Maravi

LETTERS - Mining Contracts, Clive Chirwa

Mining agreements
By Chabala Mubili, Canada
Wednesday December 05, 2007 [03:00]

I beg to differ with Murray Sanderson's letter (The Post December 2, 2007) on the cost of cancelling the so-called mining agreements. Murray should not just look at the gloom-and-doom side of things, but also be aware that such exercises are meant to correct the wrong. As Martin Luther King Jr once observed, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. We have a duty to protect our future generations from unnecessary strife.

Most of these agreements were conceived under questionable circumstances and as long as our correction mechanism is transparent, preferably through Parliament, it is perfectly okay and credible in the eyes of the international community.

Actually, even the affected companies know that the said agreements were ‘forced’ on Zambia in bad faith. The standards and tactics they used, by and large, fall even short of the minimum practiced in their countries of origin.

In fact, Murray should also be aware that such exercises happen everywhere, including in the developed west.

Recently in Canada, the Alberta Premier set aside the mining agreements signed by the previous Ralph Klein government and imposed increased royalties in line with the companies’ increased profit margins; the new government in Saskatchewan has just cancelled the Power Agreement signed by the outgoing NDP government citing inadequate public participation and benefit.

Surely now is the time to review those agreements and boldly correct them accordingly. If we cannot stand up for what is right, for fear of losing dubious and corrupt investors, then we are as good as non-starters.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=34748

ZNBC's My Own Boss
By Bruce Chooma, Lusaka
Wednesday December 05, 2007 [03:00]

I have followed the business innovations reality TV show, My Own Boss with a lot of interest and must admit, as it comes to a close, that it has been a very brilliant programme.

Hands up to Bwalya Chiti for the initiative at such a time when many youths lack intellectually stimulating programmes on television.

In my analysis, it is a very brighter and more productive idea. In future programmes, Chiti should do more to market and popularise the programme. I personally would be interested to help market such an idea through the media.

That K100 million will go a long way in uplifting the welfare of the youth who will emerge winner and create opportunities for many others that will benefit from the business to be established, as opposed to a fully sponsored wedding in the case of Ready for marriage.

Anyway, we are a society that loves an easy life and lazy at thinking and promoting productive ingenuity.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=34747

Management of resources
By Mwewa Yamba
Wednesday December 05, 2007 [03:00]

Zambia is a poor country and may continue getting poorer due to poor management of its resources by those in government. They seem to be duty bound to attend international conferences and summits even when their input at such gatherings is insignificant, especially that they seem not to understand the discussions at such forums.

The world trends now are more activity-based and not just membership by attendance as seen in government leaders.

What do we go to showcase out there when our own people cannot see anything tangible out of our management style? Do we care to tell the country how much is spent on such foreign trips?

Meanwhile, we fail even to build schools and hospitals using our own resources? Are we not ashamed to seek help from the so-called coorporating partners for failing to show any signs of seriousness when using our resources?

Come on, you smart fellows who so often line up at the airport to see off and welcome one another. Don't you have morals to realise that that is mere prestige, especially some of you who are highly learned.

Christianity does not promote hero-worshipping. As a country that is without much influence on world trends, but one swept away by the same trends, we would save money by using Zambians living abroad who are on holidays to represent us at such expensive meetings.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=34749

Go for it Prof Chirwa!
By Catherine Sichone Mutofwe
Wednesday December 05, 2007 [03:00]

Go, Prof Clive Chirwa! Go! Go!Go! I had been wondering who would take over from President Mwanawasa. My question has been answered.

The calibre of leaders like Prof Clive is the kind of leadership that Zambia needs. President Mwanawasa has fairly performed well.
He has brought sanity to this nation. To that end, we need a leader who is going to successfully carry on and drive this country to another development level in 2011.

Prof Clive Chirwa is the man. I pray that as a nation, we should pay attention to him, watch him closely and later when the time comes, hear what vision and strategic plan he has for our country.

Thereafter, the choice is still ours. Some people are criticising him that it is too early to declare his intentions.

Ever heard of preparing adequately? My advice to professor is, you are on the right track. So far, so good. Do not be misled. The important thing is that you should have the heart for the people. The underprivileged in the country are what should give you the drive to get to State House.

How and what difference are you going to make in their lives? Given a chance to be President, are you going to leave a legacy that people will live to appreciate? It’s good you openly declared your intentions. May God guide you as you strategise for our country Zambia. You might not be the saviour, but you can make a big difference. Go Professor go!

Labels: CLIVE CHIRWA, DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, MINING CONTRACTS

posted by MrK @ 6:07 AM