Work has reportedly paused on the development of the new Dangote Industries Zambia Limited cement plant after the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) banned the company from carrying out mining activities. This action was taken following a breach of regulations, in which the cement company reportedly diverted water from a stream for their works without permission.

Now, Miles Sampa, Deputy Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, has stepped in on behalf of Dangote to ask ZEMA to lift the ban, saying a more appropriate action would be to prevent access to the stream. Sampa asserts that Dangote’s investment should be protected, given that the company will create more than 1000 jobs for the local people once the plant is commissioned in July this year. A Dangote spokesperson told journalists that the plant is 92% complete and will be ready on time.