– Govt. determinied to build landfills across the country

—Parliament today heard that government is determined to construct landfills in all parts of the country.

Local Government and Housing Minister Emmanuel Chenda says government is concerned about the issue surrounding garbage especially in the capital city, Lusaka.

Mr. Chenda, who is also PF Mbwana Mkubwa Member of Parliament (MP), said Government scouting for funds to build the landfills.

The Minister was responding to Lubansenshi Independent MP Patrick Mucheleka’s querry who how many sanitary landfills are currently in use in Zambia and what is the approximate cost of constructing one sanitary landfill.

Mr. Mucheleka Also wanted to know how many local authorities have developed waste management strategic plans and whether the Central government has any plans to assist Councils to clear the uncollected garbage.

Mr. Chenda in response said government is addressing the issue of garbage collection so as to rid of garbage.

He cited the Chunga landfill in Lusaka’s Chunga township where there is a lot of challenges of scavengers who were in the habit of re-collecting the dumped garbage from the dump-site back into the households and streets for various reasons among them business.

He stated that he has directed Councils in the country to develop waste management strategic plans in ensuring that there is sanity in their respective places.

He disclosed that his ministry working with the private sector have partnered with some transport firms to assist local authorities to clear the uncollected garbage in residential areas to the landfills.

Mr. Chenda, who did not disclose how much moneys would be required to construct the landfills across the country,  said called for change of mind-set among the residents in managing garbage as the issue of garbage cannot be left to government and the councils along.