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Government bans use of Chinese machines in Africa

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Management has banned the use AMEC machines in state owned plantations. Source: All Africa

AMEC machines are manufactured in China by AMECCO and among other products include cover engines, generators, tractors, motors and other relative machinery.

The ministry, through the Department of Forestry put as a condition in 2010/11 financial year that all operators are not to use AMEC machines in all state owned plantations.

In a press statement, the Ministry’s principal secretary Dr. Yanira Ntupanyama said by July 1, 2013, all licensed operators will have to use fixed machines and the use of AMEC machines will no longer be tolerated.

“The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Management observed that AMEC machines, which some Malawians have been using in sawing timber, are very wasteful and inefficient.

Despite this condition, operators in all the plantations disregarded it and continued sawing with these wasteful machines according to the statement.

It also said any AMEC machine found in the plantations will be confiscated and disposed-off by government.

Dr Ntupanyama said realising that some operators have no financial capacity to produce fixed machines, there is need for the operators to join existing cooperatives so that they can put their financial resources together and be able to procure the desired fixed machines.

He also said that by July 1, 2013, operators will no longer be allowed to process timber in harvesting areas inside the plantations.

“All licensed operators will be expected to ferry their logs to designated areas, away from the harvesting area for processing. This will improve sanitation in the plantations and also reduce incidences of fires which is caused by among others uncontrolled sawing,” he said.

Operators found in harvesting areas will have their licenses revoked and all equipment confiscated.