Lusaka City Council - The Big Picture

THE initiatives Lusaka City Council (LCC) is taking to improve the outlook of the capital city are quite impressive.

If the council continues implementing the programmes and more, we can surely see Lusaka becoming a livable city and transforming itself into the ‘Greater City’ it is supposed to be.

The initiatives include the construction of a US$45million ring road expected to begin in June. The road will help to decongest the capital.

The ring roads will be built at the same time as shopping malls. The city council spokesperson says about 14 shopping malls will be constructed on the outskirts of the city and along the ring road.

The ring road and shopping malls would help to reduce by 45 percent, patronage of the central business district (CBD) and curb traffic congestion.

The construction of shopping malls along the ring road will not only create employment but also help to “free” the CBD as people living on the outskirts will not have to venture into town for shopping.

The construction of the ring road will also reinforce the ban on heavy duty vehicles passing through the CBD.

The other initiatives include the promotion of modern housing development in some unplanned settlements including Chibolya and Misisi. Some makeshift houses will be demolished to pave way for modern housing estates.

In Chibolya, a consortium of real estate developers are expected to put up 178 maissonettes.

Tafika residential estate commercial centre, made up of Hawkwood Property Investment Limited, Pan African building Society and Knight Frank will build the maissonnettes at a total cost of US$11 million.

The consortium has already spent US$4 million on the project and phase one is expected to be completed in July.

Tafika is a dual development concept. A residential townhouse complex will be built alongside a medium size commercial centre close to Lusaka’s CBD. Tafika is situated along Los Angeles Road.

Tafika will provide secure, simple, affordable and convenient living in close proximity to the Lusaka CBD and the commercial centre to add a convenient, new dimension rarely found in Lusaka.

The project is also incorporated in the Lusaka Master Plan, a comprehensive urban development plan which is expected to guide the development of the city.

What is inspiring about the project is that it will not only contribute to boosting the housing stock and help to address the shortfall in decent and affordable accommodation. It will also help to change the face of Lusaka, especially around the CBD.

The other notable and impressive measure is encouraging investors to provide for elevated or basement parking in their building plans to reduce congestion in the CBD.

Without the specified provisions, the council is not approving building plans. This is one way the city fathers hope to decongest the city.

The positive steps will help to improve Lusaka and hopefully restore its glory.

The Lusaka Master Plan which is a milestone in the development of the city.

Through the master plan, the government plans to improve environmental standards by upgrading peri-urban areas into modern ones.

While giving credit where it is due, I would also like to remind LCC of its civic duty to stop street vending which is almost getting out of hand.
The congested roads are being choked by street vendors who have ‘invaded’ almost all the roads in the CBD.

This is not only a social nuisance but also a risk. Lives could be lost through road traffic accidents.
The council should not wait until the fateful day when some motorist might plough into a crowd of vendors.

What has happened to the political will that was once exhibited when the Ministry of Local Government and Housing in conjunction with the city, municipal and district councils moved vendors from the streets and took them to designated places?

A semblance of sanity had returned to the cities and towns and most people breathed a sigh of relief.
But the vendors have returned with a vengeance, occupying every imaginable vacant space to display their wares.

In the name of ‘survival,’ the army of street vendors is blatantly disobeying and abrogating the laws that provide for designated places of trading.

While I acknowledge the economic hardships, the majority of the poor are going through and their entrepreneurial spirit, I still believe that this does not justify the willful disregard for law.
Order is still important even under these circumstances.

Street vending has once again resurfaced not only in Lusaka but almost all the cities and municipalities.
I am urging the ministry of Local Government and Housing, LCC and other city and municipal councils to once again, get rid of the street vendors and work out a permanent solution to this problem.

Mining Show - Five Firms Drop Out of CMACS Exhibition

FIVE major companies that have been prominent exhibitors at the Copperbelt Mining Agricultural and Commercial (CMACS) will not participate at this year's show due to the negative effects of the global economic recession.

Show society chairman Bill Osborn said Barloworld Equipment, Boart Long Year, BP, Action Auto and Hybrid were the five major and prominent companies that would be missing at this year's show.

He said this year's show would run from May 27 to 31st under the theme "Productivity in Adversity, which means that the nation should keep production increasing despite the economic downturn.

"I can confirm that we have 70 confirmed bookings for this year's show. I know this is not better than last year, but given the effects of the global economic recession, this is an encouraging sign. It is sad that five major companies that have been prominent exhibitors at the show will not participate at this year's show due to the negative effects of the global recession.

