DAILY NATION Friday April 23, 2020 by dailynation

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IDC Group CEO, Mateyo Kaluba

CEC EARNINGS DROP Vol. 6. Issue 2830

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Vol. 6. Issue 2727

‘Commission of inquiry justified’ P3

Saturday January 23, 2021

IMF TALKS RAID FEAR GRIPS MILITARISE SET ANGRY HATEMBOS GOLD PRESS CEC chairman, London Mwafulilwa, said the default had the most telling effect on the financial performance of the company. “Of the many hurdles the business experienced, the KCM payment default, by far, had

By SANFRONSSA MANYINDA

THE Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) suffered a reduction of 54 percent in profit in 2019 due to the US$153.1 million debt payment default by Konkola Copper Mine (KCM).

Mr Mwafulilwa

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Development Corporation (IDC) has said. TO P4

quisition of shareholding of

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the most telling effect on the financial performance; leading to a reduction of 54 percent in profitability over 2019,” Mr Mwafulilwa said. C3765-30-31 This is contained in the CEC 2020 annual report. (To page 3)

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By AARON CHIYANZO

Former Archbishop TELESPHORE MPUNDU

THERE is need for a serious marshall plan to exploit Gold reserves because Zambia is losing millions to illegal mining and exports of the mineral resource, a mining expert Edward Simukonda has said. Mr Simukonda said disciplined Zambia National Service (ZNS) officers and thousands of unemployed youth cadets already trained to defend national interests Vincent Lilanda should be employed to replace the monopoly of wisdom illegal miners, most of them By SIMON MUNTEMBA try to stop Christian from funded by foreigners. To Page 3 icating Zambia to Christia By BUUMBA CHIMBULU T is unacceptable for for- says Bishops Council of Zam mer Archbishop Telesphore secretary-general Bishop OVERNMENT will next month hold virtual Mpundu to think he holds Kaela. meetings with the International Monetary

…govt to ask one Christian however powerfu granted bail No BoZ buys …after alleged abductors or educated can stop other Christia for extended from dedicating the country to the We are in mourning Keep fake drugs 283kg gold credit facility creator in honour of Gospel values

BADLY managed privatisation has led to the death and destitution of many pensioners while making a few very rich, time has come to redress the situation, a pensioner has said.

out of Zambia, • We have lost the 2000 hectare farm to HH • The court ordered us to pay costs to HH Recapitilise Minister prods TAZARA • Now our relatives are resource missing G ...utilise military ZAMRA \ PAGE 3 urgently, By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

…no market I to pleads union implement a ‘Marshall Plan’ 76 Ethiopians COMMISSI Enforce‘CONSTITUTE 20pc subcontracts ‘Well wishers ‘UPND banking Govt bans movement ake carein maize of Catholic intercepted bran-laden truck INQUIRY TO Lungu PROBE A ghost voters’ pigs in Isoka riests - Lungu strictlyOF-ofPresident paymentonokay’ STORY ON PAGE 2

Woodlands residents protest over abandoned road works By GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA ZAMBIA Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has been tasked to prevent the 30 percent fake and substandard medicines globally enter the local market.

To Page 3

Fund (IMF) to negotiate an extended credit

By MULENGA MUSONDA

IMF Director African Department,

FEAR of reprisal and SALASSIE. retribution has ABEBE AEMRO gripped the Hatembo family following the release of the alleged abductors, without the release of their relatives, Pheluna and Milton Hatembo. “We had hoped to learn something about the whereabouts of our relative, but that expectation has been shattered by the release of the people we thought were responsible, they will hunt us down one after another.” A relative told the 9 DailyPAGE Nation. The family was in mourning because apart from losing the 2,000 acre farm,

Story on Pag

facility, Secretary to and the among Treasury Fredson Yamba, they were missing relatives has said. the greatest tragedy was the award to Simukonda Secretary to theMrTreasury UPND President Hakainde Hichilema FREDSON YAMBA costs in the fraud High court matter Veronica Mwanakasale Mukuni which they lost, “ we know the nature Javen Simoloko of costs. In a similar case against HH another complainant Goerge nsemani Hambwalula was made to suffer a legal fee of K2.8million. This meant losing even the little he had.”he said. A number of Hatembo family members The two trucks the Scania from South Africa who had travelled to Lusaka to report and the Freightliner (right), Zimbabwean the abduction of their relatives to Lusaka Centra Police Station after a PAGE 3 registered where found laden with Mukula disappointment at Choma police are treeAckson logs. Sejani [Pictures Linda TemboFines Soko] Malambo bracing for reprisals. (To page 3)

To Page 3

See story on Page 4

AFRITANK

C3765-30-31

MAIKO ZULU IS LYING - KAPATA

Lungu mourns Priests Chilinda, Muyenga

By SIMON MUNTEMBA

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has expressed sadness by the deaths of two Catholic Priests, Father Charles Chilinda and Father Patrick Muyenga who died in Lusaka’s Maina Soko Military Hospital on Thursday.

To Page 3 Ms Kapata

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Demolish structures • Mwa contributing to floods - Lusambo talks See story on Page 3 AFRITANK is the part of AquaSanTec group of companies, the Most trusted brand in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and South Sudan market, As a group over 30 years legacy in manufacturing of water storage tanks.

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THE Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has bought 282.79 kilogrammes of gold since December, last year. The gold was bought at a cost of K345.6 million, says BoZ Assistant Director Communications, Besnat Mwanza in a statement yesterday. (To page 3)

Friday April 23, 2021

HOME NEWS

CCPC PROBES PRICE HIKES By KETRA KALUNGA

HE sudden, unexplained spike of Consumer prices including those of beef, cooking oil and other products has attracted the ire of the Competition Protection Commission (CCPC) which has launched investigation into anti-competitive trade practices on the market for excessive pricing. Beef prices have more than doubled with butcheries charging uniform prices in spite of sourcing their meat from different suppliers. CCPC Senior Public Relations Officer, Namukolo Kasumpa, called on citizens

PF manifesto pro-poor, says Lubinda By KALOBWE BWALYA

JUSTICE Minister, Given Lubinda, says the Patriotic Front (PF) manifesto shows that the party is committed to its pro-poor policies. Mr Lubinda, who was the chairperson on the Committee on the PF manifesto, said the party widely consulted various stakeholders before coming up with the final document to ensure exclusivity. He was speaking during the PF interactive forum in Lusaka yesterday. Mr Lubinda said Government was intending to pay out all retirees in the coming next two years. He said that Government being pro poor, was interested to improve the welfare of the retirees and elderly people in the country. Mr Lubinda explained that Government would also make the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP) Programme sustainable. He said Government would ensure that about 100,000 farmers graduate from the programme every year. He stated that Government also would ensure that farmers do not venture into agriculture for consumption, but as a business venture. Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo said the PF manifesto was not a mere document, but one that would be translated into policy when the PF retains power after the 2021 general election. Mr Kampyong urged all Zambians especially technocrats to access the PF manifesto so that they could understand the contents of the document.

with information of cartels inflating commodity prices to report to the commission. Ms Kasumpa was responding to a query on drastic increase of prices in meat and other products. She however said CEEC could not divulge which sectors or products were currently under investigation at this stage due to the sensitive nature of the investigations being undertaken. “The commission is currently looking into a number of economic sectors for instances of potentially anti-competitive trade practices such as excessive pricing of various products,” she said. Ms. Kasumpa however

stated that not all price hikes of products were as a result of anti-competitive practices. She explained that the increase in price of some products could be as a result of inflationary pressure, exchange rate and seasonal goods among other reasons. “It should also be noted, however, that not all price hikes are as a result of anti-competitive practices and that some price hikes could be a result of inflationary pressure, exchange rate and seasonal goods among others,” she said. The CCPC senior public relation officer urged the public with information that might aid the commission in

Ms Kasumpa

investigations to report such incidences.

DAILY

Couple in shocking murder, suicide tragedy By ROGERS KALERO

RESIDENTS of Garneton township in Kitwe woke up to a rude shock yesterday when they found a couple dead inside their house in a suspected murder and suicide cases. The body of the wife, Annety Chabula, aged 22 was found lying on the ground and was decomposing while that of the husband, Patrick Musonda aged 38, was found hanging from roof trusses and his body is still fresh. Copperbelt Police Commissioner, Elias Chushi, confirmed the incident and said two bodies had been taken to Kitwe Teaching Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem. "Yes, I can confirm that police in Garneton, Kitwe received a report of Suspected Murder/Suicide, which was reported today 22nd April,

2021, in which a couple were discovered dead in their tworoomed house, at House Number IT 1936 Zambia Compound Garneton,'' Mr Chushi said. The residents in the area l were shocked to find a naked body of a woman lying dead, while her husband was hanging in the house in unclear circumstances. One residents identified as Margaret Banda suspected that the woman could have been killed by her husband who later hanged himself. Yes, I can confirm that police in Garneton, Kitwe received a report of Suspected Murder/Suicide, which was reported today 22nd April, 2021, in which a couple were discovered dead in their two-roomed house, at House Number IT 1936 Zambia Compound Garneton. - Mr Chushi

Foreign election observers invited, say President Lungu By SIMON MUNTEMBA

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says his Government has invited various international stakeholders to deploy election observer missions to witness the general elections on August 12, this year. The President meanwhile said he stood ready to continue collaborating with likeminded foreign countries to global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and terrorism, Mr Lungu said this at State House in Lusaka yesterday during the presentation of credentials by the five ambassadors. The five ambassadors were, Arthur Villanova, of Brazil, Moataz Anwar, of Egypt, Istem Circiroglu from Turkey, Miguel de Mascarenhas, Portugal and

President Edgar Chagwa Lungu receives a letter of credence from Brazilian Ambassador to Zambia Arthur Henrique Villanova Nogueira during the presentation of Credentials at State House yesterday. Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA

Loukas Karatsolis of the Hellenic Republic (Greece). President Lungu said their appointments came at a time when enhanced cooperation on the global arena with countries has become even more crucial.

He said this was in view of the emerging regional and global threats to people’s health, their lifestyles and livelihoods which needed enhanced and collective engagement of world leaders. In this respect, he said,

Zambia was ready to continue collaborating with likeminded partners in mitigating and ending the scourges. He explained that in response to the adverse climatic conditions and Covid-19 pandemic, his Government was

Luangeni MP takes G12 requirement to court By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

LUANGENI Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Zulu has petitioned the Constitutional Court that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) gives a clear interpretation of what amounts to the equivalent of a grade 12 certificate. Mr Zulu said that the announcement by ECZ that it would not accept trade certificates, degrees or any other tertiary certificates without a grade 12 certificate would have a devastating effect on the aspirations of communities to choose leaders of their choice. The MP has cited ECZ and the Attorney General as first and second respondents in the petition. He wants the court determine whether having regard to the Constitutional court's judgment delivered on March 10, this year, the pronouncement by the ECZ was in breach of the constitution. According to the MP stat-

ed that the ECZ insisted that a grade 12 certificate or its equivalent was the minimum academy qualification required for a candidate. He wants the court to determine whether ECZ should make a blanket interpretation as to what amounts to the equivalent of a grade 12 certificate or that no tertiary qualification could at all be equivalent to the grade 12 certificate. In an affidavit in support of originating summons filed yesterday , Mr Zulu stated that he has served as MP for the Luangeni constituency in Eastern Province since 2011 and participated in the Constitutional amendment process that birthed the constitution of Zambia ( Amendment) Act No 2 of 2016. He said that among the amendments effected to the Constitution was the introduction of Article 70 (1)(d) which requires a candidate for a parliamentary seat to possess , as a . minimum academic qualification, a grade 12 certificate or its

equivalent . Mr Zulu stated that the rationale for introducing the minimum academic qualification was to guide political parties to nominate people who would be able to debate effectively and make meaningful contributions in Parliament . He stated that on March 10, this year the Constitutional court tendered its judgement in the matter of Bizwayo Newton Nkunika Vs Lawrence Nyirenda in which it made a landmark pronouncement. The court indicated that a tertiary, vocation , craft , trade or apprenticeship certificate was lnot equivalent to a grade 12 certificate as it was not comparable in value, amount , lmeaning and functions to a grade 12 certificate. Mr Zulu stated that seven days after that ECZ announced that it would not accept trade certificate or diploma or university l degrees separately without a grade 12 certificate from aspiring cabdidates

implementing the economic recovery programme. The programme, he said, was aimed at restoring growth and macroeconomic stability in the full confidence that the initiative would restore economic stability and engender growth. On the local front, he assured them that Government was committed to ensuring that the August 12 elections were held in a peaceful, free and fair manner. He urged the envoy to find time off their busy schedules to explore the Zambia, in order for them to better understand and appreciate the nation and its friendly people. President Lungu assured the Ambassadors that Government would always be available to facilitate their work during their tours of duty.

