Sunday 31 July 2011

LAFARGE CEMENT ZAMBIA REGISTERED A NET PROFIT OF OVER 700 BILLION KWACHA AFTER PAYING TAXES TO THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT IN THE YEAR 2010

LAFARGE CEMENT ZAMBIA LIMITED SAYS THE COMPANY REGISTERED A NET PROFIT OF OVER 700 BILLION KWACHA AFTER PAYING TAXES TO THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT IN THE YEAR 2010.
THE COMPANY SAYS IT IS FOCUSING ON SURPASSING THIS PROFIT BY THE END OF 2011 THROUGH IMPROVED PRODUCTION CAPACITY.
THE COMPANY RECORDED A NET PROFIT OF 733.90 BILLION KWACHA IN EXPORT EARNINGS AND MOST OF THE COMPANY’S PRODUCTS WERE EXPORTED TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO WHICH TOOK A PERCENTAGE OF 65.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX TODAY, LAFARGE CEMENT ZAMBIA LIMITED SENIOR SALES REPRESENTATIVE JOHN CHILUFYA SAID THE COMPANY HAS ALSO BEEN EXPORTING TO OTHER COUNTRIES SUCH AS BURUNDI WHICH TAKES ABOUT 33 PERCENT OF THE COMPANY’S TOTAL PRODUCTION OF CEMENT.
MR. CHILUFYA SAYS MALAWI HAS BEEN ANOTHER COUNTRY WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE WHICH CURRENTLY TAKES ABOUT 2 PERCENT IN TERMS OF EXPORTS FROM ZAMBIA.
HE ADDED THAT THE COMPANY’S FUTURE IS BRIGHT AS IT CONTINUES TO FIND MORE MARKETS FOR ITS CEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN IMPROVED IN TERMS OF QUALITY.


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CARITAS ZAMBIA OBSERVES THAT ZAMBIA IS FOREGOING THE ANTICIPATED MINING REVENUE

CARITAS ZAMBIA HAS OBSERVED ZAMBIA IS FOREGOING THE ANTICIPATED MINING REVENUE AND HAS BORNE ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS.
ACCORDING TO ITS 2011 REPORT, AS A RESULT OF FOREGOING THE REVENUE, THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC NET DEBT IS NOT REDUCING AND REVENUE TO INVEST IN EDUCATION, HEALTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE HAS NOT MATERIALIZED AT THE ANTICIPATED RATE.
CARITAS SAYS MORE REVENUE NEEDS TO BE COLLECTED FROM THE MINING SECTOR AS IT IS THE NATION’S CURRENT MAJOR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY BUT AS IT IS THE STATUS QUO SHOWS THAT NOT MUCH IS BEING COLLECTED THOUGH IT HAS HUGE POTENTIAL TO CONTRIBUTE MORE.
THE REPORT SAYS FOR THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE TO BENEFIT FULLY FROM THE PROCEEDS OF COPPER, THERE IS NEED FOR GOVERNMENT TO PUT IN PLACE WELL THOUGHT AND ADEQUATE POLICY MEASURES MOST OF WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN SUGGESTED BY STAKEHOLDERS AND ECONOMY AND MINING EXPERTS.
IT FURTHER NOTES THAT THE LINKS BETWEEN EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES, ENVIRONMENT, DEGRADATION, POLLUTION, HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE, INCREASE IN CORRUPTION AND POVERTY IS A GROWING CONCERN IN THAT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ARE BEING FORCED OFF THEIR LAND TO MAKE WAY FOR MINING DEVELOPMENTS, LEADING TO LAND ALIENATION.


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Monday 25 July 2011

ZAMBIA'S OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTY MICHEAL SATA SIGNS NORWEGIAN BOOK OF CONDOLENCES

OPPOSITION PATRIOTIC FRONT PRESIDENT MICHAEL SATA THIS MORNING LED HIS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND SENIOR PARTY OFFICIALS IN SIGNING THE BOOK OF CONDOLENCES AT THE NORWEGIAN EMBASSY FOLLOWING THE SHOOTING INCIDENT IN WHICH MORE THAT 90 PEOPLE WERE KILLED AFTER A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE.
AND MR SATA SAYS THERE IS NEED FOR CONCERTED EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT PEACE PREVAILS IN THE WORLD.
SPEAKING AT THE NORWEGIAN EMBASSY, MR SATA SAYS WHAT HAPPENED IN NORWAY IS UNFORTUNATE ESPECIALLY THAT NORWAY IS A PEACEFUL COUNTRY UNLIKE THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT WHICH IS SO INCITING.
LAST WEEK, NORWAY EXPERIENCED BOMBINGS IN THE HEART OF OSLO AND THE SUBSEQUENT SHOOTINGS AT A YOUTH CAMP, RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF SCORES OF PEOPLE.
MEANWHILE MR. SATA HAS SAID HE IS READY FOR THE GENERAL ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.


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Thursday 21 July 2011

ZAMBIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTY SAYS IT HAS NO POLICY OF BANNING THE PUBLIC MEDIA FROM COVERING ITS ACTIVITIES

THE PATRIOTIC FORNT (PF) SAYS IT HAS NO POLICY BANNING THE PUBLIC MEDIA FROM COVERING ITS ACTIVITIES.
PF SECRETARY GENERAL, WYNTER KABIMBA, TOLD THE MEDIA INSTITUTE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (MISA) ZAMBIA THAT THE PF CENTRAL COMMITTEE HAS NEVER SAT TO PASS A RESOLUTION BANNING THE PUBLIC MEDIA FROM COVERING IT.
MR. KABIMBA TOLD MISA ZAMBIA CHAIRPERSON DANIEL SIKAZWE AND NATIONAL DIRECTOR SIPO KAPUMBA, WHO REQUESTED FOR A MEETING WITH THE PF SECRETARY GENERAL TO CLARIFY THE RECENT BANNING OF THE PUBLIC MEDIA FROM COVERING THE PF GENERAL CONGRESS IN KABWE.
MR. KABIMBA SAID THAT HIS PARTY WAS FRUSTRATED THAT THE PUBLIC MEDIA TENDED TO COVER HIS PARTY IN NEGATIVE MANNER WHICH IN TURN HARM ITS PUBLIC IMAGE.
HE COMPLAINED THAT DESPITE REPEATED EFFORTS TO REACH OUT TO THE PUBLIC MEDIA TO CREATE DIALOGUE AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, HIS EFFORTS HAD YIELDED NOTHING.
MR. KABIMBA SAYS HIS PARTY EXPECTS THE PUBLIC MEDIA TO EXHIBIT THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND ADHERE TO PROFESSIONAL ETHICS BECAUSE THEY WERE OWNED BY THE ZAMBIAN PUBLIC AND, THEREFORE, SHOULD SHOW FAIRNESS IN THEIR COVERAGE OF DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES, AND TO REPORT FAIRLY ABOUT THEM.
HE HAS ASSURED MISA ZAMBIA THAT THE PF DOES NOT HATE THE PUBLIC MEDIA, REFERRING TO THE PF MANIFESTO, WHICH HAD ELABORATED HIS PARTY’S STAND ON THE MEDIA AND ITS SUPPORT FOR A FREE PRESS.
THE PF SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS HIS PARTY IS READY TO OPEN DIALOGUE WITH THE HEADS OF THE PUBLIC MEDIA, IF GOVERNMENT WILL PERMIT THEM, SO THAT THE PUBLIC MEDIA AND THE PF CAN APPRECIATE EACH OTHER AND THEIR ROLE IN STRENGTHENING ZAMBIA’S DEMOCRACY.
IN RESPONSE, MR. SIKAZWE TOLD MR. KABIMBA THAT MISA ZAMBIA HAD GAINED A LOT OF INSIGHTS FROM THE MEETING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THE PF WAS FACING IN BEING FAIRLY COVERED BY THE PUBLIC MEDIA.
SIKAZWE ASSURED MR. KABIMBA THAT MISA ZAMBIA WILL ENGAGE ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC MEDIA, TO SEE HOW THE SITUATION COULD BE IMPROVED.
HE FURTHER TOLD MR. KABIMBA THAT MISA ZAMBIA BELIEVES IN DIALOGUE WITH STAKEHOLDERS, AS EVIDENCED BY THE RECENT MEETING BETWEEN MISA ZAMBIA AND VICE-PRESIDENT GEORGE KUNDA, WHERE A NUMBER OF ISSUES, INCLUDING MEDIA OPERATIONS WERE DISCUSSED.

