Metro

Zambia, Botswana sign cooperation instruments to enhance trade

Published

9 months ago

March 28, 2024

Zambia and close neighbours, Botswana, have signed 10 instruments of cooperation aimed at enhancing trade relations between the two countries.

The signing of the agreements has been hailed by many, including President Hakainde Hichilema, who noted that the cooperation between the two countries would contribute to the improvement of the livelihood of the citizens for both countries.

The 10 instruments of cooperation included agreements on political consultation as well as in the field of livestock, apiculture and aquaculture, crop production and science and technology.

The instruements which were signed in on Wednesday in Livingstone during the state visit of Bostwanan President, Dr Mokqweesti Eric Masisi, will also take in other agreements in Geo-Science, mining, minerals and value chain development and an agreement between the Zambia Development Agency and Botswana Investment and Trade Centre.

The two countries also signed an agreement on the establishment of the Kazungula Bridge Authority (KBA), as well as Addendum number two to the “Agreement to Sponsor the Construction and Operation of the Kazungula Bridge.”

During the meeting the two eastern African nations, they also signed “sponsors agreement” for the bankable feasibility study and the construction of the infrastructure for the railway link from Mosetse in Botswana to Livingstone in Zambia through the Kazungula Bridge.

The two countries would also embark on the establishment of the Bi-National Commission (BNC), which will elevate the bilateral cooperation framework between the two countries from the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation and Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security.

While speaking during the epoch-making event, President Hichilema said “Zambia must prioritize what is produced in Botswana, and Botswana must also prioritize what is locally produce in Zambia.”

He also advised technocrats from both countries to ensure that what was contained in the signed documents are implemented and not “gather dust in the shelves.”

“Kazungula Bridge is an asset valued to Zambia and the region as it promotes regional integration through trade among countries like Botswana and Zambia,” Hichilemq added.

In his response, the Botswanan leader expressed his gratitude to the Zambian people and government for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their stay in Zambia.

Masisi, thereafter, extended an invitation to Hichilema to pay a state visit to Botswana on dates to be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels.

Related Topics:Agreements Botswana Cooperation Featured Trade Zambia

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Metro

Zambia: FOX report highlights persistent media harassment, calls for reforms

Published

14 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A new Freedom of Expression (FOX) report by the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia, has raised concerns over what it describes as the continued harassment of media professionals in the country despite collective efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.

The FOX Report serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to create a safer and more enabling environment for the media to operate without fear or intimidation.

Chairperson of the MISA-Zambia Board, Lorraine Mwanza, who raised the concerns while launching the report on Tuesday at the Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka, highlighted that journalists and media practitioners in the country still faced intimidation, censorship, and violence for fulfilling their role of informing the public.

“The harassment of media professionals is a stark reminder of the threats posed to democratic values and the fundamental rights to seek, receive, and impart information without fear or hindrance,” Mwanza said.

She expressed solidarity with those who are targets of attack, and reaffirmed MISA’s commitment to defending journalists’ rights and protecting the integrity of the profession.

Mwanza further called on the government to address barriers preventing journalists from accessing public officials, emphasizing that public officials were custodians of critical information necessary for informed decision-making.

“When citizens have access to government data, they can better understand policies, monitor public spending, and advocate for change in their communities,” Mwanza noted.

She also appealed for the review and repeal of laws that undermine democracy, stressing the importance of enacting legislation that guarantees media freedom, freedom of expression, and digital rights, and commended the government for responding to calls from civil society organizations to withdraw the controversial Cyber Bills from Parliament.

Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana, in a speech read by Ministry Director Mordern Mayembe, reaffirmed government’s commitment to upholding media freedom and freedom of expression in Zambia.

Metro

Nigeria: 614,937 killed, 2.2m abducted in 1 year— Report

Published

23 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A new report released on Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that over 614,937 Nigerians were killed and 2,235,954 others kidnapped across the country in one year between May 2023 and April 2024.

The NBS report, titled, “The Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) 2024”, says based on the surveys conducted between May 2023 and April 2024, the 2.2 million Nigerians who were kidnapped across the country paid a whopping N2.2 trillion as ransom, with an average amount of N2.7 million per incident.

The report also disclosed that murder rate was highest in rural areas with 335,827 incidents and 279,110 in urban areas.

A zone-by-zone analysis of the report showed that the North-West had the highest murder cases of 206,030, followed by the North-East which stood at 188,992, while the least was recorded in the South-West at 15,693.

The report also revealed about seven in 10 households reported murder cases to the police nationwide with 33 per cent of households responding that the killer was an unknown person, and 23.4 per cent confirmed that the murderer was a member of the household; while 1.0 per cent reported that the murderer was either a spouse or a lover.

The report said 1,668,104 persons were kidnapped in rural areas and 567,850 in urban areas with the North-West having the highest cases of kidnapping with 1,420,307 abducted, followed by the North-Central with 317,837 and the South-East at 110,432.

“Of the estimated amount of N2.2 trillion payments to free victims, the North-West reported the highest ransom paid with N1.2 trillion; while the South-East was the least with N85.4 billion.

“Disaggregated by zones, the North-Central reported the highest proportion of payment of ransom at 83.4 per cent, followed by North-East at 78.6 per cent.

“Households in urban areas paid an average of N3.7 million compared to N2.3 million in rural areas,” the report stated.

It added that about 91 per cent of kidnapping incidents were done for ransom in the form of money, goods or other benefits.

“While 2.4 per cent of cases were attributed to political, criminal, or terrorist objectives; 2.1 per cent were linked to personal or family disputes. Custody disputes accounted for 0.5 per cent of cases,” the report said.