Feira: Striving for economic growth

DOREEN NAWA, Luangwa
SITUATED on the eastern side of Lusaka Province, about 350kilometres from the capital city, Feira constituency is home to the confluence of the Luangwa and the Zambezi Rivers.
To the east, the Luangwa River borders with Mozambique and to the south the Zambezi River borders with Zimbabwe.
The constituency has one of Zambia’s extreme temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius and is drought prone making it difficult for tangible agricultural activities.
The constituency has fifteen wards namely Dzalo, M’kaliza, Mandombe, Phwazi, Mphuka, Kabowo, Kapoche, Chiriwe, Lunya, Katondwe, Chikoma, Mburuma, Mwalila, Kaunga and Mankhokwe.
Consider ing that some meaningful activities only take place along the two main rivers, the population too is concentrated along the Luangwa and the Zambezi Rivers. What drives the economy in the constituency is mainly fishing, livestock rearing and craft-making of reed mats and baskets.
Illegal charcoal production is high in the constituency because only 20 percent of its population is in formal employment and 80 percent who are mostly youths are self-employed.
Feira constituency which is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Luangwa has six government secondary schools, one mission school, 15 government primary schools, two private schools and one school for children with special needs.
Under health, the constituency currently has one mission hospital, Katondwe and will soon see the opening of the first ever district hospital, Luangwa, which is nearing completion. Luangwa District hospital is yet to undergo phase 3 (equipment fittings) in its construction stage. The constituency has eight rural health centres and 27 primary health care centres.
The constituency is linked to the rest of the country using the recently constructed D145 road which was upgraded to bituminous standard between 2013 and 2014. Besides the D145, the constituency has 17 feeder roads which are periodically maintained by the Rural Roads Unit.
Accessing telecommunications network in the constituency is quite poor for most parts in the constituency. The constituency has poor signal reception for Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).
The constituency has an airstrip for light aircrafts only, situated three kilometres from the Feira Central Business district.
Feira constituency is not connected to the national electricity grid. Currently, only the boma has power which is diesel generated under Zesco and the surplus is exported to the neighbouring Zumbo district in Mozambique.
Solar, charcoal and firewood are also used as alternative sources of energy. Currently, construction of two Zesco sub-stations is underway in the constituency to connect Luangwa district in Feira constituency to the national electricity grid.
The constituency has no industry; currently the Luangwa district council has approved a 200 hectares piece of land for a government project spearheaded by Zam-capitol for the construction of a milling plant.
Feira has two chiefdoms namely Mburuma and Mphuka. The main ethnic groups are the Nsenga Luzi under senior chief Mburuma in the Northern part of the constituency and the Chikunda people under Chief Mphuka in the Southern part.
The constituency has its share of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), but just like several other rural constituencies, the CDF is not enough because of the numerous challenges the people of the constituency face.
“We are doing our best to ensure that each ward in the constituency gets a share of the CDF projects but the allocation is like a drop in the ocean. We have challenges regarding the poor road networks in the constituency, poor school and health infrastructure, and making an equal share of the funds amount to nothing. As rural members of Parliament, we have brought this to the attention of the House; it is our hope that one day something will be done,” Feira member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Ngoma said.
Mr Ngoma who is also Tourism deputy minister said from the 2014 CDF, a number of projects were approved in Mkaliva, Chiriwe, Dzalo, Kapoche, Mandombe, Mburuma, Mphuka, Katondwe and Kaunga wards.
“Drilling of boreholes and construction of classroom blocks and additional health infrastructure is underway in most wards,” Mr Ngoma said.
Mr Ngoma cited the construction of a maternity wing at Mandombe Rural Health Centre, construction of a two-classroom block at Kaluluzi in Kapoche ward, construction of a health centre at Kapoche and the construction of two by two boarding houses for girls and boys at Chitombe. Boreholes have been drilled in Kanyenze, Molo and Chitombwe all under CDF funding.
And Chief Mphuka says the construction of the D145 road commonly known as Luangwa road has brought development and recognition to the constituency and district as a whole.
Chief Mphuka says Feira constituency needs a mine to keep the youths in the constituency productive.
“Currently there is no industry here and opening up of a mine in Feira constituency will be of great benefit to the unemployed youths,” Chief Mphuka said.
FEIRA FACTS
Total Registered Voters: 11,260 (according to the 2015 Presidential elections)
Population: 27, 294 (Central Statistical Office)
Wards: 15
Current MP: Patrick Ngoma (2011-2013 as MMD) (2013-to date as PF)
Past MP: Charles Shawa (2006-2011 MMD)
 https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=41293
PUBLISHED IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON AUGUST 23, 2015

