Mansa Central a must-win for PF, says Kambwili
By Prince Chibawah in Mansa
Sun 22 Sep. 2013, 14:01 CAT
CHISHIMBA Kambwili says it is impossible for any reasonable government to develop the country within the first 90 days of administration.
And Kambwili says losing the Mansa Central seat would be a tragedy for the entire PF because this time even President Michael Sata will weep.
During a live phone-in programme on Radio Yangeni in Mansa on Thursday, Kambwili, who is youth and sports minister, said only a dull person could believe that the ruling PF could fulfil all its promises within a period of 90 days.
"Surely, can you successfully complete constructing a university or hospital in 90 days? Let's try to be reasonable enough," said Kambwili.
He clarified that the issue of developing the country within the first 90 days of administration was a proverb and that it should not be taken for direct interpretation as was the present scenario.
"Unless if one is dull; can (he or she) reasonably think that this country can be developed within the first 90 days or two years of administration. That was just a political slogan. It was part of our party campaign strategies," Kambwili said.
Kambwili, however, said the government had made tremendous developmental achievements in its two years in power.
"There are so many developments taking place countrywide. We have just facilitated a contract which will see 650 health centres constructed in all the ten provinces of Zambia. And to be precise, Luapula Province will have a share of about 50."
He said the increased salary scale for public service workers was unprecedented development that the government had scored.
"Imagine the lowest paid civil servant will now be getting K3,000. Now which government has ever made such an increment?" Kambwili asked.
Kambwili added that the government had also recruited 5,900 new teachers countrywide.
"My PF government is not only concentrating on a single sector. We are constructing new infrastructure, rehabilitating old structures, we're also creating job opportunities and so on. Even the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, I challenged him, when he was busy fabricating on UNZA Radio that he could create jobs for all the youths in the country within 90 days. I asked him how? But he failed to respond," Kambwili added.
He said it was unfortunate that the opposition was succeeding in what he termed misinforming the general public on the government's developmental will.
"Yes, I can admit that some of our deputy ministers and MPs are reluctant when it comes to explaining the government polices to their respected people and I want to challenge them for that," Kambwili added.
He expressed optimism that the government could sustainably develop the country in ten years time.
"By 2016, most of the developments will be tangibly recorded but the issue of fulfilling all the developmental promises, we need about 10 years," he said.
And addressing the PF leadership at Mansa Lodge on Thursday, Kambwili said the Mansa Central seat was a must-win for the party.
"I can assure you that losing this by-election will be a tragedy for the entire PF. Believe you me, we will weep," said Kambwili, who is also PF national youth chairman.
Kambwili added that the PF was anchored on Luapula, Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces and that allowing the opposition to scoop the forthcoming Mansa Central by-election was unthinkable.
Kambwili, who noted Luapula Province as being a cardinal factor for the PF's strength, urged the local party leadership to remain united and foster teamwork.
"The PF's progress lies in this area (Mansa) because the entire Luapula Province gave us 99.9 per cent of the total votes. So my colleagues, let us work hard because should we fail to retain the Mansa Central seat, I am sure this time even President Sata will weep," he added.
He said the PF national leadership would be more careful when adopting a candidate for the seat.
He said candidature adoption had always being a difficult stage resulting in the ruling party losing certain seats in some areas.
"We have lost some seats because of the very stage. Somehow it appears like a source of confusion. Even here in Mansa, when that time comes, you will experience a similar thing. Some people will be frustrated because their preferred candidates will not be considered," he said.
Kambwili said the adoption of a candidate would be based on recommendations effected by local leadership.
"The national leadership will try by all means to lower its hand when it comes to adopting the candidate for Mansa Central; instead we'll make resolutions based on what you will recommend for," he added.
Kambwili further appealed to the people of Mansa Central Constituency to render the PF a second chance in order to continue with its developmental agenda for the area.
Meanwhile, Kambwili has with immediate effect suspended the selection process of applicants for youth development funds in Luapula Province due to alleged corrupt practices.
Kambwili, who was in Mansa for official duties, said he had been receiving information suggesting corrupt activities by some of those responsible for the implementation of YDF in the province.
He added that in order to enhance transparency, his ministry had engaged independent experts from Lusaka Province to evaluate the applications, including the rejected ones.
"If the reports I am receiving are factual, then I do believe some applicants were not genuinely rejected. So we shall facilitate for a reselection to ensure that the funds are accessed by only the eligible applicants," said Kambwili.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, MANSA DISTRICT, PF
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Kambwili, Bwalya go for each other
By Kombe Chimpinde
Tue 14 May 2013, 14:01 CAT
SPORTS minister Chishimba Kambwili yesterday accused Frank Bwalya of being a con man who was forming a political party to serve as a conduit for receiving money from unsuspecting well-wishers. But Bwalya described Kambwili's claims as cheap propaganda, accusing him of plotting to finish him politically.
"He who comes in the political arena must have clean hands. Ask Bwalya if he is a clean man. Ask him how clean he is. You and I know that priests are kept by the church and Bwalya does not…even when he was at Zesco, he was earning an allowance. Now go and see the house he lives in in Roma," Kambwili said.
"He lives in a house which is three times the size of the house of the Catholic bishops of most churches. Rentals for houses in Roma range from US$5,600 per month. Go and ask him who is paying for that house he is living in."
Kambwili maintained that Bwalya was a materialistic person that was pretending to be poor.
"Why live in such a house when you don't work? Why hasn't he gone to live in Kalingalinga or Mtendere?" asked Kambwili.
But Bwalya said unlike the PF whom he said had received lots of money from well wishers and only used less, sharing it among themselves PF, he was only receiving small amounts from well-wishers to sustain him.
"That is how all these statements by him Kambwili should be understood because since the PF government is looking for an opportunity to arrest me and scandalise me, they would not even publicly talk about the information they have which can incriminate me. They would have just swiftly moved to arrest me. It is very sad that PF wants to use the same things Mr Sata was accused of to accuse me," Bwalya said.
"Now when you look at Mr Sata's record and my record, I think it can be easier for certain things to hold on Mr Sata than on me."
Bwalya said he had been fending for himself following the Catholic Church's' decision to withdraw his sustenance allowance which he was legally entitled to since 2009.
Bwalya said he had made money through a lot of hard work and that his life was simple and different from that of some people in government, who he said were now thriving on illegal deals and connections.
"I live here and go into Kabanana (compound) and have a meeting, the impact it will create, without money is more than the impact they would create with the money that they have. I don't believe in money myself. That is why before I die, I want to ensure that I make a contribution to the politics of this country," said Bwalya, who took this reporter around his apartment in Roma.
Bwalya said the reign of thieves had ended because people of integrity were coming.
"When John the Baptist told his disciples to follow Jesus and Jesus turned round and saw the following, he asked 'what do you want?' Then the disciples said 'master where do you live?' Jesus responded saying 'come and see'. For me to make people my disciples, I tell them come and see how I leave. They look at opportunities I have been given to make money and then I decide to leave like this, then they say 'maybe this man means something'."
Bwalya said he would move to a house in Kalingalinga should he fail to sustain the rentals for the house.
"This furniture (sofa) you see with me, I got it from the Copperbelt. The printer was given to me two years ago by a close relative of Mr Sata. That water dispenser I got it on credit from a shop in Kitwe from someone who was supporting Mr Sata. That TV you see there, was given to me by somebody who is a staunch supporter of the PF here in Lusaka.
When I came to Zesco, I just had a bed. That stove and fridge, I bought it on hire purchase," Bwalya explained.
"I don't need a lot of money just like I didn't need it when I campaigned for PF."
Bwalya is currently living in a two-bedroom semi-detached flat in Roma, one of which he is using to print badges for his party bearing initials ABZ, with inscriptions 'Fr Frank Bwalya For President ABZ'.
Bwalya has stuck President Michael Sata's portrait in his living room.
He explained this as a form of recognition that President Sata was reigning although he did not agree with some of the things he was doing.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, FRANK BWALYA
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Fr Bwalya overrating himself - Kambwili
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Thu 02 May 2013, 14:00 CAT
FATHER Frank Bwalya is a wolf in sheep skin who is being misled into overrating himself, says Chishimba Kambwili.
Commenting on Fr Bwalya's presidential ambitions, Kambwili, who is PF national youth chairperson and minister of youth and sports, said the priest was misleading himself into believing that since he was popular as leader of an NGO, he could make a good or popular president.
Kambwili dismissed Fr Bwalya's claims that he was receiving overwhelming support from Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers, as cheap political propaganda.
"He is taking a wrong route. I advised Fr Bwalya that to be leader of an NGO and being popular is very different from being popular in the political circles. And I gave him this advice, free advice as a friend, and now when I read today's (yesterday) Post, I am disappointed that he has continued to pursue the same ideas that he has," he said.
Kambwili said Fr Bwalya was insulting all the PF members by suggesting that President Michael Sata did not know anything about governance and he was better than the President.
"Let me tell Fr Bwalya again that my advice to him is a very open advice, that if he does not want to rescind his decision to try and attack PF and want to be president in the next three months, there will be no Fr Bwalya," he warned.
Kambwili said Fr Bwalya would soon lose the respect that people accorded to him.
He said forming a political party in Zambia and making it grow to a level where people appreciated it to the point of entrusting such a party with power, was a very difficult undertaking that Fr Bwalya would soon come to understand.
"The Father is overrating himself. He may be popular as an NGO but being popular as an NGO is not being popular as a political party. I can give him a practical example. Nevers Mumba was a very popular preacher - Zambia Shall be Saved, and Nevers miscalculated. He thought if he formed a political party all the born-again Christians were going to support him. What happened to Nevers? He formed an organisation called National Christian Coalition and was refusing to say it is not a political party. People asked him; are you going to form a political party? He said no, just like Fr Bwalya said in yesterday's Post that 'I don't want to form a political party.' But we are able to differentiate sense from nonsense and read between the lines," he said.
Kambwili said he hoped Fr Bwalya would learn from the experiences of Mumba.
He said Fr Bwalya had ill-timed his attacks on President Sata, who enjoyed a lot of popularity nationwide.
"I can give him an example, Levy Mwanawasa wanted to attack Frederick Chiluba when Chiluba was at his peak, the way Mr Sata is. What happened to Mwanawasa? He just resigned and went into oblivion," he said.
Kambwili said many other people have started political parties in Zambia which have ended nowhere.
"You see, when you perceive that there are problems, it's better to solve them from inside but I think Fr Bwalya is being self-centred and I am so disappointed that we respect this man of God because we thought he was speaking for the people of Zambia and yet he was speaking to lay a ground for him to say he can be president," he said.
Kambwili said a lot of youths had sent him messages requesting for permission to rise against Fr Bwalya to which he had declined.
He asked Fr Bwalya to refrain from the route he was taking, saying the clergyman would be finished in no time.
"My advice to him as a friend, which advice I gave him one-on-one, is that let him abandon his presidential ambitions because the people of Zambia are not stupid. When you rise on a platform and speak to the people of Zambia as an NGO, people would want you to continue as an NGO and speak to the people as an NGO but when you rise as an NGO and later on you say you want to be president, people will lose confidence," Kambwili said.
He said Fr Bwalya should take the free advice he was giving before he becomes finished like a doormat.
Kambwili said he was a very close friend of Fr Bwalya but was gravely disappointed with his 'rantings' and wondered what wrong the PF had committed within a short period in office for Fr Bwalya to start challenging.
He reminded Fr Bwalya to recall the case of former Kasama Central member of parliament Saviour Chishimba, who wanted to challenge President Sata then as an opposition leader and went on to form a political party that never lasted.
He said Enoch Kavindele also wanted to fight first Republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda and resigned to form his own party but that he ended up being losing out.
Kambwili said PF would silence its critics after three years because of the programmes the ruling party had rolled out.
"...I have been there, we formed PF in 2001. What we have been through to be where we are...no ba Father, I think apa pena awe you are out of contest. Ba Father bweleleni mukufwala inkansu pantu abantu balamisula. I am telling him abantu balimuchindika but balamusula Father get back to wearing your priestly robes because people will detest you, people have respect for you but you will be detested soon.," said Kambwili
.
Fr Bwalya claimed on Tuesday that he was receiving a lot of support from some ministers over his presidential ambitions.
Fr Bwalya, who recently resigned as Zesco board chairman, said he had received overwhelming support from sections of society, including ministers and deputy ministers, on the presidential idea and that it was up to the people to decide whether he could actually be trusted for the mantle or not.
"When I speak like this, I speak with confidence because of the text messages that are flooding my phone. I don't want to delete them because I believe it's God speaking to me through these messages but my phone now is congested," he said.
"I am just overwhelmed and I have always said God's way is the best and it is for the good of the people. No one has sent me any negative message, people are sending me positive text messages, some of them are cabinet ministers, some of them are deputy ministers and a leader of a certain country abroad who I met on one of my official engagements."
On Monday, sources revealed that Fr Bwalya was positioning himself to stand as Republican president in 2016 because he feels he can make a better president than Sata.
Sources also disclosed that Fr Bwalya had been telling his confidants that President Sata was too old to lead Zambia.
The sources also said Fr Bwalya had been telling people that he could make a better secretary general than Wynter Kabimba.
And Fr Bwalya said he would only state his position over the presidency after 32 days..
On Sunday, Fr Bwalya claimed he resigned as Zesco board chairperson so that he could be free to praise or criticise the actions of the PF and President Sata in particular.
Fr Bwalya also strongly criticised President Sata and the PF over the by-elections and the arrests of opposition political party leaders.
"I am back. I apologise to UPND leader HH and MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba for not speaking out for them when they were arrested on flimsy charges on Livingstone and Kitwe, respectively," he said.
Fr Bwalya also said people were losing hope in the PF and the promises the party made even in terms of the fight against corruption, citing President Sata's statement advising the Anti Corruption Commission to notify him before investigating ministers which he hoped was a slip of the tongue.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, FRANK BWALYA, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Kambwili lifts Mwamba ban
By Ndinawe Simpelwe
Thu 14 Feb. 2013, 15:10 CAT
SPORTS minister Chishimba Kambwili has lifted the life ban slapped on Anthony Mwamba by the Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board. Kambwili said Mwamba's case against ZPBWCB was not serious enough to warrant the ban.
Kambwili said the issue was simple and could have been handled without imposing a ban on the Exodus Boxing Promotions director.
"As minister of sports, my job is to develop sport and not to kill it," Kambwili said. "In the end, it was the boxers who were suffering because they were not receiving services from their trainer. So I have lifted that ban and Mwamba is a free man now. He is free to continue with his stable.
If you look at Mwamba's contribution to the growth of female boxing in the country, there is no one who has done what he has done. He has produced a world champion. This is the guy you want to ban and you expect Zambians to sit idle and watch you?"
Kambwili further said he had arranged for a meeting with both Mwamba and the ZPBWCB next Tuesday.
The ZPBWCB last month banned Mwamba from taking part in any boxing activities for allegedly bringing the name of the sport into disrepute.
Mwamba was alleged to have accused board officials of knowing nothing about boxing after they advised him to organise a bout for his boxer Esther Phiri who had remained idle for almost a year.
But Mwamba blamed ZPBWCB secretary Ben Saili for all that transpired against him and for Esther's early retirement from boxing.
Mwamba expressed disappointment with the way Saili was using his position to handle issues.
Mwamba sided with Esther that frustration from administrators had forced the once flamboyant boxer to hang up her gloves.
"I'm disappointed with Saili because of the way he has handled my issue," Mwamba said. "It seems he wants to settle grudges using a public office but that is not how you handle issues. He pushed so that I'm banned but when he banned me, he banned all my boxers. I have over 30 boxers under my stable and if I'm banned, it means all the 30 boxers are banned because as manager I'm the only one who can pay the affiliation fees. This is killing boxing in the country and that is not how you run a public office."
He said he had invested KR90,000 in his stable and to close it for simple reasons was unfair and a huge setback for boxing.
Esther announced her retirement on ZNBC Television on Monday evening, citing frustration following Mwamba's ban.
Mwamba described Esther's retirement as a surprise and sad development, saying she was the best boxer he had worked with and they had achieved a lot together.
Mwamba said there was nothing he could do to persuade Esther to return to the ring because she had made a personal decision which he would support.
"It is sad, I didn't expect it. All I can do is to support her in whatever she wants to do. I have come very far with her and she is now like a relative to me. It is very sad," said Mwamba.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=30263
GODFREY MONDE, UPND, PF, MICHAEL SATA, ROBERT SICHINGA, CABINET, EMMANUEL CHENDA, KUCHUNGA SIMUSAMBA,
Monde explains his decision to join govt
By Roy Habaalu and Moses Kuwema
Thu 14 Feb. 2013, 14:30 CAT
Obligations to the country taken precedence over loyalty to an individual UPND Itezhi tezhi member of parliament Greyford Monde says obligations to the country, the people and his constituents will always take precedence over loyalty to an individual or a group. But UPND says Monde should consider himself expelled for accepting a ministerial position.
Explaining his acceptance of his appointment as agriculture deputy minister, Monde stated that throughout his political career as a member of parliament for Itezhi Tezhi, he had followed the "personal philosophy that he was a free man, a Zambian, a public servant, and a member of his party, in that order always and only".
"My decision to accept His Excellency, President Michael Sata's appointment as a deputy minister does not need a long explanation. I have put my country, my people and my constituents in Itezhi tezhi first. I have put them ahead of any divisive partisanship," Monde stated.
"I come from a very poor constituency of Itezhi tezhi. And I am not a rich man. But I want the best and nothing but the best for these people. I want to see their lives improve in the period they have given me to serve as their member of parliament. And all my decisions and actions will always be in accordance with this."
Monde called on Zambians to unite and join hands in the spirit of 'one country, one nation, one people, marching together into the future'.
"We must unceasingly work to lift this nation to a higher destiny. We have achieved a lot as a nation when all our people united in just causes. And what we have achieved as a nation should not be allowed to be lost in suspicion, selfishness, and politics among any of our people.
We have to guard against divisiveness and all its ugly consequences. And in these times as in the times before, it is true that a house divided against itself by the spirit of party, faction, of region, tribe, is a house that cannot stand," Monde stated.
He stated that the ultimate strengths of the country would lie not in money or infinity or boundless resources, but in the unity of the people.
"Believing this as I do, I have concluded that I should accept the President's appointment for me to serve our people in government," he stated.
Monde said he had not abrogated any clause in the party constitution warranting his expulsion.
He said he had consulted people in his constituency before making a final decision.
"My appointment is to serve the people and not myself. It's a national cause. People in Itezhi-tezhi are happy with it and have been calling me. We consulted widely before this decision and until I receive the letter of expulsion, I am still a UPND member," Monde said.
