KCM saga an eye opener – Council of Churches
The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) considers the revelations about KonkolaCopper Mines (KCM) by VendantaChairman, AnilAgarwa as an eye opener for the Zambian government and it presents an opportunity for the government to take corrective measures in ensuring that all the gaps and loopholes which currently exist in our tax policy systems are effectively sealed.
Most investors, not only mining companies, have syphoned Zambia’s resources for too long. This trend will continue if no measures are urgently taken. Zambia is in serious need of social services and our government cannot afford towaste more time.
CCZ is calling on government to also strengthen existing institutional capacity of institutions such as the Bank of Zambia and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)through the Ministry of Finance to ensure effective execution of regulating and monitoring of foreign investment.
50 years after independence there must be Zambians who could invest in the mining sector if given the opportunity. The notion that investors can only come from the West and East is misleading Zambia and impoverishing it. We have many people in Zambia with a clout to mobilise resources for investments in Zambia.
This is what should be encouraged so that we can cut down on some of these problems of tax evasion and tax avoidance that is rampant in Africa.
As owners of mineral wealth, we Zambians demand from government to given priority of prospecting, owning and investing in big businesses in our country. This will allow the resources to be ploughed back into society and help in uplifting the livings standards of Zambians.
In the meantime CCZ is urging government to consider auditing all foreign firms to determine if they are fulfilling their investment pledges made before coming into the country and hold them accountable in accordance to the agreements signed.
Government must make the process of issuance of mining licences, signing of contracts and agreements more transparent so that, Zambians who are the owners of the wealth are made aware of all these matters.
Reverend Suzanne Matale
GENERAL SECRETARY-COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA