Today's Readers Forum

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 12:30:03 +0000

(Letters)

Off Professor MwiineLubemba’s chest

Dear Editor,

The article by Professor Mwiine Lubemba titled ‘Today, I’ll tell you why these two Zambian metals could become bigger than Lithium…’ in the March 12, 2017 Daily Nation issue talks about Lithium-ion being the most dominant battery makeup for all rechargeable applications, ranging from cell phones to Photo Voltaic (PV) renewable energy farm harvesters.

But we have Cobalt, Nickel and Manganese in Zambia that can be used in several combinations of common cobalt-lithium batteries best suited for use in devices like cell phones and laptops.

While the nickel-manganese-cobalt-lithium batteries are safe for use in larger batteries used in electric vehicles as an alternative to the conventional acid-lead motor vehicle batteries.

Since Nickel is found in the Munali and also Maamba Hills, and Manganese occurs in plentiful supply in Mansa and Mkushi, there’s nothing to stop the Industrial Development (IDC) from reopening the defunct Mansa Batteries factory and setting up other storage battery manufacturing facilities in the country.

But Zambia would need these metals in pure state for use in the locally made batteries that’s why the need for smart Research and Development (R&D) centres, for without R&D, Zambia would continue to be importing batteries made in foreign countries in the Far East.

Thanks to the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial

Research (NISIR), located on three campuses that would become handy in this regard.

The headquarters is situated at Waterfalls along the Lusaka International Airport Road. The Livestock and Pest Diseases Research Centre is situated in Chilanga.

The Sustainable Use of Under-utilised Genetic Resources Research Centre located in Riverside, Kitwe.

Besides, multilateral and
bilateral cooperating partners fund specific projects of mutual
interest.

The institute with its unique laboratory facilities and experience is a leading research and development institution in Zambia.

It is in a position to make significant contributions to the growth and diversification of the Zambian economy for the benefit of all citizens.

The need for sustainable development requires that science and technology plays its central development role.

It is, therefore, imperative that the institution takes the lead in providing research and development in goods and services that address the needs of the country.

Whilst the work that NISIR indigenous scientists are doing in R&D is laudable, there is one significant drawback that doesn’t receive enough consideration – the lack of sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships with transnational mining and manufacturing conglomerates operating in the country.

The R&D in raw materials has a strong association with value addition which is the biggest component in diversifying and developing the economy nationwide.

For this to happen, attention needs to be paid to applying the right business models, creating the decision-making and implementation capacities, and establishing supportive policy and regulatory frameworks to ensure that the technological leapfrogging and institutional repositioning happen rapidly.

This could be used as a precedent for the creation of modern energy systems as well.

Incidentally, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2014-2024 as the Decade of Sustainable Energy for all.

The initiative would not switch on the country in a flash – but it could help to jump-start global efforts towards that goal.

Lastly, I just feel some degree of serious attention is required from IDC and ERB, when reading positive stories and ideas off Professor Mwiine Lubemba’s chest.

Mubanga Luchembe,

LUSAKA

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Kudos to Zambia Under-20 Chipolopolo Boys

Dear Editor

I write to congratulate Zambian under 20 boys for winning the Under 20 AFCON cup that came to the end on Sunday 12th March, 2017 at Heroes Stadium.

This was a plus for the young Chipolopolo noting that they won the cup on the day Zambia was actually celebrating Youth Day.

What a wonderful achievement for the youthful Chipolopolo on their day of reckoning!

Keep it up and continue building on what you have started; you surely have a very bright future for Zambian soccer.

Finally, I also write to recognize and congratulate FAZ president Kamanga and his team, Coach Beston Chambeshi and the technical bench and gallant Zambian supporters for putting smiles on the face of mother Zambia against all odds.

Wisdom Muyunda

CHINGOLA

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Chingola in dire need of civic representation

Dear Editor,

I write after a thorough and earnest appeal from most Chingola residents who feel neglected by most civic leaders just after assuming power.

