Bwana Mkubwa PF member of parliament Jonas Chanda says cholera is knocking in his constituency due to the severe shortage of water.

And Copperbelt provincial medical officer Dr Consity Mwale says the province is on high cholera alert.

In a statement to News Diggers! Chanda challenged Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company to explain the two-week water shortage to residents of Mushili township and surrounding residential areas.

“I urge Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company to explain to the residents the reasons for prolonged water shortages. What are they doing about this critical situation, and when will water supply be restored permanently? People can’t pay for a service that is not offered,” Chanda said.

He said it was very sad that instead of residents in Mushili and Bonano and other affected areas rejoicing over Zambia’s 53 years of Political Independence, they were instead subjected to inhuman suffering.

“With the current Cholera outbreak in Lusaka, a Cholera epidemic outbreak in areas affected by severe water shortages in Bwana Mkubwa Constituency and other areas is just “knocking on the door.” It can lead to many people falling sick or even dying,” said Chanda.

And Dr Mwale said the province was sampling the quality of water through active random surveillance.

“Water is being tested for bacteriological contamination as well as chemical composition. The province has since identified possible treatment centres in all districts and embarked on hygiene [sensitisation] campaigns. The outbreak of cholera in Lusaka is a wakeup call to put in preventive measures,” said Dr Mwale.