By Staff Writer
Mayor Johnson Kangombe has vowed to implement strict measures to prevent the spread of the cholera epidemic in Chingola and that demolishing of structures built on to top sewer pipes remain an option.
Speaking when he toured some areas in Chingola with Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited management to ascertain the cause of sewer blockages, Mr. Kangombe said that he was concerned with the cholera situation in Lusaka and was working to ensure it does not spread to Chingola.
He said that Chingola Municipal Council was working with other stakeholders to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent the spread of the deadly diseases and that sewer blockages may result in an outbreak in the district.
Mr. Kangombe said that his tour found that most of the regular sewer blockages were caused by activities by the community which included building on top of sewer facilities and vandalism of manhole covers.
“We are working to ensure that we protect our people, I am saddened that people have encroached on sewer facilities causing regular blockages, As a Municipality we will consider demolishing such illegal structures to protect the people,” he said.
He said that he had summoned two house owners of properties which were either causing sewer blockages or blocking access to the facilities.
And MWSC Managing Director Ndilakulampa Hamalambo said that the Company had put in measures to ensure response to sewer blockages was quicker especially with the Country facing a cholera outbreak.
Mr. Hamalambo said that the biggest challenge the Company was facing was social behavior of the communities towards sanitation facilities.
He said that encroachment was blocking access for the maintenance team and that lack of solid waste management especially in low cost areas meant that the public were dumping their waste in sewer manholes.
