LUSAKA Province Minister Charles Shawa has launched the 2010/2011 Disaster Risk Reduction Preparedness and Response Programme aimed at improving water, sanitation and improve roads and bridges before the onset of rains in the province.

And the Government has since released about K200 million for all constituencies in Lusaka Province to rehabilitate 30 kilometres of selected deplorable roads in each constituency immediately.

Speaking during the launch yesterday, Mr Shawa said the programme with a budgetary support of K71 billion would be driven over a period of nine months.

He said the Government was hopeful the programme would effectively reduce and avoid impact of hazards like recent floods that displaced several residents in Lusaka.

He said the programme drew up input from various stakeholders such as the District Disaster Management Team, Lusaka City Council (LCC) and was a clear demonstration of commitment by the Government to protect residents in the district and provide for improved living conditions.

"The experiences of the last rain season and effects it had on our communities was a rather a negative one not only to the victims but to the Government as well. It goes without saying that today marks a major milestone for Government in the way the disaster programme will be managed in Lusaka, " Mr Shawa said.

He said the recent floods experienced were devastating with several homes in townships like Misisi, Kuku being submerged in water making them inhabitable and the Government had to relocate the victims to a temporay camp near Independence Stadium.

The negative impact of those incidences were exacerbated by the outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera that caused the death of more than 200 people in Lusaka District.

Government had recognised that if the situation was left unchecked, it could undermine development achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) hence the launch of the disaster risk reduction programme.

"I therefore, make an appeal to all our residents and business houses in Lusaka District to drive this programme and support with material or financial resources through the district disaster management committee," he said

Mr Shawa implored LCC Mayor Robert Chikwelete to ensure the council started rehabilitating all the blocked drainages around the city in order to prevent floods during the rainy season.

He commended the Zambia Red Cross Society, Zambia Defence Forces, Zesco among other stakeholders who rendered assistance to the flood hit victims at independence stadium.

And Mr Shawa said the Government had released K199 million that would be used in all constituencies in Lusaka to rehabilitate feeder roads and appealed to Members of Parliament (MPs) to identify roads that need immediate repair works.

And acting Lusaka District Commissioner, Martha Mwitumwa said the district was certain the objectives of the programme launched would be implemented and called all residents to familiarise themselves with the goals.

Chawama MP Violet Sampa-Bredt thanked the Government for its swift action to assist flood victims the majority of whom came from her area adding that all citizens should support such a move by the Government.

In attendance during the function were Kabwata MP Given Lubinda and his Munali counterpart Mumbi Phiri.