WE WERE LOOKING FOR ONE GIRL…..and yet we had 13 girls who were missing, PF female MPs cry

Lusaka…. Tuesday, October 4, 2022

The news of the 13 girls who were yesterday rescued from abduction has left PF female MPs in tears as they question Police’s silence over the matter.

Addressing the media in Lusaka today, Mfuwe MP Maureen Mabonga expressed shock that while the country was looking for one girl whose abduction went viral on different media platforms, there were 12 more girls abducted in the City.

Hon Mabonga said police would have tipped the public about other girls who were abducted and they were supposed to warn parents to take care of their children amid inhuman act.

“We are heartbroken by what happened yesterday. As you may all be aware, we knew of one girl who went missing about six months ago – Pamela. And all of us have been looking for one girl. As of yesterday, we discovered that there were 12 more girls who were abducted and these girls have been sexually abused, one of them is heavily pregnant and we are just wondering what could have happened,” she said.

“We have so many questions and I know the public is asking so many questions as what could have happened. We are talking about six months; we are talking about a young girl that is heavily pregnant….Where were the police officers? Where these cases reported to the police in their different locations? And if the cases were reported to the police, Why is it that we never got a warning from the police?”

Meanwhile, the Lawmaker implored government to assure the public of the children’s safety.

“Because when there is something that is unusual, the police ought to warn the public. They would say be careful, there are people that are abducting young girls so even us as parents would start taking care of our children. The police were mute and we are just wondering as to why they would keep quite over such a sensitive issue. We are not talking about one girl; we are talking about 13 girls abducted…..at the nose of the police, at the nose of the President,” she said.

“We decided to come in black, we are not happy, we are mourning, we are very sad, we are heartbroken and we feel for the parents of those women. We were looking for one girl and yet we had 13 girls who were missing. We want assurance from government that our children are safe. We are not even done talking about sodomy, our boys were sodomized..”

WE ARE A BANANA REPUBLIC DEPENDING ON OUTSIDE FINANCING DESPITE HAVING MINES – SICHINGA … UPND adm will struggle to finance pronouncements

Former Commerce minister Bob Sichinga says the UPND administration will struggle to finance what he describes as their good pronouncements because the country’s major mining sector is only contributing K9 billion to the K167 billion budget.

Speaking with Daily Revelation on the 2023 national budget presented by Finance minister Dr Musokotwane last Friday, Sichinga said the UPND administration is struggling with a lack of finance while wanting to meet costs and expectations of the people.

He said looking at the budget from the general pronouncements, the socio and political point, many of the things the administration said were very good, but the important thing was to focus at the structure of the economy.

Sichinga said he was looking at the table of content, containing the revenues and expenditure, saying this was not just the problem of the current government but it has always affected the previous governments as well.

He said the total budget for this year was K167 billion, which was just over $10 billion, saying looking at the functions, the general public services accounted to K66 billion representing 40 percent of the total budget, defence at five percent, public order and safety is nine percent and environmental protection one percent, health 10.5 percent, education 14 percent and social protection five percent.

Sichinga said all these were desirable as they were pointing towards the right direction in terms of where the country should spend the money, but the question was where the money to finance the same programmes will come from.

He said looking at the revenues, domestic revenue was K111 billion, and that all the taxes put together were only giving about K93 billion to the treasury and that the known taxes were K18 billion.

“How much of it is coming from the mines? K9 billion. What does that represent? Eight percent. We are a mining country, where would we expect the revenues to come from? From mining. And I am saying to you just look at the resource envelope on page 49, it’s telling you that.. http://dailyrevelationzambia.com/we-are-a-banana-republic-depending-on-outside-financing-despite-having-mines-sichinga-upnd-administration-will-struggle-to-finance-their-pronouncements/

IT is ridiculous and a cheap way of gaining political mileage for the UPND government to increase the 2023 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) when nothing tangible or beneficial had come out from the previous 2022 CDF,” veteran politician Mwenya Musenge has said

And Patriotic Front (PF) Kwacha constituency chairman Alex Mr Chembo has said the 2023 budget just like the 2022 budget was not inspirational and had exposed the new dawn administration of being an incompetent government which wanted to divert its incompetence by persecuting political rivals.

Mr Musenge said before increasing the CDF from K25.7 million to K28.3 million in the 2023 budget, the UPND should have first reviewed the performance of the fund in 2022 to understand the challenges and how best to improve on it

In an interview in Kitwe at the weekend, Mr Musenge said the UPND government must not be quick to excite people with unattainable pronouncements, but must be systematic in the manner it was running the country because running the country on lies and deceit will only serve to agitate citizens

Commenting on the 2023 budget announced by Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane on Friday, Mr Musenge said if the UPND government had failed to release the K25.7 million CDF for K2022, how was it going to afford to release the K28.3 million CDF for 2023

“Whoever wants to find out about the achievements for 2022 CDF, let him or her get on the ground and find out. Even youths themselves don’t know.

And Mr Chembo has said it is ridiculous and a clear indication of incompetence for a political party like UPND which promised Zambians a better life to abandon its campaign promises and start persecuting whoever was criticising its mediocre leadership

Mr Chembo was reacting to the persecution of former republican President Edgar Lungu by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other law enforcement agencies

Mr Chembo said it was shameful that the UPND which promised Zambians “Heaven on Earth” during the 2021 elections had abandoned its campaign promises and was slowly turning Zambia into “hell” through political persecution and worsening hunger and poverty levels.

He said Zambia was slowly being turned into ‘Hell’ by the New Dawn Administration through political persecution which included arrests and seizure of property of perceived political enemies, while poverty and hunger was worsening in various communities

“It is sad and disappointing that, after failing to fulfil its campaign promises, the new dawn administration wanted to govern the country through ‘blackmail’ to silence its critics, intimidation, threats and other forms of dictatorial tendencies

“It is almost a year now since the UPND or the new dawn formed government, there is nothing which it has done to bring hope to the majority poverty stricken Zambians. Things are getting from bad to worsen. Prices of essential commodities are sky-rocketing every day,” Mr Chembo said.- Daily Nation

PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF) Chinsali Member of Parliament Kalalwe Mukosa has confirmed that he was drugged by two unknown Tanzanian women while he lodged at Urban Hotel in Ndola.

