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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.
“Conversion to CNG May Have Contributed to Deadly Inferno”
A devastating road accident occurred on [date] at G-Hostel Junction, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, leaving multiple lives lost. An 18-seater bus caught fire, resulting in the tragic loss of passengers.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus driver had recently converted the vehicle’s fuel system from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). While the exact cause of the accident is still unknown, concerns are being raised about potential safety risks associated with the CNG conversion.
The accident resulted in the deaths of all passengers on board, with bodies burnt beyond recognition. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many offering condolences to the families of the victims.
Authorities have commenced an investigation into the accident to determine its cause and whether the CNG conversion played a role in the tragedy. The public is urged to remain vigilant and cautious when traveling.
Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time. May their souls rest in peace.
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command has said it’s operatives were still investigating the alleged murder of Miss Priscilla Ocheme by her boyfriend, Ekosuehi Elvis, also known as Richard at his residence in Lugbe.
The command made the disclosure, while reacting to publications circulating on social media concerning the alleged murder incident and claims that justice may be swept under the carpet.
The Police said: “The suspect was invited for questioning by operatives of the FCT Police on September 24, 2024.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, Ekisuehi Elvis, a 30-year-old man from Oredo, Benin in Edo State, met the now deceased Priscilla at Madonna University.
“He lost contact with her when he left the university until 2019 when he came to the FCT for his youth service.
“He was a well-known family friend who frequently visited the deceased at her family home, just as she visited his.
“On September 22, 2024, she had a minor misunderstanding with her mother, which led her to leave her family home in the Karu area and go to Ekosuehi’s residence to cool off.”
“She eventually left his residence later that evening and was on her way home when she was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident at the Amala Moore junction in Pyakasa.
“They rushed her to Pyakasa Health Centre for medical attention, after which she was referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, accompanied by two police detectives.
“Upon arrival at the medical centre, she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”
The price of a bag (50 kg) local rice rose year-on-year, YoY, by 152.9 percent to N95,738 in September 2024 from N37,853 in September 2023.
According to vanguard news, data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, ‘Selected Food Price Watch’ for September 2024 showed that the price of 1 kilogram (Kg) of local rice stood at N1,914.77 during the period.
The report also showed that the price of beans recorded higher growth rate at over 200 percent, YoY.
The NBS report stated: “The average price of 1kg Local rice sold loose went up by 152.92 percent on a year-on-year basis from N757.06 in September 2023 to N1,914.77 in September 2024, while there was an increase of 4.57 percent on a month-on-month basis.
“Also, the average price of 1kg of beef boneless increased by 99.99 percent on a year-on-year basis from N2,816.91 in September 2023 to N5,633.60 in September 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 1.44 percent from N5,553.80 in August 2024. The average price of 1kg beans brown (sold loose) stood at N2,738.59. This indicates a rise of 281.97% in price on a year-on-year basis from N716.97 recorded in September 2023 and a 6.37 percent rise in price on a month-on-month basis from N2,574.63 in August 2024.
“Agric eggs medium size (12 piece) experienced significant price increases year on year by N137.43 percent from N1,047.47 in September of last year (2023) to N2,487.04 in September 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, the average price of this item rose by 8.64 prices from N 2,289.19 in August 2024. There was also a notable price increase of bread (sliced) by 115.74 percent on a year-on-year basis from N708.36 in September 2023 to N1,528.19 in September 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 4.68 percent from N 1,459.85 in August 2024. The state profile analysis in September 2024 revealed that the highest average price of 1kg of Bean Brown (sold loose) was recorded in Bauchi at N3,450.04 while the lowest was in Adamawa state at N1,800.”
Giving the breakdown of prices across the states, NBS added: “The highest average price of Agric eggs medium size (12 piece) was recorded in Niger State at N3,000.84 while the lowest was in Borno State at N2,075.58.
