By DERRICK SILIMINA
Transport blues are now a thing of the past for Chieftainess Shimukunami of the Lamba in Lufwanyama who was gifted a vehicle valued at K900,000 by Grizzly Mining Company.
The government has applauded the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes in the Lufwanyama District of the Copperbelt Province.
Lufwanyama District Commissioner Justin Mwalikwa saluted the mining company for once again stepping forward to support the war against the immobility of chiefs in Lufwanyama.
“My district is the least developed and it needs investors like Grizzly to partner with the New Dawn Government in order to improve local people’s livelihoods. Most of us have benefited in one way or the other by the giving hand of Grizzly Mining as their deeds speak for themselves,” Mwalikwa said.
Speaking when the mining firm donated a Toyota Hilux double-cab at the royal palace on Wednesday, the District Commissioner urged other corporate entities to emulate Grizzly Mining which has well-served the communities in which they operate. The mining firm had proven to be an all-weather friend not only in Lufwanyama District but the country at large due to their vigorous CSR programmes.
“This hand-over ceremony we are witnessing today should be the seventh of its kind in our district and if this endeavour is replicated by other corporate partners, this is what will guarantee steady development and reduce poverty levels among our people,” Mwalikwa added.
Speaking at the same event, Grizzly Mining Corporate Affairs Manager Barbara Shilengwe said the donation was a sure way of supplementing the government’s effort to uplift people’s socio-economic conditions.
The vehicle would enable Chieftainess Shimukunami to tackle issues such as gender-based violence, early marriages, illiteracy and poverty reduction among others.
“This is why over the years, we have placed emphasis on operating ethically and sustainably in all the communities we operate because this creates social value and improves social welfare among our people. It is for this reason therefore that the Chairman of Grizzly Group of companies Abdoulaye Ndiaye and his executive team decided to approve the donation of a Toyota Hilux double cab worth K900,000 to our mother Her Royal Highness Chieftainess Shimukunami,” Shilengwe said.
The donation had been made possible because of the enabling environment created by the New Dawn Government, particularly in the gemstone sector and the mining industry in general.
Zambia had a competitive advantage with its massive natural resources and geographical location within the continent, enabling the country to position itself as a trade corridor and investment hub within the sub-region and beyond.
“We wish to emphasise that the Grizzly group as an organisation is here to stay and therefore this relationship between ourselves and the Shimukunami Chiefdom shall get even stronger. We wish to commend Her Royal Highness for being a true agent of development,” she stated.
Chieftainess Shimukunami expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the entire Grizzly Mining management for having come to her rescue in addressing logistical challenges.
Afterwards, Shimukunami Royal Establishment Chairperson Zachariah Mabenga said the mining firm had over the years shown acts of kindness to the royal establishment beyond its CSR programmes.
“Ever since you started your operations here in our district, you have employed our children at the mine, supported various socio-economic groups and suppliers of goods and services, and helped in the education, agriculture and health sector among others,” Mabenga noted.
