ZAMBIA and Zimbabwe will next month hold meetings to discuss the construction of the US$3-billion Batoka Hydro-Power plant which will produce 1,600 megawatts of power.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma said in Lusaka that among the agenda items would be Zimbabwe’s payment of the $170 million debt stemming back from the failed Central Africa Power Corporation (Capco).
The controversial Capco debt has been one of the biggest stumbling blocks to the construction of the dam and power station at the Batoka Gorge, situated about 54 kilometres downstream of the Victoria Falls and would be the largest hydro-power plant in Zambia.
Mr Yaluma said Zimbabwe, which had initially refused to take up the debt, was settling the amount on a monthly basis and that the two Governments were now speaking one language and pulling in one direction.
“In early December, we shall be sitting down with Zimbabwe to discuss the construction of the Batoka hydro-power project.
“We have made significant progress with the settlement of the debt and we can now
proceed with the Batoka Project. Zimbabwe has been paying off the principal debt since January this year and they are near completion,” he said.
The principal debt was valued at $70 million with the interest over the years coming to almost $100 with Zambia saying Zimbabwe should pay off the principal first and the interest to be taken in as equity when constructing the Batoka hydro-power project.
Zimbabwe accepted to make the payment but rebuffed Zambia’s claim of $168 million, saying they would just pay the $70 million principal.
But Mr Yaluma said the matter was resolved in Zambia’s favour with payment time stretched to allow for the Southern neighbour some cushion when settling the debt.
He said the plan was to have the principal settled by December this year.
He said already the Environmental Impact Assessment had been done and financiers of the project were expected to take the centre stage of project which was first mooted in 1972.
So far, Zimbabwean media report that six international investors have been short listed on the construction of the 1,600-megawatts hydro-power plant at the Batoka Gorge from an initial list of 26 international investors.
The Batoka hydro-power concept was conceived in 1972 out of a study instituted by CAPCO.

Times of Zambia

President Michael Sata has been called upon to quickly intervene in the strike action by Nurses and other health workers at the University Teaching Hospital which has also spread to Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital.

Chrysalis Resources has completed a 26 hole, 2,145 metre reverse circulation drilling program on its Shikila copper project in north-western Zambia.

The program tested eight 120 part per million copper in soil anomalies within a 24 kilometre long, semi-continuous copper trend, specifically targeting supergene copper mineralisation between 20 and 40 metres below surface.

Drilling at the two north-western soil anomalies and the central anomaly over a magnetic high intercepted deeply weathered, altered, magnetic and pyritic gabbro units.

All samples containing elevated copper, determined via XRF, have been submitted to the SGS Laboratory in Kalulushi for copper and gold analysis, with assays pending.

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About Chrysalis Resources

Company – History

The Company was incorporated on 13 June 2007 for the purpose of acquiring prospective mineral projects primarily focused on gold, iron ore, uranium and nickel. Since incorporation, the Company has acquired the Zambian Copper Project, Pioneer Gold Project, Halloween West Project, West Angelas Iron Ore Project, Horseshoe South Project and the Gregory Range Project.

Chrysalis’ objective was to rapidly develop the identified assets in the project areas and to advance them as quickly as possible. In recent years, the gold, iron ore, uranium and nickel industries have experienced unprecedented growth with many exciting new development opportunities. Within this dynamic environment, Chrysalis is focussed on identifying a proven resource base through an active exploration program as the primary driver of growth.

Subsequent Highlights

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STATE House has warned unscrupulous people obtaining money and other benefits using President Michael Sata’s name to stop their deception before they reap the penalty of their deeds.
This follows numerous reports and complaints reaching the Presidency concerning fraudsters who are obtaining money or some other benefits on claims that they are representing the Patriotic Front (PF) and the Head of State.
In a statement released in Lusaka yesterday, Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, George Chella, advised members of the public to be wary of such unscrupulous people.
Mr Chella warned that those dealing with the cheats should realise that they are engaging them in their personal capacity, and that State House would not take responsibility for such transactions.
“The Presidency wishes to caution members of the public to be wary of unscrupulous persons that are obtaining money whilst masquerading as representatives of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata.
“This follows numerous reports and complaints reaching the Presidency concerning these fraudsters that are obtaining money or some other benefits by calculated deception amidst claims of being sent by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and the Head of State in particular,” Mr Chella said.
He said State House had nothing to do with anyone pretending to be acting on behalf of the PF and the President.
Mr Chella warned of stern action against people behind the disgraceful acts, and called on the Police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the culprits were brought to book.
“Furthermore, our word of caution to those behind this disgraceful, crooked and irresponsible behaviour is for them to stop at once before they meet the penalty of their deeds.
“We also urge the Police and other law enforcement agencies to take keen interest in the matter and ensure that the culprits are brought to book,” he said.

