Safeguard 2,500 villagers’ compensation from Vedanta, govt urged
GOVERNMENT must ensure that the 2, 500 Zambian villagers set to be compensated by Vedanta over pollution of water sources are well represented in their legal matter to ensure that their money does not disappear, Lusaka lawyer and Government Deputy Chief Whip Tutwa Ngulube has demanded.
But Attorney General Likando Kalaluka said in a separate interview yesterday that his office wants to get hold of the judgement which demanded that Vedanta Resources pay all the villagers.
More than 2, 500 Zambian villagers are to receive an undisclosed settlement from the UK-based mining giant Vedanta Resources over their pollution claim.
The claimants live near Nchanga Copper Mine, owned by Konkola Copper Mine, a Vedanta subsidiary.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Ngulube said it had taken long for the villagers to get their money since the judgement was passed.
Mr Ngulube who is also Kabwe Central Member of Parliament said villagers cannot continue waiting for Vedanta when the judgement was already passed.
He said that it was prudent that government protected its citizens from losing the money regardless of the amount they would be paid.
He said that the office of the Attorney General must push Vedanta to give the citizens want belonged to them.
“When a judgement is passed then that is final and it must be accepted. After the ruling Vedanta did not apply before any court against the ruling that means that they accepted and must fulfil the obligation,” Mr Ngulube said.
In 2015, they alleged that toxic discharge from Nchanga had poisoned water sources and destroyed farmlands.
In a land mark ruling four years later, the UK Supreme Court said the case could be fought in the UK Courts.
In its judgement, the Supreme Court said the firm owed villagers a duty of care.