Most residents have become so vulnerable in that they feel their civic leaders are many a time just after political offices for personal gain instead of serving their followers as promised during campaigns.

Some civic leaders have even gone a step to refuse attending to some of their voters’ urgent challenges and needs with impunity, yet they were saints prior to the August 2016 elections.

One then wonders whether Chingola is actually cursed to always cry foul after ushering who are thought to be their mouth pieces into offices.

This should be an eye opener to most political parties in Chingola to actually adopt people with zeal and steadfast resilience to leadership than just picking people with little civic leadership exploits.

These are the ones failing their voters with impunity.

Many have actually gone to sleep as if theirs was just to win political power.

They lack civility, constructiveness and humbleness and therefore are a danger to their various political parties.

They fail to assimilate the concept that politics is about numbers.

I therefore appeal to such civic leaders to represent their voters because they are in those offices because of them.

Concerned resident

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Thanks Chipolopolo boys

Editor,

I’d like to say thank you to the Chipolopolo Boys. You have done Zambia proud by winning the Cup. You just showed the Senegalese that Zambia is a true Christian nation. The South African sangoma failed to do his magic and now malimba( Juju) from the Senegalese team failed to terrorize the Zambian goal post even after placing 15grams of juju in our goal post. Keep the winning spirit boys. Show the world that we lead on the African map and we are unbeatable.

Citizen

Congratulations Chipolopolo Boys

Editor,

Now that the future of Zambian football is apparent in the current crop of U20 national team, something ought to be done from this time forth up to the time they graduate into the senior team. It is disheartening to see Chrsitiano Ronaldo at peak of his career while Zambian lads who competed with at the junior World Cup in Canada disappear in thin air. I appeal to stakeholders to put up a deliberate policy to preserve and nurture the massive talent that is in them. Advise them against engaging in vices that would derail their career. Avoid the “hero to zero” syndrome. Congratulations.

Westone Mulenga

Well done ZESCO MD

Editor,

I would like to commend the managing director at ZESCO, Mr. Mudende and the staff for lighting up the U-20 football tournament stadia without any hitches. Thank you too for powering up our homes and streets uninterrupted power, allowing soccer fans that couldn’t make it to the stadium to follow proceedings in the comfort of their homes and also allowed the people that had to walk from the stadium to their homes to walk safely.

Don

Senegal with juju

Editor,

The referee favoured the Senegalese, he was supposed to give them all two red cards.

Zambian citizen, Ndola

HH, GBM should leave Lungu alone

Editor,

HH and GBM should stop pointing fingers at ECL. As for GBM, he has failed to run his two companies because of insulting workers then today, he is pointing a finger at the Government. His companies are not ECL companies, why is he saying the Government should pay his workers just because of akaso bakwata. Things have turned against them. GBM is  like  as HH and together only put fire in the bellies of their Dundumwezi supporters. Let them stop talking about Lungu. Lungu grew up in the shanties and he knows what the people need.

AMP

Finally M’Membe has met his match

Editor,

Some people think Zambian courts are there to be abused. I say no! Finally, M’membe has met his match. One of the usual wasting time injunctions has been thrown out as stated in Daily Nations March 11th paper. One will be quick to ask him, what’s next now? Mwana, the money you got was not yours to start throwing spanners in its recovery through your meaningless, time wasting injunctions. In our language we say, “iyapelelwa ilya ne chani”. Boy, apa pena walya kapinga.

Micky

Consider adding all national colours on football jersey

Editor,

It was a splendid U-20 tournament for Zambia and superb performance. We have a very nice Zambian Jersey but I noticed that we don’t have our full national colours on it like the red, orange and black. I appeal to FAZ to consider adding even just a small pattern of our full national colours on our jersey. Congratulations U20.

Charles Gav’ment Banda, Lusaka

What is unlawful remains unlawful?

In the UPND, someone can insult, intimidate or fight other tribes with spears and there is no problem. It only becomes unlawful when it comes from other parties? No way!

Concerned citizen