Find Your Feet has partnered with the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia’s Church and Society Programme and Voice of Livingstonia (VoL) to address waste management problems in Mzuzu City.
The seven-month initiative funded by Tilitonse Foundation to the tune of K76 million seeks to enhance urban governance through active citizenship and stakeholders’ engagement.
Speaking during a meeting with the city’s executive committee on Friday, Church and Society deputy director Jacob Nkambule said: “The project seeks to bridge the gap that is there between city dwellers and the council, particularly with regards to issues of service delivery such as waste management. What is the role of the council in waste management, how could it be responsive to the needs of the people with regards to collection of waste? At the same time, how do city dwellers take part and participate in enhancing the efficiency of the council?” he said.
Find Your Feet programme manager Melina Mtonga said there is little dialogue between duty-bearers and Mzuzu city dwellers craving quality services from the council.
She said: “Worse still, the council doesn’t have enough resources while city dwellers’ mindset needs to change. They throw waste anyhow.
“In addition, we have a few private traders in waste management because the business is not cost-effective. As a result, we have piles of uncollected refuse in the city,” she said.
Mzuzu City Council senior environmental health officer Augustine Gama said the council has inadequate funds and workforce to manage waste effectively.
“If the residents are sensitised to proper waste disposal, it would lessen our job in keeping the city clean,” he said.
Source: The Nation_Regional News_by John Chirwa-Staff Reporter