By Isaac Zulu
About 25 houses have collapsed in Chama district in Eastern Province, following heavy downpours in the areas.
Chama North member of parliament Yotam Mtayachalo confirmed the development in an interview to Daily Revelation.
Mtayachalo explained that the houses in question collapsed due to heavy rains experienced in the area, following the tropical storm that has characterised the Zambian weather pattern.
“Yes, I can confirm that about 25 houses have collapsed in Chama district. Of those houses, 18 are from Chama North Constituency while the other seven houses that have collapsed are in Chama South Constituency,” explained Mtayachalo. “Additionally, three schools in my constituency have had their roofs blown off. And this entails that the pupils that are supposed to be in schools this time around will not have a chance to learn or have access to their education facilities.”
The Patriot Front lawmaker has also expressed disappointment with the Disaster Mitigation and Management Unit in the region for not paying particular attention to the calamity that has befallen the people in his Constituency.
“I have been in touch with the Provincial Disaster Mitigation and Management Unit officer, explaining about the same issue. And the response I have been getting is that they are still waiting for guidelines from Lusaka on the utilisation of the DMMU funds,” said Mtayachalo. “I am personally disappointed about this development. I am very disappointed to note that an issue that required urgent attention from relevant authorities cannot receive the required urgent attention.”
Meanwhile, Mtayachalo has urged the UPND government to expedite the disbursement of the Constituency Development Fund.
“We were hoping that we can attend to disaster issues affecting the people in our communities using part of the Constituency Development Fund. As you may be aware, according to the latest guidelines, three per cent of the Constituency Development Fund can easily be channeled towards the mitigation and disaster unit,” said Mtayachalo.
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