Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government is hopeful of achieving an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in the country before the end of 2015 in a bid to promote improved sanitation and hygiene.
Speaking during the celebration of the 2 million sanitation users in Chieftainess Malembeka’s Chiefdom in Mpongwe District on the Copperbelt today, Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge says government is pleased to see more villages in the country are living under improved sanitation conditions.
Mr. Musenge says Copperbelt is proud to have a first female chief to achieve the ODF status in the province and has urged other chiefs to emulate her.
Mr. Musenge says Zambia’s chances of achieving an ODF status still lies in the hands of the traditional leader because of their influence in communities.
He says the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Program that is spearheaded by government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing with support from UNICEF and DFID, has made great strides in improving the country’s sanitation and hygiene.
Speaking at the same event, Chieftainess Malembeka says since 2009 she with the help of CLTS Champions have been sensitizing members of the community on the dangers of open defecation and its effect on their health.
Chieftainess Malembeka has since pledged to keep the ODF status in her chiefdom by ensuring that each and every household has an improved latrine toilet.
Speaking earlier, CLTS National Coordinator Leonard Mukosha says 67 districts and 700 wards across the country are benefiting from the CLTS program which is targeting over three million people to start using improved sanitation.
Mr. Mukosha also commended Chieftainess Malembeka for becoming the first Chieftainess in the country to attain the Open Defacation Free (ODF) status saying her hard work has paid off.
And UNICEF Chief of Toilets John Pinfold says this is a very inspiring achievement and has made a significant contribution to the 2 million sanitation users as well as being first chiefdom in the Copperbelt to achive ODF status.
Some of the notable people who attended the celebration include Chief Chona and Chief Macha of the Tonga speaking people from Monze, who are also among the six chiefs who have attained the ODF status, Chief Nkambo of the Lamba speaking people of Mpongwe District, Mpongwe District Commissioner George Nsali and other senior government officials.
Chieftainess Malembeka has become the sixth Chief to attain the ODF status out of the two hundred and eighty eight chiefs (288) in Zambia and has a total of 26, 120 population.