ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA SAYS TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES SERVE AS A BUILDING BLOCK FOR NATIONAL UNITY

ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA SAYS N’CWALA TRADITIONAL CEREMONY OF THE NGONI SERVES AS A BUILDING BLOCK FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND ACTS AS A PILLAR OF EXPRESSING CULTURAL DIVERSITY AMONG THE PEOPLE.

THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE N’CWALA TRADITIONAL CEREMONY WHICH HAS ATTRACTED HIGH LEVEL REPRESENTATION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE REGION HELPS ENCOURAGE IN FOSTERING INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL COOPERATION FOR CONTINUED PEACE AND ENHANCED UNDERSTANDING.

SPEAKING AT THE TRADITIONAL CEREMONY TODAY AT MTENGULENI IN CHIPATA, EASTERN PROVINCE, PRESIDENT BANDA FURTHER ASKED THE MINISTER CONCERNED WITH CULTURAL ISSUES FALL TO OPEN A CHAPTER OF MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING AMONG COUNTRIES REPRESENTED AT CEREMONIES LIKE THE N’CWALA.

HE SAID SUCH A MOVE WILL HELP TRADITIONAL CEREMONY TO BE RECOGNIZED ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE.

AND PRESIDENT BANDA HAS STATED THAT GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON IMPROVING SOCIAL SERVICES DELIVERY SUCH AS AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION AMONG OTHERS.

HE SAID GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE SMALL SCALE FARMERS UNDER THE FARMERS INPUTS SUPPORT PROGRAMME SO THAT FOOD SECURITY AND THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE MAJORITY ZAMBIANS DEPENDANT ON IT IS SECURED.

MTENGULENI WAS TODAY A HIVE OF ACTIVITIES AS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED IN SONGS OF PRAISE IN HONOR OF PARAMOUNT CHIEF MPEZENI FOR LEADING THEM IN CONQUERING SEVERAL TRIBES BEFORE THEY SETTLED IN CHIPATA DISTRICT.

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ZAMBIA WILL NOT SUCCEED THE REBRANDING UNLESSSUPPORTING AND THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE TOURISM SECTOR ARE PUT IN PLACE

FORMER ZAMBIA NATIONAL TOURISM BOARD CHAIRPERSON ERROL HICKEY SAYS THAT REBRANDING OF ZAMBIA WILL NOT SUCCEED AS LONG AS THE SUPPORTING AND THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE TOURISM SECTOR REMAIN UNDEVELOPED.

MR HICKEY EXPLAINS THAT THE ENTIRE REBRANDING PROCESS OF THE ZAMBIA’S TOURISM IS COSTLY AND EXPRESSED DOUBTS THAT THEPROCESS WILL HELP IN INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS’ INFLOWS INTO THE COUNTRY.

SPEAKING ON NATIONAL BROADCASTER MID-MORNINGS SHOW TODAY, THE FORMER ZNTB BOSS ADVISED THAT GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER CHANNELING THE MONEY MEANT FOR REBRANDING INTO MASSIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR THE COUNTRY’S TOURISM SECTOR BOTH LOCALLY AND ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE.

MR HICKEY WHO IS ALSO RADIO PHOENIX (1996) PROPRIETOR SAID INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO VARIOUS TOURISM SITES SHOULD BE A PRIORITY ESPECIALLY IF ZAMBIA IS TO MEET THE 3 MILLION TOURISTS’ INFLOWS BY YEAR END 2015.

AND MR HICKEY CALLED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND PROVISION OF QUALITY HOSPITALITY SERVICES AT THE COUNTRY’S ENTRY POINTS.

GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER COOPERATING PARTNERS IS IN THE PROCESS OF REBRANDING THE COUNTRY TOURISM LOGO OF “ZAMBIA THE REAL AFRICA”.

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THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA HAS BEEN CHALLENGED TO ENSURE THAT THEY GET A DESIRED NUMBER OF CITIZENS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS

THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA HAS BEEN CHALLENGED TO ENSURE THAT THEY GET A DESIRED NUMBER OF CITIZENS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS IN READINESS FOR THIS YEAR’S TRIPARTITE GENERAL POLLS.

ACCORDING TO THE PRELIMINARY 2010 NATIONAL CENSUS RESULTS RELEASED BY THE CENTRAL STATISTICAL OFFICE, THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS STANDS AT SLIGHTLY OVER 6 MILLION PERSONS REPRESENTING 47% OF THE COUNTRY’S POPULATION WHICH STANDS AT OVER 13 MILLION.

AND STAKEHOLDERS LIKE THE ANTI-VOTER APATHY PROJECT (AVAP) HAVE BEMOANED THE LOW LEVELS OF CITIZENS REGISTERING AS VOTERS IN THE ONGOING EXERCISE.

AVAP SAYS THE COUNTRY STILL HAS THE LONG WAY TO GO TO HAVE THE DESIRED NUMBER OF VOTERS ON BOARD CONSIDERING THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR THE STAKEHOLDERS TO HARMONIZE THE DOCUMENTS SUCH AS THE VOTER REGISTER VERIFICATION.

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COMESA-INVESTMENT FORUM TO BE HELD ON 23RD TO 24TH MARCH THIS YEAR

THE FOURTH COMMON MARKET FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA-COMESA INVESTMENT FORUM WILL BE HELD ON 23RD TO 24TH MARCH THIS YEAR, IN DUBAI THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.

THE FORUM SHALL BRING TOGETHER OVER 1000 LEADING INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES AND BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES WITH POLICY MAKERS TO DISCUSS NEW INVESTMENT AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA WHERE COMESA‟S 19 VIBRANT MEMBER STATES ARE LOCATED.

THE FORUM IS BEING ORGANIZED BY COMESA REGIONAL INVESTMENT AGENCY (RIA) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DUBAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, WITH THE SUP-PORT OF HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MATTOON - UAE VICE PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER AND RULER OF DUBAI.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE FORUM ARE TO HIGH-LIGHT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE REGION AND PROMOTING COLLABORATION BETWEEN CO-MESA‟S MEMBER STATES, AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE WORLD AT LARGE. THIS TWO DAY HIGH-LEVEL FORUM IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE A LARGE ARRAY OF NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.

THIS YEAR’S EVENT WILL BE UNIQUE AND DIFFERS FROM PREVIOUS FORUMS BECAUSE OF ITS COLLABORATION WITH DUBAI – THE LEADING CAPITAL OF BUSINESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. DUBAI HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS THE CITY OF POSSIBILITY, WHERE AMBITION, CREATIVITY, QUALITY AND EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP HAVE COLLECTIVELY DRIVEN THE UNIMAGINABLE GROWTH OF THIS CITY OVER A SHORT SPAN OF HISTORY.

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rhoda: ZAMBIA MAY SECURE A CREDIT RATING BY MARCH THIS YE...

rhoda: ZAMBIA MAY SECURE A CREDIT RATING BY MARCH THIS YE...: "ZAMBIA MAY SECURE A CREDIT RATING BY MARCH THIS YEAR TO ENABLE THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN NATION ATTRACT MORE PORTFOLIO INVESTORS INTO THE COUNTRY..."

ZAMBIA MAY SECURE A CREDIT RATING BY MARCH THIS YEAR

ZAMBIA MAY SECURE A CREDIT RATING BY MARCH THIS YEAR TO ENABLE THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN NATION ATTRACT MORE PORTFOLIO INVESTORS INTO THE COUNTRY AND DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE ASCENDANCE OF ZAMBIA TO A CREDIT RATE STATUS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY PUSH IT FORWARD AND ENABLE IT TO START ISSUING VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL BONDS AS MUCH AS USD 1 BILLION TO UNDERTAKE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND ACCELERATE ECONOMIC GROWTH.

FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING  MINISTER DR SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE SAYS GOVERNMENT MAY NEXT MONTH RECEIVE A FINAL REPORT ON THE COUNTRY’S SOVEREIGN CREDIT RATING AND ENABLE IT UNDERTAKE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THROUGH ISSUANCE OF INTERNATIONAL BONDS AND OTHER PROGRAMS.
DR MUSOKOTWANE HAS STATED THAT GOVERNMENT WILL SOON OBTAIN A RATING FROM STANDARD AND POOR’S RATING AGENCY AFTER WHICH IT WILL UNDERTAKE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES INTENDED TO ACCELERATE THE SIXTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN LAUNCHED RECENT BY PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA IN WHICH THE COUNTRY NEEDS TO MOBILIZE USD 26 BILLION BETWEEN THE PERIOD 2011 TO 2015.
RECENTLY, BANK OF ZAMBIA GOVERNOR DR CALEB FUNDANGA SAID THAT DISCUSSIONS WERE CONCLUDED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR AFTER GOVERNMENT APPOINTED TWO RATING AGENCIES FITCH RATINGS AND S&P RATING AGENCIES TO PROVIDE AN INDEPENDENT AND PROSPECTIVE CREDIT OPINION ON ZAMBIA.

GOVERNMENT ALSO APPOINTED JP MORGAN AS TRANSACTION ADVISERS AND A TEAM FROM THE RATING AGENCY CAME TO ZAMBIA AND HELD FRUITFUL DELIBERATIONS WITH BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE BOZ OFFICIALS LAST YEAR.
ZAMBIA WILL BE PART OF THE AFRICAN COUNTRIES SUCH AS KENYA, GHANA AND ANGOLA THAT WISH TO RAISE FINANCE FOR RAIL AND POWER PROJECTS FROM INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL MARKETS.
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ZAMBIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BEMOANS CONDITIONS OF PRISONS

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (HRC) HAS REITERATED ITS CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF PRISONS IN THE COUNTRY ESPECIALLY CELLS IN WHICH PRISONERS ARE PUT IN AS THEY WAIT FOR SENTENCING OR SERVING THEIR SENTENCES AS CURRENTLY THEY ARE NOT UP TO THE STANDARD.

HRC CHAIRPERSON PIXIE YANGAILO NOTES THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A LITTLE IMPROVEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTING MORE PRISONS LIKE THE EXTENSION OF MWEMBESHI PRISONS, A LOT STILL NEED TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF THE PRISONS.

SHE HAS POINTED OUT THAT IN CERTAIN PRISONS, INMATES GET TO SHARE A MATTRESS AND CELLS WHICH ARE CONGESTED WITH NO VENTILATION TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ENOUGH AIR TO BREATH AND IN THE END THEY END UP CONTRACTING AIR BORNE DISEASES.

MRS. YANGAILO HAS FURTHER CALLED ON GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE PRISONS FOR THE JUVENILES WHOM SHE SAID ARE IN CERTAIN INSTANCE LACKING IN THE COUNTRY.

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BULGARIAN govt said it would write off 77% of Zambia's communist-era debt

THE BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT HAS SAID THAT IT WOULD WRITE OFF 77 PERCENT OF ZAMBIA’S COMMUNIST-ERA DEBT AS LONG AS IT RECEIVED THE REMAINDER OF $1.88 MILLION IN CASH.

ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS THAT THE PARDONED DEBT — WHICH AMOUNTS TO $6.29 MILLION — WOULD BE CONSIDERED AS DEVELOPMENT AID AND ZAMBIA WOULD REPAY THE OUTSTANDING AMOUNT IN FOUR INSTALMENTS WITHIN A YEAR OF SIGNING THE AGREEMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE SAID IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, BULGARIA HAS AGREED TO WRITE OFF A LARGE PART OF THE COMMUNIST-ERA DEBT OF COUNTRIES LIKE SYRIA AND IRAQ SO AS TO SECURE AT LEAST PARTIAL REPAYMENT.
IN 2007, BULGARIA COMPLETELY WROTE OFF LIBYA’S DEBT OF $56.6 MILLION TO FACILITATE NEGOTIATIONS AND EVENTUALLY OBTAIN THE RELEASE FROM JAIL OF SIX BULGARIAN MEDICS SENTENCED IN CONNECTION WITH A HOSPITAL AIDS SCANDAL.

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More investors vie for caol mining in zambia

THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR COAL IN ZAMBIA HAS GIVEN RISE TO OTHER PRODUCERS OF THE PRODUCT TO CONSIDER INVESTING IN THE COUNTRY AS THE ECONOMY EXPANDS.

FOUR MORE COAL MINES, BESIDES THE TRADITIONAL MAAMBA COLLIERIES AND THE CHINESE OWNED AND RUN COLLUM COAL MINE WILL BE SET UP IN SIANZONGWE IN THE SAME LOCATION.

THIS  FOLLOWS  PROPOSALS BY THE TWO COMPANIES, A FOREIGN AND AN INDIGENOUS TO INVEST IN THE COUNTRY BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR AND INCREASE OUTPUT.
MAAMBA COLLIERIES, ZAMBIA’S OLDEST AND LARGEST PRODUCER OF COAL IN THE COUNTRY AND THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGION IS EXPECTED TO COME ON STREAM BY JULY THIS YEAR AFTER PRIVATIZATION FORMALITIES ARE COMPLETED BY NAVA BHARAT OF SINGAPORE AND THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE ZAMBIA DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
ACCORDING TO REPORTS, INDIA’S EMCO OVERSEAS PTE LIMITED AND KAZINSE MINING LIMITED, A WHOLLY-ZAMBIAN OWNED COMPANY BASED IN SINAZONGWE DISTRICT NEAR THE BORDER WITH ZIMBABWE HELD A SCOPING MEETING ON FEBRUARY 19 WITH VARIOUS INTEREST GROUPS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF USD 120 MILLION COAL MINE AND THERMAL ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION PLANT.
RICHWELL SIAMUNENE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KANZINSE MINING LIMITED FLANKED BY DAKSHINA MURTHI MANAGER OF EMCO SAID THAT THE ESTIMATED COST OF BOTH THE COAL MINE AND POWER PLANT IS USD 160 MILLION.

THE POWER PLANT WILL INITIALLY HAVE A CAPACITY OF GENERATING 300 MEGGA WATTS AND WILL BE UPGRADED TO 600 MEGGA WATTS WITHIN 5 YEARS WHILE THE FINAL TARGET OF 600 MW WILL BE APPROXIMATELY EQUIVALENT TO THE CURRENT ELECTRIC POWER CONSUMPTION OF THE MINING INDUSTRY.

AND DISTRICT COMMISSIONER OLIVER PELETE SAYS INDONGO MINING COMPANY OF SOUTH AFRICA, OPERATING AS JOINT VENTURE WITH SOME ZAMBIANS SEEKS TO INVEST USD 10 MILLION IN ANOTHER NEW COAL MINE IN SINAZONGWE.

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APPEAL HEARING IN A CASE INVOLVING PF CADRE JUDGE NGOMA HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO JUDGE EMILIA SUNKUTU

THE APPEAL HEARING  IN A CASE INVOLVING  PF CADRE JUDGE NGOMA HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO  JUDGE EMILIA SUNKUTU.

THIS IS  A MATTER IN WHICH  NGOMA  HAS APPEALED AGAINST HIS THREE YEAR JAIL SENTENCE BY  LUSAKA MAGISTRATE DAVID  SIMUSAMBA.

HE WAS FOUND GUILTY AFTER HE ABDUCTED FORMER PF MEMBER SAMSON ZULU IN 2009.

THE MATTER IS SCHEDULED TO COME UP ON 11^TH MARCH 2011 FOR

COMMENCEMENT OF APPEAL HEARING.

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Zambia's govt call for commitment in ensuirng job evaluation

ZAMBIA'S WESTERN PROVINCE PERMANENT SECRETARY SETH MULEYA HAS CALLED FOR COMMITMENT FROM GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS IN ENSURING THAT THE JOB EVALUATION PROGRAMME SUCCEEDS.

