Don’t donate directly to council facilities, Sampa urges

CHINTU MALAMBO writes ORGANISATIONS and individuals who wish to donate towards Covid-19 fight through the Council should not take their donations directly to council facilities like markets, Lusaka Mayor, Miles Sampa has urged. Mr Sampa said in a statement yesterday that the council has an established procedure of first documenting all donations at Civic Centre before distributing them to needy areas. He emphasised that the procedure was meant to ensure accountability of all donated materials to the Council in line with Government guidelines. He said this when he received, on behalf of LCC, assorted cleaning materials donated by BAPS Charities, a Hindu religious organisation based in Rhodes Park on Friday. “As a city father I’m non-partisan or selective and so I am free to receive donations on behalf of the people of the city from any organisation/individuals but procedure should be followed to ensure accountability of all donated materials,” he emphasised. Mr Sampa said it was a happy moment for him to receive the donation from BAPS Charities on behalf of Lusaka City Council and the people of Lusaka. He said what BAPS charities had exhibited was a clear demonstration of the organizations’ response to the call for everyone to get involved in the fight against the spread of Coronavirus. The mayor said Covid-19 knows no race, creed, colour, religious or political affiliation hence the need for everyone to get involved in the fight. “Ladies and gentlemen, today we are witnessing the seriousness that this Hindu religious group attaches to the fight against Coronavirus in the city,” he said. He said the donation would go a long way in boosting the work of Lusaka City Council towards the fight against Covid-19. “Your donation is equally in safe hands and will be channelled towards the intended purpose through Councillors as quickly as possible,” he assured. The Sun