Undule to carry out mass sensitisation on Malawi oil exploration

The crusade of oil exploration in block one in the northern part of Lake Malawi has now reached at its climax forcing the renowned human rights activist Undule Mwakasungula to leave the pulpit and embark on mass sensitisation.

This comes amid the alleged report that government has given Sac Oil Company a go ahead with its mining activities in block one that is along the district.

Led by Karonga business community chairperson Wavisanga Silungwe as well as the fearless youth activist Steven Simsokwe, the group opposing to the oil exploration warned for bloodshed if the plans go ahead.

“Those who think  they  own Karonga are very stupid.  If government  will not reversed its decision, Malawians should expect a protest that has never happened before,” said Simsokwe.

“They were telling us in the radio not be afraid when seeing aircraft in the lake or our place saying ‘ndikawuniwuni’ as if there will be transparency but today the same government is doing thinks secretly,” he added.

Sulungwe wondered why government failed to involve the community when discussing issues of Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) with the company.

However, Mwakasungula has asked the concerned residents to  remaim “ calm”, saying such matters needed to be handled maturely and not violently.

“Who soever discussed the CSR issues with the so called company if it is true does not represent the views of the people in Karonga and Chitipa,” argued Mwakasungula.

According to him, such meetings are supposed to be organized in the district and not Blantyre or Lilongwe.

He, therefore,  pledged to stand with the community saying “I will make sure that they benefit from this oil project.”

Traditional leaders of Karonga and Chitipa have also agreed not to allow any oil company in the district unless it is carrying its duties with Karonga forum for oil and gas, an organization owns by the community.

Government is mum on the matter despite this reporter’s effort to have its comment.