A traditional leader in Mansa has threatened to chase manganese mining investors who are allegedly exploiting his subjects and not honouring their corporate social responsibilities in his chiefdom.
Chief Chisunka of the Ushi people in Mansa district of Luapula province
advised all the companies conducting mining activities in his area to work
with his subjects and ploughed back profits to the community.
The chief told ZANIS that the mining companies signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the people in the area before commencing their
activities but they were now disregarding the agreement.
He noted that some companies are undermining his authority by going
against what was agreed upon in the MoU.
The Chief Chusunka Royal Establishment has let out over 1,000 square
kilometers of land to Tycoon, Amanita, Genesis and local small scale mining
firms for manganese mining and explorations.
Chief Chisunka revealed that some mining firms have also resorted to
conducting mining activities in the area without his consent.
The traditional ruler urged the companies to adhere to the MoU which
compelled them to ensure timely maintenance of infrastructure such as roads
and bridges.
He said road and bridge infrastructure in his area were however in a
deplorable state because of lack of maintenance by the mining firms that
use the facilities to transport the minerals.
He further said under the signed MoU, the companies agreed to contribute
to the improvement of education and health delivery by putting up classroom
blocks and health posts in the area.
The chief said apart from offering employment opportunities to his
subjects, the mining companies should ensure putting up supportive
activities for the people to benefit from the mineral deposits that are
being exploited.
Meanwhile, Chief Chisunka has challenged government to look for reputable
manganese mining firms to invest in his chiefdom.
He said his area has abundant manganese deposits which needed to be
exploited by focused investors
ZANIS
Word!!
Big up to the chief, we need more brave people like chief Chisunka to speak up. Honestly way too much bureaucratic jargon surrounding Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) with no proper implementation in place. Build schools, Hospitals etc and help the communities pliz!!
Now this is a chief worth praising unlike some other chiefs wh instead of fighting for their subjects welfare they are busy sucking up to the government and making stupid poilitical statements
yah, we need more chiefs like this chief Chisunka who understand issues of national development and are able to follow up and challenge people who are respossible in governemnet and its so called investors. push them chief.
I support you chief. this is good. However, if I’m not mistaken Kennedy Sakeni (PF MCC) is one of the manganese miners, is this smoke before we see the fire?
Good man this chief
Very good man this chief. We need more chiefs like him.
that’s not enough to demand from the miners what about environmental issues and proper employment for the locals? the chief should be guided by government ……… oh they don’t care either sorry i forgot
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I am South African i see most of this investors taking chances are mostly from china is not only Zambia, this people do not have respect for Africa. Every country in Africa they bring employment but we can not be quiet if they do not want to comply with African Leaders. It might be true we are poor but we have intergrity to maintain they must not come from their land and pollute our beautiful Africa. Africa need Chief like this one who protect his people and his land. Most Chiefs are taking bribes and forget about the nation. Thank Chief Chisunka you are a real leader.