Government has applauded Barrick Lumwana Mining Company for supporting Small and Medium Enterprises through entrepreneurship programmes in its catchment area.
North Western Provincial Permanent Secretary Ephraim Mateyo says Barrick Lumwana Mine has continued to support men and women through capacity building and provision of linkages to business opportunities in the three chiefdoms of Mukumbi, Matebo and Mumena.
Mr.Mateyo was speaking in a speech read for him by Kalumbila District Administrative Officer Chris Nyungila during the 2016 Lumwana Business Fair held at Kauchi Cooperative Production Centre in Kalumbila District.
He commended the Mining Company for complimenting government efforts through its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes in the area.
The Permanent Secretary added that government had on its part continued to empower women with loans to sustain their viable businesses ideas and proposals in order to improve their livelihoods.
”May I inform you that government has continued to give loans to women with viable business proposals. I appeal to all of you present here to access the forms from Kalumbila District administration offices and apply,” Mr.Mateyo said.
He further urged Lumwana Community Business Association to allow other companies doing business in Lumwana to benefit from the available business opportunities from the mines and beyond as a way of attracting more members.
And Lumwana Mine Company Senior Corporate Affairs Manager Nathan Chishimba says Barrick Lumwana Mine has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that small and medium enterprise and local procurement opportunities were availed to the local companies in the District.
Mr.Chishimba in a speech read for him by Sustainability Manager Christopher Mukala said the company will continue supporting the community with entrepreneurship skills as well as creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He said LMC had helped to train and empower hundreds of aspiring small business entrepreneurs to expand into new markets such as All Terrain Services-ATS Catering firm on mine site, connected emerging innovators with mentors and networks with expansion access to capital.
The Senior Corporate Affairs Manager stated that the company would continue encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship in the local areas as a way of tackling some of the challenges facing the communities in the three chiefdoms.
”As Lumwana Mine, we want to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst our local people in order to motivate them to engage in business ventures. This can help us to tackle some of the challenges that we face around the area and ensure the sustainable development of Kalumbila District,” Mr.Chishimba said.
Meanwhile, Lumwana Community Business Association-LCBA Chairperson Elias Sambeya challenged the local business companies to join hands and contribute to the development and sustainability of the association activities.
175 local entrepreneurs and business service providers participated in this year’s Business Fair in Kalumbila District of North Western Province.
