The Chipata City Council has warned that it will begin taking legal action against individuals and institutions involved in illegal waste disposal, amid growing concerns over the rise of unauthorized dumping sites across the district. Council Assistant Public Relations Officer, Grace Lungu, said in a statement that indiscriminate waste disposal had become a serious threat to public health, environmental safety and the general cleanliness of the city. “The actions contravene provisions of the Solid Waste Regulation and Management Act No.
20 of 2018, the Public Health Act Cap 295, and Statutory Instrument No. 12 of 2018,” Lungu said. She added that environmental guidelines enforced by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) also prohibited such practices, noting that illegal dumping contributed significantly to pollution and environmental degradation.
Lungu reminded residents that digging refuse pits or dumping waste within residential premises was prohibited under Zambian law. Council Town Clerk, Dulani Phiri, through the Public Health Department, recently conducted random inspections at several known illegal dumping hotspots, including Old Beit Stadium, Holly Hill and Mpezeni Park (Kaunda Square). Lungu urged the public to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in the city.
Read Full Article on Zambia Monitor
[paywall]
“Cleanliness is a shared responsibility, and compliance with waste management regulations is not optional but mandatory,” she said. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
[/paywall]
