Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Green Party President Peter Sinkamba
Green Party President Peter Sinkamba has given government a seven day notice to release the report on the major acid mist pollution incidence that occurred in Mufulira’s Butondo Township in February 2012, emitted from Mopani Copper Mines Heap Leach Plant situated close to the Township.
The Green Party Leader is also urging the government to facilitate the compensation of the affected people according to findings and recommendations of the medical experts.
Following a major acid mist pollution incidence that occurred in Mufulira in 2012, Government through the Office of the then Vice President, Dr Guy Scott constituted a team of medical experts, under the auspices of the Disaster Management Unit, to undertake a survey so as to determine the impact of the emissions on the health of the residents, particularly, children.
The research team conducted the health survey and submitted a report to Vice President in July, 2012.
Over 200 households were found to have been severely affected by the acid mist pollution.
But Mr. Sinkamba has told QTV News that if Government fails to do so within the stipulated time, the party will have no option but assist the affected Butondo residents seek redress through courts of law before their legitimate claim becomes statute barred.
Mr. Sinkamba laments that almost five years and five months have lapsed since the pollution incidence and that nothing has been done by Government to have the affected children compensated and relocated from the hazardous location as recommended by the medical experts.
He says government has also deliberated withheld the findings of the health experts all this time.
He explains that the law on civil litigation in Zambia provides that an aggrieved person must take court action within six years of the occurrence of an incidence otherwise that person is statute barred to seek redress through court process.
Mr. Sinkamba says this means the affected persons in Butondo Township have remained with only about six months to go before their claim for becomes stale or bad at law.