•KASOLO
By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –
THE Government will soon conclude negotiations with the investors for
the establishment of the more than 10,000-hectare sugar plantation in
Luapula Province, Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo has said.
Mr Kasolo said discussions between the company and the Zambian
authorities had advanced, saying the establishment of the sugar
plantation would position the province as a sugar producer
and create jobs.
He said the investment would be a milestone in the development of the
industries and subsequent creation of jobs for the local communities
in the province.
Mr Kasolo said in response to a Press query that the Government was
committed to the development of the province and ensuring that growth
in the area was registered.
‘‘Once the plan was rolled out and implemented, it would have more than
10,000 hectares of sugar in Luapula between the Chembe and Mibenge
area,’’ he said.
Mr Kasolo said the project was expected to commence by the end of this
year.
‘‘We must be able to create up to 5,000 new jobs once the project is
fully up and flying but discussion have reached a very advanced
stage,’’ he said.
However, Mr Kasolo did not provide details of the company interested
in setting up a sugar plantation.
