Oil exploration in Lake Malawi ‘ok’, Karonga community pleased with Hamra Ltd consultations
United Arab Emirates-based Hamra Oil Holdings Limited have been commended by Karonga residents led by traditional and religious leaders as well as the clergy for sensitising the community on their work and they have been given t a go-ahead to explore for oil on Lake Malawi.
The company is exploring oil on Lake Malawi, specifically in Karonga, Nkhata Bay, Rumphi and Nkhotakota districts.
Hamra is sensitising communities aiming to achieve transparency and give knowledge about the process of oil exploitation which is underway .
During the consultative meetings, Brian Nyasulu who is also a developmental activist explained to people to take oil exploitation as an opportunity for the district to lobby for developments that they are lacking.
“Hamra oil Holdings Company has been given a license to verify whether there is oil or not in our lake which is an opportunity for us as a district to understand the whole process and think of the ways we can lobby for developments from the company,” said Nyasulu.
The Karonga community welcomed the initiative and feels the outcome of the exploration exercise may result in creation of employment, business opportunities and general development of the district.
“What we want is that everyone should benefit not only few individuals because we are aware of the past experience that the district had on mining companies,” he explained.
Commenting on the matter, Karonga Pastors Fraternal a grouping of all Christian churches in Karonga Bishop Sam Mhango recommended the initiative saying Hamra Oil is giving hope to the people of Karonga.
“As members of religious readers, it is our first time to be consulted by a multinational mining company negotiating developmental issues presenting people we serve,” said Mhango during a consultation meeting for the pastors.
Chairperson of Karonga Business Community Wavisanga Silungwe said: “If the company’s exploration results would indicate that there is oil on our lake and Hamra is granted mining licence to drill, the development may be a relief to the community because most of the people will access employment and business opportunities with the company, which would result in development of the district.”
A Chikuwamayembe, Kachulu, Mwalweni, Mwamulowe ndi Mwahenga, can you please show your people what Rumphi District has benefited from Coal mining from your district? Rumphi Secondary School, no development, Livingstonia road, Mlowe road and Mweyeye, no development but the roads are within mining area and are used by the mining Company. Kayerekera atleast assisted Karonga people with piped water and construction of a dyke. Dzukani mafumu a ku Rumphi. Asiyitseni kukumba coal mpakana akumangireni Stadium ku Rumphi aMchenga Coal Mine.
Bravo Karonga people for asking for benefits interms of developments from mining ur minerals. Do not be like sleepy Rumphi Chiefs and their subjects. The whole World has never seen such sleepy people as the Tumbukas and Phokas who have benefited nothing from Coal Mining Industry since 1982 when coal mining started. Not even a School block. WAKE UP RUMPHI PEOPLE! COAL MINING STARTED IN 1982 AT KAZIWIZIWI COAL MINE BUT YOU HAVE BENEFITED NOTHING! CHIEFS IN RUMPHI NDI OGOTOMALA PAMOZI NDI MA MP AWO!!! COAL PLANT IS BUILT IN MANGOCHI WHILE THE MINE IS IN RUMPHI. OFFICES FOR COAL… Read more »
kayelekera adapindulira malemu bingu, chonde mafuta okhawa apindulire dziko osati pitala ayi.
hope the consultations include all peoples living around the beautiful lake and those in the expansive southern flows including Mocambique and Tanzania! Oil spills can and will affect all these peoples!
It is a geological fact that our lake sits at an earthquake plate, guarantees and sucurities are required as to the hazard risks involved in such offshore infrastructures.
Similarly, transportation infrastructure require resolve.
People from the north and lake side dont be cheated,you have been cheated with Kayelekera project before,try to learn things fast, use your brains were you there when deals were signed if indeed this is your areas.Rejected the idea full stop!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lake Malawi is the 9th biggest lake in the world. The biggest lakes in the world are in the USA. Did you ever hear that the USA has explored the availability of oil in the lakes? Why? Silly Malawians!!! Mudzaononga Nyanja yanu ndi nsomba zanu. Ndiponso simudzaloledwa kupha nsomba malo ena chifukwa chakuti you will be restricted. Have you ever thought of the thread to bonya? If bonya was affected, mudzadyanji with the way prices of ndiwo are going up! Wake up!!
PARLIAMENT SHUD LOOK INTO DE WHOLE DEAL.NOT PASTORS.WHAT DO PASTORS KNOW ABOUT BUSINESS LAW .THIS DEAL MUST BE APROVD/DISAPROVD BY PARLIAMENT SO DAT WE SEE HOW COMPETENT OUR LAW MAKERS ARE. ANY COMENT FROM CIVIL SOCIETY?? WHERE R U? THE ONLY POLITICIAN WHO TALKD AGAINST KAYELEKERA WAS KAMUZU CHIBAMBO-MAN OF INTEGRITY.I EXPECT YO WORD B4 DE FINAL CONTRACT IS DONE NOT AFTER CONTRACT IS DONE DEN U CRY FOUL PLAY
Where does surestream and sacoil stand on this matter? Did they fail to complete their explorations?
What I hope is that the authorities will never distance themselves during the exploration and extraction process. I’m tired of numerous complaints communitie around various mining sites make in the country. Talk of the cement producing site (north), uranium site (north)….
Try to wake up my people, you can live without oil but you cant live without water.