Favourite K. Chisi

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...