Maravi

ZEC accuses government of being more interested in foreign investors

ZEC accuses government of being more interested in foreign investors
By Tilyenji Mwanza and Henry Sinyangwe
Wed 20 June 2012, 13:23 CAT

ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference secretary general Fr Cleophas Lungu yesterday accused the government of being more interested in issues concerning foreign investors at the expense of Zambians.

And some civil society and faith-based organisations say there is need to employ sustainable, ethical and responsible mining if the nation is to benefit from the mineral resources.

Speaking during the official opening of the Zambia Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI) in Lusaka, Fr Lungu said Zambia needed mining companies that would respect people's rights and not force mines on people and communities who do not want them.

He said the extractive industry must put people, and not money, first.

"Mining should not dehumanise people but should instead help to uplift their human dignity. To achieve this we need progressive policies and legislation," Fr Lungu said.

Fr Lungu said there was also need to strengthen the legislative and institutional environment obtaining in the country.

"The legislative and institutional environment currently obtaining in the country is weak and requires some strengthening in order to ensure greater returns from the extractive industries. The oversight role played by Parliament must also be enhanced," Fr Lungu said.

Fr Lungu said mining companies have been making huge profits while the local communities have suffered increased impoverishment due to the mining activities which have negatively affected the livelihood of the people.

"For many years now, we have had the unfortunate situation whereby the mining corporations have not helped the poor communities in areas where they are operating. Instead they have often made them worse off as is evident in the Copperbelt and North Western provinces," said Fr Lungu.

And chief Sinazongwe of the Tonga people said displaced people in mining areas must be properly compensated by ensuring that proper infrastructure is built in the areas they settled.

He said chiefs were usually side lined in the processes of awarding mining contracts and not given ample time to consent to the mining expeditions.

"Chiefs must be given ample time to go through various contracts and must be given the responsibility to advise government on mining activities in their communities from time to time," said chief Sinazongwe.

Meanwhile Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia , executive director Rev Pukuta Mwanza said he was concerned with the safety, mining operation and the management of toxic materials from the mineral processing activities as this posed a serious safety and health hazard to the people in the affected areas.

And Rev Mwanza said EFZ preferred joint investment between the foreign and local investors in the extractive industry.

Labels: FDI, MINING, NEOLIBERALISM, ZEC

posted by MrK @ 2:37 PM