Vice President Mutale Nalumango has implored citizens to have a mindset change towards cleanliness and good hygiene.


Ms Nalumango emphasized that diseases, especially waterborne ones like cholera can only be prevented through keeping the surroundings clean and practicing good hygiene.


ZANIS reports that the Vice President was speaking today in Kanyama Constituency during the launch of the Women Cleaning Initiative for Markets and Bus Stations, and a spot check of flooded areas within the Constituency.


She appreciated the women at BH market for taking the step to create a clean environment adding that it is a sure way of preventing cholera.

“Initiatives like these are what we need,” she added.

She further advised that people must desist from littering the surroundings because litter is what blocks drainages, thereby causing floods in some parts of the Constituency.

She also assured the gathering that her office working with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) will ensure that markets are provided with chemicals for cleaning.

She reminded the marketeers who got Marketeer booster loans from the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) to pay back the loans, so that others can benefit as well.


During the spot check in John Laing Compound, She emphasised the need for residents to desist from blocking drainages as they exacerbate flooding.

She further advised Aaron Mwanza, Councillor for Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula ward 12 in John Laing, Kanyama Constituency to activate some by-laws that will deter people from blocking drainages.

 

Also present was Lusaka Province Minister, Sheal Mulyata who appreciated the women for the initiative , saying it is a good and timely move.


Ms Mulyata also said the youth and men must also join the women in keeping the environment clean.


Speaking during the launch of the women’s cleaning initiative, Chairperson of the women’s group Masando Pembela said the initiative was put in place to help transform the mindset of marketeers regarding their approach to good hygiene and sanitation.

Ms Masando also appreciated the government for putting in place good policies and for ensuring that there is no cadrerism at markets and bus stations.

She also appealed to the Vice President to help markets have points where plastics, papers and organic waste can be collected and recycled.