Mkushi road marred

By OLIVER SAMBOKO GOVERNMENT has summoned all human resource managers from private companies operating in Siavonga to a meeting aimed at resolving complaints over employment opportunities allegedly being offered to outsiders at the expense of locals.

The residents, mostly opposition UPND youths, have vowed to camp at Siavonga district commissioner Lovemore Kanyama’s office s to force government to intervene in their standoff with Razel-bec, a French company contracted by Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to rehabilitate the Kariba dam wall.

Mr. Kanyama disclosed that government had noted the youths’ concerns and was yesterday expected to meet all human resource managers from private companies to forge the way forward.

“The youths’ concerns were taken note of, and I have since called for a meeting with all human resource managers from companies based in Siavonga. The agenda for the meeting is to end the issue of companies employing casual workers from outside Siavonga,” Mr. Kanyama said.

He commended the affected youths for engaging his office on the matter.

“The unemployed youth of Siavonga are commended as they are now engaging my office in connection to employment in the district. At no time did they take to the streets to protest over employment opportunities as alleged by politicians,” Mr. Kanyama said.

He said his office would ensure all Siavonga-based companies complied with his directive to employ locals for casual work and only engage outsiders where required skills were not available locally.

Mr. Kanyama said government was concerned with the youths’ plight and had put in place measures to empower citizens, women and young people.

“Government under the able leadership of His Excellency President Edgar Lungu is concerned with the plight of the youths. That’s why we are encouraging youths to apply for fish farming loans.

“Everyone is eligible and no education is required for one to apply. Women, men and the youths are all encouraged to take advantage of the programme meant to empower them in the fish farming industry.” By PETER MALASHA CHENGELO- Kabengeshi road in Mkushi has become impassable because it has not been graded for a long time, Kabengeshi ward councillor Stanley Hamiyanda has said.

Mr. Hamiyanda added that heavy rains received for the past two years had caused more damage to the road.

He said the damage had caused more challenges in the transportation of goods and farm produce to the market.

“We are really concerned about the poor state of the road. Motorists are facing problems to drive through this road. It is now impassable and needs urgent attention by relevant authorities,” Mr. Hamiyanda said.

He said motorists had taken advantage of the damaged road and were charging passengers exorbitant transport fares.

The civic leader has since called on government to come to people’s aid by rehabilitating the road to acceptable standards.