MP drags ZEMA, WARMA to court over pollution
By Mast Reporter
THE Kanchibiya Constituency leadership has begun legal action against the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) over the contamination of water in Kanchibiya and Lwitikila rivers in Muchinga Province.
Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Sunday Chanda said in a statement yesterday the legal action against the two state institutions had been necessitated by the failure by the two organisations to act despite numerous reports by the constituency.
“Despite repeated community concerns and environmental red flags, the two institutions have not exercised their statutory responsibilities adequately to prevent the ongoing pollution nor to ensure the people of Kanchibiya have access to safe and clean water,” Chanda said.
“We have today commenced legal proceedings for judicial review against the Zambia Environmental Management Agency and the Water Resources Management Authority over their failure to safeguard the Kanchibiya and Lwitikila rivers from environmental degradation caused by gold mining activities in Mpika District.”
Chanda said the constituency was seeking an order to compel ZEMA and WARMA to fulfill their legal obligations under the Environmental Management Act and the Water Resources Management Act.
It also seeks a declaration that ZEMA and WARMA secure a sustainable and long-term provision of clean and safe water for the people of Kanchibiya.
“This legal action is necessitated by the persistent contamination of these vital water sources, which serve as lifelines for thousands of residents and the gross failure by ZEMA and WARMA to take timely, decisive, and lawful steps to prevent environmental harm and protect public health,” Chanda said.
“Hold accountable all parties whose mining activities have led to the contamination; ensure the immediate restoration and protection of the affected rivers,” he said.
“As elected representatives, we cannot stand by while the health, livelihoods, and dignity of our people are compromised. The right to clean water is a constitutional right and a matter of justice. This action is not politically motivated, but morally and legally necessary,” Chanda said.
He appealed to stakeholders, including traditional leaders, civil society and members of the public to support the class action because environmental protection and the right to safe water transcended partisan interests.
