment aimed at controlling pollution.
The mining firm will remain committed to ensuring the approved guidelines on environmental protection are implemented. KCM will remain transparent in ensuring that it has the best programs to control mining waste, and will strive to meet statutory requirements for a safe environment and has demonstrated its actions on the ground.
According to Mr Kumar, KCM has invested USD 1.8 billion on the expansion and development of new infrastructure since 2004.

Officers from the Mines Safety Department, ECZ and Government officials on January 18 inspected various sites at KCM premises, which are prone to triggering pollution.
KCM has in recent months come under criticism for polluting the Kafue river, a source of water for more than 20,000 local people and surrounding mining towns, raising concern among key players including government which all have called for serious measures to avoid a repeat of the action.
And recently, a court in Zambia fined the miner USD 4,000 for polluting the Kafue River. However, KCM blamed the latest pollution of Kafue River to a power outage which led to the failure of the pumps at its tailings disposal site on the Copperbelt province. Immediately after the power outage, KCM closed down its concentrator and the Tailings Leach Plant as a precautionary measure. The matter was also reported to the Environmental Council of Zambia, the Mines Safety Department and local water utility firm.
The Environmental Council of Zambia recently said it is probing KCM to establish the source and cause of pollution to take appropriate action and prevent re-occurrences of such incidents in future.

KCM said separately that it would cooperate with the probe.
#############

Zambia prison service commissioner admits that prisons have highest hiv prevalence rates

ZAMBIA PRISON SERVICE COMMISSIONER PERCY CHATO HAS ADMITTED THAT THE PRISONS IN THE COUNTRY HAS GOT THE HIGHEST HIV-AIDS PREVALENCE RATE AND HAS GOTTEN THE SERVICE WORRIED.

SPEAKING LAST NIGHT DURING THE PRISON SERVICE OFFICERS’ ANNUAL BALL IN KABWE COMMISSIONER CHATO HOWEVER SAID THE HIGH HIV PREVALENCE HAS FORCED THE SERVICE TO COME UP WITH MAINSTREAMING HIV POLICIES INTO THE SERVICE WORK AND PRISONS.

RADIO PHOENIX STAFFER AUGUSTINE SICHULA REPORTS THAT COMMISSIONER CHATO FURTHER DISCLOSED THAT THE PAROLE PROGRAMME IN THE COUNTRY SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED ABOUT 320 INMATES HAVE BEEN RELEASED TO HELP DECONGEST THE PRISON.

BUT HE NOTED THAT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN TERMS OVERCROWDING OF PRISONS DESPITE THE PAROLE PROGRAMME BEEN IN PLACE.

IN THE SAME VEIN THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS HAS WARNED SERVICE OFFICERS FROM PRACTICING PARTISAN POLITICS ESPECIALLY THAT THE COUNTRY GOES TO THE POLLS THIS YEAR ADDING THAT THOSE FOUND WANTING WILL NOT BE LEFT TO GO SCOT FREE.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ARMED FORCES IN THE COUNTRY SHALL REMAIN LOYAL TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY HENCE ITS IMPERATIVE THAT SOLDIERS REMAIN NEUTRAL TO FOSTER PEACE AND UNITY.

AND SPEAKING AT THE SAME FUNCTION HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER MKONDO LUNGU DISCLOSED THAT THROUGH THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, GOVERNMENT HAS EMBARKED ON CONSTRUCTING NEW PRISONS AND THE  MWEMBESHI PRISON THIRD AND LAST PHASE WILL BE COMPLETED SOON.

MR LUNGU ALSO THANKED THAT SERVICE FOR THE CONTRIBUTION TO THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR MORE ESPECIALLY THAT IT CONTRIBUTED ABOUT 68,000 PER 50 KILOGRAM OF MAIZE WHICH HELPED TO RAISE ABOUT K3BILLION FROM THE PRODUCE.

HE ALSO SAID GOVERNMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION A K815 MILLION STORAGE SHADE AT CHITUMBA OPEN AIR PRISON IN MUMBWA.

##############

fodep ushers in new NEC leadership

THE FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS HAS USHERED IN A NEW NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA LECTURER, RESEARCHER AND POLITICAL ANALYST DR ALEX NG’OMA BEING ELECTED AS THE ORGANIZATION’S NEW PRESIDENT.

DR NG’OMA TAKES OVER FROM STANLEY MHANGO WHO HAS SINCE RETIRED.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO A NEWS STATEMENT AVAILED TO RADIO PHOENIX TODAY BY FODEP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MACDONALD CHIPENZI.

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE NEW NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ARE MIRRIAM CHONYA WHO IS NOW THE VICE PRESIDENT, NALUKUI MILAPO AS THE NATIONAL SECRETARY, MR ADRIAN MUUNGA, MARTIN MBEWE, JACK GOMA AND SHEPARD CHILOMBE AS CHAIRPERSONS FOR VARIOUS COMMITTEES.

ACCORDING TO THE STATEMENT THE ELECTION TOOK PLACE AT THE 6^TH NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD IN LUSAKA YESTERDAY.

#############

THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS SIGNED A K500 BILLION LOAN AGREEMENT WITH THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) FOR PHASE TWO OF THE REHABILITATION OF THE NACALA CORRIDOR ROAD PROJECT

THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS SIGNED A K500 BILLION LOAN AGREEMENT WITH THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) FOR PHASE TWO OF THE REHABILITATION OF THE NACALA CORRIDOR ROAD PROJECT.

THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE REHABILITATION OF THE 114.7 KILOMETERS OF THE GREAT EAST ROAD FROM NYIMBA TO SINDA.

FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING MINISTER SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT WHILE RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK IN ZAMBIA DR. FREDDIE KWESIGA SIGNED ON BEHALF OF ADB AT THE CEREMONY WHICH TOOK PLACE AT THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE IN LUSAKA TODAY.

DR. MUSOKOTWANE EXPLAINED THAT THE LOAN WILL FACILITATE FINANCING AND UPGRADING OF THE GREAT EAST ROAD PORTION FROM NYIMBA THROUGH PETAUKE TO SINDA IN EASTERN PROVINCE COVERING A SUBSET OF PHASE II CONSISTING OF REHABILITATION OF THE 114,7 KM TO ASPHALT CONCRETE STANDARD.

DR. MUSOKOTWANE STRESSED THAT THE 500 BILLION KWACHA LOAN WILL ALSO CATER FOR CIVIL REHABILITATION WORKS AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT INCLUDING BUILDING CAPACITY TO STRENGTHEN GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES AT THE ROAD DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (RDA).

