Harbour workers ‘in danger’ from cement
By Ernest Chanda in Mpulungu
Thu 11 Nov. 2010, 04:01 CAT
SOME casual workers at Mpulungu Harbour Corporation Limited have complained of
poor treatment from management and
lack of protective clothing. But superintendent in charge of operations, Anthony Sichivula said the company was
in the process of purchasing protective clothing for the workers.
The workers who spoke on condition of anonymity when The Post conducted a tour at the harbour on Tuesday complained that
the cement they loaded everyday without protective clothing was a serious danger to their lives.
At the time of the tour, most of the workers had no protective shoes and overalls, and even those who had overalls did not have shoes.
One of the workers said: “We have been asking for boots and overalls for a long time now. And all management has been telling us is that we are casual workers who should not be asking for such conditions. But you see, even then we need those safety clothes and gumboots because the work we are doing is hard. When our government talks about labour laws they should also look at us.”
The workers said the government could only blame itself and not the investors because Mupulungu Harbour was a parastatal.
“Just look at me boss, look, I have no shoes. Look at that one and that one they don’t have shoes as well,” one of the workers said. Another worker complained that the wages they received were not enough.
“What we get is nothing compared to the work we do. We lift cement every day on our heads, but the money we get is not even peanuts. And the company makes a lot of money because they always have orders from Burundi and Congo DR Democratic Republic. Every day we have to load cement and sugar on these cargo ships you see here. They say we are special casuals but even casuals deserve some respect. Some of us have been here with them for a long time,” complained the worker.
But Sichivula assured that management had sent people to purchase protective clothing for workers.
“We have 100 workers we call stevedores. Besides, we have five gang leaders; the groups we divide them into we call them gangs. And these workers are special casuals, but we employ more when the amount of work increases. We have people who have travelled to Lusaka to buy protective clothing for these workers. So we have not ignored them, these things are on the way,” assured Sichivula.
Labels: CASUALISATION, CEMENT, LABOUR, MPULUNGU HARBOUR CORPORATION, PUBLIC HEALTH
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‘Govt won’t backtrack on empowerment drive’
Business Reporter
INDIGENISATION of the economy should not be mistaken for expropriation and the Government will proceed with the process while taking into consideration the thrust of empowering the majority of Zimbabweans, a Cabinet minister has said.
Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere at the weekend said while there were some misconceptions regarding the application of the country’s indigenisation laws, the Government would not back down on the empowerment drive.
"We have no apologies to make and we are proceeding to make sure that the economy of this country is put in the hands of the majority blacks. It is Government’s desire to change the landscape of this country and the majority should be involved in this development.
"We are being very reasonable and yes, some mistakes were made during land reform and we do not want to repeat that. We must empower our own people first and then we can look at outsiders," Minister Kasukuwere said.
Minister Kasukuwere was speaking at a fund raising function for the construction of a US$24 million Territorial Convention Centre for the Salvation Army in Waterfalls.
He said existing opportunities and many other openings in the economy should be made available to Zimbabweans to change their fortunes.
The minister said people had the prerogative to take it upon themselves to create wealth as there numerous opportunities available waiting to be exploited.
"This country is filled with opportunities. We have rivers flowing with gold and we have vast mineral resources and if you work hard, you can make money," he told hundreds of worshippers at the site of the proposed development which will be funded using local resources.
The subject of indigenisation has caused some consternation in some circles with many mistaking it for nationalisation of foreign owned companies instead of compliance with the country’s indigenisation laws. The Government has maintained that in terms of the indigenisation laws, at least 51 percent of the ownership of companies should be in the hands of locals.
Minister Kasukuwere donated 60 tonnes of cement to kick-start the project, while local businessman Mr Philip Chiyangwa offered the church a house valued US$150 000 to be raffled and raise money for the construction.
Labels: BEE, CEMENT
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Zambezi Portland starts cement production
By Abigail Chaponda in Ndola
Fri 13 Nov. 2009, 04:00 CAT
ZAMBEZI Portland Cement Limited has said there is no need for Zambians to import cement as the commodity can be sourced locally.
In an interview yesterday, Zambezi Portland Cement Limited sales and marketing manager Isaac Ngoma said his company had started producing cement at the Ndola plant and that the commodity was expected to be on the Zambian market later this month.
“We are pleased to announce to the nation that the process of producing cement at the Ndola plant has commenced. So we do not expect people to be importing cement because our cement is a pure cement as no extenders are used in its production process. It is a super quality and high strength,” he said.
