NORTH-WESTERN Province is a typical case of a rural area where the Government’s efforts need all the people’s support as it strives to improve people’s living standards.
The province has already become important to this nation because of its rich mineral deposits. The mining industry is a very important economic sector in Zambia because the country’s development, and most of the programmes aimed at uplifting the well-being of the people, are all anchored on mining.
Previously, mining concentrated on the Copperbelt region but with more mines being opened in North-Western Province, the scope of the country’s economic fortunes has widened further.
Today more and more people are going to North-Western Province with the young doing so for purposes of finding jobs in the mines.
Many young Zambians have since been engaged in the mines that have already opened up and have started copper production. These have even relocated their families there.
Soon more job opportunities will be created with First Quantum Mine (FQM)’s Sentinel Mine at its Trident Project forecasting creation of some 2,000 jobs for Zambian nationals. This is the single largest investment by FQM which is pumping in US$2 billion.
FQM says an additional 600 Zambian youths will be employed at its planned $400 million smelter to be built in the province’s capital, Solwezi.
Trident resources optimisation manager John Gladstone recently announced that besides copper mining, there were also plans for a nickel project designed to produce an average of 38,000 tonnes of nickel concentrates per annum with the scope to increase to 60,000 tonnes, of course market conditions allowing.
Already, mining activities in North-Western Province, particularly at Kansanshi and Lumwana mines in Solwezi, have dramatically changed the economic and social landscape of North-Western Province, besides creating another copperbelt.
All this is because of the intensity of the effects of the huge investments by such firms as FQM, which have further come with great potential.
As the mining activities go on, their spinoffs are equally becoming more and more clear, well-known and well-documented.
People are heading North-West not only to look for employment but also Hotels and lodges are being established, shops are opening up while owners of the mines reportedly want to build an international airport in the province.
From Mpulungu to Livingstone, business persons are taking their merchandise, ranging from foodstuff to clothing as well as cosmetics and women’s handbags, to Solwezi for sale.
When one says all roads today lead to North-Western Province, one may not be far from the truth because many people have actually seen the economic benefits and potential to do business there.
North-Western Province has long had economic potential as it was there that a pineapple factory once was located as well as the bee-keeping industry. Potential for agro-based industries is equally huge in the province.
It is true of course that such activities, especially arising directly from mining, may not be benefiting local Zambians resident there.
However, it is pleasing to note that President Michael Sata has reaffirmed his Government’s determination to accelerate economic growth and improve people’s livelihood, especially in rural areas such as North-Western Province.
North-Western Province in particular needs all-round development with the booming mining industry supporting all other sectors of development to benefit people there and all Zambians at large.
The President mentions rehabilitating and establishing agricultural infrastructure, facilitating the development of agricultural settlement schemes and promoting the development of farm blocs.
In such a promising area, improving the transport sector is cardinal, and it is equally pleasing to hear the President saying that there will be construction and rehabilitation of feeder roads and bridges and develop the Chingola-Jimbe railway line.
All these, together with the proposed Chanda Falls mini-hydro power station in Chavuma and the multi-facility economic zone will certainly make North-Western Province a place to be. OPINION