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Police has confirmed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that the act of subjecting employees to polygraph tests commonly known as lie detector test by Kagem mine is illegal.

The Gemfields owned Kagem Mine, believed to be the largest gemstone miner in the world has again found itself embroiled with controversial polygraph tests after the deportation of a polygraph consultant that the gemstone mine engaged by the Zambian Immigration department.

The precious stones mine had been a subject of continued accusations of illegally subjecting employees to invasive body searches deemed to reach inhumane and degrading levels for it’s local employees.

Kagem mine employees continue to whistle blow on some of its labour and employee treatment processes by its management which has continued to go unabated.

Records show that even the Zambia Revenue Authority – ZRA had in 2018 raided Kagem Mine and the South Africa based Limpopo Polygraphs for conducting periodic testing at the Zambian based mine, but it seems the company does not want to make amends.

Reports of Kagem mine subjecting employees to lie detection examinations have resurfaced with some stakeholders calling on the investigative wings to prosecute the company as it is generally considered demeaning even by the Zambian labour practices and local cultural norms.

Sources with knowledge of happenings at Kagem mine have revealed that Emarald mine management has continued subjecting employees to lie detector examination as they suspect that locals are stealing gemstones whenever they are exiting the company premises.

According to Police sources, Polygraph tests or lie detection procedures border on invasion of privacy and incisive investigations are only mandated to legally commissioned officers and that the conduct by Kagem is illegal.

Only investigative wings such as the Zambia Police and their commissioned officers are allowed to conduct lie detection tests, as a control measure to prevent arbitrary use as well as to safeguard the dignity of the general citizenry.

According to the information obtained from the Zambia police, the use of polygraphs by private entities in employee is illegal and NOT allowed in Zambia.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga told ZBT that polygraph tests can only be used by law enforcement agencies and only in a situation where it’s part of the Company Policy and that the employee willingly submits themselves to the examinations.

Efforts to get an official response from Kagem Mine on why they are using it on employees, as well as the Ministry of Labour on the matter proved futile by press time.

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Police has confirmed to the Zambian Business

Sport

As the Zambian Female National Team also known as the Copper Queens begin their world cup campaign this Saturday, it is important that they keep themselves healthy and in good shape.

It is no question that when it comes to such strenuous physical activities a healthy body is key, hence the importance of a well-balanced and nutritious diet cannot be overemphasised.

Doctor Dominic Kampolo is a professional dietician under the Tele-doctor platform of professionally trained and qualified doctors in the country. He spoke to the Zambian Business Times ZBT about an ideal sports diet for football players.

Dr. Kampolo said that for athletes to build up nutrition, there is a preparatory phase which has different requirements from the activity stage. He notes that every sports activity has different requirements based on the target. He said that for soccer players, it is important to look out for nutrients that will replenish the muscles such as proteins which can be found in meat products and nuts, Amino Acids, and vitamins.

Dr. Kampolo also spoke on the intake of energy drinks noting that energy drinks that are taken in a way that one wants to output a lot energy at a goal are very harmful due to the metabolic changes that tend to occur when the muscle is overworked, He explained that most of these energy drinks have phosphocreatine, and possess enzymes that break down the energy currency in the body in form of adenosine triphosphate ATP which blocks the breaking down of cycle germs which is a second messenger in the activities that involve muscles to contract and to perform more readily.

“For us to prepare a candidate for such high energy spending activities, we are required to give nutrients that are going to promote blood flow, that are going to promote storage of energy, that are going to promote clearance of toxic substances. It also depends on the level at which you want to approach a candidate from” said Kampolo.

He added that the best foods are non-refined foods, and that the carbohydrates to be taken should be those that are able to produce sugar in a slow manner as opposed to those that produce sugar quickly. “The very sweet sources of carbohydrates release energy very fast. For instance table spoon sugar. But you need the body to be releasing energy slowly which will be able to make the body endure, so you are feeding for endurance” said Kampolo. He mentioned that good sources of carbohydrates that are good for endurance include, potatoes (sweet potatoes, and Irish potatoes), and rice. He also mentioned that Nshima is part of the good carbohydrates, but noted that it has a very high caloric value and produces a lot of glucose.

And when asked about supplements, Dr. Kampolo said that supplements that are given as a boost are not good. He explains that they are the same as the hormones that are given in order to stimulate someone to perform. “What is best is for us to do what we call preparatory feeding for endurance purposes. So we feed the person so that we plan them for endurance, not for us to overfeed them, because when we over feed them, the body will not handle those products well. So you require to dose in the right amounts for a certain period of time to prepare the body” said Kampolo. He notes that over inducing the body causes problems such as heart failure which is very common for sports persons to experience due to the use of such substances.

Dr. Kampolo further noted that a carbohydrate meal is key for players before they can go for their exercises, and that during the time that they are not exercising, they are recommended to have a high protein meal. Dr. Kampolo highlighted that if anything is to be ingested before a game, a fruit drink that is high in carbohydrates would be ideal. He said other drinks behave like drugs and are not encouraged as they have long term side effects.

He also noted that taking in anything that is too solid during the game (half time) is not as encouraged as digestion reduces during strenuous activates which also leads to reduced absorption. He however noted that a snack of a protein and carbohydrates such as groundnuts and cashew nuts would work fine.

Dr. Kampolo has therefore advised the Copper Queens team dieticians to feed the team more on protein snacks with a lot of zinc and calcium. He also noted that the team is female hence it should be well considered that they go through hormonal changes. “They have hormonal changes per individual, so it depends whether someone is undergoing ovulation the hormones change, if they are undergoing menstruation the hormones change. So those things should be taken care of because that is what makes sports ladies to have more injuries as compared to males” said Dr. Kampolo.

He further disclosed that when women are to undergo such strenuous exercises, their hormonal cycles are disturbed, their menstruation is stopped, and their ovulation can be interfered with in order to keep them from having injuries of the tendons, especially the ACL. He notes that the ACLs are the most common injuries that sports ladies go through when they have hormonal changes. He said it is important to consider hormonal changes when feeding women, hence the need to look at diets that are friendly with regard to their cycles.

Dr. Kampolo has wished the Copper Queens well in their campaign, and further advised that synthetic products be avoided to prevent any long term side effects.

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As the Zambian Female National Team also

Mining

Mining Expert has warned that Zambia will hardly see meaningful development from Konkola Copper Mines – KCM especially that the mine is handed back to Vedanta Resources Limited.

Mining expert Edward Simukonda said Zambia will hardly see meaningful development in the country because Vedanta has so much debt most of the money generated in Zambia will be going to solve the liability when they remain the major shareholders of KCM.  The shareholding structure in KCM is 80% Vedanta resources (VR) and 20% ZCCM-IH.

This follows Government’s announcement that only one of the ten important issues remains to be resolved before an agreement could be reached with KCM’s Majority shareholders Vedanta Resources to take over the asset.

Konkola Copper Mines was placed under provisional liquidation in 2019 after the previous Zambian government confirmed that the Vedanta had lied about expansion plans and paid too little tax.

Simukonda however said the recent announcements that the asset will be handed over to Vedanta resources is a mockery to the country especially when Government is fully aware of the bad record the Company have in Zambia.

“Am extremely disappointed in the sense that everyone knows the problem that Vedanta is going through and everyone knows what the country has gone through with Vedanta. So what is going to happen is that all the efforts that the Zambians are going to put in to produce the copper will be helping Vedanta to solve its debt problems.”

“Apart from getting the mine Vedanta misused the nation by failing to declare proper taxes and failing to do other statutory things that have been stipulated by the law but we still go back to them which is very unfortunate. I know they were holding the majority stake in the mine but we could have come up with some kind of a concession to say we take over that mine completely.” Remarked Simukonda.

