‘Incorporate price Private sector referencing in procurementbusiness dipsAct’

FQM boosts local …Stanbic cites Covid-19 suppliers

socio-economic development and adherence

THR Public Procurement to the national develop

Act should be revised to ment plan by reducing incorporate BUSINESS By price BUUMBA referconditions CHIMBULU the in the procurement Zambian private

cycle sector has deteriorated and at associated the start of costs,” the year, Ms

encing and bench marking to seal INCREASED having shown copper signs Deka-Zulu production of stabilisation at said. First towards Quantum the

revenue leakages, the Policy Minerals’ end of Monitor2020. (FQM) Sentinel She Mine stressed in Kalumbila that leg

This boosted is due to business disruption islative opportunities caused reforms by Covid-19, for local from ing and Research has Centre

suppliers says Stanbic and Bank’s created Purchasing the jobs expenditure for local Managers’ people. side Index™ of (PMRC) has (PMI™). said.

The mine, which reached the budget commercial needed production to be

in The 2016, headline achieved PMI record dropped copper to 47.7 production in January, of

matched with reforms to

251,000 down from tonnes 49.0 last in December year, 31,000 and tonnes signalling more the than

the revenue side through

2019. most marked deterioration in business conditions in

enhanced Domestic Re

the This private represents sector a since 12 percent last September. increase in business

source Mobilisation.

for Readings the local haulage above 50.0 contractors signal an that improvement transport the in

Ms Deka-Zulu said

concentrate business conditions for smelting. on the previous month, while readings the informal a deterioration. sector’s tax

Kalumbila below Minerals 50.0 (KML), show the FQM subsidiary that According owns Sentinel to the Mine, survey, potential last business year in re-tendered Zambia confidence its was haulage remained contract, relatively says muted about First despite Quantum’s 42 percent ticking Zambia up of from total

Country that seen Manager in December. General Kingsley Chinkuli.

tax revenues.

General “While those Chinkuli companies said in a predicting statement a that rise the in output

She said amongst the tender over the process coming aimed year several linked to promote this strategies to competition hopes of a within that certain reduced markets impact from could the Covid-19 be used pandemic, to enhance others remained He said it concerned also aimed domestic about to obtain the ongoing the resource best effects pricing mobiof available the virus,” and the to survey afford lisation said. numerous was entities the an need equal to opportunity The survey to indicated supply certain upscale that reductions goods the Massive or services in both Land output to KML. and new “While orders the transporters gathered Titling pace are Programme at local the companies start of which 2021, – in Zambian both cases companies mainly linked owned by by respondents Zambian to the

can enhance payment citizens Covid-19 - they pandemic. also exemplify processes the contributions from ground

brought According to Zambia to the by survey, naturalised the fall settlers in activity who was

rates.

have the fastest built sustainable since last September, businesses and that extended create local the

“There is also need to

employment, current sequence pay tax of decline and boost to 23 the months. economy,”

equip revenue adminis

General “Suppliers’ Chinkuli delivery said. times lengthened markedly,

trators with knowledge

and He stressed to the greatest that KML extent supported since last and September. promoted the

and tools to raise revenue

participation Covid-19 travel of local restrictions businesses contributed for all its to tenders. delivery delays, He explained with a number that the in of nationality the panellists hard-to-tax of reporting the bidders sectors longer was lead not times the for only imported consideration through items. when the use awarding of intercontracts. “Issues securing inputs, mediaries. as well as The falling need customer to

demand, “The ability led to deliver a reduction a quality in inventories,” service at a the

fight tax evasion through competitive survey said. price Commenting is critical, early on but detection the KML results, is delighted cannot Victor be that Chileshe, the 2020 Head concentrate of Global overemphasised. haulage Markets tender at Stanbic was Bank awarded said: “The to start two well-established of the year “This 2021 could Zambian has unfortunately be achieved citizenowned been negatively businesses impacted in accordance through, by the smarter second with Zambia’s wave auditof Citizens Covid-19 Economic which has Empowerment resulted ing, effective in the Act disruption No. investiga9 of of 2006. the recovery Local haulage in business companies tion conditions and have prosecution we provided have witnessed a that particularly in the past successful 6 months.” hold demonstration evaders accountable of the company’s Meanwhile, policy cost of inflation encouraging remained Zambian-owned relatively muted

and thus create public

suppliers, despite upwards employing pressure local people, from ongoing contributing currency to

confidence in the tax sys

the weakness. national economy whilst boosting Government

tem,” Ms Deka-Zulu said.

tax revenue.

