Wednesday 30 November 2011

zamtel owners lapgreen to spend about $170m for service provision and open levy business park outlet

The owners of ZAMTEL, lap green plans to invest about $170million in the company to improve its company performance and capacity of service provision to its clients.
Meanwhile ZAMTEL is set to complete the phase 2 of the rolling out of the 2.5generation by December 25th 2011 adding that the $170million which will also be used to revamp ZAMTEL outlets through out the country starting in Lusaka is part of that investment.
ZAMTEL upon completion of the rolling out of the 2.5generation by December 25th 2011 and its broadband will make the company have the fastest internet.
Meanwhile in its bid to improve it service provision to its clients the company has opened its $120,000 worthy levy business park mall outlet today to the public.
Speaking at the official opening of the $120,000 worthy levy business park mall outlet, ZAMTEL chief human resources and administration officer eve Banda says the outlet at the multi-million dollar mall levy business park is strategic to both business and customers.
Mrs. Banda says the $120,000 worthy levy junction mall outlet will uniquely be housing a desk specifically dedicated to small medium enterprises and corporate enterprises customers for on the spot business solutions.
She disclosed that the levy business park outlet on which the company has spent $120,000 becomes the latest on the list of revamped customer touch points after manda hill, Cairo mall, crossroads shopping mall, Lumumba road and Livingstone’s falls park mall.

airtel spend 800million on education projects in zambia

Zambia’s largest mobiles telecommunication services provider airtel managing director fayazi king has disclosed that the company has so far spent over 800million kwacha towards education projects countrywide.
Speaking in an interview after receiving educational goods worth $81,000 from world vision on behalf of the airtel managing director, airtel marketing director navdeep kapur says airtel Zambia has so far assisted over 450 schools countrywide and has donated about 450payphones to needy schools countrywide through parliament.
Mr. kapur says the company has further assisted other schools such as lukalanya in mongu, kabumbu in luapula, mngoza in petauke and Kenneth Kaunda un chinsali adding that partnership and alliances form an intrinsic part of the corporate social responsibility initiative.
He thanked world vision for gesture of donating educational materials worthy $81,000 further stating that airtel alone can not solve the puzzle alone before the nation but through partnership and combined efforts, the future if the Zambian child will be much brighter.
And speaking after donating the $81,000 worthy of educational books to airtel, world vision field operations, effectiveness and integration, operations director fordson kafweku says world vision Zambia is engaged in supporting the well being of the children through education through partnership.
Mr. kafweku has stated that world vision is committed to its mission statement of transformational development amongst the rural poor hence it believes that this can only be fulfilled by working with committed partners such as airtel and the government of the day to ensure human transformation.

Wednesday 23 November 2011

president sata urges banks to expand to rural areas

president michael sata has urged the banking sector to expand their investments and services to rural areas.
according to statement made available today to radio phoenix by his special assistant for press and public relations george chellah, president sata says government  will only support banks that invest and service the rural parts of the country.
the president has stressed that lusaka is not zambia adding that the people in rural areas equally deserve reliable banking services.
president sata has also assured credit suisse, who are shareholders in finance bank zambia limited that government will give them the necessary confidence and support.
he explains that what happened between credit suisse and the previous government is now history stating that the bank of zambia has been like a ‘jumping castle’ for a long time.
the president says this has to change because the reserve bank must command the confidence of all market players without yielding to political pressure

gov't to start reviewing 1996 housing policy

local government, housing, early education and environmental protection minister professor nkandu luo says zambia needs about three million houses for citizens to have decent accommodation.
meanwhile professor luo has disclosed that her ministry is looking at reviewing the 1996 housing policy to make it more encompassing and inclusive of the poor people.
professor luo has stated that about 70 to 75 percent of zambians have no access to good houses, clean water and good sanitation due to lack of the implementation of the 1996 housing policy which has been lying idle at the ministry.
she says there is need for the private sector to engage the government by mobilizing finances to create affordable and attainable houses for the poor zambians.
professor luo was speaking today at mulungushi international conference centre during a one day consultative forum for her ministry with various stakeholders under the theme: mobilizing long term finances for decent, attainable & affordable housing.
meanwhile professor luo during her speech boasted of how the current patriotic front government came into power by telling off the business men and women that it was the poor who voted for everyone who is in power today and not the rich

Monday 21 November 2011

NGOCC demands the removal of justice minister from the committee of experts to look at the constitution

