Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:15:09 +0000
JACKSON MAPAPAYI
KANSANSHI Mining PLC has pledged to support the local business community in North Western Province by creating an enabling environment for them to thrive.
The mining company said it would do this by offering capacity building workshops to local suppliers and contractors to enable them to become competitive in the tendering processes.
Speaking during a closed door meeting between the Patriotic Front (PF) provincial team, North Western Chamber of Commerce and mine management, Kansanshi mine general manager Rudi Bardenhorst highlighted a few weaknesses that usually caused the local companies to be disqualified when it comes to contracts.
The meeting was called to find a transparent, equitable and mutual beneficial road map in empowering the local business community and contractors as well as job creation.
Mr Bardenhorst observed that most companies did not know much about the bidding process and that failure to fully comply with the required documentation was another setback that resulted in local companies being disqualified.
He however pledged to introduce educative and capacity building workshops where local companies would be trained and empowered in modern bidding tendering process and procurement systems.
“Thus, we believe we would make the local companies competitive even at international level. So, this is our pledge and we will do just that,” Mr Bardernhorst said.
And PF provincial chairperson Jackson Kungo called on the mine management to prioritise job creation and recruitment of local people in various positions in the mine.
He said there was need to protect jobs of those who are already employed by the mining giant as emphasised by the Republican President Edgar Lungu in all mining towns.
Mr Kungo said the party and government had the mandate to create employment for its citizens and at the same time protect the interest of the investors.
He further urged the mine management to consider engaging local contractors in various projects that the mine was undertaking so that people could see the benefit of having such a huge investment in the province.
“There are many companies capable of handling various contractual works within the mining environment that are registered with the chamber of commerce but they have not been given any opportunity,” he said.
The meeting was called after the provincial chairperson received numerous complaints from members of the community that companies based in the province were rarely offered business opportunities by the mining company.
