President Michael Sata retires Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Evans Chibiliti
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, September 14, 2012, 1:00 pm
President Michael Sata has retired Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Evans Chibiliti in public interest. This is contained in a statement made available to the media by State House.
The President expressed gratitude to Mr. Chibiliti for the services he rendered to the nation during his tenure as head of the civil service.
And President Sata has appointed Dr Rowland Msiska as acting Secretary to the Cabinet. Until now, Dr Msiska has been serving as deputy Secretary to the Cabinet.
“I wish you well in this appointment and I am confident that you will perform to the expectations of the people of Zambia,” read President Sata’s letter to Dr Msiska in part.
Dr Msiska’s work experience spurns over two decades at global, regional and national level. He has worked as Global Systems Advisor [UNAIDS - Geneva], Chief Technical Advisor [UNDP - Senegal], Director Southern Africa Capacity Initiative [UNDP], Director HIV and Development for Africa [UNDP] and Executive Director for the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management among others.
The changes are with immediate effect.
Labels: EVANS CHIBILITI, MICHAEL SATA
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Government will reward innovations aimed at improved public service accountability - Chibiliti
By Abigail Sitengi
Sun 24 June 2012, 13:29 CAT
SECRETARY to the Cabinet Evans Chibiliti said the government is determined to promote and reward innovations that are justifiable and capable of improving transparency and accountability in the public service.
Speaking during the commemoration of Africa Public Service Day at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka yesterday, Chibiliti said innovations and initiatives in improving the delivery of public service should be viewed as a continuous process in the development of the country.
Chibiliti however said he was concerned that while the efforts made by the public service in developing brilliant policy documents and strategies were commendable, the rate of implementation and quality left much to be desired.
"I therefore expect all government ministries and institutions to exhibit total commitment towards implementation of policies and programmes," he said.
He also said it was important for all departments to develop standards of service delivery for which the public could hold them accountable.
Chibiliti explained that service delivery charters would make corruption and other forms of misconduct by public service workers easier to detect and correct.
"The charters when effectively implemented will help in identifying specific cases of poor performance, mal administration and improper use of discretion in decision making," he said.
He further said the government was committed to accelerating implementation of the code of ethics for the public service by providing the required political leadership.
The Africa Public Service Day this year was celebrated under the theme 'Capacity development for implementation of the African Charter on values and principles of public service and administration towards developmental states'.
Labels: EVANS CHIBILITI, TRANSPARANCY
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Kabimba is next to Scott in protocol
By Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 26 Apr. 2012, 13:50 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has directed Secretary to the Cabinet Evans Chibiliti to ensure that PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba is acknowledged immediately after Vice-President Guy Scott at all state functions.
The directive was issued in a letter dated April 10, 2012 addressed to Chibiliti and copied to ministers and permanent secretaries and has since been copied and communicated to all relevant government ministries and departments for immediate implementation.
And sources said the clarification in the protocol, however, does not mean Kabimba has assumed any position in government or that he would sit in Cabinet meetings.
"Re: ORDER OF THE PROTOCOL AT STATE FUNCTIONS: I am in receipt of a copy of the letter by the secretary general (PF) dated 13th March, 2012, regarding the above matter," the letter directed to Kabimba and Chibiliti reads in part.
"I totally share the concerns and anxieties as expressed by the secretary general in his letter and hereby direct that your office takes them into serious consideration and acts upon them in conjunction with other relevant officers immediately."
President Sata stated that: "For avoidance of any doubt, the protocol at state functions shall now be as prescribed below: 1. His honour the Vice-President. 2. The secretary general (PF). 3. His lordship the Chief Justice. 4. The RT. Hon Mr Speaker of the National Assembly. 5. Members of the Central Committee . 6. Cabinet ministers. 7. His worship the Mayor. 8. Deputy ministers. 9. Members of Parliament…."
President Sata further added that if present at any particular function, the first lady shall be acknowledged immediately after him.
According to sources, the directive was prompted by the disorderly manner in which sitting arrangements of the party secretary general at state functions and other protocol-related matters were handled by staff in charge of protocol at State House, which Kabimba addressed in a letter to Chibiliti, that was also copied to President Sata.
And Chibiliti, in a letter addressed to permanent secretary for Administration at Cabinet Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism permanent secretary and Kabimba, said he had noted the need for the government to work together with the political leadership on their relationship with members of the diplomatic corps.
"It has been noted that it will be important for government to work together with your office to sensitise government and political leadership on their relationship with members of the Diplomatic Corps. It has been noted that government and political leadership are easily accessible by the members of the diplomatic Corp without the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism," he stated.
"This is contrary to the international norms as provided in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, and National Protocol guidelines."
Chibiliti stated that the provisions were aimed at ensuring sovereignty and security of a country.
"It has therefore been agreed that this matter will be presented to Cabinet. However, there is need for my office to work together with the party to sensitise the political leadership in this respect," stated Chibiliti.
Labels: EVANS CHIBILITI, GUY SCOTT, VICE PRESIDENCY, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Government declares state funeral for Nakatindi
By Bright Mukwasa
Sun 08 Apr. 2012, 13:29 CAT
THE government yesterday declared a state funeral for the late Princess Nakatindi Wina who died at Milpark Hospital in South Africa on Thursday. And former finance minister Ngandu Magande says the death of Princess Nakatindi was a big loss to her family and the country.
In a statement yesterday, Secretary to the Cabinet Evans Chibiliti announced that late Princess Nakatindi, who served the country in various capacities including that of minister of community development and social welfare between 1993 and 1994, had been accorded a state funeral by government.
Princess Nakatindi was evacuated to Milpark Hospital in South Africa by government in March, 2012 for specialist treatment.
"The government has sent the Minister of Gender and Child Development Inonge Wina to South Africa to be with the bereaved family while arrangements are being made in consultation with the family to bring her body back home as soon as possible," Chibiliti said.
Princess Nakatindi's body is expected in the country on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Magande, who is president of National Movement for Progress, praised Princess Nakatindi's and her family's contributions to the political developments of the country.
Magande also said the couple's love had demonstrated how family values could contribute to national development saying it was from strong families that a sound nation could be built.
Labels: EVANS CHIBILITI, NG'ANDU MAGANDE, OBITUARIES
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Chirundu, Itezhi-tezhi leave S/Province
By Bright Mukwasa
Tue 07 Feb. 2012, 13:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has with immediate removed Chirundu and Itezhi tezhi from Southern Province and added the districts to Lusaka and Central provinces, respectively.
But UPND chairman for elections Ackson Sejani says it is unwise to remove Chirundu from Southern Province and put it to Lusaka. Meanwhile, President Sata has appointed Evans Chibiliti as Secretary to the Cabinet subject to ratification by Parliament.
He has also appointed youth and sports permanent secretary Teddy Mulonga as deputy secretary to the Cabinet in charge of administration.
In a memorandum to Chibiliti, President Sata directed that a government gazette notice be issued to move the recently created Chirundu district from Southern Province to Lusaka and Itezhi-tezhi district to Central Province.
President Sata consequently directed that the Surveyor-General moves in quickly to align the boundaries of the two districts on the new provinces to which they have been re-located.
President Sata said the re-alignment was part of his robust programme to give practical expression to the decentralisation programme and eventual devolution of power to districts.
"In line with our government policy guided by the Patriotic Front manifesto, we consider local government as a central feature of the party's broader aspiration of a well devolved power structure where decision-making processes are as close as possible to the people," President Sata said in a statement issued by his special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah.
He said the decentralisation policy would only show results once practical steps are taken to properly position both geographical and administrative systems.
"It is a fact that a district such as Itezhi-tezhi is difficult to administer and pose huge logistical problems to be serviced because it is poorly located from the central administration point in Southern Province," President Sata said. "For instance, to efficiently access Itezhi-tezhi, people have to pass through Lusaka and Central provinces. It is for this reason that this government sees an urgent need to discontinue this sad scenario which has denied our people the much needed development for many years now."
President Sata said the move to re-align the districts was in a bid to improve service delivery and public administration.
But Sejani, during a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, said the decision to move Chirundu and Itezhi-tezhi from Southern Province to Lusaka and Central provinces, respectively could only be from a person who has a hidden agenda beyond what had been explained.
