Maravi

Indian investor plans Africa’s largest manganese plant in Serenje

COMMENT - With this little local consultation, 'investors' should not be surprised when their projects are nationalized. 'People should not wait for the government' - because the government is too busy lining it's own pockets. But their day of reckoning will come.

Indian investor plans Africa’s largest manganese plant in Serenje
By Mutale Kapekele
Wed 06 Apr. 2011, 04:00 CAT

An Indian investor is setting up Africa’s largest manganese processing plant in Serenje district, says Central Province permanent secretary Denny Lumbama. In an interview in Kabwe, Lumbama disclosed that ground works had already started for the construction of the plant which will process manganese from Congo, Zambia and other countries in the region.

Africa has for a long time mined manganese, which is exported raw and this is the first time that the metal will be processed. Lumbama also said the 150,000 hectare Nansanga farming bloc was ready for occupation and that social services such as water and electricity were already in place.

The Zambia Development Agency has accepted bids for the main developer of the farming bloc and is yet to announce the successful bidder.

Lumbama said interviews for plots had already commenced and that only four people will be allowed to compete for each plot to avoid previous experiences of as much as thirty people fighting for each piece of land.

He said so far, the province had received applications from investors in Hungary, India, Australia and Zambia, as well as some farmers from Mkushi.

He said the airstrip in Serenje was now operational and that it will make it easier for investors to access the Nansanga farming bloc.

Lumbama also called for a change of mindset on the part of Zambians for them to benefit from economic activities.

He said people should not always rely on the government to do things for them but must initiate projects that will benefit them economically.

“People should not say what will the government do for me but say ‘what should I do for myself and my country?’ It has to take an individual to be an entrepreneur,” said Lumbama. “If we get it right, we can move a great deal as a country.”

Labels: DENNY LUMBAMA, EASTERN PROVINCE, MANGANESE

posted by MrK @ 4:01 PM