Maravi

Markets have been turned into homes, says Kazonga

Markets have been turned into homes, says Kazonga
By Zumani Katasefa and Oudney Mulungwe
Monday February 04, 2008 [03:00]

LOCAL government deputy minister Eustarckio Kazonga has said that most markets in Zambia have been turned into homes. Speaking on Saturday during the official handover of Mpatamato Market, which was rehabilitated by Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) at a total cost of K155 million, Kazonga said in the past marketeers were made to pay levies, fees and other contributions but the money was never ploughed back into improving facilities.

“Instead the money has gone into private hands and in some cases, the council’s general fund. Because of this, most markets in the country have expanded without plans and are operating without water or toilets.

Some of these markets are also being abused because people have turned them into homes,” he said.
Kazonga said this was why most markets had been experiencing more fires, some of which might have been caused by overloading and faulty electrical connections.

He also said that the market and bus stations Act should be supported by everyone as it was intended to safeguard the interests of the majority marketeers.

“As we all know, since the colonial days, it is the responsibility of councils to construct and manage public facilities such as bus stations, markets, community centres, play parks, swimming pools, fire brigades and other social facilities. This requirement has not changed and government wants to ensure that the council has the capacity to provide these services to their residents on a sustainable basis,” he said.

Kazonga said the government appreciated the contribution of the private sector towards the provision of social services.
He thanked Luanshya Copper Mines Plc for constructing market sheds for Luanshya Municipal Council.

And LCM chief executive officer Derrick Webbstock said his company spent K155million on the construction works for the market.

Webbstock said LCM also donated a 76 seater second-hand TATA bus to Roan Constituency for the community to use during funerals.

He added that his company’s 2008 corporate social responsibility budget would focus on the education and health sectors and infrastructure development.

“In the training and education sector, Luanshya Copper Mines Plc has introduced bursary scheme for deserving school leavers, where 10 students from Luanshya will be sponsored annually to the Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia.

The scholarships will be awarded to students with intentions to pursue degree programmes in mining, metallurgy and engineering,” he said.

Labels: HOUSING, LOCAL MARKETS, MARKETEERS

posted by MrK @ 6:14 PM