The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has cautioned against allocating excessive and rampant land to foreign investors.
Speaking at a Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Land Policy Review Workshop, ZEMA Director General Joseph Sakala expressed worry at the rate land was being given out for development projects.
“The rate at which land is being given out for developmental projects is worrying. We will find ourselves without land” he said.
He said projects should be considered on the premise that they should not harm the environment and displace people at the expense of profit oriented robust development projects.
Mr Sakala observed that people get displaced at the expense of investments without adequate resettlement benefits.
He cited the Nickle Mine Project as a case in point where people were resettled to areas unfit for human habitation.
“People have been shifted and tossed out of their own land but without any decent habitation and compensation. We have to find a better way so that people do not end up nomads” said Sakala.
Earlier in the week, Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Harry Kalaba challenged the workshop to draw up a land policy framework that will prevent displacement of local communities by urban elite and foreign investors in rural areas.
Mr Kalaba said that it is imperative that a comprehensive Land Policy that secures the interests of Stakeholders be finalised to promote sustainable and effective land administration and management.
ZANIS
Munali Nickel? Who owned or owns it?
This Kalaba guy seems to be hunting with the hounds and running with the hares. He is championing large-scale mining in a game park (aka giving land to foreigners) while advocating for a framework??? Why not wait for the framework before you disturb the wildlife and the inhabitants in conservation areas? We also need concerted effort by local groups that can actually legally purchase land in their locales for the communities. This is urgent; we have too much usurping of land in exchange for a bribe of a luxury vehicle (Imagine ceding 99 years in exchange for a PRADO??? That is what is happening in that Zed country).
I BEG TO DIFFER WITH SAKALA.
DURING THE MUNALI NICKEL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS, WHY DIDN’T ZEMA (WHICH WAS ECZ THEN) ENSURE THAT THE VILLAGERS WOULD BE SETTLED IN A HABITABLE AREA?
THE RESETTLEMENT ACTION PLAN FOR THE PROJECT WAS ACTUALLY APPROVED BY ECZ.
How can one take this Kalaba’s challenge seriously if he will later overrule it….these empty tins have no shame at all.