"Chirundu is historically, culturally, economically, politically part and parcel of Gwembe Valley that stretches from Chirundu to Livingstone. It would therefore be unwise to suggest that Chirundu is moved from Southern Province. This will not be allowed to happen in a democratic dispensation," Sejani said.
He also said the proposal to move Itezhi-tezhi from Southern to Central Province would disorient the local people.
"Imagine what will become of Southern Province if Chirundu is taken to Lusaka Province and Itezhi-tezhi to Central province, meaning the Kariba and new Itezhi-tezhi hydro-power stations will be removed from Southern Province. These boundary schemes are meant to deny some provinces of key revenue sources after devolution of power," he said.
Sejani advised President Sata and the PF administration to appoint an inclusive delimitation commission so that national consensus is achieved in the process of decentralisation.
Labels: ACKSON SEJANI, CHIRUNDU, DECENTRALIZATION, DISTRICTS, EVANS CHIBILITI, MICHAEL SATA, PROVINCES
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President Sata moves Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi districts from Southern Province, UPND reacts
TIME PUBLISHED - Monday, February 6, 2012, 1:49 pm
President Michael Sata has with immediate re-aligned two districts in Southern Province in a bid to improve service delivery and public administration. In a memorandum to the Acting Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Evans Chibiliti, President Sata directed that a Government Gazette Notice be issued to move the recently created Chirundu District from Southern Province to Lusaka and Itezhi Tezhi District to Central Province.
The President consequently directed that the Surveyor-General moves in quickly to align the boundaries of the two districts on the the new provinces to which they have been re-located. The re-alignment is part of the President’s robust programme to give practical expression to the decentralisation programme and eventual devolution of power to districts.
“In line with our Government policy guided by the Patriotic Front Manifesto, we consider local government as a central feature of the party’s broader aspiration of a well devolved power structure where decision-making processes are as close as possible to the people,”the President said.
The President takes a view that the Decentralisation Policy will only show results once practical steps are taken to properly position both geographical and administrative systems.
“It is a fact that a district such as Itezhi Tezhi is difficult to administer and pose huge logistical problems to be serviced because it is poorly located from the central adminstration point in Southern Province,”President Sata said.
“For instance, to efficiently access Itezhi Tezhi, people have to pass through Lusaka and Central provinces. It is for this reason that this Government sees an urgent need to discontinue this sad scenario which has denied our people the much needed development for many years now.”
Meanwhile, President Sata has appointed Mr. Evans Chibiliti as Secretary to the Cabinet subject to Parliament’s approval. And the Head of State has promoted Youth and Sports permanent secretary Mr. Teddy Mulonga as the new Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet in-charge of Administration.
And the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has accused President Michael Sata of attempting to redraw the map of the country in an effort to gain political advantage.
UPND Chairman for elections Ackson Sejani says there is no way President Sata can decide to move Chirundu from Southern Province to Lusaka province without consultation from necessary stakeholders.
Mr. Sejani says the PF government should be careful with their maneuvers stating that if not stopped, they the potential bring about strife in the country.
He told a media briefing in Lusaka this morning that President Sata is only making such decisions to reward chiefs that supported him during elections with paramount Chief positions.
Mr. Sejani says the UPND will use every mean to ensure that the shifting of Chirundu to southern province is not done.
And Siavonga Member of Parliament Kennedy Hamudulu says the people of southern province will not accept any changes in the province.
Mr. Hamudulu says if the government saw it fit to make changes, it would have followed the right procedure of consultation instead of using the back door.
The Patriotic Front (PF) government is alleged to be in the process of moving Chirundu from being part of Southern province to Lusaka province.
QFM
Labels: DECENTRALIZATION, DISTRICTS, EVANS CHIBILITI, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MICHAEL SATA, PF
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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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Ex-ruling party illegally printed dud money, reveals Sata
SATA_ANNOYED2
By DEAN MWAANGA
THE ‘sins’ of the past seem to be catching up with the MMD while in government with revelations that former President Rupiah Banda’s administration illegally printed money using two unnamed printers apart from the official Thomas De La Rue.
