Mkushi CBD needs toilets - traditionalist
LACK of public convenience rooms in Mkushi's central business district has become a community concern.
The situation has left shoppers and people conducting various businesses in town who were under pressure to answer the call of nature in nearby bushes and hidden areas.
This has resulted in some areas producing stench smells.
In interview, lmbalasa ye Lala ne Swaka Association secretary Getson Kapotesha said the local authority was mandated to provide public toilets in the CBD.
Mr Kapotesha wondered why the council had prioritised the building of fee-paying public toilets at New and ltala markets leaving out the CBD.
"The local authority has the responsibility and mandated to provide public convenience rooms in public places such as CBD and trading centres," Mr. Kapotesha said.
He appealed to the local authority to look into the matter as soon as possible.
Mkushi council chairman Evans Bwalya said the local authority had planned to put up the public toilets in the CBD.
Mkushi Men's Fellowship came forward and offered to build the structure but nothing had been done yet.
Mr Bwalya said the site and design were given to the men's fellowship but it had not honoured its offer.
"I am very disappointed with them, actually. They came up with the brilliant idea and our plans were disturbed because we received these well-wishers who came on board and government tends to work with well-wishers.
"We supplied the land, we gave them the place and everything but up to now there is nothing they have done," Mr Bwalya said.
Mkushi Men's Fellowship secretary Mtaziwa Kumwenda said the idea was still alive and the fellowship was eager to build the public toilets.
Mr Kumwenda said the project had stalled because there was a concern that the initial plot which was offered was being reconsidered.
"The idea is still there. The Men's Fellowship are eager to build it. Once we sit down and agree with the council on where the ablution block will be built we can begin the process," he said.