LDTF approve ZMK 4 billion for infrastructural development
Wednesday, 09 Sep 2009
Lusaka Times reported that the Lumwana Development Trust Fund has approved over K 4 billion for infrastructure development projects in three chiefdoms in Solwezi district of Northwestern province.
Mr Pierre Louw acting MD of Lumwana Mining Company said that his company will this year fund 19 infrastructural development related projects in the education, health and social economic sectors in chiefs Mukumbi, Mumena and Matebo.
Mr Louw said that this in a speech read for him by LMC Sustainability Manager Brenda Jambatamba during a press and stakeholders briefing on the company’s facilitated multi vocational skills apprenticeships training over the weekend. He said that his company’s social sustainability plan was aimed at managing the anticipated social impacts of the copper project in the town.
He added that funding these developmental projects was a visionary intention of the mine. This would directly promote diversification of the local economy through robust business development initiatives in the province.
Mr Louw said that “Approved with the 19 infrastructural development projects whose funding is beginning this year is another set of 12 projects that will be considered for funding once the second cycle of funding reach completion.”
He stated that 14 of the approved projects in the education sector are targeted at building 23 staff house, 21 new classrooms and 2 science laboratories. There were 3 projects for the social economic sector which involved the construction of three community training centers which will be equipped with some sewing machines. In the health sector, there are 2 projects aimed at building a new rural health post and 1 staff house. Through this funding under the LDTF, the company will help government achieve the 5th National Development Plan and the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 in the areas of education, health and poverty alleviation in the targeted communities.
Mr Louw said that this is the second cycle of funding through the LDTF, saying the first cycle was undertaken in 2007 and 2008 and covered a total of 13 infrastructural development related projects in the 3 target chiefdoms.
Mr Albert Chifita commissioner of Solwezi district commended LMC for its efforts of supplementing government’s effort in meeting the FNDP and MDGs through the provision of infrastructure in areas where it operates. He said that government appreciated the partnership that exists with the private sector in ensuring that social services were delivered to the people effectively.