President Sata revealed yesterday that the illegal money is in circulation and is also
being used to antagonise and dilute the effect of the Patriotic Front (PF) government.He expressed disappointment with Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja and his deputy Evans Chibiliti for not informing the new government about the printing of new Kwacha notes.
“Mr Chibiliti worked at the Bank of Zambia and we have been in government for more than two months. Mr Chibiliti and his Secretary to the Cabinet have not been kind enough to let us know that the previous government illegally printed money from two other printers apart from De La Rue and this money is circulating,” Mr Sata said as the seemingly bemused pair of Dr Kanganja and Mr Chibiliti looked at each other.
Mr Sata made the revelation during a swearing-in ceremony for three deputy ministers and three other members of the technical committee set up to draft a new constitution.
Efforts to get a comment from former Bank of Zambia governor Caleb Fundanga and former Finance and national Planning minister Situmbeko Musokotwane failed.
Last week, the Bank of Zambia issued a statement in which it confirmed that it offered a contract to a German firm, Giesecke and Devrient GmbH (G and D), to print the Kwacha for 2010- 2012.
There is also Sabn printing Kwacha notes in Zambia.
Premier Consult executive director Oliver Saasa said governments can inappropriately print money through deficit financing but said the exercise can be costly to the economy if the money is left to circulate for a long time.
Professor Saasa said more money in circulation triggers inflation.
He said the money in circulation should be equivalent to gold and diamond in reserve at the Bank of Zambia.
“If you leave it longer in circulation it triggers inflation because it disturbs the equilibrium of money in supply,” Prof Saasa said.
He said countries like Argentina and Brazil ended up with crises 20 years ago because of over-printing money in an economy.
Prof Saasa said in Africa, Uganda experienced a similar problem because of the problem caused by having more money chasing few goods.
The deputy ministers sworn in are for Agriculture, Brigadier-General Benson Kapaya, David Mabumba for Education and Dr Mutaba Mwali for Transport, Works, Supply and Communication.
Dr Rodger Chongwe, Council of Churches in Zambia secretary-general Reverend Suzanne Matale and Father Ivis Chituba were sworn in as members of the technical committee set up to draft the new republican Constitution.
The President accused his predecessor of appointing a committee of three chiefs who are going round the country to “antagonise and dilute the effects of the PF government using the fake money.”
Mr Sata, who did not name the chiefs, said Government is aware of their activities and where they are.
“We don’t want to make noise because we are following them; wherever they are, we are also there. We know what they are doing,” the President said.
Mr Sata said instead of going round to look at the benefits of traditional leaders, the three chiefs are trying to disturb the works of Government and warned that they risk contravening the Chiefs Act.
“What they should do is to hire privately Rodger Chongwe to assist them understand what the law concerning the Chiefs Act says and what they are risking. I congratulate them for being appointed and using fake money.
“We know where they are, we know the chiefs they have met and we know who they are meeting today. And those chiefs they have met are coming to tell us,” he said.
House of Chiefs chairperson, Chief Madzimawe wondered why former President Banda would appoint a committee to go round the country and destabilise Government.
“He had his time (and) now it’s Mr Sata’s time to govern,” he said.
Chief Madzimawe denied involvement in any scheme to discredit the PF government, saying all well-meaning chiefs would not want to antagonise a serving Government.
He called for an investigation so that those involved are exposed.
At the time of the interview, Chief Madzimawe said he was in Nyimba on his way to Chipata from Lusaka where he attended an HIV and AIDS workplace policy organised by the International Labour Organisation.
Chief Madzimawe said President Sata should have named the chiefs involved.
And Mr Sata said his appointment of committees is backed by law which empowers him to do so.
He told the deputy ministers who were sworn in to respect their ministers, warning that the PF will go to their constituencies and discredit them if they fail to heed his advice.
“If you don’t respect the ministers you are working with, then you don’t respect your constituencies and if you don’t respect your constituencies, we are going to storm your constituency and disown you,” he warned.
Labels: CORRUPTION, EVANS CHIBILITI, JOSHUA KANGANJA, MICHAEL SATA, MMD
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MMD in money scandal
TIME PUBLISHED - Monday, December 5, 2011, 2:05 pm
President Michael Sata has revealed that the MMD government illegally printed money from two other printers apart from De la rue. The president says the fake money is currently circulating on the market.
