THE Department of Health in Chadiza District, Eastern Province has issued a three days ultimatum to Nyankuwa Breweries to bury an open pit which is posing a health hazard to members of the public.
This follows complaints by some members of the public over the said pit where the company has been disposing off its waste.
Chadiza District Health Inspector Sydney Zulu, says the inspection has revealed that the company was not cooperating within the stipulated public health standards.
“As a team we have come up with recommendations to give its administration and we have given them three days to do that, failure to which we shall close the breweries,” he stated.
Mr Zulu said last year, the same recommendations were given to the company but fell on deaf ear.
“We are left with no option but to close the premises should the company decide to go otherwise,” he said.
Chadiza District Commissioner Malan Zimba said he was not satisfied with the condition in which Nyankuwa was operating, saying a lot of issues needed to be sorted out.
Mr Zimba added that the company’s working environment was not conducive, especially that toilets were not well kept and the workers lacked protective gear.
“It’s not the intention of the government to close up industries but rather encourage industries to grow with emphasis from President Hakainde Hichilema that they should adhere to public health standards,” he mentioned.
Mr Zimba said the beer produced by Nyankuwa breweries was being distributed to many areas including Chipata, Chanida and other parts of Katete, a situation that called for adequate safety and better handling mechanisms for the commodity.
He said the government recognised the role of the private sector in economic transformation hence the need to improve their production capacities.
Meanwhile, Chadiza Council Secretary David Mwansa said the open pit was hazardous, due to the stagnant water which may cause water borne diseases such as Cholera.
Mr Mwansa feared that if left unchecked, Chadiza might have an outbreak of cholera.
