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MUKULA EARNS US$7.8M Price K10
Vol. 6. Issue 2627
Thursday June 18, 2020
...in another mukula scam By SANFRONSA MUNYANDI
OVER US$7.8 million (K155 million) has been raised from the sale of illegally harvested Mukula logs which were confiscated by the state, the Status Report on the Harvest, Trade and export of the Mukula Tree Species for period ending December 2019 has revealed.
TO PAGE 2
The two trucks the Scania from South Africa and the Freightliner (right), Zimbabwean registered where found laden with Mukula tree logs. [Pictures Linda Tembo Soko]
Kasama MP warns UPND chief Mr. Sampa
Mr. Mucheleka
…apologise or else, Mucheleka told [Page 4]
“If this trend continues, Zambia will witness the depletion of valuable tree species and unsustainable cutting and harvesting of these trees reduces the capacity of the sink effect of forests and thus contributing to adverse effects of climate change.”
Kenyatta and Odinga … Zambia benefitting from confiscated Mukula logs See story on Page 4
Mr. Lusambo
pledge to heal divisions See story on Page 19
IMF talks on again
set to get debt Socialist Party AfricaCommonwealth relief from China bars media sidelines ZCID on from launch dialogue preps dialogue preps
By OLIVER SAMBOKO
Demolish structures • Mwanakatwe reveals contributing to floods - Lusambo talks set for April P.4 See story on Page 3 Socialist Party president Dr Fred M’membe (centre) with party general-secretary Dr Cosmas Musumali (left).
CHINESE President Xi Jinping has pledged to cancel interestfree debt owed by “relevant” African countries as part of Beijing’s move to help the continent during the Covid-19 pandemic. In a speech to a group of African leaders Wednesday, Mr Xi indicated that he will work with other international lenders to cushion African countries most affected by the novel coronavirus See story on Page 4 to enable them ride out the crisis. Mr Xi spoke directly to African leaders via video link for the first time since the virus broke out. “Within the FOCAC (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) framework, China will cancel the debt of relevant African countries in the form of interest-free government loans that are due to mature by the end of 2020,” Xi told his audience, among them South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta and Senegal’s Macky Sall, as well as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy See story on Page 2 Ahmed. -Daily Nation Kenya
JOURNALISTS from Daily Nation and Daily Mail were yesterday barred from covering the Socialist Party manifesto launch at the opposition party secretariat which was addressed by party president Fred M’membe. TO PAGE 5
ConCourt must explain Chilanga vacancy - YALI
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER; BUILDING THE NATION WITH REAL ISSUES
6 |
Thursday 18, June 2020
Home News By OLIVER SAMBOKO
Dr Kabalo
Health Ministry clarifies tender award By SILUMESI MALUMO GOVERNMENT says a contract worth US$17 million was awarded to a company, Honey Bee Pharmacy for the supply of health centre kits but that there was an error in the name when `limited’ was erroneously added. Ministry of Health spokesperson, Abel Kabalo, said the companies which were awarded contracts to supply health centre kits all existed. “The Ministry of Health notes with deep concern news alleging that Government through the Ministry of Health, last year awarded a US$17m contract for the supply of health centre kits to a company called Honey Bee Pharmacy Limited, which did not exist,” Dr Kabalo said. He said the company which was awarded the contract was Honey Bee Pharmacy and that the word “Limited” added to the name of the firm was a clerical error. “We wish to put the record straight, to avert a stock out that would follow the cessation of supply by a longstanding supplier, the Ministry of Health, opted to engage other players in the pharmaceutical market for the supply and delivery of health centre kits as a stop gap measure. “Ten entities participated in the tender which was subject to the requisite stringent legal
and administrative processes in line with the Public Procurement Act,” he said. Dr Kabalo told the Daily Nation yesterday that following the requisite administrative process, Honey Bee Pharmacy was duly awarded the contract together with two other entities. He said, however, that when it came to conveyancing of the contract for Honey Bee Pharmacy in particular, the term “Limited” was erroneously added. As per legal guidance, Dr Kabalo said, the appropriate entity awarded the contract remained Honey Bee Pharmacy as all the statutory documents in support of the bid such as certificates of registration, Zambia Revenue Authority certificates and Zambia Medical Regulatiin Authority registration correctly bore the appellation Honey Bee Pharmacy without “Limited.” “The contract to Honey Bee Pharmacy and two other entities was given the necessary administrative and legal approvals prior to award. “It is critical to note that there has been no financial or material loss on the part of Government, as the terms of the contract are that Honey Bee Pharmacy and the other entities that have been awarded, use their own funds to source the Health kits before they are paid,” he said.
