By DAVID KANDUZA –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has authourised the issuance of offer letters for residential plots to 1,600 former miners in Luanshya to enable them build houses to cushion them against the impact of retrenchment.
Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, handed over the letters to the jubilant former miners on behalf of the President at Mpatamatu Complex in Luanshya yesterday.
President Lungu urged the miners to use the plots for the intended purpose and assured them of Government’s continued support.
He said the Government remained committed to lessening the suffering of the former miners by empowering them with land to venture into agriculture and to construct houses.
Dr Kambwili said the former miners in Kitwe, Chingola, and Mufulira would be given farm blocs once the ministry of Lands issues titles.
The minister said President Lungu was fufilling the promise he made when the former miners lost their jobs last year.
Recently, Mr Lungu directed that the retrenched miners should be offered land to venture into agriculture as their alternative source of income for their economic survival.
There was jubilation from the former miners when Dr Kambwili announced that they would only pay K700 installment in a period of six months towards the plots.
“These offer letters for residential plots shows how much President Lungu cares for the people of Luanshya,” Dr Kambwili said amidst excitement from the miners.
A beneficiary, Martin Kasongo thanked the President for empowering the former miners with residential plots and urged him to continue with his caring heart and good leadership.
“We are grateful to President Lungu as this is my dream come true to own a plot,” he said.