POLICE in Kabwe have arrested a 44-year-old teacher who is alleged to have defiled his 15-year-old niece.
The suspect of Chipako Primary School, whose names have been withheld, is alleged to have defiled the girl who is in Grade 9 at the same school.
Central Province  Police chief Standwell Lungu, who confirmed this yesterday, said the incident happened around 01:00 hours on Tuesday at the teacher’s home.
Mr Lungu said the suspect was caught in the act by his wife.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the accused had had carnal knowledge of the girl on several occasions.
Recently, a farmer of Solwezi was sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually abusing his 15-year- old biological daughter for two years and subsequently impregnating her.
Kitwe High Court Judge Judy Mulongoti sent to jail Ilunga Kapimbi, 39, of Mujimanzovu Village for sexually abusing his daughter between January 2010 and May 2012.
Kapimbi was charged with incest, convicted by the lower court and the matter was referred to the High Court for sentencing.
In sentencing Kapimbi, Ms Justice Mulongoti, sitting in Solwezi, said she was satisfied that the convict had sexual intercourse with his daughter and that there was overwhelming evidence that he impregnated her. The girl later suffered a miscarriage.
On Monday this week, Ms Justice Mulongoti lamented that the rising cases of defilement in Zambia were disheartening.
She said girls were no longer safe under the care of their stepfathers.
She said this when she sentenced a 42-year-old peasant farmer of Solwezi to 35 years in prison with hard labour for defiling his 11-year-old step-daughter.
Ms Justice Mulongoti sent to jail Frank Kalumba of Lamba area in Solwezi after finding him guilty of the offence.
Zambia is currently commemorating the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) under the theme ‘One Zambia One Nation Against GBV’.

SOURCE: Times of Zambia

THE Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) has called on striking nurses to return to work, as the union and Government have started negotiations for the 2014 improved salaries and conditions of service.
And Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda has said the ongoing strike by nurses and midwives at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and Livingstone General Hospital is illegal.
ZUNO general secretary Liseli Sitali disclosed in a statement that the continued strike was likely to jeopardise the ongoing bargaining process, hence the need for the nurses to call off their strike action and allow the bargaining process to take effect.
He said the union and Government had intensified the negotiations and that demands submitted by the nurses and midwives through various branch and provincial structures would also be taken into consideration.
Mr Sitali said Government and the union were working tirelessly to conclude the negotiations and adequately address the nurses’demands.
Mr Shamenda, who met leaders of the four health sector unions at Parliament Building on Tuesday night, said the ongoing strike was illegal and should be called off.
The four unions represented at the meeting include the Zambia National Union of Health and Allied Workers (ZNUHAW), ZUNO, Health Workers Union of Zambia (HWUZ) and Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ).

SOURCE: Times of Zambia

Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has rebuked Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili for accusing his fellow parliamentary of smoking dagger.

UPND’s Lukulu West MP rose on a point of order whether Mr Kambwili was in order to pass running comments, and alleging that Mr Mutelo is a dagger smoker.

Speaker of the House Dr Matinini ruled that Mr Kambwili was out of order and it was unfortunate and regrettable that the PF Roan Constituency MP had put the dignity of the house in disrepute.

Dr Matibini said the words were careless, irresponsible and should not be entered in the book of the records of the debates of the house.

The speaker has directed MPs to desist from uttering words which erode public confidence in the house.

Agriculture & Livestock Deputy Minister Rodgers Mwewa has castigated some banks for the slow pace at which they are paying farmers the monies owed to them by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

Mr Mwewa says slow paying system by the banks is delaying the planting process as farmers are not able to buy seed in good time.

He says banks need to devise a quicker system of paying farmers to enable them purchase input under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) which are now readily available in both Northern and Luapula Provinces.

Mr Mwewa was speaking after he toured the two provinces to inspect FISP activities.

On Sunday, irate farmers that supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency in Mbala District stormed the District Commissioner’s Office demanding to paid their money.

The farmers complain that they are owed over eight point nine billion kwacha.

