…as Hon Nzovu calls on mining firms to adhere to the ZEMA Act
MINISTER of Green Economy and Environment Hon Collins Nzovu has announced that the New Dawn government is in the process of strengthening the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Act because the mines and other industries have been getting away with polluting the atmosphere and the environment.
Hon Nzovu has advised that the mines and other industries on the Copperbelt should begin cleaning up because the Ministry will soon roll out a robust program of ensuring adherence to laid down rules outlined in the ZEMA Act and any entity that will be found wanting will be dealt with accordingly.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo in Ndola today, Hon Nzovu said Copperbelt is housing a lot of mines and the levels of pollution is very high which is a source of concern for the New Dawn government.
He has appealed to the Provincial Administration for support in ensuring that the mines adhere to the provisions of the Act.
“We are going to strengthen the ZEMA Act to give the Agency enough powers to met stiffer penalties on all those who are polluting our water and our environment,” Hon Nzovu has warned.
The Minister is on a familiarisation tour of the Copperbelt Province where he is visiting Meteorological stations and forest reserves among other programs.
And speaking on behalf of Provincial Minister Elisha Matambo, Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo appealed to the minister to help resolve the matter where some residents were dispersed from their lands to facilitate for the expansion of the new Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport and were promised land elsewhere but the only land available is in a forest reserve.
And Hon Nzovu has assured that he will look into the matter adding that the issue of degazzetting forestry land to create settlements can only be done after thorough inspections by experts as it is illegal to occupy the forest without permission.
Later, the Minister toured the Limestone Resources Limited and Clean Line mining firms to appreciate their adherence levels to environmental statutes.
Hon Nzovu expressed displeasure with the high levels of emissions emanating from the operations of the mining activities.
“I am not happy with the dust emissions which I saw as we were driving in your premises. As you may be aware we now have a lot of chest diseases and such high levels of dust emissions is simply not acceptable,” he said.
He has since urged the managements of the mining firms find means to ensuring that the dust emissions are kept under control and the workers provided with adequate protective gear.
He has warned that the mining firms have two months in which to put their houses in order or face the wrath of the law as enshrined in the ZEMA Act.
“You need to follow the stipulations in the ZEMA Act which governs all mining activities especially in digging for minerals because I don’t want you to leave this place with big holes when you go as you would have damaged our land,” Hon Nzovu advised.
Earlier, the Minister visited the Ndola Meteorological station located within the premises of the new Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport where he assured that the Meteorological Department under his Ministry will be supported in their operations.
He has called on the business community to invest in solar power generation on the Copperbelt as the area is endowed with over 3000 hours of sunshine annually which makes it a viable place for investment.
“This region is also blessed with the raw materials that are needed for the manufacturing of batteries for power storage hence making it a perfect destination for investment in the solar power generation sector,” Hon Nzovu said.
The Minister concluded his day’s business with a meeting with the Charcoal Dealers’ Association Members to learn about their challenges.
