Chronicle Editor
Johnsias Mutonhori, Midlands Correspondent
THE Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Midlands Cde Owen Ncube has challenged local authorities in the province to address waste management issues dogging areas in their jurisdictions to avert the outbreak diarrhoeal diseases.
Addressing people during a litter awareness campaign in Gweru, Minister Ncube said it was sad to note that there were piles of uncollected garbage at most vending areas and bus termini across the province while there were no proper waste management systems in place.
His remarks come at a time when the country is facing a cholera outbreak that has already claimed lives in the country. In Gweru, he noted that Mtapa Vegetable Market had for a long time been marked by lack of ablution facilities with vendors operating haphazardly at open spaces with no proper litter disposal facilities. Minister Ncube said local authorities must establish waste management systems to avoid such unhealthy situations.
“It is saddening to note that most vending sites within our province are in a sorry state due to uncollected garbage dumped on undesignated sites and these illegal dumps act as breeding sites for vectors that spread diseases such as cholera. We have also noted that some of the vending sites do not have adequate litter bins and ablution facilities forcing people to resort to illegal waste dumping and burning. I therefore call upon local authorities to establish waste management plans for all vending sites and ensure that there are adequate litter containers to promote sustainable waste management,” he said.
He also challenged vendors to play their part in ensuring that the vending sites were kept clean and safe for edible products, adding that they were a factored sector in the attainment of the upper middle-class by 2030.
“The vending community should also form waste management communities that will oversee waste management issues in vending sites. As a nation, we are working towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030 and vendors have a huge role to play in achieving set objectives,” he said.
The vendors at Mtapa Vegetable Market appealed to the city council to improve their hygiene conditions. They applauded the Government for its pro-common people policies.
“I am happy that our President considers the plight of vendors. We feel valued and considered when the authorities listen to our concerns so that we work together and open space for us to contribute to national development,” said Mrs Maria Machona, a vendor at Mtapa Vegetable Market.
Bongani Ndlovu