Mr Mukosa says that the two ladies, who had introduced themselves as business women earlier at noon and were also logged at the same hotel allegedly drugged him with valium and stole from him while helping him get to his room while in an intoxicated state.

He has since refuted a paragraph in a story published by the Zambia Daily Mail with the assumption that the two were prostitutes.

In a letter addressed to Zambia Mail managing director, Mr Mukosa’s lawyer Bonaventure Mutale said while the rest of the story is accurate, the incident of drugging his client’s drink or wine occurred while he was seated around the swimming pool area in the company of the two women long before the closure of the bar.

“We have been retained by Mr. Kalawa Mukosa, MP in connection with your article headlined “MP Mukosa Robed.” “2 Tanzanian ladies drugged him with valium in his room.” The article reads in part: “Patriotic Front (PF) CHINSALI Member of Parliament Kawala Mukosa has allegedly been robbed out of K18 000 by two women of Tanzanian origin he invited for drinks in his room at Ndola Urban Hotel…” Mr Mutale said.

Mr Mutale said Mr Mukosa is not aware that the two women were prostitutes as they had earlier in the day as they ate breakfast introduced themselves as business women.

He said Mr Mukosa was intoxicated by the drug that was dropped in his drink while sitting around the swimming pool and that the two women offered to assist him to walk to is room where they robbed him after he fell unconscious.

“The two women were also booked in the Hotel in Room 14. We advise that Mr Mukosa was intoxicated by the drug that was dropped in his drink whilst sitting around the swimming pool and that the two women offered to assist him to walk to is room where they robbed him after he fell unconscious.

In the light of the above, our instructions are to request you to retract the portion of the story that states that Mr. Mukosa was allegedly robbed of K18000.00 by two women of Tanzanian origin whom he invited for drinks in his room at Ndola Urban Hotel,” Mr Mutale said.

He has since asked the Newspaper to retract a paragraph from the story which assumed that he invited the two women in his room.

“We note that this article has also been published on your online platform.Our instructions are that you should publish in print and on your online platform a corrected version and apology to Hon. Mukosa in the course of the next five days, failure to which we have instructions to commence action in the High Court for Zambia.Kindly note that Hon. Mukosa has by separate correspondence engaged the Hotel Management for its breach of mandatory statutory duties as provided for in the Hotel Act,” he said.

(Mwebantu)

HOW NAPSA MESSED ITSELF UP IN THE MOSI-OA-TUNYA LIVINGSTONE RESORT VENTURE DURING PF: HOW CAN RETIREES SURVIVE

By Shalala Oliver Sepiso

BACKGROUND TO THE MOSI-OU-TUNGA LIVINGSTONE RESORT
Before investing in the Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-
Tunya Livingstone Resort, NAPSA had already invested in 3 modern hotels namely: StayEasy Hotel at Levy Junction Mall under the Southern Sun franchise, Hilton Garden Inn in Society Building in Lusaka and the Garden Court Hotel at the Edgar Chagwa Lungu Business Park in Kitwe.

However, NAPSA did not come up with the Livingstone project, it bought it from other investors.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) – formerly known as Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) – identified a portion of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and tendered it for development. The proposed site, which is also a northern part of the World Heritage Site and is co-managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC), was earmarked for tourism development as reflected in the Mosi-oa-Tunya Management Plan.

In October 2006, following an Environmental Impact Assessment carried out for the proposed Mosi-oa-Tunya Hotel and country club estate development by Legacy Holdings Zambia on an area covering 220 hectares, ZAWA entered into a a Tourism Concession Agreement (TCA) with Legacy Group. This agreement came after an open tender. The scoping meeting of this development under Legacy Holdings Zambia was led by Mr. Renatus “Rennie” Mushinge, the Managing Director of BICON Zambia Ltd. But some disagreements and delays in implementation led to this concession being cancelled by DNPW.

Following the collapse of the first concession, the directors of Mosi-oa-Tunya Resort Holdings (MRH) approached DNPW to develop the pieces of land through an unsolicited bid. There were concerns about how the land was acquired since it was never advertised like in the case of Legacy Holdings. It is important to note that Mosi-oa-Tunya Resort Holdings was only registered in 2017 and in 7 months and weeks, the fledgling company had managed to bid, convince government departments to get permissions to develop and roped in funders to develop the Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort. In February, 2018, a TCA was signed between Mosi-oa-Tunya Resorts Holdings – in which Renatus Mushinge was responsible for scoping of the project and was a director and shareholder of the firm alongside Valentine Chitalu – and the DNPW in respect of the Lot 14734/M/A in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park located in Livingstone City to develop the Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort. This portion of land, which is a 16.85 hectare site is along the Zambezi River, upstream of the Victoria Falls, and at the confluence of the Maramba and Zambezi River, within Livingstone City. The proposed site is a northern part of the World Heritage Site.

The directors of Mosi-oa-Tunya Resort Holdings, upon being successful with their bid, appointed Mukuba Property Development Company Limited to develop the proposed project site. Now it gets interesting here. The shareholders and directors of Mukuba Property Development Company Limited are as follows: Renatus Mushinge (Director and owner of 33.33% shares held held under African Eagle Hotels & Resorts), Valentine Chitalu (director and owner of 33.33% shares) and Jacob Jone Sikazwe (director and owner of 33.33% shares). These are the same people who own the holding firm.

At some point, NAPSA signed a turnkey agreement with Mukuba Property Developers consortium which includes project partners that comprised Stefanutti Stocks Construction as main contractor, Radisson Blu as the hotel operator, and a combination of local and international consultants. What is not clear is whether NAPSA financed the hotel and then bought it from Mukuba at a profit despite its own money being invested or it bought all the shares of the investment. All searches of the companies involved show that NAPSA owns no shares into the developer or the holding company. But because NAPSA is not regulated, this information is hard to come by. Only a proper forensic audit can bring this matter to rest.

Since NAPSA says it is the owner of the hotel, did NAPSA buy the concession? Or they lent money for construction then bought the hotel? Is the hotel being run under a special purpose vehicle?

At this time, Bicon Zambia, also owned by Mushinge, was mentioned as being part of the Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort project. This came out during the EIA scoping meetings. But Bicon Zambia, a company that had previous worked with NAPSA on a number of investments including some scandalous ones like the Society Building in town, was not going to sit well with the public. It disappeared from the scene once the project started, Not sure if it was removed. Was it cleverly withdrawn from sight and instead replaced by the likes of Mukuba since these are still the same people?

