Letter to Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

[I.P.A. Manning]

Dear Minister,

ZEMA is to be congratulated on refusing the mining operation in the Lower Zambezi National Park. I would now appeal to you to refuse to review the decision, and certainly not to overturn it.

There are serious questions to ask about ZAWA and the Ministry of Mines' part in this disgraceful affair. Under the Mines and Mineral Development Act of 2008 and the Wildlife Act no such mining should be allowed. It is clear that there has been corruption and dysfunction which brings shame on Zambia. This is not what I went to war on the PF's behalf for, having my investments removed by the MMD Government, imprisoned and thrown out of the country under OP guard.

And while I laud ZEMA's decision I have to question its failure to follow due process. The consequences of allowing the Australians to plunder the National Park and the GMA will reverberate around the world and will affect Zambia's standing - particularly at the UNWTO summit. Those of us who served in the Game Department for many years will not stand idly by and see our life's work plundered.

The President promised me he would do away with ZAWA. At the least we need an inquiry, and not a brushing under the carpet as occurred with Mosi oa Tunya etc.
Yours, etc.,

Ian Manning

--
Dr Ian Manning EurProBiol


http://www.change.org/petitions/zambia-environmental-management-agency-prohibit-mining-in-the-lower-zambezi-national-park

[venwell musonda]

OK.But this letter is too personal.There are alot of I,I,I.It may be
difficult for the Minister to admit.However.Chaos Dr.

[I.P.A. Manning]

Where is your letter?

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

http://www.change.org/petitions/zambia-environmental-management-agency-prohibit-mining-in-the-lower-zambezi-national-park

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Stop_Destructive_Developments_at_Mana_Pools/

[venwell musonda]

Dr.Ian,

I meant your letter to the Minister was too personal.I doesn't reflect
collective opinion.It only states your opinion which is good for
individuals to write the Minister.However,I was thinking a Collective
Letter or an organisational letter to the Minister on the stated very
important points you raised would have meant well and would not have
raised any other strings attached or interests.

I love every word of your letter and I will convince my colleagues to
write the Minister as well on the same so that your concerns have a
bigger, collective and supportive voice.

Kind Regards

[I.P.A. Manning]

Morning Venwell,

Thank you for your kind letter. I write in a personal capacity as I have found it impossible to recruit others to take up such issues in the national interest. I approached the Council of Churches of Zambia over a number of months about leading such a movement because this is what their report on uranium mining recommended; I tried the UNZA Natural History Society; the Wildlife & Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia; tour operators and so on. None wished to be involved. For a year I soldiered on alone on the issue. But most seriously, Wynter Kabimba - whom I had helped with the writing of the PF Manifesto and the establishment of a foundation to channel money from mining into rural upliftment, did nothing. Kabimba as my lawyer did nothing - failed to even reply to my letters after the PF won the election. I was deported by the MMD for supporting the PF's stand against corruption etc. That status has not been revoked nor any effort made to return our concessions illegally removed. Kabimba is now in a position to put matters right. He has not done so. Sata and Scott know of my status and have done nothing. I may add that between 2003-2008 while I was in Zambia very few people were prepared to make a stand on issues.

Anyhow, I am very prepared to join any movement that will improve matters; silently or loudly. Experience tells me that my name makes things more difficult!

I am much heartened that you will persuade your colleagues to write the Minister - perhaps as a collective entity? Zambia so much needs this
Yours aye
Ian

[venwell musonda]

Thanks Ian.

I will keep in touch.

Regards

NB: May be Kabimba has a tight program.We shall see how we shall proceed.