By Risco Lumamezi
CHAIRPERSON of the Zambezi Communal Land Board, Mrs. Regina Ndopu-Lubinda has shot down accusations on the hot debated issue of the envisaged Chines billion-dollar tobacco plantation in Zambezi region.
In a recent interview with Caprivi Vision, chairperson of the board refused to comment when asked on the out come of the submissions, and further update on the issue, saying, “ I cannot discuss before Zambezi Communal Land Board has deliberated on the issue”
Despite, massive media reports on the matter, Ms. Ndopu clarified that although, no letter of objection was seen yet by her board to start with the deliberations.
Caprivi Vision established from sources within the ministry that the former ministry of lands never placed an advertisement in a form of a public notice in the local press calling for objections within seven-days, but this was only splashed by the media after an environmental impact assessment carried by Geo Pollution Technologies to decide on the viability of the project.
Residents of the region, former minister of health and social services Dr Richard Kamwi, and former SPYL secretary for information and publicity Mr.Job Amupanda, an architect of the newly movement called affirmative repositioning have co-opted for the disapproval of this 10 000 hectares of land.
Speculations say, a Chinese company is expected to inject about N$1billion for tobacco and maize plantations at Chantuu communal land in Liselo area.
She further said “We reserve our comments until the matter has been tabled and deliberated by the Zambezi Communal Land Board.”
Spokesperson of the newly structured Ministry of Land Reform Mr. Chrispin Matongela declined to comment on the matter due to new changes of the ministry, as he still need to consult the newly appointed minister Utoni Nujoma who is deputized by Clinton Swaartbooi.
Recently inaugurated Namibian President Dr Hage Geingob has entrusted both new ministers, as radicals.
At the time of going for press Mafwe Traditional Authority Chief George Simasiku Mamili was not available for comments, on the huge tracts of fertile land he donated to the government, under the concept of the green scheme project.
Loading …