THE MINISTER SAYS THE DEVELOPMENT OF NACALA CORRIDOR WILL SHORTEN ZAMBIA’S ACCESS TO THE NEAREST SEA PORT TO ONLY 1700 KM FROM LUSAKA ONCE WORKS ARE COMPLETED  HENCE MAKING THE COST OF ZAMBIA‘S PRODUCTS ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET MORE COMPETITIVE.

DR. MUSOKOTWANE NOTED THAT REDUCED TRANSPORT COSTS AND TRANSIT FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT OF GOODS WILL INCREASE ZAMBIA’S BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS, WITH THE BENEFITS RESULTING IN THE GROWTH OF PRODUCTIVE SECTORS.

HE STATED THAT THE PROJECT WILL ALSO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION AND OSTER REGIONAL INTEGRATION.

AND ADB RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE FREDDIE KWESIGE SAYS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE ZAMBIA , MALAWI AND MOZAMBIQUE WITH IMPROVED ROAD TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE TO NACALA PORT AND IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY OF THEIR COMMUNITIES IN THE PROJECT’S ZONE OF INFLUENCE TO MARKETS AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

DR KWESIGE STRESSED THAT THE GREAT EAST ROAD ON NACALA ROAD CORRIDOR IS THE ONLY TRANSPORT LINK WITH ZAMBIA TO THE PORT OF NACALA IN MOZAMBIQUE.

##########

POLITICAL PLAYERS IN THIS YEAR’S PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED NOT TO UNLEASH CAMPAIGN MESSAGES THAT ARE LIKELY TO CAUSE DISTURBANCES ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY

POLITICAL PLAYERS IN THIS YEAR’S PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED NOT TO UNLEASH CAMPAIGN MESSAGES THAT ARE LIKELY TO CAUSE DISTURBANCES ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX ,CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DR CALEB FUNDANGA CHARGED THAT ANY WELL MEANING ZAMBIAN ASPIRING TO ANY POLITICAL OFFICE SHOULD NOT IN ANY WAY JEOPARDIZE THE ECONOMIC GAINS  THE COUNTRY HAS RECORDED IN THE RECENT PAST.

HE SAYS WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS WILL BE, INVESTORS MUST BE ASSURED THAT POLICY ENVIRONMENT WILL NOT CHANGE.

DR FUNDANGA HOWEVER WARNED THAT ANY POLITICIAN WHO GETS INTO POWER IF THEY JEOPARDIZE THE POLICIES, THIS WILL HAVE A REPEL EFFECTS ON THE FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT INFLOWS INTO THE COUNTRY.

MEANWHILE, THE CENTRAL BANK CHIEF HAS DISCLOSED THAT THE COUNTRY WILL SOON BE AVAILED WITH THE RESULTS ON CREDIT RATING FROM THE CONSULTANTS THAT CONDUCTED THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

############

ZAMBIA’S FOREIGN PRIVATE INVESTMENT INFLOWS DECLINED TO $935.4 MILLION IN 2009 FROM THE $1,932.8 MILLION RECORDED IN 2007

THE LATEST SURVEY FINDINGS RELEASED TODAY HAVE REVEALED THAT ZAMBIA’S FOREIGN PRIVATE INVESTMENT INFLOWS DECLINED TO $935.4 MILLION IN 2009 FROM THE $1,932.8 MILLION RECORDED IN 2007.

THE REDUCTION IN THE FOREIGN PRIVATE INVESTMENT INFLOWS HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO LOWER PROFITS RECORDED BY ENTERPRISES AS WELL AS THE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE GLOBAL MARKETS DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE THIRD SURVEY FINDINGS ON FOREIGN PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND INVESTOR PERCEPTIONS IN ZAMBIA FOR THE YEAR 2010.

ANNOUNCING THE DEVELOPMENTS IN LUSAKA THIS MORNING, CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DR CALEB FUNDANGA EXPLAINED THAT AT A GLOBAL LEVEL, FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT INFLOWS DRASTICALLY DECLINED TO $1,114.2 BILLION IN 2009 FROM $1,770.9 BILLION IN 2008.

DR FUNDANGA FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW EQUITY INVESTMENT INFLOWS IN ZAMBIA NONETHELESS SURGED TO $419.2 MILLION IN 2009 FROM $131.6 MILLION RECORDED IN 2007.

DR FUNDANGA ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE ECONOMIC REFORMS AND FAVOURABLE INVESTMENT CLIMATE CREATED HAS RAISED INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN THE ZAMBIAN ECONOMY THEREBY ATTRACTING BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN INVESTMENTS.

AND COMMENTING ON INVESTOR PERCEPTION, DR FUNDANGA EXPLAINED THAT BETTER INFORMATION ON THE SUBJECT WILL HELP GOVERNMENT IN DESIGNING POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES THAT WILL FURTHER HELP TO ENHANCE ZAMBIA’S FAVOURABLE INVESTMENT CLIMATE.

HE SAYS RELIABLE INFORMATION ON CAPITAL FLOWS WILL ALSO IMPROVE BALANCE OF PAYMENTS STATISTICS FOR ZAMBIA AND SERVE AS AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM FOR GOVERNMENT ON POTENTIAL FINANCIAL CRISES AND OTHER EXTERNAL SHOCKS.

MEANWHILE, THE PRIVATE SECTOR EXTERNAL DEBT HAS CONTINUED TO GROW OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WITH THE LATEST FIGURES STANDING AT $5,733.9 MILLION IN 2009 FROM $4, 954.9 MILLION RECORDED IN 2008 WITH THE LARGEST SHARE OWED TO RELATED ENTERPRISES.

WHILE, THE STOCK OF FOREIGN ASSETS HELD ABROAD BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN ZAMBIA STOOD AT $1,279.5 MILLION AS AT THE  END OF DECEMBER 2009 FROM $971.3 MILLION RECORDED IN 2008 AND A TOTAL OF $151 MILLION NET INVESTMENT ABROAD WERE RECORDED.

#################

ZAMBIAN GOVT SIGNS THE COMPREHENSIVE AFRICA AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME COMPACT

ZAMBIA HAS TODAY SIGNED THE COMPREHENSIVE AFRICA AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME COMPACT (CAADP) TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL POLICY AND THE VISION 2030 THROUGH THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS.

SPEAKING DURING THE SIGNING CEREMONY IN LUSAKA THIS MORNING, VICE PRESIDENT GEORGE KUNDA  POINTED  OUT THAT ALTHOUGH ZAMBIA HAS EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED POSITIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AVERAGING 5 PERCENT SINCE 1991, THIS GROWTH HAS YET TO TRANSLATE INTO SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF POVERTY LEVELS ESPECIALLY AMONG THE RURAL PEOPLE.

