LU S A K A City Council (LCC), with s u p p o r t from other stakeholders, has started laying new drainage pipes at Kafue roundabout to reduce flooding around the area. LCC public relations manager George Sichimba said in a statement yesterday that the K200,000 project will be completed in the next two weeks. M r S i c h i m b a s a i d SICHIMBA works will only be done on weekends to avoid inconveniencing motorists and commuters during weekdays.

“The project was proposed following the realisation that one of the reasons for flooding around the area is because of the service cables that have over the years been placed along the old drainage pipes. “This situation has not only reduced the capacity of the pipes but it has also made it difficult to clean or unblock the pipes once blocked.

We have decided to lay new drainage pipes separate from the old ones,” he said. Mr Sichimba said LCC engineering department held a meeting with service providers who have service cables passing through the roundabout. H e s a i d t h e s e r v i c e providers have been asked to come on board and guide the contractor working on the project so that their cables are not disturbed. Mr Sichimba said the new pipes are 600 millimetre diameters and that he project started on Saturday.

He urged the corporate world and other well-wishers to work with the council in implementing the project because it will reduce flooding in the central business district. Mr Sichimba said the council is committed to mitigating the perennial flooding at both Kafue and Kabwe roundabouts as well as other parts of the city. “Three weeks ago, we unblocked the drainage pipes at Kafue roundabout. This has led to reduced flooding at the circle. This is why we need help because the council alone may not do much due to many competing needs against limited resources,” he said.