Lungu assures Mansa Batteries retirees

By MARTIN AKENDE in MANSAPRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says Government will release funds to pay former Mansa Batteries workers’ terminal benefits.And President Lungu said there was need to put to sleep issues surrounding Mansa Batteries. The President also called on chiefs to put people’s interest first before championing their causes.President Lungu said it was time issues surrounding Mansa Batteries were brought to a close.“To cut the story short, we will find money and pay all the former workers here, we can’t be mourning the issue of Mansa Batteries from 1994 to today, we have to move on,” he said.President Lungu said he would engage Minister of Finance, Bwalya Ng’andu to ensure money was released to pay retirees.“I want to assure that when I get to Lusaka, I will engage the minister here (State House Minister Freedom Sikazwe) and Minister of Finance to ensure funds are released so that we put this matter to a closure,” he said.Meanwhile, President Lungu said Government would engage Astro Holding owners of Mansa batteries to add new lease of life to the structure. “As for the structure, we will engage the owners, this building has been changing hands but will find the owner, if they do not give us satisfactory account, government has powers to compensatory acquire it,” he said.Mansa Batteries retirees’ representative, Brighton Musukwa said over 80 retirees had died because of depression.