PS demands audits into mining explorations  

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:37:09 +0000

By JACKSON MAPAPAYI

NORTH-WESTERN province permanent secretary Ephraim Mateyo has directed all district commissioners in the province to carry out audits of mining exploration licences in their various districts.

Reacting to complaints by Ikelenge district commissioner Victor Kayekesi that some unknown people undertaking mining explorations at the source of the Zambezi River, Mr Mateyo said there was need to know who was involved and how they obtained the licences.

He said it was wrong for people to carry out mining explorations at the source of the Zambezi River without the knowledge of relevant authorities in the district and the province as a whole.

‘’So, am giving directives to all district commissioners anyone prospecting in their various districts let me have an update. Let them bring licence numbers and who the owners are,” he said.

He said it was totally wrong for anybody to come in the province with impunity and start prospecting without permission from the provincial or district administration.

He said the provincial administration will not take kindly to anyone found wanting.

He wondered why the provincial administration was being sidelined over such activities.