By Isaac Zulu
We can’t remain in the stone age era where mining cannot be conducted alongside tourism in Lower Zambezi, says Peter Phiri.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Phiri said Zambians do not want to “remain in the stone age,” hence the need to ensure that all regions are developed.
“People must start thinking outside the box. Maybe let’s have one part for tourism and the other for mining activities. Let’s have thinkers over this issue so that we develop the place for mining activities while ensuring that tourism activities continue. We don’t want to remain in the stone age. No! No! We need to develop as a country. And this can only be attained if people come up with new inventions,” Phiri explained. “Of course we should know that Western Province has to develop as well. Look at Kalumbila in North Western Province and other new mines in that Province. Mining activities have brought development in that area such that there are new towns coming up.”
Phiri, the immediate past MMD deputy spokesperson, urged people debating the developmentof the Lower Zambezi not to politicise the issue but be objective.
He said there is need for stakeholders to engage in a meaningful national debate and critically look at the advantages and disadvantages of sanctioning mining activities in Lower Zambezi, while at the same time sustain tourism activities in the area.
He pointed out people are looking for employment opportunities and that such employment opportunities can be created by promoting both the tourism and mining sectors.
“It’s about time that we started thinking outside the box about the Lower Zambezi National Park. There are two issues that I am seeing here. One, people want to be employed and see mining development. And as a country, we need to develop
And there’s the another side where our people want to preserve nature for tourism purposes. Both issues are important. Now, how do we go round these two issues? I think the answer lies in people thinking outside the box,” said Phiri. “Of course we have many animals and many natural wonders around the Lower Zambezi. What we need is a national debate where people should sit round the table and discuss the Lower Zambezi seriously because the land is vast. Is it possible that we can divide it? So that we sacrifice part of it for mining and preserve the other part for tourism. And how do we protect the natural wonders that are key for the tourism sector? How do we develop that place? Because we can not leave it like that, remaining undeveloped for years.”