76 ethiopians intercepted in maize bran-laden truck By AARON CHIYANZO

ABOUT 76 Ethiopians have been apprehended for unlawful entry after a truck was intercepted near Musekela area in Chipata by Immigration Officers from the Chipata Regional Immigration Office and Mwami Border Control. The Ethiopians aged between 15 and 35 years were found concealed in a maize bran-laden Zambian registered Volvo truck, following a tip from the public. Immigration public relations officer, Namati Nshinka said the truck was believed to have been Lusaka-bound. Mr Nshinka said the 76 were being held at

Chipata Central Police and will be transferred to Namuseche Correctional Facility pending further immigration formalities. He said the driver of the truck escaped escape and that investigations were ongoing. Mr Nshinka said in a similar development, the Chibombo Immigration Office on Tuesday apprehended 11 Ethiopians aged between 11 and 30 years for unlawful entry and two Zambians, one of them a uniformed Police Officer, for aiding the Ethiopians to enter and remain in the country illegally. He said the suspects were intercepted at Chisamba check point after a tip.

DAILY

Friday 23, April 2021

FEAR GRIPS HATEMBOS From page 1

Those who appeared in court and were released on K10,00 bail with two working sureties were Fines Malambo, Vincent Lilanda, Ackson Sejani, Javen Simolooka and Veronica Mwanakasale Mukuni, the wife of Senior Chief Mukuni. “”We are worried they will hunt us down for brin ging the issue of land to the fore. They will also have their own way of doing things, who could have been behind this!” a family member lamented. The family members found it shocking that people were calling for the release of the five alleged abductors who were just apprehended recently when their relatives had been missing for a long time without any major outcry until Lusaka ArchBishop Alick Banda spoke out for the welfare of the Hatembo sibblings. He condemned UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa for not caring about the missing Hatembo’s but came out strongly calling for the release of the alleged abductors. “…And yet within his constituency Pheluna is missing, Milton is missing, his voters and he has not issued any statement expressing any displeasure,” the family member said. They have challenged Mr Mweetwa to call for the release of his family members if at all he was a concerned leader. The family, he said had been psychologically and financially strained and only surviving on hand-outs from well-wishers after the disappearance of Pheluna and Milton Hatembo. CHIEF Mukuni’s wife, Veronica Mwanakasale, and four UPND members yesterday appeared in the Choma Magistrate’s Court on two counts of abduction. The five are accused of

abducting Pheluna and Milton Hatembo, who are embroiled in the Kalomo Farm Case with UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema. Choma Principal Resident Magistrate, Idah Mupemo, adjourned the matter to May 17, this year for commencement of trial and granted the five suspects K10, 000 cash bail each and they were ordered to provide two working sureties from the Public Service or recognised Institutions. In this matter, Fines Malambo 46, a businessman, Ackson Sejani 63, farmer and former Cabinet Minister, Vincent Lilanda 49, who is Mazabuka Mayo, Javen Simolooka 45, the Mayor of Choma and Veronica Mwanakasale Mukuni 45, are charged with two counts of abduction with intent to confine. In count one, the five are alleged to have abducted Pheluna with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine her while in the second count they are alleged to have abducted Milton. There was tight security with all roads leading to the court premises cordoned off and police were deployed in strategic places. After pleas of not guilty were entered, defence lawyers, Cornelius Mweetwa, Remmy Mainza, Marshall Muchende and Martha Mushipe applied for bail. State Advocate Kamwi Tembo strongly objected to the application, insisting that the accused persons may interfere with the witnesses, looking at the nature of the case. However, Mr Mupemo ruled in favour of the defence and granted all the five K10, 000 cash bail each with two working sureties from recognised Institutions. The witnesses would be bound in the like sum but in their own recognisance.

Mozambique agrees to help Zambian transporters THE Mozambican government has agreed to resolve all challenges facing Zambian fuel tanker drivers using the Port of Beira. Mozambican Minister of Transport Janfar Abdulai said Zambian fuel Tankers would now be loading fuel on a firstcome, first-serve basis. Mr. Abdulai assured his Zambian counterpart Mutotwe Kafwaya that all the challenges facing Zambians would be addressed. He was speaking during a media briefing in Beira after meeting Mr. Kafwaya. And Mr. Kafwaya thanked Mozambique for attending to the challenges facing Zambian drivers. He said this would now make the doing of business easy with the implementation of the 50 percent allocation of cargo to Zambians transporters. Mr. Kafwaya said with the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania closing for 35 days next month for rehabilitation, the Port of Beira would be key for Zambia’s imports. Zambia and Mozambique held a technical meeting to resolve challenges facing Zambian transporters when bringing in fuel.- ZNBC

Home News From page 1 Mr Mwafulilwa however said CEC would pursue growth at home and in other geographies to boost the growth strategy and was able to return US$34.1 million to its shareholders in dividend distribution. He said the upward trend in growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) market was maintained despite suffering artificial transmission path constraints. Mr Mwafulilwa said reinforced marketing and stakeholder relationship management activities being stirred by the company’s DRC company, CEC-DRC Sarl, had continued to gain traction. The report stated that the diversification of the company’s supply sources had been top of the agenda as it sought to firm up the supply side. According to the report, the company started taking power from two Independent Power Producers – Lunsemfwa and the Dangote thermal power plant. The two sources, while relatively small, were a good addition to the company’s supply portfolio. The report stated that the company met its financial and operational objectives.

CEC EARNINGS DROP …profit drops by 54p.c. This was despite the lingering KCM debt, the declaration of the entire transmission and distribution lines as common carrier. Other difficulties cited were challenges getting back to the negotiating table to agree the contractual matters involving CEC, KCM and Zesco. “I am proud to report that the company remained focused on its mandate of providing quality energy solutions to our customers led by the mining industry, the anchor of our country’s economy. “On the back of a challenging business environment compounded by unprecedented market developments which upset the norm and threatened business continuity,” Mr Mwafulilwa said. The report also revealed that the performance in the company’s DRC market was steady at 6.8 percent

Mr Mwafulilwa

revenue growth. The business was able to return US$34.1 million to its shareholders in dividend distribution

Miners anxious about Mopani strategic partner Kabwata ‘illegal’ building faces demolition

By SANFROSSA MANYINDA

WE expect Government to do very well and find a strategic partner for Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) and lead a good example in the mining industry, the National Union of Mine workers (NUMAW) has said. NUMAW president, James Chansa, said in Kitwe yesterday that the people expected a lot of changes for the betterment of the workers in the industry, since the mine was now under Government 100 percent. Mr Chansa said Government should show a good example because people were highly expectant, knowing too well that the mine was 100 per cent ZCCM-IH. “We need to see Government stand up and prove to everyone that it

is going to make us in the industry proud. “We expect to see miners getting their terminal benefits, we need to see more of Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) coming from Mopani as well as the the best management of copper production,” he said. Mr Chansa said that Government also needed to enaure that the mining industry was improved in aspects. In January, Government’s investment arm, Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines – Investment Holdings (ZCCM- IH), agreed to buy Glencore’s majority stake in Mopani Copper Mines Plc in a US$1.5 billion deal, and yesterday, during an extraordinary general meeting, the transaction was finalised, with shareholders overwhelmingly endorsing the deal. The acquisition of Mopani

from the Swiss mining giant, Glencore, is without doubt the biggest takeover deal by a local company in recent history, definitely not after Frederick Chiluba’s privatisation era of the 1990s, which saw the end of the country’s biggest mining conglomerate, ZCCM. The deal has, inevitably, generated a lot of public debate. The questions surrounding the deal mainly centre on the ability of the new mine owners to run it successfully and pay the debt owed to Glencore, while some have accused Government of influencing the off-take deal in order to save thousands of jobs in an election year. For others, perhaps it is just a case of déja vu, remembering how the mighty ZCCM Ltd was dismantled, with devastating results that remain to date.

BoZ buys 283kg gold From page 1 Ms Mwanza explained that the 195.95kg was bought from Kansanshi Copper Mining Plc at a cost of K241.8 million, while 86.84kg was bought from Zambia Gold Company, a subsidiary of ZCCM– IH at a cost of K103.8 million. “The Bank plans to buy around 25, 200 ounces of London Good Delivery gold from Kansanshi Copper Mining Plc and 21, 000 ounces of dore gold with a minimum of 88 percent purity from Zambia Gold Company per year,” she said. Ms Mwanza said the estimates were based on the gold purchase agreements signed with Kansanshi Copper Mining Plc and Zambia Gold Company in December, last year. She explained that the objective of this initiative is to shore up and diversify the international reserves. Ms Mwanza said the viability and attractiveness of this venture was that the gold was being purchased in local currency. According to Ms Mwanza, the dore gold bought from Zambia Gold Company will only reflect in international reserves after refining. “The purchase price of the commodity is not fixed and is determined by the London

Ms Mwanza

Bullion Market Association (LBMA). “The LBMA, established in 1987, is the international trade association representing the global Over the Counter (OTC) bullion market, and defines itself as the global authority on precious metals," she said.

By KALOBWE BWALYA LUSAKA Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, has halted construction at a building near the Kabwata Cultural Village. The minister has also threatened to demolish the building if the developer does not produce council documentation authoritising the works by today. But the council has refused authorising any construction works on the piece of land. Mr Lusambo has directed the PF Kabwata constituency chairman, Trevor N’gandu, to remove any person at the site until the owner of the property was established. Mr. Lusambo also directed Lusaka City Council (LCC) to hand over the file to him so that he could establish the person who was in charge for the allocation of land. He was speaking when he conducted an impromptu tour at Kabwata gym and Kabwata cultural village yesterday. The minister said the land where the building is belonged to Kabwata cultural village national heritage site. He expressed shock that the land which belonged to Government could easily be given out without following procedure. Meanwhile, acting Lusaka Mayor Christopher Shakafuswa explained that in 2014 the matter was brought to during the full council meeting. He said the guidance then was that the council could not give away the land because Government needed to preserve history of Zambia and that the area was national heritage. On the gym, Mr. Shakafuswa however said the council was working on modalities with Kabwata gym to ensure that the building was modernized as it is an old structure.

Friday 23, April 2021

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BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY NOW that the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine has gained momentum, citizens must turn up in large numbers and get inoculated so that they wait for the second dose. In Lusaka, there are no queues in health facilities, an indication that some people have taken a wait-andsee stance instead of rushing for the jab. All citizens who are still procrastinating will find themselves in long and meandering queues soon because the number in this bracket is too huge and will come out at once to congest the centres. The myths and conspiracy theories are slowly dying out, though the fear of blood-clotting reported in some countries has gripped some Zambians. Some countries in Europe had temporarily halted administration of AstraZeneca vaccines, but resumed the exercise as the side effects were minimal. Zambia is administering AstraZeneca, whose recommended dosage is two doses given intramuscularly with an interval of eight to 12 weeks. International organisations, including the World Health Organisation, have fully certified the AstraZeneca vaccine as safe and effective at protecting people from serious risks of Covid-19, including death, hospitalisation and severe illness. In fact, Zambians ought to understand that Zambia has not yet started using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which sent shivers in some countries at one time, including the United States. Last month in the US, six women between the ages of 18 and 48 developed the illness within one to three weeks of taking a Johnson & Johnson vaccination. One woman in Virginia died while the other one in Nebraska was hospitalised in critical condition. At the time, more than seven million people in the US had received Johnson & Johnson shots and another 10 million doses had been shipped out to the states. However, the number of people reported to have been seriously affected was minimal, considering that it was six women only out of the seven million people who were vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the time. In fact, Johnson & Johnson was later certified safe and administration of the vaccine has resumed. Therefore, there is no reason for any Zambian to be sceptical about taking the AstraZeneca vaccine which is also being administered in neighbouring Malawi. Malawi, which started the vaccination programme earlier than Zambia, had by Friday last week administered about 230, 000 doses. The country received more than 400, 000 AstraZeneca shots from Covax and the Indian government and so far no serious side effects have been recorded. Other African countries have been administering the AstraZeneca vaccine and not one person has experienced any blood clotting. Even in European countries where blood clotting has been reported, there is no direct link between the vaccine and the clotting which had been proved. Therefore, the programme in Zambia should be expedited even in the rural areas before the onset of the cold season, which is the prime time for rise in numbers of Covid-19. People should not wait to congest the health facility in the event that the third wave breaks out, but should get the vaccine now.

PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTERGRITY

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU THE K10 billion Targeted Medium-Term Refinancing Facility (TMTRF) still needs more flexible conditions to ensure that small businesses and households easily access the funds. The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) in April last year set up a K10 billion TMTRF aimed at cushioning the adverse effects of Covid-19 on enterprises and individuals, with the funds expected to be distributed for onward lending through commercial banks. Currently, the stringent conditions attached with accessing the TMTRF is limiting the impact the funding is supposed to have on the economy and economic growth, says Zambia Association of Manufactures

MAKE BOZ RELIEF FUNDS MORE ACCESSIBLE, PLEADS ZAM

(ZAM) Policy Analyst-Data and Evidence, Kasonde Chituta. Mr Chituta said for the TMTRF to have a strong effect on the Zambian economy and experience the economic growth, the funding needed to trickle down to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) and households, and spur domestic production as well as local demand. “The TMTRF funding therefore, failed to trickle down to the SME’s and households, for whom it was destined for. Furthermore, even though demand for

working capital increased considerably to finance ongoing operations, the facility has been out of reach for most SME’s. “Despite the TMTRF initiative reducing lending rates, the funding remains unreachable to most SME’s. Challenges to access the TMTRF are even exacerbated for womenled SME’s, who are already excluded from accessing traditional financing,” he said in an interview. Citing China as an example, Mr Chituta said the country was able to record economic growth amidst Covid-19 using

Christian Coalition endorse President Lungu By NATION REPORTER THE Christian Coalition Zambia has endorsed President Edgar Lungu through a campaign theme, ‘Gods church must rise for ECL for continuity, prosperous and stable leadership.’ Christian Coalition Zambia President Charles Mwape called on the church to rise and support President Lungu ahead of the elections. Professor Mwape said the support towards President Lungu would see the continuation of the country’s stance as a Christian nation give them an opportunity to reflect and reconcile. He said in a statement that President Lungu and the PF remain the party of choice and that there President Lungu was no wind of change.

‘Kasomeno-Mwenda project a game-changer’ Correctional Services get By NOEL IYOMBWA THE Kasomeno-Mwenda Road and Bridge project is a game changer as it will open up markets in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania, Party for National Unity and Progress president (PNUP) President Highvie Hamududu has said. Mr Hamududu said once completed the project would expand market base as farmers would start selling at higher prices hence increasing their production. “Sometimes we need to agree across the iron, I want to agree with the PF government over the Kasomeno Mwenda Road and Bridge in Mansa into Congo. “This is a landmark project for the people of Luapula province as it I will open the northern circuit. You will see agriculture now coming up and produce flowing into Congo and dollars coming into Zambia. “My brother Luapula province minister Nickson Chilangwa and the people in Luapula I salute you for this project” he said. He called on Government to continue opening up more avenues adding that the prosperity of a nation was seen from how much it exports. Mr Hamududu was in Luapula where he had been conducting party mobilization ahead of August 12 elections.

roads rehab contract By KETRA KALUNGA

THE Road Development Agency (RDA) has subcontracted the Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS) as a local road authority for Central province. This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between RDA, National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) and ZCS. RDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), George Manyele, said his organisation was delighted to work with ZCS as a local road authority to carry out road rehabilitation and maintenance works on the primary feeder road network Mr Manyele said the primary feeder roads network was critical role to the farming community in the rural areas as it facilitates transportation of farm produce from farm sites to marketing centres. He said, however, the condition of primary feeder roads has significant deteriorated, a condition he said was a deterrent to the movement of goods and services and impacts negatively on agriculture and tourism activities. And NRFA chief executive officer, Wallace Mumba, said the MOU would ensure timely road maintenance and would lower the cost of maintenance. Speaking earlier, ZCS Commissioner General, Chisela Chileshe, described the signing of the MoU as a very important occasion the calendar of the service. Dr. Chileshe commended the government for ensuring the partnership between RDA, NRFA and ZCS that aims at opening up rural roads in Central province.

refinancing facility which had flexible conditions for SMEs who were key drivers for economic growth. Mr Chituta explained that the Chinese Government put a moratorium on loan payments for SME’s, with a deadline that has been extended to the end of 2021. Coupled with the delayed loan repayments, he further explained, the Chinese authorities eased loan size restrictions for online loans and other credit support measures for eligible SMEs and households.

Lawrence Paul investors left in limbo By ALEX SILAVWE INVESTORS that put money in various Lawrence Paul Investments Company securities products, have appealed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to expeditiously address their concerns regarding their invested funds. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the investors expressed concern at the lack of communication from both SEC and Lawrence Paul regarding the safety and refunds of their money. As a regulatory body, the source said SEC should have been in the forefront to assure the public and give them confidence that their invested funds are safe and will be refunded. “You see SEC is just too quite on this issue and it involves millions and even billions of kwacha. Some families had invested their hand earned monies such as pensions into Lawrence Paul. However, we have found out that Lawrence Paul did not invest in any government bonds as back-up. We are now left in limbo and we need SEC to clear this anomaly, “said the source. He added that the 7 months that have so far elapsed since SEC took control of Lawrence Paul, is enough to investigate and address the concerns of the investors. “Like we indicated last time, our investigations have revealed that Lawrence Paul only has a piece of Land in Siavonga. And what is the value of this piece of Land and how can it help us, “questioned the source. However efforts to get a comment from SEC proved futile as the in charge could not be reached by press time.

DAILY

Chasefu youths in K1.1m bonanza By TROY MUKUPA CHASEFU Member of Parliament Gerald Zimba has empowered local cooperatives run by youths with K1, 115, 000 to supplement government efforts of bettering their lives. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Mr Zimba urged the beneficiaries to make use of the empowerment as an opportunity to turn their challenges into business opportunities that will help add value to Chasefu Constituency and its people. Mr Zimba told the youth to taking advantage of the good business environment the Government has created. He said the era of young people taking a giant leap into social and economic

Mr Zimba

development of the country was now. "His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has so much confidence and hope in you our youth, therefore take advantage of the good business environment Government has created because the era of young people like you taking a bigger leap in social and economic development of the country is now. Use your skills and talents to create wealth for yourselves and our communities. And as Member of Parliament for Chasefu, I shall endeavour to support you in all aspects," Mr Zimba said And in giving a vote of thanks, Michael Soko thanked the MP for coming to their aid. He said the empowerment will go a long way. Cooperatives that benefited are Kaviyele Livestock Cooperative-Tambala Village-Piggery-K60,000, Chagwa Youth GroupHoya-Welding and metal Fabrication-K60,000, Kachisa Integrated Youth Group-Chibisa Village-Milling-K80,000, Chizinkhanga Youth Multipurpose CooperativeKaombo Village-CarpentryK75,000

Friday 23, April 2021

Home News

NGO DECRIES UPND VIOLENCE By PETER SICHALI

IOLENCE and bribery in the ongoing UPND primary elections has the potential to derail democracy and good governance, Inter Africa Governance Network (AFRINET) Executive

Director Maurice Malambo has said. Mr Malambo said the misconduct could result in the imposition of candidates on the electorate, thereby weakening the political image and could also cause voter apathy as voters and party affiliates get disillusioned.

He said the trend could also lead to a proliferation of splinter candidatures expressed in many ways such as defections to other political parties and members opting to stand as independent candidates. "We therefore make a clarion call to both the ruling Patriotic Front and

the opposition parties that the leadership constituting the electoral college must exhibit integrity and resist bribery, nepotism and other forms of corruption," Mr Malambo said. He appealed to aspirants and their supporters from both the ruling party and opposition to show maturity.

He said candidates should accept the ultimate decision of their individual political parties regarding the adoption of candidates. Mr Malambo said defections and independent candidature could make unpopular candidates win the electoral contest as a result of vote splitting.

Special business data centre coming By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

Friday 23 April, 2021

THINK-TANK PREDICTS ECONOMIC BOOM By BUUMBA CHIMBULU ZAMBIA’S economic activity is expected to improve in the second quarter of this year as various economic agents resume full-time work, says Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD). The CTPD said this in State of the Economy Brief which was launched in Lusaka yesterday. According to the think-tank, Zambia will have a better macro-economic outlook for the second quarter of this year anchoring on a boom in copper prices and other factors. The brief which highlights the performance of the first quarter of this year, however

noted that the long journey to economic recovery is still at the take-off stage. CTPD Researcher for Finance, Wakumelo Mataa, said economic activity was expected to improve in the second quarter as various economic agents resumed full-time work. Mr Mataa stressed that economic activity would expectedly ‘pick up pace’ in the second quarter, underpinned by reduced uncertainties surrounding the resurgence of Covid-19 pandemic. He explained that it was likely that inflows of foreign exchange would support stabilisation of the exchange rate if Zambia enhanced its copper production as the

commodity prices continued to soar. “We expect better macroeconomic outlook for the second quarter of this year as raised policy rate and scaledup interventions in the foreign exchange market. “Inflationary pressures are expected to be moderate and we also expect improved food supply and relatively stable exchange rate,” he said. Mr Mataa also banked on news of the vaccines coming into the country on the horizon- economic agents resume full-time work. “If the government adheres to the prescription of the Economic Recovery Plan which proposes a tight fiscal approach, the fiscal deficit is likely to shrink as public

expenditure obeys the prescribed austerity measures,” he said. Mr Mataa however said the quarter also had some downside risks indicating that fiscal pressures were expected to persist as Zambia continued pursuit for a successful debt restructuring process. He explained that other downside risks included the protracted discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which remained a handicap to the process. “Others include concerns that with elections approaching in August 2021, it will become increasingly difficult for the government to abandon ongoing public investments in capital projects which gobble up huge chunks of the fiscus,” Mr Mataa said. CTPD Executive Director, Isaac Mwaipopo, said the brief insights on the economic performance of the first quarter of this year. Mr Mwaipopo CTPD would be publishing such briefs regularly. “The next brief we will start working on is the one for the second quarter of this year,” he said. According to the report, the macroeconomic outlook for the first quarter of 2021 seemed to be abysmal, partly suggestive that the long journey to economic recovery was perhaps still at the take-off stage.

PARATUS Zambia will soon launch a new purpose-built facility which will enable businesses to store and access their most vital asset and data at any time. The data centre will also offer businesses modern-age cloud computing that will help businesses not only enhance operational efficiencies but help cut information technology capital and operating costs that comes with on premise data storage and management. This is according to Paratus Zambia Managing Director, Marius Van-Vuuren, in a statement. According to Mr Van-Vuuren, the Paratus Data Centre was not only a much-needed addition to the Zambian Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector, but a necessary investment that would help raise the standard and quality of available Tech services in the country. “We are demonstrating our commitment to deliver the best quality services within an evergrowing and transforming ITC sector. “We are raising the bar with our investment in infrastructure and with this ultra-modern facility – because while there are other data centres, none are of this quality, standard and capacity in Zambia,” he said. Mr Van-Vuuren stressed that moving data off-site to a fully secured facility – a data center not only guaranteed enhanced processing and protection of data but offered redundancies on connectivity, power and security capabilities that traditional onsite set ups might struggle with. He explained that the carrier neutral facility would offer various physical and virtual hosting services as well as opportunities for Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to help provide highavailability, faster performance and security to websites within Zambia and in the region. “The Paratus Data centre is a milestone for Zambia and surrounding countries and marks the dawn of a new technological era for Zambian business. Any future-proof businesses should not entrust all their data and essential systems with one provider. “They need greater diversity to spread risk and ensure business continuity and that is where we come in. it is time to think big about data and be part of Zambia’s quality network,” Mr Van-Vuuren said.

Ms Mwanakatwe checking on the removal of garbage in Bauleni compound yesterday.

Turn trash into cash - Mwanakatwe LUSAKA Central Member of Parliament, Margaret Mwanakatwe, has implored Zambians to convert trash into cash. Speaking when she checked on the removal of garbage in Bauleni compound, Ms Mwanakatwe said indiscriminate dumping of garbage was a source of concern in the area. She said community involvement in waste collection was key to solving this challenge.

