TDN MEDIA

18/10/2023

President Hakainde Hichilema writes;

Dear God,

Saints and angels in heaven are right in singing, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

(Revelation 5:9)

Even as we pray as a nation, in every city, town and village, today, let Your kingdom come to every tribe and language and people and nation. Deliver us from the bigotry and hatred that divide us. Help us to rejoice instead in the great diversity of Your Creation, to find and focus on the humanity we share and the freedoms we treasure.

We pray this prayer in Jesus's Name,

Amen.

Blessed Day of National Prayer!

09/10/2023

GOVERNMENT SIGNS CONCESSION AGREEMENT FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF KATETE-CHANIDA ROAD AND BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE

The Government has today signed a Concession Agreement for the reconstruction of the Katete to Chanida Road and associated border infrastructure.

Road Development Agency (RDA) Director and Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Grace Mutembo signed on behalf of the Government, while Lutembwe Consulting Company General Manager, Mr. Yusuf Alloo signed on behalf of the Concessionaire.

The event, which was held in Katete District along the project corridor, was graced by Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Hon. Eng. Charles L. Milupi and witnessed by Transport and Logistics Minister, Hon. Frank Tayali, Technology and Science Minister, Hon. Felix Mutati and Eastern Province Minister, Hon. Peter Phiri.

The Katete to Chanida Road will be rehabilitated using the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Financing Model.

The general scope of the project entails reconstruction of 55 kilometres of the existing bituminous standard road from Katete to Chanida. It also includes the construction of a 2 kilometres divided dual carriageway with a median of 1.5 metres minimum within the Chanida border area with new border facilities.

The total project cost is US$79,785,115 VAT inclusive. The cross section to be adopted shall compromise a 3.5 metres lane with 2 metres sealed shoulders and 0.5 metres unpaved shoulders on both sides.

Hon. Eng. Milupi said the project has a Concession period of 25 years of which 2 years is for construction while the remaining 23 years is for operation and maintenance by the Concessionaire.

Hon. Eng. Milupi said the scope of works also included construction of 3 kilometres of access roads, construction of lanes that would allow for accommodation of traffic, construction of 1 Toll Plaza, construction of 1 weighbridge and rehabilitation/maintenance of 4 bridges.

Others are construction of a border post and associated infrastructure, construction of 25 housing units for the border staff, construction of parking bays with a capacity of 200 heavy goods vehicles and construction of 3 warehouses and a Police Post.

Hon. Eng. Milupi said the implementation of the project will create job opportunities in the area during the construction phase as well as the operation and maintenance phases.

" It is expected that 300 direct jobs will be created during the construction phase alone," he said.

He directed the Concessionaire to prioritize and employ the local people of Katete and Chanida Districts.

©RDA

08/10/2023

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA SAYS THE NACALA PORT WILL OPEN TRADE IN AFRICA

President Hakainde says the expanded and modernized facilities at Nacala Port is critical as it addresses trade and transport demands of the region and provides Zambia, with a turn-around time and cost of imports including strategic commodities such as fertilizer and fuel.

The President says the inaugurated port is the level of required cooperation of African economies towards full operationalization of the world’s largest common market, Africa Continental Free Trade Area.

President Hichilema says Zambia is leveraging on its geographical position to turn into a truly land-Linked country stating that Zambia is on a steady path to transform and maximize economic development potential through the development of transport corridors traversing the country including the Nacala development corridor.

The Head of state explained that Zambia has continued with the development of the North-South corridor, the walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi corridor and the Nacala development corridor.

President Hichilema stated that with such development, Zambia has this year, signed the Lobito corridor transit transport facilitation agency agreement with Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo and has further applied for membership to the Beira corridors as well as the central corridor to ease the transportation challenges.

President Hichilema said this during the official Inauguration of the expanded and Modernized port of Nacala in Mozambique where he joined Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera at the ceremony.

Speaking at the same event, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera called for the removal of barriers to trade.

President Chakwera observed that trade barriers affect the opening up of new markets, trade and global economic growth.

