LCC MAINTAINS HIKED GARBAGE COLLECTION FEES DESPITE COMPLAINTS

Lusaka City Council (LCC) has urged its residents in areas it has increased garbage collection fees to respect and honor its decision it has made.

The council recently hiked garbage collection fees from K35, 000 to K45, 000 for Kamwala, Madras, Kabwata and Kabulonga residents respectively.

Gabbage

LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager Mulunda Habeenzu said the increase in garbage collection fees has been prompted by the council’s desire to operate in a more efficient manner.

Mr. Habeenzu said that the council does not collect garbage everyday not because its Waste Management Unit (WMU) has a system in place for garbage collection.

He said residents in affected areas need to consider the increment saying it is out of this money that the council manages to carry out the responsibility of garbage collection.

Mr. Habeenzu also noted that residents should be mindful with the fact that fuel prices have been on an increase making it necessary for the council to hike the garbage collection fees to effect mobility of the vehicles

He further explained that the council does not fund the collection of garbage but that the residents are the ones that fund the exercise through the monies that they pay.

The LCC Assistant PR Manager added that its residents should realize that the same money that they pay is used for maintaining vehicles, purchasing of fuel as well as paying workers. 

Some residents in the affected areas are reported to have complained about the hike of garbage collection fees from the current K35, 000 to K45, 000.

The residents have also accused the council of being less efficient in managing waste disposal in these areas and in the whole Lusaka city.

Meanwhile, Mr. Habeenzu says the council has not yet effected the programme where they could monitor street vending after 17:00hrs.

He said officers in charge of monitoring street vending are scheduled to knock off at 17:00hrs unless need arises to extend operating hours.

However, Mr. Habeenzu noted that the programme to effect the operations concerning street vending is been put into consideration.

Mr. Habeenzu said this when he was asked to explain why street vending in the city is on an increase after 17:00hrs especially in town along Lumumba road.