The Non-Governmental Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) is of the view that the Minister of Justice should not be a part of the committee of experts looking at the constitution stating that he is the government’s main legal advisor and the one to receive the final report from the committee.
NGOCC board chairperson Beatrice Grillo says the women movement is of the view that president Sata should also expedite the finalization of the constitution making process in a participatory manner and deliver a constitution that will stand the test of time within the shortest possible time.
Mrs. Grillo has pointed out that this is the most important legacy president Sata and his government will give to the Zambian people in general and women and children of Zambia in particular.
She says NGOCC remains committed to its vision of working towards a society where women participate and fully benefit from social, cultural, economic and political development and will remain open to dialogue with government in general.
Meanwhile the NGOCC board chairperson has stated that it is in recognition of the fact that Zambia has signed and ratified International Covenants, Pan African and sub-regional Instruments for the protection and promotion of women’s rights. Mrs. Grillo adds that the women movement is however disappointed that the composition of the committee has fallen short of AU and SADC Gender Protocols to which Zambia is a signatory.
She says the few women on the committee is a matter in contention and it is clearly in contradiction with one of the Committee’s specific Terms of Reference which is “establishing a free and democratic system of Government that guarantees good governance, constitutionalism the rule of law, human rights, gender equity, gender equality and affirmative action”.
Mr Grillo has called on the president review the aspect, and consider a gender balanced representation on the committee because it is the desire of many women to be part and parcel of the team that will be ushering a constitution that will respect the rights of women, children, differently-abled and other vulnerable groups.
In addition, Mrs. Grillo has pointed out that whilst the overall Terms of Reference for the committee are generally acceptable, her organisation does not agree with the proposed Provincial and District Constitution Committees including the proposed consultations at both local and international levels.
She says this would be re-inventing the will and resource constraining given that the Mungómba Constitution Review Commission already went around the country.
Mrs. Grillo has further proposed that Professors Muna Ndulo and Michelo Hansungule should be included to avail the committee the international expertise needed as it is public knowledge that the two have been involved in constitutional making processes that have produced very good constitutions in neighbouring countries.

Labour movement expresses dissapoint at there non inclusion in the committee of experts to look at constitution

the labour movement in the country has expressed disappointment at being left out in the committee of experts drafting the new constitution.
the labour movement notes that the voice of workers who are in majority has been left out.
zambia congress of trade union (zctu) general secretary roy mwaba says the union has since written to president michael sata requesting their presence in the constitution making process.
mr. mwaba has recalled that since independence the voice of the workers in the country has never been left out in the constitution making process but is surprised that they have now been left in the cold.
meanwhile mr. mwaba has questioned why president sata has left out certain lawyers who have international exposure and experience.
he says it is sad to note that the same lawyers who have been left out are being used by neighbouring countries to sort out issues of constitutional nature.

recently president sata constituted a committee of experts to look at the constitution but the non inclusion of certain groups in society like the vangelical church in zambia amongst others has brought criticisim and questions over what sought of constitution will be delivered.

minister of commerce, trade and industry called upon to intervene in paying all individuals whose projects have been approved by the ceec

former university of zambia students union (unzasu) president antonio mwanza has petitioned the minister of commerce, trade and industry bob sichinga to urgently intervene and ensure that money is paid to all those individuals and organizations whose project proposals were approved by the citizens’ economic empowerment commission (ceec).
in his letter to the minister, mr. mwanza says it is shocking and retrogressive that people whose project proposals were approved many months ago have not yet received their much deserved funds.
mr mwanza adds that it is even more annoying that there has been no any form of formal communication from ceec or the ministry to explain the reasons for the unwarranted delay.
he says the ceec was established to empower zambians in their quest to fight poverty and contribute to national social and economic development by engaging in viable businesses but this is not happening.
mr mwanza who is also a youth activist has reminded the minister that it is his duty and obligation of his government to empower zambians and fight poverty through such ventures as giving of loans to deserving individuals and organisations.
he has further stressed that the ministry through the ceec should be able to cushion the high unemployment rate amongst the youths by according them loans so that they can engage into entrepreneurship, fight poverty and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.

action aid charges that the 10billion kwacha charged on kcm is not enough

action aid international-zambia has observed that the ten billion kwacha which was slapped on konkola copper mines for polluting the kafue river and endangering the lives of the people in the area is nothing because a human being is replaceable.
speaking in an interview with radio phoenix, action aid international zambia country director pamela chisanga says the message has been sent to other mines that they will never get away with such acts if they commit them adding that it is important the government engages them to find an everlasting solution.
mrs. chisanga has pointed out that the environment and the people who were endangered with this act have a reason and a cause to celebrate the decision but measures to stop such acts should be found so that companies which are fond of polluting with impunity areas were they’re operating from must be taught a lessons.
she has stated that kcm which has been polluting the kafue river for at least three times should have been charged more than 10 billion kwacha so that the company can quickly find solutions to the problems which make it to pollute nature.
the action aid international-zambia country director was speaking in an interview with radio phoenix stating that the fine should have included the ecological aspect and not only humans.

Banks challenged to state how clients will benefit from the reduction of corpoaret tax from 40percent to 35percent

a financial analyst maambo hamaundu has challenged the banks in the country to explain to their clients on how they will benefit from the reduction of corporate tax when in the actual sense all the benefits from such a decision will be going to them.
speaking in an interview with radio phoenix, mr. hamaundu has stated that the investors in the banking sector have gotten what they have been crying for but most of the customers will not benefit.
he says even though the interest rates are being reduced, zambians will still not borrow to invest in huge projects.
mr. hamaundu has stated that even though government has created a win-win situation with the banks, there is need for the financial sector players to also do the same to their clients.

government recently in its budget reduced the corporate tax from 40percent to 35percent and this move has been applauded by all the players in the banking sector who have said this decision will result in effects trickling down to the clients.
and recently bankers association of zambia chairperson mizinga melu said that the reduction in corporate tax will result in more banks reducing their interest and lending rates which have been very high.

