By PASSY HAACHIZO –

. Mwale

LOCAL Government Minister Vincent Mwale has warned Kabwe Municipal Council (KMC) of stern action if it misappropriates revenue that will be raised from the newly-constructed Intra Bus Station at former United Bus of Zambia (UBZ) station in Kabwe.
Mr Mwale said yesterday when he opened the intra bus station which was constructed at a cost of K4.5 million next to the famous Mukuyu tree that the Government was not prepared to hear of any abuse of the funds that will be raised from the new facility.
He said it was imperative that the local authority secured the monies into the Market and Bus Stations Fund account where all local authorities were expected to deposit the money collected from bus stations.
Mr Mwale said the money that would be collected would be channeled towards construction of new bus stations and rehabilitation of old ones in all the districts across the country in the next four years.
He noted that it would be pointless for the Government to waste colossal sums of money constructing new infrastructure when they benefited a few individuals.
“Let me warn Kabwe Municipal Council management and all the civic leaders not to abuse the revenue that will be collected from this intra-bus station because they will face disciplinary measures.
He urged Kabwe mayor Prince Chileshe to inform councillors and council employees that the law will visit them if they abuse the funds from the station.
Mr Mwale also directed private owners of bus stations in Kabwe to engage the local authority or the Ministry of Local Government if they were to be allowed to continue to operate from the old bus stations.
Central Province Minister Sydney Mushanga assured the local authority of the Provincial Administration’s support in ensuring the smooth operation of the intra-bus station.
“I also take this opportunity to appeal to the Council to seriously embark on the Government’s programme of Keeping Kabwe clean as the only surest way of preventing cholera and other waterborne diseases,” he said.