HAMUKALE LECTURES HH’S CRITICS ON SANITATION

By Arnel Chitundu

FORMER Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale says there is nothing wrong for any leader at any level to participate in water and sanitation, hygiene, and health issues in any community.

Speaking to The Scoop, Dr. Hamukale said there was nothing wrong for President Hakainde Hichilema to officiate at a ceremony at which toilets were being constructed and that those honchos making a fuss about it were misguided elements who did not mean well for the country.

“Not long ago, Zambians were struggling and grappling with cholera in which over 20,000 cases were recorded and about 800 people died from it. It is just right for the President to help awaken the people; to sensitize them by participating in such activities,” Dr. Hamukale said.

He said, if the President associated himself with toilets and hygiene related issues, a lot of people even without waiting on the Government would pick tools and start erecting toilets in their communities.

Dr. Hamukale, who is also a United Party for National Development (UPND) member, said leadership was contagious and leaders were expected to lead by example.

He said the President officiating at a sanitation function signified the importance of health for everyone adding that it was a sign for hygiene to be part of people’s lifestyles as prevention was better than cure.

He explained that just that activity alone by the Head of State, would trigger a lot of communities and families getting involved in construction of toilets at their homes because they saw the President participating in that activity.

He reiterated that if the President associated himself with hygiene, everybody else would see that he was a man looking for healthy communities.