. Musukwa

By CHARITY MOONGA –
PARLIAMENT yesterday heard that Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc paid K782,269,066.72 in form of taxes to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) in 2012.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Deputy Minister Richard Musukwa told the House that KCM was not selling copper to Vedanta Resources but was selling at the international market on the London Stock Exchange.
Mr Musukwa was responding to a question from Lumezi MMD MP Isaac Banda who wanted to know the total number of workers employed by Vedanta Resources Plc, whether KCM sold copper to Vedanta Resources, how much copper was sold in 2012 and how much money was paid by KCM in form of taxes to the ZRA in 2012.
He said the company had a total number of 7,553 workers as of August 29, 2014.
Opposition MPs however, took the Government to task over the auditing of KCM.
Mafinga MMD MP Catherine Namugala wondered what the Government was doing about suspicions that KCM was under-declaring its earnings.
Ms Namugala and Chipangali MP Vincent Zulu also wanted to find out why the Auditor General was unable to audit KCM operations.
But Mr Musukwa assured the House that the Government was working to clear suspicions that KCM was under-declaring its taxes so that Zambians, could get the best in terms of tax.
Keembe MMD MP Ronnie Shikapwasha and his Chavuma counterpart Kenneth Konga also called for the Government to ensure that KCM was audited by the Auditor General’s office for the benefit of the Zambian people.
And Parliament heard that the Government would soon start working with the American government to construct 144 bridges throughout the country.
Transport, Works and Supply Deputy Minister Panji Kaunda said the Government was determined to work on the critical areas for the benefit of the Zambians.