SOME protesting KCM contractors and suppliers have told mines minister Richard Musukwa they’re not interested in attending meaningless meeting.

The contractors and suppliers demand Konkola Copper Mines to settle outstanding dues forthwith.

Before he could address the contractors and suppliers at Nchanga Golf Club on Saturday, Musukwa wanted to hear from some suppliers that had gathered outside the facility.

But a contractor Jordan Chiluba told off Musukwa that they were no longer interested in meetings that didn’t have meaning.

“We have attended enough meetings. What we want now is payment. We are no longer interested in attending meetings that don’t have meaning,” a furious Chiluba said before walking away.

The contractors and suppliers of KCM have continued with their protests pressing KCM to settle outstanding payments.

Later during the meeting, Musukwa told those suppliers and contractors who decided to hear him that KCM was showing signs of not being available tomorrow for a meeting.

“As government we have a lot of bones to chew with KCM. You will be shocked why we have matters with KCM…[It] is because we think they are showing signs of not being available tomorrow and…eh things of non-availability, tomorrow is [because of their] failure to pay the suppliers. These contractors operate from borrowed money from the banks. So the banks can know that KCM has not paid but the interest keep coming. So by the time KCM pays, all the money is gone in interests to the banks,” Musukwa said.

He said he would write KCM to respond in seven days.

“Show the confidence by paying off the suppliers and contractors. What we want to see is huge commitment and what we don’t want to see is to organize payments hastily because the President is coming [to the Copperbelt], then you begin to hastily to pay. This meeting was organized before we knew that the President was coming. So colleagues, friends, on your list of things, we are as contractors and suppliers is first to save the life of KCM. Workers going on strike is a shame. I will write KCM and give them the list of demands. KCM can’t come and start telling us when to pay. We will send the letter on Monday and give them seven days to respond,” said Musukwa.

Chingola Member of Parliament Chali Chilombo said it was not a secret that people would be happy to see KCM owners leave.

Chilombo, who has been engaging the protesting contractors and Suppliers for over two weeks now, said KCM can now go.
“It’s not a secret now that the people I represent and myself, at the state they are in now, they will be very happy to see KCM go. Those words I cannot miss. We are not condemning them to the grave, but we want them to pull up their socks. It’s not a secret that the contractors every three months, they have to protest,” Chilombo said.

He said the policy of the PF was to put money in people’s pockets.

“It’s not our policy as even the manifesto of PF we are supposed to provide money in the pockets of the people. You provide labour, yet you go to protest to be paid. I know it is not easy to just say KCM pack and go. We are happy that (Musukwa) you will write them. We will wait for the response that will come from KCM,” said Chilombo.

The protests have continued with the suppliers passing a vote of no confidence in the PF government.