The Mukuba Property Development and Bicon nexus had been involved in previous developments including Hilton Garden Inn Hotel (in Society Building) in Lusaka and Kitwe’s Garden Court Hotel and ECL Business Park in Kitwe (on land which had previously been ‘Freedom Park’, Kitwe’s town greenspace. All these are NAPSA projects. All these have sad stories in terms of costings of projects and real work done. If we were to look at the spreadsheets, the numbers would shake the public and they would want head to roll. Interesting, the seems to be a trend of NAPSA working with these same directors of companies from project to project despite public misgiving.
Mukuba boasted that the Mosi-o-tunya Livingstone Resort was going to be the largest project ever developed in Zambia in the tourist space. It would include two hotels, a 5-star (120 beds) and a 3-star(180 beds), and an 18-hole golf course, as well as a 600-seater convention centre, kids park, spar and golf club all within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Hilton Worldwide was earmarked to operated the resort. Mukuba and NAPSA had already worked with Hilton to develop a hotel in Lusaka by this stage Eventually the golf course was removed from plans and replaced by a a putt-putt course and other supporting facilities.

THE SCANDALOUS COST OF THE MOSI-OA-TUNYA LIVINGSTONE RESORT PROJECT

The developers didn’t waste time, within a year of the concession, construction works commenced in the third quarter of 2019 with an initial projection of completion over a 2-year period. The resort’s ground-breaking ceremony was officiated by President Edgar Lungu on 3rd July 2020 and then acting NAPSA Director General Yollard Kachinda.
The final design of the resort showed it would have 180 standard hotel rooms, 20 executive stand alone chalets, a state of the art 500 seater conference hall among other facilities.

Questions have been asked how NAPSA was asked to buy the concession and develop the resort at a cost of approximately USD 100 million without negotiating downwards especially that this was an unsolicited bid. Though the developers of the resort, at EIA stage, revealed that they were partnering with NAPSA to fund the resort and that the proposed project cost was estimated initially set at $149, 098, 000 (USD 149 million) but later announced by NAPSA to be USD 98,000,000 (USD 98 million) i.e. almost USD 100 million, many felt that the cost was still very high.

The suggested real cost of the resort can be found in an article by Richard Aaron Ngoma, which is available in public domain online and is entitled “NOW PF GETS ENTANGLED IN SOCIETY BUSINESS PARK, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS REPORTEDLY STOLEN”.

A good number of the more than 1200 (?) pillars that support the structure of Lusaka’s Society Business Park – that hosts the glamorous internationally-renowned Hilton Hotel located in Society House along Lusaka’s Cape to Cairo Rd right in the heart of Lusaka Central Business District – were said to be about to give in due to huge cracks that had developed. The structural weakness of the building was being attributed to poor and unqualified workmanship that critics said was awarded to politically connected individuals with close links to the Zambian president and the PF party in power. In 2020, issues surrounding concerns over the structural integrity and the need to strengthen the columns of the Society House Tower were raised with BICON reporting that 153 columns of the total of 258 columns were found to have lower than the specified design capacity of the specified concrete strength.

Richard Aaron Ngoma submitted as follows: “According to impeccable sources, cracks in the giant pillars were first noticed in 2018. Remedial measures were awarded to Bicon Construction Company owned by Rennie Mushinge, at a cost of US$20m. Bicon Ltd filled up the cracks without carrying out thorough engineering investigations as to the extent of the structural damage. The Director General of NAPSA Yolard Kachinda approved the Bicon works without expert advice, and reportedly shared the $20m with Rennie Mushinge and named PF top officials. Early in the week, President Edgar Lungu met the Engineering Institute of Zambia Board at State House, where it is reported he berated them for lack of superintendence on the project. Insiders say the President is attempting at scapegoating the real culprits because of his deep involvement with them. The connection of Bicon and NAPSA spreads its tentacles in other business entities. For example, the pension fund awarded a contract to build Mosi O Tunya Pleasure Resort Hotel in the controversial national park land to Mukuba Properties, at a staggering inflated cost of US$98. Mukuba Properties is owned by Bicon CEO Rennie Mushinge. Sources say the correct BOQ cost is $40m with $58m being unaccounted for, under the guise of payments to ‘consultants’. Sources further state that a good chunk of the money was delivered to State House.”

So if Ngoma thinks the BOQ was around USD50million, the quoted price is scandalous!
How did that resort cost pensioners from Zambia’s poor neighbourhoods a whooping K1.7 billion to construct? That is USD 100m. A quick questionnaire passed around a number of Zambian developers comes back with suggestions that it should have cost between USD 20m to USD50m tops!

Unfortunately, because NAPSA is not regulated, the figures have never been been made available to many people who should be seeing to it that the right things are or were being done. Only a proper forensic audit can bring this matter to rest.

If the hotel cost less than USD 50m, where did the USD 48m go? Could the developer have gained too much money so that they developed the property at 4 Omelo Mumba Road from the profits? Wouldn’t be good if Mukuba Property could come out and state that the Rhodespark Hotel building on Omelo Mumba has nothing to do with the Mosi-oa-Tunya investment?

OTHER CONCERNS MAKING THE MOSI-OA-TUNYA RESORT INVESTMENT PROBLEMATIC

Some commentators said they saw this project as a selfish venture and looked at suspiciously because it came at a time Hon Ronald Chitotela had just moved from Ministry of Infrastructure to Ministry of Tourism. At that time, Chitotela was facing accusations in the press of impropriety undertakings in deals and other forms of suspected corruption and money laundering. More suspicious was the fact that the Zambia Tourist Board of directors, headed by Peter Jones who was the owner of The River Club in Livingstone and was opposed to the development, had just been dismissed. Many felt the development scheme would and later was approved using underhand methods as a result.

At at EIA stage, several people raised concerns about the whole area meant for the hotel development being an important elephant corridor and how the resort would create a wildlife barrier in the park.

The Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) approved the project’s environmental impact assessment and also approved the project. And because part of the land offered for the construction of the hotel was within the “elephants corridor” and it was feared that this resort may lead to the elephants abandoning the route and thereby reducing their visibility and attraction to Livingstone, which is Zambia’s tourism capital, the approval came with conditions such as no fencing of the facility. “While noting that the project proposal was amended to reflect the condition of ZEMA that no fencing would be erected around the resort, the site selection would appear to be in contradiction to the aim to ensure the natural movement of wildlife, especially the area around the Maramba River, which is a known elephant corridor,” one write-up noted.

The developers promised to leave animal corridors within the development to allow the elephants to go through resort and especially the golf course part. They assured stakeholders that the hotel would not be fenced. This raised concerns on how clients would be protected from both elephants and hippos. These concerns later led to the golf course being dropped from the plans. But when construction was done, there was now fencing all around the project clearly blocking the wildlife. This led to critics stating that the project clearly breached the conditions given by the ZEMA approval for construction-to not block wildlife from accessing the rivers and many felt this was reason enough for UNESCO to deny the area its world heritage status.

Critics asked, was it worth using pensioners’ money to develop something that would lead to a World Heritage status being lost?

The World Heritage Centre and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Reactive monitoring mission visited Zambia and Zimbabwe from 9th to 13th February 2022 to assess the threat of tourism development pressure such as the Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort (to be run by Radisson Blu) and the proposed Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme. Both Zambian and Zimbabwean governments were accused of not caring about the World Heritage Site status of the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria falls area going by the kind of massive projects they were permitting within the World Heritage Site boundaries, on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides. Recently, the Victoria Falls City Council announced a new ‘massive’ US$50 million riverside hotel development in conjunction with Lamcent Capital, to be built on the banks of the Zambezi about 5 km above the Falls, sandwiched between the recent Palm River Hotel development and Zambezi Lodge on the south bank (Zimbabwe).

Another asked why Zambians did not get to a point where they held investors and companies accountable for not abiding by environmental regulations.

Then there was the issue of height of buildings. All developments within National Parks and World Heritage Sites area are required to be below the ‘average tree height’ so as not to visually intrude on the skyline. The developer was accused of erecting hotel buildings which were up to 16.4m which is was deemed to be below the maximum tree height as opposed to average tree height.

As at now, the resort is done. It is now going to be run by Radisson Blu and not Hilton as earlier plan. This is Radisson Hotel Group’s first resort and third hotel in Zambia, The resort, officially called Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort, is run by General Manager Mr. Shaun Wheeler. The newly constructed resort has facilities such as the biggest conference complex in Livingstone, a spa, a kids centre, hotel rooms, villas, swimming pools and a 90-seater boat on the water for cruises. It was set to open this past month of September 2022 with offerings such as unique on and off the river adventure activities, from Victoria Falls bridge activities, water-rafting, canoeing and game drives to helicopter rides, river cruises and elephant encounters.

IS NAPSA AGAINST PATNERING WITH BICON AND MUKUBA FOR THE KASABA BAY RESORT?

Mukuba Property Development Company (MPDC) plans to develop the Kasaba Bay Resort project on behalf of African Eagle Hotel and Resorts (AEHR). The project site is located in the Nsumbu National Park in Nsama District, Northern Province, Zambia. Located at approximately 50km North East from Nsama town, the site can be accessed from the Nsama entrance to Nsumbu National Park at the DNWP gate. Continuing on gravel road going South East for approximately 15 Km to reach Nkamba Bay lodge entrance and a ZESCO substation. The site is approximately 1kms South East from the Kasaba Bay airstrip.

As earlier noted, MPDC is said to be a special vehicle that was incorporated in 2012 (though PACRA records show 2017) by Bicon Zambia Limited to facilitate local institutional investors and financial institutions to own offices and serviced apartments at Bicon House. MPDC is 100% owned by Bicon Property Zambia Limited. Both are owned by Mr. Renatus Mushinge.

The Ministry of Tourism and Arts, DNPW, through its General Management Plan for Nsumbu National Park (2020-2030), set aside and zoned areas for park management. DNPW identified a portion of the Nsumbu National Park, and African Eagles have been provisionally given a lease to develop 50 Ha by putting up a resort comprising of a 120-key 3-star hotel and conference, a 80-key 5-star hotel, and other supporting facilities such as dining areas, storage areas, laundry areas, male and female toilets, ball room, terrace, and generator area, plant area, meeting rooms, offices, reception/lobby and main kitchen. The resort will also have a Maintenance workshop, Beach Club including Spa and Gym, Wellness center and Boma, a Kids Club and a Hotel water arrival Jetty.

On 4th March 2022, ZEMA called for comments on the proposed Kasaba Bay Lodge through an advert placed in the Zambian Daily Mail.

In the Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Studies for The Proposed Kasaba Bay Lodge in Nsumbu National Park in Nsama District of Northern Province in Zambia by Mukuba Property Development Company report, on page 15 under sub-title 2.1.3.12 (National Pensions Scheme Act No.7 of 2015), the developers let the cat out of the bag when they stated that “The developers are partnering with NAPSA to fund the resort.”

Ok so NAPSA is again working with Bicon Zambia and others to develop, is it now the 10th property? Isnt this too much considering many of these are not through open tenders?

In fact, isn’t this the same Bicon which is now suspended?

On 25th July of this year, Zambian Business Times’Tyndale Muchiya, in an article entitled “Society house saga deepens as EIZ suspends BICON & BCHOD” revealed that the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ) had suspended the membership of BICON, a Consulting Engineering firm, following the irregularities revealed after a joint investigation conducted by the EIZ technical committee and the government’s Joint Investigative Team (JIT) on Society House. The EIZ President, Mr. Abel Ng’andu, however mentioned that the suspension is due to the gravity of the matter, EIZ has suspended their membership as governed by the EIZ statutes. Ng’andu however could not reveal the actual irregularities, stating that the matter was before the government’s JIT working with the EIZ. EIZ has since urged its Members to strictly follow the code of conduct and provisions of the EIZ act.

The proposed project cost for the Kasaba Bay Lodge is estimated to be $50, 000, 000 and the construction works will be in 2 phases to commence in January 2023 – December 2024 for the first phase. And the rest of the development completion of the second phase by 2026.

So now NAPSA is paying USD 50m for a similar project to Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort and not the USD 98 million for the Livingstone one?

Clearly the USD 100 million for Livingstone is scandalous and authorities should take interest.

