Zambia to undergo mega economic transformation under UPND - Nzovu
GOVERNMENT says Zambia is likely to undergo serious economic transformation and industrialisation that has potential to exert pressure on its environment in the next few decades.
The government is therefore calling and on institutions mandated to ensure there is environmental sustainability and pollution control delivered on their mandate.
Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu said the targets the UPND government has set for economic development especially the goal to increase production of Copper to three million tonnes per annum in the next decade has potential to put pressure on the environment and institutions charged with the responsibility to protect the environment.
Mr Nzovu said this when he signed performance contracts between his Ministry and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Board.
He said the performance contract was an important document as it ensures and enhances accountability for the performance of the board of directors of ZEMA on clearly established and agreed priorities for the agency.
Mr Nzovu said the contract that was signed was intended to aid ZEMA in attaining the onerous and noble task set out in section 9 of the Environmental Management act no. 12 of 2011, which was to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the environment as well as the prevention and control of pollution.
Mr Nzovu said the contract from January to December, 2023 would also facilitate objective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of performance on the above stated focus areas.
“It is my sincere hope that the board will execute the set targets and have a successful year. The board chairperson, directors, and government is committed to ensuring that high standards for environmental sustainability are attained for the present and future generations,” Mr Nzovu said.
He said ZEMA was mandated to ensure adherence to these standards, in doing so, it was important for the agency’s operations to take into account national priority areas contained in various targets such as vision 2030, national policy on environment, national policy on climate change and the 8th National Development Plan.
And ZEMA Board Chairperson Professor Lovejoy Malambo pledged to work according to the wishes of the government and to the mandate of the institution.
Prof Malambo said ZEMA was in line with the mandate from the government.