He questioned why secretaries to the treasury and cabinet Evans Chibiliti and Joshua Kanganja who served in the previous government have remained mute on the matter. Mr. Sata says the previous government also appointed a committee of three chiefs who are going round the country to destabilize the nation.
He says instead of going round to establish the welfare of chiefs, they are going round provinces using fake money to antagonize and dilute the effect of government.
President Sata said this at State house on Monday when he swore in three Deputy Ministers in the Ministry of Education, Works Supply, transport and Communication and Agriculture.
Those appointed include Brigadier General Benson Kapaya as Deputy Minister for Agriculture, David Mabumba as Deputy Minister for Education and Mutaba Mwali as Deputy Minister for Works and Supply.
The President urged the newly appointed Deputy Ministers to be loyal to their ministers and government.
Meanwhile, President Sata says those criticising the resignation of Msanzala Independent Member of Parliament George Lungu, should bear in mind that the constitution provides for such.
He says concerns on the cost of holding by-elections must be left to government which has provided money to hold these polls in an event that an MP dies or resigns.
The President was speaking at State House on Monday when he swore in three commissioners from the remaining 20 man committee appointed to draft the constitution.
Mr. Sata has since urged the commissioners to draw up a constitution that will stand a test of time.
He says the commissioners should draw up their own terms of reference on how they will draft the constitution.
Those sworn in as commissioners include CCZ General Secretary Reverand Susan Matale, Father Ivis Chituba and Rodger Chongwe.
[ZNBC]
Labels: EVANS CHIBILITI, JOSHUA KANGANJA, MMD
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The corruption of our diplomats
Written by Editor
The continued misappropriation and misapplication of public funds and other resources in Zambia’s foreign missions that the Auditor General has revealed is something that should not be taken lightly.
There is need for the country to find out why this vice is continuing despite moves to put in place financial management measures to seal loopholes.
Auditor General Anna Chifungula says the audit of 14 foreign missions have showed persistent misappropriation and misapplication of public funds and other resources.
These revelations about misappropriation and misapplication of public funds should be a source of great concern because our foreign missions are supposed to be playing a very important economic and political role for the country. The very limited funds they are given should be used to seek economic and other benefits for the country.
Our country is very poor and our foreign missions are being run at a very high sacrifice on the part of the Zambian people. The money being used to run embassies could have been channelled to hospitals, schools and other services desperately needed by our people.
When people say there should be zero tolerance to corruption, people coming to this country should hear this message first from our staff in the foreign missions. But with a rotten foreign mission staff as we are seeing, it will be wishful thinking that we will expect anything better than we are hearing from the Auditor General.
There is need for us to find out what the problem is.
We are told that the former Secretary to the Treasury Evans Chibiliti had put in place several financial management measures to try and seal some loopholes that were in existence. But despite all this, the problem doesn’t seem to have been solved.
If the problem is persisting, there is need to look at the kind of personnel we have in our foreign missions. We need to ask ourselves whether they are up to the job that they have been sent there for. Are they up to the challenge?
From the general approach of the appointments that are made for the Foreign Service, it is easy to deduce that we should not expect anything better from most of our staff in these foreign missions. The professional civil servant has been abandoned in preference to party cadres, relatives, friends and tribesmen of those who make or influence such appointments.
Now it is either a person is appointed because he is either a son or daughter of someone in an influential position or because someone campaigned very hard and has to be rewarded for the effort.
Most of these appointments are not based on merit, on qualifications or abilities but on other irrelevant factors. When some of these cadres, relatives and friends are sent into Foreign Service, they are usually at sea and do not understand what they are supposed to do. And because they do not understand their job, they think they are on holiday, on shopping sprees and try to change their lifestyles and accumulate as much as they can before they are recalled. To finance their lifestyles, they engage in all sorts of acts that aim at undoing the checks and balances that have been put in place.
The quality of some of our foreign mission staff leaves much to be desired. There is need for us to take a leaf from the way diplomatic staff from places like Europe, America, China, Cuba, India, among others, manage their affairs. Their staff makes sure they get the best business and political deals for their countries. Today, people are saying the Chinese are becoming dominant. It is partly because they have sent out the best staff to foreign missions that are getting the best deals for their country.
