Pan Paper owners should know how forest will be replenished

The planned re-opening of Pan Paper Mills in Webuye may not be something to celebrate about if the new owners engage in oppressive employment practices.

Of even greater concern is the silence from the central government agencies charged with protecting and conserving the environment given the high potential risk of unplanned deforestation and unprecedented pollution.

Local leaders should now demand blueprints from the new factory owners on how they plan to replenish forest cover from the neighbouring counties and contain mega pollution to both human and ecosystem.

The leaders should also demand an end to employment malpractices perpetuated by the old management where the bulk of the workforce were employed through agents and brokers on temporary terms hence denying the workers job security and other benefits.