Maravi

Zambians not benefiting from mines - Simuusa

COMMENT - Finally, the PF view and endorsement of the Windfall Tax.

Zambians not benefiting from mines - Simuusa
By Brina Manenga
Thu 03 Mar. 2011, 04:00 CAT

ZAMBIANS are not adequately benefiting from the mining sector, says Wylbur Simuusa.

In an interview, Simuusa, who is PF Nchanga member of parliament, said it was unfortunate that the majority of Zambians were not benefiting from minerals when the investors in the mining sector were making huge profits.

“People are not benefiting enough from the mining sector compared to the people who run these mines. The resources that are obtained from the mining sector are not trickling down to the poor people of Zambia. Out of the whole mining revenue we are only getting about three per cent which is totally unacceptable,” Simuusa said.

He said countries like Chile were hugely benefitting from the mining sector, saying it was unfortunate that Zambia was not getting enough from its mineral wealth.

“Other countries like Chile are getting more than US$40 billion from the mines.

That is why we are calling for the windfall tax in order to bring the benefits closer to the people. But what we are dealing with is a government that is siding with the mining companies; a stubborn government that does not want to listen to its people. It is clear that they are not on the side of the Zambian people,” Simuusa said.

“We have been told by international organisations like IMF and even donors have told us that we are not collecting enough revenue from the mines, we are not benefiting from the mines. That is why some donors are withholding their funds. So it is a challenge on us, we have to do the right thing.”

Simuusa said Zambians need to become shareholders in the mining companies for them to benefit from the industry.

Labels: PF, WINDFALL TAX, WYLBUR SIMUUSA

posted by MrK @ 5:05 PM