Maravi

Mining firms will force Zambians to protest, says Bishop Kazhila

Mining firms will force Zambians to protest, says Bishop Kazhila
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Monday March 03, 2008 [03:00]

ZAMBIAN people will be forced to stage protests against mining companies if they continue to resist the new taxes, Chingola clergyman Bishop Joseph Kazhila has warned. And Bishop Kazhila has cautioned the government not to succumb to threats by mining companies saying doing so risks making it irrelevant to the Zambian people. Bishop Kazhila who is general overseer of Life Gospel Ministries International was commenting on the on-going standoff between the government and transnational mining companies over the new tax regime proposed by the government for the sector.

He said while Zambians appreciated the amount of investments that mining companies had poured into the country, they could not allow the transnational corporations to continue dictating the terms of agreements.

“We are grateful that the mining companies came to mine our minerals but we can’t afford to let them dictate the terms or hold Zambian people to ransom on the basis of the one sided agreements they signed during the periods of economic crisis,” Bishop Kazhila said. “If these mining companies continue with this kind of attitude, Zambians will be forced to team up and stage countrywide protests of resistance against them, and this may make it hard for them to work and make profits.”

And Bishop Kazhila urged the government to be firm and resilient saying there was nothing to negotiate with the mining companies over the new taxes.

“The government has done the people’s wish and no one will blame them and they have the support of the nation,” Bishop Kazhila said. “But if the government succumbs to the threats by mining companies, then it risks being irrelevant to the country and its people. The government must be resilient, very strong and courageous over this matter as it is like a ‘life or death’ situation in Zambia.”

Bishop Kazhila said mining companies threatening to withdraw their investments following the proposed taxes were wasting their time because there were other investors willing and ready to come and invest in the country’s life blood.

“We refuse to be intimidated and we will stand our grounds no matter the threats,” said Bishop Kazhila. “Let those wanting to pull out do so if they wish, but they should realise that many other investors are on the ‘bench’ ready to take up the mining challenge.”

Labels: JOSEPH KAZHILA, MINING, WINDFALL TAX

posted by MrK @ 4:28 AM