FIND SOLUTIONS TO ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, GOVT TOLD

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema’s donation of his salary to vulnerable people is not the solution to improve the country’s economy, says the Economic Front party

EF central committee member Fewdays Nsensema said what the vulnerable people and the nation need, is a clear economic recovery plan and prudence management of natural resources such as copper and other minerals that will enable everyone to benefit.

“We are of the view that even if you gave out your salary for the entire term to vulnerable people in our country, the benefit would not be compared if your government ensured maximisation of tax collection such as mineral royalty and corporate taxes.

“And also ensure that local people become economic drivers of major economic activities such as agriculture, mining, financial sector, manufacturing, technology, etc.

“Mr President you don’t need to sacrifice your salary but rather reinstate mineral royalty taxes and not make it tax-deductible because that is a loss of income, and you should reintroduce subsidies on fuel which could lessen the living costs and production thus bettering the lives of people including the vulnerable,” he said.

Mr Nsensema said it is shocking that when the demand for copper and prices are getting high on international markets, the nation is giving tax holidays to mining companies which does not make sense at all.

“If the demand for copper will be high because of the advent of electric cars, why give tax holidays instead of maximising our revenues,” Mr Nsensema said.

He said it is prudent that the government does the right thing that will have a positive impact on its people.

Mr Nsensema said if the government does not reverse the decision on the tax holiday Zambians will continue experiencing the economic hardships.