By Kabela Sumba. BSc. Eng.
At the beginning of this year, carbon tax was introduced in our nation. I totally oppose this theft in broad daylight as it is highly exaggerated and just another ploy by governments to squeeze even more money out of the pockets of tax-paying individuals. In Zambia, government has been quick to implement this carbon tax; most of the people don’t know what carbon tax is, much less carbon or its compounds.
Some officials even say it has been introduced to deal with carbon emissions. Since when did man begin discharging carbon into the environment? Carbon? The first correction to be made is that it’s compounds of carbon (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide) being discharged and not the element itself. It is quite a challenge to begin to imagine how Zambian authorities can use this tax to reduce the effects of climate change. Human beings really think they can buy themselves out of decades of deforestation and massive factory emissions. It is very laughable.
This government efficiently thought up a method of collecting this tax, but plans have not been laid out as to how they will use this new resource. Will they patch up the sky? With pieces of ozone? Or will they use it to install a big air conditioner over the nation? And what about charcoal burners? Will they be taxed too? Personally I think the large manufacturers and the mines are the biggest polluters. They are the ones that should bear the larger chunk of this environmental debt.
It should be observed that in this nation, other areas of tax collection have not produced the results they purport to render, take for example “Musonko” (Road Tax). Every year billions of Kwacha (millions of dollars) are collected from car owners in form of tax which is meant to build and repair roads. If you were to drive to the Kitwe office of the Road Transport and Safety Authority today, I assure you will find that the road leading up to their office is not even maintained. Picture a slice of cheese in your mind, remove the yellow, paint it black and you have the road I am talking about.
Surely, if a government department fails to use road tax to fix roads, how can one possibly expect any other department to ‘mend’ the environment? The plain fact is that one feels the roughness of the road every time they make their way to this Road Transport Authority. Yes, everyone, including government-employed road tax collectors. If the potholes on that road are so evident and still nothing has been done about it, how can one start to believe that the government will mitigate the effects of a very gradual climate change, one so gradual you don’t even feel it. If there has been damage to the environment due to man’s activities, it is a mistake to think that money can solve this problem. Some things are just too big for man to accomplish. You can never make a pump big or strong enough to drain an ocean, or create a water tap large enough to flood the world.
At this point it should also be stated that there have been some serious errors made by some scientists computing figures. It comes as no surprise that while rushing to make the case for carbon tax and other green revenues, these scientists have, made tremendous mistakes such as switching the positions of a 35 and a 0 when compiling a report on the rate of melt of Himalayan glaciers: 2035 comes within a quarter of a decade while 2350 is 3 whole centuries away. It would not be paranoia on my part to suggest that the 2035 timeframe excited members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, because it made a very strong case for the green cause, a scenario bearing close resemblance to that of a prime minister using a 45 minute timeframe to force his case for war through a parliament. Environmentalists need to be careful with how they analyze such data. The information coming from such panels must be carefully scrutinized before it is disseminated to the public. Organizations and governments, while making their case, should be careful not to instill fear in the public; the consequences could be very grave.
Needless to say, I get this feeling that all governments will eventually endorse this tax. What a window of opportunity, it couldn’t have come at a better time for Zambian policy makers. In effect, the total money paid out in tax per car-owning family has risen. Wouldn’t one suggest tax has somehow gone up, regardless of what it is for? Carbon tax collection will prove to be a very innovative means of introducing some kind of tax into the economy, in the place of openly hiking taxes. Carbon tax is the going to be the greatest trick this devil of a government pulled in the 21st century.
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Extract from the author’s article: Carbon Tax – The Greatest Trick The Devil Pulled In The 21st Century, And A Few Other Tweaks Zambia Needs To Move Forward
My brother, how can you write this article without articulately substantiating the case against carbon taxation in Zambia?
Iwe mbuli Sumbu akulipila fye ama taxes , why uleyilishanya na motoka tawakwata? Do yo think that wheel barrow is anything to write home about?Your complaint is to make sure this tax is used where it is intended and not to give George Kunda and 12 Ministers to share it as extra gratuity for participating on the NCC.Just keep an eye on where it ends and then you can cry foul.If Zambia was making new cars, they would be no need to have this sort of tax,cos we would have been graduating slowly into low emission cars whose co2 is less than 120.So uleke ukushita ifima gonga ku Japan
Kabela, this is a very unusual article you have written. First of all your style of writing is not for the reader to follow all appreciate. You seem to try to impress too much by using various analogies but in most cases used them very inappropriately (comparing the road to a piece of black cheese ? – not all cheese has holes in it.Tthe case for the Iraq war?). You refer to issues concerning carbon emissions and the impact on the environment (the Himalaya’s glaciers) in a context which is unrelated to the carbon tax subject for Zambia. Your topic is definitely worth discussing but your article does not do much to help the argument you are making.