He added that, “However whatever agreement that have been signed the 20 percent stake that we own should have been adjusted when bringing them back and pushed to 50 percent or more so that the country can be a majority shareholder in it compared to the 20 percent which is currently at hand.”

Simukonda said the 20 percent shareholding is a very disappointing and then I expected government to react otherwise because who does not know the problems Vedanta is facing they owe money all over the show.

“We are just a bunch of people that countries around the world are laughing because we are giving a broke guy millions to help him pay back his debt so like I said we are not going to see any meaningful development because what is going to happen is that Vedanta is going to be sorting out its problems using Zambia.”

According to the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe, it is anticipated that the asset will be handed over to Vedanta within July 2023 after one of the 10 key issues raised by the Government have been addressed.

Members of the Public, are however eagerly waiting to see details of the ten issues Government had raised in its roundtables discussion with the Indian investor “Vedanta resources” before it commences operations at KCM.

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Mining Expert has warned that Zambia will

Companies

To establish a strategic relationship to address the climate change impact in Zambia, First National Bank (FNB) Zambia and Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Zambia have entered into a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Speaking during the signing of the memorandum of understanding to cement the partnership, FNB Zambia Chief Executive Officer, Bydon Longwe said, as a bank that is constantly evolving with the ever-changing needs of the customers and society, the partnership with WWF amplifies FNB’s intent to help create a better world and society for all, in line with its ethos.

Longwe stated that FNB is aware that the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) topic has become critical in how business is undertaken.

“I would like to congratulate Nachilala Nkombo and her WWF team on the successful launch of the second PachiPanda Innovation Challenge in Zambia last week. I understand that challenge is aimed at encouraging and supporting innovative solutions that address pressing environmental and societal challenges within the country. I am pleased to state that FNB is pledging to support the challenge through the provision of sustainable financial advice and other key initiatives to the shortlisted teams. I believe this will amplify our collective commitment towards a sustainable world.” Stated Longwe in a statement availed to the Zambian Business Times.

Meanwhile, WWF Zambia Country Director, Nachilala Nkombo stated that measuring the potential effects of climate change on financial institutions is a challenging task adding that WWF Zambia partnering with FNB Zambia will support the bank in developing tools, methodologies and processes to address the climate risk that banks face.

“In this context, it is important to note that WWF Zambia is better placed to assist in assessing environmental risk to FNB Zambia and outlining investment opportunities in a rapidly changing climate and environment by utilising various methods. Methods such as the water risk filter, biodiversity risk filter, science-based target initiatives, and sustainable banking assessment.” She added.

FNB Zambia and WWF Zambia’s partnership will cover but will not be limited to the following key initiatives built on the sustainability umbrella:

1. Financial Intermediation: Linkages for investors to borrowers in a quest to improve access to capital. Strong demand often outstrips supply which may result in attracting a more diversified pool of investors.

2. Transaction Structuring: This will include assistance to customers/investors in realising the benefits to be accrued for their sustainability investments and structuring of green bonds among other sustainable finance needs.

3. Conditional Underwriting: Offer customers the option to access finance or re-financing for eligible green assets/projects.

4. Other Assistance: Provide guidance on use of Proceeds, Management of Proceeds, and Process for Project Evaluation & Selection and Reporting; including demonstration of links to Renewable Energy, Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Water Management, Pollution Prevention & Control and Green Buildings, among other initiatives.

FNB Zambia and WWF Zambia has since pledged to continue to work with like-minded organisations committed to driving the sustainability agenda in the country and beyond.

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To establish a strategic relationship to address

Uncategorized

The Zambian Kwacha which in the mid-June 2023 had seen some gains and appreciated from highs of about K19 to lows of about K16 has now depreciated and about to return to K19 per United states Dollars –USD..

ZBT had published an article indicating that the Kwacha appreciation was temporal as there was no fundamentals that could sustain it in the long run but some people thought it was being Political.

The Zambian Kwacha is now as of Friday 14th July 2023, buying at K18.5176 and selling at K18.8824 against the United States dollars up from at K16.8342 and selling at K17.1658 in mid-June.