And UPND senior members yesterday met to moot out ways of expelling Monde.
Party deputy secretary general Kuchunga Simusamba said it was sad that a young politician would suspend his political robes for a few pieces of silver like Judas Iscariot.
Simusamba said Monde had betrayed the cause of the party and that of his constituents.
"He (Monde) has always been treacherous and he's one of those members of parliament who failed to file for his councillors in his constituency. We have been watching his dealings with the PF and today is a great day for us because his sins have been exposed and this is where he says goodbye," he said.
"He has expelled himself and we accept his decision. We will replace him with a more trustworthy member of parliament. It's obvious that we are winning that seat, so let him enjoy those pieces of silver hoping he doesn't end up hanging himself like Judas Iscariot."
Simusamba said it was not surprising that Monde had accepted the offer. He appealed to the government leaders to search their consciences and determine whether it was necessary to create unnecessary by-elections.
He said UPND was ready for the PF schemes and to defend its territories.
Simusamba said his party had found candidates to field in the Kapiri Mposhi and Lukulu West constituencies who would not be announced through the press.
UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said Monde would be expelled from the UPND.
He said the party would soon set the course for disciplinary action against Monde.
"Speaking in my own capacity as Mweetwa and not UPND, I can say Monde will be expelled because a precedence has been set before where the people that have joined government against the UPND's policies and guidelines have been expelled. Examples are there for people like late Ben Tetamashimba and others," he said.
Mweetwa advised Monde to resign from the UPND and join the PF, saying that would be the moral decision to make.
He said Monde had shown that he was a very weak soldier who had failed to wage a war from the opposition battlefront.
"Opposition politics is for strong individuals because temptations are so grave. It is also embarrassing for people in political nursery to begin their careers with fragile stances. Monde has shown that young people are not going to Parliament to serve the people but to serve their own interests. This is political treachery and an act of cowardice," Mweetwa said.
The UPND during the day continued to taunt Monde on its Facebook page saying: "Monde says he has accepted the appointment as deputy minister in the PF government and is ready for any verdict that will be passed on him from his sponsoring party UPND. We wonder how ready he is and what makes him ready."
Another Facebook posting read: "Hon Monde, we wish you all the best in your future endeavors which will be minus the UPND tag on you. Our stand has always been clear; you don't need to be minister to contribute to development as an MP. UPND MP accepts to be minister, we don't think twice but put into action our resolution that was agreed and signed by all our MPs.
Itezhi-tezhi UPND MP Hon Monde who we hear has been sworn in as new deputy minister for agric! is being met this morning to exculpate himself and if it is true that he has accepted this appointment then he is gone."
President Sata yesterday appointed Monde as deputy minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
"…I have appointed you deputy minister and have assigned you to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock," read President Sata's letter to Monde in part.
President Sata said he was confident that Monde would perform to his expectations and that of the Zambian people.
Meanwhile, President Sata has swapped commerce minister Robert Sichinga with his agriculture counterpart Emmanuel Chenda.
According to a statement made available by the President's special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah, the changes are with immediate effect.
Labels: ANTHONY MWAMBA, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI
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Address unemployment urgently, Masheke urges government
By Selina Nyirenda
Fri 29 June 2012, 13:24 CAT
YOUTH and sport minister Chishimba Kambwili says the protest by youths who were left out of the Zambia Army/Zambia National Service recruitment exercise is justified. And General Malimba Masheke says the government should address the issue of employment with the seriousness and urgency it deserves.
Commenting on the protest by youths who were not short listed for the joint recruitment exercise at Lusaka's Emmasdale area yesterday, Kambwili said it was unfortunate that the recruitment was done without proper planning.
"I think in my opinion, the whole problem was caused by the department of recruitment because they knew that they wanted very few people but they went out and advertised to the whole world inviting people for interviews. If you call people for an interview, you should give all of them an opportunity to be interviewed, you don't become selective. It's unfortunate what happened yesterday but they had a reason to protest," Kambwili said.
He appealed to the Zambia Army and Zambia National Service (ZNS) to get organised and conduct a safer recruitment exercise which would not trigger riotous behaviour.
Kambwili further urged youths not to panic for jobs and that they should exercise some patience because the government was putting in place a comprehensive programme that would tackle the issue of employment.
"We have only been in office for eight months. We have to plan, from there we have to do feasibility studies then we implement and that would not happen in eight months. We are going to create youth farms…where these youths will be employed then later on become shareholders, and once these are established, we will move on to districts," said Kambwili.
And commenting on the mass turn out of school leavers for the on-going joint recruitment by the Zambia Army and Zambia National Service, Gen Masheke said such was an indication of how desperate people were for jobs.
"I am not seeing an answer to the unemployment situation in the country if government still depends on the military, ZNS, ZAF as a way of solving the problem when these can only pick a handful of thousands of young applicants leaving out the rest," Gen Masheke said.
He advised the government to consider implementing certain measures such as empowering youths in agriculture development.
Gen Masheke said the government should not be shy to work with whoever has good and workable plans because the issue of employment is a national concern.
"In 1991 when MMD came into power, it sold all the parastatal companies, now the number of unemployed people in the country has reached its maximum.
Its uncontrollable," said Gen Masheke.
And Youth Constitutional Coordinating Committee coordinator Mulenga Fube said it was unfortunate that jobs were only being offered to school leavers, therefore neglecting the uneducated.
According to Fube, youths who were uneducated as well as unemployed were a danger to society saying they were easily lured into illicit activities such as drug abuse and other criminal activities.
"A more worrying sector is that those who have never been to school are a time bomb," said Fube.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, MALIMBA MASHEKE, UNEMPLOYMENT, YOUTHS
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Poverty risks lives - Matale
By Fridah Nkonde
Thu 31 May 2012, 13:25 CAT
THE Mpulungu job-search stampede speaks volumes about the state of poverty and desperation that Zambians are experiencing in order for them to survive, says Council of Churches in Zambia secretary general Reverend Suzanne Matale.
Commenting on the death of 11 job seekers in Mpulungu after a stampede on Monday, Rev Matale said what happened in Mpulungu was a very sad development which showed desperation by the people of Zambia.
"To say the truth, this is just a tip of an iceberg because there are other people around the country who are also involved in all kinds of dangerous activities just to earn themselves a living," Rev Matale said.
She said the Mpulungu job-seekers stampede showed the high levels of unemployment in the country.
Rev Matale said lack of employment in Zambia was not only increasing by the day but was also leading to high levels of poverty in the country.
"Poverty does not only force people to engage themselves in dangerous activities, but also compels them to risk their own lives," she said.
Rev Matale gave an example of the people on the Copperbelt who were involved in illegal mining "just to make sure that they survive and have something to eat every day".
She said those who were involved in illegal mining activities on the Copperbelt worked in deplorable state in an attempt to better their lives.
Rev Matale said there was need for the PF government to prioritise the creation of jobs to prevent a similar occurrence.
"It is very sad to see people dying in search of employment. Losing a life because of desperation and poverty is the last thing that we as Zambians would want to see. Government should honour their promise of creating employment and putting more money in people's pockets," said Rev Matale.
Youth and sport minister Chishimba Kambwili on Tuesday said he was shocked with the levels of desperation for employment in Zambia.
He said the government regretted the incident.
"…the problem is that we inherited a government where there had not been job creation for a long time and our people are suffering," Kambwili said.
He said the death of 11 people, among them two children, was a true reflection of the gravity of the unemployment crisis which he said must be dealt with urgently.
"We acknowledge as government that people are suffering and our role now as government is to work extra hard to create more employment," he said.
"It's unfortunate and I think as a government minister, I feel so bad that people can die because of searching for employment. It gives us a challenge as government to even work harder to create employment."
Kambwili said the PF government would in the coming months treat the issue of employment as top priority on its developmental agenda owing to the urgency of the matter.
Eleven job seekers died while six others were in critical condition in Mpulungu after a stampede on Monday.
The incident occurred when several people gathered at Great Lakes Products in Mpulungu after they learnt that the owner of the fishing company, Sahran Salim, was in town and would employ some casual workers.
The job seekers that had gathered by the premises grew impatient, overpowered the guard and stormed the premises around 07:30 hours.
It was during the ensuing stampede that nine people died while two others died the following day.
Salim, who is based in Kitwe usually travels to Mpulungu and during his stay, employs casual workers and the remuneration is considered impressive by locals as it comprises wages and foodstuffs.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, POVERTY, SUZANNE MATALE
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Kambwili reveals that ZESCO has written off all bills incurred by Luanshya residents
TIME PUBLISHED - Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 1:09 pm
The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has written off all electricity bills incurred by Luanshya residents who were affected by the closure of Luanshya Copper Mine.
This came to light yesterday when Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili addressed a public meeting in his constituency at Chaisa complex grounds. Mr. Kambwili explained that the move came about after a thorough discussion with the Energy Minister.
He noted that at a time the mine was closed, a lot of people were out of employment making it difficult for them to settle their electricity and other bills.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Kambwili was, however, quick to urge the residents to pay their outstanding bills as the mine is now open and people have gone back to work.
Mr. Kambwili also directed ZCCM to ensure that all the people who bought mine houses are given title deeds by September this year.
He also emphasized on the importance of people paying their electricity bills saying it enables the utility firm run efficiently.
Mr. Kambwili also directed ZCCM to ensure that all the people who bought mine houses are given title deeds by September this year.
