Lusaka City Council has completed major drainage works in the Central Business District (CBD) at a cost of 20 Million Kwacha.
Council Director of Engineering Victor Chawinga says the completed drains are ready to handle the expected rains.
The media reports that speaking during an inspection of the completed works, Mr Chawingwa said the project, which stretches from the Government Complex to Lumumba Road, has significantly improved the city's drainage network.
"We started with the Government Complex, near Intercity Bus Terminus, and that section is now completed. Even during the last rainy season, that area remained dry, showing that the system is working effectively'', he said.
Mr Chawinga added that the council has also completed drainage works along Freedom Way, from the junction of Ben Bella Road to Lumumba Road, with only a small section remaining around Kulima Tower to be connected to the main line.
"On both sides of Freedom Way, we've done closed-up drainage. What is remaining is to cut inside Kulima Tower to feed into this drain, which then connects to Lumumba drainage," he explained.
He disclosed that the initiative is part of a broader effort to rehabilitate and modernise drainage systems in the city.
Mr Chawinga however, expressed concern over the indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste into the drainages, which he said threatens to undermine the council's efforts.
"The only challenge we have is the dumping of plastics in the drainages. This is what causes blockages and prevents water from flowing properly," he said.
Council Public Relations Manager, Chola Mwamba, said the local authority is working tirelessly to ensure the city's drainage infrastructure can withstand all seasons, including the rainy period.
"Lusaka City Council is working expediently to ensure that the drainage system is ready to host all seasons. We appeal to members of the public to dispose of garbage properly because throwing waste in the drainage system is what brings about blockages," she said.
Ms Mwaba further urged the business community to subscribe to the registered waste collection companies to help maintain cleanliness in the CBD and prevent indiscriminate dumping.
"We are appealing to all residents and business owners to work together with the Lusaka City Council so that we can keep our city clean and live in a conducive environment," she added.
Meanwhile, Kulima Tower Bus Operator, Leonard Tembo, commended the council for constructing new drainages but called for stricter enforcement of littering laws to stop people from throwing plastics into the drainage systems.
"We are happy that drainages have been created in Lusaka, but our biggest challenge is people throwing plastics. If there was a law where anyone is found throwing plastics should be paying a fine, we would have fewer blockages. Water can't flow properly because of plastics," he said.
Mr Tembo added that while the bus operators appreciate the new infrastructure, they are waiting for the rainy season to begin before assessing its effectiveness.
"We are feeling good that they have created drainages for us, but we haven't yet seen how they will work. We will know once the rains start," he said.
The Lusaka City Council has recently intensified drainage rehabilitation works as part of its long-term measures to reduce flooding and improve sanitation in the city.