CHIEF NKANA’S EMOTIONAL OUTPOURING BEFORE THE BM8 CAMPAIGN TEAM – THE DIFFICULT TRUTH IT REVEALS
Chief Nkana told the BM8 campaign team that his community doesn’t benefit from the wealth mined in his chiefdom. The depth of his disappointment was eloquently conveyed through a near-emotional breakdown.
This was no ordinary show of emotions. He was conveying one of the most debated development global phenomenon of the 21st century – the resource curse
Despite abundant natural resources, most natural-resource rich nations like Zambia have remained poor while countries whose investors are the mine operators are among the wealthiest in the world.
From Kaunda to Hichilema, the mine policies have fallen far short of answering the question posed by Chief Nkana – why his community remains poor when it hosts the resources.
Employment creation, mineral royalty, corporate tax, or Corporate Social Responsibility activities have been in place in Zambia but local communities haven’t seen any significant turn-around in their living conditions.
What Chief Nkana is asking for is not an impossibility. It’s not even new or unheard of. As a matter of fact, it’s happening elsewhere in the world.
In some of the countries we maintain diplomatic relations with, this problem has been resolved.
For instance, Canada has what they call Impact Benefit Agreements, IBAs. These are legally binding contracts involving mining companies, government and the community concerned.
This is before a mine opens. In this contract, there are direct cash payments, there are jobs and training quotas, there are business contracts for local firms, there are environmental monitoring funds and there are cultural programs.
Other countries such as Australia, Ghana and Botswana have different policy configurations. They have answered the question raised by Chief Nkana. And it’s important that those seeking office have a plan to this effect.
I am aware that the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance Manifesto promises to use mining as the anchor of the country’s economic transformation agenda. I hope strategies for the implementation of this objective can reveal more.
Zambians agree with Chief Nkana that the country hasn’t benefited from its mineral wealth to the extent that it deserves.
Politicians need to be pushed more on this score.