See article below published last Month June 20th 2023……

“Current Kwacha appreciation temporal – Economist”

An economist and financial expert has warned that the current appreciation of Kwacha against the United States Dollar – USD is temporal, unsustainable and may not have a long term positive impact on the ground given the country’s current economic state and weak fundamentals.

The Zambian Kwacha has as of today – Tuesday 20th June 2023 posted serious gains in value against the USD trading from about K19.23 the previous day to about K16.83. The dollar is now buying at K16.8342 and selling at K17.1658 as of Tuesday 20th June 2023 from highs of buying at K19.2306 and selling at K19.6094 respectively as of Monday 19th June 2023.

Reacting to the steep movement, a financial and economic expert has argued that, “I don’t see the Zambian economy being able to sustain it for a long time because you must also take into consideration the fact that right now, Zambia is not paying back (servicing) it’s foreign exchange denominated debt because it is on a debt suspension initiative till the restructuring is concluded and approved.”

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times -ZBT, Economist, Researcher and Consultant Salwindi Notulu said although the appreciation of the Zambian Kwacha against the US dollar will have an immediate impact on spot transactions like those settling payments for imported goods and services as this will reduce the Kwacha needed to be converted, the appreciation will have little to no impact on the ground in the medium term.

Notulu explained that this is because of the current balance of reserves that the country has is low, hence the level of sustainability of these gains can simply not be guaranteed.

“Basically what am saying is that if there is any fluctuations in the Supply or demand side on the market, whether they are due to internal or external happenings, those will have an impact in terms of the exchange rates, but in terms of stability in the medium to long term, I would not really be positive that we will be able to sustain it given our current economic situation. So this may just be a one off gain caused by other things happening outside or within the country.”

“From what is obtaining on the ground, I would assume it to be a temporal wind fall and not something that we can say it will continue going down or remain stable. You also need to take into consideration that prices are sticky going downwards but when its going upwards, they are very flexible.”

He added that this may be a short term windfall, so in terms of people on the ground, you can’t really say there will be any effect that will be felt unless it’s sustained over a much longer period of time.

“So this may just be a one off thing and we don’t even know for how long it will last, so only the big companies and large traders who can benefit and take advantage of this, but for ordinary people on the ground, the gains should be sustained over a longer period of time.

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The Zambian Kwacha which in the mid-June

Tech

The Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants – ZICA, has praised the Ministry of Finance and National Planning for its continued commitment to statutory compliance by releasing the Annual Financial Report in line with Part XVI, Article 211 of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment No. 2 of 2016.

Reacting to this, ZICA President Cecilia Zimba said by releasing the Annual Financial Report as mandated by law, the Ministry of Finance has demonstrated its dedication to upholding financial integrity and reinforcing the trust of stakeholders, including citizens, investors, and international partners.

She said ZICA’s commendation is based on the Ministry’s exceptional display of efficiency, accountability, and transparency in its financial reporting.

The Financial Report https://www.mofnp.gov.zm/?wpdmpro=2022-financial-report for the year under review provides an overview of the operating results in terms of revenue generated, capital grants received, financing through borrowing and how the funds were utilised.

Zimba said ZICA recognizes the important role that accurate and transparent financial reporting plays in ensuring good governance and sustainable economic growth.

“The Ministry of Finance and National Planning has continued to exemplify these principles by promptly adhering to statutory obligations and providing comprehensive financial information to the public.” She remarked in a statement availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT.

She added that this commitment sets a high standard for other government institutions and organizations in the country.

“It is through such actions that Zambia can further its economic progress and build a foundation for a prosperous future.” She said.

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The Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants -

Tech

In Zambia and most parts of Africa, the Small and Medium Enterprise –SME sector is synonymous with locally owned businesses. And the biggest challenge for locally owned businesses or SMEs is that they are left to compete with foreign owned entities and multinationals which have a big advantage in that they have access to cheaper sources of finance.

