Covid-19 halts revamping of Mulungushi Textiles
THE revamping of the Zambia-China Mulungushi textiles has been derailed by the outbreak of the coronavirus global pandemic.
The manufacturing plant has been undergoing renovations and about US$2 million has been pumped into the renovations of the quarters for experts that would come from China to install the new machinery and the office block among others.
Central province minister, Sydney Mushanga said in an interview that the outbreak of Covid-19 has delayed the acquisition of a loan by the Chinese equity partner in that country.
Mr. Mushanga said the coming of new machinery from China that would be installed by Chinese experts has also been delayed by the global pandemic.
“The revamping of the Mulungushi textiles has been delayed due to Covid-19, the investor is waiting for funds and machinery but all have been delayed by the pandemic,” he said.
Mr. Mushanga said two months ago that works at the Zambia China Mulungushi textiles were ongoing despite everything being affected by the outbreak of Covid-19.
He said a lot of rehabilitation works have been done at the manufacturing plant which has been put under the care of the ministry of defense.
The provincial minister said it was the government's desire that the Mulungushi textiles be reopened and offer employment to about 2 000 people in the province and the country at large.
And Mr. Mushanga stated that the re-opening of the Zambia-China Mulungushi textiles was not political as may be perceived by some sections of society.
The Kabwe's Bwacha constituency Member of Parliament (MP) the main aim of the re-opening Mulungushi Textiles was to create for the people.
The project is expected to develop among other infrastructure the spinning mill, ginnery, power, and water network system, effluent management workshop, sewerage treatment, and backup power facilities.
And once refurbished, the plant would annually produce about one million pieces of garments and 1, 197 tons of cottonseed that would be used to produce cooking oil.