And when contacted for a comment on last Friday, FRA Chief Executive Officer Chola Kafwabulula told ZNBC news that he would issue a comprehensive report of payments to farmers this week.

Meanwhile Government says the transportation of top dressing fertilizer from Tanzania by trucks has started.

Agriculture Deputy Minister Rodgers Mwewa is confident that farmers will receive the fertiliser in good time for this farming season.

Mr Mwewa has confirmed to ZNBC News in a telephone that the thirty trucks out of the 200 trucks hired by government started off on Sunday from the port of Dar E-salam in Tanzania.

And Mr Mwewa says the distribution of D Compound fertilser and seed commenced on Monday to create space for the coming consignment of Urea.

Ms Nawakwi has told Qfm News that the lengthy process of reporting gender based violence cases discourages many to report them to the Police allowing the perpetrators to go scot free and continue abusing others.

Ms. Nawakwi says there is need for government to consider reviewing the steps of reporting gender based violence cases without delay.

She notes that currently, cases of gender based violence are not receiving the much needed attention despite the many pronouncements by government and other civil society organizations to have the perpetrators punished.

The FDD leader says it will only be appropriate if cases of gender based violence are criminalized and the process of reporting such cases simplified in order to deter would be perpetrators.

THE United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference 2013 came to a close in Warsaw, Poland and approved the new global treaty to be signed in Paris in 2015. The UN climate talks concluded with delegates reaching a compromise on how to fight global warming.  The new global treaty will replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which set targets for developed countries to cut their green-house gas emissions.  Negotiators agreed that all countries should work towards curbing the emissions from burning coal, oil and gas as soon as possible, and ideally by the first quarter of 2015. Key decisions adopted at the just ended Conference of Parties (COP)-19 include further advancing the Durban Platform, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Long-Term Finance, the Warsaw Framework for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+), the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage and other decisions. A compromise was reached with a new Warsaw International Mechanism by which the victims of disaster will receive aid, but it will not be linked to any liability from developed countries. Another success at the conference was the completion of a new mechanism to keep the world’s remaining forests standing, called REDD+, this has been in the works for most of the last decade. All countries admitted that most of the preparation work for Paris still remains to be done.  The 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 19) was held from November 11 to 23 2013 in Warsaw, Poland. Lands, Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection minister Harry Kalaba, who led the Zambia delegates said launching of a process to develop a protocol, under the Convention is an important milestone in the history of the negotiations.  Mr Kalaba said the new treaty should present an opportunity to the global community to deliver a tangible product in 2015 that will safeguard the planet.  “In this regard, actual works on the development of a new agreement under the Convention and deliver the negotiation text in Lima, Peru should start now as Zambia wishes to reiterate that the elements of the new agreement should reflect the principles and the provisions of the Convention, including the principle of Common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities and equity,” Mr Kalaba said. Mr Kalaba said the treaty should be based on science and ensure equitable access to sustainable development and sharing of atmospheric space and resources, taking into account cumulative historical responsibility.  He, however, urged developed country parties to scale up the provision of sustainable financial resources, technology and capacity building to support the implementation of adaptation actions in developing countries in accordance with provision of the Convention.  Mr Kalaba said financing both adaptation and mitigation requires huge amounts of resources, which should be made readily available to the most vulnerable developing countries.   “It is my considered view that there needs to deliver substantial long term financing for climate change through the capitalisation of the GCF.  Mr Kalaba urged the developed country parties to seriously commit to mobilising long term finance as well as provide approaches for scaling up climate finance to US$100 billion per year by 2020.   In order for the most vulnerable countries like Zambia to effectively address the challenges of climate change, Mr Kalaba said the country’s actions have to be enabled by access to technology.  He said issues of intellectual property rights continue to be the main barrier to development and transfer of technology.  “Therefore, we wish to reiterate the urgent need to address the issue of technology transfer, including the identification and removal of all barriers preventing access to climate related and friendly technologies,” he said. With regards to the role of forests in addressing challenges of climate change, Mr Kalaba said it is important that trade-offs as well as providing sufficient incentives for forest dependent communities for managing their forests and land use properly are immediately dealt with.  To this effect, he said future mechanism addressing this sector needs to be broad and focus on empowering forest dependent communities economically and not narrowly on reducing emissions. Zambia Environment Management Agency (ZEMA) chief executive officer Morgan Katati said COP-19 has set a pathway for governments to work on a draft text of a new universal climate agreement. Mr Katati, who represented the civil society at COP-19, said the move was an essential step to reach a final agreement in Paris in 2015. He said the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage will from next year commit developed nations to providing expertise and potentially aid to countries hit by climate related impacts. Mr Katati is optimistic that the new framework would ensure that detailed climate commitments are made by each of the world’s largest economies in early 2015, providing the basis for an international treaty that will be finalised at the Paris Summit. International Institute for Environment and Development head of change group Simon Anderson, however, says there was no sense from the outcomes of Warsaw that climate justice is any closer than before the COP was inaugurated.  Dr Anderson says in a statement that the delays in countries disclosing how industrialised countries would address reducing green-house gas emissions was a concern.  “It would seem that we are moving almost inevitably to a four degree celcius warmer world. Having been billed as a climate finance COP, Warsaw failed to deliver,” he said. Dr Anderson said there is need for both finance and disbursal mechanisms that genuinely reflect and respond to the needs of countries and people that need to adapt and become more climate resilient.  In the absence of an agreement on a mid-term target and a clear pathway, Dr Anderson said poor and vulnerable countries are unable to understand how the developed countries are going to deliver the promised target of US$100 billion annually by 2020.  He said looking at decisions related to long term finance, developing countries can see a few gains, but there were re-assuring words and little else. However, GCF board co-chairperson Manfred Konukiewitz said the GCF is on target and would soon be ready to help developing countries foster climate-friendly development.  “Climate finance is a critical part of the international efforts to combat climate change and address ever more serious climate change impact, as discussions in Warsaw have made this clear.  “The Fund is stepping up its work to deliver effective results in developing countries and ensure that the impact of funding for adaptation and mitigation are maximised,” stated Mr Konukiewitz in a statement.  He said the Board of the Fund has agreed on a number of significant decisions that define a clear work plan for the fund to operate.  He, however, said concerns remains over the key issues of climate financing and the way in which emission reductions should be shared between the world’s largest polluters, such as the United States of America and China. Mr Konukiewitz said the Fund would promote a paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development. The GCF is a new multilateral fund that was agreed by Parties at the 2010 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference held in Cancun, Mexico.  The Fund’s Governing Instrument was developed throughout 2011.  The Fund’s purpose is to make a significant contribution to the global efforts to limit warming to two degrees celcius by providing support to developing countries to help limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.  If the world is to have a reasonable chance of avoiding dangerous levels of global warming, which it is generally agreed would occur of there is a rise in global average temperature by more than two centigrade degrees compared with the late 19th century, annual emissions of greenhouse gases will need to be cut at a much faster rate than is currently planned by countries.

