MALAWI: CCJP Facilitates Dialogue on Extractive Industries
The Catholic
Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi
(ECM) has embarked on a dialogue process between community members, government
and the investor so that justice prevails in the Extractive Industries of the
country.
Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi
(ECM) has embarked on a dialogue process between community members, government
and the investor so that justice prevails in the Extractive Industries of the
country.
In a
position paper for extractive Industry in Malawi, CCJP’s Mzuzu Diocesan
Secretary, Alnord Msimuko, citing specific area of Kanyika in Mzimba where
Global Metals and Mining Company embarked on exploitation of samples for the
mining project; stated that the community members have expressed concern over
delays by both government and the company in compensating and relocate them to
another place.
position paper for extractive Industry in Malawi, CCJP’s Mzuzu Diocesan
Secretary, Alnord Msimuko, citing specific area of Kanyika in Mzimba where
Global Metals and Mining Company embarked on exploitation of samples for the
mining project; stated that the community members have expressed concern over
delays by both government and the company in compensating and relocate them to
another place.
He said that
about 244 families have been affected by the relocation process after the government
of Malawi granted exploration license to Globe Metals and Mining Company at
Kanyika.
about 244 families have been affected by the relocation process after the government
of Malawi granted exploration license to Globe Metals and Mining Company at
Kanyika.
He said that
the Catholic Bishops of Malawi in their Pastoral letter applauded the
Government for embarking on development initiatives that taking place in the
country including mining. However, cautioned it to ensure that exploitation of
these resources does not negatively affect the wellbeing of the local communities
of the respective areas.
the Catholic Bishops of Malawi in their Pastoral letter applauded the
Government for embarking on development initiatives that taking place in the
country including mining. However, cautioned it to ensure that exploitation of
these resources does not negatively affect the wellbeing of the local communities
of the respective areas.
“Because of
this problem, Mzuzu CCJP has decided to capacitate the community members
(Rights holders) to defend and claim their rights,” Msimuko said.
this problem, Mzuzu CCJP has decided to capacitate the community members
(Rights holders) to defend and claim their rights,” Msimuko said.
According to
him, CCJP is however saddened to observe that the government and the mining
company are taking too long to finalize the compensation process; a situation
which has negatively affected the livelihood of the people in the area.
him, CCJP is however saddened to observe that the government and the mining
company are taking too long to finalize the compensation process; a situation
which has negatively affected the livelihood of the people in the area.
“CCJP
is not blocking the government to issue a mining license to Globe Metals and
Mining Company, all we want is for the government to speed up the process so
that those people earmarked for resettlement are justly compensated,” he
said.
is not blocking the government to issue a mining license to Globe Metals and
Mining Company, all we want is for the government to speed up the process so
that those people earmarked for resettlement are justly compensated,” he
said.
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| Mr. Success Sikwese CCJP National Extractive Project Officer |
CCJP’s
National Extractive Project Officer, Mr. Success Sikwese said it is of the
interest of the Catholic Church in the country to see that the government and
Globe Metals come out and tell people the current position as regards the
Kanyika Mine-saying it is also important that people of Kanyika are told the
truth on issues of compensation and resettlement hence the reason for organizing
a media tour for journalists to witnessing the challenges faced by the
communities.
National Extractive Project Officer, Mr. Success Sikwese said it is of the
interest of the Catholic Church in the country to see that the government and
Globe Metals come out and tell people the current position as regards the
Kanyika Mine-saying it is also important that people of Kanyika are told the
truth on issues of compensation and resettlement hence the reason for organizing
a media tour for journalists to witnessing the challenges faced by the
communities.
He said with
the support from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), CCJP will strive to
advance for the truth and justice through a project called “Transparency Initiative with Our Natural Resources”
(TIWONE) that aims at ensuring that all people of Malawi benefit from the
commercialization of the countries natural resources.
the support from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), CCJP will strive to
advance for the truth and justice through a project called “Transparency Initiative with Our Natural Resources”
(TIWONE) that aims at ensuring that all people of Malawi benefit from the
commercialization of the countries natural resources.
Meanwhile, the Kanyika Communities have
issued an ultimatum that until the end of March this year, the mining company
should move away from their area or unspecified action will follow.
issued an ultimatum that until the end of March this year, the mining company
should move away from their area or unspecified action will follow.
By Prince Henderson, ECM
Communications Officer
Communications Officer
