Nawakwi has solution to complaints on mine taxation

FDD President Edith Nawakwi has observed that complaints on mine taxation will continue to arise if locals do not benefit from the natural resources.

Ms. Nawakwi explained that the only way of ensuring that locals benefit from their resources is by negotiating good packages on a win-win basis for both the investors and the country.

She says telling the mining investors to leave is not the solution to the challenges being faced in the mining sector.

Ms Nawakwi says the solution is to seat with them on the table and negotiate packages for the people in these communities.

She noted that the challenges in the mining sector have been created by government because it is not willing to talk to the mines.

The FDD leader says tax cannot just be increased without explaining to partners why such a decision has been taken.

Ms Nawakwi says while she is aware that the taxation in the sector is not perfect, there is need to understand that the challenges in mining taxation will always be there hence the best way of having communities benefit from their resources is to have smart partnerships.

Meanwhile the opposition leader has expressed disappointment with Solwezi Municipal council for failing to sort out some basic challenges in the town.

Ms. Nawakwi observed that Solwezi Council is the richest council in the country yet has nothing to show for it.