Minister ordered to issue statement on KCM status

SPEAKER of the national assembly Patrick Matibini has directed Mines and Mineral Development Minister Richard Musukwa to issue a comprehensive statement on the status of the liquidation of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).

The Speaker was rendering a ruling after Nchanga North Member of Parliament Chilombo Chali raised a point of order on whether the minister was in order not to issue a ministerial statement on the status of liquidation process of Konkola Copper Mines after promising the house weeks ago.

The Speaker told the house that the minister was not out of order not to issue a statement, however given the time that elapsed since the undertaking was made and in order to expedite the process the minister should issue a statement on November 26, 2020.

Meanwhile, 1, 592, 974 national registration cards were issued between August 1 and November 4 Home Affairs minister Steven Kampyongo has told parliament.

Rendering his ministerial statement in Parliament Mr Kampyongo told the house that the number represented 106 per cent overall success rate.

He said that the success of the exercise is attributed to collaborative efforts by all stakeholders.

The minister said that the task could not have gone without challenges especially that it was conducted under the new normal era.

Mr. Kampyongo said as a result of the pandemic, delivery of materials and equipment by some suppliers was delayed due to the reduction in the number of cargo flights which eventually led to slow start of phase one.

He disclosed that other challenges included politicizing of the exercise by some stakeholders especially politicians adding that some people continue to attribute NRC registration to political activities.

And Mr. Kampyongo clarified that the temporary closure of National Registration offices in Lusaka on Friday November 20 was due to the fact that some applicants tested positive to Covid-19. He said that following the development, DMMU together with the ministry of Health quickly moved in by disinfecting the premises hence the ministry suspended operations at all registration offices in Lusaka district.