Meanwhile Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi said the expanded and modernised port of Nacala, in Northern Mozambique, would increase the facility’s flexibility and competitiveness.

©Zanis

08/10/2023

ZAMBIA TO EXPERIENCE REDUCED RAINFALL

The El Niño climate phenomenon, characterized by above-average Sea Surface Temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, is expected to persist and influence Zambia’s rainfall pattern during the 2023/2024 rainfall season.

According to the Zambia meteorological department rainfall forecast for the 2023/2024 season, the condition will typically result in reduced rainfall in Zambia.

As a result, the upcoming rainfall season is anticipated to exhibit the onset of rains in October over Northwestern Province, the northern parts of Luapula and Western provinces.

Onset of rains expected over most parts of Zambia in November, with the exception of southern regions where it is likely to begin by the end of December.

It says Normal to below normal rainfall are expected over most parts of Zambia and periods of prolonged dry spells and episodes of heavy rainfall events.

And for the period October, November and December, normal to below normal rainfall is expected over Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, Lusaka, Central and Copperbelt provinces including Lundazi, Chama, Kaoma, Kabompo and Kalabo districts.

However, normal to above normal rainfall is expected in most parts of Eastern, Muchinga, Northern, Luapula, Southern, Western and Northwestern provinces.

05/10/2023

ZAMBIA TO SIGN MOU WITH OFFICIAL CREDITOR COMMITTEE.

Zambia's official creditor committee is set to sign a memorandum of understanding to restructure it's $6.3 billion debt by the end of the IMF's annual meeting next week, two people familiar with the matter said. The nation’s dollar bonds rallied.
The government has made slow progress in talks since June, when it reached a deal-in-principle with the committee co-led by China and France.
The agreement would see the interest rates cut to as low as 1% and the loans only repaid in 2043, with a 40% reduction in net-present value of the debt.

© Bloomberg.

05/10/2023

President Hakainde Hichilema writes...

What an honour to officially open Zambia’s Inaugural Digital Government Africa Summit 2023, today in Chongwe District, Lusaka Province.

Digital transformation is key on our path towards growing our economies, creating jobs and opportunities. We must accelerate digital advancements, which will spur economic activity and help to operationalise our push for non-stop border posts to support the African Continental Free Trade Area.

In attendance was Rt Hon. Sir Tony Blair with whom we had a fireside chat about Africa’s digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI). Zambia with her rich mineral endowment will greatly benefit from applications in AI that would facilitate mineral mapping and precision mining.

Digitisation offers Africa and her young population an opportunity to leapfrog technology, bringing on board every corner of the nation, and catalyzing progress by enabling our economies to operate 24/7.
A win-win for all.

05/10/2023

SPEAKER MUTTI EMERGES COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARIAN OF THE YEAR 2023

Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt. Hon. Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, MP, FAPRA has been awarded as the Commonwealth Parliamentarian of the year 2023 at the just ended 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, in Accra, Ghana.

Rt. Hon. Mutti scooped the award following a rigorous nomination and adjudication process involving eight other nominations from around the Commonwealth.

The Selection Committee, emphasised a number of qualities including the Hon. Speaker’s contributions to upholding the rule of law, her commitment to transparency in parliamentary processes, and her dedication to ensuring the citizens of Zambia have quick and easy access to information.

Other awards that were presented included, the Parliamentary Equality and Diversity Award; New Parliamentarian Award; and Parliamentarian Life-time Achievement Award.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Awards were introduced in 2022 with the first recipient of the Commonwealth Parliamentarian of the Year being the Speaker of the Parliament of Canada. This makes Speaker Mutti the second recipient of the prestigious award.

In her acceptance speech, Speaker Mutti stated that her award is dedicated to all female parliamentarians in the Commonwealth as they are striving collectively to ensure that they attain gender parity in all Commonwealth Parliaments.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is one of the oldest established organisations in the Commonwealth. Founded in 1911, it is a membership association which brings together Members, irrespective of gender, race, religion or culture, who are united by community of interest, respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms, and by the pursuit of the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy.

