The Lusaka Times reports today that all those hospitalised by drinking water contaminated by an acid spill from MCM's plant are in a stable condition, that most have been discharged, and that about 582 people were attended to at various clinics and hospitals around Mufulira. Residents in Butondo, Kankoyo, Kantanshi and part of Fairview in the town centre still have no water supply - the company have said they will provide bowsers and re-attach the mains once acidity levels have normalised.
MCM's acting Chief executive officer Emmanuel Mutati apologised for the pollution, but claimed the amount of acid that leaked in to the domestic water supply and that was consumed by most people was negligible
The Lusaka Times reports: "Mr. Mutati was briefing a team that was constituted by Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima to establish what led to the contamination of water in Mufulira. The team comprised of the District Commissioner, Dyford Muulwa, Town Clerk, Charles Mwandila, Mulenga Water and Sewerage Company, Environmental Council of Zambia, and the Mine Safety Department."
The Times of Zambia puts the figure for those affected and describes a 'near riot' calmed by police as residents marched on the civic centre and Mulenga Water and Sewerage Company offices in protest.
The rather less informative version of the story also made the BBC.
No comments:
Post a Comment