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ACTION AID ZAMBIA NOTES 'DESPITE WOMEN ACCOUNTING FOR OVER 60PERCENT OF ALL AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION MOST ZAMBIA WOMEN FARMERS DO NOT HAVE CONTROL OR OWNERSHIP OVER THEIR LAND

ACTION AID ZAMBIA HAS NOTED THAT DESPITE WOMEN ACCOUNTING FOR OVER 60PERCENT OF ALL AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION MOST ZAMBIA WOMEN FARMERS DO NOT HAVE CONTROL OR OWNERSHIP OVER THEIR LAND.
ACCORDING TO ACTION AID ZAMBIA, WOMEN’S ACCESS, CONTROL AND OWNERSHIP OF LAND IS VITAL IN FIGHTING POVERTY AND SECURING A HUNGER FREE ZAMBIA.
THE ORGANIZATION TOGETHER WITH WOMEN FARMERS IS IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING THE CAMPAIGN “VOTE AGAINST HUNGER-A HUNGER FREE ZAMBIA POSSIBLE IN VIEW OF THIS YEAR GENERAL ELECTIONS IN WHICH IT AIMS TO ENSURE THAT THE VOICES OF ZAMBIAN WOMEN FARMERS ARE HEARD AND THEIR NEEDS ARE PRIORITIZED IN POLITICAL AGENDA.
ACTION AID SAYS WHAT ZAMBIAN WOMEN FARMERS WANT IS TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN FARMERS IN DECISION MAKING PROCESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES WHICH PROMOTE INCREASED INVESTMENT IN WOMEN FARMERS BY GOVERNMENT.
ACTION AID HAS CONDUCTED AN ANALYSIS OF THE PARTY MANIFESTOS ON AGRICULTURE SECTION IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE PUBLIC AND WOMEN FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THEIR POLITICAL PARTIES’ COMMITMENTS TO THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR AND WOMEN FARMERS

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MOPANI COPPER MINES TO SPEND US$10.5 MILLION ON IMPROVING TWO KEY ROADS IN ZAMBIA'S COPPERBELT PROVINCE

MOPANI COPPER MINES TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS SPENDING US$10.5 MILLION ON IMPROVING TWO KEY ROADS IN THE COPPERBELT.
THE ROAD RE-DEVELOPMENT PROJECT BEGAN IN MAY AND IS ALREADY MAKING PROGRESS.
IMPROVEMENTS TO CENTRAL, MINDOLO AND CHIBULUMA ROADS IN KITWE – A TOTAL OF 6.5KM – ARE TO BE FINISHED LATER THIS YEAR.
THESE IMPROVED ROADS WILL SERVE AS A MUCH NEEDED RING ROAD, ESPECIALLY FOR HEAVY TRUCKS PASSING THROUGH KITWE. IT IS DESIGNED TO FILTER TRAFFIC AWAY FROM ROAD BLOCKAGES IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT OF KITWE AND ALSO TO REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE ROADS WITHIN THE TOWN CENTRE.
IT WILL ALSO SERVE AS A LINK TO KALULUSHI WHICH IS A KEY MINING TOWN WEST OF KITWE.
WORK ON THE 19KM SABINA/MUFULIRA ROAD IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012.
MOPANI CEO, MR.  EMMANUEL MUTATI, SAYS THE MINING COMPANY IS PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THESE SUBSTANTIAL VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
MR. MUTATI ADDS THAT THE DILAPIDATED CENTRAL, MINDOLO, CHIBULUMA AND SABINA/MUFULIRA ROADS HAVE BECOME EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC AND DANGEROUS FOR TRANSPORTERS AND COMMUTERS.
HE SAYS THE US$10.5MILLION IS BEING VERY WELL SPENT GIVEN THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF THESE ARTERIES TO THE COPPERBELT IN PARTICULAR, AND THE NATION AS A WHOLE.
MOPANI SPENT OVER US$15 MILLION ON ONGOING SOCIAL PROJECTS IN 2010 WHICH INCLUDE OPERATING TWO HOSPITALS, SEVEN TOWNSHIP CLINICS, FIVE FIRST-AID CENTRES AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AT NKANA AND MUFULIRA.
THE MINING COMPANY RUNS TWO SCHOOLS FOR 1,850 PUPILS, HIV AND MALARIA PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAMMES, SUPPORTS LOCAL ORPHANAGES, CHARITIES AND SPORTS CLUBS.
SOME RETIRED MINERS HAVE ALSO BEEN SUPPLIED WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT AT A MOPANI SUPPORTED FARM NEAR MUFULIRA.

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ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT APPEALS TO ITS CITIZENS NOT TO STIFLE THE DEVELOPMENT IF THE COUNTRY HAS TO MAINTAIN THE LOWER MIDDLE INCOME STATUS

GOVERNMENT HAS APPEALED TO ZAMBIANS ESPECIALLY THOSE  IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE POSSIBLE MINING ACTIVITIES AND ACTUAL MINES NOT TO STIFLE THE DEVELOPMENT IF THE COUNTRY HAS TO MAINTAIN THE LOWER MIDDLE INCOME STATUS IT HAS ATTAINED THROUGH INCREASED INVESTMENT.
CHIEFS IN NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE HAVE REFUSED TO GIVE TRIDENT MINING COMPANY LAND AFTER GOVERNMENT OFFERED THE COMPANY 1000 HECTARES’ TO START MINING STATING THAT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE SETTLED ON THE LAND WILL BE DISPLACED AND BECOME REFUGEES IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.
THE CHIEF CHALLENGED GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN TO THE PEOPLE AS TO WHETHER THEY WILL BE COMPENSATED OR NOT.
BUT SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT MINISTER MAXWELL MWALE SAYS EVERY ZAMBIAN MUST LOOK OUT FOR THE INTEREST OF THE NATION .
MR. MWALE HAS EXPLAINED THAT GOVERNMENT HAS IN THE PAST COMPENSATED PEOPLE IN AREAS WHERE THERE WAS MINING ACTIVITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN.
MR. MWALE SAYS THE MINING PROJECTS WHICH ARE COMING UP WILL NOT DISADVANTAGE ANY ZAMBIAN BUT WILL INSTEAD EMPOWER THEM THROUGH JOB CREATION.
THE MINISTER SAYS  IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE PUT THE NATIONAL INTEREST FIRST.
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PAMALAT ZAMBIA LIMITED NOTES "THE COST OF PRODUCTION IS KILLING MOST OF THE PRODUCTION COMPANIES IN ZAMBIA

PAMALAT ZAMBIA LIMITED MANAGING DIRECTOR PIET THERON HAS NOTED THAT THE COST OF PRODUCTION IN THE COUNTRY IS MAKING MOST OF THE ZAMBIAN PRODUCTS UNCOMPETITIVE LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY.
MEANWHILE MR. THERON SAYS PAMALAT’S BUSINESS FROM JANUARY TO JULY HAS BEEN RECORDED AT LOW RATE DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS BUT THE COMPANY WILL RECUPERATE THE LITTLE LOSE IT HAS MADE THROUGH MARKET EXPANSION IN MALAWI, ZIMBABWE AND THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.
MR. THERON SAYS GOVERNMENT MUST THEREFORE FIND WAYS OF REDUCING THE COST OF PRODUCTION LIKE IT AS IT HAS DONE  WITH REGARD TO REDUCING THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.
HE SAYS BY SO DOING, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE  TO  MAKE THE LOCAL PRODUCTS COMPETITIVE .
MR THERON  HAS STRESSED THAT, INVESTORS WHO ARE WILLING TO INVEST IN THE COUNTRY ARE BEING DETERRED BY THIS FACT AND THIS IS MAKING THE COUNTRY TO LAG BEHIND IN TERMS OF PRODUCING COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS.
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Wednesday 20 July 2011

AMOTHER ZAMBIAN AGED 29YEARS BUSINESSWOMAN ARRESTED IN PARKISTAN FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

A TWENTY NINE YEAR OLD ZAMBIAN BUSINESSWOMAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN PAKISTAN FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING.
DEC  PUBLIC RELATIONS  MANAGER  JOHN NYAWALI  HAS TOLD RADIO PHOENIX IN AN INTERVIEW  THAT  PRECIOUS SELISHO, A RESIDENT OF NORTHMEAD IN LUSAKA WAS ARRESTED AT QUETTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR TRAFFICKING IN HEROIN CRYSTALS WEIGHING 250 GRAMS WHICH WAS PLACED IN HER UTERUS.
MR NYAWALI SAYS  HER ARREST COMES A WEEK AFTER TWO OTHER ZAMBIAN WOMEN WERE ARRESTED IN SAO PAULO ,BRAZIL FOR TRAFFICKING IN DIFFERENT QUANTITIES OF COCAINE.
HE  SAYS MS. SELISHO WAS ARRESTED BY THE AIRPORT SECURITY PERSONNEL AS SHE WAS ABOUT TO BOARD A PLANE TO DUBAI.
MR NYAWALI SAYS SHE RISKS A POSSIBLE DEATH PENALTY OR A LENGTHY JAIL TERM AS PAKISTAN IS AN ISLAMIC NATION AND WITH ONE OF STRICT ANTI-DRUG LAWS.
HE  FURTHER SAYS EARLY THIS YEAR THE COMMISSION ARRESTED MS. SELISHO IN LUSAKA FOR COCAINE TRAFFICKING BUT WAS LATER DISCHARGED BY A LUSAKA MAGISTRATE COURT.
OVER 10 ZAMBIAN WOMEN HAVE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS BEEN ARRESTED MOSTLY IN ASIA AND SOUTH AMERICA FOR TRAFFICKING IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF NARCOTIC DRUGS.
AND MR NYAWALI SAYS THE COMMISSION IS EXTREMELY CONCERNED WITH THE DEHUMANIZING EMERGING METHODS OF CONCEALING DRUGS IN BIOLOGICAL ORGANS IS AN INDICATION THAT SOME MEDICAL PERSONNEL HAVE FALLEN PREY TO THE TACTICS OF THE DRUG CARTELS WHICH ARE EXPENDING THERE NETWORK IN THE SADC REGION.
HE  HAS ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN AT  THE INCREASING NUMBERS OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE GETTING INVOLVED IN ILLICIT DRUGS AS THIS IS DENTING THE IMAGE OF ZAMBIA IN THE EYES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
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EUROPEAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVER RO MONITOR ZAMBIAN ELECTIONS USING ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT

THE EUROPEAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVER HEAD OF DELEGATION ALYOSIUS LOCKERS SAYS THE OBSERVER MISSION WILL DURING THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS USE THE GUIDELINES UNDER THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA TO MONITOR THE ELECTIONS BECAUSE  ECZ IS THE ONLY  MANDATE BODY TO GIVE OFFICIAL RESULTS.
MR LOCKERS SAYS THE EU ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT IS VAST HENCE IT IS CARDINAL THAT THE MISSION TO ZAMBIA FOLLOWS THE STIPULATED ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT UNDER THE RECOGNIZE BODY FOR ELECTIONS WHICH IS ECZ.
MR LOCKERS WAS SPEAKING TODAY DURING THE OFFICIAL SIGNING OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE E.U AND THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF E.U ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION FOR THE FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL, PARLIAMENTARY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS.
MEANWHILE MR LOCKERS SAYS THE EU HAS NOTED THAT SOME OF THE CONCERNS WHICH WERE RAISED DURING THE PREVIOUS ELECTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BUT REALIZES THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE FAILED NATIONAL CONSTITUTION WHICH WAS SHOT DOWN IN PARLIAMENT.
HE HAS URGED GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES SUCH AS THE APPOINTMENT OF ECZ OFFICIALS AFTER THE ELECTIONS WHEN THE NEW CONSTITUTION IS PUT IN PLACE.
AND SPEAKING AT THE SAME FUNCTION FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER KABINGA PANDE REITERATED THAT GOVERNMENT AND THE RULING PARTY WILL ENSURE THAT IT DOES NOT DENT THE IMAGE OF ZAMBIA WHICH IS KNOWN FOR HOLDING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

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Tuesday 19 July 2011

THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT URGES THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES AND THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT TO PURSUE INITIATIVES THAT WILL LEAD TO LASTING SOLUTIONS FOR REFUGEES AT MEHEBA SETTLEMENT IN NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE

THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT HAS URGED THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES AND THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT TO PURSUE INITIATIVES THAT WILL LEAD TO LASTING SOLUTIONS FOR REFUGEES AT MEHEBA SETTLEMENT WHERE MORE THAN 18,000 REFUGEES ARE SETTLED.
SPEAKING WHEN HE  WITNESSED THE  DEPARTURE OF ANGOLAN REFUGEES UNDER THE VOLUNTARILY REPATRIATION EXERCISE , UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO ZAMBIA MARK STORELLA ENCOURAGED ALL ANGOLAN REFUGEES WILLING TO REPATRIATE TO COME FORWARD AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY WHILE ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE.
AMBASSADOR STORELLA COMMENDED THE GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA FOR ITS HOSPITALITY TO REFUGEES OVER THE YEARS AND EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH THE VARIOUS PROJECTS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY UNHCR AND OTHER PARTNERS IN THE SETTLEMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF REFUGEES.
THE U.S. AMBASSADOR, WHO IS ON A TOUR OF PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IN THE NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE, VISITED THE MEHEBA REFUGEE SETTLEMENT AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE ANGOLAN REFUGEES.
THE AMERICAN ENVOY OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED THE OPENING OF A U.S. GOVERNMENT-FUNDED INTERNET CENTRE BENEFITING REFUGEES IN THE SETTLEMENT, ACCOMPANIED BY  SONOKO SUNAYAMA, THE HEAD OF THE UNHCR SOLWEZI OFFICE.
AND UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE TO ZAMBIA JOYCE MENDS-COLE HAS DESCRIBED THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR’S VISIT TO MEHEBA AS A CONTINUING INDICATION OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO  THE WELFARE OF REFUGEES.
MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF THE REFUGEES IN THE SETTLEMENT ARE FROM ANGOLA BUT THE SETTLEMENT HAS REFUGEES FROM BURUNDI, SUDAN, UGANDA, RWANDA, SOMALIA AND THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC).
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ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT DISBURSES ANOTHER 10 BILLION KWACHA TOWARDS THE DISMANTLING OF ARREARS FOR OTHER PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS FOR TEACHERS

GOVERNMENT HAS DISBURSED ANOTHER 10 BILLION KWACHA TOWARDS THE DISMANTLING OF ARREARS FOR OTHER PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS FOR TEACHERS .
ACCORDING TO A PRESS STATEMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO RADIO PHOENIX BY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER IN’UTU MUSHAMBATWA, THE 10BILLION KWACHA WHICH HAS BEEN RELEASED BRINGS THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT HAS BEEN DISBURSED IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS TO 40 BILLION KWACHA.
MEANWHILE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PERMANENT SECRETARY ANDREW PHIRI HAS APPEALED TO ALL PROVINCIAL EDUCATION OFFICERS TO GIVE PRIORITY TO OLD CASES ESPECIALLY WITH REGARDS TO TERMINAL BENEFITS.
MR. PHIRI HAS FURTHER ADVISED ALL THE PROVINCIAL EDUCATION OFFICERS TO ENSURE THAT ALL PAYMENTS ARE PROCESSED EXPEDITIOUSLY FROM THE ARREARS DATABASE HELD BY EACH PROVINCE SO THAT IT IS EASY TO TRACE PAID UP CASES.
HE HAS ALSO URGED ALL TEACHER UNIONS TO BE INVOLVED IN DEVISING THE PAYMENT SYSTEM AS THIS PROMOTES TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
CENTRAL, EASTERN, NORTH WESTERN, WESTERN, AND LUAPULA PROVINCES WILL RECEIVE 1 BILLION KWACHA EACH.
MEANWHILE LUSAKA, AND SOUTHERN PROVINCES WILL RECEIVE 1.2 BILLION KWACHA , COPPERBELT WILL RECEIVE 1.5 BILLION KWACHA WHILE NORTHERN PROVINCE  WILL RECEIVE 1.1BILLION KWACHA RESPECTIVELY.
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ZAMBIAN NGO HOPE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONDEMS THE HARASSMENT AND ASSAULTING OF MUVI TV JOURNALISTS BY SUSPECTED MMD CADRES

HOPE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS HAS CONDEMNED THE HARASSMENT AND ASSAULTING OF  MUVI TV JOURNALISTS BY SUSPECTED MMD CADRES.
HOPE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SMART CHANDA SAYS IT IS SADDENING THAT GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN SO RELUCTANT TO DEAL WITH THE MMD CADRES WHO HAVE FOR SOMETIME NOW BEEN HARASSING PEOPLE WHO OWN LAND AND ILLEGALLY ALLOCATING THE SAME PLOTS TO UNSUSPECTING CITIZENS.
MR CHANDA HAS NOTED THAT ISSUES OF ILLEGAL ALLOCATION OF PLOTS BY MMD CADRES HAVE BEEN COMING UP FROM TIME BUT GOVERNMENT HAS NOT COME OUT TO CLEAR OUT THE CONCERNS ON THE MATTER AND CONDEMN THE CADRES.
MEANWHILE MR. CHANDA HAS FURTHER CONDEMNED THE POSITION TAKEN BY SENIOR CHIEF MUSHOTA OF THE CHISHINGA PEOPLE OF KAWAMBWA DISTRICT IN LUAPULA PROVINCE WHERE HE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE VOWED TO PUNISH ANY OF HIS SUBJECTS CAMPAIGNING FOR THE OPPOSITION PATRIOTIC FRONT.
HE SAYS CHIEF MUSHOTA SHOULD REMEMBER THAT IT IS A RIGHT OF EVERY CITIZEN TO BELONG TO A POLITICAL PARTY OF THEIR CHOICE ADDING THAT WHAT THE CHIEF IS DOING IS AN INFRINGEMENT ON THE RIGHTS OF HIS SUBJECTS.
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ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT REFUSES TO REPOSSES ANY MINE DUMPS AND PITS UNLAWFULLY

MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT MINISTER MAXWELL MWALE SAYS GOVERNMENT  WILL NOT REPOSSES ANY MINE DUMPS AND PITS UNLAWFULLY FROM ANY MINE INVESTOR AS THIS WILL SEND A BAD SIGNAL TO OTHER WOULD BE INVESTORS IN THE COUNTRY.
SCORES OF FORMER MINERS ON THE COPPERBELT HAVE ACCUSED THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINERALS OF DISOBEYING PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA’S DIRECTIVES TO GIVE THEM DISUSED MINE DUMPS AND PITS.
BUT SPEAKING AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX, MR MWALE HAS POINTED OUT THAT ZAMBIA HAS LAWS WHICH ITS CITIZENS SHOULD ABIDE BY AND HE WILL NOT BE THE FIRST ONE TO BREAK SUCH LAWS WHICH GOVERN THE COUNTRY BY TAKING AWAY THE INVESTMENT WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE IN THE DUMPS AND PITS.
HOWEVER ASSOCIATION FOR THE WELFARE OF FORMER MINERS IN ZAMBIA KITWE REGION SECRETARY LUKA CHALA RECALLED THAT PRESIDENT BANDA EARLIER LAST YEAR IN KITWE INSTRUCTED THAT THE DISUSED DUMPS AND PITS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE FORMER MINERS TO EMPOWER THEM WITH INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES.
MR CHALA ALLEGED THAT MR. MWALE HAS FAILED TO ACCORD THEM MINING LICENCES FOR SMALL SCALE MINING OPERATIONS TO COMMENCE

Monday 18 July 2011

SOCIETY FOR SENIOR JOURNALIST CALLS ON ZAMBIAN JOURNALISTS TO EXERCISE MAXIMUM CAUTION AND CARE IN THE MANNER THAT THEY INTERPRET INFORMATION IN RELATION TO POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

SOCIETY FOR SENIOR JOURNALIST HAS CALLED ON ZAMBIAN JOURNALISTS TO EXERCISE MAXIMUM CAUTION AND CARE IN THE MANNER THAT THEY INTERPRET INFORMATION IN RELATION TO POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AS THE NATION GOES TO THE POLLS TO AVOID PLUNGING THE COUNTRY INTO CHAOS.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX SOCIETY FOR SENIOR JOURNALIST CHAIRPERSON REGIWAY LIWENA SAYS THE JOURNALIST MUST REALIZE THAT THEY HOLD THE KEY TO ENSURING THAT THIS YEAR’S POLLS ARE VIOLENCE FREE BY WRITING THEIR STORIES PROPERLY.
MR. LIWENA SAYS THERE IS NEED FOR JOURNALIST TO DISTINGUISHED BETWEEN POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IF THEY HAVE TO INTERPRET THE TWO PROPERLY AND DO NOT CONFUSE ANY OF THEM.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE INCIDENT WHICH HAPPENED IN LUSAKA WEST WERE MUVI TV JOURNALISTS WERE BEATEN AND THEIR CAMERA’S CONFISCATED BY ALLEGED MMD CADRES CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED TO THAT OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND NOT POLITICAL VIOLENCE.
MR. LIWENA HAS STRESSED THAT JOURNALIST MUST REALIZE THAT THE INFORMATION WHICH THEY GIVE TO PEOPLE CAN EITHER BRING PEACE OR PUT THIS COUNTRY ON FIRE HENCE IT IS IMPORTANT TO EXERCISE MAXIMUM CAUTION AND CARE IN THE MANNER THEY WRITE THEIR STORIES AND DISSEMINATE THE SAME INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC.
YESTERDAY A MUVI TV NEWS CREW IS REPORTEDLY TO HAVE BEEN ATTACKED AND BEATEN BY ALLEGED RULING MOVEMENT FOR MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY CADRES WHO LATER ON TRIED TO RAPE TWO WOMEN WHO WERE PART OF THE CREW AND CONFISCATED THEIR CAMERA AND OTHER EQUIPMENT

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ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA DIRECTS SECRETARY TO THE CABINET TO CONSTITUTE A TEAM OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO STUDY THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAROTSE NATIONAL COUNCIL

PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA HAS DIRECTED THE SECRETARY TO THE CABINET TO CONSTITUTE A TEAM OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO STUDY THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAROTSE NATIONAL COUNCIL SO THAT IN DUE COURSE, GOVERNMENT CAN ADEQUATELY RESPOND TO THE RESOLUTIONS.
PRESIDENT BANDA SAYS HIS DIRECTIVE FOLLOWS THE MEETING HE HAD WITH THE BAROTSE NATIONAL COUNCIL ADDING THAT HE EXPECTS THE TEAM TO CONCLUDE ITS WORK IN THE NEAR FUTURE. 
HE HAS STATED THAT GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THE PLEAS FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE FROM THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN PROVINCE WHICH HE SAID NEEDS ATTENTION
PRESIDENT BANDA SAYS IT IS HIS EXPECTATION THAT GOVERNMENT WILL BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A PRACTICAL ROADMAP ON HOW TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THE BAROTSE NATIONAL COUNCIL DURING THE MEETING HE HAD WITH THEM.
HE SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN READY TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPRESENTATIONS ON ALL ISSUES OF NATIONAL CONCERN, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT
PRESIDENT BANDA HAS APPEALED TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN PROVINCE TO GIVE HIS GOVERNMENT A CHANCE TO RESOLVE WHAT HE HAS CALLED AS A COMPLEX MATTER.
HE SAYS DIALOGUE WITH THE BAROTSE ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT HAS CONTINUED EVEN AFTER THE PRESENTATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS FOR PURPOSES OF SEEKING CLARITY ON VARIOUS ISSUES SO THAT THIS MATTER IS CONCLUDED IN A MANNER THAT IS REALISTIC AND SATISFACTORY TO ALL CONCERNED PARTIES.
MR. BANDA NOTED THAT HE WAS PLEASED THAT AFTER ENGAGING IN A MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE ON THE 10TH OF FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, HE RECEIVED A DELEGATION FROM HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE LITUNGA LED BY SENIOR CHIEF INYAMBO YETA.
HE SAYS THE DELEGATION PRESENTED TO HIM RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAROTSE NATIONAL COUNCIL WHICH MET IN MONGU IN JANUARY TO SPECIFICALLY DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF THE RESTORATION OF THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT INCLUDING OTHER RELATED MATTERS.
PRESIDENT BANDA, HOWEVER, NOTED THAT THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAROTSE NATIONAL COUNCIL ARE VERY DETAILED AND COMPREHENSIVE ADDING THAT THEY RAISE A NUMBER OF FUNDAMENTAL CHALLENGES THAT AFFECT THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN PROVINCE.
MR. BANDA FURTHER COMMENDED THE BAROTSE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR EMPHASISING THE FACT THAT IT IS NOT SECESSION FROM THE REST OF ZAMBIA WHICH IS BEING ADVOCATED.
HE SAYS THIS CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THE BAROTSE ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT AND THE BAROTSE NATIONAL COUNCIL ARE IN FAVOUR OF A UNITARY STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
FURTHER PRESIDENT BANDA SAYS, IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT INSPITE OF WHAT TRANSPIRED EARLY THIS YEAR, SOME POLITICIANS HAVE CONTINUED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE AND TRIED TO HOODWINK THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN PROVINCE INTO BELIEVING THAT THIS MATTER OF THE RESTORATION OF THE BAROTSE AGREEMENT OF 1964 CAN BE RESOLVED OVERNIGHT.
THIS IS ACCORDING TO A PRESS STATEMENT MADE AVAILABLE YESTERDAY BY SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DICKSON JERE
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POLICE IN LUSAKA GUN DOWN TWO OF THE FIVE SUSPECTED ARMED CRIMINALS THAT HAVE BEEN TERRORIZING RESIDENTS OF MATERO, CHAISA, CHAZANGA AND MANDEVU COMPOUND

POLICE IN LUSAKA YESTERDAY GUNNED DOWN TWO OF THE FIVE SUSPECTED ARMED CRIMINALS THAT HAVE BEEN TERRORIZING RESIDENTS OF MATERO, CHAISA, CHAZANGA AND MANDEVU COMPOUND AFTER A RIP OFF FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
ACCORDING TO A PRESS STATEMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO RADIO PHOENIX BY POLICE SPOKESPERSON NDANDULA SIAMANA THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON SUNDAY AROUND 21:30HOURS WHEN THE CRIMINALS WERE ABOUT TO ROB ONE OF THE AIR TIME OUTLETS OF CHAZANGA COMPOUND AND POLICE RUSHED TO THE SCENE.
MS SIAMANA SAYS IN THE PROCESS TWO FIREARMS WERE RECOVERED, ONE AK 47 RIFLE WITH SIX ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION AND A RIFLE SERIAL NUMBER 30/06 BND 18 WITHOUT AMMUNITION.
SHE IDENTIFIED ONE OF THE CRIMINAL AS ALICK WHILE THE OTHERS WERE NOT KNOWN.
MS SIAMANA HAS STATED THAT THE BODIES OF THE DECEASED ARE LYING AT THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL MORTUARY.
MEANWHILE MS SIAMANA SAYS POLICE HAVE SINCE LAUNCHED A MANHUNT FOR THE THREE CRIMINALS THAT ARE ON THE RUN.
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Tuesday 12 July 2011

ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT IN THE PROCESS OF FORMULATING A CLIMATE CHANGE MESSAGE-VERNACULAR -INTERPRETATION PROGRAMME BUDGET

THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF FORMULATING A CLIMATE CHANGE MESSAGE VERNACULAR INTERPRETATION PROGRAMME BUDGET WHICH WILL HELP THE COUNTRY TO TRANSMIT THE VARIOUS MESSAGES ADEQUATELY TO RURAL COMMUNITIES.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX, TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINISTER CATHERINE NAMUGALA SAYS GOVERNMENT WANTS TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE CLIMATE CHANGE MESSAGES ARE RECEIVED BY PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THROUGH AN UNDERSTANDABLE CHANNEL.
MS NAMUGALA HAS NOTED THAT GOVERNMENT EFFORTS ARE BEING HAMPERED IN AREAS WHERE PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TREE CUTTING FOR CHARCOAL BURNING ARE DOING TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
SHE SAYS IT IS IN THIS VIEW THAT GOVERNMENT AND ITS COOPERATING PARTNERS LAUNCHED THE PROGRAMME ON INTERPRETING THE MESSAGES INTO VERNACULAR SO THAT THE MESSAGES ARE EFFECTIVELY TRANSMITTED TO THE PEOPLE.
MS NAMUGALA POINTED OUT THAT PEOPLE NEED TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN SENSITIZING COMMUNITIES OVER THE DANGERS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IF ZAMBIA HAS TO MAKE ANY MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION IN MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

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BIOMEDICAL SOCIETY OF ZAMBIA AND THE ZAMBIA NATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMME CALLS FOR INDIGENOUS RESEARCH TO BE DONE WITHIN THE COUNTRY

THE BIOMEDICAL SOCIETY OF ZAMBIA  AND THE ZAMBIA NATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMME HAVE CALLED FOR INDIGENOUS RESEARCH TO BE DONE WITHIN THE COUNTRY  AS THERE IS  ENOUGH AND QUALIFIED BIOMEDIC DOCTORS.
SPEAKING ON RADIO PHOENIX’S LET THE PEOPLE PROGRAMME, ZAMBIA NATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMME DIRECTOR AND REGISTRAR DR.  KUNDA MUSONDA SAID GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO BETTER THE SERVICES OF THE LABORATORY IN THE COUNTRY AND SYSTEMS ARE BEING PLACE TO ENSURE THAT THE OUT PUT AND RELIABILITY OF THE LABORATORIES IS ENHANCED.
DR MUSONDA STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE IS SHORTAGE OF TRAINED STAFF AND EQUIPMENT DUE TO BRAIN DRAIN, GOVERNMENT IS UPGRADING INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAINING MORE BIOMEDIC DOCTORS TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNTRY HAS ADEQUATE LABORATORY SERVICES.
SPEAKING AT THE SAME PROGRAMME, BIOMEDICAL SOCIETY OF ZAMBIA PUBLICITY SECRETARY WHO IS ALSO A LABORATORY MEDICINE EXPERT MUTINTA YUMBE NOTED THAT ZAMBIA IS STILL FACING SHORTAGE OF HUMAN RESOURCE DESPITE HAVING QUITE A NUMBER OF GRADUATES FROM THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS WHICH TRAIN THE PROFESSIONALS.
MRS. YUMBE RECALLED THAT THE LABORATORY SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY ARE RECEIVING THE MUCH ATTENTION THEY DESERVE UNLIKE IN THE PAST WHEN PEOPLE DID NOT KNOW THERE VALUE.
AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENTIST AND VICE CHAIRPERSON OF  THE  BIOMEDICAL SOCIETY OF ZAMBIA LUSAKA BRANCH MAZYANGA LIWEWE STATED THAT ZAMBIA NEEDS TO UTILIZE THE BIOMEDIC AND LABORATORY SERVICES AS  THEY PLAY  PIVOTAL ROLES IN SURVEILLANCE OF VARIOUS DISEASES.

ZAMBIAN COPPER PRODUCTION IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR DROPPED 5.5PERCENT DUE TO LOWER-THAN-EXPECTED OUTPUT

ZAMBIAN COPPER PRODUCTION IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR DROPPED 5.5PERCENT DUE TO LOWER-THAN-EXPECTED OUTPUT AT THE COUNTRY'S OPEN CAST MINES.
ACCORDING TO THE DATA WHICH WAS RELEASED AT THE CENTRAL BANK COPPER OUTPUT IN THE PERIOD DROPPED TO 308,777 METRIC TONNES FROM 326,877 TONNES IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
AND INDUSTRY OFFICIALS ATTRIBUTE THE DROP TO FLOODING AT OPEN PIT MINES FOLLOWING HEAVIER-THAN-NORMAL RAIN WHICH DISRUPTED OUTPUT.
HOWEVER, THE BANK SAYS COPPER EXPORTS IN THE PERIOD ROSE 2 PERCENT TO 334,727 TONNES AFTER PRODUCERS RELEASED MORE STOCKS ON THE MARKET, INDUCED BY HIGHER COPPER PRICES ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET.
ZAMBIA IS AFRICA'S LARGEST COPPER PRODUCER AND THE WORLD'S SEVENTH TOP PRODUCER OF THE METAL.
TRADE OFFICIALS SAID THE INCREASED COBALT OUTPUT IS DUE TO THE RESUMPTION OF OUTPUT AT CHAMBISHI METALS PLC, THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST COBALT SMELTER, WHICH HAD CLOSED IN 2008 AMID LOW GLOBAL METAL PRICES.
THE BANK OF ZAMBIA FORECASTS 2011 COPPER OUTPUT AT 900,000 TONS, COMPARED WITH AROUND 820,000 TONNES IN 2010.

ONE MINER KILLED FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT AT ZAMBIA'S NCHANGA COPPER MINE LATE MONDAY.

ONE MINER WAS KILLED FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT AT ZAMBIA'S NCHANGA COPPER MINE LATE MONDAY.
NCHANGA COPPER MINE SPOKESMAN SHAPI SHACHINDA SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING SECONDARY BLASTING AT THE UNDERGROUND MINE, LOCATED IN ZAMBIA'S COPPERBELT PROVINCE.
MR SHACHINDA SAID THAT INVESTIGATIONS HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED TO ASCERTAIN THE CAUSE OF THE REGRETTABLE ACCIDENT AND TO REINFORCE MEASURES FOR PREVENTING SIMILAR INCIDENT IN FUTURE.
HE HOWEVER DID NOT STATE THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT ON OUTPUT.
THIS IS THE SECOND FATAL ACCIDENT AT KCM'S MINES IN TWO WEEKS. KCM IS A UNIT OF LONDON-LISTED VEDANTA RESOURCES PLC AND IS ZAMBIA'S SECOND LARGEST COPPER MINER BY OUTPUT, PRODUCED 217,000 TONS OF COPPER CATHODE IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2010
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VALE SA THE WORLD’S LARGEST IRON-ORE PRODUCER TERMINATES ITS PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF METOREX LIMITED, PAVING THE WAY FOR A RIVAL $1.36 BILLION BID FROM CHINA’S JINCHUAN GROUP

VALE SA THE WORLD’S LARGEST IRON-ORE PRODUCER SAYS IT HAS AGREED TO TERMINATE ITS PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF METOREX LIMITED, PAVING THE WAY FOR A RIVAL $1.36 BILLION BID FROM CHINA’S JINCHUAN GROUP COMPANY TO WIN CONTROL OF THE COPPER COMPANY.
THE RIO DE JANEIRO-BASED COMPANY SAID IN A STATEMENT HERE IT HAS NO INTENTION TO MATCH THE TERMS OF THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED OFFER FOR METOREX.
THE COMPANY SAID IN THE STATEMENT YESTERDAY THAT THE DECISION IS CONSISTENT WITH VALE’S RIGOROUS DISCIPLINE IN CAPITAL ALLOCATION ADDING THAT IT HAS “SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES.
THE BATTLE FOR METOREX’S COPPER AND COBALT MINES IN ZAMBIA AND THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO PITTED VALE AGAINST CHINA’S BIGGEST NICKEL PRODUCER AS COMPANIES FROM THE LARGEST NATURAL- RESOURCE CONSUMERS SCOUR AFRICA FOR MINES.
VALE, SEEKING TO BOOST COPPER OUTPUT ALMOST FIVEFOLD TO 1 MILLION METRIC TONS IN 2015, HAD UNTIL FRIDAY TO COUNTER THE BID FOR METOREX, WHICH CONTROLS ALMOST 5 MILLION TONS OF AFRICAN COPPER RESOURCES AND PRODUCED 26,358 TONS IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2010.
JINCHUAN’S BID IS 21% HIGHER THAN VALE’S OFFER AND THE PURCHASE OF METOREX WOULD GIVE JINCHUAN CONTROL OF THE RUASHI OPEN-PIT MINE IN CONGO AND THE CHIBULUMA COPPER PROJECT IN ZAMBIA.
JINCHUAN LAST YEAR BOUGHT VANCOUVER-BASED CONTINENTAL MINERALS CORPORATION FOR $447 MILLION AND TORONTO-BASED NICKEL PRODUCER CROW FLIGHT MINERALS INCORPORATION FOR US$140 MILLION.
THIS YEAR, THE GANSU, CHINA-BASED COMPANY ACQUIRED 45% OF WESIZWE PLATINUM LIMITED, A SOUTH AFRICAN PLATINUM EXPLORER, WITH THE CHINA-AFRICA DEVELOPMENT FUND.
MINING TAKEOVERS ARE ACCELERATING AS COMPANIES SEEK TO REPLACE AGING DEPOSITS AND CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL GROWTH STOKES CONSUMPTION. ANNOUNCED DEALS ROSE 58PERCENT TO $18.6 BILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER FROM A YEAR EARLIER, ACCORDING TO BLOOMBERG DATA.
DEMAND IN CHINA FOR COPPER USED IN CONSTRUCTION AND APPLIANCES PUSHED THE PRICE OF THE METAL TO A RECORD $10,190 A POUND IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR

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Monday 11 July 2011

FORMER INFORMATION MINISTER IN THE MWANAWASA GOVERNMENT MIKE MULONGOTI SAYS HE HAS INFORMATION THAT SOME OFFICIALS FROM STATE HOUSE AND THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION ARE GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE PUBLIC MEDIA TO BLACKOUT THOSE WHOSE OPINIONS ARE AGAINST GOVERNMENT

FORMER INFORMATION MINISTER IN THE MWANAWASA GOVERNMENT MIKE MULONGOTI SAYS HE HAS INFORMATION THAT SOME OFFICIALS FROM STATE HOUSE AND THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION ARE GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE PUBLIC MEDIA TO BLACKOUT THOSE WHOSE OPINIONS ARE AGAINST GOVERNMENT.
MR. MULONGOTI WHOSE LAST PORTFOLIO WAS WORKS AND SUPPLY MINISTER UNTIL HE WAS FIRED BY PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA THIS YEAR, SAYS DURING THE TIME HE SERVED AS MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES, HE NEVER GAVE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE PUBLIC MEDIA TO HAVE BIASED COVERAGE BUT ALLOWED THEM TO OPERATE PROFESSIONALLY.
MR. MULONGOTI SAYS HE IS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE PUBLIC MEDIA IS TODAY TILTING INFORMATION IN FAVOUR OF THE RULING MOVEMENT FOR MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY (MMD).
HE HAS WARNED EDITORS IN THESE INSTITUTIONS TO GET THEIR PENSION CHEQUES NOW STATING THAT THE HOUR OF RECKONING IS COMING.
MR. MULONGOTI OBSERVES THAT SINCE THE PUBLIC MEDIA IS FINANCED FROM TAX PAYERS MONEY, THEY MUST USE SUCH MONEIES IN A WAY THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THEM.
HE SAID THIS IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX IN LUSAKA TODAY.
THE PUBLIC MEDIA HAS COME UNDER ATTACK RECENTLY FOR THE WAY IT COVERS POLITICAL PLAYERS WHO WILL BE TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS.
SOME OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES FEEL THEY ARE COMPLETELY BLACKED-OUT OR IF THEY ARE COVERED, IT’S ALWAYS IN THE NEGATIVE WHILE THE RULING PARTY IS OFTEN GLORIFIED YET IT WILL BE COMPETING IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL POLLS


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GOVERNMENT CALLS ON ZAMBIAN EMPLOYEES TO REPORT LABOUR DISPUTES

GOVERNMENT HAS CALLED ON ZAMBIAN EMPLOYEES TO REPORT LABOUR DISPUTES WHICH KEEP AFFECTING THEM IN THEIR VARIOUS COMPANIES TO AVOID LABOUR UNREST.
PICK N PAY HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS CONSIDERING RETRENCHING PART OF ITS 3,137 WORKERS STATING THAT FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE FIRM HAS ENCOUNTERED DEVASTATING LOSSES WHICH HAS DISTURBED ITS FINANCIAL CONDITION.
BUT LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES DEPUTY MINISTER SIMON KACHIMBA SAYS GOVERNMENT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINT FROM ANY ZAMBIAN WORKING IN THE RETAIL COMPANY.
THE COMPANY WHICH HAS ABOUT 3673 WORKERS AND KACHIMBA HAS EXPRESSED UNHAPPINESS AT THE TENDENCY BY ZAMBIAN EMPLOYEES TO KEEP QUITE WHEN THEY ARE FACING LABOUR ISSUES SUCH AS RETRENCHMENT.
HE HAS POINTED OUT THAT ANY ZAMBIAN WHO IS FACING LABOUR PROBLEMS SHOULD APPROACH THE LABOUR OFFICE TO SEEK PROTECTION AND SEE HOW THE OFFICE CAN HELP IN RESTORING THEIR LABOUR PROBLEMS.

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TAZARA WORKERS REITERATE THEIR REFUSAL OF A 5 PERCENT SALARY INCREMENT AND RESUME STRIKING

TAZARA WORKERS HAVE REITERATED THEIR REFUSAL OF A 5 PERCENT SALARY INCREMENT.
MEANWHILE THE TAZARA UNION HAS SUSPENDED SOME OF ITS MEMBERS WHO ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE SIGNED THE COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT WITHOUT CONSULTING THE WORKERS AND OTHER SENIOR UNION MEMBERS WHEN THEY HELD A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT MEETING IN TANZANIA LATE LAST MONTH.
TAZARA UNION PRESIDENT BRIAN MWALE WHO CONFIRMED THE DEVELOPMENT TO RADIO PHOENIX, SAYS THE WORKERS HAVE FURTHER DECIDED TO STAGE A STRIKE IN PROTEST OF WHAT THEY TERM AS UNFRIENDLY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WHICH WAS SIGNED.
MR MWALE SAYS THE WORKERS HAVE REFUSED THE FIVE PERCENT SALARY INCREMENT AND 50 YEARS RETIREMENT AGE.
HE SAYS THE WORKERS WILL ONLY RETURN TO WORK AFTER THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH WHAT THE VICE PRESIDENT WILL SAY OVER THE MATTER.
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PICK N PAY CONSIDERING RETRENCHING PART OF ITS 3,137 WORKERS

PICK N PAY HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS CONSIDERING RETRENCHING PART OF ITS 3,137 WORKERS STATING THAT FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE FIRM HAS ENCOUNTERED DEVASTATING LOSSES WHICH HAS DISTURBED ITS FINANCIAL CONDITION.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE RETAIL COMPANY WHICH OPERATES TWO STORES IN ZAMBIA, 17 IN NAMIBIA, 12 IN BOTSWANA, SEVEN IN SWAZILAND AND ONE IN LESOTHO AND HAS A 51-STORE NETWORK WITH TM SUPERMARKETS IN ZIMBABWE HAS SHAKEN THE EMPLOYEES.
THE COMPANY WHICH HAS ABOUT 3673 WORKERS AND IS THINKING OF CUTTING THE JOBS OF A HANDSOME CHUNK OF EMPLOYEES, AS PER THE RULES AND REGULATION OF THE LABOUR RELATION ACT, HAS ALREADY INFORMED THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMERCIAL, CATERING AND ALLIED WORKERS UNION ABOUT ITS PLANS OF RETRENCHMENT.
HOWEVER, THE TRADE UNION FEDERATION HAS SAID THAT IF THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY OF SAVING JOBS THEN THE TRADE UNION WILL DEFINITELY BACK IT

SENIOR CHIEF BRIGHT NALUBAMBA OF THE ILLA PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE CAUTIONS VOTERS IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS NOT TO BE SWAYED BY GIFTS

SENIOR CHIEF BRIGHT NALUBAMBA OF THE ILLA PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE HAS CAUTIONED VOTERS IN THIS YEAR’S GENERAL ELECTIONS NOT TO BE SWAYED BY GIFTS SUCH AS HOUSES OR CHITENGE MATERIALS FROM ANY POLITICAL PARTY WHEN CHOOSING WHICH LEADER AND PARTY TO VOTE FOR.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW CHIEF NALUBAMBA POINTED OUT THAT PEOPLE SHOULD VOTE ON THE BASIS THAT THE PERSON WHO WILL BE ELECTED WILL DELIVER DEVELOPMENT.
CHIEF NALUBAMBA HAS ADVISED ELECTORATES TO RECEIVE THE FREE GIFTS FROM ANY POLITICAL PARTY BUT SHOULD NOT RECEIVE THOSE GIFTS WHICH WILL COME WITH STRINGS ATTACHED.
HE HAS STATED THAT MANY ARE TIMES THAT PEOPLE RECEIVE GIFTS WITHOUT REALIZING THAT THERE ARE STRINGS ATTACHED AND ONLY RECEIVE A RUDE SHOCK WHEN THE PERSON WHO GAVE THEM COMES BACK TO DEMAND HIS REFUND BECAUSE THEY DID NOT FULFILL WHAT THEY WANTED.
THE TRADITIONAL LEADER REITERATED THAT IT IS CARDINAL FOR PEOPLE TO ELECT PEOPLE WHO WILL NOT STEAL THEIR VOTES BUT FOR THOSE WHO WILL DELIVER AND CONTRIBUTE MEANINGFULLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY

Sunday 10 July 2011

MOVEMENT FOR MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY (MMD) CHIENGI MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT KATELE KALUMBA SAYS THE DECISION TO STOP THE ADOPTION PROCESS AND PLEDGE SUPPORT TO HIM BY THE PEOPLE IN HIS CONSTITUENCY WAS AS A RESULT OF TRAUMA

