YIB calls for infrastructure development in Lufwanyama

By KELVIN SIABANA

IT is unfortunate that some mining houses on the Copperbelt operating in the gemstone sector have not fully invested in infrastructure development, says the Youth in Business (YIB).

YIB Executive Director, Steven Nyendwa, told the Daily Nation that investors in the gemstone sector operating in Lufwanyama, which is home to world-class gemstone mining, was neglected in terms of infrastructure development.

Mr Nyendwa said mining houses should do more in improving the outlook of Lufwanyama by enhancing the current corporate and social responsibility programmes (CSR) to benefit the residents of the rural district of the Copperbelt.

He said it was not only government that can take development to Lufwanyama but the mining firms operating in the district as well.

"According to the current statistics the country produces about 20 percent of the best world output of the gems and other semi-precious stones that are extracted from the soil of Lufwanyama which has lagged in development for so many years,” Mr Nyendwa said.

He said investors in the gemstone sector in Lufwanyama should work in collaboration and come up with development plans to develop the district to modern standards.

Mr Nyendwa added that apart from the rich gemstones the district was endowed with good land for agricultural activities.

"The investors in the gemstone sector should not only invest heavily in their businesses but they should invest massively in infrastructural development of the Copperbelt for Lufwanyama to be a better place," Mr Nyendwa said.