Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Government stops subsidizing fuel

COMMENT - Government subsidies for agriculture, fuel and all kinds of things characterize the capitalist markets of the EU and US. Of course, this goes against neoliberal market fundamentalism - unless it benefits them. And yet, Zambians are supposed to compete 'fairly' without subsidies. That this harms the poor of course no consideration. The truth is that the government would have more than enough moneyf or subsidies if they taxed the mines for over 1.2 billion a year - which of course the finance minister, former non-executive director of ZCCM-IH, will prevent with all his might, because he is bought and paid for by the mining companies. He shouldn't be in government, he should be IN PRISON.

Government stops subsidizing fuel
Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 8:26

Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has said the Government will no longer subsidise the fuel costs in the country. Speaking in Lusaka on Sunday, Dr Musokotwane said Government’s continued subsidy on fuel would impact negatively on other key sectors of the economy.

Dr Musokotwane said the Government’s decision to stop subsidising fuel prices was in order for it to address other needy areas such as education, health and roads. He said the Government had been spending so much on fuel subsidies leaving very limited resources for other sectors of the economy.

He explained that Government had been subsiding the fuel for a long time now at the expense of other needy sectors of the economy that have been lagging behind.

Meanwhile, United Party for National Development (UPND) spokesperson Charles Kakoma has said the move by the Government not to further subsidise fuel, would negatively affect the economy of the country.

Labels: FUEL, NEOLIBERALISM, SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE

posted by MrK @ 3:35 PM