By Joy Sichizya
Solwezi Municipal Council Town Clerk Bornwell Luanga says the roads worked on by Kansanshi Mine through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Local Authority are meant to further open up the district to business opportunities that will improve the standard of living for all.
Speaking during the tour of the roads, Eng Luanga said that the partnership between the private and public sector is imperative to providing better services to the residents of Solwezi.
The Town Clerk said the Council has a good working relationship with Kansanshi Mine through which, a number of developmental programmes such as book donations and the construction of a health post in Mulenga area, among others have been implemented.
He observed that the Nkana- College road recently upgraded to a climate resilient standard, through the MoU with Kansanshi Mines has opened business opportunities for farmers as the road leads to many farms in the area.
Eng Luanga is confident that a good road network in the district will decongest the Central Business District (CBD) and create many access routes that will enable easy movement for motorists.
He noted that the Council is optimistic Government will assist to work on other township roads including the ones that have been done by Kansanshi Mines to ensure sustainability of roads.
He also emphasized that they are all Government projects because locally generated income is a government tax, which the Local Authority receives by virtue of its creation as an arm of Government.
The Town Clerk also indicated that the Local Authority will soon embark on upgrading 1.1 Km of the Kandemba- Kimakolwe road to ensure improved accessibility and development in Sandang’ombe Ward.
Meanwhile, Kansanshi Mine Public Relations Manager Geoffrey Msiska said the mining firm is working with stakeholders such as the Council to improve the quality of roads in Solwezi district.
Mr Msiska added that the Mine is ready to concretize the plans of the Local Authority to ensure development and improved standard of living for the residents of Solwezi.