SPEAKING DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE JOB EVALUATION EXERCISE CONSULTATIVE MEETING, IN MONGU , MR. MULEYA SAID THE EXERCISE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE SIX MONTHS CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED WITH THE FULL COMMITMENT FROM GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS IN MOBILIZING STAFF TO COOPERATE WITH THE CONSULTING FIRM.

HE EXPLAINED THAT GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED AND WILL BE CARRYING OUT A JOB EVALUATION IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MEDIUM TERM PAY REFORM STRATEGY (MTPRS) AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE PAY POLICY IN AN EFFORT TO ASSESS ALL JOBS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

THE PERMANENT SECRETARY SAID ONCE COMPLETED THE EXERCISE WILL ADDRESS CONCERNS RAISED ON JOB GRADES ON SALARY STRUCTURE AND EMPLOYEE’S PERCEPTION ON FAIRNESS OF THE JOB GRADING SYSTEM AND SALARY STRUCTURES WHICH ARE IMPORTANT FOR JOB SATISFACTION AND WORK MOTIVATIONS AMONG OTHER THINGS TO BE CONCEDED.

AND SPEAKING DURING THE SAME MEETING MUYUNDA MWALYA A CONSULTANT FROM GRANT THORNTON ASSOCIATES CHALLENGED THE PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS NOT  TO COMPETE WITHIN THERE SELVES  AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION  BUT WITH THE WORLD IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE.

MR. MWALYA URGED THE CIVIL SERVANTS NOT TO ONLY CONSIDER ONE’S QUALIFICATIONS BUT ONE’S PERFORMANCE AND COMMITMENT IN SERVICE DELIVERY IN IMPLEMENTING GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

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Zambian govt sends 100mt of relief maize to kalabo

GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION UNIT (DMMU) HAS SENT 100 METRIC TONES OF  RELIEF MAIZE TO KALABO DISTRICT IN AN EFFORT TO ALLEVIATE HUNGRY FACED BY THE PEOPLE IN SOME AREAS DUE TO FLOODS.

KALABO DISTRICT COMMISSIONER JEFFY MATINDO DISCLOSED DURING A BRIEFING WHEN WESTERN PROVINCE MINISTER SIKWIBELE MWAPELA CALLED ON HIM IN HIS OFFICE IN KALABO ADDING THAT SOME RELIEF MAIZE HAS ALREADY BEING TAKEN TO THE AFFECTED AREAS AND DISTRIBUTIONS WILL COMMERCE SOON.

HE NAMED THE MOST AFFECTED AREAS AS LIBONDA AND THE NIGOH PLANS WERE MAIZE FIELDS ARE SUBMERGED IN WATER AND NO HARVEST IS EXPECTED DURING THIS FARMING SEASON.

WESTERN PROVINCE MINISTER SIKWIBELE MWAPELA WHO IS ALSO KALABO CENTRAL MP WAS IN THE DISTRICT TO INSPECT AND MONITOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY GOVERNMENT IN KALABO DISTRICT.

MEANWHILE, KALABO CENTRAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SIKWIBELE MWAPELA HAS CALLED ON THE PEOPLE OF KALABO DISTRICT AND THE PROVINCE AS A WHOLE TO TURN OUT IN LARGE NUMBERS AND REGISTER AS VOTERS DURING THE ECZ VOTE REGISTRATION EXERCISE.

 MR MWAPELA WHO IS ALSO WESTERN PROVINCE MINISTER MADE THE CALL WHEN HE VISITED THE DISTRICT TO INSPECT AND MONITOR DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY GOVERNMENT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA.

THE MINISTER SAID GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO EARMARKED KALABO-SIKONGO ROAD WHICH CONNECTS THE DISTRICT TO ANGOLA ENHANCE PROMOTING ECONOMICAL DEVELOPMENT TO THE PROVINCE AND COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.

HE EXPLAINED THAT GOOD ROAD NET WORK PROMOTE BOTH SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL DEVELOPMENT  ENHANCE THE HURRY BY GOVERNMENT TO LINK THE COUNTRY TO THE REST OF THE WORLD THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF MAJOR ROADS IN THE COUNTRY.

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REVENUE COLLECTION IN MINE TAXES IN ZAMBIA MAY SWELL TO MORE THAN $3 BILLION

REVENUE COLLECTION IN MINE TAXES IN ZAMBIA MAY SWELL TO MORE THAN $3 BILLION AS THE MINING SECTOR EXPANDS SPURRED BY INCREASED INVESTMENTS.
THE LUSAKA BASED BANK OF ZAMBIA SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT REVENUE FROM THE MINES IN TAXES IS POISED TO GROW TO ABOUT $3 BILLION DURING THE 2011 FISCAL YEAR WITH THE ONGOING EXPANSION AND SETTING UP OF VARIOUS UNITS IN THE COPPER RICH NATION IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DR CALEB FUNDANGA SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE INCREASE IS EXPECTED TO SURPASS THE $800 MILLION GENERATED IN REVENUE FROM TAXES REALIZED FROM THE MINES WHICH HAS IN TURN CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE TREASURY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THE MINES USED TO CONTRIBUTE ABOUT 4 BILLION KWACHA FEW YEARS AGO BUT THE FIGURE GREW TO 1.3 TRILLION KWACHA LAST YEAR AND THIS IS A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEARS.
THERE HAS BEEN DEBATE IN ZAMBIA AMONG VARIOUS PLAYERS OVER THE RE INTRODUCTION OF THE WINDFALL TAX WHICH WAS ESTIMATED TO CONTRIBUTE $415 MILLION ANNUALLY IN REVENUE IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD MAINTAINED THE WINDFALL TAX.

THE REGIME WAS INTRODUCED IN 2008 UNDER THE MINES AND MINERALS ACT BUT WAS REVIEWED A YEAR LATER AFTER GOVERNMENT FEARED WOULD SUFFOCATE THE INDUSTRY WHICH WAS FLOURISHING BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH IN INVESTMENT BY VARIOUS GLOBALLY REPUTED MINING COMPANIES.
AND THE COUNTRY’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAD LAST YEAR INCREASED TO 7.1% LAST YEAR FROM 6.4% AND THAT THE INCREASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COUNTRY WOULD GROW THE ECONOMY SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE 7% TARGETED BY THE GOVERNMENT THIS YEAR.
ACCORDING TO DR FUNDANGA, THE GDP GROWTH IN 2010 FROM 6.4% IN 2009 WAS LARGELY DRIVEN BY POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AGRICULTURE CONSTRUCTION AND MINING SECTORS.

GROWTH IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR EMANATED FROM INCREASED RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

ZAMBIA ENVISAGES THAT THE PREDICTED GROWTH OF GDP WOULD PROSPER THE COUNTRY INTO ATTAINING ABOUT EIGHT PERCENT OR MORE IN THE BUDGET.
ECONOMIC GROWTH WAS ESSENTIAL FOR ZAMBIA TO DEFEAT POVERTY, ALTHOUGH THE CENTRAL BANK NOTED THAT THE GROWTH MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY JOB CREATION FOR THE CITIZENRY.
HOWEVER, DR FUNDANGA WARNED THAT ZAMBIA SHOULD ACTIVELY CONSIDER DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY FROM THE TRADITIONAL COPPER MINING WHICH HAS BEEN SPURRED BY HIGH METAL PRICES BUT THERE IS NEED TO PLOUGH BACK THE RESOURCES FROM COPPER INTO DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY TO FACILITATE GROWTH.
THE EARNINGS FROM THE MINES WERE GOOD WITH REVENUES OF ABOUT 45% ACCRUING TO THE COUNTRY FROM TAXES WHILE SHAREHOLDING IN THE MINES GREW FROM 15% TO 25%.

