Eastern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Lewis Mwape, has commended Rusticstone, a local company specialised in granite slab production in Chipata, for investing in the construction industry.
Dr Mwape observed during his tour of the company that the development will contribute to the region’s economic transformation among other achievements.
He acknowledged that the initiative is a huge milestone as it also promotes the creation of local products for indigenous construction companies.
“For a city like Chipata, this is a significant setting because it creates local products for local construction companies,” he said.
Dr Mwape has since called on the company to ensure that skills are fully transferred to local people to promote growth.
Meanwhile, the company’s Supervisor, Cornelius Banda, revealed that about 180 metric tonnes of granite slabs are produced per month.
“We produce granite slabs and we get our material from a local mine in Chipangali district, thereafter we make tombstones and tiles among other products,” he said.
Mr Banda further explained that the initiative has in turn created jobs for about 45 local people in the district.
And BuyZed Campaign Chief Executive Officer, Evans Ngoma, commended the company for the initiative saying there was need for other entrepreneurs to take a leaf from Rusticstone.
“We would like to encourage entrepreneurs that are in the habit of exporting raw products to foreign countries to consider value addition by coming up with industries,” he said.
