HH MUST RESIGN ON MORAL GROUNDS – CHANDA

… for putting the lives of Zambians at risk through poisonous and contaminated mealie-meal

LUSAKA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2024 (SMART EAGLES)

New Congress Party NCP President Peter Chanda says Republican President Hakainde Hichilema should resign on moral grounds for putting the lives of Zambians at risk through contaminated and poisonous mealie meals.

Speaking when he was featured on Daylight Breakfast Show on KBN TV in Lusaka this morning, Mr. Chanda said that President Hichilema made a careless decision to sell all the maize in the national strategic reserves which could have lasted for three years.

He said when a government makes a careless decision that endangers the lives of citizens, the best is to resign on moral grounds and pave the way for a serious crop of leaders.

Mr. Chanda said never again should Zambians entrust leadership of the country to a businessman whose preoccupation is to cut deals.

” We have a dealer as a President. A careless decision was made to export the maize which the country had. We have never been subjected to such kind of a situation but they made a careless decision to export maize which could have lasted us for three years and now they buying maize from the same countries they sold to at an exorbitant price and now we are having this issue of contaminated and poisonous mealie meal which has claimed over 400 dogs,” Mr. Chanda said.

” When a careless decision is made the best is to resign on moral grounds and pave the way for serious leaders and we are ready to take over as the United Kwacha Alliance UKA. We have one year and six months before parliament is dissolved and never again should Zambians entrust power to a businessman who only knows how to cut deals,” the NCP leader said.

And  Mr. Chanda said President Hichilema promised to run a transparent and accountable government but that it is sad that three years down the line, the good governance that was promised to the Zambian people has been thrown down the drain.

” As the New Congress Party we are disappointed with the manner the new dawn government is handling the governance system of the country,” Mr. Chanda said.

#SmartEagles2024.

M’MEMBE PUNCHES HOLES IN ‘FREE EDUCATION’

….says there is much propaganda on free education purely for political & electoral purposes

Lusaka… Thursday August 22, 2024

Socialist Party President Dr. Fred M’membe says there is a lot of propaganda on free education purely for political and electoral purposes.

Dr. M’membe says in order to have quality free education, government ought to invest heavily in the education sector.

He wonders how much the current UPND administration is investing in the education sector in order to have quality education.

Dr. M’membe is of the firm belief that in order to achieve quality education through free education, the government should heavily invest in education infrastructure.

The Socialist Party leader further said goverment alone cannot run the education sector as it needs the inputs of other stakeholders such as the church, the international community, the business community, corporate entities and others.

“Look at what we are calling free education here. There has been so much propaganda and you can see it. The way the propaganda is being carried is purely for political purposes and electoral purposes. When you examine that so-called free education, you realize it is not free education at all. Especially for us who have come from free education. We still have many of our young people in secondary schools pay. In boarding schools you pay K1000 per term, that money for a boarding school is too little. And that is for 90 days. If you take K1000 and divide it for 90 days, you realize that it comes to K11.11 per day per child. What can you eat from K11.1 or so,” he questioned.

“And if you divide it by 3 meals, it comes to K3.7 per meal for breakfast, lunch and supper. The government puts in K200 per term per child in these schools. And that K200 caters for maintenance of the schools and a lot of other things. And also it is structured like IMF for conditionalities. That K200 cannot be used to feed the pupils or the learners. So if the headmaster runs out of food, you cannot get part of that money to take to food.”

Dr. M’membe has also downplayed reports that his party will abolish private schools once it forms goverment saying the private schools play a pivotal role in providing education to the learners.

He said currently, private schools are doing so much in helping learners access the much needed education for them to make it in the world.

“If you want a free education, it costs money. You have to put a huge percentage of your budget in that. If you want a free education, you have to invest in developing the quality and the quantities of teachers. It costs money. You have also to invest heavily in infrastructure. Schools need infrastructure. How much is this government spending on developing school infrastructure? Socialization of education means the parents, the communities have to participate in running that education. No one should be left out. The government alone does not have the capacity and the resources to run education on their own. They don’t have the capacity. You need the communities to participate. The business world must participate. Everyone must participate because everyone benefits from education. Whether it’s the church, it benefits from education. It must participate in running education. Whether it’s the traditional authorities, it benefits from education. It must participate in running education,” he added.

