Zambia must be self-reliant- Canisius Banda
Dr. Canisius Banda is Back with a bang ‘ON THE SOURCE [The Repeating Case of Meaning and Purpose]
Development activist Canisius Banda says the war between Russia and Ukraine is an eye opener for Zambia to become self-reliant.
And Former Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba says Government’s explanation that fuel prices have been adjusted upward by K2 because of the prevailing war in Ukraine is not true.
Speaking in an interview, Dr. Banda said the war in Ukraine has had a toll on the world economy, saying it is up to Zambia to become economically independent.
Dr Banda said the country should have enough food, fuel and money reserves if it has to be economically viable and sustain itself beyond any foreign calamity.
He said the New Dawn Administration should build an export oriented economy by becoming less dependent on imports.
Dr. Banda said Government should encourage local people to produce more goods for export to the countries to increase inflow of forex in the country.
He added that Government must invest in local manufacturing industries like Indeni Oil Refinery to make it viable.
“We must not sell Indeni to foreigners. Let us ensure that Indeni is recapitalised so that it produces commodities from crude oil such as paraffin, petrol, diesel, bitumen…name it. Indeni is capable of giving us all these commodities which commodities can form an export base for Zambia. We can export bitumen to Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia…places like that. How many refineries do we have in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)? Zambia has one and that refinery is a national installation and forms part of national security,” Dr said, “Whoever wants to sell Indeni is an enemy of the State.”
President Harry Kalaba campaigning for Democratic Party (DP) Kabwata parley aspirant Fred S. Mubanga in Lusaka
And Mr Kalaba said Government’s excuse that the conflict in Ukraine caused the recent upward adjustment of fuel by K2 is a blatant lie.
“They are saying that they have increased the prices of fuel by K2 because of the global crisis that is not true. Joe Biden was very categorically clear when said that the United States of America has released 30 billion barrels of oil so that the world does not shake as a result of the global crisis. So, whoever is telling you that the prices of fuel have increased as a result of issues that are happening in Russia and Ukraine is not telling you the truth,” he stressed .
