Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Father Frank Bwalya
PF Member of the Central Committee Father Frank Bwalya has reminded Zambians that the decision by mining companies to lay off workers is a wake up call for the country to make progress in taking full charge of key sectors in the economy especially the mining industry.
And Father Bwalya says President Edgar Lungu’s challenge to Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) to hand over the mine to government if they have failed to run it should be supported by all patriotic Zambians.
Father Bwalya says this is because it provides the right framework and philosophy in dealing with foreign investors.
Father Bwalya tells QFM News in a stament that President Lungu is 100 percent justified in opposing the behavior of some mining companies to rush into laying off workers when they encounter operational challenges and yet they make huge profits when the price of copper is high.
He says Zambians should never accept a situation where investors would reap huge profits but abandon the people at the sight of challenges triggered by trends in the global
economy.
He adds that Mining companies should demonstrate loyalty to the people who work
hard to make them generate huge profits when the price of copper is good.
Father Bwalya says when they make windfall profits they cheat and refuse to share the benefits
with the miners.
He furthermore states that it is against this background that President Lungu’s
bold stance should be commended and supported so that foreign investors, especially mining companies can learn to treat Zambians fairly.