The Association is made up of over 180 Legislatures divided up between nine geographic regions of the Commonwealth. It offers a vast opportunity for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and to share good practice.

© National Assembly Of Zambia

05/10/2023

Starlink Is Officially Operational in Zambia 🇿🇲

25/09/2023

JUST IN:

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA FIRES INFORMATION AND MEDIA MINISTER CHUSHI KASANDA

President Hakainde Hichilema has fired Information and Media Minister Chushi Kasanda.

President Hichilema has since appointed Southern Province Minister Cornelius Mweetwa as new Information and Media Minister while Thabo Kawana takes up the permanent secretary position.

22/09/2023

22/09/2023

BAI GU PRE-MIX CONCRETE COMPANY ADHERES TO PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES

A premix concrete company based on six miles has complied to the community outcry and government sanctions after the community complained of air pollution coming from the factory site.

The Chinese concrete mixing firm had halted production for three months and has spent approximately $100,000 on the safety measures and helped build a drainage for the neighborhood.

Speaking to the media this morning, Bai Gu Pre-mix Concrete Company Limited Administration Manager Mr. George Mwape says that the issues of public health are of utmost importance especially that the company intends to continue doing business at the same premises.

Mr. Mwape says the company has enclosed it's factory works in a recently build building to protect the environment and neighborhood from the dust,quarry and cement.

He also states that the company is ready to resume work as it has incurred Alot of losses as they had to refund clients and continued paying employees,ZRA and NAPSA.

Speaking at the same event Bai Gu manager Mr Yuan says he is glad to do business in Zambia and will ensure the company avoids future problems with the law.

20/09/2023

ZRA EMPOWERS MSMEs IN ZAMBIA TAX LANDSCAPE.

ZRA director innovation and project management speaking at Tax symposium in Lusaka .

20/09/2023

ZAMBEZI RIVERS INDABA & EXPO 2024 LAUNCHED AS GVT PLEDGES SUPPORT .

Government says it is committed to the preservation of the Zambezi river as it is the source of many rivers in Zambia and that the loss of biodiversity at the Zambezi river will cause loss of social and economic activities which will also affect the tourism industry.

Speaking during the launch of the first ever Zambezi rivers indaba and expo 2024 ,vice president W.K Nalumango in a speech read on her behalf by minister of green economy and environment Collins Nzobvu says climate change is a real threat to the health of rivers including the Zambezi rivers basin hence there is need for strengthening global partnerships for climate financing for nature based solutions in supporting climate land and biodiversity for a green economy status.

Vice president Nalumango has also called on the indaba organisers to ensure that policy pronouncements,climate friendly business and green investment deals are archived at the upcoming indaba.she states that there is need to change the culture of doing business by fostering green economy industrialization and export competitiveness.

Speaking at the same African rivers technical Advisor Kelvin Kamayoyo says the Zambezi river passes in six countries with it's source being in Zambia and is the fourth longest river in Africa and a source of food, electricity, transport, pleasure and a conducive home for wildlife.

Mr Kamayoyo also notes that the hosting of the first ever indaba will be of economic and social benefits to Zambia and the neighbouring country at large.

Meanwhile Chief Nyampande of the Nsenga People of Petauke District says people in rural areas are also seeing the effects of climate change and has called on everyone to protect the environment and intervene.

The 2024 Zambezi river expo will be held under the main theme : ‘‘PROMOTING RIVER RESTORATION, CLIMATE ADAPTATION, TECHNOLOGY AND WATER HARVESTING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA.’’

20/09/2023

I will run for fourth term in 2024 - Kagame

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has said he will run for a fourth term in next year’s presidential election.

“Yes, I am indeed a candidate,” Mr Kagame told French-language magazine Jeune Afrique on Tuesday.

Asked about what the West would think about his decision to run again, Mr Kagame said, “I’m sorry for the West, but what the West thinks is not my problem”.