Good Evening
I like this piece of lecture for many reasons:
Firstly, because I’m also an avid sceptisist of the Climate Change. More and more meteorolgists and climate experts are beginning to question the theory and the dramatic campaign against CO². Could it be a new capitalist plundering concept carefully designed to hoax the masses by using an illusionary threat of a financially avertable apocalypse?
Secondly, I have noticed that there is what is called an “insecurity complex” that exists among many citizens of the western world, which we Africans do not have due to our naturally friendly environment (both geographically and ethnically). We should not allow them to dictate our policies out of their own insecurity complex.
Thirdly, this problem (if it all it really exists) is global. Now we all know that have several local problems like bad roads and floods arising from poor architectural planning. All these could be rectified financially. So as the author has already pointed out, even with the road tax revenue our government has failed to maintain a good infrastructure. How possible will it be then for them to guarantee an intact climate? or is that a totally different matter???
😕
This is an interesting article. This is a very contested issue in most countries including southern african. Carbon tax has been there for some time. I remember paying this tax everytime am coming into Zambia (driving) and its valid for a year. In South Africa newly purchased cars (reconditioned japanese) are not allowed to be driven in the peripherals of their country as a measure against carbon emmisions. The reasoning behind the carbon tax is based on the principle of ‘polluter pays’. Meaning if you pollute, you pay for the mess. This is enshrined in the Environmental Act and Policy of Zambia. However, enforcement of the policy has been restricted to entry point (border), as such motorist only used to pay for it at Chilundu, Mwami Nakonde among others.
However, GRZ has thought it ‘wise’ by extending the same measures to motorist in the country. But in principle, the measure is not suppose to target motorist only, but any institution that is polluting above the standard stipulated in the act. these could be industries and plantations, including any activities that may be seem to emit some levels of pollution above the limits. Its unfortunately that motorist are an easier target for government than to go and seek a levy from a charcoal burn who in the first place is not legally allowed to produce the product.
We just need to support government in its effort to implement this measures and our support should include monitoring the use of such resources by advocating for carbon sink projects and clean energy technologies. Thinking aloud…
As for the UNFCCC reports and its errors, I would say that inasmuch as there was an error regarding the Himalayas ice melting, it doesnt mean that we discredit the whole work of the UNFCCC. To me, i strong feel that in such big reports and working with such enormous data, a chance of error is evident but that does not mean there is no climate change. As a country we just need to continue pressing the global countries to pay for the polluting and for the effects that have been impacting our poor countries. We can only lobbying for the funds (LDC, Adaptation and Carbon trading) if we are seen to be doing something as a country, hence such measures being employed. am stil thinking aloud.!
4&5 Nine Chale
Climate change is a hoax, you have hit the point.:)>-:)>-
Mr Kabela Sumba, I urge you to, please, research before you propagate falsehoods. Carbon Emissions Surtax was not introduced this year (2010). The first reference of this tax, and henceforth taxation is Statutory Instrument No. 54 of 2000 and the The Customs and Excise (Amendment) Bill of 2006 which, in part, introduced surtax on carbon emissions (retrospectively). It is sad that individuals profess knowledge when all they are propagating is there ignorance!
Mr Kabela Sumba, I urge you to, please, research before you propagate falsehoods. Carbon Emissions Surtax was not introduced this year (2010). The first reference of this tax, and henceforth taxation is Statutory Instrument No. 54 of 2000 and the The Customs and Excise (Amendment) Bill of 2006 which, in part, introduced surtax on carbon emissions (retrospectively). It is sad that individuals profess knowledge when all they are propagating is their [corrected as not “there”] ignorance!
