PROTECT PEOPLE’S INTERESTS ON FOREST 27
By KETRA KALUNGA
PROTECT the interests of the people when dealing with the controversy surrounding the allocation of plots in Forest 27, Zambians United for Sustainable Development (ZUSD) has advised Government.
ZUSD leader, Lazarus Chisela said the government should take all precautionary measures in handling the alleged illegality concerning the allocation of plots in the forest to protect people who have already settled in the area.
Mr. Chisela said in an interview that proper investigations should be done regarding the allocation of plots so that the interests of those innocent of the illegality are protected.
He said the government should not rush through the process of investigating the matter to avoid setting a bad precedence.
“The government should ensure they take all the precautions so that those who have already settled in the forest and have nowhere to go are not thrown out in the cold because that is not only inhuman but also against the law,” he said.
And Mr. Chisela has welcomed a statement made by Lands and Natural Resources Minister Elijah Muchima that the ministry would mobilise resources to conduct a strategic Environmental Impact Assessment on the forest.
He said the impact assessment would enable the people in the area have access to basic needs such as clean and safe drinking water and adequate sewerage disposal among others.
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