“I am happy with the confidence that the Rwandans have in me. I will always serve them, as much when I can.”

Mr Kagame had joked in April that he was looking forward to retiring and handing over power after 23 years in office.

The country’s ruling party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi), retained Mr Kagame as its chairman in April. He has led the party since 1998.

Mr Kagame has been president of the East African nation since 2000. A controversial referendum in 2015 removed a two-term constitutional limit for presidents.

He won the last election in 2017 with 98.8% of the vote.

Rwanda under President Kagame has enjoyed relative political stability but critics and human rights groups accuse his government of limiting political freedoms and suppressing dissent.

Credit: BBC

20/09/2023

What's stopping you from looking like this 😜

20/09/2023

ZRA STOPS LITHIUM SMUGGLING

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has impounded and seized a truck for attempted smuggling of one of Zambia’s strategic minerals- Lithium.

The interception happened at the Kazungula One Stop Border Post (OSBP) by a team of ZRA officials in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development following investigations against a cartel of exporters misclassifying the export of valuable mineral products.

An export bound truck ferrying what was said to be Silica Sand was impounded at Kazungula Border Post for verification after a tip-off that it was carrying Lithium Ore. Samples were hence collected from the truck by a combined team of ZRA and Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development officers to verify the actual content of the mineral ferried by the truck.

The exporters declared exporting 29 tonnes of Silica Sands worth K18,600, when in fact the truck was carrying Lithium Ore of 1.71% worth K296,000.

As a result, the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, has also charged a penalty of K90,000 on the exporter for false declaration of the export mineral.

The interception is as a result of enhanced vigilance in the monitoring of various mineral products that are exiting the country’s borders. The Authority would like to send a strong warning to all would be perpetrators of such crimes to desist as several measures have been put in place to identify such acts and will ensure that the offenders are brought to book.

The Authority working together with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has intensified its mineral quality and mineral valuation verification activities at the borders after noting that a number of mineral exporters have been presenting false samples when applying for Mineral Export Permits. This results in Export Permits for minerals with different quality and values to those finally exported. It is for this reason that samples, that are further subjected to testing at various Government and private Laboratories, are being collected at the point of export to verify the accuracy of declarations by mineral exporters.

This further exemplifies why the Authority keenly supports the announcement by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development for the formation of the Minerals Regulator as it is anticipated that this institution will address the existing gaps in the mineral value chain monitoring and enforcement, that have continued to defraud the nation of the much-needed revenue from the mining sector.

Although smugglers keep evolving with new tricks, we shall not give up enforcement and we are also collaborating as government agencies through sharing of information which we are using to net offenders.

Zambia Revenue Authority, therefore, wishes to retaliate its commitment to fighting smuggling of all sorts and liberating Zambia from economic saboteurs engaging in illicit trade. The general public is encouraged to report to ZRA all questionable trade practices to enable ZRA create a level trading ground for all legitimate traders.

Lithium is among the minerals that have been classified as Strategy Minerals by the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

Issued by:

Oliver Nzala
ZRA Corporate Communications Manager

20/09/2023

Muntu wamene aziba economy mwe ilili sanga kwelele bus mu station 🥹

19/09/2023

BREAKING NEWS!

FQM MINE OWNER, PHILIP PASCALL DIES

The mining giant writes...

Toronto, Ontario (September 19, 2023) - Toronto, Ontario (September 19, 2023) - First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

(“First Quantum” or “the Company”) (TSX: FM) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of its founders and Chairman, Philip Pascall, on September 19, 2023. Philip passed away peacefully at home in Perth, Western Australia.

Philip co-founded First Quantum in 1996, serving as the Chairman since its inception and Chief Executive Officer until 2022.

Under his leadership, Philip instilled an entrepreneurial and bold culture that saw the Company grow from a 10,000 tonnes tailings re-processor with the Bwana Mkubwa project in Zambia to one of the world’s largest copper producers with operations spanning five continents and employing more than 20,000 people globally.

