(ZNBC)-President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has directed the Lusaka City Council -LCC- to immediately engage property owners whose structures are blocking waterways and causing floods in residential areas.
President HICHILEMA says some properties that are blocking water passages may have to be demolished.
He however, says the Council should engage those affected in a manner that will not lead to litigation.
The President says when matters go to court, they will delay solutions to the prevailing flood situation while people continue to suffer.
He says matters should by all means be addressed outside court so that people’s lives and property are safeguarded as soon as possible.
President HICHILEMA has further directed the Zambia Air Force -ZAF- to conduct an aerial survey of the flood situation in Lusaka so that Government knows which areas are habitable for relocation.
He says the local authority should ensure that people do not return to areas they will be relocated from.
The President said this in Lusaka today when he toured flooded areas in the City.
President HICHILEMA checked on, Kamwala South, Chawama, Makeni Villa and Garden House residential areas.
The President was accompanied by Service Chiefs, Ministers, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit -DMMU- National Coordinator GABRIEL POLLEN, Lusaka Mayor CHILANDO CHITANGALA and other senior Government officials.