Zambia: pineapple cannery plant to open in Mwinilunga

The Netherlands government has injected US$1 million towards revamping the defunct Mwinilunga Pineapple cannery factory. Mwinilunga West Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Richard Kapita confirmed the development to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka today.

Mr. Kapita said the funds to revamp the cannery have been facilitated by Netherlands government through its embassy in Lusaka. He said an out-grower scheme has since been set up to help pineapple farmers boost the production.

“The Netherlands government has shown keen interest and pumped US$1 million to resuscitate the operations of the defunct Mwinilunga Pineapple cannery factory that has been neglected for years now,” Mr. Kapita. He pointed out that the opening of the cannery industry would create employment opportunities and reduce poverty in the area.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament has since called on government to rehabilitate the Mwinilunga-Solwezi road, which is in a dilapidated state. Mr. Kapita also urged government to accelerate the process of connecting power to Lumwana West where mining activities have been revived.

He noted that exploitation minerals in the locality would enhance a good road network and aid the quick flow of goods and services. “I call on government to rehabilitate the road infrastructure in Mwinilunga because the opening of the cannery industry will attract a lot of economic activities in the district,” he said.

Source