Street vendors to move, says Kampyongo

MINISTER of Local Government and Housing Stephen Kampyongo says Government is in the process of relocating street vendors in Lusaka, Copperbelt and Livingstone to new trading places.
Mr Kampyongo said on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Sunday Interview that this is in a bid to decongest the streets in the central business districts.
“Once we are done with relocating street vendors in Lusaka, a similar process will be done on the Copperbelt and Livingstone, where street vending is still a challenge,” Mr Kampyongo said.
He said a piece of land has been allocated for street vendors along Lumumba Road in the central business district in Lusaka, but might not cater for all the vendors.
Mr Kampyongo said the land has already been cleared and construction of the ablution block is under way.
“Once the construction of the ablution block is completed, we will start moving them in phases. We are also still negotiating for other two locations where we can take those who will remain,” Mr Kapyongo said.
He said the street vendors through their association are being engaged on a regular basis and a register has been put in place to establish their numbers.
And the minister has appealed to Zambians to join in the fight against illegal land allocation by reporting all those suspected to be constructing on land illegally.
Mr Kampyongo said there will be no “sacred cows” in dealing with people involved in illegal land allocation.
He urged councillors not to get involved in illegal allocation of land because it is eroding public confidence in councils.
“Let people have confidence in the councils by doing the right thing. It will never be justifiable that because there is too much demand for land, then people can build anywhere,” he said.