Suspension of Mukula trader timely to ensure the sector is managed in a progress way because it is restricted to a chosen few, the Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) has said.
PSDA chairperson, Yusuf Dodia said Mukula trade was not benefiting the Zambian people because it was going only to people of influence.
Mr. Dodia said in an interview that its important for government to put in place a mechanism that was equitable and gives every Zambian the right to apply for Mukula trade.
He added a mechanism that would track Mukula trade should also be put in place to enable the government maximize revenue from the business.
“It’s very clear that government has noted that the trade of Mukula was restricted to a chosen few, it was not benefiting the people of Zambia, it was going to politicians, it was going to people of influence,” he said.
He urged the government to ascertain how much Mukula export has been benefiting the economy.
Mr Dodia said maximising revenue from the resource would give the government freedom to make decisions without being pushed in a corner by foreign governments who are purporting to be partners in development.
Mr. Dodia said doing so would help the government establish how much loss in terms of taxes the country has been lossing.
“As you are aware, 30% of the National Budget is funded from external sources which means they put pressure on our economy to sometimes do things that we don’t want to do but we have to do it in order to get that support from outside,” he said.
He said it was therfore important for government to put a halt to the improperly way of Mukula trade and put in place a mecamism that would ensure that the people of Zambia and the economy benefit from Mukula trade.
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