State wooes investors in agro, energy sectors

GOVERNMENT has advised investors intending to invest in North-Western province to venture into sectors such as agriculture and energy.

North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Willies Mangimela, said the region was endowed with abundant natural resources such as water and arable land.

“Apart from copper and other minerals, the province is endowed with natural resources, we have fertile land, water among others,” he said.

Mr Mangimela said this when a delegation from Manyinga Town Council called on him with an investment presentation of over US$32.2 million in the Macadamia But Plantation project. The project would be undertaken in partnership with the Global Human Benefit Zambia Limited (GHBZ).

He said the provincial administration was happy that the Expo North West Zambia 2019 had started bearing fruit. Mr Mangimela however expressed worry over the increase in timber dealing in Mufumbwe, Manyinga, Kabompo and surrounding areas.

“As provincial administration our only major concern is over rampant timber dealing in these districts because people are just harvesting without replanting trees,” he said. He advised firms in the timber business to start a re-planting programme like Kalumbila, Lumwana and Kansanshi mines which had been supporting communities through corporate social responsibility activities.

Earlier, Manyinga Town Council Secretary, Kate Leo Mukonde, said GHBZ and partners, Dayavu of South Africa had shown interest in uplifting the socio economic status of Manyinga district through investment.

“Already before launching the project, the company is expected to spend about US$100,000 in the construction of a Covid-19 isolation facility in Manyinga district as part of their corporate social responsibility,” Ms Mukonde said.

She said that local farmers would also benefit through the out-grower scheme. She said in terms of employment, the company would engage over 600 people in the interim and later employ over 1,000 people when operations commence.