By DERRICK SILIMINA
In support of the green revolution against climate change, First Quantum Minerals and the National Assembly have planted 70 trees at Mutambe Primary School in Lusaka.
“This is a wake-up call for us to act on climate change now. We believe that one of the ways in which we can act to mitigate the effects of climate change is to promote the planting of trees. In view of the foregoing, I would like to state that, as the National Assembly of Zambia, we are very committed to contributing towards reforestation,” Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti said when she graced the tree planting exercise held at Mutambe Primary School in Lusaka’s Mandevu Constituency.
She notes that to this effect, the National Assembly, in July 2022, launched the Tree Planting Initiative, with support from various partners, including the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) and the initiative aims to plant 1000 trees in each of the 156 constituencies of the country.
Mutti further highlighted that the National Assembly established the Zambian Parliamentary Caucus on Environment and Climate Change (ZPCECC), a voluntary organization, consisting of over 100 Members of Parliament, who work to influence and advocate for reform in policy, legislation and programmes to enhance environmental conservation and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Speaking at the same event, FQM Country Director Anthony Mukutuma, in a speech read for him by FQM Trident Public Relations Senior Specialist Mirriam Harmon said: “At FQM, we are dedicated to protecting and restoring the environment. Just last season, we kicked off the tree planting season with a ceremony involving our board members and various departments. During this ceremony, we planted a total of 9,450 seedlings over an area of 10 hectares at the South and North Waste Rock Dumps. This is just one example of our commitment to sustainable land management.”
