Finance and National Planning Minister, Ngandu Magande, says there is need for Zambians to make adjustment on the consumption of oil so as to reduce the impact of soaring prices of the commodity on the Zambian economy.
Mr. Magande observed that reduction on consumption of the commodity would significantly reduce its impact on the economy.
He stated that it is imperative that Zambians make adjustments on the usage of the commodity as citizens in other countries have done.
He stated that the country would be affected by the soaring oil prices on the international market because it imports most of the crude oil.
Oil prices on the international market are reported to have reached the mark of $130 per barrel.
The minister was speaking during a press briefing on the sidelines of the two day Euro Market conference that has attracted participation from local business community and international investors.
And Mr. Magande said government would be open to discussion with mining companies that are having problems with the newly introduced mining tax regime.
He ruled out complaints by some mining companies that were not fully informed about the new taxation method being used to tax them on their proceeds.
The minister reiterated that the new measures are aimed at making both Zambians and the mining companies gain from their investments.
At the same function Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati, stated that trade has not been affected despite of the Xenophobia attacks in South Africa and political instability in the neighboring Zimbabwe.
He stressed that Zimbabwe has continued to be a major corridor for most of Zambia’ imports and exports to South Africa which is a major trading partner in the Southern Africa region
Magande should urge the government to reduce their own consumption first.They should stop filling up civil servants’ V6 Pajero’s.If only the public really knew how much government spends pampering civil servants who steal from them in the end…
My suggestion is that the ministers and related honorables should purchase bicycles for use and leave petrol/diesel driven vehicles for noble causes such as ambulances and crime fighting….! There are Ministers I know that should lead by example, in fact they badly need to lose some weight…
Mr Magandes statement provides no insight in economics.If the source or production becomes expensive prices will raise.If the source or production becomes scarce and not propotional to demand depletion results subsequetly a raise in prices nor matter the reduction in comsuption.Reduction in comsuption cam only prolong the commodity for a certain period of time but cannot reduce prices if the source becomes expensive.And reduction in use means rationing meaning that other sectors of operation that depends on oil must not be in operation or will be but at a lower level.This will definetly lead to loses on those operation and consquetly an effect on the economy.
continued from #3.
Mr Magande being the minister of finance and national planing must plan for the country in such circumstances.There must be a plan where the nation can be sustained for three years or more without an increase of the commodity though the increase on the world market.And being a none oil producing country it is necessary to have a plan in time of an increase of prices and in time of shortages.
Iwe no. 1 leave civil sufferers alone. They produce good quality work and how do u expect them to execute it (on foot). Besides, their is nothing wrong with everyone reducing on consumption of diseal/petrol. It will only benefit our pocket. Instead of drinking from ku-ma-kolingo, buy ur take-away on ur way home from work.
As #4 pointed out, the govt should have planned for such eventualities. It is not like they didn’t see this coming. The signs were all there but now the govt is trying to shift the responsibility to its citizens for its poor planning. Oil prices are going to go up (predicted to go above $200/barrel) and we as consumers are going to feel it – whether it is at the filling station or in the supermarkets getting our weekly/monthly shopping. There are essential services that depend on fuel(diesel) to run – clinics/schools using diesel pumps that will feel the impact of high oil prices. People changing their buying habits is not going to change anything. Only govt will have less fuel tax money.
Companies can introduce staff buses to avoid a situation were everyone is using his/her personal vehicle or start thinking about electric trains yaba! load shedding,Sisala….
Govt Ministers only need one Car. But you have a wife, that is driven, has son’s and daughters that also drive government vehicles, in worst cases nephews and uncles. And you expect them to save on Energy. Lead by example!!
Impela yachalo…….
Magande do your job! Like someone said, buy Nissan March, Toyota Starlets for mail delivery and in town, leave the Pajeros, Landcruisers for rural travel which your Government PSs, Directors and you Magande and your friends rarely do. Now duty for a Nissan March/Micra is more that duty for a Toyota MarkII surely is that encouraging good habits by your people. Comeon Minister be real. #8 yes, one car and they will share with their families!