“Whether it’s the military, the intelligence, the police and so on, all must participate in running education because everyone benefits in education. Even those who despise education, who don’t like education, they still send their children to schools. They still send their children to schools and they want to send their children to the best schools. Especially when they have a bit more deeper pockets.”

Meanwhile, Dr. M’membe has observed the need to embrace research in entrepreneurship.

He said the country is doing so much in agricultural entrepreneurship but that research should be at the center of all these activities such as rice farming, fish farming and other agricultural ventures.

CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE!!!!

21 August 2024

The New Heritage Party wishes to join all other well meaning and responsible organizations and individuals who have raised the alarm and called upon the UPND government to do the responsible thing and reveal the Mealie meal brands that have so far been found to contain the Aflatoxin that has already been reported to have killed 400 dogs and may claim human life if left unchecked.

We believe that it is the height of irresponsibility bordering on criminality for this HH led UPND government to withhold the identity of the mealie meal brands that have been found by government itself to be poisonous. The correct manner of conduct in such circumstances would have been to immediately identify and announce to the community which brands are affected and ordered an immediate recall of all supplied bags from the retail outlets so that innocent citizens are not further exposed to harm than they already have. This is a matter literally of life and death and we would expect a responsible government, a government that cares more for its own people than profits for it’s business partners and those connected in government to act expeditiously.

The President of the millers Association has informed the nation that the variety that is affected is the popular Roller Meal which is more affordable and therefore, consumed mostly by the poor majority of our people. We believe that there is an insidious coulousness and insipid cynicism in the manner that this UPND government has chosen to handle this very important public health, and public safety emergency.

We note , however, that this carelessness and incompetence is the normal way of governance by the UPND. Unfortunately in this particular instance people’s lives , the lives, especially of poor people, is at stake.

The  New Heritage Party, reiterates and demands that the offending Mealie Meal brands and all those involved with the procurement and distribution of this poisonous substance be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law, with full compensation to those citizens affected.

A serious example needs to be made of criminally minded individuals prepared to sacrifice Zambian lives at the altar of ill gotten profits and wealth.
Let us all be clear, the UPND government will be held directly accountable for any ill health or fatalities that would result from this Aflatoxin scandal.

Chishala Kateka
President – New Heritage Party

THE LUSAKA-NDOLA DUAL CARRIAGEWAY DEAL, NAPSA’S SURPRISING STAKE SURRENDER RAISES LEGAL EYEBROWS

By Chanoda Ngwira F

In a controversial turn of events, the recent agreement between the Zambian government’s National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and consortium of concessionaires regarding the Lusaka to Ndola dual carriageway has sparked intense scrutiny. The deal involves NAPSA injecting funds into the project but shockingly ceding a majority stake to the consortium granting them operational control for a staggering 25 years to recuperate their investment. This decision raises critical questions, primarily regarding the apparent disregard for the NAPSA INVESTMENTS ACT, which mandates NAPSA’s automatic major shareholder status in projects it funds.

The perplexing decision to sideline NAPSA’s established rights as a major investor in this venture, effectively diminishing the government’s stake, signifies a potential breach of Zambia’s laws and regulations. The glaring imbalance in ownership becomes even more concerning considering the consortium’s absence of financial contribution. How can a crucial investor like the Government of Zambia, working through NAPSA, be relegated to a minor shareholder position when it is NAPSA’s resources fueling the initiative?

Comparisons to past projects further complicate the matter, notably the Chingola to Solwezi road initiative, where NAPSA’s strategic investment model ensured financial gains. Under that arrangement, the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) currently manages funds on behalf of NAPSA, NRFA is only receiving a modest 20% for administrative purposes while 80% goes to NAPSA. This stark contrast begs the question: why was the Lusaka to Ndola project not executed in a similar vein, allowing NAPSA to safeguard its interests and maximize returns as intended?

