WITH the removal of street vendors from the streets in Lusaka’s Central Business District (CBD), the move has received some mixed feelings, with some vendors crying foul over the matter.
Some sections of society who also includes other vendors have welcomed the move as sanity has been restored.
With the move effected, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo has appealed to fellow parliamentarians, including those in opposition to hold hands in helping sensitise the country.
Mr Nkombo noted that street vending is not only an eye sore to the country’s wellbeing, but has also led to an escalation in criminal activities, thereby hampering the country’s security as well as sanitation conditions.
On Monday this week, the Lusaka City Council as well as law enforcement took to the streets to remove street vendors.
In a ministerial statement presented in Parliament, Mr Nkombo said the move has helped those trading outside the market to be accommodated inside the market.
Mr Nkombo bemoaned that street vending resulted in the mushrooming of criminal activities such as mugging, knifing and pickpocketing, with some juveniles also showing junky behaviorism.
He said such criminal activities have led to citizens feeling unsafe, with some shunning movements to town.
In an effort to help restore normalcy as well as sanity, Mr Nkombo called for hands being held in togetherness to help implementation of removal of street vending solidified.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) are putting into implementation a Law which was passed by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government.
“Let us hold our hands in this matter to serve in unison. My appeal to the house is to walk with me on the move to sanitise the country. Let us sensitise our citizens that we must go back to normal. This matter is not a political matter, but a matter of restoring sanity, security and safety,” he said.
He noted that Government will not back track the issue as it borders on protecting citizens.
Mr Nkombo further assured the nation that people displaced will be taken care of and accommodated in the right manner.
(Mwebantu, Friday, 21st July, 2023)