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Politician Solomon Mumba has called for a stronger, more credible opposition in Zambia, arguing that current political debates have focused too much on politicking rather than addressing the nation’s pressing development challenges. Mr. Mumba said the opposition exists in Zambia, but few voices are actively engaging in meaningful discussions on national development and holding the government accountable. “When we talk about the opposition, I’m looking at those who can criticize the government on things it has not delivered, and highlight areas that need development. Too much attention has been concentrated on politicking at the expense of national development,” he said. Mr. Mumba said  that Zambians are crying out for tangible development and solutions, rather than endless political debates and personal attacks between parties. “In terms of development, the opposition hasn’t spoken much. Instead, they have concentrated on politicking and trying to character assassinate each other. ...

Lusaka Mayor  hopeful from the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND),   William Njombo   sa id  flooding in the capital is one of the issues closest to his heart. “Flooding is a serious concern for me,” Njombo told reporters. “Our country has two major seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season lasts about six months, and when it pours, flooding can paralyze communities and disrupt normal life.” Mr. Njombo  has said that the human toll of the floods, particularly in areas like Kamwala South, Kanyama, and Mandevu. “Houses get flooded, people lose property, children miss school, and workers struggle to get to work. Life literally comes to a standstill. We cannot allow this to continue,” he said. If elected, Mr. Njombo has promised a coordinated approach with fellow councillors, the town clerk, and key stakeholders. “The council cannot act alone. We will engage road development agencies, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and professi...

Opposition Democratic National Party (DNP) Leader  Sydney Chiyaba has expressed concern over the persistent rise in the cost of living, noting that recent reductions in fuel prices have had minimal impact on the prices of goods and services. “Even with the slight drop in fuel prices, the cost of living continues to rise,” Chiyaba told reporters. “Frequent power outages mean factories must rely on diesel, which is expensive, pushing production costs higher. This inevitably affects prices for everyday goods.” Mr. Chiyaba has emphasized that Zambia’s free-market economy limits the government’s ability to control prices.   “Once prices go up, they rarely come down. Bus fares, for instance, don’t decrease even when fuel is cheaper. The government needs to ensure fuel reductions translate into tangible benefits for consumers,” he said. He has also noted that while imported goods might see price reductions linked to the US dollar, locally produced goods remain costly due to ongoing e...

Opposition New Congress Party (NCP) leader Peter Chanda has reaffirmed his hold on the party, dismissing suggestions that it could be handed over to anyone else. Mr. Chanda said the late former Sixth President Edgar Changwa Lungu had entrusted him with the party. “Before he passed away, ECL gave me one word: hold on to the party. I intend to honour that,” Mr. Chanda said. He has emphasized that under the NCP constitution, he has the mandate to appoint the party’s presidential candidate. “The party cannot simply be handed over to someone else,” he said, adding that provincial conferences will begin in October, leading to a general conference in January where he will seek re-election as party president. Mr. Chanda has clarified that if Zambians choose a different presidential candidate, he would respect their decision. “But for now, control of the party remains with me. That is not negotiable,” he said. Ends………………………….

Ruling United Party for National Development  Katombola Member of Parliament Clement Andeleki has said that the Patriotic Front (PF) effectively ceased to exist following the death of its founder and later Fifth President Michael Sata, dismissing claims that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) is afraid of the opposition. “How can the UPND be afraid of a party that we defeated with over one million votes in the 2021 general elections?” Dr. Andeleki asked. “The PF was in government, it had all the state apparatus, and yet it was defeated decisively at the polls. The numbers don’t lie.” Dr. Andeleki  has  recalled that the 2021 elections were the first since independence in 1964 to be supervised by the military, a measure aimed at ensuring transparency and credibility. He has described the polls as fair and democratic despite attempts at violence by elements within the PF. “They were defeated democratically despite the violence that they attempted to per...

Environmental watchdog Active Green Plus has called on the government to immediately close down Sino Metals, prosecute its executives, and publicly disclose the full scale of the environmental disaster caused by the company’s concealed toxic waste spillage in Kitwe’s Chambeshi area. The Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), which advocates for environmental justice, sustainable development, and inclusive governance, says revelations that Sino Metals grossly understated the extent of toxic waste contamination amount to a national crisis that goes beyond environmental negligence. Active Green Plus Board Chairperson Hopkins Mwansa said the government must act decisively following shocking disclosures that the contamination involved more than 1.5 million tonnes of cyanide and uranium  far higher than the 50,000 tonnes initially reported by the company . “This is not just corporate irresponsibility. It is a grave assault on public health, environmental safety, and the trust that Zambians...

