I DON’T NEED TO CONSULT NCC - MINISTER

CONTROVERSY over the Kalundu Shopping Mall has deepened with the Minister of Local Government and Housing Vincent Mwale stating that he did not have to consult the National Council for Construction (NCC) on authorising works on the controversial Kalundu shopping mall.

The Minister said the development was allowed to proceed because it was in an area designated for mixed use approved by Cabinet and that his action was simply upholding the decision.

Earlier works on the Mall had been stopped following complaints by residents who objected to a mall in a residential area and following reports that the building did not have a Zambian supervising professional while the drawings and specifications were in Chinese contrary to building code requirements. Speaking to the Nation yesterday Mr Mwale said he allowed works on the mall to continue because the Lusaka Masterplan approved by Cabinet four years ago designated the area for mixed development and as such he was exercising his Urban and Regional Planning powers to authorise change of land use.

He added that the National Council of Construction had confirmed to him that a certificate of approval to continue works on the Kalundu mall had been issued three months earlier.

There was nothing irregular, he said, and that if he stopped works on the project, the Government would be sued, “We have lost many such cases where Government was forced to compensate.” He said.

“It’s not me who authorised the master plan, I allowed them to continue because the Lusaka Masterplan was authorised by Cabinet four years ago.” He said.

In exercising my Urban and Regional planning powers I don’t need to consult NCC, Mr Mwale Explained.

The Government, he said, was encouraging the construction of tall buildings due to the increased population to utilise the limited land.

He said the Zambia Environmental Management Authority had given a go ahead with few concerns on the environment.

Mr Mwale said even people who were complaining on the construction of the shopping mall were engaged and were fully aware that the land was for mixed use. However resident interviewed yesterday insisted that the area was residential and not mixed used and have vowed to continue the fight to stop construction of the mall.