Government has urged local authorities to negotiate concessional rates with the business partners to enhance service delivery and accelerated the Make Zambia Clean and Healthy Campaign through reduced levies. Hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing Dr. Eustarckio Kazonga said he will soon inform the nation on how the Make Zambia Clean and Healthy campaign has fared. He said that the issue of concessions is a good idea and that local authorities should discuss with individual partners to agree on modalities on the matter.

The Minister said that in some cases the councils have difficulties in delivering services to the communities and are only assisted by co-operating partners. Dr. Kazonga cited the case of Gray Rutherford Outdoor Advertising (GROA) in Ndola as one of the companies which are contributing to the community by maintaining surroundings. “Maintaining of the some areas such as the roundabout and some other lawns is part of corporate responsibility and GROA is taking a role in Make Zambia Clean and Healthy Campaign”, the Minister said.

He called on other companies to emulate GROA to plough back their profits into the communities through various services under their company social responsibility programmes.

And GROA Director Gray Rutherford said that the cost of maintaining surroundings has gone up, hence the need for affordable rates being charged by local authorities. Mr. Rutherford said his firm is considering adopting more places for maintenance to help keep Ndola City clean.