Zambians are stil patien over the increasen fuel prices. Many countries wrldwide are either demonstrating or striking over increase in fuel prices or food. As at now, France and Spain are having demonstrations by hauliers, hence supermarkets are without commodities and filling station have run out of fuel. Magande you shouldse a very good example plus the all ministers.
JUST DO YOU JOB YOU YOKELS.YOU ARE DRIVING 75 V 8 ENGINES TO THE AIRPORT TO ESCORT & RECIEVE YOUR BOSS.hOW ABOUT STARTING FROM THERE DUDE.
The fuel cost increases will affect out put in the mines. This ultimately will result in loss of tax revenue by Government. What measures should be put in place by GRZ to mitigate this negative effect?
What of the mine owners, what measures can they undertake to mitigate further losses?
This headline is suspicious, LT. They way it’s written, it appears Magande admonished a certain Zambian for using too much oil. I’ve forewarned you, we take this site seriously as Zambians abroad.
15 ha ha ha, you have noticed.
MAGANDE! HOW MANY ZAMBIANS OWN VEHICLES? DONT JUST OPEN YOUR MOUTH FOR THE SAKE OF BEING SEEN DOING SOMETHING. THAT WARNING MAYBE APPLICABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA OR BOTSWANA WHERE OWNING A VEHICLE IS LIKE OWNING A BICYCLE. THINK B4 U POLUTE THE AIR, MAGANDE.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GOVT’s plan to set up a new OIL rifinery with CRUDE oil from ANGOLA? And why doesn’t Zambia also, buy crude oil from Angola, our next-door neighbour where it can be many times cheaper than from the far east and create competition amongst refinery companies? Tecnology is readily there to refine any type of crude oil.
Magande should tell the Presidential Motorcarde, Ministers, Deputies, Permanent Secretaries and other senior governemnt officails to giveup some vehicles, these people have three to four vehicles, all these get fuel, PS are entitled to baout 700 litres for example, while some people use buses and personal tranport, even at Cabinet office, its not everyone that drives, then it will reduce fuel consumption,#10 yes you are right engine size of govt cars is too big, so magande rethink.
In addition, Zambians (especially politicians) must take a leaf from Tswanas who go to work with their own vehicles and use official vehicles during working hours, and jump on their vehicles after hours to drve home. If you are using your car you can never misuse it. You automatically become an economist.
I CHALLENGE YOU MAGANDE BE THE FIRST TO START.
Bravo # 20, you see folks there is some value in staying outside Zambia. People see and hear about good ideas which can be imported back to Zambia – and to be honest – USED!. Frankly we do need to take note of such frugal behavior. Remember that Botswana’s GDP and other indicators are far better than Zambia’s. In fact in most cases they match donor funds by upto 90% (this is fact NOT fiction!)
I agree with all of you. Please note this, i stay near magande’s residence and he himself has more that five vehicles running at any given time. Two cars are for his wife, two for his dependants,one for his house assistant,two for himself and another one for his three dogs he has kept at home. Now, how dare does he tell poor Zambians majority who do not have vehicles to save on oil.Whom is he fooling?? He must be in the lead to save oil by getting rid of the vehicles he has. Poor Magande………….Nyangalakataaa!!
use wilibaras ala. if not njinga is namba one cost saving….magande or big frog in english lead by xample.
Replace vehicles with njingas. mmmhh. Most of us must budget for ‘don’t touch my shoes’ and leg bands. LCC will have to provide for cyclists on the roads. I almost forgot, we must also budget for shoulder bands. Just imagine that sight- njinga city! woooooh bassop!
Industry cannot adjust usage of oil unless if we want to roll back economic recovery program. How can the mines reduce usage of oil? The advise should indeed go to govt dept! How can a 4×4 govt vehicle move from one place to the other just to deliver a letter, collect a shamwali because it is personal to holder? And it never runs out of fuel because there appears to be no limit on how much fuel a govt vehicle can use in a day! Personal to holders are used even after work hours! Plz learn something from Botswana, all govt vehicles are packed at 16:30 hours regardless of whether they are personal to holder or not. Ndipo ma govt officers banyanyisa mwe!