Zambia requires about 180 million dollars every year to provide sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, highlighting the scale of the challenge in the country. Speaking at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing with the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, WaterAid Country Director Yankho Mataya said achieving universal WASH access involves significant capital investment as well as operational and maintenance costs. Ms. Mataya has revealed that 32 percent of households lack basic water access, 64 percent lack basic sanitation, 82 percent lack basic hygiene, and 13 percent of health care facilities have no water service. Many facilities also face gaps in hand hygiene, waste management, and environmental cleaning, affecting infection control and maternal health outcomes. “The signing of this MoU reflects our shared commitment to advancing national and global development goals in Zambia,” Ms. Mata...

WaterAid Zambia, the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating universal access to sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services across Zambia. The signing ceremony has been described as “a momentous occasion marking a new chapter in our collective journey toward ensuring every citizen has access to clean and safe water as well as adequate sanitation,” aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 6 and Zambia’s Vision 2030. Speaking at the event, Water Development Permanent Secretary Romas Kamanga has said that  access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is not just a matter of infrastructure; it is a foundation for public health, economic growth, and human dignity. He said the MoU formalizes a commitment to collaborate, tackle sector challenges, and implement innovative WASH technologies. “This tripartite partnership will focus on capac...

UPND Namwala Member of Parliament Moono Mapani  Ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) Namwala Member of Parliament Moono Mapani has called on President Hakainde Hichilema and his Cabinet to urgently re-table Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 when Parliament resumes on 12th September. The Bill, which seeks to address pressing constitutional and governance concerns, was deferred earlier this year following guidance from President Hichilema to Justice Minister Princess Kasune to conduct further consultations with Parliament and other stakeholders. Mr. Mapani said it is imperative that the Bill be brought back to the House without further delay so that Members of Parliament can debate and approve it in good time. He has warned that continued postponement could compromise efforts to improve the management of constituencies and the equitable distribution of resources. “Time is not on our side,” Mr. Mapani said in an interview. “Bill 7, once passed, will address crit...

The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment has hailed the Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication Symposium (ABBC) as a premier platform for convening stakeholders to shape Africa’s future through trust in science, open dialogue, and innovative solutions. Speaking during the official closing of ABBC 2025 in Lusaka, Green Economy and Environment Minister Mike Mposha   through a speech delivered on his behalf by Permanent Secretary Douty Chibamba   said the past decade has shown the symposium’s relevance in addressing critical challenges facing Africa. “This year’s symposium has once again affirmed its importance by confronting a critical challenge – misinformation and disinformation that continues to undermine Africa’s adoption of biosciences and, by extension, the achievement of One Health and sustainable food systems,” Mr. Mposha said. Mr. Chibamba has noted that the past two days of dialogue had been rich with the exchange of knowledge and innovative approaches to harne...

Delegates at the 6th Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication Symposium (ABBC 2025), which concluded in Lusaka on Thursday, have committed to developing a harmonized manual of terminologies in One Health and environmental science to strengthen clarity, policy coherence, and public understanding across the continent. The meeting, which drew 150 delegates from 21 countries, also marked the 10th anniversary of the African-led platform. It brought together experts from crop and livestock research, One Health, public health, communication, information technology, academia, policy, regulation, and the private sector. Reading the final communiqué, Daniel Osei Ofosu, a Research Scientist at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, said participants had agreed to create communication toolkits that incorporate storytelling, visuals, and local languages to make science more relatable to African communities. Dr. Ofosu has urged African governments to increase investment in science, technology, and inn...

Senior policymakers and scientists at the Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC) 2025 Symposium have urged governments to anchor science decisions in evidence-based policies and to communicate research findings in clear, simple language to prevent misinformation from undermining public trust. National Biosafety Authority Head of Standards and Technical Liaison Christopher Simuntala has emphasized that even in the face of misinformation and disinformation, governments must give firm direction on science policy. “Decision-making informs policy, and policy informs the law,” said Mr. Simuntala, a qualified medical scientist. “When decisions come from evidence-based science, they must have a strong foundation to support sound legislation. Even the mathematical models used to guide these decisions must be handled properly to ensure accuracy.” Speaking on the sidelines of the symposium, Mr. Simuntala has stated that high-level policymakers were targeted in discussions because they s...

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa  has appointed its first Panel of Experts on Biotechnology and Biosafety to provide evidence-based guidance for member states and counter misinformation that threatens agricultural innovation. The 12-member panel, endorsed this month by COMESA Ministers of Agriculture, will serve as a trusted technical body under the COMESA Biotechnology and Biosafety Implementation Program (COMBIP). Its mandate is to deliver rigorous, peer-reviewed biosafety assessments to help governments make science-driven decisions on biotechnology products. Speaking at the 60th African Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC) Symposium in Lusaka, COMESA–ACTESA Chief Executive Officer John Mukuka said the panel’s work is critical to ensuring that regional policies are anchored in facts rather than fear. “This panel will serve as a vital counterweight to misinformation and disinformation that undermine public confidence in science,” he said. And Dr . Mukuka has...