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President Lungu orders resolution over the Upper Lunsemfwa Dam project

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President Edgar Lungu held meeting with ZNFU President Jervis Zimba at State House on Saturday 17th June 2017 with Mkushi Commecial farmers and ZEMA over Dam Project in Mkushi farming Block - Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/State house.
President Edgar Lungu held meeting with ZNFU President Jervis Zimba at State House on Saturday 17th June 2017 with Mkushi Commecial farmers and ZEMA over Dam Project in Mkushi farming Block – Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza/State house.
PRESIDENT Lungu has ordered the ministries of Energy, Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection to urgently meet and address bottlenecks on the implementation of the multi-million dollar Upper Lunsemfwa Dam project in Central Province.

This follows the decision by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) to halt the application of authority for the project due to environmental and water resources challenges.

The proposed multipurpose dam project earmarked for Katuba in the Mkushi farm block is costed at US$10 million.

The two agencies objected to the application citing the lack of a full water resource assessment, 31 burial sites in the project area, resettlement and a concern raised by ZESCO and Lower Lunsemfwa Hydro Power project on power generation.

The Lower Lunsemfwa project dam has raised fears that should it proceed, it would deplete the water supply and affect power generation.

President Lungu directed the two ministries and stakeholders concerned to meet on Monday and dialogue over the contentious issues.

The Head of State said this yesterday when he met the promoters of the dam project led by Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Jervis Zimba and technocrats at the Ministry of Water Development, the Sanitation and Environmental Protection led by permanent secretary Edward Chomba.

Mr Lungu said social issues surrounding the project could be mitigated but that the concern on power generation needs to be critically analysed.

“As you know, I was in Mkushi two days ago and we discovered there were challenges in the implementation of this project, which I think is very important and I hope we can find solutions to move forward,” Mr Lungu said.

The President said the stakeholders should deliberate on which project will have a greater economic impact on Zambians.

“So I think we should all ‘invade’ the office of the Minister of Energy [David Mabumba] and put our case across to him and from there, we can get in touch over which one could be useful to all of us,” he said.

Upper Lunsemfwa project chairperson Costain Chilala, who described the meeting as fruitful, said the dam project is of great importance as it will enhance agricultural activities and benefit the locals.

Mr Chilala said Zambians should embrace investment in the construction of the dam as dams are useful, especially during droughts.

“When Mkushi runs out of water, people will rely on this dam, that is humanitarian. This dam is multipurpose, farmers, fishermen and tourism will benefit,” Mr Chilala said.

16 COMMENTS

    • ZAMBIAN SOLDIERS AGREE THAT LUNGU IS A DICTATOR
      June 17, 2017 Loading…
      Dear Editor
      WAR IS NOT GOOD!For the few that are still blindly supporting Edgar Lungu’s evil agenda to bring war in Zambia, please get it from us that war is bad. Edgar Lungu and his fellow dictators in PF have acquired so much wealth in less than 5 years which they can use to flee this country once the war breaks, God forbids. So try by all means not to follow this blood dictator before u help him to bring war in this country. We refuse war in this wonderful country. Let the dictator be isolated, let him not be allowed to divide us and bring war in this country. Edgar Lungu, Richard Sakala, Mumbi Phiri, Sunday Chanda, Stephen Kampyongo, Frank Bwalya, Rev Pukuta Mwanza, Bishop Ndhlovu of BIGOCA are war mongers who…

    • hate peace in this country. We are aware of their countless meetings at state house on how best to divide the Zamian people. We are aware of how they way back planned to arrest HH. We are aware that they are now conteplating to fire the Army Commander and the Police IG to put the people who support their evil acts.

      They have corruptly accumulated a lot of wealth which they can use to escape war in this country. Today they are indirectly championing it, knowing for sure they will run out of the country once the war starts. Say No to PF propaganda meant at in sighting citizens to rise at each other. Zambia is our only country and lets safe guard this peace jealously. Our brothers and sisters in North Africa are crying for this peace which we are taking for granted by supporting

    • dictatorship. Please lets safe guard this peace.

      Preach peace not division.

      We Zambian Soldiers support the statement of three church mother bodies that have called this country a dictatorship and are calling for dialogue. Lets dialogue, release HH and preach peace.
      Together we stand with the church.
      Zambia Army
      Lusaka.

      WATCH THE VIDEO NOW, AND PRAY AGAINST THIS IN ZAMBIA. WE WANT PEACE, NOT CONFUSION, PRESIDENT LUNGU SHOULD JUST STEP DOWN, HE HAS FAILED TO UNITE THE COUNTRY.

    • Iwe Chi off topic, go to hell, take your madness somewhere. You try to do anything funny and you will be sorted out like Captain Solo.

  1. ….hate peace in this country. We are aware of their countless meetings at state house on how best to divide the Zamian people. We are aware of how they way back planned to arrest HH. We are aware that they are now conteplating to fire the Army Commander and the Police IG to put the people who support their evil acts.

    They have corruptly accumulated a lot of wealth which they can use to escape war in this country. Today they are indirectly championing it, knowing for sure they will run out of the country once the war starts. Say No to PF propaganda meant at in sighting citizens to rise at each other. Zambia is our only country and lets safe guard this peace jealously. Our brothers and sisters in North Africa are crying for this peace which we are taking for granted by supporting…

    • This desperation is alarming and scary. Nobody is interested in war – and we will not have it in our beautiful country. Those agitating for war are the fools that do not want to respect the law and leadership. The majority of us want to move forward with our country. So, just behave and respect the law. Those that contravene the law, let the relevant authorities deal with them – and please do not try to intervene, our judicial system is adequate. Do not write articles trying to dent the good name of our gallant security and defense forces – that is just silly.

  2. What are.the fools snobby talking about? The story is about a dam but the comments are about war, where is the connection?

    Please please…

  3. So the President has become an expert in everything including the management of water bodies and hydro power energy generation.

  4. Not long ago ECL after a “successful” tour of South Africa said there was no need for Zambia to invest in energy as South Africa had enough to spare. When did he change his mind on this?

  5. Were any project alternatives identified during the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment or is it a “zero alternative project”? The issues raised by ZESCO and Lunsefwa should be investigated fully by the developers instead of rushing to Statehouse. On a cultural note, I am sure the local people in the area would not take kindly to the desecration of their ancestors burial sites because Mr. Chilala and his friends want to grow more maize. I believe even when the economics part of the project are favourable, the issue of the 31 burial sites should be handled with care.

    • When ZEMA rejects a project proposal, it means there are reasons. Eg 31 burial sites! The president wants to challenge the findings or pressurise ZEMA into reconsidering their Decision!
      Does this remind you smthg? ZCCM IH court case; Maize export scam to Malawi; ZESCO tarrif hike public discussion, etc.

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