FDD leader Edith Nawakwi has observed the need for stakeholders in the country’s mining industry to come up with measures that will address youth unemployment in the country using resources from the mining sector.
Commenting on a presentation by the world bank at the 5th Zambia Economic Brief at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka the opposition leader said the country needs to take a leaf from other mining countries such as Chile which has ensured that its people benefit from their resources by structuring up win win policies.
She explained that youth unemployment can significantly reduce if stakeholders such as the World Bank, Mining Companies and the Government itself come up with strategies would help not only the mining communities but the government in its fight against youth unemployment.
” is there no possibility that the Government, the Mining houses and the Communities could get together and adopt the same situation that we find in Chile were monies are put in a pool to specifically address youth unemployment with or without high income? I saw that there was a request on how should Government behave when the mineral prices are low but how should Government behave when prices are high?” She wondered.
She added ” is there a possibility that Government, the World Bank and the Mining houses could sit together and craft something for us so that we address youth unemployment in the country using resources from the taxes from the Mining houses and contributions from government so that we can address youth unemployment in the mining communities.”
And speaking when she officially released the brief entitled Making Mining Work for Zambia: the Economic, Health, and Environment Nexus of Zambia’s Copper Mining Economy, World Bank Country Director fro Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe Kundhavi Kadiresan noted the importance of the mining sector in providing tax revenue, foreign currency, and jobs for the country adding that It was important that decisions which are made be conducive for sustained growth of the sector as well as national wealth.
Mining is an important source of tax revenue, foreign currency, and jobs for the people of Zambia. It is therefore important that decisions made are conducive for sustained growth of the sector and national wealth,” said Ms. Kadiresan.
This is what a leader is suppose to advocate, you have now come back to your senses nawakwi not everyday edgar this,edgar that,fyo fyo fyo fyo fyo
Kundhavi Kadiresan noted the importance of the mining sector in providing tax revenue, foreign currency, and jobs for the country adding that It was important that decisions which are made be conducive for sustained growth of the sector as well as national wealth.
“Mining is an important source of tax revenue, foreign currency, and jobs for the people of Zambia.”
BUT THE MINES IN ZAMBIA DO NOT WANT TO PAY TAX
You know I am personally getting sick and tired of all this jibber jabber. Mining thuis, mining that ……we have to tax the mines more, no, our mines should employ more youths…..etc. Well, talk is cheap. Edith, dont end there with that talk. Well and good what you have said is true…….but how many others have said multiple similar statements and yet here we still are having our streams polluted by these mining companies whilst the Zambian youths are still not being employed nor are we as a country realising our full tax revenue collection from the mines. I am a niversity of Zambia graduate, I studied mining engineerig. I graduated 3 years ago. Yet here I am, still begging for a job that even my own government cant provide because they ALSO claim not to have enough money.
There are far too many Chinese and Peruvians working in our Mines.
Carry out a real audit tomorrow and you will be shocked.
PF talked about this before 2011 but the Ministers were compromised.
The problem is foolish failure to see that mining is no longer physical labor intensive but highly automated and mechanized hence it is no longer a job creation nor haven for jobs. What other countries are doing is to force mines to sponsor agriculture and procuring services and products locally. This is the only way to create indirect jobs. If you are looking for direct jobs sorry Madam you are behind. I agree that they are source of tax but why are not getting taxes. It is weakness of leaders and selfish crooks in mines chambers of commerce.
These are issues not exclamations we are now fed up of hearing
Problem is human resource. Indeed the challenges facing a majority of sectors from tourism, mining and agriculture will only be met successfully by a well-educated, well-trained, bright, energetic, multilingual and entrepreneurial workforce who understand the nature of these sectors and have professional training. A high quality of professional human resources in these sectors will allow enterprise to gain a competitive edge and deliver added value with their service. Yet, in Zambia, an acute shortage of trained manpower and skills are impacting upon the growth of these sectors. The ability to succeed and the future performance of these sectors and relative activities will depend largely upon the skills, qualities and knowledge that managers will be able to bring to their business.