MEANWHILE THE CENTRAL BANK WARNED THAT THE COUNTRY’S INFLATION WAS LIKELY TO STAGNATE ABOUT EIGHT PERCENT DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2011 BECAUSE OF FACTORS THAT INCLUDE A SEASONAL INCREASE IN SELECTED FOOD ITEMS INCLUDING FISH, FRESH VEGETABLES AND BEEF.
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ZAMBIA TRANSFORMS ACADEMIC PRODUCTION UNIT INTO OPEN LEARNING CLASSES

ZAMBIA'S MINISTRY OF EDUCATION STATES THAT THE ACADEMIC PRODUCTION UNIT (APU) HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO OPEN LEARNING CLASSES AND OPERATIONAL POLICY GUIDELINES ON HOW THESE CLASSES WILL BE MANAGED WILL BE DEVELOPED SOON.

EDUCATION PERMANENT SECRETARY DR JAMES MULUNGUSHI SAID THE TRANSFORMATION IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE APU WAS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE MINISTRY BUT BY INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS WHICH CHARGED INHIBITIVE FEES AS EACH SCHOOL HAD A DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

DR MULUNGUSHI EXPLAINED THAT THE APU TERMINOLOGY WAS ASSOCIATED WITH  RAISING FUNDS AND NOT NECESSARILY PROVIDING QUALITY EDUCATION TO ZAMBIANS AND THAT THERE WAS NO POLICY GUIDELINES  TO GIVE DIRECTION ON HOW THESE CLASSES WOULD BE RUN.

HE SAID UNDER THE TRANSFORMATION, THE FEES PAID BY THOSE IN OPEN LEARNING CLASSES WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE PAID BY THE REST OF THE LEARNERS AT EACH SCHOOL STATING THAT PART OF THE USER FEES WILL BE PAID TO TEACHERS AS ALLOWANCES FOR DOING EXTRA WORK.

DR MULUNGUSHI HAS SINCE DIRECTED ALL PROVINCIAL EDUCATION OFFICERS, DISTRICT EDUCATION BOARD SECRETARIES AND HEAD OF SCHOOLS TO COMPLY WITH THE DIRECTIVES WITHOUT FAIL.

THE TERM OPEN LEARNING CLASSES IS INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED AND USED WORLD WIDE IT MEANS THAT LEARNERS CAN BE ENROLLED AT ANY LEVEL AND ATTEND CLASSES AT ANY CONVENIENT TIME OF THE DAY.

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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST AT ONE OF THE LEADING INTERNATIONAL BANKS FOR MONEY LAUNDERING ACTIVITIES INVOLVING OVER K100 MILLION

THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION HAS ARRESTED AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST AT ONE OF THE LEADING INTERNATIONAL BANKS FOR MONEY LAUNDERING ACTIVITIES INVOLVING OVER K100 MILLION.

DEC PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER JOHN NYAWALI SAID CHEWE CHITOMFWA, 37, ON DATES BETWEEN 1^ST JANUARY 2008 AND 31^ST DECEMBER 2010 IN HIS CAPACITY AS AN IT SPECIALIST MANIPULATED THE TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OF THE BANK AND DIVERTED A TOTAL OF K105 MILLION FROM THE BANK.

HE EXPLAINED THAT MR. CHITOMFWA MANIPULATED THE SYSTEMS BY SHOWING THAT MORE MONEY WAS DEPOSITED INTO THE BANK’S DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS WHEN IN FACT NOT AND DIVERTED THE MONEY INTO HIS PERSONAL BUSINESS ACCOUNT NAMED TECHSOL SYSTEMS LIMITED.

MR NYAWALI ADDS THAT MR. CHITOMFYA WHO HAS ALREADY STARTED APPEARING BEFORE A LUSAKA MAGISTRATE COURT HAS BEEN DENIED BAIL DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENCE AND HAS SINCE BEEN TAKEN TO A REMAND PRISON.

AND THE COMMISSION HAS EXTENDED ITS INVESTIGATIONS TO OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE BANK WITHIN ITS IT DEPARTMENT AS IT SUSPECTED THAT THE SCAM COULD BE BIGGER.

THE ARREST OF MR. CHITOMFYA COMES FEW MONTHS AFTER A CONGOLESE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND A ZAMBIAN BUSINESSMAN WERE ARRESTED FOR SIPHONING HUGE SUMS OF MONEY FROM OTHER PEOPLE’S OFF-SHORE ACCOUNTS AFTER CAPTURING PASSWORDS AND OTHER SENSITIVE PERSONAL BANKING TO DETAILS TO FRAUDULENTLY DUPLICATE VISA ELECTRONIC CARDS.

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Zambia finance minister challenges his predessor not to meddle in the his running the ministry

FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING MINISTER DR SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE HAS CASTIGATED HIS PREDESSOR MR NG’ANDU MAGNADE FOR HIS ALLEGATIONS THAT GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN COMPROMISED BY THE MINING FIRMS OPERATING IN THE COUNTRY.

SPEAKING SHORTLY AFTER THE SIGNING AT HIS OFFICE THIS AFTERNOON, DR MUSOKOTWANE CHARGED THAT IT IS WRONG FOR MR MAGANDE TO BE SPREADING  ASSUMPTIONS THAT GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN BOUGHT BY THE FOREIGN MINING FIRMS OPERATING IN THE COUNTRY.

AND DR MUSOKOTWANE HAS SINCE CHALLENGED MR MAGANDE TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE OF HIS ALLEGATIONS AND FURTHER TAKE THE MATTER TO THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION.

MEANWHILE, THE FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING MINISTER HAS INDICATED THAT AS A GOVERNMENT THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE FINAL AUDIT REPORT FROM THE ZAMBIA REVENUE AUTHORITY OVER THE OPERATIONS OF THE MINING INDUSTRY IN THE COUNTRY.

ZRA CONDUCTED A PILOT AUDIT ON MINING FIRMS WHICH COVERED ACTIVITIES  OF THE MOPANI COPPER MINES FROM 2006-2008 INCLUDING TRIAL BALANCES FROM 2003 AND COVERED PRACTICES SUCH AS ALLEGED TRANSFER PRICING, INFLATED OPERATION COSTS, OUTRIGHT UNDER-PRICING OF COPPER EXPORTS AND IRREGULAR HEDGING.

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UN signs five agreement with the Zambian govt

GOVERNMENT AND THE UNITED NATIONS HAVE LAUNCHED THE NEW UNITED NATION DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FRAMEWORK (UNDAF) FOR THE PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS AMOUNTING TO OVER 100 MILLION DOLLARS.

THIS FRAMEWORK ALIGNED TO THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES OF ZAMBIA IS THE STRATEGIC PLANNING DOCUMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS THAT EMBODIES THE UN SYSTEMS COLLECTIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNTRY’S SIXTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

AT THE HEART IS ITS SUPPORT FOR THE COUNTRY’S ATTAINMENT OF THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS.

AND SPEAKING AT THE EVENT, FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING MINISTER DR SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE SAID GOVERNMENT NEEDS MORE COMMITMENT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IF IT IS TO MEET ITS SET NATIONAL TARGETS LIKE THE SDNP.

DR MUSOKOTWANE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THOUGH THE COUNTRY HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH, IT STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO IN TRANSLATING THE ECONOMIC GAINS INTO THE LIVES OF THOSE LIVING IN THE RURAL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

AND UNITED NATIONS RESIDENT COORDINATOR  KANNI WIGNARAJA SAID THE  UNITED  NATIONS  DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FRAMEWORK  WILL FOCUS ON THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMY, COMBATING NEW HIV INFECTIONS AND RENEWED EFFORTS AT ERADICATING , MALARIA AND MALNUTRITION.

MS WIGNARAJA FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE  UN DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK  WILL ALSO FOCUS ON DECENT WORK AND JOB CREATION AS WELL AS ENSURING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONDING RAPIDLY TO THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

IN THE SAME VEIN GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO SIGNED A COUNTRY PROGRAMMME ACTION PLANS COVER FOR THE PERIOD OF 2011-2015 OF UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND, UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND AND THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME.

