By Mubanga Mubanga
Gwembe Valley advocate Wynter Muvombo has lamented that the ministerial statement by livestock and fisheries minister Makozo Chikote in parliament failed to address the contentious issues that are of concern to people of Sinazongwe.
Chikote in a ministerial statement said his ministry was sending additional 37,000 dosages of anthrax to cover the entire cattle population in Sinazongwe district following the outbreak of anthrax in that area.
He also confirmed that two people had died of suspected anthrax following the break out of the disease.
The minister further said a total of 245 animals and 223 people developed skin sores due to anthrax.
Chikote also said the government had put in place measures to contain the disease and avert loss of animals and human life in affected areas.
But reacting to the ministerial statement issued on Wednesday by Chikote on anthrax breakout, Muvombo said the statement failed to address issues as people in affected areas expected.
“We are all sympathizing with the government and with ourselves who are affected from the valley region. But never to say that we feel the statement itself failed to address concerns of Citizens in areas l will state,” Muvombo said to Daily Revelation Newspaper.
He said it was their expectation that the minister will guide the veterinary officers in Sinazongwe to ensure areas that are affected give weekly updates on the disease regarding how many areas villagers are affected or zonal places affected.
Muvombo added that it is also important for the government to disclose the drugs being administered and their effects on the animals afterwards.
He further said the ministry should concentrate on preventing the disease because it poses a danger to human life and animals while many people in Sinazongwe mostly use animals to farm.
Muvombo also challenged the government to be proactive than reactive in as far as preventing animals from escaping the district is concerned.
“You look at the statement by Byta FM it gives you information that those goats were coming from the valley so it means animals are still escaping out of the district,” said Muvombo. “So me the measures are not really there to cartel, because we are just being reactive.”
Muvombo said government must step up in sensitising the people about anthrax because a lot of them are still ignorant about the disease.
He said many of them have been drying this meat and keeping it in their homes and added that there is need for sensitization through the involvement of chiefs.
