The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has conducted a demolition exercise of eighteen illegal structures which were being used as restaurants, Bars, makeshift sleeping quarters and toilets.
Council Assistant Public Relations Manager Nyambe Bulumba said the action followed inspections carried out by the Council’s Public Health Inspectors in conjunction with the Council Police in Lusaka’s Chinika area, Makeni, Castle Mall area and Cosmopolitan frontage among other areas.
Speaking to One Love Radio news, Mr. Bulumba said during the inspections, 82 illegal structures were identified, with 18 demolished and marking 64 more for possible demolition.
He said the demolished makeshift structures were found to be causing indiscriminate disposal of waste in the drains and on-site due to the owners not subscribing to proper solid waste management systems in place.
Additionally, he said they were operating without licenses, sanitary facilities and running water, thereby violating the Public Health Act Cap 295 of the Laws of Zambia and the Solid Waste Management Act No. 20 of 2018.
“The illegal restaurant operators were warned and sensitized against operating businesses illegally but did not comply, hence the action by the Council,” he stated.
The City Council further said it remains committed to enforcing public health regulations and ensuring a clean and safe environment for all residents of Lusaka.
“Our Public Health Inspectors will continue to patrol the city to ensure orderliness in the running of restaurants and other businesses,” Mr. Bulumba said.