PRESS STATEMENT 31st January 2013 Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA) has added its voice to calls by different stakeholders for government to reverse its decision on the awarding of a mining licence in the lower Zambezi national park. In a statement this morning, ZLA board Chairperson Ceaser Katebe described the development as sad and an injustice not only to the people living around that area but to the environment at large. Mr Katebe added that if the move is allowed to continue, the impacts may be devastating. “As ZLA we feel that the move by the Honourable Minister of Lands,Environment and Natural Resources is wrong and should be rescinded. There is so much at stake if mining is allowed to take place in the area. People who live around the area will face the risk of displacement due to mining activities and the resulting environmental effects. The area may no longer support agriculture, which is the mainstay of rural communities” he said. Mr Katebe pointed out that in the absence of a resettlement policy, there is no guarantee that the people will be taken care of in terms of resettlement and adequate compensation. Mr Katebe cited past experiences such as the case of Kalumbila mining project and the Kariba Dam project which displaced a number of families without following proper procedures and adequately compensating them. He further questioned whether the packages that would be given to the people displaced, if at all they will be given, will be sustainable for their new livelihoods. “We should state categorically, that ZLA is not against development, but it is important to weigh the costs and benefits of every decision. Development should be sustainable, and should not in any way compromise the needs of the future generations. We should not only look at 700 jobs that will be created today, but what about the environmental consequences that will affect agriculture for example?” he questioned. Mr Katebe added that development should not make the poor poorer, stating that most likely the local people will not even benefit from the jobs that are likely to be created. He also said displacements not only take away people’s livelihoods, but their heritage as well stating that if the people of that area are moved to other areas, they may not enjoy security of tenure and may lose their identity. “As ZLA we again call upon the Minister and the government to consider the poor resident of lower Zambezi area, and the future generation, by rescinding the decision to authorise mining in lower Zambezi” he said.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 09:08:01 +0000
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