By NATION REPORTER
President Hakainde Hichilema says government has made progress in resolving challenges surrounding Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) on the Copperbelt.
President Hichilema says an announcement would soon be made on the way forward for the two mining firms.
He was speaking at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola yesterday before leaving for Kitwe where he was to commission the 33 megawatts solar plant for the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC).
And President Hichilema says government has recorded remarkable progress in restoring the country’s economy from 2.8 percent when the UPND took over office to a projection of 3 percent growth this year.
President Hichilema said in just one year and six months, his government had managed to introduce free education, increase the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and restore the rule of law.
He said the year 2023 is dedicated to the grass roots and the party to address some of the challenges they are facing.
The President said all cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, Mayors and others must focus their energies towards addressing challenges facing marketeers, saloon owners, hairdressers, welders, talk time sellers, and booth operators among others.
President Hichilema said his administration is working hard to address the challenges the country is facing and that although some things may not be visible now, results will show
Uproar…as bus fares go up again
By KALOBWE BWALYA and SHERRY CHABALA
THE increase in bus fares has sparked an uproar among commuters who are now accusing Government of being insensitive.
Bus fares on all Lusaka routes have been increased by an average of K2 and commuters have not received the adjustment kindly as they complain that life has become more difficult and unbearable.
Some commuters talked to complained that the increase in the bus fares were effected before the official announcement from bus operators and that bus drivers had been harassing passengers to pay the new fares from Tuesday.
Recently, Government through the Energy Regulation Board adjusted the pump price for petrol and diesel upwards at an average of K2 which has effectively translated into fares being increased.
But Commuters Rights Association president Aaron Kamuti said, the association has welcomed the new bus fares considering that fuel prices have continued to go up.
He has however demanded that operators should ensure that the new fares were actualized as there has been a tendency of bus drivers manipulating prices and harassing commuters.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), has increased bus fares all all routes in Lusaka by an average of K2.
Mukela Mangolwa, the RTSA head of public relations says, the adjustment was in pursuant to section 108 (11) of the Road Traffic Act Number 11 of 2002.
Mr Mwangolwa says, the adjustment had come in the awake of the fuel pump price increment by K2.73 per litre for petrol and K2.81 per litre for diesel.
He said RTSA had adjusted intercity long distance by 5 percent.
He says, the bus fare for Lusaka pri urban has been adjusted by K2, for Lusaka local and other towns has been adjusted by K1.
Mr Mangolwa said the bus fare for Copperbelt and other towns has been adjusted by K1 and inter mine and peri urban by K1.
Meanwhile Bus and Taxi Owners Association has welcomed the new bus fares as agreed by stakeholders.
Association National Chairperson Sydney Chewe said, k1 increment for Local routes and K2 for peri urban routes was economic for both commuters and bus owners.
He explained that the association had no problem with the increment as it was favorable for all stakeholders especially amidst increased fuel pump prices.
