By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Nchanga Member of Parliament Derricky Chilundika has directed Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) to urgently relocate the residents of Nyanji, Nchanga and Mishoshi who have been living in cracked houses.
Mr Chilundika said the problem of cracked house is not new it has been in existence for 14 years and the houses are death traps.
He said the longer the issue takes the risky it becomes for the people living there as lives are in danger and a disaster is looming.
“In the interim let KCM move in the Managers at KCM are Zambians so are the people affected, it’s high time to be patriotic Zambians, we will not be able to buy in excuses from KCM because they are making some money,” he said.
He said that KCM responded recently that they are willing to relocate the residents but as at now the mine is not making enough money.
The MP was responding to the concerns of residents that are living in cracked houses
Some of residents of Nchanga Street and Nyanji Street expressed concern over the delayed move from the cracked houses they live in.
One of the residents living in a cracked house Cecilia Mvula said they have waited for years to be relocated.
Ms Mvula appealed to government to quickly relocate them to avoid any disasters.
And another resident, Jimmy Chewe said before the 2021 General Elections, area Member of Parliament Derricky Chilundika promised to help address their plight.
“We have been appealing to the government for years to be moved out of these houses now we are tired, we only live by the grace of God, if government feels like helping us they will at their own time,” she said.
And Mr Chilundika reiterated the urgency of the relocation of residents living in cracked houses.
He said it will be a mockery to the residents if action will be taken after loss of life.
“To build new houses relocate the affected residents it will cost 5.3 million USD and to buy already built houses it will cost 45 million USD,” he said.
Mr Chilundika also said that KCM can as well buy houses from local vendors and even spend less money.
“To build new houses relocate the affected residents it will cost 5.3 million USD and to buy already built houses it will cost 45 million USD, as the problem of cracked houses has nothing to do with DMMU but KCM because this problem begun due to KCM’s activities, “he said.
