Villagers in chief Chipepo’s area living along the banks of Mulungushi River in Kapiri Mposhi district have protested against their impending displacement to pave way for the construction of a dam.
Alliance One Zambia Limited intends to construct a dam to block off the Mulungushi River to capture water for irrigation of their farms in the area.
In her complaint letter to Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Beatrice Sikazwe, area councillor, Dorothy Mambwe-Musyeze, said the villagers and their traditional leadership, led by senior headman Kamwefu, have rejected the project and asked government to intervene in the matter.
Ms Mambwe claimed that the people in her ward were not consulted over the project by Alliance One Zambia Limited before the company embarked on the construction of the dam to harvest water to facilitate irrigation of its farms in the area.
Ms Mambwe said the settlers fear that once constructed the dam will deprive the people living downstream of drinking and irrigation water.
She said the dam will further create challenges in their crossing of the river to access health and education facilities which are situated on the other side of the river.
“The villagers and their leaders fear that the dam will bring problems of shortage of water for those downstream as you know we depend on this river for water,” Ms Mambwe said.
The area councillor argued that the investor needed to coordinate with the local people, find them alternative land for relocation and carry out an impact assessment before embarking on the project.
“While we appreciate the development that Alliance One is bring to the ward we would like them to have a cordial relationship with the locals and all the traditional leaders involved and involve necessary government experts in your feasibility studies of such projects,” Ms Mambwe said.
But Alliance One Zambia Limited Lease Production Director, Chris Bishop, said the company has followed all the necessary procedures required in creating the dam.
Mr Bishop said Alliance One Zambia Limited intends to build a dam at Mulungushi River and has already involved the Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) which carried out an Impact Assessment and approved the project.
He said the project will not involve displacement of the people in the area as the area had no settlements.
“We advertised for concerns over this project in the media and ZEMA is aware and has even given us a go-ahead after an impact assessment… It is just that there is a perception amongst the local people that there will be flooding and displacement,” Mr Bishop said.
ZANIS
Please the Alliance go ahead in constructing the Dam. We need development in the area. When the dam was being constructed in Kapiri near the Glass factory Local people complained, but today they are enjoying with fish and plenty of water although they are using mosquito nets for catching fish. Please some body to stop them.
Henry
In Mungwi Northern Province.
go ahead and build.
villagers are like that.
Shut up you villagers. You are the chaps to benefit to the extent of using mosquito nets to catch fish.
Explain the findings of the feasibility study to the villagers pointing out the benefits and measures GRZ will put in place to alleviate the negative impact of the dam. It is high time we started involving the people in mega projects directly affecting the. Those who have studied development studies know the importance of carrying the people with you if you want their cooperation and how to minimise social costs. Remember what happened to the people who lived along the fertile Zambezi River valleys during the construction of the Kariba Dam. The Lunsemfwa Dam project is spot on but please make an effort to involve the people who will be directly affected if this was not done.