Zambia is not getting much from its foreign missions. Most of our foreign missions are really not serving any meaningful purpose. And the blame for this should lie squarely with whoever is president of the Republic.
It’s not difficult to see the difference where good civil servants are placed. For instance, there’s a big difference between our mission in Pretoria that is headed by a seasoned and honest civil servant, former secretary to the Cabinet Leslie Mbula, and the Maputo mission that was under the leadership of empty and corrupt MMD cadres of low political culture and integrity.
There is need for the country to decide whether these foreign offices are only there for the sake of providing jobs to the relatives, friends and tribesmen of those in power and cadres of the ruling party who are unemployed and cannot be fitted into the local institutions.
What is it that we hope to achieve through these missions and the staff we appoint to run them?
If it is only for the glamour of foreign presence, then well and good, let people continue sending their party cadres and their sons and daughters, relatives and friends. But if we expect our foreign missions to play both an effective political and economic role, then there is need for us to get back to the professional civil servant. If we want these offices to profit Zambia and its nationals, then we must select the staff on merit. There is need to get to the policies and procedures that govern the selection and assignment of Foreign Service personnel. Our foreign missions should contribute to the maintenance of peace and security in the world.
We need diplomats of merit who are able to use their skills to reach the global foreign audiences. To be able to catch the attention of the foreign audience, we need credible diplomats. We need diplomats who will be taken seriously and not those viewed as those only bent on misapplying their people’s resources. The attractiveness of Zambia to the foreign audience will depend on the quality of staff and the skills they possess at our various missions.
But what is also worrying is the fact that so far no one has been arrested and prosecuted for theft or abuse of public funds or office. Why? Is it because they are relatives, friends, and tribesmen of those in power or valuable cadres of the ruling party?
Labels: ANNA CHIFUNGULA, CADRES, CIVIL SERVANTS, CORRUPTION, EMBASSIES, EVANS CHIBILITI
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Foreign investors withdraw $56 million from securities
Saturday, October 25, 2008 10:15:06 PM
FOREIGN portfolio investors have this month withdrawn about US$56 million from the government and private securities causing a sharp depreciation of the kwacha, Bank of Zambia (BoZ) governor Dr Caleb Fundanga has disclosed.
And Secretary to the Treasury Evans Chibiliti has revealed that the recent reduction in fuel prices will result in revenue loss of about K96 billion, the money he said the government would recover by freezing funding to less priority areas on the expenditure side of the budget.
The two officials also told journalists during a joint press briefing on Wednesday that the country might not achieve its targeted seven per cent inflation rate while the growth rate target for this year has been lowered to six from of seven per cent mainly because of external shocks resulting from the current international financial crisis.
Dr Fundanga explained that the local currency had gone through very difficult times this year which have been characterised by late president Levy Mwanawasa’s illness, his eventual death and current political uncertainty in the country owing to the forthcoming presidential election.
The BoZ chief also said the kwacha has tumbled on account of the global financial crisis, which has been felt on the domestic economy through the fall on copper prices as well as flight of portfolio investors.
The local currency has depreciated to trading levels of around K4,300 against the US dollar while copper prices have declined to around US $4,600 per tonne on the metals markets.
“This has not yet been good year…in fact, we have noticed that this month, which has been the most difficult, about US$56 million net has gone out to these portfolio investors whereas in normal month, it used to be plus or minus US$5 million because sometimes they bring in money or take it out,” Dr Fundanga said.
On whether the country would achieve its targeted single digit annual inflation rate for this year, Dr Fundanga said: “Clearly, that objective is very difficult now because we only have November and December remaining. However, its possible that we can, at least, chip off some and still remain with a decent number…it may not be seven per cent…let’s continue working hard.”
And Chibiliti said the Treasury was working out a modality of recovering the revenue loss from some of the recently announced unbudgeted revenue loses through subsidies and fuel tax cuts without borrowing from the market or printing some more notes.
He, however, said the decisions would result in the country’s fiscal deficit to shoot beyond the projected 1.2 per cent.