Lately, whenever I find myself in Lusaka city center I just can’t wait to get out… I love the idea that most people have cars now (praise the Lord for that!)… but mweba nensu, the gas fumes billowing around the skies most times is intolerable. Added to the burning trash… I have big issues with this trash burning, every council should take care of its community trash problem because there’s money for this. Collecting taxes is quite efficient compared to collecting trash, or has this service been wiped out? Maybe… all I know is that if you live muma Kabulonga, etc. it’s being done by private firms. Once upon a time council trucks used to collect trash out of cans at each person’s house.
very shallow – fails to deal with issues substantively
This author has just succeeded in expressing his horrendous ignorance on the topic. For heaven’s sake, CES was introduced in 2000 through Statutory Instrument No. 54 and it has been in effect since 2006. It has been collected by ZRA each time you import a motor vehicle in Zambia. This is an anomally which government has now corrected by transferring this responsibility to RTSA starting this year because this is not supposed to be a one-off tax but an annual one. Please author, be responsible before you expose your ignorance to the world in the name of freedom of expression.
Carbon Emissions and its effects may be a reality or may have some truths in it but the real question is how much carbon emmission does Zambia contribute? Zambia is not an industrialised nation, and the number of cars per square kilometre is far much less as compared to countries like South Africa or Kenya. I think our Govt may have jumped the gun by introducing a tax when our country’s contribution to carbon foot print is almost zero. Unless the carbon tax will be used for planting more trees, cleaning our sorrounding, making our country green friendly, the tax is day light robbery
The fearmongering about man-made global warming has been designed to justify all along – a global carbon tax which will do nothing to reduce carbon emissions but everything to feed the trough of world government.
Taxing carbon dioxide will not bring levels down, and will not offset warming so much as, say, painting the desert rocks white.
This is the real truth to why the globalists and NWO puppets want to impose a carbon tax on you.
The Zambian Government is quick to implement policies that milk Zambians of the little they have, but they are slow to do the same on issues that will empower the Zambians. For instance the sale of Telkom, the mines, carbon tax etc, our leaders want to do it quickly but for issues like selling shares to locals, paying the local suppliers on time, etc our leaders take their time
The biggest environmental threat in our country is the unbridled proliferation of pre-owned auto mobiles from Singapore and Dubai. While we may not live to regret entertaining grey imports, our grandchildren will. Carbon emissions tax should be restricted to reconditioned motor vehicles.
On the other hand, a mechanism must be devised to award carbon tax credit to owners of bicycles and other contraptions powered by renewable energy. Those commuting to and from work by foot should enjoy some sort of tax relief too. This is a fair effort at enforcing environmental law viz. Polluter Pays Principal.
This government…awe kwena:((:-w
Sata who is smarting from a divorce from his ‘’first’’ wife, Margaret Sata and married Dr Catherine Kaseba at Pamodzi Hotel on new year’s eve of 31st December 1994, takes Holy Communion.
The Church strict teachings on marriage forbids, divorces except under exceptional circumstance. Under its teachings Marriage is indissoluble if it is contracted freely and under the Church Rules and Regulations.
However in the circumstances of Michael Sata, the Church seems to have thrown away its strict teachings on the Holy Eucharist and its administration.
Recently, during the Kasama By-Elections, Sata is said to have formalized his marriage to Petronella Mpundu through a ‘’Chombela Ng’anda’’ in Kasama. Sata’s vehement denial of this tradition celebration seems to be motivated by his failure to inform his wife, Kaseba and the Nation!
Following Chiluba’s revelation of this marriage which relationship Archbishop Mpundu deem to be over 20 years old, it has emerged that in fact, Sata had first sired a child with Petronella’s elder sister ( known as Margaret- by press time, the authors were frantically establishing the correct name), who was whisked away and sent to Canada following the embarrassing matter. It is then that Sata moved to Petronella where he has two children.
It was expected that Archbishop Mpundu would tackle this and the matter of Petronella.
Archbishop Mpundu neglected to elaborate how Mr. Sata is allowed to partake in the Holy Communion under these murky circumstances especially that he called the Press conference to defend the integrity and credibility of the Church.
He also failed to describe the relationship between Sata and his sister. Is there a marriage? Is it a mere adulterous affair? What is the Church’s position on a matter that is publicly known? If marriage is indissoluble, what is the status of Sata’s first marriage in relation to the church? What is the position of his contracted marriage with Dr. Kaseba? And did Sata recently contract a new marriage in Kasama?
The torrent of attacks could not save even a departed man. Archbishop Mpundu opened with a tirade of attacks on President Mwanawasa disclosing that he refused to mourn him when he died because President Mwanawasa held him as ‘’a member of the PF and Bishop no.1 of the PF’’.
