Mon, 28 Aug 2017 09:30:20 +0000
By Bennie Mundando
YOUTHS on the Copperbelt have expressed gratitude to President Edgar Lungu for his quick intervention in the stand-off between Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) and Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) over new electricity tariffs.
In a statement yesterday, Copperbelt PF youth chairperson Nathan Chanda said the fact that President Lungu had instructed the two ministers to deliver a very clear and unequivocal message to the management of MCM and to engage in civil and decent business practices was a clear indication that Government valued the plight of the workers in the mines.
Mr. Chanda said the presidential directive was a good move and timely as MCM was considering and threatening to retrench 4,700 miners, and cut on the number of contractors and suppliers.
“As PF youths, we feel the quick intervention by the President to direct the ministers of Mines and Energy will ease the tension that is growing among the miners. Once again, we want to assure the miners and the contractors that we are standing with them in this time of uncertainty,
“We feel relieved that there is an assurance by the Head of State that the mine workers will be protected. For now, we will wait until the court process ends and wait for what the two ministers will come up with,” Mr. Chanda said.
He challenged other stakeholders to come out and defend the jobs of the Zambian people saying copper was Zambia’s God-given natural resource which must benefit the locals through a win-win situation.
“The jobs and business that may be lost at Mopani mine may affect everyone on the Copperbelt and the country at large regardless of political affiliation,
“It is in times like these that we need to stand together as one, as Zambians by putting politics aside but our country first and ensure that we speak with one voice to protect the jobs of our people who are our fellow citizens,” Mr Chanda said.
Special assistant to the president for press and public relations Amos Chanda on Saturday said President Lungu was worried with the on-going stand-off between CEC and MCM and has directed the two ministers to intervene.
