Zambia has reacted sharply to Assertions by Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo that the country had inconsistent mining policies.
Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba says Zambia takes great exception to remarks by President Obasanjo who was speaking at the on -going Africa Mining indaba in Cape town in his capacity as chairperson of Brenthurst foundation.
Mr. Mwamba stated that contrary to the former Nigerian leader who is also the current Chairman of Brent Hurst foundation, Zambia’s Mining policy has been under revision to ensure that it responded to the need and aspirations of its people for the benefit of the country and local communities.
He described Obasanjo’s statement divisive and untrue, urging him to refrain from making such statements more so he was an African leader of eminent standing.
Mr. Mwamba noted that the foundation which president Obasanjo was representing was known to actively engage a negative agenda against Zambia.
Zambia is currently among countries that are participating at the on- going Africa Mining Indaba that has attracted 220 mining companies and 350 investors and government leaders from across the world.
Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma is leading a delegation of senior government officials and chief executives from the mining sector in Zambia who include Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Christopher Mvunga, ZCCM_IH Chief executive officer Dr. Pius Kasolo and Mr. Mwamba , among others.
Meanwhile Mr. Mwamba says economic performance remains impressive and that the country was implementing through the Ministry of Finance, a medium-term debt strategy to resolve concerns around the country’s public debt.
He said this at the on-going Africa Mining Indaba that the Medium-Term Debt Strategy (2017-2019), which was developed by the Ministry of Finance would serve as an important tool in guiding decision making with regard to prudent debt management.
Mr. Mwamba noted that Zambia was keen to attain the target of being a prosperous middle-income nation by 2030.
He added that it was for this reason that Zambia’s impressive economic performance was recently echoed SADC Peer Review Team Leader Abna Dlamni.
Mr. Mwamba said it is for this reason that international rating agency Moody’s upgraded Zambia’s rating from negative to stable.
He explained that this was due to reduced government liquidity pressures and a slowdown in debt accumulation.
Mr. Mwamba said the government had put up policies through the Minister of Finance Felix Mutati, policy choices that included balancing social development expectation and the country’s fiscal sustainability as well as boosting domestic resource mobilization through modernization and enhancement of tax compliance levels from 60% to 80%, and above;
He said that President Edgar Lungu had guided the public service to ensure that labour intensive options are taken into account in the implementation of the economic diversification drive.
This is according to a press statement made available to ZANIS by Zambia High Commission First in South Africa First Secretary Press and Public Relations Naomi Nyawali.
Who is Obasanjo? Do we have to waste time on such characters? Is he the one who was supporting Ichilema in the 2016 general elections? If so, just forget about him because he doesn’t affect us in anyway.
Let him go comment on the chaotic energy crises that characterises Nigeria and leave Zambia alone!
HH & Edgar’s reconcilliation by Obasanjo is dead again, the mediator is against PF government.
I have never ever heard Edgar talk about mining. AVIC deals are not in mines.
Obasanjo reads too much of HH rants.
Except die hard, moronic supporters of PF every body knows the Zambian govt is inconsistent in almost every thing. They haven’t earned “chipantepante govt” tag for nothing. PF is the most useless govt on earth today.
Obasanjo, find your missing girls before you open your nasty mouth about Zambia. Nigerians are the most crooked people in the world. Airlines don’t even let them pay for fares online. They have to travel to the airport!
WHAT DOES THIS WESTERN AFRICAN THIEF KNOW ABOUT MINING. IS HE SMOKING TOO MUCH GANJA NA MUNZAKE HECH HECH? JUST DISMISS HIM AS A PIECE OF RUBBISH.
The truth hurts kaili
Take the issue of zero rating selected exports of which copper was or is still part, can someone confirm whether all affected mining companies have been refunded their VATs as accumulated over last several months?
If the companies have not been paid, I suppose that’s what OBJ is talking about. Don’t shoot the messenger …
Nigeria produces crude and yet they queue for petrol and it is very expensive. This crook is trying to lecture us without telling us why fuel is in short supply in Nigeria and why it is expensive when they extract crude. By the way were are the Chobok girls Oga.
Ba Wantanshi no place in the world is perfect, at least have a hope for your country – you are eating, drinking and dancing and even making love without any fuss and you make such hollow claims! Shame on you.
