Investor to set up oil palm plantation in Nchelenge
By Times Reporter
CHIEF Kambwali of Nchelenge District has given an investor 9,500 hectares of land to establish an oil palm plantation in Mulwe area. Nchelenge District Commissioner, Wilson Kasoloko confirmed the development in an interview yesterday. Mr Kasoloko said the chief had
allocated the land to Biomax which has an
investment plan of up to US$80 million.
He said out of $80 million, $50 million would be spent on the establishment of the plantation while $30 million would cater for the construction of a refinery in Ndola.
Out of the 9,500 hectares of land, 5,000 will be set aside for the establishment of the plantation while 4,500 hectares will be used to grow other crops such as maize.
Mr Kasoloko said he was informed by one of the shareholders only identified as Markford that it would take nine months to complete the design of the project.
During the period, the investor will be working on the construction of a water scheme and clearing of land for the project.
Mr Kasoloko said it would take 15 months before transplanting, meaning that planting would be done in October 2010, during which the investor would be building a refinery in Ndola.
Mr Kasoloko said that by 2013, an oil mill would be commissioned in Mulwe area and that five hectares of land would be planted during the same period.
The oil palm project will be in full production in the year 2017.
Mr Kasoloko said Biomax would be producing bio-fuels and that at full capacity, 20,000 tonnes of bio-diesel would be produced annually.
The project will be expected to employ between 200 and 300 local people.
He said the Government was happy that the investor had chosen to set up an oil palm plantation in the area as it would create employment for the local people.
He said the coming of Biomax was a blessing to the people of Nchelenge as it would contribute to economic development and had come at a time when oil production was expensive.
Labels: CHIEF KAMBWALI, LUAPULA PROVINCE, NCHELENGE DISTRICT, PALM OIL
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Chief Kambwali grants land for palm oil project
By Mwala Kalaluka
Thursday September 11, 2008 [04:00]
CHIEF Kambwali of Nchelenge district has granted 9,500 hectares of land to a South African investor to set-up a palm oil plantation in Mulwe area of the district. District commissioner Wilson Kasoloko said yesterday that the investor, Biomax, plans to invest US$80 million in the palm oil project that is expected to come into full operation by 2017.
"9,500 hectares has been allocated to the company and Biomax has an investment plan of US$80 million for the palm oil project and out of this US$50 million will be spent on the establishment of the palm oil plantation in Nchelenge while US$30 million will be spent on setting up a palm oil refinery plant in Ndola," Kasoloko said. "Out of 9,500 hectares of land given, 5,000 hectares will be set aside for the palm oil plantation while the 4,500 hectares will be used to grow other crops such as maize."
Kasoloko said the investors briefed him that it would take nine months to complete the design of the project, which is expected to commence this month.
"This will go up to May/June 2009; that is the designing of the project," he said.
Kasoloko said the other part of the year would be characterised by the setting up of a nursery, construction of water schemes at the site for irrigation and the clearing of land for the plantation.
"The nursery will take 15 months before transplanting the seedlings and that means planting will be around October 2010," he said. "During the same period, the company will be building the refinery in Ndola. In 2013, the plantation will be commissioned in Mulwe and five hectares will be planted over a five-year period. By 2017, the palm oil plantation will be fully operational."
Kasoloko also said the company is expected to employ between 200 and 300 local people.
"They will be producing biofuels, that is biodiesel. At full capacity, the company will be producing 20,000 tonnes of bio-diesel per year," he said. "We as government are very glad because the company will create employment for the local people in Nchelenge, because as you know it is very difficult to find employment in the rural areas."
Kasoloko said the investment would also greatly contribute to the national revenue base.
Labels: CHIEF KAMBWALI, LAND, PALM OIL
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