Bus operators and travelers at Chikumanino Bus Station in Kasama District have appealed to government to address the water and sanitation issues at the station.
Kalasa Sinkala, a bus operator said the facility lacks adequate toilets to accommodate both the operators and travelers.
He explained that there is no proper way of handling sanitary issues due to inadequate toilets and erratic water supply.
Mr Sinkala also complained of inadequate ticket offices for the transport companies at the facility which is affecting their operations.
He has however commended government for restoring sanity in markets and bus stations.
“We have 7 office tickets, and we have over 15 transport companies operating from this station, this is affecting our operations, “He complained.
And Maggie Sakala, a traveller also complained of the poor water and sanitation issues.
Ms Kangwa disclosed that apparently only one toilet is operational for both male and female.
Ms Sakala further requested the local authority to consider constructing a bus shelter for travelers.
She said with the bus shelter in place, Travellers are assured of their safety and that of their goods and a place to rest.
She added that there is a need for the local authority to put up waste bins in designated places around the station to avoid littering.
The concerns were raised when Northern Province Deputy Permanent secretary Beauty Phiri paid an impromptu visit to Chikumanino bus station.
And the deputy permanent Secretary assured people of government’s commitment to addressing their concerns.
Ms Phiri said government will ensure that all the infrastructure that stalled in the markets are completed.
“Our tour to the market is to appreciate the challenges the people are facing and to interact with them. We want to break the communication barrier that exists among us.
” We do not want to reinvent the will but rather finish what was left. Everything that was left behind we will finish, we do not want to start projects all over. “She said. Meanwhile, Acting Director of Engineering Services at the Kasama Municipal Council, Chitundu Mwila highlighted that the local authority is undertaking rehabilitation works at the ablution block.
He explained that once rehabilitation works are completed, both sections for the male and female will be operational and open to the public.
“We are in the final stages of rehabilitation; we should be able to complete soon. Once we are done with the rehabilitation of the female section of the ablution block, we are able to open for both genders and everything will be normalized.”He explained.

Northern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Beauty Phiri in a black dress interacting with the marketers in kasama during the formalisation tour of Location market today.