THE Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) has ordered that construction works being carried out by a private developer on a plot at the junction of Kabwe road and Dag Hammaskjoeld drive in Ndola’s Itawa be immediately halted. ZEMA regional coordinator for the Copperbelt, Patson Zulu told the Times in an interview yesterday that the developer was working on the land without consent from the authority.
He said that ZEMA was supposed to be consulted so that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) could be conducted in order to establish the suitability of the place for the intended development. Mr Zulu said before any development of any area could be commenced, ZEMA had to assess the impact it would have in relation to the environment and had authority to allow or not allow developers depending on its findings.[pullquote]the proprietor of the land, a Mr Magaba Nyirenda said he had even been given title to the land by the ministry of lands and planned to set up a hotel, restaurant and offices at the area which he claimed had previously been a dungeon for criminals. “They should promote local investors instead of victimizing us about land which we are helping to add value to. I have spent a lot of millions on transforming this place into a more habitable place[/pullquote]
“We have not received anyone at out Copperbelt offices to tell us that they are interested in developing the place. So we have ordered that any development of the place should be stopped,” he said.
Mr Zulu further said that the area was close to the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (Zesco) pylons which posed a great risk to the area and also the presence of the stream on the land in question should be taken into consideration.
But the proprietor of the land, a Mr Magaba Nyirenda insisted that he got approval from the Ndola City Council to develop the land adding that officials from the local authority had toured the land several times before approving it.
He said he had even been given title to the land by the ministry of lands and planned to set up a hotel, restaurant and offices at the area which he claimed had previously been a dungeon for criminals. “They should promote local investors instead of victimizing us about land which we are helping to add value to. I have spent a lot of millions on transforming this place into a more habitable place,” he said.
Another concerned Ndola resident, William Wilima complained that the place would loose its scenic beauty unless the local authorities considered turning it into a park to preserve the environment.
He said that the local authorities should preserve some places in the city for people to be able to appreciate nature instead of offering it to developers who would turn it into an industrial area. Mr Wilima appealed to the minister of local government, housing, early education and environmental protection to put a stop to the intended development of the place into an industry.
[Times of Zambia]
All this can be stopped with stronger and more coordinated institutional framework for city development. How does the council operate without consulting the Environmental Management Body. This to should not happend at all. Stronger coordination of line agencies will also minimise or even eradicate corruption, for such projects are prone to corruption. Can the ZEMA and the City Councils work together more? Such things are so obvious that it is embarrassing that in this day and age one would claim that he was given authority by the Council who should know the development process. God help Zed!
The Corrupt Joseph Zulu at Ndola City Council gave the land is the one who gave the Land at Itawa Flats, when that failed he gave the same man the land where main dual carriage road was supposed be constructed in Hilcrest. He got money from Somalis and gave them Land and shared the money with his TC.
huh..why should you harrass your fellow Zambian..?let him develop the land..
At least town planning should be followed, one would imagine.
An EIA is mandatory for such projects. Let this so called developer seek professional advice not empty rhetoric.
Ndola has always been a well planned beautiful city. Lets not mess it it with illegal and an authorized developments
Whilst the project is halted they should engage the council and put them to task as to why the the gave a green light for the project.
Tiltle or not Mr Nyirenda you should learn to follow laws.How dare you build near ZESCO pylons?have you assessed th environmental impacts of your project both poaitive and negative?Bravo Patson
# 3 Pulamasaka.what harrassment are you talking about/Dont show us your ignorance about environmental laws.Please go to the ZEMA website and download the Acts
Why r u pipo so allergic to progress? Every time soomeone wants to make a difference, the first thing u do is refuse, stop, ban, cease, block….. Yet u keep wondering how development is never achieved! ID10Ts…. chinibaba! Is this wat the PF govt is all about? When r we going to see progress? If the ZEMA knows wat to do, it shud hav approached the man and given him forms to fill in, then ask him to suspend works, quietly while they do an EIA and quickly let him continue investments. Stopping progress is retrogresive and costly on the man.
Town planning gone mad pa Zed. Could be corruption case here. Years ago, some Kenyan business man constructed oil tanks in Ndola in similar way, near the main road to kapiri mposhi and right under Zesco power lines. Zesco and the Environmental Council of Zambia were not cosulted. There was so much corruption and influence from higher offices that the project still went on. Zesco was forced to divert power lines.
That’s the power of corruption pa Zed. I wonder if teh oil tanks are still there. Does anyone know?
In the UK, you can’t even extend your house without approval from town planning. In fact no new building is built without approval from all relevant authorities. There’s a check list where all boxes have to be ticked!
Being a poor country does not mean we shoul have a poor mindset. You dont have to be a rich or developed country to have ability to plan your city in such a way that all stakeholders are consulted, ECZ being one and vital.
ice road trucker the tanks are still there sited next to them right now.its now been taken over by kenyans ati mashaallah oils….seriously this local invester needs to be supported in the same vain he needs to do the right thing for the right purpose what will be the essence of developing land that wont stand to the task nangu ni risk management we need to be serious
do the right thing first time chapwa…
# 9 so we call those shops in kamwala development?do you know the risk of having a hotel near zesco high power voltage?zema have taken the right approach,however,just like what # 11 said the paper work should at the council should have questionair like,attachment paper from zema-clearance,attachment paper from ndola city surveys or city and town planning and many vital line agencies.we should also start involving the public members for meetings to hear the concern or approval like what is done here in new england,usa.
The development you are talking about, first see the area it is not possible to give that land for anything because the ZESCO pyrons. Compare this same area to hilcrest near the Cathoric Church the road Span or width is too small to put the service lines for drainages ZAMTEL, WATER lines, if you live in NDOLA go to hilcrest and see for your self. Ndola City Council especially Joseph Zulu the worst calprit with corruption. He can not deny it.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeh
This MAGABA NYIRENDA I THINK WAS MD FOR SAVOY HOTEL FOR A WHILE. ITS ITS LEGIT THAT’S FINE