By KALOBWE BWALYA
FILTH has again choked Lusaka Central Business District (CBD) following a return of street vendors with some opting to erect stands and mobile money booths on walk ways.
The development has caused accumulation of filth and more disruption to pedestrians as streets have now been turned into dumpsites.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has however warned of stern action against anyone found dumping garbage in undesignated places and erecting illegal stands along the walk ways.
A check by the Daily Nation found garbage heaps along Lumumba Road near City Market with a lot of litter in most roads.
LCC public relations manager, George Sichimba, said although vendors were allowed to trade in some roads in the city, they were not supposed to put up any stands along the walk ways.
Mr Sichimba said some vendors were dumping garbage in the drain at city market and such has since contributed to the drain being blocked.
He said despite the LCC provided skip bins, some people have continued dumping garbage anyhow now making the city filthier.
He said, LCC would not allow anyone abrogating the law with impunity, but would ensure that residents were guided by the laws of the land.
“Vendors should first of all note that vending along the roads such as Lumumba road is risky and also pedestrians will be having challenges in crossing to the other side of the road because of the stands that they have started putting up,” Mr Sichimba.
In an interview with the Daily Nation, Martin Changwe, who is among the people erecting metal shops, claimed that Lusaka had run out of trading place, therefore opted to put up the shops along the walk ways.
Mr Changwe said, although it was illegal putting up the stands, he had no choice because that was the only way place that was amicable for trading.
Another vendor, Stephen Phiri, said all the places in the city had been taken up, therefore it was difficult for him to find a place to trade from.
“All the places in the CBD have been take away and it’s very difficult to find a place, therefore we have decide put up the stands along this same way.