The Unemployed Teachers Association of Zambia (UTAZ) has commended the move by the government to employ 4,500 teachers as stated in the 2023 national budget presentation by the Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane.

Unemployed Teachers Association of Zambia President Francis Musonda highlighted in a statement issued to Lusaka Times that following the announcement by the Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane on the floor of the house during the 2023 National Budget presentation to recruit 4,500 teachers in 2023, on behalf of the Association and all the 70,000+ Unemployed Teachers, the recruitment of this additional 4,500 teachers next year, not only will it provide employment to the destitute majority unemployed teachers but it will improve their lives and also supplement the positives brought by the historical 30,496 recruitment.

“Allow me to thank and recognize the endless efforts the new dawn government has continued rendering towards the education sector,” Mr Musonda said

“It is undoubted that as a country we still have a long way to go to balance up the pathetic teacher-pupil ratio characterise especially by the introduction of free Education from grade 1 to 12 early this year,” Mr Musonda added

Mr Musonda cited that the country may wish to note that the desired teacher-pupil ratio in public schools is 1:40 for primary and 1:30 for Secondary respectively but the current teacher-pupil ratio is still a huge concern.

“Nonetheless, with these efforts by the government we are hoping that soon this song will be a thing of the past,” he stated

Mr Musonda has acknowledged the government’s effort towards improving the quality of education through the provision of school materials and furniture such as desks and other necessary materials, stating that this move should be a continuous process, especially in rural areas.

Mr Musonda has appealed to the government to see to it that the recruitment is done in the first quarter of 2023 and if possible, all these Teachers be sent to remote areas where the need is so high.

Mr Musonda has since called on his fellow Unemployed Teachers Association of Zambia members, to remain steadfast and encouraged, especially for those that have stayed for a long time after graduation without being employed to consider taking up some voluntary work between now and next year as this will help them refresh their brains and skills so that as they get to be employed next year, they would have been rebooted and be able to deliver up to their expected standards.

Last week, Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane announced in the National Assembly during the 2023 National Budget address that the government will continue to implement measures to improve the quality of education. To this end, an additional 4,500 teachers will be recruited in 2023. Priority for the deployment of these teachers will be given to rural areas which are more deprived.

Further, the government will upgrade teachers who are currently serving in positions that are lower than their qualifications, including those who have been acting in higher positions for a long time without confirmation.

Mr Musokotwane added that while the government has made some headway in teacher availability, challenges remain in the sector. The problem of teachers shunning remote areas and earning salaries designated for remote schools while actually not being there is real.

Finally, many of the schools are not adequately supervised and inspected to ensure adherence to standards. In 2023, the government is providing money specifically for ensuring, without fail, that schools are visited by standards compliance personnel.

And to increase access to education, the government will next year complete the construction of 56 Early Childhood Education Centers, there are many high schools, some going as far back as 2010, which were abandoned midstream in the past twelve years, and the government will embark on completing them in 2023, 115 secondary schools in total. Further, the government will commence the construction of 120 new secondary schools with the support of the World Bank.

OUR VOTING CULTURE HAS BEEN PATHETIC – SIANGA

By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone

THE culture of voting in Zambia needs to change if we are to produce caring and focused members of parliament, says Namakau Sianga.

She argues that voting behaviour in Zambia has been pathetic.

The losing Livingsone PF parliamentary candidate in the August 2021 elections, Sianga said most members of parliament have changed cell phone numbers to avoid talking to their masters, “the electorate”.

“The culture of voting in Zambia needs to change if we are to produce caring and focused MPs who would work for their constitutencies in the country.

As things stand we will continue to vote for MPs who do not answer phone calls and are absentee landlords and the people in their respective constitutencies will continue to be community orphans,” Sianga said.

She said it was “so sad most that members of parliament have stopped answering phone calls” from constituents.

“Adding salt to this some MPs have even changed their sim cards and acquired different numbers. All this done in an effort to avoid talking to their members from their constitutencies,” Sianga said.

“The challenge we have to deal with as a country is to change the voting culture we have attached to elections by behaviour which is to perceive elections as a ceremony and seasonal fanfare event. In fact coupled to this generally we are often misled with the election famous concept of saying ‘vote wisely’ which has turned out to be giving us wrong and uncaring legislators who abandon the community once elected.”

She urged Zambians to rethink the culture of elections especially voting pattern because in most cases they are left disappointed.

“This culture is among us people and its up to us to begin talking about the adverse effects of it and then start revolutionalising it going forward so that things could improve.

However, for now the people who voted for the alleged absentee MPs countrywide will only have themselves to blame and involuntarily endure the adverse consequences until 2026 when they will again be accorded the opportunity to decide through the ballot,” Sianga said.

“This time therefore calls for deeper reflection and begin discussing the status of culture of voting so that we equip ourselves with better understanding of the realities and discourse towards changing for the better.

In short when we accept now that our culture of voting has been pathetic and that’s the reasons why we have produced absentee MPs then come 2026 we are destined for a different situation and most of these MPs even if they force their way into being adopted the voters who are in the majority would still teach them a bitter lesson of not voting for them or rejecting them through the ballot.”

She added that: “the election terminology of saying vote wisely has caused deception in the minds of majority voters and it continues to thrive as a culture of misleading voters”.

Keith Mukata’s lonely days to end soon

THE lonely days of former Chilanga lawmaker and once upon a time deputy justice minister Keith Mukata are nearing an end as he moves closer to wedding his gorgeous fiancee Charmaine Musonda.

The marriage process was sent into high gear yesterday as Charmaine rounded up the best cooks within her family and circle to help her put various dishes and African cuisines that would go to Mukata and demonstrate that he would not starve to death once the two exchanged their marital vows.

It was all smiles for Mukata as the bringing party entered his yard in Lusaka West wriggling their waists to the sound of African drums and song with various consumables atop their heads.

A whole roasted pig, dozens of chickens that would have been enough to go to each of the starving UNZA who yesterday took to the streets in celebration of the government’s reintroduction of meal allowances, countless deep fried bream fish, game meat and several traditionally prepared vegetables, among other edibles, were all part of the pre-nuptial menu.

Mukata, who probably had an idea of what to expect from his caring wife-to-be and family, had already mobilised enough manpower, which included Turkish ambassador to Zambia Istem Circiroglu, to help him demolish the mountains of food brought to him.

