The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Karonga Diocese has urged the government to amend the mining and minerals law which would enhance accountability and transparency between communities and investors as this would be of much help towards the reduction of inequalities.
CCJP Karonga diocese held a meeting on the 15th of June aimed at following up on the progress made thus far on demanding accountability from public and private duty bearers by the mining communities of T/A Wasambo around Kambenene area located in Chankholombe Village Development Committee, where there are Lisikwa and Hara coal mining Companies.
During interactions, it was noted as much as communities are now able to engage the companies so that they can contribute to development, there is a need for policies that will enable their involvement in development.
Making the remarks, ADC Chair for T/A Wasambo Happy Ndovie called for decentralization of the mining sector asking for the government from the very start to engage communities whenever there is an investor coming in so that they can work hand in hand in the development of the areas.
“After the coming in of CCJP with the project we’ve learnt so much about our responsibility because before them we had no idea that we could work hand in hand in encouraging transparency and accountability from the companies that are working in the coal mines. However, I think government can do better in terms of involving us as members of the community because the reason why we’re having these inequality issues in the first place is the lack of involvement of us and yet these companies are working in our communities.”
In his remarks, Deputy Director for Hara Coal Mining Company, Mr. Beya Msiska concurred with Ndovie on the fact that before the project they were unaware of their corporate responsibility until the project by CCJP came through and sensitized them on their role in developing the areas that they work in. Msiska has since promised that they will do much more.
“Most of the people were blindsided on the benefits they could get through the mines, they had no idea that they are the owners and they hold much responsibility much more than the companies. Through the enlightenment from CCJP advocacy and training, the community has benefitted with a health center, a guarding shelter which we are constructing, a school block, among others. But we cannot share with them the information about sales, it’s none of their business.”
Taking into account all this, the Project officer for reducing inequalities project at the CCJP in the Diocese of Karonga, Obert Mkandawire, emphasized the need for government to amend the mining and minerals act of 2019 which would enhance accountability and transparency between communities and investors as this would be of much help towards the reduction of inequalities.
“Communities are now demanding accountability from the coal mining companies so that they can give back to the community. We want to engage stakeholders at the district level and Members of Parliament to review and amend the mining and minerals act of 2019 where we don’t see decentralization hence there is no representative at the District council. There are serious work-related and corporate responsibility issues that must be addressed at the district level.”
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in the Diocese of Karonga started implementing the enhancing social accountability in local governance to reduce inequalities for an inclusive Malawi project from September 2020.
By Thandiwe Mzumara, Luntha TV