Gov’t Calls on Civic Leaders to Champion Waste Management in Lusaka
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) has urged civic leaders in Lusaka to take a proactive role in sensitizing communities on proper solid waste management, amid rising concerns over the indiscriminate dumping of garbage in the capital.
Speaking at an orientation meeting for councilors held at Radisson Blu Hotel, MLGRD Permanent Secretary (Technical Services) Mr. Nicholas Phiri expressed deep concern over worsening sanitation in densely populated areas such as Kanyama and Chawama.
He emphasized that civic leaders must lead by example and educate residents on sustainable waste practices.
“While government, with support from stakeholders like the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), continues to facilitate municipal services, civic leaders must help drive community behavioral change to ensure a cleaner Lusaka,” Mr. Phiri said.
Central to the discussions was the Lusaka Clean City Project, a new initiative backed by JICA to boost the city’s capacity in managing solid waste. The project includes the rehabilitation of the Chunga Landfill, Lusaka’s only government-gazetted dumpsite, which has suffered years of neglect and infrastructural decay.
JICA Zambia Senior Representative Mr. Keita Izumi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the project, which also includes a comprehensive masterplan to strengthen the Lusaka Integrated Solid Waste Management Company (LISWMC) in areas such as waste collection, transportation, and disposal.
The Permanent Secretary concluded by calling for joint efforts and enhanced stakeholder capacity to achieve a cleaner, healthier capital city.