THE COUNTRY PROGRAMMME ACTION PLANS EMBODY THE AREAS OF PROGRAMME PRIORITY, EXPERTISE AND COMPARATIVE VALUE-AD BROUGHT BY EACH OF THESE AGENCIES TO THE COMMON DEVELOPMENT AGENDA.

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ANDREW KAMANGA LED FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA EXECUTIVE HAS REVEALED THAT THE ONLY AGENDA THAT WILL TABLED AT THE FORTH COMING FAZ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE THAT WHICH WILL BE PUT FORWARD BY THE MEMBERS

THE ANDREW KAMANGA LED FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA EXECUTIVE HAS REVEALED THAT THE ONLY AGENDA THAT WILL TABLED AT THE FORTH COMING FAZ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE THAT WHICH WILL BE PUT FORWARD BY THE MEMBERS.

SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX SPORTS LAST NIGHT ANDREW KAMANGA EXPLAINED THAT THE ONLY ITEM THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED FROM FAZ AHEAD OF THE A.G.M IS THE NOTICE WITH NO AGENDA ACCOMPANYING IT.

HE ADDED THAT WHAT FAZ ISSUED WAS AN INDICATIVE AGENDA AND MEMBERS HAVE A RIGHT TO REQUEST FOR OTHER ITEMS LIKE THE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE TO BE INCLUDED ON THE MAIN AGENDA.

KAMANGA HAS SINCE CALLED ON THE COUNCIL MEMBERS NOT BE DISTURBED BY THE SPECULATIONS THAT ARE BEEN PERPETUATED BY THE KALUSHA BWALYA LED EXECUTIVE. 

AND KAMANGA ADVISED THE KALUSHA BWALYA LED EXECUTIVE TO WAIT UNTIL 5^TH MARCH, 2011 BEFORE SPECULATING THAT THE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE WILL NOT BE TABLED AT THE A.G.M.

THE INTERIM FAZ PRESIDENT EXPLAINED THAT ACCORDING TO THE FAZ CONSTITUTION CLAUSE 26 SUB SECTION 3, MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION HAVE THE MANDATE TO CALL FOR THE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE.

YESTERDAY, FAZ SPOKESPERSON ERICK MWANZA HOWEVER SAID THE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE AT THE NEXT MONTH’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IS NOT PROVIDED IN THEIR CONSTITUTION.

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A new survey dubbed Attacks on the Press, has revealed that Global and regional institutions with a responsibility to guard press freedom are largely failing to fulfill their mandate

A new survey dubbed Attacks on the Press, has revealed that Global and regional institutions with a responsibility to guard press freedom are largely failing to fulfill their mandate as journalists worldwide continue to face threats, imprisonment, intimidation, and killings.

This is according to a 2010 survey released by the Committee to Protect Journalists (cpj) and availed to radio phoenix today.

The survey shows that in Africa: A rise in investigative journalism has led governments in the region to crack down on journalists, particularly those reporting on the provision of basic services and the use of public money.

The survey further shows that From Cameroon to South Africa, authorities are moving aggressively to unmask confidential news sources, criminalize possession of government documents, and retaliate against probing journalists—all while governments across the continent, under pressure from donor countries, are pledging more transparency and accountability.

And CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon explained that While international law guarantees the right to free expression, journalists cannot count on a robust defense of those rights citing that recent unprecedented repression and persecution of journalists in Egypt.

He said the situation in Egypt provides an important opportunity for global and regional institutions to speak and act forcefully in defense of a free press.

Attacks on the Press is the world's most comprehensive guide to international press freedom, with thorough analyses of the key factors that obstruct a free press by CPJ’s regional experts.

It includes a special feature on the invisible nature of online attacks meant to curb journalists, including online surveillance, malicious software, and the elimination of news sites from the Internet.

CPJ found that a halfhearted, inconsistent approach to defending press freedom plagues institutions like the United Nations, the African Union, the Organization of American States, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, among others.

Simon added that while valiant special rapporteurs at various institutions battle anti-media violence, their efforts are stymied by a halting political will to guarantee press freedom.

With a preface by Al-Jazeera English anchor Riz Khan, the book provides an overview of media conditions in more than 100 countries along with data on journalists killed (44) and imprisoned (145) in 2010. 

And in the Middle East and North Africa the survey has revealed that throughout the region, governments are conflating critical coverage of counterterrorism with terrorism itself, claiming national security grounds to suppress news and views considered unfavorable.

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THE AFRICAN TOBACCO CONTROL ALLIANCE URGES COMESA REGION TO PROMOTE ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE IF THE MANY LIVES ARE TO BE PRESERVED FROM THE EFFECTS OF TOBACCO

THE AFRICAN TOBACCO CONTROL ALLIANCE (ATCA) HAS CHALLENGED LEADERS IN THE COMMON MARKET FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA (COMESA) REGION TO PROMOTE ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE IF THE MANY LIVES ARE TO BE PRESERVED FROM THE EFFECTS OF TOBACCO.

LAST YEAR THE CONFERENCE OF PARTIES (COP) TO THE GLOBAL TOBACCO TREATY UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED A RECOMMENDATION THAT COUNTRIES RESTRICT OR BAN THE USE OF FLAVOURING TOBACCO BUT PRODDED BY A TOBACCO INDUSTRY CAMPAIGN; COMESA OPPOSED THE BAN, DECLARING THAT IT WOULD HARM THE LIVELIHOOD OF TOBACCO FARMERS.

BUT A.T.C.A NOTES THAT TOBACCO FARMING IS IN ITS SUNSET YEARS AND THE CITIZENS OF COUNTRIES THAT ARE RELIANT ON TOBACCO PRODUCTION WOULD BE BETTER SERVED IF THEY FOCUSED ON ALTERNATIVE CROPS LIKE SUNFLOWER, GROUNDNUTS, SOYA BEANS AND CHILLI.

SPEAKING IN LUSAKA TODAY ATCA DELEGATION LEADER RACHEL KITONYO SAID COMESA LEADERS MUST SHOW POLITICAL WILL TO SUPPORT SUCH EFFORTS AS THIS WILL LEAD TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CITIZENS AND A WAY OUT OF POVERTY FOR TOBACCO FARMERS IN THE REGION.

SHE ADDS THAT LEADERS IN THE COMESA REGION SHOULD ENGAGE IN EXHAUSTIVE CONSULTATION BEFORE TAKING DECISIONS THAT ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH. 

MS KITONYO IS LEADING A DELEGATION OF EIGHT PEOPLE FROM KENYA, TANZANIA, CONGO D.R., NIGERIA, TOGO, SENEGAL AND ZAMBIA WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE AFRICAN TOBACCO CONTROL ALLIANCE.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HAS ESTIMATED THAT IF UNCHECKED, THE TOBACCO EPIDEMIC WILL KILL 8 MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR BY 2030, 80 PERCENT OF THEM IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD.

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN ZAMBIA DISPUTES THAT THERE IS LACK OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES ON THE MARKET

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SECRETARY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CLEMENT SICHEMBE HAS DISPUTED ASSUMPTIONS THAT THERE IS LACK OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO CARRY OUT HUGE CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.

SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX MR SICHEMBE EXPLAINED THAT THE COUNTRY HAS NUMEROUS RESOURCES OF CAPITAL WHERE PROSPECTING COMPANIES CAN BORROW MONEY FROM.

HE ADDED THAT WHAT THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS TRYING TO DO IS TO BRING THOSE IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR ON BOARD SO THAT THEY CAN ALSO BENEFIT FROM CAPITAL MARKET.

MR SICHEMBE EXPLAINS  THAT THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR AND THIS IS THE REASON THE COMMISSION IS WORKING WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO BRING ON BOARD.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION CAPITAL MARKET HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS WITH 20 COMPANIES LISTED ON IT.

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MINING CONTRACTOR AUSDRILL LIMITED HAS SECURED NEW CONTRACTS IN Zambia

MINING CONTRACTOR AUSDRILL LIMITED HAS SECURED NEW CONTRACTS IN AFRICA AND AUSTRALIA, INCLUDING CONTRACTS WITH BHP BILLITON LIMITED IN ZAMBIA.

