Vice President Mutale-Nalumango has called on Zambians to take responsibility for the country’s drainage systems as severe flooding continues to displace families in Lusaka’s Mandevu constituency. Speaking on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema, she warned against blocking drainages, calling the recent floods “man-made” and preventable.
“Yes, indeed, we prayed to God for rain, but we won’t pray again for God to keep our drainages safe and clean. That is our responsibility,” the Vice President said during her visit to the affected areas.
As part of the government’s response to the crisis, 22 families displaced by the floods have been evacuated from temporary shelters at Chipata Primary School and will be relocated to safer areas. To support the displaced families, the government has provided K66,000 to cover two months’ rent for those affected.
Vice President Nalumango reassured the victims that the government remains fully committed to addressing their needs and preventing similar disasters in the future. She urged residents to refrain from constructing buildings in flood-prone areas, emphasizing the importance of adhering to urban planning guidelines to mitigate future flooding.
During her visit, the Vice President also expressed gratitude to Mandevu Member of Parliament Christopher Shakafuswa for working collaboratively to address the crisis. “I wish to sincerely appreciate Mr. Shakafuswa for not politicizing the issue of floods in the constituency,” she said.
Mr. Shakafuswa commended the government’s swift response, stating that it reflected President Hichilema’s commitment to tackling the challenges faced by Zambians. “The timely assistance provided to the affected families shows the President’s dedication to ensuring no one is left behind,” he remarked.
As Lusaka residents continue to grapple with the aftermath of the floods, the Vice President underscored her role in supporting President Hichilema’s vision, stating, “My role is very clear: to support the President’s vision to the very end of his journey, and I am more than happy to do just that.”
The government’s actions reflect a broader effort to prevent future disasters by addressing both immediate needs and long-term solutions. However, officials warn that community cooperation is critical to avoiding similar tragedies in the future.
Oh so we the people must take responsibilty for the drains Is it not the local Councils mandate to collect the garbage and dispose of it, If the dont supply us with those large refuse bins what are we expected to to ??
TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR THIS FAILURE
And let’s not bring God into this and make out that your prayers brought this rain
Those drainages are poorly constructed… They MUST be underground drainages instead of canals whereby waste is easily dumped in them.
Why are we always being caught napping into reactivity? It’s the job of the council to ensure drainage systems are free of blockages.
Indeed how many Presidents will visit flooded Lusaka before we realise the solution is in a wholesome practical infra-structural plan that can be effected if we had a functioning Ministry of Local government and City Council? Nearly all our presidents have vsited flooded areas after the fact. Dont they sit down Traore style or Kagame-style with the numerous engineers we have and make a lasting plan for these floods??
All the presidents have visited flooded Lusaka but the floods keep happening. On the other hand I often ask why where I grew up on the copperbelt there were no floods? Smart town planning and maitenance by the mining adminstration should have been emulated in Lusaka
When we failed to mitigate challenges that come along with droughts that saw our farm produce wither, we then hoped for torrents. We all heard the president say and wish for floods. The mini deluge has revealed the same government inefficiencies too. No escaping.
For several months, even before the rain season, that water in the drainage between Mumbwa road and Lumumba road is an example of sometimes having infrastructures that are poorly utilised. The millennium drain line is a white elephant as well. Kulima Tower and City Market stations should never flood at all, but here we are regardless of the huge sums of the CDF allocation.
I think the Japanese also gave us some money to bring Lusaka to modern standards. This was during MMD’s rule but what happened to this collaboration?
Lusaka City council is collecting alot of money
From rates which is to be used for drainage
Clearance and other problems affecting the
People.
Useless why moderation all the time.
Unfortunately all the comments are just a list of blind talk and fingers pointing nowhere but self.
You live in these compounds and you see how the residents throw refuse right in the drainages.
They throw their refuse by the roadside just near drainages even when the Council dumping point is visible. This waste is carried by rain run-off water into the drainages.
You are right BUT where do you expect them to throw it ??
The last I heard of Mr. Crab was in SpongeBob OvalPants. You sound so animated such that one would think you have solutions. None, not even the cartoonised answers to the drainage problem. Except that your finger is pointing to nothing though wanting to say something.
Am the ONLY intelligent friend to SpongeBob SquarePants. I give him high degree advice.
Here am giving you giving you advice.
LET’S RESPECT OUR ENVIRONMENT!
Am pointing at our poor mind set with regards to environmental health care in our communities especially high density areas-we are directly and indirectly responsible of 40-45% of blockages.
No mention whatsoever of the responsibilities of Lusaka City Council to keep the city clean. We miss Michael Sata who would clean the city not simply “warn” the victims
Kabisa:
That is exactly my point. Clean, unblock and create free fluid discharge passages. Afterwards warn, prosecute or advise and reprimand those culprits responsible to induce deterrence.
When UPND moved people from Munyaule where did they go to? They went to crowd the West Gate and installed makeshift markets and sheebbins right above the drain passage right up to Lumumba bus station main entrance.
Solutions please.
Why street vending never existed in the past? Did the council in the past enforce bye laws? Did the bye laws bend to street vendors wishes? What are the disadvantages of street vending as prescribed in the bye laws of public health?
You people and UPND……kaya?
Until you have really a silly government after UPND.
An angel you don’t know is no better than the Devil you know….
Very wise saying.
Looking at the Presidential aspirants ladies and gentlemen am left with NO choice but the devil I know.
Tonse Alliance, UKA, Zawapa etc etc…very very shallow characters and jokers…
They puts me off!!!
SP to introduce to us an old Cuban type of regime ( socialism) which has never worked well for it’s people.
Zambians you have no credible choice from the ranting Presidential candidates.
You may manage to remove UPND like you are all pushing, but you will regret more with the replacement..
Believe me!
We will find a credible replacement from with in the party or outside
THAT IS A CERT
What happened to that big millennium drainage canal built at a cost of millions financed by donors which was meant to take all the excess water away from the city.
Ati some nonsense “we miss Michael Sata ” yet it was his PF party that allowed street vendors en mass just to gain votes over Rupiah Bwezani Banda.
Narcissistic leaders always destroy and put own interests above needs of their countries…Saddam Hussein,Emporor Nero ,Mobutu ,Trump , Daniel Arap Moi….
I vividly remember how the PF was touted as the one to come and solve all problems in the country! What happened? Why were they voted out?