ZANIS
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, ENERGY, ZESCO
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Scott explains why he doesn't act as President
By Mwala Kalaluka
Sat 03 Mar. 2012, 11:59 CAT
VICE-President Dr Guy Scott says he does not act as president during President Michael Sata's absence from the country because he is barred by the Republican Constitution as amended in 1996. And sports minister Chishimba Kambwili yesterday annoyed Monze UPND MP Jack Mwiimbu after he described him as a confused person during debate in the House.
Responding to a question from MMD Mpongwe member of parliament Gabriel Namulambe on why he does not act as president in President Sata's absence, Vice-President Dr Scott said people like him whose parents were not born in Zambia were barred from standing for presidency following the 1996 amended Constitution.
"I was very greatly wishing that the former vice-president was going to take us to court so that we go and explain this issue," Vice-President Dr Scott said. "However, he prefers just standing behind the tree and throw stones."
Vice-President Dr Scott said former vice-president George Kunda knew very well that if he took the matter to court he could not win and he further said there was sufficient precedence over the issue.
"It's not a big deal in my opinion," Vice-President Dr Scott said. "I don't think that this House is the court of law that will determine this matter, anyway."
President Sata usually appoints finance minister Alexander Chikwanda to act as president whenever he travels outside Zambia.
And during the Vice-President's question time, Mwiimbu raised a point of order over Vice-President Dr Scott's response that he could not give the reason upon which President Sata based his realignment of the two districts because it was privileged information.
Mwiimbu asked if Vice-President Dr Scott was in order to hide behind the veil of privileged information when responding to concerns from MPs on the realignment of districts when Article 54 of the Constitution states that Cabinet was collectively responsible to Parliament.
But as Mwiimbu raised his point of order, Kambwili, who was seated at the front bench on the right side of the chamber audibly retorted: "wali fulungana iwe you are confused."
Opposition members of parliament immediately asked Speaker Dr Patrick Matibini to send Kambwili out of the House following his remark.
"How can he say I am mad!" Mwiimbu stood and asked the Speaker.
In his guidance, Speaker Dr Matibini started by asking members of parliament to respect their fellow MPs' right to free expression as they debate on the floor of the House.
"It is important that we conduct ourselves with utmost dignity," Speaker Dr Matibini said. "We have all been installed with the title of being honourable and therefore we must match it with our conduct."
Speaker Dr Matibini asked Mwiimbu to recast his point of order and in response Vice-President Dr Scott said he was not in the pocket of President Sata to divulge to the House why the Chirundu and Itezhi-tezhi districts were realigned from Southern Province to Lusaka and Central Provinces, respectively.
Vice-President Scott said Chirundu and Itezhi-tezhi could be administered conveniently from the places where President Sata had placed them.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, GUY SCOTT, JACK MWIIMBU, VICE PRESIDENCY
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Kambwili's removal from labour should serve as a warning to other ministers - Mutati
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe and Brina Manenga
Mon 06 Feb. 2012, 12:59 CAT
THE removal of Chishimba Kambwili from the Ministry of Labour should serve as a warning to other ministers that excitement does not pay, says Felix Mutati. And Mutati says commerce minister Bob Sichinga is contradicting finance minister Alexander Chikwanda by claiming that the fallen MMD regime printed K3 trillion 'illegal' notes from China.
Last Friday, President Michael Sata delinked the sports segment from the Ministry of Labour after Kambwili ran a series of attacks on key industry owners whom he accused of disrespecting and flouting labour laws in the country.
Kambwili, who last month was removed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after diplomats accredited to Zambia complained about his lack of diplomatic etiquette, has been confined to sports and youths affairs.
Commenting on the development, Mutati, who is also opposition chief whip, said there was need to maintain level-headedness and consistency among top government ministers.
"Other ministers should be able to learn from what has happened that excitement doesn't pay," Mutati said in an interview.
"What is crucial is to be reflective in the pursuit of delivery to the people of Zambia and that you cannot articulate and formulate policies as you walk about but through an informed and researched stakeholder basis."
And Youth Assembly Zambia has commended President Sata for detaching the Ministry of Labour from sport.
In an interview, YAZ secretary general David Musonda said the detaching of labour from sport has shown that President Sata was passionate about maintaining a friendly atmosphere with investors in the country.
"President Sata has shown that he is someone who cares about investor confidence in the country. What we need is someone who is going to make sure that issues of labour are sorted out in a way that will not keep investors from investing in our country that needs more investments," said Musonda.
Meanwhile, Mutati advised Sichinga to confine himself to issues of commerce, trade and industry to avoid misleading the nation.
Mutati said there was never illegal money printed by the Bank of Zambia during the MMD regime, and that was confirmed by Chikwanda.
"If you recall during the last sitting of Parliament, the Minister of Finance indicated that the banknotes are not an illegal tender," he said.
"So that chapter was closed and the country regained confidence in the currency that was in circulation and continued to use it as legal tender. So, from the opposition perspective, our concern is that we are being told that there is over K3 trillion when in actual fact the minister of finance said otherwise. This is a clear contradiction on a key national policy and it impacts on financial stability...So the government must tell us which minister is telling the truth. They must clarify."
On December 9, 2011, Chikwanda told Parliament that although BoZ violated the public procurement Act in awarding German company Giesecke and Devrient to print new kwacha notes, the banknotes were not illegal tender.
Mutati said the growing inconsistency on key policy pronouncements among government ministers was depressing investor confidence and confusing the general populous.
He said there was need for the PF government to work at building its image among local and international investors to attract large Foreign Direct Investments to make a dent on the high unemployment and poverty levels in the country.
"The general sense we are getting from investors, particularly with investors whether in or outside Zambia, is that the unrest that are taking place in the labour market are creating significant uncertainty," said Mutati who is also Lunte MMD member of parliament.
"When you have local investors worried, it even becomes more for those that are outside the country because investors talk to each other.
"Sometimes it's not what the government says but the conversation they have got with those that have already invested."
Labels: CHINESE, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, FELIX MUTATI, MICHAEL SATA, MINISTRIES, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY, MMD
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MUZ backs Kambwili's stance on investors
By Darious Kapembwa and Mwila Chansa-Ntambi
Sun 05 Feb. 2012, 12:59 CAT
THE Mine Workers Union has backed Chishimba Kambwili's tough stance against Chinese investors that abrogate the country's labour laws.
MUZ president Oswell Munyenyembe said in Kitwe yesterday that those that were condemning Kambwili, who is now sports and youth minister following the realignment of ministries by President Michael Sata on Friday, did not know how stubborn some Chinese investors were and how much they mistreated Zambian workers.
"Kambwili is just okay; the Chinese have been mistreating Zambian workers for a long time. They shot 11 miners in Sinazongwe last year. Miners have really suffered at the hands of the Chinese and those that are today condemning Kambwili have been silent when these Chinese have been mistreating their fellow Zambians," Munyenyembe said.
He added that complaints against Chinese investors' mistreatment of Zambian workers were not new but that they had persisted because of inaction.
"The Chinese can't bend if they are not handled by someone who is strong," Munyenyembe said.
He said while investment needed to be supported, it was also important that investors adhered to the provisions of the law.
Munyenyembe added that investment was supposed to benefit both the investors and people in the host nation where those investors invested and that if labour laws were abrogated, then that investment risked becoming futile.
Kambwili has recently come under fire from some sections of society for his hard-line stance against some investors that are abrogating labour laws.
Last week, Kambwili ordered the revocation of the work permit for Sinozam Friendship Hospital chief medical officer Dr Xisheng Qin, a Chinese national, for allegedly being rude.
Kambwili who toured Sinozam Hospital to verify alleged reports of poor conditions of service for employees was upset with Dr Xisheng when he started scolding him for quizzing him over the workers' conditions of service.
Kambwili and Dr Xisheng took each other on, calling each other rude.
Dr Xisheng said Kambwili was being rude by pointing at him while talking.
Kambwili asked his ministry officials to contact the Ministry of Home Affairs so that Dr Xisheng's work permit could be cancelled and gave him seven days to leave Zambia.
But President Sata, in announcing the realignment of ministries, said he made the changes to curb statements that had the potential to alarm the nation and investors alike.
"I would like to direct that the portfolio of tourism be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the labour portfolio be transferred from youth and sport to Ministry of Information, it shall be known as Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Labour," President Sata said.
"As a government, we have to be level-headed and not be seen to be inciting the public. I expect ministers to discourage strikes and lock-outs. Strikes or industrial unrests have a very negative effect on a fragile economy like ours. The same applies to lock-outs."
He said if not careful, some of the alarming statements had the potential to destroy the little the country has or the little strides it had made economically so far.
President Sata said the government knew that there were numerous shortcomings in almost all sectors but they would not be addressed through threats and being loud-mouthed.
Labels: CHINESE, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, LABOUR, MUZ, OSWELL MUNYENYEMBE
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Sata realigns 3 ministries, detaches labour from sport
By Bright Mukwasa
Sat 04 Feb. 2012, 13:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has with immediate effect detached labour from Chishimba Kambwili's portfolio.
In a statement issued by his special assistant for Press and Public Relations George Chellah, President Sata, who has realigned the ministries of sports, information, tourism and foreign affairs, said he made the changes to curb statements that had the potential to alarm the nation and investors alike.
Kambwili now only remains Minister of Sport and Youth.
