Wina Tells Opposition Not To Politicise Floods

Vice President Inonge Wina has instructed opposition leaders not to politicise natural disasters such as the recent flooding in Mumbwa District. 

It comes after United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema blamed the government’s poor planning of settlements for the flood’s high fatality rate. In particular he ridiculed the PF administration for sanctioning residential areas downstream of river dams. 

Vice President Wina has said such finger pointing will not help the situation and that the government will focus on getting aid to the flood victims. 

Central Province Minister Sydney Mushanga was on the ground in Mumbwa, handing out mealie meals, tents and sanitary towels.

Similarly Mr Hichilema was in the affected area on Saturday, donating foodstuffs including cooking oil, sugar and oxen to flood victims. 

“I want in a special way to thank you the people of this community for being each other’s keeper during the calamity. You came together and rescued the victims and all I can say is thank you very much. To the youths, job well done, your help came at the right moment otherwise we would have had several casualties”, the opposition leader said. 

Meanwhile, the ministry of local government is working on a new drainage system that will help alleviate flooding in Lusaka. Local government minister Charles Banda said his department was working with the Ministry of Defence and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to avoid future floods, particularly in the Kanyama and Mass Media areas of the city.