CLEAR ILLEGAL CAR WASHERS, GARAGES, COUNCIL URGED

LUSAKA dwellers have appealed to the Lusaka City Council (LCC) to stop illegal car washers from operating in the Central Business District (CBD).

Citizens told the Daily Nation in separate interviews that the illegal operations were

inconveniencing people especially along Cairo, Freedom Way, and Chachacha roads.

One of the residents, Situmbeko Mbese, said the council should purge the illegal car washers from the CBD as it was contributing to traffic congestion.

Mr Mbese called on the local authority to quickly move in and control the situation because motorists and pedestrians were being inconvenienced.

He said apart from inconveniencing people’s movements, the dirty water from the car washing operation was creating stagnant pools and unhygienic conditions around the city centre.

Another resident, Mr Alfred Sichani, said the trend had become a menace as the call boys, who were mostly behind the illegal business, would have the vehicles park for washing anywhere.

Mr Sichani called on the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to work with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that sanity is restored along the city centre roads.

He called on the council not only to be arresting street vendors, but also to deal with illegal car washers, garages especially along Freedom Way.

He said illegal garages were also another health hazard as the mechanics disposed the used oil and other dangerous lubricants just anyhow.

And council public relations manager George Sichimba said the council would not allow illegal business such as car washers especially in CBD and along other roads.

Mr Sichimba said it was illegal for any person to wash cars in the city centre because the local authority had designated places where such business are supposed to be conducted.