THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ADVISED TO RE-EXAMINE ITS POLICIES ON THE NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND EXPLORATION.
IN ITS POLICY BRIEF PUBLISHED IN ONE OF THE NATIONAL DAILIES, THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN ZAMBIA SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE (SEJ) PROGRAMME, IDENTIFIES THE EXPLORATION OF RADIO-ACTIVE MINERALS AS ONE AREA THAT NEEDS POLICY REVIEW.
THE COUNCIL HAS URGED THE GOVERNMENT FOR A SPEEDY DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY FRAMEWORKS THAT PROVIDE FOR RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BY THE INVESTORS WHILE PROMOTING GOOD QUALITY LIFE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THESE MINING AREAS
IT HAS CALLED FOR AN INCREASE IN THE SHARING OF THE BENEFITS OF THE PROCEEDS OF MINING.
SPECIFICALLY, THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SAYS ZAMBIA NEEDS TO DEVELOP A NEW REGULATORY MINING FRAMEWORK FOR THE MINING OF RADIOACTIVE AND DANGEROUS MINERALS SUCH AS URANIUM.
CCZ SAYS THIS SHOULD PROTECT THE HEALTH OF THE CITIZENS, BIO-LIFE AND THE ENVIRONMENT FROM THE CARELESS MINING ACTIVITIES OF THESE MINERALS.
IT HAS FURTHER STATED THAT ZAMBIA DEVELOPS A POLICY THAT PROVIDES FOR RETENTION OF A PERCENTAGE OF COPPER PROCEEDS IN ZAMBIA.
CCZ HAS POINTED OUT THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET A TIMEFRAME WITHIN WHICH ZAMBIA WOULD DEVELOP FULL SMELTING CAPACITY IN COUNTRY AND FACILITATE SETTING UP OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES THAT WOULD PROCESS COPPER INTO FINISHED PRODUCTS THEREBY ADDING VALUE AND CREATING MORE JOBS.
IT HAS SUGGEST THAT INVESTORS SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO BANK THEIR MONEY IN ZAMBIA TO IMPROVE LIQUIDITY IN THE LOCAL BANKING SYSTEM.
published by augustine m sichula
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