"I would like to direct that the portfolio of tourism be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the labour portfolio be transferred from youth and sport to Ministry of Information. It shall be known as Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Labour," President Sata said.
"As a government, we have to be level-headed and not be seen to be inciting the public. I expect ministers to discourage strikes and lock-outs. Strikes or industrial unrests have a very negative effect on a fragile economy like ours. The same applies to lock-outs."
President Sata said if not careful, some of the alarming statements had the potential to destroy the little the country has or the little strides it had made economically so far.
He said the government knew that there were numerous short-comings in almost all sectors, but they would not be addressed through threats and being loud-mouthed.
Kambwili has recently made statements against investors, especially the Chinese, saying he would not tolerate anyone who abuses Zambian employees as long as he is labour minister.
In Ndola last week, Kambwili, who was recently moved from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs allegedly after complaints from diplomats, ordered the deportation of a Chinese medical officer at SinoZam Hospital for calling him rude.
And during the Kwacha Good Morning Zambia programme on Sunday, Kambwili said Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao could not intimidate him over his remarks on Chinese investors.
Kambwili explained that while he was on the Copperbelt inspecting some selected companies to check on workers' conditions of service, he was shocked by the treatment he got from one company run by a Chinese investor.
He said later, Ambassador Zhou even phoned the acting President, Alexander Chikwanda to complain that he (Kambwili) was intimidating Chinese investors.
Kambwili had said he was disappointed with some Chinese investors who were exploiting Zambians.
But Ambassador Zhou said it was unfortunate Kambwili had blown out of proportion the incident which occurred at Sinozam Friendship Hospital where the minister exchanged bitter words with the chief medical officer Xisheng Qin over workers' conditions of service resulting in the revocation of his work permit.
Ambassador Zhou, who asked the government to clear up the matter, said he was on holiday the time the incident happened.
"The minister is making groundless accusations on me. I was not even in town when the incident took place. I was in Kariba, then Livingstone showing my visiting daughter and my son in-law around…showing my daughter around to enjoy the beauty of your country. I only heard about the incident at Sinozam (Friendship Hospital) much later. I did not react because I understand he (Kambwili) has been making statements everywhere, anywhere so I had no reaction towards that," he said.
"I believe a responsible government will come out and say something because I did not say a single word and I did not make calls to anyone apart from he himself and I was told his phone was off, unfortunately."
Ambassador Zhou said that it was unfortunate that Chinese investors were still being portrayed in bad light in Zambia.
And President Sata said Zambians expected the government to handle the problems facing the country with sobriety.
"I am alive to the fact that most of my colleagues that have been appointed as ministers have no experience in these portfolios.
"Therefore, I strongly feel it's my duty to protect the image of the party, the government, the people of Zambia and the economy in general," he said.
"In my statement of 30th January, 2012, I enjoined and cautioned ministers not to make statements that did not reflect government policy or which had not been referred to and cleared by Cabinet.
"Statements on the economy made by ministers that are not the competent channels for the issues they raise are damaging to our credibility as a country. Policy consistency is a compelling need for all governments all over the world. As my very final warning, I ask all the ministers not to lead me into temptation."
President Sata has since directed the acting Secretary to the Cabinet Evans Chibiliti to proceed with all the necessary procedures and immediately implement the changes.Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, MICHAEL SATA, MINISTRIES
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President Sata moves Labour portfolio to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with immediate effect
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, February 3, 2012, 8:33 pm
President of Zambia Michael Sata has with immediate effect re-aligned three Government ministries. President Sata has directed the acting Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Evans Chibiliti to proceed with all the necessary procedures and immediately imeplement the changes.
“I would like to direct that the portfolio of Tourism be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Labour portifolio be transferred from Youth and Sport to Ministry of Information, it shall be known as Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Labour,” reads the President’s letter to Mr Chibiliti in part.
And the Head of State says the re-allignment has been done to curb statements that alarm the nation and investors alike.
“As a Government, we have to be level-headed and not be seen to be inciting the public. I expect ministers to discourage strikes and lock-outs. Strikes or industrial unrests have a very negative effect on a fragile economy like ours. The same applies to lock-outs,” President Sata said.
“If we are not careful, some of these alarming statements will even destroy the little we have or the little strides we have made economically so far. We know that there are numerous short-comings in almost all sectors but we will not address these shortcomings through threats and being loud-mouthed.”
President Sata said that Zambians expect the Government to handle the problems facing the country with sobriety.
“Policy consistency is a compelling need for all Governments all over the world. As my very final warning, I ask all the ministers not to lead me into temptation.”
“I am alive to the fact that most of my colleagues that have been appointed as Ministers have no experience in these portifolios. Therefore, I strongly feel its my duty to protect the image of the party, the Government, the people of Zambia and the economy in general,” the President said.
“In my statement of 30th January, 2012, I enjoined and cautioned ministers not to make statements that did not reflect Government policy or which had not been referred to and cleared by Cabinet. Statements on the economy made by ministers that are not the competent channels for the issues they raise are damaging to our credibility as a country.
“Policy consistency is a compelling need for all Governments all over the world. As my very final warning, I ask all the ministers not to lead me into temptation.”
Earlier today, Minister of Labour, Sports, Youth and Gender Chishimba Kambwili reiterated that the law will visit all those companies that are violating labour laws.
Speaking when he featured on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) radio 2 programme dubbed Workers Voice, the Minister said he was disappointed with the way some employers were treating their workers.
Mr. Kambwili said his Ministry will work hand in with Trade Unions to ensure that all workers are paid according to the work they do.
He emphasized that all employers who are not giving their workers good working conditions should revise them so as to motivate workers before law takes its course.
Mr. Kambwili who has come under fire from some section of society over his stance to caution investors violating worker right said he will not stop until he see the right thing done.
He said his government welcomes investors but wants them to respect labour laws, pay workers good salaries so that there is a win- win situation between workers and companies.
The Minister who also received reports during the programme of companies like Shoprite, Game Stores and Zam Beef paying little money (K300, 000 per month) said he will soon visit the companies to confirm the reports.
He said he cannot allow companies to continue abusing their workers by paying little monies which he said cannot even sustain them.
Mr. Kambwili stated that he will also not segregate in his tour of companies whether Chinese, Zambian or other companies by other nationalities adding that he wants the best for the Zambian workers.
He also disclosed that he will visit Shoprite on issues of casualisation adding that workers have complained of working for longer than six years without employed on a permanent basis.
“If the previous government was treating you with kids’ gloves, not with this government. I have on occasions visited Shoprite and randomly spoke to workers who have told me that they are contracts on for a year” said Mr.Kambwili.
“If the previous government was treating you with kids’ gloves, not with this government. I have on occasions visited Shoprite and randomly spoke to workers who have told me that they are on contracts for a year” said Mr.Kambwili.
He stated that the Patriotic Front (PF) government has started addressing the issue of pensioners and all the pensioners are going to be paid in time.
Mr. Kambwili has appealed to the Zambians to support the government in its quest to improve the welfare of employees and to go on zero tolerance of abuse of employees.
And speaking on the same programme Federation for Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) President Joyce Nonde Simukoko has said she is looking forward to the review of Labour laws in the country so that the Labour Unions and government can work properly.
Mrs. Simukoko said the Federation will support the Minister in his quest to bring sanity in the work place adding that her organization does not condone employers abusing their workers.
She stated that it is for the best interest of all workers that companies that violet workers right are closed adding that workers wants to see the government address the issue of labour .
She urged government to make ensure that workers are allowed to join Trade Unions by their employers so as to maintain the flow of information.
ZANIS
Labels: CASUALISATION, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, EVANS CHIBILITI, LABOUR, MICHAEL SATA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
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Zhou accuses Kambwili of lies
By Kombe Chimpinde, Allan Mulenga and Bright Mukwasa
Wed 01 Feb. 2012, 14:01 CAT
CHINESE Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao says labour minister Chishimba Kambwili must be moderate in handling labour-related matters concerning foreign investors in Zambia.
Irked by Kambwili's strong statement against him on ZNBC's Kwacha Good Morning Zambia programme, Ambassador Zhou said in an interview on Monday that Kambwili was making groundless accusations against him.
Kambwili had said on Sunday that Ambassador Zhou could not intimidate him over his remarks on Chinese investors.
Kambwili explained that while he was on the Copperbelt inspecting some selected companies to check on workers' conditions of service, he was shocked by the treatment he got from one company run by a Chinese investor.
Kambwili, who is also former foreign affairs minister, said later Ambassador Zhou even phoned the acting President, Alexander Chikwanda to complain that he (Kambwili) was intimidating Chinese investors.
Kambwili had said he was disappointed with some Chinese investors who were exploiting Zambians.
But Ambassador Zhou said it was unfortunate Kambwili had blown out of proportion the incident which occurred at Sinozam Friendship Hospital where the minister exchanged bitter words with the chief medical officer Xisheng Qin over workers' conditions of service resulting in the revocation of his work permit.
Ambassador Zhou, who asked the government to clear up the matter, said he was on holiday the time the incident happened.
"The minister is making groundless accusations on me. I was not even in town when the incident took place. I was in Kariba, then Livingstone, showing my visiting daughter and my son-in-law around…showing my daughter around to enjoy the beauty of your country. I only heard about the incident at Sinozam (Friendship Hospital) much later. I did not react because I understand he (Kambwili) has been making statements everywhere, anywhere so I had no reaction towards that," he said.