Government observes that growth in population in the greatest challenge water utilities are facing in service provision

local government, housing, early childhood and environmental protection minister professor nkandu luo has observed that the growth in population and the number of unplanned settlements is the biggest contributor to the poor service provision from water utilities in the country.
speaking in an interview with radio phoenix, professor luo said people are taking the law into their on hands by constructing houses in places which are not yet planned or earmarked for water supply and illegally connecting to water pipes without realizing that this will become a big problem to their lives.
professor luo has explained that during the planning of most of the towns, most parts were left out as planners were planning according to the population when towns were founded.
she says at the moment most of the major towns with the water and sanitation problems need re-planning of the water reticulation system which will encompass every customer’s household.
meanwhile professor luo has reiterated that her ministry will not renew all the licenses for the car washers around lusaka which have mushroomed greatly without proper channels.

action aid zambia advises zambian government to put in places measures that will make it difficulty for mining companies to evade tax

action aid zambia has advised the government to put in place measures that will make it difficult for mining companies to evade tax.
the organisation wants the patriotic front government to improve on the monitoring system in the mines.
action aid country director pamela chisanga says as much as there is an increase in mineral royalty from 3 percent to 6 percent, the lack of proper monitoring mechanism in the country to oversee the mining on their tax payments might hinder the nation from collecting what it desires.
mrs. chisanga has stated that most of the big mines that have been eluding tax have been taking advantage of the situation which she says needs to be changed.
she has stressed that the system must be cleaned to ensure that government has a clean record of the mining companies which are operating in the country at the moment.
mrs. chisanga has further pointed out that the government needs to improve the zambia revenue authority’s capacity and ensure that all returns are remitted to the treasury.

Friday 18 November 2011

opposition ADD president charles milupi charges that the ruling pf has lost an opportunity to improving the economy under the budget

opposition  alliance for democracy and development  president charles milupi says the budget presented by the current  government  should  have  provided a lot of opportunities for improving the economy.
mr. milupi says the opportunity to get the cost of production down has been lost as there is no money in the budget which has been allocated to companies like nitrogen chemicals of zambia for recapitalization.
meanwhile mr. milupi says the move by the pf government to increase the mineral royalty is a positive one as it  will give government more revenues .
meanwhile mr. milupi says president michael sata’s public pronouncements on corruption are a source of concern  especially with regard to the appointment of certain people  with questionable characteristics.
meanwhile, mr. milupi has welcomed the measures the president has taken on the findings over the sale of zamtel

UN says over approximately 600million people in africa still live without access to affordable and sustainable mordern energy

The United Nations has disclosed that approximately 600 million people in Africa still live without access to affordable and sustainable modern energy and rely mainly on traditional biomass for cooking and heating.
UN secretary general ban-ki-moon says this year’s commemoration of Africa industrialization day shines a spotlight on the challenge of sustainable energy for accelerated industrial development.
Mr. ki-moon says ensuring access to reliable, efficient and affordable energy is a key element in advancing industrial development, creating decent jobs and increasing productive capacity, especially for small and medium enterprises and rural populations.
He says modern sources of energy will decrease dependence on primary commodities, reduce vulnerability to external shocks and increase economic resilience.
The UN secretary general has stated that there is need to make access to energy a priority and ensure that energy solutions do not endanger the environment, climate and the welfare of future generations.
Mr. ki-moon has stressed that next year’s crucially important rio +20 un conference on sustainable development is a major opportunity to step up international action and investment.

FFTUZ calls on stakeholders in the country not to politicise the appointment of the committee of exparts to draft the new constitution

The federation of free trade union of Zambia (FFTUZ) has called on stakeholders in the country not to politicize the appointment of a committee of experts to draft the new republican constitution but only feel sorry for tax payers and let the work be done in a cost effective manner.
FTUZ President Joyce Nonde Simukoko says the country should not politicize the matter and waste time on unnecessary debates as it is not possible to include everybody in the committee.
Mrs. Simukoko says the focus of every person in the country should be to get the process down in a right manner and give the nation a good constitution through participating in the process as the terms of reference for the committee of experts include consultations with the public at provincial level and other sectors.
She says although FFTUZ boycotted the NCC, it is in support of the smaller committee of experts as it is most tenable and cost effective way to draft the new constitution learning from the wastage that was incurred by the bloated national constitutional conference.
The FFTUZ president has stated that the building blocks for the new constitution are already available for the committee of experts to come up with a good constitution.
Meanwhile Mrs. Simukoko has appealed to president Sata to complete the constitution making process within the one year time frame as failure is not an option.
She says enacting a good constitution that espouses the views of the people as expressed in the previous constitution review reports will refine the country’s democracy, sharpen its governance and set Zambia on a new developmental path.

