Mulanje district commissioner Chriss Nawata has assured residents of continued improvement of sanitation and hygiene in trading centres and public places for their overall well-being.
Speaking on Wednesday at Chitakale Market in line with President Peter Mutharika’s Executive on sanitation and hygiene, he said the council is investing in sanitation infrastructure to address poor waste disposal and to nurture hygiene practices among residents.
Said Nawata: “The main challenge has been the absence of a dumpsite in the district, but we have found a place at Thuchira for sustainable waste management.
“We conduct frequent waste disposal in our markets to ensure that vendors and the public have safe business spaces. We have introduced hand-washing facilities at strategic locations such as schools and workplaces for safe and hygienic conditions.”
Chitakale Market chairperson Wyson Paipi commended the council for the efforts to provide them with a clean and healthy business space.
“Waste disposal has improved. We hope this will continue with the establishment of Thuchira Dumpsite. Council officers are also encouraging us to observe sanitation and hygiene practices to reduce our vulnerability to communicable and waterborne diseases such as cholera and polio,” he said.
Traditional Authority Mabuka said he will develop sanitation and hygiene by-laws with other local leaders to ensure attainment of the order’s objectives.
First Capital Bank Malawi supported the initiative with cleaning equipment such as shovels and wheelbarrows worth K5 million.
The bank’s southern regional manager Linda Msukwa said they will continue providing such resources in the district as part of their corporate social responsibility.
The Presidential Executive Order No. 2 strives to have councils coordinate action to improve cleanliness in trading centres, workplaces and schools, among others
