Indiscriminate waste disposal worry Mpika Council

Mpika Town Council has expressed concern over the indiscriminate disposal of waste in drainage systems around the Central Business District. Mpika Town Council Public Relations Officer, Mushota Mpundu warned that the practice is undermining efforts to keep the town clean. Mr…

Mpika Town Council has expressed concern over the indiscriminate disposal of waste in drainage systems around the Central Business District.

Mpika Town Council Public Relations Officer, Mushota Mpundu warned that the practice is undermining efforts to keep the town clean.

Mr Mpundu said despite various sensitisation programmes conducted by the council, marketeers, traders and members of the general public continued to dispose of litter indiscriminately, particularly in drainage channels.

He disclosed this in an interview with the media in Mpika today that the practice had persisted despite repeated engagements with the community on the dangers of poor waste disposal.

Mr Mpundu identified Chitulika, Musakanya, Casanova, Site and Service and TAZARA areas as some of the worst affected by littering.

He said the situation was a major concern because accumulated waste was blocking drainage channels meant to carry rainwater and wastewater away from residential and business premises.

Mr Mpundu warned that blocked drainage systems could lead to flooding and create conditions favourable for the outbreak of waterborne diseases, particularly during the rainy season.

He said the council was spending significant resources on the regular collection of litter and unblocking of drainage systems, funds which could otherwise be channeled towards other developmental programmes in the district.

Mr Mpundu appealed to residents, traders and marketeers to change their attitude towards waste disposal and support the council’s efforts to keep Mpika clean.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Mulenga, a trader at Musakanya Market, has called on the council to provide more public litter bins in markets and other strategic areas within the town.

Mr. Mulenga said the provision of more litter bins would significantly improve cleanliness in the Central Business District by providing traders and members of the public with designated points for waste disposal.

“We want all our people to take matters of sanitation seriously,” he said.

Leviticus Chikwanda, owner of Thinkbig Enterprises Limited, has appealed to members of the public to embrace a strong sense of responsibility towards maintaining a clean environment.

Mr Chikwanda said keeping Mpika clean was a shared responsibility between the council and residents.

“We want all residents of Mpika to actively get involved in keeping our surroundings clean,” he said.