The Chongwe Municipal Council has ordered an immediate stop to the construction of a Chinese run cemetery in Silverest area.
In a press statement issued and signed by Council assistant public relations manager Musonda Mino, the council has also instructed the site contractor Messr China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Zambia Limited to restore the land to its original state.
Mino stated that the developer had been stopped from continuing with the works because he did not follow the procedure as the land in question was designated for agricultural purposes and not for cemetery.
He stated that the named construction company was sub-contracted by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia to construct a cemetery.
“Chongwe Municipal Council has with immediate effect ordered the developer of the Chinese Martyr’s Memorial facility, Messr China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Zambia Limited to stop all construction activities at Silverest area of Chongwe District. This move comes after the developer’s failure to follow procedure before commencing with development activities. The council has further instructed the developer to restore the land to its original state. Matters at hand are that Messr China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Zambia Limited, by the time of construction, did not obtain planning permission for Change of use of Land and Planning Permission for Development provided for under the Urban and Regional Planning Act No. 3 of 2015 from the Local Authority. According to records at the council, Plot LN-4034/1 is designated for agricultural use and not as a cemetery,” stated Mino.
“As a council, we are very much aware that the land in question is private property and also on title but will not allow any development at the site before the developer acquires Developmental Permission from the Local Authority. Chongwe Municipal Council has since advised the developer to follow the right procedure by applying for planning permission and change of land use. Furthermore, it is our desire as a Council to facilitate various infrastructure development in numerous categories throughout the district. Therefore, in doing so, there are requirements as provided by the laws of Zambia that developers must adhere to before commencing any development. Messr China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Zambia Limited is a construction company which was sub-contracted by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia to construct the Chinese Martyr’s Memorial Facility.”