Ex Wildlife cop jailed over ivory By NATION REPORTER
A FORMER wildlife police officer has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for illegal possession of elephant ivory weighing 10 kilogrammes. Lovemore Nkhowani, aged 60, has been jailed by the Chama Magistrate’s Court according to a statement issued by Ministry of Tourism and Arts public relations officer, Sakabilo Kalembwe. Nkhowani, nicknamed Mbanje, was convicted of unlawful possession of prescribed trophy. Officers of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife arrested Nkhowani on May 26, this year. The ivory was suspected to have been illegally harvested from an elephant poached in West Musalangu Game Management Area. In sentencing him the court told the suspect that as someone who was once a wildlife police officer under the department, he should have known the importance of conserving wildlife.” The court reminded Nkhowani that his duty was to protect wildlife and educate the community on the importance of conservation rather than engaging in poaching.
CHIEF Nkambo of the Lamba speaking people of Masaiti district has distanced himself from tribal sentiments purportedly issued by the Lamba Lima Royal Establishment council (LLRE) when they rejected the appointment of Patrick Zulu as Masaiti district commissioner. Chief Nkambo said as a traditional leader, he was going to continue promoting national unit and working with the Government of the day to foster development for the benefit of his people, and warned those preaching tribalism in Lamba land to stop. He said it was demeaning and degrading for anyone to associate him to a statement issued by the Lamba Lima Royal Establishment council executive chairman Josphat Nsundwe purporting that chiefs in the area had rejected newly appointed Masaiti district commissioner Patrick Zulu in preference for a Lamba person. The traditional leader who has taken a swipe at all those protesting the appointment of Mr Zulu as DC not to draw him into the mud. He said the Lamba Lima Royal Establishment will
CHIEF NKAMBO TICKS OFF TRIBALISTS
CHIEF Nkambo of the Lamba continue to support President Edgar Lungu and his Government.
“What we promote as Chiefs and as a Christian nation is one Zambia one nation. We are all
NRCs issuance commences August 1 By FLAVIOR KANUNGO THE issuance of national registration cards will be done in phases with the first one commencing on August 1 through to October 19, 2020 and targeting 1,500,000 people, Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo has said. Meanwhile, Mr Kampyongo has accused opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema of being the genesis of the post on bicycles which sparked debate on social media. Mr Kampyongo said his Ministry has instituted online investigation into the matter where some sections of society have accused the Ministry of buying 130 bicycles each costing 700 dollars. This came to light during a joint press briefing called by the minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Dora Siliya and attended by Minister of Energy, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Youth Sport and Child Development as well as Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs in Lusaka yesterday. Meanwhile Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa said the government has no
Mr Kampyongo intentions of nationalising the Copperbelt Energy Corporation CEC. The 23 year old Zesco and CEC bulk supply agreement expired on 31 March 2020 prompting Zesco to enter into discussions with other mining companies. Mr Nkhuwa said the government will support operations of CEC while its
Zambians and should therefore avoid talking about tribalism because we are one people,” the chief said. “As a chief, I disassociate myself from any tribal talk that has purportedly been issued by the Lamba Lima Royal Establishment,” he said. And Government has warned that it will deregister organizations with agendas to promote tribalism in the country. Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya said the Ministry of Home Affairs is on alert and aware of some royal councils who have rejected Presidential appointees from a different region. She said no organization will be allowed to reject presidential appointments based on tribe because President Edgar Lungu appoints people on merit and not based on tribe.
