Favourite K. Chisi

Youth Zambia Executive Director Chungu Kachenga has charged that Zambia has become a nightmare for investment because government has been very uncertain on economic policies especially those relating to tax. Mr. Kachenga says government is not leaving by its promise it made during campaigns in 2011 to lower taxes in Zambia. He says that road taxes and other taxes has been the highest in the Southern African Development Community. Mr. Kachenga has advised Finance Minister Felix Mutati to be careful on how they are increasing taxes in the country as they are likely to hinder investment as well as scare investors in the country. He says with such high taxes, it is impossible for any country to improve economically.

The General Nursing Council of Zambia has welcomed the removal of the entire management team at Solwezi General Hospital due to poor administration and negligence of patient care. Council Manager Regulation and Compliance, Tom Yungana says the decision taken by Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya is designed to protect the public and ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the hospital operation. Mr. Yungana says the Council will soon move in to check on the standards existing at Solwezi General Hospital with a view of helping the hospital provide the best care as expected by the public. Mr Yungana has since advised Hospital managements in the country to ensure they improve service delivery to the public.

The Islamic Supreme Council of Zambia (ISCZ) has observed that the year 2017 has been characterized by political wrangles and squabbles. Council President Suzyo Zimba says this has been compounded by the failure by President Edgar Lungu and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to sit down and iron out their differences. Mr. Zimba says this antagonism between the two leaders has somehow made people lose confidence in politicians. He says this kind of situation should be avoided next year so that the people can regain confidence in their political leaders.

The Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) is demanding the resignation of Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya for allegedly failing to run the agriculture sector. ZCSD Executive Director Lewis Mwape is disappointed with the manner the Agriculture Minister has handled the 2017/2018 farming season. He tells Q-news that farmers are helpless, and disappointed with how the e-voucher has been handled by government. Mr. Mwape claims the Agriculture Minister has demonstrated incompetency in the way she has handled the agriculture sector.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Administration Dr. Kennedy Malama has commended the Geoffrey Musonda led Rural Electrification Authority (REA) for increasing access to electricity in rural parts of the country. Dr. Malama says this will guarantee the provision of quality medical care through improved storage of drugs and vaccines. He says an interview that stringent refrigeration of drugs as per World Health Organization (WHO) standard will be assured as dispensed drugs can only be appropriated once specified temperature requirements in health centers, health posts, clinics and hospitals are guaranteed. He adds that medical staff will now be kept abreast with local, continental and international information or news developments as access to electricity improves office and household chores. Dr Malama has further noted the imperative need for cross-sectoral interventions that facilitate smooth implementation of the 2017-2021 Seventh National Development...