By Wendy Mkandawire
The Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has approved the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed Mulalo Granular Fertilizer Production Factory in Dowa District, paving the way for the project to proceed under strict environmental conditions.
In a press release issued on Thursday, MEPA said the project was cleared after the developer addressed critical environmental and public health concerns that had initially forced the ESIA report back for revision.
Commenting on the approval, agricultural expert Taman Nkhono Mvula described the decision as timely, saying it will help ease the fertilizer burden on farmers.
“The new factory signifies national commitment to tackling key agricultural challenges. It will boost commodity availability and efficiency for farmers, leading to increased national yield,” Mvula said.
Environmental activist Mathews Malata has also commended MEPA for approving the project after confirming that the developer met all environmental requirements.
However, Malata urged MEPA to continue monitoring operations to ensure the company meets all environmental obligations and does not create new challenges.
He further appealed to Malawians and stakeholders to work together and observe precautionary measures to protect the environment for future generations.
The approval comes after months of delays that drew criticism from Parliament and other stakeholders, who raised concerns over MEPA’s failure to make a decision on the project.
