6 November 2009
editorial
THE issue of poor drainage systems in most towns in the country has become a perennial problem encountered every rainy season.
The problem is worse for the capital Lusaka where shops, especially in the Kamwala area get flooded while townships like Kanyama are a no-go area during this season.
That is why the directive by acting Local Government and Housing Minister Bradford Machila to the Lusaka City Council that the local authority should do something about the roads and ensure the drainage systems were worked on before the onset of serious rains should be taken seriously.
In fact, this should not apply to Lusaka alone, but also to all other towns and districts throughout Zambia.
While the minister has a point in giving the directive to Lusaka City Council, the problem is nation-wide and therefore all councils should, as a matter of urgency, work on the roads and drainage systems.
The images of flooded Lusaka townships and shop corridors from the last rainy season are still vivid and it is important for the city fathers to ensure there are no repeat scenes.
The reasons for the flooding are equally well known hence the need for the councils to clear clogged drainage systems and clean up the roads of any garbage that may block the systems.
It is obvious that without good roads, there can be no meaningful development in our communities.
Fortunately for Lusaka, the minister toured a number of roads in the company of LCC officers for an on-the-spot check of the poor state of these roads.
The tour by the minister was revealing and it is apparent that most roads and drainage systems are in urgent need of rehabilitation.
Councils have a big role to play in all this because township-based roads fall under their jurisdiction.
Their engineering departments should come up with deliberate measures to ensure that roads maintenance is an on-going exercise which should not just be stepped up during the rainy season.
The councils should not wait until a road is impassable for them to take remedial measures. Roads can have a long lifespan if they are regularly maintained.
Apart from that, councils working together with the Road Development Agency should ensure that in industrial areas, trucks that use the roads are not overloaded.
The directive is clear and it is now up to all councils in the country to act quickly.
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