Construction of Kalulushi steel plant stalls

—–Construction of a steel plant in Kalulushi district hangs in the balance following unresolved issues of compensation to people occupying the land where the plant will be built.

ZANIS in Kalulushi reports that the steel plant is expected to be constructed by a Chinese firm JINIA Steel at a cost of US$ 10 million in Mukulumpe area of Chambishi .

The affected residents have asked the local authority to amicably resolve issues surrounding the allocation of land to the Chinese firm for the establishment of a steel plant in the area.

JINIA Steel Limited had already started clearing the land to pave way for construction works but the project has delayed due to unresolved issues with the residents.

At a meeting with Kalulushi District Commissioner Kampamba Mulenga, the residents complained that they risked being evicted from their land without compensation if the issue was not handled properly.

The residents told the DC that they welcomed the establishment of the steel plant as they would be able to get jobs but they wanted to be fully compensated if they were to be evicted from the land.

The residents wanted the local authority to clearly demarcate the area and ensure that only those that lived on the land where the steel plant would be constructed were to be compensated.

But Kalulushi District Commissioner Kampamba Mulenga assured the residents that the issue would be resolved and urged the Chinese investor to follow the right procedures before construction works could start.

And a representative of the Chinese investor John Simumba said all the problems would be sorted out before construction works start.

Mr. Simumba urged the residents to also consider the benefits that would come with the steel plant in terms of job creation and development of the district.

The 80 hectares land had been given to the Chinese investor in Chambishi’s Mukulumpe area.