Speaking on arrival at Lusaka International Airport on his arrival from Madagascar, President Mwanawasa says the interests of Zambians will remain paramount in the dispute mining companies have raised over the revised mining tax regime because citizens are merely asking for a fair share of their own wealth.

Dr Mwanawasa was concerned that the mining companies were criticising Government for asking for a fair share of the country’s resources when the people who voted Government into power have welcomed the new taxes.

“At the beginning of my administration, I said where there is conflict between the people of Zambia and something else, the interests of Zambians will be paramount,” President Mwanawasa said. “I am unable to understand how they can criticise us when we are asking for a fair share of our resources.”

The President said his was a listening Government and he was, therefore, inviting the mining companies to meet the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Ng’andu Magande, and Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Kalombo Mwansa, to discuss the matter.

... Read more »

MAJOR mining companies in Zambia and the Chamber of Mines of Zambia have rejected the new tax regimes for the mining industry, arguing that the development agreements (DAs) were still binding.

The mining firms have since threatened legal action against the Government, noting that they were not consulted before the new measurers were introduced.

Meanwhile, Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) have criticised mining firms for threatening court action against Government over the revised mineral tax regime, saying the intention was misdirected, selfish and against the interests of the majority Zambians.

MUZ president, Rayford Mbulu, said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that there was no need whatsoever for mining houses to start issuing threats instead of discussing with Government.

Mr Mbulu said governments in Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Guinea were currently re-negotiating mineral tax regimes.

... Read more »

Former Republican President Fredrick Chiluba’s son Castro has announced his entry into the political arena. Castro Chiluba is now deputy national secretary of the New Revolution Party (NRP) led by Dr. Cosmo Mumba. Castro was introduced as deputy national secretary of the NRP during a press briefing by the NRP in Lusaka today. Castro, who accepted his new appointment, pledged to serve the nation and address the many issues affecting youths in the country.

Castro has since apologized to Zambians for the wrong things he did while his father was in power.He said he is a changed man and power would not corrupt him adding that people do change and should be forgiven and given chance to contribute to national development.

And NRP party president Dr. Cosmo Mumba said Castro has repented and is a Born Again Christian.

Dr. Mumba said Zambians should forgive and forget the misdeeds of Castro and give him chance to contribute positively to Zambia’s growing democracy.

He said the past image of Castro should be done away with as Castro has truly changed for the better.Castro had previously used the status of his father, Dr. Chiluba, to m... Read more »