BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
@SunZambian
THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has donated 254 smuggled waste bins worth K156, 000 to the National Epidemic Preparedness Prevention Control Management Committee.
ZRA acting commissioner general, Brigitte Muyenga, said the gesture was meant to keep help Zambia clean by preventing dangerous recycling and repackaging of waste which resulted from the failure to dispose them safely.
Speaking during the donation in Lusaka yesterday, Ms Muyenga explained that ZRA believed in raising awareness for people to know what the authority stood for.
“Our position has always been to seize the goods, the vessel and then prosecute the offenders. With the introduction of our new model compliance squad in new uniform, this has become a routine and smugglers must be forewarned that they will not be left with any breathing space,
“Today the authority is donating 254 waste bins to the National Epidemic Prevention Control and management Committee because we support your efforts to help keep the surroundings clean,” she said.
She said ZRA had also placed waste bins along Musonda Ngosa and Kalambo roads which would be replicated in all the authority’s stations throughout Zambia.
Speaking at the same function, ministry of health permanent secretary for administration, Kennedy Malama warned that Zambia still had risks factors against cholera hence the need to keep the surroundings clean.
Dr Malama, on behalf of minister of health Dr Chitalu Chilufya, said such risks included inadequate supply of clean water and waste management among others.
“2017-2018 was a difficult year for Zambia. We recorded more than 5,000 cases of cholera and slightly over 100 deaths. We would not want to go to that situation,
“Many times ZRA has supported the health sector, yes Zambia has not recorded any cholera cases but our appeal as a task force is that was should not relax,” he said.
Dr Malama appealed to the public not to vandalise the waste bins and ensure that their environment was kept clean.
