JTI asked to set up tobacco plant

The Zambian government has asked Japan Tobacco International to set up a tobacco plant in Eastern Province, according to a story in The Lusaka Times.

The Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo told JTI officials that he was looking forward to seeing the company set up such a plant.

“This can be a good idea because most of the tobacco is being produced from Eastern Province and I am looking forward to see to it that JTI set up a cigarette processing plant (manufacturing) in this province,” Kasolo was quoted as saying. [It was not clear whether the reference was to a tobacco processing plant or a cigarette manufacturing plant, though the former seems more likely.]

Kasolo said JTI had set a good example by supporting the community through different initiatives.

The government was aware, he said, that JTI had drilled 96 boreholes in the farming areas as part of an initiative to provide access to water.

And he described as gratifying JTI’s rehabilitation of classroom blocks at the Vizenge and Sisinje primary schools, and the provision of a computer hub.

JTI Zambia’s leaf operations manager Ezekiel Mtonga said his company was thrilled with its partnership with the government.

Mtonga said JTI had been supporting a number of key social economic programs that included improving the quality of education in its areas of operations.

And he said that JTI would continue to provide education and access to safe water in various communities.