Housing Emmanuel Chenda has challenged backbenchers to help find a lasting solution for street vending.
Mr Chenda said Government is committed to clearing streets of vendors but that this requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including members of opposition political parties.
“We are not happy with the situation of street vendors and we are doing everything we can as Government to resolve this issue with the input of stakeholders,” Mr Chenda said.
The minister was responding to a point of order by Mazabuka Central member of Parliament (MP) Gary Nkombo (UPND) who wanted to know why the markets and bus stations Act has not been repealed.
Mr Chenda also said Government plans to construct modern markets but its priority is to complete ongoing projects.
He said it is prudent to complete ongoing market projects than embarking on new ones.
Mr Chenda also said it is Government’s policy that markets and bus stations should be run by law and not men.
He also said it is not true that cadres are collecting millions of kwacha at markets and bus stations, especially in Lusaka.
Mr Chenda also challenged MPs with information on cadres allegedly stealing money from markets and bus stations to report to Government.
The minister was responding to Bwacha MP Sydney Mushanga (PF) who wanted to know whether Kabwe is among the districts to benefit from the rehabilitation of markets.
Talk to the vendors themselves in finding this solution
Why ask UPND who knows best about farming? PF themselves, are experts in street life. The likes of Nsanda, Mwaliteta, GBM all knows those minibus controllers. Jean Kapata knows all Bana maliketi
So now you admit that you have no clue in solving the street-vending-gate that you yourselves exacerbated – in attempt to to gain political popularity.
We warned you and pleaded with you correct the situation when it was still containable. But now that it is out of hand you plead for help from the same people you mocked of being “bitter.”
Ndeloshafye.
PF CAUSED THE PROBLEM BY INVITING STREET VENDERS INTO STREETS.
I THANK EMMANUEL CHENDA ADMITING THAT PF HAS FAILED TO RULE THIS NATION. YOU WERE TOO HAPPY TO INVITE STREET VENDERS INTO STREETS. IT WAS LEGAL AT THAT TIME YOU WERE MAKING PRONOUNCEMENTS TO ALLOW STREET VENDING. NOW WHAT HAS CHANGED NOW THAT STREET VENDING IS ILLEGAL NOW?
We are in a new dispensation. Making decisions in a void can no longer work in a connected world. The vendors themselves will offer up a solution and suggest on what you should impose as restraint. That way you will meet each other half-way. Vending is as old as time; in fact formal shops are also vendors, except they have structures. Informal vendors must be helped to grow and get into similar positions like established outlets. This will only work if you are systemic in your approach and not confrontational as has been the case in the past. Innovative, clever ways of dealing with this is key. Call me when you need help…
PF is a failed govt. What has the South African consultants achieved? wasted money and now you’re asking MPS to help. Why did you not ask the help of the MPs before wasting money on the South African accountants? Uze less PMs and yuzelesi Lusaka city council.
There was a report recently that govt has hired a consultant for this same purpose. What has happened to that consultant first and foremost? This govt is clueless on many real issues affecting the country that is why they can just open their dirty mouths without engaging the brains. Talk the vendors and find out how you can help each other. Mwanyanya bakapala!
The person who should solve the problem of street vending is ailing dictator Michael Sata because he was the one who permitted it.MPs or any other citizen or organization cannot assist the PF.
…Mr. Chenda….when the situation was manageable, several advice/recommendations were given by different stakeholders but you wouldn’t listen…you choose to be stubborn…..now that the situation is out of hand, u are crying for help….
several people, parents, friends including doctors advised you against smoking but you wouldn’t listen, now that you have cancer of the lungs you want help….??
Our CORRUPT Government officials, emptied Government coffers, by paying some accounting firm to “Sort out the Street Vending Problem” nothings been done & now this farce?
If Zambia is to come out of its Poor state, & join the Nations that are developing, then whoever authorised the Payment to the accounting firm should be Locked up for a VERY LONG TIME, as these Scams fall under Economic sabotage, & keep Zambia perpetually in “THE DARK AGES”
Zambia Should NEVER be Poor, as we are potentially one of the richest nations on earth resource wise, & all our problems are Man Made, & solely due to GREED!!!
Just last month we were told the Govt has engaged a south african consulting firm to develop a plan to curb street vending…. has the plan already failed in its planning stages??
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK “Housing Emmanuel Chenda”- (LT) FOR ADMITTING FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING IS THE HOW TO:
1, Look for open spaces and start building very high standards and state-of-the-art smaller markets inter spaced in the cities, towns and villages (Lusaka business district=city, Chelstone=town, silver Rest=village). The distance or radius between these markets must be determined by local councils in connection with town planners.
2, These markets must have very good and well attended toilets and showers systems which will be used upon fee payment.
3, The entrance to these abrusions must be manned by electronic gates where coins amounting to,say, K1 are inserted in order to access the service(s).
4, Ensure enough fee-paying parking spaces for shoppers’ vehicles and delivery vans.
5, Turn big markets such as Soweto into specialised markets, say- meat, fruit and veggie, fish markets. Specialised markets should be built in all four corners of the city.
6, Appoint a board of directors to run these markets in each district.
7, Enact law against street vending.
Municipal gains are direct/indirect revenue from market levy, collect toilet utility fee, car park takings, and more people visiting and buying from already existing businesses, more investors in the area and more economic plans for the area by the local govt. and obviously the end of street vending.
The Lusaka City Council must modify and turn Lusaka Inter-City Bus Terminus into another smaller city market (in fact this market should be a standard for a smaller market) and build four big and state-of-the-art inter-city terminals in Silver Rest for the Eastern and Mozambique bound coaches, in Zani Muone or beyond for the CopperBelt, Luapula and Nothern provinces bound coaches, in Chilanga for the Southern, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia bound coaches and finally along Mumbwa road for the Western and North Western and DR Congo bound coaches. Avoid building markets near these bus terminals to avoid thieves flooding bus terminals and encouraging unhygienic conditions at both markets and bus stations (rail) places. Maintain a distance of, say, a minimum 2KM away from each other. Businesses
. Maintain a distance of, say, a minimum 2KM away from each other. Businesses to be allowed at these intercity and international stations may include bagging, hotels, restaurants, and other travel related businesses.
@peter you started off very well by offering what I think are very good ideas. However, you seem to have fallen into the trap of stifling debate. History is very important in finding solutions to problems. It was a big mistake to allow vendors on the streets because it was a breach of the law. The lesson we learn is that it’s retrogressive to break the law just for the sake of popularity. Coming back to solutions, I have suggested in the past that we should come up with vendor cities, not small spaces like you’ve suggested but big open spaces with parking, street lights, toilet facilities security etc. if the current bus stops can be raised one floor up it will release a lot of space for traders etc.
The current pervasive street vending was aided and abetted by PF. They created this problem and must deal with it themselves. Why should they invite third parties to solve a mess they have nourished?
@jbwalwa, THAT’S HISTORY, MAN. YOU ARE A SHEER WASTE OF SPACE. YOU HAVEN’T EVEN TRIED TO OFFER ANY SOLUTION. YOU ARE THE ZAMBIANS WE DON’T NEED. ALL THE MINISTER IS ASKING FOR IS A SOLUTION. POUNDING ON THE PREVIOUS MISTAKE WON’T YIELD ANY SOLUTION. IT WILL JUST WASTE SPACE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO OFFER SOME SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS.
@Peter. don’t be so bitter.
Yes it is true that that when someone cries for help, you must come thru. However, you can only come to assist if the one seeking help shows signs of repentance. As it stands, PF does not show any remorse. They are still full of “imiponto” so why help them – “They know it all”
Ba Chenda, issue a green card for the vendors at a higher rate than the fees charged in markets so that you either make markets more attractive or gain the much needed revenue. So trading in streets without the green card will be VERY illegal. That’s how some countries have treated prostitution and other vices – discourage it or make money on it.