Thursday 17 November 2011

oxfam warns that donor government negotiators meeting in paris are considering scrapping the global aid monitoring system

an international agency, oxfam has warned that donor government negotiators meeting in paris tomorrow are considering scrapping the global aid monitoring system that keeps donors honest and improves the quality of their foreign assistance.
according to a statement made available to radio phoenix by media and communications coordinator misozi tembo, the agency says if what the donor governments want to do happens, it will lock countries like zambia into poverty.
ms. tembo notes that two weeks away from a crucial global aid effectiveness meeting in busan, south korea, which will be attended by more than 2000 delegates including us secretary of state hilary clinton and un head ban ki-moon, donor countries  are pushing to drop aid effectiveness deals that have been struck with recipient countries over the last decade.
and oxfam spokesperson gregory adams says donors have performed badly on improving the effectiveness of their aid, and now they’re trying to change the rules of the game.
mr. adams says scrapping the mutually agreed and global monitoring system, as donors are proposing, would “fatally weaken political pressure to make aid more effective, and make it extremely difficult to continue to uphold the paris principles in practice. 
he says rather than trying to negotiate their way out of their commitments, donors should grasp the opportunity to fix what’s wrong with aid as there are more hungry people in the world than live in north america and europe combined.
mr. adams observes that at stake is the ‘paris declaration’ of 2005 where donors and poor countries struck a deal: recipients would tackle corruption, strengthen their institutions and take other steps to better manage aid.
he says in return, the declaration says donors would make their aid more coordinated and predictable, and give developing countries greater control over how the money is spent and both agreed on a global monitoring system which would keep track of progress and revise and improve future aid.
the oxfam spokesperson says six years later, countries receiving aid have done well on keeping their promises but donors have not.
mr. adams says the oecd’s latest monitoring report shows that developing countries have made ‘significant’ progress, particularly in improving their planning and financial management but donors have made significant progress on only one of their 13 targets which is improving coordination among them.

Wednesday 16 November 2011

government suspends distribution and marketing of breastfeeding millk in luapula province

government has with immediate effect suspended the distribution and marketing of all breast milk substitutes in luapula province after the ministry of health established that shoprite store in the province was selling the product against the law.
speaking in parliament today when he delivered his ministerial statement, health minister dr joseph kasonde says the move is in line with statutory instrument number 48 of 2006 which was developed with the intent to facilitate the effective monitoring, compliance and enforcement of products like breastfeeding milk.
dr kasonde says in addition to the statutory instrument government has  also developed a manual for environmental health officers which prescribes in detail the procedure for inspection, investigations, inquiry, collection of samples and prosecution where a contravention occurs.
he says the move by government to suspend marketing and distribution of breastfeeding milk is not in the interest of government to inconvenience or punish the children and the general public who depend on the product but only ensuring that the law is followed and the marketing is in compliance with laid down rules.
dr kasonde says all the products which were seized in mansa by government had violated the provision of the law in particular regulation number 11(a) which among other requirement states that no manufacturer or distributor shall offer for sale designated product.
he says the suspension of marketing and distribution will be followed by a stakeholder’s consultation over the matter.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Zesco launchs 1million pilot compact fluorescent lamps under the increased access to electricity services project at a cost of $1.35million

Zesco has today launched the 1million pilot compact fluorescent lamps under the increased access to electricity services project at a cost of $1.35million funded by the World Bank.
The 1 million fluorescent lamps project which will be carried out in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Chingola in the first phase will assist ZESCO in the energy efficiency and demand side management programme and will be executed on an exchange basis with three 100 watts ordinary light bulbs.
Speaking at the launch today in Lusaka, ZESCO managing director Ernest Mupwaya says the objective of the project is to enable ZESCO reduce on its domestic electricity consumption whilst allowing growth of customer base that will result from connecting customers out of the savings made by using energy savers.
Mr Mupwaya has disclosed that the $1.35million is a credit from the international development association through the World Bank towards the cost of increased access to electricity services.
The ZESCO managing director has stated that the distribution of 1million energy saving bulbs will go a long way in securing the company’s desire to bring power to as many households as possible through the expected energy savings which is expected to be an average of 66mega watts.
He says the company’s aim is to promote he culture of energy efficiency to the benefit of all customers as the power that is saved will be redistributed to other areas on the national grid whilst customers will same money by reducing their bills on lighting.
And speaking at the same launch of the 1million fluorescent bulb lamps project, energy, and water development minister Chris yaluma called on ZESCO to extend the programme to other towns of the country.
Mr Yaluma says the country is constrained with the power demands in the country hence the launch of the 1million bulb lamps by ZESCO will help in reducing the energy deficiency which the country is facing.

government awards italian firm to upgrade the pedicle road at a cost of 313billion kwacha

Government has awarded an Italian contracting company called Flattery rocky to construct the 67killometers pedicle road in luapula province which passes through the democratic republic of Congo at a cost of 313 billion kwacha.
newly appointed Luapula deputy minister Davies mwila has disclosed that the contract will run for a 24 month period hence it is expected to finish in 2013.
Mr Mwila has further disclosed that the road development agency (RDA) will soon advertise and put up a tender for the mansa-luwingu road construction before the end of the year to help open up the province.
He says constructing the pedicle and the luwingu-mansa road will help open up the province and help improve its economy through adequate trade in various sectors such as agriculture, tourism, mining and other sectors.
Mr Mwila has stated that the upgrading of the pedicle road as been long time coming and this has led to the creation of anxiety amongst the luapula people who have been unable to transport their goods to the right market.

