The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) says that Zambia still has alarming levels of poverty despite the country having recently recorded an economic growth of over 40 percent.
CSPR Executive Director Patrick Mucheleka says that The 6.5 GDP growth recorded in the country between 2005 and 2009 does not correlate with the levels of poverty that are currently looming in the country.
Mr Mucheleka said that the growth benefits of the economy are only being felt by rich people and not the less privilleged people living in the rural areas of the country.
He stressed that the country’s economic growth figures do not tally with the poverty statistics which currently stand at 85 percent in the rural areas and 34 percent in urban areas because of lack of government funding to the key sectors of the country.
Mr Mucheleksa pointed out that as long as the people are not put first on the agenda of the government the poverty levels of the country will continue to rise to unexplained and untold levels.
He explained that government should take deliberate measures to ensure that there is equal distribution of wealth among the people of Zambia. He also said that government should ensure that it aligns economic growth to poverty reduction if all Zambians are to benefit from the country’s wealth creation.
And the Civil Society for Poverty reduction has called on the government to learn from the Australian government move of introducing super tax on its mining sector so as to improve the country’s service delivery.
He said Government should get back to the discussion table with the country’s key stakeholders and reconsider reintroducing the Windfall tax to the Mining sector so as to enable the country raise its revenue base.
[Q FM]
Now I need clarity on the poverty stats in this country. Everyone just hails figures left right and centre. Which is the official statistic? The CSO only has data up to 2006, and states that at that time, the incidence of poverty was 64%. The report also suggests the incidence of poverty for Lusaka Province was 29%, which seems highly suspect. Can the CSO update its figures. And I would like to know where this man is getting the 85% from. It seems to high.
And I have noted that no one seems to mention the Human Development Index, which in my opinion is a better indicator of development. Using GDP growth is very misleading because it includes economic activities by foreigners, e.g the mines, yet these economic activities have little impact on the ground. I wonder what our GNP is?
Yes it is still poor as Gold keeps going out of the country unnoticed and copper profits are externalised right under your noses. The emerald mines are mostly in the hands of foreign nationals with little if any serious involvement or controlling interests of your own country. The only agriculture you speak of is maize growing. It is poor and sadly the situation is bound to get worse before it gets better because your leaders are the ones defending the mine owners and constantly protect them from paying needed taxes for exploiting a wasting assets like minerals. The mines are sold for a song say $25Million Dollars when in neighbouring countries such a price for a copper mine is scoffed at as being ridiculously low. Look, each truck you see laden with copper cathodes is worth $250,000 on…
…..on average ,making $25Million be paid back by 100 truckloads of copper. This can be done in one or two months whereas you have sold a whole mine with a life span of 25-50years for a paltry $25Million Dollars which a number of Zambian business people could have raised and owned the mines, the state could have capitalised them and the country is not short of qualified manpower. This picture gets all the more uglier when you consider that everything highlighted above is not a secret but known and seen by everyone with no remedy being offered.
This is Zambia The Real Afrika!!!!!!
8-|, Is there any need to even discuss this? Glaringly obvious isn’t it?
#MR. Mucheleka, you could complete the news item by announcing that you are a PF candidate in next year’s election. Then Zambian can put put the correct value on your statement.
Our Zambian leaders are realy a let down; they think there is no money in Zambia but in europe; to the contrally , but there is more money in the few hands of politicians ,while in most rich european countries every one in the nation has atleast enough money to buy food for the family ,the problem in Zambia is poor distribution of Zambian wealth , the greedy leaders who pocket all the money and leave people starving,reasorces are poorly managed
With proper management of Zambian reasorces ,Zambia could be very rich by now ,mind you no one will come and develope Zambia for you ,because the people you think to develope Zambia are just as human as you are ,but have just their minds put to work hard; and put good laws into place to cntroll greedy leaders ,every human being is a thief potentially being given chance he will steal
This Mucheleka chap is a PF cadre who run away from MMD in Lusaka. What type of economics are you trying to teach us you form five drop out from Isoka secondary school. Just relinquish your post and declare your candidature and campaign openly.
# 8. I don’t think it’s useful to mislead pipo in this way. I know Mucheleka very well. If you last knew him as a grade 12, that does not mean he remained static like others (maybe you included). Patrick completed his Development Studies graduate (Masters) degree in The Netherlands, from a very reputable international University lest you did not know. I bet you may have other issues or hate against him, but which re no reason to demean your colleague for no reason. If you perceive him to be politically inclined (as I think you also are entitled to), that’s no reason to demean one another!! Good day and stay blessed!
Zambians, please read what Barotse Patriot so eloquently points out. We as Zambians need to start holding our leadership accountable of their actions and inactions. For once, put down your party symbols and realize that the problem is a little bit bigger than who you are hoping comes into or stays in power next year. It is as big as ending a culture of passiveness and silence, one where as Barotse points out, we can see in broad day light the retrogressive actions that ensure that the poor are ignored and left to suffer, the working class abused and compensated poorly and those in power become wealthy through corrupt and selfish practices. ONCE we AS ZAMBIAN PEOPLE CAN DEMAND WAYS TO PUNISH THOSE PRACTICES, the leadership will be better, irregardless of what party symbol they wave.
#10 Says a lot about our mentality, doesn’t it? We absolutely avoid intelligent debates like this, but will sit for hours at ‘puters pointlessly arguing about tribes, leadership gone bad, and any other petty issue that rears its ugly head.
Zambia’s history is bitter as far as where its wealth goes. The guys who ruled before independence exported most of our wealth to develop southern rhodesia. Can we get out of that rut – it seems to be our lot, so God help us!
Christopher Mulenga check your facts before you lash out at Patrick in that wicked manner! The man is well educated and understand issues better than you do and hence you cannot debate his statements and concerns yet you are quick to attack him! Wake up and contribute positively mudala namukula!
Zambia is still poor because democracy has been taken to mean winning elections instead of being a broad governing mechanism aimed at bringing development. Such a thinking is very narrow.