Party leader, Chanda, advocates economic empowerment for citizens in North Western Province

United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) leader, Charles Chanda, has called on government to consider finding a local investor or sell shares to locals, in Kasenseli Gold Mine in North Western Province.

Chanda said government should ensure that the local people have access to education and training programmes so that they can take advantage of the job opportunities that would be generated by the mine.

The UPPZ leader said this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday.

“According to the World Bank, Zambia has one of the highest poverty rates in Africa, with around two-thirds of the population living below the poverty line,” he said.

Chanda said this situation can only be improved if the government takes immediate action to ensure that natural resources, such as the Kasenseli Gold Mine, are developed for the benefit of the local people.

“We cannot sacrifice the health of our people and the environment for the sake of economic growth. The government must ensure that mining activities in North Western Province are carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner,” he added.

Chanda also called on the government to address the concerns raised by the local people regarding environmental degradation and the use of toxic chemicals in mining activities.

“UPPZ is committed to ensuring that the poor people of Zambia have access to basic needs such as education, healthcare, and decent jobs. The party believes that if the local people are empowered and given the opportunity to participate in the development of their own communities, they can contribute to the overall development of the country,” he said.

Chanda urged the government to take immediate action to ensure that the local people of North Western Province benefit from the Kasenseli Gold Mine and other natural resources.

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