AUSDRILL  SAYS  ITS EAST AFRICA SUBSIDIARY, AUSDRILL ZAMBIA, HAD WON AN EXPLORATION CONTRACT WITH BHP BILLITON IN WESTERN ZAMBIA FOR AN INITIAL 12-MONTH PERIOD WITH THE OPTION OF A 12-MONTH EXTENSION.

THE COMPANY SAYS  THIS REPRESENTED ITS FIRST CONTRACT IN ZAMBIA.

ITS AUSDRILL MINING SERVICES (AMS) SUBSIDIARY HAS SECURED CONTRACTS WITH CENTRAL NORSEMAN GOLD CORPORATION LIMITED FOR THE PROVISION OF EQUIPMENT HIRE, MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND LABOUR HIRE FOR THE NORTH ROYAL OPEN PIT AT NORSEMAN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

AUSDRILL SAYS  THIS CONTRACT WILL GENERATE ABOUT $25 MILLION IN REVENUE OVER THREE YEARS.

AMS ALSO ENTERED INTO A FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT VALUED AT ABOUT $34 MILLION WITH KIMBERLEY METALS GROUP FOR THE HIRE AND MAINTENANCE OF MINING EQUIPMENT AT THE RIDGES IRON ORE PROJECT SOUTH OF WYNDHAM IN WA.

AUSDRILL MANAGING DIRECTOR RON SAYERS SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT  THESE CONTRACTS CONTINUE THE EXPANSION OF AMS IN THE EQUIPMENT HIRE AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE SECTOR OF THE RESOURCES INDUSTRY.

AUSDRILL ALSO SAID ITS AFRICAN MINING SERVICES SUBSIDIARY HAD FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR RENEGOTIATED THE EXPLORATION DRILLING CONTRACT FOR NEWMONT MINING CORPORATION'S AHAFO MINE IN GHANA.

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KCM plans to spend at least $50 million to upgrade its Nchanga unit

KONKOLA COPPER MINES IS PLANNING TO SPEND AT LEAST $50 MILLION TO UPGRADE ITS NCHANGA UNIT TO MAKE IT ENVIRONMENTALLY COMPLIANT.

KCM SPOKESPERSON JACQUELINE KABETA SAYS  THE COMPANY HAS STEPPED UP PLANS TO FULFILL ITS CURRENT AND FUTURE COMMITMENT TO MINIMIZING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AT ALL ITS OPERATIONS ON THE COPPERBELT.

MS KABETA ADDED THAT  UNLIKE THE NCHANGA UNIT, KCM'S OTHER UNITS INCLUDING THE NKANA COPPER REFINERY, THE 300,000 TONNES-A-YEAR NCHANGA SMELTER AND THE NAMPUNDWE KONKOLA MINES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED UNDER THE  INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CERTIFICATION PROCESS.

SHE SAYS  THE PRE-ASSESSMENT AUDIT FOR NCHANGA WILL TAKE PLACE IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND THE ACTUAL ASSESSMENT WILL TAKE PLACE LATER IN DECEMBER.

IN RECENT YEARS, KCM HAS BEEN ACCUSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA OF POLLUTING THE KAFUE RIVER, A SOURCE OF DOMESTIC WATER FOR COPPERBELT RESIDENTS WHICH PASSES THROUGH THE MINE PROPERTY.

AND IN NOVEMBER, THE COURT FINED KCM AT LEAST $4,449 FOR POLLUTING THE RIVER.

ACCORDING TO MS  KABETA, THE POLLUTION HAS MAINLY BEEN CAUSED BY OPERATIONAL FAILURE AT KCM'S TAILINGS LEACH PLANT DUE TO OBSOLETE EQUIPMENT.

THE UPGRADES WILL INVOLVE THE REPLACEMENT OF WASTE PUMPS AND PIPES THAT CAN WITHSTAND HIGH LEVELS OF ACIDITY AND ARE NOT PRONE TO BREAKDOWNS.

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IMF calls on Zambian govt to borrow if the SNDP is to succeed

THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND HAS EXPLAINED THAT GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO SEEK EXTERNAL BORROWING IF THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED SIXTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN IS TO SUCCEED.

THE K132 TRILLION  WORTH SIXTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN LAUNCHED ON FEBRUARY 4^TH  BY PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA IS INTENDED TO AMONG OTHER THINGS, FOSTER INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND FIGHT POVERTY IN THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN NATION.
RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE OF IMF  PERRY PERONE  HAS ADVISED ZAMBIA TO NEGOTIATE THE BEST LOAN TERMS WHEN CONTRACTING EXTERNAL DEBT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SNDP.

MR PERONE SAYS  EVEN THOUGH THE FISCAL SPACE FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURES WILL BE AUGMENTED UNDER THE PROPOSED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS, THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SPENDING WILL REQUIRE AN INCREASE IN EXTERNAL BORROWING, SOME OF WHICH WILL BE ON NON CONCESSIONAL TERMS.
HE SAYS  THE IMF ALSO SUPPORTED THE SNDP'S GOAL TO FOSTER BROAD BASED ECONOMIC GROWTH, STATING THAT THIS WILL HELP TO GENERATE JOBS AND REDUCE POVERTY.
HE SAYS  DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ZAMBIA ENJOYED SUSTAINED HIGH REAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AS INFLATION WHICH HURTS THE POOR MORE THAN THOSE THAT ARE WELL OFF WAS LOWERED TO SINGLE DIGITS WHILE DOMESTIC AND EXTERNAL GOVERNMENT DEBT WAS KEPT TO MANAGEABLE LEVELS.
ZAMBIA’S PROJECTED RESOURCE ENVELOP FOR THE GROWTH OF THE SNDP IS ZMK 132 TRILLION TO BE MET BY ZMK103 TRILLION OF DOMESTIC RESOURCES AND ZMK 29 TRILLION OR 22% FROM EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE AND A PRUDENT AMOUNT OF EXTERNAL BORROWING.
GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS EMBARKED ON A DELIBERATE POLICY OF BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE TOGETHER WITH ITS PEOPLE’ SAID THROUGH THE PLAN, IT  SEEKS TO CONTINUE FOCUSING ON INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE, MAINLY ENERGY, ROAD, RAILWAY AND AIR TRANSPORT.
IN ADDITION, ZAMBIA SEEKS TO INVEST IN HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION SKILLS, HEALTH, WATER AND SANITATION. DURING THE PERIOD, 2011-2015, THE PROPORTION OF PEOPLE LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY IS EXPECTED TO DECLINE TO 29% PERCENT FROM 37% RECORDED IN 2006.

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ERB HIKE FUEL PRICES

THE ENERGY REGULATION BOARD (ERB) HAS ANNOUNCED AN UPWARD INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS BY OVER 800 KWACHA EFFECTIVE MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.
THE INCREASE MEANS PETROL WHICH WAS FETCHING ABOUT 7,639 KWACHA WILL NOW COST 8,647 KWACHA PER LITER AND DIESEL WILL NOW COST 7,958 PER LITER FROM 6,999.
KEROSENE WILL ALSO START COSTING ABOUT 5,641 FROM 5,008 KWACHA PER LITER.
ERB SAYS THE INCREASE IS DUE TO THE RISE IN PRICES OF CRUDE OIL ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET.
ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO RADIO PHOENIX SIGNED BY ERB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BUTLER SITALI, THE REGULATING BODY HAS ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE INCREASE IS AS A RESULT OF THE SUSTAINED RISE IN PRICES OF CRUDE OIL ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET FROM SEPTEMBER 2010 TO DATE.
MR SITALI HAS SAYS THE PUMP PRICES OF FUEL WERE LAST ADJUSTED IN SEPTEMBER 2010 WHEN THE UNIFORM PUMP PRICING MECHANISM WAS IMPLEMENTED.
HE SAYS SINCE THEN, PRICES OF CRUDE OIL ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET HAVE CONTINUED TO RISE AND SURPASSED $100 PER BARREL ON 31^ST JANUARY 2011 AMID FEARS THAT THE TENSION IN EGYPT COULD ADVERSELY IMPACT THE SUEZ CANAL ROUTE – AN IMPORTANT SHIPPING ROUTE FOR OIL BETWEEN THE GULF COUNTRIES AND THE MEDITERRANEAN.

