Copper belt Province permanent secretary Mrs. Jennipher Musonda has commended Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) for having continued to support the community despite the new mine tax regime.
Mrs. Musonda said KCM has continued to support the community through sustainable projects especially among the widows.
She was speaking at the handing over of certificates to thirty-eight (38) teachers drawn from secondary on the Copper belt who had completed one month training in Information Technology (IT) .
Mrs. Musonda said government acknowledges the role that the private sector is playing in the development of the country.
She said government will soon establish IT centers countrywide so as to encourage the utilization of science and technology .
And KCM resident director Deb Bandyopadhyay said the company is committed to the economic wellbeing of the Zambian people thus they have embarked on a number of projects to help the community uplift their standard of living.
Mr. Bandyopadhyay said education is the cornerstone of development for any nation hence his organisation’s training teachers in IT.
He has since called on the teachers to impart the knowledge they learnt to fellow teachers and students for sustainable development.
I hope this training is backed by provision of Computers in Schools where these Teachers are drawn from. In the absence of such equipment the training has no multiplier effect and is at best valueless. Govt needs to put in place a policy to oblige other mining companies in the country to do the same. One needs to realise that the companies engaged in mineral extraction cause a lot of environmental damage in areas of their operations and erode traditional sources of livelihood for local people. Guaranteed employment for alternative livelihoods through ICT training should therefore be encouraged.Govt should not standby as though the Mines are simply doing us a favour.
The PS makes it sound like KCM has done us a favor.I mean this is nothing,they can do even better especially when you look at the impact of those trenches they are leaving.These mines are reaping us off & its only right & a social responsibility that they pay back to the many communities they have displaced & caused some serious environmental problems.
The Government and the People of Zambia must be mindful of the poor environmental record of KCM. Everyone recalls of the amount of water pollution KCM caused on the Copperbelt. KCM wants to be seen to supporting Mulungushi University and teachers when in actual fact want to cover up their lack of care for the Zambian people and the environment. Zambia has to realise that investors don’t spend money in Zambia for the Zambian, they are doing for their own vested interests. Zambians must learn to ask tough “WHY” questions when an investors does something. In my view it’s merely intended to bribe Zambians so they turn a blind eye to their misdeeds.
This news item is utter rubbish when contrasted against what KCM has ripped off Zambia with belssings of Levy and his goons.
A day of reckoning will come when all thieves will dance with their fat wives and collaborators.
Soon someone in this rotten GRZ will ask Zambians to stop breathing in the air around them due to pollution as you can read elsewhere some ***** asking Zambians not to be eating fish from some rivers due to unknown causes for their death!
Surely this is enough evidence that Levy and other hoodlums must be kicked out for failing to equip Zambians with skills and institutions to effectively monitor everthing that Zambians eat and drink?
These criminals must be put to jail cells.