The Lusaka District Disaster Management, LDDM, is disappointed with people at the Independence Stadium resettlement camp who have refused to go back to their homes even after the July 1, 2010 deadline.
Lusaka District Commissioner, Christah Kalulu said it is disappointing that people still want to continue staying at the camp site even when they are fully aware of the terms under which they were temporarily relocated to the area.
Ms. Kalulu who is also LDDM chairperson said the management and its cooperating partners have assessed the flood areas and that most areas that were submerged are now dry.
She said some people have since moved back to their homes.
Ms. Kalulu disclosed that the Lusaka City Council has continued the assessment of the situation in areas that get flooded during the rainy season.
She said upon conclusion of the assessment, government and its cooperating partners would then make a decision on the way forward.
Ms. Kalulu noted that the people have to work with government and other cooperating partners to reach an amicable conclusion over their situation.
But President Rupiah Banda early this year promised the people at independence stadium that cabinet would sit to find a lasting solution to their plight.
Meanwhile, Lusaka Mayor Robert Chikwelete said there is need to find a permanent land for the people at independence stadium to avoid the recurrence of relocations during the rainy season.
He said Misisi compound in Lusaka should be given to developers who can turn it into an industrial area because it is not conducive for habitation.
And Lusaka City Council Assistant Public Relations Manager Mulunda Habeenzu said it is not safe for the people at independence stadium to be taken back to their submerged homes in Misisi and Chawama compounds even after the water dries up.
[ QFM ]
Remove them by force because a stadium can not be used a permanent home
infact its time to give a a small pension and send them to their villages..the city is for the working people…this is the inly time the government is in possesion of misis compound..
:d hahaha all I can do is laugh. Both the goverment and our people need to talk.
Who wants to return to a flood zone?
If anything, what is disappointing is the governments unwillingness to do anything about the annual flooding. What is needed is proper water management – irrigation districts, no-development zones that can absorb excess water during the rainy season, irrigation works.
Now there is either a flood or a drought. Water is a resource that must be managed well like any other.
Ok, if they go back to there homes in July they will live in those homes up to January. In january there will be floods again so they will come back to the Camp site. Meanwhile as usual the “good” Govt is still “assessing” and “studying” the situation, I am sure Govt will find a solution before the world ends, it could be 50, 80, 100 years from now, but be sure a solution will be found not in this generation or the next.
It’s good enough for developers to move and create drains and roads and buildings as GRZ can’t do it.
They are too busy building nest eggs for themselves and families.
Ndipo ine ni dabwa. Those people in the stadium should just be left alone to live there lives in the camp until the assessing and studying is done.
why take them to the stadium in the first place.
ine mwandi i want to be in charge of capital punishment when the new govt comes in. I will apply way in advance.