World Bank Country Director Kundhavi Kadiresan has urged the civil society and the media to pay a close eye on the operations of mining companies in Zambia.
Dr. Kadiresan said the media and members of the civil society have a responsibility to hold the mining companies accountable to the communities in which they operate.
Dr. Kadiresan said it of disheartening to see the poverty that surrounds the big mining plants on the Copperbelt.
“It is heart bleeding for one to step out of a mining company’s boardroom after listening to how much profits they are making and going into the communities to see the levels of poverty, this imbalance has to be addressed,” she said.
She said the focus on largely been on taxation leaving out other essential aspects such as Corporate Social Responsibility and issues of transparency.
Dr. Kadiresan said the World Bank has a keen interest in supporting the capacity of the civil society to have a voice in the extractive industry and in service delivery.
The Word Bank Country Director urged the civil society and the media to go beyond mere advocacy and ensure that mining firms account for their activities in communities.
“Some mining companies are paying 6 Billion kwacha in several fees to the local authorities but who is following up on where that money goes when communities don’t have street lights?”
Dr. Kadiresan was speaking this morning during a consultation meeting with civil society organisations on the Zambian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in Lusaka.
At the same function, Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said the government is committed to Zambian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative as it encourages transparency in the extractive sector.
Mr. Mukanga revealed that Zambia will soon be EITI compliant adding that the media and civil society are key players in the process of successfully implementing the EITI process.
Its about time! I hope the government is listening
What on earth is World Bank doing and being interested in a third world country is beyond me
The country is irrecoverably, irreversibly perhaps perpetually corrupt
Thanks
Its the first time the WB has sided with the people. The level of poverty in Zambia is unbelievable while the mines are making super profits for the greedy shareholders. The mining situation is the same all over Africa. Where these so called investors are milking Africa’s resources. The most disappointing is the calipur of Africa leadership such as Sex Juma, CNP Sata, No idea De stantos, night school Mugabe, military Nkhama. Wake up Zambians ask to participate because you are stakeholders in those mines. Chievies should ask for royalities for extractions of resources in your areas. Now that the World Bank has sanctioned windfall tax its up to government to act and implement it. Dont listen to Mmembe anymore busy defending himself for thieft of our money from Dev Bank of Zam.
STRANGE! THE DEVIL WORLD BANK IS ON OUR SIDE NOW. INTERESTING! THANKS FOR THIS WORLD BANK.
There are Zambians eating with mining companies who prefer to be the only ones benefiting from these profit while the rest of you are wrestling with under five. Bantubosomething, Mutatsomebody can’t mention names!
Good messege from the woman of God. Meanwhile, Sampa Chita is busy hauling KCM Plc’ s filth preteding her Company is doing alot for the Chingola/Nchanga constituency. Atase..!!!
It is the same World bank that told you to introduce windfall tax in 2006 but upto now your governments have refused!
The civil society and the media are too lazy; the mine owners will run circles around them.
Apparently even the World Bank is now speaking PF language. This is not criticism.
Ubuungu always! Pansaka tapabula #2
Mushota @ 1. Ulishilu lya muntu. and we all know you are not a Zambian. Ikalafye ule pipa utukote uko kwine.
Pansaka tapabula fipuba. Mushota ulikongwa. Twasumina.
Yes, though so surprising that this is coming from the world Bank. A bank which has been so evil to us Zambians. PF listen to this devils and implement their good support.
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