Copperbelt DCs upbeat
DISTRICT Commissioners on the Copperbelt have welcomed a directive to profile their districts in order to attract local and foreign investment.
Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe recently instructed all DCs in the 10 districts to profile their areas to attract investment and accelerate economic growth.
Luanshya DC Joel Chibuye said the pronouncement was welcome because it was aimed at promoting investment.
He said his administration would showcase unique features with potential to attract tourism investment
Mr Chibuye said Luanshya would look at all the five pillars as indicated in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
“We are looking at how well we can diversify the economy from copper dependency to agriculture in which will in turn create jobs. This will also reduce inequality in the developmental aspects,” he said.
He noted that Luanshya already had tourism sites like the Makoma and the Gideon Dams.
He added that Luanshya also had enough land for farming areas and that already authorities were opening up a 310-hectare land at the Zambia Correctional Service owned Chitwi facility which has four centre pivots each measuring 77.5 metres.
Mr Chibuye said his office would submit the district profile to the provincial office in conjunction with Luanshya Municipal Council.
And Kitwe DC, Binwell Mpundu, said the directive by Mr Mwakalombe was timely.
Mr Mpundu noted that profiling was one of the best ways to attract investment which would in turn grow the economy of the Copperbelt.
He noted that the move was very good especially that it was pronounced before the hosting of the Copperbelt Investment Expo.