By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –

At least 1,400 permanent jobs will be created when plans to establish an industrial cluster in Lufwanyama District on the Copperbelt by the Zambia National Association of Sawmillers (ZNAS) are concluded.

The industrial cluster to be set up in Chief Lumpuma’s area this year has attracted more than 120 timber investors who have already moved on site.

ZNAS assistant public relations secretary Rabson Lungu said the association was also making arrangements with a contractor to work on the road network linking the area.

Mr Lungu said discussions were already underway with Grizzly Mining which will also put up roads as part of its Corporate Socia Responsibility (CSR). ZNAS was also expected to spend K36, 000 to set up the power transformers and electric poles in the area.

“It is hoped that the cluster will be ready for operations by the close of this year because we want all the saw-milliers based in the plantation within the district to be put in one place where they are supposed to set up various industries.” he said.

The saw-milliers will set up workshops, furniture shops, salons and auto spare shops and a shopping mall within the cluster.
Last year, the association acquired 100 hectares of land to set up the cluster and paid K20,000 out of the required K150,000 as commitment fee, while the rest will be settled once documentation with the chief was concluded and signed.

The saw-milliers were expected to employ at least 10 people each thereby creating 1,400 jobs for local people.