LOCAL Government and Housing Minister Emerine Kabanshi has given Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) a seven-day ultimatum in which to reduce sulphur dioxide pollution in the Mwambashi River.
Ms Kabanshi said KCM should immediately find solution to reduce sulphur dioxide in water in order for Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) to supply clean water to the residents of Kalulushi.
She revealed this over the weekend during her tour of the Nkana water plants in Kalulushi and Chingola.
Mr Kabanshi said KCM needed to come up with a short term plan in seven days in which to solve the problem caused by the mining giant.
“I am giving you seven days ultimatum of which you as a company should find a solution to reduce sulphur dioxide as soon as possible.
“When I come back next week I should find something done about this problem,” Ms Kabanshi said.
And KCM general manager sustainability Howard Chilundika said the company was committed to cover the cost of pumping water from Kitwe to kalulushi and also to reduce the sulphur dioxide in the water.
Mr Chilundika said KCM was aware of the water problem and was working hand in hand with Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and Nkana water in order to supply clean water.
Nkana water managing director Diana Makwaba said pumping water from Kitwe to kalulushi was not sustainable as the company was already facing challenges in supplying water to Kitwe resisdents.
Ms Makwaba said KCM should come up with a cost effective plan immediately to avoid other plants shutting down due to the same discharge as the Ganaton plan had already shut down.
She said the levels of pollution in the water was to high and should be reduced so that other plants do not get affected especially the Kitwe plant.
Ms Makwaba said if the Kitwe plant got affected it would be closed of which it would be a distdisaster to Kitwe residents.
“My major concern is having any of our plants closed due to the same problem as we have already closed one plant and we do not want anynore plants.
“KCM should ensure that water discharge is reduced in order to residents to receive clean water in their community.” She said.
KCM seems to be a very difficult corporate neighbor to work or live next to! Why all these problems concerning this company??????????
KCM is being mistreated, its like “sex-worker”, people abuse them as if they are prostitutes. Anyone just want to show their erections to KCM. In what capacity is that Ms. Kabanshi is abusing her power??
Too many ultimatums make people lose respect for authorities.
Water is next to air in terms of importance to sustain human life. Government and KCM do not need to deal each other ultimatums. The Government must immediately move in with a qualified specialist company to purify the water for us. Once this done, the Government can pass the bill on to KCM and charge KCM penalties for making Government go out of its way to ensure that water is safe for people to use.
local government minister,where is the minister of mines or environment why do pipo overlap honestly pa zed awe mwe
Water supply and Sanitation fall under her, water utilities are her babies
Who gives a sh it of what panyo futi thinks
It is not Sulphur dioxide…………………………..MAFI tulenwa. Atase. Close the blood Mine!
I thought sulphur dioxide is a gas (like cabon dioxide)! What you find in water are sulphates. What does the minister know about water quality to engage KCM! Should have given the task to the professionals.
Armchair critic you can dissolve sulphur dioxide in water, booo!
so how does KCM dissolve it into the Kafue River? I thought the sulphur dioxide is released from KCM into the air? Educate me!
I hope someone is addressing the effects of this pollution on human as well as fish. It may be the case that in the near future fish from our rivers will not be fit for human consumption and that is the main source of protein in the country. Chinese and Indian have not respect for the environment and behind their booming economies, there is a hidden problem of unaddressed pollution and disease (cancer) as a result of pollution. Please, don’t let them destroy our paradise, our real Africa.