District Commissioner blames poor waste management for flooding, disease outbreaks in Lusaka

Lusaka District Commissioner, Dr. Rosa Kayuni Zulu, has underscored the strong connection between poor solid waste management, flooding, and outbreaks of waterborne diseases during the rainy season.

Zulu urged residents to improve waste collection and disposal practices to curb flooding and disease outbreaks, adding that violations should attract punitive action from authorities.

She made the remarks during a Solid Waste Management Stakeholder Meeting, hosted by the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) at the Civic Centre on Monday.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening waste management systems, promoting environmental sustainability, and safeguarding public health in the district.

It also served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas aimed at tackling existing challenges and identifying practical solutions for effective solid waste management.

Zulu reported that the District Health Office had recorded 10 new suspected cholera cases in the last 24 hours—five from Kaunda Square, two from Chawama and one from Mutendere.

Meanwhile, Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Joe Kalusa, stressed the need for stronger contractor engagement to address poor waste disposal in the city.

“Contractors will not be paid without evidence of work,” he warned, emphasizing the importance of accountability.

Kalusa also encouraged contractors to openly raise the challenges they encountered in the field.

In response, contractors highlighted various concerns, including poor waste disposal habits by residents—particularly during the rainy season—nonpayment of garbage collection fees, transport constraints, equipment shortages, and the absence of enforceable policies to ensure community compliance.

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