We Zambians should try to be serious especially on important issues. Obasanjo is a man who has been President of Nigeria twice. He was in the Nigerian UN Peace Keeping Mission to the Congo in 1960 as a Lieutenant. He fought in the Nigerian Civil War and rose to be Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army before he became Vice-President of Nigeria to Murtala Mohammed. Nigeria has a population of nearly 200 million. It has the biggest economy in Africa, bigger than South Africa. It has invested generously in Zambia. It is the biggest Market for MTN with 50 Million subscribers. Obasanjo means no harm to Zambia. A person like Emmanuel Mwamba should try to listen to people who have been there and can give us good advice. This infatuation with Lungu and hatred for other political leaders is very…
COnt… This infatuation with our current President and hatred for other political leaders especially those with substantial following is very dangerous for our country and Lungu as current President should give guidance to the country. Obasanjo wants Africa to succeed and not to remain a laughing stock. He has seen conflicts and calculated the cost of such. He succeeded in returning Nigeria to civilian rule. He is one of the true eminent persons in Africa. Emmnuel Mwamba has no business belittling him. I am sure Yaluma has better judgement and has understood the import of what Obasanjo said.
Fact is… we can gain much more from mines than we are getting right now.
Obasanjo afuna chiani mu zambia?
Obasanjo? Sounds like the name of a dog in Zambia.
Anyway what has he said about his own country? If he gives an honest opinion about his country then he is welcome in Zambia.
Actually he looks like one.
why are these guys so dismissive?
when they attend these events and someone points out certain shortcomings, they get so offended. why not find a way to follow up and see if there’s merit in their observation/criticism. at times the best view is from outside looking in.
I understand about national pride and all that. but not these guys, they take a totally unhealthy tone, calling it divisive, how ? if they ain’t going to take criticism, then let them not attend these events. they are used to talking among themselves where they are all just bubble heads.
what kind of a government is this!. the only time they don’t react is when it’s something to do with their cadres, they go so mute, na chibulu bamubepesha fye.
Pilato was right about this shameless crook Mwamba…he can justify selling his own daughters to brothel just to keep the corrupt deals with Lazy Lungu!!
Obasanjo reads Galu Watchers Zambia Ltd and some Tribal News from Under Fives! That is why he was here sometime back! He must concentrate on Nigeria oil policies and he will be fine – Thanks.
Mr. President you are doing great! You did well with the power cuts and this is a great achievement. I know there is room to do even better. A little shaky with the rains but the agriculture sector is on course too. What more do these negative people want? PF has done a great job spreading development all over Zambia, a feat which was rare a few years ago. The tribal party will NEVER EVER rule in Zambia!
Obasanjo must be banking money in Panama with Under Five Clinic.
People like you Sharon have no soul and self dignity. Because you cannot no longer think for yourself. I seriously pity you and your children, and that is if you have any. You are a sham of Zambia. Despicable ***** with no independent mind of your own.
But its true in 2011 PF came on the scene and abruptly changed and switched many things .
Obasanjo is under HH pants,so don’t worry be happy
Hichilema’s mentor and sponsor doesn’t relent. The shameless old man who couldn’t account for millions of Nigerian oil money when he served as President and minister of oil, he couldn’t appoint another person as minister
Why can’t people analyse issues truthfully? It’s not wrong for people to point out your weaknesses. In fact, that is only supposed to make us audit our systems to make them more efficient and beneficial to our people. Let us learn to learn from such comments by prominent outsiders.
USELESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Come on Guy! The fellow was simply reading notes written for him by Akainde, after all they both belong to the same organization which pays for Akaindes hotel bills. What does one expect from a guy who talks through his …s h i t h o l e… as evidenced from recent criticisms from his own country? One Nigerian minister as early as last week observed that, “WITH DUE RESPECT TO GEN OBASANJO, IF YOU TAKE HIS HISTORY OVER THE LAST 30 YRS, THERE IS HARDLY ANY REGIME OTHER THAN HIS OWN WHICH HE DID NOT CRITICIZE, EXCEPT THAT OF GEN SANI ABACHA, WHO DIDN’T WAIT FOR OBASANJO TO CRITICIZE HIM BEFORE HE WAS SENT TO THE CELLS”..
And you are proud son of the Christian Nation who is happy to mention most corrupt criminal of all times who died in the bed with three h00kers? Are those three your relatives?
Just last week he was telling the Nigerian president not to seek a second term. He’s bitter because all his protégéstuff have lost elections latest being Odinga.
Everyone who has followed closely the mining sector in Zambia after the demise of Mwanawasa will certainly notice many policy inconsistencies.