MR. KUNDA SAYS  THIS IS DUE TO THE SLOW GROWTH IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR WHICH IS THE KEY DRIVER IN NATIONAL POVERTY REDUCTION AND IS AVERAGED AT 1.7 PERCENT GROWTH IN THE RECENT YEARS.

HE FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS NEED TO DOUBLE MOBILIZATION OF INVESTMENT IN THE SECTOR IF THE DESIRED GOALS ARE TO BE ACHIEVED.

MR. KUNDA HAS SINCE APPEALED TO THE COOPERATING PARTNERS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO HONOUR THEIR COMMITMENTS BY INCREASING INVESTMENTS AND RESOURCE FLOWS INTO KEY AND PRIORITY PROGRAMMES THAT ARE IN COMPREHENSIVE AFRICA AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

AND COMMON MARKET FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA SECRETARY GENERAL SINDISO NGWENYA HAS URGED THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT IT EXPEDITES THE PROCESS OF COMING UP WITH THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL AND INVESTMENT PLAN SO THAT IT CAN ACCESS THE FUNDS FOR THE CAADP INITIATIVE.

MR. NGWENYA ADDED THAT COMESA WILL FURTHER BE MOBILIZING FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNTRY IMPLEMENTS THE CAADP COMPACT.

AND NEPAD REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN BWALYA EXPLAINED THAT SIGNING THE CAADP INITIATIVE RE-AFFIRMS THE RESOLVE THAT AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DEAL WITH ALL ITS PROBLEMS.

SPEAKING AT THE SAME FUNCTION LIVESTOCK AND FISHERIES MINISTER BRADFORD MACHILA POINTED OUT THAT ZAMBIAN CAADP COMPACT IS INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN, SUPPORT AND FACILITATE THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURE POLICIES THROUGH FIVE YEAR PHASES.

MEANWHILE THE AFRICAN UNION SAYS THERE IS NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE PROCESS IS SPEEDILY IMPLEMENTED.

###########

WORLD BANK COUNTRY MANAGER KAPIL KAPOOR HAS URGED FOREIGN INVESTORS IN ZAMBIA NOT TO BE AGITATED WITH THE FORTH COMING GENERAL ELECTIONS.

WORLD BANK COUNTRY MANAGER KAPIL KAPOOR HAS URGED FOREIGN INVESTORS IN ZAMBIA NOT TO BE AGITATED WITH THE FORTH COMING PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTIONS.

ZAMBIA EXPERIENCED A REDUCTION IN THE INVESTMENT INFLOWS AS WELL AS A SHAKE UP IN THE ECONOMY DURING THE PREVIOUS ELECTIONS WHICH WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE UNCERTAINTIES OF WHO TAKES OVER THE OFFICE.

SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX IN LUSAKA, MR. KAPOOR SAYS  THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE ZAMBIAN INVESTORS TO BE AGITATED WITH THE FORTHCOMING GENERAL ELECTIONS CONSIDERING THE STABILITY PREVAILING IN THE COUNTRY.

HE STATED THAT THE ECONOMY IS THIS YEAR EXPECTED TO GROW AT ABOUT 6 PERCENT EVEN MORE THAN THIS HENCE NO NEED FOR THE FEARS AMONG THE INVESTORS.

MR. KAPIL FURTHER URGED GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE FOCUSING ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE AND OTHER VITAL SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IF RECORDED GROWTH IS TO BE MAINTAINED AND ENHANCED.

###############

ZAMBIA’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ELECTED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

ZAMBIA’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS LAZAROUS KAPAMBWE HAS BEEN ELECTED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC).

AND MR KAMPAMBWE TODAY OUTLINED THE BODY"S AGENDA FOR THE COMING YEAR AND PLEDGED TO WORK TO STRENGTHEN ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN CARRYING OUT THE UNITED NATIONS" GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AGENDA.

IN HIS REMARKS, MR. KAPAMBWE SAYS  ECOSOC NEEDED TO ACCELERATE ITS REVIEW AND COORDINATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EIGHT MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGS), WHICH RANGE FROM HALVING EXTREME POVERTY TO HALTING THE SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS AND PROVIDING UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION TO ALL BY THE TARGET DATE OF 2015.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT ECOSOC COULD BENEFIT FROM CONTRIBUTIONS TO ITS WORK BY INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIA AND INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS PARLIAMENTS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCILS.

MR. KAPAMBWE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING CLOSER COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND ITS FUNCTIONAL COMMISSIONS, AND BETTER LINKING OF ITS WORK WITH THAT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARDS OF UN FUNDS AND PROGRAMMES, AS WELL AS OTHER UN REGIONAL ENTITIES, SO AS TO ENHANCE THE UN"S SYSTEM-WIDE COHERENCE.

ON THE ISSUE OF PEACEBUILDING, MR. KAPAMBWE INDICATED THAT ECOSOC HAS A CLEAR ROLE TO PLAY IN STRENGTHENING THE LINK BETWEEN POST-CONFLICT SITUATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT.

MR. KAPAMBWE POINTED OUT THAT CLIMATE CHANGE HAS EXACERBATED THE THREAT OF NATURAL DISASTERS TO DEVELOPMENT, PEACE AND SECURITY “MAKING IT IMPERATIVE THAT ECOSOC PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE CONNECTIONS WITH ITS POLICY MAKING AND COORDINATING ROLES.
MR. KAPAMBWE WAS ELECTED ECOSOC"S SIXTY-SEVENTH PRESIDENT AT AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL TODAY.

ECOSOC IS THE UNITED NATIONS" PRINCIPAL ORGAN TO COORDINATE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND RELATED WORK OF THE 14 UN SPECIALIZED AGENCIES, FUNCTIONAL COMMISSIONS AND FIVE REGIONAL COMMISSIONS. IT SERVES AS THE CENTRAL FORUM FOR DISCUSSING INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES, AND FOR FORMULATING POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ADDRESSED TO MEMBER STATES AND THE UN SYSTEM.

AND ADDRESSING THE ECOSOC MEETING, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL ASHA-ROSE MIGIRO NOTED THAT DESPITE PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE MDGS, ONE BILLION PEOPLE STILL LIVE IN EXTREME POVERTY AND FIVE MILLION INFANTS STILL DIE EVERY YEAR OF PREVENTABLE DISEASES.