Ms Mwanakatwe said a disintegration centre had been created in Bauleni compound to help in the separation of waste for recycling. She said the centre which is in collaboration with Zambia Breweries will help create jobs and wealth for the locals as they will be paid for the trash they collect. "We are creating a disintegration center in Bauleni compound to facilitate for recycling of

waste.We will get people involved in the collection of garbage for recycling and they will be paid. This is a local lasting solution to solve the issue of garbage. "Once we clear this dump site which has been a source of concern here in Bauleni compound, the Council police will be tough on people dumping garbage indiscriminately. We are lucky we didn't record any case of cholera here," she said.SmartEagles

7 | Friday April 23, 2021

external commercial debt to lower costs and risks in the public debt portfolio and improve debt sustainability." The move comes at a time when the country has started to feel the heat of servicing the huge borrowing from recent years, partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has hit the balance of payments. Last year, the government obtained a bilateral debt re-

clay. They are commonly found in Namaqualand, the North West and the northern parts of the Free State, with miners ranging from artisanal, small-scale and junior miners. The operators - through the SA Diamond Producers' Organisation (SADPO), which represents 130 junior diamond producers - in December wrote to Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, calling for growth stimulating policy adjustments to support entrants to the sector. – FIN24.

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re-engagement. “We need to redouble our efforts to implement the strategy of increasing Zimbabwe’s global visibility, with economic diplomacy remaining our top priority. In this, I encourage all of us, both at head office and at mission, not to lose track of the following principal responsibilities. “Every officer has a role to play in ensuring that the ministry’s mandate to contribute to the attainment of national economic development objectives is fulfilled. “That is why I expect the relevant directorates to make an effort to ensure that, beyond access to the manual, all officers in the ministry, both at head office and at mission, receive some training on economic and commercial diplomacy. “The entire ministry, both at head office and also at the missions, needs re-orientation, and where necessary, reconfiguration to ensure that we are able and well capacitated to deliver on our mandate,” he said. THE HERALD, Zimbabwe.

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Sh846.8 billion, comprising Sh587.6 billion in interest payments and Sh259.2 billion in principle repayments. Part of the government’s plan to reduce the cost of external borrowing has been to turn to concessional loans, but the Treasury has recently pointed to an upcoming Eurobond issuance that will partly be used to roll over the maturing 10-year Eurobond issued in 2014. – DAILY NATION, Kenya.

TILING

HARARE – Zimabwe’s new Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Frederick Shava has urged all diplomats and ministry staff to receive training on economic and commercial diplomacy to align themselves with the Second Republic’s economic diplomacy thrust. In his maiden official engagement with senior management and members of staff in Harare Shava noted the achievements made by his predecessor, the late Lieutenant-General (Retired) Dr Sibusiso Moyo. Apart from training in economic diplomacy, Shava said Government will also engage retired diplomats to negotiate Zimbabwe’s positions on various issues, as well as the incorporation of the diaspora community in the drive for engagement and

payment holiday worth Sh33 billion with the Paris Club of international lenders and followed that up with a repayment moratorium worth Sh27 billion from China. In the upcoming 2021/2022 fiscal year, the country plans to borrow a net of Sh937.6 billion to finance its budget deficit, out of which Sh345.5 billion will be externally sourced. Total debt service during the year will account for

1304 Waterfall Press_200_x_140_v4

Zim minister gives priority to economic, commercial diplomacy

Equal treatment will be our death JOHANNESBURG - SA alluvial diamond miners want government to support them and help "level" the playing field, instead of applying a blanket approach to minerals policy. As one of the countries in Africa with alluvial diamond deposits, South Africa, has potential in the industry that entrepreneurs believe remains largely untapped due to a rigid policy framework and lack of investment. Unlike deep-level conventional mining, alluvial diamonds are extracted from deposits of sand, gravel and

cheaper loans to retire older, more expensive debt. "The government seeks to appoint a Sovereign Debt Advisory firm to support the National Treasury in debt liability management in respect of part of part of its commercial debt," read the notice in part. "The main objective of the assignment is to provide liability management advisory services to the Government of Kenya to restructure some

POWER TOOLS

AIROBI - The Treasury is seeking experts to help the country restructure its external commercial loans to reduce the cost and improve its debt sustainability measure. The Treasury said in a notice on Tuesday that the expert will be tasked with drawing up the best options for Kenya to restructure its liabilities sustainably, which might include taking up new

BRICKS

ABUJA - Nigeria's senate has approved President Muhammadu Buhari's plan to borrow $2.7 billion from international institutions for infrastructure projects to help an economy hammered by an oil slump and the Covid-19 pandemic. The lawmakers on Wednesday said in a report they approved external borrowing for $1.5 billion and 995 million euros from the World Bank, the Export-Import Bank of Brazil and Deutsche Bank. Africa's biggest economy has recently witnessed fragile growth mainly due to low crude prices. The continent's top oil producer relies on crude sales for 90 percent of foreign exchange earnings. Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed has said the government would need to pursue foreign loans to effectively finance critical infrastructure. In March 2020, lawmakers also approved foreign borrowing worth $22.7 billion requested by Buhari's government. Of that $17 billion was to be provided by the Exim Bank of China. Nigeria has been borrowing abroad to fund projects after a 2016 recession caused by low global oil prices affected government's spending plans. The country again slipped into a recession in late 2020 after its gross domestic product contracted for the second consecutive quarter, but unexpectedly emerged from the slump in February 2021. – AFP.

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DAILY

Utunensu na Chagwa rallies behind President Lungu 8

Friday April 23, 2021

Dear Editor UTUNENSU na Chagwa wishes to congratulate President Edgar Lungu for emerging victorious as PF President at the just ended general conference. We also congratulate the newly elected members of the central committee because they have what it takes to deliver a resounding victory for President Lungu and the Patriotic Front. Let me put it very clearly that President Lungu will not need a re-run to win the August 12 polls, first round victory is guaranteed for him and the PF and that's it. Utunensu Na Chagwa managed to mobilise thousands of Zambians to register as voters and all the registered voters were eager to cast their votes in favour of President Lungu and all candidates to be adopted on the PF ticket. The resounding victory will be based on the development that Zambia continues to witness under the leadership of President Lungu and the entire PF Government.

Among the notable achievements include the agricultural sector.. President Lungu and the PF Government have broken the record in the area of input distribution to farmers as all inputs were delivered well before the rain season and the number of beneficiaries had increased from 500, 000 in the 2009/2010 farming season to 1, 000, 000 beneficiaries.. MOSES SILUNGWE.

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PF MANIFESTO 2021-2026 Dear Editor,

his write up will attempt to analyse, ponder, clarify or what it takes to come to a reasonable understanding of the newly launched Patriotic Front manifesto which will be implemented in the next five years. It should be noted that the drafting and subsequent publication of the PF manifesto has coincided with the ongoing consultation processes which will lead to the Eighth National Development Plan which will be the basis of policy implementation beyond 2021 What should give confidence to the Zambian people is the indelible fact that the newly launched PF manifesto is not based on assumptions but it is

evidence-based by evaluating the past experiences of the PF in Government. It is an assurance that the contents are not merely void political pronouncements but promises that are made from the test from experience. In this case, this manifesto is a commitment that the PF is consolidating its pro-poor stance, the platform upon which it was elected in 2011. It also take cognizance of the strides that have been made in the last 10 years, more importantly the transition from the Michael Chilufya Sata to the Edgar Chagwa Lungu-led PF, an era that has maintained and upheld the founding values of the PF. During the last 10 years, there are a number of pro-

grammes which have been initiated and mostly invested in capital projects. As the PF close its 10-year tenure, it gives pride that it is closing the decade of a promise fulfilled. During the 10-year period, the pessimists have only been constant critics and undermining the progress made to be substituted for cheap and unnecessary political expediency. This is the basis upon which policy formulation in national development plans shall be informed. The newly launched PF manifesto is the building block for the successive Zambia we all want. This manifesto is basis of continuity of service to the Zambian people. It also seeks to consolidate the short and

long term economic mitigatory measures that are constantly underway such as the Economic Recovery Plan (2020 to 2023). The manifesto provides the basis for emancipation of the unforeseen economic misfortunes and restoration of the economic prospects of Zambia before the advent of Covid-19. Among the salient features of the manifesto makes the following primary targetss; • Making Agriculture a sustainable employer for Zambians. • Create an enabling environment for economic participations of Zambians. • Invest in gold as a strategic reserve asset and in turn stimulate and stabilise foreign reserve.

• Making available empowerment initiative through inter-ministerial involvement. • Investment in local financial institutions to relieve the stressed Kwacha by giving it sufficient breathing space from external factors. • Reduce the tax burdens on local driven sectors such as agriculture. • Consolidation of tax payments so as to lessen the costs of doing business. • Provide sound legislative and policy framework to protect public resources. • Provide for enforcement mechanisms on the findings of the Auditor General's report regarding illicit financial flows. Going forward, the PF

pledges through its manifesto to have preventive measures that would spare the Zambian economy from unforeseen calamities of similar scope as the Covid-19 pandemic. In this regard the manifesto launched by President Lungu presents a renewed commitment and that is of service to the Zambian people under the tenure of the PF and President Lungu. Above all, therefore any attempt to stray away from the PF administration entails total reformation which would draw the nation back to refractory settings. The onus is on Zambians to renew President Lungu's mandate and that of the Patriotic Front for another five years. MARVIN CHANDA MBERI, Lusaka.

DAILY

Friday April 23, 2021

DAILY

Friday 23, April 2021

Features

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COVID IN UTTAR PRADESH: CORONAVIRUS OVERWHELMS INDIA'S MOST POPULOUS STATE

India is reeling under a severe second wave of Covid-19 and many states are struggling to cope with the rising numbers. Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, is among the worst affected in the country and its people are suffering even as authorities insist the situation is under control, reports GEETA PANDEY.

Sushil Kumar Srivastava was photographed sitting in his car, strapped to an oxygen cylinder in Lucknow city.

KANWAL Jeet Singh’s 58-year-old father Niranjan Pal Singh died on Friday in an ambulance while being ferried from one hospital to another. They had been turned away

by four hospitals for a lack of beds. “It was a heart-wrenching day for me,” he said on the phone from his home in Kanpur city. “I believe if he had received

GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL? Authorities say the situation is under control. But disturbing images of overcrowded testing centres, hospitals turning away patients and funeral pyres burning round the clock at cremation grounds in the state capital, Lucknow, and other major cities such as Varanasi, Kanpur and Allahabad have made national headlines. With 240 million people, Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state. Home to every sixth Indian, if it was a separate country, it would be the fifth largest by population in the world, just behind China, India, US and Indonesia - and bigger than Pakistan and Brazil. The state is also politically India’s most important - it sends the largest number of MPs - 80 - to parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, although from another state, contests from here. However, this political influence has brought it little development. The state has 191, 000 active cases at the moment and thousands of new infections are being reported daily - though numbers are believed to be much higher - and this has put the state’s creaky health infrastructure firmly in the spotlight.

MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE (GPN)

i. ii.

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has signed a loan with the African Development Fund (ADF) to finance the Sustainable Livestock Infrastructure Management Project (SLIMP). The objectives of the Project are to contribute to poverty reduction through enhanced sustainable use of livestock infrastructure for improved smallholder livestock production and productivity, commercialisation and institutional capacity building. This will lead to improved household food and nutrition security. The Project outcomes include: increase in incomes of small-scale livestock farmers including entrepreneurs; and improved food security through empowerment of livestock-keeping farmer organisations with exposure to public and private sector services.

The Project will also contribute to enhanced management of livestock infrastructure, value addition, and improved integration of private sector. 3.

C. COMPONENT 3: Institutional Support and Capacity Building

i. ii. iii.

4 Procurement of goods, works and non-consultancy services will be in accordance with the Borrower’s Procurement System (BPS) in line with the Public Procurement Act No. 8 of 2020 and its Regulations or as may be amended. The acquisition of consulting services, financed by the Bank for the project will be carried out in line with the Bank’s Procurement Framework for Bank Group Funded Operations, dated October 2015. 5.

Specific Procurement Notices (SPNs) for opportunities to be tendered publicly and for consultant contracts will be advertised as soon as they are available in UNDB online and in the Bank’s Internet Website as well as in the local newspapers, and other media, as appropriate. Procurement using Shopping shall not be further advertised after this notice.

