The K30 billion Manyonyo Irrigation Scheme being constructed by a Chinese contractor in Mazabuka has stalled due to alleged political interference and refusal by a church organisation to relocate to another area to pave way for the construction of a main dam.
And Manyonyo Water Users Association (MAWAUSA) has called on government to move in quickly and resolve the wrangle that has slowed down progress on the government-sponsored project before the contractor pulls out.
MAWAUSA Chairperson, Boniface Lundah, told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that the Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) Chikankata Member of parliament, Munji Habeenzu, was behind the problems in Manyonyo.
He alleged that Mr Habeenzu has unconstitutionally dissolved his legally elected committee and replaced it with suspected UPND cadres on tribal lines.
Mr Lundah accused Mr Habeenzu of waging war against non-Tonga speaking people by inciting the settlement committee to rise against his committee.
He explained that the church leadership has refused to shift from the area designated for the construction of the dam claiming they can only do so after being compensated.
But Mr Habeenzu dismissed the claims of tribalism and political interference describing them as mere lies.
Mr Habeenzu said as area member of parliament he had the right to dissolve a committee in the event that the community is not happy with its operations.
He accused the Lundah-led committee of allegedly personalising the project.
Mr Habeenzu also denied claims by Mr Lundah that the newly constituted committee was composed of UPND cadres.
Mr Habeenzu said the committee was chosen by the community itself who demanded the removal of the Lundah-led executive.
And Mazabuka District Project Manager in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alex Nonde, also confirmed the stalling of the project.
Mr Nonde, who attributed the problem to weather pattern and wrangles amongst the community, said his office is concerned with the wrangles and has since sought the intervention of the District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaambo.
He explained that the community, which is suppose to help in surveying farm boundaries for the construction of field canals, cannot do so because they are embroiled in wrangles.
The dissolved committee has since refused to surrender office documents claiming it cannot succumb to a politically installed illegal committee.
The committee has also soughty the intervention of Registra of Society to arbitrate in the dissolution of the committee.
ZANIS
Not surprised with aba Tonga and UPND!
Chances are that church is SDA!
MMD Bootlicker you are just jelous of us tobatonga. Ulaamunyono cana. By the way Chinkankanta is not an SDA area but a Salvation Army area. Note that SDA is an American church and not a tonga or kumusanza church. Neither is the catholic church a bemba church. The background to the strength of each curch in an area is about the first point of entry and establishment of that church in the country. Our ancestors had no such churches as we have today. These churches as you know them were introduced by European missionaries and not bembass, tongas, lozis etc. So do not make a tribal issue. Yes the UPND will forever be strong kumusanza and in Zambia generally with MPs in Central, North Western and Western Provinces.
Govt, please step in quickly and resolve the problem.
The Irrigation project is much needed and will enhance agriculture output.
Corruption mu Zambia is the biggest problem. It would be interesting to know how this Lundah-led committee was set up in the first place because it seems it excludes the participation of the beneficiary community.
It wouls also be interesting to know in what capacity Mr. Lundah is participating – is he a local farmer or job seeker or what? Is he one of the people he claims to represent? He might just be an urban dueller with links in the system at district or even national level.
Can those “Leaders” be advised to keep away from development projects. If they don’t change, remove them. And besides, the Lands ministry has power to re-enter land and this would be a very good case for them to exercise that power.