LETTERS - MMD Succession, Mining Agreements
Renegotiating mining agreementsBy Sungani Z. Phiri, Kabwe
Saturday June 16, 2007 [04:00]
Some quarters of the country are gravely mistaken in thinking that Zambians are ignorant of the flaws contained in the current mining agreements signed between the Zambian government and the operators of the mines.
The biggest outcry has been sounded by Zambians themselves in a voice loud and clear enough; a voice in the form of unsettled benefits and pensions, unemployment, hunger, and poverty. Zambians have done it. Others can just sympathise and echo from a distance in the comfort of their homes.
As a nation, we are not here to dish out our resources free of charge to any foreign investor however special they could be. Better be called the worst investment destination and enjoy the benefits of our resources than a good but empty name.
The resources we have in this country are for the enjoyment of Zambians and not for making selfish and greedy people millionaires overnight. If we have such people then they are in a wrong country.
There is no Zambian who is happy with those agreements that were arrived at under duress from the buyers.
As Zambians, we are not even proud of those massive investments in which we have no share. What those interested should know is that as a country, we are not in a hurry to undertake mining activities if those activities do not translate into meaningful benefits for every Zambian. If as a country we have no means and capabilities now to exploit our mineral resources to the betterment of every Zambian, it would be a much wiser thing to let the ores remain in their lithosphere home, where they are secure until such a time that the nation could be ready to utilise the resource for the development of our country.
The minerals we have in this country are not perishables that we should be hurried to harvest. But again, they are non-renewable hence the importance of putting them to better use.
That would be better and would cheer us much more than lose our natural resources to people who are selfish and greedy; people who have been exploiting us and have dominated us from time immemorial; people who have no regard for other people and their welfare.
For these reasons, it would be better to get back to the negotiation table and come up with fresh agreements that would satisfy both parties; agreements that would satisfy Zambians; agreements that would take good care of our mine workers both now and in the future; agreements that would take care of toxic emissions, wastes, air, water and land pollution and general environmental degradation and finally agreements on the financing of the eventual developments of the land once the mining activities and operations are over.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=27926
Natural resources
By Concerned citizen
Saturday June 16, 2007 [04:00]
I would like to first of all express my disappointment at what I see as the government’s reluctance to renegotiate the mineral royalties from a negligible 0.6 per cent to about 3 per cent.
The revelations by mines deputy minister Maxwell Mwale (The Post 12.06.07)that Zambia only earned K35 billion from the mineral royalties during the 2005/2006 financial year is a sad and shocking one.
This is plunder of our mineral resources by legal means through development agreements entered into by investors and the government’s negotiating team.
Surely what mathematics did they employ in allowing the investors to part away with 99.4 per cent proceeds from mineral sales?
What development would the nation get from the K35 billion royalties? Doesn’t the cost of environmental pollution and degradation outstrip this paltry earning? Renegotiation of mineral taxation is long overdue.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=27924
Who is next after Levy?
By Mapani Christopher
Saturday June 16, 2007 [04:00]
I wish to add my voice to the ongoing debate regarding the succession of President Mwanawasa. I am of the view that General Miyanda is probably the man we need to be next president. He can help sweep away the massive corruption in this country. My analysis of potential leaders led me to General Miyanda.
Not only is he clean, but he is also mature, articulate and above all intelligent.
He may have his weaknesses but I feel he is by far the best candidate especially after the demise of Mazoka. I thus pray that Zambians consider him as well.
Labels: DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, MINING CONTRACTS, MMD, SUCCESSION
posted by MrK @ 4:17 AM
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