By JAMES KUNDA –
Government is this month expected to finalise the process of resettling retrenched miners on the Copperbelt into various farming activities, Livestock and Fisheries Permanent Secretary David Shamulenge has said.
Dr Shamulenge said in an interview yesterday that the resettlement procedure had already been explored through the national steering committee on farm blocs.

. LUBINDA

The committee is chaired by Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda and draws membership from other ministries such as Livestock and Finance.
Dr Shamulenge said President Edgar Lungu’s directive for the ex-miners to be relocated was being treated as a matter of urgency so that they do not become destitute.
“The process of resettling the retrenched miners has already started and a farm bloc has already been identified in Lufwanyama district.
“The national steering committee on farm blocs will have a final meeting next week where it will be expected to be concluded on how the former miners will all be streamlined into crop, livestock and fish farming activities,” he said.
Mines and Minerals Development Minister Christopher Yaluma, in a separate interview, also confirmed that the work of the national steering committee on farm blocs regarding the retrenched miners had reached at an advanced stage.
“The committee, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, has already identified the various farm blocs, hence the support to the retrenched miners is not a mere talk shop but very feasible for the purpose of rehabilitation,” he said.