Kapiri Mposhi Member of Parliament (MP) Friday Malwa has disclosed that the construction of the Dry Port in the district will commence next year.
Mr. Malwa disclosed that feasibility studies have already been conducted by Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.
The MP who could not immediately state how much money the project would gobble however, attributed the delay in commencing the construction to the tendering process for the contractor to move on site.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Malwa, who is also Community Development and Social services Deputy Minister said once the Port was completed it would enhance trade ties with neighbouring Tanzania.
He added that the Port would also help create job opportunities for the local people in Kapiri Mposhi, Central Province.
In a related Development, Chimosoro Milling Group based in Kabwe, Central Province has expressed interest to take over the running of the defunct Kapiri-Mposhi Glass factory whose full operations begins mid 2011.
Mr. Malwa revealed that Chimosoro Milling Group had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with two giant business associates from Canada and the United states to revamp the operations of the Plant under the Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The Deputy Minister disclosed that 150 jobs were expected to be created next year at the Plant but bemoaned the delayed commissioning which he ascribed to by the delayed arrival of new machinery from abroad.
“Chimosoro Milling Group in conjunction with two other business partners will re-open the Plant in mid 2011. This follows the signing of PPP with Government and over 150 jobs will be created at the Plant. The re-commissioning of the Plant has only been hampered with the arrival of new machinery from abroad otherwise the firm would have been opened by now,” he stated.
Mr. Malwa commended Government for the PPP initiative saying this had helped in wooing foreign investors to the country.
He said former factory employees would be considered for recruitment because they have vast experience in glass products.
“I have been assured that the new owners will recruit the ex-factory workers that will be trained in various modern skills ahead of the re-opening,” Mr. Malwa said.
Kapiri Glass factory which was State owned folded during the second republic and is among the 244 companies that have now been put into private hands.
Government introduced Privatisation in 1991 in an effort to scale down on its direct involvement in economic activities, to promote competition among local companies and woo foreign direct investment thereby improving the country’s economy.
ZANIS
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