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The Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia – PTAZ has welcomed government’s move through the Ministry of Transport and Communications to implement a 50% quota of outgoing cargo to to be trucked by local transporters, in a moved aimed at supporting local businesses and retaining funds in the Zambian economy.

PTAZ in supporting the move have even called for a more courageous move were the government has been urged to put into motion a plan to soon move the country to 100 percent, for all outgoing cargo. Most countries have preference for their local transporters for outgoing cargo and Zambia should not shy away from building and boosting its local transporters.

Last year, government issued a new Statutory Instrument – SI to compel transporters of heavy cargo to move 30% of bulk cargo from road to railway leaving 70% on the road and government has since decided to move 35 percent to Local transporters while the other 35 percent has been said to remain for competition on the market.

The railway system has now been given a lease of life with both Zambia Railways and TAZARA recording improved business revenues. This is further expected to also support the operation of an efficient passenger services, expected to be the low cost travel option.

PTAZ Secretary General Benson Tembo has told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that it is in support of government’s decision but that the ministry should consider moving the remaining 70 percent to local transporters to avoid situations of foreigner nationals posing as local transporters while depriving locals of the business opportunities.

Tembo has since urged government to quickly sign off the document to avoid any further delays as citizens are anxiously waiting to participate in the transportation of copper and cobalt concentrates, sugar, coal, cement, Sulphur, fuel among other heavy bulk cargo hence need protection and support for the local businesses to grow and start contributing to the economy.

“The decision is welcome and we are hoping the move will be implemented soon. Currently the beneficiaries are foreigners coming to Zambian and posing with over hundreds of tracks in Zambia whose source of funding is not even known but busy displacing most of the indigenous Zambians in the sector and this has been our concern for a long time hence hoping that this move will change the way things are conducted, “he said.

He added that Zambia should aim at giving 100 percent to its citizens who are fully registered and signed up transporters and not spare a share for foreign nationals suggesting that foreign national that want to participation in the transportation should be sub-contracted by a Zambian owned business.

And in a separate exclusive interview with ZBT, Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu said government is at a phase of sensitisation and in consultation with key stakeholders regarding that development and that, it is open to any suggestions made by the public and interest organizations.

He said the suggestion of moving 100 (70) percent to local transporters is a positive decision but that it is likely to affect Zambians who do business outside country hence the need to balance the act to avoid having the Zambian business closed by other countries.

Lungu further said government has noted the blocking on the market hence the consideration of putting up policies to enable Zambians have business and make money adding that it will sign off soon after consultations are done.

“70 percent is a good suggestion and will take it positively because it is the feedback that we want to get from the public and if government has suggested 50 percent but that 70 is what everyone wants then will go for 70 percent, so as at now we are in the consultation phase and will sign after we are done with the consultation process,” he said.

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The Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia –

Lifestyle

The Zambia Entrepreneurship Hub for Entrepreneurs and Skills Training – ZEHEST has called on government to form clear entrepreneurship and empowerment policies that will stimulate growth and directly help citizens have dignified and meaningful lives.

Speaking during an entrepreneurship empowerment symposium held in Lusaka on August 28, 2019, ZEHEST Executive Director Clarence Muziamba said there is need to expedite the construction of skills training centers across the country to enable youth’s access and acquire life survival skills adding that promotion and training is key to National Economic Growth.

“Government talks about leaving no one behind but we have seen that many youths have been left out as mare spectators in developmental matters and that must change for the better. We must also invest in research and development, we have to put up more manufacturing and processing plants locally in each province so that we stop exporting jobs,” he said.

Has noted that youth unemployment and poverty are the major challenges affecting the country hence the need to create an enabling environment for job creation and skills development and ensure youths are trained in various life survival skills.

“Today it is difficult to find a job or get employed in our country no matter how good or best your qualifications might be, hence leaving many youths languishing aimlessly in the compounds depending on government to employ them, so majority of people in our country work in the informal sector and only a few work in the formal sector,” he said.