Despite the SMEs or mostly locally owned businesses being the backbone of the Zambian economy it terms of market size, there has been little to non serious focus to deliberately drive and support the sector. It’s undisputed that out of a labour force of about 10 million people in Zambia, The SME sector or informal sector employs more people than the formal or international companies in Zambia.

After all, the largest single employer in Zambia, which is the Government, its various agencies and state owned enterprises are a local organization, and the new dawn administration went further to even set up a dedicated ministry for SME, but the output so far, the political stamina of the appointed current Minister and its output has left many local business owners doubtful of getting notable and serious improvements in the sector.

 SMEs have continued to faced huge challenges to thrive, one of these major challenges include lack of a leveled playing field as they have to compete with bigger multinational businesses and foreign entities. When you ask the technocrats at the SME Ministry, their view is that the ministry lacks a policy framework to support the growth of SMEs, and to guide the regulations to level the playing Field.

Recently, the responsible SME Minister Elias Mubanga announced that he will soon announce a policy for the ministry. He noted that the ministry did not have a policy because it is new, but that the policy has been formulated and will soon (no specific date given) be announced.

Various stakeholders have for some time now been calling for this policy for the ministry with suggestions of what should be contained in it. The Zambian Business Times – ZBT, spoke to Financial Economist Bright Chizonde who highlighted what areas the coming policy should address to help get SMEs or local business awaken.

Chizonde noted that one of the major problems is that the sector has been competing with foreign businesses which is in the end crowding out Zambian businesses due to the power of foreign companies which come with access to credit thereby making it easier to expand their businesses.

The Financial Economist said identifying different economic activities [reservation schemes] which can be exclusive for Zambians would be good for the sector. “Some businesses can be designated for Zambians only, so that the foreign companies can stay away from those ones that would be a good thing” said Chizonde.

He added that some economic activities can also be designated to be for partnership with Zambians. He suggested that perhaps a 50% Zambian ownership as minimum would help create a level playing field with foreign companies. He said there is a significant benefit with having Zambian owned businesses because of capital flight, adding that there are profits that are made internally and the money will be remaining in the economy as opposed to the current situation where most of the money is externalized.

The SME policy framework if well crafted will play a key part in acting as a starting point for small businesses across the country. Business owners can only hope that it will speak to their challenges and ease the cost of doing business by making favourable the playing field.        

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In Zambia and most parts of Africa,

Uncategorized

High lending rates are a reflection of the economy – BAZ

The Bankers Association of Zambia – BAZ has revealed that the current [high] levels of lending rates are a mirror reflection of where the economy is in relation to the key macro economic indicators. 

Zambian businesses and retail clients have had to contend with market lending rates that are currently above 20% for banks and above 60% from micro-finance institutions. This has led to a high cost of doing business, a high cost of living and slow down of economic growth.

Single digit market lending rates remain a pipe dream and successive governments continue to blindly drive the job creation agenda but are shy to aim for the needed below 10% lending rate that could actually spur the much needed local investments that could deliver overall national economic development.

Responding to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT on why interest rates have remained high and as to whether the general public should expect a reduction following the recently announced restructure of $6.3 billion out of the about $18.6 billion external debt, the association disclosed that lending rates are set considering various parameters.

BAZ President Leonard Mwanza told ZBT that some of the benchmarks that Banks use for price loans include interest rates on treasury bills, interest rates on government bonds as well as the overall inflation rate which determines the cost of doing business.

A check by ZBT revealed that indeed, treasury bills and bonds discount rates, considered as risk free lending to government, remain relatively high and expecting banks that are lending to local business and individuals to lower rates may be illogical and counter intuitive.

Mwanza further stated that now that the debt restructure bridge has been crossed which had been a major bottleneck in unlocking the economy and passing on the benefits to consumers, there is renewed hope of some economic recalibration around some of the key economic indicators. 

