Govt urges utility firms to submit cholera prevention plans by October 30

The government has called on commercial utilities to develop a Cholera Prevention Plan by October 30, 2024, in anticipation of the upcoming pre-cholera season.

Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Collins Nzovu, made this announcement in Lusaka on Wednesday while officiating at a forum on water and sanitation held at the Mulungushi International Conference Center.

The event was themed “Better Coordination of Improved Supply and Sanitation Service Provision Post-Cholera Outbreak Amid the Drought Response.”

“We cannot allow these obstacles to compromise public health,” Nzovu stated.

He noted that water supply and electricity shortages exacerbate existing challenges.

Nzovu cautioned that cholera could thrive if systems fail, stressing the importance of preventive measures.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that these systems do not fail. I therefore expect all commercial utilities to create a Cholera Prevention Plan by October 30, 2024, with a robust response to the drought and clear contingencies to protect our communities without fail,” he said.

Nzovu emphasized that the complexity of the water and sanitation sector challenges necessitates collaborative efforts.

At the same event, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gary Nkombo, highlighted the importance of fostering collaboration at all levels to effectively mobilize efforts needed to address water-related challenges.

He also noted that the increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) presented an opportunity to tackle these water issues effectively.

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