Muziamba said in order to grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product – GDP, issues such as youth unemployment need to be addressed stating that Zambia has over 60% of youths which should be a privilege for them to take part in the country’s development as they are the future leaders of tomorrow.

He has further requested government to fund entrepreneurship skills that have been set up for skill development to ensure many Zambians get necessary entrepreneurship skills so that they become self-reliant and contribute to the country’s GDP.

 

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The Zambia Entrepreneurship Hub for Entrepreneurs and

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The University of Zambia – UNZA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding – MOU with University of Oxford aimed at collaborating in the field of renewable energy solutions.

The MoU will allow UNZA’s Solar Energy Center housed in the Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences and Smith School of Enterprise and Environment at the University of Oxford collaborate in the field of renewable energy solutions.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the University of Zambia main Campus on 26th August 2019, UNZA Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Enala Tembo Mwase, said the MoU signed will allow UNZA and University of Oxford to co-operate in finding solutions to the challenge of rural electrification in Zambia, where only 5% of the population have access to electricity.

The Acting Vice Chancellor added that the signing of the bilateral agreement between UNZA and University of Oxford reaffirms UNZA’s commitment to research around renewable energy solutions.
Prof. Tembo Mwase, emphasized that the agreement signed with University of Oxford is an exciting chapter in UNZA’s strategic objective of promoting mutually beneficial partnerships in the knowledge economy.

She further stated that UNZA is committed to contributing to Zambia’s attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number seven (7) that stipulates the need to ensure universal access to affordable, valuable, sustainable and clean energy by 2030.

And University of Oxford Research Associate, Dr. Susann Stritzke, assured UNZA of Oxford’s commitment in the partnership. She hinted that the co-operation agreement is of significance to University of Oxford as it accords the university a chance to learn and work with UNZA in an inter-disciplinary area of clean energy access and development in Zambia.

Dr. Stritzke, added that University of Oxford is happy to work with UNZA in designing a holistic and inter-disciplinary approach to solving the challenges of rural electrification through integrating various infrastructure based on identified community needs and opportunities.

“The MoU signed between UNZA and University of Oxford will promote co-operation between the two universities in finding solutions to the problem of access to electricity for the rural communities in Zambia,” She said.

Meanwhile, Dean in the School of Natural Sciences, Dr. Habatwa Vincent Mweene, said it is an honour for the School to collaborate with University of Oxford. He stated that UNZA has a lot of expertise in the field of renewable energy and that the two universities stand to benefit from each other through research, workshops and academic exchanges.

The Dean explained that the MoU signed, signifies the School of Natural Science’s resolve to undertake research around the field of renewable energy solutions. “Our strength can be seen in the success of the Solar Energy Center (SEC) which today is churning out cutting-edge research in the field of clean energy” Dr. Mweene said.

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The University of Zambia - UNZA has

Agribusiness

Premiercon Chief Executive Officer – CEO Lubasi Yuyi has disclosed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that the starch company has so far attracted about 7400 farmers spread accross Northern Western, Copperbelt, Central, Western and Luapula Provinces to be engaged in supplying Cassava and sweet potatoes for starch extraction.

The company has set up a  70ton Per Day State of the Art Starch Plant in Kalumbila district of North-western Province. He stated that 6 hectares since been identified for cultivation of certified feedstock to be distributed to all communities and that the company will be buying the feed from. “The starch to be produced will be used in the pharmaceuticals for producing medicine, food processing industry and the production of custard and other food related products while the peals from cassava will be used for green charcoal,” he said.

Yuyi further said Premiercon in conjunction with CEC group has since trained about 6,000 farmers to be put on board for the next season which will be starting in the next two months. He confirmed that Premiercon Starch Company Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Copperbelt Energy Corporation – CEC for the supply of feedstock to be used for production of starch to be then supplied to FQM’s Kalumbila mine as a copper processing input.

The two-year MOU is designed to guarantee a market for the produce as well as the provision of technical support to the farmers for improved crop yields. The feedstock will be produced using cassava and sweet potatoes grown by Women’s Club supported by CEC in Mwinilunga district of North western province.

