Minister Mwanamvekha backs Paladin: ‘Malawi needs uranium project to boost economy’

Minister of Trade and Industry Joseph Mwanamveka has advised the community of Karonga to behave “responsibly” especially when handling issues concerning Paladin Africa saying the company is the only hope to boosting the economy of the country.

Mwanamveka speaking to the media:  It has been a fruitful meeting.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times
Mwanamveka speaking to the media: It has been a fruitful meeting.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times
Walker with Mwanamveka after the meeting in Karonga.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times
Walker with Mwanamveka after the meeting in Karonga.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times
Government official with Walker after the meeting.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times
Government official with Walker after the meeting.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times

Mwanamveka made the remarks on Tuesday in Karonga the northern part of Malawi where Paladin Africa boss Greg Walker was meeting with Karonga Community Development Trust, a coalition of business operators in the district. The meeting was held in camera.

The people of Karonga have argued that they were not happy with the project as it threatened their health.

But Mwanamvekha said the mining venture would benefit Malawi’s economy from solely being agro-based as uranium would become the country’s second largest forex earner after tobacco.

“As a country we are concern with how people in Karonga express their concerns towards Paladin Africa Ltd forgetting that the future of the country’s economy depends on the mine investors  I am requesting to express your grievances responsibly when dealing with the company for the sake of development,” said Mwanamveka.

Adding that “as a minister of Trade and industry am here today to make sure that there is economic empowerment around the community where the company operates so that both the country and the community is benefiting from the investments that Paladin is making.”

Mwanamvekha said the meeting was successful and agree that Paladin business tenders should be priorities for Karonga people to supply commodities.

Paladin also donated K10 million to help people who are affected with floods in the southern part of the country

In his remark Greg Walker said “this has been a positive meeting ever in Karonga district as such we will make sure that when tenders of various business opportunities are out, people in the district will be able to participate as long as they meet recommended qualifications.”

Chairperson of Karonga Community Development Trust an Maclean Sikum’mbagha said “as business operators in Karonga we are happy that Paladin Africa Ltd has now started recognizing us as such we will make sure that we utilize the chances accordingly.”

People in Karonga have for a long time claimed that the district is not benefiting from Paladin Africa Ltd which do its mining activities in Kayelekera the eastern part of the district hence demanding its closure.

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Jobless Corner,Karonga.
Jobless Corner,Karonga.
9 years ago

Traitor Mwanamveka licking the foot of the imperialist.Karongians have more respect for the Kyungu than you.So money is more important than the health of Karongians?

dee kay
dee kay
9 years ago

Mbabva ya ku ADMARC ingakambe chiyani za mbabva zinzake? mmanja mwa agaludi

mona
9 years ago

Mwanamveka you are a fool and that is why unagwetsa msb, mutu ngati binguwo

kadamanja
9 years ago

Chief KYUNGU, did you hear what Mwanagalu (mveka) has said? he is concern about the future of the country and not the future of Karonga people, Wake up Kyungu hope the mine will stop now for ever. Vilutenge wazukulu wako ndiwo wasuzgikenge.

kadamanja
9 years ago

People of Karonga are concerned about their healthy. This STUPID Mwanamveka is concerned about the economy and the future of this country and not the future of the Karonga people, Mwanamveka ndi Galu, ukunyegerera azungu why??? F…k!

Mandanda
Mandanda
9 years ago

The issue is this, Karonga people are only benefitting with a little sum of lets say MK5 million kwacha a year, while the DPP gangsters in total get R400 million a year. That is what should be discussed. Mfungo lamatako anu nonse inu a DPP….

Congress of Nyika People

The Congress of Nyika People does not approve the blood sucker Paladin. Nothing was discussed about the uranium that is spilling in the river and in the long run it will be the people of Karong that will suffer. This is genocide advocated by Peter Hitler Mutharika to eliminate the people of Nyika. I urge our people in the north to bomb this motherfucker, Paladin Mine. We don’t welcome them—they must go back to the Southern region to destroy the Mulhako. We don’t need Paladin in the Northern region. That is the reason the Congress of Nyika People is calling… Read more »

Mlomwe Original
Mlomwe Original
9 years ago

Mwanamveka you are pathetic, A Malawi ayike moyo wawo pachiswe chifukwa choti iwe akufumbatisa.

Mnyasaland
Mnyasaland
9 years ago

Mwanaveka you are only worried of enriching yourself and your so called President as did Bingu Wa Muthalika and not considering the lives of fellow Malawians who leave in Karonga. Mind you it is not only the ones you always call Tumbukas who leave in Karonga it is also effecting your fellow tribes folks who ply their businesses and some are working there. Wake up and start thinking positively other than being short sighted and mayopic. Let Paladin put all required measures to protect all people leaving in Karonga regardless of which tribe they belong to. By the way has… Read more »

Joe wa Kalunji
Joe wa Kalunji
9 years ago

No I be to differ Honourable Minister, yes we need economic development but not at the expense of our health and Karong’s environmental degradation. After all Paladin has been around for a while now but never did we see the strength of the kwacha firming because of proceeds from uranium let alone informing the country how much we are earning in forex from the dreaded yellow cake. It is you the politicians that are benefiting from this mining venture and not the people of Karonga. Please spare us Karonganites from further unnecessary provocation and ridicule.

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