THE CLOSURE OF BARS AFFECTS THE WASTE RECYCLING INDUSTRY

By Patrick Soko 

The closure of bars in view of the covid19 pandemic has negatively affected waste recycling industry as materials used such as plastic bottles are now in short supply.

In April this year, President Edgar Lungu announced the closure of bars and nightclubs following the recording of the first few covid19 cases, which have since leftover 139 people dead in Zambia as at 25/07/2020. 

when the announcement was made,  most citizens thought this would be a short term measure aimed at combating the pandemic but his has gone for over 3 months now, a situation which hugely affected the business owners. 

And the recent address by President Lungu shuttered their hopes.

Greenland Recycling Services Chief Executive Officer Abel Mwale says the quantity of materials being picked to be recycled has reduced as it appears the consumption of beverages are minimal.

He however, says this does not mean he would want bars to be opened as he understands that the decision was taken in the national interest in order to combat the covid19.

#presspoet2020

#STORYOFTHEDAY 22/07/2020

332 PEOPLE PERISHED IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2020

Police have recorded a total number of 6,143 road traffic accidents out of which 332 persons were killed, during the second quarter of 2020.

Lusaka province recorded the highest number of road traffic accidents with 3,212 followed by Copperbelt with 1,121 whilst western and Northern provinces recorded the least with 130 and 125 road traffic accidents respectively.

During the second quarter of 2019, 7,687 road traffic accidents were recorded as compared to 6,143 road traffic accidents recorded in the second quarter of 2020.

Compiled by Patrick Soko

A CONSUMER BODY CALLS FOR THE REVISION OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK GUIDING DEBT MANAGEMENT

By Patrick Soko A consumer body has noted the need to revise the legal framework guiding debt management as high debt levels continue to be a major challenge for Zambia as evidenced on the county's inability to raise resources for development.

Kangwa Muyunda

The Consumer Unity Trust Society Cuts observes that the Covid19 has further intensified Zambia's debt situation and has forced the government to re-budget and revise expenditure. CUTS Programmes Officer Kangwa Muyunda recommends that as the government re-prioritizes the Budget, social sectors such as health, social protection and education must be prioritized. Some of the legislation which needs to be revised include the Loans and Guarantees (Authorization) act of 1994, the Public Finance Management Act and the yet to be enacted National Planning and Budgeting Bill. According to the International Monetary Fund which recently concluded its virtual mission visit, the social and macroeconomic impact of the COVID-19 shock, on top of a severe drought last year, will be heavy. Growth is forecast at around 5 percent in 2020 and the number of people living in extreme poverty is expected to increase. Fiscal pressures in 2020 have increased due to significantly lower revenue collections and higher spending needs. Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka this morning Ms Muyunda pointed out that despite increasing debt levels there is a lack of Transparency, Accountability and participation in the management of debt which he said must be addressed. In the meantime, Zambia’s external debt stands about $11.20 billion available Data also shows that Zambia’s domestic debt is at K80.2 billion. And speaking at the same briefing Zambia Association of Manufacturers new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Florence Muleya says domestic debt is crowding out private sector as banks prefer to lend to the government over the private sector. Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka this morning Ms Muyunda pointed out that despite increasing debt levels there is a lack of Transparency, Accountability and participation in the management of debt which he said must be addressed. And speaking at the same briefing Zambia Association of Manufacturers new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Florence Muleya says domestic debt is crowding out the private sector as banks prefer to lend to the government over the private sector.

Florence Muleya

She has therefore called on the Government to seek the International Monetary Fund package in order to give space the private sector borrow from local lenders. She feels and IMF package is ideal for Zambia owing to the conditions it comes with. #Presspoet2020

GOVT URGED TO ADDRESS LOW PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON BUDGET FORMULATION

By Patrick Soko

THE Public Financial Management Consult PFM-G has established that Zambia’s level of public participation in budget formulation remains low, as indicated by the 2017 and 2019 Open Budget Surveys.

For Zambia to increase its level and effectiveness of public participation there is a need for stakeholders to initiate policy changes for improved participation.

On the 7th of June 2020, the Ministry of Finance released a treasury brief inviting the public to make submissions for the formulation of the 2021 budget and the 2021-2023 medium-term expenditure frameworks.

Joseph Chirwa Economist, PFM-G Consult notes that this call is not new since the government has established pre-budget deliberations during budget formulation as a key aspect of the budget process.

In seeking to contribute to effective public participation, PFMG Consult has undertaken a review of the current state of public participation in Zambia’s budget process.

“The resultant policy brief highlights the importance of addressing low fiscal transparency, disorganization and strained relations between Government and Civil Society Organizations, for the nation to increase its level of public participation,” says Mr Chirwa.

He says the Government should take steps to increase budget transparency by publishing electronic copies of key budget documents which are currently pending.

“It must be noted that only a well-informed public can effectively engage its government on spending and allocation decisions. Furthermore, government and CSOs should take steps to restore their fragile relationships as well as improve coordination and organization,” says he added.

Mr Chirwa has, therefore, urged the Ministry of Finance, to neutralize the current ‘politically charged’ governance environment; in which CSOs are expected to either praise or criticize the government, with no middle-ground, objectivity or neutrality.

On the other hand, public interest groups such as CSOs, private sector players, professional associations and academic institutions, should find ways to coordinate their submissions in order to present a united front on key policy issues.

#Presspoet