Maravi

Mazabuka mayor under pressure over Munali Nickel Mine

Mazabuka mayor under pressure over Munali Nickel Mine
By Henry Chibulu in Mazabuka
Sunday April 15, 2007 [04:00]

Mazabuka mayor Edmund Cheelo has complained of victimisation from his party, the UPND over the decision taken by the council to approve the 2,100 hectares of land applied by Munali Nickel Mine for title deeds. Cheelo said in Mazabuka yesterday, that since the council approved the application for the mine through voting, the UPND provincial leadership had been calling for his expulsion.

He said the decision taken by the council was not political but done in the interest of the nation.

Cheelo said it was unfair for some politicians to lobby for his expulsion just because they failed to defeat the motion to throw away the application by the mine.

He maintained that the council did not violate any party regulations because the matter which was being discussed was purely civic.

Meanwhile, Namalundu ward councillor, Beatrice Haaloba and Ngwezi councillor, Stanley Sakala have come out in full support of the mayor and have urged the party leadership to distinguish civic and political decisions or functions.

The two civic leaders said the mayor did not even take part in voting.

They urged the UPND leadership to support the decision taken by the council because it was meant to boost the economic status of not only the district but the nation as a whole.

The councillors said an urgent meeting had since been called by the provincial leadership to be held in Mazabuka in which the mayor was expected to appear before a panel of senior party officials.

Labels: MINING, MINING CONTRACTS, MUNALI NICKEL MINE, NICKEL

posted by MrK @ 4:09 AM