“The revenue loss is about K96 billion and what that means is that we must reduce expenditure by K96 billion,” Chibiliti said. “If you are going to continue to pursue sound economic management principles, then all the time when revenue is given up, then expenditure must be slashed.”
On the projected seven per cent economic growth rate for this year, Chibiliti expressed confident that basic fundamentals which have been driving the growth in the economy would remain sound.
“We need to be conservative…we need to acknowledge the exchange rate is appreciating, inflation has seen an upsurge. We must acknowledge these impacts,” said Chibiliti. “Even if we are to miss the target of seven per cent, it will not be much…preliminary estimates are that we will be on track to grow by around 6 per cent…”
Labels: CALEB FUNDANGA, EVANS CHIBILITI, FDI
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ZRA raises capacity
By Kabanda Chulu
Thursday September 11, 2008 [04:00]
GOVERNMENT has started developing capacity at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to rise to sophistication and complexity in tax management and auditing of the mining companies. ZRA commissioner general Chriticles Mwansa yesterday said there was need to seal all loopholes related to revenue collection of windfall taxes especially that this is a new system in the country.
“We have developed capacity to rise to the sophistication and auditing of mining companies especially that windfall taxes are a new system in Zambia and we sent a team to South Africa and Norway to acquire skills needed to implement best international practices,” said Mwansa. “We are ready to move and collect revenue whether at profit or normal levels and we have noted several loopholes which we are sealing in order to trail all movements of tax management and auditing of mining companies.”
And making submissions to the parliamentary committee on estimates on Tuesday, Secretary to the Treasury Evans Chibiliti said the government had realised that ZRA lacked qualified manpower to adequately audit mining companies in line with the newly introduced windfall taxes.
He said the government was developing an enhanced information and communication technology system at the ZRA to assist in auditing the mining taxes.
“Government has mobilised resources to assist ZRA to enhance its capacity building requirements in order to meet challenges imposed by the new mining tax regime,” Chibiliti said.
He said the government would not write off payment of windfall taxes by the rest of the mining companies that cited cash flow problems because mining taxes had become law and ZRA would impose punitive measures since the companies would be treated as defaulters.
“Only two companies have complied in payment of windfall taxes with a disclaimer while the rest have asked for grace period citing high costs of production but government will not write off payment of windfall taxes and the companies will be treated as defaulters,” said Chibiliti.
Out of the 13 registered large-scale mining companies, only two have paid windfall taxes that were introduced last April, with the rest claiming that production costs have gone up hence experiencing cash flow problems.
And the two companies have paid windfall taxes with a disclaimer, an indication that they could seek legal redress that could result in restoration of their rights under the defunct Development Mining agreements.
Labels: EVANS CHIBILITI, MINING, TAXATION, WINDFALL TAX, ZRA
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Levy authorised disbursement of 2008 budget, says Chibiliti
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Thursday April 17, 2008 [04:00]
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa on April 1, 2008 signed the general warrant authorising the treasury to start disbursing the 2008 national budget, Secretary to the Treasury Evans Chibiliti has said. And Chibiliti also said his office was in the process of appointing controlling officers for this year’s budget.
“The budget was approved a couple of weeks ago and I have received the general warrant from the President, and so the disbursement of this year’s budget has started,” said Chibiliti in an interview.
Chibiliti also expressed optimism that the year’s budget would be expended better than last year’s.
He expressed confidence government programmes and projects would be implemented as early as possible.
Last year, Chibiliti revealed that about K900 billion of the budgeted money in the 2007 Budget was not spent.
The Secretary to the Treasury attributed the slow budget implementation to what he called structural deficiencies which shortened the implementation cycle.
And Chibiliti also said he would soon be appointing controlling officers.
“We will be advising the controlling officers on the public finance Act so that this year we receive less criticism,” he said.
The government’s failure to spend the money received a lot criticism from a number of stakeholders who said there was no justification for the Treasury not to disburse such a huge amount of money when the government had failed to attend to a number of obligations.
