Stop illegal plunder of minerals across the country – UPND
By Staff Reporter
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) has accused the ruling Patriotic Front of escalating the problem of unemployment due to greedy and extravangance.
In a statement UPND chairman for mines and freedom fighters Percy Chanda wondered how a provincial Permanent Secretary could close a mine while the Ministry of Mines remained mute.
“With this attitude how much of our resources is being plundered illegally throughout the Country? Stop this illegal plunder of mineral resources. Equally, the Ministry of labour is in deep coma. They will only wake up once Zambians kick them out. These challenges can only be attributed to poor and corrupt PF leadership,” said Chanda
He said the mines at one time were run by Zambians from an artisan to the chief engineering manager, from a shift boss to the Mine Manager while the government remained firm on policy.
“Today a lot of wrong things are going on in the mines while the Ministry of Mines is just watching. PF has allowed to be arm twisted by the mine owners like a small boy with stolen sweets in his mouth. Anyway, what can one expect from a corrupt regime? Listening to the cries of miners, it’s very clear that miners are very disappointed with PF, they have been neglected. Gone are the days when a miner was proud of his job and displayed a hard hat (ICIMPOMPO) at the back of his car as a symbol of identity in society. In those days a Miner did not need to produce the NRC at any police road block, his ID was enough to allow him pass without questions. A Miner was recognized for his hard work and contribution to the country’s economy,” he said
Chanda added that under PF regime miners had been reduced to a casual worker with no job security.
“HH and the UPND are aware of the challenges miners and other employees are going through under the PF regime. Never lose hope as help is on the way. There is no Political will in the PF regime to sort out the mess. Our minerals have benefited other people than the ordinary Zambians. Be assured that things will change very soon under HH and the UPND. We know exactly what is required to fix these problems. HH and the UPND are very grateful to the miners and other workers for their support. Under HH and the UPND no employee will go for months without pay and no worker will be mistreated by any employer. UPND will restore sanity and order in the mining industry,” he said.
