Zambia is said to have huge potential for massive economic development and wealth creation, but the failure to timely implement game changing policies, laws and projects, the failure to hold resposnsible implementing officers accountable is what is perhaps its weakest link.
Talk of the time it takes to resume gold mining when gold deposits are lying on the surface at Kasenseli, Mwinilunga. Talk of the time it’s taking the BOZ to implement the establishment gold reserves and unshackle itself from the chains of the US dollar.
Talk about the time it takes to implement debt restructuring which is considered a normal procedure for credible national treasuries and big corporates, talk of the time it takes to start exporting medical marijuana, forget about the massive national land titling program that unlocks the massive potential of the local financial services industry etc.
These and other key projects and initiatives that could bring in the much needed forex revenues and drive financial services that could be utilized to build infrastructure and housing for the citizens, that could be used to pay off debt are implemented as what can only be described as a snails pace make developing Zambia a very slow and onerous process.
On the matter of medical and export grade marijuana, Green Party President and Copperbelt based businessman Peter Sinkamba has expressed concern over the delayed implementation of the Marijuana legalization in Zambia stating that implementation has been extremely slow since its pronouncement in December 2019.
Government had through a cabinet meeting last year approved a proposal to legalize the production of marijuana in the country but restricted to exports and medical purposes only. The move to legalize, though unorthodox, was welcomed by a cross section of society and held as an extraordinary attempt needed for a third world country like Zambia to jack up its forex earning power.
Sinkamba told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview on May 12, 2020, that since the pronouncement last year, the responsible ministry(s) tasked has not shown any serious commitment on the matter despite the demonstrated financial projections that this move would deliver huge business opportunities and forex for Zambia.
He added that if given a chance, the Green party would have used the massive medicinal potential of cannabis for the Covid – 19 vaccines and treatment research adding that this opportunity could have attracted huge amounts of money into the country if government wouldn’t have been reluctant with the implementation.
Sinkamba said it is time for government to capitalize this agenda as a stimulant for the economy especially at a time where the country’s economy has been devastated with effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Legalizing of marijuana was announced even before covid – 19 started and it has been about 6 months now without it being treated with the urgency it deserves especially that it’s a huge thing that could revamp the economy. It should also be a solution to the country now that the global economy has been blocked because of the pandemic,” He said.
Sinkamba has since urged government and the responsible officers who have been mandated to hasten the process of implementation and help save the economy. Some Zambians would rather go beg from the donors when they are sitting on agendas that could deliver the much needed revenue.
Sinkamba also added that there is need to also engage the vision carries of the agenda to advise on how best government can run with it. He disclosed that the Green party has not been fully engaged in the process as only peripheral consultations are being done, hence has reiterated the need to fully involve the visions carries of marijuana if it is to become a game changer for the Zambian economy.