“This super quality and high strength is ideal for use in all construction and building assignments ranging from structural works like dams, stadiums, bridges, roads to houses, office complex building and concrete pipes. This development will bring relief to contractors who have had to import cement undertaking major structural works as they will now source cement with the desired specifications locally.”
Ngoma said the product would be distributed by all leading hardware outlets and distributors throughout the country.
He said the plant had a production capacity of one thousand metric tonnes per day, adding that the wholesale price for the commodity would be at K40,000 per bag.
“The wholesale price for the cement will be at K40, 000 per bag and this is before VAT and after VAT we will be selling at K46, 400. Other companies producing cement are selling at K51,000 our cement is manufactured in conformance to both local and international standard which is EN196 and EN197,” he said.
Ngoma also said the company had produced over 3,000 metric tonnes of pure cement since production commenced.
Labels: CEMENT, ISAAC NGOMA, ZAMBEZI PORTLAND CEMENT LTD
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Lafarge Cement follows developments at Maamba Collieries
Written by Kabanda Chulu
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 3:09:58 PM
LAFARGE Cement Zambia chairman Muna Hantuba has said the company is following with interest the developments at Maamba Collieries so that its full production can result in availability of local materials for cement production.
Last week, mines minister Maxwell Mwale, without being specific, announced that the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) was currently negotiating with a preferred strategic equity partner, Nava Bharat Ventures of Singapore, for Maamba Coal mines and a thermal power plant.
When asked why the company prefers to buy materials from outside the country, Hantuba said there must be consistency in the supply of raw materials to avoid shortages that could affect plant machinery. He said the company was looking forward to work with Maamba Collieries Limited once it attained full production.
“If Maamba comes on stream it will avail us the opportunity to purchase local raw materials. In fact we will prefer to source materials locally in order to cut down on costs of transportation,” Hantuba said.
“But we do not want to disrupt running contracts with foreign suppliers especially that now the plant is huge and it is consuming large quantities of materials and we do not want to experience problems in case there is a shortage of materials.”
Due to the inadequacy and inconsistency in supplies from Maamba Collieries Limited and other smaller Zambian coal mines, Lafarge Cement Zambia has entered into long-term contracts with Hwange Coal Mines of Zimbabwe to ensure continued supplies of raw materials.
The Zambian government wholly owns Maamba Collieries Limited through its subsidiary company, ZCCM Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) and negotiations have been ongoing with a preferred bidder, Nava Bharat, which is likely to get some undisclosed percentage of shares and consequently invest in the country’s largest coal mines.
Labels: CEMENT, ENERGY, LAFARGE, MAAMBA COLLIERY, MAXWELL MWALE, MUNA HANTUMBA, NAVA BHARAT VENTURES, ZCCM-IH
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Lafarge records 100% increase in net profit
Written by Joan Chirwa
LAFARGE Cement Zambia Plc has recorded slightly over 100 per cent increase in its net profit during the first half of this year compared to the corresponding period in 2007.
Company secretary Bubile Mupeso stated in the financial results for the first half of 2008 that profit gained for the period under review grew to K34.1 billion from K16 billion recorded during the corresponding period last year.
Lafarge recorded revenue of K168.4 billion during the first half of 2008 compared to K129.8 billion gained in the corresponding period last year.
“Profit before taxation was K49,413 million from K20,642 million recorded in 2007,” Mupeso stated. “Earnings increased in line with the operating performance. Volumes also increased by six per cent over the same period primarily as a result of the extended shutdown in the first quarter of 2007. Operating margins increased as a result of strict cost controls and a lower depreciation charge.”
Mupeso also stated that demand for cement remained strong during the period under review although production was still inadequate to cover the total requirements for the commodity.
“The company imported cement, when available, to reduce the deficit,” Mupeso stated. “The performance of both plants declined in the first quarter due to power interruptions, consequent motor failures, wet materials and breakdowns due to the continuous high level of operation.”
And the company recorded an increase in its earnings per share of K170 from K80 the corresponding period last year.
It has however recommended that no interim dividend be declared for the first half of 2008.
Labels: BUBILE MUPESO, CEMENT, LAFARGE
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Lafarge records 100% increase in net profit
By Joan Chirwa
Thursday October 02, 2008 [04:00]
LAFARGE Cement Zambia Plc has recorded slightly over 100 per cent increase in its net profit during the first half of this year compared to the corresponding period in 2007.
