By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
THE Ndola Wanderers Club board of trustees is infuriated with the decision by the Ndola City Council (NCC) to allocate a portion of land to a local developer, Sumaria Group Limited.
But the council has said there was nothing illegal with the subdivision of the portion of land as the due process was followed.
Ndola Wanderers Club houses two football pitches, a volleyball court and a rugby pitch which is a home of the Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) league side ‘Killer Bees’ Ndola Wanderers.
In a letter dated October 30, 2015 and addressed to the Ndola Wanderers Club chairperson, Town Clerk Ernest Sumani said the subdivision and consequent allocation of the land had the full blessings of the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
The size of the land in question, located on stand number 1346F, Nkana Road is 16.8 by 40.4.
“Be advised that the Council under Minute number 69/06/14 approved the subdivision of stand number 1346A and subsequent allocation of stand number 1346F to Sumaria Group Limited subject to approval by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing,” read Sumani’s letter in part.
But the decision has not gone well with Wanderers Club board of trustees who contend that the move by the local authority was illegal.
Latife Zhino, member of the board of trustees, said in an interview that the club has since written to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to seek clarification on the matter.
“This matter came to our attention on Friday last week. It is unfortunate that this took place without the council informing us and as far as we are concerned, the move is illegal because they (Council) cannot allocate the land that is on title. We are investigating this matter,” Zhino said.
According to a letter dated September 28, 2015 and obtained by the Times, the then Minister of Local Government and Housing, John Phiri granted the Ndola City council permission to subdivide the land in question.
“Kindly be advised that that being a planning authority for Ndola City, your Council has delegated powers from the Minister to grant permission to undertake the subdivision.
“However, if the proposed subdivision will involve change of land use then the application for change of use would be required to be forwarded to the minister for consideration,” Phiri stated in the letter.
However, Sumani said in an interview that there was nothing illegal with the subdivision of the portion of land as the due process was followed.
Sumani assured the Wanderers board of trustees that the allocation of the said land to Sumaria Group Limited was for religious purposes and would not affect the activities of Ndola Wanderers in any way.
“We have full control of the facility and there is nothing illegal about our move. If anything, I will blame the board of trustees for not coming forward to renew the lease,” Sumani said.
Records show that the two parties signed a 14-year lease agreement on October 1, 1969 which expired on October 1, 1983 but it was not renewed ever since.