Manganese output up

GOVERNMENT is pleased with the increased production of manganese in the country.

Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Richard Musukwa, said it was gratifying that manganese production which is usually mined by small-scale miners was increasing.

Mr Musukwa said Government was impressed that small-scale miners had improved their mining activities. He said in an interview that with the improved productivity, the country would start generating reasonable revenue from the resource.

Mr Musukwa said manganese production in 2020 increased to 28, 409.45 tonnes compared to 15, 903.60 in 2019.

He said this represented about 44 percent production increment.

"Manganese production is mainly done by smallscale producers. About 21 active small-scale producers contributed to the total production,” Mr Musukwa said. He said the increase in production was as a result of increased compliance in operations and other aspects.

Mr Musukwa added: "In addition, more manganese processing facilities had also been set up in Serenje.”

MY government will continue to support the youth in various sectors to prevent them from engaging in vices, that often times destroy their future, President Edgar Lungu has said.

And President Lungu has called for openness, transparency, cooperation, peace, mutual understanding and respect among all political players and stakeholders as the nation prepares for the general elections this year.

Mr Lungu said his government was fully committed to partner with the youth to foster national development.

The President said this in Lusaka yesterday when he handed over fuel tankers, Rosa minibuses, and earth moving equipment as empowerment to youths’ cooperatives from across the country during the 2021 national Youth Day celebrations themed:” Enhancing National Development through Sustainable Youth Partnerships.”

Mr Lungu said he will continue to prioritise youth development because the Patriotic Front manifesto advocated for that.

He said government is targeting 1, 800 youths to benefit from the transport empowerment programme which ranges from taxis, minibuses and fuel tanker trucks.

President Lungu said Government had already procured 50 fuel tankers of which 25 were in the country and two have already been given to the youth to start operating.

“Today, my government is empowering 25 cooperatives of young people with a fuel tanker each, affirming its commitment to sustainable youth partnerships in national development,” he said.

He also said his government was targeting to reach 2, 200 youths who could establish milling plants and be linked to available markets for production of mealie meal, cassava meal and stock feed.

Mr Lungu explained that Government was providing startup capital to youths who are engaged in micro, small and medium enterprises to boost their businesses on loan basis, which in turn will enable them grow and be able to employ other youths.

He said over 55, 000 youths dealing in micro, small and medium scale businesses have been targeted with direct and indirect benefit from this project.

The President said Government has also provided startup capital ranging from K10, 000 to K30, 000 per cooperative, targeting 1, 000 youths engaged in various agricultural activities, adding that over

K29 million was disbursed to all the provinces for this programme.

He urged youths, especially those from the rural areas to seize such opportunities so that they could improve their livelihoods.

President Lungu who noted that most advertised jobs require one to have 3-5 years work experience said the government has come up with the apprenticeship programme aimed at linking youths to various institutions, both public and private as apprentices for a period of not less than 15 months.

He said the government is providing stipend per month to the youth under this programme which is targeting 9, 000 youths and so far, 6, 000 are beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, President Lungu has called for peace as the country heads towards elections.

He said there was need to guard jealously the peace that Zambians are enjoying.

Minister of Youth and Sport, Emmanuel Mulenga urged youths to play their part in changing the economic landscape of the country by ensuring that they access the youth empowerment funds and use them prudently.

Mr Mulenga stated that President Lungu has prioritized working with young people hence empowering them with capital without collaterals.

And giving a vote of thanks on behalf of other youths, Vector Mulindwa said the empowerment would go a long way in alleviating poverty and improve their living standards of the youths in Zambia.

GOVERNMENT is in the process of formulating mechanisms to protect children from abuse and manipulation especially on social media, Minister of Home Affairs, Stephen Kampyongo has said.

Mr. Kampyongo says government is worried that the increase in access to internet by children is posing a threat to the wellbeing of the young ones as most of them are falling prey to abuse and manipulation.

He says the new mechanisms and the enforcement of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes laws will deter culprits from abusing the cyber space to manipulate, traffic and entice children to indulge in illicit activities that are detrimental to the livelihood.

The Minister said this before departure for Zambia after attending the Fourteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice which has come to an end today in Kyoto, Japan. He has since urged parents to monitor the activities of their children especially on social media as a measure to protect them. And Mr. Kampyongo has announced that reforms for the country’s correctional service have advanced with a focus on empowerment of youthful prisoners with various skills. He said government will ensure that those released from correctional facilities are fully reformed so that they do not engage in criminal activities once they are integrated into society.

The Minister said it is for this reason that government will soon recruit Correctional Officers with various skills as part of the reforms.

Meanwhile Mr. Kampyongo has described the just ended Kyoto congress as a success saying the lessons and experiences learnt will benefit the country in preventing crimes and administration of criminal justice, which is key to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals -SDGs-.

The congress which drew participants around the globe was held under the theme, “Advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.”