Oral health care still daunting problem

DOREEN NAWA, Lusaka
ALL her life she believed that the only solution to toothache is extraction. But her recent visit to Lusaka’s Champ Zambia Chaisa Centre recently made her realise that there are other solutions to toothache.
Bridget Phiri, 37, says on a date she cannot remember but in the last week of July, 2015, she went to Champ Zambia Chaisa Centre for a dental check-up. This was after word went round that a United States of America (USA) couple would be in the area to provide dental services.
Boston-based doctors, Bill and Pilar Papadopoulos are experts in dental services and run a project called Project SmileWell. The couple was in Chaisa to provide dental services to the people in the area for four days.
Ms Phiri says accessing dental health in her area has been a big challenge.
“We have problems accessing health care services here especially dental. Whenever one has a dental problem, medical staff will quickly advise extraction. I am surprised to learn there is such a thing as tooth filing,” Ms Phiri said.
Ms Phiri first visited a nearby dentist, where she was told one of her wisdom teeth had to be extracted. However, as an unemployed, single mother, she opted not to go through with the procedure because she had no money. She endured the pain.
Unfortunately, a few weeks later, she developed a headache which caused the side of her face to swell. At the clinic, she was prescribed pain-killers, which cost K15 and antibiotics, which cost K35.
Unable to afford both, she bought only the pain-killers. And because she was able to suppress the pain over the next few days, the infection spread to jaws and she had to undergo an operation.
This is not a one-off tragedy. Like Ms Phiri, majority of Zambians especially in the rural areas and low-income bracket do not have access to dental health services due to the high cost and scarcity of the services.
It is because of such cases that the vision carriers of SmileWell project decided to come to Zambia to conduct dental services. Project SmileWell specialises in dental services. The project was implemented in Chaisa recently.
Dr Papadopoulos says what started as a dream began to show fruition in February 2015 when he visited Zambia and consolidated his dream with Champ.
“My dream is not to come to Zambia and remove hundreds of teeth. Zambians have beautiful teeth and it hates me to just come here and remove their teeth. What I noticed is that there is a huge demand and underservice in the community regarding dental health services.
“If we can start somewhere, it’s a good start. We need to do more on awareness, and help educate and train more people on dental services. We have set up an online initiative, where we can share books with the Dental Training School here. It pained me to see that the dental school does not have enough books,” Dr Papadopoulos said.
Oral health, which comprises good oral health care, hygiene and adequate nutrition, is a vital component of one’s overall health.
According to Dr Pilar, people with limited access to preventive oral health services are at greater risk of oral diseases.
“I see the necessity for basic dental home care, most of the questions we were getting were based on how they can prevent dental illnesses, and we need to look at the prevention part. There is a huge gap,” Dr Pilar said.
Dr Pilar said providing dental care for those in need is the driving force for their project.
“In co-operation with the Ministry of Health, and amazing local organisations; such as Champ, we have run a four-day event. We setup a five tent clinics to of fer various dental services. We invited one orphanage to bring in their children for dental services and activities,” Dr Pilar said.
Oral health care remains the greatest unmet health need for children. Insufficient access to oral health care and effective preventive services affects children’s health, education, and ability to prosper. Early dental visits teach children that oral health is important.
According to research, children who receive oral health care early in life are more likely to have a good attitude about oral health professionals and dental visits. Pregnant women who receive oral health care are more likely to take their children for oral health care.-https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=41958 PUBLISHED IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON AUGUST 30, 2015

