BY ROGERS KALERO
VEDANTA Resources Plc should make the new dawn administration proud and prove critics wrong by fulfilling all its pledges and contributing to the revival of the mining sector, the Emerald Production Watch of Zambia (EPWOZ) president Musa Kafimbwa has said.
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Mr Kafimbwa says Vedanta has an opportunity to set the tone for the economic revival of the Copperbelt through the creation of employment and business opportunities.
Mr Kafumbwa said after receiving a lot of support from Government and President Hakainde Hichilema, Vedanta Resources should now move on to fulfil its pledges and make the government proud.
In an interview, Mr Kafimbwa said many Zambians were against the return of Vedanta Resources to KCM after its acrimonious departure and that its second coming should be to the best of Zambians.
He said Vedanta had the full support of the mine workers unions, the government and other stakeholders, and that its return to take up operations of KCM should see the Copperbelt getting economically transformed.
“Vedanta Resources has a lot of work to do to win the confidence of many Zambians who were not happy with the way it previously ran the giant KCM. Vedanta should work extra hard to prove its critics wrong. It must fulfil its pledges and contribute to the revival of the mining sector.”
“It should the new dawn administration proud by effectively contributing to the revival of the mining sector. It should also set the tone for the economic revival of the Copperbelt through the creation of employment and business opportunities,’’ Mr Kafimbwa said
Mr Kafimbwa said his organisation was seeking audience with President Hichilema where they would discuss issues pertaining to the mining sector and how Zambia can maximise benefits from its resources
Mr Kafimbwa has also said emerald miners in Lufwanyama were seeking the support of President Hakainde Hichilema to help them exploit the sector by lobbying for interested partners to do geological surveys and invest in various mines which were idle and dormant.
“As emerald miners in Lufwanyama, we are asking President Hichilema to look at the emerald sector, which is yet to be fully exploited. We have more than 400 dormant licences in Lufwanyama. We are seeking his support to help us exploit the sector by lobbying for interested partners who will be able to do geological surveys and invest in various mines,’’ he said
Mr Kafimbwa said his organisation and other stakeholders had been urging government to get interested in mining because it was where the economy of the country depended.
“Once the mining sector was properly reorganised, we will fund our own developmental projects and pay debts as opposed to pleading for debt restructuring or cancellation. Our national budget will be funded locally.”
“It is unfortunate and painful that we have leaders who don’t mind what is being reported on their desks. This is why even if the seized Gold was mined from Zambia, it can be said it is from abroad. It is stressful for President Hichilema to be a single player in a team of 20,’’ he said
Mr Kafimbwa said his organisation shall not fear to point out suspected corruption and other vices being perpetrated by some ministers because according to him, some government ministers using their positions not to the benefit of the majority Zambians.
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