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(LUSAKATIMES) Let’s urgently address unemployment, Thandiwe urges authorities

Let’s urgently address unemployment, Thandiwe urges authorities
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 16:40

First Lady Thandiwe Banda says there was urgent need to reverse the high levels of unemployment, low health status and poor sanitation in order to achieve sustainable economic growth in Zambia.

Mrs. Banda said for the country to achieve this sustainable economic growth and development, partnerships for development should be encouraged.

She said this today when she officially launched a K3.4 billion Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) and Development Aid from People to People (DAPP), Child Aid Project in Nampundwe community in Mumbwa district of Central Province.

The project, which will run for an initial four years, seeks to empower communities for the development of children who are a key focus to development.

She expressed happiness that KCM had undertaken a comprehensive community development strategy that aims at addressing some constraints to development.

She further expressed gladness that KCM had recognized the value of children in development, adding that the importance of creating a healthy and conducive environment for the growth and development of a child cannot be over-emphasized.

Mrs. Banda said all households are key to the child development process and that the empowerment of communities is cardinal to ensuring efficient child development.

She commended KCM for its valuable work in communities such as its Roll Back Malaria Programme, HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness programmes, health, education, sport and several others that signify KCM’s commitment to the development of the country.

The First Lady further urged the Zambians to appreciate partnerships, saying much can be achieved if people worked in partnership with all sectors of the community in which they live and work.

Mrs. Banda said active community participation is essential for the success of social development programmes.

He said private sector led initiatives are a great stride towards securing the social and economic environment for children and the general populace at large.

She appealed to other companies in the country to emulate KCM by undertaking similar programmes for the common good of the nation.

And speaking earlier, KCM Human Resource Vice President Sophie Mutemba said corporate social responsibility should augment government efforts in achieving sustainable economic development through community development.

Ms. Mutemba said issues of health, sanitation, education and livelihood skills at household level have great impact on national development.

She said it was for this reason that KCM engaged DAPP as a development partner to empower communities with education, skills and material support for health, sustainable livelihood and income generation.

She said through the child aid project, KCM aims to reach out to a total of 10, 000 households in the selected pilot areas of Nampundwe and Chingola.

ZANIS

Labels: THANDIWE BANDA, UNEMPLOYMENT

posted by MrK @ 5:47 PM