Why does the government allow exploitation of this gem by private companies

Zambia
November 6, 2006 7:35am CST
The income earned from this resource is so negligible so we need the goverment to take control of the gem industry just like what our neighbour Botstwana has done. We have allowed people with bad intentions to exploit this resource and left this god's gift to be exploited blantantly. I will suggest that, since the government gets nothing from emeralds in terms of taxes, let it find a partner like Debeers or similar power house to exploit our resources where our interests will be catered for as a nation. Buy out these existing miners who have never declared anything to the goverment apart from seeking its financial help day in day out. Do we really know the value of this rich resource as Zambians? Why do we go to beg for money when we allow foreigners to take out in form of emeralds? Cant we feel ashamed that we go to beg for thousands of Dollars and yet we have emeralds worth millions if not billions of dollars? When are we going to have responsibility over our resources so that we solve the problems of youth unemployment from the proceeds got through sale of gemstones? I can go on, let me rest my case.
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