Speculations loom regarding possible political motivations behind the unconventional deal, with conjectures suggesting that the UPND Government may have pushed for cost reductions for political gains. However, the looming threat of inflated figures during future valiations could swiftly erase any perceived savings, potentially mirroring previous administration’s figure for the project. This apparent daylight robbery against the Zambian populace, paired with a blatant flouting of legal norms, signifies a worrying trend of impunity and disrespect for established regulations. The Zambian people deserve transparency, accountability, and adherence to laws to uphold the nation’s integrity and safeguard their interests.

(Chanoda Ngwira is a public administrator, Teacher, former Trade Unionist, writer, politician and political commentator. For private engagements, email: chanodangwira@yahoo.com/orisonconsult@gmail.com)

CUTS CONCERNED WITH AFLATOXIN DETECTION IN MEALIE MEAL AND CALLS FOR FOOD SAFETY

….urges govt to disclose the specific brands & batches of mealie meal found to be contaminated

Lusaka, 22nd August, 2024 (SMART EAGLES)

The Consumer Unity Trust Society (CUTS) says it is deeply concerned by the recent confirmation from the Zambian Government of aflatoxin contamination in selected mealie meal products available in local markets.

CUTS Board Member Sajeev Nair says this development, coupled with the tragic deàths of over 400 d0gs suspected to have consumed contàminated feed, underscores the urgent need for robust measures to safeguard consumer welfare and ensure the integrity of Zambia’s food supply chain.

Mr Nair explains that Aflatoxins, which have been detected in 11 samples of maize meal, pose serious health risks to both humans and animals.

He said the contamination, identified during post-mortem examinations of the deceàsed d0gs, is particularly alarming as many milling companies in Zambia produce products for both human and animal consumption.

“Thus far, inspections have been conducted at approximately 10 milling companies, with over 25 samples collected for further analysis. CUTS calls for immediate and comprehensive inspections across all food processing industries, as contamination could originate from these critical points in the supply chain. We urge the Government to disclose the specific brands and batches of mealie meal found to be contaminated,” said Mr Nair.

“This transparency is essential to protect consumers and to restore public confidence in the safety of Zambian food products. The implications of aflatoxin contamination extend beyond public health; it also threaten Zambia’s economic growth and the ambition to expand into export markets.”

He observed that as the nation strives to penetrate international markets, particularly in agriculture and food products, maintaining the highest standards of food safety is crucial.

“Contaminated products not only jeopardize consumer health but can also lead to trade restrictions, harming Zambia’s reputation and competitiveness on the global stage. The potential for aflatoxin contamination to damage trade relations and hinder economic progress cannot be overstated. As Zambia positions itself as a reliable exporter of agricultural products, stringent food safety measures must be implemented and enforced,” he added.

“This will protect both domestic and international consumers, bolster Zambia’s market credibility, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.”

Mr Nair emphasized that his organization strongly urges the government to put in place and enforce stringent control measures to prevent future contamination incidents.

“These measures should include enhanced inspections, full transparency in the disclosure of affected products, and strict penalties for companies found in violation of food safety standards. Moreover, as the nation grapples with the threat of mpox, we commend the government’s steps to enhance border surveillance and public health measures,” he continued.

“However, it is vital that consumers have easy access to accurate health information and that public awareness campaigns are intensified to protect the population from both foodborne and transnational diseases.”

The CUTS Board Member reiterated the importance of food safety as a cornerstone of public health and economic prosperity.

Mr Nair said his organization stands ready to support the government’s efforts in ensuring that Zambia’s food products meet the highest safety standards, both for the well-being of the citizens and the continued growth of our economy.

#SmartEagles2024

“ZAMBIANS MUST STOP CONSUMING CONTAMINATED MEALIE MEAL IMMEDIATELY.”

Good afternoon fellow country men and women, the international community and the media. I want to address the nation and I pray and hope that this message reaches all well-meaning Zambians in good time, those in govt, the church, faith-based organisations, civil society, international community, members of the ruling party the UPND and Zambians in the diaspora. Today is indeed a dark day for our beloved country mother Zambia.

For the first time in the history of our country the Zambian people have been brought to shame and absolute ridicule for their love for their staple food nshima.

