GENERAL NEWS

Lungu commissions water kiosk

23/12/2013

AFTER 24 years with no water, Kuomboka Market in Lusaka’s Chawama finally had the taps running, and yesterday Member of Parliament Edgar Lungu commissioned a water kiosk worth K19,000.
Mr Lungu, who is Minister of Home Affairs, said it is a health hazard for people to trade in a market which has no water.
He is also concerned that water is only supplied in the morning and afternoon.
He urged the Ward Development Committee (WDC) chairperson to ensure resources are raised to boost water supply round-the-clock.
Mr Lungu said the water project at the market has been made possible through Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
Meanwhile, Mr Lungu has with immediate effect shut down Extreme Sports Betting Café in his constituency because the business is taking advantage of the poor in the area.
During an impromptu visit, Mr Lungu found the Café filled to capacity with underage youths gambling.
He questioned the manager why such a business was operating in a place where there are poor people.
“This is a business for the rich. Why operate it here? Where are these youths getting money to use for gambling?” he asked.
Mr Lungu said instead of business people providing amenities that could develop youths; they are exposing them to vices that are destroying them.
He said the business is addictive to youths and could lead them to stealing money for them to sustain gambling.
Mr Lungu ordered Chawama Ward 2 councillor Potiphar Tembo to revoke the licence after it was established that it was obtained illegally.
After examining the business licence, Mr Tembo, who sits on the Liquor licence Committee, said he was not aware of any time that the licence was brought to his attention for approval.
“Even if this licence is showing it is from the council, it was illegally obtained,” he charged.
The proprietor summoned to Mr Tembo’s office on Monday.
The closure was received with mixed feelings by patrons some of whom claimed that betting has helped put more money in their pockets.