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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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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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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