Rains disrupt dredging of PressCane molasses pond
Rains that fell in some parts of the Southern Region, including Chikhwawa District, last week have disrupted the ongoing dredging of molasses at one of the ponds belonging to PressCane Limited, the source of a foul smell around Dyeratu trading centre in Chikhwawa.
Briefing journalists on a tour of the site on Thursday, PressCane general manager Evans Kacelenga said the company is remaining with at least 20 of the sludge in the pond to arrest the foul smell.
His remarks followed reports that civil society organisations (CSOs) in the district are planning to hold demonstrations to force the company arrest the smell which the civil society allege is causing ailments in communities around the effluent ponds.
Reacting to the CSOs threats to hold demonstrations, Kacelenga said the demonstrations will not solve the problem.
“What will solve the problem is what we are doing, removing the sludge to Kasinthula cane fields. We are also exploring an alternative of moving to Fombe Village about 15 kilometres from the factory and we hope that foul smell will not haunt communities,” he said.
Last month, a stakeholders meeting at Chikhwawa Boma resolved that PressCane should submit a write up on the proposed disposal project quoting volumes of wastes to be dumped per annum.
The meeting also resolved that PressCane should start the process of carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed Fombe dump site and that an environmental management plan must be in place before the dump site can be used.
Chikhwawa district commissioner (DC) Alex Mdooko mandated the district health office to carry out investigations into claims that the vinnase (liquid waste product) is causing some ailments in the communities around the effluent ponds.
