Government has cautioned politicians to desist from issuing negative statements about the closure of Albidon Munali Nickel mine in Mazabuka.
Youth, Sport and Development minister Kenneth Chipungu said in Mazabuka today that government is concerned with the negative reports about the mine, particularly from some opposition parties.
He said it does not make sense for the opposition to criticise government over the closure of the mine when negotiations between government and the new investor over the taking over of operations have reached an advanced stage.
Mr. Chipungu said the negative reports if left unchecked could scare away investors who have shown interest to take over operations at the only Nickel mine in the country.
He said there is need for the opposition to support government efforts meant to find a reliable investor who will revive operations and ensure people who lost jobs are re-employed.
Mr Chipungu said a Chinese investor whom he did not name has shown interest to take over the running of the mine.
All the staff at the mine have since been retrenched and paid their terminal benefits.
The mine has since been put under care and maintenance.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chipungu has expressed disappointment with the negative response by youths in seeking to access funds under the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).
Mr Chipungu said in Mazabuka yesterday when he addressed youths at Mazabuka BOMA that government might consider withdrawing the money and channel the funds to other sectors of economy if Zambians are not interested in applying for the funds.
He was shocked to learn that many youths in Mazabuka had not applied for the funds when government had relaxed conditions on how to access the funds.
Mr Chipungu said in order for the youths and other people to access the funds, government has scrapped the application of fee of K 50,000.
He said this meant that people accessing CEEC application forms would not be required to pay for the forms..
Mr Chipungu also charged that it was regrettable to note that the K 10 Billion CEEC fund was still lying idle in the bank because people are not interested in applying for the funds.
And Speaking at the same function, Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba told the meeting that 23 applications have been approved for field appraisal by the CEEC while 31 have had their applications rejected for failing to meet the set conditions.
Mr. Hamaamba however said the rejected applicants had been given a second chance to perfect their business plans and correct other issues of raised by the appraisal team.
ENDS/HC/AM/ZANIS
everything is wrong in zambia, even saying some thing good about albidon as long as its the oppostion, its bad. mweeee, wake up ba mmd
i wonder why this company suddenly fails to tick yet they have been sending the ore concentrate to australia for extraction of not only nickel but other elements and knowing that area, we may even have gold and uranium. if they could send concetrates to australia at a very cheap price why shud they cry after they have reaped from by products of the nickel ore. mind you almost all zambia has at least some copper, cobalt, platinum and so if you process the concetrate right here in zed, then you make more money but ifipuba fi MMD signed contracts which they know nothing about as long as nchekelako epo ili. zambia balishitisha kale. its a pot where you cook and leave it.
Freedom of speech,Association,Movement etc are fundamental Human rights.You Chipungu or Whatever you call yourself can not Zip Garrry Nkombo and others for advocating for the displaced villagers.
We do appreciate that globally,there is an economic meltdown but why shut people up for crying out loud!
If it stinks than people or politicians have the right to criticize !!
I meant “then” and not “than” !!!
Che Guevara avoid rumour and innuendo. No concentrates were sent to Australia. They were being sent to Juchuan in China for refining. No mining company would build a Nickel smelter for 8500 tonnes of Nickel. In neighbouring Botswana Lionore attempted to put up 22000 tonne capacity Nickel smelter but it was shelved off as uneconomic. You need at least 60 000 tonnes of Nickel for a smelter to break even economically. Do you know anything about economies of scale for mineral processing? Ask any copper mining company whether it would be crazy enough to put up a smelter for less 150 000 tonnes capacity of copper.
Martial law??
#7
It is coming
If those in political office do not know the meaning of democracy can we please make sure that they go back to grade 7 and learn a little civics. The opposition are there to criticise because it keeps the government on its toes. They have every right to comment. So please keep this vile attempt of intimidation in your own party and let us have our free speech.
#8, How are you any way? still a better geniue?
Ba Chipungu naimwe, do you force people to apply for funds? These people are not self motivated and given the money wont change that. Zedians are lazy.
Hey where is Garry Nkhombo? he is a good man