This mwamba boy can even defend faeces! he can tell the whole world that faeces smell nice if Edgar Lungu says so. A very unprincipled dull id!ot indeed. He always reasons with his stomach.
Kandile ni so chabe, Ba Mwamba is hungry.
He is a nasty vile man..he cheats himself that he is a smooth talker very soon he will summon Obasanjo to his office like he did to that RSA opposition leader!!
Obasanjo Robbed Nigeria dry. What advice can he give us?
Sorry to be off topic…..but this is a burning issue that is dragging Zambia back and giving me palpitations ……..why is ZAF importing uniforms costing $62 million and import all other GRZ uniforms costing more millions when we grow cotton and have hundreds of thousands of school leavers who need jobs ?????
Senseless corrupt lazy leaders who do not want to do the work is what we have…..issues like this confuse me so much to the extent of wanting to look for any funeral to go to just let steam out…..
Ni mu Zambia bami praiza even where you don’t deserve. Honestly, you expected to be praised in RSA when you failed to secure the IMF loan. Obasanjos comments were based on the same principle which made the Zambian Govt fail to negotiate for a cheapest IMF finance.
Sorry to be off topic…..but this is a burning issue that is dragging Zambia back and giving me palp.itations ……..why is ZAF importing uniforms costing $62 million and import all other GRZ uniforms costing more millions when we grow cotton and have hundreds of thousands of school leavers who need jobs ?????
Sense.less co.rrupt la.zy leaders who do not want to do the work is what we have…..issues like this confuse me so much to the extent of wanting to look for any funeral to go to just let steam out….
And yourself, what have you done to set up such industries? Government has put policies in place to help you do so. Instead use this as a business opportunity.
@ John Mulele,
Can you enlighten us about Government policies and business opportunities?
His reputation may be questionable but in my opinnion, his assertion is right.
Not only are our policies inconsistent, they are also weak and lack the modality effect to harness real economic growth and wealth transformation/prosperity for all Zambians.
For a poor country like Zambia, tax compliance levels of 60% – 80% should not even be a subject of discussion for foreign mining companies. Our lack of real ownership of our resources is our crime. We need more laws that would give mining rights to Zambians and make it easier for them to access credit facilities and attract more Zambians in mining investments.
It is those policies that the Govt. has been accused of being inconsistent. Because people have been trying to change policies to strike a balance between tax and company profits to support local employment. It is a delicate balancing act ba Chale. General Kingsley Chinkuli( Chairmain of some mining co) once said the tax regimes for mines in Zambia was too high!. This is seen from the mining point of view. His Excellency ECL told a Television interview in south Africa that while CEOs of mining Companies where fighting for maximum profits for their shareholders he (ECL) as a CEO shareholder on behalf of the Zambian people was fighting for the best returns on their mineral wealthy. Obasanjo (Former Nigerian military ruler, and achicken farmer) has amassed a lot of wealth for himself. not…
… I am not sure how much goes to support his poorest of the poor in his country? But his comments would be aligned to the CEOs whose interest is profit at the expense of the majority local people ad poor Govts.
Nine Chale well said ,but our problem is our mining expertise is lacking.
@20.3 On the contrary the country has mining experts who are among the best in the world. You’ll appreciate that we’ve got several mining engineers in such advanced countries like Australia and Canada. The problem is complicated. ..and I am talking from experience. The new owners of the mines are not very open to Zambian managers. You’re only allowed to know so much and not more. People may believe that Mwanawasa had control on the mines, but that’s not entirely true. The truth is that during that time mineral prices had reached a historical high which translated into high revenue for government coffers. The other problem is that we have Zambians with vested interest in the mines and will always side with the mines. .one case is that of the windfall tax which was opposed by this type…
PLEASE DO NOT GET TICKED OFF THAT QUICKLY. BEING TICKED OFF QUICKLY IS ALWAYS THE REACTION OF SHALLOW MINDED PEOPLE. OBASANJO IS ENTITLED TO HIS OWN OPINION AND HE JUST HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS IT. IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ACT ON IT. OPINIONS ARE LIKE ASS HOLES BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS ONE. OBASANJO’S OPINION WILL NOT AFFECT ZAMBIA UNLESS THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO USE IT. THEREFORE SETTLE DOWN MY FRIENDS. JUST KEEP FINE TUNING YOUR OWN PROCESS FOR THE BENEFIT OF YOUR CITIZENS. REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR MIND YOU TEND TO DO STUPID THINGS WHICH YOU LATER REGRET.
Childish people never take kindly to criticism, as demonstrated by Mr Mwamba. The right thing would be to actually take time and consider what actually is being said in this constructive Criticism, because it’s a fact, we v been inconsistent when it comes to mining policy.
Rather than this defensive approach taken.
Obasanja should cocetrate to his country which tops to be number one on planet in corruption , it’s on people being killed without any protection from the government. Of Nigeria all its people misplaced all over the world saleling illegle drags
You are 100% wrong. Zambia has overtaken Nigeria in the last 3 years. Instead of blabbing, read UN “Corruption Index”. You must be proud one. Zambia finally achieve number 1 spot?
But Nigeria is world cup winner several years running….the world cup of corruption .
Overtaken by Endemically Corrupt Leader of Plunderers Federation which for two months cannot give answer for the 42 red painted wheelbarrows costing US$ 1 million each?
Great opportunities?
A friend to HH!
We are not talking about ZAF but about a tribal party!
@ Sharon/Victor
Still looking for the crowd funding for your sex change operation?
These pf cadres can respond to anything, they remind of komboni dogs who bark at anything even running after cars passing in the streets trying to bite at the tires, they really like wasting their energy for nothing.
Obasanjo is very right its a none fact Zambians come one we don’t need a prophet or an expert to tell that we have inconsistent policies which is not favourable for both parties
Obasanjo is WRONG!
Why is he wrong?
Zambians must be very careful with Ichilema because we know for sure that this desperate and failed politician has gone into marriage with vampires and deadly hooves.
In the case of Obasanjo, am sure the deal is to flood Zambia with crooked Nigerians who everyone in the world shun to embrace because of their broken and criminal record. Anyway that’s HH for you. The chap is so desperate to that he doesn’t care about this country.
In 2021, we shall make it very clear to him that he SHALL NEVER RULE ZAMBIA
Abasanjo was AU. Election observer was the one who pronounced the previous stolen elections free and fair. According to his pronouncement on the elections , brain washed PF cadres were going on defending the election thief edgar changwa Lungu quoting from obasanjo ati ‘even the Africa union pronounced the election free and fair.’ But to day when he tells you the truth ati he supports hh, this is proof of PF’s inconsistent from head of state to a blog cadres are all inconsistent minded people- closing the post paper while they are many institution with unpaid taxes. While obasanjo is a former head of state in his country who is accustomed with many policies and a current business investor, What does you blog pf cadres know about mining taxes?
Obasanjo is correct every one knows that zambian mining policies are inconstant just like most policies PF introduce,and why is Mwamba answering ,why not Yaluma or Mulenga,Mwamba sounds like the government spokes man and he is so defensive…
What is the essence of an indaba?
Comment:
Zambia must be disdainful of any and all utterances by and from that buffoon-cum- dictator Obasanjo.
The truth hurts but gentlemen, let the truth be told, the Zambian goverment is headed by an intellectual snob with absolutely zero vision. If Lungu is what Mwamba calls consistent, then maybe this is by Mwata Yamvo Katanga standards where they come from where standards are measured by how far they can leap from one branch to another, bakolwe imwe! I also onder whether this table-cut boy really understands what the meaning of “balancing social development expectations with the country’s fiscal sustainability” really mean? This chap only has a diploma in journalism from Evelyn Hone and these bombastic terms he is parroting are just confusing him. I mean, if Zambia has a consistent mining policy then it would also be true to say Nkandu Luo can win the Miss Universe contest, she can be the…
“beautifullest” girl ku zinyama zoonse za kwa naBwalya but in terms of the Universe she is Neanderthal, typical work in progress towards Homosapien. The same gos for her niece Mumbi-Phiri, they lend much credence to the belief that man evolved from apes and they are the proof of that believe and they are still evolving. This not just by their looks but behaviour too. I mean, any person who would elect a clueless Lungu over HH has to be sick in the head. And it clearly shows too that this One Zambia One Nation thing is dead. You dont like us and we don’t like you so this is where the road ends.
Randgold has threatened to pull out of DRC after government indicated that it wants to have more say on the mineral exploited in that country. That’s the trick Obasanjo’s clique play. Their aim is maximum profit not what happens to the hole where that profit is coming from.
Just a polite way of saying the systems corrupt.
Now Odinga one of his protégés is asking for fresh elections in August 2018 and yet he had just sworn himself in as president of Kenya. I strongly feel these guys are up to something bad.