infrastructure will remain a common carrier for power as provided for in the Electricity Act number 11 of 2019. Mr Nkhuwa also disclosed that Konkola Copper Mines owes CEC US $144 million while CEC owes Zesco US$100 million dollars the debts which are expected to be cleared by the liquidator. And Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Lawrence Sichalwe has clarified that President Edgar Lungu has no powers to dethrone a chief as being purported on social media that he attempted to dethrone Chief Gawa Undi of the Chewa people in Eastern province. Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development Emmanuel Mulenga says removing streets kids from the streets has proved to be a challenge as they have demanded for sex as a condition for them to remain in orphanages. Two months ago the government commenced the process of relocating over 900 street kids from Ndola, Lusaka and Kitwe into identified orphanages in a bid to prevent them from contracting coronavirus. But Mr Mulenga explained some children have gone back on street demanding that they be given sex and genkem (bostick) for their stay. Mr Mulenga said his ministry is in talks with the Home Affairs Minister to find a suitable place far away from the usual street kids dwelling places.
Permsec calls for cautious reopening of higher learning institutions By OLIVER SAMBOKO GOVERNMENT has urged institutions of higher learning to take cautious steps as they reopen to ensure students are protected from Covid-19. Higher Education Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame said Government was happy that ZCAS University in Lusaka had put in place enough measures and was ready to resume face to face teaching. Ms Siame was speaking when she toured the university to check on its readiness for reopening next week She said following the announcement to reopen universities, Government through the ministry has been guiding universities to commence but with caution. Ms Siame also advised the institutions to continue utilising e-platform to ensure an effective pedagogy learning environment for students.
Higher learning institutions should ensure that oncampus students’ accommodation was not over crowded to avoid possible spread of the coronavirus. She said higher learning institutions should also ensure that on-campus students’ accommodation was not over crowded to avoid possible spread of the coronavirus. And ZCAS University Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Chiyaba Njovu said the university was ready to reopen as measures have been put in place to ensure a healthy
environment. Dr Njovu said the university was currently riding on the back of its distance learning programme to offer lessons to all its students after the outbreak of Covid-19 and that management has been proactive by carrying out lessons via e-learning platforms He said the university also embarked on an ongoing capacity building of its lecturers under the IT department to equip them with knowledge on how to deliver lessons to students via the e-learning setup. Dr Njovu said to ensure consistent support services are available to online learning, an assistant dean was appointed to oversee the technical aspects of the e-learning portal. “Soon after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic ZCAS and ZCAS University decided not to suspend the calendar and disrupt student progression but instead, all students were transferred to the ODel mode of study,” he said.
DAILY
Thursday 18, June 2020
Mosi-Oa-Tunya News
BANKING ON A NEW NORMAL - HOW ARE FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS ADAPTING? By MIZINGA MELU
T
HE Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has undoubtedly changed our lives and our approach to a number of public amenities. Humanity has been challenged to adopt new ways of doing things - very differently from what we are used to. Similarly, ways of doing business have also evolved. The banking and financial services sector, having been identified as one of the essential services during this crisis, has had to quickly respond and adapt its approach to serving customers. Embracing disruption and thriving Organisations that have managed this change successfully and have met the needs of customers, are those that have proactively invested in digital solutions. At Absa, we aim to be a future fit, digitally-led organisation and continue to invest in sustainable digital and innovative banking solutions that meet the evolving requirements of our customers. As at December 2019, Absa Bank Zambia PLC had invested over ZMW 100 million in technology to enhance its product and service offering. Among the enhancements of our digital product suite are 24/7 capabilities such as mobile banking (which is available via a USSD short code *229#) and the Absa Zambia app, available for Android and iOS devices. In addition, internet banking is accessible on www.online.absa.co.zm and the Bank has recently introduced the Absa ChatBot, an automated customer service platform available via WhatsApp and online. This new feature assists customers by providing real time responses on most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Collective