Lira City Proposes Friday Cleaning for Business Premises
Lira City Proposes Friday Cleaning for Business Premises
Lira City Council is considering introducing a dedicated Friday cleaning period for business owners as authorities seek to ensure that commercial areas remain clean even when businesses are closed during the regular National Cleaning Day exercise.
The proposal follows concerns that some business owners lock their premises during the official cleaning hours, making it difficult for them to participate in the monthly sanitation exercise.
Lira City Mayor Sam Atul said the proposal would help ensure that business premises and other commercial areas are included in the city's sanitation efforts.
Business owners asked to take responsibility
Under the proposed arrangement, business owners who are unable to participate during the regular National Cleaning Day hours would be encouraged to clean their premises on Friday.
The idea is intended to address the challenge of shops and other businesses remaining closed during the designated cleaning period.
Authorities say business owners have an important role to play in keeping commercial areas clean because sanitation cannot depend entirely on city authorities.
Security backs the proposal
North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema acknowledged that some shop owners have been reluctant to participate because they do not want to move around during the official cleaning hours.
He said allowing business owners to clean when they open their premises could help address the problem.
Security personnel have also been enforcing restrictions associated with the National Cleaning Day exercise, including action against people who disregard the designated cleaning period without a valid reason.
Call for cleaner business premises
President of the Lira Pakistan Association Muhammad Ateeq Nawaz has called for stronger measures against owners of business premises that remain dirty and closed during the cleaning exercise.
He argued that maintaining a clean city should be treated as a shared responsibility involving residents, business owners, leaders and other stakeholders.
The National Cleaning Day programme requires communities across Uganda to dedicate the last Saturday of every month to cleaning their surroundings.
In Lira City, authorities say greater participation by business owners will be important if the sanitation programme is to achieve its intended results.
The proposed Friday cleaning arrangement is expected to be considered further by city authorities as they seek a practical way of involving businesses in the city's sanitation programme.
