Metro

Zambian courts can now try corruption cases within five months, President Hichilema says

Published

4 weeks ago

April 5, 2024

Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has revealed that Zambian courts can now prosecute corruption cases within five months, touting it as a major step in the fight against corruption.

Hichilema, who made the promise in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday through the Secretary to to the Cabinet, Patrick Mulenga, also stated that the country would no longer find itself in a crisis situation where the debt levels would become so unsustainable and a burden the treasury.

In the statement, Hichilema noted that the country’s huge debt had burdened the treasury and hindered government’s ability to serve its citizens effectively. He warned that “government would not tolerate such circumstances, neither would it tolerate corruption or the theft of public resources.”

“Part of our commitment to fighting corruption is the judiciary’s enhanced capacity to prosecute cases within a space of five months and more will be done to bring down the scourge,” Hichilema said in the statement.

He called for prudence in the management of resources across all ministries and government departments, adding that his administration had an enhanced opportunity to grow the economy under a new image, and to return investor confidence in the post-debt restructuring era.

He assured that law enforcement and prosecution authorities would act swiftly against those who would choose to engage in corrupt practices and abuse their authority.

“Our message to would-be offenders is clear. You are on your own if your break the law, regardless of your political affiliation, ethnicity or status,” Hichilema reiterated.

He emphasized that Zambia had began a new chapter in history following the successfully completion of the debt restructuring process.

“Over the past two years and six months, we relentlessly engaged in complex negotiations with our official creditors, as well as private creditors, which includes the bondholders,” Hichilema said, noting that the efforts had led to an agreement to restructure the debt over an extended period and for a lesser amount, saving the country and its treasury billions of dollars.

“We cannot ignore the fact that the unsustainable debt situation that we inherited, was brought about by exorbitant expenditure, mismanagement of public resources, maladministration and indeed, corruption.

“My government remains steadfast and committed to improving the lives of all the citizens.

“Our better days are ahead of us and we call on all our citizens to support this agenda for the betterment of our country,” he concluded.

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Metro

Conservationist, Kearns, names intolerance and digital media abuse as threats to media freedom

Published

6 hours ago

April 29, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Nsama Kearns, the Executive Director of Care for Nature, speaks on the indispensable role of a free media in society.

In a conversation with Zambia Monitor in Mansa, Luapula Province, Kearns underscored the importance of media freedoms, digital rights, and freedom of speech in enhancing good governance.

“Let me begin with the criticality of media freedom, especially for those of us involved in information dissemination through mass media, including social media,” she remarked.

While acknowledging the existence of media freedoms in Zambia, Kearns expressed concerns about the prevailing situation.

“Despite media freedoms in Zambia, as reported in the 2022 human rights report, there are instances where the government may display intolerance towards criticism, especially if perceived as politically motivated,” she observed.

Regarding freedom of speech, Kearns emphasized the necessity for individuals to express themselves without fear of reprisal.

“Whether communicating through written or oral means, individuals should be able to express themselves freely without intimidation or fear of repercussions,” she stressed.

Kearns highlighted the significance of freedom of expression in enabling civil society to address issues that might be inconvenient for the government.

“For instance, in Luapula Province, longstanding issues such as illegal mining and the Mukula tree trade, involving politically exposed persons, have been challenging to address,” she explained.

Despite challenges, Kearns noted the positive impact of digital media in driving social enterprise.

However, she also highlighted the prevalence of abuse, particularly targeting women, on social media platforms.

“While digital media presents opportunities for social entrepreneurship, individuals, especially women, often face abuse online, hindering their enjoyment of human rights,” Kearns lamented.

She called for the creation of safe spaces to empower individuals to report abuse to the Zambia Information Communication Authority (ZICTA) and address issues of digital media abuse and intolerance effectively.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

I saved Nigeria from bankruptcy by removing fuel subsidy— Tinubu

Published

11 hours ago

April 29, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, boasted that he saved Nigeria from going bankrupt by removing fuel subsidy on his first day in office.

Tinubu had, in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, pronounced that his administration would discontinue fuel subsidy payments and though the ripple effect of the removal has brought untold hardship and hunger, the President has continued to praise his courage in taking that decisive action.

Tinubu who spoke at the Special World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, admitted that though the policy came with economic pains, it was in the best interest of Nigerians, affirming that the move has save the government money for infrastructural expansion.

While addressing his audience, Tinubu argued that removing the petrol subsidy was a necessary action for Nigeria not to go bankrupt and to reset the economy towards growth.

Tinubu said that the petrol subsidy removal equally engendered accountability, transparency and physical discipline for the country.

“Concerning the question of the subsidy removal, there is no doubt that it was a necessary action for my country not to go bankrupt, to reset the economy and pathway to growth,” Tinubu said.

“Yes, there have been drawbacks. Yes, there was the expectation that a greater number of people would feel the difficulty, but, of course, I believed it was their interest that was the focus of government.

“It is easier to manage and explain the difficulties, but along the line, there was a parallel arrangement to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on the vulnerable population of the country.

“We shared the pain across the board. We cannot but include those who are very vulnerable. Luckily, we have a very vibrant youthful population interested in discoveries by themselves, highly ready for technology, good education, and committed to growth,” Tinubu explained.