By Suleman Chitera
The Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (Mepa) has defended the delay in approving the proposed fertiliser manufacturing plant in Dowa, saying the project raised several critical environmental, public health and regulatory concerns that had to be addressed before it could proceed.
Appearing before a joint parliamentary committee investigating the administrative delays surrounding the project, Mepa Director General Wilfred Kadewa said the authority identified six major issues during its environmental assessment that required clarification from the project developers.Parliament Launches High-Level Probe into Delays Affecting Mulalo Fertilizer Factory Project
Kadewa told lawmakers that one of the biggest concerns was the project’s hazardous waste management plan, which failed to adequately explain how dangerous waste materials generated during production would be handled.
He said the proposal did not provide sufficient details on the quantification, treatment and safe disposal of hazardous substances such as acid residues, contaminated sludge, phosphogypsum and industrial wastewater.
Another concern, according to Kadewa, relates to the highly corrosive and toxic chemical processes involved in phosphorus extraction. He explained that the proposed use of sulfuric and nitric acids could generate harmful by-products capable of posing significant environmental and occupational safety risks if not properlyFertilizer Factory Delays Spark Concern as Napoleon Dzombe Awaits MEPA Approval managed.
Kadewa further noted that the manufacturing process would produce phosphogypsum—an acidic industrial waste that may contain radioactive radium and heavy metals—requiring strict monitoring, storage and disposal measures to prevent environmental contamination.
He also expressed concern over the proposed location of the plant, saying its proximity to the Kang’ona River could expose the sensitive aquatic ecosystem to pollution if adequate environmental safeguards are not put in place.
The parliamentary inquiry is examining the factors behind the prolonged licensing process for the fertiliser plant project, with lawmakers seeking explanations from key government institutions and the project developers over the delays.Napoleon Dzombe Nears Completion of Fertilizer Factory in Dowa as Malawi Eyes Local Production Boost