On behalf of the Patriotic Front and the suffering masses we want to add our voice on the unfolding scandal concerning AFLATOXINS contained in mealie meal that has caused the death of dogs and exposed the widening scandals in this UPND govt led by Mr. Hakainde Hichilema.

Firstly, I want to say There is no mealie meal for dogs, first humans consume and left overs are left for dogs, this govt must for once be serious and stop insulting the intelligence of Zambians with this issue of focusing on dogs which died.

In this new dawn govt nothings seems to be working. Yesterday Minister of Health held a hasty presser to shield the selected millers that govt identified to supply this imported maize and not to safeguard the lives and health of citizens which is supposed to be their number one responsibility and priority. Instead, he went in circles defending the known millers.

The levels of corruption at the ministry of health are alarming because this is not the Ministry of Health we know. Alot of illegalities are being perpetuated and the ministry is turning a blind eye. From procuring fake drugs, to missing drugs to expired drugs and now to protecting known millers that are deliberately offloading mealie meal imported by govt to the market that is contaminated without recourse. That is why many have said the people Mr. Hakainde Hichilema appoints are highly incompetent and messy. We also know that his MP Kalila is a doctor why not appoint him to that Ministry to avoid this chipante pante at such a sensitive ministries like ministry of health.

Already we want to inform the nation that it is alleged that money is exchanging hands among selected millers with the ministry of health official and some state House officials to prevent the public from knowing which millers of mealie meal brands that have contaminated mealie meal. And because Mr. Hakainde Hichilema is the papa of corruption, don’t expect anything from him but expect a press briefing defending the millers who are offloading contaminated mealie meal. We want to challenge the gentleman whose dogs died to mention the mealie meal he gave the dogs to announce to the nation. We are challenging the media to follow that man so that he discloses the brand of the mealie meal that caused the death of his dogs and that will be the starting point.

However we want to state the following, there is no system in Zambia which is working, everything has collapsed. The mining sector, the health sector, the agriculture sector, justice, law and order just everything has collapsed under Mr. Hakainde Hichilema.

It is a known fact that the Zambian government is importing mealie meal and maize into the country from South Africa and Tanzania that is officially but we know that there is even maize coming from America. And nangu tapososwa Americans don’t eat nshima so you and I know that the maize is specifically grown for animal feed and so you know the chemical inputs and hence you know its GMO. There is GMO mealie meal on the market currently and Mr. Hakainde Hichilema will never tell the Zambian people the truth. Hakainde Hichilema cares more about business syndicates other than human lives. To be poor now is a death sentence under Mr. Hichilema. Mr. Hakainde Hichilema now looks at everyone as if we are animals or cows, and it is not right.

The Zambia compulsory standards agency did their due diligence and this report has been sitting with Mr. Hakainde Hichilema and the OP and Ministry of Health for over 8 months since last year, but they have decided to neglect it because for them it’s about tonnage of mealie meal to play with price so as to look like they are working.

In Zambia, under UNIP and MMD govts developed silos which were for strategic storage of maize and those can store maize even up to 10 years. But in the countries where we are importing from mealie meal is not their staple food and hence these problems.

The beginning of the problem is that immediately after Mr. Hakainde Hichilema and UPND formed govt they over promised on the issue of the price of the dollar. That was the source of the problem, when HH gave the mines which are our number one export dollar earner he gave them tax holidays because of obligations he had over the years to the UPND sponsors who had mining interests for the period UPND was in opposition. He promised them mining rights and tax holidays in order to recover what they invested. So once in govt he got desperate to show off that the dollar was improving hence the only commodity at his disposal was maize in order to earn dollars. That’s why you saw that the dollar was reducing but he didn’t tell you that he was selling strategic maize reserves left by the Patriotic Front this same Mr. Lungu he insults day and night. Hence after they were exposed and the Zambian people discovered we saw conflicting statements from govt, but Chushi kasanda is our hero because she went open and announced to the nation. That’s why she was removed from the ministry and they brought in a a vuvuzela who acts like he is on steroids and gives conflicting statements with his PS Thabo Kawana. After HH ran out of maize to export so that he can play with the dollar, the next available commodity was electricity, and until now with no shame he is still exporting electricity at the expense of the Zambians. All this is just so as to earn a little dollar to caution the price matrix in order to present himself as fixer when in fact not. Very soon he will run out of what to export and the kwacha will be in free fall, and mark my words very soon.