After the the formalities of presenting the food to the groom, the guests put the their digestive systems to work and were later joined by their bride-to-be.

Much as the guests combined their efforts to try to finish what was served, food seemed to have won; it remained in abundance.

Cheered on by ululating and whistling guests, the two exquisite love birds walked hand-in-hand, shared snappy kisses before concluding the evening with a photoshoot!

Story and pictures by Salim Dawood

Kalemba

First Quantum Share Price Jumps to 4.9% in Toronto After Zambian Government Makes Further Cuts to Mining Royalties

The shares of First Quantum Minerals Ltd, which accounts for more than half of Zambia’s copper production, gained as much as 4.9% in Toronto after Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane told parliament in his budget speech yesterday that the government will make further cuts to copper mining royalties.

In his budget address to parliament, and in a move seen to incentivise mining output, Dr Musokotwane said that restructuring the royalty system will cost the government K2.8 billion in lost revenue next year.

Currently, Zambia uses a sliding scale mining royalty system based on the copper price and under the planned changes, charges will apply on the incremental value in each adjusted price band, as opposed to the aggregate value, Dr Musokotwane told parliament.

In his speech Dr Musokotwane said said that the government plans to spend K167.3 billion kwacha in 2023. About K111.6 billion of that will come from revenue, and the rest from grants and borrowing.

The Minister further said that while K18.2 billion was allocated to external-loan servicing next year, that doesn’t take into account debt restructuring and will be subject to change once the agreement is reached with creditors, he said.

The government has so far made slow progress in efforts to rework its external liabilities that totalled $17.3 billion last year. It’s using the Group of 20’s Common Framework to engage with creditors — a template that required the nation to seek help from the International Monetary Fund. The government has been given assurances by an official bilateral creditors committee that they’re ready to negotiate, thereby unlocking a $1.3 billion IMF bailout.

The government now needs to negotiate with official bilateral creditors a memorandum of understanding for the restructuring, and seek comparable treatment from commercial lenders, including the holders of $3 billion of outstanding eurobonds. The government needs $8.4 billion in debt relief through 2025, according to the IMF. The World Bank said this equates to a 45% cut in net present value for creditors.

Government removes windfall tax on mining companiesJanuary 30, 2009In “Economy”

Govt’s move to maintaining policy and tax consistency will improve production – Chamber of MinesOctober 1, 2022In “Economy”

Government’s move to maintaining policy and tax consistency will improve production – Chamber of MinesOctober 2, 2022

DID THE STUDENTS WHO MARCHED TO STATE HOUSE BREAK THE PROVISION OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT? NOT AT ALL!

Debate has generated whether or not the University Students’ Thanksgiving March to STATE HOUSE offended the Public Order Act or indeed the police applied double standards.

This is because, not too long ago, police stopped Dr Brian Sampa’s procession for his failure to inform the Police of such a PROCESSION at least 7 days before yet University Students seemed not to have observed this requirement.

The truth is that the University Students DIDNT BREAK THE LAW AND POLICE DIDNT NOT ACT UNFAIRLY BUT ACTED WITHIN THE EXISTING LAW REGULATING ASSEMBLIES, PROCESSIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS, AND THE LAW’S PROVISIONS

Section 5(4) of the public Order Act guides that Every person who intends to assemble or convene a public meeting, procession or demonstration shall give police at least seven days notice of that person’s intention to assemble or convene such a meeting, procession or demonstration

However section 5(6) puts an exception to the provisions of subsection 4 by stating that The provisions of subsections (4) and (5) SHALL NOT APPLY to any public meeting CONVENED BY or AT THE REQUEST OF and INTENDED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE PRES IDENT, the Vice-President or any Minister or Junior Minister or the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly

The Re-introduction of Students’ Meal Allowances Thanksgiving March to STATE HOUSE by the scores of the University Students was INTENDED to by addressed by the President hence his allowing them to march to State House for the PURPOSE.

Any march to STATE HOUSE must be cleared by the PRESIDENT or else it cannot take off or can be disrupted.

No wonder, two presidential assistants, a Cabinent Minister and government officials where at hand to welcome and address the STUDENTS.

In addition, Section 5(7) further directs that Where in any proceedings against a person for an offence against section seven it is necessary so to prove, the burden of proving that the said public meeting was convened by or at the request of and was intended to be addressed by the President or the Vice-President or any Minister or Junior Minister or the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly shall lie on the accused

In an event that the Police arrested the students for an illegal procession or demonstration, all they needed to prove to the police or court was that march was convened at the request of and was intended to be addressed by the President. Case closed.

Therefore, the DEBATE could have been emanated from ignorance of the law.

FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, AND BY LAW, ANY MEETING CONVENED OR DEMONSTRATION, PROCESSION/MARCH OR PROTEST CALLED AT THE REQUEST OF OR INTENDED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE PRES IDENT DO NOT NEED 7 DAYS NOTICE. THESE PROCESSION CAN BE ANY TIME AND SPONTANEOUSLY

Therefore, there was no unfair act committed by the police and no illegalities the University Students.

I SUBMIT

McDonald Chipenzi

UPND GOVERNMENT IS WALKING THE TALK __ UPND YOUTH OFFICIALS

…..As they counsel opposition leaders to avoid politics of insults whenever they have an opportunity to engage with the public.

01/10/2022

The Provincial UPND Youth leaders from across the ten provinces gathered in Lusaka to show solidarity to president Hakainde Hichilema for what they termed exemplary leadership from the time he was elected president a year ago.

Lusaka province Youth Chairperson Mr Anderson Banda appreciated the work done by the Government for not letting the people of Zambia and that president Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership has promoted unity and love amongst citizens.

He said the people waged a negative campaign against the president accusing him of trying to divide the country but the reality is different.

He said the opposition in the country has remained with nothing to oppose the UPND Government more especially that 90% of UPND promises are being achieved.

He said the peace the people are enjoying is not by chance but a product of hard-working by the Government of Zambia under president Hakainde Hichilema.

And Eastern province Youth Chairperson Mr Nyirenda Lyson said the UPND is well organized and disciplined party that obey and respect the leadership .

Nyirenda commended the Kanyama youths that once staged protest but apologized to the party for taking a wrong route.He said this is not the right time to begin fighting but to get united for the common good.

