By Tovin Ngombe:-
Sinazongwe district Council Meeting has disclosed that Maamba Township is facing a serious problem of sewerage spillages in most residential areas.
Maamba ward Councilor Peter Siavulwe said the non-operation of the Maamba mine which has been dormant for a long time despite being privatized to Zambia Consolidate Copper Mine (ZCCM) Investment Holdings has worsened problem.
Mr. Siavulwe said the usage of cotton wool among the women was contributing to the broking of the sewer pipes resulting into water spillages all over the compound.
The councilor requested the Sinazongwe council to assist with plumbing equipment to use for unblocking the sewer pipes to avoid an outbreak of diseases in the township.
He told the full council meeting that the fee slapped on the plumbing equipment to unblock the sewer water should be removed to avoid buying more “coffins†if the situation was left unattended.
A Maamba mine worker who refused to be quoted because ZCCM-Investment holding has stopped them from issuing any statement to the press said the sewerage problem was a serious health hazard to the Maamba community.
He said initially the sewer pipes were designed to cater for a small number of people but the increasing population was putting much pressure on the limited capacity of the pipes resulting into blockages.
The miner said the problem could only be sorted out if the size of the pipes were removed and be replaced to cater for the swelling population in Maamba.
“As along as the issue of replacing the pipes with bigger ones was not addressed the sewerage spillages would continue,†the miner said
A check by ZANIS revealed that most children in the compound play in the sewerage water that was being discharged into the streams.
Most domestic animals such as pigs, cattle, and goats have found a safe haven for grazing and for drinking the sewage water that is almost everywhere in the township.