action With the escalation in COVID-19 cases globally, and preventive health guidelines to practise social distancing in full effect, Absa has been quick in proactively encouraging customers to utilise digital channels; ensuring for their health, safety and overall convenience. Digital banking solutions, however, expose gaps particularly for individuals who remain unbanked but equally require access to financial services. Responding to this gap, Absa Bank Zambia PLC’s digital agenda has included partnerships with mobile network operators (MNO) to offer mobile money services that allow for bank-to-wallet and walletto-bank transactions. This means that customers can transfer funds from their bank account into mobile wallets and withdraw from any MNO agent and vice versa. In addition, MTN subscribers are also able to enjoy free Absa App banking without being charged for data bundles. Customers are also able to send money to the bank’s customers and non-customers (via the recipient’s mobile number) utilising the CashSend product. The receiver can then withdraw money from any Absa cash accepting ATM. Further to this, the bank’s ATMs
have been enhanced with features that allow for real-time deposits. Being obsessed with the customer As a key sector in our economy, dedicated platforms for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and corporates include the Business Internet Banking and Integrator, which ensures that business transactions carry on as normal. Whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines, our team of dedicated relationship managers have continued to engage and assist customers in conducting key transactions that cannot be completed online. As a way of supporting clients who have been financially impacted by the pandemic, Absa Bank Zambia PLC is currently offering a loan payment relief programme to all our retail, corporate and business banking customers. This is a clear demonstration of Absa’s unique word Africanacity - the distinctly African ability to always find ways to get things done. Despite the challenges that some of our customers may be facing as a result of COVID-19, Absa is here for them because we are more than a bank, we are a committed partner that will turn a challenge into an opportunity that will bring customers’ possibilities to life. This is our ethos. Combatting the cyber risk virus Whilst the world has been grappling with adjusting to the new ways of life, we have noted that this is also a time when customers could easily be subjected to fraud attacks. As a bank, we have taken deliberate steps to sensitise customers on the importance of being vigilant during this difficult period. It has become extremely important for customers to be on the lookout of any suspicious activity as they transact. As Absa, we will never ask you to provide details such as your PIN, one time password (OTP) or the CVV number of your debit or credit cards, as these stand as fraud control measures. Additionally, customers should also only use our official website, social media and Absa Chatbot for information. As a precautionary measure, we request
that customers call or contact our customer service advisors when in doubt. As the world is being called to return to a semblance of normal schedules, the realisation that things will never be the same is eminent. The pandemic has shown that there are resilient traits and an overwhelming need to have minimal disruptions during the “new normal” and as such, banking services will need to continue to evolve in this regard. #StaySafe Mizinga Melu is the Managing Director of Absa Bank Zambia PLC
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FILE PHOTO ; We are resuming operations so that we can finalise the remaining works particularly for the teacher’s house at Siazwela School. By September, we should be handing over.” -Mr Sialubalo
Stalled Sinazongwe projects resume By ANDREW MUKOMA
W
ORK on all Constituency Development Fund (CDF) funded projects in Sinazongwe have resumed. The projects which were mainly at 85 and 95 percent completion at the time they stalled, would now be completed and handed over to the community by September this year. Sinazongwe Member of Parliament Gift Sialubalo said in an interview that the projects were now under construction. “Sinazongwe is not an exception, so even the projects that we are doing under CDF and from the MP’s side were forced to stall due to the COVID-19. “But we are resuming operations so that we can finalise the remaining works particularly for the teacher’s house at Siazwela School, it is at 95 per cent and by September, we should be handing over,” he said. Mr Sialubalo added that even at Siavwapa Community School where he initiated the construction of a classroom block, works were at 95 per cent and the handing over would be in September too. “We believe by that time, people should be allowed to gather because it is a momentous occasion for the people of Sinazongwe to receive such a project from their Member of Parliament. “It is our prayer that social gatherings will be allowed during that period for people to celebrate,” Mr Sialubalo said.