Chinese firm faces ZEMA wrath

Sat, 24 Jun 2017 11:37:35 +0000

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

WE are investigating the construction of a four-storey building by Shumeite investments Limited in Kalundu and will avail details of our findings once our officers conclude their work, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has said.

And the affected residents have vowed never to be intimidated by some officials at the Lusaka City Council (LCC) who seemingly were accomplices to the Chineses’ illegality, saying they will fight to the bitter end until the structure is demolished.

Shumeite, an investment exclusively owned by Chinese nationals according to documents obtained from PACRA, is constructing a four-storey shopping mall in Kalundu residential area and this has enraged residents who are claiming that no assessment was done by ZEMA before works were allowed to commence. According to records available, the investor commenced construction works without following laid down procedures such as putting a notice on the change of usage from residential to commercial and allowing the public to make submissions.

After the residents went to the council to complain, the local authority put up a notice to allow for public opinion while construction was in progress. Due to pressure from the residents, on June 6, director of city planning at the council, Godwin Chinoya, ordered Shumeite to demolish whatever had been constructed because they did not have permission from the council.  However, on June 13, 2017, Town Clerk Alex Mwansa gave the firm permission to go ahead with the construction, much to the annoyance of the residents who are suspecting collusion.

ZEMA corporate affairs manager Ireen Chipili yesterday said ZEMA only learnt of the building through the story in the Daily Nation and that investigations have been instituted to ascertain the legality of the structure.

“We only learnt about the development in your paper and we have since instituted investigations over the matter. As soon as we conclude our work, we will let you know,” Ms. Chipili said.

Meanwhile, residents have warned that whoever was playing double standards at LCC to protect the Chinese nationals would be exposed as no one would stop them from blocking the construction of a mall in a residential area.