Chibanja Ward councillor Charles Mlogera has spoken of a breakdown in sanitation which promotes the likelihood of cholera and other hygiene-related outbreaks in the marshy township in Mzuzu.
He made the remarks on Tuesday when he joined volunteers from Malawi and United Kingdom (UK) in a clean-up campaign organised in partnership with Pace.
“It is paramount to deal with sanitation and hygiene issues quickly because they are a health hazard. It is embarrassing that people in my ward waited for VSO to travel all the way from UK to clean our area,” he said.
He challenged block leaders to ensure city residents take part in keeping their townships clean.
Mzuzu City Council official Harvey Limwando commended the volunteers for the sanitation and hygiene initiative.
Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) UK team leader Julian Strong said they intervened because Chibanja is one of the townships in Mzuzu without refuse bins.
“When it rains, the build-up of rubbish clogs the drainage system. Due to poor sanitation, there is always a threat of out-break of diseases,” she said.
Pace director Gibson Chisale asked the residents to emulate the example set by the volunteers. n
