Street vending worries East PS

Street vending worries East PS

 Chipata, August 8, 2014, ZANIS…Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chileshe Mulenga has directed local councils in all the eight districts to manage street vending.

And Dr Mulenga has warned people to beware of the Ebola virus outbreak and that they should not take it lightly as it is a serious and deadly epidemic.

Meanwhile, Dr Mulenga says street vending poses a health threat in the central business areas of the province.

Speaking at the Provincial Epidemic Preparedness Meeting held at Luangwa Guest House in Chipata this morning, Dr. Mulenga said councils should strive to manage the vendors as opposed to ignoring them.

He observed that people misunderstood President Michael Sata when he allowed street vending saying the President wanted street vending to be well managed as opposed to allowing people to sale their merchandize in all corners of the central business district.

Dr Mulenga stated that street vendors should not be let on the loose as this was a health risk especially in Chipata district which has a high population.

He said all districts should revitalize the Keep Zambia campaign which he noted had been abandoned.

He observed that the province is at risk of diarrhoea outbreaks if the situation is left unchecked.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mulenga has advised stake holders in the region to focus on ‘hot’ spots wherever malaria cases are still high in the region.

‘’ Malaria is still a problem and I urge all of you especially us leaders to set an example and follow measures to prevent the disease including the spraying of houses,’’ he said.

He added that the district health team should see to it that there is proper distribution and usage of treated mosquito nets as Eastern and Northern provinces continue to record high levels of malaria cases in the country.

And  Dr. Mulenga further said that diarrhoeal diseases were at an increase in the province and therefore people should maintain high standards of hygiene.

‘’ I hope the Eastern Water and sewerage Company has set measures to control water supply in the region as we are now approaching the dry season where there is usually water shortages,’’ he said.