ABUSIVE EMERALD MINES IRK LUNGU
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has expressed disappointment with some emerald mining companies on the Copperbelt Province for harassing citizens merely trying to salvage some raw materials from t heir dumpsites.
He observed that some people had either been killed or badly mistreated for merely salvaging minerals remains from the dumpsites.
Mr Lungu was speaking during an interaction with traditional leaders in Lufwanyama on the first day of his three-day working visit to the Copperbelt.
He said there was need for Government to probe into why some mining companies were reportedly maltreating people found at their dump sites.
The President also assured the chiefs that power would be connected to the Luswishi Farm Block in Lufwanyama to promote agricultural activities in the area.
Mr Lungu was responding to concerns presented to him by the traditional rulers, through Senior Chief Chiwala.
He however, expressed disappointment over the lack of progress on the Kasempa Road project which had stalled for years.
President Lungu noted that the road could facilitate great benefits for the mining, tourism and agricultural sectors on the Copperbelt and North- Western provinces.
The President said that Lufwanyama, Mpongwe and Masaiti had the ability to feed the whole nation as the three districts were the main agriculture contributors to the national food basket.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Chiwala, who is also Lamba-Lima Royal Council chairperson, said chiefs in the province were looking forward to receiving a lot of investment in their chiefdoms after the Copperbelt Investment Expo slated for next month.
Senior Chief Chiwala said the traditional rulers were ready to partner with Government in promoting investment and development in their chiefdoms.
Senior Chief Chiwala, who indicated the relationship between Government and the traditional leadership was cordial, appealed to the President to address the numerous challenges that the province was facing.
The chiefs present included, Senior Chief Chiwala, Senior Chief Mushili's representative, Chieftainess Lesa, Chieftainess Shimukunami, Chieftaness Malembeka, Chief Machiya, Chief Nkana, Chief Lumpuma, Chief Fungulwa, Chief Mwinuna, Chief Nkambo, Chief Mukutuma and caretaker Chief Shibuchinga.