Archbishop Mpundu further disclosed that he refused to participate in a national program called at the height of sensitive national grief.
Zambia National Broadcasting Cprporation(ZNBC) had with genuine ingenious organized a program titled ‘’Legacy of the deceased President.’’. The program was designed to remember the late President at such a difficult time for the nation. The nation was in heightened grief, Mwanawasa’s family desolate, and political opportunist
on the ready. ZNBC sought the voice of reason, the voice of compassion, and the reflection of wisdom at such a sensitive period for the Nation. They approached a man deemed to be Head of the Catholic in Zambia – Archbishop Telesphoe Mpundu.
He chose to refuse to participate for reasons we now know were petty, personal and driven by hatred against Mwanawasa.
Yet Archbishop Mpundu had collected two tickets for his Bishops from Mwanawasa to enable the prelates attend the funeral of that great shepherd, Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy.
In this speech at this fateful press conference, Archbishop ridiculed and dwelt on Mwanawasa’s legacy claiming that there is no legacy but ‘’a figment of a fertile imagination’’ by known persons. He said the Legacy was being promoted ‘’by a…
A small matter of marital infidelity requiring no more than a simple explanation as detoriated into a political storm exposing Archbishop Mpundu’s activities, and his lieutenant’s anti-government schemes.
A matter that should have been buried is now flaring exposing a man condoning the sinful practices of his brother-in-law.
When his Pope has spent time to clean the soiled image of the Church accused of numerous allegations of Child abuse and homosexuality practices by its priests, Mpundu seems to be practicing the very cover-up tactics his Pope his fighting.
This is a matter for the faithful. If it were upto ordinary mortals, the calls for his resignation would be louder than the tolling bells in his church.
this is day light robbery…we can’t be paying so much money for something we are not even so sure of and how it came about!!
Walasa zedboy and all the other bloggers… another method to milk the masses dry while it’s still possible… Lesa aka mikanda one of these days, He listens to the cries of the poor and He will revenge on their behalfs sooner than you think!
While global warming is a scientific fact. It is also true that to tax the ordinary persons, are the last measures that should be taken. As pointed out in your article, before taxation there should be a viable plan to show where the monies raised will be used. The world as a whole is now suffering from the greed and lack of foresight of the last 300 yrs or so. As usual, the main financial burden of repairing this damage is thrust upon the shoulders of those who had little to do with its cause.
Ba “2011 HERE WE COME” OR whatever rubbish you call yourself,can you for once try to wirte sommething sensible.This topic does not relate to Sata in whatever way.FYI the headline of the topic reads and I qoute” Zambia: A directive should be issued to immediately abolish carbon tax”.
Ba “2011 HERE WE COME” OR whatever rubbish you call yourself,can you for once try to write something sensible.This topic does not relate to Sata in whatever way.FYI the headline of the topic reads and I qoute” Zambia: A directive should be issued to immediately abolish carbon tax”.
#31 Kim_ 2011 brings in SC because this money is being channeled to MMD campaigns. Remember Zesco is in trouble and Zamtel is for sell so the geese that gave them the Golden gold are nomore.
Here we come amano yanono sana if your were my son kukushitisha pantu ulichisoso.What has Sata got to do with this carbon topic? Some people like you makes Zed never to move forward.I hope you are under 5,i do not believe a matured papi can even bosa out of topic.
2011 HERE WE COME IS NUTS. STAY IN CONTEXT OF THE ARTICLE YOU CHAP!
very true, this is the most useless tax i have ever heard of..
2011 HERE WE COME!! is portraying sings of being GEORGE KUNDA: you are hallucinating just like the man would. how do you bring in Michael Sata into this discussion????? walipena? please stick to the context of the blog or open your own site.
“2011 HERE WE COME” is so confused about MMD being booted out next year, that he can’t think or discuss anything else but SATA and the opposition. Lol. Bring up any developmental topic, he’ll start splashing Sata’s name all over the place… totally out of topic. Sorry ba 2010….., let’s just carbon tax here before tamula pena!
Awe pa Zed bwafya sana govt removed windfall tax for the mines,then introduce carbon tax so how much has govt lost out on windfall tax revenue in light of escalating copper price?As shown in the pic the same mines are polluting the envoiroment hence they have been exempted on both taxes.The question what is Bo situmbeko musokotwane doing to correct the situation? 😕
Carbon is matter…matter is neither created nor destroyed:-\”