News
Government stops the exportation of silk in raw form-Kalemba
MINISTER of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga has directed Wonderful Group of Companies not to export silk in its raw form.
As a way of creating resilient industries that will in turn boost economic growth, the minister emphasized on value addition to allow competitiveness of the product on the international market.
Speaking when he toured Mupika Sericulture limited a Silk producing company owned by Wonderful Group of companies in Muchinga province on February 29, following complaints of abuse by the workers, Mulenga directed management to export silk as a finished product to increase on profit margins.
“The same way you are exporting finished tiles, fertilizer, we don’t want you to just export raw material we want you to export finished silk. Set up a plant for producing finished silk material,” he directed.
He indicated that government will promote linkages between domestic and foreign markets to build institutional capacity on a condition that the company creates employment for the locals.
The workers had complained of unattainable work standards with quick deadlines and discrimination.
In addressing the complaints with the general manager a Mr Xu and human resource officer Mulenga Chundu, the minister advised that the success of every organization is dependent on good leadership and a motivated workforce.
“We have received several complaints about the mistreatment of workers especially the female workers. In Zambia we respect women and treat them with respect,” Mulenga said
“Your superiors have asked for help to facilitate for exports to China and we are working on that and if I have to support this company to grow you have to support the workers.”
Mulenga also cautioned Xu against terminating contracts of employment for the workers without adhering to the labor laws.
“For now hold on to the plans of terminating employment until you gives us a schedule of operations and the workforce you need. For now you should hold on to the termination until we sit down as government through the ministry of labor and we should be involved as industry,” Mulenga directed.
Mulenga urged Chundu to be the mediator between the employees and employees in forming a consensus on working conditions unlike siding with management.
“HR Don’t just fire people without consulting relevant authorities. You are not enemies of the workers you are supposed to be the mediator,” he advised.
“Those charge sheets you give workers do you assess whether it’s laziness or the workers are given portions of land to teal which require a machine? Ask yourself if you can also manage to do manual labor on a big portion.”
Mulenga directed that the workers who were laid off be retained until the two ministries and the company agree on the way forward.
He also advised the workers to secure their jobs and protect their interests through hard work.
“You shouldn’t have that attitude that these are Chinese and you are Zambians this company is yours learn the skill one day you will start producing silk on your own,” Mulenga said.
“Don’t be lazy Chinese are workaholics so let them teach you how to work but that requires patience. You should also stop being lazy improve on your work ethic so that the company does not close.
Minister of Science and Technology Felix Mutati who accompanied Mulenga advised Xu to consider digital technology in the production of silk.
He urged management to see to it that workers are supplied with personal protective equipment and make the environment habitable to motivate the workers.
Mutati proposed that the company be renamed Silk Tazara for easy identification.
“Government is going out of its way to export products by Wonderful group of companies all we ask for is give respect to our people and allow them to grow the same way you want to grow. Don’t send raw material ensure you send finished material for value addition,” said Mutati.
Three kidnappers suspected to have attempted to kidnap the wife of a member of the Delta State House of Assembly have been killed by the police in a fierce gun duel.
According to the information on PUNCH Metro, it was gathered that the hoodlums had failed in an attempt to kidnap the woman on September 2, 2024, at the Okoloba Junction, Jakpa Road, Uvwie, where the suspected kidnappers killed two policemen and the driver, Mr. David Imela, during the incident.
However, the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed this to the PUNCH Metro on Sunday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
He said, “Following the failed attempted kidnap of the wife of one of the members of Delta State House of Assembly where the suspected kidnappers murdered two Mobile Policemen and the driver, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered a water-tight deployment around Warri and its environs as well as narrowing the roads and blockage of all exit points.
“Police operatives of the Ebrumede Division led by the DPO CSP Iwok Ndifereke strategically deployed and created an artificial hold-up at the DSC Roundabout and sighted the vehicle as described with a matching registration number.
“On noticing the traffic and sighting the policemen, the hoodlums opened fire on the team which the team equally responded professionally owing to the busy nature of the area.”
He said the hoodlums immediately abandoned the vehicle shattered with bullets and escaped with bullet injuries while three AK-47 rifles and their operational vehicle with registration no. WWR-436-GZ were recovered.
According to Edafe, the CP who was not satisfied with their escape, directed that the DPO Ebrumede should go all out and ensure the suspects were arrested and brought to book.
“Armed with available information and exhibits found in the abandoned vehicle, on October 3, 2024, the DPO Ebrumede Division, CSP Iwok Ndifereke, led operatives to their hideout in Agbarho where the police engaged the suspects in a fierce gun duel.
“The policemen who prepared for the battle ahead overpowered the hoodlums, three of the suspects sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped and another AK-47 rifle was also recovered.
“The suspects were taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead. A manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing,” he said.
Edafe said Olufemi also commended the bravery the DPO and his men displayed during the operation and urged other officers and men of the command to emulate them.
The Ogun State police command on Monday said that its Igbeba Division, Ijebu-Ode, arrested one Shedrack Olawale Olayemi, who had been on the police wanted list for armed robbery and alleged rape of some female students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, in July.
The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Monday.
Odutola said that Olayemi was picked up after an intelligence report revealed that the 33-year-old alleged armed robber and rapist was sighted at the university area, Ijagun, where he has been trying to conceal his identity.
The statement said, “The divisional police officer of Igbeba Division has arrested a wanted notorious suspect for armed robbery.
“Following a tip-off, that one Olayemi Olawale Shedrack, aged 33 was sighted in Ijagun, trying to conceal himself among other citizens, but his identity was immediately confirmed by intelligence, and the police were contacted. In swift action, he was apprehended.
“Olayemi Olawale Shedrack has been on the police search for armed robbery and rape. He was fingered as the prime suspect for an alleged crime of armed robbery and rape in which he participated actively on the 21st of July, 2024, where he and his cohort broke into a female Royal Villa accommodation area in Tai University of Education Ijagun, where he robbed harmless female students of their luxury educational devices, including laptops, iPhones, sports wristwatches and cash, and further had unlawful carnal knowledge of the innocent female student and has since fled.”
The police said that a preliminary investigation has commenced, and the suspect has been immediately taken to the Igbeba police station for interrogation and will soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.
The U.S. President appeared with Vice President Kamala Harris together at a White House event focused on “curbing gun violence.”
Joe Biden signed a new executive order that will restrict the use of certain gun technologies. Specifically, authorities will crack down on the threat of 3D printed weapons and “ghost guns”.
A task force is being set up to assess the risks of devices that remake semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic weapons.
Schools will also revise their approach to shooting clubs, according to the executive order. The feds will develop specific guidelines to ensure that “active shooter” lessons aren’t psychologically damaging to kids.
Biden said that if we want to reduce crime in the U.S., we have to talk about guns. Harris said she favors a complete ban on assault weapons, as well as implementing background checks for purchasers and passing strict safe storage laws.
