Abandoned project irks Mzuzu residents
By Patience Lunda:
Members of the community at Mchengautuba East Ward in Mzuzu City have called for the completion of abandoned classroom block and toilets projects at Mchengautuwa 2 Primary School.
The project was abandoned in 2014 and this is affecting learning at the school.
This was disclosed during an engagement meeting that Find your Feet, Livingstonia Synod’s Church and Society Programme together with the Voice of Livingstonia Radio had with the communities.
Block leader for the ward, Chimwemwe Msango, said the classroom block and toilets were being constructed through Local Development Fund whose budget was not disclosed when the project started.
Msango said some city council officials took all building equipment before the construction works were completed at the school in 2014.
“The project started very well but it was abandoned a year after it started and we are trying to find answers as to why this was the case because children are suffering here,” he said.
Parent-Teacher Association Chairperson, Patrick Chihana, said failure to complete the project has led to classroom congestion thereby causing unhygienic practices at its lavatories.
“The school’s enrollment has increased overtime and the lack of adequate classrooms has led to congestion. Another issue is that of toilets, students queue to access toilets; hence, having sanitation challenges,” he said.
Mzuzu City Council (MCC) Public Relations Officer, McDonald Gondwe, asked for more time before commenting on the matter.
Recently, some Mchengautuba East and West wards’ residents accused MCC officials of complacence when executing their duties.
The three organisations embarked on an eight-month urban governance project to increase active citizenship, stakeholder engagement and duty bearer responsiveness in Mzuzu.
Through the project, the city’s dwellers were empowered to demand quality services from MCC and promote duty bearer responsiveness.
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