Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has refuted claims by Copperbelt Patriotic Front (PF) Provincial Chairman Mwenya Musenga that President Rupiah Banda blocked Copperbelt Councils from accessing their share of the Mineral Royalty Tax for councils to use in running their projects.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha stated that government has no intentions of blocking any council from accessing their share of the mineral royalty tax.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that the President Banda does not handle such issues but that this is the responsibility of the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.
He described the allegations as false and unfounded saying Mr. Musenge is playing and exhibiting cheap politics retrogressive to the development of the country.
Lt Gen Shikapwasha urged Mr. Musenge and the opposition to respect the Head of State and focus on offering working solutions on developmental issues instead of engaging in mudslinging and insulting the President.
He challenged the Copperbelt PF Chairman to understand that mineral royalty tax is Law adding that the Mines Minister’s Office is there to identify and decide how the mineral royalty tax should be shared.
PF Copperbelt Provincial Chairman Mwenya Musenga is quoted in the media as having accused President Rupiah Banda of neglecting to develop the Copperbelt province by blocking the councils from getting a share of the mineral royalty tax.
ZANIS
Shikapwasha,why do you always cry to the opposition to respect the head of state when you know that they will never ever,just drive points home and the enlightened will know who is telling the truth than always mournin.
Ronnie , please give the nation examples when last the opposition got a cut from mineral tax. im sure you have the records you can tell the nation that on this particular day so much was given to the opposition. That will silence the opposition and make MMD a party of truth. If you dont have such information then the opposition is right,
insulting elders is pornography-rb. iye tatalesa
vioneni vimasilu!
Oh please, where do you think grants that go to local councils come from? You think RB has a tree in statehouse that grows cash? Stop cheap politicking
I maybe wrong, but aren’t mineral loyalty taxes targeted for specific areas where minerals are actually extracted, and not used as general fund for grants to all councils? Doesn’t it work like in the entertainment world where recording (music or film) loyalties are targeted to artists who actually produced the music/film, and not for everybody who calls themselves an artist? Your work/product supposed to make money, and continue making money in the future, to get loyalties.
In this case the Copperbelt makes money for Zambia from copper, hence the specific copper mineral loyalties for the Copperbelt due to its unique position, and NOT! for all councils. That would be under another govt budget/ministry and tax category. But in this case, I believe, it is directly under the MoF.
Sata was against the mineral taxes when first proposed, then was against the govt when they were abolished and now this.
What is going on in Lusaka Mtendere? What is Maimba doing with the pathetic roads in Mtendere.
Can someone tell me what this PF counsellor is doing please