ZPC started its project activities for the cement plant in this area only after getting approval of the project by the Environmental Council of Zambia (ZEMA) in 2006. However, one of the ZEMA approval conditions for the cement plant project was that the company should resettle all the people, which would be affected by the activities associated with the cement manufacturing.
Initially the total number of houses, which would be affected adversely was estimated to be as sixty-ne and was even approved by ZEMA in November 2012 but ZPC went a step further from its obligation and resurveyed the affected houses in March in 2014 before starting the construction of homes. The team, which surveyed consisted of people from ZEMA, Masaiti District Council and Chiwala Royal Establishment.
Dr. Rajan Mahtani in the ground breaking ceremony said, “We expect to complete the construction of these houses and boreholes at a cost of over USD 1Million by the end of this year.”
He further added, “The construction of these 127 houses and six boreholes is just phase 1 of the program the Company has in mind for the area of Senior Chief Chiwala. Besides, setting up an internal road network and refuse collection stations, also under phase one of the program, the Company intends to upgrade the existing basic schools, construct a health facility, churches and a central market over the next few years. In the long term, the Company also intends building houses for workers which will be sold through affordable mortgages.”
Dr. Mahtani even commented on the various tabloids, which have undertaken a personal vendetta on behalf of the Ventriglias who have been charged for stealing 40 million US dollars. He even told that he has commenced legal suits and appropriate ads will soon appear in the local and international presses.