JOHANNESBURG - At this year's State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa will have to provide details on the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, said the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu).

The president is set to deliver the SONA this Thursday.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Cosatu provided a grocery list of demands of what it wants Ramaphosa to address - including details of the vaccine rollout plan, energy security, stabilising stateowned enterprises and steps to mobilise resources to support economic growth efforts.

"We do not need new economic plans, but we need details and definitive timeframes that will speak to the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP)," said Cosatu's parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks.

"The thrust of the SONA needs to speak to the rapid implementation of the ERRP. The economy is in deep trouble and unemployment has surged past 50 percent and it's time for less talk and swift action," he added.

– FIN24.

GOVERNMENT through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has given 10, 000 litres water tanks to two schools in Chirundu that are struggling to meet the Covid-19 health guidelines as they do not have running water.

This follows an inspection by Lusaka province

Covid-19 multi-sectoral committee who found that the schools had no water access points.

The 10 000 litres overhead water tanks have been provided as a short term measure towards addressing the water challenges faced by Chilindi and Sitinkwi Primary Schools.

Chinidi Primary School Headteacher, Brian Chibulo disclosed that he carries buckets of water to the school to enable pupils to wash their hands as required by the health guidelines.

“Every morning I come with a bucket of water for the pupils to wash their hands. We’ve had this challenge for seven years,” Mr Chibulo lamented.

And District Commissioner, Stafford Kayame said there are two schools that have a challenge of water in the district.

Mr Kayame said Sitinikwi Primary School does not have a water access point which makes it difficult for learners to wash their hands regularly.

Meanwhile, Sitinkwi Primary School acting Deputy Head Teacher, Catright Mhone disclosed that the school has put in place strict measures to ensure that the learners are protected from contracting the Coronavirus.

Ms Mhone however bemoaned the lack of water supply in school which she says threatens the measures put in place in a bid to prevent Covid-19.

Meanwhile, Chirundu District Commissioner, Stafford Kayame explained that the schools have managed to adhere to Covid-19 health guidelines except the two schools which have no running water.

And Lusaka Provincial Health Director, Consity Mwale commended the District Health Office,

District Administration and Town Council for a multi sectoral approach regarding prevention of Covid-19 in schools.

Dr Mwale has since assured parents that the learners are safe and should be allowed to be in school without fear. - ZANIS

MWANSABOMBWE Town Council Secretary, Stanley Mbewe has implored the traditional leadership in the area to help the district attain the Open Defecation Free status.

Mr Mbewe urged the traditional leaders to use their influence to ensure all households have toilets.

He was speaking when he officially opened a twoday orientation workshop on community led Total Sanitation for the village headmen and women held at Kapale Secondary School.

This is contained in a statement in Mwansabombwe by Council Public Relations Officer, Glenda Nachinga

Mr Mbewe emphasised that the Open Defecation Free status will mean

Our hope is that the district could attain Open Defecation Free status in the next three months and this can only be possible with your help. Please help the council by sensitising your subjects on this subject.

improved health as there will be a reduction in communicable diseases that come as a result of open defecation.

“I know that you as traditional leaders are very influential and when you speak, your subjects listen, please, help us ensure all households in the villages dig pit latrines,” he appealed.

Mr Mbewe has since called on the traditional leaders to help the District attain the important milestone.

“Our hope is that the district could attain Open Defecation Free status in the next three months and this can only be possible with your help. Please help the council by sensitizing your subjects on this subject,” he said.

Meanwhile, Headman Nakabamba reiterated the traditional leaders’ commitment to seeing the district attain the desired open defecation free status.

He said the respective village headmen and women will immediately start sensitising their subjects and ensure that every household has a pit latrine.

.