Residents of Mtendere have appealed to authorities […]

Residents of Mtendere have appealed to authorities to clean the Kalikiliki Stream during the dry season, warning that continued neglect could increase the risk of flooding and outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera.

Former Mtendere Ward councillor Boniface Mwansa Chibeka told Zambian Business TimesZBT in an exclusive interview that maintenance works should be carried out before the rainy season instead of waiting until homes are flooded. “This is the right time to clean and deepen the stream. Authorities should not wait until people’s homes are flooded,” Chibeka said.

 He noted that residents have repeatedly raised the matter with the relevant authorities but say little progress has been made.

According to Chibeka, the stream have become clogged with silt and waste, reducing its capacity to carry storm water during periods of heavy rainfall. “Failure to clear the drainage channel not only exposes nearby households to flooding but also creates conditions that can contribute to outbreaks of waterborne diseases,” said Chibeka.

Chibeka urged the Lusaka City Council and other responsible government agencies to take advantage of the dry season to dredge and clear the stream before the onset of the rains.

 He mentioned that preventive maintenance would be less costly than responding to flood damage and disease outbreaks after they occur.

Article by Karen Ngulube