Briefing the media in Lusaka today, Chanda said the phasing out of unrealistic subsidies that left a huge hole on government coffers in the energy sector, fuel and even agriculture sector must be respected by corporate bodies.
“Ordinary Zambians, mostly poor Zambians have already accepted the removal of subsidies. Mopani must accept the move too,” Chanda said, “The President has instructed the Mines Minister to engage Mopani immediately and resolve this matter.”
This comes on the heels of MPC also co-owned by First Quantum Minerals and ZCCM-IH threats to sack thousands of workers due to the removal of subsides that is going to push up the cost of power.
Low tariffs in the energy sector due to heavy government subsidies that have been in place for over 40 years has discouraged investment in the sector. Now the interest in Zambia’s energy sector has about doubled.
President Lungu becomes the first Zambian President to pull the plug off the consumption subsidies on both the energy and fuel sector since independence in a move hailed as progressive by bi-lateral and multilateral partners.
Chanda in a recorded statement said President Lungu has refused to be blackmailed by private business, as he tries to create jobs and expand the economy.
Well put. Let them go if they are not ready to accept our conditions.
And what about the thousands loosing jobs, families affected! The problem is that of exporting power to SA while the country suffers load shedding! How do you expect to develop! No wonder Mopani has taken this stance over ridiculous electricity prices. Come on. SA hasnt has load shedding since 2009 because it is exported from Zed!!!!
Wake up Zambia!!!! Get out of the dark ages….
Show us the contract conditions of Mopani. I think they know why they are refusing. Iwe Lungu, don’t smear us with butter.
MCM has a contract with CEC not with ZESCO or BOMA. Napapa Sana no nzelu
God, courage, interest of country and hard work will be the corner stone for this country’s progress. Diversification, efficiency & productivity are the best environment for these to thrive for growth. Please continue on this path & people will appreciate when they see the results as they have started to show. Each of these things are important & any GRZ must embrace these to bring meaningful positive change to people. It can never be about 1 individual possessing all knowledge. It’s simply about a society embracing right attitude for long term sustainable growth. God Bless Zambia
Comment:
Holding Zambia to ransom is utter rubbish and unacceptable. Government should not tolerate this, absolutely.
Mopani should pay ,govt must not listen not a bit,if just to cook and watch TV,we are paying the revised tariffs how about them who are making profit out of electricity, they must pay, kutumpa uku.
general Kanene, any comment on the comments by UPNDonkeys? Do you think I am spoiling anything?
Richard Sakala, the Donkey from Daily Nation, what will he write tomorrow? I advised him to stop displaying his embarrassing ignorance and stop behaving like a UPNDonkey. The Donkey wouldn’t listen, see now he has to save face. Much like underfive!
@1.1 Jesse, I DON’T KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE A SOUTH AFRICAN OR ZAMBIAN. YOU WILL BE EXECUSED IF YOU ARE A SOUTH AFRICAN. HOWEVER, SUFFERING IS NOT A STRANGE THING TO ZAMBIANS. ZAMBIANS HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FOR FOREIGNER INCLUDING SOUTH AFRICANS. SO, SUFFERING FOR OUR ECONOMIC FREEDOM WILL BE VERY EASY THIS TIME ROUND. EVEN THE FACT OF POOR ZAMBIANS ACCEPTING THE REMOVAL OF SUBSIDIES IS MORE THAN SUFFERING. GLENCORE HAS BEEN MAKING A LOT OF BILLIONS DURING SUBSIDISED POWER AND ENERGY- THEY SHOULDN’T BE COMPLAINING OR AFFECTED SO MUCH. IT IS WHERE GLENCORE COMES FROM (THE WEST) THAT FORCE AFRICA DESPITE IT’S POOR POPULATIONS, TO REMOVE SUBSIDISIES ON EVERYTHING INCLUDING FOOD. SO, GLENCORE/MOPANI SHOULDN’T BE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WEST’S RULINGS WHERE IT COMES FROM.
In my opinion the reason why Mopani is adamant about this whole standoff is because someone big and very corrupt to the neck benefited and assured them free running costs of the mine. Tax free incentives including free electricity for next 40 years!
Government should not just expect Mopani to accept because docile Zambians have accepted the removal of subsidies to enrich politicians. Mopani made sure someone puts pen to paper. Whoever formulated the terms of the contract and signed on behalf of 15 million Zambians must be very ashamed of themselves.
@9 Nshimbi, have you been paid yourself to spew such ignorance and purvey it as the truth early on monday morning? Or is this coming from a UPNDonkey?
Kanofye u mwana wasonka eunga chita despise to the Government move .