He said this on Friday during the district's clean up exercise where he also challenged vendors around the trading centre to take responsibility in managing their surroundings especially this rainy season to avoid cholera outbreak.

He said that for the major trade center that is connecting Malawi's mega cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe, to have no such facilities, it is a ticking bomb.

"You know a lot of people lodge here from Blantyre en route to Lilongwe or Mwanza, so, a lot of activities do take place here. We need WASH facilities to be in place to avoid diseases such as cholera," he said.

In response, Neno District Council Director of Planning and Development Charles Lomoni said the issue of waste management is being taken care of and that a new dumping site is being constructed at Mbemba in the district.

He then he called for collaboration among the government, the public sector, the business community and the general public if the exercise is to be a success.

Representing all Group and Village heads, acting Senior Chief Symon advised the council to provide the trade centre with all necessary facilities saying the place connects the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe hence could be a breeding ground for waterborne diseases such as cholera.

He noted with concern the absence of piped water as a major setback to the growth of the centre.

The Senior Chief, then asked all people's plying their trade around Zalewa to be responsible enough and manage their wastes through among other means by making briquettes and recycling.

Similar exercises also took place at Ligowe and Kambale rural growth centres. The exercise was launched by the State president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera soon after he took the mantle of power.