HE SAYS THE INCREASE IS ALSO AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASE IN PRICES OF CRUDE OIL AND RISE IN DEMAND FROM CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITH A DECLINE IN US CRUDE INVENTORIES BY ABOUT 19 MILLION BARRELS IN THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF DECEMBER.
MR SITALI HAS FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT SEVERE COLD WEATHER IN EUROPE AND PARTS OF THE USA AND THE RECENT EVENTS IN THE  PROXIMITY OF THE SUEZ CANAL HAVE EXACERBATED THE SITUATION AS WELL.
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HAS STATED THAT THE INCREASE IN PUMP PRICES HAS ALSO BEEN NECESSITATED BY THE DEPRECIATION OF THE KWACHA AGAINST THE US DOLLAR FROM THE TIME WHOLESALE PRICES WERE LAST ADJUSTED.
HE SAYS AT THE LAST PRICE REVIEW IN MAY 2010, THE PETROLEUM FEEDSTOCK CARGO HAD BEEN PROCURED AT A COST OF $68.6 MILLION AND THE LATEST CARGO WAS PROCURED IN DECEMBER 2010 AT A COST OF $81MILLION ADDING THAT FROM THE REVIEW THE AVERAGE INCREASE IS NECESSARY TO MEET THE COST.

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CONCERNED CITIZENS HAVE CALLED ON THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA TO ENSURE THAT THEY CARRY OUT MASSIVE SENSITIZATION EXERCISE ON THE GOING VOTER REGISTRATION

SOME CONCERNED CITIZENS HAVE CALLED ON THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA TO ENSURE THAT THEY CARRY OUT MASSIVE SENSITIZATION EXERCISE ON THE GOING VOTER REGISTRATION BEEN CONDUCTED AT CIVIC CENTERS COUNTRYWIDE.

SOME OF THE CITIZENS TALKED BY RADIO PHOENIX NEWS CREW COMPLAINED THAT OFFICERS UNDERTAKING THE CONTINUOUS VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE ARE NOT WELL MOTIVATED AND HENCE IMPLICATING NEGATIVELY ON THE OUTCOME OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

THE CITIZENS NOTED THAT IF THE VOTER APATHY BEING EXPERIENCED IN THE COUNTRY IS TO BE MINIMIZED, THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA WILL HAVE TO DOUBLE THEIR EFFORTS IN SENSITIZATION AND ENSURING THAT CIVIC CENTERS ARE WELL MARKED FOR EASIER ACCESS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THE CITIZENS HOWEVER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT GOVERNMENT IS NOT ADEQUATELY FUNDING THE ECZ WHICH THEY SAID HAS CAUSED THE COMMISSION TO PERFORM BELOW EXPECTATION.

published by rhoda

PROVINCIAL EDUCATION OFFICERS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO ENSURE THAT NO SCHOOL IS ALLOWED TO CHARGE USER OR TUITION FEES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

PROVINCIAL EDUCATION OFFICERS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO ENSURE THAT NO SCHOOL IS ALLOWED TO CHARGE USER OR TUITION FEES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION.

EDUCATION PERMANENT SECRETARY JAMES MULUNGUSHI HAS FURTHER DIRECTED THAT CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PAY FOR G.C.E FOR EXAMINATION AT ANY CENTRE OF THEIR CHOICE AND SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY TUITION FEES IF THEY DON’T INTEND TO STUDY AT SUCH SCHOOLS.

MR MULUNGUSHI CHARGED THAT PARENTS’ TEACHER’S ASSOCIATION SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN DECIDING THE AMOUNTS OF USERS/TUITION FEES TO BE PAID AND THAT PROVINCIAL EDUCATION OFFICERS SHOULD FURTHER TAKE ACTIVE ROLE WHEN SCHOOLS ORGANIZE P.T.A MEETINGS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE.

THE EDUCATION PERMANENT SECRETARY HAS SAID THIS IN A NEWS STATEMENT TO RADIO PHOENIX TODAY STRESSING THAT THIS HAS CAME AS A RESULT OF THE REVELATIONS THAT A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ARE CHARGING USER FEES WITHOUT APPROVAL BY THE MINISTRY AS THE CASE IS SUPPOSED TO BE.

MR MULUNGUSHI ADDED THAT A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS COMING FROM PARENTS HAS ALSO NECESSITATED THE COMING UP WITH THESE DIRECTIVES.

published by rhoda

BRITISH DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSIONER DAVID PEARCE HAS CHARGED THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO FULFILL THEIR ELECTORAL RIGHTS

BRITISH DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSIONER DAVID PEARCE HAS CHARGED THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO FULFILL THEIR ELECTORAL RIGHTS AS ANY OTHER CITIZEN.

MR PEARCE SAYS ONE OF THE LESSONS FROM THE PAST ELECTIONS IS THAT THERE ARE OFTEN BARRIERS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WITHIN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

HE SAYS PERSONS WITH DISABILITY FAIL TO ACCESS THE POLLING STATIONS DUE TO THE  ABSENCE OF RAMPS AND BOOTHS THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE THE WHEELCHAIR BOUND.

MR PEARCE WAS SPEAKING DURING THE LAUNCH OF THE PROJECT FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION OF DIFFERENTLY ABLED PERSONS IN ZAMBIA’S ELECTORAL PROCESS IN GENERAL AND IN THE 2011 TRIPARTITE ELECTIONS IN PARTICULAR BY FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS TODAY.

AND SPEAKING AT THE SAME FUNCTION FODEP PRESIDENT DR ALEX NG’OMA INDICATED THAT THE PROJECT WILL BE ROLLED OUT IN LUSAKA AND WESTERN PROVINCES  FOR NOW DUE TO FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS.

HE ADDED THAT ZAMBIA ALWAYS COLLECTS INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED PERSONS DURING THE NATIONAL CENSUS, HOWEVER, NOT MUCH HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THE NEED TO USE SUCH INFORMATION TO BETTER THE SITUATION IN NATIONAL AFFAIRS ESPECIALLY THEIR ENHANCED INVOLVEMENT IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPUTY MINISTER, ACTING PERMANENT SECRETARY LAMECK KANYUKWA POINTED OUT THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE MOSTLY MARGINALIZED AND LACK FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PARTICIPATE IN ELECTIONS.

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final Census results to be ready in 2012

THE final results of the 2010 population census will only be ready in 2012.

Speaking during the launch of the preliminary census results in Lusaka today secretary to the treasury likolo Ndalamei said the final results will focus on providing essential data for population representation and decision making, vital data for social economic planning, evaluation and monitoring.

He added that the final data will also give data on eligible voters, as well as updated national, provincial, district, constituency and ward level information on population size, composition, structure and other demographic and social economic characteristics.

Mr Ndalamei further explained that the census results are very vital as they help in the implementing, evaluation, designing, monitoring of various national policies like the recently launched sndp, decentralization among others.

And speaking at the same function african development bank representative thembe bhebhe said the bank is preparing the country’s statistical profile which he said will update information on zambia in the bank’s data platform to provide baseline date needed to prepare and monitor among other activities bank projects in the country.

Mr bhebhe said the recent bank group intervention in zambia suggested a need for increased statistical development assistance support as part of the avenues towards achieving result oriented development.

And department for international development representative Kelvin quinlan said the cooperating partners are looking forward to the release of the final results.

Earlier united nations population fund assistant representative sibeso mululuma commended government for concluding the 2010 census results within the stipulated time frame.