Interested bidders may obtain further information, and should confirm their interest by contacting the undersigned.

The Project includes the following components :

A. COMPONENT 1:

Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation (TAAT) - based Climate Resilient Livestock Production and Productivity

i. ii. iii.

Sub-component 1.1: Range and Pasture Improvement Sub-component 1.2: Livestock Breed and Dairy Improvement/ Development Sub-component 1.3: Disease Management and Surveillance

B. COMPONENT 2: Infrastructure Development, i. ii. iii.

Management and Commercialisation Sub-component 2.1: Infrastructure Development, Commercialisation and Utilisation Sub-component 2.2: Livestock Market Development Sub-component 2.3: Promotion of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Investments (SAPZ)

Sub-component 3.1: Project Coordination Sub-component 3.2: Women/Youth Empowerment, and Nutrition Education Sub-component 3.3: Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation

Head, Procurement and Supplies Unit For/ Permanent Secretary Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock P.O. Box 50060 Ridgeway, Lusaka - Zambia Email: Clement.Mukuka@mfl.gov.zm Telephone +260 211 257 450 23rd April, 2021

E22042021

treatment on time, he would have lived. But no-one helped us, the police, the health authorities or the government.” With a total of 851, 620 infections and 9, 830 deaths since the pandemic began last year, Uttar Pradesh had not done too badly during the first wave that ravaged many other states. But the second wave has brought it to the brink.

STATE’S CHIEF MINISTER YOGI Among the sick are the state’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, several of his cabinet colleagues, dozens of government officials and hundreds of doctors, nurses and other health workers. Over the past few days, I have spoken to dozens of people from across the state, and heard grim stories. Videos shared by a local journalist in Kanpur show a sick man lying on the ground in the parking lot of the governmentrun Lala Lajpat Rai hospital. A little distance away, an elderly man sits on a bench. They are both positive for Covid, but the hospital has no beds to accommodate them. Outside the government-run Kanshiram hospital, a young woman wept as she said that two hospitals had refused to admit her sick mother. “The chief minister says there are adequate beds, please show me where they are. Please treat my mother,” she said, sobbing inconsolably. ‘No-one came’ The situation in the capital, Lucknow, is equally dire.

Sushil Kumar Srivastava was photographed sitting in his car, strapped to an oxygen cylinder while his desperate family drove him from one hospital to another. By the time they found a bed for him, it was too late. When I called his son Ashish, he said he was too devastated to talk. “You know what’s happened. I’m in no condition to talk,” he said, his voice breaking. Retired judge Ramesh Chandra’s handwritten note in Hindi, requesting help after the authorities failed to remove his wife’s body from their home, was shared by hundreds of people on social media. “My wife and I are both corona positive. Since yesterday morning, I called the government helpline numbers at least 50 times, but no-one came to deliver any medicines or take us to hospital. “Because of the administration’s laxity,” he wrote, “my wife died this morning.” Personally, it’s come as no surprise to me that the state is struggling to deal with the coronavirus pandemic as it wreaks havoc on its people. With a raging pandemic, the struggles have become harder. In the holy city of Varanasi, which is also PM Modi’s constituency, long-time resident Vimal Kapoor, whose 70-yearold mother Nirmala Kapoor died from Covid in a hospital last Thursday, described the situation as “bhayavah” frightening. Kapoor said when he took his mother’s body to the cremation ground, he encountered a “lashon ka dher” - a pile of bodies. The cost of wood for the pyre has gone up three times and the wait for a spot for cremation has risen from 15-20 minutes to five-six hours. Stories of deaths and families devastated by Covid-19 abound as infections continue to gallop - on Sunday, the state recorded 30, 596 new cases, it’s highestever single-day tally. Even that, activists and opposition politicians say, does not give a true picture of the infection’s spread. They accuse the state of keeping its case and death count low by not testing enough and not including data from private laboratories. And there seems merit in their claim. Many people I spoke to said either they had failed to get tested or their positive results had not been uploaded on the state government site. From Lucknow, 62-year-old Ajay Singh sent me his wife’s positive test report which finds no mention in the state records. Indian media has also questioned the government data - with reports of a mismatch between the official number of deaths and the bodies at crematoriums in Lucknow and Varanasi. And with the virus spreading rapidly, things are unlikely to get better anytime soon. – BBC.

Friday April 23, 2021

DAILY

Friday April 23, 2021

DAILY

Friday April 23, 2021

EDUCATION

SUBJECT: ENGLISH LANGUAGE TOPIC: STRUCTURE Modifiers, whether single words or groups of words, function as either adjectives or adverbs: as adjectives, to modify nouns or pronouns as adverbs, to modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs. If a modifier is a single word, a prepositional phrase, or a subordinate clause, it should be clearly attached to the word it modifies by careful placing in the sentence. A ‘misplaced’ or ‘squinting’ modifier may produce ambiguity. If a modifier is an infinitive (to go), a participle (going), or a gerund governed by a preposition (by going), it requires special treatment. Such a word, being a verbal, has some qualities of a verb and re-

SUB-TOPIC: PLACING MODIFIERS CLEARLY fers to an implied subject. Failure to supply this subject in the sentence produces a "dangling" modifier. Kindly Note: 1. Avoid ambiguity by placing word, phrase, and clause modifiers in a position where they clearly modify the right word. A problem may arise when we have two modifiers for the same word: Examples (a) books in the bag. (b) books that he had bought from the shop. Careless phrasing might produce this sentence: Incorrect: There were several books in the bag

that he had bought from the shop. The clause modifier that he had bought from the shop is ambiguous; it may refer to books or bag. By rearranging the misplaced modifier, the clause can be made to refer clearly to either word: Correct: In the bag were several books that he had bought from the shop. Correct: In the bag that he had bought from the shop, there were several books. Similarly: Example 1 (a) Incorrect: He declined to take advantage of my offer completely. (b) Correct: He declined

TEACHER: Anthony Simukonde

completely to take advantage of my offer. (c) Correct: He declined to take complete advantage of my offer. Example 2 (a) Incorrect: We could see smoke rising from our neighbor's farm with a pair of binoculars. (b) Correct: With a pair of binoculars, we could see smoke rising from our neighbor's farm. Sometimes, in the middle of a sentence, a modifier may ‘squint’ between two possible meanings: Example 1 (a) Incorrect: People who eat heavy meals frequently have stom-

ach trouble. (b) Correct: People who eat frequent heavy meals have stomach trouble. (c) Correct: People who eat heavy meals have stomach trouble frequently. Example 2 (a) Incorrect: A woman who was waving a towel frantically screamed at us. (b) Correct: A woman who was waving a towel screamed at us frantically. (c) Correct: A woman who was frantically waving a towel screamed at us. Sometimes a squinting modifier should really have the effect of a sen-

tence modifier, applying to the entire idea rather than just one word. In that case it is usually clearer at the beginning: Example 3 (a) Incorrect: The men who died often had no identification. (b) Correct: Often the men who died had no identification. 2. Avoid dangling modifiers, which are usually participles but may be any kind of verbal. Remember that a subject is implied, and that you must include that subject word at the beginning of the main clause: Continues tomorrow

Home News

‘Livestock initiative bearing fruit’ By JACKSON MAPAPAYI THE Government livestock empowerment programme will improve the living standards of people in North-western province, the cooperative movement in Mushindano district has said. Cooperatives representative, Ricky Kalwiji, said the livestock empowerment would go a long way in improving the living standards of people in the district. Mr Kalwiji, who is also Mushindano District Union Secretary, said the empowerment was a clear indication of Government’s fulfilment of its promises of not leaving any one behind. He said in an interview that the livestock initiative would soon start bearing fruit. “It happened for the very first time to see cooperatives being empowered with livestock. And for this we say thank you to Government,” Mr Kalwiji said. He was speaking when the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock handed over livestock to various cooperatives in the district. Mr Kalwiji said the distribution of livestock in all the districts showed that Government was not segregative. He said people should appreciate Government for its efforts in uplifting the lives of people, especially the rural populace. Mr Kalwiji said the empowerment programmes which Government had initiated would greatly bring change to people. He said that most of the livestock farmers in the district were rearing animals at a small scale level. In 2019, Government introduced the Enhanced Smallholder Livestock Investment Programme (E-SLIP) to boost livestock sector.

Maviya hails PF manifesto launch By CHARLES MUSONDA PATRIOTIC Front (PF) Mandevu parliamentary aspiring candidate Amon Maviya says the launch of the ruling party’s new manifesto by President Lungu yesterday is a clear indication that the PF is focused on developing Zambia under the latter’s leadership. In a statement to the Daily Nation yesterday, Mr. Maviya said the manifesto speaks to issues that directly affect Zambians and has revived hope for a better tomorrow under the leadership of President Lungu. He said it is encouraging to note that the PF government still continues to prioritise the empowerment of Zambians in the next 10 years. Mr. Maviya said the deliberate move by the PF to promote local entrepreneurs in different sectors of the economy is excellent and must be commended by all Zambians.

Friday 23, April 2021

Road Safety With DAILY

Frederick Mubanga

Friday April 23, 2021

- Road Transport and Safety Agency -

PSV DRIVERS, PASSENGERS URGED NOT TO DROP GUARD AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC T

HE anticipated third wave of the COVID – 19 pandemic poses a great challenge to Zambia’s public transport system, a situation that calls for heightened application of public health measures with regards to public transportation. Mass public transportation vehicles such as buses have been identified as hotspots for the rapid spread of the COVID – 19 Pandemic. The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has cautioned all Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers and passengers not to relax in observing public health guidelines as prescribed by the Ministry of Health in anticipation of the third wave of the COVID-19. PASSENGERS

All public passenger transport operators must provide alcohol-based sanitizers in their buses/ taxis for use by drivers, conductors

and passengers. Passengers are encouraged to carry their own hand sanitizers to be using during the journey.

The RTSA Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Gladwell Banda said the COVID -19 poses a serious risk on public transport and reminded all PSV drivers and passengers of their legal obligation to wear face masks on public transport and follow all public health guidelines to mitigate the risk of the spread of the coronavirus in line with Statutory Instrument No. 22 of 2020 – the Public Health (Infected Area) (Coronavirus Diseases 2019) Regulation 2020. Protective measures such as obligatory mask-wearing and spacing of passengers where possible were intro-

duced, and ventilation and sanitation (disinfection) must be adhered to. Protection required passengers and operators to make numerous changes to the way they operated and act to mitigate the spread of the pandemic. Mr. Banda cautioned all players in public transportation against complacency and has since urged all stakeholders to adhere to the following Standard Operating Procedures that Government developed through the Ministry of Transport and Communications to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the road transport sector: 1.

Number of passengers to be carried on Public Transport Vehicles.

All public passenger vehicles (buses and taxis) both intercity and local should carry the number of passengers in accordance with the registration requirement. Carrying passengers above the registration requirement is strictly forbidden. Bus and Taxi owners, drivers, conductors and passengers must ensure that buses and taxis are not overloaded

at any time to prevent the spread of coronavirus. 2.

Mandatory Masking by drivers, conductors and passengers.

All passengers, drivers and conductors must wear masks to cover their nose and mouth throughout the period of the journey without fail. Any person who contravenes their requirement during or before the journey must not be allowed to enter the passenger vehicle and proceed on the journey. It is therefore, the responsibility of both drivers and conductors to ensure that their passengers adhere to this requirement and vice versa for drivers and conductors. 3.

Frequent and routine sanitization of Public passenger vehicles.

All public passenger vehicles are expected to be fully disinfected before loading passengers for any route/ trip. The owners of the public transport vehicle must provide the necessary cleaning and disinfection materials while designated drivers

and conductors must ensure that vehicles are cleaned and disinfected. 4.

Provision of hand washing materials and hand sanitizers.

All public passenger transport operators must provide alcohol-based sanitizers in their buses/taxis for use by drivers, conductors and passengers. Passengers are encouraged to carry their own hand sanitizers to be using during the journey. Therefore, passengers, drivers and conductors must wash their hands with soap and running water or sanitize their hands using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering the bus/taxi before embarking a public transport vehicle, during the journey and immediately after disembarking. 5.

Mr Mutotwe Kafwaya

Mandatory temperature reading.