However, Mr Osborn said this year's show had attracted new exhibitors, which included Scaw, Morganite, National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and MTN.

"As the show society, our preparations for this year's show are firmly on course. Every body is working towards making the show a great one despite the global economic recession. Companies exhibiting at the show are also busy working on their stands to set the stage for the show," he said.

Mining - Mopani Won't Close MUF, Nkana Mines

MOPANI Copper Mines (MCM) has shelved plans to place Nkana and Mufulira mines under care and maintenance, Company Secretary Kyansenga Chitoshi announced in a statement yesterday.

Mrs Chitoshi said the decision follows the implementation of the cost reduction programme coupled with slight improvement of copper prices on the international market.

"Following a detailed review of its mining operations, Mopani expects to achieve a significant cost reduction through the implementation of a range of cost containment programmes.

"This, together with a slightly improved copper price environment, has enabled Mopani to make the decision to continue with its mining operations at both Nkana and Mufulira rather than place the shafts on care and maintenance," Mrs Chitoshi said.

Early this month, Mopani indicated that it would close Mufulira Mine and lay off 1,400 employees by April 14, sparking complaints from the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ).

But the Government declared the move null and void, indicating that the mine should have given a 90-day notice to the director of mines, as provided for under section 34 of the Mines and Minerals Act.

Mrs Chitoshi said the firm would re-evaluate the untapped synclinorium ore body, a resource of about 100 million tonnes located below the existing Nkana South and Central shaft ore bodies.

"The aging ore bodies currently being mined are now nearing the end of the productive lives. The board of directors has, therefore, resolved to re-evaluate the potential of the synclinorium ore body," she said.

She said the measurers which had been put in place would significantly contribute to the sustainability and prolong the life-span of the mines and secure a better future for the workers

Health - Diagnosis Centre in the Offing

BHARAT Nuclear Scans of India plans to set up a diagnostic centre in Lusaka at a cost of US$ 3 million.

Company Managing Director, Emmanuel Rajamani says the introduction of a new diagnostic center will reduce the cost of health services in the country. Dr Rajamani said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry and Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) in Lusaka yesterday.

He said currently the company was in talks with Government on the possibility of setting up the center.

The company is also talking to the University Teaching Hospital and other private health institutions on how it can work with them. Dr Rajamani said diagnonistic diseases were very important to save lives, costs and time.

He said the company’s concentration would be on diagnosis since it was important than treatment and helps to prevent further complications.

And Professor Neil Nkanza agreed with Dr Rajamani that the first thing in health management was correct health management. He said management of diseases largely depended on diagnosis and treatment was effected once diagnosis is known and before any disease can manifest.

Bharat Nuclear Scans provides health equipment services including laboratory, digital radiography, ultra sound, and 64 slice computers for detecting of heart diseases.

 The centre is likely to be set up in six months time once discussions are concluded

Stanbic Embarks on Private Sector Loans

STANBIC Bank Zambia is set to provide building loans to the private sector to help steer investments in real estate business, head of personal and business banking, Nelus Agenbach has said.

He said the bank had been following trends in the housing market and it was apparent that the private sector needed to take a more centre-stage in providing workable solutions to mitigate the impact of shortage of houses.

This was on Tuesday evening during the launch of the home loan facility being spearheaded by Stanbic Bank Zambia. During the same function, Lusaka town clerk, Timothy Hakuyu challenged the private sector to step in and invest in the development of properties in Lusaka in order to cushion the burden of accommodation in the capital city.

Mr Hakuyu said Lusaka’s population growth was alarming and far outweighed the housing units in the capital city.

He said the private sector should come up with innovative ways of providing accommodation, which was previously a responsibility of the Government and the local authority.

Mr Hakuyu said it was pleasing that Stanbic Bank had introduced the home loan scheme to assist Lusaka residents purchase properties from the Tafika and Foxdale housing schemes in Kanyama and Roma townships respectively.

The town clerk said the scheme would impact positively on the current stock of housing units in the city and needed to be replicated to all the towns and districts of Zambia.

MTEC to Supply 10,000 Mobile Phones to Zimbabwe

MMOBILE Telecommunications Zambia Limited (MTEC) has clinched a deal with a Zimbabwean firm to supply 10,000 mobile phones.

