Maravi

Mines must help with infrastructure, says Musukwa

Mines must help with infrastructure, says Musukwa
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Thu 12 Apr. 2012, 13:27 CAT

MINES deputy minister Richard Musukwa says investors in the mining sector must help the government deliver on its promise on infrastructure development. In an interview in Kitwe yesterday, Musukwa who is also PF Wusakile member of parliament, said it was unacceptable that various mining townships on the Copperbelt had dilapidated roads and recreation facilities when the country had continued to attract huge investments in the mining sector.

Musukwa said the government expects transnational mining companies to demonstrate true corporate citizenship by supplementing the government's efforts of delivering development to the people.

He said the government was not happy that roads in mining towns were in a deplorable state while mining companies were making huge profits from copper.

Musukwa said the government through the Ministry of Mines was grateful that Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) had set aside US$5 million for the rehabilitation of township roads in Chingola and Chililabombwe.

He said massive investment in the mining sector must translate into tangible economic and social benefit to the country and the people who live in mining towns.

Musukwa said the thrust of the government was to see serious physical presence of mining houses in infrastructure development while contributing positively to economic development as mining was the backbone of Zambia's economy.

He said the government was currently working on deliberate policies that would make mining companies more responsive to the people and the country's needs.

Musukwa said mining companies must begin to redeem themselves by taking up major road networks in areas such as Kitwe's Wusakile area where miners live.

He said the government would not allow a situation where many people would continue to live in poverty and poor conditions when the country was rich in mineral resources.

"Our stance as a government has always been that Zambians should not only see copper being transported on trucks to other countries. The benefits of having mines and being able to attract investment should add a lot of value to the country and the communities where people live," said Musukwa.

posted by MrK @ 3:26 PM