L/STONE COUNCIL U-TURNS ON LEASE OF SHOPS AFTER UPROAR BY COUCILLORS

THE Livingstone City Council has withdrawn advertisements on the lease of restaurants space and shops at the new Intercity Bus Station and Livingstone City Market, formerly Zimbabwe Market following demands by newly elected councillors to rescind the decision.

The two facilities were commissioned by former Vice President Inonge Wina, in the PF government last month and since then, they had not been in use.

On Wednesday, the local authority issued two adverts announcing the lease of shops at the market to the former Zimbabwe Market traders and interested parties and also restaurants spaces at the new Bus Terminus.

The adverts were calling on individuals and organisations capable to run restaurants or shops at the two facilities to apply for consideration on lease basis.

But yesterday, the adverts were withdrawn without stating the reasons for the action.

The withdrawal notice reads, "This serves to inform members of the general public in Livingstone and beyond, that the adverts which were published on Livingstone City Council Facebook Page yesterday, 8th September 2021 and other social media platforms on the lease of shops and restaurants at the Intercity Bus Terminus and for the shops and other facilities at Livingstone City Market have been withdrawn until further notice."

Inside sources said new councillors had demanded the withdrawal of the adverts.

The sources said councillors asked management at the local authority to reverse the lease.

Efforts to get Town Clerk George Mulenga and Mayor Constance Muleabai failed as they had travelled to Lusaka for the official opening of parliament today.