Labels: 2008 BUDGET, EVANS CHIBILITI, MWANAWASA
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Tax: Mines counter-propose
By KASUBA MULENGA and ANGELA CHISHIMBA
MINING companies yesterday submitted their counter-proposal on the new tax regime in which they agreed on the three per cent mineral royalty but
objected to the 25 per cent windfall tax in preference to 12.5 per cent. But Secretary to the Treasury, Evans Chibiliti, said Government would look at the mines’ proposal but would go ahead to enact all the proposed bills on tax. And Government yesterday presented the Mines and Minerals Development Bill to revise the law relating to mining and processing of minerals.
Submitting the counter-proposal to the parliamentary expanded committee on estimates and revenue, Chamber of Mines of Zambia general manager, Frederick Bantubonse, said the mines would only accept the introduction of either the windfall tax or variable profit tax and not both.
But Mr Chibiliti, who was accompanied by Ministry of Finance and National Planning permanent secretary for budget affairs, Emmanuel Ngulube, said cabinet had already directed him to start implementing new tax measures starting on April 1 this year.
He said the decision to come up with a new mining tax regime, was made by Cabinet and that neither he nor the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Ng’andu Magande, had the mandate to change anything.
“The mines should have faith and confidence in us because we have worked with them for a long time. We are not out there to destroy them but we mean well,” Mr Chibiliti said.
Mr Chibiliti said Government was aware that the mines had hired consultants who were making tax calculations for them and urged the mines to consider engaging their own accountants because they understood their operations well.
And when committee chairperson, Godfrey Beene, asked him about Government’s stance on the possible litigation the mines might take, Mr Chibiliti said Attorney-General, Mumba Malila, was ready to defend the tax regime in court.
“The interests of the people override the fear for litigation,” Mr Chibiliti said.
Earlier, Mr Bantubonse said although the mines agreed on the three per cent royalty, they, however, wanted it to be graduating between one and three per cent.
He told the committee that the chamber was against the proposed 30 per cent corporate income tax but wanted the current 25 per cent to continue.
And the mining industry being capital intensive, the chamber was against any changes to the capital allowance structure and recommended a continued reduction of 100 per cent of the capital expenditure during the year of incurrence to maintain viability of investments and companies’ ability to fund the same.
The chamber also objected to the proposal that withholding tax should be levied as indicated in the Customs and Excise Amendment Bill of 2008.
Mr Bantubonse said the levies should be deferred until sufficient smelting and refining capacity was successfully commissioned within Zambia that could process the entire quantities of concentrates, reverts, copper, mattes, unrefined copper, copper waste and scrap.
When Patriotic From member of Parliament for Lusaka Central, Dr Guy Scott, asked why the chamber had made a counter proposal late, Chamber of Mines president, Passmore Hamukoma, said they did not have enough time to meet all their members.
Mr Hamukoma said the proposals submitted to the committee did not reflect all mine owners’ views because some of them could not agree with them.
And REBECCA CHILESHE reports that Government will not officially inform mining companies that there will be no re-negotiation on the proposed tax regime but will compel them to pay in accordance with the new law.
Mr Magande, said this in Parliament on Thursday when he was winding up debate on the budget allocation for his ministry.
He said when the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill of 2008 is passed, Government would, apart from compelling the mine owners to pay the new tax, also be able to track the accounts and other monies being made by the mining companies.
Mr Magande was answering a question from Mufulira MP Marjory Masiye (PF) who wanted to know whether Government had written to the mining companies informing them that it would not re-negotiate the proposed taxes.
“There is no need for us to put it in writing that there is no room for re-negotiations with these mining companies. We do not have to remind any tax-payer to pay their taxes because they are supposed to abide by the law,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Justice, George Kunda presented presented the Mines and Minerals Development Bill to revise the law relating to mining and processing of minerals.
The 2008 amendment bill would repeal and replace the Mines and Minerals Act of 1995.
The bill would be tabled in Parliament for second reading next week.
And Government also presented an excess expenditure Appropriation Bill to approve a supplementary budget amounting to K83, 341, 135, 177 which was required for services during the financial year ending 2005.
Mr Magande presented the bill.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Amusaa Mwanawasa, referred the bill to the committee on estimates.
Labels: EVANS CHIBILITI, FREDERICK BANTUBONSE, GODFREY BEENE, MAGANDE, WINDFALL TAX
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