Dr Chilufya replaces Christopher Mulenga who has been transferred to the Ministry of Youth and Sport in the same capacity, replacing Steven Masumba whose appointment was revoked last week following his conviction by a Lusaka Magistrate Court.

President Sata has wished the duo success and God’s blessing as they serve the nation in their assignments.

This is contained in a statement issued to QFM News by the president’s special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah.

qfm

Government’s move to print only 10 copies of the final draft constitution for ceremonial purposes before releasing it to the public has raised suspicions among different interest groups who have questioned government’s motive for doing so.

But Mr. Kapeya has told Qfm in a telephone interview that allegation that government wants to doctor the contents of the final draft constitution are not true but a product of rumor mongering.

Asked whether government has formally received the 10 copies requested from technical committee drafting the constitution, Mr. Kapeya declined to comment referring further queries to the Technical Committee.

But when contacted for a comment, chairperson of the Technical Committee Justice Annel Silungwe said he could not comment on the matter because he was attending a meeting.

qfm

The fire whose cause is not known started around 01:30 hours destroying chemicals, trailers and a truck among other properties.

The Fire Brigade struggled to put off the inferno which was fueled by the chemicals stored at the warehouse.

The burnt warehouse building has been reduced to a mere shell.

qfm

Twenty Zambians are currently being held in Malawi’s Kasungu Prison after being convicted of encroaching in Kasungu National Park.

