Separate Church, bar areas - residents
RESIDENTS from various townships in Kitwe have demanded an explanation from the Kitwe City Council (KCC) why it has been allowing bars and churches to be constructed in close vicinity.
The residents said the construction of drinking places next to churches or vice-versa was an indication of the breaking down of law and order in the allocation of plots by the local authority.
But Kitwe City Council KCC) Public Relations Manager Roy Kuseka said some people were being allocated plots to put up some form of development, but they end up changing their plans without notifying the local authority.
Residents from Wusakile, Ndeke, Buchi and Chimwemwe told the Daily Nation in separate interviews that the local authority should ensure that churches were constructed specific areas, far away from bars.
Sophia Banda, a 43-year-old woman of Wusakile said previously, there was law and order in the allocation of plots for churches and bars, unlike now when they were allocated in the same areas. in
“Like here in Wusakile, there is a road called church road because that is where churches constructed, but now, there is confusion.
You find a person constructing a church near the bar or the bar near the church.
“People are wondering what the local authority is doing. We need sanity in the way we do things. You cannot allow the bar to be constructed next to the church because the two have different kind of music and message,’’ Ms Banda said.
Mr Kuseka on the other hand said some people were being allocated plots to construct a specific development, but they ended up changing their plan of development without notifying the local authority.
Mr Kuseka said some people would get a plot for commercial purposes, but they end up constructing a night club without notifying the council. He said the city has continued to grow hence it was difficult for officers in the planning department to inspect all construction works.
“So when it happens like this, people will blame the local authority. The local authority cannot be everywhere, it also needs the support of the residents to stop some of these vices and social ills,’’ Mr Kuseka said.