Irate villagers close Vale railway line, road to Neno

Irate villagers from T/A Mlauli in Neno have closed a Vale railway line and an earth road going to Neno Boma to force Vale and Mota Engil to fulfill pledges they made to people in the district.

Vale Logistics Limited, a Brazilian international company— are constructors of the Malawi – Mozambique railway line that goes through Mwanza, Neno, Balaka and Nsanje.

Yesterday Vale locomotives and vehicles going to Neno Boma were being turned away after the villagers closed the railway line and road with stones and tree trunks at Bauleni Village where the railway cuts the road to Neno Boma.

In an interview today morning, Mlauli Area Development Committee chairperson, Jonas Goliati claimed that Vale and Mota Engil pledged to build a bridge at Bauleni Village but up to date, nothing has been built.

“We are also still waiting for the support they pledged to our local schools and hospitals.

“What is worrying is that Vale will conclude their project in this area next month, so when are they going to fulfill their promises?” he asked.

Goliati claimed that some people whose houses were damaged in the course of constructing the railway live which passed the district are yet to be compensated.

But an official from Mota Engil, who opted not to be named, disputed the assertion, claiming everyone was compensated.

However, group village heads Mwamdaza, Dayelo and Magagula insisted that some of their people are yet to receive compensation.

“In Chapita Village, for example, Fita Charles, Steria Jibison, Dyton Thomson, Linda Banda, Malita Patrick and Ndaziona Lack are still waiting for their compensation,” claimed group village head Mwamdaza.

Last month, some villagers in the district also closed the railway line to force Vale to construct boreholes the company pledged in the area.

Vale succumbed to pressure and constructed the boreholes.

The villagers rose up in arms against Vale and Mota Engil following sensitisation meetings they have been having with the Association of Progressive Women (APM) that is running a local governance project in Mwana and Neno with funding from Tilitonse.

Vale representatives could not be reached today [Friday] to comment on the issue.

The construction works on the project is expected be completed by the end of 2014.