Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Saturday.

--The Zambian government has urged Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), a unit of London-listed Vedanta Resources Plc, to come up with a revival plan and settle various outstanding obligations as failure to do so will result in drastic action.

The mining firm has been facing challenges which have seen it fail to pay money owed to suppliers and other contractors as well as delay in paying salaries.(Times of Zambia)

--Zambian President Edgar Lungu said there will be no room for undue delays in the execution of government programs and has since called for coordinated approach in operations next year.

Lungu said after a meeting with his ministers called to reflect on the challenges faced this year and to plan for next year that there will be a more robust approach to the administration of government next year.

The Zambian leader has since declared 2017 as a year of action. (Zambia Daily Mail)

--A former mining minister said the Zambian government's decision to withdraw a 7.5 percent duty on copper concentrate imports will only benefit the mining firms and not ordinary citizens.

Wilbur Simuusa, who served as mines minister in late President Michael Sata's government, said the decision was not helpful to the country unless if Zambia was unable to mine copper concentrates.

The government has withdrawn the duty which was due to come into effect next year after protests from mining firms. (Daily Nation)

--Public workers have warned the Zambian government to prepare itself for unrest next year if it fails to increase their salaries.

The Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia said the government was sitting on a time bomb by ignoring calls for salary increments for public workers.(The Mast) Endit