He said it is not true that all the people can benefit at the one time and urges the youths to hold their fire and support the leadership to deliver to the expectations of many.

And UPND Copperbelt Provincial Youth Chairperson Mr Hinyama Wallen urged the youths in the party not to be swayed by negative critiques in the opposition who have taken a route of insults instead of positive criticism.

He said the country under the PF was extremely damaged but the UPND Government is doing everything possible to repair it.He said the two UPND budgets presented so far is addressing challenging issues for the people in Zambia. He added that the Government is in hand sourcing for resources to support the weak and will not stop at anything until what was promised is fulfilled.

Meanwhile UPND North Western Province youth chairperson Mr Bruce Kanema said the country was messed by a criminal gang but it is being repaired by the prudent Government.

Mr Kanema said the enemies of the people that destroyed the country are all over the country criticizing the Government shamelessly even when the performance of the UPND Government under President Hakainde Hichilema is being admired by people from all over the world.

He wondered why some people woke up in the morning to insult the leaders doing their best to correct the wrong done by the previous Government. He condemned people that have ganged up to accuse the UPND of trying to support homosexuality.He said the UPND does not in any way support homosexualities nor have the desire to support that in future.

He said even before he formed the Government some people were accusing him of being a tribalist but today, the opposition and their supporters are accusing President HH of supporting homosexuals.

He warned the critic of the president and the Government to do normal politics otherwise they will have to themselves blame when they continue to insult the Head of state. He said the Youths in the ruling party can defend the President and Government through respecting the rule of law.

He said democracy must be guided and that Democracy doesn’t entertain politics of insults and no one should hide in the name of politics to insult leaders.

And UPND Central province Youth Chairperson Mr Paul Mweemba has disclosed that the central province is slowly becoming the hab of mining activities but regretted that the majority of the mines in the province are done illegally by the people bent on doing wrong .

He said the mining audit is underway and very soon the situation will be brought to normalcy and the youths will begin to benefit.

The UPND Youth officials were speaking this today afternoon at the UPND Secretariat.

(C) UPND MEDIA TEAM

Government has increased the Pay As you Earn (PAYE) tax threshold from K4, 500 to K4,800 in next year’s national budget.

This means that only employees getting paid K4,800 and above will be taxed Pay As You Earn.

Presenting the K167 billion proposed 2023 national budget in Parliament today, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane said the move is meant to mitigate the cost of living for many Zambian citizens.

Dr. Musokotwane said the measure will add 21,509 more workers to those who do not currently pay this tax on account of being below the PAYE threshold.

“The measure will also increase disposable income for salaried households by K1 billion,” he disclosed.

The minister also proposed to increase tax credit for persons with disabilities to K600 per month from the current K500.

He further proposed the abolishment of the current two-tier taxation system in the telecommunication subsector, which provided for 30 percent tax on profit of up to K250,000 and 40 percent on profit above K250,000, and replace it with a single tax rate of 35 percent.

Meanwhile, the government has proposed an increase of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation for the 2023 budget to each constituency from K25.7 million to K28.3 million, which is an increment of K2.6 million.

Dr. Musokotwane said increased CDF allocation is an overall K4.4 billion, which is an increase of K401 million from the 2022 national budget.

He stated that this will address the challenges faced by communities especially in rural areas.

“Priority will be on improving water and sanitation at health and education facilities, procurement of school desks, electrification of schools and hospitals as well as provision of maternity services at health centres,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Dr. Musokotwane proposed to spend K66.2 billion or 39.5 percent of the budget on the General Public Services function.

He said of this amount, K30.5 billion will go towards domestic debt servicing while K18.2 billion is for external debt service.

“The allocation towards debt service does not take into account debt restructuring and will be subject to change once an agreement is reached with creditors. We appeal to our creditors to support us so that, together, we can expeditiously conclude the debt restructuring,” Dr. Musokotwane said.

And Dr. Musokotwane expressed worry that Zambia’s mineral production has stagnated in comparison to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

He said Zambia’s mineral production has for many years stagnated at around 800,000 metric tonnes while DRC is performing better.

He has therefore announced the restructuring of the mineral royalty regime as a measure for Zambia to regain its glory in the mining sector.

“The tax will now apply on the incremental value in each adjusted price band as opposed to the aggregate value when the price crosses the respective price threshold.

I further propose to reduce the lowest marginal rate to 4.0 percent from 5.5 percent. The revenue loss from this measure is estimated at K2.8 billion,” he said

STUDENT POPULAS FROM DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES HAVE EXPRESSED HAPPINESS OVER THE RE-INSTATION OF THE PF ABOLISHED MEAL ALLOWANCES

LUSAKA- 1st October, 2022.

Student from The University of Zambia (UNZA) , Copperbelt University (CBU) and other universities today matched to state house in order to cheer-up the government inclusion of the meal allowance package in the next year’s budget.

In a letter read by the outgoing Ridgeway president Chimuka Simonga, the student population has thanked president Hakainde Hichilema for living by his promises.

The letter has disclosed the need for the government to extend this noble cause to other universities in the country including private institutions.

The letter was received by Levy Ngoma Special Assistant for Political Affairs and Minister of youths and sports, Elvis Nkandu.

Others present were, Presidential Spokesperson Antony Bwalya and Ministry of Information and Media, Director Spokesperson Mr. Thabo Kawana

Meanwhile, State House Special Assistant for Political Affairs ,Mr Levy Ngoma has welcomed the move by the students and has pledged a full support from state house

After their submission,all the students were escorted by the police buses to their respective universities.

(C) THE FALCON NEWS

Patriotic Front (PF) National Women Chairperson Kampamba Mulenga has said the people of Zambia miss former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Ms Mulenga, the Kalulushi Member of Parliament, said Mr. Lungu brought massive development during his reign as sixth republican President.

Speaking when a team of PF Members of Parliament visited Mr. Lungu at his Lusaka home, Ms. Mulenga said it was a joke to allege that the former Head of State did nothing when in government.

She said Mr. Lungu should be appreciated for the good things he did as republican President.

Ms. Mulenga said the PF was concerned over the ‘persecution’ of Mr. Lungu by the New Dawn Government through law enforcement agencies.

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) this week made a controversial decision to seize a Lodge they thought was owned by President Lungu. The property turned out to belong to someone else according to official ownership records.