Back to the issue, the maize that was produced by small scale farmers was sold. It is irresponsible for any govt, how can a parent sale food in his own house and remain empty. FRA gets most of its stock from small scale farmers those who benefit from FISP. Most of commercial farmers are allowed to sale some even export. Now the hard-earned sweat of tax payers’ money was quickly exported just to caution the dollar. It is a blue lie that we owed the farmers and needed to sale the maize in order to pay what was owed, it was even better we sale State House because he doesn’t even live there than sale the maize in our strategic reserves just to caution the dollar.

How then does a minister come on a presser and say we have tested some samples and found them positive to aflatoxin but we won’t mention the brands. How can a govt be protecting millers at the expense of the life of its citizens. UPND is nothing but a criminal enterprise/gang that has put business ahead of its people. Hakainde Hichilema is really a dealer who cares less about the welfare of the poor.

He came in, made the citizens vulnerable by stripping off their dignity by squandering off their staple food to neighboring countries and then introducing Eagle mealie meal which is widely speculated to be imported GMO meal then packaged in ZNS bags. Firstly, videos surfaced of maize packed in ZNS bags being imported. When Zambians questioned them, they resorted to import unpackaged mealie meal and maize which they later came to pack in ZNS sacks. It is all GMOs and am challenging them to subject the ZNS mealie meal to an independent test and audit. Or let them allow us to get ZNS mealie meal samples to labs abroad to verify that this is number one not GMO and also not substantially carrying aflatoxins. Our research bureau has revealed to us that aflatoxins are widely contained in genetically modified foods.

The real solution is Zambians should stop consuming ZNS mealie meal until a thorough report is issued by relevant authorities. But even so, to trust anything from the UPND govt is risking your own life. They are insincere and for them everything is about propaganda. How can a govt be more interested in propaganda at the expense of the lives of their citizens. Govt must close all ZNS milling plants until the next farming season and should stop the distribution of ZNS mealie meal. All supermarkets are advised to stop displaying and selling ZNS mealie meal forthwith in order to wait for proper reports from Zambia Compulsory standards agency.

When there are diseases such as these that threaten the lives of people in greater proportions the World Health Organisation (WHO) must take keen interest. We are calling on WHO to send health experts to conduct thorough independent assessment. This is a shameless govt, amidst a drought and national disaster, we are calling on international relief and aid yet feeding our people toxic food.

We are giving the govt 48hours to disclose the brands of mealie meal that has tested positive because govt has acknowledged that there are several and not one brand that have tested positive to Aflatoxins. Because this is genocide and health terrorism against its own citizens.

Am appealing to my fellow citizens in the compounds to refrain from consuming ZNS mealie meal, stop preparing nshima with ZNS in the restaurants. I want to appeal to prisons service to desist from giving inmates ZNS mealie meal and conduct tests of the mealie meal you are giving inmates, otherwise this govt can be suspected to be conducting genocide to its own citizens by depopulation the prisons indiscriminately.

An independent assessment must be done about which areas this contaminated mealie meal is going so that we stop speculating otherwise we are just thinking wildly about this scandal.

We are all literally dead and just waiting to be buried. Just imagine the proportions of cancer that is brewing in our bodies and is yet to blow up in the face of our health facilities. We are all cancer patients so long as you eat nshima. And this is outrightly on the hands of Mr. Hakainde Hichilema who equally received this report and turned a blind eye from Zambia Compulsory standards out of business interests and political expediency. On matters of health, you just have to be truthful, and not play politics or play to the gallery.

We are calling upon everyone regardless of where you are, civil society, students, pressure groups, stakeholders in the health sector, to conduct peaceful demonstrations and put pressure on Mr. Hakainde Hichilema to immediately withdraw and apologies to the Zambian people. And on this one let not even the police prevent anyone who feels aggrieved and wants to conduct a peaceful protest. The police equally consume nshima and allow us express your frustrations on your behalf.

