Mon, 28 Aug 2017 09:51:16 +0000
By Mukosela Kasalwe
THE opening of a shopping mall in Kabwe has given the town a facelift and youths employment opportunities, says NAREP Central Provincial acting chairman Belington Mulenga.
Mr Mulenga said such investment in the infrastructure sector would give the provincial capital a facelift and act as a catalyst for employment opportunities to the local people.
He said the opposition party would be failing in its duties if it did not give credit where due and expressed hope that people would stop shunning and labelling the once vibrant and industry giant as a ‘ghost town’
The opposition leader however, said NAREP would not relent in pushing and calling for the reopening of Mulungushi Textiles, KIFICO and National Milling as much as it appreciated the coming of chain stores because the industries would offer greater job openings if they were brought back to life.
“Our Kabwe people and Zambian youths have been accorded an opportunity for employment which is a plus,
“As much as we appreciate the coming of these shopping malls, we will not relent pressuring those in the driving seats to reopen Mulungushi Textiles, KIFICO and National Milling because when these industries are brought back to life they will offer greater employment opportunities,” he said.
He said Government determination and the right investors would ensure that Kabwe became an attractive and a dream come true town.
Mr Mulenga said youth unemployment in Zambia had become a time bomb which required concerted efforts not only from the government but all stakeholders to think outside the box and be innovative to cushion the current youth unemployment levels.
He urged Government to ensure that when they sit on the negotiation table with investors or any venture coming to Zambia they prioritize residents of that particular area as employees.
