By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, March 15, Mana: District Commissioner for Lilongwe Dr. Lawford Palani has urged people in the district to embrace hygiene by among others sweeping and cleaning their premises.

Dr. Palani made the call on Friday during a clean-up day the council organized for its members of staff and stakeholders.

He said government under the leadership of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is geared to see every public place clean and tidy.

 "I participated in the clean-up exercise to lead as an example so that people should also emulate the gesture and replicate it in their homes, workplace and their surroundings," he said.

He then urged Members of Parliament, traditional leaders and councilors to emulate the gesture by encouraging their people in their areas, more especially in public markets to always be tidy.

Dr. Palani said having a clean environment in places like markets is crucial as most people patronize such places, which if left unattended to, can spread a number of water borne diseases such as cholera.

One of the vendors Christopher Chipanje who also took part in the sweeping exercise, thanked the council for the initiative saying it will go a long way in making public places such as markets clean and tidy,

Chipanje asked the council to provide them with bins and pit latrines saying in the absence of these hygiene is compromised in several markets in the district.

Lilongwe district is one of the districts that registers cases of cholera each year due to lack of hygiene in several public places such markets.