Mr. Hakainde Hichilema is no longer only an economic hitman and agent of international business men, he is now a fully-fledged health terrorist and we the Zambian people must resolve to get rid of this UPND govt. Prepare your NRCs and register to vote, UPND and HH kuyabebele.

HON RAPHAEL MANGANI NAKACINDA, MCC.
PATRIOTIC FRONT SECRETARY GENERAL

ERB HOLDS HEARING FOR ZESCO E.ERGENCY TARIFF APPLICATION

ZESCO Limited says the emergency tariff adjustment proposals to the Energy Regulation Board -ERB- once approved will only be applicable to residential customers that consume above 200 units of power.

ZESCO Head of Business Development PATRICK KAPEPE says customers that consume above 500 units of power account for five to seven percent of the Company’s customer base and that these consume about 24 percent of power.

Mr. KAPEPE says those who consume less than 200 units of power comprise 56 percent of the residential consumer base out of 1.3 million customers and that these will NOT be affected by the adjustment.

He says the proposed emergency tariffs will be reviewed every three months and that the adjustment is anticipated to impact appropriately 44 percent of the customers.

This was during the ERB public hearing for ZESCO Emergency Tariff Application held in Lusaka today.

Mr. KAPEPE said that the proposed adjustment for commercial tariffs is a 38 percent increase for consumption exceeding 500 units.

He said that ZESCO has proposed to maintain the tariffs for entities that offer social services such as hospitals, security wings and pumping stations for water utility companies, among others.

And ZESCO Managing Director VICTOR MAPANI said the proposed emergency tariffs are meant to mitigate the escalating effects of the drought and to seek solutions to lessen the challenges.

Meanwhile, ERB Board Chairperson JAMES BANDA said the Board saw it prudent to have a public hearing even if the law allows ERB to proceed without a public hearing in the case of an emergency application.

Among those that made submissions include United for Better Zambia President HECTOR SOONDO who requested ERB not to approve the proposed increase of ZESCO tariffs as the cost of doing business in the country is high.

And Citizens First Deputy Secretary General CEPHAS MUKUKA called on Government to bail out Zesco.

Dr. MUKUKA said tariffs should NOT be increased as this may in turn affect the prices of commodities.

ZNBC

ZESCO EMMERGENCY ELECTRICITY TARIFF APPLICATION – FACTS BY DR. JOHNSTONE CHIKWANDA, ENERGY EXPERT

20.08. 2024

Zesco has applied to ERB seeking an emergency electricity price increase to meet the high cost of importing electricity.

ERB will hold a public hearing tomorrow at its Head Office to receive comments from stakeholders.

WHO IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS APPLICATION?

730,000 Zesco customers who use less than 200 units of electricity per month are not affected.

This customer base is over 56% of the total number of customers which Zesco has.

This customer base is where the most vulnerable and a significant number of middle-class customers are found.

This is unprecedented in the history of this country that such a huge number of customers have been protected from electricity price increase should ERB approve the request from Zesco.

This is a clear demonstration that the policy on electricity adjustment is shifting the burden to those who use a lot of electricity. 

This pattern of shifting the burden is also clear in the 2023 and 2024 electricity adjustment.

WHO WILL BE AFFECTED MOST?

Customers who use more than 500 units per month will be affected the most.

This represents a narrow customer base. Should the request be approved, it means this category will start spending more than K3,500 on electricity units per month. Given that the price of a standard solar panel is about K3,000, my strong advice to those who consumer more than 500 units per month is that they will be better off buying solar panels.

In any case, most of the customers in this category already have invested in batteries and inverters.

The only remaining step is to buy solar panels. 

WHO ELSE WILL BE AFFECTED?

The electricity price for those who use between 200 units and 300 units will increase by 53 ngwee per unit.

Those who use between 300 units and 400 units, the price will increase by 85 ngwee per unit and those who use 400 units and 500 units the price will increase by K1.27 ngwee per unit. 