All public transport operators must provide temperature readers to test each passenger before boarding the bus/taxi. A mandatory temperature reading is therefore a requirement and it is the

duty of the drivers and conductors to carry out these responsibilities. 6.

Ventilation.

Whilst on bus Stations, bus stops and in-transit (journey period) Buses/ Taxis should allow free flow of air by opening windows to allow fresh air circulate freely. The RTSA and Zambia Police Traffic Division are on high alert to enforce these measures and ensure total compliance in a bid to mitigate the spread of COVID – 19. Proper and correct adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures that Government developed through the Ministry of Transport and Communications to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the road transport sector will have high impact in protecting the lives of the traveling public and front line staff in public transportation who are key in ensuring that

the wheels of the economy continue moving by making sure that there is no interruption of people, good and products. We therefore do not need to drop the guard as the country anticipates the third wave of the COVID – 19 pandemic which poses a great challenge to Zambia’s public transport system, a situation that calls for heightened application of public health measures regarding public transportation. Failure to adhere to Public Health guidelines may have catastrophic effects that may result in economic decay. Even the delivery of essential products such as fuel and medical consumables and services may drop, affecting the whole supply chain process if the road transport sector cripples due to the third wave of the COVID- 19 pandemic. The carrion call to all PSV drivers, passengers is not to drop the guard amid the covid-19 pandemic.

Friday 23, April 2021

Kopala News

ABUSE OF EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES PLUGGED

By ROGERS KALERO

OVERNMENT has devised measures to stop abuse of empowerment funds and activities especially by people who form cooperatives comprising family members, thereby depriving many others. The new system will also detect some individuals who register in many clubs and cooperatives and benefit from well-meant Government initiatives several times. Fisheries and Livestock, Minister Nkandu Luo, said through technology, Government detect whether one was

Prof. Luo

ready benefiting from one empowerment initiative or not. Previously, she said, some people were benefiting from multiple initiatives like Farmer Input Support Programme, livestock empowerment and other programmes, which left out many deserving beneficiaries. Professor Luo said the ministry had decided to take appropriate measures to stop people abusing the Government initiative meant to alleviate poverty, promote food security and sustainability in communities. The minister was speaking in Kitwe when he handed over 900 chickens and 50 goats to 33 cooperatives and

clubs in Kwacha constituency. Professor Luo said Government programmes were not aimed at benefiting certain families in communities but were meant to benefit all Zambians hence her ministry would ensure that ‘family’ cooperatives did not benefit from such initiatives. "We have heard that there are some clubs and cooperatives which are formed within families. You find the husband is the chairman, the wife is the vice chairman and the secretary is the son or daughter or uncle. This will not be entertained. "Yes, it is defeating the Government purposes of empowering the people in

Pot 7419, Manda Road Light Ind. Area, Lusaka P.O. Box 34054 Tel: 286 097 / 106 / 126 Fax: 286 096 E-mail: fra@fra,org.zm

INVITATION FOR BIDS TENDER FOR THE RE-CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOUNDARY WALL FENCE AT NORAD MAIN DEPOT IN KASAMA DISTRICT (Re-advertised) - FRA/W/01/21 The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has budgeted for the re-construction of the boundary wall fence at Norad Main Depot in Kasama District. The Agency now invites sealed bids from eligible contractors. The tender is open to firms that are registered in Zambia as contractors with the National Council for Construction (NCC) in Category B or C, Grade 5. The scope of work includes, but is not limited to the following:(a) Earth works (b) Concrete and block works (c) Drainage works Eligible bidders may obtain further information from and inspect the bidding documents at the Procurement & Supplies Unit offices, Food Reserve Agency, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, Lusaka. The telephone numbers are 260-211-286097/286106. This tender has preferential procurement margins for bidders registered with the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) as follows: · · ·

Citizen influenced companies – 4 percent Citizen empowered companies – 8 percent Citizen owned companies – 12 percent

Bidders who wish to participate in the tender should deposit a non-refundable sum of K750.00 in the following bank account: Bank: Branch: Account Name: Account Number: Sort Code: Swift Code: Currency:

Stanbic Bank Lusaka Industrial Food Reserve Agency 9130000358499 040007 SBICZMLX Zambian Kwacha

The bidding documents can be obtained from the Procurement & Supplies Unit offices, Food Reserve Agency, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, Lusaka, upon presentation of an official FRA receipt for the K750.00 bank deposit. The telephone numbers are 260-211286097/286106. The bids should be appropriately bound, sealed and bold labeled “Tender for the re-construction of the boundary wall fence at Norad Main Depot in Kasama District” and addressed to the Procurement Coordinator, Food Reserve Agency, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, P.O. Box 34054, Lusaka, Zambia. A mandatory Site Visit & Pre-bid meeting will be held on Thursday 6th May 2021 at 10.00 hours at Norad Main Depot in Kasama. The bids must be deposited in the Tender Box at the reception area, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, Lusaka, on or before Friday 21st May 2021 at 10:00 hours. The closing date for the receipt of bids is Friday 21st May 2021 at 10:00 hours and any bid received after the time and date stipulated above will not be accepted. The bids will be opened thereafter in the Board Room, in the presence of bidders or their representatives who choose to attend.

Procurement Coordinator For and on behalf of the Executive Director FOOD RESERVE AGENCY

various communities because things are going to only few members of the community or one family only. To deal with this selfish behaviour, we have acquired special phones to know who is benefiting from where. Prof Luo said all selfish people would be identified and eliminated from the system so that the many more deserving citizns could benefit. “If you are captured in this phone, we will be able to know which empowerment programme you are benefiting from and if you want to benefit from all the initiatives at the expense of others, we will be able to detect and we will get rid of you," she said.

Mufulira’s Chibolya water supply boosted By NATION REPORTER OVER 500 Chibolya residents in Mufulira will now receive a steady supply of water after the commissioning of a solar water scheme in the sprawling township. The solar water scheme, comprising a borehole and water tanks, is hosted at Chibolya Primary School, which has had no running water for almost two years. Chibolya Primary School Head Teacher, Bridget Chilufya, said the commissioning of the water scheme had come at a time when the pupils and teachers needed the resource most in order to maintain cleanliness. Ms Chilufya was happy with the gesture from Patriotic Front (PF) Kankoyo constituency aspiring candidate Ed Chomba, who had funded the project at a cost of K56,000 from personal resources. Bishop Chomba would be commissioning another solar water scheme in Chibolya tomorrow at the same cost. Ms Chilufya said her administration would take care of the facility and ensure that pupils, teachers and members of the surrounding community benefitted fully, without vandalising it. Pupils at the school and members of the community described the project as historical as they had endured erratic water supply for a long time in one of the oldest townships on the Copperbelt. Bishop Chomba also donated buckets to 550 households in Chibolya for use when drawing water from the scheme at the school. He said water was an important resource to the livelihood of the residents and was happy that people would have access after many years of erratic water supply. Bishop Chomba, who is former Local Government Permanent Secretary, said he had provided the water scheme from the bottom of his heart and appealed to people around the areas and elsewhere not to politicise his gesture. He said he would continue to assist residents in Kankoyo constituency, having spent his childhood in the area. He appealed to all residents to look after the facility jealously and always be on the lookout for any destructive elements.

DAILY

Friday April 23, 2021

MOSI/NORTH-WEST NEWS

SOLWEZI ROADS REHAB GETS K8.5M BOOST

OLWEZI Municipal Council will spend K8.5 million on four township roads under an agreement with Kansanshi Mining Plc. Council assistant public relations manager, Esther Chirwa, said the municipality had already upgraded six roads at a cost of more than K13 mil-

lion to climate resilient standard since the agreement was signed in 2018. Ms Chirwa said this in a statement released yesterday. “The following are the roads worked on, Royal-Cross roads, Floriana-hospital road, Urban-Kizhingezhinge messenger road, Nkana-college road

and Kandemba-Wisdom road. “The six roads have been constructed at a total cost of K13, 168,666.46,” she stated. Meanwhile, Ms Chirwa said road works would resume next month when the moisture in the ground is completely dry for sustainable roads to be done. - ZANIS.

Veep dates North-West

Pot 7419, Manda Road Light Ind. Area, Lusaka P.O. Box 34054 Tel: 286 097 / 106 / 126 Fax: 286 096 E-mail: fra@fra,org.zm

By JACKSON MAPAPAYI

VICE-PRESIDENT, Inonge Wina, is today expected in North-Western Province for a three-day working visit. Ms Wina is expected to inspect various developmental projects as well as meet various stakeholders. This is according to a programme released in Solwezi by the provincial administration.

INVITATION FOR BIDS TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF TWO THOUSAND (2,000) BLACK POLYTHENE SHEETS - FRA/ORD/01/21 The Food Reserve Agency wishes to purchase black polythene sheets for use during the 2021 crop marketing programme.

Agency, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, Lusaka, upon presentation of an official FRA receipt for the K750.00 bank deposit.

The Agency now invites sealed bids from eligible suppliers as follows:

The bids should be appropriately bound, sealed and bold labeled “Tender for the supply and delivery of 2,000 black polythene sheets” and addressed to the Procurement Coordinator, Food Reserve Agency, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, Lusaka.

Description Tomorrow, the VicePresident will fly to Ikelenge where she will commission the housing project before meeting traditional leaders as well as pineapple farmers.

The Vice-President will meet Chief Kapijimpanga in Solwezi before proceeding to Kalumbila to inspect the Kalumbila Civic Centre project before meeting traditional leaders as well as party members. Tomorrow, the Vice-President will fly to Ikelenge where she will commission the housing project before meeting traditional leaders as well as pineapple farmers. She will later travel to Mwinilunga to meet chiefs before visiting the Kansenseli Gold Mine. On Sunday, she will leave for Zambezi where she would meet chiefs before having an aerial view of flooded areas in Chavuma district. She will conclude her trip with Kasempa where she will inspect the ongoing construction of a mini hospital in Nkenyauna before meeting traditional leaders and party members.

Quantity

Delivery Period

2,000

10 Weeks

Ultraviolet Treated Black Polythene Sheets

Interested bidders may obtain further information from and inspect the bidding documents at the Procurement & Supplies Unit offices, Food Reserve Agency, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, P.O. Box 34054, Lusaka, Zambia. The telephone numbers are 260-211-286097/286106. Bidders who wish to participate in the tender should deposit a non-refundable sum of K750.00 in the following bank account: Bank: Branch: Account Name: Account Number: Sort Code: Swift Code: Currency:

Stanbic Bank Lusaka Industrial Food Reserve Agency 9130000358499 040007 SBICZMLX Zambian Kwacha

The bidding documents can be obtained from the Procurement & Supplies Unit offices, Food Reserve

The bids must be deposited in the Tender Box at the reception area, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, Lusaka, on or before Friday 14th May 2021 at 10:00 hours and must be accompanied by a bid security of not less than 2% of the bid price and proof of purchase of the bidding documents. The closing date for the receipt of bids is Friday 14th May 2021 at 10:00 hours and any bid received after the time and date stipulated above will not be accepted. The b ids will be opened thereafter in the Board Room, in the presence of bidders or their representatives who choose to attend.

Procurement Coordinator For and on behalf of the Executive Director FOOD RESERVE AGENCY

COVID-19 Realities IS THE B1.617 DOUBLE MUTANT DRIVING INDIA’S DEADLY SURGE? Friday April 23, 2021

By DR MBUYI MASUWA Frontline doctor working at Levy Covid Centre

Send your comments and questions to masuwambuyi1118@gmail.com

NDIA, the country known for the beautiful love story of the Taj Mahal, known for the biggest movie industry Bollywood and indeed the land where over 1.3 billion people reside and call home. It had recently done well with Covid-19 and was cited as a good example of progress. But alas it is making headlines again, this time around for the wrong and very concerning reasons. Because currently the Covid-19 situation is at its worst, infections have soared in just a matter of a week, over 1.5 million new infections, with deaths skyrocketing Hospitals are full, patients are sharing beds, ICUs have not just run out of space but oxygen has become a challenge too. India has surpassed Brazil the current world epicentre for the virus as the second highest number of infections and deaths second only to the USA which has been leading the world like it does in almost every other area. The infections are now close to 16 million with deaths at over 185, 000. THE DOUBLE MUTANT After having the world’s largest lockdown last year, having had made tremendous progress but now the situation is worse again. Experts are trying to figure out why. Could it be the double mutant responsible for this attack?

