By CHARLES MUSONDA
Some residents of Lusaka’s Chunga Township are living in fear of having their houses collapse after the damage resulting from rock blasting done by named contractor.
The company blamed for the blasting was engaged by Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) to lay new sewer pipes .
As the company was digging new lines, it encountered a big rock formation in Chunga, forcing it to resort to blasting using dynamites.
Speaking in an interview on behalf of the affected, Terry Kabwe said the blasting, which started in April this year, was so intense that it shook houses located near the site, causing them to develop cracks from their foundation to the roofs.
Mr. Kabwe said flying stones from the blasting were landing on roofs, Zesco power lines and other properties like cars.
He said the flying stones’ impact on the power lines resulted in damage to electrical appliances.
Mr. Kabwe said following the damage, the affected residents engaged the contractor for compensation but nothing has come forth so far.
He said this forced them to write to LWSC, as owners of the project, and Mwembeshi ward Councilor Chrispin Kabole but that their efforts have not yielded any positive result.
Another resident Mary Matendeko said with onset of the rains, she and others are living in fear as their houses are leaking from the damaged roofs as if people were sleeping outside.
Mrs. Matendeko said concerned authorities should not wait for a disaster to help the victims.
She said they should be given reasonable compensation to do the repairs on their own as they spent a lot of money on building the houses.
When contacted, Mr. Kabole confirmed receiving the residents’ complaint and promised to take up the matter with the contractor.
Chunga residents up in arms over rock blasting
