By Felix Katemula & George Mponda:
Karonga District Council has revealed plans to relocate rice mills and groundnut shellers operating at Karonga Central Business District (CBD) to address environmental and health hazard concerns.
The development follows heaps of rice chaff and groundnut pods which have piled up in Karonga CBD.
Acting Director of Planning and Development for Karonga District Council, Khumbo Mkandawire, said the council had previously engaged business owners on the matter.
“Our town plan shows that where they are operating is not a commercial area and we are ready to relocate them to a place befitting their business as we strive to keep the town clean and avoid noise and waste pollution in residential areas,” Mkandawire said.
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She said the council is currently sourcing funds for buying land near Nthola-Ilola Greenbelt Initiative Rice Mill, which is located about 8 kilometers from Karonga CBD.
Chairperson for Karonga Business Association of Rice Mills, Felix Mwakiyanjala, blamed the council for delaying the relocation, a development he says has affected their business plans.
“We urge the council to fulfill the plans this time; we totally agree to the relocation exercise and we have shown our commitment by paying development fees. This is a third site we have been told we will be relocated to,” Mwakiyanjala said.
Some of the business people who sell rice at the mills’ premises, Virgo Kachere and Salome Msowoya, while agreeing to the relocation, observed that the move will jeopardise their business.
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“Our homes are in town close to the rice mills and M1—Road, making it a convenient rice business place both to us and our customers.
“The relocation will have negative consequences on us and the business because of transport and accommodation costs,” Kachere said.
Kachere and Msowoya then urged the council to do further consultations on the issue to settle for a win-win situation.
Karonga District is a major rice producer and is famous for its highly flavored Kilombero and Faya Rice varieties.—Mana
