Copperbelt Trade & Development Forum - CTDF

CTDF COMMENDS GOVERNMENT FOR HARNESSING MINING LOCAL SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS

The Copperbelt Trade and Development Forum (CTDF) has commended government for harnessing mining local suppliers and contractors through the long-awaited local content statutory instrument which takes effect on 1st January 2026

Since the privatisation of ZCCM over two decades ago, local mining suppliers and contractors have endured discriminatory and unfair business practices along the mining supply chain

As of 2021, the total value of goods and services that were consumed by the Zambian major mining companies was estimated at US$2.9 billion where the participation rate of Zambian owned firms was only 2.5% while locally manufactured goods provided by resident firms stood at 10.6%

The signing of the mining local content SI as provided under section 10 sub-sections (1) and (4) of the Geological Minerals Development Act No. 2 of 2025 will compel mining companies to preserve a minimum of 20% of their procurement budget for local suppliers of core goods and services which will progressively be increased to at least 40% within the first five years of it's implementation

In order to ensure the successful implementation of this progressive development, we hereby urge mining suppliers and contractors through their representative associations to ensure that they build their capacity in terms of quality control and to explore innovative financing options for their working capital

We also call on government to incentivize and stimulate the manufacturing sector for instance by further reducing the cost of doing business so that we reduce the heavy reliance on imported core mining goods and consumables along the mineral value chain

https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/04/19/minister-of-information-and-media-applauds-zambians-for-queuing-at-napsa-offices-to-access-retirement-benefits/

UNPACKING THE 2023 1ST QUARTER MAIZE AND MEALIE MEAL CRISIS: MAPPING THE WAY FORWARD
===================================
A lot of public sentiments and perceptions as well as government policy stand point have been circulating on both mainstream and social media in view of the mealie meal crisis but the fact of the matter still points to miscalculations in terms of public policy and decision making by the Minister of Agriculture.

To begin with, the current mealie meal crisis has been exacerbated by rampant exports of maize and mealie meal before the onset of the maize harvest season.

This is the major reason which has also triggered the rapid escalation in the price of mealie meal as well as shortages of the commodity of course not withstanding the reported incidents of smuggling.

The problem of mealie meal smuggling has not started under the New Dawn government.

It has been there from time immemorial, and since the introduction of the MMD market liberalization policies in 1990, Zambia has never witnessed such a mealie meal crisis or desperation where people are compelled to line up scrambling for mealie meal.

Yes, during the previous regime, there were spontaneous episodes of banning and lifting mealie meal export permits in an attempt to ensure that the national food security particularly mealie meal, was not compromised.

It is therefore unfortunate for the New Dawn government, through the Minister of Agriculture to exhibit such levels of adamance and arrogance by insisting that government will continue to export maize and mealie meal in the midst of a food crisis and at the expense of domestic consumption.

That is why as Copperbelt Trade and Development Forum (CTDF), we are strongly and relentlessly advocating for a predictable policy prescription that should suspend maize and mealie meal exports during the 4th and 1st quarter of each year which is a maize pre-harvest season.

Those intending to export maize or mealie meal can then be permitted to do so during the 2nd and 3rd quarter during which period maize would have been harvested in huge quantities and stockpiled by FRA.

Therefore, anything outside that, will always lead to a reoccurrence of the artificial scarcity and high prices of mealie meal a situation that will undermine Zambia's commitment towards the Sustainable Development Goals on ending hunger and poverty by 2030.

WE HAVE HONOURED THE 10.5% SALARY INCREMENT FOR PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS - MUSOKOTWANE

Minister of Finance and National Planning Dr. SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE, MP, says the Government of the Republic of Zambia has honoured and paid all eligible government employees the 10.5 percent salary increment stipulated in the collective agreement between Government and the workers unions who represent various categories of public service workers.

“The funding of K2, 734,100,261.23 (two billion, seven hundred thirty four million, one hundred thousand, two hundred and sixty one kwacha, twenty-three ngwee) for January 2023 salaries for Government workers is consistent with our commitment to enhance workers’ productivity as one of the conduits for attainment of our developmental objectives.

“I am also glad that from the time we assumed office, we have continued to pay salaries, timely,” Dr. Musokotwane, has said.

The total wage bill for salaries has moved from K2, 593,268, 929.92 (two billion, five hundred ninety three million, two hundred and sixty eight thousand, nine hundred and twenty nine kwacha, ninety two ngwee) in December 2022 to K2, 734,100,261.23 (two billion, seven hundred thirty four million, one hundred thousand, two hundred and sixty one kwacha, twenty-three ngwee) in January 2023.

Furthermore, the headcount for government employees has also increased from 285,300 in December 2022 to 286,218 in January 2023. The increase in the headcount includes 900 newly recruited personnel under Zambia Correction Services who have been placed on payroll.

END.