Mr Mwamba puzzles me sometimes. Why not first analyse critically what Obasanjo is alluding to, than to just come out and defend what you know little about? Does Mr Mwamba really know what he is talking about? Has he consulted Zambian mining experts for their view before opening his mouth to merely make “politically correct statements” to appease the appointing authorities?
First of all criticism is not bad.
Except in this case,we are questioning the credentials of a Nigerian dinosaur masquerading as an expert in mining policy.
What exactly does “inconsistency” mean in mining policy?
Do we need to sacrifice Zambian resources just so that foreign owners can continue to rape our nation in the name of “consistency”?
Policies have to be responsive to changing circumstances.
Today,the Americans are changing almost every policy starting from immigration to investment and NOBODY is talking about consistency.
South Africa is doing the same.Zimbabwe is doing the same.
What kind of I.diots do we have in Zambia that support any opinion as long as its against govt?
As much as we are obliged to welcome all manner of criticism, nonetheless, we will not accept to be criticized by anyone regardless of their position and their views of us. We know who he represents when he says what he says. His statement is to taint and damage our nation to bring down investor confidence. No Obasango, thank you. As a former head of state with expected wide Diplomacy knowledge and if your motive was right, you know that that un-invited advise would have been best done through the right diplomatic channels and not at such an open indaba where you know we have an opportunity to woo potential investors.
Zambians need to know that Obasanjo was a Military Officer under General Gowon who fought against Biafra which was led by Ojuku. Apparently, KK’s Govt gave moral support to Biafra and consequently we witnessed the influx of Biafran academics flocking to Zambia and SADC region. It is no surprise that Obasanjo still harbors strong hatred against Zambia to this age. We wonder as to how a non-Engineer, Chairman of the Brenthurst Foundation, would articulate complex issues of mining industries in Africa. Obasanjo is just a die-hard mercenary using the Brenthurst Foundation to score vengeful attacks on Zambia against the historical background of African countries that offered moral support to Biafrans in Nigeria. Obasanjo is a cancer to Africa.
Besides, the Nigerian films that keep Zambian families glued to TV sets to watch the display of real African cultures, are produced by the Eastern Nigerians who freely come to Zambia as their second home. Obasanjo does not like (hates) to see the genuine historical bonds between Nigerians and Zambians. Yet, he (Obasanjo) has failed to apply his military skills to bloat out the Boko Haram terrorists and restore lasting peace in Nigeria and some parts of West Africa.
Truth is there are a lot of inconstancies in our mining policy. Please go and read our mining policy document before you start attacking Obasanjo. Problem with Africa is that we do not take criticism. South Africa is losing out on mining investment due to uncertainties in its mining policy. Investors like predictable policies no matter how bad they maybe. Today the entire continent attracts roughly 13 per cent of global exploration expenditure, while Latin America and Canada attracts 28.5 % and 14% respectively. In SADC region DRC attracts the most at 2% while Zambia and South Africa sits at less than 1%. Australia and Chile attracts 12% and 7 % respectively. We must remember that development of a mine could take up to 15 years or more from exploration to production and therefore…
Therefore predictable policies become cornerstone of long term investment. If you have a country like Zambia where a provincial minister can wake one morning and threaten to revoke a mining permit disregarding the policy…..what do you say about such a policy? Where do Jerabos sit in the policy? If a High commissioner can say misleading things at a global mining conference in front of a Mining Minister, what do you say about that policy?
@”PM”, you are exposing yourself as a stooge of western imperialists. Just think about some obvious connections. Anglo-American mining giants were in Zambia but pulled out of this country leaving a trail of confusion. We note too that Brenthusrt Foundation is a subset of Anglo-American that has switched to fermenting a policy of regime-change in selected states of East and Southern Africa. Which level-headed and patriotic politician would trust a black man like Obasanjo sharing cups of coffee with Anglo-American. Zambians must consider the plight of indigenous people and the future of our grand children as first priority. Ba @PM with your intellectual limitations naba HH benu ala mwadena insolo ya mapolitics.
Kabinga..the truth hurts but am giving facts not some conspiracy theories. You sound like a level headed person but sadly confused with a lot of things. I don’t really care with who Obasanjo drinks tea with but I do care with the fact that due to our own stupidity we fail to attract cheap and attractive FDI. The same persons you distrust are the same that you go down on your knees begging for grants. And they surely bail you out as they have done time immemorial. Lets us wake up from this slumber of blaming the western world, multinational companies and western institutions for our failures. Thank you for comparing me to such an intelligent and successful man like HH.