This shows that different customers will be affected differently with the burden shifting to those who use a lot of electricity.

In the 4 categories, the proposed increase is 50%, 50%, 75% and 156% respectively with 156% being for those who use more than 500 units.

The average percentage increase is 82.75% across the 4 customer categories.

IS THIS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN THE HISTORY OF ZAMBIA?

In 2019 the electricity price was increased by an average of 113% across different customers while the current request from Zesco for emergency approval is an average of 82.75%. In 2019, there was no emergency compared to the current situation.

HOW LONG WILL THE EMERGENCY PRICES LAST IF ERB APPROVES THE REQUEST?

According to the Electricity Act, a review of the circumstances may2 be taken after 3 months. Should the emergence situation fall off, it is possible to come back to the initial electricity prices.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF ERB REFUSES TO APPROVE THE REQUEST?

Zesco has little electricity remaining meaning that most of the electricity we are consuming is coming from independent power producers and from outside the country at a price more than double than what Zesco is currently mostly currently selling. If the request is not approved, the impact of not importing electricity will be worse than the impact of approving the request. it is a lesser pain to allow approve the request.

Government warns of mealie meal causing lung, liver damage, 400 dogs die after consuming

HEALTH Minister, Elijah Muchima has informed the nation of the recent Mpox outbreak in the country which has been detected to be caused by the presence of toxins in the maize meal which is being sold on the Zambian market and has been responsible for the death of about 400 dogs.

The contaminated mealie meal also strikes to be deadly to humans as it is capable of causing acute lung and liver damage, while the Mpox outbreak can also be contaminated through sexual contacts.

Recently, health investigations have proven that some maize which is on the market contains of toxin, Aflatoxin, which collapses the human lungs and destroys kidneys.

Despite that the revelation, government has not revealed the mealie meal brand, but however assured that the ministry has commenced investigation into the spread of the toxins which is believed to be on the Zambian Market already.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans and, in recent cases, between humans through close contact.

The disease typically begins with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash that evolves from blisters to dry crusts.

And on a positive note, the minister said Zambia has not recorded any cases of Monkeypox recently as samples from suspected cases have been tested, and all have returned as negative results.

“It is with great concern that I address the nation regarding the detection of harmful toxin levels in select maize meals. An alarming number of dogs have died in the past month. Mpox can result in severe illness, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems.”

“The case fatality rate for Mpox is three percent higher than that seen during the recent cholera outbreak. The virus is primarily spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, lesion material, or respiratory droplets during prolonged close contact,” the minister said.

He added that other forms of contamination include materials such as beddings and clothing.

“Sexual contact is another recently identified mode of transmission,” he said.

As prevention serves to be the most effective mode of avoiding Mpox, the minister said the Ministry of Health will launch a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate citizens about it, its symptoms, and preventive measures.

These activities will occur with a heightened surveillance and active case detection on all borders of the coutry.

To imply the seriousness of the Mpox outbreak which has been reported in most countries in the African region, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox a global health emergency, and a public health continental significance.

*HON. MILES SAMPA’S ATTACK ON DR.DAVID NAMA FORMER ZNBS PAST CHAIRMAN.*

By Professor Edgar Ng’oma.

*Tuesday 20th August 2024*

_Without fear or favor._

I am compelled to respond to the unsubstantiated allegations made by Hon. Miles Sampa against Dr. David Nama. As a defender of good governance and good corporate governance and I in my capacity as distinguished governance fellow it is disheartening to see someone of Hon. Sampa’s stature resort to spreading falsehoods and engaging in rumor-mongering on an individual who has dedicated his time in corporate governance in this case Dr. David Nama.

As a respected leader, Hon. Sampa should be the last person to peddle untruths. His accusations against Dr. Nama, a renowned corporate governance expert, are not only baseless but also demeaning.

Dr. Nama’s distinguished career and achievements speak for themselves. He has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, turning around companies from loss-making to profitable entities. His expertise in corporate governance is unparalleled, with a proven track record of success in every organization he has led.

