By OLIVER SAMBOKO
SINCE it is now clear that Vedanta is coming back to operate KCM, Government should act fast without any delays to safeguard the mine assets, says Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu.
Mr Mpundu said the longer Government takes to make a decision, the more the KCM assets are getting into bad shape and the more the people on the Copperbelt are getting into destitution.
He however said the government should ensure that in any agreement with Vedanta, a clause should be inserted that binds the mining giant to the commitments.
He said the pledge by Vedanta to inject $1 billion into the operations and infrastructure development at the mine and commitment to paying off the $220 million debts owed to suppliers at the time they left, is a welcome move.
Mr Mpundu said looking at the commitments by Vedanta, wasting time to come up with a decision was not the best option for the country as doing so will subject the people to more suffering.
He said the proposals by Vedanta can help turn around the economy on the Copperbelt Province.
“I have so far followed the conversations around this matter and looked at the proposals being made by Vedanta on their possible return to managing the KCM assets and my conclusion is that Government must act now without further delays because the longer we take to act the more the KCM assets are getting into bad shape and the more the people are getting into destitution,” he said.
Mr Mpundu said he was aware that Vedanta has also committed to award a 20 percent salary increment to the workers upon their return and also committed to adjust the conditions of service after carrying out forensic audit of the mine.
He said mining company has also committed to give the workers a one-off payment of K2, 500 within three months of their return.
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