Viruses mutate all the time, as part of evolutionary biology. Some mutations weaken the virus while others may make it stronger, enabling it to proliferate faster or cause more infections. The new variant, called B.1.617, was initially detected in India with two mutations the E484Q and L452R. It was first reported to WHO late last year by a scientist in India. Like I have written time and again on the subject of mutation, a mutation is simply a change in the position of ami-

believe that a lot of the increase in the reproduction number can be explained by these mutations," Nithya Balasubramanian, the head of health-care research at Bernstein India, told Bloomberg TV this week. “So, yes, the mutations are a big cause for worry.” “It looks like that it is spreading faster than pre-existing variants," said Rakesh Mishra, the Hyderabad-based director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology - another Indian lab doing genome sequencing of Covid sample. “Sooner or later, it will become prevalent in the whole country, given the way it is spreading." Has it been found outside India?

no acids the building blocks of proteins when the virus is making new copies of itself. Of particular concern is the spike protein, the structure of the virus that is responsible for the virus entry into the host cell. This protein is made up of a chain of amino acids approximately 1, 273 in total and they are numbered according to the position they occupy. So mutation E484Q occurs at portion number 484 with the change in position of amino acid E (glutamic acid) being replaced by amino acid Q (glutamine). The same is for the mutation L452R, there is a switch of amino acid at position number 452 of the spike protein amino acid chain. The change is such that L (Leucin) is replaced by amino acid R (Arginine). The L452R mutation is well characterised in U.S. studies. It is believed to increase viral transmission by around 20 percent and reduce antibody efficacy by more than 50 percent. And in the case of this double mutation, these changes have happened in the same spike protein. MUTATION OF INTEREST Variants that appear to meet one or more of certain criteria which include rate of transmission and mortality may be labelled "variants of interest" or "variants under investigation" ('VUI') pending verification and validation of

these properties. Once validated, variants of interest /VUI may be renamed "variants of concern" by monitoring organisations, such as the CDC. A related category is "variant of high consequence," used by the CDC if there is clear evidence that the effectiveness of prevention or intervention measures for a particular variant is substantially reduced. “This is a variant of interest we are following," Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead officer on Covid, told reporters. “Having two of these mutations, which have been seen in other variants around the world, are concerning," she said, adding that there was

a similarity with mutations that increase transmission as well as reduce neutralisation, possibly stunting the ability of vaccines to curb them. Is it causing the record surge in infections in India? In some districts in Maharashtra state - home to Mumbai and epicentre of the current wave that’s triggered fresh lockdown-like rules - the prevalence of this variant was more than 60 percent, according to Anurag Agrawal, director of the state-run Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s genomics institute that’s conducting sequencing. “We did the math - we do

The double mutation has been found in several countries like Australia, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Namibia, New Zealand, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S. and is spreading. Some countries have banned flights to and fro India at the moment. Is it deadlier than other variants out there? Researchers are still trying to figure that out. The features of the double mutant variant are under investigation. Globally, three worrisome variants that have so far emerged are from the U.K., South Africa (also in Zambia) and Brazil have caused particular concern. Studies suggest they are more contagious and some

evidence points to one of them being more deadly while another drives reinfection. This double mutant has begun troubling virologists everywhere. “The B.1.617 variant has all the hallmarks of a very dangerous virus," William A. Haseltine, a former professor at Harvard Medical School wrote in Forbes on April 12. “We must do all that is possible to identify its spread and to contain it. How does this affect the vaccination programme? To date India has vaccinated close to 16 million people so far. There are concerns this might have immune escape which refers to a pathogen’s ability to evade human bodies’ immunity response. This means antibodies created after vaccination or prior infection may not protect a person from getting infected. IS IT THE CULPRIT? While experts are trying to ascertain whether or not the double mutant is behind this surge, one thing they can all agree on is that people’s attitude created the perfect environment for the mutation and spread of the virus. Most people had laid down the guard after India had seemingly brought the situation under control. They stopped masking up and started even having larger gatherings. They had a false sense of safety, thinking the past was behind them when in fact it was around them or even in front of them. SOUNDS FAMILIAR? Currently, Zambia’s number of infections are very low, people seem to be comfortable. I wonder if our past is really behind us or it will be a shocking awakening when we find out its been just in front of us but we couldn’t see it because of our attitude. UNTIL THEN, ALUTA CONTINUA, THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES, PLEASE KINDLY *MASK UP *OBSERVE HAND HYGIENE *OBSERVE REASONABLE PHYSICAL DISTANCE AND BECAUSE YOU CARE, PLEASE SHARE NB. Photos courtesy of:metro.co.uk, abcnews.go.com and news ,cgtn.com

DAILY

Friday April 23, 2021

WORLD NEWS

EX-MINISTER NABBED …DRC ex-minister held in Brazzaville over embezzlement case

RAZZAVILLE - A former DR Congo minister has been arrested in neighbouring Republic of Congo at the request of authorities in Kinshasa who have accused him of embezzlement, a police source said on Wednesday. Willy Bakonga, a former education minister in the DR Congo, was arrested while attempting to fly to Paris from the Congo capital Brazzaville late on Tuesday after Kinshasa requested his extradition, the source said. DRC prosecutors have been seeking Bakonga since Friday

in connection with an embezzlement case. Bakonga had held the post of education minister since August 2019 under President Felix Tshisekedi. In November, a report by the DRC's Inspector General of Finances revealed "a number of shortcomings and alleged cases of fraud and corruption in connection with the use of public funds in the sector, as well as weaknesses in internal controls," according to the World Bank. It estimated that some $31 million had been siphoned off.

Free primary education is a flagship policy of Tshisekedi, who has been in power since January 2019. The programme was estimated to cost $2.6 billion when it was launched - more than one-third of the DRC's annual budget for 2021 - even as other public needs like hospitals and roads are lacking. But the World Bank said in February it was suspending a first tranche of $100 million in a programme to fund free schools in DR Congo over "fraud and corruption" in the education sector. – BBC.

SA lifts suspension of Johnson & Johnson vaccine programme JOHANNESBURG - Cabinet agreed to lift the suspension of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine programme, acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced yesterday. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize will announce the recommencement of the programme, Ntshavheni added. This was decided on Wednesday at Cabinet's first physical

meeting since the outbreak of Covid-19. "Cabinet was briefed on the temporary suspension of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Sisonke Vaccination Programme, which was a precautionary measure which allowed South Africa's scientists to review the South African data on the J&J vaccine," Ntshavheni said. She said this followed the suspension of the J&J vaccination rollout programme in the

United States of America after six people who received the J&J vaccine developed a rare type of blood clot. Another reason for the temporary suspension was the decision by J&J to voluntarily suspend the rollout of their vaccine in the Eurozone. She said the temporary suspension in South Africa was in line with government's commitment to ensure that comprehensive safety measures are undertaken dur-

BRIEFS

Deby's son takes power as rivals slam 'coup'

Uhuru and Tshisekedi sign cooperation agreements

N’DJAMENA - The son of Chad's slain leader Idriss Deby took over as president and armed forces commander on Wednesday as rebel forces threatened to march on the capital, deepening the turmoil in a country vital to international efforts to combat Islamist militants in Africa. General Mahamat Idriss Deby, 37, was named interim president by a transitional council of military officers and moved to consolidate his position on Wednesday, with the council issuing a new charter in place of the country's constitution granting him the functions of president and also naming him as head of the armed forces. – REUTERS.

KINSHASA - Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed four framework cooperation agreements covering several economic sectors, security and defence as well as maritime transport. – AFP. ______________________

Willy Bakonga

ing the vaccine rollout. "The reviewed data had confirmed that South Africa had not experienced any rare blood clots with the already vaccinated healthcare workers. She said scientists would continue to monitor all vaccinated South Africans. By mid-April, more than 292 623 healthcare workers had been vaccinated under the Sisonke programme. – NEWS24.

Lesotho PM faces ouster after ruling party break-up MASERU - After barely a year in office, the Lesotho prime minister's future hung in the balance on Wednesday after an overnight split of his ruling party risked upsetting the parliamentary majority he needs to stay in power. Moeketsi Majoro took power in May last year following the dramatic departure of his predecessor Thomas Thabane, who resigned amid allegations that he conspired to murder his wife in 2017. – AFP.

Crematorium 'runs out of firewood'

NAIROBI - A crematorium in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, is running out of firewood because of a surge in Covid-19 deaths, Kenyan newspaper The Star reports. The Kariokor Crematorium for the Asian community is appealing for urgent donations of dry wood to burn the dead, the newspaper reports. – BBC.

DAILY

Friday April 23, 2021

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NATION www.dailynation.info

editor@dailynation.info

PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTEGRITY

Price K10

Vol. 4. Issue 2183

Monday January 28, 2019

C3765-30-31

Numerous WhatsApp blogs purpoting to be for the PF but in reality intended to spread disinformation have been established, some with the sponsorship of a named political party.

STORY ON PAGE 4

They are even giving loans to civil servants. - Mr Tayali

SWINDLED RETIREES SEEK SPEAKER’S INTERVENTION By NATION REPORTER

RETIREES countrywide who have been swindled out of unanimously agreed to petition the Speaker of the National Assembly to set up a commission of inquiry to determine criminal elements into their predicament. And former Barclays Bank employees have called for an immediate probe into alleged fraudulent activities committed by whoever transfered the Barclays Bank Pension fund to African Life Financial Services. This follows a meeting held yesterday at the Lusaka Hotel where retirees from across the country agreed that the matter be

Thousands of mourners on Saturday gathered at Harare’s National Stadium for a memorial concert for renowned musicians Oliver Mtukudzi before it was taken to his home village, north of the capital. (Story on page 2)

Political parties firm on dialogue

“This secretariat must not be at ZCID or Kapingila House and that both the church and ZCID shall second staff who will work at the secretariat. We also agreed that we shall have a joint account at the bank, whether money will come from the donors or not, we should have a joint account. We hope that we will now make progress because among political parties, we have agreed on how to progress on the national dialogue.” -Mr. Mwila STORY ON PAGE 3

all the previous engagements and avenues used had seemingly hit a snag. After the meeting, a committee which will spearhead the initiative to petition the speaker before the next session of parliament opens was formed. TO PAGE 3

Zambia, Egypt ties heighten Mpongwe projects “Agriculture skills will equip inmates with modern agro skills to utilise once they integrate back to society after they have served their sentences.” -Mr Kampyongo STORY ON PAGE 3

bumper harvest

STORY ON PAGE 5

P.4 Transporters rake in US$5M from fuel haulage contracts

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER; BUILDING THE NATION WITH REAL ISSUES

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DAILY

Friday April 23, 2021

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

ARELY four days after he resigned as Kansanshi Dynamos head coach, Beston "Quick Silver" Chambeshi has declared that his blood is Nkana, a club which had fired him two years ago. Speaking after he was unveiled as the new Nkana coach, Chambeshi, whose last stint with the Kitwe giants was between June 2017 and December 2019, said returning to the club wasn't an easy decision to make after the unceremoniously sacking two years ago. Chambeshi however noted that he believes he belongs at Nkana and he is back to help the defending Super League champions survive relegation. "I believe and trust that I belong to this team and my blood is with Nkana so I've decided to come back to work with the team, the executive and to make sure that we stabilise things.

EXTRA-SPORTS

MY BLOOD IS NKANA

have a team all we need is support we will make sure that we go back where we

belong," said Chambeshi. Chambeshi takes over from Kelvin Kaindu who was

last week sent on a threeweek forced leave following the team’s losing streak in

the MTN Super League. Meanwhile, Nkana acting Chief Executive Officer Kap-

wepwe Mutale said the decision to bring Chambeshi back was aimed at improving the team’s performance and repositioning the club towards finishing in a respectable position at the end of the 2020/2021 MTN Super League.