I have had the privilege of serving alongside Dr. Nama on the Zambia Bureau of Standards board, where he chaired the board and I was a member. Under his leadership, ZABS transformed from relying on government funding to becoming a profitable institution. By the end of our term, we left ZABS with ZMK18 million in its account.

Dr. Nama’s success story continued when he chaired the ZNBS board, turning it around from loss-making to profitability. By March 2024, he had recorded a profit of ZMK200 Million.

What’s more, Dr. Nama has served with distinction under five out of seven presidents, starting with President Mwanawasa and up to President Hichilema. His commitment to corporate governance and adherence to the rules of engagement have earned him respect across the political spectrum.

*MY ADVICE TO HON.MILES SAMPA MP.& LEADER OF THE LARGEST OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTY IN ZAMBIA PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF)*

Dear Hon. Miles Sampa,

As a leader of an opposition party, it is crucial to remain focused on constructive and factual engagement. Your attention should be directed towards promoting good governance, accountability, and transparency. Instead of resorting to rumor-mongering and scandalizing credible citizens, I advise you to concentrate your energy on:

1. Developing and proposing alternative policies that benefit the nation.
2. Holding the ruling party accountable for their actions and decisions.
3. Engaging in constructive dialogue with stakeholders to find solutions to national challenges.
4. Fostering a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability within your party.
5. Supporting and empowering citizens, rather than falsely accusing them.

Fact-finding and verification are essential before making public statements or accusations. This approach will help maintain your integrity and credibility as a leader.

In the case of Dr. David Nama, a renowned corporate governance expert, it is clear that your accusations were unfounded and damaging. I urge you to refrain from such behavior and instead focus on:

1. Recognizing and respecting the achievements and contributions of credible citizens like Dr. Nama.
2. Learning from their expertise and experiences to inform your policy decisions.
3. Collaborating with them to drive positive change and development in Zambia.

By adopting this approach, you will demonstrate leadership, integrity, and a commitment to the well-being of Zambian citizens. Remember, effective opposition leadership is about constructive engagement, not destructive rumor-mongering.

_*LET ME SHARE WITH YOU FACTS ON DR. DAVID NAMA IN A DISTINCT MANNER*_

*Achievements by Dr. David Nama*

*Founding and Leadership*

– Founded Dana Group, a conglomerate of seven successful companies, and serves as Chairman and CEO

*Academic Excellence*

– Advanced Certificate in Management
– Bachelor’s Degree in Theology with a major in Christian Leadership
– Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with distinction
– Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration and Enterprise (PhD)
– Currently completing his Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration and Strategic Leadership (PhD)

*Trailblazing Affiliations*

– First Zambian to attain Fellow status as a Master Coach and Management Consultant of the Institute of Management Consultants & Master Coaches of South Africa
– Board Chair for Kingdom Business Forum, an international business forum
– Permanent member of the African American Chamber of Commerce
– Board member for The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia University (EFZ), Development Solutions at Copenhagen University, Texila American University, and Grace Ministries International

*Strategic Leadership*

– Chaired boards for organizations such as Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC-Credit), Bible Society Board, Zambia National Building Society, and National House of Prayer (fundraising)

*Global Impact*

– Participated in developing trade policies between the Ministry of Commerce and Trade and the European Union
– Crafted solutions for complex issues in developing nations at Copenhagen University, Denmark
– Spoken at notable events, including the Africa American Chamber of Commerce in Dallas, USA, and the Economic Summit in the USA-African Chamber of Commerce

*Recognition*

– Recognized for strategic acumen, exceling as a self-starter, motivator, and developer of individuals, particularly in leadership, strategic management, and entrepreneurship development
– Expertise sought after in various World Bank and COMESA-sponsored conferences, as well as professional gatherings focused on anti-corruption, integrity in business, and entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, Dr. Nama is a cadre of corporate governance, not party politics. His credentials and achievements speak for themselves. I urge Hon. Sampa to refrain from spreading falsehoods and respect the accomplishments of distinguished leaders like Dr. Nama. Without prejudice or assumption I submit only verifiable facts.

_*Professor Edgar Ng’oma Philosopher and Distinguished Governance Fellow*._