The BAZ President stated that once government starts accessing the funding from the international market, and the benefit that will be acrude from the debt restructuring, it is expected that the government willingness to source funding from the local markets might scale down. 

“If the government does not have a lot of demand to borrow on the local market through Treasury Bills and Government bonds, the natural expectation is that the market interest (or lending) rate will start coming down. Obviously you cannot determine that this will happen tomorrow, it is a process”. 

“So once we start seeing those benchmark interest rates which were around 15% for treasury bills, and above 20% for government bonds depending on the tenure, we expect that the [effective market lending rates] will start going lower than the current 15%”, said Mwanza .

He explained that this would mean that the new base on which pricing would be referenced will be much lower than the current base, hence the accrued benefits will begin to show.

Mwanza hopes that the inflation trajectory will start going to the country’s medium term target which is between 6 to 8% as this will mean that another variable used to price from the base will start coming down. He added that once the savings on the foreign exchange come in through the debt restructuring, there might be more liquidity coming in on the local foreign exchange market that can eventually support and stabilize the Kwacha. 

The BAZ President also noted that resolving the issues surrounding Mopani and KCM will result in an increase in Mineral royalties remittance [through Bank of Zambia] due to more copper production and exports, thereby more foreign currency which can be further used to support the Market.

Mwanza said that the Kwacha has a big say on how inflation is computed, hence a stable and downward trending Kwacha (relative to US dollar) will answer to questions of the high cost of doing business. BAZ is confident that once the bases begin coming down, there will no question of whether interest rates should be reduced or not as it will be an automatic adjustment. 

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High lending rates are a reflection of

Lifestyle

The First National Bank – FNB – Zambia has announced that it has set aside ZMW 100, 000 in prize money for the winners of the FNB KOPALA 10 kilometres road run that will see thousands of runners and walkers unite on Saturday, 29 July 2023 in Kitwe, Zambia to champion health and wellness.

Over 2,500 runners and walkers are expected to unite to celebrate the uniqueness of the iconic city of Kitwe capital of the Copperbelt Province earmarked to hold this event which is the first of its kind.

Speaking in Lusaka at the launch of the inaugural FNB Kopala 10K run, attended by the Zambian Business Times -ZBT, FNB Zambia Chief Executive Officer, Bydon Longwe said, the ZMW 100 000 Prize Purse for the inaugural FNB Kopala 10K is an added incentive for runners to train hard and give their all on event day.

Longwe disclosed that some professional local, regional, and international athletes that have already signed up for the FNB Kopala 10K to break records or continue their training streaks for other big running events.

The Top Ten finishers in the Open Men’s and Women’s Categories will secure their share in prize money. The Men’s and Women’s winners will each take home ZMW 10 000 while the Runners up will receive ZMW 7 000 and third place finishers ZMW 5 000 each.

The Top Five Junior Men and Women will also be rewarded for their efforts, with the male and female winners each securing ZMW 3 000.

Junior runners up will receive ZMW 1 500, with third place finishers taking home ZMW 1 000. “Further, we are proud to confirm that prize money has also been allocated to the top three finishers in the following age categories: 40 – 49 years men and women, 30 – 59 years men and women, 60 – 69 years men and women, 70+ years men and women and 80+ men and women”, Mr. Longwe added.

“At FNB, we are committed to championing health and wellness and would like to encourage all Kitwe residents, the rest of the Copperbelt and Zambia at large, our customers and employees to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle. We are particularly pleased that this run will be inclusive with children as young as 9 years old being able to participate and get a finishers medal. We are also pleased to announce Trade Kings and Garden Court Hotel as our partners as we collaborate to host the Copperbelt’s biggest wellness event”, Mr. Longwe concluded.

Speaking at the same event, Zambia Athletics President Elias Mpondela disclosed that three elite athletics namely; Jackson Kashiya, Michelo Siabwacha and Elizabeth Mukoloma will be representing the Zambia athletics.  