Pot 7419, Manda Road Light Ind. Area, Lusaka P.O. Box 34054 Tel: 286 097 / 106 / 126 Fax: 286 096 E-mail: fra@fra,org.zm

INVITATION FOR BIDS FRA/W/02/21: TENDER FOR SERVICING & MAINTENANCE OF FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AT FOOD RESERVE AGENCY DEPOTS & OFFICES The Food Reserve Agency plans to enter into contracts for the servicing and maintenance of fire-fighting equipment at its depots and offices. The Agency now invites eligible firms to submit sealed bids for these works in the following regions:

Chambeshi "My only plan is to make sure that I motivate the boys and I'm sure I will try and push the boys to show their character. There is talent, the boys can play and the only thing I need them to show is character and the direction because in football, we have to move as a team in the same direction," Chambeshi said. Chambeshi is confident that if the players can show character, Nkana will move away from the relegation zone. He has urged Nkana supporters to keep supporting the team and believing that they can bounce back from a losing streak which has seen them ejecting from the CAF Confederations Cup and occupying 17th position on the Super League table with 23 points. "People know me, I'm a hard worker, I love football, I’ve played football, so we need their support, let them come on board and support the team. “I know we have supporters who have gone down because of the way the team has been playing but we

Lot Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Regions Northern Muchinga Central Luapula North Western Western Lusaka Eastern A & B Southern A & B Copperbelt

Award of contract will be restricted to not more than three lots per bidder Interested bidders may obtain further information from and inspect the bidding documents at the Procurement & Supplies Unit offices, Food Reserve Agency, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, P.O. Box 34054, Lusaka, Zambia. The telephone numbers are 260-211286097/286106 and fax number is 260-211-286581. However, telegraphic and/or electronic offers will not be accepted. Bidders who wish to participate in the tender should deposit a non-refundable sum of K750.00 in the following bank account:

Bank: Branch: Account Name: Account Number: Sort Code: Swift Code: Currency:

Stanbic Bank Lusaka Industrial Food Reserve Agency 9130000358499 040007 SBICZMLX Zambian Kwacha

The bidding documents can be obtained from the Procurement & Supplies Unit offices, Food Reserve Agency, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, Lusaka, upon presentation of an official FRA receipt for the K750.00 bank deposit. The telephone numbers are 260-211-286097/286106. The bids should be appropriately bound, sealed and bold labeled “Tender for servicing & maintenance of fire-fighting equipment” and addressed to the Procurement Coordinator, Food Reserve Agency, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, Lusaka. The bids must be deposited in the Tender Box at the reception area, Plot 7419, Manda Road, Industrial Area, Lusaka, on or before Friday 14th May 2021 at 10:00 hours and must be accompanied by proof of purchase of the bidding documents. The closing date for the receipt of bids is Friday 14th May 2021 at 10:00 hours and any bid received after the time and date stipulated above will not be accepted. The bids will be opened thereafter in the Board Room, in the presence of bidders or their representatives who choose to attend. Procurement Coordinator For and on behalf of the Executive Director

FOOD RESERVE AGENCY

CONTRACTORS, SAYS GOVT

REAL Madrid moved above Liga challenge back on track Atletico Madrid at the top of after the minor slip in drawLa Liga with a win at Cadiz ing 0-0 at Getafe on Sunday. It was on the same evening in a week dominated by the Government for business. announcement and seem- that they and 11 other leadBy NOEL IYOMBWA ing collapse B Mukwa Road, of the European ing European clubs were an-“Contrary to perceptions that Government is sidelining nouncing their has plans to form Super League. OVERNMENT not P.O. Box 34553, Lusaka local breakawaylocal SuperconLeague - contractors, the number There were fan protests asidelined ion@ymail.com tractors but they are of registered contractors is too a project that has seemingly outside the ground against nation.info high compared to the jobs givtoo many to be covered un- days now collapsed just three the new league, which Real en by government in a single der its contracts, Ministry of later. had intended to compete in. Infrastructure and Housing year,” Mr Mfune explained. Real Secretary president Florenti-Mr Mfune said GovernInside, the visitors ran riot, Permanent Danny nohasPerez of was doing everything sealing the win with three Mfune said. has been one ment to empower the local most advocatespossible of first-half goals. Mr the Mfune saidvocal Government couldthe notproposed manage to offer contractors but the number of competition, Karim Benzema scored k, it is important to remain to all local contracSpanish TV showjobs El per year could not match twice - the first a penaltycontracts - telling e true meaning of this im-assist for the number contractors who tors but was putting place that Chiringuito de in Jugones and provided the want to undertake the jobs. istian calendar. to been devised ensure that more Alvaro Odriozola to head in.measures it had "to save “It is not about Government were empowered. observe the Week TheHoly result getsforReal's La He football." BBC said there were over 9, sidelining local contractors the country was declared 000 registered contractors in but the number of local conaration which is in the prethe country who all look up to tractors is very high, we have of the land. oes to the polls and theret stake for some political

211 243527

ANOTHER

Zambians, especially the ching peace, love and unid Biblical perspective. ction on the Holy Week. he Sunday before Easter k. On Palm Sunday Chrispraise the day Jesus trialem as Saviour and King, the Pharisees and high

John 12:12-13. that as Jesus rode a donsalem, a great crowd gathes and their cloaks across respect and honour. shouted “Hosanna to the he who comes in the name he highest heaven!” at as it was prophesied in book of Zechariah 9:9: ghter of Zion! Shout aloud, Behold, your king is comd having salvation is he, donkey, on a colt, the foal

captured and crucified but ected. oly Week, Zambians must re, understand and imple-

s will be sowing seeds of s country earnestly needs he August 12 general elec-

ans to curtail selfish interbark on true reconciliation

love and forgiveness, the n the Bible. e, to love God and everys “your neighbour” in the

DAILY

By STEPHEN MWEWA By MICHAEL MIYOBA GOVERNMENT should to JACK bureau Chirwa's open up mining in secNorthern Province to promote ond half goal inspired small-scale struggling mining in the re- BufGreen gion, Gem North faloesMining FC toandvictory Lapidary chairperson StephenYoung after beating Mulambia has said. Green Eagles 1-0 in a He said small-scale miners MTN in the regionWeek were in25dire need Super League fixture. of mining equipment to fully Chirwa slotted home exploit the minerals.

the only goal from a sublime free kick from the edge of the box in the 70th minute to hand Buffaloes the crucial win. The victory at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka redeemed Buffaloes from the 1-0 defeat suffered when they played leaguelLeaders Zesco United in their last Su-

US boosts Zambia’s vaccination initiative

By PETER SICHALI THE United States (US) has committed an additional K36.75 million ($1.75 million) to provide technical assistance to Zambia’s vaccination campaign. US Chargé d'Affaires David Young said his government worked closely with Zambia throughout the duration of the pandemic to protect public health, strengthen the response to Covid-19 to and save lives. Mr Young said the funds would provide critical technical and logistical support to the Ministry of Health for planning, coordination, and delivery of safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines for Zambians. He said US partners would

provide timely support for the rapid deployment of the Covid-19 vaccine plans, including the coordination of various stakeholders and implementation of the vaccination process. "These funds will also support supply chain logistics of the Covid- 19 vaccination campaign, including assistance in maintaining the cold chain, which is vital for safe delivery of the vaccine" Mr Young said. Mr Young said he was looking forward to continuing support throughout Zambia’s vaccination rollout. The American government, he said, would continue to work with the Ministry of Health on the nationwide communication activities to ensure citizens have accurate information about vaccines

and the vaccination process. Mr Young commended the Zambian government on the approval of its Covid-19 vaccination programme. He said Covid-19 vaccinations are critical to controlling the pandemic, slowing the emergence of new variants, and helping to restart the global economy. "In support of the global vaccination effort, the United States recently announced an initial K42 billion ($2 billion) obligation - out of a total planned K84 billion ($4 billion) - to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to support the COVAX Advance Market Commitment, making the United States the single largest contributor to global COVID-19 vaccine access," Mr Young said.

MY BLOOD IS NKANA NATION

Mr Mulambia made the appeal when Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Mushuma Mulenga paid a courtesy call on the Northern Province Administration. Mr Mulambia said the province was endowed with various minerals which small-scale miners could exploit, once they acquired mining licences. He said small-scale mining had not been fully tapped, largely due to lack of information, which could be provided if a bureau was established in the province. According to Mr Mulambia, licensing offices were only in Lusaka, Mansa and Mkushi. editor@dailynation.info https://www.facebook.com/dailynationews He also appealed to Government to provide small-scale pearance of Pheluna and Milminers in Northern Province ton Hatembo of Choma. with mineral identification Mr Mweetwa alleged that equipment. the detention of the four was The Gem North Mining and in an effort to implicate Mr Lapidary is a private organisaHichilema in the matter when tion based in Northern Provpolice had failed to get the ince whose main objective is Hatembos from where they to promote and support smallresiding despite being availed scale mining. with the details.

Friday March 19, 2021

Mweetwa won't contest Choma seat www.dailynation.info

By NOEL IYOMBWA UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) Choma Central Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa has announced that he will not re-contest his seat after serving for two terms. Mr Mweetwa told journalists in Lusaka that he would dedicate his time to making sure the UPND and its president Hakainde Hichilema form government. Mr Mweetwa, who is the UPND spokesperson, said that there was no value in being an MP with a reckless government like the Patriotic Front. He alleged that some members of the UPND had applied for adoption on the PF ticket. He also said that the UPND has abolished the two years requirement for one to be a member of the party before they could contest elections. He said that the main requirement would now be the popularity of a prospective aspirant on the ground and has since invited people to stand on its ticket in the August 12 elections. Meanwhile, Mr Mweetwa revealed that the Livingstone High Court has directed police to avail former Local Government Minister Ackson Se-

per League game. This was Buffaloes’ fifth win of the season which propelled them to 26 points on the Super League table where they occupy 16th position. Meanwhile, Power Dynamos held Green Eagles to a goalless stalemate at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe. The draw denied Power Dynamos the chance to bounce back into the top four on the Super League table. The Kitwe outfit maintain fifth position on the Super League table with 36 points while Green Eagles are 11th with 30 points.

jani and three others to court on April 13. He explained that the UPND legal team applied for habeas corpus following the detention of the four for over a week without being charged. They were being held in connection with the disap-

‘TRIPLE C’ ...says Chambeshi after being unveiled HOPEFUL as new Nkana FC head coach. Page 23 AHEAD OF AFCON TIES By MICHAEL MIYOBA

ANZANIA’s Simba Barbed Wire Club Sports midRazor Wire High StrainCletus Wire fielder Chama Welded Mesh Chota nothing Field Fencesays Y Standards is impossible in football as Diamond Mesh Roofing Zambia seeks to beat Algeria Lipped Channels Universal Beams & Columns and Zimbabwe in the last two Ipe Sections Tubing to qualify for Group H Steel fixtures Reinforcing Bars the AFCON. Round Bars Steel Sheets Speaking Angleson arrival from Channels Tanzania,UInsulations the former Zesco Conforce Mesh United and Lusaka Dynamos Flat Bars Rods the last nastar whoWelding missed Galvanised Wire tional assignment after he was Tying Wire dropped Paints for &allegedly missing Bolts Nuts a flight said he was grateful to national team coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic for giving him an opportunity to represent the country.

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Algeria and Zimbabwe. “I’m very grateful to t coach for giving me an o portunity to be part of playe for the games we are goi to play. Chambeshi We believe that not ing is impossible so we ha come here to work and we a looking forward to making o fans happy,” Chama said. “We need to be united a we need to be focused a dedicate ourselves towar making the nation happy.” Chama said he has a lot offer at national team le depending on the plans t coach will put in place to g down the “Desert Foxes” a the “Warriors” of Zimbabwe “It won’t be the first tim playing with most of the pla ers at the national team le which is a good advantage us as a team and once we c ordinate we will have bet chances,” Chama said. Chama and Bwalya arriv aboard an Ethiopian Airlin flight and immediately join local players who have be preparing for the crucial A CON qualifiers against geria and Zimbabwe slat for March 25 and March respectively. 2“Micho” h

NATION

s year’s general elections ul atmosphere for Zambia record of being a beacon d beyond. must use the Holy Week God and emulate Jesus nstration of love, forgive-

NorthBUFFALOES smallEDGE scale miners cry for tools EAGLES YOUNG

Friday April 23, 2021

ow hatred and violence as te power, but focus on iniuntry. therefore, citizens must es and embrace selfless-

9, 000 contractors registered with the National Council for Construction so the government cannot manage to give jobs to all the contractors. “We are talking about 9, 000 contractors against approximately 200 jobs every year against I, is just a drop in the ocean,” he said. Meanwhile, Mr Mfune has described the performance of local contractors as fair. Government, he said, was doing everything possible to build capacity for local contractors to ensure that they handle bigger projects in the future.

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