AND THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF ECOSOC IN HIS REMARKS TO THE MEETING, HAMIDON ALI OF MALAYSIA, OUTLINED THE COUNCIL"S SUCCESSES OVER THE PAST YEAR, HIGHLIGHTING, AMONG OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE RECOGNITION THAT GENDER EQUALITY IS NOT ONLY A DEVELOPMENT GOAL IN ITSELF, BUT A MEANS TOWARDS ACHIEVING OTHER GLOBALLY AGREEMENT DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES, INCLUDING THE MDGS.

ZAMBIA’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS LAZAROUS KAPAMBWE HAS BEEN ELECTED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC).

AND MR KAMPAMBWE TODAY OUTLINED THE BODY"S AGENDA FOR THE COMING YEAR AND PLEDGED TO WORK TO STRENGTHEN ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN CARRYING OUT THE UNITED NATIONS" GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AGENDA.

IN HIS REMARKS, MR. KAPAMBWE SAYS  ECOSOC NEEDED TO ACCELERATE ITS REVIEW AND COORDINATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EIGHT MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGS), WHICH RANGE FROM HALVING EXTREME POVERTY TO HALTING THE SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS AND PROVIDING UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION TO ALL BY THE TARGET DATE OF 2015.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT ECOSOC COULD BENEFIT FROM CONTRIBUTIONS TO ITS WORK BY INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIA AND INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS PARLIAMENTS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCILS.

MR. KAPAMBWE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING CLOSER COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND ITS FUNCTIONAL COMMISSIONS, AND BETTER LINKING OF ITS WORK WITH THAT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARDS OF UN FUNDS AND PROGRAMMES, AS WELL AS OTHER UN REGIONAL ENTITIES, SO AS TO ENHANCE THE UN"S SYSTEM-WIDE COHERENCE.

ON THE ISSUE OF PEACEBUILDING, MR. KAPAMBWE INDICATED THAT ECOSOC HAS A CLEAR ROLE TO PLAY IN STRENGTHENING THE LINK BETWEEN POST-CONFLICT SITUATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT.

MR. KAPAMBWE POINTED OUT THAT CLIMATE CHANGE HAS EXACERBATED THE THREAT OF NATURAL DISASTERS TO DEVELOPMENT, PEACE AND SECURITY “MAKING IT IMPERATIVE THAT ECOSOC PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE CONNECTIONS WITH ITS POLICY MAKING AND COORDINATING ROLES.
MR. KAPAMBWE WAS ELECTED ECOSOC"S SIXTY-SEVENTH PRESIDENT AT AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL TODAY.

ECOSOC IS THE UNITED NATIONS" PRINCIPAL ORGAN TO COORDINATE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND RELATED WORK OF THE 14 UN SPECIALIZED AGENCIES, FUNCTIONAL COMMISSIONS AND FIVE REGIONAL COMMISSIONS. IT SERVES AS THE CENTRAL FORUM FOR DISCUSSING INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES, AND FOR FORMULATING POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ADDRESSED TO MEMBER STATES AND THE UN SYSTEM.

AND ADDRESSING THE ECOSOC MEETING, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL ASHA-ROSE MIGIRO NOTED THAT DESPITE PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE MDGS, ONE BILLION PEOPLE STILL LIVE IN EXTREME POVERTY AND FIVE MILLION INFANTS STILL DIE EVERY YEAR OF PREVENTABLE DISEASES.

AND THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF ECOSOC IN HIS REMARKS TO THE MEETING, HAMIDON ALI OF MALAYSIA, OUTLINED THE COUNCIL"S SUCCESSES OVER THE PAST YEAR, HIGHLIGHTING, AMONG OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE RECOGNITION THAT GENDER EQUALITY IS NOT ONLY A DEVELOPMENT GOAL IN ITSELF, BUT A MEANS TOWARDS ACHIEVING OTHER GLOBALLY AGREEMENT DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES, INCLUDING THE MDGS.

############

misa Zambia calls for a speedy dialogue between radio lyambai and authorities so that it can resume operations

THE MEDIA INSTITUTE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (MISA) ZAMBIA HAS APPEALED FOR A SPEEDY DIALOGUE BETWEEN RADIO LYAMBAI AND THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED SO THAT THE RADIO STATION CAN IMMEDIATELY RESUME ITS OPERATIONS.

MISA ZAMBIA SAYS THE RADIO STATION MUST CONTINUE PLAYING THE ROLE OF PEACE BUILDING AND PROVIDING A PLATFORM FOR PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES FREELY ON TOPICAL ISSUES WHICH ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN PROVINCE.

MISA ZAMBIA CHAIRPERSON DANIEL SIKAZWE HAS TOLD RADIO PHOENIX THAT THE INSTITUTION IS CONCERNED THAT POLICE ACTED IN A HEAVY HANDED MANNER BY FORCING THEIR WAY INTO THE STATION AND SEIZING COMPUTERS AND OTHER VITAL EQUIPMENT, IN ADDITION TO VANDALIZING ELECTRICAL CABLES IN THE STUDIO.

MR SIKAZWE HAS SINCE CALLED ON THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT OF RADIO LYAMBAI TO ENSURE THAT THE RADIO STATION DOES EVERYTHING ETHICALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY POSSIBLE TO SERVE ITS AUDIENCE IN A MANNER THAT BALANCES THE NEED FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO PROMOTE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PROVINCE.

THE POLICE IN MONGU YESTERDAY CONFISCATED EQUIPMENT FROM RADIO LYAMBAI, WHICH CONSEQUENTLY PUT THE STATION OFF THE AIR.

AND IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, MISA ZAMBIA HAS DISMISSED ASSUMPTIONS THAT GOVERNMENT DIRECTED ALL COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS IN WESTERN PROVINCE FROM TRANSMITTING LIVE PHONE-IN PROGRAMS DISCUSSING THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT.

MR. SIKAZWE EXPLAINS THAT GOVERNMENT MERELY ADVISED THE COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS IN WESTERN PROVINCE ESPECIALLY, TO BE CAUTIOUS WHEN HANDLING THAT MATTER IN ORDER NOT TO INFLAME AN ALREADY VOLATILE SITUATION.

MISA ZAMBIA HAS SINCE URGED THE MEDIA TO CONTINUE REPORTING ABOUT THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT AND OTHER ISSUES OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE BUT WAS HAST TO CAUTION THEM THAT MAXIMUM RESPONSIBILITY, PROFESSIONALISM AND ADHERENCE TO MEDIA ETHICS TO AVOID BEING ACCUSED OF INCITING THE POPULATION MUST BE EXERCISED.