On challenges faced, Yuyi told ZBT that inadequate farm infrastructures remains a key challenge in farming, hence has called on government and other partners to pay attention to this critical issue as it does not only affect farmers but the industry at large.

He is hopeful that the sustainability of the project is assured because Mwinilunga district has good climate conditions which support cassava and sweet potato production. Cassava has been grown as a traditional crop but had previously suffered from limited industrial use which is now improving.

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Premiercon Chief Executive Officer - CEO Lubasi

Markets

Lusaka based economist Trevor Simumba has condemned the silence by Zambia Revenue Authority – ZRA and First Quantum Minerals Kalumbila – FQM over the denial to disclose the actual figure of tax dispute final settlement amount.

Last month, FQM group President Clive Newall had stated in a statement availed to the Zambain Business Times – ZBT that the company had reached a settlement amount with ZRA over the US$ 8 billion tax dispute saying the amount of the settlement was in line with FQM’s earlier made provisions but did not disclose the actual final settlement amount.

Zambia is currently grappling with austerity measures and a national external debt of about US$10.3 billion and a tax dispute of over US$8 billion is not something to joke about or sweep under the carpet. Ordinary citizens in Zambia get sentenced for for longer terms for much lesser crimes and tax dodging in other jurisdictions is considered a serious crime.

Simumba stated that being an issue of public interest, it has raised concerns as to why the two firms have gone mute on releasing the actual amount settled for when government had publically announced the agreement.

The Lusaka based economist has bemoaned the lack of transparency by both FQM and ZRA stating that the act of silence does not send a good signal to the public hence government should open up and discuss the actual amount settled to avoid speculations in the public domain.

He told the Zambain Business Times – ZBT in an interview that placing financial and public information in the public domain shows how transparent the country is to its people and it is a powerful element of good governance as it helps fight corruption.

“I think ZRA commissioner General Kingsly Chanda and newly appointed Minister of Finance Dr. Bwalya N’gandu should open up and disclosed the agreement because whatever money has been made in exchange will go to the treasury, so going mute on this issue when the agreement was made public is not a good move,” he said.

Meanwhile, ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda confirmed the settlement with FQM stating that this arrived at after the mining firm appealed on penalties through the Ministry of Finance.

And when ZBT reached out to the FQM Public Relations Manager Godfrey Msiska, he reacted angrily to the question and could not avail further information saying that the company was not in position of giving further information aside what was reported in the statement released earlier.

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Lusaka based economist Trevor Simumba has condemned

Tech

Topstar Zambia has announced that it will by end of August roll out an extra frequency for local TV stations which will favor TV stations that are licensed with the Independ Broadcasting Authority – IBA.

Speaking during a media breakfast meeting at Lusaka’s Mulungushi Conference Centre on August 21 2019, Topstar Chief Executive Officer Alex Jian said the company has also added three new channels to the platform namely KNC TV, Lumen TV and Loyola TV.

He said it is important to note that the new channels will be good source of news to the local TV stations and that content providers will be required to pay the ZICTA approved carriage fees for their channels to be distributed on the Topstar.

“I fully understand that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services – MIBS and IBA are currently experiencing the pressure regarding the fact that local TV stations licensed by IBA are being carried on our platform but that they are not getting income, this situation will be rectified as the expenditure is currently considerably high,” he said.

Alex further refuted allegations circulating on same media platforms stating that the Chinese team has been mistreating its local staff members. He said the company is focused to work with Zambians to discover the right way of increasing revenue and that everything is being done to protect the digital migration to be carried successfully.

He added that allegations that it has been mistreating its staff are false and has stated that Topstar is in Zambia to bond with local investors and that when the business grows, it will hand over the company to the local management team.

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Topstar Zambia has announced that it will

Lifestyle

The Ministry of Water Development Sanitation and Environmental Development has registered 19,000 boreholes under the water verification exercise in Lusaka province aimed at ensuring safety of the water from domestic boreholes. The Ministry has also through the Water Resources Management Authority – WARMA register 100 borehole drilling companies in an effort to monitor their activities in the province.

