By Chinoyi Chipulu
Economist Manase Siwila says the country needs to improve tax collection by ensuring that the mining sector operates for the benefit of the economy.
Siwila expressed confidence in Zambia’s ability to sustain positive economic growth.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Siwila said the mines could help the country in terms of economic recovery with lots of investors coming on board.
“Right now we have the concessions going on for the mining companies to pay taxes through the treasury. While we appreciate their role in trying to develop this country, we can not think too low to have the mines not paying enough in terms of taxes that should help give the country money. Government should look into this and help the economy recover” he said.
Siwila, however, said it was difficult for the country’s economy to be revived when entrepreneurs who were key to the growth were facing various challenges.
“We need the government to help out especially when we have these issues of drought and load shedding, they need to help the economic base in terms of the entrepreneurs who are suffering,” said Siwila. “Government should help entrepreneurs engage Zesco not to load shed them during business hours so that they can make profits and pay taxes to the Zambia Revenue Authority. These are the short term measures that the country needs.”
Siwila said under the long term solutions, government should put up an industrial solar plant to shield the country from future shocks.
He further said that the country should stop depending on rainfall for agriculture, by shifting to irrigation farming.
“We have climate change so we need to stop depending on hydro power systems. A big solar plant can help with electricity in the country. We can also look at the Northern circuit, so that we can be favoured by Congo’s rainfall pattern. We can also build a hydro plant at lake Bangweulu,” said Siwila.