Company secretary Bubile Mupeso stated in the financial results for the first half of 2008 that profit gained for the period under review grew to K34.1 billion from K16 billion recorded during the corresponding period last year.
Lafarge recorded revenue of K168.4 billion during the first half of 2008 compared to K129.8 billion gained in the corresponding period last year.
“Profit before taxation was K49,413 million from K20,642 million recorded in 2007,” Mupeso stated. “Earnings increased in line with the operating performance. Volumes also increased by six per cent over the same period primarily as a result of the extended shutdown in the first quarter of 2007. Operating margins increased as a result of strict cost controls and a lower depreciation charge.”
Mupeso also stated that demand for cement remained strong during the period under review although production was still inadequate to cover the total requirements for the commodity.
“The company imported cement, when available, to reduce the deficit,” Mupeso stated. “The performance of both plants declined in the first quarter due to power interruptions, consequent motor failures, wet materials and breakdowns due to the continuous high level of operation.”
And the company recorded an increase in its earnings per share of K170 from K80 the corresponding period last year.
It has however recommended that no interim dividend be declared for the first half of 2008.
Labels: CEMENT, LAFARGE
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ZAIN raises US$ 4.49bn for more acquisitions
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Thursday October 02, 2008 [04:00]
ZAIN has announced that it has raised about US$ 4.49 billion to fund further acquisitions by the Group. According to the statement, the funds raised by Zain Group which operates in the country as Zain Zambia Limited Plc, was the largest ever capital raising in Kuwait's history and saw 99 per cent of shareholders subscribe.
The statement also announced that the amount raised was unprecedented in Kuwait's history exceeding all expectations, given the gloomy trends that have recently dominated local and international markets and resulted in sharp declines in the prices of oil as well as significant collapses in the financial markets worldwide.
Commenting on the transaction, Zain's chief executive officer Dr Saad Al Barrak said: "The successful completion of the largest capital increase in the history of Kuwait is a unanimous vote of confidence by our shareholders in Zain's management team, the performance to date and in our profitable expansion strategy aiming to be a top-ten global mobile operator by 2011. The proceeds of this capital increase will be used to finance future strategic expansion plans and meet financial commitments."
The statement further added that Zain had managed to achieve unprecedented leaps in the global mobile telecommunications sector over the past five years to be now present in 22 countries on two continents serving over 50 million active customers.
Every Zain shareholder of record on March 10, 2008, the date the company held its ordinary and extraordinary General Assembly Meeting, was eligible to subscribe to a number of capital increase shares equal to 75 per cent of the total number of shares they held on this date.
"The capital increase subscription price was 850 fils (approximately US$3.20) per share i.e. a par value of 100 fils per share plus a premium of 750 fils. The subscription period commenced August 17 and closed on September 18, 2008," read the statement in part
Labels: CEMENT, ZAIN ZAMBIA LIMITED PLC
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Nationalised cement plants are operating normally, says Venezuelan min
By Larry Moonze in Havana, Cuba
Monday August 25, 2008 [04:00]
VENEZUELAN energy and petroleum minister Rafael Ramirez has said
the nationalised cement plants are operating completely normal. And Ramirez said with the nationalizing on Tuesday of Holcim, Lafarge and Cemex plants,
the Venezuelan government controlled 90 per cent of the cementindustry. According to the press release issued following an inspection report by technical and transition commission, Ramirez said production was at normal level.
"After analysing the current situation, through the reports of technicians and transition (commission members), we can tell the country that nationalized
cement plants are operating completely normal," he
assured.
Ramirez, who is also president of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA - state owned oil company), said
Venezuela nationalised the three transnational cement plants upon expiry of negotiation period.
"The government recovered the cement plants in
exercising sovereignty right after the negotiation period ended," he said. "The private sector has full opportunities in Venezuela but their interests cannot
be above our people's interests."
Ram’rez said now that the state owned 90 per cent of
the cement industry, it would allow to revising and reducing
of commercial costs.
He also said workers' jobs would be guaranteed.
Ramirez said the Venezuelan government nationalised
the cement industry as part of a development strategy. He said the measure would help government efforts to eliminate the country's housing deficit of between 1.5 and two million housing units.
Ramirez explained that the cement and concrete
production strategy was to guarantee housing and infrastructure for Venezuelans. He said a work group commission would be created to look and solve workers' problems regarding benefits, labour liabilities and contract issues as well as to
deal with environmental matters and technological
improvements.
Ramirez said these would require an aggressiveinvestment plan. He asked workers at Cemex plant to change their white
helmets for the "revolution's red helmets". "From now on workers will use red helmets as it
happened with the oil nationalization," said Ramirez.
"You (workers) will be the symbol of national sovereignty in these facilities."Finance minister Ali Rodriguez said the Venezuelan government negotiated the purchase of 85 per cent of shares with Holcim company for US$552 million.
He said the same procedure was carried out with Lafarge
in a US$267 million deal for 89 per cent shares. Rodriguez said both firms kept control of the rest of the shares. He said in the case of Cemex the deal was not reached because the firm asked for US$1.2 billion.
Rodriguez said the US$1.2 billion that Cemex demanded
was well above the stock market price of below US$400
million.
He said given the situation, the expropriation was
decreed. Rodriguez said the Cemex plant used outdated
technology therefore it would have to be upgraded to
match the other two companies.
He said the nationalization of the cement industry was in line "with a very coherent strategy" in the field
of the metal industry, and the Bank of Venezuela?
Labels: CEMENT, CHAVEZ, NATIONALISATION, VENEZUELA
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Nigerian company plans to invest $50m in cement, oil
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe and Joan Chirwa
Friday January 04, 2008 [03:00]
A Nigerian company has declared interest to invest US$50 million (about K190 billion) in cement manufacturing and oil explorations in the country, according to commerce permanent secretary Davidson Chilipamushi. And cement prices in Lusaka have remained at an average of K70,000 per 50 kilogramme pocket, following the increasing demand for the commodity.
Chilipamushi, in an interview, could not, however, mention the name of the company but stressed that institution’s profile looked firm.
“They have shown interest to invest in various sectors of the economy which include setting up a cement plant manufacturing plant and in mineral explorations,” Chilipamushi said. “It would be premature for me to give you the name of the company at the moment but all I can say is they look a well established company in Nigeria.”
Chilipamushi said the company proposed to set up a cement plant that would produce twice as much as the current production capacity of manufacturing companies in the country.
He said representatives from the company had already met officials from the Ministry of Commerce and that the matter was currently being handled by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA).
“We discussed with them when they came here and we were satisfied that their offer looks quite serious and we are very positive about it,” Chilipamushi said. “Right now, relevant authorities like the ZDA are looking at the matter, but all in all we are talking about an investment of not less than US$50 million.”
And a survey conducted in selected outlets around Lusaka revealed that prices of cement have stabilised at around K70,000, from the recommended price of around K45,000. This follows the increasing demand for the commodity as a result of the growing construction sector.
In order to accommodate the high demand for cement, Lafarge Cement Zambia – formerly Chilanga Cement Plc – embarked on an expansion programme which will see the plant producing around 2,000 metric tonnes of cement per day.
Zambia currently produces around 680,000 metric tonnes, with Lafarge Cement accounting for the largest production of 650,000 metric tonnes while the newly constructed Oriental Quarries’ capacity is about 100 metric tonnes per day.
The completion of the Zambezi Portland Cement plant in Ndola will increase the country’s cement production capacity when it starts operations on its 1,000 tonnes per day factory.
Meanwhile, Chilipamushi said it was good that as Africa continued to post good indicators for economic growth, intra-continental trade was enhanced.
He said it was good that Africans were now taking a lead in enhancing investment within the continent.
“This is also good for intra-Africa trade. It is good to see that investments in the continent are being spearheaded by the Africans themselves,” said Chilipamushi. “With the positive outlook the continent is recording, it is important that the surplus income we use it for investing in each other’s country rather than externalising everything.”
Labels: CEMENT, NIGERIA, OIL, ZDA
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Simbao warns contractors over advance payments
By Nomusa Michelo
Saturday December 01, 2007 [03:00]
WORKS and supply minister Kapembwa Simbao has warned contractors and consultants that the ministry will no longer give advance payments on contracts beginning next year. During the
National Council for Construction (NCC) Indaba held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) yesterday, Simbao said contractors and consultants should have the necessary financial resources to meet their contract obligations. He also said the only relationship that will exist between contractors and the government was performance.
“The year 2008 is going to be a different year because the only relationship that will be important between the Ministry of Works and Supply and the contractors and consultants will be performance,” he said.