Commenting on the on-going trade fair in Bulawayo, Melcome group chairman, Mohammed Seedat, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the company has received overwhelming inquiries from the region. The demand is growing and we have received inquires from neighbouring Zimbabwe where they have asked for about 10,000 handsets

Some of the countries that have shown interest in purchasing mobile phones include Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda.

He said the company has the capacity to satisfy both the local and regional market. Mmobile is part of the Melcome Group, which has invested US$3 million to set up the first-ever mobile phone assembly plant in Lusaka and has todate produced 10,000 handsets.

The new handsets were offloaded on the market on March 7, 2009.

Government has meanwhile increased customs duty on cellular phone handsets from 5 to 15 per cent to encourage local production of handsets.

The company has employed about 200 workers who have undergone technical training.

Mpundu Removed As WCFCB Commissioner

WORKERS Compensation Fund Control Board commissioner Charles Mpundu has been relieved of his duties.

Labour and Social Security Minister Austin Liato terminated Mr Mpundu's three-year contract, which was supposed to go up to September next year.

According to Mr Liato's letter of April 27 obtained by the Times of Zambia in Ndola yesterday, the position would be advertised and that Mr Mpundu was free to reapply.

Mr Liato said he had directed the board to normalise the recruitment and appointment of the commissioner, which should include external advertising for the position for transparency purposes.

When contacted, Mr Mpundu, confirmed receiving the letter, but refused to comment further.

Earlier in the day, an emergency board meeting was held at the organisation's offices in Ndola.

Mr Mpundu and Labour Permanent Secretary Winnie Mwenda were among those who attended.

Mr Mpundu was engaged as commissioner in October 2007 after he was seconded from National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) where he was director of investment.

Banda Appoints ZPPA Board Members

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has appointed board members and the director-general for the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) following the abolition of the Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB).

The appointments follow the recent enactment of the Public Procurement Act No 12 of 2008, which repealed the ZNTB Act.

The president's special assistant for Press and public relations, Dickson Jere said Mr Banda had appointed members to serve on the newly-created ZPPA to replace those who served on the ZNTB which has since been abolished.

Mr Banda appointed Samuel Chibuye as director-general of ZPPA to take over from David Kapitolo who was director general of ZNTB. "President Banda thanked all the board members who served under the Zambia National Tender Board and Mr Kapitolo for their contribution to the nation," Mr Jere said.

Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane will chair the ZPPA board.

Members include Works and Supply Minister, Mike Mulongoti, Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Brian Chituwo and Local Government and Housing Minister, Benny Tetamashimba.

The rest are secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja, Bank of Zambia governor, Caleb Fundanga, Works and Supply Permanent Secretary, Bizwayo Nkunika, Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary, James Mulungushi and business executives Edward Sefuke and Martha Akapelwa.

Shoprite Cairo Road outlet Re-Opens

SHOPRITE Zambia re-opens its reconstructed Lusaka’s Cairo Road supermarket today.

The chain-store was gutted by fire in June 2007. 

Shoprite general manger, Stephan Kranz confirmed the grand opening but could not disclose how much has been spent on reconstruction.

The refurbished store has been redesigned. 

A check at the site yesterday found workers putting final touches for the grand opening.

Shoprite has extended the parking area to cover part of the 600 square metres of the council’s parking space and reconfigured the car park to have 41 slots. 

Chanida Border to be Electrified

Government will this year electrify Chanida Border Post in Chadiza district. Energy Deputy Minister, Allan Mbewe, disclosed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Chadiza on Monday.

Mr. Mbewe, who is also Chadiza Central Member of Parliament, said the electrification project would cost about K14 billion.

He said once electrified, Chanida, which borders Zambia and Mozambique, will be expected to operate on a 24-hour basis.

He said the move will also translate into increased revenue collection by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

Mr. Mbewe said Chanida will also be equipped with an electric powered scanner that helps speed up clearance of trucks at border posts when Zesco powers the border.

He said work will begin soon and Chanida border post is expected to have power before the end of the year.

Access Bank chief tips small, medium businesses

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Zambia have been urged to review their business strategies and seek opportunities within the context of the current financial meltdown.

Access Bank Zambia managing director, David Chewe said during every financial crisis that the world had experienced in the past, there were still plenty of other business opportunities especially for the MSME.

Mr Chewe said the small entrepreneurs in Zambia had an opportunity to gauge the diverse opportunities that the current financial crisis had presented, and evaluate their business strategies to diversify into the new opportunities.

“The MSME community should evaluate their businesses in terms of markets, costs and advantages for them to continue contributing to the economy through service provision,” he said.