Govt to exhume bodies to construct Airport

Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo, Lagan
Civil Engineering Business Development Manager Rory Kenny looking at a
grave which is along the Kashikishi airfield. Photos: Alex Mukuka

The grave yard near the Kashikishi in Nchelenge district in Luapula province may have all its bodies exhumed and have them be re- buried elsewhere to allow the expansion project, reports Alex Mukuka of ZANIS in Mansa.

The grave yard, a church and houses are illegal and as such they will only
be removed to pave way for the national development project.

NCHELENGE District Commissioner Royld Chakaba, Luapula
Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo and CHIKOSA Construction
Company Chairman Sidney Chisanga inspecting the Kashikishi airfield

Luapula province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo made a statement in Nchelenge on Thursday when he led team of investors who are in the area to check on possibilities of expanding the Airstrip into the Airport
to allow cargo air-crafts be landing there.

“This country has got clear laws and we expect all citizens to abide to them. Any illegal acquisition of land is not allowed so this cemetery and a church near this facility is illegal as a result the coming of this project we shall have bodies exhumed and buried  elsewhere,” Kasolo said.

“For the church I will not bring a bulldozer to come and bring it down, but we shall ask the owner to bring it down so that they can reserve the bricks and iron sheets for them to go and build elsewhere.”

 Mr Kasolo said that he would not be as a blasphemy to the church or
disrespect to the dead but to allow meaningful development.

A Couple transporting roofing grass on a bicycle on the
Kashikishi runway which has been also encroached by a grave site.

And Nchelenge district commission Royd Chakaba thanked the Government for suggesting to improve the status-co of the Airstrip.

 “This is a very good gesture and as a district we ready to work with a team. We are happy that the coming of the Airport will allow more aircrafts to be landing here and that will improve the economy of the district,” he said.