############

KCM BLAMES ITS LATEST POLLUTION ON POWER OUTAGE

KONKOLA COPPER MINES (KCM) HAS BLAMED THE LATEST POLLUTION OF KAFUE RIVER ON A POWER OUTAGE EXPERIENCED EARLIER THIS WEEK WHICH LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE PUMPS AT ITS TAILINGS DISPOSAL SITE ON THE COPPERBELT PROVINCE.

THE COMPANY HAS SAYS  IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE POWER OUTAGE, KCM CLOSED DOWN ITS CONCENTRATOR AND THE TAILINGS LEACH PLANT AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AND THE MATTER WAS ALSO REPORTED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA, THE MINES SAFETY DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL WATER UTILITY FIRM.

KAFUE RIVER IS A SOURCE OF WATER FOR THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS IN ZAMBIA’S COPPERBELT PROVINCE.

KCM, A UNIT OF LONDON-LISTED VEDANTA RESOURCES PLC (VED.LN), HAS NOT  YET DISCLOSED THE LIKELY IMPACT OF THE CLOSURE ON ITS 2011 COPPER OUTPUT AND ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA ARE PROBING KCM TO ESTABLISH THE SOURCE AND CAUSE OF POLLUTION  TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AND PREVENT RE-OCCURRENCES OF SUCH INCIDENTS IN FUTURE.

KCM SAID SEPARATELY THAT IT WOULD COOPERATE WITH THE PROBE.

IN NOVEMBER, THE COURT FINED KCM AT LEAST OVER 22MILLION KWACHA  FOR POLLUTING THE RIVER, WHICH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS DESCRIBED AS  INADEQUATE SAYING THE COMPANY IS POLLUTING THE RIVER WITH "IMPUNITY."

KCM IS TARGETING MORE THAN DOUBLING ITS ANNUAL COPPER OUTPUT TO 400,000 METRIC TONNES BY 2014 FROM 173,000 TONNES
###########
BY: AUGUSTINE SICHULA

ADD VOWS TO BASE ITS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN S ON ECONOMIC GROWTH

THE OPPOSITION ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (A.D.D) HAS VOWED TO BASE ITS POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AHEAD OF THIS YEAR’S TRIPARTITE ELECTIONS ON GROWING THE ECONOMY RATHER THAN FOCUSING  ON CHARACTER ASSASSINATION OF OTHER POLITICAL PLAYERS.

SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX, ADD VICE PRESIDENT DR MATHIAS MPANDE WHO IS ALSO FORMER MINES MINISTER REVEALED THAT THE PARTY WILL BE FOCUSING ON GOOD GOVERNANCE AND EDUCATION.

DR MPANDE HAS  EXPLAINED THAT  ONLY WITH AN EDUCATED SOCIETY CAN THE COUNTRY DEVELOP AND ITS ECONOMY GROW EVEN FURTHER.

HE HAS STRESSED THAT WITH COMPETENT AND EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION ALL THE EVIL VICES SUCH AS CORRUPTION , THEFT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES WILL BE A THING OF THE PAST.

HE EXPLAINES  THAT UNLIKE OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES, “A.D.D” IS NOT INTERESTED IN USING POLITICS FOR POWER TO OPPRESS THE PEOPLE BUT WILL RATHER USE THE SAME POWER TO GROW THE ECONOMY.

##############

PURPORTED INTERIM COMMITTEE MEMBER COLLINS MUTAMBO 48HOURS ULTIMATUM WITHIN WHICH TO RETRACT HIS STATEMENT ON CORRUPTION

FOOD AND GENERAL SUPPLIERS ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA PRESIDENT HUMPHREY MUSONDA HAS GIVEN THE PURPORTED INTERIM COMMITTEE MEMBER COLLINS MUTAMBO 48HOURS ULTIMATUM WITHIN WHICH TO RETRACT HIS STATEMENT ON CORRUPTION THAT HE LABELED  THE ENTIRE ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE.

MR MUSONDA  WHO WAS FLANKED WITH HIS EXECUTIVE AT RADIO PHOENIX THIS AFTERNOON,  HAS  SINCE WARNED  MR MUTAMBO  TO RETRACT HIS ALLEGATIONS OR RISK BEEN SUED.

HE STRESSED THAT MR MUTAMBO IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION AND DOES NOT HAVE ANY BILLS WITH GOVERNMENT AND FURTHER CHALLENGED  HIM TO TELL THE NATION HOW MUCH HE IS OWED AND BY WHOM.

MR MUSONDA WAS REACTING TO THE ALLEGATIONS MADE BY MR COLLINS MUTAMBO AT A PRESS BRIEFING TODAY THAT DEBT WHICH THE ASSOCIATION IS OWED BY FOUR GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS WAS DUE TO THE NON PERFORMANCE OF THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE. 

MEANWHILE, MR MUSONDA HAS TOLD RADIO PHOENIX THAT THE ASSOCIATION WILL ON THE 2^ND APRIL, 2011 HOLD  THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE  CONSTITUTION.

##############

CSAWUZ urges ministry of finance to release funds to workers at the ministry of health

THE CIVIL SERVANTS AND ALLIED WORKERS UNION OF ZAMBIA (CSAWUZ) HAS URGED THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATION PLANNING TO URGENTLY RELEASE THE FUNDS SO THAT WORKERS AT THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH CAN GET THEIR ENTITLEMENTS AS IT IS LONG OVERDUE.

UNION PRESIDENT DAVY CHIYOBE HAS TOLD  RADIO PHOENIX THAT THE UNION IS  AWARE THAT THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH HAS OVER THE YEAR ACCRUED OVER 150 BILLION KWACHA IN DEBT FOR LEAVE TRAVEL BENEFIT COMMUTATION OF LEAVE DAYS, SETTLING-IN ALLOWANCES, SALARY ARREARS, LONG SERVICE BONUSES AND REPATRIATION ALLOWANCES.

MR CHIYOBE HAS HOWEVER EXPRESSED HAPPINESS THAT THIS YEAR THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH HAS SET ASIDE ZMK 50 BILLION FOR SETTLING ARREARS OWED TO HEALTH WORKERS.

AND THE UNION PRESIDENT HAS FURTHER CALLED ON OTHER MINISTRIES TO EMULATE THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND BEGIN SETTLING THE ARREARS.

##################

ZNAN warns its affiliates of stern action if the misuse the money given to them

THE ZAMBIA NATIONAL AIDS NETWORK (ZNAN) HAS WARNED LEAD AGENCY INSTITUTIONS AFFILIATED TO IT OF STERN ACTION IF THEY MISUSE THE MONEY GIVEN TO THEM FOR THE PURPOSE OF HELPING THE POOR.

ZNAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ELIZABETH MATAKA SOUNDED THE WARNING TODAY WHEN SHE HANDED OVER 13 VEHICLES AND NINE MOTOR BIKES WORTH OVER $422,500 TO PARTNERS.

MRS. MATAKA SAID EVALUATION AND MONITORING OF HOW THE RESOURCES ARE BEING UTILIZED IS VERY CRITICAL.

SHE STRESSED THAT WHEN LEAD AGENCIES ACCEPT THE MONEY AND MEANS THAT EFFECTIVE MONITORING MECHANISMS ARE PUT IN PLACE ON HOW THE MONEY IS BEING USED TO ATTAIN THE SET TARGETS.

TEN OF THE 13 VEHICLES HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AT A COST OF $287,030 UNDER THE GLOBAL FUND ROUND 8 PHASE ONE GRANT WHICH STARTED ON NOVEMBER ONE, 2009.

THE GLOBAL FUND PHASE EIGHT IS WORTH 10 MILLION DOLLARS AND RUNS FOR FIVE YEARS.

NINE MOTOR BIKES AND THREE MOTOR VEHICLES HAVE BEEN PURCHASE AT A TOTAL COST OF $135,492 UNDER THE JOINT FINANCING ARRANGEMENT.

THE VEHICLES WILL BE USED BY THE ZNAN PROVINCIAL OFFICERS IN LUAPULA, SOUTHERN AND NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCE WHILE THE MOTORBIKES ARE FOR THE PROVINCIAL COMMITTEES IN ALL THE NINE PROVINCES.

THE RECIPIENTS OF THE VEHICLES INCLUDE THANDIZANI COMMUNITY BASED HIV/AIDS ORGANIZATION IN EASTERN PROVINCE, COPPERBELT HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT, AND DEVELOPMENT AID FROM PEOPLE TO PEOPLE.

OTHERS BENEFITING ORGANISATIONS ARE AIDS ALLIANCE ZAMBIA, SOUTHERN AFRICAN AIDS TRUST, AFRICARE AND SONS OF THUNDER.

##########

RB luapula bound

PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA IS TOMORROW EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO LUAPULA AND NORTHERN PROVINCES FOR A TWO DAY WORKING VISIT WHERE HE WILL ALSO OPEN PROVINCIAL CONFERENCES OF THE RULING MMD.

THE PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE IS EXPECTED TO ELECT A NEW PROVINCIAL PARTY LEADERSHIP AHEAD OF THE CONVENTION.

AFTER OPENING THE LUAPULA CONFERENCE, MR. BANDA AND HIS DELEGATION WILL PROCEED TO NORTHERN PROVINCE WHERE HE WILL OPEN ANOTHER CONFERENCE IN KASAMA.

THE PRESIDENT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MMD NATIONAL CHAIRMAN AND LANDS DEPUTY MINISTER MICHEAL MABENGA, MMD CHAIRMAN OF ELECTIONS WHO IS ALSO WORKS AND SUPPLY MINISTER MIKE MULONGOTI, PARLIAMENTARY CHIEF WHIP VERNON MWAANGA AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

THE MMD HAS SO FAR HELD FIVE PROVINCIAL CONFERENCES IN COPPERBELT, CENTRAL, WESTERN, EASTERN AND NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES.

###########

UK'S under secretary of state for international devpt stephen O'Brien expected in Zambia

THE UK’S PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, STEPHEN O’BRIEN IS SCHEDULED TO  VISIT ZAMBIA NEXT WEEK FROM 17-19TH JANUARY.

ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT RELEASED TO RADIO PHOENIX BY THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION IN LUSAKA,IT WILL BE HIS FIRST VISIT TO ZAMBIA SINCE BECOMING MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR AFRICA AT THE UK DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (DFID).

ON MONDAY 17^TH JANUARY THE MINISTER WILL CALL ON  PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA AND FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING MINISTER DR SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE AND VISIT CHILENJE CLINIC IN LUSAKA TO GET A CLEAR VIEW OF SOME OF THE CHALLENGES  GOVERNMENT FACES IN DELIVERING HEALTH CARE IN ZAMBIA.

AND DURING HIS VISIT TO CHILENJE CLINIC THE MINISTER WILL MAKE A NUMBER OF ANNOUNCEMENTS ON DFID’S SUPPORT TO THE HEALTH SECTOR IN ZAMBIA.

ANNOUNCING THE MINISTER’S VISIT IN LUSAKA TODAY, BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER, TOM CARTER, POINTED OUT THAT HIS GOVERNMENT, THROUGH DFID, CURRENTLY DELIVERS AN AID PROGRAMME TO ZAMBIA WORTH SOME £55 MILLION PER YEAR.

MR. CARTER ADDED THAT WHILE HERE THE MINISTER WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE WIDER BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP, INCLUDING BRITISH TRADE WITH AND INVESTMENT IN ZAMBIA, AND WILL MEET A NUMBER OF KEY FIGURES IN THE BUSINESS SECTOR.

HE STRESSED THAT TRADE PROMOTION IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND A TOTAL BILATERAL TRADE BETWEEN ZAMBIA AND THE UK IS WORTH SOME £180 MILLION PER YEAR.

ON TUESDAY 18^TH  JANUARY THE UK’S PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL TRAVEL TO EASTERN PROVINCE TO VISIT SOME DFID-SUPPORTED PROGRAMMES, BEFORE LEAVING TO MALAWI ON WEDNESDAY 19^TH.

###########

A new study say a mobile service revenue growth is expected to grow by 4%

A NEW STUDY BY STRATEGY ANALYTICS EXPLAINS THAT ALTHOUGH MOBILE SERVICE REVENUE GROWTH ACCELERATED IN 2010 FROM GROWING CONSUMER SPEND AFTER THE RECESSION, A SIMILAR BOOST THIS YEAR IS UNLIKELY.

THE RESEARCHER PREDICTS REVENUE GROWTH WILL SLOW TO 4 PERCENT THIS YEAR AS THE SECTOR CRAWLS TOWARD THE USD 1 TRILLION REVENUE MARK WHILE THE MOBILE SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL PASS 6 BILLION.

THE REPORT STATES THAT SIGNIFICANT NEW SUBSCRIPTION GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR MOBILE OPERATORS IN NEW CONNECTED DEVICE CATEGORIES, EVEN THOUGH INCREASINGLY SATURATED MARKETS FOR TRADITIONAL MOBILE VOICE SERVICES WILL RESULT IN A SLOW-DOWN IN GLOBAL GROWTH RATES.

