Maravi

KAGEM snubs mines deputy minister

KAGEM snubs mines deputy minister
By Correspondent
Monday March 03, 2008 [03:00]

KAGEM Emerald mining company management on Saturday snubbed mines deputy minister Boniface Nkhata despite being informed of his visit to the mine. The Emerald and Semi-precious Minerals association of Zambia (ESMAZ) organised Nkhata’s visit to the mine but the Indian managers did not meet him although they were seen driving within the mine premises. Only the Zambian manager, Marlon Zimba, was delegated to explain the operations of the company to Nkhata.

Nkhata, who is in charge of small-scale mines, said he was equally disappointed by the attitude of the management at the company. He said the managers’ attitude was a clear indication that they had no respect for the government, which allowed them to come and mine emeralds in the country.

Nkhata was also shocked at the deplorable conditions in which state police officers were living, at Kagem Mine and urged the emerald mining company to improve the situation. Nkhata found out that the offices had poor diet mainly consisting of kapenta prepared without cooking oil.

He said he was disappointed that the management at the mining company had not bothered to rehabilitate the shelter for the security officers despite the fact that they were guarding their emeralds.

He said, four years ago, former Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Peter Mumba had instructed the management at Kagem to rehabilitate or put up decent shelters for police officers, but up to now the company had done nothing.

He said it was disappointing that the company which was making huge profits from the emeralds could fail to rehabilitate the structures for the officers, let alone, improve their diet.
He said the interests of Zambians was not being protected at the emerald mine because State Police was not allowed to enter the strong room where they separate good stones from waste.

“I must say I am not happy with what is happening at Kagem Mining Company because the management seems not to care about the interests of Zambians. It appears that their interest is only to make huge profits from our gemstones and they do not care what happens to Zambians,” he said.

“When I came they snubbed me and did not even bother to talk to me and now I am seeing the very deplorable state in which police officers are living in,” Nkhata said.
And Zimba tried to defend his management that it had been there for three months only and not much could be expected from it.

ESMAZ general secretary Victor Kalesha said he was disappointed that the Indian management at the Emerald mine snubbed the minister despite being informed of his visit to the mine.

The ESMAZ team, led by association president Benjamin Njanji advised Zimba to explain to his management that it was wrong for them to treat Zambians and government ministers like they were nothing.

“You Zimba, you should not defend things which you do not know. We are not happy with what these Indians are doing here, where they snub government officials and keep police officers who are guarding the emeralds in deplorable conditions. So you are supporting them for snubbing the minister,” said Kalesha.

“What we expect of you, is to tell your management to do things that will make Zambia happy and not miserable as if it is not their country. If investors come here, they should share their joy and happiness with Zambians. We want investment that will benefit both investors and Zambians.”

Labels: KAGEM, MINISTRY OF MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT

posted by MrK @ 4:26 AM