By CHILA NAMAIKO  –
SOUTHERN Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu has directed local authorities in the province to double their efforts in upholding the highest standards of hygiene in their localities.

. Mubukwanu

Mr Mubukwanu said the move would help to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases.
He cited Choma Municipal Council as one of the local authorities in the province which should lead by example in upholding cleanliness because Choma was the provincial capital.
Mr Mubukwanu was speaking in a speech read for him by assistant provincial secretary Kapuma Luyanga at the launch of Miss Keep Choma Clean Campaign on Friday.
“I want to urge councils to ensure that there is no indiscriminate throwing of garbage and ensure a clean and healthy environment,” he said.
The launch was supported by among other partners, Indo Zambia Bank, Total Service Filling Station, Stanbic Bank, who mobilised resources for the purchase of some waste bins.
Mr Mubukwanu urged councils to intensify the collection of garbage in their localities.
The minister said Choma being the provincial capital of Southern Province should always be kept clean by the council.
He said that indiscriminate disposal of garbage around towns was posing a health hazard to the people.
The launch of the Miss Keep Choma Clean Campaign was spearheaded by youths from a local radio station called Young Generation in collaboration with CMC.
The youths in joint efforts with officials from CMC took turns to clean the famous Makalanguzu market.
Government recently re-launched the newly re-branded “Clean up Zambia” healthy campaign and cited the lack of cleanliness as being one of the major sources of concern garbage.