By Rahim Abdul
The Malawi Government says it is ready to issue an operating licence to businessman Napoleon Dzombe’s proposed fertilizer manufacturing company once it meets all the required regulatory conditions.
Minister of Agriculture Roza Mbilizi told Parliament that the government has not rejected the project but is waiting for the company to fully address outstanding issues before a licence can be granted.
Mbilizi said authorities requested Dzombe to provide more detailed information on several technical and environmental requirements linked to the proposed fertilizer plant.
She explained that one of the key concerns is the management and disposal of hazardous chemical waste that could be produced during the manufacturing process.
According to the minister, hazardous chemical waste poses serious risks to human health and the environment if it is not handled and disposed of properly.
She warned that exposure to such waste can contribute to diseases such as cancer, damage the lungs, and in severe cases lead to deaths among people living near the factory or waste disposal sites.
Mbilizi stressed that the government cannot ignore such public health and environmental concerns when assessing applications for industrial projects.
At the same time, she said the government is committed to supporting investment and industrialisation, encouraging Malawians to establish businesses that contribute to national development.
“There is no government that would reject such an investment. It is this government’s desire to see the project succeed while ensuring that all legal and environmental requirements are met,” Mbilizi told Parliament.
She added that the Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) is responsible for issuing the necessary licence and that approval remains possible once the company satisfactorily addresses all the outstanding concerns.