Simbao said contractors and consultants who were not willing to meet expected standards should not even be in the sector. He also said the ministry will very sparingly give advance payment because in many cases, contractors and consultants did not even do the work they were paid for. Simbao said the government was not prepared to lose large amounts of money because of shoddy work and defaulting contractors. Simbao also said infrastructure development was a critical component for the country to develop.
And Lafarge Zambia managing director Tom Ehrhart said the cement shortage in the country had been as a result of increased construction in the mining sector and industry as well as increase in infrastructure development in the region.
He said Lafarge Zambia was doing everything possible to meet the cement demand on the market.
Ehrhart said with the construction of the company’s Tukule project at Chilanga, it was expected the cement shortage would be addressed by the middle of next year. He also said the coming on board of other cement producing companies would help to address the cement shortage.
And NCC executive director Dr Sylvester Mashamba in his presentation on ‘The shape of the Construction Industry in Zambia’ said one of the challenges in the country’s construction industry was the high local debt to road consultants and contractors, which is estimated at K380 billion.
Labels: CEMENT, CONTRACTORS, CORRUPTION, KAPEMBWA SIMBAO, MINISTRY OF WORKS AND SUPPLY
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NCC calls on private sector to exploit cement shortage
By Florence Bupe
Saturday September 22, 2007 [04:00]
THE National Council for Construction (NCC) has called on the private sector in Zambia to positively utilise the prevailing cement shortage on the local market to expand their business horizons. NCC executive director Dr Sylvester Mashamba said the government’s announcement allowing business houses to import cement in order to help avert the shortage on the Zambian market should encourage the private sector to innovate additional business ventures.
“The countrywide cement shortage that has hit the Zambian construction industry has continued unabated amid accusations of who is at fault,” Dr Mashamba said. “There has been a lot of talk about importing cement to mitigate the shortage and yet this is not forthcoming.
In as much as the cement shortage is haunting the Zambian construction industry and the national economy as a whole, it must surely be taken up by the private sector as a welcome business opportunity.”
Dr Mashamba reiterated that the cement shortage was detrimental to Zambia’s construction industry growth.
“We should not be misunderstood of celebrating amidst the cement crisis, let us reaffirm the position of the NCC that the ongoing cement shortage is not good for the industry as well as the economy, but surely the limited business opportunities in the country, coupled with massive youth unemployment, should make Zambians utilise the crisis to gain profitability,” he said.
Dr Mashamba advised that the private sector should seriously consider importing increased quantities of cement and enhance production as solutions to the prevailing shortage in the short term and long term, respectively.
He said the private sector should liaise with the government on incentives to encourage cement importation instead of dwelling on criticism and finger pointing.
“Government departments and institutions like NCC and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry should be in the forefront to provide the necessary support and vital industry statistics to the business community so as to enable them make informed, profitable and sustainable business decisions,” said Dr Mashamba.
Labels: CEMENT, NCC
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Cement shortage hits MMCI project
By Charles Mangwato in Choma
Wednesday July 18, 2007 [04:00]
THE current shortage of cement in the country has affected construction of a national training centre for women in Choma under the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI). Project coordinator Smart Dzikamunenga said the shortage of cement had slowed progress on the completion of the K68 million project.
Dzikamunenga said although construction works had progressed well so far, more funds were still needed so that the centre could have electricity and water facilities which were presently lacking.
He also revealed that a conference centre which was under construction and presently at slab level needed additional funds in order for it to be completed.
The MMCI has been assisting women’s clubs in Choma and other areas in Southern Province that are involved in goat-rearing projects with marketing arrangements in Lusaka.
Dzikamunenga said the MMCI centre of excellence project would turn round the lives of vulnerable women.
A check at the centre yesterday revealed that the main building that would house offices and other facilities was nearing completion.
Once completed, the centre would equip women clubs with skills on the management of goats and processing of goat products.
The project also seeks to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on rural women by providing and income.
This is under the MMCI goat-rearing project which has seen the economic empowerment of several women’s clubs in Choma and other areas across Southern Province.
Labels: CEMENT
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Mwanawasa's defence of Kansanshi management
By Jenkins Chisoni,Glasgow
Monday July 16, 2007 [04:00]
Why appoint ministers to government ministries if the President can manage to perform every task that comes up? That is window-dressing. A strike is declared by workers at Kansanshi Mine and before we hear anything from the Minister of Labour and possibly with the support of the Minister of Mines, what do we get? The Head of State blackmailing workers of Kansanshi Mine whom he accuses of blackmailing management the provider of their jobs.
