PRESIDENT LUNGU DECLARES KALUMBILA AS A DISTRICT

President Edgar Lungu has declared Kalumbila area in Solwezi west as a district in view of the massive economic and social development taking place there.

President Lungu said government would like to make Kalumbila a model district that would have high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

“This is the kind of investment one is looking for, for the people of Zambia and as it were we have already made a decision that this place, which is configured as Solwezi west, becomes a district and be a model town.

“ So from now on this will become Kalumbila district,” President Lungu told journalists after touring Kalumbila mine and visiting the new Kalumbila town in Solwezi west today.

He said government would want to use Kalumbila as a model of planned development which Zambians crave for.

The President said the new Kalumbila District should have its own council through which people will set their own rules and standards.

The Kalumbila town is clean as there is no littering and President Lungu has since warned people that would want to go and live in that area not to take ‘ their bad habits ‘ of throwing litre anyhow.

“You can see that everything is orderly. For me this is going to be a model town, Kalumbila district,” he declared as the local people that included former UPND Vice President Richard Kapita, applauded in affirmative.

President Lungu has further declared Mushindamo area in Solwezi east as a district also saying the people of this area should emulate Kalumbila in terms of development.

And President Liungu said he will ‘walk the talk’ by doing what he promises the people of Zambia and investors.

He said he would not politick but implement what he promises the citizens of Zambia.

“Yes they can count on me. As long as I remain in this seat I want do the right thing instead of just politicking,” he said.

The Head of State said he wants to be one of the few people would in future show to the Zambian people that, “this is what I told you and I have done it”.

Meanwhile, President Lungu has pledged to do his best in keeping the country’s economic stability buoyant despite the challenges faced in the world.

“Right now we are grappling with the global meltdown from China, the poor prices of copper and so forth but we have to face the challenge, 'bite the bullet’, and move on,” he said.

The President said he would not blame anyone for the challenges which Zambia is facing but will face the problems head one.

Earlier, President Lungu officially opened the new US$2.1 billion Sentinel Copper Mine at Trident Project at Kalumbila mine in North-western province.

The President first unveiled a copper plaque to indicate the official opening of the Sentinel Copper Mine and then pressed a ‘start control button’ to roll the Train 2 SAG mill at the milling platform.

A SAG mill crashed the copper ore into smaller segments.

The Sentinel Copper mine has been constructed by First Quantum Mine since 2012 and once fully operational next year, the company will employ over 3,000 people.

Of the 3,064 jobs that will be created, 1,788 will be direct jobs while 1,276 will be locally based contractor personnel.

And First Quantum Mine Assistant General Manager Tristan Pascall said that his company would remain committed to developing the country and creating opportunities for Zambians.

President Lungu was accompanied by Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Christopher Yaluma, Minister of Justice Ngosa Simbyakula, Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Joseph Katema, Minister of Education Michael Kiangu and Patriotic Front Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri.

The President, who will have a night stop in Solwezi, will tomorrow travel to Zambezi for the Likumbi Lya Mize traditional ceremony of the Luvale people and then return to Lusaka.