THE RESEARCHER SAYS  WITH GROWTH STILL CONCENTRATED IN DEVELOPED MARKETS, 3G AND 4G NETWORKS INCREASINGLY DOMINATE THE REVENUE PICTURE AND WILL ACCOUNT FOR HALF OF ALL WORLDWIDE MOBILE SERVICE REVENUES THIS YEAR.

BEGINNING NEXT YEAR, GLOBAL 2G SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL BEGIN TO FALL AS MORE AFFORDABLE 3G DEVICES ALLOW OPERATORS TO PUSH SERVICES BEYOND HIGHER-SPENDING SEGMENTS.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO TELECOMPAPER WEBSITE MONITORED BY RADIO PHOENIX.

#############

two poeple killed in western province

POLICE IN HAVE DETAINED A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH TODAY’S FRACAS OVER THE ADVOCACY OF THE BAROTSE AGREEMENT.

HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER MUKONDO LUNGU HAS CONFIRMED AT A PRESS BRIEFING TODAY.

MR. LUNGU HAS CONDEMNED PEOPLE WHO ARE CHAMPIONING VIOLENCE SAYING GOVERNMENT WILL NOT SIT IDLE TO ENSURE THE PIECE OF THE NATION IS UPHELD.

THE EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP OF ZAMBIA HAS CALLED ON GOVERNMENT TO SPEEDILY CONVENE A ROUND TABLE MEETING AND RESOLVE THE WRANGLES IN WESTERN PROVINCE.
EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP OF ZAMBIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REVEREND PUKUTA MWANZA HAS TOLD RADIO PHOENIX THAT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN WESTERN PROVINCE NEEDS THE NECESSARY URGENCY AND ATTENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

HE SAYS THERE IS NEED FOR BOTH PARTIES INVOLVED TO RESTRAIN THEIR EMOTIONS SO AS TO AVERT FURTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

REVEREND MWANZA STATES THAT GOVERNMENT MUST ENSURE THAT THERE IS LAW AND ORDER.  AND THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN CENTER FOR THE CONSTRUCTIVE RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES (SACCORD) SAYS IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT GOVERNMENT LEFT THE SITUATION TO GENERATE TO THOSE LEVELS.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEE HABASONDA HAS SINCE APPEALED TO GOVERNMENT, MEMBERS OF A GROUP CALLING ITSELF THE LINYUNGANDAMBO AND THE BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT NOT TO BE VIOLENT BUT RESOLVE THE ISSUE AMICABLY.YESTERDAY, MEMBERS OF A GROUP CALLING ITSELF THE LINYUNGANDAMBO AND THE BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT WERE RUNNING BATTLES WITH THE POLICE WHERE SOME SHOPS AND CARS WHERE SMASHED.
HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER MKHONDO LUNGU DISCLOSED TO JOURNALISTS THAT ONE CHILD WAS KILLED IN THE FRACAS WHILE ONE MAN WHO ATTEMPTED TO BURN A FILLING STATION WAS SHOT DEAD BY THE POLICE.
THE MINISTER REVEALED THAT OVER ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED AND ARE CURRENTLY IN DETENTION.
THE MINISTER VOWED THAT GOVERNMENT WILL NEVER COMPROMISE OR NEGOTIATE WITH ANYONE WANTING TO SECEDE FROM ZAMBIA SAYING ZAMBIA IS A SOVEREIGN AND UNITARY STATE.

MEANWHILE, THE OPPOSITION UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT HAS CHALLENGED GOVERNMENT TO DISCLOSE WHICH ACT OF PARLIAMENT IT HAS USED TO BAN PHONE-IN-PROGRAMMES DISCUSSING THE CONTROVERSIAL BAROTSELAND ISSUE WHICH IS CURRENTLY IN PUBLIC DOMAIN.

UPND STATES THAT THE BANNING OF THE PHONE-IN-PROGRAMMES DISCUSSING THE CONTROVERSIAL BAROTSELAND ISSUE IS TANTAMOUNT TO POLITICAL DECREE.

PARTY DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON CORNELIUS MWEETWA HAS CHALLENGED GOVERNMENT NOT BE JITTERY BUT RATHER ALLOW PEOPLE TO ENJOY THEIR FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS TO DEBATE ON ISSUE THAT AFFECT THEM.

MR. MWEETWA STRESSED THAT UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS GOVERNMENT HAS ACTUALLY VIOLATED THE PEOPLE’S RIGHTS HENCE NEED FOR THEM TO STATE CATEGORICAL WHICH LAW IS BACKING SUCH ACTION.

SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX HE EXPLAINED THAT SUPPRESSING THE VIEWS OF THE CITIZENS IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY OF RESOLVING THE CURRENT WRANGLES IN THE WESTERN PROVINCE.

MEANWHILE, MR. MWEETWA HAS CHARGED THAT THE ALLEGATIONS FROM THE REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENT GEORGE KUNDA THAT MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA HAS SETTLED FOR THE VICE PRESIDENCY OF THE PACT ARE  NOT TRUE AND SHOULD BE DISMISSED  BY ALL WELL MEANING ZAMBIANS.

HE HAS SINCE CALLED ON MR KUNDA TO FOCUS ON DECENT AND ISSUE BASED CAMPAIGNS RATHER THAN CHARACTER ASSASSINATING MR. HICHILEMA.

THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT IS QUOTED IN ONE OF THE DAILY PAPERS SAYING THAT MR. HICHILEMA HAS SETTLED FOR THE VICE PRESIDENCY

############

mining companies in zambia won't be affected by power rationing

ZESCO LIMITED HAS DISCLOSED THAT THE COUNTRY’S KEY COPPER MINES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE PLANNED TWO-WEEK ELECTRICITY RATIONING STARTING TODAY.

ZESCO LIMITED SPOKESPERSON LUCY ZIMBA HAS EXPLAINED THAT THE MINING COMPANIES ARE UNLIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE POWER DEFICIT DUE TO THE BULK POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENTS WHICH IT HAS WITH THEM.

ZESCO WILL SHUT DOWN ONE GENERATOR AT KAFUE GORGE POWER STATION TO FACILITATE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE WORKS.

THE COMPANY HAS EXPLAINED THAT GENERATOR NUMBER THREE WITH A GENERATION CAPACITY OF 150 MEGA WATTS WOULD BE SHUT DOWN FOR A PERIOD OF 14 DAYS AND ONLY EXPECTS TO  RESUME OUTPUT ON THE 26TH JANUARY,2011.

