Maravi

Dr Nsemukila calls for skills training in Solwezi

Dr Nsemukila calls for skills training in Solwezi
By Agness Changala in Solwezi
Thursday May 29, 2008 [04:00]

MINISTRY of Science and Technology Permanent Secretary Dr Bulleti Nsemukila has said there is need to train people in skills to satisfy the needs of the local investors in Solwezi. Speaking in Solwezi where he is on familiarisation tour, Dr Nsemukila said the province was developing every day and that there was need for the people in the province to acquire skills.

“… You may realise that we are not able to meet the gap that is there in terms of skills and maybe that’s the reason why the investors would come with their own people to do the job which even the Zambians can do,” he said.

Dr Nsemukila said it was important that skilled training was given to the youths.

He said it was important to ensure that local people were developed and involved in the activities of the province for them to feel part and parcel of the development process.

“If they are left behind, they may start complaining that they are being left out, jobs are being given to people outside the province and this may result in xenophobic killings as the case is in South Africa,” Dr Nsemukila said.

Meanwhile, the government has spent K4.2 billion on the construction of Solwezi Trades Training Institute.

A check at the site revealed that administration, library, two workshops and some classroom are still under construction.

Dr Nsemukila revealed that the government had also secured an additional K2 billion meant for the construction of double storey hostels for the institute.

He said there was need to expedite the construction of infrastructure so as to move in tandem with the development in the province.

And North Western Province Permanent Secretary Jeston Mulando bemoaned lack of skills among youths in the province.

He said the youths were even failing to grow vegetables.
“The hospitality industry and the mines are importing their vegetables from the Copperbelt because people here are not able to supply even when there is plenty of water,” he said.

He challenged people in the province to take advantage of the booming economy to improve their lives.

Labels: BULETI NSEMUKILA, VOCATIONAL TRAINING

posted by MrK @ 5:04 AM