Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone directs squatters at Chipata Local Forest to vacate this year.

Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone has directed squatters at Chipata Local Forest near St Anne’s in Chipata to vacate the protected land this year.
About 8,000 hectares of land under the Forest Department, which was regarded as a tree nursery has been largely encroached by some squatters, who have built houses.
Mr Sichone said when he visited the area that he was shocked that the protected forest land had been taken up by squatters who have since uprooted all the natural species of trees.
The minister who was accompanied by Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Bert Mushala, Provincial Police Chief Grace Chipalila, Acting Provincial deputy Permanent Secretary Zechariah Luhanga, several senior government and security officers says the squatters should leave.
Mr Sichone says it is disheartening that some people allocated themselves residential plots in the protected land.
He says that such lawlessness which has led to increased unplanned settlements in Chipata District as well as the province will not be tolerated.
In another development, the minister has expressed sadness with the bad state of houses at Lutembwe Farm Block for the physically challenged.
He says that it is unfortunate that despite the funding to improve the houses, there was no improvement.
He was speaking when he carried a physical inspection at the farm block.