Sinkamba opposes the creation of a new solid waste company

SinkambaOpposition Green Party President Peter Sinkamba says the announcement by Government that it intends to create a new solid waste company following the cholera outbreak is an unnecessary end-of-pipe solution which typically re-invents the wheel.

Mr. Sinkamba says the best approach and sustainable solution is to review the past to inform the present and the future.

He says review of the past on solid waste management system will reveal that in order to facilitate the completion of the privatization of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM), the World Bank funded a US$38 million project through the Asset Holding Company-Mining Municipal Services (AHC-MMS), which supported the provision of efficient and reliable water supply services, waste-water services and solid waste management in five townships on the Copperbelt.

Mr. Sinkamba explains that this resulted in massive rehabilitation of existing waste and water reticulation assets, as well as the undertaking of necessary improvements, and introduction of new maintenance systems.

He states that that after the World Bank support ended, the waste management component of AHC was transformed into Copperbelt Waste Management Company (COPWASTE), which has since been poorly managed due to lack of Government political-will to pay for services rendered as well as unfulfilled grant promises.

Mr Sinkamba has since proposed that government should roll-out COPWASTE countrywide instead of creating a new company which will start from the scratch.

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