The President's protection of Kansanshi Mine management in this incident is really enviable and I wish he had the same commitment to the delivery of a people's constitution.
MUZ president Rayford Mbulu is right to ask polititians to listen to both sides of a dispute before commenting on labour matters. The right polititian to address the matter in fact is the Minister of Labour who is supposed to be conversant with what is involved in labour disputes and collective agreements and not the Head of State even if he is a State Counsel.
Amazingly, the President has not said anything about the coal miners of Southern Province who work without protective clothing and particularly without boots in a Chinese-managed coal mine. I take it that the President is happy because the workers there have not gone on strike in protection of the goose that lays the golden egg.
I count myself very lucky that I worked as a miner when labour laws and the minister in charge of labour and mines were respected. Mr President be fair to your people. Capital is not more important than labour.
We want investment yes but slavery No.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=29016
Dr Fundanga's views on cement shortage
By Cibwa Camazakala,Monze
Sunday July 15, 2007 [04:00]
I would like to comment on what our Bank of Zambia Governor Dr Caleb Fundanga said on the shortage of cement in Zambia (Cement shortage good for economy - Fundanga - Business Post, Tuesday July 03, 2007).
I am not surprised that people who are very educated can lack wisdom because it has happened so many times in the past.
We have heard of Dr so and so taking trunks to be filled with money at Bank of Zambia and another Dr so and so taking money from the National Assembly.
Now we hear a Dr Caleb Fundanga telling us that cement shortage is good for our economy.
I cannot understand how this man does not realise that the bulk of our cement is being exported and pardon me for using the word ‘our’, because nothing seem to belong to us anymore.
He wants the country to believe that it is because of growth that there is a shortage of cement. Can you show us where these great manufacturing structures that have consumed the cement are? We know of course that some high level government officials have a sweet deal with some foreigners at the expense of the Zambian people and real growth.
Fundanga said "I am personally happy with what is happening in the construction sector although some people are not happy with this." Happy that people are unable to finish building on schedule due to the shortage of cement? If what you say is true, you should have advised Mwanawasa long before this situation to invest in this sector and stop the exploitation.
You say that “What is happening now is exactly how a free economy like Zambia works." No! What is happening now is exactly how a corrupt economy like Zambia works.
You talk of a cement black market in Zambia, are you the only visitor to Jerusalem?
I forgot you are not suffering like the rest of us.
The cement black market is already here, when did you last visit the market?
You are one of those people who have stayed too long in their job such that they cannot see when things are going wrong. In fact when they do go wrong, you say it is a good thing.
If the inflation is in double digits from last year when it was in single digits, it means the economy is doing badly.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=29059
Dr Fundanga's comment on cement shortage
By Lytone Kanowa,LUSAKA
Monday July 16, 2007 [04:00]
Though I did not read Dr Fundanga’s comments that appeared in The Post news paper of 3 July 2007 regarding the shortage of cement on the Zambian market, I feel obliged to say something regarding the same. I am contributing to the comments from Cibwa Camazakala of Mazabuka on the subject that appeared in yesterday’s edition of The Post. How, honestly does the senior citizen say the shortage of cement on the market is good for the economy?
This just goes to show that we are not good planners. If we can have such high-profiled citizens of Zambia all smiles after being woken up in the middle of the night only to be told the country has run out of cement, then we are heading for economic slavery. The rest of the world is planning ahead of such eventualities and Zambia does not seem to do so.
Only those who indeed plunder national resources would not feel the difference when the price of essential commodities escalate. In fact this is somehow the measure of how much is illegally going into their coffers.
I wonder why cement from Zimbabwe, with over 3700 per cent of inflation, is cheaper on the Zambian market that our ‘own’ local products and we have in the recent past been proud of a single-digit inflation rate.
Can authorities be seen to have the plight of Zambians at heart and take appropriate action when citizens are being exploited? How can authorities rejoice at the situation where the official price of essential commodities is half of the market price? This is ridiculous!
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=29060
Consistent with inconsistencies
By Muyoyeta Simasiku
Monday July 16, 2007 [04:00]
It's become very difficult to know what our politicians' principles or values are or what they really stand for. Today they condemn their fellow politician and his/her policies, and yet tomorrow they will embrace the very person they were criticising just the other day without even giving an explanation as to what has happened over night.
