By JOHN KOMBE
CALLS for the government to bring back Vedanta to Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) are unrealistic as the decision to forsake the firm was done to save jobs among other things, New Congress Party president Peter Chanda, has said.
Mr. Chanda made the observation in an interview yesterday when commenting on reports of some sections of society that have argued that the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Mr Paul Kabuswe should not have entertained youths in Chililabombwe who delivered a petition to ask the government to bring Vedanta to KCM.
Mr Kabuswe is Member of Parliament for Chililabombwe.
Mr Chanda said Vedanta had let down the nation by proposing among other things the laying off of about 1, 000 employees.
He therefore wondered why youths would be calling for the return of a company that had neglected the local people.
He said that the calls were unjustified and as such those condemning Mr. Kabuswe for entertaining the youths were justified.
Mr. Chanda insisted that Zambians cannot forget the suffering which the firm brought on mine suppliers and contractors who had remained unpaid for a long time.
He said that these wrongs cannot be ignored just because Vedanta was now dangling a carrot whose benefits cannot be assured.
He said Vedanta had planned to lay off workers and cannot come back with a promise to create the very jobs it wanted to cut.
He advised the government to put the interest of the country first as it ponders the fate of Vedanta. He said reports of mine investors having recovered investment capital within a year of operation are enough to motivate the government to take the matter seriously.
