Make Zambia clean, green and health campaign re-launched

Lusaka, April 28, 2018, ZANIS——President Edgar Lungu has relaunched the make Zambia clean, green and health campaign with the a call to Citizens to embrace the initiative.

The re-launch of the campaign is aimed at making cities, towns, villages, public institutions and places clean to improve the health standards of “ all our people .”

And Mr. Lungu has urged Zambians to remain committed to embrace, promote and maintain a clean, healthy, safe living and working environment to foster prosperity in the nation.

Speaking during the colourful relaunch ceremony held at new Soweto annex, today , President Lungu said government has resolved to promote clean living as a way of fostering national development.

He said general cleanliness is a pre-requisite in averting disease associated with unhygienic living.

“ The general cleanliness of premises, residencies and community surroundings still remain a challenge which poses a risk to the health of the Zambian citizenry, “ he said.

President Lungu said that government introduced the green aspect as a way of preserving and sustaining the environment and the campaign has now been re-branded as “make Zambia clean, green and healthy campaign”.

The President has therefore urged individuals, households, institutions, church, civil society and cooperate world to partner with government in promote the make Zambia clean, green and health healthy campaign.

The Head of State bemoaned that cleaning of premises, residents and community surroundings remains a challenge in the country.

“ I therefore call for a mind- set change if Zambia is to become a clean, green and health country, “ said the Republican President who at the same time noted that unhygienic living poses a risk to the health of the citizenry.

President Lungu insisted that government should not be left alone to champion the programme adding that the campaign will only successes if all stakeholders joined hands with government in promoting clean living.

And Mr. Lungu has urged Zambians to remain committed to embrace, promote and maintain a clean, healthy, safe living and working environment to foster prosperity in the nation.

He also noted that the practice of poor waste disposal has further been made worse to failure by some companies in the private sector to sensitise their customers on appropriate means of waste disposal particularly packaging materials.

He explained that the failure has impacted negatively on most local authorities who have not been able to effectively collect and manage waste due to lack of capacity to do so.

“ Government however remains committed to the programme, hence our gathering today at the new Soweto annex market sheds, “ he said.

He said that the move is to illustrate the PF government’s determination to provide a conducive trading environment aimed at promoting good health for traders and their customers.

The president also disclosed that government is also working towards the enactment of the solid waste management legislation, in an attempt to keep maintain and sustain the environment legislation is expected to further strengthen private sector participation in the provision of solid waste services.

And speaking earlier at the same function, Minister of Local Government Vincent Mwale thanked President for taking keen interest in the promoting of the make Zambia clean, green and health campaign.

Mr Mwale said the local authorities have been inspired by the President’s zeal to champion clean living.

He stressed that the campaign will only be achieved if all stakeholders joined hands with government in embracing the make Zambia clean, green and health campaign.

Mr Mwale said the ministry will soon engage other ministries, churches, companies and the cooperate world in order to support the campaign.

And Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata said her ministry stands ready to support the clean, green and health campaign initiative.

Mrs Kapata pledged to help the ministry of Local government in town planning.

She said the planning of the city will include the planting of tree and grass so as to protect the environment from degradation.

Meanwhile President Lungu has appealed to companies to sensitize consumers on how to dispose used packaging materials.

He complained that most companies have failed to take responsibility hence the littering of packaging materials.

President Lungu said this has resulted in the environment being impacted negatively.

ZANIS