Mongu Trades Training Institute shut for operating illegally, poor hygiene

The Mongu Municipal Council (MMC) in Western Province has with immediate effect closed Hostels and Boarding Houses that accommodate students from Mongu Trades Training Institute (MTTI) due to poor sanitary conditions and for operating illegally.

The boarding facilities have been closed pursuant to provisions of the Public Health Act Cap 295 of the Laws of Zambia.

The facilities were closed after an inspection conducted by a team of MMC Public Health Inspectors led by Town Clerk Oliver Muuka, where it was discovered that the Mongu Trades Hostel was highly congested.

According to a statement issued in Mongu on Friday, Muuka said during the inspection, it was also established that one of the hostels only had two functional toilets against 64 students.

He said the kitchen had dirty walls and floors and the workers that prepare food for students did not have food handlers certificates meaning they are not medically examined which is contrary to section 64 (2) (I) of the Food Safety Act No. 7 of 2019.

“All the boarding houses have inadequate toilets and bathrooms contrary to section 81 (a) (ii) of the Public Health Act Cap 295. For instance, a facility with more than 100 students has two toilets with dirty walls and floors thereby not meeting the minimum standards of hygiene,” Muuka said.

He said at the time of inspection, the premises had leaking pipes and manholes, defective urinals and cisterns.

“The boarding houses are required to obtain a trading permit, provide waste bins, fix blocked manholes and employ a full time cleaner.
The facilities will remain closed until all the recommendations by the Council are met,” Muuka said.

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