A Vice-President in waiting says...

Sakwiba denounces L/stone hotels project
By Times Reporter
UNITED Liberal Party (ULP) president Sakwiba Sikota (above) has said the US$200 million investment by Legacy Group to build two five star hotels and a golf course should not be allowed in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National park as it will disturb animal movement and distort the environment.
Mr Sikota said the project would ruin the national heritage.
Speaking at a Press briefing in Livingstone yesterday, Mr Sikota said people’s fears about the effects of the investment on the environment and animals were justified and advised the project be taken elsewhere.
“Twenty six days from now, you will have a sensible government which will stop that project. If by chance we do not take over government, we will go to court and stop the development,’’ Mr Sikota said.
Vice President Lupando Mwape last month commissioned the foundation stone in Livingstone and the Legacy Group is currently conducting an environmental impact assessment.
At a recent meeting aimed at seeking people’s views on the location of the project, several stakeholders opposed the location of the investment in the park saying it should be taken elsewhere, with likely minimal distortion to the environment and disturbance on animals’ welfare.
He said Government had shown clearly that it cared more about money than the people by allowing investors to invest in wrong places.
He claimed that Sun International had taken the space occupied by three hotels and fenced off thereby disturbing the movements of animals, especially elephants which resorted to using the cultural village route, where the Legacy foundation stone had been erected.
“We have heard stories of some people being trampled by elephants, it will even be worse,’’ he said.
Mr Sikota said it was wrong for Government to allow destruction of the environment for money and called for morality on the part of leaders.