Maravi

Mines should pay more tax - Scott

Mines should pay more tax - Scott
By Mwala Kalaluka
Fri 23 Mar. 2012, 13:00 CAT

INVESTORS should pay more tax and they should be more tax-compliant even under the existing legislation, says Vice-President Guy Scott. And natural resources, land and environmental protection minister Wylbur Simuusa says the PF manifesto already contains a mineral royalty tax-sharing mechanism.

Vice-President Scott made the remark whilst contributing to debate on a motion moved by Solwezi Central MMD member of parliament Lucky Mulusa, urging the government to establish a mineral royalty tax-sharing mechanism.

Mulusa's motion, which was ultimately passed by the House, was premised on the delayed implementation of section 136 of the mines and minerals development Act, enacted on April 1, 2008, concerning the sharing of mineral royalty revenue.

"We have taken the point that noboby should be able to suffer for being close to these natural resources," Vice-President Scott said.

"So we can't actually back your motion but we will take note of it."

Mpongwe MMD member of parliament Gabriel Namulambe said the local people of the Copperbelt had not benefited from the area's mineral wealth.

Namulambe lamented that because it had taken time to implement the mineral royalty-sharing mechanism, the Copperbelt, which was deemed as one of the developed areas of the country, was actually one of the poorest.

"We the real people Lambas of the Copperbelt are very poor," said Namulambe.

"What sin have we committed that when we are supposed to share, we are not considered?"

Kalomo UPND member of parliament Request Muntanga said it was a pity that the former MMD government failed to implement the mineral royalty-sharing mechanism.

"I sometimes wonder what happens to my friends when they shift from here opposition to there government. When it comes to fighting for the rights of the people, they forget easily," said Muntanga.

"We will remind them that it is important that they don't abdicate on this responsibility."

And Simuusa said that the motion was pushing an open door.

"The motion is a sermon or preaching to the converted," Simuusa said. "When we were in opposition we were indeed very passionate about this issue. We had a position."

Simuusa said whilst in opposition the PF was alive to the fact that a mineral royalty-sharing mechanism was necessary for the nation to share its mineral wealth equally.

"It's very interesting that last time this motion was shot down by that party MMD when they were in government. This motion actually is in line with our party manifesto," he said.

"We are going to implement this...We are in the process of revising the mines and minerals Act." Mulusa, in winding up the debate, said Zambians were listening attentively to PF leaders' confused response to the motion.

"At the beginning of the debate, I had a very clear mind. Now, my mind is in confusion. I don't know what message I will give to my people," said Mulusa.

"Mining areas are patients so give them some bit of medicine so that they come to a state of health where everyone is."

Labels: GUY SCOTT, PF, WINDFALL TAX, WYLBUR SIMUUSA

posted by MrK @ 4:02 PM