By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is a failed project that working against Government, Nchanga Member of Parliament Chali Chilombo has said.
Resolve KCM impasse, Lungu tells Mines Minister
The Law Maker whose constituency host large part of KCM, today declared that he will be driving a private member motion in Parliament for the people of Zambia to decide whether KCM should stay or pack and go when parliament resume on September 14.
Speaking during the media briefing at his Nchanga Parliamentary office, Mr Chilombo said the scenario of KCM all the time would not continue because enough is enough for the people of Nchanga.
“The mine should not be treated with kids’ glove, they are claiming to operate on losses but for how long would they be lying like this.
“The mine promised to pay contractors within seven days when the Minister of Mines came but they have not honoured that promise which is disrespectful to Government,” he said.
Mr Chilombo said that there are other MPs ready to second the motion because it is like KCM is not in operation.
He said as long as KCM continues importing copper concentrate from Congo at the expense of investing in mining to produce concentrate locally, Zambia won’t go anywhere.
Mr Chilombo said the amount of Value Added Tax (VAT) KCM is claiming on the concentrate being imported from Congo is huge.
He said the people of Chingola are suffering because of the mine; contractors are losing properties in debts.
“When it comes to cooperate social responsibility KCM has done nothing that we can point out. There has been nothing for the community to benefit from. So why should we support the mine?” he asked.
The MP said the mine should come in the open and declared the amount of debts that it has if it really operate on loss.
Mr Chilombo apologized to the people of his constituency for taking long to take action on KCM.