Speaking at the borehole water verification exercise flag off in Lusaka on August 20, 2019, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Bishop Eddie Chomba said the verification exercises which has targeted 3, 000 boreholes in Lusaka is aimed at ensuring people have access to safe and clean drinking water.

He added that the Authority has since recruited 1,000 interns to supplement staff that will go round to collect water samples and inspect the quality of boreholes that are being drilled.

Bishop Chomba said the water exercise is a manifestation of government’s commitment through WARMA to regulate the management of water resources in order to distribute to the country and sustainably ensure that the development agenda anchored in the Seventh National Development Plan is adhered to.

He has disclosed that Zambian has currently lost about 3 cubic kilometer of water underground due to climate change hence the need to manage the resource and equitably distribute it to the people who require it.

“We cannot survive without water because we need it not only for humans but environment and wildlife. We are aware there is industrialization of infrastructure and roads around the country but at the wake of industrialization, environment is tempered with, trees are cut down punitively and dams are contaminated because of our activities hence the need to put in place regulations and laws that will be able to guide the way forward by ensuring people have access to clean and safe water,” he said.

He has since appealed to the members of the public to register their boreholes with the WARMA and have their water sources test for safety purposes and comply with the regulations and standards that will be given by the Authority.

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The Ministry of Water Development Sanitation and

Agribusiness

Just Fresh Foods Farms – JFFF has launched the first ever Online Agro Market worth K1, million aimed at providing farmers and consumers an opportunity to trade through the internet.

The platform is meant to compliment the already existing traditional physical markets in delivering fresh farm products with an added advantage of delivering the goods at designated locations for easy access by consumers countrywide.

Speaking during the launch of the Online Agro Market in Lusaka On August 23, 2019, Just Fresh Foods Farm Founder Executive Director Chuula Twaambo explained that the platform will also facilitate a consistent and steady supply of farm produce to the consumers through a network of the Zambian farmers.

Twaambo said the online market will endeavor to connect the Zambian farmers to the global community of consumers adding that it will further provide various benefits to both the local farmers and the wider network of consumers.

“The benefit of this platform will trickle down to the a consumer in that, farm produce will be delivered to their door step or their close location. The platform will save consumers the time and stress in sourcing for farm produce and it will also eliminate the risk of theft through cashless transactions as the platform provides a safe and secure payment system for purchase,” he said.

And Ministry of Commerce Chief Economist Margret Chikuba has commended Just Fresh Food Farms for the initiative which she said will provide an opportunity for farmers and agribusiness individuals to trade online.

She said with the advancement of technology, it is necessary for the agriculture sector to enter into e-commerce market to enhance market access and competitiveness. The Ministry is hopeful that the Online market will contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector through empowerment of agric- entrepreneurs, create jobs and promote the formalization of businesses for those wishing to be registered members.

“This kind of transaction secures the farmers as their produce is assured of ready purchase even before it has left their farm. This secured purchase culminates in to future predictions of crop yield returns,” She said

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Just Fresh Foods Farms - JFFF has

Markets

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development – CTPD hast noted with great concern the lack of transparency (in effect the secrecy) regarding the purported settlement of the over $8 billion tax settlement deal between Zambia Revenue Authority – ZRA and First Quantum Minerals – FQM.

The center has bemoaned lack of openness between the two parties in their dealings hence the demand for a lot more transparency on the part of both FQM and ZRA over the matter. CTPD Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that ZRA publicly announced some mining firms which included FQM Kalumbila that were owing it huge amounts of money.

This report which generated a lot of interest and praise from a cross section of the general public who at the time commended ZRA for the bold steps taken hence it is only logical that the revenue agency gets back to inform the public on how the whole matter was resolved and at what amount.

Mwaipopo has reminded ZRA and FQM that the amounts in question are not just so huge, but are also public funds which belong to the Zambian people who deserve to know the whole truth over this matter.