AS A RESULT OF THIS 165 MEGA WATTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON THE NATIONAL GRID, CREATING A POWER DEFICIT PARTICULARLY DURING THE EVENING PEAK DEMAND PERIOD.

THE REHABILITATION WORKS AT KAFUE GORGE AND KARIBA NORTH WILL CUT NATIONAL OUTPUT ALTHOUGH THIS IS EXPECTED TO MAINLY AFFECT EXPORT AVAILABILITY.

#############

Zambian govt bans phone-in-programmes discussing the contraversial barotseland issue

GOVERNMENT HAS BANNED PHONE-IN PROGRAMMES DISCUSSING THE CONTROVERSIAL BAROTSELAND ISSUE.

SOME LOZI PEOPLE OF WESTERN ZAMBIA ARE DEMANDING SECESSION OF BAROTSELAND IF THE GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO RESTORE THE PRE-INDEPENDENCE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT OF 1964 SIGNED BETWEEN THEN NORTHERN RHODESIA AND BAROTSELAND UNDER SUPERVISION OF COLONIAL RULER BRITAIN AHEAD OF THE MERGER OF THE TWO TERRITORIES.

SPEAKING TO RADIO PHOENIX TODAY ACTING MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES DORA SILIYA SAID SOME PEOPLE WERE “INCITING VIOLENCE” USING PHONE-IN PROGRAMMES.

SHE EXPLAINED THAT IT SHALL BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THESE DISCUSSIONS (BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BAROTSE ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT (BRE) TO BE GOING ON IN THE MANNER THAT THEY SHOULD BE PROCEEDING WITH THE INCITEMENT THAT IS COMING FROM THE PHONE-IN PROGRAMMES ON MANY COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS PARTICULARLY IN WESTERN PROVINCE.

SHE HAS SINCE CALLED UPON MEDIA HOUSES TO DESIST FROM HAVING THESE PROGRAMMES ON THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT BECAUSE THESE PROGRAMMES SPUR A LOT OF EXCITEMENT, AN EMOTIONAL ASPECT WHICH IS NOT VERY GOOD FOR THE ONGOING DIALOGUE.

ZAMBIA HAS OVER 35 PRIVATE RADIO STATIONS AND ABOUT FIVE PRIVATE LOCAL TV CHANNELS, AND ALL REGULARLY CONDUCT PHONE-IN PROGRAMMES. THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT OF 1964 IN THE REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION WOULD GIVE THE LOZI’S KING LITUNGA PARTIAL ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS OVER FORESTRY, LAND AND FISHERIES AMONG OTHER FIELDS, ACCORDING TO LOZI TRADITIONALISTS.

AND PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA HAS WARNED ANYBODY THAT WOULD ATTEND THE ‘ILLEGAL’ GATHERING WOULD BE ARRESTED.

VICE-PRESIDENT GEORGE KUNDA, ON BEHALF OF PRESIDENT BANDA, LAST WEEK MET THE BRE LEADERSHIP TO RESOLVE THE STANDOFF WHICH OVER THE PAST MONTHS HAS LED TO VIOLENT PROTESTS BY SECESSIONISTS IN THE PROVINCE.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS THREATENED TO CHARGE THE SECESSIONISTS WITH TREASON AND BEEFED UP POLICE PRESENCE AHEAD OF TOMORROW’S MEETING, WHICH IS PURPORTED TO BE THE DEADLINE FOR NON-LOZIS TO VACATE THE REGION

###########

Govt castigates labour leaders wanting to cling to power

GOVERNMENT HAS CASTIGATED LABOUR UNION LEADERS WHO WANT TO CLING ONTO POWER DESPITE THEM NOT BEING IN ANY FORMAL EMPLOYMENT.
LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY MINISTER AUSTIN LIATO HAS REITERATED THAT GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ALLOW ANY LABOUR LEADER TO HOLD OFFICE IF THEY ARE NOT IN ANY FORMAL EMPLOYMENT AS IT IS CONTRARY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAW.
SPEAKING WHEN HE OPENED THE TRIPARTITE LABOUR CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN LUSAKA TODAY, MR LIATO SAID IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE LABOUR LAWS ARE RESPECTED BY EVERYONE CHARGING NO ONE SHOULD REFER TO THE PAST MISTAKES AS A REASON TO CLING TO POWER.
THE LABOUR MINISTER EXPLAINED THAT NO LABOUR LEADER CAN BE LOYAL TO THOSE HE REPRESENTS IF HE IS NOT IN ANY FORMAL EMPLOYMENT.
HE HAS SINCE CHALLENGED THOSE THAT ARE NOT IN ANY FORMAL EMPLOYMENT TO LEAVE OFFICE AND FIND OTHER THINGS TO DO.AND COMMENTING ON THE REMARKS BY THE FORMER ZAMBIA CONGRESS OF TRADE UNION PRESIDENT MR FACKSON SHAMENDA THAT THE LABOUR UNION HAS BEEN COMPROMISED, MR LIATO CHARGED THAT THE LABOUR MOVEMENT BECAME DILUTED WHEN IT WAS LED BY HIM.
HE HAS SINCE CHALLENGED MR. SHAMENDA TO STATE CLEARLY WHAT HE MEANS STATING THAT SUCH OFFICES USUALLY ATTRACT CRITICISM FROM DIVERSE SECTORS OF THE SOCIETY.AND THE ZAMBIA CONGRESS OF TRADE UNION PRESIDENT LEONARD HIKAUMBA HAS APPEALED TO GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS ARE HELD UNDER THE PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE.
HE HAS SINCE APPEALED FOR A SPEEDY CONSIDERATION OF ALL LABOUR ISSUES BY THE BIGGEST EMPLOYER SO AS TO AVERT ANY POSSIBLE INDUSTRIAL UNREST.AND SPEAKING AT THE SAME FUNCTION ZAMBIA FEDERATION OF EMPLOYERS PRESIDENT GEORGE CHABWERA EXPLAINED THAT THE LABOUR MARKET STILL REMAINS RIGID AND ATTRIBUTED THIS TO HIGH BUREAUCRACY.
HE FURTHER EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THE HIGH LEVELS OF CASUALIZATION AS WELL AS THE OUT SOURCING PRACTICES BEING EXPERIENCED IN THE LABOUR MARKET.AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION COUNTRY DIRECTOR MARTIN CLEMENSSON BEMOANED THE HIGH LEVELS OF POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT LEVELS BEING EXPERIENCED IN ZAMBIA DESPITE THE ECONOMIC GAINS.###########