Synod, govt caution timber millers union
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod of Livingstonia and government have urged the Reformed Timber Millers Union to focus on managing their 4 000 hectares (ha) concession in Chikangawa Forest.
The call came on Wednesday when the union elected a new executive committee to run its affairs for the next two years.
There have been misunderstandings between the union and government. The union feels that Capital Hill does not consider them on a number of issues, including allocating them trees for sawing and settling of previous debts.
In his remarks, the synod’s Church and Society Programme executive director Moses Mkandawire urged the new leadership to listen to advice.
He also asked government to resolve the issues in good time before they get out of hand.
Said Mkandawire: “We don’t want to hear that the union is destroying the forest. It should replant trees to continue doing business.
“Government should also be proactive by engaging the union in dialogue.”
On his part, Chikangawa Forest plantation manager Custom Nyirenda asked the new executive to come up with a management plan that will finalise an agreement with government.
He said: “Don’t just focus on harvesting trees, but take time to manage the concession in its totality.
“We should not always be talking when there are differences.”
The union’s outgoing president Paul Nthambazale said the new executive is inheriting a K102 million debt to be paid to government.
“However, the union is facing shortage of trees because 90 percent of the 4 000ha is bare,” he said.
The new president Charles Maganizo Nathaniel urged government to help with some trees so that they continue operating while servicing the debt and managing the concession.
