Miners congratulate President Lungu

—-Mine unions on the Copperbelt have commended miners throughout the region for overwhelmingly voting for President Edgar Lungu in the January 20 Presidential election. 

The National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) have also congratulated Mr Lungu on his election as Zambia’s sixth Republican President. 

Mr Lungu was yesterday sworn in as Zambia’s sixth Republican President after beating his closest rival, Hakainde Hichilema by over 27 000 votes.

NUMAW president, James Chansa, told ZANIS that miners on the Copperbelt are happy with massive investment recorded in the country’s mining sector under the Patriotic Front Government, hence the support given to Mr Lungu.

Mr Chansa said as the new President settles into office there is need to immediately address issues such as the VAT Refunds and the newly introduced tax regime in the mining sector which was threatening thousands of jobs in the sector.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kalulushi today Mr Chansa said prior to the elections there was uncertainty in the mining industry in relation to the two issues and that time has come for government to thoroughly address the matter.

He added that Zambian miners will continue supporting government and the PF administration because of their favourable policies that are ripe for job creation and economic growth.

Meanwhile, Mr Chansa has commended Mr Lungu for appointing Inonge Wina as the country’s first female Vice President.

He said the move was a positive development towards uniting the country as well as the promotion of gender equality in the country. 

President Lungu, at the swearing ceremony yesterday, announced the appointment of Ms Wina as the country’s Vice President, a development which has cheered various stakeholders across the country.