Affluence driving solid waste crisis – minister

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 14:12:25 +0000

By KALOBWE BWALYA

IMPLEMENTATION of the Keep Zambia Clean programme has not been a success due to inadequate enforcement of by-laws governing the implementation of solid waste.

Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale said increased waste generation and complexity of waste streams associated with urbanization, economic growth and increased affluence was a major challenge.

He said inadequate waste management equipment and infrastructure such as engineered sanitary landfills for final disposal and treatment of solid waste was among the bottlenecks holding up the programme.

“My ministry is developing a public media awareness campaign to sensitize the Zambian citizenry on responsible waste management and cleaning of premises at work places and community surroundings.

‘‘The programme was supposed to commence airing on the national broadcaster (ZNBC) in the second quarter of 2016 but will now be aired in the second quarter of 2017,” said Mr Mwale.

He disclosed that the Lusaka City Council was seeking to establish a waste-to-energy plant under a public private partnership (PPP) in Lusaka to ensure a clean and healthy environment, and contribute to minimizing the energy deficit.

Mr Mwale said this required more investments in the sector for local authorities to manage waste efficiently as well as lack of involvement and financing of the sub-sector.

Meanwhile, Mr Mwale said the drainage works in Lusaka were going on within the city.

The minister said in Chawama area, the drainage to Kuku market, including installation of two major crossing and seven access points, were in progress at about 66 percent.

He said the improvement of drainage channel in Chamba Valley, ZAF, Hybrid, north of Kaunda Square and Chainda compound was under the annual routine maintenance programme.

“Drainages have mainly become a problem during the rainy season with the most affected being the City of Lusaka and the budgetary constraints have made it difficult for the cities to adequately deal with the drainage problem which leads to some areas flooding,’’ said Mr Mwale.

Mr Mwale said a 30 km primary drainage network which would be feeding into the Ngwerere stream, draining channels from Libala, Kabwata and Kamwala under the Lusaka Water Supply Sanitation and Drainage Project (LWSD) was at 40 percent completion stage.

“Other routine maintaince works are on-going on roadside drainages throughout the city such as Fairview, Northmead, Garden compound, Chipata and Mazyopa and wass being sponsored by the MCA,” he said.