By MARTIN MUSUNKA –
BARRICK Lumwana Mining Company (LMC) has released US$328,216 to the newly-created Lumwana Community Trust for implementation of this year’s socio-economic projects in all the three chiefdoms that host the mining company in Kalumbila district in North-Western Province.
Barrick Lumwana Mine senior corporate affairs manager, Nathan Chishimba announced in Kalumbila District on Tuesday that the money had been released to the local community trust which would be responsible for the implementation of projects.
Speaking during a hand-over ceremony of three teachers’ houses at Matebo Basic School in Kalumbila district, which were built at a cost of K553,521.87, Mr Chishimba said the Lumwana Development Trust Fund, which previously implemented local projects through LMC, had since transitioned into the Lumwana Community Trust.
In a speech read for him by LMC sustainability manager, Christopher Mukala, Mr Chishimba said the arrangement entailed that the mining company would no longer be responsible for the implementation of projects as its mandate would mainly focus on funding.
He said Lumwana Community Trust, which would be managed by the three royal highnesses – Senior Chief Mukumbi, Chief Mumena and Chief Matebo, the district administration and Solwezi Municipal Council through a board of trustees, would implement the projects identified by the local people.
Kalumbila District Commissioner Robson Kalota said it was an inherent right for every child to attend a decent school with a proud teacher and receive quality education.
In a speech read for him by Kalumbia district standards officer Moonde Wamundila, Mr Kalota said the immense contribution by Lumwana Mine would significantly improve the standards of education in the area.
Matebo Basic School headteacher, Lebson Njangi thanked Lumwana Mine for the three staff houses and computers donated to roll out Information, Communication and Technology to rural schools and appealed to Government to provide any form of electricity for the computers to be utilised effectively.— Story courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS