LCC disappointed with people frustrating vendor allocation exercise

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) is disappointed with some sections of society that are frustrating its efforts in relocating street vendors.

LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager, Brenda Katongo, says the council is relocating street vendors from Cairo and Lumumba road to Simon Mwewa Lane off Lumumba Road under phase one as a way of cleaning up the city in preparation for the Golden Jubilee celebrations but people are frustrating the efforts.

And LCC Town Clerk, Gilbert Sendama, says the excises is being done in the best interest of Zambians and warned those trying to frustrate councils efforts of stern action.

In a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Sendama added that the council will not allow anyone to trade on the street after the relocation exercise.

Mr Sendama said the relocation has reached an advance stage and the civic authority is working hand in hand with the Vendors Foundation in the excises.

He revealed that the council has since been training Vendor Foundation zone leaders from the University of Zambia (UNZA) to help sensitise their members on health and other related issues including what items they can sell at designated areas.

Mr Sendama added that UNZA has since trained a total of 50 vendors that have been identified as part of this change process.

He has since encouraged members of the public to change their mind-set and have a sense of civic responsibility as the country rebrands in Zambia’s Golden Jubilee year and beyond.

LCC on Tuesday night conducted a demolition exercise on the council land along Simon Mwewa lane off Los Angeles road to pave way for the resurfacing of the area.

Mr Sendama said the piece of land is estimated to accommodate 5,000 vendors and that the council has made provision for basic services such as sanitation and solid waste management.