Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) State threatens to repossess Mansa Batteries

State threatens to repossess Mansa Batteries
February 18, 2009

Government has threatened to repossess Mansa Batteries if the new owners, Zamanita, formerly Amanita – Zambia, continues delaying resumption of operations at the factory.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Mansa yesterday, Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Jazzman Chikwakwa said government and the nation were concerned that the factory had remained non-operational following its privatization.

Mr. Chikwakwa said the new owners have not fulfilled their obligations of resuming operations at the battery factory hence it has become a white elephant.

He pointed out that as a result unscrupulous people were looting the raw material, manganese, which they were selling to suspected foreigners.

And on the closed Mununshi Banana Scheme in Nchelenge area, the Permanent Secretary said President Rupiah Banda has issued a directive to his provincial administration to look for a new investor.

Mr. Chikwakwa told ZANIS that the current investor, a named prominent Lusaka-based businessman, had proved incapable of running the factory.

ENDS/MM/AM/ZANIS

Labels: JAZZMAN CHIKWAKWA, MANSA BATTERIES, PRIVATISATION

posted by MrK @ 5:10 AM