Amongst the many legacies he leaves behind, the greatest source of Philip’s pride were the many programs for the local communities in which First Quantum Minerals operates, bringing improved standards of health and education in often remote places.

The Board of Directors have voted to elect Robert Harding, Lead Independent Director, as the Company’s Interim Chairman.

Mr. Harding has been a Director of the Company since 2013 and has a full understanding of the Company’s operations and unique culture.

In his role as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, Mr. Harding oversaw the Company’s succession planning process that led to the appointment of Tristan Pascall to the role of Chief Executive Officer in May 2022.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend our sincerest condolences to the Pascall family and friends,” said Robert Harding, Interim Chairman.

“We are all indebted to Phillip for his extraordinary leadership at First Quantum, setting us firmly on the path to the modern, multi-national mining company that we are today.

Philip was a friend and mentor and his passing will be profoundly felt across the Company and the many people and lives he impacted as a result of his vision.”

“Whilst this is an enormous loss for all of us at First Quantum, Philip would not want us to dwell too long on his passing.

He was always looking forward and was excited by the trajectory of the Company,” said Tristan Pascall, Chief Executive Officer of First Quantum.

“Philip drove First Quantum’s focus on project ex*****on, operational excellence and social responsibility and we intend to continue to build on his substantial legacy.”

MEDIA

19/09/2023

It's happening 😊

19/09/2023

19/09/2023

The Lord will hold you in His hand for all to see;
a splendid crown in the hand of God.
Isaiah 62:3

Good morning fellow Zambians.
Wishing you a blessed and restful Sunday.

19/09/2023

HUNDREDS SEE OFF YAKAIPA

SCORES of Nkeyema District residents have turned up the burial of local business man Enerst Sikaonga widely known as Yakaipa who was killed by a mob in Mumbwa last week on suspicion of being connected to ritual killings.

(Photo Credit: Mongu Times)

19/09/2023

JUST IN: FORMER President Edgar Lungu has given Government 48 hours to correct the unconstitutional decision to prevent him from traveling to South Korea for a conference.

19/09/2023

19/09/2023

"HH's treason co-accused who got K6.4m compensation were underpaid."
- Attorney General

19/09/2023

"Former President Lungu is a GRZ asset, and holds state secrets, it is Governments duty through the cabinets office to provide in security measures to keep him safe wherever he goes or wishes to, that is why he must communicate and he knows that." - Thabo Kawana

18/09/2023

We are starting giveaways this week stay tuned.😜

18/09/2023

ZAMBIANS : The economy is bad, mealie meal is expensive,dollar is wild etc.
Tukuta : let me distract them with violence.😂🙄

18/09/2023

JUST IN: DESAI MAFIA JAILED 15 YEARS WITH HARD LABOUR

THE Lusaka High Court has sentences 30-year-old Vincent Mulenga, alias, Desai Mafia to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour for indecently assaulting three teenagers of Matero Township.

He used to take turns to sexually abuse the children and made them sleep with different men after he abducted them at a house.

18/09/2023

Southern African Network Against Corruption (SANAC) Executive Director Mr. Gregory Chifire has appealed to President Hichilema and government, to give serious consideration of the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka, Mr. Chifire says there is need for Zambians to unite and forgive each other for past wrongs which include state and none state actors.

Mr. Chifire also says the commission will ensure post conflict justice and healing by allowing victims to be heard and perpetrators to admit and apologize for their crimes.

He further states that the same will help develop programs that promotes national healing unity and peaceful conflict resolution.

Mr. Chifire proposed that in the same document the commissioners be selected from cross section of society that will among others include political parties, civil society and the religious and traditional bodies.

Mr. Chifire said that Zambians in the communities have information, they know who was involved in specific crimes.

He said that in order to safeguard the information, TRC may elect in this technology era use electronic platforms to ensure that the identities of those providing information is protected and that the information can be provided with complete anonymity.

Mr. Chifire advised that the state should also provide immunity against prosecution for the perpetrators who willingly admit to their crimes and formerly apologize to their victim's and the nation at large.