"I believe a responsible government will come out and say something because I did not say a single word and I did not make calls to anyone apart from he himself and I was told his phone was off unfortunately." Ambassador Zhou said that it was unfortunate that Chinese investors were still being portrayed in bad light in Zambia.
"I do not know why this is so, because Chinese input in Africa is the largest among all African countries but the approval rate of China by Zambia is the lowest among all African countries. That doesn't mean China is doing the worst in Zambia. There is only one political party (PF) in Africa that makes China an issue," Ambassador Zhou said.
"Everybody is saying Chinese are doing bad things. Chinese are doing good things we are contributing to the development of Zambia. We are doing bridges, we are doing roads, hospitals conference centres and agriculture projects, technology all these are good things. If you say we pay low wages, low wages compared with what? Single out 10 Chinese companies of yours and I am going to choose 10 companies and rate them one by one. If you are talking about perfect things that should be done by Chinese companies, you take me to 10 perfect Zambian companies we make a comparison."
Ambassador Zhou however said not all Chinese companies were perfect but that it should not be portrayed as the worst and perpetual violators of labour laws.
"I am not saying Chinese Companies are perfect, but are Liberian companies perfect? How come nobody is reporting imperfections of Zambian companies. Every day I have reports of Chinese robberies of companies but those never get in the newspapers."
Last week, Kambwili ordered the revocation of the work permit for Sinozam Friendship Hospital chief medical officer Dr Xisheng, a Chinese national, for allegedly being rude.
Kambwili who toured Sinozam Hospital to verify alleged reports of poor conditions of service for employees was upset with Dr Xisheng when he started scolding Kambwili for quizzing him over the workers' conditions of service. Kambwili and Dr Xisheng took each other on, calling each other rude.
Dr Xisheng said Kambwili was being rude by pointing at him while talking.
Kambwili asked his ministry officials to contact the Ministry of Home Affairs so that Dr Xisheng's work permit could be cancelled. He gave him seven days to leave Zambia.
Kambwili said he would ensure all investors, whether Zambians, Europeans and Asians among others adhered to Zambia's labour laws.
But political analyst Sishuwa Sishuwa urged Kambwili to demonstrate sobriety in his conduct towards employers in the country. Sishuwa, who is also a doctoral student of Modern History at Oxford University, charged that Kambwili was abusing the deportation Act that should not be abused but used sparingly.
He said it was wrong for Kambwili to use emotions and his position as minister to sort out other people.
"It is important to note that Qin is being deported for his considered rudeness, not failure to increase workers' salaries or better their working conditions. And the rudeness that the China man visited upon the Roan MP was a counter reaction to our dear minister's own rudeness. Both of them should accept that they erred and apologise to each other. In any case, what gives Kambwili the confidence and authority to issue such instructions to the Minister of Home Affairs?" he asked.
"Is Kambwili telling us something about Kennedy Sakeni that we do not know, that Sakeni is of the same ilk as him, existing to issue or carry out another minister's orders? What if Sakeni refuses to follow his instruction, not necessarily because he (Sakeni) sees anything wrong with the instruction, but rather because he doesn't want to be instructed? What will Kambwili do?"
Sishuwa said Kambwili was better in handling labour issues than Shamenda, but advised Kambwili to work on his noted weaknesses at his previous station and demonstrate sobriety in the way he deals with employers and other people.
Relations between Chinese nationals and the local people have not been without problems.
Most Chinese investors are seen as exploitative and paying meager salaries to the workers including giving poor working conditions. The problems between the Chinese and Zambians are also made worse because of the language barriers as some Chinese investors have problems speaking in English.
China has invested about US$2 billion in Zambia, mostly in copper mining projects. The International Human Rights Watch had in its recent report cited China as the worst violator of labour laws in Africa.
Labels: AMBASSADOR, CHINESE, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI
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Zhou accuses Kambwili of lies
By Kombe Chimpinde, Allan Mulenga and Bright Mukwasa
Wed 01 Feb. 2012, 14:01 CAT
CHINESE Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao says labour minister Chishimba Kambwili must be moderate in handling labour-related matters concerning foreign investors in Zambia.
Irked by Kambwili's strong statement against him on ZNBC's Kwacha Good Morning Zambia programme, Ambassador Zhou said in an interview on Monday that Kambwili was making groundless accusations against him.
Kambwili had said on Sunday that Ambassador Zhou could not intimidate him over his remarks on Chinese investors.
Kambwili explained that while he was on the Copperbelt inspecting some selected companies to check on workers' conditions of service, he was shocked by the treatment he got from one company run by a Chinese investor.
Kambwili, who is also former foreign affairs minister, said later Ambassador Zhou even phoned the acting President, Alexander Chikwanda to complain that he (Kambwili) was intimidating Chinese investors.
Kambwili had said he was disappointed with some Chinese investors who were exploiting Zambians.
But Ambassador Zhou said it was unfortunate Kambwili had blown out of proportion the incident which occurred at Sinozam Friendship Hospital where the minister exchanged bitter words with the chief medical officer Xisheng Qin over workers' conditions of service resulting in the revocation of his work permit.
Ambassador Zhou, who asked the government to clear up the matter, said he was on holiday the time the incident happened.
"The minister is making groundless accusations on me. I was not even in town when the incident took place. I was in Kariba, then Livingstone, showing my visiting daughter and my son-in-law around…showing my daughter around to enjoy the beauty of your country. I only heard about the incident at Sinozam (Friendship Hospital) much later. I did not react because I understand he (Kambwili) has been making statements everywhere, anywhere so I had no reaction towards that," he said.
"I believe a responsible government will come out and say something because I did not say a single word and I did not make calls to anyone apart from he himself and I was told his phone was off unfortunately." Ambassador Zhou said that it was unfortunate that Chinese investors were still being portrayed in bad light in Zambia.
"I do not know why this is so, because Chinese input in Africa is the largest among all African countries but the approval rate of China by Zambia is the lowest among all African countries. That doesn't mean China is doing the worst in Zambia. There is only one political party (PF) in Africa that makes China an issue," Ambassador Zhou said.
"Everybody is saying Chinese are doing bad things. Chinese are doing good things we are contributing to the development of Zambia. We are doing bridges, we are doing roads, hospitals conference centres and agriculture projects, technology all these are good things. If you say we pay low wages, low wages compared with what? Single out 10 Chinese companies of yours and I am going to choose 10 companies and rate them one by one. If you are talking about perfect things that should be done by Chinese companies, you take me to 10 perfect Zambian companies we make a comparison."
Ambassador Zhou however said not all Chinese companies were perfect but that it should not be portrayed as the worst and perpetual violators of labour laws.
"I am not saying Chinese Companies are perfect, but are Liberian companies perfect? How come nobody is reporting imperfections of Zambian companies. Every day I have reports of Chinese robberies of companies but those never get in the newspapers."
Last week, Kambwili ordered the revocation of the work permit for Sinozam Friendship Hospital chief medical officer Dr Xisheng, a Chinese national, for allegedly being rude.
Kambwili who toured Sinozam Hospital to verify alleged reports of poor conditions of service for employees was upset with Dr Xisheng when he started scolding Kambwili for quizzing him over the workers' conditions of service. Kambwili and Dr Xisheng took each other on, calling each other rude.
Dr Xisheng said Kambwili was being rude by pointing at him while talking.
Kambwili asked his ministry officials to contact the Ministry of Home Affairs so that Dr Xisheng's work permit could be cancelled. He gave him seven days to leave Zambia.
Kambwili said he would ensure all investors, whether Zambians, Europeans and Asians among others adhered to Zambia's labour laws.
But political analyst Sishuwa Sishuwa urged Kambwili to demonstrate sobriety in his conduct towards employers in the country. Sishuwa, who is also a doctoral student of Modern History at Oxford University, charged that Kambwili was abusing the deportation Act that should not be abused but used sparingly.
He said it was wrong for Kambwili to use emotions and his position as minister to sort out other people.
"It is important to note that Qin is being deported for his considered rudeness, not failure to increase workers' salaries or better their working conditions. And the rudeness that the China man visited upon the Roan MP was a counter reaction to our dear minister's own rudeness. Both of them should accept that they erred and apologise to each other. In any case, what gives Kambwili the confidence and authority to issue such instructions to the Minister of Home Affairs?" he asked.
"Is Kambwili telling us something about Kennedy Sakeni that we do not know, that Sakeni is of the same ilk as him, existing to issue or carry out another minister's orders? What if Sakeni refuses to follow his instruction, not necessarily because he (Sakeni) sees anything wrong with the instruction, but rather because he doesn't want to be instructed? What will Kambwili do?"
Sishuwa said Kambwili was better in handling labour issues than Shamenda, but advised Kambwili to work on his noted weaknesses at his previous station and demonstrate sobriety in the way he deals with employers and other people.
Relations between Chinese nationals and the local people have not been without problems.
Most Chinese investors are seen as exploitative and paying meager salaries to the workers including giving poor working conditions. The problems between the Chinese and Zambians are also made worse because of the language barriers as some Chinese investors have problems speaking in English.
China has invested about US$2 billion in Zambia, mostly in copper mining projects. The International Human Rights Watch had in its recent report cited China as the worst violator of labour laws in Africa.
Labels: AMBASSADOR, CHINESE, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI
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Ambassador Zhou can't intimidate me, says Kambwili
By Staff Reporters
Mon 30 Jan. 2012, 14:01 CAT
CHISHIMBA Kambwili says Chinese ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao cannot intimidate him. Appearing on ZNBC's Kwacha Good Morning Zambia programme yesterday, Kambwili, who is the Minister of Labour, said he was disappointed with some Chinese investors who were exploiting Zambians.
