SECURING LAND FOR LOCALS

THERE is no doubt that as a developing nation, Zambia needs foreign investments to boost its economy.

And to this effect, we welcome all well meaning foreign investors that have come to set up manufacturing plants in different parts of the country.

Like many other countries Zambia needs foreign investment to boost economic activity and bring in the much needed foreign currency.

However, much as the country may need investors, we do not think that this should be at the expense of the local people.

Even if the anticipated investment is supposed to aid local people in one way, that should not mean it should disadvantage them in another.

It is for this reason that we are against investment that displace local interests, all because the foreign investor must be pacified.

In this case, we are referring to the Munali land issue where local people have complained of attempts to disengage them from benefiting from an investment that they have every reason to believe was rightfully theirs.

Land is a natural asset that every Zambian should have access to and for the benefit of future generations. For whatever purpose the land is intended, we do not think anyone has the right to dispossess local people of their birth right.

We agree with the Zambia Direct Democracy Movement’s demand that whoever is pushing for the cancellation of title to land given to locals in Tunduya area in Munali constituency of Lusaka should be stopped.

It should be stopped because there is no justification for stripping locals of their birth right and gifting it to foreign investors.

It is not like the country has run out of virgin land which could be given to the investors.

Why should the focus be in urban areas only?

There are huge tracks of land in rural Zambia that could be leased to the foreign investors without causing any harm to anyone. To the contrary, we think this could also help take development to rural areas that have remained under developed as everyone clamours to be in the urban areas.

Why should the 70 locals that had already been given title to land have their titles vacated for no reason other than to accommodate foreign investors?

No. This is wrong and should not be entertained.

On Monday, the Evangelical Youth Alliance (EYA) told the Daily Nation that it had unearthed a syndicate in which a Member of Parliament was pushing for the cancellation of title to 70 plots given to Zambians and was planning to give the land to businessmen of Asian origin to put up a showroom.

EYA executive director Moses Lungu warned that if the MP did not stop manoeuvres aimed at compelling officers at the Ministry of Lands to cancel titles given to Zambians, his association will meet such an individual head-on and protect the interest of the citizens.

This culture of those in authority wanting to influence bending of the law to suit their interests, should be checked.

This is the same issue that even President Edgar Lungu has advised against.

The President’s policy of not leaving anyone behind means just that. Every Zambian deserves to have a chance for a better life.

Let the concerned Member of Parliament find alternative land for the foreign investors elsewhere because that Tunduya land is taken.