Mazabuka Town Clerk, Ekan Chingangu, has ordered villagers in Mugoto area not to resort to vandalism of mine equipment at Albidon Mine following the suspension of operations at the only Nickel mine in the country.
He said any destruction to equipment would impact negatively on the district and national economy and later on scare away potential investors.
Mr. Chingangu said the mine is likely to resume full scale operations once government finalises negotiations for an equity partner to help revive operations.
“Don’t lose hope, I know your children have lost jobs and some of you have not yet been relocated to your new homes but please let’s keep our fingers crossed and pray that government quickly finds an equity partner to run the mine soon so that the economy of this area can again improve but safe guard this equipment,” pleaded Mr. Chingangu.
He said villagers must ensure they protect the mine equipment especially when the skeleton management staff stops working on March 27, 2009 next week.
Mr. Chingangu, who said this when he addressed displaced families who have not yet been relocated to a new farmland, observed that only security personnel will remain at the mine to protect the property.
He told the displaced families that the suspension of operations at the mine also meant, the relocation of villagers had been suspended until further notice.
Mr. Chingangu said, while he appreciates the hardships the affected families were going through such as failure to be relocated, cultivate fields and withdraw of transport provisions for school going children, they should not resort to the destruction of mine equipment.
He observed that, there is need for the villagers to sympathise with the mine management because of the global financial crunch which has affected nearly all sections of economies not only in Zambia but world over.
Mr. Chingangu said the Council will ensure displaced people, who have not yet been relocated received a better deal just like their counterparts, who have been given modern houses and big portions of fields for cultivation of crops once full scale operations start.
The villagers expressed worry that the new Chinese investor may not complete the implementation of the relocation programme initiated by Albidon management.
ZANIS/ENDS/HC/SJK.
the spirit of a true town clerk at work. VERY, VERY GOOD ADVICE BWANA CHINGANGU. I thought these names are only for boxers. My sympathise to the affected miners. Let us continue praying that God gives us a better investor now.
Mr. Chingangu, that is a very good parental advise and it will be up to the villagers to help protect the property jealously 🙂
The government and the mining company should also do their part in providing adequate security. Unscrupulous people may come from elsewhere to try to salvage equipment/steelwork.
I sympathise with the displaced families calls and worry about the Chinaman investor not being able to complete the relocation programme. Any thing to do with a Chinaman investor raises a lot of doubt and querries.
Morning all. Well spoken ba Chingangu (any relation to ‘No pressure Chingangu’?). However, the onus is on the relevant authorities to ensure that the mines are properly secured. With this hunger, anything can happen.
Number 4, how you can be so wrong about Chinese Investments.To tell you the truth,in these times of economic recession,there is only one economy that is still standing strong.This economy is the one which is sustaining the world’s biggest economy,the USA,by lending its huge dollar reserves and keeping the US economy running.Obama’s stimulus package is dependant on this economy.This economy has penetrated all corners of this world and economies of the world are looking up to it as the future. This economy is China. China is the super power of today not the future and any economy that wants to see development has to be as close to China as possible.
Mr. Chingangu talking alone will not help you. Why do you council fellas like rhetoric so much? Put someone to guard the facility…. Full stop! That mine is just employing those people, others even feel that its just exploiting them. So what will stop them from reaping a few rewards from there by ripping off a few roofing irons for Chibwantu or Shake-shake? Come on council man, get real. Be practical. We are tired of talking council men… But then, Masebo is not there. Shame!