Sunday letters to the editor

Sun, 07 Jan 2018 10:24:56 +0000

THANK YOU STATE HOUSE

Dear Editor,

OFTEN we complain about government failing to do certain things and rarely do we show appreciation for what government has done.

It is in this vein that I want to appreciate State House action on Lumumba road, which is now been worked on after so many complaints from members of the public.

Indeed as promised by State House  presidential aide for projects implementation and monitoring, Mr Chellah, the contractor is on site patching up potholes.

This promptness is welcome and we want to commend the responsible ministry for ensuring that this takes place within the given time frame.

I just want to emphasize that Lumumba road is a critical road in the capital city because it services the heavy industrial area. In short, the companies that contribute to the economy of the country are in this part of the city and it is only right that they are provided with good roads.

We just want to appeal that this gesture should be extended to Buyantashi road, which provides access to some big manufacturing plants but is hardly passable. The potholes in that road are so big that saloon cars cannot pass there no matter how good the driver may try to negotiate.

When Lumumba is patched up, we hope that this road too can be looked into.

Otherwise, we say thank you to State House for listening to our cries about Lumumba road.

Joshua M.

Lusaka

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Fighting cholera effectively

Dear Editor,

THE threat of cross infection in as far as cholera is concerned is real. This is not aa joking matter and we should all be serious in the fight to eradicate the disease.

Cholera can strike any person and it is not surprising that even people like HH are now on board. I was shocked to learn that this man is  for a change agreeing with government on an issue. Normally he does not  play ball and would rather be opposing even if it is for the good of the nation.

Whoever advised this time around, did a good job because it showed wisdom.

When a catastrophe befalls a nation, it is important for all citizens to come on board and tackle the problem. It does not pay to stand aloof as if you or you relatives would never be affected in anyway.

As it is, we have already seen that this pandemic affects everyone in one way or the other. Economically, the whole country is affected because medical facilities are indeed getting stretched and hence government appeal to stakeholders and well wishers to get on board and assist.

This is the time when big and small companies should show their social responsibility by aiding government in the fight against the cholera pandemic. A few donations have so far been made by companies and am sure there are many more that can come on board.

More chlorine is needed to be sent out to families and communities in desperate need and it is only morally right that companies help out. The companies make money from the people, so they should be able to help the people.

Concerned citizen

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Cholera deaths are regrettable

Dear Editor,

I WISH to take advantage of this platform to express my sincere condolences to families that have lost loved ones as a result of the cholera epidemic which has hit Lusaka but has ultimately spread to some other towns.

For me, the cholera outbreak is an eye opener to government and fellow Zambians that prevention is better than cure. Like cancer which is treatable when detected early, it is important for us not to wait for a problem to hit crisis levels before we can solve it.

Let’s strive to solve problems as and when they come without having to wait for them to turn into a crisis, be it in health or indeed any other sectors of our economy.

Without pointing an accusing finger at anybody (this is not time for blame games), it is evident that the unsanitary conditions resulting from people trading from dirty surroundings in the Central Business District (CBD) and in markets should have long been stopped.

The CBD was literary chocked with dirt beyond acceptable standards and this should never be allowed to happen. Yes part of the problem is that 80 percent of the underground water is contaminated, but the levels of hygiene in the CBD and in some compounds and townships is disheartening to say the least. 

Despite people dying from diseases, it’s sad to hear people complaining that they are unhappy that street vending has been temporarily banned …they still want to continue trading in dirty surroundings…really! How can one make money while vomiting and experiencing severe bouts of diarrhoea? 

Fellow citizens we need to change our mind set on matters of cleanliness and our surroundings.

I therefore appeal to fellow Zambians to observe high standards of hygiene to and support the measures the Ministry of Health has instituted.  This disease knows no status and is should never be taken lightly.

Finally I also appeal to the Ministry of Health in collaboration with other stakeholders to carry out a robust awareness campaign on the need for cleanliness and the dangers of this epidemic. Already I have heard people saying it transmitted through the air.

This just shows the high ignorance levels prevailing among some people but should not be the case.

Concerned

Lusaka resident

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Chinese smugglers creating bad image for others

Dear Editor

WHY are our Chinese brothers so involved in wrong things happening in the country. Smuggling seems to be their favourite.

Only recently one Chinese was caught with imitation of Bata shoes. He was arrested and taken to court and fined.

Now we hear more have been caught with smuggle items. Why cant they just do straight forward business so as to maintain a good name.

We know that it is only a few misguided ones that are tarnishing the image of Chinese nationals. Unfortunately, it only takes one bad egg to spoil things.

These same characters who are involved in mukula scandals and smuggling are responsible for creating a negative perception about the Chinese.

As a Zambian, I can not support anyone who tries or is trying to ruin the economy of my country. Smuggling is illegal because the perpetrators can ruin a country’s economy.

Their intention is to avoid paying the right taxes by hiding the items that they are importing. The net impact on the country is bad and that is why we cannot support anyone involved in this illegal activity.

Concerned

Lusaka