LCC UNBLOCKS DRAINAGES TO PREVENT FLOODING
By KALOBWE BWALYA AS the rainy season draws nearer, the programme to unblock drainages and reduce flooding in the Central Business District (CBD) of Lusaka is on track.
Lusaka City Council (LCC) acting public relations manager George Sichimba said the local authority had intensified the programme which started last month.
He said the programme, aimed at reducing flooding on roads and car parks in the CBD, was progressing steadily.
Mr Sichimba however said the exercise was being derailed by members of the public who were in a habit of dumping waste in drainages that had already been cleaned up.
He said dumping of waste was rampant at Kulima Tower Bus Station and along Freedom and Lumumba Roads because of the heavy presence of commuters and street vendors.
“People are taking advantage of the underground drainage system in CBD to throw in waste but when roads are flooded the council is blamed.
“Just yesterday (Sunday) when it rained the council received complaints of mild flooding even in places where the council had already desilted the drainages at Kulima Tower and Freedom way," said Mr Sichimba.
“The council is therefore calling for positive change of attitude and refrain from dumping dirt in important public infrastructure such as drainages.
Mr Sichimba said the council was spending colossal sums of money to unblock the drainages, instead of channelling resources to other needy areas.
He warned that the local authority would not hesitate to arrest those found wanting.