SOUTHERN Province Administration has refuted claims circulating on various social media platforms that oil has been discovered in Choma.
Wisdom Himanteka, Principal Public Relations Officer, Southern provincial Administration dismissed the claims stating that it was false and misleading information.
Himanteka told Kalemba in an interview that the video circulating that oil had been discovered should be treated as fake and unfounded.
“Choma has nothing like that, there is totally nothing like oil, it is a fake story, very fake and nothing of that nature has been discovered,” he said.
Himanteka urged the public to treat the story as fake, unfounded and unethical.
“The information is a product of yellow journalism coupled with propaganda aimed at misinforming the public,” he said.
And Himanteka in a statement, he emphasized that claims made in the video are completely unsubstantiated and lack any scientific or geological basis.
“No official report or confirmation has been issued by any relevant authority, including the Ministry of Mines or the Geological Survey Department, to support such a discovery in Choma or any part of Southern Province.”
“This type of irresponsible and fake reporting is highly regrettable,” he said.
Himanteka said the information has the potential to create unnecessary excitement, attract opportunistic behavior, and disrupt peace and order in the affected communities.
“We urge members of the public to treat the video with the contempt it deserves and avoid sharing or spreading it further.”
“The Provincial Administration encourages the public to rely only on official government communication channels for credible and verified information. Any legitimate discovery of oil or other natural resources would be publicly announced through formal procedures and supported by credible technical data,” he said.
He has since urged content creators and social media users to verify information before publishing or sharing it online.
“The spread of false information is not only unethical but may also attract legal consequences under existing laws that govern the dissemination of misinformation.”
“We thank the public for their continued vigilance and cooperation in ensuring that only accurate and verified information is shared for the benefit of all citizens,” he said.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba June 16, 2025
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As the country pushes to accelerate the development of solar projects, ZESCO Limited and the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) Plc are set to inaugurate a joint planning team to accelerate the deployment of solar power generation facilities across the country.
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This morning, chairman Vickson Ncube led his ZESCO board and some senior management team members on an appreciation tour of the strides CEC has made in its solar projects in Kitwe, the company’s hub.
CEC, the regional power supply giant and the largest independent power supplier to mines in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is expected to increase its solar footprint to 230 megawatts peak, powered by the $200 million green bond it issued in 2024—the first of its kind in Zambia.
The joint planning team is targeting the inauguration of about 500 megawatts at identified sites in the Northern and Southern provinces.
“We are going to form a joint planning team between ZESCO management and CEC management so that we can plan the national response together. When we seek resources as a team, people listen to a team better than to an individual,” Ncube told journalists in Kitwe, as he also congratulated the company for becoming the first listed company to reach a market capitalization of over $1 billion.
ZESCO is currently conducting pre-commissioning trials for its 100-megawatt Chisamba solar project, which will be the state utility’s inaugural solar project upon commissioning.
CEC board chairman London Mwafulilwa said the biggest lesson from the firm’s solar power developments has been the experience that ZESCO and the country can benefit from expanding the solar PV footprint.
He said CEC is willing to help set standards and specifications for solar development requirements in the country to avoid duplication of efforts by all players.
“We’ve agreed on a joint planning team, and this is not something new. There are many projects on the Copperbelt that we’ve jointly executed with ZESCO, like the Ndola upgrading… So, we already have a joint operating team at management level, but in terms of planning, we don’t have one,” Mwafulilwa said.
“So, the planning team must be in place before the end of June because we’re in a hurry to seize the opportunity that exists. Lack of power not only deprives our people of development, but it’s an opportunity that we must seize as the market is already there,” he added.
He said CEC supports the government’s target of installing at least 1,000 megawatts of solar by the end of this year.
“I also think 1,000 megawatts is a bit of an understatement. I think if we really rally behind this, and given the problem that we have, we should be able to do better,” said Mwafulilwa.
Kalemba June 13, 2025
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SOUTHERN Province Administration has refuted claims circulating on various social media platforms that oil has been discovered in Choma. Wisdom Himanteka, Principal Public Relations Officer, […]

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MINISTER of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba has emphasised that sustainable economic development is directly linked to the existence of social justice within the labour market.
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Speaking to delegates at the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland delivered through video link, Tambatamba asserted that fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for career growth are crucial for economic prosperity.
“Fair wages are the foundation upon which economic justice and equitable development rest,” Tambatamba stated.
She reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring just and transparent wages that meet workers’ needs while balancing business viability and overall economic health.
The Minister affirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate obstacles leading to inequality and exclusion in the workplace.
Her remarks were a direct response to a report by International Labour Organisation Director-General Gilbert Houngbo, which highlighted that over 4 billion people lack social protection and that wage growth lags behind productivity gains, intensifying inequalities.
Tambatamba acknowledged Zambia’s own challenges, including a high percentage of young citizens, high levels of informality, low productivity, vulnerability to climate change, and limited digital access in rural areas.
She said addressing these issues is essential for achieving equity in development and social justice.
The minister underscored the importance of collective action, innovative thinking, and dedication to decent work and social justice principles in tackling Zambia’s complex issues.
Tambatamba expressed Zambia’s readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders to create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future of work.
The Minister also outlined several government initiatives aimed at achieving social justice in the labour market.
These include expanding social protection, promoting equal pay, implementing anti-discrimination efforts, and eradicating child and forced labour.
She cited the introduction of bursary schemes, employment and labour law reforms, and the expansion of the social cash transfer programme as supportive measures.
Furthermore, Tambatamba highlighted the government’s dedication to fostering meaningful tripartite dialogue at all levels to ensure all voices are represented in the pursuit of decent work and social justice.
“Government has strengthened its engagement with workers’ and employers’ organisations to foster industrial harmony and improve working conditions, as part of its ongoing labor law reforms which aim to enhance compliance with international labor standards,” said Tambatamba.
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