Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Government should introduce windfall tax-HH

Government should introduce windfall tax-HH
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, November 11, 2011, 12:29 pm

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has called for a more effective fiscal regime in the mining sector. Mr. Hichilema told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that government should introduce windfall tax in order for the country to derive maximum benefits from mineral resources.

He said the mining sector has the potential to raise revenue for investment in other sectors such as Education, Health and Agriculture hence the need for a proper tax regime. He advised the ruling PF to institute fair and mutual negotiations with mining companies on the need for a more profitable tax regime for the mining sector.

Mr. Hichilema added that the 2012 national budget should not only focus on expenditure but also revenue especially from the mines. Mr. Hichilema said the 2011 national budget did not achieve the intended targets due to under allocation of funds to various sectors.

He explained that the trend could be addressed through increased revenue from mines which could be allocated to other equally important sectors. He accused the former MMD government of not allocating adequate resources to critical sectors such as Agriculture, Health, Education and Energy among others.

He expressed hope that the PF government will tomorrow deliver a fine budget which will address both expenditure and revenue

Meanwhile, Mr. Hichilema has welcomed the postponement of the date for the three by- elections that were supposed to be held on November 24th this year.

Mr. Hichilema said the postponement will enable the electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to put in place measures that would ensure that the elections were not contentious to all parties that would participate.

He told media that ECZ requires ample time to prepare itself so that it produces a good results certificate at the end of voting.

Mr. Hichilema observed that the last general elections were marred with a lot of malpractice because the commission could not produce results certificate for each polling station.

“In the last general elections, there are so many contentious issues that have been raised so there is need for the commission to prepare adequately for the forthcoming by-elections,” Mr. Hichilema said.

He hoped the extension by one week would give ECZ time to deliver the election materials on time adding that the idea of panicking at the last minute was unprofessional.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hichilema has advised the commission to consult with stakeholders before they make decisions concerning the nation.

“The ECZ were not aware that the grade nines will be using the schools for exams when they were setting that date. That is why it is important to always consult before you make these decisions,” he said.

And the UPND leader has disclosed that his party was ready for the by-elections in all the three constituencies despite them not fielding a candidate in Nakonde.

The parliamentary by-elections will be held in Nakonde, Magoye and Chongwe constituencies.

[ZANIS]

Labels: ECZ, HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, UPND, WINDFALL TAX

posted by MrK @ 7:18 AM