Monday 14 November 2011

parliamentary committee on transport,communication, works and supply advises telecommunications companies to report all their grievances to the parliamentary committee

the parliamentary committee on transport, communications and works and supply has advised telecommunication companies especially mobile service providers to take all their grievances to the committee to find a way forward on how parliament can help improve the sector in the country.
speaking today when they toured airtel premises in lusaka, committee chairperson kapembwa simbao also advised the mobile service providers in the country to extend their businesses further especially to far flung areas.
mr simbao said the country has a lot of profitable rural areas which can benefit the economy of the country and the companies themselves.
he stressed the telecommunications companies should also extend their corporate social responsibility in a bid to benefit the people whom they offer their services to and help improve the economy of the country.
speaking earlier, airtel managing director fayaz king explained to the committee that the mobile operators are faced with the greatest challenge of energy costs.
mr king said most mobile phone service providers depend on energy for their operations especially in rural areas adding that accessibility of some of the remote areas is another challenge they are facing as they try to expand their businesses.
he disclosed that airtel which currently has 953 sites on air targets by the end of the year to construct about 1070 sites and additionally the company has partnered with zicta in the universal access project which will see airtel build over 350 sharable towers in rural areas across the country.

Thursday 10 November 2011

standard chartered banks commodity traders and agriculture assets grows by $100million this year alone

standard chartered bank’s commodity traders and agriculture (cta) assets have this year alone grown by 100 million dollars.
standard chartered bank chief executive officer and managing director mizinga melu has further disclosed that the agriculture sector which is a key contributor to the banks financial performance saw a growth of 47 percent in 2010.
she adds that over the years, standard chartered bank has given priority to the agriculture sector and its lending rate to the sector has grown beyond 250 million dollars.
mrs. melu has stressed that through the financing structures, the bank is able to provide better risk management to ensure security of commodity supply and in the end support its client’s growth aspirations.
she has stated that her bank wants to see a successful agriculture sector because this the only way it can secure its long term sustainability.
mrs. melu was speaking in lusaka when she officially opened a one day structured warehouse finance workshop in lusaka this morning in a speech read on her behalf by head of transaction banking at the bank in zambia, muyunda munyinda

Wednesday 9 November 2011

mine and minerals expert calls on local mine explorers to be innovative

a mine and minerals expert dr. sixtus mulenga who is also tranter zambia chief executive officer has called on the local mine explorers to be innovative in order to benefit from the mineral explorations in their areas.
speaking in an interview with radio phoenix at the extractive industry transparency initiative conference in lusaka yesterday dr. mulenga, said there is need for companies to also develop an open book policy which will create a mutual relationship between the companies and the local people.
meanwhile dr mulenga has disclosed that tranter zambia limited which is exploring mineral resources in luapula has so far spent about 2 million dollars since 2006.
he says at the moment tranter is in the process of starting a massive diamond drilling programme and later move to bankable feasibility study which will generate how much the company will invest in the new mine.
dr mulenga has stated that at the moment, the company cannot state how much it will invest into the new mine but will wait for a bankable study and this will take some time.
and former mines and minerals development ministry permanent secretary dr goodwin beene has pointed out that zambia needs a good fiscal regime in mining which will not scare away investors but keep them coming into the country and invest more.
dr beene stressed that the country should not antagonize investors by bringing harsh mining tax regimes which will chase them away.
the extractive industry transparency initiative being held in lusaka at the taj pamodzi hotel has attracted civil society organizations, faith based organizations from 14 sadc and great lakes region member countries.

ccpc warns banks agains using preferred list of lawyers ans surveyors to exclude others

the competition and consumer protection commission (ccpc) has warned commercial banks in the country to desist from using preferred list of lawyers and surveyors for which they use to exclude other competitors.
according to a statement made available to radio phoenix, ccpc director of consumer and public relations brian lingela says the commission has become aware that some commercial banks have continued with the habit of rejecting valuation reports undertaken by registered surveyors.
mr lingela adds that the commercial banks refuse to deal with duly registered lawyers on the basis that they are not on their preferred list.
he says the commission at the 50th board of commissioners’ meeting held on 29th june 2011, directed that all commercial banks desist from rejecting independent surveyors and lawyers reports which may not be on their preferred lists without justifiable reasons.
the ccpc director of consumer and public relations has stressed that this conduct is anti-competitive and violates sections of the competition and consumer protection act number 24 of 2010 which prohibits conducts that are likely to erode competition in the economy.
he has noted that some surveyors and lawyers that are not on such lists are not offered the opportunity to compete fairly with those on preferred lists, a conduct that is largely anti-competitive as it creates an entry barrier.
mr lingela further says the commission finds that while banks have the freedom to contact whoever they deem fit, their right to do so must not disadvantage other competition surveying and legal firms and ultimately, the consumers who usually pay for the services.
he says the commission is of the view that, open access and participation by other firms not on the list is essential as the exclusionary nature of the conduct can lead to exit of some survey and legal firms that are not on those preferred lists.
meanwhile mr. lingela says the commission has invited clients of banks who have been affected to report to the commission so that investigations can be opened and in an event that any bank is found to have violated the law; remedies provided in the ccpc act number 24 of 2010 will be applied.

