Govt has failed to follow Levy’s ideals, says Magande
Govt has failed to follow Levy’s ideals, says MagandeBy Ndinawe Simpelwe
Fri 11 Mar. 2011, 04:01 CAT
NG'ANDU Magande says the government has failed to follow the ideals of late president Levy Mwanawasa over the mines.
Commenting on finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane’s statement on QFM Radio on Monday that Mwanawasa was about to scrap the windfall tax, Magande said the public was now getting tired of the government's insistence that the country was benefiting from the mines.
“I have stopped commenting on these issues because we have talked a lot about them but it seems no one is listening. Just ask them (the government) to tell you where they are taking all the resources they are getting from the mines,” Magande said.
“Government is operating for the public but there are people who are doing things to keep their jobs. We have made statements since last year but nothing has changed. The public is tired of listening to the same statements from government when they are not seeing the benefits.”
During Q FM's Monday Live radio programme, Dr Musokotwane said Mwanawasa had changed his mind over the windfall tax.
Dr Musokotwane, who was Mwanawasa’s economic advisor, claimed the late president had realised the windfall tax was not a good idea because it was scaring investors. He said Mwanawasa ordered experts to revisit the scheme.
Dr Musokotwane also said that the country's external debt stood at US$1.2 billion as opposed to the US $3.4 billion noted in the Sixth National Development Plan.
But Magande said the affects of the increase in external debt would be felt in the future. “The increase in the external debt means your children and your grandchildren will bear the cost,” he said.
Labels: LEVY MWANAWASA, NG'ANDU MAGANDE, SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE, WINDFALL TAX
posted by MrK @ 1:35 PM
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