Government has intensified its efforts to improve hygiene standards in North-western Province with over 50 village headmen and women in Senior Chief Ishindi’s chiefdom undergoing intensive training in sanitation management.
The training is a strategic measure to the official declaration of the chiefdom as an Open Defecation Free (ODF) zone aimed at eliminating waterborne diseases and enhancing the dignity of rural households.
Speaking during training held at Mukandakunda Palace North-western Province Water and Sanitation Coordinator, Chilala Samayuwa who was represented by senior water and Sanitation officer Abona Kakingwe stated that traditional leaders were cardinal in achieving the government’s vision of universal access to clean sanitation.
Mr Samayuwa noted that as custodians of tradition and local law, headmen were best positioned to influence behavioral change within their communities.
“Traditional leaders are the heartbeat of rural development. Without their active involvement, the transition from age-old practices to modern sanitary standards would remain a pipe dream,” Mr Samayuwa said.
Zambezi Town Council Water and Sanitation Coordinator Isabel Kalaluka said the local authority was ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the infrastructure being put in place met the required National standards.
She emphasised that the council will provide the necessary technical expertise to ensure that latrines and hand-washing facilities were both sustainable and climate-resilient.
Ms Kalaluka further observed that the council has integrated sanitation monitoring into its routine field inspections to prevent a slide back into old habits once the ODF status was granted.
She noted that the partnership with the Ishindi chiefdom served as a blueprint for other areas in Zambezi District to follow in the quest for a cleaner environment.
Meanwhile, Lunda Royal Establishment Prime Minister Jonas Katumoya welcomed the gesture by the government saying that it was the wish of the traditional leadership to collaborate with the state in solving the perennial challenges of poor sanitation and lack of clean water.
Mr Katumoya pointed out that the health of the subjects was a priority for Senior Chief Ishindi as a healthy workforce was essential for the economic productivity of the chiefdom.
He thanked the government for recognising the influential role of the traditional leaders in driving developmental agendas at the grassroots level.
“The Chiefdom is fully committed to this cause. We have already issued directives to all village headmen to ensure that every household has a functional pit latrine and a tippy-tap for handwashing. We believe that by working together we can banish cholera and other hygiene related ailments from our land forever,” Mr Katumoya added.
The chiefdom is set to be declared Open Defecation Free in April after meeting all the necessary parameters, which authorities say are currently at 65 percent completion.
OMG What next ??