Maravi

Diamond Insurance chief calls for long-term solution to floods

Diamond Insurance chief calls for long-term solution to floods
By Joseph Mwenda and Agnes Changala
Sat 17 Apr. 2010, 04:20 CAT

THE Zambian government should partner with the private sector in order to rebuild the lives of flood victims, Diamond Insurance chief executive officer Tobias Milambo has advised.

And acting Lusaka district commissioner Patrick Phiri has said a total of 177 families are now being accommodated at Independence Stadium following the relocation exercise.

In an interview, Milambo observed that the flood victims would still suffer even after the water levels recede because their houses would no longer be habitable.

“The government has to find-long term solutions for these floods especially with the change in climate and take the floods crisis as its priority agenda. That will not only benefit the victims but it will also help the government protect its revenue,” Milambo said.

He said the government through the ministries of finance and local government and housing should set up a mechanism that would see the introduction of a national disaster insurance policy which would help victims rebuild their lives.

“If the government partners with insurance companies, it will be compelled to put up proper drainage in areas where floods are an annual crisis in order to meet the insurance requirements. That way, the insurance companies will come in and cover the water damage comprehensively,” Milambo proposed.

And the number of people relocating to the temporary campsite in Lusaka has stabilised following the reduction in rainfall levels.

Phiri, who is also district demonstrative officer at the district commissioner’s office, said the relevant authorities would have to make a decision on the families whose homes would still be flooded when the time to leave the camps comes on July 1, 2010.

Early last month, the government temporarily moved flood victims from Chawama and Misisi to Lusaka's Independence Stadium with Vice-President George Kunda promising to take victims’ plight before Cabinet in order to find a lasting solution to their, now annual, problem.

Labels: FLOODS, PATRICK PHIRI, TOBIAS MILAMBO

posted by MrK @ 4:48 PM