IT is disheartening to hear of the country grappling with soaring cases of cholera when initiatives like the Keep Zambia Clean and Healthy Campaign were initiated to overcome such occurrences.
On June 22, 2007 third Republican president Levy Mwanawasa launched the Keep Zambia Clean and Healthy Campaign, aimed at fulfilling the goal of a health and sanitary nation.
Sadly, the campaign has degenerated into ‘a shell of its former self’ with the country still grappling with heaps of ill dumped and uncollected garbage.
The desired results of the Keep Zambia Clean campaign are not visible and this could be one of the reasons why the dark cloud of waterborne diseases is still hovering over the country.
Lusaka Province alone has recorded more than 300 confirmed cases of cholera since the disease broke out last month.
The affected areas are Bauleni, Kanyama and Matero, whereas Chibombo District has also recorded a few.
According to the ministries of Health and Local Government and Housing, one of the interventions that Government has undertaken to halt the spread of Cholera is to temporarily ban the sale of food on the streets.
This intervention however, needs the input of consumers to work effectively.
The more we continue buying; particularly cooked foods on the streets, the more street vending will be seen as the most lucrative option of making money.
On the Keep Zambia Clean Campaign, according to the Government, the challenge has been with regards to the inability of councils to effectively manage the Keep Zambia Clean campaign.
Most councils lack the financial muscle to manage competing needs thus garbage collection has not consistently received full financial backing.
I am however, of the view that the Keep Zambia Clean is a national policy whose successful implementation can only be achieved with the participation of all citizens.
We must all be involved in keeping our surroundings clean by adhering to the basic requirements of a clean society.
These include the use of rubbish bins when disposing of garbage and ensuring secure storage of food and drinking water, all among others.
Members of the public should also make use of the solid waste management equipment which has been dotted on several streets around the country.
Public rail and motor transport facilities such as trains and buses should also be equipped with refuse bins so that objects are not tossed out of windows after use.
Every citizen ought to cooperate with the council in their respective areas of abode by ensuring that garbage is disposed of in designated locations.
Indiscriminate dumping of garbage should also be treated as a misdemeanour and carry a penalty.
There is also need for the Government to revisit the approach of implementing the Keep Zambia Clean more so that most suburbs are densely populated.
Government should formulate a separate fund for councils to increase awareness on garbage disposal programmes while the capacity for dirt collection is also rebooted.
If the Government has established enough market places to accommodate the vendors then a law should be passed to make street vending illegal.
There is also need for the Government to forester more programmes through the Public Private Partnerships with companies and individuals that have expertise in solid waste management.
The successful implementation of the Keep Zambia Clean and health campaign is not only the role of the Government but every Zambian citizen.
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From the mailbox this week; Allen Mate wrote;
Dear Mr Kunda
I read with interest your recent features article in the Sunday Times entitled Time for economic diversification is now.
I would like to share with you my observations and please do not take this as criticism of your article in any way.
While I subscribe to diversification and certainly believe that diversification is long overdue, the key points for me are the following:
*Have we ever undertaken a study or review to understand the mistakes of past diversification initiatives from the time of the UNIP government to date?
*If we understand the factors that lead to failure then surely we can prioritise our diversification efforts better and take steps to ensure we do not fall prey to the same mistakes.
*The Zambia National Service which originally was the Zambia Youth Service. Why has this vehicle not been effective in spearheading the efforts in diversification into the agricultural sector?
* Why are we not availed statistics showing yearly improvement and plans for diversification by ZNS.
Those are my few comments to your article. Thank you Allen for your contribution.
Comments: jameskunda91@gmail.com or 0973182006