Copperbelt PS calls for departmental cooperation

Copperbelt Permanet Secretary, Villie Lombanya, has called on the Ministry fo Mines to work in harmony with the Forestry Department and local authorities when issuing sand mining licenses to avoid creating conflicts of interest among stakeholders.

Mr Lombanya said it was important to work in harmony with other stakeholders in championing development because all government ministries and department had one objective of bringing development to the people in the province.

The Permanent secretary made the call during the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee meeting on Friday at Savoy Hotel.

Mr Lombanya said the Ministry of Mines should consider other stakeholders’ interests so that what one government organ was doing should not create a conflict with other interests of other government ministries.

He added that there was also need to promote dialogue among government departments and local authorities so that government remained focused and move in one direction in developing the province.

Mr Lombanya observed that the province was endowed with abundant natural resources and all the stakeholders should play their part in the effective planning and management of the resources for the good of all.

And the meeting heard that the Road Development Agency (RDA) has secured some funds to do all the Chingola Township roads.

RDA Chief Engineer, Thomas Zimba, told the meeting that the funds were secured in Lusaka and he was going to finalize the paper work with the Chingola District Commissioner, Tobias Maliti, at his office for the works to commence.

Mr Zimba said the RDA was committed to deliver on its mandate but was constrained by the erratic flow of funds.

The meeting expressed concern that the RDA was not doing enough in the province which has in some cases attracted criticism from the members of the public towards District Commissioners, Councils and the provincial administration.

[ZANIS]