Govt builds an Environmental Research Laboratory in Ndola
By Lillian Kalaba
Government has built an ultra-modern US$10-million Environmental Research Laboratory in Ndola on the Copperbelt, to analyse and mitigate the impact of Legacy mining pollution in Zambia.
The laboratory has been built at the Zambia Environmental Management Agency -ZEMA- offices in Ndola under the Zambia Mining and Environmental Remediation and improvement Project -ZEMRIP.
ZNBC Staffer LILLIAN KALABA reports that the Environmental Research Laboratory will assist Government in research and scientific investigation on ways of reducing environmental health risks in critically polluted mining areas.
And speaking at the official hand over of the Laboratory to ZEMA, Mines Permanent Secretary, HAPENGA KABETA challenged ZEMA to undertake all serious investigations within its mandate as required by law.
Dr. KABETA said with advanced analytical capabilities and research, ZEMA is now better positioned to monitor environmental quality and research pollutants and contaminants.
He said the new laboratory is a beacon of compliance and enforcement enabling ZEMA to rigorously monitor and evaluate industry practices.
And ZEMA Board Chairperson LOVEJOY MALAMBO challenged management not to turn the facility into a white elephant.
Professor MALAMBO announced that the recruitment of staff who will be working at the laboratory which will be fully operational next year has already started.
Meanwhile, Zambia Mining and Environmental Remediation and improvement Project National Coordinator PAMELA MWANZA urged ZEMA to uphold the highest standards of research, integrity, ethics and sustainability.
Ms. MWANZA said the Laboratory will help reduce health risks in heavily polluted areas of Kitwe, Kabwe, Mufulira and Ndola