He said when he was on the Copperbelt inspecting some selected companies to check on workers' conditions of service, he was shocked by the treatment he got at one company run by a Chinese investor. Kambwili said one of the investors at one company even had the courage to call him ‘rude'.
Kambwili, who is former foreign affairs minister, said later, Ambassador Zhou even phoned the acting president Alexander Chikwanda to complain that he (Kambwili) was intimidating Chinese investors.
He wondered what kind of treatment ordinary Zambians and workers would get from a manager who had a courage to call a minister ‘rude'.
He said that in the past, another investor had the courage to label a permanent secretary as being childish.
He said the Chinese Ambassador would not intimidate him because he wanted workers to be respected.
"I will not be intimidated by the Chinese Ambassador," he said.
Kambwili said his quest for better working conditions for Zambians was not only targeted at the Chinese investors.
He said he would ensure all investors, whether Zambian, European or Asian adhered to Zambia's labour laws.
Last week, Kambwili ordered the revocation of the work permit for Sinozam Friendship Hospital chief medical officer Dr Xisheng Qin, a Chinese, for allegedly being rude.
Kambwili, who toured Sinozam Hospital to verify reports of poor conditions of service for employees was upset with Dr Xisheng when he started scolding him for quizzing him over the workers' conditions of service.
Kambwili and Dr Xisheng took each other on, calling each other rude.
Dr Xisheng said Kambwili was being rude by pointing at him while talking.
Kambwili asked his ministry officials to contact the Ministry of Home Affairs so that Dr Xisheng's work permit could be cancelled.
He gave the doctor seven days to leave Zambia.
Relations between Chinese nationals and the local people have not been without problems.
Chinese investors are seen as exploitative and paying meagre salaries to the workers, with working conditions that are pathetic.
The problems between the Chinese and Zambians are also made worse because of the language barrier as some Chinese investors have problems communicating in English.
China has invested about US$2 billion in Zambia, mostly in copper mining projects.
Labels: AMBASSADOR, CHINESE, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, LABOUR
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Zhou accuses Kambwili of lies
By Kombe Chimpinde, Allan Mulenga and Bright Mukwasa
Wed 01 Feb. 2012, 14:01 CAT
CHINESE Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao says labour minister Chishimba Kambwili must be moderate in handling labour-related matters concerning foreign investors in Zambia. Irked by Kambwili's strong statement against him on ZNBC's Kwacha Good Morning Zambia programme, Ambassador Zhou said in an interview on Monday that Kambwili was making groundless accusations against him.
Kambwili had said on Sunday that Ambassador Zhou could not intimidate him over his remarks on Chinese investors. Kambwili explained that while he was on the Copperbelt inspecting some selected companies to check on workers' conditions of service, he was shocked by the treatment he got from one company run by a Chinese investor.
Kambwili, who is also former foreign affairs minister, said later Ambassador Zhou even phoned the acting President, Alexander Chikwanda to complain that he (Kambwili) was intimidating Chinese investors.
Kambwili had said he was disappointed with some Chinese investors who were exploiting Zambians.
But Ambassador Zhou said it was unfortunate Kambwili had blown out of proportion the incident which occurred at Sinozam Friendship Hospital where the minister exchanged bitter words with the chief medical officer Xisheng Qin over workers' conditions of service resulting in the revocation of his work permit.
Ambassador Zhou, who asked the government to clear up the matter, said he was on holiday the time the incident happened.
"The minister is making groundless accusations on me. I was not even in town when the incident took place. I was in Kariba, then Livingstone, showing my visiting daughter and my son-in-law around…showing my daughter around to enjoy the beauty of your country. I only heard about the incident at Sinozam (Friendship Hospital) much later. I did not react because I understand he (Kambwili) has been making statements everywhere, anywhere so I had no reaction towards that," he said.
"I believe a responsible government will come out and say something because I did not say a single word and I did not make calls to anyone apart from he himself and I was told his phone was off unfortunately." Ambassador Zhou said that it was unfortunate that Chinese investors were still being portrayed in bad light in Zambia.
"I do not know why this is so, because Chinese input in Africa is the largest among all African countries but the approval rate of China by Zambia is the lowest among all African countries. That doesn't mean China is doing the worst in Zambia. There is only one political party (PF) in Africa that makes China an issue," Ambassador Zhou said.
"Everybody is saying Chinese are doing bad things. Chinese are doing good things we are contributing to the development of Zambia. We are doing bridges, we are doing roads, hospitals conference centres and agriculture projects, technology all these are good things. If you say we pay low wages, low wages compared with what? Single out 10 Chinese companies of yours and I am going to choose 10 companies and rate them one by one. If you are talking about perfect things that should be done by Chinese companies, you take me to 10 perfect Zambian companies we make a comparison."
Ambassador Zhou however said not all Chinese companies were perfect but that it should not be portrayed as the worst and perpetual violators of labour laws.
"I am not saying Chinese Companies are perfect, but are Liberian companies perfect? How come nobody is reporting imperfections of Zambian companies. Every day I have reports of Chinese robberies of companies but those never get in the newspapers."
Last week, Kambwili ordered the revocation of the work permit for Sinozam Friendship Hospital chief medical officer Dr Xisheng, a Chinese national, for allegedly being rude.
Kambwili who toured Sinozam Hospital to verify alleged reports of poor conditions of service for employees was upset with Dr Xisheng when he started scolding Kambwili for quizzing him over the workers' conditions of service. Kambwili and Dr Xisheng took each other on, calling each other rude.
Dr Xisheng said Kambwili was being rude by pointing at him while talking.
Kambwili asked his ministry officials to contact the Ministry of Home Affairs so that Dr Xisheng's work permit could be cancelled. He gave him seven days to leave Zambia.
Kambwili said he would ensure all investors, whether Zambians, Europeans and Asians among others adhered to Zambia's labour laws.
But political analyst Sishuwa Sishuwa urged Kambwili to demonstrate sobriety in his conduct towards employers in the country. Sishuwa, who is also a doctoral student of Modern History at Oxford University, charged that Kambwili was abusing the deportation Act that should not be abused but used sparingly.
He said it was wrong for Kambwili to use emotions and his position as minister to sort out other people.
"It is important to note that Qin is being deported for his considered rudeness, not failure to increase workers' salaries or better their working conditions. And the rudeness that the China man visited upon the Roan MP was a counter reaction to our dear minister's own rudeness. Both of them should accept that they erred and apologise to each other. In any case, what gives Kambwili the confidence and authority to issue such instructions to the Minister of Home Affairs?" he asked.
"Is Kambwili telling us something about Kennedy Sakeni that we do not know, that Sakeni is of the same ilk as him, existing to issue or carry out another minister's orders? What if Sakeni refuses to follow his instruction, not necessarily because he (Sakeni) sees anything wrong with the instruction, but rather because he doesn't want to be instructed? What will Kambwili do?"
Sishuwa said Kambwili was better in handling labour issues than Shamenda, but advised Kambwili to work on his noted weaknesses at his previous station and demonstrate sobriety in the way he deals with employers and other people.
Relations between Chinese nationals and the local people have not been without problems.
Most Chinese investors are seen as exploitative and paying meager salaries to the workers including giving poor working conditions. The problems between the Chinese and Zambians are also made worse because of the language barriers as some Chinese investors have problems speaking in English.
China has invested about US$2 billion in Zambia, mostly in copper mining projects. The International Human Rights Watch had in its recent report cited China as the worst violator of labour laws in Africa.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, LABOUR
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Retired magistrate comes to Kambwili's defence
By Mwila Ntambi in Kitwe
Wed 01 Feb. 2012, 13:59 CAT
ZAMBIA went ‘mad' and therefore needs ‘mad' people to turn it around, according to a Kitwe-based retired magistrate Chinyemba Kambanja. And Kambanja has urged the government to ensure that labour laws are not adhered to by foreigners only but also local investors including the government itself. In an interview, Kambanja commended labour minister Chishimba Kambwili for his efforts to ensure that Zambian labour laws are enforced and adhered to.
"Many a time we have pieces of legislation that are just lying around but the previous government had not bothered to implement them. Remember that if the law is not invoked, it will be deemed to be dead and people will not recognise it," Kambanja said.
He added that it was the government's responsibility to ensure that laws were implemented and that Kambwili had taken a step in the right direction. On public concerns that Kambwili lacks diplomacy in handling labour issues, Kambanja said treating people with kid gloves would not change anything.
"Well, you see I think there's nothing diplomatic about this thing you know. If I may use this word loosely…Zambia went ‘mad' and we need ‘mad' people to turn it around. I am using the word mad in inverted commas not that he's mad, no! But we need people who are pragmatic. Treating people with tender gloves will not work and that is exactly what is happening," said Kambanja.
He added that even if it were a Zambian who invested in another country, they would be required to fully comply with the labour laws in that particular country.
He said there was nothing wrong in asking foreign investors to adhere to the Zambian labour laws.
And Kambanja implored Kambwili not to just concentrate on visiting work-places run by foreigners but also those operated by Zambians.
He observed that most Zambians especially those working in private schools were subjected to poor conditions of service and did not even have security of tenure.
Kambanja also advised the government to take a leading role in ensuring that its own employees were properly remunerated.
