MINING ACTIVITIES NOT BENEFITTING CHIPATA- SOKO

By OLIVER SAMBOKO CHIPATA is endowed with minerals which should be exploited for the benefit of the benefit, an independent candidate vying for Chipata Central constituency Member of Parliament has said. Mr Zindaba Soko told the Daily Nation he was disappointed that minerals seemed to be disappearing into neighbouring countries without benefitting Chipata. Mr Soko complained that the area was mineral rich though there was nothing to show for it.He said as a city host to so much mineral wealth, the benefits were sadly missing and it was his intention to reverse this. He said one of priorities as MP, should he win the August elections, would be to ensure miningis regularised for the benefit of the constituency . He said the influx of foreign dealers in the mining sector was a major issue which needed serious action from government. He said he would engage both local and foreign investors to ensure the locals benefit. Mr Soko said the mining entities in the area must be ready to give back to the community through community social responsibility. He said for instance, mining firms could put up clinics and schools in their localities to service populations near their operations.