‘Opposers of Chinese investment a danger to society’

By ALEX NJOVU

 

MINISTER of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane has said political leaders that speak ill of Chinese investment in Zambia are a danger to society and should be ignored.
And NFC Africa Mining plc deputy chief executive officer Xu Ruiyong said about US$500 million is expected to be spent on the development of the Chambishi South Mine which is expected to produce about 10,000 tonnes of copper ore per day.
Speaking in an interview after he toured Chambishi Copper Smelter and other Chinese companies in Chambishi on Sunday, Dr Musokotwane said politicians that despise Chinese investment are dangerous to the development process of the country.
Dr Musokotwane wondered how such leaders can develop the country if they are against investment that benefits the people on whose behalf they claim to speak for.
He said Zambians must be wary of opposition political leaders that offer empty promises.
“Political leaders that are threatening to do away with Chinese investment are dangerous and Zambians must be wary of such people. These are the same people who are promising Zambians jobs, but how are they going to give people jobs when they are against the investment that Government is bringing into the country.
“The people must be wary of politicians that are giving them empty promises…these are dangerous leaders who must not be trusted. “Every government in the world is working towards attracting investment so that jobs are created for their people,” Dr Musokotwane said.
He said he is impressed with infrastructure that has been developed in the Chambishi economic zone and called on Zambians to continue supporting Chinese investment.
He said the government under the leadership of President Banda will continue supporting investment in various sectors of the economy.
Dr Musokotwane said Chinese investors have contributed a lot to the creation of jobs in Zambia and wondered why some political leaders are speaking ill of them.
The Chambishi economic zone currently employs about 4,000 Zambians.
“The infrastructure that I have seen is wonderful and the fact that the zone is expanding is encouraging,” Dr Musokotwane said.
Dr Musokotwane said the mining sector has continued expanding and commended various mining houses for their contribution to the growth of the country’s economy.
He said Government has continued working towards creating jobs for Zambians, especially young people.
Dr Musokotwane said there is need for Zambians to copy the culture of some countries that have successfully managed to reduce poverty in their communities.
And Mr Ruiyong told the minister that about US$500 million is expected to be spent on the development of Chambishi South Mine.
He said the mine is expected to contribute a lot to the development of the country.
Mr Ruiyong said exploration works which started about two years ago have indicated that the copper ore that will be mined from the area is of high grade.
He said some senior officials are currently in Beijing negotiating with shareholders on the design, policy and finances of the project.
Zambia-China Economic and Trade Co-operation Zone first vice-general manager Zan Baosen commended Government for the support it has continued to render to the development of the Chambishi economic zone.
Mr Baosen said Zambia-China Economic and Trade Co-operation Zone officials will continue working towards creating jobs for Zambians.
He said over 4,000 Zambians have been employed in the zone and that 6,000 local people are expected to be employed once the zone is fully developed.
He said US$600 million has already been spent on the development of the zone.