DMMU delivers Covid-19 prevention materials to South schools

THE Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit-DMMU has commenced the distribution of COVID-19 prevention materials to schools in Southern Province. DMMU National Coordinator Chanda Kabwe said government wants all schools to be fully equipped with the hygiene materials to curb the spread of the virus and ensure a conducive learning environment for the examinations classes. Mr Kabwe said the Vice President last week flagged off the distribution exercise and materials have been dispatched to all the provinces for onward distribution to the schools. The National Coordinator, however, expressed disappointment over some Members of Parliament in the Province who are spreading falsehood that government is distributing PF branded face masks in public schools. He said the fight against Covid-19 is not a political one and government will never politicize it. He called on the Members of Parliament to desist from making such utterances and concentrate on serving the people. He said government is also giving all boarding schools some food for the learners to supplement the school management. And Special Assistant to the President for Projects and Implementation Andrew Chellah said President Lungu wants all schools to have adequate hygiene materials so that learning is not disturbed. Mr Chellah said this is why government has contracted small scale businesses to supply most of the materials as a way of empowering them. He said in line with the President’s agenda of not leaving anyone behind, local manufacturing industries like the Mulungushi Textiles among others have been given the mandate to produce the face masks, this has enhanced job creation. He however called on Zambians to adopt sustainable livelihood in the wake of the new normal. And receiving the items, Southern Province Permanent Secretary Mwangala Liomba said the Province will put the received items to good use. He said most schools in the Province did not have enough materials to cater for all the examination classes. He further emphasised on the need for accountability of all the items being delivered to the schools. – DMMU. The Sun