Minister gives BT City Council 7-day ultimatum to clean up wastes in Limbe River

Blantyre City Council (BCC)  have been given a seven-day ultimatum by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri  to clean up wastes dumped in Limbe River.

Phiri gave the ultimutum on Wednesday after a surprise visit to Limbe and Kachere markets in the cit.

He said poor waste disposal in the markets is a ticking bomb.

“We have a hygiene challenge to be addressed. The council must identify proper waste dumping sites and I give them seven days to clean up Limbe River,” said Phiri.

“BCC also has 14 days to come up with plans to address frequent sewer system breakdowns,” he said.

Blantyre mayor Wild Ndipo promised to obey the ultimatums and “do the job.”

The Mayor said the garbage comes from vendors who illegally dump the wastes into the river.

He promised to engage market chairpersons to change traders’ mindset on hygiene practices.

Apart from Limbe, other polluted rivers in the city are Mudi, Nasolo, Likhubula, Naperi and South Lunzu.