By ISAAC MUKANDO –

MUFULIRA Municipal Council (MMC) in conjunction with Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) has closed more than 33 business houses for non adherence to health standards.

The business houses which included bars, shops and restaurants were closed for operating without running water for more than six months.

This was after the water utility company disconnected water from the premises for non-payment of water bills.

Council public relations manager Melvin Mukela said the local authority had noted with dismay that the majority of business houses in the district were operating without regard to health standards that required them to have running tap water.

Mr Mukela said in a statement that the decision to close the business houses was aimed at safeguarding the lives of people.

“Under the Public Health, Food and Drug Act 203, it is illegal to trade and operate in premises without running water because this was likely to cause an outbreak of diseases.

“Since the traders are not meeting the required health standards, as council and Mulonga Water we have resolved to close all premises which have continued to operate without running tap water,” Mr Mukela said.

Mr Mukela said the local authority would not allow and entertain traders who were not following the health standards when conducting their businesses.

Mufulira Town clerk Gertrude Chibiliti said the council was not going to allow any of the closed business houses to reopen before reconnecting the water supply and thorough inspection by the water utility firm.