Feira Member of Parliament Emmanuel Tembo has hinted that the benefits of tourism in the lower Zambezi have not dribbled down to the local people as the Lodge owners only contribute about K49, 000 per year when other areas like Kalumbila gets about k15 million for the same period.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times Feria Member of Parliament said despite much of the revenue generated by the lodge owners they have failed to develop the roads and take up corporate social responsivity.
Tembo said mining in the lower Zambezi should be given full support from the Government and the local people as it will be a game changer to both the Government and the local people in the area.
He said the people of Luangwa have for so long been trying to see what industry will be created in order for the local people to get jobs and the idea of the mine is a one step in the right direction because it will not only employee people but also create value chains which will create other industries in the area.
“We cannot continue to have people living in the grass thatched houses, no electricity and drinking dirty water when we have so many resources. For me the discussion should be around opening up more small scale and large scale mines around that area so that it gives value to the economy of Zambia and also the local people and this is also the position by Chiefs and Headmen around the area.” He said.
Meanwhile, Tembo expressed displeasure over Government’s decision to halt mining development by Mwembeshi Resources citing non-compliance with the conditions as the reason behind the temporal suspension.
Tembo said Government should not have suspended the mining activities but further allow them to operate whilst addressing the issues that has been cited in the letter addressed to the Company.
When asked on the good number of employees that the lodge owners had earlier put out compared to what the mine will offer, Tembo said the statistics were cooked up stating that the country should not be reduced to people who are small minded. “We are talking about over $500 million investment which cannot by far be compared to what the Lodge owners are offering.”
“The Lodge owners off course they employee one or two villagers but we are looking at a bigger picture and for me beyond the little jobs but with the coming in of the mine we will be able to detect the copper that comes out and pay the required taxes which has never been the case as it is difficult to tax lodge owners who banking outside the country. The financial outflows with the Lodge owners this money does not even land in Zambia but with mining we will be able to detect how much copper has gone out.”
Tembo added that, “there are so many entities that are stealing from Zambians because we are sleeping and the problem that I have with the Lodge owners in the Lower Zambezi is that they are not even involved in corporate social responsibilities. Those who are in Luangwa District they only contribute k49, 000 per year when other areas like Kalumbila our friends are collecting about k15 million.”
Tembo Further said there is a need for local people to also benefit from such ventures because they are the owners of the land other than leaving it all to the Lodge owners who are not offering anything.
