By Staff Writer
Lusaka’s Makeni Villa Ward 14 Councilor Fred Mumba has submitted to the Planning Department of Lusaka City Council (LCC) cases of unplanned structures that are blocking roads, water run ways and drainages.
Mr Mumba said the unplanned structures would be demolished as they were a contributing factor to constant flooding in the area.
He said there was need to engage community members in finding solutions to flooding challenges in the area adding that no law breaker would be spared.
The Civic Leader mentioned that all the solutions to address the perennial flooding in the area would be executed lawfully by involving relevant authorities.
He further said the New Dawn Government was focused on doing the right thing even if it meant staying in power for 5 years only.
Mr Mumba emphasized that the interest of the masses in dealing with the floods would prevail because citizens vacated their houses for 4 months annually to live elsewhere until floods cede.
He also disclosed that clinics in the area had submitted water contamination samples for testing and were waiting for a report from the Ministry of Health.
The Councilor was speaking when he officiated at a consultative meeting for Community Preparedness in Floods and Disaster Risk Management organized by Africa Access Water (AfAW).
Meanwhile, AfAW Chief Executive Officer, Paul Kapanda, was happy with the New Dawn Government’s political will in finding a lasting solution to flooding challenges in the area.
Mr. Kapanda condemned actions by ordinary citizens that were in the habit of throwing garbage in drainages thereby causing blockages.
He however said that AfAW as an organization, was ready to work with the community in improving livelihoods.
Meanwhile, AfAW Director Projects Rodney Katongo, pointed out that his organization came on board because Government could not do everything to end community challenges such as flooding.
Mr. Katongo remarked that his organization had since launched a Community Preparedness in Floods and Disaster Risk Management CPF-DRM Project to brainstorm ideas of combating flooding in Kanyama.
He added that the project might culminate into engaging the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) way before the onset of the rainy season.
Mr. Katongo said AfAW was further considering commercial boreholes to save over 100 households, water harvesting as well as water purifiers to have clean and safe drinking water in stressed communities.