In a speech ready on his behalf by his vice President Bernard Bwalya, Mpondela said the race will also boost the economy on the Copperbelt as the general public especially the people on the Copperbelt will benefit through the hotel industry, transport industry, food and logistics and tourism.

Meanwhile, Youth, Sport & Arts Minister Elvis Nkandu applauded FNB Zambia for organising such a significant event and encouraged all citizens whether seasoned athletes or beginners to come in large numbers and support this great initiative.

He noted that the highly anticipated FNB KOPALA 10k marathon will be the Copperbelt’s biggest event that will collectively promote good health and wellness of the people.

“As the minister in charge of sports development, I firmly believe in the power of sports to bring people together and foster a sense of unity. The 3 FNB KOPALA 10k marathon is a testament to that belief, as we bring together athletes, enthusiasts, and members of the community to participate in a thrilling race through the streets of Kitwe. The FNB KOPALA 10k marathon is not just about the race itself, but about the experiences, connections, and lifelong memories that it will create. Let’s make KOPALA great with the FNB KOPALA 10k run.” Added Nkandu.

The FNB Kopala 10K will start on Freedom Avenue in Kitwe at 08:00hrs for the 10Km race and 08:15hrs for the 5Km one and end at the same place. Entrants for the 10Km run must be 14 years or older on race day, or 9 years or older for the 5Km Fun Run. Registration and payment run from 9 May to 24 July 2023, and can be done on the event website www.FNBKopala10K.com at the following fees:

● 10KM Run / ZMW 195 per person

● 5km Fun Run / ZMW 145 per person

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The First National Bank – FNB -

Mining

Feira Member of Parliament Emmanuel Tembo has hinted that the benefits of tourism in the lower Zambezi have not dribbled down to the local people as the Lodge owners only contribute about K49, 000 per year when other areas like Kalumbila gets about k15 million for the same period.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times Feria Member of Parliament said despite much of the revenue generated by the lodge owners they have failed to develop the roads and take up corporate social responsivity.

Tembo said mining in the lower Zambezi should be given full support from the Government and the local people as it will be a game changer to both the Government and the local people in the area.

He said the people of Luangwa have for so long been trying to see what industry will be created in order for the local people to get jobs and the idea of the mine is a one step in the right direction because it will not only employee people but also create value chains which will create other industries in the area.

“We cannot continue to have people living in the grass thatched houses, no electricity and drinking dirty water when we have so many resources. For me the discussion should be around opening up more small scale and large scale mines around that area so that it gives value to the economy of Zambia and also the local people and this is also the position by Chiefs and Headmen around the area.” He said.

Meanwhile, Tembo expressed displeasure over Government’s decision to halt mining development by Mwembeshi Resources citing non-compliance with the conditions as the reason behind the temporal suspension.

Tembo said Government should not have suspended the mining activities but further allow them to operate whilst addressing the issues that has been cited in the letter addressed to the Company.

When asked on the good number of employees that the lodge owners had earlier put out compared to what the mine will offer, Tembo said the statistics were cooked up stating that the country should not be reduced to people who are small minded. “We are talking about over $500 million investment which cannot by far be compared to what the Lodge owners are offering.”

“The Lodge owners off course they employee one or two villagers but we are looking at a bigger picture and for me beyond the little jobs but with the coming in of the mine we will be able to detect the copper that comes out and pay the required taxes which has never been the case as it is difficult to tax lodge owners who banking outside the country. The financial outflows with the Lodge owners this money does not even land in Zambia but with mining we will be able to detect how much copper has gone out.”

Tembo added that, “there are so many entities that are stealing from Zambians because we are sleeping and the problem that I have with the Lodge owners in the Lower Zambezi is that they are not even involved in corporate social responsibilities. Those who are in Luangwa District they only contribute k49, 000 per year when other areas like Kalumbila our friends are collecting about k15 million.”

Tembo Further said there is a need for local people to also benefit from such ventures because they are the owners of the land other than leaving it all to the Lodge owners who are not offering anything.

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Feira Member of Parliament Emmanuel Tembo has