By Friday Phiri –

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) is working tirelessly to minimise danger from an incident of possible water pollution into the Kamfinsa Stream following a road traffic accident.
The incident happened on Thursday, 17th February, when a truck carrying chemicals destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), plunged into the Kamfinsa Stream after the driver lost control at Kamfinsa Bridge along the Ndola-Kitwe Dual Carriage.
According to preliminary investigations by a team of Inspectors from ZEMA indicated that the truck was loaded with 56 tonnes of Sodium Hydroxide.
Sodium Hydroxide is a corrosive chemical and reacts violently when in contact with water. It can cause damage and severe burns when in contact with the eyes or skin. This therefore poses danger to human life and the environment.
As an initial intervention of the clean-up and decontamination process, on Friday night (18th February, 2022), while working closely with other relevant agencies and the trucking company, a team of experts from ZEMA managed to crane-lift the chemical bags from the submerged truck while efforts to crane-lift the truck from the water were still underway.
As a precautionary measure, ZEMA wishes to advise members of the public especially those in, and around downstream of the Kamfinsa stream to avoid use of, or coming into contact with water from the Kamfinsa stream.
In the meantime, the Agency continued with information dissemination through various mass local media institutions/channels for members of the public to keep away from Kamfinsa stream.
As earlier indicated, detailed investigations will be undertaken after the truck has been lifted out of the stream and the public will be kept informed of the findings and other measures and action taken on the matter.