Ms Mulenga observed that law enforcement agencies have failed to prove allegations that Mr. Lungu and his former Ministers were thieves one year after they left the government.

Ms. Mulenga assured Mr Lungu and his family of support from the PF especially Members of Parliament.

“We were worried and as women that the rule of law being spoken about is not being implemented. You remember very well when President Hakainde took over he said he would defend the constitution and as a believer, I want to tell you Your Excellence (Edgar Lungu) the Bible say be still I know that I am God. This too will pass. For the last one year they have said we were thieves and he that alleges must prove. There is no need Your Excellence I know that you are torn because it’s been an hectic one year, there is no need to even call for the lifting of your immunity. You have done nothing wrong. One year is a very long time for people to bring proof or evidence before the courts of law or any even before the table and me I just believe that what is happening now we are going to go to the polls in 2026 and my appeal to this Government is that what you do to others shall be done to you too,” Ms Mulenga said.

In the recent past DEC has interrogated President Lungu´s wife, daughter, son in law and his own son but its only this week that they have directly gone for the former head of state who constitutionally enjoys immunity against a probe and prosecution.

“2026 is just around the corner and I think President HH must be the bigger person and begin to stop this nonsense that is happening. The people of Zambia will decide in 2026.The people of Zambia will decide in 2026 whether this is the government that they want or this is the government they do not want. President Lungu we are with you, we are your members of Parliament and as National Chairperson (women) we want to pledge our allegiance to you and your family. We know your daughter is in Parliament and we know what has been going on with your family. And we just want to usher our support to the (former) first family, to madam Lungu (former first lady) and the rest of your family members that we shall stand with you,” she said.

Ms. Mulenga said Mr. Lungu served Zambia diligently as Head of State.

“We know how you worked for the Zambian people. I was your cabinet minister I can attest to that and indeed the people of Zambia miss you. I miss you personally, I miss the very good things that my people benefitted and for all of us to come and say President Lungu did nothing is a joke. We saw massive development. Maybe it is a call to the Zambian people that let us be reminded that what we do unto others will be done un to us and in every matter it is important to remember the good,” Ms. Mulenga said.

She also called on President Hakainde Hichilema to consider dialoguing with Mr. Lungu in the best interest of the nation.

Ms. Mulenga said there is something good President Hichilema could learn from Mr. Lungu.

“President HH is a president of this republic let him converse with his predecessor and iron out problems. The country is at a standstill because everyday it is the issue of DEC and Anti Corruption Commission. The country need to move. We need to arrest the collapsing economy by bringing everybody on board. There is something President HH can also learn from President Lungu.Not everything PF did was bad, so Your Excellence again my verse is ‘Be still I know that I God and in everything God is sovereign. He is the author of our life, our future. He ordained you to be the president of this republic and there is no need at any particular time should you begin to regret. You did a good job. You served this country diligently above everything else. You put in your best. I saw I was your cabinet minister. I was part of what you did so for me and I think everybody else that is why they are here, we have come to offer our solidarity to all the good things the people of Zambia had inherited from your good leadership. The people of Zambia miss you. They miss you, I cannot even begin to explain. Everybody asks about you because of the ongoings in this country. So be still and know that he is God and this too shall pass,” Ms. Mulenga conclusion.

KANCHIBIYA MP CALS FOR SPEEDY CLEARANCE OF SUBMITTED PROJECTS AT PROVINCIAL LEVEL AS HE COMMENDS GOVERNMENT FOR INCREASED CDF ALLOCATION.

..Says if delivered on time, the increment in CDF will be a game changer for rural constituencies…

Kanchibiya, Friday, 30th September, 2022.(Smart Eagles)

Kanchibiya Constituency Member of Parliament Honourable Sunday Chilufya Chanda has commended Government for significantly increasing the CDF from the current K25.7million to K28.3million under the 2023 national budget.

The Kanchibiya lawmaker has also bemoaned the inertia at Provincial level for Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects submitted for clearance after procurement processes at Council level.

“The intention to increase the allocation is right and we must now pull together, beyond political spectrum, to remove obstacles to speedy implementation of approved projects.” He said.
“We are ready to spend the entire K25.7million and the delay should not come from the technocrats. I’ll give you an example of Kanchibiya where it’s taken us two weeks for the Muchinga Province to clear our projects for Attorney General’s attention. This sort of inertia is totally unacceptable and must be uprooted as a matter of urgency. Of course the other bottlenecks are what the Minister of Finance addressed himself to in the speech. These too must be cured to enhance effective and efficient implementation of projects”, he added.

And Hon Chanda has commended government for increasing allocation to the CDF from K25.7 million to K28.3 million advising that in broadening scope and amending the act, caution must be taken to avoid creating superstructures of CDF Committees.

“So we must avoid the temptation of curing one problem by creating more complex bureaucratic problems. The focus must be on strengthening systems. Otherwise we must be magnanimous enough to commend government on this increment, which if delivered on time, is a game changer for rural constituencies like Kanchibiya”, he stated.

He said his tool of analysis is informed by the real challenges faced by the people in his constituency such as lack of access to clean water and sanitation, primary healthcare, inadequate classrooms and lack of desks, need to activate the local economy supported by increased production and improving the value chain around agriculture, making and maintaining feeder roads and constructing crossing points, improving on electricity access and constructing communication towers, among others.

He advises that in designing development models at local level, Constituencies must be guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), Eighth National Development Plan, Vision 2030, and other government policies.

Hon Chanda has since urged more government interventions to prioritise rural development and creation of sustainable local economies for areas as a sure way of creating better livelihoods for all Zambians.

“Kanchibiya’s comparative advantage is farming and with hardwork and discipline, with increased CDF and bottlenecks cured, we can transform the landscape of our area including unlocking the local agricultural industrial potential like never before”, he said.

The Kanchibiya Lawmaker is in the Constituency to meet with the residents and inspect projects and one such project is the K650,000 rice production empowerment Programme under CDF 2022 in Munikashi, Mbati, Lulingila and Chambeshi Wards among other wards of Kanchibiya Constituency.

Hon Chanda has underscored the importance of Kanchibiya working hard to become a breadbasket in the region supported by cultivation and production of quality products such as Sugarbeans, rice, groundnuts, Soyabeans, dried vegetables, dried spices, organic honey, fish farming, beef, among others.