POWER HIKE TO HARM THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Chipego Zulu and Chennai Mukumba  

By Patrick Soko

The Zambia Association of manufacturers says increasing electricity tariffs will harm the Manufacturing sector.

Tomorrow the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) will be conducting public hearings on Zesco’s application to revise electricity tariffs to be held simultaneously at 10:00 hours in Kitwe, Livingstone and Lusaka, respectively.

Zambia Association of Manufacturers Vice President South Chipego Zulu says increasing tariffs is not going to help address power challenges but that there is a need to take a holistic approach to respond to electricity issues.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka this morning she has underscored the need to ensure that the cost of electricity study is done before increasing electricity.

And Consumer Unity Trust Society Center Coordinator Chennai Mukumba insists that consumers are already burdened with the previous 75 percent hike in electricity hence increasing the tariffs would adversely affect them.

Tariffs (excluding customers supplied under Power Purchase Agreements) by a weighted average rate of 113% broken-down per customer category as shown below:
1 Residential 106%
2 Large Power 73%
3 Small Power 75%
4 Distributor New proposals
5 Commercial 170%
6 Services 143%
Total Weighted Average of 113%
Also, ZESCO had applied to adjust Connection Fees by a weighted average rate of 213%.

04/11/19

"THE CONSTITUTION WILL EMPOWER THE EXECUTIVE WITH MORE POWERS THAN PARLIAMENT ON DEBT MATTERS"

By Patrick Soko

Non-state Actors have questioned the motive behind the patriotic front administration's intention to curb Parliamentary oversight on debt contraction.

A survey conducted by the Consumer Unity Trust Society has revealed that the majority of citizens in the country feel Government has not been transparently accountable in the manner it has been contracting debt.

It further reveals that people want parliament to provide input before the executive borrows money.

CUTS Centre Coordinator Chenai Mukumba regrets that the proposed constitutional amendment bill will take away the provision that empowers parliament to approve debt contradicting the will of the people.

Ms Mukumba adds that the office of the auditor general and the office of the public protector will equally be made weak if the constitution bill is adopted in its current form.

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The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019

Bill to amend the Constitution of Zambia with proposals to revise National

Assembly oversight over debt contraction as well as proposals to revise systems

for financial accountability.

1. Section 13 of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill

The proposed provisions delete paragraphs (d) and (e) of Article 63 (2) the

Constitution of Zambia Act No. 2 of 2016 which provides that:

“The National Assembly shall oversee the performance of executive functions by—

(d) approving public debt before it is contracted; and

(e) approving international agreements and treaties before these are acceded to or ratified.”

National Assembly’s ability to approve public debt before it is contracted and

approved, and international agreements and treaties before these are

acceded to or ratified is removed.

3. Section 74 of the Constitution Amendment Bill further proposes the repeal of Part XVIII of the Constitution which provides for Service, Investigative and Other Commissions and Independent Offices.

Independent oversight institutions or watchdog institutions exercise oversight of the executive and public administration in a different and more specialized way compared to how parliaments exercise oversight.

With regards to the oversight institutions related to public finance, the bill proposes provisions that limit the scope and authority of the Public Protector

The proposed Article 224 (c) bars the Public Protector from investigating any matter that involves relations or dealings between the government and any foreign or international organization.

LGAZ

GOVT URGED TO PROMOTE BREASTFEEDING

While the Country, next Month joins the global community in marking the World Breastfeeding Week, the Government has been urged to improve interventions aimed at promoting excessive breastfeeding in view of safeguarding the plight of children. 

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from the 1^st to the 7^th  of August to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding promotes better health for mothers and children alike.

Increasing breastfeeding to near-universal levels could save more than 800 000 lives every year, the majority being children under 6 Months.

Breastfeeding decreases the risk of mothers developing Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, type 2 Diabetes, and Heart disease and it is estimated that increased breastfeeding could avert 20 000 maternal deaths each year due to Breast Cancer.

Civil Society Organization for Scaling up Nutrition Alliance (CSO-SUN) National Coordinator Mathews Mhuru said in an interview that measures must be put in place to ensure that women are able to breastfeed their babies even at the workplace.

By Patrick Soko

The United Nations capital development Fund has hailed the partnership between Kazang and Azuri saying it does not only stir digital financial inclusion but energy inclusion as well.

Azuri Technologies, a provider of pay-as-you-go Solar home solution to off-grid households across Africa earlier this week unveiled its 24-inch solar satellite television and home lighting system in Zambia.

The investment will help more off-grid customers across Zambia benefit from affordable clean and reliable energy as well as having access to modern energy-efficient appliances.

UNCDF Regional Technical Specialist Nandini Harihareswara is happy that people will be able to access affordable modern digital services and devices that have a positive impact on their livelihoods.

Journalists Represent people's interest

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FARMERS IMPLORED TO TAKE UP YAM CULTIVATION

By Patrick Soko

The Monkey Orange Crafts has advised Farmers to start cultivating Yam to avoid over-dependence on maize.

Yam is high in vitamin c and b6 potassium and manganese, with low in saturated fats and sodium and provides a good balance in the human body and protects against heart diseases and diabetes.

Yam also gives more sustainable energy and it promotes longevity in life as it also acts as an anti-ageing agent.

Organization Founder Micheal Mwandila has noted that growing organic yam can contribute to an increase in food security and incomes among the small-scale farmers as well as the creation of employment.

He adds that from one single plant of yam, a farmer can harvest about 25-kilogrammes, thus the reason monkey orange crafts yam project has invested in training farmers with an interest in growing the crop.