Labels: CHINYEMBA KAMBANJA, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, LABOUR
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Sata tells ministers to Stick to procedure
By Joan Chirwa-Ngoma
Tue 31 Jan. 2012, 13:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has warned his ministers against making pronouncements that are not in line with government policy.
But economic consultant Professor Oliver Saasa says President Sata's statement signals the lack of coordination in the government, cautioning that there must be careful consultation among stakeholders before salary hikes are effected for public workers to avoid overstressing the economy.
In apparent reference to recent announcements of salary increments by government officials, President Sata cautioned ministers and other government officials against taking approaches that were away from established procedure.
"Ministers and government officers should not resort to arbitrary positions which can only induce loss of confidence in the country and in the process undermine progress which is essential and crucial to achieving poverty alleviation and reduction within the shortest time possible," President Sata said in a press release issued by State House deputy Press Secretary Amos Chanda.
"Government style and policy is to discuss with employers and workers, matters of mutual interest following the statutory channels and procedures. To this effect, some of the approaches pursued by individuals in government are adrift with established procedure. Labour unions are free to bargain with employers on salary or wage settlements as by law established."
President Sata said employers must guard against inflationary pressures when adjusting salaries for their workers.
"In the interest of the economy, the President's guidance, save for the special case of workers in the medical sector, is that the salary adjustments stay as close to inflation as possible. This is necessary to avoid triggering inflationary spirals which would then render salary increases futile," said President Sata.
Last week, labour minister Chishimba Kambwili announced in Ndola that the government had increased salaries for all health workers by 100 per cent, a decision that has the potential of triggering inflationary pressures on the local economy.
Kambwili said the pay rise would boost morale among health workers across the country.
But Prof Saasa, in an interview, said the principle behind salary increments for health workers was not bad except that the decision may pose serious fiscal challenges on the government.
"Is he President Sata thinking twice about it? It is government's duty to ensure they health workers are properly remunerated. The principle is not bad. But how much salaries go up should go with how much the government is able to pay. If you don't work this out, it will be a serious fiscal challenge. If you are passing too much money suddenly, all people will do is to peg their prices a little bit higher because people's purchases power has increased," he warned.
"The capacity of the government needs to be weighed to be able to handle the up-scaled salaries…Government shouldn't overstress the economy to a level where it might get depressed. Consultation is essential in the government."
Prof Saasa said President Sata's statement signals that there is little or no coordination in the government to a point where some ministers could make pronouncements that have far-reaching consequences on the economy.
"Is what these ministers are doing in line with what the president wants done? There must be guidance from State House," said Prof Saasa.
Last week, Judiciary officials also pressed the government for a salary increase by staging a one-day work stoppage as they demanded a K2 million rise across the board.
Investors have also promised to adjust salaries for their employees, with Konkola Copper Mines granting a 17 per cent pay rise to its employees effective January 1.
Labels: AMOS CHANDA, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, MICHAEL SATA, OLIVER SAASA
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COMMENT - Why are chinese managers called 'investors'? An investor is just that - someone who buys stocks and other equities in a company. Why call managers 'investors'?
Ambassador Zhou can't intimidate me, says Kambwili
By Staff Reporters
Mon 30 Jan. 2012, 14:01 CAT
CHISHIMBA Kambwili says Chinese ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao cannot intimidate him. Appearing on ZNBC's Kwacha Good Morning Zambia programme yesterday, Kambwili, who is the Minister of Labour, said he was disappointed with some Chinese investors who were exploiting Zambians.
He said when he was on the Copperbelt inspecting some selected companies to
check on workers' conditions of service, he was shocked by the treatment he got at one company run by a Chinese investor.
Kambwili said one of the investors at one company even had the courage to call him ‘rude'.
Kambwili, who is former foreign affairs minister, said later, Ambassador Zhou even phoned the acting president Alexander Chikwanda to complain that he (Kambwili) was intimidating Chinese investors.
He wondered what kind of treatment ordinary Zambians and workers would get from a manager who had a courage to call a minister ‘rude'.
He said that in the past, another investor had the courage to label a permanent secretary as being childish.
He said the Chinese Ambassador would not intimidate him because he wanted workers to be respected.
"I will not be intimidated by the Chinese Ambassador," he said.
Kambwili said his quest for better working conditions for Zambians was not only targeted at the Chinese investors.
He said he would ensure all investors, whether Zambian, European or Asian adhered to Zambia's labour laws.
Last week, Kambwili ordered the revocation of the work permit for Sinozam Friendship Hospital chief medical officer Dr Xisheng Qin, a Chinese, for allegedly being rude.
Kambwili, who toured Sinozam Hospital to verify reports of poor conditions of service for employees was upset with Dr Xisheng when he started scolding him for quizzing him over the workers' conditions of service.
Kambwili and Dr Xisheng took each other on, calling each other rude.
Dr Xisheng said Kambwili was being rude by pointing at him while talking.
Kambwili asked his ministry officials to contact the Ministry of Home Affairs so that Dr Xisheng's work permit could be cancelled.
He gave the doctor seven days to leave Zambia.
Relations between Chinese nationals and the local people have not been without problems.
Chinese investors are seen as exploitative and paying meagre salaries to the workers, with working conditions that are pathetic.
The problems between the Chinese and Zambians are also made worse because of the language barrier as some Chinese investors have problems communicating in English.
China has invested about US$2 billion in Zambia, mostly in copper mining projects.
Labels: AMBASSADOR, CHINA, CHINESE, CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, FDI, LABOUR
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Health workers get 100% salary hike
TIME PUBLISHED - Thursday, January 26, 2012, 8:20 am
GOVERNMENT has increased salaries for all health workers by 100 percent, Minister of Labour, Sport and Youth Chishimba Kambwili said in Ndola yesterday. He said the pay rise will boost morale among health workers across the country.
“Today , we have increased the salaries for all our health workers by 100 percent, so when the PF government says it is putting more money into people’s pockets, we mean business and we are serious,” Mr Kambwili said.
The minister was speaking after visiting Morganite Limited. He said Government is concerned about the poor salaries many workers get across the country.
Mr Kambwili said the salary increment for health workers is an indication that Government is committed to improving salaries for civil servants, as promised during election campaigns.
And in another development, Mr Kambwili has ordered Morganite Limited general manager Stanley Kampo to report to the ministry next Tuesday.
The minister said Government is concerned with reports that Mr Kampo abuses workers and insults them.
“First of all, I am shocked that the person we are talking about is a Zambian and honestly, how can he do that to fellow Zambians? I want him next Tuesday at my office so that he can answer the allegations,” Mr Kambwili said.
“Today , we have increased the salaries for all our health workers by 100 percent, so when the PF government says it is putting more money into people’s pockets, we mean business and we are serious,” Mr Kambwili said.
He was speaking at Morganite Limited after paying a surprise visit to the company. The minister also ordered management to engage a human resource manager to help the company with personnel issues. Mr Kambwili said management should also allow workers to form a union.
And workers complained about the poor salaries offered by management. One worker said the pay slip does not indicate the housing allowance paid to workers and that they have not had a salary increment for the past four years.
Meanwhile, PRESIDENT Sata has asked Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda to explore ways of doubling remuneration of Zambian doctors as a way of putting more money in their pockets and improve health.
Mr. Sata also said rural health centres in the country are in a deplorable state and it is important to improve the doctor to patient ratio by having more doctors attend to patients in rural centres.
“I am pleading with the Minister of Finance,” President Sata said. “We have to find ways of doubling salaries for doctors to beat others in the region, so that we can attract our doctors back.”
If the doctors wages are doubled, a junior Zambian doctor from the University of Zambia could take home about K10 million which is still less than their colleagues in Nambia and South Africa.
President Sata said this at State House yesterday after he swore in a deputy minister, a permanent secretary and ambassadors and high commissioners.
He regretted that it has taken long for some ambassadors and high commissioners to take up their positions despite being appointed as far back as October last year, because of the poor record previous office holders left behind and urged new diplomats to exhibit exemplary behaviour.
“I am pleading with the Minister of Finance,” President Sata said. “We have to find ways of doubling salaries for doctors to beat others in the region, so that we can attract our doctors back.”
Mr Sata said it is important to have more doctors in the country to improve the health profile of citizens and make sure the PF manifesto is implemented.
The President’s directive is in line with the Patriotic Front campaign promise to improve the health sector by facilitating the building of vital infrastructure that will deliver primary healthcare as close to the people as possible.
In its manifesto on human resource, the PF says it intends to improve conditions of service to minimise the brain-drain.
It also plans to “rehabilitate and expand existing health training institutions to increase the number of graduates”.
Recently, President Sata announced an ambitious plan to erect some 650 health centres countrywide to make health care more accessible.
He said the new health posts are lined up as follows: 98 in Southern Province while Central Province will have 52 and Western Province will have 62 new health posts.
Mr Sata said new health posts will bring with them the benefits of boosting the construction sector and consequently job creation during the construction phase, plus greater access to health, especially in rural areas.
Northern Province will have 107 new health posts while North-Western Province will have 74. Lusaka Province will have 27, Luapula 63, Eastern 68 and Copperbelt 87.
The President said the health posts and residence facilities will be equipped with solar systems, equipment and furniture, hand pumps, medicines, dressing materials, electricity and running water.
President Sata also instructed the Minister of Health Dr Joseph Kasonde to step up the recruitment of health personnel both locally and abroad to ensure that the new health posts are adequately staffed.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, HEALTHCARE, NURSES
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