TORONTO, LONDON AND LUSE LISTED COPPER MINE, KANSANSHI TO PAY ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT $1.6BILLION BY THE END OF 2012 IN FORM OF TAXES

toronto, london and lusaka stock exchange listed copper mine company, kansanshi copper mines limited which is owned by first quantum minerals will by the end of 2012 since its inception in 2006 pay the government about 1.6 billion dollars in form of taxes.
meanwhile the copper mine will also spend about $16 million or 80 billion kwacha by the end of 2012 under its corporate social responsibility programme.
kansanshi copper mines public relations manager godffrey m’siska disclosed this during the southern african extractive industry transparency initiative (eiti) conference in lusaka today.
mr m’siska says the company which employees about 6000 people is the largest tax payer in the country adding that it pays about $1.5 million everyday.
and mr. m’siska disclosed that the company by the end of 2010 produced about 231,000 tons of copper and 110 tonnes of gold which it exported outside the country.
he assured that the company will continue to pay taxes and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the economy through ensuring that it caters for the community were it operates from using the corporate social responsibility programme.
mr m’siska boasted that the company has helped the economy of solwezi to grow from were it was previously with more local businesses benefitting from its activities through contracts.

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MOPANI COPPER MINES TO INVEST ABOUT $2BILLION BY THE END OF 2012 IN ITS OPERATIONS

mopani copper mines limited is expected to invest about 2 billion dollars by the end of 2012 since its inception in 2000 in its company operations.
mopani copper mines limited corporate affairs manager chuma kabaghe disclosed this during the southern african extractive industry transparency initiative (eiti) conference in lusaka today.
meanwhile mrs. kabaghe says the company is in the process of putting up a convener and acid plant to meet the international standard of capturing pollution by about 97 percent.
she has stated that at the moment, the company is only capturing pollution at a 50 percent level but vandalism is also affecting the operations of the company.
mrs. kabaghe says the company which employs about 16, 000 workers has intensified its corporate social responsibility and has partnered with the national malaria control centre and district health management committee to reduce the rate of malaria infections.
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CSAWUZ GIVES GOV'T 7DAYS ULTIMATUM TO COME UP WITH A DAY TO RESUME NEGOTITIONS

The civil servants and allied workers union (CSAWUZ) has given government a 7 days ultimatum in which to come up with a date to open up negotiations over the collective bargain agreement before it expires in December this year.
CSAWUZ president Davie chiyobe says the union is only remaining with 52days with the current collective bargain agreement and has done all that government required from them hence it is important that the process is speed up.
Mr chiyobe says the members have become impatient and the union can not contain the pressure as it is perceived not to be working adding that this situation has forced the union to write to the new minister of labour, sports, youths and gender to take up the matter.
He has stated that the minister must take up the challenge before it gets out of hands and more work stoppages can be experienced as it has been of recent in some part of the country.
Mr Chiyobe says the members are not happy with the response which they have been getting from government that they are still consulting over the matter.

Monday 7 November 2011

ZANEC JOINS THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION AND OTHER CAMPAIGNERS IN CALLING FOR ADEQUATE AID TO FUND EDUCATION AHEAD OF THE PLEDGING CONFERENCE WHICH OPENS TOMORROW IN COPENHAGEN - DENMARK

the zambia national education coalition has joined the global partnership for education and other campaigners in calling for adequate aid to fund education ahead of the pledging conference which opens tomorrow in copenhagen - denmark.
the pledging conference is a fundraising initiative of the global partnership for education aimed at raising 2.5 billion dollars to support education in developing countries for the next three years.
zanec executive director miriam chonya says the money to be raised will help raise standards of education were the completion rate for girls is only 6 percent while that of boys is at 56 percent with girls having less than 5 percent chance of proceeding to upper secondary.
she has stated that zanec which is a representative of the civil society in developing countries on the global partnership for education’s board of directors is in full support of the strategic directions adopted by the organization because its constituent members contribute significantly to the global statistics.
the zanec executive director adds that currently at least 6 million people are still unable to attend primary education and those that are in school are not able to read or write and gender disparities are also characteristic of higher levels of education system.
she has stated that the campaign is also calling for a holistic focus on the education for all goals, the use of aligned aid modalities, the need for hiring of qualified teachers and engagement with civil society among other issues.