Government spent over 200 billion kwacha representing 80% while the cooperating partners  dfid, usaid, african development bank,and united nations population fund put in 20%.

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New technologies are helping Zambia make the most of its scarce health workers and laboratories in the fight against tuberculosis

New technologies are helping Zambia make the most of its scarce health workers and laboratories in the fight against tuberculosis (TB).
The Zambia Aids-Related TB Project (ZAMBART), a local NGO that provides testing and treatment, has introduced easy-to-use digital chest x-rays and relatively cheap made-to-order laboratories to help close gaps in stepping up the fight against TB and HIV, which are common co-infections.
In a country where about 39,000 new cases of TB are reported annually, these innovations could help combat the high level of undiagnosed infectious TB, the recent Zambia-South Africa TB and AIDS Reduction (ZAMSTAR) study noted.
According to UNAIDS, about 14 percent of Zambians are HIV-positive, which greatly increases their vulnerability to TB. ZAMBART estimates that about 70 percent of TB patients are co-infected with HIV, making them harder to diagnose and more likely to die from TB, the leading killer of HIV-positive people worldwide.
The ZAMSTAR study also found that while many patients with a chronic cough - a symptom of TB - did not seek medical attention, those who did were often poorly investigated.
After routine screening for TB, clinic staff asked TB suspects for a sputum sample.

In HIV/TB co-infected patients these samples were more likely to result in a false positive result, so health workers used chest X-rays to confirm test results.

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COPPER MINING INDUSTRY WILL NOT MEET GLOBAL DEMAND FOR 2011

THE COPPER MINING INDUSTRY WILL NOT MEET GLOBAL DEMAND FOR 2011 OR NEXT YEAR BECAUSE DEMAND IS GROWING FASTER THAN SUPPLY.

THE COPPER MARKET IS FACING A WIDENING DEFICIT UNTIL NEW SUPPLY COMES ON STREAM IN LATE 2013.

MEANWHILE, MINES MINISTER MAXWELL MWALE HAS SAID ZAMBIA’S COPPER PRODUCTION IS LIKELY TO RISE TO 850,000 TONNES THIS YEAR FROM JUST BELOW 750,000 TONNES LAST YEAR DUE TO EXPANSION OF SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S MINES.

MR MWALE WAS SPEAKING ON THE SIDELINES OF A MINING CONFERENCE IN CAPE TOWN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

BUT STANDARD BANK’S HEAD OF COMMODITY RESEARCH WALTER DE WET HAS PROJECTED THAT THE COPPER DEFICIT WILL GROW TO 382,000 METRIC TONNES FOR 2011 AND 562,000 FOR 2012 AS THE DEMAND WAS GROWING FASTER THAN SUPPLY AND IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN STRONG UNTIL 2013.

HE SAID THIS MAY RESULT IN GLOBAL REPORTED STOCKS DRAWING DOWN TO LESS THAN ONE WEEK OF CONSUMPTION BY END-2012.

CHINA AND OTHER EMERGING MARKETS ESPECIALLY IN ASIA ARE DRIVING THE INCREASING COPPER DEMANDS WHERE PRICING IS PROJECTED TO AVERAGE US$9,200 PER METRIC TONNES IN 2011 AND US$10,000 PER METRIC TONNE IN 2012.

DE WET SAID FUNDAMENTALS AND STRONG INVESTOR INTERESTS ARE LIKELY TO KEEP PRICES ON AN UPWARD PATH OVERALL, THOUGH EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE STEEP CORRECTIONS AND PAUSES FOR CONSOLIDATION ALONG THE WAY.

SUPPLY REMAINS CONSTRAINED AS NEW COPPER PROJECTS ARE AT VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT, BUT CONSIDERING THEY TAKE 3-4 YEARS TO COME ON STREAM, THEY WILL NOT ALLEVIATE THE DEFICIT OF AFFECT THE COPPER PRICE DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

THESE TWIN THEMES OF STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN EMERGING MARKETS AND A RESUMPTION IN MANUFACTURING GROWTH IN DEVELOPED GROWTH IN DEVELOPED MARKETS ARE STRONGLY SUPPORTIVE OF COPPER CONSUMPTION AND RISING COPPER PRICE.

ALTHOUGH AUSTERITY RATHER THAN STIMULUS WILL BE THE MAIN THEME IN EUROPE THIS YEAR, MODEST GROWTH WILL NONETHELESS BE DRIVEN BY GERMANY IN ADDITION THE U.S ECONOMY IS ALSO CARRYING GOOD MOMENTUM INTO 2011.

DE WET EXPLAINED THAT THE BIG SWING FACTOR WILL BE CHINA, WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE FAIRLY DESTOCKED OF COPPER.

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ZAMBIA’S EXTERNAL DEBT HAS INCREASED BY 53 PERCENT

ZAMBIA’S EXTERNAL DEBT HAS INCREASED BY 53 PERCENT FROM US$ 1,019.0 MILLION IN 2006 TO US$ 1,557.4 MILLION IN 2009.

MEANWHILE THE PRIVATE AND PARASTATAL DEBT INCREASED AT A MUCH FASTER RATE OF 168 PERCENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD, BRINGING TOTAL EXTERNAL DEBT TO US$ 3,807.8 MILLION IN 2009.

ACCORDING TO MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY LIKOLO NDALAMEI OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE, BOTH IN GRANTS AND CONCESSIONAL LOANS, IS A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ZAMBIA’S DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES.

MR NDALAMEI HAS EXPLAINED THAT CONSIDERING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS CONTRIBUTION, ZAMBIA DEVELOPED AN AID POLICY AND STRATEGY FRAMEWORK CONSISTENT WITH THE PARIS DECLARATION ON AID EFFECTIVENESS EMPHASIZING THAT

HE SAYS THE FIELD OF DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION IN THE COUNTRY HAS UNDERGONE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE AID POLICY AND STRATEGY FOR ZAMBIA IN 2007, COUPLED WITH THE JOINT ASSISTANCE STRATEGY FOR ZAMBIA (JASZ) 2007, AS WELL AS AN INCREASED INTENSITY IN THE USE OF GENERAL BUDGET SUPPORT AND SECTOR BUDGET SUPPORT.

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY HAS POINTED OUT THAT ADDED TO THIS; THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASED CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVES THROUGH THE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY (PEMFA) PROGRAMME TO MANAGE BOTH DOMESTIC AND EXTERNALLY MOBILIZED GOVERNMENT REVENUE.

HE HAS FURTHER DISCLOSED THAT THE LEVEL OF TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS INCREASED FROM US$ 589 MILLION IN 2006 TO US$ 857 MILLION IN 2008, AND REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL IN 2009, BRINGING TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS OVER THE FOUR YEARS TO US$ 2.97 BILLION

MR. NDALAMEI SAYS THE INCREASE IN DISBURSEMENTS WAS ATTRIBUTED TO INCREASED DONOR CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S MACRO-ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT, BOTH PRE AND POST HIPC COMPLETION POINT, AND TO IMPROVEMENTS IN POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE.

HE HAS ALSO EXPLAINED THAT, COOPERATING PARTNERS WERE RESPONSIVE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PREFERRED AID MODALITY, WITH BUDGET SUPPORT DISBURSEMENTS INCREASING FROM US$ 136 MILLION IN 2006 TO US$ 244 MILLION IN 2008 BEFORE DECLINING SLIGHTLY TO US$ 238 MILLION IN 2009

MR NDALAMEI SAYS OVER THE FOUR YEARS, BUDGET SUPPORT ACCOUNTED FOR 26 PERCENT, OF THE TOTAL EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE DISBURSED ADDING THAT PROJECT SUPPORT PARTICULARLY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER INVESTMENT PROJECTS, AMOUNTING TO US$ 1.54 BILLION, OR 52 PERCENT, OF TOTAL AID WERE DISBURSED OVER THE FOUR YEARS.

THIS ACCORDING TO A PRESS STATEMENT MADE AVAILABLE BY MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER CHILESHE KANDETA

published by augustine m sichula