‘ANGLO AMERICA MUST PAY FOR LEAD POISONING’

A NGLO America should compensate people of Kabwe affected by lead poisoning because their lives are in serious danger, National Congress Party (NCP) has demanded. NCP president Peter Chanda urged the Minister of Mines and Mineral Development Richard Musukwa to ensure that Anglo American compensated people whose lives were in danger. Pastor Chanda said Anglo American cannot go scot-free when they were the ones who had caused such damage to many lives. He said in an interview yesterday, the government should take keen interest and ensure that people were paid for them to access health facilities. The NCP leader said it was irresponsible for Anglo American to leave people in serious danger without taking care of them. "This is the more reason we talk about having responsible investors being key, investors that will look into the plight of the people, investors who will ensure that even after doing their businesses the welfare of the people must become cardinal. This is the reason Zambian people should ignore some certain politicians that are stating that when they form government they’ll bring back Anglo American. Look at the situation people are facing. "My call to the minister responsible for mines is to make sure that the plight of the people that are being affected as a result of lead pollution are attended to," he said. He said lives of people affected were important and Anglo American should pay. Pastor Chanda said it was important that investors who come in the country must take in account the plight of the people. "Anglo America left this country unceremoniously, when people wanted them that is the time they exited. So we also demand for them to pay our people affected," Pastor Chanda. Anglo owned and operated one of the world’s largest lead mines in Kabwe from around 1925 until its closure in 1994. Children with elevated blood Lead levels above 45 micrograms per decilitre are being put on Chelation treatment for 19 days after which they are retested to ensure they are responding to treatment and that Lead levels are reduced. Medical research has shown that Lead exposure at any level could be harmful to people especially children.