Maravi

Letters - Fundanga, mine taxes

Fundanga, mine taxes
By Daaram Simakungwe
Wed 02 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT

Editor,

I am very happy to note that Dr Caleb Fundanga has elected to disassociate the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) from this poor economic situation being perpetrated by President Rupiah Banda.

The BoZ chief has clearly stated that the blame should not be on the mining companies but the decision makers. This is the boldness I expected from Dr Fundanga. I salute you sir.

This confession from BoZ clearly illustrates the failures of President Banda in managing the economy.

How on earth can you develop a country when an industry that accounts for over 80 per cent of Zambia's exports is only contributing 2.2 per cent to the tax revenue?

Why should Rupiah be flying around the world every week using poor Zambians' PAYE tax revenue only?

If Rupiah Banda doesn’t see the need for efficient mine tax system, then he must be voted out.

It proves a point that Rupiah can’t develop Zambia. He is happy to see poor public infrastructure because the treasury has no money.

The MMD government has made Zambians to believe that being poor is a normal thing, driving on bumpy roads is fine, eating once a day if okay, as long as you are not in government.

Our President flies more than any president in the world; doesn’t he feel ashamed to see other countries develop at a better pace than Zambia?

Doesn’t Rupiah feel ashamed that even countries that were war-torn yesterday are doing better than Zambia because of prudent economic decisions?

Finally, I believe the diplomatic confession by Dr Fundanga should be respected by the MMD government on this mine tax issue.

We are a peaceful country that doesn’t need an Middle-East type revolution to bring change.

Daaram Simakungwe,
Durban

Labels: CALEB FUNDANGA, WINDFALL TAX

posted by MrK @ 5:02 PM