He added that ZRA’s agenda of hiding under the veil of tax payer confidentiality restrictions about the matter is not helpful to many Zambians who wish to know what the Tax authority has agreed to settle for a decent amount that is in the interest of the majority of Zambians.

“we wish to repeat our clarion call on the need for transparency from both parties [ZRA and the Mining firm] to avoid similar occurrences in the future. On the part of the mine, they should make their profits in a manner that is clean and transparent, devoid of denying the majority Zambian people the much-needed revenues through payment of the right amount of taxes at the right time” he said.

Meanwhile the center has commended ZRA’s move of setting its bar high by signaling its drive to maximize revenue collection from the mines for the benefit of all Zambians but has called on the agency to open on up on the final settlement amount.

FQM group representatives Clive Newall had stated in a statement availed to ZBT that the company had reached a settlement amount with ZRA over the US$ 8 billion tax dispute saying the amount of the settlement was in line with FQM’s earlier made provisions but did not disclose the actual final settlement amount.

When ZBT followed up the matter, ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda also confirmed the settlement with FQM stating that the act was after the mining firm appealed on penalties through the Ministry of Finance. The ministry of Finance has equally not confirmed the settlement amount.

Further when ZBT reached FQM for detailed information, FQM Public Relations Manager Godfrey Msiska could not avail further information and reacted angrily saying that the company was not in position of giving further information aside what was reported in the statement released earlier. The actual and final figure of the settlement still stands unrevealed leaving questions on weather the country settled for a better deal.

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The Centre for Trade Policy and Development

Agribusiness

Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo is expected lead his ministry and technical staff to set an average selling price of mealie meal by millers to retailers at between ZMK115 to ZMK120, while roller meal should be sold between ZMK80 to ZMK90.

This follows revelation that the state has information that the high maize buying price prevailing in the private sector are driven largely by the 3 major manufacturers of livestock feed who are procuring maize at exorbitant prices, to make stock feed cake for export which is fetching favorable prices”.

Chief Government’s spokesperson Dora Siliya said in a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that government has expressed great concern over the high price of mealie meal which is reported to have reached K150 for 25kg bag of breakfast and ZMK120 for a 25kg bag of Roller meal in some cases and parts of Zambia.

She said, Acting President Inonge Wina had this morning summoned Hon Katambo to urgently meet major retail outlets to address the price distortion.

Katambo is however expected to meet with manufactures of livestock feed to arrest the price distortion in the maize buying market and conclude interventions by Government to stabilize the price of Mealie meal and make the staple food affordable to ordinary Zambians in the next few days.

“Government is also aware of price distortions in the maize buying market. While the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) buy-in price is ZMK110 per 50Kg of maize, the private sector price is as high as ZMK170 per 50kg bag of Maize. This too is clear distortion because historically the price difference between FRA and the private sector has never been more than ZMK10 per bag. However, this year the difference is as high as ZMK60,”.

“Our information is that what is driving the high maize buying price in the private sector are the 3 major manufacturers of livestock feed who are procuring maize at exorbitant prices, to make stock feed cake for export, at the expense of ordinary Zambians,” She said.

Siliya has however assured Zambians that despite the country being impacted by drought and floods in some areas, it is food secure and will do everything possible to ensure it remains so to avoid dearth from hunger.

Government has further instructed the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission – CCPC to render a report to Government on the price distortions within 24hrs. And in a separate interview with ZBT, Agriculture Minister said his ministry will engage its stakeholders on the recommended price on the market hence assurance will be made after meeting stakeholders in the maize industry.

He said the ministry will soon make a public announcement on recommendations made by government regarding the price of Mealie meal on the market.

Analysts have however noted that the price of maize has been escalating following the announcement of the increased maize purchase price by the state food reserve agency – FRA following the upward adjustment in response to cries from small scale farmers that account for over 90% of total maize production in Zambia.

The demand in neighboring countries for Maize has further exacerbated the situation with the vast export market in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – DRC offering almost double the price of the local prices in Zambia. Zambia had also a reduced output following poor rainfall blamed on climate change effects.

 

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Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo is expected lead