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By Gabriel Pollen
In discussing the question of fuel subsidies, we first need to explicitly define what a subsidy is. A subsidy is an amount paid by government to keep prices below free market. The amount is equal to difference between the consumer pump price of fuel versus the total actual cost of producing or importing.
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Finance Alexander Chikwanda recently announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has pledged to provide assistance to the Zambian government in the health and agricultural sectors. Around US$15 million will support the rehabilitation of the country's main referral hospital. The two countries are also exploring the cooperation in the area of localized fertilizer production, particularly the possible revitalization of the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) plant in Kafue.
Copyright © Zambian Economist 2013
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By Mutota N. Mulumpa
Allow me to quote an excerpt from Amanda Nelson's article on the 'Effects of European Colonialism in Africa' :
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Government has now operationalised the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) into a National Prosecution Authority (NPA). All criminal prosecution functions would now be vested in the NPA as set out in under the National Prosecution Authority Act, 2010.
Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba recently appointed the the NPA Board with an impossible mandate of achieving "90 per cent court success rate". The Board will be chaired by DPP Muntembo Nchito.
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Government has rejected calls by Toyota Zambia to limit the age of second hand vehicles entering the country because it may "disadvantage the majority of Zambians who cannot afford to buy brand new ones". Toyota wanted Government to limit the age of second hand vehicles entering the country to four (4) years for cars and pick-ups and five (5) years for trucks in order "to improve safety conditions on roads".
Transport Minster Christopher Yaluma says vehicles are unsafe on roads due to lack of maintenance rather than their age. Also most cars entering the country are in good condition. Limiting the age of motor vehicles will only benefit players in the local industry and not necessarily benefiting the ordinary Zambians because vehicles would be beyond the affordability of most citizens.
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Government has created the Minerals Development Commission (MDC) that will independently verify production figures submitted by mining companies (and presumably chase up those who never submit). It will be led by mining expert Pius Maambo.
Mines and Energy Minister Yamfwa Mukanga says the MDC comprises of officials from Bank of Zambia, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Mines, Chamber of Mines, UNZA and CBU.
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Government has partnered with the United States to set up the first forensic laboratory in Zambia. The overall value of the five-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is estimated at US$10m. The lab will be ready for use in August this year.
The PPP includes GRZ, US government, and the private sector partners Georgian Foundation, Sorensen Forensics, and Zambia Society for Child Protection. In the first year, the GRZ government will provide the largest contribution of nearly US$2m.
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Two recent parties actually. First up is the Catholic priest Frank Bwalya who recently announced he is forming a new party. Frank Bwalya says President Michael Sata has lost it and that time has come for Zambians to look to him for direction. His decision apparently came to him as "part of the visions that God has been showing him". He has a vision for a Zambia which will have not street kids among other things.
He is promising to introduce a new type of politics and has already launched a yellow card campaign against the PF government for "failing to keep mealie meal prices low" and "its selective prosecution". The name of the party is secret until such a time when it is right to announce it. He says this is to void the hijacking of the name of his yet to be launched political party.
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GRZ is allegedly in talks with three airlines about taking an equity stake in a new national carrier Air Zambia Ltd. and expects it to make its debut flight by the end of the year.
Transport PS Muyenga Atanga says, "We are 60 percent advanced in all our preparations. We are quite confident that before the end of the year we should have a national airline."
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An important new free book - 'An enterprise map of Zambia' by IGC's John Sutton. The book provides a detailed account of Zambia's current industrial capabilities. From mining-related industries through general manufacturing, agribusiness and construction, it describes the structure of each of the country's major industries. Please share with friends and don't waste your money on the one in shops. It is embedded below, but you can also download it here. John Sutton is the current Sir John Hicks Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics).
Copyright © Zambian Economist 2013
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