By GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA
A Livingstone businessman has taken the Road Development Agency (RDA) to Court demanding damages for trespassing on his land located in Kazungula district in Southern Province.
Petros Phiri claims that an engineering company called Daewoo Engineering and Construction company Limited engaged by RDA for the construction of the Kazungula bridge entered and occupied his plot, Lot number 16456/M without authorization.
Among his claims include an order of payment of damages for wrongful and unlawful occupation of his plot and other damages for loss of business and economic opportunities resulting from RDA’s refusal to vacate the land.
In a statement of claim, Mr Phiri stated that in the late 2014, RDA and its agent Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited entered and occupied his plot, Lot number 16456/M without his consent and authority.
He said that RDA was at all material times in charge of appointing or employing the contractor to construct the Kazungula Bridge and overseeing the Kazungula Bridge Project.
Mr Phiri claimed that neither RDA and Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited have licences nor have claim of right to Lot number 16456/M.
He said RDA and Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited in 2014 and 2017 started removing trees, grass, soil and digging the said land wrongfully and unlawfully without any consent or authority from him who is the legal owner of the land.
He stated that the defendant and its agent, Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited put up a batching plant and contractor’s workshop for use by them.
He said they further built Immigration offices and invited Immigration officers to occupy the offices on his land.
