Kabwe Municipal Council has received widespread commendation for initiating stakeholder consultations on six proposed new by-laws aimed at protecting the environment, curbing land degradation, and generating sustainable revenue for climate change mitigation and environmental management.
The proposed by-laws are:
-Aggregate Levy (to regulate uncontrolled sand, laterite and gravel quarrying)
-Clay Brick-Making Levy (to control unregulated brick production)
-Climate Change By-Law
-Environmental Impact Assessment By-Law
-Land and Environmental Degradation Control By-Law
-Truck Parking Levy (targeting heavy vehicle parking management)
During the consultative meeting held on Tuesday in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre, stakeholders overwhelmingly welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely step towards upgrading Kabwe’s long-stagnant municipal status.
Makululu Ward Development Committee Chairperson, Mr Thomson Halwembe, urged the Council to develop a strong resource mobilisation and financial strategy to ensure sufficient funds are available for town upgrading.
Luangwa Catchment Manager at Kabwe Water Resources Management Authority, Mr Anthony Chabala, and Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia Central Province Coordinator, Reverend Moses Kazimwalupya, also praised the Council’s proactive approach.
Rev. Kazimwalupya, however, stressed the importance of introducing stringent punitive measures to effectively address environmental degradation and local pollution, which he said currently pose serious risks to human health.
Other stakeholders who expressed strong support included Njanji WDC Chairperson Ms Agness Mboma, Lwasanse Ward Chairperson Mr Macmillan Chilangisha, and Ubuntungwa Youth Organisation Director Mr Mwape Mwangilwa, among others.
Earlier, Director of Legal Services at Kabwe Municipal Council, Ms Lubeta Muyabala, explained that wide stakeholder consultation is a legal requirement before any new by-laws can be enacted.
