LCC effective despite councillors’ suspension

THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) says the suspension of the mayor and councillors has not negatively affected the performance of the local authority contrary to suggestions by some sections of society.

LCC public relations manager Chanda Makanta said the local authority is also effectively managing bus stations and markets in the city in the aftermath of wrangles at some of the sites recently.

Ms Makanta said in an interview that the LCC has not experienced any crippling challenges and has continued to function normally as before.

Government recently suspended Lusaka mayor Daniel Chisenga and councillors at the Patriotic Front-led council to pave way for investigations into alleged financial irregularities.

Copperbelt Province-based local government officer Solomon Sakala has been appointed to oversee the affairs of the council.

Ms Makanta said the LCC will endeavour and continue to operate effectively even without the councillors.

“The LCC has placed management to run the bus stations. We had read that cadres (from political parties) had taken over the stations but that is not the case. All bus stations are managed by the city council. Whatever happened and was talked about has been resolved amicably,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Makanta has advised liquor traders at Lusaka’s COMESA market to wind up their business operations by the end of this month.

She said the LCC public health department has since issued letters notifying the traders to stop liquor trading at the premises.

Ms Makanta said the LCC has exhausted ultimatums saying this is the final warning to the traders and that failure to comply with the order will attract punitive measures.

Meanwhile, LEON HAANGALA reports that the LCC says that its plans to extend the Lusaka city road network are still in the pipeline.

Ms Makanta said that plans to construct ring roads, in co-operation with the Japanese government, are still alive.

“We have planned to construct ring roads but some houses may have to be demolished in the process.

However, the owners of these structures will be compensated in form of either money or other accommodation,” she said.

She said, however, that Lusaka residents should not panic as these are still plans.

Ms Makanta has also apologised for the inconvenience being caused by the closure of a segment of Church Road to facilitate expansion of the road at Levy Junction Mall which is under construction.

“We are well aware that the closure of church road has caused congestion, however we need motorists to be patient as this expansion will serve to help ease traffic when the mall is opened,” she said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]