…. to increase cement production by 8000 metric tonnes annually..
By Mphatso Nkuonera- PRO, Ministry of Lands
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The government has reached a compromise with Ng’onga villagers in Balaka on their land compensations, giving an opportunity to Portland Cement to commence their operations in the area after paying the compensations.
Speaking on Thursday after engaging relevant stakeholders, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Devie Chilonga disclosed that the outstanding issues on the matter were all resolved.
“My team did assessments last year for compensation of the mining area, about 50 hectares for the factory, and about 190 hectars where they will be mining, so, there were some objections related to the values.
“Through Civil Societies, they were querying the integrity of the valuation report and also asked for consideration of upward adjustment of the compensations considering time had lapsed from the time of valuation to the time of payments and devaluation was experienced in between,” he added.
Chilonga said the ministry discussed the issues with Portland cement to make a consideration and their visit to Balaka was to communicate that Portland had agreed to their request.
He also disclosed that Centre for Democracy and Economic Development (CDED) which was leading the community in protesting, was taken through the valuation and engaged to a spot-check and at the end of it confirmed that assessments by the Ministry of Lands were correct.
The Principal Secretary said for the land that was evaluated end of 2024, a 10 % will be added to the compensations, and for the land which was assessed way back, a 30% will be added.
The PS assured the Project Affected People (PAP) that the ministry will always operate within the confines of the law, as such anyone has the right to engage private valuers if they’re not satisfied with what is presented to them,as long as they meet the bills of the private valuers, so does dectates the law’.
Head of Marketing and Cooperate Affairs at Portland Cement Limited, Violet Vilili expressed excitement over the milestone achieved, saying having reached that, they will go into production a thing that will meet the country’s demand for cement and create jobs.
“After commissioning the project we will increase our cement production to 8000 metric tons per annum, we hope to make a huge impact on import substitution, there will be no need to import the cement since we will meet the demand,” she emphasised, adding a possibility of exporting cement after meeting the local demand.
Senior Chief Nsamala of Balaka in whose jurisdiction the area falls under, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome which include the figures of the compensations.
He said once commissioned, he expects the plant to provide employment opportunity to his subjects as well as attracting other structures and amenities to the area which the community will also benefit from.
CDED’s Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa was quick to thank the ministry’s leadership for lending their ears to the concerns of the citizenry, and being available whenever the locals demand their presence.End