80 PERCENT OF THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN AFRICA IS EVADING TAX

the value added tax administration forum in africa (vada) has disclosed that about 80 percent of the informal sector in africa is evading tax.
the forum attributes this to lack of strong tax systems in place.
speaking to journalists today in lusaka, outgoing chairperson samuel ogungbesan said most african governments are failing to collect enough revenue through taxation in the informal sector because the volume of business which is conducted by the businessmen and women can not be determined.
mr. ogungbesan has stated that for african countries to improve the collection of revenue through tax in the informal sector, there is need for governments to introduce presumptive tax regimes and adopt cash registers which will keep account of what each business is making.
he stressed that there is need for close collaboration between institutions tasked with the duty to collect various taxes and ensure that standards are followed to avoid tax evasion.
the theme for this year’s conference is “the role of vat in enhancing economic growth”.
the 14th vada annual conference is taking place at intercontinental hotel in lusaka.
mr. ogungbesan has stated that the organization has selected 3 technical papers to bring to the fore of the current challenges affecting vat operations across african countries beginning with the optimization of vat collection in the informal sector and benefits of tax integration in relation to vat.
and speaking at the same function finance and national planning minister alexander chikwanda pointed out that the problems facing vat administrators, particularly in africa are numerous and complex.
mr. chikwanda noted that africa is faced with challenges in tax collection such as weak infrastructure like transport links, communication networks as well as the systems used within the tax administration which continue to hamper the efforts being made by various governments.
and zambia revenue authority (zra) director general berlin msiska observed that efficient and effective administration of consumption taxes especially vat is becoming more important and of mutual concern to all of africa.
mr. msiska added that the contribution of trade taxes to the overall tax has continued to decline on account of the trade protocols that countries have entered into.
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Sunday 6 November 2011

ZWSEAWU EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE POOR PERFORMANCE OF CHAMBESHI WATER SINCE ITS INCEPTION

The Zambia water, sanitation engineering and allied workers union has expressed disappointment at the performance of Chambeshi water and Sewerage Company since its inception which it says it is not pleased about.
Zambia water, sanitation engineering and allied workers union general secretary Charles Phiri says even though the union is aware of some of the major challenges the water utility faces such as inadequate human resource, it is disappointing that companies which started years after it are doing better.
Mr. Phiri says part of the poor performance by the company has been as a result of the vandalism which has been taking place in areas such as chinsali, Mpika in which the water utility company operates but this should not be the out most excuse for offering poor services to its clients.
Meanwhile Mr. Phiri says the union is interested in seen people who engage themselves in vandalism brought to book and charged for what they do adding that the vice makes government to waste tax payers’ money.
Most of the water utility companies have linked there poor service provision due to lack of adequate resources and investment however efforts are being made to increase investment through the development and implementation of both national rural and urban water  supply and sanitation programme under the ministry of local government and housing.
The programmes are intended to speed up the achievement of millennium development goals and meet the governments’ vision of universal coverage

NGOCC TELLS GOVERNMENT TO SCRAP OFF CONSUMPTION TAX AND OR MAKE IT MORE PROGRESSIVE

The non governmental coordinating council (NGOCC) has proposed to government to make consumption tax more progressive and removed from basic goods.
According to its submissions to the ministry of finance and national planning in view of the budget to be presented this week on Friday, the organization has proposed that as the average cost of food and living rises, tax-free income should stand at k 1.3 million instead of the current k 1 million.
It has emphasized that it supports the idea and emphasizes on the importance of a tax free threshold in order to ensure food security to poor families and especially female headed households, as they struggle the most for meeting their needs with the very limited resources accessible to them
The women movement says removing the consumption tax from basic foods and making it progressive will make basic goods become more affordable to poor people and female headed households who might consume them disproportionately.
It says women should be represented in tax relief programs that take into consideration the needs of women who gain their income from the informal sector, through such things as reduced petrol prices.
They have has pointed out that the Jesuit centre for theological reflection (JCTR) has been active in advocating for a raise of the basic needs basket (BNB), “a tool that depicts the average cost of living for a family of six in a specific town.
The ministry of finance and national planning is expected to present the much anticipated budget in which people expect to see how much tax they will be paying and taxed on several items this Friday.
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Friday 4 November 2011

ANOTHER ZAMBIAN FEMALE ARRESTED IN PARKISTAN FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

Another female Zambian national has been arrested for drug trafficking in Pakistan.
Angela Busanga Chikoti, 33, of Pamodzi Compound in Ndola, was arrested for trafficking in 950 grams of heroin.
She was arrested on 23rd August, 2011 by the Anti-Narcotics Force at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) in Islamabad, Pakistan, where she was scheduled to fly from Islamabad to Nairobi via Doha.
Angela Busanga Chikoti was later admitted to BB Hospital Rawalpindi where she expelled 97 pellets of heroin from her bowels. She is believed to have obtained and swallowed the drugs from the Tribal area of Afghanistan.
Angela’s arrest brings to a total number of eight (08) female Zambians arrested abroad for drug trafficking since January 2011.
With the increasing number of Zambian women nabbed abroad, the Drug Enforcement Commission, through its National Education Campaign Division, is collaborating with Gender in Development Division (GIDD) to organise various stakeholders through whom sensitization and awareness programs can be conveyed to the general public.
The Commission has also intensified its sensitization programs in Institutions of learning, Communities and workplaces. During the month of October, 2011, the Commission sensitized a total number of six thousand and fifty three (6053) people throughout the country. In addition, twelve (12) clients, who have been abusing different types of illicit drugs, were counselled.
In a related development, the Commission has embarked on the production and distribution of brochures, posters, flyers and booklets on the dangers of drug trafficking, drug abuse and money laundering.
Meanwhile, the Mansa Magistrate Court has convicted seven (07) Congolese nationals for drug trafficking. The sentences for the convicts range from 2 months to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour.
The seven (07) Congolese nationals; Mwepwe Ngoyi, Mulundu Cleophacy, Mitonga Kimpompa, Komba Chola, Seela Nkolela, Francio Musamba and Kasongo Zhya, were arrested on different dates in October 2011 for trafficking in various quantities of loose cannabis
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Thursday 3 November 2011