MOVEMENT FOR MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY (MMD) CHIENGI MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT KATELE KALUMBA SAYS THE DECISION TO STOP THE ADOPTION PROCESS AND PLEDGE SUPPORT TO HIM BY THE PEOPLE IN HIS CONSTITUENCY WAS AS A RESULT OF TRAUMA WHICH THEY WENT THROUGH AFTER THEY REALIZED THAT HE WILL NOT STAND IN THE ELECTIONS.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW, DR KALUMBA SAID PEOPLE IN HIS CONSTITUENCY WERE UNHAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT HE WILL NOT STAND AGAIN IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS DUE TO HIS COURT CASES AS THEY BELIEVE IN HIS LEADERSHIP STYLE AND QUALITIES.
DR KALUMBA ACCUSED THE MMD NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF NOT ADEQUATELY PREPARING THE VOTERS IN HIS CONSTITUENCY, ON THE FACT THAT HE WILL NOT STAND ADDING THAT HE HOPES SUCH PROBLEMS WILL NOT COST THE PARTY BY LOSING POPULARITY AND THE SEAT.
HE SAYS HE ONLY PLEADED WITH THE PEOPLE TO PROCEED AND ADOPT A CANDIDATE TO CONTEST IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTION AND PLEDGED TO SUPPORT THE PERSON WHO WILL BE ADOPTED TO ENSURE THAT THE SEAT IS RETAINED AND THE PARTY CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY ITS DOMINANCE.
MEANWHILE DR. KALUMBA WHO IS ALSO FORMER MMD NATIONAL SECRETARY EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEMS WHICH WERE ALSO WITNESSED AT PROVINCIAL LEVEL IN LUAPULA IS AS A RESULT OF MEMBERS NOT ACCEPTING THOSE WHO REJOINED THE RULING PARTY FROM THE OPPOSITION PATRIOTIC FRONT.
HE SAYS MEMBERS RESISTED THE REBEL PF MPS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY CANNOT BE TRUSTED.

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ZAMBIA'S OPPOSITION P F PRESIDENT MICHAEL SATA ACCUSES GOVNT OF ALLEGEDLY PLANNING TO SELL THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND GOVERNMENT OWNED LODGES

PATRIOTIC FRONT PRESIDENT MICHAEL SATA HAS ACCUSED GOVERNMENT OF ALLEGEDLY PLANNING TO SELL THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND GOVERNMENT OWNED LODGES SUCH AS LONG-ACRES AND BELVEDERE IN LUSAKA THROUGH THE PRETENCE OF FINDING AN EQUITY PARTNER.
GOVERNMENT THROUGH FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING MINISTER DR SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAD AWARDED A TURKISH COMPANY GURIS HOLDING A CONTRACT TO REMODEL THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT UNDER THE PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP.
DR MUSOKOTWANE SAID GOVERNMENT IS IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE COMPANY AND THE REMODELING WILL BEGIN AS SOON AS THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONCLUDED.
BUT SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW MR. SATA SAYS ALL THE BIG AIRPORTS IN THE WORLD ARE OWNED BY THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENTS AND THAT IF THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT WANTS TO INVITE INVESTORS TO INVEST IN THE AIRPORTS, IT SHOULD FIND A PARTNER TO SET UP A NATIONAL AIRLINE AND NOT THE AIRPORT.
MR SATA SAYS ONCE HIS PARTY FORMS GOVERNMENT; IT WILL REVERSE THE DECISION INCLUDING THOSE OF PARASTATALS WHICH THE RULING GOVERNMENT HAS SOLD.
MEANWHILE THE PATRIOTIC FRONT YOUTHS HAVE ADVISED PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA AND HIS GOVERNMENT TO STOP BEING SELECTIVE IN EMPOWERING ZAMBIANS WITH LAND IN FORM OF HOUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
SPEAKING THROUGH FORMER NATIONAL YOUTH SECRETARY ERICK CHANDA, THE YOUTHS HAVE CHARGED THAT IT IS UNFAIR FOR PRESIDENT BANDA AND HIS GOVERNMENT TO BE SELECTIVE IN HOME EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME BY ONLY EMPOWERING THOSE WHO THEY THINK HAVE NO DIVERGENT VIEWS FROM THEIRS.

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Saturday 9 July 2011

CORPORATION BANK OF MANGALORE EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES OF INVESTING IN ZAMBIA’S BANKING SECTORS

CORPORATION BANK OF MANGALORE IN ASIA IS EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES OF INVESTING IN ZAMBIA’S BANKING SECTORS AMONGST OTHER COUNTRIES IN AFRICA.
THE DECISION OF SEARCHING FOR THE AFRICAN MARKET COMES AFTER THE SHAREHOLDERS TODAY APPROVED AN ALL-TIME HIGH DIVIDEND OF 20 RANDS A SHARE ON A PAID-UP EQUITY SHARE OF 10 RANDS FOR 2010 AND 2011.
CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE BANK RAMNATH PRADEEP HAS STATED THAT THE BANK HAS TWO REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES IN DUBAI AND HONG KONG ADDING THAT IT IS EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF OPENING BRANCHES IN ZAMBIA AND OTHER SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRIES SUCH AS KENYA AND BOTSWANA.
MR. PRADEEP IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE SHAREHOLDERS SAID THE TOTAL BUSINESS OF THE BANK DOUBLED IN THREE YEARS AND GREW EIGHT TIMES IN JUST 10 YEARS FROM OVER 25 RANDS CRORE AS ON MARCH 31, 2001 TO OVER 203 RANDS CRORE AS ON MARCH 31, 2011.

ZAMBIA NATIONAL FARMERS UNION (ZNFU) EXPRESSES WORRY AT THE RATE AT WHICH WHEAT FOR THIS YEAR’S FARMING SEASON IS BEING EXPORTED

ZAMBIA NATIONAL FARMERS UNION (ZNFU) HAS EXPRESSED WORRY AT THE RATE AT WHICH WHEAT FOR THIS YEAR’S FARMING SEASON IS BEING EXPORTED TO THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES AND OTHER REGIONS.
ZNFU PRESIDENT JERVIS ZIMBA SAYS THERE IS NEED FOR GOVERNMENT TO PUT IN PLACE REGULATORY MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT THE EXPORTING PROCESS IS CONTROLLED AND THE NATION REMAINS WITH ENOUGH WHEAT.
MR ZIMBA HAS STATED THAT CURRENTLY THE COMMODITY WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET IS ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN THE DEMAND BUT IF THE EXPORTING PROCESS IS NOT CONTROLLED, IT WILL NOT LAST.
HE SAYS EVEN THOUGH THE COUNTRY RECORDED A 15 PERCENT WHEAT PRODUCTION IN THIS YEAR’S FARMING SEASON SURPASSING LAST YEAR’S PRODUCTION, THERE SHOULD BE MEASURES PUT IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT THE LOCAL MARKET IS NOT SUFFOCATED.


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SENIOR CHIEF BRIGHT NALUBAMBA OF THE ILLA PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE DESCRIBED THE RESIGNATION OF MMD CHIPATA CENTRAL MP LAMECK MANGANI FROM THE RULING PARTY AS A BIG DISASTER

SENIOR CHIEF BRIGHT NALUBAMBA OF THE ILLA PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE HAS DESCRIBED THE RESIGNATION OF MMD CHIPATA CENTRAL AREA MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT LAMECK MANGANI FROM THE PARTY AS A BIG DISASTER WHICH SHOULD TELL THE RULING PARTY, TO DO SELF EXAMINATION BEFORE THE ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX, CHIEF NALUBAMBA SAID THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RESIGNING FROM THE RULING PARTY HAVE BEEN A FORCE TO RECKON WITH AND CAN NOT BE DESCRIBED AS ORDINARY MEMBERS OF THE PARTY LIKE A WARD CHAIRPERSON.
CHIEF NALUBAMBA SAYS PEOPLE LIKE MR. MANGANI, MS MASEBO AND OTHERS WERE ACQUAINTED TO HOW THE PARTY IS RUN AS THEY WERE INSIDERS HENCE THEIR RESIGNATION FROM THE RULING PARTY SHOWS THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG INSIDE THE PARTY WHICH IS NOT KNOWN BY ORDINARY ZAMBIAN CITIZENS AND PARTY ORDINARY MEMBERS.
MEANWHILE THE RULING MMD HAS MAINTAINED THAT THE RESIGNATION OF MR. MANGANI HAS NOT LEFT ANY GAP BECAUSE THE PARTY HAS MANY PEOPLE WHO CAN REPLACE HIM AND DO MORE THAN HE WAS ABLE TO DO.
MMD NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL MABENGA WHO WISHED MR MANGANI WELL IN HIS POLITICAL CAREER TOLD RADIO PHOENIX THAT THE PARTY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW BECAUSE IT HAS PEOPLE AT THE TOP THAT CAN PERFORM AND CHANGE THE ECONOMY OF ZAMBIA LIKE PRESIDENT BANDA


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STANDARD CHARTERED BANK IN THE PROCESS OF FORMULATING AND IMPLEMENTING ITS FIRST EVER ZAMBIA-CHINA TRADE TO FOCUS ON DOMESTIC FINANCING OF SME’S IN ZAMBIA ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE MINING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTORS

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK SAYS IT IS IN THE PROCESS OF FORMULATING AND IMPLEMENTING ITS FIRST EVER ZAMBIA CHINA TRADE IN WHICH IT INTENDS TO FOCUS ON DOMESTIC FINANCING OF SMALL MICRO ENTERPRISES (SME’S) IN ZAMBIA ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE MINING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTORS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING IN LUSAKA TODAY STANDARD CHARTERED BANK MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR TRANSACTION BANKING IN AFRICA PETER SUN SAYS THE BANK HAS REALIZED THAT THERE HAS BEEN LACK OF DOMESTIC FINANCING BY HUGE CORPORATE ENTITIES IN THE COUNTRY AS MOST OF THE SME’S ARE UNABLE TO BORROW FROM THEM.
MR SUN SAYS ZAMBIA –CHINA TRADE WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED INTO THE AFRICA CHINA TRADE WHERE IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT CHINA HAS PREFERRED AFRICAN MARKETS DUE TO ITS NATURAL UNTAPPED ENVIRONMENT AND WOULD WANT TO UTILIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY THROUGH INVESTMENT.
HE SAYS THE ZAMBIA-CHINA TRADE WILL BENEFIT MOST OF THE SME’S WHO CURRENTLY ARE INCURRING HUGE COSTS IN THEIR TRANSACTIONS AND HELP DEVELOP THE ECOLOGICAL BANKING SYSTEM.
MR SUN ADDED THAT CURRENTLY ZAMBIA IS EXPORTING MORE TO CHINA AND THIS WILL HELP INCREASE THE EXPORTS

Friday 8 July 2011

THE ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE UNIT, A WING IF THE ECONOMY MARGAZINE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ALSO PREDICTS THAT ZAMBIA'S ECONOMY WILL GROW BY 7PERCENT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR

ZAMBIA’S ECONOMY MAY PROBABLY GROW BY 7PERCENT THIS YEAR AND INCREASE BY SLIGHTLY 2PERCENT PER YEAR AFTER SPURRED BY SUBSIDIES BY MAIZE PRODUCER’S INVESTMENT IN MINING AND FISCAL INCENTIVES FOR INVESTORS IN PRIORITY SECTORS.
THE ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE UNIT, A WING OF THE ECONOMY MAGAZINE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, STATED THAT DESPITE THE FORTHCOMING GENERAL ELECTIONS, ZAMBIA IS FURTHER EXPECTED TO INCREASE ITS GROWTH PROSPECTS THROUGH AMONG OTHER FACTORS, A SHARP RISE IN PUBLIC INVESTMENT.
IN ITS JUNE EDITION, FOCUSING ON THE PRE AND POST ANALYSIS OF THE COUNTRY’S FUTURE, THE EIU STATED THAT WHICH EVER PARTY WINS THIS YEAR’S ELECTIONS, THE ELECTED GOVERNMENT IS LIKELY TO ADOPT A PRO-MARKET AGENDA AND PROMOTE MACRO ECONOMIC STABILITY.
THIS WILL BE DUE TO A STRONG PUBLIC PRESSURE TO PROMOTE JOB CREATION WHICH WILL ENSURE STRONG ECONOMIC PRAGMATISM.
AND AS PART OF THE REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, THE EIU ENVISIONS THAT THE ZAMBIAN KWACHA WILL BE SUPPORTED BY LARGE DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS AND STRONG COPPER OUTPUT.


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CONSUMER UNITY AND TRUST SOCIETY (CUTS) INTERNATIONAL EXPRESSES WORRY AT THE LOW COMPETITION LEVELS IN THE ZAMBIAN BANKING SECTOR

CONSUMER UNITY AND TRUST SOCIETY (CUTS) INTERNATIONAL HAS EXPRESSED WORRY AT THE LOW COMPETITION LEVELS IN THE BANKING SECTOR.
CUTS INTERNATIONAL ACTING CENTRE COORDINATOR SIMON NG’ONA SAYS THIS DESPITE A PROLIFERATION OF BANKS AND BANKING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SUCH AS ATMS, MOBILE BANKING ETC WHICH ON ONE HAND IT HAS SAID STEERS NON PRICE COMPETITION.
MR NG’ONA SAYS A SNAPSHOT OF THE BANKING SECTOR SHOWS THAT THERE IS AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 18 BANKS TO DATE OF WHICH 4 OR 5 ARE BIG BANKS BASED ON THE CURRENT TRENDS WITH AN AVERAGE MARKET SHARE OF 15PERCENT EACH.
MR NG’ONA ADDS THAT THE REMAINING 13 OR SO HAVE ALSO MANAGED TO GRAB EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES AND ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE A FORMIDABLE OR SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION BY ANY MEASURE BUT DESPITE A SURGE OF BANKING SERVICES AND PRODUCTS, ON THE BACK OF A RELATIVELY STAGNANT DEMAND SIDE, PRICES OR BANKING CHARGES HAVE REMAINED HIGH.
HE SAYS IT IS WORTH WONDERING WHY INTEREST RATES AND MOST OF OTHER CHARGES CHARGED BY COMMERCIAL BANKS ARE THE ONLY VARIABLE THAT APPEARS NOT TO BE RESPONDING TO THE MUCH TALKED ABOUT IMPROVED AND SUSTAINED MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT IN ZAMBIA

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Friday 1 July 2011

BERKELEY MINERAL RESOURCES SET TO ACQUIRE A MAJORITY STAKE IN LUANSHYA COPPER TAILINGS TO FURTHER EXPAND ITS PRESENCE IN A FAVOURED INTERNATIONAL MINING DESTINATION

BERKELEY MINERAL RESOURCES IS SET TO ACQUIRE A MAJORITY STAKE IN THE LUANSHYA COPPER TAILINGS TO FURTHER EXPAND ITS PRESENCE IN A FAVOURED INTERNATIONAL MINING DESTINATION.
THE AIM LISTED TAILINGS PROCESSING COMPANY REVEALED YESTERDAY MORNING THAT IT HAD ENTERED A SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT TO BUY A 76 PERCENT INTEREST IN THREE LUANSHYA COPPER TAILINGS FROM NG'WENA MINING RESOURCES FOR $6 MILLION.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWED THE COMPLETION OF THE EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD GRANTED TO BERKELEY BY THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED BY THE TWO COMPANIES IN MAY.
THE DEAL WILL BE FINALIZED AFTER BERKELEY RECEIVES THE REMAINING INFORMATION FROM NG'WENA TO COMPLETE DUE DILIGENCE.
THE THREE DAMS, OLD DAM, CHONGA DAM AND AKATITI DAM, CONTAIN TAILINGS FROM THE FORMERLY OPERATING ROAN ANTELOPE COPPER MINE. THE PROJECT IS LOCATED JUST 90 MILES NORTH OF THE KABWE LEAD-ZINC-SILVER MINE, WHERE BERKELEY HAS JUST SNAPPED UP THE REMAINING TAILINGS.
BERKELEY WILL PAY NG'WENA $1.25 MILLION ON COMPLETION OF THE SALE AND THE REMAINING $4.25 MILLION IN 2012.
A REPORT PREPARED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED JORC STANDARD IN 2008 ESTIMATED THE INDICATED RESOURCE AT THE THREE DAMS AT LUANSHYA AT 162 MILLION TONNES (MT) OF TAILINGS MATERIAL GRADING 0.24 PERCENT COPPER, CONTAINING 380,700 TONNES OF COPPER.
MEANWHILE, BERKELEY IS PLANNING TO PREPARE THE KABWE TAILINGS FOR PROCESSING TO SELL THEM ON WORLD MARKETS AND INVESTORS ARE WAITING FOR A NEW JORC COMPLIANT RESOURCE STATEMENT FOR KABWE, WHICH SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF THE CURRENT MONTH.


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ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT AWARDS TURKISH COMPANY GURIS HOLDING A CONTRACT TO REMODEL THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED A TURKISH COMPANY GURIS HOLDING A CONTRACT TO REMODEL THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING MINISTER DR SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE CONFIRMED THE DEVELOPMENT THIS MORNING DURING A PRESS BRIEFING ADDING THAT AT THE MOMENT GOVERNMENT IS IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE COMPANY UNDER THE PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP.
DR MUSOKOTWANE SAYS GOVERNMENT WANTS TO FACE LIFT THE LUSAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN A BID TO IMPROVE ITS STANDARDS AND ATTRACT MORE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS WHICH WILL IN TURN CONTRIBUTE TO REVENUE OF THE COUNTRY.
MEANWHILE DR MUSOKOTWANE HAS FURTHER DISCLOSED THAT GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO AWARDED A SOUTH AFRICAN COMPANY THUTUKA ZAMBIA LIMITED UNDER THE PRIVATE PPP TO REMODEL THE GOVERNMENT OWNED LONG ACRES LODGE AND TURN IT INTO A FIVE STAR HOTEL AT A COST OF $35MILLION.
THE MINISTER SAYS THE COMPANY WILL BE PAYING GOVERNMENT ABOUT $2MILLION EVERY YEAR DURING CONSTRUCTION AND THE SAME MONEY WILL BE USED TO PAY ALL THE WORKERS WHO WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS.
HE SAYS THE REMODELING OF LONG ACRES LODGE WILL BE DONE UNDER A CONCESSION WHICH WILL RUN FOR 20YEARS.
DR MUSOKOTWANE SAYS GOVERNMENT   WILL OWN ABOUT 15PERCENT SHARES AND AT THE END OF 20 YEARS, IT WILL REPOSES THE HOTEL

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