Maravi

LETTERS - Investment, Land, Minerals, Jean Kapita

Mineral explorations
By chama
Friday October 05, 2007 [04:00]

I wish to comment on the numerous mineral explorations going on in our country. First of all, let me advise the government that the present conditions do not warrant opening up new mines by private companies. I say so because the mines currently operating in our country do not add any significant value to the well-being of this country.

If anything, they just benefit foreigners. Zambians have cried that the concessions given to these mining firms be revised so that we can see some benefits trikling to ordinary Zambians. Todate, this issue is almost dying a natural death.

It follows therefore that with the prevailing conditions, it not prudent to grant mining licences to foreigners. With the current copper production and prices on the international market, one would have expected this country to have seen huge developments in terms of infrustucture as well as a rise in the standard of living by most of our people. This however is not the case.

Most developments we see around are donor-driven. We used to be told that ZCCM was making losses but if you compare ZCCM with these mining firms which are actually making huge profits, you would not easily agree that ZCCM was oprating at a loss.

During ZCCM days there were a number of community initiatives that were being undertaken. Mining areas were kept clean, social amenities were in place, roads were maintained and above all they employed more of our people than these profit making mining firms. Those of us on the Copperbelt can just see what the road leading to some mine offices in Kitwe look like. It is a sorry sight.

It is time these firms were reminded that the government has introduced the keep Zambia clean and healthy campaign. For sure you cannot tell who is or was making losses between ZCCM and these new firms!

In my view, and at a time such as this, the government should source funds and try to open mines that will be wholly owned by government, something in the lines of ZCCM.

By allowing foreigners to open mines at our doorsteps and every corner of Zambia, we are just leaving a bad legacy for our children and their children. Let us leave something for the future, otherwise posterity will judge us harshly.

Minerals are a wasting asset and so if we are not careful, we will only leave trenches or breeding grounds for mosquitoes as inheritance for our children!
Let those with ears, hear.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=32319

Let's borrow money for productive ventures
By Chilekwa M Mumba,Lusaka
Friday October 05, 2007 [04:00]

Allow me to air my views on the retrogressiveness of the Mwanawasa adminstration, which seems to find solace in it's failures through China's loans. It seems our government lives for the day and does nothing to plan ahead for the country's future. To cite one significant example, what sense does it make for Zambia to obtain a 39 million dollar loan for feeder roads- which cannot be said to be permanent structures.

To put it in layman’s language: Which individual in his right capacity will borrow money at a high cost for a house whose roof has to be replaced every year. There is a serious lack of foresight here.
The aforementioned 39 million dollars being spent on feeder roads is better spent on a permannent structure if Zambia is getting a loan which has a serious cost in terms of interest.

It is an abomination that in the 21st century, a governement which claims to be making improvements, is making feeder roads which add absolutely no value to a country's infrastructure. These feeder roads can only be good for a year and not anytime beyond that.

This governement is digging a hole for Zambia every day, and the Chinese are happily providing the shovels with their money. I doubt that there is any serious debate either in Parliament or Cabinet analysing the long-term effects these loans will bring.

Mwanawasa and company are more than happy to be given fish to eat today on a silver plate by the Chinese- rather than be taught how to catch fish for the future.
We should only borrow money for productive undertakings.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=32277

I salute Jean Kapata
By Kafa
Thursday October 04, 2007 [04:00]

I want to thank Mandevu MP Jean Kapata for doing a simple investigation about how some of our clinics operate.

She pretended to be heavily pregnant and feeling unwell. She went to Ng'ombe clinic where she waited for one hour before she could be attended to. When the nurse on duty came, she told the patients (including Kapata) to go and seek help elsewhere.

I salute her for doing this because ordinary people are the ones suffering. We need more leaders like her. She cared enough to find out exactly what goes on.

There are no medicines in most of our clinics and the service offered is poor.




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=32314

Mongu land allocation scam
By Concerned resident
Friday October 05, 2007 [04:00]

I would like to comment on the Mongu town clerk’s unearthing of an illegal land allocation syndicate by Mongu council officers.

The most disheartening thing is that after these three culprits were about to direct the investing officers to plots they had sold, investigations were stopped.

Acquiring land in Mongu is almost impossible if you use the right procedure.

You are always told to keep checking until you get tired and give up, unless you go through the same culprits and pay millions of kwacha.
Madam Masebo, when are you going to visit Mongu Municipal Council, to save Mongu residents from this abuse of office which has become institutionalised?


http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=32318

Why NCC is a national fraud
By Nkula Kaoma, Lusaka
Friday October 05, 2007 [04:00]

I wish to join the debate on the National Constitutional Conference Act of August 2007.

The principal function of the NCC is to adopt the Mung’omba draft constitution.In adopting this draft constitution, the members, to a large extent would be agreeing that it contains what the petitioners submitted.

Suprisingly enough the Act does not specifically provide for the attendance of these petitioners whose names are still intact at the former CRC sectariat and could be easily contacted if the Act had provided for their attendance.

Most of the members that the Act has provided for are not even petitioners and how then will they know that what is in the Mung’omba draft constitution is what was submitted?

In this regard,the Act should be amended to include all the petitioners and the Mung’omba CRC commissioners and those existing in the Act.The exsting members in the Act like the eminent persons and freedom fighters from each province is good idea but who will nominate them and how?

Labels: INVESTMENT, LAND, LETTERS, MINING

posted by MrK @ 3:48 AM