Zambia, Netherlands sign tax treaty

DOREEN NAWA, Ethiopia
ZAMBIA and Netherlands have signed a new tax treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income.
The treaty was signed at the sideline of the third International Conference on Financing for Development on Wednesday.
A tax treaty is a bilateral economic agreement between two nations that aims to avoid or eliminate double taxation of the same income in two countries.
Representing the Zambian government, Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda said fundamentally, the purpose of the treaty is to promote international trade and investment by ensuring that businesses are not subjected to double taxation of certain types of taxes between the two countries.
He said subjecting businesses to double taxation is detrimental to investment adding that the treaty is one of the measures to tackle tax avoidance.
“I recognise and welcome the initiative and commitment of the Dutch Government to re-negotiate its tax treaties with a number of least developed countries and particularly include anti-abuse provisions in the new treaties,” Mr Chikwanda said.
Mr Chikwanda said the effort should be emulated by other developing countries to ensure that more taxes are paid in jurisdictions where companies generate their incomes.
Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Co-operation Lilianne Ploumen signed on behalf of her country.
“By making use of loop-holes in tax treaties in combination with differences between national tax rules, internationally operating companies can avoid paying tax. It means that poor countries miss out on tax revenues, funds they clearly need for matters such as infrastructure and education,” Ms  Ploumen said.
She said the Netherlands want sto help developing countries put a stop to this loss, preferably by means of internationally binding measures.
The Netherlands has tax treaties with over 90 countries.
Studies show that these international treaties of the Netherlands are not out of line, compared to tax treaties of other countries.
However, the tax treaty with Zambia, stemming from 1977, was outdated, and most treaties comprise no anti-abuse clauses.
This, among other things, meant that their unintended use was a risk in both countries.
Negotiations to replace the 1977 tax treaty were held in April last year in The Hague in Netherlands, where the two countries successfully renegotiated for the new tax treaty. https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=36994 PUBLISHED IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON JULY 17, 2015

CSO role vital, UN chief

DOREEN NAWA, Addis Ababa
UNITED Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has told civil society organisations (CSOs) that have converged on Addis Ababa that their role is vital in keeping governments accountable and ensuring that the voices of billions around the world are heard.
As member states press on with efforts to reach consensus on a plan to secure the necessary financing for sustainable development, Mr Ban said: “Now, more than ever, the world needs your advocacy, expertise, and ingenuity.”
Mr Ban was speaking when he addressed CSOs during the Global Civil Society Forum at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD3) here on Monday.
“You are the voice of the people. You can count on the UN to make it heard, loud and clear,” Mr Ban said.
The FFD3 is expected to launch a renewed and strengthened global partnership for financing people-centred development this week.
The conference, commonly referred to as FFD3, brings together high-level political representatives, including heads of state and government as well as ministers of finance, foreign affairs and development cooperation, along with international financial institutions, non-governmental organisations and the business sector to secure resources for the well-being of the world’s people and the planet.
“I am inspired by your passion, commitment and energy,” Mr Ban told representatives of civil society.
He added that their engagement marks the culmination of “untiring efforts” to ensure a successful and meaningful outcome at the conference.
Managing director of the Society for International Development Stefano Prato said CSOs are engaged on many different levels and have a fundamental watchdog responsibility.
“Independently of what policy commitments are being taken, it’s fundamental to track what is happening and be able to review and follow up into a process that is not exclusively based on numbers and data – despite their importance – but in the direct participation of those most affected by development challenges,” Mr Prato said. PUBLISHED IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON JULY 16, 2015

Be professional, Malama tells scribes

MINISTRY of Information and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Godfrey Malama has challenged journalists in the country to uphold professionalism.
Mr Malama said it is sad that most journalists and media houses have continued to conduct themselves unprofessionally in the process of disseminating information to the public.
He said this at the first ever Airtel media excellence awards in Lusaka on Friday.
And Airtel acting managing director Mustafa Kapasi said the company will continue to support journalism that is accurate and creative.
During the awards, Times of Zambia reporter Gethsemane Mwizabi scooped two awards.
Among other winners were Francesca Banda and Kennedy Phiri of MUVI-TV while runner-up in print story was Doreen Nawa of Zambia Daily Mail. – ZNBC. PUBLISHED ON JULY 13, 2015 IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL
https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=36543

Africa recommits to sustainable growth

DOREEN NAWA, Addis Ababa
THE Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD3) kicked off on July 13, 2015 in the Ethiopian capital with calls to ‘reboot’ global finance initiatives to improve human lives while protecting the planet.
In what the United Nations has dubbed 2015 “A Year for Global Action,” the four-day gathering brought together high-level government officials, financial institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and civil society representatives.
It came at an important juncture, as member states prepared to adopt a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September and reach a universal climate change agreement in December.
Speaking at the official opening UN secretary General Ban-Ki-moon said, “You have recognised that in a world in which both the global population and resource constraints are growing, development finance needs a reboot.”
The UN chief said without resources, commitments will amount to little more than promises on paper and that the outcome of the conference – known as the ‘Addis Ababa Action Agenda’ – would be the starting point of a new path for financing sustainable development.
The Addis Ababa Action Agenda draft outcome document, which is still under negotiation, presents an “ambitious financing framework” that includes concrete policy commitments in at least six crucial areas, beginning with a new social compact for quality investment.
It also includes a package for least developed countries, including a commitment to increasing official development aid, as well as a new Technology Facilitation Mechanism that aims to break new ground to help facilitate the development, transfer and dissemination of relevant technologies for the sustainable development goals.
Mr Ban told the delegates that the draft document calls for greater international co-operation in tax matters to stem the tide of illicit financial flows; mainstreams gender equality throughout the financing for development agenda; and makes clear that everyone’s actions need to be underpinned by a strong commitment to protecting and preserving the planet.
“Let us put aside what divides us and overcome narrow self-interest in favour of working together for the common well-being of humanity,” Mr Ban appealed to delegates. “Let us build on our shared vision of a sustainable world free from poverty and deliver a transformative outcome here in Addis.”
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who was also the president of the conference said sustainable development agenda is the right way to go.
“There are those who say that the sustainable development agenda is too ambitious. I am not one of them. For me, this is the right agenda for a world in transition. It is the right agenda for a world with the power, for the first time in history, to wipe poverty out entirely.
“And the right agenda for a moment in history when our future on this planet is no longer certain, unless we embark on a serious change of course,” he said.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister further said the soaring ambition of the Sustainable Development Goals will only mean anything if the intentions that the delegates bring to delivering them through the Addis Ababa Action Agenda is every bit as ambitious as the goals themselves.
“If it is not, we will let down the people we all represent and will ultimately be blamed for years to come for our lack of seriousness. We will also seriously undermine the credibility of our key global institution, the United Nations… This will be a devastating blow at a point when the need for collective action has never been greater.
“But I don’t believe that we will choose that path,” the Prime Minister said.
And President of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, told delegates that the conference should result in an ambitious, holistic and comprehensive framework for financing sustainable development.
“We need concrete deliverables, actions, policies and measures which will result into increased mobilisation of resources from all sources, and ensure their effective use, to support the implementation of the universal post-2015 development agenda,” Mr Kutesa said.
He cited six areas that are crucial: generating increased domestic resources; international public finance; the need for countries to access long-term financing for infrastructure at concessional or affordable rates; finding ways of increasing the private sector’s participation and contribution to the implementation of the new agenda; addressing the enabling domestic and international environment for development; and effective follow-up to track progress.
“Through a renewed global partnership, solidarity and collective action, we can and will mobilise the resources to achieve a prosperous and sustainable future for all,” he said.
The FFD3 was held at the headquarters of the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
With Africa basking in increased attention as the favourite destination for investment the conference strikes a chord that reverberates across the continent and beyond.
The powerful economies of the west and the east are thirsting for Africa’s abundant natural resources to feed their insatiable manufacturing industries.
Africa has become the ‘battle ground’ for the United States and Europe on the one hand and China, the world’s second largest economy, as it grapples with poverty, youth unemployment, slow economic growth, disease and the more threatening climate change.
It is gratifying that the continent is showing its commitment to achieving development goals beyond 2015 for sustainable development.
There has been a lot of discussion in Addis about how to finance Africa’s $100 billion per year infrastructure needs – and mainly how to attract private sector money.
Everybody seems to have ideas for what needs to be done. Many have proposals for projects, large and small. However, so far, few have so far come up with readily investable projects; projects that would actually be realistic to present to institutional investors.
Coming out of Addis, the focus must be on bringing the few investable projects to reality. Africa must learn and be inspired by the projects done in developed nations so that the successful ones can be adapted and replicated. PUBLISHED IN THE ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL ON AUGUST 1, 2015-https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=38643