THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, HON. GARY NKOMBO, MP,
The Cholera epidemic places a huge responsibility on the Ministry, whose mandate is to facilitate the provision of quality and sustainable municipal services and promote public health through the Local Authorities.
- In light of the increasing threat of Cholera, the Ministry is expected to enhance service provision through the Local Authorities to avoid the further spread of the disease and ensure that communities are protected. Thus, working in line with the Government’s effort to reduce the scourge of cholera, the Ministry will continue to facilitate clean and healthy settlements and enforce public health regulations.
Therefore, the Ministry is reiterating its directive to the Local Authorities as follows:
- Regulation of Restaurants, Bars, Taverns and Casinos
Enhance the regulation of all public places to ensure complete compliance with the Public Health guidelines and regulations. The facilities are required to maintain high sanitary and hygiene standards. Enforce public health, food safety, and environmental laws to protect the citizens.
- Cleaning up and Sanitising of Public Areas
Enhance the cleaning up and sanitizing of public areas and facilities such as markets and bus stations on a daily basis. Also, ensure the enforcement of Public Health regulations for all traders, operators, and the general public in these facilities. This includes regular cleaning of individual workstations and provision of sanitation stations.
- Street Vending
Another factor contributing to the exacerbation of Diarrheal diseases is street vending. Under the Statutory Instrument No. 18 of 2018 on Street Vending and Public Nuisance, street vending is prohibited. Local authorities will, therefore, be required to enhance enforcement and ensure that all vendors operate in designated areas with adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities to prevent the spread of diarrheal diseases.
- Waste Collection
Local Authorities are directed to enhance solid waste management by collecting solid waste in the settlements, including public spaces such as markets, bus stations, and other community gathering areas.
- Community Sensitization
Local Authorities should undertake extensive sensitization measures and community engagement to foster clean and healthy environments under the Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy Campaign. Through this program, communities must be engaged to influence the change of mindsets toward maintaining a clean, green, and healthy environment.
Also, call on stakeholders from various walks of life to participate in the monthly cleaning of public areas such as markets, bus stations, and streets.
- Flooding
The onset of the rainfall brings challenges of flooding in the Central Business District and the neighborhoods. Increased rainfall activity has given rise to flooding, which results in the proliferation of diarrheal diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. This is exacerbated by the indiscriminate disposal of solid waste, resulting in the blockage of drainage lines.
Local Authorities are directed to ensure that effort is made to clear off blocked drainages in collaboration with other stakeholders.
- Stakeholder Collaboration
The fight against cholera and Diarrheal diseases requires the concerted effort of all stakeholders, working together to eliminate the scourge. My Ministry, through the local authorities, will continue to engage all stakeholders as we implement measures to protect our citizens. These stakeholders include Government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and the general community. Call upon various stakeholders to partner with the Government in combatting the scourge of cholera and other diarrheal diseases.
The Ministry is committed to protecting communities from cholera and other diarrheal diseases through the provision of municipal services.
- We have a lot of work ahead of us and it is our belief that we will win this battle when we put our efforts together. Together, we can overcome.