Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Chief Sikoongo not ready for Uranium mining activities in his area

Chief Sikoongo not ready for Uranium mining activities in his area
TIME PUBLISHED - Sunday, October 30, 2011, 3:19 pm

Chief Sikoongo of the Tonga speaking people of Siavonga District in Southern Province says he is not ready for Uranium mining in his chiefdom. The tradition leader has since called on the new government through the Ministry of Mines to notify him and his people on the coming of aUranium Mining Company, Africa Energy Resources (AER) in Sikoonga area.

Chief Sikoongo was speaking when Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) officials paid a courtesy call on him at his palace. The Chief said the previous government permitted the Africa Energy Resources to invest in the area without his knowledge.

And addressing community earlier, CCZ Social Justice and Economic Coordinator Juliet Ilunga said it important that the Chief and the community understand issues of natural resources and how they would benefit from the extracted mineral resources.

Ms. Ilunga said CCZ was one of the three church mother bodies which believed that the church had a role to play in national development.

She stressed that the aim of CCZ was to promote Christian unity and improve the living standards of the people by speaking on behalf the voiceless.

Ms. Ilunga said man was made to lead a dignified life of having access to all basic needs in life.

“If I take you back, what used to happen with ZCCM mines on the Copperbelt was that the basic needs of life were available to all the miners and the people around the community . There were beautiful schools, the mines were able to provide roads, hospitals and able to pay amenities’ such as they could sponsor football teams and a lot of people were employed and benefited from the mines,” said Ms. Illunga.

She said equally, people of Sikongo should have access to good roads, schools, health care services among others.

“If I take you back, what used to happen with ZCCM mines on the Copperbelt was that the basic needs of life were available to all the miners and the people around the community . There were beautiful schools, the mines were able to provide roads, hospitals and able to pay amenities’ such as they could sponsor football teams and a lot of people were employed and benefited from the mines,” said Ms. Illunga.

She said when the mines have been sold to foreign investors, the minerals that are in the ground still remain for the community and the future generations.

“CCZ is trying to help the government to come up with a specific policy that is going to put up guidelines to protect you, your environment and the animal asUranium mining commences. This policy is going to outline the number of people who are going to be employed and the benefits that this community is supposed to get. Once its ready we will get back to you as it will help you claim for your demands from the investors,” said Ms. Ilunga.

The areas that will be affected most once the mining of Uranium by African Energy Resources commences in Siavonga are Sikoongo and Chipepo Chiefdoms.

The villagers in Chipepo Chiefdom said yesterday that they would only allow the mining activities in the two Chiefdoms if their demands are met by investors and the government.

The citizens are demanding for two big Hospitals, high schools, good water supply, roads, electricity and employment for the youths once the mining activities start.
“CCZ is trying to help the government to come up with a specific policy that is going to put up guidelines to protect you, your environment and the animal asUranium mining commences. This policy is going to outline the number of people who are going to be employed and the benefits that this community is supposed to get. Once its ready we will get back to you as it will help you claim for your demands from the investors,” said Ms. Ilunga.

Meanwhile CCZ Policy and Advocacy officer Mr. Alcino Moiana said in Chipepo that CCZ is not anti- Uranium but it has been formed to make sure that people’s demands and rights are met by the government and the investors.

He urged the Chiefs and their people to cooperate and unity in order to benefit for the mineral resources which he said belong to them.

Africa Energy Resources is expected to start Uranium mining on a joint venture, the Kariba Valley Joint venture project where it holds a 30 percent interest, with Albidon Limited holding 70 percent.

ZANNIS

Labels: CCZ, CHIEFS, URANIUM

posted by MrK @ 4:55 PM