THE UN SYSTEM IN ZAMBIA CHALLENGES BANKS IN THE COUNTRY TO TAKE AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN ADDRESSING ISSUES WHICH HAVE CONTINUED TO HINDER WOMEN FROM EQUAL ACCESS TO FINANCES

the  un system in zambia has challenged banks in the country to take an affirmative action in addressing issues which have continued to hinder women from equal access to finances. meanwhile the un  has disclosed that the gender inequality index which reflects gender based inequalities in three dimensions namely reproductive health, empowerment and economic activity has improved from 0.75 percent in 2010 to 0.62 percent this year.
un resident coordinator kanni wignaraja says the banks which are part of the private sector must ensure that they take an affirmative action through a progressive quota system to enable women  have equal access to credit.
mrs. wignaraja has stressed that the improvement in the gender inequality index is due to the reduction in the maternal mortality rate and in adolescent fertility rate but the country still has a long way to go.
mrs. wignaraja was speaking in lusaka during the gender and business breakfast meeting dubbed a view from the top.
she has stated that the private sector namely banks and other stakeholders need to have concerted joined up efforts for the country to see a significant improvement to take place in gender equality and women’s empowerment.
and speaking at the same function africa development bank resident representative dr freddie kwesiga said  the bank has a programme which was launched in 2004 called africa women in business initiative.
and dr kwesiga has further called on regulators and policy makers to fully understand the plight faced by women within the business realm as it will generate policies that could result in inclusive gender friendly regulations
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Tuesday 1 November 2011

NGOCC CALLS ON THE NEW GOVERNMENT TO HEED TO PEOPLE’S CALLS OF BROADENING THE TAX BASE

the non governmental organization coordinating council has called on the new government of president michael sata to heed to people’s calls of broadening the tax base  in order to make the country become more independent from external loans and aid.
in its submission to the ministry of finance and national planning for possible consideration in the national budget to be presented to parliament on the 11th of this month, ngocc says in order to strive for independent and sustainable revenue, there is need to collect revenue from the informal sector, such as the real estate market.
the organization has stated that a wealth tax needs to be introduced and enforced in place of the current withholding tax on rentals as this will ensure that even people with houses that they live in pay tax based on the value of the house adding that currently, only those people who rent out their properties pay.
the ngo has suggested that a minimum value of a property that should be subjected to wealth tax should be established in order to exclude low income groups that may own property of low value and tax inspectors should be trained in property valuation to be able to value properties correctly and collect appropriate property transfer tax revenue.
the women’s movement has stressed that there is need for more transparency regarding tax payments, such as the medical and fuel levy and the newly introduced carbon tax stating that there is no transparency about where the medical levy, which is deducted from citizens bank accounts, is allocated in the health sector.
and ngocc has stated that the tax payer has the right to be explicitly informed about where their money is going to and to what extent it is benefiting the public adding that limited information and secrecy on tax allocations, makes people doubt that their money is actually used for the intended purpose.
it says to avoid corruption and mismanagement of taxation, which impedes poverty reduction and social equality, detailed information and budget tracking evidence needs to be provided to the zambian tax payer.

ZAMBEEF HAS NO PLANS TO HIKE BREAD PRICE SAYS HEAD OF PUBLIC RELATION

zambeef says it has no plans to hike the price of bread in the country.
being one of the largest wheat producers in the country, zambeef says calls for an increase in the price of bread are unjustifiable.
according to a statement made available to radio phoenix today by zambeef head of public relations justo kopulande, the country does not need to import wheat because it has enough stock to satisfy demand and safeguard food security.
mr. kopulande says the company is aware that millers have bought enough wheat to meet demand adding that if value added tax (vat) was removed from wheat flour and bread, the price of bread would immediately be reduced by 16 percent.
he has stated that the company is aware that the price of wheat has always been a contentious issue but what the wheat producers are proposing is an import parity pricing model, a practice that has been in existence for some time.
the zambeef head of public relations has justified further that the model being proposed represents a fair and transparent pricing mechanism and it takes away all the arguments over the price resulting in a win-win situation for all stakeholders who include producers, millers and the consumers.
mr. kopulande has stressed that zambia is self sufficient in wheat, a fact that everybody should be proud of because it is the only country in africa that can boast about this.
he has disclosed that in 10 years, zambeef has endeavored to contribute to zambia’s food security especially in self sufficiency in wheat by investing over 50 million dollars in irrigation equipment and farming 8, 000 hectares under irrigation to produce wheat, soya beans and maize.
mr. kopulande has noted that with zambia’s increasing population and the fast changing eating patterns, it is important to encourage local food producers of wheat rather than encourage imports whose production patterns cannot be guaranteed.
he has added that dependence on food imports jeopardizes national food security.