When you look at it nothing has changed in the person they were criticising so as to warrant a shift in paradigm - their policies and actions remain the same.
And this is done with their heads held high without any sense of shame. As The Post editorial aptly put it the other day, their lives have been consistent with inconsistencies. And its not just one of them, its almost all of them. It’s hard to know what side of politics our politicians belong to – they were lefts yesterday, centre today and right wings tomorrow.
Really our politicians’ main preoccupation is just to temporarily feathers their political nests.
They would do anything even if it meant risking their own reputation just to achieve their selfish political desires I don’t know why they never learn even when records show that those who try to assume power by selfish means just end up falling hard on their back.
It’s actually annoying to think these are the guys who hold the decision power about the destiny and future of our country. And one wonders why our country cannot progress.
Even those that we used to hold in high esteem are now an embarrassment. Our President is busy trying to antagonise and demean the civil society, and yet he is forgetting that he is going to need them when he leaves office soon.
He is doing this at a public rally where his old political menace is smiling at him, instead of condemning him, all in the name of ‘reconciliation’ – one of the most abused English words by Zambian politicians. We are also told one of the former VPs has also reconciled with our President.
Can someone please tell me the meaning of ‘reconciliation’? Another opposition politician just condemns everybody, criticises anything and comments on everything, even the things he does not understand very well.
Can someone please tell him to shut up at times? In my opinion there's only one top politician who's been the same throughout since he left the MMD. I just hope I don't eat my words soon.
Really as citizens we should demand from our politicians values and practices that are characterised by high integrity and lives that are consistent with consistencies. Consistency is very important - I think that even a politician with bad policies is much better than one with good policies but is a flip-flopper!
Labels: CEMENT, INTEGRITY, MINERS
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Cement disappears from formal market
Herald Reporter
CEMENT has disappeared from the formal market since the launch of the operation to reduce prices, but one of the country’s manufacturers, Circle Cement, says it is producing up to 600 tonnes a day. On Thursday, the taskforce on price monitoring and stabilisation visited Circle Cement’s factory in Manresa to seek an explanation from company officials.
The officials argued that the company was producing more than enough for the country but were equally worried that people were not coming to buy the cement.
They said they had 1 200 tonnes of uncollected cement in their silos.
Chairperson for the taskforce Senior Assistant Commissioner Bothwell Mugariri said they would leave no stone unturned until they established where the product was going.
"We are moving to the manufacturers to establish how they are operating. As the taskforce mandated to analyse the situation and help bring back sanity to the economy, we are keen to understand all the industrial processes for us to grasp where things are going wrong and provide solutions," he said.
He added that the taskforce was not a barbaric entity but was taking a professional approach and consulting experts in various areas.
Snr Asst Comm Mugariri said the taskforce picked on Circle Cement as it was one of the key players in the development of the construction sector, which was facing problems of unavailability of cement.
Labels: CEMENT, THE HERALD
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Smuggling of cement from Tanzania increases
By Jonathan Mukuka in Nakonde
Saturday June 16, 2007 [04:00]
Smuggling of cement from Tanzania has increased at Nakonde border. Zambia has been experiencing a critical shortage of cement for over six months now. Investigations at Nakonde border revealed that 90,000 x 50kg bags of Mbeya Cement had passed through Nakonde border without being cleared by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
Further investigations revealed that all the 90,000 bags of cement which had been illegally imported into the country had come through the Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority TAZARA goods train loaded at Mbeya town about 109 km from Nakonde border.
A check at TAZARA railway station revealed that 20,000 bags of cement passed through the Nakonde TAZARA railway station four days ago while a total of 70,000 bags went through 10 days ago loaded on wagons with each carrying 1,000 bags.
A customs officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity said some people were illegally importing the cement into the country.
The officer said each 50 kg bag of cement brought into the country from Tanzania was supposed to be charged excise duty at 5 percent and also pay value added tax (VAT) of 17.5 percent per bag.
The officer said the authority has not yet established who was behind the illegal importation of cement.
Further investigations revealed that some of the cement was being offloaded at Kasama and New Kapiri Mposhi railway stations.
Mbeya Cement is bought at K30,000 and sold at K55,000 in Kasama and K60,000 on the Copperbelt.
The construction industry in the country has expanded creating a critical shortage of cement on the market.
Labels: CEMENT
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