BENEFICIARIES of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) who have failed to pay back the loans they obtained now face prosecution and loss of property, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Emmanuel Chenda has said. Mr Chenda told Parliament on Tuesday evening that Government had started repossessing property and will soon start prosecuting all the people who obtained CEEC loans but had failed to pay back. “Something is being done about those who never repaid the loans. We have actually started repossessing the property and the people involved will be prosecuted,” he said during the debate on estimates for the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry . Government, he said, would also reopen the CEEC loan disbursements and work with seven banks and micro-finance companies to help in loan recoveries. “We are also aware that many Zambians did not benefit from the CEEC facility and are determined to empower themselves to contribute to national development,” he said. Mr Chenda also bemoaned the influx of substandard products in the country. He said in a policy statement in Parliament that the continued flooding of substandard products in Zambia was a great concern to Government and his ministry. “We want local and foreign investment to flourish but substandard products remain a great source of concern to Government and the Ministry of Commerce ,” he said. The minister said next year, the Government would embark on expansion of multi-facility zones to promote trade and investment. He said the Chambishi multi-facility economic zone (MFEZ) had created 10,000 jobs while an investor had agreed to start the Lusaka South MFEZ, which would be opened next year alongside another one in Nakonde, on the border with Tanzania . He said exports, both traditional and non-traditional, had been growing and reached K9 billion in 2012 recording an increase of nine per cent. Mr Chenda said Government was happy that growth had continued to be recorded in the manufacturing industry. MMD Solwezi Central Member of Parliament (MP) Lucky Mulusa condemned the over-importation of goods, and called for opening of industries in Zambia to create more jobs. Patriotic Front Nchelenge MP Raymond Mpundu urged the Government to ensure speedy industrialisation of rural areas to promote development. “Government should also restrict substandard products especially in the motor vehicle industry,” he said. United Party for National Development Mazabuka Central MP Garry Nkombo urged the Government to lift the ban on CEEC funds and publish names of beneficiaries for public scrutiny.
Times of Zambia

GOVERNMENT has finalised the Youth Employment Strategy which will outline how it seeks to address unemployment in the country.

Youth and Sport Minister Chishimba Kambwili said during the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation Radio 2 Government Forum programme in Lusaka on Thursday that the Government, with help from the World Bank, International Labour Organisation, (ILO) and Africa Development Bank (ADB) had developed the Youth Employment Strategy.

Mr Kambwili assured that once President Sata launched the strategy, many youths would be kept busy as it was embracing both uneducated and educated youths in promoting job creation and
entrepreneurship.

“Let me just tell you what we have done in terms of youth employment. Between now and the end of December, I think His Excellency the President is going to unveil the employment strategy for youths that we have developed as PF (Patriotic Front) where we are going to do certain projects that are going to absorb at least a number of youths,” he said.

Mr Kambwili, however, said not all youths would be absorbed as it was not possible to employ all the youths in entrepreneurship activities.

He also said youth unemployment was not peculiar to Zambia as it was a global problem and was largely compounded by economic factors, with developing countries being the worst hit.

“So the issue of youth unemployment is not peculiar to Zambia, but I think by and large as Government we have the responsibility to come up with programmes that are going to help the youths get employed,” Mr Kambwili said.

The minister also said youths would be kept busy through the youth resource centres Government had set out to build.

The centres would be turned into fully equipped and staffed vocational training centres where the youths would be trained in various skills for self-sustainability and employment.

“We want to make these skills training centres fully-fledged colleges where one can go to get a certificate that is recognised by TEVETA,” he said.

And Mr Kambwili warned all district commissioners and council officials charged with the responsibility to oversee youth funds to desist from awarding such funds on political lines.

“This money is not for political patronage. This money is [meant] to empower the youths of this country, so if there are any officials that are trying to politicise the Youth Empowerment Fund, I tell you that heads will roll,” he said.

SOURCE: Times of Zambia

JCTR Director Fr Leonard Chiti has tells Qfm that Zambians are not against borrowing by government but that what they are against is irresponsible borrowing.

Fr. Chiti says if the country needs extra resources and finances for development purposes there is nothing wrong, but that what is wrong is to borrow with hidden agendas.

He adds that government should always explain to the people the need to borrow and the use for the money being borrowed, stating that borrowing is a threat to the country’s future.

Fr. Chiti says government should also be in a position to ascertain the country’s capacity to pay back the debts being acquired and be mindful of the future consequences of borrowing.

Fr. Chiti has further urged the government to be transparent in their borrowing and make sure that what is being borrowed is used for the intended purposes.

Parliament on Wednesday approved a proposal to allow government to increase borrowing from K20 billion to K35 billion.

qfm